Sign in

Richard Bates

@discript.com
6.5K followers 5.1K following 2.5K posts

Publisher – fiction and non-fiction. Friend to writers. Dementia carer. Cyclist. Activist. Cat parent. Liberal Democrat 🔶 politician elected to Chichester District Council and West Sussex County Council.

PostsRepliesMedia
Richard Bates @discript.com · 29/09/2026
Vince said he was not supporting the Camden New Journal and its related titles “for business reasons”. “I’m motivated by the impact of local #journalism,” he said. “I’m motivated by the bias of media in our country more broadly – the rightwing bias – and trying to do something about that.”
001
Richard Bates @discript.com · 28/09/2026
“Paying a little extra in tax to make sure that other people – possibly even you – don’t have to burn through their assets seems the kind of thing any fair-minded society would do.” Cutting taxes wins votes, but it’s paid for by cutting public services, like hospitals and social care.
151
Richard Bates @discript.com · 28/09/2026
Across the coastal strip between Chichester and Emsworth lies some of England’s “best and most versatile agricultural land”. The government’s NPPF is forcing the District Council to grant permission to build houses all over it, houses without infrastructure to support them. These houses don’t sell.
000
Richard Bates @discript.com · 27/09/2026
Built by slaves of the Roman Empire.
000
Richard Bates @discript.com · 27/09/2026
Where has all that borrowed money gone?
010
Richard Bates @discript.com · 27/09/2026
I will never forget the first time I went to the opera. In a school bus with other students from our high school in San Jose, our music teacher organised a group of any students who wanted to see the San Francisco opera. A remarkable teacher changed my life, opened my eyes to art, my ears to music.
000
Richard Bates @discript.com · 25/09/2026
Good to hear common sense coming from @joshbabarinde.bsky.social
041
Richard Bates @discript.com · 24/09/2026
Heaven forbid another ConDem coalition.
010
Richard Bates @discript.com · 24/09/2026
Enjoying A Midsummer Night’s Dream at @chichesterft.bsky.social tonight. Wild, wonderful show that’s like a rave, but the theatre should be filled with more people. Shakespeare, but psychedelic, energetic, erotic, exciting, electrifying. If you haven’t seen it, buy a ticket. We loved it!
Chichester Festival Theatre illuminated during the interval.
022
Richard Bates @discript.com · 24/09/2026
The #HavantThicket reservoir project adds to growing concerns that the price of UK #infrastructure is spiralling out of control. (Gift link 🎁) Blow for drought-hit England as opening of new reservoir delayed by 5 years giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
giftarticle.ft.com
Blow for drought-hit England as opening of new reservoir delayed by 5 years
Concern over water supplies likely to grow as cost of Havant Thicket project more than doubles
073
Richard Bates @discript.com · 22/09/2026
Many people may not know about #MarthasRule. It allows you to ask for a second opinion about care in hospital. It has saved hundreds of lives. More information here: www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
theguardian.com
Martha’s rule to be expanded to every A&E in England
System gives patients, loved ones and health workers the right to ask for a second opinion on care
2114
Richard Bates @discript.com · 21/09/2026
Looking forward to the closing speech referring to #AI by @eddavey.libdems.org.uk at the #LibDemConference tomorrow. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
theguardian.com
Halt super-intelligent AI with non-proliferation treaty, Ed Davey to say
At Lib Dems’ conference in Brighton, leader will accuse Andy Burnham of relying on Donald Trump and ‘tech bros’ to solve problem
020
Reposted by Richard Bates
Lib Dem Friends of Cycling 🔶🚲 @libdemcycling.org.uk · 20/09/2026
We are delighted that motion F16 at #LibDemConference passed. This policy recognises that promoting walking, wheeling and cycling is not just transport policy - it's also preventive healthcare, environmental action, and economic common sense. @ollyglover.bsky.social
libdems.org.uk
Getting the Nation Walking, Wheeling and Cycling
Liberal Democrats believe active travel is not just transport policy - it is preventive healthcare, environmental action, and economic common sense.
42313
Richard Bates @discript.com · 20/09/2026
Powerful speech this morning from @libdemdaisy.bsky.social promising to Get Britain Growing Again at the #LibDemConferemce in Brighton. 🔶 📈
163
Richard Bates @discript.com · 20/09/2026
At #LibDemConference today @eddavey.libdems.org.uk says he is against the mansion tax, but in favour of maintaining the triple lock on pensions.
