Well this one brought a tear or two to my eyes.

Farmer said she saw Trump in 1995 at Epstein’s offices in Manhattan… she recalled him saying to Trump: “No, no. She’s not here for you.” After the two men left the room, Farmer said, she could hear Trump commenting that he thought she was 16 years old. www.nytimes.com/2025/12/19/u...

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@bertsbooks.bsky.social. Going to do my best to wait til Christmas morning. 📖🎄🎅

Watched The American President last night, directed by Rob Reiner. So many scenes come to mind and this one at the end really hits home. RIP Rob & Michele youtu.be/-__djIQgBJc?...

Just love this.

I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture. They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1

Eat out to Help Out was killing people, but they “kept it out of the news”.

If **Jeffrey Epstein** thinks you're a evil and demented sociopath, the odds are overwhelming that you are, in fact, an evil and demented sociopath.

Another alliance between Trump and Putin - and Farage and Johnson back chanting in unison with the Russian Embassy. Just like old times!

Trump and his cronies have the BBC in their sights. Leaders can’t stay silent while one of our great institutions is attacked. We must defend its independence, end political appointments, and remove Robbie Gibb from the Board.

See what’s happening. A Trumpist US media company has taken over Channel 5. Another US company is gunning for ITV. Our social media is saturated by Musk’s calls for civil war in the UK. The BBC is the last thing standing, and Trump/Johnson are trying to bring it down

A former Hampshire county council Tory leader who claimed more than £15,000 in allowances over six months – despite failing to attend meetings in that period – has won a ceremonial honour for “dedication and hard work”.

Russia massing nuclear fleet in Arctic circle ‘for war with Nato’ Moscow building up on Kola peninsula and testing new weapons, Norway’s defence minister warns archive.is/2025.10.24-1...

Here's a version of the English nursery rhyme, "The Grand Old Duke of York" 🎶 about the man who says he isn't going to call himself it anymore ... though whether he should be taken at his word ... 🤔 youtu.be/hoETmTJM014

Saw @davidolusoga.bsky.social at Dorking Halls tonight. Gave a brilliant talk on erasure in history. So much to take home and ponder, especially the need for expansion of history.

“In Finland, the number of homeless people has fallen sharply. Those affected receive a small apartment & counselling with no preconditions. 4 out of 5 people affected make their way back into a stable life. And all this is CHEAPER than accepting homelessness.” It costs a lot less to house people.

“Populism, whether left or right, offers simplistic solutions to complex problems. That’s its appeal - and its danger.” Can populism work when applied to progressive politics? @maitlis.bsky.social | @jonsopel1.bsky.social | @lewisgoodall.com

A story in three parts

So glad we booked tickets to see The Importance of Being Earnest at the Noel Coward Theatre. It is so uplifting and the cast are simply joyous.

Ever since I finished Question Time, Reform have massively been on the attack. Including a rant from Richard Tice entirely designed to distract from Reform and Russia. Everyone should know about Nathan Gill, the bribes from Russia and the link to Reform.

So when can we expect the Trump meltdown??? #nobelpeaceprize

After clashing with Maurice Glasman recently, I've come to realise just how pernicious he and his Blue Labour movement are. We could discuss his chumminess with Steve Bannon and JD Vance, endless pandering to the far right and evident hatred of the Labour left. But there's something even worse. 🧵

Flotilla updates: Spain has abandoned them & warns them to turn back. There are now 20 Israeli war ships on the horizon about 7 miles away either creating a blockade or moving towards them. Unclear. Keep eyes on the Global Flotilla to keep them safe! ❤️🇵🇸 Live here: www.youtube.com/live/iCAN2Ay...

Donald Trump is banned from ever receiving the Nobel Peace Prize because he renamed the Department of Defense the Department of War. 🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣 There aren't enough laughing emojis.

Nigel Farage wants to drag Britain down the same road as Trump’s America: chaos, division and fear. Our NHS, our rights and our communities are at risk. Do not let Trump’s America become Farage’s Britain.

After all the rain we have had over the last few days it's not surprising that the River Ouse in York has flooded (a little bit). A similar soggy outcome happened nearly 10 years ago but with a far more serious outcome for the Hall. Join us as we tell you about the 2015 Boxing Day floods.

Bought some amazing smelling candles at @butserancientfarm.co.uk Viking Festival today. Follow Ashwood Candles on Instagram, they truly are amazing.

Revolving doors. Thames Water paid £1m+ to corporate lobbyists part-owned by Starmer adviser. The aim is to reach policymakers, keep TW private. TW pays £200m a year to various advisers, cost borne by customers. Public ownership would end this chicanery. No need to pay dividends, lobbyists.

So lucky to have listened to @gordoncorera.bsky.social and @claremulley.bsky.social at WHW fest (genuinely the main reason I wanted to come). Gordon could you spend some time on the pod to discuss Virginia Hall, think is squirrels would find it fascinating.

Almost like allowing private equity to take over the children's home market was a terrible idea. Someone should have written about that in a book.... samf.substack.com/p/contract-k...

A massive, dangerous and disgusting scandal, of which far too few people are yet aware. At @fightingdirty.bsky.social we'll keep pushing to stop it. Congrats to @rachelsalvidge.bsky.social for continuing to shine the light: www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Sharing this , not just because it is amazing but also because this is what we need more of right now.

Nothing to see here: just Boris Johnson acting as a fixer for Evgeny Lebedev - the son of a KGB foreign intelligence officer - and introducing him to Elon Musk www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...

Bit of a paradox that it takes a US Democrat to challenge Farage, whereas UK Labour does a decaf tribute act for him

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The load-bearing myth at the heart of UK politics is that the politicians and media are tolerant and decent and working people are knuckle-dragging bigots, but it's actually completely the other way around.

For over 25 years, science and discovery centres have been at the heart of inspiring millions of people to explore, question, and be part of UK science and technology. But they're seriously under threat… 1/3

Imagine the message it would send if Gary Lineker won 'Presenter of the Year' at this year's National Television Awards Standing up for compassion & the right to speak out And, the feathers it would ruffle My lovely followers, you know what to do: nationaltvawards.com/vote 🗓️ Deadline: 12th Sep

Ah Scotland, a little bit of my heart will be staying with you. Had the most wonderful week. If you will have me, I will be back soon.

Can our broadcast journalists across the networks really be happy with the Reform propaganda fest? Is a quiet revolt simmering? Help them justify standing up against what’s happening. Sign the petition now for fair coverage of ALL parties. Save democracy. petition.parliament.uk/petitions/71...

It sometimes takes a glimpse of the past to see how long the frog has been boiled.

So lucky to have had an early birthday present to see Nye @nationaltheatre.org.uk tonight. Michael Sheen was, as expected, phenomenal, as was all the cast. More importantly if you are ever in doubt as to why our amazing NHS is so important this play will push all those doubts away.

Ok this is my laugh for the night.

I admire Mo Salah's restraint. "Farewell". Really? Suleiman al-Obeid was killed by the IDF as he was queuing for food in Gaza. Say it, you cowards.

This is a breaking news story.

This from Grace Blakey, UK economics and politics commentator and author of "Vulture Capitalism: How to Survive in an Age of Corporate Greed" 👇 @graceblakeley.substack.com #unions

Now, I am not the biggest superhero film fan, but finally took the kids to see Superman and I loved it (as did the kids). Haven't felt this good after seeing a film in a long time. To all those who say it is woke, as if it is an insult, I say let's have more of this wokeness please!