Land ownership and rights of access in the UK are a vital story, and one which tells us a lot about *why things are the way they are*. I feel very lucky to benefit from the consequences of the action of this brave group, who were attacked by gamekeepers as they walked.

Really interesting - and especially impressive he managed to do all that with a metal bit in his mouth! Who is the chap on the right?

Pirate radio.

PM to blob, 'why can't you be like Morgan or Olly, real men who "get things done'''! After the train crash, 'Oh b-b-but I didn't know' Nobody said the job is easy, but to govern is to choose. 🤷‍♂️

As Permanent Under-Secretary of State (PUS) at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) & Head of the Diplomatic Service, Sir Oliver was Peter Mandelson’s boss. He was also, like other PUSs, in charge of granting or denying Developed Vetting (DV) to his staff. /2.

'As [ #BBC's #WorldatOne with Jonny Dymond has an interview with @ciaranm.bsky.social at #BBCSounds] @SamCoatesSky reports via former security official Ciaran Martin, Robbins was prohibited from sharing information about what happened with anyone outside the FCDO security team' 3/

I have *views* which anyone who knows me will guess in relation to the Mandelson clearance issue. But this from the @financialtimes.com article made me roll my eyes. Based on the perspective of the situation No10 have outlined over the last ~12hrs, this was always going to be defenestration.

Genius marketing play by Ulster University, this. Absolute bravo!

The Jewish News, which I am proud to work for as Deputy Editor, has published an editorial on this week's Iftar prayers in Trafalgar Square www.jewishnews.co.uk/voice-of-the...

Afroman found not liable. A complete victory for the rapper and a massive unforced error from the cops and their attorney. www.billboard.com/pro/afroman-...

✋ Former USG war crimes lawyer here. Apropos of SecDef's remarks this morning: Denial of quarter—even the declaration of no quarter—is a war crime. And recognized as such by the US Government. From DoD's Manual for Military Commissions.

Are you in the public sector and want to know what quantum technologies are and how they will affect your sector? Sign up to Imperial's Quantum Fundamentals. Taught by experts, grounded in policy impact. You've only got a few days into next week to sign up! www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...

Today I'm adding "hatred of World Book Day" to my "Bluesky guy" bingo card.

Claude (which like any AI has a knowledge cutoff date a couple of months ago) finds out about the newest Middle East War during a research (screenshot from Reddit). I feel you, Claude, I really do.

There is an awful lot to be sad/annoyed/scared about at the moment, so my one recommendation to everybody is to find out if the Horrible Histories live show is coming anywhere near you soon and if so, go. Like I did on Saturday night. And it was an absolute tonic!

Many politicians were happy to get photographed with hydrogen buses last few years. As Michael says this was entirely predictable, and symptomatic of the pitfalls of inhaling techno-optimism wholesale. Also great to know @mliebreich.bsky.social is on here - a definite follow recommendation!

I made an app. play.google.com/store/apps/d... Nearby Glasses is here to warn you when smart glasses are nearby. I hope it's useful for someone. Nearby Glasses's open source, free and rather simple github.com/yjeanrenaud/... It's also downloadable outside the Play Store. iOS port is in the making

When I told my primary school teacher I wanted £1m to build a dragon farm I was laughed at. When this guy does it, it is taken as a serious business proposition?

‘Due diligence vitally important’ in next top civil servant appointment – Lord McDonald www.channel4.com/news/due-dil...

I worked on security and defence issues for 5+ years in government and I fully agree with this: "The Northern JEF Nations, plus Poland, are like-minded on the threat and willing to act decisively; they really are our best friends, and we need to return the favour." 👇

After years of campaigning, we’re pleased the government has today launched its National Cancer Plan for England. We need the government to follow through on these promises to make sure that it can meet its ambition to save more lives from cancer. Learn more about the Plan : cruk.ink/4awC9Cw

I can't decide if Nathan Barley grew up to write this article, or to become one of the "consortium of profoundly tedious bankers" who are behind Farmer J's (which I agree is overpriced sh*te).

