Tom Griffin
@tcgriffin.bsky.social
Author of State-Private Networks and Intelligence Theory (Routledge 2022). Writing on intelligence history on substack. https://intelligencehistory.substack.com
Reposted by Tom Griffin
"Labour must fix the asylum system - but I have two very real concerns with Mahmood's plans"
My op-ed in LBC on the Government's asylum plan
t.co/06PtJfT4NJ
My op-ed in LBC on the Government's asylum plan
t.co/06PtJfT4NJ
https://www.lbc.co.uk/article/labour-fix-asylum-system-real-concerns-opinion-5HjdN4X_2
t.co
November 19, 2025 at 11:54 AM
"Labour must fix the asylum system - but I have two very real concerns with Mahmood's plans"
My op-ed in LBC on the Government's asylum plan
t.co/06PtJfT4NJ
My op-ed in LBC on the Government's asylum plan
t.co/06PtJfT4NJ
Reposted by Tom Griffin
The UK isn’t a “soft touch” on asylum.
UK asylum seeker benefits are similar to European neighbours
No right to work before 12 months (it’s 6 months in France, Spain, Belgium, Netherlands)
UK settlement after 5 years (it’s 3 or 4 in Germany)
Let’s cut out the alarmist rhetoric.
UK asylum seeker benefits are similar to European neighbours
No right to work before 12 months (it’s 6 months in France, Spain, Belgium, Netherlands)
UK settlement after 5 years (it’s 3 or 4 in Germany)
Let’s cut out the alarmist rhetoric.
November 19, 2025 at 11:52 AM
The UK isn’t a “soft touch” on asylum.
UK asylum seeker benefits are similar to European neighbours
No right to work before 12 months (it’s 6 months in France, Spain, Belgium, Netherlands)
UK settlement after 5 years (it’s 3 or 4 in Germany)
Let’s cut out the alarmist rhetoric.
UK asylum seeker benefits are similar to European neighbours
No right to work before 12 months (it’s 6 months in France, Spain, Belgium, Netherlands)
UK settlement after 5 years (it’s 3 or 4 in Germany)
Let’s cut out the alarmist rhetoric.
Reposted by Tom Griffin
What should the soft left make of Labour’s in power? New Substack (with thanks to @steverichards.bsky.social and @compassoffice.bsky.social)
open.substack.com/pub/nationst...
open.substack.com/pub/nationst...
A ‘soft left’ perspective on Labour in power
On the latest episode of his podcast Rock and Roll Politics, which I’d encourage you to listen to, Steve Richards discussed an article I wrote about Labour’s soft left. Here's a shorter piece assessin...
open.substack.com
November 18, 2025 at 1:38 PM
What should the soft left make of Labour’s in power? New Substack (with thanks to @steverichards.bsky.social and @compassoffice.bsky.social)
open.substack.com/pub/nationst...
open.substack.com/pub/nationst...
Reposted by Tom Griffin
TUESDAY: What's coming up in Parliament today?
🪖 Debate on new Northern Ireland Troubles legislation
🌍 Chagos Islands legislation begins Lords Committee Stage
🔋 Energy Secretary faces oral questions
More detail below 🔽
www.hansardsociety.org.uk/news/parliam...
🪖 Debate on new Northern Ireland Troubles legislation
🌍 Chagos Islands legislation begins Lords Committee Stage
🔋 Energy Secretary faces oral questions
More detail below 🔽
www.hansardsociety.org.uk/news/parliam...
November 18, 2025 at 7:00 AM
TUESDAY: What's coming up in Parliament today?
🪖 Debate on new Northern Ireland Troubles legislation
🌍 Chagos Islands legislation begins Lords Committee Stage
🔋 Energy Secretary faces oral questions
More detail below 🔽
www.hansardsociety.org.uk/news/parliam...
🪖 Debate on new Northern Ireland Troubles legislation
🌍 Chagos Islands legislation begins Lords Committee Stage
🔋 Energy Secretary faces oral questions
More detail below 🔽
www.hansardsociety.org.uk/news/parliam...
