Declan Gaffney
@greyskiesthinking.bsky.social
Research, analysis & grey-skies thinking on labour markets, social security, public finance & equality. Usual disclaimer. Cheap foreign labour 🇮🇪. Profile pic is Takashi Shimura with Toshiro Mifune in Stray Dog (Akira Kurosawa, 1949).
Pinned
If all young people deferred having children until they could meet the entire cost of raising them, there'd be no workers to pay for pensions in thirty years time.
Reposted by Declan Gaffney
'...it is naive to think that supporting the Minnesota protests or interfering with ICE arrests is simply and indisputably “the Christian thing to do.”'
The Spectator instructing American bishops on the meaning of Catholicism.
The Spectator instructing American bishops on the meaning of Catholicism.
The Catholic Church is getting swept away by ICE outrage
Cardinal Joseph Tobin called for the defunding of ICE by lawmakers during an interfaith prayer livestream on Sunday
spectator.com
February 5, 2026 at 12:04 AM
'...it is naive to think that supporting the Minnesota protests or interfering with ICE arrests is simply and indisputably “the Christian thing to do.”'
The Spectator instructing American bishops on the meaning of Catholicism.
The Spectator instructing American bishops on the meaning of Catholicism.
Reposted by Declan Gaffney
I just re-read, for the first time for years, the memoir I wrote for the British Academy for Jerry Cohen, shortly after his sudden, shocking, death in 2009. Here it is a Word file for those who don't have access to the British Academy volume.
www.homepages.ucl.ac.uk/~uctyjow/CPB...
www.homepages.ucl.ac.uk/~uctyjow/CPB...
www.homepages.ucl.ac.uk
February 4, 2026 at 7:42 AM
I just re-read, for the first time for years, the memoir I wrote for the British Academy for Jerry Cohen, shortly after his sudden, shocking, death in 2009. Here it is a Word file for those who don't have access to the British Academy volume.
www.homepages.ucl.ac.uk/~uctyjow/CPB...
www.homepages.ucl.ac.uk/~uctyjow/CPB...
Reposted by Declan Gaffney
This is quite spectacularly silly.
All bicycles included in draft plan for mandatory helmets and high-vis, Department confirms irishcycle.com/2026/02/04/a...
All bicycles included in draft plan for mandatory helmets and high-vis, Department confirms
— Plan was expected to be put to the Cabinet today before it was withdrawn from the meeting of Government Ministers. A reported plan by Ireland’s Government to make the wearing of helme…
irishcycle.com
February 4, 2026 at 10:15 PM
This is quite spectacularly silly.
PSA: if you want to repost a thread, you only need to repost the first post. That is the point of threads. You don't need to clog your followers' timeline with every single post, however interesting.
February 4, 2026 at 9:55 PM
PSA: if you want to repost a thread, you only need to repost the first post. That is the point of threads. You don't need to clog your followers' timeline with every single post, however interesting.
Reposted by Declan Gaffney
Weird and almost universal revisionism today. Even at the time, it was pretty clear that Mandelson wasn't appointed *despite* his dodgy links but *because* of them. Trump's Washington is a dirty swamp. Mandelson was deemed a man able to swim in it. This wasn't a secret. Everybody said it out loud.
February 4, 2026 at 8:55 PM
Weird and almost universal revisionism today. Even at the time, it was pretty clear that Mandelson wasn't appointed *despite* his dodgy links but *because* of them. Trump's Washington is a dirty swamp. Mandelson was deemed a man able to swim in it. This wasn't a secret. Everybody said it out loud.
👂👂
A 3LP/2CD Cecil Taylor live set — FRAGMENTS: THE COMPLETE 1969 SALLE PLEYEL CONCERTS — will be released in April. Two full concerts, 92 minutes and 50 minutes long respectively, featuring Jimmy Lyons, Sam Rivers, and Andrew Cyrille. This one will blow your house down. (I wrote the liner notes.)
February 4, 2026 at 8:32 PM
👂👂
Reposted by Declan Gaffney
My (young) child now sees iconic pieces of cinematography or photography and dismisses them knowingly as "AI" because the model has been trained on these iconic images and he now doubts their veracity in advance.
February 4, 2026 at 4:22 PM
My (young) child now sees iconic pieces of cinematography or photography and dismisses them knowingly as "AI" because the model has been trained on these iconic images and he now doubts their veracity in advance.
Reposted by Declan Gaffney
Why the "earned settlement" proposals will harm not help integration and social cohesion (and, I'd add, the economy).
This by @colinyeo.bsky.social should be read by every Labour MP...
wewantedworkers.substack.com/p/labours-ea...
This by @colinyeo.bsky.social should be read by every Labour MP...
wewantedworkers.substack.com/p/labours-ea...
Labour's earned settlement proposals: destroying a British success story
The proposals confuse immigration policy with citizenship policy. They will harm not help integration.
wewantedworkers.substack.com
February 4, 2026 at 3:36 PM
Why the "earned settlement" proposals will harm not help integration and social cohesion (and, I'd add, the economy).
