Joe Hodson
@joehodson.bsky.social
Paralegal with masters in international maritime law, interested in languages, ethics, governance, environmental protection and human rights. Mythology-loving humanist.
Appreciate her advocating implementation of PR in this term to eliminate future minority rule, but if Toynbee can't understand why people don't think Starmer is good - island of strangers, not repealing protest suppression laws, endorsing certain Israeli atrocities -the list is long!
It’s tragic that a decent PM will be brought down by Mandelson’s sleaze – but it’s a matter of when, not if | Polly Toynbee
It’s tragic that a decent PM will be brought down by Mandelson’s sleaze – but it’s a matter of when, not if | Polly Toynbee
With three years left and a huge majority, Labour can govern with more humility and deliver real change. But with Starmer at the helm? I can’t see it, says Guardian columnist Polly Toynbee
www.theguardian.com
February 6, 2026 at 8:01 AM
Appreciate her advocating implementation of PR in this term to eliminate future minority rule, but if Toynbee can't understand why people don't think Starmer is good - island of strangers, not repealing protest suppression laws, endorsing certain Israeli atrocities -the list is long!
Reposted by Joe Hodson
The Expanse books are gonna need a new edition.
February 5, 2026 at 5:23 PM
The Expanse books are gonna need a new edition.
Reposted by Joe Hodson
EXCLUSIVE:
Peter Mandelson sought advice from Jeffrey Epstein on setting up his advisory firm, Global Counsel, including how to target potential new clients such as the Chinese government.
www.ft.com/content/13d2...
Peter Mandelson sought advice from Jeffrey Epstein on setting up his advisory firm, Global Counsel, including how to target potential new clients such as the Chinese government.
www.ft.com/content/13d2...
Peter Mandelson sought help from Jeffrey Epstein on setting up advisory firm
Emails from 2010 show former UK minister asking child sex offender how to win political and corporate clients
www.ft.com
February 5, 2026 at 12:53 PM
EXCLUSIVE:
Peter Mandelson sought advice from Jeffrey Epstein on setting up his advisory firm, Global Counsel, including how to target potential new clients such as the Chinese government.
www.ft.com/content/13d2...
Peter Mandelson sought advice from Jeffrey Epstein on setting up his advisory firm, Global Counsel, including how to target potential new clients such as the Chinese government.
www.ft.com/content/13d2...
Reposted by Joe Hodson
One way or the other, LLMs will seriously traumatise people.
Moderation reallocates this harm rather than properly preventing it.
The solution is to dismantle the industry.
Moderation reallocates this harm rather than properly preventing it.
The solution is to dismantle the industry.
‘In the end, you feel blank’: India’s female workers watching hours of abusive content to train AI
‘In the end, you feel blank’: India’s female workers watching hours of abusive content to train AI
Women in rural communities describe trauma of moderating violent and pornographic content for global tech companies
www.theguardian.com
February 5, 2026 at 12:01 PM
One way or the other, LLMs will seriously traumatise people.
Moderation reallocates this harm rather than properly preventing it.
The solution is to dismantle the industry.
Moderation reallocates this harm rather than properly preventing it.
The solution is to dismantle the industry.
The government should of course take legal advice on whatever terms they have so recklessly and unconscionably signed up to with Palantir, with a view to the swiftest and smoothest possible extrication therefrom.
Not sure "rip-up" quite constitutes that.
Not sure "rip-up" quite constitutes that.
Zack Polanski's ( @zackpolanski.bsky.social ) strongly worded open letter to Wes Streeting, rightly urging him to rip up the Palantir contract in light of the Mandelson Epstein revelations
February 4, 2026 at 10:29 PM
The government should of course take legal advice on whatever terms they have so recklessly and unconscionably signed up to with Palantir, with a view to the swiftest and smoothest possible extrication therefrom.
Not sure "rip-up" quite constitutes that.
Not sure "rip-up" quite constitutes that.
Had a fun conversation with a friend this evening who argued the Good Samaritan was too unambitious and should have dismantled the social structures that made the road unsafe in the first place.
