Ben Leather

Marie Sklodowska-Curie Postdoctoral fellow, University of Southampton.

[Ben Leather @ben_leather]

After an incredible few years, my time at the AEI has come to an end. Grateful for the lovely memories and collaborators I’ve had the privilege to work with.

I’m excited to start a new chapter as a Marie Sklodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Southampton.

[Manchester City @ManCity]

Pep Guardiola to step down after incredible decade as City Manager 🩵

🔗 https://t.co/u84AZYY23t

[Manchester City @ManCity]

"What a time we have had together." 🩵

[Amos Murphy @AmosMurphy_]

Really irks me that football clubs/ brands continue to use the gritty and grimey working class settings for superficial stuff like kit releases.

While at the same time those people/ communities are being ostracised by the club itself.

[Ben Leather @ben_leather]

@LukeDyks One of the nice things about watching English football in Germany is that there is usually one commentator, who does not say that much. Even though there is the obvious language barrier, from what I understand, it’s actually quite nostalgic.

[Ben Leather @ben_leather]

@LukeDyks I don’t understand this fear of silence. The best commentary comes from realising that sometimes, it’s best not to say anything at all and let the moment play out.

[Lloyd Scragg @lloyd_scragg]

HUGE result for City fans. Unexpected icl.

Well done to all involved (e.g. @MCFCfoodbank @WeAre1894 @tradeunionblues @__alexhowell). Collective action works.

[Squidge Rugby @SquidgeRugby]

This is the worst news for Rugby Union in the UK for decades. The Six Nations is the only time most people here give a shit about rugby. You take that off free-to-air TV and the sport becomes a closed shop with no shot at ever growing.

[MCFC Fans Foodbank Support @MCFCfoodbank]

Looks like there may be 1000s of empty seats tonight for what should be a memorable fixture against Italian champions. But City have chose to charge knockout stage prices for a group game.

This is just one block. Nearly £100 for a parent and child. Is it worth it @FerranSoriano?

[Ben Leather @ben_leather]

@NikoSarcevic Congratulations Niko! 🎉

[Liam Gallagher @liamgallagher]

“This is it, this is happening”
Tickets on sale this Saturday 31st August (🇮🇪8AM IST / 🇬🇧9AM BST)
Dates:
Cardiff Principality Stadium - 4th/5th July
Manchester Heaton Park - 11th/12th/19th/20th July
London Wembley Stadium - 25th/26th July & 2nd/3rd August
Edinburgh Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium - 8th/9th August
Dublin Croke Park - 16th/17th August

[Manchester City @ManCity]

He's home 🏡🩵

[Ben Leather @ben_leather]

Just shut up and take my money.

[City Xtra @City_Xtra]

OFFICIAL: The 2024/2025 #ManCity away shirt.

[Manchester City @ManCity]

Introducing the 24/25 @pumafootball x @mancity Away Kit 🩵

[Sophy Ridge @SophyRidgeSky]

Can I be honest with you? I didn’t want to start the programme talking about the Conservative claim that a Labour Government would cost you £2,000 in extra taxes.

It’s obviously been disputed. Not just because it’s cumulative rather than annual – but because it’s based on an awful lot of assumptions, with some of the conclusions even being disowned by the authors who did the research.

But look – I’m being sucked down the rabbit hole now too.

There are two reasons I don’t want to talk about the £2,000 claim.

The first is because the Conservatives WANT us to talk about it – because even if we’re discussing the fact the number is being disputed, we’re still talking about Labour putting up tax.

But the second reason is even more important.
The parties are both arguing about whether each others sums add up.
Well… they don’t, do they?

Both of them are promising they won’t raise income tax, national insurance, or VAT – three fifths of the total tax revenue. Nobody wants to borrow other than to invest. Health, schools and defence are all ring fenced from spending cuts in some form.

I genuinely don’t understand how this all adds up. Not even close.
Public spending projections after the next election have been described as a “fantasy” by economists – the tax burden is set to hit a historic high - and we’re spending more on debt interest payments than education.

Forget about the quibbling over a few numbers here and there. Because it doesn’t seem to me like ANY party is being honest about just how difficult it will be after the election… and the kind of choices that the next Government will have to make – no matter who it turns out to be.

[Ben Leather @ben_leather]

@British_Airways P.S. Tell the person I phoned who offered me an alternative transit the next day with a layover in Luxembourg they have a wonderful sense of humour.

[Ben Leather @ben_leather]

@British_Airways A dreadful experience with our “flagship airline”. Flight to Berlin cancelled due to problems with weather that caused no issues with a later flight to the same destination. Staff exceedingly unfriendly at Terminal 5, apparently I should just “accept it”.

[Ben Leather @ben_leather]

@British_Airways Everyone accepts problems might happen, but at the very least it would be nice to be treated with a modicum of respect given what some of us had to endure through no fault of our own.