RobWilliams100
@robwilliams100.bsky.social
Portfolio career. Writing, journalism, tour guiding PR, PA, etc. Tweet as RobWilliams100 but the sky is bluer here. Still #FBPE Writes stuff, including for The Guardian http://www.theguardian.com/profile/robwilliamsy
Pinned
Well, a short bio of the good bits I'm Rob. Or Robbie. Did European Studies at university and feel like a luddite now. A big fan of more trams, and more electrified railways, good walks, hikes and bike rides, and #France. Think Belgium is criminally underrated. Take the occasional decent photo.
The @bettertransport.bsky.social is right. Trams can get Britain moving again bsky.app/profile/bett...
💬 "When you are elected on a pledge of “change”, however vague the term, and then carry on trotting out the same policies of the previous government, you have a credibility problem."
✍️ Rob Williams on Labour's need to deliver on devolution 🌹
Read more👇
labourlist.org/2026/01/devo...
✍️ Rob Williams on Labour's need to deliver on devolution 🌹
Read more👇
labourlist.org/2026/01/devo...
labourlist.org
February 16, 2026 at 6:26 PM
The @bettertransport.bsky.social is right. Trams can get Britain moving again bsky.app/profile/bett...
Reposted by RobWilliams100
This is part of a bigger story that hasn't had much coverage about the FCDO being cut to ribbons.
Development funding has been slashed but foreign office staff are also being reduced by 20-30%.
Development funding has been slashed but foreign office staff are also being reduced by 20-30%.
And another bites the dust?
The BBC World Service will run out of funding in just seven weeks. Its funding arrangement with the Foreign Office finishes at the end of March. There is no plan for what happens next.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The BBC World Service will run out of funding in just seven weeks. Its funding arrangement with the Foreign Office finishes at the end of March. There is no plan for what happens next.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The Guardian view on the BBC World Service: this is London calling | Editorial
Editorial: With just seven weeks before its funding runs out, the UK’s greatest cultural asset and most trusted international news organisation must be supported
www.theguardian.com
February 15, 2026 at 9:24 PM
This is part of a bigger story that hasn't had much coverage about the FCDO being cut to ribbons.
Development funding has been slashed but foreign office staff are also being reduced by 20-30%.
Development funding has been slashed but foreign office staff are also being reduced by 20-30%.
Dear @labouruk.bsky.social are you fucking deranged?
This is part of a bigger story that hasn't had much coverage about the FCDO being cut to ribbons.
Development funding has been slashed but foreign office staff are also being reduced by 20-30%.
Development funding has been slashed but foreign office staff are also being reduced by 20-30%.
And another bites the dust?
The BBC World Service will run out of funding in just seven weeks. Its funding arrangement with the Foreign Office finishes at the end of March. There is no plan for what happens next.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The BBC World Service will run out of funding in just seven weeks. Its funding arrangement with the Foreign Office finishes at the end of March. There is no plan for what happens next.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
February 15, 2026 at 11:25 PM
Dear @labouruk.bsky.social are you fucking deranged?
The ghastly tech bros and their dash for AI dystopia made me think of this youtu.be/O-c99rkQlV0?...
Hazel O'Connor - Eighth Day HQ
YouTube video by Golden 80s music
youtu.be
February 15, 2026 at 10:54 PM
The ghastly tech bros and their dash for AI dystopia made me think of this youtu.be/O-c99rkQlV0?...
Good grief. Tory MP Matt Vickers, speaking with #LewisGoodall on LBC is an absolute cretin
February 15, 2026 at 10:43 AM
Good grief. Tory MP Matt Vickers, speaking with #LewisGoodall on LBC is an absolute cretin
This is such a brilliant story #WinterOlympics www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/f...
‘A great wee place’: the small Scottish factory crafting Olympic curling stones
All stones in Cortina are made from granite found on tiny island in Firth of Clyde and crafted in East Ayrshire
www.theguardian.com
February 14, 2026 at 8:32 PM
This is such a brilliant story #WinterOlympics www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/f...
Reposted by RobWilliams100
I prefer it when ‘Traitors’ describes the TV program, not the people potentially electing the next government.
2024 Reform UK voters are also less likely to describe themselves as anti-Russia (48%) than other voters (66-79%)
yougov.co.uk/politics/art...
yougov.co.uk/politics/art...
