Antony Carpen
@acarpen.bsky.social
Ex-Whitehall type still with views on public policy, but now local historian in Cambridge (UK) blogging at https://lostcambridge.com/ - also writing about the future of the city on The Cambridge Town Owl.
Reposted by Antony Carpen
A new study finds that jargon makes false information seem more credible. It boosts perceived expertise, especially among people with higher conspiracy mentality, even though it simultaneously reduces readability.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
#MisinfoResearch
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
#MisinfoResearch
The Power of Technical Language: Does Jargon Use Influence the Credibility of Misinformation?
Across two studies, we examined the impact of different levels of jargon on the perceived credibility of texts containing reliable or unreliable information. Study 1 found that higher levels of jargo...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
November 17, 2025 at 8:28 PM
A new study finds that jargon makes false information seem more credible. It boosts perceived expertise, especially among people with higher conspiracy mentality, even though it simultaneously reduces readability.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
#MisinfoResearch
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
#MisinfoResearch
Worth browsing through the responses and quotes. If Starmer continues down this path the local elections in six months time could be very difficult for him, esp in London.
A Government of cowards.
Rather than tackle inequality - they've gone for pensioners, disabled people and now it's people fleeing war and persecution.
They can't get away with this.
Join.greenparty.org.uk
Rather than tackle inequality - they've gone for pensioners, disabled people and now it's people fleeing war and persecution.
They can't get away with this.
Join.greenparty.org.uk
November 18, 2025 at 1:18 AM
Worth browsing through the responses and quotes. If Starmer continues down this path the local elections in six months time could be very difficult for him, esp in London.
NEW BLOGPOST: Not mine, but from Cllr Katie Thornburrow on my workshop on the Future of #Cambridge. katiethornburrow.com/2025/11/road... <- Have a read!
Roads and plans – Katie Thornburrow
katiethornburrow.com
November 18, 2025 at 12:07 AM
NEW BLOGPOST: Not mine, but from Cllr Katie Thornburrow on my workshop on the Future of #Cambridge. katiethornburrow.com/2025/11/road... <- Have a read!
NEW BLOGPOST: Bring back Activate Cambridge. cambridgetownowl.com/2025/11/17/c... #Cambridge2030 wants to create something which sounds like what @hilary-joy.bsky.social created in the mid-2010s.
Cambridge 2030’s strategy for Arbury and King’s Hedges
I can’t find a copy of the strategy itself (although it was launched earlier today) but there are a few pitfalls to avoid – and one big elephant in the room that those with the greater …
cambridgetownowl.com
November 17, 2025 at 11:25 PM
NEW BLOGPOST: Bring back Activate Cambridge. cambridgetownowl.com/2025/11/17/c... #Cambridge2030 wants to create something which sounds like what @hilary-joy.bsky.social created in the mid-2010s.
In a previous era, #Newsnight might have taken an issue like this and explored the much wider international dimensions and the historical roots of the issue at hand. Today? Party-political divisions and political gossip. 😞
November 17, 2025 at 10:54 PM
In a previous era, #Newsnight might have taken an issue like this and explored the much wider international dimensions and the historical roots of the issue at hand. Today? Party-political divisions and political gossip. 😞
Reposted by Antony Carpen
Our Christmas version of "Keeping the Dream Alive" in support of the Clark Family Christmas Light Display & TINY TOES (East Kent Hospitals Charity's campaign for neonatal and special care baby units) is *OUT ON 5th DECEMBER!*
Pre-order & donate buttons: orcd.co/keepthedream
#WorldPrematurityDay
Pre-order & donate buttons: orcd.co/keepthedream
#WorldPrematurityDay
November 17, 2025 at 10:43 PM
Our Christmas version of "Keeping the Dream Alive" in support of the Clark Family Christmas Light Display & TINY TOES (East Kent Hospitals Charity's campaign for neonatal and special care baby units) is *OUT ON 5th DECEMBER!*
Pre-order & donate buttons: orcd.co/keepthedream
#WorldPrematurityDay
Pre-order & donate buttons: orcd.co/keepthedream
#WorldPrematurityDay
Reposted by Antony Carpen
BBC News: "the government believe refugees are deliberately bringing their children to avoid deportation"
As opposed to doing what with their children??
As opposed to doing what with their children??
November 17, 2025 at 10:11 PM
BBC News: "the government believe refugees are deliberately bringing their children to avoid deportation"
As opposed to doing what with their children??
As opposed to doing what with their children??
Reposted by Antony Carpen
Today has been a massive victory for anti-migrant voices.
Not only is Labour doing 90% of what they want, but they're also making it much easier for them to get the remaining 10% later
Not only is Labour doing 90% of what they want, but they're also making it much easier for them to get the remaining 10% later
November 17, 2025 at 10:49 PM
Today has been a massive victory for anti-migrant voices.
