Politics
No, Bridget Phillipson, Britain is neither racist nor sexist
Racism and sexism have become ‘normalised’ in Britain, asserted equalities minister Bridget Phillipson last week. Speaking on the Guardian’s Politics Weekly podcast, to substantiate these claims, she cited the ‘cesspit’ of social media and supposedly ‘racist’ statements made by the Conservatives’ Nick Timothy and Reform UK’s Robert Jenrick. Where once such speech would be censured as unacceptable, she claimed, there are now no consequences.
While you might be inclined to yawn at this ham-fisted attempt to resurrect the heady days of #MeToo and Black Lives Matter, Phillipson’s desire to fan the charred embers of the Great Awokening deserves a more serious rebuke. As I noted on LBC, her claims are both illiterate and irresponsible.
First, the illiteracy. Successive waves of the British Social Attitudes (BSA) survey and other longer-running studies show that Britain has never been less racist or sexist. For instance, when asked who should do the washing and ironing, 75 per cent of Brits in 1984 said the woman should, falling to only 16 per cent by 2023. Present British attitudes would be unrecognisable to earlier generations or many other societies.
So too on race. In 1983, a 54 per cent majority said they would be displeased if a close relative married a black or Asian person. In 2023, fully 89 per cent said they would be happy for their child to marry someone from a different ethnic group. Also in that year, 93 per cent disagreed that ‘to be truly British you have to be white’.
Racial attitudes are not perfect, but statements about a country’s characteristics are implicitly relative rather than based on a cosmic yardstick. We don’t say that Switzerland is poor because it could be richer, or that Usain Bolt is slow because another man might one day run faster. Likewise, the statement that Britain is racist or sexist must be based on comparing the country with its past or with other societies. On this score, it is one of the least racist or sexist countries that has ever existed.
While the media establishment was transfixed by the folk devil of Tate, it overlooked a much more serious phenomenon: the surge of anti-male, politically bigoted feelings among young women. Thus, a 2026 New Statesman survey discovered that just seven per cent of young British men had a negative view of women, but 21 per cent of young women expressed a negative view of men. Among women under 25, 27 per cent have a negative view of men, and only 35 per cent a positive view. Three in four would terminate a relationship if someone failed to share their views on social justice. In addition, young white women are more likely to believe Britain is racist than young non-white women. Young women are only half as likely as young men to want children and they also feel less valued by society.
The attitudes of young, middle-class white women reflect the impact of years of ideological conditioning from the media, universities, schools and elite institutions. When responsible adults indulge in moral panics over racism and sexism, they encourage women and minorities to believe that these forces are arrayed against them. False resentments are unleashed and personal agency is diminished. The result is lower happiness or even failing mental health. We cannot blame woke avatars like Phillipson enough for impairing the flourishing of women and minorities while damaging relations between the sexes and races.
In my LBC interview, Ben Kentish suggested that lived experience is what determines people’s perception of racism and sexism. However, research tells us that media-driven perceptions prime people to view the world through distorted lenses. People overstate the proportion of gays and Muslims, and the frequency of crime. The same process causes them to overestimate racism and sexism. For instance, Sikhs who voted Remain were far more apt than Leave-voting Sikhs to say they had personally experienced racial hate crime after the Brexit vote. In the United States in 2016, black respondents who were on social media were considerably more likely to say they personally experienced racism than those who were not. Blacks who voted for Trump in 2020 were much less prone to saying they personally experienced racism during Trump’s previous term than those who voted for Biden. The hysteria of the Great Awokening of 2015 to 2022 led concern over racism and white supremacy to soar, despite a longstanding decline in police shootings since the 1960s.
The recourse to citing social-media extremism is what social scientists term ‘selecting on the dependent variable’, aka cherry-picking. You identify a pocket of the most extreme opinion, then proceed to generalise from it to the wider population. That’s not how to draw sensible conclusions. Instead, you need evidence from surveys that are representative of the population you want to generalise about.
As with false penalties in football, excessive vigilance is not cost-free. Indeed, British society can only realise its true potential when it starts to more severely penalise false claims about racism and sexism.
