The Haunted Balloon Lady
@colonelescargot.bsky.social
author and editor of educational stuff
deflated doomscroller
fuck brexit
fuck the fascists
#CovidIsAirborne #MaskUp #Climate #Environment #Politics #Books
deflated doomscroller
fuck brexit
fuck the fascists
#CovidIsAirborne #MaskUp #Climate #Environment #Politics #Books
Pinned
Reposted by The Haunted Balloon Lady
Trump is ranting barely coherently to McDonald's franchise owners: "The one pilot said, 'skedaddle!' And that thing just turned on its side -- pppph. And it's so unbelievable. And that knocked out Iran nuclear capability."
November 17, 2025 at 11:46 PM
Trump is ranting barely coherently to McDonald's franchise owners: "The one pilot said, 'skedaddle!' And that thing just turned on its side -- pppph. And it's so unbelievable. And that knocked out Iran nuclear capability."
Reposted by The Haunted Balloon Lady
Just about to watch ‘The Return’ with Ralph Fiennes, about Odysseus’ long return home to Ithaca after the Trojan Wars. I think Christopher Nolan’s next movie with Matt Damon will cover the same story. So before I watch either of them, some thoughts about Ithaca
November 17, 2025 at 11:12 PM
Just about to watch ‘The Return’ with Ralph Fiennes, about Odysseus’ long return home to Ithaca after the Trojan Wars. I think Christopher Nolan’s next movie with Matt Damon will cover the same story. So before I watch either of them, some thoughts about Ithaca
Reposted by The Haunted Balloon Lady
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
But … but… then surely The People’s Army, led by our hero Tommeh, would take up their flags with pride and march to all the farms with patriotic joy to pick for Britain?
Labour, Conservatives & Reform know
that if migrants were all "sent home"
there would be
- no viable health or care system
- no viable manufacturing or farming industry
- total economic & social chaos
but they prefer to spread hate and lies
rather than welcome people we desperately need
#TaxTheRich
that if migrants were all "sent home"
there would be
- no viable health or care system
- no viable manufacturing or farming industry
- total economic & social chaos
but they prefer to spread hate and lies
rather than welcome people we desperately need
#TaxTheRich
Why I quit being a migrant farm worker in the UK www.opendemocracy.net/en/beyond-tr...
November 17, 2025 at 10:12 PM
But … but… then surely The People’s Army, led by our hero Tommeh, would take up their flags with pride and march to all the farms with patriotic joy to pick for Britain?
Reposted by The Haunted Balloon Lady
Government to ramp up deportations by overriding ECHR in fresh immigration crackdown
I would never have believed we would see a headline like this under a Labour government
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
I would never have believed we would see a headline like this under a Labour government
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
Labour to ramp up deportations by overriding ECHR
Home secretary will attempt to change way ECHR is interpreted by UK judges – as critics hit out over proposals
www.independent.co.uk
November 17, 2025 at 12:23 PM
Government to ramp up deportations by overriding ECHR in fresh immigration crackdown
I would never have believed we would see a headline like this under a Labour government
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
I would never have believed we would see a headline like this under a Labour government
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
Reposted by The Haunted Balloon Lady
Labour, Conservatives & Reform know
that if migrants were all "sent home"
there would be
- no viable health or care system
- no viable manufacturing or farming industry
- total economic & social chaos
but they prefer to spread hate and lies
rather than welcome people we desperately need
#TaxTheRich
that if migrants were all "sent home"
there would be
- no viable health or care system
- no viable manufacturing or farming industry
- total economic & social chaos
but they prefer to spread hate and lies
rather than welcome people we desperately need
#TaxTheRich
November 17, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Labour, Conservatives & Reform know
that if migrants were all "sent home"
there would be
- no viable health or care system
- no viable manufacturing or farming industry
- total economic & social chaos
but they prefer to spread hate and lies
rather than welcome people we desperately need
#TaxTheRich
that if migrants were all "sent home"
there would be
- no viable health or care system
- no viable manufacturing or farming industry
- total economic & social chaos
but they prefer to spread hate and lies
rather than welcome people we desperately need
#TaxTheRich
Reposted by The Haunted Balloon Lady
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 The Haunted Balloon Lady
Green MP Carla Denyer accuses Shabana Mahmood of trying to "out Reform Reform" and says "toxic racist narratives and the scapegoating of migrants" are to blame for "tearing our country apart" not migrants.
Mahmood: "I couldn't care less what any other political party has to say about these matters"
Mahmood: "I couldn't care less what any other political party has to say about these matters"
November 17, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Green MP Carla Denyer accuses Shabana Mahmood of trying to "out Reform Reform" and says "toxic racist narratives and the scapegoating of migrants" are to blame for "tearing our country apart" not migrants.
