Louise Knights-McCudden
@louknightsmccudden.bsky.social
Writer, politics & public policy analysis nerd, reproductive justice advocate, intuitive eater. Sapphic. Wife. She/her. 🌈 UK Head of External Relations, Advocacy & Comms at MSI Reproductive Choices but views my own.
Pinned
Anyway when people say “but that was a different era! Queer people hadn't been invented yet! We didn't know women were people in those days!” Think of 66 year old Michael Stipe. And these gorgeous green and gold earrings.
Let's say polls show people want to exit a close, longstanding political & economic union.
Voters are warned it will harm the economy. They want it anyway. So politicians pretend to agree it's a good idea.
It does harm the economy.
Now... let's see what happens to the polls!
Voters are warned it will harm the economy. They want it anyway. So politicians pretend to agree it's a good idea.
It does harm the economy.
Now... let's see what happens to the polls!
A critique I hear of me sometimes is that I don’t believe in changing public opinion.
What I would say is that I don’t really think *working politicians* should be focused on changing opinion, that’s the job for everyone else — go out and persuade someone!
What I would say is that I don’t really think *working politicians* should be focused on changing opinion, that’s the job for everyone else — go out and persuade someone!
"Democratic politicians urgently need to adopt the GOP view of public opinion—that it’s movable, and it’s their job to move it." newrepublic.com/article/2058...
February 14, 2026 at 8:17 PM
Let's say polls show people want to exit a close, longstanding political & economic union.
Voters are warned it will harm the economy. They want it anyway. So politicians pretend to agree it's a good idea.
It does harm the economy.
Now... let's see what happens to the polls!
Voters are warned it will harm the economy. They want it anyway. So politicians pretend to agree it's a good idea.
It does harm the economy.
Now... let's see what happens to the polls!
When Reform talk about "replacing" the Tories, it reminds me of all that talk we used to hear of UKIP/Brexit Party/Reform style parties "replacing" the BNP/EDL/far right.
By "replacing" the Tories, they mean, of course, that loads of Tories are joining Reform.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
By "replacing" the Tories, they mean, of course, that loads of Tories are joining Reform.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reform is replacing 'old fuddy duddy' Tories, says Farage
Farage said it was
www.bbc.co.uk
February 14, 2026 at 11:32 AM
When Reform talk about "replacing" the Tories, it reminds me of all that talk we used to hear of UKIP/Brexit Party/Reform style parties "replacing" the BNP/EDL/far right.
By "replacing" the Tories, they mean, of course, that loads of Tories are joining Reform.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
By "replacing" the Tories, they mean, of course, that loads of Tories are joining Reform.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
"For a while, it was taken as read that anti-immigrant sentiment was a function of economic anxiety. But Ratcliffe, whose fortune is estimated at £17bn, won’t be feeling too much angst in the economic department. That is truer still of Elon Musk."
In which @jonathanfreedland.bsky.social ponders why it is the super rich rather than the left behind who seem to be putting most effort into taking our society backwards on racism
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Trump, Musk and now UK billionaire Jim Ratcliffe – they are the enablers, making racists feel great again | Jonathan Freedland
With their profile and vile words, these malign provocateurs are tearing down decency’s guardrails, says Guardian columnist Jonathan Freedland
www.theguardian.com
February 13, 2026 at 11:18 PM
"For a while, it was taken as read that anti-immigrant sentiment was a function of economic anxiety. But Ratcliffe, whose fortune is estimated at £17bn, won’t be feeling too much angst in the economic department. That is truer still of Elon Musk."
Reposted by Louise Knights-McCudden
This may sound old fashioned and a bit redundant, but for the love of God please read a judgement, then double check you have understood it, before commenting on it on social media.
February 13, 2026 at 10:53 PM
This may sound old fashioned and a bit redundant, but for the love of God please read a judgement, then double check you have understood it, before commenting on it on social media.
"It is not the same to have your entire self debated, ripped apart, dissected, insulted, trampled on in this chamber and more widely as though it were a mere abstract question"
(Brutally clear response to the idea that 'both sides' have found the process tough.)
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
(Brutally clear response to the idea that 'both sides' have found the process tough.)
