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Mary lowden

@marylowden.bsky.social
156 followers 225 following 124 posts

Kindness is a super power 🌻

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Reposted by Mary lowden
Clive Lewis MP @labourlewis.bsky.social · 2h
Former Labour Deputy Leader Lord Thomas Watson, now Senior VP at Palantir UK, wrote to me defending their public contracts. Instead of trading letters, I’ve challenged him to an open, public debate. He can defend Palantir’s ethos; I’ll argue for public accountability. Will you accept, Tom?
Formal letter from Clive Lewis MP, Member of Parliament for Norwich South, to Lord Thomas Watson of Wyre Forest, Senior Vice President of Palantir Technologies UK Limited, dated 7 October 2026. In the letter, Lewis challenges Watson to a public debate regarding Palantir's role in government contracts and public institutions. Lewis rejects Watson's claim that criticisms malign software engineers, stressing that elected officials must scrutinize corporate power, democratic control, and public accountability. He proposes a debate with an impartial chair, equal time, and audience questions.
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EveryDoctor @everydoctor.org.uk · 3h
Every pound taken as profit by private equity is a pound lost to NHS patient care and NHS staff. It's easy to feel like sending a letter won't make a difference, but doing nothing guarantees nothing changes. Send our letter to your MP in 60 seconds: everydoctor.eaction.org.uk/stop-private...
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Byline Times @bylinetimes.bsky.social · 23h
🔴 NEW Why Did Polymarket Trading Surge an Hour Before the Iran War Started? By @iainoverton.bsky.social Read below. ↓
bylinetimes.com
Why Did Polymarket Trading Surge an Hour Before the Iran War Started?
There was a major spike in Polymarket bets predicting the Iran War, an hour before Trump's strikes began, new analysis finds
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We Own It @weownit.org.uk · 07/10/2026
LET THEM GO BUST ! Last year, Thames Water took out a £3bn loan - at 9.75% interest. And now they want another £2.4bn to keep going?! ENOUGH. If water companies can't survive without rip-off loans, they should be declared insolvent and brought into public hands through special administration.
Screenshot from The Daily Telegraph, 2nd October 2026: "Thames Water seeks £2.4bn lifeline after rescue plan stalls Troubled utility risks more financial turmoil if its army of hedge fund backers do not provide emergency cash", above a graphic of the Thames Water logo swirling down a drain.
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Sam Bright @writesbright.bsky.social · 23h
One of Reform’s defences over the Verbatim sting is that Dan Jukes, Farage’s right-hand man, was a private contractor with multiple clients so wasn’t working on behalf of the party. Tenuous though that defence is, it’s also funny that one of Jukes’s clients in recent years has been… Michelle Mone
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Dr Steve Taylor @drstevetaylor.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
NHS Productivity Lack of beds & infrastructure is the problem I have a standard kitchen in my house and can cook for 20. (Just) I ask another 2 people to cook with me but don’t increase the number of ovens or hobs. We get in each other’s way and can now only cook for 15🤷🏻‍♂️
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Otto English @ottoenglish.bsky.social · 21/08/2025
Russia just sanctioned six @bylinetimes.bsky.social journalists and contributors. Proof that the work they and Byline does is hitting the target and really matters. bylinetimes.com/2025/08/21/r...
bylinetimes.com
Russia Sanctions Byline Times Journalists and Contributors for Exposing Putin's War Crimes
The Russian foreign ministry added multiple Byline Times and Byline TV contributors to its "stop list" following our award-winning investigations into the Putin regime
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Besame mucho means Kiss me a lot @ceu---azul.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
There's no clearer badge of honesty and pro- #democracy than being banned by #Farage and #Putin. Byline Times, you are the best! 👍🏽
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Kevin Maguire @kevmag.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
The Conservative Party is “authoritarian” and attacking the “free press” by banning journalists from its conference when Kemi Badenoch called Reform precisely that for doing the same. bylinetimes.com/2026/09/30/k...
bylinetimes.com
Kemi Badenoch's Conservatives Block Byline Times From Conference After Condemning Reform for Journalist Ban
The ban comes just weeks after the Conservative leader called Reform's barring of critical journalists from their conference an "authoritarian" attack on the free press
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Sean Jones KC @seanjones.org · 04/10/2026
UKR: We’re hitting Russian oil refineries. RUS: In that case we’re going to aim missiles at your civilians. US: OMG. There must be an immediate ceasefire … that stops attacks on oil refineries.
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We Own It @weownit.org.uk · 04/10/2026
Many water companies are near insolvency, so they want to hike our water bills again The government must say NO. If they can't survive, let them go bust and take them into public ownership FOR NOTHING Sign up to support our campaign for public ownership of water: vist.ly/5kxtt
A picture of a campaigner (Cat Hobbs) carrying a sign that says "if water companies cannot survive without raising our bills, let them go bust and take them into public ownership"
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Peter Kay @theonlypeterkay.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
Byline Times has an unusual distinction: sanctioned by the Kremlin and banned from Reform’s conference. Watch Farage say: “I’ve never met the Russian Ambassador.” He had. There’s a Russian Foreign Ministry photograph of Farage meeting Ambassador Yakovenko in 2013.
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We Own It @weownit.org.uk · 30/09/2026
The profiteering from children’s social care is OUT OF CONTROL 💷Hundreds of millions in profits for big private-equity-backed providers 💰Senior civil servant owning shares in children’s care provider Add your name to demand an end to profit in children’s care: vist.ly/5kg88
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Prem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
UK household energy bills forecast to rise 16%, or £276, in January. Household energy debt expected to hit £7bn soon. Heating v Eating dilemma. 120,000 a year die in poverty. Companies profiteer, fuelling costs, inflation, poverty. Public ownership gives govt more policy options.
bbc.co.uk
Household energy bills forecast to see biggest rise in four years
A typical household faces an annual gas and electricity bill of £1,999 from January, based on a key forecast.
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Good Law Project @goodlawproject.org · 29/09/2026
It's good to see the first steps back to public ownership. But the need to put water companies into special administration is immediate: regulation by negotiation is not working and it's time that the Government took action www.reuters.com/world/uk/uk-...
reuters.com
UK PM Burnham plans law change to allow public ownership of water companies
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said on Tuesday ​he would legislate to repeal a ban on the ‌public ownership of water companies, promising a ten-year route to "a very different water system" for t...
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Mr Bloody Wells @mrbloodywells.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Amazing!
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StoneyCat ≅ 🏳️‍🌈💚🏳️‍⚧️ @stoneycat.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Love it! 👏 #SaveSquareChapelArts
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Good Law Project @goodlawproject.org · 23/09/2026
When the health department published Palantir’s contract with most of its pages completely blanked out, our legal action forced ministers to reveal key sections about the protection of personal data. And now we’re doing it again. Support our challenge for transparency: goodlaw.social/xcsv
goodlaw.social
Make the government come clean about Palantir | Good Law Project
Together with Democracy for Sale, we’re challenging the information commissioner’s decision to keep ministerial briefings about Palantir’s platform hidden
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Byline Times @bylinetimes.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
🔴 NEW Nigel Farage-Backed Bitcoin Firm to Buy Gold Dealer That Paid Him £685,500 By @josiahmortimer.bsky.social Read below. ↓
bylinetimes.com
Nigel Farage-Backed Bitcoin Firm to Buy Gold Dealer That Paid Him £685,500
The deal would put the Reform leader's gold bullion 'brand ambassador' fees in the hands of a crypto company he part-owns
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EveryDoctor @everydoctor.org.uk · 21/09/2026
Money meant for patient care and healthcare workers is lining shareholder pockets off the back of growing waiting lists. We need to stop this. Tell your MP to demand an end to private equity in our health service. Send our letter: everydoctor.eaction.org.uk/stop-private-equity-profiting-from-nhs
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Good Law Project @goodlawproject.org · 21/09/2026
All expenses paid trip to Italy? Looks like Danny Kruger is pretty relaxed about "foreign influence" when it's paying his bills. novaramedia.com/2026/09/18/reform-m…
novaramedia.com
Reform MP in Hypocrisy Row After Rightwing Think Tank Flies Him to Italy
Danny Kruger campaigns against ‘foreign’ influence in politics, but he accepted a trip to Italy paid for by a Dutch think tank linked to Viktor Orbán’s authoritarian government. Simon Childs reports.
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StoneyCat ≅ 🏳️‍🌈💚🏳️‍⚧️ @stoneycat.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Life in the UK has got so much worse in the decade since Brexit, in every way I can think of. Surely people must realise it can't be a coincidence. I saw this with a link to a letter to write to your MP. I hope all MPs get flooded with them. bsky.app/profile/mike...
