Mark Exton

Mark Exton

@mexton.bsky.social

Retired in the UK after 30 years of teaching and school leadership overseas. Family bloke and Man Utd supporter. Now looking for a new political home after leaving the Labour Party.

238 followers178 following913 posts

Mark Exton
@mexton.bsky.social

I can't believe this London-based landowner is putting the iconic Glenelg to Skye ferry at risk. Support the local community - not millionaire financiers - and save the world famous Glenelg to Skye ferry by joining me and signing the petition today: you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/sa...

you.38degrees.org.ukSave the Glenelg - Skye ferry!This ten minute crossing is famous around the world - and is believed to be the last turntable style ferry anywhere. It's an iconic part of Skye's history, but it's under threat thanks to a wealthy la...
Mark Exton
@mexton.bsky.social

It's clear that the traditional 'First-past-the-post' voting system doesn't work in a multi-party system. People have more faith in a political system where their voice and views are represented: it's time for the UK to have proportional representation in all national and local elections.

actionnetwork.orgUnite the Progressive Majority to Build a Better Britain!Most people want a fairer society, a working democracy, a protected planet. So why split the vote & let the far-right in to destroy it all? That's why I've signed this open letter urging progressive l...
Mark Exton
@mexton.bsky.social

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026... Shabana Mahmoud's 330% increase actually equates to less than 90 additional Sudanese asylum seekers...90 bright young people seeking to flee a country that has been ravaged by a succession of civil wars...people who will build Britain! Shame on this Govt!

theguardian.com‘The UK is saying the same thing as the Taliban’: the women banned from studying in BritainThe Home Office has blocked new study visas for applicants from Afghanistan, Sudan, Myanmar and Cameroon. It means many women will miss out on life-changing opportunities – as five female academics ex...
Mark Exton
@mexton.bsky.social

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026... FFS...poor Peter...yes, he's entitled to a fair trial but his life is falling apart only because of his piss poor decisions and his self-serving nature. If we make the predators - and allies - accountable, perhaps there won't be victims!

theguardian.comMandelson still a human being who’s entitled to fair trial, says Cherie BlairWife of former PM also says she is mentioned in Epstein files and coverage not focused enough on victims of abuse
Mark Exton
@mexton.bsky.social

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026... It would help enormously if airlines and holiday companies making money out of rabies-prevalwnt countries shared info with passengers/customers about its dangers. It beggars belief that a woman had died primarily through ignorance.

theguardian.comBriton diagnosed with rabies after psychiatrist raised fears, inquest toldYvonne Ford, who died after scratch from dog in Morocco, was referred to mental health expert by perplexed medics
Mark Exton
@mexton.bsky.social

www.theguardian.com/politics/202... Two days in a row I've seen Zack Polanski with his arm around Hannah Spencer: am I the only one who gets creeper out by this? You rarely see women do this to men...so why do men do it so readily? PS I'm neither pro nor anti Greens

theguardian.comLabour’s worst fears realised by Greens’ victory in Gorton and Denton byelectionResult gives progressive voters clear signal they have an alternative to beating Reform UK – and shows the task ahead for Keir Starmer
Mark Exton
@mexton.bsky.social

The Representation of the People Bill is a rare chance to renew our democracy - yet it ignores the voting system driving chaos and disillusionment. We need MPs standing up for fair votes in this upcoming debate. Urge your MP to attend: actionnetwork.org/letters/repr...

actionnetwork.orgRepresentation of the People Bill: Ask your MP to attend the debate and speak out for Fair VotesThe Representation of the People Bill is a rare chance to renew our democracy - yet it ignores the voting system driving chaos and disillusionment. We need MPs standing up for fair votes in this upco...
Mark Exton
@mexton.bsky.social

www.theguardian.com/society/2026... The saddest thing in all the furore is how neither side appears to care to stop and listen to the other. Yes, it was involuntary but that doesn't diminish the hurt to people of colour. White privilege needs to take a good look in the mirror!

