Ben.Holdman
@benholdman1.bsky.social
Cllr for Castle Ward Tiverton Devon both Town and District,Chair on several Committees Former Chair of Tiverton and Honiton Libdem,Chair and Co-founder of Allies Mid Devon,Snooker Football Movie Fan.Not necessarily in that order.This is my personal account
Pinned
Ben.Holdman
@benholdman1.bsky.social
· May 19
I am both humbled and honoured to say Last Monday I got Elected Deputy Mayor of Tiverton. I have already put it on Facebook. But I have been extremely busy to update this platform.
I am both humbled and honoured to say Last Monday I got Elected Deputy Mayor of Tiverton. I have already put it on Facebook. But I have been extremely busy to update this platform.
May 19, 2025 at 5:30 PM
I am both humbled and honoured to say Last Monday I got Elected Deputy Mayor of Tiverton. I have already put it on Facebook. But I have been extremely busy to update this platform.
Reposted by Ben.Holdman
Zelenskyy joins EU leaders’ meeting over €800bn defence plan after Macron’s stark Russia warning – Europe live
Zelenskyy joins EU leaders’ meeting over €800bn defence plan after Macron’s stark Russia warning – Europe live
Leaders gather to discuss €800bn plan to boost military capacity and help Ukraine as French president says Europe has to be ready to defend itself without US help
* See all our Ukraine war coverage
If you wonder what The Guardian makes of Merz’s…
www.theguardian.com
March 6, 2025 at 8:11 AM
Zelenskyy joins EU leaders’ meeting over €800bn defence plan after Macron’s stark Russia warning – Europe live
Reposted by Ben.Holdman
Full Fact: The BBC did not receive 8% of its ‘total funding’ from USAID
fullfact.org/online/bbc-u...
fullfact.org/online/bbc-u...
The BBC did not receive 8% of its ‘total funding’ from USAID - Full Fact
It was the international charity BBC Media Action, not the BBC as a whole, which got 8% of its funding from the United States Agency for International Development in 2023/24.
fullfact.org
February 25, 2025 at 8:14 AM
Full Fact: The BBC did not receive 8% of its ‘total funding’ from USAID
fullfact.org/online/bbc-u...
fullfact.org/online/bbc-u...
Reposted by Ben.Holdman
Ofgem increases its price cap for a third consecutive quarter
10% hike in October
1.2% hike in January
6.4% hike in April
What part of “price cap” doesn’t Ofgem understand?
10% hike in October
1.2% hike in January
6.4% hike in April
What part of “price cap” doesn’t Ofgem understand?
February 25, 2025 at 8:17 AM
Ofgem increases its price cap for a third consecutive quarter
10% hike in October
1.2% hike in January
6.4% hike in April
What part of “price cap” doesn’t Ofgem understand?
10% hike in October
1.2% hike in January
6.4% hike in April
What part of “price cap” doesn’t Ofgem understand?
Reposted by Ben.Holdman
“Wes Streeting says he wants to take the NHS ‘back to basics’,” says @shawncharlwood.bsky.social
“Ending scenes that belong outside bakeries in the Soviet bloc would be a good start.”
“Making promises won’t restore access to millions.”
“Only action will.”
👇
www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news...
“Ending scenes that belong outside bakeries in the Soviet bloc would be a good start.”
“Making promises won’t restore access to millions.”
“Only action will.”
👇
www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news...
February 7, 2025 at 7:02 AM
“Wes Streeting says he wants to take the NHS ‘back to basics’,” says @shawncharlwood.bsky.social
“Ending scenes that belong outside bakeries in the Soviet bloc would be a good start.”
“Making promises won’t restore access to millions.”
“Only action will.”
👇
www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news...
“Ending scenes that belong outside bakeries in the Soviet bloc would be a good start.”
“Making promises won’t restore access to millions.”
“Only action will.”
👇
www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news...
As Labour touts more brutal cuts to benefits, how is this different from life under the Tories? | Frances Ryan
As Labour touts more brutal cuts to benefits, how is this different from life under the Tories? | Frances Ryan
There may be no nasty impulse to punish ‘skivers’, but the end result – the most vulnerable hit hardest – is exactly the same
When Rachel Reeves pledged last week that a third runway at Heathrow would put money in the pockets of “working people”, the…
www.theguardian.com
February 5, 2025 at 8:48 AM
Reposted by Ben.Holdman
ICYMI Labour sees Nigel Farage's NHS-scepticism as his major Achilles Heel with voters, and plan to attack Reform on it.
Source: "It’s important that we highlight the danger of Farage’s consistent position on moving to a fee-paying model."
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/exclus...
Source: "It’s important that we highlight the danger of Farage’s consistent position on moving to a fee-paying model."
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/exclus...
