"This plan must be ambitious, practical, and transformative. It must make people’s lives better – especially those struggling most. If the government is to take the public with them in rebuilding a society fit for the future, this is absolutely vital.” https://bit.ly/42Uza2C

My blog on a train driver’s experience following a fatality is still my most regularly read. I hope it is a help to people both inside and outside the rail industry. If you need to talk to someone you can call the Samaritans at any time on 116 123. julianvaughan.blog/2024/06/17/f...

How has the government got itself into the position of standing up for Israeli football hooligans, while criminalising peaceful supporters of Palestine Action?

Too many straws. Too many backs. It is with sadness not bitterness that I have today resigned from the Labour Party. I've set out why below. However, my passion for social justice and trade unionism remains undimmed. julianvaughan.blog/2025/10/15/l...

“I’ll declare war on you if you don’t give me the peace prize” is an incredible bit

“It is too expensive to bring water companies back into public ownership”. Really? ⬇️ www.common-wealth.org/publications...

Hadrian’s Wall Walk in memory of my sister and in aid of two amazing charities completed 👊 Over £3,000 raised so far ❤️ Details here: www.givewheel.com/fundraising/...

Early on Day 2 of the Hadrian’s Wall Walk for Sky. I wasn’t this chipper 5 hours later 😁 £2,400 raised so far ❤️ Details here: www.givewheel.com/fundraising/... @poetsin.bsky.social

'There has been a monumental cover up' On #BBCBreakfast Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester urged Keir Starmer to meet the British nuclear test veterans campaigning for justice after suffering lifelong health problems

Jimmy Kimmel and other late-night comedians have certainly said things about me that I found offensive, even outrageous. It never crossed my mind to call up the networks and say, "Hey, get rid of this guy." Because that's not how America works. play.prx.org/listen?ge=pr...

Earlier this year my sister her own life. I’m determined something positive comes from this dreadful situation. Starting Monday, I’m walking Hadrian’s Wall in her memory and in aid of 2 charities I know would be close to her ❤️ Details about the walk here ⬇️ gvwhl.com/JEZLQ

Sanders is calling the war in Gaza a "genocide" for the first time.

Peter Mandelson can sit as a Labour Lord while my colleagues have lost the whip for opposing disability benefits cuts and the two-child benefit cap. Such draconian, politically-motivated suspensions undermine democracy and make a mockery of our party. They should have the whip restored immediately.

The #HillsboroughLaw is a fitting tribute to the remarkable determination of the families. However, any future use of the law will by definition mean the state has failed yet again. Fundamental changes are needed to our political & regulatory system. julianvaughan.blog/2024/04/01/f...

Fascism thrives on apathy. Whether you’re ‘political’ or not, we all have a duty to speak up for a more tolerant society that values everyone within our communities. That’s real patriotism 🇬🇧

"...Apart from the lack of accountability, I sense a profound lack of empathy and compassion from the current leadership...." My latest blog covering the goings on at Central Beds Council. julianvaughan.blog/2025/09/13/a...

If Labour put in as much effort into effectively countering Reform as it did fighting factional battles within the Party, we wouldn’t be in the mess we are now. Starmer is either being badly advised, or is ignoring the advice given. Something has to change.

If Starmer doesn’t deal with the colossal misjudgement of Mandelson re Epstein, it will the PM’s judgement in the spotlight. Expressing “deep regret” doesn’t fly for us plebs - why should Mandelson be an exception? He’s surely got to go, again.

To transform the country and take on the populist right, Labour must heed the voices of its radical realists - and build a principled, practical, popular left alternative. Join @mainstreamlabour.bsky.social and together we can bring that alternative to life. www.mainstreamlabour.org/get-involved

When Labour tacks to the right it doesn’t weaken Reform, it empowers it. We need courage not appeasement, or a disastrous election defeat awaits. Signposts, not Weathercocks.

We need a fairer voting system - one where every voice is heard. 📣 https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/sep/01/keir-starmer-legacy-electoral-reform-farage

The Labour response to Farage policy of leaving the Refugee & Humam Rights Convention should not be “he won’t deliver”. It should be “this is not morally right” (not “British values” even). Voters want to see authentic consistent leadership. Not debate the workability of cruelty.

Flying a flag isn’t patriotism. It’s tolerance and respect (oh, and pubs) that makes Britain Great. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇬🇧🏳️‍🌈

11 years from being awarded 'Access for All' funding, Ally Pally and Palmers Green 🚂 stations are STILL at the design stage 🤦‍♂️with no end date in sight. We can't keep blaming the Victorians! #accessforall julianvaughan.blog/2024/09/10/u...

The lies of the hard right require firm rebuttal, not appeasement from Labour. julianvaughan.blog/2025/08/15/f...

