Andrew Brown

Eek.

I think they're promising action in around six months time...

*Stefan Quaqarone, surely!

To quote Harry Willcock:

I'm a Liberal and I'm

Against

This

Sort

Of

Thing.

...isn't in power - he has shifted the parameters of the debate through force of personality, a compliant and/or complicit and/or compromised media, and a government unable/unwilling to stand up to him.

To be clear, I would like to see my own party do more to stand up on these fronts too...

It is somewhat clichéd to quote the Martin Niemöller poem - First They Came For... - especially given its immediate context when written, but this is how regressive authoritarian actors work: normalise the demonisation of one group and move on to the next.

It doesn't even matter that Farage...

...aided and abetted by Labour ceding ground on the terms of the debate...

...this should also be a warning to LGB people - we are next in line for those challenging the rights of trans people, along with reproductive rights for cis women, and anyone else with a womb.

The speed with which Farage has moved from stoking up animus towards asylum seekers to targeting already settled migrants is staggering.

To be clear, this was always the next step in this front in his culture war, but we've arrived here much quicker than anticipated...

1/2

They held one of the Durham ones, I think.

Been working through various Glasto sets over the past month - don't think they're available for much longer, so really pleased I opted to finally watch Kae Tempest's set tonight.

I saw him in 2019 at Bluedot, but the Glasto set was excellent -catchvit if you can.

2000 years ago: the Romans would let an aqueduct destroy the Gardon Valley. We need clean water, but at what cost?

The Salt Path is on my list of books to read - definitely will be reading it with a different lens now than I might otherwise have done.

Proud that Bristol City Council is not afraid to show its support for LGBTQ+ people in our city and beyond.

Great to see the phenomenal response to the #BringTurnerHome campaign - Bristolian generosity could see this picture of Hotwells saved for the city:

crowdfunder.co.uk/p/bringturne...

NC1 HAS PASSED!

Parliament has officially voted to decriminalise abortion.

This is an incredible step forward for women's rights in the UK.

Thank you to all 379 MPs that voted to improve women and girls rights in the UK!!

"This week’s settlement must be a downpayment on a deliverable scheme"

Cllr @drewknew.bsky.social reflects on the Government's announcement of transport funding that left the West of England short-changed

Cllr Andrew Varney celebrates the Lib Dem win that is set to bring free schools meals to nearly 36,000 children in Bristol:

“Thanks to the efforts of hard-working Lib Dem MPs, children across the country are finally on track to receive the meals they need to succeed in school"

...of balancing meeting housing need, supporting our economy, and ensuring that our people have the skills they need in a changing world.

I would be grateful for your consideration, and even more grateful for a #1 preference! The ballot is due to open next Thursday, keep an eye on your email!

3/3

...local government, and the specific challenges facing our cities and their surrounding regions.

In my current role, as Chair of Bristol's Economy and Skills committee, I am putting that experience into practice as we tackle the challenges...

2/3

A manifesto for member of the LGA City Regions board - plain text available on request.

A post for fellow Lib Dem Councillors:

I'm standing in the LGA Group elections, for the City Regions board.

Over the past four years I have held a number of roles across Bristol City Council which have given me a broad insight into the many general challenges facing...

1/3

A man in a teal blazer and white shirt stands in front of two pull-up banners for both the National AIDS Trust and APPG on HIV & AIDS.

It’s time to end the “postcode lottery” when it comes to #HIV testing, treatment, care and support.

Today’s #HIVOutcomes report by @nat.org.uk clearly shows that more and sustained funding for the HIV voluntary sector is sorely needed.

The photo shows an audience in a room at the Livery Room of the Guildhall with a screen which introduces the event: The art of belonging: migration meets culture in a changing UK, with the Migration Museum's communication channels listed

It's been a wretched week for anyone perceived to be other.
After all the cruel, scaremongering statements against migrants this week, it's lovely to join people in London tonight to talk about migration and belonging - that's what I want all Londoners to feel, born here or not

Keir Starmer promises migration drop as he unveils plans for 'tighter' visa rules Plans to ban the recruitment of care workers from overseas are among efforts to curb near record net migration.

I fear that Labour is falling into the same trap that the Tories did – leaning on hostile rhetoric around immigration and damaging our public services and our economy in the process.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Pope Musa VI

Ah, happy Edinburgh days - I did a couple of spells in Stockbridge, so the Botanics were always a great place to retreat to.

Thank you, Oli Henman, our candidate for WECA mayor, for spending the morning in Brislington, delivering newsletters & speaking with local residents. The race to be the next mayor is very close, so every vote counts. If you’re tired of years of Tory & Labour failure, vote for real change. #oli4weca

Wooo-eeee-wooo

Kier Starmer to REFUSES to rule out cuts to disability benefits for those who can't work | PMQs Ed Davey pressed the Prime Minister to rule out cuts to disability benefits for those who simply cannot work. Worryingly, he chose not to answer. Disabled pe...

Today I pressed the Prime Minister to rule out cuts to disability benefits for those who simply cannot work. Worryingly, he chose not to answer.

Disabled people and those who care for them deserve our support and they deserve clarity from this government.

"Young carers are thrust into caring at formative times of their lives, taking on added responsibility, at a time when they should be learning, growing and finding their way in the world."

- @drewknew.bsky.social moving our motion marking #YoungCarersActionDay

Liberal Democrats pass motion championing young carers To mark Young Carers Action Day 2025, Bristol’s Liberal Democrat Councillors passed a motion calling for the council to sign up to the Young Carers Covenant.

Championing Young Carers! We're so pleased that Bristol City Council passed our motion marking #YoungCarersActionDay and calling for the council to sign up to the #YoungCarersCovenant 🥳👩‍👧‍👦📜⬇️

www.bristollibdems.org/news/article...