Ken Newton
@redbilledchough.bsky.social
Nature conservation and rewilding supporter who likes cycling and dogs. Green Party supporter who wants to stop climate breakdown, pollution and species loss and build a fairer, greener society. Born at 310 ppm.
Reposted by Ken Newton
Oh, Canada...
November 13, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Oh, Canada...
Reposted by Ken Newton
Wonder if Rachel Reeves' team will read this...
"A luxury levy would be politically smart – it would primarily fall on the wealthiest, including wealthy tourists visiting London, while sparing working-class voters."
labourlist.org/2025/11/budg...
"A luxury levy would be politically smart – it would primarily fall on the wealthiest, including wealthy tourists visiting London, while sparing working-class voters."
labourlist.org/2025/11/budg...
'A luxury levy is the politically savvy way to ensure the rich pay more tax' - LabourList
The chancellor should consider a luxury levy to raise revenue from the wealthiest, and has significant political benefits.
labourlist.org
November 13, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Wonder if Rachel Reeves' team will read this...
"A luxury levy would be politically smart – it would primarily fall on the wealthiest, including wealthy tourists visiting London, while sparing working-class voters."
labourlist.org/2025/11/budg...
"A luxury levy would be politically smart – it would primarily fall on the wealthiest, including wealthy tourists visiting London, while sparing working-class voters."
labourlist.org/2025/11/budg...
Reposted by Ken Newton
Today I voted for protecting nature.
The Lords added sensible, evidence-based amendments to the Planning & Infrastructure Bill to strengthen nature protection. But the govt rejected them.
Ministers need to listen - to experts, to trusted organisations, and to the public.
The Lords added sensible, evidence-based amendments to the Planning & Infrastructure Bill to strengthen nature protection. But the govt rejected them.
Ministers need to listen - to experts, to trusted organisations, and to the public.
November 13, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Today I voted for protecting nature.
The Lords added sensible, evidence-based amendments to the Planning & Infrastructure Bill to strengthen nature protection. But the govt rejected them.
Ministers need to listen - to experts, to trusted organisations, and to the public.
The Lords added sensible, evidence-based amendments to the Planning & Infrastructure Bill to strengthen nature protection. But the govt rejected them.
Ministers need to listen - to experts, to trusted organisations, and to the public.
Reposted by Ken Newton
X is a radicalisation machine that pushes people into angry extremism, peddles disinformation and conspiracy theories and is run by an egomaniacal lunatic who threatens civil war on our streets and wants to trash our democracy.
It does nothing but harm.
So, yes. Government should stop using it.
It does nothing but harm.
So, yes. Government should stop using it.
🔉What dangers does X pose to our democracy? And should the government stop using it?
Good to hear yesterday from @sundersays.bsky.social and @petergeoghegan.bsky.social on the immense risk of X as it ignores legal obligations and its owner tries to influence UK politics.
@commonswec.parliament.uk
Good to hear yesterday from @sundersays.bsky.social and @petergeoghegan.bsky.social on the immense risk of X as it ignores legal obligations and its owner tries to influence UK politics.
@commonswec.parliament.uk
November 13, 2025 at 6:44 PM
X is a radicalisation machine that pushes people into angry extremism, peddles disinformation and conspiracy theories and is run by an egomaniacal lunatic who threatens civil war on our streets and wants to trash our democracy.
It does nothing but harm.
So, yes. Government should stop using it.
It does nothing but harm.
So, yes. Government should stop using it.
Reposted by Ken Newton
Climate crisis - what climate crisis?
The latest f*ckwit decision from this appalling government
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
The latest f*ckwit decision from this appalling government
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Hundreds of thousands to lose heat pump subsidies in Reeves’s budget plan
Exclusive: chancellor plans to fund energy efficiency levies via warm homes plan as part of drive to lower energy bills
www.theguardian.com
November 13, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Climate crisis - what climate crisis?
