Julian Vaughan
@julianvaughan.bsky.social
Train Driver, ASLEF H&S Rep, Blogger, Dad, Sunderland fan. Rail accessibility campaigner - ‘professional agitant’. Labour Parliamentary candidate 2017/2019. Pro PR and a fairer society.
Welcome news that Labour are stopping the obscene profiteering from the resale of tickets - next step must be the end of freebie tickets to MPs.
November 19, 2025 at 10:22 AM
Welcome news that Labour are stopping the obscene profiteering from the resale of tickets - next step must be the end of freebie tickets to MPs.
It’s the most bizarre form of gaslighting that places the blame of a) Labour’s troubles and b) the prospect of a Reform government, on those who criticise/leave the Party, rather than on the policies, lack of vision and dreadful comms of the current Labour leadership.
November 15, 2025 at 7:33 PM
It’s the most bizarre form of gaslighting that places the blame of a) Labour’s troubles and b) the prospect of a Reform government, on those who criticise/leave the Party, rather than on the policies, lack of vision and dreadful comms of the current Labour leadership.
Well as it turns out, leadership sits on Starmer’s shoulders just as uncomfortably as it did on Corbyn’s.
One fundamental difference between the two is that, whether you agreed with them or not, you knew the principles that Corbyn stood for.
Whatever the question is, Streeting isn’t the answer!
One fundamental difference between the two is that, whether you agreed with them or not, you knew the principles that Corbyn stood for.
Whatever the question is, Streeting isn’t the answer!
November 14, 2025 at 9:27 AM
Well as it turns out, leadership sits on Starmer’s shoulders just as uncomfortably as it did on Corbyn’s.
One fundamental difference between the two is that, whether you agreed with them or not, you knew the principles that Corbyn stood for.
Whatever the question is, Streeting isn’t the answer!
One fundamental difference between the two is that, whether you agreed with them or not, you knew the principles that Corbyn stood for.
Whatever the question is, Streeting isn’t the answer!
Reposted by Julian Vaughan
One of the aphorisms that's been going around resonates with me:
“The underlying purpose of #AI is to allow wealth to access skill while removing from the skilled the ability to access wealth.” ~ need to remember the author. 😖
They don’t to pay or work for expertise anymore!
“The underlying purpose of #AI is to allow wealth to access skill while removing from the skilled the ability to access wealth.” ~ need to remember the author. 😖
They don’t to pay or work for expertise anymore!
November 3, 2025 at 8:36 AM
One of the aphorisms that's been going around resonates with me:
“The underlying purpose of #AI is to allow wealth to access skill while removing from the skilled the ability to access wealth.” ~ need to remember the author. 😖
They don’t to pay or work for expertise anymore!
“The underlying purpose of #AI is to allow wealth to access skill while removing from the skilled the ability to access wealth.” ~ need to remember the author. 😖
They don’t to pay or work for expertise anymore!
Reposted by Julian Vaughan
A pilot friend always says to me: "Yes, we are very well paid. And, if everything goes as it should, we do hardly any work. But then there there is that once-a-decade trip, when we earn a whole career's worth of salaries in ten minutes."
November 3, 2025 at 8:30 AM
A pilot friend always says to me: "Yes, we are very well paid. And, if everything goes as it should, we do hardly any work. But then there there is that once-a-decade trip, when we earn a whole career's worth of salaries in ten minutes."
From the details we have so far, it sounds like an exemplary response from both railway staff and the emergency services dealing with an incredibly difficult situation.
Wishing those physically injured a speedy recovery and hope all impacted by this incident are provided with appropriate support.
Wishing those physically injured a speedy recovery and hope all impacted by this incident are provided with appropriate support.
November 2, 2025 at 8:32 PM
From the details we have so far, it sounds like an exemplary response from both railway staff and the emergency services dealing with an incredibly difficult situation.
Wishing those physically injured a speedy recovery and hope all impacted by this incident are provided with appropriate support.
Wishing those physically injured a speedy recovery and hope all impacted by this incident are provided with appropriate support.
While 'The Hack' hasn't had the same impact as 'Mr Bates vs the PO’ the sheer scale and breadth of the corruption and the sickening fact that most involved have smugly got away scot free is yet another stain on our political and legal system - and why we need a Leveson 2.
October 31, 2025 at 8:50 AM
While 'The Hack' hasn't had the same impact as 'Mr Bates vs the PO’ the sheer scale and breadth of the corruption and the sickening fact that most involved have smugly got away scot free is yet another stain on our political and legal system - and why we need a Leveson 2.
