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David Ford

@david-ford.bsky.social
1K followers 570 following 281 posts

Was: Alliance Councillor, Antrim 1993-2010; MLA, South Antrim 1998-2018; Party Leader, 2001-16; Minister of Justice for NI 2010-2016, President, Alliance Party 2019-2022. Now: grandfather, p/t farmer, Alliance footsoldier, Rathlin CIC, Jubilee Farm, NFFN.

PostsRepliesMedia
David Ford @david-ford.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
So the Scottish Greens think that Scottish police should not provide mutual aid to the PSNI for events that "inflame tensions". I thought the role of police officers was to maintain public order and seek to reduce tensions. Presumably Ms Chapman won't ever want help to Scotland from NI (or E&W).
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Rob Ford @robfordmancs.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Why has this live-streaming serial criminal not been arrested?
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Peter Smith @redpeter99.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
If you think closing an RNLI station is done by people with "legitimate concerns" you really need to give your head a wobble. It's an unforgivable act of thuggery.
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Adrian Littlejohn @yorksfella59.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
I am bloody proud to be an #RNLI supporter and member! These brilliant men and women have quite enough to cope with without being harassed by the scum of the earth. Their only concern is to help people in danger at sea - not check passports first! Which is how it should be. Please RT if you agree🙏
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Robert Saunders @robertsaunders.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
90 years ago, Parliament responded to the rise of Oswald Mosley's Blackshirts by passing the Public Order Act, which banned political uniforms, private militias and the threat of force for political objects. The debates make very resonant reading today. Here's the Liberal Robert Bernays. (Short 🧵)
You cannot conduct a fair match when one side is playing with a ball and the other with bombs and, if democracy is to survive, it must be conducted according to definite and recognised rule. One of them is that no political party should resort to any weapon other than reason and argument. The introduction of private armies, as I see it, strikes at the root of democracy. I know it is contended that the Blackshirts are not armed and, therefore, are not an army, but I do not think that argument can be upheld. … Uniformed men in military formation suggest, and are meant to suggest, the idea of force. It is no argument to reply that at this or that demonstration no force is intended. It is an inescapable fact that a uniform in politics symbolises force, to be used either now or in the future.
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David Ford @david-ford.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
"Last Sunday in October is a different date this year." Is there a competition for the most clueless headline in a generally reliable publication?
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David Ford @david-ford.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
I see that Robbie Butler, the new UUP Health Minister is to set up an "expert committee" to advise on major HSC changes. With regard to Emergency General Surgery in the Northern Trust area, he already has a group of experts - the senior clinicians and Trust Board.
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Farrukh @implausibleblog.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Matt Frei, "You heard the new Prime Minister Andy Burnham also say that Brexit was a big mistake, it led to a lost decade" "Must be music to your ears that government is finally being honest about this?" Daisy Cooper, "Partly, he's diagnosed the problem, but he's refusing to administer the cure"
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Jessica Elgot @jessicaelgot.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
EXC - Andy Burnham will face an immediate test of his backing for electoral reform in his first week in parliament as prime minister, with almost 100 Labour MPs supporting a bid for a new national commission. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
theguardian.com
Labour MPs will push Burnham to back voting reform in first 100 days
Exclusive: Nearly 100 Labour MPs support commission on changing the system used for Westminster election
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David Ford @david-ford.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
Imagine!
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David Ford @david-ford.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
In all the talk of a possible Stormont collapse, this is a bit of a bombshell.
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Liberal Democrats @libdems.org.uk · 14/08/2026
Thank you Count Binface, we'll take it from here.
A generated sketched style image of Paddington Bear escorting Count Binface back to his home planet following the Clacton By-Election
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David Ford @david-ford.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
Not everyone will agree with everything done by @andrewmuirni.bsky.social as Minister in @daera-ni.gov.uk. But for the Ulster Farmers Union to demand his resignation over actions of his professional staff (which he didn't know of) is cheap politicking. (1)
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Eoghan Daltun 🌍 @irishrainforest.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Yet still we're told "The economics of doing what's required to combat climate collapse don't stack up." And this will keep rapidly worsening until the fossil fuel tap is turned off. www.theguardian.com/business/202...
theguardian.com
UK heatwaves may have cost economy £4.4bn in lost output so far this year, analysis finds
Verdant thinktank says cost could top £25bn a year by 2030 and calls for maximum temperature for working and urban redesign to cool down cities
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Prof. Eliot Jacobson @climatecasino.net · 10/08/2026
Submitted for your consideration ...
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David Ford @david-ford.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
Busy day out with the grandchildren yesterday and met a few friends at the Fleadh. www.facebook.com/share/r/1caK...
facebook.com
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Earl Russell LD @earlrussell.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
Believing in climate change as real but rejecting every plan to try & mitiagate it and deal with the disastrous consequences as not possible or not going to make a difference is not a political policy it is at best a surrender to disaster. If not this then what? www.theguardian.com/media/2026/a...
theguardian.com
Right turn on green: is the Telegraph changing its tune on the climate?
Flurry of articles has raised eyebrows and prompted a response from Kemi Badenoch defending stance on net zero
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Jonathan Calder @lordbonkers.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
Huge wasp nest takes over wildlife trust's office 🏆 #LiberalEnglandHeadlineOfTheDay liberalengland.blogspot.com/2026/08/huge...
liberalengland.blogspot.com
Huge wasp nest takes over wildlife trust's office
BBC News wins our Headline of the Day Award for this story from Norfolk. A wasp comments: It said "wildlife" on the door, and we're wildli...
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Physicians for a Healthy Democracy @physiciandemocracy.medsky.social · 04/08/2026
The #ClimateChange crisis is also a #PublicHealth crisis. Warming temperatures affect health on a global scale. #MedSky
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The Empty City @davidallengreen.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
NEW How the BBC turned the litigation table on Trump The president now faces a dilemma about revealing his business records By me at @prospectmagazine.co.uk www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/th...
And so in another splendid Order in this case, the court sided firmly with the BBC. Nothing in the litigation rules means that disclosure can be delayed. Trump’s lawyers wanted to hide behind an “expert report” at trial setting out the purported damage. But the court said the documents need to be produced now.

