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Ben Gray

@cllxben

Nottingham and East Midlands Green Party Co-Chair Dad, Cyclist, Inventor, Green Party, former Borough Councillor, keen runner, enthusiastic OCR participant, tree hugger, PhD Chemist, increasingly grumpy.

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07.11.2024
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Latest posts by Ben Gray @cllxben

Greenpeace are being sued by oil companies. These planet murdering scumbags have the law on their side.

Greenpeace are being sued by oil companies. These planet murdering scumbags have the law on their side.

Back to the big stuff. For fuck sake.

06.03.2026 10:54 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

this Sunday. You're about to give advice to the local church group on practical issues around their next excellent community project. You've got four of your kids school mates round to help solder and glue together their scitech project.

Oh and the whole house needs tidying, painting, and sorting

06.03.2026 10:52 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

You're on a committee where people will ask "who is doing this? and have we done that?" but nobody else ever seems to do this or has done that. Hundreds of little fuck you moments stacking up and up and up. But yet again you've volunteered to open the coffee provision to miss your kids playing sport

06.03.2026 10:52 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

the shop not coming on time, apps constantly logging you out, taking time out for a gym session only to find you've forgotten your water bottle and one of your kids (probably) has borrowed your padlock. The car has started making a clunking sound and its MOT is due next week and you've not booked it

06.03.2026 10:52 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

One of those days where you just feel like every little thing is against you. Big things like the shit storm the world over, smaller things like local planners giving two thumbs up to building houses on radioactive waste sites, and yet kicking off about permitted development rights,

06.03.2026 10:52 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
South East Water faces Β£22m fine for supply failures The firm was unable to cope during high demand, Ofwat says, leading to

Ofwat Β£22m fine proposal for South East Water for repeated supply failures.

"Proposal" = companies with criminal convictions negotiate, may never pay.

Thames Water to pay 2024 fines by 2030 or never.

2024 fines on Yorkshire and Northumbrian Water quietly waived.

Execs never fined or prosecuted.

06.03.2026 07:17 πŸ‘ 168 πŸ” 94 πŸ’¬ 19 πŸ“Œ 7
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Plumber wins by-election for Greens

From the new Private Eye, in shops now.

05.03.2026 08:48 πŸ‘ 1561 πŸ” 277 πŸ’¬ 45 πŸ“Œ 27

That title gave me a much needed laugh today

04.03.2026 23:05 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

His principles were the exact same. Simply put, they were absent. He lacks them and just tells the lies he, personally, needs to gain more power.

02.03.2026 09:45 πŸ‘ 5 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
Adam hills, josh widdicome and Alex Brooker. Jason manford, Lou Sanders, Bella hull and Zack Polanski. The last leg.

Adam hills, josh widdicome and Alex Brooker. Jason manford, Lou Sanders, Bella hull and Zack Polanski. The last leg.

Imagine your party has won a historic byelection.

You've had election day, a loads of interviews, held a press conference with your new MP and welcomed lots of new members.

Sleep? Nah. It's time for The Last Leg!

#isitok

27.02.2026 15:02 πŸ‘ 1585 πŸ” 244 πŸ’¬ 92 πŸ“Œ 21

Dear @lucympowell.bsky.social,

I have enjoyed our exchange of letters about which of our parties is best placed to stop Reform. Hannah Spencer MP and I trust that you agree that this question has now been resolved once and for all.

Thanks,
Zack Polanski

27.02.2026 15:16 πŸ‘ 4495 πŸ” 833 πŸ’¬ 222 πŸ“Œ 137

Can't argue with them numbers!

27.02.2026 04:54 πŸ‘ 9 πŸ” 3 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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If only desperate Labour Ministers could be bothered to

"... look at the difference decriminalising drugs has made in Portugal"

For "an evidence based policy which had consulted hundreds of experts in the field" go to @greenparty.org.uk

meme via Glyn Goodwin

26.02.2026 04:25 πŸ‘ 100 πŸ” 43 πŸ’¬ 4 πŸ“Œ 3
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Zack Polanski and Caroline Lucas

