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Alan Griffiths

@alanji.bsky.social
422 followers 359 following 2.6K posts

Newham Councillor 1994-2006 & 2010-2026. UNISON retired member. Co-operative Party Branch Secretary. Lifelong Labour member, seen most of it before. Barnsley FC Season Ticket holder.

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Alan Griffiths @alanji.bsky.social · 20m
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Humanists UK @humanists.uk · 3h
Humanists UK mourns Dame Esther Rantzen (1940–2026) Esther was a great champion of human dignity. She approached her final years with the same fearless determination that defined her career of advocacy, using her own experience to shine a light on the suffering caused by our outdated laws.
Esther Rantzen smiling wearing a blue-and-red feathered fascinator and red coat, with headline text noting her years (1940–2026).
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Alf Dubs @alfdubs.bsky.social · 2h
I'm so very sad to hear of the death of Esther Ranzen who played an important role in reuniting me with Nicky Winton - the man who saved my life. It's so desperately sad that she couldn't choose assisted dying as was her wish.
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Resolution Foundation @resolutionfoundation.org · 6h
Broken housing taxes mean Londoners are under-paying by £3.1 billion – with the rest of England over-paying in return ⤵️ buff.ly/okMiNLc
Chart showing Tax revenues as a proportion of the value of the housing stock (left axis) and the average market value of dwellings (right axis), by region of England: 2024-25
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Chartered Society of Physiotherapy @thecsp.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
'I hope they know the impact they have on people. They gave me my life back.' Luke Akehurst MP shares his rehab story. Ask your MP to stop by the CSP stand (J1) at the Labour Conference to watch Luke's story and learn more about how physio can transform lives. Rehab Can't Wait. #RightToRehab
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Resolution Foundation @resolutionfoundation.org · 10h
Pensioner incomes had caught up with non-pensioner incomes BEFORE the triple lock was introduced, thanks to policies like Pension Credit. Find out more ➡️ buff.ly/FY93tV6
When the first Pensions Commission was in place, the typical pensioner had a lower income than the typical non-pensioner, but that has not been the case since 2011-12, as Figure 1 shows. And pensioners are now less likely to be in poverty than the rest of the population, and half as likely as children.
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Younity @younityuk.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
☀️🌱 Could better planning help renewable energy projects get built faster? The Nature Conservancy’s Smart Siting approach uses mapping to identify locations for wind and solar that could reduce conflicts with biodiversity, land use and communities. A smarter approach to building clean energy. ⚡
energylivenews.com
New mapping ensures renewables face less challenges - Energy Live News
Smart Siting considers projects alongside biodiversity, land use and communities before construction
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Younity @younityuk.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
☀️🏠 What if the households most affected by high energy bills were first in line for solar? A new UK trial found solar and batteries cut electricity bills by around 62%, or £681 a year, in vulnerable and fuel poor households.
businessgreen.com
'Few better uses of public money': Solar panels and batteries cut lower-income households bills by two thirds
Putting homes in fuel poverty first in line for the 'rooftop revolution' would deliver huge cuts to energy bills, study finds
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Alan Griffiths @alanji.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
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Nick Cohen @nickcohen.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Interview with @anneapplebaum.wsocial.eu on America’s corrupt empire “The U.S. we once knew is never coming back” Podcast and piece on the end of the liberal order
nickcohen.substack.com
Anne Applebaum: America’s corrupt empire
The U.S. we once knew is dead and gone
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Tom Copley @tomcopley.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Rent control that exempts new build homes could deliver more affordability for renters while ensuring we don’t discourage vital new housing supply. Good to discuss excellent work on this by @jrf-uk.bsky.social @ippr.org & NEF, and get the public’s view from Persuasion’s @steveakehurst.bsky.social.
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Alan Griffiths @alanji.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
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Alan Griffiths @alanji.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
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UNISON @unison.org.uk · 27/09/2026
🚨 “The risk of losing these people is too great for our sector.” Methodist Homes CEO Sam Monaghan warns against driving away the migrant care workers our care system relies on. They deserve fairness, dignity and security. It’s time for #FairVisasNow.
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Resolution Foundation @resolutionfoundation.org · 27/09/2026
Sorry to those we’ve had to turn away from our Labour Party conference event on how to tackle Britains NEETs crisis this evening. Packed house shows depth of feeling for the issue. And a great panel to discuss.
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Mike Elk @mikeelk.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
X is blocking the Brazilian Catholic Bishops' Conference account as polling shows Catholics backing Lula. The Church has denounced outside interference in the election
paydayreport.com
X Blocks Account of National Conference of Bishops of Brasil As Catholics Back Lula
Polls show Catholics backing Lula as the church denounces foreign interference.
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Resolution Foundation @resolutionfoundation.org · 27/09/2026
You can’t reduce the benefits bill by arbitrarily naming a cash figure you’d cut like £50bn. To do it in a sustainable way you need to give more opportunities to young people so they’re in work. But reforming the system for young people will require painful choices, says Alan Milburn.
