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ISM @ism-music.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

A new report from DCMS suggests Brexit has cost the UK's creative industries over £200 million between 2022-2024 Watch as The Earl of Clancarty asks government to use this data to inform the next UK-EU summit, and sort out 'what should have been sorted years ago' 👇

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The British Academy @britishacademy.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

It was great to hear the Earl of Clancarty reference the British Academy's cold spots work in yesterday's House of Lords debate on the future affordability and quality of higher education. 👇

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Freelancers Make Theatre Work @freelancersmake.bsky.social · 15/01/2026

Freelancers Make Theatre Work began as a campaign group by freelancers for freelancers. We are now exploring growing into a national body for performing arts freelancers and your input matters. Fill in our consultation survey: forms.gle/GGTKH4EMjxCP...

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Tate Collection @tate.bsky.social · 04/01/2026

Bruce McLean, Study towards the Object of the Exercise, 1978 botfrens.com/collections/14375/cont…

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nicktrench.bsky.social @nicktrench.bsky.social · 04/01/2026

UK should have come out straight away and condemned US invasion, because invasion is what it was, irrespective of the nature of the Venezuelan government in power.

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nicktrench.bsky.social @nicktrench.bsky.social · 04/01/2026

Closer ties with the single market, says Starmer. Yes, rejoin the single market.

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Bremain in Spain @bremaininspain.com · 02/01/2026

Great piece The idea of European sclerosis in the face of a supposed American Eldorado, which is claimed as justification for the campaign of deregulation currently sweeping Europe, does not hold water. It is based on three myths, which we will deconstruct one by one @bylinesnetwork.co.uk

eastangliabylines.co.uk

Decline, what decline? The myth of dying Europe

There is a widespread view that, by comparison with the USA, Europe is in economic and social decline. But, Zucman argues, it's not true

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Sally Dawson @sallydawson.bsky.social · 08/12/2025

"They may still be contrary but the trademark style of the Lords of Misrule of the modern art world is starting to feel a touch nostalgic" 🖼️ @nicktrench.bsky.social reviews 'Gilbert & George: 21st Century Pictures' | Hayward Gallery, London SE1 until 11 January 2026 bit.ly/48zPtoZ

bit.ly

'Provocative schoolboy humour': Lord Clancarty reviews 'Gilbert & George: 21st Century Pictures'

They may still be contrary but the trademark style of the Lords of Misrule of the modern art world is starting to feel a touch nostalgic

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nicktrench.bsky.social @nicktrench.bsky.social · 02/01/2026

So Retail Economics finds the poor are getting poorer. The problem with a ‘growth’ agenda is trickle down doesn’t work: increase benefits and reduce red tape (automatically deduct rent). Cap energy costs and rent. Then food banks will disappear.

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jhne2.bsky.social @jhne2.bsky.social · 28/12/2025

Good article @jessicaelgot.bsky.social Sensible comments @paulnowaktuc.bsky.social But a customs union is not enough... UK industry badly needs mobility frameworks for trade especially for creatives & technology sector @nicktrench.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

theguardian.com

Trade unions leader calls on Labour to forge closer relationship with Europe

In an exclusive interview, the head of the TUC Paul Nowak says a customs union with the EU could boost the UK’s economy

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Freelancers Make Theatre Work @freelancersmake.bsky.social · 07/11/2025

The English Devolution & Community Empowerment Bill will shape local powers for a generation BUT culture, creativity & heritage are barely mentioned. @culturecommons have submitted evidence + amendments to change that Find out more here: culturecommons.uk/news/strengt...

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Prem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 31/10/2025

Almost 100% of children in 73 neighbourhoods in England are living in income-deprived families. Govts push real wage/benefit cuts, two-child benefit cap; oppose universal basic income; don't curb profiteering. No govt targets to cut poverty. 1% has more wealth than 70% of the population combined.

theguardian.com

Almost all children in 73 areas of England live in low-income households

New official measures show levelling up attempts have failed to shift high levels of deprivation

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nicktrench.bsky.social @nicktrench.bsky.social · 31/10/2025

‘To make sure the arts count’ the EBacc and Progress 8 accountability measures must go.

