Rachel
@rappinrach.bsky.social
Love learning, nature, being inspired. Hate prejudice & injustice. Work for a trade union. Norwich, UK
Reposted by Rachel
Media need to stop selling this false dichotomy too
Any political “leader” still selling the obviously false choice between #ClimateAction and “the economy” is just reminding us that they clearly don’t understand either the climate crisis OR the economy.
Or they’re cynically hope that WE don’t understand the difference.
Or both.
Or they’re cynically hope that WE don’t understand the difference.
Or both.
November 25, 2025 at 9:47 PM
Media need to stop selling this false dichotomy too
Reposted by Rachel
Please have some mercy on us in the repair cafes and hold back a little on Black Friday and Christmas with the 'bargains'. Maybe you don't need everything that someone, or rather something, tells you today.
November 27, 2025 at 9:51 PM
Please have some mercy on us in the repair cafes and hold back a little on Black Friday and Christmas with the 'bargains'. Maybe you don't need everything that someone, or rather something, tells you today.
Reposted by Rachel
Kemi Badenoch is of course the poster-child for making the wise decision to be born in Wimbledon a few months before the Tories changed the rules that allowed her to be a British citizen thereby.
I wonder if that thought ever crosses her mind?
I wonder if that thought ever crosses her mind?
November 28, 2025 at 9:34 AM
Kemi Badenoch is of course the poster-child for making the wise decision to be born in Wimbledon a few months before the Tories changed the rules that allowed her to be a British citizen thereby.
I wonder if that thought ever crosses her mind?
I wonder if that thought ever crosses her mind?
Reposted by Rachel
‘Speaking outside his chateau in France, former Brexit Party and UKIP MEP Coburn answered "no" when a BBC journalist asked him whether he had ever been paid to give a speech to promote pro-Russian campaigners.’
Great work from @BBCWales. Keep going
Great work from @BBCWales. Keep going
November 28, 2025 at 6:28 AM
‘Speaking outside his chateau in France, former Brexit Party and UKIP MEP Coburn answered "no" when a BBC journalist asked him whether he had ever been paid to give a speech to promote pro-Russian campaigners.’
Great work from @BBCWales. Keep going
Great work from @BBCWales. Keep going
Reposted by Rachel
Today on Volts: I've had more requests to cover this than almost any other topic in the pod's history, so now, at long last, balcony solar! We dig into how "plug-in solar" took off in Europe & how it's making its way to the US, starting in Utah. Backyard DIY types rejoice!
What's the deal with balcony solar?
Cora Stryker joins me to explain how "plug-in" solar took Europe by storm and is finally, via Utah (?), making its way to America.
www.volts.wtf
November 26, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Today on Volts: I've had more requests to cover this than almost any other topic in the pod's history, so now, at long last, balcony solar! We dig into how "plug-in solar" took off in Europe & how it's making its way to the US, starting in Utah. Backyard DIY types rejoice!
Reposted by Rachel
A comparison of Hume’s Leaf Warbler (Wells Woods), left, and Yellow-browed Warbler (Holkham), right, from the last two days. Subtle but distinctive differences between these two similar Phylloscopus species supported by their quite different calls. #NorfolkBirding
November 27, 2025 at 6:58 PM
A comparison of Hume’s Leaf Warbler (Wells Woods), left, and Yellow-browed Warbler (Holkham), right, from the last two days. Subtle but distinctive differences between these two similar Phylloscopus species supported by their quite different calls. #NorfolkBirding
Reposted by Rachel
New net migration figures at 930am.
Net migration fell half a million to 344,000 in 2024 from 848k in 2023
56% of people think it went up last year
17% think stayed the same
14% think it went down
2025 figure to be lower again
16% expect that
38% think it will be up
31% about the same
Net migration fell half a million to 344,000 in 2024 from 848k in 2023
56% of people think it went up last year
17% think stayed the same
14% think it went down
2025 figure to be lower again
16% expect that
38% think it will be up
31% about the same
November 27, 2025 at 7:54 AM
New net migration figures at 930am.
Net migration fell half a million to 344,000 in 2024 from 848k in 2023
56% of people think it went up last year
17% think stayed the same
14% think it went down
2025 figure to be lower again
16% expect that
38% think it will be up
31% about the same
Net migration fell half a million to 344,000 in 2024 from 848k in 2023
56% of people think it went up last year
17% think stayed the same
14% think it went down
2025 figure to be lower again
16% expect that
38% think it will be up
31% about the same
Reposted by Rachel
No wifi on my Avanti train between the UK’s two biggest cities and extremely patchy phone signal for 80% of the journey.
We talk about boosting productivity, yet…
We talk about boosting productivity, yet…
November 27, 2025 at 11:00 AM
No wifi on my Avanti train between the UK’s two biggest cities and extremely patchy phone signal for 80% of the journey.
We talk about boosting productivity, yet…
We talk about boosting productivity, yet…
Reposted by Rachel
A hardy perennial in local government reporting (across parties), but I do have to wonder why having a substantial debt to the body you represent shouldn't disbar you from that office (again, not a party political point).
