Andy Robinson
@andycayenne.bsky.social
Recovering doer of digital things. Mediocre player of multiple musical instruments.
Reminds of that great Charles Kennedy line:
“Paddy Ashdown is the only party leader who’s a trained killer. Although, to be fair, Mrs Thatcher was self-taught”
“Paddy Ashdown is the only party leader who’s a trained killer. Although, to be fair, Mrs Thatcher was self-taught”
Column in which I ask the important question: has Torsten Bell ever killed a man?
economist.com/britain/2026...
economist.com/britain/2026...
February 12, 2026 at 12:37 PM
Reminds of that great Charles Kennedy line:
“Paddy Ashdown is the only party leader who’s a trained killer. Although, to be fair, Mrs Thatcher was self-taught”
“Paddy Ashdown is the only party leader who’s a trained killer. Although, to be fair, Mrs Thatcher was self-taught”
Reposted by Andy Robinson
Waiting rooms aren’t riskier than any other crowded environment…?
I can’t stop laughing.
Of course they are.
You have two groups of people in the waiting room.
montrealgazette.com/news/local-n...
I can’t stop laughing.
Of course they are.
You have two groups of people in the waiting room.
montrealgazette.com/news/local-n...
Worried about catching a bug in a hospital waiting room? Here's what infectious disease experts say
You can lower the risk, but you can't eliminate it. That being said, waiting rooms aren't necessarily riskier than other packed environments.
montrealgazette.com
February 10, 2026 at 6:44 PM
Waiting rooms aren’t riskier than any other crowded environment…?
I can’t stop laughing.
Of course they are.
You have two groups of people in the waiting room.
montrealgazette.com/news/local-n...
I can’t stop laughing.
Of course they are.
You have two groups of people in the waiting room.
montrealgazette.com/news/local-n...
Reposted by Andy Robinson
SDinGov 2026 Call for Sessions is open: govservicedesign.net/call-sessions
Conference theme: Democratising Design
/ @sdingov.bsky.social
Conference theme: Democratising Design
/ @sdingov.bsky.social
Call for Sessions
Our SDinGov call for sessions is now open
govservicedesign.net
February 1, 2026 at 4:28 PM
SDinGov 2026 Call for Sessions is open: govservicedesign.net/call-sessions
Conference theme: Democratising Design
/ @sdingov.bsky.social
Conference theme: Democratising Design
/ @sdingov.bsky.social
Reposted by Andy Robinson
Congrats to the Lib Dems for their successful local elections campaign.
January 28, 2026 at 12:10 PM
Congrats to the Lib Dems for their successful local elections campaign.
Reposted by Andy Robinson
Matt Goodwin makes a living out of railing against university educated elites & his whole schtick is "he was the first person in his family to go to university", which is a bit weird given that his Dad, now being heavily invoked for his Manchester connection, appears to have a string of degrees.
January 27, 2026 at 6:01 PM
Matt Goodwin makes a living out of railing against university educated elites & his whole schtick is "he was the first person in his family to go to university", which is a bit weird given that his Dad, now being heavily invoked for his Manchester connection, appears to have a string of degrees.
Matt Goodwin? Cherry picking data to suit his bullshit? Surely not!
Matt Goodwin makes a living out of railing against university educated elites & his whole schtick is "he was the first person in his family to go to university", which is a bit weird given that his Dad, now being heavily invoked for his Manchester connection, appears to have a string of degrees.
January 27, 2026 at 9:43 PM
Matt Goodwin? Cherry picking data to suit his bullshit? Surely not!
Reposted by Andy Robinson
In my ongoing attempts to give you a break from *gestures widely* THE HORRORS:
Let's talk about the utterly bizarre science of cats' purring.
Here's a weird starting point:
There are NO cats (Felidae) that can BOTH roar AND purr.
Cats that roar = genus Panthera
Cats that purr = genus Felis
Let's talk about the utterly bizarre science of cats' purring.
Here's a weird starting point:
There are NO cats (Felidae) that can BOTH roar AND purr.
Cats that roar = genus Panthera
Cats that purr = genus Felis
January 24, 2026 at 11:12 PM
In my ongoing attempts to give you a break from *gestures widely* THE HORRORS:
Let's talk about the utterly bizarre science of cats' purring.
Here's a weird starting point:
There are NO cats (Felidae) that can BOTH roar AND purr.
Cats that roar = genus Panthera
Cats that purr = genus Felis
Let's talk about the utterly bizarre science of cats' purring.
Here's a weird starting point:
There are NO cats (Felidae) that can BOTH roar AND purr.
Cats that roar = genus Panthera
Cats that purr = genus Felis
Reposted by Andy Robinson
I think part of the reason everyone is so blown away by this Carney speech is it's so long since we heard an actual grown-up articulate serious thoughts about the world. Empty vessels have been making a lot of noise
Mark Carney's speech really is terrific: full text is here and very much worth your time.
The Carney doctrine
Open comment thread on the PM's Davos speech
paulwells.substack.com
January 21, 2026 at 11:28 AM
I think part of the reason everyone is so blown away by this Carney speech is it's so long since we heard an actual grown-up articulate serious thoughts about the world. Empty vessels have been making a lot of noise
Reposted by Andy Robinson
"I've been all right, Jack" is not a great argument for the current dysfunctional ID smorgasbord, which has long caused all manner of damage to vulnerable people in the UK.
