The thing no one asks about Jenrick’s comment is how many of the non white faces were English born and bred?

The focus on nationalism as a unifying factor is complicated. The English traditionally think British is the same thing. Starmer references “4 great nations” then talks about the 3 that are and ignores the 4th. He’s right ‘though to call out “othering” as a key part of the problem …but the flags?

Nuclear test veteran/victim on BBC - their case is deserving but it grates when he talks about what they did “to provide a nuclear weapon for England”.

Anecdotally friends are buying Covid tests and say they want to know so they don’t infect others. We don’t test for ‘flu, which, presumably, must be far more dangerous given we vaccinate at 65 for ‘flu but as late as 75 for Covid. Thoughts medical friends/others?

I am from the north of Ireland - flying flags was always a sign of demarcation and division

Three thoughts on the #RyderCup today - delighted for Shane Lowry; brilliant fightback from the US to make a match of it; as terrible as the crowd behaviour was the spirit between the players at the end of their games should be an example to follow

Very interesting - even without Reform Labour would be struggling to get what they want

I was driving to Glasgow after the game yesterday so got a lot of the Motherwell Aberdeen commentary. Aberdeen were the better team first half and had some great chances they failed to take. When you are low in confidence these things seem to snowball

Maybe the #RyderCup has had its time - the behaviour of the US crowds is awful but let’s not pretend crowds in Europe have behaved perfectly

It is truly shocking

People get carried away about football - teams are never as good or bad as we think - but I’d rather be a Hearts fan just now than Aberdeen

It’s a fair criticism I think of the ID card that people who employ illegally at the moment won’t ask to see one. Will we end up with the police stopping Deliveroo riders?

I just want to watch the Kyziridis goal on repeat - one of the best I have seen in over 40 years of attending Tynecastle - made better by being right behind it

If everyone watched The Hack on ITV right now, we could start to repair our media, our discourse & our country. It is TV drama at its absolute best. I know most of this stuff & I’m reeling.

If Trump thinks tylenol is dangerous, wait ‘til he hears about guns.

It’s a difficult one - do you report the nonsense someone spouts just because he is a world leader democratically elected by people who believe some of this nonsense?

Really enjoyed the World Athletics this year. It felt like most events were more open than usual, harder to predict winners. I always like the middle and long distance races best but the Women’s Heptathlon and Kate O’Connor’s silver was a highlight.

A real highlight this, really enjoyed this competition and Kate’s performances

Really disappointing for Josh Kerr - can’t legislate for getting injured. He’ll be back!

Gary Lineker on winning the National TV Award, "It's not lost on me why I might have won this award" "Aside from presenting Match of the Day.." "Also, I think it demonstrates that perhaps it's ok sometimes to use our platform to speak up on behalf of those who have no voice"

It would be funny if the fiasco over the #GreatNorthRun medals turns out to be a fantastic plot by a Sunderland fan

Always watch the #GreatNorthRun and wonder if I could do it one more time - then think of the step up in training and stick with being retired from racing

Very interesting

Watching the England Australia game in the Women’s Rugby World Cup - Pundit is Ruby Tui and I can’t stop singing the Rolling Stones song Ruby Tui’s day

Always seems to be quite selective who gets hounded out and who gets away with things - almost like there are agendas at play

Quite a surprise

"Polling shows that opinion on immigration tracks tabloid coverage much more closely than actual immigration levels. People become more concerned not when the number of immigrants rises, but when the press fearmongers about it more." www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/politics/709...

Great historical bilingual pun. Last week I learned that the French left wing would caustically refer to the appeasement-pushing British PM as “Monsieur J’Aime Berlin”. I mean, that’s classy.

Is it only good to fly flags if you are English or British?

Aberdeen and Hibs maybe both impacted by playing away in Europe? Hibs might see the exit as having a positive impact for league games - could be tricky for Aberdeen now playing catch up

Celtic look dreadful

Amazing win for Hibs. Possible plus side for Hearts is Aberdeen and Hibs playing on thursday in Europe then at the weekend, which has proved difficult for Scottish clubs before

Ten would be embarrassing

And he did

Quite a game

Worst show of the Fringe so far - at least McInnes can change the actors

Back to reality for Hearts

Disappointing

Wonder if the set piece coach does penalties…

We are terrible in the League Cup

A centre back who scores goals…

Zander having a bit of a ‘mare

What Bloom actually said was splitting the OF within 10 years - not 2 games

Big half coming up for Hearts. No sign of a Euro hangover for United. Back four and wingers if it doesn’t change?

X continues to have a wider audience - but good there are some alternatives for those of us who refuse to engage with it

This is a great show - whether you are into cycling or not!

🗞️ @edinreporter.bsky.social features CADEL: Lungs On Legs! An in depth chat with @connordelves.bsky.social & Steve McMahon 👏 The @le-tourdefrance.bsky.social LIVE @edfringe.bsky.social ! #CadelPlay #LungsOnLegs #EdFringe #PhilLiggett #TourDeFrance theedinburghreporter.co.uk/2025/07/tour...

VAR has turned out exactly how most football people expected it to, except the people running football, who thought it was a good idea. Nothing is surprising about the incompetence of football administrators.

I have to say I remain ambivalent about VAR - it sucks the energy out of the game - I liked the Cup games when a goal was just a goal. The analysis is so slow too