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Claire Spencer

@thedancingflea.bsky.social
1.5K followers 1.6K following 31 posts

Devolutionary | Agathist | Lab and Co-op | Lvl. 10 Paladin | Speaking to connect, not on behalf of others | Just get the bus, FFS

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by Claire Spencer
Edward @cairos.bsky.social · 03/01/2026
"I've been doing a little bit of FBI training" #TheTraitors
Marge Simpson looking at Flowers By Irene van
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Claire Spencer @thedancingflea.bsky.social · 11/12/2025
@theretrospectors.bsky.social Hello! Your feed on Spotify has not been loading the non-Patreon episodes all week! Just wanted to let you know.
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Claire Spencer @thedancingflea.bsky.social · 17/04/2025
Thank you. ❤️
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Claire Spencer @thedancingflea.bsky.social · 17/04/2025
He was a great egg. I'm sorry that you have lost such a dear friend. ❤️
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Claire Spencer @thedancingflea.bsky.social · 16/04/2025
It feels so wrong, honestly. ❤️ I took him for granted, which is always a mistake.
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Claire Spencer @thedancingflea.bsky.social · 16/04/2025
Me neither. ☹️💔
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Claire Spencer @thedancingflea.bsky.social · 16/04/2025
We spent a time recently as co-Chairs of Moseley Community Development Trust. We made it work because of who he was: thoughtful, focused, easy to work with. And so passionate about communities building themselves. I just can't believe that the last lunch I had with him, was the last.
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Claire Spencer @thedancingflea.bsky.social · 16/04/2025
This is a beautiful tribute and there will be many more. Nick Booth used his considerable talent and energy to help others create, connect, and shine. He was thoughtful, funny, and humble - and I can't quite believe a man who encapsulates what is wonderful about Birmingham is gone.
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Lloyd Davis @lloyddavis.eurosky.social · 16/04/2025
I lost a dear friend, a most generous soul. We've all lost a fine blogger, podcaster and community builder. perfectpath.co.uk/2025/04/16/n...
perfectpath.co.uk
Nick Booth (1965-2025)
I was going to write something on Facebook, but Nick was a blogger and so this belongs here. I heard this afternoon that my dear friend Nick Booth died yesterday after a fall at the weekend. It&#82…
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derek guy @dieworkwear.bsky.social · 11/04/2025
How much do you think it costs to make a pair of Nike shoes in Asia? Before you open this thread, take a guess. Settle on a number and then compare it to what you'll learn in this thread. 🧵
A photo of a bunch of Nike shoes.
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Emma Harrison @emmajharrisonx.bsky.social · 09/04/2025
Some details about the ASCL Business Leader Roadshows, take a listen 🎧 some spoilers from our keynote @pamburrows.bsky.social. @louisehatswell.bsky.social @julia-harnden.bsky.social Book now!
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Reposted by Claire Spencer
Jim Pickard @pickardje.bsky.social · 02/04/2025
chef’s kiss
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Dorian Lynskey @dorianlynskey.bsky.social · 02/04/2025
I don't know what you have to be huffing to think in 2025 that letting far right authoritarians get away with crimes is "good for democracy"
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Reposted by Claire Spencer
The Onion @theonion.com · 26/03/2025
Teen Warned Not To Accept Group Chat Invites From National Security Advisors She Doesn’t Know
Teen Warned Not To Accept Group Chat Invites From National Security Advisors She Doesn’t Know
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Claire Spencer @thedancingflea.bsky.social · 22/03/2025
Yes, indeed. The heyday of old Twitter! I work for the one of the Labour Mayors now - Chief of Staff to Mayor Claire Ward in the East Midlands.
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Claire Spencer @thedancingflea.bsky.social · 22/03/2025
That sounds like a nice way to retire - certainly doing the world a lot of good! And probably the only way to respond to dismay - by being as you want the world to be.
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Claire Spencer @thedancingflea.bsky.social · 22/03/2025
We did indeed! How are you keeping?
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Claire Spencer @thedancingflea.bsky.social · 19/02/2025
Thank you for doing this work. ❤️
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Claire Spencer @thedancingflea.bsky.social · 19/02/2025
This is a truly excellent interview if you would like to understand more about the war in Sudan and its people - really appreciate the clarity and nuance (but also warmth) from @yassmin.bsky.social:
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Adam Bienkov @adambienkov.bsky.social · 19/01/2025
It's been quite something to watch supposedly 'patriotic' British newspapers actively cheerleading on a foreign administration that is openly working against our interests.
