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ben smoke

@bencsmoke.bsky.social
5K followers 401 following 659 posts

journalist. gobshite. chaos merchant. tree obsessive. not necessarily in that order. bensmoke.com

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Reposted by ben smoke
ben smoke @bencsmoke.bsky.social · 23h
something a little different from me this weekend - wrote about becoming a stepdad, navigating everything that comes with that and my love for the kids. metro.co.uk/2026/10/11/i...
metro.co.uk
I'm a gay stepdad - I don't know how to tell my kids I love them
I can no longer imagine my life before I thought about these kids all the time.
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Tony Bird @tonybirdlondon.bsky.social · 23h
This is lovely - and made this cynical old queer cry
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ben smoke @bencsmoke.bsky.social · 23h
that’s so kind of you to say ty ♥️
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ben smoke @bencsmoke.bsky.social · 23h
something a little different from me this weekend - wrote about becoming a stepdad, navigating everything that comes with that and my love for the kids. metro.co.uk/2026/10/11/i...
metro.co.uk
I'm a gay stepdad - I don't know how to tell my kids I love them
I can no longer imagine my life before I thought about these kids all the time.
1221
Reposted by ben smoke
ben smoke @bencsmoke.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Read more about this here! wefightthegoodfight.substack.com/p/revealed-r...
wefightthegoodfight.substack.com
REVEALED: ‘Rent reducing’ tribunals are actually increasing rents
Analysis shows Rayner’s Renters Rights Act is pushing rents up
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Reposted by ben smoke
ben smoke @bencsmoke.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
The Renters Rights Act has been framed by those in power as a silver bullet for the housing crisis but is it actually up to the task of fixing the spiralling rents that are driving it? @jeremycorbyn.bsky.social doesn’t think so…
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ben smoke @bencsmoke.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Read more about this here! wefightthegoodfight.substack.com/p/revealed-r...
wefightthegoodfight.substack.com
REVEALED: ‘Rent reducing’ tribunals are actually increasing rents
Analysis shows Rayner’s Renters Rights Act is pushing rents up
042
ben smoke @bencsmoke.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
The Renters Rights Act has been framed by those in power as a silver bullet for the housing crisis but is it actually up to the task of fixing the spiralling rents that are driving it? @jeremycorbyn.bsky.social doesn’t think so…
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Reposted by ben smoke
ben smoke @bencsmoke.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
REVEALED: New rules for rent tribunals introduced by the Renters Rights Act are actually increasing rents at a faster rate than the national average, despite claims from Housing Secretary Angela Rayner that they would bring rents down...
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Sylvia @sylvia-suffragette.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
I just hate to say ‘I told you so’ (not really) but from the start it was obvious that without rent controls, the Renters’ Rights Bill was a pointless bit of tickboxing
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Minestrone Monster @minstronemonster.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Excellent thread
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ben smoke @bencsmoke.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
I put all of these claims to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. They did not reply by the time of publication. Read more, including testimony from London Renters Union and Greater Manchester Tenants Union here: wefightthegoodfight.substack.com/p/revealed-r...
wefightthegoodfight.substack.com
REVEALED: ‘Rent reducing’ tribunals are actually increasing rents
Analysis shows Rayner’s Renters Rights Act is pushing rents up
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ben smoke @bencsmoke.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
@greenpartyhan.bsky.social details the impact that rents are having on the people of Gorton and Denton (and more widely across Burnham's beloved Manchester) pointing to domestic violence survivors being trapped in dangerous situations because of spiralling housing costs.
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ben smoke @bencsmoke.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Your Party Parliamentary leader @jeremycorbyn.bsky.social detailed how spiralling rents have knock on effects to those in receipt of housing benefit and mean the public simply ends up filling the coffers of private landlords.
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ben smoke @bencsmoke.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Many politicians, including labour MPs have made clear, however, that the escalating situation where rental costs is concerned calls for action like rent controls. Here Nottingham East MP @nadiawhittomemp.bsky.social and North East Hertfordshire MP Chris Hinchfliff make their cases
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ben smoke @bencsmoke.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
The figures come as senior members of the government continue to push back on rent controls... bsky.app/profile/saul...
