Chris Ames
@christoframes.bsky.social
Freelance investigative journalist and writer of original fiction. Creator and one-time editor of the Iraq Inquiry Digest.
Imagine falling for this crass triangulation.
Vote for people who are only a little bit right wing and therefore perfectly placed between the left and the really right wing…
Vote for people who are only a little bit right wing and therefore perfectly placed between the left and the really right wing…
There may be emerging around Streeting the concept of the 'soft right' - ie a more bridging, broadly liberal & communitarian, pro-market & pro-public services labour right that sees itself as a strand of social democracy in a way that the right of blue Labour does not identify itself as such
Angela Rayner and the soft left do not like the idea of a Wes Streeting coronation
Rayner has told friends she would stand in a leadership contest to stop him
This week's New Statesman column 👇🏻 www.newstatesman.com/politics/lab...
Rayner has told friends she would stand in a leadership contest to stop him
This week's New Statesman column 👇🏻 www.newstatesman.com/politics/lab...
December 6, 2025 at 1:18 PM
Imagine falling for this crass triangulation.
Vote for people who are only a little bit right wing and therefore perfectly placed between the left and the really right wing…
Vote for people who are only a little bit right wing and therefore perfectly placed between the left and the really right wing…
People (me included) slag off AI, but when I asked co-pilot if it is legitimate to call today's repackaging of existing bus funding a "boost", it gave an answer that I agree with...
transportinsights.blog/2025/12/05/s...
transportinsights.blog/2025/12/05/s...
Smoke and mirrors on bus funding
Ministers have announced what they are branding a “3bn boost for buses” but, as is happening increasingly often these days, it’s a continuation of existing funding – and possibly a cut – dressed up…
transportinsights.blog
December 5, 2025 at 3:53 PM
People (me included) slag off AI, but when I asked co-pilot if it is legitimate to call today's repackaging of existing bus funding a "boost", it gave an answer that I agree with...
transportinsights.blog/2025/12/05/s...
transportinsights.blog/2025/12/05/s...
Imagine thinking that giving this tech to the racist, trigger happy, institutionally corrupt Met means it’s in the right hands 🙃
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Labour wants to ramp up facial recognition. What if our data ends up in the wrong hands? | Simon Jenkins
We know from recent hacks, and even the Snowden revelations, how vulnerable information gathered is to theft and misuse, says Guardian columnist Simon Jenkins
www.theguardian.com
December 5, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Imagine thinking that giving this tech to the racist, trigger happy, institutionally corrupt Met means it’s in the right hands 🙃
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The then transport secretary Grant Shapps implicitly told Parliament that the A1 Morpeth to Ellingham scheme was in development, even though it had been paused. But the DfT claims that the official status of the scheme is not information for the purposes of FOI
transportinsights.blog/2025/12/04/d...
transportinsights.blog/2025/12/04/d...
DfT continues to spurn honesty on Schrödinger’s Cat road scheme
Returning to the issue of how the Tories secretly shelved a major road scheme and roped National Highways and the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) into lying about it, I’ve just received from the Depa…
transportinsights.blog
December 5, 2025 at 10:34 AM
The then transport secretary Grant Shapps implicitly told Parliament that the A1 Morpeth to Ellingham scheme was in development, even though it had been paused. But the DfT claims that the official status of the scheme is not information for the purposes of FOI
transportinsights.blog/2025/12/04/d...
transportinsights.blog/2025/12/04/d...
Starmer has a right go at Trump:
"And my worry is, and this is how history tells us, is that a rightwing proposition like that, with fantastical ideas, leaning towards Russia, if it gets into power...it won’t nudge towards the centre, it’ll be go to the right, to the right, to the right."
Oh, wait
"And my worry is, and this is how history tells us, is that a rightwing proposition like that, with fantastical ideas, leaning towards Russia, if it gets into power...it won’t nudge towards the centre, it’ll be go to the right, to the right, to the right."
Oh, wait
December 4, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Starmer has a right go at Trump:
"And my worry is, and this is how history tells us, is that a rightwing proposition like that, with fantastical ideas, leaning towards Russia, if it gets into power...it won’t nudge towards the centre, it’ll be go to the right, to the right, to the right."
