Nostr notes by Claire McNab

Adam Ramsay is a journalist & member of the Green Party of ...

2026-05-26T15:12:36Z

Adam Ramsay is a journalist & member of the Green Party of England & Wales #GPEW.

He has insight on the structural & social factors behind the #SNP / #PeterMurrell crisis.

A small group of outsiders had rapidly moved to centre-stage at the head of a vastly bigger group, with much more power & resources.The personal trust+loyalty that had got them there was no longer sufficient for good administration, but old habits and loyalties were entrenched.

The #GPEW needs to learn from this.

#ukpol

The favouritism for unearned income is of course outrageous, and ...

2026-05-26T11:52:38Z

In reply to nevent1q…rary
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The favouritism for unearned income is of course outrageous, and should be ended. The complexity is a baroque scandal.

But the big problem with UK taxation is is that it taxes the wrong things: primarily work and daily expenditure, instead of assets and resources and capital gains. This is brutal class warfare by the rich, and it needs to be inverted.

The UK is now trying to make #trans lives unliveable, thoroughout ...

2026-05-24T20:35:57Z

In reply to nevent1q…4c0c
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The UK is now trying to make #trans lives unliveable, thoroughout the UK. Not just in induvidual states, like in the USA, but everywhere. An entire class of people is being made nonpeople.

See Toby Buckle's ling article "The End of Trans Rights in the UK is the Start of Democratic Collapse".

https://www.liberalcurrents.com/the-end-of-trans-rights-in-the-uk-is-the-start-of-democratic-collapse/

@ChrisMayLA6@zirk.us has moved (npub12pw…zvxn)

Fianna Fáil's decline continues. Its #DublinCentral vote ...

2026-05-23T17:19:09Z

Fianna Fáil's decline continues. Its #DublinCentral vote share is down from 44.5% in 2007, down to 4.2% today. That' is FF's lowest vote share in a Dáil election in the party's 100 year history.

In #GalwayWest, the tally gives #FiannaFail barely 9%.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin narrowly survived the disaster of #JimGavin's candidacy in #Aras25. Can he stagger on after another disaster?

#iepol #MichealMartin

Short Thread: #Alberta's provincial govt wants a referendum ...

2026-05-23T00:04:49Z

Short Thread: #Alberta's provincial govt wants a referendum on independence from #Canada.

If the rest of #Canada had a vote, it would probably choose to keep the province but expel the people.

Without Alberta, east-west travel across Canada would involve a gruelling diversion north into permafrost. But oil+gas has turned Albertans into greedy reactionaries with a crush on the Great Satan and egos the size of Murican cars. A sort of icy #Texas, but with less charm and more resentment.

>>

sadly, there are similar horrors in Germany ...

2026-05-22T22:43:16Z

In reply to nevent1q…lp0r
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sadly, there are similar horrors in Germany

https://mastodon.ie/@2legged/116620391261277973

Deirdre Wood had a humiliating defeat in the 1987 Greenwich ...

2026-05-21T18:12:10Z

In reply to nevent1q…5ul7
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Deirdre Wood had a humiliating defeat in the 1987 Greenwich by-election.

Labour realised that by-election candidates face way more scrutiny than in a general election. So they adopted a much more intensive selection process for by-election.

The Kinnock/Hattersly leadership abused the centralised system to enforce the energing neoliberal stance. 😡

But the principle of extra scrutiny was right. #GPEW are new to the frontline of by-elections, but now need to up their selection game.

In #GreaterManchester, concern is growing that there may not be a ...

2026-05-19T18:38:41Z

In #GreaterManchester, concern is growing that there may not be a proper #byelection in #Makerfield.

Four parties have now named their candidates, but so far there has been no statement from either #LordBuckethead nor #CountBinface.

Buckethead has been quiet for some time, but #Binface recently nominated himself for #Eurovision. There are now fears that he won't be rested in time for the by-election.

#ukpol

#Starmer and #Streeting flying rejoin-EU kites as Andy #Burnham ...

2026-05-18T20:52:36Z

#Starmer and #Streeting flying rejoin-EU kites as Andy #Burnham prepares to fight a pro-#Brexit #Makerfield constituency 😅🤣 #Torygraph https://archive.is/5zHnu

It's heartwarming to watch the rats of the so-called "#LabourParty" fighting among themselves 😈

#ukpol

I think there are two different questions that could asked about ...

2026-05-18T19:29:53Z

In reply to nevent1q…xet5
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I think there are two different questions that could asked about hosting the Olympics.

The question #KenLivingstone asked when the bid was suggested: will this bring a net influx of investment to London? Answer yes yes yes. National funds poured in, primarily by raiding the national lottery.

Other question: is Olympics the best use of the money? I say no.

In other words, Olympics is a great way of grabbing a disproportionate share of national funds,but a poor use of the funds.

When Catherine met Charles. Today, in #Buckingham Palace, ...

2026-05-18T18:08:21Z

When Catherine met Charles.

Today, in #Buckingham Palace, #Ireland's #PresidentConnolly met #UKania's #KingCharles.

#Starmer

Dr #MargaretConnolly, the sister of President #CatherineConnolly, ...

2026-05-18T17:13:40Z

Dr #MargaretConnolly, the sister of President #CatherineConnolly, is one of 6 Irish citizens kidnapped by #Israeli terrorists after a #Gaza-bound aid flotilla was intercepted in the Mediterranean this morning.

