Ben Niblett
@benniblett.bsky.social
Climate, campaigning, Christianity, some cricket. Live in Staines in the south of England. 3 kids, nearly grown up.
There was no need for that tax promise, they'd have won by miles anyway, and it's a daft promise given the need to raise taxes to rescue public services and deliver the big change people voted for. But if you make it, you'd better keep it; and not say you're wondering about breaking it. Doh.
It didn’t ‘define the election for the public’. The election was defined by wanting to vote the Tories out of office. This tax pledge was not why anyone voted Labour. The real (unspoken) pledge Labour made was not to be a bunch of chaotic rule-breakers who couldn’t be trusted to run the government.
Too much analysis was still treating breaking the tax pledge as “just another unpopular decision” rather than recognising consequence of breaking a promise which defined an election for the public. If is correct the govt won’t now break it they may have avoided a deeply scarring loss of public trust
November 14, 2025 at 4:53 PM
There was no need for that tax promise, they'd have won by miles anyway, and it's a daft promise given the need to raise taxes to rescue public services and deliver the big change people voted for. But if you make it, you'd better keep it; and not say you're wondering about breaking it. Doh.
Reposted by Ben Niblett
I’m afraid I’ve heard enough to take this seriously - No.10 is thinking of abolishing ECO, the main source of funding for upgrading fuel poor homes.
There’s no way to sugar coat this: it would be a disaster.
And it would mean this government spending less on upgrading homes than the last one
There’s no way to sugar coat this: it would be a disaster.
And it would mean this government spending less on upgrading homes than the last one
To be clear, what is being proposed here is to axe the main mechanism for getting Britain’s homes insulated - which is by FAR the best way to reduce household energy bills in the long term 🤦♂️
…and also, just incidentally, an absolute non-negotiable requirement for meeting UK climate targets 😬🥵☠️
…and also, just incidentally, an absolute non-negotiable requirement for meeting UK climate targets 😬🥵☠️
Reeves considers cut to green levies in effort to reduce cost of energy bills
Exclusive: Chancellor hopes to save up to £170 from average bill but industry insiders say move would be ‘disastrous’
www.theguardian.com
November 5, 2025 at 7:31 PM
I’m afraid I’ve heard enough to take this seriously - No.10 is thinking of abolishing ECO, the main source of funding for upgrading fuel poor homes.
There’s no way to sugar coat this: it would be a disaster.
And it would mean this government spending less on upgrading homes than the last one
There’s no way to sugar coat this: it would be a disaster.
And it would mean this government spending less on upgrading homes than the last one
Very stupid if true.
But shifting green levies off electricity bills and funding from taxes instead would be clever.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
But shifting green levies off electricity bills and funding from taxes instead would be clever.
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 9:18 PM
Very stupid if true.
But shifting green levies off electricity bills and funding from taxes instead would be clever.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
But shifting green levies off electricity bills and funding from taxes instead would be clever.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
he can probably afford a couple of fines
November 11, 2025 at 12:29 PM
he can probably afford a couple of fines
First World War poems on Remembrance Day. Never such innocence again...praying for peace now in all the world's conflicts
November 11, 2025 at 11:25 AM
First World War poems on Remembrance Day. Never such innocence again...praying for peace now in all the world's conflicts
Reposted by Ben Niblett
“I knew a guy who was mistakenly released and he *told* them it was early. And they ignored him and shoved him out.”
Chris Atkins recounts his time at HMP Wandsworth, where release errors came down to bad handwriting and mix-ups over which prisoner was which
www.newstatesman.com/the-weekend-...
Chris Atkins recounts his time at HMP Wandsworth, where release errors came down to bad handwriting and mix-ups over which prisoner was which
www.newstatesman.com/the-weekend-...
The real reason prisoners keep walking free
For one former inmate, the current swathe of wrongly freed prisoners is nothing new
www.newstatesman.com
November 9, 2025 at 11:51 AM
“I knew a guy who was mistakenly released and he *told* them it was early. And they ignored him and shoved him out.”
Chris Atkins recounts his time at HMP Wandsworth, where release errors came down to bad handwriting and mix-ups over which prisoner was which
www.newstatesman.com/the-weekend-...
Chris Atkins recounts his time at HMP Wandsworth, where release errors came down to bad handwriting and mix-ups over which prisoner was which
www.newstatesman.com/the-weekend-...
Reposted by Ben Niblett
Yet another record breaking storm supersized by a warming world 😢
Climate change doesn’t create these storms: it makes them worse. They intensify faster, reach higher strengths and dump more rain.
