Gus Ironside
@gusironside.bsky.social
Senior Advocacy Coordinator at Connected Voice Advocacy (Newcastle). Humanist. Profeminist. Music enthusiast/writer. I support the White Ribbon campaign to end men’s violence against women and girls. Silence and inaction are complicity. Views my own.
Pinned
Gus Ironside
@gusironside.bsky.social
· Mar 17
Advocacy, integrity and acts of resistance: being brave in times of adversity – some more personal thoughts by Gus Ironside, Senior Advocacy Coordinator | Connected Voice
connectedvoice.org.uk
My latest blog post for @connectedvoice.bsky.social focuses on how citizen activists can fight back against the rising tide of authoritarianism in the Western world, drawing inspiration from the principles of Independent Advocacy.
#advocacyworks
connectedvoice.org.uk/news-and-inf...
#advocacyworks
connectedvoice.org.uk/news-and-inf...
Reposted by Gus Ironside
I do not understand the Labour government's reticence over defending the BBC and social media regulation. Their long-term survival basically depends on it. Their cowardice in the face of it may be the single thing they are most remembered for.
on.ft.com/3JVxC1Z via @FT
on.ft.com/3JVxC1Z via @FT
BBC faces ‘existential’ threat after exit of top executives
Broadcaster’s deepest crisis in recent history comes amid fresh questions over its future role in British society
on.ft.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:35 AM
I do not understand the Labour government's reticence over defending the BBC and social media regulation. Their long-term survival basically depends on it. Their cowardice in the face of it may be the single thing they are most remembered for.
on.ft.com/3JVxC1Z via @FT
on.ft.com/3JVxC1Z via @FT
Reposted by Gus Ironside
A superb article by Lewis Goodall on the background to the current crisis within the BBC
The reaction to the Panorama edit has been nothing short of hysterical. Yes the BBC has some impartiality problems. But its biggest isn't the one you think.
New piece from me.
open.substack.com/pub/goodalla...
New piece from me.
open.substack.com/pub/goodalla...
The truth about impartiality at the BBC
And the hysteria of the current "crisis"
open.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 10:32 PM
A superb article by Lewis Goodall on the background to the current crisis within the BBC
Reposted by Gus Ironside
Surprised how indignant a lot of people are about Davie’s resignation, given how relentlessly the BBC is criticised on here.
I don’t say the BBC should be beyond criticism. Far from it. But it’s not just the right that’s been steadily undermining it.
I don’t say the BBC should be beyond criticism. Far from it. But it’s not just the right that’s been steadily undermining it.
November 9, 2025 at 10:22 PM
Surprised how indignant a lot of people are about Davie’s resignation, given how relentlessly the BBC is criticised on here.
I don’t say the BBC should be beyond criticism. Far from it. But it’s not just the right that’s been steadily undermining it.
I don’t say the BBC should be beyond criticism. Far from it. But it’s not just the right that’s been steadily undermining it.
Reposted by Gus Ironside
Reposted by Gus Ironside
Zohran Mamdani took New York City by storm last night, with over 50 percent of the vote — despite a torrent of corporate money for Andrew Cuomo.
I was pleased to speak with the new mayor-elect just the other day about his vision for the future. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqU0DAjg0RA
I was pleased to speak with the new mayor-elect just the other day about his vision for the future. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqU0DAjg0RA
A Conversation with Zohran Mamdani
Robert Reich
www.youtube.com
November 5, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Zohran Mamdani took New York City by storm last night, with over 50 percent of the vote — despite a torrent of corporate money for Andrew Cuomo.
I was pleased to speak with the new mayor-elect just the other day about his vision for the future. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqU0DAjg0RA
I was pleased to speak with the new mayor-elect just the other day about his vision for the future. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqU0DAjg0RA
✊✊✊❤️❤️❤️
Watch @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social's inspiring victory speech.
This is the future the Democratic Party must embrace.
Turn the volume up.
This is the future the Democratic Party must embrace.
Turn the volume up.
