Rhian E Jones
@rhianejones.bsky.social
Red bluestocking. Writer, journalist and broadcaster on history, politics and culture. Co-editor @RedPeppermag.bsky.social Welsh.
🥃⚒️
Contact via DM or rhian@redpepper.org.uk.
Dispatches: https://substack.com/@rhianejones
🥃⚒️
Contact via DM or rhian@redpepper.org.uk.
Dispatches: https://substack.com/@rhianejones
Pinned
Rhian E Jones
@rhianejones.bsky.social
· Nov 10
Hiya to all new followers! I'll pipe down about my new book soon and then you can expect grumpy analysis of politics and pop culture old and new, plus the odd drunken indiscretion.
Reposted by Rhian E Jones
🗞️ Aspiring journalist?
Struggling to break into the industry?
Nation.Cymru is offering commissions, mentoring, and internships for new and emerging Welsh journalists.
Get published, get paid, and help shape the future of journalism in Wales.
Find out more below 👇
Nation.Cymru is offering commissions, mentoring, and internships for new and emerging Welsh journalists.
Get published, get paid, and help shape the future of journalism in Wales.
Find out more below 👇
Nation.Cymru launches scheme to support next generation of Welsh journalists
A new programme designed to open up journalism in Wales to people from working-class and underrepresented backgrounds has been launched by Nation.Cymru. Backed by Creative Wales’ Public Interest Journ...
nation.cymru
November 13, 2025 at 5:02 PM
🗞️ Aspiring journalist?
Struggling to break into the industry?
Nation.Cymru is offering commissions, mentoring, and internships for new and emerging Welsh journalists.
Get published, get paid, and help shape the future of journalism in Wales.
Find out more below 👇
Nation.Cymru is offering commissions, mentoring, and internships for new and emerging Welsh journalists.
Get published, get paid, and help shape the future of journalism in Wales.
Find out more below 👇
Reposted by Rhian E Jones
A piece I wrote about the manufactured ‘impartiality’ panics that greeted Tim Davie’s arrival just over 5 years ago, when GB News was still a glint in Robbie Gibbs’ eye www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
William Davies · Short Cuts: Woke Conspiracies
A British equivalent of Fox News, wherever it may come from, would have its own distinctive character – less...
www.lrb.co.uk
November 10, 2025 at 8:12 PM
A piece I wrote about the manufactured ‘impartiality’ panics that greeted Tim Davie’s arrival just over 5 years ago, when GB News was still a glint in Robbie Gibbs’ eye www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
Reposted by Rhian E Jones
Have Reform UK Ltd’s county councils delivered on their promises?
A six-month review of Reform-led county councils explores how effectively they have delivered what they promised to their electors | Gary Gilligan
@garygilligan.bsky.social @centralbylines.co.uk
A six-month review of Reform-led county councils explores how effectively they have delivered what they promised to their electors | Gary Gilligan
@garygilligan.bsky.social @centralbylines.co.uk
Have Reform UK Ltd’s county councils delivered on their promises?
A six-month review of Reform-led county councils explores how effectively they have delivered what they promised to their electors
centralbylines.co.uk
November 10, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Have Reform UK Ltd’s county councils delivered on their promises?
A six-month review of Reform-led county councils explores how effectively they have delivered what they promised to their electors | Gary Gilligan
@garygilligan.bsky.social @centralbylines.co.uk
A six-month review of Reform-led county councils explores how effectively they have delivered what they promised to their electors | Gary Gilligan
@garygilligan.bsky.social @centralbylines.co.uk
Reposted by Rhian E Jones
Day 3 of the “no more than 2” day trial of Sandwich Guy. The prosecution intends to rest; the defense hasn’t decided yet. Dispute over jury instructions continues, a few morsels (sorry) to follow.
November 5, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Day 3 of the “no more than 2” day trial of Sandwich Guy. The prosecution intends to rest; the defense hasn’t decided yet. Dispute over jury instructions continues, a few morsels (sorry) to follow.
Reposted by Rhian E Jones
Did you ever wonder anything about the history of tenant organising and rent strikes? This volume, edited by me and @lucaspoy.bsky.social , might have some answers. Freshly published today and available with open access.
uclpress.co.uk/book/rent-st...
uclpress.co.uk/book/rent-st...
