Yuan Yi Zhu
@yuanyiz.bsky.social
Assistant professor of international relations and international law | sometime political advisor | All views mine alone | find me on Twitter at @yuanyi_z
Pinned
Yuan Yi Zhu
@yuanyiz.bsky.social
· Apr 29
I'm going to be honest: if you can't find Mississauga on a map I'm not interested in your Canadian political analysis.
Reposted by Yuan Yi Zhu
I'm still a bit uncomfortable with the number of people who seem to think what the BBC did with the Trump edit was either totally ok, or just a silly mistake. If a historian got caught playing fast and loose with sources and evidence like that in such an obviously politicised way, they'd be toast.
November 10, 2025 at 11:14 PM
I'm still a bit uncomfortable with the number of people who seem to think what the BBC did with the Trump edit was either totally ok, or just a silly mistake. If a historian got caught playing fast and loose with sources and evidence like that in such an obviously politicised way, they'd be toast.
Reposted by Yuan Yi Zhu
Nova Scotia’s top judges are defending their peers’ decision to ask that staff not wear poppies in provincial courtrooms
The move had been slammed by Premier Tim Houston and others late last week
nationalpost.com/news/nova-sc...
The move had been slammed by Premier Tim Houston and others late last week
nationalpost.com/news/nova-sc...
Top N.S. judges defend right to ban staff from wearing poppies in courtrooms
Nova Scotia's top judges say their peers were in the right to ban court staff from wearing poppies in the courtroom.
nationalpost.com
November 10, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Nova Scotia’s top judges are defending their peers’ decision to ask that staff not wear poppies in provincial courtrooms
The move had been slammed by Premier Tim Houston and others late last week
nationalpost.com/news/nova-sc...
The move had been slammed by Premier Tim Houston and others late last week
nationalpost.com/news/nova-sc...
Reposted by Yuan Yi Zhu
James Watson has died and much of the conversation has inevitably turned to Rosalind Franklin. I do commend anyone with access to read this 2002 New Yorker essay on her by Jim Holt. It presents a rather more complex version of the story than the somewhat mythic …
www.newyorker.com/magazine/200...
www.newyorker.com/magazine/200...
Photo Finish
Rosalind Franklin and the great DNA race.
www.newyorker.com
November 7, 2025 at 9:03 PM
James Watson has died and much of the conversation has inevitably turned to Rosalind Franklin. I do commend anyone with access to read this 2002 New Yorker essay on her by Jim Holt. It presents a rather more complex version of the story than the somewhat mythic …
www.newyorker.com/magazine/200...
www.newyorker.com/magazine/200...
Reposted by Yuan Yi Zhu
Call for evidence on proposed changes to routes to settlement in the UK (ILR). Sharing for people on my list who may be affected by this,this is opportunity to provide feedback as part of the process. Deadline 2 December. committees.parliament.uk/work/9389/ #indefiniteleavetoremain #settlement #ilr
Routes to Settlement - Committees - UK Parliament
The Government has announced major changes to eligibility for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), also known as settlement, and is planning to consult on the proposed changes later this year.  ...
committees.parliament.uk
November 5, 2025 at 8:23 PM
Call for evidence on proposed changes to routes to settlement in the UK (ILR). Sharing for people on my list who may be affected by this,this is opportunity to provide feedback as part of the process. Deadline 2 December. committees.parliament.uk/work/9389/ #indefiniteleavetoremain #settlement #ilr
Reposted by Yuan Yi Zhu
I'm posting this on BlueSky to (hopefully) disprove a theory I have about this platform.
Do people on here understand this is not 'pro-Palestine' activism, despite this individual describing her output as such? That this is in fact the Great Replacement theory so beloved of White Nationalists?
Do people on here understand this is not 'pro-Palestine' activism, despite this individual describing her output as such? That this is in fact the Great Replacement theory so beloved of White Nationalists?
November 3, 2025 at 5:50 PM
I'm posting this on BlueSky to (hopefully) disprove a theory I have about this platform.
Do people on here understand this is not 'pro-Palestine' activism, despite this individual describing her output as such? That this is in fact the Great Replacement theory so beloved of White Nationalists?
