Francesca S.
@stefafra.bsky.social
Botanist, scientist, on a bike from A to B.🧫🧬🥼🥦
Likes plants and fungi, in the lab and in the kitchen.
European in UK:🇪🇺 🇮🇹🇳🇱🇨🇭
She/her
Likes plants and fungi, in the lab and in the kitchen.
European in UK:🇪🇺 🇮🇹🇳🇱🇨🇭
She/her
Reposted by Francesca S.
that Labour government might not have been able to restrict FoM, but they did foisted the fucking Workers Registration Scheme on us, which, if you wanted to settle shafted most of us
(main reason that I couldn't naturalise earlier)
(main reason that I couldn't naturalise earlier)
you had Gordon Brown giving it "British jobs for British workers" and Labour getting bashed on FoM in the papers and on the doorstep every day. by 2009 they'd have restricted FoM in a heartbeat if they could
November 15, 2025 at 1:01 PM
that Labour government might not have been able to restrict FoM, but they did foisted the fucking Workers Registration Scheme on us, which, if you wanted to settle shafted most of us
(main reason that I couldn't naturalise earlier)
(main reason that I couldn't naturalise earlier)
Reposted by Francesca S.
One of life's golden rules is never get yourself into a position where you're publicly arguing about the definition of paedophile
Dershowitz: The predecessor on your show described Epstein as a convicted pedophile. He pleaded guilty to one count of having sex for money with a 17-year-and-10-month-old person. That’s not a pedophile.
November 15, 2025 at 10:49 AM
One of life's golden rules is never get yourself into a position where you're publicly arguing about the definition of paedophile
Reposted by Francesca S.
It's real, and it's mind-blowing.
A complete lack of awareness and a national embarrassment.
A complete lack of awareness and a national embarrassment.
Just some British patriots in Benidorm, taking over a street in Spain to shout in their own language about unwanted foreigners. It’s a blessing that they are too thick to understand irony.
November 15, 2025 at 11:34 AM
It's real, and it's mind-blowing.
A complete lack of awareness and a national embarrassment.
A complete lack of awareness and a national embarrassment.
Reposted by Francesca S.
I was working.
The message the government is sending to refugees is "don't make yourself at home", "don't marry a local, otherwise prepare for zoom calls".
What the government is telling employers is "don't give refugees with a status a permanent job, don't invest in them, they may be gone soon"
The message the government is sending to refugees is "don't make yourself at home", "don't marry a local, otherwise prepare for zoom calls".
What the government is telling employers is "don't give refugees with a status a permanent job, don't invest in them, they may be gone soon"
November 15, 2025 at 11:39 AM
I was working.
The message the government is sending to refugees is "don't make yourself at home", "don't marry a local, otherwise prepare for zoom calls".
What the government is telling employers is "don't give refugees with a status a permanent job, don't invest in them, they may be gone soon"
The message the government is sending to refugees is "don't make yourself at home", "don't marry a local, otherwise prepare for zoom calls".
What the government is telling employers is "don't give refugees with a status a permanent job, don't invest in them, they may be gone soon"
Reposted by Francesca S.
And has been pointed out, fundamentally, this is about scapegoating vulnerable people who made rational decisions to flee, and you or I would have done the same, but somehow they are "bad people" because they aren't currently British.
(Hell, some used to be British)
(Hell, some used to be British)
November 15, 2025 at 12:02 PM
And has been pointed out, fundamentally, this is about scapegoating vulnerable people who made rational decisions to flee, and you or I would have done the same, but somehow they are "bad people" because they aren't currently British.
(Hell, some used to be British)
(Hell, some used to be British)
Reposted by Francesca S.
This new proposed UK refugee policy (turfing refugees out after a few years) is bollocks on several levels and I will explain each of them.
November 15, 2025 at 11:51 AM
This new proposed UK refugee policy (turfing refugees out after a few years) is bollocks on several levels and I will explain each of them.
Reposted by Francesca S.
“‘He kept putting Robbie’s name on the list and Boris kept taking it off,’” Shipman reported one of his sources recalling, adding: “The plan to send Paul Dacre, the former editor of the Daily Mail, to run broadcasting watchdog Ofcom is from the same playbook.”
