William Cullerne Bown
@williamcb.bsky.social
Technology and politics.
Newsletter https://bit.ly/3AELZDu
Foundations of AI https://bit.ly/3WiYJab
Law https://bit.ly/40YL1fU
Research Fortnight https://bit.ly/4i0
https://signal.me/#eu/xNzjw2P7XIGjBfdQicHbMp0V5SuVpgCQOeUZNpDRqH-mkt2Tan9G6Y0ZitEKsVkN
Newsletter https://bit.ly/3AELZDu
Foundations of AI https://bit.ly/3WiYJab
Law https://bit.ly/40YL1fU
Research Fortnight https://bit.ly/4i0
https://signal.me/#eu/xNzjw2P7XIGjBfdQicHbMp0V5SuVpgCQOeUZNpDRqH-mkt2Tan9G6Y0ZitEKsVkN
Pinned
Trump, Starmer and the populist tide
Old concepts such as left vs right, trust and class aren't enough to explain the trouble we're in
open.substack.com
Today I argue Keir Starmer can only be understood in the context of deep shifts in the character of our politics that are still hard to grasp
open.substack.com/pub/williamc...
open.substack.com/pub/williamc...
"My name is Nigel, King of Kings:
Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!"
Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!"
In a spell-binding move, Reform run, cash-strapped, Kent County Council repaints the yellow 'Keep Clear' lines outside a school that closed 10 years ago
news.sky.com/story/reform...
news.sky.com/story/reform...
Reform council repaints road markings for school which closed in 2016
Kent County Council sold the disused school site to a government agency in March, but has repainted yellow zigzags and "School Keep Clear" warnings.
news.sky.com
November 18, 2025 at 9:22 AM
"My name is Nigel, King of Kings:
Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!"
Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!"
Reform lack gorm.
In a spell-binding move, Reform run, cash-strapped, Kent County Council repaints the yellow 'Keep Clear' lines outside a school that closed 10 years ago
news.sky.com/story/reform...
news.sky.com/story/reform...
Reform council repaints road markings for school which closed in 2016
Kent County Council sold the disused school site to a government agency in March, but has repainted yellow zigzags and "School Keep Clear" warnings.
news.sky.com
November 18, 2025 at 9:04 AM
Reform lack gorm.
Reposted by William Cullerne Bown
In a spell-binding move, Reform run, cash-strapped, Kent County Council repaints the yellow 'Keep Clear' lines outside a school that closed 10 years ago
news.sky.com/story/reform...
news.sky.com/story/reform...
Reform council repaints road markings for school which closed in 2016
Kent County Council sold the disused school site to a government agency in March, but has repainted yellow zigzags and "School Keep Clear" warnings.
news.sky.com
November 18, 2025 at 8:25 AM
In a spell-binding move, Reform run, cash-strapped, Kent County Council repaints the yellow 'Keep Clear' lines outside a school that closed 10 years ago
news.sky.com/story/reform...
news.sky.com/story/reform...
Reposted by William Cullerne Bown
What is really going on in this society that elected Donald Trump president a second time?
I wrote about three stubborn myths about Trump’s support – and why America has experienced a de-alignment rather than a rightward realignment.
My new piece for @zeit.de – and some thoughts in English:
I wrote about three stubborn myths about Trump’s support – and why America has experienced a de-alignment rather than a rightward realignment.
My new piece for @zeit.de – and some thoughts in English:
Unterstützung von Donald Trump: Die Irrtümer über Donald Trumps Rückhalt
Rechtsruck, multiethnische Koalition, Held einfacher Leute: Trump gilt als fest verankert. Doch diese Überzeugung beruht auf drei großen Missverständnissen.
www.zeit.de
November 17, 2025 at 2:46 PM
What is really going on in this society that elected Donald Trump president a second time?
I wrote about three stubborn myths about Trump’s support – and why America has experienced a de-alignment rather than a rightward realignment.
My new piece for @zeit.de – and some thoughts in English:
I wrote about three stubborn myths about Trump’s support – and why America has experienced a de-alignment rather than a rightward realignment.
