Ben Sarah Golightly
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golightlyb.bsky.social
Ben Sarah Golightly
@golightlyb.bsky.social
81 followers 66 following 210 posts
exhausted, compsci/maths, socialist, welsh, and queer
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golightlyb.bsky.social
Can confirm, Torsten Bell is a Starmer Labour loyalist
A billboard with Torsten Bell's face on it. Text says "Swansea West: £4,500 disability cuts backed by your MP. 11,592 disabled people here rely on that support. Torsten Bell supports these cuts. Protect disability support. Amnesty international."
November 5, 2025 at 10:41 PM
golightlyb.bsky.social
"The Timms review panel must not meet, and has no authority, until the concerns of disabled people in Wales are properly addressed" say @dpac-cymru.bsky.social Western Mail letters, 1st Nov 2025. @walesonline.bsky.social #DPAC #TimmsReview #WelfareNotWarfare #TakingThePIP #DisabilityRebelltion
This is a newspaper clipping with the title "Independent PIP review is required" The Timms review into the PIP disability benefit is now open for applications to become one of 12 panelists. The terms of reference have also been updated “following stakeholder engagement over the summer.” Despite promises, “stakeholder engagement” with disabled people’s organisations in Wales has 100%, emphatically, not taken place in the slightest. As Sioned Williams MS put it in the Senedd recently, responses by the disability minister Stephen Timms have been “not only dismissive, but disrespectful.” [1] Disabled People Against Cuts Cymru (DPAC Cymru) makes this appeal to the selected panelists: the Timms review panel must not meet, and has no authority, until the concerns of disabled people in Wales are properly addressed. We continue to insist on a truly independent PIP review, democratically led by disabled people and our organisations, not the minister. We reiterate our call, which has cross-party support, [2] for the Welsh Government to do its part and provide practical support for an independent review. Ben Golightly West Cross, Swansea
November 3, 2025 at 1:12 AM
golightlyb.bsky.social
Disabled People vs Sir Stephen Timms - even the Tories know when to back a winner!

My article for @socialistparty.bsky.social; read here:
www.socialistparty.org.uk/articles/144...

#disability #DPAC #Senedd #Wales #TimmsReview
A screenshot of a newspaper article. The headline is "Disabled people versus Sir Stephen Timms - even the Tories know when to back a winner!" The photo shows disability protestors from Disabled People Against Cuts Cymru.
October 22, 2025 at 4:35 PM
golightlyb.bsky.social
Ironic too because Torsten Bell is the one hiding behind the keyboard, not us!
An image of a "missing" poster for the MP Torsten Bell
October 7, 2025 at 3:55 AM
golightlyb.bsky.social
Super proud how DPAC Cymru holding Bell to account is making the historical record... lots here! docs.google.com/document/d/e...
October 6, 2025 at 12:26 AM
golightlyb.bsky.social
Swansea West MP Torsten Bell seems reluctant to hear our concerns, say Swansea Disabled People Against Cuts (Swansea DPAC) @dpac-cymru.bsky.social @dis-ppl-protest.bsky.social #DPAC #Disability #Wales

(Letter to editor, Western Mail, 4 October 2025. Plain text: docs.google.com/document/d/1...)
October 5, 2025 at 12:41 PM
golightlyb.bsky.social
Online #disability protest - I've sent in my application to the sham government panel, refusing to accept their rules. You can too! Find out more & take part at bit.ly/panel-protest with @dpac-cymru.bsky.social and @disrebellion.bsky.social #NoShamPanel #DPAC #DisabilityRebellion
A graphic on a black background, using white and mint green text. At the top, in a large font, is the text “hashtag No Sham Panel. Online Disability Protest.” This is followed by a speech bubble containing the text “I’ve send in my application to the sham government disability panel. I’m letting them know that I refuse to accept their unfair rules. You can do it too!” Underneath is the Disabled People Against Cuts Wales logo in white and the Disability Rebellion logo in multicolour stripes. There are two headings in mint green that ask “when” and “how.” Underneath “when” is the text “Saturday 27th Sunday 28th September 2025.” Underneath “how” is the text “follow our guide at: bit.ly/panel-protest for instructions.”
September 23, 2025 at 4:58 PM
golightlyb.bsky.social
Please sign and share this open letter. No disability cuts. No sham Timms review. Disabled people want to lead an independent review! #TimmsReview #TakingThePIP #WelfareNotWarfare #DisabilityRebellion #DPAC @dpac-cymru.bsky.social @disrebellion.bsky.social

