Robin Stafford
@frenshamrobin.bsky.social
When Mahmoud and @teamlabouruk.bsky.social claim that migrants are a drain on the economy they could not be more wrong.
Are they wilfully ignorant? Or just lying to attract Reform voters?
Are they wilfully ignorant? Or just lying to attract Reform voters?
And this from @lgilbert.co explains why these reductions will damage the public finances (3/3)
ukandeu.ac.uk/lower-migrat...
ukandeu.ac.uk/lower-migrat...
Lower migration is bad news for the UK economy - UK in a changing Europe
Lauren Gilbert argues that migrants to the UK are net fiscal contributors, adding much more to the economy than they take out, and that the recent collapse in immigration will harm the UK's economic p...
ukandeu.ac.uk
November 18, 2025 at 12:36 PM
When Mahmoud and @teamlabouruk.bsky.social claim that migrants are a drain on the economy they could not be more wrong.
Are they wilfully ignorant? Or just lying to attract Reform voters?
Are they wilfully ignorant? Or just lying to attract Reform voters?
Reposted by Robin Stafford
Net migration to the UK has fallen fast - down by more than 60% from the peak -and is set to fall further.
"Good news" politically? Maybe. But likely bad news for the economy and public finances.. (1/3)
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
"Good news" politically? Maybe. But likely bad news for the economy and public finances.. (1/3)
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
UK net migration dropped more than first reported, ONS says
Net migration to the UK last year was 20% lower than previously thought.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 18, 2025 at 12:29 PM
Net migration to the UK has fallen fast - down by more than 60% from the peak -and is set to fall further.
"Good news" politically? Maybe. But likely bad news for the economy and public finances.. (1/3)
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
"Good news" politically? Maybe. But likely bad news for the economy and public finances.. (1/3)
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Robin Stafford
NEW: Peter Thiel has blinked. Yesterday, I posted an article about the "Great AI Bubble". And today, we find out that he's bailed on the market.
Has he cut & run? Or is this some 3-D chess-type voodoo? Thoughts please.
open.substack.com/pub/broligar...
Has he cut & run? Or is this some 3-D chess-type voodoo? Thoughts please.
open.substack.com/pub/broligar...
Peter Thiel Gets Out of Dodge
Yesterday, I published on "Great AI Bubble". Today, Silicon Valley's Dr Evil dumps his stock
open.substack.com
November 17, 2025 at 7:01 PM
NEW: Peter Thiel has blinked. Yesterday, I posted an article about the "Great AI Bubble". And today, we find out that he's bailed on the market.
Has he cut & run? Or is this some 3-D chess-type voodoo? Thoughts please.
open.substack.com/pub/broligar...
Has he cut & run? Or is this some 3-D chess-type voodoo? Thoughts please.
open.substack.com/pub/broligar...
Reposted by Robin Stafford
🚨📉 Major new paper by Stanford professor Nick Bloom and coauthors.
They find Brexit has:
⬇️ Reduced UK GDP by 6-8%
⬇️ Reduced investment by 12-18%
⬇️ Reduced employment by 3-4%
⬇️ Reduced productivity by 3-4%
They find Brexit has:
⬇️ Reduced UK GDP by 6-8%
⬇️ Reduced investment by 12-18%
⬇️ Reduced employment by 3-4%
⬇️ Reduced productivity by 3-4%
November 10, 2025 at 11:43 AM
🚨📉 Major new paper by Stanford professor Nick Bloom and coauthors.
They find Brexit has:
⬇️ Reduced UK GDP by 6-8%
⬇️ Reduced investment by 12-18%
⬇️ Reduced employment by 3-4%
⬇️ Reduced productivity by 3-4%
They find Brexit has:
⬇️ Reduced UK GDP by 6-8%
⬇️ Reduced investment by 12-18%
⬇️ Reduced employment by 3-4%
⬇️ Reduced productivity by 3-4%
Reposted by Robin Stafford
Shabana Mahmood tells MPs that "it is not the policy of this government to confiscate jewelry from those who are... accessing asylum accommodation."