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Church of England abandons proposals for same-sex blessing ceremonies
General Synod did vote to continue to look at the issue, but bishops say there are
www.bbc.co.uk
February 13, 2026 at 8:41 AM
"It is not the same to have your entire self debated, ripped apart, dissected, insulted, trampled on in this chamber and more widely as though it were a mere abstract question"
(Brutally clear response to the idea that 'both sides' have found the process tough.)
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
(Brutally clear response to the idea that 'both sides' have found the process tough.)
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Seems like a nice moment in time to share this old interview with @aiannucci.bsky.social about how certain people seemed to rather like and admire Malcolm Tucker...
share.google/UkeucQw7NIJ4...
share.google/UkeucQw7NIJ4...
Armando Iannucci thinks it's "sad" that people like The Thick of It's Malcolm Tucker
Peter Capaldi's sweary creation was never meant to be a crowd pleaser.
share.google
February 9, 2026 at 2:47 PM
Seems like a nice moment in time to share this old interview with @aiannucci.bsky.social about how certain people seemed to rather like and admire Malcolm Tucker...
share.google/UkeucQw7NIJ4...
share.google/UkeucQw7NIJ4...
Reposted by Louise Knights-McCudden
Young men are the second most liberal group in the country after young women.
The untold story that is told constantly and isn’t really true
February 7, 2026 at 11:44 AM
Young men are the second most liberal group in the country after young women.
The world feels bleak. It's cold. It's dark. It's January. It is all feeling pretty grim for a lot of people.
But! Last weekend it was Michael Stipe’s birthday! He is still with us on this earth. So to cheer us all (myself) up, here is a 🙏Michael Stipe appreciation thread 🙏
But! Last weekend it was Michael Stipe’s birthday! He is still with us on this earth. So to cheer us all (myself) up, here is a 🙏Michael Stipe appreciation thread 🙏
January 11, 2026 at 4:39 PM
The world feels bleak. It's cold. It's dark. It's January. It is all feeling pretty grim for a lot of people.
But! Last weekend it was Michael Stipe’s birthday! He is still with us on this earth. So to cheer us all (myself) up, here is a 🙏Michael Stipe appreciation thread 🙏
But! Last weekend it was Michael Stipe’s birthday! He is still with us on this earth. So to cheer us all (myself) up, here is a 🙏Michael Stipe appreciation thread 🙏
Reposted by Louise Knights-McCudden
When campaigning for abortion rights, she had death threats, red paint ("babies' blood") poured over her car, letters put through the letterbox against her "whoremongery" and placards denouncing her as antichrist. Her reaction in her own words was "It just made me brazen". I love that reaction.
January 11, 2026 at 8:11 AM
When campaigning for abortion rights, she had death threats, red paint ("babies' blood") poured over her car, letters put through the letterbox against her "whoremongery" and placards denouncing her as antichrist. Her reaction in her own words was "It just made me brazen". I love that reaction.
Reposted by Louise Knights-McCudden
After her last interview in @theguardian.com just last week, it's immensely sad to announce the death of Diane Munday at 94. Patron of @humanists.uk (first joining 70 years ago!), friend and mentor. Her exemplary life as an activist will be a permanent inspiration. humanists.uk/2026/01/11/h...
Humanists UK mourns Diane Munday, leading campaigner for the Abortion Act (1931-2026)
Humanists UK is deeply saddened to announce the death of its patron, Diane Munday, who dedicated her life to social reform, most notably as the principal leader of the campaign for the Abortion Act 19...
humanists.uk
January 11, 2026 at 8:10 AM
After her last interview in @theguardian.com just last week, it's immensely sad to announce the death of Diane Munday at 94. Patron of @humanists.uk (first joining 70 years ago!), friend and mentor. Her exemplary life as an activist will be a permanent inspiration. humanists.uk/2026/01/11/h...
Reposted by Louise Knights-McCudden
Sometimes all you can do is make the world 0.0000000000001% less awful by being a good person and it feels very meaningless but it’s also the only thing that really matters
January 7, 2026 at 7:49 PM
Sometimes all you can do is make the world 0.0000000000001% less awful by being a good person and it feels very meaningless but it’s also the only thing that really matters
"More than 250 people were subjected to painful electric shocks, designed to change their sexuality and gender identity, in NHS hospitals between 1965 and 1973, the BBC has discovered."
