Ben Williams
@bpwilliams72.bsky.social
Liberal sort. Rambler. Singer. Gamer. Occasional writer. Recovering politico. Former lots of things (inc. Lib Dem Leader's Chief of Staff, Cabinet Office SpAd, Head of Whips' Office). Yorkshire via Essex. Posting in a strictly personal capacity.
Reposted by Ben Williams
Rupert Lowe tweets his Restore Britain party will vet councillors who want to join - to avoid accepting those who "don't have the stomach" for what needs to be done.
His most openly racist supporters say they are "ecstatic".
They believe he will set no boundaries at all on overt racism for members
His most openly racist supporters say they are "ecstatic".
They believe he will set no boundaries at all on overt racism for members
February 15, 2026 at 2:42 PM
Rupert Lowe tweets his Restore Britain party will vet councillors who want to join - to avoid accepting those who "don't have the stomach" for what needs to be done.
His most openly racist supporters say they are "ecstatic".
They believe he will set no boundaries at all on overt racism for members
His most openly racist supporters say they are "ecstatic".
They believe he will set no boundaries at all on overt racism for members
Reposted by Ben Williams
Rupert Lowe wants Restore Britain to be a national party, competing to offer an agenda further right of Reform. (It will be closer to a 2-4% proposition than 10%. There are several < 1% parties in this space like Advance UK & others)
February 14, 2026 at 10:20 PM
Rupert Lowe wants Restore Britain to be a national party, competing to offer an agenda further right of Reform. (It will be closer to a 2-4% proposition than 10%. There are several < 1% parties in this space like Advance UK & others)
Reposted by Ben Williams
Don't you hate it when fighting age men flee their own country, leaving their families behind, then expect other people to give them a handout.
February 14, 2026 at 8:16 PM
Don't you hate it when fighting age men flee their own country, leaving their families behind, then expect other people to give them a handout.
Reposted by Ben Williams
This is a story that has really cut through in Australia - seen as UK adopting hostile attitude to their citizens. Raised spontaneously in conversation.. In papers. Affects those who have been Irish citizens too ..
One can make the case for requiring either a UK passport or some further documentation for dual British nationals to enter the country (this is true for eg the US). But making this change rapidly and getting a certificate so expensive is yet another Home Office cockup. Why always so draconian?
Gabrielle was all set for a routine trip from Australia to the UK. Then the rules for dual citizens suddenly changed
From 25 February all dual citizens visiting the UK must use their British passport, leaving many scrambling to get their documents in order
www.theguardian.com
February 13, 2026 at 3:07 PM
This is a story that has really cut through in Australia - seen as UK adopting hostile attitude to their citizens. Raised spontaneously in conversation.. In papers. Affects those who have been Irish citizens too ..
Reposted by Ben Williams
Hegseth blew up another boat and killed more people. We have no idea who they were or what they were doing because it’s just “trust me, bro” while we kill people.
February 14, 2026 at 1:26 AM
Hegseth blew up another boat and killed more people. We have no idea who they were or what they were doing because it’s just “trust me, bro” while we kill people.
Reposted by Ben Williams
"People who don’t have children should be taxed extra as punishment"
- Reform by-election candidate, Gorton & Denton
"Decreti"
- Romanians born under Decree 770 of dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu to create larger Romanian population
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
- Reform by-election candidate, Gorton & Denton
"Decreti"
- Romanians born under Decree 770 of dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu to create larger Romanian population
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
‘Handmaid’s Tale future’: Reform’s Matt Goodwin sparks outcry with fertility comments
Byelection candidate accused of indulging ‘alt right fantasy’ by suggesting women need ‘biological reality’ check
www.theguardian.com
February 13, 2026 at 11:27 PM
"People who don’t have children should be taxed extra as punishment"
- Reform by-election candidate, Gorton & Denton
"Decreti"
- Romanians born under Decree 770 of dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu to create larger Romanian population
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
- Reform by-election candidate, Gorton & Denton
"Decreti"
- Romanians born under Decree 770 of dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu to create larger Romanian population
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Ben Williams
Reposted by Ben Williams
And just like that, Gilead was no longer dystopian fiction.
“Just like Hitler imprisoned Gypsies, Jews, communists, you know, all of his political rivals, we have to do the same thing with women… So they go to the gulag first. They go to the breeding gulags.”
www.mediamatters.org/nick-fuentes...
“Just like Hitler imprisoned Gypsies, Jews, communists, you know, all of his political rivals, we have to do the same thing with women… So they go to the gulag first. They go to the breeding gulags.”
www.mediamatters.org/nick-fuentes...
