Reposted by Dame Joan RuddockBest for Britain @bestforbritain.org · 04/10/2026Germany’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." 13659170
Reposted by Dame Joan RuddockGraham Simpson @grahambs.bsky.social · 03/10/2026Wouldn’t it be great if it happens?! 🇪🇺 😊 58710
Reposted by Dame Joan RuddockAnti-Reform @antireform.bsky.social · 04/10/2026'2 year suspended sentence and 200 hours community service/unpaid work' "Imagine the carnage if this guy was brown!......" via We Demand UK 78969490
Reposted by Dame Joan RuddockPrem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 04/10/2026Burnham 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.ukBurnham scraps controversial plans to curb jury trialsThe key policy idea announced by David Lammy when he was justice secretary will no longer go ahead. 23401118
Reposted by Dame Joan RuddockAdmirable Women @admirablewomen.bsky.social · 04/10/2026Geologist & astronaut Dr. Kathryn Sullivan: the "most vertical human" in history. + From space: 1st American woman to walk in space, 11 Oct 1984 + To the deepest point of Earth's seabed: 1st woman to dive to the Challenger Deep (🔽 35,853 ft), 7 June 2020 She was born #OTD in 1951. #WomenInSTEM 332082
Dame Joan Ruddock @damejoanruddock.bsky.social · 04/10/2026Democracy Under Attack www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/democracy-...crowdfunder.co.ukDemocracy Under AttackAim: Our democracy is under attack. To save it, we must act now. Please support us by backing our Crowdfunder today. 000
Reposted by Dame Joan RuddockLabour4PR 🌹🗳️ @labour4pr.bsky.social · 30/09/2026"We've had a decade of turbulence in our politics and I think that has stopped Britain moving forward. If we look to the next decade I think we need to show that we can have a better politics, more about problem solving than point scoring" 🎙️ @andyburnham.bsky.social 🌹 #Labour4PR #R4Today 42817
Reposted by Dame Joan RuddockBest for Britain @bestforbritain.org · 30/09/2026🚨 We’re calling on Ofcom to open a formal investigation into Nigel Farage presenting GB News shows and whether his programme on 15 September 2026 was within the rules on impartiality ⚠️ Broadcasters are required to present news in an impartial manner, without political bias.bestforbritain.orgFarage on GB News: Demand that Ofcom takes immediate action - Best for Britain 351035439
Reposted by Dame Joan RuddockAdam Schwarz @adamjschwarz.bsky.social · 30/09/2026Andy Burnham has broken the taboo on prime ministers being open to the UK rejoining the EU. It's a really important moment for our country. The inescapable truth is that the UK cannot achieve decent growth and fund the public services the public demands without EU alignment. 64769163
Reposted by Dame Joan RuddockAlf Dubs @alfdubs.bsky.social · 30/09/2026I'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. 291521220
Reposted by Dame Joan RuddockMake Votes Matter @makevotesmatter.bsky.social · 30/09/2026"Speaking on a panel for Make Votes Matter in May, Sir John also highlighted the unfairness of the current system where a party can win many votes but still come away with very few seats."independent.co.ukPolling guru John Curtice favourite to lead PM’s first-past-the-post voting reviewThe polling guru is Britain’s best known an most trusted polling expert 03116
Reposted by Dame Joan RuddockDignity in Dying @dignityindying.org.uk · 30/09/2026We are deeply saddened by the death of Dame Esther Rantzen. A true force of nature, Dame Esther fought throughout her life for people’s rights, and latterly for dying people who needed more choice and compassion. Our heartfelt condolences are with her family and loved ones. 117627
Reposted by Dame Joan RuddockElectoral Reform Society @electoralreform.bsky.social · 01/10/2026The National Commission could draw on the wealth of experience we have in the UK, which has had proportional systems for decades in Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and London. buff.ly/mBZRACSbuff.lyAndy Burnham to fight next election on pledge to change voting systemThe prime minister says he wants other parties to take part in a national commission on electoral reform. 2125
Reposted by Dame Joan RuddockInside Ukraine 🇺🇦 @insideukraine.bsky.social · 01/10/2026A photographer in Australia captured a poignant moment: a male koala embracing and squeezing his deceased companion. This heartbreaking scene demonstrates that animals experience and suffer emotions in a way similar to humans. 🐨💔 National Geographic 1001686378
Dame Joan Ruddock @damejoanruddock.bsky.social · 29/09/2026Big news from Labour Conference: the PM has announced the government's plan to scrap first past the post. Seats that match votes would change British politics for good, but only if it happens. I've added my name. Join me? action.electoral-reform.org.uk/page/201578/...action.electoral-reform.org.ukThe PM used his big speech to promise to fix Westminster's broken voting system.We've heard promises before. I've signed to make sure this one is kept. It takes 30 seconds 022
