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Matthew Topham

@mjhtopham.bsky.social
193 followers 99 following 27 posts

📢 Digital Campaigner

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Matthew Topham @mjhtopham.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
I've signed this petition calling for all workers to be protected from insecure contracts like zero-hours. Ministers are running a consultation on this right now. Can you add your name before the deadline? www.megaphone.org.uk/petitions/st...
megaphone.org.uk
Stamp out zero-hours contracts: protect all workers from exploitation
The government has launched a consultation on guaranteed hours. Sign this petition asking them to stand firm on their pledge to tackle insecure work and ban exploitative zero-hours contracts.
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Matthew Topham @mjhtopham.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
This cause is close to my heart - please sign: www.megaphone.org.uk/petitions/br...
megaphone.org.uk
Bring back a Rivelin Valley bus service
Rivelin Valley in Sheffield is one of the most beautiful parts of the Sheffield countryside and is very popular with tourists and locals alike, from walkers to children and families using the playgrou...
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Matthew Topham @mjhtopham.bsky.social · 10/03/2026
Have you seen this? Reform UK has just pledged to rip up legal protections for workers and renters. I'm really worried about it. I've signed a petition to stop the steal. Can you add your name too? www.megaphone.org.uk/petitions/st...
megaphone.org.uk
Stop the steal: protect workers’ and renters’ rights!
Reform UK has just pledged to rip up legal protections for workers and renters. Sign this petition to stop the steal.
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Kevin Warnes @kevinwarnes.bsky.social · 29/10/2025
West Yorkshire needs an extended tram network - it’s time to scale up our ambitions to match the cities and regions of Europe! @wyneedsatram.bsky.social
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Matthew Topham @mjhtopham.bsky.social · 29/06/2025
It's our social security — our insurance. Protecting those disabled people already on PIP is an important first step. But it's our futures that are behind sold down the river.
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Matthew Topham @mjhtopham.bsky.social · 22/06/2025
Thames Water's lenders must not be allowed to bully the government. It is in the national interest to end the farce and bring Thames Water into public hands. It's cheaper. It's fairer. It's cleaner. www.theguardian.com/business/202...
theguardian.com
Thames Water lenders demand government blocks campaigners from legal action
Creditors owed £13bn say ministers should prioritise ‘environmental betterment over punitive enforcement’
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Matthew Topham @mjhtopham.bsky.social · 18/06/2025
This cause is close to my heart - please sign: www.megaphone.org.uk/petitions/pa...
megaphone.org.uk
Pass the Employment Rights Bill – in full, without delay
The biggest upgrade in workers’ rights in a generation is within reach. But Tory peers and big business want to water it down. Add your name now to demand the House of Lords passes the Employment Righ...
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Matthew Topham @mjhtopham.bsky.social · 15/06/2025
"Thames Water is sinking under a torrent of debt, fines, and pollution." "The only way to stop this is nationalisation." 🎯 Gary Carter from @GMB_Union in the local paper.
Clipping from a newspaper.
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Tom Killick @killicktom.bsky.social · 30/05/2025
I was a civil servant in the Dept for Transport in 1990s when the then Tory minister for London rejected extending bus deregulation to London, describing its operation elsewhere as "a pile of crap". Even Tories are right sometimes. @cathobbs.bsky.social @pedrojuk.bsky.social @mjhtopham.bsky.social
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CHEM Trust @chemtrust.bsky.social · 29/05/2025
🍺 @acs.org recently published a study which found #PFAS in US beers. ⚠️ Scientists found that beers produced in areas with higher levels of PFAS in drinking water were more likely to be contaminated. Read more in our latest news story ➡️ buff.ly/WCVR0kB #WaterPollution #HarmfulChemicals
buff.ly
New US Study Finds Forever Chemicals in Beers
A new US study has found PFAS in beers. Some of the beers had levels of PFAS that exceeded drinking water limits set by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
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Tom Killick @killicktom.bsky.social · 21/05/2025
Delighted to join @cathobbs.bsky.social and @mjhtopham.bsky.social from @weownit.org.uk yesterday in @loisred.bsky.social search for her MP Steve Reed, Environment Secretary, to make case for public ownership of water. We didn't find him but will keep trying.
