Actually, the article about Farage is interesting too!

"Does Nigel Farage know what people really think of him? I do – and he won’t like it."

#UKpol #ReformUK

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/aug/27/does-nigel-farage-know-what-people-really-think-of-him-i-do-and-he-wont-like-it?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other

The Guardian app has it about right today...

#Farage #psychopath

Given my jab on Monday and my post yesterday, this seems like timely news...

"Shingles vaccine linked to lower risk of heart attack and stroke, study finds."

#shingles #vaccine

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2026/aug/26/shingles-vaccine-lower-risk-heart-attack-stroke-study?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other

... Also can I just say I love the NHS?!

#NHS #vaccinations

I'm feeling quite below par today: I had my second shingles jab yesterday. I reacted badly to the first jab six months ago, and the nurse warned me I might react worse to the second. Thankfully not so bad, though I'm staying in bed all day. Because I can.

Anyhow, I remembered reports that the shingles vaccine has lots of other benefits too. So I'm feeling a bit smug despite feeling lousy

"Shingles vaccine may offer protection against vascular dementia, heart disease."

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/shingles-vaccine-protection-vascular-dementia-stroke-heart-attack-death

"Leith MSP Ben Macpherson resigns from Scottish Government role to spend 'more time' on constituency issues."

#Scotland #politics

https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/leith-msp-resigns-from-scottish-government-role-to-spend-more-time-on-constituency-issues-8939134

"Capture the Dark 2026: Winning photographs."

#photography

https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2026/aug/20/capture-the-dark-2026-winning-photographs?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other

"Jah Wobble on covering the Beatles, London buses and why punk went wrong: ‘Being kind is seen as square’."

#PostPunk #bass

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2026/aug/19/jah-wobble-interview-beatles-bassist-public-image-ltd?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other

David Olusoga on the history series and its focus on Edinburgh. The series starts tonight.

"‘Houses with long histories are magical’: David Olusoga on the home history show that’s gripped the UK."

#Edinburgh #history #tv

https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2026/aug/12/a-house-through-time-bbc-david-olusoga-home-history-show-gripped-uk?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other

More thoughts on the Manchester mayoral election.

Turnout was just 25%. Turnout in byelections is always low; turnout in local elections is always low. It was 32% when Burnham was last elected mayor in 2024.

But for Burnham's push for devolution - local democracy - it doesn't bode well. Devolution may boost engagement - turnout in this year's Scottish election was 53% (in 2021 it was 63%).

Mayors may be good figureheads, the concentration of power in one person seems dangerous, too.

#UKpol

I've just walked along the east side of North Bridge. I've seen this view for the first time in, I think, eight years. (Similar views have been possible in this time. But not this one.)

Edinburgh residents will appreciate the feeling!

#Edinburgh #NorthBridge

Labour almost won on first votes, which is impressive. The size of the switch of second votes to Labour demonstrates how keen Greens and LibDems were to scupper Reform. But second vote transfers to Reform suggest all the Tories went to Reform.

"Labour wins decisive victory in Greater Manchester mayoral byelection."

#UKpol #Manchester

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/jul/31/labour-wins-decisive-victory-in-greater-manchester-mayoral-byelection?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other

Talisker having his chin scratched. He was purring deeply and loudly.

#cat #caturday #CatsOfMastodon

Well dodgy.

"The tangled financial web at the heart of Reform UK."

#UKpol #Reform
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/aug/01/tangled-financial-web-reform-uk-nigel-farage?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other

UEFA tells Infantino to fuck off. Only marginally more politely...

"Uefa to boycott World Cups if Fifa plans approved."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c5y67zrrdddo

Andy Burnham banging on about "the North" in the Grauniad.

It's not the north, of course. It's the north *of England*.

I'm in favour of more devolution: England's regions need more representation. But despite devolution being a Labour project - badly enacted by Blair's government - Labour show no understanding. They just don't get it.

"It’s not just a No 10 in the north, it’s an engine for growth throughout the whole UK."
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jul/23/number-10-north-growth-uk-andy-burnham?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other

Rupert Lowe is a dickhead. (I know that's not news.)

Seventeen people died in Dunblane; sixteen in Hungerford, nine years earlier.

Limiting the availablity of firearms is undoubtedly a good thing.

"The leader of the far-right Restore Britain party has sparked fury after wrongly describing the 1996 Dunblane massacre as "one murder"."

https://news.sky.com/story/fury-as-restore-britain-leader-rupert-lowe-describes-dunblane-tragedy-as-one-murder-13561888

ReformUK's funding transactions are under investigation by the National Crime Agency.

The opacity of Reform's funding looks well dodgy. Also, the NCA investigations aren't put on hold just because Farage has a hissy fit.

"Millions of pounds and many, many questions: the untold story of why Reform figures face NCA scrutiny."

#UKpol #Reform

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/jul/08/untold-story-why-reform-figures-face-nca-scrutiny-nigel-farage?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other

What credibility?!

"Farage is likely to win in Clacton but can his credibility survive?"
#UKpol #Clacton #Farage

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/jul/08/nigel-farage-win-clacton-credibility-survive-reform?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other

Vote Binface!

#Clacton #UKpol