Julia Cushion
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juliacushion.bsky.social
Julia Cushion
@juliacushion.bsky.social
4.2K followers 680 following 320 posts
Policy & Advocacy Manager @ mySociety

Clumsy, enthusiastic, interested in exciting things like parliament and cryptic crosswords

(she/they)
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juliacushion.bsky.social
Idk how Rachel is finding it but I had a great time!
November 26, 2025 at 1:56 PM
juliacushion.bsky.social
Apparently there's another woman from Leeds with a brunette bob talking in a Parliament building about something or other today?? 😅

Anyway, I'm at the Senedd and excited to be appearing alongside @jessblair.bsky.social @lauramcallister30.bsky.social & Mark Drakeford!
November 26, 2025 at 10:58 AM
juliacushion.bsky.social
As with every new release, we made the latest Registers of Interests available in handy explorable datasets as well as highlighting what's new on individual MP pages

(as you may have seen in the news, Nigel Farage had a lot of new entries this register)

www.theyworkforyou.com/interests/
October 10, 2025 at 3:52 PM
juliacushion.bsky.social
this short and sweet blog from @dracos.co.uk is worth two mins of your time, it's important to us to be able to support other good bits of the internet, and it's important to me that everyone is reminded of this classic @xkcd.com
A cartoon from XKCD which is a stack of different sized boxes, all labelled 'all modern digital infrastructure'. One of the bottom tiny boxes holding up the whole pile is labelled 'a project some random person in nebraska has been thanklessly maintaining since 2003'
October 7, 2025 at 3:39 PM
juliacushion.bsky.social
who wore it better??
October 2, 2025 at 11:12 AM
juliacushion.bsky.social
ok, yes that's strange you think, but what if I told you it was ON THE CEILING DIRECTLY ABOVE THE BED
image showing that the previous graphic is mounted on the ceiling
September 24, 2025 at 9:05 PM
juliacushion.bsky.social
Staying in an very strange hotel in Cardiff with extremely dodgy decor celebrating colonisers

"defending British interests"?? "a wealthy sugar plantation owner"??
Faded image of a man's head with text below that reads SIR HENRY MORGAN Born in Llanhymney, Cardiff, in 1635. Sir Henry Morgan was perhaps the most famous of the buccaneers that raided Spain's Caribbean colonies in the late 17th Century, defending British interests. Morgon's daring exploits, as commander of the buecaneers from 1668, included the capture of Cuba and the storming of Portobelo: and in 1670, he and lus army of some 2.000 pirates, arriving on a fleet of 36 ships. defeated large Spanish forces to capture Panama, looting and burning it to the ground. Despite Morgan's arrest Chis Panama raid had taken place during peace berween England and Spain). King Charles II subsequently knighted him in 1674, alter which the newly-respected charicter travelled out to become deputy govemor of Jamaica, living out his life as a wealthy sugar plantation owner until his death in 1658. The 'Captain Morgan' rum brand is named after this colourful, eriginal pirate of the Caribbean.
September 24, 2025 at 9:04 PM
juliacushion.bsky.social
As noted in @clairemiller.bsky.social's brill #FOIFriday round-up, the Scottish government have announced they're seeking views on the new FOI bill, deadline Monday. Hopefully not, as committee website says they're "not currently seeking views" on anything...

clairemiller.net/2025/09/free...
Screenshot from press briefing says: PA Media 8 hours ago Share this story Facebook X / Twitter Copy Link Posted in Proposed changes to the public’s right to information and transparency among public authorities are set to be scrutinised in Holyrood. The Scottish Parliament’s Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments (SPPA) Committee has launched a call for views on the Scottish Government’s Freedom of Information Reform (Scotland) Bill. The Bill would look to update the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 by making the public’s right to information explicit. Under new proposals, the only information that would not be disclosed would be if it was classified as absolute exemption. The proposals would also bring more bodies under freedom of information rules, such as third sector organisations and housing associations. Martin Whitfield MSP, convener of the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee, said: “With the original Act now 20 years old, it’s timely to look at how the law might be updated. “Any new legislation must be clearly defined and workable. The committee is keen to hear views on the Bill’s proposals, and whether its aims to increase transparency, extend coverage and strengthen existing processes are likely to achieve their intended impact.” The call for views is open and will close to responses on September 22 2025. The Committee plans to hold evidence sessions with stakeholders in November. Screenshot from the Bill website says "The Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee is not currently seeking views on any of its current inquiries"
September 19, 2025 at 2:26 PM
juliacushion.bsky.social
our wonderful CEO @itscrowbot.bsky.social suggests that in 2050 we'll be very glad we had FOI to assess and scrutinise growing AI use by government. There are discrepancies in power and resources between big tech companies and govt and FOI provides a flexible and powerful tool to assess these
September 3, 2025 at 11:34 AM
juliacushion.bsky.social
Legendary journalist @jennacorderoy.bsky.social from Democracy for Sale highlights the need to get the basics right. Deadlines aren't being met, and non-response weakens the overall effectiveness and timeliness of FOI.
September 3, 2025 at 11:14 AM
juliacushion.bsky.social
Packed room for the IfG's event on 25 years of FOI ✨

