Terry Weldon
@terryweldon.bsky.social
S African/British LibDem councillor (Waverley, Surrey)
Gay, married, practicing Catholic
2 daughters, 4 grandchildren
Living "with & beyond" a rare cancer (GIST);
Interested in queer religion, politics (SA, UK, USA); obsessive poll watcher
Gay, married, practicing Catholic
2 daughters, 4 grandchildren
Living "with & beyond" a rare cancer (GIST);
Interested in queer religion, politics (SA, UK, USA); obsessive poll watcher
Pinned
Terry Weldon
@terryweldon.bsky.social
· Nov 14
Reintroduction🧵:
Lifelong liberal activist since 1970, knocking on doors in Cape Town; now Liberal Democrat councillor in Surrey UK.
Openly gay, married - with two daughters from previous marriage.
Practicing Catholic; previously active campaigner for LGBT inclusio, ran "Queering the Church blog
Lifelong liberal activist since 1970, knocking on doors in Cape Town; now Liberal Democrat councillor in Surrey UK.
Openly gay, married - with two daughters from previous marriage.
Practicing Catholic; previously active campaigner for LGBT inclusio, ran "Queering the Church blog
Reposted by Terry Weldon
The chaotic rule of Kent County Council by the Reform party has left the fire authority "a shambles and a threat to public safety" - Anyone surprised?
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Kent fire authority 'in disarray' amid Reform UK video leak row
A firefighters union claims Reform UK suspending councillors is impacting the local fire authority.
www.bbc.com
November 11, 2025 at 3:29 AM
The chaotic rule of Kent County Council by the Reform party has left the fire authority "a shambles and a threat to public safety" - Anyone surprised?
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Reposted by Terry Weldon
Perhaps the UK government would like to vaccinate our children?
Getting covid-19 for the first time slightly increased the risk of heart inflammation, blood clots and bleeding disorders among children, whereas being vaccinated against the virus was much safer and sometimes protective
Covid raises risk of heart issues in children more than vaccination
Getting covid-19 for the first time slightly increased the risk of heart inflammation, blood clots and bleeding disorders among children, whereas being vaccinated against the virus was much safer and sometimes protective
www.newscientist.com
November 11, 2025 at 5:23 AM
Perhaps the UK government would like to vaccinate our children?
Reposted by Terry Weldon
The key is to raise taxes enough to actually be able to do something with it, beyond placating the OBR and bond markets
Breaking the tax pledge is the right call...and politically sulphurous. Reeves must argue, far more forcefully, that taxes are *the* essential downpayment we all pay for a fairer society.
Patrick Diamond and I wrote for @renewaljournal.bsky.social. Key points in 🧵 👇
renewal.org.uk/blog/if-labo...
Patrick Diamond and I wrote for @renewaljournal.bsky.social. Key points in 🧵 👇
renewal.org.uk/blog/if-labo...
If Labour want a fairer society, they must argue for it
Labour must make the political argument: taxes are the critical downpayment we all pay to live in a fairer society.
It now seems all but certain that direct taxes will rise in the forthcoming Budget...
renewal.org.uk
November 10, 2025 at 8:20 AM
The key is to raise taxes enough to actually be able to do something with it, beyond placating the OBR and bond markets
Reposted by Terry Weldon
It’s not just about what you remove (cars, noise, dirty air). It’s about what you add (people walking, a lot of bike parking, trees, outdoor dining, and room for kids to play safely). Amsterdam: 1986 and today.
Streets for people.
HT @hackneycyclist.bsky.social for the great before-and-after
Streets for people.
HT @hackneycyclist.bsky.social for the great before-and-after
November 11, 2025 at 4:24 AM
It’s not just about what you remove (cars, noise, dirty air). It’s about what you add (people walking, a lot of bike parking, trees, outdoor dining, and room for kids to play safely). Amsterdam: 1986 and today.
Streets for people.
HT @hackneycyclist.bsky.social for the great before-and-after
Streets for people.
HT @hackneycyclist.bsky.social for the great before-and-after
How Texas redistricting gerrymander could backfire and be a dunmymander instead.
November 11, 2025 at 5:10 AM
How Texas redistricting gerrymander could backfire and be a dunmymander instead.
Reposted by Terry Weldon
Journalist, "Farage accused the BBC of election interference"
Ed Davey, "The interference we've seen is from Farage's friend, Putin"
"We've seen Russian interference in the most appalling way"
Ed Davey, "The interference we've seen is from Farage's friend, Putin"
"We've seen Russian interference in the most appalling way"
November 10, 2025 at 10:40 PM
Journalist, "Farage accused the BBC of election interference"
Ed Davey, "The interference we've seen is from Farage's friend, Putin"
"We've seen Russian interference in the most appalling way"
Ed Davey, "The interference we've seen is from Farage's friend, Putin"
"We've seen Russian interference in the most appalling way"
Reposted by Terry Weldon
This kind of influence by a political appointee of the Johnson government, with a strong partisan record and reputation, appeared a Faustian pact imposed on the BBC by the government of the day. Its striking that this attempt continued after a change of government
www.theguardian.com/media/ng-int...
www.theguardian.com/media/ng-int...
