Ruthi Brandt
@ruthibrandt.bsky.social
Nature, community, science and social justice. Urban nature and Green politics; Israel-Palestine, as an Israeli living abroad. Just a few of my current interests. Board member for CAG Oxfordshire. She/her.
Based next to Oxford, UK.
Based next to Oxford, UK.
Pinned
Ruthi Brandt
@ruthibrandt.bsky.social
· Jun 8
In the interest of tempering my doom-scrolling and feelings of righteous indignation at the world, I'm going to try posting daily something positive, on a personal level (ie - no campaign wins or political progress, as important as they are to celebrate).
So to kick it off -
#positivity
So to kick it off -
#positivity
Reposted by Ruthi Brandt
While we strongly believe this is not the intention of the proposers, this motion would cause disciplinary action to be taken by the party against Jews because they are Jewish. It can't become party policy.
Here is an explanation on why Jewish Greens (who obviously don't speak for every single Jewish person in the party, etc) are so opposed to the Zionism is Racism motion brought to the #GreenParty's spring conference.
jewishgreens.greenparty.org.uk/2026/02/12/w...
jewishgreens.greenparty.org.uk/2026/02/12/w...
Why Jewish Greens are urging party members to vote against MOTION A105: ZIONISM IS RACISM - Jewish Greens
Jewish Greens oppose motion at party conference unintentionally antisemitic
jewishgreens.greenparty.org.uk
February 14, 2026 at 11:00 AM
While we strongly believe this is not the intention of the proposers, this motion would cause disciplinary action to be taken by the party against Jews because they are Jewish. It can't become party policy.
Reposted by Ruthi Brandt
Here is an explanation on why Jewish Greens (who obviously don't speak for every single Jewish person in the party, etc) are so opposed to the Zionism is Racism motion brought to the #GreenParty's spring conference.
jewishgreens.greenparty.org.uk/2026/02/12/w...
jewishgreens.greenparty.org.uk/2026/02/12/w...
Why Jewish Greens are urging party members to vote against MOTION A105: ZIONISM IS RACISM - Jewish Greens
Jewish Greens oppose motion at party conference unintentionally antisemitic
jewishgreens.greenparty.org.uk
February 13, 2026 at 6:43 PM
Here is an explanation on why Jewish Greens (who obviously don't speak for every single Jewish person in the party, etc) are so opposed to the Zionism is Racism motion brought to the #GreenParty's spring conference.
jewishgreens.greenparty.org.uk/2026/02/12/w...
jewishgreens.greenparty.org.uk/2026/02/12/w...
Reposted by Ruthi Brandt
They all talk like this now. Like villains from some 1960s live action Saturday morning TV show where the bad guys are all comedic Nazi figures
US won’t be ‘caretakers’ of West’s ‘managed decline’, Rubio warns in Munich speech - latest
US won’t be ‘caretakers’ of West’s ‘managed decline’, Rubio warns in Munich: Live
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told security summit that the US wants ‘allies who can defend themselves’
www.independent.co.uk
February 14, 2026 at 9:00 AM
They all talk like this now. Like villains from some 1960s live action Saturday morning TV show where the bad guys are all comedic Nazi figures
Reposted by Ruthi Brandt
AOC: "Extreme level of wealth inequality leads to social instability and drives authoritarianism, right-wing populism, and really dangerous domestic internal politics. That is a direct outcome of the failure of democracies over decades to deliver."
February 13, 2026 at 5:50 PM
AOC: "Extreme level of wealth inequality leads to social instability and drives authoritarianism, right-wing populism, and really dangerous domestic internal politics. That is a direct outcome of the failure of democracies over decades to deliver."
Here is an explanation on why Jewish Greens (who obviously don't speak for every single Jewish person in the party, etc) are so opposed to the Zionism is Racism motion brought to the #GreenParty's spring conference.
jewishgreens.greenparty.org.uk/2026/02/12/w...
jewishgreens.greenparty.org.uk/2026/02/12/w...
Why Jewish Greens are urging party members to vote against MOTION A105: ZIONISM IS RACISM - Jewish Greens
Jewish Greens oppose motion at party conference unintentionally antisemitic
jewishgreens.greenparty.org.uk
February 13, 2026 at 6:43 PM
Here is an explanation on why Jewish Greens (who obviously don't speak for every single Jewish person in the party, etc) are so opposed to the Zionism is Racism motion brought to the #GreenParty's spring conference.
jewishgreens.greenparty.org.uk/2026/02/12/w...
jewishgreens.greenparty.org.uk/2026/02/12/w...
