Dr Richard Gomer
@richardgomer.bsky.social
Lecturer in CS at UoSouthampton. HCI, interaction design, values, Civic AI. Lib Dem. 🏳️🌈
Reposted by Dr Richard Gomer
your dead AI mother loves you so much ❤️
November 15, 2025 at 12:50 AM
your dead AI mother loves you so much ❤️
Reposted by Dr Richard Gomer
A BBC investigation finds asylum seekers trapped in dilapidated hotels, spending years in administrative limbo, indebted to criminal gangs and yes, moved arbitrarily so that they have to take taxis across the country for routine GP appointments.
Government response? Stop the taxis.
Government response? Stop the taxis.
September 24, 2025 at 12:03 PM
A BBC investigation finds asylum seekers trapped in dilapidated hotels, spending years in administrative limbo, indebted to criminal gangs and yes, moved arbitrarily so that they have to take taxis across the country for routine GP appointments.
Government response? Stop the taxis.
Government response? Stop the taxis.
Reposted by Dr Richard Gomer
British and Australian chemists have discovered a powerful new antibiotic called pre-methylenomycin C lactone, hiding in a well-known soil bacterium. This molecule kills drug-resistant bacteria without triggering resistance. buff.ly/YlXaONo
#ShareGoodNewsToo
#ShareGoodNewsToo
Scientists find hidden antibiotic 100x stronger against deadly superbugs
A team of scientists discovered a hidden antibiotic 100 times stronger than existing drugs against deadly superbugs like MRSA. The molecule had been overlooked for decades in a familiar bacterium. It…
buff.ly
November 16, 2025 at 2:50 PM
British and Australian chemists have discovered a powerful new antibiotic called pre-methylenomycin C lactone, hiding in a well-known soil bacterium. This molecule kills drug-resistant bacteria without triggering resistance. buff.ly/YlXaONo
#ShareGoodNewsToo
#ShareGoodNewsToo
Reposted by Dr Richard Gomer
November 16, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Reposted by Dr Richard Gomer
Can we go back to the days when politicians said that they really wanted to help people but it’s very hard and takes time, rather than saying that they want to hurt people and can do it quickly?
November 16, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Can we go back to the days when politicians said that they really wanted to help people but it’s very hard and takes time, rather than saying that they want to hurt people and can do it quickly?
Reposted by Dr Richard Gomer
Mo Farah, trafficked to UK aged 9 in 1992. Teacher Alan Watkinson secures citizenship after 8 years here, 2000 (aged 17) so he could travel abroad as GB athlete
Under future rules
Renew status? 1995, 98 x6
Eligible settlement after 20 years (2012)
Citizenship 2013
news.sky.com/story/sir-mo...
Under future rules
Renew status? 1995, 98 x6
Eligible settlement after 20 years (2012)
Citizenship 2013
news.sky.com/story/sir-mo...
Sir Mo Farah reveals 'the truth' about how he came to the UK
The Olympic star was warned speaking out could put his British citizenship at "real risk" - but it is understood the Home Office is taking no action against him.
news.sky.com
November 15, 2025 at 11:25 PM
Mo Farah, trafficked to UK aged 9 in 1992. Teacher Alan Watkinson secures citizenship after 8 years here, 2000 (aged 17) so he could travel abroad as GB athlete
Under future rules
Renew status? 1995, 98 x6
Eligible settlement after 20 years (2012)
Citizenship 2013
news.sky.com/story/sir-mo...
Under future rules
Renew status? 1995, 98 x6
Eligible settlement after 20 years (2012)
Citizenship 2013
news.sky.com/story/sir-mo...
Reposted by Dr Richard Gomer
I do hope those sensibles telling me that Labour's new policy was fair and sensible are enjoying Tommy Robinson's endorsement of it this morning.
That's who you've joined.
Tommy Robinson.
That's who you've joined.
Tommy Robinson.
November 16, 2025 at 10:13 AM
I do hope those sensibles telling me that Labour's new policy was fair and sensible are enjoying Tommy Robinson's endorsement of it this morning.
That's who you've joined.
Tommy Robinson.
That's who you've joined.
Tommy Robinson.
