Jill Hayward
@frdragonspouse.bsky.social
Still all the things I was over at the Other Place. And still angry.
Preoccupations: politics, education, disability and inclusive feminism. Cishet trans ally. Widow. Socialist. She/her.
Preoccupations: politics, education, disability and inclusive feminism. Cishet trans ally. Widow. Socialist. She/her.
Pinned
Jill Hayward
@frdragonspouse.bsky.social
· Apr 16
It's not a good time to be the socialist parent of a disabled trans person,tbh.
The UK is a bit shit right now...
The UK is a bit shit right now...
Reposted by Jill Hayward
I imagine a poll claiming to be run by either Reform or Labour, is pure misinformation by those parties.
If you want to vote Green or LibDem. I suggest you put your shoulder to the wheel, & help with door knocking or leafleting if you can, to make sure you party does well.
If you want to vote Green or LibDem. I suggest you put your shoulder to the wheel, & help with door knocking or leafleting if you can, to make sure you party does well.
January 28, 2026 at 8:13 PM
I imagine a poll claiming to be run by either Reform or Labour, is pure misinformation by those parties.
If you want to vote Green or LibDem. I suggest you put your shoulder to the wheel, & help with door knocking or leafleting if you can, to make sure you party does well.
If you want to vote Green or LibDem. I suggest you put your shoulder to the wheel, & help with door knocking or leafleting if you can, to make sure you party does well.
Reposted by Jill Hayward
This is spot-on from @paulbernal.bsky.social.
My 15-year-old son is an only child, and social media is where his friends are of an evening. He uses it to research his homework, organise his weekend, and learn new skills. If he was banned from social media, he would lose far more than he would gain.
My 15-year-old son is an only child, and social media is where his friends are of an evening. He uses it to research his homework, organise his weekend, and learn new skills. If he was banned from social media, he would lose far more than he would gain.
I've written something about why banning kids from social media could be a terrible idea.
paulbernal.wordpress.com/2025/12/03/b...
paulbernal.wordpress.com/2025/12/03/b...
Banning kids from social media? A very bad idea…
As the idea of banning kids from social media is spreading round the globe – the new ban of under-16s from social media in Australia comes into action in a week or so – it is worth look…
paulbernal.wordpress.com
January 28, 2026 at 7:57 PM
This is spot-on from @paulbernal.bsky.social.
My 15-year-old son is an only child, and social media is where his friends are of an evening. He uses it to research his homework, organise his weekend, and learn new skills. If he was banned from social media, he would lose far more than he would gain.
My 15-year-old son is an only child, and social media is where his friends are of an evening. He uses it to research his homework, organise his weekend, and learn new skills. If he was banned from social media, he would lose far more than he would gain.
Reposted by Jill Hayward
Yes, shock, horror, the Green Party have an evidence-based drugs policy which favours legalisation & control over criminalisation. Elect more Greens if you’d like Parliament to have a sensible conversation about drugs policy rather than just performative pearl-clutching.
Labour attacks Green party drugs policy in Gorton and Denton byelection
Labour attacks Green party drugs policy in Gorton and Denton byelection
Online ads target Zack Polanski’s drugs stance as Labour aims to sideline Greens and consolidate anti-Reform vote
Labour has launched an attack on the Green party for wanting to legalise drugs, as the parties vie to be seen as the main leftwing contender against Reform UK in the Gorton and Denton byelection.
The party is pursuing a strategy of trying to sideline Zack Polanski’s party after warnings Labour was too slow to pitch itself as the “Stop Reform” party in Caerphilly, which was won by Plaid Cymru. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
January 28, 2026 at 7:53 PM
Yes, shock, horror, the Green Party have an evidence-based drugs policy which favours legalisation & control over criminalisation. Elect more Greens if you’d like Parliament to have a sensible conversation about drugs policy rather than just performative pearl-clutching.
Reposted by Jill Hayward
Reform UK is fielding candidates who say stuff like "Maybe we can give the wokie left the same treatment ice is giving people"
and Labour is like "Right, we better beat on the left wing harder then!"
and Labour is like "Right, we better beat on the left wing harder then!"
Labour attacks Green party drugs policy in Gorton and Denton byelection
Labour attacks Green party drugs policy in Gorton and Denton byelection
Online ads target Zack Polanski’s drugs stance as Labour aims to sideline Greens and consolidate anti-Reform vote
Labour has launched an attack on the Green party for wanting to legalise drugs, as the parties vie to be seen as the main leftwing contender against Reform UK in the Gorton and Denton byelection.
