Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Mhairi Brennan @mhairibrennan.bsky.social · 2d

Reading about #indyref2 in the news and wish you knew more about #indyref 1? My new book, coming soon, has got you covered!

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Mhairi Brennan @mhairibrennan.bsky.social · 9d

@johnswinney.bsky.social urgent action please for Scottish nationals illegally intercepted in international waters.

The National @scotnational.bsky.social · 9d

Saddaqat Khan has been detained by Israel 🚨

He was sailing on the Adara as part of the Global Sumud Flotilla

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Owen Jones @owenjones.bsky.social · 9d

All eyes on the flotilla.

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Tarik Abou-Chadi @tabouchadi.bsky.social · 15d

For the Guardian, @turnbulldugarte.com and I discuss our research that clearly shows one thing: Labour's anti-immigration strategy will only strengthen Reform and weaken its own electoral prospects. It won't win voters back but ultimately normalizes the far right

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Our research makes it clear: by capitulating to the right, Labour is driving voters to Reform UK | Tarik Abou-Chadi and Stuart Turnbull-Dugarte

Mimicking Farage on immigration is senseless. Labour voters feel betrayed; anti-immigration voters see through the ruse, say academics Tarik Abou-Chadi and Stuart Turnbull-Dugarte

www.theguardian.com

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Jonathan Portes @jdportes.bsky.social · 19d

Any journalist quoting this absurd, invented £234 billion number cited by Farage/Reform should make absolutely clear that it has been withdrawn by *its own authors* (the Centre for Policy Studies) after they admitted it contained several major errors (1/3)

Farage pledges to expel hundreds of thousands of migrants
Reform says mass deportation would save £234bn as it warns ‘Boriswave’ of migration will take critical toll on welfare system

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Mhairi Brennan @mhairibrennan.bsky.social · 19d

Want to take action for migrants and refugees but not sure where to start? Sign up to Praxis' free email course Solidarity not Strangers and get involved!

act.praxis.org.uk/solidarity-n...

Want to stand up for migrants and refugees? Sign up to our short email course Solidarity not Strangers.

Join our free email course Solidarity not Strangers, and you'll receive expert information for tackling tricky conversations about migrants and refugees, our top tips on writing a powerful email to yo...

act.praxis.org.uk

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The Guardian @theguardian.com · 25d

Spain first of Eurovision ‘big five’ to decide on boycott if Israel participates

State broadcaster says it will withdraw from next year’s contest in Vienna unless Israel is excluded over Gaza war Spain has become the latest country to say it will not take part in next year’s Eurovision song contest if Israel participates. Board members of the state broadcaster RTVE voted in majority favour of boycotting the contest if Israel is among the countries fielding an entry next year. Continue reading...

www.theguardian.com

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Mhairi Brennan @mhairibrennan.bsky.social · 25d

Clearly he's never watched Eurovision if he thinks it's not political

Unofficial BBCNews (UK) Bot @bbcnews-uk-rss.bsky.social · 25d

Eurovision has never been about politics, says BBC boss Tim Davie

The director general says the corporation is "aware of the concerns" around Israel's participation.

www.bbc.com

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Annette Dittert @annettedittert.bsky.social · 27d

Musk is inciting violence on London's streets.Tommy Robinson is financed by US tech bros. These are all very direct attempts to destabilise the British state.

Starmer needs to stand up to this. A government that doesn't defend its country's values against these blatant attacks is not doing its job.

Cat Neilan @catneilan.bsky.social · 27d

My colleague @thejohnsimpson.bsky.social has done a terrific deep dive into the financial links between US tech billionaires and Tommy Robinson

Well worth a read

observer.co.uk/news/nationa...

US cash turned Tommy Robinson into the poster boy of UK f...

Outside the Old Bailey in 2018, a reinvented Tommy Robinson flashed his perfect new teeth to 2,000 diehard supporters at a “free Tommy” rally on a stage ...

observer.co.uk

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Mhairi Brennan @mhairibrennan.bsky.social · 27d

For shame indeed

Peter Geoghegan @petergeoghegan.bsky.social · 27d

‘Business secretary Peter Kyle was asked by Sky News’ Trevor Phillips this morning if the demonstration – organised by far-right activist Tommy Robinson – “disturbed” him.

Kyle said the number of people who turned out for the protest shows free speech is “alive and well” in the UK.’

For shame

Peter Geoghegan @petergeoghegan.bsky.social · 27d

Today people went around my neighborhood in north east London spray painting St George’s crosses onto people’s homes. Many of these houses have non British people living in them.

This is getting very dark, very quick.

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Mhairi Brennan @mhairibrennan.bsky.social · 29d

Spain is one of the Big 5 so that's a sizeable participation fee about to go. Also Ireland IS eurovision, everyone knows that.

BremainInSpain @bremaininspain.com · Sep 11

Spain, Ireland and now Slovenia saying they will not participate in Eurovision this year if Isreal remains a participant

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Mhairi Brennan @mhairibrennan.bsky.social · Sep 4

What a surprise!