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
LGBT survivors tell of 'barbaric' NHS electric shock therapy
More than 250 people were subjected to painful electric shocks in NHS hospitals, the BBC discovers.
www.bbc.com
December 6, 2025 at 7:59 AM
"More than 250 people were subjected to painful electric shocks, designed to change their sexuality and gender identity, in NHS hospitals between 1965 and 1973, the BBC has discovered."
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Reposted by Louise Knights-McCudden
Recently, @louknightsmccudden.bsky.social , MSI UK's Head of External Relations, spoke on the @opendemocracy.net podcast about the importance of abortion decriminalisation.
🔗Listen to the episode: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNlo...
#Abortion
🔗Listen to the episode: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNlo...
#Abortion
November 28, 2025 at 12:51 PM
Recently, @louknightsmccudden.bsky.social , MSI UK's Head of External Relations, spoke on the @opendemocracy.net podcast about the importance of abortion decriminalisation.
🔗Listen to the episode: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNlo...
#Abortion
🔗Listen to the episode: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNlo...
#Abortion
Incredibly reasonable and impartial question for journalists to ask - and demand a real answer
It would be helpful for journalists to ask Nigel Farage what steps he has taken to find out whether other Reform politicians have accepted money from foreign powers.
November 21, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Incredibly reasonable and impartial question for journalists to ask - and demand a real answer
The worrying rise of US anti-abortion rhetoric is in full force - how deep is Reform UK's involvement? share.google/6GuBaRun7YuU...
The worrying rise of US anti-abortion rhetoric is in full force - how deep is Reform UK's involvement?
Money is pouring into anti-abortion campaigns in Britain, and it seems Nigel Farage’s party isn’t pushing back…
share.google
November 21, 2025 at 3:46 PM
The worrying rise of US anti-abortion rhetoric is in full force - how deep is Reform UK's involvement? share.google/6GuBaRun7YuU...
This reminds me of the episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer when Jonathan creates an alternate world where everyone thinks he's cool and popular and he can do everything. By the end of the ep he learns that he's sad and pathetic and the fantasy isn't real.
If hadn’t lived through it, I would struggle to believe that the world’s richest man built an AI to glorify himself.
Musk's ego was mortally wounded by Joyce Carol Oates and he's been on a narcissistic supply bender since
November 20, 2025 at 8:35 PM
This reminds me of the episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer when Jonathan creates an alternate world where everyone thinks he's cool and popular and he can do everything. By the end of the ep he learns that he's sad and pathetic and the fantasy isn't real.
Reposted by Louise Knights-McCudden
Today is International Men’s Day. So here’s to refugee men fleeing abuse, trans men denied healthcare, queer men bullied for being different, Black men racially profiled, disabled men excluded from work, and all the other men who fail at being “real men.” May we continue to cultivate our humanity.
November 19, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Today is International Men’s Day. So here’s to refugee men fleeing abuse, trans men denied healthcare, queer men bullied for being different, Black men racially profiled, disabled men excluded from work, and all the other men who fail at being “real men.” May we continue to cultivate our humanity.
Royal British Legion warns political activists against hijacking Faversham’s Remembrance Day parade share.google/EawQ7ntWTWfV...
Royal British Legion urges activists not to hijack Remembrance Day parade
Royal British Legion bosses are urging political activists not to hijack Remembrance Sunday this weekend.
share.google
November 5, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Royal British Legion warns political activists against hijacking Faversham’s Remembrance Day parade share.google/EawQ7ntWTWfV...
Reposted by Louise Knights-McCudden
"We need to remain firm against anyone who works to roll back our hard-won rights.”
On the anniversary of Safe Access Zones last Friday, our Head of External Affairs @louknightsmccudden.bsky.social spoke to Stylist on the state of UK abortion rights.
Read it here: www.stylist.co.uk/news/abortio...
On the anniversary of Safe Access Zones last Friday, our Head of External Affairs @louknightsmccudden.bsky.social spoke to Stylist on the state of UK abortion rights.
Read it here: www.stylist.co.uk/news/abortio...
“It’s one year since abortion safe access zones were introduced – but more still need to be done”
Reproductive rights in the UK remain under attack.
www.stylist.co.uk
November 5, 2025 at 10:22 AM
"We need to remain firm against anyone who works to roll back our hard-won rights.”
On the anniversary of Safe Access Zones last Friday, our Head of External Affairs @louknightsmccudden.bsky.social spoke to Stylist on the state of UK abortion rights.
