Oliver Townsend
@obtownsend.bsky.social
Head of Partnerships and Policy at Mirus, Chair of The Wallich. Interested in policy, mental health, homelessness, politics, third sector, fantasy, sci fi, D&D, and any number of other things
Reposted by Oliver Townsend
Excellent piece by @lewisgoodall.com on the BBC mess and how the principle of impartiality has been distorted open.substack.com/pub/goodalla...
The truth about impartiality at the BBC
And the hysteria of the current "crisis"
open.substack.com
November 11, 2025 at 1:09 PM
Excellent piece by @lewisgoodall.com on the BBC mess and how the principle of impartiality has been distorted open.substack.com/pub/goodalla...
Reposted by Oliver Townsend
It's always good to see priests who still remember there are *seven* Catholic social principles. Also, that noise you hear is the USCCB screeching to the Vatican and getting back nothing, lol
Chicago priest Fr. Larry Dowling describes procession to ICE facility: “No one had the courage to speak directly to us. No one from Homeland Security could stand in the presence of the Monstrance holding the Blessed Sacrament. No wonder. Evil is repelled, recoils in the presence of Christ.”
October 11, 2025 at 10:14 PM
It's always good to see priests who still remember there are *seven* Catholic social principles. Also, that noise you hear is the USCCB screeching to the Vatican and getting back nothing, lol
Reposted by Oliver Townsend
Another piece of (excellent) research showing that support for the far-right is never going to be driven purely by either 'culture' or 'economics'. Inevitably, both are involved - and they're often inseparable.
Now out in @cpsjournal.bsky.social. In our new article, @denis-cohen.bsky.social @thmskrr.bsky.social and I show that where local rent prices increase more, residents with lower incomes become more likely to support the radical right AfD.
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
September 25, 2025 at 6:47 AM
Another piece of (excellent) research showing that support for the far-right is never going to be driven purely by either 'culture' or 'economics'. Inevitably, both are involved - and they're often inseparable.
Since Google search has been so enshittified, I’m hoping someone on #booksky with #fantasy knowledge can help. A few years ago I read a GREAT book from the library, a fantasy “real world” medieval setting with Edward III, and Roger Mortimer, and Isabella, and there were angels/demons? Any ideas?
September 21, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Reposted by Oliver Townsend
So much of the absurdity in how some elites talk about Charlie Kirk—or navigate the authoritarian politics of this regime—stems from political science’s and the elite class’s fixation on polarization, and the misguided belief that it’s inherently bad and that the “remedy” is civil submission.
September 17, 2025 at 11:35 PM
So much of the absurdity in how some elites talk about Charlie Kirk—or navigate the authoritarian politics of this regime—stems from political science’s and the elite class’s fixation on polarization, and the misguided belief that it’s inherently bad and that the “remedy” is civil submission.
Reposted by Oliver Townsend
Our new BARN Cymru poll run with @itvcymruwales.bsky.social and @yougov.co.uk has landed 📈 #Senedd26 #Wales #Cymru
September 16, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Our new BARN Cymru poll run with @itvcymruwales.bsky.social and @yougov.co.uk has landed 📈 #Senedd26 #Wales #Cymru
Really good to see initiatives like this. One excellent way to get much needed resource into social housing. Reliable, long-term, decent investment. And will have huge positive impact on the city and people living there.
September 11, 2025 at 10:22 AM
Really good to see initiatives like this. One excellent way to get much needed resource into social housing. Reliable, long-term, decent investment. And will have huge positive impact on the city and people living there.
Reposted by Oliver Townsend
Profoundly important from @davidallengreen.bsky.social. The lack of meaningful restraints against executing power in our system leaves us utterly exposed in the face of a Reform government. They could do whatever they want.
open.substack.com/pub/emptycit...
open.substack.com/pub/emptycit...
Yes, an incoming illiberal and radical UK government would have absolute constitutional power
Only good fortune has prevented previous governments from misusing our constitutional arrangements more than they did
open.substack.com
August 27, 2025 at 9:52 AM
Profoundly important from @davidallengreen.bsky.social. The lack of meaningful restraints against executing power in our system leaves us utterly exposed in the face of a Reform government. They could do whatever they want.
open.substack.com/pub/emptycit...
open.substack.com/pub/emptycit...
Reposted by Oliver Townsend
I am one of the 14 authors who chose to leave the Polari Prize, and I find myself frustrated and saddened at the way this entire story has been represented. 1/
John Boyne says LGBTQ+ fiction prize backlash brought him ‘close to the edge’
John Boyne says LGBTQ+ fiction prize backlash brought him ‘close to the edge’
Gender critical novelist urges writers to reenter prize they boycotted and may ask judges not to shortlist his novella
The gender critical Irish novelist John Boyne has said he has been brought “very close to the edge” by the backlash to his inclusion on the longlist for a literary prize for LGBTQ+ authors.