The party is pursuing a strategy of trying to sideline Zack Polanski’s party after warnings Labour was too slow to pitch itself as the “Stop Reform” party in Caerphilly, which was won by Plaid Cymru. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
January 28, 2026 at 7:43 PM
Reform UK is fielding candidates who say stuff like "Maybe we can give the wokie left the same treatment ice is giving people"
and Labour is like "Right, we better beat on the left wing harder then!"
and Labour is like "Right, we better beat on the left wing harder then!"
Reposted by Jill Hayward
Also, flashback to the two hours I spent arguing with ChatGPT last week when it couldn't fix a problem it had created due to its inability to update a pretty simple piece of code in an Excel task list...
January 28, 2026 at 11:35 AM
Also, flashback to the two hours I spent arguing with ChatGPT last week when it couldn't fix a problem it had created due to its inability to update a pretty simple piece of code in an Excel task list...
Reposted by Jill Hayward
The woman they interviewed said that AI “could help you with a spreadsheet”.
It’s two hours later and I’m still trying to work out WTF she meant.
A spreadsheet is a tool. If you need help using the tool you shouldn’t be in a job that requires the tool.
It’s two hours later and I’m still trying to work out WTF she meant.
A spreadsheet is a tool. If you need help using the tool you shouldn’t be in a job that requires the tool.
January 28, 2026 at 10:46 AM
The woman they interviewed said that AI “could help you with a spreadsheet”.
It’s two hours later and I’m still trying to work out WTF she meant.
A spreadsheet is a tool. If you need help using the tool you shouldn’t be in a job that requires the tool.
It’s two hours later and I’m still trying to work out WTF she meant.
A spreadsheet is a tool. If you need help using the tool you shouldn’t be in a job that requires the tool.
Sadly, not Liz Kendall's.
January 28, 2026 at 7:06 PM
Sadly, not Liz Kendall's.
Reposted by Jill Hayward
“The poll of 143 voters in Gorton and Denton…” Basically as useful as a vox pop www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/202...
Gorton & Denton By-Election Voting Intention:
RFM: 36% (+22)
LAB: 33% (-18)
GRN: 21% (+8)
CON: 8% (=)
LDM: 3% (-1)
Via @findoutnow.bsky.social, 26-27 Jan.
Changes w/ 2024.
RFM: 36% (+22)
LAB: 33% (-18)
GRN: 21% (+8)
CON: 8% (=)
LDM: 3% (-1)
Via @findoutnow.bsky.social, 26-27 Jan.
Changes w/ 2024.
January 28, 2026 at 6:49 PM
“The poll of 143 voters in Gorton and Denton…” Basically as useful as a vox pop www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/202...
Reposted by Jill Hayward
Crisis on UK high street deepens. Private equity owned The Original Factory Shop calls in administrators; 1,200 jobs at risk
PE devours and leaves a trail of destruction.
Yet The Pension Schemes Bill going through parliament urges schemes to invest in PE.
PE devours and leaves a trail of destruction.
Yet The Pension Schemes Bill going through parliament urges schemes to invest in PE.
The Original Factory Shop calls in administrators, putting 1,200 jobs at risk
Crisis on UK high street deepens as private equity owners of homeware chain with 137 stores pins collapse on ‘extremely challenging’ climate
www.theguardian.com
January 28, 2026 at 6:16 PM
Crisis on UK high street deepens. Private equity owned The Original Factory Shop calls in administrators; 1,200 jobs at risk
PE devours and leaves a trail of destruction.
Yet The Pension Schemes Bill going through parliament urges schemes to invest in PE.
PE devours and leaves a trail of destruction.
Yet The Pension Schemes Bill going through parliament urges schemes to invest in PE.
Reposted by Jill Hayward
Another day, another collection of media headlines raising up Esther Ghey attacking her daughter's online communities instead of the hatred that drove her murderers.
I'm so tired. It's so clear that her grief is being taken advantage of by politicians and media who hate young and queer people.
I'm so tired. It's so clear that her grief is being taken advantage of by politicians and media who hate young and queer people.
January 28, 2026 at 5:24 PM
Another day, another collection of media headlines raising up Esther Ghey attacking her daughter's online communities instead of the hatred that drove her murderers.
I'm so tired. It's so clear that her grief is being taken advantage of by politicians and media who hate young and queer people.
I'm so tired. It's so clear that her grief is being taken advantage of by politicians and media who hate young and queer people.
Reposted by Jill Hayward
The First Minister has just made an urgent statement on this violation of our sovereignty.
I have rarely been so disappointed by every other party, the government included. It's like they all think Trump is watching and they are terrified of upsetting him. A total failure to stand up for Scotland.
I have rarely been so disappointed by every other party, the government included. It's like they all think Trump is watching and they are terrified of upsetting him. A total failure to stand up for Scotland.
It very much looks like the US Government has just abducted two people from Scotland hours after our Court of Session ordered that they not be removed.
