Garvan Walshe
@garvanwalshe.org
Civic entrepreneur building tech for democrats of all parties and none at Article7.eu. I also chair Unhack Democracy and write on foreign affairs, defence and democracy.
Pinned
Garvan Walshe
@garvanwalshe.org
· Jun 30
Fundraiser by Unhack Democracy | Unhack Democracy
Unhack Democracy Needs Your Help | 💡 Bold . Hopeful. Creative. Building a new vision for democracy in Europe. Since we started Unhack Democracy in 2018 to show voters and the internatio...
whydonate.com
Unhack Democracy, the pro-democracy civil society incubator I chair is raising money.
We fight against elected autocrats including Viktor Orban.
We support civil society innovation in Hungary, Poland and Bulgaria
🧵 On our story
Please share widely
whydonate.com/fundraising/...
We fight against elected autocrats including Viktor Orban.
We support civil society innovation in Hungary, Poland and Bulgaria
🧵 On our story
Please share widely
whydonate.com/fundraising/...
Finally an excuse to get the white tie out
November 25, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Finally an excuse to get the white tie out
Taxation without representation!
Tourist Tax is fine I think. Worth noting though how this started as an idea for local authority discretion but seems likely to end as a Treasury imposition on England. The unchanging policy that HMT must control as much as possible. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Reeves Budget to Embrace Tourist Tax for Cities Including London
The UK will allow Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and other local leaders to impose a “tourist tax” on overnight stays in English cities.
www.bloomberg.com
November 25, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Taxation without representation!
My coding LLM is stuck in a loop. I ask it what’s wrong. It tells me:
🤖:
Solutions
To fix this, I should:
1. Check the current state first; Look at what's actually in the file now rather than assuming what should be there
👏 Bravo my little robot, bravo! 👏
🤖:
Solutions
To fix this, I should:
1. Check the current state first; Look at what's actually in the file now rather than assuming what should be there
👏 Bravo my little robot, bravo! 👏
November 25, 2025 at 11:57 AM
My coding LLM is stuck in a loop. I ask it what’s wrong. It tells me:
🤖:
Solutions
To fix this, I should:
1. Check the current state first; Look at what's actually in the file now rather than assuming what should be there
👏 Bravo my little robot, bravo! 👏
🤖:
Solutions
To fix this, I should:
1. Check the current state first; Look at what's actually in the file now rather than assuming what should be there
👏 Bravo my little robot, bravo! 👏
Righteous fury in this highly recommended piece, but the fury should focus on core Western Europe which thinks you can fight the war without fighting. NB8, Poland, Romanian (and when they had a serious Govt, Bulgaria and Czechia) are taking this seriously.
"Europe’s problem is not that it lacks options. It is that it refuses to use them". Jade McGlynn skewers both the Dmitriev/Witkoff plan for Ukraine's destruction, & Europe's refusal to act decisively enough to prevent disaster. open.substack.com/pub/smalldee...
Circus
Amidst the absolute chaos of a Witkoff-stamped Russian psyop-as-peace plan, discussion is filled with anger at Washington and at Moscow.
open.substack.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:50 AM
Righteous fury in this highly recommended piece, but the fury should focus on core Western Europe which thinks you can fight the war without fighting. NB8, Poland, Romanian (and when they had a serious Govt, Bulgaria and Czechia) are taking this seriously.
V interesting and well worth reading.
I would like to hear more about price differentials between countries. The change, and the increasing competitiveness of southern rather than Northern Europe is playing a role here I think.
FYI @johnspringford.bsky.social
I would like to hear more about price differentials between countries. The change, and the increasing competitiveness of southern rather than Northern Europe is playing a role here I think.
FYI @johnspringford.bsky.social
According to Oxford professor of energy Jan Rosenow, rapid electrification of Europe's industry, not rolling back the EU's Green Deal, will save European industry.
Why electrification, not repealing green laws, will save Europe's industry
According to Oxford professor of energy Jan Rosenow, rapid electrification of Europe's industry, not rolling back the EU's Green Deal, will save European industry.
euobserver.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:03 AM
V interesting and well worth reading.
