Ruth Hubbard
@itsourcity1.bsky.social
local democracy & governance activist, new municipalism, for citizens & communities working together across difference. Founder It’s Our City! & SOS (Sheffield Oversight & Scrutiny). itsoursheffield.co.uk & sos-sheffield.org.uk
It's Our City! (Sheffield) public fb post on the govt (local governance) amendments to the (misnamed) English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill here:
www.facebook.com/share/p/1CSn...
www.facebook.com/share/p/1CSn...
November 20, 2025 at 12:52 AM
It's Our City! (Sheffield) public fb post on the govt (local governance) amendments to the (misnamed) English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill here:
www.facebook.com/share/p/1CSn...
www.facebook.com/share/p/1CSn...
100% ... :( :(
don't usually make overtly political posts for obvious reasons (and this shouldn't be an overtly political point, really!), but feel compelled to say that this may be the most grotesque three sentences to ever find their into an actual White Paper
November 19, 2025 at 6:08 PM
100% ... :( :(
Reposted by Ruth Hubbard
A welcome climbdown from Government on the rights of existing councils to continue to operate the committee system form of governance. Government amendments today provide a way for some councils to continue to operate committees (for a while, anyway) - will write something more detailed later
November 19, 2025 at 11:06 AM
A welcome climbdown from Government on the rights of existing councils to continue to operate the committee system form of governance. Government amendments today provide a way for some councils to continue to operate committees (for a while, anyway) - will write something more detailed later
Reposted by Ruth Hubbard
Shabana Mahmood is wrong - Another cowardly attack on immigrants does not hide the incompetence of the Starmer government.
Me, for the @newstatesman1913.bsky.social
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
Me, for the @newstatesman1913.bsky.social
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
Shabana Mahmood is wrong
Another cowardly attack on immigrants does not hide the incompetence of the Starmer government
www.newstatesman.com
November 18, 2025 at 12:51 PM
Shabana Mahmood is wrong - Another cowardly attack on immigrants does not hide the incompetence of the Starmer government.
Me, for the @newstatesman1913.bsky.social
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
Me, for the @newstatesman1913.bsky.social
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
Reposted by Ruth Hubbard
Write to your (Labour) MP, now.
More Labour MPs starting to express public unease at these proposals. Lots more saying so privately...
The Prime Minister said in September that we are at a fork in the road. These asylum proposals suggest we have taken the wrong turning.
The idea that recognised refugees need to be deported is wrong.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
The idea that recognised refugees need to be deported is wrong.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
November 16, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Write to your (Labour) MP, now.
Reposted by Ruth Hubbard
The Sun has been told Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood will on Monday propose confiscating jewellery, watches, necklaces from asylum seekers to meet asylum costs
This reflects the most controversial aspect of the Danish scheme - the Jewellery Law. The toughest Labour MPs thought this was OTT
This reflects the most controversial aspect of the Danish scheme - the Jewellery Law. The toughest Labour MPs thought this was OTT
November 17, 2025 at 12:06 AM
The Sun has been told Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood will on Monday propose confiscating jewellery, watches, necklaces from asylum seekers to meet asylum costs
This reflects the most controversial aspect of the Danish scheme - the Jewellery Law. The toughest Labour MPs thought this was OTT
This reflects the most controversial aspect of the Danish scheme - the Jewellery Law. The toughest Labour MPs thought this was OTT
Reposted by Ruth Hubbard
The Prime Minister said in September that we are at a fork in the road. These asylum proposals suggest we have taken the wrong turning.
The idea that recognised refugees need to be deported is wrong.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
The idea that recognised refugees need to be deported is wrong.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Asylum system in UK ‘out of control’ and dividing country, home secretary says
Shabana Mahmood to unveil new proposals modelled on Denmark’s controversial system
www.theguardian.com
November 16, 2025 at 5:45 PM
The Prime Minister said in September that we are at a fork in the road. These asylum proposals suggest we have taken the wrong turning.
The idea that recognised refugees need to be deported is wrong.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
The idea that recognised refugees need to be deported is wrong.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Reposted by Ruth Hubbard
The issue is not whether growth can save democracy. The issue is whether democracy can save us from the economic ideology that demands endless growth without ever meeting basic needs, which must be the absolute priority of every economy, especially if democracy is to be saved from the far right.
October 29, 2025 at 10:26 AM
The issue is not whether growth can save democracy. The issue is whether democracy can save us from the economic ideology that demands endless growth without ever meeting basic needs, which must be the absolute priority of every economy, especially if democracy is to be saved from the far right.
Reposted by Ruth Hubbard
Democratic citizens shouldn’t just wait passively for governments to make decisions, then react to them.
We have the privilege and responsibility to contribute to the public opinion that helps shape those decisions.
We have the privilege and responsibility to contribute to the public opinion that helps shape those decisions.
October 29, 2025 at 11:05 PM
Democratic citizens shouldn’t just wait passively for governments to make decisions, then react to them.
