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
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...
Reposted by Declan Gaffney
1. Interesting to see Reform abandon its flirtation with nativism / birth rate boosterism in favour of the policy of the last Tory government
2. “Starve a kid for a cheaper pint” is quite the policy. Be interested to see how that performed in focus groups (especially all male versus mixed).
2. “Starve a kid for a cheaper pint” is quite the policy. Be interested to see how that performed in focus groups (especially all male versus mixed).
February 3, 2026 at 10:49 AM
1. Interesting to see Reform abandon its flirtation with nativism / birth rate boosterism in favour of the policy of the last Tory government
2. “Starve a kid for a cheaper pint” is quite the policy. Be interested to see how that performed in focus groups (especially all male versus mixed).
2. “Starve a kid for a cheaper pint” is quite the policy. Be interested to see how that performed in focus groups (especially all male versus mixed).
Reposted by Declan Gaffney
A lot going on here and all ugly, but one thing I still can't get my head around is how any British government can do business with Thiel at this point.
February 3, 2026 at 9:28 AM
A lot going on here and all ugly, but one thing I still can't get my head around is how any British government can do business with Thiel at this point.
Reposted by Declan Gaffney
It’s very loud in Kyiv.
russia is attacking us with ballistic missiles.
Let the world know.
russia is attacking us with ballistic missiles.
Let the world know.
February 2, 2026 at 11:43 PM
It’s very loud in Kyiv.
russia is attacking us with ballistic missiles.
Let the world know.
russia is attacking us with ballistic missiles.
Let the world know.
Reposted by Declan Gaffney
Alex Pretti’s death ruled a homicide by Minnesota medical examiner
Alex Pretti’s death ruled a homicide by Minnesota medical examiner
Alex Pretti’s death ruled a homicide by Minnesota medical examiner
www.independent.co.uk
February 2, 2026 at 11:23 PM
Alex Pretti’s death ruled a homicide by Minnesota medical examiner
Reposted by Declan Gaffney
Reminder that "jaywalking" was literally made up by american car manufacturers to shift the blame for accidents from drivers to pedestrians. "Jay" was a slang term meaning "idiot" or "rube".
“Jaywalking is permitted in London. In 1966, the police tried to crack down on it, but gave up after three months.”
People walk and cycle on roads by right, people drive under licence.
Jaywalking is not a thing in English law and Waymo must not change that.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
People walk and cycle on roads by right, people drive under licence.
Jaywalking is not a thing in English law and Waymo must not change that.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Self-driving taxis are coming to London – should we be worried? | Jack Stilgoe
Waymo’s cars were first rolled out in San Francisco, but the English capital’s old roads, pelican crossings and jaywalkers may pose issues for AI, says science and technology professor Jack Stilgoe
www.theguardian.com
February 2, 2026 at 11:21 PM
Reminder that "jaywalking" was literally made up by american car manufacturers to shift the blame for accidents from drivers to pedestrians. "Jay" was a slang term meaning "idiot" or "rube".
'Intensely relaxed about people getting filthy rich.' I suppose you can read that two ways.
February 2, 2026 at 10:47 PM
'Intensely relaxed about people getting filthy rich.' I suppose you can read that two ways.
Too trusting, everyone says that was Peter's great fault.
This Katy Balls interview with PM, conducted before latest revelations, is quite something. He says of Epstein: “Perhaps he wanted to be a mentor and I was naive in regarding him as a good-faith actor. There was no reason to shun his advice, but I was too trusting.”
www.thetimes.com/article/22e6...
www.thetimes.com/article/22e6...
Peter Mandelson: Epstein is like dog muck; the smell won’t go away
Peter Mandelson was sacked as ambassador to the US because of his links to Jeffrey Epstein. Now, he has resigned from the Labour Party. Is this the end for him?
www.thetimes.com
February 2, 2026 at 10:18 PM
Too trusting, everyone says that was Peter's great fault.
👇
The awfulness of Epstein risks overshadowing the fact that what Mandelson did would have been wrong whichever financier he was sending stuff to. thecritic.co.uk/pete...
February 2, 2026 at 9:53 PM
👇
Reposted by Declan Gaffney
The most relevant social science take on Epstein:
Sounds like the Epstein files offer rich materials for an anthropological study in the spirit of Marcel Mauss. There's no such thing as a free gift! No gift without a counter-gift!
February 2, 2026 at 12:34 PM
The most relevant social science take on Epstein:
Almost regretting rewatching the BBC Tinker Tailor over the last week. It's colouring my perception of unfolding events.
February 2, 2026 at 8:44 PM
Almost regretting rewatching the BBC Tinker Tailor over the last week. It's colouring my perception of unfolding events.