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Jill Rutter @jillyrutter.bsky.social · 27/02/2026

One of the reasons that we have a right to protest for Gaza is that Churchill stood up against fascism & tyranny. The latest stupid stunt from extremists who actions do nothing to support the Palestinians and a sustainable Middle East peace. The inverted triangle sprayed on the statue is chilling.

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Jill Rutter @jillyrutter.bsky.social · 20/02/2026

First vandalism then harassment at Gail's bakery in Archway, London. Two of Gail's founders were Israeli, but they have had nothing to do with the business for a long time. Gail's is largely owned by private equity. This type of stunt is naked antisemitism and does nothing to help the Palestinians.

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Jill Rutter @jillyrutter.bsky.social · 31/01/2026

A little known fact about #GortonAndDenton - it is centre of bowler hat making. George Galloway wears a Fedora, but few politicians wear hats these days. However, in 2011 Jacob Rees-Mogg said that council officials should wear bowler hats to identify them as public servants. #BringBackHats.

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Jill Rutter @jillyrutter.bsky.social · 05/12/2025

At @britishfuture team meetings in the dark days of COVID we used to wear hats to keep up morale. A legacy of those days - for me - is an interest in millinery and I've just made my first hat. Lots of steam & stretching is involved; the process has barely changed in hundreds of years #BringBackHats

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Jill Rutter @jillyrutter.bsky.social · 27/11/2025

The Home Office has released refugee employment statistics today, too. Important data, as the proposed Protection and Work and Study visa will reduce wait prior to settlement being granted. But employment rates for refugees are low and better employment support is needed.

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Jill Rutter @jillyrutter.bsky.social · 16/07/2025

Statue of Aethelflaed, Lady of the Mercians Tamworth. Born c870 and died in 918, she was daughter of Alfred the Great and aunt of Aethelstan. Aetthelflaed played an important role in her own right in unifying England, but is one of our forgotten queens.

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Jill Rutter @jillyrutter.bsky.social · 11/07/2025

Very excited that the Bayeux Tapestry is coming to the UK. All its colours - which have survived 950 years - come from an iron modifier and three plants: madder (red), weld (yellow) and woad (blue). I grew these plants in my garden in 2023, but Noman dyers and embroiders were more skilled than me.

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Jill Rutter @jillyrutter.bsky.social · 12/05/2025

Happy to be in Colne this morning where I am speaking at a conference on community cohesion organised by Building Bridges Pendle, a geat organisation. Good to hear from the communities minister Lord Wajid Khan.

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Jill Rutter @jillyrutter.bsky.social · 08/05/2025

Yes, it was me who described the Labour immigration mug as unpleasant in a blog about ceramics! When I am not being a policy wonk, I enjoy sitting at my wheel and making pots. jillrutter.com/ceramics/the...

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Jill Rutter @jillyrutter.bsky.social · 24/04/2025

On 24.4.2013 1,138 people were killed when the Rana Plaza clothing factory in Bangladesh collapsed. Today the International Accord on Fire and Building Safety is meant to make factories safer. Lots of brands have signed, but #Nike #Northface #Decathlon #Timberland are among those that haven't 🧵

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Jill Rutter @jillyrutter.bsky.social · 15/04/2025

The good citizens of Port Talbot might be justified in feeling dissatisfied with the performative industrial strategy of Labour and Reform UK. Once one of the largest steelworks in the world, its furnaces closed in Oct 2024, after its loss of EU markets and a failed rescue plan.

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Jill Rutter @jillyrutter.bsky.social · 11/03/2025

While the media focuses on the Farage-Lowe spat, there are interesting developments in local government. There were 47 Reform councillors 5 weeks ago; today there are 108. These gains are mostly through Tory to Reform defections, but Reform has also gained councillors who sat as independents.

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Jill Rutter @jillyrutter.bsky.social · 02/03/2025

The meeting room at the old Spode Factory in Stoke-on-Trent is the loveliest location ever to run a focus group. #Stoke

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Jill Rutter @jillyrutter.bsky.social · 25/02/2025

I'm in Yorkshie this week, running focus groups for the Independent Commission on Community and Cohesion livingwelltogether.org.uk

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Jill Rutter @jillyrutter.bsky.social · 12/02/2025

One of my conclusions from the National Conversation on Immigration was sounding either cruel or unhinged on immigration wasn't a vote winner with many people. This is something all politicians should reflect on. Most of the public are 'balancers' who see the pressures and gains of immigration.

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Jill Rutter @jillyrutter.bsky.social · 06/12/2024

I'm very pleased to receive my #SophieFromRomania calendar. It's been put together by @rorycj.bsky.social in aid of Cure Parkinson's. My dad and aunt had Parkinson's so it's a cause that matters to me. And I am a big fan of lovely Sophie.

