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Richard Burden

@richardburden.bsky.social
303 followers 160 following 189 posts

Former Member of Parliament/Lab Shadow Minister. Chair @HWBrum.bsky.social West Mids Chair @SrebrenicaUK.bsky.social Trustee britainpalestineproject.org Board @lfpme.bsky.social. Ex-Chair @medicalaidpal.bsky.social Blogs at Richardburden.com. Own views

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Richard Burden @richardburden.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Andy Burnham’s speech to the Labour Conference was truly inspirational - both in its overall vision & in the plans he announced for so many key areas of policy. As a former Chair of Labour Campaign for Electoral Reform, though, I am particularly delighted by his commitment to a fairer voting system
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Richard Burden @richardburden.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
labourlist.org/2026/09/the-...
labourlist.org
'The Miliband package bring us from recognition to policy' - LabourList
Miliband has given Labour an Israel policy it can defend with conviction, and reminded it that leadership is redefining what is possible.
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Richard Burden @richardburden.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Thoughts on UK action against trade with Israel’s illegal settlements and reactions to it: richardburden.com/2026/09/than...
richardburden.com
Thank you, Ed Miliband | Richard Burden
Ed Miliband’s package of sanctions against Israel’s illegal occupation of the West Bank and Gaza is the most significant reset of UK Middle East policy in a generation.
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Richard Burden @richardburden.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Shana Tova to all celebrating Rosh Hashanah 🍯🍎
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Richard Burden @richardburden.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Thank you, Ed Miliband, for demonstrating that the UK can rediscover its moral compass and uphold international law and equal rights for all, whether they be Israelis or Palestinians.
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Richard Burden @richardburden.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
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Richard Burden @richardburden.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Ed Vulliamy’s eyewitness reports and photos told us the truth about the horrors unfolding in Bosnia in the early 1990s. European governments - including our own - shamefully let the horrors continue. His words about today also deserve to be listened to. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
Ratko Mladić, the ‘Butcher of Bosnia’, could not escape death. But his fascist ideas and ideology live on | Ed Vulliamy
When I testified against Mladić at his trial in The Hague, I saw the unrepentant face of a mass murderer. That face and his legacy still haunt Serbia today, says Ed Vulliamy, an author who reported on...
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Richard Burden @richardburden.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
Neil Kinnock: “First past the post is no longer fit for purpose. Burnham must lead the way. He’s right. observer.co.uk/news/politic...
observer.co.uk
Neil Kinnock: First past the post is no longer fit for pu...
Westminster’s voting system has led to just one in 10 voters believing politicians put the country first. The call for electoral reform has never been louder, says the former Labour leader
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Richard Burden @richardburden.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Never forget the crimes against humanity that international inaction allowed Radko Mladic to commit in Bosnia and Herzegovina. When the world says “Never Again” we have to mean it. www.theguardian.com/world/2026/a...
theguardian.com
Ratko Mladić, the ‘Butcher of Bosnia’, dies aged 84
Bosnian Serb commander responsible for Srebrenica massacre dies in prison while serving life sentence for genocide
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Richard Burden @richardburden.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
RIP Dolly
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Richard Burden @richardburden.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
Protecting the right of patients and the public to an independent voice: How Yvette Cooper can demonstrate Andy Burnham’s new approach to government in practice richardburden.com/2026/07/prot...
richardburden.com
Protecting independent public voice in health and social care | Richard Burden
How Yvette Cooper can demonstrate Andy Burnham’s new ways of working in practice.
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Richard Burden @richardburden.bsky.social · 19/07/2026
This, from Will Hutton in the Observer today, is well worth reading observer.co.uk/news/columni...
observer.co.uk
Be bold, Andy Burnham. The cupboard is not as bare as por...
The next PM’s daring is an invaluable asset that could unlock economic mechanisms to find funds for vital public spending
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Richard Burden @richardburden.bsky.social · 11/07/2026
Birmingham City Council illuminated The Library of Birmingham in green and white last night to remember the 8,372 men and boys murdered in the Srebrenica genocide of July 1995 and to stand in solidarity with their loved ones who survived. We’ll never forget. #Srebrenica31 @srebrenica.bsky.social
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Remembering Srebrenica @srebrenicauk.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
Great to see recognition for @richardburden.bsky.social at the first of our events in the West Midlands yesterday, for Srebrenica Memorial Week 2026.
