Reposted by Helen Parker (she/her/hers)UCU Edinburgh @ucuedinburgh.bsky.social · 29/09/2026Scenes from the Picket Lines: Day 2 of the UCU workers' strike against the University of Edinburgh's avaricious, exorbitantly paid senior management and their campaign of mass cuts against staff. 13511
Reposted by Helen Parker (she/her/hers)Asian Studies, University of Edinburgh @asianstudiesed.bsky.social · 22/09/2026Here’s the lineup for this academic year’s #AsianStudiesSeminarSeries A second poster will be circulated in January 2027 with updated room locations. Events are in person, free, and open to the public. No prior registration is necessary. #ChineseStudies #JapaneseStudies #KoreanStudies #allwelcome 012
Reposted by Helen Parker (she/her/hers)Asian Studies, University of Edinburgh @asianstudiesed.bsky.social · 21/09/2026Welcome to all our new students, and welcome back to those returning #asianstudies #chinese #japanese #korean 021
Helen Parker (she/her/hers) @hseparker.bsky.social · 19/09/2026I recently completed a survey asking "is politics working?" and these are the results. Apparently people from all parties agree - no it isn't! We need to fix politics before we can fix the country. Read more here - and sign the petition calling for a fair voting system! www.lder.org/fix-politics...lder.orgIs Politics working? - Liberal Democrats for Electoral Reform 000
Helen Parker (she/her/hers) @hseparker.bsky.social · 17/09/2026Look what’s new in pussycats 😻https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/new-cat-species-identified-bolivia-first-over-century-2026-09-17/reuters.comNew cat species identified in Bolivia, first in over a centuryA diminutive wild cat that inhabits Bolivia's cloud forest has been identified as a previously unknown species, marking the first time a new living cat species has been formally named and described i... 000
Reposted by Helen Parker (she/her/hers)Liberal Democrats for Electoral Reform (LDER) @libdems4er.bsky.social · 02/09/2026Great to meet with party leader Ed Davey MP, Cabinet Office Spokesperson Lisa Smart MP, and President of LDER Olly Glover MP at Parliament today as we launch our survey results. People really do not believe politics is working. See the full results of our survey here: www.lder.org/fix-politics... 0128
Reposted by Helen Parker (she/her/hers)Ed Davey @eddavey.libdems.org.uk · 01/09/2026I've written to the Prime Minister ahead of his first statement later today, with a clear message: Our politics is broken and we can’t fix our country until we fix our politics. 29401137
Reposted by Helen Parker (she/her/hers)Dorian Lynskey @dorianlynskey.bsky.social · 01/09/2026Walked past Edith Cavell's statue earlier and found the inscription very moving. Dates back to 1924 but imagine the stink in the right-wing newspapers if you tried to add that sentiment to a statue now 613925
Reposted by Helen Parker (she/her/hers)Asian Studies, University of Edinburgh @asianstudiesed.bsky.social · 27/07/2026So excited that Tanaka Denjirō & musicians of the Tanaka School are coming to Edinburgh in August with a specially curated series of live concerts and talks. Join us on 7 August for Celebrating Kabuki Music - full details and registration at: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/celebratin... 032
Helen Parker (she/her/hers) @hseparker.bsky.social · 05/07/2026Exclusive screening of #Kokuho arranged by #SkyeCommunityCinema last Sunday. Thank you for hosting a wonderful evening and for inviting me to take part in the Q&A afterwards. 142
Reposted by Helen Parker (she/her/hers)Mark Pack @markpackuk.bsky.social · 20/06/2026Could it be you? New vacancy listed on Lib Dem website: Edinburgh Campaign Organiser (2 posts)buff.lyEdinburgh Campaign Organiser (2 posts)We are looking for two dynamic campaign organisers to be a key part of our team, supporting our campaign activities, members, volunteers, and elected representatives in the run up to the city council... 032
Reposted by Helen Parker (she/her/hers)The Scottish Episcopal Church @scottishepiscopal.bsky.social · 30/05/2026The Right Reverend Doctor Dagmar Winter, Bishop of Edinburgh. 1133
