rob witts
@robwitts.bsky.social
a guy who hangs around universities and opera houses
Reposted by rob witts
Beyond shameless to criticise “the left” for not defending British values or standing up for integrated communities, whilst actively pushing policies on settlement designed to deter, exclude and “other“ members of our society
Keir Starmer attacks the racism of Reform and Matt Goodwin but then adds that "Britain has also been let down by a mindset on the left of politics that is too slow to defend core British values"
February 5, 2026 at 11:49 AM
Beyond shameless to criticise “the left” for not defending British values or standing up for integrated communities, whilst actively pushing policies on settlement designed to deter, exclude and “other“ members of our society
Reposted by rob witts
Sir Ian McKellen performing a monologue from Shakespeare’s Sir Thomas More on the Stephen Colbert show. Never have I heard this monologue performed with such a keen sense of prescience. Nor have I ever been in this exact historical moment.TY Sir Ian, for reaching us once again.
#Pinks #ProudBlue
#Pinks #ProudBlue
February 5, 2026 at 11:50 AM
Sir Ian McKellen performing a monologue from Shakespeare’s Sir Thomas More on the Stephen Colbert show. Never have I heard this monologue performed with such a keen sense of prescience. Nor have I ever been in this exact historical moment.TY Sir Ian, for reaching us once again.
#Pinks #ProudBlue
#Pinks #ProudBlue
Reposted by rob witts
Mandelson would never have been exposed by the British media if it wasn't for the US DOJ dumping all those files. They would have assisted in covering up his role instead, like they've been doing for the past 30 years. They knew what he was and they kept quiet for decades.
February 5, 2026 at 7:58 AM
Mandelson would never have been exposed by the British media if it wasn't for the US DOJ dumping all those files. They would have assisted in covering up his role instead, like they've been doing for the past 30 years. They knew what he was and they kept quiet for decades.
Reposted by rob witts
He just tweeted it out …
February 5, 2026 at 1:39 AM
He just tweeted it out …
Reposted by rob witts
well here's one news story about the thing I've been obsessively tweeting about for days (gift link) www.nytimes.com/2026/02/04/u...
Epstein Helped Woody Allen’s Daughter Get Into College, Emails Show
www.nytimes.com
February 4, 2026 at 11:50 PM
well here's one news story about the thing I've been obsessively tweeting about for days (gift link) www.nytimes.com/2026/02/04/u...
Reposted by rob witts
This clip is marvelous. The best bits begin at 14:40 including a tour of the interior.
Barbican, 1969: The development of the Barbican Estate following World War II youtu.be/vLPlJsoVq8k?...
Barbican, 1969: The development of the Barbican Estate following World War II youtu.be/vLPlJsoVq8k?...
Barbican, 1969: The development of the Barbican Estate following World War II
YouTube video by The London Archives
youtu.be
February 4, 2026 at 7:34 PM
This clip is marvelous. The best bits begin at 14:40 including a tour of the interior.
Barbican, 1969: The development of the Barbican Estate following World War II youtu.be/vLPlJsoVq8k?...
Barbican, 1969: The development of the Barbican Estate following World War II youtu.be/vLPlJsoVq8k?...
Reposted by rob witts
“Everyone involved pretends they had absolutely no idea.” Ian Hislop, Private Eye’s editor, appeared on Tonight with Andrew Marr to discuss the Epstein files, and the cover the Eye ran in reference to the paedophile sex trafficker all the way back in 2011.
