ben smoke
@bencsmoke
journalist. gobshite. chaos merchant. tree obsessive. not necessarily in that order. bensmoke.com
following friday announcement that the govt will not be bringing in rent controls, i looked at the growing case for them (ft. london renters union @acornunion.bsky.social , @bethstratford.bsky.social, @zackpolanski.bsky.social + more) + what burnham's inaction means about his govt (link below)
REVEALED: in january 2025 starmer announced billions of AI investment deals but did a little deeper below them and all was not as it seemed… READ MORE HERE: open.substack.com/pub/wefightt...
Did the Labour Party’s AI policy breach corruption rules? I’ll let you decide!
I spent 18 months investigating parts of the government’s AI policy and what I found was shocking. From shady deals, breaches of anti-corruption rules, vested interests+ subsidies to polluting multinationals+ genocidal arms companies, this is a scandal that touches almost every part of the Labour
posting the below and then literally hours later went out and got humbled by the marshes lmao
not been posting here a lot bc i keep forgetting but here are some nice pics ive taken on my runs recently
had the best time working with @scottygb.bsky.social and jordan gray on this very stupid panel show
running in the rain after a blazing few days is an unrivalled feeling. 15/10.
made a new playlist. ran a speedy 10k listening to it and cried three times along the way. great morning. 15/10.
protest listings for the week now out! actions on palestine, welfare cuts, climate change and more PLUS dates for your diary (and also a good meme i made @samuelsweek.bsky.social make for me) check it out here: open.substack.com/pub/wefightt...
In this weeks newsletter I looked at the reality of the cuts being levelled at disabled people, and the unconscionable choice labour is making to punch down rather than hit those with the broadest shoulders. Read more here: open.substack.com/pub/wefightt...
currently being screamed at by terfs and fascists in the other place but i’m out having the best date night buying new towels, drinking all wine and coming third in the pub quiz
new ralph magazine out now! ft. @blindboyboatclub.bsky.social, @saynow.bsky.social, Tatty Mcleod, Tank Girl and so much more pop culture for the fun of it! get your copy now from the brand new website: ralphmagazine.com
everyone stop what you’re doing and look at this incredible pic i took of the moon last night
very grateful to jeremy for taking the time to sit down with me! lots of super interesting stories, info + opinion, particularly enjoyed the starmer sass but this section is my favourite. JC really said - if there's no dancing, it's not my revolution!!
not trying to be rude but album OF THE YEAR??? i liked the album but come on now
sorry to hype myself up on main but - in the last week have covered right to protest, independent venues, broken news of protests, huge court victories (with detailed analysis) + published long read into incredible and vital community campaign +like im just so proud of this space im building