Reposted by RichardRon Filipkowski @ronfilipkowski.bsky.social · 14hZelenskyy issues a statement responding to Trump’s deal with Putin to lift sanctions to purchase Russian oil and diesel. 28855432092
Richard @rtruscott.bsky.social · 21hI dion imagine all those, like the author & those quoted, who earlier wanted the Holborn St Pancras By-election to be an opportunity to object to HS2 or Camden Council, as saying that now! Instead, Labour’s clear win endorses LB Camden’s approach! www.theguardian.com/politics/202...theguardian.comLoss of green space could be issue that decides Holborn and St Pancras byelectionLabour could pay price for disappearance of parks and playgrounds around Euston station 000
Reposted by RichardPeter Whitewood @pwhitewood.bsky.social · 08/10/2026A shadowy network of hedgehogs and owls, operating at the highest levels of the British establishment. 1421061252
Reposted by RichardLuke Tryl @luketryl.bsky.social · 09/10/2026Obviously not helped by the fact he is in self imposed exile. But Holborn was George Galloway’s worst ever result in a Westminster election. 1718429
Reposted by RichardLuke Tryl @luketryl.bsky.social · 09/10/2026Compared to the local elections in May, where Greens/CPA had a pact the Labour vote is up and the Green vote is down. Right vote and Liberal Democrat vote down. 2239
Reposted by RichardLuke Tryl @luketryl.bsky.social · 09/10/20263000+ majority for Labour, comfortable and a sign of Burnham’s gains on the left. Labour vote barely drops. Green vote significantly up from 2024, but less impressive if you assume lots of Feinstein 2024 voters went to the Greens. Bad result for the Greens but not at worst end 59122
Reposted by RichardSteve Akehurst @steveakehurst.bsky.social · 09/10/2026Holborn and St Pancras - fairly unremarkable in the end except to say: - Burnham slowly piecing back the Lab 24 coalition, albeit mostly the left bit so far - Greens a shade underwhelming and reflects less space for them but also taking their eye off the ball a bit in the last six months 293
Reposted by RichardJim Pickard @pickardje.bsky.social · 09/10/2026sorry to report that George Galloway received only 1% of the votes in Holborn & St Pancras 2629223
Reposted by RichardLewis Baston @lewisbaston.bsky.social · 09/10/2026This suggests - gently, as it’s only two results - that there has been a 5-6 point swing from Green to Lab since May in seriously contested elections in their main battleground. 2195
Richard @rtruscott.bsky.social · 08/10/2026Badenoch’s inheritance tax cut could cost £11bn – almost twice the advertised price lead to significant avoidance, act as a disincentive to downsize, distort the housing market & reduce investment. Terrific analysis by @danneidle.bsky.social ’s Tax Policy Associates: taxpolicy.org.uk/2026/10/08/c...taxpolicy.org.ukTory IHT cut could cost £11bn - almost twice the advertised priceOur modelling suggests Badenoch’s inheritance tax cut could cost £7.7bn-£10.9bn a year and shift £60bn-£110bn from savings and investments into housing. 063
Richard @rtruscott.bsky.social · 07/10/2026It’s extraordinary to think that there once was a time when George Galloway was a pretty mainstream Labour MP; such a long distance his politics & morality have travelled, he’s now in that strange place where the extreme left merged with the extreme right! www.theguardian.com/politics/202...theguardian.comGeorge Galloway contests London byelection without setting foot in UKVeteran leftwinger has been ‘in exile in the east’ in Russia and not been to Holborn and St Pancras constituency since campaign began 000
Reposted by RichardStephen Bush @stephenkb.bsky.social · 07/10/2026The five habits of highly successful opposition leaders: 169313
Reposted by RichardStephen Bush @stephenkb.bsky.social · 05/10/2026It's true that not a lot of people are hit by the £100k childcare thing, but the thing is, all of the people who are live in about 100 seats, 40 of which the Tories need to win from the Liberal Democrats, 20 of them they have to prevent the Liberal Democrats winning next time. 2122130
Richard @rtruscott.bsky.social · 06/10/2026Really great piece by @samfr.bsky.social on how Burnham’s pledge could take Britain back into the EU, not just Closer Alignment/Customs Union/Single Market, by mid-2030s, & how to get over concerns with Free Movement/Euro/Le Pen etc. Let’s do it! samf.substack.com/p/the-route-...samf.substack.comThe route back into the EUBack in 2022 I wrote about the long-term prospects for undoing Brexit and made two predictions. 020
