Rob Stephens
@robstephens.bsky.social
Reposted by Rob Stephens
Six out of every seven children in Newport are classified as living in poverty.
Lives destroyed - govts impose austerity, wage/benefit cuts, fiscal rules, deindustrialization, oppose redistribution of income/wealth.
No party has poverty reduction target.
Lives destroyed - govts impose austerity, wage/benefit cuts, fiscal rules, deindustrialization, oppose redistribution of income/wealth.
No party has poverty reduction target.
Inside the town where 6 out of 7 children grow up in poverty - and live in fear of homelessness
As ministers prepare to act on child poverty, families in the area are backing calls for the two-child cap on benefits to be scrapped, and even local children say they are worried about becoming homel...
news.sky.com
November 17, 2025 at 8:19 AM
Six out of every seven children in Newport are classified as living in poverty.
Lives destroyed - govts impose austerity, wage/benefit cuts, fiscal rules, deindustrialization, oppose redistribution of income/wealth.
No party has poverty reduction target.
Lives destroyed - govts impose austerity, wage/benefit cuts, fiscal rules, deindustrialization, oppose redistribution of income/wealth.
No party has poverty reduction target.
Reposted by Rob Stephens
"It's the finest place to live on Earth!"
@mrjamesob.bsky.social defends London from 'racists and freak shows'.
@mrjamesob.bsky.social defends London from 'racists and freak shows'.
November 12, 2025 at 1:25 PM
"It's the finest place to live on Earth!"
@mrjamesob.bsky.social defends London from 'racists and freak shows'.
@mrjamesob.bsky.social defends London from 'racists and freak shows'.
Reposted by Rob Stephens
Could Chatham House please invite more foreigners with no …. to give, so they will say exactly what they think. Thank you.
"You left Europe because you wanted less boats, you have more boats. You left Europe because you wanted more investment. You have less investment."
Prime Minister Edi Rama of Albania on the UK's decision to leave the European Union.
Watch in full ➡️ bit.ly/4qkZnS0
Prime Minister Edi Rama of Albania on the UK's decision to leave the European Union.
Watch in full ➡️ bit.ly/4qkZnS0
October 25, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Could Chatham House please invite more foreigners with no …. to give, so they will say exactly what they think. Thank you.
Reposted by Rob Stephens
Yay. Priceless. The right column at the right time. And a gleefully English two fingers to the haters.
October 25, 2025 at 7:38 AM
Yay. Priceless. The right column at the right time. And a gleefully English two fingers to the haters.
Reposted by Rob Stephens
I wrote an opinion column for the Observer! I never do opinion columns but I was just really annoyed by cultural vandalism and Kemi Badenoch.
observer.co.uk/news/opinion...
observer.co.uk/news/opinion...
In praise of “rip-off” degrees | The Observer
Kemi Badenoch’s attack on the arts and humanities isn’t just culturally short-sighted, it’s economically illiterate
observer.co.uk
October 10, 2025 at 4:02 PM
I wrote an opinion column for the Observer! I never do opinion columns but I was just really annoyed by cultural vandalism and Kemi Badenoch.
observer.co.uk/news/opinion...
observer.co.uk/news/opinion...
Reposted by Rob Stephens
"Does the ECHR stop states from controlling their borders?"
No. The ECHR Court emphasises migration policies are up to states themselves.
"But the ECHR stops the UK from deporting foreign criminals."
No, it doesn't.
Successful human rights-based appeals against deportation are very rare.
No. The ECHR Court emphasises migration policies are up to states themselves.
"But the ECHR stops the UK from deporting foreign criminals."
No, it doesn't.
Successful human rights-based appeals against deportation are very rare.
October 4, 2025 at 12:01 PM
"Does the ECHR stop states from controlling their borders?"
No. The ECHR Court emphasises migration policies are up to states themselves.
"But the ECHR stops the UK from deporting foreign criminals."
No, it doesn't.
Successful human rights-based appeals against deportation are very rare.
No. The ECHR Court emphasises migration policies are up to states themselves.
