Marianne Heaslip
@marianneh.bsky.social
Workingtonian in Liverpool (home)/Manchester (work), UK.
Architect working on tools and processes for better building retrofit, mostly in houses, mostly for coops and community energy orgs. Keen on the need to #stopburningstuff.
Architect working on tools and processes for better building retrofit, mostly in houses, mostly for coops and community energy orgs. Keen on the need to #stopburningstuff.
Reposted by Marianne Heaslip
From @philipjcowley.bsky.social - thanks to a happy coincidence we have a much more rigorous than usual understanding of the impact of Keir Starmer's "Island of Strangers" speech. As Cowley puts it "It is not obvious this was the intended outcome"
November 20, 2025 at 1:27 PM
From @philipjcowley.bsky.social - thanks to a happy coincidence we have a much more rigorous than usual understanding of the impact of Keir Starmer's "Island of Strangers" speech. As Cowley puts it "It is not obvious this was the intended outcome"
Reposted by Marianne Heaslip
I very much like @moreincommonuk.bsky.social. Their work on bridging divides is critical to tackling far right and anti-democratic slides. However, this polling on disillusioned men is a huge missed opportunity to engage critically with men and masculinities www.moreincommon.org.uk/media/bjxgkk...
www.moreincommon.org.uk
November 19, 2025 at 9:33 PM
I very much like @moreincommonuk.bsky.social. Their work on bridging divides is critical to tackling far right and anti-democratic slides. However, this polling on disillusioned men is a huge missed opportunity to engage critically with men and masculinities www.moreincommon.org.uk/media/bjxgkk...
Reposted by Marianne Heaslip
As renewables eat into the energy market + EVs reduce demand for petrol, fossil fuel firms aim to step up production of plastics + chemicals made from oil + gas. By mid-century, half of growth in demand for oil is predicted to come from making more plastic + chemicals. A must read 👇🏾
How Fossil-Fuel Companies Are Driving Plastic Production and Pollution | Scientific American www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-...
How the Fossil-Fuel Industry’s Pivot to Plastic Is Polluting Our Planet
To keep profits rolling in, oil and gas companies want to turn fossil fuels into a mounting pile of packaging and other plastic products
www.scientificamerican.com
November 19, 2025 at 5:50 PM
As renewables eat into the energy market + EVs reduce demand for petrol, fossil fuel firms aim to step up production of plastics + chemicals made from oil + gas. By mid-century, half of growth in demand for oil is predicted to come from making more plastic + chemicals. A must read 👇🏾
Reposted by Marianne Heaslip
It sounds all cute calling it otter ai until you realize you're the oyster in this situation
Physician who was no longer at the hospital but was on the email list had Otter ai installed and his bot “attended” the meeting, generated a transcript, and sent it to all 65 people on the email list, 12 of whom also no longer worked at the hospital.
AI bot recorded doctors’ meeting, sent patient info to current and former hospital staff, watchdog says
The transcription tool recorded the meeting on behalf of a physician who no longer worked at the hospital
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 19, 2025 at 5:55 PM
It sounds all cute calling it otter ai until you realize you're the oyster in this situation
Reposted by Marianne Heaslip
Excellent thread on Barbara Castle and the introduction of the breathalyser!
It's an episode with an important moral: that having the courage to do the right thing, even if it's unpopular at the time, can save lives and bring public opinion with it over time.
It's an episode with an important moral: that having the courage to do the right thing, even if it's unpopular at the time, can save lives and bring public opinion with it over time.
This week is Road Safety Week & a chance to talk about Barbara Castle!
Barbara was Transport Minister for three years yet she was able to introduce the Breathalyzer, a proper integrated transport strategy & more!
This was done despite fierce opposition.
📸 Photo from the Parliamentary Achieve
Barbara was Transport Minister for three years yet she was able to introduce the Breathalyzer, a proper integrated transport strategy & more!
This was done despite fierce opposition.
📸 Photo from the Parliamentary Achieve
November 19, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Excellent thread on Barbara Castle and the introduction of the breathalyser!
It's an episode with an important moral: that having the courage to do the right thing, even if it's unpopular at the time, can save lives and bring public opinion with it over time.
It's an episode with an important moral: that having the courage to do the right thing, even if it's unpopular at the time, can save lives and bring public opinion with it over time.
Reposted by Marianne Heaslip
The net zero transition is going to create a lot of jobs. www.businessgreen.com/news/4522066...
