MJ
@msmindstrike.bsky.social
Born complainer, channelled into political nerdism/activism. Disabled single parent.Recovering child Mensa member. Probably AuDD. Flower photographer, 90s grunge lover. My school report said “idiosyncratic/contradictory”, interpret that as you will.
Pinned
MJ
@msmindstrike.bsky.social
· Oct 17
Hi, how’s you? I like flower photos,politics, campaigning,crisps. I also volunteer manage as an older job switcher, fascinated by narrative and making change.. Proudest moment walking by my old Jobcentre who wouldnt give childcare when youngest was a baby- helped fix that.’deaf’ single mum of teens
Reposted by MJ
Budget day is here. For all the reasons in this thread & for hundreds more, let’s hope @teamlabouruk.bsky.social does the right thing and gets rid of the two-child limit, a callous policy that has no place in a compassionate country
largerfamilies.study
largerfamilies.study
Benefit changes and larger families
We are a group of university-based researchers investigating how families with more than two children are coping with the benefit cap or the two-child limit.
largerfamilies.study
November 26, 2025 at 7:20 AM
Budget day is here. For all the reasons in this thread & for hundreds more, let’s hope @teamlabouruk.bsky.social does the right thing and gets rid of the two-child limit, a callous policy that has no place in a compassionate country
largerfamilies.study
largerfamilies.study
There’s a lot in social media shaping policy that sits ill.
Influencer makes AI videos about migrants, comments appear to back him and create consensus(if you go by dead internet theory many aren’t actually people)
Then UK Govt makes policy around “what public want”yet this info is questionable?
Influencer makes AI videos about migrants, comments appear to back him and create consensus(if you go by dead internet theory many aren’t actually people)
Then UK Govt makes policy around “what public want”yet this info is questionable?
"Sri Lankan influencer Geeth Sooriyapura...claims to have made $300,000 by running Facebook pages, including some which push racist, Islamophobic and anti-migrant posts aimed at British audiences."
He uses AI-generated videos, e.g. cheering on naval boats ramming into refugee vessels.
He uses AI-generated videos, e.g. cheering on naval boats ramming into refugee vessels.
How racist AI Facebook posts made one Sri Lankan influencer rich
The content creator made his fortune from racist Facebook groups aimed at Brits; now he’s sharing his formula
www.thebureauinvestigates.com
November 17, 2025 at 6:11 PM
There’s a lot in social media shaping policy that sits ill.
Influencer makes AI videos about migrants, comments appear to back him and create consensus(if you go by dead internet theory many aren’t actually people)
Then UK Govt makes policy around “what public want”yet this info is questionable?
Influencer makes AI videos about migrants, comments appear to back him and create consensus(if you go by dead internet theory many aren’t actually people)
Then UK Govt makes policy around “what public want”yet this info is questionable?
Reposted by MJ
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 MJ
Starbucks’ CEO makes 6,666x what the average @sbworkersunited.org barista does. It would take less than one day of sales to finalize a fair contract.
Baristas at Starbucks corporate stores nationwide are on strike to fight this corporate greed and get the fair contract they deserve.
Baristas at Starbucks corporate stores nationwide are on strike to fight this corporate greed and get the fair contract they deserve.
November 14, 2025 at 7:09 PM
Starbucks’ CEO makes 6,666x what the average @sbworkersunited.org barista does. It would take less than one day of sales to finalize a fair contract.
Baristas at Starbucks corporate stores nationwide are on strike to fight this corporate greed and get the fair contract they deserve.
Baristas at Starbucks corporate stores nationwide are on strike to fight this corporate greed and get the fair contract they deserve.
Reposted by MJ
Our colleague Raj Kaur Bilkhu is on BBC Radio London now talking about our work with the Royal British Legion to raise awareness of South Asian service in the world wars, and the My Family Legacy campaign asking British Asians to share their family stories of service www.myfamilylegacy.org.uk
November 11, 2025 at 7:48 AM
Our colleague Raj Kaur Bilkhu is on BBC Radio London now talking about our work with the Royal British Legion to raise awareness of South Asian service in the world wars, and the My Family Legacy campaign asking British Asians to share their family stories of service www.myfamilylegacy.org.uk
My newest phrase re dire living standards/inflation is a #ThrivingWage - not just minumum/living,but a wage where we can eat nutritious food,keep warm,better our prospects, nurture kids in a secure home.We need a #ThrivableSociety -happy for any politician to steal this off a struggling single mum.
