Karen Davis

Education, education, education? When will Labour tackle the crisis engulfing our schools, colleges and universities? All levels of our education system face a systemic crisis. Yet as with so many other areas of policy, Keir Starmer doesn't seem to have any hopes for education at all, writes Connor Bollins.

🎓'When will Labour tackle the crisis engulfing our schools, colleges and universities?'

🌹Please stick a repost on my piece for @labouroutlook.bsky.social. #UKHE #EducationCrisis

🚩It includes a special mention of my @uea-ucu.bsky.social colleagues. #SaveUEA

labouroutlook.org/2025/05/17/e...

If you would like to help a small, Norwich based, community cafe help local residents by #PayingItForward here's how...
Just £1 can make someone's day 🙂💖
Please share x
#Bread&RosesCommunityCafe #CafeWithCommunityAtItsHeart💟

UEA UCU MEMBERS HAVE VOTED YES TO INDUSTRIAL ACTION

📣UEA UCU members have overwhelmingly voted YES to industrial action, in the largest turnout we've had in a paper ballot at UEA.

📣We hope management will now recognise the depth of feeling there is at the University about the need to avoid compulsory redundancies. #SaveUEA

It is. Ever so slightly eerie.

Weird pink sky in #Norwich

😂

Wait until you hit 50. You just get piss proof yoga knickers shoved in your face (not literally).

Moon and clouds

Look up!

I have a few hot takes on the UEA Assembly that took place yesterday - despite all attempts to hide it. It was fascinating, enlightening, and allowed for robust criticism of the university’s governance. Which is what it should be.

My observations are as follows:

I studied at Sussex and teach at UEA, so I'm heartbroken by this.

Founded in the 1960s, both unis sought to open up Higher Education to the less privileged and to foster academic creativity.

We need to defend the principles of intellectual heterodoxy and making uni education accessible. #UKHE

There has been “EXCESSIVE SECRECY” over management’s plans to get the University of East Anglia out of financial deficit. “This is at odds with UEA’s values.” Staff could have been “valuable partners in finding solutions.” Instead there has been a “breakdown of trust” between management and staff. “Staff trust needs to be rebuilt.”

🔁Repost this thread to help share the highlights from this week's Staff Assembly, where the UEA community used its voice LOUD & CLEAR to tell management to change course in its handling of the current crisis. #SaveUEA #UKHE @ucu.org.uk [1/10]

I'll make you one for Xmas x

There was a Vote of No Confidence in the Executive Team OVERWHELMINGLY carried at the UEA Staff Assembly this afternoon. #SaveUEA #UKHE

The annual is number 1 in @bookshop-org-uk.bsky.social top 25!! This chart is for books that have generated the most support for independent bookshops in the last month. Bollocks to Amazon!
You can still order a signed copy here👇👇
uk.bookshop.org/a/11100/9781...

I never buy an advent calendar; I just make a real-life version at home by opening a different cupboard every day.
Today's treat: Cillit Bang!

Keir Starmer declares war on benefits Britain The Prime Minister uses an article in today's Mail on Sunday to promise changes to try to tame the £137 billion bill for welfare benefits - including a blitz on cheats and those who 'game the system'.

Keir Starmer declares war on benefits Britain.

A war on the poor, sick, old, disabled.

16.1m have disabilities, 2.8m chronically ill, 6.34m await hospital appointments, 16m live in poverty.

No war on corporate welfare, no wealth taxes or redistribution.
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...

Labour took a £4m donation from Quadrature Capital.

The largest in their history - but took it in the window where they wouldn't have to declare it until *after* the election.

With links to private healthcare, arms trade and oil & gas - we should all talk about it more.

War! Huh! What is it good for? Turkey breast and stuffing, say it again!

Climate crisis to blame for dozens of ‘impossible’ heatwaves, studies reveal Exclusive: Analyses are stark evidence of how global heating is already supercharging deadly weather beyond anything ever experienced by humanity

This is happening under 1.3 degrees of heating.

We are headed for 2.5-3.

Every fraction of a degree matters.

Every single drop of oil & gas must stay in the ground.

We need emergency global climate action - and to keep speaking truth to power.

www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Squirrel

Fox

Baby Reindeer

This year's #Xmas cards - designed and hand
printed by moi. Squirrel, Fox and Baby Reindeer. For sale as soon I can get the time and motivation 😂

Carla Denyer, "Labour have been handed a tough opening hand. But I also feel that in several areas they've tied their own hands behind their back" @carladenyer.bsky.social

"Rejecting a wealth tax.. Two child benefit cap... Winter fuel allowance.. Rejecting renationalisation of water companies"

That's more likely, tbf

YEAH-BUT-WHAT-ABOUT-REPLY-GUY You haven't even mentioned people who kick puppies so YOU MUST support puppy kickers

Ha. It's the only way I get to go 😂

Come and work the (more than 2) bars!

Ha ha! No.

Finally remembered my password! Byeeeeee #X #Twitter

Aaaaaaargggh. Sold out! #Glastonbury