suewestoby
@suewestoby.bsky.social
Geographer, birder, passionate advocate for outdoor learning, volunteer for wildlife charities, traveller, family historian, proud mum and gran💚🇬🇧🐧
Reposted by suewestoby
Well, this is pretty terrifying. The Daily Mail is buying the Telegraph.
One massive consolidated right-wing media empire controlled by off-shore interests at a critical moment in global politics.
What could go wrong?
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
One massive consolidated right-wing media empire controlled by off-shore interests at a critical moment in global politics.
What could go wrong?
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
Daily Mail owner strikes £500m deal to buy Telegraph titles
Acquisition likely to trigger in-depth investigation by regulator after agreement between DMGT and Redbird IMI
www.theguardian.com
November 22, 2025 at 10:52 AM
Well, this is pretty terrifying. The Daily Mail is buying the Telegraph.
One massive consolidated right-wing media empire controlled by off-shore interests at a critical moment in global politics.
What could go wrong?
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
One massive consolidated right-wing media empire controlled by off-shore interests at a critical moment in global politics.
What could go wrong?
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
Reposted by suewestoby
Steve Reed has told Labour MPs to vote down amendment to the new planning bill intended to protect British wildlife and its habitats from destruction.
First Swifts, now hedgehogs and dormice. Nothing is sacred... just betrayals by this govt at every turn
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
First Swifts, now hedgehogs and dormice. Nothing is sacred... just betrayals by this govt at every turn
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Housing secretary tells Labour MPs to vote down planning bill amendment
Amendment restricts protection for animals to allow faster house building
www.theguardian.com
November 14, 2025 at 8:57 AM
Steve Reed has told Labour MPs to vote down amendment to the new planning bill intended to protect British wildlife and its habitats from destruction.
First Swifts, now hedgehogs and dormice. Nothing is sacred... just betrayals by this govt at every turn
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
First Swifts, now hedgehogs and dormice. Nothing is sacred... just betrayals by this govt at every turn
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by suewestoby
Climate breakdown is driven by a storm of lies. This lying is systemic, funded and coordinated, and operates across almost all media, old and new.
This week's column argues that we cannot fight the climate crisis without also fighting the epistemic crisis.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
This week's column argues that we cannot fight the climate crisis without also fighting the epistemic crisis.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Dark forces are preventing us fighting the climate crisis – by taking knowledge hostage | George Monbiot
The fundamental problem is this: that most of the means of communication are owned or influenced by the very rich, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot
www.theguardian.com
November 14, 2025 at 6:47 AM
Climate breakdown is driven by a storm of lies. This lying is systemic, funded and coordinated, and operates across almost all media, old and new.
This week's column argues that we cannot fight the climate crisis without also fighting the epistemic crisis.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
This week's column argues that we cannot fight the climate crisis without also fighting the epistemic crisis.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by suewestoby
Watching Labour MPs take a wrecking ball to nature makes me so angry & so sad. Their action tonight voting down amendments to the #PlanningBill intended to protect wildlife & habitats from destruction is so reckless & so counterproductive. People didn’t vote Labour for this 👇
Housing secretary tells Labour MPs to vote down planning bill amendment
Amendment restricts protection for animals to allow faster house building
www.theguardian.com
November 13, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Watching Labour MPs take a wrecking ball to nature makes me so angry & so sad. Their action tonight voting down amendments to the #PlanningBill intended to protect wildlife & habitats from destruction is so reckless & so counterproductive. People didn’t vote Labour for this 👇
Reposted by suewestoby
Amendment 40 to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill has been voted down.
Had it passed, it would have meant more precious wildlife would have retained existing protections.
Instead, MPs have bought into the false 'nature vs growth' narrative.
Had it passed, it would have meant more precious wildlife would have retained existing protections.
Instead, MPs have bought into the false 'nature vs growth' narrative.
November 13, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Amendment 40 to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill has been voted down.
Had it passed, it would have meant more precious wildlife would have retained existing protections.
Instead, MPs have bought into the false 'nature vs growth' narrative.
Had it passed, it would have meant more precious wildlife would have retained existing protections.
