David Harbourne
@davidharbourne.bsky.social
Chair of Yorkshire Philosophical Society and the Welfare Benefits Unit. Opinions are entirely my own.
This is an amazing breakthrough which could literally change the world for better.
1. Some good news at last. This week’s column is about the amazing thing a couple of us stumbled into three years ago, which we’ve now developed into a global research programme. It doesn’t change everything, of course, but it could help change quite a lot. + 🧵 www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Over a pint in Oxford, we may have stumbled upon the holy grail of agriculture | George Monbiot
I knew that a revolution in our understanding of soil could change the world. Then came a eureka moment – and the birth of the Earth Rover Program, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot
www.theguardian.com
December 5, 2025 at 7:32 AM
This is an amazing breakthrough which could literally change the world for better.
I have listened to @richardhawley.bsky.social a LOT this year - on Deezer, vinyl, CD and best of all, live in York Museum Gardens. Legend!
December 3, 2025 at 7:50 PM
I have listened to @richardhawley.bsky.social a LOT this year - on Deezer, vinyl, CD and best of all, live in York Museum Gardens. Legend!
Reposted by David Harbourne
📝 Despite its outward affluence, York suffers a wide equality gap between its richest and poorest.
@ruthlucas_ spoke to people behind a poverty proofing project aimed at closing gaps for the city's pupils
schoolsweek.co.uk/auditing-aus...
@ruthlucas_ spoke to people behind a poverty proofing project aimed at closing gaps for the city's pupils
schoolsweek.co.uk/auditing-aus...
schoolsweek.co.uk
November 18, 2025 at 5:05 AM
📝 Despite its outward affluence, York suffers a wide equality gap between its richest and poorest.
@ruthlucas_ spoke to people behind a poverty proofing project aimed at closing gaps for the city's pupils
schoolsweek.co.uk/auditing-aus...
@ruthlucas_ spoke to people behind a poverty proofing project aimed at closing gaps for the city's pupils
schoolsweek.co.uk/auditing-aus...
It was an honour to attend this fantastic celebration of trustees across York. For me personally, it marked 25 years as a trustee of five different charities. I went with the wonderful Catherine Brophy, a long-standing and treasured trustee of @ypsyork.bsky.social
We were delighted to host a special celebration at the Grand, York, bringing together trustees from across the city.
A wonderful afternoon recognising those who give their time and expertise to help York’s charities thrive.
Thank you to all trustees!
https://ow.ly/ozZe50Xo88K
#TrusteesWeek
A wonderful afternoon recognising those who give their time and expertise to help York’s charities thrive.
Thank you to all trustees!
https://ow.ly/ozZe50Xo88K
#TrusteesWeek
November 7, 2025 at 9:50 AM
It was an honour to attend this fantastic celebration of trustees across York. For me personally, it marked 25 years as a trustee of five different charities. I went with the wonderful Catherine Brophy, a long-standing and treasured trustee of @ypsyork.bsky.social
You mean like my Aunty Katherine? Who was actually my dad's cousin? I suppose at least she was related to us, unlike Aunty Doris and Aunty Rene, who were simply our next door neighbours.
October 28, 2025 at 9:10 PM
You mean like my Aunty Katherine? Who was actually my dad's cousin? I suppose at least she was related to us, unlike Aunty Doris and Aunty Rene, who were simply our next door neighbours.
Reposted by David Harbourne
Watch this powerful film from AdviceUK. It shows the positive impact advice services can have on lives around the country and is part of Advice Saves, a national campaign highlighting the life-changing impact of the advice services we support everyday.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=03NU...
#AdviceSaves
www.youtube.com/watch?v=03NU...
#AdviceSaves
Advice Saves 2025 AdviceUK Film
YouTube video by AdviceUK
www.youtube.com
October 22, 2025 at 10:35 AM
Watch this powerful film from AdviceUK. It shows the positive impact advice services can have on lives around the country and is part of Advice Saves, a national campaign highlighting the life-changing impact of the advice services we support everyday.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=03NU...
#AdviceSaves
www.youtube.com/watch?v=03NU...
#AdviceSaves
Reposted by David Harbourne
Anyone who thinks promoting a vicious racist conspiracist like Robinson is good for Jews has lost any grip on reality
October 3, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Anyone who thinks promoting a vicious racist conspiracist like Robinson is good for Jews has lost any grip on reality
Reposted by David Harbourne
As Tories vow to scrap ‘failed targets’, how do their climate claims stack up?
As Tories vow to scrap ‘failed targets’, how do their climate claims stack up?
We fact check Kemi Badenoch and her party after she promised to repeal Climate Change Act if they win power
www.theguardian.com
October 3, 2025 at 6:52 AM
As Tories vow to scrap ‘failed targets’, how do their climate claims stack up?
