Helen H@Bluesomeh
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helenh.bsky.social
Helen H@Bluesomeh
@helenh.bsky.social
2.1K followers 5.8K following 660 posts
Passionate environmentalist, climate change believer and animal lover. Europhile, hate Brexit. Interested in books, nature, woke politics, the law. Here for the jokes too.
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Reposted by Helen H@Bluesomeh
anneapplebaum.bsky.social
"By 2025, Brexit had reduced UK GDP by 6% to 8%, with the impact accumulating gradually over time. We estimate that investment was reduced by between 12% and 18%, employment by 3% to 4% and productivity by 3% to 4%"

Read the Stanford report:
siepr.stanford.edu/publications...
The Economic Impact of Brexit
Other
siepr.stanford.edu
November 25, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Reposted by Helen H@Bluesomeh
rutgerbregman.com
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.

They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
November 25, 2025 at 9:26 AM
Reposted by Helen H@Bluesomeh
sathnam.bsky.social
"The guidance is not enforceable".

Ofcom is hopelessly out of touch with what is a national emergency.

www.thetimes.com/article/c47a...
Ofcom bans social media giants from using ‘toxic’ algorithms
Regulator targets ‘manosphere’ misogyny and hate as seen in content produced by Andrew Tate
www.thetimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 7:50 AM
Reposted by Helen H@Bluesomeh
realjakebroe.bsky.social
Trump's 28 point "peace plan" screws over Poland and all of Eastern Europe. Russia wants Eastern Europe weakened for their next attack.
November 24, 2025 at 4:18 AM
Reposted by Helen H@Bluesomeh
strategywoman.bsky.social
Kyiv is under missile attack.
It’s very loud.
Nothing new, really.
Just thought the world should know.
November 24, 2025 at 11:30 PM
Reposted by Helen H@Bluesomeh
peterstefanovic.bsky.social
This petition calling for a public inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics & democracy already has over 30,000 signatures. Let’s get it to 100,000 this week.

Please sign and share 🙏

petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Petition: Call a public inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics & democracy
We are concerned about reported efforts from Russia to influence democracy in the US, UK, Europe and elsewhere. We believe we must establish the depth and breadth of possible Russian influence campaig...
petition.parliament.uk
November 25, 2025 at 7:32 AM
Reposted by Helen H@Bluesomeh
flightfreeuk.bsky.social
"It’s ludicrous that aviation doesn’t pay fuel tax, especially now that Rachel Reeves is making noises about a tax on electric vehicles. If we’re looking for easy wins for revenue, just look to the skies."

