Helen H@Bluesomeh
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helenh.bsky.social
Helen H@Bluesomeh
@helenh.bsky.social
2.1K followers 5.7K following 650 posts
Passionate environmentalist, climate change believer and animal lover. Europhile, hate Brexit. Interested in books, nature, woke politics, the law. Here for the jokes too.
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Reposted by Helen H@Bluesomeh
ledbydonkeys.org
The real BBC bias story, narrated by Anna Ford
November 19, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Reposted by Helen H@Bluesomeh
tanjabueltmann.net
Tried to get this published but no luck, so might as well ‘publish’ it here so it’s not a complete waste!

➡️ Stripping rights from refugees today endangers us all tomorrow

#asylum #Mahmood #history #humanrights
Stripping rights from refugees today endangers us all tomorrow   When I was 13, I visited a Nazi concentration camp for the first time, confronting my country’s dark history always—and rightly—a bedrock in my growing up.    One image from that visit has stayed with me ever since: a display of prisoners’ personal possessions.    It revealed a world in which those imprisoned were stripped not only of their freedom but of the last tangible traces of their humanity. That systematic erasure was the most important precondition for murdering millions.   Now, as a historian, I know that history does not flow into the present in a straight line, and direct comparisons are rarely appropriate. They certainly are not here.   But history is the one compass humanity has. Too often we choose to ignore it.    The Home Secretary’s proposals for changes to the UK’s asylum system represent such a moment of failure.    Yet the most troubling aspect of Labour’s frantic efforts to appear tough on immigration is not even the historical echoes that taking refugees’ possessions invokes. It is that cost recovery is not the real purpose of the rationale behind it.    The true aim is to appeal to a particular audience—those who take satisfaction in seeing people seeking refuge deprived of what little they have. It is hard to imagine a more troubling approach to policymaking, and that becomes even clearer when we consider the Home Secretary’s proposals in context.   As of June 2025, there were 42.5 million refugees globally. Over 70% are hosted by low- and middle-income countries. The UK hosts 548,000 refugees; that is 0.78% of the UK population. Around 110,000 people are in receipt of asylum support; that is 0.15% of the UK population.   It is unconscionable that such a small and vulnerable population can be targeted with deliberate cruelty and weaponised for assumed political gain.   And that is all this will ever be. The core miscalculation is believing that adopting these positions will neutralise Reform.    Both historical knowledge and current research show the opposite. Mainstreaming extremist policies legitimises them further and aids only the original. Each step towards Reform’s territory simply gives Reform more power.   But our political discourse has been so degraded over the last decade that many no longer even recognise policies—or the language that frames them—as extreme.    That is how the Home Secretary can speak so casually of desperate people seeking sanctuary as recipients of a ‘golden ticket’ as though the context is Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory rather than countries torn apart by war and starved by famine. Speak of her ‘moral mission’ to withdraw support, alleging that ‘illegal migration is tearing our country apart.’ And warn of ‘dark forces stirring up anger,’ oblivious to her own role: from the use of blurry, dehumanising images of refugees to spread falsehoods about their impact on communities, to the equally false description of refugee movements as illegal migration.    I suggest the Home Secretary find a mirror if she is keen to understand who is helping turn anger into hate.   Because it is the mainstreaming of far-right talking points that the Home Secretary’s proposals represent that is really tearing our country apart.   For when a policy looks like the far right, speaks to the far right and is hailed by the far right as being far right, it is far right. There is a reason Stephen Yaxley-Lennon is jubilant and speaks of ‘the Overton window having been obliterated.’   This makes a mockery of the Prime Minister’s recent comments on the urgent need to tackle racism. But it also raises alarming questions about the impact this will have on communities around the country, many of which are already deeply divided.    The proposed policies will do nothing for these struggling communities, because their problems simply do not stem from people seeking sanctuary with us. In fact: for as long as politicians focus on immigrants and refugees as the cause of our problems, they will fail to deliver for the British people.   But it is important to grasp the impact of the Home Secretary’s proposals as they carry broader consequences for all of us. Suggestions for changes to how the European Convention on Human Rights is applied are particularly concerning. Requiring judges to prioritise ‘public safety’—falsely implying refugees pose a threat—would qualify human rights for a specific group.   And once one accepts that human rights can be qualified for one group, one creates tools that can be used against anyone.   So what these proposals really mean goes far beyond asylum policy. This is about the kind of country we will have in the future. If human rights are no longer universal, they become a means for exclusion and control.    That is why stripping rights from refugees today can only enable a system that endangers all our rights tomorrow.    And that is why our historical compass matters and why we have to use it now. Because that compass tells us without doubt that when first they come for one group that is never where it ends. 
November 18, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Reposted by Helen H@Bluesomeh
rafaelbehr.bsky.social
On Labour MPs in a dark place. Featuring King Lear. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Starmer’s squandering of a historic election victory is a tragedy nearing its finale | Rafael Behr
The tactics that gave Labour its huge majority in 2024 were no preparation for government – and the prime minister has proved he has nothing more to offer, says Guardian columnist Rafael Behr
www.theguardian.com
November 19, 2025 at 8:20 AM
Reposted by Helen H@Bluesomeh
13sarahmurphy.bsky.social
As Labour proposes limiting the protection of the ECHR, we must remember what it was set up to do; protect us all from abuses of power by our govts.
Be v wary then of anyone calling to do that. You may not be the target now. But why shouldn’t you be next?
bestforbritain.substack.com/p/why-we-and...
Why we - and the Home Secretary - disapply the ECHR at our peril
By Jessica Frank-Keyes
bestforbritain.substack.com
November 17, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Reposted by Helen H@Bluesomeh
thebulwark.com
Epstein survivors just demanded the release of the files in this new PSA. Watch it here.
November 17, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Reposted by Helen H@Bluesomeh
everyonehateselon.bsky.social
Why's the government giving tax breaks to tax avoiding big tech while clamping down on people seeking safety?