Not only is Labour doing 90% of what they want, but they're also making it much easier for them to get the remaining 10% later
Not only is Labour doing 90% of what they want, but they're also making it much easier for them to get the remaining 10% later
Reposted by Antony Carpen
metaphor writers, give up and home now
And another exclusive: Kensington and Chelsea Council is investigating whether Lord Peter Mandelson committed an offence when he publicly urinated in the street last week www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Kensington Council Investigating Peter Mandelson For Urinating In The Street
Exclusive: Kensington and Chelsea Council is investigating whether Lord Peter Mandelson committed an offence when he publicly urinated in the stree...
www.politicshome.com
November 17, 2025 at 9:29 PM
metaphor writers, give up and home now
The completion of this upgrade effectively completes an uninterrupted dual carriageway between Cambridge and Milton Keynes at the latter's M1 Junction. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... ...which is about half of the abandoned OxCam Superhighway. 1/3
Half of £1bn work is on Black Cat roundabout alone
National Highways the Black Cat section is
www.bbc.co.uk
November 17, 2025 at 9:35 PM
The completion of this upgrade effectively completes an uninterrupted dual carriageway between Cambridge and Milton Keynes at the latter's M1 Junction. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... ...which is about half of the abandoned OxCam Superhighway. 1/3
Reposted by Antony Carpen
Lots of Labour MPs asking Mahmood tonight to rule out child detention. She won’t rule it out. That’s because forced removals of families will mean children in detention for periods.
Home Office ruling out deportation of lone minors but the changes will certainly mean more detention of children.
Home Office ruling out deportation of lone minors but the changes will certainly mean more detention of children.
November 17, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Lots of Labour MPs asking Mahmood tonight to rule out child detention. She won’t rule it out. That’s because forced removals of families will mean children in detention for periods.
Home Office ruling out deportation of lone minors but the changes will certainly mean more detention of children.
Home Office ruling out deportation of lone minors but the changes will certainly mean more detention of children.
Reposted by Antony Carpen
If I was devising a set of announcements to elevate (but not satisfy) the hard right, alienate the middle ground and completely discourage your base, I couldn’t come up with a much better strategy than McSweeney and Number 10
November 17, 2025 at 10:49 AM
If I was devising a set of announcements to elevate (but not satisfy) the hard right, alienate the middle ground and completely discourage your base, I couldn’t come up with a much better strategy than McSweeney and Number 10
Have Labour ministers learnt nothing from Call-me Dave Cameron & co? 👀
November 17, 2025 at 8:54 PM
Have Labour ministers learnt nothing from Call-me Dave Cameron & co? 👀
Could the Home Office be made to watch this? 👀
Only the lack of historical & global contexts in their policies really shows
Only the lack of historical & global contexts in their policies really shows
My new series - Empire With David Olusoga - starts 9pm on BBC Two. Whole series on @bbciplayer.bsky.social from tonight.
November 17, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Could the Home Office be made to watch this? 👀
Only the lack of historical & global contexts in their policies really shows
Only the lack of historical & global contexts in their policies really shows
Reposted by Antony Carpen
Hey Labour
Remember the majority of voters who believe in treating people decently and not stealing from those who've endured months and years of hardship fleeing war and persecution to seek a place of safety?
We're still over here 👋
Remember the majority of voters who believe in treating people decently and not stealing from those who've endured months and years of hardship fleeing war and persecution to seek a place of safety?
We're still over here 👋
November 17, 2025 at 7:49 AM
Hey Labour
Remember the majority of voters who believe in treating people decently and not stealing from those who've endured months and years of hardship fleeing war and persecution to seek a place of safety?
We're still over here 👋
Remember the majority of voters who believe in treating people decently and not stealing from those who've endured months and years of hardship fleeing war and persecution to seek a place of safety?
We're still over here 👋
Reposted by Antony Carpen
Looks like TeamNigel have me in their sights over more than one policy area. Which is nice 😡🤬🤬
Richard Tice slams sight of children wearing ear defenders in school as ‘insane’
Reform UK’s deputy leader claimed neurodiverse conditions such as ADHD are being overdiagnosed.
Unqualified reform doctor knows everything 😜🤪
www.lbc.co.uk/article/rich...
Reform UK’s deputy leader claimed neurodiverse conditions such as ADHD are being overdiagnosed.
Unqualified reform doctor knows everything 😜🤪
www.lbc.co.uk/article/rich...