Nick Fuentes: “The number one political enemy in America is women. … They have to be imprisoned.”
www.mediamatters.org
February 13, 2026 at 6:44 PM
And just like that, Gilead was no longer dystopian fiction.
“Just like Hitler imprisoned Gypsies, Jews, communists, you know, all of his political rivals, we have to do the same thing with women… So they go to the gulag first. They go to the breeding gulags.”
www.mediamatters.org/nick-fuentes...
“Just like Hitler imprisoned Gypsies, Jews, communists, you know, all of his political rivals, we have to do the same thing with women… So they go to the gulag first. They go to the breeding gulags.”
www.mediamatters.org/nick-fuentes...
Reposted by Ben Williams
Exclusive: Emails appear to show that Andrew tried to facilitate a meeting with Colonel Gaddafi for Jeffrey Epstein.
📩 Read the full newsletter: channel4news.substack.com/p/exclusive-...
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📩 Read the full newsletter: channel4news.substack.com/p/exclusive-...
🔔To be notified of the latest updates from Channel 4 News on WhatsApp, click the bell in the top-right
Exclusive: Former Prince Andrew tried to facilitate Epstein-Gaddafi meeting
Emails appear to show that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor tried to facilitate a meeting with Colonel Muammar Gaddafi for Jeffrey Epstein, at Epstein’s request.
channel4news.substack.com
February 13, 2026 at 8:13 PM
Exclusive: Emails appear to show that Andrew tried to facilitate a meeting with Colonel Gaddafi for Jeffrey Epstein.
📩 Read the full newsletter: channel4news.substack.com/p/exclusive-...
🔔To be notified of the latest updates from Channel 4 News on WhatsApp, click the bell in the top-right
📩 Read the full newsletter: channel4news.substack.com/p/exclusive-...
🔔To be notified of the latest updates from Channel 4 News on WhatsApp, click the bell in the top-right
Reposted by Ben Williams
Belatedly realised it would probably be helpful of me to link to the full ruling for those who would like to read it: www.judiciary.uk/wp-content/u...
www.judiciary.uk
February 13, 2026 at 1:15 PM
Belatedly realised it would probably be helpful of me to link to the full ruling for those who would like to read it: www.judiciary.uk/wp-content/u...
Reposted by Ben Williams
Facebook plans to put facial recognition in its glasses and they think we’re too stupid to fight back.
Their internal memo: “We will launch during a dynamic political environment where many civil society groups that we would expect to attack us would have their resources focused on other concerns.”
Their internal memo: “We will launch during a dynamic political environment where many civil society groups that we would expect to attack us would have their resources focused on other concerns.”
Meta Plans to Add Facial Recognition Technology to Its Smart Glasses
www.nytimes.com
February 13, 2026 at 12:16 PM
Facebook plans to put facial recognition in its glasses and they think we’re too stupid to fight back.
Their internal memo: “We will launch during a dynamic political environment where many civil society groups that we would expect to attack us would have their resources focused on other concerns.”
Their internal memo: “We will launch during a dynamic political environment where many civil society groups that we would expect to attack us would have their resources focused on other concerns.”
The International Olympic Committee are a total shower. At least they're consistent in their support for fascism, historic or modern.
February 13, 2026 at 1:20 PM
The International Olympic Committee are a total shower. At least they're consistent in their support for fascism, historic or modern.
Reposted by Ben Williams
NEW
The High Court rules the proscription of Palestine Action was unlawful.
What did the judgment say and not say, and what has changed and not changed. And what happens next.
Quick explainer by me at @prospectmagazine.co.uk
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/th...
The High Court rules the proscription of Palestine Action was unlawful.
What did the judgment say and not say, and what has changed and not changed. And what happens next.
Quick explainer by me at @prospectmagazine.co.uk
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/th...
The High Court rules the proscription of Palestine Action was unlawful. What next?
This is a big judgment. But not everything has changed
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
February 13, 2026 at 12:46 PM
NEW
The High Court rules the proscription of Palestine Action was unlawful.
What did the judgment say and not say, and what has changed and not changed. And what happens next.
Quick explainer by me at @prospectmagazine.co.uk
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/th...
The High Court rules the proscription of Palestine Action was unlawful.
What did the judgment say and not say, and what has changed and not changed. And what happens next.
Quick explainer by me at @prospectmagazine.co.uk
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/th...
Reposted by Ben Williams
ICYMI
Behind the smoke and mirrors of the Govt’s new funding settlement for councils, the amount they are actually proposing to provide to most inner London councils is going DOWN.
It’s disingenuous, unfair and frankly outrageous.
Behind the smoke and mirrors of the Govt’s new funding settlement for councils, the amount they are actually proposing to provide to most inner London councils is going DOWN.
