I found this genuinely fascinating on government communications. Peter Hyman suggests, in the modern media environment, Downing Street needs to move on from the 'grid' towards a 'playlist' of campaigns... open.substack.com/pub/peterhym...

Don't mind it @suedehq.bsky.social...

May have just purchased an album on vinyl...

Billy Bragg has long been excellent on embracing patriotism from the left. There are many, many reasons to be proud of England and Englishness 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

I think this is very correct from @ianleslie.bsky.social. They probably should have done this ages ago but right now there really is very little to lose...

I'm still ordering my thoughts on Suede's Antidepressants - and may have to write something down in an attempt to do so - but in the meantime, here's @msclairebiddles.bsky.social with a superb review of the album which has reminded this ragged old heart how to feel... thequietus.com/quietus-revi...

On the money from @patrickmaguire.bsky.social. At some stage Starmer might want to consider who the one constant has been throughout all the resets, reshuffles and relaunches since he entered No. 10... www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...

It shows such a basic lack of political understanding that Labour didn't go straight on the attack over this. Just because most people are worried about immigration being too high it doesn't mean they're psychopaths.

Yesterday's non-response to this from Labour has me fearing the worst for the country. Starmer is mistakenly conflating the importance of recognising the public desire for control, fairness and a resolution on asylum with a fear of attacking Farage in any way at all! 1/ www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Suggs is hammered.

I continue to tap the sign... 👇

Norrie goes out and the ghost of Bates' Barrow strikes again... 🇬🇧🎾👻 www.bbc.com/sport/tennis...

Truly excellent piece from @petepaphides.bsky.social on the phenomenon of Oasis. I think it gets to the heart of why, for a very brief moment in the mid-nineties, they were vital in a way perhaps no other music artist has been in my lifetime... www.thenewworld.co.uk/pete-paphide...

It’s a brave man who casts shade on Bob Mortimer…

And the answer from Labour MPs would surely be "then raise taxes". Something Reeves is almost guaranteed to have to do this autumn anyway and which would at least be on brand to a public reeling from the fact a Labour government chose to freeze pensioners and bash the disabled for a few measly quid!

Yes! The public like pragmatism; the public like a government not blindly enslaved to ideology; the public can even accept a government must sometimes make tough choices; but they do not understand a government running a cart and horse through their own party's core values...

Yes! I too was struck by Reeves' greater reference to towns, communities, sense of place. In an age of globalisation, if this government wants a story to tell - wants an overriding purpose - it could do far worse than seeking to meet people's desire for belonging... www.thetimes.com/comment/colu...

Intriguing Starmer profile in the New Statesman. I can't help but like him. Paradoxically, his main strength - his selfless, quiet, hardworking determination - is also his major weakness when leading a country. Yet, given the family challenges he's faced, it's hard not to forgive him those flaws...

This is excellent on today's spending review. I agree there was a welcome new tone and framing to Reeves' statement today, couched in those core Labour values or, as she called them, 'Labour choices'. Yet, it doesn't change the fact she is - necessarily - walking a very fine fiscal tightrope indeed.

Neil Kinnock, Sheffield, 1992:

Absolutely remarkable long read from Jeremy Bowen on the ongoing crisis in the Middle East... www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

A very fair and supportive criticism of Starmer and Reeves as Labour enters its second year in government...

Lovely, meandering interview with Jarvis on @thequietus.com. He remains one of the most charismatic front men to emerge from the Britpop era... thequietus.com/interviews/j...

WIN! - A Coloured Vinyl Copy of Pulp's 'More' One of the most anticipated releases of the year drops next Friday, and to celebrate, we're giving away a copy of the pictured record. Just share and like this post, and give our account a follow to be entered. www.normanrecords.com/records/2087...

Pulp's first album for decades is out tomorrow. Here's the second single which has really whet my appetite for what I hope will be a brilliant comeback... youtu.be/c_xnLmRz6XM?...

Investment in regional transport infrastructure, expanding access to free school meals. It feels like they've briefly remembered those core Labour values... 🌹

Suggs is hammered 💙

Delighted to hear my email read out by @steverichards.bsky.social on Rock & Roll Politics. I recommend you listen to the whole episode and subscribe, but you can hear the thoughts of a self-confessed 'academic librarian, arch centrist and increasingly concerned Labour member' at precisely 55mins...😄

The wonderful new single from Suede. I was tempted to say they are in an incredible purple patch right now but really they've been consistently brilliant since their return in 2013. What a run they're on! youtu.be/BMTwbLL9JWc?...

Find myself pondering with astonishment the gaping chasm between my expectation of the Labour government and the reality playing out before my eyes. I'm becoming more disillusioned by the day and I consider myself a arch centrist these days. I'm trying to wrap my head around what has gone wrong.

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

Starmer has reached quite a low today. The language used appalling. These are not Labour values and I suspect he will find he is selling his government's soul for next to no political gain.

Oh wow! I've been listening to so much Rolling Stones lately. This is absolutely perfect timing from @theresthistory.bsky.social... open.spotify.com/episode/52Rn...

I am currently making my way home from this and it was ace!

New music from Pulp after nearly 25 years. I am absolutely delighted! youtu.be/-27a1ugJX8U?...

I've just purchased 'Scary Monsters and Super Creeps' on vinyl for under 20 quid, meaning I am now only 2 albums away from owning every Bowie LP from 1971's Hunky Dory through to 1983's Let's Dance. This FEELS significant.

I keep staring at live stock market data (I never stare at live stock market data). I'm in some kind of hellish trance, mesmerised by their continuing plummet. Damn you Trump! www.google.com/finance

Utterly chilling. 50,000 more children in relative poverty as a result of Labour's benefit cuts...

Really interesting. Whatever I may think, cuts to overseas aid and welfare clearly not unpopular with the general public, at least according to this poll. Might McSweeney target net zero spending next? Watch out Ed Miliband! 😬

Yes! I spent most of Season 2 worrying, that like Lost before it, Severance would end up disappearing up its own fundament. It's to the writers great credit that they kept totally focussed on the love story at the show's heart rather than piling on mystery for mystery's sake. I loved it!

Lots from @instituteforgov.bsky.social about the Government approach to cuts. Saving here for later...

This week's been politically tough for many of us progressive types and next week may not feel much better either but here's @iandunt.bsky.social's case for some qualified optimism... open.substack.com/pub/iandunt/...

I didn't think I could hold Southgate in any higher esteem but this really had an impact on me. Not just as an England fan but as a youth coach and a father of two boys. We're going to miss him as our national football manager, more than we could have possibly imagined. www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...

Been getting stuck into some mid-period Rolling Stones this week. Goats Head Soup '73, Some Girls '78 and Tattoo You '81. I have to admit I've rarely ventured from the earlier big hitters but diving into these lesser known albums is proving a pleasure... open.spotify.com/album/1Jv2Aq...

Oof! There ain't no triangulating round that!

I understand it but it doesn't mean I have to like it. That's about all I can meaningfully find to say.

I'm just a man asking a woman to remember that the Liberal Democrats exist... www.bbc.com/news/article...

Tick tock Rachel. Only 8 months in power but Labour yet to show any progress on their number 1 priority in government. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

A reminder that what we are *really* talking about with rising disability claims is an apparent mental health crisis.