Lisa Cumming
@lisacumin.bsky.social
Works in & around conflict grappling. (Local peacebuilding • Nonviolence • Peace practice & thinking.)
Worries in the valley, dreams on the moors. Personal account.
Worries in the valley, dreams on the moors. Personal account.
Pinned
Lisa Cumming
@lisacumin.bsky.social
· Nov 18
I've kindly been added to some lists with much more interesting folk than me. So if trying to work out whether I'm worth a follow...my day job is accompanying (supporting) people working in local
peacebuilding/conflict work in Britain and...
peacebuilding/conflict work in Britain and...
Reposted by Lisa Cumming
This is full of mildly astonishing revelations about right-wing influence at the BBC, but foremost among them is the fact that he was advised that writing for the New Statesman was effectively unacceptable but doing so for the Spectator was fine - indeed, advisable. I am flabbergasted.
The reaction to the Panorama edit has been nothing short of hysterical. Yes the BBC has some impartiality problems. But its biggest isn't the one you think.
New piece from me.
open.substack.com/pub/goodalla...
New piece from me.
open.substack.com/pub/goodalla...
The truth about impartiality at the BBC
And the hysteria of the current "crisis"
open.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 8:29 PM
This is full of mildly astonishing revelations about right-wing influence at the BBC, but foremost among them is the fact that he was advised that writing for the New Statesman was effectively unacceptable but doing so for the Spectator was fine - indeed, advisable. I am flabbergasted.
Reposted by Lisa Cumming
Quick thread on the BBC and the political and societal significance of recent developments:
One of the main reasons the UK has historically been so much less polarised than the US, is that Britain has a shared source of information, consumed and trusted by most people regardless of their politics.
One of the main reasons the UK has historically been so much less polarised than the US, is that Britain has a shared source of information, consumed and trusted by most people regardless of their politics.
November 10, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Quick thread on the BBC and the political and societal significance of recent developments:
One of the main reasons the UK has historically been so much less polarised than the US, is that Britain has a shared source of information, consumed and trusted by most people regardless of their politics.
One of the main reasons the UK has historically been so much less polarised than the US, is that Britain has a shared source of information, consumed and trusted by most people regardless of their politics.
"A climate activist who served one of the longest prison sentences in modern British history for a peaceful protest has won his appeal against deportation."
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Jailed climate activist wins appeal against deportation from UK
Marcus Decker was served with deportation order while in prison for unveiling Just Stop Oil banner over Dartford Crossing
www.theguardian.com
November 10, 2025 at 7:45 PM
"A climate activist who served one of the longest prison sentences in modern British history for a peaceful protest has won his appeal against deportation."
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Reposted by Lisa Cumming
Yes, this is correct. And the reason is because our capitalist classes have decided that it is not sufficiently profitable, so they're not going to do it.
We must understand this reality. Capital *cannot* be relied upon to address the climate crisis.
We must understand this reality. Capital *cannot* be relied upon to address the climate crisis.
November 10, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Yes, this is correct. And the reason is because our capitalist classes have decided that it is not sufficiently profitable, so they're not going to do it.
We must understand this reality. Capital *cannot* be relied upon to address the climate crisis.
We must understand this reality. Capital *cannot* be relied upon to address the climate crisis.
"So many Chicagoans are not only practicing vigilance, but rushing toward ICE agents, thrusting themselves into dangerous situations—sometimes, in organized deployments, and sometimes, in their pajamas..."
organizingmythoughts.org/in-chicago-w...
organizingmythoughts.org/in-chicago-w...
In Chicago, We Run Toward Danger Together
"Faced with unrelenting state violence, Chicagoans have refused to be cowed," says Mariame Kaba.
organizingmythoughts.org
November 8, 2025 at 3:46 PM
"So many Chicagoans are not only practicing vigilance, but rushing toward ICE agents, thrusting themselves into dangerous situations—sometimes, in organized deployments, and sometimes, in their pajamas..."
organizingmythoughts.org/in-chicago-w...
organizingmythoughts.org/in-chicago-w...
