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Gail Parker

@gailp.bsky.social
1.4K followers 1.6K following 599 posts

💙💛 Climate, law, politics, health, dogs, cats, science. Failed raindancer. Wivenhoe, Essex

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Reposted by Gail Parker
Rachel Cunliffe @rmcunliffe.bsky.social · 17h
This is your semi-regular reminder that pensioner poverty: a) is real b) is significantly less prevalent than working-age poverty and half the rate of child poverty, and c) is such that a pensioner is statistically more likely to live in a household worth over £1 million than to live in poverty
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David Henig @davidheniguk.bsky.social · 22h
No, the difference between "join" and "rejoin" really doesn't matter, just as in the past it didn't mater if it was an "association agreement" or a "free trade agreement", and it continues not to matter if the EU is or is not the organisation the UK left. Wood. Trees.
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Dr Stylite @columnist.bsky.social · 18h
So agreeing with all of this, Burnham does appear to be going for it (to my surprise). He’s not in favour of the status quo…and by implication I think that also means status quo + (ie the so called reset)…
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Dr Stylite @columnist.bsky.social · 18h
I was writing the section of my paper on the Syrian-Greek philosopher Damascius’ quest to find what comes before thought and his eureka-like discovery of the idea of potentiality in his blank writing tablet, and I immediately thought of Andy Burnham’s speech and the last 10 years of UK politics…
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Robert Saunders @robertsaunders.bsky.social · 23h
It’s a mark of the corruption of our whole way of thinking about the world that trying to meet a planetary emergency is routinely described as “ideological”, while continuing to accelerate it is presented as “pragmatic” and “economic”.
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Robert Saunders @robertsaunders.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Burnham's speech marks perhaps the best opportunity to replace First Past the Post since 1918. I joined @jonathanfreedland.bsky.social & @lucyfisher.ft.com recently on "The Long View" to explore the history of electoral reform in Britain - & the lessons we might learn. www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
bbc.co.uk
BBC Radio 4 - The Long View, Electoral reform
Jonathan Freedland takes the long view of electoral reform.
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Sunder Katwala (sundersays) @sundersays.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Andy Burnham looks emotional, talking to the Labour party conference as Labour Prime Minister in Liverpool, and starts by saying why.
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Sunder Katwala (sundersays) @sundersays.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
That seems to me the best delivered Labour leader spech since at least 2007/2009 On content, it was a manifesto for a centre-left pitch to the public, often for beyond the next election beyond stepping stones of first 12-18 months.
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Jonathan Portes @jdportes.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
To be fair to PM he seems to be doing just that - talking about a National Care Service with almost nothing about how it will be financed (since triple lock review is essentially irrelevant here except as symbolism)
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David Henig @davidheniguk.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Yes, this. Treating gig / lower paid service economy workers better however done is surely something government can practically do, but only once it accepts this as legitimate work bsky.app/profile/rmcu...
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Ruth Deyermond @ruthdeyermond.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Now would be a very good time for Trump to implement those "bone crushing" sanctions against Russia. He signed the act, so no doubt they'll be announced any time now.
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John Oxley @joxley.jmoxley.co.uk · 28/09/2026
Remember, Jenrick is not stupid. He's a trained lawyer, he knows the difference between police and court bail. He's just a turd.
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Giles Wilkes @gilesyb.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
"Yes, he must persuade people that his preferred solution to the social care crisis is the right one, but, before that, he must reach the large number of people who aren’t even aware that there is a crisis to begin with" giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/... by @stephenkb.bsky.social
giftarticle.ft.com
What ‘Choosin’ Texas’ tells us about Burnham’s social care obstacles
Convincing the British public to pay higher taxes for something they wrongly assume the state provides will not be easy
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Dave Borthwick @borthwickdave.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
& learn to walk the dark again (haptics of gradient & turn firming up almost 9 months here), spare headlamp for moon (upper right rubbing away already) & it candles on the lochan (mallards burbling somewhere, kwik & quibble of tawny owl), dandelion clock running slow in final phase
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Emma Yeomans @yeomans.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
The five men arrested over a potential terror plot near RAF Fairford are being released on police bail, says head of Counter Terrorism Policing, Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor 👀
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Dan Davies @dsquareddigest.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
As I keep saying, not repairing a bridge imposes a cost on future generations, just not the kind of cost that is immediately visible in the accounting system
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Gail Parker @gailp.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
I'm sad to read over on FB that Peter May has died, I enjoyed his books hugely. "riverrun, an imprint of the John Murray Group, has announced the sad news of the death of the Sunday Times bestselling Scottish crime writer Peter May, on Friday night at his holiday home in the south of France..."
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Jonathan Portes @jdportes.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
This is *not* the result of "the success of Mahmood's reforms", but of earlier measures/other factors. Her proposals could make it considerably *worse* in future years. A few other points linked below.. archive.ph/0psJ8
Falling migration numbers could cost the chancellor as much as £7bn in fiscal headroom as he writes his first budget, The Times has been told. 

