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Helena Cullen

@helenamec.bsky.social
152 followers 349 following 6 posts

Asylum Aid childrens team, formally APBI at Safe Passage and Youth service, Asylum Welcome. All views and posts my own.

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Reposted by Helena Cullen
CL Hellisen @clhellisen.com · 2h
This is incredible. And not in a good way at all www.irishtimes.com/culture/book...
irishtimes.com
Sally Rooney’s books will no longer be published in UK over her support for Palestine Action
Faber blames UK antiterrorism legislation for decision to stop distributing bestselling author’s works
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Alasdair Mackenzie @alasdairmackenzie.bsky.social · 12/10/2026
No-one at the BBC seems interested in what these policies, if enacted, would mean in practice: ICE-style terror squads on our streets; 10,000s of despairing people forced onto planes at the cost of billions, many to face death & torture; mass suicide & self-harm (I am not exaggerating); civil unrest
bbc.co.uk
Reform pledges to suspend asylum system for up to five years and deport claimants
All asylum applications would be rejected and existing ones voided, with all claimants marked for deportation.
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Sir Almaviva @ilcontealmaviva.bsky.social · 12/10/2026
Can Labour condemn threats of violence against asylum seekers without also bragging about how they've reduced the immigration numbers so much? Just for once it would be nice.
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Elizabeth Taylor @elizabethtaylor47.bsky.social · 12/10/2026
Will this be being referred to the EHRC?
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Alasdair Mackenzie @alasdairmackenzie.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
The BBC has long given up even pretending to be interested in who these people are, why they are coming or how they might feel, in favour of acting as a kind of shop window for the parties to display their wares of violence and cruelty
bbc.co.uk
Most migrant small boat arrivals in single day of 2026
A total of 781 migrants arrive on Wednesday, but the yearly total is below the same point in 2025.
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Refugee and Migrant Justice @rmjusticeuk.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
🔊🔊🔊 We're plesaed to have contributed to this @tbij.bsky.social piece on shameless government profiting off migrants through extortionate visa fees & hidden second taxes. Our client, Fatima, shared her story. Never forget the people hurt by the policies. www.thebureauinvestigates.com/stories/2026...
thebureauinvestigates.com
Government makes £5bn a year from immigration fees while applicants…
Home Office’s fees are up to 10 times the processing cost – and rising every year
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Praxis, for migrants and refugees @praxisprojects.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
The real-world consequences of threats and intimidation against charities and volunteers: services that save lives forced to close. We are all less safe as a result. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
theguardian.com
Lifeboat station in Portsmouth forced to temporarily shut after far-right action
RNLI facility had been targeted by activists trying to stop asylum seekers landing in boats from the Channel
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Mark Hebden @unionlib.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Scotland: We want to leave the UK BBC: Huh? Wales: We want to leave the UK BBC: What? Northern Ireland: We want to leave the UK BBC: Lolz Some shithole in Oxfordshire: We want to leave the UK because racism BBC: REPORT THE HELL OUT OF THIS #Piddington
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Tom Roberts @tpgroberts.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
There is literally no pressure group small or mad enough that the government won't indulge them if they oppose immigration.
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Thomas I-G @thomasig.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Apparently organising black shirts to block key infrastructure, target the RNLI, attack police etc is not enough for anyone in power to act urgently. Begs the awful question as to what would it take for anyone to condemn this, never mind act.
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Refugee and Migrant Justice @rmjusticeuk.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
💔💔 Heartbreaking account from an RNLI volunteer. It reminds us that most people in the UK are kind & compassionate. A tiny minority want to stoke fear & racism & receive outsized coverage. They aren't the majority. Diversity is the strength of our country Diversity is the strength of our communities
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Lizzie Dearden @lizziedearden.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Incidents like this have happened with increasing regularity over the past couple of years, with many triggered by local misinformation about the arrival of non-white people at hotels But it has also happened elsewhere, including a church gathering in a park and a Scout trip to an activity centre
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Jonathan Portes @jdportes.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
The Times. Explicitly and deliberately, as a matter of editorial policy, promoting violent racist thugs.
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Polly Pallister-Wilkins @pollypw.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
When I lived in the UK none of my concerns e.g. affordable housing, climate action, increases in welfare spending, scrapping tuition fees, an ethical foreign policy, were ever framed as legitimate concerns. lnstead I was routinely told to fuck off by most political parties for having such concerns.
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Minnie Rahman @minnierahman.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
The situation in Portsmouth and Dover is completely out of control. It is dangerous and there should be emergency COBRA meeting to determine how to manage rising threat of violence and spread of far-right organising online. This is not normal.
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Paul Bernal @paulbernal.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
How about ‘but what are they protesting? The idea that the RNLI should not rescue people in trouble in the sea is abhorrent and inhuman and we should be utterly repelled by it.’
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Helena Cullen @helenamec.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
So angry to see this. Thinking about how frightening this must have been for the people stuck trying to leave. The fact that this is still not being called out for what it is- fascism- is terrifying.
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Anna H @athenepallas.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
Channeling my anger into something constructive, I've just donated to the RNLI and would encourage you to do likewise if you can. Link here: rnli.org/support-us/g...
rnli.org
Donate to the RNLI and help save lives at sea
Your donations really make a difference. We depend on your generosity to educate people to stay safe and prevent tragedies on and offshore. Donate here.
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George Monbiot @georgemonbiot.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
80 year-olds with pro-Palestine signs: arrested as terrorists. Greens planning to block a road, to highlight an existential crisis: sent down for years. Masked far-right thugs blocking roads and ports, using intimidation, obstruction & threatening behaviour: no arrests. The real two-tier policing.
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Sally Hayden @sallyhayd.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
One of the most horrific stories I’ve ever reported was published this weekend. Please, everyone privileged in this world, read it and really think about what it means not to have freedom of travel. www.irishtimes.com/life-style/p...
irishtimes.com
‘It was day 13 or 14 when people started dying’: More than 200 set sail for Europe. Only 36 survived
A harrowing story of death and survival on the Atlantic migration route from west Africa, ‘the deadliest in the world’
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Alasdair Mackenzie @alasdairmackenzie.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
Hard to overstate what an extreme position* is being advocated by the FT here, in historical terms 1/🧵 *she gets it wrong of course: settlement after 5 or 10 years is standard now (for those who qualify: it’s not “automatic”); Mahmood proposes to increase it to 20 years or never for many people

