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Rob Blackie

@robblackie.bsky.social
2.2K followers 680 following 4.7K posts

Former Lib Dem London Mayoral candidate. Breaking Putin's censorship

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Reposted by Rob Blackie
Anna H @athenepallas.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
Latest far right malign effect - unfounded accusations of immigrants stealing wild birds to eat have led to a physical assault on a volunteer rescuing a cygnet. The Greenwich Wildlife Network statement is long, but worth a read - it's thoughtful, courageous and impeccably argued:
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Stephen Bush @stephenkb.bsky.social · 3h
We're already at war with Russia, exhibit 2342:
ft.com
Russia steps up bid to kill European defence chiefs, spy agencies warn
Companies increase personal security for top executives as Kremlin orders expansion of sabotage and ‘hybrid’ operations
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Rob Blackie @robblackie.bsky.social · 18h
Caro LBJ surely has enough to be a great series on this metric.
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Kaja Kallas @kajakallas.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
This is not the time to ease pressure on Russia, and Europe won’t. On Monday, EU Foreign Ministers intend to approve the biggest set of sanctions listings targeting Russia’s war machine since the start of the war.
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Jenny Chase @solarchase.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
13. Europeans shouldn't feel guilty about using electricity for airconditioning (or reversible heatpumps), it already mostly comes from the sun, especially if you pre-cool. This is good news for hot countries as well. Heat is deadly.
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Rob Ford @robfordmancs.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
It would seem the Home Office has now acquired the ability to impose, without visibility or accountability, shadow bans on students coming to British universities from particular countries. How? Because of the interaction between indiv visa decisions (made by HO alone) and visa rules for unis 1/?
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Rob Blackie @robblackie.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
Social media has turned a lot of pelt into extremists. Yet oddly there isn't, as far as I know, a single UK think tank devoted to thinking through the policy implications.
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Vali Nasr @valinasr.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
By allowing Russia sell Diesel US is abandoning minimal common ground w Europe on Ukraine for war w Iran. For Europe Russian threat is its top strategic problem. casting Iran as a West's civilizational enemy going back to Ancient Greece can't overcome this significant break between US and Europe.
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John Springford @johnspringford.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
It provides a bedrock for strategy though: reduce fossil fuel imports and cut trade barriers with closest allies, nurture tech and science strengths while curbing AI risks, tackle anti-competitive practices in some areas esp telecoms, invest in congested infrastructure
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Anthony Painter @anthonypainter.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
If you are looking to fiscal policy to make people "feel better off" then you are looking in entirely the wrong place. There needs to be some luck in geopolitics, some leadership on the EU and some strategy on sovereign AI. Then things might shift. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
theguardian.com
‘If voters aren’t better off by the next election, we’re screwed’: Labour insiders voice fears over budget
Some say party risks ‘looking twee’ by focusing on small fixes amid growing nervousness that budget lacks ambition
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Rob Blackie @robblackie.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
I've lost track of the number of things that have come close-ish to liking me. It includes: Elephants Car jackers My kidney.
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Rob Blackie @robblackie.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
On this note when I had lasting power of attorney for my dad, DWP were by far the best organisation I dealt with. Aviva by far the worst, so bad that my dad's life was shorter than their ability to fix something simple.
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Rob Blackie @robblackie.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
This is excellent research on how successful cities can revitalise neighbouring towns. If you want the Midlands to be successful then strong transport links and thriving Birmingham, Manchester and London are critical.
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Rob Blackie @robblackie.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
Doesn't this just drive the money laundering to another currency,,? If I remember right this gains the Eurozone a lot of seigniorage.
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Liberal Democrats @libdems.org.uk · 08/10/2026
The polls have now closed in the Holborn & St Pancras by-election! A huge thank you to everyone who knocked on doors, delivered leaflets and supported Patrick Stillman throughout the campaign 🧡
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Rob Blackie @robblackie.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
A huge thanks to Chris French and Patrick Stillman who have run such excellent campaigns in today's by elections in Camden (Parliamentary) and Lambeth (local). Two brilliant credits to our party who have campaigned on liberal values and making London a better city for everybody.
Patrick Stillman, Lib Dem candidate for Holborn & St. Pancras. Chris French, candidate for Myatt's Fields, Lambeth.
