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Hannah Kitching

@hannahk-ld.bsky.social

๐Ÿ”ถ๏ธ Leader, Barnsley Lib Dems - official opposition on Barnsley Council ๐Ÿ”ถ๏ธ Councillor for Penistone West ๐Ÿ”ถ๏ธ Chair, Yorkshire & Humber Lib Dems ๐Ÿ… Penistone Town Mayor 2025-26

158 Followers  |  97 Following  |  12 Posts  |  Joined: 22.12.2024  |  2.0637

Latest posts by hannahk-ld.bsky.social on Bluesky

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Imagine being turned away from a bathroom, hospital, or cinema for โ€œnot looking female enoughโ€. The leaked EHRC guidance could do just that. Along with my Lib Dem colleagues, Iโ€™ve written to the Minister calling for new, inclusive, practical guidance that protects everyoneโ€™s rights.

28.11.2025 11:26 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 280    ๐Ÿ” 89    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 34    ๐Ÿ“Œ 14

This. Digital ID? Fine. Streamline what we already have.

Mandatory digital ID? Absolutely not fine at all. Let people live their lives in peace.

25.09.2025 18:13 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 4    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

I was absolutely thrilled to see Chris Northwood win the Patsy Calton prize, supported by @libdemwomen.bsky.social who champion, support and fight for the rights of all women.

24.09.2025 17:09 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 6    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Wes Streeting is unpleasant.

24.09.2025 17:06 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 4    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Anyone who has attended a session that I am chairing knows that this doesn't fly with me.

If you want to make a speech submit a speaker's card ๐Ÿ™๐Ÿป

15.09.2025 13:20 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 3    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 2    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

But when we join forces we're unstoppable.

And if you want to see that in action, come along to the How To Survive Conference training session with @hannahk-ld.bsky.social (Type A queen) and me (Type B monster) at 9.30am in The Westbourne Suite at the BIC #LDConf

05.09.2025 13:02 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 3    ๐Ÿ” 2    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Thank you for your support, Lord Shaffaq Mohammed #Kamran4VP

06.08.2025 09:51 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 3    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Delighted to endorse my good friend Kamran Hussain @kamhussain.bsky.social for Vice President. Our party needs more Northern voices so we can grow and diversify our membership.

04.08.2025 09:10 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 4    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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#Diversity is our greatest strength, not a threat to be feared. I believe in a #Liberal Britain where every voice is heard, every #community is respected, and no one is left behind. Thatโ€™s the future Iโ€™m fighting for, thatโ€™s why Iโ€™m standing to be your next party Vice-President. #Kamran4VP

03.08.2025 10:07 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 16    ๐Ÿ” 4    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 1

Absolutely delighted to be endorsing and supporting the wonderful @joshbabarinde.bsky.social to be our next Party President ๐Ÿ’›

26.07.2025 07:45 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 5    ๐Ÿ” 4    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Why Iโ€™m standing to be Party President In November party members will be voting to elect our next Party President. At Lib Dem Voice we welcome posts from each of the candidates โ€“ one to launch their candidature (like this one) plus a maxim...

The first campaign launch for this Autumnโ€™s Party Presidential contest came earlier today, as @joshbabarinde.bsky.social went public with an announcement hereโ€ฆ www.libdemvoice.org/why-im-stand...

25.07.2025 20:38 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 10    ๐Ÿ” 7    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 1
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The Liberal Democrats must be the first and last line of defence against the populism infecting our politics.

We need to be ready to fight for the soul of our country.

๐—ง๐—ต๐—ฎ๐˜โ€™๐˜€ ๐˜„๐—ต๐˜† ๐—œโ€™๐—บ ๐˜€๐˜๐—ฎ๐—ป๐—ฑ๐—ถ๐—ป๐—ด ๐˜๐—ผ ๐—ฏ๐—ฒ ๐—ผ๐˜‚๐—ฟ ๐—ป๐—ฒ๐˜…๐˜ ๐—ฃ๐—ฎ๐—ฟ๐˜๐˜† ๐—ฃ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ๐˜€๐—ถ๐—ฑ๐—ฒ๐—ป๐˜.

Get involved below ๐Ÿ‘‡

25.07.2025 06:58 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 48    ๐Ÿ” 18    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 5    ๐Ÿ“Œ 7

Today marks the beginning of Pride Month - now more than ever, we must stand with the LGBTQ+ community.