	Please use the sharing tools found via the share button at the top or side of articles. Copying articles to share with others is a breach of FT.com T&Cs and Copyright Policy. Email licensing@ft.com to buy additional rights. Subscribers may share up to 10 or 20 articles per month using the gift article service. More information can be found at https://help.ft.com/faq/gifting-and-sharing-an-article/what-is-a-gift-article/.
	https://www.ft.com/content/acfe49a7-3b6d-4930-a37a-5f1b91ed6dc8?syn-25a6b1a6=1

	A looming challenge is how many recent arrivals will seek indefinite leave to remain (ILR), becoming eligible for welfare benefits. While Burnham has kept the hardline Shabana Mahmood in place as home secretary, it is less clear if he will actually adopt her proposals. Labour MPs have already indicated their unhappiness with her plan to double the time it takes to automatically qualify for ILR from five to 10 years — an essential move.

(Article is linked in the quoted post)
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George Monbiot @georgemonbiot.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
I've added my name to the open letter calling for a public inquiry into the tragic death of Professor Jason Arday. Will you join me? goodlaw.social/625453
goodlaw.social
Jason Arday: Demand a public inquiry now | Good Law Project
Commission an immediate public inquiry into how to ensure a responsible press given its contribution to Dr Arday’s tragic death.
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T(errifying) C(ryptid) Parker (she/her) @tcparker.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
Every day I'm more ashamed to live in this country "Generosity": not the word I'd use for a levying a retroactive tax on people fleeing war and persecution, for the privilege of living in substandard conditions while politicians abuse them and strangers threaten to burn them out of their bedrooms
The Guardian @theguardian.com

Asylum seekers to pay £10,000 towards living costs under new UK law

Asylum seekers to pay £10,000 towards living costs under new UK law

Means-tested scheme included in immigration and asylum bill condemned by charities for placing tax o...

