AGC
@agc1985.bsky.social
Green, queer, socialist, widow, translator, geek (he/him). Based in Southampton, UK.
Pinned
AGC
@agc1985.bsky.social
· Sep 6
Grief in the Shadows | Virgin Radio Pridecast
shows.acast.com
How can being LGBTQ+ complicate the process of grief and bereavement? I shared my story for this radio documentary alongside other LGBT+ widows, including Jonathan Blake and Richard Coles.
It’s rather telling that from the original post, I had to look up which party the MP was in, because he could plausibly have been Reform, the Conservatives or Labour.
Yes, exactly this: I want these maniacs to unite and demand the chief constable’s resignation in disgrace, for being in cahoots with Islamist extremists. Really put pressure on senior people to defend themselves over it, at the risk of their livelihoods, and then we’ll see what they say.
November 23, 2025 at 1:04 PM
It’s rather telling that from the original post, I had to look up which party the MP was in, because he could plausibly have been Reform, the Conservatives or Labour.
Reposted by AGC
you know the insane cost of a rail ticket that actually makes taking a plane the cheaper option?
yeah?
we're baking that in!
this is the difference a labour government makes!
yeah?
we're baking that in!
this is the difference a labour government makes!
November 23, 2025 at 12:26 PM
you know the insane cost of a rail ticket that actually makes taking a plane the cheaper option?
yeah?
we're baking that in!
this is the difference a labour government makes!
yeah?
we're baking that in!
this is the difference a labour government makes!
Reposted by AGC
Tehran is a thousand year old city of 9 million, with a metropolitan area of 15 million. And it is quite possibly about to not be viable, its population fleeing drought.
Politicians talk about climate change and disasters in future tense, but the disasters are here, now, and they are terrifying.
Politicians talk about climate change and disasters in future tense, but the disasters are here, now, and they are terrifying.
“What once sounded unthinkable is now being said openly: Tehran is not viable; and evacuation orders are imminent.
As I wrote before, President Masoud Pezeshkian himself said that it might be necessary to relocate Tehranis in large number.” open.substack.com/pub/peterfra...
As I wrote before, President Masoud Pezeshkian himself said that it might be necessary to relocate Tehranis in large number.” open.substack.com/pub/peterfra...
Makran or Bust: Tehran's water crisis gets worse
Ten days ago I wrote that Tehran was approaching a point where warnings, pressure cuts and appeals to save water would no longer be enough.
open.substack.com
November 22, 2025 at 10:25 PM
Tehran is a thousand year old city of 9 million, with a metropolitan area of 15 million. And it is quite possibly about to not be viable, its population fleeing drought.
Politicians talk about climate change and disasters in future tense, but the disasters are here, now, and they are terrifying.
Politicians talk about climate change and disasters in future tense, but the disasters are here, now, and they are terrifying.
Reposted by AGC
"Reform would be worse" is both entirely correct and entirely irrelevant until polling day 2029. What matters right now is that Labour's approach is morally repugnant on its own terms, *and is empowering Reform*. As things stand today, its not Labour or Reform. Its Labour *then* Reform.
While it feels like I'm repeatedly slamming my head against a brick wall repeating this massively simple concept. Saying "Reform would be worse" doesn't make what Labour is doing better. Labour is now the most anti-immigration, anti-any marginalised group, government we have seen in decades. 1/
Very long thread: As with many of Labour's anti-immigration policies, this isn't new. British police have been stationed in other countries for this purpose for a long time
It does however show how Labour is pushing more on anti-immigration than previous governments. 1/
www.lbc.co.uk/article/shab...
It does however show how Labour is pushing more on anti-immigration than previous governments. 1/
www.lbc.co.uk/article/shab...
November 22, 2025 at 10:03 AM
"Reform would be worse" is both entirely correct and entirely irrelevant until polling day 2029. What matters right now is that Labour's approach is morally repugnant on its own terms, *and is empowering Reform*. As things stand today, its not Labour or Reform. Its Labour *then* Reform.
Reposted by AGC
Home Office: How dare people say we are acting like the far-right?
