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Sarah Hopewell

@sarahhopewell.bsky.social
133 followers 112 following 112 posts

Keen to protect the environment & push for action on climate change. Green Party Town and District Councillor for Hertford Castle. Exec member for wellbeing.

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Sarah Hopewell @sarahhopewell.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
In what possible world is livestreaming someone being executed by firing squad anything other than an appalling, barbaric, and entirely terrible idea? www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Fort Hood attacker's execution by firing squad will be livestreamed, Pentagon says
Pete Hegseth says the execution will be public, but a legal expert says the "unprecedented" decision is on "uncertain legal terrain".
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Sarah Hopewell @sarahhopewell.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Richard Tice on R4 Any Questions, using very worn out climate denial arguments. I'd have thought that after the party has been pledged £72m from two donations, that the deputy leader could come up with something better than "the climate has changed for millions of years!".
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Flight Free UK @flightfreeuk.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Opportunity for the adventure of a lifetime at half the usual price: Interrail month-long passes are 50% off RIGHT NOW (until 30th Sept) 🚂 Don't miss out! 15% off all other passes. This is our BEST advice for affordable flight-free travel 🙌 www.interrail.com/en/interrail...
interrail.com
Interrail Global Pass for Europe
The Interrail Global Pass is the fun and cheap way to see more of Europe. Travel to up to 33 countries with one train Pass!
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The Green Party of England & Wales @greenparty.org.uk · 24/09/2026
This El Niño is a warning. As the planet warms, the risks to communities, economies, and supply chains across the globe become harder to ignore. The answer isn’t more fossil fuels - it’s clean energy, warmer homes, and restored nature.
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Jason Scott-Warren @jes1003.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
'When Miatta Fahnbulleh gives Jackdaw the green light next week we should all celebrate. When the political weather makes it possible to announce Rosebank we should cheer some more. But these two projects must be only the start'. Last chance to sign & share petition.parliament.uk/petitions/76...
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Sarah Hopewell @sarahhopewell.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
When I turned on Radio 4 today, the first story I heard was about rescue efforts in Nepal following the devastating glacial collapse. Next was a story that Jackdaw gas field is likely to be approved. Then a story that UK residents will be told to stock up in preparation for future climate disasters.
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Sarah Hopewell @sarahhopewell.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Today is the last day of the Rosebank consultation. In a summer of record heatwaves, we cannot afford more oil and gas, which delays the transition and adds to global heating. Use the link to object to Rosebank oil field and help send a strong message to government. actionnetwork.org/.../rosebank...
actionnetwork.org
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Sarah Hopewell @sarahhopewell.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
I have sometimes found myself getting cross with BBC Radio 4 Today programme presenters speaking as if it is simply truth that we need to continue drilling for fossil fuel energy, and that a rapid transition away from that is folly. As such, this piece below was definitely of interest.
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Sarah Hopewell @sarahhopewell.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
With ongoing hot weather and not much rain forecast, young trees are likely to struggle. If you have any near you and you are able to give them some water, they'll really appreciate it! Grey water is fine (e.g. bath/shower/washing up water). I've been putting a bucket in the shower and using that.
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Emma Monk @monkemma.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
It was inevitable, wasn't it🙄 Of course the Telegraph would run with something like this👇 So let's remove some of the rose-tinted spectacles and also look at some of that data comparing 1976 with modern heat waves Because the 1976 nostalgia porn is wearing a bit thin at this stage 🧵1/23
Telegraph headiline:

"Heatwave hysterics wouldn't have lasted a day in 1976", overlaid with a bold “MONK DEBUNKED” stamp.
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Sarah Hopewell @sarahhopewell.bsky.social · 13/04/2026
According to a Reform spokesperson, we shouldn't ban foods from school menus, but should focus on education & personal responsibility. I doubt this would wash if we applied it to cigarettes. It is our job as adults to create a healthy environment for kids, not theirs. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Deep-fried food banned in new plans for school dinners
Schools are being told to cut down on sugary desserts, and provide more vegetables and whole grains.
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Zack Polanski @zackpolanski.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
Migration is part of what makes this country great. We're not an island of strangers - we're an island of neighbours. The Green Party will always support fair & managed migration.
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Sarah Hopewell @sarahhopewell.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
Excellent thread from Dan Sohege.
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Sarah Hopewell @sarahhopewell.bsky.social · 02/03/2026
Mahmood's latest policy requires all those granted asylum from now onwards to be reassessed every 30 months, rather than every 5 years. This hugely increases uncertainty and no doubt time and processing costs, when most refugees already want to return when possible, but often it just isn't possible.
