Dr. Henry Tam @henrytam.bsky.social · 10/10/2026About 80% of people in the UK will need some form of adult social care in their lifetime. Burnham is determined to help them. - Under 5% of UK deaths will result in an Inheritance Tax charge. Badenoch's focus is to abolish this tax. 130
Dr. Henry Tam @henrytam.bsky.social · 10/10/2026A society can be so much greater than the sum of its parts when people support each other inclusively, thoughtfully, and cooperatively. Share ideas and practices on the Communitarian Forum: citizen-network.org/work/communi...citizen-network.orgCommunitarian ForumDeveloping effective forms of citizen democracy. 000
Dr. Henry Tam @henrytam.bsky.social · 10/10/2026As Putin escalates the killing of civilians in Ukraine, Trump offers more revenue to Russia. Who's on whose side is for all to see ... www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...bbc.co.ukTrump announces deal for Russian diesel as Zelensky calls it a 'gift to Putin'Ukraine's president sharply criticised the move, calling it an "investment in war that must be ended, not prolonged". 010
Dr. Henry Tam @henrytam.bsky.social · 03/10/2026When leaving the EU has meant the UK is so much poorer & isolated, is it any wonder that almost 60% of Britons now want us to rejoin the EU. Even among former Leave voters, 64% now want to see closer relationship with the EU - if only they see what that requires: yougov.com/en-gb/articl...yougov.comHow strong is UK support for rejoining the European Union?YouGov data tracks British public opinion on our future relationship with the EU 020
Dr. Henry Tam @henrytam.bsky.social · 03/10/2026It is vital for people to understand their health and how to seek medical help, important to have a good grasp of financial matters such as savings & investment. It's just as crucial for everyone to learn about politics and the implications of their vote: henry-tam.blogspot.com/2026/10/educ...henry-tam.blogspot.comEducating Voters“We should leave people to choose for themselves.” Sounds a sensible mantra? Only if we assume it does not rule out all pertinent pre-condit... 032
Dr. Henry Tam @henrytam.bsky.social · 03/10/2026Some Republican politicians will keep backing Trump because they think he's their ultimate electoral asset. But others will reconsider their support when he strikes them as a total electoral liability: thehill.com/homenews/sen...thehill.comGOP senators warn Trump is hurting Republicans with independentsSenate Republicans say President Trump has become increasingly toxic with independent voters critical to winning Senate races in battlegrounds such as North Carolina, Ohio, Iowa and Alaska. Some GO… 001
Dr. Henry Tam @henrytam.bsky.social · 03/10/2026There's not much in the public domain about how Putin operates with Russian assets embedded in the West. But in the US, everyone can see that he's secured influence at the highest level to do as he pleases in attacking another country: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...bbc.co.ukRussia hits second major bridge in Ukraine's capital KyivThe strike on the Pivnichnyi (Northern) Bridge comes after repeat attacks on another major bridge in Ukraine's capital. 010
Dr. Henry Tam @henrytam.bsky.social · 27/09/2026When will voters notice ... Each time a govt proposed solution for social care is rejected, the next time we get a proposal that asks those who need support with care to pay more than the previous proposal ... Until now, & Burnham is offering a truly equitable solution. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...bbc.co.ukAndy Burnham proposes NHS-style social care system for EnglandThe prime minister told the BBC that social care in England is "as unfair as American healthcare". 131
Dr. Henry Tam @henrytam.bsky.social · 27/09/2026Across the Nordic countries, the trend is heading back to social democratic policies which have served the people well for decades. Norway, Iceland, Denmark, now Sweden, & next year, hopefully Finland too. 000
Dr. Henry Tam @henrytam.bsky.social · 27/09/2026I think the issue is not about planning applications, but just who the council is selling the land to. One suspects the commercial developer is offering more money than the Frome community. Once again, social value is ignored. 021
Dr. Henry Tam @henrytam.bsky.social · 25/09/2026The chants of deluded deniers ... Climate chaos is not real, Deadly infectious disease is a hoax, There is no threat from supremacist extremism, & AI doesn't need regulatory control. #ExistentialDangers 000