@arusbridger.bsky.social on the BBC
@arusbridger.bsky.social on the BBC
The real threat to BBC impartiality
The BBC has suffered a week of mistakes, resignations and the threat of a $1bn lawsuit. But the biggest risks of bias are in the boardroom, not the ne...
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
November 15, 2025 at 12:04 PM
“‘He kept putting Robbie’s name on the list and Boris kept taking it off,’” Shipman reported one of his sources recalling, adding: “The plan to send Paul Dacre, the former editor of the Daily Mail, to run broadcasting watchdog Ofcom is from the same playbook.”
@arusbridger.bsky.social on the BBC
@arusbridger.bsky.social on the BBC
Reposted by Francesca S.
So to summarize, your image is packed with mistakes, uses an exploitative tech, fails to communicate a clear message, displays your ignorance, insults the people of that county, makes you look like environmental vandals and fails to describe your key demographic.
This is why you pay a designer. 7/7
This is why you pay a designer. 7/7
November 15, 2025 at 12:26 PM
So to summarize, your image is packed with mistakes, uses an exploitative tech, fails to communicate a clear message, displays your ignorance, insults the people of that county, makes you look like environmental vandals and fails to describe your key demographic.
This is why you pay a designer. 7/7
This is why you pay a designer. 7/7
Reposted by Francesca S.
Okay, I can't let this one go. I live in Ireland, not the UK, but the use of this image by a supposedly socialist party is so stupid and offensive, I'm going to get stuck in.
Let me explain to you why any experienced illustrator/designer could have stopped you making so many miserable mistakes. 1/
Let me explain to you why any experienced illustrator/designer could have stopped you making so many miserable mistakes. 1/
November 15, 2025 at 12:26 PM
Okay, I can't let this one go. I live in Ireland, not the UK, but the use of this image by a supposedly socialist party is so stupid and offensive, I'm going to get stuck in.
Let me explain to you why any experienced illustrator/designer could have stopped you making so many miserable mistakes. 1/
Let me explain to you why any experienced illustrator/designer could have stopped you making so many miserable mistakes. 1/
Reposted by Francesca S.
They don’t see the lives that bloom when safety is offered without an expiry date.
They don’t see what Britain gains when it chooses compassion over suspicion.
5/8
They don’t see what Britain gains when it chooses compassion over suspicion.
5/8
November 15, 2025 at 10:29 AM
They don’t see the lives that bloom when safety is offered without an expiry date.
They don’t see what Britain gains when it chooses compassion over suspicion.
5/8
They don’t see what Britain gains when it chooses compassion over suspicion.
5/8
Reposted by Francesca S.
I came to this country as a child refugee. No English, no certainty, no idea what my life could become. Britain gave me refuge.
Not on a timer, not with conditions attached, but with a chance to grow roots.
A thread 🧵 1/8
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Not on a timer, not with conditions attached, but with a chance to grow roots.
A thread 🧵 1/8
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
UK set to limit refugees to temporary stays
Shabana Mahmood is expected to say the era of permanent protection for refugees is over, in major changes to the UK's asylum and immigration system.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 15, 2025 at 10:29 AM
I came to this country as a child refugee. No English, no certainty, no idea what my life could become. Britain gave me refuge.
Not on a timer, not with conditions attached, but with a chance to grow roots.
A thread 🧵 1/8
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Not on a timer, not with conditions attached, but with a chance to grow roots.
A thread 🧵 1/8
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Francesca S.
If you read my stuff, you know I regularly go on about the Far Right being an interconnected, global threat that transcends borders.
Diplomatically unprecedented.
The German far-right opposition has reportedly been invited to Washington for an official strategy session with Republicans in the US Congress.
The German far-right opposition has reportedly been invited to Washington for an official strategy session with Republicans in the US Congress.
Large far-right German delegation to visit Washington, Trump ally says
The invitation to the capital comes as Alternative for Germany politicians seek to build closer ties to the U.S. government.
www.politico.eu
November 15, 2025 at 12:15 PM
If you read my stuff, you know I regularly go on about the Far Right being an interconnected, global threat that transcends borders.
