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booksrock4eva.bsky.social

@booksrock4eva.bsky.social
741 followers 106 following 4 posts

English Teacher. Priorities: family, including children and grand-children, reading, walking and gardening.

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Sarah Murphy @13sarahmurphy.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Seriously… how can a party that insists on scrapping all progress with the EU, binning NetZero and leaving the ECHR, so that it can abuse its power without accountability… how can that party claim “the soul of the nation”. The ruin - maybe. The soul - definitely not.
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Sarah Murphy @13sarahmurphy.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Leader of party - that sold its own shrivelled soul to the devils of austerity and Brexit - will use her conference speech to slag off Labour (yawn) and make the only promise the Tories ever make - cutting taxes… They have nothing new or credible… or just plain nice… to say any more.
THE
TIMES
Wednesday October 7 2026

Badenoch promises tax cuts in 'battle for the soul of this nation'
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Ian Dunt @iandunt.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Fuck me
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BladeoftheSun @bladeofthes.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
People just vote for whatever the TV, Radio, Social Media, all owned by the billionaires, tells them. People are so fucking stupid.
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BladeoftheSun @bladeofthes.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Things Flavio Bolsonaro has promised to do. Freeze State Pensions, forever. Privatise Healthcare. Keep 6 day week. Privatise Energy. Privatise Oil. Privatise Housing. Stop Free Medication. Stop Food Stamps. He hates 90% of Brazil, why did you vote for him?
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Alan Jagolinzer @jagolinzer.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Preserving cognitive agency: resilience to malign cognitive influence With Katherine Davies from Save Democracy Podcast. "Malign cognitive influencers intend to remove agency. They want to tell you what you should believe and what emotions you should feel." youtube.com/shorts/MjISr...
youtube.com
Preserving cognitive agency: resilience to malign cognitive influence
YouTube video by Cambridge Disinformation Summit
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Reform Party UK Exposed @reformexposed.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Reform UK accused of 'doing nothing' at Cornwall Council by other councillors www.cornwalllive.com/news/cornwal...
cornwalllive.com
Reform UK accused of 'doing nothing' at Cornwall Council
Their leader says the accusations are 'absolute nonsense' over concerns that 'it's whoopee doo time for the administration because they're unopposed - they can vote anything through'
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Best for Britain @bestforbritain.org · 06/10/2026
The public already backs rejoining the EU. It's time for our politicians to make the case for EU membership. Use our tool to ask your MP to attend the debate: bestforbritain.org/take-action/tell…
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Sarah Murphy @13sarahmurphy.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Kemi Badenoch on Kemi Badenoch: “I never make gaffes or need to apologize or clarify my statements, as I think carefully about what I say.” Kemi Badenoch on her ‘Britannia Shield’ ‘plan’….
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Tim Bale @timbale.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
If you believe this, I have a bridge to sell you. The prime directive of the Conservative Party is to get and hold power. The idea that it would risk throwing away the opportunity merely because it involved an albeit uncomfortable arrangement with another right-wing party is clearly for the birds.
bbc.co.uk
Kemi Badenoch: I'd rather have another election than do a deal with Reform UK
The Conservative Party leader also pledged to cut the cost of hiring 21 to 24 year olds.
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Josiah Mortimer @josiahmortimer.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Just leaving this here... bylinetimes.com/2026/09/25/r...
bylinetimes.com
Rupert Murdoch Flew Kemi Badenoch and Her Deputy to Mediterranean for Summer Trips Worth £12,000
The Conservative leader and Alex Burghart MP held "off-site meetings" with the billionaire media mogul in August
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Russ Jones @russincheshire.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
From Katy Brand on Insta www.instagram.com/p/DeJq9Xvo-o...
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Reform Party UK Exposed @reformexposed.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
It’s Tuesday evening, time for Nigel Farage to bang a pan with a ladle.
