May Bulman
@maybulman.bsky.social
Investigations editor @lhreports.bsky.social, formerly social affairs corro at The Independent
DMs open | email: may@lighthousereports.com | Signal: 00447919210950
DMs open | email: may@lighthousereports.com | Signal: 00447919210950
Reposted by May Bulman
Another absolute must-read on what looks a lot like the Oracleisation of the Tony Blair Institute
ICYMI: The Tony Blair Institute is building its own AI tools with the view of selling them to authoritarian govts, in what insiders describe as a bid to rival controversial US tech firm Palantir
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/blair-bids...
Note the wild response we got from TBI's press team ⬇️
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/blair-bids...
Note the wild response we got from TBI's press team ⬇️
🔴Tony Blair Institute talks lots about democracy
But his week I contacted them for comment on this story
The response? "You are an organisation with a long-standing and partisan anti-TBI agenda and we will not engage with your disingenuous questions."
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/blair-bids...
But his week I contacted them for comment on this story
The response? "You are an organisation with a long-standing and partisan anti-TBI agenda and we will not engage with your disingenuous questions."
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/blair-bids...
January 12, 2026 at 5:35 PM
Another absolute must-read on what looks a lot like the Oracleisation of the Tony Blair Institute
ICYMI: The Tony Blair Institute is building its own AI tools with the view of selling them to authoritarian govts, in what insiders describe as a bid to rival controversial US tech firm Palantir
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/blair-bids...
Note the wild response we got from TBI's press team ⬇️
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/blair-bids...
Note the wild response we got from TBI's press team ⬇️
🔴Tony Blair Institute talks lots about democracy
But his week I contacted them for comment on this story
The response? "You are an organisation with a long-standing and partisan anti-TBI agenda and we will not engage with your disingenuous questions."
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/blair-bids...
But his week I contacted them for comment on this story
The response? "You are an organisation with a long-standing and partisan anti-TBI agenda and we will not engage with your disingenuous questions."
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/blair-bids...
Blair bids to build own AI tools to rival Palantir
TBI insiders warn of “'insane” plan to transform think tank into a tech company
democracyforsale.substack.com
January 12, 2026 at 5:33 PM
ICYMI: The Tony Blair Institute is building its own AI tools with the view of selling them to authoritarian govts, in what insiders describe as a bid to rival controversial US tech firm Palantir
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/blair-bids...
Note the wild response we got from TBI's press team ⬇️
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/blair-bids...
Note the wild response we got from TBI's press team ⬇️
Reposted by May Bulman
🚨 Exclusive: Tony Blair isn’t just a big fan of AI — he's now trying to build and sell AI tools to governments
Tony Blair Institute staff have described the plan as 'insane' and compared it to Palantir
New by D4S and @lighthousereports.com 🧵
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/blair-bids...
Tony Blair Institute staff have described the plan as 'insane' and compared it to Palantir
New by D4S and @lighthousereports.com 🧵
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/blair-bids...
Blair bids to build own AI tools to rival Palantir
TBI insiders warn of “'insane” plan to transform think tank into a tech company
democracyforsale.substack.com
January 9, 2026 at 5:22 PM
🚨 Exclusive: Tony Blair isn’t just a big fan of AI — he's now trying to build and sell AI tools to governments
Tony Blair Institute staff have described the plan as 'insane' and compared it to Palantir
New by D4S and @lighthousereports.com 🧵
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/blair-bids...
Tony Blair Institute staff have described the plan as 'insane' and compared it to Palantir
New by D4S and @lighthousereports.com 🧵
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/blair-bids...
Where have we got to when a European govt is telling Afghans who are at risk of being killed for work they did for said govt that they will not be brought to safety as promised because there’s “no longer any political interest” in helping them? Terrifying shift www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
Germany drops promise to resettle hundreds of Afghans
Interior ministry will tell 640 people awaiting sanctuary ‘there is no longer any political interest in their being admitted’
www.theguardian.com
December 12, 2025 at 7:25 AM
Where have we got to when a European govt is telling Afghans who are at risk of being killed for work they did for said govt that they will not be brought to safety as promised because there’s “no longer any political interest” in helping them? Terrifying shift www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
Reposted by May Bulman
Home Office Ministers state publicly, on the record, that they are deliberately making life worse for older people and people with disabilities who depend on care services, but it's worth it because it reduces net migration.
