I try to be generous in general but this farewell to Amol Rajan is toe curling It’s way too long and to listen to it you’d think the subject was a genius who has a terminal illness, not Lebedev’s ex bagman off to set up a Substack
Fiona Bawdon
@fionabawdon.bsky.social
Founder http://ImpactSocialJustice.Org & @lalyawards.bsky.social / Legal affairs journo / Comms @webelonguk.bsky.social / Londoner / Not a lawyer / Always cold / Dogs *and* cats
The one constructive thing out of Starmer's resignation might be forcing Burnham to think about London earlier than he would otherwise have to. Because Labour absolutely cannot win an election without London. It is, these days, Labour's truest heartland – and is taken utterly for granted.
Rachel Cunliffe@rmcunliffe.bsky.social · 7d agoAll that plus… Burnham doesn’t really like London. That’s kinda his whole schtick. Which is fine, but place-based enthusiasm matters in by-elections
Here‘s the real story from @nafeez.bsky.social The Peter Thiel-Linked Race Science Network that Penetrated Cambridge University and Targeted Jason Arday bylinetimes.com/2026/08/18/t...
The Peter Thiel-Linked Race Science Network that Penetrated Cambridge University and Targeted Jason Arday
The media's coverage of the academic's life was fuelled by the campaign of an established far-right network
bylinetimes.com
"Nigel Farage is many things: he is cynical, divisive, greedy, irritable and dozens of his schoolmates have said he is racist. But he is not stupid. He knows exactly why no media is reporting on Kerry’s supposed political views, but he is hoping that most of his followers don’t."
Farage’s speculation about Widdecombe’s murder could make it harder for justice to be done
Britain’s laws on contempt of court may be a relic of the pre-internet age, but they are still in force. If you break the rules, you can collapse a trial
thenewworld.co.uk
Reshuffle latest: Lots of good stuff and one really bad fucking thing open.substack.com/pub/iandunt/...
“When Aisha was a child, the National Front & BNP were active. Her mother would hurry her away as racist taunts were shouted from passing cars. The atmosphere feels even more unpleasant to her now. “In the 80s, whether somebody put up a flag or painted a swastika, politicians & media condemned it.“
Marie Le Conte@youngvulgarian.marieleconte.com · 2mo agothis is very good and very depressing: www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
A few token places on safe and legal routes for refugees cannot in any way mitigate or atone for what this government has done and is doing on asylum or immigration policy. A thread trying to be clear-eyed about this.
Great way to disincentivise refugees from working and integrating. Also, we refuse to let them support themselves, force them to live in taxpayer funded accommodation for years and then force them to pay back some of the cost? Morally indefensible. How is this different from the far right?
Adam Bienkov@adambienkov.bsky.social · 2mo agoTaxing vulnerable people for the crime of fleeing from war, torture and persecution. A new low from Shabana Mahmood
Londoners, there is a webpage for you to see where your nearest "cool spaces" are when the extreme heat hits - places with water, air-conditioning & shade. Have a look and spread the word, especially to those who may need this but might not think to look for it: apps.london.gov.uk/cool-spaces/
Meanwhile, away from the Burnham trainspotting, getting lots of messages from London parents whose schools are closing early this week due to the heat, causing total chaos for them. If your school/workplace is affected drop me a DM or WhatsApp: wa.me/447760993558
Final call for this if anyone has made stuff or seen/bought stuff they'd recommend. 👇
arseblog@arseblog.com · 3mo agoHowdy! I promised to make a post on @arseblog.com collating the best independent/unofficial 'Arsenal win the title' merchandise (t-shirts, badges, posters etc). If you've made something, or you want to recommend something, please reply in this thread with any links/discount codes etc. Thank you!
Happy Monday Legal Aid Lovelies! It's time to celebrate our 3 wonderful Family Legal Aid finalists 🌟 Congratulations: Oliver Conway - Oliver Fisher; Catherine Haworth - Haworth Family Law; Carolina Marín Pedreño - Dawson Cornwell Thank you Resolution for kindly sponsoring this award!
