John Coombs

Make Keir Starmer step up on climate The government is failing to tackle global heating – so we’re forcing it to take action

The Government needs to get serious about climate change. And it hasn't so we're suing. But this is the longest and most expensive legal letter Good Law Project has ever sent - and it involves a huge team of specialist lawyers. And we really could use your help. goodlaw.social/4cqi

It's shocking to read that 78% of what ends up in Richmond’s rubbish bins could have been recycled. Time for change: richmond.gov.uk/news/news_no...

I’m supporting the local campaign for Bathing Water Designation along our stretch of the River Thames. Thank you to Ham and Kingston Bathers, Teddington Bluetits & others for their efforts. People deserve to swim, paddle & row in clean, healthy water.

This weekend is for remeberence and I shall be at Richmond Synagogue on Saturday and Sts Phillip and James' Whitton on Sunday where Whitton's War Memorial is located.

Graphic showing a laughing Nigel Farage - above are the words Lib Dems defeat Farage's plan to undermine our Human Rights

Liberal Democrat MPs just defeated Nigel Farage’s Bill in Parliament to tear up people’s rights and withdraw from the ECHR.

Farage wants to do away with the Britain Churchill built and turn it into Trump's America. We won't let him.

Ed Davey called on Keir Starmer to go further on Brexit and negotiate a new customs union with the EU. Labour is right to face up to the damage done, but to repair relations with Europe, we’ll need more than just a change in tone.

What I've learnt today is that coffee grounds join together when disposed down a drain and form a thick paste which usually ends up in fat burgs in sewers.

Vocational education deserves real investment, not reckless cuts to trusted options before new ones are ready.

The government must work with students, employers, and the public alike to make changes.

OK, so we are a bit late for 'international e-waste day' but we're posting this anyway as it's always a good day to get advice on how to keep things of out landfill: richmond.gov.uk/news/news_oc... #recycle

The botched Brexit deal dreamt up by the Farage and delivered by the Conservatives has brought nothing but red-tape and economic misery.

The government must now deliver their promised “EU-reset” - starting with a new UK-EU Customs Union.

Good quality housing: what the UK could learn from the Dutch Affordable, sustainable, climate-adapted housing that matches regional and national needs is desperately required everywhere

✍️ Good quality housing: what the UK could learn from the Dutch

Affordable, sustainable, climate-adapted housing that matches regional and national needs is desperately required everywhere

By Professor Juliet Lodge

@julietl.bsky.social

Mosquitoes found in Iceland for first time as climate crisis warms country Three specimens discovered in what was previously one of the only places in the world without the insects Mosquitoes have been found in Iceland for the first time as global heating makes the country more hospitable for insects. The country was until this month one of the only places in the world that did not have a mosquito population. The other is Antarctica. Continue reading...

Mosquitoes found in Iceland for first time as climate crisis warms country

Neither Labour ministers nor backbench MPs understand the impact on local residents the proposed 90%+ cuts in core funding from government to @richmondcouncil.bsky.social will have. That's social care, youth services, street cleaning, bin collection - vital services wherever you live!

Back garden hedging being given its Autumn cut - at last.

There really is something about Their Graces, the Dukes of York

There have been 11. Of which:

2 were killed on the battlefield
1 was probably/possibly murdered in the Tower
1 was executed by Parliament (after he had succeeded as king)
1 was deposed (ditto)
2 showed promise but really went to seed

Emily Maitlis: Andrew lied to me | The Observer Former Newsnight presenter interviewed the prince in 2019

'I think we know 1% of the Epstein files. Britain is fixated on the Prince and his titles. We might be talking about 1,000 victims and 30 to 50 paedophiles'

✍️ Jon Ungoed-Thomas reports on @maitlis.bsky.social

https://bit.ly/42QRUQG

Tel Aviv football derby between Hapoel and Maccabi called off after rioting Israeli police make nine arrests, citing ‘disorderly conduct, riots, injured police officers’ and infrastructure damage The Tel Aviv football derby between Hapoel and Maccabi has been called off after rioting and “risks to human life”, Israeli police said. The match was due to take place on Sunday night at Bloomfield Stadium, a ground the two sides share, as a home fixture for Hapoel. Continue reading...

Tel Aviv football derby between Hapoel and Maccabi called off after rioting

Screenshot from BBC: Rachel Reeves blames Brexit deal for long-term damage to economy. Rachel Reeves made the comment about the 2020 deal at a key meeting of the world's leading finance ministers and central bankers.

Then fix it.

It cannot be right that the government is still hounding carers for repayments, long after this scandal was exposed and even after we secured an independent review, but before it has been put right.

The government must pause repayments and get on with fixing the system so it works for carers.

It seems to come round quicker each month but on Saturday morning your Whitton area Councillors (LBRuT) will be at Whitton Library between 10am and noon to meet any local residents with concerns about our local area.

Jacqui Hames, featured in #TheHack, is calling on the Prime Minister to put the public ahead of Murdoch, and act now to end corruption and abuse in the press.
Back her petition now:
you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/a-...

Lovely to join the Kinship carers event at Whitton Community Centre for #KinshipCareWeek. With thanks to Anna from the Kinship London group – an absolute force of nature & tremendous advocate for kinship carers.

Watchdog rules Red Tractor exaggerated its environmental standards The Advertising Standards Authority agrees with River Action that the food safety body’s 2023 advert misled the public The UK’s advertising watchdog has upheld a complaint that Britain’s biggest farm assurance scheme misled the public in a TV ad about its environmental standards. The Red Tractor scheme, used by leading supermarkets including Tesco, Asda and Morrisons to assure customers their food meets high standards for welfare, environment, traceability and safety, is the biggest and perhaps best known assurance system in Britain. Continue reading...

Watchdog rules Red Tractor exaggerated its environmental standards

Such fun to get stuck in & play some cricket with the girls from Heathfield primary school. Thanks to Coach Watson for his inspirational coaching & to Maiden Cricket for providing the girls’ team with their kit (designed by pupils!).

I've just tried to post an invitation to attend an event at Hounslow Heath Park on Hanworth Road on 29th October from 11am. Let's see if I can work it out another time.

Youth work changes lives, but years of funding cuts have forced many centres to close.

@MuniraWilson.bsky.social explains the Lib Dems plan to rebuild youth work to give every young person a safe space to belong, grow, and thrive.

TikTok is getting rid of the London staff who keep you safe from harmful, misleading and illegal content. When did they announce the job cuts? Eight days before those employees were due to vote on unionising.

We’ve signed an open letter with @tuc.org.uk and @cwunews.bsky.social:

"Everyone who protested, wrote to their MPs, shouted at the TV...we have to work towards that two-state solution."

@LaylaMoran.bsky.social

TANK vs TESLA

"We've crushed fascism before and we'll crush it again"

- ⁠WW2 veteran Ken, 98, in the tank

LBRuT's Mayor's Civic Service at St Mary's Twickenham on Sunday was its usual moving event and the children's choir were delightful.