Joel Holmes
@joelholmes.bsky.social
🏡 Mercian village boy 💻 Software Engineer
🎓 CompSci & Philosophy, Univ College, Oxford
🎹 music 🌍 politics 🎮 video games 🏎️ F1/FE
Oxford/Derbyshire/Rīga 🇬🇧🇱🇻🇺🇦🇵🇸
🎓 CompSci & Philosophy, Univ College, Oxford
🎹 music 🌍 politics 🎮 video games 🏎️ F1/FE
Oxford/Derbyshire/Rīga 🇬🇧🇱🇻🇺🇦🇵🇸
Reposted by Joel Holmes
Just 2 years on from its nationalisation, TransPennine Express has seen:
Cancellations down 75%.
Passenger numbers up 42%.
£1.4 BILLION generated in “economic value”.
Public ownership isn’t nostalgia. It’s the future — and it works.
www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/2519658...
Cancellations down 75%.
Passenger numbers up 42%.
£1.4 BILLION generated in “economic value”.
Public ownership isn’t nostalgia. It’s the future — and it works.
www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/2519658...
May 29, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Just 2 years on from its nationalisation, TransPennine Express has seen:
Cancellations down 75%.
Passenger numbers up 42%.
£1.4 BILLION generated in “economic value”.
Public ownership isn’t nostalgia. It’s the future — and it works.
www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/2519658...
Cancellations down 75%.
Passenger numbers up 42%.
£1.4 BILLION generated in “economic value”.
Public ownership isn’t nostalgia. It’s the future — and it works.
www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/2519658...
Reposted by Joel Holmes
By betraying his voters so comprehensively and so soon, Keir Starmer has done us a favour. He has given us 4 years to design the government we want.
In this week's column I explain how it can be done. There's massive
potential, but we need to start now. 🧵
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
In this week's column I explain how it can be done. There's massive
potential, but we need to start now. 🧵
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
How we can smash Britain’s two-party system for good at the next election | George Monbiot
Labour is beyond repair. Time for a co-ordinated strategy to support progressive parties committed to electoral reform, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot
www.theguardian.com
May 27, 2025 at 7:20 AM
By betraying his voters so comprehensively and so soon, Keir Starmer has done us a favour. He has given us 4 years to design the government we want.
In this week's column I explain how it can be done. There's massive
potential, but we need to start now. 🧵
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
In this week's column I explain how it can be done. There's massive
potential, but we need to start now. 🧵
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Joel Holmes
this is not an exaggeration
May 12, 2025 at 9:40 AM
this is not an exaggeration
Reposted by Joel Holmes
Oh, hello. euroweeklynews.com/2016/04/29/t...
Tony Blair unmasked as chief lobbyist for Saudi oil firm
FLYING somewhat under the radar since his absurdist stint as Middle East peace envoy, Tony Blair has resurfaced as a key broker in a booming nexus of Chinese and Saudi oil companies.
euroweeklynews.com
April 29, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Oh, hello. euroweeklynews.com/2016/04/29/t...
Really enjoyed this article by @gabyhinsliff.bsky.social today on the post-Brexit, post-Corbyn movement of Gen Z women towards the Greens.
Importantly, it's not so straightforward with converse movement in Gen Z men; the data shows we are more fragmented, moving towards both Green and Reform.
Importantly, it's not so straightforward with converse movement in Gen Z men; the data shows we are more fragmented, moving towards both Green and Reform.
We obsess over the angry young men going Reform. But what of the anxious young women going Green? | Gaby Hinsliff
Desire for a politics that cares about global and local injustice is sharpening the political gender divide, says Guardian columnist Gaby Hinsliff
www.theguardian.com
April 25, 2025 at 10:31 AM
Really enjoyed this article by @gabyhinsliff.bsky.social today on the post-Brexit, post-Corbyn movement of Gen Z women towards the Greens.
Importantly, it's not so straightforward with converse movement in Gen Z men; the data shows we are more fragmented, moving towards both Green and Reform.
Importantly, it's not so straightforward with converse movement in Gen Z men; the data shows we are more fragmented, moving towards both Green and Reform.
