Jo D
@jdown.bsky.social
Re-reading your earlier thread I’m reminded of a description of RFK Jr’s approach this week, ‘from evidence-based decision-making to decision-based evidence-making’.
November 21, 2025 at 11:20 AM
Re-reading your earlier thread I’m reminded of a description of RFK Jr’s approach this week, ‘from evidence-based decision-making to decision-based evidence-making’.
The LGB comparison is a good one. I went to see Gwenda’s Garage last night, that sung brilliantly about S28 and, well, here we are 40 years later. History doesn’t repeat, it merely rhymes etc. southwarkplayhouse.co.uk/productions/...
Gwenda's Garage - Southwark Playhouse Borough
1980s Sheffield, three female mechanics set up their own garage. But this garage is about more than cars... A riotous new musical follows their story.
southwarkplayhouse.co.uk
November 14, 2025 at 2:18 PM
The LGB comparison is a good one. I went to see Gwenda’s Garage last night, that sung brilliantly about S28 and, well, here we are 40 years later. History doesn’t repeat, it merely rhymes etc. southwarkplayhouse.co.uk/productions/...
Yep. I find the absence of trans voices astonishing. Unsurprising but as @smartypantsmarty.com says in a different context, I coverage tends to be about people’s problems with us, not our problems.
I did an MA in media-political framing of issues. If I had time, I’d repeat it for this. (I don’t!)
I did an MA in media-political framing of issues. If I had time, I’d repeat it for this. (I don’t!)
November 14, 2025 at 12:38 PM
Yep. I find the absence of trans voices astonishing. Unsurprising but as @smartypantsmarty.com says in a different context, I coverage tends to be about people’s problems with us, not our problems.
I did an MA in media-political framing of issues. If I had time, I’d repeat it for this. (I don’t!)
I did an MA in media-political framing of issues. If I had time, I’d repeat it for this. (I don’t!)
I've been rather confused by recent coverage - from commentators I generally respect - that the BBC has been too pro-trans. How is that evidenced? Likewise, how often has transgender voices been heard in coverage of trans issues? I'm genuinely curious - is there authoritative research on this?
November 14, 2025 at 11:00 AM
I've been rather confused by recent coverage - from commentators I generally respect - that the BBC has been too pro-trans. How is that evidenced? Likewise, how often has transgender voices been heard in coverage of trans issues? I'm genuinely curious - is there authoritative research on this?
Thank you @reactiveashley.bsky.social , you’ve been so detailed and thoughtful on your reporting. Not an easy task.
November 12, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Thank you @reactiveashley.bsky.social , you’ve been so detailed and thoughtful on your reporting. Not an easy task.
Ah. 2011: English only in England - 60% www.ons.gov.uk/file?uri=/pe...
www.ons.gov.uk
November 10, 2025 at 12:16 PM
Ah. 2011: English only in England - 60% www.ons.gov.uk/file?uri=/pe...
Interesting. Judging by the Reddit discussion there could have been a significant impact from answer code order in the census - British before English - which would explain the absence of ‘English’.
Would be interesting to see the effect of English coming first.
Would be interesting to see the effect of English coming first.
November 10, 2025 at 12:14 PM
Interesting. Judging by the Reddit discussion there could have been a significant impact from answer code order in the census - British before English - which would explain the absence of ‘English’.
Would be interesting to see the effect of English coming first.
Would be interesting to see the effect of English coming first.
Good to see Garden Court still working in this space. I will listen in!
October 1, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Good to see Garden Court still working in this space. I will listen in!
Best news this morning!
September 12, 2025 at 11:04 AM
Best news this morning!
From someone with a better imagination than me www.herblester.com/products/lam...
September 11, 2025 at 10:50 AM
From someone with a better imagination than me www.herblester.com/products/lam...
Indeed it’s the very building that inspired Mick Herron; all the more impressive it was also in the TV adaptation.
September 11, 2025 at 10:33 AM
Indeed it’s the very building that inspired Mick Herron; all the more impressive it was also in the TV adaptation.
Depends who you ask - whole careers are made on this! But it’s the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Flags, and trans matters, are a time when it _is_ okay to talk about England. Don’t forget eg it was a challenge to a Scottish Gov decision that led to the Supreme Court ruling.
