Mick
@mickmca32.bsky.social
Widowed father of three living in Co Armagh
Reposted by Mick
And ofc, like almost everything Labour do at the moment, it's politically stupid: immediately & predictably denounced as 'not going far enough' by Tories and Reform, highly unlikely to gain Labour votes from those parties, and highly likely to lose them votes to other parties. 3/3
November 16, 2025 at 6:49 PM
And ofc, like almost everything Labour do at the moment, it's politically stupid: immediately & predictably denounced as 'not going far enough' by Tories and Reform, highly unlikely to gain Labour votes from those parties, and highly likely to lose them votes to other parties. 3/3
Reposted by Mick
It bemoans lack of integration whilst making integration far less likely.
It wants ASs to contribute, whilst forbidding most of them from doing so
It asserts that 'the rules' are too lenient whilst claiming that the problem is that people aren't 'playing by the rules'. 2/3
It wants ASs to contribute, whilst forbidding most of them from doing so
It asserts that 'the rules' are too lenient whilst claiming that the problem is that people aren't 'playing by the rules'. 2/3
November 16, 2025 at 6:49 PM
It bemoans lack of integration whilst making integration far less likely.
It wants ASs to contribute, whilst forbidding most of them from doing so
It asserts that 'the rules' are too lenient whilst claiming that the problem is that people aren't 'playing by the rules'. 2/3
It wants ASs to contribute, whilst forbidding most of them from doing so
It asserts that 'the rules' are too lenient whilst claiming that the problem is that people aren't 'playing by the rules'. 2/3
Reposted by Mick
Everything about the current 'debate' around this is dismal, not just morally but because it is so stupid. For example:
It conflates asylum-seeking and illegal immigration (and sometimes with migration generally)
It shows no understanding of why there is AS
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025... 1/3
It conflates asylum-seeking and illegal immigration (and sometimes with migration generally)
It shows no understanding of why there is AS
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025... 1/3
Asylum system in UK ‘out of control’ and dividing country, home secretary says
Shabana Mahmood to unveil new proposals modelled on Denmark’s controversial system
www.theguardian.com
November 16, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Everything about the current 'debate' around this is dismal, not just morally but because it is so stupid. For example:
It conflates asylum-seeking and illegal immigration (and sometimes with migration generally)
It shows no understanding of why there is AS
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025... 1/3
It conflates asylum-seeking and illegal immigration (and sometimes with migration generally)
It shows no understanding of why there is AS
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025... 1/3
Such an awful loss of these young people. My deepest condolences go out to all the families, friends, and local communities of the young victims.🙏RIP
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anamacha
www.rte.ie/news/ireland...
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anamacha
www.rte.ie/news/ireland...
Five young friends dead, three injured in Dundalk crash
Five young people have died and three others have been injured in a road crash in Dundalk in Co Louth.
www.rte.ie
November 16, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Such an awful loss of these young people. My deepest condolences go out to all the families, friends, and local communities of the young victims.🙏RIP
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anamacha
www.rte.ie/news/ireland...
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anamacha
www.rte.ie/news/ireland...
Reposted by Mick
Labour Party leader calls on governments to set out timeline for Irish unity referendums
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
Labour Party leader calls on governments to set out timeline for Irish unity referendums
Ivana Bacik says election of Catherine Connolly as President brought together Irish left and her party is willing to work to align policies
www.irishtimes.com
November 15, 2025 at 9:11 PM
Labour Party leader calls on governments to set out timeline for Irish unity referendums
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Mick
Reposted by Mick
‘In the keynote address at the end of Labour's one-day annual conference … Ms Bacik, for the first time, said she wants a clear timeline set out for … a "unity referendum" or border poll.’
www.rte.ie/news/politic...
www.rte.ie/news/politic...
