Laura-Elseplace
@laura-elseplace.bsky.social
I bake and knit and sew and grow edible things and live quietly and am happily married and will believe in egalitarian freedom til my last breath.
Reposted by Laura-Elseplace
Ex-leader of Reform UK in Wales Nathan Gill — described as Nigel Farage’s “enforcer” and “right-hand man” — sentenced to 10-and-a-half years in prison for taking pro-Russia bribes.
Former Welsh Reform UK leader jailed for accepting pro-Russian bribes
YouTube video by Sky News
www.youtube.com
November 21, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Ex-leader of Reform UK in Wales Nathan Gill — described as Nigel Farage’s “enforcer” and “right-hand man” — sentenced to 10-and-a-half years in prison for taking pro-Russia bribes.
Reposted by Laura-Elseplace
Read more about the incredible story of Mary Ann Macham in the book Angels of the North Volume 2: More Notable Women of the North East.
www.newcastle.gov.uk/NLTyneBridgePublishing
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.newcastle.gov.uk/NLTyneBridgePublishing
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
North Shields statue to woman who escaped slavery in America
A statue is unveiled to Mary Ann Macham who fled from Virginia to North Shields in the 1830s.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 20, 2025 at 9:13 AM
Read more about the incredible story of Mary Ann Macham in the book Angels of the North Volume 2: More Notable Women of the North East.
www.newcastle.gov.uk/NLTyneBridgePublishing
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.newcastle.gov.uk/NLTyneBridgePublishing
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Laura-Elseplace
Thanks to the wonderful staff in the University of Edinburgh’s Centre for Research Collections, today my 2nd-year tutorial groups have been thinking about book history and reading practices from the Middle Ages to the 18thC, including this copy of Sidney’s ‘Astrophel and Stella’ (c.1592)
November 20, 2025 at 2:27 PM
Thanks to the wonderful staff in the University of Edinburgh’s Centre for Research Collections, today my 2nd-year tutorial groups have been thinking about book history and reading practices from the Middle Ages to the 18thC, including this copy of Sidney’s ‘Astrophel and Stella’ (c.1592)
Reposted by Laura-Elseplace
Boris Johnson
What he said: 20,000 more police
What he did: 23,000 fewer people
What he said: 20,000 more police
What he did: 23,000 fewer people
November 20, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Boris Johnson
What he said: 20,000 more police
What he did: 23,000 fewer people
What he said: 20,000 more police
What he did: 23,000 fewer people
Reposted by Laura-Elseplace
A former UK prime minister held responsible for tens of thousands of deaths while the US president calls for elected politicians to be hanged.
A jolt of a reminder that law and policy are ultimately about life and death.
And politicians are often not up to dealing with such things.
A jolt of a reminder that law and policy are ultimately about life and death.
And politicians are often not up to dealing with such things.
November 20, 2025 at 5:45 PM
A former UK prime minister held responsible for tens of thousands of deaths while the US president calls for elected politicians to be hanged.
A jolt of a reminder that law and policy are ultimately about life and death.
And politicians are often not up to dealing with such things.
A jolt of a reminder that law and policy are ultimately about life and death.
And politicians are often not up to dealing with such things.
Reposted by Laura-Elseplace
"It would mean more people could benefit from those frequent Central Line services. It is exactly what I hoped this Labour government might do.
"And I almost missed it, because they instead won’t shut up about being horrible to foreigners."
"And I almost missed it, because they instead won’t shut up about being horrible to foreigners."
The Weekly Howl
The British government just did something I agree with, and it feels almost gross to mention it. Also: who invented the week? And some Beeching-themed maps.
jonn.substack.com
November 20, 2025 at 8:41 AM
"It would mean more people could benefit from those frequent Central Line services. It is exactly what I hoped this Labour government might do.
"And I almost missed it, because they instead won’t shut up about being horrible to foreigners."
"And I almost missed it, because they instead won’t shut up about being horrible to foreigners."
Reposted by Laura-Elseplace
Given FindOutNow polls keep making news it's worth saying a bit more about their methodology.
Unlike other online pollsters it doesn't use a panel of people who've signed up to do polls. Instead they ask a small number of Qs to people playing the Pick my Postcode lottery. (Thread)
Unlike other online pollsters it doesn't use a panel of people who've signed up to do polls. Instead they ask a small number of Qs to people playing the Pick my Postcode lottery. (Thread)
October 16, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Given FindOutNow polls keep making news it's worth saying a bit more about their methodology.
Unlike other online pollsters it doesn't use a panel of people who've signed up to do polls. Instead they ask a small number of Qs to people playing the Pick my Postcode lottery. (Thread)
Unlike other online pollsters it doesn't use a panel of people who've signed up to do polls. Instead they ask a small number of Qs to people playing the Pick my Postcode lottery. (Thread)
Reposted by Laura-Elseplace
As we move into “foreigners are cancelling Christmas in the name of political correctness” season it’s worth remember that Christmas was indeed once banned in England, by Christians and the man who enforced the ban has a statue in his honour outside the Houses of Parliament.