~ Flight Free UK Director Anna Hughes in the Guardian today 👇
End the tax break that makes flying cheaper than trains | Letters
Letters: Airlines benefit from a tax system that helps them keep fares low, writes Anna Hughes
www.theguardian.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:15 AM
Reposted by Helen H@Bluesomeh
bigearthdata.bsky.social
The species at risk of extinction named in UK-first report
->BBC | #extinction #biodiversity #species | More from Lil Dr Glen EcoChat at BigEarthData.ai
The species at risk of extinction named in UK-first report
2 hours ago Share Save George Herd BBC Wales Share Save Getty Images The yellow wagtail is one of 27 bird species identified as being "at peril" in Wales Thousands of species at risk of extinction in Wales have been...
www.bbc.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:17 AM
Reposted by Helen H@Bluesomeh
marcdavenant.bsky.social
I spent hours yesterday at the tent encampment behind the Adelphi in London and as a result have sent this open letter with a plea for a meaningful intervention to
Sadiq Khan @london.gov.uk
Adam Hug @adamhug.bsky.social
@matthewpennycookmp.bsky.social
@paulabarkermp.bsky.social and Bob Blackman
A plea for a meaningful intervention - Adelphi tent encampment London Dear Paula, Bob and Matthew I wanted to thank you again for facilitating the display of my Outsiders exhibition on homelessness inside Parliament last year. The touring exhibition has now had over 120,000 visitors and continues to tour. Matthew I really valued our conversation about homelessness in the exhibition space - it was clear to me then that you really understood the issues and were determined to do something meaningful to address the problems. Dear Adam and Sadia You don't know me, but I am a documentary photographer who works with marginalised communities and uses photography to highlight social inequality. You can see something about the Outsiders project on homelessness and substandard housing here https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cnOdqk4req0o Dear All Five of the participants in Outsiders have now died while experiencing homelessness. Since I stopped the photography in 2022 the situation has become exponentially worse both in London and in the other cities which I covered during the project. One of the most noticeable changes has been the development of tent encampments and I am writing to all of you about the encampment which is currently behind the Adelphi in London. I believe plans are being drawn up to get an injunction to clear the encampment without any meaningrut Intervention to address the problems laced by the community there. It seems to me that it is an extraordinary situation that in the wealthiest borough, in one of the wealthiest countries in the world, these people are struggling to survive against all the odds and not receiving the support needed to transition them out of homelessness and help them become productive members of society. As a society we are defined by how we treat the poor. Regardless of the legal position I believe that we all have a moral and ethical responsibility towards those who have fallen through the gaps and ended up experiencing homelessness. The people in this encampment are vulnerable and marginalised. The women have all been sexually assaulted or subjected to violence while sleeping rough in London. They rely on the men in the encampment for their safety and if the camp is simply cleared, they will end up back on the street with no safety net, likely being subjected to ongoing sexual abuse and exploitation. People in the camp have both mental and physical health needs which need to be addressed. One has diabetes, has open sores on his legs and is likely to suffer amputations, blindness and possibly death via diabetic coma unless this is addressed. There are mental nean ana suostance abuse chauenges as wel. However overa nis is a close knit communit wrich nas become ponded togeter ov the power of a shared experience. Disbanding the camp with no plans for transitioning the occupants into a stable home would be cruel and irresponsible. The people in the camp also rely on their dogs to provide emotional support. One of the worst things about sleeping rough is being ignored and treated like something less than human. Having something to love and which will love you back unconditionally can be the difference between life and death for someone in their situation. All of them have been told they will have to give up their dogs to get support. I believe that to be an inhumane and unreasonable position to take. There is a desperate need for a multidisciplinary intervention with this camp. If you bulldoze it you will break the bonds within the community ana simply move the problem somewnere else. It isn t a solution to what nas become a nuge problem tor society and is a test for your humanity as the people with the power to change things. Collectively you control billions in spending, control the public policy on homelessness and housing and do have the power to intervene and ensure a positive outcome for the people in this camp. I have attached some portraits taken yesterday and would urge you to look at them and consider how you would feel if they were members of your family who had fallen on hard times. I know that with a sweep of a pen you can simply have them moved on but would ask you to consider whether there is a different approach and who gains from simply sweeone unese oroolems under ine caroet. Experience has taught me to have very low expectations when it comes to asking for support like this in a society which knows the price or everything ana the value or little, but i belleve that you are all good people who came Into public service with the best of Intentions and hope you can find it in your hearts to help. Thank you all for reading this and I hope something can be done. Best Marc Davenant
November 24, 2025 at 11:57 AM
Reposted by Helen H@Bluesomeh
mrjamesob.bsky.social
Farage can now be easily boxed in to a corner where his only ‘defence’ becomes: “Yes I spouted Kremlin propaganda & Putin worship but, unlike Nathan Gill, I didn’t need bribes to do it.”
It is, once again, a question of whether interviewers have the temerity to shut down his whining obfuscations.
November 22, 2025 at 11:04 AM
Reposted by Helen H@Bluesomeh
nickreeves.bsky.social
This petition about Russian interference in British politics is just getting started. Please help it grow, by reposting and sharing the petition as widely as possible.
November 18, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Reposted by Helen H@Bluesomeh
batconservation.bsky.social
The Planning and Infrastructure Bill returns to the @houseoflords.parliament.uk on Monday where Peers will consider further amendments to the "Pay-to-Destroy" Bill www.parliament.uk/business/new... @peersfortheplanet.bsky.social
Planning and Infrastructure Bill returns to the Lords
Members consider Commons reasons for disagreement on previous Lords amendments in
www.parliament.uk
November 21, 2025 at 12:25 PM
Reposted by Helen H@Bluesomeh
batconservation.bsky.social
The Planning and Infrastructure "Pay-to-Destroy" Bill will be disastrous for bats and other wildlife without benefiting house building. We hope the Lords will support the evidence based Amendment 40 which was rejected by the @houseofcommons.parliament.uk www.bats.org.uk/our-work/bio...
Planning and Infrastructure Bill - Biodiversity policy & advocacy - Bat Conservation Trust
The government published the Planning and Infrastructure Bill in March 2025, this outlined its proposals for reforming the planning process. Although th...
www.bats.org.uk
November 21, 2025 at 12:25 PM
Reposted by Helen H@Bluesomeh
premnsikka.bsky.social
Households face higher energy bills.

