Narmada Thiranagama
@narmada.bsky.social
Forged in the fire of a brutal war; believe in democracy & gentleness. Proud to work for UNISON but tweeting personally.
I came to the UK as a child refugee and benefited from the safety and sanctuary from persecution that led me to flee my home. This saved my life. It is agonising to think of this hand of compassion and kindness being withdrawn.
November 16, 2025 at 2:23 PM
I came to the UK as a child refugee and benefited from the safety and sanctuary from persecution that led me to flee my home. This saved my life. It is agonising to think of this hand of compassion and kindness being withdrawn.
Now is the time to stand up for migrant workers, not to demonise them!
Opinion: Now is the time to stand up for our migrant workers, not demonise them - UNISON National
We need an immigration system that works for the people who keep our public services going – not empty rhetoric that divides and fuels racism and hate
www.unison.org.uk
November 16, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Now is the time to stand up for migrant workers, not to demonise them!
Reposted by Narmada Thiranagama
"The government needs to come out with policies that help working people. That was what it needed to do."
Speaking on #bbclaurak, UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea warned Labour that tacking to the right is a big mistake and risks losing traditional voters.
Speaking on #bbclaurak, UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea warned Labour that tacking to the right is a big mistake and risks losing traditional voters.
November 2, 2025 at 3:00 PM
"The government needs to come out with policies that help working people. That was what it needed to do."
Speaking on #bbclaurak, UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea warned Labour that tacking to the right is a big mistake and risks losing traditional voters.
Speaking on #bbclaurak, UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea warned Labour that tacking to the right is a big mistake and risks losing traditional voters.
Reposted by Narmada Thiranagama
"There is no universe in which Sam Ashworth-Hayes – or any of Britain’s array of overpaid columnists, commentators and ideological wonks – is more valuable to this country than a care worker"
I wrote for @samfr.bsky.social's Substack on benefits and "contribution" samf.substack.com/p/the-someth...
I wrote for @samfr.bsky.social's Substack on benefits and "contribution" samf.substack.com/p/the-someth...
The "something for nothing" myth
How should we value people's contribution to the country?
samf.substack.com
October 17, 2025 at 11:41 AM
"There is no universe in which Sam Ashworth-Hayes – or any of Britain’s array of overpaid columnists, commentators and ideological wonks – is more valuable to this country than a care worker"
I wrote for @samfr.bsky.social's Substack on benefits and "contribution" samf.substack.com/p/the-someth...
I wrote for @samfr.bsky.social's Substack on benefits and "contribution" samf.substack.com/p/the-someth...
Reposted by Narmada Thiranagama
UNISON signs joint union letter calling for an end to the escalation of anti-migrant rhetoric.
“Our health and social care sector is built on the hard work and rich diversity of its workforce."
Read our joint statement
www.unison.org.uk/content/uplo...
“Our health and social care sector is built on the hard work and rich diversity of its workforce."
Read our joint statement
www.unison.org.uk/content/uplo...
October 15, 2025 at 12:26 PM
UNISON signs joint union letter calling for an end to the escalation of anti-migrant rhetoric.
“Our health and social care sector is built on the hard work and rich diversity of its workforce."
Read our joint statement
www.unison.org.uk/content/uplo...
“Our health and social care sector is built on the hard work and rich diversity of its workforce."
Read our joint statement
www.unison.org.uk/content/uplo...
Reposted by Narmada Thiranagama
With migrants under attack today, Black History Month can remind us that our answer must be solidarity, says Tim Roberts in his latest blog.
eastern.unison.org.uk/news/2025/10...
eastern.unison.org.uk/news/2025/10...
October 3, 2025 at 3:00 PM
With migrants under attack today, Black History Month can remind us that our answer must be solidarity, says Tim Roberts in his latest blog.
eastern.unison.org.uk/news/2025/10...
eastern.unison.org.uk/news/2025/10...
Reposted by Narmada Thiranagama
“These cruel proposals from Reform UK will cause chaos, leave the economy reeling and tear apart communities." UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea on Nigel Farage.
September 22, 2025 at 5:24 PM
“These cruel proposals from Reform UK will cause chaos, leave the economy reeling and tear apart communities." UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea on Nigel Farage.
Reposted by Narmada Thiranagama
WATCH: Debbie Rowden moved the motion on behalf of UNISON for recognition and respect for migrant workers
See her #TUC25 speech here www.youtube.com/watch?v=29td...
