Poster for Cambridge Vintage Cycle Rally 2026 in orange, yellow and green, stylised people on retro bikes in retro clothing against a backdrop of famous Cambridge University buildings (Kings College Chapel). Poster also says 'Vintage Looks Welcome' and 'Win Prizes' (these will be for things like oldest bike and best dressed rider). There's a QR code encouraging sign ups. Ride is on 9th May 2026 and starts at 1030 at the Cambridge Museum of Technology.

Hey there #BikeTooter the time is nearly upon us, so this is a quick reminder that the
#Cambridge #Vintage Cycle Rally is happening in #Cambridge on Saturday 9th May 2026.

Starting at the #Technology Museum at 1030 this is a great fun day out on retro and […]

[Original post on mastodon.world]

A picture of four of the lost pubs of Cambridge and the text "There have been 23 pubs on Newmarket Road - now only three remain. I'm making a documentary about these lost places for Cambridge Radio and I want your memories to share. You can send me an email at james@cambridge.radio if you would like to contribute"

FYI Cambridge people!

There have been 23 pubs on Newmarket Road - now only three remain. I'm making a documentary about these lost places for Cambridge Radio and I want your memories to share. You can send me an email at james@cambridge.radio if you would like to contribute

If anyone wants to know the GRIM story of what happened here, we covered it for @railnatter.uk 170: www.youtube.com/live/F9a9fK4...

"We may need something new: a public institution specifically built to grapple with AI and culture. Think of it as the Channel 4 of AI – experimental, risk-taking, public-minded."

“The next BBC Charter is a real opportunity: meaningful devolution of commissioning power to the regions"

"AI is starting to feel less like a tool and more like a new layer of power – shaping what we see, what gets made, and who gets paid. From a culture and digital inclusion perspective, who should be accountable for that power?"

An astonishing thing for any MP to say.
"...Therefore in effect you are gerrymandering..." Mr Gagan Mohindra (Cons - SW Herts) before Chair Florence Eschalomi (Lab - Vauxhall and Camberwell Green) intervenes. Possibly to save him from himself...! cc @zackpolanski.bsky.social

Lord Skidelsky obituary Economic historian and politician who was a leading authority on the life and work of John Maynard Keynes

We are sorry to learn of the deaths of two leading historians and Fellows of the Society this month: Lord Robert Skidelsky (1939-2026), economic historian and biographer of Keynes bit.ly/4e1mcqa #Skystorians

Parliamentlive.tv Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee

"There is an historic understanding that younger voters may vote for non-Conservative Parties" Mr Gagan Mohindra (Cons - SW Herts) Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee 21 Apr 2026. 👀📺 parliamentlive.tv/event/index/...
Chair: "How can you say that?"

Parliamentlive.tv Westminster Hall

NEW VIDEO: MPs debate alternative measures to GDP within Government. (In the late 1990s as an A-level student I remember having to write essays on similar!) parliamentlive.tv/event/index/... @dianecoyle1859.bsky.social @bennettinstitute.cam.ac.uk

Parliamentlive.tv House of Commons

"On at least 12 occasions the PM said his appointment of Mandelson was a mistake" @iansollom.bsky.social (LD - St Neots & Mid Cambs) on Starmer's speech y'day. parliamentlive.tv/event/index/...

🇭🇺 The redemocratisation in Hungary has begun - and the EU must draw lessons from the Orbán-era.

➡️ 5 points 🇪🇺

1. No more blackmailing
2. Arm democracy in Council
3. No democracy, no EU money
4. Break the law, face the ECJ
5. Charter must bind – Commission must act

History repeating itself? Andrew Marr in the Express, 05 May 1999: "Tony's Cronies are not way to reform Lords" www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/00...

Tesla saved $400 million on its federal taxes by shifting billions of its U.S. profits to countries with lower tax rates.

Yes: While you paid your taxes in full, giant corporations maneuvered to pay as little as possible — and it’s all perfectly legal for them.

The system is rigged.

women next to me at the cafe discussing a European couple they know who moved to London and hired a schools consultant (?) who advised them on what neighbourhood to buy a house in so their kids could get into the best state school, so I reckon that we actually could tax high earners a bit more tbh

Big questions about the future of local government, less time to properly unpack them.