This by @colinyeo.bsky.social should be read by every Labour MP...
wewantedworkers.substack.com/p/labours-ea...
This by @colinyeo.bsky.social should be read by every Labour MP...
wewantedworkers.substack.com/p/labours-ea...
Reposted by Declan Gaffney
February 4, 2026 at 11:13 AM
Very good piece. The earned settlement proposals are not about immigration policy, they are about integration, which they will undermine.
First post from me for a while on my occasional Substack, about Labour's earned settlement proposals and the damage they will do. open.substack.com/pub/wewanted...
February 4, 2026 at 3:41 PM
Very good piece. The earned settlement proposals are not about immigration policy, they are about integration, which they will undermine.
Reposted by Declan Gaffney
This might be the thing that kills him.
The people of Minneapolis have been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.
The first time a city's population has ever been nominated.
www.newsweek.com/minneapolis-...
The first time a city's population has ever been nominated.
www.newsweek.com/minneapolis-...
February 4, 2026 at 1:16 PM
This might be the thing that kills him.
Reposted by Declan Gaffney
This breed of 'utterly appalled' politicians should be confronted, relentlessly w Norman Finkelstein take on Epstein and his friends, in 2015.
February 4, 2026 at 12:19 PM
This breed of 'utterly appalled' politicians should be confronted, relentlessly w Norman Finkelstein take on Epstein and his friends, in 2015.
Never occurred to me but it's obvious once it's pointed out - Miller is a talk radio guy.
New post out:
"The most dangerous man in America"
Understanding "Trump's Prime Minister" Stephen Miller - the nexus of all the streams of right-wing thought and behaviour that embody the current regime.
(£/free trial)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/t...
"The most dangerous man in America"
Understanding "Trump's Prime Minister" Stephen Miller - the nexus of all the streams of right-wing thought and behaviour that embody the current regime.
(£/free trial)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/t...
The most dangerous man in America
Understanding Stephen Miller: “Trump’s Prime Minister”
open.substack.com
February 4, 2026 at 10:43 AM
Never occurred to me but it's obvious once it's pointed out - Miller is a talk radio guy.
Reposted by Declan Gaffney
Prevent Russia-funded radical-right parties from gaining control of Europe’s entire nuclear arsenal by 2029 with this ONE SIMPLE TRICK the fascists DON’T WANT YOU TO KNOW.
(It’s PR. France and Britain should just adopt PR, like now.)
(It’s PR. France and Britain should just adopt PR, like now.)
February 4, 2026 at 10:11 AM
Prevent Russia-funded radical-right parties from gaining control of Europe’s entire nuclear arsenal by 2029 with this ONE SIMPLE TRICK the fascists DON’T WANT YOU TO KNOW.
(It’s PR. France and Britain should just adopt PR, like now.)
(It’s PR. France and Britain should just adopt PR, like now.)
Reposted by Declan Gaffney
Journalists should be asking the Labour candidate at the Gorton & Denton byelection - and any senior Labour figures who turn up to campaign - whether they support these proposals or not.
If they are genuinely serious about rejecting Goodwin/Reform's racism and bigotry, there's only one answer..
If they are genuinely serious about rejecting Goodwin/Reform's racism and bigotry, there's only one answer..
February 4, 2026 at 9:08 AM
Journalists should be asking the Labour candidate at the Gorton & Denton byelection - and any senior Labour figures who turn up to campaign - whether they support these proposals or not.
If they are genuinely serious about rejecting Goodwin/Reform's racism and bigotry, there's only one answer..
If they are genuinely serious about rejecting Goodwin/Reform's racism and bigotry, there's only one answer..
Reposted by Declan Gaffney
This cannot be something a civilian law enforcement agent is allowed to wear in the US — and an agency that has a culture that tolerates this cannot be saved.
Fucking surreal that people dressed like this and carrying assault rifles are permitted to kidnap people off our streets
February 4, 2026 at 12:53 AM
This cannot be something a civilian law enforcement agent is allowed to wear in the US — and an agency that has a culture that tolerates this cannot be saved.
Reposted by Declan Gaffney
Northern Ireland makes top up payments which compensate claimants affected by the Benefit Cap. Following abolition of 2CL, these cost of these payments is expected to more than triple, implying that substantial numbers of 3+ child families elsewhere in UK will not see the full increase in benefit
February 3, 2026 at 8:55 PM
Northern Ireland makes top up payments which compensate claimants affected by the Benefit Cap. Following abolition of 2CL, these cost of these payments is expected to more than triple, implying that substantial numbers of 3+ child families elsewhere in UK will not see the full increase in benefit
Reposted by Declan Gaffney
This from @jeevunsandher.bsky.social on Goodwin's ethnonationalism is fine AFAIG.
But rings hollow unless he addresses his own party's plan to change the rules to deny settlement/citizenship to people who came here in good faith and work/have families here.