Always a good read, but the pictures (and their captions) are especially delightful in this issue ☺️
Friday 13th or Valentine’s Day? We choose love for the Clarion Weekend newsletter. Featuring:
❤️ Oxford loves Swindon
🌟 Michelin-starred restaurants
💰 Budget Day for Oxfordshire
🧀 Say it with cheese
💃 No, it's not a “big organised party”
Read online or by email: oxfordclarion.uk/clarion-week...
❤️ Oxford loves Swindon
🌟 Michelin-starred restaurants
💰 Budget Day for Oxfordshire
🧀 Say it with cheese
💃 No, it's not a “big organised party”
Read online or by email: oxfordclarion.uk/clarion-week...
Clarion Weekend, 13 February 2026
It might be Friday 13th today, but tomorrow is Valentine's Day. We could have gone with horror or love; we choose love. So here’s our roundup of Valentine’s events complete with heart-shaped cheese – ...
oxfordclarion.uk
February 13, 2026 at 5:18 PM
Always a good read, but the pictures (and their captions) are especially delightful in this issue ☺️
This is such a positive, and encouraging move!
#Regenaration
#Regenaration
A farmer-led initiative has been launched to restore the landscape of the Evenlode valley, which runs through West Oxfordshire from Kingham to Charlbury and Eynsham. Participating farms are committing up to 15% of their less productive land to the project, to restore and improve riverside habitats.
February 13, 2026 at 5:13 PM
This is such a positive, and encouraging move!
#Regenaration
#Regenaration
Reposted by Ruthi Brandt
So the court rules on trans rights, and the Labour government claims they are powerless, but the court rules on Palestine Action, and the government wants to fight it?
February 13, 2026 at 10:58 AM
So the court rules on trans rights, and the Labour government claims they are powerless, but the court rules on Palestine Action, and the government wants to fight it?
This is the best explainer I’ve seen on Ratcliffe’s motives for his racist outburst. We shouldn’t enter into any ‘debate’ on immigration on these terms. It’s a deeply dishonest and dangerous call to arms by cynical people who prioritise profit over everything else
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
February 13, 2026 at 8:38 AM
Oof, so close!
Fletton & Woodston (Peterborough) Council By-Election Result:
➡️ RFM: 29.4% (New)
🌍 GRN: 27.6% (+16.2)
🌳 CON: 21.8% (-11.8)
🌹 LAB: 16.8% (-31.2)
🔶 LDM: 4.4% (-0.7)
No TUSC (-1.9) as previous.
Reform GAIN from Labour.
Changes w/ 2024.
➡️ RFM: 29.4% (New)
🌍 GRN: 27.6% (+16.2)
🌳 CON: 21.8% (-11.8)
🌹 LAB: 16.8% (-31.2)
🔶 LDM: 4.4% (-0.7)
No TUSC (-1.9) as previous.
Reform GAIN from Labour.
Changes w/ 2024.
February 13, 2026 at 8:22 AM
Oof, so close!
This thing in some US states where convicted felons are barred from voting for life is wild.
Are there any other countries (who claim to be democratic) who do that?
Are there any other countries (who claim to be democratic) who do that?
Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger endorsed a constitutional amendment to automatically restore voting rights to people with felony convictions when they leave prison. State lawmakers passed the amendment and it will now appear on the state ballot.
“It’s Time”: Virginia Lawmakers Ask Voters to Repeal Jim Crow-Era Lifetime Ban on Voting
Voters will decide this year whether to end Virginia’s uniquely harsh felony disenfranchisement rules. They
boltsmag.org
February 13, 2026 at 8:20 AM
This thing in some US states where convicted felons are barred from voting for life is wild.
Are there any other countries (who claim to be democratic) who do that?
Are there any other countries (who claim to be democratic) who do that?
Reposted by Ruthi Brandt
Anyone who had genuine concerns about youth gender medicine would staunchly and wholeheartedly support social transition. Let kids explore their identities to see what works for them!
The fact that this movement opposes even pronouns and haircuts shows that it's just bigotry all the way down.
The fact that this movement opposes even pronouns and haircuts shows that it's just bigotry all the way down.
This draft guidance reproduces Cass insisting that clinicians must be involved in decisions about *social transition* which actually should be none of their damn business
They take the line that this "non-directive" intervention should force things to be "keeping options open and flexible"...
They take the line that this "non-directive" intervention should force things to be "keeping options open and flexible"...
February 12, 2026 at 4:28 PM
Anyone who had genuine concerns about youth gender medicine would staunchly and wholeheartedly support social transition. Let kids explore their identities to see what works for them!
The fact that this movement opposes even pronouns and haircuts shows that it's just bigotry all the way down.
The fact that this movement opposes even pronouns and haircuts shows that it's just bigotry all the way down.
Reposted by Ruthi Brandt
⏰ Don't miss @EllieChowns on BBC Question Time tonight.
