Jonathan Freedland finally says it: Britain is drowning bc there’s a Brexit-shaped hole in the roof and Labour refuses to fix it. Reeves can juggle taxes but nothing improves until we face the truth. We’re poorer bc of Brexit. We stay poor if Labour protects it. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Due to an admin error, we have lost our @oxfordforeurope.bsky.social account. (As you can see that account hasn’t posted for a while). So - after many attempts with the Bluesky team to regain the account - this is the new account. If you see this, please could you repost and follow back? 🙏

Human-rights activists are being threatened, intimidated and harassed in over 100 countries. Parliament warns that 10 countries are responsible for 80% of these attacks, and is calling for sanctions. 🔗 Learn more ↓

"Daddy why did you go into politics?" "Well, I always hoped that one day I might be able to make a difference. Like if people were fleeing war and persecution, and they arrived on our shores desperate and afraid, then maybe I could be the one to suggest we nicked their jewellery."

This is just mean-spirited and goes against who we are as a nation. How many long until Government realises you don’t beat Reform by becoming them? www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...

There is no evidence that stripping refugees' rights one by one will have any impact on people crossing the channel. Taking jewellery from refugees is akin to painting over murals for refugee children. These repugnant ‘deterrents’ did not work for the Tories, and they won't work for us.

Sarah Owen MP, select committee chair, notes this approach was tried and failed (2022-24), and says need a workable control and compassion policy

Government to ramp up deportations by overriding ECHR in fresh immigration crackdown I would never have believed we would see a headline like this under a Labour government www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...

Appeasing the far-right gives the broader public the impression that their narrative is true. There is no way to stem support for Reform by endorsing their policies. Either you are fighting against them or you are, regardless of how you see yourself, fighting for them.

Come next election Labour will look down and see 2 massive holes where their feet were, having shot themselves repeatedly in both feet aping Reform/Far Right to satisfy a racist minority.. Why are anti migrant marchers routinely outnumbered by pro migrant groups.. it’s because they’re a minority❗️🤷🏼‍♂️

Human rights are universal - if we start stripping away basic human rights from any section of society then none of us has rights – just privileges that can be taken away by people in power whenever they want

It's not 'illegal migration' that is tearing this country apart. It's nasty, cruel, uncaring rhetoric, & policies like this that are doing all the damage. Labour might just as well walk out of No. 10 & hands the keys over to Farage. Reform must be rubbing their hands with glee.

I despair of Labour & the Home Office. Is this meant to be a deterrent? Even if it made a difference to incoming migration, has anyone given any thought whatsoever to the impact on legal foreign residents in the UK? Or to the fact that it will give licence to the bigots to up the ante? Shameful!

Labour’s latest attack on asylum seekers is cruel & counterproductive. How does it help community cohesion to hold threat of deportation over vulnerable people? We don’t need an arms race with the hard right over asylum, we need safe routes & European cooperation #bbclaurak

Aside from the cruelty of this, I’d just like to know why it’s ok to ignore and disappoint liberal/progressive voters. Why do governments chase Farage and his voters, thinking that will neutralise them. It’s NEVER worked. He’s leading in the polls and his ideas have ruined us. WTF are you doing?

This is as bad as anything proposed by Reform. Leaving refugees in permanent limbo and unable to build a new life in the UK would be a complete abdication of our humanitarian responsibilities www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

"It's the finest place to live on Earth!" @mrjamesob.bsky.social defends London from 'racists and freak shows'.

The reaction to the Panorama edit has been nothing short of hysterical. Yes the BBC has some impartiality problems. But its biggest isn't the one you think. New piece from me. open.substack.com/pub/goodalla...

Rejoining Eramsus+ would be a vital step in retaining Britain’s standing in the world and upholding the world renown of our universities. This cultural exchange was essential for cooperation in an increasingly interconnected world. It's time to restore our membership.

The BBC affair: a personal view The row that has engulfed the BBC with the resignations of its director general, Tim Davie, and CEO of News, Deborah Turness, over allegations of bias is a self-incurred catastrophe which has been a long time coming northeastbylines.co.uk/news/opinion...

BYLINES NETWORK SPECIAL For 30 years, survivors of abuse by Mohamed Al Fayed have been silenced, threatened and blocked from justice. Their voices must be heard. Isabella reveals the barriers they face and the vital changes that need to happen. Read it at sussexbylines.co.uk & bit.ly/LegalAbyss

Dix ans après les attentats du 13-Novembre, les Parisiens se recueillent place de la République

When company’s coming, these simple, cosy ideas hit the spot

Train worker hero credited with saving lives in the Huntingdon knife attack named as Samir Zitouni.

This shows how much we've lost, and what we could gain by rejoining 74%of EU citizens believe their country benefited from membership of the bloc, according to a Eurobarometer survey conducted in early 2025, the highest score recorded since the question was first asked in 1983"

Italy cancels Rome flypast by Frecce Tricolori jets after worker dies in mediaeval tower collapse.

Seventy-five years ago, Britain helped create the European Convention on Human Rights, a promise of life, liberty, and fairness under the law. It has strengthened justice, protected victims, and upheld equality. These rights are ours to defend.

I miss the blessed days when Budget Purdah was a thing.

Train attack update: - The police have one single suspect under arrest. (The second 35 year old man arrested was not involved in the attack). - A single person train staff member remains in critical condition, having intervened to save lives

‘It is the scariest of times’: Margaret Atwood on defying Trump, banned books – and her score-settling memoir

Friday frittelle - on Sicily Scene: www.blogger.com/blog/post/ed...

Tory intentions regarding immigration,with no concern whatsoever for EU and UK citizens with Withdrawal Agreements rights, have struck fear into the hearts of many, including mine. The Labour Party condemned the policy, but neither speedily nor strongly enough.

More of this.

28 October 1944 | A transport of 1,308 Jewish women prisoners left #Auschwitz II-Birkenau camp. They were transferred to KL Bergen-Belsen. Most probably among them were sisters Anne and Margot Frank who died there of typhus in February 1945.

Fawlty Towers actor Prunella Scales dies at the age of 93

There have been some incomprehensible arrests of protesters in Britain recently but it is a country where you can heckle the King and not be jumped upon by hundreds of masked agents with guns.I am proud of that today.

Portuguese artist Joana Vasconcelos, installation with Azores crocheted lace #WomensArt

Once again we find ourselves responding to attacks on fundamental rights and basic decency from UK political parties. Once again we are stunned at how far-right racist policies and arguments are now being mainstreamed in the UK. Read our statement bit.ly/48K3TmK

Did she ask her about EU citizens in the UK with Withdrawal Agreement rights? If they are affected, British W.A beneficiaries in the EU would also suffer. Ms Lam wants to tear up the W.A., I understand. @annaturley.bsky.social @britishineurope.bsky.social @bremaininspain.com

How does he pay for it all? The mystery of Prince Andrew’s money

With Holocaust survivor, Italy's Senatrice a vita and extraordinary woman Liliana Segre. Her voice carries the weight of history and the hope that we can still build a world free of hatred. Humbled to be welcomed into her home in Milan. Listening to her story is a lesson in dignity & resilience.

After two tiaras, two brooches, two necklaces, and 1.5 pairs of earrings were stolen from the Louvre, France reacted with humiliation and apoplexy—but “how nice to read about a heist rather than a massacre,” Caity Weaver writes: