William Cullerne Bown
@williamcb.bsky.social
Technology and politics.
Newsletter https://bit.ly/3AELZDu
Foundations of AI https://bit.ly/3WiYJab
Law https://bit.ly/40YL1fU
Research Fortnight https://bit.ly/4i0
https://signal.me/#eu/xNzjw2P7XIGjBfdQicHbMp0V5SuVpgCQOeUZNpDRqH-mkt2Tan9G6Y0ZitEKsVkN
Newsletter https://bit.ly/3AELZDu
Foundations of AI https://bit.ly/3WiYJab
Law https://bit.ly/40YL1fU
Research Fortnight https://bit.ly/4i0
https://signal.me/#eu/xNzjw2P7XIGjBfdQicHbMp0V5SuVpgCQOeUZNpDRqH-mkt2Tan9G6Y0ZitEKsVkN
Pinned
Trump, Starmer and the populist tide
Old concepts such as left vs right, trust and class aren't enough to explain the trouble we're in
open.substack.com
Today I argue Keir Starmer can only be understood in the context of deep shifts in the character of our politics that are still hard to grasp
open.substack.com/pub/williamc...
open.substack.com/pub/williamc...
Reposted by William Cullerne Bown
On Truss & Kwarteng in ‘22. Allister Heath, Telegraph: “the best budget I have ever heard a British chancellor deliver". Alex Brummer, Mail: “a genuine Tory package elbowing to one side the Treasury's fiscal conservatism".
These men will now be paid actual money for their analysis of today’s budget.
These men will now be paid actual money for their analysis of today’s budget.
November 26, 2025 at 4:32 PM
On Truss & Kwarteng in ‘22. Allister Heath, Telegraph: “the best budget I have ever heard a British chancellor deliver". Alex Brummer, Mail: “a genuine Tory package elbowing to one side the Treasury's fiscal conservatism".
These men will now be paid actual money for their analysis of today’s budget.
These men will now be paid actual money for their analysis of today’s budget.
Reposted by William Cullerne Bown
This is quite a victory - universities (particularly research intensives) have been lobbying for real terms protection of QR for ages
It's a classic government give with one hand (QR) and take with the other (international student levy)
It's a classic government give with one hand (QR) and take with the other (international student levy)
Block grants for university R&I to rise by £425m over four years.
Treasury confirms real-terms protection of quality-related grants and Higher Education Innovation Funding in autumn budget.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Treasury confirms real-terms protection of quality-related grants and Higher Education Innovation Funding in autumn budget.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
November 26, 2025 at 5:32 PM
This is quite a victory - universities (particularly research intensives) have been lobbying for real terms protection of QR for ages
It's a classic government give with one hand (QR) and take with the other (international student levy)
It's a classic government give with one hand (QR) and take with the other (international student levy)
Reposted by William Cullerne Bown
Reposted by William Cullerne Bown
Fantastic news that @RachelReevesMP has more than doubled fiscal headroom - a core recommendations of @IPPR . This will bring stability against shocks and hugely reduce market uncertainty.
November 26, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Fantastic news that @RachelReevesMP has more than doubled fiscal headroom - a core recommendations of @IPPR . This will bring stability against shocks and hugely reduce market uncertainty.
Reposted by William Cullerne Bown
£18m for playgrounds. It's not much but it's one of those small things that will measurably improve lives. There's nothing more depressing than a derelict playground.
November 26, 2025 at 1:04 PM
£18m for playgrounds. It's not much but it's one of those small things that will measurably improve lives. There's nothing more depressing than a derelict playground.
Today I consider The Singularity. Are we heading for abundance, destruction or something else?
Staring into The Singularity
Generative AI and the transformation of humanity
open.substack.com
November 26, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Today I consider The Singularity. Are we heading for abundance, destruction or something else?