February 4, 2026 at 8:36 PM
“Everyone involved pretends they had absolutely no idea.” Ian Hislop, Private Eye’s editor, appeared on Tonight with Andrew Marr to discuss the Epstein files, and the cover the Eye ran in reference to the paedophile sex trafficker all the way back in 2011.
poorly _aged_things.jpg
February 4, 2026 at 7:56 PM
poorly _aged_things.jpg
Reposted by rob witts
The example I use: if you had a *mere* $1b — a fraction of what Bezos and Musk and Zuckerberg have — you could spend $25,000 every single day of your life and you would never run out of money. Your children would still be extremely rich. It would take over a hundred years to deplete your wealth.
again we do not really do a good job of explaining how wealthy people like Jeff Bezos are
his net worth is $253.2 billion.
so he could take one million dollars, and just light it on fire
and then do it again tomorrow
and again the day after that
and then do it every day for 693 years and 8 months
his net worth is $253.2 billion.
so he could take one million dollars, and just light it on fire
and then do it again tomorrow
and again the day after that
and then do it every day for 693 years and 8 months
February 4, 2026 at 7:40 PM
The example I use: if you had a *mere* $1b — a fraction of what Bezos and Musk and Zuckerberg have — you could spend $25,000 every single day of your life and you would never run out of money. Your children would still be extremely rich. It would take over a hundred years to deplete your wealth.
Reposted by rob witts
MacKenzie Scott has the chance to do the funniest thing right now.
February 4, 2026 at 2:47 PM
MacKenzie Scott has the chance to do the funniest thing right now.
Historically by the time you become party leader and then PM, you would have decades of experience in the political arena. Turns out that was an important feature of the system I guess
Starmer — a prosecutor with a huge majority, coming in after years of sleaze and mendacity — could have weaponised the corruption of his opponents to incredible advantage. Instead he will be ruined by the living avatar of corruption in his own party. To not see that coming is a serious skill issue.
February 4, 2026 at 3:20 PM
Historically by the time you become party leader and then PM, you would have decades of experience in the political arena. Turns out that was an important feature of the system I guess
Reposted by rob witts
Pleased to see the jury make this decision.
We need to have eyes wide open this is exactly why the Government wants to abolish juries.
People protesting against a genocide are not the criminals here - it's the politicians who continue to provide cover.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
We need to have eyes wide open this is exactly why the Government wants to abolish juries.
People protesting against a genocide are not the criminals here - it's the politicians who continue to provide cover.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Palestine Action protesters not guilty of defence firm burglary
The group are cleared of aggravated burglary over the alleged raid at an Elbit Systems warehouse.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 4, 2026 at 12:54 PM
Pleased to see the jury make this decision.
We need to have eyes wide open this is exactly why the Government wants to abolish juries.
People protesting against a genocide are not the criminals here - it's the politicians who continue to provide cover.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
We need to have eyes wide open this is exactly why the Government wants to abolish juries.
People protesting against a genocide are not the criminals here - it's the politicians who continue to provide cover.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by rob witts
It just occurs to me that there is a dramatic contrast between how seriously we take the risks of wealthy people leaving if we tax them too much, and how blithely the huge costs of our current anti-migration policy stance are brushed aside
February 4, 2026 at 12:05 PM
It just occurs to me that there is a dramatic contrast between how seriously we take the risks of wealthy people leaving if we tax them too much, and how blithely the huge costs of our current anti-migration policy stance are brushed aside
Reposted by rob witts
1 And lo, there came upon the land a time of great Noticing, and many things were Noticed which had gone unseen 2 And the Hacks spake, saying, Whom could’ve known the taking bribes and wrecking his party with bullshit terror adviser guy was a Mandelson plant 3 And, it is a show, that is made of shit
February 4, 2026 at 10:36 AM
1 And lo, there came upon the land a time of great Noticing, and many things were Noticed which had gone unseen 2 And the Hacks spake, saying, Whom could’ve known the taking bribes and wrecking his party with bullshit terror adviser guy was a Mandelson plant 3 And, it is a show, that is made of shit
Reposted by rob witts
When people talk about the idea that some universities must go under, there’s a certain tendency to behave as if these smaller local campuses are negligible- regrettable casualties perhaps but not ‘real’ universities. This report does a great job of illustrating why that’s wrong.
Everything in this report reflects on what we value, for communities, for peripheral places, for young people, for education, for the future - and it looks like we’ve got it all wrong.