December 9, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Home Office Ministers state publicly, on the record, that they are deliberately making life worse for older people and people with disabilities who depend on care services, but it's worth it because it reduces net migration.
Reposted by May Bulman
🚨EMERGENCY AT THE UK-FRANCE BORDER 🚨 Today we are launching our new collaborative report reveals that people attempting to cross the UK-France border are subjected to horrifying levels of state violence. www.humansforrights.org/state-violence
"You can't stay and you can't go" - State Violence at the UK-France Border — Humans for Rights Network
www.humansforrights.org
December 8, 2025 at 9:44 AM
🚨EMERGENCY AT THE UK-FRANCE BORDER 🚨 Today we are launching our new collaborative report reveals that people attempting to cross the UK-France border are subjected to horrifying levels of state violence. www.humansforrights.org/state-violence
NEW: French police will use nets to try to stop small boats crossing the Channel – despite warnings this could be deadly
As UK pressure on France mounts, sources tell @lighthousereports.com and @lemonde.fr interceptions at sea will now take place, with nets
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
As UK pressure on France mounts, sources tell @lighthousereports.com and @lemonde.fr interceptions at sea will now take place, with nets
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
French police to use nets to stop small boats crossing Channel
New tactics to stop boats set to be introduced despite warnings there is ‘no way’ to carry out such manoeuvres safely
www.independent.co.uk
November 19, 2025 at 4:03 PM
NEW: French police will use nets to try to stop small boats crossing the Channel – despite warnings this could be deadly
As UK pressure on France mounts, sources tell @lighthousereports.com and @lemonde.fr interceptions at sea will now take place, with nets
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
As UK pressure on France mounts, sources tell @lighthousereports.com and @lemonde.fr interceptions at sea will now take place, with nets
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
Reposted by May Bulman
It will clearly make it harder for refugees to feel safe, to be able to secure employment, to try and fulfil their potential. At the same time it will be massive bureaucratic headache for the Home Office. On top of processing asylum claims, they'll need to review all the ones they done previously.
November 17, 2025 at 12:44 PM
It will clearly make it harder for refugees to feel safe, to be able to secure employment, to try and fulfil their potential. At the same time it will be massive bureaucratic headache for the Home Office. On top of processing asylum claims, they'll need to review all the ones they done previously.
Reposted by May Bulman
It’s actually mad that me and the far-right have exactly the same take. No notes.
They're openly telling us in advance what's going to happen
November 16, 2025 at 4:57 PM
It’s actually mad that me and the far-right have exactly the same take. No notes.
Reposted by May Bulman
Thought the plan was to smash the smuggling gangs not emulate them.
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 7:43 AM
Thought the plan was to smash the smuggling gangs not emulate them.
Reposted by May Bulman
BBC News bulletins leading on the story of an Algerian man being mistakenly released by the prison service.
Funnily enough I don't remember these cases ever leading the bulletins when an average of ten prisoners were mistakenly released a month in the final year of the last Government
Funnily enough I don't remember these cases ever leading the bulletins when an average of ten prisoners were mistakenly released a month in the final year of the last Government
November 5, 2025 at 2:55 PM
BBC News bulletins leading on the story of an Algerian man being mistakenly released by the prison service.
Funnily enough I don't remember these cases ever leading the bulletins when an average of ten prisoners were mistakenly released a month in the final year of the last Government
Funnily enough I don't remember these cases ever leading the bulletins when an average of ten prisoners were mistakenly released a month in the final year of the last Government
Reposted by May Bulman
"REVEALED: TERRIBLE REVENGE OF TALIBAN THAT SHAMES BRITAIN"
Full Story: t.ly/lgf5h
#Afghan Security Forces are still being hunted down.