That’s why climate action isn’t just about saving the planet: it’s quite literally about saving US.
Climate change doesn’t create these storms: it makes them worse. They intensify faster, reach higher strengths and dump more rain.
That’s why climate action isn’t just about saving the planet: it’s quite literally about saving US.
Fung-wong: Super typhoon hits Philippines as nearly a million evacuate
Typhoon Fung-wong, with sustained winds of 185 km/h (115mph), made landfall on Sunday evening local time.
www.bbc.com
November 9, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Yet another record breaking storm supersized by a warming world 😢
Climate change doesn’t create these storms: it makes them worse. They intensify faster, reach higher strengths and dump more rain.
That’s why climate action isn’t just about saving the planet: it’s quite literally about saving US.
Climate change doesn’t create these storms: it makes them worse. They intensify faster, reach higher strengths and dump more rain.
That’s why climate action isn’t just about saving the planet: it’s quite literally about saving US.
Reposted by Ben Niblett
#COP30 begins tomorrow in Belém, Brazil 🇧🇷
Support our efforts and send a clear message for the start of COP30✊
✍️ Sign our open letter telling leaders to lead the way in closing the ambition gap, ending fossil fuels and delivering a just renewable energy transition⚡️
act.350.org/letter/cop30...
Support our efforts and send a clear message for the start of COP30✊
✍️ Sign our open letter telling leaders to lead the way in closing the ambition gap, ending fossil fuels and delivering a just renewable energy transition⚡️
act.350.org/letter/cop30...
Tell Brazil: Lead the World Beyond Fossil Fuels at COP30
Brazil is promising to protect the Amazon while allowing new oil drilling there. Brazil's leaders must choose: help the world move away from oil, or get left behind.
act.350.org
November 9, 2025 at 3:54 PM
#COP30 begins tomorrow in Belém, Brazil 🇧🇷
Support our efforts and send a clear message for the start of COP30✊
✍️ Sign our open letter telling leaders to lead the way in closing the ambition gap, ending fossil fuels and delivering a just renewable energy transition⚡️
act.350.org/letter/cop30...
Support our efforts and send a clear message for the start of COP30✊
✍️ Sign our open letter telling leaders to lead the way in closing the ambition gap, ending fossil fuels and delivering a just renewable energy transition⚡️
act.350.org/letter/cop30...
This has been on my mind a lot - good post www.ariseuk.org/blog/weekly-...
Weekly Blog - 5 November 2025 - Stopping the Drift to the Far Right - Arise
What is happening? Why is it happening? What can be done about it?
www.ariseuk.org
November 7, 2025 at 2:17 PM
This has been on my mind a lot - good post www.ariseuk.org/blog/weekly-...
If coupled with ending the petrol and diesel tax freeze, and cutting VAT on public EV charging to 5% like home charging, then this is a reasonable idea.
If not it's a real turkey 🦃
If not it's a real turkey 🦃
The UK proposes 3p per mile EV taxing scheme, with fuel duty revenue declining as EV adoption rises 👉 buff.ly/AVJYvDV
#ElectricDrives | #ElectricVehicles | #EV | #Emobility | #Sustainability | #ElectricCars | #EVAdoption | #EVCharging | #AutomotiveIndustry
#ElectricDrives | #ElectricVehicles | #EV | #Emobility | #Sustainability | #ElectricCars | #EVAdoption | #EVCharging | #AutomotiveIndustry
November 6, 2025 at 5:23 PM
If coupled with ending the petrol and diesel tax freeze, and cutting VAT on public EV charging to 5% like home charging, then this is a reasonable idea.
If not it's a real turkey 🦃
If not it's a real turkey 🦃
Reposted by Ben Niblett
Nothing wrong with road pricing for EVs. It's inevitable and necessary. But if you want to cut emissions and boost energy security you will need to also let fuel duty rise.
November 6, 2025 at 9:26 AM
Nothing wrong with road pricing for EVs. It's inevitable and necessary. But if you want to cut emissions and boost energy security you will need to also let fuel duty rise.
Enjoying getting stuck into Hope for Childen from @oikoumenewcc.bsky.social - helping churches and faith groups take legal action on climate to defend children and young people. Very encouraging to hear how much impact you can have just by starting a case. www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhNw...
#WCC Online Training: Hope for Children Through Climate Justice
YouTube video by World Council of Churches
www.youtube.com
November 6, 2025 at 11:33 AM
Enjoying getting stuck into Hope for Childen from @oikoumenewcc.bsky.social - helping churches and faith groups take legal action on climate to defend children and young people. Very encouraging to hear how much impact you can have just by starting a case. www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhNw...
