@somersetmaid.bsky.social
Escaped Twitter but feeling bruised and not ready to post yet. Hope you don’t mind me just visiting awhile.
Reposted
The right to trial by jury has been a fundamental feature of the British Justice System for over 800 years. Any attempt by the government to undermine this fundamental freedom - a cornerstone of our democracy and an essential safeguard against authoritarianism - must be opposed
🚨Trial by jury is a cornerstone of our democracy and an essential safeguard against authoritarianism. We must come together - cross party - to stop any attempt by the government to undermine this fundamental freedom
youtu.be/QdD9LaAN19A?...
youtu.be/QdD9LaAN19A?...
Trial by jury is a cornerstone of our democracy - We must fight any attempt to undermine it
YouTube video by Peter Stefanovic
youtu.be
November 26, 2025 at 6:03 PM
The right to trial by jury has been a fundamental feature of the British Justice System for over 800 years. Any attempt by the government to undermine this fundamental freedom - a cornerstone of our democracy and an essential safeguard against authoritarianism - must be opposed
Reposted
The Telegraph routinely spreads myths about a range of subjects - especially climate change.
It has been forced to publish over 100 corrections this year so far.
Yet it has the gall to lecture the BBC - and whip up a national panic - about journalistic standards
It has been forced to publish over 100 corrections this year so far.
Yet it has the gall to lecture the BBC - and whip up a national panic - about journalistic standards
The Telegraph’s Record of Climate Falsehoods
The Telegraph, which has accused the BBC of bias and a lack of editorial rigour, has been forced to amend a swathe of climate inaccuracies. The BBC’s director-general and CEO resigned this weekend aft...
www.desmog.com
November 10, 2025 at 7:42 PM
The Telegraph routinely spreads myths about a range of subjects - especially climate change.
It has been forced to publish over 100 corrections this year so far.
Yet it has the gall to lecture the BBC - and whip up a national panic - about journalistic standards
It has been forced to publish over 100 corrections this year so far.
Yet it has the gall to lecture the BBC - and whip up a national panic - about journalistic standards
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Let's stop pretending that the billionaire media, endlessly attacking the BBC, has the slightest interest in balance, impartiality and accuracy. They won't be happy until the BBC is more rightwing than Vlad the Impaler. And then it still won't be enough.
November 11, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Let's stop pretending that the billionaire media, endlessly attacking the BBC, has the slightest interest in balance, impartiality and accuracy. They won't be happy until the BBC is more rightwing than Vlad the Impaler. And then it still won't be enough.
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As supermarkets profits soar ...
October 28, 2025 at 9:38 AM
As supermarkets profits soar ...
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It is outrageous that parliamentary authorities have rejected @declassifieduk.org’s application for a press pass.
This is a flagrant attempt to suppress investigative journalism.
I have tabled an EDM urging the authorities to reverse this decision.
edm.parliament.uk/early-day-mo...
This is a flagrant attempt to suppress investigative journalism.
I have tabled an EDM urging the authorities to reverse this decision.
edm.parliament.uk/early-day-mo...
October 28, 2025 at 10:32 AM
It is outrageous that parliamentary authorities have rejected @declassifieduk.org’s application for a press pass.
This is a flagrant attempt to suppress investigative journalism.
I have tabled an EDM urging the authorities to reverse this decision.
edm.parliament.uk/early-day-mo...
This is a flagrant attempt to suppress investigative journalism.
I have tabled an EDM urging the authorities to reverse this decision.
edm.parliament.uk/early-day-mo...
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We’re told tax is a curse and even “theft.” That’s wrong. Tax is how we build a fair society. It’s how we express our shared responsibility. The real immorality lies in avoiding tax. In this video, I explain why tax is not a burden but the foundation of democracy itself. youtu.be/4UXpnRL3WVE?...
The moral case for tax: why fairness depends on it
YouTube video by Richard J Murphy
youtu.be
October 24, 2025 at 6:06 AM
We’re told tax is a curse and even “theft.” That’s wrong. Tax is how we build a fair society. It’s how we express our shared responsibility. The real immorality lies in avoiding tax. In this video, I explain why tax is not a burden but the foundation of democracy itself. youtu.be/4UXpnRL3WVE?...
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Proud papa moment: my son J published a letter in the @nytimes.com today (in print tomorrow) on the need to think our definitions of autism.