Also the Home Office: These far-right graphics look great, let's copy them.
Also the Home Office: These far-right graphics look great, let's copy them.
November 21, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Home Office: How dare people say we are acting like the far-right?
Also the Home Office: These far-right graphics look great, let's copy them.
Also the Home Office: These far-right graphics look great, let's copy them.
Reposted by AGC
'Iran’s capital must be moved because the country “no longer has a choice,” President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Thursday in remarks carried by state media, warning that severe ecological strain has made Tehran impossible to sustain'
#Iran 🇮🇷
#Iran 🇮🇷
Iran president says capital move now a necessity as water crisis deepens
Iran’s capital must be moved because the country “no longer has a choice,” President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Thursday in remarks carried by state media, warning that severe ecological strain has mad...
www.iranintl.com
November 21, 2025 at 4:52 AM
'Iran’s capital must be moved because the country “no longer has a choice,” President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Thursday in remarks carried by state media, warning that severe ecological strain has made Tehran impossible to sustain'
#Iran 🇮🇷
#Iran 🇮🇷
Reposted by AGC
Quite the correction by the Telegraph. The publication in question is @freemovement.bsky.social
November 21, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Quite the correction by the Telegraph. The publication in question is @freemovement.bsky.social
Reposted by AGC
Shabana Mahmood's Indefinite Leave To Remain Culture War
3 years - if you're earning £125k+
15 years - if you're e.g. a nurse, or a teacher
Labour's two tier system which rewards high earners and insults those who work just as hard but don't earn as much - really sad to see Labour fall
3 years - if you're earning £125k+
15 years - if you're e.g. a nurse, or a teacher
Labour's two tier system which rewards high earners and insults those who work just as hard but don't earn as much - really sad to see Labour fall
November 20, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Shabana Mahmood's Indefinite Leave To Remain Culture War
3 years - if you're earning £125k+
15 years - if you're e.g. a nurse, or a teacher
Labour's two tier system which rewards high earners and insults those who work just as hard but don't earn as much - really sad to see Labour fall
3 years - if you're earning £125k+
15 years - if you're e.g. a nurse, or a teacher
Labour's two tier system which rewards high earners and insults those who work just as hard but don't earn as much - really sad to see Labour fall
Reposted by AGC
Burnham on Mahmood’s immigration plans…
Tell me again how his ‘radical realism’ is going to save the Labour Party?
Tell me again how his ‘radical realism’ is going to save the Labour Party?
November 21, 2025 at 9:36 AM
Burnham on Mahmood’s immigration plans…
Tell me again how his ‘radical realism’ is going to save the Labour Party?
Tell me again how his ‘radical realism’ is going to save the Labour Party?
Reposted by AGC
Kathleen Stock has written an article against "abortion permissiveness". She claims abortion requires "justification" saying the state should limit "unacceptable decision-making" by women about their own bodies.
This is who anti-trans activists proclaim as the feminist thought leaders of our time.
This is who anti-trans activists proclaim as the feminist thought leaders of our time.
November 21, 2025 at 11:51 AM
Kathleen Stock has written an article against "abortion permissiveness". She claims abortion requires "justification" saying the state should limit "unacceptable decision-making" by women about their own bodies.
This is who anti-trans activists proclaim as the feminist thought leaders of our time.
This is who anti-trans activists proclaim as the feminist thought leaders of our time.
Reposted by AGC
Labour have between 3 & 4 years left in office. They can ruin a LOT of people’s lives in that time, while someone bleats about a party that’s not in power being worse.
While it feels like I'm repeatedly slamming my head against a brick wall repeating this massively simple concept. Saying "Reform would be worse" doesn't make what Labour is doing better. Labour is now the most anti-immigration, anti-any marginalised group, government we have seen in decades. 1/
Very long thread: As with many of Labour's anti-immigration policies, this isn't new. British police have been stationed in other countries for this purpose for a long time
It does however show how Labour is pushing more on anti-immigration than previous governments. 1/
www.lbc.co.uk/article/shab...