Oh, wait
"And my worry is, and this is how history tells us, is that a rightwing proposition like that, with fantastical ideas, leaning towards Russia, if it gets into power...it won’t nudge towards the centre, it’ll be go to the right, to the right, to the right."
Oh, wait
how tf is this person spinning for the govt a source?
“We are happy to have a clear date for this change. Now the House of Lords need to get on and pass this landmark bill so business can get the clarity they need and workers can get the security they deserve.”
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
“We are happy to have a clear date for this change. Now the House of Lords need to get on and pass this landmark bill so business can get the clarity they need and workers can get the security they deserve.”
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
UK workers will get unfair dismissal rights after six months from 1 January 2027
Angela Rayner drops plan to force earlier implementation after talks, says source
www.theguardian.com
December 4, 2025 at 2:28 PM
how tf is this person spinning for the govt a source?
“We are happy to have a clear date for this change. Now the House of Lords need to get on and pass this landmark bill so business can get the clarity they need and workers can get the security they deserve.”
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
“We are happy to have a clear date for this change. Now the House of Lords need to get on and pass this landmark bill so business can get the clarity they need and workers can get the security they deserve.”
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
Reposted by Chris Ames
As a tunnel, the Lower Thames Crossing presents many opportunities for jokes about getting into a hole, getting the scheme under the ground etc.
As a scheme whose costs keep going up, the Lower Thames Crossing is both a farce and no laughing matter...
transportinsights.blog/2025/12/03/t...
As a scheme whose costs keep going up, the Lower Thames Crossing is both a farce and no laughing matter...
transportinsights.blog/2025/12/03/t...
Thames Tunnel hole gets bigger
The Financial Times has picked up on the spiralling costs of the Lower Thames Crossing (LTC), as well as the huge sums that we will all be putting in, before private finance comes riding over the h…
transportinsights.blog
December 3, 2025 at 2:58 PM
As a tunnel, the Lower Thames Crossing presents many opportunities for jokes about getting into a hole, getting the scheme under the ground etc.
As a scheme whose costs keep going up, the Lower Thames Crossing is both a farce and no laughing matter...
transportinsights.blog/2025/12/03/t...
As a scheme whose costs keep going up, the Lower Thames Crossing is both a farce and no laughing matter...
transportinsights.blog/2025/12/03/t...
Reposted by Chris Ames
We are very much in The Thick of It “this is exactly the sort of thing we should be doing” territory here, as Department for Transport officials assert what should happen before smart motorway reports can be released rather than what is happening.
transportinsights.blog/2025/12/03/d...
transportinsights.blog/2025/12/03/d...
DfT warns of dangers of premature release
The Department for Transport (DfT) has joined National Highways in refusing my freedom of information request for the 14 evaluations of smart motorway safety that ministers are suppressing, but off…
transportinsights.blog
December 3, 2025 at 4:20 PM
We are very much in The Thick of It “this is exactly the sort of thing we should be doing” territory here, as Department for Transport officials assert what should happen before smart motorway reports can be released rather than what is happening.
transportinsights.blog/2025/12/03/d...
transportinsights.blog/2025/12/03/d...
If the Crisis Christmas Appeal is so urgent, I wonder whether they should have done it earlier.
December 4, 2025 at 1:01 PM
If the Crisis Christmas Appeal is so urgent, I wonder whether they should have done it earlier.
This is brilliant journalism (again) - albeit about some very poor and lazy journalism.
pressgazette.co.uk/publishers/d...
pressgazette.co.uk/publishers/d...
Dubious experts deployed by MyJobQuote published more than 600 times in UK press
A network of apparently fake experts has polluted the British media with at least 600 pieces of often AI-generated and misinformed commentary.
pressgazette.co.uk
December 4, 2025 at 12:54 PM
This is brilliant journalism (again) - albeit about some very poor and lazy journalism.
pressgazette.co.uk/publishers/d...
pressgazette.co.uk/publishers/d...