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Alan Griffiths @alanji.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
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The New Republic @newrepublic.com · 27/09/2026
"This is a corrupt administration, and people are tired of being taken advantage of." trib.al/ONg7h9q
trib.al
Transcript: MAGA Radio Host Leaks GOP Poll Bombshell in Blow to Trump
As an Iowa-based pro-Trump personality divulges brutal midterm poll data, the chair of the Iowa Democratic Party discusses whether Democrats are about to regain major ground in rural America.
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Alan Griffiths @alanji.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
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Institute for Public Policy Research @ippr.org · 23/09/2026
🏙️ | NEW REPORT: We expect Mayors to deliver growth, but fail to give them the tools to let them. Our new research finds that giving Mayors a 5 per cent share of income tax, would roughly double their local spending power. Here's our plan for fiscal devolution 👇️ buff.ly/17hpchu
buff.ly
https://www.ippr.org/articles/devolution-that-delivers
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Alan Griffiths @alanji.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
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Torsten Bell @torstenbell.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Liberal Democrat join the Reform/Tory circus in promising tax cuts they have no idea how to pay for - the coalition govt showed us how this ends: trashing both public services and the public finances
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Resolution Foundation @resolutionfoundation.org · 22/09/2026
When oil prices were high, Aberdeen was booming. But this dependence cuts both ways. When the oil price halved between 2014 and 2016, Aberdeen’s economy - and living standards - fell into a decline from which it has not recovered. Read more ➡️ buff.ly/zLX49WU
chart showing Mean gross annual pay in Aberdeen, per head of population, relative to the UK.
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LabourList @labourlist.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
💬 ‘End the triple lock – just not yet’ 🔴 Former Fabian Society general secretary Andrew Harrop on how Labour should transform the triple lock... labourlist.org/2026/09/end-...
labourlist.org
‘End the triple lock – just not yet’ – LabourList
Calls to end the pensions triple lock grow louder every week. Think tankers, business groups and voices from across the Labour family say it should…
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Election Maps UK @electionmaps.uk · 22/09/2026
🌹 | Labour lead with ALL pollsters for the first time since October 2024.
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UNISON @unison.org.uk · 22/09/2026
📢 New resource for social work students & newly qualified social workers. UNISON and Community Care have launched an interactive guide to help build your career, with: 📝 CV tips 💬 Interview advice 👥 Practitioner insights and more 👉️ Access the guide: buff.ly/l5inSyQ
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Torsten Bell @torstenbell.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Learning about pensions is a bit like going to the gym: you know you should do it, you feel guilty for not doing it, but you're just not sure where to begin. Here are two big facts about the UK system that everyone needs to know. torstenbell.substack.com/p/two-things...
torstenbell.substack.com
Two Things Everyone Should Know About Pensions
Learning about pensions is a bit like going to the gym: you know you should do it but you're just not sure where to begin. Here are two facts everyone should know.
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HappyToast @happytoast.co.uk · 21/09/2026
Reform aren't racist, they just don't think they should support being against racism. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Sunderland's Reform Council ends Show Racism the Red Card support
Reform ends Sunderland Council support for Show Racism the Red Card in a row with the charity's head.
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The New Republic @newrepublic.com · 21/09/2026
During the primary, on her way to that landslide victory, Florida candidate Angie Nixon did not run a single television ad. trib.al/EyOo66I
trib.al
If the Democrats Win These Three Senate Seats, an Earthquake Happened
The Trump-burdened GOP is suddenly playing defense in states they’ve barely had to for years. The reason: Some fighting Democrats have arrived on the scene.
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Alan Griffiths @alanji.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
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Alan Griffiths @alanji.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
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Younity @younityuk.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
⚡🏘️ More power for communities to take control of their energy. Nearly £30m of funding is being made available through People’s Power projects, giving communities across the UK the chance to develop and control their own clean energy projects. 🌱
theguardian.com
British people understand the climate crisis threat. Today I’m empowering them to tackle it | Andy Burnham
With nearly £30m of funding, I’m giving communities power over local energy. They know the gravity of global heating, and they want to be part of the solution, says UK prime minister Andy Burnham
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Institute for Public Policy Research @ippr.org · 21/09/2026
There is no reason why people who earn their income by going to work every day should pay more tax than those who make their income from profits on shares, crypto or property. The government should be looking to shift taxes from work to wealth at the upcoming Budget. 2/2
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Fabian Society @thefabians.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
How do we fix England’s pre-apprenticeship system? 🧑‍🏭 The government is seeking to support more young people into apprenticeships as part of an effort to tackle the youth jobs crisis. If we are to achieve this, we must build effective pathways into apprenticeships.
