Amy Gray
@amygraywrites.bsky.social
Red Duchess, biog of the Duchess of Atholl MP, OUT NOW. Freelance public affairs, small person wrangling, incurable reader, always trying to write. Also on IG.
Pinned
Amy Gray
@amygraywrites.bsky.social
· Aug 28
She’s out today! The remarkable and unfairly forgotten Duchess of Atholl, Scotland’s first woman MP and the Conservatives’ first woman minister, turned the most unlikely rebel in British politics.
Discussing my daughter’s favourite Disney films with her nursery key worker, who hasn’t seen Pocahontas “because it’s one of the old ones”.
I am a withered husk of a woman.
I am a withered husk of a woman.
January 7, 2026 at 6:34 PM
Discussing my daughter’s favourite Disney films with her nursery key worker, who hasn’t seen Pocahontas “because it’s one of the old ones”.
I am a withered husk of a woman.
I am a withered husk of a woman.
I hope British govt is asking for assurances that no US assets based on British soil will be used for action against fellow NATO countries.
Playbook reports that "The Mail’s Defence Editor Mark Nicol reports (not yet online) that the U.S. has been building up its military air forces at its British bases — including heavily armed AC-130 gunships often deployed to back up special forces operations."
January 6, 2026 at 2:53 PM
I hope British govt is asking for assurances that no US assets based on British soil will be used for action against fellow NATO countries.
Playbook reports that "The Mail’s Defence Editor Mark Nicol reports (not yet online) that the U.S. has been building up its military air forces at its British bases — including heavily armed AC-130 gunships often deployed to back up special forces operations."
January 6, 2026 at 2:53 PM
Playbook reports that "The Mail’s Defence Editor Mark Nicol reports (not yet online) that the U.S. has been building up its military air forces at its British bases — including heavily armed AC-130 gunships often deployed to back up special forces operations."
"By circumstance or temperament, some writers can’t or shouldn’t [write every day]. Many people work on timetables run by the needs of others: small children, elderly parents... Their own need to work a job to support themselves or others."
www.theguardian.com/books/ng-int...
www.theguardian.com/books/ng-int...
Dreaming of writing your novel this year? Rip up all the rules!
After 35 years of teaching fiction writing, the prize-winning author shares her wisdom. First tip? Don’t write what you know…
www.theguardian.com
January 5, 2026 at 6:59 AM
"By circumstance or temperament, some writers can’t or shouldn’t [write every day]. Many people work on timetables run by the needs of others: small children, elderly parents... Their own need to work a job to support themselves or others."
www.theguardian.com/books/ng-int...
www.theguardian.com/books/ng-int...
Reposted by Amy Gray
During Fiona Hill's testimony to Congress on Oct 14, 2019, she described how Trump and Putin discussed exchanging Ukraine for Venezuela. The quid pro quo was if Trump refuses to help Ukraine fight off a Russian invasion, Putin would not help Venezuela (a Russian ally) resist a US takeover.
January 4, 2026 at 2:36 AM
During Fiona Hill's testimony to Congress on Oct 14, 2019, she described how Trump and Putin discussed exchanging Ukraine for Venezuela. The quid pro quo was if Trump refuses to help Ukraine fight off a Russian invasion, Putin would not help Venezuela (a Russian ally) resist a US takeover.
Reposted by Amy Gray
Last Sunday’s @thetimes.com cartoon times.newsprints.co.uk/morten-morla...
December 17, 2025 at 12:33 AM
Last Sunday’s @thetimes.com cartoon times.newsprints.co.uk/morten-morla...
Of course #theworldaccordingtoice
Also: people from Latin America are rights-bearing humans in need of liberation, except when they are inhuman scum in need of being violently arrested when they’re in the United States.
January 3, 2026 at 11:35 AM
Of course #theworldaccordingtoice
Do I have this right? This US administration thinks that oppressing your own people and exporting drugs to America is worse than oppressing your own people, exporting extremism and chaos to America and mounting an unprovoked invasion of a sovereign state?
