John - just John
@johngell.bsky.social
Retired. Social justice and internationalism. Wants Scotland to flourish through independence. Loves hills, music, travel, fine living and inspirational people.
To mark the announcement that UK is rejoining the Erasmus Scheme, here’s a wee look at Scotland’s historic cultural and political relationship with Europe. Thanks to Billy Kay. youtu.be/zSNi0MOF8xE
At the Heart of Europe: a Celebration of Scotland's European History
YouTube video by Europe for Scotland
youtu.be
December 18, 2025 at 10:18 AM
To mark the announcement that UK is rejoining the Erasmus Scheme, here’s a wee look at Scotland’s historic cultural and political relationship with Europe. Thanks to Billy Kay. youtu.be/zSNi0MOF8xE
Some pertinent questions raised by Nick Walker in this letter to @bylinetimes.bsky.social
December 11, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Some pertinent questions raised by Nick Walker in this letter to @bylinetimes.bsky.social
Reposted by John - just John
"In the ashes of war... Europe pulled together to create collaborative bodies designed to prevent a repeat of the horrors of Nazi Germany.
One such body was the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR)."
One such body was the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR)."
Remembrance: 75 years of the ECHR
The European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) celebrates its 75th birthday this month – like all elders, it has a lifetime of wisdom to share
yorkshirebylines.co.uk
December 3, 2025 at 8:39 PM
"In the ashes of war... Europe pulled together to create collaborative bodies designed to prevent a repeat of the horrors of Nazi Germany.
One such body was the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR)."
One such body was the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR)."
Reposted by John - just John
Always fun to have a look back at this...
The Brexit Benefit Myths
UPDATED: The government and others are claiming Brexit 'benefits' that were always available to EU member states or are not benefits at all
yorkshirebylines.co.uk
November 13, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Always fun to have a look back at this...
Reposted by John - just John
Dominic Grieve’s response to Nigel Farage’s ‘let’s leave the ECHR’ stunt in parliament is spot on.
November 1, 2025 at 9:44 PM
Dominic Grieve’s response to Nigel Farage’s ‘let’s leave the ECHR’ stunt in parliament is spot on.
Spotted this in Boston (reference the American revolution). Could the slogan catch on here in Scotland? #Scottishindependence.
October 25, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Spotted this in Boston (reference the American revolution). Could the slogan catch on here in Scotland? #Scottishindependence.
Early morning at Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.
October 14, 2025 at 11:40 PM
Early morning at Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.
Reposted by John - just John
A very logical read.
Do we grasp the opportunity, or follow England down the road of increasing American-style corporatisation?
Do we grasp the opportunity, or follow England down the road of increasing American-style corporatisation?
Independence is Good for Business: Economic Policy
www.businessforscotland.com
August 20, 2025 at 9:21 AM
A very logical read.
Do we grasp the opportunity, or follow England down the road of increasing American-style corporatisation?
Do we grasp the opportunity, or follow England down the road of increasing American-style corporatisation?
Some timely thoughts on the back that visit. A new role for UK?
The government is still clinging to old world order perspectives
Brits see no ‘special relationship’ left with the US – so why is the UK still fawning over Trump while global chaos demands real leadership?
yorkshirebylines.co.uk
September 19, 2025 at 9:29 AM
Some timely thoughts on the back that visit. A new role for UK?
With USA trade deals being rather topical path the moment, I suggest that we need to be aware that the more our essential services and infrastructure become dependent on American technology the more we yield control of our destiny to USA.
September 17, 2025 at 8:19 PM
With USA trade deals being rather topical path the moment, I suggest that we need to be aware that the more our essential services and infrastructure become dependent on American technology the more we yield control of our destiny to USA.
