Frances Ryan
@francesryan.bsky.social
Guardian columnist and journalist. Commentator of the Year 2024. Author of Who Wants Normal? and Crippled.
E: frances.ryan.freelance@guardian.co.uk
E: frances.ryan.freelance@guardian.co.uk
Pinned
Frances Ryan
@francesryan.bsky.social
· Apr 17
Four years on an iPhone in bed later, Who Wants Normal? is finally out in the world today.
Part memoir, part guide, it features 50+ of Britain’s best known disabled women. I hope it makes you laugh, possibly cry, and feel seen.
Order all formats here: linktr.ee/WhoWantsNormal
Part memoir, part guide, it features 50+ of Britain’s best known disabled women. I hope it makes you laugh, possibly cry, and feel seen.
Order all formats here: linktr.ee/WhoWantsNormal
Incredibly sad to see this. I never met or even spoke online to Rachel but her words were known to all of us. 56 years old. Life really can be cruel.
Really shocked to hear about the death of the brilliant Observer writer Rachel Cooke - what a terrible loss.
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Remembering Rachel Cooke | The Observer
observer.co.uk
November 14, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Incredibly sad to see this. I never met or even spoke online to Rachel but her words were known to all of us. 56 years old. Life really can be cruel.
Consultants - who earn an average £145k and often more by moonlighting in the private sector - will find it hard to get sympathy from patients who’ve been waiting years for help. Striking over winter may give the BMA a stronger hand but it’s a terrible gamble. www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Hospital consultants gearing up to join resident doctors in striking over pay
Exclusive: Move could cause huge disruption and present ministers with major new headache
www.theguardian.com
November 13, 2025 at 8:54 PM
Consultants - who earn an average £145k and often more by moonlighting in the private sector - will find it hard to get sympathy from patients who’ve been waiting years for help. Striking over winter may give the BMA a stronger hand but it’s a terrible gamble. www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
“Policies that favour the interests of the working class are disregarded as a fantasy, whereas those that push wealth and power towards the rich are seen as a realistic status quo.”
My col. on a politics and media that normalises Reform and dismisses the Greens. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
My col. on a politics and media that normalises Reform and dismisses the Greens. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Labour’s rebuttal to the Green party this week sums up the double standard that dogs our politics | Frances Ryan
Why is it that the politics of hope offered up by the left is dismissed as naive, while the policies of the centre and right are portrayed as all that is possible? asks Guardian columnist Frances Ryan
www.theguardian.com
November 13, 2025 at 8:05 AM
“Policies that favour the interests of the working class are disregarded as a fantasy, whereas those that push wealth and power towards the rich are seen as a realistic status quo.”
My col. on a politics and media that normalises Reform and dismisses the Greens. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
My col. on a politics and media that normalises Reform and dismisses the Greens. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
“Here’s the bias of politics: leftwing policies are portrayed as unrealistic and childish, while the centre and right’s ideas are framed as sensible and all that’s possible.”
My column on a system that welcomes Reform and dismisses the Greens as fantasy. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
My column on a system that welcomes Reform and dismisses the Greens as fantasy. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Labour’s rebuttal to the Green party this week sums up the double standard that dogs our politics | Frances Ryan
Why is it that the politics of hope offered up by the left is dismissed as naive, while the policies of the centre and right are portrayed as all that is possible? asks Guardian columnist Frances Ryan
www.theguardian.com
November 12, 2025 at 6:57 PM
“Here’s the bias of politics: leftwing policies are portrayed as unrealistic and childish, while the centre and right’s ideas are framed as sensible and all that’s possible.”
My column on a system that welcomes Reform and dismisses the Greens as fantasy. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
My column on a system that welcomes Reform and dismisses the Greens as fantasy. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
How do you keep the British public interested in wonders it’s seen before? Leopards! Wild dogs! Puppies in peril!
I reviewed last night’s new Attenborough series: www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...
I reviewed last night’s new Attenborough series: www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...