I would like to hear more about price differentials between countries. The change, and the increasing competitiveness of southern rather than Northern Europe is playing a role here I think.
FYI @johnspringford.bsky.social
I would like to hear more about price differentials between countries. The change, and the increasing competitiveness of southern rather than Northern Europe is playing a role here I think.
FYI @johnspringford.bsky.social
Trump makes Napoleon III look sane.
All this will do is put the oil price up and make solar power’s cost advantage even greater.
All this will do is put the oil price up and make solar power’s cost advantage even greater.
Rep. Salazar on Venezuela: "We're about to go in ... we need to go in ... Venezuela for the American oil companies will be a field day"
November 24, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Trump makes Napoleon III look sane.
All this will do is put the oil price up and make solar power’s cost advantage even greater.
All this will do is put the oil price up and make solar power’s cost advantage even greater.
If there’s almost nothing left of the original, is it still the same agreement?
Perhaps Theseus or Trigger might like to comment.
Perhaps Theseus or Trigger might like to comment.
💥 US and Ukraine have drafted a new 19-point peace deal in Geneva, but left the most politically sensitive elements to be decided by the countries’ presidents, Kyiv negotiator Sergiy Kyslytsya tells @christopherjm.ft.com
"Very few things are left from the original version"
on.ft.com/48w8tnY
"Very few things are left from the original version"
on.ft.com/48w8tnY
US and Ukraine draft new 19-point peace plan but defer biggest decisions
[FREE TO READ] The most politically sensitive elements left for Trump and Zelenskyy to discuss
on.ft.com
November 24, 2025 at 4:05 PM
If there’s almost nothing left of the original, is it still the same agreement?
Perhaps Theseus or Trigger might like to comment.
Perhaps Theseus or Trigger might like to comment.
Russia: Here Don, this’ll work
EU: (privately) this is fucking nuts (publicly) we’ll work constructively to improve it
Russia: The EU is weak, let’s push harder
US: Russia are ridiculous, can’t take yes for
an answer.
(Two months pass)
Russia: Here Don….
EU: (privately) this is fucking nuts (publicly) we’ll work constructively to improve it
Russia: The EU is weak, let’s push harder
US: Russia are ridiculous, can’t take yes for
an answer.
(Two months pass)
Russia: Here Don….
November 24, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Russia: Here Don, this’ll work
EU: (privately) this is fucking nuts (publicly) we’ll work constructively to improve it
Russia: The EU is weak, let’s push harder
US: Russia are ridiculous, can’t take yes for
an answer.
(Two months pass)
Russia: Here Don….
EU: (privately) this is fucking nuts (publicly) we’ll work constructively to improve it
Russia: The EU is weak, let’s push harder
US: Russia are ridiculous, can’t take yes for
an answer.
(Two months pass)
Russia: Here Don….
We are eight,
And we won’t wait!
And we won’t wait!
Nordic-Baltic will continue to arm Ukraine and strengthen Europe’s defence to deter further Russian aggression. As long as Russia continues its war against Ukraine, we will also support strengthening sanctions and wider economic measures.
Joint Statement by the Leaders of the Nordic-Baltic Eight
We – the leaders of the Nordic-Baltic Eight – spoke with President Zelenskyy today. We have from the outset of Russia’s war of aggression stood by Ukraine’s side and we will continue to do so. Our res...
www.regjeringen.no
November 24, 2025 at 2:03 PM
We are eight,
And we won’t wait!
And we won’t wait!
Excellent piece!
The 28-point trap is a Russian geopolitical roulette. Basic negotiating principle says: no concessions to terrorist demands
visegradinsight.eu/no-concessio...
visegradinsight.eu/no-concessio...
No Concessions to Terrorist Demands – COMMENTARY
The EU and NATO must not agree to any concessions to Russia in Trump's Peace Plan for Ukraine. Read an expert commentary to find out why.
visegradinsight.eu
November 24, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Excellent piece!
