iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

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Kate Bevan @katebevan.com · 25/09/2026

FFS. Really important infrastructure projects shouldn't be subject to the whims of whoever happens to be in Downing Street. HS2 is a clusterfuck because twats just keep changing their minds. We should commit to big, important projects and see them through, not faff about every time we get a new PM.

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John Kell @jmkpolicy.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

It's the pauses that make this. Absolutely captures less experienced local activists speaking in the hall at party conference, for what they hope will be the first time of many, but will truthfully be the first and last for obvious reasons. Back when I used to have to go to the things.

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Stephen Gallagher @stephengallagher.co.uk · 16/09/2026

Piddington, you reap what you sow

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Robert Saunders @robertsaunders.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

90 years ago, Parliament responded to the rise of Oswald Mosley's Blackshirts by passing the Public Order Act, which banned political uniforms, private militias and the threat of force for political objects. The debates make very resonant reading today. Here's the Liberal Robert Bernays. (Short 🧵)

You cannot conduct a fair match when one side is playing with a ball and the other with bombs and, if democracy is to survive, it must be conducted according to definite and recognised rule. One of them is that no political party should resort to any weapon other than reason and argument. The introduction of private armies, as I see it, strikes at the root of democracy. I know it is contended that the Blackshirts are not armed and, therefore, are not an army, but I do not think that argument can be upheld. … Uniformed men in military formation suggest, and are meant to suggest, the idea of force. It is no argument to reply that at this or that demonstration no force is intended. It is an inescapable fact that a uniform in politics symbolises force, to be used either now or in the future.

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Jonathan Portes @jdportes.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Shameful and saddening from Simon Schama. What is happening in Gaza is not the Holocaust. But it *is* genocidal, perpetrated by an explicitly and openly genocidal government, and he knows that. This denialism demeans him and his record as a great historian. www.jewishnews.co.uk/simon-schama...

jewishnews.co.uk

Simon Schama: Anybody accusing Israel of committing genocide should be ashamed - Jewish News

In speech at HET appeal dinner, the historian and professor says 'We, the victims of the greatest genocide the world has ever seen, are being called perpetrators of genocide'

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John Kell @jmkpolicy.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

On paper I think binning off token consultations is exactly right. I've responded to enough over the years. But government has no culture of earlier, participatory engagement to shape policy. Still less does it have expertise in it. So... brace for a ton of avoidable policy blunders, I guess.

Extract from a letter to all ministers, which reads:

In many instances, the best approach will be more participatory policymaking. Involving a wider range of people in shaping our thinking earlier and more directly – with ministers and officials leading engagement in ways that reflect the issue at hand, and which help to build back public trust in government. Habitual, box-ticking consultation does not serve people or business and is a distraction to government. Formal consultation should only take place where there is a statutory requirement to consult, where it would be conspicuously unfair not to consult, or where ministers believe there is a good case for seeking external input and that the right vehicle for doing so is a formal consultation. Even where departments have historically consulted or previously promised to consult, we expect each individual instance to be considered afresh, thinking about what is fair in the particular circumstances. We also want to see this approach to consultations adopted not just within central government and its agencies, but across the wider public sector – so it is important that we lead from the front.

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Michael @michaeljsc.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

I can’t *believe* we had to, still have to, listen to all that talk about how competent and ruthless Shabana Mahmood is, and then we get a day like today and we don’t have a Home Secretary

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John Kell @jmkpolicy.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

The true face of Reform: violent, hateful, thuggish, criminal.

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James Ball @jamesrball.com · 05/09/2026

It's craven, it's politically stupid, and it's morally wrong. Number 10 does not struggle to get Andy Burnham in front of a camera when it wants him to be there. Every minute he's not on show over this is the result of a deliberate decision.

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John Kell @jmkpolicy.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

A paramilitary blockade of a British port requires a televised address to the nation tonight, detailing the emergency measures that have been taken @andyburnham.bsky.social

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John Kell @jmkpolicy.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

A paramilitary blockade of a British port requires a televised address to the nation tonight, detailing the emergency measures that have been taken @andyburnham.bsky.social

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John Kell @jmkpolicy.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

"Zip merging"? Seriously?? BBC News describes completely standard merge-in-turn, exactly how it's supposed to operate, as some sort of transgressive innovation. I can't decide if it's a worse reflection on BBC News or contemporary driving standards. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

bbc.co.uk

What is 'zip-merging' on a motorway and when should you do it?

How should motorists in the UK merge lanes to ensure safe and smooth driving conditions?