January 3, 2026 at 11:20 AM
Do I have this right? This US administration thinks that oppressing your own people and exporting drugs to America is worse than oppressing your own people, exporting extremism and chaos to America and mounting an unprovoked invasion of a sovereign state?
The most moving bit of radio you will hear today. Hard but also hopeful.
So much respect for the Queen’s commitment to using her profile to advocate for women.
So much respect for the Queen’s commitment to using her profile to advocate for women.
I'd recommend the discussion at 02:10:30 between John and Amy Hunt, the Queen and Theresa May, on the murder of Carol, Hannah and Louise Hunt.
It's a breathtaking insight into misogyny, violence against women, and finding a way to live through unspeakable loss.
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
It's a breathtaking insight into misogyny, violence against women, and finding a way to live through unspeakable loss.
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Today - Theresa May Guest Edits Today - BBC Sounds
Former Prime Minister Theresa May is the sixth and final Today guest editor this year.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 31, 2025 at 9:26 AM
The most moving bit of radio you will hear today. Hard but also hopeful.
So much respect for the Queen’s commitment to using her profile to advocate for women.
So much respect for the Queen’s commitment to using her profile to advocate for women.
Baffling that Dad’s Army, which must be one of the BBC’s most beloved shows ever, is not on iPlayer.
December 21, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Baffling that Dad’s Army, which must be one of the BBC’s most beloved shows ever, is not on iPlayer.
Saw the Christmas Beano a few days ago while out with my son, and thought I’d get a copy for his stocking. But now I can’t find it anywhere! Newsagents, Co Op, Sainsbury’s, TG Jones, WHSmith, M&S. Does it always sell out like this?
December 18, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Saw the Christmas Beano a few days ago while out with my son, and thought I’d get a copy for his stocking. But now I can’t find it anywhere! Newsagents, Co Op, Sainsbury’s, TG Jones, WHSmith, M&S. Does it always sell out like this?
"Yet the experience of the past 14 years, especially towards the end, ought to have illustrated to the Party quite clearly the dangers of laying too heavy an emphasis on recruiting MPs as campaigners."
conservativehome.com/2025/12/18/c...
conservativehome.com/2025/12/18/c...
Candidates. CCHQ is testing heavily for good campaigners - but being good legislators seems irrelevant | Conservative Home
Not only does it lean even further into the natural advantages as prospective candidates enjoyed by councillors, but it will in general select for MPs who conduct themselves like councillors regardles...
conservativehome.com
December 18, 2025 at 11:00 AM
"Yet the experience of the past 14 years, especially towards the end, ought to have illustrated to the Party quite clearly the dangers of laying too heavy an emphasis on recruiting MPs as campaigners."
conservativehome.com/2025/12/18/c...
conservativehome.com/2025/12/18/c...
Reposted by Amy Gray
we can kill them all if we just work together and ✨believe💫
December 15, 2025 at 5:11 PM
we can kill them all if we just work together and ✨believe💫
Reposted by Amy Gray
🚨 The UK government just published a breakdown of the responses to its consultation on AI & copyright:
- 95% of respondents want AI companies to pay for their training data (made up of 88% saying strengthen copyright law, & 7% saying leave it as is)
🧵 1/2
- 95% of respondents want AI companies to pay for their training data (made up of 88% saying strengthen copyright law, & 7% saying leave it as is)
🧵 1/2
December 15, 2025 at 11:22 AM
🚨 The UK government just published a breakdown of the responses to its consultation on AI & copyright:
- 95% of respondents want AI companies to pay for their training data (made up of 88% saying strengthen copyright law, & 7% saying leave it as is)
🧵 1/2
- 95% of respondents want AI companies to pay for their training data (made up of 88% saying strengthen copyright law, & 7% saying leave it as is)
🧵 1/2
Readers of Red Duchess will know that she campaigned against FGM in *1929*. She would be appalled that nearly a century later the practice, and its apologists, persist.
www.thetimes.com/article/f8dc...
www.thetimes.com/article/f8dc...