Government insiders believe that John Healey, who already faced an uphill battle to balance the books next month, is likely to have an even bigger challenge after immigration significantly undershot projections from the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR). 

The Institute for Fiscal Studies think tank estimated last month that the success of Shabana Mahmood’s reforms, which have seen net migration cut to the low hundreds of thousands, could cost Healey some £4bn. 

Labour sources familiar with the budget process, however, said that the figure was now closer to £6.5bn. The OBR’s migration forecasts have been consistently higher than real numbers in recent years.

Treasury officials, who have long expected Mahmood’s reforms to cause a hit to headroom, described the number as “pure speculation” but did not deny that Healey would have to contend with a larger funding gap than expected because of falling migration
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Cian McCarthy @arealmofwonder.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Starting off The Week with... Kenneth C. Steven
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Sarah Kay @k-interarma.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
I’m having a lot of bridges to sell today. There is a presumption of common sense that is clearly not present, and a lot claiming victory because they have yet to march. This isn’t over. And on the broader scheme of things, this is the beginning. Undermining institutions and recalling men says a lot
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Annie Worsley @annieworsley.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
A coffee time read: Coast, Croft and Hill: Letters from the Highlands with Lochaber crofter and writer, Kirsteen Bell published by @caughtbytheriver.bsky.social It's always a pleasure to share our letters with everyone. Happy reading! www.caughtbytheriver.net/2026/09/crof...
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eastlondongroup.bsky.social @eastlondongroup.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Good morning @lakesstiles.bsky.social & thank you, that is most kind. Knowing of your penchant for gates & stiles, here's "A Wiltshire Gate" by Walter Steggles from his post-war work, most likely to mid to late 1970s. I hope you'll like it. #WalterSteggles #EastLondonGroup #SundayMorning
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Ian Dunt @iandunt.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
The chipping away at citizenship, which started with Shamima Begum, is utterly poisonous. Anytime now, Restore will support the removal of citizenship on the basis of race or religion.
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Liam Thorp @liamthorp.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
I do find this country mad. Anyone can see that social care is in a state of devastating crisis in this country and that it is the key source of the NHS crisis as well. There is no feasible way to solve it without everyone contributing. Burnham is honest about that and is already getting pelters.
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James Ball @jamesrball.com · 26/09/2026
I do wonder sometimes if certain people in Labour have ever met the modern working class. I know in reality they have, but it never feels like it. Working people are overwhelmingly literate now! Most know people of other races! Many have gay friends or family! Some worry about climate change!
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womensartbluesky.bsky.social @womensartbluesky.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
UK textile artist Rachel Wright creates artworks using machine embroidery on calico with various fabrics #WomensArt
Pictorial textile artwork featuring a view looking down on a lighthouse in a swirling sea
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Dave Borthwick @borthwickdave.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
ebbtide, between sea & tree filled with small, bitter apples - an oak that has grown horizontally creeps on soilless rock above headheight; receding strands feathers & ziplok bag of jellyfish, curlews begin to work the strand
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Nicola Chester @nicolawriting.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
The village pond & the lake at the Big House are still completely dry. Before we wander into the autumn in our climatical fugue state, let’s not forget this summer of 2026. An Ecology of Love & Ruin. (Blog & Substack /2.) nicolachester.com/2026/09/13/a...
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The Empty City @davidallengreen.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
The Prospect paywall is down! These are all my articles, you lucky people www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/author/2821/...
prospectmagazine.co.uk
DAT Green - Prospect Magazine
The latest news, opinion and analysis for Prospect by DAT Green
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Giles Wilkes @gilesyb.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
“The central economic problem of resilience,” said Lang, “is that it asks capitalism to do what it doesn’t want to do at the moment.” giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/... @willoyd.bsky.social has started writing for the FT! this is good news. Nothing in this article is, though...
giftarticle.ft.com
How resilient is Britain?
As climate and geopolitical risks cast doubt on the UK’s ability to cope in a crisis, leaders are turning from ‘just in time’ to ‘just in case’ as a governing philosophy
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Nic Wilson @nicwilson.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Start your morning with a wild and wonderful @theguardian.com country diary by @katebradbury.bsky.social. #naturewriting #countrydiary
theguardian.com
Country diary: I’m virtually living in the woods now. Wildlife is everywhere | Kate Bradbury
Owls, bats, badgers and countless birds are my new neighbours, but I’ve been particularly taken by a mystery tree – and its resident treecreeper
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James Butler @piercepenniless.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
When was the last time our Secretary of State for Culture displayed anything approaching this degree of public enthusiasm for our world-class arts industry? Has she been seen anywhere? Given impending charter renewal... did she even bother to visit a single prom?
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Ruth Deyermond @ruthdeyermond.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
