Judith Fairbairn
@judithfairbairn.eurosky.social
Enjoy discussing public service, UBI, voting systems, governance, urban planning.
PhD in educational measurement at UCL IoE. Career in language testing.
🇬🇧 🇨🇦
PhD in educational measurement at UCL IoE. Career in language testing.
🇬🇧 🇨🇦
Reposted by Judith Fairbairn
New post:
Burnham has opened the door to a "rejoin" manifesto pledge. The politics make more sense than a lot of people seem to realise.
I look at what it would involve at every step from pledge to referendum. There are significant barriers but it can be done.
samf.substack.com/p/the-route-...
Burnham has opened the door to a "rejoin" manifesto pledge. The politics make more sense than a lot of people seem to realise.
I look at what it would involve at every step from pledge to referendum. There are significant barriers but it can be done.
samf.substack.com/p/the-route-...
The route back into the EU
Back in 2022 I wrote about the long-term prospects for undoing Brexit and made two predictions.
samf.substack.com
October 6, 2026 at 7:56 AM
New post:
Burnham has opened the door to a "rejoin" manifesto pledge. The politics make more sense than a lot of people seem to realise.
I look at what it would involve at every step from pledge to referendum. There are significant barriers but it can be done.
samf.substack.com/p/the-route-...
Burnham has opened the door to a "rejoin" manifesto pledge. The politics make more sense than a lot of people seem to realise.
I look at what it would involve at every step from pledge to referendum. There are significant barriers but it can be done.
samf.substack.com/p/the-route-...
Reposted by Judith Fairbairn
Should lay this myth to rest finally, one assumes.
October 8, 2026 at 7:01 AM
Should lay this myth to rest finally, one assumes.
Reposted by Judith Fairbairn
Realism still needed for Europe debate in UK.
Will Andy Burnham provide it?
Me in @eastangliabylines.co.uk
Enjoy!
eastangliabylines.co.uk/news/brexit/...
Will Andy Burnham provide it?
Me in @eastangliabylines.co.uk
Enjoy!
eastangliabylines.co.uk/news/brexit/...
Britain still hasn’t learnt what being outside the EU means
Closer ties with Europe require Britain to abandon exceptionalism and understand what being outside the EU means
eastangliabylines.co.uk
October 6, 2026 at 6:48 AM
Realism still needed for Europe debate in UK.
Will Andy Burnham provide it?
Me in @eastangliabylines.co.uk
Enjoy!
eastangliabylines.co.uk/news/brexit/...
Will Andy Burnham provide it?
Me in @eastangliabylines.co.uk
Enjoy!
eastangliabylines.co.uk/news/brexit/...
Reposted by Judith Fairbairn
Hey folks. In total honesty my tour is NOT selling well. I’ve sold 30 tickets in a 400 seater in Birmingham, and not much more elsewhere. If you like musical comedy, if you like standup, then please come see my show! And spread the word! The Rachel Parris Songbook tour starts in Nov! Link in bio! 🎶
October 7, 2026 at 4:40 PM
Hey folks. In total honesty my tour is NOT selling well. I’ve sold 30 tickets in a 400 seater in Birmingham, and not much more elsewhere. If you like musical comedy, if you like standup, then please come see my show! And spread the word! The Rachel Parris Songbook tour starts in Nov! Link in bio! 🎶
Reposted by Judith Fairbairn
Reposted by Judith Fairbairn
From the new Private Eye
October 7, 2026 at 12:45 PM
From the new Private Eye
Reposted by Judith Fairbairn
Sounds like the councillors are advocating for charges as this is free whilst others are £8 a day.
It also needs more enforcement to stop illegal parking and some cycle lanes on the station feeder roads.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
It also needs more enforcement to stop illegal parking and some cycle lanes on the station feeder roads.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Howden train station parking a daily battle, drivers say
Commuters say car park in growing Howden is "like the Wild West", with some forced on to verges.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 7, 2026 at 7:57 AM
Sounds like the councillors are advocating for charges as this is free whilst others are £8 a day.
It also needs more enforcement to stop illegal parking and some cycle lanes on the station feeder roads.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
It also needs more enforcement to stop illegal parking and some cycle lanes on the station feeder roads.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Judith Fairbairn
Preserving cognitive agency: resilience to malign cognitive influence
With Katherine Davies from Save Democracy Podcast.
"Malign cognitive influencers intend to remove agency.
They want to tell you what you should believe and what emotions you should feel."
youtube.com/shorts/MjISr...
With Katherine Davies from Save Democracy Podcast.
"Malign cognitive influencers intend to remove agency.
They want to tell you what you should believe and what emotions you should feel."
youtube.com/shorts/MjISr...
Preserving cognitive agency: resilience to malign cognitive influence
YouTube video by Cambridge Disinformation Summit
youtube.com
October 7, 2026 at 4:52 AM
Preserving cognitive agency: resilience to malign cognitive influence
With Katherine Davies from Save Democracy Podcast.
"Malign cognitive influencers intend to remove agency.
They want to tell you what you should believe and what emotions you should feel."
youtube.com/shorts/MjISr...
With Katherine Davies from Save Democracy Podcast.
