Gus Ironside
@gusironside.bsky.social
Senior Advocacy Coordinator at Connected Voice Advocacy (Newcastle). Humanist. Profeminist. Music enthusiast/writer. I support the White Ribbon campaign to end men’s violence against women and girls. Silence and inaction are complicity. Views my own.
Pinned
Gus Ironside
@gusironside.bsky.social
· Mar 17
Advocacy, integrity and acts of resistance: being brave in times of adversity – some more personal thoughts by Gus Ironside, Senior Advocacy Coordinator | Connected Voice
connectedvoice.org.uk
My latest blog post for @connectedvoice.bsky.social focuses on how citizen activists can fight back against the rising tide of authoritarianism in the Western world, drawing inspiration from the principles of Independent Advocacy.
#advocacyworks
connectedvoice.org.uk/news-and-inf...
#advocacyworks
connectedvoice.org.uk/news-and-inf...
Reposted by Gus Ironside
Just sent out this post. For Europeans to start looking after their own security one step seems vital, they need to stop genuflecting to official Washington, which always "hopewashes" the policies of Donald Trump. Unless Europe can think for itself, it will fail. open.substack.com/pub/phillips...
The First Step
Europe Needs To Stop Listening to the "Hopewashing" from Official Washington
open.substack.com
December 9, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Just sent out this post. For Europeans to start looking after their own security one step seems vital, they need to stop genuflecting to official Washington, which always "hopewashes" the policies of Donald Trump. Unless Europe can think for itself, it will fail. open.substack.com/pub/phillips...
Reposted by Gus Ironside
👥 Putting People First
Want to make sure the people you support have their voices heard?
📌 Training for care workers, social workers, job coaches & more.
✅ Learn: Mental capacity law, advocacy skills, active listening, person-centred approaches.
⏳ 3 hours
📅 Email: [email protected]
Want to make sure the people you support have their voices heard?
📌 Training for care workers, social workers, job coaches & more.
✅ Learn: Mental capacity law, advocacy skills, active listening, person-centred approaches.
⏳ 3 hours
📅 Email: [email protected]
December 2, 2025 at 9:29 AM
👥 Putting People First
Want to make sure the people you support have their voices heard?
📌 Training for care workers, social workers, job coaches & more.
✅ Learn: Mental capacity law, advocacy skills, active listening, person-centred approaches.
⏳ 3 hours
📅 Email: [email protected]
Want to make sure the people you support have their voices heard?
📌 Training for care workers, social workers, job coaches & more.
✅ Learn: Mental capacity law, advocacy skills, active listening, person-centred approaches.
⏳ 3 hours
📅 Email: [email protected]
Reposted by Gus Ironside
If you have a disability or health condition—mental, physical, or learning,our free, confidential Health & Social Advocacy service is here for you.
We make sure support is accessible and meets your needs.
Learn more: www.connectedvoice.org.uk/.../communit...
#IDPwD #DisabilityRights
We make sure support is accessible and meets your needs.
Learn more: www.connectedvoice.org.uk/.../communit...
#IDPwD #DisabilityRights
December 3, 2025 at 10:45 AM
If you have a disability or health condition—mental, physical, or learning,our free, confidential Health & Social Advocacy service is here for you.
We make sure support is accessible and meets your needs.
Learn more: www.connectedvoice.org.uk/.../communit...
#IDPwD #DisabilityRights
We make sure support is accessible and meets your needs.
Learn more: www.connectedvoice.org.uk/.../communit...
#IDPwD #DisabilityRights
Reposted by Gus Ironside
We help people in vulnerable situations:
✅ Speak up
✅ Know their rights
✅ Make choices
✅ Get support
Everyone deserves a voice. We listen, make sure they’re heard, and believe they should be part of decisions about their lives.
www.connectedvoice.org.uk/services/adv...