Instead, MPs have bought into the false 'nature vs growth' narrative.
Reposted by suewestoby
"This entire saga has a smell hanging over it. The people of Teesside, Hartlepool and Darlington are no fools. That smell will not go away until there is a full, transparent and independent inquiry."
Teesworks scandal: a dark tale of public wealth lost and private gain
Teesworks - a story that reads like a screenplay for a dark political drama
northeastbylines.co.uk
November 11, 2025 at 10:07 AM
"This entire saga has a smell hanging over it. The people of Teesside, Hartlepool and Darlington are no fools. That smell will not go away until there is a full, transparent and independent inquiry."
Reposted by suewestoby
Cutting the insulation schemes that are one of the best ways to permanently reduce energy bills for low income families would be an eyewateringly daft & counterproductive way of seeking to reduce energy bills, as well as driving up emissions & leading to mass job cuts in the insulation sector 🙄
Cutting home insulation funding will imperil UK’s climate goals, Reeves told
Energy firms and charities urge chancellor to avoid short-term fix that could also harm low-income households
www.theguardian.com
November 8, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Cutting the insulation schemes that are one of the best ways to permanently reduce energy bills for low income families would be an eyewateringly daft & counterproductive way of seeking to reduce energy bills, as well as driving up emissions & leading to mass job cuts in the insulation sector 🙄
Reposted by suewestoby
13 East Anglian neighbourhoods are among England’s most deprived 1%. Every one lies on the coast. The poorest voted Reform. A warning about what happens when seaside towns are left behind.
East Anglia: home to the richest and poorest
The Office for National Statistics has just published a report on deprivation in communities across England. What does it tell us about our deeply divided region?
eastangliabylines.co.uk
November 8, 2025 at 9:29 AM
13 East Anglian neighbourhoods are among England’s most deprived 1%. Every one lies on the coast. The poorest voted Reform. A warning about what happens when seaside towns are left behind.
Reposted by suewestoby
Regressive, anti-environment talk from… the Lib Dems’ Tim Farron.
I dare @timfarron.bsky.social to publish the ‘evidence’ he claims to have here that Sea Eagles “would not enhance biodiversity” & would be a “huge threat” to lambs
Ignorant & scaremongering
www.wfelibdems.uk/news/article...
I dare @timfarron.bsky.social to publish the ‘evidence’ he claims to have here that Sea Eagles “would not enhance biodiversity” & would be a “huge threat” to lambs
Ignorant & scaremongering
www.wfelibdems.uk/news/article...
Tim Farron calls for rethink over plans to reintroduce sea eagles to Cumbria
Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron has written to the Lake District National Park Authority, raising concerns about the impact the potential reintroduction of sea eagles will have on sheep farms i...
www.wfelibdems.uk
November 7, 2025 at 9:43 AM
Regressive, anti-environment talk from… the Lib Dems’ Tim Farron.
I dare @timfarron.bsky.social to publish the ‘evidence’ he claims to have here that Sea Eagles “would not enhance biodiversity” & would be a “huge threat” to lambs
Ignorant & scaremongering
www.wfelibdems.uk/news/article...
I dare @timfarron.bsky.social to publish the ‘evidence’ he claims to have here that Sea Eagles “would not enhance biodiversity” & would be a “huge threat” to lambs
Ignorant & scaremongering
www.wfelibdems.uk/news/article...
Reposted by suewestoby
This is absolutely appalling.
"The UK will not contribute to a flagship fund for the world’s remaining tropical forests, in a bitter blow to the Brazilian hosts on the eve of the Cop30 climate summit."
Absolutely pathetic.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
"The UK will not contribute to a flagship fund for the world’s remaining tropical forests, in a bitter blow to the Brazilian hosts on the eve of the Cop30 climate summit."
Absolutely pathetic.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
UK opts out of flagship fund to protect Amazon and other threatened tropical forests
Decision is bitter blow to Brazil ahead of fund’s launch at Cop30 – and an embarrassment to Prince William
www.theguardian.com
November 5, 2025 at 6:33 PM
This is absolutely appalling.
"The UK will not contribute to a flagship fund for the world’s remaining tropical forests, in a bitter blow to the Brazilian hosts on the eve of the Cop30 climate summit."
