Sunday, November 16, 2025

Sketching the News — #2: Britain Copies Denmark Without Reading the Instructions

Daily political sketching, commentary, and illustrated insight from the woman observing the animals.


Politica UK podcast by Sarnia de la Maré Logo ping

Government Considers “Danish-Style” Immigration Policy, Mainly Because They’ve Run Out of Their Own Ideas


In yet another episode of Britain Looks Over the Fence, the UK government has announced it is “seriously considering” adopting Denmark-style immigration legislation — a statement that, according to insiders, means “we saw a headline about Denmark and thought: ooh, that sounds firm.”

Officials say the plan is to “take inspiration” from Denmark’s approach, despite not being entirely clear on what Denmark’s approach actually is, how it works, or whether it would accidentally create more problems than it solves.

A Home Office source said:
“The Danes seem organised, and frankly we’re a bit tired. If someone else has a functioning policy, why not borrow it wholesale and hope nobody notices?”

What This Actually Means (According to Experts Who Know Things)

The Denmark model involves offshoring asylum processing, strict border controls, and a no-nonsense approach that works precisely because Denmark is… well… Denmark.

The UK, meanwhile, is less Denmark and more “a stressed Victorian circus tent held up by leftover optimism and three fraying ropes.”

One academic warned:
“You can’t just take a Nordic policy and plonk it on Britain. That’s like copying someone’s homework without noticing theirs is written in another language.”

Government Response: “Don’t Worry, We Haven’t Read the Details Yet”

When pressed for specifics, ministers assured the public that everything would be fine because “the vibes are strong,” and the Denmark plan “looks firm, fair, and reassuringly Scandinavian.”

The Prime Minister added that the UK would never outsource asylum processing “in an irresponsible way,” which, translated from Westminster-speak, means “we would absolutely outsource it, as long as it polls well.”

Opposition Reaction

Labour responded by saying the government was “panicking,” “copying Denmark without understanding Denmark,” and “once again discovering a policy via Google Images.”

A Liberal Democrat spokesperson attempted to offer nuance before being immediately ignored.

Public Reaction

The British public, recovering from last week’s announcements, shrugged in the national manner and said:
“Sure. Why not? It’s not like anything makes sense anymore anyway.”

And in Denmark…

The Danish government said it was flattered Britain had taken an interest, adding politely:
“Please stop.”

More updates as the situation develops, collapses, or is replaced by a shiny new announcement tomorrow.

©2025 Sarnia de la Mare

Published by Tale teller Club Press

Saturday, November 15, 2025

POLITICA UK — Where Power Meets a Pencil

A satirical news desk by Sarnia de la Maré / Tale Teller Club Press

If the last decade has taught us anything, it’s this:

The world is absurd — so we may as well draw it.

Politica UK is my new illustrated desk for global satire:
a place where politics, art, and irreverence collide in full colour (usually with someone looking mildly panicked).

Born out of my long-standing punk roots and feminist sensibilities, Politica UK isn’t here to rage — it’s here to observe, sketch, and provoke. It is political commentary by a woman who grew up around anarchist bands, underground arts clubs, and DIY media collectives where humour was always the sharpest weapon.

What You’ll Find Here

  • Illustrated satire from the UK, US, and beyond

  • Hand-coloured etching–style cartoons with a modern bite

  • Sharp feminist undercurrents (the kind that make power uncomfortable)

  • Short, clever commentary

  • Occasional chaos, courtesy of global governments

Politica UK is part of the wider Tale Teller ecosystem: a loose, loving, exploding constellation of books, drawings, films, and audio where storytelling always comes first — and where resistance is a form of creativity.

Why Start Now?

Because satire matters.

Because the news cycle has become theatre.

Because the best way to survive modern politics is to laugh while paying attention.

And because my recent cartoons — especially those aimed across the Atlantic — revealed something encouraging:
people still appreciate art that bites back.

Where This Is Going

Over the next few months Politica UK will expand into:

  • YouTube shorts

  • Illustrated explainers

  • Archive-driven political art releases

  • Print and digital collectibles on Gumroad & Redbubble

  • A monthly satirical magazine (when I’ve brewed enough tea)

This is a project built on curiosity, critique, and a good dose of punk-mischief.

Welcome to Politica UK —
Politics, illustrated.
Power, punctured.
Satire, with style.




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Sketching the News — #1: Trump, the BBC, and the Licence Fee Shake-Down

Donald Trump vs the BBC illustration by Tale Teller Club for Politica

Donald Trump vs the BBC: The Billionaire Who Wants Your Licence Fee

There are certain headlines that make Britain collectively choke on its tea. “Donald Trump threatens to sue the BBC” is one of them.

Not because the idea of Trump threatening legal action is shocking — he’s sued (or threatened to sue) everything from entire newspapers to comedy shows to, reportedly, a small Welsh farmer (long story). No, the real eyebrow-raiser is the unintended punchline:

If Trump sues the BBC… UK licence fee payers could, in theory, end up footing the bill.