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Sunder Katwala (sundersays) @sundersays.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
I have long argued for value of linking rights & responsibilities we exoect of naturalised citizens to how we educate UK-born citizens (as they ehter adulthood) about those rights & responsibilities. @thangamdebbonaire.bsky.social made this point well this morning www.easterneye.biz/sunder-katwa...
easterneye.biz
Sunder Katwala: Is it time to reform the UK’s attitude to becoming British?
by SUNDER KATWALADirector, British FutureNOT many people know that Britain invented the pencil – though it is a source of local pride in the Lake District, as visiting the Keswick pencil museum would ...
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Alan Griffiths @alanji.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
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Alan Griffiths @alanji.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
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Alan Griffiths @alanji.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
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Anna Zeiter @anna.wsocial.eu · 20/09/2026
Good morning, everyone! I just came across this map about methods of Russian hybrid warfare activity across Europe from January 2018 to June 2025. 😱 You can find the link to the full study here: www.iiss.org/research-pap...
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Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP @bellribeiroaddy.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
We urgently need more Black blood donors, with the NHS only able to meet half of hospital demand for the Ro blood type. This Sickle Cell Awareness Month, I’ve tabled an EDM calling for action. Please give blood this month and ask your MP to sign 🩸 edm.parliament.uk/early-day-mo...
edm.parliament.uk
Sickle Cell Awareness Month and blood donations - Early Day Motions - UK Parliament
That this House marks Sickle Cell Awareness Month and draws attention to the continuing shortfall of blood donors from Black and ethnic minority communities and its direct impact on patients living…
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NPR @npr.org · 19/09/2026
President Donald Trump says he has a deal with Denmark to bolster the U.S. military presence in Greenland. The announcement comes after months of threatening to take the island by force from the NATO ally. n.pr/4iC8AEf
n.pr
US and Denmark reach deal to build US military presence in Greenland
President Donald Trump says he has a deal with Denmark to bolster the U.S. military presence in Greenland. The announcement comes after months of threatening to take the island by force from the NATO ally.
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Yaqiu Wang 王亚秋 @yaqiu.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
In the past 19 months, Washington has lost ground to Beijing on every major front: economic, military, technology, soft power and alliances. The gap is narrowing not because China got smarter, but the US got so much dumber. My piece with @bequelin.bsky.social 👇 foreignpolicy.com/2026/09/17/c...
foreignpolicy.com
China, Not Iran, Is Trump’s Real Foreign-Policy Debacle
In 19 months, Washington has lost ground to Beijing on every conceivable front.
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NPR @npr.org · 18/09/2026
South Africa has some of the highest rates of violence against women in the world, and a spate of killings of nine women in the same area in recent weeks has led to renewed outrage. n.pr/4yljALj
n.pr
South Africa 'feels like a prison' for women amid spate of femicides
South Africa has some of the highest rates of violence against women in the world, and a spate of killings of nine women in the same area in recent weeks has led to renewed outrage.
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Alan Griffiths @alanji.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
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Michael McDonald @electproject.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
For as orange Dumold Trump is, he's the greenest president in history
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Renewal @renewaljournal.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
New on Renewal Online: John Denham (@jydenham.bsky.social) considers Labour's past and current relationship with the wider progressive intellectual eco-system, and calls for a pro-active strategy to foster new strategic thinking renewal.org.uk/blog/labour-...
renewal.org.uk
Labour, intellectuals and progressive politics
Progressive parties are sustained by vision, aspiration, energy, commitment and organisation. But none last long without ideas. Labour, however, is remarkably uncurious about where its ideas come from...
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UK in a Changing Europe @ukandeu.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
"The very ambition that could make Associate Membership meaningful for Canada makes it difficult for Britain." 🌊 Fabian Zuleeg looks at the meaning of Associate EU Membership & argues while it could work across the Atlantic, it is unlikely to work across the Channel 🔗 ukandeu.ac.uk/associate-me...
ukandeu.ac.uk
Associate Membership: What might work across the Atlantic is unlikely to work across the Channel - UK in a changing Europe
Fabian Zuleeg argues that even if Canada becoming an Associate Member of the EU is successful, which depends on it becoming an ambitious, clearly defined and well-managed structure, it is not a future...
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John Oxley @joxley.jmoxley.co.uk · 18/09/2026
What on earth is happening?
  This had become the new normal. RNLI crew members had been forced to take their permits off their cars after their tyres have been repeatedly slashed. Most of them have been pilloried at the school gates or turned away from local pubs. One man who worked in search and rescue had been beaten unconscious and hospitalised, recognised for TV interviews he had done.
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Otto English @ottoenglish.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
In May of 1940 there was a mass panic in Britain - stirred up by the tabloid press - about 'fighting aged men' who had come to Britain as 'refugees' posing a threat to the women and children of this country - and essentially forming a 'fifth column' that could, at any moment rise up against everyone
static.klipy.com
WW2 Soldiers in Croatia: Ivan Janjic Storefront
ALT: WW2 Soldiers in Croatia: Ivan Janjic Storefront
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