The vacuum at highest levels in talking about this dark turn in British life over the last few months HAS to end.

The real division in England is that anyone with recent ethnic or immigrant origin is hearing a louder and louder siren to RUN whilst those who are not are able to discuss the rise of the right-wing as general conversation.

"Trust that all is for the best. For we carry our fate with us—and it carries us." — Marcus Aurelius

It's so strange to me how the absolutely core question at the heart of politics - "what kind of society do we want to live in?" - is so absent from discussion, either assumed settled or reduced to meaningless generalities.

The real division in England is that anyone with recent ethnic or immigrant origin is hearing a louder and louder siren to RUN whilst those who are not are able to discuss the rise of the right-wing as general conversation.

We are in a huge lot of trouble if Reform form a government. Trump is going full steam with things that he said he'd do and the US electorate didn't appear to get it or take it seriously.

This is incredibly sharp on TikTok, distraction and politics. Current UK government is communicating on terms that no longer exist

Fascinating read about the relationships between politics and social media from @samfr.bsky.social. Not seen anywhere discuss the issue so succinctly and with personalness blended in like this. With the disillusioned youth leading global shifts, more Reform/RW gains could be inevitable.

First family footy since this one's arrival! His verdict was a snooze until 70mins (when we all woke up...)

There is a serious failure in UK govt, politics & media to take sufficiently seriously what Musk said & meant with "fight back or die" = Violence (interethnic civil war) is inevitable so pre-emptive violence - vs migrants, minorities & political opponents - is necessary to avoid existential erasure

Was going to take the baby to see the Everton-Tottenham game today as his first game, but he's on an infection stint. 20yrs ago 2 team mates and I had trials for Tottenham but decided we were too good for them and never went back... (oh the arrogance of youth).

On the day of the biggest far-right demonstration in our country’s history, 2 non-league football matches were abandoned in the West Midlands because of racist abuse. In the current atmosphere, racists feel emboldened to abuse people. It is a very depressing time.

Want to be clear that the predictable violence against the police wasn't the only problem with yesterday's march It's that 100,000 angry racists gathered in London for the biggest racist march in 50 years, and anyone not white had to steer clear The govt can't see that because they are inadequate.

Elon Musk openly called for violence on our streets yesterday. I hope politicians from all parties come together to condemn his deeply dangerous and irresponsible rhetoric. Britain must stand united against this clear attempt to undermine our democracy.

22 stunning sunset shots showcasing the beauty of Wirral

Following Elon Musk’s incitement of violence yesterday, none of our politicians should be on X. If they are too afraid to call out his interference, the least they can do is leave his platform. #HaveYouGotTheBalls

Left wishing I'd gone to university after looking out on University of Liverpool's quadrangle from @victoriagallery.bsky.social. Such a vibrant place yet rooted in history. Been wandering the 'Lightbulb Moments' exhibition with the baby and highly recommend. Very nicely done.

The news is saying the north west has the highest suicide rates in the country. I see Andy Burnham talk about the north-south divide all the time but the stat above is fed by all the other things he talks about. That stat is the one that demonstrates a marked, overall difference.

Calling them racist helps their numbers grow because it creates an in-group/out-group and plays into the 'nobody listens to our outsider opinions which should be mainstream' mentality. People need to step away from whether they like/agree with Reform or not and challenge them as credible opponents.

Lots of politicos politico'ing, my two pence for competing with Reform is: 1. Many MPs need to be present visibly, digitally and with personalness in their constituencies. Absence is the gap Reform come in through. 2. Labour party needs experience - and those who evolve with it - at the helm.

Ffs. Teenage nephew has pasted 'me and Nigel/me and Andrea/ me and Tice' selfies all over his socials. He's gonna be a Reform MP next election innit.

Tasty play from Arsenal! Trying to get the baby to cheer for them but he's having none of it.

The failure of the government to denounce these thugs is completely fucking sickening.

