Ben Cowles (@Cowlesz) header
Ben Cowles (@Cowlesz) profile picture

Ben Cowles

@Cowlesz

Journalist & podcaster. Founded @FleetCivil. Employed by Morning Star. Aspiring blues / punk rock guitarist. He / him. (Opinions, politics, and typos all mine)

linktr.ee/cowlesz
Joined November 2010
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Photo by Ben Cowles (@Cowlesz)Photo by Ben Cowles (@Cowlesz)Photo by Ben Cowles (@Cowlesz)Photo by Ben Cowles (@Cowlesz)Photo by Ben Cowles (@Cowlesz)Photo by Ben Cowles (@Cowlesz)Photo by Ben Cowles (@Cowlesz)Photo by Ben Cowles (@Cowlesz)
Check out the latest episode of my podcast...
The Civil Fleet (@FleetCivil) profile pictureThe Civil Fleet@FleetCivil10 Dec 2025
NEW EPISODE: @MSF_Sea’s Juan Matias Gil tells us how the Italian government made it impossible for the medical charity to use its #GeoBarents rescue ship. He also tells us about #Oyvon, MSF’s new rescue vessel, and what happened on its first rescue mission.
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You're never going to win the racists over with this, only further alienate the people who vote for you
Home Office (@ukhomeoffice) profile pictureHome Office
@ukhomeofficeNov 3
Anyone seeking settlement, regardless of when they arrived in the country, will first need to meet four non-negotiable conditions: ➡️ A spotless criminal record - up from the current threshold of a 12-month suspended sentence ➡️ English spoken to a high standard with an equivalent to A-Level English as a foreign language ➡️ No debt owed to the taxpayer ➡️ A record of sustained National Insurance contributions
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Ben Cowles retweeted
Home Office (@ukhomeoffice) profile picture
Home Office
@ukhomeofficeNov 3
Anyone seeking settlement, regardless of when they arrived in the country, will first need to meet four non-negotiable conditions: ➡️ A spotless criminal record - up from the current threshold of a 12-month suspended sentence ➡️ English spoken to a high standard with an equivalent to A-Level English as a foreign language ➡️ No debt owed to the taxpayer ➡️ A record of sustained National Insurance contributions
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James Rehwald (@JamesRehwald) profile picture
James Rehwald
@JamesRehwald15h
Replying to @ryxcommar
Meet you at brunch
Image from James Rehwald (@JamesRehwald)
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Freedom Bookshop attack: astatement freedompress.org.uk/2026/10/…
Freedom Bookshop attack: a statement - Freedom Press

Freedom Bookshop attack: a statement - Freedom Press

Regarding a small mob of kids, attached to some far-right outfit or other, who embarrassed themselves outside our bookshop.

freedompress.org.uk
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"They can start cutting people's faces up. They can stab someone. They can shoot someone." EXCLUSIVE: Our hidden cameras capture the leader of Turning Point UK organising a fake rally for a foreign government and helping arrange a murder-for-hire with loyalist paramilitaries.
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Ben Smoke (@bencsmoke) profile picture
Ben Smoke@bencsmokeOct 21
i feel like i’m going insane - this on the *same day* the govt backs extraction of more climate destroying gas???!!!???
Sky News (@SkyNews) profile pictureSky News
@SkyNewsOct 21
Firefighting planes and BBQ bans needed to combat Britain's wildfire risk, MPs warn trib.al/il8bjcj
Exceeding key climate target is now 'imminent and unavoidable', United Nations warns

Exceeding key climate target is now 'imminent and unavoidable', United Nations warns

The warning comes as a group of British MPs warned this summer's record heat and intense wildfires exposed how "woefully unprepared" the country is for the growing risk of blazes.

news.sky.com
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Some absolute peak Wes Streeting-ing going on here.
A tweet from Wes Streeting, posted on April 24 2018, which reads: The UK's ability to uphold the values of the rules-based international system is compromised unless we hold Saudi Arabia to account for the indiscriminate killing of civilians in Yemen. Here's my contribution following @StephenTwigg's urgent question today: https://x.com/wesstreeting/status/988764674597453824