October 18, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Proud papa moment: my son J published a letter in the @nytimes.com today (in print tomorrow) on the need to think our definitions of autism.
Reposted
The fundamental divide is between…
Those who live off wages
And those who live of wealth
But those who live of wealth will do everything in their power to convince you the divide is between immigrants and non-immigrants, black and white, trans and non-trans…
… ANYTHING OTHER THAN THE REALITY.
Those who live off wages
And those who live of wealth
But those who live of wealth will do everything in their power to convince you the divide is between immigrants and non-immigrants, black and white, trans and non-trans…
… ANYTHING OTHER THAN THE REALITY.
October 13, 2025 at 8:23 PM
The fundamental divide is between…
Those who live off wages
And those who live of wealth
But those who live of wealth will do everything in their power to convince you the divide is between immigrants and non-immigrants, black and white, trans and non-trans…
… ANYTHING OTHER THAN THE REALITY.
Those who live off wages
And those who live of wealth
But those who live of wealth will do everything in their power to convince you the divide is between immigrants and non-immigrants, black and white, trans and non-trans…
… ANYTHING OTHER THAN THE REALITY.
Reposted
@zackpolanski.bsky.social is asked about people still protesting against Israels actions in Gaza in the aftermath of yesterdays attack on Jews in Manchester #GMB
October 3, 2025 at 7:06 AM
@zackpolanski.bsky.social is asked about people still protesting against Israels actions in Gaza in the aftermath of yesterdays attack on Jews in Manchester #GMB
Reposted
A massive, dangerous and disgusting scandal, of which far too few people are yet aware. At @fightingdirty.bsky.social we'll keep pushing to stop it. Congrats to @rachelsalvidge.bsky.social for continuing to shine the light:
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Thousands of tonnes of toxic landfill liquid added to sewage and spread on English farms
Exclusive: Leachate is tankered to treatment works where it mixes with sewage and industrial effluent
www.theguardian.com
September 12, 2025 at 5:50 AM
A massive, dangerous and disgusting scandal, of which far too few people are yet aware. At @fightingdirty.bsky.social we'll keep pushing to stop it. Congrats to @rachelsalvidge.bsky.social for continuing to shine the light:
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted
This is why we must @defendourjuries.bsky.social
"BREAKING: GANTRY CLIMBERS NOT GUILTY"
'A jury found Sam, Isobel & Rachel not guilty of public nuisance at Guilford Crown Court today, after they climbed gantries above the M25 in 2022
The jury decided they had a reasonable excuse for taking action'
"BREAKING: GANTRY CLIMBERS NOT GUILTY"
'A jury found Sam, Isobel & Rachel not guilty of public nuisance at Guilford Crown Court today, after they climbed gantries above the M25 in 2022
The jury decided they had a reasonable excuse for taking action'
September 12, 2025 at 7:41 AM
This is why we must @defendourjuries.bsky.social
"BREAKING: GANTRY CLIMBERS NOT GUILTY"
'A jury found Sam, Isobel & Rachel not guilty of public nuisance at Guilford Crown Court today, after they climbed gantries above the M25 in 2022
The jury decided they had a reasonable excuse for taking action'
"BREAKING: GANTRY CLIMBERS NOT GUILTY"
'A jury found Sam, Isobel & Rachel not guilty of public nuisance at Guilford Crown Court today, after they climbed gantries above the M25 in 2022
The jury decided they had a reasonable excuse for taking action'
Farcical green washing from a government that would happily sell its own granny and couch it as an exciting opportunity for intergenerational wealth creation
This is infuriating. What is the point of a Marine Protected Area if trawlers are allowed to keep ploughing it?
Yet again, the government has succumbed to commercial lobbying.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Yet again, the government has succumbed to commercial lobbying.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Bottom trawling to continue in English protected waters, government rules
Defra says blanket ban on ‘destructive’ fishing practice disproportionate as MPs urge minister to reconsider
www.theguardian.com
September 9, 2025 at 7:26 AM
Farcical green washing from a government that would happily sell its own granny and couch it as an exciting opportunity for intergenerational wealth creation
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Eddie Dempsey yesterday. Bang on the money.
September 9, 2025 at 7:05 AM
Eddie Dempsey yesterday. Bang on the money.
