Robert Vardill
@robvard.bsky.social
Film lover. Folk (and other) music enthusiast. Keen on social justice and equity. He/him.
Reposted by Robert Vardill
@zohrankmamdani.bsky.social's win highlights a massive problem for @jeremycorbyn.bsky.social.
Transphobia does not win you votes, especially on the left, trans rights has become a litmus test of credibility for democratic socialists. A test Your Party is currently failing badly.
Transphobia does not win you votes, especially on the left, trans rights has become a litmus test of credibility for democratic socialists. A test Your Party is currently failing badly.
November 5, 2025 at 7:39 AM
@zohrankmamdani.bsky.social's win highlights a massive problem for @jeremycorbyn.bsky.social.
Transphobia does not win you votes, especially on the left, trans rights has become a litmus test of credibility for democratic socialists. A test Your Party is currently failing badly.
Transphobia does not win you votes, especially on the left, trans rights has become a litmus test of credibility for democratic socialists. A test Your Party is currently failing badly.
Reposted by Robert Vardill
Scary to watch the Global Sumud Flotilla being intercepted by Israeli forces - we know how brutally the Israeli military has treated those on previous flotillas.
The world is watching - the Foreign Secretary @yvettecooper-mp.bsky.social must urgently step up to ensure safety of UK citizens on board
The world is watching - the Foreign Secretary @yvettecooper-mp.bsky.social must urgently step up to ensure safety of UK citizens on board
I've just been talking to pasangers on #GlobalSumudFilotilla
3 ships have been intercepted
Israeli officials have threatened to detain and charge with terrorism offences
Previous passengers claim that Israeli officials have tortured detainees
Our government must act now. Platitudes are not enough!
3 ships have been intercepted
Israeli officials have threatened to detain and charge with terrorism offences
Previous passengers claim that Israeli officials have tortured detainees
Our government must act now. Platitudes are not enough!
October 1, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Scary to watch the Global Sumud Flotilla being intercepted by Israeli forces - we know how brutally the Israeli military has treated those on previous flotillas.
The world is watching - the Foreign Secretary @yvettecooper-mp.bsky.social must urgently step up to ensure safety of UK citizens on board
The world is watching - the Foreign Secretary @yvettecooper-mp.bsky.social must urgently step up to ensure safety of UK citizens on board
Reposted by Robert Vardill
It should be free, for all, at any age. A more educated world makes a better world. I believe in education for education's sake. It's disgraceful to see the Labour Party abandon that aspiration.
September 30, 2025 at 1:45 PM
It should be free, for all, at any age. A more educated world makes a better world. I believe in education for education's sake. It's disgraceful to see the Labour Party abandon that aspiration.
Reposted by Robert Vardill
Everyone should have the right to go to University. Not because it's superior. Not because a degree should be required for every job. But because everyone should have the opportunity to spend a few years learning how to think critically about a subject they are really interested in.
September 30, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Everyone should have the right to go to University. Not because it's superior. Not because a degree should be required for every job. But because everyone should have the opportunity to spend a few years learning how to think critically about a subject they are really interested in.
Reposted by Robert Vardill
There are serious human rights concerns around not only the proscription of Palestine Action, but also the chilling consequences this decision has had. The UK's overly broad terrorism laws are being misused to suppress free speech.
September 28, 2025 at 5:08 PM
There are serious human rights concerns around not only the proscription of Palestine Action, but also the chilling consequences this decision has had. The UK's overly broad terrorism laws are being misused to suppress free speech.
Reposted by Robert Vardill
This is absolutely not a normal situation, and we cannot let it become so. This is a serious violation of our right to protest, happening in front of our eyes right here in the UK.
These arrests should not be happening. It’s clearly both ridiculous and seriously disproportionate.
These arrests should not be happening. It’s clearly both ridiculous and seriously disproportionate.
September 28, 2025 at 5:08 PM
This is absolutely not a normal situation, and we cannot let it become so. This is a serious violation of our right to protest, happening in front of our eyes right here in the UK.
