Ben O'Driscoll
@benkeepleft.bsky.social
Left wing | Eco-socialist | Compass member | Uni student (postgrad) | Green New Deal | Proportional Representation. They/them. #ClimateCrisis #ClimateEmergency #FreePalestine #TransRightsAreHumanRights #ProgressiveAlliances
Pinned
Ben O'Driscoll
@benkeepleft.bsky.social
· Oct 18
BREAKING: Gaza's Media Office says the Israeli army has committed 47 violations after the truce deal entered into force in early October, killing 38 Palestinians and wounding another 143 people.
🔴 LIVE updates: aje.io/nuq6mi
🔴 LIVE updates: aje.io/nuq6mi
A ceasefire should fully end violence between the sides involved.
In Gaza, we're seeing the alternative consequences: trauma, injury and death.
All violations of the ceasefire in Gaza must end now - and stay that way.
In Gaza, we're seeing the alternative consequences: trauma, injury and death.
All violations of the ceasefire in Gaza must end now - and stay that way.
Happy New Year! Let's make the world a more equal, democratic and kinder place in 2026 and beyond.
Long live socialism.
Long live socialism.
December 31, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Happy New Year! Let's make the world a more equal, democratic and kinder place in 2026 and beyond.
Long live socialism.
Long live socialism.
More settlements in the West Bank approved by Israel's security cabinet. More atrocious colonialism by an apartheid, genocidal state.
If Israel won't stop, nations worldwide must use sanctions and other peaceful means to stop it. End oppression for all.
#FreePalestine
If Israel won't stop, nations worldwide must use sanctions and other peaceful means to stop it. End oppression for all.
#FreePalestine
December 25, 2025 at 7:57 AM
More settlements in the West Bank approved by Israel's security cabinet. More atrocious colonialism by an apartheid, genocidal state.
If Israel won't stop, nations worldwide must use sanctions and other peaceful means to stop it. End oppression for all.
#FreePalestine
If Israel won't stop, nations worldwide must use sanctions and other peaceful means to stop it. End oppression for all.
#FreePalestine
Trans rights are human rights. They must prevail.
Trans people and their allies must triumph.
Trans people and their allies must triumph.
Some Dems have told themselves only ~1% of the population is trans so they can dip their toe in the anti-trans filth and come out clean.
I don't have any trans family members—but it still makes me irate. I see it as a huge red flag, a sign you are unprincipled and untrustworthy. And I'm not alone.
I don't have any trans family members—but it still makes me irate. I see it as a huge red flag, a sign you are unprincipled and untrustworthy. And I'm not alone.
We are parents of a trans kid and our family takes this very, very personally. If you intentionally make life harder for our beloved daughter, it’s EXTREMELY hard to think of you as an ally, to say the least. @amyklobuchar.com - you still send us requests for money, while hurting our kid. Disgusted.
December 17, 2025 at 7:41 PM
Trans rights are human rights. They must prevail.
Trans people and their allies must triumph.
Trans people and their allies must triumph.
The anti-Semitic attack by Bondi Beach is reprehensible. May all victims and those linked to them find peace, and may we all draw inspiration from the bravery of Ahmed al-Ahmed.
Let's make the world an equal, kinder place free of discrimination.
Let's make the world an equal, kinder place free of discrimination.
December 16, 2025 at 7:28 PM
The anti-Semitic attack by Bondi Beach is reprehensible. May all victims and those linked to them find peace, and may we all draw inspiration from the bravery of Ahmed al-Ahmed.
Let's make the world an equal, kinder place free of discrimination.
Let's make the world an equal, kinder place free of discrimination.
Reposted by Ben O'Driscoll
Streeting now seeking consensus on puberty blockers with Badenoch, the person who openly boasted of appointing transphobes to key positions in Equalities and Health in order to degrade trans rights and healthcare.
December 13, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Streeting now seeking consensus on puberty blockers with Badenoch, the person who openly boasted of appointing transphobes to key positions in Equalities and Health in order to degrade trans rights and healthcare.
Re/ the `Noam Chomsky kept in touch with Epstein` revelations: I don't know the exact details, but I'll say my opinion.
I'm a socialist, but unless there's some strong reason for it, I'll oppose anyone who remained in contact with Epstein or supported him, especially after his conviction (1/2).
I'm a socialist, but unless there's some strong reason for it, I'll oppose anyone who remained in contact with Epstein or supported him, especially after his conviction (1/2).