Reposted by William Cullerne Bown
Gibb; “ I had no editorial role whatsoever at the Jewish Chronicle”. Lee Harpin, reporter at the paper; “RG made a habit of calling into the office on print days to check up on what stories were topping the news list, and offering a view’”
November 24, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Gibb; “ I had no editorial role whatsoever at the Jewish Chronicle”. Lee Harpin, reporter at the paper; “RG made a habit of calling into the office on print days to check up on what stories were topping the news list, and offering a view’”
FFS
But also, totally believable.
But also, totally believable.
“Do you think the BBC is institutionally biased?” Michael Prescott, author of the Telegraph dossier: “I don’t”
November 24, 2025 at 3:49 PM
FFS
But also, totally believable.
But also, totally believable.
Reposted by William Cullerne Bown
“Do you think the BBC is institutionally biased?” Michael Prescott, author of the Telegraph dossier: “I don’t”
November 24, 2025 at 3:47 PM
“Do you think the BBC is institutionally biased?” Michael Prescott, author of the Telegraph dossier: “I don’t”
My experience with the NHS today
🧵
🧵
November 24, 2025 at 3:42 PM
My experience with the NHS today
🧵
🧵
Reposted by William Cullerne Bown
The crazy thing about Trump II is that we really have no idea who is drafting the war plans or the peace plans, or even how much Trump is in the loop on either.
November 24, 2025 at 2:40 PM
The crazy thing about Trump II is that we really have no idea who is drafting the war plans or the peace plans, or even how much Trump is in the loop on either.
Oh. So the UK move to insist on two staircases in even low rise buildings is a mistake?
“Culver City becomes first California city to allow six-story apartment buildings with just one staircase, a move to ease housing construction and affordability. Single staircases reclaim 7% of space for actual homes while creating wider units with better light—and fitting on smaller urban parcels.”
One California city’s idea to tackle the housing crisis: Take the stairs
Culver City becomes first California city to allow six-story apartment buildings with just one staircase, a bold move to ease housing construction and affordability.
www.latimes.com
November 23, 2025 at 8:50 PM
Oh. So the UK move to insist on two staircases in even low rise buildings is a mistake?
Reposted by William Cullerne Bown
Two thirds.
MAGA is an illusion.
MAGA is an illusion.
ALMOST! But he already disabled it!!
November 23, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Two thirds.
MAGA is an illusion.
MAGA is an illusion.
Reposted by William Cullerne Bown
If I’m understanding this correctly, X is owned by a white nationalist who pays poor people of color in developing countries to pretend to be working class white Americans to scare other white Americans into being afraid poor people of color from developing countries are going to ruin America?
November 23, 2025 at 7:30 PM
If I’m understanding this correctly, X is owned by a white nationalist who pays poor people of color in developing countries to pretend to be working class white Americans to scare other white Americans into being afraid poor people of color from developing countries are going to ruin America?
Reposted by William Cullerne Bown
I see Johnson is back in the news. I wrote this awhile ago now, partly in hope, but still believe he will eventually only be vaguely recalled as is a lingering but fading fruity fart. www.spectator.co.uk/article/bori...
Boris Johnson's fate is to be forgotten
Winning the 2019 election with a thumping majority was the worse thing to happen to Boris Johnson
www.spectator.co.uk
November 23, 2025 at 9:23 AM
I see Johnson is back in the news. I wrote this awhile ago now, partly in hope, but still believe he will eventually only be vaguely recalled as is a lingering but fading fruity fart. www.spectator.co.uk/article/bori...
Reposted by William Cullerne Bown
A former guest who knows him, once told me that Trump sees politics as a reality show. Whatever else happens, by Friday every week, he has to "win the episode", ensure he's the principal character, make the last shot.
Once you tune into that, everything begins to make a twisted sort of sense.
Once you tune into that, everything begins to make a twisted sort of sense.
November 23, 2025 at 9:05 AM
A former guest who knows him, once told me that Trump sees politics as a reality show. Whatever else happens, by Friday every week, he has to "win the episode", ensure he's the principal character, make the last shot.
Once you tune into that, everything begins to make a twisted sort of sense.
Once you tune into that, everything begins to make a twisted sort of sense.
Great!
