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Radical Association

@radicalassociation.bsky.social
126 followers 140 following 69 posts

Official account of the Lib Dem Radical Association. We are an organisation of Lib Dem members and supporters who believe that the future of our party lies in promoting a distinctive, radical and liberal vision for a better country.

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Radical Association @radicalassociation.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
Today we must stand in solidarity with our trans and non-binary siblings. We must all raise our voices to speak out against this alarming attack on the rights of trans people, and we need to work together at every level to oppose it, and to work to restore inclusion and equal rights.
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LGBT+ Liberal Democrats 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ @pluslibdems.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
The EHRC's Code of Practice has been approved by the Minister of State and laid before Parliament. We hear and share the community's shock and alarm at the proposals. A statement from us: 👇
A statement from LGBT+ Liberal Democrats with the title 'New EHRC Code of Practice', reading:

"The EHRC's Code of Practice has been approved by the Minister of State and laid before Parliament.

We hear and share the community's shock and alarm at the proposals.

As an organisation, we are currently working through the document and are collating our thoughts, to liaise with Party leadership and spokespeople next week. Please bear with us as we do this.

Nothing in this Code of Practice changes our unfailing and immutable commitment to equality for trans people and our firm belief that the law must change accordingly.  We will continue to push for greater action both within and outwith our Party."