Absolutely pathetic.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
"The UK will not contribute to a flagship fund for the world’s remaining tropical forests, in a bitter blow to the Brazilian hosts on the eve of the Cop30 climate summit."
Absolutely pathetic.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by suewestoby
As the PM heads to the Amazon for COP30, remember that Britain is also a rainforest nation.
UK Ministers must support Brazil's plans to save the world's tropical rainforests. They must also set a goal to restore Britain's own lost temperate rainforests:
lostrainforestsofbritain.org/2025/11/05/a...
UK Ministers must support Brazil's plans to save the world's tropical rainforests. They must also set a goal to restore Britain's own lost temperate rainforests:
lostrainforestsofbritain.org/2025/11/05/a...
As the PM heads to the Amazon, remember that Britain is a rainforest nation
On Thursday, the Prime Minister will arrive in the Amazon rainforest for the COP30 climate talks, hosted this year by Brazil. As Keir Starmer composes his speech, he should remember that Britain, t…
lostrainforestsofbritain.org
November 5, 2025 at 11:06 AM
As the PM heads to the Amazon for COP30, remember that Britain is also a rainforest nation.
UK Ministers must support Brazil's plans to save the world's tropical rainforests. They must also set a goal to restore Britain's own lost temperate rainforests:
lostrainforestsofbritain.org/2025/11/05/a...
UK Ministers must support Brazil's plans to save the world's tropical rainforests. They must also set a goal to restore Britain's own lost temperate rainforests:
lostrainforestsofbritain.org/2025/11/05/a...
Reposted by suewestoby
Last night, Peers voted against Swift bricks: rejecting a simple, proven way to help one of our fastest declining birds recover. ❌
We share @hannahbournetaylor.bsky.social's disappointment & frustration.
The vote came late, but with government refusing to back it, its fate was already sealed.
We share @hannahbournetaylor.bsky.social's disappointment & frustration.
The vote came late, but with government refusing to back it, its fate was already sealed.
November 4, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Last night, Peers voted against Swift bricks: rejecting a simple, proven way to help one of our fastest declining birds recover. ❌
We share @hannahbournetaylor.bsky.social's disappointment & frustration.
The vote came late, but with government refusing to back it, its fate was already sealed.
We share @hannahbournetaylor.bsky.social's disappointment & frustration.
The vote came late, but with government refusing to back it, its fate was already sealed.
Reposted by suewestoby
@rspbminsmere, Suffolk, has recorded its most successful Sandwich Tern Thalasseus sandvicensis breeding season in half a century, with at least 205 fledged chicks this summer – the highest total since 1974.
Read more: britishbirds.co.uk/journal/arti...
🥇Subscriber Content
Read more: britishbirds.co.uk/journal/arti...
🥇Subscriber Content
October 24, 2025 at 12:51 PM
@rspbminsmere, Suffolk, has recorded its most successful Sandwich Tern Thalasseus sandvicensis breeding season in half a century, with at least 205 fledged chicks this summer – the highest total since 1974.
Read more: britishbirds.co.uk/journal/arti...
🥇Subscriber Content
Read more: britishbirds.co.uk/journal/arti...
🥇Subscriber Content
Reposted by suewestoby
If you want an insight into the difficulties faced by Police officers investigating suspected wildlife crime on privately-owned shooting estates in the UK, this is the programme for you.
#RaptorResearch #WildlifeCrime
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/10/24/b...
#RaptorResearch #WildlifeCrime
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/10/24/b...
BBC’s Highland Cops programme features investigation into shot out Goshawk nest in Cairngorms National Park
The BBC’s Highland Cops programme has entered its third series and episode 2 features the police investigation in to an active Goshawk nest that had been shot out on a sporting estate near Ki…
raptorpersecutionuk.org
October 24, 2025 at 3:11 PM
If you want an insight into the difficulties faced by Police officers investigating suspected wildlife crime on privately-owned shooting estates in the UK, this is the programme for you.
#RaptorResearch #WildlifeCrime
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/10/24/b...
#RaptorResearch #WildlifeCrime
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/10/24/b...
