Mike Cookson 🔶 🇪🇺🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
@mikecookson.bsky.social
Husband, Father, Son and Local Liberal Democrat Councillor for, Ouseburn Ward in Newcastle upon Tyne.
Imprint, promoted by the Liberal Democrats, 1 Vincent Square, SW1P 2PN.
Imprint, promoted by the Liberal Democrats, 1 Vincent Square, SW1P 2PN.
Newcastle City Council have announced some funding to improve three play areas across the City, including at the City Stadium in #Ouseburn Ward. They have launched their initial consultation;
forms.office.com/e/0nFYSfrad9
And are keen to hear from parents and children about what they want.
forms.office.com/e/0nFYSfrad9
And are keen to hear from parents and children about what they want.
November 10, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Newcastle City Council have announced some funding to improve three play areas across the City, including at the City Stadium in #Ouseburn Ward. They have launched their initial consultation;
forms.office.com/e/0nFYSfrad9
And are keen to hear from parents and children about what they want.
forms.office.com/e/0nFYSfrad9
And are keen to hear from parents and children about what they want.
👀
Just had advance notice of a road closure on upper City Road in January; one.network?tm=GB146514863
The location and description would suggest this is for a long awaited demolition project ❔
Just had advance notice of a road closure on upper City Road in January; one.network?tm=GB146514863
The location and description would suggest this is for a long awaited demolition project ❔
November 10, 2025 at 8:15 PM
👀
Just had advance notice of a road closure on upper City Road in January; one.network?tm=GB146514863
The location and description would suggest this is for a long awaited demolition project ❔
Just had advance notice of a road closure on upper City Road in January; one.network?tm=GB146514863
The location and description would suggest this is for a long awaited demolition project ❔
Reposted by Mike Cookson 🔶 🇪🇺🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
A free, independent BBC is vital to a free, informed democracy.
Don’t let Trump’s America become Farage’s Britain.
Don’t let Trump’s America become Farage’s Britain.
November 9, 2025 at 5:15 PM
A free, independent BBC is vital to a free, informed democracy.
Don’t let Trump’s America become Farage’s Britain.
Don’t let Trump’s America become Farage’s Britain.
Reposted by Mike Cookson 🔶 🇪🇺🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
Incredibly sobering post but do bear this section in mind when you hear Chris Philp and Robert Jenrick getting on their high horse...
November 9, 2025 at 9:51 AM
Incredibly sobering post but do bear this section in mind when you hear Chris Philp and Robert Jenrick getting on their high horse...
I worked at Drax when they were first starting on the biomass project.
At that time the co-firing was with genuine waste wood, and other biomass, including peanut husks.
How they got from there to here is a real indictment of the slow pace of rolling out renewables and how our energy market works.
At that time the co-firing was with genuine waste wood, and other biomass, including peanut husks.
How they got from there to here is a real indictment of the slow pace of rolling out renewables and how our energy market works.
Simple rule: Stop setting carbon on fire to make energy. It ain't sustainable.
Drax still burning 250-year-old trees sourced from forests in Canada, experts say
Exclusive: report by Stand.earth says subsidiary of power plant received truckloads of whole logs at biomass pellet sites
www.theguardian.com
November 9, 2025 at 4:40 PM
I worked at Drax when they were first starting on the biomass project.
At that time the co-firing was with genuine waste wood, and other biomass, including peanut husks.
How they got from there to here is a real indictment of the slow pace of rolling out renewables and how our energy market works.
At that time the co-firing was with genuine waste wood, and other biomass, including peanut husks.
How they got from there to here is a real indictment of the slow pace of rolling out renewables and how our energy market works.
Reposted by Mike Cookson 🔶 🇪🇺🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
We can’t afford to do what every other country did years ago for our railways, but people need to drive their kids to school in a tank
Govt scraps all electrification investment. Midland Main Line to stay forever diesel Leicester Nottingham Derby Sheffield. Hugely embarrassing and inexplicable
www.ft.com/content/5ecd...
www.ft.com/content/5ecd...