We have the privilege and responsibility to contribute to the public opinion that helps shape those decisions.
We have the privilege and responsibility to contribute to the public opinion that helps shape those decisions.
Reposted by Ruth Hubbard
Brilliant discussion with the fab @graceblakeley.substack.com
on everything from growth to inequality, power & community organising, & how capitalism is actually a “system based on centralised planning & control rather than free markets”, where big biz is protected from consequences of failure👇
on everything from growth to inequality, power & community organising, & how capitalism is actually a “system based on centralised planning & control rather than free markets”, where big biz is protected from consequences of failure👇
The latest episode with Zack Polanski in conversation with Grace Blakeley breaking down the structures that ultimately prop up our inequality is premiering now!
youtu.be/ojrrTf_SD0M
youtu.be/ojrrTf_SD0M
Why Rachel Reeves Is Obsessed With Growth At Any Cost | Grace Blakeley | Zack Polanski
YouTube video by Bold Politics with Zack Polanski
youtu.be
September 26, 2025 at 8:47 AM
Brilliant discussion with the fab @graceblakeley.substack.com
on everything from growth to inequality, power & community organising, & how capitalism is actually a “system based on centralised planning & control rather than free markets”, where big biz is protected from consequences of failure👇
on everything from growth to inequality, power & community organising, & how capitalism is actually a “system based on centralised planning & control rather than free markets”, where big biz is protected from consequences of failure👇
Reposted by Ruth Hubbard
Yesterday we published what I think will be a key document for @citizennetwork.bsky.social - a strategy to create neighbourhoods of care. Although I hope is that it will be adopted in South Yorkshire it will also encourage others to radically reimagine care.
citizen-network.org/library/neig...
citizen-network.org/library/neig...
Citizen Network: Neighbourhoods of Care
A strategy to reorientate care policies to support citizenship and inclusive neighbourhoods.
citizen-network.org
September 25, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Yesterday we published what I think will be a key document for @citizennetwork.bsky.social - a strategy to create neighbourhoods of care. Although I hope is that it will be adopted in South Yorkshire it will also encourage others to radically reimagine care.
citizen-network.org/library/neig...
citizen-network.org/library/neig...
Pushing power out of Westminster into hands of communities? U r joking. In Sheffield we took power as (diverse) communities 2 change our council. Now Clause 57 of the Bill will trash the referendum we won & top down impose the very governance system we rejected. Stop 57. www.itsoursheffield.org.uk
September 17, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Pushing power out of Westminster into hands of communities? U r joking. In Sheffield we took power as (diverse) communities 2 change our council. Now Clause 57 of the Bill will trash the referendum we won & top down impose the very governance system we rejected. Stop 57. www.itsoursheffield.org.uk
@allymcgovern.bsky.social Please read below Alison...
SHEFFIELD CAN’T GO BACK….
It’s Our City! public statement on the government announcement that they intend to overturn the result of Sheffield’s referendum 👇👇🏽
@se13ed.bsky.social @franbelbin.bsky.social @goodlawproject.org
itsoursheffield.co.uk/public-state...
It’s Our City! public statement on the government announcement that they intend to overturn the result of Sheffield’s referendum 👇👇🏽
@se13ed.bsky.social @franbelbin.bsky.social @goodlawproject.org
itsoursheffield.co.uk/public-state...
September 12, 2025 at 4:03 PM
@allymcgovern.bsky.social Please read below Alison...
Reposted by Ruth Hubbard
Democracy relies on mutual understanding and compromise to resolve conflict. Extreme affective polarization makes this form of resolution virtually impossible.
How to Fight Polarization | Journal of Democracy
The world increasingly appears afflicted by “us-them” divides that breed anger, resentment, and violence. But across the globe small local groups are mounting a thoughtful resistance against…
www.journalofdemocracy.org
September 10, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Democracy relies on mutual understanding and compromise to resolve conflict. Extreme affective polarization makes this form of resolution virtually impossible.
Reposted by Ruth Hubbard
You may have missed it (and I don't have a clip) but at the second reading of the Devo Bill Abtisam Mohamed MP (Sheffield Central) highlighted the inequity of Government's abolition of the cttee system... (1/2)
September 4, 2025 at 2:50 PM
You may have missed it (and I don't have a clip) but at the second reading of the Devo Bill Abtisam Mohamed MP (Sheffield Central) highlighted the inequity of Government's abolition of the cttee system... (1/2)
Reposted by Ruth Hubbard
Populism is a mortal threat to liberal democracy, but it rarely hits the mark. The evidence shows that these would-be strongmen require an extraordinary set of circumstances to succeed, which is why they so rarely do.
muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a...
muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a...
September 9, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Populism is a mortal threat to liberal democracy, but it rarely hits the mark. The evidence shows that these would-be strongmen require an extraordinary set of circumstances to succeed, which is why they so rarely do.
muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a...
muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a...
