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Ben Stanford

@drbenstanford.bsky.social
203 followers 285 following 220 posts

Senior Lecturer in Law. Interested in all things public law and human rights, elections and democracy, global affairs and moaning. Travelling, dog-walking, amateur running and live music on the side. profiles.ljmu.ac.uk/15925-ben-stanf…

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Ben Stanford @drbenstanford.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Never, ever listen to these people when they preach from the rooftops about free speech, cancel culture and lefty snowflakes. The only speech they care about is that which agrees with them.
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Ben Stanford @drbenstanford.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Well well well. How exciting. electoral-reform.org.uk/prime-minist...
electoral-reform.org.uk
Prime Minister announces manifesto pledge and historic National Commission at Labour Conference
Today, in his first conference speech as Prime Minister, Andy Burnham committed his party to changing the way we elect MPs. It is hard to overstate how significant that is.Speaking in L
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Ben Stanford @drbenstanford.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
If the next election result is anything close to this, it's going to create one seriously messy, unstable and ungovernable situation.
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Phil Brickell MP @philbrickellmp.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
1/ I’ve spoken with Vijay Rangarajan on a number of occasions & he is a professional, dedicated public servant. Following representations I made to the Rycroft Review and to the government on reducing spending in politics, I look forward to the EC’s proposals being brought forward asap.
thetimes.com
Reform election fund threatened by spending rules review
The Electoral Commission is considering changes to how campaign money can be used
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Ben Stanford @drbenstanford.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Tinfoil hat at the disposal, but a bit of a coincidence given recent chatter. news.sky.com/story/latest...
news.sky.com
Air traffic control latest: 'Technical issue' disrupts flights in northern England and Scotland
It is the second air traffic control issue in two weeks after a software issue caused widespread chaos, with 2,100 flights affected. Follow the latest.
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Ben Stanford @drbenstanford.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Is an interesting twist for the Representation of the People Bill on the cards? Australia-style compulsory voting? Surely a sticking plaster solution here, not addressing the fundamental problems of dissillusionment and loss of voter confidence. thedailybritain.co.uk/kinnock-blun...
thedailybritain.co.uk
Kinnock and Blunkett urge Burnham to make voting compulsory with £10 fine
Neil Kinnock and David Blunkett are urging Andy Burnham to introduce compulsory voting, with a proposed £10 fine for non-participation.
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Ben Stanford @drbenstanford.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Thinks we've forgotten about 2010-2024. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Badenoch brings in lawyers after 94% Wandsworth Council tax hike
A row is growing over Wandsworth Council's rise, which the local authority is blaming on government funding cuts.
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The Policy Institute @policyatkings.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
"Lib Dem voters are viewed most warmly by rival supporters, while Reform sits bottom" Our new study, released ahead of Lib Dem party conference, is highlighted in POLITICO's London Playbook ➡️ www.politico.eu/newsletter/l...
Nice guys finish … first? Being inoffensive has its upsides though, according to new polling by King’s College London’s Policy Institute, which finds Lib Dem voters are viewed most warmly by rival supporters, while Reform sits bottom. Expect plenty of conference chatter about how to turn being the least disliked party into becoming a tactical vote of choice at the next election. The poll of 3,750 people was funded by KCL’s own research budget.
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Ben Stanford @drbenstanford.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
"Responding to the village saying it had "roared", Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy told BBC Breakfast: "I think they have – we have heard it, we are listening." These people are never in a million years going to vote Labour. Why continue with the appeasement? www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Piddington in Oxfordshire votes to leave UK over asylum plans
Piddington residents vote over proposals to house up to 1,256 male asylum seekers nearby.
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Ben Stanford @drbenstanford.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
"We'll help you set up another way to stay secure". After a log-in name. After a password. After multi-factor authentication.
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Ben Stanford @drbenstanford.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Deja vu here. Not exactly how trusted allies should treat each other... www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
theguardian.com
UK ministers urged to act after US flies out diplomat accused of possessing indecent images of children
US officials reportedly raided envoy’s London home and took him to American airbase without warning Met police
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Robert Saunders @robertsaunders.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Reform is the richest party in Britain. Its leaders are almost all millionaires. It is funded almost exclusively by billionaires. It has a supportive TV station and widespread media backing. So naturally, this donation comes with the usual attack on "elites". www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
theguardian.com
Reform UK given record £36m donation by British crypto billionaire
Ben Delo was convicted in US for failing to implement adequate anti-money laundering controls but pardoned by Trump
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Ben Stanford @drbenstanford.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Holy moly. news.sky.com/story/reform...
news.sky.com
Reform UK given record £36m donation from crypto billionaire Ben Delo
The sum comes after a summer dominated by scrutiny of Nigel Farage's party, including an ongoing criminal investigation into allegations it breached rules on political donations.