UK transport secretary says full electrification of railways ‘not affordable right now’
Heidi Alexander says focus will be on other projects such as HS2
www.ft.com
November 9, 2025 at 8:05 AM
We can’t afford to do what every other country did years ago for our railways, but people need to drive their kids to school in a tank
When I was first elected to represent #Ouseburn Ward, I was so conscious of its reputation as a cool place to live, work and play.
I've loved learning how three various stakeholders in the Valley all work together to keep it that way.
And to have, in a small way played a part in that.
Cont.
I've loved learning how three various stakeholders in the Valley all work together to keep it that way.
And to have, in a small way played a part in that.
Cont.
November 9, 2025 at 8:24 AM
When I was first elected to represent #Ouseburn Ward, I was so conscious of its reputation as a cool place to live, work and play.
I've loved learning how three various stakeholders in the Valley all work together to keep it that way.
And to have, in a small way played a part in that.
Cont.
I've loved learning how three various stakeholders in the Valley all work together to keep it that way.
And to have, in a small way played a part in that.
Cont.
Love the Tyneside, especially at night.
November 8, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Love the Tyneside, especially at night.
Incredibly naive.
Basically kills off any career path for Over Head Line teams.
The industry will down skill to repair and maintenance alone.
Kills off any investment or innovation in OLE too.
Bet they announce a new road or airport expansion within a month.
Basically kills off any career path for Over Head Line teams.
The industry will down skill to repair and maintenance alone.
Kills off any investment or innovation in OLE too.
Bet they announce a new road or airport expansion within a month.
Govt scraps all electrification investment. Midland Main Line to stay forever diesel Leicester Nottingham Derby Sheffield. Hugely embarrassing and inexplicable
www.ft.com/content/5ecd...
www.ft.com/content/5ecd...
UK transport secretary says full electrification of railways ‘not affordable right now’
Heidi Alexander says focus will be on other projects such as HS2
www.ft.com
November 8, 2025 at 1:17 PM
Incredibly naive.
Basically kills off any career path for Over Head Line teams.
The industry will down skill to repair and maintenance alone.
Kills off any investment or innovation in OLE too.
Bet they announce a new road or airport expansion within a month.
Basically kills off any career path for Over Head Line teams.
The industry will down skill to repair and maintenance alone.
Kills off any investment or innovation in OLE too.
Bet they announce a new road or airport expansion within a month.
This was one of the main thrusts, albeit not the inspiration, for my Notice of Motion to Newcastle City Council last week.
democracy.newcastle.gov.uk/documents/s2...
Unfortunately, despite cross party support from the opposition, the Labour Party voted against delivering on their own strategy🤷
democracy.newcastle.gov.uk/documents/s2...
Unfortunately, despite cross party support from the opposition, the Labour Party voted against delivering on their own strategy🤷
November 8, 2025 at 1:12 PM
This was one of the main thrusts, albeit not the inspiration, for my Notice of Motion to Newcastle City Council last week.
democracy.newcastle.gov.uk/documents/s2...
Unfortunately, despite cross party support from the opposition, the Labour Party voted against delivering on their own strategy🤷
democracy.newcastle.gov.uk/documents/s2...
Unfortunately, despite cross party support from the opposition, the Labour Party voted against delivering on their own strategy🤷
Wow, what a surprise.
Hopefully by the time of next year's all up elections in Newcastle, voters will have realised that the only thing you can rely on Reform to actually do, is not deliver on their election manifesto.
Hopefully by the time of next year's all up elections in Newcastle, voters will have realised that the only thing you can rely on Reform to actually do, is not deliver on their election manifesto.
Reform not planning to scrap 'work from home' for Lincolnshire council staff
The party had previously claimed getting staff in the office would boost productivity
The party had previously claimed getting staff in the office would boost productivity
Reform not planning to scrap 'work from home' for Lincolnshire council staff | Lincolnshire Live
The party had previously claimed getting staff in the office would boost productivity
www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk
November 8, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Wow, what a surprise.
Hopefully by the time of next year's all up elections in Newcastle, voters will have realised that the only thing you can rely on Reform to actually do, is not deliver on their election manifesto.
Hopefully by the time of next year's all up elections in Newcastle, voters will have realised that the only thing you can rely on Reform to actually do, is not deliver on their election manifesto.
Labour are not anyone's friends, not nature, not humans, just money.
Swifts have declined 70% since 1994.
They fly from Africa to breed here, only to find we've blocked their nest sites.
A £35 swift brick nest box was proposed for all new buildings.
The construction industry lobbied Labour to block it.
Biodiversity sustains life. Labour sustains economic power.
They fly from Africa to breed here, only to find we've blocked their nest sites.
A £35 swift brick nest box was proposed for all new buildings.
The construction industry lobbied Labour to block it.
Biodiversity sustains life. Labour sustains economic power.
November 8, 2025 at 8:51 AM
Labour are not anyone's friends, not nature, not humans, just money.
Reposted by Mike Cookson 🔶 🇪🇺🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
Public transport rarely stops outside your home or final destination. The first and last mile walking or cycling is so much more pleasant, quieter and safer with a default urban/village 20mph limit.
#20splenty for less noise, cheaper insurance premiums and 25% fewer people killed or injured.
#20splenty for less noise, cheaper insurance premiums and 25% fewer people killed or injured.
November 8, 2025 at 7:07 AM
Public transport rarely stops outside your home or final destination. The first and last mile walking or cycling is so much more pleasant, quieter and safer with a default urban/village 20mph limit.
#20splenty for less noise, cheaper insurance premiums and 25% fewer people killed or injured.
#20splenty for less noise, cheaper insurance premiums and 25% fewer people killed or injured.
Reposted by Mike Cookson 🔶 🇪🇺🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
“It feels like Brexit déjà vu, the same hollow promises of taking back control, the same disregard for facts, the same blindness to consequence.”
Paul Kohler speaks out as Reform and the Conservatives push to scrap the ECHR.
@paulkohlersw19.bsky.social
Paul Kohler speaks out as Reform and the Conservatives push to scrap the ECHR.
@paulkohlersw19.bsky.social
November 7, 2025 at 3:45 PM
“It feels like Brexit déjà vu, the same hollow promises of taking back control, the same disregard for facts, the same blindness to consequence.”
Paul Kohler speaks out as Reform and the Conservatives push to scrap the ECHR.
@paulkohlersw19.bsky.social
Paul Kohler speaks out as Reform and the Conservatives push to scrap the ECHR.
@paulkohlersw19.bsky.social
Reposted by Mike Cookson 🔶 🇪🇺🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
"Not TV or illegal drugs but the automobile has been the chief destroyer of...communities." ― Jane Jacobs
November 7, 2025 at 11:59 AM
"Not TV or illegal drugs but the automobile has been the chief destroyer of...communities." ― Jane Jacobs
Really productive and informative meeting with Officers this morning about Manors Station. Looking forward to the first phase of the improvements to the station, and hopefully that, and adjacent developments will start to unlock the potential there.
November 7, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Really productive and informative meeting with Officers this morning about Manors Station. Looking forward to the first phase of the improvements to the station, and hopefully that, and adjacent developments will start to unlock the potential there.
Reposted by Mike Cookson 🔶 🇪🇺🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
There are twice as many referrals to Prevent for far right extremists than there are for Islamist extremists.
I'm sure GB News will be all over this...
Just you wait...
...
I'm sure GB News will be all over this...
Just you wait...
...
November 6, 2025 at 9:39 PM
There are twice as many referrals to Prevent for far right extremists than there are for Islamist extremists.
I'm sure GB News will be all over this...
Just you wait...
...
I'm sure GB News will be all over this...
Just you wait...
...
Reposted by Mike Cookson 🔶 🇪🇺🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
The Great Debate, circa 1434.
November 7, 2025 at 3:45 AM
The Great Debate, circa 1434.
Reposted by Mike Cookson 🔶 🇪🇺🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
73% of Copenhageners don’t own a car, and the city has made huge strides reclaiming public space for people that had been previously surrendered to cars. Now candidates in the upcoming city election want to prioritize “car storage” again. Not surprisingly, @colville-andersen.com isn’t holding back.
Debunking political myths about car #parking in #copenhagen #kv25 #cities #cars
YouTube video by Coolville feat.:The Life-Sized City
www.youtube.com
November 6, 2025 at 5:57 AM
73% of Copenhageners don’t own a car, and the city has made huge strides reclaiming public space for people that had been previously surrendered to cars. Now candidates in the upcoming city election want to prioritize “car storage” again. Not surprisingly, @colville-andersen.com isn’t holding back.
Reposted by Mike Cookson 🔶 🇪🇺🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
One day this social media exchange will be presented as evidence in a court room, and I cannot wait.
November 5, 2025 at 9:16 PM
One day this social media exchange will be presented as evidence in a court room, and I cannot wait.
Really pleased to have been able to spend some of the Section 106 Money on the installation of Christmas Lights in the trees around Lime Street in the Ouseburn Valley.
Looking forward to the switch on at 6pm and Christmas Market tomorrow (Friday) night. The team have worked so hard.
4pm to 10pm
Looking forward to the switch on at 6pm and Christmas Market tomorrow (Friday) night. The team have worked so hard.
4pm to 10pm
November 6, 2025 at 9:07 PM
Really pleased to have been able to spend some of the Section 106 Money on the installation of Christmas Lights in the trees around Lime Street in the Ouseburn Valley.
Looking forward to the switch on at 6pm and Christmas Market tomorrow (Friday) night. The team have worked so hard.
4pm to 10pm
Looking forward to the switch on at 6pm and Christmas Market tomorrow (Friday) night. The team have worked so hard.
4pm to 10pm
Reposted by Mike Cookson 🔶 🇪🇺🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
Or, you know, they could stop the freeze on fuel duty?
New taxes without announcing any additional support will scupper switch to EVs, insiders warn
➡️ Read more: trib.al/zsSrGqd
➡️ Read more: trib.al/zsSrGqd
November 6, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Or, you know, they could stop the freeze on fuel duty?
Reposted by Mike Cookson 🔶 🇪🇺🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
Big, bold promises are easy in opposition, not so easy to deliver - Farage is finding this out now. £90 billion of tax cuts have just gone up in smoke - that’s a massive number and shows how massively out of touch with reality - Reform actually are.
November 6, 2025 at 9:33 AM
Big, bold promises are easy in opposition, not so easy to deliver - Farage is finding this out now. £90 billion of tax cuts have just gone up in smoke - that’s a massive number and shows how massively out of touch with reality - Reform actually are.
Reposted by Mike Cookson 🔶 🇪🇺🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
People and organisations on Twitter might not be radicalised themselves. But by being on Twitter, they attract and keep others on the platform and *they* are becoming radicalised. We need a mass exodus of big accounts.
Vital piece of investigative reporting from Sky. They've uncovered the X algorithm which feeds users extremist right wing material from the moment they join the site. It is a far-right radicalisation engine, by design.
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
Elon Musk is boosting the British right - and this shows how
Elon Musk is boosting the British right - and this shows how
news.sky.com
November 6, 2025 at 7:35 AM
People and organisations on Twitter might not be radicalised themselves. But by being on Twitter, they attract and keep others on the platform and *they* are becoming radicalised. We need a mass exodus of big accounts.
Reposted by Mike Cookson 🔶 🇪🇺🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
If this is what happens when Reform runs a council, just imagine Farage running the country.
Care homes closed and vulnerable people abandoned.
We cannot let Trump’s America become Farage’s Britain.
Care homes closed and vulnerable people abandoned.
We cannot let Trump’s America become Farage’s Britain.
November 5, 2025 at 9:09 PM
If this is what happens when Reform runs a council, just imagine Farage running the country.
Care homes closed and vulnerable people abandoned.
We cannot let Trump’s America become Farage’s Britain.
Care homes closed and vulnerable people abandoned.
We cannot let Trump’s America become Farage’s Britain.