WARNING: DISTRESSING CONTENT
As Skwawkbox reported yesterday, 24 August 2026, the Israeli occupation has issued a kill order for its military to slaughter children if they dare to fly kites in Gaza. The pastime has been one of the few outlets for children to express being children in the midst of Israel’s genocide. It hasn’t taken long for the murderous colony to murder its first child for the ‘crime’.
Israel kills its first kite-flying child
Within hours of the kill order, Israel’s occupation forces slaughtered four-year-old Hassan Al-Qatraoui and other members of his family, bombing their home and claiming he had flown a kite:
View this post on Instagram
Invader vehicles also murdered at least one child in an attack on refugee tents in Khan Younis. 10-year-old Amal Nashat Abu Khater was eating with her family in their tent when she was hit in the back by IOF bullets fired at the tents.
The silence of the UK and other collaborator governments to Israel’s ongoing mass murder of children and families is unforgivable.
Featured image via the Canary
By Skwawkbox
It’s been reported that Reform UK councillor Jason Mark Townend was arrested following a pub brawl involving several men and women. The police have subsequently released Townend without charge, although he remains on police bail.
Reform UK confirms councillor arrested after pub incidenthttps://t.co/DlwXgqdSr9
— Reform UK Exposed
(@reformexposed) August 24, 2026
Incident that led to Reform councillor arrest
Townend is a councillor in the Wibsey and Odsal ward of Bradford Council. Townend is one of three Reform councillors in the ward, with his party being the largest in Bradford Council, which is currently under no overall control.
The party’s Bradford leader Stephen Place has previously attracted criticism for social media posts such as the following:
As we reported at the time:
The above post highlights three posts Place shared.
The first suggests ‘London has Fallen’ as a result of embracing Islam; the second depicts Angela Rayner as a sex worker who charges “£1 for 30 minutes”; the third we’ve blurred because it’s an AI creep shot of what appears to be teenage girls.
Brawl
Regarding Townend, a statement from West Yorkshire Police confirmed the following details:
Police were called to a pub on Manchester Road, Bradford at about 10.30pm on Saturday 22 August to a report of ongoing fighting involving several men and women.
Officers attended the scene at which a woman in her 40s had sustained facial injuries.
Following enquiries, a man, aged 57, was arrested on suspicion of affray and a woman, aged 26, was arrested on suspicion of section 18 assault.
Both have been released on police bail pending continuing investigations.
A Reform UK Bradford spokesperson has said:
We are aware that Councillor Townend was arrested on Saturday night in Wibsey.
He was subsequently released without charges.
As the police made clear, however, investigations are ongoing, and Townend is on police bail.
Featured image via BBC
By Willem Moore
Reform UK has published its new policy for affordable housing in the UK – and it’s somehow even more racist than we’ve come to expect. It victimises homeless people, disabled people and settled migrants, all in the name of elevating a reactionary vision of young, working, British families popping out British babies.
Invoking social housing’s origins with ministers David Lloyd George and Nye Bevan in the policy document’s foreword, deputy Reform leader Richard Tice claimed that the scheme was conceived:
not as a subsidy for immigrants or those who choose not to work. Quite the opposite. It gave working Britain access to the secure housing needed to get on, close to their workplace, with space to raise a family. Allocation wasn’t based solely on need at a single point in time, but on suitability. Being given a council house was seen as a privilege, creating a generation of hard-working, houseproud Brits.
God, they really like getting a war reference in there to justify saying something abhorrent, don’t they?
Tice is also conveniently skipping over the fact that in 1950, immediately after Bevan’s reforms, the employment rate was around 70.4%. It peaked again in ’56, at 74.8%… which is still lower than today’s 75%. People work – they just can’t afford houses. And, of course, those who can’t work still need somewhere to live (but we’ll get to that).
‘Being in work will be a requirement’ says Reform
The rest of Reform’s scheme isn’t exactly an improvement on Tice’s foreword. The policy document goes on to state that:
Reform UK will back British workers. Being in work will be a requirement to access new social housing built under this scheme. Social housing should not be a reward for claiming welfare.
