iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

David Ward @davidjward.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

In 2022 I was privileged to move successful conference motion on electoral reform & scrapping first past the post. In front row as I came off podium was @andyburnham who kindly told me I had made a great speech. Today his leadership has given hope for a new democracy & fair votes

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David Ward @davidjward.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Great to meet with @andyburnham.bsky.social in Liverpool & recall the late Labour leader John Smith. There’s much in our new Prime Minister’s commitment to devolution & social justice that reminds me of the values & leadership of John Smith. #HopeAgain #LabConf26

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David Ward @davidjward.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

33 years ago today John Smith was elected Labour leader. His strong commitment to social justice, devolution, & unity of purpose strikingly similar to Andy Burnham. Refreshing to have a leader so comfortable in his role & values as Smith was then & Burnham is now.

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David Ward @davidjward.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

Among @andyburnham.bsky.social strong attributes is experience of past @labouruk.bsky.social leaders. In 2024 he contributed insightful retrospective to @Kevin_Hickson book marking 30th anniversary of John Smith’s death praising his inclusive style of leadership which Burnham likely to emulate now.

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David Ward @davidjward.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

Much nonsense appearing about ‘coronations’ vs general elections. We live in a Parliamentary democracy where King invites the MP capable of commanding Commons majority to be PM. That was Starmer & is now likely to be Andy Burnham. There’s no need for GE before 15th August 2029.

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David Ward @davidjward.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

Very tough for Keir Starmer to have to resign today but looked increasingly inevitable after poor local election results & too many missteps notably the appointment of Peter Mandelson as US Ambassador which was very badly advised & handled.

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David Ward @davidjward.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

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David Ward @davidjward.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

Sad to learn of the death of Abdullah Ibrahim an outstanding South African pianist, composer, leader of Cape Jazz & anti-apartheid campaigner. Wonderful memory of hearing him play in New York over 20 years ago with my family. youtu.be/2yXqZw6gQrY?...

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Reposted by David Ward

Ian Bond @cerianbond.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

Neil Kinnock at #RejoinMarch showing he's still quite an orator, as he tells the crowd that outside the EU the UK is in limbo, & standing still means slipping backwards - rejoining the EU is our imperative: "Argue for it with reason, campaign for it with energy, but do it!".

Neil Kinnock on the stage at the National Rejoin March 2026.

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David Ward @davidjward.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

Ten years after the extreme folly of Brexit good to know that a majority of the public now regret the UK leaving the European Union. Good to join with friends from East Kent European Movement on today’s rejoin march in London today. Next step single market & customs union.

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David Ward @davidjward.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

Very moving ceremony today in Grangues commemorating 54 British & Canadian soldiers who were killed near the Chateau de Grangues early on 6/6/44 including my uncle John Max who did not survive his gliders’s crash. Eight soldiers captured by the Nazi occupiers were illegally shot.

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David Ward @davidjward.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

In the 1960s Harold Wilson UK Labour Prime Minister wisely refused request to send British troops to Vietnam made by US Democrat President Lyndon Johnson. See: x.com/daviddjward/... Keir Starmer is right now to reject UK offensive support for the US/Israel attack on Iran.

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David Ward @davidjward.bsky.social · 26/02/2026

Pleased to contribute guest foreword Guild of Motoring Writers 2026 Yearbook & spotlight work of EuroNCAP & GlobalNCAP building market for safer vehicles worldwide. More important than ever before to independently check car manufacturers’ safety claims & demystify driver assistance technologies.

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David Ward @davidjward.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

In 1992 when the late John Smith MP was Leader of the Labour Party he kept Peter Mandelson - newly elected as MP for Hartlepool - at a distance. John was a good judge of character.

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David Ward @davidjward.bsky.social · 27/01/2026

Powerful exhibit The Amelia Scott in Tunbridge Wells to mark #HolocaustMemorialDay. Features stories & possessions of kinder transport children that escaped Nazi persecution in 1938/39 & given shelter at the Rusthall Beacon Mansion. The knapsack so poignant & travel permits stamped ‘J’ so chilling.

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David Ward @davidjward.bsky.social · 26/01/2026

Rumours growing that Katie Lam MP will defect from Conservatives to Reform. On the hard right she worked as an adviser to Suella Braverman & supported Robert Jenrick’s leadership bid against Kemi Badenoch. Far more likely to be a ‘traitor’ than ‘faithful’ & join Reform’s recycle of Tory turncoats!

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David Ward @davidjward.bsky.social · 25/01/2026

Insightful interview with Lord George Robertson, former @NATO Secretary General on challenges of dealing with Trump administration. Well worth listening to the person responsible for only time NATO’s Article 5 was triggered after 9/11 attack on the US. www.globalplayer.com/podcasts/42L...

