Richard Wardner 💙

@ETOpera This is the first time I've heard Pagliacci in English. It works very well. Even Vesti La Giubba. It still raises the hairs on the back of my neck!

History lesson for Trump: In 1939, Churchill asked America for help to fight the Nazis. America refused. Churchill continued to ask in 1940 & 1941 as Europe fell. Not until Pearl Harbour did America jon Britain in WW2. *Then they leased us food & armaments*. We paid until 2006.

The govt's Student Loan Plan 2 repayment freeze in April 2027 must be reversed. It isn't moral. I'm concerned that my debate with Kemi Badenoch this morning distracts from the most immediate problem. In April 2027 Rachel Reeves will freeze the Plan 2 student loan threshold until 2030 which by then will increase graduate repayments by £300/yr more. This is effectively a unilateral negative breach of the student loan contract. Students were told the threshold would rise with average earnings. No commercial lender would be allowed to do this. The govt shouldn't do it either. Changing the terms of future students loans is a political decision - people may not like it but it is transparent. Negatively changing the terms of contracts already signed, and long in place, is a breach of natural justice.

@StewartLewis2 @dave43law @martin_mto It's satire Stewart, although you're far from alone in thinking it true as it seems eminently plausible!

@dave43law @martin_mto Where to start? 🤦‍♂️

Seriously 🤣🤣🤣

Gentle reminder

Meanwhile, in Russia...

Trump: "I doubt NATO would be there for us if we really needed them."

TRUMP IS A WAR CRIMINAL TRUMP IS A WAR CRIMINAL TRUMP IS A WAR CRIMINAL TRUMP IS A WAR CRIMINAL TRUMP IS A WAR CRIMINAL TRUMP IS A WAR CRIMINAL TRUMP IS A WAR CRIMINAL TRUMP IS A WAR CRIMINAL TRUMP IS A WAR CRIMINAL TRUMP IS A WAR CRIMINAL TRUMP IS A WAR CRIMINAL TRUMP IS A WAR CRIMINAL TRUMP IS A WAR CRIMINAL TRUMP IS A WAR CRIMINAL TRUMP IS A WAR CRIMINAL TRUMP IS A WAR CRIMINAL TRUMP IS A WAR CRIMINAL

I seem to have upset the @Nigel_Farage fan club - so let me be clear. This man sows hate, lies and division. He is a grifter and a conman. He does not represent the vast majority of Britons. RT if you agree P.s. multiculturalism is great.

@Wisdom_HQ Squash

@continuumb4 @SHANEOfficial_ There are only good dancers left, of course, so I'd be very surprised if she isn't in the dance off. Nonetheless, she's such a fighter who'd bet against her getting through it again.

@SHANEOfficial_ Better not see her in the head to head after that

I give Balvinder and Julian a 9. This is what I love for Viennese Waltz; understated, elegant, authentic, without too much faff. Beautiful turns, coverage of the floor, stunning top line. Fingers a tad splayed, but a dance fit for the Quarter Final!#StrictlyComeDancing #Strictly

@Dadsaysjokes Piety is not a sin by definition.

Eating too much cake is the sin of gluttony. However, eating too much pie is ok because the Sin of Pi is 0.

This isn't about Zelensky. It isn't even about Ukraine. It's about preserving the entire post-1945 international order, which rests on the idea that you can't just help yourself to a slice of another country's territory. washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/390138…

If I asked you which country has the most progressive tax system in the developed world — where high earners hand over an especially large share of their income relative to the average worker — what would your answer be? The answer is in fact Britain. on.ft.com/3KfzmDq

@DeepCountess Agreed, the booing is annoying. Anton a waste as a judge. Cross between Brucie and Donny Osmond.

I don't know why they boo so fucking much, Craig (and Shirley most of the time, to be fair) is the only judge I actually want to hear from. Have Motsi or Anton ever provided any usable criticism? #bbcstrictly #StrictlyComeDancing

@SHANEOfficial_ Choreography a bit dull, I thought. No pzazz in the dance, and lower energy than the other contestants. No more than 7 for me.

I give Alex and Johannes an 8. I think this was a little too placed and styled for me; I think it was a choreography choice and everyone will interpret it differently. I’d like you to work on dismounting from lifts cleanly. But this was fantastic! #StrictlyComeDancing #Strictly

@SHANEOfficial_ Brilliant musically, what timing on the spin, what clean strong lines. Still might have seen a bit of counting, but could have just been singing along ;-) At the risk of just agreeing with you, 10. Not sure how I'm going to split my votes today.

I give Karen and Carlos a 10! THIS is what I knew you could do when you came out in Week 1! My scores for you haven’t been the best lately, but only because I saw the brilliance in you. This was pure brilliance! STUNNING. #StrictlyComeDancing #Strictly

@SHANEOfficial_ Didn't quite have that extra wow factor to earn a 10 - but a strong 9.

I give Amber and Nikita a 9. This was performed brilliantly; you let go completely and felt the music. You covered the floor exquisitely, you worked with the backing dancers perfectly, and it would’ve been a 10 if the frame didn’t collapse once. #StrictlyComeDancing #Strictly

@SHANEOfficial_ 6 here too. Really don't like seeing such obvious counting at this stage.

I give Balvinder and Julian a 6. You commit yourself to every dance; this was no exception. However, you focused more on hitting the steps than performance. I think your legs lacked the characteristic sharpness and precision, but amazing lifts! #StrictlyComeDancing #Strictly