The Devolution Bill claims to be about ‘empowering communities’ - but it “does nothing of the sort.” David Blunkett is right: the Bill will shift power away from local communities and hand it to new mega-councils. Centralisation dressed up as empowerment is still centralisation.

"To not have a cap on donations risks much more than to have one." In yesterday’s evidence session on the Representation of the People Bill, Dr Sam Power argued for a cap on political donations, warning that without one, the very rich will continue to exert outsized influence on UK politics.

In the last decade, we've had: 6 Prime Ministers, potentially with the seventh just round the corner. 8 Chancellors. 9 Home Secretaries. 9 Foreign Secretaries. Yet Keir Starmer still has confidence in First Past the Post to deliver strong and stable government. He must be the only one.

Trust is higher when power is exercised closer to people. That’s one reason why much more power should be shifted out of Westminster to the nations, regions and to local communities. Proximity to power shouldn’t just be reserved for the wealthy and well-connected.

“We do have to maintain a bedrock of freedom of speech and of peaceful protest... Otherwise, you don’t have democracy, you’ve locked it up.” Baroness Hale says it plainly. Yet just this week, MPs approved more draconian anti-protest measures. When dissent is suppressed, so is democracy itself.

A level electoral playing field needs an independent referee. Great to talk to BBC Today in Parliament last week about the campaign to restore the Electoral Commission’s independence. Power must not police itself. Full episode 👇 www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

In 2024, the govt's Lords spokesman warned that ministers setting a Strategy & Policy Statement for the Electoral Commission was “inconsistent with the Commission’s role as an independent regulator." Just over a year later, the govt admitted plans for a new Statement to reflect its own priorities.

With Parliament now in recess & some MPs head off to the beach, a reminder that - technically - there’s nothing to stop them doing this all year round while still drawing their salary. A job description for MPs would help to set enforceable minimum standards. Find out more 👇 youtu.be/LpcpEdA62Gk

The Mandelson–Epstein scandal must be the trigger for big change in our politics. Most politicians aren’t in it for the money or privilege. But the murky nexus of politics, influence & money that Mandelson embodied corrodes trust in the whole system. Time to clean up politics. Credit: TRIP

Votes at 16 is a big step forward. The evidence from Scotland, where 16 and 17-year olds have had the vote since 2014, is that young people engage strongly with democracy and, when they start voting early, they keep on voting as they get older. That can only boost our democracy.

🚨 ICYMI: New Kentucky-04 primary polling shows Trump-endorsed Ed Gallrein leading Rep. Thomas Massie ahead of Tuesday’s primary. 🔴 Gallrein: 49% (+7) 🔴 Massie: 42% 🟡 Undecided: 9% The primary is THIS TUESDAY. SoCal Strategies | 5/15-16 | N=450 LV HT Eric Daugherty

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez brushed aside the question of whether she’ll run for president in 2028, declaring, “My ambition is way bigger.”

Fumo Yuuka Kazami Music of the Day 332: Red Vox - Why Can't This Be Easy Realign (2020) · Alternative Rock A banger from Vinny Vinesauce band

Why Mass Culls Happen Short Clip From Full Episode on JESSFM. CA 2026-05-14 The $Billions Problem Nobody's Talking About | Farm Disease #farmnews #ranching #animalhealth #foodsecurity #climatechange #foodsafety #agriculture #CFIA #WAHO #farm #VIRAL #Trending #FYP #Alberta #cull

Here is how the league shield was unveiled for Zamalek sc after a three way title race on the last match day!

Trump and Netanyahu Laverne and Shirley @starshine.bsky.social @pinkmouse.bsky.social @dustofftom.bsky.social @jandee924.bsky.social @lxxxvi-xlvii-now.bsky.social @watchingevil.bsky.social @keiratk.bsky.social @fiercemama25.bsky.social @haller55.bsky.social @mlipsitt.bsky.social

A Spirit Airlines plane is being torn apart by an excavator as part of a fleet being scrapped for parts following the carrier’s shutdown.

Ms. Mayday @maydaypartyof5.bsky.social

THE CELEBS CAN'T BELIEVE IT 🥹 TRACY MORGAN IN TEARS SEEING HIS BELOVED KNICKS REACH THE FINALS ♥️

Black Fact = 1968 (April 6) - Oakland, CA, police killed Black Panther, Bobby Hutton, in a shootout with the Black Panthers on this date. Incredibly, Eldridge Cleaver, another party member, was charged with attempted murder for his participation in the shootout. #theraydiotwins

2dayz;”Ain’t Dat It?! 💯🎤💜🎯✊🙋‍♀️😡🤬🤷‍♀️👊💪👌👍🙏 #thatpartrightthere #costofliving #fyp #aintthatit #groceryshopping

Philippe Briday .

Handmaid's Tale women carrying signs with the names of the pedos in the Epstein files (including Trump!) at the NO KINGS protest in Nashville ❤

Come join the Penguin in the mountains ... twitch.tv/salpo_nolobio

Le FRQ, de concert avec le MELCCFP, est fier de lancer le 3e concours du Programme de recherche en partenariat sur la réduction des sources de contamination atmosphérique et sonore. 📅 Date limite : 22 avril 2026 ➡️ Les détails : https://tinyurl.com/2zbcs239

ASJDHHJADS

Meanwhile in Ukraine❗ The moment of intercepting a russian Kh-101 cruise missile right above the operator's head in the Kyiv region. russian missile shotdown 💥 #Kh101 #UkraineAirDefense

The video AI created from my photo in under a minute🤔

As authors, we love our readers and meeting/alking to you. We do book events and love them, but they're exhausting. We are "on" the entire time, which is extra hard for more introverted authors- and most authors ARE introverted. Please treat authors you meet with grace at events. #booksky

Mahalo to the hardworking team at Kauaʻi Coffee for having me back as they continue navigating uncertainty around lease negotiations, tariffs, and the future of Hawaiʻi-grown coffee.

