Bill Bowring
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billbowring.bsky.social
Bill Bowring
@billbowring.bsky.social
560 followers 550 following 25 posts

Law teacher, barrister, political activist

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Political science 76%
Law 11%
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Reposted by Bill Bowring

amnestyuk.bsky.social
Amnesty International UK @amnestyuk.bsky.social · 9d
Prosecutors must immediately drop the allegations of a ‘terrorism connection’ now.

Those responsible must also make sure the hunger strikers get the medical care they need.

Let’s be clear: any loss of life in this situation would be entirely preventable.

Reposted by Bill Bowring

amnestyuk.bsky.social
Amnesty International UK @amnestyuk.bsky.social · 9d
This cruel misuse of anti-terror laws is a shameful moment for the govt. It must act now.

The hunger strikers have been denied their right to communicate freely with their legal counsel, their pre-trial imprisonment & they’ve had severe restrictions placed on their detention. This must all end now.

Reposted by Bill Bowring, Fabián Muniesa

amnestyuk.bsky.social
Amnesty International UK @amnestyuk.bsky.social · 9d
It is shocking that people have been pushed to take such serious action just to be heard.

These events did not happen by accident. They are the result of the government misusing anti-terror laws.
Qesser Zuhrah, Palestine Action activist on hunger strike, hospitalised Photo of a banner hanging over a bridge which says "support the hunger strikers"

Reposted by Bill Bowring

davidwearing.bsky.social
David Wearing @davidwearing.bsky.social · 9d
Read what Starmer's biographer says here about no10's response to Trump's white supremacist National Security Strategy. I despair. We are being led through this unique moment of historical crisis by a bunch of witless dogmatists incapable of analytical thought.

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
A warning for Keir Starmer: Brexit is falling apart, but if you are not bold on Europe, your Labour rivals will be | Tom Baldwin
Leave support is falling. That’s an opportunity the PM should seize before pro-Europe challengers for the Labour leadership do, says Tom Baldwin, author of Keir Starmer, The Biography
www.theguardian.com

Reposted by Bill Bowring

declassifieduk.org
Declassified UK @declassifieduk.org · 10d
27 years ago this week, Tony Blair and Bill Clinton were bombing Iraq.

Declassified files show Blair was consistently informed military action was unlawful without UN authorisation. But he told parliament Britain had “the proper legal authority”.

www.declassifieduk.org/blair-misled...
Blair misled parliament over 1998 Iraq bombing, files show
Declassified documents from 1998, when the UK and US bombed Saddam Hussein’s Iraq, show Tony Blair was consistently informed military action was unlawful without UN authorisation. But he told parliame...
www.declassifieduk.org

Reposted by Susan J. Smith, Bill Bowring, Andrew Thacker

eicathomefinn.bsky.social
Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 10d
British Academy's pioneering 'cold spots' work now replicated by HESA.

'University "cold spots" are developing in some parts of the country, new data analysis suggests, with courses in some subjects no longer available to students in certain regions.' 1/2
University students facing course 'cold spots' as enrolments fall
New data analysis suggests courses like artificial intelligence are surging in popularity as languages fall.
www.bbc.co.uk

Reposted by Bill Bowring

middleeasteye-rss.bsky.social
Middle East Eye (Unofficial) @middleeasteye-rss.bsky.social · 10d
Qatar condemns Israel’s approval of 19 West Bank settlements - https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/qatar-condemns-israels-approval-19-west-bank-settlements
Qatar condemns Israel’s approval of 19 West Bank settlements
<article data-history-node-id="432720" about="https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/qatar-condemns-israels-approval-19-west-bank-settlements" class="live-blog-update default clearfix"> <h2> <a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/qatar-condemns-israels-approval-19-west-bank-settlements" rel="bookmark"> <span class="field field-title">Qatar condemns Israel’s approval of 19 West Bank settlements</span> </a> </h2> <div class="content"> <div class="field field-field-text"><p data-end="375" data-start="157">Qatar strongly denounces Israel’s decision to approve the construction of 19 settlements in the occupied West Bank, calling the move as a clear breach of international law and a direct assault on Palestinian rights.</p> <p data-end="607" data-start="377">In a statement, the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs says the expansion violates multiple international resolutions, including UN Security Council Resolution 2334, which deems Israeli settlements illegal under international law.</p> <p data-end="802" data-start="609">Doha urged the international community to meet its legal and moral obligations by taking concrete steps to force Israel to end its settlement policy across the occupied Palestinian territories.</p> <p data-end="951" data-start="804">The ministry reiterated Qatar’s “firm and unwavering position” in support of the Palestinian cause and the steadfastness of the Palestinian people.</p> </div> </div> </article>
www.middleeasteye.net

