They haven’t been as nice since they took the horse out.

Standard reminder that letters of no confidence may as well not exist if the submitter is remaining anonymous. If they aren’t actively campaigning for Sunak to go then it’s highly unlikely that the threshold would be approached.

While I’m aware of the Welsh independence movement, I’m never sure of quote how legitimate a force it is. Compared to the SNP, which have been a big voice in UK politics, Welsh independence always seemed like a fringe view and unlikely to lead to a referendum. I’m prepared to be wrong on that, so I’ve set up a few prediction markets (play money) on Welsh independence if anyone wants to weigh in.

• Welsh Independence this decade
• Welsh Independence by 2050
• Welsh Independence referendum (any result) this decade

Right, so I didn’t actually mind the original ENT theme at all during my rewatch earlier this year. Far worse was the outro credits which were deeply jarring every single time.

The revamped theme is appalling though, it’s doubling down on everything that put people off about the original and it’s far, far worse.

Yes, it was just drama. You’re using the word “psychopathic” to describe the actions a small-to-medium business where three or four people didn’t talk to each other and something got sold that shouldn’t have. Unless I’ve missed a big memo, there was nobody cackling in their office over grinding a smaller business under their capitalist grindstone. I doubt Linus knew about anything that happened to the item after the review. The GN piece was “LTT is not well organised”. I could have told you that in well under 40 minutes.

Oof. I wasn’t too bothered about tech bros shanking each other in name of ethics in tech YouTubing. But this is absolutely unacceptable. I believe Madison. If there is no confirmation from Linus that whoever sexually assaulted and otherwise degraded her has been fired so fast their fucking eyes are spinning then I’m unsubscribing. I will not be watching videos every week where I’m trying to figure out who the creep is.

It’s a great idea. When will you be funding it?

Ooh, I wonder ever you get if you fight Mewtwo with Mew. This is only the third Mew I’ve ever owned, and I’ve never trained one before because they felt too precious to sully with battles.

I never really had strong feelings for fighting types, I really like Heracross since gen 2 but even that wasn’ta top favourite. That’s all changed in the last couple of years though, I think Gapdos is great take on a classic, Iron Hands is a competitive monster, and Quaquaval is one of the most fun starters in a while.

Play-money prediction market: will the exploration find Nessie?

Nothing will happen this parliament because the current lot are technologically illiterate. I don’t hold out much hope of the next government sorting it either. I think it’s going to take a Major Scandal and probably some kind of inquiry before any legislation gets suggested.

Important point about doctored images and online misinformation towards the end, which neither party will pay any actual heed to when they can just score lazy points about who has done wrongest.

The Lost Rainforests of Britain by Guy Shrubsole. Very interesting if very Guardian-y bit of British lore I’d never even heard about before, and it very much makes me want to take a trip west to see the remnants of our rainforests.

I guess I’d caveat that I’ve never really enjoyed any of the TV adaptations, but they keep making them, so someone must be enjoying them!

The Long Earth series is brilliant, I really enjoyed it. It doesn’t feel very Pratchetty but it scratches an alternate universe sci fi itch in a very satisfying way.

Massive Pratchett fan here so I’m giving the new series of Good Omens a go, and I don’t know why I keep subjecting myself to TV Pratchett adaptations.

There’s the odd giggle, and I like the actors, but three episodes in it just goes nowhere, it’s just a series of skits with Aziraphale and Crowley.

They’re only one component of what made the book great, but I get the feeling that the production crew have gone “Tennant and Sheen are great, the show is now only about them”.

I’ve set up a prediction market here, to be honest I’m expecting Labour to walk it.

Count for R&HW starts tomorrow afternoon. https://twitter.com/Paul_CDF/status/1685963626501251072

Yes. Basically saying more money or less scope, pick one.

Relevant prediction markets:

• 84% rates reach 5.5% by year end

• 96% rates rise on August 3rd

• 10% rates reach 7.5% by year end

Starting the week with a play money prediction market: Will Nadine Dorries stand down before September?

My suspicion is Yes, as she should resign at the end of the month to ensure her by-election occurs the Thursday before party conference.