So far, 6 of the 15 personnel on the flotilla have been kidnapped. They had prs-recirded personal statements, which were released by the flotilla.

#Palestine #PresidentConnolly

You're right, @npub12pw…zvxn! I would indeed say no. The ...

2026-05-18T14:47:22Z

In reply to nevent1q…3t2s
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You're right, @ChrisMayLA6@zirk.us has moved (npub12pw…zvxn)! I would indeed say no.

The problem is the nature of what gets built.

Communities need local, free to use sport and recreation facilities. But Olympic buildings are huge, pay-to-access centralised spectator venues focused on elite sports rather than on the health and enjoyment of partipation.

Multi-city hosting just disperses the white elephants. These monstrosities don't just take funds from local amenitues; they often grab the land from public amenities.

The Olympics are a humungous waste of public money. Their legacy ...

2026-05-18T12:34:15Z

In reply to nevent1q…n4v9
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The Olympics are a humungous waste of public money. Their legacy is a set of trophy buildings of limited long-term use, which become expensive white elephants, draining public funds until they are abandoned.

Cities are tempted by the prospect of bringing money into the city, but the money is mostly wasted.

National governments should ban cities from involvement in this circus. There are much better uses of public funds.

Party leader organises event to say that he will back his own ...

2026-05-18T11:59:17Z

Party leader organises event to say that he will back his own party's candidate. 🙄

Seriously. It was assumed that #Starmer would want #AndyBurnham to fail. And this denial merely strengthens the assumption. 🤣

That background noise is the sound of authority draining away.

More at https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2026/may/18/keir-starmer-labour-leadership-wes-streeting-andy-burnham-david-lammy-brexit-eu-latest-news-updates?page=with%3Ablock-6a0aeb428f0896e378f67c36#block-6a0aeb428f0896e378f67c36

#ukpol #Burnham #Makerfield

#AndyBurnham does NOT support #ProportionalRepresentation #PR. ...

2026-05-17T23:22:12Z

#AndyBurnham does NOT support #ProportionalRepresentation #PR. 😡

Burnham supports #SupplementaryVote, also known as #AlternativeVote #AV, which is NOT a proportional system

And he will NOT scrap the current #FirstPastThePost #FPTP before the next general election #GE2029. So #ReformUK could win a huge overall majority on 30% of votes.

That makes a vote for #Burnham pointiess. He's a #Blairite who won't even introduce fair votes. 😡

There's no point to Burnham. Reject him, #Makerfield!

#ukpol

BREAKING: Man optimistic he can replace hated prime minister and ...

2026-05-17T15:43:15Z

BREAKING: Man optimistic he can replace hated prime minister and win over the public by doing the exact same policies, but in a Mancunian accent.

#Starmer #Burnham #NormalIslandNews #Makerfield

Why? Because he's arrogant rat, who can't count. He ...

2026-05-15T19:51:52Z

Why? Because he's arrogant rat, who can't count. He hadn't got the numbers, but he ploughed on regardless. Crash!

But there's scope here for a great scathing ballad. "The Rat Who Couldn't Count"

Labour is the bookies' current favourite to win the ...

2026-05-15T13:56:11Z

Labour is the bookies' current favourite to win the #Makerfield by-election. https://www.oddschecker.com/insight/politics/20260515-makerfield-by-election-odds-andy-burnham-labour-favourites

But I reckon that the bookies' short 4/6 odds refect commercisl caution rather than an optimist assessment of Labour's chances. #AndyBurnham faces a stiff uphill battle, and the campaign could easily get very very difficult for him.

If I was betting, then sadly I think that my money would be safest on Reform.

#ukpol #Burnham

Do you prefer dictatorship? Or absolute monsrchÿ? Or just ...

2026-05-14T19:24:09Z

In reply to nevent1q…3l28
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Do you prefer dictatorship? Or absolute monsrchÿ?

Or just rejectionism, with mo alternative?

@ChrisMayLA6@zirk.us has moved (npub12pw…zvxn)

The #Makerfield constituency looks like a perfect gift to ...

2026-05-14T17:32:24Z

The #Makerfield constituency looks like a perfect gift to #AndyBurnham:

1/ in Greater Manchester
2/ next door to his former Leigh constituency
3/ in a borough where Reform did v badly in this years local elections
4/ a seat where Labour held up well in 2024, despite a parachuted-in candidate

I still don't understand why #JoshSimons is helping #Burnham. But his gift looks very helpful.

#ukpol

So far, this looks like good news. The #PrincelingOfDarkness has ...

2026-05-14T13:19:54Z

In reply to nevent1q…t4s2
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So far, this looks like good news.

The #PrincelingOfDarkness has crashed off the runway, and is trying to save face.

https://mastodon.ie/@2legged/116573108798995585

Wes #Streeting, the #PrincelingOfDarkness (loyal pal of ...

2026-05-14T13:14:37Z

Wes #Streeting, the #PrincelingOfDarkness (loyal pal of #Mandelson), has resigned from the UK government.

But he has NOT made a leadership challenge. Which he wouod have dine, if he had the numbers.