Mahmood: "I couldn't care less what any other political party has to say about these matters"
Mahmood: "I couldn't care less what any other political party has to say about these matters"
Reposted by The Haunted Balloon Lady
Plans to leave refugees in a state of perpetual uncertainty about where and if they can rebuild their lives are not just performative cruelty, they are counterproductive to integration and the economy. It doesn’t have to be like this - 1/2
November 17, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Plans to leave refugees in a state of perpetual uncertainty about where and if they can rebuild their lives are not just performative cruelty, they are counterproductive to integration and the economy. It doesn’t have to be like this - 1/2
Reposted by The Haunted Balloon Lady
Reposted by The Haunted Balloon Lady
The Home Secretary says "we have become the destination of choice in Europe, clearly visible to every people smuggler and would-be illegal migrant across the world"
That is a factually untrue claim: the Home Office shows that the UK is fifth, getting 1/10 claims, while Germany gets 1/5 claims
That is a factually untrue claim: the Home Office shows that the UK is fifth, getting 1/10 claims, while Germany gets 1/5 claims
November 17, 2025 at 3:51 PM
The Home Secretary says "we have become the destination of choice in Europe, clearly visible to every people smuggler and would-be illegal migrant across the world"
That is a factually untrue claim: the Home Office shows that the UK is fifth, getting 1/10 claims, while Germany gets 1/5 claims
That is a factually untrue claim: the Home Office shows that the UK is fifth, getting 1/10 claims, while Germany gets 1/5 claims
Reposted by The Haunted Balloon Lady
Refugees’ jewellery could be seized to pay for asylum costs, says Home Office minister
Refugees’ jewellery could be seized to pay for asylum costs, says Home Office minister
Idea borrowed from Denmark is latest attempt to reduce number of refugees coming to UK
Refugees could have jewellery or other valuables taken to pay for the costs of processing their cases, a Home Office minister has said, in another detail of changes to migration policy likely to cause worries among Labour MPs.
Speaking to broadcasters before the formal announcement of sweeping changes to asylum policy on Monday, the Home Office minister Alex Norris said while this would not involve seizing wedding rings, jewellery without sentimental value could be taken. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 17, 2025 at 8:31 AM
Refugees’ jewellery could be seized to pay for asylum costs, says Home Office minister
Reposted by The Haunted Balloon Lady
Nigel Farage is actually quoted as saying that the Home Secretary ‘sounds like a Reform supporter’ with these horrible policies. She probably thinks that’s a good thing - most right minded people think it’s a disgrace.
Just wilful performative cruelty that is entirely out of step with the majority of British people.
How many Labour MPs got into politics in order to vote for stealing jewellery off of people seeking refuge from war and persecution?
How many Labour MPs got into politics in order to vote for stealing jewellery off of people seeking refuge from war and persecution?
November 17, 2025 at 8:38 AM
Nigel Farage is actually quoted as saying that the Home Secretary ‘sounds like a Reform supporter’ with these horrible policies. She probably thinks that’s a good thing - most right minded people think it’s a disgrace.
Reposted by The Haunted Balloon Lady
Just wilful performative cruelty that is entirely out of step with the majority of British people.
How many Labour MPs got into politics in order to vote for stealing jewellery off of people seeking refuge from war and persecution?
How many Labour MPs got into politics in order to vote for stealing jewellery off of people seeking refuge from war and persecution?
November 17, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Just wilful performative cruelty that is entirely out of step with the majority of British people.
How many Labour MPs got into politics in order to vote for stealing jewellery off of people seeking refuge from war and persecution?
How many Labour MPs got into politics in order to vote for stealing jewellery off of people seeking refuge from war and persecution?
Reposted by The Haunted Balloon Lady
Trump tells Republicans to vote to release Epstein files, saying ‘we have nothing to hide’
Trump tells Republicans to vote to release Epstein files, saying ‘we have nothing to hide’
The US president has said he backs US lawmakers efforts to release the files, ahead of an expected House vote this week
US President Donald Trump has said he backs lawmakers’ efforts to release more files related to notorious sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, despite being previously opposed to the measure.