Holy moly this chart: Cumulative US measles cases

Two great bits of Friday reading that connect in my brain: @joxley.jmoxley.co.uk's excellent article on political desires for "magical thinking" www.joxleywrites.jmoxley.co.uk/p/airport-bo... @eliothiggins.bsky.social's majestic thread on threats to democracy bsky.app/profile/elio... 1/

This is just wonton racism

Really good clear thinking article from @stephenkb.bsky.social today on UK-US relations. No magic solutions but good to see an accessible piece on the options. www.ft.com/content/0c8e...

I’ve been reading Trump’s "Board of Peace Charter," and despite the name, this isn’t a multilateral institution, it’s a centralised structure built entirely around the authority of one person (Trump). www.timesofisrael.com/full-text-ch...

If there was ever a week to drive me into being a prepper, this might be it.

Policy wonk q: years ago I saw a brill diagram of the 10+ "constituencies" UK ministers are responsible to (constituency party, nat party, constituents, family, cabinet etc). I think as part of Civil Service PGCS course. Does anyone remember it / know where it is? @ukcivilservant.bsky.social ?

X is demonstrably not in full compliance with UK law: it has duties in law to address illegal hateful content when reported, to have an effective system + to proactively prevent Important that Ministers + Ofcom recognise that - since intervention can compel change. bsky.app/profile/sund...

What is funny (*not funny) about the "why pick on X" line of argument in light of the latest egregious action is the absolutely enormous body of evidence that X has been the wrong side of the law for at least two years and nothing has been done.

STEP is exciting and pro-growth - it needs stuff the UK is very good at (cutting-edge R&D; precision engineering; energy technologies) and stuff policymakers are saying they want to be better at (smart regulation; AI-partnered sci/tech; commercialising technology).

Won't you look at that. The majority of Londoners, being the ones who would know, say London is a safe place to live.

Sitting in the footwell of a Morris Minor because there weren't enough seats

Ok, this one is good enough to have tipped me over into subscribing to @samfr.bsky.social's Comment is Freed. Hugely interesting interview providing the kind of grand, realistic sweep of real policymaking that it is a) really rare and b) insightful from many perspectives.

Who’s who at X, the deepfake porn site formerly known as Twitter. Featuring illustrations by Grok, because “pixels 🟰 zero harm” apparently. www.ft.com/content/ad94...

This is top drawer Christmas content.

"Rose Macaulay attempted a serious conversation in which I did not shine" Evelyn Waugh speaking for the jeopardy we all feel at drinks receptions and Christmas parties at this time of year...

Imperial scientists have been testing quantum-enhanced sensors for inertial navigation with the Royal Navy. Unlike GPS, which doesn’t work underground or underwater, quantum sensors are super accurate, stable over long periods of time, and resilient to interference. 📺 ⤵️

Excellent. His coverage of the Balkans conflicts were some of the first media coverage that made a lasting impression on me.

once more I am begging everyone to do policy based on evidence, not on vibes from the loudest-shouting pressure groups. What the NHS is leaning towards - targeted screening for those most at risk - is the right way to do this. Blanket screening with an unreliable test causes harm.

Fifteen Years xkcd.com/3172/

Just finished listening to this series last night. Incredible story, and highlights some failures in the UK policing, prosecutorial and judicial systems that really don't get enough attention.

So can we all just shortcut the political theatre bit now and get to everyone publishing their "what the budget means for your finances" calculators a few hours early?

I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture. They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1

Coming up with good photos for PR is hard. I'm jealous of this one - I reckon they could do even more with the theme of "babies playing in front of HMT", including making it clearer what building it is edition.cnn.com/2025/11/24/u...

Some valid and thought-provoking challenges in here @jamestplunkett.bsky.social! On the opportunities to experiment, the Cabinet Office through the 2010s was doing this pretty effectively I thought - PolicyLab, OIT, BIT... People like Halpern, w/ministers like Letwin and Gove providing pol cover

What a great one day match!

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