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Alwoodley 2030 Climate Action Hub @alwoodley2030.bsky.social · 10/04/2025
📣 We're currently running our April Bio-Blitz! 🌼 We need 100 people to make 10 observations each of plants and wildlife on the iNaturalist App 🌳 🏡 Make a difference from your doorstep and join us in helping Nature in Alwoodley 🐞 ➡️ Follow this link to sign up: sites.google.com/alwoodley203...
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We Own It @weownit.org.uk · 27/03/2025
🚨 JUST OUT — privatised water companies DUMPED sewage for MILLION hours in 2024. Are you sick of this 💩? Do you want to end the profit from pollution crisis? Sign our petition for public ownership, starting with Thames Water: tinyurl.com/cd9y2pf8
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West Yorkshire Needs A Tram @wyneedsatram.bsky.social · 23/03/2025
Portland's tram helps slash emissions. West Yorkshire had a HUGE network for over 50 years. THIS is how we make transport work for everyone: people and planet. Sign the petition: www.megaphone.org.uk/petitions/br...
People living near a tram had a 65% lower carbon footprint.

Britain Remade (2024) Back on track: how to build new trams in the UK and get Britain moving.

Image of a tram.
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We Own It @weownit.org.uk · 18/03/2025
🎉South Yorkshire buses are coming back into public control! 🚏🚍Next stop needs to be public ownership. @mjhtopham.bsky.social on BBC Look North today, on ending the privatisation death spiral.
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We Own It @weownit.org.uk · 20/03/2025
📣Win for public ownership 🥳 “It’s a testament to the people of South Yorkshire that the Mayor’s now delivering a reform that could over time boost reliability, integrate tickets and routes, and halt or reverse cuts.” @mjhtopham.bsky.social in Yorkshire Post www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/transpo...
yorkshirepost.co.uk
'Back to the future' - South Yorkshire buses back under public control
South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard said that the region is going “back to the future” after making the landmark decision to take buses back under public control.
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Ilkley Clean River Group @cleanilkley.bsky.social · 10/03/2025
Public events coming up. Come and have your say on the future of our water. Free
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Ilkley Clean River Group @cleanilkley.bsky.social · 04/03/2025
#StopTheWaterScam youtube.com/shorts/GrlqQ... your MP shorturl.at/qwNrp Video Fact Sheet shorturl.at/RjKgv
youtube.com
StopTheWaterScam
YouTube video by Ilkley Clean River Group
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Matthew Topham @mjhtopham.bsky.social · 03/03/2025
❌ Jon Cunliffe of the government's supposedly 'Independent' Water Commission claims they can't find evidence that water OWNERSHIP matters. ✅ Glasgow hosts a 'universally acknowledged' expert who says PRIVATISATION is worse. ✍️ Ask them to look again: weownit.org.uk/act-now/stev...
"[Our] analysis has not thrown a clear relationship between company ownership and performance." - Independent Commission

"Not a single privatised water utility comes even close to their [best public operators'] performance." - Prof Asit Biswas, Water Prize Winner
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Matthew Topham @mjhtopham.bsky.social · 03/03/2025
"If we want to build a world that is beautiful, kind, and fair, then our activism must be beautiful, kind, and fair too." The latest campaign from the Craftivist at Leeds Sanctuary. Check it out here 👇 on the Climate Action Leeds blogs. www.climateactionleeds.org.uk/post/fashion...
climateactionleeds.org.uk
Fashioning a new future: Can you help Leeds Craftivists push for political change?
By Laura Fetherston, Climate Action Leeds volunteerA Leeds group has invited local people to contribute clothes for a creative effort to protect the planet and the textile workers who supply the UK's ...