To everyone in Britain's Jewish community: you are not alone. We will not let hate or those who spread it win. We stand with you. #YomKippur
October 2, 2025 at 6:24 PM
To everyone in Britain's Jewish community: you are not alone. We will not let hate or those who spread it win. We stand with you. #YomKippur
Reposted by David Harbourne
There seems to be some *confusion*
among Reform supporters over Nathan Gill being one of them
“But, but, Reform didn’t exist when he took his Russian bribes”
“But, but he was in UKIP”
“But, but it has nothing to do with Farage, he barely knew the guy”
So here’s a little history lesson 👍🏼🧵
1/14
among Reform supporters over Nathan Gill being one of them
“But, but, Reform didn’t exist when he took his Russian bribes”
“But, but he was in UKIP”
“But, but it has nothing to do with Farage, he barely knew the guy”
So here’s a little history lesson 👍🏼🧵
1/14
September 27, 2025 at 1:43 PM
There seems to be some *confusion*
among Reform supporters over Nathan Gill being one of them
“But, but, Reform didn’t exist when he took his Russian bribes”
“But, but he was in UKIP”
“But, but it has nothing to do with Farage, he barely knew the guy”
So here’s a little history lesson 👍🏼🧵
1/14
among Reform supporters over Nathan Gill being one of them
“But, but, Reform didn’t exist when he took his Russian bribes”
“But, but he was in UKIP”
“But, but it has nothing to do with Farage, he barely knew the guy”
So here’s a little history lesson 👍🏼🧵
1/14
It was a poignant surprise to open the BBC News website and see a photo of my late wife, Jeanette, and our daughter Kat. This follows news of a potential breakthrough in the treatment of #HuntingtonsDisease. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
'Life ahead' for families with Huntington's after new discovery
Mel Pearson, whose brother died in 2019,
www.bbc.co.uk
September 28, 2025 at 1:40 PM
It was a poignant surprise to open the BBC News website and see a photo of my late wife, Jeanette, and our daughter Kat. This follows news of a potential breakthrough in the treatment of #HuntingtonsDisease. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by David Harbourne
Who could possibly have imagined that running down the supply of affordable housing like this would increase homelessness and insecurity, add £billions to the social security budget, deny opportunities to the young….
Affordable housing stock has fallen drastically relative to population since the early 1980s ⤵️ buff.ly/pQXp2Sc
September 27, 2025 at 8:27 AM
Who could possibly have imagined that running down the supply of affordable housing like this would increase homelessness and insecurity, add £billions to the social security budget, deny opportunities to the young….
Reposted by David Harbourne
New paper. Recording the female experience of UK archaeology 1990-2010. Anne Teather and I document how an industry EDI agenda evolved in the 1990s and was dismantled, uncovering the ramifications of that for women archaeologists over the next decade.
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
#openaccess✅
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
#openaccess✅
Documenting the profession: Recording historic access and retention issues for women in UK archaeology | Archaeological Dialogues | Cambridge Core
Documenting the profession: Recording historic access and retention issues for women in UK archaeology
www.cambridge.org
September 26, 2025 at 10:56 AM
New paper. Recording the female experience of UK archaeology 1990-2010. Anne Teather and I document how an industry EDI agenda evolved in the 1990s and was dismantled, uncovering the ramifications of that for women archaeologists over the next decade.
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
#openaccess✅
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
#openaccess✅
My wife had Huntington's Disease. She was diagnosed in 1996 and died in 2009. For everyone affected by HD, this is a special day. BBC News - Huntington's disease successfully treated for first time - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Huntington's disease successfully treated for first time
One of the most devastating diseases finally has a treatment that can slow its progression and transform lives, tearful doctors tell BBC.
www.bbc.co.uk
September 24, 2025 at 12:24 PM
My wife had Huntington's Disease. She was diagnosed in 1996 and died in 2009. For everyone affected by HD, this is a special day. BBC News - Huntington's disease successfully treated for first time - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by David Harbourne
The UK’s problems aren’t caused by immigration on.ft.com/46p3BPl
The UK’s problems aren’t caused by immigration
It’s not hard to see how so many came to worry about the issue. But the data isn’t there
on.ft.com
September 18, 2025 at 4:40 AM
The UK’s problems aren’t caused by immigration on.ft.com/46p3BPl
Reposted by David Harbourne
Last week the Express ran with the following front page.
So obviously I had to take a look!
Is it true?
How does it compare to other professions?
Because anyone familiar with British RW media discourse knows they reserve a special venom for civil servants…🤷🏼♀️
🧵
1/25 (1/1)
So obviously I had to take a look!
Is it true?
How does it compare to other professions?
Because anyone familiar with British RW media discourse knows they reserve a special venom for civil servants…🤷🏼♀️
🧵
1/25 (1/1)
September 14, 2025 at 7:16 PM
Last week the Express ran with the following front page.
So obviously I had to take a look!
Is it true?
How does it compare to other professions?
Because anyone familiar with British RW media discourse knows they reserve a special venom for civil servants…🤷🏼♀️
🧵
1/25 (1/1)
So obviously I had to take a look!
Is it true?
How does it compare to other professions?
Because anyone familiar with British RW media discourse knows they reserve a special venom for civil servants…🤷🏼♀️
🧵
1/25 (1/1)
Horrors of Trump detention centre: Lisburn man tells his story after arrest for 'looking like a Mexican'
Lee Stinton was lifted by US immigration police on an American street — in an incident he compared to a kidnapping.
