Rob Blackie
@robblackie.bsky.social
Helping innovators tell the right story at the right time. Former Lib Dem London Mayoral candidate. Breaking Putin's censorship
https://www.linkedin.com/in/robblackie/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/robblackie/
To stop Britain going the way of America, we need to protect the BBC.
The BBC, with other public service broadcasters like ITV, is critical to making sure our society doesn't fragment into polarised groups.
The BBC, with other public service broadcasters like ITV, is critical to making sure our society doesn't fragment into polarised groups.
Quick thread on the BBC and the political and societal significance of recent developments:
One of the main reasons the UK has historically been so much less polarised than the US, is that Britain has a shared source of information, consumed and trusted by most people regardless of their politics.
One of the main reasons the UK has historically been so much less polarised than the US, is that Britain has a shared source of information, consumed and trusted by most people regardless of their politics.
November 10, 2025 at 8:54 PM
To stop Britain going the way of America, we need to protect the BBC.
The BBC, with other public service broadcasters like ITV, is critical to making sure our society doesn't fragment into polarised groups.
The BBC, with other public service broadcasters like ITV, is critical to making sure our society doesn't fragment into polarised groups.
Reposted by Rob Blackie
"The BBC belongs to Britain."
"We cant allow the Trumpification of our politics and our media landscape."
@munirawilson.bsky.social
"We cant allow the Trumpification of our politics and our media landscape."
@munirawilson.bsky.social
November 10, 2025 at 1:16 PM
"The BBC belongs to Britain."
"We cant allow the Trumpification of our politics and our media landscape."
@munirawilson.bsky.social
"We cant allow the Trumpification of our politics and our media landscape."
@munirawilson.bsky.social
Reposted by Rob Blackie
Maybe Keir should demand the heads of major US news networks any time they imply Britain is on the brink of civil war or that we live under sharia law. Or does it not work both ways?
November 10, 2025 at 11:29 AM
Maybe Keir should demand the heads of major US news networks any time they imply Britain is on the brink of civil war or that we live under sharia law. Or does it not work both ways?
Reposted by Rob Blackie
1/ Pretty amazing new results showing an unexpected benefit of mRNA vaccines. Patients who received a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine within 100 days of starting immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy survived almost twice as long. jenndowd.substack.com/p/can-mrna-v... #episky #medsky #cancer
November 10, 2025 at 12:12 PM
1/ Pretty amazing new results showing an unexpected benefit of mRNA vaccines. Patients who received a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine within 100 days of starting immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy survived almost twice as long. jenndowd.substack.com/p/can-mrna-v... #episky #medsky #cancer
Reposted by Rob Blackie
This video is brilliant: buff.ly/1zyTWmM
Seems a total slam dunk that owners of private jets should pay fuel duties. Doesn't it?
The answer is annoying.
Thread:
Seems a total slam dunk that owners of private jets should pay fuel duties. Doesn't it?
The answer is annoying.
Thread:
Private jets don't pay fuel tax. Now I don't either.
You pay fuel duty. Why don’t billionaires? This week, we launched WeWingAnyCar.com to help you qualify for the same tax breaks that private jets get.
Because tax loopholes shouldn’t just be for…
www.youtube.com
November 8, 2025 at 9:34 AM
This video is brilliant: buff.ly/1zyTWmM
Seems a total slam dunk that owners of private jets should pay fuel duties. Doesn't it?
The answer is annoying.
Thread:
Seems a total slam dunk that owners of private jets should pay fuel duties. Doesn't it?
The answer is annoying.
Thread:
Britain isn't polarised like America.
More than anything that's because of the BBC. So when we see people attacking it, that's often because they want us to be more like America.
More than anything that's because of the BBC. So when we see people attacking it, that's often because they want us to be more like America.
November 10, 2025 at 11:21 AM
Britain isn't polarised like America.
More than anything that's because of the BBC. So when we see people attacking it, that's often because they want us to be more like America.