‘If I think about what this means, I want to cry’: what happens when a city loses its university?
When Essex University’s Southend campus opened, it was a message of hope for a ‘left behind’ UK seaside town. Its closure will be felt far beyond its 800 students, some of whom will not get their degr...
www.theguardian.com
February 4, 2026 at 9:07 AM
When people talk about the idea that some universities must go under, there’s a certain tendency to behave as if these smaller local campuses are negligible- regrettable casualties perhaps but not ‘real’ universities. This report does a great job of illustrating why that’s wrong.
Reposted by rob witts
Devastatingly sad.
Every Labour MP should be forced to read this. In fact, every MP, who rushed back to Parliament to vote to save one steel mill, whilst hastening the collapse of dozens of universities - and harming the students, staff, communities and economies universities sustain and support
Every Labour MP should be forced to read this. In fact, every MP, who rushed back to Parliament to vote to save one steel mill, whilst hastening the collapse of dozens of universities - and harming the students, staff, communities and economies universities sustain and support
'When it opened, the campus housed a GP surgery and a new dental clinic offering free treatment to local people. This was followed later by the forum – a library and art gallery shared by the university and local people.' 1/2
‘If I think about what this means, I want to cry’: what happens when a city loses its university?
When Essex University’s Southend campus opened, it was a message of hope for a ‘left behind’ UK seaside town. Its closure will be felt far beyond its 800 students, some of whom will not get their degr...
www.theguardian.com
February 4, 2026 at 8:06 AM
Devastatingly sad.
Every Labour MP should be forced to read this. In fact, every MP, who rushed back to Parliament to vote to save one steel mill, whilst hastening the collapse of dozens of universities - and harming the students, staff, communities and economies universities sustain and support
Every Labour MP should be forced to read this. In fact, every MP, who rushed back to Parliament to vote to save one steel mill, whilst hastening the collapse of dozens of universities - and harming the students, staff, communities and economies universities sustain and support
Reposted by rob witts
Remember, the state regulator "fined" U of Sussex almost £600,000 for attempting to protect the rights of trans people.
Hopefully this shocking and shameful abuse of power will be overturned.
Hopefully this shocking and shameful abuse of power will be overturned.
‘Unlawful’ OfS ruling against University of Sussex should be quashed, court told
Judicial review begins in high court over watchdog’s freedom of speech ruling that resulted in £585,000 fine
www.theguardian.com
February 4, 2026 at 8:12 AM
Remember, the state regulator "fined" U of Sussex almost £600,000 for attempting to protect the rights of trans people.
Hopefully this shocking and shameful abuse of power will be overturned.
Hopefully this shocking and shameful abuse of power will be overturned.
Reposted by rob witts
See also University of Brighton closing its Eastbourne campus - an economist or a think tank looking for a real-world research project could do a great paired comparison of the two cases. So do repost if you know any who might be!
Excellent article but stark reminder that for all the perceptions of universities as ivory towers for elites, they are actually vital hubs in towns n cities supporting local businesses and providing key services as well as education….
‘If I think about what this means, I want to cry’: what happens when a city loses its university?
When Essex University’s Southend campus opened, it was a message of hope for a ‘left behind’ UK seaside town. Its closure will be felt far beyond its 800 students, some of whom will not get their degr...
www.theguardian.com
February 4, 2026 at 8:49 AM
See also University of Brighton closing its Eastbourne campus - an economist or a think tank looking for a real-world research project could do a great paired comparison of the two cases. So do repost if you know any who might be!
i would prefer not to
February 3, 2026 at 3:39 PM
i would prefer not to
Reposted by rob witts
Media coverage of Gaza has plummeted. So today on @thenation.com, we're doing something pretty special: we're only running pieces by people in and from Gaza.
We're calling it "A Day for Gaza." You can find links to all of the incredible pieces here. Please read! www.thenation.com/article/worl...
We're calling it "A Day for Gaza." You can find links to all of the incredible pieces here. Please read! www.thenation.com/article/worl...