Chronicle Live: Northumberland Reform councillor ordered to pay £38,000 debt to his own council
www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-e...
www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-e...
Northumberland Reform councillor ordered to pay £38,000 debt to his own council
Barry Elliott, a Reform councillor in the Blyth ward of Newsham, appeared in court on Tuesday in relation to more than £38,000 worth of council tax and business rates owed to Northumberland County Cou...
www.chroniclelive.co.uk
November 26, 2025 at 7:55 AM
A hardy perennial in local government reporting (across parties), but I do have to wonder why having a substantial debt to the body you represent shouldn't disbar you from that office (again, not a party political point).
Reposted by Rachel
Beautiful piece about a group of young people who ignored the cynics, critics and gatekeepers and just cracked on restoring nature, bringing as many people as they could along for the ride.
"Action, access and agency".
You want a rural revival? This is it.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
"Action, access and agency".
You want a rural revival? This is it.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
‘It fully changed my life!’ How young rewilders transformed a farm – and began a movement
At Maple Farm, nature is returning in droves: nightingales, grass snakes, slowworms, bats and insects. All due to the vision of a group determined to accelerate its recovery
www.theguardian.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:30 AM
Beautiful piece about a group of young people who ignored the cynics, critics and gatekeepers and just cracked on restoring nature, bringing as many people as they could along for the ride.
"Action, access and agency".
You want a rural revival? This is it.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
"Action, access and agency".
You want a rural revival? This is it.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Rachel
Sybil’s encountered underfloor heating for the first time and it’s blown her mind
November 22, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Sybil’s encountered underfloor heating for the first time and it’s blown her mind
Reposted by Rachel
Nottingham University scrapping its language degrees is just more proof that Brexit is ruining British society.
Nottingham University axes language courses: Brexit Ongoing disaster!
YouTube video by Femi - F Politics!
youtu.be
November 21, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Nottingham University scrapping its language degrees is just more proof that Brexit is ruining British society.
Reposted by Rachel
Rachel Johnson defending her brother on @lbc.co.uk currently just blamed the "statest establishment" for the failures.
"He's getting all the blame and none of the credit" and "he did his best."
Really Rachel? Well his best was appalling. This wasn't a gold club tombola. It was a pandemic.
"He's getting all the blame and none of the credit" and "he did his best."
Really Rachel? Well his best was appalling. This wasn't a gold club tombola. It was a pandemic.
November 21, 2025 at 7:54 PM
Rachel Johnson defending her brother on @lbc.co.uk currently just blamed the "statest establishment" for the failures.
"He's getting all the blame and none of the credit" and "he did his best."
Really Rachel? Well his best was appalling. This wasn't a gold club tombola. It was a pandemic.
"He's getting all the blame and none of the credit" and "he did his best."
Really Rachel? Well his best was appalling. This wasn't a gold club tombola. It was a pandemic.
Reposted by Rachel
Police are investigating former British MEPs who were tasked by Nathan Gill on behalf of his handler
Several EU forces are investigating others who may have been instructed directly by Oleg Voloshyn, and an international investigation team has been started
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/w...
Several EU forces are investigating others who may have been instructed directly by Oleg Voloshyn, and an international investigation team has been started
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/w...
Former Reform U.K. Politician Sent to Prison for Taking Pro-Russia Bribes
www.nytimes.com
November 21, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Police are investigating former British MEPs who were tasked by Nathan Gill on behalf of his handler
Several EU forces are investigating others who may have been instructed directly by Oleg Voloshyn, and an international investigation team has been started
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/w...
Several EU forces are investigating others who may have been instructed directly by Oleg Voloshyn, and an international investigation team has been started
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/w...
Reposted by Rachel
WE FOUND IT! We trekked day and night through tiger-patrolled Sumatran rainforests accessible only under permit for this: Rafflesia hasseltii. Few people have ever seen this flower, and we watched it open by night. Magic.
November 19, 2025 at 12:48 AM
WE FOUND IT! We trekked day and night through tiger-patrolled Sumatran rainforests accessible only under permit for this: Rafflesia hasseltii. Few people have ever seen this flower, and we watched it open by night. Magic.
Reposted by Rachel
Fifteen years of ideological choices to strangle & gut the public realm - NHS to schools to social services to local museums - is what underlies the anger "tearing our country apart"; immigration is simply the scapegoat that the far right are pushing people toward.
Why can't Labour just say this?
Why can't Labour just say this?
November 18, 2025 at 10:42 AM
Fifteen years of ideological choices to strangle & gut the public realm - NHS to schools to social services to local museums - is what underlies the anger "tearing our country apart"; immigration is simply the scapegoat that the far right are pushing people toward.
Why can't Labour just say this?
Why can't Labour just say this?
Reposted by Rachel
Posted this last night. In case you missed it, Hope Projects does amazing work with people utterly abandoned by the state. Giving them some money will annoy Nigel Farage, Shabana Mahmood, Lee Anderson, Tommy Robinson and the Daily Mail.
