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sandyofipswich.bsky.social
Sandy Martin
@sandyofipswich.bsky.social
3.2K followers 2.6K following 410 posts
Chair, Labour Campaign for Electoral Reform, SERA Executive (Labour’s Environment Campaign), pro-EU, LGBT+, Democratic Socialist - for 1to1 dialogue feel free to email [email protected]
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sandyofipswich.bsky.social
Sandy Martin @sandyofipswich.bsky.social · Apr 4
If results this spring are so random, @uklabour.bsky.social has got to take notice. Mayoral elections in May 2026 currently due to be FPTP - the government MUST return to Supplementary Vote for these, or preferably ranked voting. Join us to campaign for rational democracy @labour4pr.bsky.social
robfordmancs.bsky.social
Rob Ford @robfordmancs.bsky.social · Apr 3
With Greens at 72% also that means we will have five party competition in most wards (as we did last year in nearly all constituencies). Don’t think that’s ever come close to happening before.
electionmaps.uk
Election Maps UK @electionmaps.uk · Apr 3
🚨 | Total Number of Candidates (/1,641) #LE2025:

➡️ RFM: 1,630 (99.3%)
🌳 CON: 1,594 (97.1%)
🌹 LAB: 1,540 (93.8%)
🔶 LDM: 1,396 (85.1%)
🌍 GRN: 1,182 (72.0%)

🧑‍🔧 TUSC: 97 (5.9%)
🏰 HER: 24 (1.5%)
🟡 MK: 18 (1.1%)
💷 UKIP: 13 (.8%)
🔴 SDP: 11 (.7%)

🙋 Inds: 461
🏘️ Local: 103
docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
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sandyofipswich.bsky.social
Sandy Martin @sandyofipswich.bsky.social · 5h
Robin Cook quote of day: “Left unchecked, the market economy creates two fundamental problems. The first is that it can be inimical to the values of equality & fairness and therefore corrosive of social cohesion. The second is that an unregulated market is not a stable device for perpetual motion.”
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sandyofipswich.bsky.social
Sandy Martin @sandyofipswich.bsky.social · 1d
Robin Cook quote of the day: “A world governed by rules rather than by force requires an agreed forum to regulate the use of force. That forum can only be the UN.”
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jrf-uk.bsky.social
Joseph Rowntree Foundation @jrf-uk.bsky.social · 1d
Politicians must focus on what matters to people like tackling poverty 📢

Everyone deserves an affordable home, work that gives enough to get by on, and enough money to pay the bills

Politicians can make the right decisions today and build a better future

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/PXwaluRFAPs
YouTube
Share your videos with friends, family, and the world
www.youtube.com
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Reposted by Sandy Martin
labourunionsuk.bsky.social
Labour Unions @labourunionsuk.bsky.social · 1d
By delivering rights from day one, better parental leave and better sickness pay, Labour's New Deal for Working People will make work better and more secure. As @lukemurphy.bsky.social says, that's good for workers, good for businesses and good for the economy
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sandyofipswich.bsky.social
Sandy Martin @sandyofipswich.bsky.social · 2d
….is unlikely to come on stream (going by current performance) before 2050. Way before then we can have developed effective green hydrogen generation powered from our excess wind and solar, and hydrogen-driven “dispatchable” power stations for when there is a spot need
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sandyofipswich.bsky.social
Sandy Martin @sandyofipswich.bsky.social · 2d
You can find experts that will say virtually anything. We currently have “dispatchables” in the shape of gas-fired power stations. Putting more into renewables and insulation will reduce our need for gas more quickly and cheaply than “investing” in yet another nuclear power station which….
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sandyofipswich.bsky.social
Sandy Martin @sandyofipswich.bsky.social · 3d
Robin Cook quote of the day: “Political parties do not achieve renewal by reshuffling staff in their leader’s office, but by changing the culture, priorities and direction of the organisation.”
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bestforbritain.org
Best for Britain @bestforbritain.org · 4d
❓NHS waiting list in May 2010 when the Conservatives came to power: 2.60 million.

❓NHS waiting list in July 2024 when the Conservatives left power: 7.62 million.

Who's fault is it Kemi?

Source:https://www.bma.org.uk/advice-and-support/nhs-delivery-and-workforce/pressures/nhs-backlog-data-analysis
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sandyofipswich.bsky.social
Sandy Martin @sandyofipswich.bsky.social · 2d
That already happens, but it may not be enough next time round
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sandyofipswich.bsky.social
Sandy Martin @sandyofipswich.bsky.social · 2d
There’s a way to go but we can do it. We’ll do it a lot lot quicker if we invest all our money in insulation and renewables and stop pouring cash down the dangerous and pointless black hole of nuclear power.
eastangliabylines.co.uk
East Anglia Bylines @eastangliabylines.co.uk · 2d
Clean energy has powered Great Britain entirely for a record 87 hours so far in 2025 – up from just 2.5 hours in 2021.