That’s why we're proud to support @transformgovtalks.bsky.social.

Next one 👇
📅 29 April
⏰ 18:00–19:00
📍 MoJ, London

Register: luma.com/7nu2j853

Reformed National Pricing: reforms to siting and investment levers We're seeking views on proposed reforms to the electricity market and their implementation.

@nataliegreenpeer.bsky.social Consultation document is now out -> www.gov.uk/government/c...

WARREN: That's not my question. Are you refusing to tell us if you have investments in vehicles set up by Jeffrey Epstein?

KEVIN WARSH: Those assets will be sold if I'm confirmed

Will Labour’s backbench MPs want Starmer to go:
1) Now
2) After The King’s state visit to the USA
3) Following the #localgov elections which are not looking good
4) If/When Andy Burnham becomes an MP again?
5) Only after a general election defeat? 👀

A quote graphic from a blog posted by Robert Peston. The quote reads: "Starmer gave Robbins the boot apparently for not having the imagination at the time to find a way to save the PM from his own catastrophic decisions - even though Starmer and his then Chief of Staff Morgan McSweeney just wanted the FCDO to rush the vetting and rubber stamp the appointment. The implications for Starmer's grip on office are so obvious they do not bear repeating."

🤔 What do today's revelations from Sir Olly Robbins mean for the PM?

Here’s @peston.bsky.social ’s take 😳

Read the full blog 🔗 www.itv.com/news/2026-04...

And join Robert, @pippacrerar.bsky.social and guests for the latest developments tomorrow night

🔴 9PM on YouTube
📺 11.15PM on ITV1

#Peston

Not devolved funding - this is effectively ministers commissioning combined authorities to deliver ministerial priorities www.gov.uk/government/p... v different to allocating funding by formula grant or through increasing range of taxes #localgov can use independent of ministers.

🚨"We do risk having an election next time round that is simply indefensible."

The flaws of FPTP are becoming impossible to ignore.

@profsob.bsky.social & @alanrenwick.bsky.social give evidence to the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee as part of its modernising elections inquiry 👇

You can actually see the moment Ed Miliband thinks, what's the point burning through whatever political credibility I've got left energetically defending a man who's going to be gone in a matter of weeks.

New campaign demands Westminster clean-up as Mandelson scandal exposes rotten system - Clean Up Westminster Clean Up Westminster launches today, calling for stronger anti-corruption laws, a cap on political donations, and an end to the cronyism of the House of Lords A new non-partisan “Clean Up Westminster”...

This might be of interest, especially if you've been despairing at the car crash in Westminster this week.
I'm in, are you? cleanupwestminster.org

Green graphic with portcullis logo and green background. An image of the House of Commons Chamber is overlayed in a green and beige colourway

🔴Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves MP is making a statement: Middle East - Economic Update.

Watch live ⬇️
parliamentlive.tv/event/index/...

If you’re interested in how regional leadership can drive real economic growth, hear Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, share insights into his region’s economic success story. He discusses how place-based policy, governance, & devolution have shaped the region’s progress.
bit.ly/48c0qfH

The Royal Family marked the 100th anniversary of the birth of Queen Elizabeth II The Royal Family marked the 100th anniversary of the birth of Queen Elizabeth II through a series of commemorative events in April 2026, including a visit by...

(Although the Prime Minister is meant to be with the King for this at the British Museum www.royal.uk/news-and-act... )

Emergency Debate - What's on - UK Parliament Government accountability to the House in connection to the appointment of Peter Mandelson as Ambassador to the United States of America

Could be fun whatson.parliament.uk/event/cal55252 re Mandelson

In a surprise government policy change, schools will be forced to ban smartphones. Over 56% of Britons support banning mobile phones in schools altogether (Jan 2026).

And banning phones in schools receives cross-party support:

60% Reform UK voters
59% Labour voters,
62% Conservative voters

It was just the old story of appointing political allies to diplomatic posts - something which we learnt today some in Downing Street wanted to do to one of the sacked comms directors, too.

Yes, this is one of the most pervasive myths of the whole business, that it was to appease Trump. Total bollocks.