Bit worrying that it took a doctor 14 years to realise that the Tories will always destroy the NHS (and presumably vote for every cut that has so obscenely damaged public health). I can only assume the threat of defeat at the next election helped speed up his thinking.

https://twitter.com/observeruk/status/1784253965984797105

It’s worth noting Poulter won’t be standing as an MP himself at the next election; he wants to be an adviser to a Labour government. Whilst he won’t personally benefit from being an MP, it’s amazing how being thirty points behind in the polls makes it easier to find a conscience.

From Rosie Jones doc to the ME research, I know there’s many issues right now that some in the disabled community feel passionately about. There’s still few staff disabled journalists so pitching as a freelancer can be a vital way to get voices heard. So here’s a few tips: 1/6 * Send a two-three paragraph pitch email to an editor (more on this later): what you want to argue; why you’re the person to write it; why it’s newsworthy. Be timely. Don’t be disheartened if you get ignored (editors get 100s a day). Do feel free to follow up politely. 2/6

The RD trans tweet furore highlights how blindly radical many people have become. An MP targeting a trans member of the public with a nasty tweet is so obviously wrong it’s something even moderates object to. But even saying that leads to *thousands* of replies, many abusive. It’s also just really bad politics. Many women are open to concerns re: prisons or sport etc but also really care about trans people. Or they just know bullying when they see it. Piling on them is not only bad ethically, it’s a stupid way to win support. It actively alienates.

The Glastonbury crowd filling in for Lewis Capaldi when he needed help was such a beautiful moment. Anyone saying “it was heartbreaking” or “he shouldn’t have gone on” is seriously missing the point. Disability is not a bad thing to be hidden. It exists alongside success and joy. The only distressing thing was Lewis was upset he couldn’t sing (and I imagine, worried what ppl would say). The issue isn’t his disability but that the media hasn’t normalised seeing disability symptoms in high profile jobs. Imagine if we saw disabled bodies on stage every week.

From the Jeremy Vine Show to The Telegraph front page, the British media has unleashed a new era of vilifying disabled benefit claimants. “Should we leave the disabled to starve to death?” is just legitimate debate.

My col. theguardian.com/commentisfree/… This isn’t just a case of right wingers saying mean things - it’s a culture that knowingly fosters a climate that endangers disabled people. Post-2010, “scrounger” rhetoric was found to increase disability hate crime. Sometimes, a mob’s pitchforks looks a lot like a front page.

Disabled people are being forced into poverty by soaring social care charges. Some are in up to £20,000 arrears to councils, with bailiffs called over debts. Women are at risk of “survival sex” with abusive carers after losing state care.

My report: theguardian.com/society/2023/m… Unlike NHS, social care is not free at point of need. Cash-strapped councils have raised care charges rapidly in recent years. Many disabled people only have their benefits to live on and are being pushed into severe poverty by the fees and £1000s of debt just for getting dressed

This is an absolute travesty. People in chronic pain are more than capable of deciding if painkillers help them. CBT and exercise is not a response to agony. theguardian.com/society/2021/a… It would be fantastic if people with chronic pain could take up acupuncture, suitable exercise, and CBT as well as the option of painkillers - except there’s barely any access to these services on the NHS. It’s just cruel to dangle that option, whilst pulling the painkillers.

Getting a lot of tweets from non-disabled people telling me we shouldn’t call Greta Thunberg disabled. Each follows a similar message: “I can't see Greta as disabled. Her achievements are incredible.” I just want to quickly unpack this. 1/? It’s for Greta to identify how she wants. She talks about her disability openly but I’m not sure if she personally uses the term ‘disabled.’ That’s entirely her decision. (Please correct me if she’s made this clear publicly.) But that isn’t the issue here. 2/?

I have had a mixed day online. I’ve had a Canary writer make fun of my disability via sub tweets. I’ve also had amazing warrior disabled writers form a mini movement to help each other get work in a society that too often shuts really talented people out. 1/ It sounds really trite but I honestly don’t know why people aren’t more kind to each other in this space. I never engage with Twitter beefs - there are few things less important - but inevitably people tag you so you see it. And even with thick journo skin, it affects you. 2/