Robin Wilson
@robinwilson250.bsky.social
Expert adviser to the Council of Europe on intercultural integration; foodie and footballer
On top of ignoring the 'Brexit' elephant in the room, a floundering UK Labour shows no interest in the socioeconomic solutions offered by progressive social democrats elsewhere in Europe, preferring the ancient 'Treasury view', London centralism and xenophobia: www.socialeurope.eu/sir-keir-sta...
Sir Keir Starmer Wants Growth—Perhaps He Should Learn Spanish
Spain's socialist government has delivered economic growth three times faster than Britain's; Labour would do well to study how.
www.socialeurope.eu
November 30, 2025 at 12:44 PM
On top of ignoring the 'Brexit' elephant in the room, a floundering UK Labour shows no interest in the socioeconomic solutions offered by progressive social democrats elsewhere in Europe, preferring the ancient 'Treasury view', London centralism and xenophobia: www.socialeurope.eu/sir-keir-sta...
'Drain the swamp'? The ultimate narcissist, Trump (net disapproval rating now 14%) keeps dipping into the trough as he turns the institution of the presidency into a personal business vehicle and mafia-type organisation: www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-i...
All the president’s millions: how the Trumps are turning the presidency into riches
From Vietnam to the Balkans, Donald Trump’s family has launched a global dealmaking blitz since his re-election
www.theguardian.com
November 30, 2025 at 12:12 PM
'Drain the swamp'? The ultimate narcissist, Trump (net disapproval rating now 14%) keeps dipping into the trough as he turns the institution of the presidency into a personal business vehicle and mafia-type organisation: www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-i...
As ever with Trump, we are back to the question not only of Putin's role in his first election but also to what hold ex-KGB Putin has over him in power, constantly able to pull him back into line with Russian positions, as indicated in the ex-MI6 'Steele dossier': www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2025...
Lara Marlowe: Trump’s cynical, disgraceful ‘peace plan’ gave Putin exactly what he wants
In a normal country, Donald Trump and Steve Witkoff would be tried for treason for the way they capitulated to Kremlin demands
www.irishtimes.com
November 29, 2025 at 8:06 AM
As ever with Trump, we are back to the question not only of Putin's role in his first election but also to what hold ex-KGB Putin has over him in power, constantly able to pull him back into line with Russian positions, as indicated in the ex-MI6 'Steele dossier': www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2025...
Ireland's #homelessness statistic (and private rents) will continue to rise inexorably until and unless this now wealthy country taxes that wealth adequately to fund a massive programme of social housing: www.irishtimes.com/ireland/soci...
Number of homeless people in Ireland reaches new record high in October
Focus Ireland says many children now facing second or third Christmas in emergency accommodation
www.irishtimes.com
November 28, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Ireland's #homelessness statistic (and private rents) will continue to rise inexorably until and unless this now wealthy country taxes that wealth adequately to fund a massive programme of social housing: www.irishtimes.com/ireland/soci...
Because in recent decades 'r>g'--the rate of profit has exceeded growth--the share of the surplus from production going to rentiers ('the 1%') has soared. And because #wealth is so mildly taxed, the #inequality is perpetuated and then compounded via inheritance: www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2025...
Opinion: Rich are getting richer, poor are getting poorer and the middle class is disappearing
Reality of accelerating inequality across the globe is striking
www.irishtimes.com
November 28, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Because in recent decades 'r>g'--the rate of profit has exceeded growth--the share of the surplus from production going to rentiers ('the 1%') has soared. And because #wealth is so mildly taxed, the #inequality is perpetuated and then compounded via inheritance: www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2025...
Lots of good sense on the future of the BBC from the professional journalists who work there: www.nuj.org.uk/resource/bbc...
BBC workers call for board reform and sustainable funding
NUJ members at the BBC have outlined their vision for an impartial, universally available and funded BBC.
www.nuj.org.uk
November 28, 2025 at 10:55 AM
Lots of good sense on the future of the BBC from the professional journalists who work there: www.nuj.org.uk/resource/bbc...
Roisin O'Donnell's Nesting wins best novel in the Irish Book Awards--a compelling account of one woman's struggle to free herself from the coercive control of her partner, all the more insightful in that he avoids actual violence and manipulates their children: www.irishtimes.com/culture/book...