‘Make no mistake – this was a coup’: the extraordinary downfall of the BBC’s top bosses
The whirlwind that started when Deborah Turness came under attack at a board meeting is part of a wider political story, some say
www.theguardian.com
November 10, 2025 at 10:53 PM
This kind of influence by a political appointee of the Johnson government, with a strong partisan record and reputation, appeared a Faustian pact imposed on the BBC by the government of the day. Its striking that this attempt continued after a change of government
www.theguardian.com/media/ng-int...
www.theguardian.com/media/ng-int...
Reposted by Terry Weldon
Farage’s local refuk: Reform’s Warwickshire leader Finch wants to scrap school transport for SEND kids, forcing them to walk miles. Parents call it cruel and heartless, another example of Reform’s nasty streak, punishing the vulnerable to save a few quid. #ukpolitics
November 10, 2025 at 10:19 AM
Farage’s local refuk: Reform’s Warwickshire leader Finch wants to scrap school transport for SEND kids, forcing them to walk miles. Parents call it cruel and heartless, another example of Reform’s nasty streak, punishing the vulnerable to save a few quid. #ukpolitics
Reposted by Terry Weldon
The Saratov oil refinery in Russia has been shot ablaze.
The facility is run by Rosneft and produces annually 7 million tons of oil products.
The facility is run by Rosneft and produces annually 7 million tons of oil products.
November 11, 2025 at 4:30 AM
The Saratov oil refinery in Russia has been shot ablaze.
The facility is run by Rosneft and produces annually 7 million tons of oil products.
The facility is run by Rosneft and produces annually 7 million tons of oil products.
Reposted by Terry Weldon
Reposted by Terry Weldon
While other organisations brush off minor mistakes, the BBC spends days self-flagellating like a mentally-disturbed medieval monk - but only if the criticisms have come from the right. They literally couldn't give a toss if they're being attacked from the centre or left.
November 10, 2025 at 1:14 PM
While other organisations brush off minor mistakes, the BBC spends days self-flagellating like a mentally-disturbed medieval monk - but only if the criticisms have come from the right. They literally couldn't give a toss if they're being attacked from the centre or left.
Reposted by Terry Weldon
Reform UK Leicestershire are crooks.
They announced consultants Newton would do a £1.4m savings review.
That’s ballooned to £30m in 6 just days.
Leader Dan Harrison is a con man.
Leicestershire you’ve been had.
leicestermercury.co.uk/news/local-n...
#ReformLies
They announced consultants Newton would do a £1.4m savings review.
That’s ballooned to £30m in 6 just days.
Leader Dan Harrison is a con man.
Leicestershire you’ve been had.
leicestermercury.co.uk/news/local-n...
#ReformLies
Firm leading council savings review could receive £30m
The county council currently needs to plug an expected £90 million gap in its day-to-day spending
leicestermercury.co.uk
November 10, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Reform UK Leicestershire are crooks.
They announced consultants Newton would do a £1.4m savings review.
That’s ballooned to £30m in 6 just days.
Leader Dan Harrison is a con man.
Leicestershire you’ve been had.
leicestermercury.co.uk/news/local-n...
#ReformLies
They announced consultants Newton would do a £1.4m savings review.
That’s ballooned to £30m in 6 just days.
Leader Dan Harrison is a con man.
Leicestershire you’ve been had.
leicestermercury.co.uk/news/local-n...
#ReformLies
Reposted by Terry Weldon
November 10, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Reposted by Terry Weldon
The reaction to the Panorama edit has been nothing short of hysterical. Yes the BBC has some impartiality problems. But its biggest isn't the one you think.
New piece from me.
open.substack.com/pub/goodalla...
New piece from me.
open.substack.com/pub/goodalla...
The truth about impartiality at the BBC
And the hysteria of the current "crisis"
open.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 7:22 PM
The reaction to the Panorama edit has been nothing short of hysterical. Yes the BBC has some impartiality problems. But its biggest isn't the one you think.
New piece from me.
open.substack.com/pub/goodalla...
New piece from me.
open.substack.com/pub/goodalla...
Reposted by Terry Weldon
🎯 Davey is spot on. "We can have criticism of the BBC, but within that, we need to recognise how valuable an institution it is [and how] precious to our country. And that's one of the reasons why people like President Trump and Nigel Farage, want to undermine the BBC." 👏🏽~AA
November 10, 2025 at 2:35 PM
🎯 Davey is spot on. "We can have criticism of the BBC, but within that, we need to recognise how valuable an institution it is [and how] precious to our country. And that's one of the reasons why people like President Trump and Nigel Farage, want to undermine the BBC." 👏🏽~AA
Reposted by Terry Weldon
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
“This disturbing escalation in the assault on the BBC should be incredibly alarming to anyone who cares about truth, accountability and democracy”
“This disturbing escalation in the assault on the BBC should be incredibly alarming to anyone who cares about truth, accountability and democracy”
The first step towards saving our precious BBC: remove Robbie Gibb from the board | Ed Davey
The BBC belongs to all of us, and it is under attack as never before. The government must defend it from its enemies, within and without, says Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey
www.theguardian.com
November 10, 2025 at 8:27 PM
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
“This disturbing escalation in the assault on the BBC should be incredibly alarming to anyone who cares about truth, accountability and democracy”
“This disturbing escalation in the assault on the BBC should be incredibly alarming to anyone who cares about truth, accountability and democracy”
Reposted by Terry Weldon
SUPERB and angrily unvarnished response, by former BBC chairman, Lord Patten.