Exclusive: Labour Plans To Use Nigel Farage's NHS Views To Halt The Reform UK Surge
The former Ukip leader has raised the prospect of a French-style insurance system for the health service.
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk
January 28, 2025 at 8:25 AM
ICYMI Labour sees Nigel Farage's NHS-scepticism as his major Achilles Heel with voters, and plan to attack Reform on it.
Source: "It’s important that we highlight the danger of Farage’s consistent position on moving to a fee-paying model."
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/exclus...
Source: "It’s important that we highlight the danger of Farage’s consistent position on moving to a fee-paying model."
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/exclus...
Tiverton in Devon UK, is looking for a Town Clark.
www.slcc.co.uk/job/town-cle...
www.slcc.co.uk/job/town-cle...
SLCC | Town Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer
Contract Type: Permanent Working Hours: Full time, 37 hours per week, flexible hours including regular evening meetings and occasional weekends Salary Grade: £42,708 – £45,718 (representing spinal col...
www.slcc.co.uk
January 26, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Tiverton in Devon UK, is looking for a Town Clark.
www.slcc.co.uk/job/town-cle...
www.slcc.co.uk/job/town-cle...
Honiton, Sidmouth LibDems, are Looking for an Organiser, to work With @richardfoordld.bsky.social please see the link below for more information.
Reference: 95346
Date Added: 6 January 2025
Closing Date: 20 January 2025
Job Title: Constituency Organiser
www.w4mpjobs.org/JobDetails.a...
Reference: 95346
Date Added: 6 January 2025
Closing Date: 20 January 2025
Job Title: Constituency Organiser
www.w4mpjobs.org/JobDetails.a...
January 15, 2025 at 9:14 PM
Honiton, Sidmouth LibDems, are Looking for an Organiser, to work With @richardfoordld.bsky.social please see the link below for more information.
Reference: 95346
Date Added: 6 January 2025
Closing Date: 20 January 2025
Job Title: Constituency Organiser
www.w4mpjobs.org/JobDetails.a...
Reference: 95346
Date Added: 6 January 2025
Closing Date: 20 January 2025
Job Title: Constituency Organiser
www.w4mpjobs.org/JobDetails.a...
Reposted by Ben.Holdman
BREAKING: Merrick Garland has released volume one of the Jack Smith report
www.documentcloud.org/documents/25...
www.documentcloud.org/documents/25...
Report-of-Special-Counsel-Smith-Volume-1-January-2025
www.documentcloud.org
January 14, 2025 at 5:45 AM
BREAKING: Merrick Garland has released volume one of the Jack Smith report
www.documentcloud.org/documents/25...
www.documentcloud.org/documents/25...
Reposted by Ben.Holdman
Lib Dem MP Josh Reynolds GRILLS Shein lawyer on working conditions
Lib Dem MP Josh Reynolds GRILLS Shein lawyer on working conditions
" In 2022, a Channel 4 investigation revealed that workers at a Shein supplier in China were on 18-hour shifts with only one day off per month.Similarly, a B...
www.youtube.com
January 14, 2025 at 8:48 AM
Lib Dem MP Josh Reynolds GRILLS Shein lawyer on working conditions
Reposted by Ben.Holdman
The serious point about how chaotic our electoral system would be at converting current vote shares in the polls into seats is that this (a) shows why MRPs (and similar) are so useful, and (b) why now would be a very good time for the media to get much better at understanding MRPs. E.g. you...
It is a great time for bar charters to be alive.
January 14, 2025 at 9:35 AM
The serious point about how chaotic our electoral system would be at converting current vote shares in the polls into seats is that this (a) shows why MRPs (and similar) are so useful, and (b) why now would be a very good time for the media to get much better at understanding MRPs. E.g. you...
Reposted by Ben.Holdman
Met to hold inquiry over handling of Mohamed Al Fayed allegations
Met to hold inquiry over handling of Mohamed Al Fayed allegations
Internal inquiry into two complaints will seek to establish if there were ‘any missed opportunities or failures’
Two complaints from victims about the Met police’s handling of allegations against Mohamed Al Fayed in 2008 will be investigated by the…
www.theguardian.com
January 8, 2025 at 10:14 AM
Met to hold inquiry over handling of Mohamed Al Fayed allegations
Reposted by Ben.Holdman
1. Hundreds of companies who pledged to stop donating to members of Congress who voted to overturn the election on 1/6/21 have broken their promise over the last 4 years
But we've identified 10 promise keepers:
Farmers
Airbnb
Expedia
Nike
Clorox
General Mills
Holland & Hart
Qurate
Whirlpool
Lyft
But we've identified 10 promise keepers:
Farmers
Airbnb
Expedia
Nike
Clorox
General Mills
Holland & Hart
Qurate
Whirlpool
Lyft
10 corporations that kept their promises after January 6, 2021
After a violent mob stormed the Capitol building on January 6, 2021, hundreds of corporations took action to communicate to the public that democracy itself was more important than maximizing their po...