Flags, and trans matters, are a time when it _is_ okay to talk about England. Don’t forget eg it was a challenge to a Scottish Gov decision that led to the Supreme Court ruling.
September 2, 2025 at 9:59 AM
Depends who you ask - whole careers are made on this! But it’s the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Flags, and trans matters, are a time when it _is_ okay to talk about England. Don’t forget eg it was a challenge to a Scottish Gov decision that led to the Supreme Court ruling.
Flags, and trans matters, are a time when it _is_ okay to talk about England. Don’t forget eg it was a challenge to a Scottish Gov decision that led to the Supreme Court ruling.
(Appreciate your efforts to understand the nuance 🤯)
September 2, 2025 at 9:49 AM
(Appreciate your efforts to understand the nuance 🤯)
Yes but not many of us are dressed up as flags! It’s a vocal, often far right niche. The meaning of the Union Jack - and especially the St George’s cross - is a complex and contested one. This is very much about English nationalism (often conflating itself with British), not Scotland etc.
September 2, 2025 at 9:47 AM
Yes but not many of us are dressed up as flags! It’s a vocal, often far right niche. The meaning of the Union Jack - and especially the St George’s cross - is a complex and contested one. This is very much about English nationalism (often conflating itself with British), not Scotland etc.
And it turns out (from personal experience) that the biggest challenge for Waymo and co isn’t the trolley problem, it’s the random traffic cone problem.
August 26, 2025 at 3:52 PM
And it turns out (from personal experience) that the biggest challenge for Waymo and co isn’t the trolley problem, it’s the random traffic cone problem.
This is lovely. Made a parent and child trip there yesterday to watch the inexplicable madness, and you’ve summed it up perfectly. Thank you.
Also, Dulwich: an hour from everywhere and an hour from anywhere in London.
Also, Dulwich: an hour from everywhere and an hour from anywhere in London.
July 21, 2025 at 3:25 PM
This is lovely. Made a parent and child trip there yesterday to watch the inexplicable madness, and you’ve summed it up perfectly. Thank you.
Also, Dulwich: an hour from everywhere and an hour from anywhere in London.
Also, Dulwich: an hour from everywhere and an hour from anywhere in London.
Sincerely, thank you @gralefrit.bsky.social - only someone who writes comedy can make any sense of this.
June 6, 2025 at 8:16 AM
Sincerely, thank you @gralefrit.bsky.social - only someone who writes comedy can make any sense of this.
Agreed. As someone who was close to the office of your MP’s predecessor, it was clear that even ten years ago they received a *lot* of emails. Especially pro-forma ones. Making the effort to write, especially by hand, can cut through.
(Not that the MP’s responses always express an opinion IME.)
(Not that the MP’s responses always express an opinion IME.)
May 19, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Agreed. As someone who was close to the office of your MP’s predecessor, it was clear that even ten years ago they received a *lot* of emails. Especially pro-forma ones. Making the effort to write, especially by hand, can cut through.
(Not that the MP’s responses always express an opinion IME.)
(Not that the MP’s responses always express an opinion IME.)
And it’s letters that matter, I think. Not emails. Letters.
May 19, 2025 at 6:48 PM
And it’s letters that matter, I think. Not emails. Letters.
Lads, I have been a long term local activist, VC Campaigns etc, and the ban is absolutely appropriate. (And no, I won’t be campaigning for Labour now.)
May 14, 2025 at 9:47 AM
Lads, I have been a long term local activist, VC Campaigns etc, and the ban is absolutely appropriate. (And no, I won’t be campaigning for Labour now.)
Can vouch for this. No response to my emails in two months; when I sent a print out of them by post, response within 48 hours. By email. 🤦
May 13, 2025 at 11:25 PM
Can vouch for this. No response to my emails in two months; when I sent a print out of them by post, response within 48 hours. By email. 🤦
Much enjoyed, thank you - felt it has the spirit of Spike Milligan’s war memoirs. (Thanks to @hutchinsondave.bsky.social for the recommendation.)
May 4, 2025 at 7:36 AM
Much enjoyed, thank you - felt it has the spirit of Spike Milligan’s war memoirs. (Thanks to @hutchinsondave.bsky.social for the recommendation.)