richardbarfield.bsky.social - Profile | ThreadSky | a Reddit-style client for Bluesky

Extraordinary. Truly gobsmacking from Trump ....

submitted 3 hours ago • 0 comments

Remarkable that less than a week ago Zia Yusuf was out on the airwaves, including my Sunday show, batting for Reform. Now he’s resigned as Chairman saying: “I no longer believe working to get a Reform government elected is a good use of my time.”

submitted 2 hours ago • 44 comments

It's 50 years today since Britain's first referendum on Europe, when voters backed membership by a two-to-one majority. I've written for the @newstatesman.com, on the "eery similarities and clanging dissonances" of Britain's first big European debate. www.newstatesman.com/ideas/2025/0...

submitted 11 hours ago • 5 comments

It's hard to talk about about supporting our #farmers without raising the EU. As Baroness Hayman points points out - the reality is agri-exports dropped by 21% post #Brexit. It's critical that the government gets the new SPS agreement with the #EU done as fast as possible.

submitted 1 day ago • 2 comments

🚨 A reminder to tune in tomorrow to hear expert insights into the next stage of the UK-EU relationship. Watch along live on YouTube...

submitted 1 day ago • 0 comments

It’s the 50th anniversary of the Brent River Park. It was the brainchild of Luke FitzHerbert, who was one of those larger-than-life characters with bags of energy. A left-wing member of the Bullingdon Club (no, really) and former Irish Guardsman.

submitted 1 day ago • 1 comment

As Arron Banks appears in the Reform Party video after Vladimir Putin has exposed his violent expansionist plan for Russia, it is worth revisiting what the judge said about Banks and the undisclosed Russian Embassy visits in the lead up to Brexit

submitted 2 days ago • 7 comments

The journey to Net Zero takes on a new horrific meaning for insect species.

submitted 2 days ago • 0 comments

When warnings of Insectageddon were issued a few years ago, there was widespread denial. Less so now. It's devastating. www.theguardian.com/environment/...

submitted 2 days ago • 85 comments

Cancer Research UK today published a report which highlights changes in cancer survival rates over the last 50 years. Many headlines (like this one from the Guardian) have chosen to report the ‘doubling of cancer survival rates’ since the 1970s. But that's misleading... 1/18

submitted 2 days ago • 5 comments

So, Wes Streeting, private health firms have given you shedloads of money without expecting anything in return and it’s only a coincidence that you want more un-evidence-based, expensive NHS privatisation? FFS, Labour, after 14 years of Tory lies, people deserve better than this.

submitted 3 days ago • 6 comments

There’s a simple and obvious solution (crikey, I’m sounding like a populist!). I look forward to Rachel Reeves making the case for a more radical reset with the EU!

submitted 3 days ago • 0 comments

This is empty posturing and ‘headlinism’ . I would prefer a determination to cooperate practically more effectively with our European allies by reducing trade barriers, adopting new technology, and aligning operational standards to speed up and shorten UK-EU supply chains for defence manufacturing.

submitted 3 days ago • 0 comments

I’ve been working with BBC Panorama on a documentary about the pressures on the UK’s public finances - and why the state is struggling to provide public services that meet our expectations. This is the first minute. The whole film is here: www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...

submitted 3 days ago • 17 comments

Good for @lewisgoodall.com for calling out Robert Jenrick’s massive hypocrisy reminding Jenrick, who has been posturing about fare dodgers, of his own unlawful conduct that resulted in £multi-million benefit for a Tory donor and loss to the tax payer www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/robert...

submitted 3 days ago • 10 comments

It’s amazing how many people (both remainer and Brexiters) wrongly assume Jeremy Clarkson backed Brexit. Jeremy campaigned for remain and continues to speak out brilliantly giving #Brexit the hard truth it deserves.

submitted 4 days ago • 4 comments

Learn how to show off with stationary!

submitted 4 days ago • 4 comments

I don't often share these appeals for many reasons & never without personal connection. This is from a village neighbour of mine who is trying to help a journalist escape Gaza, whose mum she knew through Cliff Hanley who's father was famous in Scotland. I've made a small donation. gofund.me/f7dc7d21

submitted 4 days ago • 0 comments

May 31, 2025

submitted 4 days ago • 59 comments

Cf Brexit and British manufacturing and the interdependent trade relationship with the EU. Over half of UK imports from the EU were intermediate goods and services, as were ~70% of UK exports to the EU. (Source - IFS)

submitted 5 days ago • 0 comments

🚨🚨For #brexit nerds, quite important statement by Pedro Serrano, the EU's ambassador in London, suggesting to retire the EU's official ‘no #cherry-picking’ Brexit line advanced by Michel #Barnier. 🧵 www.politico.eu/article/eu-r...

submitted 6 days ago • 11 comments

👏👏👏👏 Bank of England governor, Andrew Bailey, urges deeper ties with EU to ‘minimise’ Brexit impact. Worthy of one of Sybil’s ‘bleedin' obvious’ accolades. www.theguardian.com/business/202...

submitted 6 days ago • 1 comment

Here’s me. Bucket list: Northern Ireland, West Wales, North Scotland, Shetlands, Hebrides, Isle of Man smstone0.github.io#/uk-map

submitted 6 days ago • 0 comments

🚨🚨 Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey urges with much diplomacy the UK Government to strike deeper ties with the #EU to minimise negative #brexit impact on trade. Tldr; brexit is really total crap but I am a civil servant so have to choose my words carefully. www.theguardian.com/business/202...

submitted 6 days ago • 3 comments

Absolument! ¡Claro que sí! Ganz genau!

submitted 7 days ago • 0 comments

I asked Google Gemini about proportional representation. Its response: “Proportional representation is the most common electoral system among the world's democracies, reflecting a desire for more equitable and representative governments” Frankly I can’t fault it!

submitted 7 days ago • 6 comments

Re the tariff court ruling I'm not enough of a lawyer (ie not one at all) to see how it matches up with the decision, but this by the great Jennifer Hillman (formerly USTR/WTO Appellate Body) was the most plausible case I saw for why the tariffs are illegal & a court might rule against them. Kudos.

submitted 7 days ago • 2 comments

My take on today's US court tariff ruling. This is an excellent opportunity for the EU and other trading partners to quit preparing packages of concessions, tell Trump to shove it and get on with trading without the US. First 300 clicks free. It being 3.42am here in London, I am now going to bed.

submitted 7 days ago • 33 comments

Have to wonder at the legitimacy of this, the PO knives have been out for Alan for a very long time. And what's the brief of the independent checker? Simply to ensure a process has been followed, however flawed, or to assess whether the award truly addresses the claim? www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

submitted 8 days ago • 0 comments

The reason Apple manufactures in China is b/c of YEARS of investment in vocational training there. Any effort to bring these industries onshore STARTS WITH INVESTING IN OUR EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM. And it will take YEARS. It’s not about tiny hands (so stupid). Here’s Apple CEO Tim Cook

submitted 8 days ago • 253 comments