Satbir Singh
@satbirsingh.bsky.social
Campaigner, consultant, carer. Londoner via Delhi & NYC. I spend my time thinking about rights, justice & authoritarianism.
Former CEO of openDemocracy, JCWI. Ex UN/World Bank/Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative. Trustee @PraxisProjects.bsky.social
Former CEO of openDemocracy, JCWI. Ex UN/World Bank/Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative. Trustee @PraxisProjects.bsky.social
Poutinists v Putinists.
Yes I said it. No regrets.
Yes I said it. No regrets.
‘Nostalgia is not a strategy’: Mark Carney is emerging as the unflinching realist ready to tackle Trump
‘Nostalgia is not a strategy’: Mark Carney is emerging as the unflinching realist ready to tackle Trump
In a speech at Davos, written by Carney himself, the Canadian prime minister laid out his doctrine for a world of fractured international norms
www.theguardian.com
January 21, 2026 at 9:04 AM
Poutinists v Putinists.
Yes I said it. No regrets.
Yes I said it. No regrets.
Sadly your email has not found me well.
January 5, 2026 at 4:34 PM
Sadly your email has not found me well.
Oh god it’s only three days until everyone circles back.
January 2, 2026 at 5:32 PM
Oh god it’s only three days until everyone circles back.
Fireworks are woke now.
Happy New Year.
Happy New Year.
January 1, 2026 at 8:48 PM
Fireworks are woke now.
Happy New Year.
Happy New Year.
One of my strongest takeaways from 2025 is that the collective noun for “men” is clearly “a podcast”.
Like “hey I was walking through the park and there was a whole podcast of men sitting on the bench talking about how much they like BoxPark”.
Like “hey I was walking through the park and there was a whole podcast of men sitting on the bench talking about how much they like BoxPark”.
December 17, 2025 at 9:37 AM
One of my strongest takeaways from 2025 is that the collective noun for “men” is clearly “a podcast”.
Like “hey I was walking through the park and there was a whole podcast of men sitting on the bench talking about how much they like BoxPark”.
Like “hey I was walking through the park and there was a whole podcast of men sitting on the bench talking about how much they like BoxPark”.
End of year message to almost everyone I know and love:
December 16, 2025 at 5:05 PM
End of year message to almost everyone I know and love:
Someone signed off a text today with “Have yourself a merry little Christmas” and I briefly thought they were just being really condescending.
December 5, 2025 at 6:13 PM
Someone signed off a text today with “Have yourself a merry little Christmas” and I briefly thought they were just being really condescending.
Both hilarious and prophetic, as all the best Onion headlines tend to be.
December 4, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Both hilarious and prophetic, as all the best Onion headlines tend to be.
Reposted by Satbir Singh
There is an actual interesting little deceit in the budget, namely ther have the OBR still forecasting based on increasing net immigration back to 300-350k whilst the Home Secretary is promising to bring it down from 200k, which does dissolve about half the headroom, but somehow we're doing vibes.
Think this is exactly right - political journalism that is completely abstracted from policy, which was not the norm before 2017, has become the default. Impossible to have a serious attempt to either shrink what the state does or widen the tax base (have to do at least one) on that basis.
All this budget news, claims, counter claims is confusing, but two things of consequence.
1. We're all talking about that, not any financial benefits (or losses) of the budget.
2. Yet more focus on the very weird few weeks and politics of it all. Starting to feel dangerously like a norm.
1. We're all talking about that, not any financial benefits (or losses) of the budget.
2. Yet more focus on the very weird few weeks and politics of it all. Starting to feel dangerously like a norm.
December 1, 2025 at 1:38 PM
There is an actual interesting little deceit in the budget, namely ther have the OBR still forecasting based on increasing net immigration back to 300-350k whilst the Home Secretary is promising to bring it down from 200k, which does dissolve about half the headroom, but somehow we're doing vibes.
Reposted by Satbir Singh
Think this is exactly right - political journalism that is completely abstracted from policy, which was not the norm before 2017, has become the default. Impossible to have a serious attempt to either shrink what the state does or widen the tax base (have to do at least one) on that basis.
All this budget news, claims, counter claims is confusing, but two things of consequence.
1. We're all talking about that, not any financial benefits (or losses) of the budget.
2. Yet more focus on the very weird few weeks and politics of it all. Starting to feel dangerously like a norm.
1. We're all talking about that, not any financial benefits (or losses) of the budget.
2. Yet more focus on the very weird few weeks and politics of it all. Starting to feel dangerously like a norm.
December 1, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Think this is exactly right - political journalism that is completely abstracted from policy, which was not the norm before 2017, has become the default. Impossible to have a serious attempt to either shrink what the state does or widen the tax base (have to do at least one) on that basis.
Reposted by Satbir Singh
🏆 Our 2023 documentary series, Disciples: The Cult of TB Joshua, received a special citation at the GIJC25’s Global Shining Light Awards
www.opendemocracy.net/en/5050/tb-j...
www.opendemocracy.net/en/5050/tb-j...