docs.google.com/document/d/1...
A graphic formed of a 3 by 3 square colourised photos of Stephen Timms. Overlaid text says: Tell Stephen Timms we want an independent PIP review! No disability cuts. Please sign & share our open letter! Click link below or visit: bit.ly/independent-pip-review. Disabled People Against Cuts Cymru. #TimmsReview
September 1, 2025 at 12:06 PM
golightlyb.bsky.social
Stephen Timms MP promised co-production. What did he have in mind? Just 10 people. #TimmsReview #DPAC #TakingThePIP #WelfareNotWarfare #Disability #Wales #Cymru @disrebellion.bsky.social @dpac-cymru.bsky.social @swanseadpac.bsky.social @dis-ppl-protest.bsky.social @blacktriangleuk.bsky.social
August 6, 2025 at 2:29 PM
golightlyb.bsky.social
Charlatans like @torstenbell.bsky.social and the Labour govt. trade in unethical stats like these. If you choose your own measurement window you can prove anything you like.

Spending as a share of GDP to stay flat. Every rise and fall explainable. No evidence for "perverse incentives" lie.
June 28, 2025 at 12:08 AM
golightlyb.bsky.social
Defeat Labour's Disability Cuts Bill!

Put the posters in your window before the vote on Tuesday!

Ready-to-print for 20 Welsh MPs, or use the template to make your own: bit.ly/DPAC-Cymru-W...

#DPAC #WelfareNotWarfare #TakingThePIP #ESAHereToStay @dis-ppl-protest.bsky.social @dpac-cymru.bsky.social
June 25, 2025 at 3:11 PM
golightlyb.bsky.social
Cardiff/Wales disability cuts consultation protest Monday 23rd
#DisabilityRebellion #WelfareNotWarfare #TakingThePIP #WelfareBill #stopthecuts
The DWP have rescheduled their consultation on the disability cuts. The venue is now much more accessible and has better transport links. This was the result of disabled voices calling out the injustices of the previous event. The consultation is still unfair, with the most controversial proposals not up for discussion. Disabled People Against Cuts logo Join us on Monday 23rd June, outside Ty William Morgan, 6 central Square, Cardiff, CF10 1EP, from 12:45pm to 4pm for a protest and to support people attending the consultation. Please do not feel you have to stay for the full time. You might like to pop by at different times to help those attending the consultation keep up their spirits when they come out for breaks. Note: It's important that those wanting to attend the consultation are not prevented from doing so. Other people may also be using the building for other purposes.
June 18, 2025 at 1:44 PM
golightlyb.bsky.social
At our #DPAC Cymru Cardiff protest at the cancelled Wales disability cuts consultation, we posed for a photo with print outs that said "Victory to the Birmingham Bin Workers!" #birminghambinstrike #WelfareNotWarfare
@dis-ppl-protest.bsky.social @swanseadpac.bsky.social @dpac-cymru.bsky.social
Photos of a disability protest that has text overlaid that says: Victory to the Birmingham Bin Workers! Facing £8,000 pay cuts fighting a Labour council. From Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC) Cymru at our Cardiff protest, 3rd June 2025.
June 7, 2025 at 5:01 PM
golightlyb.bsky.social
Refuses to publicly debate us to defend his policies.
Statement on Torsten Bell MP by Swansea Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC). Above it is the DPAC logo - a red, pink, blue and green circle being held by four hands of different skin colours. In the center is an upside-down black triangle bearing the letters D P A C. The statement reads: Torsten Bell is, yet again, publicly insulting us and calling us liars. When will he sit down with us, in front of a journalist and the public, and have a proper discussion? Our open letter backing our call for a fair and respectful public debate has been signed by more than 250 individuals and organisations, including a national Labour-affiliated trade union. Unlike Torsten, we are not interested in trading personal insults on social media. We want to debate his policies. We want to defeat the disability benefit cuts and the flawed proposals that he and his government defend. We can only draw the conclusion that Torsten continues to refuse to debate with us because his policies are indefensible
May 28, 2025 at 10:12 PM
golightlyb.bsky.social
Swansea #DPAC protest against disability cuts @dis-ppl-protest.bsky.social @swanseadpac.bsky.social
May 24, 2025 at 2:32 PM
golightlyb.bsky.social
Swansea protest to stop disability cuts. 12:30pm Saturday 24th May. We welcome all support. Cardiff protest. Aneurin Bevan statue, near Cardiff Castle, CF10 2BU. 1pm May 24th. Don't Call Me Special and Cardiff People's Assembly
May 23, 2025 at 4:02 PM
golightlyb.bsky.social
Missing - have you seen our Swansea MPs? Torsten Bell, Carolyn Harris - we challenge you to a public debate on disability cuts.