Reposted by Bill Bowring

pravda.ua
Ukrainska Pravda 🇺🇦 @pravda.ua · 10d
⁉️ Zelenskyy says what he expects from US if Russia rejects solutions agreed with Washington
Zelenskyy says what he expects from US if Russia rejects solutions agreed with Washington
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy believes that if Moscow refuses to agree to the terms for ending hostilities worked out following talks with the United States and Europe, it will be time for D...
www.pravda.com.ua

Reposted by Jonathan Portes, Lawrence Freedman, Ben H. Ansell , and 6 more

samfr.bsky.social
Sam Freedman @samfr.bsky.social · 10d
New post just out:

"The Overshoot"

Net migration is collapsing, and will fall further over the coming years. We could even have net emigration.

What does that mean for the country and the political narrative as we head towards the next election?

(£/free trial)

open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/t...
The Overshoot
What happens to politics, and the country, as net migration collapses?
open.substack.com

Reposted by Bill Bowring, Aurélien Mondon

theguardian.com
The Guardian @theguardian.com · 10d
Donald Trump sues BBC for at least $5bn over edit of January 6 speech
Donald Trump sues BBC for at least $5bn over edit of January 6 speech
President accuses corporation of ‘putting words in my mouth’ in Panorama clip broadcast before 2024 election Donald Trump has filed a lawsuit against the BBC over its editing of a speech he made to supporters in Washington before they stormed the US Capitol in 2021, requesting at least $5bn in damages. Trump had teased the lawsuit earlier on Monday, telling reporters at the Oval Office: “In a little while, you’ll be seeing I’m suing the BBC for putting words in my mouth. Literally, they put words in my mouth. They had me saying things that I never said coming out.” Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com

Reposted by Jonathan Portes, Steve Peers, Bill Bowring

colinyeo.bsky.social
Colin Yeo @colinyeo.bsky.social · 16d
New from Free Movement: Briefing: the implications of the “earned settlement” proposals and what they might mean in practice | Alex Piletska freemovement.org.uk/briefing-the...
Briefing: the implications of the “earned settlement” proposals and what they might mean in practice - Free Movement
We’ve now had a few weeks to digest the “earned settlement” policy document, which outlines the proposed changes to the settlement system ahead of the public
freemovement.org.uk

Reposted by Bill Bowring

hhesterm.bsky.social
Holger Hestermeyer @hhesterm.bsky.social · 16d
The office giving legal advice to the US state department (L) is shedding staff www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-...
There's An Exodus Happening In A Very Vital State Department Office
The office tackles global issues such as the administration’s deadly strikes in the Caribbean, which lawmakers and experts say could involve war crimes. Dozens of officials have left this year.
www.huffpost.com

Reposted by Bill Bowring

davidwearing.bsky.social
David Wearing @davidwearing.bsky.social · 16d
It's one thing to recognise the imperative to defend Ukraine and the complications arising from decoupling. Quite another to be mindlessly "pro-NATO" irrespective of the fact that the alliance is led by a far-right fanatic regime that is now openly threatening us

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The US is not just Europe’s unwilling ally, but an adversary steeped in far-right ideology | Cas Mudde
Don’t say you weren’t warned: Trump’s new national security strategy seeks to destroy liberal democracy as we know it, says academic and author Cas Mudde
www.theguardian.com

Reposted by Bill Bowring

stevepeers.bsky.social
Steve Peers @stevepeers.bsky.social · 16d
New EU law making it easier to suspend waiver of Schengen visa requirements published in EU Official Journal
eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-conten...

