Abby Innes
@abbyinnes.bsky.social
Assoc. Prof. at the European Institute, LSE. Research and teach the political economy of the state. Optimist. Alarmed by people who lack self-doubt...
Pinned
Abby Innes
@abbyinnes.bsky.social
· Jun 9
‘Ticking timebomb’: sea acidity has reached critical levels, threatening entire ecosystems – study
- Ocean acidification has already crossed a crucial threshold for planetary health, scientists say
#climatecrisis
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
- Ocean acidification has already crossed a crucial threshold for planetary health, scientists say
#climatecrisis
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
‘Ticking timebomb’: sea acidity has reached critical levels, threatening entire ecosystems – study
Ocean acidification has already crossed a crucial threshold for planetary health, scientists say in unexpected finding
www.theguardian.com
Governments ignore the science and prefer to just focus on climate change as an energy transition: as a spur to kick start a still completely unsustainable capitalism. We’re in breach of multiple planetary boundaries and they - and we - are deeply interdependent. It’s one hell of a category error.
Reposted by Abby Innes
All I see on my Twitter timeline are reporters parsing every quote from AOC in Germany, trying to mock them for incoherence or inaccuracy, while a demented old man who can’t string sentences together or stay awake sits in the Oval, while the legacy media happily sanewashes his quotes.
February 16, 2026 at 5:46 PM
All I see on my Twitter timeline are reporters parsing every quote from AOC in Germany, trying to mock them for incoherence or inaccuracy, while a demented old man who can’t string sentences together or stay awake sits in the Oval, while the legacy media happily sanewashes his quotes.
Reposted by Abby Innes
BREAKING: federal judge orders the Trump admin to restore slavery exhibits to the President’s House.
The opinion opens with “As if the Ministry of Truth in George Orwell’s 1984 now existed…”
With @fallonroth.bsky.social
The opinion opens with “As if the Ministry of Truth in George Orwell’s 1984 now existed…”
With @fallonroth.bsky.social
Federal judge orders Trump admin to restore slavery exhibits to the President’s House
The order does not give the federal government a deadline for restoring the President's House site.
www.inquirer.com
February 16, 2026 at 6:55 PM
BREAKING: federal judge orders the Trump admin to restore slavery exhibits to the President’s House.
The opinion opens with “As if the Ministry of Truth in George Orwell’s 1984 now existed…”
With @fallonroth.bsky.social
The opinion opens with “As if the Ministry of Truth in George Orwell’s 1984 now existed…”
With @fallonroth.bsky.social
Reposted by Abby Innes
Proposals to curb SLAPPs have been dropped from upcoming justice reforms by Labour due to fears of a backlash by lawyers. Campaigns say issue is being kicked into long grass, The Times reports www.thetimes.com/uk/law/artic...
Fears for free speech as crackdown on Slapps is shelved
The editors of The Times and The Sunday Times have urged No 10 to end the use of strategic litigation against public participation
www.thetimes.com
February 16, 2026 at 12:27 PM
Proposals to curb SLAPPs have been dropped from upcoming justice reforms by Labour due to fears of a backlash by lawyers. Campaigns say issue is being kicked into long grass, The Times reports www.thetimes.com/uk/law/artic...
Reposted by Abby Innes
We do not celebrate the achievements of that generation of immigrants to the UK nearly enough. Baron @alfdubs.bsky.social comes to mind, or Sir Peter Hirsch. They have enriched British society in numerous ways.
Sir Guenter Treitel came to the UK on the Kindertransport. He became the foremost authority on English contract law.
Famously, he held the Rolling Stones to their contract to play the Magdalen Ball in 1964 for £100 - they had suddenly become superstars after being booked as unknowns in 1963.
Famously, he held the Rolling Stones to their contract to play the Magdalen Ball in 1964 for £100 - they had suddenly become superstars after being booked as unknowns in 1963.
Magdalen launches Sir Guenter Treitel Scholarships.
Each year, three Sir Guenter Treitel Scholars will be provided with full funding (fees and maintenance) to study the Bachelor of Civil Law (BCL) at Magdalen College.
Read more: www.magd.ox.ac.uk/news/magdale...
