iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

David Ford @david-ford.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Nah! Just swot up on the benefits of STV in Ireland (North and South) and Scotland. Equal value for every vote, constituency link, broadly proportional outcome. What's not to like?

010

David Ford @david-ford.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

But why a hybrid when STV means all MPs/Cllrs/MLAs/MSs/MSPs would have an equal mandate?

110

David Ford @david-ford.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

The public information campaign for the (re-)introduction of STV to Northern Ireland in 1973 used the slogan: PR is as simple as 1, 2, 3 ... If you don't have to punch chads and just have to write numbers opposite names, it really is.

021

David Ford @david-ford.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

And if Scottish and Irish (N&S) voters can put lots of numbers (ie more than 1 and 2) in a single column to indicate their order of preference, I'm sure that Welsh and English people could do that too.

010

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).

040

Reposted by David Ford

Rob Ford @robfordmancs.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Why has this live-streaming serial criminal not been arrested?

830387

David Ford @david-ford.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

There seems to be constant churn in Scottish council by-elections, with one of the larger parties 'gaining' from a smaller party. The Ni system of parties nominating a replacement preserves the balance from the full election.

000

Reposted by David Ford

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.

351381333

David Ford @david-ford.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

1 Not sure how the equal powers of FM & DFM balance Unionist, Nationalist *and* non-aligned perspectives. 2 MLAs can choose any Designation they wish. I chose 'United Community'. Anything other than U or N is described in the Assembly as 'other'.

110

Reposted by David Ford

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🙏

541003570

Reposted by David Ford

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.

4123711265

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?

131

David Ford @david-ford.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

It's hard to disagree with the pithy response from Doug Beattie: he said "Party First".

000

David Ford @david-ford.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

The Minister doesn't need any more advice and - most of all - the staff of the Trust and the people of the Northern area cannot afford any more delay. The Minister kicking the can down the road at request of his party leader is exacerbating the serious situation in Antrim and Causeway Hospitals.

100

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.

130

David Ford @david-ford.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

New candidate for by-election in safe ward v popular incumbent seems a fair explanation.

000

Reposted by David Ford

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"

17503137

David Ford @david-ford.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

No offence to Broughshane Street, but really enjoying the change of scene. Thanks.

010

Reposted by David Ford

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

79327

David Ford @david-ford.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

As a former employee of the Northern H&SS Board, I'd prefer a Minister who listened to the experts rather than a party leader jumping on populist bandwagons.

161

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.

376

Reposted by David Ford

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

23332151

David Ford @david-ford.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

It is clear that some people can't accept a Minister who takes seriously his responsibilities for agriculture AND the environment, but - as a member - I hope for better from the UFU. And to call for the resignations of senior civil servants, who can't answer back is reprehensible. (2)

000

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)

230

David Ford @david-ford.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

Elected as Lab but had left and sat as Ind before resigning. See @andrewteale.me.uk preview.

100

David Ford @david-ford.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Will you still give us a daily weather update? Please!

000

Reposted by David Ford

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

412052

Reposted by David Ford

Prof. Eliot Jacobson @climatecasino.net · 10/08/2026

Submitted for your consideration ...

1216650

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

010

David Ford @david-ford.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

But Snettisham was very nearly a Lib Dem gain. Mixed trends in Norfolk.

110

Reposted by David Ford

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

084

Reposted by David Ford

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

42984446

Reposted by David Ford

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.

18833245

Reposted by David Ford

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

3138

David Ford @david-ford.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

Before polling day we heard that Burnham won *every ward* in one previous election. On count day you can't even get the *total* vote for each candidate.

010

David Ford @david-ford.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

And no tallies! We would have had an unofficial detailed result (first and second) by lunchtime.

130

David Ford @david-ford.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

They count 2nd preferences of all but top two candidates. So, if you voted 1 Lib Dem and 2 Green your vote cannot count even if you wanted to vote 3 Lab. Apparently Parliament thought that English voters couldn't go past 2, unlike voters in Scotland and Ireland N and S.

110

David Ford @david-ford.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

Is nobody doing tallies/box counts?

000

Reposted by David Ford

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..."

89532182

Reposted by David Ford

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

011

Reposted by David Ford

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.

22746431322

David Ford @david-ford.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

A hyper local breakdown as long as your area is in England. Do we know if this will be extended to the other three nations?

000

David Ford @david-ford.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

Which is why we need preferential voting, full STV, not the so-called SV which requires voters to guess who will be the top two candidates.

120

David Ford @david-ford.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

If Labour had done the right thing, they would have gone for full preferential voting, not just SV. SV means people have to guess who the top two will be rather than expressing honest choices.

000