I want to make clear that our party will keep fighting - until we can finally build a society where everyone is free to be who they are.

www.libdems.org.uk/news/article/pride-month-2025

01.06.2025 07:12 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 345    ๐Ÿ” 74    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 4    ๐Ÿ“Œ 5
A graphic of three intersex progress Pride flags behind a white box, reading:
"What does 'better' look like?
Revise the Equality Act to:
โ€ข	Protect trans+ and disabled rights
โ€ข	Protect bodily & medical autonomy for all
โ€ข	Recognise non-binary, agender & intersex folks
โ€ข	Codify trans-inclusive meanings of โ€˜manโ€™ and โ€˜womanโ€™ in law, as originally intended
De-medicalise the GRC process
Enshrine self-ID in law, as it is in Ireland
Abolish the spousal veto
Scrap the ban on puberty blockers
Scrap plans for โ€˜chemical castrationโ€™
A trans-inclusive ban on โ€˜conversion therapyโ€™
Ensure same-sex access to IVF treatment
Clear out and reform the EHRC so it protects, rather than diminishes, rights
Protect LGBT+ expression in public life"
The LGBT+ Liberal Democrats logo, with the rainbow bird-of-liberty, is at the bottom.

A graphic of three intersex progress Pride flags behind a white box, reading: "What does 'better' look like? Revise the Equality Act to: โ€ข Protect trans+ and disabled rights โ€ข Protect bodily & medical autonomy for all โ€ข Recognise non-binary, agender & intersex folks โ€ข Codify trans-inclusive meanings of โ€˜manโ€™ and โ€˜womanโ€™ in law, as originally intended De-medicalise the GRC process Enshrine self-ID in law, as it is in Ireland Abolish the spousal veto Scrap the ban on puberty blockers Scrap plans for โ€˜chemical castrationโ€™ A trans-inclusive ban on โ€˜conversion therapyโ€™ Ensure same-sex access to IVF treatment Clear out and reform the EHRC so it protects, rather than diminishes, rights Protect LGBT+ expression in public life" The LGBT+ Liberal Democrats logo, with the rainbow bird-of-liberty, is at the bottom.

It's Pride Month 2025 - wherever you are, we hope you have a safe one. ๐Ÿงก๐Ÿณ๏ธโ€๐ŸŒˆ๐Ÿณ๏ธโ€โšง๏ธ

People have rightly been asking what we mean when we say we @libdems.org.uk need to 'do better' or 'step up' as a party. There's no such thing as 'done' of course - but this is what we're pushing for currently.
1/2

01.06.2025 10:15 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 87    ๐Ÿ” 34    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 3    ๐Ÿ“Œ 3
Background - progress pride flag. Graphic depiction of four people embracing. "PRIDE". Liberal Democrats logo

Background - progress pride flag. Graphic depiction of four people embracing. "PRIDE". Liberal Democrats logo

Liberal Democrats will keep fighting until we can finally build a society where everyone is free to be who they are.

01.06.2025 07:31 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 163    ๐Ÿ” 60    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 7    ๐Ÿ“Œ 5

Also if you zoom in you will see the necklace has a picture of a cow on it which I think is splendid

20.05.2025 10:04 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Hannah smiling wearing a big gold chain with a picture of a cow on it. She is sitting on a wooden throne.

Hannah smiling wearing a big gold chain with a picture of a cow on it. She is sitting on a wooden throne.

It is a huge honour to announce that I am Mayor of Penistone for the municipal year 2025/2026. I was elected at the annual meeting by Town Council colleagues.

My role as Mayor of Penistone is to chair Town Council meetings and to represent Penistone at various civic events.

20.05.2025 10:04 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 6    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
A white lady with short dark hair and glasses is smiling and wearing a ceremonial mayoral... necklace? Chain of office? I don't know what those things are called. I do know I prefer her more usual necklace, which says "fuck the patriarchy" in flowing delicate golden script.

A white lady with short dark hair and glasses is smiling and wearing a ceremonial mayoral... necklace? Chain of office? I don't know what those things are called. I do know I prefer her more usual necklace, which says "fuck the patriarchy" in flowing delicate golden script.

Congrats to my good friend @hannahk-ld.bsky.social who is now mayor of Penistone ๐Ÿ–ค

20.05.2025 08:32 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 51    ๐Ÿ” 2    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 5    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Banning care workers from overseas will have devastating consequences for our loved ones who desperately need care, for our care homes who are struggling to recruit the staff they need, and on our already overstretched hospitals.

13.05.2025 10:03 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 87    ๐Ÿ” 31    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 4    ๐Ÿ“Œ 2
Graphic titled Liberal Democrats now control more councils than the conservatives - with two bars underneath showing 40 councils controlled by the Lib Dems and 34 by the Conservatives.