Reposted by Ben Niblett
This is such poor politics. The contribution is a loan at slightly below market rates, with a very modest risk attached (into a Facility managed by the World Bank). So it’s really modest. And could be a game-changer for forest protection. V. odd that the UK is burning its political capital on this.
This is absolutely appalling.
"The UK will not contribute to a flagship fund for the world’s remaining tropical forests, in a bitter blow to the Brazilian hosts on the eve of the Cop30 climate summit."
Absolutely pathetic.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
"The UK will not contribute to a flagship fund for the world’s remaining tropical forests, in a bitter blow to the Brazilian hosts on the eve of the Cop30 climate summit."
Absolutely pathetic.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
UK opts out of flagship fund to protect Amazon and other threatened tropical forests
Decision is bitter blow to Brazil ahead of fund’s launch at Cop30 – and an embarrassment to Prince William
www.theguardian.com
November 5, 2025 at 10:23 PM
This is such poor politics. The contribution is a loan at slightly below market rates, with a very modest risk attached (into a Facility managed by the World Bank). So it’s really modest. And could be a game-changer for forest protection. V. odd that the UK is burning its political capital on this.
Reposted by Ben Niblett
#COP30 starts next week and it's a time to tackle climate change and ensure justice for the world's poorest and most climate-vulnerable countries.
The current debt crisis has a huge impact on countries' ability to act. Read more from our Director. ⤵️
https://bit.ly/43Nel9J
The current debt crisis has a huge impact on countries' ability to act. Read more from our Director. ⤵️
https://bit.ly/43Nel9J
November 5, 2025 at 7:37 PM
#COP30 starts next week and it's a time to tackle climate change and ensure justice for the world's poorest and most climate-vulnerable countries.
The current debt crisis has a huge impact on countries' ability to act. Read more from our Director. ⤵️
https://bit.ly/43Nel9J
The current debt crisis has a huge impact on countries' ability to act. Read more from our Director. ⤵️
https://bit.ly/43Nel9J
Uh oh
This has been a really bad day for UK government environmental policy
This is absolutely appalling.
"The UK will not contribute to a flagship fund for the world’s remaining tropical forests, in a bitter blow to the Brazilian hosts on the eve of the Cop30 climate summit."
Absolutely pathetic.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
"The UK will not contribute to a flagship fund for the world’s remaining tropical forests, in a bitter blow to the Brazilian hosts on the eve of the Cop30 climate summit."
Absolutely pathetic.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
November 5, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Uh oh
Good news in today's new car figures - a quarter of new UK cars were electric in October. With plug-in hybrids, 37% of new cars had a plug. A good result, up from 30% last October.
Petrols and diesels are down.
via @smmt-ukauto.bsky.social www.smmt.co.uk/new-car-mark...
Petrols and diesels are down.
via @smmt-ukauto.bsky.social www.smmt.co.uk/new-car-mark...
November 5, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Good news in today's new car figures - a quarter of new UK cars were electric in October. With plug-in hybrids, 37% of new cars had a plug. A good result, up from 30% last October.
Petrols and diesels are down.
via @smmt-ukauto.bsky.social www.smmt.co.uk/new-car-mark...
Petrols and diesels are down.
via @smmt-ukauto.bsky.social www.smmt.co.uk/new-car-mark...
Remembering Cheney, and remembering that right-wing US politics was already violent, untruthful and soaked in oil before Trump.
November 4, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Remembering Cheney, and remembering that right-wing US politics was already violent, untruthful and soaked in oil before Trump.
Awful to hear
Palestinian boy killed by Israeli Soldiers in Sheffield’s twin town, Nablus
(and then they stopped the ambulance taking him to hospital) A press release from Sheffield Nablus Twinning Association. “The IDF soldiers were firing indiscriminately when they raided New Askar refugee camp in Nablus”…
(and then they stopped the ambulance taking him to hospital) A press release from Sheffield Nablus Twinning Association. “The IDF soldiers were firing indiscriminately when they raided New Askar refugee camp in Nablus”…
Palestinian boy killed by Israeli Soldiers in Sheffield’s twin town, Nablus
(and then they stopped the ambulance taking him to hospital) A press release from Sheffield Nablus Twinning Association. “The IDF soldiers were firing indiscriminately when they raided New Askar refugee camp in Nablus” says resident" Sheffield Nablus Twinning Association is deeply saddened to learn of yet another tragic death of a Palestinian boy, 18 year old Mohammad Abu Hneen, by Israeli soldiers on Thursday 23rd October.