November 20, 2025 at 9:49 AM
As we move into “foreigners are cancelling Christmas in the name of political correctness” season it’s worth remember that Christmas was indeed once banned in England, by Christians and the man who enforced the ban has a statue in his honour outside the Houses of Parliament.
Reposted by Laura-Elseplace
Perhaps one more round of blaming falling living standards and a wrecked public realm on the poor, immigrants and the left will sort it? It never has in the last 45 years but it has to work eventually
November 19, 2025 at 9:37 AM
Perhaps one more round of blaming falling living standards and a wrecked public realm on the poor, immigrants and the left will sort it? It never has in the last 45 years but it has to work eventually
Reposted by Laura-Elseplace
Just popping in to say this is a stunning piece of thought provoking film documentary and thoroughly worth your time:
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
BBC Two - Once Upon a Time in Space
The human story of space exploration.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 19, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Just popping in to say this is a stunning piece of thought provoking film documentary and thoroughly worth your time:
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
Reposted by Laura-Elseplace
Exclusive: Reform UK is under investigation by the Information Commissioner for breaking data protection law, @bylinetimes.bsky.social can reveal.
Reform is accused of lying to the watchdog about a complaint from a voter over receiving unsolicited communications from Nigel Farage’s party.
Reform is accused of lying to the watchdog about a complaint from a voter over receiving unsolicited communications from Nigel Farage’s party.
Nigel Farage's Reform UK Accused of Fabricating Evidence For Data Breach Investigation
EXCLUSIVE: Reform is accused of falsifying the evidence it provided to the Information Commissioner's Office, following allegations that it breached data rules
bylinetimes.com
November 19, 2025 at 9:37 AM
Exclusive: Reform UK is under investigation by the Information Commissioner for breaking data protection law, @bylinetimes.bsky.social can reveal.
Reform is accused of lying to the watchdog about a complaint from a voter over receiving unsolicited communications from Nigel Farage’s party.
Reform is accused of lying to the watchdog about a complaint from a voter over receiving unsolicited communications from Nigel Farage’s party.
Reposted by Laura-Elseplace
The penguins are like, "excuse me, who gave you permission to dig here?"
Penguins Crash RNZAF Training In Antarctica
www.thedodo.com/daily-dodo/p...
Penguins Crash RNZAF Training In Antarctica
www.thedodo.com/daily-dodo/p...
Penguins Crash Air Force Training In Antarctica — And The Video Is Adorable
“Oh my God, this is so cool!”
www.thedodo.com
November 19, 2025 at 5:59 PM
The penguins are like, "excuse me, who gave you permission to dig here?"
Penguins Crash RNZAF Training In Antarctica
www.thedodo.com/daily-dodo/p...
Penguins Crash RNZAF Training In Antarctica
www.thedodo.com/daily-dodo/p...
Reposted by Laura-Elseplace
I don't know if the Epstein vote is a one-off or not, but I've been thinkin of that very thin, translucent sticker film that comes when you order, say, a new monitor. It's devilishly hard to get the first little bit of the corner to separate but once you do, the entire thing pulls off very easily.
November 18, 2025 at 9:04 PM
I don't know if the Epstein vote is a one-off or not, but I've been thinkin of that very thin, translucent sticker film that comes when you order, say, a new monitor. It's devilishly hard to get the first little bit of the corner to separate but once you do, the entire thing pulls off very easily.
Reposted by Laura-Elseplace
Happy GIS Day to all who celebrate!
Just remember that some of us are non-denominational geospatial engineers and many of us prefer Happy Holidays.
Let's be inclusive of our CAD operators, drafters, surveyors and opensource colleagues in addition to ESRI users during these festive times! 🌈
Just remember that some of us are non-denominational geospatial engineers and many of us prefer Happy Holidays.
Let's be inclusive of our CAD operators, drafters, surveyors and opensource colleagues in addition to ESRI users during these festive times! 🌈
November 19, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Happy GIS Day to all who celebrate!
Just remember that some of us are non-denominational geospatial engineers and many of us prefer Happy Holidays.
Let's be inclusive of our CAD operators, drafters, surveyors and opensource colleagues in addition to ESRI users during these festive times! 🌈
Just remember that some of us are non-denominational geospatial engineers and many of us prefer Happy Holidays.
Let's be inclusive of our CAD operators, drafters, surveyors and opensource colleagues in addition to ESRI users during these festive times! 🌈
Reposted by Laura-Elseplace
Yes! This!! Actual facts, for a change...
The UK isn’t a “soft touch” on asylum.
UK asylum seeker benefits are similar to European neighbours
No right to work before 12 months (it’s 6 months in France, Spain, Belgium, Netherlands)
UK settlement after 5 years (it’s 3 or 4 in Germany)
Let’s cut out the alarmist rhetoric.
UK asylum seeker benefits are similar to European neighbours
No right to work before 12 months (it’s 6 months in France, Spain, Belgium, Netherlands)
UK settlement after 5 years (it’s 3 or 4 in Germany)
Let’s cut out the alarmist rhetoric.
November 19, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Yes! This!! Actual facts, for a change...
