Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Lisa Burton 🇪🇺

Dr Zubaida Haque @zubhaque.bsky.social · 20d

Disappointed that this BBC news piece about Trump not wanting Mayor Sadiq Khan at the State Banquet doesn't once mention Khan's race or religion. If you leave out that Khan is a brown Muslim man, you gloss over why he's targeted by Trump. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Trump says he didn't want London Mayor Sadiq Khan at state banquet

The mayor of London did not seek or expect an invite to the state banquet, the BBC understands.

www.bbc.co.uk

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Reposted by Lisa Burton 🇪🇺

Otto English @ottoenglish.bsky.social · 20d

Andrea Jenkyns, Mayor of Lincolnshire, DOGE warrior...

A story in three parts....

Rooting Out Waste,
Keeping Taxes Low,
Running Efficiently DOGE LINCOLNSHIRE

Key Policies:
• More Local Control- Push for
increased powers from
Westminster.
• Cut Government Waste - A
dedicated efficiency team to
slash unnecessary spending
• Lower Taxes - Keep council
tax low by eliminating 'woke
wastage'.
• Transparency & Openness -
Proper scrutiny of public
spending.

Mayor Asks for £147k to answer emails (bbc)

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Lisa Burton 🇪🇺 @lisaburton.bsky.social · 20d

These ‘patriots’ haven’t got a clue

One of my kids works for a council roads dept. They’ve had a huge uptick in customer inquiries to remove flags and ‘graffiti’ - 50+ in just 3 days this week. Some complaining it’s offensive then workers being abused when removing them. They’ve no money for this

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BremainInSpain @bremaininspain.com · 22d

By our chair @suewilson91.bsky.social

It was my pleasure to join the Thank EU for the Music team handing out EU flags at the Proms, Royal Albert Hall

While the small, peaceful, friendly flag-waving efforts received no attention, the world’s media were out in force for Tommy Robinson’s hate rally

What’s in a flag?

EU flags lit up the Proms as far-right riots marred Westminster – two visions of Britain, one of unity, the other of hate

yorkshirebylines.co.uk

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Lisa Burton 🇪🇺 @lisaburton.bsky.social · 23d

Once again, grateful to my host nation for taking a stand

Spain’s PM, Pedro Sánchez, has called for Israel to be barred from intl sports competitions for as long as its “barbarism” in Gaza continues, saying the country should not be allowed to use high-profile events to “whitewash” its offensive

Spain’s PM calls for Israel to be banned from sports events after Gaza protests force end to Vuelta race

Speaking after Gaza protesters forced early end to cycle race, Pedro Sánchez says Israel should not be allowed to use sports to ‘whitewash’ its ‘barbarism’

www.theguardian.com

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Reposted by Lisa Burton 🇪🇺

Otto English @ottoenglish.bsky.social · 28d

He massively admires Tommy Robinson...

He was with Tommy Robinson the previous evening...

Tommy Robinson gave him the flags...

But this is a grassroots movement apparently

Alex Andreou @sturdyalex.bsky.social · 28d

NOTHING will prepare you for this 45-second story arc. From "I'm just doing this because I love the flag, it's totally grassroots, and I'm not part of anything political"... to who actually gave him the flags the night before.

Anyone who believes it is an innocent movement needs to see this.

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Lisa Burton 🇪🇺 @lisaburton.bsky.social · 28d

It's readily available data.

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Lisa Burton 🇪🇺 @lisaburton.bsky.social · 28d

Considering the mealy, pathetic responses from the UK government so far, I know I shouldn't be surprised. Still, I find myself continuously disgusted by their capitulation and mealy-mouthed, pathetic responses to the actions of Israel, its war crimes, and its war criminals.

Russell England @russellengland.bsky.social · 28d

Meanwhile Starmer is welcoming the President of Israel today

After they bombed Qatar on Monday nught, bombed the Global Sumud Flotilla in Tunisia on Monday night and are responsible for an actual genocide in Gaza

Starmer condemns Israel’s airstrike on Qatar as No 10 denies prior knowledge of attack

‘Immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages and a huge surge in aid into Gaza’ only route to peace, says PM

www.theguardian.com

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Lisa Burton 🇪🇺 @lisaburton.bsky.social · 28d

There are over 750,000 vacant homes in the UK and over 780,000 job vacancies, including over 200,000 shortages in the NHS and care sector. £46.8 billion a year is lost in tax evasion. By 2040, over 1/4 of the population will be over 64. Immigrants are not the issue; they are the solution.