"Malign cognitive influencers intend to remove agency.
They want to tell you what you should believe and what emotions you should feel."
youtube.com/shorts/MjISr...
Reposted by Judith Fairbairn
Reposted by Judith Fairbairn
New piece for @boelleu.bsky.social
Since rejoining the single market means freedom of movement, you might as well just rejoin. But Burnham needs to work out how to make the case for it. And he just hates talking about immigration.
eu.boell.org/en/2026/10/0...
Since rejoining the single market means freedom of movement, you might as well just rejoin. But Burnham needs to work out how to make the case for it. And he just hates talking about immigration.
eu.boell.org/en/2026/10/0...
Could the UK really return to the EU? | Heinrich Böll Stiftung | Brussels office - European Union
Britain’s new prime minister has said that Brexit was a mistake and Britain should have a much closer relationship with the European Union. Ros Taylor looks at what that relationship could look like, ...
eu.boell.org
October 6, 2026 at 2:13 PM
New piece for @boelleu.bsky.social
Since rejoining the single market means freedom of movement, you might as well just rejoin. But Burnham needs to work out how to make the case for it. And he just hates talking about immigration.
eu.boell.org/en/2026/10/0...
Since rejoining the single market means freedom of movement, you might as well just rejoin. But Burnham needs to work out how to make the case for it. And he just hates talking about immigration.
eu.boell.org/en/2026/10/0...
Reposted by Judith Fairbairn
The best argument I've ever heard for universal basic income (UBI).
"The reason we don't call that work is because it doesn't make rich people money."
🎤Craig Fay
"The reason we don't call that work is because it doesn't make rich people money."
🎤Craig Fay
October 6, 2026 at 1:19 AM
The best argument I've ever heard for universal basic income (UBI).
"The reason we don't call that work is because it doesn't make rich people money."
🎤Craig Fay
"The reason we don't call that work is because it doesn't make rich people money."
🎤Craig Fay
Reposted by Judith Fairbairn
Thank you @jemmaforte for saying it like it is. 👏
Extreme inequality is a doom-loop, if we don't tackle it soon it will continue to drive our economy to stagnation & make a mockery of our democracy.
Extreme inequality is a doom-loop, if we don't tackle it soon it will continue to drive our economy to stagnation & make a mockery of our democracy.
October 6, 2026 at 4:15 PM
Thank you @jemmaforte for saying it like it is. 👏
Extreme inequality is a doom-loop, if we don't tackle it soon it will continue to drive our economy to stagnation & make a mockery of our democracy.
Extreme inequality is a doom-loop, if we don't tackle it soon it will continue to drive our economy to stagnation & make a mockery of our democracy.
Reposted by Judith Fairbairn
But on the general fairness note: I Loved this episode of The Origin Story. It entails a rather vast space for the definition of what could be considered fair. podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/o...
John Rawls – Philosopher king of the 20th Century
Podcast-Folge · Origin Story · 23. September · 1 Std. 1 Min.
podcasts.apple.com
October 6, 2026 at 12:02 PM
But on the general fairness note: I Loved this episode of The Origin Story. It entails a rather vast space for the definition of what could be considered fair. podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/o...
Reposted by Judith Fairbairn
UK political battle lines are now drawn. Burnham's intention to unpick Thatcherite neo-liberalism. Badenoch's Thatcherism on speed, rendering Cameron/Osborne's austerity seem like child play by comparison. Farage replicating the divisive chaos of Reform-controlled local councils on a national stage.
October 5, 2026 at 5:40 AM
UK political battle lines are now drawn. Burnham's intention to unpick Thatcherite neo-liberalism. Badenoch's Thatcherism on speed, rendering Cameron/Osborne's austerity seem like child play by comparison. Farage replicating the divisive chaos of Reform-controlled local councils on a national stage.
Reposted by Judith Fairbairn
We are hiring a Head of Operations to support our work for a more effective Parliament.
You'll need organisational skills & an interest in democracy. Recruitment: blind review of six skills-based answers not CVs. Apply by 23 Oct.
www.hansardsociety.org.uk/about/career...
You'll need organisational skills & an interest in democracy. Recruitment: blind review of six skills-based answers not CVs. Apply by 23 Oct.
www.hansardsociety.org.uk/about/career...
October 5, 2026 at 9:11 PM
We are hiring a Head of Operations to support our work for a more effective Parliament.
You'll need organisational skills & an interest in democracy. Recruitment: blind review of six skills-based answers not CVs. Apply by 23 Oct.
www.hansardsociety.org.uk/about/career...
You'll need organisational skills & an interest in democracy. Recruitment: blind review of six skills-based answers not CVs. Apply by 23 Oct.
www.hansardsociety.org.uk/about/career...
Reposted by Judith Fairbairn
As long as the Tories are threatening to leave the ECHR, they aren’t a serious party.
Consider it the ultimate red flag. Any party who’d take this entirely unnecessary and ruinous risk with our rights and our country’s security and wellbeing should never get its hands on power.
(Letter, Times)
Consider it the ultimate red flag. Any party who’d take this entirely unnecessary and ruinous risk with our rights and our country’s security and wellbeing should never get its hands on power.