"I don't think that we should allow ourselves to be bullied into thinking that the BBC is only any good, if it reflects the prejudice of the last person who shouted at it." ~AA
"I don't think that we should allow ourselves to be bullied into thinking that the BBC is only any good, if it reflects the prejudice of the last person who shouted at it." ~AA
November 10, 2025 at 6:40 PM
SUPERB and angrily unvarnished response, by former BBC chairman, Lord Patten.
"I don't think that we should allow ourselves to be bullied into thinking that the BBC is only any good, if it reflects the prejudice of the last person who shouted at it." ~AA
"I don't think that we should allow ourselves to be bullied into thinking that the BBC is only any good, if it reflects the prejudice of the last person who shouted at it." ~AA
Reposted by Terry Weldon
Yes indeed, they were betrayed. They were betrayed by Farage!!
You honestly can't make this up. There was no way #Brexit was ever going to cut regulation or bureaucracy for exporters to the #EU, large or small, unless we opted to stay in the Single Market and Customs union. Many of us in business repeatedly made that point.
www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
Farage says small business owners who thought Brexit would cut regulation have been betrayed – UK politics live
Reform UK leader claims that burden of regulation is worse than before the referendum
www.theguardian.com
November 10, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Yes indeed, they were betrayed. They were betrayed by Farage!!
Reposted by Terry Weldon
The BBC has a long record of doctoring footage. But consequences only seem to follow when the Right are maligned.
1984: BBC reverses order of footage of Battle of Orgreave, portraying miners as aggressors. No apology.
2017: Newsnight edits interviews with Corbyn. No apology; Kuenssberg promoted.
1984: BBC reverses order of footage of Battle of Orgreave, portraying miners as aggressors. No apology.
2017: Newsnight edits interviews with Corbyn. No apology; Kuenssberg promoted.
November 10, 2025 at 3:02 PM
The BBC has a long record of doctoring footage. But consequences only seem to follow when the Right are maligned.
1984: BBC reverses order of footage of Battle of Orgreave, portraying miners as aggressors. No apology.
2017: Newsnight edits interviews with Corbyn. No apology; Kuenssberg promoted.
1984: BBC reverses order of footage of Battle of Orgreave, portraying miners as aggressors. No apology.
2017: Newsnight edits interviews with Corbyn. No apology; Kuenssberg promoted.
Supreme Court Denies Request to Revisit Same-Sex Marriage Decision
www.nytimes.com
November 10, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Reposted by Terry Weldon
"Let's be more like Switzerland"
Nigel Farage, 2016
Well, hate to break it to you Nige, but...
Nigel Farage, 2016
Well, hate to break it to you Nige, but...
Switzerland is joining Horizon Europe!
We are uniting two research powerhouses.
For cutting-edge innovation that will boost our energy security, digital transformation, health and so much more.
Today is a good day for science, and for our EU-Switzerland partnership.
We are uniting two research powerhouses.
For cutting-edge innovation that will boost our energy security, digital transformation, health and so much more.
Today is a good day for science, and for our EU-Switzerland partnership.
November 10, 2025 at 3:09 PM
"Let's be more like Switzerland"
Nigel Farage, 2016
Well, hate to break it to you Nige, but...
Nigel Farage, 2016
Well, hate to break it to you Nige, but...
Reposted by Terry Weldon
Bit of London (but maybe also national) politics: former Lambeth Mayor and longstanding Labour Councillor Tina Valcarcel has defected to the Liberal Democrats, citing disillusionment with her former party.
Former Lambeth Labour Mayor defects to Liberal Democrats
In a dramatic political shake-up, former Lambeth Mayor and longstanding Labour Councillor Tina Valcarcel has joined the Liberal Democrats, citing disillusionment with her former party.
www.brixtonbuzz.com
November 10, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Bit of London (but maybe also national) politics: former Lambeth Mayor and longstanding Labour Councillor Tina Valcarcel has defected to the Liberal Democrats, citing disillusionment with her former party.
Reposted by Terry Weldon
Of the current major UK politicians Ed Davey seems like the best hang.
November 10, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Of the current major UK politicians Ed Davey seems like the best hang.
Reposted by Terry Weldon
They haven’t. They’ve got exactly the predictable and predicted consequences of what Farage spent years advocating. And those who believed him knew what they were voting for anyway (apparently).
www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
Farage says small business owners who thought Brexit would cut regulation have been betrayed – UK politics live
Reform UK leader claims that burden of regulation is worse than before the referendum
www.theguardian.com
November 10, 2025 at 12:15 PM
They haven’t. They’ve got exactly the predictable and predicted consequences of what Farage spent years advocating. And those who believed him knew what they were voting for anyway (apparently).
www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...