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Adam Bienkov @adambienkov.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
So the Telegraph is taking this well
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Sarah Hopewell @sarahhopewell.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
Unfortunately, the latest local Conservative leaflet misses out lots of very useful information about the Hertford Town Council precept rise. To help fill the blanks, I have provided the extra details below.
pictured is a snippet of the Conservative party leaflet in Hertford, with sections circled and explainers included. The extra information explains that the Hertford Town Council precept will be £147.57, an extra £21.11, which will be used to help fund building and green spaces improvements. The explainer highlights that Conservatives know what the money is for but have chosen not to explain, instead leaving residents to guess.
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Caroline Lucas @carolinelucas.bsky.social · 06/02/2026
This is the report I spoke of on #bbcaq just now - ministers tried to suppress it, were finally forced to release it after an FoI, but shamefully only published a redacted version. The first duty of Govt is to protect its citizens - that starts with being honest with us about scale of threat we face
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East Herts Green Party @easthertsgreens.bsky.social · 01/02/2026
Can you join our team of leaflet delivers? Thanks to our volunteers, Hertford winter newsletter deliveries are almost done. Ware is next. We don't have corporate funding so we rely on volunteers to get the Green message out to local people. eastherts.greenparty.org.uk/get-involved/
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Sarah Hopewell @sarahhopewell.bsky.social · 25/01/2026
I think for some,trying to blame Good and Pretti for the murderous actions of ICE is a self protection mechanism. By concluding that the victims did wrong,they can then believe that they will be safe, because they will not do wrong. Except this isn't how ICE works. It also isn't how democracy works.
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Simon Evans @drsimevans.carbonbrief.org · 13/01/2026
Truly wild that the Sun, Daily Mail, Daily Express & Daily Telegraph all covered false claims that net-zero will "cost" £7.6bn – or even £9tn – which assumes we could have free gas, free petrol, free petrol cars & free gas power plants if we scrapped net-zero More here: bsky.app/profile/drsi...
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Sarah Hopewell @sarahhopewell.bsky.social · 09/01/2026
If you have been following the story of Renee Good, who was shot and killed by an ICE officer in Minnesota, this clip from The Daily Show is definitely worth a watch: youtu.be/a1Yo5Bcpx5c?...
youtu.be
ICE Killing in Minnesota Ignites Protests as Trump and Kristi Noem Double Down | The Daily Show
YouTube video by The Daily Show
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George Monbiot @georgemonbiot.bsky.social · 06/01/2026
Unhook ourselves from oil and gas and we unhook ourselves from dependency on dictators, autocrats and expansionist regimes all over the planet. Renewables and other low-carbon energy sources are not just good climate sense. They are also good political sense.
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East Herts Green Party @easthertsgreens.bsky.social · 31/12/2025
Start the New Year in a positive way! This January, choose one positive habit and commit to doing it for 26 days. And to help you stick to your good intentions, we’re inviting you to make a £26 commitment contribution to East Herts Green Party. eastherts.greenparty.org.uk/2025/12/30/2...
eastherts.greenparty.org.uk
26 for 2026: change yourself, change the world! - East Herts Green Party
The 26-day Green Commitment Club Start the New Year in a positive way! This January, choose one positive habit and commit to doing it for 26 days. And to help you stick to your good intentions, we’re ...
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Sarah Hopewell @sarahhopewell.bsky.social · 10/11/2025
An amazing community group of residents in Buntingford is working hard to reopen Ward Freman Pool. They have now been offered the freehold, and are now fundraising for the retiling. Sport England has offered to match fund once they've reached £15,000. Please consider supporting! tinyurl.com/25bkppes
crowdfunder.co.uk
Repair pool tiles and replace expansion joints
Funding Phase One: essential repairs to the pool tiles and expansion joints which are required to reopen the pool.
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Sarah Hopewell @sarahhopewell.bsky.social · 27/07/2025
Reform led Kent County Cllrs on 10th July voted down a motion to improve the council's strategy on Violence Against Women and Girls tinyurl.com/3xz9j8sm, 22 in favour, 3 abstentions, 41 against. Arguments being because "it's not just women & girls", and "it's undocumented males".
democracy.kent.gov.uk
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Sarah Hopewell @sarahhopewell.bsky.social · 24/06/2025
Great piece by George Monbiot on the Lower Thames Crossing. £9.4bn for 14 miles of road, which will only serve to increase car dependency. The same investment in buses could enable every community in England have a half decent bus service for the next nine years. tinyurl.com/kcmzrw8e
theguardian.com
Overblown infrastructure projects damage lives and imperil democracy. Why is Britain addicted to them? | George Monbiot
The Lower Thames Crossing proves the point. It’s a white elephant plan, sucking money from local projects that could actually improve lives, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot
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Dan Neidle @danneidle.bsky.social · 23/06/2025
Reform UK is proposing a "Britannia card" that would let wealthy foreigners pay a £250k fee to move to the UK, and live here exempt from all tax on their foreign assets What they don't say: it would cost the UK £34bn Report here, and thread below: buff.ly/gpe2Dpf
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The Bear @bearlypolitics.co.uk · 20/06/2025
If I wanted to be this hot and confused, I’d have stayed in South Africa. Here’s why your nan’s melted ice lolly in 1976 doesn’t invalidate decades of climate science:
bearlypolitics.co.uk
“Remember ’76?” Isn’t a Climate Argument
Britain is boiling, but some people still think a hot summer in 1976 disproves climate change. It doesn’t.
