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Reposted by David Walker

Géopolitique @geopolitique.bsky.social · 3d

Enquête sur la Hongrie / La Commission européenne a lancé une enquête interne suite à des informations faisant état d'un possible espionnage par les services de renseignement hongrois contre les institutions de l'Union européenne et leurs employés.

Alleged Hungarian spying on EU institutions triggers internal probe

The European Commission will look into allegations Hungary's intelligence service spied on the EU institutions and its staff.

euobserver.com

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David Walker @davidwlkr0.bsky.social · 3d

Er, didn’t the Thatcher government abolish the Social Science Research Council because sociology was ‘socialist´? @chrischirp.bsky.social

Prof Christina Pagel @chrischirp.bsky.social · 3d

🧵🚨

The UK’s independent scientific bodies are highly vulnerable to politicisation - over the past 5 months I've been working with @martinmckee.bsky.social to map out their vulnerabilities and it's not good news.

Today our report is published!
www.ucl.ac.uk/policy-lab/n...

1/11

UK’s arm’s length public bodies are highly vulnerable to politicisation

Seven in ten Britons say it is important for top scientific institutions to be independent in exclusive new polling.

www.ucl.ac.uk

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David Walker @davidwlkr0.bsky.social · 3d

Been there. Done that. Keith Joseph abolished the Social Science Research Council because sociology was ‘socialism’
@robfordmancs.bsky.social

Rob Ford @robfordmancs.bsky.social · 3d

Interesting and troubling report/thread here on vulnerability of scientific bodies to politicisation, something the public do not want and is not in there interest but could happen nonetheless if politicians with selective or hostile views on science and evidence were in charge

Prof Christina Pagel @chrischirp.bsky.social · 3d

🧵🚨

The UK’s independent scientific bodies are highly vulnerable to politicisation - over the past 5 months I've been working with @martinmckee.bsky.social to map out their vulnerabilities and it's not good news.

Today our report is published!
www.ucl.ac.uk/policy-lab/n...

1/11

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Reposted by David Walker

Oxford Clarion @oxfordclarion.bsky.social · 4d

The colleges have applied for planning permission and the development is expected to come to a planning committee meeting later this year. More information about the project can be found at : www.exeterhertfordsportshub.co.uk/en/page_1921...

Exeter Hertford Sports Hub

www.exeterhertfordsportshub.co.uk

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Reposted by David Walker

Pierre Haski @pierrehaski.bsky.social · 4d

Mettez-vous dans la tête de Poutine, Xi et Trump, et essayez d’imaginer ce qu’ils pensent de la crise politique française ! L’exercice est instructif et devrait faire réfléchir en France. Ma chronique Géopolitique du 7/11 @franceinter www.radiofrance.fr/franceinter/...

La crise française vue par Poutine, Xi ou Trump : l’Europe affaiblie

Mettez-vous un instant dans la tête de Vladimir Poutine : quelle satisfaction de voir la France, co-leader, avec le Royaume Uni, de la « coalition des volontaires » formée en soutien à l’Ukraine, s’en...

www.radiofrance.fr

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David Walker @davidwlkr0.bsky.social · 4d

So what next - more tax, more redistribution. You need to say it @jrf-uk.bsky.social

Joseph Rowntree Foundation @jrf-uk.bsky.social · 4d

Everyone deserves a decent affordable home, work that gives us enough to get by on, and where we all have enough to afford the bills.

Politicians can make the right decisions today to build a better future for us all 🗣️

Read our report: www.jrf.org.uk/poverty-in-scotland-2025 3/3

Poverty in Scotland 2025

Poverty is still too high, people are feeling overlooked and ignored by politicians — the next Scottish Parliament is vital for a better future for children in Scotland.

www.jrf.org.uk

Reposted by David Walker

Sunder Katwala (sundersays) @sundersays.bsky.social · 5d

There was only one 2024 constituency where the Conservatives won 50% of the vote: Harrow East, which is also one of only two Conservative-held seats (with Leicester East) where most voters aren't white

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David Walker @davidwlkr0.bsky.social · 5d

Some 7m US workers with disabilities : a substantial voting bloc ( if electoral behaviour were ‘economic’ )

Mother Jones @motherjones.com · 5d

“Since this new administration took office, the unemployment rate for people with disabilities has increased at triple the normal rate of unemployment."

For many disabled workers, federal jobs were decent, human, and accommodating: everything the president hates.

The human costs of Trump's war on government

For many disabled workers, federal jobs were decent, human, and accommodating: everything the president hates.

www.motherjones.com

David Walker @davidwlkr0.bsky.social · 10d

We should do more to help mental health patients get advice and support re their weight

www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...

Weight trajectories and access to weight management services in individuals with severe mental illness in the UK: a population-based, matched cohort study

People with severe mental illness are more likely to gain weight rapidly after diagnosis than the general population, with effects lasting up to 15 years. Despite frequent advice to lose weight, weigh...

www.thelancet.com

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Reposted by David Walker

Dorian Lynskey @dorianlynskey.bsky.social · 11d

This is the very definition of “mealy-mouthed”

James Ball @jamesrball.com · 11d

The Royal Society has met to discuss Elon Musk – and they’re NOT removing his fellowship. They are criticising him publicly, but stopping short of actual removal.