Now he is trying to save some face by posing as a sort of fair process advocate. But basically, he has just crashed. 😅🤣🥂🍺

And he is no longer Health Secretary ❤️

#ukpol

Will nobody think of #Streeting, the #PrincelingOfDarkness? #Matt ...

2026-05-13T17:34:30Z

Will nobody think of #Streeting, the #PrincelingOfDarkness?

#Matt in Thursday's ##Torygraph

#ukpol

The morning's fancy dress event is over. Writers of the ...

2026-05-13T13:02:47Z

The morning's fancy dress event is over. Writers of the #UKpolitics show have changed tack. The on/off/on/off leadership challenge by the #PrincelingOfDarkness (aka #WesStreeting) is rumoured to be on again tomorrow.

This is a great storyline, because the Princeling of Darkness is a rightwing ultra-Blairite extremist and even less popular than the widely-loathed #Starmer.
https://yougov.com/en-gb/articles/54093-political-favourability-ratings-february-2026
https://labourlist.org/2026/02/keir-starmer-wes-streeting-leadership-survati

He would rapidly crash as leader, but won't get that far. #popcorn

#ukpol

The writers of the #UKpolitics show continue to create first-rate ...

2026-05-13T07:22:06Z

The writers of the #UKpolitics show continue to create first-rate entertainment.

Lesser dramatists might have an experienced a creative crisis when the early lead characters failed.

Catherine the stalking donkey was returned to her paddock.

The Princeling Of Darkness couldn't get the numbers.

Angie decided she was bored.

So the writers switched to slapstick costume drama. Charlie Windsor dons fancy dress in a vulgar room to read a pretendy programme for the pretendy government. 😅🤣

#ukpol

Massive thanks to the UK's #LabourParty for continuing to ...

2026-05-12T18:32:29Z

Massive thanks to the UK's #LabourParty for continuing to create such cracking political comedy. 😅

As #Starmer's rotten party implodes, and factions form openly, the most hated pretender of them all is on manoeuvres. His allies are resigning rapidly.

Teenager Wes #Streeting, a protege of Peter #Mandelson, seems ready to pounce.

As the candidate best placed to kill off the captured party, it's tempting to back young Wes as a #trojanhorse. 😈

#ukpol

JAMES CONNOLLY 110th ANNIVERSARY In the early hours of May 12th ...

2026-05-12T17:41:46Z

JAMES CONNOLLY 110th ANNIVERSARY

In the early hours of May 12th 1916, #JamesConnolly, was taken by stretcher from Dublin Castle to the stonebreakers yard in #Kilmainham Jail, strapped to a wooden chair, and executed by a #BritishArmy firing squad.

James Connolly was a Marxist, a patriot, an internationalist and the leader of the revolutionary working class in the #EasterRising. His execution was among the blackest crimes of imperialism against #Ireland and the international socialist movement.

I want to like #ClivLewis MP more than I can manage. Somehow, he ...

2026-05-12T17:14:50Z

I want to like #ClivLewis MP more than I can manage. Somehow, he always disapoints as more cautious than I expect.

But I did hugely enjoy his description of #Starmer’s "reset" speech. Vogon Poetry is the 3rd-worst poetry in the world, which is roughly where Starmer fits in a ranking of leaders.

Clive Lewis interviewed on Monday by #OwenJones: https://youtu.be/SqtQCQMBa4M

I never understood the cult of John Smith, who died 32 years ago. ...

2026-05-12T10:36:17Z

I never understood the cult of John Smith, who died 32 years ago.

He was decent & honest, a welcome contrast to most at the top of politics. But he was a cautious, small-c conservative with no inclination to reverse the neoliberalism which had already wrecked millions of lives.

Smith's legacy has the advantage of an early death: his promise was never tested. But I see nothing in his politics to justify hope that he would have restored the #socialdemocracy that Labour abandoned in 1976.

#ukpol

That aged well 🤣 ...

2026-05-12T00:03:34Z

That aged well 🤣

So you don't know whether the British Prime Minister Keir ...

2026-05-11T16:44:44Z

So you don't know whether the British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will be forced ro resign. But you don't want to look like a thicky thicky dumb dumb in front of all your mates?

#CodyDahler on the UK #LabourParty's #Starmer crisis.

#ukpol

Well that didn't last long 🤣 Stalking horse / stalking ...

2026-05-11T14:46:23Z

Well that didn't last long 🤣

Stalking horse / stalking donkey #CatherineWest MP has been put out to pasture after only two days.

The #LabourParty's fans of #AndyBurnham were furious that she was trying to start a leadership election before #Burnham was eligible.

So they mafe her eat her words. 😅

#ukpol

Today in #UKpolitica #Starmer #ukpol ...

2026-05-11T08:08:40Z

Today in #UKpolitica

#Starmer #ukpol

After abandoning his plan to freeze pensioners, #Starmer's ...

2026-05-09T12:30:39Z

After abandoning his plan to freeze pensioners, #Starmer's new idea is to put them to work.

These two septuagenarians were randomly selected to be dragged in from their firesides and patronised at Downing Street. They were then shoved out the door and sent off to begin their 10-hour day cleaning floors.

#ukpol

This is a dark night for England. For the 2nd time in a decade, ...

2026-05-07T22:18:19Z

This is a dark night for England. For the 2nd time in a decade, the toxic centre has responded to surging fash by trying to massacre the left.

