Stirling Smith
@stirlingsmith.bsky.social
Trade unionist, co-operator, socialist. Husband, father, grandfather. Fascinated by South Asia. Support adult education. Member Labour Party, Co-operative Party, Community trade union. Trustee of THIRST, which works for human rights in tea. All views mine.
Shabana Mahmood is out of control and dividing the Labour Party. All decent minded people must find this repellent, mendacious and it will not help us win the next election. Is she a secret agent for Reform? 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 3:03 PM
Shabana Mahmood is out of control and dividing the Labour Party. All decent minded people must find this repellent, mendacious and it will not help us win the next election. Is she a secret agent for Reform? www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Reposted by Stirling Smith
We join FNV Vakbond in calling for the immediate reinstatement of Pawel Rudzki, who was fired by Albert Heijn - Netherlands’ biggest supermarket chain - for standing up for workers.
🔗https://uniglobalunion.org/news/uni-and-fnv-call-for-urgent-reinstatement-of-pawel-rudzki-at-albert-heijn/
🔗https://uniglobalunion.org/news/uni-and-fnv-call-for-urgent-reinstatement-of-pawel-rudzki-at-albert-heijn/
November 14, 2025 at 3:05 PM
We join FNV Vakbond in calling for the immediate reinstatement of Pawel Rudzki, who was fired by Albert Heijn - Netherlands’ biggest supermarket chain - for standing up for workers.
🔗https://uniglobalunion.org/news/uni-and-fnv-call-for-urgent-reinstatement-of-pawel-rudzki-at-albert-heijn/
🔗https://uniglobalunion.org/news/uni-and-fnv-call-for-urgent-reinstatement-of-pawel-rudzki-at-albert-heijn/
Do you drink tea? Then check this out, for news on human rights of those who grow your tea.
thirst-tea.org/news/novembe...
thirst-tea.org/news/novembe...
November News Update 2025
November 2025 Surveys indicate that most of the tea garden children in Bangladesh are deprived of primary education. Photo: Debasish Debu TBS News Across Asia and Africa, tea communities continue to…
thirst-tea.org
November 14, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Do you drink tea? Then check this out, for news on human rights of those who grow your tea.
thirst-tea.org/news/novembe...
thirst-tea.org/news/novembe...
Reposted by Stirling Smith
📉 Based on the UK’s pre-referendum investment level of about £230 billion a year, the cumulative loss of investment by this year could be between £275 billion and £400 billion.
https://bit.ly/4oCFB34
https://bit.ly/4oCFB34
How Brexit impact on business investment left the UK lagging behind Europe | The National
Britain may have missed out on more than $520 billion in investment since 2016 referendum
www.thenationalnews.com
November 13, 2025 at 3:05 PM
📉 Based on the UK’s pre-referendum investment level of about £230 billion a year, the cumulative loss of investment by this year could be between £275 billion and £400 billion.
https://bit.ly/4oCFB34
https://bit.ly/4oCFB34
Absolutely. He is like a Svengali - get rid of him and change course.
I don’t want McSweeney sacked because of this briefing ‘war’. I want him sacked because he’s steered Labour down such an awful, xenophobic path and paved the way for Farage in number 10.
November 13, 2025 at 9:36 PM
Absolutely. He is like a Svengali - get rid of him and change course.
So it wasn’t India, as suggested at first.
Islamabad has run out of patience following the TTP’s suicide attack in Islamabad and the storming of a school for military cadets in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Pakistan’s Afghan Retaliation Imminent After TTP’s Twin Attacks
Islamabad has run out of patience following the TTP’s suicide attack in Islamabad and the storming of a school for military cadets in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
buff.ly
November 12, 2025 at 10:30 PM
So it wasn’t India, as suggested at first.
Bizarrely at a tume when we are short of NHS staff, 300 hard workibg nursing assistants are at risk of deportation. Please sign this patientsnotpassports.co.uk/what-do-we-d...