Report: Global green transition to deliver net gain of 9.6 million jobs by 2030
But World Economic Forum report warns economic and geopolitical headwinds risk uneven transition that could negatively impact some businesses, workers, and communities
www.businessgreen.com
November 19, 2025 at 12:55 PM
The net zero transition is going to create a lot of jobs. www.businessgreen.com/news/4522066...
Reposted by Marianne Heaslip
My blog from February on the government's lack of a clear strategy for housing
It's not clear what the government hopes to achieve by building 1.5 million homes and that's dangerous.
New blog: still searching for success
builtplace.com/still-search...
New blog: still searching for success
builtplace.com/still-search...
November 19, 2025 at 9:32 AM
My blog from February on the government's lack of a clear strategy for housing
Reposted by Marianne Heaslip
#communityenergy Awards 2025 - congrats to our energy advice team - winners of fuel poverty award + our founder Gi, of energy champion award...
But most off all, to all finalists ⬇️⬇️⬇️ read more on their excellent work @commenergyengland.bsky.social site communityenergyengland.org/guidance/cas...
But most off all, to all finalists ⬇️⬇️⬇️ read more on their excellent work @commenergyengland.bsky.social site communityenergyengland.org/guidance/cas...
November 18, 2025 at 9:20 AM
#communityenergy Awards 2025 - congrats to our energy advice team - winners of fuel poverty award + our founder Gi, of energy champion award...
But most off all, to all finalists ⬇️⬇️⬇️ read more on their excellent work @commenergyengland.bsky.social site communityenergyengland.org/guidance/cas...
But most off all, to all finalists ⬇️⬇️⬇️ read more on their excellent work @commenergyengland.bsky.social site communityenergyengland.org/guidance/cas...
Reposted by Marianne Heaslip
Your periodic reminder that climate change means levels of migration will increase sharply in the coming years and we either find an effective and humane way to manage that or we invite ever more chaos and suffering.
November 17, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Your periodic reminder that climate change means levels of migration will increase sharply in the coming years and we either find an effective and humane way to manage that or we invite ever more chaos and suffering.
Reposted by Marianne Heaslip
It isn’t simply the lack of empathy, they've ensured that is costed in. It’s that they know no one who’s fled. No one who can share stories of jewellery stuffed into socks in bags, in soap containers, carefully kept in tiny bags and taken out carefully, each with a story kept close to the heart
The Sun has been told Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood will on Monday propose confiscating jewellery, watches, necklaces from asylum seekers to meet asylum costs
This reflects the most controversial aspect of the Danish scheme - the Jewellery Law. The toughest Labour MPs thought this was OTT
This reflects the most controversial aspect of the Danish scheme - the Jewellery Law. The toughest Labour MPs thought this was OTT
November 17, 2025 at 8:30 AM
It isn’t simply the lack of empathy, they've ensured that is costed in. It’s that they know no one who’s fled. No one who can share stories of jewellery stuffed into socks in bags, in soap containers, carefully kept in tiny bags and taken out carefully, each with a story kept close to the heart
Reposted by Marianne Heaslip
It really is worth taking the time to hear from people like “Mary,” who fled from Zimbabwe 20 years ago, to understand what life is like when the law denies you the chance to call the country where you’ve made your life home
In 2023 @tom-clark.bsky.social got me to write a chapter for his book on UK poverty about how immigration limbo, which Labour wants more of, makes people destitute. It was the most distressing piece I've ever worked on. We sent a copy to every MP. www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/society/6081...
Destitute by design: trapped in the immigration system
Migration policy is not only failing people forced to arrive in Britain by
boats. In an extract from a new edited volume, Daniel Trilling reports on t...
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
November 16, 2025 at 7:54 PM
It really is worth taking the time to hear from people like “Mary,” who fled from Zimbabwe 20 years ago, to understand what life is like when the law denies you the chance to call the country where you’ve made your life home
Reposted by Marianne Heaslip
Very disappointed none of you told me that Lewis Mumford made a 1963 film about car dependency, and it's available on YouTube.
"The motor car inflates our private ego, proclaims our social status, and provides us with the illusion of freedom and power."
www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIKZ...
"The motor car inflates our private ego, proclaims our social status, and provides us with the illusion of freedom and power."
www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIKZ...
November 16, 2025 at 8:51 PM
Very disappointed none of you told me that Lewis Mumford made a 1963 film about car dependency, and it's available on YouTube.
