Europe needs a sovereign social media platform that respects GDPR principles and gives users confidence about who they're interacting with. That's why I've joined @wsocial.eu My posts on W will also appear here on Bluesky, and you can also find me on Bluesky at: @markluntley.wsocial.eu

Small but important pleasures. Making fresh salsa, cooking aubergines (oven powered by our solar panels) for baba ganoush. Good Spanish cheese and fresh bread. Anjunadeep 16 playing in background. What could be better?

I’ve just joined @wsocial.eu so you may find me also popping up in your @bsky.app as @markluntley.wsocial.eu A European based, verified, SM platform feels ever more important today, I’m doing my best to support it. @rescoop.eu @energy4alluk.bsky.social

Why is the UK such an outlier on trade? Most countries have pretty consistent exports from one decade to the next, but in the past 5 years the UK’s trade profile has lurched in the opposite direction to almost everyone else. On our substack, @hunsaker.bsky.social digs in to what has happened⬇️

Britain is doubling down, as other economies rebalance their trade.

Most countries have pretty consistent exports from one decade to the next. Stephen Hunsaker asks why the UK’s trade profile has lurched in the opposite direction to almost everyone else.

buff.ly

Political Fix is one of my go-to weekly podcasts chaired by @lucyfisher.ft.com and in a world of disinformation and partisanship- it’s a place of intelligent discussion. We need more of it.

Lucy Fisher@lucyfisher.ft.com · last mo.

Ten years after Brexit: Can the UK deliver change? A Political Fix Q&A live special to round off a big week! Feat podcast regulars @georgewparker.bsky.social & @stephenkb.bsky.social Plus markets columnist @katie0martin.ft.com & economics corr Delphine Strauss podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/p...

🚨🚨 "The Speech I Wish Keir Starmer Had Given". Damning critique by @alexhh.bsky.social of PM Starmer's underwhelming speech notably highlighting the very poor ambitions on #EU relationship. via @bylinetimes.bsky.social bylinetimes.com/2026/05/12/t...

'The Speech I Wish Keir Starmer Had Given'

Alexandra Hall Hall delivers the big reset speech she wishes the Prime Minister actually had made after Labour's local elections defeats

bylinetimes.com

An amazing @rescoop.eu annual gathering in Jūrmala in Latvia. Inspiring, informative and hopeful. Delivered by a great team with genuine warmth and human kindness at its heart.

Key insights about what people want to see TL:DR renewables and climate change action.

Doug Parr@dougparr.bsky.social · 3mo ago

1/5 Elections overnight have been rubbish for UK Labour govt Want to know how Labour might get some votes back? Backed by some actual data, not just hot takes? In short they need to stand up to polluters, accelerate clean energy and protect nature 🧵🧵 www.greenpeace.org.uk/news/polling...

Hello Latvia and @rescoop.eu annual conference- which starts later this week.

This is a cheering read from @gilesyb.bsky.social for a sunny Monday morning. We can have nice things and still defend ourselves. gileswilkes.substack.com/p/maybe-euro...

Maybe Europe is winning after all

(over) regulation is for a reason

gileswilkes.substack.com

Fairly depressing analysis from @financialtimes.com in short the UK Government has missed it’s opportunity to build meaningful EU links. Political timidity, self imposed red lines, lack of focus + inability to communicate trade offs and choices.

Dropped in on Damascus Rose Kitchen, in Old Fire Station in Oxford. It’s staffed by refugee women, serving ethical vegetarian food. A lovely vibe with families and children. Their menu shows CO2 impact of dishes.

I'm not checking this platform regularly.

This. From the @financialtimes.com Wealthy Dubai residents hiring jets to avoid losing preferential tax status....

In today's Financial Times about emerging EU rules on "made in Europe" and how UK car industry might be affected. European Movement UK. The comment about Nissan UK's plant having a "utilisation rate of 30%" certainly jumped out.

Can I make one other suggestion about widening UK electoral base? Include people from EU with settled status, some of whom come from countries that don't allow dual nationality. And PR, so 30+% of votes don't end up with 60+% of the seats. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

It's risky, but it could change everything: Labour is at last beginning to focus on the young | Polly Toynbee

People my age have been privileged all our lives, yet we’re still the political priority. Votes at 16 is the start of a welcome change, says Guardian columnist Polly Toynbee

theguardian.com

New year resolution! Be CX of the coop that raised £23m, built TWO iconic projects, welcomed 17,500 visitors, given >£1m in community benefit. Launched first pan-European funding with MECISE. Part of @energy4alluk.bsky.social and @rescoop.eu @commenergyengland.bsky.social Support our next steps.

Westmill Energy@westmillenergy.bsky.social · 8mo ago

📢 Westmill Wind and Solar Co-operatives are seeking a Chief Executive Officer. This is a unique opportunity to lead two successful co-operatives with substantial resources and ambitious plans. Closing date: 12th January, 5pm. Apply via the Energy4All website: energy4all.co.uk/job-vacancies/

Second in series on tax, my wife and I listened to it last night. Recommended.