This is the opposite of what the Home Office minister Alex Norris said this morning
This is the opposite of what the Home Office minister Alex Norris said this morning
November 17, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Shabana Mahmood tells MPs that "it is not the policy of this government to confiscate jewelry from those who are... accessing asylum accommodation."
This is the opposite of what the Home Office minister Alex Norris said this morning
This is the opposite of what the Home Office minister Alex Norris said this morning
Why are @teamlabouruk.bsky.social telling such out and out lies?
"We have become the destination of choice in Europe" according to the Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood.
Data from Eurostat & the Home Office shows the UK had the fifth largest number of claims of the EU/UK area in 2025, at 108,000... assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/691ae0...
Data from Eurostat & the Home Office shows the UK had the fifth largest number of claims of the EU/UK area in 2025, at 108,000... assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/691ae0...
November 17, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Why are @teamlabouruk.bsky.social telling such out and out lies?
Reposted by Robin Stafford
The Home Secretary says "we have become the destination of choice in Europe, clearly visible to every people smuggler and would-be illegal migrant across the world"
That is a factually untrue claim: the Home Office shows that the UK is fifth, getting 1/10 claims, while Germany gets 1/5 claims
That is a factually untrue claim: the Home Office shows that the UK is fifth, getting 1/10 claims, while Germany gets 1/5 claims
November 17, 2025 at 3:51 PM
The Home Secretary says "we have become the destination of choice in Europe, clearly visible to every people smuggler and would-be illegal migrant across the world"
That is a factually untrue claim: the Home Office shows that the UK is fifth, getting 1/10 claims, while Germany gets 1/5 claims
That is a factually untrue claim: the Home Office shows that the UK is fifth, getting 1/10 claims, while Germany gets 1/5 claims
Reposted by Robin Stafford
Fun fact: the US sells more higher ed to China than soybeans
Trump's campaign to kill an industry where America runs a massive trade surplus is succeeding
New foreign student enrollment in the US fell 17% this fall www.washingtonpost.com/education/20...
November 17, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Fun fact: the US sells more higher ed to China than soybeans
Reposted by Robin Stafford
They think we’re all so stupid
November 17, 2025 at 2:05 PM
They think we’re all so stupid
Reposted by Robin Stafford
Russia refuses to make peace,&it's pursuing the goal of taking control of Ukrainian territory,Macron said
"Russia alone today chooses to continue this war &even to intensify it.Since last March,Ukraine have clearly reiterated your willingness to pursue peace.Russia alone refuses to do so"he said
"Russia alone today chooses to continue this war &even to intensify it.Since last March,Ukraine have clearly reiterated your willingness to pursue peace.Russia alone refuses to do so"he said
November 17, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Russia refuses to make peace,&it's pursuing the goal of taking control of Ukrainian territory,Macron said
"Russia alone today chooses to continue this war &even to intensify it.Since last March,Ukraine have clearly reiterated your willingness to pursue peace.Russia alone refuses to do so"he said
"Russia alone today chooses to continue this war &even to intensify it.Since last March,Ukraine have clearly reiterated your willingness to pursue peace.Russia alone refuses to do so"he said
Reposted by Robin Stafford
Macron: "If Ukraine is not strong, Russia will violate its own commitments. This is why we are doing what we do."
Finally someone in the west gets this very simple concept 🙂
Finally someone in the west gets this very simple concept 🙂
November 17, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Macron: "If Ukraine is not strong, Russia will violate its own commitments. This is why we are doing what we do."
Finally someone in the west gets this very simple concept 🙂
Finally someone in the west gets this very simple concept 🙂
Reposted by Robin Stafford
i'd say it did. the public put a group of thieves, vandals and extremists in office last november and they promptly went about destroying everything that might work to limit their ability to loot, steal and inflicting pain on the people they hate
This whole NYT account about the weaponization of DOJ is beyond disturbing. Kinda feels like the US government fell in January.
Gift link: www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Gift link: www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
November 17, 2025 at 2:19 PM
i'd say it did. the public put a group of thieves, vandals and extremists in office last november and they promptly went about destroying everything that might work to limit their ability to loot, steal and inflicting pain on the people they hate
Reposted by Robin Stafford
Streets in the Ukrainian city of Kherson covered with nets to protect against Russian drones.
