clivelloyd98

[Torsten Bell @TorstenBell]

After two years in politics, the summer gave me a chance to reflect on what helps and hinders progress.

Debate too often flounders in noise and opportunism. A new Substack won't fix that, but I hope Charting the Course will help keep your bearings.

https://t.co/2DX5NCatXv

[Torsten Bell @TorstenBell]

Some rather crucial context to today’s PMQs:
- the last Conservative govt borrowed more than the G7 average in every single one of their 14 years
- this year this govt is… borrowing less, as we also cut borrowing levels faster than any G7 economy

[clivelloyd98 @clivelloyd98]

@toryboypierce @NASA Even you cant pin this one on Starmer?

[clivelloyd98 @clivelloyd98]

@toryboypierce Not talking about drop in inflation which means a less likely hike in interest rates benefiting households with mortgages Andrew ?

[clivelloyd98 @clivelloyd98]

@toryboypierce @Keir_Starmer Not talking about immigration today Andrew???

[Torsten Bell @TorstenBell]

A very strong start to 2026 -significantly above forecasts. GDP/capita rose 0.6% in first three months of 2026 (@OBR_UK expected gdp/capita to grow by 0.8% in 2026 as a whole)

[Torsten Bell @TorstenBell]

Of course, today’s data only includes the start of the Iran conflict. It inevitably has consequences for UK households & our economy as a whole. There is no hiding from that. Understanding that reality is partly why we have refused to support this conflict as other parties did

[Torsten Bell @TorstenBell]

The plan means it’s not just NHS waiting lists falling - so is the deficit. And this matters if you care about spending on schools not debt interest. Under the last Conservative government the UK borrowed above the G7 average in every single year. This year? We will borrow less.

[Torsten Bell @TorstenBell]

The economic plan put in place by @RachelReevesMP to raise investment and cut the deficit is working.
- start of 2026 was fastest GDP/capita growth in 4yrs
- Q1 GDP growth fastest of 6 G7 nations we have data for
- UK has seen the fastest investment growth in G7 since election

[Torsten Bell @TorstenBell]

Today ceremony is centre-stage, but what matters most is the legislation & change being set out. As the PM said, the scale of change required is large not incremental. Our job is to deliver it, so waiting lists & child poverty keep falling and investment & wages keep rising

[Torsten Bell @TorstenBell]

We're doing what's right for Britain: supporting de-escalation abroad and increasing resilience at home.

https://t.co/aQS1fXsnyQ

[Torsten Bell @TorstenBell]

Narrow nationalism - in the end it is always just about independence. Not the NHS, not jobs, not energy security, not living standards.

[Torsten Bell @TorstenBell]

The real headline: crypto crook (who pleaded guilty to breaking US money laundering rules) plans to try and buy UK politics

[Torsten Bell @TorstenBell]

⁠We now need a reset - as I said to the WRU chief executive just a few weeks ago. There needs to be a new plan and new way of working, not just a new face at the top

[Torsten Bell @TorstenBell]

Reform have just made a huge mistake ahead of Senedd elections in May. Their local government pension plans mean:
- scrapping the pensions of 1 in 9 Welsh workers
- abolishing the largest pension fund in Welsh history, crucial to investment across Wales https://t.co/ThtN3aoz9M

[Torsten Bell @TorstenBell]

The spotlight isn't going anywhere 👇

For weeks, supporters, players and communities have been asking the WRU to think again. It's clear the only way to change course is to now change leadership.

To all clubs: attend the EGM and vote to end this chaos.

https://t.co/6EIbiYYKto

[Swansea City Supporters' Trust @swanstrust]

As Swans fans, we can empathise deeply with what @ospreys supporters are going through right now. We came perilously close to losing our club more than once, and we know how frightening and destabilising that feels. No sporting community should have to face that uncertainty.

Many people who know the game far better than us have spoken about the Ospreys successes and how they have long been the standard bearers in Wales when it comes to producing world-class talent.

But the Ospreys, like @SwansOfficial , are more than that. They are a community, one that brings families and friends together – parents bringing their children to their first game, mates meeting under the lights, communities gathering on matchdays to share something bigger than themselves.

It doesn’t matter what shape the ball is. To deny the people of Swansea, Neath, Port Talbot, Aberavon, Bridgend and all the towns and villages across the region to see their sporting heroes – or, indeed, one day to become them – would be a travesty.

As an area, we punch well above our weight on the global sporting stage. That must continue. But it won’t without a strong Ospreys.

So today, we want to say clearly: we stand shoulder to shoulder with our friends and neighbours the Ospreys and their supporters (@OspreysSC ) when they need it most.

If you feel the same, please consider signing this petition. Let the @WelshRugbyUnion see how much this region cares about one of its great sporting institutions.

✍️ https://t.co/K7hW1nq76G

#StandWithTheOspreys

[Ospreys Eyrie Podcast @OspreysEyrie]

Well said Rob!

[Torsten Bell @TorstenBell]

This isn’t just about those in school/college. Despite what you hear about more uni students working these days the opposite is true - 18-21 year olds studying for degrees have seen chunky falls in employment. So have those studying for other qualifications.

[Torsten Bell @TorstenBell]

Proportion of young people using drugs halved this century - fall mainly occurred during the 2000s. Reminder from @ONS of some progress that doesn’t get much attention https://t.co/AfZW3z3io0