Bacik calls on Govt to outline time frame for border poll
Labour leader Ivana Bacik has called for the Government to confirm a timeline for a "unity referendum" on Northern Ireland in her leader's address to the party's annual conference this evening.
www.rte.ie
November 15, 2025 at 10:52 PM
‘In the keynote address at the end of Labour's one-day annual conference … Ms Bacik, for the first time, said she wants a clear timeline set out for … a "unity referendum" or border poll.’
www.rte.ie/news/politic...
www.rte.ie/news/politic...
Reposted by Mick
@vivamjm.bsky.social not sure if you can access BBC player Michael but this is genuinely jaw dropping.
UK to EU: "Can we have a SPS deal please?"
BBC: "the EU told the UK if they don't give them their lunch money, they will get a serious battering behind the bike sheds later. innit."
UK to EU: "Can we have a SPS deal please?"
BBC: "the EU told the UK if they don't give them their lunch money, they will get a serious battering behind the bike sheds later. innit."
No BBC bias latest!
I cannot think of a more twisted way of reporting what's happening in brussels between EU & UK.
1/2
I cannot think of a more twisted way of reporting what's happening in brussels between EU & UK.
1/2
November 14, 2025 at 8:45 AM
@vivamjm.bsky.social not sure if you can access BBC player Michael but this is genuinely jaw dropping.
UK to EU: "Can we have a SPS deal please?"
BBC: "the EU told the UK if they don't give them their lunch money, they will get a serious battering behind the bike sheds later. innit."
UK to EU: "Can we have a SPS deal please?"
BBC: "the EU told the UK if they don't give them their lunch money, they will get a serious battering behind the bike sheds later. innit."
Reposted by Mick
The EU has said said "okay then" to a SPS deal, which would make brexit checks more practical, but the UKGov will have to pay into EU coffers for it.
the BBC presents it is as if the EU will beat the UK up and give them a wedgie if they don't give them their lunch money.
3/3
the BBC presents it is as if the EU will beat the UK up and give them a wedgie if they don't give them their lunch money.
3/3
November 14, 2025 at 8:07 AM
The EU has said said "okay then" to a SPS deal, which would make brexit checks more practical, but the UKGov will have to pay into EU coffers for it.
the BBC presents it is as if the EU will beat the UK up and give them a wedgie if they don't give them their lunch money.
3/3
the BBC presents it is as if the EU will beat the UK up and give them a wedgie if they don't give them their lunch money.
3/3
Reposted by Mick
What's really happening is the UK made a massive mistake with brexit and is trying to undo the damage.
e.g. It's financially & practically impossible to implement full brexit checks on EU imports into the UK, causing food safety issues amongst others.
So the UKGov wants a special SPS deal.
2/3
e.g. It's financially & practically impossible to implement full brexit checks on EU imports into the UK, causing food safety issues amongst others.
So the UKGov wants a special SPS deal.
2/3
November 14, 2025 at 8:02 AM
What's really happening is the UK made a massive mistake with brexit and is trying to undo the damage.
e.g. It's financially & practically impossible to implement full brexit checks on EU imports into the UK, causing food safety issues amongst others.
So the UKGov wants a special SPS deal.
2/3
e.g. It's financially & practically impossible to implement full brexit checks on EU imports into the UK, causing food safety issues amongst others.
So the UKGov wants a special SPS deal.
2/3
Reposted by Mick
No BBC bias latest!
I cannot think of a more twisted way of reporting what's happening in brussels between EU & UK.
1/2
I cannot think of a more twisted way of reporting what's happening in brussels between EU & UK.
1/2
November 14, 2025 at 8:02 AM
No BBC bias latest!
I cannot think of a more twisted way of reporting what's happening in brussels between EU & UK.
1/2
I cannot think of a more twisted way of reporting what's happening in brussels between EU & UK.