My new piece for @zeit.de – and some thoughts in English:
Reposted by William Cullerne Bown
Brexit to blame for University of Kent struggles, says VC.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
Brexit to blame for University of Kent struggles, says VC - Research Professional News
Acting head Georgina Randsley de Moura also cites Covid in discussion of sector’s financial challenges
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
November 17, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Brexit to blame for University of Kent struggles, says VC.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
Reposted by William Cullerne Bown
Oxford v-c Irene Tracey with some carefully phrased caution/criticism around REF people, culture and environment metric, plus govt's international student fee levy, in interview with @resprofnews.bsky.social @francesjones.bsky.social.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
Oxford VC says REF ‘must do what it says on the can’ - Research Professional News
Irene Tracey also warns of “unintended consequences” from government’s planned international student fee levy
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
November 17, 2025 at 11:25 AM
Oxford v-c Irene Tracey with some carefully phrased caution/criticism around REF people, culture and environment metric, plus govt's international student fee levy, in interview with @resprofnews.bsky.social @francesjones.bsky.social.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
Graduates
Most organisations haven't yet reduced their workforce across the board due to #AI. However, more expect declines next year. That's why we don't yet see big #productivity gains but do see a slowdown in hiring. #dataisbeautiful
"State of AI": bit.ly/3LuVzh2
Effect on UK job market: bit.ly/450jtbv
"State of AI": bit.ly/3LuVzh2
Effect on UK job market: bit.ly/450jtbv
November 17, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Graduates
Reposted by William Cullerne Bown
Very meta
#BBCNews inexplicably just went live to this like it was a breaking news story which backfired pretty quickly because Sally Philips said FUCK and they had to apologise
November 17, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Very meta
Reposted by William Cullerne Bown
Europe’s rush to adopt AI in public services risks repeating mistakes in digital identity and procurement, writes Tech Policy Press Contributing Editor Amber Sinha. He urges governments to set clear goals and resist vendor-driven agendas to ensure technology truly serves the public.
AI Procurement and the Capture of Public Purpose | TechPolicy.Press
As the EU ramps up AI adoption, Amber Sinha raises questions about public procurement, vendor influence, and how governments ensure accountability.
buff.ly
November 17, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Europe’s rush to adopt AI in public services risks repeating mistakes in digital identity and procurement, writes Tech Policy Press Contributing Editor Amber Sinha. He urges governments to set clear goals and resist vendor-driven agendas to ensure technology truly serves the public.
Reposted by William Cullerne Bown
Is the Office for Budget Responsibility anti-democratic? blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandp...
Is the Office for Budget Responsibility anti-democratic? | British Politics and Policy at LSE
The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) plays a pivotal role in shaping fiscal policy. But, it may also inadvertently constrain political imagination.
blogs.lse.ac.uk
November 17, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Is the Office for Budget Responsibility anti-democratic? blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandp...
Reposted by William Cullerne Bown
"Already, England has privatised much of the NHS. Indeed, my colleagues down south consider that NHS England is too far gone to bring it back under public ownership. Certainly, with the direction of UK politics, such an opinion seems warranted."
Will Scottish independence improve Scotland’s healthcare?
Egalitarian ideals shape Scotland’s distinct health policies, but independence raises a key question: party agenda or public belief?
bylines.scot
November 15, 2025 at 9:28 AM
"Already, England has privatised much of the NHS. Indeed, my colleagues down south consider that NHS England is too far gone to bring it back under public ownership. Certainly, with the direction of UK politics, such an opinion seems warranted."
Reposted by William Cullerne Bown
The only way to raise serious revenue is to raise a tax which everybody pays. Raising a tax which someone else pays rarely raises the revenue needed and creates endless pressure from special interest groups. Compare and contrast Mr Osborne's 2 1/2% VAT increase with his pasty tax. #omnishambles
November 14, 2025 at 3:32 PM
The only way to raise serious revenue is to raise a tax which everybody pays. Raising a tax which someone else pays rarely raises the revenue needed and creates endless pressure from special interest groups. Compare and contrast Mr Osborne's 2 1/2% VAT increase with his pasty tax. #omnishambles
Reposted by William Cullerne Bown
That’s three London football clubs with uncomfortable proximity to Trump.
Spured into action www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Trump Pardons UK Billionaire Joe Lewis Over Insider Trading
Joe Lewis, the UK billionaire and former owner of Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, received a pardon from President Donald Trump over his conviction in the US for insider trading.
www.bloomberg.com
November 13, 2025 at 5:07 PM
That’s three London football clubs with uncomfortable proximity to Trump.
Reposted by William Cullerne Bown
"If you want a picture of the future, imagine Liz Truss grovelling for the attention of a far-right billionaire - forever"
November 13, 2025 at 2:33 PM
"If you want a picture of the future, imagine Liz Truss grovelling for the attention of a far-right billionaire - forever"
Reposted by William Cullerne Bown
“The Far Right doesn’t stay within borders. It’s at work everywhere and it works in sync. The strength in one area magnifies the strength in another. It’s a global threat.”
The Far Right Hits The BBC
The assault on free media gathers pace
open.substack.com
November 12, 2025 at 10:20 AM
“The Far Right doesn’t stay within borders. It’s at work everywhere and it works in sync. The strength in one area magnifies the strength in another. It’s a global threat.”
Reposted by William Cullerne Bown
Reform UK Ltd gets 92% of its funding from climate change deniers and fossil fuel corporate interests, provoking negative reactions.
A new survey reveals negative attitudes to Reform UK Ltd
Reform UK Ltd gets 92% of its funding from climate change deniers and fossil fuel corporate interests, provoking negative reactions
centralbylines.co.uk
November 12, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Reform UK Ltd gets 92% of its funding from climate change deniers and fossil fuel corporate interests, provoking negative reactions.
Reposted by William Cullerne Bown
Qanon believers, you are in for a hell of a plot twist.
November 12, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Qanon believers, you are in for a hell of a plot twist.
Reposted by William Cullerne Bown
Our leading news organizations turned a cache of ultimately-innocuous emails into a scandal-coded weeklong series of front page stories leading into the 2016 election. If they do not cover the "emails from notorious pedophile implication the President" emails with the same fervor, it's curious!
November 12, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Our leading news organizations turned a cache of ultimately-innocuous emails into a scandal-coded weeklong series of front page stories leading into the 2016 election. If they do not cover the "emails from notorious pedophile implication the President" emails with the same fervor, it's curious!
Reposted by William Cullerne Bown
wtf is going on man. Major evidence has been dropped that implicates The president of the United States in a child rape scheme and cover up and both msnbc and cnn and interviewing some clown directors about films coming out this weekend.
The information ecosystem in this country is broke man.
The information ecosystem in this country is broke man.
November 12, 2025 at 2:58 PM
wtf is going on man. Major evidence has been dropped that implicates The president of the United States in a child rape scheme and cover up and both msnbc and cnn and interviewing some clown directors about films coming out this weekend.
The information ecosystem in this country is broke man.
The information ecosystem in this country is broke man.
Reposted by William Cullerne Bown
The email that’s most newsworthy in my mind is the one that Epstein sent to Ghislaine Maxwell in 2011.
1. This was years before Trump ran for office.
2. It appears that Ghislaine Maxwell lied to DOJ officials during her meeting with them a couple months ago.
1. This was years before Trump ran for office.
2. It appears that Ghislaine Maxwell lied to DOJ officials during her meeting with them a couple months ago.
November 12, 2025 at 3:09 PM
The email that’s most newsworthy in my mind is the one that Epstein sent to Ghislaine Maxwell in 2011.
1. This was years before Trump ran for office.
2. It appears that Ghislaine Maxwell lied to DOJ officials during her meeting with them a couple months ago.
1. This was years before Trump ran for office.
2. It appears that Ghislaine Maxwell lied to DOJ officials during her meeting with them a couple months ago.
Reposted by William Cullerne Bown
Explains why Jeffries has gotten bold about calling the Republicans a “pedophile protection program” - House Dems already had the dirt in hand
Breaking News: House Democrats released emails in which Jeffrey Epstein alleged that Donald Trump knew of the convicted sex offender's conduct and “spent hours at my house” with a victim.
Epstein Alleged in Emails That Trump Knew of His Conduct
In a message obtained by Congress, the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein wrote that Donald J. Trump spent hours at his house with one of Mr. Epstein’s victims.
nyti.ms
November 12, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Explains why Jeffries has gotten bold about calling the Republicans a “pedophile protection program” - House Dems already had the dirt in hand
Reposted by William Cullerne Bown
Back in the day (~2010ish), I was involved in turning a scholarly journal from closed to open access. So it's interesting and encouraging to read this report by @theblochian.bsky.social:
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-v...
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-v...
Chaos is coming for scholarly publishing - Research Professional News
Buckling of commercial models alongside maturing of community-led efforts promises major shifts, says Caroline Edwards
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
November 12, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Back in the day (~2010ish), I was involved in turning a scholarly journal from closed to open access. So it's interesting and encouraging to read this report by @theblochian.bsky.social:
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-v...
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-v...
Streeting isn’t *essential* to the stability of the Cabinet but there’s an element of truth to this because Starmer’s government is originally a coalition.
November 12, 2025 at 1:09 PM
Streeting isn’t *essential* to the stability of the Cabinet but there’s an element of truth to this because Starmer’s government is originally a coalition.
Reposted by William Cullerne Bown
Reposted by William Cullerne Bown
Pleasure to interview MP & science committee member Emily Darlington (@emily4mk.bsky.social)
She wants to see the UK go back to a place where “amazing scientists” were “household names”, but “with a bit more diversity, a few more women in the mix”.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
She wants to see the UK go back to a place where “amazing scientists” were “household names”, but “with a bit more diversity, a few more women in the mix”.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
MP calls for bigger R&D budgets outside of science department - Research Professional News
Science committee member Emily Darlington also wants more power for chief scientific advisers
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
November 12, 2025 at 10:13 AM
Pleasure to interview MP & science committee member Emily Darlington (@emily4mk.bsky.social)
She wants to see the UK go back to a place where “amazing scientists” were “household names”, but “with a bit more diversity, a few more women in the mix”.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
She wants to see the UK go back to a place where “amazing scientists” were “household names”, but “with a bit more diversity, a few more women in the mix”.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...