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David Ward @davidjward.bsky.social · 21/01/2026

Superb Davos speech by Canadian PM Mark Carney setting out a new ‘Carney doctrine’ for middle powers in a new world order. UK foreign policy for 80 years has aspired to be a bridge between Europe & US. Brexit & Trump have broken this. The UK now needs the strategic reset that Carney describes.

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David Ward @davidjward.bsky.social · 18/01/2026

Good to see this Joint Statement on Greenland by NATO allies, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and the UK. Time for Europe to stand firm against Trump’s aggression.

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David Ward @davidjward.bsky.social · 18/01/2026

Trump’s forced attempt to takeover Greenland is a clear breach of Article 1 of Nato’s Atlantic Treaty. Good to see clear statement today from UK in concert with Denmark & other European allies.

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David Ward @davidjward.bsky.social · 15/01/2026

Robert Jenrick’s expulsion from the Conservatives is awkward for Katie Lam MP as she strongly supported him in 2024 Tory leadership contest. I wonder if she will be loyal to Weald of Kent Conservatives or seduced by Reform UK? Her constituents deserve to know if she is a ‘faithful’ or a ‘traitor’

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David Ward @davidjward.bsky.social · 13/01/2026

Lord Mandelson’s ability to handle the media was legendary but never when applied to himself. The ‘Prince of Darkness’ was in full ‘Prince Andrew’ mode in Laura Kuenssberg interview. Non apology completely ignores his damaging emails to Epstein. His Trump analysis also woefully naive.

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David Ward @davidjward.bsky.social · 07/01/2026

Great that new Department for Transport road safety strategy sets ambitious target to reduce deaths & serious injuries #65by35. Delighted 18 vehicle safety measures will now align with European General Safety Requirement ensuring UK meets global best practice. See: www.gov.uk/government/n...

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David Ward @davidjward.bsky.social · 04/01/2026

Trump’s Attack on Venezuela Is Illegal and Unwise www.nytimes.com/2026/01/03/o...

nytimes.com

Opinion | Trump’s Attack on Venezuela Is Illegal and Unwise

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David Ward @davidjward.bsky.social · 01/01/2026

Wishing friends, family, & pets a prosperous and peaceful 2026!

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David Ward @davidjward.bsky.social · 01/01/2026

Wonderful exhibition at Sissinghurst Castle on Greece & Harold Nicholson. Interesting on post WW1 peace conf. & key role of Greek PM E Venizelos who visited Sissinghurst in 1934. Good to see Nicholson arguing in 1924 for return of Parthenon marbles to mark 100 years since Byron’s death!

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David Ward @davidjward.bsky.social · 06/12/2025

Proud to receive UK Guild of Motoring Writers 2025 Special Contribution to Motoring Award. A privilege to have contributed to both EuroNCAP & @globalncap.org building a market for safer vehicles worldwide. It’s been a team effort but very touching to have my work recognised by UK motoring writers.

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David Ward @davidjward.bsky.social · 27/11/2025

Congratulations to Ralph Nader on 60th anniversary of ‘Unsafe At Any Speed’. This historic study on failure of US auto industry to make cars crashworthy was catalyst for federal vehicle safety standards & led to huge improvements in road safety worldwide. www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/p/unsafe-at-...

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David Ward @davidjward.bsky.social · 26/11/2025

Great evening at Prince Michael International Road Safety Awards at the RAC in London with Global NCAP team. Well deserved winner was Autoliv world’s largest auto safety supplier. Excellent speech by Lilian Greenwood Minister for Local Transport on UK commitment to road safety at home & abroad.

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David Ward @davidjward.bsky.social · 12/11/2025

Cool, calm, & classy repost by Wes Streeting to idiotic No10 leadership challenge briefing. P45’s should be issued to culprits. Back when John Smith was Labour leader this kind of behaviour would not have been tolerated. In Brown/Blair era briefing culture ran amok & damaged both.

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David Ward @davidjward.bsky.social · 10/10/2025

Superb talk by Prof Missy Cummings on Autonomous Vehicles PAVE UK in London. Highlighting lessons from AV failures she demolished common misconceptions confirming that all ‘self driving’ requires remote operator ‘babysitting’. IMO this will require data transparency & audits.

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David Ward @davidjward.bsky.social · 09/10/2025

Great discussion at Humanetics Safety Summit in Detroit today on making safety a mission. I cited advances in crash avoidance & protection but warned that auto trade disputes risk much needed improvements especially in pedestrian safety. Shared global standards build needed market for safer vehicles

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David Ward @davidjward.bsky.social · 29/09/2025

Impressively broad support for ending first past the post @Labour4pr rally in Liverpool. Call for a national commission on proportional representation strongly endorsed. See: www.fairelections.uk/national-com...

