Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social) reply parent
I assume Reform will dismiss this as performative nonsense (because that’s all it is) and their support will inch up by another 1% 🙄☹️🤦♂️
Writer/editor. Manufactures words and arranges them, nicely, on a page. Also books, films, music, usual blokey gubbins. Recovering academic (history). #Arsenal fan since 1978 but mainly go to Plough Lane these days #COYG #COYD
185 followers 176 following 375 posts
view profile on Bluesky Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social) reply parent
I assume Reform will dismiss this as performative nonsense (because that’s all it is) and their support will inch up by another 1% 🙄☹️🤦♂️
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social)
It should be higher. William William Henry Stephen Henry Richard John - oi!
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social) reply parent
Something to do with this perhaps bylinetimes.com/2025/06/09/b...
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social)
Sigh. The flags are just a fascist provocation, orchestrated online. Nothing more. We don’t need a debate about them. Just take them down.
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social)
Wow. Wish someone would award me $29bn just to concentrate on my job www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
Rhodri Marsden (@rhodri.biz) reposted
Excellent YouTube comment: “There are two UK TV films of this era unmatched for their horror: the nuclear apocalypse ‘Threads’ and this advert for British Pork” youtu.be/r0wDjWOnHcY
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social)
Speaking to BBC Radio Wales Breakfast, Jemma said "my flabber had never been so gasted". Love the expression 😂 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social) reply parent
Sadly I think the chainsaw may have achieved cut through (no pun intended)
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social)
‘I still read The Times and The Telegraph. I watch Spectator TV, Spiked Online podcasts, and YouTube appearances by Matt Goodwin, David Starkey and Brendan O'Neill.’ The opening line of ‘We Need To Talk About Fascism’, the gripping new work of fiction by Lionel Shriver
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social)
Priti Patel is shadow foreign secretary, eh? Who knew?
Best for Britain (@bestforbritain.org) reposted reply parent
Finally, why was this carried live and in full by most TV News? They don't even do that for the opposition. They certainly don't do it for Lib Dems or others. Farage has a deserved reputation for untruth. Why pump his guff, unfiltered and un-fact-checked, on our screens? ~AA 4/4
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social)
Wait… you mean the Mail in the 1920s was a pathetic, lying, misogynist rag? Quelle surprise
Rep. LaMonica McIver (@replamonica.bsky.social) reposted
Breonna Taylor should still be here today. Her life mattered. Trump’s DOJ has asked that an officer charged in her murder spend just one day in jail. One day. This is atrocious—it is what injustice and systemic racism looks like.
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social) reply parent
Take it easy Robin.
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social) reply parent
Waaa waaaaa why did my friends serve me Peroni? Maybe they were trying to wind you up, Jez. Or maybe they don't really like you.
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social)
Heartening to see @thetimes.com straining every sinew to help J Clarkson sell his beer www.thetimes.com/life-style/c...
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social) reply parent
Love the way Arteta got auto-corrected to Arrêta just as I was asking him to stop doing something. ‘Mikel! Arrêtez de recruter des joueurs de Chelsea!’
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social) reply parent
They have to pretend it is a new phenomenon in order to create the impression that it could (and should) be reversed
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social)
Eric Idle on #Trump: ‘They’re completely obsessed by him in the US. It’s like they’re addicted to him.’ Bit like the UK’s #Farage habit
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social)
Conflicted. I thought #Madueke looked decent when I saw him play for #England but I also wish Arrêta would stop signing #Chelsea players #Arsenal #AFC
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social) reply parent
Sounds like it. Slowly and very painfully! 😄
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social)
Sabalenka is making quite extraordinary noises. #Wimbledon2025
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social) reply parent
That's quite a big if...
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social) reply parent
I will never get tired of that face!
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social) reply parent
Great song
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social)
Yes, but can’t he get them to send him to any decent pubs? @privateeyenews.bsky.social
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social)
'This is the North, where we do what we want.'
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social)
'Bad men are only strong when the virtuous are timid and irresolute.' - William Hone
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social) reply parent
The entire platform of all these freelance fascist agitators can basically be summarised as gissa job.
