Matthew Robinson 🇺🇦🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
@mwr26.bsky.social
Local government Policy Officer from Nottingham living in Merseyside who likes art, gardening and Madonna.
Reposted by Matthew Robinson 🇺🇦🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
This story about a Reform councillor in Northumberland has about three different massive stories in it.
He's accused of ripping off his constituents to the tune of £140k.
He owes his own council nearly £40k in unpaid tax.
His own council is suing him.
He's accused of ripping off his constituents to the tune of £140k.
He owes his own council nearly £40k in unpaid tax.
His own council is suing him.
Blyth Reform councillor Barry Elliott's property firms owe customers £140,000
Property companies owned or run by Barry Elliott owe tens of thousands of pounds to customers.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 19, 2025 at 8:45 AM
This story about a Reform councillor in Northumberland has about three different massive stories in it.
He's accused of ripping off his constituents to the tune of £140k.
He owes his own council nearly £40k in unpaid tax.
His own council is suing him.
He's accused of ripping off his constituents to the tune of £140k.
He owes his own council nearly £40k in unpaid tax.
His own council is suing him.
Reposted by Matthew Robinson 🇺🇦🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
Today has been a massive victory for anti-migrant voices.
Not only is Labour doing 90% of what they want, but they're also making it much easier for them to get the remaining 10% later
Not only is Labour doing 90% of what they want, but they're also making it much easier for them to get the remaining 10% later
November 17, 2025 at 10:49 PM
Today has been a massive victory for anti-migrant voices.
Not only is Labour doing 90% of what they want, but they're also making it much easier for them to get the remaining 10% later
Not only is Labour doing 90% of what they want, but they're also making it much easier for them to get the remaining 10% later
The government is only engaging in reactionary policy, not devising something which will actually solve problems. This is true in all areas frankly, they don't have a clue.
Labour’s “we have to do it, or racism will get worse” argument is striking. Any other public policy failures British ethnic minorities should be on the hook for? Can we be blamed en bloc for Rachel Reeves’ budget next week too? www.ft.com/content/37b0...
Defence of Labour asylum policy reveals backsliding on racism
Home secretary’s framing of failures is partly low politics, but also a result of ministers’ poor approach to race relations
www.ft.com
November 18, 2025 at 11:26 AM
The government is only engaging in reactionary policy, not devising something which will actually solve problems. This is true in all areas frankly, they don't have a clue.
Reposted by Matthew Robinson 🇺🇦🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
Putting aside the moral issues with the arguement... it's notable the govt isn't really arguing for the policy in a evidence or policy based way.
It's purely about politics and political impacts. Both electorally and 'Reform would do worse'
It's purely about politics and political impacts. Both electorally and 'Reform would do worse'
Labour’s “we have to do it, or racism will get worse” argument is striking. Any other public policy failures British ethnic minorities should be on the hook for? Can we be blamed en bloc for Rachel Reeves’ budget next week too? www.ft.com/content/37b0...
Defence of Labour asylum policy reveals backsliding on racism
Home secretary’s framing of failures is partly low politics, but also a result of ministers’ poor approach to race relations
www.ft.com
November 18, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Putting aside the moral issues with the arguement... it's notable the govt isn't really arguing for the policy in a evidence or policy based way.
It's purely about politics and political impacts. Both electorally and 'Reform would do worse'
It's purely about politics and political impacts. Both electorally and 'Reform would do worse'
Reposted by Matthew Robinson 🇺🇦🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
The basic problem with the temporary refugee status policy - especially one lasting up to 20 years - is it leads to very few removals (based on Denmark's experience) but does significantly worsen integration.
November 18, 2025 at 9:05 AM
The basic problem with the temporary refugee status policy - especially one lasting up to 20 years - is it leads to very few removals (based on Denmark's experience) but does significantly worsen integration.
Reposted by Matthew Robinson 🇺🇦🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
Coverage of the refugee proposals demonstrates why we have such a broken political system. Endless focus on left-wing anger and right-wing support. Basically nothing on whether the reforms will work. They will not, which is why we'll still be here having the same debate in three years.
November 18, 2025 at 8:41 AM
Coverage of the refugee proposals demonstrates why we have such a broken political system. Endless focus on left-wing anger and right-wing support. Basically nothing on whether the reforms will work. They will not, which is why we'll still be here having the same debate in three years.
Reposted by Matthew Robinson 🇺🇦🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
‘GDP reduced by 8%’ – Nine-year study reveals how Brexit decimated UK economy
www.thelondoneconomic.com/politics/bre...
www.thelondoneconomic.com/politics/bre...
'GDP reduced by 8%' - Nine-year study reveals how Brexit decimated UK economy
Can't help but feel those responsible for Brexit should not, for example, be riding high in the polls with a new party...
www.thelondoneconomic.com
November 17, 2025 at 5:47 PM
‘GDP reduced by 8%’ – Nine-year study reveals how Brexit decimated UK economy
www.thelondoneconomic.com/politics/bre...
www.thelondoneconomic.com/politics/bre...
