Stephen Williams
@stephenwi11iams.bsky.social
Bristol Liberal, councillor, former MP and Minister. Interested in politics, art & heritage, LGBT & equalities, Wales and Europe.
Reposted by Stephen Williams
Community groups are facing astronomical increases in fees to hire council venues.
Liberal Democrat Councillor @cllr-andrew-varney.bsky.social has been campaigning to restore fair fees for our vital local community groups ⬇️
Liberal Democrat Councillor @cllr-andrew-varney.bsky.social has been campaigning to restore fair fees for our vital local community groups ⬇️
November 24, 2025 at 10:39 AM
Community groups are facing astronomical increases in fees to hire council venues.
Liberal Democrat Councillor @cllr-andrew-varney.bsky.social has been campaigning to restore fair fees for our vital local community groups ⬇️
Liberal Democrat Councillor @cllr-andrew-varney.bsky.social has been campaigning to restore fair fees for our vital local community groups ⬇️
Reposted by Stephen Williams
We have sent the Government a clear message:
It's time to step up and fairly fund councils for providing Council Tax exemptions.
This week, Bristol City Council backed our calls for the Government to fund the value of student council tax exemptions - totalling £25m this year.
It's time to step up and fairly fund councils for providing Council Tax exemptions.
This week, Bristol City Council backed our calls for the Government to fund the value of student council tax exemptions - totalling £25m this year.
November 6, 2025 at 5:27 PM
We have sent the Government a clear message:
It's time to step up and fairly fund councils for providing Council Tax exemptions.
This week, Bristol City Council backed our calls for the Government to fund the value of student council tax exemptions - totalling £25m this year.
It's time to step up and fairly fund councils for providing Council Tax exemptions.
This week, Bristol City Council backed our calls for the Government to fund the value of student council tax exemptions - totalling £25m this year.
Flu spreads more easily in autumn when we spend time together indoors. If you are eligible the flu vaccine can help protect you from getting seriously ill. Find out more about the free NHS flu vaccine at grabajab.net or watch this film www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8tz... #winterstrong
November 6, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Flu spreads more easily in autumn when we spend time together indoors. If you are eligible the flu vaccine can help protect you from getting seriously ill. Find out more about the free NHS flu vaccine at grabajab.net or watch this film www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8tz... #winterstrong
On Politics West this morning, discussing the political scene, the continued sinking of both Tories and Labour, with me promoting the rising orange Liberal tide and Carla Denyer a Green surge. We agreed that local government is underfunded. Nice to meet Simon Opher MP for Stroud.
October 26, 2025 at 11:00 PM
On Politics West this morning, discussing the political scene, the continued sinking of both Tories and Labour, with me promoting the rising orange Liberal tide and Carla Denyer a Green surge. We agreed that local government is underfunded. Nice to meet Simon Opher MP for Stroud.
Reposted by Stephen Williams
Our hospices have been pushed to the brink.
Hundreds of beds lie empty because there is not enough funding or staff. Services across the country have been pared back and 4 in 10 of hospices say they will have to make cuts this year.
Protect our hospices: sign our petition ⬇️
Hundreds of beds lie empty because there is not enough funding or staff. Services across the country have been pared back and 4 in 10 of hospices say they will have to make cuts this year.
Protect our hospices: sign our petition ⬇️
October 20, 2025 at 1:53 PM
Our hospices have been pushed to the brink.
Hundreds of beds lie empty because there is not enough funding or staff. Services across the country have been pared back and 4 in 10 of hospices say they will have to make cuts this year.
Protect our hospices: sign our petition ⬇️
Hundreds of beds lie empty because there is not enough funding or staff. Services across the country have been pared back and 4 in 10 of hospices say they will have to make cuts this year.
Protect our hospices: sign our petition ⬇️
Joined council and community colleagues for the raising of the flag on College Green to mark Hate Crime Awareness Week. Bristol is a city that values and cherishes everyone, where racism, homophobia and hateful comments or actions to anyone are unacceptable.
