Gordon Bell
@gordb07.bsky.social
Associate adviser for primary literacy. All views my own - particularly on the wonders of Crystal Palace FC and Dexys Midnight Runners.
Reposted by Gordon Bell
While I listen to you @mrjamesob.bsky.social this beauty popped up!
Murder rates in comparable US cities.
Look at London?
Anyone who spouts Trumps lies is a traitor.
Look at London?
Anyone who spouts Trumps lies is a traitor.
December 12, 2025 at 12:27 PM
While I listen to you @mrjamesob.bsky.social this beauty popped up!
A very interesting interview.
The latest episode of the Impact Podcast is out now. Episode 211 - "Why I quit". Literacy Expert Panel Member, Elizabeth Nonweiler speaks out about why she has resigned from the Welsh Government panel & what's going wrong.
Listen here: open.spotify.com/show/778EJMB...
Listen here: open.spotify.com/show/778EJMB...
Episode 211: “Why I quit.” Literacy expert speaks out
open.spotify.com
November 5, 2025 at 6:12 PM
A very interesting interview.
Reposted by Gordon Bell
@eddavey.libdems.org.uk: "The way to see off the populist right isn’t to cower in its shadow; it’s to step up and offer a compelling, positive alternative."
🇪🇺"What does that look like? The first thing the PM should do is raise his sights when it comes to the EU."
🇪🇺"What does that look like? The first thing the PM should do is raise his sights when it comes to the EU."
Brexit has been a resounding disaster. Starmer must find the courage to change course | Ed Davey
Poll after poll shows most voters think leaving the EU has been a failure. Closer ties with Europe would bring huge rewards, says Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey
buff.ly
August 5, 2025 at 6:15 PM
@eddavey.libdems.org.uk: "The way to see off the populist right isn’t to cower in its shadow; it’s to step up and offer a compelling, positive alternative."
🇪🇺"What does that look like? The first thing the PM should do is raise his sights when it comes to the EU."
🇪🇺"What does that look like? The first thing the PM should do is raise his sights when it comes to the EU."
Reposted by Gordon Bell
Extraordinary spectacle here at NATO. Trump isn't being treated by Rutte and fellow leaders as a partner and fellow head of govt, but rather a sort of world king with themselves relegated as courtiers. Probably the only thing they can do in the circs, but deeply weird.
June 25, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Extraordinary spectacle here at NATO. Trump isn't being treated by Rutte and fellow leaders as a partner and fellow head of govt, but rather a sort of world king with themselves relegated as courtiers. Probably the only thing they can do in the circs, but deeply weird.
Reposted by Gordon Bell
To the 'public services from 1997, economy from 2010, dependency ratio from 2024' inheritance, Labour also has a problem that since 2015, every party to win a majority, including Labour in 2024 has basically done so on a 'I WILL make your water flow uphill' ticket:
Terrific column by @robertshrimsley.bsky.social: www.ft.com/content/3daf...
May 15, 2025 at 12:34 PM
To the 'public services from 1997, economy from 2010, dependency ratio from 2024' inheritance, Labour also has a problem that since 2015, every party to win a majority, including Labour in 2024 has basically done so on a 'I WILL make your water flow uphill' ticket:
Reposted by Gordon Bell
There are two groups of people in Britain. 1: Those who think Labour is racist. 2: Those who think Labour isn't racist ENOUGH. The Goldilocks demographic who think Starmer's got it just right is vanishingly small. Aside from the morality of his rhetoric, even as a *strategy* that looks catastrophic.
May 15, 2025 at 2:13 PM
There are two groups of people in Britain. 1: Those who think Labour is racist. 2: Those who think Labour isn't racist ENOUGH. The Goldilocks demographic who think Starmer's got it just right is vanishingly small. Aside from the morality of his rhetoric, even as a *strategy* that looks catastrophic.
Reposted by Gordon Bell
We have a desperate shortage of care workers. This has a catastrophic effect on the NHS too.
Labour’s decision to close the care worker visa scheme for overseas recruitment is appalling, kneejerk politics that - yet again - will penalise the most vulnerable.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Labour’s decision to close the care worker visa scheme for overseas recruitment is appalling, kneejerk politics that - yet again - will penalise the most vulnerable.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
UK care homes face ban on overseas recruitment under migration plans
Yvette Cooper to announce proposals to reduce net migration in response to growing pressure from Reform UK
www.theguardian.com
May 11, 2025 at 9:41 AM
We have a desperate shortage of care workers. This has a catastrophic effect on the NHS too.
Labour’s decision to close the care worker visa scheme for overseas recruitment is appalling, kneejerk politics that - yet again - will penalise the most vulnerable.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Labour’s decision to close the care worker visa scheme for overseas recruitment is appalling, kneejerk politics that - yet again - will penalise the most vulnerable.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Reposted by Gordon Bell
We live in one of the wealthiest countries in the world, and yet 1 in 7 people in the UK are facing hunger.
This isn't right. Repost if you agree
This isn't right. Repost if you agree
April 22, 2025 at 12:56 PM
We live in one of the wealthiest countries in the world, and yet 1 in 7 people in the UK are facing hunger.
