Ben O'Driscoll

I think the universal goal should be removing and preventing the emergence of AI.

Considering how its environmentally destructive, threatens human jobs, and arguably stifles creativity - among other negatives - I feel the downsides outweigh the benefits.

Congratulations to @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social for his victory.

This only reinforces my view that the future of politics must be genuinely left-wing, socially liberal and progressive.

#socialism

Happy World Vegan Day!

#WorldVeganDay

For any side violating the so-called ceasefire in Gaza, consider this: you're killing innocent people and destroying lives.

Gaza - and the wider Middle East - need real, lasting peace now.

Trans rights are human rights.

Of course, that's just my opinion - but I think his previous nastiness and actions speak for themselves.

OK, thanks for the heads-up. It would be terrible if Streeting became PM: as if anyone pursuing reheated Blairism (and goodness knows what else) could meaningfully help the public or stop the right or radical right, especially nowadays.

This ☝️. BTW, is there any possibility of a (Emergency?) podcast with @profafinlayson.bsky.social assessing the reasons behind the Caerphilly result, Powell's election as Deputy Labour leader and maybe other things?

Not quite sure why the media is presenting the Caerphilly result as a disaster for Labour, rather than as a perfect execution of its electoral strategy.

That strategy for *months* now has been to tell everybody who might otherwise be inclined to vote for them to fuck off.

And off they have fucked.

Happy that Plaid Cymru won, but the by-election has also reinforced the need to counteract Reform.

Socialism and comprehensive democratic reform are - above all - arguably best for the people, but could also tackle key reasons why people are turning to the right and radical right.

Prince Andrew has been stripped of all his royal titles.

Exerts from Virginia Guthrie’s memoir, detailing her abuse by Andrew, played a role in his downfall. Tragically, she committed suicide last April.

It’s on all of us to make sure the other Epstein survivors get justice before it’s too late.

A ceasefire should fully end violence between the sides involved.

In Gaza, we're seeing the alternative consequences: trauma, injury and death.

All violations of the ceasefire in Gaza must end now - and stay that way.

The Middle East needs peace now, and permanently. The violations of the ceasefire in Gaza must cease forever. Peoples' lives depend on peace.

Great analysis from Oliver Eagleton on the concerningly neoliberal, neocolonial nature of the peace plan for Gaza.

Gaza - and Palestine as a whole - deserve better.

And we all know how the housing bubble ended up...

Reform overall might not quite be Nazi-level, but consider this: the radical right is only a substep away from fascism.

We need an eco-socialist and socially inclusive agenda for government and society to defeat it.

No wonder they're saying this when you've got the horrifying sprawl of AI combined with farcically pro-corporate policies by administrations such as the US.

From the Hamas attacks of October 7 to Israel's subsequent and ongoing genocide in Gaza, this period did - and continues - to affect so many.

The Middle East needs immediate, lasting and genuine peace for all.

Free Greta Thunberg and the rest of the illegally detained flotilla activists.

A dangerous proposed overreach that could squander pro-Palestinian protests and others, by further criminalising 'impactful' events: even those that are peaceful and have moral messaging.

Laws targeting violent protest and hate speech are much better.

No way this should go ahead.

Calling out racism and anti-Semitism is one thing. Smearing the wider pro-Palestine movement is unacceptable and dangerous.

Anti-Semitism is completely wrong, but supporting Palestine and opposing Israel is not in itself anti-Semitic.

#CeasefireNowPermanently
#FreePalestine

Counter-terror police to give update after two die in Manchester synagogue attack A third person, the suspect, was shot dead by police - video showed a man with items strapped around his waist. The attack happened on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.

I am deeply shocked and saddened by the horrific attack outside a Manchester synagogue on Yom Kippur. My thoughts are with the victims, their loved ones, and the entire Jewish community. We must stand together, resolute against antisemitism and hatred in all its forms.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cx...

The issue (IMO) is that there's no substantive evidence that Starmer - and much of his Cabinet - want to pursue particularly radical progressive reform, regardless of how much they understand the situation. Going by their economic inconsistencies and authoritarian gestures, its quite the opposite.

Gaza needs peace. But the US peace plan looks like neocolonialism. Minimising Palestinians' role in governance, and potentially neoliberalising Gaza's economy: to the benefit of Trump and business magnates.

Palestinians must properly lead Gaza.

Stop blaming migrants and tackle UK’s real problems, 100 charities tell home secretary A letter warns Shabana Mahmood that ‘targeting refugees will do nothing to tackle’ problems with housing and the NHS More than 100 charities have sent a letter to the home secretary, Shabana Mahmood, calling for an end to the “scapegoating of migrants”. The letter, sent before her speech at the Labour party conference in Liverpool on Monday afternoon, was coordinated by Refugee Action and signed by 105 organisations from a wide range of sectors – including Save the Children, Mind, Oxfam, Shelter, Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth, as well as dozens of migrant and anti-racism charities. It has also been signed by the PCS union, which represents Border Force workers. Continue reading...

Stop blaming migrants and tackle UK’s real problems, 100 charities tell home secretary

Keep signing folks!

Let's consign this proposed infringement on privacy and attack on migrants to the dustbin of history.

Petition: Do not introduce Digital ID cards We demand that the UK Government immediately commits to not introducing a digital ID cards. There are reports that this is being looked at.

One of the unexpected things I've learned from my advocacy for trans people is how malignant parts of the State can be, how it can misuse data for positively evil purposes. It's taught me people can't be safe with a digital ID card and so I've signed this. petition.parliament.uk/petitions/73...

If Burnham re-enters Westminster and replaces Starmer, I hope Labour adopts a left-environmental programme, #ProportionalRepresentation and progressive alliances with other parties. We need these for a better, more equal and fair society.

This is beyond questionable. Surely democratising the media and press would help address this imbalance and remove bias.

Fingers crossed the YP membership will have solidarity with trans people.