Join #disability protests Saturday 12:30pm Oxford street in #Swansea, 1pm by the Nye Bevan statue in #Cardiff

@dis-ppl-protest.bsky.social @swanseadpac.bsky.social #DPAC
Missing - have you seen our MP? Please help us find Torsten Bell, Labour MP for Swansea West. He supports disability benefit cuts. He refuses to debate his policies with us. We challenge him to a public debate. If you have any information about their whereabouts, please contact Disabled People Against Cuts Missing - have you seen our MP? Please help us find Carolyn Harris, Labour MP for Neath and Swansea East. Refuses to meet with Swansea Disabled People Against Cuts. Refuses to talk to us. We challenge her to a public debate. If you have any information about their whereabouts, please contact Disabled People Against Cuts
May 23, 2025 at 3:55 PM
golightlyb.bsky.social
#Disability cuts wrong everywhere, not just Wales

Published in the 17 May 2025 edition of the Western Mail and the South Wales Echo

(Alt text provided & plain text in comments) #DPAC @dis-ppl-protest.bsky.social @swanseadpac.bsky.social
Published in the 17 May 2025 edition of the Western Mail and the South Wales Echo with the title “UK’s disabled are united against cuts” Disability cuts wrong everywhere, not just Wales With Senedd elections a year away, Wales' First Minister Eluned Morgan is looking to put 'clear red water' between Welsh Labour and Starmer's government in London. Morgan is right to oppose her government's disability benefit cuts, even if her party's own MPs in Wales haven't got the memo yet. But it serves no-one to frame this, as Morgan does, as "what is right for Essex may not be right for Barry" and "Wales before party". Let's be clear here. The disability benefit cut proposals are fatally flawed, and wrong everywhere. Wrong in Barry. Wrong in Essex. Swansea Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC) members, and other disabled people across the UK, are campaigning for everyone. We raise high the trade union motto "an injury to one is an injury to all." We won't leave anyone behind.
May 17, 2025 at 11:59 PM
golightlyb.bsky.social
#Swansea protest against #disability cuts Oxford street, Saturday 24th 12:30pm (please share) #DPAC
@dis-ppl-protest.bsky.social @swanseadpac.bsky.social
This is a promotional graphic for a Swansea disability protest. The background is pastel blue, green, pink and orange. There is an image of a microphone, a city, and of three people protesting wearing red and purple clothes. One is in a wheelchair. They have red flags and purple placards. The text reads: Swansea protest to stop disability cuts. 12:30pm Saturday 24th May 2025. Oxford Street (Swansea). Look for the Disabled People Against Cuts logo. Can't find us? Text 07410 303 652. We welcome all support. Web: linktr.ee/SwanseaDPAC. The logo is a pink, red, blue and green wheel being held by hands of different skin tones. The words Disabled People Against Cuts are written around the wheel. The logo has an upside-down black triangle in the middle bearing the letters D P A C.
May 16, 2025 at 4:30 PM
golightlyb.bsky.social
I submitted this with the headline - "More Welsh MPs must follow disability cuts stand", but I'm glad they went with this because it was opposite a letter that supported Reform (plain text in comments) #DPAC @dis-ppl-protest.bsky.social @swanseadpac.bsky.social #Disability @tuscoalition.bsky.social
May 8, 2025 at 7:20 PM
golightlyb.bsky.social
Swansea DPAC trans solidarity statement
#Trans #Disability #DPAC @swanseadpac.bsky.social @dis-ppl-protest.bsky.social
Swansea DPAC trans solidarity statement 1st May 2025 Swansea Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC) would like to express our sorrow, fury, and solidarity following the supreme court ruling of 16 April 2025, the subsequent flawed EHRC guidance, and the wave of public reaction that has followed. An injury to one is an injury to all - and we are so very tired of being injured. We stand in solidarity with trans people everywhere, especially the trans members of Swansea DPAC. Trans rights are a disability issue. We all experience people, who are not medical professionals, making assumptions about our bodies. Despite divisive claims of a ‘victory’ for one side, we are clear that this is a negative result for cis women too. We reject the idea that our rights are in competition. Keir Starmer is no friend of women. No more “divide and rule”. We need a united working-class struggle against all oppression. Swansea DPAC is campaigning against the Labour government’s brutal attacks on disabled people. But we knew from the start that disabled people would not be the only ones attacked. All these attacks are linked. Trans rights are a trade union issue. Capitalism - from the UK to the USA - has proved incapable of protecting our rights. We cannot rely on legal institutions or the government to protect us. Collectively, we must take over this role and act to enforce our rights. We need discussion in trade unions and campaigns about how workers and service users can protect the rights and safety of all. We need an urgent debate on political representation and the need for a new workers’ party, based on the trade unions, that pulls together all the struggles in the workplaces, the movements for trans and non-binary rights, as well as for ALL women’s rights, the rights of disabled people and carers, against racism, and for the environment. Solidarity forever, Swansea Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC)
May 1, 2025 at 11:05 PM
golightlyb.bsky.social
Swansea Disabled People Against Cuts have been invited to speak at the Swansea May Day Rally noon Saturday 3rd castle square. Please bring your banners and friends!
@swanseadpac.bsky.social @dis-ppl-protest.bsky.social #DPAC #Disability #Swansea
Trades Union Councils: Swansea The logo has different colour hands around it in a circle. Fight for a public sector Pay Rise! Welfare not warfare! Jobs, homes and services, not racism! Join Swansea Trades Council for our annual May Day rally Saturday 3rd May, 12 Noon Castle Square - Swansae Hear speakers from across the movement: Trade Unionists Anti-Racism Organisers Disability Rights Activists Community Campaigners Bring members, family, friends, and your banners and placards. Logo for the Bakers Food and Allied workers Union (BFAWU), which has a stylised icon of grain. Logo for CWU The Communications Union, which is a circle and two waves. Logo for Disabled People Against Cuts Swansea - Abertawe, which is a circle being held by four hands, with a black triangle in the middle bearing the letters DPAC. Logo for GMB Union, which is a square. Logo for Unite the union, which looks like it has a flame or a flag rising from it. Logo for PCS, the Public and Commercial Services Union, which has the letters PCS appear large, bold, and in lowercase. Logo for Unison, the public service union, which looks like it has a ribbon running through it. Logo for NASUWT, the teachers' union.
April 30, 2025 at 3:24 PM
golightlyb.bsky.social
Swansea #trans emergency protest
April 19, 2025 at 2:37 PM
golightlyb.bsky.social
Labour MPs in hiding over disability cuts

