Richard Leeming
@richardleeming.bsky.social
Innovation consultant, working on digital and data transformation for the public good. Labour & Co-op candidate for Dulwich Village Ward.
Promoted by Conor Carolan on behalf of Southwark Labour Party both at 264 Rosendale Road SE24 9DL
Promoted by Conor Carolan on behalf of Southwark Labour Party both at 264 Rosendale Road SE24 9DL
Reposted by Richard Leeming
I welcomed the consultation on children’s social media use, but warned that a ban alone won’t solve the challenges tech poses. I asked the Secretary of State to revisit my Committee’s recommendations on platform responsibility, user control, digital advertising & business models.
January 20, 2026 at 6:15 PM
I welcomed the consultation on children’s social media use, but warned that a ban alone won’t solve the challenges tech poses. I asked the Secretary of State to revisit my Committee’s recommendations on platform responsibility, user control, digital advertising & business models.
Reposted by Richard Leeming
Banning children from using devices won't stop kids going online.
It creates secrecy, it will stop kids from talking to trusted adults when they come across dangerous content.
It also takes the responsibility from companies like X cleaning up their act on misinformation, abusive/dangerous content.
It creates secrecy, it will stop kids from talking to trusted adults when they come across dangerous content.
It also takes the responsibility from companies like X cleaning up their act on misinformation, abusive/dangerous content.
From what Australian friends tell me - kids who wanted to, just got round the ban and lied to parents and guardians.
Not convinced that's progress at all.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Not convinced that's progress at all.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
As a parent – and a Conservative – I know that banning social media for under-16s is the right thing to do | Kemi Badenoch
Britain’s parents know that this content is harming their children. It’s vital to put young people’s mental health first, says Kemi Badenoch, leader of the Conservative party
www.theguardian.com
January 21, 2026 at 9:01 PM
Banning children from using devices won't stop kids going online.
It creates secrecy, it will stop kids from talking to trusted adults when they come across dangerous content.
It also takes the responsibility from companies like X cleaning up their act on misinformation, abusive/dangerous content.
It creates secrecy, it will stop kids from talking to trusted adults when they come across dangerous content.
It also takes the responsibility from companies like X cleaning up their act on misinformation, abusive/dangerous content.
Talked to my 13 year old about this earlier, this was basically the conclusion we came to. Accountability must rest with the platforms.
The Social Media giants need to be accountable.
Banning SM for kids under 16 simply lets those corporations off the hook and those kids who want to, will not only get round it - but do so surreptitiously and in my opinion that's far more dangerous.
Banning SM for kids under 16 simply lets those corporations off the hook and those kids who want to, will not only get round it - but do so surreptitiously and in my opinion that's far more dangerous.
January 21, 2026 at 9:16 PM
Talked to my 13 year old about this earlier, this was basically the conclusion we came to. Accountability must rest with the platforms.
Reposted by Richard Leeming
After one day of unity over Trump the Mail, the Telegraph, Times and Badenoch have decided the Chagos are more important than the destruction of the western alliance and backed the insane ramblings of a rogue president who was fine with the deal last year. We see you #collaborators
Choosing sides between a rogue president bent on destroying the Western alliance and UK and EU governments finally standing up to him shouldn’t be difficult for mainstream political parties or news organisations. So come on Telegraph, Times, Badenoch and yes you Farage if you want to be PM…
January 21, 2026 at 6:21 AM
After one day of unity over Trump the Mail, the Telegraph, Times and Badenoch have decided the Chagos are more important than the destruction of the western alliance and backed the insane ramblings of a rogue president who was fine with the deal last year. We see you #collaborators
Reposted by Richard Leeming
We're updating the outdoor gym in Southwark Park and want to hear from you!
What new equipment would encourage you to get out there and get active?
Your thoughts and ideas will help shape the final design so share your views today
engage.southwark.gov.uk/en-GB/projec...
What new equipment would encourage you to get out there and get active?
Your thoughts and ideas will help shape the final design so share your views today
engage.southwark.gov.uk/en-GB/projec...
January 19, 2026 at 1:09 PM
We're updating the outdoor gym in Southwark Park and want to hear from you!
What new equipment would encourage you to get out there and get active?
Your thoughts and ideas will help shape the final design so share your views today
engage.southwark.gov.uk/en-GB/projec...
What new equipment would encourage you to get out there and get active?
Your thoughts and ideas will help shape the final design so share your views today
engage.southwark.gov.uk/en-GB/projec...
Reposted by Richard Leeming
An underexplored question is what Trump and Milei’s partnership and the “Donroe Doctrine” could mean for the Falklands.
January 19, 2026 at 1:15 PM
An underexplored question is what Trump and Milei’s partnership and the “Donroe Doctrine” could mean for the Falklands.
Reposted by Richard Leeming
Hard to see how more wrong the geopolitical case for Brexit could have turned out
January 18, 2026 at 7:25 AM
Hard to see how more wrong the geopolitical case for Brexit could have turned out
Reposted by Richard Leeming
Misogynists - such relaxed and happy people. So comfortable in their gossamer thin skins. So happy with their life's work and all they never achieved.