Reposted by Helen Parker (she/her/hers)Asian Studies, University of Edinburgh @asianstudiesed.bsky.social · 28/05/2026Check out the new blog from Japan Forum - short, accessible pieces drawn from new research, free to read and written for anyone with an interest in Japan. Whether you're a researcher, a student, a journalist, or just curious about Japan, there's something here for you. bajs.org.uk/blogbajs.org.uk 044
Reposted by Helen Parker (she/her/hers)Liberal Democrats for Electoral Reform (LDER) @libdems4er.bsky.social · 19/05/2026We are proud to have had @hinabokharild.bsky.social speaking at several of our events and now in our executive board - a passionate supporter of electoral reform! 🤩 0239
Reposted by Helen Parker (she/her/hers)Amanda Jeyaretnam (she/her) @liberalisms.bsky.social · 14/05/2026Here’s @cesea-libdems.bsky.social candidate @yipeichouscotland.bsky.social using three of those languages 011
Helen Parker (she/her/hers) @hseparker.bsky.social · 14/05/2026One of my favourite things about the Scottish Parliament. 110
Reposted by Helen Parker (she/her/hers)Christine Jardine @cajardinemp.bsky.social · 11/05/2026I have long championed more proportional voting systems. This weekend on Times Radio I discussed how proportional representation is key in ensuring everyone has a voice. 186
Reposted by Helen Parker (she/her/hers)Asian Studies, University of Edinburgh @asianstudiesed.bsky.social · 10/05/2026Scottish Parliament elections in the news in Taiwan #scottishparliament #msp #scottishliberaldemocrats #liberalinternational www.cna.com.tw/news/aipl/20...cna.com.tw英國地方選舉周怡霈當選蘇格蘭議會議員 台灣人首例【專訪】 | 政治 | 中央社 CNA英國7日舉行地方選舉,包括全面改選蘇格蘭議會,總計129席。新一屆議員將於14日議會開議時宣誓就職,其中有一位台灣人,她是來自蘇格蘭東北部亞伯丁郡的周怡霈,是首位出身台灣的蘇格蘭議會議員。 011
Reposted by Helen Parker (she/her/hers)Emily @suika.bsky.social · 03/05/2026Article 9 of the Japanese constitution, handcrafted in English, Spanish and Japanese. #0503憲法集会 0228
Helen Parker (she/her/hers) @hseparker.bsky.social · 01/05/2026Excited and honoured to be contributing to the Nissan Institute Seminar Series next week (7 May 2026). Please join us if you are in Oxford on that day #kabuki #globalkabuki #onnagata #japanesetheatre #japanesestudies #歌舞伎 #女方 #世界の歌舞伎 www.nissan.ox.ac.uk/event/nissan...nissan.ox.ac.ukNissan Seminar: Helen Parker (Edinburgh), 'Global Kabuki and the World of Onnagata'The talk examines Japanese and global perspectives on gender performance in contemporary professional kabuki. 072
Reposted by Helen Parker (she/her/hers)Liberal Democrats @libdems.org.uk · 30/04/2026We must protect our democracy from foreign interference. That means banning donations from anyone linked to foreign governments. It means no politician should profit from a platform like X. It's time to close these dangerous loopholes. 710650
Reposted by Helen Parker (she/her/hers)Liberal Democrats for Electoral Reform (LDER) @libdems4er.bsky.social · 30/04/2026www.theguardian.com/politics/202...theguardian.comLib Dems push for ban on MPs taking money from X, citing Maga threatEd Davey attacks Reform calling it ‘Maga franchise’ and says Elon Musk funnels far-right ideas into UK via X 045
Reposted by Helen Parker (she/her/hers)Make Votes Matter @makevotesmatter.bsky.social · 14/04/2026We keep hearing that "Proportional Representation would risk giving power to extremists", so let's make it clear: Under FPTP, an extremist party could win a supermajority on a small minority of the vote. Under PR, that's impossible. We know what's safer. 26736
Reposted by Helen Parker (she/her/hers)Liberal Democrats for Electoral Reform (LDER) @libdems4er.bsky.social · 24/03/2026LDER President @ollyglover.bsky.social calls for a National Committee for Electoral Reform as proposed by the @appgfairelections.bsky.social: www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/2594380...oxfordmail.co.ukDidcot MP calls for electoral reform as he slams 'outdated' voting systemDidcot and Wantage MP Olly Glover urged the Government to take action on the voting system during a debate on the Representation of the People Bill. 063
Reposted by Helen Parker (she/her/hers)Liberal Democrats for Electoral Reform (LDER) @libdems4er.bsky.social · 27/03/2026Great assessment of why we need Proportional Representation by @richardfoordld.bsky.social - Liberal Democrats continue to fight for fair votes! 1109