The assault on Greens #GPEW has been like all of 2017–19 loaded onto B52s and carpet-bombed in 7 days onto #ZackPolanski and colleagues. The malice, mendacity & brutality have reached new extremes.

Tonight, I can't think of the results. My heart goes out to all those seekers after peace and justice who have been bombarded by #Sauron's #Mordor.

#ukpol

#Starmer is doomed. The photo says it all: government benches ...

2026-04-20T18:45:57Z

#Starmer is doomed. The photo says it all: government benches half-empty this afternoon, as Labour MPs fled the #HouseOfCommons chamber rather than be pictured behind Starmer as he blamed everyone else for the #Mandelson debacle.

HuffPo reports that the government whips were reduced to desperately scurrying around, begging and bullying Labour MPs to return to support their lying leader.

#ukpol

One of the curious aspects of the NHS is that while management ...

2026-04-16T06:54:41Z

In reply to nevent1q…4gxz
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One of the curious aspects of the NHS is that while management and ownership systems are reguosrly reinvented, the structure of services has not changed much since 1948.

The 1948 model was GP practises and hospitals. 80 years later, both sectors have consolidated: GP practises have merged, cottage hospitals are almost gone, and hospitals are much fewer and much bigger.

Other types of services are rare. Minor surgery centres, drop-in clinics etc, should proliferate but don't.

It's vital to remember that medical services are a minor ...

2026-04-16T06:00:59Z

In reply to nevent1q…yqel
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It's vital to remember that medical services are a minor component of health.

Health is driven primarily by good food, safe & secure housing, social stability, inancial security, access to leisure, absence of stress, lack of pollution etc. Medicine is a minor component of public health .

But the last twenty years has seen a massive, sustained assault on all those key factors. Measures such as benefit sanctions and rent rises and pay freezes are brutal attacks on public health

To my eyes, that last point is the one that really matters. What ...

2026-01-28T11:26:13Z

In reply to nevent1q…qdu0
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To my eyes, that last point is the one that really matters. What should have been the age of leisure became the age of long, insecure hours in bullshit jobs. A significant chunk of people are employed doing things that actually make the world worse, and an even larger number do pointless work.

Wouldn't that risk creating perverse incentives? Live on ...

2026-01-28T10:34:14Z

In reply to nevent1q…7ee6
_________________________

Wouldn't that risk creating perverse incentives?

Live on booze and junk food, retirement full pension at 50.

Eat healthily etc, work on until yer 70.

@ChrisMayLA6@zirk.us has moved (npub12pw…zvxn)

One in five Americans is happy to justify the shooting of ...

2026-01-28T03:36:03Z

One in five Americans is happy to justify the shooting of #AlexPretti. 20% of them.

Man goes to help woman who has been pushed to the ground, is himself beaten to the ground, piled in by at least six men, then shot ten times. But one in every five Americans think that's justified!

On other words , 20% of Americans are depaved monsters.

screenshot from https://today.yougov.com/topics/politics/survey-results/daily/2026/01/25/433e4/3

#ICE #CBP #uspol #YouGov

But the Russell Group has been very effectively positioned as the ...

2026-01-27T21:58:30Z

In reply to nevent1q…527s
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But the Russell Group has been very effectively positioned as the non-Oxbridge elite. Kind of brains without snobbery.

I dunno whether this is the result of RG strategy or lazy media, but its well-established. This sort of positioning can be dislodged, but it requires sustained, co-ordinate effort.

White House Release Template Statement For When ICE Murders ...

2026-01-26T15:03:37Z

White House Release Template Statement For When ICE Murders Someone.

#Satire #WWN #WaterfordWhispersNews #ICE #WhiteHouse

"Siri, show me someone who can't do communications and ...

2026-01-26T14:17:51Z

"Siri, show me someone who can't do communications and shouldn't be allowed to try communicating".

Strong "Hello fellow jocks" vibe from the reliably cringetastic #Starmer.

h/t Bella Caledonia (npub1rk8…ymze)

What a treat to start the week with the cheering ...

2026-01-26T07:23:52Z

What a treat to start the week with the cheering top-of-the-frontpage news that the various factions of #RedTories which comprise the UK's so-called "#LabourParty" are indeed knocking lumps out of each other. ❤️😈😅

Soggy centrist #AndyBurham is a strange hill for anyone to die on, but here we are. A delightful #popcorn moment bringing joy to cold dark January. 🥂

screenshot from https://archive.is/Pm0ll / https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/jan/25/andy-burnham-blocked-from-byelection-race-by-labour-ruling-committee

THOUGHT 2/ #AlexPretti was exercising his constitutional rights ...

2026-01-26T06:06:23Z

In reply to nevent1q…cjxt
_________________________

THOUGHT 2/ #AlexPretti was exercising his constitutional rights as a US citizen, to film in public, to carry a legal firearm, and to offer assistance to a woman who had been assaulted.

>>

Ten thoughts on #AlexPretti, the second American citizen killed ...

2026-01-26T06:05:31Z

Ten thoughts on #AlexPretti, the second American citizen killed this month in #Minneapolis by #CBP or #ICE. (TLDR; the story is a hot mess of extreme contradictions)

THOUGHT 1/ #AlexPretti was murdered for trying to help a victim of assault. He did not attack or threaten anyone, and was shot when restrained by at least 6 DHS personnel who he had not in any way endangered. There is no credible case that it was a lesser form of homicide.