ALT A tweet from Wes Streeting, posted on April 24 2018, which reads: The UK's ability to uphold the values of the rules-based international system is compromised unless we hold Saudi Arabia to account for the indiscriminate killing of civilians in Yemen. Here's my contribution following @StephenTwigg's urgent question today: https://x.com/wesstreeting/status/988764674597453824

A tweet from Wes Streeting, posted on July 03 2019, which reads: The defence of democracy, freedom and human rights should be the cornerstone of Britain's foreign policy. I asked the Prime Minister why Saudi Arabia has been allowed to host the G20, given the murder of Khashoggi and human rights abuses by the Saudi regime >>> https://x.com/wesstreeting/status/1146419173385474048

ALT A tweet from Wes Streeting, posted on July 03 2019, which reads: The defence of democracy, freedom and human rights should be the cornerstone of Britain's foreign policy. I asked the Prime Minister why Saudi Arabia has been allowed to host the G20, given the murder of Khashoggi and human rights abuses by the Saudi regime >>> https://x.com/wesstreeting/status/1146419173385474048

Wes Streeting (@wesstreeting) profile pictureWes Streeting
@wesstreetingOct 20
The Houthi attacks on our ally Saudi Arabia are absolutely despicable and dangerous for the region. Today I have approved further UK military support. RAF Typhoons will fly defensive air missions to protect Saudi airspace from drones and missiles. 🇬🇧 🇸🇦
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Well, I suppose my son will get used to burning hot summers, sea rises, the death of bees and the ensuing chaos
Henry Tufnell MP (@TufnellHenry) profile pictureHenry Tufnell MP@TufnellHenryOct 21
The Govt has seen sense and answered the call of the Industry First Group to drill in the North Sea. Opening up Jackdaw will protect British jobs, enhance energy security and boost tax revenue. The next logical step: approve Rosebank & cut carbon taxes on UK Industry. ⏳
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It's hard to think of an issue or a problem in this country that hasn't been made worse by the British press.
Image from Spelling Mistakes Cost Lives (@darren_cullen)
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On the tube
Image from Spelling Mistakes Cost Lives (@darren_cullen)
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Jeff Crisp (@JFCrisp) profile picture
Jeff Crisp@JFCrispSep 22
Lock him up! (After a fair trial, of course).
Wokerati Marty (@WokeratiMarty) profile pictureWokerati Marty@WokeratiMartySep 22
Danny Tommo is currently chasing an RNLI boat carrying refugees back to Gosport and has his balaclava-wearing vigilante group on the way. Hopefully, the police are prepared for the idiots when they arrive, and they’ll arrest him for endangering life at sea by stabbing a boat.
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Bren Dan (@_Brendan01_) profile picture
Bren Dan@_Brendan01_Sep 22
Wondering where the FBU’s courage has gone?
Fire Brigades Union (@fbunational) profile pictureFire Brigades Union
@fbunational30 Nov 2021
No matter who you are, firefighters will answer the call when you need them. They don't discriminate or ask questions when saving lives - and neither do @RNLI volunteers. Solidarity with @RNLI after this awful incident, and thank you for your vital work. hastingsobserver.co.uk/news/…
Hastings RNLI lifeboat crew ‘blocked from going out to sea’ by people angry at them rescuing...

Hastings RNLI lifeboat crew ‘blocked from going out to sea’ by people angry at them rescuing...

