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Beth Stratford @bethstratford.bsky.social · Sep 16

Love these guys

Patriotic Millionaires UK @patmillsuk.bsky.social · Sep 16

A fun afternoon with our members at their local club, @leytonorientfc.bsky.social. We were proud match sponsors and had a great time cheering on the O's.

Patriotic millionaires will always be on the side of the people. It's time to tax the super rich.

#TaxWealthNotWork #WealthTaxNow

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Economic Change Unit @econchange.bsky.social · Jul 3

🚨 One week left to apply! We're recruiting an interim Executive Director to lead ECU while our ED is on sabbatical.

If you're an experienced leader with expertise in fundraising, programme management and governance this could be the role for you. 👇

econchange.org/recruitment/...

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Beth Stratford @bethstratford.bsky.social · Jul 3

Therefore, let this missive serve as a CLARION CALL to Rethink, Reform, and Restore! Let not our Fate be sealed by Habit and Inertia! Let us seize the Better Path — for the sake of our People, our Purse, and our Planet.
GOD SAVE ENGLAND AND HER HOMES.

Beth Stratford @bethstratford.bsky.social · Jul 3

With a more Artful Toolkit, we may alleviate the Sufferings of the People faster and with less Treasury spent — and unshackle our Builders to labour where they are most desperately needed.

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Beth Stratford @bethstratford.bsky.social · Jul 3

Yet — take heart! For all is not lost. Our preliminary Inquiries uncover PROMISING ALTERNATIVES: latent Resources abound within the HOMES we already possess! Wise and well-calibrated Policy may guide the Prices and Distribution of Dwellings without need of Brick upon Brick.

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Beth Stratford @bethstratford.bsky.social · Jul 3

They imperil our OBLIGATIONS to the CLIMATE and to all God's Creatures who dwell upon the Earth. The toils of so many Labourers shall also be drawn away from RETROFIT — that noble and necessary Work by which our present Homes may be restored to health and thriftiness —and from other great Endeavours

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Beth Stratford @bethstratford.bsky.social · Jul 3

The conclusion is inescapable — other Forces, vast and unchecked, do drive these Prices ever upward.
What is more, this mad chase after New-Builds bears grievous Costs to our Blessed Isle’s Air and Soil! Such Endeavours spew FORBIDDEN FUMES into our Heavens and lay Waste to Fields and Forests.

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Beth Stratford @bethstratford.bsky.social · Jul 3

Historical reckonings suggest that even had we summoned the Spirits of Industry to raise 300,000 Houses per annum from 1796 to 1817 (were it possible!), still would Prices have soared by 134 percent, a mere trifle less than the actual 151 percent.

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Beth Stratford @bethstratford.bsky.social · Jul 3

Nor shall House Prices yield much ground. The Office of Budgetary Responsibility, in its learned Prognostications of March in the Year of our Lord 1825, foresees but a 0.8 percent abatement in Prices by 1829, despite Reforms and lavish Subsidies.

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Beth Stratford @bethstratford.bsky.social · Jul 3

Without the Remedy of deeper Reform, this Building Blitz shall soften Rents but little — by scarce a single percentage point! Among the poorest Fifth, tenants of the Private Rented Realm are found to surrender near sixty percent of their meagre Incomes to Rent — a most intolerable tribute!

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Beth Stratford @bethstratford.bsky.social · Jul 3

hath Albion the Manpower and Means to manifest such a Vision?
Alas! Many Learned Men and Sages of the Building Arts declare it doubtful. And should the Herculean Labour succeed, still the Problem shall not be vanquished — for what availeth many new Houses, if the rot at the core remain?

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Beth Stratford @bethstratford.bsky.social · Jul 3

Verily, successive Ministries have proclaimed grand Designs: an unceasing torrent of MARKET-LED NEW CONSTRUCTION, with Promises of 1.5 MILLION new Homes ere the end of this Parliament. And while Investment in the Social and Affordable Sector is rightfully welcome, we must inquire —

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Beth Stratford @bethstratford.bsky.social · Jul 3

(the broadside continued...) Such ills arise not by chance, but from a Housing Order unfit for its Sacred Purpose — namely, to furnish the People of this Realm with Decent and Affordable Homes.

