Ben Williams
@bpwilliams72.bsky.social
Liberal sort. Rambler. Singer. Gamer. Occasional writer. Recovering politico. Former lots of things (inc. Lib Dem Leader's Chief of Staff, Cabinet Office SpAd, Head of Whips' Office). Yorkshire via Essex. Posting in a strictly personal capacity.
Reposted by Ben Williams
Make her the President, America.
Rep. @AOC: I understand that Vance believes shooting a young mother of three in the face three times is an acceptable America that he wants to live in, and I do not. That is a fundamental difference between Vance and I. I do not believe that the American people should be assassinated in the street.
January 10, 2026 at 1:37 AM
Make her the President, America.
Reposted by Ben Williams
He murdered her and then called her a fucking bitch. But the President and Vice President of the United States want you to believe *she’s* the terrorist. Stop the world, I wanna get off.
“Renee Nicole Good calmly said everything was “fine” and “I’m not mad at you” seconds before an on-duty Immigration Customs Enforcement agent fatally shot her in Minneapolis as she drove away, according to a cellphone video shared on Friday by Donald Trump’s White House.”
Renee Nicole Good said ‘I’m not mad at you’ before ICE agent shot her, video shows
Clip first posted by partisan outlet Alpha News shows perspective of ICE agent as Good was fatally shot
www.theguardian.com
January 10, 2026 at 1:40 AM
He murdered her and then called her a fucking bitch. But the President and Vice President of the United States want you to believe *she’s* the terrorist. Stop the world, I wanna get off.
Reposted by Ben Williams
Yesterday Elon Musk retweeted "white solidarity is the only way to survive". In our numb overwhelmed media environment it barely made headlines that the world's richest man endorsed blood-curdling white nationalism. My brief writeup for @religiondispatches.org
religiondispatches.org/elon-musk-ju...
religiondispatches.org/elon-musk-ju...
Elon Musk Just Endorsed Blatant White Nationalism And the Silence is Deafening
On Thursday morning Elon Musk retweeted (with a ‘100%’ endorsement) a post declaring that:
If white men become a minority, we will be slaughtered. Remember, if non-Whites openly hate White men while...
religiondispatches.org
January 9, 2026 at 5:15 PM
Yesterday Elon Musk retweeted "white solidarity is the only way to survive". In our numb overwhelmed media environment it barely made headlines that the world's richest man endorsed blood-curdling white nationalism. My brief writeup for @religiondispatches.org
religiondispatches.org/elon-musk-ju...
religiondispatches.org/elon-musk-ju...
Reposted by Ben Williams
Note that “white women” is underscored. The idea being that they specifically need to be taught a lesson.
The MAGA regime is currently doubling down on its tactical stance of “we will kill women like dogs for merely displeasing us.”
January 10, 2026 at 12:53 AM
Note that “white women” is underscored. The idea being that they specifically need to be taught a lesson.
Reposted by Ben Williams
JFC this is dark. For those who don't know, this is the anthem of choice of a number of far right orgs -- especially beloved by those seeking to "take back" the nation by force, so that it can be a white racial stronghold. Real 14 words stuff from the Groypers running the social media accounts.
January 10, 2026 at 12:49 AM
JFC this is dark. For those who don't know, this is the anthem of choice of a number of far right orgs -- especially beloved by those seeking to "take back" the nation by force, so that it can be a white racial stronghold. Real 14 words stuff from the Groypers running the social media accounts.
Reposted by Ben Williams
What a cursed sentence:
Facebook parent Meta has reached nuclear power deals with three companies as it continues to look for electricity sources for its artificial intelligence data centers.
Meta signs three nuclear power deals to help support its AI data centers
Facebook parent Meta has reached nuclear power deals with three companies as it continues to look for electricity sources for its artificial intelligence data centers.
bit.ly
January 9, 2026 at 4:39 PM
What a cursed sentence:
Reposted by Ben Williams
You could fit the United States of America's entire active participation in The Second War in the gap between now and when the next British General Election has to be called.
To give you an idea of how far in the future the next election is, snd how stupid it is that Labour MPs are giving it any real thought ar this stage, the United States could capture Maduro more than 1200 times between then and now.