You may be forgiven for thinking ‘even Reform must make an exception for disabled people – surely those who can’t work need social housing more than anyone?’ Well, you’d be wrong, wouldn’t you.
The document doesn’t mention disability a single time. It includes no carve-outs for people who can’t work. Instead, it plans to prioritise under-35s, “veterans, those in work and married couples” – which, as the Canary wrote yesterday, is pure conformist bullshit.
The current system (ostensibly) prioritises people who need social housing by dint of homelessness, disability, or living in a dangerous situation. That’s the system Reform want to do away with.
Please, oh please blame the foreigners
The document goes on to state that:
Reform UK will end access to social housing for foreign nationals, evicting them after a short grace period.
A Reform UK government will deliver an additional 50,000 new affordable homes per year.
These commitments will make available around 1 million homes for British families.
First and foremost, the ‘foreigners are taking your homes’ rhetoric is on full display here. Along with being nakedly racist and xenophobic, it’s also a bunch of bloody rubbish.
Just 11.5% of main householders in social housing are non-UK or non-Irish nationals. Migrants on work / student visas, illegal migrants and asylum seekers aren’t even eligible to apply.
Reform itself admits that the Housing Act 1996 already prevents foreign nationals from accessing social housing. The exceptions are for people with EU Settled Status or Indefinite Leave to Remain, i.e. people who have already been welcomed to stay in the UK indefinitely. Reform wants to renege on that deal.
As such, Labour accused Reform of going after:
long-term UK residents that have contributed to our country but are not British citizens, including NHS staff.
Return of the magic money tree from Reform
So, next question – how does Reform plan to fund this ridiculous scheme? Well, the policy doc has that (half-) covered too:
This will require £10 billion a year of investment, which will be fiscally neutral and require no new taxes or government borrowing.
It will be funded through a combination of the British Sovereign Wealth Fund, housing associations in partnership with institutional capital and a renewed Right to Buy Scheme.
It later adds that “reforming the planning system” and scrapping Net Zero will contribute to that £10bn, which is:
based on £200 per square foot and an average unit of 1,000 square feet. That figure will be lower given the overregulation of the sector (making this a conservative estimate).
So, to clarify, Reform is planning to build more houses by cutting corners and lowering the standards it needs to meet. We hope all those married, under-35, working veterans the party loves so much enjoy their crumbling, damp-ridden death traps.
Also, if you’ve never heard of a ‘British Sovereign Wealth Fund’, don’t worry – it’s because it doesn’t exist. Rather, it’s the name Reform gives to its plan to consolidate around 100 council pension schemes into a single £500bn pot.
A Reform government would then require this pot to direct 25% of its investments to UK companies and products. How exactly it plans to turn a profit from social housing is anyone’s guess. Wave goodbye to your council pensions if Reform get in, folks.
‘Changing the order of the queue’
As ever, there’s far more nonsense to wade through in Reform’s plan, but we’d be here all day at that rate. Fortunately, homelessness charity Shelter cut straight to the heart of the matter. It stated that the way to solve social housing was to build more houses, but Reform is focused on “changing the order of the queue”.
The charity’s chief executive, Sarah Elliott, fleshed out that criticism. She said Reform’s policy put “nationality and employment ahead of housing need”. This, in turn, would leave:
even more families trapped in awful temporary accommodation for years on end. Not to mention putting those escaping domestic abuse and violence at serious risk of harm.
Elliott added that the scheme would increase levels of homelessness in the UK, and was clearly designed to “stoke division”.
We at the Canary couldn’t have put it better ourselves. This policy, if you would call it that, is nothing more that barely-disguised racist, regressive fantasy – shoddy British houses for married British couples making little British babies, and sod the settled migrants, disabled people and homeless people.
As ever, it’s exactly what you’d expect from far-right Reform UK.
Featured image via the Canary
By Grace
Author – and former UK ambassador – Craig Murray put forward a plan in late July 2026 to make Scotland independent of its blighted southern neighbour. Without the Scottish independence referendum that London’s controlling government continues to refuse it. And it seems many Scots like the plan – and so, it seems, does much of the international community.