The rainbow bird-of-liberty LGBT+ Liberal Democrats logo is at the top.
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Aprilciate🍉🏳️‍⚧️ @aprilciate.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
Activists! Arm chair supporters who are a bit excited! Come get involved, the win is so close and with YOUR FACE we can make it happen- not a better time to be involved. Lots of different tasks to be had, your input is needed to get us a WINNINGTON this May 🗳️ ✌️
Me and the most important woman in my life currently kicking off an action dayAbdullah and Greg doing putting up signs and visual campaign in withington 
Me and my team *’my wifeeeeeee’ voice.*Stella the dog with vote April in May sign in Fallowfield
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Radical Association @radicalassociation.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
Radicals at Conference (Part 2) Christina Nowell has many roles within the party: Vice Chair of LGBT+ Lib Dems, membership officer for the Ealing Liberal Democrats, and exec member of Liberal Democrat Friends of the Armed Forces.
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Radical Association @radicalassociation.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
On today's Transgender Day of Visibility we call upon the leadership of the Liberal Democrats to end their shameful silence about the increasing attacks on and marginalisation of trans people, including by this government. Support in private isn't good enough if publicly you're a bystander to hate.
Trans pride flag with text reading TRANSGENDER DAY OF VISIBILITY
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Radical Association @radicalassociation.bsky.social · 23/03/2026
Radicals at Conference (Part One): Artie Khovanov is a member of the Radical Association and the Policy Officer for LGBT+ Lib Dems. At the Liberal Democrats' Spring Conference, they organised and moderated a hugely successful fringe panel on defending trans rights in the UK and the US.
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Rose Runswick @rosenstead.co.uk · 02/12/2025
A collection of thoughts about Ed Davey's reaction to the Mansion Tax and how it's become representative of a larger problem in the Lib Dems. www.libdemvoice.org/the-lib-dems...
libdemvoice.org
The Lib Dems are at a crossroads – an open letter to the leadership
About a month ago I wrote a piece on my blog examining the rhetoric coming from Ed Davey about appealing to One-Nation Conservatives, and found that his words didn’t actually align with our current po...
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Radical Association @radicalassociation.bsky.social · 30/11/2025
The signatures keep on increasing on our open letter to Ed Davey about his unilateral decision to u-turn on a Mansion Tax and position the Lib Dem budget response in defence of the wealthy. Please sign and share! radicalassociation.o...
Screenshot of a Lib Dem party social media post on instagram with the text "Sign our open letter if Ed isn't speaking for you" superimposed on top. The social media post is a picture of Ed Davey speaking in parliament with a quote from him reading "You can't tax your way to growth."
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Radical Association @radicalassociation.bsky.social · 29/11/2025
Ed Davey has u-turned on Lib Dem support for a Mansion Tax and has used Tory rhetoric in his response to the budget. If you don't feel he's speaking for you, if you're worried about direction our party is heading, please sign our open letter to Ed from grassroots members: radicalassociation.o...
Screenshot of a Lib Dem party social media post on instagram with the text "Sign our open letter if Ed isn't speaking for you" superimposed on top. The social media post is a picture of Ed Davey speaking in parliament with a quote from him reading "You can't tax your way to growth."
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Alisdair Calder McGregor @acmcgregor.bsky.social · 21/11/2025
This is open until 23:59 UK time on Feb 12th. I *strongly* recommend taking your time to be as detailed as possible with your response to this submission. Make it *crystal clear* how badly wrong this is.
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Radical Association @radicalassociation.bsky.social · 18/11/2025
This is a disappointing response to Labour's vile policy of making refugee status temporary, which would lead to mass deportations of families and communities that had built a new life here. The Lib Dems must forcefully oppose Labour's doomed attempts to appease the far right.
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Radical Association @radicalassociation.bsky.social · 13/11/2025
"Beyond GDP: Reclaiming the Economy as a Tool, Not a Goal" Jack Fleming writes about the pitfalls of using the metric of GDP as the ultimate government target, rather than measures focused on the actual wellbeing of society.
radicalassociation.org
Beyond GDP: Reclaiming the Economy as a Tool, Not a Goal
"Beyond GDP: Reclaiming the Economy as a Tool, Not a Goal" Jack Fleming writes about the pitfalls of using the metric of GDP as the ultimate government target, rather than measures focused on the actual wellbeing of society.
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Fraser Graham @fgraham.co.uk · 10/11/2025
If you haven't voted yet, you have until midday tomorrow! I am pleased to have been endorsed by @pluslibdems.bsky.social, @radicalassociation.bsky.social and @youngliberalsuk.bsky.social Please give me your first preference for FCC and Federal Council!
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LGBT+ Liberal Democrats 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ @pluslibdems.bsky.social · 28/10/2025
LGBT+ Liberal Democrats condemn our party's decision to base internal gender quotas on sex assigmed at birth. This trans-exclusionary decision is an attack on one of the most vulnerable groups in our society. 1/4
The text of our thread on an image of Big Ben with a rainbow and a trans flag.The text of our thread on an image of Big Ben with a rainbow and a trans flag.
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LGBT+ Liberal Democrats 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ @pluslibdems.bsky.social · 28/10/2025
Please sign our open letter to the @libdems.org.uk party asling for the awful decision over diversity quotas to be scrapped. 👇 lgbtlibdems.org.uk/civicrm/peti...
lgbtlibdems.org.uk
Lib Dem Internal Elections 2025 – LGBT+ Liberal Democrats
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LGBT+ Liberal Democrats 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ @pluslibdems.bsky.social · 28/10/2025
If you're a candidate in the @libdems.org.uk internal elections, or ever have been, please revoke the party's right to use or hold your sex assigned at birth. We have a handy form: 👇 lgbtlibdems.org.uk/civicrm/peti...
lgbtlibdems.org.uk
Lib Dem Internal Elections – Sex Assigned At Birth Data Consent Withdrawal – LGBT+ Liberal Democrats
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Radical Association @radicalassociation.bsky.social · 28/10/2025
An important thread on the debacle of the last minute upending of gender balance rules in the party's internal elections:
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Radical Association @radicalassociation.bsky.social · 28/10/2025
Polls are now open in the Lib Dem federal elections! We recommend votes for these excellent, radical candidates, who can be counted on to fight for a distinctive, bold and liberal identity for the Lib Dems.
radicalassociation.org
Radical Association Voting Guide 2025
The Radical Association's voting guide for the Lib Dem internal elections, with recommendations for candidates who'll fight for a distinctive, radical and liberal identity for the party.
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James Baillie @jubalbarca.bsky.social · 21/10/2025
Another #LibDems internal election post: I'm running to be a member of the party's Federal Policy Committee, and here's my pitch for why you should vote for me. Questions, boosts, and support are all very welcome!
Why am I running?