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Campaign for Better Transport @bettertransport.bsky.social · 19/06/2025
This #CleanAirDay, we joined @globalactionplan.bsky.social and fellow members of @healthyairuk.bsky.social on a walk to Parliament, to call for more ambitious air quality targets. London Deputy Mayor @metecoban92.bsky.social joined the walk to highlight the health crisis of #AirPollution.
Mete Coban standing with Sarah Hopewell of Campaign for Better Transport
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Campaign for Better Transport @bettertransport.bsky.social · 16/06/2025
It's #BetterTransportWeek and time to show public transport some love! Make a public transport pledge and become part of the movement for better transport. Make your pledge here: bettertransport.org.uk/pledge-to-us...
Celebrating better connected communities
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Mums for Lungs @mumsforlungs.bsky.social · 16/06/2025
We’re proud to support @bettertransport.bsky.social‬'s #BetterTransportWeek. This year, the focus is on how #Transport connects communities and brings people together. The benefits of public transport, walking & wheeling, cycling & car sharing are huge, whether it's for #Health or the #Economy.
bettertransport.org.uk
Better Transport week events
We're looking forward to Better Transport Week, from 16 to 22 June 2025. Come along to one of these events and let's celebrate the sustainable transport that makes our lives better!
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Sarah Hopewell @sarahhopewell.bsky.social · 10/06/2025
Share your scenic train journey view for a chance to win £100, as Campaign for Better Transport gets set for next week's Better Transport Week.
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Sarah Hopewell @sarahhopewell.bsky.social · 07/06/2025
@tuppennyrush.bsky.social has started a petition asking for Boots in Hertford to install a blister pack recycling point. This would be a great addition to Hertford. If you're local, please spare 30 seconds to add your name, and also please do spread the word. Thanks so much! tinyurl.com/ycxhzhfa
change.org
Sign the Petition
Bring a Blister Pack Recycling Point to Hertford Boots
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Sarah Cowley @bournemouth4eu.bsky.social · 05/06/2025
Whatever the true reason for Zia Yusuf resigning as Chair of the RefUK Party, I suspect Kent CC officers will be breathing a small sigh of relief. www.bearlypolitics.co.uk/p/confidence...
bearlypolitics.co.uk
Confidence Without Competence
What Reform UK’s fake scandal over a recruitment framework reveals about their Trumpian turn - and their governing unfitness.
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Sarah Hopewell @sarahhopewell.bsky.social · 03/06/2025
Happy #WorldBicycleDay! As a non-driver, cycling is a key travel option for me. My current bike I got in 2007 under the Cycle to Work scheme when I did home visits. Its biggest adventure was a 3-month solo trip, taking a cargo ship to New York and cycling down to Key West, camping and hostelling.
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Sarah Hopewell @sarahhopewell.bsky.social · 01/05/2025
Today is local election day! The day for county council elections, where you decide who shapes key services including SEND, adult care services, schools, waste management, transport, local roads, and public health. Use your vote wisely, and remember that every vote counts!
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Sarah Hopewell @sarahhopewell.bsky.social · 30/04/2025
28th April - 4th May is Reusable Nappy Week! To find out more, we spoke to three local parents who had used reusables and hear about their experiences. Herts Nappy Service is also a great source of information and a chance to try before committing. eastherts.greenparty.org.uk/2025/04/29/r...
eastherts.greenparty.org.uk
raising awareness of reusable nappy week - East Herts Green Party
New parents have a lot to think about, and no doubt nappy changing is quite a big part of the day! This week is Reusable Nappy Week, aimed at raising awareness of reusable nappies and highlighting som...
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Sarah Hopewell @sarahhopewell.bsky.social · 23/04/2025
An informative read about the importance of bus priority, and ways to help get the wider public on board: www.route-one.net/features/fix...
route-one.net
Fixing negative image of bus lanes is vital for sector's success - routeone
With an RAC survey revealing drivers can find bus lanes ‘confusing’, we investigate how to boost the image of such measures with the public.
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Campaign for Better Transport @bettertransport.bsky.social · 22/04/2025
Exciting news! From now till 29 April, all donations made to Campaign for Better Transport via this link will be DOUBLED: donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05... That's double the impact for cleaner air, better public transport and a greener future, thanks to the Big Give #GreenMatchFund.