Legacy of Nigeria’s most controversial preacher lives on
How former disciples of megachurch leader TB Joshua are amplifying his claims of spiritual healing to millions
www.opendemocracy.net
November 27, 2025 at 10:18 AM
🏆 Our 2023 documentary series, Disciples: The Cult of TB Joshua, received a special citation at the GIJC25’s Global Shining Light Awards
www.opendemocracy.net/en/5050/tb-j...
www.opendemocracy.net/en/5050/tb-j...
"Oh look net migration is down sharply, let's lean into that to paint a picture for Reform-curious voters"
The Mail:
The Mail:
November 28, 2025 at 9:54 AM
"Oh look net migration is down sharply, let's lean into that to paint a picture for Reform-curious voters"
The Mail:
The Mail:
"It's all ok because we can draw a clear dividing line between us and Reform by pointing to the big changes we're making to workers' rights"
"Ok"
"But first we've got to water down the workers' rights stuff just in time for the morning papers, the day after the budget that also raised taxes".
🙃
"Ok"
"But first we've got to water down the workers' rights stuff just in time for the morning papers, the day after the budget that also raised taxes".
🙃
November 28, 2025 at 9:39 AM
"It's all ok because we can draw a clear dividing line between us and Reform by pointing to the big changes we're making to workers' rights"
"Ok"
"But first we've got to water down the workers' rights stuff just in time for the morning papers, the day after the budget that also raised taxes".
🙃
"Ok"
"But first we've got to water down the workers' rights stuff just in time for the morning papers, the day after the budget that also raised taxes".
🙃
“The Danish model” latest.
"To see if you are civilised enough, if you can act like a human being."
Disgusting dehumanization of Indigenous people. Eye contact can't determine someone's ability to parent! Nor do any of the questions Keira talks about! FKU test also includes an ink blot test
bbc.com/news/articles/c1wlw2qj113o
Disgusting dehumanization of Indigenous people. Eye contact can't determine someone's ability to parent! Nor do any of the questions Keira talks about! FKU test also includes an ink blot test
bbc.com/news/articles/c1wlw2qj113o
November 24, 2025 at 5:18 PM
“The Danish model” latest.
The worst of all worlds is being asked to swallow a lack of ambitious political vision in exchange for calm, competent technocracy but then being served unambiguously far-right border policy *and* weeks of chaotic, nervous, public meltdowns over a budget.
November 24, 2025 at 3:05 PM
The worst of all worlds is being asked to swallow a lack of ambitious political vision in exchange for calm, competent technocracy but then being served unambiguously far-right border policy *and* weeks of chaotic, nervous, public meltdowns over a budget.
Reposted by Satbir Singh
After more than 10 years of “the Danish Model”, nativism is hegemonic in the country, the far right polls near level highs again, and the Social Democrats lost Copenhagen and poll at historic low.
European Social Democrats should look at the facts, not the myths!
Me in @theguardian.com
European Social Democrats should look at the facts, not the myths!
Me in @theguardian.com
The ‘Danish model’ is the darling of centre-left parties like Labour. The problem is, it doesn’t even work in Denmark | Cas Mudde
This week’s local elections are the latest reminder that when social democrats move rightwards, they’re making a mistake, says academic and author Cas Mudde
www.theguardian.com
November 22, 2025 at 1:59 PM
After more than 10 years of “the Danish Model”, nativism is hegemonic in the country, the far right polls near level highs again, and the Social Democrats lost Copenhagen and poll at historic low.
European Social Democrats should look at the facts, not the myths!
Me in @theguardian.com
European Social Democrats should look at the facts, not the myths!
Me in @theguardian.com
There is something so Desi about this picture.
“This handsome stupid fellow says he is now a communist, calls me fascist and all, chalo good lucks beta, aajao anytime I like arguing with you”
(Grins) “Hanji, uncle. Wish you good health. Phir milte hain”
“This handsome stupid fellow says he is now a communist, calls me fascist and all, chalo good lucks beta, aajao anytime I like arguing with you”
(Grins) “Hanji, uncle. Wish you good health. Phir milte hain”
November 23, 2025 at 6:55 PM
There is something so Desi about this picture.
“This handsome stupid fellow says he is now a communist, calls me fascist and all, chalo good lucks beta, aajao anytime I like arguing with you”
(Grins) “Hanji, uncle. Wish you good health. Phir milte hain”
“This handsome stupid fellow says he is now a communist, calls me fascist and all, chalo good lucks beta, aajao anytime I like arguing with you”
(Grins) “Hanji, uncle. Wish you good health. Phir milte hain”
Trying to decode the ‘good vibes’ in the Trump-Zohran presser:
Am I mad or is it possible that DJT is (actually quite smartly) trying to outflank Dems here by appearing to have a warmer rapport with a wildly popular mayor-elect than Zohran’s own party leadership has had?