(Letter, Times)
October 5, 2026 at 6:27 AM
As long as the Tories are threatening to leave the ECHR, they aren’t a serious party.
Consider it the ultimate red flag. Any party who’d take this entirely unnecessary and ruinous risk with our rights and our country’s security and wellbeing should never get its hands on power.
(Letter, Times)
Consider it the ultimate red flag. Any party who’d take this entirely unnecessary and ruinous risk with our rights and our country’s security and wellbeing should never get its hands on power.
(Letter, Times)
Reposted by Judith Fairbairn
Been saying this since he became PM, Reform were already imploding, the hard work and good policies introduced by Starmer are starting to bear fruit, Polanski's star was already fading and in swoops Burnham. I don't blame Starmer for throwing in the towel, 6 years of hard works airbrushed away.
October 5, 2026 at 8:24 AM
Been saying this since he became PM, Reform were already imploding, the hard work and good policies introduced by Starmer are starting to bear fruit, Polanski's star was already fading and in swoops Burnham. I don't blame Starmer for throwing in the towel, 6 years of hard works airbrushed away.
Reposted by Judith Fairbairn
Reposted by Judith Fairbairn
16 cars removed from one small street in one London borough. But yes, let's keep having the same endless conversations about the occasional Lime bike on the pavement. Lime bikes are heavily used. The endless cars stored all over London's streets for days on end? Apparently much harder to notice.
16 cars were removed or seized during a two-day anti-social behaviour parking operation in Arnold Road. Police and the council’s parking services, environmental services, highways and ASB teams, as well as THEOs worked in partnership to tackle the issue in response to resident concerns.
October 3, 2026 at 3:36 PM
16 cars removed from one small street in one London borough. But yes, let's keep having the same endless conversations about the occasional Lime bike on the pavement. Lime bikes are heavily used. The endless cars stored all over London's streets for days on end? Apparently much harder to notice.
Reposted by Judith Fairbairn
Want the UK to join the EU?
Then join hundreds of thousands of people on the European Movement UK mailing list... We're mobilising.
Info, news, events, local groups - everything you need about what's going on.
Make sure you're in the know. And share! --> www.europeanmovement.co.uk/signup-newsl...
Then join hundreds of thousands of people on the European Movement UK mailing list... We're mobilising.
Info, news, events, local groups - everything you need about what's going on.
Make sure you're in the know. And share! --> www.europeanmovement.co.uk/signup-newsl...
October 3, 2026 at 8:10 AM
Want the UK to join the EU?
Then join hundreds of thousands of people on the European Movement UK mailing list... We're mobilising.
Info, news, events, local groups - everything you need about what's going on.
Make sure you're in the know. And share! --> www.europeanmovement.co.uk/signup-newsl...
Then join hundreds of thousands of people on the European Movement UK mailing list... We're mobilising.
Info, news, events, local groups - everything you need about what's going on.
Make sure you're in the know. And share! --> www.europeanmovement.co.uk/signup-newsl...
Reposted by Judith Fairbairn
October 3, 2026 at 6:39 AM
Reposted by Judith Fairbairn
We're taxing what people do earn from work MORE than what people don't earn from land.
It's the opposite of what we should do and what's driving the housing crisis and poverty.
It's the opposite of what we should do and what's driving the housing crisis and poverty.
October 2, 2026 at 1:12 AM
We're taxing what people do earn from work MORE than what people don't earn from land.
It's the opposite of what we should do and what's driving the housing crisis and poverty.
It's the opposite of what we should do and what's driving the housing crisis and poverty.
Reposted by Judith Fairbairn
🧵
1. Would the UK public accept free movement as part of a closer relationship with the EU? New British Future research suggests support depends on whether it brings benefits to trade and opportunities for UK citizens.
1. Would the UK public accept free movement as part of a closer relationship with the EU? New British Future research suggests support depends on whether it brings benefits to trade and opportunities for UK citizens.
October 2, 2026 at 10:03 AM
🧵
1. Would the UK public accept free movement as part of a closer relationship with the EU? New British Future research suggests support depends on whether it brings benefits to trade and opportunities for UK citizens.
1. Would the UK public accept free movement as part of a closer relationship with the EU? New British Future research suggests support depends on whether it brings benefits to trade and opportunities for UK citizens.
Reposted by Judith Fairbairn
Ultimately decision about UK rejoining (in whatever format) will be taken by the states. States can block new members so they have ultimate veto.
But Burnham is serious & I think Europe & the EU know it.
Its been really good to see the various EU states treat this so warmly.
We're getting there.
But Burnham is serious & I think Europe & the EU know it.
Its been really good to see the various EU states treat this so warmly.
We're getting there.
October 1, 2026 at 8:07 PM
Ultimately decision about UK rejoining (in whatever format) will be taken by the states. States can block new members so they have ultimate veto.
But Burnham is serious & I think Europe & the EU know it.
Its been really good to see the various EU states treat this so warmly.
We're getting there.
But Burnham is serious & I think Europe & the EU know it.
Its been really good to see the various EU states treat this so warmly.
We're getting there.