October 14, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Joined council and community colleagues for the raising of the flag on College Green to mark Hate Crime Awareness Week. Bristol is a city that values and cherishes everyone, where racism, homophobia and hateful comments or actions to anyone are unacceptable.
Saddened by the death of former Liberal Democrat leader Ming Campbell. He was an outstanding parliamentarian with a great personal back story in the law and athletics. To me he was a much cherished avuncular mentor and friend. RIP 😢
September 26, 2025 at 12:25 PM
Saddened by the death of former Liberal Democrat leader Ming Campbell. He was an outstanding parliamentarian with a great personal back story in the law and athletics. To me he was a much cherished avuncular mentor and friend. RIP 😢
Great turnout of donors at Bristol Museum and Art Gallery to see the new exhibition of rarely seen Turner water colours and other pictures and objects associated with Hotwells and the Avon Gorge. Pleased to thank donors and friends on behalf of the council.
September 25, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Great turnout of donors at Bristol Museum and Art Gallery to see the new exhibition of rarely seen Turner water colours and other pictures and objects associated with Hotwells and the Avon Gorge. Pleased to thank donors and friends on behalf of the council.
Britain’s recognition of a sovereign state of Palestine 🇵🇸 is the right thing to do, at a critical time. The symbolism matters but the act must be more than symbolic. Britain and our European neighbours must use all our diplomatic and economic leverage to make Israel negotiate with Palestine.
September 22, 2025 at 12:33 PM
Britain’s recognition of a sovereign state of Palestine 🇵🇸 is the right thing to do, at a critical time. The symbolism matters but the act must be more than symbolic. Britain and our European neighbours must use all our diplomatic and economic leverage to make Israel negotiate with Palestine.
Special evensong at Bristol Cathedral to rededicate the organ after a two year restoration. Parts of it date back to 1685, the current instrument has 3,800 pipes that fill the cathedral with sound. Look forward to hearing it on many future occasions.
September 21, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Special evensong at Bristol Cathedral to rededicate the organ after a two year restoration. Parts of it date back to 1685, the current instrument has 3,800 pipes that fill the cathedral with sound. Look forward to hearing it on many future occasions.
Everyone interested in political history and psephology should buy this book. I’ve written the chapter on Newport 1922 and there’s 87 other political snapshots to savour too.
IT'S PUBLICATION DAY
British By-Elections 1769-2025 is out today. 732 pages covering 88 by-elections. Thanks to all 87 contributors who wrote the essays.
Order your signed copy here
www.politicos.co.uk/products/by-...
British By-Elections 1769-2025 is out today. 732 pages covering 88 by-elections. Thanks to all 87 contributors who wrote the essays.
Order your signed copy here
www.politicos.co.uk/products/by-...
September 18, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Everyone interested in political history and psephology should buy this book. I’ve written the chapter on Newport 1922 and there’s 87 other political snapshots to savour too.
After this weekend’s Women’s Rugby World Cup quarter finals in Bristol, looking forward to seeing Canada v New Zealand in Friday’s semi-final, also in Bristol. Hope it’s not so wet!
September 14, 2025 at 5:36 PM
After this weekend’s Women’s Rugby World Cup quarter finals in Bristol, looking forward to seeing Canada v New Zealand in Friday’s semi-final, also in Bristol. Hope it’s not so wet!
Reposted by Stephen Williams
We know that libraries are a vital community resource. That's why we've protected Bristol's library funding in full.
Read the joint statement between Cllr @stephenwi11iams.bsky.social and Council Leader Cllr Tony Dyer below
Read the joint statement between Cllr @stephenwi11iams.bsky.social and Council Leader Cllr Tony Dyer below
September 11, 2025 at 11:16 AM
We know that libraries are a vital community resource. That's why we've protected Bristol's library funding in full.