Only Reform voters can save Labour
By Luke Akehurst
By Luke Akehurst
January 9, 2026 at 7:43 PM
You could fit the United States of America's entire active participation in The Second War in the gap between now and when the next British General Election has to be called.
Reposted by Ben Williams
NEW
Death in Minnesota
The significance of the reaction to the killing of Renee Nicole Good
By me, at @prospectmagazine.co.uk
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/th...
Death in Minnesota
The significance of the reaction to the killing of Renee Nicole Good
By me, at @prospectmagazine.co.uk
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/th...
January 9, 2026 at 12:33 PM
NEW
Death in Minnesota
The significance of the reaction to the killing of Renee Nicole Good
By me, at @prospectmagazine.co.uk
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/th...
Death in Minnesota
The significance of the reaction to the killing of Renee Nicole Good
By me, at @prospectmagazine.co.uk
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/th...
Reposted by Ben Williams
For historical reasons- ie the, uh, unpleasantness between crown and Parliament centuries ago- when the monarch goes to Parliament for state opening an MP (usually a govt whip) is ‘held hostage’ (which these days I assume means is given tea and nice biscuits) until the monarch is safely returned
Ok folks: what is your favorite fact that you share with people (maybe a bit too) eagerly?
January 9, 2026 at 12:33 PM
For historical reasons- ie the, uh, unpleasantness between crown and Parliament centuries ago- when the monarch goes to Parliament for state opening an MP (usually a govt whip) is ‘held hostage’ (which these days I assume means is given tea and nice biscuits) until the monarch is safely returned
Reposted by Ben Williams
Ah here. The 10 o’clock news on BBV Radio 4 is leading with ‘JD Vance has described a woman shot dead by an ICE officer in Minnesota as a deranged leftist carrying out a terrorist attack’
This is not public service broadcasting
This is not public service broadcasting
So far the BBC’s coverage of the Minnesota killing seems really, really off
Get Verify to verify what happened - NYT, Bellingcat etc already have - and report that
Get Verify to verify what happened - NYT, Bellingcat etc already have - and report that
Evan Davis faux scratching his head on PM as to how there can be such different interpretations of clearly documented incidents (the shooting in Minnesota), right after platforming someone from the Heritage Foundation giving a deliberately false interpretation of events, barely challenged.
January 8, 2026 at 10:04 PM
Ah here. The 10 o’clock news on BBV Radio 4 is leading with ‘JD Vance has described a woman shot dead by an ICE officer in Minnesota as a deranged leftist carrying out a terrorist attack’
This is not public service broadcasting
This is not public service broadcasting
Reposted by Ben Williams
More than a minute in and no mention of the BBC’s own open source team which found nothing that tallies with Vance’s tendentious nonsense
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c1...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c1...
BBC Verify Live: Debunking false claims about Minneapolis ICE shooting
Latest updates from the BBC's specialists in fact-checking, verifying video and tackling disinformation.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 8, 2026 at 10:07 PM
More than a minute in and no mention of the BBC’s own open source team which found nothing that tallies with Vance’s tendentious nonsense
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c1...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c1...
Reposted by Ben Williams
And the BBC package ends with some crap about ‘in these politically charged times, dualling narratives’
WHAT IN THE NAME OF GOD IS GOING ON!?!
There is no dual narratives
An innocent woman was shot dead and the Trump administration is lying about
THAT in the story
WHAT IN THE NAME OF GOD IS GOING ON!?!
There is no dual narratives
An innocent woman was shot dead and the Trump administration is lying about
THAT in the story
January 8, 2026 at 10:09 PM
And the BBC package ends with some crap about ‘in these politically charged times, dualling narratives’
WHAT IN THE NAME OF GOD IS GOING ON!?!
There is no dual narratives
An innocent woman was shot dead and the Trump administration is lying about
THAT in the story
WHAT IN THE NAME OF GOD IS GOING ON!?!
There is no dual narratives
An innocent woman was shot dead and the Trump administration is lying about
THAT in the story
Reposted by Ben Williams
Yesterday I posted my last ever Tweet and called on the Government to do the same.