"The motor car inflates our private ego, proclaims our social status, and provides us with the illusion of freedom and power."
www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIKZ...
"The motor car inflates our private ego, proclaims our social status, and provides us with the illusion of freedom and power."
www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIKZ...
Reposted by Marianne Heaslip
Just read (via @ruthmalan.bsky.social elsewhere) and it too feels related
cutlefish.substack.com/p/tbm-389-ov...
cutlefish.substack.com/p/tbm-389-ov...
TBM 389: Overthinker!
From a young age, being accused of “overcomplicating” or “overthinking” things felt like a dismissal of who I was.
cutlefish.substack.com
November 16, 2025 at 8:18 PM
Just read (via @ruthmalan.bsky.social elsewhere) and it too feels related
cutlefish.substack.com/p/tbm-389-ov...
cutlefish.substack.com/p/tbm-389-ov...
Reposted by Marianne Heaslip
I get endlessly sick of middle class southerners posing as “the voice of the working man” speaking as if everyone north of the Watford Gap (or doing a job outside the professions) is an unreconstructed racist homophobe.
The irony of the Blue Labour rhetoric is actually how prejudicial it is about the white working class.
why do I emphasize the Manchester-ness of this? because Blue Labour 'thinkers' try to portray themselves as authentic representatives of a neglected Northern working class. But while there's plenty of racism in the North, as anywhere else, there's also a long history of integration and anti-racism.
November 16, 2025 at 7:40 PM
I get endlessly sick of middle class southerners posing as “the voice of the working man” speaking as if everyone north of the Watford Gap (or doing a job outside the professions) is an unreconstructed racist homophobe.
Reposted by Marianne Heaslip
Deep breath, once more for those at the back, seeking asylum is not illegal. No matter route used, which considering Labour has closed pretty much all the last remaining alternatives means irregular ones.
Anti-immigration sentiments are stoked by politicians like Mahmood, not people seeking safety.
Anti-immigration sentiments are stoked by politicians like Mahmood, not people seeking safety.
November 16, 2025 at 9:46 AM
Deep breath, once more for those at the back, seeking asylum is not illegal. No matter route used, which considering Labour has closed pretty much all the last remaining alternatives means irregular ones.
Anti-immigration sentiments are stoked by politicians like Mahmood, not people seeking safety.
Anti-immigration sentiments are stoked by politicians like Mahmood, not people seeking safety.
Reform councillor on Politics North West comparing those fixing flags to lamp posts to the gilet jaune protests.
I thought it was meant to just be about 'pride'?
I thought it was meant to just be about 'pride'?
November 16, 2025 at 10:07 AM
Reform councillor on Politics North West comparing those fixing flags to lamp posts to the gilet jaune protests.
I thought it was meant to just be about 'pride'?
I thought it was meant to just be about 'pride'?
Reposted by Marianne Heaslip
Reposted by Marianne Heaslip
If you want people to feel that their day to day lives are improving then make sure that local government is properly funded. You could call it “the pothole theory of everything”.
English councils plan to sell off social clubs and sports centres to balance books
English councils plan to sell off social clubs and sports centres to balance books
Survey finds 60% of key cities councils are planning to sell assets to meet costs of adult and children’s social care
English councils are planning to sell social clubs, sports centres and shopping arcades as they bet on a fire sale of assets to balance the books, according to a survey of local authorities.
The key cities group of councils, which represents second-tier cities in England, said 60% of councils were planning to sell assets to meet the escalating costs of adult and children’s social care. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 15, 2025 at 9:14 PM
If you want people to feel that their day to day lives are improving then make sure that local government is properly funded. You could call it “the pothole theory of everything”.
Reposted by Marianne Heaslip
Should David and Ed Miliband retrospectively be denied citizenship because Ralph should have been sent “back” (to Belgium? to Poland?)
Someone should ask Starmer and Mahmood whether they think the Kindertransport, for example, should have been a return ticket. Whether Alf Dubs, rather than becoming a Labour MP and now Lord, ought to have been sent back with his family to Czechoslovakia once it was liberated from German rule.
This contribution to the volume of human misery is yet another policy from Labour based on a false premise, in this case that refugees are overly attracted to Britain. It will increase bureaucratic limbo, thus making worse the problem of "cohesion" it purports to solve.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
November 15, 2025 at 8:16 PM
Should David and Ed Miliband retrospectively be denied citizenship because Ralph should have been sent “back” (to Belgium? to Poland?)