February 4, 2026 at 9:36 PM
Had a fun conversation with a friend this evening who argued the Good Samaritan was too unambitious and should have dismantled the social structures that made the road unsafe in the first place.
As a Green member I am also not happy with these misleading charts - we should adhere to a standard of honesty that excludes trickery.
Our argument for Gorton and Denton should instead be that in a by-election that won't disturb the govt's majority, tactical voting isn't so important.
Our argument for Gorton and Denton should instead be that in a by-election that won't disturb the govt's majority, tactical voting isn't so important.
Just a quick note to @greenparty.org.uk and @greenpartyhan.bsky.social - I was not consulted on being quoted on your leaflets and I have not endorsed your campaign (or any campaign in this seat). I think this note, like the bar chart next to it, is misleading and out of context.
👀
February 4, 2026 at 2:06 PM
As a Green member I am also not happy with these misleading charts - we should adhere to a standard of honesty that excludes trickery.
Our argument for Gorton and Denton should instead be that in a by-election that won't disturb the govt's majority, tactical voting isn't so important.
Our argument for Gorton and Denton should instead be that in a by-election that won't disturb the govt's majority, tactical voting isn't so important.
Reposted by Joe Hodson
If Mandelson is being investigated for his Epstein connections, he must also be investigated for his Thiel connections, because they ran a joint fund when Mandelson fixed Starmer's visit to Palantir
bylinetimes.com/2025/04/25/p...
bylinetimes.com/2025/04/25/p...
'Peter Mandelson's Fixing of Keir Starmer’s Visit to Spytech Firm Palantir Raises Serious Questions'
Palantir was represented by a lobbying firm founded by Mandelson, Iain Overton and Max Colbert report
bylinetimes.com
February 4, 2026 at 12:41 PM
If Mandelson is being investigated for his Epstein connections, he must also be investigated for his Thiel connections, because they ran a joint fund when Mandelson fixed Starmer's visit to Palantir
bylinetimes.com/2025/04/25/p...
bylinetimes.com/2025/04/25/p...
Theocrat who constantly seeks to make the state a tool for implementing religious commands now argues for an exemption for the state from the "Greatest Commandment"??
(And who exactly staffs and directs government if not ultimately a bunch of individuals?)
(And who exactly staffs and directs government if not ultimately a bunch of individuals?)
Speaking on behalf of a religion that actively sought to spread itself to every country in the world whether invited or not, Speaker Johnson would like to share with you the Biblical case for strong borders.
February 4, 2026 at 12:33 PM
Theocrat who constantly seeks to make the state a tool for implementing religious commands now argues for an exemption for the state from the "Greatest Commandment"??
(And who exactly staffs and directs government if not ultimately a bunch of individuals?)
(And who exactly staffs and directs government if not ultimately a bunch of individuals?)
Reposted by Joe Hodson
Human rights protection can win over attacks by #Trump, #China & #Russia if governments that still value human rights push back.
It's #EU's time to show true & principled leadership.
@hrw.org's World Report is out, 100+ countries under review 👇
www.hrw.org/world-report... @eudiplomacy.bsky.social
It's #EU's time to show true & principled leadership.
@hrw.org's World Report is out, 100+ countries under review 👇
www.hrw.org/world-report... @eudiplomacy.bsky.social
World Report 2026
World Report 2026, Human Rights Watch’s 36th annual review of human rights practices and trends around the globe, reviews developments in more than 100 countries.
www.hrw.org
February 4, 2026 at 8:07 AM
Human rights protection can win over attacks by #Trump, #China & #Russia if governments that still value human rights push back.
It's #EU's time to show true & principled leadership.
@hrw.org's World Report is out, 100+ countries under review 👇
www.hrw.org/world-report... @eudiplomacy.bsky.social
It's #EU's time to show true & principled leadership.
@hrw.org's World Report is out, 100+ countries under review 👇
www.hrw.org/world-report... @eudiplomacy.bsky.social
Source: YouTube share.google/z0YVNgLu6BDh...
February 4, 2026 at 7:59 AM
Source: YouTube share.google/z0YVNgLu6BDh...