Irish Book Awards 2025: Roisín O’Donnell, Claire Gleeson and Manchán Magan among winners
Jacqueline Connolly, Andrew Porter, Cecelia Ahern, Andrea Mara, Elaine Feeney, Joseph O’Connor and Michael D Higgins also honoured
www.irishtimes.com
November 28, 2025 at 8:40 AM
Roisin O'Donnell's Nesting wins best novel in the Irish Book Awards--a compelling account of one woman's struggle to free herself from the coercive control of her partner, all the more insightful in that he avoids actual violence and manipulates their children: www.irishtimes.com/culture/book...
There's a pattern: MEP in Farage's UKIP bribed by Russia, Farage regularly appearing on RT, 'Brexit' funder Banks' meetings at Russian embassy pre- and post-referendum, Farage's pro-Putin statements ... 'useful idiots' in Putin's drive to divide and destabilise the EU: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Former Brexit Party MEP denies taking payment from pro-Russian campaign
A prominent former MEP for Nigel Farage's old party denies taking bribes in a pro-Russian campaign.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 28, 2025 at 8:30 AM
There's a pattern: MEP in Farage's UKIP bribed by Russia, Farage regularly appearing on RT, 'Brexit' funder Banks' meetings at Russian embassy pre- and post-referendum, Farage's pro-Putin statements ... 'useful idiots' in Putin's drive to divide and destabilise the EU: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Northern Ireland education minister from evangelical party drags feet on UK Supreme Court ruling challenging Protestant ethos of nominally state schools in region--once again showing 'unionist' politicians are motivated by sectarianism, not affinity with modern Britain: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
NI education: Schools told to continue providing RE based on 'holy scriptures'
Paul Givan's letter follows a court judgement that the Christian focused RE taught in Northern Ireland was unlawful.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 28, 2025 at 8:11 AM
Northern Ireland education minister from evangelical party drags feet on UK Supreme Court ruling challenging Protestant ethos of nominally state schools in region--once again showing 'unionist' politicians are motivated by sectarianism, not affinity with modern Britain: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
This has of course occurred to no one in the European Commission but if one really wanted to improve the competitiveness of European firms one should encourage the most diverse workforces--& so hospitality, not xenophobia--because of the evidenced link to innovation: www.euractiv.com/news/commiss...
Commission won't lead talks on 'return hubs,' EU migration chief says | Euractiv
That responsibly lies with EU capitals, Magnus Brunner said in an interview with Euractiv, as Brussels pushes ahead with an overhaul of the bloc's returns system
www.euractiv.com
November 27, 2025 at 6:16 PM
This has of course occurred to no one in the European Commission but if one really wanted to improve the competitiveness of European firms one should encourage the most diverse workforces--& so hospitality, not xenophobia--because of the evidenced link to innovation: www.euractiv.com/news/commiss...
Capital has persuaded the European Commission that deregulation is the answer to firms' weak #competitiveness. Yet while reduced regulation costs may enhance profits and dividends, they will do nothing to redress Europe's poor investment in #R&D and so innovation: www.socialeurope.eu/europes-indu...
Europe's Industrial Crisis: Invest Now or Accept Decline
Across 18 sectors, only aerospace and defence remain globally competitive—Europe must abandon naivety and act decisively.
www.socialeurope.eu
November 27, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Capital has persuaded the European Commission that deregulation is the answer to firms' weak #competitiveness. Yet while reduced regulation costs may enhance profits and dividends, they will do nothing to redress Europe's poor investment in #R&D and so innovation: www.socialeurope.eu/europes-indu...
By ensuring the COPs can only move by consensus the petrostates have blocked action against climate change. But sectoral initiatives, 'democratic experimentalism' by sub-national authorities and now an international coalition of 'electrostates' are bypassing them: theconversation.com/cop30-petros...
COP30: petrostates block climate deal once again, but some countries are taking their own decisive steps to phase out fossil fuels
Saudi Arabia and Russia often veto COP agreements, but Colombia and The Netherlands are taking matters into their own hands.
theconversation.com
November 27, 2025 at 5:21 PM
By ensuring the COPs can only move by consensus the petrostates have blocked action against climate change. But sectoral initiatives, 'democratic experimentalism' by sub-national authorities and now an international coalition of 'electrostates' are bypassing them: theconversation.com/cop30-petros...
