Mark Vaughan
@markcvaughan.bsky.social
Campaigning for migrant rights, environment & biodiversity, PR. Write and edit a bit for @centralbylines.co.uk
800+ traditions are inscribed as UNESCO intangible cultural heritage. None is LGBT+ – yet. The Netherlands is nominating the Pride movement. Sign to help make Pride heritage #PrideIsHeritage: a.allout.org/s/W7BRj/
UNESCO: Recognize Pride as cultural heritage
Pride could join UNESCO's list of the world's living cultural heritage – but none of the 800+ traditions on it are LGBT+ yet. Add your name to change that.
a.allout.org
🔥 Now THIS is timely… Bringing together Epstein & Harrods survivors to highlight the huge legal gaps in justice for women & girls. This follows our Bylines Gazette on the topic, with a special interview with Sangita Myska. Come along to the webinar—> www.tickettailor.com/events/bylin...
🌍 Protecting people should be the first duty of any Government. At present, the UK is deeply unprepared for the increasing threat of floods, droughts, wildfires and food shortages. The cross-party CNCC will continue to urge the Government to deliver, before it's too late. 👉 thecncc.org
I just signed a petition to help save the Friends Institute in Birmingham. It’s been an amazing community hub since 1897, but the council is planning to close it down. We need to protect this space for the local groups that rely on it. Please take a second to add your name!
Stop the closure of the Friends Institute in Birmingham
I just signed this petition to help save the historic Friends Institute. It’s been a vital community space since 1897, but it's facing closure by the council. Add your name to help protect the local g...
you.38degrees.org.uk
Sense is urging the Government: Act now to protect disability benefits and abandon plans for further cuts. Benefits are a lifeline for millions of disabled people in UK. They provide vital financial security for those unable to work and help cover extra costs of essentials like care and energy.
Act now to stop cuts to disability benefits
The Government is considering cutting vital support for disabled people. Sign Sense's petition to say no to more cuts for disabled people.
action.sense.org.uk
'Bylines Network has the privilege of having a high proportion of women who are, or share the job of, Editors-in-Chief across all 10 of our publications – standing at an amazing 83%, while the industry standard is 46% in the UK.' An #InternationalWomensDay thread from those Editors-in-Chiefs 1/
Scotland & England fans: the 2026 World Cup is set to be hosted in Trump’s USA. We can’t stay silent. Sign the petition calling for a boycott to protect players & fans! you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/bo...
Boycott Trump's World Cup: Sign the petition to move the games now!
I am unbelievably chuffed that the Scottish Men's team, alongside England are qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. Since childhood I have always loved a World Cup. My childish excitement however is bein...
you.38degrees.org.uk
Happy #HumanRightsDay! Starmer has chosen to mark it by... kicking off negotiations on how to water down our human rights 🤯 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... The ECHR protects all of us, so we should all be worried about changes that amount to "human rights... except for those people"
European nations to begin major talks on ECHR migration rule changes
The talks are the most significant sign yet that international human rights law could be reinterpreted.
bbc.co.uk
Sweet Jesus Starmer’s here to make the headlines about immigration again. The actual worst politician I’ve ever seen 🤦♀️🤦♀️ Today - are foreigners really human? Should they REALLY enjoy human rights protections like the rest of us? #r4today
How many times do we need to point this out? By appeasing the far right, you do not weaken it. You strengthen it. While weakening your own position. There's a vast amount of academic research showing this. But Labour will not listen. www.theguardian.com/law/2025/dec...
Starmer urges Europe’s leaders to curb ECHR to halt rise of far right
Exclusive: PM calls for members of European convention on human rights to allow tougher action to protect borders
theguardian.com
It's shocking to hear that in 2025 any British politician could offer up a proposal that risks sending survivors back into the hands of torturers. If the govt takes any steps that chip away at protections against torture, it risks triggering a domino effect around the world. Add your voice now.
UK politicians – never send survivors back to their torturers
Join me and add your voice to make sure no politician can ever send someone back to their torturers.
secure.freedomfromtorture.org
A reminder during budget week of the lasting damage caused by austerity. Dean Conway in @centralbylines.co.uk
Austerity has a powerful impact on children’s mental health
The legacy of British austerity can’t be understood without considering the effects on mental health, especially childhood trauma
centralbylines.co.uk
Thankyou Judy Copage for everything you have done for us over your time as Central Bylines Editor in Chief, but today we welcome our new EiC Gemma Gould. Judy remains an ever valuable part of our editors team and indeed our editor training programme. @copagej.bsky.social @gemmagould.bsky.social
Here's my plea to the government, media and everyone else to stop treating NHS administrators as a problem to be eliminated, rather than the glue which holds the whole organisation together.
Asylum hotels and military barracks are awful places to live for people fleeing torture. We didn’t rely on them to house asylum seekers five years ago – so why is our government using them now? It’s time to change this and take action on asylum accommodation.
And the best first step to take action? Get informed. Together, we can tackle harmful misinformation. Read our new guide, Asylum Housing: How to Change the Conversation: stories.freedomfromtorture.org/changing-the...
Asylum housing: Changing the conversation | Freedom from Torture
A guide on talking about refugees and torture survivors in asylum accommodation
stories.freedomfromtorture.org
🌍 The new Climate and Nature Crisis Caucus has launched in Parliament! The CNCC is calling for a renewed consensus on climate and nature action; giving practical solutions that work for people, the planet, and the economy. To stay updated on the CNCC 👉 thecncc.org
Climate change in the Midlands is a serious local concern Climate change is a global emergency, but its impacts and solutions must also be a local priority for the Midlands | Cliff Mitchell @cliffmitchell.bsky.social @centralbylines.co.uk
Climate change in the Midlands is a serious local concern
Climate change is a global emergency, but its impacts and solutions must also be a local priority for the Midlands
centralbylines.co.uk
In 2017, British citizen Jagtar went to India to get married. 3 weeks after the wedding, he was abducted, tortured, forced to ‘confess’ to trumped up political charges. Jagtar is still locked up under a death penalty threat. The Govt must protect its citizen bring Jagtar home. Agree? Add your name!
Heading: UK: Call for the release and repatriation of Jagtar Singh Johal
Add your name – it takes 30 seconds.
secure.reprieve.org
How can citizens and journalists hold back authoritarianism, far-right populism and hate? Join our live event with - George Monbiot - Nafeez Ahmed - Yasmin Alibhai-Brown - Nick Lowles Finding hope, protecting democracy. 7 pm, 4 November. Book now: bit.ly/BylinesHope
🚨 URGENT: We're launching a campaign to stop this Government tearing families apart – will you join us? A few weeks ago, the Government suspended refugee family reunion. We can't let this stand. ✍️ Email the Home Secretary NOW: act.safepassage.org.uk/email-home-s...
This is quite a terrifying but must read from inside Trumps' America.... Local leaders and citizens challenge Trump’s ICE in Chicago The politicians of Chicago are joining protest organisers in the battle against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents @dear-starfish.bsky.social
Local leaders and citizens challenge Trump’s ICE in Chicago
The politicians of Chicago are joining protest organisers in the battle against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents
centralbylines.co.uk
Urgent Call to Action from @right-to-remain.bsky.social - help free Arjeta – a survivor of trafficking served with a deportation order for tomorrow Tuesday 14 October. Sign the petition
We Can Make an Impact.
Stop the Deportation of Arjeta — A Survivor of Trafficking Who Sought Safety
c.org
The Greens requested an interview on the Laura Kuenssberg Show with Zack Polanski when he was elected leader, but were denied, with a promise to interview him during Green conference instead. This was then scrapped citing the Manchester synagogue attack. Polanski is both Jewish and from Manchester
BBC Laura Kuenssberg Show Accused of Anti-Green Bias After Cancelling Zack Polanski Interview
The new Green Party leader was the only major party leader not to have been granted a conference interview on the flagship BBC show
bylinetimes.com
Across the UK, anti-migrant policies fuelled by the far right are pushing many refugees, asylum seekers and migrants into crisis. This year the funder for the JCWI helpline said they no longer had the money to continue. Support and share the fundraiser to keep the helpline going if you can.
Protect Migrants’ Rights: Keep the Helpline Open
JCWI is a charity for immigration welfare and rights. For more than half a century, We’ve helped tens of thousands of people secure their status, keep their families together and escape poverty.
crowdjustice.com
North East Bylines have just published their 5000th article!! 🎉🎉🎉 Congratulations NEB! A very apt way to celebrate too: Love over hate: Newcastle unites at Grey’s Monument "We don’t need to be reminded of where we live, that’s what a football strip is for" northeastbylines.co.uk/news/politic...
Love over hate: Newcastle unites at Grey’s Monument
"We don’t need to be reminded of where we live, that’s what a football strip is for"
northeastbylines.co.uk
1/ Great to see the Bylines Network, and citizen journalism generally, getting a shout-out from George Monbiot in the Guardian @georgemonbiot.bsky.social
I have now been a journalist for 40 years. The forces ranged against my profession have never been so powerful | George Monbiot
Once, I believed that humanity’s problem was an information deficit. Now, I know you can’t speak truth to power if power controls your words, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot
theguardian.com
It would be good if the only political pushback against Nigel Farage's plans to mass deport hundreds of thousands of our neighbours, friends, family and colleagues didn't just come from a handful of backbench MPs and one regional mayor
Thousands of Londoners have indefinite leave to remain. They have legal rights and are our friends, neighbours and colleagues, contributing hugely to our city. Threatening to deport people living and working here legally is unacceptable.
Farage vows to scrap indefinite leave to remain, placing thousands at risk of deportation
Reform UK plans to force non-citizens to apply for visas with high salary thresholds and no access to NHS services
theguardian.com
