Reform UK government would replace top civil servants with policy ‘believers’ Exclusive: Senior party figures conclude outsiders or existing senior staff deemed more suitable should take over from current permanent secretaries A Reform UK government would expect to dismiss the top civil servant in every government department and replace them with people seen as more likely to implement the party’s priorities, the Guardian has learned. Senior Reform figures have concluded that the current crop of permanent secretaries, the lead civil servant in each department, are not up to the necessary standard. Some would be replaced by outsiders, and others by existing officials viewed as more suitable. Continue reading...

Reform UK government would replace top civil servants with policy ‘believers’

Ed Davey responds to Donald Trump urging countries to send warships to keep the Strait of Hormuz open

Starmer must resist all pressure to send British troops into harms way in order to escort oil tankers past a war zone Trump ignited. We will be drawn directly into this war if we meekly back down now and try to bail him out.

🚨 If Reform can’t run Worcestershire… how can they run Britain?

Nigel Farage now says Reform “regret” taking control of Worcestershire County Council.

No one forced them to stand.

They campaigned on cutting waste and reducing taxes.

How it started vs how it’s going.

(Note Farage arriving by helicopter)

Museums across the UK bring huge social and economic value, promote citizenship and community cohesion.

But as councils are put under ever-increasing pressure, council-run museums are at risk of closure. Government must increase funding - it’s the ethical and financially prudent choice.

Really odd that the staunchest grass root support for Deform UK Ltd are the most dependent on the NHS, and one of the reasons most quoted for their support is that "immigrunts are ripping off are Health Service".

Trump And The Death Of The Atlantic Partnership YouTube video by Truth To Power

My video today explores the increasingly obvious conclusion that as far as the UK and Europe is concerned, the USA is a hostile state.

youtu.be/jpY8idK9Md4

Nigel Farage regrets running 'bankrupt' Worcestershire Council The Reform UK leader says he wishes the party

Best not vote Reform if your council has issues! 😤
Nigel Farage regrets winning bankrupt council’

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has said he wishes the party "hadn't bothered" to take minority control of Worcestershire County Council, because of its financial problems

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

'Only' 40 per cent of Reform UK Holyrood candidates are Tory defectors, leader says REFORM UK will stand candidates in all of Scotland’s Holyrood constituencies – and almost half of them are former Tories, the party’s leader…

“Only” is doing some serious work here.

Especially coming from a bloke that was made a Lord by Boris Johnson to allow him to become a Minister.

'Only' 40% of Reform UK Holyrood candidates are Tory defectors, says leader

The rarest rivers we hardly see We are doing unforgivable damage to our chalk streams, but it's not too late to make amends

We are doing unforgivable damage to our chalk streams, but it's not too late to make amends | Oak Bear

🌤️ Getting out on the bike more now that it's finally stopped raining?

Make sure that bike's covered should the worst happen, by taking out insurance with Yellow Jersey - plus, save 20% as an LCC Member: bit.ly/3EysLRx

Police cars blocking the footway and cycle path

Police cars blocking the footway and cycle path

Police cars blocking the cycle path

I’m really puzzled why Greater Manchester Police are so reluctant to address obstructive pavement parking 🤔

"The War in Iran was started by WOKES!"

Colin from Portsmouth says that the war is a ruse by carbon neutral lobbyists to put up the price of oil so we all start investing in green energy.

Keir Starmer is privatising the NHS 🚨🚨🚨
www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/whos-makin...

We’re deeply concerned that private equity is moving in - attracted to the idea of making money from the NHS waiting lists 🚨. This is deeply alarming, so EveryDoctor wants to investigate what’s happening💙

We’re raising funds - I’m posting this to 37,000 brilliant people!…

Here’s Nigel Farage when he told you it was all so easy.

Now he’s saying he wish he “hadn’t bothered”.

Snake oil salesman.

If you’re not prepared to challenge Trump and stand up for our troops, you’re not a serious force in politics.

While other parties have floundered and folded, Liberal Democrats have consistently stood up proudly to back our country.

@joshbabarinde.bsky.social

Map of the ME showing the two straits

Yemen’s Houthis have announced they’ll be joining the war in support of Iran shortly. Analysts expect them to shut down another strait, Bab El-Mandeb, which will close the Suez Canal. The global economy hangs by a thread.

Really useful first programme, looking at practical questions...next episode looks at running costs. #HeatPumps

How Reform UK’s ‘family friendly’ agenda threatens women and girls With Reform UK still polling highly, we take a hard look at what the party’s politics could mean for abortion, contraception and motherhood

How Reform UK’s ‘family friendly’ agenda threatens women and girls

Nigel Farage regrets running 'bankrupt' Worcestershire Council The Reform UK leader says he wishes the party "hadn't bothered" to take control in Worcestershire.

This is an insult to the people of Worcestershire.

Farage regrets move to run 'bankrupt' council

The entrance to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. The photo is taken from across the road from the entrance, and includes the statue 'My brother and I', which commemorates William and Charles Mayo who established the clinic. The bronze figures are seated on a short set of marble steps.

If you think the NHS has problems, wait until you see the chaos across the pond. It’s a complex system that too often sees the sick falling through the cracks and either staying sick or losing a lot of money – or both. J.J. Jackson reports

eastangliabylines.co.uk/news/health/...

Friday brief: Reform UK administration condemned for failing to hold ‘sexist’ councillor to account It's our regular end of the week news round up from across our county

Reform UK administration condemned for failing to hold ‘sexist’ councillor to account

Pecksniff: Populists yearn for a headline, when it turns out the country wants principles In which Mr Pecksniff lays before his readers for their approval certain observations and speculations reflecting on the political life

The news is full of 'Epic Fury' but what else is happening?

* Greens, say communists, remain “vapid”

* UKIP resurfaces in Stroud with 2 votes

* Farage backs war, then opposes it... & then there's council tax cuts - or not

Follow @pecksniffsdiary.bsky.social for more commentary on the weekly news

It’s official: Reform has slumped in the polls Prime minister Farage? The danger has receded… for the moment.

It’s official: Reform has slumped in the polls

www.thenewworld.co.uk/peter-kellne...

We’re just £50 away from our next big crowdfund goal!! Can we get there? 😮💙

www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/whos-makin...

There was a time when Salford was far and away the best council in Greater Manchester for active travel.

Housing development in Cambridgeshire

Opinion: Green MP Adrian Ramsay warns the Planning and Infrastructure Act weakens environmental protections without fixing the housing crisis.

eastangliabylines.co.uk/opinion/a-gr...

A social media graphic from EveryDoctor showing a grayscale image of a worn hospital building in the background. A white arrow points across a horizontal timeline with four key markers: 1992: PFI Introduced. 1997: Rapid Expansion. 2018: New Projects Halted. 2025: New Private Finance Plans announced by the government. At the bottom, large white text with red highlighting states: "NHS trusts still owe more than £21bn on existing PFI deals"

NHS trusts still owe £21bn+ on PFI deals. Our new report, "Fix Hospitals or Fund Investors," reveals how these deals drain vital funds from patient care to private shareholders.

With new private plans for 2026, we must learn from the past.

Read: bit.ly/PFIProfits