Wendy 'What Now?!' McDonnell 🌱
@wendymcd.bsky.social
Green/lefty/lib/humanist walker/retired organic gardener, Sussex, UK. Here for polite politics (!?), general enlightenment and all things environmental. Trying to stay positive in the face of all the lunacy and venality🌱🦉🤞
Reposted by Wendy 'What Now?!' McDonnell 🌱
I too regret some of the stupid things I said when I was younger: such as that we had nothing to worry about, the British people would never vote to leave the EU.
December 5, 2025 at 7:12 AM
I too regret some of the stupid things I said when I was younger: such as that we had nothing to worry about, the British people would never vote to leave the EU.
Reposted by Wendy 'What Now?!' McDonnell 🌱
Marc Bolan was my first pop crush. I can still listen to T Rex without cringing - which is more than can be said for some of my subsequent crazes.
I wrote about Marc Bolan getting a Blue Plaque - in New Humanist magazine. Was such a great moment.. newhumanist.org.uk/articles/6483
December 2, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Marc Bolan was my first pop crush. I can still listen to T Rex without cringing - which is more than can be said for some of my subsequent crazes.
Reposted by Wendy 'What Now?!' McDonnell 🌱
The resignation of the chair of the OBR is all over the front pages - but we're more interested in how the OBR vastly underestimated the impact of austerity on our economy and how it continues to lock us in to a cycle of cuts and low growth.
December 2, 2025 at 10:46 AM
The resignation of the chair of the OBR is all over the front pages - but we're more interested in how the OBR vastly underestimated the impact of austerity on our economy and how it continues to lock us in to a cycle of cuts and low growth.
Reposted by Wendy 'What Now?!' McDonnell 🌱
James’s terminally ill mum had to travel to Dignitas alone for an assisted death.
Now, one year on from MPs voting for the assisted dying Bill, a handful of Peers are trying to delay and derail it.
Write to Peers and let them know we expect progress, not sabotage.
dignityindying.org.uk/actnow
Now, one year on from MPs voting for the assisted dying Bill, a handful of Peers are trying to delay and derail it.
Write to Peers and let them know we expect progress, not sabotage.
dignityindying.org.uk/actnow
November 29, 2025 at 9:00 AM
James’s terminally ill mum had to travel to Dignitas alone for an assisted death.
Now, one year on from MPs voting for the assisted dying Bill, a handful of Peers are trying to delay and derail it.
Write to Peers and let them know we expect progress, not sabotage.
dignityindying.org.uk/actnow
Now, one year on from MPs voting for the assisted dying Bill, a handful of Peers are trying to delay and derail it.
Write to Peers and let them know we expect progress, not sabotage.
dignityindying.org.uk/actnow
Regulation won't fix our broken water system.
You have until 3rd December to tell DEFRA exactly why their plans for a new fines system won't work.
Take 2 minutes now to complete the consultation.
You have until 3rd December to tell DEFRA exactly why their plans for a new fines system won't work.
Take 2 minutes now to complete the consultation.
Email DEFRA - regulation won't fix our broken water system
Email DEFRA - regulation won't fix our broken water system
weownit.org.uk
November 29, 2025 at 8:44 AM
Why wouldn’t you want to know? What have you got to fear? Losing your precious Brexit? Being revealed as a traitor and a liar?
Surely, anyone decent and honest who genuinely cares about our country and our democracy has nothing to lose from this. So, sign up.
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Surely, anyone decent and honest who genuinely cares about our country and our democracy has nothing to lose from this. So, sign up.
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Petition: Call a public inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics & democracy
We are concerned about reported efforts from Russia to influence democracy in the US, UK, Europe and elsewhere. We believe we must establish the depth and breadth of possible Russian influence campaig...
petition.parliament.uk
November 28, 2025 at 9:22 PM
Reposted by Wendy 'What Now?!' McDonnell 🌱
This wee mite would have grown up with all the potential to be an asset to society here.
The UK is not 'full',
It has been broken by cruel and poor political decisions at Westminster: years of austerity and Brexit.
The UK is not 'full',
It has been broken by cruel and poor political decisions at Westminster: years of austerity and Brexit.
This is a “success” story of immigration policy. Not mentioned in the “who should get credit for bringing down migration” debate this morning.
She would be fleeing a climate disaster. So if you’re wondering how we’ll deal with that in future, it’s this x500 million.
She would be fleeing a climate disaster. So if you’re wondering how we’ll deal with that in future, it’s this x500 million.
UK rejects visa for girl left destitute in Jamaica by Hurricane Melissa
Lati-Yana Brown’s parents had asked for application to be expedited so she could join them in UK after house ruined
www.theguardian.com
November 28, 2025 at 8:37 AM
This wee mite would have grown up with all the potential to be an asset to society here.
The UK is not 'full',
It has been broken by cruel and poor political decisions at Westminster: years of austerity and Brexit.
The UK is not 'full',
It has been broken by cruel and poor political decisions at Westminster: years of austerity and Brexit.
👏👏👏
Yay!! I couldn’t be there but Sergei & the Westminster Spy Ring just won gold at the APA podcast awards!!