Rent Strikes
Since the nineteenth century, working-class families have predominantly relied on tenements for housing, with rents often consuming a large portion of their household budgets. There is a long and cont...
uclpress.co.uk
November 6, 2025 at 6:58 AM
Did you ever wonder anything about the history of tenant organising and rent strikes? This volume, edited by me and @lucaspoy.bsky.social , might have some answers. Freshly published today and available with open access.
uclpress.co.uk/book/rent-st...
uclpress.co.uk/book/rent-st...
Reposted by Rhian E Jones
"The X algorithm prioritises sending new users right-wing leaning content", a Sky News Data and Forensics investigation reveals
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
Elon Musk is boosting the British right - and this shows how
Elon Musk is boosting the British right - and this shows how
news.sky.com
November 6, 2025 at 7:15 AM
"The X algorithm prioritises sending new users right-wing leaning content", a Sky News Data and Forensics investigation reveals
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
Reposted by Rhian E Jones
9. We will stop the billionaire autocracy only if these revenants make way for a radical, inspiring, lively politics, that doesn't wait for the other side to “crumble”, but gives people a reason to overthrow it. May Mamdani’s victory begin a new era of life-giving and life-affirming politics.
November 6, 2025 at 7:18 AM
9. We will stop the billionaire autocracy only if these revenants make way for a radical, inspiring, lively politics, that doesn't wait for the other side to “crumble”, but gives people a reason to overthrow it. May Mamdani’s victory begin a new era of life-giving and life-affirming politics.
Reposted by Rhian E Jones
I keep seeing supposedly progressive podcasts saying “the problem is that people feel like they just can’t talk about these issues” while these issues are frequently the *only* thing that people are talking about 😩
Am struggling with the idea that people like me somehow don't understand the legitimate concerns of people who attended the Tommy Robinson march. I literally had National Front fliers through my letterbox in my childhood in Greater London and I went to school and university with actual fascists.
November 4, 2025 at 7:14 AM
I keep seeing supposedly progressive podcasts saying “the problem is that people feel like they just can’t talk about these issues” while these issues are frequently the *only* thing that people are talking about 😩
Reposted by Rhian E Jones
Reminder that Powell was dropped like a hot potato for giving this speech while current Tories face no consequences and are more likely to be given an endorsement from the party leader or discussed as future party leaders in the press.
"Hence the urgency of implementing now the second part of the Conservatives policy - the encouragement of re-emigration."
Wait - that's not @rcolvile.bsky.social below (though it's what he's arguing).
It's Powell's Rivers of Blood speech.
www.thetimes.com/comment/colu...
Wait - that's not @rcolvile.bsky.social below (though it's what he's arguing).
It's Powell's Rivers of Blood speech.
www.thetimes.com/comment/colu...
It’s mad to give migrants leave to remain when we’ve no idea if they contribute
Britain cannot afford to give a route to long-term residency and citizenship to thousands or eventually millions of new arrivals who will cost the country
www.thetimes.com
October 24, 2025 at 7:45 AM
Reminder that Powell was dropped like a hot potato for giving this speech while current Tories face no consequences and are more likely to be given an endorsement from the party leader or discussed as future party leaders in the press.
Reposted by Rhian E Jones
Reform lost by 11% in Caerphilly - because of a surge in turnout, because Reform looked set to win the seat.
This illustrates Reform's vulnerability *because* they are leading the polls (in a 6 party system) while being an *unpopular* party. A much bigger problem under FPTP 2029 than PR 2026
This illustrates Reform's vulnerability *because* they are leading the polls (in a 6 party system) while being an *unpopular* party. A much bigger problem under FPTP 2029 than PR 2026
October 24, 2025 at 7:06 AM
Reform lost by 11% in Caerphilly - because of a surge in turnout, because Reform looked set to win the seat.
This illustrates Reform's vulnerability *because* they are leading the polls (in a 6 party system) while being an *unpopular* party. A much bigger problem under FPTP 2029 than PR 2026
This illustrates Reform's vulnerability *because* they are leading the polls (in a 6 party system) while being an *unpopular* party. A much bigger problem under FPTP 2029 than PR 2026
Reposted by Rhian E Jones
The Workers' Stories Project published 55 stories from Scottish workers during the COVID-19 lockdown.