Do people on here understand this is not 'pro-Palestine' activism, despite this individual describing her output as such? That this is in fact the Great Replacement theory so beloved of White Nationalists?
Reposted by Yuan Yi Zhu
J'ai passé la journée à répondre à des messages injurieux m'accusant au mieux de complaisance avec l'extrême droite et au pire d'être moi-même un fasciste en chemise brune.
Je vais donc mettre les choses au point.
Il y a dans notre République un certain nombre de principes cardinaux.
1/
Je vais donc mettre les choses au point.
Il y a dans notre République un certain nombre de principes cardinaux.
1/
October 30, 2025 at 6:29 PM
J'ai passé la journée à répondre à des messages injurieux m'accusant au mieux de complaisance avec l'extrême droite et au pire d'être moi-même un fasciste en chemise brune.
Je vais donc mettre les choses au point.
Il y a dans notre République un certain nombre de principes cardinaux.
1/
Je vais donc mettre les choses au point.
Il y a dans notre République un certain nombre de principes cardinaux.
1/
Reposted by Yuan Yi Zhu
Further updates on the ignominious end to Lam's ignominious policy. Good to hear Badenoch say "But we have a principle. We don’t believe in making things retrospective." Let's hope all Britain's parties follow that principle. And for a less punitive & vindictive approach to immigration more broadly
Tories will not deport legally settled people, Badenoch clarifies
Katie Lam spoke ‘imprecisely’ in stating large number of people would ‘need to go home’, says Conservative leader
www.theguardian.com
October 30, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Further updates on the ignominious end to Lam's ignominious policy. Good to hear Badenoch say "But we have a principle. We don’t believe in making things retrospective." Let's hope all Britain's parties follow that principle. And for a less punitive & vindictive approach to immigration more broadly
Reposted by Yuan Yi Zhu
I wonder how any Spectator journalists on ILR or with loved ones who are feel about that... My sense is there are quite a few
October 30, 2025 at 2:01 PM
I wonder how any Spectator journalists on ILR or with loved ones who are feel about that... My sense is there are quite a few
Reposted by Yuan Yi Zhu
UK Parliament opens call for evidence on new settlement rules – have your say!
The Home Affairs Committee is reviewing UK “routes to settlement” — how long people must live here before ILR, and what counts as contribution. Deadline 02/12:
🔗 committees.parliament.uk/call-for-evi...
The Home Affairs Committee is reviewing UK “routes to settlement” — how long people must live here before ILR, and what counts as contribution. Deadline 02/12:
🔗 committees.parliament.uk/call-for-evi...
Call for Evidence - Committees - UK Parliament
Terms of Reference
committees.parliament.uk
October 30, 2025 at 10:03 AM
UK Parliament opens call for evidence on new settlement rules – have your say!
The Home Affairs Committee is reviewing UK “routes to settlement” — how long people must live here before ILR, and what counts as contribution. Deadline 02/12:
🔗 committees.parliament.uk/call-for-evi...
The Home Affairs Committee is reviewing UK “routes to settlement” — how long people must live here before ILR, and what counts as contribution. Deadline 02/12:
🔗 committees.parliament.uk/call-for-evi...
Reposted by Yuan Yi Zhu
The problem is they have scared off high skill workers toowith all the nonsense over ILR (I can confirm this is causing issues for us at Oxford). That’s on Blue Labour.
October 28, 2025 at 9:30 PM
The problem is they have scared off high skill workers toowith all the nonsense over ILR (I can confirm this is causing issues for us at Oxford). That’s on Blue Labour.
Reposted by Yuan Yi Zhu
Mike Tapp MP, Minister for Migration and Citizenship, was questioned by the House of Lords Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee about the proposed changes to ILR. His answer continues to leave us legal migrants in the dark.
October 28, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Mike Tapp MP, Minister for Migration and Citizenship, was questioned by the House of Lords Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee about the proposed changes to ILR. His answer continues to leave us legal migrants in the dark.
