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Bright water

@mikerrobo.bsky.social
174 followers 260 following 776 posts

Media production, with a passion for all things community, environmental, Donut economics and citizen assemblies. Lead in building community fibre broadband in our rural uplands.

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by Bright water
Brizo75 @brizo75.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Will we "all be in it together" again like last time? The UK’s wealth gap has grown by 50% in eight years – and poses a strategic risk to the nation - LSE Inequalities share.google/fuhu2zdJgh48...
share.google
The UK’s wealth gap has grown by 50% in eight years – and poses a strategic risk to the nation - LSE Inequalities
The size of the UK's wealth gap is not only unfair. It poses major risks to our economy, society, democracy and environment. How should policymakers respond?
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BladeoftheSun @bladeofthes.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
"It's Immigrants robbing you."
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Reuters @reuters.com · 28/09/2026
Pope Leo says concerns about AI doom are not 'fake news' reut.rs/47pZvY4
reut.rs
Pope Leo says concerns about AI doom are not 'fake news'
Pope Leo on Monday said concerns that artificial intelligence could ​destroy the world are not "fake news" and should be taken ‌seriously, in an apparent rebuke of US President Donald Trump.
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Carole Cadwalladr @carolecadwalla.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
NEW: Meet the real AI ‘rogue agent’: Lord Watson of Palantir. I am sick to the teeth of this current AI hype cycle & its perversion of language. The only thing going ‘rogue’ right now are AI boosters, a gullible & compliant press & a Labour Lord 1/ broligarchy.substack.com/p/meet-the-r...
broligarchy.substack.com
Meet the real AI “rogue agent”: Lord Tom Watson
A Labour leader is out of control. The world needs a containment strategy now
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opendemocracy.net @opendemocracy.net · 28/09/2026
Who really pays for the surveillance state? (It's you.)⁠ Listen to or watch the latest episode of the In Solidarity podcast ⤵️ www.opendemocracy.net/exposing-pala…
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Prem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Houses can be built on floodplains despite failing safety test, says UK high court. Profitable for developers, misery for buyers/residents. Problems with insurance, reselling, quality of life. Too many defective homes built. Get a private survey before buying a new home. Must change laws.
theguardian.com
Houses can be built on floodplains despite failing safety test, says high court
Decision to allow 190 controversial new homes in north Somerset sparks campaign for change in the law
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Byline Times @bylinetimes.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
📌 ICYMI — Rupert Murdoch Flew Kemi Badenoch and Her Deputy to Mediterranean for Summer Trips Worth £12,000 — @josiahmortimer.bsky.social The Conservative leader and Alex Burghart MP held "off-site meetings" with the billionaire media mogul in August
bylinetimes.com
Rupert Murdoch Flew Kemi Badenoch and Her Deputy to Mediterranean for Summer Trips Worth £12,000
The Conservative leader and Alex Burghart MP held "off-site meetings" with the billionaire media mogul in August
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Together Alliance @togetheralliance.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
It’s hard to believe it’s been six months. From firefighters and teachers to politicians, trade unionists, and families — chanting, dancing and filling the streets with hope. The biggest anti-racist march in UK history. We must keep marching on.
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George Monbiot @georgemonbiot.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
It's not just that we had two wasted years under Keir Starmer - years in which, with a vast majority and quite a lot of goodwill - he could have turned this country around. On crucial issues, we had two years of spiralling backwards, towards a very dark place. 🧵 www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
theguardian.com
Ed Miliband to acknowledge Labour’s former stance on Palestine fell short
Foreign secretary will tell party’s conference ‘we are not here to accept the status quo but to change it’
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BladeoftheSun @bladeofthes.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
This is Netanyahu with his Iphone, he has taped over the camera. Can you guess why? (Because it records you all the time and you can't turn it off)
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Paul Behrens @profpaulbehrens.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Plant-rich diets are the food system's electrification. Petrol cars only see 18-25% of their fuel energy get to the wheels; EVs 87-91%. Heat pumps are 2 or 3 times more efficient. Food has its own combustion engine: a chicken turns about 13% of its feed calories into food, worse than a petrol car.