Reposted
On the same day in the Telegraph:
![The Telegraph
Rayner tax scandal - £40k tax dodge - Statement
Angela Rayner dodges £40,000 stamp duty
Deputy Prime Minister reduces tax bill for Hove flat by declaring it as her main residence
[Photo: Angela Rayner pictured at the weekend in Hove, where she has just bought a flat Credit: Dan Charity/The Sun on Sunday]
Robert Mendick Chief Reporter. Amy Gibbons Political Correspondent
29 August 2025 8:57am BST](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2kf2qj56o2vq7jfaq4x4ogp6/bafkreihe5mm7nwmwvzhtgadmsafyvsaxhrufuai2d2j2rju5zt6g2lytea@jpeg)
![The Telegraph
Money > Property > Second homes
How to avoid tax on your second home
From stamp duty to council tax, shield your wealth from Labour's tightening net
[Photo of houses around a bay - Areas such as Cornwall have added a premium to council tax bills for second homes Credit: iStockphoto]
Fran Ivens Senior Money Writer
29 August 2025 1:21pm BST](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2kf2qj56o2vq7jfaq4x4ogp6/bafkreieuwgc2vsmyfcctmf4cnpcqckij2pqdk2gmzajpnihrsqyqmzyr5e@jpeg)
September 5, 2025 at 7:55 AM
On the same day in the Telegraph:
Reposted
In solidarity with the Global Sumud Flotilla which launches this week in a bid to break the Israeli naval blockade and deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, I've recorded a new song for Palestine
www.youtube.com/watch?v=1axj...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=1axj...
Billy Bragg - Hundred Year Hunger
YouTube video by Billy Bragg
www.youtube.com
September 1, 2025 at 6:51 PM
In solidarity with the Global Sumud Flotilla which launches this week in a bid to break the Israeli naval blockade and deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, I've recorded a new song for Palestine
www.youtube.com/watch?v=1axj...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=1axj...
Ocado handed out 221 million plastic bags last year! 😱 Sign the petition and tell them to ditch single-use bags for good. you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/oc...
Ocado: Ditch the plastic bag
In 2024, single-use plastic bag sales in England rose for the first time since the carrier bag levy was introduced in 2015 - a 7% increase, reaching 437 million bags. Shockingly, Ocado alone was respo...
you.38degrees.org.uk
August 30, 2025 at 10:50 PM
Ocado handed out 221 million plastic bags last year! 😱 Sign the petition and tell them to ditch single-use bags for good. you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/oc...
Reposted
The Met Police confirmed on Sunday that 532 arrests were made, 522 for displaying an item in support of a proscribed organisation at the Palestine Action march in central London.
Amnesty said the arrests were "disproportionate to the point of absurdity."
urlr.me/FUkJyg
Amnesty said the arrests were "disproportionate to the point of absurdity."
urlr.me/FUkJyg
August 12, 2025 at 10:10 AM
The Met Police confirmed on Sunday that 532 arrests were made, 522 for displaying an item in support of a proscribed organisation at the Palestine Action march in central London.
Amnesty said the arrests were "disproportionate to the point of absurdity."
urlr.me/FUkJyg
Amnesty said the arrests were "disproportionate to the point of absurdity."
urlr.me/FUkJyg
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Amongst those arrested in London for peacefully protesting the genocide in Gaza is this blind person in a wheelchair.
Staggeringly embarrassing and shaming for Starmer.
“Shame on you!” being shouted by the crowd.
(🎥 Defend Our Juries)
Staggeringly embarrassing and shaming for Starmer.
“Shame on you!” being shouted by the crowd.
(🎥 Defend Our Juries)
August 9, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Amongst those arrested in London for peacefully protesting the genocide in Gaza is this blind person in a wheelchair.
Staggeringly embarrassing and shaming for Starmer.
“Shame on you!” being shouted by the crowd.
(🎥 Defend Our Juries)
Staggeringly embarrassing and shaming for Starmer.
“Shame on you!” being shouted by the crowd.
(🎥 Defend Our Juries)
Reposted
Excellent research by @guyshrubsole.bsky.social
What are the implications of having millions of 'ghost Pheasants' wandering around the countryside? In a #BirdFlu epidemic it could be catastrophic.
#Ornithology #UKBirding
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/08/01/s...
What are the implications of having millions of 'ghost Pheasants' wandering around the countryside? In a #BirdFlu epidemic it could be catastrophic.