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Glen O'Hara @gsoh31.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

I wonder if all the people at the BBC will regret what they've done if and when Reform UK throws them all on the dole. Maybe not. 🤷‍♂️

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John Kell @jmkpolicy.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

I'm impressed the figure is that low. Would be interesting to see change over time - from working on the issue in the voluntary sector, I suspect it was higher 10-15 years ago.

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John Kell @jmkpolicy.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

Azumas at Bedford is quite exciting, but bizarrely Bedford-Newcastle will be quicker and easier than normal throughout this weekend, as rail replacement buses will be running direct between Bedford and Peterborough. Using one of them will be slightly quicker (on paper) than the direct train.

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John Kell @jmkpolicy.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

I actually think this is quite revealing. In areas that have become heavily car-dependent and public transport has gone down a death spiral, buses are seen as either irredeeemably low status, or (perhaps increasingly?) a big city / metropolitan liberal elite mode. It's a huge challenge.

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John Kell @jmkpolicy.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

This speaks, indirectly, to something I've wondered for a while: how independent of DfT will GBR be once it exists as a statutory body in its own right? On its first day as a statutory org, the NHS Commissioning Board re-branded itself NHS England. Will GBR also reset its external presentation?

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John Kell @jmkpolicy.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

Sad to hear this. I remember Prof Hatcher's lectures being much more entertaining and engaging than I ever expected economic history to be, and also his excitement as Arsenal clinched the title in 2002.

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The Empty City @davidallengreen.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

In other words - our body politic retains an admirably efficient discharge system, it is the diet which is at fault.

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Thomas Ableman @freewheeling.info · 22/06/2026

Unpopular opinion, but today is a great illustration of the British Constitution working well. Having appointed a Prime Minister who turned out not to be able to lead a Government or a country, our flexible system found a way to replace him with someone who can. The system working as it should.

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John Kell @jmkpolicy.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

Catastrophic fails from both BBC and Sky News. Sky perhaps have the fig leaf that they're not specifying what post he's resigned from, but the BBC's completely false report that Starmer has resigned as Prime Minister will fuel misinformation and yet more ill feeling towards politicians.

Screen grab of the front page of the Sky News website, with the headline "PM Resigns"

Screen grab of the BBC News website with the headline "Keir Starmer Resigns as prime minister and leader of Labour Party"

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John Kell @jmkpolicy.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

This is really glib. For starters, FPTP elects the legislature, but the resignations have been as head of the executive. Bar May, all those PMs had majorities. But sure, the problem is the electoral system...

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John Kell @jmkpolicy.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

I've remarked in conversation recently that I worry we could be getting an Asquith when we need a Lloyd George. Reminded of that by today's news.

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Isaac @isaacmarovitz.com · 10/06/2026

Ban X (Twitter) X has continuously been used by foreign state actors to incite violence throughout the UK. We cannot allow this to continue. Sign the petition: petition.parliament.uk/petitions/77...

petition.parliament.uk

Support Isaac Marovitz’s petition - Petitions

Find, sign or create petitions calling for the UK Parliament or UK Government to act

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Dan Davies @dsquareddigest.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

The argument for the BBC appears to be that we need a hypothetical BBC to protect against the risk of getting the kind of media which the BBC actually is

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John Kell @jmkpolicy.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

I think this can be stated even more strongly. Our 2-party parliamentary (and latterly democratic) system was the product of 'broadcast' media in the broadest sense: first the printing press, then over the airwaves. Atomised digital media create a profoundly different political environment.

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John Kell @jmkpolicy.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

As a treat this morning I got to go to East Midlands Railway's event to launch their refurbished class 360s; looking forward to the refurb rolling out across the whole fleet, as they will offer the most pleasant ride from Bedford to London that's been available since I moved here over a decade ago.

A group of people in orange hi-vis vests, walking along the side of a purple class 360 train in Kettering depot sidings.

The project lead on the class 360 refurbishment programme cuts a purple ceremonial ribbon, surrounded by cameras and people in hi-vis.

A new class 810 unit, stabled in Kettering sidings, photographed through the window from the inside of the refurbished class 360.

Your humble narrator, wearing a hi vis vest, with two class 360s in the background.

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John Kell @jmkpolicy.bsky.social · 21/05/2026

The wildest part of this is that the widow successfully gave the model railway collection away to attendees at the event. I bet she did: that stuff notoriously costs cash money and would have fetched a tidy sum if sold. The really stupid bit was thinking it had no value and needed to be given away!

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Glen O'Hara @gsoh31.bsky.social · 28/04/2026

World economy right now.

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John Kell @jmkpolicy.bsky.social · 26/01/2026

Although minus several million points for the reference to "Colonel Mainwaring".