Simply bold over Scottish independence
Murray’s plan is straightforward and provocative:
1) Set a Date for Independence
The First Minister should write to the Prime Minister informing him that a referendum is preferred, but if there is no prior referendum then he will invite the Scottish Parliament to declare Independence on a specified date (I suggest 14 September 2029).
State that an Independent Scotland will then hold a confirmatory plebiscite in February 2030.
2) Canvass the International Community and Tee Up a UN General Assembly Vote
Independence is not primarily a matter of domestic law. It is existence as a state recognised by other international states. What actually makes you a state is not any domestic act, but recognition by other states, expressed formally through recognition by the UN General Assembly and obtaining a seat at the United Nations.
As part of a team from Liberation Scotland and Salvo, I have been lobbying diplomatic missions of the UN to this end for 18 months now. We have found enormous support for Scottish Independence and literally no outright hostility. What we have repeatedly met is astonishment that the Scottish government and/or the governing party the SNP, has made no effort to carry the case to the international community.
Murray then proposes that Holyrood write to the UK PM simply informing them that Scotland will declare its independence in September 2029 and seek recognition as such from the UN General Assembly. This move will affirming the Scottish statehood and sovereignty that gives it the right to do so, with the democratic mandate of Scotland’s elected government. As Murray states:
A supposed voluntary union can by definition be dissolved. The self-determination of peoples is an inalienable Charter right.
Prepared to stand for Scotland
Scots cannot assume the English regime will simply acknowledge what’s right. They will have to be prepared to secure their borders and resist attempts to break Scottish independence. As Murray points out:
This is where Catalonia failed. Its referendum was disrupted by brutality to which it had no answer. Scots must be prepared to stand for Scotland.
This stand will be more than physical resistance. It will require the setting up, or repurposing for independence, of a central bank and other key institutions. But it will also require the “peaceful and friendly” blockading of military and other installations that might try to bring down the re-established state.
Murray points out that this will put Andy Burnham under sudden pressure to agree independence that he clearly has no interest in dealing with if the pressure is not brought to bear. And he points out that the UK government doesn’t have a leg to stand on, given its own declarations about other nations’ independence:
These quotes are from the British government’s intervention before the International Court of Justice in the Kosovo hearings:
“In most cases of secession, of course, the predecessor State’s law will not have been complied with: that is true almost as a matter of definition.”
And the still stronger formulation:
“Nor is compliance with the law of the predecessor State a condition for the declaration of independence to be recognised by third States, if other conditions for recognition are fulfilled. The conditions do not include compliance with the internal legal requirements of the predecessor State.”
Popular support
It seems many Scots agree. A recent poll found that almost half of Scots back Scotland taking back its independence – without a referendum and whether Westminster likes it or not:
With half or more of residents backing Scottish independence generally, the Westminster government is not going to grant another referendum – just as it continues to refuse its obligations under the Good Friday Agreement to hold a referendum on Irish reunification as soon as there is a realistic prospect of a ‘yes’ vote, which there already is.
That means taking back independence is the only realistic route for the millions of Scots who see Westminster become ever more a failed state collaborating in genocide and illegal war – and waging war on its own citizens’ rights and speech to protect the criminals.
Read Murray’s full article here.
Featured image via the Canary
By Skwawkbox
FILE – Dolly Parton poses at the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy Ceremony in New York, on Oct. 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki, File)When you think of Dolly Parton, there are many things that could come to mind. There are, of course, her many, many hits, as well as her expansive film career, her generous philanthropy and the distinctive and glamorous image she sported throughout her decades in the spotlight.But to many, the Grammy winner will also be remembered for her unique way with words.
Over the course of her career, she became arguably as famous for her inspirational quotes and witty one-liners as she was for hits like 9 To 5, Jolene and I Will Always Love You.
Following the news of her death at the age of 80, here are just some of our favourites from the much-loved global icon…
The president of the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), Slovenian Aleksander Čeferin, issued a direct warning to the President of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), the Swiss Gianni Infantino, stating that the latter may face a challenger in the FIFA presidential election scheduled for March 2027, amid mounting pressure on him due to his disputes with a number of continental federations.
