@janicemorphet.bsky.social
Reposted
'Yesterday Today and Tomorrow, Housing in Leyton', published by Leyton Borough Council in 1964/65, just before transition to the new London Borough of Waltham Forest. This summarises housing developments post WWI & WWII, alongside a photographic record with details of rents payable. #BookoftheMonth
April 17, 2025 at 10:29 AM
'Yesterday Today and Tomorrow, Housing in Leyton', published by Leyton Borough Council in 1964/65, just before transition to the new London Borough of Waltham Forest. This summarises housing developments post WWI & WWII, alongside a photographic record with details of rents payable. #BookoftheMonth
Reposted
As I have posted elsewhere, I have just come back from a trip to the Netherlands where I fulfilled an ambition to visit Hilversum Town Hall. I will try and write something for my website in it shortly, but in the meantime here are some pics:
April 11, 2025 at 5:04 PM
As I have posted elsewhere, I have just come back from a trip to the Netherlands where I fulfilled an ambition to visit Hilversum Town Hall. I will try and write something for my website in it shortly, but in the meantime here are some pics:
Reposted
There were 3 council by-elections yesterday Reform UK won 1.
That’s 230 council by-elections since the General Election, just 13 seats won for Reform UK.
That’s 230 council by-elections since the General Election, just 13 seats won for Reform UK.
April 4, 2025 at 6:14 AM
There were 3 council by-elections yesterday Reform UK won 1.
That’s 230 council by-elections since the General Election, just 13 seats won for Reform UK.
That’s 230 council by-elections since the General Election, just 13 seats won for Reform UK.
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The Cumbrian coal mine saga is finally over... www.businessgreen.com/news/4411909...
Planning application withdrawn for Whitehaven coal mine
Government confirms West Cumbria Mining has withdrawn planning application for controversial coal mine
www.businessgreen.com
April 4, 2025 at 4:54 PM
The Cumbrian coal mine saga is finally over... www.businessgreen.com/news/4411909...
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Municipal guide of the day: continuing the Metropolitan Borough of Holborn theme, here is an early 1950s example. It would appear that Holborn had something of a bachelor problem…
April 2, 2025 at 7:35 PM
Municipal guide of the day: continuing the Metropolitan Borough of Holborn theme, here is an early 1950s example. It would appear that Holborn had something of a bachelor problem…
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The FT View: This was no 'liberation day' for America. If Trump gets his way, the US economy will be isolated from the very system that has powered its century-long rise, writes our editorial board. www.ft.com/content/2145...
April 3, 2025 at 6:32 PM
The FT View: This was no 'liberation day' for America. If Trump gets his way, the US economy will be isolated from the very system that has powered its century-long rise, writes our editorial board. www.ft.com/content/2145...
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Rachel Reeves will appear before the Treasury Committee tomorrow to discuss her spring statement.
📖 Read our verdict on the chancellor's 'update' www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/rach...
📖 Read our verdict on the chancellor's 'update' www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/rach...
Rachel Reeves's spring statement 2025: The IfG's verdict | Institute for Government
What did we learn from the chancellor's 'update'?
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
April 1, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Rachel Reeves will appear before the Treasury Committee tomorrow to discuss her spring statement.
📖 Read our verdict on the chancellor's 'update' www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/rach...
📖 Read our verdict on the chancellor's 'update' www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/rach...
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Today:
- Pensions, Universal Credit and minimum wage all went up.
- Many people's council tax, utility bills and rents have gone up
But Local Housing Allowance has been frozen at 2023 rent levels, leaving a gaping hole in welfare provision for anyone in the private rented sector.
- Pensions, Universal Credit and minimum wage all went up.
- Many people's council tax, utility bills and rents have gone up
But Local Housing Allowance has been frozen at 2023 rent levels, leaving a gaping hole in welfare provision for anyone in the private rented sector.
April 1, 2025 at 10:02 AM
Today:
- Pensions, Universal Credit and minimum wage all went up.
- Many people's council tax, utility bills and rents have gone up
But Local Housing Allowance has been frozen at 2023 rent levels, leaving a gaping hole in welfare provision for anyone in the private rented sector.
- Pensions, Universal Credit and minimum wage all went up.
- Many people's council tax, utility bills and rents have gone up
But Local Housing Allowance has been frozen at 2023 rent levels, leaving a gaping hole in welfare provision for anyone in the private rented sector.
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New post just out:
"The Rise of the Gurus"
Looking at how unelected advisers have ended up being so powerful in British politics.
(Free to read)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/t...
"The Rise of the Gurus"
Looking at how unelected advisers have ended up being so powerful in British politics.
(Free to read)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/t...