Newcastle: CEO wants club to be among 'top' in world by 2030
Newcastle United
www.bbc.co.uk
December 4, 2025 at 11:49 AM
We are very much in The Thick of It “this is exactly the sort of thing we should be doing” territory here, as Department for Transport officials assert what should happen before smart motorway reports can be released rather than what is happening.
transportinsights.blog/2025/12/03/d...
transportinsights.blog/2025/12/03/d...
DfT warns of dangers of premature release
The Department for Transport (DfT) has joined National Highways in refusing my freedom of information request for the 14 evaluations of smart motorway safety that ministers are suppressing, but off…
transportinsights.blog
December 3, 2025 at 4:20 PM
We are very much in The Thick of It “this is exactly the sort of thing we should be doing” territory here, as Department for Transport officials assert what should happen before smart motorway reports can be released rather than what is happening.
transportinsights.blog/2025/12/03/d...
transportinsights.blog/2025/12/03/d...
As a tunnel, the Lower Thames Crossing presents many opportunities for jokes about getting into a hole, getting the scheme under the ground etc.
As a scheme whose costs keep going up, the Lower Thames Crossing is both a farce and no laughing matter...
transportinsights.blog/2025/12/03/t...
As a scheme whose costs keep going up, the Lower Thames Crossing is both a farce and no laughing matter...
transportinsights.blog/2025/12/03/t...
Thames Tunnel hole gets bigger
The Financial Times has picked up on the spiralling costs of the Lower Thames Crossing (LTC), as well as the huge sums that we will all be putting in, before private finance comes riding over the h…
transportinsights.blog
December 3, 2025 at 2:58 PM
As a tunnel, the Lower Thames Crossing presents many opportunities for jokes about getting into a hole, getting the scheme under the ground etc.
As a scheme whose costs keep going up, the Lower Thames Crossing is both a farce and no laughing matter...
transportinsights.blog/2025/12/03/t...
As a scheme whose costs keep going up, the Lower Thames Crossing is both a farce and no laughing matter...
transportinsights.blog/2025/12/03/t...
Analysis of a really important issue spoilt by classic BBC framing. The people raising concerns are labelled “critics” (one step down from moaning minnies) but (all) consumers like them.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
'Carspreading’ is on the rise - not everyone is happy
In the UK and across Europe, cars are becoming longer, wider and heavier.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 3, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Analysis of a really important issue spoilt by classic BBC framing. The people raising concerns are labelled “critics” (one step down from moaning minnies) but (all) consumers like them.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
I’m struggling to believe that a grown up cabinet minister - and the government’ best communicator according to all the centrist pundits - used this childish phrase.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Streeting brands doctor's union 'moaning minnies' over GP online booking
All NHS practices were required by the government to provide web bookings from October - but the union opposes the move.
www.bbc.com
December 3, 2025 at 1:10 PM
I’m struggling to believe that a grown up cabinet minister - and the government’ best communicator according to all the centrist pundits - used this childish phrase.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
It’s almost as if a very cynical government put pressure on him to quit to ease the pressure on her
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
OBR chief’s exit may ease pressure on Rachel Reeves but the battle isn’t over
With the row deepening over budget leaks, who is most likely to replace Richard Hughes in the increasingly thankless role of chair?
www.theguardian.com
December 2, 2025 at 6:09 PM
It’s almost as if a very cynical government put pressure on him to quit to ease the pressure on her
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Reposted by Chris Ames
The roads minister is hiding behind the need for "assurance" but the truth is that the Department for Transport has no role in the assurance process for National Highways evaluation reports, unless it chooses to call them in as a way of blocking their release.
transportinsights.blog/2025/12/02/l...
transportinsights.blog/2025/12/02/l...
Lightwood hides behind non-existent process on POPEs
Hapless roads minister Simon Lightwood continues to own the cover-up over the unpublished evaluation reports on smart motorways, while giving nothing away. To recap, the Department for Transport (D…
transportinsights.blog
December 2, 2025 at 9:53 AM
The roads minister is hiding behind the need for "assurance" but the truth is that the Department for Transport has no role in the assurance process for National Highways evaluation reports, unless it chooses to call them in as a way of blocking their release.
transportinsights.blog/2025/12/02/l...
transportinsights.blog/2025/12/02/l...
