Ben casper
@beldaz78.bsky.social
Social work. Progressive. Pragmatic.
Reposted by Ben casper
“Put bluntly, net migration fell because 400,000 fewer foreigners arrived, and 200,000 more foreigners left the UK. This is precisely what Reform, the Mail, and the new, nastier Tory Party have claimed – again and again – they wanted to happen. And now that it has, they have ignored it entirely.”
The crazy right will never be satisfied about migration
Keir Starmer slashed net migration as the Mail and Farage demanded - and still got hammered for it
www.thenewworld.co.uk
December 3, 2025 at 10:54 AM
“Put bluntly, net migration fell because 400,000 fewer foreigners arrived, and 200,000 more foreigners left the UK. This is precisely what Reform, the Mail, and the new, nastier Tory Party have claimed – again and again – they wanted to happen. And now that it has, they have ignored it entirely.”
Reposted by Ben casper
Let communities own rivers, woods & moors!
Excellent to see @simonforstroud.bsky.social has tabled amendments 107 & 108 to the Devolution Bill to strengthen Community Right to Buy laws in this way.
We need more Labour MPs to support this - email yours:
www.reclaimourmoors.uk/write-to-you... 1/
Excellent to see @simonforstroud.bsky.social has tabled amendments 107 & 108 to the Devolution Bill to strengthen Community Right to Buy laws in this way.
We need more Labour MPs to support this - email yours:
www.reclaimourmoors.uk/write-to-you... 1/
November 15, 2025 at 10:14 AM
Let communities own rivers, woods & moors!
Excellent to see @simonforstroud.bsky.social has tabled amendments 107 & 108 to the Devolution Bill to strengthen Community Right to Buy laws in this way.
We need more Labour MPs to support this - email yours:
www.reclaimourmoors.uk/write-to-you... 1/
Excellent to see @simonforstroud.bsky.social has tabled amendments 107 & 108 to the Devolution Bill to strengthen Community Right to Buy laws in this way.
We need more Labour MPs to support this - email yours:
www.reclaimourmoors.uk/write-to-you... 1/
Reposted by Ben casper
The UK, where the day after a decision to take half a million children out of poverty, the media & political world has been full of sneering at those same children & their families, labelling them as ‘Benefits Street’, while the same people are moaning about a tax on £2m mansions. Shameful stuff.
November 27, 2025 at 8:22 PM
The UK, where the day after a decision to take half a million children out of poverty, the media & political world has been full of sneering at those same children & their families, labelling them as ‘Benefits Street’, while the same people are moaning about a tax on £2m mansions. Shameful stuff.
Reposted by Ben casper
Since Labour won power, an insidious little phrase has been popping up constantly in the media: "tax raid".
So I looked into this for @thenewworldmag.bsky.social
And it turns out it once meant something completely different.
www.thenewworld.co.uk/phil-tinline...
So I looked into this for @thenewworldmag.bsky.social
And it turns out it once meant something completely different.
www.thenewworld.co.uk/phil-tinline...
Why the right wing media keeps screaming ‘tax raid’
This isn’t journalism, it’s propaganda that reframes tax policy as assault and a democratically elected Labour government as thieves
www.thenewworld.co.uk
November 25, 2025 at 7:41 AM
Since Labour won power, an insidious little phrase has been popping up constantly in the media: "tax raid".
So I looked into this for @thenewworldmag.bsky.social
And it turns out it once meant something completely different.
www.thenewworld.co.uk/phil-tinline...
So I looked into this for @thenewworldmag.bsky.social
And it turns out it once meant something completely different.
www.thenewworld.co.uk/phil-tinline...
Reposted by Ben casper
If you're a member of the National Trust remember to vote for council members by midnight tonight.
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Use the Quick Vote option.
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Voting is quick and easy if your membership card is at hand
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October 31, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Reposted by Ben casper
Well done, Caerphilly!
In the end, @lsrplaid.bsky.social was closer to the mark on high turnout than @willhaycardiff.bsky.social. It foiled RefUK bc the tactical consolidation behind Plaid was so decisive.
This is a blueprint of what progressive must do everywhere. Read the form. Back one horse.
In the end, @lsrplaid.bsky.social was closer to the mark on high turnout than @willhaycardiff.bsky.social. It foiled RefUK bc the tactical consolidation behind Plaid was so decisive.
This is a blueprint of what progressive must do everywhere. Read the form. Back one horse.
Reform lost by 11% in Caerphilly - because of a surge in turnout, because Reform looked set to win the seat.
This illustrates Reform's vulnerability *because* they are leading the polls (in a 6 party system) while being an *unpopular* party. A much bigger problem under FPTP 2029 than PR 2026
This illustrates Reform's vulnerability *because* they are leading the polls (in a 6 party system) while being an *unpopular* party. A much bigger problem under FPTP 2029 than PR 2026
October 24, 2025 at 8:31 AM
Well done, Caerphilly!
In the end, @lsrplaid.bsky.social was closer to the mark on high turnout than @willhaycardiff.bsky.social. It foiled RefUK bc the tactical consolidation behind Plaid was so decisive.
This is a blueprint of what progressive must do everywhere. Read the form. Back one horse.
In the end, @lsrplaid.bsky.social was closer to the mark on high turnout than @willhaycardiff.bsky.social. It foiled RefUK bc the tactical consolidation behind Plaid was so decisive.
This is a blueprint of what progressive must do everywhere. Read the form. Back one horse.
Reposted by Ben casper
Ever since I finished Question Time, Reform have massively been on the attack.
Including a rant from Richard Tice entirely designed to distract from Reform and Russia.
Everyone should know about Nathan Gill, the bribes from Russia and the link to Reform.
Including a rant from Richard Tice entirely designed to distract from Reform and Russia.
Everyone should know about Nathan Gill, the bribes from Russia and the link to Reform.
October 11, 2025 at 6:42 AM
Ever since I finished Question Time, Reform have massively been on the attack.
Including a rant from Richard Tice entirely designed to distract from Reform and Russia.
Everyone should know about Nathan Gill, the bribes from Russia and the link to Reform.
Including a rant from Richard Tice entirely designed to distract from Reform and Russia.
Everyone should know about Nathan Gill, the bribes from Russia and the link to Reform.
Reposted by Ben casper
Lords Heseltine & Kinnock seem more alive to these self-evident truths than most members of the Commons. Similarly, I find thinkers with direct lived experience of far right dictatorship, Greeks of a certain age for example, crystal clear about what’s happening now.
“You described Reform and other parties across Europe today as among the 'right wing equivalents of the fascists in the 1930s'. Why?”
“Because that’s what they are”
@vicderbyshire.bsky.social asks Lord Heseltine about remarks he made at Conservative Party Conference.
#Newsnight
“Because that’s what they are”
@vicderbyshire.bsky.social asks Lord Heseltine about remarks he made at Conservative Party Conference.
#Newsnight
October 8, 2025 at 6:52 AM
Lords Heseltine & Kinnock seem more alive to these self-evident truths than most members of the Commons. Similarly, I find thinkers with direct lived experience of far right dictatorship, Greeks of a certain age for example, crystal clear about what’s happening now.
Reposted by Ben casper
The Bishop of Birmingham has written to the Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick about his comments about Handsworth
October 7, 2025 at 6:56 PM
The Bishop of Birmingham has written to the Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick about his comments about Handsworth
Reposted by Ben casper
You’re a racist, a criminal and a sexist thug.
You pretend to “protect women” while spewing misogyny.
We won’t let you or any fascist divide our communities. An attack on one is an attack on all.
We won’t allow your politics of hate to win.
You pretend to “protect women” while spewing misogyny.
We won’t let you or any fascist divide our communities. An attack on one is an attack on all.
We won’t allow your politics of hate to win.
October 3, 2025 at 12:05 PM
You’re a racist, a criminal and a sexist thug.
You pretend to “protect women” while spewing misogyny.