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Mhairi Brennan @mhairibrennan.bsky.social · Sep 3

👏👏👏

Mhairi Brennan @mhairibrennan.bsky.social · Sep 3

👏👏

Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · Sep 3

Nigel Farage looks uncomfortable as Jamie Raskin uses his opening statement to absolutely demolish him

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Scottish Greens @scottishgreens.org · Sep 3

🎉BREAKING: Scotland has joined the global movement to boycott Israel!

The proposal put forward by Green MSP @patrickharvie.bsky.social was supported by a majority of members in the Scottish Parliament.

Scotland joins global movement to boycott Israel.

An earth with the Palestine flag.

Scottish Greens.

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Mhairi Brennan @mhairibrennan.bsky.social · Sep 3

About time, but better late than never

John Swinney @johnswinney.bsky.social · Sep 3

Let’s be clear - a genocide is unfolding in Gaza as a result of Israel’s actions.

We all have a moral and legal responsibility to act, and Scotland will play its part.

Today I have set out a range of diplomatic, economic and humanitarian measures.

Read below for more. 🧵

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Mhairi Brennan @mhairibrennan.bsky.social · Aug 27

The UK is absolutely not OK

The National @scotnational.bsky.social · Aug 27

The Taliban have said they are 'ready' to accept deportations from the UK.

Labour, Reform UK, and the Tories have all signalled the door is open to a deal with the militant regime

Taliban 'ready' to work with Labour or Reform to deport Afghan asylum seekers

www.thenational.scot

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Ian Greaves @greavesian.bsky.social · Aug 24

You can read the letter here. Please follow the instructions at the top to join the campaign and sign. tinyurl.com/bbcwaccampaign

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Mhairi Brennan @mhairibrennan.bsky.social · Aug 24

Glad to see this in the papers. The BBC Written Archive - like all the elements of its archive - is a vital part of our cultural heritage. Strong case here for investing in more archivists to facilitate better access!

David Hendy @davidhendy.bsky.social · Aug 24

‘… social historian David Kynaston, told The Observer he suspects “a serious scandal is unfolding”

John Wyver, Ian Greaves, Erica Wagner and others on the growing battle to prevent damaging changes to the BBC’s priceless behind-the-scenes archives:

Historians dismayed by ‘scandal’ of BBC cutting access to...

Critics say new limit to trove of information sounds knell for independent research

observer.co.uk

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David Hendy @davidhendy.bsky.social · Aug 24

‘… social historian David Kynaston, told The Observer he suspects “a serious scandal is unfolding”

John Wyver, Ian Greaves, Erica Wagner and others on the growing battle to prevent damaging changes to the BBC’s priceless behind-the-scenes archives:

Historians dismayed by ‘scandal’ of BBC cutting access to...

Critics say new limit to trove of information sounds knell for independent research

observer.co.uk

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Mhairi Brennan @mhairibrennan.bsky.social · Aug 24

Excellent news! Thank you for this campaign!

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Josh Shepperd @joshshepperd.bsky.social · Aug 19

Resonance (UC Press) is looking for humanities research across the following topics: Sound in Political Crisis, Sound and Social Justice, Experiments in Sound, Sound Archives and Preservation, and we're convening a permanent series that'll examine "Film and Cinema Sound" in 2026. Please circulate!

Resonance | University of California Press

online.ucpress.edu

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Mhairi Brennan @mhairibrennan.bsky.social · Aug 19

I'm a lady of a certain age who sees M&S as my spiritual home. Awful what this member of staff has been put through but top marks to her team for supporting her. Protect the dolls and delicious sandwiches

TACC @tacc.org.uk · Aug 19

Information relating to the M&S complaint, reportedly from the trans woman whom the complaint was about. Almost everything claimed in recent articles is extremely inaccurate. 1/

Text post screenshot. A transgender M&S manager addresses recent articles about them. They recount an interaction in the lingerie section where they offered help to a woman and teen. The customer declined, and the manager, who isn't a bra fitter, proceeded to put away returns. Weeks later, a complaint was filed citing the manager's "deep booming masculine voice" and "masculine facial features." The manager clarifies they never offered bra fitting advice and that their colleagues are supportive. The manager's boss dismissed the complaint, affirming their support. The manager expresses distress over the complaint's personal attacks.

A screenshot of a text post from a trans woman detailing her positive experiences working at M&S after undergoing Facial Feminisation Surgery. She describes receiving support from colleagues and management, including gifts and messages, after the surgery. The post addresses a newspaper article that insinuated M&S was not supportive, clarifying that the company has been overwhelmingly supportive. The author emphasizes that M&S allows any colleague to train as a bra fitter and any customer to book an appointment, regardless of gender identity. She also clarifies that the lingerie department and walkway to menswear are not "women only" spaces and that she does not enter occupied fitting rooms. The author concludes by stating that M&S respects her as a trans woman and a valued colleague, and that the real issue is tabloid newspapers twisting stories for profit.

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Illuminations @illuminations.bsky.social · Aug 18

Calling historians and researchers. The BBC Written Archives Centre has changed its access rules without consultation. This means an end to proper independent research into the BBC's rich history. 178 have already signed the open letter. Please join the campaign:

tinyurl.com/bbcwaccampaign

Open letter BBC Written Archives - August 2025

Join the campaign to protect the future of independent research at the BBC Written Archives Centre The following text is an open letter expressing the concern of historians and researchers about chan...

tinyurl.com

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