Ulrich Beck succinctly described politics as a struggle for the control of the state between corporations and #NGOs. The far right in the European Parliament claims to speak for 'the people'. In fact, by targeting environmental NGOs, it simply supports big business: euobserver.com/EU%20Politic...
European Parliament NGO-funding probe descends into chaos and walkouts
A new European Parliament probe into NGO-funding transparency rapidly descended into chaos on Wednesday, as progressive and left-leaning MEPs stormed out of the meeting within the first 30 minutes.
euobserver.com
November 27, 2025 at 10:41 AM
Ulrich Beck succinctly described politics as a struggle for the control of the state between corporations and #NGOs. The far right in the European Parliament claims to speak for 'the people'. In fact, by targeting environmental NGOs, it simply supports big business: euobserver.com/EU%20Politic...
Farage is not going to be able to dig himself out of this hole of bullying #antisemitism and #xenophobia at his private school. The irony is his Hugenot-refugee ancestry--authoritarians seek to project such an unintegrated identity element on to stigmatised others www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Three more ex-pupils at school with Nigel Farage reject ‘banter’ claims
Exclusive: Dulwich college contemporaries ‘rubbish’ Reform UK leader’s suggestion alleged racist taunts not intended to hurt
www.theguardian.com
November 26, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Farage is not going to be able to dig himself out of this hole of bullying #antisemitism and #xenophobia at his private school. The irony is his Hugenot-refugee ancestry--authoritarians seek to project such an unintegrated identity element on to stigmatised others www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Very useful collection of data on gender-based violence in Europe and its economic as well as human costs www.euractiv.com/news/the-eco... #vaw
The economic toll of violence against women | Euractiv
Europe’s long-standing struggle with gender inequality is no longer just a social issue – it’s an economic liability
www.euractiv.com
November 26, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Very useful collection of data on gender-based violence in Europe and its economic as well as human costs www.euractiv.com/news/the-eco... #vaw
Orban is already facing domestic electoral defeat in April. Time for the EU to make plain to Hungarians the benefits of returning thereafter to a Europe of universal norms: euobserver.com/Rule%20of%20...
EU Parliament reaffirms and strengthens calls to act against Hungary
The European Parliament voted on Tuesday on a second report calling on the commission and council to act against Hungary for breaching article 2 of the Treaty of the European Union
euobserver.com
November 26, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Orban is already facing domestic electoral defeat in April. Time for the EU to make plain to Hungarians the benefits of returning thereafter to a Europe of universal norms: euobserver.com/Rule%20of%20...
In the face of US idiocy (plus bizarre rent-seeking) on Ukraine, Europe has to get real about Putin's intent: euobserver.com/EU%20&%20the...
Moscow’s 'peace plan' as an instrument of war
The American part of the “peace plan” reflects the profiteering interests of real estate developer Steven Witkoff and investor Jared Kushner, both aligning neatly with Donald Trump’s own interests in ...
euobserver.com
November 26, 2025 at 12:31 PM
In the face of US idiocy (plus bizarre rent-seeking) on Ukraine, Europe has to get real about Putin's intent: euobserver.com/EU%20&%20the...
Biden's green-transition act was called Inflation Reduction because renewables cost less than the fossil fuels of Trump's 1950s US. Add inflationary tariffs and no surprise the socially-insecure part of Trump's coalition, beyond the authoritarian core, is melting away: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
The looming election Trump can't afford to lose
In a Tennessee district the president won by 22% last year, a Democratic upset could prompt Republican panic.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 26, 2025 at 11:11 AM
Biden's green-transition act was called Inflation Reduction because renewables cost less than the fossil fuels of Trump's 1950s US. Add inflationary tariffs and no surprise the socially-insecure part of Trump's coalition, beyond the authoritarian core, is melting away: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
The now world-(in)famous rappers are what in Belfast we call 'ceasefire soldiers'--young macho men who extol paramilitary violence, such as the IRA child abuse euphemistically called 'kneecapping', because they have no clue as to its brutal impact in reality: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Kneecap: Canadian PM's office and border services not 'involved' in ban
In September, Liberal MP and Parliamentary Secretary for Combating Crime Vince Gasparro announced the ban
www.bbc.co.uk
November 26, 2025 at 10:59 AM
The now world-(in)famous rappers are what in Belfast we call 'ceasefire soldiers'--young macho men who extol paramilitary violence, such as the IRA child abuse euphemistically called 'kneecapping', because they have no clue as to its brutal impact in reality: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
23,000. That's how many deaths can be blamed on Boris Johnson's chaotic Covid decisions and delays. Enough is enough, he must be stripped of his annual £115,000 handout. Sign the petition today: 38d.gs/clhk
Sign the petition: Strip Boris Johnson of his annual former PM allowance
23,000. That's how many deaths can be blamed on Boris Johnson's chaotic Covid decisions and delays. Enough is enough, he must be stripped of his annual £115,000 handout. Sign the petition today:
38d.gs
November 25, 2025 at 6:56 PM
23,000. That's how many deaths can be blamed on Boris Johnson's chaotic Covid decisions and delays. Enough is enough, he must be stripped of his annual £115,000 handout. Sign the petition today: 38d.gs/clhk
Reversing democratc backsliding means progressives must ensure citizens and their NGOs enjoy access to deliberation in an inclusive society. That way the populist counterposition of 'the people' to 'the elite' and the Other will fall flat. It's not rocket science: www.socialeurope.eu/frances-demo...
