David Durant
@bowsy.co.uk
I've been a long-time supporter of the government technology and transformation communities since 2009. I've worked for mySociety, the GLA, HackIT and GDS. I'm on the committees for GovCamp, TransformGov Talks and the UK Polyamory Association.
Heaven
A woman (30s?) is running along a country lane with two sheepdogs (kelpie and border collie) either side. Sheepdogs are rather enjoying exercising their human, doggy grins on their faces. A light mist of rain falling, the smell of petrichor in the air. (3)
January 15, 2026 at 2:52 AM
Heaven
Reposted by David Durant
A reminder that bringing shitty posts over from That Fascist Site to be performatively angry about them here is a choice you don't have to make! You can just leave them there! There is so much else to be legitimately angry about! You will not lack for content!
January 14, 2026 at 11:44 PM
A reminder that bringing shitty posts over from That Fascist Site to be performatively angry about them here is a choice you don't have to make! You can just leave them there! There is so much else to be legitimately angry about! You will not lack for content!
It’s Total Chaos—and Somehow It Works
YouTube video by Civic Punks
www.youtube.com
January 14, 2026 at 11:26 PM
Reposted by David Durant
that about sums it all up
January 12, 2026 at 9:24 PM
that about sums it all up
Reposted by David Durant
🚨 6PM, WED 28 January 🚨
At TPXImpact or online
Matt Wood-Hill, MHCLG, and Linda O’Halloran, TPXimpact on public service market-shaping.
Patrick Diamond, Professor in Public Policy, Queen Mary, University of London, on government effectiveness
luma.com/pc7ji8sg
Please share! Thanks 🙏
At TPXImpact or online
Matt Wood-Hill, MHCLG, and Linda O’Halloran, TPXimpact on public service market-shaping.
Patrick Diamond, Professor in Public Policy, Queen Mary, University of London, on government effectiveness
luma.com/pc7ji8sg
Please share! Thanks 🙏
TransformGov Talks: January 2026 · Luma
Join us at 5.30pm for a 6pm start.
Matt Wood-Hill, MHCLG, and Linda O'Halloran, TPXimpact on public service market-shaping
Patrick Diamond, Professor in Public…
luma.com
January 12, 2026 at 10:04 PM
🚨 6PM, WED 28 January 🚨
At TPXImpact or online
Matt Wood-Hill, MHCLG, and Linda O’Halloran, TPXimpact on public service market-shaping.
Patrick Diamond, Professor in Public Policy, Queen Mary, University of London, on government effectiveness
luma.com/pc7ji8sg
Please share! Thanks 🙏
At TPXImpact or online
Matt Wood-Hill, MHCLG, and Linda O’Halloran, TPXimpact on public service market-shaping.
Patrick Diamond, Professor in Public Policy, Queen Mary, University of London, on government effectiveness
luma.com/pc7ji8sg
Please share! Thanks 🙏
Reposted by David Durant
Either officials knew this was the error rate and thought it was acceptable, or thousands of families would have lost their benefit, no-one would have known why and this flawed system might have run on and on and on. Excellent investigation.
Labour admits 60% of parents wrongly targeted in HMRC child benefit fraud crackdown
Exclusive: Scale of government’s anti-fraud fiasco is four times higher than previously admitted
www.theguardian.com
December 21, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Either officials knew this was the error rate and thought it was acceptable, or thousands of families would have lost their benefit, no-one would have known why and this flawed system might have run on and on and on. Excellent investigation.
WTAF. I'm much more of a "centralise all the things" person that most gov-types I know and, dear god, this is a shockingly awful idea.
Screams of "do anything to fix the problem except legal immigration" thinking. Take what you want from that...
Screams of "do anything to fix the problem except legal immigration" thinking. Take what you want from that...
Just read a substack by a young policy type advocating for a "government-run dating service"
to support "couple creation" to address the fertility crisis and honestly I can think of nothing worse or more *incredibly* risky on the zero-to-eugenics front
to support "couple creation" to address the fertility crisis and honestly I can think of nothing worse or more *incredibly* risky on the zero-to-eugenics front
January 11, 2026 at 11:45 PM
WTAF. I'm much more of a "centralise all the things" person that most gov-types I know and, dear god, this is a shockingly awful idea.
Screams of "do anything to fix the problem except legal immigration" thinking. Take what you want from that...
Screams of "do anything to fix the problem except legal immigration" thinking. Take what you want from that...
Reposted by David Durant
If you or someone you know can't afford an Internet connection, get in touch with the National Databank. They provide free SIMs for people who are eligible.
https://www.goodthingsfoundation.org/our-services/national-databank
https://www.goodthingsfoundation.org/our-services/national-databank
What Is The National Databank | Free Mobile Data For Digital Inclusion | Good Things Foundation
Learn about the National Databank, a Good Things’ digital inclusion service that helps people in need access the internet through free mobile data.
www.goodthingsfoundation.org
January 11, 2026 at 3:22 PM
If you or someone you know can't afford an Internet connection, get in touch with the National Databank. They provide free SIMs for people who are eligible.
https://www.goodthingsfoundation.org/our-services/national-databank
https://www.goodthingsfoundation.org/our-services/national-databank
Currently using an AI to summarise and explain a paper on how AI's can slowly end up removing human influence from human culture. The irony is not lost on me...
gradual-disempowerment.ai
gradual-disempowerment.ai
Gradual Disempowerment
Gradual Disempowerment
gradual-disempowerment.ai
January 11, 2026 at 7:55 PM
Currently using an AI to summarise and explain a paper on how AI's can slowly end up removing human influence from human culture. The irony is not lost on me...
gradual-disempowerment.ai
gradual-disempowerment.ai
Psyched to be reading the excellent Nicky Case site on AI (aisafety.dance - highly recommended) and discover that they're going to be doing the art for @audreyt.org 's next book!
