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Phil Hamlyn Williams

@philwriter.bsky.social

150 followers 230 following 280 posts

My third career is as an historian currently exploring the story of British manufacturing and its impact on our society. https://britishmanufacturinghistory.uk/ I had previously written on army supply in War on Wheels, Ordnance and Dunkirk to D Day.

britishmanufacturinghistory.uk

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Phil Hamlyn Williams @philwriter.bsky.social · Nov 18

The header image is of a former hat factory in Atherstone in Warwickshire. I chose it as a metaphor for manufacturing which by its nature keeps moving on leaving behind yesterday’s ideas. You may like my book How Britain Shaped the Manufacturing World published by @penandswordbooks.bsky.social

Phil Hamlyn Williams @philwriter.bsky.social · 15m

@jonathanliew.bsky.social thank you and @theguardian.com for your very frank piece on Saudi. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

We know what the comedians got out of the Riyadh comedy festival. What about the Saudi regime? | Jonathan Liew

The tawdry event was an ultimately doomed attempt by the Saudi government to buy the kind of authentic grassroots culture it is unwilling to countenance, says Guardian columnist Jonathan Liew

www.theguardian.com

Phil Hamlyn Williams @philwriter.bsky.social · 4d

‘The chancellor stressed in her speech that she believes in “a Britain founded on contribution”. She has less than eight weeks to make the case that some of us should contribute a bit more.’ I for one would happily contribute more.

Phil Hamlyn Williams @philwriter.bsky.social · 4d

@guardianheather.bsky.social wise words: ‘Reeves should reach for the language of solidarity, social justice and fairness.’ As you say the tax system is riddled with inconsistencies- it would be a welcome change to have a budget that addresses these. www.theguardian.com/business/202...

Rachel Reeves’s second budget needs a narrative of fairness to justify tax rises | Heather Stewart

The chancellor should reach for the language of solidarity and social justice that this government tends to recoil from

www.theguardian.com

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Phil Hamlyn Williams @philwriter.bsky.social · 4d

Wonderful to read Lord Heseltine in the Observer. Sharp and insightful as ever. His advice is equally valid for the present government.

Phil Hamlyn Williams @philwriter.bsky.social · 4d

Bizarre

Reposted by Phil Hamlyn Williams

Cristian Farias @cristianfarias.com · 4d

This video of Chicagoans intervening to save a man from being abducted off the streets by ICE is making the rounds on Instagram.

Community action works.

Source: www.instagram.com/reel/DPZL2AL...

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Phil Hamlyn Williams @philwriter.bsky.social · 5d

The new Archbishop follows the conviction of her great predecessor William Temple that ‘the church is the only institution in society that exists for the benefit of the people who do not belong to it.’ All power to her elbow.

Phil Hamlyn Williams @philwriter.bsky.social · 5d

@georgemonbiot.bsky.social your piece picks up a theme that I explored following @gabyhinsliff.bsky.social phil-writer.com/2025/10/04/w...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

It hurt when I crashed my bike into a pothole – and it taught me the true price of austerity | George Monbiot

Fixing that hole could have cost under £100; the cost of not doing so is limitless. My prang highlights the neoliberal folly of false economies, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot

www.theguardian.com

Phil Hamlyn Williams @philwriter.bsky.social · 5d

@jonathanfreedland.bsky.social I admire and thank you in equal measure. I am a Guardian reader who is angry and horrified by what Israel has done in Palestine and one who hopes that Britain may once again be a safe and welcoming place for Jews. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

In a time of hate and rancour, two Jews sought to pray – and were killed. Let Manchester be a turning point | Jonathan Freedland

This was a horror but with so much intolerance and antisemitism, no one can say it was a surprise. There are lessons to learn, and that must start now, says Guardian columnist Jonathan Freedland

www.theguardian.com

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Phil Hamlyn Williams @philwriter.bsky.social · 5d

@gabyhinsliff.bsky.social thank you for your thoughtful piece www.theguardian.com/commentisfre... This set me thinking phil-writer.com/2025/10/04/w...

What a £5 coffee (or a £100 Pizza Express) tells us about a changing Britain | Gaby Hinsliff

For many Gen Xers, it feels like we’re sliding back towards the land of our childhoods: where eating out was for special occasions, and Thermoses were king, says Guardian columnist Gaby Hinsliff

www.theguardian.com

Phil Hamlyn Williams @philwriter.bsky.social · 9d

I’m with @teamlabouruk.bsky.social for the ‘fight for the soul of the nation’ @pippacrerar.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

‘Decency or division’: Britain faces era-defining choice, Keir Starmer warns

Prime minister lambasts Nigel Farage and the politics of Reform in combative Labour conference speech

www.theguardian.com

Phil Hamlyn Williams @philwriter.bsky.social · 9d

Local newspapers are still essential to our democracy. Well done Nottingham Evening Post in taking a principled stand against #Reform and its stifling of reporting. www.theguardian.com/media/2025/s...

