David Ford
@david-ford.bsky.social
Was: Alliance Councillor, Antrim 1993-2010; MLA, South Antrim 1998-2018; Party Leader, 2001-16; Minister of Justice for NI 2010-2016, President, Alliance Party 2019-2022.
Now: grandfather, p/t farmer, Alliance footsoldier, Rathlin CIC, Jubilee Farm, NFFN.
Now: grandfather, p/t farmer, Alliance footsoldier, Rathlin CIC, Jubilee Farm, NFFN.
Reposted by David Ford
"Regrettably, some political leaders in Northern Ireland were not always able, in this time of extraordinary crisis, to set aside political and sectarian divisions and to govern jointly and effectively in the interests of the whole of Northern Ireland."
(Hallett Covid Inquiry)
Who knew?
(Hallett Covid Inquiry)
Who knew?
November 20, 2025 at 10:23 PM
"Regrettably, some political leaders in Northern Ireland were not always able, in this time of extraordinary crisis, to set aside political and sectarian divisions and to govern jointly and effectively in the interests of the whole of Northern Ireland."
(Hallett Covid Inquiry)
Who knew?
(Hallett Covid Inquiry)
Who knew?
Reposted by David Ford
A study by the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) shows that estimates about the damage done by Brexit have underestimated its impact over the course of a decade. Data now suggests that Brexit has reduced UK GDP by 6%–8%, reduced investment 12%–18%, and reduced productivity by 3%–4%.
🇬🇧🇪🇺
🇬🇧🇪🇺
November 14, 2025 at 11:46 PM
A study by the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) shows that estimates about the damage done by Brexit have underestimated its impact over the course of a decade. Data now suggests that Brexit has reduced UK GDP by 6%–8%, reduced investment 12%–18%, and reduced productivity by 3%–4%.
🇬🇧🇪🇺
🇬🇧🇪🇺
Starmer and co know how much damage Brexit has caused. When will they actually do something to redress it?
Guy Verhofstadt, President of European Movement International:
In this new Age of Empires, why UK must choose Europe over isolation
www.scotsman.com/news/opinion...
In this new Age of Empires, why UK must choose Europe over isolation
www.scotsman.com/news/opinion...
In this new Age of Empires, why UK must choose Europe over isolation
Most of the UK’s economic problems since Brexit would have been avoided if it had stayed in the European Single Market and Customs Union and it’s time to move closer to the EU, writes former Belgian P...
www.scotsman.com
November 14, 2025 at 6:56 AM
Starmer and co know how much damage Brexit has caused. When will they actually do something to redress it?
@leonardconsultancy.bsky.social - thanks for your wise balanced words on Talkback today, Marcella.
November 13, 2025 at 6:26 PM
@leonardconsultancy.bsky.social - thanks for your wise balanced words on Talkback today, Marcella.
The PPE Medpro saga continues.
Can it really be true that the company failed to pay tax on its profits from supplying unfit PPE to the NHS?
Can it really be true that the company failed to pay tax on its profits from supplying unfit PPE to the NHS?
Douglas Barrowman and Michelle Mone made £65m selling faulty PPE to the Government.
HMRC now wants £39m in unpaid tax — and we think we know why: Barrowman and Mone may have avoided tax on their £65m profit.
HMRC now wants £39m in unpaid tax — and we think we know why: Barrowman and Mone may have avoided tax on their £65m profit.
November 6, 2025 at 11:58 AM
The PPE Medpro saga continues.
Can it really be true that the company failed to pay tax on its profits from supplying unfit PPE to the NHS?
Can it really be true that the company failed to pay tax on its profits from supplying unfit PPE to the NHS?
@irishrainforest.bsky.social Are you listening to Today on @rteradio1.bsky.social from about 11.15?
November 6, 2025 at 11:23 AM
@irishrainforest.bsky.social Are you listening to Today on @rteradio1.bsky.social from about 11.15?
One moment an ordinary citizen doing an ordinary, routine job.
The next, a life-saving hero.
The next, a life-saving hero.
This is the hero, the railway worker who saved countless lives during the stabbing attack in Cambridgeshire. His name is Samir Zitouni.
Remember him and will him through. 🙏
Remember him and will him through. 🙏
November 4, 2025 at 3:21 PM
One moment an ordinary citizen doing an ordinary, routine job.
The next, a life-saving hero.
The next, a life-saving hero.
I'm a member of the UFU and a small farmer in the Lough Neagh catchment.
It's hard to disagree with Newton. It also appears, yet again, that the UFU Executive is following, not leading.
It's hard to disagree with Newton. It also appears, yet again, that the UFU Executive is following, not leading.
October 30, 2025 at 7:37 PM
I'm a member of the UFU and a small farmer in the Lough Neagh catchment.
It's hard to disagree with Newton. It also appears, yet again, that the UFU Executive is following, not leading.
It's hard to disagree with Newton. It also appears, yet again, that the UFU Executive is following, not leading.
What an unusual division. Most Tories voted with Farage, with DUP & TUV.
@eddavey.libdems.org.uk made the speech against Farage, supported in the vote by Lib Dems, @sorchaeastwood.bsky.social, UUP, most of SNP, Plaid, Green, SDLP & Ind Left.
And some Labour, but clearly not whipped.
@eddavey.libdems.org.uk made the speech against Farage, supported in the vote by Lib Dems, @sorchaeastwood.bsky.social, UUP, most of SNP, Plaid, Green, SDLP & Ind Left.
And some Labour, but clearly not whipped.
LibDems defeated Farage’s 10 minute rule bill to take us out of the European Convention on Human Rights earlier. Frontbench Labour abstained. Tories voted with Reform. This was the make up of the house for the debate. Only really the LD benches bothered! Will this get any coverage I wonder ?
October 29, 2025 at 10:50 PM
What an unusual division. Most Tories voted with Farage, with DUP & TUV.
@eddavey.libdems.org.uk made the speech against Farage, supported in the vote by Lib Dems, @sorchaeastwood.bsky.social, UUP, most of SNP, Plaid, Green, SDLP & Ind Left.
And some Labour, but clearly not whipped.
@eddavey.libdems.org.uk made the speech against Farage, supported in the vote by Lib Dems, @sorchaeastwood.bsky.social, UUP, most of SNP, Plaid, Green, SDLP & Ind Left.
And some Labour, but clearly not whipped.
I agree with @timfarron.bsky.social.
It's hard to know which is worse: a Government which denied the problems caused by Brexit or one which acknowledges the mess but does nothing to deal with it.
It's hard to know which is worse: a Government which denied the problems caused by Brexit or one which acknowledges the mess but does nothing to deal with it.
The Chancellor is blaming Brexit for the mess we're in but not making the changes needed to fix it, can you really call that a strategy?
October 28, 2025 at 8:06 PM
I agree with @timfarron.bsky.social.
It's hard to know which is worse: a Government which denied the problems caused by Brexit or one which acknowledges the mess but does nothing to deal with it.
It's hard to know which is worse: a Government which denied the problems caused by Brexit or one which acknowledges the mess but does nothing to deal with it.
Reposted by David Ford
Too late, my darlings. www.ft.com/content/d6c8...
Badenoch is warned against turning Tories into rightwing populist party
Former premiers John Major and Theresa May tell Conservative leader not to seek to mimic Reform UK
www.ft.com
October 28, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Too late, my darlings. www.ft.com/content/d6c8...
Next task for the IfG: compare and contrast Prison Service in E&W with those in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
That chart from the prisons chapter of the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk's Public Services Performance Tracker www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
Performance Tracker 2025: Prisons | Institute for Government
Conditions in prisons are appalling and getting worse, while planned sentencing reforms may not be enough to avoid a further capacity crisis
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
October 27, 2025 at 10:49 AM
Next task for the IfG: compare and contrast Prison Service in E&W with those in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Yet another reason why so many who were glad to see the Tories removed from Government at GE24 now despair of the current crowd.
Today, the Planning Bill returns to the Lords. And the future of nature in England’s planning system is on the line. 🌳⚠️
Peers must back the amendments* that protect wildlife, ensure accountability, and build nature back into our homes & communities.
*130, 140 & 245, 114, 148
Peers must back the amendments* that protect wildlife, ensure accountability, and build nature back into our homes & communities.
*130, 140 & 245, 114, 148
October 27, 2025 at 10:44 AM
Yet another reason why so many who were glad to see the Tories removed from Government at GE24 now despair of the current crowd.
Reposted by David Ford
Nothing on the BBC Radio news this morning. Nothing I could find on their website. This is an MP from the party whose lead in the opinion polls normally ensures them wall-to-wall coverage. She spouts racist nonsense for which even she feels obliged to apologise. What on earth are they playing at?
Reform’s Sarah Pochin forced to apologise after claiming adverts 'full of black people' drive her 'mad’ | LBC
The Runcorn and Helsby MP was responding to a viewer live on air who complained about the demographics of advertising.
www.lbc.co.uk
October 26, 2025 at 6:57 AM
Nothing on the BBC Radio news this morning. Nothing I could find on their website. This is an MP from the party whose lead in the opinion polls normally ensures them wall-to-wall coverage. She spouts racist nonsense for which even she feels obliged to apologise. What on earth are they playing at?
Reposted by David Ford
. @justice-ni.bsky.social v.uk & @healthdpt.bsky.social ministers have welcomed a landmark report on Drug-Related Intimidation (DRI) in NI.
The report reveals the widespread & complex nature of DRI, which affects individuals, families, and entire communities.
➡️ justice-ni.gov.uk/news/ministe...
The report reveals the widespread & complex nature of DRI, which affects individuals, families, and entire communities.
➡️ justice-ni.gov.uk/news/ministe...