#AdvocacyWorks
✅ Speak up
✅ Know their rights
✅ Make choices
✅ Get support
Everyone deserves a voice. We listen, make sure they’re heard, and believe they should be part of decisions about their lives.
www.connectedvoice.org.uk/services/adv...
#AdvocacyWorks
December 4, 2025 at 9:17 AM
We help people in vulnerable situations:
✅ Speak up
✅ Know their rights
✅ Make choices
✅ Get support
Everyone deserves a voice. We listen, make sure they’re heard, and believe they should be part of decisions about their lives.
www.connectedvoice.org.uk/services/adv...
#AdvocacyWorks
✅ Speak up
✅ Know their rights
✅ Make choices
✅ Get support
Everyone deserves a voice. We listen, make sure they’re heard, and believe they should be part of decisions about their lives.
www.connectedvoice.org.uk/services/adv...
#AdvocacyWorks
Reposted by Gus Ironside
We love helping teams grow!
Whether you work in housing, health, social care, legal advice, or community support—our bespoke training is built around your needs.
📍 Training can be online or in-person—at your place or our welcoming Newcastle City Centre base.
📩 Curious? [email protected]
Whether you work in housing, health, social care, legal advice, or community support—our bespoke training is built around your needs.
📍 Training can be online or in-person—at your place or our welcoming Newcastle City Centre base.
📩 Curious? [email protected]
December 9, 2025 at 9:18 AM
We love helping teams grow!
Whether you work in housing, health, social care, legal advice, or community support—our bespoke training is built around your needs.
📍 Training can be online or in-person—at your place or our welcoming Newcastle City Centre base.
📩 Curious? [email protected]
Whether you work in housing, health, social care, legal advice, or community support—our bespoke training is built around your needs.
📍 Training can be online or in-person—at your place or our welcoming Newcastle City Centre base.
📩 Curious? [email protected]
Reposted by Gus Ironside
December 10, 2025 at 1:44 AM
Reposted by Gus Ironside
Foreign Secretary hits back at Trump's criticism of European leaders as 'weak'
'What I see in Europe is strength'
She also defends Sadiq Khan after the President said he was only reelected because of mass migration
'I of course take a strongly different view', she said
'What I see in Europe is strength'
She also defends Sadiq Khan after the President said he was only reelected because of mass migration
'I of course take a strongly different view', she said
December 9, 2025 at 6:45 PM
Foreign Secretary hits back at Trump's criticism of European leaders as 'weak'
'What I see in Europe is strength'
She also defends Sadiq Khan after the President said he was only reelected because of mass migration
'I of course take a strongly different view', she said
'What I see in Europe is strength'
She also defends Sadiq Khan after the President said he was only reelected because of mass migration
'I of course take a strongly different view', she said
Reposted by Gus Ironside
Due to its historic experiences and proximity to the aggressive Russian Federation, Finland is leading the way in media literacy and successfully fighting disinformation.
newhumanist.org.uk/articles/6482
newhumanist.org.uk/articles/6482
Teaching when to trust
As fake news accelerates, we need to teach our children how to think critically. Finnish schools are leading the charge
newhumanist.org.uk
December 8, 2025 at 5:18 AM
Due to its historic experiences and proximity to the aggressive Russian Federation, Finland is leading the way in media literacy and successfully fighting disinformation.
newhumanist.org.uk/articles/6482
newhumanist.org.uk/articles/6482
Reposted by Gus Ironside
To avoid a hostile takeover of the hearts and minds of the electorate and government, as occurred in the U.S., European nations should follow the example of countries such as Taiwan and Finland, which have experience combating totalitarian information warfare.
www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...
www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...
How Taiwan fights the disinformation war
Newly inaugurated president Lai Ching-te will need to collaborate inside and outside the state to counter China’s cognitive warfare.
www.lowyinstitute.org
December 8, 2025 at 6:16 AM
To avoid a hostile takeover of the hearts and minds of the electorate and government, as occurred in the U.S., European nations should follow the example of countries such as Taiwan and Finland, which have experience combating totalitarian information warfare.
www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...
www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...