This isn't right. Repost if you agree
This isn't right. Repost if you agree
Reposted by Gordon Bell
When there’s an economic emergency, a climate energy, or a security emergency, our leaders take immediate action. The child poverty emergency has been with us for some time now, yet action seems further away than ever.
Ministers privately ruling out scrapping two-child benefits cap.
Sources says government is ‘not going to find a way’ to ditch cap despite predictions that child poverty levels will soar.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Sources says government is ‘not going to find a way’ to ditch cap despite predictions that child poverty levels will soar.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Ministers privately ruling out scrapping two-child benefits cap
Sources says government is ‘not going to find a way’ to ditch cap despite predictions that child poverty levels will soar
www.theguardian.com
April 22, 2025 at 6:08 AM
When there’s an economic emergency, a climate energy, or a security emergency, our leaders take immediate action. The child poverty emergency has been with us for some time now, yet action seems further away than ever.
Reposted by Gordon Bell
Interesting appointment and also a good potential quiz question.
Is this the first example of a married couple appointed to be political advisers to governments of a different party (Amber de Botton was Sunak's comms director for a while)?
Is this the first example of a married couple appointed to be political advisers to governments of a different party (Amber de Botton was Sunak's comms director for a while)?
Oli de Botton, the co founder of School 21, has been announced as the Prime Minister’s expert adviser on education and skills. www.tes.com/magazine/new...
School 21 co-founder is new Downing Street education adviser
Oli de Botton has been appointed as the Prime Minister’s expert adviser on education and skills.
www.tes.com
April 3, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Interesting appointment and also a good potential quiz question.
Is this the first example of a married couple appointed to be political advisers to governments of a different party (Amber de Botton was Sunak's comms director for a while)?
Is this the first example of a married couple appointed to be political advisers to governments of a different party (Amber de Botton was Sunak's comms director for a while)?
Reposted by Gordon Bell
I don’t think the Government will be thanked at the ballot box for being weak towards a bully, and bullying towards the weak.
Punching down on welfare recipients while pleading with Trump for a trade deal is an instant ick. So fwiw, I think I do support retaliatory tariffs.
Punching down on welfare recipients while pleading with Trump for a trade deal is an instant ick. So fwiw, I think I do support retaliatory tariffs.
April 3, 2025 at 7:06 PM
I don’t think the Government will be thanked at the ballot box for being weak towards a bully, and bullying towards the weak.
Punching down on welfare recipients while pleading with Trump for a trade deal is an instant ick. So fwiw, I think I do support retaliatory tariffs.
Punching down on welfare recipients while pleading with Trump for a trade deal is an instant ick. So fwiw, I think I do support retaliatory tariffs.
Reposted by Gordon Bell
OBR March 2025
"Weak growth in imports and exports over the medium term partly reflect the continuing impact of Brexit"
"Which we expect to reduce the overall trade intensity of the UK economy by 15 per cent in the long term"
Brexit is making us poorer
"Weak growth in imports and exports over the medium term partly reflect the continuing impact of Brexit"
"Which we expect to reduce the overall trade intensity of the UK economy by 15 per cent in the long term"
Brexit is making us poorer
March 28, 2025 at 2:05 PM
OBR March 2025
"Weak growth in imports and exports over the medium term partly reflect the continuing impact of Brexit"
"Which we expect to reduce the overall trade intensity of the UK economy by 15 per cent in the long term"
Brexit is making us poorer
"Weak growth in imports and exports over the medium term partly reflect the continuing impact of Brexit"
"Which we expect to reduce the overall trade intensity of the UK economy by 15 per cent in the long term"
Brexit is making us poorer
Reposted by Gordon Bell
Can't remember a statement by a Chancellor that has gone down as badly, as quickly, and with almost all parts of the political spectrum, as this one
March 27, 2025 at 6:53 AM
Can't remember a statement by a Chancellor that has gone down as badly, as quickly, and with almost all parts of the political spectrum, as this one
Reposted by Gordon Bell
The welfare cuts come in April 2026, but the detail reveals that the £1bn employment support that was promised in exchange is heavily backloaded. So only £200m of support is actually available for extra work support in the year the cuts come in.
March 26, 2025 at 8:17 PM
The welfare cuts come in April 2026, but the detail reveals that the £1bn employment support that was promised in exchange is heavily backloaded. So only £200m of support is actually available for extra work support in the year the cuts come in.
Reposted by Gordon Bell
Breaking news - government sleight of hand over poverty figures.
Actual increase in poverty from their cuts to health related benefits is closer to 400,000 📢
Actual increase in poverty from their cuts to health related benefits is closer to 400,000 📢
DWP is using a sleight of hand in its disability benefit cuts impact assessment: Actual increase in poverty is closer to 400,000, not the 250,000 in the impact assessment.
Quick thread explaining why. 🧵1/7
Quick thread explaining why. 🧵1/7
March 26, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Breaking news - government sleight of hand over poverty figures.