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ben smoke @bencsmoke.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Whats more, analysis by property lawyer David Smith looking at every tribunal decision taken under the new rules shows that the majority of landlords are being granted rent increases, with the average being an eye watering 8.7% (way above national average)
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ben smoke @bencsmoke.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
In every month since the RRA took effect rent has increased across the UK with rents up 3.8% in the 12 months to August (3.7% to July and 3.3% in both June and May).
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ben smoke @bencsmoke.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Back in July Housing Sec Angela Rayner poured cold water on speculation that the govt would bring in rent controls. She claimed that rules introduced under Renters Rights Act allowing renters to challenge rent hikes was bringing rents down. The only problem is... the data just doesn't support that.
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ben smoke @bencsmoke.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
REVEALED: New rules for rent tribunals introduced by the Renters Rights Act are actually increasing rents at a faster rate than the national average, despite claims from Housing Secretary Angela Rayner that they would bring rents down...
15732
Reposted by ben smoke
ben smoke @bencsmoke.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
a potential ai apocalypse has dominated the headlines for the last couple of weeks, but are we letting worry about what the technology could do in the future distract us from what tech bros are doing right now? i certainly think so!
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ben smoke @bencsmoke.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
a potential ai apocalypse has dominated the headlines for the last couple of weeks, but are we letting worry about what the technology could do in the future distract us from what tech bros are doing right now? i certainly think so!
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ben smoke @bencsmoke.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
This summer I’ve published investigations into government corruption and reported on actions, fights and victories across the globe. Got much more planned so please consider becoming a paid subscriber (50% off first 3 months for a limited time only!!) wefightthegoodfight.substack.com/p/help-me-ke...
wefightthegoodfight.substack.com
Help me keep fighting the good fight
Half price membership for three months!
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ben smoke @bencsmoke.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Read the full story here: wefightthegoodfight.substack.com/p/for-sale-b...
wefightthegoodfight.substack.com
For sale: Burnham’s Cabinet
Cabinet members receive £900,000 in donations as Burnham u-turns on cap
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ben smoke @bencsmoke.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Largest single gift declared was Deputy Leader of the Labour Party (and Education Secretary) Lucy Powell who received VIP tickets package to the BRITs worth £5k. Other events gifted to cabinet members include Aintree, Grand National, Chelsea Flower Show and Ivor Novello awards.
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ben smoke @bencsmoke.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Net Zero sec Miatta Fahnbulleh and First Secretary Louise Haigh also received donations of almost 80k collectively, with AI Minister Kanishka Narayan and Middle East Minister Hamish Falconer receiving £10,000 and £4,797 respectively.
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ben smoke @bencsmoke.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Have previously revealed that Defence Secretary Wes Streeting received over 200k in donations this year, including over £60k *after* discontinuing his leadership campaign… (ICYMI read it here: wefightthegoodfight.substack.com/p/revealed-w...)
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ben smoke @bencsmoke.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Angela Rayner accepted over £200k in donations. This included £105k for staffing ‘Angela Rayner Ltd’ + £97,500 for other staffing costs. Rayner is entitled to a taxpayer funded staffing budget of £263,370.
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ben smoke @bencsmoke.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Burnham himself banked over £345k in donations including £164k from Lord Sainsbury for his leadership campaign. Burnham ran unopposed. He has also accepted over 10k in gifts since he beginning of the year.
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ben smoke @bencsmoke.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Seven of those who attend cabinet accepted donations totalling £855,613.31. Eleven of those attending cabinet accepted gifts totalling £33,563.97.
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ben smoke @bencsmoke.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
REVEALED: Burnham’s cabinet have taken almost £1 million in donations, gifts and hospitality this year as the PM u-turns on support for caps on political donations ahead of crunch votes and debates next week when Parliament returns 🧵
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ben smoke @bencsmoke.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Last week @acornunion.bsky.social scored big wins for members on bills, bailiffs and more as landlords, utilities companies and councils across the country were targeted in a national day of action. Read more here: wefightthegoodfight.substack.com/p/people-are...
wefightthegoodfight.substack.com
People are fighting soaring bills (and winning!)
ACORN are taking the fight to the source of the cost of living crisis
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Reposted by ben smoke
conalr.bsky.social @conalr.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Streeting is bought and paid for.
