@Robspiked

editorial director at @acadofideas. I also write stuff https://xitter.cf/t.co/MGvQKRUXxc and occasionally tell jokes.

 London
Joined March 2009
  • Tweets15.6K
  • Following852
  • Followers2.5K
651Media
Rob Lyons retweeted
Academy of Ideas
@acadofideas4h
VIBE SHIFT WITH BRENDAN O'NEILL🚨 📅28/10/26 📍LEEDS #BattleFest doesn't stop just because our London event has. In Leeds, Brendan O’Neill will argue that ‘a seismic turn in the moral zeitgeist brought about by popular discontent with the old, knackered order’, is emerging. But is O’Neill right? Or does he exaggerate or romanticise what often appear disparate protests around a range of unconnected issues. There’s now even a backlash against the backlash. Satellite in association with @theleedssalon 🎟️👇 battleofideas.org.uk/session…
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One of the great things about #battlefest is that there are so many debates to choose from. The downside is you can't see everything! Thankfully, many of our speakers have now published their speeches or articles discussing their sessions. Click below for a round-up 👇
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We've made a pragmatic decision to allow a gas field to operate. But we'll piss the extra tax revenue away on renewables.
Andy Burnham
@andyburnhamOct 21
An update on the Jackdaw gas field.
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Rob Lyons retweeted
Hilary Salt@RedActuaryOct 16
Looking forward to recording a live version of Take Me Home on Sunday at the Battle of Ideas #BattleFest with Jennie Bristow and Ellie Lee from @CPCS_UniKent discussing their book Growing Up In the Culture Wars. Sebastian @moore4sdp suggested we try out the seats
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It's okay proposing this kind of policy. But can it be delivered?
Brian Spurrell@BrianSpanner1Oct 16
The SNP conference is proposing a Scottish Amazon. I genuinely have no idea how you engage with that level of fucking delusion.
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I’m looking forward to The Battle of Ideas festival organised by @acadofideas this weekend, where I will be speaking on two panels. On Saturday at 12:15, I will defend statistics -- not only from those who distrust or dismiss them, but also from those who place far too much faith in them. battleofideas.org.uk/session… On Sunday at 13:45, I will argue that identifying a harm is not the same as justifying a law. battleofideas.org.uk/session…
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Inside The Lords: the Brexit wars 2.0? @Fox_Claire Claire Fox on a stifled first week in parliament and why you should join us for real public debate across the road in Church House this weekend at the Battle of Ideas festival. 👇 open.substack.com/pub/claire…

Inside The Lords: the Brexit wars 2.0?

Claire Fox on a stifled first week in parliament and why you should join us for real public debate across the road in Church House this weekend at the Battle of Ideas festival.

academyofideas.uk
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# Electricity? Everyone should read this... while the lights are still ON. Recommended thetimes.com/article/7254757…
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We are delighted once again to be at the Battle of Ideas festival (@acadofideas). It's happening this weekend (17th/18th October) at Church House in Westminster. Battle of Ideas brings people together to discuss the most important political, economic, scientific and cultural issues of our time. We'll be answering the question "After the wildfires: should we reassess climate change?" GWPF supporters can get 20% with the code GWPF26. There's still time to get tickets!
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The Micra has never failed me - see you Saturday? Get your tickets for the Battle of Ideas festival now: battleofideas.org.uk/battle-…

Battle of Ideas festival tickets 2026 - Battle of Ideas

Battle of Ideas festival 2026 will take place at Church House, Westminster on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 October. Our paid Substack subscribers can take advantage of Associate rates. Church House is...

