Just found out that Nepal's national bird is this magnificent bastard, the Himalayan monal.

@triplezero.bsky.social Merry Christmas, book buddy! via @biggreenbooks.bsky.social

Anyone on the left who thinks that the BBC falling would help their politics, here and abroad, is an unbelievable fool

Almost painfully excellent, and essential reading, from @iandunt.bsky.social "[T]here a clean, central oasis at the centre of the British information eco-system that they cannot entirely control, as they do everything else.[...] It is why they wish to destroy it."

What you’re witnessing is a populist assault on the BBC. This is not an institutional scandal in any meaningful sense of the word. It is an attack on public service broadcasting. iandunt.substack.com/p/extra-edit...

Instead of requiring poor people to demonstrate why they should receive benefits, why don't we require people with substantial wealth to demonstrate why they shouldn't be paying more tax?

I'm glad Keir Starmer is finally stepping up the fight against Nigel Farage, and I hope this will mark the end of his government parroting Farage and copying his divisive politics.

Spoiler: looks like Ryan Gosling

why WHY aren’t they calling it ‘Scandelson’

Well he’s younger than I thought but I guess this journalist must have known his parents very well indeed

@christofi.bsky.social I’ve just finished Cypria, and wanted to say it was exceptional. I’m half Cypriot but grew up in the UK and haven’t much Greek, so i’ve always felt Cyprus is a story i can only half understand. Your book has given me my own Cyprus and i’m so grateful to you for writing it.

Please give us a new manager bounce for Thursday by finishing off the disastrous Ange this evening. Thanks. X

Stephen Collins is a genius

On the one hand, Trump, the global economy, Ukraine, Gaza, international politics, climate emergency. On the other hand, the faint possibility of this wonderful thing becoming a reality. Verdict: 2025 is now a year of glorious hope and optimism.

This is what I’m really worried about.

Well, here we go again. We made it to 2021, I’m sure we can make it to 2029. And with a bit of luck the incompetence of the Trump-Vance government will see us clear a path for the return of proper government by then.

So here's a curious thing, Jacob Rees-Mogg posted this teaser for his discussion on Rachel Reeves in China, with an image he attributed to Grek (I assume he meant Grok) & it has given her an exaggerated hook nose. I'd love to know how what it was in the wording or algorithm which accounts for that

Once again, MERL speaks for the nation.

Now i’ve started my Christmas break I’m getting into the festive mood, as so many of us do, by wrapping presents and watching the 2023 restoration of The Wicker Man. #Christmas #Horror

Parents evening slot with son’s history teacher, who revealed that next term’s topic is The Cold War. This was not on the syllabus when I was at school as it was STILL GOING ON

I think this simply means “Leader of the Year” in the sense that the “Leader of Next Year” will be James Cleverly

She is definitely the Right Woman For The Moment

*Peas. *PEAS

Wherever this legislation goes now, this is a huge moment in British social policy — and the House of Commons has made a big moral judgment www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c9...

I couldn’t listen to the whole assisted dying debate, but does anyone know if the words “medicalisation” or “double effect” were mentioned even once? I’m all for the best Act possible despite opposing the Bill, but the debate felt slightly rushed today.

And then, because this is arguably the most preposterous country on earth, Speaker Lindsay Hoyle says: "Right, thank you everybody. We're going to move on to the ferrets bill if people wish to leave."

Worth saying - whatever you think of the legislation and the principle - that courts have been clear time and again that they do not consider right to die to be a human right and that it is a matter for national parliaments to legislate on.

Predictable. But Farage probably underestimates how secular UK society is by comparison with the US, where a reflexive falling back on perceived Christian evangelical doctrine is more the norm. He’ll get much less traction here.

A remarkable stat: Heidi Alexander’s appointment as Transport Secretary means the cabinet is now 100% state-educated for the first time in history.

THE FESTIVE BIG GREEN BOOK SWAP You let me know what kind of stuff you like reading. I'll match you up with someone with similar tastes. I'll post you both a book I think you'll like (+ choc & tea!). Read & chat with your book buddy. Just £15 DETAILS HERE! www.biggreenbookshop.com/index.php

@cstorer.bsky.social don’t i know you from somewhere?

This subtle little shift in the activities of the state, in ways that won’t generate national headlines but have gigantic impact on people’s lives, is what we have to fear from elected populists.

The retreat of the state from its most basic of duties, securing the safety of its citizens, for completely insane, transparently malicious, twisted ideological reasons.

Really great to see the BBC's Today programme giving a voice to some of Britain's most underrepresented groups, such as former Conservative Cabinet ministers, members of the House of Lords, and people who have been, or are, Vice Chancellor of Oxford University. www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/...

Between you and I, Paris Musées have 372,542 rights-free images you can simply download, at hi-res, and use as you choose. Isn’t that just brilliant and please can UK institutions emulate them?

remedying this sort of misconception may be the most important thing in politics right now.

Sad to hear that Tony Campolo has died. A good man who co-led a great movement asking a big question: "What if Jesus meant what he said?" Loved this anecdote about throwing a birthday party for a sex worker, of all things--what a lesson: www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWlM... @redletterxnsuk.bsky.social

the l debate about farmers and inheritance is clouded by our inability to see through any lens other than economic-financial. There’s something in there about the public good, tradition, and cultural heritage, but without that it’s just greedy farmers v ignorant taxpayers.

Ed Balls

Have joined, can confirm today is indeed a very good say so, also, to do.