Nick Hollinghurst
@nickhollinghurst.bsky.social
From: Birkenhead
Former: Scientist, export salesman, politician
Current: Politician, humanist, elderly retired man
Interests: people, travel, good food, reading
Languages: English, Deutsch, Cymraeg, French, bits of others
Member: National Liberal Club
Former: Scientist, export salesman, politician
Current: Politician, humanist, elderly retired man
Interests: people, travel, good food, reading
Languages: English, Deutsch, Cymraeg, French, bits of others
Member: National Liberal Club
Best way to INCREASE GROWTH is to INCREASE BENEFITS!
Low-income households on benefits typically spend nearly all additional income rapidly, injecting cash into the economy & boosting demand. So sales increase, more people are hired & investment rises.
A "multiplier" stimulating the whole economy.
Low-income households on benefits typically spend nearly all additional income rapidly, injecting cash into the economy & boosting demand. So sales increase, more people are hired & investment rises.
A "multiplier" stimulating the whole economy.
November 12, 2025 at 1:36 PM
Best way to INCREASE GROWTH is to INCREASE BENEFITS!
Low-income households on benefits typically spend nearly all additional income rapidly, injecting cash into the economy & boosting demand. So sales increase, more people are hired & investment rises.
A "multiplier" stimulating the whole economy.
Low-income households on benefits typically spend nearly all additional income rapidly, injecting cash into the economy & boosting demand. So sales increase, more people are hired & investment rises.
A "multiplier" stimulating the whole economy.
The main reason why millions of working people have to claim benefits from the government is because their wages & salaries are TOO LOW.
The second reason is that shareholders, owners & directors of the companies that employ them are being paid TOO MUCH
The third reason is that rents are TOO HIGH
The second reason is that shareholders, owners & directors of the companies that employ them are being paid TOO MUCH
The third reason is that rents are TOO HIGH
November 6, 2025 at 9:27 PM
The main reason why millions of working people have to claim benefits from the government is because their wages & salaries are TOO LOW.
The second reason is that shareholders, owners & directors of the companies that employ them are being paid TOO MUCH
The third reason is that rents are TOO HIGH
The second reason is that shareholders, owners & directors of the companies that employ them are being paid TOO MUCH
The third reason is that rents are TOO HIGH
UK needs a cap on political donations. UK needs to stop overseas donors hiding behind anonymous trusts, private companies or Limited Liability Partnerships. HMRC needs access to accounts in overseas Crown Dependencies or Colonies and beneficial ownership disclosure anywhere when UK politics involved
October 28, 2025 at 11:07 PM
UK needs a cap on political donations. UK needs to stop overseas donors hiding behind anonymous trusts, private companies or Limited Liability Partnerships. HMRC needs access to accounts in overseas Crown Dependencies or Colonies and beneficial ownership disclosure anywhere when UK politics involved
Calling all Americans! The clocks go back this weekend.
Whatever time zone you reside in... put your clocks back to 1933 - for the next 4 years (and possibly 8)
Whatever time zone you reside in... put your clocks back to 1933 - for the next 4 years (and possibly 8)
October 26, 2025 at 12:16 PM
Calling all Americans! The clocks go back this weekend.
Whatever time zone you reside in... put your clocks back to 1933 - for the next 4 years (and possibly 8)
Whatever time zone you reside in... put your clocks back to 1933 - for the next 4 years (and possibly 8)
Congratulations to Plaid Cymru on a decisive victory in the Assembly election in Caerphilly on Thursday!
"Reform" are not friends of Wales, nor friends of Britain either!
They are a Trojan Horse for introducing the attitudes and ideas of MAGA across the whole of UK.
Together we are stopping them!
"Reform" are not friends of Wales, nor friends of Britain either!
They are a Trojan Horse for introducing the attitudes and ideas of MAGA across the whole of UK.
Together we are stopping them!
October 25, 2025 at 10:55 AM
Congratulations to Plaid Cymru on a decisive victory in the Assembly election in Caerphilly on Thursday!