💻 BBC News Channel at 9pm
📺 BBC One at 10.40pm
💻 BBC News Channel at 9pm
📺 BBC One at 10.40pm
February 12, 2026 at 2:14 PM
⏰ Don't miss @EllieChowns on BBC Question Time tonight.
💻 BBC News Channel at 9pm
📺 BBC One at 10.40pm
💻 BBC News Channel at 9pm
📺 BBC One at 10.40pm
Reposted by Ruthi Brandt
Corruption. Nothing less can describe the scale of this influence. I asked ministers this week if they would cap donations at the same time as asking about openness on lobbying meetings, and this was the part of the question they refused to answer.
🔴 Exclusive: Corporate donations British parties tripled over last three elections
But here's key thing: almost none is from FTSE500/listed companies
It's almost all companies controlled by super-wealthy individuals, or small, opaque firms
New on D4S: democracyforsale.substack.com/p/revealed-c...
But here's key thing: almost none is from FTSE500/listed companies
It's almost all companies controlled by super-wealthy individuals, or small, opaque firms
New on D4S: democracyforsale.substack.com/p/revealed-c...
Revealed: Corporate donations to British politics have tripled
Influential Labour committee chairs call on government to clean up politics as our new analysis finds record £42 million in company donations ahead of last election
democracyforsale.substack.com
February 11, 2026 at 9:59 PM
Corruption. Nothing less can describe the scale of this influence. I asked ministers this week if they would cap donations at the same time as asking about openness on lobbying meetings, and this was the part of the question they refused to answer.
Reposted by Ruthi Brandt
No one asked Gallup to display special courage in this moment. Just to continue doing what they'd always done.
And that was too much for them.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/11/u...
And that was too much for them.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/11/u...
Gallup Will No Longer Track Presidential Approval Ratings
www.nytimes.com
February 12, 2026 at 1:30 PM
No one asked Gallup to display special courage in this moment. Just to continue doing what they'd always done.
And that was too much for them.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/11/u...
And that was too much for them.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/11/u...
Reposted by Ruthi Brandt
Going car-free is the best thing most people can do for climate. To reduce car dependency, cities should promote car-free living, supporting compact cities through policy, and investing in public transportation, pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, and shared mobility options.
These key strategies could help Americans get rid of their cars » Yale Climate Connections
Research points the way to a more climate-friendly, diverse, and desirable transportation system.
yaleclimateconnections.org
February 12, 2026 at 10:40 AM
Going car-free is the best thing most people can do for climate. To reduce car dependency, cities should promote car-free living, supporting compact cities through policy, and investing in public transportation, pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, and shared mobility options.
Reposted by Ruthi Brandt
That the NYT still writes this stuff when everyone knows that Musk is full of horseshit (including the reporters at the NYT!) is honestly shocking at this point. They think you're stupid. They know he never does anything he promises but they write it anyway. Utter trash.
Elon Musk told employees at xAI, his artificial intelligence company, on Tuesday that the company needed a factory on the moon to build A.I. satellites and a massive catapult to launch them into space.
Elon Musk Wants to Build an A.I. Satellite Factory on the Moon
In a meeting with employees at his company xAI, Mr. Musk revealed a vision for a facility that includes a giant catapult to launch his satellites into space.
nyti.ms
February 11, 2026 at 2:54 PM
That the NYT still writes this stuff when everyone knows that Musk is full of horseshit (including the reporters at the NYT!) is honestly shocking at this point. They think you're stupid. They know he never does anything he promises but they write it anyway. Utter trash.
Reposted by Ruthi Brandt
The Kennington #ToadPatrol has already been out there with their buckets, helping our local Bagley Wood population survive the modern road system. They do need more helpers, so if you're up for it, message them at bagleywoodtoads [at] gmail. com 🐸
February 11, 2026 at 10:43 AM
The Kennington #ToadPatrol has already been out there with their buckets, helping our local Bagley Wood population survive the modern road system. They do need more helpers, so if you're up for it, message them at bagleywoodtoads [at] gmail. com 🐸
Reposted by Ruthi Brandt
The weather is warm(ish) and it’s nearly Valentine’s Day. Which means, for the Oxfordshire toad population, at least, it’s baby-making time. Which is hazardous, for toads. In this short read, we look at what's up with toads right now, and how volunteers are protecting them. 🐸
Patrolling toads on Oxfordshire’s roads
The weather is warm(ish) and it’s nearly Valentine’s Day. Which means, for the Oxfordshire toad population, at least, it’s baby-making time.