"But the ECHR stops the UK from deporting foreign criminals."
No, it doesn't.
Successful human rights-based appeals against deportation are very rare.
Reposted by Rob Stephens
Problem faced. Policy applied. Policy worked. Politics can work.
For the first time ever, London has met legal limits for nitrogen dioxide.
When I became Mayor, we were told it would take 193 years. We did it 184 years earlier than expected.
Cleaner air means a healthier city and big savings for the NHS.
When I became Mayor, we were told it would take 193 years. We did it 184 years earlier than expected.
Cleaner air means a healthier city and big savings for the NHS.
October 1, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Problem faced. Policy applied. Policy worked. Politics can work.
Reposted by Rob Stephens
UK subsidises energy prices in other countries.
Investors, state entities from Canada, France, Germany, Spain, Israel, Italy, Korea, Norway, UAE & the US own most of UK energy sector.
£514bn operating profit since 2020.
Profits/Dividends go abroad.
Britons pay the price of privatisation dogma.
Investors, state entities from Canada, France, Germany, Spain, Israel, Italy, Korea, Norway, UAE & the US own most of UK energy sector.
£514bn operating profit since 2020.
Profits/Dividends go abroad.
Britons pay the price of privatisation dogma.
If the government wants economic growth it must bring essential industries into public ownership
Successive governments clobber households and small businesses by hiking interest rates to manage inflation, but don’t inconvenience corporations.
leftfootforward.org
October 1, 2025 at 8:06 AM
UK subsidises energy prices in other countries.
Investors, state entities from Canada, France, Germany, Spain, Israel, Italy, Korea, Norway, UAE & the US own most of UK energy sector.
£514bn operating profit since 2020.
Profits/Dividends go abroad.
Britons pay the price of privatisation dogma.
Investors, state entities from Canada, France, Germany, Spain, Israel, Italy, Korea, Norway, UAE & the US own most of UK energy sector.
£514bn operating profit since 2020.
Profits/Dividends go abroad.
Britons pay the price of privatisation dogma.
Reposted by Rob Stephens
Hopefully there is now a clear understanding across govt that unless the two-child limit is scrapped, there will be more kids in poverty at the end of this parliament than when Labour took office. The policy must go in the child poverty strategy before the life chances of many more kids are damaged.
Scrapping of two-child benefit cap closer as Bridget Phillipson attacks ‘spiteful’ policy
Scrapping of two-child benefit cap closer as Bridget Phillipson attacks ‘spiteful’ policy
Exclusive: Clearest sign yet No 10 is preparing to ditch policy as its preferred deputy leadership hopeful says issue is ‘profoundly personal’
*
UK politics live – latest updates
Ministers are a step closer to abandoning the two-child benefit cap after Downing Street’s preferred candidate to be Labour’s deputy leader said the policy was “spiteful” and had “punished and pushed children into hardship”.
Bridget Phillipson said the cap’s abolition was “on the table” – the clearest sign yet that Downing Street is preparing to scrap the controversial policy. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
September 19, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Hopefully there is now a clear understanding across govt that unless the two-child limit is scrapped, there will be more kids in poverty at the end of this parliament than when Labour took office. The policy must go in the child poverty strategy before the life chances of many more kids are damaged.
Reposted by Rob Stephens
I wonder if this guy is related to "Boris Johnson" who introduced "voter id" as Prime Minister in 2023 ... off the back of some crazy US conspiracy theories ... and in the process, made digital ID pretty much inevitable.
September 27, 2025 at 7:28 AM
I wonder if this guy is related to "Boris Johnson" who introduced "voter id" as Prime Minister in 2023 ... off the back of some crazy US conspiracy theories ... and in the process, made digital ID pretty much inevitable.
Reposted by Rob Stephens
The PFI disaster
Wes Streeting readies more of the NHS for privatisation. Hands £6m to advisers.
NHS will be a shell doling out contracts to private equity and corporations. Profits guaranteed.
Money will buy less. Higher taxes, lower value.