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Richard Burden @richardburden.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
Privileged to be at very moving Remembering Srebrenica West Mids Memorial Breakfast at N Staffs YMCA in Stoke-on-Trent on Wednesday. Probably my last time speaking as WM Chair. Thanks to all for your support over past three years #YMCANS srebrenica.org.uk/events/past-...
srebrenica.org.uk
West Midlands Remembering Srebrenica Memorial Breakfast | Remembering Srebrenica
Hosted by North Staffordshire YMCA, Remembering Srebrenica West Midlands Board held a moving Srebrenica memorial breakfast in Stoke-on-Trent on 8th July 2026.
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Richard Burden @richardburden.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
This is so refreshing to hear from Andy Burnham www.facebook.com/share/v/1EKU.... Looking forward to a reset of UK policy on Israel and Palestine when he is PM. Phylllis Starkey and I set our some suggested next steps in Labour List last Sunday labourlist.org/2026/07/manc...
labourlist.org
'Manchesterism at home and abroad' - LabourList
A reset of UK policy towards Israel and Palestine by Andy Burnham as Prime Minister will demonstrate his values and help earn him public trust.
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Richard Burden @richardburden.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
Palestinian doctor who stood alone and unarmed in front of Israeli tanks is now at risk of death in Israeli prison after being held without trial for more than 18 months. Urgent action needed to save his life richardburden.com/2026/07/dont...
richardburden.com
Don’t let this doctor’s death be the price of his courage | Richard Burden
Early last year I wrote about the unlawful detention of Palestinian doctor Hussam Abu Safiya, who had stood alone and unarmed in front of Israeli tanks as they advanced through the ruins of his hospit...
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Richard Burden @richardburden.bsky.social · 05/07/2026
labourlist.org/2026/07/manc...
labourlist.org
'Manchesterism at home and abroad' - LabourList
A reset of UK policy towards Israel and Palestine by Andy Burnham as Prime Minister will demonstrate his values and help earn him public trust.
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Richard Burden @richardburden.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
Truly humbled to be presented with this award today by @srebrenicauk.bsky.social and Bosnia and Herzegovina UK Network #RememberYesterdayActToday #WeAreHere
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Richard Burden @richardburden.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
Good Growth in every postcode and hope in every heart.” Thoughts on Andy Burnham’s Manchester speech richardburden.com/2026/06/good...
richardburden.com
“Good growth in every postcode and hope in every heart.” | Richard Burden
“Good growth in every postcode and hope in every heart.” The last words of Andy Burnham’s speech yesterday were quite something. Even for someone who has been around the world of politics for as many ...
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Richard Burden @richardburden.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
Today’s report from the Independent Inquiry into White Working Class Educational outcomes, chaired by Baroness Estelle Morris, is welcome. The issues are long-standing - as I identified from my own experience as a Birmingham MP over 15 years ago richardburden.com/2013/10/my-e...
richardburden.com
My evidence to the Education Select Committee | Richard Burden
I have recently submitted evidence to the House of Commons Select Committee inquiry into the "educational underachievement of white working class children." Four years after I first raised this issue...
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Richard Burden @richardburden.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
Wow! Over 5,000 majority over the total vote for Reform, Restore and Conservatives combined. Well done Andy! Thank you, people of Makerfield! 🌹
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Richard Burden @richardburden.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
RIP Jo Cox. (22 June 1974 - 16 June 2016) I will never forget that smile
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Richard Burden @richardburden.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
Roy Hattersley was a fellow Birmingham MP and a key figure in Labour for decades. We came from different wings of the Party but I always knew he was someone who never lost sight of the bottom-line principles that made him Labour. RIP
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Richard Burden @richardburden.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
Let’s call out what happened in Belfast last night for what it was - a pogrom. What a contrast with the hugely dignified response of Stephen Ogilvie’s family. Total respect for them as they face such an ordeal after the horrific attack on him.
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Richard Burden @richardburden.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
Abolishing patient watchdog leaves NHS 'marking own homework', councils warn www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Abolishing patient watchdog leaves NHS 'marking own homework', councils warn
The plans are part of a government bill to modernise the NHS in England, which is currently going through parliament.
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Richard Burden @richardburden.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
In otherwise wide ranging interview with Health Secretary, James Murray, regrettable that BBC Radio 4 Today did not ask why the new Health Bill, being debated today, will scrap independent patient and public voice in health &social care. Here’s why govt is wrong richardburden.com/2026/03/why-...
richardburden.com
Why the voice of patients must stay independent | Richard Burden
Government plans to end the existence of an independent voice for patients and service users in health and social care have come under challenging scrutiny this week with the publication of a major ne...