Reposted by Helen Parker (she/her/hers)Make Votes Matter @makevotesmatter.bsky.social · 23/03/2026It was great to hear this from @eddavey.libdems.org.uk at @libdems.org.uk conference. The health of our democracy impacts everything: the economy, the environment, our public services, our safety and security. It's time to transform how we do politics. It's time for PR. @libdems4er.bsky.social 03721
Helen Parker (she/her/hers) @hseparker.bsky.social · 19/03/2026www.europeanmovement.co.uk/keep_uk_in_e...europeanmovement.co.ukOpen Letter: Keep the UK in the ECHRSign the European Movement UK's open letter now if you agree that the UK must remain in the ECHR. 000
Reposted by Helen Parker (she/her/hers)Asian Studies, University of Edinburgh @asianstudiesed.bsky.social · 16/03/2026Our next #asianstudiesseminar Travel Writing and Travel Reading in Contemporary China, with Dr Pamela Hunt of the University of St Andrews, Wednesday 18 March 2026 at 16:15 in the Project Room (Room 1.06), 50 George Square. #inpersonseminar #allwelcome 031
Reposted by Helen Parker (she/her/hers)Liberal Democrats for Electoral Reform (LDER) @libdems4er.bsky.social · 15/03/2026The best chance of voting reform in a generation www.libdemvoice.org/the-best-cha...libdemvoice.orgThe best chance of voting reform in a generationInvigorating. That’s the best word to sum up the LDER (Liberal Democrats For Electoral Reform) fringe last night. The panel, brimming with optimism and passion, was (L to R in the photo above): Chair ... 162
Reposted by Helen Parker (she/her/hers)Mark Pack @markpackuk.bsky.social · 15/03/2026Good news for electoral reformers _ @rthonjen.bsky.social is on the case. 0185
Reposted by Helen Parker (she/her/hers)Liberal Democrats for Electoral Reform (LDER) @libdems4er.bsky.social · 15/03/2026Steve Darling MP and Jennie call for #fairvotesnow to fix politics for their respective concerns 052
Reposted by Helen Parker (she/her/hers)Liberal Democrats for Electoral Reform (LDER) @libdems4er.bsky.social · 14/03/2026Join the movement to transform our democracy! Visit our stall at Spring Conference today and discover how we're working to introduce fair, equal votes! Let’s fix politics by making sure all voices are heard! 032
Reposted by Helen Parker (she/her/hers)Liberal Democrats for Electoral Reform (LDER) @libdems4er.bsky.social · 14/03/2026@libdemdaisy.bsky.social joins us to call for #fairvotesnow - let’s fix politics for businesses 053
Reposted by Helen Parker (she/her/hers)Asian Studies, University of Edinburgh @asianstudiesed.bsky.social · 03/03/2026On 11/3/2026, Look at Me! – Yonezu Tomoko and the Politics of Intersectionality in Post-war Japan, with Dr Anna-Viktoria Vittinghoff University of Sheffield, 16:15, Room 1.06, 50 George Sq #asianstudiesseminars #japan #postwar #japanesestudies #intersectionality #inpersonseminar #allwelcome 012
Reposted by Helen Parker (she/her/hers)Liberal Democrats for Electoral Reform (LDER) @libdems4er.bsky.social · 02/03/2026"If casting a vote starts to feel more like participating in a lottery than making a positive and principled decision, then voters are going to become ever more frustrated." First Past the Post needs to go - ask your MP to include it in the new Bill. www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/gort...instituteforgovernment.org.ukThe real lesson to take from Gorton and Denton is for the future of UK democracy | Institute for GovernmentWestminster is dangerously underprepared for a multi-party future. 2109
Reposted by Helen Parker (she/her/hers)Asian Studies, University of Edinburgh @asianstudiesed.bsky.social · 28/02/2026Next up in our #AsianStudiesSeminarSeries, #Multiculturalism in #SouthKorea – Racialization of Migrants and Migrant Culture, with Dr Jihyun Choi from @uniofnottingham.bsky.social , 16.15 on 4/3/2026, Room 1.06, 50 George Square #allwelcome#inpersonseminar 011
Reposted by Helen Parker (she/her/hers)APPG for Fair Elections @appgfairelections.bsky.social · 25/02/2026🗯️ "At the next election, a minority party could win a majority of seats with just a fraction of the popular vote." 🗳️ APPG member @annadixonmp.bsky.social made the case in Parliament for a National Commission on Electoral Reform. Read more about our proposal: makevotesmatter.org.uk/national-com... 35929