GOOGLE 'big tech tax cut'

Location: a billboard we hacked in Brixton
November 17, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Reposted by Helen H@Bluesomeh
goodlawproject.org
It's hard to find words to capture quite how revolting, steeped in bigotry, irresponsible, morally unmoored, Labour has become. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Anglican bishop shaken ‘to the core’ by home secretary’s asylum seeker comments
Bishop of Edmonton says people coming to UK are being ‘scapegoated’ for years of policy failures
www.theguardian.com
November 17, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Reposted by Helen H@Bluesomeh
writesbright.bsky.social
Starmer’s anti-asylum policies show how utterly clueless he is about the right-wing media’s role in politics.

He’s trying to fix a “problem” contrived by Farage, GB News and The Telegraph. He’ll never win, because ultimately he’s fighting a ghost – he’s fighting something that doesn’t really exist
November 17, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Reposted by Helen H@Bluesomeh
colinyeo.bsky.social
Going to leave you with a Home Office chart from their most recent asylum stats so you can decide whether the UK is a magnet for asylum seekers with a uniquely generous asylum system www.gov.uk/government/s...
November 17, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Reposted by Helen H@Bluesomeh
soozuk.bsky.social
Big very scary announcement that I never thought I'd have to make so I put nice music and a relaxing nostalgic background on it for you.
November 17, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Reposted by Helen H@Bluesomeh
batconservation.bsky.social
Nature not a “blocker” to housing delivery, MPs find in new @commonseac.parliament.uk report committees.parliament.uk/committee/62...
Nature not a “blocker” to housing delivery, MPs find in new report - Committees - UK Parliament
Nature is not a “blocker” to delivering new housing, but rather a necessity for building resilient towns and neighbourhoods, MPs argue in a report published today.
committees.parliament.uk
November 17, 2025 at 8:44 AM
Reposted by Helen H@Bluesomeh
adambienkov.bsky.social
Labour's MP for Folkestone says the government has taken "the wrong turning" on its plans for asylum seekers.

"The rhetoric around these reforms encourages the same culture of divisiveness that sees racism and abuse growing in our communities."
November 16, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Reposted by Helen H@Bluesomeh
yatesyman.bsky.social
"As another row on immigration and refugees awaits parliament, it is clear the problem is not immigrants, but politicians themselves."
Great piece, great closing line from @stellacreasy.bsky.social

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
ICE-style raids on Britain's streets: that's all Labour's brutal asylum reforms will achieve | Stella Creasy
If we want to ‘stop the boats’, we need to stop the BS when it comes to what creates refugees, and how to respond to them, says Labour MP Stella Creasy
www.theguardian.com
November 17, 2025 at 8:43 AM
Reposted by Helen H@Bluesomeh
gabyhinsliff.bsky.social
Six weeks since the PM said Britain faced a choice between decency or division and our bad, obviously, for not understanding that he was in fact Team Division
November 17, 2025 at 8:42 AM
Reposted by Helen H@Bluesomeh
drrachelclarke.com
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
As a palliative care specialist, I’ve witnessed the human tragedy of our end-of-life care crisis | Rachel Clarke
While the government debates assisted dying, palliative care is an afterthought. And many more people face death without the care and support they need, says Rachel Clarke
www.theguardian.com
November 11, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Reposted by Helen H@Bluesomeh
ips-dc.org
NEW: The first two years of Massachusetts' millionaire tax has raised $3 billion more than expected.