In excerpts from an interview with the British podcast The Rest Is Politics: Leading, Čeferin confirmed that he would not be that rival, but clearly hinted that Infantino’s continued participation in the race might not be guaranteed without the emergence of a candidate capable of challenging him.
Infantino faces two options
Čeferin said that Infantino faces two options: the first is to realise that he no longer enjoys sufficient support, not only at the political level from the federations with voting rights, but also within the football community and amongst fans, players and coaches.
The second option, according to the UEFA president, is for Infantino to stand in the elections next March; however, he predicted that in this scenario a rival candidate would emerge, adding that he does not yet know the identity of this candidate.
Čeferin’s comments come at a time when Infantino is facing mounting pressure over the row concerning his commercial plan to sell shares in World Cup rights to private-sector investors – a plan that has been temporarily shelved.
A growing opposition front
The dispute has turned into an institutional confrontation after UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation and CONCACAF accused Infantino of “deception”, whilst UEFA has escalated its stance by threatening to boycott certain FIFA competitions.
Infantino, who has been FIFA president since 2016, had until recently appeared to be on a clear path to winning a new term unopposed, but mounting opposition to the plan to sell stakes in World Cup rights has brought the election race back into the spotlight.
FIFA has set 18 November 2026 as the deadline for submitting candidacies for the presidency of the international federation, ahead of the elections scheduled for March 2027 in Morocco.
Čeferin closes the door on a challenge
Although his name has been put forward as a potential challenger to Infantino, Čeferin, aged 58, has confirmed that he does not intend to enter the race, insisting on continuing to lead UEFA.
He said he had two reasons for not standing: firstly, he enjoys working at UEFA and wishes to continue doing so; and secondly, his lack of interest in the post gives him, in his view, greater credibility when criticising FIFA’s direction.
Čeferin thus leaves the door open to an electoral scenario that could be the most exciting since Infantino became FIFA president, as the emergence of a strong rival would transform the upcoming elections from a virtually foregone conclusion into a genuine battle for the leadership of world football.
Featured image via the Canary
By Alaa Shamali
Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo continues to write a new chapter in his exceptional career, having come closer than ever before to reaching the 1,000-goal mark in his professional career – a feat that would be the first of its kind in modern football.
Ronaldo, aged 41, has taken his tally to 977 goals in 1,333 matches, having scored in Al-Nassr’s 4–0 victory over Al-Riyadh in the second round of the Saudi Professional League, leaving him just 23 goals away from joining the 1,000-goal club.
23 goals and a mission that seems achievable
Despite his advancing age, Ronaldo continues to maintain scoring rates that keep him in contention for a feat that seems out of reach for most players. So far in 2026, the Portugal captain has scored 20 goals in 30 matches, including 17 for Al-Nassr and three for his national team.
Ronaldo needs to maintain a rate of nearly one goal per match in the coming period to reach this historic milestone before the end of the year. Calculations suggest he has at least 29 official matches available until December, which gives him ample opportunity to realise this millennium dream, provided he maintains his scoring rate and avoids injury.
The task seems all the more achievable given his figures from last year, when he scored 41 goals in 46 matches at an average of around 0.89 goals per match – a rate close to what is required of him in the coming period.
Al-Nassr and Portugal: the road to 1,000
Al-Nassr bears the brunt of Ronaldo’s hopes of reaching this historic milestone, as numerous matches await him in the Saudi Pro League, alongside his participation in the AFC Champions League and the King’s Cup.
As Al-Nassr continue to compete in continental competitions, Ronaldo will have more matches and minutes on the pitch to boost his tally, particularly as he is relied upon as one of the team’s key attacking players.
As for the Portuguese national team, Ronaldo remains a key part of the manager’s plans, with the team continuing to rely on him as their main captain. Upcoming international fixtures offer him a further opportunity to edge closer to the 1,000-goal mark, given his clear desire to continue playing at the highest possible level.