Reposted by Dr Richard Gomer
truly one of the skeleton keys for our modern age.
November 15, 2025 at 1:23 PM
truly one of the skeleton keys for our modern age.
Reposted by Dr Richard Gomer
Labour are now the "darker forces" Mahmood is scaremongering about. Depriving people who have fled unimaginable horror the ability to rebuild their lives in safety and security, which this does, is sickening. Labour is sickening.
#r4today
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
#r4today
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
UK set to limit refugees to temporary stays
Shabana Mahmood is expected to say the era of permanent protection for refugees is over, in major changes to the UK's asylum and immigration system.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 15, 2025 at 7:40 AM
Labour are now the "darker forces" Mahmood is scaremongering about. Depriving people who have fled unimaginable horror the ability to rebuild their lives in safety and security, which this does, is sickening. Labour is sickening.
#r4today
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
#r4today
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Dr Richard Gomer
BBC
Bias is often in the eye of the beholder
So let’s stick to measurable facts
During 10 yrs of debate about Brexit, BBC QuestionTime had Britain’s Members of the European Parliament on the show 50 times
Every single one was from the pro Brexit minority
47 were from UKIP/BP
23 times Farage
Bias is often in the eye of the beholder
So let’s stick to measurable facts
During 10 yrs of debate about Brexit, BBC QuestionTime had Britain’s Members of the European Parliament on the show 50 times
Every single one was from the pro Brexit minority
47 were from UKIP/BP
23 times Farage
November 14, 2025 at 7:43 PM
BBC
Bias is often in the eye of the beholder
So let’s stick to measurable facts
During 10 yrs of debate about Brexit, BBC QuestionTime had Britain’s Members of the European Parliament on the show 50 times
Every single one was from the pro Brexit minority
47 were from UKIP/BP
23 times Farage
Bias is often in the eye of the beholder
So let’s stick to measurable facts
During 10 yrs of debate about Brexit, BBC QuestionTime had Britain’s Members of the European Parliament on the show 50 times
Every single one was from the pro Brexit minority
47 were from UKIP/BP
23 times Farage
Reposted by Dr Richard Gomer
This idea that the UK is "excessively generous" is a flat out lie. Countries such as France have far higher support for this seeking asylum for example. It's a myth used to try and defend the indefensible. Britain has never been welcoming, it has only got more hostile
novaramedia.com/2022/03/18/b...
novaramedia.com/2022/03/18/b...
Britain Has Never Been Welcoming to Refugees | Novara Media
From Russia's war with Ukraine to the second world war, the nostalgic myth of Britain being welcoming to refugees is exactly that; a myth. Daniel Sohege explains.
novaramedia.com
November 14, 2025 at 7:33 AM
This idea that the UK is "excessively generous" is a flat out lie. Countries such as France have far higher support for this seeking asylum for example. It's a myth used to try and defend the indefensible. Britain has never been welcoming, it has only got more hostile
novaramedia.com/2022/03/18/b...
novaramedia.com/2022/03/18/b...
Reposted by Dr Richard Gomer
100% this. FWIW I think a single earner on minimum wage should be able to buy a cheap terraced house in Chatham, as was the case when I was a kid, growing up there, in that sort of family. Build more f***ing houses! More power to @stephenkb.bsky.social
Anyway: both the state and private developers need to build at far greater rates, the default aim should be 'a dual earner couple on average incomes can live in non-crowded conditions and raise a family', and the model family *for policymakers* should be three for obvious reasons.
November 13, 2025 at 8:03 PM
100% this. FWIW I think a single earner on minimum wage should be able to buy a cheap terraced house in Chatham, as was the case when I was a kid, growing up there, in that sort of family. Build more f***ing houses! More power to @stephenkb.bsky.social
Reposted by Dr Richard Gomer
Let us hope that Michael Prescott's review of Michael Prescott's memo is every bit as critically rigorous as Michael Prescott's review of the edition of Panorama. Perhaps he could write another memo.
Two of the top bosses of the BBC resigned this week, after allegations in a dossier claimed Panorama had altered a Trump quote.
One problem: that dossier altered the Trump quote, too
www.thenewworld.co.uk/james-ball-e...