Me: We do not need what is a foundational national ID in digital or other form. We have functional IDs that have worked without issue for me for over 5 decades. I remain unconvinced of the necessity & proportionality of a national ID.
www.thetimes.com/article/07af...
www.thetimes.com/article/07af...
Labour’s digital ID ‘will cut red tape and make modern life easier’
Darren Jones, chief secretary to the prime minister, says the voluntary app is a crucial step towards making the state fit for the 21st century
www.thetimes.com
January 17, 2026 at 2:06 PM
"I've been all right, Jack" is not a great argument for the current dysfunctional ID smorgasbord, which has long caused all manner of damage to vulnerable people in the UK.
Reposted by Andy Robinson
Robert Jenrick becomes the latest Tory Cabinet minister to stand up at a Reform event and say the country is in an appalling state. You have no idea of the self-control required not to yell: "YOU WERE IN FKING GOVERNMENT!"
January 15, 2026 at 4:44 PM
Robert Jenrick becomes the latest Tory Cabinet minister to stand up at a Reform event and say the country is in an appalling state. You have no idea of the self-control required not to yell: "YOU WERE IN FKING GOVERNMENT!"
Reposted by Andy Robinson
When I stop laughing I'll provide some insightful analysis.
BREAKING Kemi Badenoch has sacked Robert Jenrick from the shadow cabinet, removed the whip and suspended his party membership.
She says she was "presented with clear, irrefutable evidence that he was plotting in secret to defect" to Reform
She says she was "presented with clear, irrefutable evidence that he was plotting in secret to defect" to Reform
January 15, 2026 at 11:16 AM
When I stop laughing I'll provide some insightful analysis.
Many people need to believe that bad decisions are the main cause of poverty as accepting that bad luck, illness, accident or other things outside their control means it could happen to anyone, including them. Choosing to ignore that helps people sleep at night, even if it is wrongheaded.
We have so much good evidence for cash transfers but so many just refuse to accept that those in poverty can make good decisions.
Spoiler: They used the money just as wisely as anyone else would, and it's so frustrating that this still isn't a common sense assumption to make.
December 30, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Many people need to believe that bad decisions are the main cause of poverty as accepting that bad luck, illness, accident or other things outside their control means it could happen to anyone, including them. Choosing to ignore that helps people sleep at night, even if it is wrongheaded.
Sounds like the other kind of dead cat - as in “even a dead cat will bounce if it falls far enough”…
‘There’s been a Badenoch bounce’: is the Tory leader finally cutting through?
We talk to Tory MPs and officials on Kemi Badenoch’s attempts to turn her party’s fortunes round: and whether she’ll be in post long enough to succeed.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
We talk to Tory MPs and officials on Kemi Badenoch’s attempts to turn her party’s fortunes round: and whether she’ll be in post long enough to succeed.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
‘There’s been a Badenoch bounce’: is the Tory leader finally cutting through?
Conservative insiders say the party and the public are warming to Kemi Badenoch after a difficult first year
www.theguardian.com
December 13, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Sounds like the other kind of dead cat - as in “even a dead cat will bounce if it falls far enough”…
Call my old school, but I’m still holding out for some chaos with Ed Miliband
Finding this quite bizarre, the (growing) number of MPs who will say 'problem is the PM has no politics, is not politically experienced....answer is that we need a *different* hunky man with a long and impressive pre-politics career'.
Come on you are just making this up now
December 9, 2025 at 2:09 PM
Call my old school, but I’m still holding out for some chaos with Ed Miliband
Trying to sign up for a new NatWest bank account. By far the clunkiest, most frustrating user experience I've seen from a bank in many, many years. Currently waiting to get access to the app, which may take 24 hours. Presumably because everything is done via parchment and carrier pigeon.
December 1, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Trying to sign up for a new NatWest bank account. By far the clunkiest, most frustrating user experience I've seen from a bank in many, many years. Currently waiting to get access to the app, which may take 24 hours. Presumably because everything is done via parchment and carrier pigeon.
Reposted by Andy Robinson
Sometimes wonder if what the UK needs is a thinktank that doesn't do any new research, it just repeats obviously true statements that people try to ignore because they're inconvenient.
International students cross-subsidise home students. Your pension is paid for out of general taxation.
International students cross-subsidise home students. Your pension is paid for out of general taxation.
November 25, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Sometimes wonder if what the UK needs is a thinktank that doesn't do any new research, it just repeats obviously true statements that people try to ignore because they're inconvenient.
International students cross-subsidise home students. Your pension is paid for out of general taxation.
International students cross-subsidise home students. Your pension is paid for out of general taxation.
Reposted by Andy Robinson
I am glad you are all enjoying the cricket. I have no idea what the hell you're all talking about but honestly it's nice seeing people on here be happy for a change.
November 21, 2025 at 9:56 AM
I am glad you are all enjoying the cricket. I have no idea what the hell you're all talking about but honestly it's nice seeing people on here be happy for a change.