We need a clear liberal platform for the coming years, based on our core values and a strong evidence base. I want to help us change the narrative and change our country, with policies that challenge the other parties and set the terms of the discussion across policy areas.

We need to understand the digital age and how to tackle big tech in ways that protect our data and civil liberties. As a humanities data specialist with years of experience running online communities, I’m well placed to be that needed voice on FPC.

We need some more radical policies that tackle the root causes of problems. We can’t maintain credibility by approaching the biggest problems like climate change, disinformation, and inequality in a way that’s too timid to be useful.

On the policies

I’ve been motivated to run again because civil liberties are under threat, especially online. I want to see us tackling the business models of tech titans rather than resorting to unwieldy paternalism and the processing dangers of feeding huge quantities of personal information to “AI” data models. Labour and Tory policies like the botched Online Safety Act are putting people at risk—we need a liberal answer.

I want us to be a strong voice for social liberalism in Britain. We have a duty to make policy that speaks for and amplifies the voices of people often marginalised by society, including trans people and migrants who are under particular threat right now. 

I want us to articulate a more distinct liberal economic policy, focusing on cooperative and social business models, rejoining European free movement and trade, strong standards and social security, and tackling rent-seeking, wage theft, and other unfair, unproductive and unequal practices. 

Endorsement by Welsh Lib Dem Leader Jane Dodds
Who am I?

I’m a historian, based in Vienna at the Iranian Studies institute of the Austrian Academy of Sciences. My specialisms are in digital data, how computers affect our understanding of history and identity, and the history of the Caucasus region.

I’ve worked with digital creative communities making space for hobbyists and small businesses over the years, and I’m keen to ensure we properly tackle digital policy and support the innovative, economically dynamic world of small creators & artists.

I grew up in rural Norfolk: rural issues and strong pro-environmental, pro-biodiversity policies matter strongly to me. That’s why I successfully campaigned for Nature Recovery Networks to become Lib Dem policy, and why I’m committed to building a liberal platform that works for rural towns, not just for London suburbs.

What I’ve Achieved

I co-wrote the policy motion that committed the party to back a Universal Basic Income in 2020, and drafted the subsequent party report on UBI implementation.

My successful amendments to conference motions have included strengthening our commitments to restorative justice, keeping LGBT+ rights at the heart of our campaigning themes, and supporting immigrants by rejecting income and social security limitations for partners immigrating to join spouses in the UK.

Outside the party, I’ve campaigned on a range of issues, most recently leading a parliamentary petition effort against censorship by payment processors where businesses use their near-monopoly power to block clients’ or third party content.

How do I find out more?

You can check out my blog, https://thoughtsofprogress.wordpress.com: contact me there, at @JubalBarca@bsky.social, Mastodon at @JubalBarca@Scholar.Social, or by email to james@wavcott.org.uk.

I’m happy to answer any questions - and hope you’ll support my candidacy for FPC.

Endorsement by Steff Aquarone, MP for North Norfolk
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Radical Association @radicalassociation.bsky.social · 16/10/2025
Article: How do you change modern Britain for the better? Answering this question requires an understanding of power in modern Britain.
radicalassociation.org
A Liberal theory of power
How do you change modern Britain for the better? Answering this question requires an understanding of power in modern Britain, as only by having power can a movement understand what is causing the problems undermining a country, and how best to change it for the better.
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Radical Association @radicalassociation.bsky.social · 13/10/2025
We are very glad to see that Lib Dem MP Angus MacDonald appears to have deleted his repost of a statement blaming Gazans for the genocide inflicted upon them. If the repost was an accident then we sincerely hope he will soon explain as much. Mistakes deserve forgiveness, as long as they're genuine.
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Radical Association @radicalassociation.bsky.social · 13/10/2025
The Lib Dems have, rightly, condemned Israel's genocide in Gaza. Here we have Angus MacDonald, one of our MPs, reposting and endorsing a statement blaming innocent Palestinian civilians, including 20,000 murdered children, for what happened to them. He needs to lose the party whip. No ifs, no buts.
Screenshot of Angus MacDonald MP reposting an X post by Lee Hurst saying "Next time don't unilaterally launch a mass murder, kidnap, rape spree on your neighbour you total twats" above footage of devastation and ruined buildings in Gaza.
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James Baillie @jubalbarca.bsky.social · 05/10/2025
Lib Dem friends: internal party elections going on, here's my manifesto for Federal Council. Boosts welcome, if you can vote please vote for me, if you know a Lib Dem then please ask them to do so! And please feel free to ask questions (whether you're a voter or not) about what all this is about :)
Federal Council Manifesto 

