Robert Campbell
@madman2.bsky.social
Ceramic artist INSTA:@firedclayuk, photographer, security geek, adventure racer, cyclist, vegan, EU Citizen, Bollocks to Brexit
Pinned
Robert Campbell
@madman2.bsky.social
· Oct 28
Verification, Deliberation, Accountability: A new framework for tackling epistemic collapse and renewing democracy
Demos is Britain’s leading cross-party think-tank. We produce original research, publish innovative thinkers and host thought-provoking events.
demos.co.uk
I think this new paper by @bellingcat.com Eliot Higgins and Dr Natalie Martin from the University of Nottingham; deserves more audience. If you're interested in Democracy and Political Reform you need to read this.
Reposted by Robert Campbell
1. Many here seem bemused by the anger and disappointment this government attracts. Please bear with me while I try to explain it.
Let’s begin with Gaza. Starmer’s complicity is one of the major reasons so many people are disillusioned.
rethinkingsecurityorguk.wpcomstaging.com/2025/10/07/i...
🧵
Let’s begin with Gaza. Starmer’s complicity is one of the major reasons so many people are disillusioned.
rethinkingsecurityorguk.wpcomstaging.com/2025/10/07/i...
🧵
Is our Government Complicit in Genocide?
The Genocide Convention imposes obligations on states and individuals not just to punish the crime of genocide but to actively prevent it. Two years into the war in Gaza and over 20 months since th…
rethinkingsecurityorguk.wpcomstaging.com
February 10, 2026 at 7:31 AM
1. Many here seem bemused by the anger and disappointment this government attracts. Please bear with me while I try to explain it.
Let’s begin with Gaza. Starmer’s complicity is one of the major reasons so many people are disillusioned.
rethinkingsecurityorguk.wpcomstaging.com/2025/10/07/i...
🧵
Let’s begin with Gaza. Starmer’s complicity is one of the major reasons so many people are disillusioned.
rethinkingsecurityorguk.wpcomstaging.com/2025/10/07/i...
🧵
Reposted by Robert Campbell
🇬🇧😸🇬🇧😸🇬🇧😸🇬🇧😸🇬🇧
Sent complaint to NHS England re the illegal use of their logo by Reform UK in their Gorton & Denton by-election material!
Just got a reply.
Quite pleased.
Sent complaint to NHS England re the illegal use of their logo by Reform UK in their Gorton & Denton by-election material!
Just got a reply.
Quite pleased.
February 9, 2026 at 4:09 PM
🇬🇧😸🇬🇧😸🇬🇧😸🇬🇧😸🇬🇧
Sent complaint to NHS England re the illegal use of their logo by Reform UK in their Gorton & Denton by-election material!
Just got a reply.
Quite pleased.
Sent complaint to NHS England re the illegal use of their logo by Reform UK in their Gorton & Denton by-election material!
Just got a reply.
Quite pleased.
Reposted by Robert Campbell
Reform UK’s ‘Dear Neighbour’ Trick… MKII…
Goodwin just got BUSTED!!!!!!!!!!
Goodwin just got BUSTED!!!!!!!!!!
February 8, 2026 at 9:23 PM
Reform UK’s ‘Dear Neighbour’ Trick… MKII…
Goodwin just got BUSTED!!!!!!!!!!
Goodwin just got BUSTED!!!!!!!!!!
Reposted by Robert Campbell
This is every city, every town, every urban centre, every single time car traffic is restricted. It is always a net social and economic benefit. There are no credibly documented exceptions.
Keep this in mind when people claim cars mean business — closing Central #Madrid to cars over holidays resulted in a 9.5% boost in retail spending on its main shopping street: STUDY.
There was also a 71% drop in air pollution.
Via @carltonreid.com in @forbes.com. #citymakingmath #citiesforpeople
There was also a 71% drop in air pollution.