I’ve often wondered if the cost of cycle-to-work could be better spent by eg cutting VAT on bikes across the board, making cycling cheaper for everyone, inc families buying kids bikes and probably be much easier to implement.
The more people cycling the better for environment and public health.
The more people cycling the better for environment and public health.
Axing the cycle-to-work scheme might seem like low-hanging fruit for a cash-strapped Treasury, but it would be a big mistake. Particularly with expensive kid-carrying cargo e-bikes, it's one of the most effective modal shift levers out there.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Rachel Reeves to cut tax benefits for workers using salary sacrifice schemes to buy bikes
Chancellor expected to introduce new limit on how much can be spent on a bicycle through cycle to work scheme
www.theguardian.com
November 13, 2025 at 11:04 AM
I’ve often wondered if the cost of cycle-to-work could be better spent by eg cutting VAT on bikes across the board, making cycling cheaper for everyone, inc families buying kids bikes and probably be much easier to implement.
The more people cycling the better for environment and public health.
The more people cycling the better for environment and public health.
Reposted by Andy Robinson
Definitely worth paying for a flu jab this year, about £15 at pharmacies!
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
November 9, 2025 at 7:57 AM
Definitely worth paying for a flu jab this year, about £15 at pharmacies!
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
So if the xenophobic bellends don’t win the next election they’ll leave? Oh no! What ever will do?
'Get rid of the migrants or I'll become a migrant' is quite the argument
October 22, 2025 at 1:21 PM
So if the xenophobic bellends don’t win the next election they’ll leave? Oh no! What ever will do?
An excellent - if rather depressing - read.
The most frustrating thing is that it could have been written 10 years ago. The problems are much the same, only worse. The solutions are much the same too, but there is a failure to accept what needs to be done.
The most frustrating thing is that it could have been written 10 years ago. The problems are much the same, only worse. The solutions are much the same too, but there is a failure to accept what needs to be done.
New post just out:
"On the edge"
On my unexpected week in hospital and five things I learnt about the state of the NHS.
(Free to read)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/o...
"On the edge"
On my unexpected week in hospital and five things I learnt about the state of the NHS.
(Free to read)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/o...
On the edge
My week in the NHS
open.substack.com
October 19, 2025 at 1:47 PM
An excellent - if rather depressing - read.
The most frustrating thing is that it could have been written 10 years ago. The problems are much the same, only worse. The solutions are much the same too, but there is a failure to accept what needs to be done.
The most frustrating thing is that it could have been written 10 years ago. The problems are much the same, only worse. The solutions are much the same too, but there is a failure to accept what needs to be done.
Reposted by Andy Robinson
Today is a day when arts degrees are worthless, but the product of those degrees is so valuable it would kill an entire industry if they were made to pay for it.
Nick Clegg says asking artists for use permission would ‘kill’ the AI industry
Nick Clegg says asking artists for use permission would ‘kill’ the AI industry
Paul McCartne, Elton John and others signed an open letter.
buff.ly
October 8, 2025 at 10:29 AM
Today is a day when arts degrees are worthless, but the product of those degrees is so valuable it would kill an entire industry if they were made to pay for it.
Reposted by Andy Robinson
There's a really great MinutePhysics video about the aesthetics- and physics-based reasons for the number of wind turbine blades: youtu.be/pgqkti7yePk
October 3, 2025 at 4:13 PM
There's a really great MinutePhysics video about the aesthetics- and physics-based reasons for the number of wind turbine blades: youtu.be/pgqkti7yePk
This. The number of basic errors that I’ve spotted it make is extraordinary.
The "AI" responses that Google gives about me and my work are consistently error-prone, which I know because I am me. If I know Google's "AI" responses give incorrect answers about things I know about, I can't trust it to give correct answers about things I don't know. So, no, I don't use it.
I’m surprised you don’t use ai answer engines in research you currently do with Google
October 3, 2025 at 10:58 AM
This. The number of basic errors that I’ve spotted it make is extraordinary.
Here’s a thought: Does Farage really want to win the next election? Sure, he loves the attention he gets from his anti-establishment, contrarian shtick but there’s very little to suggest he’s remotely interested in the day-to-day grind of actually being Prime Minister.
🧵Something odd in the strategic choices Reform has made in past few weeks after by any measure a very successful summer. Take this comment, it's just so out of line with British public opinion. Politically damaging for 2 key reasons 1. Brits trust science 2. They don't like Trump
Farage asked on @lbc.co.uk whether he agreed with on the unproven link between paracetamol and autism
“I have no idea... We were told thalidomide was a v safe drug and it isn’t. who knows. I don’t know, you don’t know…when it comes to science I don’t side with anybody. It’s never settled.”
“I have no idea... We were told thalidomide was a v safe drug and it isn’t. who knows. I don’t know, you don’t know…when it comes to science I don’t side with anybody. It’s never settled.”
September 24, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Here’s a thought: Does Farage really want to win the next election? Sure, he loves the attention he gets from his anti-establishment, contrarian shtick but there’s very little to suggest he’s remotely interested in the day-to-day grind of actually being Prime Minister.