(‘Both’ is a valid answer)
Am I mad or is it possible that DJT is (actually quite smartly) trying to outflank Dems here by appearing to have a warmer rapport with a wildly popular mayor-elect than Zohran’s own party leadership has had?
(‘Both’ is a valid answer)
November 22, 2025 at 6:39 AM
Trying to decode the ‘good vibes’ in the Trump-Zohran presser:
Am I mad or is it possible that DJT is (actually quite smartly) trying to outflank Dems here by appearing to have a warmer rapport with a wildly popular mayor-elect than Zohran’s own party leadership has had?
(‘Both’ is a valid answer)
Am I mad or is it possible that DJT is (actually quite smartly) trying to outflank Dems here by appearing to have a warmer rapport with a wildly popular mayor-elect than Zohran’s own party leadership has had?
(‘Both’ is a valid answer)
There's nowhere else to go for a lot of us and, for all its flaws and hostility, this is actually home. We are rooted.
But every so often I feel this brief flicker of spite and think "fuck them, let's all leave, take everything we've built and given, good luck to them." And I hate that I feel it.
But every so often I feel this brief flicker of spite and think "fuck them, let's all leave, take everything we've built and given, good luck to them." And I hate that I feel it.
All those people, including current government, who falsely claim migrants are to blame for failings with the NHS, along with infrastructure in general, are in for one hell of a shock with how much worse things will get with Labour's anti-immigration policies.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Overseas-trained doctors leaving the UK in record numbers
Medical bodies warn that hostility towards migrants is behind a 26% rise in departures last year that imperils NHS
www.theguardian.com
November 21, 2025 at 10:04 AM
There's nowhere else to go for a lot of us and, for all its flaws and hostility, this is actually home. We are rooted.
But every so often I feel this brief flicker of spite and think "fuck them, let's all leave, take everything we've built and given, good luck to them." And I hate that I feel it.
But every so often I feel this brief flicker of spite and think "fuck them, let's all leave, take everything we've built and given, good luck to them." And I hate that I feel it.
Reposted by Satbir Singh
Ok but this is totally something Charlotte Church would do
Just realised this is referring to a church in North Carolina and not the Welsh singer
November 20, 2025 at 9:15 PM
Ok but this is totally something Charlotte Church would do
Reposted by Satbir Singh
VERY funny that Labour are being pointlessly cruel and haemorrhaging support from their base and yet none of what they're offering is ever going to be enough for the people whose approval they're seeking, WHO could have predicted it
November 20, 2025 at 3:20 PM
VERY funny that Labour are being pointlessly cruel and haemorrhaging support from their base and yet none of what they're offering is ever going to be enough for the people whose approval they're seeking, WHO could have predicted it
Reposted by Satbir Singh
I swear a lot of the Government's problems would be solved by just taking themselves off of Twitter
November 19, 2025 at 11:00 AM
I swear a lot of the Government's problems would be solved by just taking themselves off of Twitter
"Aha!" said the comms guy. "If we do something the right craves then they'll cover it and like us too!"
Multiple news channels on at the leisure centre. Lots of rolling coverage of the asylum crackdown. Not GB News - they had a discussion about how Reeves "plans to tax the sugar in milkshakes".
🙃
Multiple news channels on at the leisure centre. Lots of rolling coverage of the asylum crackdown. Not GB News - they had a discussion about how Reeves "plans to tax the sugar in milkshakes".
🙃
November 17, 2025 at 5:07 PM
"Aha!" said the comms guy. "If we do something the right craves then they'll cover it and like us too!"
Multiple news channels on at the leisure centre. Lots of rolling coverage of the asylum crackdown. Not GB News - they had a discussion about how Reeves "plans to tax the sugar in milkshakes".
🙃
Multiple news channels on at the leisure centre. Lots of rolling coverage of the asylum crackdown. Not GB News - they had a discussion about how Reeves "plans to tax the sugar in milkshakes".
🙃
Leaders of today's political centre will turn their noses up at bold, radical economic policies and say "that won't work, it's performative to suggest otherwise".
And yet they have no such hesitation about performative cruelty that ruins lives and still fails to meet their stated goals.
And yet they have no such hesitation about performative cruelty that ruins lives and still fails to meet their stated goals.
November 17, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Leaders of today's political centre will turn their noses up at bold, radical economic policies and say "that won't work, it's performative to suggest otherwise".
And yet they have no such hesitation about performative cruelty that ruins lives and still fails to meet their stated goals.
And yet they have no such hesitation about performative cruelty that ruins lives and still fails to meet their stated goals.
The very idea that Wes Streeting could/would provide the kind of values-based leadership and oratory that connects with human beings and brings back voters lost to the left and right is peak Westminster bubble brain rot.
November 12, 2025 at 10:10 AM
The very idea that Wes Streeting could/would provide the kind of values-based leadership and oratory that connects with human beings and brings back voters lost to the left and right is peak Westminster bubble brain rot.