Reposted by Laura-Elseplace
Pence rebukes Trump for his comments on Khashoggi's murder:
"I would not have made that statement... I think it's very important that we never cast aside our deep commitment to freedom, to freedom of the press. Had I been given the opportunity... that meeting would have gone a little different."
"I would not have made that statement... I think it's very important that we never cast aside our deep commitment to freedom, to freedom of the press. Had I been given the opportunity... that meeting would have gone a little different."
November 19, 2025 at 12:10 PM
Pence rebukes Trump for his comments on Khashoggi's murder:
"I would not have made that statement... I think it's very important that we never cast aside our deep commitment to freedom, to freedom of the press. Had I been given the opportunity... that meeting would have gone a little different."
"I would not have made that statement... I think it's very important that we never cast aside our deep commitment to freedom, to freedom of the press. Had I been given the opportunity... that meeting would have gone a little different."
Reposted by Laura-Elseplace
🚨NEW EPISODE🚨
Fresh off a national tour and 10,000 poll responses, @rory-stewart.bsky.social & @alastaircampbell2.bsky.social give their take on the public mood.
Plus: Mahmood’s asylum plan, the US Christian right-wingers, and Labour vs Reform.
Link in the replies👇
Fresh off a national tour and 10,000 poll responses, @rory-stewart.bsky.social & @alastaircampbell2.bsky.social give their take on the public mood.
Plus: Mahmood’s asylum plan, the US Christian right-wingers, and Labour vs Reform.
Link in the replies👇
November 19, 2025 at 11:56 AM
🚨NEW EPISODE🚨
Fresh off a national tour and 10,000 poll responses, @rory-stewart.bsky.social & @alastaircampbell2.bsky.social give their take on the public mood.
Plus: Mahmood’s asylum plan, the US Christian right-wingers, and Labour vs Reform.
Link in the replies👇
Fresh off a national tour and 10,000 poll responses, @rory-stewart.bsky.social & @alastaircampbell2.bsky.social give their take on the public mood.
Plus: Mahmood’s asylum plan, the US Christian right-wingers, and Labour vs Reform.
Link in the replies👇
Reposted by Laura-Elseplace
Reform UK has presented their latest plan for the UK - and I’m afraid the crayons were working overtime.
£25bn of imaginary savings, treaty breaches, punishment rhetoric and a health calculation method that made me roll my eyes so hard I nearly lost consciousness.
So, nothing new, really.
£25bn of imaginary savings, treaty breaches, punishment rhetoric and a health calculation method that made me roll my eyes so hard I nearly lost consciousness.
So, nothing new, really.
Reform UK Unveils Budget Written Entirely in Crayon
£25bn of imagined savings, real-world cruelty and mathematics that should come with a trigger warning.
www.bearlypolitics.co.uk
November 19, 2025 at 10:15 AM
Reform UK has presented their latest plan for the UK - and I’m afraid the crayons were working overtime.
£25bn of imaginary savings, treaty breaches, punishment rhetoric and a health calculation method that made me roll my eyes so hard I nearly lost consciousness.
So, nothing new, really.
£25bn of imaginary savings, treaty breaches, punishment rhetoric and a health calculation method that made me roll my eyes so hard I nearly lost consciousness.
So, nothing new, really.
Reposted by Laura-Elseplace
Software utilities, I think, must be treated the same way: regulated (including price) and operated under oversight. Otherwise, they're just a robber-baron monopoly with a stranglehold on the economy.
4/5
4/5
November 18, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Software utilities, I think, must be treated the same way: regulated (including price) and operated under oversight. Otherwise, they're just a robber-baron monopoly with a stranglehold on the economy.
4/5
4/5
Excellent mug! (Eng available in alt.text)
After seeing Sabine’s post just now @sabineshutterbug.bsky.social
I looked through my collection and came up with this coffee mug for my contribution to Susan’s @sdcushing.bsky.social #BlueBrewMugs #WackyWednesday. An old favourite. *Translation in alt text.
#ColorADay #RedWed
#EastCoastKin
I looked through my collection and came up with this coffee mug for my contribution to Susan’s @sdcushing.bsky.social #BlueBrewMugs #WackyWednesday. An old favourite. *Translation in alt text.
#ColorADay #RedWed
#EastCoastKin
November 19, 2025 at 9:59 AM
Excellent mug! (Eng available in alt.text)
Reposted by Laura-Elseplace
Reposted by Laura-Elseplace
"[I]f people are nostalgic for life without smartphones (young or old), there is an obvious option. Just put your device down and go outside. It’s a lot like the 1990s out there, only the streets are safer and the air is cleaner." @sarahoconnorft.ft.com
What nostalgia for the 1990s leaves out
Huge improvements in the decades since are a reminder that even really knotty problems can get better
www.ft.com
November 18, 2025 at 3:35 PM
"[I]f people are nostalgic for life without smartphones (young or old), there is an obvious option. Just put your device down and go outside. It’s a lot like the 1990s out there, only the streets are safer and the air is cleaner." @sarahoconnorft.ft.com
Reposted by Laura-Elseplace
Stopped twice on motorway & had a look from this tower.
November 18, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Stopped twice on motorway & had a look from this tower.