Richard Bates
@discript.com
Publisher – fiction and non-fiction. Friend to writers. Dementia carer. Cyclist. Activist. Cat parent.
Liberal Democrat 🔶 elected to Chichester District Council (UK) in 2023, also on West Sussex County Council Health & Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee.
Liberal Democrat 🔶 elected to Chichester District Council (UK) in 2023, also on West Sussex County Council Health & Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee.
Pinned
Richard Bates
@discript.com
· Jan 23
The reason we annually mark #HolocaustMemorialDay is so we never forget.
“We need a wholesale re-evaluation of how all property is taxed. This will be foundational to rebalancing the housing system and raising public money, therefore today’s announcement is a deflection from the fundamental issue: our inherently regressive council tax system.”
#UKBudget
#UKBudget
'Mansion tax' barely even touches the sides. Wholesale reform of council tax is needed.
Labour again lack the courage to tax the wealthiest adequately & the conviction to properly support the millions struggling to pay their rent & bills
My view: www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Labour again lack the courage to tax the wealthiest adequately & the conviction to properly support the millions struggling to pay their rent & bills
My view: www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Has Rachel Reeves made the right calls in this budget? Our panel responds | Polly Toynbee and others
After a tumultuous run-up to a make-or-break moment for the government, has the chancellor struck the right balance?
www.theguardian.com
November 26, 2025 at 6:58 PM
“We need a wholesale re-evaluation of how all property is taxed. This will be foundational to rebalancing the housing system and raising public money, therefore today’s announcement is a deflection from the fundamental issue: our inherently regressive council tax system.”
#UKBudget
#UKBudget
#UnpaidCarers: ‘those who have selflessly given up their lives to care for loved ones – saving the state an estimated £184bn a year – have been criminalised by a policy riddled with “systemic flaws” and a culture that assumed “negligence as a default”.’
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
‘Outdated and ever less fit for purpose’: five takeaways from the carer’s allowance report
Dysfunctional DWP failed to notify some carers that they were accruing enormous debt for years, Liz Sayce’s damning report reveals
www.theguardian.com
November 25, 2025 at 10:56 PM
#UnpaidCarers: ‘those who have selflessly given up their lives to care for loved ones – saving the state an estimated £184bn a year – have been criminalised by a policy riddled with “systemic flaws” and a culture that assumed “negligence as a default”.’
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
🎯
THE BOROWITZ REPORT: Trump Refuses to Pardon Turkey After it Fails to Bribe Him
www.borowitzreport.com/p/trump-refu...
www.borowitzreport.com/p/trump-refu...
Trump Refuses to Pardon Turkey After it Fails to Bribe Him
"This turkey is a terrible person," Trump said.
www.borowitzreport.com
November 24, 2025 at 12:24 PM
🎯
Tory-run WSCC decided to freeze council tax for years and now has a deficit of £212M. Who in their right mind would think that taxes could be reduced when the price of everything else is on the increase?
They had to sacrifice someone, so cruelly chose dementia patients in a well-run care home.
They had to sacrifice someone, so cruelly chose dementia patients in a well-run care home.
Members of Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee heard today that Conservative-run West Sussex County Council has been running down the dementia care home since COVID making its closure inevitable, and of the trauma this will cause patients, families and staff
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Final decision made to close Worthing dementia home after review
West Sussex County Council says adult services is currently running at an overspend of £12m.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 24, 2025 at 11:54 AM
Tory-run WSCC decided to freeze council tax for years and now has a deficit of £212M. Who in their right mind would think that taxes could be reduced when the price of everything else is on the increase?
They had to sacrifice someone, so cruelly chose dementia patients in a well-run care home.
They had to sacrifice someone, so cruelly chose dementia patients in a well-run care home.
The guest on today’s Private Passions is Canadian crime writer Louise Penny who is a self-confessed addict of Bach’s music. (Worse things to be addicted to also crop up.)
“Do a little more listening and a little less talking,” she urges, and we listen with fascination.
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
“Do a little more listening and a little less talking,” she urges, and we listen with fascination.
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Private Passions - Louise Penny - BBC Sounds
Michael Berkeley's guest is the crime fiction writer Louise Penny.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 23, 2025 at 1:47 PM
The guest on today’s Private Passions is Canadian crime writer Louise Penny who is a self-confessed addict of Bach’s music. (Worse things to be addicted to also crop up.)
“Do a little more listening and a little less talking,” she urges, and we listen with fascination.
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
“Do a little more listening and a little less talking,” she urges, and we listen with fascination.
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
From tariffs to taxation, to supporting Ukraine in their struggle for democracy, the decisions must be ratified by the US Congress, not the demented criminals illegally demolishing the White House.
Congress, pay attention. We the People decide where our money goes — not the President. And we are demanding full support for Ukraine, with everything they need to win. Trump does not hold the power of the purse. The American people do. Act accordingly.
