Jem

A great piece by Josh Bland on why, in a world where the cult of personality is so prevalent, Harry Kane’s Ballon D’or win is a victory for quietly letting your football do the talking for you. Give Josh a follow and check out his football substack. It’s excellent. #BallonDor

I’m really pleased for Harry Kane. Not once in his entire career have I seen a reason to dislike him. Nice to see one of the game’s good people reach the very top without developing an ego.

Man United with one of the worst ownership combos: American capitalists piling debt onto the club and a right-wing British billionaire out of his depth.

I know England lost both games but two of the best 50 over matches I’ve ever seen. Well played Pakistan.

England fielders panicking now

Come on Gus, do it again now

Oh blimey, he had no idea he nicked that!

Well that was a superb delivery from Jacks, Pakistan 9 down

Anyone else feeling really sad for Jim Ratcliffe? 0-2

Pakistan have chucked this game away but credit to England’s bowlers for not bowling many pies.

Finally, a politician brave enough to have the debate that is so urgently needed. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

How are we playing at Preston? #wba

Interesting game ahead today. The table and current form suggest we’ll win comfortably but then again, this is the Baggies…..

Quite a dramatic evening. We were sat having a pint and sharing a packet of peanuts and I got one stuck in my throat. I was really struggling for breath but fortunately the landlady stepped in and did the Heimlich manoeuvre. Ambulance called (and cancelled once the blockage cleared). Frightening.

And they win it with a 6 off the penultimate delivery! Incredible.

6 from 2…..

423-8 needing 8 off 3 balls. What a run chase this has been from Sri Lanka

Funny isn't it how the "we're protecting our streets" people always start menacing anyone who questions them

Oh my days, Harry Brook. 202 and the fastest one day double century in the history of the game.

My video essay on comedic populism and how the jokes became the vehicle of transmission to disengaged voters.

Duckett has played much better shots than that. 91-1.

Liz Truss has a new book about to be published. It appears to be somewhat similar to everything else she has done since her PM stint - nothing was her fault and she was right all along.

Best for Britain: "Reform UK has announced it will deliver its new print publication, The Reformer, to 15 million households" That's half the country Also: "Reform are using their huge war chest [largely from] crypto billionaires to set up a media operation" They're not finished yet by any stretch

When I take calls like this I always think of the thing I learned recently about how the same part of your brain that understands something agrees with it therefore your brain will not allow you to understand evidence which conflicts with beliefs which are key to your identity…..

This is so true. My Grandad died aged 95, fought in WW1 and despised racists and racism.

Personally, I wouldn’t wipe my arse with the Spectator.

Had a tactical post-beach walk nap at 1-2 and it worked! Mozza beats Mogga! #wba

1 back! Game on #wba

Not a great start at the Hawthorns ffs. 0-2

Musk is an enemy of Europe. There is no justification for continuing to use his products

Robin Hood’s Bay, I love this place.

Listened to a couple of phone-in radio progs on the long drive north today. It seems that people who join a racist party whose main/only policies are racist and who spout racist propaganda on national radio don’t like being reminded that they are racist.

Burnham’s honesty about righting the wrongs of Brexit is so refreshing after Starmer’s seeming indifference. This is 2026 not 2016, the world has changed and the case for much, much closer cooperation with the neighbours on our doorstep is a no brainer for growth.

A useful reminder from the 2016 referendum campaign.

They should look at motorway fuel prices while they’re at it.

Definitely don’t call them thick…

“Who wished to remain anonymous”. Seems legit.

And off we go www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

Feisty so far at Anfield. I’ll be surprised if this game ends without a sending off

Having pulled the rug out from under the Ukrainians with his surprise diesel deal with Putin, Trump is now calling for Zelensky to go. A huge challenge for NATO’s European leaders, including our very own Prime Minister.

Suella Braverman selling 106 copies of her book after all that publicity is so delicious.

Toothless #wba

Look up and pass the ball!

0-1 ffs

Penalty Blues…

Elon Musk encouraging violence against his political opponents. There is no good reason to continue using his website.