popular.info
January 7, 2025 at 3:12 PM
1. Hundreds of companies who pledged to stop donating to members of Congress who voted to overturn the election on 1/6/21 have broken their promise over the last 4 years
But we've identified 10 promise keepers:
Farmers
Airbnb
Expedia
Nike
Clorox
General Mills
Holland & Hart
Qurate
Whirlpool
Lyft
But we've identified 10 promise keepers:
Farmers
Airbnb
Expedia
Nike
Clorox
General Mills
Holland & Hart
Qurate
Whirlpool
Lyft
Reposted by Ben.Holdman
Lib Dem leader Ed Davey on Elon Musk: "Anyone who wants to serve in a foreign government commenting on our affairs should be very careful."
"I think the government should call in the US ambassador"
"I think the government should call in the US ambassador"
January 6, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Lib Dem leader Ed Davey on Elon Musk: "Anyone who wants to serve in a foreign government commenting on our affairs should be very careful."
"I think the government should call in the US ambassador"
"I think the government should call in the US ambassador"
Reposted by Ben.Holdman
This week I have:
December 21, 2024 at 10:11 AM
This week I have:
Reposted by Ben.Holdman
I prefer conversations that generate light, whereas X (formerly Twitter) has become a place that generates only heat. Musk's changes stink, and I have decided to become part of the exodus from X. Instead, I am up for some blue-sky thinking.
January 6, 2025 at 2:35 PM
I prefer conversations that generate light, whereas X (formerly Twitter) has become a place that generates only heat. Musk's changes stink, and I have decided to become part of the exodus from X. Instead, I am up for some blue-sky thinking.
Reposted by Ben.Holdman
Today we celebrate Boxing Day in the UK, so named because cats spend the day exploring empty boxes discarded from Christmas Day*
*This may not be true
*This may not be true
a cat is laying in a box that says 4gifs.com on it
ALT: a cat is laying in a box that says 4gifs.com on it
media.tenor.com
December 26, 2024 at 12:12 PM
Today we celebrate Boxing Day in the UK, so named because cats spend the day exploring empty boxes discarded from Christmas Day*
*This may not be true
*This may not be true
Reposted by Ben.Holdman
MPs fear government too trusting of China in wake of alleged spy scandal
MPs fear government too trusting of China in wake of alleged spy scandal
Alleged spy reportedly used relationship with Prince Andrew to get to the heart of Britain’s establishment
MPs fear the government is moving too fast to re-establish UK-China relations as some consider naming the alleged spy who used his relationship…
www.theguardian.com
December 15, 2024 at 8:33 PM
MPs fear government too trusting of China in wake of alleged spy scandal
Speaking as a member of a planning committee, I am concerned about what Labour are planning to do. I agree with Wera. Well done for the @libdems.org.uk for sticking up for local Communities.
🏘️ Local planning authorities aren't to blame for delays to house building.
Planning committees play a vital role in development by representing local voices.
If the government wants to speed up house building, they must address the problem of land banking👇
Planning committees play a vital role in development by representing local voices.
If the government wants to speed up house building, they must address the problem of land banking👇
December 10, 2024 at 3:50 PM
Speaking as a member of a planning committee, I am concerned about what Labour are planning to do. I agree with Wera. Well done for the @libdems.org.uk for sticking up for local Communities.
Reposted by Ben.Holdman
🇸🇾👀 Syrian rebels have entered Assad's palace in Damascus. What Russia has been building in this country for almost 10 years has been destroyed.
‼️ This morning, the rebels announced the beginning of a new era. People in Syria are celebrating in the streets.
‼️ This morning, the rebels announced the beginning of a new era. People in Syria are celebrating in the streets.
December 8, 2024 at 6:23 AM
🇸🇾👀 Syrian rebels have entered Assad's palace in Damascus. What Russia has been building in this country for almost 10 years has been destroyed.
‼️ This morning, the rebels announced the beginning of a new era. People in Syria are celebrating in the streets.
‼️ This morning, the rebels announced the beginning of a new era. People in Syria are celebrating in the streets.
Reposted by Ben.Holdman
‘We can barely believe what’s happening’: how Syria’s frozen conflict flared into hot war that could topple Assad
‘We can barely believe what’s happening’: how Syria’s frozen conflict flared into hot war that could topple Assad
With insurgents closing in on Damscus, questions remain over whether the Assad regime will dig in, and if Hayat Tahrir al-Sham are as moderate as they seem
When Islamist militants swept into her home town of Aleppo little over a week ago, Rama Alhalabi…
www.theguardian.com
December 7, 2024 at 6:21 PM
‘We can barely believe what’s happening’: how Syria’s frozen conflict flared into hot war that could topple Assad