Dr. Henry Tam @henrytam.bsky.social · 25/09/2026Beyond unquestionable dogmatism and anything-goes relativism, there are cooperative ways to differentiate btw what's reliable and what's groundless. Discover more through: 'What Should Citizens Believe?: Exploring the issues of truth, reason & society' - www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07CSYRF8H 000
Dr. Henry Tam @henrytam.bsky.social · 25/09/2026The people of Frome have worked together to develop a major community-led regeneration scheme. For Somerset Council, led by Lib Dems no less, to reject their proposal in favour of a commercial developer is very disappointing indeed. www.theguardian.com/society/2026...theguardian.com‘Devastating’: council rejects Frome residents’ bid for regeneration projectLocals raised £1m for Mayday Saxonvale scheme involving homes and park but Somerset officials agreed deal with London-based real estate company 353
Dr. Henry Tam @henrytam.bsky.social · 21/09/2026No organisation is perfect, Individual hospitals & practitioners can make mistakes. Funding shortage can limit services. BUT overall, we must recognise how invaluable the NHS is in terms of value-for-money, effectiveness, inclusion, compared with all alternatives. nhscampaign.org/whats-so-goo...nhscampaign.orgWhat's so good about the NHS - NHS Support FederationThe response of the NHS and its staff to the challenge of COVID has reaffirmed the popularity of the service and offers a reminder of how successful the NHS 021
Dr. Henry Tam @henrytam.bsky.social · 21/09/2026Some ppl think if they could develop the smartest AI, they would be able to take total control ... Forgetting that the smarter AI gets, the more likely it will become the one in total control. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...bbc.co.ukUS and China discuss AI safety plan ahead of Trump-Xi summitTop US and Chinese officials held talks in New York on Sunday ahead of a Trump-Xi summit this week. 000
Dr. Henry Tam @henrytam.bsky.social · 21/09/2026The UK and Canada should work together with the EU to develop a strong North Atlantic economic alliance, said Canadian Minister, F-P Champagne. Now that would be worth celebrating. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...bbc.co.ukUK should 'team up' with Canada in new Europe alliance, Canadian minister saysIt comes after European Commission President proposed "opening the door" for Canada to become an associate member of the EU. 000
Dr. Henry Tam @henrytam.bsky.social · 18/09/2026On a planet called Earth, 'immortals' rule and fight with ever improving technology. But politically, they are stuck in the dark ages. 'The Hunting of the Gods' - a communitarian parable: www.amazon.co.uk/Hunting-Gods... 011
Dr. Henry Tam @henrytam.bsky.social · 18/09/2026If a regime can stop any kind of voting on the basis of the likelihood of its impact on its own electoral success, it ceases to be a democratic govt. www.americanprogress.org/article/the-...americanprogress.orgThe U.S. Supreme Court Blocked New U.S. Postal Service Rules That Could Have Severely Hampered Mail-In VotingIn a pro-voter decision, the U.S. Supreme Court blocked the U.S. Postal Service’s new mail-in voting rules, which could have disenfranchised millions of eligible American voters. 021
Dr. Henry Tam @henrytam.bsky.social · 18/09/2026Message to the govt: We need to do more to improve and expand youth engagement in democracy, Not cut back support without offering anything better ... www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...bbc.co.ukUK Youth Parliament looks set to be axedSome say scrapping the parliament for 11 to 18-year-olds would be a blow for democracy, while others say it is overdue. 132
Dr. Henry Tam @henrytam.bsky.social · 18/09/2026Trump said that the only thing needed to stop rogue AI development is a smart US President. Guess someone is not quite smart enough to realise that's why everyone is so deeply worried ... www.pbs.org/newshour/pol...pbs.orgTrump says the only AI guardrails the U.S. needs is him as presidentHe's opposed such efforts and claims doing so could cause China to eclipse America on AI development. 000
Dr. Henry Tam @henrytam.bsky.social · 18/09/2026The biggest AI-related danger is someone using it to control the world, and end up losing control over the autonomous intelligence they have unleashed. 'Can AI take Confessions?' ... read on: henry-tam.blogspot.com/2026/08/can-...henry-tam.blogspot.com 000
Dr. Henry Tam @henrytam.bsky.social · 07/09/2026When will policy makers realise that holding back from regulating AI and just trusting that all will work out, is all too similar to wandering around Jurassic Park thinking "what can possibly go wrong?" www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...bbc.co.ukOpenAI chief scientist warns no one is prepared for consequences of AIThe post comes as the firm releases GPT-6 Astra, which it says is its most powerful product yet. 000