The US is a rogue state. It's time to evict their troops from their de-facto base at (publicly owned) Prestwick airport.
The US is a rogue state. It's time to evict their troops from their de-facto base at (publicly owned) Prestwick airport.
US remove tanker captain from UK waters as crew set to leave Scotland
The US Department of Justice told Scottish authorities that the skipper and his first officer were on board the US Coast Guard vessel Munro.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 28, 2026 at 5:31 PM
The First Minister has just made an urgent statement on this violation of our sovereignty.
I have rarely been so disappointed by every other party, the government included. It's like they all think Trump is watching and they are terrified of upsetting him. A total failure to stand up for Scotland.
I have rarely been so disappointed by every other party, the government included. It's like they all think Trump is watching and they are terrified of upsetting him. A total failure to stand up for Scotland.
Reposted by Jill Hayward
This is essentially blackmail and could endanger vaccine supply for many countries that need thiomersal in vaccines to keep them stable when they lack infrastructure to keep vaccines cool in transport and storage 🧵
The Trump administration has told global vaccine group GAVI to phase out shots containing the preservative thimerosal as a condition of providing the group with funding. Thimerosal was targeted by RFK Jr last summer in US vaccines without a rigorous scientific process
TAT: [Attacking Science]
TAT: [Attacking Science]
Exclusive: US conditions funding to global vaccine group on dropping mercury-based preservative from shots
The Trump administration has told global vaccine group Gavi to phase out shots containing the preservative thimerosal as a condition of providing the group with funding, a U.S. official and a Gavi spokesperson told Reuters.
www.reuters.com
January 28, 2026 at 5:57 PM
This is essentially blackmail and could endanger vaccine supply for many countries that need thiomersal in vaccines to keep them stable when they lack infrastructure to keep vaccines cool in transport and storage 🧵
Reposted by Jill Hayward
Purely on a ha-ha! 👉 level, I'd love it if the Greens banjaxed Labour in May. The sneering contempt they've been directing towards Zack Polanski has done nothing to elevate the political discourse.
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Greens look set to clean up as Labour switchers move left
Labour voters liked the insurgent party even before the arrival of their new leader. As local elections approach, Zack Polanski appears ready to break through in the areas Keir Starmer neglected
observer.co.uk
January 28, 2026 at 5:58 PM
Purely on a ha-ha! 👉 level, I'd love it if the Greens banjaxed Labour in May. The sneering contempt they've been directing towards Zack Polanski has done nothing to elevate the political discourse.
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Reposted by Jill Hayward
To be clear, one member of the public cannot be allowed to make policy, regardless of the circumstances. Govt. should emphasise that.
EXC: Ban social media for u-16s *now*, says Esther Ghey, as she urges Labour MPs to rebel against the govt if needed.
Great interview with our @johnharris1969.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
Great interview with our @johnharris1969.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
UK must ‘move now’ to ban social media for under-16s, says Brianna Ghey’s mother
Esther Ghey has previously said she believes her daughter’s social media addiction made her more vulnerable
www.theguardian.com
January 28, 2026 at 5:52 PM
To be clear, one member of the public cannot be allowed to make policy, regardless of the circumstances. Govt. should emphasise that.
Reposted by Jill Hayward
I wrote this song on Saturday, recorded it yesterday and released it to you today in response to the state terror being visited on the city of Minneapolis. It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good.
Stay free
Stay free
Bruce Springsteen - Streets Of Minneapolis (Official Audio)
YouTube video by Bruce Springsteen
youtu.be
January 28, 2026 at 5:02 PM
I wrote this song on Saturday, recorded it yesterday and released it to you today in response to the state terror being visited on the city of Minneapolis. It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good.
Stay free
Stay free
Reposted by Jill Hayward
The government’s suggestion that rolling out 20 minute courses on writing “AI“ prompts, sponsored by Google, Microsoft and Amazon, is somehow comparable to the founding of the Open University (the Wilson government‘s, & Jennie Lee’s, proudest achievement), is an insult to our human intelligence.
January 28, 2026 at 8:37 AM
The government’s suggestion that rolling out 20 minute courses on writing “AI“ prompts, sponsored by Google, Microsoft and Amazon, is somehow comparable to the founding of the Open University (the Wilson government‘s, & Jennie Lee’s, proudest achievement), is an insult to our human intelligence.
Reposted by Jill Hayward
No response yet from Reform pundit and activist Tim Montgomerie about his party's selection in Gorton and Denton
January 28, 2026 at 10:55 AM
No response yet from Reform pundit and activist Tim Montgomerie about his party's selection in Gorton and Denton
Reposted by Jill Hayward
Just started doing new data analysis and I know I keep saying this, but: I really, really don't think people appreciate how much this moral panic was a deliberate and extremely expensive invention.