Richard @rtruscott.bsky.social · 05/10/2026Doesn’t surprise me at all that there’s a growing crisis of over-supply of PBSA (Purpose Built Student Accommodation), though apparently not in London, which I suppose is a relief for my work, though I wonder who fills all the rooms, even here! www.theguardian.com/education/20...theguardian.com‘I didn’t know what to do’: collapse of providers of high-end digs leaves students in shockCost of living crisis and drop in international students hits market for purpose-built accommodation 000
Richard @rtruscott.bsky.social · 05/10/2026This is a good architectural podcast, but it is slightly strange (which they acknowledge) that Richard Rogers’ Lloyd’s Building is Grade I Listed, given alleged purpose of the design is that external service pipes & pods would be easily replace/update-able podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/o...podcasts.apple.comDeconstructed: Lloyd's Building - Inside-Out ArchitecturePodcast Episode · Open City · 24 September · 29min 010
Richard @rtruscott.bsky.social · 05/10/2026Interesting, quite stark (& quite depressing given it’s depressing whenever people vote for far right!) geography of these close #BrasilElectionResults, with a stark north-south divide & virtually no states (just tiny Amapa) where the result was close! www.theguardian.com/world/ng-int...theguardian.comBrazil presidential election 2026: first-round live resultsIncumbent leftwing president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is standing against Flávio Bolsonaro. Follow the latest results live 000
Richard @rtruscott.bsky.social · 02/10/2026Reform UK-run council boycotts reporter after row over potholes Derbyshire county council accused of ‘worst kind of double speak’ as it denies banning local democracy journalist but says it will ignore his inquiries www.theguardian.com/politics/202...theguardian.comReform UK-run council boycotts reporter after row over potholesDerbyshire county council accused of ‘worst kind of double speak’ as it denies banning local democracy journalist but says it will ignore his inquiries 001
Richard @rtruscott.bsky.social · 01/10/2026Esther Rantzen had a long, busy & extremely impactful life, & though I was not a fan, her passing deserves memorialising. But, to me, she & her weird legendary TV show That's Life has never been spoofed better than by Not The Nine O' Clock News - youtu.be/h2QZprRgxDc?...youtu.beBBC Not The Nine O' Clock News - That's Life SpoofYouTube video by Anthony C 000
Richard @rtruscott.bsky.social · 01/10/2026No 10 gathering evidence on public support for rejoining EU. Senior Downing Street officials reach out to thinktanks and pollsters as they test backing for reversing Brexit. This seems like a very sensible & mature approach. Rejoin, or greater closeness? www.theguardian.com/politics/202...theguardian.comNo 10 gathering evidence on public support for UK rejoining EUSenior Downing Street officials reach out to thinktanks and pollsters as they look to test backing for reversing Brexit 000
Richard @rtruscott.bsky.social · 30/09/2026Not unreasonably; they need the democratic legitimacy of an electoral mandate! 100
Richard @rtruscott.bsky.social · 30/09/2026From Brexit to electoral reform: key takeaways from Andy Burnham’s conference speech. Ending the pensions triple lock, creating a national care service and making changes to leaseholds were all announced by the PM in Liverpool. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...theguardian.comFrom Brexit to electoral reform: key takeaways from Andy Burnham’s conference speechEnding the pensions triple lock, creating a national care service and making changes to leaseholds were all announced by the PM in Liverpool 111
Richard @rtruscott.bsky.social · 30/09/2026Excellent Peter Kellner analysis of a) increasing willingness of voters to vote tactically to stop Reform UK, & b) how a switch to #ProportinalRepresentation could help UK negotiations with the EU kellnerp.substack.com/p/how-tactic...kellnerp.substack.comHow tactical voting could destroy Reform……and left-of-centre voters help to revive the Tories 000
Richard @rtruscott.bsky.social · 28/09/2026I gather from this report that Foreign Sec. Ed Miliband delivered a terrific speech to the Labour Party Conference this morning, & from reading it, I agree on its rhetorical quality & content quality, & gave Chancellor Healy an impossible act to follow: www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...theguardian.comJohn Healey says Labour will stick to fiscal rules in first speech as chancellor – UK politics liveThe chancellor announced a new local apprenticeship service to boost opportunities for young people 000
Richard @rtruscott.bsky.social · 28/09/2026For those who don’t know, this is what I was really thinking of (& I see it was just Alexander Armstrong): youtu.be/jSvov8TVFgk?...youtu.be2002 Pimm's ad: Pimm's O'Clock in the WoodsYouTube video by Pimm's GB 000
