Julie Ward🇪🇺🇺🇦🌈🌍🕷️✊🌹
@julie4north.bsky.social
Grandma, Poet, Angry woman, Labour MEP 2014-20, Wild Swimmer. Serial board member: @anothereurope.bsky.social @chartist48.bsky.social @csfberlin.bsky.social @ukrainesol.bsky.social @europeanmovement.co.uk
It's ON! Andy Burnham says the UK could go 'all the way' and we agree. Our NC member @seemasyeda.bsky.social spoke to Nick Campbell on BBC5 this morning. It makes sense - for the climate, for peace, for our rights, for the economy, let's get back in:
On this conference weekend I have been made aware of this recent article from the more left wing end via Chartist with thanks to @julie4north.bsky.social Durham Pride success against Reform also mentioned at the TUC conference. ✊Photo by @wingbox99.bsky.social www.chartist.org.uk/saving-durha...
Saving Durham Pride from Reform — Chartist
Mary Kelly Foy on community action The results of the recent local elections were, for many, a jarring wake-up call. While the headlines focused on shifting seats, changing council majorities and a ne...
chartist.org.uk
“Today I am announcing a new National Commission on Electoral Reform. I invite all the political parties to be part of its work. We will contest the next election with a manifesto commitment to change the electoral system” 💬 @andyburnham.bsky.social 🌹 #Labour4PR
💥 Dozens of local parties have sent electoral reform motions to #Lab26, thought to be more than any issue since the 2023 rule changes 🎯 Labour in Government must take the first step by launching a National Commission on Electoral Reform 🌹 We look forward to the debate #Labour4PR
Labour For A New Democracy - 2026 Contemporary Motion
The campaign for Labour to enact electoral reform, introduce Proportional Representation, and bring in fair votes
labourforanewdemocracy.org.uk
“In doing this, Andy Burnham would show progressive voters and the Labour movement he can be trusted to keep his word – and that he really does intend to be a great, reforming Prime Minister.” 🗞️ Paul Sweeney MSP today in LabourList 👇 @paulsweeney.bsky.social labourlist.org/2026/09/wher...
'Where next for electoral reform?' - LabourList
It is clear that a consensus is emerging around electoral reform that spans the Labour movement - and the momentum is becoming unstoppable.
labourlist.org
“The Government’s priority is a politics that works for all people in all places, not some people in some places. The Prime Minister remains committed to electoral reform as a way of supporting that objective.” 💬 @florenceeshalomi.bsky.social @bylinetimes.bsky.social bylinetimes.com/2026/09/07/a...
Andy Burnham Insists He Still Backs Electoral Reform After Amendment Blocked
Ministers offer cross-party talks on changing Westminster's voting system as bid for speedy reform stalls
bylinetimes.com
🚀 Almost 200 MPs - and 100 Labour MPs - joined the call for a National Commission 📊 MP polling reveals MOST of the Commons - including most Labour MPs - back the idea 📈 MPs have caught up with the public, Labour members, and trade unions - which all back PR
Amendment NC31 to Representation of the People Bill to Representation of the People Bill - Parliamentary Bills - UK Parliament
Alex Sobel's amendment (NC31) to Representation of the People Bill, proposed during Report stage
bills.parliament.uk
📜 The amendment calling for a National Commission on Electoral Reform has been ruled out of scope 🙃 How absurd that the 'Representation of the People Bill' can't consider how people are represented! 💥 This was never about an amendment, but about a National Commission
📢 Join Sandy Martin, Chair of LCER, for LFF Live on Labour’s case for electoral reform. Hear about record support across Labour and why a National Commission is the credible first step beyond FPTP. Monday 7th September 6–7 pm Sign up below👇 www.eventbrite.com/e/lff-live-t...