Progress is accelerating, but the country still has a long way to go before reaching 100 % clean power by 2030.

Dr Simon Evans reports
Great Britain has run on 100% clean power for record 87 hours in 2025 so far
Clean-energy sources have powered Great Britain entirely for a record 87 hours this year — a milestone toward 2030 targets
eastangliabylines.co.uk
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Reposted by Sandy Martin
london.gov.uk
Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan @london.gov.uk · 2d
I’ve always been clear that no one should have to sleep rough on our streets.

This additional funding from government will support our Rough Sleeping Action Plan and our work with London Councils to prevent people becoming homeless.
Poster from the Mayor of London announcing £36.5 million in government funding to help Londoners facing homelessness. The text reads: ‘GREAT NEWS – Government announces £36.5M to help Londoners facing homelessness.’ It details funding allocations: £28.4m to prevent and end rough sleeping, £7.1m to support families in temporary accommodation with essentials, and £960k for drug and alcohol treatment for people sleeping rough or at risk of homelessness. The background shows a dimly lit city street or alleyway.
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sandyofipswich.bsky.social
Sandy Martin @sandyofipswich.bsky.social · 2d
Robin Cook quote of the day: “Renewal must be about more than reviving party political support for Labour. It must also offer a prospect of giving politics back a sense of excitement, and rekindling the dwindling interest in the political system. That means a return to values-based politics.”
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lewisherbert.bsky.social
Lewis Herbert @lewisherbert.bsky.social · 2d
Adoption of PR for all elections has to become Labour Govt's top "system change priority" and critical by 2027 OR TOO LATE.
Sadly too many want to put all their chips on red, blinded by once in a lifetime 2024 result.
Otherwise 33% will beat 55% under current FPTP in 2029.
Keep up great feed Sandy!
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sandyofipswich.bsky.social
Sandy Martin @sandyofipswich.bsky.social · 2d
I’m not sure that a “pact” would either be achievable or would work. There are lots of potential Labour voters who would never vote Green. There’s lots of Greens who would never vote Labour. And anyway Party rules make it impossible. Fair votes is much better- there’s still time, just about
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labourunionsuk.bsky.social
Labour Unions @labourunionsuk.bsky.social · 3d
This is welcome news. Working people should never be barred from enforcing their rights. Tribunal fees would have been a barrier to justice.

Let's fix the broken system the Tories left behind.⚖️

www.theguardian.com/money/2025/o...
David Lammy rules out charging workers for employment tribunal claims
Justice secretary says right to challenge unfair work behaviour is core to Labour work plan after union backlash
www.theguardian.com
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Reposted by Sandy Martin
andrewranger-mp.bsky.social
Andrew Ranger MP @andrewranger-mp.bsky.social · 3d
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sandyofipswich.bsky.social
Sandy Martin @sandyofipswich.bsky.social · 2d
I don’t believe that Farage would ever get more than 1/3 of the votes- but on this performance under First Past the Post he would sweep the board with seats. It is now imperative that the government should set up a National Commission to design a system so every vote counts and Farage can’t win
georgemonbiot.bsky.social
George Monbiot @georgemonbiot.bsky.social · 2d
Astonishing advance by the Greens, astonishing implosion of Labour. When will Starmer's government get the message that it is destroying its base with deeply unpopular, rightwing policies?

By chasing Reform, it legitimises the far right while delegitimising itself.
zackpolanski.bsky.social
Zack Polanski @zackpolanski.bsky.social · 3d
Latest poll puts Greens just two points behind Labour. When I said we weren't here to be disappointed in Labour but to replace them, I meant it.

Join us and let's make hope normal again.