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Hetan Shah @hetanshah.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
London Economics’ research estimates that the net economic impact per student was circa £100,000 – in other words, “every 10 international students generate £1m worth of net economic impact for the UK economy over the duration of their studies”. www.timeshighereducation.com/news/fall-in...
timeshighereducation.com
Fall in international student numbers ‘cost UK £2.9 billion’
Latest cost-benefit analysis finds overseas enrolments generate nearly 10 times more money for UK than they take away
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Tony Yates @t0nyyates.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
This... the attacks on research funding and foreign students in US universities... all opportunities for us, not being taken.
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Rob Blackie @robblackie.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
That may be true but the record of nuclear, in terms of practical delivery, is incredibly slow compared to the rollout we are seeing of renewables etc today. My scepticism is practical here - is it really going to end up better value than, say, batteries?
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Rob Blackie @robblackie.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
Thanks.
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Rob Blackie @robblackie.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
Got it - thank you.
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Rob Blackie @robblackie.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
If you are only getting 40% of the funding for a specific site, why can't you just build 40% of the site? I assume that there are economies of scale here - but I'm struggling to understand what they are? Is it something to do with them being mixed developments?
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Rob Blackie @robblackie.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
This is true but the safety standards etc. will end up creating a massive chunk of changes and therefore effectively a new product. I was quite convinced by this: engelsbergideas.com/essays/smrs-...
engelsbergideas.com
SMRs: a short history of a nuclear pipe dream
Small modular reactors (SMRs) were first conceived for military use and deployed on polar bases. Seventy years on, their record remains dismal.
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Rob Blackie @robblackie.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
a) Is there a problem with generation being in Morroco? isn't that rather the point? b) Couldn't landfall happen anywhere in practice? Surely if you are doing a cable that long, the extra bit to the right part of the grid is relatively small?
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Rob Blackie @robblackie.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
It's a weird choice to go for this over X-links. One was a very simple technology (cable+solar+wind), the other is a new tech in practice....
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Hetan Shah @hetanshah.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
Sewers are one of the most transformational interventions to human health in history, yet they are rarely understood or recognised for their impact. So we are holding an event about them next Tuesday. In person in London or watch online! www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/events/searc...
thebritishacademy.ac.uk
The secret life of sewers
From the Big Stink to the fatberg, London's history has always flowed through what (and how) we flush away. Sewers are one of the most transformational, yet least recognised interventions in the histo...
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Rob Blackie @robblackie.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
My Liberal Democrat colleague Ealing councillor Ksenia Maximova is in The Times today talking about her work to fight Vladimir Putin's dictatorship. www.thetimes.com/article/1c45...
Lib Dem councillor Ksenia Maximova - fighting Putin's dictatorship.
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Rob Blackie @robblackie.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
Absolutely true! It strikes me that these second order effects on society are likely to be some of the dominant ones for years to come.
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Rob Blackie @robblackie.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Good point - on checking I was getting about 5KWH a day not 1 in March!
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Rob Blackie @robblackie.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
That's actually pretty much what I generated daily in December of last year!
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Rob Blackie @robblackie.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
That's your lot until April!
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Rob Blackie @robblackie.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
There is surely going to have to be some sort of quality mark for information in future - at least to prove that a human has looked at it.
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Madeleine Cuff @tinymaddie.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Some legit good climate news that hopefully takes us a step closer to cracking one of the toughest net zero problems (& nice to see some climate £££ being pumped into a UK startup) reclinker.com/news/ I wrote about Reclinker for @newscientist.com in 2024 www.newscientist.com/article/2432...
reclinker.com
News
Reclinker Series A cement low-carbon
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Rob Blackie @robblackie.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
In the other by election currently happening in London, Lambeth's Labour leader is accused of having shouted at a Green Party Cabinet member, resulting in both of them being asked to leave a local library. www.brixtonbuzz.com/2026/10/labo...
brixtonbuzz.com
Labour’s Lying Leaflets: tensions rise in Myatt’s Fields ahead of Thursday’s by-election – 8th October 2026
As Myatt’s Fields residents prepare to vote in Thursday’s by-election, Labour is accusing the Greens of planning cuts to Minet Library. But the £498,000 library savings target at the centre of the …
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Rob Blackie @robblackie.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
I've not seen it - but that's a bit odd - usually you try to have achievements on these maps!!
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Rob Blackie @robblackie.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Full article here: www.mylondon.news/news/transpo...
mylondon.news
Inside story of London bus drivers' horrific working conditions
MyLondon's 4-month investigation has found the deeply shocking treatment of workers is also putting Londoners' lives at risk
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Rob Blackie @robblackie.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Bus drivers are working in dire conditions: Melting heat, abuse from fare evaders and often without even a toilet. And London's Mayors have been sluggish in doing anything about this. That's why I've backed MyLondon's campaign to give them a better deal
Rob Blackie supporting better working conditions for bus drivers and others working in extreme heat.