Reposted by Yuan Yi Zhu
Not to sound like a broken record about this, but Labour’s little retrospective surprise for those of us from post-2020 will turn our lives upside down, not to mention the damage it will do to industries and the UK’s reputation for attracting talent from abroad.
October 28, 2025 at 11:44 AM
Not to sound like a broken record about this, but Labour’s little retrospective surprise for those of us from post-2020 will turn our lives upside down, not to mention the damage it will do to industries and the UK’s reputation for attracting talent from abroad.
Reposted by Yuan Yi Zhu
a call for evidence for the potential impact of changes to settlement. if you think the alterations to ILR are brain-bendingly stupid then this is most definitely for you
Call for Evidence - Committees - UK Parliament
Terms of Reference
committees.parliament.uk
October 25, 2025 at 8:30 PM
a call for evidence for the potential impact of changes to settlement. if you think the alterations to ILR are brain-bendingly stupid then this is most definitely for you
Reposted by Yuan Yi Zhu
Agree with this obviously.
But don't forget *the government* has also proposed vindictive, unpopular and economically damaging restrictions on ILR which could affect 100,000s of people here now, legally, mostly working. This is now the more immediate issue..
But don't forget *the government* has also proposed vindictive, unpopular and economically damaging restrictions on ILR which could affect 100,000s of people here now, legally, mostly working. This is now the more immediate issue..
Pressure therefore needs to be kept up on Tories, and Reform, regarding policies which will put at risk the lives and futures of millions of law abiding families in this country who have played by the rules, contributed, and done nothing on. Don't let up until this is ditched, by both parties
October 28, 2025 at 11:07 AM
Agree with this obviously.
But don't forget *the government* has also proposed vindictive, unpopular and economically damaging restrictions on ILR which could affect 100,000s of people here now, legally, mostly working. This is now the more immediate issue..
But don't forget *the government* has also proposed vindictive, unpopular and economically damaging restrictions on ILR which could affect 100,000s of people here now, legally, mostly working. This is now the more immediate issue..
Reposted by Yuan Yi Zhu
If people in government want my longer thoughts on why arbitrarily extending the time to ILR for people who are already here is bad (let alone the mass deportation policies of their rivals), and a sense of what I think a sustainable policy might be, then see:
benansell.substack.com/p/select-and...
benansell.substack.com/p/select-and...
October 28, 2025 at 11:14 AM
If people in government want my longer thoughts on why arbitrarily extending the time to ILR for people who are already here is bad (let alone the mass deportation policies of their rivals), and a sense of what I think a sustainable policy might be, then see:
benansell.substack.com/p/select-and...
benansell.substack.com/p/select-and...
Reposted by Yuan Yi Zhu
I’m in standing room at @torontobluejays.bsky.social , behind accessible seating, where a kid/teen in a wheelchair is distraught because he can’t see anything with everyone standing up. If anyone happens to be in a box or something with extra seats, this is your chance to do a good deed.
October 26, 2025 at 12:57 AM
I’m in standing room at @torontobluejays.bsky.social , behind accessible seating, where a kid/teen in a wheelchair is distraught because he can’t see anything with everyone standing up. If anyone happens to be in a box or something with extra seats, this is your chance to do a good deed.
Reposted by Yuan Yi Zhu
"Image credit: Crown"
October 24, 2025 at 7:54 PM
"Image credit: Crown"
Reposted by Yuan Yi Zhu
Took me longer to write this than it should have. My mom died over 6 weeks ago. In any event, here is her obituary. I feel enormous peace.
October 24, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Took me longer to write this than it should have. My mom died over 6 weeks ago. In any event, here is her obituary. I feel enormous peace.
Reposted by Yuan Yi Zhu
It's not like I'm going to be changing anyone's mind here in my echo chamber, but even so, it is probably worth saying that the Tory proposal to deport people who are here legally, who are our neighbours, our children's school friends, our colleagues is repugnant beyond description.
October 24, 2025 at 10:52 AM
It's not like I'm going to be changing anyone's mind here in my echo chamber, but even so, it is probably worth saying that the Tory proposal to deport people who are here legally, who are our neighbours, our children's school friends, our colleagues is repugnant beyond description.