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Bright water @mikerrobo.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Money is out to destroy democracy
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Bright water @mikerrobo.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Palantir should not be anywhere near UK data. At present they are buying their way into government institutions. If they can identify the location of UK's nuclear subs by using analytics, imagine what they can do with your health info. Look at their past record in Gaza, Iran etc.
thenerve.news
‘It beggars belief’: MoD sources warn Palantir’s role at heart of government is a threat to UK’s security
Experts say that claims UK data remains under government ownership miss the point that the company has the capability to build its own detailed picture of the British population, and even infer state ...
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Josiah Mortimer @josiahmortimer.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Mind-blowing story in Private Eye about how the Telegraph's chief reporter reached out to James Orr (or meant to) after the Channel 4 donation revelations


...within hours of journalists on either the *Guardian* or *Sunday Times* contacting Reform for comment on the same stories ahead of them publishing their own investigations. Reform deputy leader Richard Tice and his fiancée, supposed journalist Isabel Oakeshott, even crowed online about their spoiler tactics.

Not that the *Telegraph* doesn't do its own leg work when reporting on Reform. After James Orr, the party's head of policy, had to resign after a sting by *Channel 4 News* (see "*Right Orr Wrong*, p14"), *Telegraph* chief reporter Rob Mendick texted Orr: "I was hoping to talk to you entirely on background," he schmoozed. "You must be feeling very bruised and I totally Appreciate [sic] the sensitivities. I suspect you deserve better and I wanted to see how I can put the record straight in some way." Alas, instead of the Reformer and Cambridge theologian, Mendick messaged someone else, who shared it with the *Eye*!
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Bright water @mikerrobo.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Palantir should not be anywhere near UK data. At present they are buying their way into government institutions. If they can identify the location of UK's nuclear subs by using analytics, imagine what they can do with your health info. Look at their past record in Gaza, Iran etc.
thenerve.news
‘It beggars belief’: MoD sources warn Palantir’s role at heart of government is a threat to UK’s security
Experts say that claims UK data remains under government ownership miss the point that the company has the capability to build its own detailed picture of the British population, and even infer state ...
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Prem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
This chart published by the Economics Laboratory, shows that the UK social spending is 23% of GDP, covers NHS, social security and support services. It is a useful rebutal to neoliberals calling for cuts to the NHS, state pension and other benefits. www.linkedin.com/posts/charto...
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Naomi Smith @pimlicat.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
✍️ Can you help us reach our petition target? We need the EU, or risk being left out of the biggest team-up of our allies for 80 years. Urge the PM not to let the UK be left behind. bestforbritain.org/petition/tel...
bestforbritain.org
Tell Burnham: Canada's Getting Closer to the EU - We Don't Want to be Left Behind - Best for Britain
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Bright water @mikerrobo.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Stand back in amazement
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THE NERVE @thenerve.news · 24/09/2026
We endorse this excellent comment piece by @labourlewis.bsky.social on the glaring integrity gap in Tom Watson’s Palantir appointment. (And not just b/c it links to our reporting. 🙏) www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
Tom Watson’s move to Palantir is the latest sign of how far the rot has spread in UK politics | Clive Lewis
When a former Labour deputy leader joins a firm built on surveillance and military targeting, it deepens public cynicism – and democracy depends on trust, says Labour MP Clive Lewis
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Bright water @mikerrobo.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Missing calculation in data centres is quantum computing. A few years away from being commercially viable, they can do in minutes what a super computer would take 1000s of years. And although they are not a replacement for silicone they need totally different housing and use a lot less power.
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Prem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Sign the petition. Let water companies go bust. Ofwat approved 36% bill increases for 2025-2030, companies want more. Prices doubled - in real terms - since privatisation. We got sewage in rivers, water outages, hosepipe bans. Need public ownership.
weownit.org.uk
We're telling Ofwat: let water companies go bust!
consultation to reject proposed water company bill increases. Ofwat.