No end to profiteering - £30bn last yr.
£4.4bn bills arrears.
128000 a year, including 110,000.pensioners die in fuel poverty.

Must remove all subsidies from bills, pay via general taxation.

Exclude gas produced electricity from general Ofgem pricing formula.
Energy minister says 'there's no shortcut' to bringing down bills - as price cap rise announced
The average annual energy bill will rise by 0.2% in January, despite wholesale costs falling.
news.sky.com
November 22, 2025 at 7:53 AM
Reposted by Helen H@Bluesomeh
sethabramson.bsky.social
This is not a peace plan.

It's complete capitulation to the war criminal in the Kremlin, orchestrated exclusively by Trump and his apparent master there without any input from Europe or Ukraine. It is obscene that the White House even saw fit to advance this proposal, let alone issue an ultimatum.
Ukraine Faces ‘Difficult Choice’ Over U.S. Plan to End War, Zelensky Says
www.nytimes.com
November 21, 2025 at 7:21 PM
helenh.bsky.social
www.gov.uk/government/c...

More deregulation plans, seeking to reduce the role of Natural England, Historic England etc in planning decisions. Government policy dictated by developers.
Reforms to the statutory consultee system
www.gov.uk
November 21, 2025 at 2:40 PM
helenh.bsky.social
Yes, yes, yes.
youngvulgarian.marieleconte.com Marie Le Conte @youngvulgarian.marieleconte.com · 5d
this week's newsletter is titled "aren't you tired of feeling insane all the time?" and I think it speaks for itself

it is also free to read

youngvulgarian.substack.com/p/arent-you-...
November 21, 2025 at 1:30 PM
helenh.bsky.social
www.sustainweb.org/news/nov25-s...
New toolkit launched to support community action against factory farming | Sustain
The toolkit contains tips and guides to help local people resist new factory farms.
www.sustainweb.org
November 20, 2025 at 1:54 PM
Reposted by Helen H@Bluesomeh
zoecrowther.bsky.social
Labour MP & chair of the Women and Equalities Committee @sarahowen.org.uk said govt should take seriously “the threat X poses to our country’s democracy and social cohesion”

“There is no obligation for government departments to use X… we should stop lending it any sense of legitimacy”
November 20, 2025 at 12:06 PM
Reposted by Helen H@Bluesomeh
flygirlnhm.bsky.social
Just say no to Peat. Bloody ridiculous that we are using it for our mostly imported ornamental plants (amongst other things)
jackwallington.com Jack Wallington @jackwallington.com · 6d
Sign the petition asking the Government to finally end peat compost sales with legislation in 2026 - no more delays. It’s been a long and tiring road to get peat compost banned and we need your signatures and shares now more than ever to get it done. actnow.peatfreepartnership.org.uk/end-peat-sal...
Sign the petition to end peat sales!
No more delays: Let's get peat out of gardens once and for all. The time for uncertainty has ended.
actnow.peatfreepartnership.org.uk
November 20, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Reposted by Helen H@Bluesomeh
kjcharleswriter.com
No I will not be in your goddamn Kindle Translate beta programme.
Email to Amazon. I was approached to put my book in the Kindle Translate beta programme for AI translation. I want to let you know that this revolts me, I will never consent to it, and my books must categorically not be used for any such programme. I realise it is supposedly opt in, however we all know that AI companies have shown no regard whatever for intellectual property or copyright. I support human creativity, I am not going to be utilising this greedy initiative to put humans out of work, and I have no desire to have my books rendered into soulless pap by a machine. Amazon's desire to replace human artistry and connection with Extruded Word Product, at the low low cost of burning the planet under us, is deeply depressing. Please don't approach me for any other AI initiatives. I don't want it.
November 20, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Reposted by Helen H@Bluesomeh
vgnstella.bsky.social
How about dairy farmers stop exploiting mothers and their babies period. They know it's cruel, we know it's cruel. Ditch dairy and try the multitude of cruelty-free alternatives
🚫🐄🥛
#dairyisscary #crueldairy #dairy #milk #ditchdairy #tryvegan

www-bbc-co-uk.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.bbc....
The pioneering dairy farmer keeping calves with their mothers - BBC News
David Finlay is calling for the Scottish government to fund a pioneering dairy development programme.
www-bbc-co-uk.cdn.ampproject.org
November 20, 2025 at 7:52 AM
Reposted by Helen H@Bluesomeh
sundersays.bsky.social
X is in clear + systemic breach of its legal duties in the UK to remove unlawful content from its platform.

Proof: when X users abuse + harass others with the racial slur "paki", X reporting system defends the racist abuse in more than 90% of cases reported.