Reposted by Matthew Robinson 🇺🇦🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
Asked about Tommy Robinson supporting her asylum plans Shabana Mahmood replies that "Tommy Robinson doesn't even think I'm actually English, so he will certainly not be supporting anything I've got to say."
But he is supporting what she's got to say. That was the point of the question
But he is supporting what she's got to say. That was the point of the question
November 17, 2025 at 6:41 PM
Asked about Tommy Robinson supporting her asylum plans Shabana Mahmood replies that "Tommy Robinson doesn't even think I'm actually English, so he will certainly not be supporting anything I've got to say."
But he is supporting what she's got to say. That was the point of the question
But he is supporting what she's got to say. That was the point of the question
Reposted by Matthew Robinson 🇺🇦🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
Extraordinary story in Poland. Yet more sabotage.
Culpability not yet established, but all eyes will be on Russia. Poland has already arrested a total of 55 people only recently for illegal activities on Russia’s behalf. Hybrid warfare becoming part of European life.
www.ft.com/content/485f...
Culpability not yet established, but all eyes will be on Russia. Poland has already arrested a total of 55 people only recently for illegal activities on Russia’s behalf. Hybrid warfare becoming part of European life.
www.ft.com/content/485f...
Poland blames sabotage for blast on major railway line
Prime Minister Donald Tusk stops short of linking Moscow to explosion
www.ft.com
November 17, 2025 at 11:31 AM
Extraordinary story in Poland. Yet more sabotage.
Culpability not yet established, but all eyes will be on Russia. Poland has already arrested a total of 55 people only recently for illegal activities on Russia’s behalf. Hybrid warfare becoming part of European life.
www.ft.com/content/485f...
Culpability not yet established, but all eyes will be on Russia. Poland has already arrested a total of 55 people only recently for illegal activities on Russia’s behalf. Hybrid warfare becoming part of European life.
www.ft.com/content/485f...
Reposted by Matthew Robinson 🇺🇦🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
“A vote for Labour is the only way to stop Reform”
Or
“Labour can actually do what Reform only claims it can do”
The government needs to pick one strategy, not both. The government seems unaware that voters can actually hear it trying both messages at once.
Or
“Labour can actually do what Reform only claims it can do”
The government needs to pick one strategy, not both. The government seems unaware that voters can actually hear it trying both messages at once.
November 17, 2025 at 8:54 AM
“A vote for Labour is the only way to stop Reform”
Or
“Labour can actually do what Reform only claims it can do”
The government needs to pick one strategy, not both. The government seems unaware that voters can actually hear it trying both messages at once.
Or
“Labour can actually do what Reform only claims it can do”
The government needs to pick one strategy, not both. The government seems unaware that voters can actually hear it trying both messages at once.
They've gone off the rails
Asked how happy Keir Starmer is that Tommy Robinson is now backing his asylum plans, his spokesman replies that "the public can tell that the pace and scale of illegal immigration is out of control..."
"We must restore order... or we will lose public consent for giving refuge at all".
"We must restore order... or we will lose public consent for giving refuge at all".
November 17, 2025 at 12:15 PM
They've gone off the rails
Reposted by Matthew Robinson 🇺🇦🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
Labour MP Simon Opher - "We should stop the boats because it's dangerous, and we should stop the scapegoating of immigrants because it's wrong and cruel.
"Measures that create bureaucracy and insecurity do not offer clarity or strengthen control – they cost money, waste time and weaken the system."
"Measures that create bureaucracy and insecurity do not offer clarity or strengthen control – they cost money, waste time and weaken the system."
November 17, 2025 at 11:20 AM
Labour MP Simon Opher - "We should stop the boats because it's dangerous, and we should stop the scapegoating of immigrants because it's wrong and cruel.
"Measures that create bureaucracy and insecurity do not offer clarity or strengthen control – they cost money, waste time and weaken the system."
"Measures that create bureaucracy and insecurity do not offer clarity or strengthen control – they cost money, waste time and weaken the system."
This is really quite horrifying
Imagine having a thumping majority in parliament and deciding to use it for something as squalid as this.
November 17, 2025 at 10:05 AM
This is really quite horrifying
Reposted by Matthew Robinson 🇺🇦🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
Good grief, what about gold teeth, shoes? Hair could make a few bob flogged for wigs perhaps.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Asylum seekers’ jewellery could be seized to pay for processing costs, says Home Office minister
Idea borrowed from Denmark is latest attempt to reduce number of people seeking asylum in UK
www.theguardian.com
November 17, 2025 at 9:57 AM
Good grief, what about gold teeth, shoes? Hair could make a few bob flogged for wigs perhaps.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Reposted by Matthew Robinson 🇺🇦🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
Hey Labour
Remember the majority of voters who believe in treating people decently and not stealing from those who've endured months and years of hardship fleeing war and persecution to seek a place of safety?
We're still over here 👋
Remember the majority of voters who believe in treating people decently and not stealing from those who've endured months and years of hardship fleeing war and persecution to seek a place of safety?