#TheIndependent
#TomorrowsPapersToday
#IBPAPERS
@the-independent.com
@hollybancroft.bsky.social
@fahimabed.bsky.social
@maybulman.bsky.social
Full Story: t.ly/lgf5h
#Afghan Security Forces are still being hunted down.
#TheIndependent
#TomorrowsPapersToday
#IBPAPERS
@the-independent.com
@hollybancroft.bsky.social
@fahimabed.bsky.social
@maybulman.bsky.social
October 15, 2025 at 11:47 PM
"REVEALED: TERRIBLE REVENGE OF TALIBAN THAT SHAMES BRITAIN"
Full Story: t.ly/lgf5h
#Afghan Security Forces are still being hunted down.
#TheIndependent
#TomorrowsPapersToday
#IBPAPERS
@the-independent.com
@hollybancroft.bsky.social
@fahimabed.bsky.social
@maybulman.bsky.social
Full Story: t.ly/lgf5h
#Afghan Security Forces are still being hunted down.
#TheIndependent
#TomorrowsPapersToday
#IBPAPERS
@the-independent.com
@hollybancroft.bsky.social
@fahimabed.bsky.social
@maybulman.bsky.social
It’s hard to believe that 4 years on from the fall of Kabul, Afghans who served with UK troops are still waiting to be relocated to safety
Now a painstaking analysis by @lighthousereports.com and partners reveals the extent of the peril they're facing, with 110+ ex-security forces killed since 2023
Now a painstaking analysis by @lighthousereports.com and partners reveals the extent of the peril they're facing, with 110+ ex-security forces killed since 2023
They fought with Britain and US in Afghanistan – now Taliban is taking its revenge
After the Taliban takeover of Kabul in 2021, Britain pledged sanctuary to Afghans who faced reprisals for working with UK forces – but thousands are still waiting. Now, as Britain drags its heels, we ...
www.independent.co.uk
October 15, 2025 at 11:28 AM
It’s hard to believe that 4 years on from the fall of Kabul, Afghans who served with UK troops are still waiting to be relocated to safety
Now a painstaking analysis by @lighthousereports.com and partners reveals the extent of the peril they're facing, with 110+ ex-security forces killed since 2023
Now a painstaking analysis by @lighthousereports.com and partners reveals the extent of the peril they're facing, with 110+ ex-security forces killed since 2023
Reposted by May Bulman
Many of these “illustrations” aren’t based on verified intelligence at all.
Our analysis of 43 official IDF videos found recycled 3D environments, spatial inaccuracies, and assets lifted from unrelated artists and institutions.
Our analysis of 43 official IDF videos found recycled 3D environments, spatial inaccuracies, and assets lifted from unrelated artists and institutions.
October 8, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Many of these “illustrations” aren’t based on verified intelligence at all.
Our analysis of 43 official IDF videos found recycled 3D environments, spatial inaccuracies, and assets lifted from unrelated artists and institutions.
Our analysis of 43 official IDF videos found recycled 3D environments, spatial inaccuracies, and assets lifted from unrelated artists and institutions.
Reposted by May Bulman
🔴 The global far-right is brainwashing a town near you
Fascist memes are changing Britain, and the government is totally out of its depth.
Fascist memes are changing Britain, and the government is totally out of its depth.
The global far-right is brainwashing a town near you
📝 A guest essay...
writesbright.substack.com
October 5, 2025 at 10:17 AM
🔴 The global far-right is brainwashing a town near you
Fascist memes are changing Britain, and the government is totally out of its depth.
Fascist memes are changing Britain, and the government is totally out of its depth.
Reposted by May Bulman
The richest man on earth owns X.
The second richest man on earth is about to be a major owner of TikTok.
The third richest man owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
The fourth richest man owns The Washington Post.
See the problem here?
The second richest man on earth is about to be a major owner of TikTok.
The third richest man owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
The fourth richest man owns The Washington Post.
See the problem here?