Richard Tice slams sight of children wearing ear defenders in school as ‘insane’ | LBC
Reform UK’s deputy leader claimed neurodiverse conditions such as ADHD are being overdiagnosed.
www.lbc.co.uk
November 17, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Looks like TeamNigel have me in their sights over more than one policy area. Which is nice 😡🤬🤬
Reposted by Antony Carpen
We pack ear defenders everywhere we go. We have to.
I would never have chosen to have to go through the EHCP process. It is soul destroying and hard.
Reform *never* speak with compassion about anyone.
I would never have chosen to have to go through the EHCP process. It is soul destroying and hard.
Reform *never* speak with compassion about anyone.
I think you can get the measure of the deadness of someone's soul from the fact they kick up a stink about [checks notes] autistic kids wearing ear defenders
November 17, 2025 at 8:30 PM
We pack ear defenders everywhere we go. We have to.
I would never have chosen to have to go through the EHCP process. It is soul destroying and hard.
Reform *never* speak with compassion about anyone.
I would never have chosen to have to go through the EHCP process. It is soul destroying and hard.
Reform *never* speak with compassion about anyone.
Reposted by Antony Carpen
What the Home Sec announced today is not the politics of compromise but of being compromised.
Labour has just increased the salience of an issue they will always be outbid on by the right.
Labour has just increased the salience of an issue they will always be outbid on by the right.
@pimlicat.bsky.social: "Multiple studies show that ramping up ever-harsher rhetoric on immigration and asylum never wins over Reform-curious voters. The government would be wiser to make the case for the international institutions and protections we all depend on.”
https://bit.ly/49YBJVD
https://bit.ly/49YBJVD
November 17, 2025 at 7:37 PM
What the Home Sec announced today is not the politics of compromise but of being compromised.
Labour has just increased the salience of an issue they will always be outbid on by the right.
Labour has just increased the salience of an issue they will always be outbid on by the right.
Reposted by Antony Carpen
If you're in Cambridge in the next few weeks, I can highly recommend this exhibition and it's FREE. Don't miss it.
🧪Hold on to your urine flasks, there are only a few weeks left to visit Curious Cures!
📍 Open until 6 December 2025 at the University Library
🔗Book your FREE ticket: https://loom.ly/kVqsPRY
Music by Vlad Bakutov from Pixabay
📍 Open until 6 December 2025 at the University Library
🔗Book your FREE ticket: https://loom.ly/kVqsPRY
Music by Vlad Bakutov from Pixabay
November 17, 2025 at 8:09 PM
If you're in Cambridge in the next few weeks, I can highly recommend this exhibition and it's FREE. Don't miss it.
Reposted by Antony Carpen
Labour MP Abtisam Mohamed: "What is dividing communities is constant anti refugee rhetoric pumped into our politics... There are some people who will never be appeased, who will constantly stir hatred..."
Shabana Mahmood: "What I think is dividing our country... is an unfair, out of control system"
Shabana Mahmood: "What I think is dividing our country... is an unfair, out of control system"
November 17, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Labour MP Abtisam Mohamed: "What is dividing communities is constant anti refugee rhetoric pumped into our politics... There are some people who will never be appeased, who will constantly stir hatred..."
Shabana Mahmood: "What I think is dividing our country... is an unfair, out of control system"
Shabana Mahmood: "What I think is dividing our country... is an unfair, out of control system"
Misinformation-based policy-making? Re fact-checking Home Secretary’s statement 👀
If the info & data is rubbish/unreliable, don’t expect decent policies
If the info & data is rubbish/unreliable, don’t expect decent policies
'Is that true?' is an important question for governments to answer for many reasons, but from a 'actually getting re-elected' perspective, 'will this fix the problem we need it to?' is, you know, mission critical.
November 17, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Misinformation-based policy-making? Re fact-checking Home Secretary’s statement 👀
If the info & data is rubbish/unreliable, don’t expect decent policies
If the info & data is rubbish/unreliable, don’t expect decent policies
NOOZE: “Today is splendid day to bury bad news, say media experts”
As all eyes are fixed on the House of Commons as the government sets out its immigration reforms, @politicshome.bsky.social can reveal that the government has delayed consulting with the public on the development of digital ID plans until the new year
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Public Consultation On Digital ID Delayed Until 2026
Exclusive: The government has delayed consulting with the public on the development of digital ID plans until the new year, PoliticsHome understand...
www.politicshome.com
November 17, 2025 at 8:03 PM
NOOZE: “Today is splendid day to bury bad news, say media experts”
DfT need to get a grip & legalise & regulate privately owned e-scooters
The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority is considering extending the e-scooter trial in Cambridge until May 2028.
E-scooter problems 'need to be considered' if trial is extended again until 2028
www.cambridge-news.co.uk
November 17, 2025 at 7:52 PM
DfT need to get a grip & legalise & regulate privately owned e-scooters