Via @carltonreid.com in @forbes.com. #citymakingmath #citiesforpeople
Closing Central Madrid To Cars Resulted In 9.5% Boost To Retail Spending, Finds Bank Analysis
City of Madrid significantly boosted the takings of its shops and restaurants last Christmas by banning cars from the CBD, finds an analysis by Spain's second largest bank.
www.forbes.com
February 8, 2026 at 7:21 PM
This is every city, every town, every urban centre, every single time car traffic is restricted. It is always a net social and economic benefit. There are no credibly documented exceptions.
Reposted by Robert Campbell
![David Cameron @David_Cameron 7:26 AM May 4, 2015
Britain faces a simple and inescapable choice - stability and strong Government with me, or chaos with Ed Miliband:
[shares Facebook page]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2kf2qj56o2vq7jfaq4x4ogp6/bafkreiheutlqj3uxrwgmxb5wwgxmrmdqhlsqpx2qvnnduzi4e2k4qdozk4@jpeg)
Reposted by Robert Campbell
Damn right. There's still time to transform a wasted govt into a transformational one. It's not as though nobody knows what needs doing, or we're lacking ideas about how.
Labour built the NHS in 3 years, and transformed the nation. They can this too. It just takes will.
Labour built the NHS in 3 years, and transformed the nation. They can this too. It just takes will.
McSweeney is gone. Time for Starmer to try to salvage his government by launching long overdue proper action to address all the flaws in our political system - peerages, patronage, cronyism, party finances, MPs revolving door, appointments, ministerial code, business interests, Leveson, etc etc.
I wrote this yesterday - Starmer could still turn his premiership around, if he finally, FINALLY, finds the courage to address the grubby circs which allow people like Mandelson to rise so far. bylinetimes.com/2026/02/07/t...
February 8, 2026 at 4:57 PM
Damn right. There's still time to transform a wasted govt into a transformational one. It's not as though nobody knows what needs doing, or we're lacking ideas about how.
Labour built the NHS in 3 years, and transformed the nation. They can this too. It just takes will.
Labour built the NHS in 3 years, and transformed the nation. They can this too. It just takes will.
The evidence is, and always has been OVERWHELMING.
Cycling is good for business
Cycling is good for business
When you remove through-traffic from city centres, everyone wins. Cafés get more trade, kids can cycle safely, walking feels relaxed, homes are quieter, and streets become places people actually want to spend time. Design for people and cities come alive.
February 8, 2026 at 6:29 PM
The evidence is, and always has been OVERWHELMING.
Cycling is good for business
Cycling is good for business
Blue Sunday - for some. HAHAHAHAH
McSweeney quits as Starmer's chief of staff www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c7...
Morgan McSweeney quits as PM's chief of staff following Mandelson scandal
McSweeney says he takes
www.bbc.co.uk
February 8, 2026 at 5:07 PM
Blue Sunday - for some. HAHAHAHAH
Reposted by Robert Campbell
Since #bbclaurak is trending, let’s remind ourselves that ONE MONTH ago, the BBC invited Mandelson on for a soft-ball interview on her show. While HIS CLIENT , Palantir’s Louis Moseley appeared as a pundit
Both, as I wrote at time, were ‘abject failures of journalism’
1/
Both, as I wrote at time, were ‘abject failures of journalism’
1/
February 8, 2026 at 10:13 AM
Since #bbclaurak is trending, let’s remind ourselves that ONE MONTH ago, the BBC invited Mandelson on for a soft-ball interview on her show. While HIS CLIENT , Palantir’s Louis Moseley appeared as a pundit
Both, as I wrote at time, were ‘abject failures of journalism’
1/
Both, as I wrote at time, were ‘abject failures of journalism’
1/
Reposted by Robert Campbell
In these dark days of February, a little something to look forward to.
February 7, 2026 at 6:42 AM
In these dark days of February, a little something to look forward to.
Reposted by Robert Campbell
Kids can't hang out in parks. They can't hang out at the mall. They don't have 3rd spaces because no one wants kids around and then we are surprised when they rely on SM for connection.
If you take that away, what do they have left?
If you take that away, what do they have left?
