Simon Whitehouse

I thought it sounded off at first too.

Rules about campaigning and media on polling day Find out more about the rules about campaigning on polling day

I dunno.

www.electoralcommission.org.uk/voting-and-e...

"Campaigners or candidates must not campaign near polling stations in a way that could be seen as aggressive or intimidating (for example, large groups of supporters carrying banners, or vehicles with loudspeakers or heavily branded ....)."

BRIG Birmingham will not be divided The recent remarks by Robert Jenrick about 'seeing no white faces' in Handsworth are deeply irresponsible and reveal ore about his own worldview than about our city. Once again, we are dragged back into tired debates about "integration", "Britishness" and who belongs, as if being non-white somehow makes you less British. Handsworth has always been one of Birmingham's most diverse and multicultural communities, a place where people of every colour, faith and background live, work and trade side by side. To claim otherwise is not only inaccurate, but also designed to provoke division and resentment. If Mr Jenrick had looked a little closer, he would have seen the vibrant Eastern European shops, the Caribbean cafes, the South Asian grocers and the faith spaces that make the Soho Road one of the most culturally rich streets in Britain. Perhaps his "90-minute integration study", armed with a Dulux colour chart, missed that reality. The truth is this: Handsworth is not a slum, It is one of Birmingham's treasures; a community that has stood tall through decades of struggle and change. Rather than being maligned, it should be celebrated and placed firmly on the city's cultural and tourism map.

BRIG Monday night's Pioneers Exhibition, launched by Birmingham Race Impact Group (BRIG) and funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, reminded us of the generations who have faced down racism and defended our communities - people who have worked tirelessly to build the inclusive, resilient Birmingham we know today. Their stories, captured on the Beyond Racism website show the real face of this city: proud, diverse and enduring. Jagwant Johal, BRIG Founding Member said, "Birmingham has always been a city of welcome and resistance, a place where difference is not feared but celebrated. Handsworth, like so many of our neighbourhoods, is living proof that integration is not about exclusion. It's about mutual respect, shared struggle and collective belonging." Handsworth and Birmingham will not tolerate attempts to sow division. We stand united as Brummies, as neighbours, and as people who know that our diversity is our greatest strength.

Handsworth is not divided, it’s Birmingham.

Our diversity isn’t a weakness, it’s our greatest strength. From Caribbean cafés to South Asian grocers and Eastern European shops, Handsworth represents the true face of Britain: proud, resilient, and beautifully diverse.
- Birmingham Race Impact Group

Yes, definitely. Back in 2012 they had 140 places (40 fewer) and the previous years' distances were 1.651, 2.053 and 1.737km. So, a lot fewer kids from Balsall Heath getting in now by the looks of it.

Thanks Matthew. That looks really good. I'm intrigued by how tight the distance is for Queensbridge. Anyway, good luck if you're going through the process this year.

This looks great, although it's infuriating that it is still necessary.

Am I being a bit slow? I can't find the map that you've screenshotted here.

Brum Together We are proud to live in Birmingham — a city built by many cultures, stories and traditions. Our diversity is our strength, and that’s what makes this place home. There is nothing wrong with people ...

We stand with #BrumTogether. “We are proud to live in Birmingham — a city built by many cultures, stories and traditions. True pride is inclusive. The best way to show love for Birmingham is through celebrating everyone who calls this city home." Sign here: tinyurl.com/brumtogether...

Have you tried using clove oil?. Mix it in a saucer with some coconut oil and soak some cotton wool with the mixture. Apply to the painful area and it acts as a local anaesthetic. Don't apply neat though.

Happy Monday to everyone who has been standing in solidarity with people seeking asylum and migrants.

We see you - and we know we are stronger together.

#NoOneIsIllegal
#MigrationIsLife

We escaped war and torture but now we feel unsafe in Britain Special report: Amid protests and rising aggression towards asylum seekers across the country, we spoke to those being targeted

I’ve been frustrated to see so much of the ongoing story about asylum seekers and the protests against them covered without hearing from those seeking asylum and now being met with hostility and hatred

I set out to speak to those directly affected to find out about the impact this is having 👇

I had to create a separate account for Cross Country Trains last month to make a claim.

Petition: Urgently fulfil humanitarian obligations to Gaza Act to ensure deliverer of fuel, food, aid, life saving services etc. We think this shouldn't be dependant/on condition of Israeli facilitation as the Knesset voted against UNWRA access to Gaza. We th...

