Neal Hockley
@nealhockley.bsky.social
Senior Lecturer in Environmental Economics & Policy | land, forests, conservation, equity, Madagasikara, Cymru. Climber, runner. "Trech gwlad nag arglwydd". https://www.bangor.ac.uk/staff/natural-sciences/neal-hockley-011884/en
Lots of legitimate debates to be had about security policy in NATO, but far too many leftists seem to think imperialism is a uniquely western vice.
This is an important and heartfelt letter. Unfortunately there has been a real blindspot among some people on the British and European left. We should oppose imperialism and fascism, wherever they occur.
heckle.scot/2025/11/an-o...
heckle.scot/2025/11/an-o...
An Open Letter to Zarah Sultana
Galina Rymbu, an activist living in Ukraine, responds to Zarah Sultana's recent remarks on support for Ukraine.
heckle.scot
November 23, 2025 at 12:31 PM
Lots of legitimate debates to be had about security policy in NATO, but far too many leftists seem to think imperialism is a uniquely western vice.
Just verified my ID for companies house through the government "One Login" thingy. Can someone explain how this is radically different from the digital ID card?
a storm trooper with the words let me see your identification
ALT: a storm trooper with the words let me see your identification
media.tenor.com
November 23, 2025 at 12:03 PM
Just verified my ID for companies house through the government "One Login" thingy. Can someone explain how this is radically different from the digital ID card?
Nice piece, will be referring my policy students to it. Hopefully in the longer piece @paolosandro.bsky.social will answer the question: given parliamentary sovereignty, how could the UK move to a codified constitution that bound subsequent parliaments (if we wanted to).
As part of my Parliamentary Fellowship, I've co-authored with David Torrance a short research briefing on parliamentary sovereignty. I'm working on a (much) longer piece, which will be out in 2026!
@policyleeds.bsky.social @lawatleeds.bsky.social
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
@policyleeds.bsky.social @lawatleeds.bsky.social
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
Parliamentary sovereignty
A short research briefing on the principle of parliamentary sovereignty, its origins and contemporary application.
commonslibrary.parliament.uk
November 19, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Nice piece, will be referring my policy students to it. Hopefully in the longer piece @paolosandro.bsky.social will answer the question: given parliamentary sovereignty, how could the UK move to a codified constitution that bound subsequent parliaments (if we wanted to).
Deregulation by neglect.
(As an aside, 'fly-tipping' seems a totally inadequate way to describe this incident, which is way beyond a couple of blokes dumping an old armchair in a layby).
(As an aside, 'fly-tipping' seems a totally inadequate way to describe this incident, which is way beyond a couple of blokes dumping an old armchair in a layby).
The sheer scale of it shows that these people know they can get away with anything. The Environment Agency has been reduced to a chihuahua, sent out to do battle with rottweilers. It can yap, but can't land a bite. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
River close to engulfing Oxfordshire waste mountain, MP warns
Waste from a 150m (490ft) long fly-tip is beginning to float towards the River Cherwell, an MP says.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 19, 2025 at 11:39 AM
Deregulation by neglect.
(As an aside, 'fly-tipping' seems a totally inadequate way to describe this incident, which is way beyond a couple of blokes dumping an old armchair in a layby).
(As an aside, 'fly-tipping' seems a totally inadequate way to describe this incident, which is way beyond a couple of blokes dumping an old armchair in a layby).
This only reinforces my longstanding distrust of people who use incredible to mean anything other than incredible.
Trump: I’m very proud of the job he’s done. What he’s done is incredible in terms of human rights.
November 18, 2025 at 10:01 PM
This only reinforces my longstanding distrust of people who use incredible to mean anything other than incredible.
A return to door knocking?
new paper by Sean Westwood:
With current technology, it is impossible to tell whether survey respondents are real or bots. Among other things, makes it easy for bad actors to manipulate outcomes. No good news here for the future of online-based survey research
With current technology, it is impossible to tell whether survey respondents are real or bots. Among other things, makes it easy for bad actors to manipulate outcomes. No good news here for the future of online-based survey research
November 18, 2025 at 8:41 PM
A return to door knocking?
Actually, we should absolutely put more people in stocks and fewer people in prison, and the idea that prison is more civilised is pure brain rot. The public only prefer prison because they can forget about prisoners and prison conditions and we shouldn't pander to that.
With Maurice Glasman and Dominic Lawson calling for the return of the stocks, we find most Britons opposed - although Reform voters are divided
All Britons: 21% support / 72% oppose
Lib Dem: 12% / 85%
Labour: 12% / 83%
Green: 13% / 82%
Con: 28% / 64%
Reform: 43% / 48%
yougov.co.uk/society/arti...
All Britons: 21% support / 72% oppose
Lib Dem: 12% / 85%
Labour: 12% / 83%
Green: 13% / 82%
Con: 28% / 64%
Reform: 43% / 48%
yougov.co.uk/society/arti...
November 7, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Actually, we should absolutely put more people in stocks and fewer people in prison, and the idea that prison is more civilised is pure brain rot. The public only prefer prison because they can forget about prisoners and prison conditions and we shouldn't pander to that.
Just finished this series on the morning run. Tom & Dom's mastery of blocks and quarterdecks aside, Trafalgar is a superb story of the supremacy of meritocracy, technology and industry - the best of C18-19th Britain. The aftermath for Lady Hamilton illustrates the other side: snobbery.
🚨NEW EPISODE🚨
⛵️Nelson: Glory at Trafalgar⛵️
In the epic conclusion to our series on the life of Lord Nelson, Tom and Dominic discover:
💋Did the kiss really happen?
🇫🇷Did France ever stand a chance?
😤Why Nelson was disappointed with the scale of the victory
⛵️Nelson: Glory at Trafalgar⛵️
In the epic conclusion to our series on the life of Lord Nelson, Tom and Dominic discover:
💋Did the kiss really happen?
🇫🇷Did France ever stand a chance?
😤Why Nelson was disappointed with the scale of the victory
November 6, 2025 at 12:38 PM
Just finished this series on the morning run. Tom & Dom's mastery of blocks and quarterdecks aside, Trafalgar is a superb story of the supremacy of meritocracy, technology and industry - the best of C18-19th Britain. The aftermath for Lady Hamilton illustrates the other side: snobbery.
This is such a lacklustre proposal for road pricing, and the Tories response is even worse. If we don't use the transition to EVs to achieve a more rational system of road taxation, we might as well throw in the towel www.ft.com/content/9f90...
Reeves poised to unveil Budget plan for EV drivers to pay per mile charges
Chancellor looks to offset forecast sharp drop in government revenue from fuel duty
www.ft.com
November 6, 2025 at 12:11 PM
This is such a lacklustre proposal for road pricing, and the Tories response is even worse. If we don't use the transition to EVs to achieve a more rational system of road taxation, we might as well throw in the towel www.ft.com/content/9f90...
Interesting piece - even in temperate climates I feel planners & architects seem to have forgotten about the existence of wind, which seems like your basics (our newish local Asda often can't open its main doors on windy days, because they face a desolate urbanscape) www.euronews.com/green/2025/1...
Kiruna residents face colder reality in relocated Arctic town
Kiruna’s new city is up to 10°C colder, and residents are noticing.
www.euronews.com
November 5, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Interesting piece - even in temperate climates I feel planners & architects seem to have forgotten about the existence of wind, which seems like your basics (our newish local Asda often can't open its main doors on windy days, because they face a desolate urbanscape) www.euronews.com/green/2025/1...
Missed this piece by @tomforth.co.uk on Land Value Tax. As always, Tom makes some very sensible points. Several are contingent on specific proposals for an LVT, which aren't strawmen but are far from intrinsic to LVT. The valuation problem is more important in my view... tomforth.co.uk/landvaluetax/
Land Value Tax in England? No thanks.