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Ben Stanford @drbenstanford.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
What a mess. www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
theguardian.com
MPs vote against assisted dying bill after tense debate – UK politics live
The bill would have allowed terminally ill adults with less than six months to live to end their lives, after the approval of a panel of experts
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Ben Stanford @drbenstanford.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Sad how dreadful Royal Mail has become. Case example - Byline Times issue for September posted out on 24th August. Arrived today, 10th September, or 12 working days in transit. How many appointments missed? How many small businesses losing customers?
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Ben Stanford @drbenstanford.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
Lovely few days in Porto. What a gem. Now back to reality and 2026/27...
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Ben Stanford @drbenstanford.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
The Representation of the People Bill (votes at 16, bank cards as voter ID etc) to return for its final stages next week in the House of Commons. Over to the Lords soon after? www.parliament.uk/business/new...
parliament.uk
Coming up in the Commons 1-4 September
Find out what business will be debated in the House of Commons 1-4 September
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Ian Dunt @iandunt.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
This would be a very good move. Crucial to think deeply about what model we should use but also to allow a big open process for how we arrive at it. Otherwise we make it easier for critics to brand it a stitch-up. 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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Ben Stanford @drbenstanford.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Changing Westminster’s voting system shouldn't be left to the politicians. An independent commission could get the public and experts together in one room to examine the evidence and build consensus for reform. Add your name today: petition.parliament.uk/petitions/76...
petition.parliament.uk
Petition: Set up a National Commission on Electoral Reform to review the electoral system
I 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...
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Rebecca Sear @rebeccasear.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Time to take out a subscription to Byline Times. They are covering stories of real public interest which involve academia right now
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Ben Stanford @drbenstanford.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
A mammoth endeavor, to put it mildly. Wouldn't expect anything concrete for a few years.
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Ben Stanford @drbenstanford.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
Objectively hilarious. But what a waste of time and money calling that by election. news.sky.com/story/politi...
news.sky.com
Politics latest: Parliamentary watchdog reopens investigation into Nigel Farage after Clacton by-election win
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has won the Clacton by-election - after a boycott by all the other major parties. He triggered the vote after resigning in protest at a parliamentary investigation into a...
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Ben Stanford @drbenstanford.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
The farcical by election ends in farce. www.reuters.com/world/uk/ref...
reuters.com
Reform UK's Nigel Farage to avoid election count against Count Binface
Nigel Farage, leader of Britain's populist Reform UK party, said on Friday he had ​regained his parliamentary seat, but would not be present at the vote ‌count because of a police warning about a camp...
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Ben Stanford @drbenstanford.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
Wheels coming off the Reform bus? news.sky.com/story/politi...
news.sky.com
Politics latest: Reform UK's Richard Tice under investigation by parliamentary watchdog
The parliamentary standards watchdog has launched an investigation into Reform UK's deputy leader Richard Tice. Meanwhile, the party is holding a press conference this morning on its latest plans to t...
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Electoral Reform Society @electoralreform.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
We're asking the government to set up a National Commission on Electoral Reform. It should be an independent review to build consensus for changing the electoral system for the Westminster Parliament. Add your name today: petition.parliament.uk/petitions/76...
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James Ball @jamesrball.com · 19/07/2026
I think we can all agree that with this final we all just want to watch a great game of football. …that Argentina lose, catastrophically.
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Ben Stanford @drbenstanford.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
Superb line.
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Ben Stanford @drbenstanford.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
To be fair, they have a point. www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
bbc.co.uk
World Cup 2026: Egypt fume at 'injustice' and make Messi favouritism claims after exit
BBC Sport unpicks a game that will go down in World Cup history for featuring a team who were two goals down so late on, but who went on to win without needing extra time.
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Ben Stanford @drbenstanford.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
A spectacular waste of taxpayer money.
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Ben Stanford @drbenstanford.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
Cosmic justice. 'Overturn this' - Belgium taunt US and say Trump move fired them up - www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
bbc.co.uk
World Cup 2026: 'A sense of injustice' - Belgium say Trump move fired them up
Belgium's Nicolas Raskin says Fifa's decision to allow US striker Folarin Balogun to play against them fired them up for the last-16 tie in Seattle.
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Ben Stanford @drbenstanford.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
Better late than never with this kind of stuff. www.gov.uk/government/n...
gov.uk
Tough new rules to crackdown on foreign money in UK elections
New rules include a cap on donations from those who've lived overseas and tougher checks on company donations.