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Dr Steve Taylor @drstevetaylor.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Today I’m a son The #NHS is there only if we are willing to fund it In the past year I’ve been a patient, son, father, husband, brother, uncle I’m also a Doctor & advocate for all of you that still want a NHS there for you too
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Dr Steve Taylor @drstevetaylor.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
How safe is our NHS data? Can we trust Palantir? Why are we campaigning to get Palantir OUT of our NHS? Join Steve Taylor, Tony O'Sullivan and Lucy Nichols for a detailed discussion on Palantir and our NHS. youtu.be/Bvdp6hjEMO8?... @thedauk.bsky.social @keepournhspublic.bsky.social
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Martin Lewis @martinlewis.moneysavingexpert.com · 15/09/2026
I'll talk you through the options still available to beat this likely hike, and put your Qs to the Energy Sec of State about what govt will or won't do about it. I'm leaving for the studio now. Don't miss it.
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Martin Lewis @martinlewis.moneysavingexpert.com · 15/09/2026
Not good news. Latest Jan energy Price Cap predictions show a rise well OVER 20%. So tonight's 7pm @itvMLshow energy bills special is must watch...
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Rosie Holt @rosieisaholt.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
DID I MENTION I’M GOING ON TOUR ?? www.seetickets.com/tour/rosie-h...
seetickets.com
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Rosie Holt @rosieisaholt.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Reform MP defends billionaire donations, says Reform is a “disruptor” and compares Reform to Jesus.
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Steve Peers @stevepeers.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Reform Party might go to the European Court of Human Rights - the court it wants to leave To challenge retrospective legislation ("not the British way") - but retrospective legislation (loss of indefinite leave to remain) is the core of its immigration policy
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We Own It @weownit.org.uk · 15/09/2026
This is the simple truth that the water companies don't want you to know All the investment in our water system comes from one place: customers' bills. Our bills As Martin Wrigley MP says, it is time to take our water into public ownership and cut out the profiteering once and for all
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Byline Times @bylinetimes.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
📌 ICYMI — Nigel Farage Funder George Cottrell’s Inner Circle Hosted Indicted Cocaine Trafficker — @nafeez.bsky.social Cottrell's partner is the sister of two men indicted over an alleged operation involving 5,670 kilograms of cocaine, who are tied to one of the most powerful organised crime…
bylinetimes.com
Nigel Farage Funder George Cottrell’s Inner Circle Hosted Indicted Cocaine Trafficker
Cottrell's partner is the sister of two men indicted over an alleged operation involving 5,670 kilograms of cocaine, who are tied to one of the most powerful organised crime groups in the Balkans
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Peter Stefanovic @peterstefanovic.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Nigel Farage is posting this morning “More small boats in the Channel this morning. They will keep coming. Open Borders Burnham won’t stop them” Lets remind ourselves how we got into this mess in the first place - the BREXIT he championed youtu.be/A6fCl-uOEVY?...
youtu.be
It’s time UK media reminded Farage how we got into this mess in the first place - BREXIT!
YouTube video by Peter Stefanovic
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Josiah Mortimer @josiahmortimer.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
£72m for Reform over the weekend could be just the tip of the iceberg There's nothing to stop Elon Musk giving, via a UK X subsidiary, £300m to Restore Britain today Or a Trump ally giving £500m to Farage via a UK-registered firm There's a v narrow window to tackle big money in the elections bill
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Reece Dinsdale @reecedinsdale.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
To the good people of Halifax & campaigners wanting to save this beautiful place… I’m presently doing my very best (alongside like-minded others) to give you exactly what you want. #SaveSquareChapelArts… FOR THE ARTS!!! 🙏🏻 www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/news/square-...
halifaxcourier.co.uk
Campaigners' fears over sale of troubled Halifax theatre
Campaigners trying to ensure Halifax’s Square Chapel Arts Centre is re-opened to the public are concerned for its future now it is up for sale.
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Good Law Project @goodlawproject.org · 13/09/2026
Imagine spending Christmas and your 78th birthday in prison - just because the authorities couldn't find an electronic tag that fit you That’s what happened to Gaie Delap. Now, she’s taking the Ministry of Justice to court to demand accountability Help fund her fight ⬇️ goodlaw.social/9np5
goodlaw.social
Help Gaie Delap take on the failing justice system that put her in prison | Good Law Project
We helped get Gaie released from jail last year. Now we’re helping her sue the Ministry of Justice for discrimination for not finding a tag that fitted.
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James O’Brien @mrjamesob.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
So the ‘negotiation’ involves blowing smoke up Putin’s arse, asking him what he wants then attacking Ukraine for refusing to concede it. Never forget the huge swathe of UK media & political figures who celebrated Trump’s ascent while claiming to care about Ukraine. Absolute heels, the lot of them.