November 5, 2025 at 7:07 PM
✊✊✊❤️❤️❤️
This is an essential read, by our most courageous investigative journalist, @carolecadwalla.bsky.social
NEW: ‘Nigel Farage is not my friend…he’s just a handsome & stylish English gentleman’
The wife of the Russian agent who Nathan Gill has admitted to accepting bribes from says Nigel Farage is not her ‘good friend’ after saying that he was her ‘good friend’
1/
open.substack.com/pub/broligar...
The wife of the Russian agent who Nathan Gill has admitted to accepting bribes from says Nigel Farage is not her ‘good friend’ after saying that he was her ‘good friend’
1/
open.substack.com/pub/broligar...
'Nigel Farage is Not My Friend...He's Just a Very Handsome Man'
The wife of a Russian spy gets in touch...
open.substack.com
November 2, 2025 at 10:06 PM
This is an essential read, by our most courageous investigative journalist, @carolecadwalla.bsky.social
Reposted by Gus Ironside
We're now at "black people aren't British". Open sewer racism. Look forward to seeing him on QT again soon.
November 2, 2025 at 2:35 PM
We're now at "black people aren't British". Open sewer racism. Look forward to seeing him on QT again soon.
“You may think you live an unexceptional, law-abiding life…(but) maybe you engaged in heretical thought crimes on social media which will allow left or right to destroy your life.”
Important piece by @nickcohen.bsky.social
Important piece by @nickcohen.bsky.social
Big tech is showing Trump and corrupt rulers every where that it can help destroy autocracy’s opponents
Piece from me on the merger of tech and power
open.substack.com/pub/nickcohe...
Piece from me on the merger of tech and power
open.substack.com/pub/nickcohe...
The thug-nerd pact will get us in the end
When paranoid fantasies come true
open.substack.com
November 2, 2025 at 3:28 PM
“You may think you live an unexceptional, law-abiding life…(but) maybe you engaged in heretical thought crimes on social media which will allow left or right to destroy your life.”
Important piece by @nickcohen.bsky.social
Important piece by @nickcohen.bsky.social
Reposted by Gus Ironside
If you're a member of the National Trust remember to vote for council members by midnight tonight.
Use the Quick Vote option.
Entryist pressure group Reform Trust is trying to seize control. Stop them
Voting is quick and easy if your membership card is at hand
secure.cesvotes.com/V3-3-0/nt25/...
Use the Quick Vote option.
Entryist pressure group Reform Trust is trying to seize control. Stop them
Voting is quick and easy if your membership card is at hand
secure.cesvotes.com/V3-3-0/nt25/...
Log In
Welcome to the National Trust 2025 voting website, hosted by independent voting service provider Civica Election Services.
secure.cesvotes.com
October 31, 2025 at 2:19 PM
If you're a member of the National Trust remember to vote for council members by midnight tonight.
Use the Quick Vote option.
Entryist pressure group Reform Trust is trying to seize control. Stop them
Voting is quick and easy if your membership card is at hand
secure.cesvotes.com/V3-3-0/nt25/...
Use the Quick Vote option.
Entryist pressure group Reform Trust is trying to seize control. Stop them
Voting is quick and easy if your membership card is at hand
secure.cesvotes.com/V3-3-0/nt25/...
Reposted by Gus Ironside
🚨🚨Breaking and welcome news: Rob Jetten’s centrist-liberal D66 party has won the #Dutchelection according according to the national press agency ANP, toppling #GeertWilders’ far-right Party for Freedom (PVV). 🧵
www.politico.eu/article/rob-...
www.politico.eu/article/rob-...
Centrist D66 beats the far right to win Dutch election, national press agency announces
Rob Jetten is in pole position to become the new prime minister.
www.politico.eu
October 31, 2025 at 2:12 PM
🚨🚨Breaking and welcome news: Rob Jetten’s centrist-liberal D66 party has won the #Dutchelection according according to the national press agency ANP, toppling #GeertWilders’ far-right Party for Freedom (PVV). 🧵
www.politico.eu/article/rob-...
www.politico.eu/article/rob-...
Perfect Hallowe’en listening…one of my all-time favourite albums.
Siouxsie & the Banshees - Juju.
Siouxsie & the Banshees - Juju.
Juju - YouTube
youtube.com
October 31, 2025 at 1:32 PM
Perfect Hallowe’en listening…one of my all-time favourite albums.