Reposted by Helen Parker (she/her/hers)Diocese of Edinburgh @dioceseofedinburgh.bsky.social · 15/02/2026The Right Reverend Dr Dagmar Winter was elected yesterday as the new Bishop of Edinburgh. She will take up her new post later this year. Bishop Dagmar currently serves as the Bishop of Huntingdon, a suffragan bishop in the Diocese of Ely. She is also Acting Bishop of Ely. bit.ly/4rQ7p5h 063
Reposted by Helen Parker (she/her/hers)Liberal Democrats for Electoral Reform (LDER) @libdems4er.bsky.social · 14/02/202650 leading academics warn that the distortions of First Past the Post are now “likely to be amplified to an unprecedented extent” - it's not too late for the government to include a National Commission on Electoral Reform in the upcoming bill. www.politicshome.com/news/article... 085
Reposted by Helen Parker (she/her/hers)Liberal Democrats for Electoral Reform (LDER) @libdems4er.bsky.social · 12/02/2026If you are thinking "isn't it too risky to get rid of First-Past-The-Post?" then why not have a read about the experience of New Zealand: @MakeVotesMatter @GetPRDone www.sightline.org/2017/06/19/t...sightline.orgThis Is How New Zealand Fixed Its Voting System | Sightline InstituteChanging to a more representative electoral system makes so much sense, and yet it can be such a heavy lift. After even Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau backed away from a public promise to end ... 255
Reposted by Helen Parker (she/her/hers)Asian Studies, University of Edinburgh @asianstudiesed.bsky.social · 02/02/2026Plus an extra #guestlecture for flexible learning week…Professor Michel Hockx of Notre Dame University will be speaking on The Regulation of #Literature in #ModernChina on Friday, 20 February, from 2-4 pm at 50 George Square, Room G.06. #inperson #allwelcome 032
Reposted by Helen Parker (she/her/hers)Asian Studies, University of Edinburgh @asianstudiesed.bsky.social · 02/02/2026Our next #asianstudiesseminar is on 11/2/26 at 16:15 in Room 1.06, 50 George Sq. with Dr Taeyoung Kim of Loughborough University. #Culturalpolicies in the era of the #Koreanwave - the South Korean government’s instrumentalisation of #popularculture #inpersonseminars #allwelcome 011
Reposted by Helen Parker (she/her/hers)Alex Cole-Hamilton 🔶🇺🇦 @alex.scotlibdems.org.uk · 29/01/2026Jim Wallace was an architect of modern Scotland and one of the finest Liberals of his age. He was my friend and our country is the poorer without him. 0234
Reposted by Helen Parker (she/her/hers)Asian Studies, University of Edinburgh @asianstudiesed.bsky.social · 29/01/2026#hotoffthepress Congratulations 🎉to Drs Chris Perkins & Ferran de Vargas on their new book📚 #PoliticalThought & #JapansNewLeftMovement More here: www.bloomsbury.com/uk/political...bloomsbury.com 032
Reposted by Helen Parker (she/her/hers)The Japan Times @japantimes.co.jp · 25/01/2026Slow, stylized movement is central to noh theater — but at Tokyo’s Suigian, the ancient art form is finding new rhythms after dark. 👉 ebx.sh/ZfNUWo 0153
Reposted by Helen Parker (she/her/hers)Asian Studies, University of Edinburgh @asianstudiesed.bsky.social · 21/01/2026Our next #asianstudiesseminar is on 28/1/26 in Room LG.06, 40 George Square The Beginnings of Modern Drama: Literature and the Stage in Early Twentieth Century Korea Dr Owen Stampton, University of Sheffield 021
Reposted by Helen Parker (she/her/hers)Asian Studies, University of Edinburgh @asianstudiesed.bsky.social · 17/01/2026Here are the full details of speakers and topics for this semester’s #asianstudiesseminars 092
Reposted by Helen Parker (she/her/hers)Liberal Democrats for Electoral Reform (LDER) @libdems4er.bsky.social · 16/01/2026In an open letter to the Financial Times more than 20 business leaders call for a change to the UK’s electoral system. They state our short-term, unpredictable politics - driven by the volatile ‘first past the post’ - damages business confidence. www.ft.com/content/422f... democracy4growth.ukft.comLetter: The economic case for coalition governmentFrom Peter Norris and others 02514