@gavinfreeguard.bsky.social has started us off with a big happy birthday to FOI! 🎂
September 3, 2025 at 11:08 AM
juliacushion.bsky.social
All my neighbours' kids were going back to school this morning and my red jumper was shade perfect for the local school uniform 😅
September 3, 2025 at 7:59 AM
juliacushion.bsky.social
Earlier this week I got to chat with Gabriel from @lighthousereports.com about their amazing Suspicion Machines investigations.

Here's a clip, but make sure to come along to our event on Tuesday 19th to see the full interview!

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/how-access...
August 15, 2025 at 10:09 AM
juliacushion.bsky.social
Can a meteorologist explain why Leeds seems to be the hottest place in the country today?!

I am used to feeling smug while my southern colleagues are the ones sweating!
August 13, 2025 at 3:27 PM
juliacushion.bsky.social
E.g. The open letter about recognition of a Palestinian state - left is one the images posted on social media, right is searchable list on twfy votes votes.theyworkforyou.com/statement/co...
July 31, 2025 at 1:14 PM
juliacushion.bsky.social
also - caption contest anyone?
July 31, 2025 at 12:36 PM
juliacushion.bsky.social
Finally got my film developed - wish I could time travel back to eating icecream in mechelen with the amazing #tictec crew!

@democracyclub.org.uk @symroe.bsky.social @myfanwytristram.bsky.social @zarino.co.uk @dracos.co.uk
@mysociety.org @societyworks.org
a group of people eating ice-cream in front of the tower in Mechelen, Belgium
July 31, 2025 at 12:36 PM
juliacushion.bsky.social
Ed's here (via video) #ActNowChangeForever #MassLobby
July 9, 2025 at 9:36 AM
juliacushion.bsky.social
#ActNowChangeForever
July 9, 2025 at 8:08 AM
juliacushion.bsky.social
📰 We're front page news! 📰

Come and find @zarino.co.uk & I on floor 6 of the QEII centre and grab a postcard!

#ActNowChangeForever
July 9, 2025 at 7:52 AM
juliacushion.bsky.social
IYKYK- used @realtimetrains.co.uk to find the platform before it was announced and saw a Minister (& a lot of cops) board at the same time!

Last train of the day, here we go!!
screenshot from realtimetrains.co.uk showing stops and platforms outside of the train showing a digital display that says Leeds 20:03
June 26, 2025 at 6:52 PM
juliacushion.bsky.social
Is now the right time to I admit I paid the £29 to upgrade? 10 hours into travelling and 12 hours after my alarm this morning it feels very worth it - solo seat, small but nice meal, and... wine! 🍷
June 26, 2025 at 4:30 PM
juliacushion.bsky.social
The brussels midi eurostar waiting bit is still grim (when is renovation due to finish??) but tbf security was quick and I'm now on train 3/4 🎉

About half way in terms of distance but only 5.5 hours til I'm home! Easy peasy so far, would recommend the journey to anyone!
June 26, 2025 at 4:01 PM
juliacushion.bsky.social
Took the advice of @seatsixtyone.bsky.social and headed to the Pullman bar. Through the doors next to the hagen daaz shop, round the corner, up the elevator you'll find relative peace and quiet, free wifi, a comfy chair and a cup of tea with milk (not coffee creamer!)
June 26, 2025 at 2:00 PM
juliacushion.bsky.social
One huge coffee later we're pulling into Brussels past some graffiti that I can get behind 💗

Now the big question is, given the eurostar waiting area is so grim, where's the best place to kill 2 hours in/around Midi station?
June 26, 2025 at 1:30 PM