Reposted by Tom Griffin
The Home Secretary says "we have become the destination of choice in Europe, clearly visible to every people smuggler and would-be illegal migrant across the world"
That is a factually untrue claim: the Home Office shows that the UK is fifth, getting 1/10 claims, while Germany gets 1/5 claims
That is a factually untrue claim: the Home Office shows that the UK is fifth, getting 1/10 claims, while Germany gets 1/5 claims
November 17, 2025 at 3:51 PM
The Home Secretary says "we have become the destination of choice in Europe, clearly visible to every people smuggler and would-be illegal migrant across the world"
That is a factually untrue claim: the Home Office shows that the UK is fifth, getting 1/10 claims, while Germany gets 1/5 claims
That is a factually untrue claim: the Home Office shows that the UK is fifth, getting 1/10 claims, while Germany gets 1/5 claims
Reposted by Tom Griffin
Labour peer Lord Dubs: "To use children as a weapon, as the home secretary is doing, is I think a shabby thing. I’m lost for words, frankly."
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/labour...
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/labour...
Labour Peer Who Fled The Nazis Condemns His Party's Immigration Crackdown
Lord Dubs said he was "lost for words".
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk
November 18, 2025 at 9:15 AM
Labour peer Lord Dubs: "To use children as a weapon, as the home secretary is doing, is I think a shabby thing. I’m lost for words, frankly."
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/labour...
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/labour...
Reposted by Tom Griffin
This from @stephenkb.bsky.social cuts to the heart of the matter. Does the government not understand how toxic this argument is? Do they think they can somehow weaponise it? The last governments at least had the merit not of making this kind of foul claim.
November 18, 2025 at 10:04 AM
This from @stephenkb.bsky.social cuts to the heart of the matter. Does the government not understand how toxic this argument is? Do they think they can somehow weaponise it? The last governments at least had the merit not of making this kind of foul claim.
Reposted by Tom Griffin
One of the biggest yet quietist trends we’re living through: the rapid death of overseas aid and diplomacy.
“For the first time in 30 years, France, Germany, the UK, and the US all cut their ODA in 2024.. the first time in history all 4 have cut aid simultaneously”
www.politico.eu/article/arms...
“For the first time in 30 years, France, Germany, the UK, and the US all cut their ODA in 2024.. the first time in history all 4 have cut aid simultaneously”
www.politico.eu/article/arms...
The West’s new arms race: Selling peace to buy war
Military spending is rising faster than at any time since the end of the Cold War, but the retreat from diplomacy and foreign aid will come at a price.
www.politico.eu
November 17, 2025 at 6:48 PM
One of the biggest yet quietist trends we’re living through: the rapid death of overseas aid and diplomacy.
“For the first time in 30 years, France, Germany, the UK, and the US all cut their ODA in 2024.. the first time in history all 4 have cut aid simultaneously”
www.politico.eu/article/arms...
“For the first time in 30 years, France, Germany, the UK, and the US all cut their ODA in 2024.. the first time in history all 4 have cut aid simultaneously”
www.politico.eu/article/arms...
Reposted by Tom Griffin
👮 More than a dozen Labour MPs have expressed criticism of the government’s radical reforms to Britain’s asylum system.
labourlist.org/2025/11/asyl...
labourlist.org/2025/11/asyl...
Asylum reform: Full list of MPs opposing government’s immigration proposals – LabourList
More than a dozen Labour MPs have expressed criticism of the government's radical reforms to Britain's asylum system. Shabana Mahmood has proposed sweeping new reforms…
labourlist.org
November 17, 2025 at 1:04 PM
👮 More than a dozen Labour MPs have expressed criticism of the government’s radical reforms to Britain’s asylum system.
labourlist.org/2025/11/asyl...
labourlist.org/2025/11/asyl...
Reposted by Tom Griffin
I think ten Labour MPs have now gone public with their concerns that the reforms are on the wrong track, mainly by sharing Tony Vaughan's tweet. Mainly on the left, but Creasy, Vaughan are a bit less so
bsky.app/profile/padd...
bsky.app/profile/padd...
So far seven Labour MPs have shared Tony Vaughan’s tweet: Bell Ribeiro-Addy, Stella Creasy, Clive Lewis, Nadia Whittome, Kate Osborne, Olivia Blake and Peter Lamb.
November 17, 2025 at 9:27 AM
I think ten Labour MPs have now gone public with their concerns that the reforms are on the wrong track, mainly by sharing Tony Vaughan's tweet. Mainly on the left, but Creasy, Vaughan are a bit less so
bsky.app/profile/padd...
bsky.app/profile/padd...
Reposted by Tom Griffin
Tony Vaughan MP who needs to make the case for control (and compassion) in his Folkestone constituency in Kent says the government should rethink its rhetoric and policy on removing people granted refugee status here
November 16, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Tony Vaughan MP who needs to make the case for control (and compassion) in his Folkestone constituency in Kent says the government should rethink its rhetoric and policy on removing people granted refugee status here
Reposted by Tom Griffin
And another bsky.app/profile/jess...