“House Republicans should vote to release the Epstein files, because we have nothing to hide,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, calling the controversy over his former friend’s criminality a “Democrat hoax.” Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 17, 2025 at 3:42 AM
Trump tells Republicans to vote to release Epstein files, saying ‘we have nothing to hide’
Reposted by The Haunted Balloon Lady
its genuinely so funny how much space late night tv hosts occupy in trumps mind
“NBC's Seth Meyers is suffering from an incurable case of Trump Derangement Syndrome (TDS). He was viewed last night in an uncontrollable rage…”
November 16, 2025 at 7:39 AM
its genuinely so funny how much space late night tv hosts occupy in trumps mind
Reposted by The Haunted Balloon Lady
The Sun has been told Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood will on Monday propose confiscating jewellery, watches, necklaces from asylum seekers to meet asylum costs
This reflects the most controversial aspect of the Danish scheme - the Jewellery Law. The toughest Labour MPs thought this was OTT
This reflects the most controversial aspect of the Danish scheme - the Jewellery Law. The toughest Labour MPs thought this was OTT
November 17, 2025 at 12:06 AM
The Sun has been told Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood will on Monday propose confiscating jewellery, watches, necklaces from asylum seekers to meet asylum costs
This reflects the most controversial aspect of the Danish scheme - the Jewellery Law. The toughest Labour MPs thought this was OTT
This reflects the most controversial aspect of the Danish scheme - the Jewellery Law. The toughest Labour MPs thought this was OTT
The Sun has been told Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood will on Monday propose confiscating jewellery, watches, necklaces from asylum seekers to meet asylum costs
This reflects the most controversial aspect of the Danish scheme - the Jewellery Law. The toughest Labour MPs thought this was OTT
This reflects the most controversial aspect of the Danish scheme - the Jewellery Law. The toughest Labour MPs thought this was OTT
November 17, 2025 at 12:30 AM
Reposted by The Haunted Balloon Lady
This cause is close to my heart - please sign: you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/co...
WASPI scandal: Pay out compensation to the women affected
The Government has announced it will reconsider whether to compensate the WASPI women, following growing pressure and undisclosed "evidence"
Last December, the Government announced women born in the ...
you.38degrees.org.uk
November 16, 2025 at 4:46 PM
This cause is close to my heart - please sign: you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/co...
Reposted by The Haunted Balloon Lady
2015 Shabana Mahmood really needs to have a word with 2025 Shabana Mahmood
November 16, 2025 at 8:14 PM
2015 Shabana Mahmood really needs to have a word with 2025 Shabana Mahmood
Reposted by The Haunted Balloon Lady
..work as it should - by cutting initial decision delays and the appeals backlog, sorting out asylum accommodation, making the UK-France deal work, removing those whose claims fail etc.
The Government must think again on this.
The Government must think again on this.
November 16, 2025 at 5:47 PM
..work as it should - by cutting initial decision delays and the appeals backlog, sorting out asylum accommodation, making the UK-France deal work, removing those whose claims fail etc.
The Government must think again on this.
The Government must think again on this.
Reposted by The Haunted Balloon Lady
The Government is wrong to think that reviews of safety in the person's country every few years will mean refugees can be returned at scale. That hasn't happened in Denmark. Brutal dictators tend to hang onto power. It would just move huge amounts of resource away from making our asylum system...
November 16, 2025 at 5:47 PM
The Government is wrong to think that reviews of safety in the person's country every few years will mean refugees can be returned at scale. That hasn't happened in Denmark. Brutal dictators tend to hang onto power. It would just move huge amounts of resource away from making our asylum system...
Reposted by The Haunted Balloon Lady
We absolutely need immigration controls. And where those controls decide to grant asylum, we should welcome and integrate, not create perpetual limbo and alienation.
The rhetoric around these reforms encourages the same culture of divisiveness that sees racism and abuse growing in our communities.
The rhetoric around these reforms encourages the same culture of divisiveness that sees racism and abuse growing in our communities.
November 16, 2025 at 5:46 PM
We absolutely need immigration controls. And where those controls decide to grant asylum, we should welcome and integrate, not create perpetual limbo and alienation.
The rhetoric around these reforms encourages the same culture of divisiveness that sees racism and abuse growing in our communities.
The rhetoric around these reforms encourages the same culture of divisiveness that sees racism and abuse growing in our communities.
Reposted by The Haunted Balloon Lady
The Prime Minister said in September that we are at a fork in the road. These asylum proposals suggest we have taken the wrong turning.
The idea that recognised refugees need to be deported is wrong.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
The idea that recognised refugees need to be deported is wrong.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
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 5:45 PM
The Prime Minister said in September that we are at a fork in the road. These asylum proposals suggest we have taken the wrong turning.
The idea that recognised refugees need to be deported is wrong.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
The idea that recognised refugees need to be deported is wrong.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Reposted by The Haunted Balloon Lady
Tony Vaughan MP who needs to make the case for control (and compassion) in his Folkestone constituency in Kent says the government should rethink its rhetoric and policy on removing people granted refugee status here
November 16, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Tony Vaughan MP who needs to make the case for control (and compassion) in his Folkestone constituency in Kent says the government should rethink its rhetoric and policy on removing people granted refugee status here