The Rise of the Gurus
This piece originally appeared in last week’s Times Literary Supplement. I thought it would be of interest to subscribers and they have kindly agreed to let me reproduce it here. It’s a review of “Get...
open.substack.com
April 1, 2025 at 7:30 AM
New post just out:
"The Rise of the Gurus"
Looking at how unelected advisers have ended up being so powerful in British politics.
(Free to read)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/t...
"The Rise of the Gurus"
Looking at how unelected advisers have ended up being so powerful in British politics.
(Free to read)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/t...
Reposted
She died in binary. That’s dedication. RIP.
Bletchley Park code breaker Betty Webb dies aged 101
Bletchley Park code breaker Betty Webb dies aged 101
Betty Webb MBE worked at Bletchley Park during World War Two intercepting enemy messages.
www.bbc.com
April 1, 2025 at 12:05 PM
She died in binary. That’s dedication. RIP.
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🚨 New blog post. Today's guest post looks at the once lauded post-war Hillcrest Estate in Highgate built by Hornsey Borough Council: ‘of a kind which many well-to-do people would very gladly inhabit’ ...
municipaldreams.wordpress.com/2025/04/01/t...
municipaldreams.wordpress.com/2025/04/01/t...
April 1, 2025 at 5:07 PM
🚨 New blog post. Today's guest post looks at the once lauded post-war Hillcrest Estate in Highgate built by Hornsey Borough Council: ‘of a kind which many well-to-do people would very gladly inhabit’ ...
municipaldreams.wordpress.com/2025/04/01/t...
municipaldreams.wordpress.com/2025/04/01/t...
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The Government has started the process of creating a dedicated military cyber command which will eventually grow to 300 personnel and be capable of both defensive and offensive cyber operations.
www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2025...
www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2025...
Process begins for military cyber command with 300-strong force planned for defensive and offensive operations
New command to safeguard Irish military operations from cyber threats and may launch cyberattacks for ‘defensive purposes’
www.irishtimes.com
April 1, 2025 at 10:50 AM
The Government has started the process of creating a dedicated military cyber command which will eventually grow to 300 personnel and be capable of both defensive and offensive cyber operations.
www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2025...
www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2025...
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Some good news. Labour getting a grip of the water companies
The public however want to go further and want water re nationalised. Water is a right and it should not be for profit.
The public however want to go further and want water re nationalised. Water is a right and it should not be for profit.
BREAKING
After a debate in Parliament, the Government has accepted my Private Members’ Water Bill.
As of today:
• Above-inflation water bill hikes suspended
• Dividend payouts halted
• Citizens’ Assembly on water ownership confirmed
Democratic control of water is here!
After a debate in Parliament, the Government has accepted my Private Members’ Water Bill.
As of today:
• Above-inflation water bill hikes suspended
• Dividend payouts halted
• Citizens’ Assembly on water ownership confirmed
Democratic control of water is here!
April 1, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Some good news. Labour getting a grip of the water companies
The public however want to go further and want water re nationalised. Water is a right and it should not be for profit.
The public however want to go further and want water re nationalised. Water is a right and it should not be for profit.
Reposted
Famous stars from Neath Port Talbot such as Richard Burton, Anthony Hopkins and Michael Sheen could be in line for a blue plaque to celebrate notable people, places and events across the county borough
Famed stars from Neath Port Talbot could be in line for blue plaque honour
Famous actors from Neath Port Talbot such as Richard Burton, Anthony Hopkins and Michael Sheen could be in line for a blue plaque to celebrate notable people, places and events across the county borou...
nation.cymru
March 28, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Famous stars from Neath Port Talbot such as Richard Burton, Anthony Hopkins and Michael Sheen could be in line for a blue plaque to celebrate notable people, places and events across the county borough
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A 1948 London County Council “Open Air Entertainments” brochure produced by the Council’s Parks Department. The LCC’s parks transferred to the GLC in 1965 but the 1970s saw a further transfer of a number of them to various London Boroughs, well before abolition of the Authority was on the cards.
March 29, 2025 at 11:30 AM
A 1948 London County Council “Open Air Entertainments” brochure produced by the Council’s Parks Department. The LCC’s parks transferred to the GLC in 1965 but the 1970s saw a further transfer of a number of them to various London Boroughs, well before abolition of the Authority was on the cards.
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Good post on surviving bits of early WHS signage around the country. (Keeping the 1905 newspaper boy in sight was how I navigated Chester as a child in the 70s and 80s.)
buildingourpast.com/2017/03/23/a...
buildingourpast.com/2017/03/23/a...
