What the government is doing to trans people is a society-wide version of Section 28. It is a level of bureaucratic cruelty that utterly decimates a whole group of people’s rights and puts anyone who doesn’t ‘look’ right in the eyes of others under constant surveillance. It’s a horrific thing.

Today we must stand in solidarity with our trans and non-binary siblings. We must all raise our voices to speak out against this alarming attack on the rights of trans people, and we need to work together at every level to oppose it, and to work to restore inclusion and equal rights.

The EHRC's Code of Practice has been approved by the Minister of State and laid before Parliament. We hear and share the community's shock and alarm at the proposals. A statement from us: 👇

It is *incredibly* shabby that the Green Party cited "family and personal reasons" for their Makerfield candidate dropping out, given it was actually in relation to sharing antisemitic posts. Had a right-wing party done the same, they'd be getting called out loudly here for it. And rightly so.

The Government has finally published the revised draft Code of Practice from the Equality and Human Rights Commission. I will be studying it very carefully to understand its practical applications and implications.

The thought of a trans person unable to use a service such as a public toilet while I am able to use that service makes me intensely uncomfortable and distresses me greatly.

The reason this is so especially egregious is... the previous EHRC guidance passed in 2011 right after the law was passed.... was SIGNED OFF BY TREVOR PHILLIPS WHO WAS THE CHAIR OF THE EHRC AT THE TIME!!!!!

Has anyone come across this paper before? I found this in my local kebab shop. A🧵

Honestly, I think this is an unvarnished public good here. Man elected on platform of simplism finds that things are complicated and actually ... that's good. Next week he discovers social care.

This is genuinely an incredible step forward from Sadiq Khan, and one of the first times (in this country) I've seen a Palantir contract blocked, certainly one of this scale. Remarkable stuff. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...

Trans people in the UK can now be banned from spaces that both align & do not align with their gender because the UK Gov believes sharing a toilet with a trans person is dubious regardless of circumstance. The UK Gov has given services free reign to completely ban trans people from their premises

THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK was released 46 years ago today. One of Hollywood’s most popular films and most anticipated and acclaimed sequels, the making of story is as huge as you’d expect. 1/39

You’re not alone. Our trained LGBTQIA+ volunteers are here to listen to any concerns you may have as a result of the revised EHRC guidance being laid before parliament. We’ve supported the community through trials and tribulations for over 50 years, and we’re here for you today.

The final quote in this piece is *chef's kiss*

every time I see this picture I wonder when Andy Burnham was on Catchphrase

Post a picture of a Beatles song

Post a picture of a Beatles song.

“I’m half human. It’s the bottom half.”

Is that butter? No it's ghee. Oh thanks for clarifying

I've skimmed the EHRC guidance. It looks to be as bad as we feared. Others smarter than me will doubtless pick the bones out of it over the next few days, but @mariecgoldman.bsky.social PLEASE I BEG YOU stop the leadership from making any comment at all until that's happened.

I love the way we just accept simple facts like this but suggestion that Russia caused Brexit to weaken the UK is still considered by many a conspiracy theory.

Now, which one has the poison in it?

Back to Now! New Episode! 🎧 Join @graemethomson.bsky.social as we revisit NOW5 & the pop culture of summer 1985! We also chat about his new book from @newmodernbooks.bsky.social ‘In Another World: The Four Seasons of Talk Talk’. Available at all podcast places, 22 May. linktr.ee/poprambler

Reform councillors, out of their depth on a wet flannel.

Just to be clear how little I’m exaggerating, in 2016, the UK Government actually advised trans people against travelling to certain US states due to the implementation of bathroom bans. @bphillipsonmp.bsky.social is now implementing those same bans across the UK. www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-u...

Texted the manager of my football team to say he's supposed to make me and the other trans guys change separately to the cis guys for our tournament tonight and he's replied with "fuck the ehrc and fuck the fa" so good luck to the government on getting people to enforce this

Liberal England: What do we Lib Dems offer the voters Zack Polanski has won over? It's natural for us to see him as an opportunist, but many of his new voters have been on a similar political journey. liberalengland.blogspot.com/2026/05/what...

This is what Farage, Reform and Brexit have done. This is where a very ugly obsession with immigration leads. To this. To “appalling levels of racism and unfair treatment.” To ordinary people being made miserable, day in, day out, at work. What a shameful place to be. www.tuc.org.uk/news/shockin...

Less than a decade ago

This, from Amnesty International, tells you all you need to know about transphobic bias in UK mainstream media.

What is more likely? A woman is harassed by a trans woman in a female toilet or a trans woman is violently assaulted by a man in a gents toilet? If it's about protecting people, which apparently it is, then this is the question they should be asking.

Does the Prime Minister think all votes should matter? He couldn't be clearer: No he does not. We want to fix politics so that this country works for you. The Labour government does not.

Two thirds of those who voted in 2024 didn't vote for this Government, yet it acts like it has a mandate from the whole country. Our Leader in the Lords, Jeremy Purvis, is calling for real democratic reform.

With Trump and Musk scrapping US international aid, and the PM making cuts to ours, what are the consequences? A dangerous Ebola outbreak in Central Africa. I asked the PM to rule out further cuts, he did not. Those competing to replace him as Labour leader must.

The Bank Holiday weekend will see an exceptional spell of warmth for May with a notable heatwave forecast. Get the full story in our latest news release 👇 www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/new...

NOT NOW, RADIOACTIVE MUTANT SUPER PIGS.

Very sad to hear Michael Keating, Blake's 7's Vila has died. He was so good and will be very much missed.

With 16% switching to #LibDems 🔶 @markpackuk.bsky.social

A list of every single Labour MP who voted to block a UK-EU customs union last night. Can you spot your MP?

Going to use this line at work. #Crossroads

It’s time for a grown up discussion about the future of our nation and our role in the world. My contribution to the King’s Speech debates focused on the problems we are still being caused by the Brexit given to us by Nigel Farage and the Conservatives. 1/3

Why should any Lib Dem or Green voter in Makerfield vote tactically for Burnham if all he offers is: 🗳️ No PR 🇪🇺 No change on Brexit 💸 The same broken fiscal rules 🥀 Blue Labour anti-immigration policies *Brace for Labour Gaslighting* To beat Reform, Labour needs to break with Reform-lite policies.

In honor of the Divine Miss Jones's birthday... Here's a wonderful anecdote from my 2017 Ian McShane interview, about how McShane ended up recording the bizarro opening narration of Grace's 1985 album SLAVE TO THE RHYTHM, stoned as fuck, because Orson Welles was dead: authory.com/josiezone/ci...

Recently I sat down with Mandy Garner to discuss the failure of the press regulator, to hold the printed press to account. IPSO should either step up, or stand down. This documentary was produced following our discussion.

📺 WATCH: Today at #PMQs @ollyglover.bsky.social asked Keir Starmer about the UK's broken voting system. "Does the Prime Minister still have full confidence in the First Past the Post system to deliver strong and stable government?" "Yes I do," responded our 6th Prime Minister in 10 years 👀

"Think back to your childhood. Do you remember when the anxiety started?"

The threat of Trumpflation is hanging over people’s heads. The government should take up our Lib Dem plans. Read the full story: www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c5...

"Dear Diary, Starting to get withdrawal symptoms due to not having had a press conference for weeks. But I can't face scrutiny so I need to stay in hiding. I'm even considering going to Clacton because nobody would think to look for me there..."

This evening the Liberal Democrats will proudly force a vote on a new Customs Union with the EU. It is time to free ourselves of the annual £100bn economic burden that leaving is costing the UK. Every day we delay, hits working families in the wallet. Ask your MP to back the Lib Dems this evening.