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Dr Steve Taylor @drstevetaylor.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Sat in an empty room waiting… Waiting for a bed, a test, a Doctor, a nurse, a result, a cure …. Hoping for the best The healthy & wealthy decide what is best but we all need & want the best Let’s invest in the best #NHS not the adequate or stretched or thin NHS @yvettecooper-mp.bsky.social
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Peter Geoghegan @petergeoghegan.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
🔴 More than 80% of all the donations ever received by Nigel Farage’s Reform UK have come from just two cryptocurrency billionaires, new Democracy for Sale analysis reveals. “If that isn’t a massive corruption risk I don’t know what is.” democracyforsale.substack.com/p/breaking-8...
democracyforsale.substack.com
BREAKING: 80% of Reform’s funding comes from two crypto billionaires
“If that isn't a massive corruption risk I don't know what is.”
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Farrukh @implausibleblog.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Laura Kuenssberg, "How can you be the party of ordinary people when you're bankrolled by billionaires?" Robert Jenrick, "These are two people who are patriotic Brits, they love this country" Laura Kuenssberg, "One of them lives in Thailand"
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Sam Bright @writesbright.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Not to be pedantic but Christopher Harborne has already given £25 million to Reform and Ben Delo £8 million. So the figure isn’t £72 million - it’s £105 million.
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Prem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Politics for Sale Reform UK received a second £36m donation in as many days, as Thailand-based crypto billionaire matches £36m from another billionaire. Billionaires with criminal record or living abroad buying influence. Normal people people can't compete. Get ready for Farage propaganda blitz.
bbc.co.uk
Reform receives second £36m donation in two days as crypto investor matches record
The party says the money will allow it to fight the next election on a "level playing field", while rivals have renewed calls for donations from individuals to be capped.
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Robert Saunders @robertsaunders.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Reform is the richest party in Britain. Its leaders are almost all millionaires. It is funded almost exclusively by billionaires. It has a supportive TV station and widespread media backing. So naturally, this donation comes with the usual attack on "elites". www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
theguardian.com
Reform UK given record £36m donation by British crypto billionaire
Ben Delo was convicted in US for failing to implement adequate anti-money laundering controls but pardoned by Trump
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Dale Vince @dalevince.com · 12/09/2026
Ridiculous sums of money don’t level the playing field - they distort it. It’s increasingly urgent that we get to grips with Political funding in Britain - our democracy is for sale to the highest bidder.
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Stella Creasy MP @stellacreasy.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
It’s not too late to stop this madness - the government has said the uk mega donors are a problem. The lords can bring in a cap on UK donors to stop any attempt to buy the next election. Share this and ask your MP to join us protecting British democracy.
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Steve Peers @stevepeers.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Like Cottrell, this Reform donor also has a conviction for financial crime in the USA - www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr... (In this case, though, Trump pardoned him)
justice.gov
 
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Peter Geoghegan @petergeoghegan.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
This is completely on Andy Burnham Last week Labour could have stopped this. Now we have a single person giving more money than the entire general election spending limit for a political party www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/202...
telegraph.co.uk
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Prem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
UK’s biggest private hospital firm Spire in £1.03bn takeover by hedge fund Toscafund known as “the Rottweiler” Value driven by NHS contracts. Spire has 45% gross profit margin New owner will be aggressive. Privatisation bleeds the NHS, money buys less. Must increase NHS capacity.
theguardian.com
UK’s biggest private hospital firm Spire agrees £1bn takeover by hedge fund
Toscafund, founded by City figure known as ‘the Rottweiler’, signs deal amid fears over creeping privatisation of NHS
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Reece Dinsdale @reecedinsdale.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
Please RT! 👇 🙏🏻 X
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Robert Hutton @roberthutton.co.uk · 05/09/2026
How could an associate professor in divinity at Cambridge be expected to know that lying is bad? thecritic.co.uk/mone...
Ah yes, James Orr. A lot of us had been hazy about what it is exactly that associate professors in a divinity department do all day. It doesn’t seem to involve a lot of work: Orr is often to be seen at Reform events in London, which take up the whole morning even for those of us with offices down the road. Now we know he was also sipping cocktails while discussing ways in which wealthy foreigners might be able to get round the laws that ban them donating to the party.

The associate professor of divinity was filmed explaining to an undercover reporter that so long as everyone kept their mouths shut, there was no way that the authorities would ever find out. Orr spent four years as a postdoctoral fellow in theology, ethics and public life at Oxford, and it would be fascinating to know at what point he developed this theory of What the Electoral Commission Don’t Know Won’t Hurt Them. Perhaps he was off sick the day they opened the gospel of Luke: “What you have said in the dark will be h
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Paul Bernal @paulbernal.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Nigel Farage resigns when he shouldn't, but doesn't resign when he should.
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