November 28, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Re/ the `Noam Chomsky kept in touch with Epstein` revelations: I don't know the exact details, but I'll say my opinion.
I'm a socialist, but unless there's some strong reason for it, I'll oppose anyone who remained in contact with Epstein or supported him, especially after his conviction (1/2).
I'm a socialist, but unless there's some strong reason for it, I'll oppose anyone who remained in contact with Epstein or supported him, especially after his conviction (1/2).
Though I'm glad to see the hideous two-child cap going, the government's retention of it - among many others - until now has pushed people into poverty.
little in the way of progressive taxation, and backsliding on environmental policy by taxing EVs.
We need a socialist, democratising government.
little in the way of progressive taxation, and backsliding on environmental policy by taxing EVs.
We need a socialist, democratising government.
Scrapping the two-child limit in full is a monumental decision. Well done to all involved in the Child Poverty Strategy, and everyone who has made the case against the policy.
OBR says scrapping costs £3 billion in 2029-30 and will lift 450,000 out of poverty
OBR says scrapping costs £3 billion in 2029-30 and will lift 450,000 out of poverty
November 26, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Though I'm glad to see the hideous two-child cap going, the government's retention of it - among many others - until now has pushed people into poverty.
little in the way of progressive taxation, and backsliding on environmental policy by taxing EVs.
We need a socialist, democratising government.
little in the way of progressive taxation, and backsliding on environmental policy by taxing EVs.
We need a socialist, democratising government.
And now the death toll is at least 24.
Even if there's a 'ceasefire' in Gaza, don't ever forget that Israel is murdering Palestinians and destroying their lives.
That's on top of the US-proposed colonial plans for Gaza.
Palestinians need full human rights, freedom and autonomy.
#FreePalestine
Even if there's a 'ceasefire' in Gaza, don't ever forget that Israel is murdering Palestinians and destroying their lives.
That's on top of the US-proposed colonial plans for Gaza.
Palestinians need full human rights, freedom and autonomy.
#FreePalestine
BREAKING: Israel has killed 20 Palestinians, including four children, and injured 83 others in the past 24 hours across the Gaza Strip, according to the enclave’s Health Ministry.
🔴 LIVE updates: aje.io/73c1bj
🔴 LIVE updates: aje.io/73c1bj
November 22, 2025 at 8:11 PM
And now the death toll is at least 24.
Even if there's a 'ceasefire' in Gaza, don't ever forget that Israel is murdering Palestinians and destroying their lives.
That's on top of the US-proposed colonial plans for Gaza.
Palestinians need full human rights, freedom and autonomy.
#FreePalestine
Even if there's a 'ceasefire' in Gaza, don't ever forget that Israel is murdering Palestinians and destroying their lives.
That's on top of the US-proposed colonial plans for Gaza.
Palestinians need full human rights, freedom and autonomy.
#FreePalestine
Regardless, these hacks need throwing out and replacing with genuine progressives before they wreck any more damage.
My guess is they will end up u-turning on the jewellery thing (you can already see it being softening in interviews) and possibly the 20 years (which is way longer than Denmark).
November 17, 2025 at 10:03 AM
Regardless, these hacks need throwing out and replacing with genuine progressives before they wreck any more damage.
These despicable attitudes must be rooted out of every level of society. Same for any discrimination and prejudice.
#TransRightsAreHumanRights
#TransRightsAreHumanRights
Iqbal Mohamed, a Your Party organising MP, has publically called Trans women "men" and called for their segregation in public spaces
Anti-Trans+ ideology rots political parties from the inside out
www.thecanary.co/trending/202...
@thecanaryuk.bsky.social
Anti-Trans+ ideology rots political parties from the inside out
www.thecanary.co/trending/202...
@thecanaryuk.bsky.social
Another Your Party MP is accused of 'explicit transphobia'
Potential Your Party supporters have criticised MPs for promoting 'third spaces', accusing them of condoning trans segregation
www.thecanary.co
November 16, 2025 at 7:12 PM
These despicable attitudes must be rooted out of every level of society. Same for any discrimination and prejudice.
#TransRightsAreHumanRights
#TransRightsAreHumanRights
Reposted by Ben O'Driscoll
“Every few months, like clockwork, the fossil-fuel lobby resurrects its favourite zombie myth:
“Renewables can’t be recycled. They’ll just end up on the trash heap.”