AI Safety for Fleshy Humans: a whirlwind tour
Your one-stop-shop to understand all the core ideas of AI & AI Safety!
aisafety.dance
January 11, 2026 at 7:33 PM
Psyched to be reading the excellent Nicky Case site on AI (aisafety.dance - highly recommended) and discover that they're going to be doing the art for @audreyt.org 's next book!
Reposted by David Durant
And one wonders if we'll get some more government organisations joining over the next few days and weeks...
January 11, 2026 at 7:18 PM
And one wonders if we'll get some more government organisations joining over the next few days and weeks...
Reposted by David Durant
* This list (so far) only includes bodies listed under ministerial and non-ministerial departments here: www.gov.uk/government/o...
That means it doesn't yet include 'Agencies and other public bodies' or 'public corporations' not nested under depts, high-profile groups, or devolved/local govt orgs
That means it doesn't yet include 'Agencies and other public bodies' or 'public corporations' not nested under depts, high-profile groups, or devolved/local govt orgs
Departments, agencies and public bodies - GOV.UK
www.gov.uk
January 11, 2026 at 7:17 PM
* This list (so far) only includes bodies listed under ministerial and non-ministerial departments here: www.gov.uk/government/o...
That means it doesn't yet include 'Agencies and other public bodies' or 'public corporations' not nested under depts, high-profile groups, or devolved/local govt orgs
That means it doesn't yet include 'Agencies and other public bodies' or 'public corporations' not nested under depts, high-profile groups, or devolved/local govt orgs
Reposted by David Durant
A couple of observations:
A lot aren't on here. No ministerial department is.
It's difficult to be sure that some are official accounts - many are not using their official domain in their handle (GOV.UK for many, but there are others), and/or are not linked from the organisation's website
A lot aren't on here. No ministerial department is.
It's difficult to be sure that some are official accounts - many are not using their official domain in their handle (GOV.UK for many, but there are others), and/or are not linked from the organisation's website
January 11, 2026 at 7:09 PM
A couple of observations:
A lot aren't on here. No ministerial department is.
It's difficult to be sure that some are official accounts - many are not using their official domain in their handle (GOV.UK for many, but there are others), and/or are not linked from the organisation's website
A lot aren't on here. No ministerial department is.
It's difficult to be sure that some are official accounts - many are not using their official domain in their handle (GOV.UK for many, but there are others), and/or are not linked from the organisation's website
Reposted by David Durant
So... I've created a starter pack of UK government organisations currently on Bluesky: go.bsky.app/JHsY1Wz
(Currently includes all those listed under ministerial and non-ministerial departments here www.gov.uk/government/o... - let me know any I've missed, or got wrong)
(Currently includes all those listed under ministerial and non-ministerial departments here www.gov.uk/government/o... - let me know any I've missed, or got wrong)
January 11, 2026 at 7:09 PM
So... I've created a starter pack of UK government organisations currently on Bluesky: go.bsky.app/JHsY1Wz
(Currently includes all those listed under ministerial and non-ministerial departments here www.gov.uk/government/o... - let me know any I've missed, or got wrong)
(Currently includes all those listed under ministerial and non-ministerial departments here www.gov.uk/government/o... - let me know any I've missed, or got wrong)
Not for me but @gavinfreeguard.bsky.social should definitely be on there.
If you're new here and happen to see this, here's a Critical Tech starter pack, full of interesting folk to follow go.bsky.app/VFxSES6 And if you have a small account (<10k followers) and would like to be added for visibility, let me know! (Although response times may be slow)
January 11, 2026 at 1:33 AM
Not for me but @gavinfreeguard.bsky.social should definitely be on there.
Reposted by David Durant
Reposted by David Durant
Respectfully, leaving abusive situations is not “letting the abuser win”. It’s a common, but deeply problematic way to frame any kind of abusive or hostile environment. “Just keeping taking the abuse” is deeply misogynistic
If women quit X because of Grok’s deepfake nudes, the predators win – so I’m staying
If women quit X because of Grok’s deepfake nudes, the predators win – so I’m staying
If women quit X because of Grok’s deepfake nudes, the predators win – so I’m staying
www.independent.co.uk
January 10, 2026 at 5:18 PM
Respectfully, leaving abusive situations is not “letting the abuser win”. It’s a common, but deeply problematic way to frame any kind of abusive or hostile environment. “Just keeping taking the abuse” is deeply misogynistic
Reposted by David Durant
Help us build a solidarity network for Hopeful Technologists ☀️hopeful.technology
January 10, 2026 at 5:45 PM
Help us build a solidarity network for Hopeful Technologists ☀️hopeful.technology
Reposted by David Durant
I said it before:
Friday is my international exchange day.
