Stephen Campbell
@stephencampbll.bsky.social
Advice researcher & writer at Citizens Advice Scotland • Former welfare rights adviser, poverty researcher, polsci grad • Interested in policy, plain language, the text-based internet • Hebridean in Glasgow • Inexplicably sporty gayboy 🏳️🌈
Govt source: "We have to [...] build up our independence, power and autonomy with Europe. Our relationship with the US is imposing a heavy price domestically and to unite the progressive left we need a stronger European offer.” @georgeeaton.bsky.social morningcall.substack.com/p/morning-ca...
Morning Call: Labour’s new foreign policy divide
Events are exposing tensions between “America-first realists” and “Europe-first realists”.
morningcall.substack.com
January 12, 2026 at 4:54 PM
Govt source: "We have to [...] build up our independence, power and autonomy with Europe. Our relationship with the US is imposing a heavy price domestically and to unite the progressive left we need a stronger European offer.” @georgeeaton.bsky.social morningcall.substack.com/p/morning-ca...
This is really good political journalism. Process matters and it could be decisive here
I've spent quite a long time looking into the current system by which the Labour Party grants votes to affiliates in its internal elections. It's more interesting than it sounds, and may be very consequential re, who will be the next Prime Minister.
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
Union members could decide who the next Labour leader is
With membership figures plummeting, affiliates take on a new importance
www.newstatesman.com
January 12, 2026 at 4:20 PM
This is really good political journalism. Process matters and it could be decisive here
Reposted by Stephen Campbell
I've spent quite a long time looking into the current system by which the Labour Party grants votes to affiliates in its internal elections. It's more interesting than it sounds, and may be very consequential re, who will be the next Prime Minister.
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
Union members could decide who the next Labour leader is
With membership figures plummeting, affiliates take on a new importance
www.newstatesman.com
January 12, 2026 at 10:02 AM
I've spent quite a long time looking into the current system by which the Labour Party grants votes to affiliates in its internal elections. It's more interesting than it sounds, and may be very consequential re, who will be the next Prime Minister.
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
Reposted by Stephen Campbell
Germany's actually spending €200m on Sovereign Tech Fund too, directly funding maintainers of critical open source infrastructure. Meanwhile UK government just renewed its Microsoft Enterprise Agreement through 2030 - literal decade-long lock-in while talking about sovereignty.
January 12, 2026 at 2:17 AM
Germany's actually spending €200m on Sovereign Tech Fund too, directly funding maintainers of critical open source infrastructure. Meanwhile UK government just renewed its Microsoft Enterprise Agreement through 2030 - literal decade-long lock-in while talking about sovereignty.
Emmanuel Macron recently said we've been naïve to entrust our democracies to American big tech. In 2022 Germany created the Centre for Digital Sovereignty which founded openDesk, an open source challenger to Microsoft 365 now used by the ICC. The UK needs to take digital sovereignty seriously too
Foreign States have used their control over digital infrastructure to wield power.
Even historic allies aren’t reliable.
The future doesn’t need to be orange. We need #DigitalSovereignty in the UK to keep our systems running.
Read more about our campaign ⬇️
www.computerweekly.com/news/3666371...
Even historic allies aren’t reliable.
The future doesn’t need to be orange. We need #DigitalSovereignty in the UK to keep our systems running.
Read more about our campaign ⬇️
www.computerweekly.com/news/3666371...
Campaigners urge UK to develop digital sovereignty strategy | Computer Weekly
UK digital rights campaigners have urged UK parliamentarians to implement a digital sovereignty strategy as part of the forthcoming Cybersecurity and Resilience Bill to reduce reliance on technology s...
www.computerweekly.com
January 12, 2026 at 1:54 AM
Emmanuel Macron recently said we've been naïve to entrust our democracies to American big tech. In 2022 Germany created the Centre for Digital Sovereignty which founded openDesk, an open source challenger to Microsoft 365 now used by the ICC. The UK needs to take digital sovereignty seriously too
Recently updated an advice page which said in practice gay couples might find it hard to get life insurance for their partner "even if they aren't HIV positive."
Realised the page hadn't been updated since the 2010 Equality Act. Hard to overstate what a profound change that law has made in 15 years
Realised the page hadn't been updated since the 2010 Equality Act. Hard to overstate what a profound change that law has made in 15 years
January 12, 2026 at 1:28 AM
Recently updated an advice page which said in practice gay couples might find it hard to get life insurance for their partner "even if they aren't HIV positive."
Realised the page hadn't been updated since the 2010 Equality Act. Hard to overstate what a profound change that law has made in 15 years
Realised the page hadn't been updated since the 2010 Equality Act. Hard to overstate what a profound change that law has made in 15 years
Reposted by Stephen Campbell
It was exactly as amateur and pigheaded as it looked from the outside.
🔗 Anatomy of a disaster: The inside story of Wilfried Nancy's Celtic | www.heraldscotland.com/sport/257533... @heraldscotland.bsky.social
🔗 Anatomy of a disaster: The inside story of Wilfried Nancy's Celtic | www.heraldscotland.com/sport/257533... @heraldscotland.bsky.social
January 12, 2026 at 12:05 AM
It was exactly as amateur and pigheaded as it looked from the outside.
🔗 Anatomy of a disaster: The inside story of Wilfried Nancy's Celtic | www.heraldscotland.com/sport/257533... @heraldscotland.bsky.social
🔗 Anatomy of a disaster: The inside story of Wilfried Nancy's Celtic | www.heraldscotland.com/sport/257533... @heraldscotland.bsky.social
Reposted by Stephen Campbell
We need digital sovereignty to keep our communications, banking, energy, travel and healthcare systems secure.
If we stay dependent on foreign tech firms for our digital infrastructure, the UK risks its independence and resilience.
Sign & share our petition ⬇️
you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/st...
If we stay dependent on foreign tech firms for our digital infrastructure, the UK risks its independence and resilience.
Sign & share our petition ⬇️
you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/st...
Stop the "Kill Switch": Demand the UK takes back control of our technology.
From the NHS to our energy grid, we are too reliant on US tech. Help us demand digital independence.
you.38degrees.org.uk
January 11, 2026 at 3:39 PM
We need digital sovereignty to keep our communications, banking, energy, travel and healthcare systems secure.
If we stay dependent on foreign tech firms for our digital infrastructure, the UK risks its independence and resilience.
Sign & share our petition ⬇️
you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/st...
If we stay dependent on foreign tech firms for our digital infrastructure, the UK risks its independence and resilience.
Sign & share our petition ⬇️
you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/st...
Reposted by Stephen Campbell
Foreign States have used their control over digital infrastructure to wield power.
Even historic allies aren’t reliable.
The future doesn’t need to be orange. We need #DigitalSovereignty in the UK to keep our systems running.
Read more about our campaign ⬇️
www.computerweekly.com/news/3666371...
Even historic allies aren’t reliable.
The future doesn’t need to be orange. We need #DigitalSovereignty in the UK to keep our systems running.
Read more about our campaign ⬇️
www.computerweekly.com/news/3666371...
Campaigners urge UK to develop digital sovereignty strategy | Computer Weekly
UK digital rights campaigners have urged UK parliamentarians to implement a digital sovereignty strategy as part of the forthcoming Cybersecurity and Resilience Bill to reduce reliance on technology s...
www.computerweekly.com
January 11, 2026 at 3:39 PM
Foreign States have used their control over digital infrastructure to wield power.
Even historic allies aren’t reliable.
The future doesn’t need to be orange. We need #DigitalSovereignty in the UK to keep our systems running.
Read more about our campaign ⬇️
www.computerweekly.com/news/3666371...
Even historic allies aren’t reliable.
The future doesn’t need to be orange. We need #DigitalSovereignty in the UK to keep our systems running.
Read more about our campaign ⬇️
www.computerweekly.com/news/3666371...
Reposted by Stephen Campbell
This has needed to happen for a very long time. Parliament effectively runs as 650 small businesses, with all the variation in quality of employer that you’d get from 650 small businesses in the ‘real’ world. And the lack of progression of salary and career means you lose a lot of v good staff.
Today the GMB Members’ Staff branch launched One Parliament, One Employer
We’re calling for a single, accountable employer for MPs’ staff to deliver fairness, consistency & proper protections. The current system leaves staff with unequal pay and conditions and places unnecessary pressure on MPs.
We’re calling for a single, accountable employer for MPs’ staff to deliver fairness, consistency & proper protections. The current system leaves staff with unequal pay and conditions and places unnecessary pressure on MPs.