November 23, 2025 at 12:17 PM
From tariffs to taxation, to supporting Ukraine in their struggle for democracy, the decisions must be ratified by the US Congress, not the demented criminals illegally demolishing the White House.
When a president lost an election and tried to launch a coup, one country has put him under arrest. Whatever happened to #J6?
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Brazilian police arrest Bolsonaro amid suspicions he was about to flee
Politician reportedly taken from his villa into custody at a federal police base about 7 miles from presidential palace
www.theguardian.com
November 22, 2025 at 1:16 PM
When a president lost an election and tried to launch a coup, one country has put him under arrest. Whatever happened to #J6?
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Reposted by Richard Bates
‘Ukrainians would be mad to accept Trump deal’, says John Bolton
www.channel4.com/news/ukraini...
www.channel4.com/news/ukraini...
‘Ukrainians would be mad to accept Trump deal’, says John Bolton
We spoke to John Bolton who used to advise Donald Trump but who has turned into a fierce critic.
www.channel4.com
November 21, 2025 at 7:28 PM
‘Ukrainians would be mad to accept Trump deal’, says John Bolton
www.channel4.com/news/ukraini...
www.channel4.com/news/ukraini...
After the controversial biopic “The Apprentice” fizzled into a long period of distribution uncertainty following some positive reviews at the Cannes film festival, it’s now available to stream on Netflix till 14 Dec.
Don’t miss it.
www.theguardian.com/film/2024/oc...
Don’t miss it.
www.theguardian.com/film/2024/oc...
‘I’m fine with people bashing us’: inside the controversial Trump biopic
The Apprentice depicts the ex-president’s come up, a gamble that’s led to legal threats and Hollywood discourse
www.theguardian.com
November 22, 2025 at 12:58 PM
After the controversial biopic “The Apprentice” fizzled into a long period of distribution uncertainty following some positive reviews at the Cannes film festival, it’s now available to stream on Netflix till 14 Dec.
Don’t miss it.
www.theguardian.com/film/2024/oc...
Don’t miss it.
www.theguardian.com/film/2024/oc...
“new line is also expected to unlock land for 25,000 new homes and up to 10,000 new jobs, along with almost £18bn of private investment in the area.”
Installing infrastructure before building new homes could help rural West Sussex too – just imagine!
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Installing infrastructure before building new homes could help rural West Sussex too – just imagine!
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Reeves to back DLR extension in major boost for deprived London district
Treasury source says chancellor will announce £1.7bn plan for rail link to Thamesmead in south-east of capital
www.theguardian.com
November 20, 2025 at 10:23 PM
“new line is also expected to unlock land for 25,000 new homes and up to 10,000 new jobs, along with almost £18bn of private investment in the area.”
Installing infrastructure before building new homes could help rural West Sussex too – just imagine!
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Installing infrastructure before building new homes could help rural West Sussex too – just imagine!
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
I have been campaigning for a dedicated cycle route between Chichester and Emsworth since a cyclist was killed in Fishbourne in 2020. This #ChEmRoute would be a protected lane for 6 miles alongside the A259, but has been delayed due to funding shortages. How many more #cyclists will die?
Another reminder that a 13-year study found that protected bike-lanes led to a drastic decline in fatalities for all road users.
ALL ROAD USERS.
And painted bike-lanes? No safety improvement at all.
For sharrows, it’s actually safer to NOT have them.
Via @usa.streetsblog.org @nyc.streetsblog.org
ALL ROAD USERS.
And painted bike-lanes? No safety improvement at all.
For sharrows, it’s actually safer to NOT have them.
Via @usa.streetsblog.org @nyc.streetsblog.org
Separated Bike Lanes Means Safer Streets, Study Says — Streetsblog USA
Cities that build protected lanes for cyclists end up with safer roads for people on bikes and people in cars and on foot, a new study of 12 large metropolises revealed Wednesday.
usa.streetsblog.org
November 17, 2025 at 10:35 AM
I have been campaigning for a dedicated cycle route between Chichester and Emsworth since a cyclist was killed in Fishbourne in 2020. This #ChEmRoute would be a protected lane for 6 miles alongside the A259, but has been delayed due to funding shortages. How many more #cyclists will die?
Did you spot it?
This government wants to use a PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP for Neighbourhood Health Centres in its 10 year NHS plan
*Even though Private Finance Initiatives mean the NHS paying up to 27 x over for hospitals*
Take 1 minute to say no weownit.org.uk/act-now/no-n...
This government wants to use a PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP for Neighbourhood Health Centres in its 10 year NHS plan
*Even though Private Finance Initiatives mean the NHS paying up to 27 x over for hospitals*
Take 1 minute to say no weownit.org.uk/act-now/no-n...