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
The impacts of locking under 16 yos from their social media networks are now beginning to bite for those young people who relied on them for social connection
The impacts of locking under 16 yos from their social media networks are now beginning to bite for those young people who relied on them for social connection
‘I’ve lost my friends’: advocacy groups warn Australia’s social media ban risks isolating kids with disabilities
Despite the ban’s aim to protect young people, experts are concerned that those in marginalised communities or living with disabilities could lose vital support networks
www.theguardian.com
February 8, 2026 at 1:14 AM
Kids can't hang out in parks. They can't hang out at the mall. They don't have 3rd spaces because no one wants kids around and then we are surprised when they rely on SM for connection.
If you take that away, what do they have left?
If you take that away, what do they have left?
Reposted by Robert Campbell
The endless column inches, YouTube videos, podcasts and more given over to the largely non-existent rightwards shift of young men is exhausting.
A small fraction are getting radicalised by the online right. But most young men vote left and liberal! Even more so than millennials did at their age!
A small fraction are getting radicalised by the online right. But most young men vote left and liberal! Even more so than millennials did at their age!
The untold story that is told constantly and isn’t really true
February 7, 2026 at 12:37 PM
The endless column inches, YouTube videos, podcasts and more given over to the largely non-existent rightwards shift of young men is exhausting.
A small fraction are getting radicalised by the online right. But most young men vote left and liberal! Even more so than millennials did at their age!
A small fraction are getting radicalised by the online right. But most young men vote left and liberal! Even more so than millennials did at their age!
Reposted by Robert Campbell
When whatever happens at the top of the Labour Party finally happens and given the sorry mess that British politics has been for years, is it maybe time to fix a broken system? Get rid of the “two party politics” delusion? Embrace PR? It’s apparently good enough for Scotland, Wales and N Ireland.
February 7, 2026 at 1:55 PM
When whatever happens at the top of the Labour Party finally happens and given the sorry mess that British politics has been for years, is it maybe time to fix a broken system? Get rid of the “two party politics” delusion? Embrace PR? It’s apparently good enough for Scotland, Wales and N Ireland.
Someone is taking the piss.
I was not prepared to discover which 9 cities this is supposed to link.
Utterly bonkers
Utterly bonkers
Choosing to believe that Chris Williamson lost some kind of bet which is why he has been forced to propose this:
February 7, 2026 at 12:33 PM
Someone is taking the piss.
Reposted by Robert Campbell
Every American needs to watch this:
February 5, 2026 at 8:41 PM
Every American needs to watch this:
Reposted by Robert Campbell
(seen a bunch of people sharing this/talking in general about how "normal" Mamdani is but imo this doesn't show a normal person, but an *exceptionally* skilled communicator - a normal person wouldn't react like that to having a speech interrupted by a child! give him his due!)
Child at the podium: “A woo woo woo.”
Mamdani: That’s how I felt when we came up with this plan. Together, we will expand the idea of what is possible in our city—and what sounds and noises we can make at a press conference.
Mamdani: That’s how I felt when we came up with this plan. Together, we will expand the idea of what is possible in our city—and what sounds and noises we can make at a press conference.
February 6, 2026 at 10:06 AM
(seen a bunch of people sharing this/talking in general about how "normal" Mamdani is but imo this doesn't show a normal person, but an *exceptionally* skilled communicator - a normal person wouldn't react like that to having a speech interrupted by a child! give him his due!)
Reposted by Robert Campbell
“The combined tuition fees of the entire Question Time panel would not cover my cost for 1 year of uni. Is that fair?”
Oli Dugmore
It’s absolutely NOT fair. This outrageous scandal must end
Oli Dugmore
It’s absolutely NOT fair. This outrageous scandal must end
February 6, 2026 at 7:34 AM
“The combined tuition fees of the entire Question Time panel would not cover my cost for 1 year of uni. Is that fair?”
Oli Dugmore
It’s absolutely NOT fair. This outrageous scandal must end
Oli Dugmore
It’s absolutely NOT fair. This outrageous scandal must end
Reposted by Robert Campbell
NEW: Dear Washington Post journalists, I’ve written this for you.
Last year @theguardian.com gave away our news title & binned 100+ journalists. It sucked!
