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.

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...

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. 🧵

BWV3 - Cantata for the Second Sunday after Epiphany ‘Ach Gott, wie manches Herzeleid!’ (‘O God, so much heartache!’) Pieter Jan Leusink / Netherlands Bach Collegium / Netherlands Boys’ Choir #bach #classicalmusic #baroque open.spotify.com/album/34yVtt...

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!

chef’s kiss

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"

Teen Warned Not To Accept Group Chat Invites From National Security Advisors She Doesn’t Know

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:

It's been quite something to watch supposedly 'patriotic' British newspapers actively cheerleading on a foreign administration that is openly working against our interests.

Claudia: “last night #TheTraitors were feeling especially evil.” Linda:

adding this to my Dream Wedding moodboard on Pinterest. #TheTraitors #Traitors

#TheTraitors #TheTraitorsUK Quote of the season:

I adore it when they say things like this to someone who fits that exact description. #TheTraitors #Traitors

Until these people started arguing I thought they were the same man. #TheTraitors

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

Elon Musk knows ‘absolutely nothing’ about women and girls’ safety, says Jess Phillips

I'm so invested in #Traitors already Claudia: "Traitors!" Linda: ...

I wish she'd just left after this and everyone expected Charlotte to translate #Traitors #TheTraitors

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

#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...

📣 New report and research 📣 We’ve published ‘Mayoral Matters’ looking at public attitudes to mayors and devolution in the parts of England which have actually experienced it. www.labourtogether.uk/all-reports/... 🧵 below with my five takeaways. [1/10]

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...

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...

An interesting way to help people visualize what a ruin used to be.

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...

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:

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/

Sarah is right. I’d ban sales of fireworks outside professional displays.

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

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...

"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...

Pleased to join energetic thinkers like @jacktshaw.bsky.social and Ant on this @centreforcities.bsky.social panel. There is a lot of exciting activity around #devolution at the moment - but there is a risk that it becomes its own thing instead of how missions, renewal, etc. are achieved.

well I'm in floods of tears www.thetimes.com/article/5ecd...

It's hard to be 'one team' organised by missions in the sprawl of Westminster and Whitehall. While this could and should work better, the greater prize is in how we lean into #localgov and sub-regional government, which can 'see' missions through place and economy: www.themj.co.uk/connecting-m...

I am troubled by this. Some issues can and should be dealt with behind closed doors. But if things have become this dysfunctional - with the CEx making allegations that malign politics is making people less safe - then silence & sluggish action is not OK. www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midland...

🚨NEW BLOG: In her speech at the #MJFutureForum @thedancingflea.bsky.social reflects on the challenges & opportunities facing the new government. From public sector renewal to devolution & mission-led governance, Claire explores how to create lasting change www.leadershipcentre.org.uk/navigating-n...

Have been thinking about the impact Darzi's review will have on health reform for the next period. A wee thread... (which isn't very easy on this platform! 🙃). First up, it's good to have this very clear, unambiguous description of how the NHS lets down far too many people.

Great to see @thedancingflea.bsky.social & Mark Rogers sharing their expertise at the #MJFutureForum Midlands this week. If you want to read more about Claire’s thoughts on devolution check out her recent blog too! 👇 www.leadershipcentre.org.uk/what-can-the... #localgov #devolution #leadership

We are CROWDFUNDING FOR CHANGE and we are asking for your support! Our #matchfund Crowdfunder is to make REAL CHANGE for those impacted by FOOD POVERTY. Every £1 donated up to £150, is multiplied by a huge x5!!! Please check out here: www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/changekitc... - please share widely!

My @futuregovforum.bsky.social report on public-private partnerships is out on 12 Sept UK has a huge infra deficit, inc £50bn in maintenance backlogs across schools, hospitals, etc PPPs aren’t right in every case but need to be part of the toolbox www.futuregovernanceforum.co.uk/event/financ...