Oh.. Brought up short by today's news about Charlie Dalin-one of my sailing heros, and the winner of the 2024 Vendee Globe (round the world sailing race for those non sailors). His courage, resilience and bravery, doing the race whilst under treatment for cancer (sadly now recurred).

Far from being rip-off, these r core to UK’s soft power, economy, & identity: Innovators & storytellers who export creativity Researchers who shape public policy & global thought Ppl capable of critical thinking, empathy, & dialogue, the foundation of any healthy society - no wonder they hate them 🙄

Brutally on target from @rafaelbehr.bsky.social.

“You described Reform and other parties across Europe today as among the 'right wing equivalents of the fascists in the 1930s'. Why?” “Because that’s what they are.”

Good for Michael -- at last someone of prominence standing up and stating the obvious.

Tories say people denied benefits in UK can return to home countries

Sunday’s @thetimes.com cartoon times.newsprints.co.uk/morten-morla...

Morning.

Important thread - the plot thickens

History repeats.

So the March wasn't racist.. watch this! www.youtube.com/watch?v=ez1c...

"Farage wants 'free speech'? You got it: that leaflet was racist. Condemn it. Apologise. And to immigrants: Farage says 'go home'? I say, you 𝘢𝘳𝘦 home." Wes Streeting calls a Reform UK leaflet suggesting Anas Sarwar would prioritise Pakistanis racist.

I’d double down. “Yes. I’m obsessed. He’s a fascistic, law breaking, populist, Russia aligned, dark money sponge. He’s leading in the polls. This is an emergency”

well said "But we also need to start learning from the Ukrainians, both how to fight a 21st-century war, and how to invent, manufacture and then keep reinventing the weapons we need for this new way of war in real time"

Interesting program (BBC iplayer)- worth a listen.

Thank you for a non hysterical take on digital ID. I'm in favour

A new financial impetus for peace in Ukraine -- Friedrich Merz writes for @financialtimes.com on.ft.com/48176hn

If you want to be cheered up, do watch this Jon Stewart extract on Trump's Uk visit and free speech.. its a cracker. Had me laughing out loud. www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GXN...

Excellent post from Ian. We need better forums for intelligent debate, and social media is, by and large, not one of them.

Bloody hell.. just dropped into the Trump press conference- rambling incoherence doesn't go far enough to describe it.

Exactly!!

The WINNER of the 2025 Wainwright Prize for Conservation Writing... The Lie of the Land, @guyshrubsole.bsky.social (@wmcollinsbooks.bsky.social) #WainwrightPrize #StoriesThatConnect

Indeed!

NOTHING will prepare you for this 45-second story arc. From "I'm just doing this because I love the flag, it's totally grassroots, and I'm not part of anything political"... to who actually gave him the flags the night before. Anyone who believes it is an innocent movement needs to see this.

"How Are the Very Rich Feeling About New York’s Next Mayor?" A Dramatic Reading of The Recent New York Times Dispatch from the Hamptons. Presented by The Gilded Age's Morgan Spector.

"Me no know taxeez - taxeez deeeficolt - taxeez not job me." ALSO "something something rAcHeL fRoM aCCoUnTz something"

Urge Nigel Farage to Release His Tax Returns - Sign the Petition! chng.it/dsds7CL5tw via @UKChange

Another journey into myth and the psyche with @sturdyalex.bsky.social, who invites us to look into the eyes of Medusa without turning to stone. Mute rage, repression, fear and power, it’s all here. And the psychology. Plus great show notes. But Medusa keeps her counsel in the end. Awesome.

Good for you, Lizzi.. I am concerned that some of the labour party's recent actions and comments seem to be trying to challenge Farage by accepting and trying to appropriate some of his arguments. Its not what we voted for. At least some of you appreciate that.

This has been an extraordinary series. Making a special date in my diary to settle in for a deeply pleasurable listen later, and suggest you do likewise!

This one's for all the stoners. I'm genuinely astonished at how good Podyssey has been. You'd have thought that everything that could have been said about these stories since the late Iron Age, has been said. Alex's show has proven otherwise.

chng.it/Xx6TXWs78z Elbit are an Israeli defence company, reportedly involved in Gaza. This is a petition to stop the government awarding them new contracts.

I go. I try. And I will keep trying, even though it feels like a losing battle. Because I remember the whole point of the far-right astroturfing of social media is to make it feel like a losing battle, to make us give up. Anyway, a few snippets on small boat crossings and immigration.

Just fabulous. I loved Simon's piece

What a treat! Beautiful, hypnotic, transporting.. everything one could want on a Sunday afternoon. Simon Armitage and LYR performing the world premier of Yonderland, as part of the prom celebrating 100 years of the Shipping Forecast. Do listen. 5pm R4 today for short version, or full prom

ANCHORAGE…

No one sums up the utter shamelessness of the British press and the ugly politics of Farage quite like Private Eye.

There’s a HUGE Elon Musk shaped hole in the Government’s new plans to improve our elections: shady billionaires like Musk can still donate massive amounts of money with no cap: effectively buying our democracy. Add your name to call for a cap on donations today: you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/ta...

St Ives from Salubrious House,1968 a view of the Cornish town by Scottish artist Wilhelmina Barns-Graham #WomensArt

Madison McKay Scientist

Excellent!

There’s a HUGE Elon Musk shaped hole in the Government’s new plans to improve our elections: shady billionaires like Musk can still donate massive amounts of money with no cap: effectively buying our democracy. Add your name to call for a cap on donations today: you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/ta...

Its always a good Saturday when a new episode of Podyssey drops. My gardening later will be laced with delight @sturdyalex.bsky.social

Prof. Tim Wilson gives his take on Stephen Flynn, Nigel Farage and the BBC. Worth watching 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇪🇺🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 youtu.be/PJPf42XVwCU?...

Reform’s clean energy crackdown would cost 60,000 jobs, wipe £92 billion off the economy, and raise bills, says study

I hope Labour develop better guidelines - this is shameful @lizzicollinge.bsky.social

Perfect from @mortenmorland.bsky.social

Excellent comments. @ayeshahazarika.bsky.social has it spot on about teams. @lizzicollinge.bsky.social