Antony Carpen
@acarpen.bsky.social
Ex-Whitehall type still with views on public policy, but now local historian in Cambridge (UK) blogging at https://lostcambridge.com/ - also writing about the future of the city on The Cambridge Town Owl.
Reposted by Antony Carpen
"We have argued previously that a much broader set of revenue-raising fiscal options should be made available to councils, and the responses to this survey indicate that the sector agrees." lgiu.org/wp-content/u... One for #Localgov ppl.
January 3, 2026 at 11:34 PM
"We have argued previously that a much broader set of revenue-raising fiscal options should be made available to councils, and the responses to this survey indicate that the sector agrees." lgiu.org/wp-content/u... One for #Localgov ppl.
Reposted by Antony Carpen
I wrote for @theleaduk.bsky.social about Labours five big tests this year: the economy, public services, the rising far-right, Britains place in the world and Starmer’s own authority.
open.substack.com/pub/theleadu...
open.substack.com/pub/theleadu...
More energy, more passion: The five big tests for Labour in 2026
The government must think bigger and braver than they did in 2025.
open.substack.com
January 3, 2026 at 8:55 PM
I wrote for @theleaduk.bsky.social about Labours five big tests this year: the economy, public services, the rising far-right, Britains place in the world and Starmer’s own authority.
open.substack.com/pub/theleadu...
open.substack.com/pub/theleadu...
Which is sort of similar to what happened following the collapse of the Soviet Union - Cuba had preferential trade agreements. "The Soviets paid over 11 times the world price for Cuban sugar and continued to export subsidized oil to Cuba" www.urbanequityinstitute.org/the-dissolut...
January 3, 2026 at 8:45 PM
Which is sort of similar to what happened following the collapse of the Soviet Union - Cuba had preferential trade agreements. "The Soviets paid over 11 times the world price for Cuban sugar and continued to export subsidized oil to Cuba" www.urbanequityinstitute.org/the-dissolut...
Parliament is back on Monday (whatson.parliament.uk/commons/2026...) - expect a statement from the PM on Venezuela given the couple of paragraphs in the press release from Downing Street just now. MPs will want far more.
What's on - UK Parliament
Find out what's on in Parliament. Day by day events for the House of Commons, House of Lords and Committees.
whatson.parliament.uk
January 3, 2026 at 8:41 PM
Parliament is back on Monday (whatson.parliament.uk/commons/2026...) - expect a statement from the PM on Venezuela given the couple of paragraphs in the press release from Downing Street just now. MPs will want far more.
Reposted by Antony Carpen
Reagan gave Thatcher a few hours before and she was famously furious about it. Also Grenada was in the commonwealth.
January 3, 2026 at 8:15 PM
Reagan gave Thatcher a few hours before and she was famously furious about it. Also Grenada was in the commonwealth.
Reposted by Antony Carpen
Experts Point To Long, Glorious History Of Successful U.S. Bombing Campaigns https://theonion.com/experts-point-to-long-glorious-history-of-successful-u-1819575498/
Experts Point To Long, Glorious History Of Successful U.S. Bombing Campaigns
WASHINGTON—In light of increased pressure on President Obama to order a military strike on Syria, leading historians and military experts on Tuesday simply pointed to the United States’ longstanding a...
theonion.com
January 3, 2026 at 7:30 PM
Experts Point To Long, Glorious History Of Successful U.S. Bombing Campaigns https://theonion.com/experts-point-to-long-glorious-history-of-successful-u-1819575498/
"Speaking to PoliticsHome, the leader of Labour-led Camden council Richard Olszewski said it was “obvious” that the council is “not immune to what's happening nationally”. www.politicshome.com/news/article... Which also reflects how over-centralised the UK is.
'We've Got A Tough Fight': Labour Braces For Council Losses In London Heartlands
Labour is steeling itself for bruising results nationwide at the May local elections. However, there's one part of the country where party sources ...
www.politicshome.com
January 3, 2026 at 6:24 PM
"Speaking to PoliticsHome, the leader of Labour-led Camden council Richard Olszewski said it was “obvious” that the council is “not immune to what's happening nationally”. www.politicshome.com/news/article... Which also reflects how over-centralised the UK is.
Reposted by Antony Carpen
What makes Big AI a new form of empire?
From the archive: @karenhao.bsky.social spoke to @carolecadwalla.bsky.social about the meteoric rise of OpenAI citizensreunited.substack.com/p/empire-of-...
From the archive: @karenhao.bsky.social spoke to @carolecadwalla.bsky.social about the meteoric rise of OpenAI citizensreunited.substack.com/p/empire-of-...
‘Empire of AI’ with Karen Hao & Carole Cadwalladr
A recording from The Citizens's live video
citizensreunited.substack.com
January 3, 2026 at 4:56 PM
What makes Big AI a new form of empire?
From the archive: @karenhao.bsky.social spoke to @carolecadwalla.bsky.social about the meteoric rise of OpenAI citizensreunited.substack.com/p/empire-of-...
From the archive: @karenhao.bsky.social spoke to @carolecadwalla.bsky.social about the meteoric rise of OpenAI citizensreunited.substack.com/p/empire-of-...