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David Ward @davidjward.bsky.social · 29/09/2025

In Liverpool with Emma MacLennan at #LabourConference2025. Pleased to speak with ITV’s Kit Bradshaw on govt. challenges & fight against fallacies & falsehoods of Farage. Great discussion with Attorney General Richard Herner on rule of law & role of European Convention on Human Rights.

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David Ward @davidjward.bsky.social · 04/09/2025

Great to visit Giannis & #MikisTheodorakis family home in Galatas #Chania today with @emmamaclennan.bsky.social. Now a beautiful national monument celebrating the life of a musician & activist who left an enormous musical legacy to Greece & the world. He died 4 years ago & is buried nearby.

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David Zipper @davidzipper.bsky.social · 26/08/2025

Trump is trying to force the EU to legalize US car bloat, and European safety leaders are furious: "Europe now risks being flooded with oversized, under-regulated U.S. pick-up trucks and SUVs – vehicles that are...completely out of step with Europe’s vision for safer, more sustainable mobility."

etsc.eu

ETSC: Mutual Recognition Deal with U.S. Will Cost Lives on Europe’s Roads

By signing up to mutual recognition of vehicle standards with the United States, the European Union has waved the white flag on road safety. This is not a technical detail – it is a political choice…

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David Ward @davidjward.bsky.social · 26/08/2025

Very pleased to have contributed to latest Leading Labour podcast by Izzy Conn about my experience working for the late John Smith. His Labour leadership lasted less than 2 years but left strong legacy. Well worth a listen here: shorturl.at/e4GFP & to entire series.

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David Ward @davidjward.bsky.social · 24/08/2025

No, Hitler shot himself & the Nazi regime unconditionally surrendered as did Japan after the US dropped nuclear bombs on Hiroshima & Nagasaki. JD Vance clearly didn’t study much history…

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Jonathan Portes @jdportes.bsky.social · 24/08/2025

Meanwhile, UK politicians continue their race to the bottom as to who can talk the most nonsense about immigration... www.ft.com/content/8bfd...

ft.com

Rich economies will need foreign workers to fuel growth, policymakers warn

Central bankers say low birth rates in world’s largest economies pose threat to productivity and prices

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Reposted by David Ward

David Zipper @davidzipper.bsky.social · 13/08/2025

Canada and the US are both car-centric, spacious countries. But an American is 2.5x more likely to die in a crash than a Canadian – and the gap is widening. My latest, in Bloomberg. 🧵

bloomberg.com

The US-Canadian Road Safety Gap Is Getting Wider

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David Ward @davidjward.bsky.social · 28/07/2025

In 1917 British Government’s Balfour Declaration pledged support for Jewish homeland without prejudice to “civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine”. Time long overdue for Britain to honour that condition & now recognise Palestinian statehood.

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David Ward @davidjward.bsky.social · 26/07/2025

Lovely ceremony to dedicate a bench in honour of our late son Alex at Noakes Meadow play area in Beaver ward Ashford where he served as a Councillor. He would be so proud to welcome Ashford Labour MP Sojan Joseph MP, Mayor Lyn Suddards, wife Elizabeth Ward, with family & friends.

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David Ward @davidjward.bsky.social · 22/07/2025

Five years today since Alex was lost to MND. Always in our hearts. “Unable are the loved to die, For love is immortality, Nay it is Deity…” (Emily Dickinson). #United2EndMND.

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David Ward @davidjward.bsky.social · 03/06/2025

Great to be interviewed by @davidzipper.bsky.social on global vehicle standards and why the US no longer leads the world in auto safety.

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David Ward @davidjward.bsky.social · 22/05/2025

33 national, regional & global road safety organisations have now signed joint letter #ITF25 warning of risks that auto trade disputes may undermine vehicle safety standards. To promote safety & facilitate trade, regulations should be levelled up not down. www.globalncap.org/news/standar...

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David Ward @davidjward.bsky.social · 21/05/2025

@GlobalNCAP event at #ITF25 today I corrected President Trump’s claim that pedestrian protection standards are an unfair trade practice. Not a ‘bowling ball’ test but a well established global regulation using a head form to replicate pedestrian impact. www.globalncap.org/blog/preside...

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David Ward @davidjward.bsky.social · 21/05/2025

Great opening day at #ITF25 in Leipzig with strong focus on vehicle safety priorities highlighting #StopTheCrash technologies auto emergency braking & motorcycle anti-lock brakes. Pleased to welcome ITF summit delegates @globalncap.org safety demonstrations & side event.

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