tellthetruthsheffield.org
November 4, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Awful to hear
Reposted by Ben Niblett
As I am one of the climate scientists he is referring to here - and I am a scientist who decided to dedicate her life to working on climate precisely because of how unjustly it disproportionately impacts the poor and vulnerable - let me clarify my rationale and thoughts below. 🧵
Bill Gates defends contentious climate shift
"I'm glad people are listening," he said, before adding that it was hard to convey "nuanced positions nowadays."
www.axios.com
November 4, 2025 at 5:10 PM
As I am one of the climate scientists he is referring to here - and I am a scientist who decided to dedicate her life to working on climate precisely because of how unjustly it disproportionately impacts the poor and vulnerable - let me clarify my rationale and thoughts below. 🧵
seems that voters are not annoyed with LibDem councillors
% of Seats Successfully Defended by Each Party:
🔶 LDM: 93% (26/28)
🌍 GRN: 67% (6/9)
➡️ RFM: 50% (4/8)
🌹 LAB: 28% (13/47)
🌳 CON: 27% (9/33)
🏘️ Localists: 0% (0/9)
🔶 LDM: 93% (26/28)
🌍 GRN: 67% (6/9)
➡️ RFM: 50% (4/8)
🌹 LAB: 28% (13/47)
🌳 CON: 27% (9/33)
🏘️ Localists: 0% (0/9)
Aggregate Result of the 145 Council By-Elections (for 148 Seats) since the 2025 Local Elections:
RFM: 51 (+43)
LDM: 45 (+17)
CON: 16 (-17)
LAB: 13 (-34)
GRN: 11 (+2)
Ind: 6 (-4)
Local: 3 (-6)
SNP: 2 (-1)
PLC: 1 (=)
Explore: electionmaps.uk/byelections-...
RFM: 51 (+43)
LDM: 45 (+17)
CON: 16 (-17)
LAB: 13 (-34)
GRN: 11 (+2)
Ind: 6 (-4)
Local: 3 (-6)
SNP: 2 (-1)
PLC: 1 (=)
Explore: electionmaps.uk/byelections-...
November 4, 2025 at 9:55 AM
seems that voters are not annoyed with LibDem councillors
Reposted by Ben Niblett
Stand with us in prayer, vigil and action as we mark 30 years of the world failing to deal with climate change
Demand better
10th-15th November
Put it in your diary, details on our COP30 page
christianclimateaction.org/2025/10/08/v...
#climatejustice
#COP30
Demand better
10th-15th November
Put it in your diary, details on our COP30 page
christianclimateaction.org/2025/10/08/v...
#climatejustice
#COP30
November 2, 2025 at 7:43 PM
Stand with us in prayer, vigil and action as we mark 30 years of the world failing to deal with climate change
Demand better
10th-15th November
Put it in your diary, details on our COP30 page
christianclimateaction.org/2025/10/08/v...
#climatejustice
#COP30
Demand better
10th-15th November
Put it in your diary, details on our COP30 page
christianclimateaction.org/2025/10/08/v...
#climatejustice
#COP30
Cycled past a new housing development in Egham Hythe. Each house has an EV charger and it's good to see them in use as people start to move in. But they only have a tiny amount of solar panels for some reason.
November 2, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Cycled past a new housing development in Egham Hythe. Each house has an EV charger and it's good to see them in use as people start to move in. But they only have a tiny amount of solar panels for some reason.
Gutted to be out of the World Cup. Great innings by Wolvaardt, good bowling by Kapp, but it's a huge disappointment after England demolished SA in the group stage. www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricke...
Women's World Cup 2025: Laura Wolvaardt and Marizanne Kapp star as South Africa beat England to reach final
England suffer a 125-run defeat by South Africa in the World Cup semi-final after Laura Wolvaardt's majestic 169 and Marizanne Kapp's five-wicket haul.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 29, 2025 at 9:43 PM
Gutted to be out of the World Cup. Great innings by Wolvaardt, good bowling by Kapp, but it's a huge disappointment after England demolished SA in the group stage. www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricke...
But they shouldn't. Much better to raise taxes they didn't rule out instead - air passenger duty, a wealth tax, petrol etc
Could Labour get away with breaking its manifesto pledge on tax rises? This exclusive polling shared with the @newstatesman1913.bsky.social suggests it could:
Exclusive: New polling signals Rachel Reeves could break tax promises
The first “trade-off” analysis of public attitudes towards tax rises suggests Labour could raise income tax in the Budget
www.newstatesman.com
October 29, 2025 at 8:24 PM
But they shouldn't. Much better to raise taxes they didn't rule out instead - air passenger duty, a wealth tax, petrol etc