See her #TUC25 speech here www.youtube.com/watch?v=29td...
TUC Congress 2025
YouTube video by Trades Union Congress (TUC)
www.youtube.com
September 9, 2025 at 2:25 PM
WATCH: Debbie Rowden moved the motion on behalf of UNISON for recognition and respect for migrant workers
See her #TUC25 speech here www.youtube.com/watch?v=29td...
See her #TUC25 speech here www.youtube.com/watch?v=29td...
Reposted by Narmada Thiranagama
"When people are truly proud of their country, they don’t need to demonise or attack vulnerable groups of people. That does not look like pride to me." Abiola Kusoro, UNISON speaking at #TUC25 on tackling the far right.
September 8, 2025 at 2:36 PM
"When people are truly proud of their country, they don’t need to demonise or attack vulnerable groups of people. That does not look like pride to me." Abiola Kusoro, UNISON speaking at #TUC25 on tackling the far right.
Reposted by Narmada Thiranagama
Debbie Rowden moved the motion on behalf of UNISON for recognition and respect for migrant workers
See her #TUC25 speech here www.youtube.com/watch?v=29td...
See her #TUC25 speech here www.youtube.com/watch?v=29td...
TUC Congress 2025
YouTube video by Trades Union Congress (TUC)
www.youtube.com
September 8, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Debbie Rowden moved the motion on behalf of UNISON for recognition and respect for migrant workers
See her #TUC25 speech here www.youtube.com/watch?v=29td...
See her #TUC25 speech here www.youtube.com/watch?v=29td...
Reposted by Narmada Thiranagama
Have written up some of my thoughts about the increasingly sinister use of 'non-UK born' and 'white British' in the British press. The obsession with 'white British' citizens over other British citizens harms all of us and needs to be called out.
benansell.substack.com/p/who-counts
benansell.substack.com/p/who-counts
June 20, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Have written up some of my thoughts about the increasingly sinister use of 'non-UK born' and 'white British' in the British press. The obsession with 'white British' citizens over other British citizens harms all of us and needs to be called out.
benansell.substack.com/p/who-counts
benansell.substack.com/p/who-counts
Reposted by Narmada Thiranagama
‘This is not just a piece of legislation, it’s a turning point, a transformative moment’ www.unison.org.uk/news/article...
‘This is not just a piece of legislation, it’s a turning point, a transformative moment’ | Article, News | News | UNISON National
Conference welcomes the Employment Rights Bill, while aware that there is more to be done to see it over the finish line
www.unison.org.uk
June 19, 2025 at 1:37 PM
‘This is not just a piece of legislation, it’s a turning point, a transformative moment’ www.unison.org.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Narmada Thiranagama
Every role counts - from clinicians to caterers.
When NHS jobs are cut, it cuts corners on care.
Take action 👉 www.unison.org.uk/nhscuts
When NHS jobs are cut, it cuts corners on care.
Take action 👉 www.unison.org.uk/nhscuts
June 12, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Every role counts - from clinicians to caterers.
When NHS jobs are cut, it cuts corners on care.
Take action 👉 www.unison.org.uk/nhscuts
When NHS jobs are cut, it cuts corners on care.
Take action 👉 www.unison.org.uk/nhscuts
Came across a wonderful quote by Lorca about the journal he was setting up, the aim of which would be “A journal about Granada for those outside it, that takes the global pulse in order to distinguish its own unique heartbeat; a happy, lively, anti-localist, anti-provincial journal of the world..
June 1, 2025 at 12:31 PM
Came across a wonderful quote by Lorca about the journal he was setting up, the aim of which would be “A journal about Granada for those outside it, that takes the global pulse in order to distinguish its own unique heartbeat; a happy, lively, anti-localist, anti-provincial journal of the world..
Reposted by Narmada Thiranagama
Agency care staff ‘charged £10k for free work visas’ www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
We hear about this kind of exploitation all too often. A recent UNISON survey of more than 3,000 migrants working in the care sector found almost a quarter had paid illegal visa fees.
We hear about this kind of exploitation all too often. A recent UNISON survey of more than 3,000 migrants working in the care sector found almost a quarter had paid illegal visa fees.