Kingdom review – David Attenborough never fails to make nature awe-inspiring
Attenborough’s latest extravaganza is packed with such high drama it’s like Game of Thrones … if Cersei was a hyena. If only it hadn’t been bumped down the schedules because of Strictly
www.theguardian.com
November 10, 2025 at 8:29 AM
How do you keep the British public interested in wonders it’s seen before? Leopards! Wild dogs! Puppies in peril!
I reviewed last night’s new Attenborough series: www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...
I reviewed last night’s new Attenborough series: www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...
“It is essentially Game of Thrones if Cersei was a hyena and everyone was competing for some dinner. Watching the opening title sequence, you half expect Sean Bean’s face to pop up on the northern border.”
I review David Attenborough’s new doc, Kingdom. www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...
I review David Attenborough’s new doc, Kingdom. www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...
Kingdom review – David Attenborough never fails to make nature awe-inspiring
Attenborough’s latest extravaganza is packed with such high drama it’s like Game of Thrones … if Cersei was a hyena. If only it hadn’t been bumped down the schedules because of Strictly
www.theguardian.com
November 9, 2025 at 7:19 PM
“It is essentially Game of Thrones if Cersei was a hyena and everyone was competing for some dinner. Watching the opening title sequence, you half expect Sean Bean’s face to pop up on the northern border.”
I review David Attenborough’s new doc, Kingdom. www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...
I review David Attenborough’s new doc, Kingdom. www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...
If you needed a boost on a Monday.
November 3, 2025 at 10:32 AM
If you needed a boost on a Monday.
I went into this week not knowing what a dojo was and I’m ending it unable to stop singing, “I always thought it was a dojo, a dojo, a dojo…”
October 31, 2025 at 8:16 PM
I went into this week not knowing what a dojo was and I’m ending it unable to stop singing, “I always thought it was a dojo, a dojo, a dojo…”
As Kemi Badenoch u-turns on deporting people who have lived here for decades, I wrote today’s column on Britain’s new wave of anti-migrant policy: pesky foreigners are milking the bloated benefits system. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Just beads in a glass jar: this is how the Tories dehumanise migrants and those in need | Frances Ryan
The Conservatives, like Reform, are rooting their immigration policy in the language of welfare dependency. It’s deeply harmful, says Guardian columnist Frances Ryan
www.theguardian.com
October 30, 2025 at 7:53 PM
As Kemi Badenoch u-turns on deporting people who have lived here for decades, I wrote today’s column on Britain’s new wave of anti-migrant policy: pesky foreigners are milking the bloated benefits system. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Frances Ryan
Nobody had even heard of Katie Lam outside of Westminster until about two weeks ago.
Literally all it takes to be considered "brilliant" and a "rising star" on the right of British politics now is just a willingness to say something slightly more racist than all of your competitors
Literally all it takes to be considered "brilliant" and a "rising star" on the right of British politics now is just a willingness to say something slightly more racist than all of your competitors
October 30, 2025 at 7:30 AM
Nobody had even heard of Katie Lam outside of Westminster until about two weeks ago.
Literally all it takes to be considered "brilliant" and a "rising star" on the right of British politics now is just a willingness to say something slightly more racist than all of your competitors
Literally all it takes to be considered "brilliant" and a "rising star" on the right of British politics now is just a willingness to say something slightly more racist than all of your competitors
This from X is a striking example of what I argue in today’s column. Reform and the Tories are out here gleefully saying disabled people on Motability should be forced to drive a 3-wheeler, like a scarlet letter. The stigma is not an accident - it’s the design.
October 30, 2025 at 11:21 AM
This from X is a striking example of what I argue in today’s column. Reform and the Tories are out here gleefully saying disabled people on Motability should be forced to drive a 3-wheeler, like a scarlet letter. The stigma is not an accident - it’s the design.
“Attacks on immigration and benefits both rely on similar ugly prejudice: certain members of society “contribute” and others “cost”, and in the extreme, leech off the superior healthy and white population.”
My col. on Britain’s new wave of anti-migrant policy. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
My col. on Britain’s new wave of anti-migrant policy. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Just beads in a glass jar: this is how the Tories dehumanise migrants and those in need | Frances Ryan
The Conservatives, like Reform, are rooting their immigration policy in the language of welfare dependency. It’s deeply harmful, says Guardian columnist Frances Ryan
www.theguardian.com
October 30, 2025 at 10:09 AM
“Attacks on immigration and benefits both rely on similar ugly prejudice: certain members of society “contribute” and others “cost”, and in the extreme, leech off the superior healthy and white population.”