Reposted by Marianne Heaslip
This statement not acceptable and I suspect not sustainable. Large majority of public support principle of asylum, support letting people stay permanently. Majority for that among Labour and other progressive parties’ voters is overwhelming. The Reform voters this is aimed at will never vote Labour
"The era of permanent protection is over"
Is this Labour government really saying it was wrong in principle to let these refugees of the last 75 years to stay, settle and become British - and they believe that should NEVER happen again in principle or practice?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiuR...
Is this Labour government really saying it was wrong in principle to let these refugees of the last 75 years to stay, settle and become British - and they believe that should NEVER happen again in principle or practice?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiuR...
Refugees from 7 decades gather to commemorate 70 years of refugee in protection in the UK
YouTube video by Refugee Council
www.youtube.com
November 15, 2025 at 12:49 PM
This statement not acceptable and I suspect not sustainable. Large majority of public support principle of asylum, support letting people stay permanently. Majority for that among Labour and other progressive parties’ voters is overwhelming. The Reform voters this is aimed at will never vote Labour
Reposted by Marianne Heaslip
We're stuck with it, but determining someone's legal rights based on a nebulous combination of birthplace and parentage is actually pretty fucking weird, and it'd be better if we talked about it as an unfortunate practical necessity not a natural phenomenon
"my least woke opinion is---"
That's enough. We've had enough people indulging in the "thrill of a little conservatism", as a treat. Of considering reactionary thought to be a salacious and taboo in a world descending into reactionary mania.
Give me your MOST woke opinions. We're bringing it back.
That's enough. We've had enough people indulging in the "thrill of a little conservatism", as a treat. Of considering reactionary thought to be a salacious and taboo in a world descending into reactionary mania.
Give me your MOST woke opinions. We're bringing it back.
November 15, 2025 at 12:30 PM
We're stuck with it, but determining someone's legal rights based on a nebulous combination of birthplace and parentage is actually pretty fucking weird, and it'd be better if we talked about it as an unfortunate practical necessity not a natural phenomenon
Reposted by Marianne Heaslip
Remembering talking to a Chilean refugee who had finally been able to visit Chile after decades in UK. "It was nice, but it is a different country now." She had put down roots in the UK and raised a family. Her life was, and is, here. This is the human reality that Mahmood and Labour want to destroy
November 15, 2025 at 8:45 AM
Remembering talking to a Chilean refugee who had finally been able to visit Chile after decades in UK. "It was nice, but it is a different country now." She had put down roots in the UK and raised a family. Her life was, and is, here. This is the human reality that Mahmood and Labour want to destroy
Reposted by Marianne Heaslip
Born on this day, 1897, Nye Bevan, Minister of Health and Housing when Labour built 805,000 council homes between 1945-51. He believed high-quality council housing should reflect 'the living tapestry of a mixed community'.
November 15, 2025 at 8:28 AM
Born on this day, 1897, Nye Bevan, Minister of Health and Housing when Labour built 805,000 council homes between 1945-51. He believed high-quality council housing should reflect 'the living tapestry of a mixed community'.
Reposted by Marianne Heaslip
While this budget psychodrama is playing out, my LinkedIn feed is full of heat pump engineers worrying their business is doomed because of an HMT briefing yesterday, and there’s a prominent story about the imminent collapse of the SEND system.
Bad fiscal policy has real world consequences
Bad fiscal policy has real world consequences
November 14, 2025 at 8:38 AM
While this budget psychodrama is playing out, my LinkedIn feed is full of heat pump engineers worrying their business is doomed because of an HMT briefing yesterday, and there’s a prominent story about the imminent collapse of the SEND system.
Bad fiscal policy has real world consequences
Bad fiscal policy has real world consequences
Reposted by Marianne Heaslip
New thing! The @carefultrouble.bsky.social Careful Consequence Check is now live and free to use. Based on research with the Bristol Digital Futures Institute, this practical tool will help you answer the question "is my AI product creepy and weird" www.careful.industries/consequences
November 13, 2025 at 4:23 PM
New thing! The @carefultrouble.bsky.social Careful Consequence Check is now live and free to use. Based on research with the Bristol Digital Futures Institute, this practical tool will help you answer the question "is my AI product creepy and weird" www.careful.industries/consequences