January 16, 2026 at 11:29 AM
Misogynists - such relaxed and happy people. So comfortable in their gossamer thin skins. So happy with their life's work and all they never achieved.
Eeek:
This new paper by @hartzog.bsky.social and @jessicasilbey.bsky.social makes "one simple point: AI systems are built to function in ways that degrade and are likely to destroy our crucial civic institutions."
Grim but important reading:
papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
Grim but important reading:
papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
How AI Destroys Institutions
Civic institutions—the rule of law, universities, and a free press—are the backbone of democratic life. They are the mechanisms through which complex societies
papers.ssrn.com
January 14, 2026 at 10:00 PM
Eeek:
Reposted by Richard Leeming
added this to my moodboard on technology's ongoing erosion of leeway and a closing of all the gaps, workarounds, loopholes that previous generations benefitted from. 'Bureaucracies often have something that computers do not: logical escape valves' www.publicstrategist.com/2015/05/leew...
Leeway
Rules, we tell ourselves, are made to be broken. When strict application of the rule produces a silly outcome, we prefer to bend the rule rather than enforce the silly outcome. A rule which could c…
www.publicstrategist.com
January 10, 2026 at 12:34 PM
added this to my moodboard on technology's ongoing erosion of leeway and a closing of all the gaps, workarounds, loopholes that previous generations benefitted from. 'Bureaucracies often have something that computers do not: logical escape valves' www.publicstrategist.com/2015/05/leew...
Reposted by Richard Leeming
Kemi, this is just a population density map
January 12, 2026 at 8:01 AM
Kemi, this is just a population density map
This is a classic example of how everything Reform touch they make worse. Our high streets are dying largely because of car culture. People drive to out of town shopping centres. The 15 minute city concept promotes liveable neighbourhoods. Reform are pro car anti 15 minute city. And so it goes on.
Latest from me, on an eternally overlooked, sniffed-at issue that is politically huge www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The UK’s high streets have reached a tipping point – and Reform will reap the benefits | John Harris
When even Poundland and charity shops are closing, we’re near a point of no return. But there is hope, says Guardian columnist John Harris
www.theguardian.com
January 11, 2026 at 11:01 PM
This is a classic example of how everything Reform touch they make worse. Our high streets are dying largely because of car culture. People drive to out of town shopping centres. The 15 minute city concept promotes liveable neighbourhoods. Reform are pro car anti 15 minute city. And so it goes on.
Reposted by Richard Leeming
good grief this is a pathetic bleat from the Sun. How else do you get people who work shifts to and from work? And if you want a guest in the studio, you sort cabs for them.
If you:
1. Need to get guests to studios, and back home after, or
2. Need to get staff safely into work or back home after the tube has stopped running
You need to use taxis or private hire. If you do that via contract, it’s cheaper than paying full price each time.
1. Need to get guests to studios, and back home after, or
2. Need to get staff safely into work or back home after the tube has stopped running
You need to use taxis or private hire. If you do that via contract, it’s cheaper than paying full price each time.
Monday's SUN: Taxi for the BBC #TomorrowsPapersToday
January 11, 2026 at 10:27 PM
good grief this is a pathetic bleat from the Sun. How else do you get people who work shifts to and from work? And if you want a guest in the studio, you sort cabs for them.
Reposted by Richard Leeming
Households could be offered interest-free loans to install solar panels and heat pumps as part of the government's Warm Homes Plan, which could come as soon as next week, PolHome understands
@nadinebh.bsky.social reports
@nadinebh.bsky.social reports
Households Could Be Given Interest Free Loans To Buy Solar Panels And Heat Pumps
The government is looking at offering households interest-free loans to install solar panels and heat pumps as part of its green energy strategy, P...
www.politicshome.com
January 10, 2026 at 2:20 PM
Households could be offered interest-free loans to install solar panels and heat pumps as part of the government's Warm Homes Plan, which could come as soon as next week, PolHome understands
@nadinebh.bsky.social reports
@nadinebh.bsky.social reports
Reposted by Richard Leeming
1/2
Greenpeace study shows link between the quality of public transport and trust in democracy.
In communities with poor local transport services, the right-wing populist AfD party tends to perform better.
Greenpeace study shows link between the quality of public transport and trust in democracy.
In communities with poor local transport services, the right-wing populist AfD party tends to perform better.
January 10, 2026 at 6:33 PM
1/2
Greenpeace study shows link between the quality of public transport and trust in democracy.
In communities with poor local transport services, the right-wing populist AfD party tends to perform better.
Greenpeace study shows link between the quality of public transport and trust in democracy.
In communities with poor local transport services, the right-wing populist AfD party tends to perform better.
Neither are Spotify “podcasting pioneers”. Working in syndication for BBC radio in about 2009 I met Spotify and offered them access to the BBC’s podcasting catalogue. They written weren’t interested.
This simply shouldn't be allowed. There should be government inquiries into how this has happened. www.economist.com/business/202...