Reposted by Lisa Cumming
🎂Today is #DorothyDay's birthday. Here's a free article exploring the extent to which she was influenced by #LeoTolstoy: repository.lboro.ac.uk/articles/jou... #anarchism #pacifism #anticlericalism
November 8, 2025 at 3:16 PM
🎂Today is #DorothyDay's birthday. Here's a free article exploring the extent to which she was influenced by #LeoTolstoy: repository.lboro.ac.uk/articles/jou... #anarchism #pacifism #anticlericalism
Reposted by Lisa Cumming
Weekend reading: Where America stands, one year after Trump’s election.
A fascistic movement controls the government; they are trying to build an authoritarian state; but they have not consolidated authoritarian rule.
A democracy no more, but not a stable autocratic regime yet.
This week’s piece:
A fascistic movement controls the government; they are trying to build an authoritarian state; but they have not consolidated authoritarian rule.
A democracy no more, but not a stable autocratic regime yet.
This week’s piece:
Escalation, Authoritarian “Normalization,” or a Democratic Turnaround?
One year after the election: What we can say with certainty about the state of the Trumpist assault, where uncertainty lies, and where America might go from here
steady.page
November 8, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Weekend reading: Where America stands, one year after Trump’s election.
A fascistic movement controls the government; they are trying to build an authoritarian state; but they have not consolidated authoritarian rule.
A democracy no more, but not a stable autocratic regime yet.
This week’s piece:
A fascistic movement controls the government; they are trying to build an authoritarian state; but they have not consolidated authoritarian rule.
A democracy no more, but not a stable autocratic regime yet.
This week’s piece:
Reposted by Lisa Cumming
Or to put it another way, both Nigel Farage and Zack Polanski will have reasons to celebrate if Labour introduce an ultra-hardline asylum policy modelled on an unpopular Danish government which is allied with the centre-right. Polanski will get more Lab recruits, and that increases Farage's lead.
November 8, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Or to put it another way, both Nigel Farage and Zack Polanski will have reasons to celebrate if Labour introduce an ultra-hardline asylum policy modelled on an unpopular Danish government which is allied with the centre-right. Polanski will get more Lab recruits, and that increases Farage's lead.
“That kind of thinking cultivates empathy and challenges your assumptions. It's also something you have to practice. If we can offload that cognitive work, it's far too easy to become reflexive and hateful..."
www.404media.co/ai-is-superc...
www.404media.co/ai-is-superc...
AI Is Supercharging the War on Libraries, Education, and Human Knowledge
"Fascism and AI, whether or not they have the same goals, they sure are working to accelerate one another."
www.404media.co
November 7, 2025 at 4:42 PM
“That kind of thinking cultivates empathy and challenges your assumptions. It's also something you have to practice. If we can offload that cognitive work, it's far too easy to become reflexive and hateful..."
www.404media.co/ai-is-superc...
www.404media.co/ai-is-superc...
Reposted by Lisa Cumming
Want to join our research team?
We're looking for an experienced professional to conduct new quantitative and qualitative research on race and inequalities in the UK.
Closing date Sunday 23 Nov 2025, 23:59 GMT.
www.runnymedetrust.org/careers/rese...
We're looking for an experienced professional to conduct new quantitative and qualitative research on race and inequalities in the UK.
Closing date Sunday 23 Nov 2025, 23:59 GMT.
www.runnymedetrust.org/careers/rese...
Researcher
Runnymede is the UK's leading independent race equality think tank.
www.runnymedetrust.org
November 4, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Want to join our research team?
We're looking for an experienced professional to conduct new quantitative and qualitative research on race and inequalities in the UK.
Closing date Sunday 23 Nov 2025, 23:59 GMT.
www.runnymedetrust.org/careers/rese...
We're looking for an experienced professional to conduct new quantitative and qualitative research on race and inequalities in the UK.
Closing date Sunday 23 Nov 2025, 23:59 GMT.
www.runnymedetrust.org/careers/rese...