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Bright water @mikerrobo.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
I am sure those on Sunderland will love this
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Bright water @mikerrobo.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Reform are nibbling away democracy and public accountability. northeastbylines.co.uk/news/politic...
northeastbylines.co.uk
Reform UK in Sunderland: concerns about a change in planning decision making
A number of decisions may now be decided behind closed doors and by unelected bureaucrats instead of in public at a planning committee
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Prem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
The Guardian joins the campaign to abolish the state pension triple-lock. Portrays it as a old v young, social security v defence spending issue. Silence on corporate welfare, tax perks of the rich, maldistribution of wealth, low govt spend on state pension, how future retirees will survive.
theguardian.com
Britain needs cash and everyone knows we should break the pensions triple lock. Where is the courage? | Gaby Hinsliff
The issue cannot be avoided any longer. Andy Burnham and his chancellor must face the fear of a pensioner backlash, and find a fair solution, says Guardian columnist Gaby Hinsliff
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Jon Owen @anotherjon.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Great interview, this, with former North of Tyne Mayor and current Green Party cllr @jamiedriscoll.bsky.social on why the UK should stop trying to appease 'the angry gods' of the financial markets. ✍️ - @goldbergradio.bsky.social for @bylinetimes.bsky.social www.bylinesupplement.com/p/the-uk-is-...
bylinesupplement.com
‘The UK is Being Held Hostage by the Bankers’
Former Labour Mayor Jamie Driscoll tells the Byline Times Podcast that Britain needs to stop appeasing ‘the angry gods’ of global financial markets
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EveryDoctor @everydoctor.org.uk · 22/09/2026
The RCN found the nurse shortage is worse than reported, while our report reveals £1bn spent on insourcing could fund 19,000 NHS nurses for a year! Public money is lining private equity pockets instead of building staff capacity. Send our letter: everydoctor.eaction.org.uk/stop-private...
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Mike Galsworthy @mikegalsworthy.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
💥 There are now over 17,800 emails that have been sent💥 Not bad, given that we only started this on Friday! 🙌
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Jamie Driscoll @jamiedriscoll.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Four years ago tomorrow was the Truss mini-budget. Every day another news story says Britain is under pressure from global instability. Why can’t we just build homes, and clean energy, with secure jobs? Turns out the answer is even better than I thought. See what you think. HostageNation.com
hostagenation.com
HOSTAGE NATION: Britain’s Escape Plan
Britain has the money, the land and the people. What it lost was the nerve. Hostage Nation is the practical plan to escape, ready to implement today
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Bright water @mikerrobo.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
The state pension is not a young v old there both in it together losing the triple lock will affect the young more they will find when they retire they will face even lower state pension.
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Prem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
The powers-to-be are tinkering with minor reform of the UK House of Lords. That won't do. I urged the Govt to replace the House with an elected second chamber, subject to constitutional safeguards. Watch the video.
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Damian Carrington @dpcarrington.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
How Saudi oil scientists ended up working on the world’s most important climate reports - Guardian investigation reveals fossil fuel links of IPCC authors, with experts declaring the body’s conflict of interest policy ‘not fit for purpose’ #climatecrisis www.theguardian.com/environment/...
theguardian.com
How Saudi oil scientists ended up working on the world’s most important climate reports
Guardian investigation reveals fossil fuel links of IPCC authors, with experts declaring the body’s conflict of interest policy ‘not fit for purpose’
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Prem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Swathes of UK economy are owned by foreign investors. No tax is deducted from billions paid to them in dividends. USA, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Sweden have a dividend withholding tax for foreign investors. UK could do the same, generate billions. Why are super-rich privileged?
leftfootforward.org
Here’s how the chancellor can raise the billions needed to improve the quality of life of millions
Prem Sikka is an Emeritus Professor of Accounting at the University of Essex and the University of Sheffield, a Labour member of the House of Lords, and Contributing Editor at Left Foot Forward. Mi...
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Prem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Right-wing press and ideologues will have you believe that the UK is the most heavily taxed place. They promise the impossible, European/Scandinavian levels of social security with American levels of taxation. This graph puts things in perspective.
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Mike Galsworthy @mikegalsworthy.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
💥 On Oct 12th, Parliament will debate the UK JOINING THE EU! Use this page below to send an email to your MP. In the context of Canada-EU, 61% of the UK public for joining, and devolved leaders saying the future is the EU... ...Westminster needs to catch up. Sign and share everywhere please. 👇
europeanmovement.co.uk
Ask your MP to stand up for our future in Europe
On 12 October, Parliament will debate the UK's future relationship with Europe, after a government petition got over 100,000 signatures. Will you write to your MP to ask them to attend the debate?