February 14, 2026 at 11:14 AM
I prefer it when ‘Traitors’ describes the TV program, not the people potentially electing the next government.
How could appointing Liz Truss's favourite civil servant go wrong?
Antonia Romeo is the wrong choice for Cabinet secretary. A government which was serious about improving its performance would not select her.
iandunt.substack.com/p/how-one-hi...
iandunt.substack.com/p/how-one-hi...
February 13, 2026 at 7:05 PM
How could appointing Liz Truss's favourite civil servant go wrong?
Reposted by RobWilliams100
Given what has happened with some previous appointments it would seem wise for the PM to consider the truth of stories that have been suggested about Antonia Romeo.
This is an extraordinary interview in which the former FCDO perm sec basically tells No 10 not to appoint Antonia Romeo to be cab sec, and that they should talk to him about her record.
‘Due diligence vitally important’ in next top civil servant appointment – Lord McDonald
www.channel4.com/news/due-dil...
www.channel4.com/news/due-dil...
February 11, 2026 at 9:12 PM
Given what has happened with some previous appointments it would seem wise for the PM to consider the truth of stories that have been suggested about Antonia Romeo.
Reposted by RobWilliams100
The Antonia Romeo who did more than most to saddle us with Palantir? That Antonia Romeo?
February 12, 2026 at 9:53 PM
The Antonia Romeo who did more than most to saddle us with Palantir? That Antonia Romeo?
Antonia Romeo is the Cressida Dick of the civil service
Antonia Romeo is the wrong choice for Cabinet secretary. A government which was serious about improving its performance would not select her.
iandunt.substack.com/p/how-one-hi...
iandunt.substack.com/p/how-one-hi...
February 13, 2026 at 2:46 PM
Antonia Romeo is the Cressida Dick of the civil service
Reposted by RobWilliams100
Just a reminder that possible new Cabinet Secretary Antonia Romeo was in charge of Chris Grayling's disastrous probation privatisation, has a bit of a reputation for, er, robust management of junior staff, and seems to fail upwards. She reminds me of Cressida Dick for some reason.
February 10, 2026 at 11:41 PM
Just a reminder that possible new Cabinet Secretary Antonia Romeo was in charge of Chris Grayling's disastrous probation privatisation, has a bit of a reputation for, er, robust management of junior staff, and seems to fail upwards. She reminds me of Cressida Dick for some reason.
Reposted by RobWilliams100
Antonia Romeo is the wrong choice for Cabinet secretary. A government which was serious about improving its performance would not select her.
iandunt.substack.com/p/how-one-hi...
iandunt.substack.com/p/how-one-hi...
February 13, 2026 at 12:32 PM
Antonia Romeo is the wrong choice for Cabinet secretary. A government which was serious about improving its performance would not select her.
iandunt.substack.com/p/how-one-hi...
iandunt.substack.com/p/how-one-hi...
One can only conclude that Peter Hendy is a moron
“In truth, one of the reasons that the MML further electrification went down the list is because the trains that were bought as bi-mode trains" - Minister for Rail Peter Hendy.
February 13, 2026 at 2:28 PM
One can only conclude that Peter Hendy is a moron
A couple of things #KeirStarmer could do to immediately improve Labour's Comms operation is to get rid of #Ofcom and create a regulator with some teeth and to stop posting on fucking Twitter and prosecute it instead
February 12, 2026 at 11:50 PM
A couple of things #KeirStarmer could do to immediately improve Labour's Comms operation is to get rid of #Ofcom and create a regulator with some teeth and to stop posting on fucking Twitter and prosecute it instead
Reposted by RobWilliams100
Hard agree with @johnmct.bsky.social on his advice to Keir Starmer. Stop the delegating and focus on what matters in our day to day lives. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
This 10-point plan would allow Keir Starmer to get a grip on his government. He should read it and fast | John McTernan
Things are terrible right now, but he has a radical manifesto to draw on, a landslide majority and breathing space. He must seize the day, says former Labour party adviser John McTernan
www.theguardian.com
February 11, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Hard agree with @johnmct.bsky.social on his advice to Keir Starmer. Stop the delegating and focus on what matters in our day to day lives. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by RobWilliams100
"They’ve attacked all these people, in a desperate attempt to make clear to racists and social conservatives that they hear them. If the racists and social conservatives were actually going to vote for them this would merely seem abhorrent. When they clearly aren’t, it’s stupid too."