Premiering at 7pm:
youtu.be/HSw620OysHc

25.02.2026 14:24 πŸ‘ 118 πŸ” 28 πŸ’¬ 6 πŸ“Œ 2
Dear Lucy
On the eve of the by-election, your Labour party spokesperson has admitted to the Huffington Post that a
Labour party leaflet has been delivered through doors with your imprint recommending a vote for Labour
by a tactical voting organisation which does not exist.
This is deeply troubling, it is actually lying to voters. Did you approve this? Do you feel the Labour Party
in government should be held to different standards in terms of honesty to the British public?
In your last letter to me you mentioned your β€˜very extensive data’ and β€˜having spoken to over a third of
eligible voters’ which led you to an understanding that the by election β€˜was a contest between labour and
Reform’. Clearly this latest development only tells voters one thing - you will employ any type of
political deception (or in Urdu β€œDhoka” ) to win.
You will be very aware that all three real tactical voting organisations are recommending a vote for the
Greens as the best way to stop Reform. Lying to the voters, as you have been caught doing, raises the real
prospect that Reform will be the beneficiaries, something you have said that you don’t want.
As this is such an important issue, for the sake of your own reputation, I would strongly urge you to
apologise to the voters of Denton and Gorton before the polls open in the morning.”
Kind regards,
Zack Polanski
Leader of the Green Party of England and Wales

Dear Lucy On the eve of the by-election, your Labour party spokesperson has admitted to the Huffington Post that a Labour party leaflet has been delivered through doors with your imprint recommending a vote for Labour by a tactical voting organisation which does not exist. This is deeply troubling, it is actually lying to voters. Did you approve this? Do you feel the Labour Party in government should be held to different standards in terms of honesty to the British public? In your last letter to me you mentioned your β€˜very extensive data’ and β€˜having spoken to over a third of eligible voters’ which led you to an understanding that the by election β€˜was a contest between labour and Reform’. Clearly this latest development only tells voters one thing - you will employ any type of political deception (or in Urdu β€œDhoka” ) to win. You will be very aware that all three real tactical voting organisations are recommending a vote for the Greens as the best way to stop Reform. Lying to the voters, as you have been caught doing, raises the real prospect that Reform will be the beneficiaries, something you have said that you don’t want. As this is such an important issue, for the sake of your own reputation, I would strongly urge you to apologise to the voters of Denton and Gorton before the polls open in the morning.” Kind regards, Zack Polanski Leader of the Green Party of England and Wales

Dear @lucympowell.bsky.social,

Why did you invent a fake tactical voting company to stop the Green Party beating Reform?

I'm starting to think your letters haven't always been in good faith...

25.02.2026 21:15 πŸ‘ 2195 πŸ” 843 πŸ’¬ 126 πŸ“Œ 161

Yes πŸ™Œ

20.02.2026 08:18 πŸ‘ 10 πŸ” 3 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

The change starts here!!!

20.02.2026 00:24 πŸ‘ 98 πŸ” 20 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 0

Let's get our ducks in a row!

If you want to make hope normal again, you can:

JOIN join.greenparty.org.uk
DONATE donatetothe.greenparty.org.uk
and
HELP GET HANNAH ELECTED!!!
gorton-denton.greenparty.org.uk#get-involved

19.02.2026 18:43 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

And when they have all our defence and medical information, Starmer will say, nobody told him, it didn't come across his desk. Which assistant will have to resign?

11.02.2026 11:20 πŸ‘ 14 πŸ” 6 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Getting plaster ready for slopping onto the walls

Getting plaster ready for slopping onto the walls

Bit of plaster on the wall

Bit of plaster on the wall

Listening to @zackpolanski.bsky.social and Hannah Spencer on @boldpolitics.bsky.social whilst getting some plaster on the walls!

More normal people in parliament please πŸ’š

#voteGreen

11.02.2026 10:22 πŸ‘ 7 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

I agree too

11.02.2026 08:43 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

A level of humanity we're missing in our politics.

The only time I ever saw my teak tough, boxer, bouncer, brawler dad ever cry was on the day our lurcher Brandy died.

Dogs connect with us all and show our humanity

11.02.2026 08:42 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Tomorrow's episode of Bold Politics is so so rare in British politics: real people who are unafraid to just be themselves for an hour because they know they don't have to protect any vested interests.

It's time for a clearout of robots in Westminster.

10.02.2026 18:06 πŸ‘ 420 πŸ” 136 πŸ’¬ 20 πŸ“Œ 35

Love dogs (don't have one yet but my heart aches for one), love Hannah & Zack & the Green Party & they make me want to move to Manchester to be part of her (coz she's gonna win) constituency, lol. Need to find out about the Green candidate here in Birmingham (hope they love dogs too, lol).