More than anything that's because of the BBC. So when we see people attacking it, that's often because they want us to be more like America.
Two fascinating nuggets from @jburnmurdoch.ft.com that have largely been missed:
1. Young people *less likely* to say 'don't know' in political polls - does this indicate better knowledge from social media compared to previous generations?
2. Young women are more confident in their opinions...
1. Young people *less likely* to say 'don't know' in political polls - does this indicate better knowledge from social media compared to previous generations?
2. Young women are more confident in their opinions...
November 10, 2025 at 10:47 AM
Two fascinating nuggets from @jburnmurdoch.ft.com that have largely been missed:
1. Young people *less likely* to say 'don't know' in political polls - does this indicate better knowledge from social media compared to previous generations?
2. Young women are more confident in their opinions...
1. Young people *less likely* to say 'don't know' in political polls - does this indicate better knowledge from social media compared to previous generations?
2. Young women are more confident in their opinions...
Reposted by Rob Blackie
So New York billionaires are going to flock to UK to escape wealth tax, says The Times despite The Times saying repeatedly that billionaires are fleeing Britain to escape wealth tax. It’s almost like they’re just making this shite up! 🤡 www.thetimes.com/uk/london/ar...
Rich New Yorkers eye London as Zohran Mamdani plots wealth tax
Estate agents have reported an increase in inquiries from affluent Americans considering a move across the Pond, but warn that Rachel Reeves’s budget may deter them
www.thetimes.com
November 10, 2025 at 10:36 AM
So New York billionaires are going to flock to UK to escape wealth tax, says The Times despite The Times saying repeatedly that billionaires are fleeing Britain to escape wealth tax. It’s almost like they’re just making this shite up! 🤡 www.thetimes.com/uk/london/ar...
Reposted by Rob Blackie
Former Labour Mayor of Lambeth joins Liberal Democrats
Former Labour Mayor of Lambeth joins Liberal Democrats
A former Labour Mayor of Lambeth has today joined the Liberal Democrats.
www.lambethlibdems.org.uk
November 10, 2025 at 9:24 AM
Former Labour Mayor of Lambeth joins Liberal Democrats
Brexit has been an economic disaster.
If the government is too scared to say that and to take action, it will make it much harder for us to recover.
That means lower wages, worse public services and higher prices.
If the government is too scared to say that and to take action, it will make it much harder for us to recover.
That means lower wages, worse public services and higher prices.
November 10, 2025 at 9:58 AM
Brexit has been an economic disaster.
If the government is too scared to say that and to take action, it will make it much harder for us to recover.
That means lower wages, worse public services and higher prices.
If the government is too scared to say that and to take action, it will make it much harder for us to recover.
That means lower wages, worse public services and higher prices.
Labour knew that they were making impossible promises to keep last year.
Or if they didn't, it was incredible delusion.
Or if they didn't, it was incredible delusion.
While going through the proofs for "The British General Election of 2024" (out very soon!) I came across this - Paul Johnson of the IFS's verdict on Labour's manifesto last year. Labour's current attempts to claim the need to break their tax pledges was impossible to forsee don't stack up
November 10, 2025 at 8:32 AM
Labour knew that they were making impossible promises to keep last year.
Or if they didn't, it was incredible delusion.
Or if they didn't, it was incredible delusion.
The Greens think that they could persuade Putin to give up his nuclear weapons.
How exactly?
By hypnotising him?
How exactly?
By hypnotising him?
November 9, 2025 at 4:33 PM
The Greens think that they could persuade Putin to give up his nuclear weapons.
How exactly?
By hypnotising him?
How exactly?
By hypnotising him?
Welcome to our latest London Lib Dem councillor - the former Labour Mayor of Lambeth and councillor for Stockwell East, Tina Valcarcel!
She joins former Labour voters who are disappointed with the government and joining us across London everyday
She joins former Labour voters who are disappointed with the government and joining us across London everyday
November 9, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Welcome to our latest London Lib Dem councillor - the former Labour Mayor of Lambeth and councillor for Stockwell East, Tina Valcarcel!
She joins former Labour voters who are disappointed with the government and joining us across London everyday
She joins former Labour voters who are disappointed with the government and joining us across London everyday
Reposted by Rob Blackie
“One longtime Westminster veteran suggested that given the number of scandals around sexual harassment, assault and bullying around government and parliament, it would be better “if everyone brought less of their whole selves” to work, stressing the importance of boundaries instead.”
'Bring your whole self to work' and other pointless HR gimmicks
British workplaces are embracing American-style diversity initiatives, like encouraging people to be vulnerable in the workplace. But does it actually work?
inews.co.uk
November 9, 2025 at 10:05 AM
“One longtime Westminster veteran suggested that given the number of scandals around sexual harassment, assault and bullying around government and parliament, it would be better “if everyone brought less of their whole selves” to work, stressing the importance of boundaries instead.”
Reposted by Rob Blackie
Exclusive: Officials are urgently trying to establish whether a £36m purchase of Russian aircraft breached the UK's sanctions regime
The government only discovered it had happened after being alerted by @theobserveruk.bsky.social
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
The government only discovered it had happened after being alerted by @theobserveruk.bsky.social
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Anger as £38m is spent on plane imports from Russia | The Observer
observer.co.uk
November 9, 2025 at 7:33 AM
Exclusive: Officials are urgently trying to establish whether a £36m purchase of Russian aircraft breached the UK's sanctions regime
The government only discovered it had happened after being alerted by @theobserveruk.bsky.social
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
The government only discovered it had happened after being alerted by @theobserveruk.bsky.social
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Reposted by Rob Blackie
Eight child abusers were jailed today.
8 child sexual predators who had been operating in areas such as Gravesend, Gillingham, Swanley, & Margate jailed for a combined 100 years.
This managed not to be the top story on repeat for BBC, itv or sky News.
I wonder why.
#bbcbias #itvbias #skybias
8 child sexual predators who had been operating in areas such as Gravesend, Gillingham, Swanley, & Margate jailed for a combined 100 years.
This managed not to be the top story on repeat for BBC, itv or sky News.
I wonder why.
#bbcbias #itvbias #skybias
November 8, 2025 at 10:07 AM
Reposted by Rob Blackie
Thought-provoking segment on ITV News this eve re immigration and social cohesion. My takeaway is @sathnam.bsky.social's comment:
"What we've got in Britain is the most successful multicultural living in the world"
(That, and chicken tikka kebab)
"What we've got in Britain is the most successful multicultural living in the world"
(That, and chicken tikka kebab)
November 7, 2025 at 10:27 PM
Thought-provoking segment on ITV News this eve re immigration and social cohesion. My takeaway is @sathnam.bsky.social's comment:
"What we've got in Britain is the most successful multicultural living in the world"
(That, and chicken tikka kebab)
"What we've got in Britain is the most successful multicultural living in the world"
(That, and chicken tikka kebab)
Reposted by Rob Blackie
Think there's something particularly dispiriting about the Greek governments various moves against climate change initiatives because if your country routinely bursting into flames each summer doesn't drive it home, what will?
November 7, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Think there's something particularly dispiriting about the Greek governments various moves against climate change initiatives because if your country routinely bursting into flames each summer doesn't drive it home, what will?
Reposted by Rob Blackie
If I'm doing the math correctly, Musk's big pay packet yesterday could have made each of these now-dead people millionaires instead.
He is among the sickest men the world has ever produced.
He is among the sickest men the world has ever produced.
One analytical model shows that, as of November 5th, the dismantling of U.S.A.I.D. has already caused the deaths of 600,000 people, two-thirds of them children. https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/jUzNSc
The Shutdown of U.S.A.I.D. Has Already Killed Hundreds of Thousands
The short documentary “Rovina’s Choice” tells the story of what goes when aid goes.
newyorkermag.visitlink.me
November 7, 2025 at 2:52 PM
If I'm doing the math correctly, Musk's big pay packet yesterday could have made each of these now-dead people millionaires instead.