Nottingham paper takes legal action over Reform council’s ban on reporters

Publisher says stopping it from talking to Nottinghamshire council’s leader is breach of the right to free expression

www.theguardian.com

Phil Hamlyn Williams @philwriter.bsky.social · 11d

I knew Long Eaton High Street in the sixties and saw it again recently. It is a sad place. There is no point In revitalising the High Street if local people have no money to spend. www.nottinghampost.com/news/local-n...

Traders say they all agree that £10m for 'dead town' could be better spent

'It's a dead town, there's no more life here, not like it used to be,' said the owner of a pub

www.nottinghampost.com

Phil Hamlyn Williams @philwriter.bsky.social · 11d

@theobserveruk.bsky.social Will Hutton is right that levelling up is fundamental to restoring Britain. But where did the un-levelness come from. phil-writer.com/2025/09/28/l...

Levelling Up

In order the understand the concept and process of levelling up, it may be helpful to look at the reasons behind the un-levelness. Prosperity came to this country through trade and manufacturing. I…

phil-writer.com

Phil Hamlyn Williams @philwriter.bsky.social · 12d

The task of repairing Britain is too important to leave to party squabbles. @pippacrerar.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

Challenge for Starmer on stark display as Labour conference begins

Leader needs to draw a line under the chaos and offer hope – to his party and to the nation

www.theguardian.com

Phil Hamlyn Williams @philwriter.bsky.social · 12d

My not so secret passion and a bit of history. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre... britishmanufacturinghistory.uk/2025/09/27/r...

The Guardian view on the 200th anniversary of the railways: much more than a way of getting from A to B | Editorial

Editorial The bicentenary of the pioneering Stockton and Darlington line is a moment to celebrate a form of travel which shaped our culture

www.theguardian.com

Phil Hamlyn Williams @philwriter.bsky.social · 14d

So important

Phil Hamlyn Williams @philwriter.bsky.social · 16d

Ed Davey has articulated my beliefs and the time is probably long overdue to fight for them. The British of whatever ethnicity are decent people and deserve a country embracing fairness and inclusivity. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

The Guardian view on Sir Ed Davey’s speech: a party that promises contrast and protest | Editorial

Editorial: The Liberal Democrat leader drew a moral line on Gaza, challenged rightwing populism and targeted Labour. It’s not reinvention but an ethical intent

www.theguardian.com

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Phil Hamlyn Williams @philwriter.bsky.social · 19d

Thank you @tombaldwin66.bsky.social for your insight into Kier Starmer. I for one embrace his take on patriotism and our flag. It is about inclusivity and compassion. It is about going forward rather than hankering for a rose coloured past.

Phil Hamlyn Williams @philwriter.bsky.social · 19d

I link London Fashion Week with the #FestivalofBritain. Both are about British creativity. It is a great strength if given space. www.theguardian.com/fashion/2025...

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Phil Hamlyn Williams @philwriter.bsky.social · 19d

Last weekend’s rally is even more dangerous since Farage wasn’t there. He can woo voters who reject violence and quietly work his way to Downing Street. @jonathanfreedland.bsky.social is right about attacking Reform policies on their demerits. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Trump has dragged the US to the abyss and Nigel Farage would do the same to Britain. Here’s how to stop him

It’s not too late to puncture the Reform leader’s populist myth. His ‘make Britain great again’ act is out of step with the British people, says Guardian columnist Jonathan Freedland

www.theguardian.com

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Phil Hamlyn Williams @philwriter.bsky.social · 20d

Very excited to read of the #FestivalofBritain celebration @lanre-bakare.bsky.social . Please don’t forget the massive focus it had on British creativity in manufacturing britishmanufacturinghistory.uk/2023/05/11/t... www.theguardian.com/culture/2025...

Southbank Centre to ‘galvanise’ nation with Festival of Britain celebration

Danny Boyle will oversee youth culture event in May to mark 75th anniversary of postwar ‘burst of colour’

www.theguardian.com

Phil Hamlyn Williams @philwriter.bsky.social · 20d

It may be that the tide is about to turn and we will have the compassionate government we voted for www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

Phil Hamlyn Williams @philwriter.bsky.social · 20d

“We need to either deport them if they’ve got no right to be here or say: ‘You do have a right to be here, get on with work’. Spot on @eddavey.libdems.org.uk www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

‘Good humanitarian reason’: Ed Davey calls for emergency programme to clear asylum backlog

Exclusive: Lib Dem leader says push to process cases would also ultimately save money and remove far-right target

www.theguardian.com

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Phil Hamlyn Williams @philwriter.bsky.social · 21d

‘ A more ambitious, smarter government would already have started to set aside hundreds of local sites’ ‘restore the government as a transformative, democratic “big green state”’ ‘Labour must reclaim the political and moral high ground on immigration.’ www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Labour is in a mess. Is there anything Starmer can do to turn things around? Our panel responds – part one

Over a year into power, Keir Starmer’s government is floundering. But it still has a large parliamentary majority and time on its side — here’s what it could do, says our first group of panelists