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Jill Rutter @jillyrutter.bsky.social · 30/11/2024

Take up knitting (or crochet)!This 2,000 people knitting together in Southwark cathedral in an event organised by Craft Forward today. Some of the pubs in my part of London have knitting groups which welcome all.

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Jill Rutter @jillyrutter.bsky.social · 29/11/2024

I'm enjoying the day that I am spending with the Learning Team and a school group who have come to visit the @migrationmuseumuk.bsky.social If you are in the Lewisham area, do visit. The Museum's shop is good for Christmas presents.

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Jill Rutter @jillyrutter.bsky.social · 28/11/2024

Today's ONS figures show net migration in the UK is at an historic high - 728,000 in year to 30/6/24. Causes are mostly increased student and work migration. Net is far higher than the peak years of EU migration, and its is important we learn from the 2004-2020 period and invest in integration.

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Jill Rutter @jillyrutter.bsky.social · 19/11/2024

The Tory's most marginal seat is Basildon & Billericay, won by Richard Holden with a majority of 20 over Labour and Reform just 1,551 votes behind. Next door is Reform’s most marginal seat of South Basildon & East Thurrock won by James McMurdock with a majority of 98 over Labour.

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Jill Rutter @jillyrutter.bsky.social · 18/11/2024

Bringing my constituency posts to Bluesky, starting with posts on marginality. The 2024 GE saw more marginal seats, with 115 of 650 seats won by a margin of less than 5% of votes, compared to 67 in 2019. The most marginal seat is #Hendon, won by Labour’s David Pinto-Duschinsky with a majority of 15

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Jill Rutter @jillyrutter.bsky.social · 18/11/2024

My analysis of Home Office data on small boat arrivals shows the changing pattern of people smuggling. Graph shows average numbers of people per boat arriving in UK in 2019 and 2024 where bigger and/or more crowded boats are being used.

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Jill Rutter @jillyrutter.bsky.social · 13/11/2024

Only one chapter in, but Jonathan Coe's new book is brilliant. It is partly set during Truss's time in office and involves a libertarian think tank and a murder.

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Jill Rutter @jillyrutter.bsky.social · 06/11/2024

I worry that climate is the issue which will be most impacted by Trump's victory. It's essential for our children's future that in the UK we hang on to the consensus on the need for action, and learn what messages work with people outside the activist bubble.

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Jill Rutter @jillyrutter.bsky.social · 05/11/2024

Who remembers the 'hanging chads' in the Florida recount battle of the 2000 Presidential election, followed by Al Gore's concession of defeat to George W. Bush.

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Jill Rutter @jillyrutter.bsky.social · 31/10/2024

Raising awareness of Black and Asian soldiers in World Wars could help tackle prejudice after summer riots'. A new call from @britishfuture.bsky.social and other leading voices to teach children about the contribution of Commonwealth soldiers.

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Jill Rutter @jillyrutter.bsky.social · 09/10/2024

I recommend the @ukandeu.bsky.social trailblazing report on ethnic minority voters, who comprise 14% of the UK electorate. While Labour led the Tories by 29 percentage points in 2024, ethnic minority voters aren't an homogeneous group. Voting behaviour likely to diverge in future.

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Jill Rutter @jillyrutter.bsky.social · 07/10/2024

Thinking of those who were murdered or taken hostage on 7.10.23, especially Vivian Silver of Kibbutz Be'eri and Modi Amir of Kibbutz Kfar Aza. I hope that peace comes out of the horror of the last year.

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Jill Rutter @jillyrutter.bsky.social · 09/09/2024

There are elections for 19 contested Commons select committees on Wednesday. Karen Bradley & David Mundell are the two declared candidates for the Home Affairs Committee. Both are from the centre of the party, though Bradley has been a Home Office Minister & has previous select committee experience

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Jill Rutter @jillyrutter.bsky.social · 08/09/2024

Most of the 12 people who drowned in the Channel this week were from Eritrea. Some 99% of asylum applicants from this country get refugee status or leave to remain in UK. Surely this is a good reason for the Home Office to pilot a safe routes programme for Eritrean.

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Jill Rutter @jillyrutter.bsky.social · 01/09/2024

As TeamGB scoops up lots of Paralympic medals, its work remembering where it all began. The first games took place in 1948 at Stoke Mandeville Hospital. They were the initiative of Sir Ludwig Guttmann, a German Jewish refugee who worked there as a neurologist.

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Jill Rutter @jillyrutter.bsky.social · 22/08/2024

Today’s migration statistics illustrate the challenges for the new government. Asylum applications down by 8% on same period last year. Iranians and Afghans are the largest groups, but more applications from countries with lower recognition rates (and fewer human rights concerns).

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Jill Rutter @jillyrutter.bsky.social · 19/08/2024

Tonight's Panorama is worth watching. My old British Future boss @sundersays.bsky.social is speaking on preventing far-right violence. I hope that the programme addresses the absence of a national cohesion strategy and the need to focus on immediate risk such as asylum accommodation.

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