Ben Zaranko@benzaranko.bsky.social · 9mo ago

We're giving the people what they want: more than an hour of content about how we could better tax wealth in the UK. Do listen/watch and let us know what you think.

@financialtimes.com on how UK OBR has downgraded UK growth projections - which have been consistently over-optimistic. Labour annoyed its happened now, whilst Hunt was able to use more optimistic estimates to fund NI cuts. I would use downgrade to revisit NI cuts. But don't expect it to happen.

Our latest Westminster voting intention (19-20 Oct) has the Greens on their highest figure ever recorded by YouGov Reform UK: 26% (-1 from 12-13 Oct) Labour: 20% (=) Conservatives: 17% (=) Lib Dems: 15% (-1) Greens: 15% (+2) SNP: 4% (+1) yougov.co.uk/topics/polit...

Feel a bit guilty reposting a video in which I appear, but here goes... Also some great voices from across Europe hosted by @marinenextenerg.bsky.social and @rescoop.eu

Westmill Energy@westmillenergy.bsky.social · 10mo ago

A fascinating and inspiring video from the ACCE conference, demonstrating how collaboration, trust, innovation and ambition can lead us to a truly equitable, citizen-lead energy transition. Working together, we can bring about real change 💚 youtu.be/HVwhltbMvUw #ACCE #RESCoop #CommunityEnergy

Sarah O'Connor in today's @financialtimes.com about how iPhones are too big for many women's' (and quite a few men's) hands. A good example of gendered exclusion in product design.

In a world of slop and angry voices, we need organisations like @financialtimes.com who bring calm, evidence based journalism. And more than finance, as this important series shows. Thankyou! Do check out their podcasts too. My favourite is Political Fix with @greenmirandahere.bsky.social

Financial Times@financialtimes.com · 10mo ago

You might be living with lead poisoning and not know it: the toxin is often invisible to the eye, but wreaks havoc on our bodies once we're exposed. @laurahughesft.bsky.social uncovers a lead poisoning epidemic in Toxic Legacy, a new season of our Untold podcast: on.ft.com/3WU8YS8

Shared ownership of renewables is a current issue here is UK. Listen into practical examples from our neighbours in a snappy 1.5 hour briefing with leading experts. @energiesamen.bsky.social @commenergyengland.bsky.social @energy 4alluk.bsky.social

REScoop.eu@rescoop.eu · 10mo ago

🚨 Webinar alert 🤝 Join us on 27 October to explore the risks and benefits of local communities working with private developers to co-create projects. 🌞 Representatives of civil society, community energy networks, and industry will all share their perspectives. 🔗 www.rescoop.eu/news-and-eve...

Time is running out to apply….

Westmill Energy@westmillenergy.bsky.social · 12mo ago

🚨 Have a great community project, but need some help with funding? The Westmill Solar Community Funding Grant Scheme wants to hear from you! Check out guidance notes and apply on on our website now: westmillenergy.coop/what-we-do/c... Deadline: noon, 15th September. #community #cooperatives #solar

Q: What do I love about Westmill? A: 17,000 visitors, biodiversity, clean energy for 4,500 homes, 3,000 members raising £23m to build two iconic projects, 5 wind turbines named by schools, £1m in comm benefit. @rescoop.eu @westmillenergy.bsky.social And this video! www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sBm...

How people power built a wind farm

YouTube video by Department for Energy Security & Net Zero (DESNZ)

youtube.com

What's the difference between co-operatives and other renewable generators? Our members share some of our surpluses with local people to develop green projects. Find out more here and how to apply. @commenergyengland.bsky.social @energy4alluk.bsky.social @rescoop.eu

Doug Parr@dougparr.bsky.social · 12mo ago

If you're a community in the vicinity of South Oxfordshire and need a bit of ££ to get a small clean energy project going (insulation, PV, heat pumps....), check out if you can get some help from this funding scheme

If you're a community in the vicinity of South Oxfordshire and need a bit of ££ to get a small clean energy project going (insulation, PV, heat pumps....), check out if you can get some help from this funding scheme

Westmill Energy@westmillenergy.bsky.social · 12mo ago

🚨 Have a great community project, but need some help with funding? The Westmill Solar Community Funding Grant Scheme wants to hear from you! Check out guidance notes and apply on on our website now: westmillenergy.coop/what-we-do/c... Deadline: noon, 15th September. #community #cooperatives #solar

Congratulations to Netenyahu in managing to unite the Express and the Guardian in outrage.

We try to be genuinely innovative. Previous projects have included a poly-tunnel in a nearby community agriculture scheme, a series of energy audits and insulation in public buildings and helping a cider maker who uses dropped apples that would otherwise go to waste.

Westmill Energy@westmillenergy.bsky.social · last yr.

🚨Westmill Solar Coop is so excited to launch our Community Benefits Grants Scheme for 2025! 🎉🤗 Applications close at noon on 15th September 2025. See our website for eligibility and an application form: westmillenergy.coop/what-we-do/c... #CommunityEnergy #solar #cooperatives #greenenergy