Richard Marston
rgpm.bsky.social
Richard Marston
@rgpm.bsky.social
IT; walk leader, Canal & River Trust; Trustee, West Lancashire Light Railway; ex-Lib Dem Councillor, London Borough of Sutton.
Reposted by Richard Marston
Seats & Votes won in Council By-Elections in 2025:

🔶 LDM: 106 (+21), 20.2%
➡️ RFM: 104 (+94), 24.2%
🌳 CON: 45 (-24), 18.2%
🌹 LAB: 36 (-89), 16.3%
🌍 GRN: 24 (+6), 9.9%
⚫ Oth: 39 (-8), 11.3%
December 23, 2025 at 8:55 AM
Britain’s economy has been damaged by Brexit. But what should ministers do about it? | Trade policy | The Guardian
Britain’s economy has been damaged by Brexit. But what should ministers do about it?
The idea of a customs union has gained traction, but agreeing a deal would be far from straightforward
www.theguardian.com
December 23, 2025 at 8:31 AM
Danish postal service to stop delivering letters after 400 years
Danish postal service to stop delivering letters after 400 years
PostNord’s decision to end service on 30 December comes after fear over ‘increasing digitalisation’ of Danish society
www.theguardian.com
December 21, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Reform councillors in Kent condemned for spending thousands on political assistants
Reform councillors in Kent condemned for spending thousands on political assistants
Party that pledged to cut waste and save money faces criticism after pushing through vote to employ advisers
www.theguardian.com
December 21, 2025 at 8:31 AM
Parents told to lead by example and turn off phones this Christmas - BBC News
Parents told to lead by example and turn off phones this Christmas
The children's commissioner says children are "crying out" for family time over the festive break.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 19, 2025 at 8:31 AM
‘It’s an open invasion’: how millions of quagga mussels changed Lake Geneva for ever www.theguardian.com/environment/...
‘It’s an open invasion’: how millions of quagga mussels changed Lake Geneva for ever
The molluscs are decimating food chains in Switzerland, have devastated the Great Lakes in the US, and this week were spotted in Northern Ireland for the first time
www.theguardian.com
December 18, 2025 at 8:31 AM
Erasmus live updates: Scheme to return for UK students from 2027
Erasmus live updates: Scheme to return for UK students from 2027
British students will be will be able to spend a year studying at EU universities without paying extra fees, and vice versa for European students.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 17, 2025 at 6:09 PM
People pulling own teeth due to lack of urgent NHS dental care in England, watchdog finds www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
People pulling own teeth due to lack of urgent NHS dental care in England, watchdog finds
Emergency help should be available, but some being forced to travel 100 miles or go private, says Healthwatch England
www.theguardian.com
December 15, 2025 at 8:31 AM
Underground art: exploring the unique designs of London’s tube seats
Underground art: exploring the unique designs of London’s tube seats
Most metros use plastic or metal, but the distinctive fabrics on London’s network are full of clues to its history
www.theguardian.com
December 12, 2025 at 8:31 AM
White storks to make historic return to London in 2026
White storks to make historic return to London in 2026
Species extinct as breeding birds in Britain since 1416 to be reintroduced in Barking and Dagenham as part of rewilding effort
www.theguardian.com
December 9, 2025 at 8:31 AM
New Simpler Fares For Greater Manchester | Community Rail Lancashire
New Simpler Fares For Greater Manchester | Community Rail Lancashire
News New Simpler Fares For Greater Manchester
communityraillancashire.co.uk
December 7, 2025 at 8:31 AM
Electric ferry brings zero-emission travel to the River Thames - BBC News
Electric ferry brings zero-emission travel to the River Thames
The Orbit Clipper will carry passengers between Canary Wharf and Rotherhithe every 10 minutes.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 6, 2025 at 8:31 AM
Better buses, more services: £3 billion boost for millions of passengers - GOV.UK
Better buses, more services: £3 billion boost for millions of passengers
Multi-year funding gives local authorities the funds they need to provide passengers with lower fares, more frequent and reliable services and safer journeys.
www.gov.uk
December 5, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Red squirrels expand across Highlands after 10-year reintroduction drive | Conservation | The Guardian
Red squirrels expand across Highlands after 10-year reintroduction drive
Rewilding charity helps bolster Scottish stronghold of species that once came close to extinction in UK
www.theguardian.com
December 5, 2025 at 8:31 AM
Manchester-London 7am ‘ghost train’ to carry passengers after outcry over regulator’s decision www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Manchester-London 7am ‘ghost train’ to carry passengers after outcry over regulator’s decision
Avanti service was to have been axed from mid-December but would have still run because of needs out of Euston
www.theguardian.com
December 2, 2025 at 8:31 AM
Soon-to-be-axed 7am Manchester-London train will still run – but without passengers www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Soon-to-be-axed 7am Manchester-London train will still run – but without passengers
Exclusive: Rail regulator pulls Avanti service from timetable from mid-December but it is needed for staff travel
www.theguardian.com
November 29, 2025 at 8:31 AM
‘A win for nature and people’: Elizabeth line soil used to create Essex bird haven | Birds | The Guardian
‘A win for nature and people’: Elizabeth line soil used to create Essex bird haven
A record 39,000 birds are overwintering on Wallasea island wetlands thanks to soil transported from London tunnels
www.theguardian.com
November 27, 2025 at 8:31 AM
Scientists reveal what triggered Santorini 'earthquake swarm' - BBC News
Scientists reveal what triggered Santorini 'earthquake swarm'
Thousands of earthquakes were caused by magma "pumping through" Earth's crust for three months, they say.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 22, 2025 at 8:31 AM
Moss in space: spores survive nine-month ride on outside of ISS
Moss in space: spores survive nine-month ride on outside of ISS
Scientists say plant’s resilience suggests it could help with oxygen generation or soil formation on space missions
www.theguardian.com
November 21, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Unelected Lords are blocking assisted dying – this is a democratic outrage | Simon Jenkins
Unelected Lords are blocking assisted dying – this is a democratic outrage | Simon Jenkins
Second chambers are a good idea, but they should not be able to overturn clear decisions reached by an elected body, says Guardian columnist Simon Jenkins
www.theguardian.com
November 21, 2025 at 8:31 AM
The lights of Blackpool Tower above those of Lytham St Annes.
November 20, 2025 at 11:12 PM
Reposted by Richard Marston
Ultra-processed food (UPF) is linked to harm in every major organ system of the human body .

Increased risk of a dozen health conditions, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease and depression.

Companies know but inflict harms to boost profits. Need effective regulation.
Ultra-processed food linked to harm in every major human organ, study finds
World’s largest scientific review warns consumption of UPFs poses seismic threat to global health and wellbeing
www.theguardian.com
November 19, 2025 at 7:30 AM
With neonicotinoid pesticide ban, France’s birds make a tentative recovery - study
With neonicotinoid pesticide ban, France’s birds make a tentative recovery - study
Analysis shows small hike in populations of insect-eating species after 2018 ruling, but full recovery may take decades
www.theguardian.com
November 17, 2025 at 8:31 AM
‘We’re proud to be pioneers’: inside Spain’s community energy revolution
‘We’re proud to be pioneers’: inside Spain’s community energy revolution
From Taradell to Galicia, cooperatives are supplying cheap, clean electricity to homes and helping tackle fuel poverty
www.theguardian.com
November 14, 2025 at 6:09 PM