Richard @rtruscott.bsky.social · 28/09/2026Brilliant, very British, story about the Farmer who stumbled upon 3 anonymous white vans obstructing her lane & then a 'large group of hooded and masked men', near the US air base at RAF Fairford; reminiscent of those Armstrong & Miller Pims O’Clock ads! www.theguardian.com/uk-news/live...theguardian.comRAF Fairford live updates: Streeting thanks farmer who alerted police but says she has ‘a partial picture’Member of the public who contacted police after seeing ‘group of hooded and masked men’ near RAF base says she thinks ‘someone dropped the ball’ over incident 100
Richard @rtruscott.bsky.social · 28/09/2026‘Rip the plaster off’: Andy Burnham sets out vision for universal free social care. An NHS-style service funded by everybody will be in Labour’s next general election manifesto. Great to have a Labour Govt with such a good & significant purpose! www.theguardian.com/politics/202...theguardian.com‘Rip the plaster off’: Andy Burnham sets out vision for universal free social carePM says he will put proposals for NHS-style service funded by everybody into Labour’s next general election manifesto 020
Richard @rtruscott.bsky.social · 27/09/2026The film Pulp: What Do You Do For An Encore? is TERRIFIC; built around a 2024 concert at the Millenium Dome, that finishes with the most epic version of Common People imaginable, but much more with biography, archive film, photos & interviews, rounded out by Jarvis’s lyrical words 000
Reposted by RichardJames Ball @jamesrball.com · 27/09/2026I know America tends to forget the rest of the world exists, but this does make the chances of the rest of the world buying any of your cars drop to roughly zero, fwiw. 139819
Richard @rtruscott.bsky.social · 26/09/2026…Almost like a Mini-Switzerland, like that being implemented along the Derbyshire stretch of the Hope Valley Line (though if that line was treated like Gareth proposes for North Northumberland, you’d close 2/3 of the Hope Valley Line’s stations)! 010
Richard @rtruscott.bsky.social · 26/09/2026For 10 years, I holidayed in Embleton, nr Dunstanburgh Castle, & always thought north Northumberland needed more stations; Belford - Bamburgh + Beal - Lindisfarne, Chathill - Seahouses, Christon Bank - Dunstanburgh, Longhoughton & Warkworth! But 4 strategic stations convincing… 110
Richard @rtruscott.bsky.social · 26/09/2026Why This Beautiful Main Line Is A Mess - @garethdennis.uk #Railnatter 322 youtu.be/R2SJRtjQidc?... Very convincing in analysing capacity & need across whole line, Newcastle to Edinburgh, for commuter services at either end, & a vision of integrated local busses on Heritage Coast…youtu.beWhy This Beautiful Main Line Is A Mess | #Railnatter 322YouTube video by Gareth Dennis 161
Richard @rtruscott.bsky.social · 26/09/2026The Guardian’s coverage of Man City’s 18 years of fraud & cheating today is magnificent; great articles by @barneyronay & @david_conn backed up by explainer & detailed timeline in the Sport section, plus front page news report & more on the murky financial & legal details inside! 000
Richard @rtruscott.bsky.social · 24/09/2026Dani Garavelli · Diary: Cult of Mussolini. Fascinating piece on a horrible but intriguing figure, who undoubtedly left a legacy in twisted attitudes, as well as monumental architecture, mostly terrible but some stunning & beautiful, though pointlessly so! www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...lrb.co.ukDani Garavelli · Diary: Cult of MussoliniA couple of days before I arrived in Predappio, I read that Hitler’s birthplace in Austria had been compulsorily... 000
Richard @rtruscott.bsky.social · 24/09/2026…other awards went to impressive schemes by Levitt Bernstein (Melfield Gardens, Lewisham), Studio Egret West (Hayes Park, Hillingdon), Proctor Mathews (Benfield Valley, Brighton) & DK Architects (Sandybrook, Halton) #HousingDesignAwards… 000
Richard @rtruscott.bsky.social · 24/09/2026Great to be at the #HousingDesignAwards last night, to see our Kings Road housing infill scheme, by Metropolitan Workshop architects, awarded, alongside 2 others of theirs, in Farmstead Road, Lewisham & Blackwall Reach, Tower Hamlets (along with Haworth Tompkins)… 100
Richard @rtruscott.bsky.social · 24/09/2026UK shares findings of damning climate crisis national security report suppressed under Starmer. Why suppress it? El Niño poses critical threat to nations’ defences, says Ed Miliband in presentation to global foreign ministers www.theguardian.com/environment/...theguardian.comUK shares findings of damning climate crisis national security report suppressed under StarmerEl Niño poses critical threat to nations’ defences, says Ed Miliband in presentation to global foreign ministers 000