The latest f*ckwit decision from this appalling government
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
The latest f*ckwit decision from this appalling government
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Ken Newton
Truly remarkable: Poland used to be a climate laggard.
Today, wind and solar are increasingly replacing coal in the Polish electricity mix with almost 30% of all electricity generated to date this year from wind and solar.
In 2000 coal provided 95% of Polish electricity.
Today it is at 51%.
Today, wind and solar are increasingly replacing coal in the Polish electricity mix with almost 30% of all electricity generated to date this year from wind and solar.
In 2000 coal provided 95% of Polish electricity.
Today it is at 51%.
November 13, 2025 at 8:47 AM
Truly remarkable: Poland used to be a climate laggard.
Today, wind and solar are increasingly replacing coal in the Polish electricity mix with almost 30% of all electricity generated to date this year from wind and solar.
In 2000 coal provided 95% of Polish electricity.
Today it is at 51%.
Today, wind and solar are increasingly replacing coal in the Polish electricity mix with almost 30% of all electricity generated to date this year from wind and solar.
In 2000 coal provided 95% of Polish electricity.
Today it is at 51%.
Reposted by Ken Newton
Sitting here in the UK, where the most incentive we have to cycle comes in the form of salary sacrifice and tax breaks, looking enviously at France where they just give you the damn money.
Axing the cycle-to-work scheme might seem like low-hanging fruit for a cash-strapped Treasury, but it would be a big mistake. Particularly with expensive kid-carrying cargo e-bikes, it's one of the most effective modal shift levers out there.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Rachel Reeves to cut tax benefits for workers using salary sacrifice schemes to buy bikes
Chancellor expected to introduce new limit on how much can be spent on a bicycle through cycle to work scheme
www.theguardian.com
November 13, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Sitting here in the UK, where the most incentive we have to cycle comes in the form of salary sacrifice and tax breaks, looking enviously at France where they just give you the damn money.
Every complacent white person (which includes me) should read this. Why complacent? Because I always thought that seeing and treating everyone in the same way was enough - but reading this shows that it really isn’t enough.
www.huffpost.com/entry/doctor...
www.huffpost.com/entry/doctor...
I Was So Close To Becoming A Doctor. Then I Was Forced To Complete A Truly Humiliating 'Assignment.'
"I put on a happy face. But my internal world was frenzied. I... was... appalled."
www.huffpost.com
November 13, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Every complacent white person (which includes me) should read this. Why complacent? Because I always thought that seeing and treating everyone in the same way was enough - but reading this shows that it really isn’t enough.
www.huffpost.com/entry/doctor...
www.huffpost.com/entry/doctor...
Reposted by Ken Newton
Woodpecker holes! Loads of them.
November 13, 2025 at 1:54 PM
Woodpecker holes! Loads of them.
Reposted by Ken Newton
This is a v depressing read.
Yes, there’s still time.
Yes, if people’s lives start to get better, then they may turn their back on Reform’s clowncar of extremism…
BUT, the very things these voters think they want… closed borders, Brexit deregulation, low tax, leaving the ECHR… are all ruinous ideas.
Yes, there’s still time.
Yes, if people’s lives start to get better, then they may turn their back on Reform’s clowncar of extremism…
BUT, the very things these voters think they want… closed borders, Brexit deregulation, low tax, leaving the ECHR… are all ruinous ideas.
November 13, 2025 at 1:40 PM
This is a v depressing read.
Yes, there’s still time.
Yes, if people’s lives start to get better, then they may turn their back on Reform’s clowncar of extremism…
BUT, the very things these voters think they want… closed borders, Brexit deregulation, low tax, leaving the ECHR… are all ruinous ideas.
Yes, there’s still time.
Yes, if people’s lives start to get better, then they may turn their back on Reform’s clowncar of extremism…
BUT, the very things these voters think they want… closed borders, Brexit deregulation, low tax, leaving the ECHR… are all ruinous ideas.
Reposted by Ken Newton
The American eel is an iconic species native to North America. Today it’s Endangered. Its numbers have plummeted to historic lows.
At #CITESCoP20, we will urge Parties to support Proposal 35, which would provide critical oversight to help prevent overexploitation and illegal trafficking of eels. 🌎
At #CITESCoP20, we will urge Parties to support Proposal 35, which would provide critical oversight to help prevent overexploitation and illegal trafficking of eels. 🌎
November 12, 2025 at 5:40 PM
The American eel is an iconic species native to North America. Today it’s Endangered. Its numbers have plummeted to historic lows.
At #CITESCoP20, we will urge Parties to support Proposal 35, which would provide critical oversight to help prevent overexploitation and illegal trafficking of eels. 🌎
At #CITESCoP20, we will urge Parties to support Proposal 35, which would provide critical oversight to help prevent overexploitation and illegal trafficking of eels. 🌎
Reposted by Ken Newton
Large-eyed animals like owls 🦉 have a trade-off between large eyes & short optic nerves, which lowers eye mobility (to compensate they evolved swivelly necks)
But chameleons 🦎 have long, coiled optic nerves with extra slack for eye mobility, allowing them to use their famous large swivelly eyes 👀🧪🌏
But chameleons 🦎 have long, coiled optic nerves with extra slack for eye mobility, allowing them to use their famous large swivelly eyes 👀🧪🌏
The twisted secret behind a chameleon’s oddball eyes | Science | AAAS www.science.org/content/arti... 🧪
The twisted secret behind a chameleon’s oddball eyes
Coiled nerves allow the reptiles to move their peepers in multiple directions at once without moving their heads
www.science.org
November 13, 2025 at 7:11 AM
Large-eyed animals like owls 🦉 have a trade-off between large eyes & short optic nerves, which lowers eye mobility (to compensate they evolved swivelly necks)
But chameleons 🦎 have long, coiled optic nerves with extra slack for eye mobility, allowing them to use their famous large swivelly eyes 👀🧪🌏
But chameleons 🦎 have long, coiled optic nerves with extra slack for eye mobility, allowing them to use their famous large swivelly eyes 👀🧪🌏
Reposted by Ken Newton
While there are many things wrong with the world in 2025, one of the things that’s totally right is the incredible democratization of science--how curiosity, affordable technology, and perseverance can now bring the universe within reach.
The non-NASA images here are my son's! ☺️
The non-NASA images here are my son's! ☺️
which one is your favorite? Keep in mind NASA does WAYY more science with these images and data. NASA is absolutely valuable and goes so beyond anything citizen scientists can do! B-ROLL CRED/ Ellion ...
TikTok video by sadrastro
www.tiktok.com
November 7, 2025 at 11:22 PM
While there are many things wrong with the world in 2025, one of the things that’s totally right is the incredible democratization of science--how curiosity, affordable technology, and perseverance can now bring the universe within reach.
The non-NASA images here are my son's! ☺️
The non-NASA images here are my son's! ☺️
Reposted by Ken Newton
The Lake District Hunt Sabs captured harrowing footage of the Coniston Foxhounds digging out a terrified fox and throwing them to the hounds to be torn apart.
protectthewild.substack.com/p/coniston-f...
protectthewild.substack.com/p/coniston-f...
Coniston Foxhounds Dig Out and Throw LIVE Fox to Hounds
The Lake District Hunt Sabs captured harrowing footage of the Coniston Foxhounds digging out a terrified fox and throwing them to the hounds to be torn apart.
protectthewild.substack.com
November 12, 2025 at 9:00 PM
The Lake District Hunt Sabs captured harrowing footage of the Coniston Foxhounds digging out a terrified fox and throwing them to the hounds to be torn apart.
protectthewild.substack.com/p/coniston-f...
protectthewild.substack.com/p/coniston-f...
Reposted by Ken Newton
We’re probably gonna be unpopular for saying this, but we’re sick of seeing anything to do with ‘I’m a celeb’
The show relies on the abuse and exploitation of animals for cheap laughs and it’s sad that so many people still watch it and seem to have no issue with it!