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Scott Bryan @scottygb.bsky.social · 15/01/2025
Claudia: “last night #TheTraitors were feeling especially evil.” Linda:
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Claire Spencer @thedancingflea.bsky.social · 12/01/2025
It's important to have goals! 🎵
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Ariadne Griffin @ariadnereviews.bsky.social · 10/01/2025
adding this to my Dream Wedding moodboard on Pinterest. #TheTraitors #Traitors
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Reposted by Claire Spencer
orbette @orbette.bsky.social · 09/01/2025
#TheTraitors
A fight with 'everyone else' written over it, and a man sitting with 'minah' written over him
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Sacha Coward @sachacoward.bsky.social · 09/01/2025
#TheTraitors #TheTraitorsUK Quote of the season:
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Ariadne Griffin @ariadnereviews.bsky.social · 09/01/2025
I adore it when they say things like this to someone who fits that exact description. #TheTraitors #Traitors
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James Topham @jamestopham.bsky.social · 08/01/2025
Until these people started arguing I thought they were the same man. #TheTraitors
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BBC Newsnight @bbcnewsnight.bsky.social · 07/01/2025
VD: “As a result of some of Elon Musk’s tweets, the threat to you has gone up?” JP: “Yes...” @vicderbyshire.bsky.social speaks to Jess Phillips about Elon Musk’s attacks about her response to grooming gangs in the UK, adding his comments are “endangering” her. #Newsnight
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Guardian Australia @australia.theguardian.com · 07/01/2025
Elon Musk knows ‘absolutely nothing’ about women and girls’ safety, says Jess Phillips
theguardian.com
Elon Musk knows ‘absolutely nothing’ about women and girls’ safety, says Jess Phillips
Safeguarding minister says billionaire has increased her risk of harm by calling her a ‘rape genocide apologist’ on X Elon Musk knows “absolutely nothing” about protecting women and girls, Jess Phillips has said after the billionaire called her a “rape…
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Michelle @itsjustmichellec.bsky.social · 01/01/2025
I'm so invested in #Traitors already Claudia: "Traitors!" Linda: ...
media.tenor.com
kermit the frog is driving a car with a seat belt around his neck .
ALT: kermit the frog is driving a car with a seat belt around his neck .
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Ariadne Griffin @ariadnereviews.bsky.social · 02/01/2025
I wish she'd just left after this and everyone expected Charlotte to translate #Traitors #TheTraitors
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Marie Le Conte @youngvulgarian.marieleconte.com · 03/01/2025
really quite apoplectic about all the mainstream Tory figures in Britain who backed Musk essentially as a way to own the libs and who will now suffer no consequences from staying silent as their ally behaves like a fascist, and a direct danger to senior female politicians
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Claire Spencer @thedancingflea.bsky.social · 03/01/2025
#AnswerMeThis is such a joyful podcast, and I am so excited about its return that I am putting my money where my ears and brain are. How else will you find who the legs on The Bill belong to, or access moral guidance when someone cleans your car without permission? patreon.com/answermethis...
patreon.com
Get more from Answer Me This! on Patreon
We have a question for YOU: will you support our podcast?
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Reposted by Claire Spencer
Liam Thorp @liamthorp.bsky.social · 01/12/2024
When people park selfishly across pavements they make life incredibly difficult for people in wheelchairs and many others We headed out with @pamthomas01.bsky.social to see the challenges she faces on a daily basis because of this selfish behaviour www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...
liverpoolecho.co.uk
'People's selfish parking makes me not want to leave my house'
"I'm just at a point now where I am like 'I will just stay in the house' and it shouldn't be that way"
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Jessica Studdert @jesstud.bsky.social · 28/11/2024
Big news today in #localgov land: the govt has announced a policy statement on the future of local govt funding. The long delayed so-called “fair funding review” is back- a new consultation will look at a system which “matches funding with need”… www.gov.uk/government/n...
gov.uk
Council funding to be overhauled to deliver better outcomes
Funding reform kickstarted to fix the foundations of local government and better use taxpayer cash
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Reposted by Claire Spencer
Jason Thorne @jasonthorne.bsky.social · 26/11/2024
An interesting way to help people visualize what a ruin used to be.
