Trisha Ward
@trishaward.bsky.social
Derry woman, lover of language and books, my family and a dog. Interested in public services (esp. libraries) and politics
1/14 A brief break from #TheHormuzCrisis. I've never really explained why the phrase "put the Navy in the Channel" to stop #SmallBoat crossings isn't, in itself, a serious maritime strategy. It sounds decisive. From a maritime perspective though, it raises far more questions than it answers.
Reform UK councillor charged after alleged racist social media post
Reform UK councillor charged after alleged racist social media post
Northumbria police said post by Glenn Gibbins, who was reinstated to the party after internal investigation, referenced Nigerian people A Reform councillor has been charged with posting a grossly offensive message on social media after allegedly making a racist comment about Nigerians. Glenn Gibbins, of Sunderland city council, has been charged with the offence under the Communications Act 2003, Northumbria police said. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
🚨 NEW: Andy Burnham has sacked Hilary Benn as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
Lovely to hear that Ed Sheeran inspires a government-backed 'music in libraries' scheme. I hope it extend to Northern Ireland @communitiesni.bsky.social
This gorgeous print arrived today - thanks @ciaraioch.bsky.social . I love it- a birthday present from me to me
Britain has no cap on political donations. None. @stellacreasy.bsky.social has proposed capping them at £100,000. MPs - and everyone else - should back it when the Elections Bill returns to Parliament next week. New by me on Democracy for Sale: democracyforsale.substack.com/p/how-to-sto...
How to stop Reform’s dark money
Plus: watch video with Franz Wild on how super rich are using London's libel courts to silence critics
democracyforsale.substack.com
Can’t even burn books anymore because of woke.
Drivers caught speeding could soon receive fines through the post without being stopped by police, as the PSNI begins trialling a new generation of laser speed cameras.
PSNI to trial laser speed cameras capable of catching drivers from a kilometre away
New Trucam II laser cameras let PSNI post speeding fines without stopping drivers, targeting rural roads and fatal collisions. Learn what this means.
belfasttelegraph.co.uk
There’s no difference between men marching in white masks and men marching in white hoods. None.
@ciaraioch.bsky.social I’m trying to get in touch with you about an order. Is the email address still current?
This is absolutely terrifying The Nino 3.4 forecast temperature anomaly mean is now at 4C, when even the biggest historical super ninos have seen less than 3C I really have no idea what this is going to bring over the next 12 months, but it will be very, very, grim
What if Andy Burnham could raise £15bn – without a tax rise? There's one catch. He'd need to solve the UK’s biggest and least-discussed tax problem. Almost half of all small business corporation tax isn't being paid - and nobody knows why. Thread:
"Derry City and Strabane Council spent up to £228,000 on Non-disclosure Agreements in the last five years, it can be revealed." [Bel Tel]
An excellent resource from Law Centre NI. @lawcentreni.org Further info here: www.lawcentreni.org/news/refugee...
Remember, during today's literal cage match on the White House grounds: No matter what, it's not his house. It's our house. Get a hat, coaster, or sticker to support groups and candidates who will respect the form AND the function of the people's house. shop.onwardtogether.org/collections/...
The hospitality industry wants their VAT cut to 10%. It will cost £12bn Who benefits? ❌ The smallest most vulnerable businesses? Nope. 45% get nothing. ❌ Consumers? Nope - prices won't fall. ✅ Nearly half the cash goes straight to large chains. McDonald's gets £400m. 🧵:
Justin Webb now stating as fact that in Northern Ireland - and across the U.K. - for years people ‘have been able to come here and get access to services’ that local people can’t Is there any evidence for this? Why is a presenter on the BBC stating this as fact?
The horn of Africa is grieving because their -Their farms are no longer yielding -Advancement of desert is alarming -Our major rivers are drying -Proliferation of pest and pathogens -Development of tropical diseases. -Our crop are dieing out. Climate change is a reality.
🚨 NEW: Joint statement from Michelle O'Neill, Gavin Robinson, Naomi Long, Jon Burrows & Claira Hanna following attempted murder in North Belfast "There is no place in our society for this kind of brutality. Our immediate thoughts are with the victim and his family"
UK tax has gone up significantly over the last 25 years But the tax paid by the average UK worker has not This apparent miracle was achieved by taxing “other people”: higher earners, capital, property, banks, etc The strategy has run out of road A 🧵 on what happens next.
Delighted that my novel Prestige Drama is Book Of The Day in todays' Guardian, who call it a "brilliant, wry comedy" and "a keenly observed and snappily written debut". I'm biased but I agree, and think you should all buy several copies at once. www.theguardian.com/books/2026/m...
Prestige Drama by Séamas O’Reilly review – brilliant wry comedy of Derry and the shadow of the past
A British and American film crew descend on the Northern Irish city to film a drama about the Troubles, in a keenly observed and snappily written debut
theguardian.com
In Ireland its called ‘Whataboutery’ - when you condemn a violent act & the reply is ‘but what about…’ I am against Israeli violence in Gaza & the violence of Hamas and Hezbollah. I condemn the US attack on Iran & Irans aggression against their own. And I condemn anti semitic /islamaphobic violence
We must stand in solidarity with Jews being attacked by antisemitic criminals and terrorists: no ifs or buts. We must stand in solidarity with Palestinians being murdered by the Israeli government: no ifs or buts. These are not contradictory positions. They are consistent ones. 🧵1/5
I’m guessing, from the tone of today’s announcements, that Europe (including, if not especially, us) is about 1-2 weeks away from hitting a gap in supply.
Jacob Öberg@profjacob.bsky.social · 4mo ago🚨🚨Breaking news: #EUenergy commissioner Dan Jorgensen has urged people to work from home, drive and fly less, and for EU countries to urgently roll out renewables, as it warned of a prolonged energy crisis as a result of the conflict in the #Gulf. 🧵 www.politico.eu/article/euro...