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West Yorkshire Needs A Tram @wyneedsatram.bsky.social · 02/03/2025
The proposed Bradford-Leeds Tram line gets... ⏩ X2 the support from 18-35 year olds compared to those over 65 ⏭️ its highest support from those studying, working or living on the route. To get the FULL benefits we need a Full network. www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/2497296...
thetelegraphandargus.co.uk
Generational divide over plans for trams between Leeds and Bradford
BRADFORD Council will continue to push for a tram line that passes through Holme Wood and re-use old rail routes – despite that route not being…
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We Own It @weownit.org.uk · 27/02/2025
🚨BREAKING - Steve Reed has just launched the biggest review into the water sector since privatisation. But wait…..he says the commission can’t even consider public ownership. 🤯 We need to act quickly to change his mind. ⏰ Sign our petition now ✍️ weownit.org.uk/act-now/stev...
weownit.org.uk
Steve Reed: include public ownership as an option in your independent commission on the water sector. | We Own It
Steve Reed must put public ownership back on the table.
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The People’s Commission on the Water Sector @peopleswater.bsky.social · 27/02/2025
“The public is being treated as a minor stakeholder by water companies, regulators and government…the public funds the water sector, are passionate about their local environment & have been the driving force for change in the water sector….” Prof malby www.thepeoplescommissiononthewatersector.co.uk
thepeoplescommissiononthewatersector.co.uk
The People's Commission on the Water Sector
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We Own It @weownit.org.uk · 23/01/2025
Do you agree with @jeremycorbyn.bsky.social that Thames Water should come into public ownership? Nearly 35,000 people have already signed our petition calling for just that. Help us hit that target — add your name here: weownit.org.uk/act-now/brin...
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Matthew Topham @mjhtopham.bsky.social · 21/01/2025
🎉 We did it! 🎉 In less than 24 hours, campaigners across the country took our Thames Water petition from 25,000 to 30,500. Do you agree with bringing privatised water companies, like Thames Water, into public ownership? Sign ✍️ and share 🔁 NOW! weownit.org.uk/act-now/brin...
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Matthew Topham @mjhtopham.bsky.social · 15/01/2025
And there you have it. For all the Labour government's noise about tackling the sewage scandal... ...their policies are designed to sound good but have no REAL impact. e.g., introducing a bonus ban they know will be dodged. ⚠️ Public ownership NOW. ⚠️ www.ft.com/content/6b6e...
ft.com
Thames Water plans to hike bosses’ pay in response to bonus caps
UK’s debt-laden utility warns it will raise salaries if bonus restrictions are enforced by regulator Ofwat
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Matthew Topham @mjhtopham.bsky.social · 12/12/2024
✂️ Winter Fuel Allowance — CUT 📈 Bus Cap — HIKED 💡 Energy Bills — RISING And now Ofwat could sign off up to 80% increases in water bills for some households in JUST 7 days’ time. Privatisation is a rip-off. Sign our petition to stop the hikes before next Thursday. weownit.org.uk/act-now/stop...
weownit.org.uk
Say NO to a shareholder bailout: stop the water bill hikes!
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We Own It @weownit.org.uk · 11/12/2024
🔊 EXPLAINED IN 60 SECONDS 🔊 Have you heard about the secret Thames Water deal that could cost households £250+ a year? @GraceBlakeley.bsky.social breaks down what's at stake — and how public ownership can stop the crisis. ✍️ Sign the petition to stop it here: weownit.org.uk/act-now/brin...
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We Own It @weownit.org.uk · 10/12/2024
Thames Water is after a £3 billlion bailout loan💰 The interest and fees alone will be £800 million 💸 The company only has one source of income - customer bills 🧾 What might happen to those bills? 🤔 We need Steve Reed to #BlockTheBailout ❌ www.mirror.co.uk/money/thames...
mirror.co.uk
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Henley Mermaids @henleymermaids.bsky.social · 11/12/2024
On Monday we attended a briefing for MPs with the formidable @windrushwasp.bsky.social, Stanley Root, forensic accountant & prof. Ewan McGaughey. All highlighting the scale of illegality in water companies. @labourlewis.bsky.social @annadixonmp.bsky.social
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Matthew Topham @mjhtopham.bsky.social · 10/12/2024
Yesterday, campaigners from across the Thames region came together to demand Steve Reed protect them from a bad bailout deal. Public ownership could save us BILLIONS. It's time. www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/2478499...
