Kirsty Hughes
@kirstyshughes.bsky.social
European, Scottish and UK politics - and sometimes photography/nature/landscapes. Blogs on Europe & Scotland https://open.substack.com/pub/kirstyhughes?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=8ztbl
Burnham scrapping net zero criteria in public procurement...
Lucy Fisher@lucyfisher.ft.com · 20h agoNet zero/environmental criteria, and demands like tackling domestic violence and improving local high streets, will be scrapped from new social value model Haigh & John Healey will also direct Cabinet to “maximise the use of public procurement... to deliver innovation & growth in every postcode”
Good to walk across Edinburgh's reopened North Bridge..but on the pavement side, the paintwork is so dirty i wonder why people were upset about the graffiti..and no cycle lane 🤷
BREAKING: The newly elected Prime Minister of Hungary announced that Netanyahu will be arrested if he enters Hungary.
Wrote about the deafening silence on our summer of climate impacts from Labour, the Lib Dems, the Greens, business leaders, and even some campaign groups. The dominant climate discourse from the past week has been from those who want to ditch net zero targets and trash decarbonisation policies.
Jessica Elgot@jessicaelgot.bsky.social · 2d agoWe are in the third drought in five years. We have the National Trust and NFU - those radical types - sounding the alarm on unprecedented temperatures. But so little from any single figure in politics talking about the climate crisis.
Would Burnham's written constitution spell out what a voluntary union means? He seems to think it's about devolution.. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Devolution plans strengthen case for written UK constitution, says Burnham
PM argues for codified model of decentralisation that would fundamentally change centuries-old workings of state
theguardian.com
Portugal approves 33% windfall tax on oil companies' excess profits reut.rs/4xdkjNr
Portugal approves 33% windfall tax on oil companies' excess profits
Portugal's government said on Thursday it had approved a 33% windfall tax on extraordinary profits earned in 2026 by oil and refining companies benefiting from an energy price surge triggered by the Iran war.
reut.rs
BBC News - Danube's record low levels force shutdown of Hungary's only nuclear plant www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Danube's record low levels force shutdown of Hungary's only nuclear plant
Romania, Bulgaria and Serbia are also grappling with the effects of a series of prolonged heatwaves and low rainfall.
bbc.co.uk
The 6 largest oil companies will collectively rake in $45B in profits in the second quarter of 2026 — nearly double what they made in the first quarter. Meanwhile, Canada, France, and Spain are battling record-breaking wildfires spurred by the climate crisis. Big Oil profits while the world burns.
Poland’s opposition is shifting further to the right ahead of next year’s election. That threatens to have a major impact for the EU and Ukraine.
Watch out Brussels and Kyiv, Poland’s conservatives are veering right
The rupture of Law and Justice is strengthening hardline parties that oppose Ukraine’s EU membership and may hold the key to Poland’s next government.
politico.eu
A misty midsummer journey through the highlands turning golden at the end. My latest photo blog open.substack.com/pub/kirstyhu...
A Misty Highlands Midsummer
A misty, Midsummer Highlands journey through Wester Ross and Sutherland. My new photo blog.
open.substack.com
A misty midsummer journey through the highlands turning golden at the end. My latest photo blog open.substack.com/pub/kirstyhu...
A Misty Highlands Midsummer
A misty, Midsummer Highlands journey through Wester Ross and Sutherland. My new photo blog.
open.substack.com
The UK was one of the first countries to sign the UN Refugee Convention. They made a promise that people fleeing war and persecution would be protected. To mark this anniversary, we asked Scots about their views on refugees. Here's what we found: https://ow.ly/EvMl50Zttq4
The new Secretary of State said that he wasn't "entirely convinced that Wales needs new powers". Compelling evidence for devolution of policing and justice has been piled up by independent commissions since 2014. I do hope the PM will follow through on his 2022 call for "maximum devolution" to Wales
UK Prime Minister {bot}@10downingstreetbot.bsky.social · 2w agoStephen Kinnock has been appointed as Secretary of State for Wales @walesoffice.
First Minister @johnswinney.bsky.social: "I will work constructively with the new Prime Minister, but there will be no “off limits” when it comes to Scottish democracy and my ambitions for our people."