Reposted by Yuan Yi Zhu
My column at time
- I think govt are probably agreed on no retrospective loss of ILR
- they are agreed on earned settlement tiers for new arrivals
- they plan to extend ILR timelines for some recent arrivals, not others
- who they will say on who must leave ???
www.easterneye.biz/keir-starmer...
- I think govt are probably agreed on no retrospective loss of ILR
- they are agreed on earned settlement tiers for new arrivals
- they plan to extend ILR timelines for some recent arrivals, not others
- who they will say on who must leave ???
www.easterneye.biz/keir-starmer...
Can progressives find a response to populism?
The prime minister made headlines by calling the Farage plan ‘racist’
www.easterneye.biz
October 21, 2025 at 10:58 AM
My column at time
- I think govt are probably agreed on no retrospective loss of ILR
- they are agreed on earned settlement tiers for new arrivals
- they plan to extend ILR timelines for some recent arrivals, not others
- who they will say on who must leave ???
www.easterneye.biz/keir-starmer...
- I think govt are probably agreed on no retrospective loss of ILR
- they are agreed on earned settlement tiers for new arrivals
- they plan to extend ILR timelines for some recent arrivals, not others
- who they will say on who must leave ???
www.easterneye.biz/keir-starmer...
Reposted by Yuan Yi Zhu
i have about two million followers across three platforms. statistically, about 20,000 of you are in the top 1% in terms of wealth. if any of you feel like leaving me your home in a walkable neighborhood when you die, that would make for a very heartwarming social media story.
October 23, 2025 at 10:21 PM
i have about two million followers across three platforms. statistically, about 20,000 of you are in the top 1% in terms of wealth. if any of you feel like leaving me your home in a walkable neighborhood when you die, that would make for a very heartwarming social media story.
Reposted by Yuan Yi Zhu
Actively insane and immoral
The Conservatives have drafted the legislation.
ANY one of the conditions being met leads to ILR being revoked.
If annual income falls below £38,700 for six months (for any reason at all)
The Secretary of State would also have the powers add whatever further conditions they want.
ANY one of the conditions being met leads to ILR being revoked.
If annual income falls below £38,700 for six months (for any reason at all)
The Secretary of State would also have the powers add whatever further conditions they want.
October 21, 2025 at 9:52 PM
Actively insane and immoral
Reposted by Yuan Yi Zhu
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 8:57 AM
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.
Reposted by Yuan Yi Zhu
Draft Tory legislation on removing indefinite leave to remain is insane.
Would chuck out those not earning over £38K - including many pensioners!
+ social protections seems to include child benefit, so load of people with (British!) kids!
They'd remove my sis & mum who've been here 50 years.
Would chuck out those not earning over £38K - including many pensioners!
+ social protections seems to include child benefit, so load of people with (British!) kids!
They'd remove my sis & mum who've been here 50 years.
October 22, 2025 at 10:11 AM
Draft Tory legislation on removing indefinite leave to remain is insane.
Would chuck out those not earning over £38K - including many pensioners!
+ social protections seems to include child benefit, so load of people with (British!) kids!
They'd remove my sis & mum who've been here 50 years.
Would chuck out those not earning over £38K - including many pensioners!
+ social protections seems to include child benefit, so load of people with (British!) kids!
They'd remove my sis & mum who've been here 50 years.
Reposted by Yuan Yi Zhu
You may have heard about UK ministers' plan to double to 10 years the time needed to reached settled status in the UK. But did you realise that it threatened access to pensions for the 180,000 people who came from Hong Kong on the UK government's visa scheme? My dispatch: www.ft.com/content/8b91...
UK Hongkongers rue the rockiness of their ‘lifeboat’ after threatened visa changes
People who fled Chinese territory are angry after London looks at doubling length of time required to gain citizenship
www.ft.com
October 22, 2025 at 6:21 AM
You may have heard about UK ministers' plan to double to 10 years the time needed to reached settled status in the UK. But did you realise that it threatened access to pensions for the 180,000 people who came from Hong Kong on the UK government's visa scheme? My dispatch: www.ft.com/content/8b91...