"Reform" are not friends of Wales, nor friends of Britain either!
They are a Trojan Horse for introducing the attitudes and ideas of MAGA across the whole of UK.
Together we are stopping them!
"Reform" are not friends of Wales, nor friends of Britain either!
They are a Trojan Horse for introducing the attitudes and ideas of MAGA across the whole of UK.
Together we are stopping them!
Congratulations to Plaid Cymru on a decisive victory in the Assembly election in Caerphilly yesterday!
"Reform" are not friends of Wales, nor friends of Britain either!
They are a Trojan Horse for introducing the attitudes and ideas of MAGA across the whole of the UK.
Together are stopping them!
"Reform" are not friends of Wales, nor friends of Britain either!
They are a Trojan Horse for introducing the attitudes and ideas of MAGA across the whole of the UK.
Together are stopping them!
October 24, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Congratulations to Plaid Cymru on a decisive victory in the Assembly election in Caerphilly yesterday!
"Reform" are not friends of Wales, nor friends of Britain either!
They are a Trojan Horse for introducing the attitudes and ideas of MAGA across the whole of the UK.
Together are stopping them!
"Reform" are not friends of Wales, nor friends of Britain either!
They are a Trojan Horse for introducing the attitudes and ideas of MAGA across the whole of the UK.
Together are stopping them!
Llongyfarchiadau i Blaid Cymru ar eu buddugoliaeth bendant yn yr etholiad Senedd ddoe yn Nghaerfili! Chwara' teg.
Dydi Reform ddim yn ffrindiau Cymru - na ffrindiau Prydain chwaith! Ceffyl Troea ydynt ar gyfer y cyflwyniad o agweddau a syniadau MAGA i'r DU cyfan.
Gyda'n gilydd byddwn yn eu hatal.
Dydi Reform ddim yn ffrindiau Cymru - na ffrindiau Prydain chwaith! Ceffyl Troea ydynt ar gyfer y cyflwyniad o agweddau a syniadau MAGA i'r DU cyfan.
Gyda'n gilydd byddwn yn eu hatal.
October 24, 2025 at 12:06 PM
Llongyfarchiadau i Blaid Cymru ar eu buddugoliaeth bendant yn yr etholiad Senedd ddoe yn Nghaerfili! Chwara' teg.
Dydi Reform ddim yn ffrindiau Cymru - na ffrindiau Prydain chwaith! Ceffyl Troea ydynt ar gyfer y cyflwyniad o agweddau a syniadau MAGA i'r DU cyfan.
Gyda'n gilydd byddwn yn eu hatal.
Dydi Reform ddim yn ffrindiau Cymru - na ffrindiau Prydain chwaith! Ceffyl Troea ydynt ar gyfer y cyflwyniad o agweddau a syniadau MAGA i'r DU cyfan.
Gyda'n gilydd byddwn yn eu hatal.
UN is setting up a panel to provide robust independent scientific information on chemicals, waste and pollution. 100 countries met in Uruguay.
But US, Russia & Mid East nations "fiercely" pushed for this to focus on air pollution only and not on soil or ocean pollution so the funding is now in doubt
But US, Russia & Mid East nations "fiercely" pushed for this to focus on air pollution only and not on soil or ocean pollution so the funding is now in doubt
October 12, 2025 at 9:52 PM
UN is setting up a panel to provide robust independent scientific information on chemicals, waste and pollution. 100 countries met in Uruguay.
But US, Russia & Mid East nations "fiercely" pushed for this to focus on air pollution only and not on soil or ocean pollution so the funding is now in doubt
But US, Russia & Mid East nations "fiercely" pushed for this to focus on air pollution only and not on soil or ocean pollution so the funding is now in doubt
Dirty business, dirty oil, dirty tankers.
To finance its war against Ukraine by selling oil, Russia uses old tankers, often without valid registration or transponders and which swap (and spill) cargo at sea.