A race against time towards an immortal milestone for Ronaldo
The irony is that Ronaldo is not merely chasing a personal milestone, but is striving for an achievement that could become one of the most difficult milestones in the history of football. Reaching 1,000 official goals requires a long career and exceptional consistency, which makes Ronaldo’s reaching this milestone a historic event that transcends the boundaries of clubs and national teams.
Between his current tally of 977 goals and the anticipated 1,000, the gap seems short in mathematical terms, but it represents a major challenge for a 41-year-old player. Nevertheless, Ronaldo has repeatedly proven that he is capable of defying the effects of age; so the question now is not whether he will reach 1,000, but when he will celebrate his 1,000th goal?
If “El Don” maintains his current scoring rate, the coming weeks could see him rapidly closing in on a figure that would crown an exceptional career spanning more than two decades, cementing his place among the most influential goal scorers in the history of the game.
Featured image via the Canary
By Alaa Shamali
Beau Greaves returned to the PDC Women’s Series on Sunday 22 August and immediately re‑established her dominance. Producing back‑to‑back title wins to move within touching distance of her 60th crown on the circuit. After missing Saturday’s action, the Doncaster star arrived at the Matiolli Arena, Leicester with trademark precision. Bringing control and scoring power, collecting her 58th and 59th Women’s Series titles in a single afternoon.
Greaves, now firmly established as the standout force in the women’s game, wasted no time in setting the tone. Her morning campaign began with three consecutive whitewash victories, sweeping aside Jane Hawtin, Sue Lowther and Vicky Pruim without dropping a leg. The early rounds showcased the same ruthless efficiency that has defined her rise, with her scoring consistency and finishing accuracy immediately separating her from the field.
Fightback sparks title charge
Her run towards the Event 19 title was almost halted in the last‑16, where Gemma Hayter pushed her to the brink. Beau Greaves trailed 3‑2 and faced elimination, but the 22‑year‑old responded with the composure that has become her trademark. She reeled off the final legs to turn the match around and book her place in the quarter‑finals, keeping her hopes of a 58th title alive.
From there, she accelerated. Greaves overpowered Aileen de Graaf 5‑1 in the quarter‑finals, producing an average north of 96 and controlling the match from the opening visit. She then dispatched Kirsty Hutchinson 5‑2 in the semi‑finals, maintaining a steady scoring rhythm and leaving little room for resistance.
That set up a repeat of the 2025 Women’s World Matchplay semi‑final, as Greaves faced Lisa Ashton in the Event 19 final. Greaves’ afternoon campaign began in identical fashion. She opened Event 20 with back‑to‑back 4‑0 wins over Leanne Halls and Felicia Bay, once again asserting her authority with clean finishing and relentless scoring. The Doncaster star dropped just three legs across the entire event, underlining the gulf between her and the chasing pack.
Her momentum continued with consecutive 4‑1 victories over Louise Pearson and Rhian O’Sullivan. Both matches in which she controlled the pace and punished every loose visit. She then swept past Angela Kirkwood 5‑0 in the quarter‑finals, producing another display of near‑flawless consistency to reach the final four.
Whitewash seals title number 59
The final brought a rematch with Aileen de Graaf, but the Dutch player struggled to find her rhythm. Beau Greaves capitalised instantly, controlling every leg and producing an average above 91 to complete a 5‑0 whitewash. The victory secured her 59th Women’s Series title and capped a flawless Sunday in which she reasserted her position as the circuit’s dominant force.
Greaves’ ability to maintain high averages across multiple matches, combined with her finishing accuracy and tactical control, continues to set her apart. Her Sunday double not only strengthened her position at the top of the Women’s Series rankings but also moved her within one title of the landmark 60‑title milestone.
Beau Greaves remains firmly on top of the Women’s Series rankings, with Lisa Ashton and Fallon Sherrock occupying second and third place respectively. Gemma Hayter sits just behind them in fourth, currently holding the final qualification spot for the 2026/27 World Darts Championship.
The top three players from the final PDC Women’s Series rankings will qualify for the 2026/27 Paddy Power World Darts Championship, with the top‑ranked player also earning a place at the 2026 Mr Vegas Grand Slam of Darts. Greaves’ Sunday surge has strengthened her grip on both positions, and her form suggests she is well on course to secure both berths.
