iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Benjamin Pine @thebenjaminpine.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

Working with the Yorkshire Post this week - including on Westminster news... Feel free to get in touch!

Photo of Yorkshire Post website live page on Burnham.

"Starmer delivers final speech as PM

Speaking outside No10 just before his formal resignation, Starmer has said he is "confident that Britain is now stronger and fairer than it was two years ago."

Listing what he sees as his greatest achievements, he said: "Our economy is stronger; our public services are on the up, with the biggest fall in waiting times for 17 years; children are being lifted out of poverty every single day; immigration is down significantly; our defence and security are on a far stronger footing; and our international reputation is greatly enhanced."

He concluded: "I thank the British people for the opportunity to serve. I go with good grace. I go with a smile. And I go proud of everything that we have achieved."

Starmer will now visit to [sic, oops] Buckingham Palace to offer his formal resignation to King Charles, officially recommending that Burnham will take his place."

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Benjamin Pine @thebenjaminpine.bsky.social · 04/01/2026

Wonderfully acknowledged at the end of the programme

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Benjamin Pine @thebenjaminpine.bsky.social · 04/01/2026

Amid all the news chaos, here's Amanda Harper accidentally wishing viewers of the 10pm Look North 'good morning'

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Benjamin Pine @thebenjaminpine.bsky.social · 01/12/2025

Ok fine this is totally normal.. please can you tell him to make leviathan easier to read?

Screenshot of a bluesky notification - "Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury Society" liked your post

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Benjamin Pine @thebenjaminpine.bsky.social · 23/09/2025

Kind of vibing with the new Politics Live format/graphics/studio.

Wide shot of Politics Live studio with Lib Dem MP Munira Wilson and Polly Mackenzie.

Ed Davey speaks at Lib Dem conference in Bournemouth, with pushback about the content of his speech.

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Benjamin Pine @thebenjaminpine.bsky.social · 09/09/2025

Great coverage on BBC News, anchored by Matthew Amroliwala.

Matthew Amroliwala on BBC News as "Israeli strikes target Hamas officials' homes"

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Benjamin Pine @thebenjaminpine.bsky.social · 27/08/2025

Also true for the Queensbury tunnel - you just want to force Bradford Council and DfT leaders to sit and watch this video abt Bergen! (Not that they don't know, they just don't want to spend the money ofc) youtu.be/JCedclz03uI

BBC news screenshot. Old railway tunnel will not reopen. The Queensbury Tunnel links Bradford and Halifax in West Yorkshire.

Not Just Bikes screenshot - How is a Bike Tunnel this Freak'n Great!?

See link.

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Benjamin Pine @thebenjaminpine.bsky.social · 27/08/2025

So many problems could be solved if the govt listened to Not Just Bikes, case #7583...

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Benjamin Pine @thebenjaminpine.bsky.social · 21/08/2025

Asylum seekers' stories are often overlooked. Khador Mohamed fled Somalia to escape terrorism, coming in a small boat. He doesn't know what will happen when he has to leave the Bell Hotel after the recent court ruling, was locked in during protests, and has faced abuse via The Times/Georgia Bates

Photo from pg6 of today's Times. Inset picture of Khador Mohamed.

“Khador Mohamed, 24, an asylum seeker from Somalia, was happy to speak yesterday outside the Bell. He said officials had kept the migrants "in the dark" about the High Court ruling.

He claimed that the Home Office and hotel staff "don't tell us any-thing". Mohamed was asked if he knew what would happen in three weeks, when Somani Hotels, which owns the Bell, must remove the migrants. He replied: "There's nobody giving us any sort of infor-mation about what's going to happen to us."

Mohamed, who came to the UK by boat in May, said he had felt as if he were liv-ing in "hostile territory".

He added: "When there are protests, they actually lock you in your rooms until everything's over."

Mohamed said he had fled Somalia to escape terrorism. A civil war has been raging in the country since the late 1980s. He spoke of how he had been called a "scum-bag" on the streets and had cans of drink hurled at him.

"You cannot blame all of us for something that's been done by one individu-al," he said.

"I am not a criminal."”

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Benjamin Pine @thebenjaminpine.bsky.social · 20/06/2025

This is a great video about all those unnecessary AI popups... And not just because my comment is in it 😅

YouTube screenshot of my comment showing irritation at the Meta AI circle in WhatsApp.

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Benjamin Pine @thebenjaminpine.bsky.social · 17/11/2024

This piece is by Lee Cain of Tory WhatsApp fame but it's still quite interesting. "Governments of all political persuasions can quickly feel more like a media rebuttal service as they allow themselves to be shaped by events rather than shaping them."

Dominic Cummings' WhatsApp screenshot.

Cummings complains about Johnson not understanding stuff in a meeting. Simon Case agrees. Lee Cain says "this is embarrassing".

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Benjamin Pine @thebenjaminpine.bsky.social · 30/08/2024

Some pretty strong words from the UK Foreign Office on Israel's operation in the West Bank. The BBC's James Landale suggests that, until the US speaks out, Israel will carry on regardless.

The sun rises over the Palace of Westminster, with a vast sky above.