Each year, three Sir Guenter Treitel Scholars will be provided with full funding (fees and maintenance) to study the Bachelor of Civil Law (BCL) at Magdalen College.
Read more: www.magd.ox.ac.uk/news/magdale...
February 7, 2026 at 4:54 PM
We do not celebrate the achievements of that generation of immigrants to the UK nearly enough. Baron @alfdubs.bsky.social comes to mind, or Sir Peter Hirsch. They have enriched British society in numerous ways.
Reposted by Abby Innes
Hungary holds elections in 2 months. And the US Secretary of State is in Hungary campaigning for Viktor Orban. And as you can see, Russian state media loves it.
February 16, 2026 at 11:25 AM
Hungary holds elections in 2 months. And the US Secretary of State is in Hungary campaigning for Viktor Orban. And as you can see, Russian state media loves it.
Reposted by Abby Innes
As the EU explores a ban on forever chemicals, the UK announces a plan to make a plan of what to maybe do about PFAS. How many people are being exposed to harmful chemicals while the government dithers?
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The EU is working on a blanket ban of ‘forever chemicals’. Why isn't Britain? | Pippa Neill
I met people living with dangerous levels of Pfas, including in their food. The government is failing them, says environmental journalist Pippa Neill
www.theguardian.com
February 13, 2026 at 11:47 AM
As the EU explores a ban on forever chemicals, the UK announces a plan to make a plan of what to maybe do about PFAS. How many people are being exposed to harmful chemicals while the government dithers?
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Abby Innes
Great proposal this. Continues to be incredibly funny and incredibly stupid that for years we've *banned* bus and rail operators "colluding" to make their timetables integrate with each other.
Fantastic to see my Mini Switzerland idea covered by the BBC.
It captures so many people’s imaginations because it’s both obvious, simple and yet - from where we are today - unspeakably radical.
Please share!
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
It captures so many people’s imaginations because it’s both obvious, simple and yet - from where we are today - unspeakably radical.
Please share!
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
'Mini Switzerland' plan for Peak District transport network
The idea would see buses arriving before trains pull into stations to improve connectivity.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 16, 2026 at 11:53 AM
Great proposal this. Continues to be incredibly funny and incredibly stupid that for years we've *banned* bus and rail operators "colluding" to make their timetables integrate with each other.
Reposted by Abby Innes
White supremist Peter Thiel, whose tech company Palantir (managed in the UK by the facist Oswald Mosley's grandson) has been inserted into the UK's NHS & defence infrastructure... not sure if he wants the human race to survive.🔻
Peter Thiel - Palantir #PeterThiel #Manipulator
"You would prefer the human race to endure, right?" IDK🤷♂️
"You would prefer the human race to endure, right?" IDK🤷♂️
February 16, 2026 at 12:00 PM
White supremist Peter Thiel, whose tech company Palantir (managed in the UK by the facist Oswald Mosley's grandson) has been inserted into the UK's NHS & defence infrastructure... not sure if he wants the human race to survive.🔻
Reposted by Abby Innes
60 cases of measles in Enfield, all unvaccinated, 1 in 5 hospitalised
Well done anti-vaxers, slow clap 👏
64.3% of five-year-olds in Enfield are vaccinated, 95% is needed to prevent outbreaks
Measles is 6 x more infectious than Covid
Well done anti-vaxers, slow clap 👏
64.3% of five-year-olds in Enfield are vaccinated, 95% is needed to prevent outbreaks
Measles is 6 x more infectious than Covid
Fast-spreading measles outbreak takes hold among under-10s in north London
UK Health Security Agency urges parents in Enfield to get their children vaccinated as Easter holiday travels approach
www.theguardian.com
February 16, 2026 at 4:59 AM
60 cases of measles in Enfield, all unvaccinated, 1 in 5 hospitalised
Well done anti-vaxers, slow clap 👏
64.3% of five-year-olds in Enfield are vaccinated, 95% is needed to prevent outbreaks
Measles is 6 x more infectious than Covid
Well done anti-vaxers, slow clap 👏
64.3% of five-year-olds in Enfield are vaccinated, 95% is needed to prevent outbreaks
Measles is 6 x more infectious than Covid
The ecological crisis is unprecedented in scale and scope, so no, countries have not had to do this before, but you’d have to be wilfully blind to think they don’t have to do it now. You’d also have to be kidding or paid to say that harnessing wind and sun is more primitive than burning fossil fuels
"No country has ever attempted to rip out its economic infrastructure and replace it with something more primitive" says person who co-founded a campaign for the UK to leave the largest trading bloc in the world, wreaking havoc on the country's economic infrastructure.