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Beth Stratford @bethstratford.bsky.social · Jul 3

Haha, published a report last week – Taking Stock: a foundation for future housing strategy – and my friend asked ChatGPT to rewrite it in style of an 18th Century broadside. Gotta admit it's quite lolz👇.

Anyway, ICYMI, exec summary is a 10min read here: darkmatterlabs.notion.site/hdce-takings...

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Beth Stratford @bethstratford.bsky.social · Jun 25

Keen to find others working on this intersection of housing justice and environmental justice, please tag folk who might be interested! @jksteinberger.bsky.social @kateraworth.bsky.social @georgemonbiot.bsky.social @meadwaj.bsky.social

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Beth Stratford @bethstratford.bsky.social · Jun 25

@stefanhorn.bsky.social‬
‪@jryancollins.bsky.social‬
@iipp-ucl.bsky.social‬
@darkmatterlabs.org‬

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Beth Stratford @bethstratford.bsky.social · Jun 25

📣Hot off the press!
Taking Stock: A foundation for future housing strategy.

We challenge persistent myths about the housing crisis and highlight ways to meet housing need within environmental limits. First output for 🏠Homes that Don’t Cost the Earth🌍.

Read a 10 min summary: tinyurl.com/mu59kb29

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Josh Ryan-Collins @jryancollins.bsky.social · Apr 24

Launching our Homes that don't cost the Earth project online today with Rosie Cade and @bethstratford.bsky.social presenting - get involved here: www.notion.so/darkmatterla...

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The Autonomy Institute @autonomy-institute.bsky.social · Apr 28

Currently confirmed speakers:
- Clive Lewis MP (@labourlewis.bsky.social)
- Faiza Shaheen (@faizashaheen.bsky.social)
- James Meadway (@meadwaj.bsky.social)
- Asad Rehman (@chilledasad.bsky.social)
- Beth Stratford (@bethstratford.bsky.social)
- Zack Polanski MLA (@zackpolanski.bsky.social)

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Jim Pickard @pickardje.bsky.social · Apr 30

“Labour…pointed out that the Tony Blair Institute works for the government of Saudi Arabia”

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Jesse Griffiths @jesselgriffiths.bsky.social · Apr 11

At the end of a slightly terrifying week, where a major financial crisis was averted – for now – I thought I’d reflect on whether such a crisis might happen anyway, and what this means for UK financial sector policy.

A thread.
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Common Wealth @cmmonwealth.bsky.social · Apr 4

🚨 The Government urgently needs policies which:

— 📈 Improve the cost of living
— 💰 Do not cost public money
— 👨‍🏭 Place them on the side of working people

🧵 The answer? Rent controls.

Our latest Perspectives piece by @sachahilhorst.bsky.social 👇

www.common-wealth.org/perspectives...

Take Back Rent Controls | Perspectives

Why rent controls are the policy Starmer needs.

www.common-wealth.org

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Christine Berry @christinejberry.bsky.social · Mar 21

I wrote a thing about the unreality of the debate on disability benefits, where it comes from and how it affects us. It cost a few spoons to do it, but I think it would have cost more not to. Have a read if you're interested: www.christineberry.net/2025/03/the-...

The lies we tell ourselves: Starmer and the gaslighting of disabled people – Christine Berry

www.christineberry.net

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Andrew Fisher @fisherandrew79.bsky.social · Feb 18

Wouldn't necessarily be a game-changer everywhere, but these policies could make a real difference in many parts of the country:

* 150% council tax premium on second homes
* Planning permission to turn residential homes into 2nd/holiday homes
* House prices fall by 12%
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Gwynedd house prices plunge as council acts on second homes

House prices in a Welsh county have fallen by more than 12% year-on-year, according to new figures.

www.bbc.co.uk

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Richard Bärnthaler @rbaernthaler.bsky.social · Feb 11

German state repression is spiralling out of control. A German climate activist has been banned from becoming a teacher. Here are some justifications from the Bavarian State Ministry of Science and the Arts—they are completely nuts:
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Lisa Poettinger @lisapoettinger.bsky.social · Feb 11

Es ist offiziell: Ich habe ein #Berufsverbot bekommen (Auszüge⬇️).
Weil ich eine marxistische Analyse der #Klimakrise vertrete. Ich stehe dazu: Die Wirtschaft muss demokratisiert werden, damit nicht einige wenige Superreiche für ihre Profite den Planeten zugrunde richten können.

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