We won’t let you or any fascist divide our communities. An attack on one is an attack on all.
We won’t allow your politics of hate to win.
You pretend to “protect women” while spewing misogyny.
We won’t let you or any fascist divide our communities. An attack on one is an attack on all.
We won’t allow your politics of hate to win.
Reposted by Ben casper
In addition, I think also: politics is about argument! When I say 'the free movement of services, goods, capital and people is good for growth', I am not saying it because it is popular, but because it is true. It is in fact racist to say that mixed-race people should be deported!
The idea that "the median voter will feel attacked" by challenging Reform over racism is certainly not shown by the data in this piece. It shows they may be indifferent. (It may mean a different important swing voter, who isn't the median voter)
Crying racism only hurts Labour
Activists like it, but the median voter will feel attacked.
📊 @bwalker.uk
Activists like it, but the median voter will feel attacked.
📊 @bwalker.uk
October 1, 2025 at 6:43 PM
In addition, I think also: politics is about argument! When I say 'the free movement of services, goods, capital and people is good for growth', I am not saying it because it is popular, but because it is true. It is in fact racist to say that mixed-race people should be deported!
Reposted by Ben casper
The idea that "the median voter will feel attacked" by challenging Reform over racism is certainly not shown by the data in this piece. It shows they may be indifferent. (It may mean a different important swing voter, who isn't the median voter)
Crying racism only hurts Labour
Activists like it, but the median voter will feel attacked.
📊 @bwalker.uk
Activists like it, but the median voter will feel attacked.
📊 @bwalker.uk
Crying racism only hurts Labour
Activists like it, but the median voter will feel attacked.
www.newstatesman.com
October 1, 2025 at 6:35 PM
The idea that "the median voter will feel attacked" by challenging Reform over racism is certainly not shown by the data in this piece. It shows they may be indifferent. (It may mean a different important swing voter, who isn't the median voter)
Reposted by Ben casper
I think that was Keir Starmer’s best speech as Labour leader, in part because he clearly believed most of it and the argument actually cohered and had some policy substance to it.
September 30, 2025 at 3:43 PM
I think that was Keir Starmer’s best speech as Labour leader, in part because he clearly believed most of it and the argument actually cohered and had some policy substance to it.
Reposted by Ben casper
Spot-on.
Trump just ordered the military into Portland, and he’s giving them the green light to use lethal force on American citizens.
Authoritarianism is an abstract concept but Trump is making its impacts real and tangible. Let’s be real about it: This is the beginning of dictatorship in America.
Authoritarianism is an abstract concept but Trump is making its impacts real and tangible. Let’s be real about it: This is the beginning of dictatorship in America.
September 27, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Spot-on.
Reposted by Ben casper
Richard Tice, "We've already got 80 sharia courts in the UK"
Billy Bragg, "There are also Jewish courts as well, thats part of their religion. We as a tolerant nation accept that"
"To demonise, particularly the Muslims, is the sort of thing we worry about Reform UK"
Billy Bragg, "There are also Jewish courts as well, thats part of their religion. We as a tolerant nation accept that"
"To demonise, particularly the Muslims, is the sort of thing we worry about Reform UK"
September 25, 2025 at 11:01 PM
Richard Tice, "We've already got 80 sharia courts in the UK"
Billy Bragg, "There are also Jewish courts as well, thats part of their religion. We as a tolerant nation accept that"
"To demonise, particularly the Muslims, is the sort of thing we worry about Reform UK"
Billy Bragg, "There are also Jewish courts as well, thats part of their religion. We as a tolerant nation accept that"
"To demonise, particularly the Muslims, is the sort of thing we worry about Reform UK"
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre... good article, and I think we all have a role in preventing the progress of the far right.
Trump has dragged the US to the abyss and Nigel Farage would do the same to Britain. Here’s how to stop him
It’s not too late to puncture the Reform leader’s populist myth. His ‘make Britain great again’ act is out of step with the British people, says Guardian columnist Jonathan Freedland
www.theguardian.com
September 20, 2025 at 7:07 AM
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre... good article, and I think we all have a role in preventing the progress of the far right.