February 16, 2026 at 9:27 AM
The ecological crisis is unprecedented in scale and scope, so no, countries have not had to do this before, but you’d have to be wilfully blind to think they don’t have to do it now. You’d also have to be kidding or paid to say that harnessing wind and sun is more primitive than burning fossil fuels
Reposted by Abby Innes
I don't think Starmer has any conception of the "teaching" role of the premiership: the responsibility (& opportunity) to talk to the public, to shape how they understand the world & the choices before them.
All the most impactful PMs have been teachers. Starmer seems actively to repudiate the role
All the most impactful PMs have been teachers. Starmer seems actively to repudiate the role
I simply do not understand why the PM himself is not banging on about this. Planned increases in defence expenditure are going to necessitate some hideous fiscal trade offs. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Top British and German military chiefs press ‘moral’ case for rearmament
Defence leaders write joint appeal urging public on need to be prepared for war with Russia and resulting costs
www.theguardian.com
February 15, 2026 at 10:01 PM
I don't think Starmer has any conception of the "teaching" role of the premiership: the responsibility (& opportunity) to talk to the public, to shape how they understand the world & the choices before them.
All the most impactful PMs have been teachers. Starmer seems actively to repudiate the role
All the most impactful PMs have been teachers. Starmer seems actively to repudiate the role
Reposted by Abby Innes
The Guardian leader brings this out very well. Letting the World Service die would be a form of unilateral disarmament in the info war between truth and lies.
February 15, 2026 at 8:19 PM
The Guardian leader brings this out very well. Letting the World Service die would be a form of unilateral disarmament in the info war between truth and lies.
Reposted by Abby Innes
I think it's wrong to describe the World Service as "soft power". It's actually "info power". And these days that's a very hard form of power indeed.
And another bites the dust?
The BBC World Service will run out of funding in just seven weeks. Its funding arrangement with the Foreign Office finishes at the end of March. There is no plan for what happens next.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The BBC World Service will run out of funding in just seven weeks. Its funding arrangement with the Foreign Office finishes at the end of March. There is no plan for what happens next.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The Guardian view on the BBC World Service: this is London calling | Editorial
Editorial: With just seven weeks before its funding runs out, the UK’s greatest cultural asset and most trusted international news organisation must be supported
www.theguardian.com
February 15, 2026 at 8:05 PM
I think it's wrong to describe the World Service as "soft power". It's actually "info power". And these days that's a very hard form of power indeed.
Reposted by Abby Innes
Someone has sure already made this observation but the fact they can convert all those empty warehouses into prison camps means they could have converted them into housing, community centers, job training centers or, hell, libraries or schools all along. It’s always a matter of will not resources.
February 15, 2026 at 5:30 PM
Someone has sure already made this observation but the fact they can convert all those empty warehouses into prison camps means they could have converted them into housing, community centers, job training centers or, hell, libraries or schools all along. It’s always a matter of will not resources.
Reposted by Abby Innes
Russia’s Wagner Group pivots to European sabotage, say western officials ft.trib.al/dtjheVT
Russia’s Wagner Group pivots to European sabotage, say western officials
Recruiters are said to be targeting ‘disposable’ agents for ops on Nato soil
ft.trib.al
February 15, 2026 at 6:10 PM
Russia’s Wagner Group pivots to European sabotage, say western officials ft.trib.al/dtjheVT
Reposted by Abby Innes
All hail the glorious MAGAmenbashi!
Trump’s Relentless Self-Promotion Fosters an American Cult of Personality
www.nytimes.com
February 15, 2026 at 7:37 PM
All hail the glorious MAGAmenbashi!
Reposted by Abby Innes
In bookstores in the UK on May 21
Very much looking forward to this
Very much looking forward to this
February 13, 2026 at 10:50 AM
In bookstores in the UK on May 21
Very much looking forward to this
Very much looking forward to this
Reposted by Abby Innes
19 people.