But using "crowdsourced" data, satellites, smart algorithms the West is tracking them down
To finance its war against Ukraine by selling oil, Russia uses old tankers, often without valid registration or transponders and which swap (and spill) cargo at sea.
But using "crowdsourced" data, satellites, smart algorithms the West is tracking them down
October 3, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Dirty business, dirty oil, dirty tankers.
To finance its war against Ukraine by selling oil, Russia uses old tankers, often without valid registration or transponders and which swap (and spill) cargo at sea.
But using "crowdsourced" data, satellites, smart algorithms the West is tracking them down
To finance its war against Ukraine by selling oil, Russia uses old tankers, often without valid registration or transponders and which swap (and spill) cargo at sea.
But using "crowdsourced" data, satellites, smart algorithms the West is tracking them down
BORIS WASTED A YEAR
UK has nuclear weapons and the ability to deploy them - plus considerable expertise in civil nuclear technology. As an EU member UK was a fully participating member of Euratom until Brexit.
PM Johnson overlooked this & a year was wasted negotiating a new agreement with Euratom.
UK has nuclear weapons and the ability to deploy them - plus considerable expertise in civil nuclear technology. As an EU member UK was a fully participating member of Euratom until Brexit.
PM Johnson overlooked this & a year was wasted negotiating a new agreement with Euratom.
September 30, 2025 at 9:17 PM
BORIS WASTED A YEAR
UK has nuclear weapons and the ability to deploy them - plus considerable expertise in civil nuclear technology. As an EU member UK was a fully participating member of Euratom until Brexit.
PM Johnson overlooked this & a year was wasted negotiating a new agreement with Euratom.
UK has nuclear weapons and the ability to deploy them - plus considerable expertise in civil nuclear technology. As an EU member UK was a fully participating member of Euratom until Brexit.
PM Johnson overlooked this & a year was wasted negotiating a new agreement with Euratom.
FUSION PROGRESS
UK's 40 year old fusion reactor, JET, near Oxford produced 69 MJ over 5.2 s in its final runs in Dec 2023.
Now at Caderache in Provence, a scaled-up version, ITER, is being built to a 2040 target.
At W Burton, near Nottingham, a spherical form of JET, STEP, is to be tested in 2030's.
UK's 40 year old fusion reactor, JET, near Oxford produced 69 MJ over 5.2 s in its final runs in Dec 2023.
Now at Caderache in Provence, a scaled-up version, ITER, is being built to a 2040 target.
At W Burton, near Nottingham, a spherical form of JET, STEP, is to be tested in 2030's.
September 30, 2025 at 12:22 PM
FUSION PROGRESS
UK's 40 year old fusion reactor, JET, near Oxford produced 69 MJ over 5.2 s in its final runs in Dec 2023.
Now at Caderache in Provence, a scaled-up version, ITER, is being built to a 2040 target.
At W Burton, near Nottingham, a spherical form of JET, STEP, is to be tested in 2030's.
UK's 40 year old fusion reactor, JET, near Oxford produced 69 MJ over 5.2 s in its final runs in Dec 2023.
Now at Caderache in Provence, a scaled-up version, ITER, is being built to a 2040 target.
At W Burton, near Nottingham, a spherical form of JET, STEP, is to be tested in 2030's.
Weather varies hour by hour. Climate varies year by year.
Bad storms, droughts & floods do happen & take lives - more & more often.
This Sept in Europe was mild but last year heavy storms & floods killed 8 in Cent Europe.
But Climate Change trend is clear & remorseless - unless we act to slow it.
Bad storms, droughts & floods do happen & take lives - more & more often.
This Sept in Europe was mild but last year heavy storms & floods killed 8 in Cent Europe.
But Climate Change trend is clear & remorseless - unless we act to slow it.
September 29, 2025 at 10:46 PM
Weather varies hour by hour. Climate varies year by year.
Bad storms, droughts & floods do happen & take lives - more & more often.