A Spotter’s Guide to W. H. Smith’s
The Newsboy W. H. Smith’s distinctive enamelled hanging signs depicted a newsboy crying his wares against a bright red background. The newsboy was designed for Smith’s in 1905 by the artist Septimu…
buildingourpast.com
March 28, 2025 at 11:37 AM
Good post on surviving bits of early WHS signage around the country. (Keeping the 1905 newspaper boy in sight was how I navigated Chester as a child in the 70s and 80s.)
buildingourpast.com/2017/03/23/a...
buildingourpast.com/2017/03/23/a...
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Two years after the Citizens Assembly called for a directly-elected mayor for Dublin, we still don't even have a timeline for a plebiscite on the topic.
dublininquirer.com/2025/03/26/c...
dublininquirer.com/2025/03/26/c...
Central government promises, again, to give councillors more powers - Dublin Inquirer
It plans to set up a new Local Democracy Taskforce, a briefing document says.
dublininquirer.com
March 27, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Two years after the Citizens Assembly called for a directly-elected mayor for Dublin, we still don't even have a timeline for a plebiscite on the topic.
dublininquirer.com/2025/03/26/c...
dublininquirer.com/2025/03/26/c...
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So, if the US puts higher reciprocal tariffs on the EU than UK I think the plan is to open an import export business in Northern Ireland which blesses products with Bushmills to make them sufficiently originating to pay the lower levy.
March 27, 2025 at 10:13 AM
So, if the US puts higher reciprocal tariffs on the EU than UK I think the plan is to open an import export business in Northern Ireland which blesses products with Bushmills to make them sufficiently originating to pay the lower levy.
Reposted
In less depressing news, I’d like to thank everyone who has been listening and sending lovely feedback to me & the brilliant @davidolusoga.bsky.social on our new podcast @throughtimepod.bsky.social. Thanks to you we hit No. 1 within a day of launching! We’re thrilled with the response. Thank you! 🥳
March 22, 2025 at 8:37 AM
In less depressing news, I’d like to thank everyone who has been listening and sending lovely feedback to me & the brilliant @davidolusoga.bsky.social on our new podcast @throughtimepod.bsky.social. Thanks to you we hit No. 1 within a day of launching! We’re thrilled with the response. Thank you! 🥳
Did you see the research from Ireland?
Citizens’ assemblies can work together with electoral institutions to improve democracy blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
March 15, 2025 at 9:34 PM
Did you see the research from Ireland?
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My copies of the paperback arrived! Out in a few weeks....
March 15, 2025 at 7:14 PM
My copies of the paperback arrived! Out in a few weeks....
Reposted
In 1951, the Middlesex Borough of Ealing celebrated its Golden Jubilee. The rather grand Gothic Revival style of the town hall is reminiscent of a Northern city rather than typical London fare, a statement of ambition for this large authority which had (doomed) designs on County Borough status.
![A black and white photo captioned: EALING TOWN HALL
Erected 1888
Enlarged 1913
Further enlarged 1930
Per Wikipedia: The new building, which was designed by Charles Jones and in the same style [as its predecessor] but on a much larger scale, was built by Hugh Knight and officially opened by the Prince and Princess of Wales on 15 December 1888. The building was significantly extended to the east, with a new octagonally towered entrance, to the designs of Ealing architect George Fellowes Prynne in 1930. Internally, the extension created a new council chamber and a mayor's parlour as well as a new public hall in the basement which became known as the "Queens Hall".
Photo credit: Uncredited
Taken from: Ealing 1901-1951
Published by. Borough of Ealing
Date: 1951](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:rdc3t32wbru3m5gcgjsb2t2c/bafkreicunxa4aof3qmombauebd3bvrszi2i5tcnueitkexecgpjbyctdre@jpeg)
March 14, 2025 at 6:32 PM
In 1951, the Middlesex Borough of Ealing celebrated its Golden Jubilee. The rather grand Gothic Revival style of the town hall is reminiscent of a Northern city rather than typical London fare, a statement of ambition for this large authority which had (doomed) designs on County Borough status.
Reposted
BREAKING: “The welfare system as it’s set up can’t be defended on economic terms or moral terms” says Prime Minister Keir Starmer
March 13, 2025 at 11:32 AM
BREAKING: “The welfare system as it’s set up can’t be defended on economic terms or moral terms” says Prime Minister Keir Starmer
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*Stares at Germany with undisguised lust* on.ft.com/3Fs0Xi3
Germany can spend almost €2tn without harming growth, economists say
FT survey finds ‘large fiscal capacity’, but economists urge would-be chancellor Friedrich Merz to spend funds wisely
on.ft.com
March 12, 2025 at 3:25 PM
*Stares at Germany with undisguised lust* on.ft.com/3Fs0Xi3