A Day for Gaza
Today, The Nation is turning over its website exclusively to stories from Gaza and its people. This is why.
www.thenation.com
February 3, 2026 at 2:54 PM
Media coverage of Gaza has plummeted. So today on @thenation.com, we're doing something pretty special: we're only running pieces by people in and from Gaza.
We're calling it "A Day for Gaza." You can find links to all of the incredible pieces here. Please read! www.thenation.com/article/worl...
We're calling it "A Day for Gaza." You can find links to all of the incredible pieces here. Please read! www.thenation.com/article/worl...
Reposted by rob witts
whatever rowling is trying to hide it's something that would look even worse than how it looks to delete your entire yacht location history immediately after someone noticing your signoff turning up in the epstein files
February 3, 2026 at 3:02 PM
whatever rowling is trying to hide it's something that would look even worse than how it looks to delete your entire yacht location history immediately after someone noticing your signoff turning up in the epstein files
Reposted by rob witts
I'm sorry but it's very funny to me that the legislature of a G7/P5 country of 70 million is currently drafting the "Fuck This One Guy in Particular Act of 2026."
Also, imagine tolerating a system of privilege so entrenched you need to rewrite centuries-old rules just to get at one douchebag.
Also, imagine tolerating a system of privilege so entrenched you need to rewrite centuries-old rules just to get at one douchebag.
UK govt drafting legislation to remove Mandelson peerage, has referred information to the police www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cl...
Government refers material to police after review of Mandelson Epstein emails - live updates
PM Keir Starmer calls allegations that Lord Mandelson passed on sensitive government information to Epstein
www.bbc.co.uk
February 3, 2026 at 1:37 PM
I'm sorry but it's very funny to me that the legislature of a G7/P5 country of 70 million is currently drafting the "Fuck This One Guy in Particular Act of 2026."
Also, imagine tolerating a system of privilege so entrenched you need to rewrite centuries-old rules just to get at one douchebag.
Also, imagine tolerating a system of privilege so entrenched you need to rewrite centuries-old rules just to get at one douchebag.
Reposted by rob witts
Last week, RPN broke a string of stories on significant changes to funding across a number of research councils (see thread below)
This morning, UKRI chief executive is appearing at the Commons science committee, where he is being asked about them by MPs
Here are some key moments so far 🧵
This morning, UKRI chief executive is appearing at the Commons science committee, where he is being asked about them by MPs
Here are some key moments so far 🧵
On Friday we revealed that the heads of four large-scale physics infrastructure projects have been informed that they’ve “not been prioritised” for funding.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
UKRI shelves physics infrastructure projects worth £280m - Research Professional News
Exclusive: Major international collaborations with Cern and US Department of Energy in jeopardy
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
February 3, 2026 at 10:51 AM
Last week, RPN broke a string of stories on significant changes to funding across a number of research councils (see thread below)
This morning, UKRI chief executive is appearing at the Commons science committee, where he is being asked about them by MPs
Here are some key moments so far 🧵
This morning, UKRI chief executive is appearing at the Commons science committee, where he is being asked about them by MPs
Here are some key moments so far 🧵
Reposted by rob witts
📣 Today @felicitycallard.bsky.social and I have published the first peer-reviewed response to the 'Sullivan Review' of research and data on sex and gender.
doi.org/10.1111/tran...
The Review could threaten trans rights and inclusion, erode academic freedom, and undermine research quality.
doi.org/10.1111/tran...
The Review could threaten trans rights and inclusion, erode academic freedom, and undermine research quality.
February 3, 2026 at 9:13 AM
📣 Today @felicitycallard.bsky.social and I have published the first peer-reviewed response to the 'Sullivan Review' of research and data on sex and gender.
doi.org/10.1111/tran...
The Review could threaten trans rights and inclusion, erode academic freedom, and undermine research quality.
doi.org/10.1111/tran...
The Review could threaten trans rights and inclusion, erode academic freedom, and undermine research quality.