This Sept in Europe was mild but last year heavy storms & floods killed 8 in Cent Europe.
But Climate Change trend is clear & remorseless - unless we act to slow it.
Bad storms, droughts & floods do happen & take lives - more & more often.
This Sept in Europe was mild but last year heavy storms & floods killed 8 in Cent Europe.
But Climate Change trend is clear & remorseless - unless we act to slow it.
Den Haag (The Hague), capital of the Netherlands, is the first city in the world to ban advertisements promoting fossil fuel products and climate-damaging services.
However it does not cover political advertising by fossil fuel industries.
But it's a start! Well done, den Haag, for showing courage!
However it does not cover political advertising by fossil fuel industries.
But it's a start! Well done, den Haag, for showing courage!
September 29, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Den Haag (The Hague), capital of the Netherlands, is the first city in the world to ban advertisements promoting fossil fuel products and climate-damaging services.
However it does not cover political advertising by fossil fuel industries.
But it's a start! Well done, den Haag, for showing courage!
However it does not cover political advertising by fossil fuel industries.
But it's a start! Well done, den Haag, for showing courage!
From "Chemistry World" 07/2025.
Trump admin requesting a 75% cut in maths & physical sciences program of US National Science Foundation (an independent federal agency supporting science & engineering in US)
The supported research projects will fall from 9600 to 2300.
A blow against science globally!
Trump admin requesting a 75% cut in maths & physical sciences program of US National Science Foundation (an independent federal agency supporting science & engineering in US)
The supported research projects will fall from 9600 to 2300.
A blow against science globally!
September 13, 2025 at 12:29 PM
From "Chemistry World" 07/2025.
Trump admin requesting a 75% cut in maths & physical sciences program of US National Science Foundation (an independent federal agency supporting science & engineering in US)
The supported research projects will fall from 9600 to 2300.
A blow against science globally!
Trump admin requesting a 75% cut in maths & physical sciences program of US National Science Foundation (an independent federal agency supporting science & engineering in US)
The supported research projects will fall from 9600 to 2300.
A blow against science globally!
The 2023 Wind-an-Land Strategie of the German Government was a commitment to accelerate planning permission procedures onshore wind energy projects throughout the Federal Republic.
Recent announcements by wind energy companies, such as Vestas, show that this initiative is having a positive effect.
Recent announcements by wind energy companies, such as Vestas, show that this initiative is having a positive effect.
September 2, 2025 at 5:46 PM
The 2023 Wind-an-Land Strategie of the German Government was a commitment to accelerate planning permission procedures onshore wind energy projects throughout the Federal Republic.
Recent announcements by wind energy companies, such as Vestas, show that this initiative is having a positive effect.
Recent announcements by wind energy companies, such as Vestas, show that this initiative is having a positive effect.
GB Railfreight has built a £6 million maintenance adjacent to their Peterborough yard. This will connect to sidings on the north side enabling maintenance of wagons and locomotives to support the planned expansion of their business.
Getting the Loads off our Roads!
Getting the Loads off our Roads!
August 25, 2025 at 11:24 PM
GB Railfreight has built a £6 million maintenance adjacent to their Peterborough yard. This will connect to sidings on the north side enabling maintenance of wagons and locomotives to support the planned expansion of their business.
Getting the Loads off our Roads!
Getting the Loads off our Roads!
Green Tea... but Green Coffee?
Well.. Cafeology (a coffee roaster/trader) in Sheffield gets beans & equipment in containers from the ports - finally arriving on lorries
Now they come to nearby Tinsley by rail, so local firm, Newell & Wright, can bring them the last 5 miles by road
Greener coffee!
Well.. Cafeology (a coffee roaster/trader) in Sheffield gets beans & equipment in containers from the ports - finally arriving on lorries
Now they come to nearby Tinsley by rail, so local firm, Newell & Wright, can bring them the last 5 miles by road
Greener coffee!