The RNLI has confirmed an incident took place following claims Hastings RNLI lifeboat crew were blocked from going out to sea by people angry at them for rescuing refugees in the Channel.

sussexexpress.co.uk
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Yesterday, following a Mayday relay, the #OceanViking altered course towards a rubber boat carrying around 80 people in distress. As our team approached, we witnessed the Libyan Coast Guard intercept the boat and return those on board to Libya.
Lucien Migné/SOS MEDITERRANEE

ALT Lucien Migné/SOS MEDITERRANEE

Lucien Migné/SOS MEDITERRANEE

ALT Lucien Migné/SOS MEDITERRANEE

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Grace Petrie (@gracepetrie) profile picture
Grace Petrie@gracepetrieJul 20
The unbelievable and blatant laundering of Starmer’s reputation continues! Handwritten notes, what a standup guy, the murdered victims of genocide are as nothing to that
Beth Rigby (@BethRigby) profile pictureBeth Rigby
@BethRigbyJul 20
NEW: Am told Keir Starmer wrote handwritten notes for every single member of No 10 staff - in the hundreds - thanking them for their public service
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Easily the best game of football I’ve ever seen
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What achievements? Energy bills: Still high Trains: Still fucked Cost of Living: Still mental NHS: Still fucked Nature: Still pooey Climate Crisis: Still fucked Gaza Genocide: Still being enabled Fascism: Still on the rise Refugees: Still being scapegoated Etc...
Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) profile pictureKeir Starmer
@Keir_StarmerJul 15
I am proud of everything we have achieved together. To everyone who has supported this Labour government: thank you.
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Ben Cowles retweeted
Zoe Gardner (@ZoeJardiniere) profile picture
Zoe Gardner@ZoeJardiniereJul 16
Replying to @Peston
The fact that he can type "admired across the political spectrum" just goes to show how the mainstream media simply do not consider the left to be a legitimate voice in politics at all. & my God, if anything is ever going to change, we need to force that change fast.
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IWGB (@IWGBunion) profile picture
IWGB@IWGBunionJul 14
22 trade union leaders have called on @RockstarGames to do the right thing and recognise @IWGB_GW!
Strike Map (@strike_map) profile pictureStrike Map@strike_mapJul 14
NEW 🚨| 22 trade union leaders, representing more than 1.3 million workers, are calling on @RockstarGames to stop playing games with workers' rights and recognise the @IWGB_GW. Read, like and share the letter below 👇 #Solidarity #StrikeMap
Dear Jenn Kolbe and Rob Spampinato Rockstar stop playing games with workers rights We call on Rockstar Games to recognise the IWGB Rockstar Union. The success of the video games industry comes from the efforts of its workers and it is essential that structures are created to ensure the workers have a voice in decision making. Without the Rockstar workforce, Grand Theft Auto would not be one of the highest grossing video game franchises of all time. Now Rockstar workers must be given a seat at the table so they can share in this success. The IWGB has a proud record bringing together workers in the video games sector - launched by the Game Workers Unite international and lately having achieved the first recognition agreement in the sector at ZA/UM.

ALT Dear Jenn Kolbe and Rob Spampinato Rockstar stop playing games with workers rights   We call on Rockstar Games to recognise the IWGB Rockstar Union.   The success of the video games industry comes from the efforts of its workers and it is essential that structures are created to ensure the workers have a voice in decision making.    Without the Rockstar workforce, Grand Theft Auto would not be one of the highest grossing video game franchises of all time. Now Rockstar workers must be given a seat at the table so they can share in this success. The IWGB has a proud record bringing together workers in the video games sector - launched by the Game Workers Unite international and lately having achieved the first recognition agreement in the sector at ZA/UM.

Workers at Rockstar have chosen the IWGB for their union, and it is only right that Rockstar respects their choice and agrees to bargain with them. Every worker, including those at Rockstar, deserves to be and should be part of a union. We hope you will make the right choice. Yours

ALT Workers at Rockstar have chosen the IWGB for their union, and it is only right that Rockstar respects their choice and agrees to bargain with them. Every worker, including those at Rockstar, deserves to be and should be part of a union. We hope you will make the right choice. Yours

Image from Strike Map (@strike_map)
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Joe Fae Glesga (@joe_yer99) profile picture
Joe Fae Glesga@joe_yer99Jul 12
hands down, some of the dumbest fuckin clowns on the planet.
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We have now disembarked safely after rescuing 52 people. Italy forced survivors to endure a four-day journey to Marina di Carrara: this endangers our guests and means four days without rescues. This cruel policy must stop! Our guests' determination serves as an inspiration to us.
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