Steve Mayo 🔶️

I can't imagine a job i'd like to do less. Managing an organisation held to a ludicrous standard by roaring idiots on a daily basis, while the main mediums it uses are all in decline and it's starved of resources.

It’s ironic but predictable that the BBC duo -who tried so hard to please the right wing papers-are removed by the right wing papers.

Glad that someone has finally taken responsibility for the appalling assault on democracy that was the Jan. 6 insurrection.

Slightly confused that it's the Director-General of the BBC, but what do I know?

The Artist

#2025playlist

Progtastic.

open.spotify.com/track/5YdJxa...

Welcome to 21st-century politics: a bitter revolt against power that will consume Labour and the Tories | John Harris A mood of turbulence and insurgency against the two main parties has been building for years, says Guardian columnist John Harris

"If today’s insurgents and troublemakers become tomorrow’s ruling establishment, the turbulence and complexity they feed off will soon come for them too. That is an indication of what the modern political cycle really is: a twisted wheel, spinning faster than any of us yet understand."

Incredibly sobering post but do bear this section in mind when you hear Chris Philp and Robert Jenrick getting on their high horse...

Everybody's Song

#2025playlist

open.spotify.com/track/3sGfDP...

Beneath the Earth

#2025playlist

open.spotify.com/track/3gbDfw...

A fun question. In 5 years time, what looks better? The US’s enormous bet & capex on AI? Or China’s equally enormous bet and capex on renewables?

Sparrowsong

#2025playlist

open.spotify.com/track/52MWdb...

Season 4 / Episode 8

"Mrs. Simpson what did you and your husband do
after you were ejected from the restaurant?"

"We pretty much went straight home."

"Mrs. Simpson you're under oath."

"We drove around until 3:00
Looking for another all-you-can-eat fish restaurant."

"And when you couldnt find one?"

"We went fishing"

It's sad that Labour 'might' introduce PR only now because it may benefit them at the next GE. The Libdems advocate for PR whether it benefits them or not. It's a fair voting system in line with Libdem values.

Yo Chavez

#2025playlist

open.spotify.com/track/7bufLy...

For what it's worth, I don't think the message of Mamdani's win is 'run socialists everywhere'. It's 'run people everywhere who fit their specific place and have the knowledge and instincts to make persuasive progressive arguments relevant to that place'.

Economic policy is one thing Nigel Farage can’t crib from the Donald Trump playbook | Rafael Behr The Maga model, based on the US’s exorbitant market privileges, can’t be imported to Britain. That’s going to be a problem for Reform UK, says Guardian columnist Rafael Behr

On Farage, the economy and how spent he looks when he can’t work the Maga playbook www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Making a mess of a mess | Robert Hutton | The Critic Magazine To get one incoherent speech on the economy may be regarded as a misfortune. To get two in the same morning… well, it did at least move us towards an explanation of why people have to keep making them.

You wait months for an incoherent speech on the economy, and then two come along in the same morning! My SKETCH of Rachel Reeves vs Kemi Badenoch vs Reality.

Also notable that the Tories are on 7% with people under-50. In fifth place. And only 4 points above the SNP in sixth (who obviously only stand in Scotland).

Alberto Balsalm

#2025playlist

open.spotify.com/track/2bz9P2...

Sharkbait | Robert Hutton | The Critic Magazine “A relationship is like a shark,” Woody Allen tells Diane Keaton in Annie Hall. “It has to constantly move forward or it dies.” Watching Nigel Farage trying to keep his Reform Party interesting on…

Sharkbait: Nigel Farage needs the threat of an election to keep Reform moving forwards. My SKETCH.

Mashita

#2025playlist

open.spotify.com/track/63qms9...

I hope the BBC will challenge Nigel Farage today over the economic damage caused by the Brexit he championed.

He needs to be held to account for the damage he's done instead of always being given an easy ride.

Chimera

#2025playlist

spotify.link/IoreU2fwYXb

Serene

#2025playlist

spotify.link/28ifc6KJWXb

Very struck by this. The value of #LibDem councillors "working all year round" and being seen to by voters.

NEW from me:

Political hostility, high visa fees and (in the case of the UK) stagnant incomes are making the UK and US less attractive destinations for top international talent.

That steep decline in the appeal of moving to the US after 2016 is 👀

The US remains the most popular destination among educated young adults worldwide, but its lead over #2 has narrowed from 20pts to 9pts, while the UK has plummeted from a consistent #2 ranking to #7, again with a steep fall after 2016.

Valley

#2025playlist

spotify.link/c82rAvq7UXb

Great read from @iandunt.bsky.social on whether Starmer should stay or go, including the mystery of how, if you’re launching a popular climate, energy, and growth strategy, why wouldn’t you stage a press conference on it?
iandunt.substack.com/p/a-world-wi...

Fantastic result in Bromsgrove, congratulations to Sam Ammar and the local team!

Across the country, it’s the Liberal Democrats who are taking the fight to Reform and winning 💪