andrew2012.bsky.social

andrew2012.bsky.social

@andrew2012.bsky.social

316 followers252 following578 posts

andrew2012.bsky.social reposted

Dan Kaszeta FRHistS
@dankaszeta.bsky.social

Abolish the Home Office

Politics.co.uk@politics.co.uk

“Alongside fellow MPs, I have received reports of applications being refused because of convictions linked to the 2019-2020 pro-democracy protests”, writes @bobbywdean.bsky.social 🗣️ Britain cannot shut the door on Hongkongers persecuted for defending democracy www.politics.co.uk/2026/10/brit...

politics.co.ukBritain cannot shut the door on Hongkongers persecuted for defending democracy - Politics.co.ukHongkongers who stood up for democracy have paid a heavy price. Some have lost their freedom, spent years in prison and emerged to find the city they knew changed beyond recognition. Now, for some see...

andrew2012.bsky.social reposted

Prem Sikka
@premnsikka.bsky.social

Private equity buys UK fertility clinics. PE already controls social care, hospitals, GP surgeries, dentistry, child fostering. Usual business model. High debt, quality of care declines, prices increase, high profits. When things go wrong, NHS has to step in, PE doesn't pay.

thebusinessdesk.comManchester Fertility Services sold to private equity-backed international care groupTFP Fertility Group is backed by US private equity firm Amulet Capital Partners

andrew2012.bsky.social reposted

Stef73
@stef73.bsky.social

Should be an absolute classic today up in Sunderland 😂🌬️🌬️🌬️⚽ #lufc

andrew2012.bsky.social reposted

Grumpyrocker
@grumpyrocker.bsky.social

The BBC has a fucking nerve. Will it be editing out poppies?

Leicester Gazette@leicestergazette.leicester.news

Two University of Leicester students speak out over ‘absurd’ and ‘Orwellian’ decision by the BBC and ITV Studios to edit out pride pins worn on University Challenge

leicester.newsBBC edits out pride pins on University Challenge in ‘Orwellian’ move* * * This story was published by **The Leicester Gazette** : a local, independent newspaper about Leicestershire. 1,000 people have already joined our community. Just use those buttons below to download our app and **sign up for free**. * * * Astrophysics student Samuel Carlier and History student Emmeline Hague-Wright were shocked to find that their LGBTQ+ pride pins had been edited out of their University Challenge appearance earlier this year. The episode, initially scheduled for BBC Two on 24 August, was delayed twice before airing on 7 September 2026. The pins showed the progressive LGBTQ+ pride flag, the bisexual pride flag and a rainbow feather. Speaking to the Leicester Gazette, Sam said: “Living in a liberal democracy and having the state broadcaster tell you ‘we’re editing how you look’, seems very Orwellian.” Sam described the choice to remove the pins before broadcast as “weird” and “absurd”. He said: “[Censoring] that seemed weird. If I had worn a rainbow shirt, would they have censored that? If the idea is to keep things impartial, where is that line in the sand?” A side by-side image of Sam wearing the pin and with it having been digitally removed. Photograph: supplied Sam contacted the BBC to try to understand why his pins had been edited out. He told the Gazette: “The BBC people said they’d ring me, and I chased them, they just said go to the complaints website and file a complaint there, that’s what I did.” Since then, Sam hasn’t had a response from the BBC as to why his pins were removed. After the episode had aired, Sam noted that his shirt ‘melted’ into itself occasionally, as a result of the editing. Photograph: supplied ## Students believe the decision was made following online transphobia Emmeline was also shocked when she found out that the feather pin she wore was due to be removed from the episode she was in. It was understood by Emmeline that there was online transphobia in response to previous episode of University Challenge, and she had been contacted by the BBC, anticipating support from the broadcaster. When the BBC contacted her, instead of an offer of support, she was told her pin was going to be removed. “At first it was mostly confusion,” she said. “I heard that they had received a lot of nastiness online from people and I thought they were going to call me to say ‘we have support services if needed,’ and that wasn't what I got at all.” Instead, Emmeline was notified that the episodes were going to be delayed. “It was out of left field, I was confused for a while,” she said. “This entire delay has been because of a feather and two badges on a teammate that were basically impossible [for viewers] to see.” Emmeline had expressed her frustrations with the repeated delays from the BBC, spanning from mid-July to early-September. She said: “We were announced on the website and then delayed again, and then announced on the website a second time, and delayed even further. Speaking about the removal, she said: “It takes a lot of time” she said. “Making it [the edit] look good would be even more expensive and time-consuming. It seems like drastically a lot of effort.” ## Join the conversation Our app is more than just a way to keep up – it's a gateway to award-winning journalism and the local community. __Want to support our work?__ Click here for membership__.__ ## Wider criticism on LGBTQ+ support The pins Sam wore during the episode. Photograph: supplied According to leading LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall UK, two in five LGBTQ+ students will hide their identities at university for fear of discrimination. Stonewall has reported that more than 36 per cent of trans students have received hostile conduct from university staff due to their gender identity. Reflecting on the digital removal of the pins, Sam spoke about how disheartening the choice was. He said: “There was maybe like a span of eight years where someone could be uncontroversially out in the open queer – now that’s gone again.” he said. The BBC has also been widely criticised for ‘an attack on the LGBTQ+ community’ by pulling its involvement with the popular show, RuPaul's Drag Race. The broadcaster pulled its involvement in September following “significant financial pressures” as the reason for axing their involvement. The criticism follows another recent controversial edit by the BBC. On its hit show, Strictly Come Dancing, a decision was made to edit out ‘Protect the Dolls’ from contestant Bethany Antonia’s T-shirt. It’s a slogan which has become widely used to support the rights of trans women. The BBC defended their decision, saying the changes were made to meet editorial guidelines. It comes as the LGBTQ+ community has faced challenges amid an increasingly less tolerant political climate. ## What the BBC had to say When we asked them about editing out the pins worn by Leicester’s University Challenge team, a BBC spokesperson said: “In line with our editorial guidelines, we advise that no badges, flags, and emblems or symbols are worn or visible during filming, along with clothing with obvious branding or slogans. If such items are not removed for any reason then a decision is made between the programme makers and the BBC regarding any edits to the programme.” The BBC said the delays to the episode were unrelated to the decision to edit out the pins. A spokesperson for ITV Studios said: “University Challenge is an entertainment quiz show and is made in accordance with the BBC Editorial Guidelines requirements for impartiality.” The University of Leicester refused to comment on the matter. * * * **Before you go…** We’ve recently surpassed 1,000 subscribers, which is amazing considering we’re a small team on a shoestring budget. Now, we’re ready for the next stage of the Leicester Gazette. **Download our new app and get all of our journalism anytime, anywhere.** The app connects with **Bluesky** , **Mastodon** and **Threads** , giving you access to a network of around 60 million people. It’s a safer, more meaningful alternative to mainstream social media – owned by the community. * * *