Reposted by Joe Hodson
The kind of child-friendly policy you'd expect from someone who is friends with Donald Trump.
February 3, 2026 at 1:17 PM
The kind of child-friendly policy you'd expect from someone who is friends with Donald Trump.
Reposted by Joe Hodson
As more files are released, I have a feeling that the association of Farage with Epstein & Bannon etc could potentially be his downfall.
February 3, 2026 at 7:50 AM
As more files are released, I have a feeling that the association of Farage with Epstein & Bannon etc could potentially be his downfall.
Reposted by Joe Hodson
There's no justification for racial discrimination either, but bordering gets excused as a means of controlling the movements of racialised people without direct reference to their race. It's not because they're black, Asian, Latin... It's because they weren't born here!
January 28, 2026 at 7:26 AM
There's no justification for racial discrimination either, but bordering gets excused as a means of controlling the movements of racialised people without direct reference to their race. It's not because they're black, Asian, Latin... It's because they weren't born here!
"Bloody instructions, which, being taught, return to plague the inventor"
"This even-handed justice commends the ingredients of our poisoned chalice to our own lips"
"This even-handed justice commends the ingredients of our poisoned chalice to our own lips"
Pump this directly into my veins:
A top GOP official in Texas says, "It looks like we f***ed ourselves with our gerrymandering. We watered down all the red districts to steal as many blue ones as possible and now the electorate hates us and our turnout is collapsing."
May this not be just a fluke.
A top GOP official in Texas says, "It looks like we f***ed ourselves with our gerrymandering. We watered down all the red districts to steal as many blue ones as possible and now the electorate hates us and our turnout is collapsing."
May this not be just a fluke.
February 2, 2026 at 11:10 AM
"Bloody instructions, which, being taught, return to plague the inventor"
"This even-handed justice commends the ingredients of our poisoned chalice to our own lips"
"This even-handed justice commends the ingredients of our poisoned chalice to our own lips"
Reposted by Joe Hodson
Keir Starmer and his team repeatedly ignored and stonewalled questions about Peter Mandelson's relationship with Epstein, pushing ahead with making him ambassador anyway.
Here's my report on it from last year bylinetimes.com/2024/01/04/k...
Here's my report on it from last year bylinetimes.com/2024/01/04/k...
September 9, 2025 at 7:54 AM
Keir Starmer and his team repeatedly ignored and stonewalled questions about Peter Mandelson's relationship with Epstein, pushing ahead with making him ambassador anyway.
Here's my report on it from last year bylinetimes.com/2024/01/04/k...
Here's my report on it from last year bylinetimes.com/2024/01/04/k...
Reposted by Joe Hodson
100%
our work showed disclosure re: Big Food lobbying is among worst re: transparency
foodfoundation.org.uk/publication/...
our work showed disclosure re: Big Food lobbying is among worst re: transparency
foodfoundation.org.uk/publication/...
Corporate Lobbying: The Dark Side of the Plate
The latest Food Foundation briefing examines corporate lobbying and conflicts of interest in the food system
foodfoundation.org.uk
February 2, 2026 at 8:22 AM
100%
our work showed disclosure re: Big Food lobbying is among worst re: transparency
foodfoundation.org.uk/publication/...
our work showed disclosure re: Big Food lobbying is among worst re: transparency
foodfoundation.org.uk/publication/...
Reposted by Joe Hodson
It's rare to see how lobbyists operate. But the Epstein-Mandelson correspondence shows us what happens all the time: plutocrats and government ministers conspiring against the public interest. This is why all lobbying should be in the public domain, but despite Labour and Con promises, it's not. 🧵
February 2, 2026 at 8:20 AM
It's rare to see how lobbyists operate. But the Epstein-Mandelson correspondence shows us what happens all the time: plutocrats and government ministers conspiring against the public interest. This is why all lobbying should be in the public domain, but despite Labour and Con promises, it's not. 🧵
Reposted by Joe Hodson
In case you missed it: the Lord Bishop of Sodor and Man will no longer sit in Tynwald (Manx Parliament) with automatic voting rights. Next: removing the automatic voting rights of the 26 Lords Spiritual in the House of Lords. humanists.uk/2026/01/28/v...
