KS_1968
@karenroberts.bsky.social
Twitter refugee. Enjoy politics, old movies & music esp Bowie.
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KS_1968
@karenroberts.bsky.social
· Sep 20
9 months gone. 39 more till the orange fartbag is history.
Reposted by KS_1968
As things stand, child poverty is on track to reach record highs by 2029-30.
By then, we predict that more than one-in-three British children (34 per cent) would be growing up in poverty.
That's the highest rate of child poverty we'd have seen since 1961 ⤵️ buff.ly/qVc9CWs
By then, we predict that more than one-in-three British children (34 per cent) would be growing up in poverty.
That's the highest rate of child poverty we'd have seen since 1961 ⤵️ buff.ly/qVc9CWs
November 17, 2025 at 2:15 PM
As things stand, child poverty is on track to reach record highs by 2029-30.
By then, we predict that more than one-in-three British children (34 per cent) would be growing up in poverty.
That's the highest rate of child poverty we'd have seen since 1961 ⤵️ buff.ly/qVc9CWs
By then, we predict that more than one-in-three British children (34 per cent) would be growing up in poverty.
That's the highest rate of child poverty we'd have seen since 1961 ⤵️ buff.ly/qVc9CWs
Reposted by KS_1968
Trump is turning the US military into a political prop | Jan-Werner Müller
Trump is turning the US military into a political prop | Jan-Werner Müller
The military has been recast in a partisan, performative mold – all according to the president’s logic of impunity
www.theguardian.com
November 17, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Trump is turning the US military into a political prop | Jan-Werner Müller
Reposted by KS_1968
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 KS_1968
Britain is in a hole. Real wages have barely risen in 17 years, and the public realm is fraying. Our politics is increasingly fractious as a result. The underlying reason? The biggest productivity slowdown in the G7.
November 17, 2025 at 8:02 AM
Britain is in a hole. Real wages have barely risen in 17 years, and the public realm is fraying. Our politics is increasingly fractious as a result. The underlying reason? The biggest productivity slowdown in the G7.
He mentions new safe and legal routes among all the illiberal nonsense. What's that about?
Govt minister Alex Norris is asked if the govt will take jewellery from people [fleeing war and persecution]. Norris says the govt won't be taking peoples wedding rings but they will seize assets.
November 17, 2025 at 8:01 AM
He mentions new safe and legal routes among all the illiberal nonsense. What's that about?
Reposted by KS_1968
I see Trump has decided he can’t stop the release of the Trumpstein Files, so is now pretending he always wanted them released.
November 17, 2025 at 7:48 AM
I see Trump has decided he can’t stop the release of the Trumpstein Files, so is now pretending he always wanted them released.
Reposted by KS_1968
I am not sure these are the biggest reforms for decades/for a generation.
Core proposal is incredibly similar in analysis, spirit and content to 2022 Nationality and Borders Act of Priti Patel (offer temporary protection of 30 months)
The 2023 Illegal Migration Act more sweeping
Both failed
Core proposal is incredibly similar in analysis, spirit and content to 2022 Nationality and Borders Act of Priti Patel (offer temporary protection of 30 months)
The 2023 Illegal Migration Act more sweeping
Both failed
November 17, 2025 at 7:39 AM
I am not sure these are the biggest reforms for decades/for a generation.
Core proposal is incredibly similar in analysis, spirit and content to 2022 Nationality and Borders Act of Priti Patel (offer temporary protection of 30 months)
The 2023 Illegal Migration Act more sweeping
Both failed
Core proposal is incredibly similar in analysis, spirit and content to 2022 Nationality and Borders Act of Priti Patel (offer temporary protection of 30 months)
The 2023 Illegal Migration Act more sweeping
Both failed
Reposted by KS_1968
Two elements do stand out however even from this gloss. It seems that if you’re a refugee coming over on a boat from France (or any other safe country) you will be deemed to be illegitimate. And what if no community wishes to play host to any refugees?
November 17, 2025 at 7:49 AM
Two elements do stand out however even from this gloss. It seems that if you’re a refugee coming over on a boat from France (or any other safe country) you will be deemed to be illegitimate. And what if no community wishes to play host to any refugees?