Agency care staff ‘charged £10k for free work visas’
A BBC investigation hears claims overseas workers are mistreated and threatened with deportation.
www.bbc.co.uk
May 29, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Agency care staff ‘charged £10k for free work visas’ www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
We hear about this kind of exploitation all too often. A recent UNISON survey of more than 3,000 migrants working in the care sector found almost a quarter had paid illegal visa fees.
We hear about this kind of exploitation all too often. A recent UNISON survey of more than 3,000 migrants working in the care sector found almost a quarter had paid illegal visa fees.
Reposted by Narmada Thiranagama
One thing that is irksome about the “actually the island of strangers is about social isolation” line is okay, how does doubling the permanent residency requirement *help* with this?
The doubling of the period for migrants to qualify for permanent residency is something the online hard right has been ranting and raving about because - let's be blunt - they don't like foreigners and they're worried these foreigners might end up voting Labour
May 14, 2025 at 12:37 PM
One thing that is irksome about the “actually the island of strangers is about social isolation” line is okay, how does doubling the permanent residency requirement *help* with this?
Reposted by Narmada Thiranagama
Former UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis speaking in the House of Lords on the second reading of the Employment Rights Bill.
He spoke on the social care crisis, poverty wages, professional recognition of schools staff and namechecked striking Livv Housing workers.
Full speech: unsn.uk/43utdul
He spoke on the social care crisis, poverty wages, professional recognition of schools staff and namechecked striking Livv Housing workers.
Full speech: unsn.uk/43utdul
March 28, 2025 at 9:38 AM
Former UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis speaking in the House of Lords on the second reading of the Employment Rights Bill.
He spoke on the social care crisis, poverty wages, professional recognition of schools staff and namechecked striking Livv Housing workers.
Full speech: unsn.uk/43utdul
He spoke on the social care crisis, poverty wages, professional recognition of schools staff and namechecked striking Livv Housing workers.
Full speech: unsn.uk/43utdul
Blessed by the memory of my mother on her birthday and seeing the love others felt for her.
February 23, 2025 at 12:57 PM
Blessed by the memory of my mother on her birthday and seeing the love others felt for her.
I never try to do the whole “look how well I, a refugee, have integrated into this country” thing because my ability to quote English poetry from heart or my deep immersion into the canon and also English history itself is one of the most Sri Lankan things about me.
February 18, 2025 at 6:31 PM
I never try to do the whole “look how well I, a refugee, have integrated into this country” thing because my ability to quote English poetry from heart or my deep immersion into the canon and also English history itself is one of the most Sri Lankan things about me.
Reposted by Narmada Thiranagama
We revealed Nigel Farage’s voting record to his constituents in Clacton.
They weren’t happy.
They weren’t happy.
February 10, 2025 at 11:03 AM
We revealed Nigel Farage’s voting record to his constituents in Clacton.
They weren’t happy.
They weren’t happy.
Reposted by Narmada Thiranagama
Sabisky confirmed he still believes in far right policies. He described his vision of “voluntary repatriation”, where immigrants and citizens of foreign descent leave the UK. He planned to achieve this by “massively restricting immigrant access to benefits and housing”.
January 30, 2025 at 10:32 AM
Sabisky confirmed he still believes in far right policies. He described his vision of “voluntary repatriation”, where immigrants and citizens of foreign descent leave the UK. He planned to achieve this by “massively restricting immigrant access to benefits and housing”.
The calipers are out again.
💥 NEW: Disgraced former government advisor Andrew Sabisky - who quit in a 2020 race science scandal - has built a hidden network of 60 Tory researchers, think tank staffers, and journalists to continue pushing politics in a more radical direction.
investigations.hopenothate.org.uk/andrew-sabis...
investigations.hopenothate.org.uk/andrew-sabis...
Unravelling Westminster’s secret influence network | HOPE not hate
An ex-Tory aide linked to race science has created a group of political allies to craft policy in the shadows
investigations.hopenothate.org.uk
January 29, 2025 at 11:19 AM
The calipers are out again.
Loved “Mughals” at the V&A.
January 3, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Loved “Mughals” at the V&A.
Reposted by Narmada Thiranagama
Just to get started... Here's the knighting of Roland by King Charlemagne, from the 'Chanson d'Aspremonte' (manuscript illustrated c.1250, British Library).
November 16, 2024 at 5:02 PM
Just to get started... Here's the knighting of Roland by King Charlemagne, from the 'Chanson d'Aspremonte' (manuscript illustrated c.1250, British Library).