I set out today to discuss the Conservative Party leadership election here in the UK and the implications of our new Tory leader. However, as events have unfolded across the Atlantic, my initial plan feels a bit trivial in light of the bigger picture. Like many, I presumed—perhaps naively—that the American election would head in a different directi…

Earlier this week I had an appointment to go to my GP for my annual flu and Covid vaccinations. The vaccinations themselves were very well organised and I was in and out of the surgery within five minutes. On the walk home I started to think about how lucky I am, compared with so many in the UK, that I can walk from my front door to my GP in less t…

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit domtristram.substack.comDi Dom Tristram

We need to talk about what the Tories are doing when it comes to the environment and how dangerous it is. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit domtristram.substack.comDi Dom Tristram

Should we ban #bullyxl #dogs? Yes, almost certainly. But we need to go further than that. #dangerousdogs This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit domtristram.substack.comDi Dom Tristram

Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick has spent public money to paint over murals (designed to make the place just a bit nicer) in a detention centre for unaccompanied child asylum seekers. What sort of man decides to do this, and should such a man with these morals have a say in anything at all? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss…

The Labour Lords have abstained (so effectively supported the Tories) on Green peer Jenny Jones' bill to stop the government using unprecedented powers to attack our right to protest. What's the point of Labour? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit domtristram.subs…

Generated transcript: I just wanted to say a quick thing on, the UK net migration figures, which are a record breaking high up 20%, 606,000 people, I think, are the latest figures per year. I think it's worth just dwelling on the fact that many of the people who voted for Brexit did so because they didn't like the idea of migration and how they mus…

A number of peaceful protestors were arrested at the Coronation. Why should we be concerned? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit domtristram.substack.comDi Dom Tristram

On the local #election results in Bath and NE Somerset and the Tory collapse #GetGreensElected #bathneslocals23 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit domtristram.substack.comDi Dom Tristram

Turnout is always low in local elections, and yet they are your best opportunity to elect people you agree with. Here's why you should always vote. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit domtristram.substack.comDi Dom Tristram

Why have the Right suddenly started attacking plans to create cities where people live close to essential services? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit domtristram.substack.comDi Dom Tristram

Today there are many unions taking industrial action, including teachers and train drivers. In fact, over 50,000 people are on strike. A number of unions got together in Bath to hold a 'Day of Action' to show solidarity with the strikers. I went along to talk to some of the people involved, and (it turns out!) to give a speech. This is a public epi…

New medical schools are being built, such as the one in Worcester (see https://www.theguardian.com/education/2023/jan/14/ministers-refuse-fund-medical-school-uk-doctor-shortage), but the UK government is refusing to fund more places for UK students despite the NHS being short of nearly 11,000 doctors (not including GPs). Why? This is a public episo…

You will have seen lots of advice about how to live an 'ethical' Christmas. I don't want to do that again here. This is about consideration when giving what you have already decided to give. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit domtristram.substack.com…

I don't want to hear false sympathy from this government - I want them to accept responsibility This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit domtristram.substack.comDi Dom Tristram

The Kent refugee detention centre attack by a far-right suicide bomber on Sunday, and why nobody seems to be talking about it. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit domtristram.substack.comDi Dom Tristram

Truss has gone, as was pretty much inevitable. What's next? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit domtristram.substack.comDi Dom Tristram

Nicola Sturgeon is right to say that people who do despicable things should be called out on it. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit domtristram.substack.comDi Dom Tristram

The government has announced a ban on future solar farms built on agricultural land, but this is ideological, not logical. Here's why. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit domtristram.substack.comDi Dom Tristram

The government is going to cut public services by another £18bn just days after we, the public, had to bail-out government bonds by £65bn down to the crash caused by the 'mini budget'. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit domtristram.substack.com…

The Tories have released a 'mini budget' which has been designed to transfer yet more wealth to the rich. So why do they hate the poor? I don't think they actually do - they simply don't think about that at all. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit domtristram.subs…

Under 'first past the post', which they insist on supporting, it's not Labour's job to be 'radical'. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit domtristram.substack.comDi Dom Tristram

As I recorded this it had just been confirmed that the maximum temperature ever recorded in the UK had been broken as a temperature of over 40 degrees was measured at Heathrow. But this was avoidable. Why aren't we acting? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit domtr…

Kier Starmer has just ruled out the UK joining the single market or customs union under a Labour government. This is wrong. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit domtristram.substack.comDi Dom Tristram

Should government ministers be using the time and offices we pay for to do work, or to partake in the sort of activities that would get pretty much anyone else sacked? Is it right that triggering the only mechanism for holding them to account for doing so is, in this case, the decision of the person who would be under investigation? This is a publi…

The right to abortion is under attack in the US and this has been widely reported. But such rights are safe in the UK... or are they? Did you know 100 UK MPs recently voted to ban abortion here? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit domtristram.substack.com…