1/2
Reposted by Mick
Irish labour leader calls for border poll timeline
[ From BBC News NI ]
[ From BBC News NI ]
Irish labour leader calls for border poll timeline
BBC News - Northern Ireland
www.bbc.com
November 15, 2025 at 10:30 PM
Irish labour leader calls for border poll timeline
[ From BBC News NI ]
[ From BBC News NI ]
Reposted by Mick
Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald has spoken of the incredible potential Derry and the wider north west region holds for inward investors as she prioritised the region during a series of business engagements in the US.
trib.al/F1KKBIM
trib.al/F1KKBIM
'The growth potential of Derry and the north west region is huge' Economy Minister tells US investors
Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald has spoken of the incredible potential Derry and the wider north west region holds for inward investors as she prioritised the region during a series of business engagements in the US.
trib.al
November 15, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald has spoken of the incredible potential Derry and the wider north west region holds for inward investors as she prioritised the region during a series of business engagements in the US.
trib.al/F1KKBIM
trib.al/F1KKBIM
Reposted by Mick
“No matter how much you might want to avoid paying attention to this truly unsavory story, it is not going away.” @sbg1 writes about the latest developments in the Trump-Epstein saga—and what comes next. https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/xz3NUJ
The Epstein Scandal Is Now a Chronic Disease of the Trump Presidency
Read the e-mails—this isn’t going away anytime soon.
newyorkermag.visitlink.me
November 15, 2025 at 9:35 PM
“No matter how much you might want to avoid paying attention to this truly unsavory story, it is not going away.” @sbg1 writes about the latest developments in the Trump-Epstein saga—and what comes next. https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/xz3NUJ
Reposted by Mick
On this week's episode of The Irish History Boys, Tim McGarry and I discuss the importance of the First World War in Irish history and how it has been remembered ever since. youtu.be/Qrb7SoSK1p4?...
Ireland's Forgotten Sacrifice & How the First World War Changed Everything
YouTube video by The Irish History Boys
youtu.be
November 14, 2025 at 9:49 AM
On this week's episode of The Irish History Boys, Tim McGarry and I discuss the importance of the First World War in Irish history and how it has been remembered ever since. youtu.be/Qrb7SoSK1p4?...
Reposted by Mick
NEW: In his first interview since his arrest for protesting outside the Chicago-area ICE facility, @revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social tells me he has "bruises all over my body."
Even so, he said, “the cruelty that goes on that facility … must be 100 times worse." religionnews.com/2025/11/15/a...
Even so, he said, “the cruelty that goes on that facility … must be 100 times worse." religionnews.com/2025/11/15/a...
November 15, 2025 at 7:52 PM
NEW: In his first interview since his arrest for protesting outside the Chicago-area ICE facility, @revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social tells me he has "bruises all over my body."
Even so, he said, “the cruelty that goes on that facility … must be 100 times worse." religionnews.com/2025/11/15/a...
Even so, he said, “the cruelty that goes on that facility … must be 100 times worse." religionnews.com/2025/11/15/a...
Reposted by Mick
Hugely welcome & positive stuff from Irish Labour ✊🏼
#Spéirghorm #IrishPolitics
Bacik calls on Govt to outline time frame for border poll www.rte.ie/news/politic...
#Spéirghorm #IrishPolitics
Bacik calls on Govt to outline time frame for border poll www.rte.ie/news/politic...
Bacik calls on Govt to outline time frame for border poll
Labour leader Ivana Bacik has called for the Government to confirm a timeline for a "unity referendum" on Northern Ireland in her leader's address to the party's annual conference this evening.
www.rte.ie
November 15, 2025 at 10:11 PM
Hugely welcome & positive stuff from Irish Labour ✊🏼
#Spéirghorm #IrishPolitics
Bacik calls on Govt to outline time frame for border poll www.rte.ie/news/politic...
#Spéirghorm #IrishPolitics
Bacik calls on Govt to outline time frame for border poll www.rte.ie/news/politic...