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Prem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Devoid of ideas, Tories vow return to Thatcherite policies. They want to cut social spending, build prisons, cut taxes for the rich, free childcare for individuals earning £1m. What will they privatise, sell to foreign investors? No ideas on infrastructure investment, regulation of capitalism.
independent.co.uk
Kemi Badenoch positions herself as modern day Thatcher and vows to revive Tories
The Tory leader dismissed suggestions that her focus on cutting benefits and building more prisons signalled a return of the ‘nasty party’
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AFP News Agency @en.afp.com · 06/10/2026
Halfway around the world from Russia, in a Caribbean tourism hotspot, men, both young and old, are being lured by Moscow with tantalizing job offers, only to find themselves en route to the front lines in Ukraine. u.afp.com/S9F5
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Prof. Eliot Jacobson @climatecasino.net · 06/10/2026
Breaking News! Code UFB!!! For the first time in recorded history, the Niño 3.4 sea-surface temperature (SST) is above 30.0°C, reaching a preliminary SST of 30.06°C on October 5th. The Niño 3.4 SST anomaly is now 3.41°C above the 1991-2020 baseline. Everything is not fine.
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Otto English @ottoenglish.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Sarah Pochin raised "concerns" in parliament about the impact of second homes on rural communities. Two days later she purchased an £800,000 second home on Anglesey. Remarkable stuff. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
theguardian.com
Reform MP raises concerns about second homes – then buys one for £800,000
Sarah Pochin bought Anglesey property two days after writing to minister about impact of second homes on rural communities
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Chaminda Jayanetti @cjayanetti.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
The thing is, this isn't some gotcha memory test about "what precise amount of money will this cost/raise" of the type beloved by interviewers in election campaigns. It's the most basic question imaginable - "how will this thing work?" She has no idea.
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BladeoftheSun @bladeofthes.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
French Mayor Bally Bagayoko stops the thug riot police from starting another riot by attacking peaceful unarmed protestors. What a hero.
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Best for Britain @bestforbritain.org · 06/10/2026
Labour hits near two-year opinion poll high, while support for Reform UK falls 👀
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Dan Snow @thehistoryguy.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
IF the strike aircraft were driven out of RAF Fairford by an enemy threat, then that enemy has enjoyed more success than the Luftwaffe during the whole of the Battle of Britain.
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Mike Galsworthy @mikegalsworthy.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
🔥 Over 25,000 emails from you to your MPs... All 650 MPs contacted. Some >100 times. Asking MPs to attend the parliamentary debate on the UK joining the EU. Keep sending those emails via this form. If you've already sent one, share this link with friends. 👇
europeanmovement.co.uk
Ask your MP to stand up for our future in Europe
On 12 October, Parliament will debate the UK's future relationship with Europe, after a government petition got over 100,000 signatures. Will you write to your MP to ask them to attend the debate?
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Otto English @ottoenglish.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Archer came and spoke to my school in the 1980s. Charm personified. Bragged at length about his many achievements and then... something bizarre happened. 1/3 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Jeffrey Archer obituary
Politician and best-selling author whose career was mired in scandal and disgrace.
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Mike Galsworthy @mikegalsworthy.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
And here’s the link you need to write to your MP:‬ ‪https://www.europeanmovement.co.uk/contact-mp-attend-eu-debate‬
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Mike Galsworthy @mikegalsworthy.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
🔥 On Mon Oct 12th, MPs will debate the UK applying to join the EU. The responsible govt minister will respond. This is not a vote - but it’s the first time since the Burnham speech on “options” that we’ll see where the MPs actually stand. #Rejoin #EU #AndyBurnham #UKpolitics #Brexit
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Farrukh @implausibleblog.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Dr Ellie Chowns, "If we're talking about security against things that kill many people, covid, killed 250,000 people in this country and cost us hundreds of billions" "But I don't hear anybody in this country talking about pandemic preparedness - why is that?"
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Sarah Owen MP @sarahowen.org.uk · 05/10/2026
It is deeply irresponsible for any politician, let alone a senior Conservative, to peddle the same far-right nonsense about Luton that we see from the likes of Yaxley Lennon and Reform.
theguardian.com
Tory shadow minister claims Luton has ‘no-go zones’ where ‘white people won’t go’
Blake Stephenson tells fringe meeting at Tory conference that the town is ‘a very dangerous place’ with ‘ghettoes’
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BladeoftheSun @bladeofthes.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
The simultaneous protests in France and Spain show the people are tired of everything always getting worse while the billionaires become trillionaires. It's time to take back power from the billionaires and their puppets.
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Robert Hutton @roberthutton.co.uk · 05/10/2026
Kemi Badenoch: not for turning, on anything, ever. thecritic.co.uk/welc...
“There is nothing that has happened that has made me change my mind,” Badenoch told Laura Kuenssberg on Sunday morning. It was the all-purpose Kemi answer, along with another one she gave later on: “I fundamentally disagree with David Gauke’s approach.”

