Declan

Declan

@blench.bsky.social

Birgitte Nyborg fan account. [councillor, staffer. erstwhile freelance translator. vegan. Glasgow. he/him]

715 followers462 following801 posts

Declan reposted

Bertine van Hövell 🛝 AdventureX
@baroness.bsky.social

Brazilians recommending not to amplify right-wing talking points by dunking and quoting, as a winning strategy Next day, my tl is full of people dunking on rfk jr I literally would not have seen the bigotry if it wasn't for y'all repeating it. That's exactly what the Brazilians were on about!

Declan
@blench.bsky.social

Lara Bird and Kate Nevens

The National@scotnational.bsky.social

🚨 Israel has detained an SNP MP and a Greens MSP who were trying to enter Palestine 👉 www.thenational.scot/news/2...

Declan reposted

J. Offir, PhD
@joffirphd.bsky.social

Just saw a cookie company reel of cookie dough jack-o'-lanterns. Half the comments were about what a waste of food they are. No one seemed to grasp that *all* jack-o'-lanterns are repurposed food. This is an ex. of how we process new info. through the lens of old habits. (schematic processing... 🧵

Declan
@blench.bsky.social

ik sterf

NieuwsVandaag@news-flows-be-vlg.bsky.social

Pommelien Thijs plaagt fans met voorsmaakje van nieuwe single ‘Onomatopee’ Goed nieuws voor de fans van Pommelien Thijs (25). De Vlaamse popsensatie heeft op TikTok een eerste fragment van haar nieuwste nummer gedeeld, dat de opvallende titel ‘Onomatopee’ meekrijgt.

hln.bePommelien Thijs plaagt fans met voorsmaakje van nieuwe single ‘Onomatopee’Goed nieuws voor de fans van Pommelien Thijs (25). De Vlaamse popsensatie heeft op TikTok een eerste fragment van haar nieuwste nummer gedeeld, dat de opvallende titel ‘Onomatopee’ meekrijgt.

Declan reposted

Rafa Sales Ross
@rafiews.com

I’m not a political journalist, so was gladly surprised at the community I found here last night. To Americans anxious about the upcoming elections, a key thing we learned in Brazil that might help you: DO NOT engage with the far-right online. Don’t share rage bait. Amplify your people. Ignore them.

Declan reposted

Sophie in't Veld
@sophieintveld.bsky.social

There are still a handful of centrist and centre-left governments in the EU, but they have all adopted almost the entire right wing agenda. Just as the rapidly crumbling "Firewall" between @eppgroup.bsky.social and the far right is only between parties, not between ideas.

Dave Keating@davekeating.substack.com

The EU has been governed by the centre-right for over 2 decades. Pedro Sanchez has been the last defender of the left in the 🇪🇺Council. But he may be voted out next month and replaced with a centre-far-right coalition. Watch the full @agendapublica.es video here: agendapublica.es/noticia/2161...

Declan
@blench.bsky.social

Again, if we stopped treating animals like commodities and more like the sentient beings they actually are, it would save us a lot of bother.

Kevin Uhrmacher@kevinuhrm.bsky.social

Wild new story from @natlash.bsky.social Bird flu has been raging uncontrolled on a mink farm for two months. Flu experts fear it could spark a devastating human pandemic. But officials haven’t acted, instead prioritizing the financial interests of the fur trade. www.propublica.org/article/bird...

propublica.orgBird Flu Is Raging on a Mink Farm. It Could Spark a Human Pandemic, Experts Say, but Officials Won’t Act.Federal officials brushed off the issue as Utah prioritized the fur industry’s interests. Little has been done to stop the spread of the virus and ensure it can’t spread to humans, a failure that expe...

Declan reposted

Charlotte Lydia Riley
@lottelydia.bsky.social

I do think “there are masked men marching through high streets screaming about repatriation and white supremacy” is something the government needs a much stronger public voice against — it might be (?) that Prevent is all over it but there should still be a loud and consistent official attack line.

Ireland against Fascism@irlagainstfascism.bsky.social

Bigots descended on Herne Bay, Kent, England today with chants of 'Save our nation - remigration' 'End the invasion -remigration'. Most shockingly they chanted 'England for the white man'. These are white supremacists not 'concerned citizens'. Britain you've a serious problem, sort it out NOW!