Why am I running?
- Because I think good scrutiny makes for great leadership and I'm the right person to hold party leaders accountable
- Because I want Federal Council to be an effective and unafraid scrutiny body and would support constitutional changes to empower its role
- Assessing evidence is core to my work and core to this role

What sort of party do we want?
- Open to everyone, especially focusing right now on immigrants & trans folk who are under threat and on working class people who are very underrepresented in politics.
- Better internal communications and giving the microphone to more people more of the time, especially specified associated organisations
- Looking after campaigners and staff better to reduce burnout
Who am I?
I'm a professional historian, living and working in Austria. I'm outside the bubble of Westminster politics but engaged with what needs doing: that's the right perspective from which to be the good critical friend our party leaders need to get things right.

I'm from a rural community in Norfolk, and whilst | now live abroad I've kept my membership with the Breckland & South West Norfolk Liberal Democrats. | want to make sure Federal Council properly represents the rural communities that make up so much of our voting base across the country.

I've helped run digital communities for over half my life, chairing the Exilian creative society and being co-convenor of the Medieval Caucasus Network among other roles. Building spaces, working with constitutions and volunteers, and designing the right social rules and tools for the job is something I've spent my life doing. That gives me a wealth of experience that | can apply to party governance as well.

How do I find out more?
My blog, https://thoughtsofprogress.wordpress.com; @jubalbarca.bsky.social; @JubalBarca@Scholar.Social; james@wavcott.org.uk.

I'm happy to answer any questions - and hope you'll support me for our Federal Council.