This feels like the kind of compromise that will please *absolutely nobody*.

“I am increasingly concerned over threats to the values that allow science to flourish. Today at a meeting of the Royal Society’s Council, I led a discussion regarding some of those threats.

“Science thrives when individuals and institutions have the freedom to carry out research without fear of discrimination, censorship, or other restrictions that would hinder their work. In support of that, Council believes that it is not the role of the Royal Society to police the personal political opinions of individual Fellows and disciplinary procedures should not be initiated because of a Fellow’s social and political views.

“However, the Society can and will criticise Fellows who act in a way that runs counter to the values of tolerance, courtesy and respect for others that allow science to flourish. Elon Musk’s contribution to the ‘Unite the Kingdom’ rally is an example of a growing tendency towards the use of the language of violence, and narratives of division and polarisation. This language and these narratives threaten the values that enable science to thrive and the Royal Society rejects them, from wherever they originate.”

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Sunder Katwala (sundersays) @sundersays.bsky.social · 11d

If they don't want to police political views, avoid vague generic statements about "divisive and polarising narratives"

They should say key principles are
- respect for scientific method + scientists + respect for fundamental norms (violence, rule of law).

And quote the specifics when breached

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Cas Ⓜ️udde @casmudde.bsky.social · 11d

Repeat after me: Unherd is a far-right outlet.

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Dr Rachel Clarke @drrachelclarke.com · 11d

Here I am in 2020 in the flimsiest, most pitful PPE - like so many other NHS staff, some of whom died from the Covid they caught in their hospitals.

Tory peer Michelle Mone - who today lost her legal case & must repay the govt £122m - dares to claim she’s been ‘scapegoated’.

What, Michelle? 🧵

Rachel wearing very flimsy looking apron, mask and visor in NHS setting

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Reposted by David Walker

Will Jennings 🗳️ @drjennings.bsky.social · 14d

A year ago...

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Tony Yates @t0nyyates.bsky.social · 14d

It’s possible that this is definitely what the govt should have done months ago.

Guy Shrubsole @guyshrubsole.bsky.social · 14d

Miliband says it's 'possible' government should come off Elon Musk's X social media platform

DO IT

www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...

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Reposted by David Walker

Will Jennings 🗳️ @drjennings.bsky.social · 14d

The government has to learn how to lead public opinion, rather than chase it. Leaving X is a no-brainer when the algorithm is stacked in favour of extremists.

Guy Shrubsole @guyshrubsole.bsky.social · 14d

Miliband says it's 'possible' government should come off Elon Musk's X social media platform

DO IT

www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...

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Reposted by David Walker

Will Jennings 🗳️ @drjennings.bsky.social · 14d

If Musk is dangerous, why is Miliband still posting on X?

Lewis Goodall @lewisgoodall.com · 14d

Fiery interview with Ed Miliband at Labour conference @lcefuk.bsky.social

Says “the stakes couldn’t be higher” in the fight with Reform

Says Musk is dangerous

Says Labour has to fight the battle of ideas and hasn’t done a good enough job on that so far

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David Walker @davidwlkr0.bsky.social · 15d

Typical vacuity. Where’s the analysis let alone prescription for opposition ? Sit on your hands and moan seems to be it.

Bill Kristol @billkristolbulwark.bsky.social · 15d

Just FYI: Portland as a war zone is horseshit, and deploying federal troops is horseshit.

Reposted by David Walker

Rob Ford @robfordmancs.bsky.social · 17d

Thus isn’t a perfect policy but it is a good thing and definitely better than the status quo. Universal ID offers many benefits.

The Independent @the-independent.com · 17d

Every adult in Britain to require new ‘Brit Card’ ID

www.independent.co.uk

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Reposted by David Walker

Viz Comic @vizcomic.bsky.social · 17d

subscriptions >>> shop.viz.co.uk/viz348bs

I don't know why "laughing Hyenas" are so called. I was watching one on the telly the other night, and it sounded more like screaming to me than laughing. Mind you, it was being attacked and eaten by a bunch of lions, so maybe I just caught it on an off day. Crawford Biscuits, Epping

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Reposted by David Walker

Gabriele Passabì @gabpassabi.bsky.social · 18d

Marc Bloch will be admitted to the Pantheon in Paris! The date for the "Panthéonisation" is set for 16 June 2026. Meanwhile, @sorbonneparis1.bsky.social has launched a website to keep track of the many conferences to celebrate the event. Some of them start this month.

marcbloch.pantheonsorbonne.fr

Marc Bloch | Marc Bloch

marcbloch.pantheonsorbonne.fr

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David Walker @davidwlkr0.bsky.social · 18d

Good point. JD knows the form. But why were Labour ministers so credulous?

John Denham @jydenham.bsky.social · 18d

This is a really good report - which left me wondering how much Whitehall/HMT briefed ministers on what was involved before urging them to launch LGR on such a rapid and comprehensive basis.

Institute for Government @instituteforgovernment.org.uk · 18d

The government has embarked on the largest wave of local government reorganisation in England since 46 unitary authorities were established between 1995 and 1997.

So what are the options and challenges ahead? Our report explores www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...