Declan reposted

Lili Saintcrow
@lilithsaintcrow.com

So, wait, has NaNoWriMo rebranded as "Novel November", paid for by ProWritingAid, which used to be a spell/grammar checker but now is (you guessed it) an "'AI' grammar checker"--in short, yet another way for a griftslop machine to grab human-written text? Do I have that right?

Declan
@blench.bsky.social

Same vibe

Hannah Graham@drhannahgraham.bsky.social

Now independent MSP Amanda Bland has spoken for the first time on why she left the Reform UK party in Holyrood: because of what she calls "abusive, misogynistic behaviour" by Reform leaders, who are named in this piece.

Declan reposted

Hannah Graham
@drhannahgraham.bsky.social

Now independent MSP Amanda Bland has spoken for the first time on why she left the Reform UK party in Holyrood: because of what she calls "abusive, misogynistic behaviour" by Reform leaders, who are named in this piece.

Declan reposted

Duncan Hothersall
@dhothersall.bsky.social

Bridget's never going to believe it when she finds out what this Labour government's women and equality minister did to trans people.

Bridget Phillipson MP@bphillipsonmp.bsky.social

There are forces on the Right trying to divide our society with fear and hatred. The Labour Government is determined to defeat them: to build a Britain of inclusion, tolerance, and compassion.

Declan reposted

Euan
@euan.bsky.social

presented without comment

Leicester Gazette@leicestergazette.leicester.news

Two University of Leicester students speak out over ‘absurd’ and ‘Orwellian’ decision by the BBC and ITV Studios to edit out pride pins worn on University Challenge

leicester.newsBBC edits out pride pins on University Challenge in ‘Orwellian’ move* * * This story was published by **The Leicester Gazette** : a local, independent newspaper about Leicestershire. 1,000 people have already joined our community. Just use those buttons below to download our app and **sign up for free**. * * * Astrophysics student Samuel Carlier and History student Emmeline Hague-Wright were shocked to find that their LGBTQ+ pride pins had been edited out of their University Challenge appearance earlier this year. The episode, initially scheduled for BBC Two on 24 August, was delayed twice before airing on 7 September 2026. The pins showed the progressive LGBTQ+ pride flag, the bisexual pride flag and a rainbow feather. Speaking to the Leicester Gazette, Sam said: “Living in a liberal democracy and having the state broadcaster tell you ‘we’re editing how you look’, seems very Orwellian.” Sam described the choice to remove the pins before broadcast as “weird” and “absurd”. He said: “[Censoring] that seemed weird. If I had worn a rainbow shirt, would they have censored that? If the idea is to keep things impartial, where is that line in the sand?” A side by-side image of Sam wearing the pin and with it having been digitally removed. Photograph: supplied Sam contacted the BBC to try to understand why his pins had been edited out. He told the Gazette: “The BBC people said they’d ring me, and I chased them, they just said go to the complaints website and file a complaint there, that’s what I did.” Since then, Sam hasn’t had a response from the BBC as to why his pins were removed. After the episode had aired, Sam noted that his shirt ‘melted’ into itself occasionally, as a result of the editing. Photograph: supplied ## Students believe the decision was made following online transphobia Emmeline was also shocked when she found out that the feather pin she wore was due to be removed from the episode she was in. It was understood by Emmeline that there was online transphobia in response to previous episode of University Challenge, and she had been contacted by the BBC, anticipating support from the broadcaster. When the BBC contacted her, instead of an offer of support, she was told her pin was going to be removed. “At first it was