My earlier analysis - eulawanalysis.blogspot.com/2025/06/carr...
eur-lex.europa.eu

Reposted by Bill Bowring

eicathomefinn.bsky.social
Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 16d
'I raise these points not because I am anti-tech, but because I am pro-learning.'
Pupil tech and memory: what schools should do next
Many schools have become reliant on tech to deliver lessons, but we need a more reflective approach if we are to avoid lost learning, says neuroscientist Jared Cooney Horvath in an exclusive extract f...
www.tes.com

Reposted by Bill Bowring

maxpichl.bsky.social
Maximilian Pichl @maxpichl.bsky.social · 16d
Am Tag der #Menschenrechte schreiben ein 🇬🇧 Premier, der Wahlen wegen einem Rechtskurs verliert, und eine 🇩🇰 Ministerpräsidenten, die Wahlen wegen einem Rechtskurs verliert, einen Beitrag, warum man Menschenrechte aushöhlen soll. Keine Pointe.

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
We must protect our borders to defend our democracies. Here's how
This is our strong message to our friends in Europe. Unless responsible governments reflect their citizens’ concerns, populists will win, say British PM Keir Starmer and Danish PM Mette Frederiksen
www.theguardian.com

Reposted by Bill Bowring

davidrvetter.bsky.social
Dave Vetter @davidrvetter.bsky.social · 16d
Starmer urges EU to curb ECHR to halt rise of far right. Because as we know, the way you beat the far right is to accede to all their demands and adopt racism as your central principle.
Starmer urges Europe’s leaders to curb ECHR to halt rise of far right
Exclusive: PM calls for members of European convention on human rights to allow tougher action to protect borders
www.theguardian.com

Reposted by Bill Bowring, François Heisbourg

pravda.ua
Ukrainska Pravda 🇺🇦 @pravda.ua · 16d
⁉️ Trump team denies pressuring Ukraine into rapid "peace deal"
Trump team denies pressuring Ukraine into rapid "peace deal" – WSJ
The administration of US President Donald Trump insists that it is not pressuring Kyiv to accept any settlement of Russia's aggression against Ukraine that the Ukrainian side considers unacceptable.
www.pravda.com.ua

Reposted by Bill Bowring

nickbernards.bsky.social
Nick Bernards @nickbernards.bsky.social · 16d
It’s socialism or barbarism, and the ‘centre left’ will choose barbarism every time…

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
We must protect our borders to defend our democracies. Here's how
This is our strong message to our friends in Europe. Unless responsible governments reflect their citizens’ concerns, populists will win, say British PM Keir Starmer and Danish PM Mette Frederiksen
www.theguardian.com

Reposted by Steve Peers, Bill Bowring, Ben Tonra , and 1 more

ecfr.eu
ECFR @ecfr.eu · 16d
Time to get over your X, Europe! Our new policy brief from @giorgosverdi.bsky.social warns that the European Union must urgently develop an independent “EuroStack” of critical technologies to solve the reliance from American tech. @ecfrgeotech.bsky.social
https://bit.ly/48ZLCBA
bit.ly

Reposted by Steve Peers, Bill Bowring

politico.eu
POLITICO Europe @politico.eu · 16d
U.S. President Donald Trump’s overtures to the European far right have never been more overt, but the EU’s biggest far-right parties are split over whether that is a blessing or a curse.
Trump’s backing splits European far right
The Alternative for Germany party wants legitimacy from Trump to end its isolation, while France’s National Rally sees him as a liability.
www.politico.eu

Reposted by Bill Bowring, Margot C. Finn

duncanweldon.bsky.social
Duncan Weldon @duncanweldon.bsky.social · 16d
In some ways this is a useful reminder that a lot of the talk of European security guarantees to Ukraine have the whole thing backwards. For more than three years Ukraine has been guaranteeing European security by fighting and degrading the Russian armed forces.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
How long Britain could really fight for if war broke out tomorrow
In the event of a war, one expert suggests the British Army could be incapable of fighting effectively on land within weeks, once committed - though 'much depends on the form of the conflict'.
www.bbc.co.uk

Reposted by Steve Peers, Bill Bowring, Holger Nehring , and 1 more

nvondarza.bsky.social
Nicolai von Ondarza @nvondarza.bsky.social · 16d
Two of the few remaining centre-left prime ministers in Europe (🇩🇰 & 🇬🇧) come together to write a joint op-ed on ... harder migration policy.