One problem: that dossier altered the Trump quote, too
www.thenewworld.co.uk/james-ball-e...
Exclusive: the error at the heart of Trump’s BBC attack
A report alleging Panorama broadcast misleading Trump quotes contains misleading quotes itself
www.thenewworld.co.uk
November 13, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Let us hope that Michael Prescott's review of Michael Prescott's memo is every bit as critically rigorous as Michael Prescott's review of the edition of Panorama. Perhaps he could write another memo.
Reposted by Dr Richard Gomer
And as Rich says very eloquently, HMT may see this as a way to reduce bills in the short term, but it is a false economy.
Fewer heat pumps = importing more gas for longer = bad on many levels
Fewer upgrades for fuel poor homes = more fuel poverty
Fewer heat pumps = importing more gas for longer = bad on many levels
Fewer upgrades for fuel poor homes = more fuel poverty
The cost of living crisis was caused in large part by gas prices.
Heat pump policy supports a solution which which gets the country off gas AND reduces emissions.
I seriously hope this is some crossed wires, if not we really are in trouble.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Heat pump policy supports a solution which which gets the country off gas AND reduces emissions.
I seriously hope this is some crossed wires, if not we really are in trouble.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Hundreds of thousands to lose heat pump subsidies in Reeves’s budget plan
Exclusive: Supporters say grants largely going to middle-class households, but experts warn move will slow transition from gas boilers
www.theguardian.com
November 13, 2025 at 5:19 PM
And as Rich says very eloquently, HMT may see this as a way to reduce bills in the short term, but it is a false economy.
Fewer heat pumps = importing more gas for longer = bad on many levels
Fewer upgrades for fuel poor homes = more fuel poverty
Fewer heat pumps = importing more gas for longer = bad on many levels
Fewer upgrades for fuel poor homes = more fuel poverty
Reposted by Dr Richard Gomer
did not expect the site of Thomas Beckett’s murder to be memorialized in a fashion that is quite so fucking metal
November 12, 2025 at 3:12 PM
did not expect the site of Thomas Beckett’s murder to be memorialized in a fashion that is quite so fucking metal
Reposted by Dr Richard Gomer
Net zero is one of the many areas where commentators are out-of-touch with public opinion in Britain. There is still broad support for cutting carbon emissions - except from among Reform supporters, who are the outliers.
🧵/ How far does the public support net zero?
Support: 60%
Oppose: 25%
Net support by party
Green: +81
Lib Dem: +67
Lab: +64
Con: +11
Reform: -44
yougov.co.uk/politics/art...
Support: 60%
Oppose: 25%
Net support by party
Green: +81
Lib Dem: +67
Lab: +64
Con: +11
Reform: -44
yougov.co.uk/politics/art...
November 11, 2025 at 10:50 AM
Net zero is one of the many areas where commentators are out-of-touch with public opinion in Britain. There is still broad support for cutting carbon emissions - except from among Reform supporters, who are the outliers.
Reposted by Dr Richard Gomer
I use a VPN for work because, like many people, I work remotely. I also use a VPN because it's fundamental to managing online trust: it's none of my ISP's business what I connect to: their job is to provide me with the bandwidth I pay for.
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The British government admits it is now monitoring VPNs use by UK residents. Regulator Ofcom has contracted with an AI-powered surveillance service to detect the number of citizens using VPNs to evade the Online Safety Act.
The UK tech minister has said a VPN ban is on the table.
The UK tech minister has said a VPN ban is on the table.
Exclusive: Ofcom is monitoring VPNs following Online Safety Act. Here's how
Ignoring VPNs risks creating ineffective laws, but tracking them threatens people's privacy
www.techradar.com
November 12, 2025 at 10:02 AM
I use a VPN for work because, like many people, I work remotely. I also use a VPN because it's fundamental to managing online trust: it's none of my ISP's business what I connect to: their job is to provide me with the bandwidth I pay for.
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Reposted by Dr Richard Gomer
I wonder if the United States can learn anything from the last time a major industrialized country decided to isolate itself from the rest of the world?