Reposted by Gus Ironside
After Elon Musk lashed out at the EU, calling for its dissolution and accusing the Commission of strangling Europe with bureaucracy, Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski fired back: “Go to Mars. There’s no censorship on Nazi salutes there.”
December 6, 2025 at 8:47 PM
After Elon Musk lashed out at the EU, calling for its dissolution and accusing the Commission of strangling Europe with bureaucracy, Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski fired back: “Go to Mars. There’s no censorship on Nazi salutes there.”
Reposted by Gus Ironside
Musk, Medvedev and the Long War on Europe
Dmitry Medvedev joining Elon Musk in a call for the abolition of the EU captures fifteen years of Kremlin information warfare since Ukraine’s EU Maidan, and encapsulates the story of Trojan Horses
pdjukes.substack.com/p/musk-medve...
Dmitry Medvedev joining Elon Musk in a call for the abolition of the EU captures fifteen years of Kremlin information warfare since Ukraine’s EU Maidan, and encapsulates the story of Trojan Horses
pdjukes.substack.com/p/musk-medve...
Musk, Medvedev and the Long War on Europe
Dmitry Medvedev joining Elon Musk post in call for the abolition of the EU captures fifteen years of Kremlin information warfare, and encapsulates the story of Trojan Horses
pdjukes.substack.com
December 6, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Musk, Medvedev and the Long War on Europe
Dmitry Medvedev joining Elon Musk in a call for the abolition of the EU captures fifteen years of Kremlin information warfare since Ukraine’s EU Maidan, and encapsulates the story of Trojan Horses
pdjukes.substack.com/p/musk-medve...
Dmitry Medvedev joining Elon Musk in a call for the abolition of the EU captures fifteen years of Kremlin information warfare since Ukraine’s EU Maidan, and encapsulates the story of Trojan Horses
pdjukes.substack.com/p/musk-medve...
Reposted by Gus Ironside
The Trump administration released its latest National Security Strategy--and one thing that can be said is that there is no more pretending. It’s a plan to weaken European unity, to make Europe MAGA, to force Europe to take economic dictation by the USA…. open.substack.com/pub/phillips...
The New US National Security Strategy
Trump Says Openly That the US Wants to Dominate Europe and Make it MAGA
open.substack.com
December 5, 2025 at 10:08 AM
The Trump administration released its latest National Security Strategy--and one thing that can be said is that there is no more pretending. It’s a plan to weaken European unity, to make Europe MAGA, to force Europe to take economic dictation by the USA…. open.substack.com/pub/phillips...
Reposted by Gus Ironside
CNN Finds Israel Killed Palestinian Aid Seekers and Bulldozed Bodies into Shallow, Unmarked Graves
CNN Finds Israel Killed Palestinian Aid Seekers and Bulldozed Bodies into Shallow, Unmarked Graves
Israel’s military is continuing to pound the Gaza Strip in violation of the October 10 ceasefire agreement. Al Jazeera reports Israeli ships opened fire toward the coast of Khan Younis, while air raid...
www.democracynow.org
December 6, 2025 at 1:26 AM
CNN Finds Israel Killed Palestinian Aid Seekers and Bulldozed Bodies into Shallow, Unmarked Graves
Reposted by Gus Ironside
I am working with Sen. Graham to pass legislation to help bring home thousands of Ukrainian children kidnapped by Russia. Standing with Ukraine means confronting the cruelty of taking kids from their families and making clear why we must stay united against Putin’s aggression.
December 6, 2025 at 2:22 PM
I am working with Sen. Graham to pass legislation to help bring home thousands of Ukrainian children kidnapped by Russia. Standing with Ukraine means confronting the cruelty of taking kids from their families and making clear why we must stay united against Putin’s aggression.