Richard @rtruscott.bsky.social · 21/09/2026Andy Burnham faces a weakened Trump – but the president remains unpredictable. @pippacrerar.bsky.social PM hopes to be firmer with US leader than his predecessor without provoking diplomatic warfare, as the Iran war weighs on the UK economy. Going 2b a tense week! www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...theguardian.comAndy Burnham faces a weakened Trump – but the president remains unpredictablePM hopes to be firmer with US leader than his predecessor without provoking diplomatic warfare, as the Iran war weighs on the UK economy 000
Richard @rtruscott.bsky.social · 21/09/2026Tom Gauld Cartoon of the day in The Guardian today seems pretty accurate to me; not rich, nor with a rich aunt, not a vicar, but from a good family! i.guim.co.uk/img/media/13... 000
Richard @rtruscott.bsky.social · 20/09/2026Excellent road map by George Peretz how Andy Burnham could bring in lasting #ElectoralReform, achieving constitutional legitimacy & consensus, using #CitizensJuries, framing the decision as between the Scottish & Irish forms of #ProportionalRepresentation georgeperetzkc.substack.com/p/towards-el...georgeperetzkc.substack.comTowards Electoral ReformElectoral reform now has the Prime Minister on its side: but how is it to be delivered? 011
Reposted by RichardDorian Lynskey @dorianlynskey.bsky.social · 16/09/2026We should give them independence just for fun. See how they get on 3731638
Reposted by RichardPeter Smith @redpeter99.bsky.social · 16/09/2026Breaking. Donald Trump announces state visit to Piddington. 7388
Reposted by RichardHuw... @hiker-huw.bsky.social · 16/09/2026Let's grant Piddlington independence. Make them show passports & get Visas to leave the village and enter the UK! 😂 Make the parish council negotiate contracts with utilities, service providers, and trade deals with the UK government...🤣🤣🤣🤣 #piddington 254
Reposted by RichardLet me count the days … @simoncosgrove.bsky.social · 16/09/2026Day 2420 of #Brexit: ‘Andy Burnham is facing calls to ensure the UK does not fall behind its international allies after the European Union opened the door to Canada becoming its first 'associate member'.’ www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...independent.co.ukUK urged to follow Canada’s example as it looks set to be ‘associate member’ of EUCanada’s PM Mark Carney is pivoting to Europe amid his country’s trade war with Donald Trump 013
Richard @rtruscott.bsky.social · 16/09/2026…Meanwhile, IMHO Burnham govt should also tell Piddington long term future of this barracks that’s within their parish boundary but separated by 1-2 fields & woodland, will not be a camp. But it & all the other military land around Arncott Hill would make an excellent #GardenSuburb for Bicester! 000
Richard @rtruscott.bsky.social · 16/09/2026…I think Burnham govt should say just temporary, but then needs to recognise EVEN IF processing backlogs are resolved (& all other fantasy ideas to reduce asylum claims/small boats; #SmashTheGangs, #Rwanda, whatevs), will still need some permanent claimant accom.; what should that be?… 100
Richard @rtruscott.bsky.social · 16/09/2026Villagers in Piddington, Oxfordshire vote to leave UK in protest over migrant housing plan. Another mess, courtesy of Johnson & Sunak’s neglect of basic work processing asylum claims, which means temporary camps like this are needed. But not permanent… www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...theguardian.comEnglish village votes to leave UK in protest over migrant housing planVillagers in Piddington, Oxfordshire, hold symbolic referendum over plans to house more than 1,000 asylum seekers nearby 111
Richard @rtruscott.bsky.social · 16/09/2026All supporting acts withdraw from Ed Sheeran’s tour in solidarity with Macklemore - what a mess, undermines Sheeran’s attempt to reduce his bland, middle of the road reputation, hitting increasing division between corporate US/Israel & the rest of the West! www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...theguardian.comAll supporting acts withdraw from Ed Sheeran’s tour in solidarity with MacklemoreFour openers and live band for Sheeran’s tour depart after removal of Macklemore over ‘free Palestine’ comments 000
Richard @rtruscott.bsky.social · 14/09/2026George Osborne saying Britain should rejoin the EU Customs Union as the simplest & quickest way to repair the undoubted harm to the economy of Brexit. He’s right, but I don’t think many people are inclined to listen to the architect of Austerity right now! www.theguardian.com/business/202...theguardian.comGeorge Osborne calls for UK to rejoin EU customs union and boost tradeEx-Tory chancellor says economy has ‘fallen off a cliff’ since Brexit but rejoining union could be ‘quite simple’ 000