mostly confusion,” she said. “I heard that they had received a lot of nastiness online from people and I thought they were going to call me to say ‘we have support services if needed,’ and that wasn't what I got at all.” Instead, Emmeline was notified that the episodes were going to be delayed. “It was out of left field, I was confused for a while,” she said. “This entire delay has been because of a feather and two badges on a teammate that were basically impossible [for viewers] to see.” Emmeline had expressed her frustrations with the repeated delays from the BBC, spanning from mid-July to early-September. She said: “We were announced on the website and then delayed again, and then announced on the website a second time, and delayed even further. Speaking about the removal, she said: “It takes a lot of time” she said. “Making it [the edit] look good would be even more expensive and time-consuming. It seems like drastically a lot of effort.” ## Join the conversation Our app is more than just a way to keep up – it's a gateway to award-winning journalism and the local community. __Want to support our work?__ Click here for membership__.__ ## Wider criticism on LGBTQ+ support The pins Sam wore during the episode. Photograph: supplied According to leading LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall UK, two in five LGBTQ+ students will hide their identities at university for fear of discrimination. Stonewall has reported that more than 36 per cent of trans students have received hostile conduct from university staff due to their gender identity. Reflecting on the digital removal of the pins, Sam spoke about how disheartening the choice was. He said: “There was maybe like a span of eight years where someone could be uncontroversially out in the open queer – now that’s gone again.” he said. The BBC has also been widely criticised for ‘an attack on the LGBTQ+ community’ by pulling its involvement with the popular show, RuPaul's Drag Race. The broadcaster pulled its involvement in September following “significant financial pressures” as the reason for axing their involvement. The criticism follows another recent controversial edit by the BBC. On its hit show, Strictly Come Dancing, a decision was made to edit out ‘Protect the Dolls’ from contestant Bethany Antonia’s T-shirt. It’s a slogan which has become widely used to support the rights of trans women. The BBC defended their decision, saying the changes were made to meet editorial guidelines. It comes as the LGBTQ+ community has faced challenges amid an increasingly less tolerant political climate. ## What the BBC had to say When we asked them about editing out the pins worn by Leicester’s University Challenge team, a BBC spokesperson said: “In line with our editorial guidelines, we advise that no badges, flags, and emblems or symbols are worn or visible during filming, along with clothing with obvious branding or slogans. If such items are not removed for any reason then a decision is made between the programme makers and the BBC regarding any edits to the programme.” The BBC said the delays to the episode were unrelated to the decision to edit out the pins. A spokesperson for ITV Studios said: “University Challenge is an entertainment quiz show and is made in accordance with the BBC Editorial Guidelines requirements for impartiality.” The University of Leicester refused to comment on the matter. * * * **Before you go…** We’ve recently surpassed 1,000 subscribers, which is amazing considering we’re a small team on a shoestring budget. Now, we’re ready for the next stage of the Leicester Gazette. **Download our new app and get all of our journalism anytime, anywhere.** The app connects with **Bluesky** , **Mastodon** and **Threads** , giving you access to a network of around 60 million people. It’s a safer, more meaningful alternative to mainstream social media – owned by the community. * * *