Read the joint statement between Cllr @stephenwi11iams.bsky.social and Council Leader Cllr Tony Dyer below
Read the joint statement between Cllr @stephenwi11iams.bsky.social and Council Leader Cllr Tony Dyer below
Delighted to be able to confirm to full council that Bristol’s libraries 📚budget will be fully protected in 2026/27. This is the second year that Liberal Democrats and our Green colleagues have protected libraries, a stark contrast to Labour’s hatchet job in previous years.
September 9, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Delighted to be able to confirm to full council that Bristol’s libraries 📚budget will be fully protected in 2026/27. This is the second year that Liberal Democrats and our Green colleagues have protected libraries, a stark contrast to Labour’s hatchet job in previous years.
Reposted by Stephen Williams
New NHS figures reveal that Bristol and surrounding areas saw 50,103 A&E attendances during June and July, up from 31,247 a decade ago.
Bristol's health services have faced a summer crisis, and urgent action is needed to stop the annual winter crisis turning into a permacrisis
Bristol's health services have faced a summer crisis, and urgent action is needed to stop the annual winter crisis turning into a permacrisis
September 4, 2025 at 2:16 PM
New NHS figures reveal that Bristol and surrounding areas saw 50,103 A&E attendances during June and July, up from 31,247 a decade ago.
Bristol's health services have faced a summer crisis, and urgent action is needed to stop the annual winter crisis turning into a permacrisis
Bristol's health services have faced a summer crisis, and urgent action is needed to stop the annual winter crisis turning into a permacrisis
Reposted by Stephen Williams
Today, an investigation into the SEND spying scandal could finally be launched.
Under Labour's watch, they completely lost the trust of parents of SEND students and failed to listen to councillors' calls for an independent investigation.
Under Labour's watch, they completely lost the trust of parents of SEND students and failed to listen to councillors' calls for an independent investigation.
August 28, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Today, an investigation into the SEND spying scandal could finally be launched.
Under Labour's watch, they completely lost the trust of parents of SEND students and failed to listen to councillors' calls for an independent investigation.
Under Labour's watch, they completely lost the trust of parents of SEND students and failed to listen to councillors' calls for an independent investigation.
Reposted by Stephen Williams
The crisis in SEND education is pushing Bristol's finances to the brink: rising costs, higher demand, & Government underfunding.
Meanwhile, private equity companies are turning a profit.
Liberal Democrats would cap these exorbitant profits and put money into the system, not shareholders’ pockets.
Meanwhile, private equity companies are turning a profit.
Liberal Democrats would cap these exorbitant profits and put money into the system, not shareholders’ pockets.
August 1, 2025 at 3:24 PM
The crisis in SEND education is pushing Bristol's finances to the brink: rising costs, higher demand, & Government underfunding.
Meanwhile, private equity companies are turning a profit.
Liberal Democrats would cap these exorbitant profits and put money into the system, not shareholders’ pockets.
Meanwhile, private equity companies are turning a profit.
Liberal Democrats would cap these exorbitant profits and put money into the system, not shareholders’ pockets.
Reposted by Stephen Williams
Following the Lib Dem campaign to end the sewage scandal and clean up our rivers, the Government is finally replacing Ofwat with a tougher regulator.
But, more must be done to ensure that our water bills are brought down and that our waterways are clean for future generations.
But, more must be done to ensure that our water bills are brought down and that our waterways are clean for future generations.
July 21, 2025 at 12:51 PM
Following the Lib Dem campaign to end the sewage scandal and clean up our rivers, the Government is finally replacing Ofwat with a tougher regulator.
But, more must be done to ensure that our water bills are brought down and that our waterways are clean for future generations.
But, more must be done to ensure that our water bills are brought down and that our waterways are clean for future generations.
Reposted by Stephen Williams
Want to halve your energy bills? 💡⚡️🧾 The Liberal Democrats have a plan!