Old ruin viewed through a glass frame with the original outlines of the building etched onto the glass
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Ketan Joshi @ketanjoshi.co · 26/11/2024
Okay, I have to do a thread on this pretty amazing article because it is just seriously chockers with eye-opening stats about 'direct air capture' - ie, sucking up air and trying to remove carbon dioxide from it news.mit.edu/2024/reality...
news.mit.edu
Reality check on technologies to remove carbon dioxide from the air
An MIT Energy Initiative study finds many climate-stabilization plans are based on questionable assumptions about the future cost and deployment of “direct air capture” and therefore may not bring abo...
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Claire Spencer @thedancingflea.bsky.social · 22/11/2024
When I was leading the inclusive growth work at WMCA, one of the core principles was that people should get to say what good looks like. How you find that out and then work with the people in their places is up to you. But you can never stop. Good politicians know this.
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Claire Spencer @thedancingflea.bsky.social · 22/11/2024
#Devolution can enable the sort of government that places deserve, but it's not any old devolution - it's local and sub-regional government with the capacity and capability for flexibility, curiosity, and responsiveness. Those qualities then help them centre what their people want.
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Claire Spencer @thedancingflea.bsky.social · 22/11/2024
We are different to the US in many ways, but one way we are the same is how we are shaped by our places. If government works (or doesn't), our places show it and remember it. Too many folk live in places where it looks like government doesn't care. That indifference changes them:
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Reposted by Claire Spencer
The Future Governance Forum (FGF) @futuregovforum.bsky.social · 16/11/2024
To our new followers on BlueSky! Make sure you sign up to our monthly (and sometimes-in-between) emails + stay up-to-date with all of our work at The Future Governance Forum www.futuregovernanceforum.co.uk/contact/
futuregovernanceforum.co.uk
Contact - Future Governance Forum
Contact Please register to be kept up to date with new information or email hello@futuregovernanceforum.co.uk if you have any queries and/or partnership opportunities. Stay updated
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John O’Shea @politicalhackuk.bsky.social · 14/11/2024
Sarah is right. I’d ban sales of fireworks outside professional displays.
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Jessica Studdert @jesstud.bsky.social · 07/11/2024
Welcome new joiners to Bluesky! Time to wheel out a Starter Pack I put together of UK public policy types, if that’s your vibe. (Updated from original to reflect the growing tribe on here…) go.bsky.app/LtNiL1o
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The Future Governance Forum (FGF) @futuregovforum.bsky.social · 14/10/2024
ICYMI – "It's so much easier to work across boundaries when you are grounded in places and economies," writes FGF's Claire Spencer (@thedancingflea.bsky.social) in her latest in the MJ 🗞️ Read Claire's piece: www.themj.co.uk/connecting-m...
themj.co.uk
Connecting across missions is easier in places
Party conferences are a great deal more than their constitutional function. They bring the ecosystems around political power together, connecting people, places...
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Claire Spencer @thedancingflea.bsky.social · 09/10/2024
...and the civil service can also look to good practice in #localgov - e.g. Boosting Middle Leaders, a programme that the Leadership Centre and the LGA have co-created to bring together elected members and officers from different disciplines: www.local.gov.uk/our-support/...
local.gov.uk
Boosting Middle Leaders programme
Boosting Middle Leaders is a leadership programme which brings together councillors and officers to build relationships, share perspectives, and develop practices that will help them to deliver the be...
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Claire Spencer @thedancingflea.bsky.social · 09/10/2024
"Bringing together and investing time in cohorts of colleagues from different departments, agencies, job roles and even (gasp) grades should be the norm, rather than the preserve of ‘high performers’ or ‘future leaders’." 🔥 @majeedneky.bsky.social: www.futuregovernanceforum.co.uk/2024/10/08/l...
futuregovernanceforum.co.uk
Learning as a lever for change: how reforming civil service learning and development can help kick-start Labour’s missions - Future Governance Forum
If the Government wants to ‘fix the foundations’, it needs to train the people who will do it.
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Claire Spencer @thedancingflea.bsky.social · 08/10/2024
Anyway! No more spoilers. Sign up!
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Claire Spencer @thedancingflea.bsky.social · 08/10/2024
We also risk looking past our established #devolution in local government and organised communities. I bloody love MC(C)As (as you know), but they cannot function if their member authorities are in distress. This is as urgent as saving the NHS and should be treated as such.
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