Beau Greaves: closing in on history
With 59 Women’s Series titles now to her name, Beau Greaves stands on the brink of another milestone. Her return on Sunday was a reminder of her ability to dominate fields with a blend of scoring power, finishing precision and tactical control. The Doncaster star continues to set the standard in the women’s game, and her march towards title number 60 looks increasingly inevitable.
Greaves’ Sunday double was not just a return. It was a statement. After missing Saturday’s action, she re‑entered the circuit with complete authority, sweeping through both events and reaffirming her status as the standout force in women’s darts. With major tournaments approaching and her form showing no sign of slowing, Greaves’ pursuit of further silverware looks set to continue.
Featured image courtesy of BBC Sports
By Faz Ali
Did you know that supermarkets often add a little-known “Julian date” to packs of fresh fruit and veg?
These usually tell suppliers and stores when the produce was packed and are different from consumer-facing “best before” and “use by” dates.
Some thought that a similar source of information might lie on the bottoms of our toothpaste packs, too.
In 2024, for instance, a viral podcast clip suggested that the little patch may reveal whether the ingredients in the tube are “natural” or “chemical” (though that distinction is impossible to make).
That misinformed claim has since been thoroughly debunked. But it leaves another question – what are the markers actually for, then?
Why are there coloured squares on my toothpaste pack?
According to dental health company Colgate, they’re used in the manufacturing process.
When factories produce packs of toothpaste, they fill the tubes’ contents at speeds as fast as 200 containers a minute. Machines fill the opened cylinders with exact gram amounts of the product.
Then, they need to be closed (usually by heat sealing) to prevent the toothpaste from leaking and to stop bacteria and air from entering the tube.
To do this efficiently, the machine that clamps the containers needs to be given a target.
Colgate explains that these tell “light sensors where the end of the tube is so that it can be cut and sealed properly”.
So… what about the ingredients in my toothpaste?
Again, these have nothing to do with the colour of your toothpaste tube (previous, disproven conspiracy theories suggested that green squares meant an “all-natural” product, while black supposedly revealed “pure chemical” options).
If you’re curious about the contents of your toothpaste, though, there’s a simpler option: look at the ingredients list on the pack.
The NHS does say we should keep an eye out for this section, but not to check the hue of the machine-friendly block.
Instead, the health service advises we check the packaging to find a product that contains at least 1,350 parts per million (ppm) fluoride.
This helps to fight decay and can keep your teeth healthier for longer.
Music legend Dolly Parton has died at the age of 80.
A pioneer in the world of country music, Dolly was best known for her cross-generational hits including I Will Always Love You, 9 To 5 and Jolene.
On Tuesday evening, her nephew Bryan Seaver announced the news of the Grammy winner’s death in a video message posted on social media, explaining that this was “something Dolly asked of me years ago, before I fully absorbed it as a future reality”.
“As her head of security for more than two decades, a role my father Larry held before me, I have imagined the heaviness of this moment, but haven’t truly felt it until now,” he shared.
“Sadness lies with us, not with Dolly,” he continued. “Dolly lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus, surely.”
Her team later released a lengthier statement, celebrating the accolades she achieved in life.
“Global icon and humanitarian, Dolly Parton, known to the world as a beloved singer, songwriter, philanthropist, actress, playwright, and author died peacefully today in Nashville, Tennessee,” they said. “She was 80 years old.
“A rhinestone life that shone bright enough for the world to see, Dolly will forever stand as an inspiration not only through her timeless music and prolific songwriting, but also her wit, warmth, and kindness that made us all feel like family,” the statement continued.
“Dolly Parton’s legacy is one of love, compassion, and resilience. With a seven-decade career, she inspired multiple generations of artists and fans with her music and an unwavering commitment to making the world a better place.
“Her songs will continue to resonate with people of all ages, and her philanthropic work will have a lasting impact.”
For the past year, Dolly had privately undergoing what she described as “procedures” for a number of “health challenges”, the details of which she had chosen not to disclose publicly.
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