Scots Law provides a way for Scots who oppose being dragged into complicity with UK’s illegal support for Israel’s actions in Palestine to lawfully make their feelings known. Listen to Sara Salyers powerful speech.
t.co/cyJmCKOqi3
#palestine #genocide #scottishindependence.
t.co/cyJmCKOqi3
#palestine #genocide #scottishindependence.
https://tinyurl.com/27f5dhkq
t.co
September 9, 2025 at 11:48 AM
Scots Law provides a way for Scots who oppose being dragged into complicity with UK’s illegal support for Israel’s actions in Palestine to lawfully make their feelings known. Listen to Sara Salyers powerful speech.
t.co/cyJmCKOqi3
#palestine #genocide #scottishindependence.
t.co/cyJmCKOqi3
#palestine #genocide #scottishindependence.
Another reason why Scotland must reclaim its independence.
"This story matters. Not just for the people of Gaza, but for the soul of British democracy"
How influential is the Israeli lobby in British politics?
We look at MPs’ links with Israel
sussexbylines.co.uk
August 28, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Another reason why Scotland must reclaim its independence.
Reposted by John - just John
The story of small boats isn’t just about refugees, writes Peter Thurlow.
It’s about who shapes public perception – and who stays silent.
It’s about who shapes public perception – and who stays silent.
Here’s how we change the narrative on the small boats
Populists thrive on fear and repetition. To counter the small boats saga, here's how we must reshape the story
eastangliabylines.co.uk
August 28, 2025 at 2:51 PM
The story of small boats isn’t just about refugees, writes Peter Thurlow.
It’s about who shapes public perception – and who stays silent.
It’s about who shapes public perception – and who stays silent.
A very logical read.
Do we grasp the opportunity, or follow England down the road of increasing American-style corporatisation?
Do we grasp the opportunity, or follow England down the road of increasing American-style corporatisation?
Independence is Good for Business: Economic Policy
www.businessforscotland.com
August 20, 2025 at 9:21 AM
A very logical read.
Do we grasp the opportunity, or follow England down the road of increasing American-style corporatisation?
Do we grasp the opportunity, or follow England down the road of increasing American-style corporatisation?
Reposted by John - just John
“The right to protest is one we protect fiercely” Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has said.
The government has just been defeated in the Court of Appeal in its attempt to curb our right to protest.
It should now be reviewing all arrests made under these unlawful powers
youtu.be/vbQxagbctoc?...
The government has just been defeated in the Court of Appeal in its attempt to curb our right to protest.
It should now be reviewing all arrests made under these unlawful powers
youtu.be/vbQxagbctoc?...
Government quietly drops its fight for tougher anti-protest laws used to arrest hundreds of people
YouTube video by Peter Stefanovic
youtu.be
August 16, 2025 at 4:48 PM
“The right to protest is one we protect fiercely” Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has said.
The government has just been defeated in the Court of Appeal in its attempt to curb our right to protest.
It should now be reviewing all arrests made under these unlawful powers
youtu.be/vbQxagbctoc?...
The government has just been defeated in the Court of Appeal in its attempt to curb our right to protest.
It should now be reviewing all arrests made under these unlawful powers
youtu.be/vbQxagbctoc?...
This is interesting. There was much more - significantly much more - to the 1745 Jacobite rising than, as we were taught at school, just a fringe group of romantics. angrypict.substack.com/p/scotland-was…
August 9, 2025 at 9:18 AM
This is interesting. There was much more - significantly much more - to the 1745 Jacobite rising than, as we were taught at school, just a fringe group of romantics. angrypict.substack.com/p/scotland-was…
For those who may be interested this is a very interesting and informative evidenced essay on events leading up to the 1706 Act of Union. All very differnt to how it was taught to us at school.
angrypict.substack.com/p/the-union-...
angrypict.substack.com/p/the-union-...
August 4, 2025 at 5:22 PM
For those who may be interested this is a very interesting and informative evidenced essay on events leading up to the 1706 Act of Union. All very differnt to how it was taught to us at school.
angrypict.substack.com/p/the-union-...
angrypict.substack.com/p/the-union-...
If evidence were needed, this excellent article by Simon Forrest clearly illustrates the magnitude of the extent to which UK membership suppresses Scottish economic vitality and curtails our quality of life. www.thenational.scot/politics/241...
I founded a leading tidal firm. I fear renewables risk becoming McCrone part two
It should not be like this. Our children deserve better.
www.thenational.scot
July 26, 2025 at 6:42 PM
If evidence were needed, this excellent article by Simon Forrest clearly illustrates the magnitude of the extent to which UK membership suppresses Scottish economic vitality and curtails our quality of life. www.thenational.scot/politics/241...
A few of Handa’s more colourful residents.
June 28, 2025 at 4:40 PM
A few of Handa’s more colourful residents.
Reposted by John - just John
Let me be clearer. I was former head of UK Foreign Office humanitarian affairs, incl policy on war crimes, genocide. I helped craft policy for international criminal court. I’m in no doubt these are war crimes. Disproportionate, indiscriminate, collective punishment by an occupying power.
This is from my friend, Nabil, in Gaza today. He says there is NO food left. He has never sounded so in despair. Israel is carrying out war crimes; violating international humanitarian law; inflicting collective punishment on a captive people; trying to starve them into submission. It’s obscene.
May 23, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Let me be clearer. I was former head of UK Foreign Office humanitarian affairs, incl policy on war crimes, genocide. I helped craft policy for international criminal court. I’m in no doubt these are war crimes. Disproportionate, indiscriminate, collective punishment by an occupying power.
This is worrying. What can we do to make developments like this ineffective?
🔥😡 A private workshop took place last month aimed at dismantling the EU.
Right-wing push to dismantle the EU: Heritage Foundation’s private workshop
After seizing control of the US government, the Heritage Foundation turns its attention to the EU
yorkshirebylines.co.uk
April 22, 2025 at 3:53 PM
This is worrying. What can we do to make developments like this ineffective?
Reposted by John - just John
📣 Five years of truth-telling: Yorkshire Bylines celebrates its lockdown legacy
Born in lockdown, Yorkshire Bylines turns five – still speaking truth to power with citizen journalism rooted in Yorkshire’s voice
By Dr Pam Jarvis
@drpam.bsky.social
Born in lockdown, Yorkshire Bylines turns five – still speaking truth to power with citizen journalism rooted in Yorkshire’s voice
By Dr Pam Jarvis
@drpam.bsky.social
Five years of truth-telling: Yorkshire Bylines celebrates its lockdown legacy
Born in lockdown, Yorkshire Bylines turns five – still speaking truth to power with citizen journalism rooted in Yorkshire’s voice
yorkshirebylines.co.uk
April 15, 2025 at 2:49 PM
📣 Five years of truth-telling: Yorkshire Bylines celebrates its lockdown legacy
Born in lockdown, Yorkshire Bylines turns five – still speaking truth to power with citizen journalism rooted in Yorkshire’s voice
By Dr Pam Jarvis
@drpam.bsky.social
Born in lockdown, Yorkshire Bylines turns five – still speaking truth to power with citizen journalism rooted in Yorkshire’s voice
By Dr Pam Jarvis
@drpam.bsky.social
This is entirely logical. Worth a read.
March 8, 2025 at 1:38 PM
This is entirely logical. Worth a read.
Reposted by John - just John
Reposted by John - just John
It is time to end the special relationship with Trump.
We stand with Ukraine. 🇺🇦
We stand with Ukraine. 🇺🇦
It is time to end the special relationship with Trump
Donald Trump in the White House: a relationship with a dishonest sexual predator and convicted criminal isn't a relationship. It's abuse
centralbylines.co.uk
February 20, 2025 at 6:27 AM
It is time to end the special relationship with Trump.
We stand with Ukraine. 🇺🇦
We stand with Ukraine. 🇺🇦