Endorsements follow from former Lib Dems in England chair Alison Rouse, and former Federal Board member April Preston.
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Radical Association @radicalassociation.bsky.social · 25/09/2025
This is absolutely the right stance and it is great to see party HQ saying so quickly and so strongly. Much more of this please.
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Radical Association @radicalassociation.bsky.social · 23/09/2025
"Conservative friends, come and win with us" That's Ed Davey saying that he thinks the future of the Lib Dems lies with appealing to 2024 Tory voters. If you disagree, if you think the Lib Dems need to be more than Tory-lite, then join us and fight for something better: radicalassociation.org
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Radical Association @radicalassociation.bsky.social · 23/09/2025
"Conservative friends, come and win with us" That's Ed Davey saying that he thinks the future of the Lib Dems lies with appealing to 2024 Tory voters. If you disagree, if you think the Lib Dems need to be more than Tory-lite, then join us and fight for something better: radicalassociation.org
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Radical Association @radicalassociation.bsky.social · 19/09/2025
URGENT: For those attending #LDConf we have just learned of a likely attempt by transphobic activists to hijack the conference agenda by suspending standing orders first thing tomorrow morning at 9am. If you're going to conference please turn up to oppose this.
radicalassociation.org
Radical Conference Briefing Autumn 2025
Our briefing on motions, policy and key votes at Lib Dem Autumn Conference 2025.
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Radical Association @radicalassociation.bsky.social · 19/09/2025
URGENT: For those attending #LDConf we have just learned of a likely attempt by transphobic activists to hijack the conference agenda by suspending standing orders first thing tomorrow morning at 9am. If you're going to conference please turn up to oppose this.
radicalassociation.org
Radical Conference Briefing Autumn 2025
Our briefing on motions, policy and key votes at Lib Dem Autumn Conference 2025.
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Radical Association @radicalassociation.bsky.social · 19/09/2025
What's on at #LDconf? Find out in our Radical Conference Briefing! radicalassociation.org/news/lib-dem...
radicalassociation.org
Radical Conference Briefing Autumn 2025
Our briefing on motions, policy and key votes at Lib Dem Autumn Conference 2025.
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Radical Association @radicalassociation.bsky.social · 10/09/2025
@abrialjerram.bsky.social writes for Lib Dem Voice about why having precision in our policy is important. Is having “good policy” important? www.libdemvoice.org/is-having-go...
libdemvoice.org
Is having “good policy” important?
Before anything else, I want to make clear what I mean by “good policy.” I specifically am not defining it as policy I agree with, I mean policy that is specific enough to be implementable without a s...
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Radical Association @radicalassociation.bsky.social · 04/09/2025
Esther Foulsham argues that capitalism has become an engine for driving division and inequality, and that a Liberal Democrat alternative needs to move past old orthodoxies to a post-capitalist liberalism: radicalassociation.org/news/why-lib...
radicalassociation.org
Why Liberalism needs to be Post-Capitalist
Esther Foulsham argues that capitalism has become an engine for driving division and inequality, and that a Liberal Democrat alternative needs to move past old orthodoxies to a new, post-capitalist li...
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Radical Association @radicalassociation.bsky.social · 17/08/2025
This is a very disappointing line for the party leadership to take. The triple lock *was* a Lib Dem success story from coalition, massively reducing pensioner poverty. But guaranteeing a 2.5% annual increase in the state pension, even if inflation is at 0%, is unjustifiable.
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Radical Association @radicalassociation.bsky.social · 17/08/2025
Read our latest supporters newsletter: - Join our board - The latest articles and opinion pieces on our website. - Seeking web and social media volunteers - Lib Dem internal elections preview.mailerlite.io/preview/1631...
preview.mailerlite.io
Newsletter: Articles, join our board, and more!
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Radical Association @radicalassociation.bsky.social · 15/08/2025
"Is Socialism Left?" With the re-emergence of state socialism as a key doctrine on the left of UK politics, one of our board members looks at the often-overlooked Liberal discourse of challenging the left-wing credentials of authoritarian socialism. radicalassociation.org/news/from-th...
radicalassociation.org
From the Archive: Is Socialism Left?
"Is Socialism Left?" With the re-emergence of state socialism as a key doctrine on the left of UK politics, one of our board members looks at the often-overlooked Liberal discourse of challenging the ...
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Radical Association @radicalassociation.bsky.social · 15/08/2025
It is really great to see the parliamentary party taking a public stand against this draconian and illiberal clampdown on the right to protest. More of this please!
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Radical Association @radicalassociation.bsky.social · 02/08/2025
"People must have a reason to want to vote, and above all, a narrative. What we have currently passing for a narrative is the notion that we are, at best, nice people wanting to do vaguely nice things, and at worst, wishy-washy centrists." radicalassociation.org/news/our-dut...
radicalassociation.org
Our Duty to be Easily Heard
William Francis of the Radical Association writes: "People must have a reason to want to vote, and above all, a narrative. What we have currently passing for a narrative is the notion that we are, at ...
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Radical Association @radicalassociation.bsky.social · 30/07/2025
New opinion piece by our own Tara Foster about the managed decline of the UK and how we can pull ourselves out of the hole of structural decay through radical reform: radicalassociation.org/news/hyperno...
radicalassociation.org
Hypernormalisation: The Managed Decline of the UK in 2025
In the dying days of the Soviet Union, a term emerged to describe the uncanny paralysis gripping the country: hypernormalisation. Britain in 2025 is not the Soviet Union. But the feeling is eerily fam...
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Radical Association @radicalassociation.bsky.social · 29/07/2025
At the request of some of our younger supporters, we've put together some reasons why we think Young Liberal members (@youngliberalsuk.bsky.social) should consider joining the Radical Association: radicalassociation.org/news/why-you...
radicalassociation.org
Opinion piece by George Potter, one of our founders, about the reasons why Young Liberals should consider joining the Radical Association. First published on 29th July 2025.
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Jack 🏳️‍🌈 @jacksayspurple.bsky.social · 29/07/2025
Reminder that you can and should still sign this petition demanding the repeal of the Online Safety Act. A huge example of government overreach which can and will be used to persecute minorities, especially LGBTQ people under the guise of "child safety" petition.parliament.uk/petitions/72...
petition.parliament.uk
Petition: Repeal the Online Safety Act
We want the Government to repeal the Online Safety act.
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Radical Association @radicalassociation.bsky.social · 29/07/2025
We 100% endorse this excellent statement from the Young Liberals. The Online Safety Bill is an egregious mess which is already denying people access to life saving resources (such as for LGBT+ people and sexual assault victims), and Liberal Democrats should be speaking out against it.
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Young Liberals 🔶🏳️‍⚧️ @youngliberalsuk.bsky.social · 27/07/2025
A joint statement from YL and our branches regarding the Online Safety Bill.
Young liberals' concerns over the online safety billIt was never about protecting the young for Labour.