January 8, 2026 at 9:01 PM
This has needed to happen for a very long time. Parliament effectively runs as 650 small businesses, with all the variation in quality of employer that you’d get from 650 small businesses in the ‘real’ world. And the lack of progression of salary and career means you lose a lot of v good staff.
Quite funny that the government is so bad at getting positive stories out there LabourList feels it has to do it for them
labourlist.org/2026/01/good...
labourlist.org/2026/01/good...
Delivering in Government: your weekly round up of good news Labour stories - LabourList
Read about the good news Labour has delivered in government since the start of the Christmas break. Arm yourselves for the doorstep, pub and social media.
labourlist.org
January 9, 2026 at 6:58 PM
Quite funny that the government is so bad at getting positive stories out there LabourList feels it has to do it for them
labourlist.org/2026/01/good...
labourlist.org/2026/01/good...
Reposted by Stephen Campbell
Solidarity to the workers at Vue St Enoch in Glasgow are extending their strike for another four weeks until 6 February 2026. If you're in Glasgow and want to go to the cinema, don't cross the picket line at Vue St Enoch. ✊🏻 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Glasgow cinema workers to launch further month of strike action
Staff at the Vue in the city's St Enoch shopping centre have been in dispute with their employer since early December
www.bbc.co.uk
January 9, 2026 at 11:05 AM
Solidarity to the workers at Vue St Enoch in Glasgow are extending their strike for another four weeks until 6 February 2026. If you're in Glasgow and want to go to the cinema, don't cross the picket line at Vue St Enoch. ✊🏻 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Stephen Campbell
Woke 1: it is not enough to merely not be racist
Work 2: it is enough to merely not be racist
Work 2: it is enough to merely not be racist
August 11, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Woke 1: it is not enough to merely not be racist
Work 2: it is enough to merely not be racist
Work 2: it is enough to merely not be racist
Reposted by Stephen Campbell
you can say this reveals a certain darkness in their soul, etc etc but it sure seems like as a practical political matter much better to frame any kind of egalitarian social agenda in as undemanding terms as possible.
August 11, 2025 at 9:46 PM
you can say this reveals a certain darkness in their soul, etc etc but it sure seems like as a practical political matter much better to frame any kind of egalitarian social agenda in as undemanding terms as possible.
Reposted by Stephen Campbell
the backlash to anti-racism kinda shows there’s a constituency within dominant groups who are willing to passively tolerate non-dominant groups making gains in society when they perceive the ask being made as passive toleration, but who flip the fuck out when it’s framed as active obligation
August 11, 2025 at 9:43 PM
the backlash to anti-racism kinda shows there’s a constituency within dominant groups who are willing to passively tolerate non-dominant groups making gains in society when they perceive the ask being made as passive toleration, but who flip the fuck out when it’s framed as active obligation
Reposted by Stephen Campbell
“It may be true that the law cannot make a man love me, but it can restrain him from lynching me” is one of MLK’s more underrated quotes because it’s a very good observation about the limits of politics.
i don't recall who said it but there was some civil rights organize that bluntly said that he didn't give a damn about what his white neighbor thought of him, he only cared whether those thoughts had material consequences
August 11, 2025 at 9:58 PM
“It may be true that the law cannot make a man love me, but it can restrain him from lynching me” is one of MLK’s more underrated quotes because it’s a very good observation about the limits of politics.
The tacit or explicit belief that interpersonal relations is the main site of politics
maybe another way to frame it: is there any part or tactic of the 10s social justice movements that failed to achieve their goals, and participants need to reconsider, or all the shortcomings and missteps due to environmental conditions that have now changed?
January 6, 2026 at 11:52 PM
The tacit or explicit belief that interpersonal relations is the main site of politics
Reposted by Stephen Campbell
The first two hours this morning
January 5, 2026 at 11:21 AM
The first two hours this morning
Trade unions starting to recognise electoral reform could secure worker's rights for a generation, not just one term.
ASLEF, BFAWU, FBU, Musicians Union, PCS, Prospect, TSSA, UCU, Unison, Unite and USDAW all now support PR.
🔗 politicsforthemany.co.uk/proportional... @politics4many.bsky.social
ASLEF, BFAWU, FBU, Musicians Union, PCS, Prospect, TSSA, UCU, Unison, Unite and USDAW all now support PR.