These arrests should not be happening. It’s clearly both ridiculous and seriously disproportionate.
These arrests should not be happening. It’s clearly both ridiculous and seriously disproportionate.
Reposted by Robert Vardill
BREAKING: Peaceful protestors arrested outside the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool
Yet more peaceful protesters are being arrested today and hauled from the streets by police - a scene which just a few months ago would have been shocking but is quickly becoming the norm...
🧵
Yet more peaceful protesters are being arrested today and hauled from the streets by police - a scene which just a few months ago would have been shocking but is quickly becoming the norm...
🧵
September 28, 2025 at 5:08 PM
BREAKING: Peaceful protestors arrested outside the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool
Yet more peaceful protesters are being arrested today and hauled from the streets by police - a scene which just a few months ago would have been shocking but is quickly becoming the norm...
🧵
Yet more peaceful protesters are being arrested today and hauled from the streets by police - a scene which just a few months ago would have been shocking but is quickly becoming the norm...
🧵
Reposted by Robert Vardill
Reform UK’s Darren Grimes chooses naive headline grabbing dogma over sanity.
Durham Reform have scrapped a scheme that would have saved £77,000 per year.
Reform UK removes Durham council solar panel building scheme
Durham Reform have scrapped a scheme that would have saved £77,000 per year.
Reform UK removes Durham council solar panel building scheme
Durham to prioritise 'care over carbon' as council solar panels scheme removed
Council leaders have reiterated a pledge to prioritise care services over net zero projects.
www.thenorthernecho.co.uk
September 20, 2025 at 7:34 AM
Reform UK’s Darren Grimes chooses naive headline grabbing dogma over sanity.
Durham Reform have scrapped a scheme that would have saved £77,000 per year.
Reform UK removes Durham council solar panel building scheme
Durham Reform have scrapped a scheme that would have saved £77,000 per year.
Reform UK removes Durham council solar panel building scheme
Reposted by Robert Vardill
Is there anyone who knows the folk music degree at Newcastle? I know a thoroughly folky 21 year old who has 3 A levels but not in music. Experienced singer and songwriter, decent guitarist, great trad repertoire. Very keen to apply but not sure that they would qualify for an offer.
August 24, 2025 at 12:40 PM
Is there anyone who knows the folk music degree at Newcastle? I know a thoroughly folky 21 year old who has 3 A levels but not in music. Experienced singer and songwriter, decent guitarist, great trad repertoire. Very keen to apply but not sure that they would qualify for an offer.
Reposted by Robert Vardill
“We are appalled that the Reform-led Lincolnshire County Council are trying to sell off some of our most important historic buildings in this way."
www.lincsonline.co.uk/lincoln/we-a...
www.lincsonline.co.uk/lincoln/we-a...
‘We are appalled that the council are trying to sell off some of our most important historic buildings’
A political group has said it’s ‘appalled’ by plans to sell off some of the county's historic buildings.
www.lincsonline.co.uk
August 16, 2025 at 6:31 AM
“We are appalled that the Reform-led Lincolnshire County Council are trying to sell off some of our most important historic buildings in this way."
www.lincsonline.co.uk/lincoln/we-a...
www.lincsonline.co.uk/lincoln/we-a...
Reposted by Robert Vardill
As I say very regularly, housing is the NUMBER ONE issue that drives poverty/cost of living crisis. Houses should have stayed as homes and not as investments.
'Right to Buy' has fueled the housing crisis and cost us, the tax payer, at least £200bn, according to @Cmmonwealth
Kwajo Tweneboa, a social housing campaigner, said right to buy had “gutted council housing and transferred public wealth into private hands”.
theguardian.com/society/2025...
Kwajo Tweneboa, a social housing campaigner, said right to buy had “gutted council housing and transferred public wealth into private hands”.
theguardian.com/society/2025...