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Freelancers Make Theatre Work @freelancersmake.bsky.social · 31/10/2025

"Drama instigates debate and changes lives. When civic life is under assault – theatres can play a vital role in restoring it" - Dan Hutton - Freelance director, theatre-maker, dramaturg and facilitator #FreelancersMakeTheatreWork #Theatre #UKTheatre #UKArts #SaveTheArts

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Bremain in Spain @bremaininspain.com · 16/09/2025

By our chair @suewilson91.bsky.social It was my pleasure to join the Thank EU for the Music team handing out EU flags at the Proms, Royal Albert Hall While the small, peaceful, friendly flag-waving efforts received no attention, the world’s media were out in force for Tommy Robinson’s hate rally

yorkshirebylines.co.uk

What’s in a flag?

EU flags lit up the Proms as far-right riots marred Westminster – two visions of Britain, one of unity, the other of hate

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Bremain in Spain @bremaininspain.com · 10/09/2025

A migration expert has revealed how Brexit is making the small boats crisis worse... Peter Walsh, Oxford Migration Observatory, said leaving the European Union – which Farage campaigned for – has played a major role in creating the problem. www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/migrat...

huffingtonpost.co.uk

Migration Expert Reveals How Brexit Has Made The Small Boats Crisis Worse

Leaving the EU has made it harder to remove asylum seekers from the UK.

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nicktrench.bsky.social @nicktrench.bsky.social · 08/09/2025

Clear we need agent of change principle in law not just in Scotland but rest of UK, a necessary protection for longstanding music venues threatened by redevelopment and noise complaints. My speech hansard.parliament.uk/Lords/2025-0... @musicvenuetrust.bsky.social @ukmusic.bsky.social

hansard.parliament.uk

Planning and Infrastructure Bill - Hansard - UK Parliament

Hansard record of the item : 'Planning and Infrastructure Bill' on Thursday 4 September 2025.

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nicktrench.bsky.social @nicktrench.bsky.social · 07/09/2025

The small boat crossings won’t cease until we rejoin the EU, properly apply the Dublin Regulation and enable a legal route for asylum seekers. Crucially this would stop all the deaths for which we are morally responsible.

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Peter Stefanovic @peterstefanovic.bsky.social · 07/09/2025

Journalists questioning Nigel Farage should be pointing out Brexit has been a primary factor in the sky rocketing number of small boat crossings. How hard can this be? youtu.be/cKXFjbxSBBI?...

youtu.be

Imagine the shock when he finds out Brexit is a primary factor in sky rocketing small boat crossings

YouTube video by Peter Stefanovic

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Indy lass @pixie11.bsky.social · 02/08/2025

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Peter Stefanovic @peterstefanovic.bsky.social · 03/08/2025

Only 29% would back Brexit now

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Patricia Lovett MBE @patricialovett.bsky.social · 26/07/2025

This is so important especially for craftspeople who may be freelance and/or sole traders and/or self employed. @heritage-crafts.bsky.social

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nicktrench.bsky.social @nicktrench.bsky.social · 25/07/2025

My amendment in Employment Rights Bill arguing for a freelance commissioner to look at everything from construction workers to IT and creative industries. This amendment would have given such a commissioner real powers to effect change. hansard.parliament.uk/Lords/2025-0...

hansard.parliament.uk

Employment Rights Bill - Hansard - UK Parliament

Hansard record of the item : 'Employment Rights Bill' on Wednesday 23 July 2025.

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Sally Dawson @sallydawson.bsky.social · 23/07/2025

"With their vastly different temperaments, the two artists don’t sit well in the same space. But does that matter? The more you look, the more you see the similarities" 🎨 @nicktrench.bsky.social reviews 'Kiefer / Van Gogh' | @royalacademy.bsky.social #AnselmKiefer #VanGogh bit.ly/3TU8zOo

bit.ly

'They are both visionaries': Lord Clancarty reviews 'Kiefer / Van Gogh'

With some choice paintings on display, discover the similarities between the work of these two visionary artists, otherwise so different in tempera...