oxfordmail.co.uk
Sewage groups protest against Thames Water's call for steep bill hikes
Anti-sewage groups from Oxfordshire protested against  Thames Water's plans for steep bill hikes to cover the cost of its temporary £3 billion…
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DeskJockeyed @deskjockeyed.bsky.social · 10/12/2024
I've signed it. Don't sell off critical assets (again). They must be owned by and for the people, not profit.
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Matthew Topham @mjhtopham.bsky.social · 09/12/2024
🤑 Plans put forward by potential Thames Water shareholders include a £4 BILLION asset sale. 🫵 YOUR bills built those assets. YOU should own them. ✍️✍️✍️ Sign our petition for Thames Water to come into public ownership NOW: weownit.org.uk/act-now/brin...
Headline reads:

Struggling Thames Water receives £5bn buyout offer from Covalis

Deal would result in France's Suez Group being brought in to manage restructure of water Company
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Jenny Jones @greenjennyjones.bsky.social · 09/12/2024
Today ... Hoping to join five campaign events, plus the Football Bill. A We Own It protest at the Dept of Env, a @unison.org.uk event on clean water, two transport safety meetings, then finally at 7pm a Water Bill briefing re sewage. I say 'hoping' cos timing of Bill debates can be unpredictable.
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Matthew Topham @mjhtopham.bsky.social · 06/12/2024
Sharp satire from @graemebandeira.bsky.social here: I can fill in one door ahead of time... 19th December — water bills to rise by up to 80% weeks after English waters rated 2nd worst in Europe. Don't want to pay for a bailout of water firms? Sign our petition here: weownit.org.uk/act-now/stop...
Cartoon shows a 'bad event calendar' and behind each door is a challenge faced by the government. Keir Starmer is shown 'gulping' at the events.
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Henley Mermaids @henleymermaids.bsky.social · 05/12/2024
Always good to spend the day with old friends. In Witney with WASP. Absolutely shocking to see sewage fungus and sanitary pads choking the Colwell Brook, with ammonia readings too high for the machine to read. This is the supposed ‘diluted untreated effluent’ that Thames Water insists is harmless.
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Matthew Topham @mjhtopham.bsky.social · 05/12/2024
Shareholders have extracted OVER a whopping £85 BILLION since privatisation. Now they're using money from YOUR bills to push the regulator to allow them to extract MORE. No one else runs water like we do — it's time for public ownership. www.theguardian.com/business/202...
theguardian.com
Water firms push for higher shareholder returns as Ofwat considers bills increase
Companies say higher returns are needed to ensure record infrastructure investment across industry is delivered
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Matthew Topham @mjhtopham.bsky.social · 03/12/2024
"Britain is a haven for profiteers exploiting state-backed control of resources. "The obvious example is water privatisation, long looking like an organised rip-off, with bills funding shareholder payouts. "Labour has offered rhetoric but no meaningful change." www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
The Guardian view on Keir Starmer’s reset: it needs a vision to tackle Britain’s challenges | Editorial
Editorial: The prime minister faces scrutiny as voters demand bold action, not recycled policies, to address Britain’s deepening economic and social concerns
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Matthew Topham @mjhtopham.bsky.social · 30/11/2024
🤬 This is an absolute scandal. Thames Tideway, like all PFI, is a rip-off that enriches a few at the expense of the many. And yet the government wants to roll this model out across the entire English water industry. We must not reprivatise our water. inews.co.uk/news/thames-...
inews.co.uk
Thames super-sewer adds £160 to water bills while CEO takes home extra £1.7m
Thames Water and Tideway Tunnel defend annual bill charges for giant sewage scheme - which won't be fully operational until 2025
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Left Foot Forward @left-foot-forward.bsky.social · 27/11/2024
Writing for Left Foot Forward, @mjhtopham.bsky.social from @we-own-it.bsky.social explains why England's bathing water is among the worst in Europe
leftfootforward.org
Why England’s bathing water is amongst the worst in Europe
Only 7 countries have an average of 90% or more bathing sites achieving ‘excellent’ status — and they are all over 90% publicly owned.