It does however show how Labour is pushing more on anti-immigration than previous governments. 1/
www.lbc.co.uk/article/shab...
November 20, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Labour have between 3 & 4 years left in office. They can ruin a LOT of people’s lives in that time, while someone bleats about a party that’s not in power being worse.
So grotesquely unfair from the party that is supposed to represent the working classes …
High earners to be eligible for UK settlement within 3 years of arrival on.ft.com/44n8xnA
High earners to be eligible for UK settlement within 3 years of arrival
Home secretary says ‘brightest and best’ will be fast-tracked while others will have to wait up to 30 years
on.ft.com
November 20, 2025 at 3:27 PM
So grotesquely unfair from the party that is supposed to represent the working classes …
Reposted by AGC
‘“I feel like a bit of my life was stolen,” James said.‘ www.theguardian.com/education/20...
www.theguardian.com
November 20, 2025 at 3:20 PM
‘“I feel like a bit of my life was stolen,” James said.‘ www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Reposted by AGC
dESpItE hIS uNeASe
November 20, 2025 at 1:13 PM
dESpItE hIS uNeASe
Reposted by AGC
"Many of those who will soon be applying for ILR came to the UK during the pandemic, at great personal sacrifice. This is no way to repay them and amounts to a betrayal."
Up to 50,000 nurses could quit UK over immigration plans, survey suggests
Up to 50,000 nurses could quit UK over immigration plans, survey suggests
Exclusive: union leaders say proposed changes are immoral and could threaten patient safety if there is staff exodus
Up to 50,000 nurses could quit the UK over the government’s immigration proposals, plunging the NHS into its biggest ever workforce crisis, research suggests.
Keir Starmer has vowed to curb net migration, with plans to force migrants to wait as long as 10 years to apply to settle in the UK instead of automatically gaining settled status after five years. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 20, 2025 at 6:45 AM
"Many of those who will soon be applying for ILR came to the UK during the pandemic, at great personal sacrifice. This is no way to repay them and amounts to a betrayal."
Reposted by AGC
LLMs give people with delusional belief systems a way to organise those beliefs. The model fills in gaps, supplies connective tissue, and wraps the madness in formal language.
It doesn't make the claims more credible to us, it just tidies them up.
It doesn't make the claims more credible to us, it just tidies them up.
November 19, 2025 at 2:22 PM
LLMs give people with delusional belief systems a way to organise those beliefs. The model fills in gaps, supplies connective tissue, and wraps the madness in formal language.
It doesn't make the claims more credible to us, it just tidies them up.
It doesn't make the claims more credible to us, it just tidies them up.
Reposted by AGC
Anyone can be banned then. I've been mistaken for a man, a trans man and a trans woman before.
It's encumbent on all of us to make this as unworkable as possible.
It's encumbent on all of us to make this as unworkable as possible.
November 20, 2025 at 8:40 AM
Anyone can be banned then. I've been mistaken for a man, a trans man and a trans woman before.
It's encumbent on all of us to make this as unworkable as possible.
It's encumbent on all of us to make this as unworkable as possible.
Reposted by AGC
The problem isn’t just Shabana Mahmood. It’s the whole department she represents.
open.substack.com/pub/abolishw...
open.substack.com/pub/abolishw...
Abolish the Home Office
Shabana Mahmood's attack on migrants is just the latest scheme of a department that's been authoritarian for a quarter of a millennium.
open.substack.com
November 19, 2025 at 9:39 PM
The problem isn’t just Shabana Mahmood. It’s the whole department she represents.
open.substack.com/pub/abolishw...
open.substack.com/pub/abolishw...
Reposted by AGC
Can this meal served to me by Lucrezia Borgia be both healthy and poisoned simultaneously? Lucrezia's policy of not being a poisoner is tested by her poisoning people.