Right to buy in England ‘fuelled housing crisis and cost taxpayers £200bn’
Common Wealth report calls discounted sales of council homes one of the ‘largest giveaways in UK history’
theguardian.com
August 4, 2025 at 7:12 AM
As I say very regularly, housing is the NUMBER ONE issue that drives poverty/cost of living crisis. Houses should have stayed as homes and not as investments.
Reposted by Robert Vardill
The EHRC’s appointment of Dr. Mary-Ann Stevenson, a figure with known anti-trans views, makes clear it no longer serves all people. Equality Amplified no longer recognises the EHRC as a human rights body.
Read our full statement here: www.equalityamplified.org.uk/blog/stateme...
Read our full statement here: www.equalityamplified.org.uk/blog/stateme...
Statement from Equality Amplified on the Appointment of Dr. Mary-Ann Stevenson as Chair of the EHRC — Equality Amplified
Equality Amplified no longer recognises the EHRC as a legitimate human rights institution. The appointment of Dr. Mary-Ann Stevenson—who holds anti-trans views—signals a clear and dangerous shift towa...
www.equalityamplified.org.uk
August 1, 2025 at 8:27 AM
The EHRC’s appointment of Dr. Mary-Ann Stevenson, a figure with known anti-trans views, makes clear it no longer serves all people. Equality Amplified no longer recognises the EHRC as a human rights body.
Read our full statement here: www.equalityamplified.org.uk/blog/stateme...
Read our full statement here: www.equalityamplified.org.uk/blog/stateme...
Reposted by Robert Vardill
📈 Today, undergraduate tuition fees rise to £9,535.
💸 The marketisation of Higher Education has been a disaster - pushing universities into financial ruin and burdening students with huge debt.
💚 Education should be a right, not a privilege. The Green Party would scrap tuition fees.
💸 The marketisation of Higher Education has been a disaster - pushing universities into financial ruin and burdening students with huge debt.
💚 Education should be a right, not a privilege. The Green Party would scrap tuition fees.
August 1, 2025 at 11:02 AM
📈 Today, undergraduate tuition fees rise to £9,535.
💸 The marketisation of Higher Education has been a disaster - pushing universities into financial ruin and burdening students with huge debt.
💚 Education should be a right, not a privilege. The Green Party would scrap tuition fees.
💸 The marketisation of Higher Education has been a disaster - pushing universities into financial ruin and burdening students with huge debt.
💚 Education should be a right, not a privilege. The Green Party would scrap tuition fees.
Reposted by Robert Vardill
Are you a cis-woman in the UK who is opposed to the government using your rights as an excuse to oppress trans people?
If so, please sign this petition created by women like you.
If so, please sign this petition created by women like you.
Sign the Petition
Not in our name: Women in support of the trans+ community
www.change.org
July 24, 2025 at 4:51 AM
Are you a cis-woman in the UK who is opposed to the government using your rights as an excuse to oppress trans people?
If so, please sign this petition created by women like you.
If so, please sign this petition created by women like you.
Reposted by Robert Vardill
Last chance to sign this open letter, which closes 9.00pm today 🤗
We already have over 1,250 signatures, which is fantastic! Once it closes I will print the whole thing out with all names and deliver to Bridget Phillipson. Thanks to all for your support 💪💪💪
docs.google.com/forms/d/180G...
We already have over 1,250 signatures, which is fantastic! Once it closes I will print the whole thing out with all names and deliver to Bridget Phillipson. Thanks to all for your support 💪💪💪
docs.google.com/forms/d/180G...
An Open Letter to the Minister for Women and Equalities re the EHRC Code of Practice and Human Rights Risks
The Minister for Women and Equalities will soon be called upon to approve a new Code of Practice for Services, Public Functions and Associations from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), f...
docs.google.com
July 22, 2025 at 8:03 AM
Last chance to sign this open letter, which closes 9.00pm today 🤗
We already have over 1,250 signatures, which is fantastic! Once it closes I will print the whole thing out with all names and deliver to Bridget Phillipson. Thanks to all for your support 💪💪💪
docs.google.com/forms/d/180G...