battleofideas.org.uk
Academy of Ideas
@acadofideasOct 14
The biggest festival with the smallest van! Preparations for #BattleFest 2026 are in full swing! Have you got your ticket yet? 🤔 eventbrite.co.uk/e/battle-of…
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I chair a LOT of events, but this festival is still unequalled for serious audience engagement with such a wide range of ideas. Come join me next weekend for debates on AI, drones and statistics - and dozens of other subjects!
Academy of Ideas
@acadofideasOct 12
FIVE DAYS TO GO TILL #BattleFest 2026 Ask questions, offer anecdotes, make points - above all, DISAGREE with the speakers. We give you, the audience, over HALF of each session - the Battle of Ideas is DEMOCRACY IN ACTION. 110+ SESSIONS, 400+ SPEAKERS, 3500+ ATTENDEES 📅17&18 OCTOBER 📍London, Westminster DETAILS - battleofideas.org.uk/program… TICKETS - battleofideas.org.uk/battle-…
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Here's #BattleFest co-convenor @MaximumCities on FREE SPEECH FOR ME AND NOT FOR THEE? THE RED LINES IN FREE EXPRESSION while defending the new Ali G film... DETAILS - battleofideas.org.uk/session… TICKETS - battleofideas.org.uk/battle-…
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#BattleFest co-convenor @MaximumCities on the attempted cancellation of Ali G - is it "cos he is black" or is it cos he is Jewish? We'll be discussing the mainstreaming of antisemitism in: - FROM PRIDE TO PALESTINE: WHO ARE TODAY’S GREENS? - IS ANTI-ZIONISM REALLY ANTISEMITISM? W/ @OurFightUk DETAILS - battleofideas.org.uk/program… TICKETS - battleofideas.org.uk/battle-…
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If you're that worried about #folicacid, maybe eat wholemeal bread. They don't put folic acid in wholemeal bread. Then the rest of us can get on with our lives in piece. (That's a Scottish pun before you get on at me about ma spelling.)
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RT @acadofideas: That's right, the @thetimes' STATE OF IT will be @ #BattleFest 2026 See @Steven_Swinford, @patrickkmaguire & @lara_spiri…
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Exactly one week from now! Looking forward to being part of this panel.
Academy of Ideas
@acadofideasOct 11
TECHLASH: BLAMING SOCIAL MEDIA FOR EVERYTHING 🚨 Is the government right to be suspicious of social media? To seek to regulate it? Or does the government dislike the freedoms it gives us? Have your say with @alanvibe, @lara_e_brown, @matildagosling, @lensiseethrough, @ObhishekSaha DETAILS - battleofideas.org.uk/session…
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I've seen this stat quoted twice this morning but can't find any reasonable basis for it. About 80% of Belgians were born there. About half the rest are from other EU countries. Two thirds of Belgians were born there to Belgian parents.
Ramon Agusta
@ramonagustaOct 11
Only 1 in 5 people that live in Brussels is actually Belgian… an utterly broken society.
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The #Wokeonomist. Once, I wrote for it. Now it uses the fake Body Mass Index economist.com/international/… "Retailers, naturally, do not want to be responsible for getting people to eat more healthily". Really? Er, read @spikedonline - first with the news! spiked-online.com/2021/06/07…
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Britain needs its own First Amendment. At The Battle of Ideas 2026 (by @acadofideas) I’ll be making the case for the Freedom of Speech Bill (2026), and debating with the public on the need for such a bill! Sat 17 Oct, 12:15–13:30, Church House, Westminster. You can book tickets in advance, at the link provided here: battleofideas.org.uk The session, to be chaired by @ProfDHayes, can be found here: battleofideas.org.uk/session…

Battle of Ideas festival

The UK's premier festival of ideas, produced by the Academy of Ideas, where the motto is FREE SPEECH ALLOWED. London 18 & 19 October 2025.

battleofideas.org.uk
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Rob Lyons retweeted
Hilary Salt@RedActuaryOct 8
Ahead of our public @SDPhq meeting this Saturday in Manchester, here are some thoughts on recreating a British nation: academyofideas.uk/p/can-we-b… Follow the link in the article for tickets

Can we be a nation once again? If so, how?

Hilary Salt looks forward to a fascinating discussion this coming Saturday in Manchester.

academyofideas.uk
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