Ruthi Brandt
@ruthibrandt.bsky.social
Nature, community, science and social justice. Urban nature and Green politics; Israel-Palestine, as an Israeli living abroad. Just a few of my current interests. Board member for CAG Oxfordshire. She/her.
Based next to Oxford, UK.
Based next to Oxford, UK.
Pinned
Ruthi Brandt
@ruthibrandt.bsky.social
· Jun 8
In the interest of tempering my doom-scrolling and feelings of righteous indignation at the world, I'm going to try posting daily something positive, on a personal level (ie - no campaign wins or political progress, as important as they are to celebrate).
So to kick it off -
#positivity
So to kick it off -
#positivity
Reposted by Ruthi Brandt
Juries are not perfect.
Many of the worst miscarriages of justice have followed jury trials.
But the merit of juries is not so much the power they have, but the power they prevent others from having.
They mean a judge cannot just nod-along with prosecution evidence and give a guilty verdict.
Many of the worst miscarriages of justice have followed jury trials.
But the merit of juries is not so much the power they have, but the power they prevent others from having.
They mean a judge cannot just nod-along with prosecution evidence and give a guilty verdict.
November 25, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Juries are not perfect.
Many of the worst miscarriages of justice have followed jury trials.
But the merit of juries is not so much the power they have, but the power they prevent others from having.
They mean a judge cannot just nod-along with prosecution evidence and give a guilty verdict.
Many of the worst miscarriages of justice have followed jury trials.
But the merit of juries is not so much the power they have, but the power they prevent others from having.
They mean a judge cannot just nod-along with prosecution evidence and give a guilty verdict.
It's actually pretty shocking how, until recently, no one with a platform made the point of how ridiculous it is to think that v wealthy ppl would completely upend their lives just cause they'd be made to pay 2% of their vast wealth,which they can't use anyway (as they have more than they can spend)
The Labour Government: there to serve the
November 25, 2025 at 10:41 PM
It's actually pretty shocking how, until recently, no one with a platform made the point of how ridiculous it is to think that v wealthy ppl would completely upend their lives just cause they'd be made to pay 2% of their vast wealth,which they can't use anyway (as they have more than they can spend)
Reposted by Ruthi Brandt
Labour’s awful migrant policies are helping pave the way for the racist far right. And they are also building a gold-plated shed at the end of that road - full of tools for a far right Govt to oppress us all.
🕵️ Digital ID database
📸 High St facial rec
👨⚖️ Removing trial by jury
🕵️ Digital ID database
📸 High St facial rec
👨⚖️ Removing trial by jury
November 25, 2025 at 9:13 PM
Labour’s awful migrant policies are helping pave the way for the racist far right. And they are also building a gold-plated shed at the end of that road - full of tools for a far right Govt to oppress us all.
🕵️ Digital ID database
📸 High St facial rec
👨⚖️ Removing trial by jury
🕵️ Digital ID database
📸 High St facial rec
👨⚖️ Removing trial by jury
Reposted by Ruthi Brandt
A 39-year old man from the Guildford area has been arrested in connection with the Kidlington fly tip, following investigations by the Environment Agency and the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit. EA director Anna Burns called it “the first step in delivering justice for residents”.
November 25, 2025 at 1:40 PM
A 39-year old man from the Guildford area has been arrested in connection with the Kidlington fly tip, following investigations by the Environment Agency and the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit. EA director Anna Burns called it “the first step in delivering justice for residents”.
Reposted by Ruthi Brandt
Farage cited Enoch Powell as his political hero in an interview in Total Politics magazine in 2008.
In 2014 he cited Vladimir Putin as the world leader he most admired.
You want this guy as your next prime minister???
In 2014 he cited Vladimir Putin as the world leader he most admired.
You want this guy as your next prime minister???
November 25, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Farage cited Enoch Powell as his political hero in an interview in Total Politics magazine in 2008.
In 2014 he cited Vladimir Putin as the world leader he most admired.
You want this guy as your next prime minister???
In 2014 he cited Vladimir Putin as the world leader he most admired.
You want this guy as your next prime minister???
Reposted by Ruthi Brandt
Sometimes wonder if what the UK needs is a thinktank that doesn't do any new research, it just repeats obviously true statements that people try to ignore because they're inconvenient.
International students cross-subsidise home students. Your pension is paid for out of general taxation.
International students cross-subsidise home students. Your pension is paid for out of general taxation.
November 25, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Sometimes wonder if what the UK needs is a thinktank that doesn't do any new research, it just repeats obviously true statements that people try to ignore because they're inconvenient.