Read more below on why I think it’s time to leave the cesspit formerly known as Twitter.
www.politicshome.com/opinion/arti...
Read more below on why I think it’s time to leave the cesspit formerly known as Twitter.
www.politicshome.com/opinion/arti...
It is time to leave the cesspit formerly known as Twitter
Grok is just one of many reasons why Westminster should finally get off the website.
www.politicshome.com
January 9, 2026 at 11:55 AM
Yesterday I posted my last ever Tweet and called on the Government to do the same.
Read more below on why I think it’s time to leave the cesspit formerly known as Twitter.
www.politicshome.com/opinion/arti...
Read more below on why I think it’s time to leave the cesspit formerly known as Twitter.
www.politicshome.com/opinion/arti...
Reposted by Ben Williams
Nice use of the word 'batshit' by @anandmenon.bsky.social here, pointing to fundamental problem of British European policy: it baselines off British politics, without taking account of EU position
www.politico.eu/article/meet...
www.politico.eu/article/meet...
January 9, 2026 at 9:32 AM
Nice use of the word 'batshit' by @anandmenon.bsky.social here, pointing to fundamental problem of British European policy: it baselines off British politics, without taking account of EU position
www.politico.eu/article/meet...
www.politico.eu/article/meet...
Reposted by Ben Williams
Great @economist.com piece by @matthewholehouse.bsky.social on state capacity. Am convinced next election winner will be who convinces people Government can actually just *do things* & politicians aren’t powerless to make good on promises. My reframe of Reagan maxim www.economist.com/britain/2026...
January 9, 2026 at 8:44 AM
Great @economist.com piece by @matthewholehouse.bsky.social on state capacity. Am convinced next election winner will be who convinces people Government can actually just *do things* & politicians aren’t powerless to make good on promises. My reframe of Reagan maxim www.economist.com/britain/2026...
Reposted by Ben Williams
On Twitter, Evan Davis once said to me that it was the job of the BBC to present both sides and let viewers decide.
Here he demonstrates the problem with that approach. It manufactures confusion and uncertainty where none need exist.
It supports liars.
Here he demonstrates the problem with that approach. It manufactures confusion and uncertainty where none need exist.
It supports liars.
Evan Davis faux scratching his head on PM as to how there can be such different interpretations of clearly documented incidents (the shooting in Minnesota), right after platforming someone from the Heritage Foundation giving a deliberately false interpretation of events, barely challenged.
January 8, 2026 at 10:21 PM
On Twitter, Evan Davis once said to me that it was the job of the BBC to present both sides and let viewers decide.
Here he demonstrates the problem with that approach. It manufactures confusion and uncertainty where none need exist.
It supports liars.
Here he demonstrates the problem with that approach. It manufactures confusion and uncertainty where none need exist.
It supports liars.
Reposted by Ben Williams
Wow
January 8, 2026 at 10:14 PM
Wow
Reposted by Ben Williams
We're well used to Trump lying, but there is often ignorance of the true facts due to a paucity of reliable information, making it hard to nail them. However, in the past few days we have seen 2 instances of inexcusable outright lies from the White House: this incident and 6 Jan violent insurrection
In two different press conferences roughly one hour apart, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and the White House disagreed about the facts behind Wednesday's fatal ICE shooting in Minneapolis. Federal and state officials are no longer cooperating in the investigation of the incident. n.pr/4sv6DMj
Minnesota and federal officials are no longer cooperating in ICE shooting investigation
In two different press conferences roughly one hour apart, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and the White House disagreed about the facts behind Wednesday's fatal ICE shooting in Minneapolis. Federal and state officials are no longer cooperating in the investigation of the incident.
n.pr
January 8, 2026 at 9:18 PM
We're well used to Trump lying, but there is often ignorance of the true facts due to a paucity of reliable information, making it hard to nail them. However, in the past few days we have seen 2 instances of inexcusable outright lies from the White House: this incident and 6 Jan violent insurrection
Reposted by Ben Williams
So far the BBC’s coverage of the Minnesota killing seems really, really off
Get Verify to verify what happened - NYT, Bellingcat etc already have - and report that
Get Verify to verify what happened - NYT, Bellingcat etc already have - and report that
Evan Davis faux scratching his head on PM as to how there can be such different interpretations of clearly documented incidents (the shooting in Minnesota), right after platforming someone from the Heritage Foundation giving a deliberately false interpretation of events, barely challenged.