Reposted by Ben casper
Sky News says police are "overwhelmed by the numbers". Met coped perfectly well with 2x as many at the pro-Gaza rally, 5x as many at the anti-Brexit march, and 15x as many at London Pride.
They're not overwhelmed by the numbers. They're overwhelmed by the ratio of violent thugs in those numbers.
They're not overwhelmed by the numbers. They're overwhelmed by the ratio of violent thugs in those numbers.
September 13, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Sky News says police are "overwhelmed by the numbers". Met coped perfectly well with 2x as many at the pro-Gaza rally, 5x as many at the anti-Brexit march, and 15x as many at London Pride.
They're not overwhelmed by the numbers. They're overwhelmed by the ratio of violent thugs in those numbers.
They're not overwhelmed by the numbers. They're overwhelmed by the ratio of violent thugs in those numbers.
Reposted by Ben casper
I need you to understand what this country feels like right now for those of us who look different. I'm sitting here, trying to plan for Saturday, make sure I don't even need to go to the corner shop for milk, like it's Christmas Day or lockdown. Why? Because I live near where Yaxley-Lennon will 1/
September 11, 2025 at 11:31 PM
I need you to understand what this country feels like right now for those of us who look different. I'm sitting here, trying to plan for Saturday, make sure I don't even need to go to the corner shop for milk, like it's Christmas Day or lockdown. Why? Because I live near where Yaxley-Lennon will 1/
Reposted by Ben casper
We don’t yet know who killed Kirk or why. Not that you’d know it from the endless numbers of accounts on X with huge follower numbers, including British politicians, making as yet unknowable claims about the motivations behind the murder.
Exhibit A. Extraordinary stuff.
Exhibit A. Extraordinary stuff.
September 11, 2025 at 5:43 AM
We don’t yet know who killed Kirk or why. Not that you’d know it from the endless numbers of accounts on X with huge follower numbers, including British politicians, making as yet unknowable claims about the motivations behind the murder.
Exhibit A. Extraordinary stuff.
Exhibit A. Extraordinary stuff.
Reposted by Ben casper
Your occasional dose of good environmental news
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Burning on England’s deep peat banned
New rules come into force from 30 September in order to restore habitats and reduce flooding
www.theguardian.com
September 10, 2025 at 9:05 AM
Your occasional dose of good environmental news
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Reposted by Ben casper
Led By Donkeys have got Fartrage's number.
September 5, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Led By Donkeys have got Fartrage's number.
Reposted by Ben casper
We don't know how to govern, says Reform leader Farage to BBC, seeing Nadine Dorries as an answer
www.standard.co.uk/news/politic...
www.standard.co.uk/news/politic...
Boris Johnson would never be welcome in party, Reform UK’s Zia Yusuf says
Zia Yusuf branded the former Conservative leader ‘one of the worst prime ministers in British history’.
www.standard.co.uk
September 7, 2025 at 11:13 AM
We don't know how to govern, says Reform leader Farage to BBC, seeing Nadine Dorries as an answer
www.standard.co.uk/news/politic...
www.standard.co.uk/news/politic...
Reposted by Ben casper
I’ve been frustrated to see so much of the ongoing story about asylum seekers and the protests against them covered without hearing from those seeking asylum and now being met with hostility and hatred
I set out to speak to those directly affected to find out about the impact this is having 👇
I set out to speak to those directly affected to find out about the impact this is having 👇
We escaped war and torture but now we feel unsafe in Britain
Special report: Amid protests and rising aggression towards asylum seekers across the country, we spoke to those being targeted
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk
September 7, 2025 at 6:49 AM
I’ve been frustrated to see so much of the ongoing story about asylum seekers and the protests against them covered without hearing from those seeking asylum and now being met with hostility and hatred
I set out to speak to those directly affected to find out about the impact this is having 👇
I set out to speak to those directly affected to find out about the impact this is having 👇