October 22, 2025 at 10:58 AM
. @justice-ni.bsky.social v.uk & @healthdpt.bsky.social ministers have welcomed a landmark report on Drug-Related Intimidation (DRI) in NI.
The report reveals the widespread & complex nature of DRI, which affects individuals, families, and entire communities.
➡️ justice-ni.gov.uk/news/ministe...
The report reveals the widespread & complex nature of DRI, which affects individuals, families, and entire communities.
➡️ justice-ni.gov.uk/news/ministe...
Unless I am mistaken, there's a former Councillor from the "moderate" UUP in the picture. Perhaps someone from the Ulster Unionist leadership could explain their position.
Dozens of people have attended the protests in the past, however numbers have been dwindling with one councillor saying it’s because the public is now aware of the background of many of the organisers of anti-immigration events.
Weekly anti-immigrant protest at Co Antrim hotel axed due to dwindling numbers
A weekly anti-immigration protest outside a Co Antrim hotel is being called off due to falling numbers.
www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk
October 21, 2025 at 9:52 AM
Unless I am mistaken, there's a former Councillor from the "moderate" UUP in the picture. Perhaps someone from the Ulster Unionist leadership could explain their position.
Reposted by David Ford
I thought I was asking a simple enough question!
#FarageFantasies
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
#FarageFantasies
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
Borders chief can’t name a way Brexit has helped UK control its borders
The new border security commander, Martin Hewitt, said he did ‘not immediately’ have an answer
www.independent.co.uk
October 20, 2025 at 8:12 AM
I thought I was asking a simple enough question!
#FarageFantasies
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
#FarageFantasies
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
Lisburn Chess Club: one of many partners of Prison Service, helping make Northern Ireland safer by rehabilitation of offenders.
Watch: Lisburn Chess Club has been encouraging the young offenders from Hydebank Wood College to learn and play the game which develops sportsmanship and offers key academic social skills for life on the outside. #PrisonsWeek
October 16, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Lisburn Chess Club: one of many partners of Prison Service, helping make Northern Ireland safer by rehabilitation of offenders.
What was it about people poking fun at the extremists being the thing that really annoys them?
The following is REAL footage from Portland, 2025. Viewer discretion is advised.
October 10, 2025 at 1:44 PM
What was it about people poking fun at the extremists being the thing that really annoys them?
I am disgusted at the level of abuse my colleague @naomilong.bsky.social has had to endure, but this is a new low.
Solidarity 💛
Solidarity 💛
October 9, 2025 at 8:44 AM
I am disgusted at the level of abuse my colleague @naomilong.bsky.social has had to endure, but this is a new low.
Solidarity 💛
Solidarity 💛
In case you need this today or tomorrow (NI obviously)
October 3, 2025 at 9:44 AM
In case you need this today or tomorrow (NI obviously)
Surely it can't be true that the husband of a Tory Peer was engaging in dubious practice to evade tax?
<spolier> The High Court has determined that a significant sum must be repaid to DoH.
<spolier> The High Court has determined that a significant sum must be repaid to DoH.
Douglas Barrowman and Michelle Mone's company, PPE Medpro, has just been ordered to refund the Government £122m from a PPE contract.
There are two very odd things about PPE Medpro that may affect the odds of the Government ever getting that £122m...
Thread:
There are two very odd things about PPE Medpro that may affect the odds of the Government ever getting that £122m...
Thread:
October 2, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Surely it can't be true that the husband of a Tory Peer was engaging in dubious practice to evade tax?
<spolier> The High Court has determined that a significant sum must be repaid to DoH.
<spolier> The High Court has determined that a significant sum must be repaid to DoH.
Interesting comment from Jo Maugham director of @goodlawproject.org following Court ruling against PPE Medpro.
October 2, 2025 at 9:20 AM
Interesting comment from Jo Maugham director of @goodlawproject.org following Court ruling against PPE Medpro.
Reposted by David Ford
In other news, Kemi Badenoch's party has taken at least £7 million in donations from funders and directors of climate change denial lobby groups bylinetimes.com/2025/03/18/k...
October 2, 2025 at 6:01 AM
In other news, Kemi Badenoch's party has taken at least £7 million in donations from funders and directors of climate change denial lobby groups bylinetimes.com/2025/03/18/k...
It's easy to forget the good work being done in NI prisons. @justice-ni.bsky.social
BBC News - Changing prisoners' conversations on violence against women
www.bbc.com/news/article...
BBC News - Changing prisoners' conversations on violence against women
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Hydebank: Prisoners take part in violence against women and girls workshops
Hundreds of convicted criminals in Northern Ireland's prisons have been voluntarily learning about violence against women and girls.
www.bbc.com
September 29, 2025 at 11:44 AM
It's easy to forget the good work being done in NI prisons. @justice-ni.bsky.social
BBC News - Changing prisoners' conversations on violence against women
www.bbc.com/news/article...
BBC News - Changing prisoners' conversations on violence against women
www.bbc.com/news/article...