“After the second world war, the debt-to-GDP ratio was close to 250% – more than double what it is now. But Clement Attlee’s government chose massive public investment, created the NHS and rebuilt the country. Even in the 1950s, public investment as a share of national income stood at 7.3%.”

“Between 2010 and 2019, public services were butchered; the 4% real terms cut in spending was unprecedented. The axe swung wildly, but perhaps nowhere felt its blade more than #LocalGovernment.. Is it any wonder that both main political parties, this conference season, are on their knees?”

Call it out for what it is: #racism

At last, someone in government can see the economic elephant in the room and says #RejoinEU

#SocialMedia: “The time is approaching where we’ve got to all examine whether we should, en masse, withdraw from it and for there to be a different platform,” said Liverpool mayor Steve Rotheram. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

Time for #ProportionalRepresentation

Should we totally avoid using Ye Olde Book o’Faces? This article explains “a worrying normalisation of far-right ideologies on Facebook, still the world’s largest online social media platform.” www.theguardian.com/world/ng-int...

Hear hear.

Can’t wait to see @TheLibrariansFilm, released now in the UK. The movie will be released on 3 October in the USA. List of screenings below:

“Just cut the doomscrolling in half” – @ossoff.bsky.social

#SaveOurNHS #FixSocialCare

Pay no attention to the man who is clearly unwell when he proffers health advice. It’s just another distraction from the criminal activities of his administration.

#Dementia: “We all benefit from a lifestyle aligned with better brain health: prioritising movement, a nutritious diet, and activities that fire up multiple parts of the brain and involve other people. (Things like walking with a friend, dance classes and going to exhibitions are all beneficial.)”

"In those wretched Countries where a Man cannot call his Tongue his own, he can scarce call any Thing else his own. Whoever would overthrow the Liberty of a Nation, must begin by subduing the Freeness of Speech; a Thing terrible to Publick Traytors." - Benjamin Franklin #1stAmendment

If you haven’t read #CarelessPeople by Sarah Wynn-Williams, you will find it exciting, fascinating, shocking and unputdownloadable. An important book for our times that reveals unpalatable truths about social media and politics. www.theguardian.com/books/2025/m...

Billionaires threaten #PressFreedom “I am sure that the whole house and the government will stand with Sarah as we pass this legislation to ensure that whistleblowers and those with the moral courage to speak out are always protected” – @louisehaighmp.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/technology/2...

Chichester’s regular markets have added a vegan market where you can buy street food and taste delicacies such as vegan sardines, reports the Leader of Chichester District Council ⬇️

Here’s a really good idea: www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

So many people bought these EVs in good faith. Now they symbolise fascism.

The UK hare population declined by 80% in the last century. This petition was launched by author Chloe Dalton to give hares the critical protection they need during breeding season. Please add your name. petition.parliament.uk/petitions/72...

#SocialCare at breaking point: The number of people providing 35 hours or more a week of care has increased from 1.1 million in 2003/04 to 1.9 million in 2023/24 - an increase of over 70 per cent. As the number of #UnpaidCarers grows, so do new requests for care.” www.ippr.org/media-office...

Portrait of Arthur Lett-Haines, 1925 By Cedric Morris (1889-1982) Oil on canvas Private Collection Currently on display in “Seeing Each Other: Portraits of Artists” exhibition at Pallant House Gallery, Chichester pallant.org.uk/whats-on/see...

Portrait of Cedric Morris (Man with Macaw) 1930 by Frances Hodgkins (1869-1947) Oil on canvas Towner Eastbourne Currently on display in “Seeing Each Other: Portraits of Artists” exhibition at Pallant House Gallery, Chichester pallant.org.uk/whats-on/see...

#Cancelled: Australia Broadcasting Corporation journalist John Lyons said: “If we’ve reached the point where asking those sort of questions prevents you from going into the White House, then I think it’s a very dark day.” #PressFreedom is under attack. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

‘..the measure was a simple way to help tackle the £50bn fiscal deficit in the November budget: “A straightforward weight-based levy would make larger vehicles contribute fairly for the damage they cause to roads, safety and the environment, while protecting most family cars from added costs.”’