Ed Davey answers questions at the Liberal Democrat Conference in Brighton, 20 September.
001
Richard Bates @discript.com · 20/09/2026
Back at #LibDemConference again this morning for this important motion for #ActiveTravel.
044
Richard Bates @discript.com · 19/09/2026
#SaveOurNHS used to be the motto, until @nhsengland.bsky.social was abolished. Hard to believe the state of our hospitals – until you need one. CQC ratings show two-thirds “Need Improvement”.
011
Richard Bates @discript.com · 19/09/2026
This morning at #LibDemConference, @alpinkerton.bsky.social spoke passionately and clearly in favour of #RejoinEU. 🔶🇪🇺
0112
Richard Bates @discript.com · 18/09/2026
“There isn’t really an option to say no, so in the end you just use the app.” Sounds like any app from Meta. Just say NO.
110
Richard Bates @discript.com · 18/09/2026
“Products die prematurely to make you buy more,” the Norwegian Consumer Council reminds us. It’s funny because it’s true.
050
Richard Bates @discript.com · 18/09/2026
“We believe Thames Water can be turned around, but not by giving the keys back to the people who have been joy-riding in the family car. The government should reject offers from the company’s creditors in return for relief from fines for pollution and poor service,” says @amcarmichaelmp.bsky.social
052
Richard Bates @discript.com · 16/09/2026
“I don’t regret caring for my mum. But financially I’m worse off, my pension will be less than it should have been. It’s lonely at times and it’s extremely hard work – harder than working in the NHS,” said midwife Jacqui Hylton, aged 58, now an #UnpaidCarer. www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
theguardian.com
About 1,500 Britons a day quitting their jobs to become unpaid carers
More than a million people have left work to look after loved ones in the past two years, Carers UK says
3114
Richard Bates @discript.com · 13/09/2026
Didn’t know about the kite festival. Forecast of rain in Southsea today seems to dampen the prospect. Hopefully no lightning, unless you want to repeat Benjamin Franklin’s kite and key experiment.
111
Richard Bates @discript.com · 11/09/2026
#CostOfLivingCrisis is no comedy. youtube.com/shorts/yIPzT...
youtube.com
Wait for it 😂😂😂
YouTube video by Xcellent Academy
020
Richard Bates @discript.com · 10/09/2026
Thank you for sharing this moving scene.
000
Richard Bates @discript.com · 10/09/2026
👏 👏 👏
100
Richard Bates @discript.com · 06/09/2026
Wouldn’t it be nice to park your car in the shade, beneath solar panels generating renewable energy? Please consider signing this petition:
1122
Richard Bates @discript.com · 06/09/2026
Signed and shared ✅
100
Richard Bates @discript.com · 06/09/2026
It must be nice to be wealthy – until you go to the USA and see what they do with their riches. Utterly insipid food served in huge portions to diners scared of ingesting toxins. Big salaries that can be exhausted by one medical emergency that insurance won’t cover. Illiteracy. Dental veneers.
191
Richard Bates @discript.com · 04/09/2026
Everybody knows.
010
Reposted by Richard Bates
Cllr Richard Bates 🔶 @cllrbates.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
We have challenges with e-bikes in Chichester, yes. We have much greater challenges accommodating motor vehicles.
043
Richard Bates @discript.com · 04/09/2026
Reality shows in the UK:
010
Richard Bates @discript.com · 03/09/2026
Starmer was overcome by indecision and advised to be cautious. Feel the fear and do it anyway, as they say. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
Unlike Keir Starmer, Andy Burnham promises us that things will get better. And we must believe they can | Polly Toynbee
The PM’s warmth and feelgood policies, such as scrapping VAT on energy bills and a taskforce looking at political donations, offer something rare: hope, says Guardian columnist Polly Toynbee
031
Richard Bates @discript.com · 03/09/2026
The Environment Agency is utterly useless. I know this because I’ve asked Chichester District Council officers to write to them about stopping the #SewageScandal. The EA is completely ineffective.