January 28, 2026 at 3:12 AM
Just started doing new data analysis and I know I keep saying this, but: I really, really don't think people appreciate how much this moral panic was a deliberate and extremely expensive invention.
Reposted by Jill Hayward
WHY is this government content to leave private renters stuck in homes not fit for habitation for another DECADE?
The state of private rented homes is appalling. Renters deserve better than this disappointment from Labour.
www.theguardian.com/money/2026/j...
The state of private rented homes is appalling. Renters deserve better than this disappointment from Labour.
www.theguardian.com/money/2026/j...
Decent homes standard for UK private renters delayed by government until 2035
Campaigners pushing for 2030 deadline said deferral was ‘denying renters the most basic standards in our homes’
www.theguardian.com
January 28, 2026 at 4:02 PM
WHY is this government content to leave private renters stuck in homes not fit for habitation for another DECADE?
The state of private rented homes is appalling. Renters deserve better than this disappointment from Labour.
www.theguardian.com/money/2026/j...
The state of private rented homes is appalling. Renters deserve better than this disappointment from Labour.
www.theguardian.com/money/2026/j...
Reposted by Jill Hayward
UK Bluesky people, we’ve got some important work to do before the next elections, to keep awful people away from power. Feel free to follow if that’s something you think is important too!
January 28, 2026 at 12:34 PM
UK Bluesky people, we’ve got some important work to do before the next elections, to keep awful people away from power. Feel free to follow if that’s something you think is important too!
Reposted by Jill Hayward
Heck yeah.
I did say people were going to have to start getting serious about rehoming their internet infrastructure use.
I did say people were going to have to start getting serious about rehoming their internet infrastructure use.
“The French government announced that it will stop using American video conferencing platforms such as Microsoft Teams and Zoom, and replace them with Visio, a French platform.”
Zoom Is the First Casualty in France's War on American Big Tech
Homebrewed video conferencing may not be a moonshot, but you gotta start somewhere.
gizmodo.com
January 28, 2026 at 4:35 PM
Heck yeah.
I did say people were going to have to start getting serious about rehoming their internet infrastructure use.
I did say people were going to have to start getting serious about rehoming their internet infrastructure use.
Reposted by Jill Hayward
Interview with Zack Polanski:
Can the Greens beat Reform UK?
Matt Goodwin is offering Gorton & Denton "white extinction" conspiracy theories.`
The Greens are offering the ability to pay your bills.
Can the Greens beat Reform UK?
Matt Goodwin is offering Gorton & Denton "white extinction" conspiracy theories.`
The Greens are offering the ability to pay your bills.
INTERVIEW: Zack Polanski launches campaign after Andy Burnham blocked
YouTube video by Femi - F Politics!
youtu.be
January 28, 2026 at 1:43 PM
Interview with Zack Polanski:
Can the Greens beat Reform UK?
Matt Goodwin is offering Gorton & Denton "white extinction" conspiracy theories.`
The Greens are offering the ability to pay your bills.
Can the Greens beat Reform UK?
Matt Goodwin is offering Gorton & Denton "white extinction" conspiracy theories.`
The Greens are offering the ability to pay your bills.
Reposted by Jill Hayward
REFORM - leading in the polls - charges prospective candidates £125 to apply to run as an MP - before selecting a GB News host who is a colleague of the party leader and one of his MPs to run instead.
You'd honestly think this was newsworthy.
But apparently not.
You'd honestly think this was newsworthy.
But apparently not.
Reform seem to have been charging people £125 to put themselves up as potential Gorton and Denton parliamentary Candidates:
Applications closed Sunday.
When did they select Goodwin?
Applications closed Sunday.
When did they select Goodwin?
January 28, 2026 at 2:15 PM
REFORM - leading in the polls - charges prospective candidates £125 to apply to run as an MP - before selecting a GB News host who is a colleague of the party leader and one of his MPs to run instead.
You'd honestly think this was newsworthy.
But apparently not.
You'd honestly think this was newsworthy.
But apparently not.
Reposted by Jill Hayward
Reposted by Jill Hayward
This is the bit that bothers me the most. There's massive attention on the downsides of social media, next-to-nothing about the good. Evidence suggests social media can be positive for most kids. When this evidence comes out, it gets ignored (two studies last week).
Let's debate this properly. 3/3
Let's debate this properly. 3/3
January 28, 2026 at 4:27 PM
This is the bit that bothers me the most. There's massive attention on the downsides of social media, next-to-nothing about the good. Evidence suggests social media can be positive for most kids. When this evidence comes out, it gets ignored (two studies last week).
Let's debate this properly. 3/3
Let's debate this properly. 3/3