Declan reposted

RDCK98
@comradekenobi.bsky.social

IMO the way to shifting MPs from being local ombudsmen is a combined approach of electoral reform to break or weaken the constituency link + strong local government

Alice Lilly@aliceolilly.bsky.social

I've talked before about how we are overdue a proper think about the role of MPs. The proposed national commission on electoral reform is an opportunity for this. I mused on that here thehumbleaddress.beehiiv.com/p/the-nation...

thehumbleaddress.beehiiv.comThe national commission on electoral reform is an opportunity to consider the role of MPsA plea to ensure that form follows function

Declan reposted

Ariadne Griffin
@ariadnereviews.bsky.social

interesting to note that one of the pins was specifically the Bisexual Flag and I'm sure all those people with their ~legitimate concerns~ who were clammering to remove the T will oppose this. Oh? What's that? *crickets*

Leicester Gazette@leicestergazette.leicester.news

Two University of Leicester students speak out over ‘absurd’ and ‘Orwellian’ decision by the BBC and ITV Studios to edit out pride pins worn on University Challenge

leicester.newsBBC edits out pride pins on University Challenge in ‘Orwellian’ move* * * This story was published by **The Leicester Gazette** : a local, independent newspaper about Leicestershire. 1,000 people have already joined our community. Just use those buttons below to download our app and **sign up for free**. * * * Astrophysics student Samuel Carlier and History student Emmeline Hague-Wright were shocked to find that their LGBTQ+ pride pins had been edited out of their University Challenge appearance earlier this year. The episode, initially scheduled for BBC Two on 24 August, was delayed twice before airing on 7 September 2026. The pins showed the progressive LGBTQ+ pride flag, the bisexual pride flag and a rainbow feather. Speaking to the Leicester Gazette, Sam said: “Living in a liberal democracy and having the state broadcaster tell you ‘we’re editing how you look’, seems very Orwellian.” Sam described the choice to remove the pins before broadcast as “weird” and “absurd”. He said: “[Censoring] that seemed weird. If I had worn a rainbow shirt, would they have censored that? If the idea is to keep things impartial, where is that line in the sand?” A side by-side image of Sam wearing the pin and with it having been digitally removed. Photograph: supplied Sam contacted the BBC to try to understand why his pins had been edited out. He told the Gazette: “The BBC people said they’d ring me, and I chased them, they just said go to the complaints website and file a complaint there, that’s what I did.” Since then, Sam hasn’t had a response from the BBC as to why his pins were removed. After the episode had aired, Sam noted that his shirt ‘melted’ into itself occasionally, as a result of the editing. Photograph: supplied ## Students believe the decision was made following online transphobia Emmeline was also shocked when she found out that the feather pin she wore was due to be removed from the episode she was in. It was understood by Emmeline that there was online transphobia in response to previous episode of University Challenge, and she had been contacted by the BBC, anticipating support from the broadcaster. When the BBC contacted her, instead of an offer of support, she was told her pin was going to be removed. “At first it was mostly confusion,” she said. “I heard that they had received a lot of nastiness online from people and I thought they were going to call me to say ‘we have support services if needed,’ and that wasn't what I got at all.” Instead, Emmeline was notified that the episodes were going to be delayed. “It was out of left field, I was confused for a while,” she said. “This entire delay has been because of a feather and two badges on a teammate that were basically impossible [for viewers] to see.” Emmeline had expressed her frustrations with the repeated delays from the BBC, spanning from mid-July to early-September. She said: “We were announced on the website and then delayed again, and then announced on the website a second time, and delayed even further. Speaking about the removal, she said: “It takes a lot of time” she said. “Making it [the edit] look good would be even more expensive and time-consuming. It seems like drastically a lot of effort.” ## Join the conversation Our app is more than just a way to keep up – it's a gateway to award-winning journalism and the local community. __Want to support our work?__ Click here for membership__.__ ## Wider criticism on LGBTQ+ support The pins Sam wore during the episode. Photograph: supplied According to leading LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall UK, two in five LGBTQ+ students will hide their identities at university for fear of discrimination. Stonewall has reported that more than 36 per cent of trans students have received hostile conduct from university staff due to their gender identity. Reflecting on the digital removal of the pins, Sam spoke about how disheartening the choice was. He said: “There was maybe like a span of eight years where someone could be uncontroversially out in the open queer – now that’s gone again.” he said. The BBC has also been widely criticised for ‘an attack on the LGBTQ+ community’ by pulling its involvement with the popular show, RuPaul's Drag Race. The broadcaster pulled its involvement in September following “significant financial pressures” as the reason for axing their involvement. The criticism follows another recent controversial edit by the BBC. On its hit show, Strictly Come Dancing, a decision was made to edit out ‘Protect the Dolls’ from contestant Bethany Antonia’s T-shirt. It’s a slogan which has become widely used to support the rights of trans women. The BBC defended their decision, saying the changes were made to meet editorial guidelines. It comes as the LGBTQ+ community has faced challenges amid an increasingly less tolerant political climate. ## What the BBC had to say When we asked them about editing out the pins worn by Leicester’s University Challenge team, a BBC spokesperson said: “In line with our editorial guidelines, we advise that no badges, flags, and emblems or symbols are worn or visible during filming, along with clothing with obvious branding or slogans. If such items are not removed for any reason then a decision is made between the programme makers and the BBC regarding any edits to the programme.” The BBC said the delays to the episode were unrelated to the decision to edit out the pins. A spokesperson for ITV Studios said: “University Challenge is an entertainment quiz show and is made in accordance with the BBC Editorial Guidelines requirements for impartiality.” The University of Leicester refused to comment on the matter. * * * **Before you go…** We’ve recently surpassed 1,000 subscribers, which is amazing considering we’re a small team on a shoestring budget. Now, we’re ready for the next stage of the Leicester Gazette. **Download our new app and get all of our journalism anytime, anywhere.** The app connects with **Bluesky** , **Mastodon** and **Threads** , giving you access to a network of around 60 million people. It’s a safer, more meaningful alternative to mainstream social media – owned by the community. * * *

Declan reposted

Running Dog
@runningdog.bsky.social

The issue here is that hacks found it useful to agree that Reform had detoxified simply by not letting Tommy Robinson in and doing well in the polls, so evidence of all the toxicity that never went away is very inconvenient and pretend-shocking.