Reposted by Dame Joan RuddockBest for Britain @bestforbritain.org · 23/09/2026⚠️ Brexit has left us poorer and more isolated on the world stage. 💪 Burnham must go for EU membership. Not only will it deliver £92bn to our economy but will restore our standing in the world.independent.co.ukBrexit has left Britain ‘impotent – a bobbing cork in the sea,’ says David MilibandExclusive: Former foreign secretary adds to mounting pressure for a new UK deal with EU to repair Brexit damage 15403123
Reposted by Dame Joan RuddockMake Votes Matter @makevotesmatter.bsky.social · 23/09/2026💥 BREAKING: The government has responded to @damejoanruddock.bsky.social's petition for a National Commission on Electoral Reform, signed by 26,000+ people: Read the reply 👇 petition.parliament.uk/petitions/76...petition.parliament.ukPetition: Set up a National Commission on Electoral Reform to review the electoral systemI ask the Government to set up a National Commission on Electoral Reform, as advocated by the All Party Parliamentary Group for Fair Elections. It should be an independent, time limited, expert led re... 41810
Dame Joan Ruddock @damejoanruddock.bsky.social · 23/09/2026Politics isn't working. It's time to call time on the broken culture in Westminster and have a fresh start with a fair voting system. Add your name to @electoralreform.bsky.social's call to #MakeSeatsMatchVotes action.electoral-reform.org.uk/page/3782/pe...action.electoral-reform.org.ukFirst Past the Post means millions of our votes make no difference to parliament. Add your name now to demand a fairer voting systemIt only takes 30 seconds 010
Reposted by Dame Joan RuddockTheFirstGirlySwotsToJoinBlueSky @thelastgirlyswots.bsky.social · 21/09/2026. Andy Burnham is right to prioritise the introduction of specialist courts dealing with rape and sexual offences, as part of the Labour government's pledge to reduce violence against women. #r4today #bbcbreakfast #GMB #PoliticsLive #C4News #Newsnight #toriesgone808 . news.sky.com/story/specia...news.sky.comSpecialist rape courts to be rolled out in England and WalesAndy Burnham says rape prosecution rates "remain shamefully low" and many victims have to wait years for their case to be heard. 21811
Reposted by Dame Joan RuddockBest for Britain @bestforbritain.org · 19/09/2026"All but four UK constituencies would support reversing Brexit and rejoining the EU, new polling has shown, as Andy Burnham seeks a 'deeper relationship' with the bloc and to win over voters." Read here: www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/polit… 20332124
Reposted by Dame Joan RuddockCodfather #FBPE 🇫🇷🇪🇺 @codfather.bsky.social · 19/09/2026Deep in Scotland's Pentland Firth, a grid scale tidal turbine at the MeyGen site just set a massive milestone: over 6.5 years of continuous operation without a single unplanned maintenance stop. Operating 40 meters underwater in one of the fastest tidal currents on Earth. 572009601
Reposted by Dame Joan RuddockAdam Bienkov @adambienkov.bsky.social · 19/09/2026How the BBC’s latest platforming of the bigoted views of the anti-migrant billionaire tax exile Jim Ratcliffe is the sign of a national broadcaster that is increasingly losing its way www.adambienkov.co.uk/p/how-the-bb...adambienkov.co.ukHow the BBC Mainstreams the Right’s Anti-Migrant, Anti-British AgendaThe BBC’s platforming of the bigoted views of billionaire tax exile Jim Ratcliffe is just the latest sign of a national broadcaster that has lost its way 901260405
Reposted by Dame Joan RuddockRobb Edwards 🌱 @robedwards1.bsky.social · 19/09/2026More than 2 million Indigenous people lived in Australia in 1788: new research theconversation.com/more-than-2-...theconversation.comMore than 2 million Indigenous people lived in Australia in 1788: new researchGenetic, archaeological and environmental evidence suggest the Indigenous population fell by more than 90% in the 70 years after the British invaded. 13329146
Reposted by Dame Joan RuddockPeter Smith @redpeter99.bsky.social · 18/09/2026A lifeboat crew responds to a call and finds a dingy in distress full of migrant men, women and children. Do they leave or rescue them? No-one with a shred of humanity would turn round and head back. 1701226332
Reposted by Dame Joan RuddockBest for Britain @bestforbritain.org · 19/09/2026🤔 Nigel Farage leads a political party. He’s a sitting MP. And he now hosts his own weekly primetime show on GB News. 🚨Broadcasters are required to present news in an impartial manner, without political bias. 👇 Add your name to demand that Ofcom takes immediate action.bestforbritain.orgFarage on GB News: Demand that Ofcom takes immediate action - Best for Britain 671035518