Graphic titled Liberal Democrats now control more councils than the conservatives - with two bars underneath showing 40 councils controlled by the Lib Dems and 34 by the Conservatives.

The Liberal Democrats are now the second largest party of local government, and weโ€™re on track to overtake the Conservatives at the next general election.

Across the country, voters have chosen our community politics over the Conservativesโ€™ division and disdain.

04.05.2025 11:07 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 175    ๐Ÿ” 56    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 6    ๐Ÿ“Œ 2
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It was a real honour to attend and speak at the trans rights demonstration in Barnsley today. Our trans and non binary community needs support and needs vocal allies now more than ever. Brilliant turnout in our town today.

21.04.2025 15:13 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 15    ๐Ÿ” 4    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 1
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I am increasingly disappointed that the concerns of the #LGBTQ+ community over what the Supreme Court judgement means for them are not yet being addressed. I have written to the Government asking them to make clear how trans and non binary rights will be protected.

18.04.2025 11:52 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 484    ๐Ÿ” 159    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 48    ๐Ÿ“Œ 34

Women have fought for years to be defined as more than just biology. Yesterday's ruling rolls back women's rights by decades. If the EA does not protect trans women then it does not protect any women. Trans rights are human rights ๐Ÿณ๏ธโ€โšง๏ธ

17.04.2025 07:36 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 44    ๐Ÿ” 24    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

If the Equality Act does not protect women then it does not protect women at all. Trans women are women.

17.04.2025 07:34 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 17    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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This has been a busy and fantastic week on the campaign with MPs, Peers and volunteers from right across the country coming to help the campaign to elect the first ever Lib Dem Metro Mayor - if you can help get in touch.

13.04.2025 18:27 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 12    ๐Ÿ” 4    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Lib Dems on highest poll rating with YouGov since before 2019 election:

Lab 24, Ref 23, Con 22, Lib Dem 17, Green 9

YouGov for The Times/Sky, out this morning.

08.04.2025 06:53 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 341    ๐Ÿ” 93    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 39    ๐Ÿ“Œ 47
Cllr Hannah Kitching and Cllr Mike Ross smiling cheerily, both holding leaflets urging voters to support Mike for Mayor.

Cllr Hannah Kitching and Cllr Mike Ross smiling cheerily, both holding leaflets urging voters to support Mike for Mayor.

Sunny day out door knocking in Beverley with @cllrmikeross.bsky.social
Lots of voters think he'll do an excellent job as Hull and East Yorkshire Mayor #mike4mayor

06.04.2025 08:12 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 1
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Too divisive to lead Britain? The British public share concerns โ€“ and positives โ€“ of Nigel Farage becoming Prime Minister Main concerns about Farage becoming PM include him being too divisive to lead Britain, his closeness to Donald Trump and doubts that Reform UK have enough talent to lead a competent government.

Who would make the best PM?

@ipsosintheuk.bsky.social for Daily Telegraph has @eddavey.libdems.org.uk top on net scores:

Davey -3
Farage -15
Starmer -20
Badenoch -22

Fulll data: www.ipsos.com/en-uk/too-di...

31.03.2025 19:37 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 14    ๐Ÿ” 9    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 2    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
No single party leader is now trusted on the economy, Opinium found. However, Starmer (-32%) and Reeves (-38%) are the most distrusted, with the Reform leader, Nigel Farage, the Tory leader, Kemi Badenoch, and shadow chancellor, Mel Stride, all rated similarly on -22%, -23% and -24% respectively.

No single party leader is now trusted on the economy, Opinium found. However, Starmer (-32%) and Reeves (-38%) are the most distrusted, with the Reform leader, Nigel Farage, the Tory leader, Kemi Badenoch, and shadow chancellor, Mel Stride, all rated similarly on -22%, -23% and -24% respectively.

The magical disappearing Ed Davey, courtesy of The Observer & @opiniumresearch.bsky.social

Poll asks people if they trust various politicians on the economy.

@eddavey.libdems.org.uk comes out with best net score, 16 points better than next best.

See if you can spot what's missing from write-up:

23.03.2025 21:57 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 197    ๐Ÿ” 92    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 14    ๐Ÿ“Œ 11
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Great to listen to @cllrmikeross.bsky.social, the Leader of Hull City Council at #LibDemConf this morning. Mike talked about how the Liberal Democrats are working hard across Hull and East Yorkshire, challenging Labour, standing up for local residents and clearing up the Conservatives mess.

23.03.2025 10:43 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 3    ๐Ÿ” 4    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

@hannahk-ld is following 20 prominent accounts