In his final #PMQs as Prime Minister, Keir Starmer encouraged the voters of Clacton to vote for Count Binface. As Starmer moves to the back benches, how great if Nigel Farage has to leave them altogether. www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/202...

Nigel Farage admits he "had a very, very good high-earning career" in the commodity markets. And has had massive, Lottery-win type "gifts" since then from donors. But still moans about only having an MP salary (£100k pa), topped up by huge other income. www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...

Loved seeing a close friend the other day and was very touched when she said she is reading a collection of my stories and talked about one (Remembering) that she was particularly moved by. Can't ask for more than that. #writingcommunity www.amazon.co.uk/Sense-Loss-M...

Very fair question from The Observer about Keir Starmer: "Can we admit there’s something poignant about a man so transparently well-intentioned being found so transparently unsuited to wielding real power?" We need radicalism, not managerialism. newsroom.observer.co.uk/cr/AQjcjBUQk...

Before the Makerfield result, as it looked like Burnham might win, the media started saying that a Labour victory would be down to the far right being split. Burnham got well over 50% of the votes, far more than Reform, Restore and the Tories together. #r4today www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...

In the Makerfield byelection, there's been a huge increase in the amount of hostile, fake news about Andy Burnham circulating on local Facebook groups. Britain has a misinformation crisis, with Russia, Iran and the British far right promoting hate and lies. www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...

John Healey's resignation as Defence Secretary is a big loss for Starmer and Labour. Healey's been excellent and remains a voice to be listened to. Britain needs to be stronger, against Putin, Musk and other threats, as well as more independent from the US. www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...

A £50m Met police deal with the highly controversial US tech company Palantir has been blocked by the London mayor, Sadiq Khan. Good on the Mayor. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...

Meanwhile, a Reform MP is asking the Tories to stand aside in the Makerfield byelection to give Farage's far right mob a stronger chance. These are the people who backed privatisation, austerity, Brexit and Liz Truss. They ransacked and broke so much of Britain and now want to finish the job.

Been thinking too much about politics today but it's inevitable. On a different note to all that, just finished reading The Pull Of The Stars, by Emma Donoghue. It's set during the flu outbreak of 1918, is highly illuminating, compassionate, sad and yet wonderful.

The South East England-based British media are keen to celebrate Reform UK's election dominance. But that misses the fact that Reform isn't winning in Scotland or Wales; and even in England won only 26% of a low vote. And that's with unparalleled billionaire backing. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

The USA provided Israel economic assistance from 1971 to 2007, but nearly all U.S. aid today goes to support Israel’s military, the most advanced in the region. The US has agreed to provide Israel with $3.8 billion per year. That's a truly special relationship. www.cfr.org/articles/us-...

One person not coming out too badly from the Mandelson scandal is Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, whose profile is, if anything, enhanced. www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/ce...

Donald Trump has questioned Keir Starmer’s judgement in appointing Peter Mandelson to the role of US ambassador. I mean, what credibility can there be for a close associate and friend of corrupt child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein? www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...

A group of 22 of Israel’s most senior former security chiefs have criticised “Jewish terrorism” in the occupied West Bank. They point out that the acts of extremists against Palestinians, backed by Netanyahu, are both morally and strategically wrong. www.independent.co.uk/news/world/m...

Trump’s ceasefire can’t survive Netanyahu’s insatiable appetite for destruction. The Israeli prime minister is convinced he can play America as long as he needs to; and he seems to be right. www.independent.co.uk/voices/israe...

"The United States is ignoring evidence of Russia helping Iran because the Trump administration still trusts Vladimir Putin." That's how stupid, deluded and corrupt Trump’s team is. www.independent.co.uk/news/world/e...

Keir Starmer has said he is fed up with seeing families' and businesses’ bills go up and down on energy because of the actions of Putin or Trump. And that the UK must strengthen the European alliance. Yes. www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has branded Israeli strikes on Lebanon as wrong and insisted they should stop. He has also publicly disagreed with Trump over his threats to wipe out a ‘whole civilisation’ in Iran. We need more of that, louder. www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...

On Jan 20 2025, Donald Trump began his second term, promising to be the “president of peace”. Since returning to the White House, he has ordered attacks across 13 countries. www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2...

My latest collection of stories includes a few kindly published by @flashfictionnorth.bsky.social: a great supporter of writers of short fiction. A Sense Of Loss is available now. #writingcommunity www.amazon.co.uk/Sense-Loss-M...

This morning, one of my daughters suggested I share a piece of flash fiction from my recent Sense Of Loss collection on here. So... #writingcommunity www.amazon.co.uk/Sense-Loss-M...

Just received copies of my new book of stories. Always lovely to have real, physical copies. #writingcommunity www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0GJ...

My latest story collection, A Sense Of Loss, has a couple of pieces previously published by the excellent @underbellypress.bsky.social in issues from last year. And 34 other stories, too. Available in paperback and (for 99p) ebook. #writingcommunity www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0GJN89MB...

Can't believe it's only three months since I put out a book of short stories called A Particular View. It's a collection of the spooky and sinister, with some ghost stories and others about different realities. #writingcommunity www.amazon.co.uk/Particular-V...

Just thinking about what Justin Sullivan of @newmodelarmy.bsky.social said last night. If you look at (social) media, you'd think that people in Britain were fighting in the street. But walk around anywhere and what you actually see is people trying to get on with their (our) lives. Despite Farage.

Just finished reading Maybe I'm Amazed, a lovely book about autism and music by @johnharris1969.bsky.social. The Beatles loom large, just as they should. Of course, autism is a big subject and the book is also about family, society and inclusion. Which is part of what makes it so relevant.

Am in that moment when you've finished reading a particularly special book and you're caught between huge appreciation of something wonderful and the knowledge you're inevitably opting for something much more mundane next. The Quality Of Silence by @rosamundlupton.bsky.social is brilliant.

Haven't long put out a collection of stories called Safe And Secure and have received a proof of the next one, for September. They're all written over the last few years, now finding their way out. #writingcommunity www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0F8...

Issue 4 of Underbelly Press lives up to expectations: a beautifully curated publication. Full of rawness and vulnerability, it feels very timely. #writingcommunity underbellypress.wixsite.com/home/copy-of...