A new thread documenting this.
November 13, 2025 at 12:43 AM
Reposted by Helen H@Bluesomeh
ledbydonkeys.org
The real BBC bias story, narrated by Anna Ford
November 19, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Reposted by Helen H@Bluesomeh
tanjabueltmann.net
Tried to get this published but no luck, so might as well ‘publish’ it here so it’s not a complete waste!

➡️ Stripping rights from refugees today endangers us all tomorrow

#asylum #Mahmood #history #humanrights
Stripping rights from refugees today endangers us all tomorrow   When I was 13, I visited a Nazi concentration camp for the first time, confronting my country’s dark history always—and rightly—a bedrock in my growing up.    One image from that visit has stayed with me ever since: a display of prisoners’ personal possessions.    It revealed a world in which those imprisoned were stripped not only of their freedom but of the last tangible traces of their humanity. That systematic erasure was the most important precondition for murdering millions.   Now, as a historian, I know that history does not flow into the present in a straight line, and direct comparisons are rarely appropriate. They certainly are not here.   But history is the one compass humanity has. Too often we choose to ignore it.    The Home Secretary’s proposals for changes to the UK’s asylum system represent such a moment of failure.    Yet the most troubling aspect of Labour’s frantic efforts to appear tough on immigration is not even the historical echoes that taking refugees’ possessions invokes. It is that cost recovery is not the real purpose of the rationale behind it.    The true aim is to appeal to a particular audience—those who take satisfaction in seeing people seeking refuge deprived of what little they have. It is hard to imagine a more troubling approach to policymaking, and that becomes even clearer when we consider the Home Secretary’s proposals in context.   As of June 2025, there were 42.5 million refugees globally. Over 70% are hosted by low- and middle-income countries. The UK hosts 548,000 refugees; that is 0.78% of the UK population. Around 110,000 people are in receipt of asylum support; that is 0.15% of the UK population.   It is unconscionable that such a small and vulnerable population can be targeted with deliberate cruelty and weaponised for assumed political gain.   And that is all this will ever be. The core miscalculation is believing that adopting these positions will neutralise Reform.    Both historical knowledge and current research show the opposite. Mainstreaming extremist policies legitimises them further and aids only the original. Each step towards Reform’s territory simply gives Reform more power.   But our political discourse has been so degraded over the last decade that many no longer even recognise policies—or the language that frames them—as extreme.    That is how the Home Secretary can speak so casually of desperate people seeking sanctuary as recipients of a ‘golden ticket’ as though the context is Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory rather than countries torn apart by war and starved by famine. Speak of her ‘moral mission’ to withdraw support, alleging that ‘illegal migration is tearing our country apart.’ And warn of ‘dark forces stirring up anger,’ oblivious to her own role: from the use of blurry, dehumanising images of refugees to spread falsehoods about their impact on communities, to the equally false description of refugee movements as illegal migration.    I suggest the Home Secretary find a mirror if she is keen to understand who is helping turn anger into hate.   Because it is the mainstreaming of far-right talking points that the Home Secretary’s proposals represent that is really tearing our country apart.   For when a policy looks like the far right, speaks to the far right and is hailed by the far right as being far right, it is far right. There is a reason Stephen Yaxley-Lennon is jubilant and speaks of ‘the Overton window having been obliterated.’   This makes a mockery of the Prime Minister’s recent comments on the urgent need to tackle racism. But it also raises alarming questions about the impact this will have on communities around the country, many of which are already deeply divided.    The proposed policies will do nothing for these struggling communities, because their problems simply do not stem from people seeking sanctuary with us. In fact: for as long as politicians focus on immigrants and refugees as the cause of our problems, they will fail to deliver for the British people.   But it is important to grasp the impact of the Home Secretary’s proposals as they carry broader consequences for all of us. Suggestions for changes to how the European Convention on Human Rights is applied are particularly concerning. Requiring judges to prioritise ‘public safety’—falsely implying refugees pose a threat—would qualify human rights for a specific group.   And once one accepts that human rights can be qualified for one group, one creates tools that can be used against anyone.   So what these proposals really mean goes far beyond asylum policy. This is about the kind of country we will have in the future. If human rights are no longer universal, they become a means for exclusion and control.    That is why stripping rights from refugees today can only enable a system that endangers all our rights tomorrow.    And that is why our historical compass matters and why we have to use it now. Because that compass tells us without doubt that when first they come for one group that is never where it ends. 
November 18, 2025 at 8:03 PM