Nursing Assistants in Manchester at Risk of Deportation – Patients Not Passports
patientsnotpassports.co.uk
November 12, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Bizarrely at a tume when we are short of NHS staff, 300 hard workibg nursing assistants are at risk of deportation. Please sign this patientsnotpassports.co.uk/what-do-we-d...
Reposted by Stirling Smith
Earlier today, the Labour government launched the transformational Veterans strategy:
✅£27m released for a new veteran-wide support service offering guidance and support.
✅New funding for a dedicated wraparound homelessness service.
✅Investing In world-class veterans NHS support.
✅£27m released for a new veteran-wide support service offering guidance and support.
✅New funding for a dedicated wraparound homelessness service.
✅Investing In world-class veterans NHS support.
November 10, 2025 at 8:36 PM
Earlier today, the Labour government launched the transformational Veterans strategy:
✅£27m released for a new veteran-wide support service offering guidance and support.
✅New funding for a dedicated wraparound homelessness service.
✅Investing In world-class veterans NHS support.
✅£27m released for a new veteran-wide support service offering guidance and support.
✅New funding for a dedicated wraparound homelessness service.
✅Investing In world-class veterans NHS support.
Reposted by Stirling Smith
🎯 Davey is spot on. "We can have criticism of the BBC, but within that, we need to recognise how valuable an institution it is [and how] precious to our country. And that's one of the reasons why people like President Trump and Nigel Farage, want to undermine the BBC." 👏🏽~AA
November 10, 2025 at 2:35 PM
🎯 Davey is spot on. "We can have criticism of the BBC, but within that, we need to recognise how valuable an institution it is [and how] precious to our country. And that's one of the reasons why people like President Trump and Nigel Farage, want to undermine the BBC." 👏🏽~AA
Why do we have buses made in China anyway? That is the scandal. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
UK transport and cyber-security chiefs investigate Chinese-made buses
Move to assess potential risk of remote meddling by Beijing with Yutong buses follows investigations in Norway and Denmark
www.theguardian.com
November 10, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Why do we have buses made in China anyway? That is the scandal. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
My Family Legacy
www.myfamilylegacy.org.uk
November 10, 2025 at 8:42 AM
Brilliantly put. ECHR protects citizens from overweening governments.
Don’t be fooled - those urging us to leave the ECHR are attacking immigrants to cover up this is really about attacking our freedoms and the protection it gives all our human rights. Freedom is worth fighting for - join @labour4europe.bsky.social to help support those of us telling the truth!
November 6, 2025 at 10:09 PM
Brilliantly put. ECHR protects citizens from overweening governments.
Lucky that Reform don’t control the Fitzwilliam Museum or the Church of England www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Lost grave of daughter of Black abolitionist Olaudah Equiano found by A-level student
Fitzwilliam Museum has uncovered student’s work from 1977 that revealed Cambridgeshire location of child’s burial place
www.theguardian.com
November 1, 2025 at 11:21 AM
Lucky that Reform don’t control the Fitzwilliam Museum or the Church of England www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Idiocy from Labour whips - telling MPs to abstain on Farage’s bid to leave ECHR. Criminal stupidity.
October 29, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Idiocy from Labour whips - telling MPs to abstain on Farage’s bid to leave ECHR. Criminal stupidity.
Reposted by Stirling Smith
The reason why the ECHR matters in under two minutes from the society of labour lawyers …
"The reason why the reactionary right hate the ECHR is because it gives ordinary citizens the right against the secretive and authoritarian state that they want."
–George Peretz KC, Chair of the Society of Labour Lawyers, speaking at our conference rally.
@georgeperetzkc.bsky.social
–George Peretz KC, Chair of the Society of Labour Lawyers, speaking at our conference rally.
@georgeperetzkc.bsky.social
October 28, 2025 at 9:20 PM
The reason why the ECHR matters in under two minutes from the society of labour lawyers …
Reposted by Stirling Smith
Excellent news for renters this week with Labour's Renter's Rights Act becoming law. Proud to be able to support this incredibly important piece of legislation.
October 29, 2025 at 11:08 AM
Excellent news for renters this week with Labour's Renter's Rights Act becoming law. Proud to be able to support this incredibly important piece of legislation.