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Matt Bishop 🏳️‍🌈 🏁 @thebishf1.bsky.social · 31/05/2026
Intelligent, insightful, knowledgeable & thought-provoking essay by my good friend Richard Burden, well worth a read. 👏
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Richard Burden @richardburden.bsky.social · 31/05/2026
Perceptiveness and blinkers: thoughts on Tony Blair’s agenda for a “Radical Centre” in UK politics richardburden.com/2026/05/perc...
richardburden.com
Perceptiveness and blinkers – thoughts on Tony Blair’s agenda for a new “radical centre” in politics | Richard Burden
“The people don’t want ‘politics as usual’. The real reason behind the rise of the leaders from Donald Trump to Giorgia Meloni to Javier Milei is that they answer this call. You can like them or disli...
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Labour4PR 🌹🗳️ @labour4pr.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
"Labour must remember and reassert what it is we are here to do: address inequality – economic and political... political equality at the ballot box is fundamental to delivering equality everywhere else in society." ✍️ @alexsobel.co.uk in @labourlist.bsky.social labourlist.org/2026/05/labo...
labourlist.org
' After these Local Elections there can be no doubt: Labour’s future lies in electoral reform' - LabourList
First Past the Post is the biggest example of the Status Quo in UK politics.
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Richard Burden @richardburden.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
Welcome voice of sanity about the slogan “globalise the intifada” from US State Department advisor Jasmine El-Gamal, who now lives in the UK. Thank you @channel4news.bsky.social . What a contrast with the ill-informed commentary so often reported in the media www.channel4.com/news/debate-...
channel4.com
Debate: What now for the right to protest in wake of Golders Green attack?
We spoke to the lawyer Adam Wagner and former US State Department advisor Jasmine El-Gamal, who now lives in the UK.
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Richard Burden @richardburden.bsky.social · 13/04/2026
Today and every year on Yom HaShoah, I remember Jacob Billauer. This is why richardburden.com/2016/05/reme...
richardburden.com
Remembering Jacob Billauer on Yom HaShoah | Richard Burden
Some years ago I was approached to become a “Guardian of the Memory”. Established by Yad Vashem, the world centre for Holocaust research, the idea is both simple and powerful. There were 6 million Jew...
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Richard Burden @richardburden.bsky.social · 07/04/2026
Criminal. Disgusting. Unhinged. No words come close to conveying the utter horror of what Trump is threatening.. www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c5...
bbc.co.uk
Trump says 'a whole civilisation will die tonight' if Iran doesn't make deal, as US hits Kharg Island
Trump says
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Richard Burden @richardburden.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
Chag Pesach Sameach to all celebrating #Passover
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Richard Burden @richardburden.bsky.social · 30/03/2026
Israel’s parliament has voted to bring back the death penalty - but only for Palestinians. Apartheid in grotesque action. www.reuters.com/world/middle...
reuters.com
Israel passes death penalty law for Palestinians convicted of lethal attacks
Israel's parliament passed a law on Monday making death by hanging a default sentence for Palestinians convicted in military courts of deadly attacks, fulfilling a pledge by Prime Minister Benjamin Ne...
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The Guardian @theguardian.com · 21/03/2026
Israel has crushed Unrwa in Gaza – and the rest of the world has done nothing | Philippe Lazzarini
theguardian.com
Israel has crushed Unrwa in Gaza – and the rest of the world has done nothing | Philippe Lazzarini
I bow out of my role for the organisation at a perilous time for the international law. There are consequences not just for Palestinians, but the wider Middle East, says Unrwa commissioner-general Philippe Lazzarini
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Richard Burden @richardburden.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
Why the voice of patients must stay independent. My response to important new report from @thekingsfund.bsky.social richardburden.com/2026/03/why-...
richardburden.com
Why the voice of patients must stay independent | Richard Burden
Government plans to end the existence of an independent voice for patients and service users in health and social care have come under challenging scrutiny this week with the publication of a major ne...
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Richard Burden @richardburden.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
Why the voice of patients must stay independent Government plans to end the existence of an independent voice for patients and service users in health and social care have come under challenging scrutiny this...
richardburden.com
Why the voice of patients must stay independent
Government plans to end the existence of an independent voice for patients and service users in health and social care have come under challenging scrutiny this week with the publication...
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Richard Burden @richardburden.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
Eid Mubarak to all celebrating Eid Al-Fitr
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Richard Burden @richardburden.bsky.social · 11/03/2026
While the eyes of the world are on Iran,Israel’s government is deepening its illegal occupation of the West Bank - allocating 574 million ILS (≈$155m) for settlement expansion and 9 million ILS (≈$2.4m) to the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs, which spearheads attacks on humanitarian organisations
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Richard Burden @richardburden.bsky.social · 11/03/2026
Well over half a million people forced from their homes in Lebanon by Israel’s invasion and bombing. Why isn’t there more of an international outcry at the enormity of what Israel is doing there? news.un.org/en/story/202...
news.un.org
Nearly 700,000 displaced in Lebanon as Middle East crisis escalates
On day 10 of the war engulfing the Middle East, UN agencies on Monday reported massive displacement across the region, along with surging food and fuel prices that risk increasing hunger and suffering...