Labour MP Simon Opher - "We should stop the boats because it's dangerous, and we should stop the scapegoating of immigrants because it's wrong and cruel.
"Measures that create bureaucracy and insecurity do not offer clarity or strengthen control – they cost money, waste time and weaken the system."
"Measures that create bureaucracy and insecurity do not offer clarity or strengthen control – they cost money, waste time and weaken the system."
November 17, 2025 at 11:33 AM
And another bsky.app/profile/jess...
Reposted by Tom Griffin
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.
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.
November 17, 2025 at 11:02 AM
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.
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.
Reposted by Tom Griffin
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.
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.
November 17, 2025 at 11:02 AM
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.
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.
Reposted by Tom Griffin
Ireland winning goal and end of match with Irish commentary
November 16, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Ireland winning goal and end of match with Irish commentary
Reposted by Tom Griffin
Also, in the course of other atrocities in Yemen, his forces bombed a *school bus full of kids* with a U.S. PGM.
The U.S. intelligence community concluded Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman approved the killing and dismemberment of a Post columnist, making President Trump's formal dinner for the prince on Tuesday a dramatic step in public rehabilitation. https://wapo.st/3LOwEFn
November 16, 2025 at 2:07 AM
Also, in the course of other atrocities in Yemen, his forces bombed a *school bus full of kids* with a U.S. PGM.
Reposted by Tom Griffin
The first Thatcher govt had a majority of just 43.
Thatcher, like Starmer, was not a natural orator, but she recognised that the battle of ideas mattered.
She saw it as part of her job to go out & win the argument: to shape public opinion, not just react to it.
That's almost wholly missing today.
Thatcher, like Starmer, was not a natural orator, but she recognised that the battle of ideas mattered.
She saw it as part of her job to go out & win the argument: to shape public opinion, not just react to it.
That's almost wholly missing today.
Has a government with a large majority ever *tried* less to impose itself and change the terms of debate?
November 15, 2025 at 11:16 AM
The first Thatcher govt had a majority of just 43.
Thatcher, like Starmer, was not a natural orator, but she recognised that the battle of ideas mattered.
She saw it as part of her job to go out & win the argument: to shape public opinion, not just react to it.
That's almost wholly missing today.
Thatcher, like Starmer, was not a natural orator, but she recognised that the battle of ideas mattered.
She saw it as part of her job to go out & win the argument: to shape public opinion, not just react to it.
That's almost wholly missing today.
Just posted on the latest exciting developments in EU intelligence structures.
intelligencehistory.substack.com/p/von-der-le...
intelligencehistory.substack.com/p/von-der-le...
Von Der Leyen faces Truman's dilemma on intelligence
European Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen is setting up her own intelligence body, the Financial Times reported on Tuesday.
intelligencehistory.substack.com
November 15, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Just posted on the latest exciting developments in EU intelligence structures.
intelligencehistory.substack.com/p/von-der-le...
intelligencehistory.substack.com/p/von-der-le...
Reposted by Tom Griffin
Socialism is increasingly appealing to younger voters. President Trump calls Mamdani a "communist," but here is what democratic socialism actually is.
What is democratic socialism? Mamdani's NYC mayoral victory highlights his ideology.
Socialism is increasingly appealing to younger voters. President Trump calls Mamdani a "communist," but here is what democratic socialism actually is.
bit.ly
November 15, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Socialism is increasingly appealing to younger voters. President Trump calls Mamdani a "communist," but here is what democratic socialism actually is.
Apart from the morality, it's not actually good for British workers or for social cohesion generally to turn refugees into an underclass like this.
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...
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...
UK set to limit refugees to temporary stays
Shabana Mahmood is expected to say the era of permanent protection for refugees is over, in major changes to the UK's asylum and immigration system.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 15, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Apart from the morality, it's not actually good for British workers or for social cohesion generally to turn refugees into an underclass like this.
Reposted by Tom Griffin
This statement not acceptable and I suspect not sustainable. Large majority of public support principle of asylum, support letting people stay permanently. Majority for that among Labour and other progressive parties’ voters is overwhelming. The Reform voters this is aimed at will never vote Labour
"The era of permanent protection is over"
Is this Labour government really saying it was wrong in principle to let these refugees of the last 75 years to stay, settle and become British - and they believe that should NEVER happen again in principle or practice?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiuR...
Is this Labour government really saying it was wrong in principle to let these refugees of the last 75 years to stay, settle and become British - and they believe that should NEVER happen again in principle or practice?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiuR...
Refugees from 7 decades gather to commemorate 70 years of refugee in protection in the UK
YouTube video by Refugee Council
www.youtube.com
November 15, 2025 at 12:49 PM
This statement not acceptable and I suspect not sustainable. Large majority of public support principle of asylum, support letting people stay permanently. Majority for that among Labour and other progressive parties’ voters is overwhelming. The Reform voters this is aimed at will never vote Labour
Reposted by Tom Griffin
![[Scene is a kitchen - a middle aged woman called JANET is boiling peas at the stove. A younger more colourfully dressed woman named LIZ approached her.]
JANET:
Ugh...
LIZ:
What's up?
JANET:
I am so bored of cooking peas!
LIZ:
Have you tried...
AI peas?
JANET:
AI peas?
LIZ:
They're peas with AI!
[Liz holds up to us a packet of peas labelled: Pea-i AI - Peas with AI].
LIZ:
Al-powered peas harness the potential of your peas
JANET:
What
LIZ [Now a voiceover as we cut to a whizzy technology diagram of peas all connected by meaningless dotted lines]
Why not take your peas to the next level with Al Peas' new Al tools to power your peas?
[Show a techno diagram of a pea with a label reading 'AI' pointing to a random zone in it]
LIZ:
Each pea has Al in a way we haven't quite worked out yet but it's fine
[Show Janet and Liz now in a Matrix-style world of peas]
LIZ:
With Al peas you can supercharge productivity and make AI work for your peas!
JANET:
What
LIZ:
Shut up
LIZ:
Our game-changing Pea-Al gives you the freedom to unlock the potential of the power of the future of your peas workflow
From opening the bag of peas
to boiling the peas
to eating the peas
To spending millions on adding Al to the peas and then having to work out what that even means.
JANET:
Is it really necessary to-
LIZ [Grabbing Janet by the collar]:
THE PEAS HAVE GOT AI, JANET
[Cut to an advert ending screen, with the bag of peas and the slogan:
AI PEAS: Just 'Peas' for god's sake buy the AI peas.
[Ends]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:4m3we4apbjayclzcnhwe3pfp/bafkreiayqa37f7kik7l7s7fbtfp2sir5ckb662ry2lylinyjrfa2rkvvka@jpeg)
Reposted by Tom Griffin
🚨🚨"Welcome to the new European Parliament". In the year and a half since the far right surged at the EU election, Brussels’ mainstream forces have been anxiously wondering if the center can hold. Yesterday, they discovered it couldn’t. 🧵
www.politico.eu/article/euro...
www.politico.eu/article/euro...
In Brussels, the far right can no longer be ignored
EU conservatives working with the far right have signed the death warrant of the cordon sanitaire.
www.politico.eu
November 14, 2025 at 2:07 PM
🚨🚨"Welcome to the new European Parliament". In the year and a half since the far right surged at the EU election, Brussels’ mainstream forces have been anxiously wondering if the center can hold. Yesterday, they discovered it couldn’t. 🧵
www.politico.eu/article/euro...
www.politico.eu/article/euro...
Reposted by Tom Griffin
Why all the talk about leadership challenges misses the point that the biggest problem facing this Government is not just a lack of leadership but a lack of clear ideas about what a Labour Government is actually for
Until that changes, the question of who sits in No 10 will remain a hollow one.
Until that changes, the question of who sits in No 10 will remain a hollow one.
Labour's Biggest Problem Is Not a Lack of Leadership but a Lack of Ideas
Until Keir Starmer's party decides what it really stands for, the question of who leads them will remain a hollow one, argues Adam Bienkov
bylinetimes.com
November 14, 2025 at 12:59 PM
Why all the talk about leadership challenges misses the point that the biggest problem facing this Government is not just a lack of leadership but a lack of clear ideas about what a Labour Government is actually for
Until that changes, the question of who sits in No 10 will remain a hollow one.
Until that changes, the question of who sits in No 10 will remain a hollow one.
Reposted by Tom Griffin
That’s the sound of far right coin being heaped up ready to make a bid.
RedBird Capital consortium drops £500m Telegraph bid
Move follows opposition from newsroom to US private equity group’s offer and links to China
www.theguardian.com
November 14, 2025 at 12:44 PM
That’s the sound of far right coin being heaped up ready to make a bid.