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Prem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Private equity turns to financial engineering to lure insurance billions. Using collateralised fund obligations (CFOs), slicing and dicing debts, loans, to create dodgy instruments. Back to the practices that brought the 2008 crash. Who will bail them out this time? archive.ph/vrBQn
ft.com
Private equity turns to financial engineering to lure insurance billions
Structured financing helps fuel growth of secondaries funds by making investments more attractive to risk-averse investors
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BladeoftheSun @bladeofthes.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Amos Goldberg, Professor of Genocide Studies at The Hebrew University in Jerusalem "Yes, it is genocide. It's so difficult and painful to admit it, but we can no longer avoid this conclusion. Jewish history will henceforth be stained" Is there anyone more qualified and unbiased?
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Bright water @mikerrobo.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Are terrorists blatantly marching on our streets. One are ISIS fighters the other Patriot Platform supporters
Picture 1 Masked ISIS fighters picture 2 patriot platform supporters
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Gillian de Nooijer @gilliandn.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Billionaire Ben Delo, known for funding a wide range of British rightwing-conservative events like Battle of Ideas and political parties like Farage's ReformUK, also funded Hitler fans.
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BladeoftheSun @bladeofthes.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
It's always pensions and benefits and things for you that are unaffordable Never billionaires, never war, never MP's expenses. Let me tell you the richest 1% in the UK gain more wealth every year than the entire cost of the NHS and Pensions for everybody That's what is unaffordable
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Bright water @mikerrobo.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Data centres are not always a heaven sent business opportunity. Is this a forewarning of the Ai world to come?
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Prem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Rich owners/editors of FT call for cut to the state pension. Silence on corporate welfare, tax perks of the rich. State pension is less than 50% of the minimum wage. 2m pensioners in poverty. 110,000 a year die in fuel poverty. Low pension today = low pension for future retirees archive.ph/UZ9rn
ft.com
Britain’s unsustainable pensions lock
It would be better to link state retirement benefits to earnings growth
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Roland Smith @rolandmcs.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
I keep reading that Piddington is full of Libdems, but there is scant evidence. Village is in a much larger ward [Piddington voters are c.5% of it] that voted in a LD at the last 3 council elections but always a tight race with the Tories. And combined Tories/Reform vote in 2026 greater than LDs.
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Reform Party UK Exposed @reformexposed.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Reform aide caught in donor sting attended Egypt retreat with JL Partners www.politico.eu/article/refo...
politico.eu
Reform aide caught in donor sting attended Egypt retreat with JL Partners
The polling company invited a top Farage lieutenant as a guest speaker.
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Lauri Myllyvirta @laurimyllyvirta.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
NEW from us: India's rapid clean power expansion has kept power sector emissions flat for two years, for the first time in over 50 years, and sharply reduced fossil fuel imports. Oil and gas consumption have also fallen for two years in a row, helping alleviate the Hormuz shock.
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Bright water @mikerrobo.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Reform want to be outside the law and accountability
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Reuters @reuters.com · 16/09/2026
UK police charge man with religiously aggravated criminal damage against Muslim venues reut.rs/3TbdvBE
reut.rs
UK police charge man with religiously aggravated criminal damage against Muslim venues
British police said ​on Wednesday that ‌they had charged a 21-year-old ​man with ​racially and religiously ⁠aggravated criminal ​damage against Muslim ​organisations and venues in London.
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Dale Vince @dalevince.com · 15/09/2026
William Hague, a man who otherwise I probably have no views in common with - today called for a total ban on political donations. We have that in common - our arguments for this are in this report, for the cost of a packet of crisps we can clean up politics properly and forever.
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Bright water @mikerrobo.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
No representation without taxation
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History and Heritage Yorkshire @handhyorkshire.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
🧵Early subscription libraries in Yorkshire emerged in the 18th century. These libraries allowed middle-class members to pool money to buy and preserve books. The most important example is The Leeds Library, founded in 1768 and the oldest surviving proprietary subscription
The Leeds Library, founded in 1768 and the oldest surviving proprietary subscription library in the country. Image: Michael D Beckwith, Public Domain.
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Bright water @mikerrobo.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
www.renewableuk.com/events/float...
renewableuk.com
Floating Offshore Wind 2026 – 7–8 October 2026, P&J Live, Aberdeen | RenewableUK and Scottish Renewables
Floating Offshore Wind is the world's largest dedicated floating offshore wind exhibition and conference, with promising innovations on display and expert-led conference sessions tackling the challeng...
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