Alasdair Mackenzie@alasdairmackenzie.bsky.social

I mean it’s not a vetting problem, is it? It’s that it’s a racist party, run by racists, with racist policies, for the benefit of racists. The fact that it turns out to be full of racists is not a glitch

bbc.co.ukReform faces questions over candidate vetting after undercover filmingReform UK says the party has "improved and prioritised its vetting procedures".
Declan
@blench.bsky.social

My husband hates Dan Brown so naturally I got him a copy of his new book and hid it in the pile of books on his side of the bed. He returned serve by hiding it in a cereal box, then it went to his jacket sleeve, into my backpack, etc etc. He’s arrived at his parents’ in Liverpool for the weekend…

Declan reposted

Seth Trueger
@mdaware.org

immunotherapy a lot of cancer and rare disease care has improved immensely (I’m on an immune suppressing mAb and it seems quaint now)

Michael Druker 🇨🇦@mdruker.app

Social media loves talking about how everything is getting worse. But what’s something that you’ve seen get _better_ in your lifetime?

Declan
@blench.bsky.social

Watching an episode of the Traitors (for the first time in my life) and genuinely thought James Blunt was Sandi Toksvig for a full minute

Declan
@blench.bsky.social

Thank you conference-going Nat pals, back on Member Conduct (on the first round of counting this time which I think is a personal best!)

Declan@blench.bsky.social

Conference-going Nat pals, I'm (once again) standing for Member Conduct Committee and would be grateful for your number 1 vote or next highest available preference x

Declan reposted

Dean Buckley
@deanbuckley.bsky.social

if Peadar Tóibín is suggesting that children need to get used to being touched without their consent, he should be asked why

The Journal@thejournal.ie

Adverts run by the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre looking at consensual hugs between children and their grandparents has been suspended after criticism. Aontú's Peader Tóibín called the ad "bonkers", as he urged a "need to build resilience" among children. www.thejournal.ie/grandparents...

thejournal.ieRape Crisis Centre suspends consent advert focused on grandparents' hugs after backlashThe advert depicts the discomfort of the young girl after her grandparents looked to embrace her.

Declan reposted

the pickwicker man
@pickwick.bsky.social

Hey it's creepy and dangerous to insist kids should be forced to put up with physical contact from adults that makes them uncomfortable

The Journal@thejournal.ie

Adverts run by the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre looking at consensual hugs between children and their grandparents has been suspended after criticism. Aontú's Peader Tóibín called the ad "bonkers", as he urged a "need to build resilience" among children. www.thejournal.ie/grandparents...

thejournal.ieRape Crisis Centre suspends consent advert focused on grandparents' hugs after backlashThe advert depicts the discomfort of the young girl after her grandparents looked to embrace her.

Declan reposted

Josiah Mortimer
@josiahmortimer.bsky.social

I'm looking to speak to accountants and company law experts for a political donations story. If you or someone you know fits the bill and is interested, please drop me a message in confidence 👇 DMs open jmjourno.21 on Signal josiah@bylinetimes.com

Declan
@blench.bsky.social

“Italian far-right leader poses problem for Meloni” as though she isn’t also an Italian far-right leader.

POLITICO Europe@politico.eu

Italian far-right leader Roberto Vannacci is making a deliberate play to the so-called manosphere to turn himself from an internet provocateur into a heavyweight political force. For the country’s first female PM, Giorgia Meloni, he now poses a problem.

politico.euFar-right Italian general hunts the manosphere voteThe maverick ex-paratrooper now poses a headache for Giorgia Meloni, who must decide whether he is an asset or liability for her coalition.

Declan reposted

the pickwicker man
@pickwick.bsky.social

Not seeing a lot of Scottish or UK media picking up on thjs

Peter Geoghegan@petergeoghegan.bsky.social

If you're not watching Al Jazeera investigates live now, you *really* should The most remarkable undercover footage I've ever seen. Turning Point UK actively involved in soliciting what they think is a hit UK police really need to be watching www.aljazeera.com/video/live

aljazeera.comLIVE - Al Jazeera English | Video broadcast from Al JazeeraWatch Al Jazeera’s live broadcast now