But we fought back & you can too. First a strike, then a new masthead @thenerve.news Fuck Bezos. There is another way 👊👊👊
1/
Last year @theguardian.com gave away our news title & binned 100+ journalists. It sucked!
But we fought back & you can too. First a strike, then a new masthead @thenerve.news Fuck Bezos. There is another way 👊👊👊
1/
February 5, 2026 at 4:37 PM
NEW: Dear Washington Post journalists, I’ve written this for you.
Last year @theguardian.com gave away our news title & binned 100+ journalists. It sucked!
But we fought back & you can too. First a strike, then a new masthead @thenerve.news Fuck Bezos. There is another way 👊👊👊
1/
Last year @theguardian.com gave away our news title & binned 100+ journalists. It sucked!
But we fought back & you can too. First a strike, then a new masthead @thenerve.news Fuck Bezos. There is another way 👊👊👊
1/
Reposted by Robert Campbell
The full clip, including McKellen's setup of the scene, is here, along with info about the riots (Evil May Day) and the text of the speech itself. kottke.org/26/02/the-st...
The Strangers’ Case
I don’t normally say this, but if you watch one thing on kottke.org today, this week, this month, make it this speech written by Shakespeare and performed by
kottke.org
February 5, 2026 at 3:01 PM
The full clip, including McKellen's setup of the scene, is here, along with info about the riots (Evil May Day) and the text of the speech itself. kottke.org/26/02/the-st...
Reposted by Robert Campbell
Sir Ian McKellen performing a monologue from Shakespeare’s Sir Thomas More on the Stephen Colbert show. Never have I heard this monologue performed with such a keen sense of prescience. Nor have I ever been in this exact historical moment.TY Sir Ian, for reaching us once again.
#Pinks #ProudBlue
#Pinks #ProudBlue
February 5, 2026 at 11:50 AM
Sir Ian McKellen performing a monologue from Shakespeare’s Sir Thomas More on the Stephen Colbert show. Never have I heard this monologue performed with such a keen sense of prescience. Nor have I ever been in this exact historical moment.TY Sir Ian, for reaching us once again.
#Pinks #ProudBlue
#Pinks #ProudBlue
Reposted by Robert Campbell
"I will never denigrate the contributions that migrants make" says Starmer. But he did just that.
February 5, 2026 at 11:27 AM
"I will never denigrate the contributions that migrants make" says Starmer. But he did just that.
A Scandal! | Yes, Minister | BBC Comedy Greats
YouTube video by BBC Comedy Greats
youtu.be
February 5, 2026 at 6:12 PM
Reposted by Robert Campbell
By the time Starmer is replaced this summer, we'll have had two wasted years, in which a country crying out for transformation instead got more of the same, or even worse where environmental legislation is concerned, and a high possibility of Farage running the next government.
Thanks Keir.
Thanks Keir.
February 5, 2026 at 11:36 AM
By the time Starmer is replaced this summer, we'll have had two wasted years, in which a country crying out for transformation instead got more of the same, or even worse where environmental legislation is concerned, and a high possibility of Farage running the next government.
Thanks Keir.
Thanks Keir.
Reposted by Robert Campbell
Epstein was issued with 9 separate Russian 🇷🇺 visas covering more than 9 years and they were sponsored by MOO that was “linked to veterans of Russia’s FSB special forces unit “Vympel” (known for anti-terror operations).[efa-vimpel]
Led by FSB veteran and KGB colonel Sergey Shestov”
Led by FSB veteran and KGB colonel Sergey Shestov”
Yes, of course Epstein had extensive Israeli connections, but the Russian ones are just evidentially more extensive — that was where the money and trafficable women were
February 5, 2026 at 11:41 AM
Epstein was issued with 9 separate Russian 🇷🇺 visas covering more than 9 years and they were sponsored by MOO that was “linked to veterans of Russia’s FSB special forces unit “Vympel” (known for anti-terror operations).[efa-vimpel]
Led by FSB veteran and KGB colonel Sergey Shestov”
Led by FSB veteran and KGB colonel Sergey Shestov”