LFF Live: The Labour case for electoral reform
On the sixth edition of LFF Live, we'll be interviewing Sandy Martin from Labour Campaign for Electoral Reform
eventbrite.com
“If democracy is a problem-solving vehicle, then First Past the Post is increasingly starting to seem like sand in the engine... I hope the Prime Minister will lead this change and change politics for good by launching a National Commission on Electoral Reform” 💬 @rachelblakemp.bsky.social
The time has come for electoral reform
“PR’s time has definitely come – because I think the world we are in now demands a new politics. It demands a new approach.” That was Andy Burnham ...
politicshome.com
“More PR would stabilise British democracy. Andy Burnham has made clear that he is a dedicated pragmatic reformer. A National Commission on Electoral Reform now would put that enlightened purpose into practice” Neil Kinnock in the @observeruk.bsky.social 🌹 #Labour4PR
Neil Kinnock: First past the post is no longer fit for pu...
Westminster’s voting system has led to just one in 10 voters believing politicians put the country first. The call for electoral reform has never been louder, says the former Labour leader
observer.co.uk
💥 BREAKING: A majority of MPs want a National Commission on Electoral Reform - finds @yougov.co.uk poll of MPs 🏛️ All MPs: Support: 53% Oppose 34% 🌹 Labour MPs: Support: 55% Oppose: 29% 📰 Read the full story on @labourlist.bsky.social 👇
Majority of Labour MPs back review of voting system, poll reveals - LabourList
More than half of Labour MPs support establishing a National Commission on Electoral Reform to review Britain's electoral system, according to a poll of parliamentarians.
labourlist.org
👍 Great to hear the Prime Minister confirm that he wants to look at the UK voting system 🎯 That's why we need a National Commission on Electoral Reform
The court heard a claim that prison staff had prevented Andrei Trofimov meeting his lawyer. At the hearing, Trofimov read a poem that said: “My friends, I’ll get back from prison. The age of the mad sultan is finite." peopleandnature.wordpress.com/2026/08/28/p...
Political prisoner Andrei Trofimov has appeared in court, but is not out of danger
The Russian political prisoner Andrei Trofimov has appeared on a video link to a court hearing on Thursday, after four months’ loss of contact. His supporters, who fear he was being mistreated in t…
peopleandnature.wordpress.com
“Burnham, a longtime advocate of electoral reform, will be asked to support the new commission into ditching First Past the Post in his first 100 days as Prime Minister. MPs have said the National Commission on Electoral Reform must report before the next election” #Labour4PR🌹
Labour MPs will push Burnham to back voting reform in first 100 days
Exclusive: Nearly 100 Labour MPs support commission on changing the system used for Westminster election
theguardian.com
The BBC is cutting £500 million and one in ten jobs, with staff on Newsnight expecting their programme to go. A TV licence costs £180 a year and carries no vote in how the BBC is run. The Charter Review should make licence fee payers members, with a real stake and a say.
Yesterday, activists in Manchester took action at Aviva Studios during the Ai Weiwei Film Marathon, protesting Aviva’s role in insuring Serco. Aviva’s contract with Serco expires in OCTOBER 2026. The pressure is on. 🔥 👉 Take action: boycottbloodyinsurance.org/aviva-action/
Read my report on grassroots energy democracy initiatives @redhillsdurham.bsky.social “The past we inherit, The future we make”
@chartist48.bsky.social · 2mo agoJulie Ward on a new grassroots energy initiative in County Durham buff.ly/nSWomTu #chartist48
Yes, this is a stone. And last winter, it became a heater. ❄️🏠 On February 6, 2026, we received this photo from a family in Kharkiv, Ukraine. The message came with the foto: “Dad brought home a stone, washed it and heated it on the stove. Now it gives off warmth. Thank God! 🙏🏻” A stone. 1/4
📈 Two-thirds of Labour members want a National Commission on Electoral Reform - with just 16% against the idea 🌹 “Andy Burnham agrees, almost 100 Labour MPs agree, and now a majority of Labour members polled agree this is the best way forward” - @alexsobel.co.uk
Two-thirds of Labour members want electoral reform commission - poll - LabourList
Almost two-thirds of Labour members want to see the government hold a National Commission on electoral reform, exclusive polling for LabourList reveals.
labourlist.org
Andy Burnham supports electoral reform, but how does this fit his broader agenda? Clues may lie in 'Head North', his 2024 book with Steve Rotherham. Politics for the Many’s Vice-Chair John Doolan reviews it for us. #TimeForPR politicsforthemany.co.uk/what-andy-bu...