www.theguardian.com

Image: UK Home Secretary Shabana MahmoodShe added: "Once people can contribute and repay the generosity of the British people, we expect them to do so."
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Asylum Aid @asylumaid.org.uk · 23/06/2026
We are facing the greatest challenge to refugee protection in decades. Their rights in the UK are being steadily eroded, with the government reducing the length of refugee leave from five years to just two & a half years. 🚨 We are challenging this in court. 🧵 www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...
independent.co.uk
Shabana Mahmood’s cuts to refugee protection to face legal challenge
Exclusive: Refugee status in the UK is now temporary with the right to asylum under review every 30 months
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Alasdair Mackenzie @alasdairmackenzie.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
Basically if Burnham doesn’t immediately stop & roll back all the anti-migrant measures implemented or proposed by Mahmood, Cooper etc (see also e.g. restrictions on refugee family reunion, deferring settlement for refugees) that’s a clear sign that he’s failed. I for one am not holding my breath.
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Dr Charlie Gardner @charliejgardner.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
Reform UK councillors have introduced a motion to rescind King's Lynn and West Norfolk's climate emergency declaration and deprioritise decarbonisation efforts The council were going to vote on it on Thursday But the meeting has been postponed due to extreme heat
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Lee Hurley @hleehurley.com · 10/06/2026
This women's group wanted to raise £1,000 to help the victims of last night's attacks in Belfast. It's already at £56,000. chuffed.org/project/1854...
chuffed.org
Support people and groups impacted by racist attacks
We are raising funds to support people who have been attacked, displaced and traumatised in racist attacks in Belfast.
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Saul Staniforth @saulstaniforth.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
@clairehanna.bsky.social : "Last week, in a very high profile case, the murder of Natalie McNally, the judge.. talked about a frenzied knife attack, he talked about wounds so bad the cause of death was unable to to be determined. There were no riots over the perpetrator of that brutal crime"
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Zack Polanski @zackpolanski.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
Henry's brutal murder and the failures of the police have been appalling. His father's words are vital: "We don't want Henry's murder to be used to create further hatred, division or tension."
In a statement outside court, Marks father said "we want to use Henry's heartbreaking story to make change for the better. As the KC for the prosecution summed up in court; this is not a case about Sikhism. This is not a case about racism. This is a case about murder."
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Colin Yeo @colinyeo.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
This is an absolute tragedy. On a shoestring budget and donated airmiles, they helped the families of recognised refugees come lawfully to the UK, sometimes having to talk them out of getting into a small boat because it seemed easier than navigating Home Office bureaucracy. www.togethernow.org.uk
togethernow.org.uk
Together Now
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Led By Donkeys @ledbydonkeys.org · 17/05/2026
Immigration make Britain brilliant
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Caroline Lucas @carolinelucas.bsky.social · 07/04/2026
Starmer should immediately & unequivocally ban access to British airspace to US warplanes. The UK should not be accomplice to a US President who is threatening more war crimes. Period.
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Ben Fulford @benmfulford.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
‘The child of a banker could be a citizen by the age of eleven, while his classmate who is the daughter of a cleaner at the bank would have a fifteen-year wait – and would not be eligible for home student fees.’ Racialised nature of the stratified approach also risks new Windrush scandal.
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Frances Ryan @francesryan.bsky.social · 29/03/2026
Hundreds of thousands of disabled people will have their benefit almost halved if the government assesses their condition might one day improve. Charities warn the move could cause large-scale hardship, including “destitution.” My report in tomorrow’s Guardian: www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
theguardian.com
Disabled benefit claimants face lower payments if conditions not deemed lifelong, charities say
Forthcoming rules mean debilitating conditions may not meet strict ‘severe and lifelong’ eligibility criteria, say disabled people’s organisations
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Helena Cullen @helenamec.bsky.social · 28/03/2026
☀️♥️✊️
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Together Alliance @togetheralliance.bsky.social · 21/03/2026
1️⃣ week to go. Join us on 28 March in Central London to march for love, hope + unity. Thousands across the country, walking together united. 📍Park Lane, 12pm All are welcome, including families. togetheralliance.org.uk/march
A vertical campaign poster on a black background. At the top, large white bold text reads "MARCH TOGETHER." Below this, three colorful rectangular blocks contain the words "LOVE" (green), "HOPE" (pink), and "UNITY" (orange). The main message continues in large white text: "AGAINST THE FAR RIGHT." In the center, a green hand-drawn oval circles the text "Saturday 28th March, Central London." At the bottom, the poster includes a QR code, the URL "togetheralliance.org.uk" with the call to action "Add your name," and the "TOGETHER" logo in the bottom right corner.
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Zack Polanski @zackpolanski.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
Dear Shabana, Let's clear some things up around migration and remember we're talking about people's lives.
Dear Shabana,
I notice today that you referred to me in your speech on immigration at the IPPR think tank.
You said: “A party leader should not be on the beaches of France encouraging people to
make a perilous crossing on small boats.”
I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised especially after the hateful Labour campaign in Gorton
and Denton, but this is just the latest in a string of lies peddled by a discredited Government