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nicktrench.bsky.social @nicktrench.bsky.social · 17/07/2025

Imagine outrage if people seriously suggested cutting up Mona Lisa or Picasso’s Guernica into strips and sharing them out between countries. That’s what happened to Phidias’s Parthenon Sculptures, which is why what we hold at BM should go back to Athens. hansard.parliament.uk/Lords/2025-0...

hansard.parliament.uk

Parthenon Sculptures: Return - Hansard - UK Parliament

Hansard record of the item : 'Parthenon Sculptures: Return' on Wednesday 16 July 2025.

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nicktrench.bsky.social @nicktrench.bsky.social · 17/07/2025

The last couple of governments have made a point of saying they’re going to make ‘hard, difficult choices’. I’m waiting for the government that’s going to make a ‘soft choice’. That’s the party I will vote for.

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Peter Stefanovic @peterstefanovic.bsky.social · 10/07/2025

“This is Brexit Britain. We voted to take back control of our borders, not to accept a deal given to us by a French President” says Nigel Farage Imagine his shock when he finds out Brexit is a primary factor in the sky rocketing number of small boat crossings youtu.be/cKXFjbxSBBI?...

youtu.be

Imagine the shock when he finds out Brexit is a primary factor in sky rocketing small boat crossings

YouTube video by Peter Stefanovic

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Campaign for the Arts @campaignforthearts.org · 30/06/2025

The Campaign for the Arts' analysis shows that the UK Government is planning to spend well over a third less per citizen on the Department for Culture, Media & Sport by 2029 compared with 2010. 👇 www.campaignforthearts.org/news/what-di... (6/6)

campaignforthearts.org

What did the 2025 Spending Review mean for the arts? | Campaign for the Arts

The Chancellor has made choices in this Spending Review that will affect the health of the arts for the next three years and beyond.

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Campaign for the Arts @campaignforthearts.org · 30/06/2025

The Earl of Clancarty, who asked today's question of the Government, called for a more detailed and focussed plan for the arts. He said public arts funding via DCMS and the Arts Council underpins the commercial success of our creative industries. (5/6)

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Campaign for the Arts @campaignforthearts.org · 30/06/2025

Today in the House of Lords, the Government was asked "what assessment they have made of the value of the subsidised arts sector". Baroness Twycross said the Government "strongly believes in the benefits of publicly funded arts". 🧵 (1/6)

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jhne2.bsky.social @jhne2.bsky.social · 01/07/2025

There's an easier way to fix this - rejoin the single market, reinstate our lost trade with Europe. This would require courage to deconstruct the falsehoods peddled about Europe by the far right. #labour #welfarebill news.sky.com/story/politi...

news.sky.com

Politics latest: Chancellor 'under huge pressure' after major welfare U-turn wipes out savings

The government has offered Labour rebels a further concession on welfare cuts just hours before MPs are set to vote on the controversial proposals. Watch and follow the debate on the legislation live.

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TimmoWorldWide @timmoworldwide.bsky.social · 17/05/2025

11/ The 19th May “reset” UKEU Summit in London must not fail to unlock creative touring and the creative economy. That would be a failure for all of us.

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Peter Stefanovic @peterstefanovic.bsky.social · 15/05/2025

The Court of Appeal ruled on 2 May anti-protest laws which completely ignored the will of Parliament are UNLAWFUL The Government has still not confirmed if it will accept the judgement & scrap these unlawful regulations which they opposed in opposition Why the delay?

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Peter Stefanovic @peterstefanovic.bsky.social · 15/05/2025

This can’t be repeated enough

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Peter Stefanovic @peterstefanovic.bsky.social · 15/05/2025

Keir Starmer Braced For Huge Labour Rebellion Over Welfare Cuts More than 100 MPs have signed a letter urging the government to think again www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/keir-s...

huffingtonpost.co.uk

Keir Starmer Braced For Huge Labour Rebellion Over Welfare Cuts

More than 100 MPs have signed a letter urging the government to think again.