>>

There is no doubt that police standards are very poorly upheld. ...

2026-01-25T21:05:28Z

In reply to nevent1q…2x62
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There is no doubt that police standards are very poorly upheld. But I am as yet unpersuaded that this us the mechanism to fix the problems.

The failure to exclude rogues could be attributed to lack of transparency, team culture, and regulatory capture. External validation tackles the regulatory capture problem, but may exacerbate the other two.

This really needs comparative studies of reforms in many jurisdictions.

Yes, I had forgotten the term, but this does indeed seem to be a ...

2026-01-25T14:39:22Z

In reply to nevent1q…h25j
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Yes, I had forgotten the term, but this does indeed seem to be a case of the Peter Principle

#AndyBurnham was an unimpressive minister and was twice a weak leadership candidate. But he has sparkled as mayor. It's sad that he wants to give up the one job he does well, and clearly loves ... but that's ambition, innit?

Yes, this will be a busy day, and nothing can be ruled out. And I ...

2026-01-25T13:58:09Z

In reply to nevent1q…ag55
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Yes, this will be a busy day, and nothing can be ruled out.

And I agree that there will be disgruntled #Manchester supporters of #AndyBurhnham. He has become the most powerful non-London municipal politician since the Chamberlain dynasty in Birmingham, and just lost a big chunk of his municipal credibility.

I think the mayoralty is the summit of Burnham's talents. Can he claw back the authority which he lost this weekend?

AIUI, the deadline to apply for the by-election nomination is ...

2026-01-25T13:39:49Z

In reply to nevent1q…qjcy
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AIUI, the deadline to apply for the by-election nomination is tonight.

If that's correct, then any NEC reversal would have to come this afternoon, or Burnham would miss the deadline.

Happy Sunday, as the UK's so-called "#LabourParty" ...

2026-01-25T13:23:37Z

Happy Sunday, as the UK's so-called "#LabourParty" blocks #AndyBurnham's return to the #HouseOfCommons. 👍

#UKLabour's National Executive Commitee has refused #Burnham's request to be allowed to apply to be the by-election candidate in #GortonAndDenton.

Blocking the party's most popular man will

1/ start a huge row in the #RedTories, between fans of hard-right #Starmer and fans of soggy centrist #Burnham.

2/ hand the seat to #GPEW leader #ZackPolanski.

Great work, Starmer! 😈 😂 🤣 #Popcorn

The last half-decent Labour government ended just short of 50 ...

2026-01-24T20:50:23Z

In reply to nevent1q…65cs
_________________________

The last half-decent Labour government ended just short of 50 years ago, in the summer of 1976, when #DenisHealey caved to the #IMF.

It amazes that after all this time of the so-called #LabourParty producing horrors, some people prefer to cling to the half century of proven failure rather than putting their energies into building something better.

I agree that #YourParty is a ahitshow, but there are strong alternatives in all parts of the #UK.

@ChrisMayLA6@zirk.us has moved (npub12pw…zvxn)

Do you actually want to save the #LabourParty? I want to see it ...

2026-01-24T20:12:27Z

In reply to nevent1q…mw9n
_________________________

Do you actually want to save the #LabourParty?

I want to see it sunk, as quickly as possible. It's primary remaining function is to block the emergence of new movements, and suck the energies of many thousands of people into a machine which destroys hope.

@ChrisMayLA6@zirk.us has moved (npub12pw…zvxn)

I am hoping that the #NEC will be blinkered enough block ...

2026-01-24T19:42:06Z

In reply to nevent1q…vqzg
_________________________

I am hoping that the #NEC will be blinkered enough block #AndyBurnham, and thereby hasten the #PASOKification of the so-called "#LabourParty". It's time to give this shitshow a decent burial.

I think It's looking great. 😈 A multi-stage fight between ...

2026-01-24T18:28:03Z

In reply to nevent1q…93qv
_________________________

I think It's looking great. 😈

A multi-stage fight between soggy centrist #AndyBurnham and the hard-right #starmtroopers. I'm hoping that #Starmer will block #Burnham's candidacy, triggering early battles in #UKLabour.

Then Manchester native #ZackPolanski can stand against #Starmer's stooge candidate, and wipe the floor with the remains of the so-called #LabourParty.

Result: #GPEW boosted, both #ZombieLabour factions weakened. #Popcorn all round, as #Pasokification looms.

Heartwarming to see the UK's so-called "#LabourParty" ...

2026-01-23T13:09:10Z

Heartwarming to see the UK's so-called "#LabourParty" set for a proper punch-up, as #Starmtroopers prepare scams to block any democratic selection of a candidate.

Meanwhile #AndyBurnham fans still delude themselves that their boy has what it takes. 😅

#Burnham is a soggy centrist who found his niche as a mayor, after two failed leadership bids. He lacks national leadership talent, and would be eastern alive by #ZackPolanski and #NigelFarage. #Popcorn

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/jan/22/starmer-allies-stop-andy-burnham-campaign-block-parliamentary-return

#ukpol

It Ain’t Easy Being #Greenland. 😦 It's bad enough having ...

2026-01-23T10:50:51Z

It Ain’t Easy Being #Greenland. 😦

It's bad enough having your tits frozen off all year round. Then the tangerine tyrant gets all handsy and won't take no for an answer.

