Richard Barfield

Sunrise over Roehampton

Another beautiful morning

Will the UK and EU choose to be partners or rivals? From defence collaboration to energy, the bloc is struggling to decide how to view its former member

'There are times when common interests trump narrower considerations; this is one of them'. Me on the Brexit negotiations and why the collapse of SAFE talks was unfortunate www.ft.com/content/0e5e...

The UK government doesn’t help itself by being slow and politically timid on its approach to the EU.

Trump envoys press plan with Ukraine as sanctions eased on Russia President Donald Trump's envoys were to meet Thursday with Ukrainian negotiators for the third time in two weeks to press his plan to end the war as his administration eased economic pressure on Russi...

Two days after Witkoff and Kushner met Putin, the Treasury Department partially suspended sanctions on Russia announced last October
www.france24.com/en/live-news...

Beautiful autumn sunrise towards Roehampton in SW London

Beautiful sunrise from this morning’s dog walk in SW London.

One thing I’ll never understand about the BBC, is that they seem not to realise they are the BBC. Still the most trusted news brand. They don’t need “star names” like Kuenssberg, Robinson, Mason etc.
All news should be delivered by an anonymous individual with a bag over their head.

Judging by my feed, Bluesky can’t seem to differentiate between the Antonio #Spurs and #Tottenham.

While "peace" negotiations continue, remember that Russia could simply stop the war at any time.

Another argument against restricting the right to jury trial is that citizen engagement with the justice system is good for them too, not just the defendant. It is a positive volunteering experience and part of active citizenship.

Good point!

Today the news will be about the government's proposals for juries.

Please read this thread so as to be informed about the actual practical problems in the criminal justice system - problems which will not be solved by this misconceived and illiberal tinkering.

Listening to David Lammy on @BBCr4today attempting to justify abolishing trial by jury, it is increasingly and terrifyingly clear that he simply does not understand the issues.

@shelaghfogarty.bsky.social
@mrjamesob.bsky.social
@lbc.co.uk

Useful observation for your upcoming conversation.

Suggestion Rachel Reeves exaggerated fiscal pressures is absurd Chancellor was instead far too optimistic about public finances and government’s ability to secure cuts

Feel like I'm going mad. The Budget's 'headroom' is based on frankly irresponsible and wildly optimistic claims about what Labour will do in the final year of the forecast, and on ignoring a bunch of upward pressures on spending, and the claim is that she was being exaggeratedly *pessimistic*?

Misleading the public by omission is also an issue.
Farage and Badenoch persistently fail to acknowledge the huge economic harm of #Brexit to the public finances.
That particular black hole is estimated to be worth £50 billion (OBR) up to £90 billion (NBER).

Fake post

@dankaszeta.bsky.social this seems to be fake - please delete your post.

We should be very grateful for this outstanding balanced and detailed from-court reporting on a sensitive complex case.

The same description applies to every British government from Cameron onwards.

It also goes back a long way to Cameron and his disastrous referendum

The absence of effective leadership from successive British governments is exasperating.

Petition: Call a public inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics & democracy We are concerned about reported efforts from Russia to influence democracy in the US, UK, Europe and elsewhere. We believe we must establish the depth and breadth of possible Russian influence campaig...

I've signed. Have you?

Petition: Call a public inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics & democracy petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...

🚨WOW! The Petition calling for a public inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics & democracy has now rocketed past 75,000 signatures! 🙏

LET’S KEEP GOING!

If a petition is what it’s going to take let’s get this done!
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...

‘Unelected power’ of ultra-rich is reshaping British politics, report claims Equality Trust study shows how House of Lords appointments, big donations and media ownership affect political decisions

“Just three companies – DMG Media, News UK and Reach – control 90% of UK national newspaper circulation, a 20% increase in market concentration since 2014. Newsquest and National World – control 51% of the UK’s 882 local newspapers and local news websites”

www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

My Budget question for Rachel Reeves and Keir Starmer👇 “If you had £40 billion [CORRECTION] £90 BILLION in extra tax receipts each year for the foreseeable future, how would you spend it?”

True but OTOH there are permanent losses. Even when the UK rejoins the EU, the UK could never recover or repair the full economic damage of Brexit.

My Budget question for Rachel Reeves and Keir Starmer👇

“If you had £40 billion in extra tax receipts each year for the foreseeable future, how would you spend it?”

My Budget question for Rachel Reeves and Keir Starmer👇

“If you had £40 billion in extra tax receipts each year for the foreseeable future, how would you spend it?”

UK gambling firms make extra £1bn from punters amid calls for tax rises Betting companies made £12.6bn in 12 months to March, with 15% rise in takings from online casino players

Betting companies made £12.6bn in the last 12 months. How many lives did they destroy in the process?
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...

The reforms are "in line with what countries around the world do" to stop the abuse of their immigration systems, Malhotra told the BBC in the southern Indian city of Chennai, adding that there was a "very strong message we also send, which is that we welcome those coming legally". According to Malhotra some16,000 international students from across the world had applied for asylum in the UK last year after completing their courses, which she said was evidence of abuse of legal migration routes.

This is objectively bollocks by Malhotra, so very much in tune with Labour comms on this.
People's circumstances change, global situations change. That is the main reason why you get people on one visa route needing to apply for asylum. It is not "abuse of the system"

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

This is an excellent, depressing, analysis. Trump accuses Democrats of treason, yet he is the one colluding with Russia, selling out allies, betraying NATO, and surrendering US interests to the diktats of a foreign nation. Trump is a deeply corrupt, compromised, craven Quisling.