Chris Patten who was party chair in 1992 the only election when the Conservatives won over 14m votes said “I am no ornithologist but I believe a bird flies better when it has a left and a right wing” - a principle Margaret Thatcher always adhered to.

Ann Widdecombe was a Kent MP for many years. To see (and perhaps join in) the simple, moving prayer given by Canon Precentor Linday Yates in Canterbury Cathedral for the repose of Ann’s soul, www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlVk... starting at 37.10.

On Sir Olly's JR claim: following posts by @stephenkb.bsky.social @samfr.bsky.social @davidallengreen.bsky.social & others I have done a note on how JR works & why every public sector employee threatened with dismissal or demotion may benefit from Sir Olly's action open.substack.com/pub/jegerton...

A massive boost for Count Binface with his call to ban VAR

This is so enjoyable. How can we keep it going? Fake some dossier that "proves" binface is funded by EU grants? Or that the bins in refugee charity offices have been given little capes in solidarity?

If you're not following the always-fascinating @joeegg.bsky.social, what are you waiting for?

So Count Binface is to Farage as Zelenskyy is to Putin….

@samfr.bsky.social is always an excellent read and usually right. But I think he may be wrong this time adn teh best bet for us all is a determined and widely based campaign to elect Count Binface. open.substack.com/pub/jegerton...

Can FARAGE be kept out of Parliament? Might he be defeated in the byelection? Is COUNT BINFACE the candidate all decent people should support? Could a credible campaign be run in Clacton? Here's my analysis jegerton.substack.com/api/v1/press...

I have just posted on my SUBSTACK analysis of why there will not be a second byelection at Clacton if Farage wins this time round even if he is investigated by the Standards Commissioner again open.substack.com/pub/jegerton...

@stephenkb.bsky.social missed a trick in his newsletter on a No 10 operation in Manchester. The great Marquess of Salisbury regularly worked at Hatfield. And he had an empire covering 1/3 of the earth to run. Andy Burnham should find running England from Manchester a doddle.

Absolutely brilliant programme

@timbale.bsky.social analysis is as always highly persuasive but may ignore one Conservative ability - to perform a screeching U turn. Disraeli (1850s) and Baldwin (1924) dropped protectionism and Macmillan gave up the Empire. Kemi might yet do the same and dump the leave the ECHR idiocy.

This morning scrolling Bluesky, there is nothing at all in my feed about Putin’s barbaric attack on the Ukraine’s holiest site, the UNESCO protected Lavra so I’m posting this here.

Twelve years ago THINKING FAITH, the online Jesuit journal, published my review of Nigel Farage's autobiography, Substitute "REFORM" for "UKIP" and I think it still reads rather well www.thinkingfaith.org/articles/pur...

Which length of quiz was that on?

🇬🇧 British Political Spectrum Quiz My result: Social Democrat Economic: centrist Social: leaning progressive Sovereignty: cosmopolitan Military: leaning hawkish Authority: leaning libertarian Constitutional: leaning reformist Take the quiz: quiz.jmoxley.co.uk

Almost nobody on here is talking about the fact that Russia beheaded Ukrainian soldiers yesterday. Russia is a terrorist state and everyone goes about their business lalala. Russia has infiltrated the United States from the top to the bottom and especially the press

I wish I could retweet this more times!

Another splendid Victorian sculpture: the Sullivan memorial on the Embankment near the Savoy. "Is life a boon? If so it must befall that Death, when'ere he call, must call too soon" (Yeoman of the Guard)

A typically thoughtful and informative piece. Horrifyingly bad cuts are being made - e.g. the highly rated philosophy department at the University of Kent is being destroyed. Future generations will not think kindly of those responsible for such barbarism.

Dreadful performance by Conservative Party representative on Newsnight. Undone quite a bit of what Kemi Badenoch has achieved by hysterical exaggeration.

The great merit of @samfr.bsky.social projection is the clarity of his reasoning for each projection which allows the reader to go "yes I agree" or "no I am not convinced"

Is anyone still alive who witnessed the last time when the mood of the Commons was so clearly that a Prime Minister had to give up office? That was the Norway debate of 7 to 9 May 1940.

Had missed this considered attempt to get at the reality by @jamesrball.com. It's good. Bit of a downer, sure. But good.

Well exactly

Useful, practical.

Gotta love the FT's aggressive and proper use of quotation marks

@mrjamesob.bsky.social Bedford CC dealing with the bigots like an absolute boss.

Source: Conservative Home share.google/vZPF6e3MYNwV...

Staggering, but this is true.

These events are excellent. Well worth a journey - and don't be put off by Trump propaganda. You are in no danger of being eaten and rather less likely to be murdered in London's East End than in any big American city.

Why is the BBC coverage of the Sistine Chapel being wrecked by pompous prattling? Ignorant and stupid commentary by third rate onanists

Excellent piece as always from @joxley.jmoxley.co.uk

Excellent piece on Canterbury Cathedral

Jenrick not looking at all happy at Badenoch's speech. Not surprising as many in hall must be asking themselves whether he could do any better.

Matthew Goodwin latest proposals may seem an attack on Islam but actually give a Reform government control over all churches - Anglican and Roman included. The new ABC might echo Cardinal Francis George "I will die in my bed. My successor will die in prison..." open.substack.com/pub/mattgood...

No. For even if the government cannot recover all its damages and costs here, this case is still a signal to current and potential suppliers that it is willing to enforce it contractual rights. And that is very valuable. Many government suppliers do not believe the government will ever do this.

An exceptionally important post. It shows how TikTok is enabling Farage to do to the two party system that sustained Britain's moderate democracy what Martin Luther did to the Catholic Church.

The media - no, we're not going to report on serious Lib Dem policies The media - yes, we will report on fun stunts The media, also - the Lib Dems need to show they've got serious policies

In which two people who actually know what they're talking about demonstrate that the idea that the UK could somehow abandon the ECHR without blowing apart the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement is complete and utter b*ll*cks. ukandeu.ac.uk/explainers/t...

This is worth reading in full. And I know that does not help but I am so sorry.

This is @stephenkb.bsky.social making a good point about Michael Howard who he rightly rates an effective minister. Alas Michael gave Cameron a leg up by making him his SPAD and thus contributed to the downfall of his country to its present sad state

This piece by @anandmenon.bsky.social sums up superbly what many people who either aren't 'White British' (or because of their skin tone don't pass as such) are feeling right now. It's a deeply uncomfortable read, but then it's a deeply uncomfortable feeling for them. Do read if you get a mo.

Gaza parish priest reports evacuation orders, shortages and bombardments www.ncronline.org/news/gaza-pa...

Untruths about asylum-seekers exposed by @fullfact.org fullfact.org/immigration/... #asylum #migrants

Find time to read this - and send it to your Member of Parliament and ask them whether they have read it. If they don't say they have go back to them and ask whether they are looking forward to losing their seat to Reform at the next election.

A Dog’s Breakfast open.substack.com/pub/jegerton...

Why the Clergy Conduct Measure is contrary to the rule of law open.substack.com/pub/jegerton...

@davidallengreen.bsky.social has committed the horrible crime of writing an objective fact based article that actually informs those who wish to be informed...