"Attacks on mosques in the UK have soared in recent months, the government’s Islamophobia monitoring partner has said, with more than 40% of incidents featuring British or English flags and Christian nationalist symbols or slogans."
www.theguardian.com/news/2025/no...
www.theguardian.com/news/2025/no...
Flags and Christian nationalist slogans feature in soaring attacks on UK mosques
Between July and October, 25 buildings were targeted in 27 attacks, according to British Muslim Trust
www.theguardian.com
November 7, 2025 at 2:41 PM
"Attacks on mosques in the UK have soared in recent months, the government’s Islamophobia monitoring partner has said, with more than 40% of incidents featuring British or English flags and Christian nationalist symbols or slogans."
www.theguardian.com/news/2025/no...
www.theguardian.com/news/2025/no...
Reposted by Lisa Cumming
Beatrix Potter, Fungi; Flammulina velutipes
November 7, 2025 at 2:15 AM
Beatrix Potter, Fungi; Flammulina velutipes
"We hadn’t made it to garnish fame and fortune. We made it for the art rats known and unknown, the marginalized, the shunned, the disowned."
www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
Essay by Patti Smith: Art Rats in New York City
Finding my own words.
www.newyorker.com
November 7, 2025 at 2:15 PM
"We hadn’t made it to garnish fame and fortune. We made it for the art rats known and unknown, the marginalized, the shunned, the disowned."
www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
Reposted by Lisa Cumming
incredible photo that's definitely worth at least 1,000 words from Andrew Harnik of Getty
November 6, 2025 at 6:10 PM
incredible photo that's definitely worth at least 1,000 words from Andrew Harnik of Getty
Reposted by Lisa Cumming
At least 80,000 people displaced as Sudan’s humanitarian crisis deepens following the RSF’s capture of el-Fasher.
Where are tens of thousands of people in Sudan fleeing to?
At least 80,000 people displaced as Sudan’s humanitarian crisis deepens following the RSF’s capture of el-Fasher.
bit.ly
November 6, 2025 at 9:30 AM
At least 80,000 people displaced as Sudan’s humanitarian crisis deepens following the RSF’s capture of el-Fasher.
"I don't want to put my feet up," she said. "I just want the other sub-postmasters to have what I have been given. That's all I want – justice for every one of them."
The amazing Betty Brown.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
The amazing Betty Brown.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Oldest victim of Post Office scandal, 92, receives final payout
"I can settle up my affairs. I can turn the heating up full blast, and that will be wonderful," 92-year-old Betty Brown told the BBC.
www.bbc.com
November 6, 2025 at 7:57 AM
"I don't want to put my feet up," she said. "I just want the other sub-postmasters to have what I have been given. That's all I want – justice for every one of them."
The amazing Betty Brown.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
The amazing Betty Brown.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Reposted by Lisa Cumming
Mamdani: "We can respond to oligarchy and authoritarianism with the strength it fears, not the appeasement it craves. After all, if anyone can show a nation betrayed by Donald Trump how to defeat him, it is the city that gave rise to him."
November 5, 2025 at 4:38 AM
Mamdani: "We can respond to oligarchy and authoritarianism with the strength it fears, not the appeasement it craves. After all, if anyone can show a nation betrayed by Donald Trump how to defeat him, it is the city that gave rise to him."
Just read this statement from LNER whilst on an LNER train.
Wishing hard for Samir Zitouni's full recovery and thinking too of his family, friends and colleagues.
www.lner.co.uk/news/stateme...
#SamirZitouni
Wishing hard for Samir Zitouni's full recovery and thinking too of his family, friends and colleagues.
www.lner.co.uk/news/stateme...
#SamirZitouni
Statement from LNER – Bravery of Injured Colleague Recognised | LNER
The extraordinary bravery of the LNER colleague who was seriously injured in Saturday’s (1 November 2025) incident at Huntingdon station, has been recognised.
www.lner.co.uk
November 5, 2025 at 11:14 AM
Just read this statement from LNER whilst on an LNER train.
Wishing hard for Samir Zitouni's full recovery and thinking too of his family, friends and colleagues.
www.lner.co.uk/news/stateme...