Actual increase in poverty from their cuts to health related benefits is closer to 400,000 📢
Actual increase in poverty from their cuts to health related benefits is closer to 400,000 📢
Reposted by Gordon Bell
If Labour want to shore up support then easing the cost of living should be priority. Get to grips with energy, water & grocery bills. And pursuing the likes of Mone & Abramovich for tax rather than squeezing the pensioners and lower paid. Most of Reform’s appeal to the disenchanted would dissolve.
EXCL: Labour MPs whose seats are under threat from Reform UK have set up pressure group to urge Keir Starmer to take tougher stance on migration and crime @kiranstacey.bsky.social reports www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Group of Labour MPs urge No 10 to be tougher on migration to fend off threat from Reform
Exclusive: Pressure group of MPs from constituencies where Reform came second at last election call for Labour to ‘shout louder’ about action on immigration
www.theguardian.com
February 4, 2025 at 8:32 PM
If Labour want to shore up support then easing the cost of living should be priority. Get to grips with energy, water & grocery bills. And pursuing the likes of Mone & Abramovich for tax rather than squeezing the pensioners and lower paid. Most of Reform’s appeal to the disenchanted would dissolve.
Reposted by Gordon Bell
Don't miss this important report from @jrf-uk.bsky.social.
Our work is designed to address some of the negative effects of poverty to help give children the best start in life.
Research shows reading together can have a lifelong impact, including mitigating socio-economic inequalities.
Our work is designed to address some of the negative effects of poverty to help give children the best start in life.
Research shows reading together can have a lifelong impact, including mitigating socio-economic inequalities.
4.3 million children are in poverty
UK govt won’t see progress on child poverty by 2029 even with high economic growth 📢
Our analysis shows under our central scenario only Scotland will see child poverty rates fall by 2029 in part due to social security policies 1/5
UK govt won’t see progress on child poverty by 2029 even with high economic growth 📢
Our analysis shows under our central scenario only Scotland will see child poverty rates fall by 2029 in part due to social security policies 1/5
January 29, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Don't miss this important report from @jrf-uk.bsky.social.
Our work is designed to address some of the negative effects of poverty to help give children the best start in life.
Research shows reading together can have a lifelong impact, including mitigating socio-economic inequalities.
Our work is designed to address some of the negative effects of poverty to help give children the best start in life.
Research shows reading together can have a lifelong impact, including mitigating socio-economic inequalities.
Reposted by Gordon Bell
The @UKLabour party is losing ground because it’s trying to please Brexit believers who likely didn’t even vote Labour.
The majority want to rejoin the EU but Labour is intent on trying to continue Brexit and Brexit only ensures failure.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The majority want to rejoin the EU but Labour is intent on trying to continue Brexit and Brexit only ensures failure.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The Guardian view on Britain and Europe: Labour must bring it on | Editorial
Editorial: Sir Ed Davey – and even Kemi Badenoch – are saying new things about post-Brexit challenges. It is time for Sir Keir Starmer to do likewise
www.theguardian.com
January 18, 2025 at 7:09 AM
The @UKLabour party is losing ground because it’s trying to please Brexit believers who likely didn’t even vote Labour.
The majority want to rejoin the EU but Labour is intent on trying to continue Brexit and Brexit only ensures failure.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The majority want to rejoin the EU but Labour is intent on trying to continue Brexit and Brexit only ensures failure.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Gordon Bell
Some people in recent days have alleged a ‘cover-up’ over the grooming & rape of hundreds of young girls in predominantly northern UK towns, leading to calls for a ‘national’ public inquiry into child sexual exploitation
FWIW here’s a non-exhaustive list of inquiries into #CSE in last 12 yrs…
FWIW here’s a non-exhaustive list of inquiries into #CSE in last 12 yrs…
January 4, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Some people in recent days have alleged a ‘cover-up’ over the grooming & rape of hundreds of young girls in predominantly northern UK towns, leading to calls for a ‘national’ public inquiry into child sexual exploitation
FWIW here’s a non-exhaustive list of inquiries into #CSE in last 12 yrs…
FWIW here’s a non-exhaustive list of inquiries into #CSE in last 12 yrs…
Reposted by Gordon Bell
And it’s also why some commentators are confident we can beat Musk’s millions by good old-fashioned, up-and-at-em, door to door, rough and tumble British politics with village hall hustings, Times columns & soap boxes.
They are wrong.
They are wrong.
January 5, 2025 at 5:20 PM
And it’s also why some commentators are confident we can beat Musk’s millions by good old-fashioned, up-and-at-em, door to door, rough and tumble British politics with village hall hustings, Times columns & soap boxes.
They are wrong.
They are wrong.
Reposted by Gordon Bell
There are great opportunities in anti-Musk politics if it's pursued seriously enough. It's a politics than can be equally populist in its focus on his wealth, power & elitism and anti-fascist in its focus on his bigotry.
January 3, 2025 at 3:12 PM
There are great opportunities in anti-Musk politics if it's pursued seriously enough. It's a politics than can be equally populist in its focus on his wealth, power & elitism and anti-fascist in its focus on his bigotry.
Good way to start 2025. @daisychristo.bsky.social
January 1, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Good way to start 2025. @daisychristo.bsky.social