If Russia is not stopped, this could become a reality for many cities - and not only in Ukraine.
📹: dianabutsko9 / Instagram
If Russia is not stopped, this could become a reality for many cities - and not only in Ukraine.
📹: dianabutsko9 / Instagram
November 16, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Streets in the Ukrainian city of Kherson covered with nets to protect against Russian drones.
If Russia is not stopped, this could become a reality for many cities - and not only in Ukraine.
📹: dianabutsko9 / Instagram
If Russia is not stopped, this could become a reality for many cities - and not only in Ukraine.
📹: dianabutsko9 / Instagram
Reposted by Robin Stafford
NOT DISCUSSED NEARLY ENOUGH THIS WEEK:
Trump’s all over the Epstein files so he’s having Venezuelans killed as a distraction. Because of these crimes against humanity, a 4-star Admiral resigned and the British, the Dutch, and the Colombians are no longer sharing intel with the USA.
Trump’s all over the Epstein files so he’s having Venezuelans killed as a distraction. Because of these crimes against humanity, a 4-star Admiral resigned and the British, the Dutch, and the Colombians are no longer sharing intel with the USA.
November 16, 2025 at 6:48 PM
NOT DISCUSSED NEARLY ENOUGH THIS WEEK:
Trump’s all over the Epstein files so he’s having Venezuelans killed as a distraction. Because of these crimes against humanity, a 4-star Admiral resigned and the British, the Dutch, and the Colombians are no longer sharing intel with the USA.
Trump’s all over the Epstein files so he’s having Venezuelans killed as a distraction. Because of these crimes against humanity, a 4-star Admiral resigned and the British, the Dutch, and the Colombians are no longer sharing intel with the USA.
Reposted by Robin Stafford
Somebody is briefing the Times that the Home Secretary finds inspiration in Kristi Noem's leading the Trump mass deportation effort - which has gone much too far for Americans
What a kamikaze piece of political madness that is on the eve of their asylum package
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
What a kamikaze piece of political madness that is on the eve of their asylum package
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
Shabana Mahmood threatens Trump-style visa ban on three countries
Angola, Namibia and the Democratic Republic of Congo will face Trump-style sanctions if they do not start taking back more illegal migrants and criminals
www.thetimes.com
November 16, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Somebody is briefing the Times that the Home Secretary finds inspiration in Kristi Noem's leading the Trump mass deportation effort - which has gone much too far for Americans
What a kamikaze piece of political madness that is on the eve of their asylum package
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
What a kamikaze piece of political madness that is on the eve of their asylum package
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
Reposted by Robin Stafford
This is horrific.
@citizencohn.bsky.social talks to @agawande.bsky.social about the real consequences of Trump cutting USAID funding.
@citizencohn.bsky.social talks to @agawande.bsky.social about the real consequences of Trump cutting USAID funding.
November 16, 2025 at 5:16 PM
This is horrific.
@citizencohn.bsky.social talks to @agawande.bsky.social about the real consequences of Trump cutting USAID funding.
@citizencohn.bsky.social talks to @agawande.bsky.social about the real consequences of Trump cutting USAID funding.
Reposted by Robin Stafford
Great that personal bribery has become the default way to get deals with the world's richest and most powerful country. Really positive development.
“Apple set the tone” when Tim Cook gave Trump an engraved, glass disc. This week, the Swiss delegation gave him a “special Rolex desktop clock” and a $130,000 gold bar.
“.. It was tough to beat Apple, but the Swiss did it," an administration official told @axios.com
www.axios.com/2025/11/14/t...
“.. It was tough to beat Apple, but the Swiss did it," an administration official told @axios.com
www.axios.com/2025/11/14/t...
November 15, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Great that personal bribery has become the default way to get deals with the world's richest and most powerful country. Really positive development.
Reposted by Robin Stafford
Do you know who is paying for Trump’s ballroom?
Amazon
Google
Apple
Meta
And a bunch of other companies that coincidentally have business in front of the Trump Administration right now.
So are these companies getting special favors in return? I’m pressing for answers.