The roads minister is hiding behind the need for "assurance" but the truth is that the Department for Transport has no role in the assurance process for National Highways evaluation reports, unless it chooses to call them in as a way of blocking their release.
transportinsights.blog/2025/12/02/l...
transportinsights.blog/2025/12/02/l...
Lightwood hides behind non-existent process on POPEs
Hapless roads minister Simon Lightwood continues to own the cover-up over the unpublished evaluation reports on smart motorways, while giving nothing away. To recap, the Department for Transport (D…
transportinsights.blog
December 2, 2025 at 9:53 AM
The roads minister is hiding behind the need for "assurance" but the truth is that the Department for Transport has no role in the assurance process for National Highways evaluation reports, unless it chooses to call them in as a way of blocking their release.
transportinsights.blog/2025/12/02/l...
transportinsights.blog/2025/12/02/l...
But Reeves is still in a job, right?
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
OBR chair quits after inquiry into early release of Reeves’s budget
Richard Hughes departs after investigation into how official forecaster accidentally published budget 40 minutes early
www.theguardian.com
December 1, 2025 at 4:58 PM
But Reeves is still in a job, right?
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
This appears to be the result of good journalism.
Credit where credit is due.
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Credit where credit is due.
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Manchester-London 7am ‘ghost train’ to carry passengers after outcry over regulator’s decision
Avanti service was to have been axed from mid-December but would have still run because of needs out of Euston
www.theguardian.com
December 1, 2025 at 4:20 PM
This appears to be the result of good journalism.
Credit where credit is due.
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Credit where credit is due.
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Reposted by Chris Ames
The government’s cycling and walking investment strategy does NOT mention pavement parking.
Respond to the consultation (which ends midnight 15 December) and highlight this important issue.
actionnetwork.org/letters/help...
Respond to the consultation (which ends midnight 15 December) and highlight this important issue.
actionnetwork.org/letters/help...
Help make cycling and walking the fun and easy options!
In June, Transport Action Network won a historic victory in the Court of Appeal, the most significant case for active travel in English legal history. Following this, the government is consulting on a...
actionnetwork.org
December 1, 2025 at 9:01 AM
The government’s cycling and walking investment strategy does NOT mention pavement parking.
Respond to the consultation (which ends midnight 15 December) and highlight this important issue.
actionnetwork.org/letters/help...
Respond to the consultation (which ends midnight 15 December) and highlight this important issue.
actionnetwork.org/letters/help...
Reposted by Chris Ames
As I report on my Transport Insights blog, Rachel Reeves has again misstated Labour's manifesto commitment to fill over a million extra potholes for every year of the Parliament, although the money seems to be there to do it.
transportinsights.blog/2025/11/30/n...
transportinsights.blog/2025/11/30/n...
No surprise! Reeves pulls pothole cash out of the hat
Ministers have announced £7.3bn capital funding for local highway maintenance in England between 2026-27 and 2029-30, keeping the £500m annual “uplift” , now badged as “incentive funding”, with cou…
transportinsights.blog
November 30, 2025 at 6:38 PM
As I report on my Transport Insights blog, Rachel Reeves has again misstated Labour's manifesto commitment to fill over a million extra potholes for every year of the Parliament, although the money seems to be there to do it.
transportinsights.blog/2025/11/30/n...
transportinsights.blog/2025/11/30/n...
As I report on my Transport Insights blog, Rachel Reeves has again misstated Labour's manifesto commitment to fill over a million extra potholes for every year of the Parliament, although the money seems to be there to do it.
transportinsights.blog/2025/11/30/n...
transportinsights.blog/2025/11/30/n...
No surprise! Reeves pulls pothole cash out of the hat
Ministers have announced £7.3bn capital funding for local highway maintenance in England between 2026-27 and 2029-30, keeping the £500m annual “uplift” , now badged as “incentive funding”, with cou…
transportinsights.blog
November 30, 2025 at 6:38 PM
As I report on my Transport Insights blog, Rachel Reeves has again misstated Labour's manifesto commitment to fill over a million extra potholes for every year of the Parliament, although the money seems to be there to do it.
transportinsights.blog/2025/11/30/n...
transportinsights.blog/2025/11/30/n...