Read it here: www.stylist.co.uk/news/abortio...
On the anniversary of Safe Access Zones last Friday, our Head of External Affairs @louknightsmccudden.bsky.social spoke to Stylist on the state of UK abortion rights.
Read it here: www.stylist.co.uk/news/abortio...
What's this sudden obsession with hobbits from the ethnonationalists?
November 2, 2025 at 8:39 PM
What's this sudden obsession with hobbits from the ethnonationalists?
Reposted by Louise Knights-McCudden
"I imagine one of the reasons people cling to their hates so stubbornly is because they sense, once hate is gone, they will be forced to deal with pain." This James Baldwin quote is hitting harder than ever.
November 2, 2025 at 7:00 PM
"I imagine one of the reasons people cling to their hates so stubbornly is because they sense, once hate is gone, they will be forced to deal with pain." This James Baldwin quote is hitting harder than ever.
"But then in 2000 The Blind Assassin won the Booker prize. Whew, I thought. I no longer have to deal with reporters asking me why I didn’t win it, only with the ones who’ll be saying why I shouldn’t have."
share.google/H1khJwv0xVtt...
share.google/H1khJwv0xVtt...
From (finally) being given the Booker prize to the day her partner died: an exclusive extract from Margaret Atwood’s new memoir
The novelist reflects on being struck by loss in the middle of a press tour
share.google
November 2, 2025 at 7:01 AM
"But then in 2000 The Blind Assassin won the Booker prize. Whew, I thought. I no longer have to deal with reporters asking me why I didn’t win it, only with the ones who’ll be saying why I shouldn’t have."
share.google/H1khJwv0xVtt...
share.google/H1khJwv0xVtt...
Reposted by Louise Knights-McCudden
I try to avoid "real organizers vs. fake/keyboard organizers" framings for the most part but one thing you learn quickly from organizing is how difficult it is to get people to do anything at all, how much you're competing against sociologically. people are overworked and tired
October 26, 2025 at 12:58 PM
I try to avoid "real organizers vs. fake/keyboard organizers" framings for the most part but one thing you learn quickly from organizing is how difficult it is to get people to do anything at all, how much you're competing against sociologically. people are overworked and tired
Reposted by Louise Knights-McCudden
On Threads, the AP promoted this story with the caption: “Anti-abortion pregnancy centers offer much more than free ultrasounds and diapers. Here's why they're expanding as Planned Parenthood clinics close.” Do better @apnews.com
Once again, this kind of “both sides” coverage of crisis pregnancy centers is simply not going to cut it, because on one “side” we have medical and scientific consensus—and basic facts—and on the other “side” we have disinformation. Giving these perspectives equal weight is journalistic malpractice
Anti-abortion pregnancy centers are looking to offer much more than ultrasounds and diapers
More anti-abortion pregnancy centers have been offering medical services such as testing for sexually transmitted infections.
apnews.com
October 25, 2025 at 3:51 PM
On Threads, the AP promoted this story with the caption: “Anti-abortion pregnancy centers offer much more than free ultrasounds and diapers. Here's why they're expanding as Planned Parenthood clinics close.” Do better @apnews.com
Reposted by Louise Knights-McCudden
Interesting piece. But it's not just about channels, it's about a larger crisis in government comms - and in society - which is not a new thing and goes back perhaps 15 years. Put simply, the Whitehall comms machine has lost the ability to win arguments.
The AI minister says the digital ID announcement is an e.g of where gov must up its online comms game:
“To be able to make sure that when a significant thing is happening, like an announcement on digital ID, we're winning the battle of ideas and arguments…” he tells @zoecrowther.bsky.social
“To be able to make sure that when a significant thing is happening, like an announcement on digital ID, we're winning the battle of ideas and arguments…” he tells @zoecrowther.bsky.social
Government Must Do 'A Lot More' To Sell Its Policies Online, Says AI Minister
The minister for artificial intelligence has said the government needs to do “a lot more to win the battle of content online”.
www.politicshome.com
October 15, 2025 at 10:03 AM
Interesting piece. But it's not just about channels, it's about a larger crisis in government comms - and in society - which is not a new thing and goes back perhaps 15 years. Put simply, the Whitehall comms machine has lost the ability to win arguments.