Ten authors and two judges withdrew from the Polari prize and more than 800 writers and publishing industry workers signed a petition calling on Polari to remove Boyne’s novella Earth from its longlist. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
August 15, 2025 at 9:58 AM
I am one of the 14 authors who chose to leave the Polari Prize, and I find myself frustrated and saddened at the way this entire story has been represented. 1/
That’s M&S gone from my list then. And I hope the employee has good legal advice as this doesn’t sound like a safe working environment.
Horrible story. Apologising because a trans employee had the temerity to interact with a customer. What are we becoming?
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/08...
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/08...
August 5, 2025 at 8:42 AM
That’s M&S gone from my list then. And I hope the employee has good legal advice as this doesn’t sound like a safe working environment.
Reposted by Oliver Townsend
Look I know this is hard to reckon with but we don’t have time any longer to wait for you to catch up.
This Labour government is in fact worse than the last 15 years of Tory led governments. For us all.
And talking specifically about our LGBTQIA+ sector for a second… we need to acknowledge this.
This Labour government is in fact worse than the last 15 years of Tory led governments. For us all.
And talking specifically about our LGBTQIA+ sector for a second… we need to acknowledge this.
July 29, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Look I know this is hard to reckon with but we don’t have time any longer to wait for you to catch up.
This Labour government is in fact worse than the last 15 years of Tory led governments. For us all.
And talking specifically about our LGBTQIA+ sector for a second… we need to acknowledge this.
This Labour government is in fact worse than the last 15 years of Tory led governments. For us all.
And talking specifically about our LGBTQIA+ sector for a second… we need to acknowledge this.
Reposted by Oliver Townsend
The trans rights stitch-up: How the government plans to silence parliamentary debate on the most far-reaching restriction of minority rights in our lifetime open.substack.com/pub/iandunt/...
July 25, 2025 at 10:37 AM
The trans rights stitch-up: How the government plans to silence parliamentary debate on the most far-reaching restriction of minority rights in our lifetime open.substack.com/pub/iandunt/...
Didn’t have John Redwood as a nascent Welsh independence supporter.
"Can't believe it's been nearly 959 years since them slags smashed into Hastings. It still freaks my nut out to this day."
July 11, 2025 at 11:31 PM
Didn’t have John Redwood as a nascent Welsh independence supporter.
Reposted by Oliver Townsend
Yesterday I used this "AI -Free Statement" in a conference talk for the first time. Still trying to figure out the exact language.
Feel free to borrow, modify, etc.
Feel free to borrow, modify, etc.
June 27, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Yesterday I used this "AI -Free Statement" in a conference talk for the first time. Still trying to figure out the exact language.
Feel free to borrow, modify, etc.
Feel free to borrow, modify, etc.
Reposted by Oliver Townsend
The maths problem you have to solve to become one of the Government's new disruptors. Which shows the same diagnostic error as Cummings: state reform as a complicated rather than complex challenge. It will attract some good people so no harm. But won't confront fundamental institutional challenges.
June 21, 2025 at 10:45 AM
The maths problem you have to solve to become one of the Government's new disruptors. Which shows the same diagnostic error as Cummings: state reform as a complicated rather than complex challenge. It will attract some good people so no harm. But won't confront fundamental institutional challenges.
I know this is a pretty niche part of the “fascist slide” discourse, but how on earth are postmodernists being blamed for this? A critique of the ways in which knowledge is gathered, an acknowledgement that the modes of research and data gathering are often controlled by “in-groups”…
June 21, 2025 at 8:08 AM
I know this is a pretty niche part of the “fascist slide” discourse, but how on earth are postmodernists being blamed for this? A critique of the ways in which knowledge is gathered, an acknowledgement that the modes of research and data gathering are often controlled by “in-groups”…
Reposted by Oliver Townsend
Labour in Wales were frenziedly spinning the Spending Review claiming how they delivered a good deal for Wales.
The truth is that Labour run Wales is one of the losers, while SNP run Scotland has gained.
Can someone explain to me how this partnership in power thing is working?
The truth is that Labour run Wales is one of the losers, while SNP run Scotland has gained.
Can someone explain to me how this partnership in power thing is working?
June 12, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Labour in Wales were frenziedly spinning the Spending Review claiming how they delivered a good deal for Wales.
The truth is that Labour run Wales is one of the losers, while SNP run Scotland has gained.
