Dom Tristram's Soapbox

You might remember some of the really pretty awful things Trump has been saying about Gaza: how he was going to get all the Garzas out and redevelop it as what sounded like a resort of his own. Well… have you seen what he put out on social media just today?Here are the lyrics:Donald’s come set you free,bringing delight all to seeNo more tunnels, no more fear,Trump Gaza is finally here.Trump Gaza, shining bright,golden future, a brand new light.Feast and dance the deal is done,Trump Gaza is number one.Trump Gaza shining bright,Golden future of brand new light,feast and dance the deal is done,Trump Gaza, number one. The visuals are worse than the lyrics though - they feature an enormous golden statue of Trump himself in an imaginary beach resort built (presumably) in Gaza. The video ends with Trump lazing in a pool next to Benjamin Netanyahu.Now, I'm not going to apologise for ripping off and uploading Donald Trump's content. Obviously he didn't create this. It was some… ‘fan’? I don't know. It is clearly AI ge

Yesterday (6th January 2025) the Labour government announced of a significant increase in the use of private healthcare providers to address NHS waiting lists. While some may argue this is a pragmatic response to backlogs, the implications of this policy confirm a deeper, more troubling shift.A Pattern of PrivatisationI have long pointed to the Labour Party’s pro-privatisation stance, but this warning has all too often fallen on deaf ears, both of Labour activists and some voters. I can’t tell you how many times I have been at hustings or meetings about the NHS where people simply don’t believe that Labour, the self-styled ‘party of the NHS’ has anything but the best of intentions for it and keeping it public.However, this is not the case. Even under Corbyn (who supported the Bill as a back bencher) the Labour Party was whipped to abstain on the NHS Reinstatement Bill, which would have put removing profits from NHS service into law.Wes Streeting, the Shadow Health Secretary, has consistently shown sympathy to

Nigel Farage and Reform UK have previously criticised the influence of billionaires (and ‘foreigners’ such as President Obama) on British politics. On donations from billionaires - I agree! It’s not ideal for a democracy to have its political landscape shaped by the whims of the ultra-rich. But, as is so often the case, there’s a twist when it comes to Farage and his ‘principles’.While he has spoken against the influence of billionaires in politics, it seems this moral stance doesn’t extend to all billionaires. Reform UK, under Farage’s guidance, is reportedly open to receiving funding from none other than Elon Musk—the richest man on the planet. Musk is no ordinary billionaire either; he’s the textbook definition of excessive wealth, with enough money to fund political movements on a scale no one else could match.So what’s going on here? Reform UK’s supposed principles about money in politics seem to evaporate when the cheque comes from someone they like… or is it more to do with a bias of the hard Right in

In case you missed it, the government has just approved the sale of a majority stake in Royal Mail to Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky's EP Group. This means that one of the UK’s most historic institutions will now be predominantly owned by a foreign national. Many were surprised by this news, with some mistakenly believing this marks the start of Royal Mail’s privatisation. However, the truth is that this process began years ago.A Brief History of PrivatisationRoyal Mail was privatised in stages between 2013 and 2015, spearheaded by Vince Cable and the Liberal Democrats during the coalition government. It’s worth noting that the Lib Dems, often perceived as a moderate or progressive party, lean quite heavily towards free-market economics, similar to the Conservatives. This sale was a continuation of their economic philosophy, and now we’re seeing the consequences of that decision unfold.The recent government deliberations weren’t about whether Royal Mail should be privatised—they consider that ship as long

I set out today to discuss the Conservative Party leadership election here in the UK and the implications of our new Tory leader. However, as events have unfolded across the Atlantic, my initial plan feels a bit trivial in light of the bigger picture. Like many, I presumed—perhaps naively—that the American election would head in a different direction.Yet, here we are: Donald Trump has won.While the outcome of the Conservative leadership contest certainly holds significance within British politics, it pales in comparison to the potential ramifications of Trump’s return to power. The issues we face with certain Tory figures, however controversial or disagreeable they may be, cannot compare to the scale of dismay surrounding Trump. Unlike Conservative leaders, Trump openly denies climate change, has a history of convictions and accusations of sexual assault, and is embroiled in controversies ranging from mishandling state secrets to even more shocking accusations. Despite any criticism one might level at Kamala