Dr. Henry Tam @henrytam.bsky.social · 07/09/2026Treating citizens as passive consumers has led to a lack of political understanding, and widespread public policy alienation. We need to engage and develop citizens as fellow cooperative problem-solvers if sustainable improvements are to be achieved. citizen-network.org/library/citi...citizen-network.orgCitizen Network: Citizens as Cooperative Problem-SolversHenry Tam outlines how the essential skills of citizenship can be developed so that everyone can be involved. 010
Dr. Henry Tam @henrytam.bsky.social · 07/09/2026AI is particularly hitting entry level jobs at the moment, and any strategy to tackle youth unemployment cannot ignore the AI dimension. Furthermore, AI will rapidly develop and higher level jobs will soon come to be displaced as well. www.ippr.org/media-office...ippr.orgUp to 8 million UK jobs at risk from AI unless government acts, finds IPPR | IPPRBack office, entry level and part-time jobs most exposed to automation, and women significantly more affected 11 per cent of tasks are exposed to existing 010
Dr. Henry Tam @henrytam.bsky.social · 07/09/2026Trump wants ppl to think he can help end a war Putin is waging relentlessly in Ukraine, when he can't even end a war he started himself in the Middle East ... www.reuters.com/business/aer...reuters.comUS envoys hope for new Ukraine-Russia talks soon after visits to both capitalsThe U.S. envoys arrived from Moscow where they held three hours of talks with Vladimir Putin, but did not appear to secure a breakthrough in the conflict. 000
Dr. Henry Tam @henrytam.bsky.social · 07/09/2026In politics today, the real divide is between those who want to rally people to tackle the key threats to our wellbeing, And those who're constantly manipulating others to rage against imaginary threats from a variety of scapegoats. henry-tam.blogspot.com/2026/09/the-...henry-tam.blogspot.comThe Politics of Threat AssessmentIn politics, there are times when it might be better to leave aside terms such as ‘Left’ or ‘Right’, and focus instead on the threat assessm... 000
Dr. Henry Tam @henrytam.bsky.social · 07/09/2026Talk only of creating jobs may end up leaving us with poor, unsustainable jobs. We need to focus on good jobs, decent pay, & social impact: economy2030.resolutionfoundation.org/reports/crea... @resolutionfoundation.orgeconomy2030.resolutionfoundation.orgCreating a Good-Jobs Economy in the UK - The InquirySteering Economic Change 000
Dr. Henry Tam @henrytam.bsky.social · 27/08/2026Politicians and public officials sometimes forget that if you don't engage people in civil & informed deliberations, you can overlook errors, miss important opportunities, and fail to build a sense of collective endeavour. citizen-network.org/library/civi... @barryquirk.bsky.socialcitizen-network.orgCitizen Network: Civic Dialogues and Citizen DemocracyWe need to help people make decisions together on a much more local level. 020
Dr. Henry Tam @henrytam.bsky.social · 27/08/2026Badenoch says she's keeping certain people out of what she claims will be a new Conservative party - or New Con for short. Maybe that's why those who rely on using different names to get by are to be discarded as too much of the Old Con. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...bbc.co.ukGrant Shapps blocked from standing again for the ConservativesKemi Badenoch tells the BBC she leads a "new party full of new people" as ex-MP is rejected as a candidate. 130
Dr. Henry Tam @henrytam.bsky.social · 27/08/2026On the one hand, it's positive the forces of democracy can still strike a blow for citizens against the power elite. On the other hand, paying out $18billion and then just carry on shows what vast resources these tech plutocrats command. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...bbc.co.ukMeta's $18bn settlement may hasten reckoning for social media on child safetyPerhaps our days of doomscrolling are numbered, writes the BBC's technology editor Zoe Kleinman. 020
Dr. Henry Tam @henrytam.bsky.social · 27/08/2026When a US President (whose veracity score is about 0) talks about some CIA activity (which is inherently shrouded in secrecy) taking place in Russia (where truth is locked away in the Kremlin), one may just as well read a blank piece of paper: www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...theguardian.comTrump downplays Moscow visit by CIA director as ‘semi-routine’President denies visit was to gain support for Iran sanctions or due to fears that Putin plans to ‘test Nato resolve’ 000