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Ed Davey @eddavey.libdems.org.uk · 07/10/2026
When I visited the Nova music festival site, the impact of October 7th hit home. Three years on, the violence continues, and we have seen an appalling rise in antisemitism here and around the world. We must stand with the Jewish community, stamp out antisemitism, and work for a lasting peace.
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Rob Blackie @robblackie.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
I really should learn more about Chile - long thin countries are a particularly difficult problem!
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Rafael Behr @rafaelbehr.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Column on Greens, anti-Zionism and why the people who pathologically hate something are not the most reliable people to define it accurately www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
Zack Polanski had the chance to show real leadership. He blew it | Rafael Behr
A toxic debate over anti-Zionism leaves the Green leader looking like a passenger in the movement that carried him to the top, says Guardian columnist Rafael Behr
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Rob Blackie @robblackie.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
If you've not read this, it's pretty much the less bleak version: Red Plenty - Wikipedia share.google/kAYNMsiTJnTm...
share.google
Red Plenty - Wikipedia
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Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
'seven women...have told the Guardian they are survivors of domestic abuse carried out by key figures in the anti-immigration street patrol movement. All have chosen to come forward to make the public aware of the patterns of violence behind this new form of activism.'
theguardian.com
‘Bully in every way’: domestic abuse survivors say ex-partners behind far-right UK street patrols
Seven women share their stories to make people aware of patterns of violence behind anti-immigration street patrol movement
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Daniel Sugarman @danielsugarman.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
To keep track, the proposer of the Green's "Zionism is Racism" motion: - Wants Hamas de-proscribed - Said that God willing, a time will come when Zionists "are hunted in the same way as Nazis...We will retake freedom, it won't happen without force" - And this - www.jewishnews.co.uk/zionism-is-r...
jewishnews.co.uk
'Zionism is Racism' motion creator described as 'close friend' of Al Qaeda terrorist - Jewish News
Lubna Speitan confirmed she is still close to Minh Quang Pham, who plotted to murder hundreds at Heathrow airport, claiming that he had been "demonised"
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Martin Robbins @mjrobbins.com · 06/10/2026
New film out, on the extraordinary, 20-year saga of the Rainham Volcano.
youtube.com
Nobody will put out this East London fire
YouTube video by Martin Robbins
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Rob Blackie @robblackie.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
It is a scandal that rapists and abusers almost always get away with their terrible crimes. The Mayor has failed and no other party takes this issue seriously. Join my campaign at rob4london.com
rob4london.com
Rob Blackie: London Lib Dem Campaigner
Read about Rob Blackie's campaigning for the Liberal Democrats across London and sign up to support his work.
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Rob Blackie @robblackie.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
My interview with Kumail Jaffer at MyLondon. If chosen as Mayoral candidate I will campaign on fixing London’s police and on cheaper housing, especially for young people who have had the worst time in recent years. www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSrS...
youtube.com
EXCLUSIVE: Lib Dem Rob Blackie launches 2028 London mayoral bid
Liberal Democrat Rob Blackie has launched his campaign to become the party’s candidate for Mayor of London in 2028. Mr Blackie finished third in the 2024 London mayoral election, achieving the…
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Lionel Page @lionelpage.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Will AI stop us being ripped off? By putting an expert price checker, negotiator and legal adviser in the palm of our hands, AI may tilt the balance of power back in favour of consumers. www.optimallyirrational.com/p/will-ai-st...
optimallyirrational.com
Will AI stop us getting ripped off?
How AI will revolutionise consumer markets
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Rob Blackie @robblackie.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Following up our chat a few weeks back, this is quite a good run down from the consumer perspective: www.optimallyirrational.com/p/will-ai-st...
optimallyirrational.com
Will AI stop us getting ripped off?
How AI will revolutionise consumer markets
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Rob Blackie @robblackie.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
I find it impossible to listen to most political commentary for this reason. Most commentators seem uninterested in this obvious question!
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Giles Wilkes @gilesyb.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
"Don't let the OBR ruin your Budget Day spinning" www.ft.com/content/2915... Another way of looking at this is "comms people found it mega annoying that commentators would seek information about the actual state of the economy/finances rather than whatever story they had to say". 1/
ft.com
Burnham’s Budget must not be overshadowed by the OBR
Rather than being buffeted by the official forecasts, Number 10 should seek to turn them to their advantage
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