Victory! Isle of Man Parliament abolishes bishop's vote
The Constitution Bill 2023, which will remove the political vote of the Lord Bishop of Sodor and Man, has passed. Humanists UK welcomes this landmark development towards making Manx politics fair and ...
humanists.uk
January 30, 2026 at 11:23 AM
In case you missed it: the Lord Bishop of Sodor and Man will no longer sit in Tynwald (Manx Parliament) with automatic voting rights. Next: removing the automatic voting rights of the 26 Lords Spiritual in the House of Lords. humanists.uk/2026/01/28/v...
Reposted by Joe Hodson
🛢️ New from @desmog.com: The American Petroleum Institute is making it a top priority in 2026 to weaken key EU climate laws, using trade threats, front groups and Trump’s “energy dominance” agenda to protect fossil fuel profits.
Top U.S. Oil Lobby API Targets Landmark EU Climate Law, Policy Document Shows
The declaration coincides with U.S. fossil fuel companies’ use of Trump’s trade tensions and international discord to undermine EU climate laws.
buff.ly
January 29, 2026 at 1:00 PM
🛢️ New from @desmog.com: The American Petroleum Institute is making it a top priority in 2026 to weaken key EU climate laws, using trade threats, front groups and Trump’s “energy dominance” agenda to protect fossil fuel profits.
Reposted by Joe Hodson
Some unfortunate kid out there is going to be the first person who blindly trusts an AI tutor's answers and fails an exam for it. And Phillipson/the Labour Party will be responsible for that.
We want to make sure tutoring isn't the preserve of a lucky few, but accessible to every child who needs it.
AI can help us do that.
Safe, personalised, one-to-one learning support to help every child achieve and thrive.
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/01...
AI can help us do that.
Safe, personalised, one-to-one learning support to help every child achieve and thrive.
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/01...
Poorest pupils to be given AI tutors
Bridget Phillipson says tuition would no longer be the preserve of ‘the lucky few’
www.telegraph.co.uk
January 29, 2026 at 11:14 AM
Some unfortunate kid out there is going to be the first person who blindly trusts an AI tutor's answers and fails an exam for it. And Phillipson/the Labour Party will be responsible for that.
Reposted by Joe Hodson
"Regulation is acquired by the industry and is designed and operated primarily for its benefit" - George Stigler. As I was saying: chrisdillow.substack.com/p/on-regulat...
January 29, 2026 at 8:45 AM
"Regulation is acquired by the industry and is designed and operated primarily for its benefit" - George Stigler. As I was saying: chrisdillow.substack.com/p/on-regulat...
Reposted by Joe Hodson
Please spread this far and wide, as stories don't get much bigger than this. When the government blocks even the intelligence services from telling us we're heading for environmental catastrophe, you know we have a problem. A very big problem.
Thank you.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Thank you.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The UK government didn't want you to see this report on ecosystem collapse. I'm not surprised | George Monbiot
It took an FOI request to bring this national security assessment to light. For ‘doomsayers’ like us, it is the ultimate vindication, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot
www.theguardian.com
January 28, 2026 at 7:18 AM
Please spread this far and wide, as stories don't get much bigger than this. When the government blocks even the intelligence services from telling us we're heading for environmental catastrophe, you know we have a problem. A very big problem.
Thank you.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Thank you.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
It really does rankle to be offered a free hoop to jump through to show off a "skill" of bypassing one's own mind and actual skills in one's work.
So many better and more substantially helpful uses for this taxpayer money.
So many better and more substantially helpful uses for this taxpayer money.
BREAKING: Free AI training will be offered to every adult in the UK, with short courses to teach people how to use simple AI tools effectively in the workplace.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall tells #BBCBreakfast about the scheme
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall tells #BBCBreakfast about the scheme
January 28, 2026 at 1:01 PM
It really does rankle to be offered a free hoop to jump through to show off a "skill" of bypassing one's own mind and actual skills in one's work.
So many better and more substantially helpful uses for this taxpayer money.
So many better and more substantially helpful uses for this taxpayer money.