We already have over 1,250 signatures, which is fantastic! Once it closes I will print the whole thing out with all names and deliver to Bridget Phillipson. Thanks to all for your support 💪💪💪
docs.google.com/forms/d/180G...
Reposted by Robert Vardill
Published by @faberbooks.bsky.social, @lallymacbeth.bsky.social's 'The Lost Folk' is our July Book of the Month. Sophie Parkes reviews, finding an attentive author who not only cares deeply about folk culture, but also the people who create it www.caughtbytheriver.net/2025/07/lall...
July 19, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Published by @faberbooks.bsky.social, @lallymacbeth.bsky.social's 'The Lost Folk' is our July Book of the Month. Sophie Parkes reviews, finding an attentive author who not only cares deeply about folk culture, but also the people who create it www.caughtbytheriver.net/2025/07/lall...
Reposted by Robert Vardill
Reposted by Robert Vardill
Phillipson is being an idiot. Let’s keep the squeeze on.
This letter now has 700+ signatures. Shall we get it to 1,000 before the Tuesday deadline?
Then I’ll print it all out—with every name—and post it to her, plus copy to every supportive MP I know.
Sign here 🤗 docs.google.com/forms/d/180G...
This letter now has 700+ signatures. Shall we get it to 1,000 before the Tuesday deadline?
Then I’ll print it all out—with every name—and post it to her, plus copy to every supportive MP I know.
Sign here 🤗 docs.google.com/forms/d/180G...
An Open Letter to the Minister for Women and Equalities re the EHRC Code of Practice and Human Rights Risks
The Minister for Women and Equalities will soon be called upon to approve a new Code of Practice for Services, Public Functions and Associations from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), f...
docs.google.com
July 18, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Phillipson is being an idiot. Let’s keep the squeeze on.
This letter now has 700+ signatures. Shall we get it to 1,000 before the Tuesday deadline?
Then I’ll print it all out—with every name—and post it to her, plus copy to every supportive MP I know.
Sign here 🤗 docs.google.com/forms/d/180G...
This letter now has 700+ signatures. Shall we get it to 1,000 before the Tuesday deadline?
Then I’ll print it all out—with every name—and post it to her, plus copy to every supportive MP I know.
Sign here 🤗 docs.google.com/forms/d/180G...
Reposted by Robert Vardill
🆕🚨 New statutory Relationships and Sex Education guidance published today will:
- Restrict schools from using materials that "encourage pupils to question their gender"
- Teaches children the laws about "biological sex"
- Removes all references to the word transgender
What we know so far 🧵
- Restrict schools from using materials that "encourage pupils to question their gender"
- Teaches children the laws about "biological sex"
- Removes all references to the word transgender
What we know so far 🧵
July 15, 2025 at 1:51 PM
🆕🚨 New statutory Relationships and Sex Education guidance published today will:
- Restrict schools from using materials that "encourage pupils to question their gender"
- Teaches children the laws about "biological sex"
- Removes all references to the word transgender
What we know so far 🧵
- Restrict schools from using materials that "encourage pupils to question their gender"
- Teaches children the laws about "biological sex"
- Removes all references to the word transgender
What we know so far 🧵
Reposted by Robert Vardill
THREAD 🧵 of initial thoughts on the transphobic schools "guidance" produced by this deeply transphobic Labour government today.
SECTION 28+
This morning the media coverage of the new RHSE guidance for schools led me to suggest it represents Labour’s Section 28. The real thing is, however...
1/11
SECTION 28+
This morning the media coverage of the new RHSE guidance for schools led me to suggest it represents Labour’s Section 28. The real thing is, however...
1/11
July 15, 2025 at 6:02 PM
THREAD 🧵 of initial thoughts on the transphobic schools "guidance" produced by this deeply transphobic Labour government today.
SECTION 28+
This morning the media coverage of the new RHSE guidance for schools led me to suggest it represents Labour’s Section 28. The real thing is, however...
1/11
SECTION 28+
This morning the media coverage of the new RHSE guidance for schools led me to suggest it represents Labour’s Section 28. The real thing is, however...