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John Kell @jmkpolicy.bsky.social · 19/01/2026

One of the reasons I couldn't finish Sky's in many ways excellent War Game podcast series was because it showed UK decision-making as so flat-footed. I really hope it was less realistic than they claimed. If it was fair, we won't even have started thinking about our (limited) military options yet.

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John Kell @jmkpolicy.bsky.social · 14/01/2026

Network Rail's dirty campaign for this horror continues. The associated press release boasts about the number of registered supporters for the scheme. Secured at least in part by deceiving people into signing up via an astroturf website www.victoriansociety.org.uk/national-new...

victoriansociety.org.uk

News from the Victorian Society | Concerns over misleading tactics and validity of the consultation in Liverpool Street Station scheme

News about Concerns over misleading tactics and validity of the consultation in Liverpool Street Station scheme from the The Victorian Society - National News news.

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John Kell @jmkpolicy.bsky.social · 27/12/2025

I will add to this thread: if you're ever in Bedford and have the chance, do visit the excellent museum that was developed from the Society's buildings after it became defunct. It's a wonderful time capsule, and tells multiple fascinating stories.

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John Kell @jmkpolicy.bsky.social · 17/12/2025

Another attempt to get longer distance, higher volume parcels traffic working on rail. Should be doable, surely? But nobody's got it to work commercially yet. (I believe Varamis has resumed some operations btw, which this article seems behind on.) www.railmagazine.com/news/high-sp...

railmagazine.com

High-speed freight trial planned using Class 93s

A plan for a high-speed freight operation has received some funding from the Department for Transport.

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John Kell @jmkpolicy.bsky.social · 12/12/2025

Ha! So when he said “sooner than you think” @andyburnham.bsky.social was not kidding! A few quick thoughts… First: I would have loved to have later trains to Alderley Edge when I was growing up on that route in Handforth, just outside the GM boundary. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...

theguardian.com

First trains to join Manchester’s Bee Network by end of 2026

Andy Burnham unveils next step in transport system, allowing contactless travel with fares capped across trains, buses and trams

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John Kell @jmkpolicy.bsky.social · 11/12/2025

Well - you heard it here first!

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John Kell @jmkpolicy.bsky.social · 09/12/2025

So, what do the new GBR livery and visual identity tell us about the new organisation? Mainly that it doesn't exist properly yet and is still a political project and creature of DfT. The test will come when it gains its statutory status. One wonders whether the visuals will get a tweak.

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Robert Saunders @robertsaunders.bsky.social · 01/12/2025

Precisely. We have an ageing society, a productivity problem & a crisis in local govt. The costs of defence & climate change are all growing, & we have a US president addicted to tariffs, who may be about to start a war in Venezuela. The budget was *not pessimistic enough* about the public finances

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John Kell @jmkpolicy.bsky.social · 26/11/2025

A persuasive piece that you perhaps don't quite realise is leading you to a blunt prediction of the fall of the Prime Minister within 12 months until you're suddenly there.

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John Kell @jmkpolicy.bsky.social · 21/11/2025

Good thread on how BPC rules prevent shady tactics like this from going undetected. But... surely there must be civil service rules against perpetrating this sort of brazen duplicity in the first place? (Only possible because of weak, lazy journalism / not asking the basics about polling, ofc.)

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Dr Jo Kershaw @mthrjo.bsky.social · 21/11/2025

Profumo had much less on his conscience in the greater scheme of things, but his response to being caught in a catastrophic error of judgement and ethics should be more widely imitated.

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Charlotte Lydia Riley @lottelydia.bsky.social · 17/11/2025

The grotesque spectacle of a Labour government — a Labour government! — promoting the idea of stealing from refugees to appease the far right

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John Kell @jmkpolicy.bsky.social · 14/11/2025

Hypothesis: people would be more actively attracted to travelling by bus if the windows didn't mist up so readily.

A view of drab, grey and wet English countryside, to a large extent obscured by the condensation on the bus window.

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John Kell @jmkpolicy.bsky.social · 10/11/2025

True. The BBC's consistently low quality broadcast reporting is a core factor though. The partisan doesn't care, or often realise, that the other side's case has been presented just as poorly as their own. To the partisan, poor reporting simply looks like bias.

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John Kell @jmkpolicy.bsky.social · 07/11/2025

After two and a half years in local government, I'm finding @freewheeling.info's Bitesize today certainly strikes a chord. freewheelingbitesize.substack.com/p/being-aske...

freewheelingbitesize.substack.com

Being asked to chase money can detract from using it well

In the few years around 2020, Cornwall spent £650,000 on consultants to write funding bids.

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