Earlier this week I had an appointment to go to my GP for my annual flu and Covid vaccinations. The vaccinations themselves were very well organised and I was in and out of the surgery within five minutes.On the walk home I started to think about how lucky I am, compared with so many in the UK, that I can walk from my front door to my GP in less than five minutes. It made the whole thing take less than quarter of an hour. How long would it have taken if I had been forced to drive? How many people would find attending their vaccinations difficult if they had to? This is especially important for seasonal vaccinations given that many of the people receiving them are older.The concept of a 15 minute city is very simple: all necessary services should be within 15 minutes active travel from your home. Obviously this is difficult to achieve in rural areas, but in anything larger than a small town it is absolutely possible. Not only is it possible, but it is desirable - why shouldn’t everyone enjoy what I experienced

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit domtristram.substack.com

We need to talk about what the Tories are doing when it comes to the environment and how dangerous it is. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit domtristram.substack.com

Should we ban #bullyxl #dogs? Yes, almost certainly. But we need to go further than that. #dangerousdogs This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit domtristram.substack.com

Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick has spent public money to paint over murals (designed to make the place just a bit nicer) in a detention centre for unaccompanied child asylum seekers.What sort of man decides to do this, and should such a man with these morals have a say in anything at all? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit domtristram.substack.com

The Labour Lords have abstained (so effectively supported the Tories) on Green peer Jenny Jones' bill to stop the government using unprecedented powers to attack our right to protest. What's the point of Labour? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit domtristram.substack.com

Generated transcript:I just wanted to say a quick thing on, the UK net migration figures, which are a record breaking high up 20%, 606,000 people, I think, are the latest figures per year. I think it's worth just dwelling on the fact that many of the people who voted for Brexit did so because they didn't like the idea of migration and how they must be feeling now because we've gone from lower numbers of people coming in and let's face it, not liking migration is often, not always, but often due to racism, you know?People who don't come from here coming in. And so these brexiters, now these, people who voted sometimes with a racist motive against staying in EU because they didn't like migration, now have far more immigrants. But, those immigrants are now much less likely to be other white Europeans and much more likely to be people from other countries of different races. Now, how do you think they feel about that?I think if there is a silver lining from Brexit, and I don't think

A number of peaceful protestors were arrested at the Coronation. Why should we be concerned? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit domtristram.substack.com

On the local #election results in Bath and NE Somerset and the Tory collapse #GetGreensElected #bathneslocals23 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit domtristram.substack.com

Turnout is always low in local elections, and yet they are your best opportunity to elect people you agree with. Here's why you should always vote. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit domtristram.substack.com

Why have the Right suddenly started attacking plans to create cities where people live close to essential services? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit domtristram.substack.com

Today there are many unions taking industrial action, including teachers and train drivers. In fact, over 50,000 people are on strike. A number of unions got together in Bath to hold a 'Day of Action' to show solidarity with the strikers. I went along to talk to some of the people involved, and (it turns out!) to give a speech. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit domtristram.substack.com

New medical schools are being built, such as the one in Worcester (see https://www.theguardian.com/education/2023/jan/14/ministers-refuse-fund-medical-school-uk-doctor-shortage), but the UK government is refusing to fund more places for UK students despite the NHS being short of nearly 11,000 doctors (not including GPs). Why? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit domtristram.substack.com

You will have seen lots of advice about how to live an 'ethical' Christmas. I don't want to do that again here. This is about consideration when giving what you have already decided to give. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit domtristram.substack.com

I don't want to hear false sympathy from this government - I want them to accept responsibility  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit domtristram.substack.com