Reposted by Dame Joan RuddockAlan Rusbridger @arusbridger.bsky.social · 19/09/2026If you add in £130m losses on “Reform TV” (aka GB News) the effective subsidy of Farage’s party from just four men tops £200m. You just have to join the dots app.prospectmagazine.co.uk/story/75017/...app.prospectmagazine.co.ukFarage and the £130m even his detractors have missedGB news has provided relentless positive PR for Nigel Farage while racking up tens of millions in financial losses. And now there is a new channel in the offing 351312650
Dame Joan Ruddock @damejoanruddock.bsky.social · 19/09/2026It's time for a new Charter. Help write it and choose your 6 demands for a better politics. Take the survey here:https://actionnetwork.org/surveys/a-new-charter?source=bluesky& 000
Reposted by Dame Joan RuddockPatrick - Here for the craic❗️🤷🏼♂️😉 @paddyopatrick.bsky.social · 17/09/2026Rupert Lowe-Life is spitting teeth.. ohh he’s mad.. incandescent with rage about the state marking “its own homework” on Covid.. Fun fact — During Covid Lowe’s company took £100,000 in taxpayer funded furlough despite making a massive £7.9 million profit. He wasn’t so angry about that eh❗️ 29692305
Reposted by Dame Joan RuddockChristoph Fischer Photography @beautysurroundsyou.com · 18/09/2026Another beautiful day in the Canadian Rockies! 😊😎 Cl 913160376
Reposted by Dame Joan RuddockMassimo (mirror) @rainmaker1973-m.bsky.social · 18/09/2026Orcas have been heard mimicking human speech. A study found that when prompted, the marine mammal could replicate the sounds. Original post 23592192
Reposted by Dame Joan RuddockJointheDots @joiningupthedots.bsky.social · 17/09/2026This is a blatant threat to the RNLI, who are currently out of action in Portsmouth - ergo not saving lives, because staff are being terrorised. When will Mahmood take domestic terrorism of this nature seriously. 89998384
Reposted by Dame Joan RuddockAdam Bienkov @adambienkov.bsky.social · 17/09/2026Time to deport all these fighting age men terrorising our patriotic lifeboat volunteers www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...theguardian.comLifeboat station in Portsmouth forced to temporarily shut after far-right actionRNLI facility had been targeted by activists trying to stop asylum seekers landing in boats from the Channel 1101929552
Reposted by Dame Joan RuddockSarah Murphy @13sarahmurphy.bsky.social · 18/09/2026Harborne: “My £36M is a philanthropic gift to the nation” Delo: “My £36M creates a level playing field for Reform” Farage: “I’ll slash CGT to save you £100M/yr” Reform: bought by millionaires to enrich millionaires. Reform voters… They. Are. Laughing. At. You. www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...independent.co.ukReform to hand crypto investors hundreds of millions in tax breaksExclusive: Analysis seen by The Independent reveals the wealthiest crypto investors would get £100m a year in tax relief from Nigel Farage’s party 10623881023
Reposted by Dame Joan RuddockAdmirable Women @admirablewomen.bsky.social · 16/09/2026Lauren Bacall was born #OTD in 1924. Named the 20th greatest female star of classic Hollywood cinema by the American Film Institute & honored by AMPAS in 2009, "in recognition of her central place in the Golden Age of motion pictures." #FilmSky #MovieSky #FilmNoir 571656214
Reposted by Dame Joan RuddockThe Women In Science Archive @wisarchive.bsky.social · 14/09/2026Birth control pioneer Margaret Sanger was born 147 years ago today. She was the driving force behind the creation of the birth control pill, which gave half the population control of its reproductive destiny, and fought for women's access to their own medical information. tinyurl.com/tbm2vesktinyurl.comBreaking the Shackles Procreative: Margaret Sanger and the Creation of the PillIn 1912, it was against the law in the United States to publish a book that contained descriptions of birth control methods. It was against the law to even expound the theoretical benefits of birth co... 525484
Reposted by Dame Joan RuddockMake Votes Matter @makevotesmatter.bsky.social · 15/09/2026🗳️ Today is the UN's International Day of Democracy. If you asked people what they associate with democracy, many would probably respond: elections. Voting is a fundamental democratic right. But being able to cast a ballot every few years is not enough. 🧵👇 22921
Dame Joan Ruddock @damejoanruddock.bsky.social · 15/09/2026If you agree why not sign my parliamentary petition seeking a National Commission to find a more proportional voting system for parliament to replace first past the post. petition.parliament.uk/petitions/76...petition.parliament 097
Reposted by Dame Joan RuddockGraham Simpson @grahambs.bsky.social · 13/09/2026Professor Sir John Curtice says 61 per cent of Britons now say they would vote to rejoin the EU, compared to 39 per cent who say they would stay out. www.aol.com/articles/sup...aol.comSupport for rejoining EU at all-time high – but future vote still ‘on knife edge’ - AOLExclusive: But another referendum could still be on a knife edge, Sir John Curtice suggests 03215