Say NO to privatisation of the NHS.
Wes Streeting readies more of the NHS for privatisation. Hands £6m to advisers.
NHS will be a shell doling out contracts to private equity and corporations. Profits guaranteed.
Money will buy less. Higher taxes, lower value.
Say NO to privatisation of the NHS.
Fears of new PFI-style ‘disaster’ as firms handed £6m to advise on using private funds for NHS clinics
Exclusive: Consultants and lawyers hired to advise on using public-private partnerships to build ‘neighbourhood health centres’ in England
www.theguardian.com
September 24, 2025 at 7:22 AM
The PFI disaster
Wes Streeting readies more of the NHS for privatisation. Hands £6m to advisers.
NHS will be a shell doling out contracts to private equity and corporations. Profits guaranteed.
Money will buy less. Higher taxes, lower value.
Say NO to privatisation of the NHS.
Wes Streeting readies more of the NHS for privatisation. Hands £6m to advisers.
NHS will be a shell doling out contracts to private equity and corporations. Profits guaranteed.
Money will buy less. Higher taxes, lower value.
Say NO to privatisation of the NHS.
Reposted by Rob Stephens
London mayor Sadiq Khan hits back at ‘racist, sexist, misogynistic and Islamophobic’ Trump.
About time. Trump spreads lies about every country.
Trump is doing so much harm at home/abroad - undermining the UN. NATO, US economy, human rights, free speech, tolerance
Will he ever be held to account?
About time. Trump spreads lies about every country.
Trump is doing so much harm at home/abroad - undermining the UN. NATO, US economy, human rights, free speech, tolerance
Will he ever be held to account?
Sadiq Khan hits back at ‘racist, sexist, misogynistic and Islamophobic’ Trump
Khan’s comments come after US president used speech at UN to call London mayor ‘terrible’
www.theguardian.com
September 24, 2025 at 6:32 PM
London mayor Sadiq Khan hits back at ‘racist, sexist, misogynistic and Islamophobic’ Trump.
About time. Trump spreads lies about every country.
Trump is doing so much harm at home/abroad - undermining the UN. NATO, US economy, human rights, free speech, tolerance
Will he ever be held to account?
About time. Trump spreads lies about every country.
Trump is doing so much harm at home/abroad - undermining the UN. NATO, US economy, human rights, free speech, tolerance
Will he ever be held to account?
Reposted by Rob Stephens
Private Finance Initiatives (PFI) is one of the biggest cons created by Tories, expanded by Labour.
For every £1 of private investment in public assets govt repays £6, resulting in higher debt/taxes.
Cheaper for govt to borrow or it can create money
But govt is reviving PFI. Must change policy.
For every £1 of private investment in public assets govt repays £6, resulting in higher debt/taxes.
Cheaper for govt to borrow or it can create money
But govt is reviving PFI. Must change policy.
Why the reshuffle alone won’t change the government’s fortunes
"For better electoral fortunes, the government needs to junk neoliberal policies, never-ending austerity; directly invest in infrastructure and redistribute income and wealth."
leftfootforward.org
September 18, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Private Finance Initiatives (PFI) is one of the biggest cons created by Tories, expanded by Labour.
For every £1 of private investment in public assets govt repays £6, resulting in higher debt/taxes.
Cheaper for govt to borrow or it can create money
But govt is reviving PFI. Must change policy.
For every £1 of private investment in public assets govt repays £6, resulting in higher debt/taxes.
Cheaper for govt to borrow or it can create money
But govt is reviving PFI. Must change policy.
Reposted by Rob Stephens
Angry? Get active and start holding these charlatans to account. Brilliant blog by Guy here. Read, act, share widely. 👇👇👇
I'm mad as hell, and I'm not going to take it anymore.
So I wrote a blog about ten things you can do *right now* to help defeat Farage, Musk, and rightwing populism.
From scrutinising Reform councillors to demanding the UK Govt leave X - get involved:
guyshrubsole.substack.com/p/ten-things...