The quote reads: The UK is deeply concerned by the ongoing IDF military operation in the occupied West Bank.

We recognise Israel’s need to defend itself against security threats, but we are deeply worried by the methods Israel has employed and by reports of civilian casualties and the destruction of civilian infrastructure.
[…]

We continue to call on Israeli authorities to exercise restraint, adhere to international law, and clamp down on the actions of those who seek to inflame tensions.

The UK strongly condemns settler violence and inciteful remarks such as those made by Israel's National Security Minister Ben-Gvir, which threaten the status-quo of the Holy Sites in Jerusalem.

The quote continues at the bottom of the image: It is in no one's interest for further conflict and instability to spread in the West Bank.

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Benjamin Pine @thebenjaminpine.bsky.social · 27/08/2024

The government needs to [pass the bill for a new line] from Warrington to Yorkshire" - aka Northern Powerhouse Rail. "[…]This is in addition to starting work on key elements like a new station in Bradford." 📄Juergen Maier's rail+transport review, commissioned by Labour.

The front cover of Maier's report.

The entire page is an image of the tracks outside Leeds train station. The Leeds skyline is at the top of the page, with "The rail and urban transport review" at the top, above a slightly larger "An assessment and ambition for a new government". The rest of the page is devoted to the glorious image, showing train tracks, the River Aire and the Leeds-Liverpool canal.

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Benjamin Pine @thebenjaminpine.bsky.social · 23/08/2024

This blooper is actually iconic youtu.be/rjLeYYDeNc4

BBC Breakfast was put to air early they were still in rehearsal at 05:56. A screenshot of Charlie Stayt and Luxmy Gopal rehearsing reading the headlines. Luxmy Gopal is reading them with amazingly little enthusiasm whilst a man stands over her doing her hair.

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Benjamin Pine @thebenjaminpine.bsky.social · 22/06/2024

The 4 hottest days on record in Bradford have all happened since 2019. The record - 37.9°C, set in 2022 - was 4°C higher than the previous record - set in 2019. Climate change is already happening. #ShowYourStripes #ClimateStripes #ClimateChange

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Benjamin Pine @thebenjaminpine.bsky.social · 07/05/2024

"COP28 was abysmal for being in the pocket of the oil and gas lobby but at least COP29 will be better." COP29: #ClimateSky #ClimateChange #GodGivenGas

Politico article.

Azerbaijan president: COP29 won't stop us investing in "god-given" gas.

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Benjamin Pine @thebenjaminpine.bsky.social · 06/12/2023

More from Robert Jenrick's letter... "We must truly mean that we will do 'whatever it takes' to deliver this commitment when we say so. This emergency legislation is the last opportunity to prove this, but in its current drafting it does not go far enough."

However, we said that we would stop the boats all together. That is what the public rightly demands and expects of us. We must truly mean that we will do "whatever it takes" to deliver this commitment when we say so. This emergency legislation is the last opportunity to prove this, but in its current drafting it does not go far enough

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Benjamin Pine @thebenjaminpine.bsky.social · 06/12/2023

Robert Jenrick goes on in his resignation letter 👇 "The stakes for the country are too high for us not to pursue the stronger protections required to end the merry-go-round of legal challenges which risk paralysing the scheme and negating its intended deterrent."

The states for the country are too high for is not to pursue the stronger protections required to end as a merry go round of legal challenges which risk paralysing the scheme and negating its intended deterrent.

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Benjamin Pine @thebenjaminpine.bsky.social · 06/12/2023

Robert Jenrick goes on in his resignation letter... "I do not believe it provides us with the best possible chance of success..." "A triumph of hope over experience"

I am unable to take the currently proposed legislation through the Commons as I do not believe it provides us with the best possible chance of success.

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Benjamin Pine @thebenjaminpine.bsky.social · 06/12/2023

Robert Jenrick resignation letter quotes thread pt2 "The Government has a responsibility to place our vital national interests above highly contested interpretations of international law."

The government has a responsibility to place our vital national interests above highly contested interpretations of international law.

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Benjamin Pine @thebenjaminpine.bsky.social · 06/12/2023

Robert Jenrick's resignation letter his here. A thread of quotes. 🧵

It is with great sadness that I write to tender my resignation as minister for immigration. I cannot continue in my position when I have such strong disagreements with the direction of the government's policy on immigration.

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Benjamin Pine @thebenjaminpine.bsky.social · 03/12/2023

💥"You're..own media is..wrong" COP28 president Sultan Al-Jaber appears to deny his oil company ADNOC is "investing a lot in fossil fuels in the future" - objectively false. Also implies phasing out of fossil fuels would put the world "back into caves". www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Al Jaber said: "I accepted to come to this meeting to have a sober and mature conversation. I'm not in any way signing up to any discussion that is alarmist. There is no science out there, or no scenario out there, that says that the phase-out of fossil fuel is what's going to achieve 1.5C."

Robinson challenged him further, saying: "I read that your company is investing in a lot more fossil fuel in the future." Al Jaber responded: "You're reading your own media, which is biased and wrong. I am telling you I am the man in charge."

Al Jaber then said: “Please help me, show me the roadmap for a phase-out of fossil fuel that will allow for sustainable socioeconomic development, unless you want to take the world back into caves."