Reposted by Joel Holmes
The main reason UK electricity prices are so high isn’t net zero but the fact that gas sets the price 98% of the time.
April 13, 2025 at 4:29 PM
The main reason UK electricity prices are so high isn’t net zero but the fact that gas sets the price 98% of the time.
Reposted by Joel Holmes
Let this sink in - Rachel Reeves and Keir Starmer are choosing to push 50,000 children into poverty - but won't ask multi-millionaires and billionaires to pay a little bit more tax.
Absolutely sickening.
Absolutely sickening.
Government’s own impact assessment finds welfare cuts would drive 250,000 more people, including 50,000 children, into poverty.
800,000 current and future claimants will lose PIP. 150,000 lose carers allowance as a knock-on effect.
800,000 current and future claimants will lose PIP. 150,000 lose carers allowance as a knock-on effect.
March 26, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Let this sink in - Rachel Reeves and Keir Starmer are choosing to push 50,000 children into poverty - but won't ask multi-millionaires and billionaires to pay a little bit more tax.
Absolutely sickening.
Absolutely sickening.
Reposted by Joel Holmes
If, as Mr Starmer believes, AI is the magic wand that will solve our problems, why employ a human Chancellor blindly to follow a self-destructive algorithm, when a machine would do it just as well?
March 26, 2025 at 2:32 PM
If, as Mr Starmer believes, AI is the magic wand that will solve our problems, why employ a human Chancellor blindly to follow a self-destructive algorithm, when a machine would do it just as well?
Reposted by Joel Holmes
Powerful opener by @johnmcdonnellmp.bsky.social
'This government has one last chance to take a progressive path. Otherwise, we’re at the point of no return'
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
'This government has one last chance to take a progressive path. Otherwise, we’re at the point of no return'
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
March 25, 2025 at 9:21 AM
Powerful opener by @johnmcdonnellmp.bsky.social
'This government has one last chance to take a progressive path. Otherwise, we’re at the point of no return'
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
'This government has one last chance to take a progressive path. Otherwise, we’re at the point of no return'
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Joel Holmes
Labour MP Dawn Butler calls on the Government to impose a wealth tax of 2% on assets over 10 million, rather than cutting benefits.
"That's a better way to bring money in to help fill the black hole that we found ourselves in," she says.
"That's a better way to bring money in to help fill the black hole that we found ourselves in," she says.
March 18, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Labour MP Dawn Butler calls on the Government to impose a wealth tax of 2% on assets over 10 million, rather than cutting benefits.
"That's a better way to bring money in to help fill the black hole that we found ourselves in," she says.
"That's a better way to bring money in to help fill the black hole that we found ourselves in," she says.
Reposted by Joel Holmes
My feed is increasingly looking like the pre-credit montage of headlines in a post apocalyptic action movie.
March 18, 2025 at 12:59 PM
My feed is increasingly looking like the pre-credit montage of headlines in a post apocalyptic action movie.
Reposted by Joel Holmes
"It really sickens me to hear Labour and the Conservatives both peddling the same on this."
Green councillor @frankadlingtons.bsky.social on the effect Labour's planned cuts will have on the most vulnerable and why we need to tax the super-rich properly.
Green councillor @frankadlingtons.bsky.social on the effect Labour's planned cuts will have on the most vulnerable and why we need to tax the super-rich properly.
March 17, 2025 at 12:10 PM
"It really sickens me to hear Labour and the Conservatives both peddling the same on this."
Green councillor @frankadlingtons.bsky.social on the effect Labour's planned cuts will have on the most vulnerable and why we need to tax the super-rich properly.
Green councillor @frankadlingtons.bsky.social on the effect Labour's planned cuts will have on the most vulnerable and why we need to tax the super-rich properly.
Reposted by Joel Holmes
Yes, if there's one thing our murderously divided polity needs at this point, it's a trusted brand feeding it news tailored to confirm their own biases.
SCOOP: BBC News to create a new department using AI to help give the public more personalised content.
In a note to staff seen by the Guardian, Deborah Turness, CEO of BBC News, says the corporation has been “defying gravity” in reaching audiences amid seismic changes in the way news is consumed.