It wasn’t true in 2015.
It wasn’t true in 2020.
It’s definitely not true in 2025.”
theaimn.net/the-renewabl...
“Renewables can’t be recycled. They’ll just end up on the trash heap.”
It wasn’t true in 2015.
It wasn’t true in 2020.
It’s definitely not true in 2025.”
theaimn.net/the-renewabl...
The renewable recycling lie: the zombie myth the fossil-fuel lobby can’t let die
Every few months, like clockwork, the fossil-fuel lobby resurrects its favourite zombie myth: “Renewables can’t be recycled. They’ll just end up on the trash heap.” It wasn’t true in 2015. It wasn’t t...
theaimn.net
November 15, 2025 at 2:15 AM
“Every few months, like clockwork, the fossil-fuel lobby resurrects its favourite zombie myth:
“Renewables can’t be recycled. They’ll just end up on the trash heap.”
It wasn’t true in 2015.
It wasn’t true in 2020.
It’s definitely not true in 2025.”
theaimn.net/the-renewabl...
“Renewables can’t be recycled. They’ll just end up on the trash heap.”
It wasn’t true in 2015.
It wasn’t true in 2020.
It’s definitely not true in 2025.”
theaimn.net/the-renewabl...
Absolutely ridiculous that anyone could even contemplate this as the climate collapses.
Heat pumps need more subsidies or even offering for free, not facing subsidy restrictions.
What happened to a 'clean energy future'?
#ClimateCrisis
#ClimateCatastrophe
Heat pumps need more subsidies or even offering for free, not facing subsidy restrictions.
What happened to a 'clean energy future'?
#ClimateCrisis
#ClimateCatastrophe
Hundreds of thousands to lose heat pump subsidies in Reeves’s budget plan
Hundreds of thousands to lose heat pump subsidies in Reeves’s budget plan
Exclusive: chancellor plans to fund energy efficiency levies via warm homes plan as part of drive to lower energy bills
Hundreds of thousands of homeowners will lose their right to subsidies for eco-friendly heat pumps as a result of government plans to bring down energy bills at the budget.
Rachel Reeves, the chancellor, is planning to announce a series of measures to bring down energy bills amid concerns the country’s stubbornly high cost of living is driving millions of voters to Reform UK. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 14, 2025 at 11:51 AM
Absolutely ridiculous that anyone could even contemplate this as the climate collapses.
Heat pumps need more subsidies or even offering for free, not facing subsidy restrictions.
What happened to a 'clean energy future'?
#ClimateCrisis
#ClimateCatastrophe
Heat pumps need more subsidies or even offering for free, not facing subsidy restrictions.
What happened to a 'clean energy future'?
#ClimateCrisis
#ClimateCatastrophe
Walking through a canteen at university...I see the Christmas tree influx has already started.
But considering this at a human level, what does peoples' passion for going early with Christmas suggest about how societies have oppressed them?
Or, on another level, the pervasion of the market?
But considering this at a human level, what does peoples' passion for going early with Christmas suggest about how societies have oppressed them?
Or, on another level, the pervasion of the market?
November 13, 2025 at 12:10 PM
Walking through a canteen at university...I see the Christmas tree influx has already started.
But considering this at a human level, what does peoples' passion for going early with Christmas suggest about how societies have oppressed them?
Or, on another level, the pervasion of the market?
But considering this at a human level, what does peoples' passion for going early with Christmas suggest about how societies have oppressed them?
Or, on another level, the pervasion of the market?
The atrocity of animal testing needs fully ending and outlawing now. No ifs, no buts.
All lives are equal, and must be treated as such.
All lives are equal, and must be treated as such.
Animal testing to be phased out faster
Working towards another manifesto promise, the Labour government will today reveal its strategy to phase out animal testing more quickly.
It will include dates for gradual bans and support researchers to use alternative methods, along with additional funding.
Working towards another manifesto promise, the Labour government will today reveal its strategy to phase out animal testing more quickly.
It will include dates for gradual bans and support researchers to use alternative methods, along with additional funding.
Animal testing to be phased out faster as UK unveils roadmap for alternative methods
New plan backs researchers to seize on new and developing opportunities to phase out animal tests with specific commitments for the coming years.
www.gov.uk
November 11, 2025 at 10:41 AM
The atrocity of animal testing needs fully ending and outlawing now. No ifs, no buts.