Can someone explain to me how this partnership in power thing is working?
The truth is that Labour run Wales is one of the losers, while SNP run Scotland has gained.
Can someone explain to me how this partnership in power thing is working?
Reposted by Oliver Townsend
This absolute icon at Canterbury Pride 🩷🤍🩵
June 7, 2025 at 12:18 PM
This absolute icon at Canterbury Pride 🩷🤍🩵
I’m convinced someone made her use the Sword of Shannara on herself, and the truth of her inadequacy made her quite mad.
🌏 🥬 It's the Truss mission to visit every CPAC on Earth.
"Alongside Dougie Joyce, who was jailed for 19 months after beating up a 78-year-old man. She ((Truss) adopted his catch phrase for herself: “Just remember, Liz Truss loves ya.”"
"Alongside Dougie Joyce, who was jailed for 19 months after beating up a 78-year-old man. She ((Truss) adopted his catch phrase for herself: “Just remember, Liz Truss loves ya.”"
Liz Truss is demonstrating poor judgment in her post-PM antics
Given her consistently poor judgment since being unceremoniously dumped, Liz Truss would do well to follow Douglas-Home’s example
buff.ly
June 4, 2025 at 6:17 PM
I’m convinced someone made her use the Sword of Shannara on herself, and the truth of her inadequacy made her quite mad.
The democratic deficit in our local government processes which are largely held up by well meaning councillors and officers who may resist scrutiny at times but who generally, broadly, overall, stick to committees, etc, is about to be ruthlessly exploited by Reform. We will then see…
🔴Reform-Led Kent Council Cancels Swathes of Meetings Amid Claims They ‘Don’t Know What They’re Doing’
Nigel Farage’s party accused of running a “decision-free” administration, after being forced to scrap a third of its upcoming scheduled meetings
bylinetimes.com/2025/06/02/r...
Nigel Farage’s party accused of running a “decision-free” administration, after being forced to scrap a third of its upcoming scheduled meetings
bylinetimes.com/2025/06/02/r...
Reform-Led Kent Council Cancels Swathes of Meetings Amid Claims They 'Don't Know What They're Doing'
Nigel Farage's party accused of running a "decision-free" administration, after being forced to scrap a third of its upcoming scheduled meetings
bylinetimes.com
June 2, 2025 at 1:30 PM
The democratic deficit in our local government processes which are largely held up by well meaning councillors and officers who may resist scrutiny at times but who generally, broadly, overall, stick to committees, etc, is about to be ruthlessly exploited by Reform. We will then see…
Is the assumption in the subheading that the Supreme Court actually made any judgement at all about what we can say and how we communicate? How we write stories and title them?! That’s an utterly bizarre overreach - but all deliberate to confuse and scare.
Today, Maya Forstater is an expert in being trans and making dramas based on books about being trans.
Look at the language in this article. Every day it is like this.
Every single fucking day.
Look at the language in this article. Every day it is like this.
Every single fucking day.
June 2, 2025 at 7:51 AM
Is the assumption in the subheading that the Supreme Court actually made any judgement at all about what we can say and how we communicate? How we write stories and title them?! That’s an utterly bizarre overreach - but all deliberate to confuse and scare.
Does anyone know if JK Rowling has ever done a swab to prove her “biological” sex? I think it should be important that all TERFs do this to demonstrate they are *really* women. (Except obviously nobody expects women to subject themselves to that, unless they “look” trans! 🙄)
"I never attacked Imane Khelif for not being woman enough. I attacked her because she didn't take a cheek swab or release private medical information, which I am only demanding she do because I have arbitrarily decided that she is not woman enough."
So, J.K. Rowling's psychotic ass is going after Imane Khelif again. I'm not going to ask what the fuck is wrong with her. We already know. The whole trans panic thing has clearly driven her insane.
May 31, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Does anyone know if JK Rowling has ever done a swab to prove her “biological” sex? I think it should be important that all TERFs do this to demonstrate they are *really* women. (Except obviously nobody expects women to subject themselves to that, unless they “look” trans! 🙄)
Yes, yes, a thousand times yes.
Interesting intervention from the Peabody Trust given the Infrastructure Working Paper's indication that the government are broadening their approach to infrastructure.
My question would be whether it's being broadened enough?
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
My question would be whether it's being broadened enough?
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
May 31, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Yes, yes, a thousand times yes.
Reposted by Oliver Townsend
kind of obsessed with 2025 pride merch...I'm calling it cowardcore.
May 30, 2025 at 9:52 PM
kind of obsessed with 2025 pride merch...I'm calling it cowardcore.