041
Richard Bates @discript.com · 03/09/2026
Signed ✅
010
Richard Bates @discript.com · 03/09/2026
“Either I am invisible, or someone I identify with is invisible, and it makes me so angry.” Any #UnpaidCarer, male or female, knows this invisibility.
052
Richard Bates @discript.com · 03/09/2026
It’s a shame @calebstein.net is not more active on Bluesky, because he has an article in the Guardian today and an exhibition coming up in New York. #Photography #Exhibitions #Swimming www.theguardian.com/artanddesign...
theguardian.com
Down by the Hudson – ode to a New York swimming creek – in pictures
For more than a decade Caleb Stein has been photographing a communal swimming creek in Poughkeepsie, New York. Returning every summer, he documented the community at a timeless spot. He talks about th...
010
Richard Bates @discript.com · 01/09/2026
Refreshing recognition from the PM today of the challenges of funding #SocialCare and of the economic inequality faced by so many people in Britain today. His determination is grounds for optimism.
142
Richard Bates @discript.com · 01/09/2026
If you’ve ever wished that the UK, where it rains so much for half the year, managed its water resources better so we didn’t have hosepipe bans every summer, please add your signature to this petition: petition.parliament.uk/petitions/77...
petition.parliament.uk
Petition: Fund new reservoirs to increase future water supplies
England faces growing pressure on its water supplies due to factors like population growth, climate change and rising demand. The Government estimates 5 billion litres more water per day will be neede...
1108
Richard Bates @discript.com · 01/09/2026
#SewageScandal (cont’d): Liberal Democrat county councillor in north Devon, Ed Tyldesley @chulmleighed.bsky.social, said “They are using a storm system when there are no storms. It is unbelievable. The worrying thing is that this all seems to be getting worse.”
021
Richard Bates @discript.com · 01/09/2026
#SewageScandal: “according to freedom of information requests submitted by Environment Agency whistleblower Robert Forrester, the pollution is getting worse, not better, despite the regulator’s promise of tougher action.” www.theguardian.com/business/202...
theguardian.com
Dry weather sewage discharges soar as water companies face scrutiny
Exclusive: 7,280 suspected illegal spills in rivers and sea recorded in first five months of 2026
040
Richard Bates @discript.com · 31/08/2026
#SewageScandal: “The prime minister has said taking water companies such as Thames Water into public control is crucial to his vision for the country,” says the photo caption. Let’s see tomorrow. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
theguardian.com
More public control is the way to grow UK economy, Burnham to tell MPs
Exclusive: Prime minister wants to ‘bring back hope’ by tackling cost of living as MPs call for electoral reform
031
Richard Bates @discript.com · 31/08/2026
Are you referring to his 2025 docuseries “Shifty”? www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...
bbc.co.uk
Shifty - Series 1: 1. Part One - The Land of Make Believe
The dream world that Mrs Thatcher promised. And the ghosts that came back to disrupt it.
111
Reposted by Richard Bates
JWexTheSpa @jwsidders.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
Despite a bone dry summer, we have had 485mm of rain in Sidmouth this year so far. That is more than enough supply. The problem is capture, storage and use. In other words, it's an entirely manmade problem, grounded in greed, complacency and relentless short-termism.
1215
Richard Bates @discript.com · 31/08/2026
Exactly. It all started with Milton Friedman and Ronald McDonald.
Image of Ronald Reagan and his administration with meme “They actually believed us when we called it ‘Trickle-down economics’” laughing uproariously.
020
Richard Bates @discript.com · 31/08/2026
Surprisingly recognisable as the orange face under the toupee.
010
Richard Bates @discript.com · 30/08/2026
#SewageScandal: When it comes to the safety of the water, checking for sewage spills has become as important as checking the weather and tidal patterns. “I would love to be able to swim anywhere, rather than thinking about trying to avoid pollution,” says Hildi Mitchell.
021
Richard Bates @discript.com · 29/08/2026
bsky.app/profile/miss...
000
Richard Bates @discript.com · 29/08/2026
We’ve never had cats of any ‘breed’ before, and never will again. This one was adopted, not bought. He was at the shelter for 12 weeks, one else would have him. He sleeps adorably all day. When the sun sets, he can become psychotic. I can clip his claws, but his teeth tear my flesh.
100
Richard Bates @discript.com · 29/08/2026
Some of us still prefer to read paper editions of books and newspapers.
000