With the convenient excuse of online safety, this government has restricted access to:

footage from protests across the UK

footage from Gaza, Ukraine and many more zones of atrocity

support forums for sexual assault victims and LGBT+ activism

Discord, Reddit, Wikipedia and many more sites of social discussion

All in under 24 hours

OfCom's unchecked power to dictate what is "harmful" risks silencing dissent and chilling open discourse, particularly for those who dare to challenge the status quo.We are concerned that this is an effort to gain control over what we say, what we see, and how we think, given that this government has repeatedly shown a lack of respect for freedom of speech, expression, and protest.

Who will stop them if they come for encryption and VPNs? Who will protect our sensitive data in the hands of private companies?

Therefore, we, the Young Liberals, strongly encourage our federal party to speak against this draconian attack on free speech and society under the guise of online safety.For freedom,
Young Liberals UK
Bristol Young Liberals
Oxford Students Liberal Association
Cambridge University Liberal Association
Edinburgh University Liberal Association
Highland Young Liberal Democrats
University of Warwick Liberal Democrats
London Young Liberals
King's College London Liberal Democrats

Berkshire Young Liberals

Lancaster University Liberal Democrats

Ealing Young Liberals

University of York Liberal Democrats

Durham University Liberal Democrats
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But Andrew Hickey Died Ten Years Ago This Very Night @andrewhickey.500songs.com · 28/07/2025
Fundamentally, if the two parties stand for the same things, there is no need for the new party to exist and they can just join the Greens, unless they're too egocentric not to be the centre of attention, in which case they're probably not people you want to work with. And if they don't...
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Andrew Smith @smiggs.bsky.social · 28/07/2025
Slot machines and bookies are one of very few developments to bring out my inner nimby, a blight on anyone's neighbourhood.
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Radical Association @radicalassociation.bsky.social · 28/07/2025
Thank you to everyone who turned up to our re-launch discussion this weekend, and who has joined the followup discussions on WhatsApp since! Some really interesting ideas and suggestions about the challenges facing the party, the crises in modern Britain, and what we should do to fix them!
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Charley Hasted @charleyhasted.bsky.social · 10/07/2025
I want to be clear here. Christine has taken a *lot* of stick from trans people at times. It would have been easy for her to run when she didn't get ally cookies from us just like other MPs have. She didn't. She stayed & kept learning, so this is nothing less than the integrity I'd expect from her.
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Christine Jardine @cajardinemp.bsky.social · 10/07/2025
There has been a lot of speculation over the past 24 hours regarding my removal as the Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Women and Equalities and Scotland. I can now confirm I have been removed from that position, and have shared my response below.
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Caron Lindsay @caronmlindsay.bsky.social · 10/07/2025
I am so proud of Christine. Cruel and mean spirited Tory amendments which would deny support to those suffering mental ill health are crying out to be opposed.
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Radical Association @radicalassociation.bsky.social · 10/07/2025
It is beyond disappointing (going well into outrageous territory) that @cajardinemp.bsky.social MP, the Lib Dem Women and Equality spokesperson, has been sacked for voting against a poisonous Tory amendment to the welfare bill, instead of abstaining as the party leadership had ordered.
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