The Westminster lensArchive · Public voice — Bluesky · @torstenbell.bsky.social · 165 substantive posts

Bluesky — Bell.

Every substantive Bluesky post by Torsten Bell, classified for substance and tone — each links out to the original on Bluesky. Back to the MP page.

Bluesky activity · last 60 days
@torstenbell.bsky.social
82posts
67substantive
neutralvoice · measured rising

Voice score reflects the argumentative tone of the MP's own posts (critical vs supportive) — not what other people say about them. The "criticises" and "supports" lists below show who they're directing each tone at.

Most criticises
  • Conservative Party6
Most supports
  • Labour government12
  • Rebecca Francis-Davies4
  • UK Government4
Top topics
  • MP & Parliament12 postsneutral
  • Local Government9 postscelebratory
  • Tax & Public Finances8 postsneutral
All postsSubstantive posts.165 classified · most recent first

Each post links out to the original on Bluesky — open it there to read the full thread and replies.

WhenTopicTonePost
27 May 2026Tax & Public Financesmeasured1. There is no understanding here of why taxes have risen over the past decade. If you look at the data you’ll know this most significantly reflects two things
27 May 2026OthermeasuredBut let me focus on some of the real problems with an analysis that rightly calls calls for a deep engagement with substance but does not live up to its own advice
27 May 2026Economy & Jobs (General)measuredThere are areas where the essay is clearly right: - lots done on planning but more to do. Yep. - on economic geography gaps recognising that infrastructure is key (a significant shift towards govt given TB previously focused too narrowly on ‘skills’)
27 May 2026OthermeasuredOn policy, this paints in broad brushstrokes but has far too little actual engagement with the country that is the canvas for those brushstrokes. The author rightly highlights global change (tech and geopolitics) but not the gritty interaction with Britain in the 2020s
27 May 2026MP & ParliamentsarcasticThe truth, awkwardly for an essay that argues that policy not politics must come first, is that this is an essay that puts politics not serious policy first
27 May 2026OthermeasuredBlair putting on full display what is in many ways his special ability - to lay out a political argument grounded in his own view of global trends (globalisation in the 2000s, tech in the 2020s). But… institute.global/insights/pol...
26 May 2026Technology & DigitalmeasuredChildren's use of social media is the top issue constituents have written to me about this year so far. Today is the last chance to tell the UK Govt what you think should be done. Take my quick survey to have your say: www.torstenbell.org/social-media...
21 May 2026Cost of LivingmeasuredHere’s the full list of which activities are covered by the lower rate of VAT👇. It will run from the start of the Scottish summer school holidays (25th June) through to the end of them in England and Wales (1 September) www.gov.uk/government/n...
21 May 2026Cost of LivingcelebratoryInflation fell this week but the Iran war is pushing up prices, not least at the pump. So we're stepping in: 🚗 Extending the 5p fuel duty cut until next year 🎪 Supporting summer fun, cutting VAT from 20 to 5% on children’s activities & meals ⚡️ £150 off energy bills since April
20 May 2026Economy & Jobs (General)celebratoryInflation down more than expected. Growth up last week. Borrowing down last year. Investment up. Waiting lists falling. Migration down from record highs. Much more to do, and the conflict in Iran to weather, but real concrete progress is underway www.ons.gov.uk/economy/infl...
18 May 2026Economy & Jobs (General)celebratoryIn 2025 the UK was the fastest growing European G7 economy. Today the IMF forecast the same to be the case in 2026, with the UK very likely the fastest growing of the whole G7 in the first quarter of the year (Japan data out tomorrow) www.imf.org/en/news/arti...
18 May 2026Health & NHScelebratoryIf dementia affects you or someone you know, I'd really recommend going to a Forget Me Not Club. The group in Sketty meet every Friday 13:30-16:00 in Sketty Community Church. You can expect homemade cakes, quizzes, and a warm and welcoming community. www.dementiafriendlyswansea.org/forget-me-no...
18 May 2026Social Careempathetic1 in 3 people born today will develop dementia, and many more will care for someone who has it. A pleasure to visit Sketty's Forget Me Not Club and see the brilliant work being done by Dementia Hwb to support people in Swansea living with the condition, and their carers.