who intentionally fan the flames of racism and division.
When I went to Calais, I was not there to encourage people to travel to the UK. I was there
to see at first hand the suffering your Government and successive Governments have done
in demonising migrants in a pathetic bid to pander to the base instincts of Reform and the
flawed strategy of Morgan McSweeney.
As you will know, if you even bothered to research my visit instead of taking Reform talking
points, I was there to witness the brutality of families living in tents in freezing temperatures. I
filled water tanks and picked up litter.
What that visit did do is confirm my belief that if we are to smash the boat gangs and stop
the boats, we need to offer safer and managed routes for migrants to come to this country.
Showing compassion as a politician is not a crime. In fact, we need to see much more of it.
It reminded me of a young MP who in October 2015 spent three days in Lesbos helping
migrants fleeing war-torn Syria. She posted videos on X, talked about handing out water and
croissants to refugees and food parcels.
When she returned to the UK, she wrote a very moving piece in the New Statesman. She
said “we have to work with our European partners and create new, safe, and legal routes for
refugees to get to Europe. We cannot abandon them to their fate, left as prey for smugglers
whilst risking death on the seas.”
She said “maybe we can make ourselves feel better by saying no-one is making them get on
the boats. And again, the Home Secretary is not entirely wrong when …
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Xun-ling Au 歐迅灵 🏴 @xunlingau.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
I actually don't have words as to how angry I am. Wonder what happened in these countries that people on student visas in the UK found themselves needing to apply for asylum instead of going home post 2021. UK Labour are heartless bastards & apparently have bo idea whats happening in the world.
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Emily Graham @emilyagraham.bsky.social · 28/02/2026
Shabana Mahmood says, "“Denmark shows us how to be firm but fair". But what are the right lessons for the UK to draw from Denmark? Ahead of the asylum announcement next week, let's see what the Danish example & evidence shows 🧵
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Cllr Dr Alex Powell @apowelllaw.bsky.social · 02/03/2026
Just throwing it out there: telling people that they have legitimate grievances about immigration will never reduce the sense of grievance. This isn't how anything works and a government that paid even the merest attention to social science research would know their approach helps the far-right.
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Asylum Matters @asylummatters.bsky.social · 02/03/2026
Today is a dark day for anyone who believes in sanctuary in the UK. People who've fled war and torture should be able to rebuild their lives in peace and security - not live under a constant threat of removal. We must not stop fighting these appalling anti-refugee laws.
theguardian.com
Refugee status to be temporary as Shabana Mahmood rips up rules on UK asylum
Home secretary announces 30-month protection limit, with refugees required to leave if their home countries are later judged safe
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Alasdair Mackenzie @alasdairmackenzie.bsky.social · 01/03/2026
This stinks at every level. What refugees desperately need after their claims are accepted is the stability to rebuild their lives. This change will cause immeasurable stress and anxiety to some of the most vulnerable people in the country
theguardian.com
Refugee status to be temporary as Shabana Mahmood rips up rules on UK asylum
Home secretary announces 30-month protection limit, with refugees required to leave if their home countries are later judged safe
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Caroline Lucas @carolinelucas.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
What a result!! Huge congratulations to the amazing Hannah Spencer - everyone in Gorton and Denton has just made history. This result shows @greenparty.org.uk can win anywhere, that the politics of hope can win over the politics of hate & there is no longer any such thing as a Labour safe seat 💚
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Sam Freedman @samfr.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
A Green win must mean that "left behind" voters forgotten by Westminster want open borders and legalised class A drugs. That's how it works right?
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Adam Bienkov @adambienkov.bsky.social · 25/02/2026
A reminder, one day ahead of a by-election in which the Greens are favourites to defeat Reform, that the Daily Mail owner's wife recently donated £50,000 to Nigel Farage's party
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Alasdair Mackenzie @alasdairmackenzie.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
Also: we really need to push back on this constant mantra that settlement (permanent residence) in the UK is a “privilege”. The very least people are entitled to after spending years here and/or developing family ties is that they shouldn’t have to worry about re-applying to stay every few years.
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Carla Denyer @carladenyer.bsky.social · 03/02/2026
PS. Not too late to tell the government what you think about their proposed changes to Indefinite Leave to Remain - the public consultation is open until 12th Feb. www.gov.uk/government/c...
gov.uk
Earned settlement
The government is consulting on how the current settlement system should be reformed and how those reforms should be implemented.
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Bruce Springsteen @brucespringsteen.net · 29/01/2026
Oh our Minneapolis, I hear your voice Singing through the bloody mist We’ll take our stand for this land And the stranger in our midst Directed by Thom Zimny Edited by Thom Zimny and Samuel Shapiro Production Footage: Pam Springsteen and Thom Zimny
youtu.be
Bruce Springsteen - Streets Of Minneapolis (Official Lyric Video)
YouTube video by Bruce Springsteen
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George Monbiot @georgemonbiot.bsky.social · 13/01/2026
People are trying to make this complicated, kicking dust into the air. But it's really simple: *The government has created the impossible conditions in which these prisoners - who have not been convicted of any crime - languish. By refusing to intervene, it is killing them.*
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