Alasdair Mackenzie
@alasdairmackenzie.bsky.social
Immigration and asylum law. All views my own but reposts not endorsement. Refugees welcome🧡. Green Party member💚. Trans 🏳️⚧️ rights are human rights. He/him.
"Lawyers have hitherto only interpreted the law. The point however is to change it."
"Lawyers have hitherto only interpreted the law. The point however is to change it."
Pinned
Starmer says past governments have been "squeamish" talking about immigration. Bullshit.
Starmer isn't bravely breaking a taboo. He's blaming vulnerable people & deflecting attention from the super rich who hoard power & wealth.
Want something better? join.greenparty.org.uk
Starmer isn't bravely breaking a taboo. He's blaming vulnerable people & deflecting attention from the super rich who hoard power & wealth.
Want something better? join.greenparty.org.uk
As an immigration lawyer, it seems to me that the only thing we talk about more than immigration is how we don’t talk about immigration
So the Home Office, which is responsible for the welfare of asylum seekers & for determining their claims, has decided to call them “illegal migrants” & tell everyone it’s “furious” about them being here, but I’m sure this is fine and not a symptom of a culture of disbelief & gratuitous cruelty
November 28, 2025 at 9:05 PM
So the Home Office, which is responsible for the welfare of asylum seekers & for determining their claims, has decided to call them “illegal migrants” & tell everyone it’s “furious” about them being here, but I’m sure this is fine and not a symptom of a culture of disbelief & gratuitous cruelty
Reposted by Alasdair Mackenzie
I've seen this a lot the last day or two, and for the record: "restrict access to government benefits for new ILR holders. we think this protect fairness and stability." Denying benefits to anyone with ILR is deeply unfair and this petition sucks, actually
Petition: Keep 5-Year ILR and Restrict Access to Benefits for New ILR Holders
The Government should keep the current 5-year route to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) and restrict access to government benefits for new ILR holders.
petition.parliament.uk
November 28, 2025 at 7:38 PM
I've seen this a lot the last day or two, and for the record: "restrict access to government benefits for new ILR holders. we think this protect fairness and stability." Denying benefits to anyone with ILR is deeply unfair and this petition sucks, actually
Reposted by Alasdair Mackenzie
One day, these will be the incredibly dark moments we read about in the history books.
November 28, 2025 at 5:52 PM
One day, these will be the incredibly dark moments we read about in the history books.
“We are firmly opposed to the proposals to remove trial by jury for all but the most serious of crimes. These proposals are wrong in principle, and there is no evidence that they will resolve the current Crown Court backlog.”
Doughty Street Chambers’ response to proposals to curtail trial by jury
Trial by jury is a deeply entrenched constitutional principle and anchors our liberal democracy. Jury trials enable people to participate and have a say in their criminal justice system.
www.doughtystreet.co.uk
November 28, 2025 at 5:40 PM
“We are firmly opposed to the proposals to remove trial by jury for all but the most serious of crimes. These proposals are wrong in principle, and there is no evidence that they will resolve the current Crown Court backlog.”
Reposted by Alasdair Mackenzie
Just cancel your Netflix subscription and stop buying avocados. You'll be fine
November 28, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Just cancel your Netflix subscription and stop buying avocados. You'll be fine
Reposted by Alasdair Mackenzie
The UK government loves to pretend to be supportive of families and children, but the moment there’s a foreigner in the mix, it doesn’t even matter if a British citizen is involved.
To them, you’ve forfeited your rights to a reunited family. And they do not care how much it kills you inside.
To them, you’ve forfeited your rights to a reunited family. And they do not care how much it kills you inside.
November 28, 2025 at 1:52 PM
The UK government loves to pretend to be supportive of families and children, but the moment there’s a foreigner in the mix, it doesn’t even matter if a British citizen is involved.
To them, you’ve forfeited your rights to a reunited family. And they do not care how much it kills you inside.
To them, you’ve forfeited your rights to a reunited family. And they do not care how much it kills you inside.
Reposted by Alasdair Mackenzie
it is practically impossible to immigrate to a western country and not break an immigration law at some point. i've done it three times now and there's always something
So this is a thing you'll see a lot about immigration. The process is incredibly slow, the systems are overworked. If you have applied you will overstay before your decision is made. The system is designed such that you will be breaking the law, by their own design. This is arguably on purpose.
They overstayed their visas. That's not remotely a legal way.
November 28, 2025 at 1:36 PM
it is practically impossible to immigrate to a western country and not break an immigration law at some point. i've done it three times now and there's always something
Reposted by Alasdair Mackenzie
i think we have to get off the defensive on immigration
it's not just necessary, it's good! - & the easier it is, the greater its benefits
it's not just necessary, it's good! - & the easier it is, the greater its benefits
November 28, 2025 at 1:23 PM
i think we have to get off the defensive on immigration
it's not just necessary, it's good! - & the easier it is, the greater its benefits
it's not just necessary, it's good! - & the easier it is, the greater its benefits
Reposted by Alasdair Mackenzie
I am for articulating the numerous pragmatic, economic and instrumental reasons that immigration benefits everyone, both the émigré and host country; but we should not forget that the state curtailing immigration is an affront to the fundamental freedom, autonomy and agency of all people
the measure of a country doing well is if it's people are happy, free, prosperous, & healthy, not if an arbitrary number of people cross a border
in chasing that latter goal, countries like the UK have undermined the former ones - we a poorer, more divided, & literally sicker
in chasing that latter goal, countries like the UK have undermined the former ones - we a poorer, more divided, & literally sicker
November 28, 2025 at 1:33 PM
I am for articulating the numerous pragmatic, economic and instrumental reasons that immigration benefits everyone, both the émigré and host country; but we should not forget that the state curtailing immigration is an affront to the fundamental freedom, autonomy and agency of all people
YP seeking to overcome its reputation for factionalism and bad press by means of [checks notes] anonymous factional briefings to the press
‘We had six MPs and four factions’: inside Your Party’s toxic power struggles
Some say Jeremy Corbyn is too non-committal for project to work, while others blame Zarah Sultana’s combative nature
www.theguardian.com
November 28, 2025 at 1:36 PM
YP seeking to overcome its reputation for factionalism and bad press by means of [checks notes] anonymous factional briefings to the press
Reposted by Alasdair Mackenzie
Reposted by Alasdair Mackenzie
The Lords have departed from years of restraint in standing up to the Government, to obstruct a manifesto commitment giving workers basic day-one protections. Here is a clear case of constitutional double standards, spurred on by business interests 1/ www.theguardian.com/law/2025/nov...
November 28, 2025 at 8:55 AM
The Lords have departed from years of restraint in standing up to the Government, to obstruct a manifesto commitment giving workers basic day-one protections. Here is a clear case of constitutional double standards, spurred on by business interests 1/ www.theguardian.com/law/2025/nov...
Reposted by Alasdair Mackenzie
We are pleased to announce we have made the UK a much less attractive place to live
UK net migration falls sharply with drop in arrivals for work and study
Provisional figures for net migration to the UK show levels dropped to 204,000 in the year to June 2025.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 27, 2025 at 8:23 PM
We are pleased to announce we have made the UK a much less attractive place to live
Reposted by Alasdair Mackenzie
"Tweaks to taxation and spending aren’t going to un-break Britain.
A tax on multi-million-pound properties, while welcome, is not going to erode the extraordinary wealth of those at the top of our society – nor their grip over our democracy."
open.substack.com/pub/gracebla...
A tax on multi-million-pound properties, while welcome, is not going to erode the extraordinary wealth of those at the top of our society – nor their grip over our democracy."
open.substack.com/pub/gracebla...
Rachel Reeves is living on another planet
A country in crisis and a government in denial.
open.substack.com
November 26, 2025 at 6:30 PM
"Tweaks to taxation and spending aren’t going to un-break Britain.
A tax on multi-million-pound properties, while welcome, is not going to erode the extraordinary wealth of those at the top of our society – nor their grip over our democracy."
open.substack.com/pub/gracebla...
A tax on multi-million-pound properties, while welcome, is not going to erode the extraordinary wealth of those at the top of our society – nor their grip over our democracy."
open.substack.com/pub/gracebla...
Reposted by Alasdair Mackenzie
It is IMO not possible to operate any kind of meaningful democracy when your national press is a joke and a travesty, but your mileage on that may vary. I think it’s incontestable that it is impossible to govern well and effectively, while being in hock to these pantomime clowns.
November 27, 2025 at 8:46 AM
It is IMO not possible to operate any kind of meaningful democracy when your national press is a joke and a travesty, but your mileage on that may vary. I think it’s incontestable that it is impossible to govern well and effectively, while being in hock to these pantomime clowns.
Reposted by Alasdair Mackenzie
Labour immigration policy explained:
✅ Net immigration rising: CRACKDOWN REQUIRED
✅ Net immigration plummeting: CRACKDOWN REQUIRED
✅ Net immigration rising: CRACKDOWN REQUIRED
✅ Net immigration plummeting: CRACKDOWN REQUIRED
November 27, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Labour immigration policy explained:
✅ Net immigration rising: CRACKDOWN REQUIRED
✅ Net immigration plummeting: CRACKDOWN REQUIRED
✅ Net immigration rising: CRACKDOWN REQUIRED
✅ Net immigration plummeting: CRACKDOWN REQUIRED
Reposted by Alasdair Mackenzie
I'm not sure how much it is appreciated that there will be significant emigration coming. Those here on graduate visas coming to an end, the toughening up of skilled worker rules re. salaries/sponsorable roles and the 'earned settlement' changes to come. Lots of people are going to leave.
November 27, 2025 at 11:08 AM
I'm not sure how much it is appreciated that there will be significant emigration coming. Those here on graduate visas coming to an end, the toughening up of skilled worker rules re. salaries/sponsorable roles and the 'earned settlement' changes to come. Lots of people are going to leave.
Reposted by Alasdair Mackenzie
The UK, where the day after a decision to take half a million children out of poverty, the media & political world has been full of sneering at those same children & their families, labelling them as ‘Benefits Street’, while the same people are moaning about a tax on £2m mansions. Shameful stuff.
November 27, 2025 at 8:22 PM
The UK, where the day after a decision to take half a million children out of poverty, the media & political world has been full of sneering at those same children & their families, labelling them as ‘Benefits Street’, while the same people are moaning about a tax on £2m mansions. Shameful stuff.
Reposted by Alasdair Mackenzie
A quick reminder of who Nigel Farage was most concerned about when Putin's tanks first rolled into Ukraine
November 27, 2025 at 8:22 PM
A quick reminder of who Nigel Farage was most concerned about when Putin's tanks first rolled into Ukraine
We are pleased to announce we have made the UK a much less attractive place to live
UK net migration falls sharply with drop in arrivals for work and study
Provisional figures for net migration to the UK show levels dropped to 204,000 in the year to June 2025.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 27, 2025 at 8:23 PM
We are pleased to announce we have made the UK a much less attractive place to live
BBC absolutely wetting itself here, endless statistics which it has confused with information
Tracking UK migration: Small boats, asylum hotels and visas
Use our interactive tracker to explore the latest migration statistics for the UK
www.bbc.co.uk
November 27, 2025 at 8:16 PM
BBC absolutely wetting itself here, endless statistics which it has confused with information
Reposted by Alasdair Mackenzie
Here is a list of reasons why some of my hearings and trials this year have been delayed and kicked off into the long grass, stuck in our record court backlog. Serious allegations which will now be tried *years* after the event. 🧵👇
November 27, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Here is a list of reasons why some of my hearings and trials this year have been delayed and kicked off into the long grass, stuck in our record court backlog. Serious allegations which will now be tried *years* after the event. 🧵👇
Reposted by Alasdair Mackenzie
November 27, 2025 at 3:50 PM
It’s interesting which manifesto commitments are set in stone and which are infinitely flexible, is it not
When Keir Starmer asked me to work with our Trades Unions to develop a programme for the biggest uplift in workers’ rights and protections in a generation, I did exactly as I was asked and we produced the New Deal for Working People.
1/11
1/11
November 27, 2025 at 7:54 PM
It’s interesting which manifesto commitments are set in stone and which are infinitely flexible, is it not
Reposted by Alasdair Mackenzie
The "don't have an extra kid if you can't afford it" brigade get awfully upset when you suggest they don't stay in their £2m house if they can't afford it, don't they?
November 27, 2025 at 6:09 PM
The "don't have an extra kid if you can't afford it" brigade get awfully upset when you suggest they don't stay in their £2m house if they can't afford it, don't they?