It’s disingenuous, unfair and frankly outrageous.
February 13, 2026 at 12:35 PM
ICYMI
Behind the smoke and mirrors of the Govt’s new funding settlement for councils, the amount they are actually proposing to provide to most inner London councils is going DOWN.
It’s disingenuous, unfair and frankly outrageous.
Behind the smoke and mirrors of the Govt’s new funding settlement for councils, the amount they are actually proposing to provide to most inner London councils is going DOWN.
It’s disingenuous, unfair and frankly outrageous.
Reposted by Ben Williams
Many good points caught here by the estimable @jamesrball.com
The judgment was an impressive win for the claimant, but the court was certainly *not* impressed by Palestine Action.
The judgment was an impressive win for the claimant, but the court was certainly *not* impressed by Palestine Action.
Significant that the High Court ruling is still, in places, quite damning of Palestine Action. It emphatically rejects that the group is engaged in "civil disobediance", for example.
It just finds (compellingly) that proscription was still wrong, despite that.
It just finds (compellingly) that proscription was still wrong, despite that.
February 13, 2026 at 12:07 PM
Many good points caught here by the estimable @jamesrball.com
The judgment was an impressive win for the claimant, but the court was certainly *not* impressed by Palestine Action.
The judgment was an impressive win for the claimant, but the court was certainly *not* impressed by Palestine Action.
Reposted by Ben Williams
This morning the High Court found that the government's decision to proscribe Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation was unlawful. Explanation and analysis from @finishedloading.bsky.social and me below.
High Court: Proscription of Palestine Action unlawful
administrativecourtblog.wordpress.com/2026/02/13/h...
administrativecourtblog.wordpress.com/2026/02/13/h...
High Court: Proscription of Palestine Action unlawful
The High Court has upheld the judicial review against the Home Secretary’s proscription of Palestine Action on two grounds. First, the Home Secretary exercised the discretion to proscribe taking ac…
administrativecourtblog.wordpress.com
February 13, 2026 at 12:19 PM
This morning the High Court found that the government's decision to proscribe Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation was unlawful. Explanation and analysis from @finishedloading.bsky.social and me below.
Reposted by Ben Williams
The second ground that Palestine Action won on related to freedom of expression, association and assembly
The High Court dismissed several arguments advanced on Palestine Action's behalf and
"attached little weight" to sign-holding arrests but concluded that a "fair balance" had not been struck
The High Court dismissed several arguments advanced on Palestine Action's behalf and
"attached little weight" to sign-holding arrests but concluded that a "fair balance" had not been struck
February 13, 2026 at 10:43 AM
The second ground that Palestine Action won on related to freedom of expression, association and assembly
The High Court dismissed several arguments advanced on Palestine Action's behalf and
"attached little weight" to sign-holding arrests but concluded that a "fair balance" had not been struck
The High Court dismissed several arguments advanced on Palestine Action's behalf and
"attached little weight" to sign-holding arrests but concluded that a "fair balance" had not been struck
Reposted by Ben Williams
In their summary, the judges said: "A very small number of Palestine Action’s activities amounted to acts of terrorism...the nature
and scale of Palestine Action’s activities falling within the definition of terrorism had not
yet reached the level, scale and persistence to warrant proscription."
and scale of Palestine Action’s activities falling within the definition of terrorism had not
yet reached the level, scale and persistence to warrant proscription."
February 13, 2026 at 10:41 AM
In their summary, the judges said: "A very small number of Palestine Action’s activities amounted to acts of terrorism...the nature
and scale of Palestine Action’s activities falling within the definition of terrorism had not
yet reached the level, scale and persistence to warrant proscription."
and scale of Palestine Action’s activities falling within the definition of terrorism had not
yet reached the level, scale and persistence to warrant proscription."
Reposted by Ben Williams
The UK government's decision to ban Palestine Action as a terrorist group has been ruled unlawful by the High Court
I'm still in Japan, but had a feeling this ruling would come while I was away and so a story will be coming shortly...
I'm still in Japan, but had a feeling this ruling would come while I was away and so a story will be coming shortly...
February 13, 2026 at 10:12 AM
The UK government's decision to ban Palestine Action as a terrorist group has been ruled unlawful by the High Court
I'm still in Japan, but had a feeling this ruling would come while I was away and so a story will be coming shortly...
I'm still in Japan, but had a feeling this ruling would come while I was away and so a story will be coming shortly...
Reposted by Ben Williams
🚨BREAKING: The new Representation of the People Bill is here.
The Bill aims to "restore trust in our democracy" - but it doesn't even touch the voting system that leaves millions unrepresented.