theguardian.comWhat is Tourette syndrome, what are tics and what happened at the Baftas?A racial slur shouted during the awards show has raised questions about how Tourette’s outbursts should be understood
Mark Exton
@mexton.bsky.social

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026... This is why it's time for a republic: when even senior civil servants show such deference we have a real accountability problem. If the trade envoy had been a proper public servant this would never have happened. QE2 insisted he have the role...says everything!

theguardian.comAndrew Mountbatten-Windsor charged massages to taxpayer while trade envoy, say reportsFormer senior civil servants say culture of deference meant excessive expenses claims were waved through
Mark Exton
@mexton.bsky.social

www.theguardian.com/football/202... The genocide in Gaza has been perpetrated by the Israeli state not by the entity of the Jewish faith: people have a duty, not just a right, to call this out! Good on Pep for making an anto-Israeli statement.

theguardian.com‘Focus on football’: Guardiola criticised by Manchester Jewish group over Palestine commentsThe JRC has hit out at the Manchester City manager’s ‘controversial views’ after Pep Guardiola had referred to ‘genocide in Palestine’ on Tuesday
Mark Exton
@mexton.bsky.social

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026... 1. Charles Mountbatten-Windsor has only ever cared about preserving his own status and that of his self-serving family. His wife spouts on about her experience of sexual assault but there's been no statement from either that Andrew should cooperate with police.

theguardian.comKing must feel vindicated for cutting off Andrew by latest Epstein files releasePosition of Mountbatten-Windsor now appears even more grave, and the shadow cast over his family even darker
Mark Exton
@mexton.bsky.social

This latest Lord Mandelson controversy must trigger a full rethink on the House of Lords. We need a second chamber where the public decides who stays and who goes. Please sign the petition. secure.unlockdemocracy.org.uk/page/185845/...

secure.unlockdemocracy.org.ukThis must trigger a rethinkThis latest Lord Mandelson controversy must trigger a full rethink on the House of Lords. We need a second chamber where the public decides who stays and who goes. Please sign the petition.
Mark Exton
@mexton.bsky.social

www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle... So, you avoid raising "asshole" kids by acting like an asshole yourself? This FAFO stuff is shite, and it's inherently lazy: good, loving parenting is hard work, and involves setting clear boundaries and being persistent in expecting kids to respect them!

theguardian.comThe rise of Fafo parenting: is this the end of gentle child rearing?Mothers on social media are advocating a tough, no-nonsense approach to parenting. Does this teach children important lessons – or just make them feel isolated and ashamed?
Mark Exton
@mexton.bsky.social

Let's send a clear message to Trump about how we feel about his recent disgusting comment on our role in Afghanistan. you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/ca...

you.38degrees.org.ukCall off the King’s visit to the US for the 250th anniversary of America's independenceWith the current political chaos in the US and Trump’s failure to adhere to international norms, and given his apparent obsession with the Monarchy, calling off this visit would send a powerful messag...
Mark Exton
@mexton.bsky.social

www.theguardian.com/politics/202... Will someone please explain to Farage the notions of intention and impact! His intention might have been banter, though I suspect not, but his impact was causing hurt. He needs to own this, accept his own past racism and apologise!

theguardian.comFormer Dulwich pupil says Farage told him: ‘That’s the way back to Africa’Exclusive: Yinka Bankole says he felt compelled to speak out after Reform leader’s attempts to ‘dismiss’ hurt of alleged targets
Mark Exton
@mexton.bsky.social

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025... The protestor was totally right to ask this question: is Charles Windsor-Mountbatten seeking a cover-up? It shoulld not be about Andrew's accommodation arrangements either but, rather, about justice for the victims of Epstein's trafficking.

