Ben Crystall
@bencrystall.bsky.social
💚Green cllr & leader of East Herts District Council, and cllr at Hertford Town and Hertfordshire County Council. Former New Scientist journo. Promoted by Alex Daar on behalf of Ben Crystall both at East Herts Green Party c/o 55 Ware High St Ware SG12 9BA 🇵🇸
Honoured to represent East Herts Council at Hertford’s Remembrance event on Sunday, laying a wreath to commemorate men & women of many countries - European, North American, Indian, African, Nepalese, Australian and New Zealander - who fought together against fascism. Never forget.
November 10, 2025 at 9:10 AM
Honoured to represent East Herts Council at Hertford’s Remembrance event on Sunday, laying a wreath to commemorate men & women of many countries - European, North American, Indian, African, Nepalese, Australian and New Zealander - who fought together against fascism. Never forget.
Reposted by Ben Crystall
We were proud to participate in the Remembrance Services today in Hertford, Ware and Buntingford.
Never forget. Never again.
Never forget. Never again.
November 9, 2025 at 8:49 PM
We were proud to participate in the Remembrance Services today in Hertford, Ware and Buntingford.
Never forget. Never again.
Never forget. Never again.
Reposted by Ben Crystall
The resignations of Tim Davie and Deborah Turness must be an opportunity for the BBC to turn a new leaf, rebuild trust and resist those like Nigel Farage who want to destroy it
We must stand up for a strong, independent BBC, to stop Trump’s America becoming Farage's Britain.
We must stand up for a strong, independent BBC, to stop Trump’s America becoming Farage's Britain.
November 9, 2025 at 6:45 PM
The resignations of Tim Davie and Deborah Turness must be an opportunity for the BBC to turn a new leaf, rebuild trust and resist those like Nigel Farage who want to destroy it
We must stand up for a strong, independent BBC, to stop Trump’s America becoming Farage's Britain.
We must stand up for a strong, independent BBC, to stop Trump’s America becoming Farage's Britain.
Reposted by Ben Crystall
BREAKING: Tim Davie resigns as BBC's director-general - with CEO of BBC News also stepping down
news.sky.com/story/tim-da...
news.sky.com/story/tim-da...
Tim Davie resigns as BBC's director-general - with CEO of BBC News also stepping down
Tim Davie has resigned as the BBC's director-general.
news.sky.com
November 9, 2025 at 6:49 PM
BREAKING: Tim Davie resigns as BBC's director-general - with CEO of BBC News also stepping down
news.sky.com/story/tim-da...
news.sky.com/story/tim-da...
Reposted by Ben Crystall
Reposted by Ben Crystall
They remove monuments memorializing Black soldiers who served the United States but restore monuments to traitors who fought against the United States? Disgusting.
1/ The US Government has quietly removed a memorial to Black soldiers who died in World War II from the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten, South Limburg. The move follows a complaint from the right-wing Heritage Foundation to the American Battle Monuments Commission. ⬇️
November 9, 2025 at 11:18 AM
They remove monuments memorializing Black soldiers who served the United States but restore monuments to traitors who fought against the United States? Disgusting.
Reposted by Ben Crystall
The Green Party leader Zack Polanski has just announced two defections from Labour to the Welsh Greens.
Sean Morgan, former Labour leader of Caerphilly Council has joined the Greens.
Former Labour group leader on Carmarthenshire County Council Robert James has also defected.
1/2
Sean Morgan, former Labour leader of Caerphilly Council has joined the Greens.
Former Labour group leader on Carmarthenshire County Council Robert James has also defected.
1/2
November 8, 2025 at 10:42 PM
The Green Party leader Zack Polanski has just announced two defections from Labour to the Welsh Greens.
Sean Morgan, former Labour leader of Caerphilly Council has joined the Greens.
Former Labour group leader on Carmarthenshire County Council Robert James has also defected.
1/2
Sean Morgan, former Labour leader of Caerphilly Council has joined the Greens.