"Four months after @zackpolanski.bsky.social became leader, membership of the Greens in England and Wales has shot up from about 70,000 to well over 180,000". Would also be interesting to hear what impact joining and getting involved in 'face-to-face' meetings/actions has had on people's wellbeing >
Interview: ‘We were missing in the conversation’: how Zack Polanski hit on plan to beat Reform at their own game
‘We were missing in the conversation’: how Zack Polanski hit on plan to beat Reform at their own game
This time last year Polanski was barely known outside the party. Now he’s hoping for success at May’s local elections – by taking a page from Nigel Farage’s playbook
www.theguardian.com
January 3, 2026 at 4:48 PM
"Four months after @zackpolanski.bsky.social became leader, membership of the Greens in England and Wales has shot up from about 70,000 to well over 180,000". Would also be interesting to hear what impact joining and getting involved in 'face-to-face' meetings/actions has had on people's wellbeing >
Reposted by Antony Carpen
'“The old equation of the university as a passport to social mobility, meant that if you got a degree you were almost certain to get a job as a socially mobile citizen." (Kapur).
Might want to examine some of the abundant data on this topic before swallowing this hook, line and sinker. 2/2
Might want to examine some of the abundant data on this topic before swallowing this hook, line and sinker. 2/2
The Opportunity Index - The Sutton Trust
An unprecedented insight into the geography of opportunity and social mobility in England.
www.suttontrust.com
January 3, 2026 at 3:09 PM
'“The old equation of the university as a passport to social mobility, meant that if you got a degree you were almost certain to get a job as a socially mobile citizen." (Kapur).
Might want to examine some of the abundant data on this topic before swallowing this hook, line and sinker. 2/2
Might want to examine some of the abundant data on this topic before swallowing this hook, line and sinker. 2/2
Reposted by Antony Carpen
Pretty much.
"Head of State immunity for me, but not for thee."
"Head of State immunity for me, but not for thee."
Marco Rubio is reportedly saying Maduro will stand trial in US courts.
Which means it’s now the US administration’s position that US courts can hold foreign presidents, but not the US president, accountable for crimes.
Which means it’s now the US administration’s position that US courts can hold foreign presidents, but not the US president, accountable for crimes.
January 3, 2026 at 3:32 PM
Pretty much.
"Head of State immunity for me, but not for thee."
"Head of State immunity for me, but not for thee."
Reposted by Antony Carpen
Night after night, children, adolescents and young adults took the mic to ask the same thing: “How do I make friends?” Malala Yousafzai writes in the Prospect diary on the loneliness epidemic among young people.
Why are young people struggling to make friends?
Plus, the perils of writing a memoir, and how to find your gang
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
January 3, 2026 at 3:22 PM
Night after night, children, adolescents and young adults took the mic to ask the same thing: “How do I make friends?” Malala Yousafzai writes in the Prospect diary on the loneliness epidemic among young people.
Reposted by Antony Carpen
Twelve places in labour history sslh.org.uk/tag/place-in...
December 25, 2025 at 9:14 AM
Twelve places in labour history sslh.org.uk/tag/place-in...
Different Cambridge, but here’s a #Localgov challenge for those of you who do New Year’s Resolutions. (I don’t).
Sometimes I really wonder about these City of Cambridge daily emails.
Who in their right mind would make a New Year's Resolution to follow municipal government on social media? (!)
[ Also, does anyone outside of the PR marketing word say "on social"? Not anyone that I know? ]
Who in their right mind would make a New Year's Resolution to follow municipal government on social media? (!)
[ Also, does anyone outside of the PR marketing word say "on social"? Not anyone that I know? ]
January 3, 2026 at 2:29 PM
Different Cambridge, but here’s a #Localgov challenge for those of you who do New Year’s Resolutions. (I don’t).
Reposted by Antony Carpen
I talked to the Cambridge Independent about the unearned credibility publishers like @theguardian.com are lending to AI companies for this fascinating article by Mike Scialom "Exploring 2026’s crucial battleground between publishers and AI bots" www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/business/exp...
Exploring 2026’s crucial battleground between publishers and AI bots
Six million websites block GPTbots, says CJBS’ Dr Emma Briant.
www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk
January 3, 2026 at 12:55 PM
I talked to the Cambridge Independent about the unearned credibility publishers like @theguardian.com are lending to AI companies for this fascinating article by Mike Scialom "Exploring 2026’s crucial battleground between publishers and AI bots" www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/business/exp...
Reposted by Antony Carpen
Tl:dr is not that surprising that perceptions of division have risen in recent years, and while a majority think those divisions are surmountable, there is growing pessimism on it. Key split between socially liberal/conservative groups is whether wealth/migration is our biggest divide.
January 3, 2026 at 2:15 PM
Tl:dr is not that surprising that perceptions of division have risen in recent years, and while a majority think those divisions are surmountable, there is growing pessimism on it. Key split between socially liberal/conservative groups is whether wealth/migration is our biggest divide.
Reposted by Antony Carpen
There is also a trend on likelihood to vote, those who tend to opt out of voting or say they are less likely to vote are more likely to say they feel our differences are insurmountable, maybe reflecting a pessimism that participation in the political system can make a difference.