Reposted by Mick
Those who profit from conflict, genocide and ecocide have always relied on supremacist rhetoric: who is stronger, smarter, whiter. Supremacy, in all its incarnations, has been a boundless, timeless economic powerhouse for this civilisation
November 15, 2025 at 6:07 AM
Those who profit from conflict, genocide and ecocide have always relied on supremacist rhetoric: who is stronger, smarter, whiter. Supremacy, in all its incarnations, has been a boundless, timeless economic powerhouse for this civilisation
Reposted by Mick
Disgusting treatment of pro-Palestine protesters by British govt and prison system. No wonder they want out of the ECHR - they don’t want to be held accountable for their actions
November 15, 2025 at 12:17 PM
Disgusting treatment of pro-Palestine protesters by British govt and prison system. No wonder they want out of the ECHR - they don’t want to be held accountable for their actions
Reposted by Mick
Israel breaching international law by limiting Gaza aid, says Unrwa official
Israel breaching international law by limiting Gaza aid, says Unrwa official
Natalie Boucly says supplies are ready but only about half of what is needed is getting into territory
Israel is breaching international law by continuing to impose restrictions on aid flows into Gaza, where the population remains critically short of food and life-saving goods as winter sets in, a senior official at the UN agency for Palestinian refugees has said.
In an interview during a recent visit to Brussels, Natalie Boucly, an Unrwa deputy commissioner general, said the whole world – including the EU and US – needed to increase the pressure on Israel’s government to ensure the unrestricted flow of aid into Gaza. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 15, 2025 at 12:06 PM
Israel breaching international law by limiting Gaza aid, says Unrwa official
Reposted by Mick
I see we're at the 'they're trying to cancel me' stage of whining from someone in a position of power.
November 15, 2025 at 1:59 PM
I see we're at the 'they're trying to cancel me' stage of whining from someone in a position of power.
Reposted by Mick
Indigenous lands must be recognised as part of climate policy, says Brazilian minister
Indigenous lands must be recognised as part of climate policy, says Brazilian minister
Sonia Guajajara tells Cop30 the rights of traditional communities must be maintained in the face of exploitation by the mining industry
Countries must recognise the demarcation of Indigenous lands as a key component of tackling the climate crisis, and civil society must help in the defence of such lands against mining interests, Brazil’s minister for Indigenous peoples has said.
Sonia Guajajara, a longtime Indigenous activist before being appointed a minister by President Lula da Silva, said: “[Among the goals of the Cop30 summit is] a request that countries recognise the demarcation of Indigenous lands as climate policy.” Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 15, 2025 at 1:18 PM
Indigenous lands must be recognised as part of climate policy, says Brazilian minister
Why is this so unsurprising?🤔
Reform UK Ltd gets 92% of its funding from climate change deniers and fossil fuel corporate interests.
A new survey reveals negative attitudes to Reform UK Ltd
Reform UK Ltd gets 92% of its funding from climate change deniers and fossil fuel corporate interests, provoking negative reactions
centralbylines.co.uk
November 16, 2025 at 1:00 AM
Why is this so unsurprising?🤔
Reposted by Mick
Ireland is the first country in the world whose people have voted to elect three women as Presidents.
#MaryRobinson
#MaryMcAleese
#CatherineConnolly 🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪
#MaryRobinson
#MaryMcAleese
#CatherineConnolly 🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪
November 11, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Ireland is the first country in the world whose people have voted to elect three women as Presidents.
#MaryRobinson
#MaryMcAleese
#CatherineConnolly 🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪
#MaryRobinson
#MaryMcAleese
#CatherineConnolly 🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪
Reposted by Mick
Ivana Bacik was enthusiastic in bringing Labour to Catherine Connolly's presidential campaign. That all made for a confident leader when she addressed her party colleagues this evening, writes Political Coverage Editor Joe Mag Raollaigh
Unity of purpose among Opposition a boost for Bacik
Ivana Bacik went into her party conference this weekend buoyed by some success.
www.rte.ie
November 15, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Ivana Bacik was enthusiastic in bringing Labour to Catherine Connolly's presidential campaign. That all made for a confident leader when she addressed her party colleagues this evening, writes Political Coverage Editor Joe Mag Raollaigh