60% of Brits want to scrap First Past the Post.
Tell Starmer to include electoral reform in the Bill ⬇️
The Bill aims to "restore trust in our democracy" - but it doesn't even touch the voting system that leaves millions unrepresented.
60% of Brits want to scrap First Past the Post.
Tell Starmer to include electoral reform in the Bill ⬇️
The Representation of the People Bill MUST scrap First Past the Post
First Past the Post can no longer deliver real mandates - only chaos. 60% of Brits want it scrapped.
Yet the new Representation of the People Bill won’t even touch our rotten voting system, which lea...
actionnetwork.org
February 12, 2026 at 12:19 PM
🚨BREAKING: The new Representation of the People Bill is here.
The Bill aims to "restore trust in our democracy" - but it doesn't even touch the voting system that leaves millions unrepresented.
60% of Brits want to scrap First Past the Post.
Tell Starmer to include electoral reform in the Bill ⬇️
The Bill aims to "restore trust in our democracy" - but it doesn't even touch the voting system that leaves millions unrepresented.
60% of Brits want to scrap First Past the Post.
Tell Starmer to include electoral reform in the Bill ⬇️
Reposted by Ben Williams
Terrible news for the world that US government policy means no new vaccines for meningitis, shingles and potentially a solution to many MS cases.
In terms of what cures are being lost:
- Epstein-Barr virus is perhaps the major trigger for multiple sclerosis
- herpes simplex virus causes cold sores, genital herpes, infections in babies, deadly meningitis
- shingles virus causes an intensely painful disease
- Epstein-Barr virus is perhaps the major trigger for multiple sclerosis
- herpes simplex virus causes cold sores, genital herpes, infections in babies, deadly meningitis
- shingles virus causes an intensely painful disease
February 13, 2026 at 11:42 AM
Terrible news for the world that US government policy means no new vaccines for meningitis, shingles and potentially a solution to many MS cases.
Reposted by Ben Williams
The problem with these Palantir deals is not primarily data security.
It's the fact we are creating single points of failure in the NHS, armed forces, and police. Palantir has massive leverage over essential information and logistics systems. A bad idea....
www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
It's the fact we are creating single points of failure in the NHS, armed forces, and police. Palantir has massive leverage over essential information and logistics systems. A bad idea....
www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
NHS deal with AI firm Palantir called into question after officials’ concerns revealed
Exclusive: in 2025 briefing to Wes Streeting, officials warned reputation of tech firm behind US ICE operations would hinder rollout of data system in UK
www.theguardian.com
February 13, 2026 at 8:59 AM
The problem with these Palantir deals is not primarily data security.
It's the fact we are creating single points of failure in the NHS, armed forces, and police. Palantir has massive leverage over essential information and logistics systems. A bad idea....
www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
It's the fact we are creating single points of failure in the NHS, armed forces, and police. Palantir has massive leverage over essential information and logistics systems. A bad idea....
www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
Reposted by Ben Williams
64% of the UK public view the Reform UK leader unfavourably, up from 59% in June 2025, according to new favourability ratings published by polling company YouGov
Some 27% approve of Farage, down from a peak of 32% in May and August last year
www.ft.com/content/2bcb...
Some 27% approve of Farage, down from a peak of 32% in May and August last year
www.ft.com/content/2bcb...
Nigel Farage’s popularity dips as Reform UK surges in polls
YouGov figures point to challenges ahead for populist party’s leader as he seeks to win backing from more voters
www.ft.com
February 13, 2026 at 9:50 AM
64% of the UK public view the Reform UK leader unfavourably, up from 59% in June 2025, according to new favourability ratings published by polling company YouGov
Some 27% approve of Farage, down from a peak of 32% in May and August last year
www.ft.com/content/2bcb...
Some 27% approve of Farage, down from a peak of 32% in May and August last year
www.ft.com/content/2bcb...
It is ironic the Representation of the People Bill doesn't address the biggest challenge for UK elections: representing people properly. First Past the Post is broken in our new and volatile multiparty system. We need a National Commission on Electoral Reform. We need PR.
www.gov.uk/government/p...
www.gov.uk/government/p...
Representation of the People Bill: Policy summaries
These policy summaries provide more information about the Representation of the People Bill, which was introduced in the House of Commons on 12 February 2026.
www.gov.uk
February 13, 2026 at 9:03 AM
It is ironic the Representation of the People Bill doesn't address the biggest challenge for UK elections: representing people properly. First Past the Post is broken in our new and volatile multiparty system. We need a National Commission on Electoral Reform. We need PR.
www.gov.uk/government/p...
www.gov.uk/government/p...