Cosimo Matteini

Now is the time to speak up and stand up for who we are and who we are not.

Petition: Call a public inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics & democracy We are concerned about reported efforts from Russia to influence democracy in the US, UK, Europe and elsewhere. We believe we must establish the depth and breadth of possible Russian influence campaig...

This is doing well and worth signing.

petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...

Cabinet rankings: Mahmood sees sharp drop in approval among Labour members – LabourList Shabana Mahmood’s approval among Labour members has plummeted since her announcement on reform of asylum policy, exclusive polling for LabourList has revealed. The poll, conducted…

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has seen her favourability drop 32 points among Labour members since her plans for asylum policy reform were announced

Judge me at next election, Keir Starmer tells doubters The PM tells the BBC he has made

"Sir Keir told the BBC: 'Every minute that is spent talking about anything other than cost-of-living is a wasted minute in my book.'"

OK, so why does his government keep banging on about immigration?

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

ICE-style raids on Britain's streets: that's all Labour's brutal asylum reforms will achieve | Stella Creasy If we want to ‘stop the boats’, we need to stop the BS when it comes to what creates refugees, and how to respond to them, says Labour MP Stella Creasy

Excellent by @stellacreasy.bsky.social!

"If we want to ‘stop the boats’, we need to stop the BS when it comes to what creates refugees, and how to respond to them"

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

We should stop the boats because it's dangerous, and we should stop the scapegoating of immigrants because it's wrong and cruel.

Controlled migration is good for the country, helps build our economy and diversity strengthens our communities. (1/6) 🧵

A strong immigration system doesn't need to be a cruel one.

It shouldn't need saying - but refugees & asylum seekers are real people, fleeing war and persecution.

This daughter of an immigrant is proud of our British and Labour values of respect and not turning our backs on people in real need.

Dear [my MP’s name], As the Home Secretary prepares to announce sweeping changes to the UK’s asylum system, I see it as both my duty as a citizen and responsibility as a migration expert to do all I can to urge policymakers to oppose the proposals—not only for what they will do to refugees, though that is the first concern, but also for what they will mean for all of us and the future society we live in.  That is why I am writing to you as my MP. This letter explains why I consider the need to oppose the Home Secretary’s proposals urgent and, at the most fundamental level, in the national and your constituents’ interest. I was born in Germany, a country whose history taught me how quickly societies can go down dark paths; how quickly our leaders can fail in the choices they make. But the history of the displacement of people that the Nazi regime was responsible for also shaped my understanding of why refugee movements occur—and why our response to any of them can never compromise what are, and must always be, universal human rights. Which is why what is happening in the UK now is so deeply alarming. A manufactured crisis As of June 2025, there were 42.5 million refugees globally. Over 70% of them are hosted by low- and middle-income countries; most of them immediate neighbours. Overall, five countries—Colombia, Germany, Türkiye, Iran and Uganda—host a third of the total number of refugees; Germany is the main host in the EU, hosting 2.7 million. The UK hosts 548,000 refugees; that is 0.78% of the UK population. About 110,000 people are in receipt of asylum support; that is 0.15% of the UK population.

🌍 42.5m refugees
Over 70% of them are hosted by low- and middle-income countries.

🇬🇧 548k refugees
= 0.78% of the UK population.

It is not refugees who tear our country apart, it is the mainstreaming of far right policies. And that’s a risk to all of us.

My letter to my MP.

#asylum #Mahmood

🧵

Leaving those who flee persecution or their kids in limbo- either when making a claim or when they try to rebuild lives- is not just cruel. It’s counterproductive to integration & costly to all.

Asylum reform needs to be both effective & ethical. And those of us not frightened to fight for it.

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

Everything about the current 'debate' around this is dismal, not just morally but because it is so stupid. For example:

It conflates asylum-seeking and illegal immigration (and sometimes with migration generally)

It shows no understanding of why there is AS

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025... 1/3

Stark language from this Labour MP speaking in opposition to the government’s asylum proposals

“The Prime Minister said in September that we are at a fork in the road. These asylum proposals suggest we have taken the wrong turning.”

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

The Prime Minister said in September that we are at a fork in the road. These asylum proposals suggest we have taken the wrong turning.

The idea that recognised refugees need to be deported is wrong.

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...

I am waiting until Monday too. I really hope it won't be as bad as I fear. But I fearit will be bad.