January 10, 2026 at 6:42 PM
Neither are Spotify “podcasting pioneers”. Working in syndication for BBC radio in about 2009 I met Spotify and offered them access to the BBC’s podcasting catalogue. They written weren’t interested.
Reposted by Richard Leeming
According to David Frost, a road casualty toll which involves an average of 80+ people *every single day* either dying or suffering injuries which could change their life forever is an "utter non-problem".
January 9, 2026 at 11:11 AM
According to David Frost, a road casualty toll which involves an average of 80+ people *every single day* either dying or suffering injuries which could change their life forever is an "utter non-problem".
Reposted by Richard Leeming
I’ve seen first-hand the utter devastation road deaths cause — families shattered in seconds, lives permanently changed. To dismiss this as an “utter non-problem” is wrong and deeply offensive.
The acceptance of this devastation reflects a lack of knowledge and ambition. We can do so much better.
The acceptance of this devastation reflects a lack of knowledge and ambition. We can do so much better.
According to David Frost, a road casualty toll which involves an average of 80+ people *every single day* either dying or suffering injuries which could change their life forever is an "utter non-problem".
January 10, 2026 at 7:53 AM
I’ve seen first-hand the utter devastation road deaths cause — families shattered in seconds, lives permanently changed. To dismiss this as an “utter non-problem” is wrong and deeply offensive.
The acceptance of this devastation reflects a lack of knowledge and ambition. We can do so much better.
The acceptance of this devastation reflects a lack of knowledge and ambition. We can do so much better.
Reposted by Richard Leeming
It's great to see action starting against dangerous pavement parking. Now we need: A clear definition of what "unreasonable obstruction" means; Effective ways to enforce against obstructive and dangerous parking; Enforcement against pavements being broken by heavy vehicles.
Read more: bit.ly/4jsWbRa
Read more: bit.ly/4jsWbRa
January 9, 2026 at 10:11 AM
It's great to see action starting against dangerous pavement parking. Now we need: A clear definition of what "unreasonable obstruction" means; Effective ways to enforce against obstructive and dangerous parking; Enforcement against pavements being broken by heavy vehicles.
Read more: bit.ly/4jsWbRa
Read more: bit.ly/4jsWbRa
Reposted by Richard Leeming
Shutting down X is no longer a matter of free speech. It is a matter of child protection.
January 9, 2026 at 11:41 AM
Shutting down X is no longer a matter of free speech. It is a matter of child protection.
Reposted by Richard Leeming
On Wednesday, President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from 66 international bodies, including the Freedom Online Coalition. With this move, the US has formally stepped away from a core part of its leadership of the global Internet norms it once helped build, writes Konstantinos Komaitis.
Trump Ends America’s Leadership on Internet Freedom | TechPolicy.Press
By walking away, the US is dismantling the mechanism that once turned Western values into a lifeline for those behind a firewall, writes Konstantinos Komaitis.
www.techpolicy.press
January 8, 2026 at 12:54 PM
On Wednesday, President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from 66 international bodies, including the Freedom Online Coalition. With this move, the US has formally stepped away from a core part of its leadership of the global Internet norms it once helped build, writes Konstantinos Komaitis.
Reposted by Richard Leeming
Weirdly I never have to explain to my ideological allies that racism is bad.
January 8, 2026 at 12:41 AM
Weirdly I never have to explain to my ideological allies that racism is bad.
Seconded. In a tiny victory this morning I’ve ensured that the preamble to southwark council meetings no longer includes telling attendees that they’re allowed to ‘tweet’ the proceedings.
I call on my party and my government to remove themselves entirely from X and communicate with the public where they actually participate online and can be protected from such illegality.
January 8, 2026 at 12:59 PM
Seconded. In a tiny victory this morning I’ve ensured that the preamble to southwark council meetings no longer includes telling attendees that they’re allowed to ‘tweet’ the proceedings.
Reposted by Richard Leeming
If the UK government had a Culture Secretary, that person would be in a position to take a view about whether child porn on demand was a good thing, or a bad thing. thecritic.co.uk/brin...
January 7, 2026 at 9:49 AM
If the UK government had a Culture Secretary, that person would be in a position to take a view about whether child porn on demand was a good thing, or a bad thing. thecritic.co.uk/brin...
Reposted by Richard Leeming
Critically, we also need the public to support actions that enable older people to live great lives without having to drive for when they fail the eye tests. So the public need to get onboard with no pavement parking, pedestrian priority, denser housing, fewer out-of-town shopping centres, etc etc
90% of Britons support government proposals to require drivers over the age of 70 to have their vision checked every three years - including 89% of the over-65s
yougov.co.uk/topics/trave...
yougov.co.uk/topics/trave...
January 7, 2026 at 8:11 AM
Critically, we also need the public to support actions that enable older people to live great lives without having to drive for when they fail the eye tests. So the public need to get onboard with no pavement parking, pedestrian priority, denser housing, fewer out-of-town shopping centres, etc etc