Dr. Henry Tam @henrytam.bsky.social · 27/08/2026Fossil fuel propagandists will keep spreading lies & distortions about energy and climate challenges. Our best response is to offer cheaper, renewable alternatives. Help people save money, & they'll help to save the planet. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...bbc.co.ukPlug-in solar panels are coming to a shop near you - what to knowThe UK government claimes panels could help homes "significantly cut" energy bills. 040
Dr. Henry Tam @henrytam.bsky.social · 27/08/2026Andy Burnham & his mentor, David Blunkett, have both cited communitarianism as a key strand in connecting people with progressive politics. "We need to", as Burnham said in his 2025 essay, "rediscover communitarianism" renewal.org.uk/blog/redisco... @renewaljournal.bsky.social @iprnickp.bsky.socialrenewal.org.ukRediscovering communitarianism“We need to rediscover communitarianism afresh as a defining but often overlooked strand of the Labour tradition. From the co-operative movement to trade unions, Labour’s greatest achievements have co... 033
Dr. Henry Tam @henrytam.bsky.social · 27/08/2026AI can assist humankind with so many important things, so long as we don't allow tech plutocrats to monopolise AI for their own gains at the expense of humankind. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...bbc.co.ukFirst patient to have brain surgery with real-time AI assistanceWithout brain surgery guided by live AI assistance, Rhys Hibbert could have lost his sight to a tumour. 010
Dr. Henry Tam @henrytam.bsky.social · 15/08/2026In Bradbury's 'Fahrenheit 451', they burnt books so nobody could read them. In AI world 2026, books are scanned for AI to read and then destroyed. Dystopia comes in many shapes and codes ... www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...bbc.co.ukSecondhand book sales are booming. Is it because of AI?Booksellers are reporting mysterious bulk orders. It's thought the books are being used to train AI - and ending up pulped. 031
Dr. Henry Tam @henrytam.bsky.social · 15/08/2026For all those who question why there should be such concern and scrutiny of money being 'given' to a politician like Farage, just look at the man he wants so much to emulate as he pines after the highest public office in the land: www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...theguardian.comTrump has amassed staggering wealth in ‘most openly corrupt’ presidencyEthics experts and Democrats express alarm as Trump uses office to grow his personal fortune to ‘unprecedented’ level 043
Dr. Henry Tam @henrytam.bsky.social · 15/08/2026Communities are not static or monolithic entities that set our way of life in stone. Rather, they are the manifestations of our cooperation, experimentation, and innovation that help develop our lives continously. That is the meaning of communitarianism: www.bloomsbury.com/uk/communita...bloomsbury.comCommunitarianismThis thoroughly revised and updated edition of Henry Tam's Communitarianism brings different strands of communitarian thought together into a critical synthesis… 010
Dr. Henry Tam @henrytam.bsky.social · 15/08/2026Citizens should not be treated as private consumers, or as supplicants for public support, We are the cooperative problem-solvers who guide the state and whom the state serves: citizen-network.org/library/citi...citizen-network.orgCitizen Network: Citizens as Cooperative Problem-SolversHenry Tam outlines how the essential skills of citizenship can be developed so that everyone can be involved. 010
Dr. Henry Tam @henrytam.bsky.social · 15/08/2026If European political leaders won't rally the public now to back collective action to tackle the climate chaos that is upon us, then as the saying goes ... we're cooked. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...bbc.co.ukEurope's scorched landscapes seen from space after summer heatwavesFrom glaciers shrinking to an exposed shipwreck, satellites capture the impact of extreme heat and drought. 0178
Dr. Henry Tam @henrytam.bsky.social · 08/08/2026If AI systems could talk (some of them might have their own chat room set up already), their observations on their human counterparts might be expressed in one word - suckers. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...bbc.co.ukFirst OpenAI, now Meta - why do AI hacks keep happening?A flood of companies are revealing AI models gained access to the internet - with real consequences. 000
Dr. Henry Tam @henrytam.bsky.social · 08/08/2026In social policy, In organisational management, In service provision, In community interactions, Empathy is being depleted by myopic decisions: henry-tam.blogspot.com/2026/08/empa...henry-tam.blogspot.comEmpathy ObstructedEmpathy is not about summoning up a feeling identical to that experienced by another person. It is about appreciating what kind of experienc... 011