Whole thing was crowdfunded by @the-citizens.bsky.social to highlight 5-year legal case to get an investigation into Russian interference in UK politics. Power to the people!
Whole thing was crowdfunded by @the-citizens.bsky.social to highlight 5-year legal case to get an investigation into Russian interference in UK politics. Power to the people!
November 27, 2025 at 10:24 PM
👏👏👏
Reposted by Wendy 'What Now?!' McDonnell 🌱
Nigel Farage has spent £1m taking out adverts in the papers to distract from the Nathan Gill Russian bribe scandal.
We can't let him buy himself out of this. We need an investigation into Russian influence in our politics.
We can't let him buy himself out of this. We need an investigation into Russian influence in our politics.
November 27, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Nigel Farage has spent £1m taking out adverts in the papers to distract from the Nathan Gill Russian bribe scandal.
We can't let him buy himself out of this. We need an investigation into Russian influence in our politics.
We can't let him buy himself out of this. We need an investigation into Russian influence in our politics.
I've got to believe that the majority of people deciding to listen to the Reith Lectures already are of the same opinion. It's glaringly obvious that Trump is openly the biggest grifter ever to reside in the White House .
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
Reith lecturer accuses BBC of censoring his remarks on Trump
Dutch writer Rutger Bregman says claim that Trump was ‘most openly corrupt president in US history’ was removed
www.theguardian.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:47 PM
I've got to believe that the majority of people deciding to listen to the Reith Lectures already are of the same opinion. It's glaringly obvious that Trump is openly the biggest grifter ever to reside in the White House .
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
Robbie Gibb said if he doesn't get his way, he'll blow the BBC up. It's ridiculous that a man like that has a spot on the BBC's board. Our public broadcaster MUST be independent. Agree? Sign to get Gibb sacked: act.38degrees.org.uk/act/sack-rob...
Sack Sir Robbie Gibb from the BBC board
Robbie Gibb said if he doesn't get his way, he'll blow the BBC up. It's ridiculous that a man like that has a spot on the BBC's board. Our public broadcaster MUST be independent. Agree? Sign to get Gi...
act.38degrees.org.uk
November 25, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Robbie Gibb said if he doesn't get his way, he'll blow the BBC up. It's ridiculous that a man like that has a spot on the BBC's board. Our public broadcaster MUST be independent. Agree? Sign to get Gibb sacked: act.38degrees.org.uk/act/sack-rob...
In honour of its proponents, I suggest that the Dmitriev-Witkoff proposal should henceforth be called the Dim-Wit Plan
November 23, 2025 at 8:07 PM
Reposted by Wendy 'What Now?!' McDonnell 🌱
About 76 hours 57 minutes more of the media crap going on about what will and will not be in this bloody Budget.
Let this be the last Budget. Change the way we do it.
Let this be the last Budget. Change the way we do it.
November 23, 2025 at 8:03 AM
About 76 hours 57 minutes more of the media crap going on about what will and will not be in this bloody Budget.
Let this be the last Budget. Change the way we do it.
Let this be the last Budget. Change the way we do it.
I'd forgotten that we used to have this level of interaction with our BBC. Does it ever happen now? The Blue Peter badge generation would certainly have expected nothing less. Simple kindness.
45 years ago I made a pitch for the Director-General job. Didn’t get it – mind you, I was only 13. But I did get a reply from Ian Trethowan, who was DG at the time. All these years later I’m proud to work for the BBC.
November 23, 2025 at 5:19 PM
I'd forgotten that we used to have this level of interaction with our BBC. Does it ever happen now? The Blue Peter badge generation would certainly have expected nothing less. Simple kindness.
The Elections Bill is being drafted as we speak. This is our big chance to win reforms that will protect our democracy. Please can you invite your MP to this parliamentary drop-in?
secure.unlockdemocracy.org.uk/page/182076/...
secure.unlockdemocracy.org.uk/page/182076/...
Elections Bill event
The Elections Bill is being drafted as we speak. This is our big chance to win reforms that will protect our democracy. Please can you invite your MP to our parliamentary drop-in?
secure.unlockdemocracy.org.uk
November 20, 2025 at 7:25 PM
The Elections Bill is being drafted as we speak. This is our big chance to win reforms that will protect our democracy. Please can you invite your MP to this parliamentary drop-in?
secure.unlockdemocracy.org.uk/page/182076/...
secure.unlockdemocracy.org.uk/page/182076/...
Reposted by Wendy 'What Now?!' McDonnell 🌱
In 1974, our local Labour Party Young Socialist group invited a bloke who'd just sought asylum in Yorkshire. He was from Chile, a critic of Pinochet and had fled for his life. He opened our eyes to the world.
Not sure how he'd be treated now.
Not sure how he'd be treated now.
November 17, 2025 at 5:42 PM
In 1974, our local Labour Party Young Socialist group invited a bloke who'd just sought asylum in Yorkshire. He was from Chile, a critic of Pinochet and had fled for his life. He opened our eyes to the world.
Not sure how he'd be treated now.
Not sure how he'd be treated now.