January 3, 2026 at 2:15 PM
There is also a trend on likelihood to vote, those who tend to opt out of voting or say they are less likely to vote are more likely to say they feel our differences are insurmountable, maybe reflecting a pessimism that participation in the political system can make a difference.
1) How did this get planning permission?
2) Can’t have done much for the value of neighbouring properties but then that’s not a valid reason to refuse a planning application
2) Can’t have done much for the value of neighbouring properties but then that’s not a valid reason to refuse a planning application
For connoisseurs of utterly mental extensions on mundane houses (via reddit)
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/1...
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/1...
January 3, 2026 at 2:08 PM
1) How did this get planning permission?
2) Can’t have done much for the value of neighbouring properties but then that’s not a valid reason to refuse a planning application
2) Can’t have done much for the value of neighbouring properties but then that’s not a valid reason to refuse a planning application
Reposted by Antony Carpen
It’s as if the FIFA Peace Prize means nothing.
January 3, 2026 at 10:42 AM
It’s as if the FIFA Peace Prize means nothing.
Reposted by Antony Carpen
1. Maduro is not a good guy by any stretch of the imagination.
2. But capturing him through an extra-legal action that violates international law undermines any US credibility with Russia in Ukraine and China with Taiwan.
3. We have a terrible history with topping leaders without a post-war plan.
2. But capturing him through an extra-legal action that violates international law undermines any US credibility with Russia in Ukraine and China with Taiwan.
3. We have a terrible history with topping leaders without a post-war plan.
January 3, 2026 at 1:40 PM
1. Maduro is not a good guy by any stretch of the imagination.
2. But capturing him through an extra-legal action that violates international law undermines any US credibility with Russia in Ukraine and China with Taiwan.
3. We have a terrible history with topping leaders without a post-war plan.
2. But capturing him through an extra-legal action that violates international law undermines any US credibility with Russia in Ukraine and China with Taiwan.
3. We have a terrible history with topping leaders without a post-war plan.
Arrived today from 1982 on adult education & lifelong learning. Thatcher’s Govt abolished the publishers & all of the knowledge was scattered into the wind. 😢
January 3, 2026 at 1:59 PM
Arrived today from 1982 on adult education & lifelong learning. Thatcher’s Govt abolished the publishers & all of the knowledge was scattered into the wind. 😢
Reposted by Antony Carpen
"Mexico strongly condemns and rejects the military actions carried out unilaterally ... by armed forces of the United States of America against targets in the territory of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, in clear violation of Article 2 of the [UN] Charter"
www.gob.mx/sre/prensa/m...
www.gob.mx/sre/prensa/m...
January 3, 2026 at 12:41 PM
"Mexico strongly condemns and rejects the military actions carried out unilaterally ... by armed forces of the United States of America against targets in the territory of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, in clear violation of Article 2 of the [UN] Charter"
www.gob.mx/sre/prensa/m...
www.gob.mx/sre/prensa/m...
Reposted by Antony Carpen
📣 CRASSH Research Labs open for applications
Our funded Research Labs programme supports ambitious and innovative collaborative research, bringing together Cambridge researchers with at least one non-academic partner
Apply by 1 February 2026
https://bit.ly/3L71HMI
Our funded Research Labs programme supports ambitious and innovative collaborative research, bringing together Cambridge researchers with at least one non-academic partner
Apply by 1 February 2026
https://bit.ly/3L71HMI
January 3, 2026 at 1:15 PM
📣 CRASSH Research Labs open for applications
Our funded Research Labs programme supports ambitious and innovative collaborative research, bringing together Cambridge researchers with at least one non-academic partner
Apply by 1 February 2026
https://bit.ly/3L71HMI
Our funded Research Labs programme supports ambitious and innovative collaborative research, bringing together Cambridge researchers with at least one non-academic partner
Apply by 1 February 2026
https://bit.ly/3L71HMI
ICYMI. Included in the 2013 Sporting Village plans for #Cambridge:
Hockey pitches (artificial pitches) and facilities
Cycling sport
BMX Track
Outdoor velo race track
1600m closed road cycle track
cambridgetownowl.com/2026/01/02/r...
Hockey pitches (artificial pitches) and facilities
Cycling sport
BMX Track
Outdoor velo race track
1600m closed road cycle track
cambridgetownowl.com/2026/01/02/r...
Revisiting the abandoned Cambridge Sporting Village 2013
The proposals were rejected in 2013 by Cambridge City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council in the creation of what became the current local plan of 2018 – but with Peter Freeman&…
cambridgetownowl.com
January 3, 2026 at 1:16 PM
ICYMI. Included in the 2013 Sporting Village plans for #Cambridge:
Hockey pitches (artificial pitches) and facilities
Cycling sport
BMX Track
Outdoor velo race track
1600m closed road cycle track
cambridgetownowl.com/2026/01/02/r...
Hockey pitches (artificial pitches) and facilities
Cycling sport
BMX Track
Outdoor velo race track
1600m closed road cycle track
cambridgetownowl.com/2026/01/02/r...