August 25, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Green Tea... but Green Coffee?
Well.. Cafeology (a coffee roaster/trader) in Sheffield gets beans & equipment in containers from the ports - finally arriving on lorries
Now they come to nearby Tinsley by rail, so local firm, Newell & Wright, can bring them the last 5 miles by road
Greener coffee!
Well.. Cafeology (a coffee roaster/trader) in Sheffield gets beans & equipment in containers from the ports - finally arriving on lorries
Now they come to nearby Tinsley by rail, so local firm, Newell & Wright, can bring them the last 5 miles by road
Greener coffee!
Trafnidiaeth Cymru (Transport for Wales) has announced 5 new Rail Stations for South Wales..
..between Cardiff and Severn Tunnel Junction, at Cardiff East, Newport West, Somerton, Llanwern and Magor & Undy.
Extra train services are also planned between Cardiff and Bristol, Newport and Cheltenham
..between Cardiff and Severn Tunnel Junction, at Cardiff East, Newport West, Somerton, Llanwern and Magor & Undy.
Extra train services are also planned between Cardiff and Bristol, Newport and Cheltenham
August 25, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Trafnidiaeth Cymru (Transport for Wales) has announced 5 new Rail Stations for South Wales..
..between Cardiff and Severn Tunnel Junction, at Cardiff East, Newport West, Somerton, Llanwern and Magor & Undy.
Extra train services are also planned between Cardiff and Bristol, Newport and Cheltenham
..between Cardiff and Severn Tunnel Junction, at Cardiff East, Newport West, Somerton, Llanwern and Magor & Undy.
Extra train services are also planned between Cardiff and Bristol, Newport and Cheltenham
The US EPA in April 2024 set limits for 6 polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water that suppliers had to meet by 2029.
Trump has changed that to 2031 for PFOA & PFOS.
So an extra 2 years exposure to those.
And the max levels for 4 PFASs, ie PFHxS, PFNA, PFBS &
HFPO-DA have gone altogether
Trump has changed that to 2031 for PFOA & PFOS.
So an extra 2 years exposure to those.
And the max levels for 4 PFASs, ie PFHxS, PFNA, PFBS &
HFPO-DA have gone altogether
August 24, 2025 at 10:57 PM
The US EPA in April 2024 set limits for 6 polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water that suppliers had to meet by 2029.
Trump has changed that to 2031 for PFOA & PFOS.
So an extra 2 years exposure to those.
And the max levels for 4 PFASs, ie PFHxS, PFNA, PFBS &
HFPO-DA have gone altogether
Trump has changed that to 2031 for PFOA & PFOS.
So an extra 2 years exposure to those.
And the max levels for 4 PFASs, ie PFHxS, PFNA, PFBS &
HFPO-DA have gone altogether
The 1903 Bricket Wood Station between Watford and St Albans was damaged by fire in 1970. It has now been restored by volunteers with help from local councils and the public.
Now a Tea Room has been added.
But what is badly needed is to rebuild the old passing loop to double the trains on the line!
Now a Tea Room has been added.
But what is badly needed is to rebuild the old passing loop to double the trains on the line!
August 24, 2025 at 11:42 AM
The 1903 Bricket Wood Station between Watford and St Albans was damaged by fire in 1970. It has now been restored by volunteers with help from local councils and the public.
Now a Tea Room has been added.
But what is badly needed is to rebuild the old passing loop to double the trains on the line!
Now a Tea Room has been added.
But what is badly needed is to rebuild the old passing loop to double the trains on the line!
Network Rail have awarded a £93 million contract to J Murphy & Son Ltd to build a new station in Cambridge on the East West rail line with 1,000 cycle spaces. Called Cambridge South, work is underway. It will open in 2026 and be close to Trumpington, Addenbrooks Hospital and the Biomedical Centre.