International students cross-subsidise home students. Your pension is paid for out of general taxation.
International students cross-subsidise home students. Your pension is paid for out of general taxation.
Reposted by Ruthi Brandt
Because people *still* don’t understand that overseas students subsidise home students. This is punishing everyone involved.
With Rachel Reeves reportedly set to apply a new tax on tuition fees paid by overseas students, most Britons support such a move at the previously mooted level of 6%
Support: 57%
Oppose: 18%
yougov.co.uk/topics/socie...
Support: 57%
Oppose: 18%
yougov.co.uk/topics/socie...
November 25, 2025 at 11:27 AM
Because people *still* don’t understand that overseas students subsidise home students. This is punishing everyone involved.
Wow. This is not good...
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
November 25, 2025 at 1:32 PM
Wow. This is not good...
Reposted by Ruthi Brandt
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
November 25, 2025 at 9:26 AM
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
Reposted by Ruthi Brandt
1000 MEMBERS OF OXFORD GREENS!!!! 🎉🥳💚
November 25, 2025 at 9:17 AM
1000 MEMBERS OF OXFORD GREENS!!!! 🎉🥳💚
@cherwellcouncil.bsky.social are looking into "acquiring accommodation for homeless people at a cost of £5m to cut the amount spent on hotels".
Huh. Turns out keeping ppl in hotels is a choice... (a more pricey one than treating them like whole ppl who need stability🙄)Other councils shld take note
Huh. Turns out keeping ppl in hotels is a choice... (a more pricey one than treating them like whole ppl who need stability🙄)Other councils shld take note
Our Tuesday newsletter is out! News and politics including:
🗻 Rubbish mountain latest
🛣️ Road junction angst
🏛️ Free museum petition
🚆 All the train news
🐄 A lovely cow
Read online, or get the Clarion in your inbox twice a week: oxfordclarion.uk/the-clarion-...
🗻 Rubbish mountain latest
🛣️ Road junction angst
🏛️ Free museum petition
🚆 All the train news
🐄 A lovely cow
Read online, or get the Clarion in your inbox twice a week: oxfordclarion.uk/the-clarion-...
The Clarion, 25 November 2025
Welcome to our news and politics edition where we round up the very best city, county and university news, plus what our MPs have been up to. After the craziness of our much-shared little article on c...
oxfordclarion.uk
November 25, 2025 at 12:40 PM
@cherwellcouncil.bsky.social are looking into "acquiring accommodation for homeless people at a cost of £5m to cut the amount spent on hotels".
Huh. Turns out keeping ppl in hotels is a choice... (a more pricey one than treating them like whole ppl who need stability🙄)Other councils shld take note
Huh. Turns out keeping ppl in hotels is a choice... (a more pricey one than treating them like whole ppl who need stability🙄)Other councils shld take note
Reposted by Ruthi Brandt
All the supposedly progressive people saying 'Nigel Farage's racism doesn't matter. His fans love it'.
It matters whether the leader of the party leading all the opinion polls is an outright racist. It matters if he called black people 'wogs' and said 'gas them' to Jews. Not everything is a game
It matters whether the leader of the party leading all the opinion polls is an outright racist. It matters if he called black people 'wogs' and said 'gas them' to Jews. Not everything is a game
November 25, 2025 at 8:30 AM
All the supposedly progressive people saying 'Nigel Farage's racism doesn't matter. His fans love it'.
It matters whether the leader of the party leading all the opinion polls is an outright racist. It matters if he called black people 'wogs' and said 'gas them' to Jews. Not everything is a game
It matters whether the leader of the party leading all the opinion polls is an outright racist. It matters if he called black people 'wogs' and said 'gas them' to Jews. Not everything is a game
Reposted by Ruthi Brandt
This petition calling for a public inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics & democracy already has over 30,000 signatures. Let’s get it to 100,000 this week.
Please sign and share 🙏
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Please sign and share 🙏
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Petition: Call a public inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics & democracy
We are concerned about reported efforts from Russia to influence democracy in the US, UK, Europe and elsewhere. We believe we must establish the depth and breadth of possible Russian influence campaig...
petition.parliament.uk
November 25, 2025 at 7:32 AM
This petition calling for a public inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics & democracy already has over 30,000 signatures. Let’s get it to 100,000 this week.