Toad migrations
You’d be forgiven for thinking that toa...
oxfordclarion.uk
February 11, 2026 at 7:07 AM
The weather is warm(ish) and it’s nearly Valentine’s Day. Which means, for the Oxfordshire toad population, at least, it’s baby-making time. Which is hazardous, for toads. In this short read, we look at what's up with toads right now, and how volunteers are protecting them. 🐸
Reposted by Ruthi Brandt
The Green MPs have written to the Cabinet Secretary urging an investigation into "Palantir's vice-like grip on our Government" and the role played by disgraced Peter Mandelson in brokering it.
All contracts with this Trump-supporting spy tech company must be suspended.
All contracts with this Trump-supporting spy tech company must be suspended.
February 10, 2026 at 3:15 PM
The Green MPs have written to the Cabinet Secretary urging an investigation into "Palantir's vice-like grip on our Government" and the role played by disgraced Peter Mandelson in brokering it.
All contracts with this Trump-supporting spy tech company must be suspended.
All contracts with this Trump-supporting spy tech company must be suspended.
Reposted by Ruthi Brandt
I have once again published my quarterly log of lobbying and policy meetings.
Every MP should do the same because, as current events show, trust in politics matters.
Who is your MP meeting with? In whose interest are they *actually* working? You should know.
www.sianberry.org.uk/official-mee...
Every MP should do the same because, as current events show, trust in politics matters.
Who is your MP meeting with? In whose interest are they *actually* working? You should know.
www.sianberry.org.uk/official-mee...
February 9, 2026 at 4:54 PM
I have once again published my quarterly log of lobbying and policy meetings.
Every MP should do the same because, as current events show, trust in politics matters.
Who is your MP meeting with? In whose interest are they *actually* working? You should know.
www.sianberry.org.uk/official-mee...
Every MP should do the same because, as current events show, trust in politics matters.
Who is your MP meeting with? In whose interest are they *actually* working? You should know.
www.sianberry.org.uk/official-mee...
Reposted by Ruthi Brandt
A parliamentary report has found that 430,000 social homes still fail to meet basic standards.
Everyone deserves a home that is safe and warm. The government must act now.
Everyone deserves a home that is safe and warm. The government must act now.
February 9, 2026 at 4:00 PM
A parliamentary report has found that 430,000 social homes still fail to meet basic standards.
Everyone deserves a home that is safe and warm. The government must act now.
Everyone deserves a home that is safe and warm. The government must act now.
Yep. Proponents of proportional representation have been saying this for ages. Doesn't seem to convince any of those indulging in factional wars inside Labour 🤷🏻♀️
The daft thing is that with Proportional Representation there'd be no need for this self-destructive war within Labour. It could split into its component parts - left and right - and people could vote for what they wanted. It's only First-Past-the-Post that forces these irreconcilables together.
February 9, 2026 at 2:48 PM
Yep. Proponents of proportional representation have been saying this for ages. Doesn't seem to convince any of those indulging in factional wars inside Labour 🤷🏻♀️
Reposted by Ruthi Brandt
I hope those who condemn Reform for their comments about "mass deportations" but continue to support Labour's inhumane treatment of migrants are paying attention.
Labour's policies are all about deportation and framing migrants as criminals. It only leads one way
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Labour's policies are all about deportation and framing migrants as criminals. It only leads one way
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Home Office says nearly 60,000 people deported from UK or left voluntarily since 2024 election
Shabana Mahmood insists deportations will rise, as Labour government is accused of promoting ‘harmful stereotypes’ of migrants
www.theguardian.com
February 5, 2026 at 10:08 PM
I hope those who condemn Reform for their comments about "mass deportations" but continue to support Labour's inhumane treatment of migrants are paying attention.
Labour's policies are all about deportation and framing migrants as criminals. It only leads one way
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Labour's policies are all about deportation and framing migrants as criminals. It only leads one way
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Ruthi Brandt
I was working with @direthoughts.com when he broke the first stories about Labour Together's funding way back in 2021.
Now it turns out they were paying private investigators to investigate him for reporting on them and Morgan McSweeney knew about it
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/exclusive-...
Now it turns out they were paying private investigators to investigate him for reporting on them and Morgan McSweeney knew about it
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/exclusive-...
BREAKING: McSweeney’s think tank paid PR firm to investigate journalists
Labour Together put private investigators onto journalists writing about its funding. Starmer's right-hand man knew.
democracyforsale.substack.com
February 5, 2026 at 7:59 PM
I was working with @direthoughts.com when he broke the first stories about Labour Together's funding way back in 2021.
Now it turns out they were paying private investigators to investigate him for reporting on them and Morgan McSweeney knew about it
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/exclusive-...
Now it turns out they were paying private investigators to investigate him for reporting on them and Morgan McSweeney knew about it
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/exclusive-...