We rely on specialist medical staff to #SaveOurNHS. Where do we find them? Many come from Europe. Join the dots. #RejoinEU

The politics of division only serves to destroy communities for the profit of oligarchs.

Lough Neagh supplies 40% of Northern Ireland’s drinking water, which is treated and said to be safe. Not everyone is convinced. “I’ve not drunk from the tap in a year,” said Brigid Laverty, 67, who lives by the lake. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...

Another chapter in the #SewageScandal

“I’ve spent a lot of my adult life trying to prove myself so that I can be clapped by people, like: ‘Hey, you know what? Maybe you’re not a loser,’” 34-year-old Mawaan Rowan says with a grin. The refreshingly self-aware “clownish manchild” who created #Juice www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...

Today far-right demonstrators clashed with police in London. Three months ago thousands of naked cyclists rode through central London (and other cities around the globe) objecting to oil dependency, as they do every year, peacefully and causing little disruption or offence. #BetterBeWoke #WNBR

#SewageScandal: the stench from Thames Water pervades Westminster. Government wants to avoid responsibility, but renationalisation is inevitable. www.theguardian.com/business/202...

#SaveOurNHS #TaxTheRich

“I’ve seen so many people disappear down rabbit holes of every variety, believe incredibly strange things, that I think we do have to keep our eyes on the ball and look at the propaganda machine – look at the people who are doing this. Who benefits, right?” #Books www.theguardian.com/books/2025/s...

The other headline today is “UK economy flatlines in July”. Join the dots. #RejoinEU www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

Thanks @georgemonbiot.bsky.social My analysis of this Labour Party since before the election has been that it is uniquely influenced and shaped by corporate interest... 'the first private sector Labour government' Here are a few more recent articles I've written on this🧵

“The great political contest, ever since the dawn of the thing we call democracy, is between the public interest and the power of money.” @georgemonbiot.bsky.social argues, with supporting evidence, that the Labour govt is being unduly swayed by moneyed interests. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

#SewageScandal: “It’s taken a long time to get to this point, but finally, we are seeing South West Water brought to account.” @carolinevoadenmp.bsky.social Only full renationalisation of UK water utilities can stop this public health crisis so we can drink water. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...

#Booksky advice from Tom Cox @dj-acid-reflux.bsky.social : Never pay any attention to ‘10 BASIC BUT IMPORTANT RULES FOR BEING AN AUTHOR’ lists on the internet. the-villager.ghost.io/ten-basic-bu...

“Sexual violence and trafficking have no political party.” www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Read some good news for a change:

“I don’t think the balance is right at the moment. I think we’ve got a tax system that’s very good at taxing work, less effective at taxing wealth. That’s really the big #inequality that we’ve seen opening up.” @paulnowaktuc.bsky.social says #WealthTax needed www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

Can’t get enough of this. @raskin.house.gov rubbing Nigel Farage’s nose in his self-confessed love of Putin as he’s forced to sit & watch is delicious beyond words

Helena Dollimore MP: “As our water pipes have been left to crumble into disrepair with vital maintenance delayed, the water companies have wasted millions on expensive legal firms tasked with downplaying the extent of the #SewageScandal.”

“I think that what is happening now politically and socially is analogous to what happened around the world in the 1930-40 period,” @raydalioofficial.bsky.social said. Gift 🎁 article for non-subscribers: on.ft.com/46ibh75

Be careful with the media you consume. As Marsha says, they’re not our friends.

This is how #SocialCare costs have been increased by privatisation – costs borne by the taxpayer.

“..this gap between you and your family could be bridged with communication,” advises @annalisabarbieri.bsky.social to a caring spouse who writes “I want to feel loved, but I don’t.” One of the saddest letters she’s read. Everyone will need care one day. Who will look after you? #WhoCares?

“Kennedy, an anti-vaccine activist for about two decades, has reported more than $2.4m in income for referring vaccine-related cases to a law firm.” His personal profit seems more important to him than #PublicHealth www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...