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Lisa Burton 🇪🇺 @lisaburton.bsky.social · 29d

Well done Lib Dems. Reform's 5 (now 4) MPs but clocked up 353,660 mentions, which is 70,732 mentions per MP, highest of any party with thier 14.3% vote share in 2024

Lib Dems returned 72 MPs with 12.2% of the vote in 2024. They received 46,468 mentions; their coverage works out at only 645 per MP

Byline Times @bylinetimes.bsky.social · 29d

🔴BBC Accused of Pro-Reform Bias as Lib Dems Launch Campaign to End ‘Wall to Wall’ Farage Coverage

They accuse the BBC of “following Farage around like a lost puppy” and have complained to Ofcom to demand fair coverage

bylinetimes.com/2025/09/09/b...

BBC Accused of Pro-Reform Bias as Lib Dems Launch Campaign to End 'Wall to Wall' Farage Coverage

They accuse the BBC of "following Farage around like a lost puppy” and have complained to Ofcom to demand fair coverage

bylinetimes.com

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Lisa Burton 🇪🇺 @lisaburton.bsky.social · Sep 8

Sign up for this webinar - The far right are not protectors of women & exploiting the real issue of violence against women & girls to whip up racism & attacks on refugees, Muslims and migrants. It's time to call out the lies & stop the right from falsely connecting migration to sexual abuse.

Women Against the Far Right - Campaign Launch

Join this online rally to hear from leading women across the movement: Diane Abbott MP Nova Twins, proclaimed rock duo Shami Chakrabarti, lawyer & human rights activist Grace Blakeley, author...

actionnetwork.org

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Reposted by Lisa Burton 🇪🇺

BremainInSpain @bremaininspain.com · Sep 5

Please do sign this open letter via @europeanmovement.co.uk

Call on the UK govt to robustly reject Reform UK’s calls to leave the ECHR & engage constructively with the UK public, to communicate the importance of checks on executive power, maintaining peace in NI & protecting our rights

Open Letter: Keep the UK in the ECHR

Sign the European Movement UK's open letter now if you agree that the UK must remain in the ECHR.

www.europeanmovement.co.uk

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Reposted by Lisa Burton 🇪🇺

BremainInSpain @bremaininspain.com · Sep 5

As you may have seen @zackpolanski.bsky.social is the new leader of the @greenparty.org.uk

Zack was our guest contributor to our monthly Bremainers Ask feature in July.

Read his answers to this, and more here www.bremaininspain.com/bremainers-a...
@suewilson91.bsky.social @marchforrejoin.co.uk

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Reposted by Lisa Burton 🇪🇺

Eleanor Rylance 🔶🌳🌍🇫🇷🇬🇧🇪🇺🇺🇦🇨🇦 @eleanorrylance.bsky.social · Sep 5

I’m looking forward to the BBC’s wall to wall coverage of the Liberal Democrat conference in a fortnight- a party with 16 times more MPs than Reform. How will they even manage to do 16 times more coverage? No space left on the airwaves.

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Lisa Burton 🇪🇺 @lisaburton.bsky.social · Sep 2

Congratulations to @zackpolanski.bsky.social on becoming the leader of UK Green Party

I met Zack a couple of years ago when we, along with the lovely Terry Reintke here were speakers at the National Rejoin March

He’s a great guy, fought a great campaign & we need more left voices. I wish him luck

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BremainInSpain @bremaininspain.com · Sep 1

Huge thanks to
@zoejardiniere.bsky.social for participating in this Bremainers Ask feature & for sharing her vast knowledge & insight on asylum & immigration

Often appearing in political debates across radio & TV she is a breath of fresh air

Full article www.bremaininspain.com/category/bre...

Zoe Gardner, immigration expert quote. It’s a fantasy to believe we can stop people from moving, no matter how awful we try to be - people have and will always move. Our only choice is how to manage it.

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Lisa Burton 🇪🇺 @lisaburton.bsky.social · Sep 1

Proud of my host nation and grateful our government speak up for migration. Sadly, I cant say the same for my home nation.

BremainInSpain @bremaininspain.com · Sep 1

There is another way.