The show relies on the abuse and exploitation of animals for cheap laughs and it’s sad that so many people still watch it and seem to have no issue with it!
November 12, 2025 at 10:30 PM
We’re probably gonna be unpopular for saying this, but we’re sick of seeing anything to do with ‘I’m a celeb’
The show relies on the abuse and exploitation of animals for cheap laughs and it’s sad that so many people still watch it and seem to have no issue with it!
The show relies on the abuse and exploitation of animals for cheap laughs and it’s sad that so many people still watch it and seem to have no issue with it!
Reposted by Ken Newton
So another series of ‘I’m a Celeb’ is about to start. Another year of senseless animal cruelty for ‘entertainment’ no doubt. We definitely won’t be watching! Who’s with us?
November 13, 2025 at 10:30 AM
So another series of ‘I’m a Celeb’ is about to start. Another year of senseless animal cruelty for ‘entertainment’ no doubt. We definitely won’t be watching! Who’s with us?
Reposted by Ken Newton
“Nobody at the BBC is sweating about displeasing Zack Polanski or the Guardian or even the current prime minister.”
Very good on the deeply cynical and dangerous right wing manoeuvres to compromise and ultimately destroy the BBC.
“Because everything is stupid”
www.thenerve.news/p/bbc-tim-da...
Very good on the deeply cynical and dangerous right wing manoeuvres to compromise and ultimately destroy the BBC.
“Because everything is stupid”
www.thenerve.news/p/bbc-tim-da...
The BBC is the biggest prize in the information war – and the right may be about to destroy it
The corporation is always under attack. But this time it has been sabotaged by conservative ideologues deep within its heart. Is it time for the culture secretary to step in? By Dorian Lynskey
www.thenerve.news
November 12, 2025 at 5:08 PM
“Nobody at the BBC is sweating about displeasing Zack Polanski or the Guardian or even the current prime minister.”
Very good on the deeply cynical and dangerous right wing manoeuvres to compromise and ultimately destroy the BBC.
“Because everything is stupid”
www.thenerve.news/p/bbc-tim-da...
Very good on the deeply cynical and dangerous right wing manoeuvres to compromise and ultimately destroy the BBC.
“Because everything is stupid”
www.thenerve.news/p/bbc-tim-da...
Reposted by Ken Newton
Here's my plea to the government, media and everyone else to stop treating NHS administrators as a problem to be eliminated, rather than the glue which holds the whole organisation together.
November 13, 2025 at 7:30 AM
Here's my plea to the government, media and everyone else to stop treating NHS administrators as a problem to be eliminated, rather than the glue which holds the whole organisation together.
Reposted by Ken Newton
Here's a brief clip from the programme yesterday, about why Keir Starmer's Labour Party is tanking in the polls.
www.youtube.com/shorts/jcUXX...
www.youtube.com/shorts/jcUXX...
George Monbiot nails Keir Starmer's government in under a minute #ukpolitics
YouTube video by The National
www.youtube.com
November 13, 2025 at 7:10 AM
Here's a brief clip from the programme yesterday, about why Keir Starmer's Labour Party is tanking in the polls.
www.youtube.com/shorts/jcUXX...
www.youtube.com/shorts/jcUXX...
Reposted by Ken Newton
The government should know that we can educate ourselves, we know how government budgets work. We know that balancing the books is not something that needs to happen, indeed the opposite is true.
The cost of living crisis is a political choice and the 99% will no longer stand for it!
The cost of living crisis is a political choice and the 99% will no longer stand for it!
November 11, 2025 at 6:12 AM
The government should know that we can educate ourselves, we know how government budgets work. We know that balancing the books is not something that needs to happen, indeed the opposite is true.
The cost of living crisis is a political choice and the 99% will no longer stand for it!
The cost of living crisis is a political choice and the 99% will no longer stand for it!