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West Yorkshire Needs A Tram @wyneedsatram.bsky.social · 26/11/2024
Just holding space for some old tram stops right now
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Matthew Topham @mjhtopham.bsky.social · 27/11/2024
Great work from @henleymermaids.bsky.social to create this Water Warriors starter pack. Want to end profiting from pollution? Take a look here... go.bsky.app/EqpRHgA
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Better Buses for Strathclyde @betterbusesspt.bsky.social · 26/11/2024
We're off to the Scottish Parliament tomorrow for the first hearing of our petition to "Accelerate the implementation of bus franchising powers" 🚍🚏 📍 Public Petitions Committee: 📅 Weds 27 Nov, 11am 𝘿𝙤𝙣'𝙩 𝙢𝙞𝙨𝙨 your chance to add your name before 👇
petitions.parliament.scot
Petition: Accelerate the implementation of bus franchising powers
Calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to improve the process for implementing the bus franchising powers contained in the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019 by: * introducing...
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Matthew Topham @mjhtopham.bsky.social · 26/11/2024
It's wild that the number of bathing water sites rated as poor has hit 8% — the worst level since records began. England has the second worst bathing water in Europe. We're the only fully privatised water system. Is that a coincidence? weownit.org.uk/england-amon...
weownit.org.uk
England's bathing water amongst the worst in Europe
Figures just released by the Department for the Environment reveal that just 64% of England's bathing water sites are reaching "excellent" status. Bathing water sites are areas of rivers and seas whic...
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We Own It @weownit.org.uk · 26/11/2024
🚨 NEW 🚨 Data just out would put England in the bottom 4 nations in Europe for bathing water cleanliness. Only 64% of sites meet the "the highest, cleanest classification." Based on 2023 data, JUST Albania, Poland, and Hungary performed worse. weownit.org.uk/england-amon...
weownit.org.uk
England's bathing water amongst the worst in Europe
Figures just released by the Department for the Environment reveal that just 64% of England's bathing water sites are reaching "excellent" status. Bathing water sites are areas of rivers and seas whic...
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Gareth Forest @garethforest.bsky.social · 25/11/2024
Thanks I hate it
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West Yorkshire Needs A Tram @wyneedsatram.bsky.social · 25/11/2024
📱 Trams are back on the feed today. A reminder from our launch earlier this month — West Yorkshire needs the cash to guarantee... ✅ this time our tram *actually* gets built AND ✅ it serves the *entire* region. Back the vision? Sign our petition here: www.megaphone.org.uk/petitions/br...
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Matthew Topham @mjhtopham.bsky.social · 25/11/2024
Under current rules, private firms are allowed to slash and burn our services. Mayor Brabin is right to be wrestling back a degree of control through franchising from 2027. But we need Arriva to reverse this terrible decision NOW too. www.bbc.com/news/article...
bbc.com
Wakefield bus services: Arriva announces further cuts
The operator is grappling with a driver shortage, but says it is developing a reliable timetable.
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Matthew Topham @mjhtopham.bsky.social · 22/11/2024
The stead rise of the fare caps is a serious concern for passengers. But any attempt by the Mayor to hold back the tide is welcome. By ending privatisation we could save £14 MILLION a year to reinvest in cheaper fares and extra services. www.bbc.com/news/article...
bbc.com
Single bus fare cap in West Yorkshire could rise to £2.50 next year
The planned rise is less than the national £3 cap announced by the government in its Budget.
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Matthew Topham @mjhtopham.bsky.social · 20/11/2024
🌹 At 4pm, a Labour minister was praising the move to public ownership on our railways. 🥀 At 5pm, we heard that privatisation is the 'only option' for our water system. Why is the government asking bill payers to bailout failed water firms? Take back their licences instead.
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