Spain’s economy outpacing its European neighbours - GDP expected to grow 2.5% this year. Our left-leaning social democrats atribute this to immigration & renewables

90% of the increase in the labour force since 2021 comes from immigration - 40% drop in wholesale electricity

Pro-immigration policies and green energy adoption behind socialist Spain’s burgeoning economy

Spain's welcoming and liberal approach to immigration is paying economic dividends.

leftfootforward.org

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Reposted by Lisa Burton 🇪🇺

BremainInSpain @bremaininspain.com · Sep 1

The Greens and Lib Dem’s should start doing regular ‘press conferences’ so we can see if they get the same treatment

Josiah Mortimer @josiah.writes.news · Sep 1

Politico: "Reform [have another] press conference from 11 a.m. — though this one is focused on the new councils it controls"

I wonder if the BBC (and other broadcasters) will continue the dire trend of broadcasting the whole thing with little counter or fact-checking

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Reposted by Lisa Burton 🇪🇺

Mike Galsworthy @mikegalsworthy.bsky.social · Aug 30

The Sun in 2025 vs The Sun in 2016.

Another Brexit lie busted.

Of course the Sun’s new article makes no apology, or even mention, of their 2016 front page splash - which was ruled “misleading” by the press watchdog at the time - but what did The Sun care, when the lie served its purpose anyway.

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Lisa Burton 🇪🇺 @lisaburton.bsky.social · Aug 30

We have had some incredible contributors to our ‘Bremainers Ask’ feature but this is def one of my favourites

@zoejardiniere.bsky.social is an expert on immigration/asylum policy in UK & Europe, often appearing on TV & other media outlets to counteract the rhetoric & racism with reality & humanity

Bremainers Ask ....... Zoe Gardner - Bremain in Spain

Bremain in Spain is campaigning for a strong & close relationship with the EU and to protect the rights of British migrants living in Spain.

www.bremaininspain.com

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Reposted by Lisa Burton 🇪🇺

Steve Peers @stevepeers.bsky.social · Aug 28

Two unconvicing points

1) "any disputes [on the food standards treaty] will go to international arbitration, not the European Court of Justice" - but the agreement is that the arbitrators can ask the CJEU about EU law points

Simon Usherwood @simonusherwood.bsky.social · Aug 28

Let's have a look at yesterday's speech from Nick Thomas-Symonds on EU relations, since the text is now up

1/

www.gov.uk/government/s...

Speech on the UK's Future Relationship with the European Union

Minister for the Constitution and European Union Relations Nick Thomas-Symonds delivers a speech on the UK's relationship with the EU, hosted by The Spectator.

www.gov.uk

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Lisa Burton 🇪🇺 @lisaburton.bsky.social · Aug 28

Possibly referring to the Schengen Information System which the UK lost live access to with Brexit & is certainly a part of not being able to process asylum applications efficiently

SiS - cooperation tool for border, immigration, police, customs, judicial authorities in EU & Schengen countries

Schengen Information System

The Schengen Information System (SIS) is the most widely used and largest information sharing system for security and border management in Europe.

home-affairs.ec.europa.eu

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Reposted by Lisa Burton 🇪🇺

Mike Galsworthy @mikegalsworthy.bsky.social · Aug 27

Is the BBC Reform UK's mouthpiece? Yup.

"Researchers at Cardiff University have produced a detailed analysis of every episode of the BBC’s flagship Question Time programme broadcast between September 2014 and July 2023 to see if the broadcaster was balancing political viewpoints."

Is the BBC now the official mouthpiece for Reform?

A study of the BBC’s Question Time has raised concerns about representation and political impartiality

yorkshirebylines.co.uk

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Ian Dunt @iandunt.bsky.social · Aug 27

Profoundly important from @davidallengreen.bsky.social. The lack of meaningful restraints against executing power in our system leaves us utterly exposed in the face of a Reform government. They could do whatever they want.

open.substack.com/pub/emptycit...

Yes, an incoming illiberal and radical UK government would have absolute constitutional power

Only good fortune has prevented previous governments from misusing our constitutional arrangements more than they did

open.substack.com

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Edwin Hayward @edwinhayward.com · Aug 27

Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.

Labour should fire their entire comms team. Now.

They'll have to find a new photo of Farage grinning even wider to match reality, if they keep this up.

(Link to original tweet...)
x.com/uklabour/sta...

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