Siouxsie & the Banshees - Juju.
Siouxsie & the Banshees - Juju.
Reposted by Gus Ironside
Lady with necklace, "If we're so concerned about the welfare of women why aren't we investigating the increase in femicide, the increase in domestic violence, increase in assault and sexual harassment"
"And why misogyny is still not a hate crime" #BBCQT
"And why misogyny is still not a hate crime" #BBCQT
October 31, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Lady with necklace, "If we're so concerned about the welfare of women why aren't we investigating the increase in femicide, the increase in domestic violence, increase in assault and sexual harassment"
"And why misogyny is still not a hate crime" #BBCQT
"And why misogyny is still not a hate crime" #BBCQT
Reposted by Gus Ironside
A woman is killed by a man every 3 days in the UK...
78% are murdered by a partner/ex
Yet not once have I heard Reform talk about this
Not once have I heard them back measures to protect women’s safety
In fact, they voted against them...
78% are murdered by a partner/ex
Yet not once have I heard Reform talk about this
Not once have I heard them back measures to protect women’s safety
In fact, they voted against them...
October 31, 2025 at 10:22 AM
A woman is killed by a man every 3 days in the UK...
78% are murdered by a partner/ex
Yet not once have I heard Reform talk about this
Not once have I heard them back measures to protect women’s safety
In fact, they voted against them...
78% are murdered by a partner/ex
Yet not once have I heard Reform talk about this
Not once have I heard them back measures to protect women’s safety
In fact, they voted against them...
Reposted by Gus Ironside
I stayed up all night listening to her new album and then I wrote this about the Lily Allen I know: heawood.substack.com/p/love-and-g...
Love and gaslight:
Obsessing over the Lily Allen I know
heawood.substack.com
October 25, 2025 at 8:41 AM
I stayed up all night listening to her new album and then I wrote this about the Lily Allen I know: heawood.substack.com/p/love-and-g...
Reposted by Gus Ironside
High-ranking Russian officers are running military training programs for Ukrainian children from occupied territories and overseeing a system of youth militarization, an investigation by the Kyiv Indepndent has found.
Russia is preparing Ukrainian children from occupied territories to fight in its war
High-ranking Russian officers are running military training programs for Ukrainian children from occupied territories and overseeing a system of youth militarization, an investigation by the Kyiv Inde...
kyivindependent.com
October 25, 2025 at 3:24 PM
High-ranking Russian officers are running military training programs for Ukrainian children from occupied territories and overseeing a system of youth militarization, an investigation by the Kyiv Indepndent has found.
Reposted by Gus Ironside
🌈 We're at the #SafeToBeMe Summit today at Gateshead College - bringing together voices from around the world to stand up for LGBTQ+ rights, inclusion, and action.
👋 Come say hi and learn how our #HateCrime advocacy service can help make a difference.
www.connectedvoice.org.uk/services/adv...
👋 Come say hi and learn how our #HateCrime advocacy service can help make a difference.
www.connectedvoice.org.uk/services/adv...
October 23, 2025 at 8:17 AM
🌈 We're at the #SafeToBeMe Summit today at Gateshead College - bringing together voices from around the world to stand up for LGBTQ+ rights, inclusion, and action.
👋 Come say hi and learn how our #HateCrime advocacy service can help make a difference.
www.connectedvoice.org.uk/services/adv...
👋 Come say hi and learn how our #HateCrime advocacy service can help make a difference.
www.connectedvoice.org.uk/services/adv...
Reposted by Gus Ironside
🇺🇸 🔥 That. Was. Impressive.
We are watching America reassert itself and its values from the grassroots up. The world saw you and we have huge hope invested in you.
We are watching America reassert itself and its values from the grassroots up. The world saw you and we have huge hope invested in you.
October 19, 2025 at 11:04 AM
🇺🇸 🔥 That. Was. Impressive.
We are watching America reassert itself and its values from the grassroots up. The world saw you and we have huge hope invested in you.
We are watching America reassert itself and its values from the grassroots up. The world saw you and we have huge hope invested in you.
