It’s polling day and the weight of expectation sits heavy. However you feel about your life, all I’d honestly suggest you do when the polls open is to vote with purpose, not in anger. Vote for someone who you’d trust with your kids/vulnerable loved ones and you won’t go far wrong. #peace

Boarding an early morning boat to Hoy #Orkney #escape

At a “testing new material” gig by @garydelaney.bsky.social in #stourbridge and been called out for having a dirty laugh. How very dare you, man who snorts… 🐷 🤣

Live at o2 institute Brum for tha brilliant Big Special Gans and GHGW - amazing atmosphere and superb tunes

I’ve been trying to learn a new skill. Don’t laugh…but this is my first ever attempt at knitting, aged 58. It’s a start, right? #knitting #swatch

This is pretty menacing. Sarah Pochin wrote to Bangor's university student run debating society requesting that she attend to "answer questions from students." When they said "no" Reform rolled all it's tanks onto the lawns and said they'll cut funding to the entire university if they win.

Labour's @johnmcdonnellmp.bsky.social written to General Sec Hollie Ridley for 3rd time calling for independent inquiry into Labour Together "Keir Starmer yesterday promised a change of culture in the party. This will be an early test of that promise” democracyforsale.substack.com/p/pr-firm-pr...

Bridget Bardot has died. Not a life for strangers to mourn, unless you think it’s okay to be homophobic and racist.

With my amazing dad John on his 86th birthday. That he’s made it this far is testament to him and to my mum Ollie, who is his wind, sun and heart that keeps him looking forward and refuses to give in. All those column inches devoted to affairs and fakes - this is what real love looks like.

Just back from a walk in Kinver woods and it was all going lovely - autumnal colours, mist in the valley, lots of friendly people out with kids and dogs. Then…a guy walked towards us with a little gang of daschunds. Being me, I said “what a cute little fam you’ve got”. He replied….

Love this piece from my colleague @harryleach.bsky.social @birminghamlive.bsky.social from a visit to Stirchley which has been at the centre of flag debate - I asked people in Stirchley what they really think about the flags flying across Birmingham www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midland...

Breaking - four Birmingham city councillors @bhamcitycouncil.bsky.social quit Labour Party @brumlabour.bsky.social @teamlabouruk.bsky.social with stinging rebuke to local leaders and national party. I’m currently in London but have filed my copy to newsdesk and story appearing shortly.

This Saturday will see Birmingham a big step closer to the creation of #MayarYahiaSquare. Supported by @betterstreetsforbirmingham.org, @sustrans.bsky.social, @bradford-street.bsky.social, and more. Lots of activities for the whole family. Join us to show what this reclaimed public space can be!

I went to see the premier of @sarahchaundler.bsky.social excellent & hard hitting film ‘City of Cars’ at the Mockingbird Cinema tonight. Followed by a discussion facilitated by @janerockhouse.bsky.social We all want safe roads, this film makes it clear why it is so important.

Support emerging talent and #grassroots venues - or risk losing them... My piece with @janerockhouse.bsky.social @birminghamlive.bsky.social www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midland...

A fortnight ago a story I’d written was spiked for breaching an IPSO guideline. It’s frustrating to then see same story belatedly published elsewhere because the publisher either doesn’t know the guidelines or isn’t worried by them, knowing few complain. It’s a tricky path to navigate and maddening!

Soundtrack to my Saturday chores is Birmingham band The Leaking Machine “Sound on Sound” - lovely, timeless sound - ‘memory lane is a cul de sac’ indeed.

I loved escaping for four days to kick back with friends, no wi-fi, barely any contact with the outside world. If you've not checked out Bearded Theory Fest before, maybe next year, before it loses its intimate charm www.birminghammail.co.uk/whats-on/rev...

As the crisis in #Gaza intensifies, would the UK and other Western governments really consider withdrawing military support for Israel? Great discussion with @goldbergradio.bsky.social and @hannahweisfeld.bsky.social @yachad.bsky.social @bylinetimes.bsky.social podfollow.com/byline-podca...

She was one among many. Incredibly sad and angry at the pain and death still being inflicted on Gaza by Netanyahu’s Israel, with our support. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/m...

Great, moving piece by @janerockhouse.bsky.social about witnessing an attempted suicide in #Birmingham today No matter how desperate things seem, there is help out there. Call Samaritans 116 123 any time, day or night open.substack.com/pub/insidebi...