#SamirZitouni
Wishing hard for Samir Zitouni's full recovery and thinking too of his family, friends and colleagues.
www.lner.co.uk/news/stateme...
#SamirZitouni
Reposted by Lisa Cumming
there are basically not enough republican voters to create enough safe seats to withstand the kind of wave that, for example, turned virginia into a democratic supermajority state for the first time in the modern era of its politics
November 5, 2025 at 4:14 AM
there are basically not enough republican voters to create enough safe seats to withstand the kind of wave that, for example, turned virginia into a democratic supermajority state for the first time in the modern era of its politics
Reposted by Lisa Cumming
Mamdani: "Yes, aunties."
November 5, 2025 at 4:25 AM
Mamdani: "Yes, aunties."
Reposted by Lisa Cumming
"We have rarely witnessed such brutality erupt into public view like it has in Chicago. For me, this is a spiritual emergency, and it means putting our bodies on the line in order to stop deportations," writes @revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social
I’m One of the Clergy ICE Assaulted. They Treat Immigrants Worse
I learned the hard way that my clerical collar doesn’t offer much protection from ICE. But immigrants have no protection at all.
sojo.net
November 4, 2025 at 11:00 PM
"We have rarely witnessed such brutality erupt into public view like it has in Chicago. For me, this is a spiritual emergency, and it means putting our bodies on the line in order to stop deportations," writes @revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social
"A rail worker credited with saving multiple lives during a mass stabbing on a train has been named as Samir Zitouni.
Mr Zitouni remains "critically unwell" but stable in hospital..."
All thoughts with Mr Zitouni.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Mr Zitouni remains "critically unwell" but stable in hospital..."
All thoughts with Mr Zitouni.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Train hero who saved passengers during attack named
The rail worker credited with saving multiple lives is named as Samir Zitouni.
www.bbc.com
November 4, 2025 at 11:52 AM
"A rail worker credited with saving multiple lives during a mass stabbing on a train has been named as Samir Zitouni.
Mr Zitouni remains "critically unwell" but stable in hospital..."
All thoughts with Mr Zitouni.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Mr Zitouni remains "critically unwell" but stable in hospital..."
All thoughts with Mr Zitouni.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Reposted by Lisa Cumming
Sheffield Hallam was “explicitly trading my academic freedom for access to the Chinese student market".
This is what happens when universities are turned into businesses & expected to compete ruthlessly for expansion opportunities & market share. www.theguardian.com/education/20...
This is what happens when universities are turned into businesses & expected to compete ruthlessly for expansion opportunities & market share. www.theguardian.com/education/20...
UK university halted human rights research after pressure from China
Exclusive: Leading professor at Sheffield Hallam was told to cease research on supply chains and forced labour in China after demands from authorities
www.theguardian.com
November 3, 2025 at 10:23 PM
Sheffield Hallam was “explicitly trading my academic freedom for access to the Chinese student market".
This is what happens when universities are turned into businesses & expected to compete ruthlessly for expansion opportunities & market share. www.theguardian.com/education/20...
This is what happens when universities are turned into businesses & expected to compete ruthlessly for expansion opportunities & market share. www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Reposted by Lisa Cumming
The founder of the violent extremist group No Lives Matter (NLM) has been arrested in the Netherlands on child abuse and terrorism charges. Identified as “Cxrpse,” he’s linked to the Com network, a transnational web of hackers, abusers, and neo-Nazi-inspired extremists.
Read more:
Read more:
Founder of No Lives Matter Arrested on Child Abuse and Terrorism Charges
The founder of the violent extremist group No Lives Matter (NLM) has been arrested on child abuse and terrorism charges. Identified as “Justin B.,” he allegedly operated online as “Cxrpse,” promoting ...
globalextremism.org
November 3, 2025 at 7:23 PM
The founder of the violent extremist group No Lives Matter (NLM) has been arrested in the Netherlands on child abuse and terrorism charges. Identified as “Cxrpse,” he’s linked to the Com network, a transnational web of hackers, abusers, and neo-Nazi-inspired extremists.
Read more:
Read more: