Nick Bowes
@nickbowes.bsky.social
Northerner in SE London
Politics. Football. Cats. Tinned Red Salmon. Baking. Accordion. Travel. Alan Partridge. HP Sauce. Gardening. Vintage shops. Yorkshire Tea.
Let’s disagree but do so politely and with humour
Politics. Football. Cats. Tinned Red Salmon. Baking. Accordion. Travel. Alan Partridge. HP Sauce. Gardening. Vintage shops. Yorkshire Tea.
Let’s disagree but do so politely and with humour
There’s something seriously rotten in the culture at Charing Cross police station. This isn’t the first time. It needs lancing. I’d shut it down and empty out the building. Start from scratch. Brave undercover reporting by the BBC www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Secret BBC filming exposes hidden culture of racism and misogyny inside Met Police
Panorama undercover investigation captures evidence that
www.bbc.co.uk
October 2, 2025 at 7:14 AM
There’s something seriously rotten in the culture at Charing Cross police station. This isn’t the first time. It needs lancing. I’d shut it down and empty out the building. Start from scratch. Brave undercover reporting by the BBC www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
1/ Everyone will have views on Sadiq Khan's time as @london.gov.uk, but if there's one thing he's (successfully, in my view) tried to be is a Mayor that represents the global, diverse, liberal & tolerant city that London is
September 24, 2025 at 7:18 AM
1/ Everyone will have views on Sadiq Khan's time as @london.gov.uk, but if there's one thing he's (successfully, in my view) tried to be is a Mayor that represents the global, diverse, liberal & tolerant city that London is
The ramblings of a mad fool - unfortunately for us, he's the in charge of the most powerful nation on earth www.standard.co.uk/news/london/...
Trump attacks Khan at UN and claims London 'wants to go to Sharia law'
US President reignites feud with Khan while Health Secretary Wes Streeting hits back at his claims
www.standard.co.uk
September 23, 2025 at 3:33 PM
The ramblings of a mad fool - unfortunately for us, he's the in charge of the most powerful nation on earth www.standard.co.uk/news/london/...
Had an altercation with a stolen Lime bike. Shattered my wrist. But still managed to pen a piece for @davehillonlondon.bsky.social on what I found out about the big gaps in regulation. A public policy geek is never off duty, even when sat in A&E nursing broken bones.
The problems with Lime bikes in #london aren't getting any better. Ask @nickbowes.bsky.social who has the broken bones to prove it: www.onlondon.co.uk/nick-bowes-s... #cycling @jim.londoncentric.media
Nick Bowes: Sub prime Lime
The e-bike company can't be bothered, rules are too weak and when the rider of a stolen one puts you in hospital there's not much you can do
www.onlondon.co.uk
September 18, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Had an altercation with a stolen Lime bike. Shattered my wrist. But still managed to pen a piece for @davehillonlondon.bsky.social on what I found out about the big gaps in regulation. A public policy geek is never off duty, even when sat in A&E nursing broken bones.
Honestly, this drives me insane. I’m wired in such a way that I just can’t cycle through red lights. I just wish others were too www.thetimes.com/uk/transport...
Riders of rental e-bikes most likely to run red lights
A study found up to half of e-bike riders, e-scooter riders and cyclists ignored traffic signals at junctions in London, Manchester and Glasgow last month
www.thetimes.com
September 4, 2025 at 10:20 AM
Honestly, this drives me insane. I’m wired in such a way that I just can’t cycle through red lights. I just wish others were too www.thetimes.com/uk/transport...
Wrote something on this week’s No10 changes. Born out of my simmering anger at the continued & repeated mess at the heart of the Labour govt. It’s bad enough Labour were ill-prepared in July 2024 for govt - to continue to be so 14 months on is just negligent
www.linkedin.com/posts/dr-nic...
www.linkedin.com/posts/dr-nic...
When I'm 63
Yesterday, Keir Starmer refreshed the No 10 operation - perhaps to get it out the way before his 63rd birthday. Because, despite the spin to the contrary, yesterday demonstrated that ...
When I'm 63
Yesterday, Keir Starmer refreshed the No 10 operation - perhaps to get it out the way before his 63rd birthday. Because, despite the spin to the contrary, yesterday demonstrated that not ...
www.linkedin.com
September 3, 2025 at 5:55 AM
Wrote something on this week’s No10 changes. Born out of my simmering anger at the continued & repeated mess at the heart of the Labour govt. It’s bad enough Labour were ill-prepared in July 2024 for govt - to continue to be so 14 months on is just negligent
www.linkedin.com/posts/dr-nic...
www.linkedin.com/posts/dr-nic...
Glad to see that I beat President Trump to being awarded Freedom of the City of London. Can't wait to see him shepherd his sheep over London Bridge www.cityam.com/president-do...
President Donald Trump could be given Freedom of the City of London
President Donald Trump could be offered the Freedom of the City of London as part of a charm offensive to help make the case against tariffs.
www.cityam.com
August 5, 2025 at 8:43 AM
Glad to see that I beat President Trump to being awarded Freedom of the City of London. Can't wait to see him shepherd his sheep over London Bridge www.cityam.com/president-do...
YouGov on it today with the big issues of our time -
DO YOU LIKE OR DISLIKE THE SMELL OF PETROL?
DO YOU LIKE OR DISLIKE THE SMELL OF PETROL?
August 5, 2025 at 8:40 AM
YouGov on it today with the big issues of our time -
DO YOU LIKE OR DISLIKE THE SMELL OF PETROL?
DO YOU LIKE OR DISLIKE THE SMELL OF PETROL?
1/ Overnight London by-election result 🚨Reform win a seat from the Tories in Bromley - the shape of things to come in outer London boroughs at next May's local elections? #byelection #London #Bromley
July 25, 2025 at 8:57 AM
1/ Overnight London by-election result 🚨Reform win a seat from the Tories in Bromley - the shape of things to come in outer London boroughs at next May's local elections? #byelection #London #Bromley
In the same spirit (but better than mine!) here’s @iandunt.bsky.social’s take down of brainwashed Goodwin’s piece on London iandunt.substack.com/p/they-hate-...
June 28, 2025 at 3:17 AM
In the same spirit (but better than mine!) here’s @iandunt.bsky.social’s take down of brainwashed Goodwin’s piece on London iandunt.substack.com/p/they-hate-...
A bit of London boosterism from me in this week's
@thisislca.bsky.social LDN Newsletter. Don't forget to sign up (link at the end) to receive LDN direct to your inbox every week - the indispensable guide to London's politics & public policy news that matters for the built environment...and more!
@thisislca.bsky.social LDN Newsletter. Don't forget to sign up (link at the end) to receive LDN direct to your inbox every week - the indispensable guide to London's politics & public policy news that matters for the built environment...and more!
Reports of London's Demise are Greatly Exaggerated
Writing off London is suddenly fashionable. Some is transparently political – doom-laden variation on the theme of “Khan’s London”.
linkedin.com
June 27, 2025 at 7:46 AM
A bit of London boosterism from me in this week's
@thisislca.bsky.social LDN Newsletter. Don't forget to sign up (link at the end) to receive LDN direct to your inbox every week - the indispensable guide to London's politics & public policy news that matters for the built environment...and more!
@thisislca.bsky.social LDN Newsletter. Don't forget to sign up (link at the end) to receive LDN direct to your inbox every week - the indispensable guide to London's politics & public policy news that matters for the built environment...and more!
More evidence, if needed, that the @greenparty.org.uk is now the progressive alternative for disgruntled @teamlabouruk.bsky.social voters in inner London. Next May’s local elections in London have all the ingredients of a bloody night for Labour
June 27, 2025 at 6:23 AM
More evidence, if needed, that the @greenparty.org.uk is now the progressive alternative for disgruntled @teamlabouruk.bsky.social voters in inner London. Next May’s local elections in London have all the ingredients of a bloody night for Labour
RIP Lalo Schifrin. So many cool scores and themes but nothing beats the combo of his music, the throaty roar of a Mustang and the San Francisco backdrop. Ladies & gents I give you the coolest car chase in movie history #Bullitt #LaloSchifrin
Bullitt | The Car Chase | Full Scene | Warner Classics
YouTube video by Warner Bros. Classics
youtu.be
June 27, 2025 at 6:15 AM
RIP Lalo Schifrin. So many cool scores and themes but nothing beats the combo of his music, the throaty roar of a Mustang and the San Francisco backdrop. Ladies & gents I give you the coolest car chase in movie history #Bullitt #LaloSchifrin
How to lose political support and alienate people - Exhibit #1
June 26, 2025 at 4:37 AM
How to lose political support and alienate people - Exhibit #1
He shouldn’t have taken a peerage AND do this job. He needs to pick one or the other. I’ve worked in/around this world for a few years now, and ‘external affairs’ includes advocacy and influencing of decision-makers despite what ACOBA might say. It’s wrong to be a legislator and a lobbyist.
Tory peer Liam Booth-Smith takes job at AI firm he encountered at No 10
Rishi Sunak’s ex-chief of staff lands role at Anthropic, which has memorandum of understanding on working with government
www.theguardian.com
June 25, 2025 at 5:41 AM
He shouldn’t have taken a peerage AND do this job. He needs to pick one or the other. I’ve worked in/around this world for a few years now, and ‘external affairs’ includes advocacy and influencing of decision-makers despite what ACOBA might say. It’s wrong to be a legislator and a lobbyist.
Oh man. Looks like London AND New York will have Muslim mayors soon. I cannot imagine how frenzied some on the right will be at this prospect. Cue lots of “New York is fallen…” etc etc blah blah
June 25, 2025 at 5:26 AM
Oh man. Looks like London AND New York will have Muslim mayors soon. I cannot imagine how frenzied some on the right will be at this prospect. Cue lots of “New York is fallen…” etc etc blah blah
🚨 Batshit Telegraph headline of the day 🚨 ‘Woman dead for nearly 100 years wouldn’t recognise today’s London’ shocker
June 22, 2025 at 11:06 AM
🚨 Batshit Telegraph headline of the day 🚨 ‘Woman dead for nearly 100 years wouldn’t recognise today’s London’ shocker
Of course, there won't be any meaningful reform of Council Tax, perhaps the most broken of all taxes. Instead, the Government will place more burden on it, stretching it to breaking point. Oh, and look! A quote from IPPR North - we know what that is code for... www.gov.uk/government/n...
Fairer funding for councils across the country in major reform
An overhaul of the outdated and complex council system will bring fairer funding, more stability and improve lives of people across the county
www.gov.uk
June 20, 2025 at 12:13 PM
Of course, there won't be any meaningful reform of Council Tax, perhaps the most broken of all taxes. Instead, the Government will place more burden on it, stretching it to breaking point. Oh, and look! A quote from IPPR North - we know what that is code for... www.gov.uk/government/n...
Pity. They'd have made a big difference in Pawtcullis House www.standard.co.uk/news/politic...
Cats ruled out for parliamentary pest patrols over welfare concerns
Free roaming felines have been rejected as potential pest controllers in Westminster because of concerns for their safety.
www.standard.co.uk
June 20, 2025 at 11:40 AM
Pity. They'd have made a big difference in Pawtcullis House www.standard.co.uk/news/politic...
Much to say about the Spending Review, but first - when did a third runway at Heathrow and completing HS2 to Euston become "London" projects? Rather cheeky spin by the Government in my opinion
June 11, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Much to say about the Spending Review, but first - when did a third runway at Heathrow and completing HS2 to Euston become "London" projects? Rather cheeky spin by the Government in my opinion
Every political activist is with you, @anneliesemidgleymp.bsky.social 💪🏼✉️📮
June 11, 2025 at 7:19 AM
Every political activist is with you, @anneliesemidgleymp.bsky.social 💪🏼✉️📮
Charles is of course right. The Government can kiss goodbye to getting anywhere near the new housing target they're setting London if the rumours about what is (or, more importantly, isn't) in the Spending Review for London.
Key point here from @nickbowes.bsky.social TfL already covers day to day costs and some capital. Maybe the spending review will sanction a Northern line extension funding model for DLR? Plus loan guarantees to unlock approved but stalled homes? No investment = gvt new homes target missed.
It is mad that a city the size of London has to go cap in hand to the Government for £1bn to extend for a few miles the DLR. London (and all regions) should be able to raise and retain more of its own taxes and decide how it invests.
June 10, 2025 at 12:56 PM
Charles is of course right. The Government can kiss goodbye to getting anywhere near the new housing target they're setting London if the rumours about what is (or, more importantly, isn't) in the Spending Review for London.
More red-on-red in this morning's @politico.com Playbook - this time, suggesting London will lose the Shared Prosperity Fund - the Government fund (that replaced EU money) to tackle geographical inequalities. Warning: rant ahead!
June 10, 2025 at 8:10 AM
More red-on-red in this morning's @politico.com Playbook - this time, suggesting London will lose the Shared Prosperity Fund - the Government fund (that replaced EU money) to tackle geographical inequalities. Warning: rant ahead!
Worrying reading from this morning's @politico.com Playbook - sounds like there's now a big risk of London not even getting some crumbs off the Spending Review table
June 9, 2025 at 7:37 AM
Worrying reading from this morning's @politico.com Playbook - sounds like there's now a big risk of London not even getting some crumbs off the Spending Review table