My col. on Britain’s new wave of anti-migrant policy. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
My col. on Britain’s new wave of anti-migrant policy. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
There are no words to describe the pain of Claire Throssell - whose two beautiful boys were murdered by their father after he was allowed contact despite her warnings - or her bravery at helping change the law. If only women like her had been believed sooner. www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
‘No more children are going to die like you’: how Sheffield mother kept her promise to boys killed by father 11 years ago
Claire Throssell has been central to the campaign to repeal parental contact laws following the deaths of her two sons at the hands of their father in 2014
www.theguardian.com
October 29, 2025 at 3:18 PM
There are no words to describe the pain of Claire Throssell - whose two beautiful boys were murdered by their father after he was allowed contact despite her warnings - or her bravery at helping change the law. If only women like her had been believed sooner. www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Mabel has had a minor operation and is currently being a very, very brave soldier.
October 29, 2025 at 10:44 AM
Mabel has had a minor operation and is currently being a very, very brave soldier.
I’m so glad to hear Tom has had a job offer from Asda after Waitrose behaved appallingly. But it shouldn’t take a national backlash for disabled people to be treated decently. www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Asda hires autistic man who was let go by Waitrose after years of volunteering
Waitrose asked Tom Boyd not to return when he asked for a few hours of paid work after years as unpaid shelf stacker
www.theguardian.com
October 23, 2025 at 7:42 PM
I’m so glad to hear Tom has had a job offer from Asda after Waitrose behaved appallingly. But it shouldn’t take a national backlash for disabled people to be treated decently. www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Does Trump not need permission to bulldoze part of the White House? Is a sitting President just allowed to make permanent changes to a historic building? It’s like a U.K. Prime Minister cutting half of Big Ben off because he’s in a bad mood.
October 23, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Does Trump not need permission to bulldoze part of the White House? Is a sitting President just allowed to make permanent changes to a historic building? It’s like a U.K. Prime Minister cutting half of Big Ben off because he’s in a bad mood.
If Twitter still existed, “I’m meant to bloody be on holiday this week, Paul!” would be morphing into the internet’s lexicon as I type. Just fantastic stuff. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
‘Suck it up’: leaked video exposes bitter infighting at Reform UK’s flagship Kent council
Exclusive: Footage reveals Kent leader berating councillors amid rows over budgets and bullying claims
www.theguardian.com
October 18, 2025 at 4:39 PM
If Twitter still existed, “I’m meant to bloody be on holiday this week, Paul!” would be morphing into the internet’s lexicon as I type. Just fantastic stuff. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
For today’s TV column, I previewed the new series of Nobody Wants This. Hot Rabbi is back and I have braved Netflix’s (very enthusiastic) embargo rules to tell you what he’s doing. www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...
Nobody Wants This: we can’t get enough of Kristen Bell and Adam Brody’s heartstopping treat of a show
The millennial crowd-pleasers return with a second helping of their sizzling romcom … and it’s just as much of a pleasure. We already know exactly which spin-off we want too!
www.theguardian.com
October 18, 2025 at 8:51 AM
For today’s TV column, I previewed the new series of Nobody Wants This. Hot Rabbi is back and I have braved Netflix’s (very enthusiastic) embargo rules to tell you what he’s doing. www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...
“Rather than giving people “free cars”, the Motability scheme allows disabled people to use their PIP to lease new cars for 3 years.”
My colleagues Rowena Mason and @guardianheather.bsky.social report with a disclaimer every media outlet should be using tonight. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
My colleagues Rowena Mason and @guardianheather.bsky.social report with a disclaimer every media outlet should be using tonight. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Chancellor says she ‘can’t leave welfare untouched’ this parliament as budget looms
Rachel Reeves understood to be eyeing cuts to Motability scheme as she tries to plug hole in country’s finances
www.theguardian.com
October 17, 2025 at 7:28 PM
“Rather than giving people “free cars”, the Motability scheme allows disabled people to use their PIP to lease new cars for 3 years.”