Yes.
You.
Me.
Your nan in Worthing who only wants to watch Strictly.
All of us.
Potentially paying the world’s richest political performer for the privilege of him being offended.

The Irony Is Almost Too On-the-Nose

The BBC is not a private corporation lounging on Scrooge McDuck vaults. It’s a public service broadcaster with a funding model that is, famously, unpopular with everyone — except, apparently, Donald J. Trump, who may have just discovered it’s a pot of money he might like a scoop from.

The licence fee:

  • £169 a year.

  • A sore point in every British household.

  • Not designed, one imagines, to bankroll a former US president’s legal adventures.

Yet here we are.

Trump, Outrage, and the Perpetual Motion Machine

Trump’s relationship with the press is well-documented: he criticises them, sues them, sues them some more, and then uses the lawsuits to reinforce his criticism. It is a loop as predictable as the EastEnders doof-doofs.

But the BBC is not some rogue blog. It’s the BBC. The idea of suing Auntie is a bit like suing a church bell — it’s loud, occasionally irritating, but suing it feels spiritually wrong.

But Trump has never been one to resist a spotlight, particularly if it’s one he can invoice.

The Truly British Tragedy: Paying for All This

Should a case progress (and most of Trump’s threats don’t), the unfortunate reality is that the BBC’s defence comes from its pot of public money. Which means:

Britain’s poorest households — those who already struggle with the licence fee — could effectively fund a billionaire’s fight against an institution they didn’t even criticise.

Austerity Britain meets Mar-a-Lago.
It’s the most unlikely crossover episode of 2025.

Meanwhile, Back in Reality…

The BBC will almost certainly defend itself vigorously. Trump will almost certainly continue shouting into microphones. And the British public will almost certainly continue Googling “Do I really have to pay the licence fee?” while quietly paying it anyway.

But the optics are too exquisite to ignore:

A publicly funded broadcaster potentially being shaken down by a man who literally lives in a gold-plated penthouse.

It is, politically speaking, the equivalent of being mugged by someone driving a Lamborghini.

Final Thoughts

Whether this becomes a real legal ordeal or just another entry in Trump’s ever-expanding list of legal sparring matches, one thing is certain:

If anyone is going to cost the British public more money this year, it really didn’t need to be a billionaire from Queens.

But this is where we are — in a world where the culture wars have reached such a fever pitch that the UK might accidentally contribute to Trump’s legal coffers.

If it wasn’t tragic, it would be hilarious.
And let’s face it — it is hilarious.

©2025 Sarnia de la Maré FRSA Published by Tale Teller Club Press




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Friday, November 14, 2025

🇬🇧 UK News Headlines and What to Watch

🏛 Politics & Society

  • Keir Starmer claimed he had been “assured that no briefing against ministers was done from No 10,” amid a row over hostile briefings within cabinet. The Guardian

  • Wes Streeting denied claims that he was plotting to replace the prime minister, calling the reports “categorically untrue”. Reuters

  • The Justice Committee warned that “dire” prison conditions—overcrowding, staff shortages and ageing infrastructure—are jeopardising rehabilitation efforts. Parliament News


💼 Business & Economy

  • The UK economy grew by just 0.1% in Q3 (July‑September) after a steep fall of 0.1% in September, with a major cyber‑attack on Jaguar Land Rover cited as a key cause. The Guardian+1

  • Exports from the UK to the US fell by roughly 11.4% in September — the lowest since January 2022 — as trade tensions and manufacturing disruption bite. The Guardian

  • At a gathering of top business leaders, Starmer sought to reassure them of government stability ahead of the 26 November budget, with emphasis on clarity of fiscal policy and growth‑supporting measures. Financial Times


🎭 Culture & Media

  • BBC issued an apology to Donald Trump over a controversial edit of a speech ahead of the January 6 Capitol events, and said it would not face compensation demands. Sky News+1

  • A quirky example of public life: a visitor to Westminster Abbey was asked to remove or cover up a jumper featuring a classic 1908 illustration because it was deemed “demonic”. The Guardian


🔬 Science, Technology & Environment

  • The UK’s struggle to scale up science and technology companies has reached “crisis point”, signalling a serious weakness in innovation‑and‑growth strategy. Society of Chemical Industry

  • Amid economic flat‑lining, the case for further intervention (by Bank of England or government) in infrastructure, manufacturing resilience and tech investment is gaining urgency. Car Dealer Magazine


🔍 What to Watch

  • The next key moment is the upcoming budget on 26 November, which could set the tone for tax, spending and growth policy.

  • Markets and businesses remain sensitive to political instability—especially given the internal frictions within the government.

  • Look out for further announcements on manufacturing recovery, exports and innovation funding as the economy shows signs of fragility.