November 10, 2025 at 9:50 PM
My newest phrase re dire living standards/inflation is a #ThrivingWage - not just minumum/living,but a wage where we can eat nutritious food,keep warm,better our prospects, nurture kids in a secure home.We need a #ThrivableSociety -happy for any politician to steal this off a struggling single mum.
#ChildPoverty is on course for record highs under the #2ChildLimit
As a single mum who once received milk vouchers, I’m appalled the old stigma of “make sure they can only use the money how we say” pervades…
It is plain wrong.
Lots of kids don’t need milk they need cash, some can’t drink milk.
As a single mum who once received milk vouchers, I’m appalled the old stigma of “make sure they can only use the money how we say” pervades…
It is plain wrong.
Lots of kids don’t need milk they need cash, some can’t drink milk.
Scrapping the cap entirely is both good policy *and* good politics.
Half measures will "save" some money short-term, but will piss *everybody* off and still leave very large numbers of children suffering from a policy designed to make them poorer.
inews.co.uk/news/politic...
Half measures will "save" some money short-term, but will piss *everybody* off and still leave very large numbers of children suffering from a policy designed to make them poorer.
inews.co.uk/news/politic...
Food vouchers, free milk and two-child cap: Reeves weighs up help for families
Ministers' long-awaited child poverty strategy is due this month - and it's closely tied to the Chancellor's Budget
inews.co.uk
November 10, 2025 at 9:11 PM
#ChildPoverty is on course for record highs under the #2ChildLimit
As a single mum who once received milk vouchers, I’m appalled the old stigma of “make sure they can only use the money how we say” pervades…
It is plain wrong.
Lots of kids don’t need milk they need cash, some can’t drink milk.
As a single mum who once received milk vouchers, I’m appalled the old stigma of “make sure they can only use the money how we say” pervades…
It is plain wrong.
Lots of kids don’t need milk they need cash, some can’t drink milk.
Reposted by MJ
If the government chooses to keep the 2 child limit and spend money on vouchers and parenting programmes instead, child poverty will rise and this will be a conscious and deliberate political choice in defiance of all the evidence
Scrapping the cap entirely is both good policy *and* good politics.
Half measures will "save" some money short-term, but will piss *everybody* off and still leave very large numbers of children suffering from a policy designed to make them poorer.
inews.co.uk/news/politic...
Half measures will "save" some money short-term, but will piss *everybody* off and still leave very large numbers of children suffering from a policy designed to make them poorer.
inews.co.uk/news/politic...
Food vouchers, free milk and two-child cap: Reeves weighs up help for families
Ministers' long-awaited child poverty strategy is due this month - and it's closely tied to the Chancellor's Budget
inews.co.uk
November 10, 2025 at 9:17 AM
If the government chooses to keep the 2 child limit and spend money on vouchers and parenting programmes instead, child poverty will rise and this will be a conscious and deliberate political choice in defiance of all the evidence
Genuine question.
Why do we demand impartiality from the BBC (rightly) but not others?
The political leaning of newspaper are widely known?
Why is GB news also not held to impartiality?
Can someone outline the technicalities?
Is impartiality more a theory than the way the media in the UK operates?
Why do we demand impartiality from the BBC (rightly) but not others?
The political leaning of newspaper are widely known?
Why is GB news also not held to impartiality?
Can someone outline the technicalities?
Is impartiality more a theory than the way the media in the UK operates?
November 10, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Genuine question.
Why do we demand impartiality from the BBC (rightly) but not others?
The political leaning of newspaper are widely known?
Why is GB news also not held to impartiality?
Can someone outline the technicalities?
Is impartiality more a theory than the way the media in the UK operates?
Why do we demand impartiality from the BBC (rightly) but not others?
The political leaning of newspaper are widely known?
Why is GB news also not held to impartiality?
Can someone outline the technicalities?
Is impartiality more a theory than the way the media in the UK operates?
Reposted by MJ
This is not the time for half measures.
@alexclegg.bsky.social explains why the Government should fully repeal the two child limit on benefits, as part of their upcoming Child Poverty Strategy ⤵️
@alexclegg.bsky.social explains why the Government should fully repeal the two child limit on benefits, as part of their upcoming Child Poverty Strategy ⤵️
October 31, 2025 at 10:15 AM
This is not the time for half measures.
@alexclegg.bsky.social explains why the Government should fully repeal the two child limit on benefits, as part of their upcoming Child Poverty Strategy ⤵️
@alexclegg.bsky.social explains why the Government should fully repeal the two child limit on benefits, as part of their upcoming Child Poverty Strategy ⤵️
Reposted by MJ
Man, I can’t stop thinking about the folks in Jamaica. This hurricane looks like it’s going to be brutal.