Breaking the link 🔗 between gas prices and energy costs is needed so that people can enjoy the benefits of cheap, clean power 🍃🔌
Read more in the link below 👇
Breaking the link 🔗 between gas prices and energy costs is needed so that people can enjoy the benefits of cheap, clean power 🍃🔌
Read more in the link below 👇
July 18, 2025 at 11:45 AM
Want to halve your energy bills? 💡⚡️🧾 The Liberal Democrats have a plan!
Breaking the link 🔗 between gas prices and energy costs is needed so that people can enjoy the benefits of cheap, clean power 🍃🔌
Read more in the link below 👇
Breaking the link 🔗 between gas prices and energy costs is needed so that people can enjoy the benefits of cheap, clean power 🍃🔌
Read more in the link below 👇
Reposted by Stephen Williams
Votes at 16 is a no-brainer. It has worked well in Scotland and Wales and has ensured that young people are engaged in politics.
It’s not right that up until now, 16- and 17-year-olds have been able to pay taxes and serve in the Armed Forces, but haven’t been able to have their say in elections.
It’s not right that up until now, 16- and 17-year-olds have been able to pay taxes and serve in the Armed Forces, but haven’t been able to have their say in elections.
July 17, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Votes at 16 is a no-brainer. It has worked well in Scotland and Wales and has ensured that young people are engaged in politics.
It’s not right that up until now, 16- and 17-year-olds have been able to pay taxes and serve in the Armed Forces, but haven’t been able to have their say in elections.
It’s not right that up until now, 16- and 17-year-olds have been able to pay taxes and serve in the Armed Forces, but haven’t been able to have their say in elections.
Delighted that the government has announced that it is to press ahead with Votes at 16 right across the UK. It’s a cause I’ve championed for over 20 years both as an MP and Bristol councillor. www.bristollibdems.org/news/article...
Liberal Democrats Lead Bristol City Council to Call for Making Votes Fairer
Bristol City Council has passed a motion originally submitted by the Liberal Democrat group in support of proportional representation and wider electoral reform.
www.bristollibdems.org
July 17, 2025 at 11:31 AM
Delighted that the government has announced that it is to press ahead with Votes at 16 right across the UK. It’s a cause I’ve championed for over 20 years both as an MP and Bristol councillor. www.bristollibdems.org/news/article...
Good day out and about in Westbury and Henleaze delivering leaflets and also seeing my first Gromit from the Gromit Unleashed 3 trail, this one on Henleaze Road.
July 5, 2025 at 7:11 PM
Good day out and about in Westbury and Henleaze delivering leaflets and also seeing my first Gromit from the Gromit Unleashed 3 trail, this one on Henleaze Road.
Disappointing that Turner’s painting of Hotwells was not secured by Bristol Art Gallery, being outbid by a private collector. Let’s hope whoever has bought it has a good look in the mirror and thinks it would be a grand gesture to lend it to us for a year before hiding it away.
July 3, 2025 at 8:54 AM
Disappointing that Turner’s painting of Hotwells was not secured by Bristol Art Gallery, being outbid by a private collector. Let’s hope whoever has bought it has a good look in the mirror and thinks it would be a grand gesture to lend it to us for a year before hiding it away.
Sunny flag raising on Bristol College Green for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender + Pride. The Lord Mayor and councillors from all four parties attended plus many staff. Cllr Andrew Brown and I are proud to serve our city as two gay chairs of council policy committees.
June 27, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Sunny flag raising on Bristol College Green for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender + Pride. The Lord Mayor and councillors from all four parties attended plus many staff. Cllr Andrew Brown and I are proud to serve our city as two gay chairs of council policy committees.
Reposted by Stephen Williams
“The people of Bristol chose the committee system to be the model to replace the dysfunctional mayor. Why does the Labour Government think they know better than Bristolians how their council should be run?"
June 25, 2025 at 6:54 PM
“The people of Bristol chose the committee system to be the model to replace the dysfunctional mayor. Why does the Labour Government think they know better than Bristolians how their council should be run?"