Richard Blackman 🔶

The votes are listed correctly, but the percentages are wrong.

This week, @timfarron.bsky.social, @victoria-collins.bsky.social & I travelled to Israel and Palestine to listen, learn and ask questions of a range of people. We had robust discussions about aid access, tackling corruption, settlement expansion, overcoming terrorism, and delivering accountability.

A poignant and thought-provoking event this evening to mark #HolocaustMemorialDay. I'm very grateful to the Parkes Institute for hosting and organising Southampton's commemoration.

Maps matter Expansionism and revanchism on full display

This week’s piece is about maps, memory, and how borders are quietly weaponised - from Hungary to Russia.

I publish one piece like this every Friday. Free. Maps, Central Europe, politics.

This week’s is here:

robjcameron.substack.com/p/maps-matter

It’s such a mess.

Two weeks after the Mayoral elections were put back by two years, the Labour government is now asking councils if we want to delay county, district and unitary elections as well.

(1/3).Today is White Ribbon Day and the start of 16 days of action focused on ending violence against women and girls.

At lunchtime, Chief Executive, Jillian Kay, Leader of the Council, Councillor Alex Winning, and Executive Director, and Robert Henderson raised the ...

Southampton residents and organizations raise concerns over large anti-migrant demonstration - In-Common - Southampton Southampton residents and organisations have spoken of their concern for the local community following the announcement of plans for a large anti-migrant protest, which organisers aim to be the larges...

“Southampton has always been a city built on diversity and hard work — people coming together from all walks of life to make something better."

Southampton residents and organizations raise concerns over large anti-migrant demonstration planned for Sunday.

www.in-common.co.uk/2025/10/24/s...

1/3. Southampton City Council is deeply saddened by the distressing incident that took place at a synagogue in Manchester yesterday. Our thoughts are with the Jewish communities in Manchester and across the country.

Southampton stands in solidarity with all those affected. In times like these, ...

Winchester City Council leader announced as Lib Dem candidate for Hampshire Mayor The leader of Winchester City Council has been announced as the Lib Dem candidate for Hampshire Mayor.

Very pleased that Martin Tod has been selected to run for Mayor of Hampshire and the Solent. He'll be a great candidate and an excellent Mayor.
www.hampshirechronicle.co.uk/news/2545583...

Lib Dems wants more councillors in 'great city' of Southampton Liberal Democrats leader Sir Ed Davey wants to see his party expand its representation in the “great city” of Southampton.

We're certainly working towards this, not least to bring positive change to Southampton. www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/2540592...

Another Labour councillor joins Lib Dems in Southampton Southampton local councillor Rebecca McCreanor (Coxford ward) has joined the Liberal Democrats from Labour.

Another Labour councillor joins Lib Dems in Southampton

Southampton Labour councillor Matt Bunday joins the Lib Dems Matt Bunday, councillor for Swaythling ward and who was secretary of the Labour Party group on Southampton Council, has joined the Lib Dems.

Southampton Labour councillor Matt Bunday joins the Lib Dems

Southampton City Council remains committed to delivering the River Itchen Flood Alleviation Scheme despite challenges The River Itchen Flood Alleviation Scheme is navigating through a period of financial constraint as a significant element of the funding required is no longer available.

While the halt to the River Itchen Flood Alleviation Scheme is unsurprising, it is a significant setback for Southampton. The project needs to stay at the top of the Labour administration's in-tray. www.southampton.gov.uk/news/article...

🚨🚨Excellent thread by Peter Foster on #Labour's #immigration announcement and the absence of #honest debate in this area which as mentioned can be transposed other important areas as the EU-UK #reset where the party refuses to engage with the necessary #tradeoffs involved in all decision-making.

Unfortunately, it's not surprising. More open discussion is taking place on LinkedIn and X.

There was an exhibition of his work at the Royal Academy in London some years ago. His work is really impressive. If I were in the Netherlands I would definitely go to this exhibition.

HUGE win for grassroots #Feminism –
@forwomenscotland.bsky.social #SupremeCourt victory 💥

A clear ruling that Women are a distinct group under the Equality Act.

Now the #EHRC & national gov'ts must step up for women, update guidance & align policy & practice with the law

#WeKnowWhatAWomanIs

Hope springs eternal.

Councillor makes plea for 20mph zone on 'every residential street in the city' A plea has been made for the roll out of 20mph zones across Southampton to be accelerated.

Out talking to residents on Dale Valley Road this afternoon there was very strong support for a 20mph zone. Well done to my colleague Cllr Thomas Gravatt for pressing this issue at full Council. www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/2507883...

A sunny day on the Thames Path walking from Richmond to Kingston, revisiting old haunts.

In Aylesbury West, Reform have stood 3 candidates in a 2 member ward...

Haar, Haar, he laughed at the bad jokes!

A Lithuanian equivalent to “there’s no such thing as a free lunch” is nemokamas sūris tik pelėkautuose. It means “the only free cheese is in a mousetrap”

* read on for more international cheese phrases (this thread may not turn out grate, but hopefully it will be gouda ‘nuff)…

Hurrah! Schrodinger's street light is working!

Confusion over sex made years of data useless Alice Sullivan has revealed how far gender politics led both state and private sectors astray when recording statistics

Required reading on the influence of gender politics. www.thetimes.com/comment/columnists/article/confusion-sex-gender-nhs-data-r9qrgl5zn

A favourite German language quote is from Swiss author Friedrich Dürrenmatt: "Je planmäßiger die Menschen vorgehen, desto wirksamer vermag sie der Zufall zu treffen." Takes me back to 'A' level German lessons with my excellent teachers Christine van der Vat and Andrew Frost. #ShoutOutForGerman

#ShoutOutForGerman - A case for language learning and German at British Universities - HEPI This HEPI blog was kindly authored by colleagues at the German Embassy in London and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).  #ShoutOutForGerman – this is the title of a week-long campaign from 1...

As John le Carré once said, “The decision to learn a foreign language is an act of friendship.”
www.hepi.ac.uk/2025/03/17/s... #ShoutOutForGerman

Who does Spiderman vote for? Study shows people project their political views onto fictional heroes and villains Respondents thought the good guys would share their political views while the baddies would vote for the opposite party.

Who does Spiderman vote for? How about Darth Vader?

Read about @turnbulldugarte.com's latest study showing how people project their political views onto fictional heroes and villains.

theconversation.com/who-does-spi...

'Ambitious' alternative budget for council fails to impress Southampton’s Liberal Democrat group unveiled an “ambitious” alternative city council budget that included more than £200million of capital…

I was proud that the Lib Dem Group put forward ambitious proposals for Southampton at last week's Budget meeting of Council. Our city needs change - and ambition is necessary to bring that about. www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/2497072...