Why I think every proposal I've ever read for a land value tax in England is a bad idea.
tomforth.co.uk
November 3, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Missed this piece by @tomforth.co.uk on Land Value Tax. As always, Tom makes some very sensible points. Several are contingent on specific proposals for an LVT, which aren't strawmen but are far from intrinsic to LVT. The valuation problem is more important in my view... tomforth.co.uk/landvaluetax/
Depressing that this piece makes no mention that domestic/European aviation emissions are priced through the Emissions Trading Scheme. UK/EU should extend the scope to include all flights, and stop mithering around with pointless 'Sustainable Aviation Fuel' mandates
www.politico.eu/article/uk-n...
www.politico.eu/article/uk-n...
UK must speed up net-zero aviation, says Tony Blair
The recommendation, by the ex-PM’s policy body, is Blair’s third intervention on green policy this year.
www.politico.eu
November 3, 2025 at 10:34 AM
Depressing that this piece makes no mention that domestic/European aviation emissions are priced through the Emissions Trading Scheme. UK/EU should extend the scope to include all flights, and stop mithering around with pointless 'Sustainable Aviation Fuel' mandates
www.politico.eu/article/uk-n...
www.politico.eu/article/uk-n...
Interesting that none of the execs interviewed for this piece seem to consider the possibility of paying people slightly more (about £90 extra a month would match the rise in the min wage - i.e. roughly in line with inflation) www.ft.com/content/b436...
City bosses warn on pay as minimum wage closes in on graduate salaries
Chief executives voice fears about impact on recruitment ahead of expected rise in Budget
www.ft.com
November 3, 2025 at 10:26 AM
Interesting that none of the execs interviewed for this piece seem to consider the possibility of paying people slightly more (about £90 extra a month would match the rise in the min wage - i.e. roughly in line with inflation) www.ft.com/content/b436...
A concerning story, but as well as (rightly) highlighting the impacts of commercialisation/internationalisation on academic freedom, it would be good to see more scrutiny of the apparent role of our libel laws, which also seem to have been a factor here? www.theguardian.com/education/20...
UK university halted human rights research after pressure from China
Exclusive: Leading professor at Sheffield Hallam was told to cease research on supply chains and forced labour in China after demands from authorities
www.theguardian.com
November 3, 2025 at 9:58 AM
A concerning story, but as well as (rightly) highlighting the impacts of commercialisation/internationalisation on academic freedom, it would be good to see more scrutiny of the apparent role of our libel laws, which also seem to have been a factor here? www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Tanzania's incumbent president wins 98% of the vote, putting Putin's electoral successes to shame. The economy's been booming recently, I guess we'll see if it continues to justify this level of support www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Tanzania election: Samia Suluhu Hassan wins vote as hundreds feared dead in unrest
Demonstrations continued on Friday as young protesters denounced the election as unfair.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 2, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Tanzania's incumbent president wins 98% of the vote, putting Putin's electoral successes to shame. The economy's been booming recently, I guess we'll see if it continues to justify this level of support www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Who's mourning the slave-ocracy of 1776? American democracy might be healthier if more people recognised it was born in 1965.
Halloween decoration in the neighborhood (photo taken a few days ago)
October 31, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Who's mourning the slave-ocracy of 1776? American democracy might be healthier if more people recognised it was born in 1965.
Rachel Reeves' licence-gate seems like yet another episode where you'd be better than averagely informed if you simply paid no attention to any media whatsoever. Depressingly common.
October 31, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Rachel Reeves' licence-gate seems like yet another episode where you'd be better than averagely informed if you simply paid no attention to any media whatsoever. Depressingly common.
Can we all agree that kids should only dress up as bad guys for Halloween? It's not just a general fancy dress party and you can't go as a super hero. Also, and this shouldn't need stating, you can't trick or treat in daylight.
October 31, 2025 at 10:23 AM
Can we all agree that kids should only dress up as bad guys for Halloween? It's not just a general fancy dress party and you can't go as a super hero. Also, and this shouldn't need stating, you can't trick or treat in daylight.
Catching up on this piece by @ebenmyrddin.bsky.social challenging @plaidcymru.bsky.social on their environmental 'blind spot'. If Plaid want to retain their #caerphilly coalition for 2026, they will need to explain how they will restore Wales' wildlife nation.cymru/opinion/the-...