🔗 politicsforthemany.co.uk/proportional... @politics4many.bsky.social
Proportional Representation would give workers more power
Trade unionists understand power, but our crumbling First Past the Post system is not designed for us to wield power. It’s designed to manage our disillusionment.That’s why support for proportional re...
politicsforthemany.co.uk
January 5, 2026 at 4:05 PM
Trade unions starting to recognise electoral reform could secure worker's rights for a generation, not just one term.
ASLEF, BFAWU, FBU, Musicians Union, PCS, Prospect, TSSA, UCU, Unison, Unite and USDAW all now support PR.
🔗 politicsforthemany.co.uk/proportional... @politics4many.bsky.social
ASLEF, BFAWU, FBU, Musicians Union, PCS, Prospect, TSSA, UCU, Unison, Unite and USDAW all now support PR.
🔗 politicsforthemany.co.uk/proportional... @politics4many.bsky.social
"After becoming the third-largest force in the European Parliament last year, the [Patriots of Europe and Europe of Sovereign Nations group] established a whipping operation, and added communications and press departments, too." @politico.eu
🔗 www.politico.eu/article/far-...
🔗 www.politico.eu/article/far-...
How Europe’s far right turned pro
Jordan Bardella, Nigel Farage and Alice Weidel have their eyes on power and are tightening up their acts — and their strategies — to get there.
www.politico.eu
January 5, 2026 at 3:52 PM
"After becoming the third-largest force in the European Parliament last year, the [Patriots of Europe and Europe of Sovereign Nations group] established a whipping operation, and added communications and press departments, too." @politico.eu
🔗 www.politico.eu/article/far-...
🔗 www.politico.eu/article/far-...
The Scottish government is bringing in redesigned Energy Performance Certificates in 2026.
They're also moving from PDFs to digital EPCs, rejoice!
🔗 Good explainer of the changes here: www.elmhurstenergy.co.uk/blog/2025/01...
Here's how the new certificates will look:
They're also moving from PDFs to digital EPCs, rejoice!
🔗 Good explainer of the changes here: www.elmhurstenergy.co.uk/blog/2025/01...
Here's how the new certificates will look:
January 5, 2026 at 3:14 PM
The Scottish government is bringing in redesigned Energy Performance Certificates in 2026.
They're also moving from PDFs to digital EPCs, rejoice!
🔗 Good explainer of the changes here: www.elmhurstenergy.co.uk/blog/2025/01...
Here's how the new certificates will look:
They're also moving from PDFs to digital EPCs, rejoice!
🔗 Good explainer of the changes here: www.elmhurstenergy.co.uk/blog/2025/01...
Here's how the new certificates will look:
State of these mentions... I thought the vibe had shifted from being a hysterical scold online
January 4, 2026 at 10:24 PM
State of these mentions... I thought the vibe had shifted from being a hysterical scold online
"They're here to make content [...] that's why ICE bring along cameras and push the footage to go viral [...] They aren't able to implement actual fascism, so they're happy to create fascism-flavoured content to make their supporters and their enemies think they're doing what they promised."
For the past year I've had the feeling that the Trump administration's primary goal is the creation of content, and I expanded upon it here in the wake of our excursion in Venezuela
The Trump-Flavored Content Administration
Understanding the administration as a content mill
cooperlund.medium.com
January 4, 2026 at 9:51 PM
"They're here to make content [...] that's why ICE bring along cameras and push the footage to go viral [...] They aren't able to implement actual fascism, so they're happy to create fascism-flavoured content to make their supporters and their enemies think they're doing what they promised."
Reposted by Stephen Campbell
I like this theory. Restated a bit. Self preservation and perpetuation, for the purposes of enrichment and aggrandisement, achieved via content creation.
For the past year I've had the feeling that the Trump administration's primary goal is the creation of content, and I expanded upon it here in the wake of our excursion in Venezuela
The Trump-Flavored Content Administration
Understanding the administration as a content mill
cooperlund.medium.com
January 4, 2026 at 7:36 PM
I like this theory. Restated a bit. Self preservation and perpetuation, for the purposes of enrichment and aggrandisement, achieved via content creation.
I've always used Rotten Tomatoes but its UI and navigation has always sucked (even on desktop) and Metacritic's is great, I should've been on this the whole time
January 4, 2026 at 5:20 PM
I've always used Rotten Tomatoes but its UI and navigation has always sucked (even on desktop) and Metacritic's is great, I should've been on this the whole time