theguardian.comKing Charles heckled over Prince Andrew during cathedral visitProtester asks whether monarch pressed police to ‘cover up’ for his brother as pressure grows on palace to take further action
Mark Exton
@mexton.bsky.social

www.theguardian.com/football/202... I hope that Starmer and all the othe govt lackeys who criticised Birmingham Council and West Mids Police are reading this. Maccabi Tel Aviv have history with this shit: we don't want them here...and it's not antisemitism!

theguardian.comResearch reveals racist chants on rise in Israeli football – with Maccabi Tel Aviv the worst offendersKick It Out Israel found 367 instances in the 2024-25 season – of those, 118 were observed in stands containing Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters
Mark Exton
@mexton.bsky.social

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025... 1. On the balance of probability it's more likely than not that Andrew Windsor has done what is alleged. Given this fact, what is the chance that Elizabeth Windsor wasn't aware of this when she funded the settlement with Virginia Guiffre?

theguardian.comPrince Andrew gives up royal titles including Duke of York after ‘discussion with king’In statement released by Buckingham Palace, Andrew says he will give up titles and honours
Mark Exton
@mexton.bsky.social

2. This means the whole RF, including Charles Windsor, is complicit: how could he have not known? It's time that this pantomime of clowns stopped being our 'revered' heads of state: it's time we matured into a republic!

Mark Exton
@mexton.bsky.social

www.theguardian.com/politics/202... 1. How is it that we arrive at a situation where the govt is looking to override an independent safety assessment by WM Police - supported by data from European forces - and Birmingham City Council? It's target is hooliganism and violence: how is it antisemitic?

theguardian.comMinisters locked in talks over ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans at Aston Villa tieNo 10 says discussions happening ‘at pace’ to resolve issue after decision by West Midlands police to issue ban
Mark Exton
@mexton.bsky.social

2. Intimidation of communities is not a one way street, and I'm pretty confident that this decision would have been made in the knowledge of how some would attack it. Either everyone keeps faith and nationality separate or we are all allowed to conflate them: my preference is the former.

Mark Exton
@mexton.bsky.social

www.theguardian.com/news/ng-inte... 1. Dear people who shout at hotels and blame migrants for our problems, this is how the wealthy screw us over. Barrowman was the "ultimate beneficial owner of the company" and took £65,000,000 in profit while screwing the UK Govt during Covid!

theguardian.comWill UK taxpayers get their £122m back from PPE Medpro?The high court told the company linked to Michelle Mone to pay up over the supply of defective gowns, but there appears no clear route to reclaim the funds
Mark Exton
@mexton.bsky.social

2. Think about how the £122m wasted could have been better used...or how it could be used now. Migrants are not the problem it's the other boat people, the super yacht crowd...not all of them but definitely ones like Barrowman. At the very least he should pay back any money he took from PPE Medpro!

Mark Exton
@mexton.bsky.social

www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025... I am ever so reminded of the child who doesn't win a prize at the school speech day, blaming it on biases, etc. If peace holds in Gaza maybe he'll get it next year...but I so hope not: he speaks and lives with such hate that it would only sully the Peace Prize.

theguardian.comWhite House slams Trump’s perceived Nobel peace prize snub as ‘politics over peace’President has ‘heart of humanitarian’, spokesperson says after unsuccessful bid for prize amid Gaza ceasefire deal
Mark Exton
@mexton.bsky.social

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025... What happened in Manchester last week was a tragedy but so is what's happening in Gaza, where the IDF is party to a genocide by the Israeli state. I don't like what Vylan said at Glastonbury but we need to protect free speech and protest!

theguardian.comMPs and Jewish leaders call for Bob Vylan’s Manchester gig to be cancelledLetter says they are ‘deeply concerned’ about Manchester Academy concert after last week’s synagogue attack
Mark Exton
@mexton.bsky.social

There is no place for antisemitism and I absolutely abhor what happened in Manchester yesterday but the Chief Rabbi lost me with his reference to "unjustified demonisation of Israel": the Israeli state is engaged in what the UN has termed a genocide!