Former Labour group leader on Carmarthenshire County Council Robert James has also defected.
1/2
Reposted by Ben Crystall
Former Labour group leader on Carmarthenshire County Council Cllr Robert James has defected to the Green Party
Green Party leader Zack Polanski has welcomed Robert, who represents Lliedi ward on Carmarthenshire County Council, to the Green Party. Announced at the Wales Green Party conference today.
Green Party leader Zack Polanski has welcomed Robert, who represents Lliedi ward on Carmarthenshire County Council, to the Green Party. Announced at the Wales Green Party conference today.
November 8, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Former Labour group leader on Carmarthenshire County Council Cllr Robert James has defected to the Green Party
Green Party leader Zack Polanski has welcomed Robert, who represents Lliedi ward on Carmarthenshire County Council, to the Green Party. Announced at the Wales Green Party conference today.
Green Party leader Zack Polanski has welcomed Robert, who represents Lliedi ward on Carmarthenshire County Council, to the Green Party. Announced at the Wales Green Party conference today.
Reposted by Ben Crystall
@zackpolanski.bsky.social Not just Vogue! Glamour too!
November 8, 2025 at 2:57 AM
@zackpolanski.bsky.social Not just Vogue! Glamour too!
Reposted by Ben Crystall
But I do suspect the differences in press attention, along with the lack of social media and rolling news, are why people forget how much worse and more prevalent violence was in the 1990s.
I don’t recall commentators freaking out that they were terrified to go to supermarkets.
I don’t recall commentators freaking out that they were terrified to go to supermarkets.
November 3, 2025 at 9:54 AM
But I do suspect the differences in press attention, along with the lack of social media and rolling news, are why people forget how much worse and more prevalent violence was in the 1990s.
I don’t recall commentators freaking out that they were terrified to go to supermarkets.
I don’t recall commentators freaking out that they were terrified to go to supermarkets.
Reposted by Ben Crystall
Who remembers when Nigel Farage told everyone to ignore those ‘clever people’ warning that smoking kills millions of people every year?
November 3, 2025 at 9:07 PM
Who remembers when Nigel Farage told everyone to ignore those ‘clever people’ warning that smoking kills millions of people every year?
Reposted by Ben Crystall
European negotiators were personally targeted by their American counterparts during a brutal negotiation over green shipping rules, European Commission officials told POLITICO.
This highly unusual gambit left diplomats shaken after the meeting.
This highly unusual gambit left diplomats shaken after the meeting.
US accused of threatening EU diplomats during bid to kill green shipping rules
Negotiators at shipping talks in London were told both they and their countries could be punished unless they voted with the U.S.
www.politico.eu
November 3, 2025 at 8:11 AM
European negotiators were personally targeted by their American counterparts during a brutal negotiation over green shipping rules, European Commission officials told POLITICO.
This highly unusual gambit left diplomats shaken after the meeting.
This highly unusual gambit left diplomats shaken after the meeting.
Reposted by Ben Crystall
One in twenty Reform councillors elected in May 2025 has left by the Autumn
- half expelled/suspended
- a quarter resigned from council
- some defected
An "unusual rate" of attrition in 6 months, says Tony Travers
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
- half expelled/suspended
- a quarter resigned from council
- some defected
An "unusual rate" of attrition in 6 months, says Tony Travers
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Reform Is Losing Councillors Elected In May At An 'Unusual' Rate
Reform UK has lost more than 5 per cent of the councillors it had elected six months ago, an analysis by PoliticsHome has found.