Everybody Hates Keir
How did Starmer go from landslide to endgame in under two years? Also this week: the most murderous mammal on earth; and every thought I have about an insane train plan.
jonn.substack.com
February 11, 2026 at 4:33 PM
"They’ve attacked all these people, in a desperate attempt to make clear to racists and social conservatives that they hear them. If the racists and social conservatives were actually going to vote for them this would merely seem abhorrent. When they clearly aren’t, it’s stupid too."
Just a reminder that possible new Cabinet Secretary Antonia Romeo was in charge of Chris Grayling's disastrous probation privatisation, has a bit of a reputation for, er, robust management of junior staff, and seems to fail upwards. She reminds me of Cressida Dick for some reason.
February 10, 2026 at 11:41 PM
Just a reminder that possible new Cabinet Secretary Antonia Romeo was in charge of Chris Grayling's disastrous probation privatisation, has a bit of a reputation for, er, robust management of junior staff, and seems to fail upwards. She reminds me of Cressida Dick for some reason.
Renewing Britain, and Labour's popularity. Part 1000. Stop tinkering around the edges and take our water industry back from the spivs. riveractionuk.com/news/myth-bu...
Myth Busting: Would it really cost £100 billion to bring water utilities into public ownership? - River Action UK
The government claims it would cost £100 billion to nationalise water. Experts say: that doesn’t hold water.
riveractionuk.com
February 10, 2026 at 4:24 PM
Renewing Britain, and Labour's popularity. Part 1000. Stop tinkering around the edges and take our water industry back from the spivs. riveractionuk.com/news/myth-bu...
Reposted by RobWilliams100
It's tough for Starmer, given he needs to diversify his cabinet to survive, but has hitherto worked quite hard to not learn anything about the PLP, relying on his advisors to do a lacklustre job in his behalf, the most trusted of whom no longer work for him (and were giving him bad advice anyway).
Anyway, today's newsletter, etc etc, give it a read. Or don't and just post some weird nonsense about how I am calling for Starmer to be 'redeemed'.
Keir Starmer’s route to recovery
Scottish leader’s blow to PM rallies party, but government needs to make tough choices and rejig agenda
www.ft.com
February 10, 2026 at 2:11 PM
It's tough for Starmer, given he needs to diversify his cabinet to survive, but has hitherto worked quite hard to not learn anything about the PLP, relying on his advisors to do a lacklustre job in his behalf, the most trusted of whom no longer work for him (and were giving him bad advice anyway).
Reposted by RobWilliams100
No one is saying that a hundred percent of the governments problems are caused by the media but there’s a hard core of journalists (who are in the some way or another tied to the last government) bent on destabilising this government with an stream of misinformation & mistruths.
February 10, 2026 at 11:54 AM
No one is saying that a hundred percent of the governments problems are caused by the media but there’s a hard core of journalists (who are in the some way or another tied to the last government) bent on destabilising this government with an stream of misinformation & mistruths.
Reposted by RobWilliams100
Please subscribe to my substack - Simple solutions to big problems open.substack.com/pub/transpor...
Simple solutions to big problems
There used to be a Zipcar and a van parked at the end of our road but suddenly they disappeared at the end of the year.
open.substack.com
February 10, 2026 at 1:18 AM
Please subscribe to my substack - Simple solutions to big problems open.substack.com/pub/transpor...
If #KeirStarmer is going to seize this opportunity to change #Labour's fortunes, he could start at the point where levelling up, regeneration, the green agenda and better life chances for all meet. End the delays and build a tram network for Leeds and Bradford labourlist.org/2026/01/devo...
'On devolution, Labour is on the wrong lines' - LabourList
Repeated delays to the Leeds and Bradford tram undermine growth, green policy and trust— real devolution is the only answer.
labourlist.org
February 9, 2026 at 7:50 PM
If #KeirStarmer is going to seize this opportunity to change #Labour's fortunes, he could start at the point where levelling up, regeneration, the green agenda and better life chances for all meet. End the delays and build a tram network for Leeds and Bradford labourlist.org/2026/01/devo...
If #KeirStarmer will now receive much less advice from the Blue Labour faction he could save his premiership and Labour's future. Will he seize this opportunity?
February 9, 2026 at 2:30 PM
If #KeirStarmer will now receive much less advice from the Blue Labour faction he could save his premiership and Labour's future. Will he seize this opportunity?