Reposted by KS_1968
This, written specially for what they imagine are Guardian readers’ sensibilities, sounds reasonable unless you believe in open borders. The creation of safe routes has in particular been a missing element in the govt’s agenda. But let’s see the detail. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Dark forces are stirring up anger in the UK. My asylum reforms are our chance to stop them | Shabana Mahmood
I know some of these measures will face opposition. But a country without secure borders is less safe for those who look like me, says Shabana Mahmood, the home secretary
www.theguardian.com
November 17, 2025 at 7:45 AM
This, written specially for what they imagine are Guardian readers’ sensibilities, sounds reasonable unless you believe in open borders. The creation of safe routes has in particular been a missing element in the govt’s agenda. But let’s see the detail. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by KS_1968
But this was Farage's plan, so it must be popular.... surely....
November 17, 2025 at 6:26 AM
But this was Farage's plan, so it must be popular.... surely....
Reposted by KS_1968
"China cheats" is a perfect excuse to avoid dealing with a new world, like Europe doesn't subsidise particular things also, but also if this is a glorious success for state planning that changes economic thinking (alternate explanation - it probably isn't).
November 17, 2025 at 7:50 AM
"China cheats" is a perfect excuse to avoid dealing with a new world, like Europe doesn't subsidise particular things also, but also if this is a glorious success for state planning that changes economic thinking (alternate explanation - it probably isn't).
Reposted by KS_1968
Also, engaging in China is risky. Sure. Trade and investment are risky. International relations are risky. There will be dependencies. Always were. These can be weaponised, but economies can also adjust. And if you don't engage you can't profit. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Germany Is Just Making Too Much Money in China to Back Away Now
Germany’s business leaders have seen the flashing red warning signs that relying on China is risking economic calamity. They’re just not heeding them.
www.bloomberg.com
November 17, 2025 at 7:45 AM
Also, engaging in China is risky. Sure. Trade and investment are risky. International relations are risky. There will be dependencies. Always were. These can be weaponised, but economies can also adjust. And if you don't engage you can't profit. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Reposted by KS_1968
🔥 A viral email. A sex act allegation. A mysterious “Bubba.” Epstein’s brother says it’s all a joke — but the newly released documents tell a far darker story.
“Epstein’s Brother Breaks Silence on Explosive ‘Bubba’ Email Linking Trump to Sex Act — But His Explanation Raises More Questions”
The release of thousands of pages from Jeffrey Epstein’s estate has triggered a wave of political fallout, renewed questions, and one viral email that sent the internet into a frenzy.At the center …
allchronology.com
November 17, 2025 at 7:51 AM
🔥 A viral email. A sex act allegation. A mysterious “Bubba.” Epstein’s brother says it’s all a joke — but the newly released documents tell a far darker story.
Reposted by KS_1968
"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it"
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 7:53 AM
"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it"
Reposted by KS_1968
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 KS_1968
Today’s Green recruitment policy - “we will confiscate family heirlooms from destitute refugees fleeing war.” bsky.app/profile/sund...
If this really is what is being proposed, I think adding the jewellery confiscation policy + the 20 year policy could kick off the kind of PLP revolt that (without rapid u-turn) could entirely destabilise a struggling government that risks falling over on every front
www.thesun.co.uk/news/3734007...
www.thesun.co.uk/news/3734007...
Small boat migrants to have jewellery & assets seized to pay for accommodation
ILLEGAL migrants’ valuables such as jewellery and watches will be seized and sold to pay towards their accommodation costs, The Sun can reveal today. Necklaces and chains — but not wedding rings — …
www.thesun.co.uk
November 17, 2025 at 7:40 AM
Today’s Green recruitment policy - “we will confiscate family heirlooms from destitute refugees fleeing war.” bsky.app/profile/sund...
Reposted by KS_1968
TL;dr - never has it been a happier time to be a Green activist in England or a Plaid activist in Wales. The country is being run by people seemingly determined to deliver electoral breakthroughs for both (and cement SNP dominance further).
November 15, 2025 at 12:49 PM
TL;dr - never has it been a happier time to be a Green activist in England or a Plaid activist in Wales. The country is being run by people seemingly determined to deliver electoral breakthroughs for both (and cement SNP dominance further).
Reposted by KS_1968
That’s not a viable path for Labour under FPP. Anger progressive enough and they will quit in such numbers that it destabilizes the whole project. That’s already happened in polling & every fresh “punch a hippy” announcement like this brings day of electoral reckoning nearer. May is going to hurt.