Please sign and share 🙏
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Please sign and share 🙏
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
This is perfection! 😂
November 24, 2025 at 3:00 PM
This is perfection! 😂
Meta isn't interested in anything other than making as much money as it can. They just don't care -
www.which.co.uk/news/article...
www.which.co.uk/news/article...
November 24, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Meta isn't interested in anything other than making as much money as it can. They just don't care -
www.which.co.uk/news/article...
www.which.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Ruthi Brandt
Would you like to see the government stand up for our democracy, starting with a fairer voting system for Westminster, and a second chamber fit for the 21st century?
If so, please help us ramp up pressure on the government by donating to our Crowdfunder!
www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/a-crucial-...
If so, please help us ramp up pressure on the government by donating to our Crowdfunder!
www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/a-crucial-...
Time to fight back
Now more than ever, we need to fight back to protect democracy in the UK. Please support us by backing our Crowdfunder today.
www.crowdfunder.co.uk
November 24, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Would you like to see the government stand up for our democracy, starting with a fairer voting system for Westminster, and a second chamber fit for the 21st century?
If so, please help us ramp up pressure on the government by donating to our Crowdfunder!
www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/a-crucial-...
If so, please help us ramp up pressure on the government by donating to our Crowdfunder!
www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/a-crucial-...
Reposted by Ruthi Brandt
Massive support from councillors and council leaders (from all parties except Reform) for new Mayors to have clear climate and nature duties.
My crucial amendment to the Govt's Devolution Bill will be debated today - will your MP support it?
My crucial amendment to the Govt's Devolution Bill will be debated today - will your MP support it?
The UK Parliament will be debating the English Devolution Bill again today. Together with @uk100.org we coordinated a cross-party open letter calling for a climate and nature statutory duty to be included in the Billl.
Read our full press release: climateemergency.uk/release-open...
Read our full press release: climateemergency.uk/release-open...
November 24, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Massive support from councillors and council leaders (from all parties except Reform) for new Mayors to have clear climate and nature duties.
My crucial amendment to the Govt's Devolution Bill will be debated today - will your MP support it?
My crucial amendment to the Govt's Devolution Bill will be debated today - will your MP support it?
Reposted by Ruthi Brandt
Close on a hundred people demonstrated on Saturday 22 November 2025 at Campsfield to oppose the reopening of the immigration detention centre in Kidlington. It is expected that the phase I (refurbished, 140 beds) Campsfield will reopen in the coming days.
keepcampsfieldclosed.uk
keepcampsfieldclosed.uk
November 24, 2025 at 12:57 PM
Close on a hundred people demonstrated on Saturday 22 November 2025 at Campsfield to oppose the reopening of the immigration detention centre in Kidlington. It is expected that the phase I (refurbished, 140 beds) Campsfield will reopen in the coming days.
keepcampsfieldclosed.uk
keepcampsfieldclosed.uk
Reposted by Ruthi Brandt
I’m usually giving counsel of despair so let me offer a hopeful note now: all this is the desperate thrashing of a dying generation, horrified to see up close the consequences of raising their children to believe violence and racism are wrong, and that people should treat each other decently.
This one really is useful because you won’t see a more clear demonstration of one of the most damaging political phenomena of the era: the reactionary professional mind rejecting unacceptable reality, only able to process and comprehend it via something close to conspiracy theory.
Former Obama speechwriter Sarah Hurwitz says Jewish students shouldn’t have smartphones until they finish high school — so they don’t see the “carnage” Israel and the U.S. have carried out in Gaza.
Video: Mel via X (@Villgecrazylady)
Video: Mel via X (@Villgecrazylady)
November 24, 2025 at 10:06 AM
I’m usually giving counsel of despair so let me offer a hopeful note now: all this is the desperate thrashing of a dying generation, horrified to see up close the consequences of raising their children to believe violence and racism are wrong, and that people should treat each other decently.
Reposted by Ruthi Brandt
Cowley Road’s cinema, the Ultimate Picture Palace, has launched a fundraising appeal to “secure our long-term tenancy in our historic cinema”. The community-owned cinema has been seeking a longer lease from landlords Oriel College. uppoxford.savoysystems.co.uk/UPPOxford.dl...
November 24, 2025 at 9:59 AM
Cowley Road’s cinema, the Ultimate Picture Palace, has launched a fundraising appeal to “secure our long-term tenancy in our historic cinema”. The community-owned cinema has been seeking a longer lease from landlords Oriel College. uppoxford.savoysystems.co.uk/UPPOxford.dl...