Here, he tells us his story.
Lee Stinton was lifted by US immigration police on an American street — in an incident he compared to a kidnapping.
Here, he tells us his story.
September 10, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Horrors of Trump detention centre: Lisburn man tells his story after arrest for 'looking like a Mexican'
Lee Stinton was lifted by US immigration police on an American street — in an incident he compared to a kidnapping.
Here, he tells us his story.
Lee Stinton was lifted by US immigration police on an American street — in an incident he compared to a kidnapping.
Here, he tells us his story.
September 10, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Horrors of Trump detention centre: Lisburn man tells his story after arrest for 'looking like a Mexican'
Lee Stinton was lifted by US immigration police on an American street — in an incident he compared to a kidnapping.
Here, he tells us his story.
Lee Stinton was lifted by US immigration police on an American street — in an incident he compared to a kidnapping.
Here, he tells us his story.
September 10, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Reposted by David Harbourne
Horrors of Trump detention centre: Lisburn man tells his story after arrest for 'looking like a Mexican'
Lee Stinton was lifted by US immigration police on an American street — in an incident he compared to a kidnapping.
Here, he tells us his story.
Lee Stinton was lifted by US immigration police on an American street — in an incident he compared to a kidnapping.
Here, he tells us his story.
September 10, 2025 at 7:27 AM
Horrors of Trump detention centre: Lisburn man tells his story after arrest for 'looking like a Mexican'
Lee Stinton was lifted by US immigration police on an American street — in an incident he compared to a kidnapping.
Here, he tells us his story.
Lee Stinton was lifted by US immigration police on an American street — in an incident he compared to a kidnapping.
Here, he tells us his story.
Reposted by David Harbourne
Asylum-seeking is a global phenomenon, with 8.4M AS in 2024 of whom 110K sought AS in the UK & 32K are currently housed in over 200 hotels dispersed around the country. There are issues about that, including for ASs themselves, but the attempt to turn it into a national crisis is a disgrace. 2/3
August 24, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Asylum-seeking is a global phenomenon, with 8.4M AS in 2024 of whom 110K sought AS in the UK & 32K are currently housed in over 200 hotels dispersed around the country. There are issues about that, including for ASs themselves, but the attempt to turn it into a national crisis is a disgrace. 2/3
Laufey's new album, A Matter of Time, is a contender for my album of the year - and that's after listening to it just once.
‘I was a bit scared of success’: jazz-pop star Laufey on filling arenas, mansplainers, and confronting the haters
‘I was a bit scared of success’: jazz-pop star Laufey on filling arenas, mansplainers, and confronting the haters
With her retro blend of jazz-pop, the Icelandic artist seems an unlikely superstar. She discusses her surprising path to fame – and how much of her personal life she is willing to put into her music
www.theguardian.com
August 24, 2025 at 10:34 AM
Laufey's new album, A Matter of Time, is a contender for my album of the year - and that's after listening to it just once.
Reposted by David Harbourne
Farage is content with allowing people to be murdered and tortured. I'm not on that side and never will be.
August 22, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Farage is content with allowing people to be murdered and tortured. I'm not on that side and never will be.
Reposted by David Harbourne
You've GOT to be kidding me!
The Conservatives - who oversaw every single thing on this list - are trying to claim that only the Conservatives would "stop the madness" - that they created...?
So incredulity aside, what about the list itself?
Let's go Debunking! 1/34
The Conservatives - who oversaw every single thing on this list - are trying to claim that only the Conservatives would "stop the madness" - that they created...?
So incredulity aside, what about the list itself?
Let's go Debunking! 1/34
August 15, 2025 at 5:06 PM
You've GOT to be kidding me!
The Conservatives - who oversaw every single thing on this list - are trying to claim that only the Conservatives would "stop the madness" - that they created...?
So incredulity aside, what about the list itself?
Let's go Debunking! 1/34
The Conservatives - who oversaw every single thing on this list - are trying to claim that only the Conservatives would "stop the madness" - that they created...?
So incredulity aside, what about the list itself?
Let's go Debunking! 1/34
Reposted by David Harbourne
This isn’t a hard one. Right to Buy massively benefited one generation of tenants (and good luck to them) but at the expense of subsequent generations of people in housing need. And the consequential homelessness costs are destroying the finances of local councils to this day.
Forty-five years since council tenants were encouraged to join the ‘property-owning democracy’, has Margaret Thatcher’s flagship scheme backfired? Melissa York meets right-to-buy’s winners and losers
Did right-to-buy cause Britain’s housing crisis?
Forty-five years since council tenants were encouraged to join the ‘property-owning democracy’, has Margaret Thatcher’s flagship scheme backfired? Melissa York meets right-to-buy’s winners and losers
www.thetimes.com
August 13, 2025 at 5:52 PM
This isn’t a hard one. Right to Buy massively benefited one generation of tenants (and good luck to them) but at the expense of subsequent generations of people in housing need. And the consequential homelessness costs are destroying the finances of local councils to this day.