Well this sure seems awkward for Reform’s new Chief Advisor on Global Affairs who has long campaigned against antisemitism.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Farage urged to explain conspiracy theories linked to antisemitism he voiced in US media
Exclusive: The Reform UK leader discussed far-right talking points in web TV and radio appearances between 2009 and 2018
www.theguardian.com
November 24, 2025 at 9:38 AM
Well this sure seems awkward for Reform’s new Chief Advisor on Global Affairs who has long campaigned against antisemitism.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Garvan Walshe
Donald Trump’s 28-point plan to end the fighting in Ukraine would be a dream outcome for the Kremlin. Here is how Europeans can ensure it does not become their continent’s nightmare (by @jkobzova.bsky.social)
ecfr.eu/article/what...
ecfr.eu/article/what...
What Europe should do about a bad Ukraine deal
Donald Trump’s 28-point plan to end the fighting in Ukraine would be a dream outcome for the Kremlin. Here is how Europeans can ensure it does not become their continent’s nightmare.
ecfr.eu
November 23, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Donald Trump’s 28-point plan to end the fighting in Ukraine would be a dream outcome for the Kremlin. Here is how Europeans can ensure it does not become their continent’s nightmare (by @jkobzova.bsky.social)
ecfr.eu/article/what...
ecfr.eu/article/what...
Rachman’s analysis is poor here on the military position of Ukraine.
Well informed analysts like Michael Korfman and Lawrence freedman dispute this account of Ukraine’s military condition
on.ft.com/4a638VK Ukraine has no choice but to engage with US peace plan
Well informed analysts like Michael Korfman and Lawrence freedman dispute this account of Ukraine’s military condition
on.ft.com/4a638VK Ukraine has no choice but to engage with US peace plan
Ukraine has no choice but to engage with US peace plan
The American proposal is biased in favour of Russia. But it is not the final word
on.ft.com
November 23, 2025 at 8:57 PM
Rachman’s analysis is poor here on the military position of Ukraine.
Well informed analysts like Michael Korfman and Lawrence freedman dispute this account of Ukraine’s military condition
on.ft.com/4a638VK Ukraine has no choice but to engage with US peace plan
Well informed analysts like Michael Korfman and Lawrence freedman dispute this account of Ukraine’s military condition
on.ft.com/4a638VK Ukraine has no choice but to engage with US peace plan
Reposted by Garvan Walshe
The 28 points would strip Ukraine of its sovereignty and security. It would reward Putin for his aggression and thereby encourage him to go even further. This is unacceptable.
November 23, 2025 at 6:45 PM
The 28 points would strip Ukraine of its sovereignty and security. It would reward Putin for his aggression and thereby encourage him to go even further. This is unacceptable.
We should not be proposing an army cap of any size. If true this is strategic insanity.
New from us:
Europeans have submitted a modified version of the United States' peace plan for Ukraine that pushes back on proposed limits to Kyiv's armed forces and territorial concessions, according to a document seen by Reuters on Sunday.
Story below, we'll also publish full text.
Europeans have submitted a modified version of the United States' peace plan for Ukraine that pushes back on proposed limits to Kyiv's armed forces and territorial concessions, according to a document seen by Reuters on Sunday.
Story below, we'll also publish full text.
www.reuters.com
November 23, 2025 at 4:59 PM
We should not be proposing an army cap of any size. If true this is strategic insanity.
Excellent idea
Europe has a foreign policy problem. It does need to engage in these talks and doing so as 7 or 8 leaders just doesn't work. It makes it easy to work around Europe. So the EU should pick a special envoy - perhaps the fmr Finnish president Niinisto or a Draghi type to engage on behalf of Europe.
No formal "counter-proposal" from Europeans in Geneva - whose leaders instead agreed to try to dilute or amend US-Russian draft to keep Trump onside - but a list of demands on UA territory, size of army & EU control over frozen assets & sanctions
w @christopherjm.ft.com
www.ft.com/content/9e11...
w @christopherjm.ft.com
www.ft.com/content/9e11...