Reposted by Francesca S.
Comedy gold watching a CNN roundtable where the increasingly desperate host has to jump in every two minutes with “there is no evidence” to cover their backs every time someone says “The President might be a paedophile”.
November 15, 2025 at 12:10 PM
Comedy gold watching a CNN roundtable where the increasingly desperate host has to jump in every two minutes with “there is no evidence” to cover their backs every time someone says “The President might be a paedophile”.
Reposted by Francesca S.
If Trump still sues the BBC, notwithstanding their apology, he is in a far less strong position than if the BBC had not apologised.
The apology was tactically a sensible, prudent move by the BBC whether Trump sues or not.
The apology was tactically a sensible, prudent move by the BBC whether Trump sues or not.
November 15, 2025 at 1:23 AM
If Trump still sues the BBC, notwithstanding their apology, he is in a far less strong position than if the BBC had not apologised.
The apology was tactically a sensible, prudent move by the BBC whether Trump sues or not.
The apology was tactically a sensible, prudent move by the BBC whether Trump sues or not.
Reposted by Francesca S.
So: law vs politics.
Following a process or dealing with a disruption.
There are no easy decisions here for BBC bosses.
Trump can smell blood. And this is not his first bull fight.
Let's see what happens next.
/end for now, may add posts later.
Following a process or dealing with a disruption.
There are no easy decisions here for BBC bosses.
Trump can smell blood. And this is not his first bull fight.
Let's see what happens next.
/end for now, may add posts later.
November 15, 2025 at 10:10 AM
So: law vs politics.
Following a process or dealing with a disruption.
There are no easy decisions here for BBC bosses.
Trump can smell blood. And this is not his first bull fight.
Let's see what happens next.
/end for now, may add posts later.
Following a process or dealing with a disruption.
There are no easy decisions here for BBC bosses.
Trump can smell blood. And this is not his first bull fight.
Let's see what happens next.
/end for now, may add posts later.
Reposted by Francesca S.
A brief thread on Trump renewing his threat to sue the BBC.
(Note I am not an American lawyer, this is perspective of an English legal commentator.)
>
(Note I am not an American lawyer, this is perspective of an English legal commentator.)
>
November 15, 2025 at 9:39 AM
A brief thread on Trump renewing his threat to sue the BBC.
(Note I am not an American lawyer, this is perspective of an English legal commentator.)
>
(Note I am not an American lawyer, this is perspective of an English legal commentator.)
>
Reposted by Francesca S.
What the BBC *should* do is await a formal response in reply to their letter. Or they should simply wait to be served with a law suit.
And take local (ie US) law advice.
Only then will they have the further information to make a rational decision on the merits of the case.
>
And take local (ie US) law advice.
Only then will they have the further information to make a rational decision on the merits of the case.
>
November 15, 2025 at 10:00 AM
What the BBC *should* do is await a formal response in reply to their letter. Or they should simply wait to be served with a law suit.
And take local (ie US) law advice.
Only then will they have the further information to make a rational decision on the merits of the case.
>
And take local (ie US) law advice.
Only then will they have the further information to make a rational decision on the merits of the case.
>
Reposted by Francesca S.
Trump cares nothing about weak legal cases, but he has a keen eye for weak institutions and their weak leadership.
He believes he can bully BBC into further concessions.
Sadly, he has a point. BBC is having one of its periodic crises, and is suffering an ongoing political and media kicking.
>
He believes he can bully BBC into further concessions.
Sadly, he has a point. BBC is having one of its periodic crises, and is suffering an ongoing political and media kicking.
>
November 15, 2025 at 9:55 AM
Trump cares nothing about weak legal cases, but he has a keen eye for weak institutions and their weak leadership.
He believes he can bully BBC into further concessions.
Sadly, he has a point. BBC is having one of its periodic crises, and is suffering an ongoing political and media kicking.
>
He believes he can bully BBC into further concessions.
Sadly, he has a point. BBC is having one of its periodic crises, and is suffering an ongoing political and media kicking.