Reposted by Gus Ironside
This is all deeply weird
The Liz Truss Show review – hapless ravings from a cupboard
The Liz Truss Show review – hapless ravings from a cupboard
Britain’s briefest PM kept her fans waiting before launching her latest plea for Maga attention in the form of a ham-fisted YouTube talk show
www.theguardian.com
December 6, 2025 at 7:57 AM
This is all deeply weird
Reposted by Gus Ironside
This is getting properly unhinged
A former junior champion said Reeves did not hold the official British girls’ under-14 title, and critics ask broader questions about her CV and career claims ⬇️
Rachel Reeves accused of overstating junior chess title
A former junior champion said Reeves did not hold the official British girls’ under-14 title, and critics ask broader questions about her CV and career claims
www.thetimes.com
December 2, 2025 at 10:05 PM
This is getting properly unhinged
Reposted by Gus Ironside
I’m so happy to see this. The lack of journalistic solidarity & collective action over the killing of journalists in Gaza has been distressing.
Will @nujofficial.bsky.social step up & follow this lead?
Will @nujofficial.bsky.social step up & follow this lead?
French journalist unions file legal case against Israel over lack of access to Gaza - https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/french-journalists-unions-file-legal-case-against-israel-over-lack
French journalist unions file legal case against Israel over lack of access to Gaza
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<a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/french-journalists-unions-file-legal-case-against-israel-over-lack" rel="bookmark">
<span class="field field-title"> French journalist unions file legal case against Israel over lack of access to Gaza</span>
</a>
</h2>
<div class="content">
<div class="field field-field-text"><p>Two French journalist unions filed a legal case against Israel for obstructing the work of their journalists in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, AFP reported on Tuesday.</p>
<p>The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the French Journalists' Union filed the complaint with the Paris anti-terror prosecutor's office last week, accusing Israel of "obstructing the freedom to inform".</p>
<p>The complaint mentioned a journalist being pursued by around 50 Israelis armed with "guns, cans of petrol and sticks" while reporting in the West Bank, all in the presence of the Israeli army.</p>
<p>Israel has not allowed international journalists into the Gaza Strip since the start of the war in October 2023, except when embedded with Israeli forces.</p>
<p>IFJ general secretary Anthony Bellanger said, "For more than two years, the IFJ has been calling for the borders to be opened to the foreign press so that they can relieve our colleagues who are exhausted by two years of war."</p>
</div>
</div>
</article>
www.middleeasteye.net
December 2, 2025 at 10:31 PM
I’m so happy to see this. The lack of journalistic solidarity & collective action over the killing of journalists in Gaza has been distressing.
Will @nujofficial.bsky.social step up & follow this lead?
Will @nujofficial.bsky.social step up & follow this lead?
Reposted by Gus Ironside
Funding opportunity📣
The second round of the Small Sparks Plus grants is open for Charities, community organisations and community interest companies for grants of £500-£3,000 for projects that improve the health and wellbeing of local communities in Newcastle.
👉https://bit.ly/smallsparks2
The second round of the Small Sparks Plus grants is open for Charities, community organisations and community interest companies for grants of £500-£3,000 for projects that improve the health and wellbeing of local communities in Newcastle.
👉https://bit.ly/smallsparks2
November 24, 2025 at 11:48 AM
Funding opportunity📣
The second round of the Small Sparks Plus grants is open for Charities, community organisations and community interest companies for grants of £500-£3,000 for projects that improve the health and wellbeing of local communities in Newcastle.
👉https://bit.ly/smallsparks2
The second round of the Small Sparks Plus grants is open for Charities, community organisations and community interest companies for grants of £500-£3,000 for projects that improve the health and wellbeing of local communities in Newcastle.
👉https://bit.ly/smallsparks2
Reposted by Gus Ironside
Take a look at the latest jobs on the Connected Voice jobs board! Swipe through our latest listings from local charities, community groups, and voluntary organisations across the North East.
Whether you're looking to start your journey or take the next step, we’ve got something for you.