Anyway, here's how Liverpool looks from the secret side of the river.

First time to Alder Hey for us and what an experience it is - so patient-centred! There's natural light, open space and wooden bird branches indoors! THIS is what hospitals should be like. Anyone who has stayed on ward will tell you it's a bubble. Surroundings like these make such a difference.

In the absence of real world cohesion, digital communities & social platforms are the modern day flags.

10 years since I did my first researchED according to Facebook. Feels lifetimes ago now 😲

I think this could be a misleading sense of feeling - people may be choosing to 'behave' when they know they're watched and there's potential loss to themselves. How people behave when they think nobody will know is the real tell.

There’s more culture in a pot of yogurt than in all these faux “patriots”

Bored of the same old same old predictable reactions to events like these. All of us need to change the narrative. Focus on proactively changing mindsets around pride instead of noting the divisiveness of flags. Abandon lazy comments and effortless thinking.

Not bad Liverpool, not bad. Snap snap 📸

Neighbour across the road has put up their England flag, directly opposite the HMO of migrants. The thing with threats is that they're often ambiguous until they're not. If Labour lean fully into populism because 'these are the times', they'll preside over the worst cultural times since 70/80s.

Realised one of my lifelong friends is more about image & style than substance or care, the opposite to me and what I thought they were. A hard lesson to learn 35yrs in to a 'ship. Is this what 'getting older' is?

The older I get, the more I like local community things. The local football team, local writers, local independent businesses, the local newspaper, our local area whatsapp group. These are the things that really matter - everyday solidarity, ordinary kindnesses.

The question isn’t ‘are people more evil or not than they were in the past?’ The question is - are more people likely to get away with their evil than they did in the past?

"One of the reasons the epidemic of violence against women is so unacknowledged is because cases like these are talked about individually, and often treated as though they are shocking aberrations rather than part of a pervasive pattern that operates at all levels of society."

Good morning 🌞

Through a glass darkly. The media sees click bait revenue as its only goal. When marketing & advertising replaced actual income from paper sales the news became secondary. Reality? Facts? Not interested. Write a little piece with all the right words to boil blood & retain the viewer through adverts.

It looks like the far Right think they are onto a winner by appealing to the worst instincts of many British people It is up to their opposition - those of us with a shred of empathy - to convince the unthinking that this is wrong

A thoughtful read. "It’s not just about justice any more. It’s about content spreadability." www.msn.com/en-gb/news/o...

Anyone got an opinion on the players keeping false lashes/nails on during matches, especially at this level? I'm trying to be all happy and supportive buuut...when I was a coach the standards were clear. Health and safety first. Can't help feeling this aspect is a poor advert for the women's game.

Smartphones have taken off because there is nothing accessible (free) for youngsters to do anymore. By and large, no safe spaces to play, less green areas to play, no youth centres, no cross-generational socialising and role modelling, less grassroots community clubs (that are minimally priced).

It is disgraceful + utterly immoral for anyone to be elevated to the house of lords, who has the power to vote on legislation without us knowing who they are and why they're there. Full transparency required

This is it: brilliant people should see it as a long-term career option. But funding just means it’ll only ever be a revolving door occupation.

The tactics we saw in India are being followed by the Trump administration. Anyone familiar with 2019 in India, with what they did to Jawaharlal Nehru University, will see the parallels in Trump's assault on US universities. Jason Stanley writes:

Ooof Norway, spicing things up! #euros2025

Your next generation of @bylinetimes.bsky.social readers @peterjukes.bsky.social! He's had a great day at the festival so far and made lots of new friends 😄 #BylineBabyClub

For someone of my age it's still so cool to see a woman's football international in a packed stadium, on prime time TV, and with an all woman team in the studio.

Remains to be seen whether the highlight of my day will be @andyburnham.bsky.social or the football but I'm glad my mum got to see what can only be described as a barnstorming closing speech. Everyone in the room was hanging on his every word 👏