So I wrote a blog about ten things you can do *right now* to help defeat Farage, Musk, and rightwing populism.
From scrutinising Reform councillors to demanding the UK Govt leave X - get involved:
guyshrubsole.substack.com/p/ten-things...
Ten things you can do to help defeat Farage, Musk, and rightwing populism
I’m mad as hell, and I’m not going to take it anymore.
guyshrubsole.substack.com
September 17, 2025 at 10:55 AM
Angry? Get active and start holding these charlatans to account. Brilliant blog by Guy here. Read, act, share widely. 👇👇👇
Reposted by Rob Stephens
Yet more compelling evidence to support @greenparty.org.uk policy that public services should be in public hands 👇
UK public has paid £200bn to shareholders of key industries since privatisation – study
UK public has paid £200bn to shareholders of key industries since privatisation – study
Analysis reveals ‘privatisation premium’ of £250 per household per year paid to owners of water, rail, bus, energy and mail services since 2010
*
‘Birmingham is up the road but there are no buses’
The public has paid almost £200bn to the shareholders who own key British industries since they were privatised, research reveals.
The transfer of tens of billions of pounds to the owners of the privatised water, rail, bus, energy and mail services comes as families face soaring bills, polluted rivers and seas, and expensive and unreliable trains and buses. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
September 16, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Yet more compelling evidence to support @greenparty.org.uk policy that public services should be in public hands 👇
Reposted by Rob Stephens
Good piece by @nickcohen.bsky.social on the reluctance of Tories and Labour to speak for "the two-thirds to three-quarters of the population who have no time for Farage and the extremists beyond him."
open.substack.com/pub/nickcohe...
open.substack.com/pub/nickcohe...
When will our spineless leaders speak for liberal Britain?
Cowardice enables the radical right
open.substack.com
September 14, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Good piece by @nickcohen.bsky.social on the reluctance of Tories and Labour to speak for "the two-thirds to three-quarters of the population who have no time for Farage and the extremists beyond him."
open.substack.com/pub/nickcohe...
open.substack.com/pub/nickcohe...
Reposted by Rob Stephens
No. Maybe it's time for Reform to engage seriously with one of the UK's largest contributors to GDP. It knows where we are.
Is it time for universities to engage seriously with Reform UK? The party’s annual conference suggests universities have a lot of ground to make up with it. @patrickjack.bsky.social reports
#ReformUK #academicsky
#ReformUK #academicsky
Is it time for universities to engage seriously with Reform UK?
A sector described by a leading party figure as a ‘conveyor belt for communism’ is understandably wary of Nigel Farage’s latest right-wing populist project. But Reform UK persistently tops opinion pol...
www.timeshighereducation.com
September 11, 2025 at 8:11 AM
No. Maybe it's time for Reform to engage seriously with one of the UK's largest contributors to GDP. It knows where we are.
Reposted by Rob Stephens
A political party, that's topping the polls, lauding someone who called for human beings to be burned to death should be a moment for national self-reflection.
This is not who we are nor who we should become.
Reform UK are a plague on our national humanity. We must never permit them to govern.
This is not who we are nor who we should become.
Reform UK are a plague on our national humanity. We must never permit them to govern.
September 6, 2025 at 3:25 PM
A political party, that's topping the polls, lauding someone who called for human beings to be burned to death should be a moment for national self-reflection.
This is not who we are nor who we should become.
Reform UK are a plague on our national humanity. We must never permit them to govern.
This is not who we are nor who we should become.
Reform UK are a plague on our national humanity. We must never permit them to govern.
Reposted by Rob Stephens
I'm in it. Are they paying per book?
Just a reminder to check for your name in this list of books that OpenAI trained from. If your name is there, they probably owe you several thousand dollars.
OpenAI cried that if everyone eligible author files, the company will go bankrupt, so I'm alerting every author I have ever spoken to.
OpenAI cried that if everyone eligible author files, the company will go bankrupt, so I'm alerting every author I have ever spoken to.