The Conservative leader was explaining that when she sweeps to power, she’ll make sure that “people who work harder don’t get punished for doing so.” Badenoch’s belief that people currently get punished for hard work explains a lot about her approach to her job. Kuenssberg spent some time pressing her for the number of people who would be affected by the welfare cuts that Badenoch argues are going to pay for everything. “And that’s a number that I’m sure that we can send to you,” the Tory leader replied, unembarrassed. Could Badenoch’s office in fact send over that number? See if you can guess.
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Jorge @antartica81.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Got my answer. Saw it close enough to recognise the shape. Currently only meant to be in response to a 999 call. "The Met Police's drones are housed in boxes on the roofs of selected force buildings, where they sit charging and waiting for the call to launch." www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Met Police to launch drones in response to 999 calls
A trial will see drones feeding intelligence to assist officers, the Metropolitan Police says.
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Jorge @antartica81.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Large drone over central London again early this morning. Who does it belong to and what is it doing? Terrifying how fast these things can move.
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Bylines Network @bylinesnetwork.co.uk · 05/10/2026
Brexit has failed, loss of exports to the EU, high energy prices, problems getting hold of medications, visa requirements, no more Pet Passport.. the list is endless. Ask your MP to attend the parliamentary discussion about getting closer to the EU again. www.europeanmovement.co.uk/contact-mp-a...
europeanmovement.co.uk
Ask your MP to stand up for our future in Europe
On 12 October, Parliament will debate the UK's future relationship with Europe, after a government petition got over 100,000 signatures. Will you write to your MP to ask them to attend the debate?
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Cambridge for Europe @cambsforeurope.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
ECHR membership protects UK citizens rights, underpins Northern Ireland's peace agreement, and is necessary for key security and justice partnerships. That the Tories under Badenoch are calling for the UK to leave it shows they are wreckers like Farage. www.europeanmovement.co.uk/keep_uk_in_e...
europeanmovement.co.uk
Open Letter: Keep the UK in the ECHR
Sign the European Movement UK's open letter now if you agree that the UK must remain in the ECHR.
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Cambridge for Europe @cambsforeurope.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
ECHR membership protects UK citizens rights, underpins Northern Ireland's peace agreement, and is necessary for key security and justice partnerships. That the Tories under Badenoch are calling for the UK to leave it shows they are wreckers like Farage. www.europeanmovement.co.uk/keep_uk_in_e...
europeanmovement.co.uk
Open Letter: Keep the UK in the ECHR
Sign the European Movement UK's open letter now if you agree that the UK must remain in the ECHR.
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Sarah Murphy @13sarahmurphy.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
As long as the Tories are threatening to leave the ECHR, they aren’t a serious party. Consider it the ultimate red flag. Any party who’d take this entirely unnecessary and ruinous risk with our rights and our country’s security and wellbeing should never get its hands on power. (Letter, Times)
Value of the
ECHR
Sir, In dangerous times, serious countries do not retreat into splendid isolation. They build alliances, multiply their influence and strengthen institutions. Key among those is the 46-member Council of Europe, at its heart the European Convention on Human Rights.As former independent reviewers of terrorism legislation we have seen at close quarters that the ECHR is not just a human rights instrument. It is a national security asset. Terrorist networks, hostile states, organised crime gangs and people smugglers do not respect borders. Tackling them requires arrangements for the closest possible co-operation with our neighbours, including through joint investigations and police access to European passenger, fingerprint, DNA and vehicle data.These arrangements expressly depend on internationally agreed human rights standards, applied by a supranational court. We detect no political willingness to excuse the UK from compliance with standards to which the rest of Europe already subscribes. As authoritarian powers grow more aggressive and democratic institutions face mounting pressure, Britain should not be abandoning one of its greatest postwar achievements.
The question is not whether we can afford to remain within the ECHR. It is whether, in an increasingly perilous world, we can afford not to.
Lord Carlile of Berriew, Lord Anderson of Ipswich, Sir Max Hill
Independent reviewers of terrorism legislation, 2001-18
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Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan @london.gov.uk · 05/10/2026
Take part in the consultation now to have your say on the future of the line: haveyoursay.tfl.gov.uk/west-london-...
haveyoursay.tfl.gov.uk
West London Orbital
Find out about proposals for the West London Orbital, a new London Overground service designed to improve connections across west and northwest London. View plans for new and upgraded stations, unders...