Reposted by Ruth Hubbard
Could we please stop pretending that the flags being hung from streetlamps or painted on roundabouts are innocent expressions of patriotic pride? This is the far right marking out its territory. It uses these flags to intimidate its traditional victims and opponents. 🧵1/3
September 9, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Could we please stop pretending that the flags being hung from streetlamps or painted on roundabouts are innocent expressions of patriotic pride? This is the far right marking out its territory. It uses these flags to intimidate its traditional victims and opponents. 🧵1/3
So @se13ed.bsky.social this is a helluva lot of political ‘churn’ for a Bill to be subject to at this stage. What does the article below say please (paywall)?? 👇
www.room151.co.uk/funding/futu...
www.room151.co.uk/funding/futu...
www.room151.co.uk
September 9, 2025 at 5:15 PM
So @se13ed.bsky.social this is a helluva lot of political ‘churn’ for a Bill to be subject to at this stage. What does the article below say please (paywall)?? 👇
www.room151.co.uk/funding/futu...
www.room151.co.uk/funding/futu...
Of course councils (including local people) should hv the right and freedom to determine their own governance arrangements. Clause 57 is utterly incoherent in relation to what the govt claims it wants to do. (And their evidence-free, misinforming approach to this is bizarre and shameful.)
This isn't, of course, all about cost. We've said before that councils should have the freedom to determine their own governance arrangements and that the removal of that provision is disappointing irrespective of finances. But the failure to address costs, as reported, is a further worry. (7/ends)
September 9, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Of course councils (including local people) should hv the right and freedom to determine their own governance arrangements. Clause 57 is utterly incoherent in relation to what the govt claims it wants to do. (And their evidence-free, misinforming approach to this is bizarre and shameful.)
Reposted by Ruth Hubbard
Arguably moving from the cttee system reopens that settlement, and time and effort will need to be expended understanding the wider impact there on local democracy. Similar considerations apply to Bristol and to a gtr or lesser extent to the other non-shire district cttee system authorities (6/)
September 9, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Arguably moving from the cttee system reopens that settlement, and time and effort will need to be expended understanding the wider impact there on local democracy. Similar considerations apply to Bristol and to a gtr or lesser extent to the other non-shire district cttee system authorities (6/)
Reposted by Ruth Hubbard
For councils faced with this choice however they could (reasonably) think the costs they will incur will be higher. In Sheffield the adoption of the committee system was part of a wide "civic settlement" (my words!!) with local people following the street trees debacle. (5/)
September 9, 2025 at 1:00 PM
For councils faced with this choice however they could (reasonably) think the costs they will incur will be higher. In Sheffield the adoption of the committee system was part of a wide "civic settlement" (my words!!) with local people following the street trees debacle. (5/)
Oh I think 'civic settlement' is probably an accurate phrase & others in #sheffield wld agree I think - given that our change to a cttee system involved the most significant citizen & community mobilisation for local governance change ever seen in England. Itsoursheffield.co.uk
I will not....
I will not....
September 9, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Oh I think 'civic settlement' is probably an accurate phrase & others in #sheffield wld agree I think - given that our change to a cttee system involved the most significant citizen & community mobilisation for local governance change ever seen in England. Itsoursheffield.co.uk
I will not....
I will not....
Reposted by Ruth Hubbard
Good @voxeurop.bsky.social article about the housing crisis in Europe.
Reclaiming the right to a home: the fight against the European housing crisis
Prices, market conditions and social exclusion have made housing increasingly inaccessible in Europe. Matteo Pascoletti looked at a few examples of how citizens organise to tackle this issue.
voxeurop.eu
September 7, 2025 at 10:37 PM
Good @voxeurop.bsky.social article about the housing crisis in Europe.
@allymcgovern.bsky.social congratulations on your appointment today.
Basic local democracy - & Sheffield - now needs your help. Clause 57/English Devo Bill must go - madness & incoherent. In Sheff it will overturn our democratic decision in a city-wide referendum - & more. Pls support us.
Basic local democracy - & Sheffield - now needs your help. Clause 57/English Devo Bill must go - madness & incoherent. In Sheff it will overturn our democratic decision in a city-wide referendum - & more. Pls support us.
September 6, 2025 at 3:55 PM
@allymcgovern.bsky.social congratulations on your appointment today.
Basic local democracy - & Sheffield - now needs your help. Clause 57/English Devo Bill must go - madness & incoherent. In Sheff it will overturn our democratic decision in a city-wide referendum - & more. Pls support us.
Basic local democracy - & Sheffield - now needs your help. Clause 57/English Devo Bill must go - madness & incoherent. In Sheff it will overturn our democratic decision in a city-wide referendum - & more. Pls support us.
@jimmcmahon.co.uk local residents made sure that #SheffieldIsSuper effectively had its top to bottom redistribution of power in 2021 - now you intend to overturn that & put a top down system in place. Recent #Sheffield governance history shows what a disaster the Strong Leader system was for us.
September 6, 2025 at 1:55 PM