Dr Barbara Löster
@drbarbaraloester.bsky.social
Sociolinguist, lapsed triathlete, observer of people and other creatures, regularly ranting about politics...
"Mandatory volunteering" - that says it all.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
UK charities condemn ‘immoral’ plans to force asylum seekers to volunteer
Making volunteering compulsory for refugees slammed as exploitative, bureaucratic and un-British
www.theguardian.com
November 14, 2025 at 2:08 PM
"Mandatory volunteering" - that says it all.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
“You see this a lot in German and British media. The far right says something and everybody starts talking about it for one week. And everyone is shocked by it, but it is making headlines. Even if you’re countering it, you’re repeating it."
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
German far right setting agenda as opponents amplify its ideas, study finds
Normalisation of far-right stances likely to affect success of such parties at ballot boxes across Europe, say researchers
www.theguardian.com
October 18, 2025 at 10:28 AM
“You see this a lot in German and British media. The far right says something and everybody starts talking about it for one week. And everyone is shocked by it, but it is making headlines. Even if you’re countering it, you’re repeating it."
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
Reposted by Dr Barbara Löster
Are you worried about the plans to increase the ILR qualifying period to 10 years?
Complete this short 7 minute survey created by @praxisprojects.bsky.social to make your voice heard🔊 www.surveymonkey.com/r/VJ92XKF
Complete this short 7 minute survey created by @praxisprojects.bsky.social to make your voice heard🔊 www.surveymonkey.com/r/VJ92XKF
Survey: changes to settlement and citizenship in the UK
If you think you'll be affected by the changes proposed by the UK government to settlement and citizenship, please tell us what you think.
www.surveymonkey.com
October 15, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Are you worried about the plans to increase the ILR qualifying period to 10 years?
Complete this short 7 minute survey created by @praxisprojects.bsky.social to make your voice heard🔊 www.surveymonkey.com/r/VJ92XKF
Complete this short 7 minute survey created by @praxisprojects.bsky.social to make your voice heard🔊 www.surveymonkey.com/r/VJ92XKF
The heading tells you everything you need to know about the state of the education system in England. 🤦🏻♀️
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
End to school rating system could play havoc with house prices, says Ofsted chief
Martyn Oliver says he knows of property values shooting up by £15,000 after schools were graded as outstanding
www.theguardian.com
July 3, 2025 at 7:14 PM
The heading tells you everything you need to know about the state of the education system in England. 🤦🏻♀️
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Reposted by Dr Barbara Löster
Labour MP "not disappointed if universities go bust"
Why am I not surprised that Jonathan Hinder MP studied History and Politics at University of Oxford?
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
Why am I not surprised that Jonathan Hinder MP studied History and Politics at University of Oxford?
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
Labour MP ‘not disappointed’ if universities go bust - Research Professional News
Jonathan Hinder’s comments that UK has too many universities branded “silly”
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
May 2, 2025 at 10:06 AM
Labour MP "not disappointed if universities go bust"
Why am I not surprised that Jonathan Hinder MP studied History and Politics at University of Oxford?
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
Why am I not surprised that Jonathan Hinder MP studied History and Politics at University of Oxford?
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
Reposted by Dr Barbara Löster
And can I just point out what is conveniently forgotten? The 'heating law' so many blame on the Greens was decided by the PREVIOUS government, lead by the CDU/CSU and SPD under Merkel. This constant Green bashing is just 🤬
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/m...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/m...
‘People see it as invasive’: did anti-green feeling fuel the right’s rise in Germany?
A backlash against climate initiatives appears to have resonated in conservative strongholds – and could influence future policy
www.theguardian.com
March 4, 2025 at 5:21 AM
And can I just point out what is conveniently forgotten? The 'heating law' so many blame on the Greens was decided by the PREVIOUS government, lead by the CDU/CSU and SPD under Merkel. This constant Green bashing is just 🤬
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/m...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/m...
Reposted by Dr Barbara Löster
Da haben die Kolleg*innen eine gute Seite eins hinbekommen. Ganz kleine Anfrage an die Union: Noch alle Tassen im Schrank? Nailed it.
February 26, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Da haben die Kolleg*innen eine gute Seite eins hinbekommen. Ganz kleine Anfrage an die Union: Noch alle Tassen im Schrank? Nailed it.
Ich hab' gerade nachgesehen, für alle Fälle.... Es sind zwar nicht viele, aber alle meine Tassen sind da!
#alletassenimschrank
#alletassenimschrank
February 23, 2025 at 12:18 PM
Ich hab' gerade nachgesehen, für alle Fälle.... Es sind zwar nicht viele, aber alle meine Tassen sind da!
#alletassenimschrank
#alletassenimschrank
Mann, wie kann man so rum-Trumpen und sich dann auch noch einbilden, man könne ein Land einen? Da bin ich ja noch lieber als sonst ein grüner, linker Spinner mit einem Tassendefizit.
February 23, 2025 at 9:05 AM
Mann, wie kann man so rum-Trumpen und sich dann auch noch einbilden, man könne ein Land einen? Da bin ich ja noch lieber als sonst ein grüner, linker Spinner mit einem Tassendefizit.