As a member, it would really make me question what to do. As a dual Italian and British citizen, this rethoric around immigration it very hurtful and personal.

A world without Keir Starmer Is it time to change the Labour leader?

open.substack.com/pub/iandunt/...

Excellent opinion by @iandunt.bsky.social

Great to have you back. But what about Joseph and Michael Haydn?

None of us should put pressure on Zelenskyy when it comes to territorial concessions. We should all put pressure on Russia to stop its aggression. Appeasement never was a road to a just and lasting peace.

Reaction when I stood up for trans women made me realise I had to do more Manchester City and Netherlands player explains why she has become an LGBT Foundation patron and the importance of keeping football free of hate

"I felt very strongly about the supreme court ruling, politically and emotionally. It really hurt me, even though I’m a cisgender woman, and it still hurts me because it targets people within my community." www.theguardian.com/football/202...

Narbonne is beautiful too, worth visiting.

fluvial

fluvial

#photography #photographer #Lisbon #architecture #AmandaLevete

How the government's new digital ID will work And why I've changed my mind on ID cards

As the clip is being picked up a bit, here’s a reminder that you can find out about how the Digital ID will work here – most of the basic tech implementation already exists, and has been built in-house by the Government Digital Service/DSIT!

takes.jamesomalley.co.uk/p/how-the-uk...

‘Anti-immigration politics is not the only way forward, if only politicians are prepared to pave the way’ – LabourList The subject of immigration has perhaps never been as salient, nor as sensitive, as it is now. 46% now consider it one of the top…

Starmer’s government is playing the wrong game. They need to start setting the agenda, form an original narrative, and demonstrate leadership whilst they have the power to do so.
labourlist.org/2025/09/labo...

Article - Nuffield Politics Research Centre

NEW!
In Liverpool for Labour Conference...

Starmer is concentrating on Reform but Labour shouldn't mistake their threat on the right, even in Leave voting heartlands.

Our new analysis w/ @martamiori.bsky.social explains:

politicscentre.nuffield.ox.ac.uk/news-and-eve...

🔴 BREAKING: Chancellor believes allowing young people to live and work across Britain and the EU would boost the economy and reduce the need for tax rises in the budget.

https://www.bestforbritain.org/uk_outlines_ambitious_yms

I would go further. The vast majority of people have a biometric passport. Those who don't are, mostly, the poor, the old, the young, homeless, etc. In short, the people who are constantly CHALLENGED to prove their identity. To those people, an ID card is an empowering document, not a dangerous one.

camí al silenci

camí al silenci

#architecture #Valencia #Spain #Calatrava #SantiagoCalatrava

In London, hate will never win.

It’s disappointing that we now use “illegal immigration” as a legitimate concern. UK law allows an asylum seeker to enter without legal paperwork. And they make up just 3%. We have always allowed a small number and nothing like other countries. But we processed them faster and allowed them to work.

This is a great statement, one which I wish all parties, and the Government, made!

The Parliamentary Black Caucus condemns in the strongest terms the recent rise in racism, abuse and anti-migrant hatred that we have witnessed in many parts of our beloved country. Whilst all people have the right to peaceful protest, we are clear that racism, intimidation and violence have no place in our society and must be met with a clear and robust response from the police authorities. From people being assaulted and abused in public because of their ethnicity, religion or dress, to racist graffiti sprayed on buildings, to intimidatory and violent protests outside hotels housing asylum seekers, this is an alarming time for many people, especially those from minoritised communities. We stand in solidarity with all those who are fearful, targeted or at risk.

The Government must show leadership. It must take urgent steps to reduce tensions, call out and challenge racist rhetoric and behaviour wherever it occurs, and take far more seriously the threat posed by the far right — which police have identified as the UK’s fastest-growing threat. We also call on the public to reject the divisive agenda of the far right, who are seeking to exploit recent tensions to spread anti-migrant hatred as well as mis and disinformation. This country is stronger when we stand together. We absolutely should have space in our country for informed discussions around migration, immigration and integration. This should be based on facts, compassion and most importantly, humanity. The Parliamentary Black Caucus believes in a patriotism that is inclusive, welcoming and proudly anti-racist — because only unity and solidarity will defeat the far right.

As Chair, here is our cross-party joint statement from the Parliamentary Black Caucus, regarding the rising threat of racism and violence from the far-right.👇🏾

I agree with you Kevin! I brought it up to my CLP some time ago, but I need to do it again. Perhaps raise it as a motion to be voted.