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Ben Stanford @drbenstanford.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
Who's old enough to remember when Qatar 2022 was seen as the dodgy World Cup?! www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
bbc.co.uk
World Cup 2026: Folarin Balogun decision 'incomprehensible and unjustifiable' - Uefa
Uefa has strongly criticised Fifa's shock decision not to uphold Folarin Balogun's immediate suspension at the World Cup, calling it "unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable".
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Ben Stanford @drbenstanford.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
Only had 13 years. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Labour failed to prepare for power, admits PM's ex-aide McSweeney
In his first-ever interview, Morgan McSweeney tells the BBC the party did not deliver quickly enough in office.
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Ben Stanford @drbenstanford.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
Probably us Millennials too, let's be honest. Borrowing from the future to preserve retirement conditions today and the triple-lock. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Why Gen Z are planning for life without a state pension
Many younger people do not believe the state pension will exist when they are older
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Arthur Snell @snellarthur.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
Labour can threaten a £10k charge on migrants and still it’s never enough for the hard right. Perhaps there’s a lesson here? 🤔
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Ben Stanford @drbenstanford.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
Nothing says a thorough, respectful and well-conducted review process like spelling the author's name wrong in the feedback.
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Ben Stanford @drbenstanford.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
What has Andy Burnham said about the voting system? electoral-reform.org.uk/what-has-and... Electoral Reform Society – ERS
electoral-reform.org.uk
What has Andy Burnham said about the voting system?
Westminster has, once again, been engulfed in high theatre. The Prime Minister stood aside on Monday announcing a two-week departure timetable. Hours later, Andy Burnham hopped on the tr
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Ben Stanford @drbenstanford.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
A truly special Lib Dem legacy.
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Ben Stanford @drbenstanford.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
There really should be no place for small-c conservatism in the trade union movements. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
theguardian.com
Progressive economists reject Unite leader’s criticism of Ed Miliband
Sharon Graham is urged to withdraw her claim that the energy secretary would cost jobs if he became chancellor
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Financial Times @financialtimes.com · 24/06/2026
FT exclusive: Andy Burnham is looking to set up a 'Number 10 in the north', moving part of his prime ministerial operation to Manchester, in a radical attempt to shift power beyond Westminster ft.trib.al/49mgac4
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Tom Freeman @tomfreeman.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
Are the England players dejected about Starmer going, is that it
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Ben Stanford @drbenstanford.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
So to whom does the unhinged rage get directed towards now?
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Ben Stanford @drbenstanford.bsky.social · 20/06/2026
Canada. Fun trip that.
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Heather Green @votingrules.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
SI to reinstate SV for combined authority mayoral elections was approved by Commons on Tuesday; goes to Lords next week, 16th. So it should be in force if there's a Manchester mayoral vacancy to fill post-18th June. statutoryinstruments.parliament.uk/instrument/g...
statutoryinstruments.parliament.uk
Timeline - SI 2026 - Combined Authorities (Mayoral Elections) (Amendment) Order 2026 - Statutory Instruments - UK Parliament
Timeline for Combined Authorities (Mayoral Elections) (Amendment) Order 2026
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Ben Stanford @drbenstanford.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
15 years without an update given everything that has happened is quite the dereliction of responsible government.
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Alan Lester @alanlester.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
So that’s two of the “Raise the Colours” organisers now charged with violent crimes & a fifth of the 2024 race rioters with domestic abuse. Makes you wonder whether “innocent patriotism” & “protecting women & girls” are just covers for thuggish racism & misogyny?
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Ben Stanford @drbenstanford.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
Great conference on "The Future of Constitutional Reform in the United Kingdom" organised by the Public Law team at The University of Manchester. With my colleague @drgarywilson.bsky.social, we presented on the growing case for proportional representation and to scrap first-past-the-post.
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Ben Stanford @drbenstanford.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
Confronting these people and pushing back with this sort of language is long overdue.
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Ben Stanford @drbenstanford.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
The Green threat in Makerfield is real then! www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
theguardian.com
Andy Burnham to back electoral reform if he becomes prime minister
Labour’s Makerfield byelection candidate wants to make politics ‘less point-scoring, more problem-solving’
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Ben Stanford @drbenstanford.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
Actually admire politicians who give a bit back. We should all be less tolerant of these dickheads who are increasingly empowered. Stop with the manufactured outrage too when politicians demonstrate they are real people. www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/...
bbc.co.uk
'Not very British!' Rachel Reeves reacts to persistent heckler
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