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social)
"Al-Hilal have shocked the world." (Andros Townsend). Except they haven't, have they, because it was a BS match in a BS tournament. "An unforgettable last-16 tie will be talked about in all corners of the globe." (BBC match report). Pff. Just a massively overhyped postseason friendly. #FIFACWC
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social)
“They are the greatest British rock band of the last 25 years.” I like Miranda Sawyer, but… ugh. www.theguardian.com/music/2025/j...
Simon HB (@norock.bsky.social) reposted
Jesus. Not only has Stewart endorsed Farage, he's bringing Mick Hucknall on stage with him.
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social) reply parent
Not this rubbish again.
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social)
Have we? Why? Sounds like Rod’s views are even worse than his ‘singing’
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social) reply parent
Gah - had hoped to go to the Luton game but can’t that weekend #COYD
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social) reply parent
Never had it.
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social)
Yep - I got rid of all my news alerts a long time ago
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social)
Why the rush to proclaim Brexit a failure? Lord Rees-Mogg has helpfully explained that the 'overwhelming opportunity' for Brexit is 'over the next 50 years'. Patience, plebs.
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social) reply parent
Being difficult to pin down can be a useful quality for a PM though…
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social) reply parent
I think they were asked, but couldn’t be bothered to turn up
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social)
Call me a pessimist, but I very much doubt such a day will ever come
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social) reply parent
Ha, this is how I use Spotify too. My pre-Spotify-era playlists are still a bit sketchy though - 1995 only had Garbage and Elastica on it 😂 Thanks for helping me fill that one out a bit. I never seem to have time to check which songs landed in which year...
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social) reply parent
Sad but true.
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social)
Netanyahu and Trump apparently “had a very warm conversation” last night. Isn’t that nice 🤬
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social) reply parent
Are you telling me this is an actual article that was actually published by an actual ‘news’ organisation??
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social) reply parent
Careful what you wish for - if Farage’s mob take over (as rw media seem to want) they will take nasty and useless to a whole new level 😬
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social) reply parent
It was a good one as well. Superb run & cross from Didier Six www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZud...
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social)
Scored one of the fastest goals in World Cup history in 1978 against Italy - 31 seconds. RIP #bernardlacombe www.lemonde.fr/disparitions...
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social) reply parent
OK I looked it up: 2020: W3 L3 - 9pts 2021: W3 L3 - 9pts 2022: W5 L1 - 15 pts 2023: W4 D2 - 14 pts 2024: W4 D2 - 14pts
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social) reply parent
It would be interesting to know what our record is like for the first 6 games of the season under Arteta. Hopefully @orbinho.bsky.social has the stats
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social)
🤦♂️
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social)
De Santis has been encouraging people to run protestors over www.theguardian.com/football/202...
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social)
Ha.
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social) reply parent
Or get fewer coffees from Starbucks
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social)
I had a media pass for the Italian grand prix at Monza years ago. Saw Damon Hill walking past in full racing garb and instinctively shouted 'Damon!' He flinched & thought about looking in my direction before realising I was just some randomer randomly calling out his name and continued on his way
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social)
'Why does Nigel Farage get to play British politics on easy mode?' is a question I ask myself almost every day. Of the explanations proposed by Andy, 'strong rightwing media support' seems the most plausible www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social)
Hadn’t realised #Liverpool were trying to sign a young Jamie Vardy www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social)
Good idea, perhaps they could start by having Farage on Question Time more often 🙄
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social) reply parent
Happy 50th birthday!
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social)
‘Don’t say the Q-word,’ said one employee, apparently unaware that the phrase contained the sound of the very word they were attempting not to say
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social)
The Harrowing of the North, when William laid waste to the Northern shires and replaced the English aristocrats with floppy-haired public schoolboys in top hats and tails @theresthistory.bsky.social
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social)
‘Pochin… recently posed with a mug branded “Two Tier Keir” that shows Starmer mocked up wearing a burqa in a design that appears to be implying he is more favourable to Muslims than other groups.’ She sounds lovely 😵💫 www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social)
I love his choice of words here. I imagine his Mum came into his bedroom and said, 'Really, Zia? Is that a good use of your time? Don't you have anything better to do?'
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social)
‘British rock legends’ Skunk Anansie? Come off it, Later with Jools Holland…
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social)
Sarwar said Farage is a “pathetic, poisonous little man”. Quite. More of this sort of thing, please @teamlabouruk.bsky.social
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social)
Hands up who could remember who’s shadow chancellor?
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social) reply parent
Their bills have had silly names for years e.g. the CHIPS Act of 2022, which was about funding research into semiconductors ("Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors")
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social)
This from Romesh Ranganathan resonates with me. Why can’t we just keeping doing the things that make us feel better? www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social) reply parent
Oh he was involved in those as well? Amazing, thanks. Can’t imagine many 70s-80s players or managers doing anything like that
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social)
That looks just like Terry Venables! Wait, you mean it actually *is* El Tel, and he once co-wrote a novel with a Booker-shortlisted author? I did not know that 🤯
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social) reply parent
… sounds like the gibbering of a homicidal maniac closing in on their victim
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social)
I remember doing this when I hit 40… which means I now need to update it with another 14 songs 😬 This was the first one on the list youtu.be/qtN8UPjN5WU?...
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social) reply parent
Britain’s going to the dog’s bollocks? Presumably that would actually be a good thing
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social)
‘The issues with the much-heralded MAHA report could indicate lessening concern for scientific accuracy at the highest levels of the federal government.’ Well I never
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social) reply parent
Why have no representatives of the company director community come out and publicly condemned this vile attack? It's because of one simple and inescapable fact: company directors hate Britain. They should all be forced to swear allegiance to King and country or face deportation
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social) reply parent
He lasted much longer than I thought he would! But I guess he will still be around, in the same sinister, menacing way that Steve Bannon was/is after getting kicked out in 2017
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social) reply parent
Might just be me - being told something is a 'must-read' instantly makes me not want to read it, ever
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social)
What I always found odd was his fetishisation of certain books e.g. Superforecasting. Claiming 'everyone should read this book' is a sure sign of someone who wants to appear smarter than they actually are
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social)
‘… someone get her in the studio with Stephen O’Malley.’ Not something you expect to read in a review of a Kylie gig www.theguardian.com/music/2025/m...
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social)
Has it, though? I hope so.
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social)
You can always tell who went to public school - the obsession with weird sexual practices is a dead giveaway
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social)
This all seemed terribly exciting at the time, and I remember getting hold of the book, aged 16, just after I had done my exams. It was quite a struggle getting through it. What the hell was wrong with me? beta.nationalarchives.gov.uk/explore-the-...
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social) reply parent
Hearing all those Geordies chanting 'Oh Mikel Arteta, it must be the ball' during the LC semi-final second leg was truly weird - entirely driven by UK media
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social) reply parent
Several times I've found myself wondering 'why do people hate Arteta so much?' I'm not a huge fan of his but the scorn and loathing heaped on him is undeserved. I've deleted the BBC Sport app as I got sick of the clickbait headlines. Those who work there care more about 'engagement' than reporting 🥱
The Quietus (@thequietus.com) reposted
'Keith Richards is a noted Powerage fan. The album came out in 1978, just a couple months too late to have any influence on the Stones album which came out a few months later, which explains why Some Girls isn’t as good' AC/DC’s Powerage, Highway To Hell & Back In Black buff.ly/DVKwp5H
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social) reply parent
(He has now recovered both items, thanks for asking.)
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social) reply parent
On Monday, he lost his pencil case. On Tuesday, he lost his phone. I wonder what today will bring?
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social)
Oh god - this is my home town
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social)
Son had his first history #GCSE paper last week. The night before, he shouts down to me from his bedroom: ‘Dad? DAD! WAS D-DAY IN 1945?’ Not encouraging.
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social)
Arnold Layne, don’t do it again.
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social) reply parent
Ramsay would not be able to stand jointly with Polanski 'as under party rules if there is a co-leadership, the duo cannot be the same gender'. Brilliant
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social)
Carla Denyer: 'the best way I can serve the party & the country is to pour all of my skills, passion & energy into being the best MP I can be, in parliament & in Bristol Central.' What a novel idea! Has anyone suggested this to the MP for Clacton? #Farage www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social)
‘Watch live to see if smoke emerges from the Sistine Chapel chimney’ - seriously, #BBC?? #pope
Jonathan Watson (@jrwatson.bsky.social)
GET IN!!! And fingers crossed for the play-offs🤞🏻
wombleunofficial.bsky.social (@wombleunofficial.bsky.social) reposted reply parent
Now would be a good time for Stevens to end his goal drought (a month ago would have been even better).