Reposted by suewestoby
This is so exciting - and follows the example of many other countries that already have recognition of nature rights in their constitutions. It’s time to give Nature a voice in law! @nataliegreenpeer.bsky.social @robgmacfarlane.bsky.social
UK campaigners launch bill to give nature legal rights
Private member’s bill backed by Chris Packham and Natalie Bennett would impose a duty of care on government and business
www.theguardian.com
October 23, 2025 at 7:58 AM
This is so exciting - and follows the example of many other countries that already have recognition of nature rights in their constitutions. It’s time to give Nature a voice in law! @nataliegreenpeer.bsky.social @robgmacfarlane.bsky.social
Reposted by suewestoby
" #Wildlife doesn’t live in spreadsheets. Every species depends on real, living places...
By moving from local, site-specific protection to a national compensation scheme, the Government risks destroying the very habitats these species need to survive.."
www.somersetwildlife.org/blog/debbie-...
By moving from local, site-specific protection to a national compensation scheme, the Government risks destroying the very habitats these species need to survive.."
www.somersetwildlife.org/blog/debbie-...
Planning & Infrastructure Bill: Nature at a Crossroads in the Lords | Somerset Wildlife Trust
As the Planning and Infrastructure Bill progresses through the Lords, we highlight the issues that still remain with Part 3, what must change, and how to keep nature at the heart of decisions.
www.somersetwildlife.org
October 22, 2025 at 3:27 PM
" #Wildlife doesn’t live in spreadsheets. Every species depends on real, living places...
By moving from local, site-specific protection to a national compensation scheme, the Government risks destroying the very habitats these species need to survive.."
www.somersetwildlife.org/blog/debbie-...
By moving from local, site-specific protection to a national compensation scheme, the Government risks destroying the very habitats these species need to survive.."
www.somersetwildlife.org/blog/debbie-...
Reposted by suewestoby
🚨The European Parliament just rejected the #Forest Monitoring Law 🚨
The proposal was a much-needed piece of legislation, essential to better understanding the state of Europe’s forests and how best to tackle their current breakdown.
Our reaction 👇
The proposal was a much-needed piece of legislation, essential to better understanding the state of Europe’s forests and how best to tackle their current breakdown.
Our reaction 👇
October 21, 2025 at 10:43 AM
🚨The European Parliament just rejected the #Forest Monitoring Law 🚨
The proposal was a much-needed piece of legislation, essential to better understanding the state of Europe’s forests and how best to tackle their current breakdown.
Our reaction 👇
The proposal was a much-needed piece of legislation, essential to better understanding the state of Europe’s forests and how best to tackle their current breakdown.
Our reaction 👇
Reposted by suewestoby
In 'Some Thoughts on the Common Toad', Orwell attacked those who think that "nothing is to be admired except steel and concrete" & argued that love of nature "makes a peaceful and decent future a little more probable"
Rachel Reeves should take note
www.orwellfoundation.com/the-orwell-f...
Rachel Reeves should take note
www.orwellfoundation.com/the-orwell-f...
October 21, 2025 at 9:36 AM
In 'Some Thoughts on the Common Toad', Orwell attacked those who think that "nothing is to be admired except steel and concrete" & argued that love of nature "makes a peaceful and decent future a little more probable"
Rachel Reeves should take note
www.orwellfoundation.com/the-orwell-f...
Rachel Reeves should take note
www.orwellfoundation.com/the-orwell-f...
Reposted by suewestoby
Make no mistake, this is a centralising Govt taking power&decision making away from people
And these shambolic amendments to #PlanningBill, tabled last minute, build on months of lies from #RachelReeves pathetically scapegoating nature for a struggling economy..
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
And these shambolic amendments to #PlanningBill, tabled last minute, build on months of lies from #RachelReeves pathetically scapegoating nature for a struggling economy..
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Nature groups rebuke Reeves for ‘cynical’ 11th-hour planning bill changes
Chancellor accused of removing environmental protections to win short-term growth and save her budget
www.theguardian.com
October 19, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Make no mistake, this is a centralising Govt taking power&decision making away from people
And these shambolic amendments to #PlanningBill, tabled last minute, build on months of lies from #RachelReeves pathetically scapegoating nature for a struggling economy..