Amazon
Apple
Meta
And a bunch of other companies that coincidentally have business in front of the Trump Administration right now.
So are these companies getting special favors in return? I’m pressing for answers.
November 16, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Do you know who is paying for Trump’s ballroom?
Amazon
Google
Apple
Meta
And a bunch of other companies that coincidentally have business in front of the Trump Administration right now.
So are these companies getting special favors in return? I’m pressing for answers.
Amazon
Apple
Meta
And a bunch of other companies that coincidentally have business in front of the Trump Administration right now.
So are these companies getting special favors in return? I’m pressing for answers.
So a prime suspect in Ukrainian corruption flees to Israel.
The deep corruption in Israel, with Russian connections, is a dog that has not barked yet.
The deep corruption in Israel, with Russian connections, is a dog that has not barked yet.
November 16, 2025 at 6:46 PM
So a prime suspect in Ukrainian corruption flees to Israel.
The deep corruption in Israel, with Russian connections, is a dog that has not barked yet.
The deep corruption in Israel, with Russian connections, is a dog that has not barked yet.
Reposted by Robin Stafford
BBC managers may be about to learn what good journalists have always known –
Rich criminals can lie all the time and get away with it. But if you make one mistake, they will destroy you.
Piece from me on why Trump may still win his ludicrous libel case
Rich criminals can lie all the time and get away with it. But if you make one mistake, they will destroy you.
Piece from me on why Trump may still win his ludicrous libel case
Must we pay off the criminal in the White House?
Trump and the BBC: A question of malice
nickcohen.substack.com
November 15, 2025 at 3:29 PM
BBC managers may be about to learn what good journalists have always known –
Rich criminals can lie all the time and get away with it. But if you make one mistake, they will destroy you.
Piece from me on why Trump may still win his ludicrous libel case
Rich criminals can lie all the time and get away with it. But if you make one mistake, they will destroy you.
Piece from me on why Trump may still win his ludicrous libel case
Reposted by Robin Stafford
If it weren’t so serious there would be something very funny about conservatives who supposedly uphold patriotic values and the sanctity of the family shrieking that fellow Britons should pay their BBC license fees to a foreign millionaire found liable for sexual abuse.
November 16, 2025 at 9:07 AM
If it weren’t so serious there would be something very funny about conservatives who supposedly uphold patriotic values and the sanctity of the family shrieking that fellow Britons should pay their BBC license fees to a foreign millionaire found liable for sexual abuse.
Reposted by Robin Stafford
At a rugby club in small-town Leicestershire. This was on the window ledge in the toilet. Fearing the worst, I scanned the QR & opened it in an incognito window…
It’s a link to Amnesty International’s explainer on asylum & refugees 😍
It’s a link to Amnesty International’s explainer on asylum & refugees 😍
November 15, 2025 at 1:52 PM
At a rugby club in small-town Leicestershire. This was on the window ledge in the toilet. Fearing the worst, I scanned the QR & opened it in an incognito window…
It’s a link to Amnesty International’s explainer on asylum & refugees 😍
It’s a link to Amnesty International’s explainer on asylum & refugees 😍
Reposted by Robin Stafford
Join our campaign to Trump-proof the BBC
Trump-proof the BBC
The BBC is our national broadcaster, we must defend it against those who want to destroy it.
www.libdems.org.uk
November 13, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Join our campaign to Trump-proof the BBC
Reposted by Robin Stafford
The Prime Minister must pick up the phone now to Donald Trump. We have 24 hours to stop Trump’s billion-dollar raid on British licence fee payers.
We’ve written to the PM, calling on him to demand that Trump drop his ludicrous $1 billion lawsuit against the BBC.
We’ve written to the PM, calling on him to demand that Trump drop his ludicrous $1 billion lawsuit against the BBC.
November 13, 2025 at 9:15 PM
The Prime Minister must pick up the phone now to Donald Trump. We have 24 hours to stop Trump’s billion-dollar raid on British licence fee payers.
We’ve written to the PM, calling on him to demand that Trump drop his ludicrous $1 billion lawsuit against the BBC.
We’ve written to the PM, calling on him to demand that Trump drop his ludicrous $1 billion lawsuit against the BBC.