Reposted by Dame Joan RuddockAnne Applebaum @anneapplebaum.wsocial.eu · 14/09/2026Your regular reminder: If the Russians stop fighting, the war ends. If the Ukrainians stop fighting, their land will be occupied, their leaders will be killed, their history and language will be erased, their children will be kidnapped to serve Russia. 5953724913396
Reposted by Dame Joan RuddockPrem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 14/09/202680% of Reform’s funding comes from two crypto billionaires. Reform has received £123.6m since 2019. £61m from Christopher Harborne living in Thailand, mentioned several times in Panama Papers. £44m from Ben Delo, recent returnee from Hong Kong, criminal conviction in the US.democracyforsale.substack.comBREAKING: 80% of Reform’s funding comes from two crypto billionaires“If that isn't a massive corruption risk I don't know what is.” 29474272
Reposted by Dame Joan RuddockSue @hulatt47.bsky.social · 14/09/2026substack.com/@aisha402525...substack.comAisha (@aisha402525)A massive demonstration takes place in Scotland in solidarity with Gaza and denouncing Israel’s ongoing genocide. 063
Reposted by Dame Joan RuddockGraham Simpson @grahambs.bsky.social · 13/09/2026‘If the results hold, it is likely to lead to a brand new left-leaning Swedish government led by the Social Democrats, supported by the Left party, the Centre party and the Green party’ - I love to see a progressive alliance defeating the right. 😊 www.theguardian.com/world/2026/s...theguardian.comSwedish election: centre-left bloc looks set to take power, exit polls showResult would deliver a new left-leaning government and be a strong rejection of current centre-right coalition 0426
Reposted by Dame Joan RuddockAdam Bienkov @adambienkov.bsky.social · 07/08/2026Journalists attacked with rocks for reporting on racist rioters waging a pogrom whilst calling for refugees to "have their f**king heads chopped off". These are the "protesters" with "legitimate concerns" we keep on hearing so much about www.edp24.co.uk/news/2644352...edp24.co.ukI've been attacked as a journalist twice in a year... I'm just trying to do my jobI was attacked for a second time in a year while covering the Thetford riots, here's what happened and why I'm going back. 40901423
Reposted by Dame Joan RuddockBest for Britain @bestforbritain.org · 13/09/2026NEW POLLING Tom Brufatto: With a new Prime Minister, determined to prioritise redistributive growth and to restore a sense of hope to the country, this research sets out the roadmap to the party’s recovery, and provides the political piece to complete the economic jigsaw smashed to bits by Brexit. 14347119
Reposted by Dame Joan RuddockUnlock Democracy @unlockdemocracy.bsky.social · 13/09/2026£72m in 48 hours is obviously seismic. But it shouldn’t be surprising. The warning signs have been there for years, as all parties have become more & more dependant on super-rich donors. No wonder so many voters feel like their voices go unheard by those in power. youtu.be/uLMuirAe--I?...youtu.be'This is the Americanisation of British politics' | Lewis GoodallYouTube video by LBC 01410
Reposted by Dame Joan RuddockPrem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 13/09/2026Neoliberals have neutered direct state investment in infrastructure. Everything is privatised, state guarantees profits. UK languishes at or near the bottom of the OECD league for investment in productive assets. China invests over 41% of its GDP in productive assets, India 34.3%, UK 17.9%.leftfootforward.orgHere’s how the chancellor can raise the billions needed to improve the quality of life of millionsPrem Sikka is an Emeritus Professor of Accounting at the University of Essex and the University of Sheffield, a Labour member of the House of Lords, and Contributing Editor at Left Foot Forward. Mi... 16379200
Reposted by Dame Joan Ruddockflyingrodent @flyingrodent.bsky.social · 13/09/2026The British press has been extremely hostile towards Amnesty International, Medicins Sans Frontiers, Oxfam and others for decades because *they offer rival narratives that the public might listen to*, and that is not acceptable, to them. 361018397
Reposted by Dame Joan RuddockLabour4PR 🌹🗳️ @labour4pr.bsky.social · 12/09/2026🌹"Its those people who are losing faith with politics who feel disenfranchised the most. We owe it to them to have a national conversation about how we can reform our voting system" @joemorrismp.bsky.social 12515
Reposted by Dame Joan RuddockTheFirstGirlySwotsToJoinBlueSky @thelastgirlyswots.bsky.social · 13/09/2026. It should be illegal for crypto billionaires to buy Britain! #bbcbreakfast #bbclaurak #bbcbh #toriesgone800 . 4199
Reposted by Dame Joan RuddockJim Pickard @pickardje.bsky.social · 11/09/2026nothing says “party of the ordinary workers” than taking a £36m donation from a crypto tycoon convicted in the US in 2022 for failings in an anti-money laundering programme before being pardoned by Donald Trump 11348123