There is a better future for Scotland away from Westminster control — Scottish National Party
For the first time ever, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are all led by First Ministers committed to a belief in a different constitutional future.
snp.org
Here it is. My manifesto for the 2026 Clacton By-Election. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Join me, clean up Clacton and let's make 13th August Bin Day! #VoteBinface #VoteyMcVoteface #YesWeTinCan
We will see if Burnham makes a good PM/FM for England but four ministers visiting Scotland and doing no media is and looks awful.
Xander@xanderelliards.bsky.social · 2w agoFour top Labour ministers visited Scotland on Thursday. Not one of them spoke to the Scottish press ❌ Now, A leading media expert has warned Andy Burnham he risks widening the Westminster–Scotland disconnect 👇 www.thenational.scot/news/2640802...
Nethy Bridge has been left devastated with wild fires which has been ongoing for 10 days and continuing. The Community are relying on donations to be able to provide catering for all people that are involved on the front line. gofund.me/80e0ca2d8
Donate to Support for Cairngorm Wild Fires in Nethy Bridge, organized by Nethybridge Vicinity Commnity Council NBVCC
Nethy Bridge has been left devastated with wild fires which h… Nethybridge Vicinity Commnity Council NBVCC needs your support for Support for Cairngorm Wild Fires in Nethy Bridge
gofund.me
You see this frontpage and do genuinely wonder what on earth the conversation must have been between the senior editors when they were laying it out...
Burnham’s first week has been bitty. How well he'll face the big strategic challenges, domestic & international, is an open question. There's a big opportunity for Scotland & the 'Celtic Alliance' to open up a bigger, more progressive strategic debate. my blog open.substack.com/pub/kirstyhu...
Burnham’s Scattergun First Week
Burnham’s first week has been busy but bitty. How well Burnham will manage the big strategic challenges, domestic and international, is still an open question.
open.substack.com
Burnham’s first week has been bitty. How well he'll face the big strategic challenges, domestic & international, is an open question. There's a big opportunity for Scotland & the 'Celtic Alliance' to open up a bigger, more progressive strategic debate. my blog open.substack.com/pub/kirstyhu...
Burnham’s Scattergun First Week
Burnham’s first week has been busy but bitty. How well Burnham will manage the big strategic challenges, domestic and international, is still an open question.
open.substack.com
Following the news that the Prime Minister intends to fund his bus fare cap by delivering international climate finance as loans, instead of grants, ActionAid is warning that improving cost of living in the UK shouldn't mean people in the Global South lose out. More here: https://bit.ly/3ROifMM
Don’t throw global south countries under the bus with fare cap policy
Following the news that the Prime Minister intends to fund his bus fare cap policy by delivering international climate finance as loans, rather than grants, ActionAid UK is warning that improving peop...
bit.ly
Junior minister post beats being Scottish Labour leader..for some. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar set to become a minister in Burnham's government
It would mean Sarwar leaving the Scottish Parliament and his leader role, then taking up a seat in the House of Lords.
bbc.co.uk
Burnham reported to tell Swinney today 'no' to indyref (no surprise) & a source said “It’s not something he’s focused on and it’s not a conversation that he’s interested in taking forward.” Devolution but no voluntary union anyone? www.heraldscotland.com/news/2629720...
Burnham to Swinney: 'We'll have to agree to disagree on independence'
Prime Minister Andy Burnham told First Minister John Swinney they will have to “agree to disagree” on independence in a call on Tuesday, a UK…
heraldscotland.com
BREAKING: New Prime Minister Andy Burnham effectively ruled out granting Scotland a referendum on independence in his first phone call with First Minister John Swinney Burnham said he is not focused on 'constitutional changes'
Ed Miliband as foreign secretary is actually a very good idea - and should ensure climate crisis isn't lost amidst Ukraine, Iran, Gaza and other conflicts BBC News - www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cg... Healey appointed chancellor and Miliband becomes foreign secretary as Burnham picks cabinet - BBC News
Healey appointed chancellor and Miliband becomes foreign secretary as Burnham picks cabinet
Meanwhile Shabana Mahmood will stay on as home secretary as new Prime Minister Andy Burnham forms his top team.
bbc.co.uk
Another Prime Minister goes and a new one enters No. 10. Congratulations to Andy Burnham on his appointment. We stand ready to work constructively with the new PM to ensure the potential of devolution is unlocked to truly improve the lives of people in Wales.