The one thing I miss about home is the lights .. #Americans go full out .. this is Boathouse Row in Philly #ChristmasLights #Christmas #BoathouseRow #philadelphia

Together with ViiV Healthcare, we’re investing a total of £6m in the Global Fund, to help them fund locally led programmes that are tackling the high burden of HIV, tuberculosis and malaria in lower income countries.

linktr.ee/nikkfail

We asked North of North’s Anna Lambe which animals she would kiss, marry and kill. Here’s what she said: Check out the full story here thenarwhal.ca/moose-questi...

Leader Jeffries (D-NY) is correct MAGA Republicans are terrified of direct democracy. They draw maps in dark, smoke filled rooms in the dead of night never asking voters to weigh in. Democrats bring the referendum to the people and the voters in Virginia have now spoken. FAFO‼️

#ParasiteEve is my favorite Christmas movie 😂😂 Besides Persona, did any other major Survival Horror JRPG come out??

4/7/26 JD Vance goes to Hungary to support a dictator for Trump. #news #politics #currentevents

This firefighter revives a cat using life-saving techniques during a fire. Regardless of species, anyone who saves a life is a hero.

Caitlin Clark’s Coldest Moments 🥶🐐: Caitlin Clark is Hilarious For This #CC22 #CaitlinClark #FeverRising #NowYouKnow #FromAnywhere #IndianaFever #WNBA

if nothing changed, where would you be one year from now? #Jazz 🎼 ebonyqushae.bandcamp.com/track/time-i...

CryptidBoyz - Animal Jokes #jokes #cryptidboyz

Frenchy wherever you are ggs #SunnyStrives

📮 𝗖𝗔𝗥𝗕𝗢𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗔 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀𝗹𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 #7: Fresh updates inside! Keep up with our newest achievements, activities, and developments. 📩 Αccess the full newsletter here: tinyurl.com/39u9szdm #HorizonEU #Carbonicaexcellencehub #widera #circulareconomy #climateresilience #CarbonSequestration #CrossBorderCooperation

Two more days until I can enjoy sports again #newyorkforever🏀 #lgm

This past Friday, I heard from Arizonans who spoke out on rising costs and cruel Trump Administration policies hurting them. While billions go to ICE, they’re losing healthcare and struggling to afford groceries. I’ll keep fighting to lower costs and hold this administration accountable.

🚗Harris County toll roads brings in an approximate $800 million to $1 billion annually from drivers, but how is all that money divvied up? bit.ly/4aoR5BD

Somehow I didn't expect Link to partake in the same kind of activities as Evel Knievel during this adventure. It's a new episode of #TheLegendOfZelda #TwilightPrincess! #streamersupport #youtube @gamingnews-rt.bsky.social @zeldauniverse.bsky.social #zelda #wolflink buff.ly/mORHrOR

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NOW LIVE 🚨 We sit down with Saurabh Bhatia to talk about the biggest problem in indie comics and how to fix it. This is about the future of indie comics. 📺 www.youtube.com/@USDN_Podcast 🎧 Podcast platforms The USDN Podcast - Where Indie Comics Come to Life #indiecomics #comicbooks #usdnpodcast

MAH GUNS OVER HEATING!

☀️ Con la llegada del calor, parece imposible no acercarse a las playas, pero cuidado, aún no contamos con los servicios de socorro y vigilancia. Desde la Cruz Roja, aconsejan evitar el agua y en caso de incidencia, llamar al 112 🎙️ Rocío Pastor @woman_word | Xabi Lomba

⚽️ La celebración del Racing, en su feudo Si consiguen el ascenso los verdiblancos, junto a su afición, lo celebrarán en el Sardinero. El club rechaza el ofrecimiento de la alcaldesa de Santander, Gema Igual, de festejarlo en el balcón del Ayuntamiento.

Woman gets pulled over by Palm Beach Cop… You won’t believe the crime.

Is Michael Jordan speaking facts? #InThePaintCrew Follow @InThePaintCrew for more 🐐 talk 💬 #nba #nbaplayoffs #basketball #NBAonTNT #michaeljordan #nbamemes #nbafinals #ballislife #nbahighlights #nbaonespn #nbatv #nbaallstar #nbafunny #nbabasketball #NBANews #shaqtin #shaqtinafool #lebron

DONALD "THE LIAR" TRUMP ... "TOUGH ON CRIMES" #Trump #Republicans CHECK OUT OUR SOCIAL MEDIA & VIDEO LINKS: linktr.ee/nonserviamblog CHECK OUT OR BLOG WHERE YOU CAN FIND THINGS OTHER PLATFORMS CENSOR: nonserviamblog.blogspot.com

They are like trolls who live underground. #Trump #belairviv #MAGA #MAGAMorons

#MollyMcPherson Scott Pelley knew he was going to get fired for speaking out and standing up but he didn’t care‼️ True journalist with integrity‼️

Martin Fendrych 𝕏🔁 @verejnopravne_@twitter.com: Dnes jsme do České televize a Českého rozhlasu vyrazili v černém a symbolicky za pět minut dvanáct vzkazujeme: veřejnoprávní média jsme odhodlaní bránit! Nechceme, aby veřejnoprávní televize a rozhlas, které […] [Original post on zpravobot.news]

"We're world class athletes at the end of the day, so we have to adapt." Ollie Watkins does not think conditions in the US will be an issue for England during the World Cup💪🔥