andrew2012.bsky.social reposted

Andy Smith
@johnneptune.bsky.social
Leicester Gazette@leicestergazette.leicester.news

Two University of Leicester students speak out over ‘absurd’ and ‘Orwellian’ decision by the BBC and ITV Studios to edit out pride pins worn on University Challenge

leicester.newsBBC edits out pride pins on University Challenge in ‘Orwellian’ move* * * This story was published by **The Leicester Gazette** : a local, independent newspaper about Leicestershire. 1,000 people have already joined our community. Just use those buttons below to download our app and **sign up for free**. * * * Astrophysics student Samuel Carlier and History student Emmeline Hague-Wright were shocked to find that their LGBTQ+ pride pins had been edited out of their University Challenge appearance earlier this year. The episode, initially scheduled for BBC Two on 24 August, was delayed twice before airing on 7 September 2026. The pins showed the progressive LGBTQ+ pride flag, the bisexual pride flag and a rainbow feather. Speaking to the Leicester Gazette, Sam said: “Living in a liberal democracy and having the state broadcaster tell you ‘we’re editing how you look’, seems very Orwellian.” Sam described the choice to remove the pins before broadcast as “weird” and “absurd”. He said: “[Censoring] that seemed weird. If I had worn a rainbow shirt, would they have censored that? If the idea is to keep things impartial, where is that line in the sand?” A side by-side image of Sam wearing the pin and with it having been digitally removed. Photograph: supplied Sam contacted the BBC to try to understand why his pins had been edited out. He told the Gazette: “The BBC people said they’d ring me, and I chased them, they just said go to the complaints website and file a complaint there, that’s what I did.” Since then, Sam hasn’t had a response from the BBC as to why his pins were removed. After the episode had aired, Sam noted that his shirt ‘melted’ into itself occasionally, as a result of the editing. Photograph: supplied ## Students believe the decision was made following online transphobia Emmeline was also shocked when she found out that the feather pin she wore was due to be removed from the episode she was in. It was understood by Emmeline that there was online transphobia in response to previous episode of University Challenge, and she had been contacted by the BBC, anticipating support from the broadcaster. When the BBC contacted her, instead of an offer of support, she was told her pin was going to be removed. “At first it was mostly confusion,” she said. “I heard that they had received a lot of nastiness online from people and I thought they were going to call me to say ‘we have support services if needed,’ and that wasn't what I got at all.” Instead, Emmeline was notified that the episodes were going to be delayed. “It was out of left field, I was confused for a while,” she said. “This entire delay has been because of a feather and two badges on a teammate that were basically impossible [for viewers] to see.” Emmeline had expressed her frustrations with the repeated delays from the BBC, spanning from mid-July to early-September. She said: “We were announced on the website and then delayed again, and then announced on the website a second time, and delayed even further. Speaking about the removal, she said: “It takes a lot of time” she said. “Making it [the edit] look good would be even more expensive and time-consuming. It seems like drastically a lot of effort.” ## Join the conversation Our app is more than just a way to keep up – it's a gateway to award-winning journalism and the local community. __Want to support our work?__ Click here for membership__.