Whether you're looking to start your journey or take the next step, we’ve got something for you.
November 25, 2025 at 11:21 AM
Take a look at the latest jobs on the Connected Voice jobs board! Swipe through our latest listings from local charities, community groups, and voluntary organisations across the North East.
Whether you're looking to start your journey or take the next step, we’ve got something for you.
Whether you're looking to start your journey or take the next step, we’ve got something for you.
Reposted by Gus Ironside
In this 155th long read on my foreign affairs and strategic blog, I argue that there will ultimately be no peace deal with Russia.
I explain why this is not bad news—quite the contrary.
The “Russian plan” would be a deadly threat to Ukraine and Europe.
tenzerstrategics.substack.com/p/beyond-tru...
I explain why this is not bad news—quite the contrary.
The “Russian plan” would be a deadly threat to Ukraine and Europe.
tenzerstrategics.substack.com/p/beyond-tru...
Beyond Trump’s “Russian Plan”: There Will Be No Peace Agreement With Moscow
This Is Not Actually Bad News
tenzerstrategics.substack.com
November 30, 2025 at 9:33 PM
In this 155th long read on my foreign affairs and strategic blog, I argue that there will ultimately be no peace deal with Russia.
I explain why this is not bad news—quite the contrary.
The “Russian plan” would be a deadly threat to Ukraine and Europe.
tenzerstrategics.substack.com/p/beyond-tru...
I explain why this is not bad news—quite the contrary.
The “Russian plan” would be a deadly threat to Ukraine and Europe.
tenzerstrategics.substack.com/p/beyond-tru...
Reposted by Gus Ironside
Since people find being hopeful and optimistic so cringe these days, let me remind you once again that there isn’t a single liberation movement in the world that wasn’t built on hope and optimism.
November 28, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Since people find being hopeful and optimistic so cringe these days, let me remind you once again that there isn’t a single liberation movement in the world that wasn’t built on hope and optimism.
Reposted by Gus Ironside
It’s not a bias. It’s a transaction. Tens of millions of Ukrainian lives and the remnants of American respectability in exchange for an increase in the private fortunes of a few people.
President Vladimir Putin of Russia on Thursday defended President Trump’s special envoy against accusations of pro-Kremlin bias.
Putin Defends Witkoff Against Accusations of Pro-Russia Bias
The Russian leader called the U.S. special envoy “an intelligent man” who is properly representing his country in peace negotiations.
nyti.ms
November 28, 2025 at 5:00 PM
It’s not a bias. It’s a transaction. Tens of millions of Ukrainian lives and the remnants of American respectability in exchange for an increase in the private fortunes of a few people.
Reposted by Gus Ironside
One of whom presented a Russian capitulation document as a US peace plan. That’s the headline. We need headlines that are true and not news jargon that washes out the basic facts.
President Donald Trump’s demand that Ukraine sign a deal by Thanksgiving appears to have softened as he leaves some of the most important details of the peace plan in the hands of his envoys, one of whom was just embroiled in a high-profile phone leak. https://wapo.st/481ZdYG
Trump steps back from Ukraine peace process, sends out envoys
Envoy Steve Witkoff, who in new phone leaks appears to have advised Russia on negotiations, heads to Moscow next week to discuss the peace plan.
wapo.st
November 28, 2025 at 10:55 PM
One of whom presented a Russian capitulation document as a US peace plan. That’s the headline. We need headlines that are true and not news jargon that washes out the basic facts.
Reposted by Gus Ironside
They couldn't organise a revolution on a fairground waltzer
Zarah Sultana boycotts first day of Your Party conference over 'witch hunt' expulsions
Zarah Sultana boycotts first day of Your Party conference over 'witch hunt' expulsions
Zarah Sultana has boycotted day one of the Your Party Conference over the expulsion of members of left-wing groups.
news.sky.com
November 29, 2025 at 2:02 PM
They couldn't organise a revolution on a fairground waltzer