And then you realise that nobody even agrees whst shape you are. 🙄
.
https://blogs.egu.eu/divisions/cr/2023/06/16/it-aint-easy-being-greenland/

Do you apply the same principle to married women?

2026-01-23T00:36:56Z

In reply to nevent1q…z7zs
_________________________

Do you apply the same principle to married women?

Sadly, I fear that the UKgov has weighed this correctly; that it ...

2026-01-22T12:38:50Z

In reply to nevent1q…m84x
_________________________

Sadly, I fear that the UKgov has weighed this correctly; that it is much easier to kick around a few million British children than put manners on half a dozen tech oligarchs, by banning their algoritms.

There are strong ethical and social reasons for not kicking the kids, but ethics has never been a strong point of the #Starmtroopers. So they take easy psth.

#Trump wants #Greenland. 🤣 h/t #JonathanPie ...

2026-01-21T22:43:07Z

#Trump wants #Greenland. 🤣

h/t #JonathanPie

I read about a guy named Robert. Fairly well known in certain ...

2026-01-20T15:27:43Z

I read about a guy named Robert. Fairly well known in certain circles. Famous, even.

One day he stepped onto a balcony in front of thousands of people with millions more watching on TV.

He was wearing a dress.

Robert said "my name is Leo." #LeoXIV.

The whole world said "Hi, Leo". This is exactly how hard it is to call someone by their preferred name.

#Pope #trans

[I stole this from a comment elsewhere]

In August 1916, #Denmark 🇩🇰 and the #USA 🇺🇲 signed ...

2026-01-19T20:32:00Z

In August 1916, #Denmark 🇩🇰 and the #USA 🇺🇲 signed the Treaty of the Danish West Indies, for cession of the #DanishWestIndies.

Immediately before its signature, #US Secretary of State #RobertLansing signed a declaration confirming Denmark's rights to #Greenland.

#Trump's breach of the promise is of course deeply dishonourable. But it's also entirely consistent with the #USA's 19th-century expansion by signing then discarding treaties with #NativeAmericans.

Trump is upholding American tradition.

There is some interesting thinking in there. But the sheer ...

2026-01-18T09:44:02Z

In reply to nevent1q…3aur
_________________________

There is some interesting thinking in there. But the sheer arrogance of the wrapping is breathtaking.

I see in this thread a lot of touching belief in variants of the ...

2026-01-17T21:06:13Z

In reply to nevent1q…uu6t
_________________________

I see in this thread a lot of touching belief in variants of the phrase "Trump can’t do XYZ lawfully".

Sadly, the last 12 months is the story of Trump doing whatever he wants, regardless of law or constitution. Tariffs, removing trans rights, invasion, genocide, murder at sea, demolishing the East Wing, snatch squads, torture: all "can't legally do" but all being done.

These legal theories no longer describe actual power in #USA.

California will not secede until the humongous gravy train of ...

2026-01-17T19:18:42Z

In reply to nevent1q…d3tg
_________________________

California will not secede until the humongous gravy train of military spending dries up. That's not a sufficient condition for a #CalExit, but it's a necessary condition.

Also, Silicon Valley is now so strong that there is probably no secession without #techbros in the driving seat.

[@d_a_n_a](https://mstdn.social/@d_a_n_a ) @ChrisMayLA6@zirk.us has moved (npub12pw…zvxn)

The USA has been in a persistent civil war since a century before ...

2026-01-17T19:13:56Z

In reply to nevent1q…tsxl
_________________________

The USA has been in a persistent civil war since a century before its foundation. Mostly against non-white people, but also against working class people.

It is labelled as a "civil war" only when the endemic war on non-white America and poor America is turned onto chunks of white middle-class America.

But don't let the colonist labels deceive. This is not the start of the American civil war. This is just an intensification of one front of the continuous civil war.

@ChrisMayLA6@zirk.us has moved (npub12pw…zvxn)

Westminster elections have at best a rather loose connection to ...

2026-01-17T02:59:11Z

In reply to nevent1q…gxll
_________________________

Westminster elections have at best a rather loose connection to the idea representative democracy. It's not just #FPTP limiting choice and producing wildly distorted outcomes (2024 was insane); it's the rigged seat allocation by voter registration rather than census, and the failure to ban corporate funding.

The results are more of a game than a reflection of the will of the people.

Sad to watch English commentators talking of referendums as a bad ...

2026-01-16T22:46:32Z

In reply to nevent1q…2987
_________________________

Sad to watch English commentators talking of referendums as a bad idea, without qualifying the claim.

Ireland has held 46 referendums since 1937. They mostly work very well.

So if referendums work badly in England, that's not a referendums problem. It's an England problem.

Ireland has learnt a lot about conducting referendums. But before the 2016 referendum, the British govt didn't even ask for advice.

British failure doesn't make democracy a bad idea.

#ReformUK is not new. It's just just recycled #Tories. ...

2026-01-15T17:52:25Z

#ReformUK is not new. It's just just recycled #Tories.

#PlaidCymru's Liz Savilie-Roberts MP runs through some of the long list of senior Conservatives who now wear the #ReformUK label.

Plaid Cymru is best-placed to stop Reform in the #Senedd elections in May.