Woman and two children smiling on a railway station platform
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Sarah Hopewell @sarahhopewell.bsky.social · 13/04/2025
Ahead of Hertfordshire County council elections, local Tories have been fighting dirty. Two weeks ago, they started a widely publicised petition against the new East Herts District Council bin contract. Nothing to do with County Council, & a contract Tories themselves designed: tinyurl.com/2u8982xp
eastherts.greenparty.org.uk
setting out the truths about new bin arrangements - East Herts Green Party
From Green Party Cllr Sarah Hopewell, East Herts District Council Executive Member for Wellbeing In the final lead up to the Hertfordshire County Council elections, and in a somewhat surprising move, ...
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Sarah Hopewell @sarahhopewell.bsky.social · 25/03/2025
Despite decades of evidence clearly demonstrating that new roads/bypasses do not reduce congestion or journey times, the go-ahead for the Lower Thames road tunnel has been approved. tinyurl.com/y7wnks8z People use what's built. Build roads, get cars. Build public transport, get passengers.
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Sarah Hopewell @sarahhopewell.bsky.social · 24/03/2025
It was wonderful to see the Hertfordshire schools' gala last night at the Royal Albert Hall! Thank you to Hertford St Andrew School for all your work prepping and co-ordinating the school choir. My pair had a great time. And the late night did not deter them from getting up at 6am. 😃
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Sarah Hopewell @sarahhopewell.bsky.social · 27/02/2025
The closure of Fanshawe pool in Ware has had a huge impact on its many users, but a team of people are working to get it back opened again. If you are able to chip in and help, all donations are very much appreciated! www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/save-fansh...
crowdfunder.co.uk
Save Fanshawe Swimming Pool and Gym
Repair and reopen Fanshawe Pool and Gym as a community run facility for the residents of Ware and the surrounding area.
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Sarah Hopewell @sarahhopewell.bsky.social · 26/02/2025
Incredibly disappointing stuff from our Transport Secretary, who, rather than acknowledging the climate emergency, writes "I have no intention of clipping anyone's wings. I am not some sort of flight-shaming eco warrior. I love flying – I always have" tinyurl.com/yjnv9w62 @flightfreeuk.bsky.social
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Sarah Hopewell @sarahhopewell.bsky.social · 26/02/2025
An interesting read on the impact (or not) of different parking charges on town centre footfall and spend: www.linkedin.com/pulse/do-par...
linkedin.com
Do Parking Charges Drive Success? Evaluating the Impact of Parking Fees on Town Centres.
Executive Summary This comprehensive analysis of existing research challenges the common assumption that free or cheap parking is essential for town centre success. The research, drawing from multiple...
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Tanja Bueltmann @tanjabueltmann.net · 06/02/2025
As an immigrant who chose to make my home in the UK—but also as someone who is a migration historian and researches the impact of dog-whistle politics—there is no way for me to overstate how wrong and disgusting these ads by the UK Labour Party are. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
theguardian.com
Labour launches ads in Reform-style branding to boast about deportations
Exclusive: Some MPs and activists upset at tone of party’s Facebook campaign aimed at countering Farage
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Sarah Hopewell @sarahhopewell.bsky.social · 01/02/2025
Just heard on the news that the government now plans to "encourage" those on long-term sick back into work by reducing their benefits. In last week's news, the tax increase on non-doms was softened. Apparently the wealthiest need their money more than the poorest need theirs.
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Best for Britain @bestforbritain.org · 31/01/2025
RW press having a bit of a mare on the anti-migrant front. I love how vague that first one is from the Telegraph. Basically “every figure we used was wrong and we’re not going to tell you the right figure, because just how wrong it was will make us look ridiculous”. ~AA
Telegraph correction on immigration figures. Times correction on immigration figures. The Sun correction on immigration figures. Daily Mail correction on immigration figures.
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Make Votes Matter @makevotesmatter.bsky.social · 30/01/2025
We agree with @elliechowns.bsky.social 💯 Today MPs debate Proportional Representation. A proper national conversation about alternatives to our broken system is long overdue. We're calling for a National Commission for Electoral Reform to design a voting system that's fit for the 21st century.
The public have made their view clear; the two-party system of old is gone, yet our voting system is keeping it on life support against their will.

It's time for a National Commission on electoral reform, to identify and implement a voting system that ensures all votes are equal and every voice is heard.
- Ellie Chowns, Green MP, Vice-Chair of the APPG for Fair Elections
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Sarah Hopewell @sarahhopewell.bsky.social · 31/01/2025
Just listening to R4 interview with Craig Bennett, CEO The Wildlife Trust. Turns out that the 'bat tunnel' was not something required in any aspect of planning law, nor was it an ask from Natural England. Rather, HS2 opted to build the tunnel.
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