Mike Truman
banner
matruman.bsky.social
Mike Truman
@matruman.bsky.social
Former editor, Taxation Magazine; former LLM (Reader) Church of England; current PhD candidate researching implicit religion and lived theology in The Repair Shop.
Reposted by Mike Truman
Why are we getting fear mongering headlines about data centres?

They are critical infrastructure that are essential to future tech developments & economic growth.

We need to be mindful of their needs. But instead of being scared, we need to make sure we're building the right infrastructure.

1/3
Data centres to be expanded across UK as concerns mount
The number of data centres is set to jump by a fifth in the coming years, figures seen by the BBC suggest.
www.bbc.co.uk
August 15, 2025 at 6:20 AM
Reposted by Mike Truman
Last call* for my standup history show on the BBC origin story at Camden Fringe tonight. 7:30 at The Water Rats Kings Cross.
Be informed, educated and entertained…
camdenfringe.com/events/an-ev...
*well, penultimate. It’s on again tomorrow. But also tonight…
An Evening of (Very) Old Radio - Camden Fringe
Are you sitting comfortably? Then we'll begin...British broadcasting's origin story is brought to life by British Comedy Award-winning writer (Miranda, Not Going Out), comedian & broadcast historian P...
camdenfringe.com
August 5, 2025 at 9:25 AM
Reposted by Mike Truman
I prosecute and defend the most serious sexual offences in our courts.

The overwhelming majority of offenders are British-born. Overwhelmingly the victim is someone known to them, either a partner or relative.

Anybody purporting to care about protecting women might start there.
August 4, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Reposted by Mike Truman
Are you curious about the origins of Gladstone’s Library and would like a sneak peek at the famous Reading Rooms? And are you a National Lottery player?

1/3
August 1, 2025 at 9:02 PM
Reposted by Mike Truman
'If you do write a nonfiction book, make sure it’s “giftable”. Preferably to Dads, because no one knows what to buy for Dads.' Absolutely loved this mixture of after-the-event(s) reflection and free advice from @helenlewis.bsky.social
The Bluestocking 379: The economics of writing a book
Infinite scroll means infinite ad inventory
helenlewis.substack.com
August 1, 2025 at 5:18 PM
I just verified my age by shouting “Crackerjack!”

NB, this post is also an age verification test…
I've just verified my age by saying "I've set it to tape Crown Court"
I've just verified my age by referring to the train to London as "the InterCity 125"
July 25, 2025 at 9:44 PM
Reposted by Mike Truman
Whenever I post about Gaza / Palestine, it's pretty clear a lot of people don't hear about what the UK government actually say & do - especially when it's on the world stage, like at the UN or other international orgs.

So I thought I'd make a simple thread to post links as things happen.

1/
July 23, 2025 at 9:28 PM
Reposted by Mike Truman
A UK wealth tax sounds simple: "tax the super‑rich, fund public services"

But it's not.

Our 16,000 word deep‑dive shows revenues are fragile, it puts growth, investment and jobs at risk, and there's no revenue before 2029.

Here’s the evidence:
July 22, 2025 at 8:15 AM
Reposted by Mike Truman
That's the problem with those Cessna Citations, as soon as they see a sheep, they chase.
July 22, 2025 at 12:41 PM
Reposted by Mike Truman
This is something I’ve observed among the more pro-Israel members of my Jewish family. Their media consumption means that they truly do not understand why it isn’t the 1970’s anymore and a whole generation of Americans, right and left, will not look at the state of Israel in the same way.
I really do not think many of the pro-Israel Jewish folks understand just how much Israel will never be seen the same again.

From liberal Zionist to far right, many exist in a media bubble, and have a mistaken impression they are the mainstream.

They are increasingly in an alternate universe.
July 22, 2025 at 12:53 PM
Reposted by Mike Truman
Labour must be candid with the public that current expectations for what the state can provide are inconsistent with the tax regime that the voting public seem to want. They must also choose which of public service provision or their tax commitments they are willing to sacrifice. Choices are stark.
July 15, 2025 at 10:22 PM
@benaaronovitch.bsky.social Just read the first sentence in Chapter 4 of #RiversofLondon Stone and Sky. No spoilers, but - how COULD you… 😭
July 3, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Reposted by Mike Truman
Lots of young street trees in London are suffering and dying in these hot/dry conditions. If you live near a young street tree, give it a bucket of water today!
Cycling on a hot and humid day like this, you definitely notice the streets with trees. Planting trees in cities might not be a climate mitigation strategy but it’s definitely an adaptation one.
June 30, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Reposted by Mike Truman
A bird in the hand is worth a two-month ban from the zoo.
July 1, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Reposted by Mike Truman
Anyone I know near Swindon - I'll be doing a show at Christ Church Swindon this Friday...
Bums on seats, laddy, bums on seats!
ccccswindon.co.uk/page/posts/384
Paul Kerensa Comedy Evening | Community Centre @ Christ Church
Paul Kerensa Comedy Evening | Community Centre @ Christ Church
ccccswindon.co.uk
June 30, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Reposted by Mike Truman
In the southern part of the UK today, where us Brits can't cope with hot weather, I am officially announcing that today is...

...FLYING ANT DAY!!
June 29, 2025 at 12:36 PM
Reposted by Mike Truman
As you can imagine it's been a difficult few years for me. I won't be online a lot over the next few days (obviously) but if you're a praying person please do keep everyone affected by this in your prayers. www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
BBC Radio 4 - File on 4 Investigates, File on 4 Investigates: Stalker in the Church
An investigation into a stalking campaign by a female Church of England preacher.
www.bbc.co.uk
June 29, 2025 at 10:47 AM
Reposted by Mike Truman
It's a misread of public opinion to see opposition to Israel as a woke metro elite thing (though progressives care about it a lot more).

In a recent YG poll just 12% thought Israel's actions in Gaza were justified.
June 29, 2025 at 7:43 AM
Reposted by Mike Truman
Thanks for the reminder @janemunday.bsky.social. Every summer, I repost this article DROWNING DOES NOT LOOK LIKE DROWNING. To date, I know of FOUR kids who were saved after someone who'd clicked on the link learnt how to spot actual drowning. Take time to read and pass on.

slate.com/technology/2...
Drowning Doesn’t Look Like Drowning
Drowning is not the violent, splashing call for help that most people expect.
slate.com
June 19, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Reposted by Mike Truman
Amputee Inspires Others Not To Lose Limbs
theonion.com/amputee...
June 28, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Reposted by Mike Truman
US Supreme Court at work
June 27, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Reposted by Mike Truman
And people wonder why legislation is so badly drafted. Perhaps Reynolds is looking to create work for employment lawyers?
June 27, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Reposted by Mike Truman
Alas my Notts gig on Sat 5 July has had to cancel.

In related news, I'm now available on Sat 5 July (next weekend) and keen to do a show somewhere. Anyone for a last-minute (discounted!) booking?

Stand-up, BBC origins show, quiz night, singalong - open to ideas (except that, you filthy sort)
June 26, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Reposted by Mike Truman
“I’ll have a look in a second”

Translation: Go away.
June 26, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Reposted by Mike Truman
Happy 122 birthday to George Orwell.
"Twelve voices were shouting in anger, and they were all alike... The creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again: but already it was impossible to say which was which."
Animal Farm, illustrated by Ralph Stead.
June 25, 2025 at 12:33 PM