Finally got round to finishing my blog about our Hadrian’s Wall walk.
It won’t quite convey the tiredness in the legs, but hopefully it shows the beauty of the area and will be of some help to future hikers. #HadriansWall #Northumberland
julianvaughan.blog/2025/10/29/h...
It won’t quite convey the tiredness in the legs, but hopefully it shows the beauty of the area and will be of some help to future hikers. #HadriansWall #Northumberland
julianvaughan.blog/2025/10/29/h...
Hadrian’s Wall Walk
This blog describes my planning before the walk and the walk itself, which took place over 5 days in late September 2025 and will hopefully provide some useful hints for future walkers. The blogs I…
julianvaughan.blog
October 29, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Finally got round to finishing my blog about our Hadrian’s Wall walk.
It won’t quite convey the tiredness in the legs, but hopefully it shows the beauty of the area and will be of some help to future hikers. #HadriansWall #Northumberland
julianvaughan.blog/2025/10/29/h...
It won’t quite convey the tiredness in the legs, but hopefully it shows the beauty of the area and will be of some help to future hikers. #HadriansWall #Northumberland
julianvaughan.blog/2025/10/29/h...
Reposted by Julian Vaughan
"This plan must be ambitious, practical, and transformative. It must make people’s lives better – especially those struggling most. If the government is to take the public with them in rebuilding a society fit for the future, this is absolutely vital.”
https://bit.ly/42Uza2C
https://bit.ly/42Uza2C
Starmer’s upcoming climate plan must prove that green policies deliver for people
Time is short. The climate crisis is rapidly accelerating, and those least responsible, here in the UK and overseas, are on the front lines and increasingly threatened.
leftfootforward.org
October 26, 2025 at 8:48 PM
"This plan must be ambitious, practical, and transformative. It must make people’s lives better – especially those struggling most. If the government is to take the public with them in rebuilding a society fit for the future, this is absolutely vital.”
https://bit.ly/42Uza2C
https://bit.ly/42Uza2C
My blog on a train driver’s experience following a fatality is still my most regularly read.
I hope it is a help to people both inside and outside the rail industry.
If you need to talk to someone you can call the Samaritans at any time on 116 123.
julianvaughan.blog/2024/06/17/f...
I hope it is a help to people both inside and outside the rail industry.
If you need to talk to someone you can call the Samaritans at any time on 116 123.
julianvaughan.blog/2024/06/17/f...
Fatality on the railway – a driver’s perspective
I have been a train driver for 21 years. Last year I was involved in an incident at work where someone jumped in front of my train, and very sadly this incident resulted in a fatality. I am deliber…
julianvaughan.blog
October 26, 2025 at 9:20 AM
My blog on a train driver’s experience following a fatality is still my most regularly read.
I hope it is a help to people both inside and outside the rail industry.
If you need to talk to someone you can call the Samaritans at any time on 116 123.
julianvaughan.blog/2024/06/17/f...
I hope it is a help to people both inside and outside the rail industry.
If you need to talk to someone you can call the Samaritans at any time on 116 123.
julianvaughan.blog/2024/06/17/f...
Reposted by Julian Vaughan
How has the government got itself into the position of standing up for Israeli football hooligans, while criminalising peaceful supporters of Palestine Action?
October 17, 2025 at 2:38 PM
How has the government got itself into the position of standing up for Israeli football hooligans, while criminalising peaceful supporters of Palestine Action?
Too many straws. Too many backs. It is with sadness not bitterness that I have today resigned from the Labour Party. I've set out why below. However, my passion for social justice and trade unionism remains undimmed.
julianvaughan.blog/2025/10/15/l...
julianvaughan.blog/2025/10/15/l...
Love’s Labour’s Lost
It is with great sadness that I have made the decision to leave the Labour Party. As a General Election candidate in both 2017 and 2019, the Labour Party has been a significant part of my life over…
julianvaughan.blog
October 15, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Too many straws. Too many backs. It is with sadness not bitterness that I have today resigned from the Labour Party. I've set out why below. However, my passion for social justice and trade unionism remains undimmed.
julianvaughan.blog/2025/10/15/l...
julianvaughan.blog/2025/10/15/l...
Reposted by Julian Vaughan
“I’ll declare war on you if you don’t give me the peace prize” is an incredible bit
October 9, 2025 at 10:16 PM
“I’ll declare war on you if you don’t give me the peace prize” is an incredible bit
“It is too expensive to bring water companies back into public ownership”.
Really? ⬇️
www.common-wealth.org/publications...
Really? ⬇️
www.common-wealth.org/publications...
How to Clean Up Our Water: Why Public Ownership in Law Costs Zero
The Government has said it would cost £99 billion to nationalise Thames Water. The true cost in law is closer to zero.
www.common-wealth.org
October 4, 2025 at 8:55 AM
“It is too expensive to bring water companies back into public ownership”.
Really? ⬇️
www.common-wealth.org/publications...
Really? ⬇️
www.common-wealth.org/publications...
Hadrian’s Wall Walk in memory of my sister and in aid of two amazing charities completed 👊
Over £3,000 raised so far ❤️
Details here: www.givewheel.com/fundraising/...
Over £3,000 raised so far ❤️
Details here: www.givewheel.com/fundraising/...
September 29, 2025 at 6:15 AM
Hadrian’s Wall Walk in memory of my sister and in aid of two amazing charities completed 👊
Over £3,000 raised so far ❤️
Details here: www.givewheel.com/fundraising/...
Over £3,000 raised so far ❤️
Details here: www.givewheel.com/fundraising/...
Early on Day 2 of the Hadrian’s Wall Walk for Sky. I wasn’t this chipper 5 hours later 😁
£2,400 raised so far ❤️ Details here: www.givewheel.com/fundraising/...
@poetsin.bsky.social
£2,400 raised so far ❤️ Details here: www.givewheel.com/fundraising/...
@poetsin.bsky.social
September 24, 2025 at 6:43 AM
Early on Day 2 of the Hadrian’s Wall Walk for Sky. I wasn’t this chipper 5 hours later 😁
£2,400 raised so far ❤️ Details here: www.givewheel.com/fundraising/...
@poetsin.bsky.social
£2,400 raised so far ❤️ Details here: www.givewheel.com/fundraising/...
@poetsin.bsky.social
Reposted by Julian Vaughan
'There has been a monumental cover up'
On #BBCBreakfast Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester urged Keir Starmer to meet the British nuclear test veterans campaigning for justice after suffering lifelong health problems
On #BBCBreakfast Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester urged Keir Starmer to meet the British nuclear test veterans campaigning for justice after suffering lifelong health problems
September 24, 2025 at 6:18 AM
'There has been a monumental cover up'
On #BBCBreakfast Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester urged Keir Starmer to meet the British nuclear test veterans campaigning for justice after suffering lifelong health problems
On #BBCBreakfast Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester urged Keir Starmer to meet the British nuclear test veterans campaigning for justice after suffering lifelong health problems
Reposted by Julian Vaughan
Jimmy Kimmel and other late-night comedians have certainly said things about me that I found offensive, even outrageous.
It never crossed my mind to call up the networks and say, "Hey, get rid of this guy."
Because that's not how America works.
play.prx.org/listen?ge=pr...
It never crossed my mind to call up the networks and say, "Hey, get rid of this guy."
Because that's not how America works.
play.prx.org/listen?ge=pr...
The Political Scene | The New Yorker
The Washington Roundtable is joined by the former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Keren Yarhi-Milo, the dean of the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University, to discuss...
play.prx.org
September 21, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Jimmy Kimmel and other late-night comedians have certainly said things about me that I found offensive, even outrageous.
It never crossed my mind to call up the networks and say, "Hey, get rid of this guy."
Because that's not how America works.
play.prx.org/listen?ge=pr...
It never crossed my mind to call up the networks and say, "Hey, get rid of this guy."
Because that's not how America works.
play.prx.org/listen?ge=pr...
Earlier this year my sister her own life.
I’m determined something positive comes from this dreadful situation.
Starting Monday, I’m walking Hadrian’s Wall in her memory and in aid of 2 charities I know would be close to her ❤️
Details about the walk here ⬇️
gvwhl.com/JEZLQ
I’m determined something positive comes from this dreadful situation.
Starting Monday, I’m walking Hadrian’s Wall in her memory and in aid of 2 charities I know would be close to her ❤️
Details about the walk here ⬇️
gvwhl.com/JEZLQ
Hadrian's Wall Walk for Sky
Earlier this year, my beautiful sister Sky/Nikki very sadly took her own life.
My sister had such a positive influence on so many people and I am deter…
gvwhl.com
September 21, 2025 at 6:47 AM
Earlier this year my sister her own life.
I’m determined something positive comes from this dreadful situation.
Starting Monday, I’m walking Hadrian’s Wall in her memory and in aid of 2 charities I know would be close to her ❤️
Details about the walk here ⬇️
gvwhl.com/JEZLQ
I’m determined something positive comes from this dreadful situation.
Starting Monday, I’m walking Hadrian’s Wall in her memory and in aid of 2 charities I know would be close to her ❤️
Details about the walk here ⬇️
gvwhl.com/JEZLQ
Reposted by Julian Vaughan
Sanders is calling the war in Gaza a "genocide" for the first time.
Sanders calls war in Gaza a ‘genocide’ for the first time
“The truth is, whether you call it genocide or ethnic cleansing or mass atrocities or war crimes, the path forward is clear. We, as Americans, must end our complicity in the slaughter of the Palestini...
www.politico.com
September 17, 2025 at 8:35 PM
Sanders is calling the war in Gaza a "genocide" for the first time.
Reposted by Julian Vaughan
Peter Mandelson can sit as a Labour Lord while my colleagues have lost the whip for opposing disability benefits cuts and the two-child benefit cap.
Such draconian, politically-motivated suspensions undermine democracy and make a mockery of our party. They should have the whip restored immediately.
Such draconian, politically-motivated suspensions undermine democracy and make a mockery of our party. They should have the whip restored immediately.
September 17, 2025 at 12:29 PM
Peter Mandelson can sit as a Labour Lord while my colleagues have lost the whip for opposing disability benefits cuts and the two-child benefit cap.
Such draconian, politically-motivated suspensions undermine democracy and make a mockery of our party. They should have the whip restored immediately.
Such draconian, politically-motivated suspensions undermine democracy and make a mockery of our party. They should have the whip restored immediately.
The #HillsboroughLaw is a fitting tribute to the remarkable determination of the families.
However, any future use of the law will by definition mean the state has failed yet again.
Fundamental changes are needed to our political & regulatory system.
julianvaughan.blog/2024/04/01/f...
However, any future use of the law will by definition mean the state has failed yet again.
Fundamental changes are needed to our political & regulatory system.
julianvaughan.blog/2024/04/01/f...
Fixing the system
A common theme running through tragedies such as Horizon, Grenfell and Hillsborough is the nauseating confidence and casual indifference shown by those responsible. So from where does this confiden…
julianvaughan.blog
September 16, 2025 at 2:30 PM
The #HillsboroughLaw is a fitting tribute to the remarkable determination of the families.
However, any future use of the law will by definition mean the state has failed yet again.
Fundamental changes are needed to our political & regulatory system.
julianvaughan.blog/2024/04/01/f...
However, any future use of the law will by definition mean the state has failed yet again.
Fundamental changes are needed to our political & regulatory system.
julianvaughan.blog/2024/04/01/f...
Fascism thrives on apathy. Whether you’re ‘political’ or not, we all have a duty to speak up for a more tolerant society that values everyone within our communities. That’s real patriotism 🇬🇧
September 13, 2025 at 7:07 PM
Fascism thrives on apathy. Whether you’re ‘political’ or not, we all have a duty to speak up for a more tolerant society that values everyone within our communities. That’s real patriotism 🇬🇧
"...Apart from the lack of accountability, I sense a profound lack of empathy and compassion from the current leadership...."
My latest blog covering the goings on at Central Beds Council.
julianvaughan.blog/2025/09/13/a...
My latest blog covering the goings on at Central Beds Council.
julianvaughan.blog/2025/09/13/a...
Accountability and CBC
In April this year, I wrote the following about the ‘Independent Alliance’ led Central Bedfordshire Council… “…It is also particularly disappointing that the current l…
julianvaughan.blog
September 13, 2025 at 9:46 AM
"...Apart from the lack of accountability, I sense a profound lack of empathy and compassion from the current leadership...."
My latest blog covering the goings on at Central Beds Council.
julianvaughan.blog/2025/09/13/a...
My latest blog covering the goings on at Central Beds Council.
julianvaughan.blog/2025/09/13/a...
If Labour put in as much effort into effectively countering Reform as it did fighting factional battles within the Party, we wouldn’t be in the mess we are now.
Starmer is either being badly advised, or is ignoring the advice given. Something has to change.
Starmer is either being badly advised, or is ignoring the advice given. Something has to change.
September 12, 2025 at 4:03 PM
If Labour put in as much effort into effectively countering Reform as it did fighting factional battles within the Party, we wouldn’t be in the mess we are now.
Starmer is either being badly advised, or is ignoring the advice given. Something has to change.
Starmer is either being badly advised, or is ignoring the advice given. Something has to change.