September 24, 2025 at 8:00 PM
The richest man on earth owns X.
The second richest man on earth is about to be a major owner of TikTok.
The third richest man owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
The fourth richest man owns The Washington Post.
See the problem here?
The second richest man on earth is about to be a major owner of TikTok.
The third richest man owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
The fourth richest man owns The Washington Post.
See the problem here?
Reposted by May Bulman
The idea that being a refugee is somehow a “golden ticket” is genuinely awful. These are people who the government have recognised are in need of protection. Do they think people chose that? That that’s what people wanted?
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Starmer to end asylum ‘golden ticket’ of resettlement and family reunion rights
People granted asylum will have to earn right to invite family in plan charities call ‘straight from populist playbook’
www.theguardian.com
October 1, 2025 at 9:51 PM
The idea that being a refugee is somehow a “golden ticket” is genuinely awful. These are people who the government have recognised are in need of protection. Do they think people chose that? That that’s what people wanted?
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Reposted by May Bulman
Larry Ellison's £257m patronage has reshaped the Tony Blair Institute (TBI) into a well-funded engine of techno-solutionism. Our essay of the week tracks the symbiotic relationship between the TBI and Oracle.
By @petergeoghegan.bsky.social & @maybulman.bsky.social
buff.ly/rt5ONlT
By @petergeoghegan.bsky.social & @maybulman.bsky.social
buff.ly/rt5ONlT
October 1, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Larry Ellison's £257m patronage has reshaped the Tony Blair Institute (TBI) into a well-funded engine of techno-solutionism. Our essay of the week tracks the symbiotic relationship between the TBI and Oracle.
By @petergeoghegan.bsky.social & @maybulman.bsky.social
buff.ly/rt5ONlT
By @petergeoghegan.bsky.social & @maybulman.bsky.social
buff.ly/rt5ONlT
Reposted by May Bulman
Authoritarianism is on the rise globally. Join us at #Lab25 to understand this challenge & build a movement to resist.
@labourlewis.bsky.social, @minnierahman.bsky.social, Shabna Begum, Amna Abdullatif, @maybulman.bsky.social (@lighthousereports.com) & @joemulhall.bsky.social (@hopenothate.org.uk).
@labourlewis.bsky.social, @minnierahman.bsky.social, Shabna Begum, Amna Abdullatif, @maybulman.bsky.social (@lighthousereports.com) & @joemulhall.bsky.social (@hopenothate.org.uk).
September 26, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Authoritarianism is on the rise globally. Join us at #Lab25 to understand this challenge & build a movement to resist.
@labourlewis.bsky.social, @minnierahman.bsky.social, Shabna Begum, Amna Abdullatif, @maybulman.bsky.social (@lighthousereports.com) & @joemulhall.bsky.social (@hopenothate.org.uk).
@labourlewis.bsky.social, @minnierahman.bsky.social, Shabna Begum, Amna Abdullatif, @maybulman.bsky.social (@lighthousereports.com) & @joemulhall.bsky.social (@hopenothate.org.uk).
Reposted by May Bulman
Estimates of the size of the "shadow economy"
France 7%
Germany 7%
Italy 8%
..even Estonia 7%
UK: 5%
Idea that ID cards are some kind of panacea...
www.ey.com/content/dam/...
France 7%
Germany 7%
Italy 8%
..even Estonia 7%
UK: 5%
Idea that ID cards are some kind of panacea...
www.ey.com/content/dam/...
www.ey.com
September 26, 2025 at 8:04 AM
Estimates of the size of the "shadow economy"
France 7%
Germany 7%
Italy 8%
..even Estonia 7%
UK: 5%
Idea that ID cards are some kind of panacea...
www.ey.com/content/dam/...
France 7%
Germany 7%
Italy 8%
..even Estonia 7%
UK: 5%
Idea that ID cards are some kind of panacea...
www.ey.com/content/dam/...