In a note to staff seen by the Guardian, Deborah Turness, CEO of BBC News, says the corporation has been “defying gravity” in reaching audiences amid seismic changes in the way news is consumed.
BBC News to create AI department to offer more personalised content
Boss says BBC News’s reach is ‘defying gravity’ and it must use AI to ‘support and accelerate our growth’
www.theguardian.com
March 7, 2025 at 6:07 AM
Yes, if there's one thing our murderously divided polity needs at this point, it's a trusted brand feeding it news tailored to confirm their own biases.
Reposted by Joel Holmes
UK, France and Germany all increasing defence spending significantly
🇩🇪 Greater borrowing
🇫🇷 Higher taxes
🇬🇧 Welfare cuts
Shameful to see this from a Labour government
🇩🇪 Greater borrowing
🇫🇷 Higher taxes
🇬🇧 Welfare cuts
Shameful to see this from a Labour government
March 5, 2025 at 7:24 AM
UK, France and Germany all increasing defence spending significantly
🇩🇪 Greater borrowing
🇫🇷 Higher taxes
🇬🇧 Welfare cuts
Shameful to see this from a Labour government
🇩🇪 Greater borrowing
🇫🇷 Higher taxes
🇬🇧 Welfare cuts
Shameful to see this from a Labour government
Reposted by Joel Holmes
This is the most dangerous, irresponsible framing imaginable. Not to mention it is bollocks.
The big big winners from positioning Ukrainian security against poor British people & our public services are the far right.
TAX THE RICH TO PAY FOR DEFENSE. PROTECT OUR WELFARE STATE.
The big big winners from positioning Ukrainian security against poor British people & our public services are the far right.
TAX THE RICH TO PAY FOR DEFENSE. PROTECT OUR WELFARE STATE.
March 6, 2025 at 8:45 AM
This is the most dangerous, irresponsible framing imaginable. Not to mention it is bollocks.
The big big winners from positioning Ukrainian security against poor British people & our public services are the far right.
TAX THE RICH TO PAY FOR DEFENSE. PROTECT OUR WELFARE STATE.
The big big winners from positioning Ukrainian security against poor British people & our public services are the far right.
TAX THE RICH TO PAY FOR DEFENSE. PROTECT OUR WELFARE STATE.
Reposted by Joel Holmes
JD Vance tried to berate Starmer for locking up people who used social media to incite race riots in the UK just a few days ago.
Now the free speech champions have this to offer
Now the free speech champions have this to offer
March 4, 2025 at 6:56 PM
JD Vance tried to berate Starmer for locking up people who used social media to incite race riots in the UK just a few days ago.
Now the free speech champions have this to offer
Now the free speech champions have this to offer
So happy that Flow has won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature!!! 🇱🇻❤️🐈⬛
Such a wonderful film made by a small independent Latvian team, made using free open-source rendering software (Blender), up against huge Hollywood efforts; what an amazing win!!
Such a wonderful film made by a small independent Latvian team, made using free open-source rendering software (Blender), up against huge Hollywood efforts; what an amazing win!!
March 3, 2025 at 12:52 AM
So happy that Flow has won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature!!! 🇱🇻❤️🐈⬛
Such a wonderful film made by a small independent Latvian team, made using free open-source rendering software (Blender), up against huge Hollywood efforts; what an amazing win!!
Such a wonderful film made by a small independent Latvian team, made using free open-source rendering software (Blender), up against huge Hollywood efforts; what an amazing win!!
Reposted by Joel Holmes
NEW: A searing editorial in the The Kyiv Independent.
“It’s time to say it plainly. America’s leadership has switched sides in the war. The American people have not, and they should speak up.
“A president just disrespected America in the Oval Office. It wasn’t Zelensky.”
@kyivindependent.com
“It’s time to say it plainly. America’s leadership has switched sides in the war. The American people have not, and they should speak up.
“A president just disrespected America in the Oval Office. It wasn’t Zelensky.”
@kyivindependent.com
Editorial: A president just disrespected America in the Oval Office. It wasn’t Zelensky
It’s time to say it plainly. America’s leadership has switched sides in the war. The American people have not, and they should speak up.