I've co-authored a new journal article on the project and working-class narratives of the pandemic with three other members of the project team Hailey Maxwell, Ruth Gilbert and Suki Sangha.
I've co-authored a new journal article on the project and working-class narratives of the pandemic with three other members of the project team Hailey Maxwell, Ruth Gilbert and Suki Sangha.
Scottish Workers’ Stories of Life and Labour during Covid-19 from the Workers’ Stories Project
This article explores how Scottish workers narrated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their life and work, by analysing 55 fifty-five submissions to the Workers' Stories Project. Between 2020 and...
scholarcommons.sc.edu
October 20, 2025 at 11:12 AM
The Workers' Stories Project published 55 stories from Scottish workers during the COVID-19 lockdown.
I've co-authored a new journal article on the project and working-class narratives of the pandemic with three other members of the project team Hailey Maxwell, Ruth Gilbert and Suki Sangha.
I've co-authored a new journal article on the project and working-class narratives of the pandemic with three other members of the project team Hailey Maxwell, Ruth Gilbert and Suki Sangha.
Reposted by Rhian E Jones
Looking forward to taking part in this year's Newport Rising - come and say hello if you're there! 🏴✊
www.newportrising.co.uk/events/chart...
www.newportrising.co.uk/events/chart...
Chartist Convention 2025 | Newport Rising
Newport Chartist Convention 2025 at Riverfront Theatre
www.newportrising.co.uk
October 16, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Looking forward to taking part in this year's Newport Rising - come and say hello if you're there! 🏴✊
www.newportrising.co.uk/events/chart...
www.newportrising.co.uk/events/chart...
Reposted by Rhian E Jones
German study shows how far right sets agenda thanks to mainstream parties reshaping their communications to respond to what are initially fringe issues, boosting the spread of these ideas and signalling to voters that these ideas and stances were legitimate
shorturl.at/OFfig
shorturl.at/OFfig
German far right setting agenda as opponents amplify its ideas, study finds
Normalisation of far-right stances likely to affect success of such parties at ballot boxes across Europe, say researchers
www.theguardian.com
October 18, 2025 at 7:48 AM
German study shows how far right sets agenda thanks to mainstream parties reshaping their communications to respond to what are initially fringe issues, boosting the spread of these ideas and signalling to voters that these ideas and stances were legitimate
shorturl.at/OFfig
shorturl.at/OFfig
Reposted by Rhian E Jones
Fifteen years of cuts have left the UK trying to "efficiency" its way out of a collapse – and somehow still expecting growth to show up as well | The Bear
The ceaseless snip-snip-snip of a dying state
Fifteen years of cuts have left the UK trying to "efficiency" its way out of a collapse – and somehow still expecting growth to show up as well
eastangliabylines.co.uk
October 19, 2025 at 5:23 AM
Fifteen years of cuts have left the UK trying to "efficiency" its way out of a collapse – and somehow still expecting growth to show up as well | The Bear
Reposted by Rhian E Jones
When the main theme of an election campaign is an issue over which the parliament concerned has no power - in this case immigration - it’s clear that our democracy has become dysfunctional ✍️Martin Shipton wp.me/p8Mk4U-17oE
October 18, 2025 at 7:03 PM
When the main theme of an election campaign is an issue over which the parliament concerned has no power - in this case immigration - it’s clear that our democracy has become dysfunctional ✍️Martin Shipton wp.me/p8Mk4U-17oE
Looking forward to taking part in this year's Newport Rising - come and say hello if you're there! 🏴✊
www.newportrising.co.uk/events/chart...
www.newportrising.co.uk/events/chart...
Chartist Convention 2025 | Newport Rising
Newport Chartist Convention 2025 at Riverfront Theatre
www.newportrising.co.uk
October 16, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Looking forward to taking part in this year's Newport Rising - come and say hello if you're there! 🏴✊
www.newportrising.co.uk/events/chart...
www.newportrising.co.uk/events/chart...