Criticism of FGM based on ‘western sensationalism’, say academics
The authors of an article in the British Medical Journal proposed replacing ‘female genital mutilation’ with ‘female genital practices’ to avoid stigmatisation
www.thetimes.com
December 15, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Readers of Red Duchess will know that she campaigned against FGM in *1929*. She would be appalled that nearly a century later the practice, and its apologists, persist.
www.thetimes.com/article/f8dc...
www.thetimes.com/article/f8dc...
Obviously any Apple update has its annoying features, but restoring the typing click (which I obviously turned off as soon as I got this phone 3 years ago) is top of my list for this one.
December 11, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Obviously any Apple update has its annoying features, but restoring the typing click (which I obviously turned off as soon as I got this phone 3 years ago) is top of my list for this one.
(Does it count if all those times were 20+ years ago?)
December 11, 2025 at 1:37 PM
(Does it count if all those times were 20+ years ago?)
How many reviews & reports must it take before poor maternity care is fixed? I wasn’t listened to (resulting in a birth injury), my basic needs weren’t met (I had to empty my own catheter bag), I wasn’t fed (arrived on the ward ‘too late’ for tea after 20hr labour) - & that was nearly 7 years ago
December 9, 2025 at 7:23 AM
How many reviews & reports must it take before poor maternity care is fixed? I wasn’t listened to (resulting in a birth injury), my basic needs weren’t met (I had to empty my own catheter bag), I wasn’t fed (arrived on the ward ‘too late’ for tea after 20hr labour) - & that was nearly 7 years ago
Well now I do
Do you ever think about how George Washington had no idea what a dinosaur was.
December 8, 2025 at 8:33 PM
Well now I do
Interesting to note that Trump's govt wants its European allies to "restore their former greatness." Is this an invitation for His Majesty's government to restore the United Kingdom's rule over The Thirteen Colonies of the United States' eastern seaboard?
December 5, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Interesting to note that Trump's govt wants its European allies to "restore their former greatness." Is this an invitation for His Majesty's government to restore the United Kingdom's rule over The Thirteen Colonies of the United States' eastern seaboard?
Nope. No thank you. I would probably resign my membership if this happens.
www.ft.com/content/ecf5...
www.ft.com/content/ecf5...
Nigel Farage tells donors he expects Reform UK will do an election deal with Tories
Rightwing populist party could pursue a merger or pact with the Conservatives
www.ft.com
December 3, 2025 at 10:14 AM
Nope. No thank you. I would probably resign my membership if this happens.
www.ft.com/content/ecf5...
www.ft.com/content/ecf5...
Last night I got stuck behind a huge car which was trying to get between bikes parked on one side and oncoming traffic on the other. Cambridge's streets simply aren't built for cars this size, and we already have a very healthy collection of large potholes.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
'Carspreading’ is on the rise - not everyone is happy
In the UK and across Europe, cars are becoming longer, wider and heavier.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 3, 2025 at 9:50 AM
Last night I got stuck behind a huge car which was trying to get between bikes parked on one side and oncoming traffic on the other. Cambridge's streets simply aren't built for cars this size, and we already have a very healthy collection of large potholes.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Amy Gray
I do not like your AI slop
I do not want this worthless glop
I do not read its overviews
I don't care what Grok says is true
I do not like it here nor there
I'm tired of it everywhere
I do not want this worthless glop
I do not read its overviews
I don't care what Grok says is true
I do not like it here nor there
I'm tired of it everywhere
November 22, 2025 at 1:15 AM
I do not like your AI slop
I do not want this worthless glop
I do not read its overviews
I don't care what Grok says is true
I do not like it here nor there
I'm tired of it everywhere
I do not want this worthless glop
I do not read its overviews
I don't care what Grok says is true
I do not like it here nor there
I'm tired of it everywhere