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Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan @london.gov.uk · 05/10/2026
For many West Londoners, the quickest route between two places often isn't the most direct. The West London Orbital would change that with a new Overground line between Hounslow and Hendon.
Graphic of proposed line from Hendon to Hounslow. Text below map reads "The proposed West London Orbital would unlock 25,000+ homes, support jobs and reduce congestion"
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Byline Times @bylinetimes.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
📌 ICYMI — ‘Digital Armies’ and Disinformation: How Big Tech Is Hitting Brazil’s Upcoming Election — Caroline Orr Bueno Caroline Orr Bueno reports on how Brazil became a testing ground for information warfare
bylinetimes.com
‘Digital Armies’ and Disinformation: How Big Tech Is Hitting Brazil’s Upcoming Election
Caroline Orr Bueno reports on how Brazil became a testing ground for information warfare
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Caroline Lucas @carolinelucas.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
I’m glad this has been said 👇
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Paul Brand @paulbrand.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
🩷💛Reviews coming in… 💛🩷 Link in bio!
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Prem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
Burnham scraps Starmer-era plans to curb jury trials. A victory for common sense. The Bill would have been defeated in the Lords. Due to Tory cuts, there is a backlog of over 81,000 Crown Court cases in England & Wales. Govt must invest in public services.
bbc.co.uk
Burnham scraps controversial plans to curb jury trials
The key policy idea announced by David Lammy when he was justice secretary will no longer go ahead.
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Best for Britain @bestforbritain.org · 04/10/2026
Germany’s ambassador to the UK, speaking to The Telegraph: "It is, of course, for the British people to decide how close they want that relationship to be. But let me be clear: in Germany you will always find a partner for setting the ambition as high as we can."
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Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan @london.gov.uk · 04/10/2026
New DLR trains have been in service for the past month. With spacious walk-through carriages, live travel info and air conditioning, these state-of-the-art trains are transforming travel in South and East London.
Interior of a new DLR train showing patterned blue and turquoise seating, including a clearly marked priority seat with armrests.New DLR train at a station platform with its doors open, showing the accessible entrance and interior of the carriage.New DLR train at Stratford station, viewed from the front while standing alongside the platform.Interior of a new DLR train, showing blue and turquoise seating, priority seats, handrails and a wide central aisle.
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Best for Britain @bestforbritain.org · 04/10/2026
While Farage slurps oysters and sips champagne with billionaires, the people elected to represent Britain’s communities are walking out the door. Read here: www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/nige…
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Bylines Network @bylinesnetwork.co.uk · 03/10/2026
👶 Two weeks is still the statutory limit for paternity leave – and Cambridge parents say it isn’t enough. Six months after their first protest, they’re back, calling for six weeks of properly paid leave for new fathers and partners. @eastangliabylines.co.uk
eastangliabylines.co.uk
Cambridge parents renew paternity leave campaign
Cambridge parents are renewing their campaign for longer, better-paid paternity leave, six months after their first colourful protest
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Prem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
Tories to hand free childcare to those earning more than £100,000, would cost £700m to the public purse. Previously, they pledged cuts to universal credit, housing benefit, support for the long term unemployed. Continuation of the Tory war on less well-off.
theguardian.com
Tories would expand free childcare to high earners, Badenoch says
Kemi Badenoch says those earning more than £100,000 should not be discouraged from working more
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The New World @thenewworldmag.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
The prime minister’s emotional conference speech laid down a challenge to populists who say compassion makes us weak ✏️ @zoegrunewald.bsky.social
buff.ly
The right says empathy is suicidal - but Andy Burnham thinks it might save us
The prime minister’s emotional conference speech laid down a challenge to populists who say compassion makes us weak
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Best for Britain @bestforbritain.org · 04/10/2026
Well said 👏♥️ "Without immigration, we would be much poorer, actually, as a country as a whole, not just as a city."
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Sam Freedman @samfr.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
On the substack this week... The Democrats are now on track to win the midterms in both House and Senate. What can/will they do with power? What does it mean for US and global politics? samf.substack.com/p/what-happe...
samf.substack.com
What happens if the Democrats sweep the midterms?
Back in March, when I first looked at the midterms, the Democrats were already favourites to win the House.
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BladeoftheSun @bladeofthes.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
This is the real purpose of AI.
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