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Richard Burden @richardburden.bsky.social · 03/03/2026
Judging by Trump’s toys out of the pram outbursts against Keir Starmer, maybe the UK will indeed block the kind of mission creep by US aircraft using UK based that I warned about yesterday. Let’s hope so…
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Kevin Schofield @kevinschofied.bsky.social · 02/03/2026
ICYMI: BBC Expert Demolishes Trump And Netanyahu's Case For Bombing Iran: 'A War Of Choice' www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/bbc-ex...
huffingtonpost.co.uk
BBC Expert Demolishes Trump And Netanyahu's Case For Bombing Iran: 'A War Of Choice'
Jeremy Bowen said the claim they were "pre-emptive" strikes does not add up.
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Richard Burden @richardburden.bsky.social · 02/03/2026
Starmer’s shift on use of UK bases is very dangerous, dragging UK into a war that was illegal from the start. Yes, RAF planes should help intercept Iranian missiles/drone attacks but I have big doubts that US strikes on Iran from UK bases will be as limited in practice as promised in theory
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Richard Burden @richardburden.bsky.social · 28/02/2026
Labour didn’t have a monopoly on unpleasant campaign tactics in Gorton and Denton, but they still have parallels and brought back personal memories that I talked about in this blog which was prompted by other recent events richardburden.com/2026/02/thou...
richardburden.com
Thoughts on Epstein, Mandelson and the monopolisation of power | Richard Burden
The impact of Epstein’s vile actions; Mandelson and me; the dangers of monopoly power in politics and its relevance to today.
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Richard Burden @richardburden.bsky.social · 18/02/2026
Wishing everyone a blessed and peaceful month. Ramadan Mubarak
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Richard Burden @richardburden.bsky.social · 13/02/2026
Thoughts on Epstein, Mandelson and the monopolisation of power richardburden.com/2026/02/thou...
richardburden.com
Thoughts on Epstein, Mandelson and the monopolisation of power | Richard Burden
The impact of Epstein’s vile actions; Mandelson and me; the dangers of monopoly power in politics and its relevance to today.
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Richard Burden @richardburden.bsky.social · 05/02/2026
Disgusting desecration and destruction of Commonwealth War Graves in Gaza . Having visited the cemeteries in Gaza myself and met the Palestinians who care for them, the enormity of this feels personal for me richardburden.com/2024/11/gaza... www.theguardian.com/world/2026/f...
theguardian.com
Revealed: Israel bulldozed part of Gaza war cemetery containing allied graves
Satellite images and witness testimony show destruction as IDF claims it was forced to take defensive measures
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Richard Burden @richardburden.bsky.social · 31/01/2026
Shocking and sad news that Cllr Waseem Zaffar has died. A committed community politician, he made a big contribution to the work of Birmingham City Council, particularly in promoting clean air. Above all to me personally, he was always a supportive friend.RIP www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midland...
birminghammail.co.uk
Tributes to Birmingham politician Waseem Zaffar after sudden death aged 44
Cllr Waseem Zaffar worked in his comunity and was a clean air champion
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Together Alliance @togetheralliance.bsky.social · 26/01/2026
Organised. United. Ready to fill the streets with hope and unity. Share this post to help spread the word. We are growing. We are building. We are #Together.
A group of approximately 20 people of diverse ages and backgrounds pose indoors in a blue-walled room. Most are seated or standing while holding up black posters with colorful text that reads, "MARCH FOR LOVE. FOR UNITY. FOR HOPE. TOGETHER" and "LOVE IS BACK." The bottom of the posters mentions a march on Saturday, 28th March in Central London. The atmosphere is collaborative and organized, with pamphlets and bags visible on the tables in the foreground.A large, dense crowd of protesters gathered in a public square in front of historic stone buildings under an overcast sky. Many individuals are wearing beanies and winter coats. The crowd is a sea of signs and flags; prominent light blue flags feature the "National Education Union" logo, while participants hold numerous black posters with the slogans "HOPE IS BACK" and "MARCH FOR LOVE. FOR UNITY. FOR HOPE. TOGETHER."A large group of activists stands together in a high-ceilinged hall with brick arches and pillars. In the center, a large purple banner for the "TUC London, East & South East" is held high. Every person in the group is holding a sign, creating a wall of black posters with bold pink and white text reading "UNITY IS BACK" or the multi-colored "MARCH FOR LOVE" design. The setting appears to be a formal meeting or community space, with several people in the front row smiling at the camera.
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