Reposted by Ken Newton
This is even better: household electricity bills are lowest in the net zero scenario, basically everywhere.
Of course they are: buying fossil fuels and burning them is obscenely expensive and unreliable and requires constant, expensive support
Of course they are: buying fossil fuels and burning them is obscenely expensive and unreliable and requires constant, expensive support
November 12, 2025 at 11:49 AM
This is even better: household electricity bills are lowest in the net zero scenario, basically everywhere.
Of course they are: buying fossil fuels and burning them is obscenely expensive and unreliable and requires constant, expensive support
Of course they are: buying fossil fuels and burning them is obscenely expensive and unreliable and requires constant, expensive support
Reposted by Ken Newton
Millions of ordinary families are struggling to cope with the cost-of-living crisis whilst the Treasury ties itself in knots over its self-imposed fiscal rules.
It's time they make different choices: tax wealth fairly and invest in our communities and public services.
It's time they make different choices: tax wealth fairly and invest in our communities and public services.
November 12, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Millions of ordinary families are struggling to cope with the cost-of-living crisis whilst the Treasury ties itself in knots over its self-imposed fiscal rules.
It's time they make different choices: tax wealth fairly and invest in our communities and public services.
It's time they make different choices: tax wealth fairly and invest in our communities and public services.
Reposted by Ken Newton
Great to see @cateden91.bsky.social's first PhD paper, showing for first time how rivers/freshwater supports Spotted Flycatchers, a declining woodland bird, by subsidising their diet with energy-rich invertebrates. We should be re-wetting the woodlands and re-wooding the rivers! #ornithology
Super excited to share the first paper from my PhD! 🎉
We found that rivers don’t just matter for wetland birds - they also help support terrestrial insectivores, thanks to the flow of energy and nutrients from aquatic insects. 🌊🦟
Read more here: 👉 link.springer.com/article/10.1...
We found that rivers don’t just matter for wetland birds - they also help support terrestrial insectivores, thanks to the flow of energy and nutrients from aquatic insects. 🌊🦟
Read more here: 👉 link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Cross-system transfer of fatty acids from aquatic insects supports terrestrial insectivore condition and reproductive success - Oecologia
Cross-system fluxes of aquatic insects rich in omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 LC-PUFAs), specifically eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), may subsidise ins...
link.springer.com
November 12, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Great to see @cateden91.bsky.social's first PhD paper, showing for first time how rivers/freshwater supports Spotted Flycatchers, a declining woodland bird, by subsidising their diet with energy-rich invertebrates. We should be re-wetting the woodlands and re-wooding the rivers! #ornithology
Reposted by Ken Newton
"What I think Blue Labour believe is that Labour voters in the marginal Red Wall district have fundamentally different views on social (and maybe economic) issues than Labour voters in safe London seats. They don’t."
open.substack.com/pub/benansel...
open.substack.com/pub/benansel...
Labour at the Margin...
...of survival
open.substack.com
November 12, 2025 at 2:01 PM
"What I think Blue Labour believe is that Labour voters in the marginal Red Wall district have fundamentally different views on social (and maybe economic) issues than Labour voters in safe London seats. They don’t."
open.substack.com/pub/benansel...
open.substack.com/pub/benansel...
Reposted by Ken Newton
Rupert Murdoch who has basically been in control of the UK for 46 years, since he got Margaret Thatcher into power.
Tells you that actually he is doing a good job and the Green Party is bad.
Poor old Rupert is scared he will lose control.
Tells you that actually he is doing a good job and the Green Party is bad.
Poor old Rupert is scared he will lose control.
November 12, 2025 at 12:26 PM
Rupert Murdoch who has basically been in control of the UK for 46 years, since he got Margaret Thatcher into power.
Tells you that actually he is doing a good job and the Green Party is bad.
Poor old Rupert is scared he will lose control.
Tells you that actually he is doing a good job and the Green Party is bad.
Poor old Rupert is scared he will lose control.