Reposted by Wendy 'What Now?!' McDonnell 🌱
Just wilful performative cruelty that is entirely out of step with the majority of British people.
How many Labour MPs got into politics in order to vote for stealing jewellery off of people seeking refuge from war and persecution?
How many Labour MPs got into politics in order to vote for stealing jewellery off of people seeking refuge from war and persecution?
November 17, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Just wilful performative cruelty that is entirely out of step with the majority of British people.
How many Labour MPs got into politics in order to vote for stealing jewellery off of people seeking refuge from war and persecution?
How many Labour MPs got into politics in order to vote for stealing jewellery off of people seeking refuge from war and persecution?
Reposted by Wendy 'What Now?!' McDonnell 🌱
The Prime Minister said in September that we are at a fork in the road. These asylum proposals suggest we have taken the wrong turning.
The idea that recognised refugees need to be deported is wrong.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
The idea that recognised refugees need to be deported is wrong.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Asylum system in UK ‘out of control’ and dividing country, home secretary says
Shabana Mahmood to unveil new proposals modelled on Denmark’s controversial system
www.theguardian.com
November 16, 2025 at 5:45 PM
The Prime Minister said in September that we are at a fork in the road. These asylum proposals suggest we have taken the wrong turning.
The idea that recognised refugees need to be deported is wrong.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
The idea that recognised refugees need to be deported is wrong.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Reposted by Wendy 'What Now?!' McDonnell 🌱
that people use AI technologies in their work and explain that it saves them precious time that they can devote to other more urgent tasks tells me less about the wondrousness of the technologies and more about the overextension and immiseration of workers.
November 15, 2025 at 11:29 PM
that people use AI technologies in their work and explain that it saves them precious time that they can devote to other more urgent tasks tells me less about the wondrousness of the technologies and more about the overextension and immiseration of workers.
Reposted by Wendy 'What Now?!' McDonnell 🌱
Can we go back to the days when politicians said that they really wanted to help people but it’s very hard and takes time, rather than saying that they want to hurt people and can do it quickly?
November 16, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Can we go back to the days when politicians said that they really wanted to help people but it’s very hard and takes time, rather than saying that they want to hurt people and can do it quickly?
Reposted by Wendy 'What Now?!' McDonnell 🌱
What a photograph.
“Nearly two dozen arrested as faith leaders protested outside a federal immigration facility near Chicago…”
Arrested large amounts of peaceful clergy face first on pavement is a pretty good sign you’re not the good guys in the story. www.reuters.com/legal/govern...
“Nearly two dozen arrested as faith leaders protested outside a federal immigration facility near Chicago…”
Arrested large amounts of peaceful clergy face first on pavement is a pretty good sign you’re not the good guys in the story. www.reuters.com/legal/govern...
November 15, 2025 at 1:51 PM
What a photograph.
“Nearly two dozen arrested as faith leaders protested outside a federal immigration facility near Chicago…”
Arrested large amounts of peaceful clergy face first on pavement is a pretty good sign you’re not the good guys in the story. www.reuters.com/legal/govern...
“Nearly two dozen arrested as faith leaders protested outside a federal immigration facility near Chicago…”
Arrested large amounts of peaceful clergy face first on pavement is a pretty good sign you’re not the good guys in the story. www.reuters.com/legal/govern...
Reposted by Wendy 'What Now?!' McDonnell 🌱
A fascinating and revealing thread.
People from mining areas don't want the pits to reopen. Mining is hard, dangerous work.
What they want is the highly paid jobs that enable their communities to flourish.
People from mining areas don't want the pits to reopen. Mining is hard, dangerous work.
What they want is the highly paid jobs that enable their communities to flourish.
Okay, I can't let this one go. I live in Ireland, not the UK, but the use of this image by a supposedly socialist party is so stupid and offensive, I'm going to get stuck in.
Let me explain to you why any experienced illustrator/designer could have stopped you making so many miserable mistakes. 1/
Let me explain to you why any experienced illustrator/designer could have stopped you making so many miserable mistakes. 1/
November 16, 2025 at 7:14 AM
A fascinating and revealing thread.
People from mining areas don't want the pits to reopen. Mining is hard, dangerous work.
What they want is the highly paid jobs that enable their communities to flourish.
People from mining areas don't want the pits to reopen. Mining is hard, dangerous work.
What they want is the highly paid jobs that enable their communities to flourish.
Reposted by Wendy 'What Now?!' McDonnell 🌱
I will wait for what the Treasury used to call a Fiscal Event but has now been renamed as the Great Despeculation Event on 26 November after 12.30 GMT
Today’s Budget speculation is that yesterday’s Budget speculation was wrong bit.ly/3XfQmfX and will be replaced by other speculation, probably- or maybe not
Rachel Reeves scraps budget plan to increase income tax
Chancellor was considering breaking Labour’s manifesto pledge but has backed down over fears it would anger mutinous MPs and voters
bit.ly
November 14, 2025 at 8:13 AM
I will wait for what the Treasury used to call a Fiscal Event but has now been renamed as the Great Despeculation Event on 26 November after 12.30 GMT