Mark Smith

The apple fell hundreds of miles from the tree…

As the US goes to the polls over the next few weeks, a reminder than hours long queues to vote are not a good thing in a democracy. They are an outcome of deliberate voter suppression.

So farewell then, Jeffrey Archer. A whole nation wishes Peter Cook was still alive…

Aguerr……oh!

It's the 45th anniversary of the release of Penthouse and Pavement by Heaven 17. (We Don't Need That) Fascist Groove Thang is as relevant in 2026 as it was in 1981. Sadly.

Not to treat the issue lightly, but imagine the consternation if the government were to tell the good people of Piddington that - given such an overwhelming mandate - they’re now independent.

Your regular reminder: If the Russians stop fighting, the war ends. If the Ukrainians stop fighting, their land will be occupied, their leaders will be killed, their history and language will be erased, their children will be kidnapped to serve Russia.

Sod off. He's ours.

Weird how dozens of angry blokes all dressed in black and decided spontaneously to have a day out in Dover blocking traffic. Zero arrests, too.

Passport to Piddington…

One of THE great artists. One of THE great human beings. There's so much more to say. And there's nothing more to say. R.I.P. Dolly Parton.

Joe Strummer would have been 74 yesterday. Many front men of bands were shallow showmen. Joe wasn't. He meant it.

I'm minded to rename the culture wars 'The Edge Case Wars'... Brexit: c.1.4% of all voters swung the vote to Leave. Pre-Brexit sovereignty complaints: Clinical Trials (that the EU then fixed) ECHR migration 'rage' cases: just 16 lost over many decades Covid vaccine harm: c.0.05% of the vaccinated

Is there anyone or anything that Kemi Badenoch actually likes? Conservative councillors are the latest group to be on the receiving end of her contempt.

The difference--

We are forced to exist in a world where the same people who believe a man built a boat big enough for every animal don't believe in climate science because it’s “unproven.”

I’m old enough to be getting “Polish goalkeeper” vibes off of this DR Congo keeper….

Every-so slightly odd comment from Gabby Logan about an Ivory Coast player needing to be aware of “work rate” to be able to play in the top European leagues. 🤔

I am aware that there has been another incident with a burst water main in the SE9 and BR7 areas. I have made urgent enquiries with Thameswater about the need for repairs a long-term plan to prevent these issues from reoccurring. 1/2

One of the most unedifying and depressing days in the history of English test cricket for quite some time.

When I started blogging in the late 2000s, I spent days arguing with people who tried to arrange temperature data to claim that global warming had stopped. Those people should never again have been given credence on any subject. And yet credence was given

This is crazy. European deaths from high temperatures are almost as common per head as American gun deaths. hannahritchie.substack.com/p/heat-guns-...

Cats and dogs in distress. Birds and wild animals, too. This fella showed no signs of injury. It's not unreasonable to conclude that the heat was responsible. The sooner TV and papers move away from the "at least we can eat ice cream for breakfast" nonsense the better. Climate change is existential

“One pizza makes you larger, And one pizza makes you small…” 🎵

Nigel Farage Listens to the News

If only someone could figure out how to make milk safe to drink! It'd be such a big deal the process would be named after them.

I wonder how many of the people who have criticised Tony Blair’s article/essay have actually bothered to read it?

The Jam The Rolling Stones The Who Wilko Johnson Squeeze The Ramones John Spencer Blues Explosion Lonnie Brooks Bruce Springsteen Iggy and The Stooges

I’m amazed anyone needs reminding of this, but local government spending power per person fell by 18% from 2010 to 2024 (would have been 26% but for increases in council tax). At the same time, social care pressures on local govt have grown a lot. The decay of the public realm is NOT a mystery

You mean they don’t already? 😳

Never be afraid to stand up for what's right. Today, on Yom HaShoah, Israel’s Holocaust Remembrance Day, we remember the 6 million people murdered simply for being Jewish, as well as millions of others who lost their lives at the hands of the Nazis.

The UK has relied on food imports since at least Napoleonic times. Unfortunately, the Brexiters were so busy obsessing over blue passports and the tax cuts they never stopped to work that one out.

“One pizza makes you larger, And one pizza makes you small…” 🎵

Family voting is a real problem..

Writer for hire! I’m available to help polish up scripts (Edinburgh on the horizon); Make your wedding speech amazing or consult on a writing project you’re working on. 30 years experience working in the telly, radio, journalism, advertising - my website www.mathew-owen.co.uk Please share! 👍👍

I’m playing 3D chess here, but I reckon the Trump administration has forced the Supreme Court decision on tariffs. It bails him out from an economic perspective, and it gives him someone to blame.

In related news, FIFA have revoked the results of all previous World Cups and confirmed the USA won them all….

Re-re-re-re-watching Get Carter. I always expect to see Bob Ferris and Terry Collier in a scene.

Turn it up! brucespringsteen.net/news/2026/st...

It's our blood and bones and these whistles and phones against Miller and Noem's dirty lies Thank you, Bruce Springsteen youtu.be/wWKSoxG1K7w?...

youtu.be/wWKSoxG1K7w?...

I wrote this song on Saturday, recorded it yesterday and released it to you today in response to the state terror being visited on the city of Minneapolis. It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good. Stay free

Alvin Stardust tribute act (one for the teenagers)

How it started ... How it's going

Hellhole not actually a hellhole.