#Wales #Cymru #UKpol

Today, Wednesday 14th January, Heba Muraisi is close to death, on ...

2026-01-14T11:27:32Z

Today, Wednesday 14th January, Heba Muraisi is close to death, on day 73 of her #hungerstrike at HMP New Hall near #Wakefield.

In the 1981 Irish hunger strike, 10 men died. 7 of 10 died after 59–66 days. The longest-lived died on day 73. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1981_Irish_hunger_strike#Participants_of_the_1981_hunger_strike

Muraisi is one of the #Filton24, arrested for an anti-#genocide action at a #Bristol factory of Israeli arms maker #Elbit. She has not been convicted, is not charged with #terrorism, but is being held on remand as a terrorist.

#PlaidCymru surges in #ITV #ITVcymru poll for the #Senedd. ...

2026-01-13T18:59:35Z

#PlaidCymru surges in #ITV #ITVcymru poll for the #Senedd. https://www.itv.com/news/wales/2026-01-13/plaid-cymru-surges-ahead-of-reform-as-labour-in-fourth-place-in-latest-itv-poll

#Plaid up 7 points to 37%, which I think is an all-time record.

This poll would give Plaid Cymru 45 seats out of 96, just 4 short of an overall majority. It would give Greens #GPEW 11 seats, allowing a Plaid/Green coalition a comfortable working majority without #WelshLabour.

If the result in May is close to this, it be an earthquake in Weish Politics and #ukpol. The Labour century in Wales is over.

US Weighing Up Whether It Should Be Them Killing Iranians Instead ...

2026-01-12T21:32:50Z

US Weighing Up Whether It Should Be Them Killing Iranians Instead Of Iranian Government

https://waterfordwhispersnews.com/2026/01/12/us-weighing-up-whether-it-should-be-them-killing-iranians-instead-of-iranian-government/

These days, the #WaterfordWhispersNews #WWN headlines almost write themselves. #Satire #Iran #USA #United States

Suppressing Political Dissent, Who's Doing It Better? US v ...

2026-01-12T21:04:54Z

Suppressing Political Dissent, Who's Doing It Better? US v Iran
https://waterfordwhispersnews.com/2026/01/12/suppressing-political-dissent-whos-doing-it-better-us-v-iran/

#Satire #WWN #WaterfordWhispersNews #Iran #USA #uspol #humanrights

Greenland is safe. 'cos nothing good will come of messing ...

2026-01-11T23:21:41Z

Greenland is safe.

'cos nothing good will come of messing with God's Frozen People.

The problem is not Trump. The problem is Murica ...

2026-01-11T23:20:58Z

The problem is not Trump.

The problem is Murica

#Greenland is safe. 'cos nothing good will come of messing ...

2026-01-11T23:08:59Z

#Greenland is safe.

'cos nothing good will come of messing with God's Frozen People.

That choice reflects very well on you. Over the last few decades, ...

2026-01-11T16:08:21Z

In reply to nevent1q…xthh
_________________________

That choice reflects very well on you.

Over the last few decades, I have watched several former colleagues from the disarmament world travel in the opposite direction, and take up international relations. I sighed sadly at the moves, and have seen nothing to regret that sigh.

Thanks, @npub12pw…zvxn. It's remarkable how international ...

2026-01-10T22:32:57Z

In reply to nevent1q…89ys
_________________________

Thanks, @ChrisMayLA6@zirk.us has moved (npub12pw…zvxn). It's remarkable how international relations is such a captured discipline, so closely bound to the interests of powerful states and their backers.

I was surprised by the four options offered. So I did some page ...

2026-01-10T22:07:22Z

In reply to nevent1q…wgqs
_________________________

I was surprised by the four options offered. So I did some page searches before reading.

I found that Ian Manners's article contains no words beginning with imperial, empir, or colon.

So I didn't read it. If Mr Manners is not going to even consider those concepts, I don't think he deserves much attention.

No surprise that the #UK Information Commissioner’s Office ...

2026-01-10T01:30:39Z

No surprise that the #UK Information Commissioner’s Office (#ICO) sees possible criminal fraud in #ZarahSultana's launch of a #YourParty membership system.

But why has #ICO not directly notified the police? There is great #popcorn potential in #Corbyn having to give evidence against the renegade #Sultana. But crime on this scale should be investigated regardless of internal politics. #ukpol

Report from #TheNewStatesman https://archive.is/hnASe / #NewStatesman https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-politics/2026/01/your-party-advised-to-refer-unauthorised-membership-launch-to-police

good points, but of 250 years of the USA, FDR and civil rights ...

2026-01-08T19:13:47Z

In reply to nevent1q…8jk7
_________________________

good points, but of 250 years of the USA, FDR and civil rights are short historical blips, of about 40 years each.

rightly draws attention the flaws of "#fascism" as a ...

2026-01-08T18:15:46Z

In reply to nevent1q…8n95
_________________________

rightly draws attention the flaws of "#fascism" as a label for the #Trump regime. The Bear's essay is a good read.

May's alternative of "#gangsterism" is v useful, drawing focus to the thuggery & avarice.

But for me, the most important label for Trump is #American, prefixed with a superlative such as hyper or ultra.

Trump takes core American values to the max: empire, colonisation, narcissism, big lies, greed, bullying, doublespeak. #HyperAmericanism is not new, just unveiled.