1/11
Reposted by Robert Vardill
🤔 So, government has chosen propping up the motor industry with huge subsidies for private EV cars over supporting public transport and fare payers?
Surely better to provide affordable, convenient and accessible public transport alternatives to car use not baking in current congestion and traffic?
Surely better to provide affordable, convenient and accessible public transport alternatives to car use not baking in current congestion and traffic?
As someone who is currently almost exclusively reliant on public transport and whose ticket price has gone up by more than 10% over the last year, hard not to see this as a kick in the teeth.
Electric cars: Drivers offered up to £3,750 discount
Government will subsidise prices cuts to encourage a shift away from petrol and diesel.
www.bbc.co.uk
July 15, 2025 at 7:02 AM
🤔 So, government has chosen propping up the motor industry with huge subsidies for private EV cars over supporting public transport and fare payers?
Surely better to provide affordable, convenient and accessible public transport alternatives to car use not baking in current congestion and traffic?
Surely better to provide affordable, convenient and accessible public transport alternatives to car use not baking in current congestion and traffic?
Reposted by Robert Vardill
This is beat for beat exactly what Section 28 did.
Oh, and you can't blame this one on Tories. This guidance was drawn up exclusively after Labour took power.
This Labour government is the single worst thing to happen to the LGBT+ community since Margaret Thatcher.
Shame on every Labour member.
Oh, and you can't blame this one on Tories. This guidance was drawn up exclusively after Labour took power.
This Labour government is the single worst thing to happen to the LGBT+ community since Margaret Thatcher.
Shame on every Labour member.
July 15, 2025 at 1:15 AM
This is beat for beat exactly what Section 28 did.
Oh, and you can't blame this one on Tories. This guidance was drawn up exclusively after Labour took power.
This Labour government is the single worst thing to happen to the LGBT+ community since Margaret Thatcher.
Shame on every Labour member.
Oh, and you can't blame this one on Tories. This guidance was drawn up exclusively after Labour took power.
This Labour government is the single worst thing to happen to the LGBT+ community since Margaret Thatcher.
Shame on every Labour member.
Reposted by Robert Vardill
Brilliant to see so many out at the Durham Miners’ Gala.
A powerful reminder of the strength, pride and solidarity that runs through our movement.
Let’s carry that spirit into every fight ahead. ✊
#DurhamMinersGala #UCU #Solidarity
A powerful reminder of the strength, pride and solidarity that runs through our movement.
Let’s carry that spirit into every fight ahead. ✊
#DurhamMinersGala #UCU #Solidarity
July 12, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Brilliant to see so many out at the Durham Miners’ Gala.
A powerful reminder of the strength, pride and solidarity that runs through our movement.
Let’s carry that spirit into every fight ahead. ✊
#DurhamMinersGala #UCU #Solidarity
A powerful reminder of the strength, pride and solidarity that runs through our movement.
Let’s carry that spirit into every fight ahead. ✊
#DurhamMinersGala #UCU #Solidarity
Reposted by Robert Vardill
Full statement here: www.ucu.org.uk/article/1410...
UCU statement: Stop authoritarian attacks on the Palestine movement
www.ucu.org.uk
July 10, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Full statement here: www.ucu.org.uk/article/1410...
Reposted by Robert Vardill
Our statement on the Labour government’s escalating authoritarian crackdown on the Palestine solidarity movement.
We will not be silenced. We are the majority.
We urge you to join us on the streets of London next Saturday (19 July) and march for Palestine.
We will not be silenced. We are the majority.
We urge you to join us on the streets of London next Saturday (19 July) and march for Palestine.
July 10, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Our statement on the Labour government’s escalating authoritarian crackdown on the Palestine solidarity movement.
We will not be silenced. We are the majority.
We urge you to join us on the streets of London next Saturday (19 July) and march for Palestine.
We will not be silenced. We are the majority.
We urge you to join us on the streets of London next Saturday (19 July) and march for Palestine.