Reposted by Rhian E Jones
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www.redpepper.org.uk/subscribe/
- Our premium fortnightly newsletter
- An annual edition direct to you
- Access to our full digital archive
- A warm glow from the knowledge that YOU are funding emerging writers, radical media and movement-building events!
www.redpepper.org.uk/subscribe/
Subscribe to Red Pepper Media - Red Pepper
Fed up with the mainstream media? Support radical, challenging, independent media instead! Subscribe to Red Pepper magazine today.
www.redpepper.org.uk
October 3, 2025 at 7:38 AM
Pay what you can from £4 a month to get:
- Our premium fortnightly newsletter
- An annual edition direct to you
- Access to our full digital archive
- A warm glow from the knowledge that YOU are funding emerging writers, radical media and movement-building events!
www.redpepper.org.uk/subscribe/
- Our premium fortnightly newsletter
- An annual edition direct to you
- Access to our full digital archive
- A warm glow from the knowledge that YOU are funding emerging writers, radical media and movement-building events!
www.redpepper.org.uk/subscribe/
Reposted by Rhian E Jones
"In an enthusiastically curated showcase of soft left thinking, more than a dozen opinions are offered on ways forward for Labour"
A new collection from Mark Perryman asks some bold and urgent questions about dialogue on the left, writes Kevin Davey
www.redpepper.org.uk/culture-medi...
A new collection from Mark Perryman asks some bold and urgent questions about dialogue on the left, writes Kevin Davey
www.redpepper.org.uk/culture-medi...
The Starmer Symptom - review - Red Pepper
As anger with Labour grows, a new collection from Mark Perryman asks bold and urgent questions about dialogue on the left, writes Kevin Davey
www.redpepper.org.uk
October 6, 2025 at 3:30 PM
"In an enthusiastically curated showcase of soft left thinking, more than a dozen opinions are offered on ways forward for Labour"
A new collection from Mark Perryman asks some bold and urgent questions about dialogue on the left, writes Kevin Davey
www.redpepper.org.uk/culture-medi...
A new collection from Mark Perryman asks some bold and urgent questions about dialogue on the left, writes Kevin Davey
www.redpepper.org.uk/culture-medi...
Reposted by Rhian E Jones
Jerry Iles speaks to Geoff Kirkwood about how a Tyneside Social Club became a cultural beacon – driven by cutting edge DJs, bingo nights, experimental orchestras and ‘open-minded collectivism’. Now, it’s reclaiming culture for everyone
www.redpepper.org.uk/culture-medi...
www.redpepper.org.uk/culture-medi...
High art, low ceilings: remaking Social Club culture - Red Pepper
Geoff Kirkwood (aka Man Power) explains how a Tyneside Social Club became a cultural beacon driven by ‘open-minded collectivism’
www.redpepper.org.uk
October 8, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Jerry Iles speaks to Geoff Kirkwood about how a Tyneside Social Club became a cultural beacon – driven by cutting edge DJs, bingo nights, experimental orchestras and ‘open-minded collectivism’. Now, it’s reclaiming culture for everyone
www.redpepper.org.uk/culture-medi...
www.redpepper.org.uk/culture-medi...
Reposted by Rhian E Jones
A real treat to write about Jurassic Park as anticapitalist inspiration for the new @leftcultures.bsky.social (with brilliant illustration as ever)
A great project celebrating radical politics in unexpected places
A great project celebrating radical politics in unexpected places
Issue 4 of Left Cultures out now featuring a piece by Red Pepper co-editor @siobhan.bsky.social
In Issue there's over 50 stories discussing a dazzling array of past and present cultural moments to create a Lexicon of the Left, fully illustrated throughout.
leftcultures.com/collections/...
In Issue there's over 50 stories discussing a dazzling array of past and present cultural moments to create a Lexicon of the Left, fully illustrated throughout.
leftcultures.com/collections/...
Issue 04
In Left Cultures 4 there's over 50 stories discussing a dazzling array of past and present cultural moments to create a Lexicon of the Left, fully illustrated throughout.B5 in size128 pagesConcession…
leftcultures.com
October 1, 2025 at 7:03 AM
A real treat to write about Jurassic Park as anticapitalist inspiration for the new @leftcultures.bsky.social (with brilliant illustration as ever)
A great project celebrating radical politics in unexpected places
A great project celebrating radical politics in unexpected places
Reposted by Rhian E Jones
TWT is back, with a new approach to galvanise the British left. Join us to shake off nostalgia, get organised and rise to meet growing threats, write Andrea Gilbert, Lydia Phillips and Isaac Rose
The World Transformed starts tomorrow in Manchester
www.redpepper.org.uk/political-pa...