"No matter where you are in the country, it’s always the same letter, or the same script. A ‘four-line whip’ direct from Labour party HQ?"

"In Gower, we get no response at all."

Cracking headline - thanks to editors at @socialistparty.bsky.social

#DPAC
Newspaper. Title: Labour MPs in hiding over disability cuts. (Due to technical limits, the ALT text has been truncated. Full plain text is available in the link in comments).
April 16, 2025 at 3:34 PM
golightlyb.bsky.social
No more insults - Labour MPs must debate disabled people!

#DPAC @swanseadpac.bsky.social @dis-ppl-protest.bsky.social @blacktriangleuk.bsky.social

15 April 2025 editions of the Western Mail and the South Wales Echo
Newspaper clipping. Title: MPs' treatment of disabled is insulting. Text: “Scrapheap”. “A blight”. “Children's pocket money.” “Saturday Jobs”. “Burden.” “Left behind.” “Languishing.” “Perverse incentives”. “Taking the mickey”. When will we realise that these practiced, rehearsed and repeated statements about disabled people aren't just isolated “clumsy” phrases that Labour MPs have innocently been using? Surely by now it should be clear that Labour MPs are completely ignorant about the reality of disability, or the lives of disabled workers. They have nothing in their heads but insulting and outdated stereotypes. These supposed “experts” on the welfare system have no clue what they're doing. This would be immediately obvious if they had the courage to debate disabled people and carers about the reforms directly. The disability green paper should be immediately retracted. The consultation is a joke. The government must start again from scratch, listening to disabled people from the beginning. We're the experts on our lives, not MPs. Swansea Disabled People Against Cuts challenge them to publicly debate us. Ben Golightly West Cross, Swansea
April 15, 2025 at 10:18 PM