France's Democratic Malaise: Stop Blaming Citizens, Start Reforming Institutions
When eight in ten French citizens feel unrepresented, the problem lies not with democratic fatigue but with a political system that has forgotten how to listen.
www.socialeurope.eu
November 25, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Reversing democratc backsliding means progressives must ensure citizens and their NGOs enjoy access to deliberation in an inclusive society. That way the populist counterposition of 'the people' to 'the elite' and the Other will fall flat. It's not rocket science: www.socialeurope.eu/frances-demo...
The most perverse response to the challenge to European firms' competitiveness from substituting US for Russian gas and fossil-fuel companies' profiteering would be to slow the transition to cheaper #renewables: euobserver.com/Green%20Econ...
Why electrification, not repealing green laws, will save Europe's industry
According to Oxford professor of energy Jan Rosenow, rapid electrification of Europe's industry, not rolling back the EU's Green Deal, will save European industry.
euobserver.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:45 PM
The most perverse response to the challenge to European firms' competitiveness from substituting US for Russian gas and fossil-fuel companies' profiteering would be to slow the transition to cheaper #renewables: euobserver.com/Green%20Econ...
Excellent piece by two women @socialistsanddemocrats.eu MEPs on why Europe must, finally, agree a definition of #rape based on the absence of consent by the victim: euobserver.com/Health%20&%2...
Let's fight for a simple, clear, and effective European definition of rape
Citizens are demanding clarity, justice, and safety. The European Parliament must respond with unity and courage.
euobserver.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Excellent piece by two women @socialistsanddemocrats.eu MEPs on why Europe must, finally, agree a definition of #rape based on the absence of consent by the victim: euobserver.com/Health%20&%2...
The most terrifying thing about #climate change is that, with its evidence all around us, fatalism is adding to idiotic #denialism to weaken the collective effort to arrest it, just when this desperately needs to be strengthened, massively: www.newscientist.com/article/2505...
Why is climate action stalling, not ramping up as Earth gets hotter?
As the impact of global warming becomes more obvious, you might expect countries to step up climate action and preparation, but we’re seeing the opposite happen
www.newscientist.com
November 25, 2025 at 12:48 PM
The most terrifying thing about #climate change is that, with its evidence all around us, fatalism is adding to idiotic #denialism to weaken the collective effort to arrest it, just when this desperately needs to be strengthened, massively: www.newscientist.com/article/2505...
Misogyny (which the unregulated, corporate online world has massively fuelled) kills women: 50,000 women were killed last year, as (roughly) in the year before that, by intimate partners or family members: www.lemonde.fr/societe/arti... #femicide
50 000 femmes et filles tuées par un proche dans le monde en 2024, dénonce l’ONU
Le domicile reste le lieu le plus dangereux pour les femmes, avec 60 % des féminicides commis par un proche selon le dernier rapport d’ONU Femmes.
www.lemonde.fr
November 25, 2025 at 10:54 AM
Misogyny (which the unregulated, corporate online world has massively fuelled) kills women: 50,000 women were killed last year, as (roughly) in the year before that, by intimate partners or family members: www.lemonde.fr/societe/arti... #femicide