Reposted by May Bulman
This. We have had ID cards in Italy since always and people can readily see how the shadow economy is doing there
The idea that digital ID cards will stop people working in the shadow economy and thus reduce small boat crossings is baffling
The very nature of the shadow economy (the only way asylum seekers can find work) is employers don’t check documents.. That would obviously continue with ID cards
The very nature of the shadow economy (the only way asylum seekers can find work) is employers don’t check documents.. That would obviously continue with ID cards
September 26, 2025 at 7:39 AM
This. We have had ID cards in Italy since always and people can readily see how the shadow economy is doing there
The idea that digital ID cards will stop people working in the shadow economy and thus reduce small boat crossings is baffling
The very nature of the shadow economy (the only way asylum seekers can find work) is employers don’t check documents.. That would obviously continue with ID cards
The very nature of the shadow economy (the only way asylum seekers can find work) is employers don’t check documents.. That would obviously continue with ID cards
September 26, 2025 at 7:01 AM
The idea that digital ID cards will stop people working in the shadow economy and thus reduce small boat crossings is baffling
The very nature of the shadow economy (the only way asylum seekers can find work) is employers don’t check documents.. That would obviously continue with ID cards
The very nature of the shadow economy (the only way asylum seekers can find work) is employers don’t check documents.. That would obviously continue with ID cards
Reposted by May Bulman
afaict the evidence base that digital ID will reduce the number of people migrating to the UK is "Macron says so". I hope he is duly flattered. Digital ID will be useful for many people, unusable for others, but fundamentally the issue here is with employers who don't do right to work checks
September 25, 2025 at 2:59 PM
afaict the evidence base that digital ID will reduce the number of people migrating to the UK is "Macron says so". I hope he is duly flattered. Digital ID will be useful for many people, unusable for others, but fundamentally the issue here is with employers who don't do right to work checks
Reposted by May Bulman
🔴 NEW: Larry Ellison’s £257m bet on Tony Blair
Our investigation with @lighthousereports.com reveals how the Tony Blair Institute has been accused of pushing the interests of tech tycoon Ellison — Trump’s “CEO of everything” — and his company Oracle
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/inside-the...
Our investigation with @lighthousereports.com reveals how the Tony Blair Institute has been accused of pushing the interests of tech tycoon Ellison — Trump’s “CEO of everything” — and his company Oracle
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/inside-the...
Inside the Tony Blair Institute
A former PM, Trump's 'CEO of everything' and NHS data - what could go wrong?
democracyforsale.substack.com
September 24, 2025 at 12:20 PM
🔴 NEW: Larry Ellison’s £257m bet on Tony Blair
Our investigation with @lighthousereports.com reveals how the Tony Blair Institute has been accused of pushing the interests of tech tycoon Ellison — Trump’s “CEO of everything” — and his company Oracle
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/inside-the...
Our investigation with @lighthousereports.com reveals how the Tony Blair Institute has been accused of pushing the interests of tech tycoon Ellison — Trump’s “CEO of everything” — and his company Oracle
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/inside-the...
Reposted by May Bulman
Great (read scary) investigation into the Tony Blair Institute, its relationship with a US tech billionaire & efforts to get NHS health data opened up for AI
I also had no idea TBI was so big: 900 staff!
HT @petergeoghegan.bsky.social @maybulman.bsky.social
www.newstatesman.com/politics/202...
I also had no idea TBI was so big: 900 staff!
HT @petergeoghegan.bsky.social @maybulman.bsky.social
www.newstatesman.com/politics/202...
Inside the Tony Blair Institute
Who really benefits from the former PM’s tech evangelism?
www.newstatesman.com
September 24, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Great (read scary) investigation into the Tony Blair Institute, its relationship with a US tech billionaire & efforts to get NHS health data opened up for AI
I also had no idea TBI was so big: 900 staff!
HT @petergeoghegan.bsky.social @maybulman.bsky.social
www.newstatesman.com/politics/202...
I also had no idea TBI was so big: 900 staff!
HT @petergeoghegan.bsky.social @maybulman.bsky.social
www.newstatesman.com/politics/202...