In the past several weeks, the U.S. leadership has demonstrate...
kyivindependent.com
February 28, 2025 at 10:45 PM
NEW: A searing editorial in the The Kyiv Independent.
“It’s time to say it plainly. America’s leadership has switched sides in the war. The American people have not, and they should speak up.
“A president just disrespected America in the Oval Office. It wasn’t Zelensky.”
@kyivindependent.com
“It’s time to say it plainly. America’s leadership has switched sides in the war. The American people have not, and they should speak up.
“A president just disrespected America in the Oval Office. It wasn’t Zelensky.”
@kyivindependent.com
Reposted by Joel Holmes
This is Winston Churchill visiting the White House during World War II.
Funny how he isn’t wearing a suit either. Almost like he was a wartime leader defending his country from being slaughtered and wiped out by an authoritarian aggressor.
Funny how he isn’t wearing a suit either. Almost like he was a wartime leader defending his country from being slaughtered and wiped out by an authoritarian aggressor.
March 1, 2025 at 1:59 AM
This is Winston Churchill visiting the White House during World War II.
Funny how he isn’t wearing a suit either. Almost like he was a wartime leader defending his country from being slaughtered and wiped out by an authoritarian aggressor.
Funny how he isn’t wearing a suit either. Almost like he was a wartime leader defending his country from being slaughtered and wiped out by an authoritarian aggressor.
Reposted by Joel Holmes
Beyond belief. Is this really the man we’re going to fawn over with a State Visit? It’s time for our PM to pick a side
Jesus, Trump and JD Vance playing bad cop-bad cop with Zelensky is stomach churning here.
February 28, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Beyond belief. Is this really the man we’re going to fawn over with a State Visit? It’s time for our PM to pick a side
Reposted by Joel Holmes
Perhaps we can stop being so parochial about Starmer's trip to Washington now. It was a failure. We are in a battle against fascism. And every decision we make is judged by whether it assisted or opposed it.
February 28, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Perhaps we can stop being so parochial about Starmer's trip to Washington now. It was a failure. We are in a battle against fascism. And every decision we make is judged by whether it assisted or opposed it.
Reposted by Joel Holmes
Americans must feel so ashamed right now. And so they fucking should.
February 28, 2025 at 8:23 PM
Americans must feel so ashamed right now. And so they fucking should.
As an absolute minimum Starmer should rescind the offer of a second state visit.
Appreciate he tried to have his cake and eat it, to be the bridge between Trump and Europe, but it's immediately collapsed, and the choice between the two should be obvious.
Terrifying new world order taking shape. :(
Appreciate he tried to have his cake and eat it, to be the bridge between Trump and Europe, but it's immediately collapsed, and the choice between the two should be obvious.
Terrifying new world order taking shape. :(
February 28, 2025 at 9:18 PM
As an absolute minimum Starmer should rescind the offer of a second state visit.
Appreciate he tried to have his cake and eat it, to be the bridge between Trump and Europe, but it's immediately collapsed, and the choice between the two should be obvious.
Terrifying new world order taking shape. :(
Appreciate he tried to have his cake and eat it, to be the bridge between Trump and Europe, but it's immediately collapsed, and the choice between the two should be obvious.
Terrifying new world order taking shape. :(
Reposted by Joel Holmes
hang in there everyone, we're almost through it
February 26, 2025 at 4:05 AM
hang in there everyone, we're almost through it
Reposted by Joel Holmes
When I worked in UK academia I recall hearing of a Japanese man who was baffled at how Britain had decided to run its universities like firms. “Why? Your universities are excellent and your firms are terrible.”
To repeat: "A country so stupid it actively trashes one of things it's good at and famous for."
Today's university slashing and burning is Edinburgh, where about 10% of the budget will be cut. There'll be another case every single day until UK govts actually do something. A country so stupid it actively trashes one of things it's good at and famous for.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
February 25, 2025 at 10:24 PM
When I worked in UK academia I recall hearing of a Japanese man who was baffled at how Britain had decided to run its universities like firms. “Why? Your universities are excellent and your firms are terrible.”