Simon Duffy

ICE not only looks and acts like a paramilitary force – it is one, and that makes it harder to curb ICE, created in response to 9/11, meets most definitions of paramilitary forces. Critics worry it’s gone beyond its writ of immigration enforcement.

Useful perspective: "The United States is nearly alone among established democracies in creating a new paramilitary police force in recent decades."

theconversation.com/ice-not-only...

And right on cue, just out

@highpaycentre.bsky.social
schoolsweek.co.uk/best-paid-ac...

The Polanski effect? These charts reveal how much the Greens have advanced The Green party has made gains under its leader – but there is also uncertainty ahead

This is what an entire party stepping up looks like.

Together, we stop Reform.
Together, we win Gorton & Denton.

Join.greenparty.org.uk

The Department of Transportation (@us-dot.bsky.social) values a statistical life at $13.7M.

Food and shelter are cheap maintenance for such an expensive piece of equipment.

@ubilabnetwork.bsky.social @basicincomeaction.org @simonduffy.bsky.social @puffmushroom.bsky.social

#UBISky #HumanCapital

City minister accused of ignoring £2bn car finance tax loophole Critics say banks will be able to avoid tax on compensation payouts to victims of £11bn loans scandal

What would it take to rein in our dangerously out-of-control #FinancialSector?

Having a government that WANTS to rein it in

www.theguardian.com/business/202...

Quote emphasizing a shift from institutional systems to neighborhood care and trust-based relationships in social care commissioning.

📣 EARLY BIRD tickets on sale — don’t miss out, join us at Commissioning for the Future of Social Care in Winchester on 25th March
🎟️ Tickets + more info at: https://ow.ly/1zfc50XK9ST

#FutureOfCare #SelfDirectedSupport #Inclusion #CommissioningCare #NeighbourhoodCare #AdultSocialCare

Once we have universal basic income, general strikes become more doable (in fact, all strikes do). More people could join them, and they could last longer in duration.

It’s true. Everywhere I go in Europe people are drinking Aperol Spritz in street bars and cafes. It looks very alarming if you didn’t know drinks for grown ups can be that colour. Worried me, the first time I saw it.

YouTube video by Frankly Fukuyama Europe: Don't Back Down

Interesting to get the perspective of Fukuyama on the conflict between the US and Europe. His concept of the End of History feels rather different in these apocalyptic times. But his basic point is strong:

Never give into bullies.

youtu.be/SS5Ep3LTqnE?...

Quote on a pink background about the huge potential for positive change through community unity and local citizen support.

🌱 We believe that care should be at the centre of any attempt to imagine a better way forward for our society & our world. We need to value care, and take care of ourselves, each other and the planet

👁️ Read more: https://ow.ly/zOXP50XFRYG

#SocialChange #SustainableFuture #InclusiveCommunities

Thanks @lynnebowers.bsky.social

Great paper!
Neighbourhoods; civil society; citizens; devolution; partnerships, sustainability.
Celebrates what has been achieved thus far in S.Yorks - applicable everywhere.
@samfr.bsky.social #TheHealthCreationAlliance.
@local.gov.uk
#CadenceRoundtable

Trump administration demands Britain adopt US standards in trade talks The U.S. push would derail Britain’s post-Brexit relationship with the European Union.

Is this the behaviour of a "friend and ally"? Obviously not

And we certainly don't want terrible, and declining, US standards on food safety, chemical regulation, environmental rules!

www.politico.eu/article/dona...

Citizen Network: Citizens as Cooperative Problem-Solvers Henry Tam outlines how the essential skills of citizenship can be developed so that everyone can be involved.

The key difference btw being citizens & being mere subjects is that the former are cooperative problem-solvers in their own governance.
It makes effective citizenship education vital for any democratic society.
citizen-network.org/library/citi... @moorsee.bsky.social @eddieplayfair.bsky.social

Bravo. I did the same a few months ago - we must not become complicit with the evil of Musk and the media machine of fascism.

It is time to leave the cesspit formerly known as Twitter Grok is just one of many reasons why Westminster should finally get off the website.

Yesterday I posted my last ever Tweet and called on the Government to do the same.

Read more below on why I think it’s time to leave the cesspit formerly known as Twitter.

www.politicshome.com/opinion/arti...

Parliamentlive.tv - Lords

60 British citizens (35 children) detained in north-east Syria: @greenjennyjones.bsky.social says is the government not worried about their conditions and rights?

www.parliamentlive.tv/Lords

Meanwhile, in Scotland: "What began as something so outlandish and so seemingly utopian that we might as well have promised the Moon and the stars has reached the point where, in theory at least, there is a parliamentary majority in favour of the principle of a UBI."

No one is asking Wes Streeting to be a commentator.

Asking him to be a government minister when the whole world can see Trump breaking international law whilst threatening Greenland next, and the Cabinet (with Nigel Farage) seems perfectly fine with it.

📣 EARLY BIRD tickets on sale — don’t miss out on your chance to join us at Commissioning for the Future of Social Care on 25th March 2026
🎟️ Tickets + more info at: https://ow.ly/1zfc50XK9ST

#FutureOfCare #SelfDirectedSupport #Inclusion #CommissioningCare #CareProfessionals #CareSectorUK #Winchester

Parliamentlive.tv House of Lords

IPP sentences - we have been saying these are profoundly unjust for years, says @greenjennyjones.bsky.social in #HouseofLords.

Know there is a lot of concern on the Labour benches, and some have bravely spoken up.

We need to move forward

parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/...

👇

Donning down.

Denmark PM Mette Frederiksen speaking to reporters

Denmark PM Mette Frederiksen: “I would therefore strongly urge the United States to stop the threats against a historically close ally & against another country & another people who have very clearly said that they are not for sale"

Denmark handles foreign policy for Greenland

YouTube video by Tom Pogson Not all work is valued

One of the challenges of advocating for basic income is the fact I live in a time when labour (as opposed to work) is put on a pedestal. So you are challenged to show that UBI won't negatively effect this.
It won't, but there's more:
youtube.com/shorts/CE1fA...

YouTube video by Scott Santens A natural experiment testing basic income sizes found that even large UBI amounts barely impact work

A really interesting natural experiment testing basic income amounts from tiny to huge ($15,000/mo) found that poverty level amounts have virtually zero impact on work and that large amounts essentially see a ceiling to their impact on work that is still small. At $15k/mo, MPE was around 5% (2%-8%).

UBI works: it boosts demand (people spend locally), stabilises economies in downturns, cuts bureaucracy, & enables everyone dignity. Evidence shows better health, less stress, more work flexibility; not less work. It buys freedom and resilience, not idleness.

For me, this interview sums up what's wrong with the modern Labour Party. Too quick to link extremist far right rhetoric with popular left wing positions. Too quick to say what they're against & not what they're for.
To dismiss wealth tax cos it won't solve ALL the problems is foolish.

Homeless people were given free money, no strings attached. Here's what happened A new trial gave homeless people £2,000 to spend however they choose. What they spent the money on may surprise you.

#GoodNews - not quite #UniversalBasicIncome, but headed in that direction.

With the understanding that people in poverty's problem is lack of money
#UBI @ubilabnetwork.bsky.social
www.bigissue.com/news/housing...

BREAKING NEWS: Actual facts appear for the first time on "Truth" Social.