All lives are equal, and must be treated as such.
All lives are equal, and must be treated as such.
I think the universal goal should be removing and preventing the emergence of AI.
Considering how its environmentally destructive, threatens human jobs, and arguably stifles creativity - among other negatives - I feel the downsides outweigh the benefits.
Considering how its environmentally destructive, threatens human jobs, and arguably stifles creativity - among other negatives - I feel the downsides outweigh the benefits.
Interesting view on UK perhaps lagging on AI again now?https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.aeb2621
Britain must step up on AI policy
In their Policy Forum, “Advancing science- and evidence-based AI policy” (31 July, 10.1126/science.adu8449), R. Bommasani et al. emphasize the importance of evidence-led policy-making for artificial i...
www.science.org
November 10, 2025 at 2:13 PM
I think the universal goal should be removing and preventing the emergence of AI.
Considering how its environmentally destructive, threatens human jobs, and arguably stifles creativity - among other negatives - I feel the downsides outweigh the benefits.
Considering how its environmentally destructive, threatens human jobs, and arguably stifles creativity - among other negatives - I feel the downsides outweigh the benefits.
Congratulations to @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social for his victory.
This only reinforces my view that the future of politics must be genuinely left-wing, socially liberal and progressive.
#socialism
This only reinforces my view that the future of politics must be genuinely left-wing, socially liberal and progressive.
#socialism
November 5, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Congratulations to @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social for his victory.
This only reinforces my view that the future of politics must be genuinely left-wing, socially liberal and progressive.
#socialism
This only reinforces my view that the future of politics must be genuinely left-wing, socially liberal and progressive.
#socialism
🌱 Happy World Vegan Day! 💚
Today we celebrate the incredible compassion of vegans around the world, and we honor those we fight for. 🐷🐮🐰🐶🦊🐯
Together we are their voice. Together we are shaping a future that can only be vegan. 💚🌍✌️
#vegan #veganism #veganfortheanimals
Today we celebrate the incredible compassion of vegans around the world, and we honor those we fight for. 🐷🐮🐰🐶🦊🐯
Together we are their voice. Together we are shaping a future that can only be vegan. 💚🌍✌️
#vegan #veganism #veganfortheanimals
November 1, 2025 at 3:32 PM
For any side violating the so-called ceasefire in Gaza, consider this: you're killing innocent people and destroying lives.
Gaza - and the wider Middle East - need real, lasting peace now.
Gaza - and the wider Middle East - need real, lasting peace now.
Strikes overnight in Gaza have killed at least 60 people, including many children, local hospital officials say. 💔🕊️
🔗 apnews.com/article/isra...
🔗 apnews.com/article/isra...
Israeli strikes overnight in Gaza kill at least 60 in the most serious challenge yet to the truce
Israeli strikes overnight in Gaza have killed at least 60 people, including many children. That’s according to local hospital officials on Wednesday.
apnews.com
October 29, 2025 at 8:56 AM
For any side violating the so-called ceasefire in Gaza, consider this: you're killing innocent people and destroying lives.
Gaza - and the wider Middle East - need real, lasting peace now.
Gaza - and the wider Middle East - need real, lasting peace now.
Trans rights are human rights.
October 28, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Trans rights are human rights.
Reposted by Ben O'Driscoll
Not quite sure why the media is presenting the Caerphilly result as a disaster for Labour, rather than as a perfect execution of its electoral strategy.
That strategy for *months* now has been to tell everybody who might otherwise be inclined to vote for them to fuck off.
And off they have fucked.
That strategy for *months* now has been to tell everybody who might otherwise be inclined to vote for them to fuck off.
And off they have fucked.
October 24, 2025 at 9:45 AM
Not quite sure why the media is presenting the Caerphilly result as a disaster for Labour, rather than as a perfect execution of its electoral strategy.
That strategy for *months* now has been to tell everybody who might otherwise be inclined to vote for them to fuck off.
And off they have fucked.
That strategy for *months* now has been to tell everybody who might otherwise be inclined to vote for them to fuck off.
And off they have fucked.
Happy that Plaid Cymru won, but the by-election has also reinforced the need to counteract Reform.
Socialism and comprehensive democratic reform are - above all - arguably best for the people, but could also tackle key reasons why people are turning to the right and radical right.
Socialism and comprehensive democratic reform are - above all - arguably best for the people, but could also tackle key reasons why people are turning to the right and radical right.