16 May 2026MP & ParliamentdefensiveIt didn’t - I said exactly the same thing about the march last year. Because it was true then and true today.
16 May 2026MP & ParliamentdefensiveI’m afraid that is simply untrue - I said exactly the same thing in response to the same march last year.
16 May 2026OtherangryPeople march for all kinds of reasons - but those leading today’s march hate Britain. Hate our diverse country. Hate even more the fact that far right, bot fuelled clicks on social media are not enough to overcome the reality of a decent tolerant country that knows a racist grifter when they see one
16 May 2026OtherangryThe far right try to claim our flags but in truth hate our country. They despise what makes the rest of us proud & makes us British, from the NHS to our BBC. They peddle anti-British propaganda globally. Thousands may march today but millions more stand against hate & for Britain
14 May 2026Defence & SecuritymeasuredOf course, today’s data only includes the start of the Iran conflict. It inevitably has consequences for UK households & our economy as a whole. There is no hiding from that. Understanding that reality is partly why we have refused to support this conflict as other parties did
14 May 2026Tax & Public FinancescelebratoryThe plan means it’s not just NHS waiting lists falling - so is the deficit. And this matters if you care about spending on schools not debt interest. Under the last Conservative government the UK borrowed above the G7 average in every single year. This year? We will borrow less.
14 May 2026Economy & Jobs (General)celebratoryThe economic plan put in place by Rachel Reeves to raise investment and cut the deficit is working. - start of 2026 was fastest GDP/capita growth in 4yrs - Q1 GDP growth fastest of 6 G7 nations we have data for - UK has seen the fastest investment growth in G7 since election
14 May 2026Economy & Jobs (General)celebratoryA very strong start to 2026 -significantly above forecasts. GDP/capita rose 0.6% in first three months of 2026 (OBR expected gdp/capita to grow by 0.8% in 2026 as a whole) www.ons.gov.uk/economy/gros...
13 May 2026MP & ParliamentsarcasticKemi Badenoch - a women who thinks what matters is being rude rather than being right
7 May 2026MP & ParliamentmeasuredOut in the sun with the brilliant Rob Stewart in Ynysforgan ☀️🌹 Polls are open until 10pm - still plenty of time to vote Labour.
7 May 2026MP & ParliamentmeasuredDivision with Reform. Distraction with Plaid. Or a better future for Wales delivered by Labour. Don't leave this next chapter to chance. Vote for it.
6 May 2026Technology & DigitalmeasuredI'm hosting an emergency meeting on whether children under 16 should be allowed on social media. Come along to hear from experts, share your views, and take part in the ongoing national debate. To reserve a seat, email torsten.bell.mp@parliament.uk with your name and postcode.
2 May 2026MP & ParliamentangryThere’s no “accused” about it - a politician being handed £5m IS a conflict of interest. Accepting such a gift is an open and shut case of not being interested in, let alone fit for, public service www.ft.com/content/6a56...
1 May 2026Culture & CommunitycelebratorySketty Cubs support children to socialise, learn more about the outdoors, and be part of a greater scouting community. They need more hands on deck - why not give something back to our community and volunteer with them. Find out more here: www.scouts.org.uk/volunteer/
1 May 2026Culture & CommunitycelebratoryBrilliant evening spent with Sketty Cubs last night. - Practicing important outdoor skills (incl. toasting marshmallows) - Answering questions about what it's like to be an MP - Awarding Swansea University student Ruth with a badge to mark 3 years of volunteering with them
1 May 2026Tax & Public Financescelebratory“New pensions bill is rare piece of policy gold”. Emma Duncan isn’t wrong www.thetimes.com/article/e6e2...
30 Apr 2026Tax & Public FinancesmeasuredThis speech is mainly about household finances - but there’s a link to public finances. Shocks happen so the public finances have to be resilient - and we are making that happen. The last govt borrowed mor than the G7 average in every single year. This year? We’ll borrow less
Sources & methodology
SourceBluesky / AT Protocol API · author feed. Each post links to the original on bsky.app.
VerificationOnly handles linked from the MP’s own published list are ingested. Self-declared or unverified handles aren’t included.
ClassificationEach post is LLM-classified for substance (vs reposts, social mentions, scheduling), then for tone (critical / measured / supportive) per target.
WindowThe 60-day summary above; the list covers all classified substantive posts.