Reposted by Ruthi Brandt
Scouts in Wantage are running a volunteer Christmas post service for the 34th year, with delivery at 40p per card. Cards are hand-delivered by Scouts to Wantage, Grove and local villages. (Royal Mail’s first class stamps currently cost £1.70.) www.kascouts.org.uk/news/article...
November 24, 2025 at 10:06 AM
Scouts in Wantage are running a volunteer Christmas post service for the 34th year, with delivery at 40p per card. Cards are hand-delivered by Scouts to Wantage, Grove and local villages. (Royal Mail’s first class stamps currently cost £1.70.) www.kascouts.org.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Ruthi Brandt
OUP defines rage bait as “online content deliberately designed to elicit anger or outrage, typically posted in order to increase traffic to or engagement with a particular web page or social media account”.
November 24, 2025 at 10:42 AM
OUP defines rage bait as “online content deliberately designed to elicit anger or outrage, typically posted in order to increase traffic to or engagement with a particular web page or social media account”.
Reposted by Ruthi Brandt
'urged to explain'?? Should be 'called out', 'criticised' or even 'causes outrage'.
The explanation is quite simple - he's a bigoted antisemite who thinks nothing of voicing these once-unconscionable views to whip up support, knowing he won't get any pushback from the 'establishment' 🤷🏻♀️
The explanation is quite simple - he's a bigoted antisemite who thinks nothing of voicing these once-unconscionable views to whip up support, knowing he won't get any pushback from the 'establishment' 🤷🏻♀️
Farage urged to explain conspiracy theories linked to antisemitism he voiced in US media
Farage urged to explain conspiracy theories linked to antisemitism he voiced in US media
Exclusive: The Reform UK leader discussed far-right talking points in web TV and radio appearances between 2009 and 2018
Nigel Farage is facing calls to explain why he repeatedly aired tropes and conspiracy theories associated with antisemitism during interviews, after claims the Reform UK leader used racist language in his teens.
In appearances on US TV shows and podcasts earlier in his political career, Farage discussed supposed plots by bankers to create a global government, citing Goldman Sachs, the Bilderberg group and the financier George Soros as threats to democracy. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 24, 2025 at 7:33 AM
'urged to explain'?? Should be 'called out', 'criticised' or even 'causes outrage'.
The explanation is quite simple - he's a bigoted antisemite who thinks nothing of voicing these once-unconscionable views to whip up support, knowing he won't get any pushback from the 'establishment' 🤷🏻♀️
The explanation is quite simple - he's a bigoted antisemite who thinks nothing of voicing these once-unconscionable views to whip up support, knowing he won't get any pushback from the 'establishment' 🤷🏻♀️
Reposted by Ruthi Brandt
Ultra-processed foods now make up at least half of all food sold in UK supermarkets. The Lancet has described them as a “corporate-engineered public health crisis.”
We can change this — but only if we confront corporate power.
youtu.be/BJ8nEeiFmH4?...
We can change this — but only if we confront corporate power.
youtu.be/BJ8nEeiFmH4?...
How ultra-processed food became a corporate-engineered health crisis
YouTube video by Richard J Murphy
youtu.be
November 24, 2025 at 7:08 AM
Ultra-processed foods now make up at least half of all food sold in UK supermarkets. The Lancet has described them as a “corporate-engineered public health crisis.”
We can change this — but only if we confront corporate power.
youtu.be/BJ8nEeiFmH4?...
We can change this — but only if we confront corporate power.
youtu.be/BJ8nEeiFmH4?...
Reposted by Ruthi Brandt
1/ you need sticks as well as carrots if you are serious about modal shift
2/ if you rely on carrots alone the small changes you do deliver will be mostly between sustainable modes
3/ stop dicking around & make damaging behaviours more expensive & less convenient road.cc/content/news...
2/ if you rely on carrots alone the small changes you do deliver will be mostly between sustainable modes
3/ stop dicking around & make damaging behaviours more expensive & less convenient road.cc/content/news...
Improving cycle infrastructure and public transport has little impact on car use, new review finds
These non-coercive measures need to be combined with measures such as higher driving costs or reduced car access to have an effect
road.cc
November 24, 2025 at 6:38 AM
1/ you need sticks as well as carrots if you are serious about modal shift
2/ if you rely on carrots alone the small changes you do deliver will be mostly between sustainable modes
3/ stop dicking around & make damaging behaviours more expensive & less convenient road.cc/content/news...
2/ if you rely on carrots alone the small changes you do deliver will be mostly between sustainable modes
3/ stop dicking around & make damaging behaviours more expensive & less convenient road.cc/content/news...