My colleagues Rowena Mason and @guardianheather.bsky.social report with a disclaimer every media outlet should be using tonight. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
My colleagues Rowena Mason and @guardianheather.bsky.social report with a disclaimer every media outlet should be using tonight. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
“I have decided, as I always have, to put my duty to my family and country first.”
Top tier trolling to the very end, Andy. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Top tier trolling to the very end, Andy. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Prince Andrew gives up royal titles including Duke of York after ‘discussion with king’
In statement released by Buckingham Palace, Andrew says he will give up titles and honours including the Duke of York
www.theguardian.com
October 17, 2025 at 6:22 PM
“I have decided, as I always have, to put my duty to my family and country first.”
Top tier trolling to the very end, Andy. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Top tier trolling to the very end, Andy. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
It was lovely to chat to Benedict Cooper for October’s Left Lion about Who Wants Normal? and what it was like to interview 50+ of Britain’s best known disabled women.
Online here: leftlion.co.uk/features/202...
Online here: leftlion.co.uk/features/202...
October 17, 2025 at 12:15 PM
It was lovely to chat to Benedict Cooper for October’s Left Lion about Who Wants Normal? and what it was like to interview 50+ of Britain’s best known disabled women.
Online here: leftlion.co.uk/features/202...
Online here: leftlion.co.uk/features/202...
LAST CHANCE!
Waterstones is running a pre-order offer on select titles - and the Who Wants Normal? paperback is included!
Be quick - it ends today - and you’ll get 25% off and be one of the first to receive the book next year: www.waterstones.com/book/who-wan...
Waterstones is running a pre-order offer on select titles - and the Who Wants Normal? paperback is included!
Be quick - it ends today - and you’ll get 25% off and be one of the first to receive the book next year: www.waterstones.com/book/who-wan...
October 17, 2025 at 8:24 AM
LAST CHANCE!
Waterstones is running a pre-order offer on select titles - and the Who Wants Normal? paperback is included!
Be quick - it ends today - and you’ll get 25% off and be one of the first to receive the book next year: www.waterstones.com/book/who-wan...
Waterstones is running a pre-order offer on select titles - and the Who Wants Normal? paperback is included!
Be quick - it ends today - and you’ll get 25% off and be one of the first to receive the book next year: www.waterstones.com/book/who-wan...
Reposted by Frances Ryan
In one crisp para — & the 2 charts he highlights — @chrisgiles.ft.com bursts a huge number of “welfare” myths www.ft.com/content/ee67...
October 15, 2025 at 4:39 PM
In one crisp para — & the 2 charts he highlights — @chrisgiles.ft.com bursts a huge number of “welfare” myths www.ft.com/content/ee67...
If you like renovations and interior design, I’m documenting a 3 year building project over on my Instagram (frances.ryan85). It’s essentially a low scale Grand Designs if no one gets pregnant in a caravan or a £100k loan from their dad.
October 15, 2025 at 8:54 AM
If you like renovations and interior design, I’m documenting a 3 year building project over on my Instagram (frances.ryan85). It’s essentially a low scale Grand Designs if no one gets pregnant in a caravan or a £100k loan from their dad.
NEWS. Waterstones is running a pre-order offer on select titles - and the Who Wants Normal? paperback is included!
You’ve got to be quick - it runs today until 17th - but you’ll get 25% off and be one of the first to receive the book next year: www.waterstones.com/book/who-wan...
You’ve got to be quick - it runs today until 17th - but you’ll get 25% off and be one of the first to receive the book next year: www.waterstones.com/book/who-wan...
October 14, 2025 at 9:36 AM
NEWS. Waterstones is running a pre-order offer on select titles - and the Who Wants Normal? paperback is included!
You’ve got to be quick - it runs today until 17th - but you’ll get 25% off and be one of the first to receive the book next year: www.waterstones.com/book/who-wan...
You’ve got to be quick - it runs today until 17th - but you’ll get 25% off and be one of the first to receive the book next year: www.waterstones.com/book/who-wan...