Strong relationships like Canada and the UK’s are fundamental to economic growth and security.
Today, Keir Starmer and I met to discuss new opportunities in energy, technology, and critical minerals — as well as next steps toward a just and lasting peace for Ukraine and Europe.
Today, Keir Starmer and I met to discuss new opportunities in energy, technology, and critical minerals — as well as next steps toward a just and lasting peace for Ukraine and Europe.
November 22, 2025 at 11:46 PM
Great!
Reposted by William Cullerne Bown
"Once the immigration figures came out, we acted" writes Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch on the party missing its targets to reduce net migration (!)
> Party missed "tens of thousands" target in 36 consecutive quarters, 2010-2019
> Made some changes after 52 quarters in power in Dec 2023
> Party missed "tens of thousands" target in 36 consecutive quarters, 2010-2019
> Made some changes after 52 quarters in power in Dec 2023
November 22, 2025 at 11:31 PM
"Once the immigration figures came out, we acted" writes Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch on the party missing its targets to reduce net migration (!)
> Party missed "tens of thousands" target in 36 consecutive quarters, 2010-2019
> Made some changes after 52 quarters in power in Dec 2023
> Party missed "tens of thousands" target in 36 consecutive quarters, 2010-2019
> Made some changes after 52 quarters in power in Dec 2023
Reposted by William Cullerne Bown
Can he make your boobs bigger? Yes!
"You can agree or disagree with him, but Polanski does not pretend to be something he is not.
He is unusually willing for a politician to give a straight answer to questions.
Does he want to rejoin the EU? “Yes."
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
He is unusually willing for a politician to give a straight answer to questions.
Does he want to rejoin the EU? “Yes."
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Zack Polanski: ‘People will have to find some other way to hurt me’ | The Observer
observer.co.uk
November 22, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Can he make your boobs bigger? Yes!
Reposted by William Cullerne Bown
so everyone is being really stupid about hemp fiber in a way that I think is actually pretty bad-faith youtu.be/ZCdR4x0gF3k?...
The Real Reason Hemp Hasn’t Replaced Cotton
YouTube video by The Hustle
youtu.be
November 22, 2025 at 8:21 AM
so everyone is being really stupid about hemp fiber in a way that I think is actually pretty bad-faith youtu.be/ZCdR4x0gF3k?...
Reposted by William Cullerne Bown
Roseberry Topping sunset, north Yorkshire, photo by Harrogate-based landscape photographer Paula Beaumont.
November 22, 2025 at 9:02 AM
Roseberry Topping sunset, north Yorkshire, photo by Harrogate-based landscape photographer Paula Beaumont.
Reposted by William Cullerne Bown
What stage of fascism is it when the leader doesn’t mind being called a fascist? 🤔 #Trumpland #USFascism
Reporter: Are you affirming that you think the president is a fascist?
Mamdani: I've spoken about --
Trump: Just say yes, it's easier than explaining.
Mamdani: I've spoken about --
Trump: Just say yes, it's easier than explaining.
November 21, 2025 at 9:29 PM
What stage of fascism is it when the leader doesn’t mind being called a fascist? 🤔 #Trumpland #USFascism
Reposted by William Cullerne Bown
This (from: www.ft.com/content/75ce...) is something you can *feel* if you are in the UK, especially if you've experienced living abroad. But infuriatingly successive governments and our entire media are somehow absolutely committed to suggesting anyone who wants to change this is the devil...
November 21, 2025 at 7:38 AM
This (from: www.ft.com/content/75ce...) is something you can *feel* if you are in the UK, especially if you've experienced living abroad. But infuriatingly successive governments and our entire media are somehow absolutely committed to suggesting anyone who wants to change this is the devil...
Reposted by William Cullerne Bown
it’s not so much that digital media divide us as they dissolve us. the space of what you can interact with is constituted ever more sparsely of humans.
November 21, 2025 at 7:38 PM
it’s not so much that digital media divide us as they dissolve us. the space of what you can interact with is constituted ever more sparsely of humans.