Number 10 pulled a story which is almost certainly true out of The Times, and other news sources. How is it acceptable for a government to have the power to spike news stories which are true but inconvenient for them? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit domtristra…

With the legal challenges to government plans to force asylum seekers on flights to Rwanda, what does this say about the UK? What can we do? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit domtristram.substack.comDi Dom Tristram

The government is considering extending the 'right to buy' to Housing Association properties. Will this help anyone? If so, who? Content note: I mention a third of people used to live in Council housing. The actual figure was higher - 41% did by the end of the 1970's. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscriber…

A no confidence vote has been called for Boris Johnson. What does that mean for us? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit domtristram.substack.comDi Dom Tristram

It's Jubilee weekend and I hope you are enjoying some time off - something we can do whether or not we are monarchists. I have nothing against the Queen personally, but I don't believe in inherited power. So what should we change, and how? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus epis…

Yes, it's a 'dead cat on the table', but we need to talk about this, knock the lies on the head, and move on. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit domtristram.substack.comDi Dom Tristram

With the much delayed publication of the Sue Gray report into 'party gate', we can tell a lot about the nature of the government by how they have reacted and what they have said. Some will say that we should 'let it go' and party gate isn't important, but it is, and here's why. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other …

We are not all equal before the law - the rich get punished less for breaking it. Why? And how do we fix it? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit domtristram.substack.comDi Dom Tristram

The government is going to 'improve' public services by cutting 90,000 staff, and eliminate opportunities for those from poorer backgrounds by scrapping the award-winning Civil Service Fast Stream. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit domtristram.substack.com…

I want you to cast your mind back about a week to when MPs and porn were in the news, particularly Neil Parish. But this news won't have been a surprise to anyone who knows about very recent Parliamentary history, and the fact that the Tories removed data a few years ago that very clearly showed that this was a problem. Let's talk about it. This is…

We've had the results from the last set of local elections and they've gone really well. But how have the media been reporting what happened, and why? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit domtristram.substack.comDi Dom Tristram

There are elections for many people all around the UK tomorrow. They are important. But what are they for? And who can win? And who should you vote for anyway? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit domtristram.substack.com…

The government's Elections Bill passes, fundamentally changing the democratic process in the UK, disenfranchising millions of voters in order to favour the Conservatives. At the same time, the 'independent' body that makes sure elections are fair, the Electoral Commission, has its independence removed. Despite the limited powers the Electoral Commi…

Last night the Lords failed to back an amendment to ensure that the government's Nationality And Borders Bill should ensure that the UK keeps its commitment to the 1951 Refugee Treaty, agreed in the aftermath of WWII to help prevent genocide. The amendment could have been made, but Labour whipped their Lords to abstain. The 1951 Refugee Convention:…

The government is threatening to privatise the Passport Office (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-61233206). This makes no sense if efficiency or improved service is the goal. I explain why. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit domtristram.substack.com…

A recording from the 'Greens In Office' public event, held in Bath on the 18th November 2021. On the panel are: Molly Scott Cato, ex-MEP for the South West, and party external communications co-ordinator Paula O'Rourke, councillor for Clifton and leader of the Green group (the largest in England) on Bristol City Council Joanna Wright, Green council…

In the last episode Dom went to the first ‘Solidarity for Greta’ vigil in Bath which took place in October 2018. This vigil has been repeated every week with another on Saturdays, and the number of people involved has been steadily growing. Extinction Rebellion is now quite a large and dynamic movement. The school strikes, inspired by Greta Thunber…

At the end of November Dom went along and joined the first Extinction Rebellion ‘Solidarity with Greta’ event outside the Guildhall in Bath. Extinction Rebellion is social movement using non-violent direct action to try to avert catastrophic climate change. It is quite new, being formed at the end of October 2018, but is growing rapidly. Many areas…

Some policies which other parties are presenting as radical today in 2018 have been Green Party policies for a long time. This is a recording of a 2013 public meeting in Bath featuring Natalie Bennett and Molly Scott Cato talking about how the Green Party is the real alternative and presenting our radical manifesto for change. The meeting was held …

With the developing crisis in Syria, Syrian refugee families in Bath have organised an event to draw attention to what is happening in their home country. Dom goes along and talks to the people there about what the event means to them, including Bernie Howley, chair of Bath Welcomes Refugees and Tim Warren, leader of Bath & NE Somerset Council. Thi…

It's spring 2017 and after years of 'austerity' the cuts are really starting to hit home. Many local authorities have or are planning to cut services. In Bath this includes plans to dramatically alter libraries. With a population already angered by a completely unsuitable park and ride proposal, even people who had never protested before are beginn…

Yesterday was International Women's Day. In Bath a march was organised to 'reclaim the night' for women. Dom went along to talk to those who came out and ask them why it was important for them. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit domtristram.substack.com…

In this episode, Dom heads to his local hospital, Bath's RUH, to talk to striking junior doctors about why they are taking industrial action. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit domtristram.substack.comDi Dom Tristram