This is a poor take that suggests Owen Jones doesn't know much about Russia in the 1990s, including Russia-US or wider Russia-West relations in the 1990s. By giving only one part of the story, he is repeating the Russian political elite's self-serving line that it was all the West's fault. Long 🧵
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Brigit Strawbridge @brigitstrawbridge.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Another clip of the stunning pale common buzzard I posted yesterday I wondered briefly if it could be a rough-legged buzzard, but this brilliant video from @btobirds.bsky.social explains the differences, and ours doesn't have the 'dark belly patch'. BTO video: www.bto.org/learn/skills...
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Roland Smith @rolandmcs.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
So they're now talking about attacking the system of policing and law. Arrest these f*ckers. Stop bowing down to them and dancing around them.
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Brigit Strawbridge @brigitstrawbridge.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Looking forward very much to seeing this when it comes out... lostintheglow.co.uk #darkskies
lostintheglow.co.uk
Lost in the Glow · A film by Daniel Taylor
Watch the trailer. Then choose where to go next.
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Spotlight on Corruption @spotlightcorruption.org · 24/09/2026
⚖️ On Monday the High Court ruled that the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) does not have the statutory power to compel disclosure of legally privileged material when investigating alleged professional misconduct. Our latest blog looks at the implications of this major ruling.
spotlightcorruption.org
High Court ruling exposes major gap in powers to investigate misconduct by lawyers
The High Court rules against the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) following a major challenge by Carter-Ruck and Mohamed Amersi to the regulator’s investigative powers.
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Duncan Weldon @duncanweldon.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
- Honestly my dear grandchildren, you’ll never believe how low rates were in the 2010s. - at least you built a load of infrastructure when borrowing costs were so low grandad? Right? Right?
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Stephen Barlow @steb77.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
@theguardian.com This is a very misleading and unfortunate headline, giving the misleading impression that it was a good year for insects. What it's really about was an influx of species from Continental Europe because of the hot weather. www.theguardian.com/environment/... 1/2
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Alasdair Mackenzie @alasdairmackenzie.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
You know that saying about how the way they treat asylum seekers is the way they’d treat everyone else if they thought they could get away with it? Well,
The Tories said the reduced subsistence allowance would be loaded onto pre-paid card that would not allow cash withdrawals, and would "prevent spending" on alcohol, cigarettes, or gambling.
The party is yet to detail how its proposal would work, but shadow welfare secretary Helen Whately said it would be "a version" of the pre-paid Aspen card issued to asylum seekers living in government-funded accommodation.
These cards cannot be used to make contactless, telephone or internet payments, whilst asylum seekers whose applications have failed cannot withdraw cash.
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David Henig @davidheniguk.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Oh, we're still on the "significantly reformed EU" nonsense are we? Like the UK has the power to dictate terms as a returning hero or some such? Same EU as per the last 40 years at least. Be part of it or not. Full stop. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
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David Henig @davidheniguk.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Numbers on rejoin if you missed them before... one might also wonder what they would be if attached to a strong positive case rather than whinges about "reform"... bsky.app/profile/best...
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Sunder Katwala (sundersays) @sundersays.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
"Other countries have no qualms in limiting who can be part of their citizenry and use ethnicity and culture as criteria" says Braverman, of Reform. She wants to do that for English (a non-citizenship identity). To do it for citizenship too is a Restore argument that could exclude her
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Lyndsey Stonebridge @lyndseystonebri.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
You're going to be needing specialists in: languages, narrative, history, psychology, information, mythology, conspiracies, etc, etc. then? #humanities #socialscience
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Rachel Coldicutt @rachelcoldicutt.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Some Qs I have. "What will make these standards different to the other dozens of sets of multilateral AI principles that have been published in the last 5 years? Will US companies continue to be incentivised to unlock AGI at all costs with no regulatory strictures?"
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Dave Borthwick @borthwickdave.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
& morning of the equinox, field below the house is low rumble & hoo as cows do dawn roll-call, steady rain & traffichiss from the main drag - but some promise SSE as cloud gives up the hill
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Steve Gale @stevewg.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Colley Hill, Surrey: coffee break from birding the steep scrub. Love the plaque on the bench I’m sitting on
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Chaminda Jayanetti @cjayanetti.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
who's up for robbing banks while shouting "stop the boats" so no-one arrests us?
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Nick Acheson @themarshtit.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
My friends at @norfolknats.bsky.social and @suffolk-nats1929.bsky.social are hosting a joint conference on nature recording for nature recovery. Details below. It’ll be good!
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James Austin @jamesdaustin.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
And what did he do on that livestream, huh, BBC? What did he do?
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