I made a playlist for Advocacy Awareness Week! What a busy week it was - great to meet old friends and new at National Advocacy Conference in Birmingham, attend a North-East Anti-Racism Coalition event, and speak at ‘Adversity to Diversity’ Hate Crime Conference in South Shields. #AdvocacyWorks
Advocacy Songs
spotify.link
October 19, 2025 at 4:53 PM
I made a playlist for Advocacy Awareness Week! What a busy week it was - great to meet old friends and new at National Advocacy Conference in Birmingham, attend a North-East Anti-Racism Coalition event, and speak at ‘Adversity to Diversity’ Hate Crime Conference in South Shields. #AdvocacyWorks
Reposted by Gus Ironside
With the mainstream media steadily moving to the right, it is more urgent than ever that we have independent, ethical media outlets willing to speak truth to power. Citizen journalism can be a powerful force for good and James Joughin issues a call to arms in his piece for @sussexbylines.co.uk
Come writers and critics throughout the land, editors too, come lend a hand
A call for would-be citizen journalists to join the Sussex team in speaking truth to power
sussexbylines.co.uk
October 19, 2025 at 10:44 AM
With the mainstream media steadily moving to the right, it is more urgent than ever that we have independent, ethical media outlets willing to speak truth to power. Citizen journalism can be a powerful force for good and James Joughin issues a call to arms in his piece for @sussexbylines.co.uk
Reposted by Gus Ironside
For #NationalHateCrimeAwarenessWeek, we’re spotlighting the Hate ID App - developed with @durhamuniversity.bsky.social and @northumbriauni.bsky.social .
Helping you quickly identify hate incidents and connect victims to support.
📲 Download the Hate ID App now:
👉 play.google.com/store/apps/d....
Helping you quickly identify hate incidents and connect victims to support.
📲 Download the Hate ID App now:
👉 play.google.com/store/apps/d....
October 17, 2025 at 12:22 PM
For #NationalHateCrimeAwarenessWeek, we’re spotlighting the Hate ID App - developed with @durhamuniversity.bsky.social and @northumbriauni.bsky.social .
Helping you quickly identify hate incidents and connect victims to support.
📲 Download the Hate ID App now:
👉 play.google.com/store/apps/d....
Helping you quickly identify hate incidents and connect victims to support.
📲 Download the Hate ID App now:
👉 play.google.com/store/apps/d....
October 17, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Reposted by Gus Ironside
When it comes to inciting violence Elon Musk is as great a danger as Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping. Why can’t the government treat Musk as a hostile force and Tommy Robinson and all others who take Musk’s money as threats to national security?
Piece from me
open.substack.com/pub/nickcohe...
Piece from me
open.substack.com/pub/nickcohe...
Why isn’t it treasonable to take Musk’s money?
Tommy Robinson and the threat from MAGA America
open.substack.com
October 16, 2025 at 8:34 AM
When it comes to inciting violence Elon Musk is as great a danger as Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping. Why can’t the government treat Musk as a hostile force and Tommy Robinson and all others who take Musk’s money as threats to national security?
Piece from me
open.substack.com/pub/nickcohe...
Piece from me
open.substack.com/pub/nickcohe...
Reposted by Gus Ironside
🕯️ It’s #NationalHateCrimeAwarenessWeek — we’re highlighting how our #HateCrime Advocacy service supports people affected by hate.
💬 Real stories. Real impact.
🔗 connectedvoice.org.uk/.../hate-crime
#WeStandTogether #nationalhcaw @nationalhcaw.bsky.social
💬 Real stories. Real impact.
🔗 connectedvoice.org.uk/.../hate-crime
#WeStandTogether #nationalhcaw @nationalhcaw.bsky.social
October 15, 2025 at 10:59 AM
🕯️ It’s #NationalHateCrimeAwarenessWeek — we’re highlighting how our #HateCrime Advocacy service supports people affected by hate.
💬 Real stories. Real impact.
🔗 connectedvoice.org.uk/.../hate-crime
#WeStandTogether #nationalhcaw @nationalhcaw.bsky.social
💬 Real stories. Real impact.
🔗 connectedvoice.org.uk/.../hate-crime
#WeStandTogether #nationalhcaw @nationalhcaw.bsky.social