Having watched said circus, they both deserved to lose; but Tate did deserve to lose more.

Spicy bit of cropping there Benali. 😂😂 But yes, a great day.

What IS unacceptable is preventing anonymity when there are obvious chilling effects to contend with.

Ex-Borough Councillor and Group Leader here, and no they're not. The identity of the complainant has no bearing on the merit of the complaint. Agree mediation is critical but it's the MO's job to explain the impediments to an anonymous complainant in the event that's the optimal course.

Jacob Buck
Nowhere Man | shooters shoot | Marine Biologist | Nature, Wildlife, and Adventure Photographer
At this very moment, somewhere on the planet, sea otters are floating together, beyond the break; clouds are gently drifting above, and the rivers are greeting the sea.

Diminish a band:

Alice in cable ties

Take note @theguardian.com readers, as the Grauniad is not immune from this either.

I see; thanks for clarifying.

I don't recognise your criticism of it though, as we've used TTW in dozens of campaigns in highly deprived areas of Solihull with great success over more than a decade. Could you maybe further clarify why you thought it was worth singling out in the national hustings?

You will get an email to the address associated with your membership, with a link to an online voting portal. In the past you've had to use some form of correlation key, not sure if that will be the case this time (as it's not really necessary and could be an accessibility issue).

This was at the Deputy Leadership hustings last night.

Hey @theguardian.com, presumably you're gonna give @zackpolanski.bsky.social similar column inches? Wouldn't want to be seen to be trying to influence an election, now would you..?

That Zack Polanski has mainstream media rattled is a good indicator that he's exactly the person we need.

Personally, as a trans woman, most political parties want to persecute me just for existing. Zack has, for the first time in ages, given me some genuine hope.

#BackZack

Management Coordinator: Melanie Earp and Dylan Lewis-Creser. Both have tons of experience and knowledge of GPEW machinery so will be perfect for this role.

E&D Coordinator: Cade Hatton is a exceptionally smart cookie, who I've worked with before, and will get my first preference.

So there you go!

For most other roles I don't have strong preferences so will base my voting on the candidate statements and the LGBTQIA+ Greens' recommendations, however a few other candidates stand out:

External Comms: I've known Jonathan Kent for a while and know he would do an excellent job in this role.

I also intend to give preferences to Rachel Millward, Alex Mace, Ani Townsend and Mothin Ali. I will definitely be ranking Antoinette Fernandez below RON as I can't support any candidate that doesn't support TTW, which has gotten us almost 900 councillors and is the reason we are where we are today.

My second preference will be for Ash Routh. I've known Ash for a while and I'm always impressed by her resilience, knowledgeability and good humour. Being on SOC is not an easy gig, and she's handled it with grace and seriousness. And her lived experience will be invaluable.

For Deputy Leader, I will #ChooseFrank Adlington-Stringer as my first preference, as I've seen his work up close and personal during my time in the West Midlands and he is -exactly- who we need in the Deputy role. The man is a Samson, even if he has cut his hair. (Still not happy about that, Frank!)

2. I also believe Zack has the charisma and the media chops to best engage with non-green voters, which is super important when we are struggling for media coverage and competing with Reform UK. Adrian and Ellie will get coverage regardless as MPs, but having Zack as leader can only amplify that.

I will #BackZack Polanski for Leader, for two reasons:

1. I think it is really important to have a leader that is unfettered by other responsibilities. Adrian and Ellie have to focus on their constituencies, so leave the party leadership to someone with the bandwidth to do it.

I know I'm no longer particularly relevant in the Green Party, but maybe one or two of you might be interested in who I plan to vote for in the internal elections? Here's my thinking ahead of the voting opening on Friday...

Pasty straight bald white man (who's clearly never entered a parkrun in his life) punches down to try to win a few Reform-leaners over in his constituency. It ain't gonna work mate.

The absolute shit state of @labouruk.bsky.social in 2025, pathetic.

Hmmm, I for one see another TIG moment coming. This new party will have no infrastructure and no ground game, I fear all this is can do at best is split the progressive vote when it comes to election time, which is a calamity under FPTP. 🫣

@zoegarbett.bsky.social @zackpolanski.bsky.social @carolinerussell.bsky.social as Assembly members you might also want to be aware of this.

I wonder if @mrjamesob.bsky.social could ask the Met Commissioner on to his show to explain what business he thinks he has in expressing a moral perspective about a protest? I expect to be policed without fear or favour, whether in London or anywhere else. 😳

The Telegraph has disappeared this from their website, possibly out of mortal shame.

You know what to do...

(Link is to archive copy. The internet never forgets.)

archive.is/2025.05.25-1...

No, because two key planks of messaging are repetition and simplicity. I guess his base's average reading age is quite low, so this sort of diatribe is sticky and consistent, which is what he needs it to be for it to work. They're all trigger words that are antonymic to his base's key values.

I don't think I was 'objecting' to anything? The phrase you used was about "pulling punches", which implies hitting harder is the way forward. That is what I'm suggesting might be more complicated.

Example: the initial response of a reasonable, PhD-educated colleague of mine to this story was to assume the Le Pen conviction was politically motivated. Me going ”ha ha, get in the clink Marie" would not change their mind.

I think it's more complicated than that. Yes, democrats need to own the narrative; but that narrative has to be inclusive, constructive and carefully constructed. Just crowing about "owning the fash", gratifying as that is, will not win over any waverers.