That has been the de facto reality of Ireland's position even ...

2026-01-07T02:43:00Z

In reply to nevent1q…2wnx
_________________________

That has been the de facto reality of Ireland's position even in the 80 years of the UN-based international order against the regional bully, i.e. Britain.

It took until the 1990s to get significant protection from the USA, and until 2016 to get it from France and Germany.

What do you mean by "fully collapse"? Is "fully ...

2026-01-06T19:10:21Z

In reply to nevent1q…yl3x
_________________________

What do you mean by "fully collapse"? Is "fully collapse" even an appropriate term to use wrt to #internationalLaw?

The vast majority of nations have neither the strength nor the will to disregard international law. Most nations have a very strong self-interest in upholding international law, because they want to avoid war.

Isn't the actual risk now the narrower danger that we end the era in which the great powers were significantly restrained by law? Bad, but not collapse.

Ireland Changes Old WWII 'Éire' Signs To Read 'Not ...

2026-01-06T18:24:00Z

Ireland Changes Old WWII 'Éire' Signs To Read 'Not Greenland'

#Satire #WaterfordWhispersNews #WWN #Greenland #Ireland

And of course #Putin #WWN #Satire #WaterfordWhispersNews ...

2026-01-05T20:56:31Z

In reply to nevent1q…l38j
_________________________

And of course #Putin

#WWN #Satire #WaterfordWhispersNews

#WaterfordWhispersNews is doing great work on responses to the ...

2026-01-05T20:55:14Z

#WaterfordWhispersNews is doing great work on responses to the #American kidnapping of #Venezuela's President #Maduro. Esp the pathetically spineless European responses.

#WWN #Satire

This of course an own goal by the so-called ...

2026-01-05T17:15:11Z

In reply to nevent1q…ppmp
_________________________

This of course an own goal by the so-called "#LabourParty", which has spent 36 of the last 40 years devising ways to listen less to its members and voters and to civic society, and more to big business and big capital. Peter Mandelson exemplified the lack of limits to Labour's wealth-fawning.

Changing this approach would require rewiring the mindset of every current Labour politician. Not happening soon.

The #BBCnews Editor has sent this to #BBC journalists. ...

2026-01-05T15:39:53Z

The #BBCnews Editor has sent this to #BBC journalists.

#Kidnapping must NOT be called #kidnapping, in case #Trump is offended. #SelfCensirship

#ukpol #Maduro #Venezuela #TheMadCountry

American geologists looking for oil ...

2026-01-05T13:16:21Z

American geologists looking for oil

RE: https://zirk.us/@ChrisMayLA6/115841022316410820 The problem ...

2026-01-05T12:08:41Z

RE: https://zirk.us/@ChrisMayLA6/115841022316410820

The problem here is that yet again, courts of the #USA are being asked to decide whether the #US has broken #internationalLaw.

On previous occasions when this question has arisen, #AmericanJudges have stood tall, looked themselves in the eye, and asked "should American criminality be restrained by international law?"

Or, simply "are we gangsters"?

Then they have proudly declared "#GodBlessAmerica", and pronounced that #America can do whatever the hell it likes to whoever it chooses.
nostr:note1ezyma3fzl6f94ya46vl38f73p6l93f2zd2dt0gksl0cal9ezcxps0ul45m

#ChrisHedges: #America is a #GangsterState #USA #Venezuela ...

2026-01-04T14:10:06Z

#ChrisHedges: #America is a #GangsterState

#USA #Venezuela #Maduro #Caracas #kidnapping

It's self-entitled delusion. #TheObserver is cynically ...

2026-01-04T10:03:03Z

In reply to nevent1q…gul3
_________________________

It's self-entitled delusion. #TheObserver is cynically flattering the #europhile fanaticism of its dwindling readership.

Any UK readmission will mean not just an end to UK opt-outs. It would require evidence of a sustained cross-party political consensus for #EU membership, so that the UK could be relied on to not resume its #MillwallFC-style hooliganism in EU institutions. That consensus is not just absent; it's unforeseeable.

These people are mad. England is #TheMadCountry

I can't believe the winner of the FIFA Peace Prize would do ...

2026-01-03T22:32:29Z

I can't believe the winner of the FIFA Peace Prize would do this!

#Satire #Sarcasm #FIFA #FIFApeaceprize #Venezuela #Maduro #Trump

#WWN is on a roll today 😂🤣 from ...

2026-01-03T20:53:00Z

#WWN is on a roll today 😂🤣

from https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1AcqnzDoJz/

#Satire #WaterfordWhispersNews #WWN #Venezuela #Maduro #Trump #USA #Oil

White House Confirms Maduro And Wife ‘Respectfully Buried Alive ...

2026-01-03T20:39:26Z

White House Confirms Maduro And Wife ‘Respectfully Buried Alive At Sea’

#Satire #WaterfordWhispersNews #WWN #Venezuela #Maduro #Trump

#Trump #Maduro #Venezuela ...

2026-01-03T19:35:25Z

#Trump #Maduro #Venezuela

#ZackPolanski of the #GPEW on #KeirStarmer, #Trump, #Maduro, ...

2026-01-03T19:20:09Z

#ZackPolanski of the #GPEW on #KeirStarmer, #Trump, #Maduro, #Venezuela, #PalestineAction, and #Genocide