Shabana Mahmood and the Labour government have appalled me so much that it’s time to give The Hope Project, which supports destitute refugees, the equivalent of my old Labour Party membership fee again.
You can too: click I Want To Help and scroll down to Donate
hope-projects.org.uk/about-hope/
You can too: click I Want To Help and scroll down to Donate
hope-projects.org.uk/about-hope/
About Hope - The Hope Projects
Why does Hope exist?
Imagine fleeing persecution and having to seek protection in another land. You’d hope for welcome, sympathy and for your rights to be respected. Sadly the British asylum system i...
hope-projects.org.uk
November 18, 2025 at 9:49 AM
Posted this last night. In case you missed it, Hope Projects does amazing work with people utterly abandoned by the state. Giving them some money will annoy Nigel Farage, Shabana Mahmood, Lee Anderson, Tommy Robinson and the Daily Mail.
Reposted by Rachel
The Greens don’t believe providing safe refuge for endangered asylum seekers is an “out-of-control” policy.
Nor do we believe making life more difficult for those in need is the way to unify British society.
Refugees are welcome.
Nor do we believe making life more difficult for those in need is the way to unify British society.
Refugees are welcome.
November 17, 2025 at 6:17 PM
The Greens don’t believe providing safe refuge for endangered asylum seekers is an “out-of-control” policy.
Nor do we believe making life more difficult for those in need is the way to unify British society.
Refugees are welcome.
Nor do we believe making life more difficult for those in need is the way to unify British society.
Refugees are welcome.
Reposted by Rachel
We are all one war, one hurricane, one military coup, one wildfire, one drought, one economic collapse away from becoming an "asylum seeker".
November 17, 2025 at 6:50 PM
We are all one war, one hurricane, one military coup, one wildfire, one drought, one economic collapse away from becoming an "asylum seeker".
Reposted by Rachel
The gaslighting by the right is working though. Lost count how many times I’ve overheard “why do they all come over here?”
November 17, 2025 at 5:29 PM
The gaslighting by the right is working though. Lost count how many times I’ve overheard “why do they all come over here?”
Reposted by Rachel
The Home Secretary says "we have become the destination of choice in Europe, clearly visible to every people smuggler and would-be illegal migrant across the world"
That is a factually untrue claim: the Home Office shows that the UK is fifth, getting 1/10 claims, while Germany gets 1/5 claims
That is a factually untrue claim: the Home Office shows that the UK is fifth, getting 1/10 claims, while Germany gets 1/5 claims
November 17, 2025 at 3:51 PM
The Home Secretary says "we have become the destination of choice in Europe, clearly visible to every people smuggler and would-be illegal migrant across the world"
That is a factually untrue claim: the Home Office shows that the UK is fifth, getting 1/10 claims, while Germany gets 1/5 claims
That is a factually untrue claim: the Home Office shows that the UK is fifth, getting 1/10 claims, while Germany gets 1/5 claims
Reposted by Rachel
Shabana is a barrister she knows exactly what she’s saying but expects us to be taken in by her absolute incoherence. No.
Asked about Tommy Robinson supporting her asylum plans Shabana Mahmood replies that "Tommy Robinson doesn't even think I'm actually English, so he will certainly not be supporting anything I've got to say."
But he is supporting what she's got to say. That was the point of the question
But he is supporting what she's got to say. That was the point of the question
November 17, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Shabana is a barrister she knows exactly what she’s saying but expects us to be taken in by her absolute incoherence. No.
Reposted by Rachel
The AI bubble may be about to bust.
Peter Thiel has sold all of his Nvidia stock.
We all need to say this very clearly:
NO BAILOUTS FOR THEFT-TECH!
Expropriate their asses instead.
They stole from all of us and fully plan to burn the planet.
They owe us - not the other way around. 1/3
Peter Thiel has sold all of his Nvidia stock.
We all need to say this very clearly:
NO BAILOUTS FOR THEFT-TECH!
Expropriate their asses instead.
They stole from all of us and fully plan to burn the planet.
They owe us - not the other way around. 1/3
November 17, 2025 at 6:37 AM
The AI bubble may be about to bust.
Peter Thiel has sold all of his Nvidia stock.
We all need to say this very clearly:
NO BAILOUTS FOR THEFT-TECH!
Expropriate their asses instead.
They stole from all of us and fully plan to burn the planet.
They owe us - not the other way around. 1/3
Peter Thiel has sold all of his Nvidia stock.
We all need to say this very clearly:
NO BAILOUTS FOR THEFT-TECH!
Expropriate their asses instead.
They stole from all of us and fully plan to burn the planet.
They owe us - not the other way around. 1/3
Reposted by Rachel
Trump has executed another three civilians in a small boat off Venezuela. Death toll now stands at 83.
November 16, 2025 at 9:07 PM
Trump has executed another three civilians in a small boat off Venezuela. Death toll now stands at 83.