Britain has the dirtiest rivers, the most expensive energy, the least reliable trains, the most overcrowded prisons, the worst access to healthcare and the widest gap between rich and poor in all of Europe. If you want a verdict on 40 years of neoliberalism, there it is.
We're in a weird era where a guy gets publicly shamed for running his sprinklers on a Tuesday, while a data center the size of a Costco quietly drains a reservoir so AI can generate a picture of your cat as a medieval knight. And the data center gets a tax incentive for it.
Leeds United can take pride in their season. Leaving Wembley disappointed and frustrated actually shows what they have achieved this season. They under-performed compared to some of their more vibrant, assertive form on that seven-game unbeaten run. Leeds lost (deservedly) to a newly-motivated Chelsea side whose starting XI cost £551m. Leeds’ starting XI cost £103m. It's not a level playing field for starters.
Leeds went out with a whimper, too meek in the first half, but have over-achieved this season. Plenty of reasons for positivity. Close to confirming they’re staying up, against gloomy pre-season predictions of many rivals. Six points clear of the drop zone with four games remaining and Burnley at home on Friday. Showing a togetherness in the team and between players and supporters that others covet. Generating atmospheres in stadia that few can match.
Guided by a likeable head coach in Daniel Farke who made the right decision when the pressure was on most, changing the tactics and mood (Etihad, Nov 29). Good players like Gudmundsson and Ampadu stepping up, Calvert-Lewin getting back in England contention, Stach class.
A fully fit Stach would have helped against Wembley (arrived at the break). An earlier tweak to 3-4-2-1 to combat Chelsea’s control and give DCL some support might have helped (Farke did go to a back-four at half-time but Chelsea closed down the game, including time-wasting and tactical time-outs).
Leeds can still take pride in reaching the semi-final of the Cup, taking 34,000 to Wembley, and could easily have sold out the stadium on their own. That river of white and yellow flowing from all parts towards football's HQ confirmed the size of the club and the passion it stirs. Need to strengthen further in the summer, keep key players, and continue building. A bad day at Wembley, a missed opportunity, a sense of dismay, cannot slow Leeds United's revival. #LUFC
UB40 on stage at the Together Alliance march,
"We were all born in the 1950s, that was the time unions were strong, my dad was a factor worker, and we had the NHS, council houses, and it was a great time for the working class"
"We all grew up in inner city Birmingham, it was a melting pot. You could sit on your doorstep and see teh four corners of the world go by"
"Members of the band were the first generation of Black British. Their parents came over in the Windrush convoy. We went to school together"
"And we remember Enoch Powell's rivers of blood speech"
"We remember when the Tories using posters saying: if you want a coloured person as your neighbour, vote Labour"
"We also remember the rise of the national front. Policies to force repatriation of people from the Caribbean"
"Then we had the rise of the BNP in the 80s and the 90s"
"Then we had the spivs and millionaires in UKIP"
"And now we've got Reform UK"
"Of course they're full of Tories, taking the toxic policies that UKIP had, and the National Front promise of forced repatriation which is what Theresa May did in her government"
"Over the years we've visited all kinds of places from America, Australia, Africa"
"And one thing we've come to the conclusion of is that working people around the world have more in common with each other than they do with the elites and the billionaire class"
"There are more of us than there are of them"
"This has been such an amazing turnout, it's absolutely incredible"
"In conclusion, I'd like to quote that great political philosopher, Wolfie Smith, and say"
"Power to the people"
Thank you @UB40OFFICIAL@UKTogetherAll 👏
@theburleybanksy To be really picky though Lisa Stansfield never mentions the moon and, after all, the International Space Station goes round the world about 16 times a day and they’ve not found her baby in all these years. 😉
At some point, senior Premier League execs have to offer a proper explanation in public for their leniency towards Chelsea. They owe an explanation to fans of clubs punished more harshly. They owe an explanation to those clubs who did abide by the rules. They have to offer some explanation as to why PSR breaches are deemed far more serious than acts of "deception and concealment". Yes, these are the offences of a previous regime at Chelsea. But inconsistencies run through the PL's defence and their reputation is damaged. They can’t hide from a controversy of this magnitude.
The Gaza Tribunal paints a bleak picture of UK governments' failure to prevent genocide and complicity in atrocities against Palestinians.
We support demands for transparency, boycotts and sanctions, and an end to all arms sales and intelligence sharing.
End the genocide.
Tesco could pay every worker an extra £10,000 and still make a profit.
British Gas could pay every worker an extra £35,000 and still make a profit.
Shell could pay every worker an extra £300,000 and still make a profit.
It is the billionaires who are ripping you off.