He is among the sickest men the world has ever produced.
He is among the sickest men the world has ever produced.
Cities are the crowning achievement of mankind.
A clean, safe city is the best possible place to live.
A clean, safe city is the best possible place to live.
It shouldn’t be forgotten that a big piece of Mamdani’s campaign was simply “cities are cool and lots of people enjoy living in them” which in and of itself dismantles alot of rightwing talking points
November 7, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Cities are the crowning achievement of mankind.
A clean, safe city is the best possible place to live.
A clean, safe city is the best possible place to live.
While Tesla is betting the farm on robots, it turns out that one of the biggest robotics companies (iRobot - who make the roomba) is teetering on the edge of bankruptcy.
www.therobotreport.com/irobot-reven...
www.therobotreport.com/irobot-reven...
iRobot revenue drops again with 'no sources' of additional capital
iRobot said if it can't obtain new capital it "may be forced to significantly curtail or cease operations and would likely seek bankruptcy protection."
www.therobotreport.com
November 7, 2025 at 11:37 AM
While Tesla is betting the farm on robots, it turns out that one of the biggest robotics companies (iRobot - who make the roomba) is teetering on the edge of bankruptcy.
www.therobotreport.com/irobot-reven...
www.therobotreport.com/irobot-reven...
Reposted by Rob Blackie
18% of people in Britain identify as "woke"
18% of people identify as "anti-woke"
43% as neither
19% don't know what the terms mean [that was half in 2020]
Kings Policy Institute latest study shows that the polarised tribes remain vocal minority segments, but perceptions of division are rising
18% of people identify as "anti-woke"
43% as neither
19% don't know what the terms mean [that was half in 2020]
Kings Policy Institute latest study shows that the polarised tribes remain vocal minority segments, but perceptions of division are rising
November 7, 2025 at 11:06 AM
18% of people in Britain identify as "woke"
18% of people identify as "anti-woke"
43% as neither
19% don't know what the terms mean [that was half in 2020]
Kings Policy Institute latest study shows that the polarised tribes remain vocal minority segments, but perceptions of division are rising
18% of people identify as "anti-woke"
43% as neither
19% don't know what the terms mean [that was half in 2020]
Kings Policy Institute latest study shows that the polarised tribes remain vocal minority segments, but perceptions of division are rising
Reposted by Rob Blackie
Which one is more English?
November 6, 2025 at 11:58 AM
Which one is more English?
An interesting question I'd like to see answered: Is China starting to run out of things to invest in that have a decent return?
On @jessedjenkins.com podcast it was suggested that Chinese infrastructure spending (and therefore global steel & concrete demand) is slowing/ falling because they...
On @jessedjenkins.com podcast it was suggested that Chinese infrastructure spending (and therefore global steel & concrete demand) is slowing/ falling because they...
A fun question. In 5 years time, what looks better? The US’s enormous bet & capex on AI? Or China’s equally enormous bet and capex on renewables?
China has made cheap, clean energy available in huge quantities. The world should take the win econ.st/4oqFszB
Photo: Eyevine
Photo: Eyevine
November 7, 2025 at 9:28 AM
An interesting question I'd like to see answered: Is China starting to run out of things to invest in that have a decent return?
On @jessedjenkins.com podcast it was suggested that Chinese infrastructure spending (and therefore global steel & concrete demand) is slowing/ falling because they...
On @jessedjenkins.com podcast it was suggested that Chinese infrastructure spending (and therefore global steel & concrete demand) is slowing/ falling because they...
Reposted by Rob Blackie
The world’s first trillionaire initiated a move that has left more than half a million people dead, most of whom are children.
November 7, 2025 at 7:39 AM
The world’s first trillionaire initiated a move that has left more than half a million people dead, most of whom are children.