Important law passed by this Labour Government
October 28, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Important law passed by this Labour Government
To transform the country and take on the populist right, Labour must heed the voices of its radical realists - and build a principled, practical, popular left alternative.
Join @mainstreamlabour.bsky.social and together we can bring that alternative to life.
www.mainstreamlabour.org/get-involved
Join @mainstreamlabour.bsky.social and together we can bring that alternative to life.
www.mainstreamlabour.org/get-involved
Get involved | Mainstream Labour
Mainstream is the home for Labour’s radical realists - united by values, driven by change
www.mainstreamlabour.org
October 27, 2025 at 11:33 AM
To transform the country and take on the populist right, Labour must heed the voices of its radical realists - and build a principled, practical, popular left alternative.
Join @mainstreamlabour.bsky.social and together we can bring that alternative to life.
www.mainstreamlabour.org/get-involved
Join @mainstreamlabour.bsky.social and together we can bring that alternative to life.
www.mainstreamlabour.org/get-involved
Yes, about time, but why aren’t ministers asking these questions? www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Labour demands clarity on Tory plan to strip thousands of right to stay in UK
Anna Turley says legally settled people threatened by Katie Lam’s proposals deserve urgent clarification
www.theguardian.com
October 25, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Yes, about time, but why aren’t ministers asking these questions? www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
I’m sorry to say this; l voted for Starmer. But he is not a leader. He has ducked difficult things and gaslighted the past (eg on the trans issue). We have a fight in our hands to defeat Farage. With Starmer, we’ve got one hand tied behind our backs.
Senior Labour figures have expressed dismay at the Party's "cowardly" and "incompetent" response to Tory shadow minister Katie Lam calling for legal migrants to "go home".
"What’s the point of us saying we’re anti-racist when we fail to call out racism," said one MP.
"What’s the point of us saying we’re anti-racist when we fail to call out racism," said one MP.
Exclusive: Labour Anger Erupts Over Party's Response To Katie Lam Immigration Row
"What’s the point of us saying we’re anti-racist when we fail to call out racism," said one MP.
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk
October 22, 2025 at 9:35 AM
I’m sorry to say this; l voted for Starmer. But he is not a leader. He has ducked difficult things and gaslighted the past (eg on the trans issue). We have a fight in our hands to defeat Farage. With Starmer, we’ve got one hand tied behind our backs.
I read this and thought, "How long before the UK right catches up?” Maybe it already has. scroll.in/article/1087...
Surge in anti-Indian hate should come as no surprise – it has deep, racist roots
Digital campaigns against Indians reflect white nationalist talking points and are having real-world consequences.
scroll.in
October 21, 2025 at 11:55 AM
I read this and thought, "How long before the UK right catches up?” Maybe it already has. scroll.in/article/1087...
Reposted by Stirling Smith
If Labour cannot denounce mass deportation of permanent residents, Idi Amin style, what is the point of them?
October 20, 2025 at 8:21 PM
If Labour cannot denounce mass deportation of permanent residents, Idi Amin style, what is the point of them?
Clean, affordable water belongs to all of us. I’ve told the new Environment Secretary to act on real evidence for public ownership and put people first. Join me:https://actionnetwork.org/letters/ask-emma-reynolds-to-base-water-policy-on-facts-not-water-industry-fake-maths?source=bluesky
October 20, 2025 at 10:47 AM
Clean, affordable water belongs to all of us. I’ve told the new Environment Secretary to act on real evidence for public ownership and put people first. Join me:https://actionnetwork.org/letters/ask-emma-reynolds-to-base-water-policy-on-facts-not-water-industry-fake-maths?source=bluesky
Nobody could disagree, could they? Suspect Reform would say this was red tape. In fact, improved safety = higher productivity and GDP www.iuf.org/news/agricul...
ILO launches global campaign to accelerate ratification of fundamental OSH conventions - IUF
www.iuf.org
October 19, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Nobody could disagree, could they? Suspect Reform would say this was red tape. In fact, improved safety = higher productivity and GDP www.iuf.org/news/agricul...