Anna Shaw

Run you clever boy and remember.

[Anna Shaw @shawsey81]

Just seen the fantastic Sherlock Holmes and the 12 Days of Christmas written and staring @thehumphreyker and David Reed. Extremely funny and a fantastic cast, so loved every minute. Only one complaint is that there is no soundtrack available, I want to hear the songs again.

[Clive Lewis MP @labourlewis]

I’ve held back from commenting on the revelations about Nigel Farage’s past racism. Not because the story shocked me. For many in this country, it merely confirms what we’ve suspected for years. But some will be hearing these allegations for the first time, and it’s to you that I want to speak.

Most of us have said or done things when we were young that we look back on with regret. That’s part of growing up. We make mistakes, we cringe at our former selves, we learn, we change. Some of those early attitudes fall away. Others become the foundations of who we later become.

What’s now emerging about Nigel Farage isn’t a single stupid comment or one heated moment. Former classmates are describing a pattern of behaviour. Not just a bully. A racist bully of the ugliest kind.

That doesn’t automatically mean he holds every one of those views today. But look at his politics. Look at his rhetoric. Look at the company he keeps and the division he trades in. It paints a picture of a man whose worldview didn’t appear to grow out of those foundations, but grew from them.

So what does that mean now?

If you already oppose Farage, this only hardens your resolve. If you adore him, nothing I say will shift you. But there’s a group of people I do want to reach: those considering voting Reform.

I’m not going to patronise you. I understand why many are thinking about it. If you’ve watched your pay stall, your bills rise, your community decline, and your politicians shrug for years, you might well think: what have I got to lose? Why not give the system a kick? Why not try something different?

And you may feel the country has taken a wrong turn. That we’ve lost something precious and need to put it right.

Those instincts aren’t wicked. They aren’t racist. They come from frustration, disappointment, and a desire for dignity and control in your own life.

But here’s the truth that cannot be dodged. Most people in this country are good, decent, fair-minded. They don’t want to see hate imported into the heart of their politics. They don’t want their children growing up in a country defined by fear and division.

So ask yourself this, quietly and honestly: is Nigel Farage a changed man? Has he shown any sign that he regrets the person he was? Or has he built a career by sharpening those same instincts into a political weapon?

Because if he hasn’t changed, then every vote for Farage isn’t a protest. It’s permission. It hands real power to a man whose teenage cruelty seems less like a phase and more like a blueprint.

This country is far from perfect, but it is worth fighting for. And once a politics of hatred takes root at the top, a country doesn’t easily come back from it.

You know this in your gut. We all do.

Nigel Farage is not fit to lead this country. A vote for him, or for those who still cheer the views he held as a teenager, would stain the country we love with something we may never fully wash away.

And to the Reform diehards who will now pile into the comments with abuse: crack on. You’ll only prove the point.

[Tim Walker @ThatTimWalker]

BREAKING: A fully-functioning human being manages to get himself on TV.

[Anna Shaw @shawsey81]

@BirminghamRep thank you for putting on such an incredible new show as Becoming Nancy. The whole cast were phenomenal and I loved every minute. Special shout out to Paige Peddie who has an amazing voice and the wonderful Genevieve Nicole whose portrayal of Kate Bush was brilliant

[Anna Shaw @shawsey81]

Congratulations @PreetKGillMP on winning Birmingham Edgbaston seat again. Happy to say that you’re still my MP, and I’m sure the young lad who past me on my way to vote for you if I was voting Labour will also be happy this morning.

[Anna Shaw @shawsey81]

@NicolaTallis I’m coming to watch you talk at Harvington Hall later this month and it says you are doing a signing. Will I be able to buy your book from you on the day or will I need to get it before hand?

[Anna Shaw @shawsey81]

@lauraenoble just saw you in A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Malvern and wanted to say you were absolutely fantastic. I especially loved your Helena and you stole the play in my opinion. Thank you and the rest of the amazing cast for a fantastic couple of hours of great theatre.

[Anna Shaw @shawsey81]

Just saw Minority Report at @BirminghamRep. Amazing production, fantastic actors and a great set. Not sure loved is the right word as the premise is quite horrifying but really did enjoy this. #theatre #mustsee #MinorityReport

[Anna Shaw @shawsey81]

@IanBohen The decent British people have no problem with this. Especially as he was warned not to go and the people who organised the march felt his presence there would create problems and stop it being peaceful. He is a far right anti Islam person at a march for everything he is against.

[Anna Shaw @shawsey81]

Just went into @seasaltclothing store in Malvern and just wanted to say you have the loveliest members of staff working there. They are very helpful and so sweet.

[Anna Shaw @shawsey81]

Don’t you just hate it when you’re reading and they mention food and you then have a craving for something you don’t have in the house. @JocelynnDrake did this to me today, need to go to the shops for tomato soup now. Loving the book though.

[Anna Shaw @shawsey81]

@BirminghamRep Sinatra was phenomenal, I loved every minute of it. Matt Doyle is the perfect Sinatra and I just loved Dawn Buckland as Dolly Sinatra. Great cast, great music, great voices. All over fantastic. #mustsee #theatre

[Anna Shaw @shawsey81]

Just seen @pandpsortof and it was as absolutely brilliant, funny, creative and a group of extremely talented women brought the story to life in a new and brilliant way. Loved every second. Thank @BirminghamRep for bringing this to Brum. #mustseetheatre

[Anna Shaw @shawsey81]

Good luck @nickyebrennan, hoping you become the next Mayor of the West Midlands. I voted for you today to run as the Labour candidate. #Nicky4Mayor

[Anna Shaw @shawsey81]

Just saw the amazingly talanted @apphiacampbell in Black is the Colour of My Voice. She is the only person on the stage and truly captivating. Loved every minute. Thank you @BirminghamRep for putting on this fantastic production. Hope I get to see Apphia again in the future.

[Anna Shaw @shawsey81]

First show on of the year tonight. Black is the Colour of My Voice at Birmingham Rep. #theatre #ninasimone @ Birmingham Rep https://t.co/nzSvz3ZO4W

[Anna Shaw @shawsey81]

Just posted a photo @ Waddesdon Manor https://t.co/dfQL74SWqp

[Anna Shaw @shawsey81]

My final show of 2022 Nativity at Birmingham Rep. #theatre @ Birmingham Rep https://t.co/JahDzOoBtp

[Anna Shaw @shawsey81]

Wishing you all a very merry Christmas 🎄 https://t.co/TJBJJY8pr8

[Anna Shaw @shawsey81]

Eventually got my Christmas tree 🎄 up this year. All ready for Christmas now. #christmastree https://t.co/DDKJLGaAv4