August 22, 2025 at 11:10 PM
Network Rail have awarded a £93 million contract to J Murphy & Son Ltd to build a new station in Cambridge on the East West rail line with 1,000 cycle spaces. Called Cambridge South, work is underway. It will open in 2026 and be close to Trumpington, Addenbrooks Hospital and the Biomedical Centre.
Overall UK car sales for June 2025 were up by 2%.
Notably Tesla car sales were 36% down.
Petrol (gas) cars down 12%, diesel down by 16%, hybrid EVs up by 7% and PHEVs up by 51%.
Battery EV (BEV) sales went up by 25% and now have a 22% market share
For all EVs (inc hybrids) the UK market share is 47%
Notably Tesla car sales were 36% down.
Petrol (gas) cars down 12%, diesel down by 16%, hybrid EVs up by 7% and PHEVs up by 51%.
Battery EV (BEV) sales went up by 25% and now have a 22% market share
For all EVs (inc hybrids) the UK market share is 47%
August 22, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Overall UK car sales for June 2025 were up by 2%.
Notably Tesla car sales were 36% down.
Petrol (gas) cars down 12%, diesel down by 16%, hybrid EVs up by 7% and PHEVs up by 51%.
Battery EV (BEV) sales went up by 25% and now have a 22% market share
For all EVs (inc hybrids) the UK market share is 47%
Notably Tesla car sales were 36% down.
Petrol (gas) cars down 12%, diesel down by 16%, hybrid EVs up by 7% and PHEVs up by 51%.
Battery EV (BEV) sales went up by 25% and now have a 22% market share
For all EVs (inc hybrids) the UK market share is 47%
Like many rail lines in UK the Far North Line runs close to the sea in places. A succession of storms have been hitting north east Scotland and washed away the sea wall near Helmsdale last year.
Storm damage seems to be getting worse and more frequent and affects lines in south west England as well.
Storm damage seems to be getting worse and more frequent and affects lines in south west England as well.
August 22, 2025 at 10:21 AM
Like many rail lines in UK the Far North Line runs close to the sea in places. A succession of storms have been hitting north east Scotland and washed away the sea wall near Helmsdale last year.
Storm damage seems to be getting worse and more frequent and affects lines in south west England as well.
Storm damage seems to be getting worse and more frequent and affects lines in south west England as well.
NO MORE EXPANSION OF ANY UK AIRPORT!
Parliament's Climate Change Committee forecasts that aviation's share of the UK's total CO2 emissions will grow fast.
They estimate it was 7% in 2022 and will be 16% in 2035 rising to 35% in 2050.
Air travel will have to reduce and train travel increase.
Parliament's Climate Change Committee forecasts that aviation's share of the UK's total CO2 emissions will grow fast.
They estimate it was 7% in 2022 and will be 16% in 2035 rising to 35% in 2050.
Air travel will have to reduce and train travel increase.
August 20, 2025 at 5:22 PM
NO MORE EXPANSION OF ANY UK AIRPORT!
Parliament's Climate Change Committee forecasts that aviation's share of the UK's total CO2 emissions will grow fast.
They estimate it was 7% in 2022 and will be 16% in 2035 rising to 35% in 2050.
Air travel will have to reduce and train travel increase.
Parliament's Climate Change Committee forecasts that aviation's share of the UK's total CO2 emissions will grow fast.
They estimate it was 7% in 2022 and will be 16% in 2035 rising to 35% in 2050.
Air travel will have to reduce and train travel increase.
In a recent development driven by the fall in solar panel prices, in windy countries in N Europe, where wind breaks are often used to protect crops and gardens, fencing panels are being replaced by solar panels on suitably oriented fence lines.
The picture shows one such installation in Denmark.
The picture shows one such installation in Denmark.
August 19, 2025 at 11:07 AM
In a recent development driven by the fall in solar panel prices, in windy countries in N Europe, where wind breaks are often used to protect crops and gardens, fencing panels are being replaced by solar panels on suitably oriented fence lines.
The picture shows one such installation in Denmark.
The picture shows one such installation in Denmark.