Reposted by Dr Barbara Löster
Denying refugees citizenship simply on the grounds that they arrived here “illegally” on small boats *when there are no legal routes* for most to use takes cynicism to new heights. If Govt thinks such performative cruelty will see off Reform, they’re wrong - it’s more likely to strengthen it
February 12, 2025 at 9:32 AM
Denying refugees citizenship simply on the grounds that they arrived here “illegally” on small boats *when there are no legal routes* for most to use takes cynicism to new heights. If Govt thinks such performative cruelty will see off Reform, they’re wrong - it’s more likely to strengthen it
Reposted by Dr Barbara Löster
In the last two academic years, 2022/2024, at least 17,600 jobs have been lost in UK Higher Education. 2024/2025 is set to be far worse.
Had this been any other industry there would be outrage and gov action. As ever, young people don't count and neither do university workers. Labour doesn't care.
Had this been any other industry there would be outrage and gov action. As ever, young people don't count and neither do university workers. Labour doesn't care.
February 7, 2025 at 11:07 AM
In the last two academic years, 2022/2024, at least 17,600 jobs have been lost in UK Higher Education. 2024/2025 is set to be far worse.
Had this been any other industry there would be outrage and gov action. As ever, young people don't count and neither do university workers. Labour doesn't care.
Had this been any other industry there would be outrage and gov action. As ever, young people don't count and neither do university workers. Labour doesn't care.
Dear UK,
have you looked at Germany recently and what's happening in the run-up to the election? I know it's over there, in the EU, but it might just be worth having a peek and then having a think...
have you looked at Germany recently and what's happening in the run-up to the election? I know it's over there, in the EU, but it might just be worth having a peek and then having a think...
EXCL: Labour MPs whose seats are under threat from Reform UK have set up pressure group to urge Keir Starmer to take tougher stance on migration and crime @kiranstacey.bsky.social reports www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Group of Labour MPs urge No 10 to be tougher on migration to fend off threat from Reform
Exclusive: Pressure group of MPs from constituencies where Reform came second at last election call for Labour to ‘shout louder’ about action on immigration
www.theguardian.com
February 4, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Dear UK,
have you looked at Germany recently and what's happening in the run-up to the election? I know it's over there, in the EU, but it might just be worth having a peek and then having a think...
have you looked at Germany recently and what's happening in the run-up to the election? I know it's over there, in the EU, but it might just be worth having a peek and then having a think...
Reposted by Dr Barbara Löster
January 23, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Reposted by Dr Barbara Löster
January 22, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Sure - as the German gutter press states, only liberals/lefties could possibly interpret Musk's gesture as a Nazi salute. Yeah, right, sure - he was just waving, or maybe he slipped and tried to regain his balance. 🤦🏻♀️
Herr, schmeiß Hirn vom Himmel. WTAF.
Herr, schmeiß Hirn vom Himmel. WTAF.
January 21, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Sure - as the German gutter press states, only liberals/lefties could possibly interpret Musk's gesture as a Nazi salute. Yeah, right, sure - he was just waving, or maybe he slipped and tried to regain his balance. 🤦🏻♀️
Herr, schmeiß Hirn vom Himmel. WTAF.
Herr, schmeiß Hirn vom Himmel. WTAF.
Nothing beats the delusional over-confidence of a (less than) mediocre old white man.
January 20, 2025 at 6:13 PM
Nothing beats the delusional over-confidence of a (less than) mediocre old white man.
Reposted by Dr Barbara Löster
No, the dumb, ridiculous and wasteful Higher Ed policies *you* backed did this, you utter morons. Own your own mess. Britain - the stupid country.
December 1, 2024 at 11:29 AM
No, the dumb, ridiculous and wasteful Higher Ed policies *you* backed did this, you utter morons. Own your own mess. Britain - the stupid country.
Reposted by Dr Barbara Löster
“It doesn’t make sense for universities in the same city – or the same region – to compete in terms of the courses being offered,” Behan told the BBC.
I wonder - does this line of thinking apply to other businesses? How many places - in the same region - should compete for business?
I wonder - does this line of thinking apply to other businesses? How many places - in the same region - should compete for business?
November 17, 2024 at 9:17 AM
“It doesn’t make sense for universities in the same city – or the same region – to compete in terms of the courses being offered,” Behan told the BBC.
I wonder - does this line of thinking apply to other businesses? How many places - in the same region - should compete for business?
I wonder - does this line of thinking apply to other businesses? How many places - in the same region - should compete for business?
I am almost tempted to say "that's what taking control of 'our' borders looks like" but I like cheese too much...
www.theguardian.com/food/2024/no...
www.theguardian.com/food/2024/no...
UK cheeses miss out on international prize after getting stuck in customs
At the World Cheese Awards in Portugal, British entries were conspicuous by their absence after failing to clear import controls
www.theguardian.com
November 17, 2024 at 9:43 AM
I am almost tempted to say "that's what taking control of 'our' borders looks like" but I like cheese too much...
www.theguardian.com/food/2024/no...
www.theguardian.com/food/2024/no...