www.politicshome.com
November 1, 2025 at 10:58 AM
One in twenty Reform councillors elected in May 2025 has left by the Autumn
- half expelled/suspended
- a quarter resigned from council
- some defected
An "unusual rate" of attrition in 6 months, says Tony Travers
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
- half expelled/suspended
- a quarter resigned from council
- some defected
An "unusual rate" of attrition in 6 months, says Tony Travers
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Reposted by Ben Crystall
The window to act on climate is rapidly closing. Our new 2025 State of the Climate report is just out. Read the full report here: doi.org/10.1093/bios... @michaelemann.bsky.social @dwallacewells.bsky.social @georgemonbiot.bsky.social @ecowarriorss.bsky.social
October 29, 2025 at 7:30 PM
The window to act on climate is rapidly closing. Our new 2025 State of the Climate report is just out. Read the full report here: doi.org/10.1093/bios... @michaelemann.bsky.social @dwallacewells.bsky.social @georgemonbiot.bsky.social @ecowarriorss.bsky.social
Reposted by Ben Crystall
The Home Office may be unfit for purpose, but so is #R4Today. The BBC needs to get their news values right. Deporting someone after accidental release is NOT the most important event of today. Stop following Reform’s agenda. Get rid of Robbie Gibb and his friends. Give us back our impartial BBC!
October 29, 2025 at 8:27 AM
The Home Office may be unfit for purpose, but so is #R4Today. The BBC needs to get their news values right. Deporting someone after accidental release is NOT the most important event of today. Stop following Reform’s agenda. Get rid of Robbie Gibb and his friends. Give us back our impartial BBC!
Reposted by Ben Crystall
Telegraph sale in turmoil after lead bidder linked to China’s politburo
Telegraph sale in turmoil after lead bidder linked to China’s politburo
Media group’s own paper publishes photo of RedBird Capital chair with alleged spy ring chief
The sale of the Telegraph Media Group has been plunged into fresh turmoil after the company’s own newspaper linked its presumed new owner to the suspected ringleader of the alleged Westminster Chinese spy ring.
Wednesday’s edition of the Daily Telegraph published a 2024 photograph of the financier John Thornton shaking hands with Cai Qi, a senior member of the Chinese Communist party’s ruling politburo, raising questions as to whether the British title is being eyed as a means for China to exert foreign influence. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
October 29, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Telegraph sale in turmoil after lead bidder linked to China’s politburo
Reposted by Ben Crystall
We agree - this Labour Government has failed to keep its promises on nature
I’ve tabled a Parliamentary Motion calling out Thames Water’s failures.
Our water system isn’t designed to deliver decent service—it’s built to make water firms rich.
It's high time they were forced to cough up and put right the flooding and pollution across North East Hertfordshire.
Our water system isn’t designed to deliver decent service—it’s built to make water firms rich.
It's high time they were forced to cough up and put right the flooding and pollution across North East Hertfordshire.
October 25, 2025 at 7:20 PM
We agree - this Labour Government has failed to keep its promises on nature
Reposted by Ben Crystall
Reposted by Ben Crystall
Govt reduces London’s affordable housing quotas.
Developers to get subsidies if they include 20% affordable housing instead of current 35% target.
Bigger profits for developers.
Yielding to developers won't solve homelessness and poverty crisis.
Let councils build affordable homes.
Developers to get subsidies if they include 20% affordable housing instead of current 35% target.
Bigger profits for developers.
Yielding to developers won't solve homelessness and poverty crisis.
Let councils build affordable homes.
Ministers confirm plans to reduce London’s affordable housing quotas
Developers will qualify for fast-track planning status if they include 20% affordable housing instead of current 35% target
www.theguardian.com
October 24, 2025 at 6:48 AM
Govt reduces London’s affordable housing quotas.
Developers to get subsidies if they include 20% affordable housing instead of current 35% target.
Bigger profits for developers.
Yielding to developers won't solve homelessness and poverty crisis.
Let councils build affordable homes.
Developers to get subsidies if they include 20% affordable housing instead of current 35% target.
Bigger profits for developers.
Yielding to developers won't solve homelessness and poverty crisis.
Let councils build affordable homes.
Reposted by Ben Crystall
"The problem is not the Albanians. The problem is where to the find the scapegoats for this disastrous decision to leave Europe. It is a disaster."
