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every epstein file drop underscores how elite power operates through shared socio-economic networks, regardless of people's ideological differences, populist posturing, or public feuds

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Reposted by Samuel Saunders

Common Wealth @cmmonwealth.bsky.social · 27/01/2026

“Single-family rentals now account for 40% of all investment in the booming build-to-rent sector.” Read Adam Almeida in @theguardian.com on how the build-to-rent sector is changing — while the public still lose out to institutional investors. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

theguardian.com

Wall Street landlords have met a surprising opponent in Trump. So why is Starmer courting them? | Adam Almeida

To win votes, Trump can afford to face up to corporate power – to deliver his promised 1.5m homes, Starmer can’t, says writer and researcher Adam Almeida

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Samuel Saunders @samuel-saunders.bsky.social · 15/12/2025

I have not but have always meant to. I have read a very good biography on Lewis called 'Semi-Invisible Man, which I recommend.

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Samuel Saunders @samuel-saunders.bsky.social · 07/11/2025

Here awful defence and justification were liked and shared by some people identifying as progressives, which I find very depressing.

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Samuel Saunders @samuel-saunders.bsky.social · 06/11/2025

Why did you say "Labour's Growth Commission"? Look at the comments, some gullible people believed you. But you are expecting me to believe you meant Labour owns GC through "ideological capture". Do you take any responsibility for the language you use?

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Samuel Saunders @samuel-saunders.bsky.social · 06/11/2025

I'll explain why it is shameless. You state that the GC is "Labour's Growth Commission". You then highlight the chair and state that "McSweeney's fingerprints are all over it", implying that the chair is appointed by Labour and McSweeney influenced the appointment. None of this is true.

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Samuel Saunders @samuel-saunders.bsky.social · 06/11/2025

You are completely shameless. I wonder what your real agenda is spreading misinformation.

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Samuel Saunders @samuel-saunders.bsky.social · 06/11/2025

Are you deliberately spreading misinformation? The Growth Commission is not "Labours 'Growth Commission'". It has nothing to do with Labour, it's an independent think tank. I suggest you issue a correction and apology.

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Guy Shrubsole @guyshrubsole.bsky.social · 29/10/2025

'Communities must have the right to own environmental assets' Great letter from @tomchance.bsky.social of the Community Land Trust Network to @miattafahnbulleh.bsky.social, asking her to amend the Devolution Bill to strengthen Community Right to Buy: www.communitylandtrusts.org.uk/news-and-eve...

communitylandtrusts.org.uk

Communities must have the right to own environmental assets | Community Land Trust Network

We have written on behalf of 100s of community land trusts to urge the government to add 'environmental interests' to the definition of Assets of ...

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Samuel Saunders @samuel-saunders.bsky.social · 26/10/2025

Delighted to say I have won gold at the National Community Radio Awards for The Saxonvale Saga, broadcast on @fromefm.bsky.social.

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Reposted by Samuel Saunders

Somerset Confidential @somersetconf.bsky.social · 02/10/2025

Here's our latest podacst: Somerset Spotlight - No 5 Anna Sabine, MP for Frome and East Somerset talks to Sam Saunders (Fome FM) and Andrew Lee (Somerset Confidential). somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/somerset-s...

somersetconfidential.substack.com

Somerset Spotlight - No 5

Anna Sabine, MP for Frome and East Somerset talks to Sam Saunders (Fome FM) and Andrew Lee (Somerset Confidential).

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Samuel Saunders @samuel-saunders.bsky.social · 24/09/2025

Happy to announce that I am a finalist for the 2025 National Community Radio Awards for The #Saxonvale Saga', broadcast on #FromeFM and nominated in the News, Journalism & Factual Storytelling of the Year category. The awards ceremony is in Bradford on the 25th October. Fingers crossed. #CRAs2025

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Samuel Saunders @samuel-saunders.bsky.social · 04/09/2025

- How and why parish and town councils are taking on some assets and services from SC. - The financial demands of adult social care. - Inspiring Innovation - phase two of the transformation plan, and the £101 budget shortfall for 2025/2026. 3/3

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Samuel Saunders @samuel-saunders.bsky.social · 04/09/2025

- What his role entails and what Somerset Council's executive (cabinet) does. - The issues of pay and (lack of) pensions as a cllr, and how to get wider representation in local politics. - SC's critical financial position and the first phase of the transformation plan. 2/3

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Samuel Saunders @samuel-saunders.bsky.social · 04/09/2025

@somersetconf.bsky.social and I had a great chat with @somersetcouncil.bsky.social Cllr Theo Butt Philip, lead member for transformation, first broadcast on #FromeFM. In it we we cover: -Theo's background in local politics in Somerset. \/ 1/3 somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/somerset-s...

somersetconfidential.substack.com

Somerset Spotlight - No 4

Theo Butt-Philip faces questions about Somerset Council's transformation

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Matthew Mckeague @memckeague.bsky.social · 08/08/2025

'Redruth Revival’s development strategy was not driven by short-term commercial gain, but instead by a self-imposed mandate to assist with supporting long-term community resilience.' > and they've delivered something rather special. architecturetoday.co.uk/the-butterma... @archhfund.org.uk

architecturetoday.co.uk

The Buttermarket - Architecture Today

Somerset-based practice Thread has ‘re-revealed’ a collection of historic buildings in Redruth, North Cornwall, to create a vibrant hub for artists, food entrepreneurs and the local community.

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Samuel Saunders @samuel-saunders.bsky.social · 24/04/2025

I hope with Andrew (who is doing great work with Somerset Confidential) we can explore these issues and more in as much depth at the format allows. There is a lot we can discuss. It would be great to receive questions or suggestions on what to cover, do get in touch!