One of the Britain First protesters has 4 flags 😂 favourite chants "You've got more flags than people" "That's not your flag, your side lost"

What an incredible game of football. #barca #inter

Much needed daytime-into-nighttime adventures in #Birmingham with three of the best people anyone could wish to have as friends. I’m so very lucky to have wonderful people to share my life with.

"If anyone came up to a child and said 'you know what, you're too fat'... you see how free that speech would be. These platforms do it to thousands of kids." Imran Ahmed, CEO of the Center for Countering Digital Hate, on freedom of speech and online safety. #Newsnight

Date for your diary: Please do come along and hear thinking on how Birmingham can best navigate the challenges and the opportunities ahead to realise its potential. Expect meaningful exchanges and no awkward silences; your participation/insights will be positively encouraged.

I drew a question at Prime Minister's Questions for the first time today. I raised knife crime, and @westmidlandspolice.bsky.social and PCC Simon Foster's bid to fund 150 additional officers. I'm glad to have secured a Home Office meeting to press the case.

So lovely to catch up with these beautiful people at the regional press awards @anniegouk.bsky.social @liamthorp.bsky.social Paul Gallagher @cathyduncan.bsky.social and of course the Birmingham Live gang!

Back in #Birmingham after a day celebrating regional journalism. Returning with two national awards for our #childpoverty emergency project and our coverage of Muslim communities and festivals in the city, and highly commended for news brand of the year is testimony to the teamwork behind BL

There is nothing about this that isn’t deeply troubling and scary.

Time to stop calling it a negotiation. This is two autocrats, looking to leverage as much as they can from a sovereign country, lying about Ukraine, posturing without Ukraine. Europe has to step up fast. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/f...

We are at peak 1984

Usual excellence from @mrjohncrace.bsky.social

BREAKING: The Vatican has announced that Pope Francis has pneumonia in both of his lungs.

‘You better brace yourselves for a whole lotta ugly comin at you from a never-ending parade of stupid.’ From a musical but apply to life right now.

There is so much to be fearful of in the world right now but the Trump/Vance/Musk triumvirate in the White House is easily the most terrifying.

Angst over online sales for #BlackSabbath #Ozzy final gig makes me long for days of physical queues. I loved standing with fellow fans for gig and footy tickets, queuing overnight was a blast. Better than digital lottery, with touts and bots running the show www.birminghammail.co.uk/whats-on/mus...

What a week for Birmingham - Black Sabbath reunion, Blues confirming huge investment in east Brum and tonight a huge FA Cup match. Buzzing! #Birmingham @birminghamcityfc.bsky.social

Catch up on all the goings-on over Birmingham City Council's Budget for 2025-26 in our live blog featuring all the info you need. I've been working through 426 pages and 18 appendices so you don't have to... #Birmingham #politics www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midland...

Meanwhile, over at Birmingham City Council, someone is still frantically proofreading/adding up the 2025-26 Budget proposals... www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midland...

Love the emotion bursting out of this as @bozzers.bsky.social reacts to the news of Ozzy's return to Brum. www.birminghammail.co.uk/whats-on/mus...

What a day 😭❤️ www.birminghammail.co.uk/whats-on/mus...

And this people is why I’m certain I was Finnish in another life - from a Guardian article: ‘The Finns call it kalsarikännit – the art of drinking at home in your pants’

Heading home after six hours in and around the Council House, hq of Birmingham City Council. A rather mundane meeting tbh until two really powerful motions for debate at the end. The first made me angry, knowing so little has changed; the second made me cry. I’ll post all the emerging stories soon

Delighted to see Mayor of WM Richard Parker direct funds to two roles pushing on road safety and active travel. What we need now for Birmingham is to see focus on child and youth poverty. Please don’t leave it in the “too complex” pile. It’s the shame of the city.

The thorny issue of councillor allowances is up for discussion at Birmingham City Council tomorrow. A backbencher allowance is just under £20k; they are expected to do the equivalent of 3.5 days/26 hours a week, in the biggest unitary/met council in Europe. They don't get pension, or redundancy.../1

I attended the #HolocaustMemorialDay commemoration today marking the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. Lovely to see so many young people involved and wanting a better future without prejudice or persecution. #HMD2025

Amid a catalogue of avoidable disasters at the council, this is right up there. ‘Birmingham faces £47k-a-day bill for 40 years for Perry Barr Games Village 'shocking' losses.’ Strongly advise download the BL app for best UX www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midland...