October 27, 2025 at 11:55 PM
Man, I can’t stop thinking about the folks in Jamaica. This hurricane looks like it’s going to be brutal.
Adverts should be representative of traditional British families….
October 27, 2025 at 11:03 PM
Adverts should be representative of traditional British families….
Adverts should be representative of traditional British families…
October 27, 2025 at 10:56 PM
Adverts should be representative of traditional British families…
Adverts should be representative of traditional British families…
October 27, 2025 at 10:55 PM
Adverts should be representative of traditional British families…
Reposted by MJ
Adverts should be representative of traditional British families
October 27, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Adverts should be representative of traditional British families
Reposted by MJ
Adverts should be representative of traditional British families
October 27, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Adverts should be representative of traditional British families
Reposted by MJ
The gov't has unveiled plans to make further cuts to PIP & Universal Credit. Its impact assessment shows the changes are likely to lead to 250,000 more adults & 50,000 children being pushed into poverty by 2030.
This isn't right. We've written to the Minister for Work & Pensions urging a rethink.
This isn't right. We've written to the Minister for Work & Pensions urging a rethink.
March 27, 2025 at 2:45 PM
The gov't has unveiled plans to make further cuts to PIP & Universal Credit. Its impact assessment shows the changes are likely to lead to 250,000 more adults & 50,000 children being pushed into poverty by 2030.
This isn't right. We've written to the Minister for Work & Pensions urging a rethink.
This isn't right. We've written to the Minister for Work & Pensions urging a rethink.
Reposted by MJ
Blistering piece from @iandunt.bsky.social on Matthew Goodwin's visit to London.
"The success of London is a point-blank, up-against-the-wall-motherfucker refutation of the right-wing populist world view."
open.substack.com/pub/iandunt/...
"The success of London is a point-blank, up-against-the-wall-motherfucker refutation of the right-wing populist world view."
open.substack.com/pub/iandunt/...
They hate London because it is beautiful
Matthew Goodwin went to that there London the other day and what he found shook him to his core.
open.substack.com
June 27, 2025 at 7:46 AM
Blistering piece from @iandunt.bsky.social on Matthew Goodwin's visit to London.
"The success of London is a point-blank, up-against-the-wall-motherfucker refutation of the right-wing populist world view."
open.substack.com/pub/iandunt/...
"The success of London is a point-blank, up-against-the-wall-motherfucker refutation of the right-wing populist world view."
open.substack.com/pub/iandunt/...
Reposted by MJ
They lie and they lie and they lie👇🏻 and the MSM support them with their lies.
Chair: Do you accept working-age social security spending has been about five per cent of GDP for a decade? And more PIP recipients is due to demographic change, the nation’s poor health, and higher state pension age?
Minister: Well, yeah, I mean, much of what you say, I completely accept
#r4today
Minister: Well, yeah, I mean, much of what you say, I completely accept
#r4today
Minister finally admits that working-age benefits spending is stable, despite months of ‘spiralling’ claims
A minister has finally admitted that spending on working-age benefits is stable, and is not spiralling out of control, despite months of claims from his own department and fellow ministers. Sir Ste…
www.disabilitynewsservice.com
June 27, 2025 at 7:08 AM
They lie and they lie and they lie👇🏻 and the MSM support them with their lies.
The #disabilityandwelfarebill is *not* a U turn & not enough.
It’s a delay,can kicking.Disabled people/charities know this-awards up for renewal can be denied to be a “new claim”.They know newly disabled won’t know it yet,disability is not planned for.Cuts are austerity 2.0,not what many voted for.
It’s a delay,can kicking.Disabled people/charities know this-awards up for renewal can be denied to be a “new claim”.They know newly disabled won’t know it yet,disability is not planned for.Cuts are austerity 2.0,not what many voted for.
June 27, 2025 at 7:25 AM
The #disabilityandwelfarebill is *not* a U turn & not enough.
It’s a delay,can kicking.Disabled people/charities know this-awards up for renewal can be denied to be a “new claim”.They know newly disabled won’t know it yet,disability is not planned for.Cuts are austerity 2.0,not what many voted for.
It’s a delay,can kicking.Disabled people/charities know this-awards up for renewal can be denied to be a “new claim”.They know newly disabled won’t know it yet,disability is not planned for.Cuts are austerity 2.0,not what many voted for.
Reposted by MJ
If it’s unacceptable now, it’s not acceptable for the person newly disabled next year either.
And all they’ll do is rebrand PIP as a new benefit with new rates and it’ll all be gone, just as they did with DLA.
Please don’t concede for legacy protection.