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
But rings hollow unless he addresses his own party's plan to change the rules to deny settlement/citizenship to people who came here in good faith and work/have families here.
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
Matt Goodwin isn't very British
Britain’s finest hour was a fundamental rejection of petty ethnonationalism. Reform should remember that
www.newstatesman.com
February 3, 2026 at 2:46 PM
This from @jeevunsandher.bsky.social on Goodwin's ethnonationalism is fine AFAIG.
But rings hollow unless he addresses his own party's plan to change the rules to deny settlement/citizenship to people who came here in good faith and work/have families here.
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
But rings hollow unless he addresses his own party's plan to change the rules to deny settlement/citizenship to people who came here in good faith and work/have families here.
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
Reposted by Declan Gaffney
PS. Not too late to tell the government what you think about their proposed changes to Indefinite Leave to Remain - the public consultation is open until 12th Feb.
www.gov.uk/government/c...
www.gov.uk/government/c...
February 3, 2026 at 3:34 PM
PS. Not too late to tell the government what you think about their proposed changes to Indefinite Leave to Remain - the public consultation is open until 12th Feb.
www.gov.uk/government/c...
www.gov.uk/government/c...
Reposted by Declan Gaffney
Times Poll Ed: ‘EXCLUSIVE
Lord #Mandelson will face a full #criminal #investigation into allegations that he leaked market-sensitive information from Downing Street to the paedophile financier Jeffrey #Epstein, The Times has been told’ 1/
thetimes.com/article/69d48f…
Lord #Mandelson will face a full #criminal #investigation into allegations that he leaked market-sensitive information from Downing Street to the paedophile financier Jeffrey #Epstein, The Times has been told’ 1/
thetimes.com/article/69d48f…
https://thetimes.com/article/69d48f…
February 3, 2026 at 6:15 PM
Times Poll Ed: ‘EXCLUSIVE
Lord #Mandelson will face a full #criminal #investigation into allegations that he leaked market-sensitive information from Downing Street to the paedophile financier Jeffrey #Epstein, The Times has been told’ 1/
thetimes.com/article/69d48f…
Lord #Mandelson will face a full #criminal #investigation into allegations that he leaked market-sensitive information from Downing Street to the paedophile financier Jeffrey #Epstein, The Times has been told’ 1/
thetimes.com/article/69d48f…
Reposted by Declan Gaffney
Next week - send kids back up the chimneys to fund the triple lock
February 3, 2026 at 3:54 PM
Next week - send kids back up the chimneys to fund the triple lock
Lunch of chickpeas, tahina & lemon sauce and vegetables with freshly baked flatbread: in effect the best part of any meal - mopping up - becomes the whole meal.
February 3, 2026 at 2:26 PM
Lunch of chickpeas, tahina & lemon sauce and vegetables with freshly baked flatbread: in effect the best part of any meal - mopping up - becomes the whole meal.
Reposted by Declan Gaffney
February 3, 2026 at 1:21 PM
Reposted by Declan Gaffney
'Retrospectivity is un-British' - Labour MP @tonyvaughanmp.bsky.social told a packed Westminster Hall debate that plans to double migrants' wait for settlement must be abandoned.
'Let us be a country that always honours its debts, not just its financial ones, but its moral ones too'👏Thank you Tony
'Let us be a country that always honours its debts, not just its financial ones, but its moral ones too'👏Thank you Tony
February 3, 2026 at 12:21 PM
'Retrospectivity is un-British' - Labour MP @tonyvaughanmp.bsky.social told a packed Westminster Hall debate that plans to double migrants' wait for settlement must be abandoned.
'Let us be a country that always honours its debts, not just its financial ones, but its moral ones too'👏Thank you Tony
'Let us be a country that always honours its debts, not just its financial ones, but its moral ones too'👏Thank you Tony
Reposted by Declan Gaffney
Couldn’t make this up. Farage:
- WAS calling for the two child limit to be scrapped.
- NOW calling for the two child limit to be reinstated.
Reform aren’t just importing failed Tory politicians. They’re importing failed Tory policies.
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
- WAS calling for the two child limit to be scrapped.
- NOW calling for the two child limit to be reinstated.
Reform aren’t just importing failed Tory politicians. They’re importing failed Tory policies.
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Nigel Farage Calls For Lifting Of Two-Child Benefit Cap
Reform UK party leader Nigel Farage has called for the lifting of the two child benefit cap and transferable tax allowance for married couples.
www.politicshome.com
February 3, 2026 at 12:11 PM
Couldn’t make this up. Farage:
- WAS calling for the two child limit to be scrapped.
- NOW calling for the two child limit to be reinstated.
Reform aren’t just importing failed Tory politicians. They’re importing failed Tory policies.
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
- WAS calling for the two child limit to be scrapped.
- NOW calling for the two child limit to be reinstated.
Reform aren’t just importing failed Tory politicians. They’re importing failed Tory policies.
www.politicshome.com/news/article...