Trump’s representatives even contended that producing the business records would be “overbroad” even though they are claiming an astronomical amount of damage to Trump’s commercial interests. Trump and his lawyers essentially wanted it both ways: to mount a wide-ranging damages claim but with the narrowest range of produced documents to support that claim. The court said no.

As with many other things to do with Trump, this case smacks of bluster but little tactical (and still less strategic) thought. What seemed a powerful first move was not really thought through. Trump presumably assumed the BBC, like other entities he has brought suits against, would simply fold. But the BBC also said no.
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European Environmental Bureau🍃 @eeb.org · 04/08/2026
Nuclear power VS a 40°C summer is not going great 🌡️ When rivers get too warm or too low, nuclear reactors have to slow down or shut down ⚠️ Romania literally used explosives to redirect the Danube and help cool its reactor ⚠️ Hungary is on the verge of shutting down its only nuclear reactor 🧵
youtube.com
Romanian navy blows up rock in Danube to redirect water to nuclear plant
YouTube video by Guardian News
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Leo Hickman @leohickman.carbonbrief.org · 30/07/2026
The Daily Telegraph has raced through all five stages of climate denial this week. But this is, perhaps, the most ridiculous column so far: "Without minimising the severe downsides…especially on some poorer nations, many in Britain would enjoy the kind of warmer climate predicted by modellers..."
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nffn.bsky.social @nffn.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
Have your say on Northern Ireland's new Nutrients Action Programme (NAP)! Following concerns over last year's proposals, NFFN NI helped shape a revised draft.  ⏳ Closes on 7 September 2026 👉 f.mtr.cool/dkttxlujsw
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John Gibbons 🇵🇸 🇺🇦 🇪🇺 @thinkorswim.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
Do not adjust your screens: Daily Telegraph, purveyor of hard-core #climate denial, has temporarily noticed reality. Don’t panic: normal service on behalf of its energy industry sponsors will be resumed shortly.
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Liberal Democrats @libdems.org.uk · 08/07/2026
Farage used to say, "Leave means leave." Now his latest stunt is triggering a by-election before the investigation is complete. Clacton deserves the facts before it votes. @libdemdaisy.bsky.social
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Ciara | Ciaraíoch 🎨 @ciaraioch.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
🐦 Little cartoony doodle of some of Ireland's bird life, with their names as Gaeilge (useful if you're chatting to them because they weren't colonised so they don't understand English). Prints: ciaraioch.com/artprints/p/... Value bundle with aquatic and animal life: ciaraioch.com/artprints/p/...
Image of a cartoon drawing of Irish birds with their names in Irish in an old Irish inspired font.

#SpéirGorm #SpéirGhorm #Ireland #Art #BuyIrish #Gaeilge #Irish #Birds
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David Ford @david-ford.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
Rachel Reeves may have a funny line about a bin, but the Chancellor has let Farage off the hook by giving him a by-election before Clacton voters see the outcome of the Standards Enquiry.
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Otto English @ottoenglish.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
Only someone with a heart of stone wouldn't laugh at the demise of Jenrick's political gambit... playing out here in real time
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David Ford @david-ford.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
Across multiple news bulletins yesterday, BBC led with report that Reform Ltd said Farage did no wrong re his £5 million "gift". For those old enough to remember the 1960s, MRDA. "Well he would say that, wouldn't he."
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David Ford @david-ford.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
How better to spend the first Saturday of the holidays than visiting Rathlin to support my three amazing daughters on this charity fundraiser/wee* run. * just 16 hilly miles 🙄 www.facebook.com/share/1EY4Zb...
facebook.com
Facebook
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David Ford @david-ford.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
Meanwhile, in the interest of "balance" the BBC will spend hours trying to find one of the 4%. A bit like economists for Brexit and climate crisis sceptics.
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Josiah Mortimer @josiahmortimer.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
All MPs' outside earnings by party: The Conservatives come out top at 66% of total earnings from second jobs, while Reform (with just eight MPs) account for 20%, and Labour (with 400+) just 7%. But taking into account their size, Reform has by far the highest outside earnings per MP of any party.
Table:

Party	MPs	Seat share	Earnings share	Index relative to party size (earnings ÷ seats)	Approx. avg. per MP
Reform UK	8	1.2%	20%	16×	£275,000
Conservative	117	18%	66%	3.7×	£62,000
Labour	403	62%	7%	0.1×	£1,900
Other parties*	122	18.8%	7%	0.4×	£6,300
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David Ford @david-ford.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
When people complain about the lack of delivery in Stormont, here's a quick look at what my @allianceparty.bsky.social colleagues have done.
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South-East London for Europe (Selfe) @selfe.bsky.social · 28/06/2026
BBC journalist Sally Nugent had Nigel Farage bang to rights as she grilled him on BBC Breakfast this week over his secret £5m gift from Christopher Harborne 👏 #GetFarageOut #Corruption If no-one cares, why are so many of us asking?
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South-East London for Europe (Selfe) @selfe.bsky.social · 27/06/2026
#BrexitBenefits #RejoinEU
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Dr Charlie Gardner @charliejgardner.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
Reform UK councillors have introduced a motion to rescind King's Lynn and West Norfolk's climate emergency declaration and deprioritise decarbonisation efforts The council were going to vote on it on Thursday But the meeting has been postponed due to extreme heat
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Alliance Party @allianceparty.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
Stop-go politics isn’t working for people in Northern Ireland. But Alliance has a plan to fix it. It’s time to reform Stormont.
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David Ford @david-ford.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
I agree with Koulla. There is strong evidence from the Youth Justice Review (shortly after DOJ set up) that MACR should be raised. This has been blocked by the inappropriate use of the Petition of Concern, with appearance of improper pressure applied to UUP MLAs. Clear evidence of need for reforms.
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David Anderson @bricksilk.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
Finally terminating the X account I have barely used for months. Elon Musk’s latest attempts to divide and destroy the country I love were the final straw. Only sorry that my attempts to persuade Parliament and its committees to leave X, or at least to post here too, have not so far succeeded.
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MindyGraz @melkleingraz.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
On Anne Frank’s birthday today , let us remember what happens when extremists indoctrinate the majority and good people stay silent. #VoteBlue2022 #VoteBlueToSaveAmerica #BOTD June 12, 1929
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Duncan Morrow @duncanmorrow0.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
Belfast is a city in shock this morning. Disgusted, Ashamed, Angry, Frightened. The virus of far right violence is eating our humanity far more profoundly than Covid. This is destroying our souls.
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Colm Murphy @colmpm.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
I have to say, listening to the Today programme dedicate an entire (context free) section about whether migrants are more likely to be convicted criminals *the morning after* hundreds of non-migrants of my own ethnicity committed a pogrom is blood boiling.
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Lee Hurley @hleehurley.com · 09/06/2026
How many women in Northern Ireland have been stabbed to death in the last few years without loyalists needing to riot over it?
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David Ford @david-ford.bsky.social · 06/06/2026
Thanks to Lord Bonkers for highlighting this. Sadly NI lost much of its rail infrastructure in the late 50s, and even the Belfast-Omagh-Derry line in 64. We nearly lost all remaining rail services in the 90s, but pressure in the Assembly led to investment in rolling stock and infrastructure. 1/2
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Vikki Slade MP @vikkislademp.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
When Sarah Everard killed by white police officer Farage called for calm, I can see no comment on lenient sentence for Fordingbridge rapists, yet on Henry he calls for “pure cold rage” which was directly followed by violent riots As politicians we must take responsibility for our words. Shame on him
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Adam Bienkov @adambienkov.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
Henry Nowak's father told the nation that "We do not want his death to be used to create further division, hatred or tension. We want his story to help make our streets safer for everyone". Here's how Nigel Farage responded
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Blue Oleta @blue-oleta.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
There are these data centers that use minimal amounts of electricity and don't need millions of gallons of water, to cool them. They're called libraries.
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David Phinnemore @dphinnemore.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
“When we joined the EEA [1994], we joined the new hot thing… the single market… that benign world is gone and we need to be honest about being in a more difficult situation… parts of the EU that we decided not to join are becoming more important” - Norwegian FM www.ft.com/content/5c8a...
ft.com
EU looks more attractive in Donald Trump’s ‘crazy world’, says Norway
Oslo rethinks relationship with bloc after it rejected membership twice
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Mike Galsworthy @mikegalsworthy.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
💥 70,000 signatures! 💥 ...and the petition closes on June 8th. Imagine if we can get it over 100,000 before then - and open a Parliamentary debate in time for the 10th anniversary of the Brexit vote on June 23rd 2026. That'd be powerful. All hands to the pump! Sign and share, share, share! 👇
petition.parliament.uk
Petition: Apply to Rejoin the EU as soon as possible to increase growth in the UK
We believe Brexit's not working. The OBR judges that the UK economy is smaller and trade is weaker because of Brexit, and it will just get worse. 10 years after the Brexit vote, let's apply to rejoin ...
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