And rather than driving the rich away, IPS researchers found that the number of millionaires has *increased.*

Tax the rich. Greg Ryan in @bloomberg.com:
Millionaire Tax That Inspired Mamdani Fuels $5.7 Billion Haul in Massachusetts
A millionaire levy in Massachusetts that New York City mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani holds up as a model for taxing the rich has generated $3 billion more in revenue than expected without forcing...
www.bloomberg.com
November 12, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Reposted by Helen H@Bluesomeh
guyverhofstadt.bsky.social
The shallow US - UK "deal" shows one thing. Trump & the Brexit eilte want to deepen the wedge between EU & UK. Trade between 🇬🇧🇪🇺 isn't growing at all!

The EU - UK Summit is the chance to correct the ludicrous economic damage of Trump & Farage's Brexit. Boldness is required!
May 9, 2025 at 8:40 AM
Reposted by Helen H@Bluesomeh
janrosenow.bsky.social
How to rapidly scale the heat pump market?

“The main hurdle is the price ratio of gas to electricity. [Reforming taxation of energy] would unlock a much more market-driven transition.”

That’s what I told the FT. Excellent piece.
November 14, 2025 at 7:09 AM
Reposted by Helen H@Bluesomeh
mrjamesob.bsky.social
The remarkable story we discussed this morning. (No paywall but do consider subscribing.) www.thenewworld.co.uk/james-ball-e...
EXCLUSIVE: Michael Prescott himself doctored Trump quote in his anti-BBC report
A report alleging Panorama broadcast misleading Trump quotes contains misleading quotes itself
www.thenewworld.co.uk
November 13, 2025 at 12:48 PM
Reposted by Helen H@Bluesomeh
davidallengreen.bsky.social
NEW

The letter the BBC could send back to Trump

A proposal for a reply to his $1bn claim

By me. Enjoy.

emptycity.substack.com/p/the-letter...
The letter the BBC could send back to Trump
A proposal for a reply to his $1bn claim
emptycity.substack.com
November 12, 2025 at 12:00 PM
helenh.bsky.social
This is an uplifting thread for our grim times
dimireider.bsky.social Dimi Reider @dimireider.bsky.social · 7d
Personal note: London has been home for a very, very long time, but as of today, I am also officially a Brit - that is to say, a British citizen. I feel relieved and I feel grateful - but not, perhaps, in the forelock-tugging way GB News/Starmer expect a new immigrant to be.
November 12, 2025 at 8:53 AM
Reposted by Helen H@Bluesomeh
chrisgpackham.bsky.social
I’ve just announced I’ll be leading a National Emergency Briefing on 27 November . At a time when climate is in free fall on the political agenda , it’s vital our leaders realise what is at stake if we do not accelerate a just , green transition for all .

@nebriefing.bsky.social 🇬🇧
November 9, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Reposted by Helen H@Bluesomeh
nebriefing.bsky.social
We're delighted that tireless advocate for the natural world, @chrisgpackham.bsky.social CBE, will be opening the National Emergency Briefing in Westminster Central Hall on 27th November.

Chris speaking with @bbclaurak.bsky.social earlier👇

Please make sure your MP is attending: nebriefing.org
#NEB
November 9, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Reposted by Helen H@Bluesomeh
karenroberts.bsky.social
That's good if its an option but if (as I do) you don't live in a city the public transport is non-existent so there is no choice but to use a car (although we cycle a fair bit). Most villages round here don't have shops or services so you have to drive for most things.
November 6, 2025 at 7:41 AM
Reposted by Helen H@Bluesomeh
danneidle.bsky.social
What if there was a consensus on the tax reforms the UK needs?

What if it was backed by policy experts from think tanks across the political spectrum, from the Adam Smith Institute to the Resolution Foundation?

The consensus is real. The question is: will anyone act on it?
November 5, 2025 at 9:51 AM