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Samuel Saunders @samuel-saunders.bsky.social · 24/04/2025

I find local government fascinating. Underreported on at best, ignored at worst, yet it has a central role in two of the biggest crises facing the UK: housing and social care. Questions about democracy, accountability and transparency are just as pertinent at this layer of government.

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Mayday Saxonvale @maydaysaxonvale.bsky.social · 10/02/2025

"Community-led development has been bubbling up for decades. I'm firmly convinced it's the answer to the UK's housing crisis. It's huge for Frome. But this is a moment of consequence for the whole country." youtu.be/Go3DdslosdY

youtu.be

Mayday Saxonvale wins bid to buy the Frome Site from Somerset council

YouTube video by Mayday Saxonvale

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Reposted by Samuel Saunders

Power to Change @powertochange.org.uk · 29/01/2025

Today the Chancellor is talking about growth. We've joined forces with leaders locally and nationally to make a clear call to back community ownership and drive growth people can see and feel in their local area. Read our letter 🖊️ buff.ly/40O3GdP

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Samuel Saunders @samuel-saunders.bsky.social · 24/01/2025

For those with an interest in learning a bit about Mayday, their community led development model, and how they got to where they are despite the immense challenges, I made an audio narrative-led documentary/podcast - shows.acast.com/the-saxonval...

shows.acast.com

Saxonvale | The Saxonvale Saga

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Reposted by Samuel Saunders

Locality @locality.org.uk · 22/01/2025

New data from @cmmonwealth.bsky.social shows more support for energy projects if they are community-owned. The Local Power Plan should drive a community-owned clean energy revolution, creating new jobs, income, and lower energy costs for local people. www.common-wealth.org/publications...

common-wealth.org

The Public is Enthusiastic for Community Energy | Update | Common Wealth

New YouGov polling shows widespread public support for the creation of community owned, renewable energy projects.

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Samuel Saunders @samuel-saunders.bsky.social · 23/01/2025

Anyone interested in the five-year story of what led to this...I made a podcast/audio narrative documentary - shows.acast.com/66a2308999c0...

shows.acast.com

The Saxonvale Saga

Exploring the development drama and community stakes behind Somerset Council's pivotal decision for Frome

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Samuel Saunders @samuel-saunders.bsky.social · 23/01/2025

Now Mayday can buy the site the exciting stuff can happen...test casing a new way of doing development at scale...community-led and first.

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Samuel Saunders @samuel-saunders.bsky.social · 23/01/2025

Offer was above the red book value/land valuation (£4.9m) first time round so very likely the same. Mendip District Council overpaid when they bought the land originally.

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Samuel Saunders @samuel-saunders.bsky.social · 23/01/2025

For those wanting to learn more I made a narrative podcast on Mayday and Saxonvale. shows.acast.com/the-saxonval... via @acast

shows.acast.com

Saxonvale | The Saxonvale Saga

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Reposted by Samuel Saunders

George Monbiot @georgemonbiot.bsky.social · 21/01/2025

1. There are many things I’m glad to leave behind on X, but most of them come down to this: loyalism. Regardless of ideology, those who tend to be most abusive, unpleasant and vicious are staunch loyalists of particular figures, factions or policies. 🧵

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Reposted by Samuel Saunders

Sam Freedman @samfr.bsky.social · 07/01/2025

This is probably the most important domestic political story at the moment. Gilt yields being this high is going to kill the already shaky public finances. It risks making an already difficult spending review impossible.

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Samuel Saunders @samuel-saunders.bsky.social · 06/01/2025

#Council's in the last decade were able to, and were encouraged, to borrow unlimited money from the #Treasury through the Public Works Loans Board to make investments. Imagine if they were allowed to borrow that money to build new social housing...

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Samuel Saunders @samuel-saunders.bsky.social · 06/01/2025

4/ There were 1.33 million households on local authority housing registers at 31 March 2024, an increase of 3% compared to 31 March 2023 and the highest it has been since 2014. For context, over 12,000 households are currently on the social housing register in #Somerset.

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Samuel Saunders @samuel-saunders.bsky.social · 06/01/2025

3/ Council's are increasingly accepting "commuted sums" in lieu of the affordable housing specified by S106 deals, or rewriting S106 requirements to lower affordable housing quotas, or switching social rented homes to homeownership products such as shared ownership or discounted market sale.

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Samuel Saunders @samuel-saunders.bsky.social · 06/01/2025

2/ Thousands of homes are completed but empty, or have been held up, as HAs can no longer afford to buy them for social rent as they financially unviable. More than half of the 30 top associations have cut or completely stopped buying them.

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Samuel Saunders @samuel-saunders.bsky.social · 06/01/2025

1/ Councils through Section 106 can make developers build affordable homes on a development which are then sold to Housing Associations (HAs) for social rent. Such deals have been the single largest method of affordable housing delivery in England since 2015.

lgcplus.com

REVEALED: How section 106 crisis is threatening affordable housing delivery

Though some councils are doing what they can, thousands of homes are standing empty as a result of p...

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Jay Cockburn @jaycockburn.bsky.social · 04/01/2025

Bring it on. Pollute your platforms to unusability. Kill Instagram and Facebook. They don't make us happy, hari kari and be done with it all.

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Reposted by Samuel Saunders

Guy Shrubsole @guyshrubsole.bsky.social · 27/12/2024

These letter-writers show how our imaginations are still in chains when it comes to community ownership. A Scottish-style Community Right to Buy is about buying up *private* land & buildings, and making them community assets. Not transferring public assets. www.theguardian.com/society/2024...

theguardian.com

Why we should beware a ‘community right to buy’ | Letters

Letters: Communities shouldn’t have to buy assets they have already paid for, says Donald Stavert scam and Alan Hall says it mustn’t be used as a cover story for council underfunding. Plus letters fro...

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