David Christopher

Digital rights, civil liberties, history | Policy / Comms guy (formerly @IFEX @OpenMediaOrg @uuponline) | Vancouverite brewed in Galway, Ireland ☘️

[Dimitris Soudas 🇨🇦⚜️🇬🇷☦️ 13.12.1943 @DimitrisSoudas]

To be conservative is, at its core, to conserve, to preserve what is worthy of being passed on.

Our institutions are not monuments to governments of the day; they are the inheritance of generations and the foundation of those yet to come. Restoring 24 Sussex is not about politics. It is about safeguarding a piece of Canada’s history, our democracy and the enduring institutions that define our nation.

[Paul Mason @paulmasonnews]

This bullshit is an insult to service personnel and to the industry workers who make the ships, planes, guns and software that keep Putin deterred from attacking us. The labour movement has to grow up and stop deceiving itself that defence = "militarism". I'm glad the Labour Party itself is immune

[Sam McBride @SJAMcBride]

The best thing that's happened at Stormont in years - Ireland have stunned world champions India, winning by 34 runs. Belfast's Matthew Humphreys takes the winning wicket.

[Jason Kenney 🇨🇦🇺🇦🇮🇱 @jkenney]

This is thuggish behaviour, a shakedown to benefit the billionaire Maroun family.

Canada paid for 100% of the bridge.

If the USA wants part of the revenue, it should make an offer to buy all or part of the bridge.

In the meantime, open it to benefit both countries’ economies.

[Melissa & Chris Bruntlett @modacitylife]

The Netherlands has introduced a €49 monthly ticket for unlimited nationwide train travel—a bold political response to soaring energy costs.

When gas prices rise, you can double down on car dependency or provide attractive alternatives. The Dutch are (again) picking the latter.

[Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський @ZelenskyyUa]

The Russian leadership is now pulling more air defense assets to Moscow, Valdai, and Putin’s bridge across the Kerch Strait – at the expense of air defense elsewhere.

In the Moscow region alone, they have amassed hundreds of launchers for S-400, S-500, and Pantsir systems. Nearly 90 launchers have been redeployed to Valdai from other regions of Russia, and a special air defense division is also being formed there to safeguard the peace and quiet of the Russian chief.

To compare, there are only a couple of launchers per direction across Russia and around their other cities. Those are their priorities. They are protecting their power – the source of this war. More than 60 Russian regions are already experiencing fuel shortages. There has also been a sharp increase in gas and diesel prices – if they are available at all.

Russian security services have even proposed postponing or cancelling altogether the ritual of electing “United Russia” to the State Duma. Their latest imitation of elections was scheduled for September, and intelligence reports now show that Russia itself is not confident about what will be happening by September.

There are many difficulties – all because Putin refuses to end his war and to hear our proposals for a meeting, genuine negotiations, and a dignified peace.

[Emmanuel Macron @EmmanuelMacron]

La Marine Nationale a arraisonné mardi le pétrolier Deliver alors qu’il transitait au large de la Sicile en infraction avec le droit de la mer.

Cette nouvelle action contre la flotte fantôme, conduite quelques jours après une opération similaire par le Royaume-Uni illustre la détermination des Européens.

Nous ne laisserons pas la flotte fantôme contourner les sanctions et financer l’effort de guerre russe.

L’Europe est déterminée.

Elle poursuivra tous les efforts nécessaires pour accroître le coût de la guerre pour la Russie et permettre l’avènement d’une paix robuste et durable en Ukraine.

[David Christopher @dchristopher_bc]

Disastrous move for UK soft power. @BBCNews is a rare media outlet that folks from every country, in every demographic, still trust amidst tidal wave of disinformation from 🇷🇺 🇨🇳 & co. @lisanandy @TomTugendhat

[Nieman Lab @NiemanLab]

The BBC is introducing a paywall in the U.S. https://t.co/Ghc6xdVhfU

[David Christopher @dchristopher_bc]

Paywalling @BBCNews internationally is a self-inflicted wound to UK soft power. Strategic influence requires maximum reach, not a digital barrier.

[Larry the Cat @Number10cat]

"We can only see a short distance ahead, but we can see plenty there that needs to be done" Alan Turing, born on this day in 1912.
His genius helped to save hundreds of thousands of lives during WWII and led to the creation of the device you're using to read this message.

[Theresa May @theresa_may]

A decade on from the referendum, it was a pleasure to see my former sparring partner.

In our polarised world, respect for political adversaries isn’t weakness - it’s more important than ever. It’s how we sustain our democratic values.

[David Christopher @dchristopher_bc]

Brilliant!

[Royal Mail @RoyalMail]

Moving home?

Remember to redirect your mail ✉️ https://t.co/DgDFRfZ1Hk

[David Eby @Dave_Eby]

Happy Father’s Day to all the Dads! Cailey set up a great day, wild berry picking with Iva, celebrating Ez’s win, and wild berry eating with Gwen. To every Dad, Grandpa, and Great Grandpa out there: keep up the good work.

[Ukraine / Україна @Ukraine]

Chapeau!

[Freedom House @freedomhouse]

Georgia’s political prisoners must be released immediately.

Elene Khoshtaria’s case is another stark reminder of the human cost of Georgian Dream’s repression and the stark rate of democratic erosion in #Georgia. No reset of diplomatic relations with the Georgian government should move forward while peaceful critics remain behind bars.
Read more: https://t.co/ZhaW5J5v2R

[Frank Luntz @FrankLuntz]

Brilliant announcement by Ukraine’s minister of defense.

[Luke Tryl @LukeTryl]

Think this is unarguably Reform’s worst night since General Election.
1) Barely any increase in their vote share in Makerfield. 20pt Labour win in a seat that was one of their best second places in 2024.
2) Tories show proof of life and even momentum in battle for the right with Aberdeen South win
3) Restore Britain take 7%, replicated elsewhere in fragmented politics Reform’s path to govt becomes very very hard.

[Larry the Cat @Number10cat]

Does anyone know if @AndyBurnhamGM likes cats?

[David Eby @Dave_Eby]

🇨🇦

[Ravi Kahlon @KahlonRav]

BC leads all 10 provinces in GDP per capita growth since 2017, and Vancouver hosting #FIFAWorldCup2026 will build on that momentum:

1M+ new visitors, $1 Billion in revenue, and 18,000+ jobs by 2031.

These are real economic wins for B.C. families and businesses.⚽️🍁

#GoCanadaGo