11.02.2026 07:05 πŸ‘ 121 πŸ” 16 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 1
billybraggofficial
2 hours ago
Keir
MY PLEDGES TO YOU
Starmer
ANOTHER FUTURE
IS POSSIBLE
My promise to you is that I will maintain our radical values and work tirelessly to get Labour in to power - so that we can advance the interests of the people our Party was created to serve.
Based on the moral case for socialism, here is where I stand.
1. Economic justice
Increase income tax for the top 5% of earners, reverse the Tories' cuts in corporation tax and clamp down on tax avoidance, particularly of large corporations. No stepping back from our core principles.
2. Social justice
Abolish Universal Credit and end the Tories' cruel sanctions regime. Set a national goal for wellbeing to make health as important as GDP; invest in services that help shift to a preventative approach. Stand up for universal services and defend our NHS. Support the abolition of tuition fees and invest in lifelong learning.
3. Climate justice
Put the Green New Deal at the heart of everything we do. There is no issue more important to our future than the climate emergency. A Clean Air Act to tackle pollution locally. Demand international action on climate rights.
4. Promote peace and human rights
No more illegal wars. Introduce a Prevention of Military Intervention Act and put human rights at the heart of foreign policy. Review all UK arms sales and make us a force for international peace and justice.
5. Common ownership
Public services should be in public hands, not making profits for shareholders. Support common ownership of rail, mail, energy and water; end outsourcing out NHS, local government and justice system.
6. Defend migrants' rights
Full voting rights for EU nationals. Defend free movement as we leave the EU. An immigration system based on compassion and dignity. End indefinite detention and call for the closure of centres such as Yarl's Wood.

billybraggofficial 2 hours ago Keir MY PLEDGES TO YOU Starmer ANOTHER FUTURE IS POSSIBLE My promise to you is that I will maintain our radical values and work tirelessly to get Labour in to power - so that we can advance the interests of the people our Party was created to serve. Based on the moral case for socialism, here is where I stand. 1. Economic justice Increase income tax for the top 5% of earners, reverse the Tories' cuts in corporation tax and clamp down on tax avoidance, particularly of large corporations. No stepping back from our core principles. 2. Social justice Abolish Universal Credit and end the Tories' cruel sanctions regime. Set a national goal for wellbeing to make health as important as GDP; invest in services that help shift to a preventative approach. Stand up for universal services and defend our NHS. Support the abolition of tuition fees and invest in lifelong learning. 3. Climate justice Put the Green New Deal at the heart of everything we do. There is no issue more important to our future than the climate emergency. A Clean Air Act to tackle pollution locally. Demand international action on climate rights. 4. Promote peace and human rights No more illegal wars. Introduce a Prevention of Military Intervention Act and put human rights at the heart of foreign policy. Review all UK arms sales and make us a force for international peace and justice. 5. Common ownership Public services should be in public hands, not making profits for shareholders. Support common ownership of rail, mail, energy and water; end outsourcing out NHS, local government and justice system. 6. Defend migrants' rights Full voting rights for EU nationals. Defend free movement as we leave the EU. An immigration system based on compassion and dignity. End indefinite detention and call for the closure of centres such as Yarl's Wood.

A good reminder from @billybragg.bsky.social about what Starmer once pretended to be - always worth remembering he threw this all away and managed to get fewer votes than Corbyn

09.02.2026 23:02 πŸ‘ 312 πŸ” 128 πŸ’¬ 16 πŸ“Œ 7
4 very keen looking Derbyshire Greens, standing in a park, ready to start canvassing. A large crowd of fellow Greens in the background.

4 very keen looking Derbyshire Greens, standing in a park, ready to start canvassing. A large crowd of fellow Greens in the background.

Derbyshire Dales Greens were up in Denton & Gorton today to help Hannah Spencer become our 5th MP.
A fun and satisfying day, and a real privilege to be involved in such an important political moment.

08.02.2026 21:37 πŸ‘ 19 πŸ” 6 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

Labour MPs floundered under Corbyn because he asked them to be guided by their values and sense of morality, only to find that they had neither.

08.02.2026 22:19 πŸ‘ 10 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Has resigned in public. He'll still be doing the job from the shadows

08.02.2026 17:03 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

BREAKING: Morgan McSweeney appointed UK ambassador to the USA.

08.02.2026 17:02 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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What an amazing day out campaigning in Leicester for the by-election in Stonygate on 19th February. It's time for change, it's time for hope, it's time for Green.

07.02.2026 20:52 πŸ‘ 106 πŸ” 21 πŸ’¬ 5 πŸ“Œ 2