__ ## Wider criticism on LGBTQ+ support The pins Sam wore during the episode. Photograph: supplied According to leading LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall UK, two in five LGBTQ+ students will hide their identities at university for fear of discrimination. Stonewall has reported that more than 36 per cent of trans students have received hostile conduct from university staff due to their gender identity. Reflecting on the digital removal of the pins, Sam spoke about how disheartening the choice was. He said: “There was maybe like a span of eight years where someone could be uncontroversially out in the open queer – now that’s gone again.” he said. The BBC has also been widely criticised for ‘an attack on the LGBTQ+ community’ by pulling its involvement with the popular show, RuPaul's Drag Race. The broadcaster pulled its involvement in September following “significant financial pressures” as the reason for axing their involvement. The criticism follows another recent controversial edit by the BBC. On its hit show, Strictly Come Dancing, a decision was made to edit out ‘Protect the Dolls’ from contestant Bethany Antonia’s T-shirt. It’s a slogan which has become widely used to support the rights of trans women. The BBC defended their decision, saying the changes were made to meet editorial guidelines. It comes as the LGBTQ+ community has faced challenges amid an increasingly less tolerant political climate. ## What the BBC had to say When we asked them about editing out the pins worn by Leicester’s University Challenge team, a BBC spokesperson said: “In line with our editorial guidelines, we advise that no badges, flags, and emblems or symbols are worn or visible during filming, along with clothing with obvious branding or slogans. If such items are not removed for any reason then a decision is made between the programme makers and the BBC regarding any edits to the programme.” The BBC said the delays to the episode were unrelated to the decision to edit out the pins. A spokesperson for ITV Studios said: “University Challenge is an entertainment quiz show and is made in accordance with the BBC Editorial Guidelines requirements for impartiality.” The University of Leicester refused to comment on the matter. * * * **Before you go…** We’ve recently surpassed 1,000 subscribers, which is amazing considering we’re a small team on a shoestring budget. Now, we’re ready for the next stage of the Leicester Gazette. **Download our new app and get all of our journalism anytime, anywhere.** The app connects with **Bluesky** , **Mastodon** and **Threads** , giving you access to a network of around 60 million people. It’s a safer, more meaningful alternative to mainstream social media – owned by the community. * * *

andrew2012.bsky.social reposted

MrPaulRobinson
@mrpaulrobinson.bsky.social

No room on any of these front pages for the findings of an inquiry into the deaths of more than 43,000 people, must have been a busy news day

andrew2012.bsky.social reposted

Robert Reich
@rbreich.bsky.social

Just 10 people have already poured over $1 BILLION into this year’s midterm elections. 90% has gone to Republicans. In the entire 2008 presidential cycle, the last election before Citizens United, total billionaire spending was $16 million. We need to get Big Money out of our democracy.

andrew2012.bsky.social reposted

Marvin Amore
@marvinamore.bsky.social

In a functioning democracy reporting like this would contain the relevant facts that Phillipson receives funding from the Israel lobby and votes in favour of policy supporting Israeli apartheid and genocide whenever given the opportunity. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

theguardian.comLabour councils told to end agreements with Greens who do not condemn ‘Zionism is racism’ policyParty chair calls on Labour groups to end local deals if Green councillors do not reject motion attacked as ‘antisemitic’

andrew2012.bsky.social reposted

Dan Sohege
@danielsohege.bsky.social

I have significant issues with the Immigration Health Surcharge, which is effectively part of wider spread double taxation on migrants, who are also less likely to use the NHS, but, as with the wider economy, it was absolutely inevitable that more hostile immigration policies would harm it. 1/

This post is unavailable.

andrew2012.bsky.social reposted

Prem Sikka
@premnsikka.bsky.social

UK Chancellor rejects calls to raise Capital Gains Tax. UK wages taxed at 20%-45% + NIC. CGT 18%-24%, no NIC. Subject to ifs and buts: Denmark 27%-42% Norway 37.84% Netherlands 36% Ireland 33% Finland 30%-34% France 30%-34% Sweden 30% Spain 30% UK hits workers, showers gifts on the rich.

bbc.co.ukChancellor rejects calls to raise Capital Gains Tax in BudgetInfluential Labour figures had been pushing for equalising CGT and income tax, but critics have said this could drive wealthy people out of Britain.