Caerphilly, Senedd constituency by-election result:
PC: 47.4% (+19.0)
REF: 36.0% (+34.2)
LAB: 11.0% (-34.9)
CON: 2.0% (-15.3)
GRN: 1.5% (+1.5)
LDEM: 1.5% (-1.2)
GWL: 0.3% (+0.3)
UKIP: 0.2% (+0.2)
Plaid Cymru GAIN from Labour.
PC: 47.4% (+19.0)
REF: 36.0% (+34.2)
LAB: 11.0% (-34.9)
CON: 2.0% (-15.3)
GRN: 1.5% (+1.5)
LDEM: 1.5% (-1.2)
GWL: 0.3% (+0.3)
UKIP: 0.2% (+0.2)
Plaid Cymru GAIN from Labour.
October 24, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Happy that Plaid Cymru won, but the by-election has also reinforced the need to counteract Reform.
Socialism and comprehensive democratic reform are - above all - arguably best for the people, but could also tackle key reasons why people are turning to the right and radical right.
Socialism and comprehensive democratic reform are - above all - arguably best for the people, but could also tackle key reasons why people are turning to the right and radical right.
Reposted by Ben O'Driscoll
Prince Andrew has been stripped of all his royal titles.
Exerts from Virginia Guthrie’s memoir, detailing her abuse by Andrew, played a role in his downfall. Tragically, she committed suicide last April.
It’s on all of us to make sure the other Epstein survivors get justice before it’s too late.
Exerts from Virginia Guthrie’s memoir, detailing her abuse by Andrew, played a role in his downfall. Tragically, she committed suicide last April.
It’s on all of us to make sure the other Epstein survivors get justice before it’s too late.
October 17, 2025 at 11:15 PM
Prince Andrew has been stripped of all his royal titles.
Exerts from Virginia Guthrie’s memoir, detailing her abuse by Andrew, played a role in his downfall. Tragically, she committed suicide last April.
It’s on all of us to make sure the other Epstein survivors get justice before it’s too late.
Exerts from Virginia Guthrie’s memoir, detailing her abuse by Andrew, played a role in his downfall. Tragically, she committed suicide last April.
It’s on all of us to make sure the other Epstein survivors get justice before it’s too late.
A ceasefire should fully end violence between the sides involved.
In Gaza, we're seeing the alternative consequences: trauma, injury and death.
All violations of the ceasefire in Gaza must end now - and stay that way.
In Gaza, we're seeing the alternative consequences: trauma, injury and death.
All violations of the ceasefire in Gaza must end now - and stay that way.
BREAKING: Gaza's Media Office says the Israeli army has committed 47 violations after the truce deal entered into force in early October, killing 38 Palestinians and wounding another 143 people.
🔴 LIVE updates: aje.io/nuq6mi
🔴 LIVE updates: aje.io/nuq6mi
October 18, 2025 at 6:51 PM
A ceasefire should fully end violence between the sides involved.
In Gaza, we're seeing the alternative consequences: trauma, injury and death.
All violations of the ceasefire in Gaza must end now - and stay that way.
In Gaza, we're seeing the alternative consequences: trauma, injury and death.
All violations of the ceasefire in Gaza must end now - and stay that way.
The Middle East needs peace now, and permanently. The violations of the ceasefire in Gaza must cease forever. Peoples' lives depend on peace.
October 14, 2025 at 8:24 PM
The Middle East needs peace now, and permanently. The violations of the ceasefire in Gaza must cease forever. Peoples' lives depend on peace.
Great analysis from Oliver Eagleton on the concerningly neoliberal, neocolonial nature of the peace plan for Gaza.
Gaza - and Palestine as a whole - deserve better.
Gaza - and Palestine as a whole - deserve better.
Why Tony Blair just can’t kick the habit of imperial interference in the Middle East | Oliver Eagleton
Why Tony Blair just can’t kick the habit of imperial interference in the Middle East | Oliver Eagleton
The Blair-Trump fantasy for postwar Gaza shows the former PM still thinks that free enterprise can solve all the world’s ills, says associate editor at the New Left Review Oliver Eagleton
www.theguardian.com
October 9, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Great analysis from Oliver Eagleton on the concerningly neoliberal, neocolonial nature of the peace plan for Gaza.
Gaza - and Palestine as a whole - deserve better.
Gaza - and Palestine as a whole - deserve better.