November 23, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Excellent idea
During the elections Nawrocki told his country they’d be better off cosying up to Trump rather than building alliances with their neighbours in the EU.
That’s going well I see
That’s going well I see
Poland's President is NOT amused by Trump's latest about-face on the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
November 22, 2025 at 4:20 PM
During the elections Nawrocki told his country they’d be better off cosying up to Trump rather than building alliances with their neighbours in the EU.
That’s going well I see
That’s going well I see
Not a peace plan: but a corrupt deal in the tradition of Ribbentrop-Molotov and Yalta.
The definitive piece on this proposal.
The definitive piece on this proposal.
This is not a peace plan. It is a proposal that weakens Ukraine and divides America from Europe, preparing the way for a larger war in the future. In the meantime, it benefits unnamed Russian and American investors, at the expense of everyone else.
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
Trump Has a Recipe for War and Corruption, Not Peace
Who would benefit from the White House’s 28-point proposal for Ukraine?
www.theatlantic.com
November 22, 2025 at 11:17 AM
Not a peace plan: but a corrupt deal in the tradition of Ribbentrop-Molotov and Yalta.
The definitive piece on this proposal.
The definitive piece on this proposal.
Heh. But 1991 borders - they need to get out of Trandsnistria.
A fully equivalent plan would also have:
- Free and fair elections for national and regional government in Russia
- Lustration for security services personnel
- Natural resources income in a fund administered by Norway
A fully equivalent plan would also have:
- Free and fair elections for national and regional government in Russia
- Lustration for security services personnel
- Natural resources income in a fund administered by Norway
November 22, 2025 at 10:44 AM
Heh. But 1991 borders - they need to get out of Trandsnistria.
A fully equivalent plan would also have:
- Free and fair elections for national and regional government in Russia
- Lustration for security services personnel
- Natural resources income in a fund administered by Norway
A fully equivalent plan would also have:
- Free and fair elections for national and regional government in Russia
- Lustration for security services personnel
- Natural resources income in a fund administered by Norway
It seems now that this latest “peace plan” may even have been originally written in Russian.
So you know what to do…
So you know what to do…
November 22, 2025 at 9:15 AM
It seems now that this latest “peace plan” may even have been originally written in Russian.
So you know what to do…
So you know what to do…
Fact!*
Studying philosophy does make people better thinkers, according to new research on more than 600,000 college grads
Philosophy majors rank higher than all other majors on verbal and logical reasoning. theconversation.com/studying-phi... #philosophy #skills #thinking #PhilosophySky #philsky
Philosophy majors rank higher than all other majors on verbal and logical reasoning. theconversation.com/studying-phi... #philosophy #skills #thinking #PhilosophySky #philsky
Studying philosophy does make people better thinkers, according to new research on more than 600,000 college grads
Philosophers are fond of saying that their field boosts critical thinking. Two of them decided to put that claim to the test.
theconversation.com
November 21, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Fact!*
Isambard Kitten Brunel sounds like it was named by Gillian Peele. Is that right?
I reckon you can learn a lot about the atmosphere in various Oxford colleges by looking at what they choose to name their cats (courtesy of @oxfordclarion.bsky.social ). We should all aspire to the energy of a Teabag, Isambard Kitten Brunel, or an Admiral Flapjack
oxfordclarion.uk/college-cats...
oxfordclarion.uk/college-cats...
November 21, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Isambard Kitten Brunel sounds like it was named by Gillian Peele. Is that right?
Question for Ukrainian speakers - when Zelensky said Ukraine faces a choice between dignity and an important partner, should this be taken as an allusion to the Revolution of Dignity?
November 21, 2025 at 6:58 PM
Question for Ukrainian speakers - when Zelensky said Ukraine faces a choice between dignity and an important partner, should this be taken as an allusion to the Revolution of Dignity?
Evergreen
(I have read the government's consultation paper carefully. Nowhere does it answer this very simple question -what is this policy supposed to achieve?)
November 21, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Evergreen