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
And these shambolic amendments to #PlanningBill, tabled last minute, build on months of lies from #RachelReeves pathetically scapegoating nature for a struggling economy..
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by suewestoby
So much global political doom and gloom but so much heartening action happening at grassroots - the more we all take part in local, loving action for the planet (and us), the better we all feel and the more real hope for the future. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
‘Next great leap’: grassroots movement to wild East Anglia goes national
Set up by three ‘eco-anxious’ farmers, WildEast has created UK-wide version of pledge to encourage people to restore nature
www.theguardian.com
October 20, 2025 at 1:22 PM
So much global political doom and gloom but so much heartening action happening at grassroots - the more we all take part in local, loving action for the planet (and us), the better we all feel and the more real hope for the future. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by suewestoby
ICYMI Green Party membership numbers have now overtaken the Conservative Party's! 🎉
📈 125,000 members and counting.
📈 125,000 members and counting.
October 19, 2025 at 12:00 PM
ICYMI Green Party membership numbers have now overtaken the Conservative Party's! 🎉
📈 125,000 members and counting.
📈 125,000 members and counting.
Reposted by suewestoby
Exasperated. Gutted. Furious. Terrified. Sometimes swear words are the only ones that fit.
Our delightful government - who we put our trust in - is u-turning on THE easiest Nature action *ever*.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Our delightful government - who we put our trust in - is u-turning on THE easiest Nature action *ever*.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Government U-turns on support for bird-friendly swift bricks in new homes
Housing minister Steve Reed refuses to back mandating measure, despite giving support while in environment job
www.theguardian.com
October 18, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Exasperated. Gutted. Furious. Terrified. Sometimes swear words are the only ones that fit.
Our delightful government - who we put our trust in - is u-turning on THE easiest Nature action *ever*.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Our delightful government - who we put our trust in - is u-turning on THE easiest Nature action *ever*.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by suewestoby
A mandatory swift brick for every new home won't be supported by Housing Secretary Steve Reed. That's quite a u-turn from the former Environment Secretary. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Government U-turns on support for bird-friendly swift bricks in new homes
Housing minister Steve Reed refuses to back mandating measure, despite giving support while in environment job
www.theguardian.com
October 17, 2025 at 2:14 PM
A mandatory swift brick for every new home won't be supported by Housing Secretary Steve Reed. That's quite a u-turn from the former Environment Secretary. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by suewestoby
And if you’re wondering who Labour is listening to? “Reeves boasted she hatched plan to rip down our nature protections over a “smoked salmon & scrambled eggs breakfast” with corporate lobbyists”. While Starmer’s resolve to kick down planning rules are result of his “conversations with leading CEOs”
Wage war on nature to build new homes: that’s Labour’s offer, but it’s a con trick | George Monbiot
The government’s new planning bill is tearing down environmental protections to benefit developers. This nation of nature lovers won’t stand for it, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot
www.theguardian.com
October 16, 2025 at 10:09 AM
And if you’re wondering who Labour is listening to? “Reeves boasted she hatched plan to rip down our nature protections over a “smoked salmon & scrambled eggs breakfast” with corporate lobbyists”. While Starmer’s resolve to kick down planning rules are result of his “conversations with leading CEOs”
Reposted by suewestoby
Please read my column today in conjunction with Aditya's. The government pretends to be delivering housing to those who need it, but is in fact just appeasing the big corporations. Then it blames nature protections, and rips those down at their behest as well.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
A leaked memo, a Maga-style hat and a trail of broken pledges – it’s Labour’s great housing betrayal | Aditya Chakrabortty
Ignore the bombast: Steve ‘build, baby, build’ Reed’s boast looks likely to end in targets more pathetic than they are now, says Guardian columnist Aditya Chakrabortty
www.theguardian.com
October 16, 2025 at 6:59 AM
Please read my column today in conjunction with Aditya's. The government pretends to be delivering housing to those who need it, but is in fact just appeasing the big corporations. Then it blames nature protections, and rips those down at their behest as well.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...