November 15, 2025 at 12:49 PM
That’s not a viable path for Labour under FPP. Anger progressive enough and they will quit in such numbers that it destabilizes the whole project. That’s already happened in polling & every fresh “punch a hippy” announcement like this brings day of electoral reckoning nearer. May is going to hurt.
Reposted by KS_1968
The fascination with Denmark is revealing - that’s a PR system where the Labour equiv party can just hand votes over to other centre-left parties without this undermining its prospects of governing much. Or form a government with the main centre-right party, as they are now.
November 15, 2025 at 12:49 PM
The fascination with Denmark is revealing - that’s a PR system where the Labour equiv party can just hand votes over to other centre-left parties without this undermining its prospects of governing much. Or form a government with the main centre-right party, as they are now.
Reposted by KS_1968
There is a narrow electoral logic to the strategy, though as @benansell.bsky.social has pointed out even that doesn’t survive scrutiny, but there’s a deeper problem: credibility. No one seriously believes this is sustainable. Labour either lose their core vote, the leader doing this, or both.
November 15, 2025 at 12:49 PM
There is a narrow electoral logic to the strategy, though as @benansell.bsky.social has pointed out even that doesn’t survive scrutiny, but there’s a deeper problem: credibility. No one seriously believes this is sustainable. Labour either lose their core vote, the leader doing this, or both.
Reposted by KS_1968
That’s why “blue Labour” is doomed and was doomed from the start: you cannot make water run uphill. A party whose core electorate for over a decade has been socially liberal university graduates and ethnic minorities cannot sell itself as a party hostile to socially liberal values.
November 15, 2025 at 12:49 PM
That’s why “blue Labour” is doomed and was doomed from the start: you cannot make water run uphill. A party whose core electorate for over a decade has been socially liberal university graduates and ethnic minorities cannot sell itself as a party hostile to socially liberal values.
Reposted by KS_1968
Labour can never be the party of those who reject the asylum principle. Hardline immigration conservatism is owned by the right. Low trust radical right voters will never believe an approach like this because they know it runs against grain of the party’s core electorate and history - so will fail
November 15, 2025 at 12:49 PM
Labour can never be the party of those who reject the asylum principle. Hardline immigration conservatism is owned by the right. Low trust radical right voters will never believe an approach like this because they know it runs against grain of the party’s core electorate and history - so will fail
Reposted by KS_1968
This dynamic, like the similar bait and switch we have seen on fiscal policy this week is worse than useless - it reinforces belief among naturally Lab leaning progressives that this iteration of the party is a hostile environment to their values. But it substitutes nothing else.
November 15, 2025 at 12:49 PM
This dynamic, like the similar bait and switch we have seen on fiscal policy this week is worse than useless - it reinforces belief among naturally Lab leaning progressives that this iteration of the party is a hostile environment to their values. But it substitutes nothing else.
Reposted by KS_1968
Labour seem to now come up with a new kamikaze nosedive operation to alienate social liberals while failing to attract Reform curious voters every month. Then back off again in face of anger from progressives and failure among social conservatives. A doom loop which may yet kill them off altogether.
November 15, 2025 at 12:49 PM
Labour seem to now come up with a new kamikaze nosedive operation to alienate social liberals while failing to attract Reform curious voters every month. Then back off again in face of anger from progressives and failure among social conservatives. A doom loop which may yet kill them off altogether.
Reposted by KS_1968
This statement not acceptable and I suspect not sustainable. Large majority of public support principle of asylum, support letting people stay permanently. Majority for that among Labour and other progressive parties’ voters is overwhelming. The Reform voters this is aimed at will never vote Labour
"The era of permanent protection is over"
Is this Labour government really saying it was wrong in principle to let these refugees of the last 75 years to stay, settle and become British - and they believe that should NEVER happen again in principle or practice?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiuR...
Is this Labour government really saying it was wrong in principle to let these refugees of the last 75 years to stay, settle and become British - and they believe that should NEVER happen again in principle or practice?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiuR...
Refugees from 7 decades gather to commemorate 70 years of refugee in protection in the UK
YouTube video by Refugee Council
www.youtube.com
November 15, 2025 at 12:49 PM
This statement not acceptable and I suspect not sustainable. Large majority of public support principle of asylum, support letting people stay permanently. Majority for that among Labour and other progressive parties’ voters is overwhelming. The Reform voters this is aimed at will never vote Labour