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Neil Fawcett @neilmfawcett.bsky.social · 2h

True, and having picked benefits as an example, it is good that Labour backbenchers did show some mettle on the Welfare Bill.

(My own periods working for MPs have always been in opposition.)

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Neil Fawcett @neilmfawcett.bsky.social · 18h

Sounds nice :-D

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Neil Fawcett @neilmfawcett.bsky.social · 18h

However, MPs can, in reality, do very little to change the way the system works, when up against a Government that gives every appearance of not caring about the problem.

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Neil Fawcett @neilmfawcett.bsky.social · 18h

My experience is that treating the symptoms can be very informative in identifying the systematic problems.

e.g. it is clear from casework that the benefits system is failing to ensure those entitled to benefits get what they are entitled to, and that many are treated appallingly while they try.

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Neil Fawcett @neilmfawcett.bsky.social · 23h

This.

Ian Dunt @iandunt.bsky.social · 23h

The empty horror of Robert Jenrick iandunt.substack.com/p/the-empty-...

The empty horror of Robert Jenrick

We deserve a better class of villain. Or at least a more memorable one.

iandunt.substack.com

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Neil Fawcett @neilmfawcett.bsky.social · 1d

Another great result :-D

ALDC @assoclibdemcllrs.bsky.social · 1d

Kenn Valley - Teignbridge BC

Liberal Democrat GAIN from Conservative!!

Full result awaited!

Congratulations to Kevin Smith and the Team!!

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Neil Fawcett @neilmfawcett.bsky.social · 1d

Great result :-D

ALDC @assoclibdemcllrs.bsky.social · 1d

Widcombe & Lyncombe-Bath & NE Somerset

Lib Dem Hold!

🔶 Stuart Bridge Lib Dem 769 44.4%
🟢Green Party 267 15.4%
🔴Labour 212 12.2%
➡️ Reform UK 206 11.9%
🔵Conservative 149 8.6%
🔘 Independent 83 4.7%
🔘Independent 45 2.5%

Congratulations to Stuart & the Team!!

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Neil Fawcett @neilmfawcett.bsky.social · 2d

Just for the record...

Yes, this discovery creates a big challenge for the County Council and we are now rethinking our future office provision.

But it's not a disaster, it's a fantastic and exciting find and could lead to us finding out loads of new things about Oxford's history.

Oxford Clarion @oxfordclarion.bsky.social · 3d

An unexpected archaeological discovery in Oxfordshire County Council’s proposed new HQ could transform our understanding of Oxford’s history. Madeline Odent @oldenoughtosay.com unearths a fascinating site – and floats an intriguing possibility…

oxfordclarion.uk/have-we-foun...

Have we found St Frideswide’s Priory?

An unexpected discovery at Oxfordshire County Council’s proposed new HQ could transform our understanding of Oxford’s history. Madeline Odent explains more… Oxfordshire County Council received some u...

oxfordclarion.uk

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Neil Fawcett @neilmfawcett.bsky.social · 2d

Current listening :-)

Reposted by Neil Fawcett

Cllr Laurence Fouweather 🔶️ @laurencefouweather.bsky.social · 3d

BBC News - Free Oxford park and ride travel to coincide with congestion charge - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Great news for Oxford and a start on the way to finally improving our city for locals and visitors alike.

Free Oxford park and ride travel to coincide with congestion charge

Buses from Oxford's park and ride sites will be free, as part of plans to reinvest funds raised by the charge.

www.bbc.co.uk

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Reposted by Neil Fawcett

Dave Bagpuss Forsey 🍺 @bagpuss.org · 3d

Robert Jenrick and his wiggy puppet

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Neil Fawcett @neilmfawcett.bsky.social · 3d

Great news!

Oxford Clarion @oxfordclarion.bsky.social · 3d

Oxford Bus Co has announced more frequent bus services from November to coincide with the congestion charge coming into effect. The improvements mean Blackbird Leys and Cowley will have services to the city centre every 10 minutes, while Iffley Road gets a new night bus.

Oxford Bus Company 300 stops off for a quick half at the Wetherspoons

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Neil Fawcett @neilmfawcett.bsky.social · 4d

Finally, a nicely balanced comment on Robert Jenrick.

ʀak @raksky.bsky.social · 4d

“… a sort of mad McCarthyite scream of paranoia and anxiety of the sort which he has now branded himself… he is living entirely inside of his little mind…”

Ian Dunt @iandunt.bsky.social nails Robert Jenrick’s plans for “activist” judges during Sky News’ Press Preview.

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Reposted by Neil Fawcett

Calum Miller @calummillerld.bsky.social · 4d

Today, I am remembering 7 October 2023 and thinking of all those whose lives have been changed forever by the events of that day. Today, more than ever, I am praying for a ceasefire, for the return of the hostages and for aid to flood into Gaza. 1/3

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Neil Fawcett @neilmfawcett.bsky.social · 6d

Prefab Sprout never did a bad album :-)

I once helped plan a party leadership election whose codename was 'Langley Park' as the candidate was a big fan :-D

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Neil Fawcett @neilmfawcett.bsky.social · 7d

I was staying a bit up the front from the BIC with a lovely walk in each day :-)

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Neil Fawcett @neilmfawcett.bsky.social · 7d

It's more where it widens after the parking spaces.

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Reposted by Neil Fawcett

Oxford Clarion @oxfordclarion.bsky.social · 8d

The leaders of Oxfordshire's councils have issued a
joint statement on the terrorist incident in Manchester. Reproduced in full. ⬇️

"We want to express our shared shock and horror at the terrorist incident that took place at Heaton Park Synagogue in Manchester today."

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Neil Fawcett @neilmfawcett.bsky.social · 7d

Depends how you design it.

At the moment vehicles often speed up where it widens, just before the turn past the church.

That makes it less safe for bikes coming the other way.

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Neil Fawcett @neilmfawcett.bsky.social · 7d

True. I've argued that the carriageway for the whole wharf should be narrowed to reduce speeds there.

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Reposted by Neil Fawcett

Laura Kidd 💌 Penfriend @penfriendrocks.bsky.social · 8d

People who share artists' work on social media - I LOVE YOU.

I have a FREE download of my latest studio album available today for all -> penfriendrocks.bandcamp.com/album/house-...

➡️

House Of Stories, by Penfriend

11 track album

penfriendrocks.bandcamp.com

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Neil Fawcett @neilmfawcett.bsky.social · 7d

Have fun, though I don't think you are going to have quite as good weather as we had!

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Neil Fawcett @neilmfawcett.bsky.social · 9d

Given that this police station had previously been found to have deep seated problems, it suggests a significant failure of senior leadership, not just some 'bad apples'.

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Neil Fawcett @neilmfawcett.bsky.social · 9d

That's a good statement but we also need to understand that, as Barioness Casey found, the problem is intitutional.

I'm not sure that the Chief Constable rally understands what that means or the depth of reform that would be needed to change things.

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Neil Fawcett @neilmfawcett.bsky.social · 9d

Please support if you can.

www.justgiving.com/campaign/tha...

Charity Cycle Ride in aid of Camp Mohawk

Father of 3 Robin is cycling from Dalton Barracks to RAF Benson on an adapted bike to enable his 9 year old twins diagnosed with autism to join him on the challenge. He is raising money for Camp Moh...

www.justgiving.com