No new PFI in Neighbourhood Health Services | We Own It
Wes Streeting: do not use a “Public Private Partnership” to finance Neighbourhood Health Centres
weownit.org.uk
November 16, 2025 at 11:17 PM
Everybody knows:
“we’re both disaffected with where politics has gone in this country. We both recognise that the biggest problem we’ve got is this massive #inequality, and neither of us think the parties we used to be aligned with are addressing it.”
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
“we’re both disaffected with where politics has gone in this country. We both recognise that the biggest problem we’ve got is this massive #inequality, and neither of us think the parties we used to be aligned with are addressing it.”
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
Dining across the divide: ‘We both came out thinking Zack Polanski is a breath of fresh air’
They both liked the Greens’ Zack Polanski and disliked the tech oligarchs. But could they find common cause over the power of the unions?
www.theguardian.com
November 16, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Everybody knows:
“we’re both disaffected with where politics has gone in this country. We both recognise that the biggest problem we’ve got is this massive #inequality, and neither of us think the parties we used to be aligned with are addressing it.”
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
“we’re both disaffected with where politics has gone in this country. We both recognise that the biggest problem we’ve got is this massive #inequality, and neither of us think the parties we used to be aligned with are addressing it.”
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
#LocalGovernment leaders have been clear about the need for a fair and sustainable funding system that reflects and responds to the real levels of deprivation and demand.. councils will continue to face impossible choices around which essential services to allocate spend to, and which to cut.”
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 1:50 AM
#LocalGovernment leaders have been clear about the need for a fair and sustainable funding system that reflects and responds to the real levels of deprivation and demand.. councils will continue to face impossible choices around which essential services to allocate spend to, and which to cut.”
Reposted by Richard Bates
‘Using almost a decade of data since the referendum…
estimates suggest that by 2025, Brexit had reduced UK GDP by 6% to 8% with the impact accumulating gradually over time.’
Farage, the Tories, and Putin did this.
Yet the media want people to be angry at Labour for not breaking their manifesto.
estimates suggest that by 2025, Brexit had reduced UK GDP by 6% to 8% with the impact accumulating gradually over time.’
Farage, the Tories, and Putin did this.
Yet the media want people to be angry at Labour for not breaking their manifesto.
November 14, 2025 at 8:24 PM
‘Using almost a decade of data since the referendum…
estimates suggest that by 2025, Brexit had reduced UK GDP by 6% to 8% with the impact accumulating gradually over time.’
Farage, the Tories, and Putin did this.
Yet the media want people to be angry at Labour for not breaking their manifesto.
estimates suggest that by 2025, Brexit had reduced UK GDP by 6% to 8% with the impact accumulating gradually over time.’
Farage, the Tories, and Putin did this.
Yet the media want people to be angry at Labour for not breaking their manifesto.
Take it from someone who knows from experience on a district council planning committee:
The planning system is BROKEN.
The planning system is BROKEN.
Watching Labour MPs take a wrecking ball to nature makes me so angry & so sad. Their action tonight voting down amendments to the #PlanningBill intended to protect wildlife & habitats from destruction is so reckless & so counterproductive. People didn’t vote Labour for this 👇
Housing secretary tells Labour MPs to vote down planning bill amendment
Amendment restricts protection for animals to allow faster house building
www.theguardian.com
November 14, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Take it from someone who knows from experience on a district council planning committee:
The planning system is BROKEN.
The planning system is BROKEN.
What kind of government do we have that would allow this to happen?
Brenda Miles, a 98-year-old with dementia, who spent her £240,000 life savings on care bills, has been evicted with just two days' notice, after her money ran out
Every government makes noises about "fixing social care", then kicks it into the long grass
archive.ph/Vn67i
Every government makes noises about "fixing social care", then kicks it into the long grass
archive.ph/Vn67i
November 13, 2025 at 10:24 PM
What kind of government do we have that would allow this to happen?
Reposted by Richard Bates
As a carer myself caring for my father afflicted with #dementia, I can attest that his need for familiar faces, food, and the comfort of his own home has been more important than any clinical therapies to maintain his health and wellbeing.
#Carers, paid or unpaid family members, can agree with Ed.
#Carers, paid or unpaid family members, can agree with Ed.
November 13, 2025 at 10:22 AM
Reposted by Richard Bates
Robbie Gibb was appointed to the BBC Board by Boris Johnson, was an editorial advisor for GB News, and worked as Theresa May's Director of Comms.
He is not impartial or neutral. The government should remove him from the Board immediately to protect the BBC's independence.
He is not impartial or neutral. The government should remove him from the Board immediately to protect the BBC's independence.
November 11, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Robbie Gibb was appointed to the BBC Board by Boris Johnson, was an editorial advisor for GB News, and worked as Theresa May's Director of Comms.
He is not impartial or neutral. The government should remove him from the Board immediately to protect the BBC's independence.
He is not impartial or neutral. The government should remove him from the Board immediately to protect the BBC's independence.
Reposted by Richard Bates