Search LibGen, the Pirated-Books Database That Meta Used to Train AI
Millions of books and scientific papers are captured in the collection’s current iteration.
www.theatlantic.com
September 6, 2025 at 3:07 PM
I'm in it. Are they paying per book?
Reposted by Rob Stephens
The Reform UK conference gives a standing ovation to "special guest" Lucy Connolly, who pled guilty to stirring up racial hatred after she called for asylum hotels to be set on fire with people inside them.
September 6, 2025 at 3:04 PM
The Reform UK conference gives a standing ovation to "special guest" Lucy Connolly, who pled guilty to stirring up racial hatred after she called for asylum hotels to be set on fire with people inside them.
Reposted by Rob Stephens
CAN YOU IMAGINE CALLING FOR SOMEONE TO BE ARRESTED FOR A TWEET?!?!
September 3, 2025 at 6:25 PM
CAN YOU IMAGINE CALLING FOR SOMEONE TO BE ARRESTED FOR A TWEET?!?!
Reposted by Rob Stephens
We are at that point of the 🇺🇸 dictatorial slide that CEOs of corporations -- Tim Cook of Apple being the latest -- obsequiously bearing gifts of gold for the Great Leader.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
America’s CEOs come to the White House bearing gifts and flattery
Tech industry CEOs have lavished gifts, flattery and attention on President Trump. The administration has rolled out industry-friendly policies.
www.washingtonpost.com
August 8, 2025 at 3:16 PM
We are at that point of the 🇺🇸 dictatorial slide that CEOs of corporations -- Tim Cook of Apple being the latest -- obsequiously bearing gifts of gold for the Great Leader.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Rob Stephens
Time to recirculate this…there’s plenty our govts could do to stop the famine, death and destruction. Wringing hands and issuing strong statements doesn’t cut it.
Rant alert. Mega rant alert. How about our leaders stop wringing hands, issuing feeble denunciations, and actually DO something? Stop the moral equivalency. Stop pretending we’re helpless. There’s plenty we could do if genuinely committed. Here’s some suggestions for starters. 🧵
"Israeli soldiers in Gaza told Haaretz that the army has deliberately fired at Palestinians near aid distribution sites..."
www.haaretz.com/israel-news/...
www.haaretz.com/israel-news/...
August 23, 2025 at 11:33 AM
Time to recirculate this…there’s plenty our govts could do to stop the famine, death and destruction. Wringing hands and issuing strong statements doesn’t cut it.
Reposted by Rob Stephens
Fascism.
Donald Trump has threatened to revoke the US citizenship of TV host Rosie O'Donnell after she spoke out about him
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
Donald Trump threatens to revoke huge TV star's US citizenship for speaking out
Rosie O'Donnell moved her family to Ireland after Trump was re-elected - saying she'll only return "when it is safe for all citizens to have equal rights"
www.mirror.co.uk
July 12, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Fascism.
Reposted by Rob Stephens
England’s reservoirs at lowest level for a decade, experts call for hosepipe bans.
No new reservoirs built since 1989.
Over a trillion litres of water a year lost to leaks.
Water companies paid out £85bn in dividends. No regulator/Govt had a national plan.
Crisis created by privatisation.
No new reservoirs built since 1989.
Over a trillion litres of water a year lost to leaks.
Water companies paid out £85bn in dividends. No regulator/Govt had a national plan.
Crisis created by privatisation.
England’s reservoirs at lowest level for a decade as experts call for hosepipe bans
Levels even lower than in severe drought year of 2022, data shows, with water firms urged to ‘be proactive’
www.theguardian.com
July 12, 2025 at 6:08 AM
England’s reservoirs at lowest level for a decade, experts call for hosepipe bans.
No new reservoirs built since 1989.
Over a trillion litres of water a year lost to leaks.
Water companies paid out £85bn in dividends. No regulator/Govt had a national plan.
Crisis created by privatisation.
No new reservoirs built since 1989.
Over a trillion litres of water a year lost to leaks.
Water companies paid out £85bn in dividends. No regulator/Govt had a national plan.
Crisis created by privatisation.