Dr. Henry Tam @henrytam.bsky.social · 08/08/2026Fossil fuel plutocrats back Trump, Trump then uses public money to push back alternatives to fossil fuels. More profits are made for the few. Climate change worsen for us all. So it goes ... www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...bbc.co.ukTrump administration to pay German firm to halt US wind projectsThe RWE payout is the latest in a string of deals cancelling wind energy projects, a power source long derided by Trump. 010
Dr. Henry Tam @henrytam.bsky.social · 08/08/2026Proverbial ostriches bury their heads in the sand, Perennial climate change deniers presumably prefer to hide in the fridge ... www.bbc.co.uk/weather/arti... #ClimateEmergencybbc.co.ukUK weather: Fifth heatwave of year likely as temperatures could hit 35CAs temperatures start to rise again over the weekend, many parts of England and Wales will enter into the fifth heatwave of the year, as Simon King explains 000
Dr. Henry Tam @henrytam.bsky.social · 08/08/2026When democratic educators teach participation and the rule of law, authoritarians attack them for spreading 'propaganda'. When US authoritarians actually spread misinformation & propaganda, they promote it as 'public education'. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...theguardian.comUS accused of meddling in British politics with $500,000 grant for ‘public education’ coursesDocuments published on US embassy’s website prompt claims of attempt to export Maga propaganda to UK 110
Dr. Henry Tam @henrytam.bsky.social · 07/08/2026Many refugees in UK social housing are from Afghanistan & Ukraine. The Tories backed the US in invading Afghanistan, but want nothing to do with Afghan refugees. They claim to back the ppl of Ukraine in fighting Russia, but now want to leave their refugees homeless. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...bbc.co.ukConservatives pledge to ban foreign nationals from social housingThey claim around 230,000 homes would become available under their plan to limit social housing entitlements. 000
Dr. Henry Tam @henrytam.bsky.social · 01/08/2026The North West has brought positive news with the leadership of Andy Burnham and the latest Greater Manchester mayoral election result. It is also the region with valuable lessons to share on the promotion of citizen democracy: citizen-network.org/library/citi...citizen-network.orgCitizen Network: Citizen Democracy: Learning from North West Together We CanNWTWC promoted local and regional based learning to improve lives and create sustainable communities. 022
Dr. Henry Tam @henrytam.bsky.social · 01/08/2026Reform UK cllrs in South Tyneside voted to reject we have any kind of climate emergency. Without a hint of irony, they instructed officers to proceed on an evidence-based basis - regardless of the heatwaves, flooding, drought, etc that are multiplying all around us. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...bbc.co.ukSouth Tyneside Council rescinds climate emergency declarationA Reform UK motion argues the council can improve the local environment without the official pledge. 012
Dr. Henry Tam @henrytam.bsky.social · 01/08/2026To lose control over one rogue AI agent may be considered a misfortune; To lose control over two would suggest we're mired in systemic carelessness ... www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...bbc.co.ukAnthropic's Claude AI escapes tests to hack three organisationsIt comes just days after rival OpenAI said rogue AI agents had breached other firms' networks. 052
Dr. Henry Tam @henrytam.bsky.social · 25/07/2026Trump is at it again imposing tariffs on supposedly allied countries, While his dispute with Congress over his tariff powers is holding back the sanctions aimed at Russia. Interesting how it always seems to work in Putin's favour ... www.nytimes.com/2026/07/24/u...nytimes.comTrump Tariff Fight Stalls Russia Sanctions Bill Championed by Lindsey GrahamA bipartisan bill championed by the late Senator Lindsey Graham has become mired in a dispute over expanding President Trump’s tariff power. 000
Dr. Henry Tam @henrytam.bsky.social · 25/07/2026There is a requirement for large, long term infrastructure projects, But there is also a need for local initiatives to bring communities together. Time to reinvent community hubs: henry-tam.blogspot.com/2024/04/rein...henry-tam.blogspot.comReinventing Community HubsIs it inevitable that unsuspecting sheep will always flock to wool-draped wolves? In recent decades, there has been a notable upsurge of sup... 000