join.greenparty.org.uk
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sandyofipswich.bsky.social
Sandy Martin @sandyofipswich.bsky.social · 3d
Just reading Nick Cohen’s latest Writing from London - [email protected] - I’d urge you to subscribe. Your enemy’s enemy is very often not your friend. Netanyahu’s government is an international disgrace- but that doesn’t excuse Hamas or the Iranian government - murderous, sexist and homophobic
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sandyofipswich.bsky.social
Sandy Martin @sandyofipswich.bsky.social · 3d
Robin Cook quote of the day: “Political parties do not achieve renewal by reshuffling staff in their leader’s office, but by changing the culture, priorities and direction of the organisation.”
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Reposted by Sandy Martin
labourunionsuk.bsky.social
Labour Unions @labourunionsuk.bsky.social · 3d
Labour's New Deal for Working People should be delivered in full so we can end exploitative zero hours contracts, limit the use of fire and rehire, and do so much more to improve the lives of working people @stevewitherdenmp.bsky.social 🔥✊🌹
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sandyofipswich.bsky.social
Sandy Martin @sandyofipswich.bsky.social · 3d
To be fair, large elements of the so-called mainstream media have entrenched political agendas which have more to do with their owners interests than with the truth. We need media access- but we also need a media that is independent not only of governments but of multinational multimillionaires too
unlockdemocracy.bsky.social
Unlock Democracy @unlockdemocracy.bsky.social · 3d
A free press is a vital part of a functioning democracy.

That means all sides accommodating critical voices.

Even the appearance of Labour and the Conservatives trying to stifle dissent at their party conferences sets us on a dangerous path.

bylinetimes.com/2025/10/08/c...
Conservatives Accused of ‘Trumpian’ Tactics After Barring Second Byline Times Journalist From Conference
Veteran award-winning investigative journalist David Hencke has attended Conservative party conference since 1987 but is now hundreds of pounds out of pocket after being blocked from attending
bylinetimes.com
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unlockdemocracy.bsky.social
Unlock Democracy @unlockdemocracy.bsky.social · 3d
A free press is a vital part of a functioning democracy.

That means all sides accommodating critical voices.

Even the appearance of Labour and the Conservatives trying to stifle dissent at their party conferences sets us on a dangerous path.

bylinetimes.com/2025/10/08/c...
Conservatives Accused of ‘Trumpian’ Tactics After Barring Second Byline Times Journalist From Conference
Veteran award-winning investigative journalist David Hencke has attended Conservative party conference since 1987 but is now hundreds of pounds out of pocket after being blocked from attending
bylinetimes.com
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Reposted by Sandy Martin
peterstefanovic.bsky.social
Peter Stefanovic @peterstefanovic.bsky.social · 3d
Let’s also remember that the ECHR has protected British people from abuses of power by its own government.

We must protect the ECHR, not leave it
peterstefanovic.bsky.social
Peter Stefanovic @peterstefanovic.bsky.social · 6d
When the Tories were last in office - according to international Human Rights Watch - UK was on course to make list of countries that abuse rather than protect human rights. Is it any wonder they want us to join Russia & Belarus as only European countries outside the ECHR
youtu.be/ceukUFLBrFo?...
🚨UK will leave the ECHR if Tories win next election Kemi Badenoch has announced
YouTube video by Peter Stefanovic
youtu.be
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london.gov.uk
Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan @london.gov.uk · 5d
My statement on the second anniversary of the 7 October attacks.
Two years on from the horrific terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, we remember all the innocent victims whose lives were cruelly stolen by Hamas. Our thoughts are also with the families whose loved ones were callously murdered, as well as with the hostages who disgracefully remain in captivity and must be released immediately. October 7 was the single deadliest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust and a profoundly painful experience for London’s Jewish communities. We must never forget this atrocity, nor the deep distress and grief it has caused many Londoners. As the vile terrorist attack on Heaton Park synagogue in Manchester last Thursday demonstrated, we still have far more to do to tackle the poison of antisemitism and drive it out of our society. Our Jewish communities must be able to live, work and worship freely – without the fear of harassment, discrimination, intimidation or violence. The fact they are currently unable to shows we must work much harder to stamp out antisemitism wherever it rears its ugly head. We must never allow conflict overseas to divide us at home. As Mayor, I will continue my work to promote inter-faith dialogue and build bridges between our different religious communities. Whether it’s antisemitism or any other form of bigotry, London has no place for those who seek to sow the seeds of hate. On this solemn anniversary, we must also acknowledge the suffering and trauma since 7 October 2023. Like so many others, my heart aches for the tens of thousands of innocent civilians in Gaza who have been killed and the families who have been torn apart. Today, more than ever, I pray that the cycle of terror, killing and bloodshed that has engulfed the region can soon be brought to an end; that the surviving hostages can be set free; that vital humanitarian aid can flow into Gaza; and that Israelis and Palestinians can one day live side-by-side in two states and in peace.
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alexsobel.co.uk
Alex Sobel MP @alexsobel.co.uk · 11d
Report: www.nus.org.uk/commission-o...
APPG for Students launches their Commission on Students in Higher Education with input from SUs
The report identifies the urgent challenges facing universities today, as well as proposing solutions based on over 30 written submissions from students’ unions, universities, sector bodies, and indiv...
www.nus.org.uk
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