I shared the link yesterday, but (UK citizens only please) the Gaza petition to UK parliament is here if you're looking for it; just cracked 76k and the rate at which people are signing is creeping up; currently 4500/hour and only needs 347 signatures every hour for the next 3 days to hit 100k

Where thee coos? Oooh, there thee coos!

If you look in the background of the photo you'll see some of the counter demonstration, behind the two lines of police

A chiva on the road between Palmira and Tenerife, Valle de Cauca, Colombia.

Post a photo of a bus from your camera roll

Donate to Benji’s Big Brummie (Blue)Print, organised by Liz Garlinge Hello, we are Ruth Harvey and Liz Garlinge, two admirers of the man, the legend, la gran… Liz Garlinge needs your support for Benji’s Big Brummie (Blue)Print

Hey friends! We’re raising some money to bring light and art to one of our own, @benjiw.bsky.social during challenging times. Please consider a small contribution- full story at gofund.me/a6a929da

PROTEST REFORM uk FARAGE NOT WELCOME IN BIRMINGHAM FRIDAY 28 MARCH, 6PM BIRMINGHAM CITY CENTRE Kings Heath United Against Racism is proud to be part of Birmingham United Against Racism, a broad coalition organising this important event. The surge of far right racist politics across Europe has been given a boost by Trump's election win. Reform UK are confident that they can become a main stream party. We have to prevent that happening. Nigel Farage has hired Utilita Arena, a 15,000 seat venue in Birmingham for a political rally. Antiracists will be holding a counter rally in Centenary Square. Assembling initially at the Arena entrance at 6.00pm we will then march to Centenary Square for 7.00pm. We are hiring a Stage Bus and the entertainment will include Friendly Fire Band, drummers, Banner Theatre and more. Speakers to announced. Be part of the resistance and join the rally and celebrate multicultural Birmingham! Together, we will celebrate our diversity and unity against those who seek to scapegoat, spread racism, and fuel hate. Let’s stand together! More details of the event to follow.

Farage has announced Reform’s “biggest event yet” in Birmingham on 28 March. Join the protest to stop racist Reform and say Farage is not welcome in Birmingham. See you there.

a dog is being held up by a bunch of colorful balloons with a tiktok logo in the corner Alt: a dog is being held up by a bunch of colorful balloons with a tiktok logo in the corner

Happy Birthday Ben! That is a great story.

Balloons and a dog!

Oooh, enjoy! Are you visiting Cali?

Thanks for sharing Ben. I've signed the petition and I wish Virginia all the best with her appeal. What a horrible situation for her to be in.

These are one essential phrase, to be sure. I'm doing well thanks. I've settled into the apartment in Cali that will be my final stop before coming home towards the end of next month. Looking forward to seeing everyone.

It looks good Michael. I also enjoyed reading your post about supporting foreign language learners. Are you learning Ukranian?

Cut the marketing crap for small charities with 'The Little Big Plan' – what do you think? - Michael Grimes I’ve built a little tool to help small charities and community groups cut out the noise and focus on what actually matters to them. I would love people to try it out and tell me how it can be better. ...

I've built a little tool to help small charities and community groups cut through unhelpful marketing advice and focus on what actually matters to them. I'd love people in the sector to try it out and tell me how it can be better.

Links and more info in here 👇
michaelgrimes.co.uk/cut-the-crap...

I made a number of changes when I used this a few months back. Good luck with it @jukes.ie

It's an amazing place. I can take no credit for the video, other than standing in the way of the cañon!

Here's a holiday video from the other week when I was in Barichara, Colombia. That wave at the start, the wiggly hands, can be for you Ben. Thanks for posting and for being your lovely self.

I worked as a teaching assistant in a school here back in 2016 and came back in 2022. I'm coming back to the UK in a couple of months.
tl;dr is Colombia safer than its reputation, drug gangs and political armed groups overlap and affect people's lives. Beautiful country and friendly people.

It's this type of project that intersects with the land rights of indigenous people and the killing of their leaders. So, yes better on an environmental level, but also why Petro says that decarbonisation is only part solution and that "markets will not fix the climate crisis and save humanity"

Colombia cerró 2024 con 33 nuevas plantas solares en operación, la mitad de lo proyectado Colombia cerró el 2024 con 1.881 megavatios (MW) de energía renovable, en su mayoría solar. En total, fueron 71 los proyectos de mediana y gran escala...

www.elcolombiano.com/negocios/ene...

says that Colombia quadrupuled its on-grid renewable energy in 2024, less than half the target. Most of this in solar.