Prime Minister Edi Rama of Albania on the consequences of Britain leaving the European Union.
Watch in full➡️ bit.ly/4qkZnS0
Prime Minister Edi Rama of Albania on the consequences of Britain leaving the European Union.
Watch in full➡️ bit.ly/4qkZnS0
October 23, 2025 at 9:00 AM
"The problem is not the Albanians. The problem is where to the find the scapegoats for this disastrous decision to leave Europe. It is a disaster."
Prime Minister Edi Rama of Albania on the consequences of Britain leaving the European Union.
Watch in full➡️ bit.ly/4qkZnS0
Prime Minister Edi Rama of Albania on the consequences of Britain leaving the European Union.
Watch in full➡️ bit.ly/4qkZnS0
Reposted by Ben Crystall
🌿Hertford Coffee drop-in
Drop by for a chat and some Green discussion. Everyone welcome, new members especially welcome!
📅 Friday 31st October
🕢 10am-12pm
📌 Mudlarks, 32 Fore Street, Hertford, SG14 1BY
Drop by for a chat and some Green discussion. Everyone welcome, new members especially welcome!
📅 Friday 31st October
🕢 10am-12pm
📌 Mudlarks, 32 Fore Street, Hertford, SG14 1BY
October 22, 2025 at 6:42 PM
🌿Hertford Coffee drop-in
Drop by for a chat and some Green discussion. Everyone welcome, new members especially welcome!
📅 Friday 31st October
🕢 10am-12pm
📌 Mudlarks, 32 Fore Street, Hertford, SG14 1BY
Drop by for a chat and some Green discussion. Everyone welcome, new members especially welcome!
📅 Friday 31st October
🕢 10am-12pm
📌 Mudlarks, 32 Fore Street, Hertford, SG14 1BY
Reposted by Ben Crystall
Reposted by Ben Crystall
Our 2025 East Herts Green Party AGM opened with this brilliant welcome from @zackpolanski.bsky.social
It's all happening
Join.greenparty.org.uk
It's all happening
Join.greenparty.org.uk
October 20, 2025 at 12:38 PM
Our 2025 East Herts Green Party AGM opened with this brilliant welcome from @zackpolanski.bsky.social
It's all happening
Join.greenparty.org.uk
It's all happening
Join.greenparty.org.uk
Reposted by Ben Crystall
Thanks to our volunteers and councillor @rcarterhertford.bsky.social for all the litter picking in Hertford on Sunday
October 20, 2025 at 9:51 AM
Thanks to our volunteers and councillor @rcarterhertford.bsky.social for all the litter picking in Hertford on Sunday
Reposted by Ben Crystall
Lots to celebrate at our AGM!
💚 65% increase in East Herts members in the last 6 months
💚 4 County Councillors
💚 16 District Councillors
💚 12 Hertford Town Councillors
💚 9 Ware Town Councillors
We enjoyed meeting new members and inspiring talks
@20forbuntingford.bsky.social and takethejump.org
💚 65% increase in East Herts members in the last 6 months
💚 4 County Councillors
💚 16 District Councillors
💚 12 Hertford Town Councillors
💚 9 Ware Town Councillors
We enjoyed meeting new members and inspiring talks
@20forbuntingford.bsky.social and takethejump.org
October 20, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Lots to celebrate at our AGM!
💚 65% increase in East Herts members in the last 6 months
💚 4 County Councillors
💚 16 District Councillors
💚 12 Hertford Town Councillors
💚 9 Ware Town Councillors
We enjoyed meeting new members and inspiring talks
@20forbuntingford.bsky.social and takethejump.org
💚 65% increase in East Herts members in the last 6 months
💚 4 County Councillors
💚 16 District Councillors
💚 12 Hertford Town Councillors
💚 9 Ware Town Councillors
We enjoyed meeting new members and inspiring talks
@20forbuntingford.bsky.social and takethejump.org