Check out the LALYs article published in LAG's digital magazine this week: www.lag.org.uk/article/2183... Read about all our fabulous finalists and get excited for the 3 July ceremony ✨
Celebrating the (Social) Justice League
Legal Aid Practitioners Group is proud to announce the finalists of the Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year awards 2026. Fiona Bawdon and Chris Minnoch report.
lag.org.uk
A very big thank you to Matrix Chambers, Miles & Partners, Legal Action Group, LEF, 4PB, Accesspoint Legal and 39 Essex Chambers for sponsoring the LALYs. We are incredibly grateful for their support! Grab tickets here: lapg.co.uk/laly-tickets
Please join us in recognising our outstanding LALY Public Law finalists! 🌟 - Amalia King, Deighton Pierce Glynn Ltd - Lewis Roach-Kett, Duncan Lewis Solicitors Ltd. - Mala Savjani, Wilson Solicitors - Megan Smith, Deighton Pierce Glynn Ltd Grab your tickets: lapg.co.uk/laly-tickets
Happy Wednesday! Take a look at our 3 sensational LALY Social Welfare Law finalists! 🎉 A big shout out to: - Ashley Bradley from MJC Law - Van Ferguson from Southwark Law Centre - Lizan Ghafoor from Wilson Solicitors Join us on 3 July to celebrate all our amazing finalists: lapg.co.uk/laly-tickets
Take a closer look at our fantastic finalists for our Legal Aid Firm/Not-for-Profit Agency award! Congratulations to - Bristol Law Centre - Central England Law Centre - Coram Children's Legal Centre We'd love to see you on 3 July: lapg.co.uk/laly-tickets
This morning we are celebrating our 3 incredible #LALY26 Legal Aid Barrister finalists 🎉 David Gardner from No5 Barristers' Chambers James Holmes from Garden Court Chambers Karen Kabweru-Namulemu from 1GC Family Law Join us at the ceremony on 3 July lapg.co.uk/laly-tickets
We're celebrating our 3 incredible #LALY26 Legal Aid Support Staff/Support Team finalists 🎊 Helen Dunn - MJC Law Jingjing Sun - Sinclairslaw Debbie Yates - Southwark Law Centre Thanks Bidwell Henderson for sponsoring this award. Join us at the ceremony on 3 July lapg.co.uk/laly-tickets
🎉 HUGE congratulations to our 4 #LALY26 Legal Aid Newcomer finalists: - Elizabeth Andrewartha, Hodge Jones & Allen - Kate Hallam, ITN Solicitors - Natasha Perry, Reeds Solicitors - Ryan Westwell, Irwin Mitchell Book your tickets for 3 July ceremony now lapg.co.uk/laly-tickets
DRUM ROLL, PLEASE!!🥁🥁 Team LALY is excited and delighted to announce the finalists for this year's Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year awards. READ ON..... lapg.co.uk/news/lapg-an... #LALY26
LAPG announces the 29 individuals and organisations shortlisted for this year's Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year awards. - LAPG
A solicitor fighting for compensation for Windrush victims; a Bristol-based barrister with unique expertise in Welsh law; and two law centres both
lapg.co.uk
It was a privilege to speak on citizenship deprivation at the launch of "Will I Aways Be British?" at the House of Lords meeting chaired by Baroness Warsi. The excellent report by @fionabawdon.bsky.social is published by Impact-Law for Social Justice and the Institute on Statelessness and Inclusion
There are some beautiful photos on Getty images right now. Here are a few of my faves so far. Photographer details in ALT text
Congratulations to Elizabeth Andrewartha, Solicitor from our Criminal Defence team, on being shortlisted for the 2026 Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year Awards in the “Legal Aid Newcomer” category. We are delighted to see her dedication and advocacy recognised among this year’s finalists.
We are proud to see Darrell Ennis-Gayle shortlisted in the “Criminal Legal Aid” category at the 2026 Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year Awards. His expertise, advocacy & commitment to access to justice make this recognition thoroughly deserved. Congratulations to Darrell on this fantastic achievement!
Gunnersaurus is an absolute menace ain't he! Heinze wasn't having any of it. 🤣