A sign of the times. Most noteworthy for me is the call for ECHR reform, though with little detail on how it should be changed.
We must protect our borders to defend our democracies. Here's how
This is our strong message to our friends in Europe. Unless responsible governments reflect their citizens’ concerns, populists will win, say British PM Keir Starmer and Danish PM Mette Frederiksen
www.theguardian.com

Reposted by Steve Peers, Bill Bowring, Patricia Owens , and 2 more

theguardian.com
The Guardian @theguardian.com · 16d
The US is not just Europe’s unwilling ally, but an adversary steeped in far-right ideology | Cas Mudde
The US is not just Europe’s unwilling ally, but an adversary steeped in far-right ideology | Cas Mudde
Don’t say you weren’t warned: Trump’s new national security strategy seeks to destroy liberal democracy as we know it, says academic and author Cas Mudde
www.theguardian.com

Reposted by Steve Peers, Bill Bowring, Mary Corcoran

euwatch.live
EUwatch 🇪🇺 @euwatch.live · 16d
Teacher in Hungary facing criminal charges for organising Pride event
Teacher in Hungary facing criminal charges for organising Pride event
As Viktor Orbán tightens his grip in the country, rights organisations have called for the EU to intervene
www.theguardian.com

Reposted by Steve Peers, Matthias Doepke, Bill Bowring , and 6 more

kimlanelaw.bsky.social
Kim Lane Scheppele @kimlanelaw.bsky.social · 16d
All travelers from ESTA countries (yes the ones on visa waiver programs) will have to disclose 5 years of social media + huge amounts of personal data to enter the US now. All US academic associations should now meet outside the US if we want to meet our international colleagues.
clarajeffery.bsky.social Clara Jeffery @clarajeffery.bsky.social · 16d
This is INSANE www.nytimes.com/2025/12/09/t...

and these are our closest allies!
Travelers visiting the United States from countries like Britain, France, Germany and South Korea could soon have to undergo a review of up to five years of their social media history, according to a proposal filed on Tuesday by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The change would affect visitors eligible for the visa waiver program, which allows people from 42 countries to travel to the United States for up to 90 days without a visa as long as they first obtain electronic travel authorization. In a document filed on Tuesday in the Federal Register, C.B.P. said it plans to ask applicants for a long list of personal data including social media, email addresses from the last decade, and the names, birth dates, places of residence and birthplaces of parents, spouses, siblings and children. Under the current system, applicants from visa waiver countries must enroll in the Electronic System for Travel Authorization program. They pay $40 and submit an email address, home address, phone number and emergency contact information. The authorization is good for two years.

Reposted by Steve Peers, Bill Bowring, Iikka Korhonen

thestudyofwar.bsky.social
Institute for the Study of War @thestudyofwar.bsky.social · 16d
2/ The Kremlin’s cognitive warfare effort aims to achieve several of Putin’s original war aims through a negotiated settlement, as Russian forces are currently unable to achieve them on the battlefield.

Reposted by Bill Bowring

aurelmondon.bsky.social
Aurelien Mondon @aurelmondon.bsky.social · 17d
Truly embarrassing piece...

I haven't seen anyone yet making Polanski a hero or adulating him

On the other hand, I've seen lots of super clever pundits adulating the likes of masterminds such as McSwinney and Cummings. Talk about engaging your brains...

Reposted by Jonathan Portes, Steve Peers, Bill Bowring , and 3 more

colinyeo.bsky.social
Colin Yeo @colinyeo.bsky.social · 17d
Tighter visa rules will cost UK up to £10.8bn giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...

Reposted by Shannon Vallor, Steve Peers, Leigh Sparks , and 9 more

jdportes.bsky.social
Jonathan Portes @jdportes.bsky.social · 17d
Home Office Ministers state publicly, on the record, that they are deliberately making life worse for older people and people with disabilities who depend on care services, but it's worth it because it reduces net migration.
The Home Office also recognise that this may have an impact on user of care services who are likely to be older people and those with disabilities. The Home Office believes that despite these points the changes are justified for a number of policy reasons including reducing net migration and ending reliance on overseas recruitment.