The Missing Agenda: Plaid Cymru’s Nature Blind Spot
Eben Myrddin Muse This weekend Welsh politics is comprehending a new political reality, confirmed by Caerphilly’s electorate – Plaid Cymru are the rising force in Welsh politics, the presumptive gover...
nation.cymru
October 31, 2025 at 9:49 AM
Catching up on this piece by @ebenmyrddin.bsky.social challenging @plaidcymru.bsky.social on their environmental 'blind spot'. If Plaid want to retain their #caerphilly coalition for 2026, they will need to explain how they will restore Wales' wildlife nation.cymru/opinion/the-...
I'm queasy about these appeals for the public to donate their cash to aristocratic landowners. UK land prices are completely out of kilter with reality, due to various policy drivers (tax, subsidies etc) - to the detriment of both farmers and conservationists.
Broadcaster and naturalist David Attenborough is lending his support to an appeal to raise $40 million to buy and a conserve a huge land estate in the UK. https://cnn.it/47wiD6E
October 29, 2025 at 4:42 PM
I'm queasy about these appeals for the public to donate their cash to aristocratic landowners. UK land prices are completely out of kilter with reality, due to various policy drivers (tax, subsidies etc) - to the detriment of both farmers and conservationists.
This policy never made any sense. I wonder if there will be any credibility consequences for those who espoused it.
Tories confirm Chris Philp's bill proposing mass deportation of people with indefinite leave to remain no longer party policy - www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
October 29, 2025 at 4:34 PM
This policy never made any sense. I wonder if there will be any credibility consequences for those who espoused it.
Coming from a background where any family friend your parents' age was aunty or uncle, this does seem an odd thing to get het up about.
My momma bestie is my auntie
My auntie friend that go to her church is also my auntie
My 75 year old cousin... is also my auntie
"Auntie" is what happens when you understand the expansive proposition of family
"That's not your aunt" is what happens when you live outside of restorative community
My auntie friend that go to her church is also my auntie
My 75 year old cousin... is also my auntie
"Auntie" is what happens when you understand the expansive proposition of family
"That's not your aunt" is what happens when you live outside of restorative community
October 28, 2025 at 7:51 PM
Coming from a background where any family friend your parents' age was aunty or uncle, this does seem an odd thing to get het up about.
Experimenting with asking Co-pilot for recommendations of papers to read, based on a draft abstract I uploaded - which seems like a fairly simple task? It suggested 5 papers, all of which seem to be completely fictitious. Another data point for the "LLMs are just pretending to do stuff" view.
a gif of a cat holding a vacuum cleaner with the caption look human i 'm helping
ALT: a gif of a cat holding a vacuum cleaner with the caption look human i 'm helping
media.tenor.com
October 28, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Experimenting with asking Co-pilot for recommendations of papers to read, based on a draft abstract I uploaded - which seems like a fairly simple task? It suggested 5 papers, all of which seem to be completely fictitious. Another data point for the "LLMs are just pretending to do stuff" view.
Agreed. The question is, in our politico-journalistic ecosystem, are there any consequences for saying completely wild stuff? In a sensible world, every interview with Lam for years to come would start with "So, do you still want to deport all the nurses?"
What I think this demonstrates is 3 things (1) This mass deportation policy is wildly at odds with public opinion in general, and with opinion of many sensible Tory voters, members & MPs (2) Many ppl defending the policy didn't know what was in it (3) Informing and pressuring them therefore works
Are the Tories now rowing back on ILR?
Last week Badenoch's spokesman said Katie Lam's comments were "broadly in line" with the party's stance
Now a party spokesperson says it's “subject to an ongoing internal review” following a widespread backlash
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Last week Badenoch's spokesman said Katie Lam's comments were "broadly in line" with the party's stance
Now a party spokesperson says it's “subject to an ongoing internal review” following a widespread backlash
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
October 28, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Agreed. The question is, in our politico-journalistic ecosystem, are there any consequences for saying completely wild stuff? In a sensible world, every interview with Lam for years to come would start with "So, do you still want to deport all the nurses?"
Reposted by Neal Hockley