January 8, 2026 at 9:28 PM
So far the BBC’s coverage of the Minnesota killing seems really, really off
Get Verify to verify what happened - NYT, Bellingcat etc already have - and report that
Get Verify to verify what happened - NYT, Bellingcat etc already have - and report that
Reposted by Ben Williams
Channel 4 News close to examplary this evening. It pains me to point out that some people working for the broadcast partner of Bari Weiss's CBS News, the BBC, could learn a lot from Matt Frei & Anushka Asthana. But I also wonder how much 'balance' we give to obvious liars, however powerful they are.
January 8, 2026 at 7:13 PM
Channel 4 News close to examplary this evening. It pains me to point out that some people working for the broadcast partner of Bari Weiss's CBS News, the BBC, could learn a lot from Matt Frei & Anushka Asthana. But I also wonder how much 'balance' we give to obvious liars, however powerful they are.
Reposted by Ben Williams
I think this is a mistake twice over - it is being used to defend a strategy that is not working, and can't ever work, but also it is a misread to see 'bloc politics' as, essentially, a cheat code to go 'this means I don't need to care about Conservative-Labour switchers ever again!'
January 8, 2026 at 2:55 PM
I think this is a mistake twice over - it is being used to defend a strategy that is not working, and can't ever work, but also it is a misread to see 'bloc politics' as, essentially, a cheat code to go 'this means I don't need to care about Conservative-Labour switchers ever again!'
Reposted by Ben Williams
This is the key thing to understand - the debate around 'is there bloc politics?' has become, within Downing Street, a proxy for 'is Morgan's political approach workable?' Hence the excitable froth around it you get being briefed out.
What I’m learning from this is there is massive internal pushback in Number 10 (see @georgeeaton.bsky.social’s excellent reporting) on the idea of bloc politics based off one poll. Let’s see what the next wave of the BES brings us eh lads?
Always look under the bonnet of polls before reaching sweeping conclusions.
Even in this poll, left bloc voters are (a) less likely to say they'll vote(b) more likely to say don't know. Ergo more are taken out the sample and/or re-modelled.
Many left bloc voters aren't switching, they are hiding !
Even in this poll, left bloc voters are (a) less likely to say they'll vote(b) more likely to say don't know. Ergo more are taken out the sample and/or re-modelled.
Many left bloc voters aren't switching, they are hiding !
January 8, 2026 at 2:53 PM
This is the key thing to understand - the debate around 'is there bloc politics?' has become, within Downing Street, a proxy for 'is Morgan's political approach workable?' Hence the excitable froth around it you get being briefed out.
Reposted by Ben Williams
oh dear how sad never mind as.ft.com/r/d1a2b813-6...
Russia is running out of money
[FREE TO READ] Go behind the propaganda, and the intensifying strain is evident
as.ft.com
January 8, 2026 at 3:53 PM
oh dear how sad never mind as.ft.com/r/d1a2b813-6...
Evan Davis faux scratching his head on PM as to how there can be such different interpretations of clearly documented incidents (the shooting in Minnesota), right after platforming someone from the Heritage Foundation giving a deliberately false interpretation of events, barely challenged.
January 8, 2026 at 5:23 PM
Evan Davis faux scratching his head on PM as to how there can be such different interpretations of clearly documented incidents (the shooting in Minnesota), right after platforming someone from the Heritage Foundation giving a deliberately false interpretation of events, barely challenged.
The challenge for the UK/EU in terms of geopolitical security is the US's highly polarised politics. Until there is prolonged bipartisan consensus again around a rules-based international order, we cannot afford to trust our security and defence to an alliance with the US. Trump gone isn't enough.
January 8, 2026 at 4:02 PM
The challenge for the UK/EU in terms of geopolitical security is the US's highly polarised politics. Until there is prolonged bipartisan consensus again around a rules-based international order, we cannot afford to trust our security and defence to an alliance with the US. Trump gone isn't enough.