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Benjamin Pine @thebenjaminpine.bsky.social · 25/11/2023

A Labour green pledge story in three steps. www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-poli...

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Benjamin Pine @thebenjaminpine.bsky.social · 22/11/2023

But like... This isn't true?! BBC reporting "tax burden rises".

The Times front page. "Hunt eases tax burden". Photo of Hunt looking smug, smiling, outside No11(?).

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Benjamin Pine @thebenjaminpine.bsky.social · 22/11/2023

👀 Coletta Smith says "car dependency" has deepened the North-South cost of living divide on the BBC News at Six. 🚉Nice to get mainstream recognition of something we've known for so long - the north needs better public transport, for both the economy and the climate.

Coletta Smith speaks to the BBC live from a Hull museum - hence why she's standing in front of a wall of vintage products - one labeled "drummer dyes", an old Nivea poster etc...

She's wearing blue and is lit in blue.

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Benjamin Pine @thebenjaminpine.bsky.social · 22/11/2023

The OBR thinks changes to benefits will increase people in work by 50,000 by 2028/29 says the BBC's Michael Buchanan. "A lot of effort..[to affect] a relatively small amount of people". "The impact on the overall economy will basically be negligible" as spending + claimants will keep increasing.

Michael Buchanan speaking on BBC News following the Autumn Statement.

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Benjamin Pine @thebenjaminpine.bsky.social · 20/11/2023

On Starmer's reshuffle of his ministers, Rachel Reeves says she doesn't see it as a move which would frustrate some groups in Labour. "Keir wants to have the best people in the job... These are appointments of highly talented shadow ministers." One of many great questions put to her.

Rachel Reeves is on the right, angled towards an empty, bland white table. On the left is the interviewer, Ben Blisset, reading notes from a tablet.

A tall plant is in a pot next to his chair.

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Benjamin Pine @thebenjaminpine.bsky.social · 20/11/2023

Rachel Reeves did an interview with TLDR News (a YouTube news channel focussed on young people). There were some interesting insights into Labour policy. The first one - "Globalisation as we know it is dead". 🧵

Rachel Reeves sits on a bland grey chair, in a bland white room, with a poster behind her extolling the virtues of Labour.

She talks to someone to the left of the frame.

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Benjamin Pine @thebenjaminpine.bsky.social · 18/11/2023

I've done some googling like the aspiring journalist that I am 😝 and I think Railnews is referring to this in the West Yorks devolution deal - "Up to £500,000 for the Bradford Station Masterplan". I don't think the govt press release actually claims it's new - just "announced today" (sort of true).

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Benjamin Pine @thebenjaminpine.bsky.social · 18/11/2023

Global Witness has written more about greenwashing and carbon capture - some snippets... 1️⃣Three of the Carbon Capture + Storage Institute's directors have worked for BP/Shell. The group was invited to a pre-COP briefing. 2️⃣The CCSA has many oil company members - and hosted a meeting for politicians.

For example, the world’s five largest integrated private sector oil and gas companies by revenue - Shell, BP, TotalEnergies, ExxonMobil and Chevron - as well as the UAE’s state-owned oil company ADNOC, are members of the Global Carbon Capture and Storage Institute. Three of its six Directors either currently work or used to work for Shell or BP. The Institute took part in one of the three “Technical Dialogues” which inform the UN’s process to assess progress on delivering the Paris Agreement ahead of COP28.

Then we have the Carbon Capture and Storage Association (CCSA), counting BP, Shell and TotalEnergies among its members, and registered as a business NGO for COP28. In preparation for the climate summit, its Westminster conference (sponsored by oil companies) promised “an excellent opportunity for UK and EU Governments, industry and wider stakeholders to drive progress on CCUS, demonstrating the contribution that CCUS can make to meeting the goals of the Paris Agreement ahead of COP28.”

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Benjamin Pine @thebenjaminpine.bsky.social · 06/11/2023

There's also this from a tweet by then energy minister Greg Hands which is *still up*

"HM Government.
❌MYTH Extracting more North Sea gas lowers prices.
✅FACT [...] UK production isn't large enough to materially impact the global price of gas."

There's a gray-scale drab looking oil rig in the background.

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Benjamin Pine @thebenjaminpine.bsky.social · 06/11/2023

Good question. (Spoiler, it's Claire Coutinho)

A screenshot of a tweet (😱the horror) by Paul Waugh .

8.03am: energy secretary Claire Coutinho says new North sea oil and gas licences "wouldn't necessarily bring energy bills down"
9.57am: Sunak says North Sea oil and gas licences "would also help reduce energy bills"

Who's right?

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Benjamin Pine @thebenjaminpine.bsky.social · 06/11/2023

📺Programme recommendation - Future Earth on BBC News It's a new programme - proper basic public service broadcasting, but you can tell they've put some thought into it. Carl Nasman - who presents it from Washington DC - is pretty good too. Watch it on iPlayer...

Vivid green rice paddy (?) - graphics show a title screen "BBC News, Future Earth with Carl Nasman"

Tree graphics overlayed on a shot of a downtown Street.

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