The World Transformed starts tomorrow in Manchester
www.redpepper.org.uk/political-pa...
The World Transformed: giving history a push - Red Pepper
TWT is back, with a new approach to galvanise the British left. Join us to shake off nostalgia, get organised and rise to meet growing threats
www.redpepper.org.uk
October 8, 2025 at 5:35 PM
TWT is back, with a new approach to galvanise the British left. Join us to shake off nostalgia, get organised and rise to meet growing threats, write Andrea Gilbert, Lydia Phillips and Isaac Rose
The World Transformed starts tomorrow in Manchester
www.redpepper.org.uk/political-pa...
The World Transformed starts tomorrow in Manchester
www.redpepper.org.uk/political-pa...
Reposted by Rhian E Jones
Following an extensive community consultation, the new look Red Pepper Media has been guided by our readers – and is set to reshape the left media landscape
Read about how RPM is forging ahead into the future here:
www.redpepper.org.uk/culture-medi...
Read about how RPM is forging ahead into the future here:
www.redpepper.org.uk/culture-medi...
Red Pepper Media: a community-led redesign - Red Pepper
Following an extensive community consultation, the new-look RPM has been guided by our readers and is set to reshape the left media landscape
www.redpepper.org.uk
October 9, 2025 at 7:38 AM
Following an extensive community consultation, the new look Red Pepper Media has been guided by our readers – and is set to reshape the left media landscape
Read about how RPM is forging ahead into the future here:
www.redpepper.org.uk/culture-medi...
Read about how RPM is forging ahead into the future here:
www.redpepper.org.uk/culture-medi...
Reposted by Rhian E Jones
"Football, basketball, and Olympic representation are not just games; they are pillars of national identity and instruments to project the nation and its legitimacy abroad"
Nicola De Martini Ugolotti and Max Mauro on efforts to ban Israel from sports
www.redpepper.org.uk/global-polit...
Nicola De Martini Ugolotti and Max Mauro on efforts to ban Israel from sports
www.redpepper.org.uk/global-polit...
No neutral ground: sport is political in Israel’s war on Gaza - Red Pepper
Nicola De Martini Ugolotti and Max Mauro report on the movement to ban Israel from international sports as genocide unfolds in Gaza
www.redpepper.org.uk
October 10, 2025 at 3:01 PM
"Football, basketball, and Olympic representation are not just games; they are pillars of national identity and instruments to project the nation and its legitimacy abroad"
Nicola De Martini Ugolotti and Max Mauro on efforts to ban Israel from sports
www.redpepper.org.uk/global-polit...
Nicola De Martini Ugolotti and Max Mauro on efforts to ban Israel from sports
www.redpepper.org.uk/global-polit...
Reposted by Rhian E Jones
Anglian, Northumbrian, Southern, South East and Wessex Water are all being allowed to put their bills up ANOTHER £28.
Why are we not Nationalising Water?
Why are we not Nationalising Water?
October 9, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Anglian, Northumbrian, Southern, South East and Wessex Water are all being allowed to put their bills up ANOTHER £28.
Why are we not Nationalising Water?
Why are we not Nationalising Water?
Reposted by Rhian E Jones
"One-third of votes cast might be enough to enable Reform to win an absolute majority of seats and be able to pass any laws it likes"
A campaign for constitutional reform is an urgent priority for the UK, argues Mark Corner.
www.redpepper.org.uk/political-pa...
A campaign for constitutional reform is an urgent priority for the UK, argues Mark Corner.
www.redpepper.org.uk/political-pa...
We need a new electoral system to defeat the far right - Red Pepper
With the far right ready to exploit the UK's undemocratic politics, constitutional reform is an urgent priority, argues Mark Corner
www.redpepper.org.uk
September 21, 2025 at 7:38 AM
"One-third of votes cast might be enough to enable Reform to win an absolute majority of seats and be able to pass any laws it likes"
A campaign for constitutional reform is an urgent priority for the UK, argues Mark Corner.
www.redpepper.org.uk/political-pa...
A campaign for constitutional reform is an urgent priority for the UK, argues Mark Corner.
www.redpepper.org.uk/political-pa...