Today, I was in touch with #GovDesign colleagues:
• in Cyprus 🇨🇾 government on #ServiceStandard procurement and assurance
• at NHS 🇬🇧 about accessing advanced #userResearch training
• at the UN University 🇺🇳 on quality assurance
Friday is my international exchange day.
Today, I was in touch with #GovDesign colleagues:
• in Cyprus 🇨🇾 government on #ServiceStandard procurement and assurance
• at NHS 🇬🇧 about accessing advanced #userResearch training
• at the UN University 🇺🇳 on quality assurance
January 9, 2026 at 8:57 PM
I said it before:
Friday is my international exchange day.
Today, I was in touch with #GovDesign colleagues:
• in Cyprus 🇨🇾 government on #ServiceStandard procurement and assurance
• at NHS 🇬🇧 about accessing advanced #userResearch training
• at the UN University 🇺🇳 on quality assurance
Friday is my international exchange day.
Today, I was in touch with #GovDesign colleagues:
• in Cyprus 🇨🇾 government on #ServiceStandard procurement and assurance
• at NHS 🇬🇧 about accessing advanced #userResearch training
• at the UN University 🇺🇳 on quality assurance
Reposted by David Durant
So here’s the order of events:
Renee Good: “I’m not mad at you.”
*ICE officer shoots her in the face*
ICE officer: “F**king b*tch”
Trump: “It’s a miracle he’s alive”
Vance: “She was a domestic terrorist.”
Renee Good: “I’m not mad at you.”
*ICE officer shoots her in the face*
ICE officer: “F**king b*tch”
Trump: “It’s a miracle he’s alive”
Vance: “She was a domestic terrorist.”
January 9, 2026 at 7:47 PM
So here’s the order of events:
Renee Good: “I’m not mad at you.”
*ICE officer shoots her in the face*
ICE officer: “F**king b*tch”
Trump: “It’s a miracle he’s alive”
Vance: “She was a domestic terrorist.”
Renee Good: “I’m not mad at you.”
*ICE officer shoots her in the face*
ICE officer: “F**king b*tch”
Trump: “It’s a miracle he’s alive”
Vance: “She was a domestic terrorist.”
Reposted by David Durant
It’s not about keeping us safe from criminals. This is ethnic cleansing.
January 10, 2026 at 12:45 AM
It’s not about keeping us safe from criminals. This is ethnic cleansing.
Reposted by David Durant
If you're new here and happen to see this, here's a Critical Tech starter pack, full of interesting folk to follow go.bsky.app/VFxSES6 And if you have a small account (<10k followers) and would like to be added for visibility, let me know! (Although response times may be slow)
January 8, 2026 at 12:27 PM
If you're new here and happen to see this, here's a Critical Tech starter pack, full of interesting folk to follow go.bsky.app/VFxSES6 And if you have a small account (<10k followers) and would like to be added for visibility, let me know! (Although response times may be slow)
Good that this consultation is open but facial recognition is already used by a number of police forces and local authorities. A rather Trumpian attitude to do something and wait for the law to strike it down later (hopefully).
www.gov.uk/government/c...
www.gov.uk/government/c...
Legal framework for using facial recognition in law enforcement
The government is launching a consultation to help develop a new legal framework for the use of facial recognition and similar technologies by law enforcement.
www.gov.uk
January 9, 2026 at 3:18 PM
Good that this consultation is open but facial recognition is already used by a number of police forces and local authorities. A rather Trumpian attitude to do something and wait for the law to strike it down later (hopefully).
www.gov.uk/government/c...
www.gov.uk/government/c...
Reposted by David Durant
As Tees Valley mayor Lord Houchen's defence of his deal with local businessmen crumbles, here's the Eye's recent special report on how Britain's flagship regeneration scheme secretly turned into one of the biggest giveaways of public money on record.
➡️ www.private-eye.co.uk/special-repo...
➡️ www.private-eye.co.uk/special-repo...
Special Report: Stripped Tees
IT WAS to be the UK’s largest regeneration scheme in decades, a model for regional devolution and the flagship post-Brexit freeport. But the redevelopment of the former steelworks on the south bank of...
www.private-eye.co.uk
January 9, 2026 at 2:41 PM
As Tees Valley mayor Lord Houchen's defence of his deal with local businessmen crumbles, here's the Eye's recent special report on how Britain's flagship regeneration scheme secretly turned into one of the biggest giveaways of public money on record.
➡️ www.private-eye.co.uk/special-repo...
➡️ www.private-eye.co.uk/special-repo...
I'm bringing some new good ones. Looking forward to other people's!
Still plenty of real estate on the new laptop - hope there are some good stickers at #ukgc26 😆
@visitmy.website any Boring Magic? I’m out ✨
@visitmy.website any Boring Magic? I’m out ✨
January 9, 2026 at 3:05 PM
I'm bringing some new good ones. Looking forward to other people's!