⚠️ "First Past the Post is not sustainable; not for Labour, and not for the country. We must modernise Westminster and launch a National Commission on Electoral Reform." 🌹 Excellent article for @thefabians.bsky.social by @steveracemp.bsky.social #Labour4PR

💥 Labour's National Policy Forum has once again been inundated with calls for electoral reform No surprise given PR is backed by: 🙋 83% of members 🛠 2/3rds of affiliated trade unions 🌹 annual conference 🗳 @appgfairelections.bsky.social 🏦 @houseofcommons.parliament.uk 📈 60% of the public 🧵 1/2

Holding a placard is not ‘terrorism’ labourhub.org.uk/2025/08/10/h... by @davidosland.bsky.social

As a bit (OK a lot) of an Apollo nerd, I was sad to hear of the passing of Jim Lovell, the CM Pilot of Apollo 8 and Mission Commander of Apollo 13 - the source of the “Houston, we’ve had a problem here” quote. There are now only 5 Apollo astronauts alive who have walked or circled the moon.

'lies, damn lies, and Daily Telegraph reporting' via @davidtoke.bsky.social substack.com/home/post/p-... #NetZero

Audit of all 'Access for All' 🚂stations post 2014, updated in the last 24 hours with info from Network Rail re: #Chorley no date #Garforth now open @richardburgon.bsky.social #Menston due 2026 @annadixonmp.bsky.social #Todmorden - no date @joshfg.bsky.social julianvaughan.blog/2024/09/10/u...

Unless steps are taken by the Labour gov’t to improve 🚂 services, reduce ticket prices and ensure the rail network is genuinely accessible to everyone, the public will rightly regard bringing the railways into public ownership as a complete and utter waste of time. The signs don’t look good.

MPs Freebies… Everyone ❤️ a freebie, but I’m afraid the corporate hospitality given to MPs (salary £90k) in the form of free tickets is completely unjustifiable and further erodes trust in our democratic process. Saying “All MPs do it” (quite apart from not being true) is not a valid defence!

Horizon victim sues Post Office & Fujitsu for £4m. Good on him. Unimaginable pain from a scandal that has gone on for 30 yrs. Govt pressuring victims to accept lower compensation. Fujitsu central to false prosecutions; hasn't contributed anything. No perpetrator of injustice charged.

Now updated. It's a sorry tale of delay, apathy and corporate opacity, with no sign of a much needed culture change in sight. @transportforall.org.uk @kingqueen.org.uk @christiane.link @sarahowen.org.uk @ruthcadbury.bsky.social julianvaughan.blog/2024/09/10/u...

In September, I’ll be walking Hadrian’s Wall in memory of my dear sister. The fundraising site is now open below! Donate to my GiveWheel: www.givewheel.com/fundraising/...

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... We have made the BBC News today in relation to our campaign to improve access at #Hexham Station. Several other organisations are also involved & have helped to secure this first step, such as our colleagues at @tvcrp.bsky.social as well as @julianvaughan.bsky.social

In September, I'll be walking the length of Hadrian's Wall in memory of my sister, who very sadly took her own life earlier this year. I'm determined that something + comes from this and I'm raising money in aid of two charities, which I know would be very close to her ❤️ Details ⏬ gvwhl.com/JEZLQ

Stephen Timms, the minister for social security and disability, suggested that tightening the conditions for PIP would spur ‘behavioural change’ – a claim critics describe as cruel, ignorant, and deeply stigmatising to people with disabilities.

I really wish we had this in England. So many indies have been (sometimes quietly) expelled from parties for being bonkers. Voters are rarely told about it, especially with a much-diminished local press

The poverty premium. A 10% surcharge for those unable to pay in one go is completely unacceptable. #povertypremium

The claim has already been proven to be false, but that hasn't stopped Reform UK from repeating it leftfootforward.org/2025/07/refo...

📢"What does it say about a government that – despite its huge parliamentary majority – feels a need to turn to punitive measures to try to get flagship policies through?" Read Minesh Parekh here: labourlist.org/2025/07/labo...

It’s not an easy read for a parent, but incredibly proud of my daughter for being so open and honest about her experience of #PMDD ❤️ njvaughanblog.blogspot.com/2025/07/how-...

Sycamore Gap tree vandals sentenced Carruthers and Graham receive sentences of over four years @northeastbylines.co.uk northeastbylines.co.uk/region/north...

Privatisation broke our water system. @labourslewis.bsky.social has a people-first, evidence-based alternative, and I’m backing it. Add your name to the People’s Plan for Water: ​https://actionnetwork.org/forms/water-belongs-to-all-of-us-back-the-peoples-plan-for-water?source=bluesky&​

The injustice of #Hillsborough will always be a scar on the UK's political system. I urge MPs to support the 10-Minute Rule Motion put by @ianbyrnemp.bsky.social after #PMQs today. A robust 'Duty of Candour' is vital. The blog below sets out why... 1/4 julianvaughan.blog/2022/01/14/h...

#DisabledByTheRailway is one of 138 orgs who signed the reasoned amendment that has been selected today. Urging all MPs of all party colours to now put their constituents first! #TakingThePip #DisabilityRebellion www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/ck...

Am I missing something, but if the changes to PIP have already been decided (4 points system and reduced benefits coming into force in November 2026) then what exactly is the point of the ‘Timms Review’?