Read my article about this inclusive/interactive project involving older women which explores the notion of 'sufficiency' through the medium of #dance & playfulness
North East Bylines@northeastbylines.co.uk · 2mo agoIn Abundance dancers move across a space festooned with brightly coloured king-size double duvets | Julie Ward
August is #Uyghur Solidarity Month. Read my article @northeastbylines.co.uk which explains the issue of Chinese state repression inc labour camps & forced sterilisation of women. Learn what you can do to raise awareness - promote Uyghur culture & take action northeastbylines.co.uk/news/politic...
Amnesty International appeals for solidarity with the Uyghur people
Each day, Amnesty International UK will unveil another way that Amnesty activists are standing with Uyghur creatives
northeastbylines.co.uk
Read & share my article about #EarthOvershootDay which calculates the exact date we collectively exhaust a year's supply of the planet's natural resources. Also tips on what to do to mitigate the ecological deficit👇
North East Bylines@northeastbylines.co.uk · 2mo agoEarth Overshoot Day marks the exact date when humanity's total demand for ecological resources and services in a given year exceeds what the Earth can regenerate in that same year, and in 2026, it falls on 30 July | Julie Ward
The new Prime Minister is writing a "10-year plan" for the UK. The arts & culture MUST be part of it. I've signed @campaignforthearts.org's petition urging @andyburnham.bsky.social to revitalise the arts – to revitalise the whole nation 🌱 Join me: www.campaignforthearts.org/petitions/10-year-plan/
Prime Minister – put the arts in your 10-year plan for the UK | Campaign for the Arts
Sign our petition urging the UK Government to build a country where the arts are available from childhood, accessible to all and thriving everywhere.
campaignforthearts.org
Socialism is what they called public power. Socialism is what they called social security. Socialism is what they called the growth of free and independent labor organizations. Socialism is their name for almost anything that helps all the people. —Harry Truman, 1952
Did you know a barrister is facing prison just for reminding a jury they have the right to vote with their conscience? This historic right has existed since 1670. We can't let it be silenced in court now. Add your name to help protect Britain's juries: you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/sa...
Save Britain's Juries
Juries have had the right to acquit based on their conscience for centuries. Now, a barrister is facing jail just for mentioning it in court. Add your name to help save Britain's juries.
you.38degrees.org.uk
✍️ SIGN OUR LETTER TO ANDY BURNHAM: WE NEED A FAIR VOTING SYSTEM! Together with @compassoffice.bsky.social & @unlockdemocracy.bsky.social, we've written to the incoming Prime Minister, calling for urgent action to fix our broken democracy. Add your name 👇 actionnetwork.org/petitions/an...
Dear Andy Burnham: it's time for a fair voting system
Dear Andy Burnham: it’s time to scrap First Past the Post. Our voting system only breeds instability and chaos, and poisons our political culture. We know you agree. Now is the time to fix our demo...
actionnetwork.org
“Andy should commit to launching a National Commission within his first 100 days. If Labour are to deliver “good growth in every postcode and hope in every heart”, we must rewire Westminster.” ✍️ @annadixonmp.bsky.social MP & @patrickhurley.bsky.social MP www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/andy-b...
'Andy Burnham Must Take This Chance To Rewire Westminster And Change The Way Brits Vote'
Writing for HuffPost UK, Labour MPs Anna Dixon and Patrick Hurley make the case for proportional representation.
huffingtonpost.co.uk