We're still over here 👋
November 17, 2025 at 7:49 AM
Hey Labour
Remember the majority of voters who believe in treating people decently and not stealing from those who've endured months and years of hardship fleeing war and persecution to seek a place of safety?
We're still over here 👋
Remember the majority of voters who believe in treating people decently and not stealing from those who've endured months and years of hardship fleeing war and persecution to seek a place of safety?
We're still over here 👋
Reposted by Matthew Robinson 🇺🇦🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
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
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
Reposted by Matthew Robinson 🇺🇦🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
My granddad was a refugee, my wife, our close friends and those of our kids are either immigrants or the children of immigrants.
Do ministers ever think about the message their rhetoric on "handouts" and "golden tickets" for migrants sends about whether this is a government for people like us?
Do ministers ever think about the message their rhetoric on "handouts" and "golden tickets" for migrants sends about whether this is a government for people like us?
November 16, 2025 at 4:02 PM
My granddad was a refugee, my wife, our close friends and those of our kids are either immigrants or the children of immigrants.
Do ministers ever think about the message their rhetoric on "handouts" and "golden tickets" for migrants sends about whether this is a government for people like us?
Do ministers ever think about the message their rhetoric on "handouts" and "golden tickets" for migrants sends about whether this is a government for people like us?
Reposted by Matthew Robinson 🇺🇦🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
Appeasing the far-right gives the broader public the impression that their narrative is true. There is no way to stem support for Reform by endorsing their policies. Either you are fighting against them or you are, regardless of how you see yourself, fighting for them.
November 16, 2025 at 10:10 AM
Appeasing the far-right gives the broader public the impression that their narrative is true. There is no way to stem support for Reform by endorsing their policies. Either you are fighting against them or you are, regardless of how you see yourself, fighting for them.
Reposted by Matthew Robinson 🇺🇦🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
Not everyone is unhappy about the Government's descent into anti-refugee politics
November 16, 2025 at 9:54 AM
Not everyone is unhappy about the Government's descent into anti-refugee politics
Reposted by Matthew Robinson 🇺🇦🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
MPs can’t even fix their own workplace. And they have failed to do so for more than a decade as it crumbles around them. There is no solution in sight.
Political metaphors don’t come more heavy-handed than that.
Political metaphors don’t come more heavy-handed than that.
A final decision on how to repair Britain’s crumbling parliament is likely to be postponed beyond the next general election, according to four people familiar with the matter.
Final decision on fate of crumbling UK parliament delayed to 2030s
It’s a fire-hazard that’s prone to tumbling masonry — but fear of a public backlash is again delaying repairs to the world famous building.
www.politico.eu
November 15, 2025 at 12:38 PM
MPs can’t even fix their own workplace. And they have failed to do so for more than a decade as it crumbles around them. There is no solution in sight.
Political metaphors don’t come more heavy-handed than that.
Political metaphors don’t come more heavy-handed than that.
Reposted by Matthew Robinson 🇺🇦🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
No one should have to face such threats.
It would’ve been nice if Greene had realized this before she amplified and endorsed calls for executing Nancy Pelosi and Barack Obama.
It would’ve been nice if Greene had realized this before she amplified and endorsed calls for executing Nancy Pelosi and Barack Obama.
November 15, 2025 at 7:21 PM
No one should have to face such threats.
It would’ve been nice if Greene had realized this before she amplified and endorsed calls for executing Nancy Pelosi and Barack Obama.
It would’ve been nice if Greene had realized this before she amplified and endorsed calls for executing Nancy Pelosi and Barack Obama.
Reposted by Matthew Robinson 🇺🇦🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
Not the first to make this point. But there is a tyrant in charge of another country who is accused of being heavily linked to a paedophile sex ring - and supposed ‘patriots’ in this country are passionately willing him to take down our national broadcaster. Madness.
November 15, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Not the first to make this point. But there is a tyrant in charge of another country who is accused of being heavily linked to a paedophile sex ring - and supposed ‘patriots’ in this country are passionately willing him to take down our national broadcaster. Madness.
Reposted by Matthew Robinson 🇺🇦🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
Interesting to see so many great British patriots right now begging an American president to bankrupt one of Britain’s last remaining truly national institutions.
November 15, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Interesting to see so many great British patriots right now begging an American president to bankrupt one of Britain’s last remaining truly national institutions.
Reposted by Matthew Robinson 🇺🇦🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
38d.gs/cicq because unlike the flag shaggers, I do actually care about our country and the role of the BBC.
November 15, 2025 at 5:01 PM
38d.gs/cicq because unlike the flag shaggers, I do actually care about our country and the role of the BBC.
Reallt pleasantly surprised how much I'm obsessed with the new Florence album particularly the Chamber versions open.spotify.com/track/5SdCGt...
Witch Dance
open.spotify.com
November 14, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Reallt pleasantly surprised how much I'm obsessed with the new Florence album particularly the Chamber versions open.spotify.com/track/5SdCGt...