#Ornithology #UKBirding
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/08/01/s...
Shooting estates failing to declare millions of Pheasants – could spell disaster in Avian Influenza epidemic
Shooting estates in England are failing to declare millions of Pheasants that are being bred, reared and released in to the countryside. That’s the finding of new research published yesterday…
raptorpersecutionuk.org
August 1, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Excellent research by @guyshrubsole.bsky.social
What are the implications of having millions of 'ghost Pheasants' wandering around the countryside? In a #BirdFlu epidemic it could be catastrophic.
#Ornithology #UKBirding
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/08/01/s...
What are the implications of having millions of 'ghost Pheasants' wandering around the countryside? In a #BirdFlu epidemic it could be catastrophic.
#Ornithology #UKBirding
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/08/01/s...
To be fair this info is from Octopus. I’d be interested in knowing if there is more to it because it seems unbelievably stupid! “Great Britain wastes £180,000 every hour switching off wind turbines and overpaying gas generators to switch on. That's £711,550,410 so far this year! wastedwind.energy “
Wasted Wind
Britain wastes millions a day switching off wind turbines. See how much has been wasted today, and in 2025.
wastedwind.energy
July 28, 2025 at 11:38 AM
To be fair this info is from Octopus. I’d be interested in knowing if there is more to it because it seems unbelievably stupid! “Great Britain wastes £180,000 every hour switching off wind turbines and overpaying gas generators to switch on. That's £711,550,410 so far this year! wastedwind.energy “
I’ve just signed a 38 Degrees petition to say no to £20 fees for GP appointments - our health service must stay free to access! Will you add your name?
July 19, 2025 at 2:23 PM
I’ve just signed a 38 Degrees petition to say no to £20 fees for GP appointments - our health service must stay free to access! Will you add your name?
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Years of very determined campaigning by Kye Gbangbola, Zane’s father and great work by my Assembly colleague @zackpolanski.bsky.social keeping on advocating and persuading the mayor to back #ZanesLaw
A lot of pushing - and we've only just begun.
It's been one of the issues I've been proudest to champion & shift the dial - an obvious issue of environmental & social justice.
We'all all keep at it until there's justice for Zane.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
It's been one of the issues I've been proudest to champion & shift the dial - an obvious issue of environmental & social justice.
We'all all keep at it until there's justice for Zane.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
London mayor backs Zane's Law for contaminated land
Sir Sadiq Khan's support follows several councils in calling for Zane's Law to be adopted.
www.bbc.com
July 11, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Years of very determined campaigning by Kye Gbangbola, Zane’s father and great work by my Assembly colleague @zackpolanski.bsky.social keeping on advocating and persuading the mayor to back #ZanesLaw
Reposted
EUROPE split between Autumn weather in the Alpine regions (snow locally below 2000m !) and extreme heat in Eastern Europe and North Africa and Iberian Peninsula.
47C in Algeria,46C in Libya and Tunisia,39C in Moldova and Ukraine.
More of the same next days
47C in Algeria,46C in Libya and Tunisia,39C in Moldova and Ukraine.
More of the same next days
July 8, 2025 at 6:28 PM
EUROPE split between Autumn weather in the Alpine regions (snow locally below 2000m !) and extreme heat in Eastern Europe and North Africa and Iberian Peninsula.
47C in Algeria,46C in Libya and Tunisia,39C in Moldova and Ukraine.
More of the same next days
47C in Algeria,46C in Libya and Tunisia,39C in Moldova and Ukraine.
More of the same next days
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Political pressure means a reprieve for some who were set to be cruelly harmed, but this is way too small a concession to accept.
Greens demand the full withdrawal of cuts to PIP and any changes only through working with Disabled people to get it right. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Greens demand the full withdrawal of cuts to PIP and any changes only through working with Disabled people to get it right. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
PM 'agrees' benefit changes deal with Labour rebels
Cuts to some disability benefits will only hit future claimants, not those already on it, it is understood.
www.bbc.co.uk
June 26, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Political pressure means a reprieve for some who were set to be cruelly harmed, but this is way too small a concession to accept.
Greens demand the full withdrawal of cuts to PIP and any changes only through working with Disabled people to get it right. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Greens demand the full withdrawal of cuts to PIP and any changes only through working with Disabled people to get it right. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...