Almost a decade after the Brexit vote, GDP in the UK is around 6-8% lower relative to peer countries. (Source: www.nber.org/papers/w34459)
Almost a decade after the Brexit vote, GDP in the UK is around 6-8% lower relative to peer countries. (Source: www.nber.org/papers/w34459)
November 11, 2025 at 3:35 PM
I wonder if the United States can learn anything from the last time a major industrialized country decided to isolate itself from the rest of the world?
Almost a decade after the Brexit vote, GDP in the UK is around 6-8% lower relative to peer countries. (Source: www.nber.org/papers/w34459)
Almost a decade after the Brexit vote, GDP in the UK is around 6-8% lower relative to peer countries. (Source: www.nber.org/papers/w34459)
Good for us.
NEWS: The UK is no longer sharing intelligence with the US about suspected drug trafficking vessels in the Caribbean because it does not want to be complicit in US military strikes and believes the attacks are illegal, sources familiar with the matter told CNN. edition.cnn.com/2025/11/11/p...
Exclusive: UK suspends some intelligence sharing with US over boat strike concerns in major break | CNN Politics
The United Kingdom is no longer sharing intelligence with the US about suspected drug trafficking vessels in the Caribbean because it does not want to be complicit in US military strikes and believes ...
edition.cnn.com
November 11, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Good for us.
Reposted by Dr Richard Gomer
“Never build a dungeon you wouldn't be happy to spend the night in yourself. The world would be a happier place if more people remembered that.”
― Terry Pratchett, Guards! Guards!
#GNUPTerry #Discworld
― Terry Pratchett, Guards! Guards!
#GNUPTerry #Discworld
November 10, 2025 at 11:24 AM
“Never build a dungeon you wouldn't be happy to spend the night in yourself. The world would be a happier place if more people remembered that.”
― Terry Pratchett, Guards! Guards!
#GNUPTerry #Discworld
― Terry Pratchett, Guards! Guards!
#GNUPTerry #Discworld
Reposted by Dr Richard Gomer
The BBC belongs to Britain, not Trump.
Political leaders across the spectrum must defend it.
Political leaders across the spectrum must defend it.
November 10, 2025 at 8:30 AM
The BBC belongs to Britain, not Trump.
Political leaders across the spectrum must defend it.
Political leaders across the spectrum must defend it.
Reposted by Dr Richard Gomer
This is unbelievable. Just a complete lack of belief in objectivity. And the BBC fucking caved to it
Michael Prescott was ‘“shocked” that after an hour-long Panorama documentary dealing with Trump and the January 6 insurgency, there was no “similar, balancing” programme about Kamala Harris.’
More read about the machinations between the BBC resignations, the more worrying it becomes
More read about the machinations between the BBC resignations, the more worrying it becomes
The departure of Tim Davie and Deborah Turness means the BBC is leaderless when it needs leadership more than ever. Where are the people at the head of the BBC standing up for it?
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
November 9, 2025 at 9:44 PM
This is unbelievable. Just a complete lack of belief in objectivity. And the BBC fucking caved to it
Reposted by Dr Richard Gomer
There's also the fact that landlords are not offering people a product at a price they're happy with. Nobody is happy with the price they're paying for housing, or with paying exorbitant costs to pay off a mortgage for someone else.
The rental market is a case study in market failure.
The rental market is a case study in market failure.
Surely there are some better arguments on the pro landlordism side of the debate than implying that if a landlord doesn't own the house, the house ceases to exist??
November 9, 2025 at 1:50 PM
There's also the fact that landlords are not offering people a product at a price they're happy with. Nobody is happy with the price they're paying for housing, or with paying exorbitant costs to pay off a mortgage for someone else.
The rental market is a case study in market failure.
The rental market is a case study in market failure.
Sea lions don't look like lions. They look like dogs. Smh.
November 9, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Sea lions don't look like lions. They look like dogs. Smh.
Reposted by Dr Richard Gomer
all of this is also true for sexism. you tell me you think women are biologically less smart and i’ll suspect that i could probably convince you to drink your own piss
November 7, 2025 at 9:01 PM
all of this is also true for sexism. you tell me you think women are biologically less smart and i’ll suspect that i could probably convince you to drink your own piss