Shabana Mahmood is walking a tightrope: can Labour be both compassionate and tough on immigration? Emma Burnell how ‘for the many’ is being tested by hard security politics
‘The politics of security – when ‘for the many’ politics becomes uncomfortable for Labour’ – LabourList
I will never forget something a Labour voter in a very safe Tory seat told me once soon after the 1997 election. He said that…
labourlist.org
November 19, 2025 at 11:34 AM
Can this meal served to me by Lucrezia Borgia be both healthy and poisoned simultaneously? Lucrezia's policy of not being a poisoner is tested by her poisoning people.
Reposted by AGC
You need to energise your base and build outwards from there. If you hollow out your base to chase voters who are fundamentally uninterested in what you're selling, your vote will collapse. There's quite a lot of evidence to support this - the Danish Social Democrats are just the latest example
November 19, 2025 at 11:31 AM
You need to energise your base and build outwards from there. If you hollow out your base to chase voters who are fundamentally uninterested in what you're selling, your vote will collapse. There's quite a lot of evidence to support this - the Danish Social Democrats are just the latest example
Reposted by AGC
Keir Starmer's spokesman insisted on Monday that "clearly these changes will not be retrospective" for those already granted asylum, as Reform have been demanding.
Now we learn they will be
inews.co.uk/news/politic...
Now we learn they will be
inews.co.uk/news/politic...
November 19, 2025 at 10:54 AM
Keir Starmer's spokesman insisted on Monday that "clearly these changes will not be retrospective" for those already granted asylum, as Reform have been demanding.
Now we learn they will be
inews.co.uk/news/politic...
Now we learn they will be
inews.co.uk/news/politic...
Reposted by AGC
Thinking about this as we await an "announcement" by the end of the week. The headline omits that, like my partner, some of those quoted would have been eligible for citizenship by the end of this Parliament, were it not for Labour's policy of extending ILR residence requirement retroactively.
‘Death by a thousand cuts’: the people who could face deportation under Reform
As party’s rise fuels fears over future visa rules, people share how the lives they have built are in jeopardy
www.theguardian.com
November 19, 2025 at 8:32 AM
Thinking about this as we await an "announcement" by the end of the week. The headline omits that, like my partner, some of those quoted would have been eligible for citizenship by the end of this Parliament, were it not for Labour's policy of extending ILR residence requirement retroactively.
Reposted by AGC
A pretty conclusive way to show you are being truly abominable as possible when creating anti-immigration/asylum policies is be making them apply retrospectively.
People already with lives here, working and with families, now at risk of being ripped away from that. 65/
inews.co.uk/news/politic...
People already with lives here, working and with families, now at risk of being ripped away from that. 65/
inews.co.uk/news/politic...
Home Office to deport refugees already granted asylum in the UK
Nigel Farage fails to back Home Secretary, and former child refugee Lord Dubs says Labour MPs are 'uneasy'
inews.co.uk
November 19, 2025 at 10:35 AM
A pretty conclusive way to show you are being truly abominable as possible when creating anti-immigration/asylum policies is be making them apply retrospectively.
People already with lives here, working and with families, now at risk of being ripped away from that. 65/
inews.co.uk/news/politic...
People already with lives here, working and with families, now at risk of being ripped away from that. 65/
inews.co.uk/news/politic...
Reposted by AGC
Very long thread: As with many of Labour's anti-immigration policies, this isn't new. British police have been stationed in other countries for this purpose for a long time
It does however show how Labour is pushing more on anti-immigration than previous governments. 1/
www.lbc.co.uk/article/shab...
It does however show how Labour is pushing more on anti-immigration than previous governments. 1/
www.lbc.co.uk/article/shab...
Home Secretary orders police and border 'hit squads' to Albania to stamp out people smugglers | LBC
Shabana Mahmood will send hit squads of police and border force teams to Albania in a fresh drive to stamp out people-smuggling gangs upstream.
www.lbc.co.uk
October 16, 2025 at 10:33 AM
Very long thread: As with many of Labour's anti-immigration policies, this isn't new. British police have been stationed in other countries for this purpose for a long time
It does however show how Labour is pushing more on anti-immigration than previous governments. 1/
www.lbc.co.uk/article/shab...
It does however show how Labour is pushing more on anti-immigration than previous governments. 1/
www.lbc.co.uk/article/shab...