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ben smoke @bencsmoke.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
READ MORE HERE: wefightthegoodfight.substack.com/p/breaking-j...
wefightthegoodfight.substack.com
BREAKING: JURY REFUSE TO CONVICT IN FILTON CASE
Seven activists have not been convicted.
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ben smoke @bencsmoke.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
BREAKING: Jury refuses to convict in second Filton trial After more than 38 hours of deliberation, the jury refused to convict Madeleine Norman, Hannah Davidson, Teuta Hoxha, Ola Alexandra Herbich, Ian Sanders, William Plastow and Yulia Brigadirova of all charges against them.
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Reposted by ben smoke
ben smoke @bencsmoke.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
The MOD refused to answer any questions posed about the donations, their size, their timing or the potential conflicts of interest (either real or perceived) amounting from them. READ FULL PIECE HERE: wefightthegoodfight.substack.com/p/revealed-w...
wefightthegoodfight.substack.com
Revealed: Wes Streeting raises £64,000 whilst agreeing to suspend leadership campaign
Defence sec has raised over £200,000 this year with those linked to Palantir, Israeli weapons companies, property developers and health, gambling, and privatised energy sectors among donors.
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Reposted by ben smoke
Kevin (Des) @jambodes.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
🧵
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The Web of Evil @webofevil.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Look, just like Farage, people just like giving Wes Streeting money with absolutely no expectations or obligations. It's just a perfectly normal part of British politics.
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Reposted by ben smoke
ben smoke @bencsmoke.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
NEW: Defence Secretary Wes Streeting has received over £200,000 in donations this year, including £64,000 between agreeing to back Burnham + re-entering Cabinet.
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ben smoke @bencsmoke.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
The MOD refused to answer any questions posed about the donations, their size, their timing or the potential conflicts of interest (either real or perceived) amounting from them. READ FULL PIECE HERE: wefightthegoodfight.substack.com/p/revealed-w...
wefightthegoodfight.substack.com
Revealed: Wes Streeting raises £64,000 whilst agreeing to suspend leadership campaign
Defence sec has raised over £200,000 this year with those linked to Palantir, Israeli weapons companies, property developers and health, gambling, and privatised energy sectors among donors.
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ben smoke @bencsmoke.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Green Party Deputy Leader @mothinali.bsky.social said, "Wes Streeting has serious questions to answer, and we urgently need robust transparency measures to make sure we know all our politicians can't be bought."
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ben smoke @bencsmoke.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
The Defence Sec took 32k from arms lobbyists / investors as he spoke to now Prime Minister Andy Burnham about folding his campaign + coming back to government. He raised tens of thousands between Burnham winning Makerfield and rejoining government.
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ben smoke @bencsmoke.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
In just 7 months Streeting has raised almost ten times the amount an average Labour MP has raised in over two years.
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ben smoke @bencsmoke.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Donors include those with links to Palantir, Israeli weapons companies, property developers, gambling, health, and energy lobbyists / bosses whilst big questions remain surrounding timeline, promises made and conflicts of interests.
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ben smoke @bencsmoke.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
NEW: Defence Secretary Wes Streeting has received over £200,000 in donations this year, including £64,000 between agreeing to back Burnham + re-entering Cabinet.
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ben smoke @bencsmoke.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Research from Oxfam warns of ~65,000 deaths globally if Rosebank and Jackdaw are approved
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ben smoke @bencsmoke.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
NEW: activists from @greenpeaceuk.bsky.social have painted a mural on a scorched mountainside in Wales urging the Prime Minister to take action on climate change and not to allow more drilling in the north sea.
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Reposted by ben smoke
ben smoke @bencsmoke.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
last week hundreds took to the streets across canada to impose a people’s arms embargo on weapons, hardware and technology being used in genocide in gaza. i spoke to some of the organisers to find out more… wefightthegoodfight.substack.com/p/inside-the...
wefightthegoodfight.substack.com
Inside the People's Arms Embargo
Elbit out of Canada
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ben smoke @bencsmoke.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
last week hundreds took to the streets across canada to impose a people’s arms embargo on weapons, hardware and technology being used in genocide in gaza. i spoke to some of the organisers to find out more… wefightthegoodfight.substack.com/p/inside-the...
wefightthegoodfight.substack.com
Inside the People's Arms Embargo
Elbit out of Canada
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