andrew2012.bsky.social reposted

SirKidStarverIsGone
@sirkidstarversucks.bsky.social

#ZionismIsRacism

Saul Staniforth@saulstaniforth.bsky.social

"[the attack] took place around 4am.. while people were asleep.. targeted a residential apartment.. killed a 33yo woman while her daughter was caught in the flames watching her mother burn" Meanwhile the UK media pretends a motion declaring zionism is racism is the problem

andrew2012.bsky.social reposted

a frightful hobgoblin stalking throughout Europe
@supermathskid.bsky.social

Under literally what pretext ever could the murder of a one year old ever be justified

Ashton Pittman@ashtonpittman.bsky.social

JUST IN: The police shooting that killed 1-year-old Kohen Wiley as he sat in his mother’s lap in a Walmart parking lot in Senatobia, Miss., in June “was justified,” Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch’s office said on Monday. Her office will not charge the white officer who shot the child.

mississippifreepress.orgKohen Wiley Shooting ‘Was Justified,’ Mississippi AG SaysThe police shooting that killed 1-year-old Kohen Wiley as he sat in his mother’s lap in a Walmart parking lot in Senatobia, Miss., in June “was justified,” Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch’s…

andrew2012.bsky.social reposted

Qasim Rashid, Esq.
@qasimrashid.com

The official govt of Israel account muted me after I answered their question, so I decided it’s important even more people see my answer.

andrew2012.bsky.social reposted

Alex Andreou
@sturdyalex.bsky.social

Tumble weed across legacy media about ITV's exposé of Reform. Can you imagine the hysteria if an SNP councillor advocated for concentration camps or a Muslim Labour candidate said he wants to shoot MPs he considers traitors? The Mail front pages, Telegraph thinkpieces, and somber Today interviews?

andrew2012.bsky.social reposted

Adam Bienkov
@adambienkov.bsky.social

You may have seen reports about the campaign for charities to be more 'transparent' about who funds them. Well it turns out the mysterious new right-wing think tank behind it won't say who funds or runs them, and used fake names for the authors of the report which launched their campaign

bylinetimes.comMysterious Right-Wing Think Tank Demanding Charity 'Transparency' Won’t Say Who Runs or Funds ItEXCLUSIVE: A group with no legal status and using fake names for the authors of its first published report, has won widespread media coverage, despite refusing to say who is behind it

andrew2012.bsky.social reposted

We Own It
@weownit.org.uk

Our NHS has been hollowed out over the last few decades. Thank you @premnsikka.bsky.social The UK has 2.4 NHS beds PER 1,000 people Japan: 12.6 Germany: 7.7 Austria: 6.6 France: 5.4 OECD average: 4.2 This is why we have the disgrace of corridor care. It's time to invest and rebuild our NHS

andrew2012.bsky.social reposted

Oliver
@oliver48.bsky.social

What odds this apology doesn't get the same headline coverage as the lying smear ... "GB News presenter Alex Armstrong & commentator Bernadette Spofforth have been ordered to apologise & pay damages to MothinAli after suggesting he took part in the 2024 Leeds racist riots" via The Daily Politik

andrew2012.bsky.social reposted

Russ Jones
@russincheshire.bsky.social

I don't know how many lines have to be crossed before the remaining democratic West realises this fucking maniac cannot be permitted the power he's accumulated. We have Musk. Or we have established international security norms. We can't have both.

andrew2012.bsky.social reposted

Dan Sohege
@danielsohege.bsky.social

There has been a weird idea in the Home Office for years that everyone is just looking for a way to stay in the UK. They completely ignore that people actually live quite happy lives elsewhere and just want to be able to see family members from time to time. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

theguardian.comHome Office denies British baby living in Thailand chance to meet great-grandfather in UKBritish father would like to take his family to Lancashire to see ill relative but officials refused visa for his partner, a refugee from Myanmar

andrew2012.bsky.social reposted

BladeoftheSun
@bladeofthes.bsky.social

Mick Lynch wants a progressive wealth tax, which is a Green Party Policy, with the richest paying the same as everyone else on PAYE, 47%. That would bring in hundred of billions, it is time for the richest to pay what everyone else has been paying their whole lives.

andrew2012.bsky.social reposted

Prem Sikka
@premnsikka.bsky.social

Ukraine's drones made inoperable by restrictions on the speed permitted by SpaceX's Starlink network. Musk blames Trump. Any country relying the US or foreign tech companies will be held to ransom, can't defend itself. Need own satellites and systems to fight new imperialism.

bbc.co.ukStarlink: Musk says US government may be behind slowdown of Ukraine drone speedsUkraine says Starlink access has improved but it is still facing speed limits which are disrupting its battlefield "missions".