>
Reposted by Francesca S.
Every single media lawyer I have spoken with this weeks agree that the BBC is doing exactly the right thing in admitting a mistake without admitting liability.
What serious lawyer would ever advise issuing an apology while there’s an imminent legal threat? How did the BBC not have lines and briefing ready?
Is it even capable of fighting a case when some near its top seem not to want it to win?
Is it even capable of fighting a case when some near its top seem not to want it to win?
November 15, 2025 at 12:31 PM
Every single media lawyer I have spoken with this weeks agree that the BBC is doing exactly the right thing in admitting a mistake without admitting liability.
Reposted by Francesca S.
We're stuck with it, but determining someone's legal rights based on a nebulous combination of birthplace and parentage is actually pretty fucking weird, and it'd be better if we talked about it as an unfortunate practical necessity not a natural phenomenon
"my least woke opinion is---"
That's enough. We've had enough people indulging in the "thrill of a little conservatism", as a treat. Of considering reactionary thought to be a salacious and taboo in a world descending into reactionary mania.
Give me your MOST woke opinions. We're bringing it back.
That's enough. We've had enough people indulging in the "thrill of a little conservatism", as a treat. Of considering reactionary thought to be a salacious and taboo in a world descending into reactionary mania.
Give me your MOST woke opinions. We're bringing it back.
November 15, 2025 at 12:30 PM
We're stuck with it, but determining someone's legal rights based on a nebulous combination of birthplace and parentage is actually pretty fucking weird, and it'd be better if we talked about it as an unfortunate practical necessity not a natural phenomenon
Reposted by Francesca S.
Inb4 the Americans find this thread and kick off the "discourse that refuses to die" where certain Americans who associate the word "partner" with LGBTQ+ relationships discover that other countries exist and that in the UK the word is used by people of all sexual orientations
November 14, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Inb4 the Americans find this thread and kick off the "discourse that refuses to die" where certain Americans who associate the word "partner" with LGBTQ+ relationships discover that other countries exist and that in the UK the word is used by people of all sexual orientations
Reposted by Francesca S.
When a far right pundit on a CNN panel with me ‘joked’ about my beeper going off live on air & then got banned by CNN, Megyn Kelly had him on her show & they both laughed about it.
Yet here is Kelly getting super offended when someone else makes the beeper threat against her. Oh, the hypocrisy.
Yet here is Kelly getting super offended when someone else makes the beeper threat against her. Oh, the hypocrisy.
November 14, 2025 at 2:49 PM
When a far right pundit on a CNN panel with me ‘joked’ about my beeper going off live on air & then got banned by CNN, Megyn Kelly had him on her show & they both laughed about it.
Yet here is Kelly getting super offended when someone else makes the beeper threat against her. Oh, the hypocrisy.
Yet here is Kelly getting super offended when someone else makes the beeper threat against her. Oh, the hypocrisy.
Reposted by Francesca S.
For a man completely not at all involved in any way in the Epstein scandal, Donald Trump seems awfully concerned that none of the information relating to it gets released.
November 14, 2025 at 2:52 PM
For a man completely not at all involved in any way in the Epstein scandal, Donald Trump seems awfully concerned that none of the information relating to it gets released.
Reposted by Francesca S.
A response to Matt Goodwin on small boat refugees (with record of crime in Germany) committing crime (rape) in the UK.
November 14, 2025 at 1:57 PM
A response to Matt Goodwin on small boat refugees (with record of crime in Germany) committing crime (rape) in the UK.
Reposted by Francesca S.
70% of trans people believe BBC News is hostile. (And anyone who has listened to Justin Webb knows they are clearly right.) goodlaw.social/kyxv
Poll shows 70% of trans people think BBC News is ‘hostile’
The right wing claims the corporation is ‘pro-trans’, but the people at the sharp end of its coverage disagree. The BBC must stop its attack on trans people.
goodlaw.social
November 14, 2025 at 10:27 AM
70% of trans people believe BBC News is hostile. (And anyone who has listened to Justin Webb knows they are clearly right.) goodlaw.social/kyxv