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Patricia Lovett MBE @patricialovett.bsky.social · 18/04/2025

The next stage in the ratification of the UK’s UNESCO Convention on Intangible Cultural Heritage is to nominate our traditional craft skills, traditions, festivals and knowledge. At last ICH is getting some recognition but the balance with this and tangible cultural heritage is still far apart.

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Patricia Lovett MBE @patricialovett.bsky.social · 13/04/2025

In The Times yesterday - the next stage in the UK’s inventory of our intangible cultural heritage. However, it isn’t just Hogmanay and morris dancing, it’s what makes us what we are. @heritage-crafts.bsky.social @dcmsgovuk.bsky.social

The London Times article about intangible cultural heritage.

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Sally Dawson @sallydawson.bsky.social · 11/04/2025

"Prepare to have your assumptions challenged by this nuanced and searching Royal Academy exhibition of 20th-century Brazilian art" 🎨 @nicktrench.bsky.social reviews 'Brasil! Brasil!: The Birth of Modernism' | @royalacademy.bsky.social bit.ly/4iuNsw1

bit.ly

Earl of Clancarty reviews 'Brasil! Brasil!'

Prepare to have your assumptions challenged by this nuanced and searching Royal Academy exhibition of 20th-century Brazilian art

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Bremain in Spain @bremaininspain.com · 20/03/2025

The numbers tell the story. Why does Labour continue to support Brexit, a failed Tory project that is decimating UK trade

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Stay European #RejoinEU 🇪🇺 #FBPE @stayeuropean.bsky.social · 04/03/2025

The end of freedom of movement has uprooted people's lives. He is British, she is Danish. The only place they can both move to and live together? Ireland. (Nothing against Ireland, but before Brexit they could have lived in any EU country.)

devonlive.com

Devon man 'forced' to leave UK to be with partner due to Brexit rules

Nathaniel and partner Karin plan to move to Ireland

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Sally Dawson @sallydawson.bsky.social · 27/02/2025

"It is a strange Proustian experience viewing the earliest video pieces from the 70s, which today feel like museum pieces... Nothing dates as quickly as new technology." 🤖 @NickClancarty reviews 'Electric Dreams' | @Tate #ElectricDreams bit.ly/4idZoSU

bit.ly

Earl of Clancarty reviews 'Electric Dreams'

This Tate Modern exhibition examining how art engaged with science, technology and material innovation before the age of the internet is a topical,...

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Art UK @artukdotorg.bsky.social · 20/02/2025

We're looking forward to this! @themumper.bsky.social 🙌 See Pauline Boty's artworks, plus stories and a learning resource on our site 👉 artuk.org/discover/art... 'Colour Her Gone' by Pauline Boty (1938–1966) © Courtesy of the Pauline Boty Estate. 📷 The Boty Family

Marilyn Monroe is in the centre, with a floral pattern behind her. Either side is a different pattern with pink and a green waves.

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nicktrench.bsky.social @nicktrench.bsky.social · 14/02/2025

My question in Lords asking Govt to review funding of British Council and forgive the covid loan. Shocking that Govt considering selling assets - which are the infrastructure. The contemporary art collection too is so important for arts and soft power hansard.parliament.uk/Lords/2025-0...

hansard.parliament.uk

British Council - Hansard - UK Parliament

Hansard record of the item : 'British Council' on Thursday 13 February 2025.

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nicktrench.bsky.social @nicktrench.bsky.social · 09/02/2025

Many of those who voted Labour were hopeful this would be a kind, protective government. Instead people are fearful that this government will continue the Tories’ hostile environment regarding benefits.

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nicktrench.bsky.social @nicktrench.bsky.social · 09/02/2025

The main reason for state-funding of the arts is it is right for its own sake. But it also should be seen as fortunate that that investment itself generates revenue and jobs. The govt are not really seeing that that public investment should be part of their growth plan, not something to do later.

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