The pace at which US wealth concentration is rising is simply staggering
The concentration of AI wealth into the hands of a few tech barons + plutocratic capture ==> unchartered territory
The concentration of AI wealth into the hands of a few tech barons + plutocratic capture ==> unchartered territory
February 15, 2026 at 3:14 PM
19 people.
Reposted by Abby Innes
In a sense there's already two tiers of citizenship since Shamima Begum
This isn't a purely philosophical or semantic argument about what "British" means.
Once you accept different tiers of British citizenship you gain a way to formally discriminate.
USSR documents famously had a "5th line" denoting ethnicity. Stalin's nationalist repressions used this as their basis.
Once you accept different tiers of British citizenship you gain a way to formally discriminate.
USSR documents famously had a "5th line" denoting ethnicity. Stalin's nationalist repressions used this as their basis.
It *literally* does.
Thats what it is. A document which says youre British.
Thats what it is. A document which says youre British.
February 15, 2026 at 2:39 PM
In a sense there's already two tiers of citizenship since Shamima Begum
Reposted by Abby Innes
Two-dimensional piece on AI adoption from Sunak.
Basically, adopt or die. Inject it into every nook and cranny of the public sector and people will love it, you'll see.
This is a recipe for corporate welfare rather than public good.
www.thetimes.com/business/com...
Basically, adopt or die. Inject it into every nook and cranny of the public sector and people will love it, you'll see.
This is a recipe for corporate welfare rather than public good.
www.thetimes.com/business/com...
Rishi Sunak: Every CEO is talking about AI — why aren’t our leaders?
Britain will become a tourist theme park if we don’t fix our productivity problem — Keir Starmer has an opportunity to solve it with technology
www.thetimes.com
February 15, 2026 at 12:55 PM
Two-dimensional piece on AI adoption from Sunak.
Basically, adopt or die. Inject it into every nook and cranny of the public sector and people will love it, you'll see.
This is a recipe for corporate welfare rather than public good.
www.thetimes.com/business/com...
Basically, adopt or die. Inject it into every nook and cranny of the public sector and people will love it, you'll see.
This is a recipe for corporate welfare rather than public good.
www.thetimes.com/business/com...
Reposted by Abby Innes
Note how he's not presenting any ideas, nor telling people why they should vote for him.
He's just insulting everyone else.
He's just insulting everyone else.
When I lived in Japan, far-right parties used to drive around blaring out propaganda from loudspeaker vans. People saw them as public nuisances at best, dangerous nutters at worst. Interesting to see Matt Goodwin adopt the same strategy.
February 15, 2026 at 10:34 AM
Note how he's not presenting any ideas, nor telling people why they should vote for him.
He's just insulting everyone else.
He's just insulting everyone else.
Reposted by Abby Innes
Josh Simons is the minister holding the brief on Labour's flagship tech programme, digital ID. Wonder what impact this will have/is having on the programme, which is already running some months behind the ambitious timeline set out last year.
2nd story on BBC radio 4 bulletins now
Still huge questions to answer about Labour Together smearing journalists and sources
As I revealed yesterday, senior Labour insiders knew - and person who commissioned it, Josh Simons, now a Starmer minister….
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/starmer-al...
Still huge questions to answer about Labour Together smearing journalists and sources
As I revealed yesterday, senior Labour insiders knew - and person who commissioned it, Josh Simons, now a Starmer minister….
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/starmer-al...
February 15, 2026 at 9:59 AM
Josh Simons is the minister holding the brief on Labour's flagship tech programme, digital ID. Wonder what impact this will have/is having on the programme, which is already running some months behind the ambitious timeline set out last year.
Reposted by Abby Innes
Aaaaaaand we have the Polish angle
February 15, 2026 at 10:05 AM
Aaaaaaand we have the Polish angle
Reposted by Abby Innes
Explicit threat by the US to our democracies. Ambassadors should be summoned & this funding stream banned.
February 15, 2026 at 9:09 AM
Explicit threat by the US to our democracies. Ambassadors should be summoned & this funding stream banned.