#TakingTheDis
And all they’ll do is rebrand PIP as a new benefit with new rates and it’ll all be gone, just as they did with DLA.
Please don’t concede for legacy protection.
#TakingTheDis
June 26, 2025 at 9:17 PM
If it’s unacceptable now, it’s not acceptable for the person newly disabled next year either.
And all they’ll do is rebrand PIP as a new benefit with new rates and it’ll all be gone, just as they did with DLA.
Please don’t concede for legacy protection.
#TakingTheDis
And all they’ll do is rebrand PIP as a new benefit with new rates and it’ll all be gone, just as they did with DLA.
Please don’t concede for legacy protection.
#TakingTheDis
Revisiting the research/reports from when the Conservatives were in power and austerity.
If someone reminds Starmer of those right now,it could be VERY embarrassing…the UN called it out before, and now is turbocharged.
Most people know a disabled person so it won’t even win hearts and minds…
If someone reminds Starmer of those right now,it could be VERY embarrassing…the UN called it out before, and now is turbocharged.
Most people know a disabled person so it won’t even win hearts and minds…
So it’s actually *very* hard to get PIP,every disabled person knows it, some give up.
The UN stated in 2024 then system of disability benefits caused deaths and is dehumanising. And now they want to make it harder?!
Is that the legacy Labour want? www.disabilityrightsuk.org/news/un-rapp...
The UN stated in 2024 then system of disability benefits caused deaths and is dehumanising. And now they want to make it harder?!
Is that the legacy Labour want? www.disabilityrightsuk.org/news/un-rapp...
UN Rapporteurs Question UK Government Over Benefits Deaths and
www.disabilityrightsuk.org
June 26, 2025 at 9:52 PM
Revisiting the research/reports from when the Conservatives were in power and austerity.
If someone reminds Starmer of those right now,it could be VERY embarrassing…the UN called it out before, and now is turbocharged.
Most people know a disabled person so it won’t even win hearts and minds…
If someone reminds Starmer of those right now,it could be VERY embarrassing…the UN called it out before, and now is turbocharged.
Most people know a disabled person so it won’t even win hearts and minds…
Reposted by MJ
NEW: Labour's planned disability benefit cuts could affect the majority of current working-age claimants with ischaemic heart disease, inflammatory arthritis, hip and knee disorders and Crohn’s disease, according to analysis of new DWP data
By me, for the Big Issue:
www.bigissue.com/news/social-...
By me, for the Big Issue:
www.bigissue.com/news/social-...
Majority of PIP claimants with heart disease, arthritis and Crohn's at risk of cuts
DWP data obtained by Big Issue shows that the majority of people with heart failure, HIV and arthritis are at risk of losing their benefits.
www.bigissue.com
June 25, 2025 at 10:23 AM
NEW: Labour's planned disability benefit cuts could affect the majority of current working-age claimants with ischaemic heart disease, inflammatory arthritis, hip and knee disorders and Crohn’s disease, according to analysis of new DWP data
By me, for the Big Issue:
www.bigissue.com/news/social-...
By me, for the Big Issue:
www.bigissue.com/news/social-...
Reposted by MJ
This is a Hall of Fame reader comment on a very reactionary op-ed about Zohran Mamdani's victory that was published in my local paper today.
June 25, 2025 at 7:31 PM
This is a Hall of Fame reader comment on a very reactionary op-ed about Zohran Mamdani's victory that was published in my local paper today.
Reposted by MJ
If you were too young in 2003 here is what Bush told the American people:
1) The Iraq War won’t cost a lot of money
3) We won’t need a lot of troops
4) We’ll bring peace and freedom to Iraq
5) We’ll find WMDs
6) We’ll be welcomed as liberators
7) It will be easy
8) It won’t take long
All lies.
1) The Iraq War won’t cost a lot of money
3) We won’t need a lot of troops
4) We’ll bring peace and freedom to Iraq
5) We’ll find WMDs
6) We’ll be welcomed as liberators
7) It will be easy
8) It won’t take long
All lies.
June 22, 2025 at 2:47 AM
If you were too young in 2003 here is what Bush told the American people:
1) The Iraq War won’t cost a lot of money
3) We won’t need a lot of troops
4) We’ll bring peace and freedom to Iraq
5) We’ll find WMDs
6) We’ll be welcomed as liberators
7) It will be easy
8) It won’t take long
All lies.
1) The Iraq War won’t cost a lot of money
3) We won’t need a lot of troops
4) We’ll bring peace and freedom to Iraq
5) We’ll find WMDs
6) We’ll be welcomed as liberators
7) It will be easy
8) It won’t take long
All lies.