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Amal Chatterjee (migrant, grumbler)

@amalkc.eurosky.social

Writer. Fellow, Royal Historical Society. Coming Up: "Prisoners of Empire: How Former Colonies Were Set Up to Fail" (Hurst, 2026); also "AcrossTheLakes", "RepresentationsOfIndia,1740-1840" etc plays, Tutor, Creative Writing,Oxford Uni.; Migrant, grumbler.

2098 Posts1196 Follower695 Folgt
Dan Sohege@danielsohege.bsky.social · yesterday

Clearing out ready for the move, and came across this from my mum's old bits. 1965 and the same arguments on immigration we hear today. Just shows how pointless this round and round on "controlling immigration" narrative is.

Cover of the 1965 Forum for University of Bristol conservative association NOVEMBER FORUM Issue No. 3 Introduction Chairman's Letter What is Parliament For? Enoch Powell The Whys and Wherefores of Education Keith Hampson Overseas Industrial Investment Paul Chambers The Union Carthorse Christopher Adams The Soul of Man Under Socialism Ryan Huxtable Immigration Policies David Renton The Challenge of the Guerrilla John O'Sullivan The Need for Penal Reform Nigel Samuelson The Most Vital Reform of All Paul R. Rayner Letters Christopher Adams - EDITOR Production & Advertising PAUL RAYNER Published by UNIVERSITY OF BRISTOL CONSERVATIVE ASSOCIATION 3immigration policies It has for several generations been widely accepted that some degree of immigration control is essential. Britain is one of the most densely populated and over-urbanised countries in the world and is certain to become more so through natural increase even if immigration were to cease. Immigration controls are always rather difficult to administer, whichever method is used. As we live on an island our best method is a stringent control of entry at the ports coupled with power to deport those who evade the control, which is most often done by telling lies about the reasons for the visit. Any system of control must provide for temporary visits to this country by students, business men, tourists (who are to us a valuable source of foreign exchange), athletes and others. This means that a time limit for their stay here must be stamped on their passports, and those who overstay their time can be deported. Since 1914 we have had control of entry of aliens. Apart from a few well defined exceptions. the only aliens allowed to stay here longer than six months are those for whom the Ministry of Labour has given a permit to do a job for which no resident labour is available. Most labour permits have been issued to aliens working in the hotel and catering trade, as domestic workers in hospitals or private houses, or in the brickfields. After their permits have been renewed annually for four years, aliens become "condition free" and so long as they do not misbehave they may remain here indefinitely without any permit. After five years, if they are of good character, can speak and read English, and intend to remain, they may apply to become naturalised British subjects, The Aliens Control has worked smoothly and effectively in spite of its inherent difficulties. Until 1st July, 1962, any British subject or Commonwealth citizen (in law the two phrases mean the same but to be within that general status a person must have the particular citizenshipof the United Kingdom and Colonies or of an independent country within the Commonwealth) was imposed a degree of control upon the settlement here of Commonwealth citizens it was not able to come and go from here at pleasure. The Commonwealth Immigrants Act. 1962, however, as were consistent with stemming the vast flow of Commonwealth immigrants which took place such a stringent control as that under the Aliens Order and its terms were as liberal and humane during the previous two years. The net intakes of immigrants from all parts of the Commonwealth were: in 1960, 79,850; in 1961, 145,900; in 1962, 112,400; in 1963, 66,000; in 1964, 75,500; in the first six months of 1965, 49,097. Therefore, although the 1962 Act considerably reduced the net intake, it is still far too large for an annual increase of 60,000 a year adds tremendously to our demand for houses, schools, hospitals, and services, besides increasing the already heavy congestion in our cities and large towns. The argument that immigrants are needed for our economy overlooks the effort required to house, feed, and clothe them and their families, educate their children, and provide hospital and maternity services for them. Single men and women are possibly an economic asset but men with families are generally not so. Whatever the economic or manpower argument may be, however, it is now at last accepted that is is overridden by the social implications that we cannot hope for a quickly improved stan-dard of living for our own people if demands for houses, schools and hospitals are greatly increased by unknown numbers of immigrants each year. When in Opposition the Labour Government strenuously opposed the 1962 Act indeed they voted against it 48 times. But events, numbers and their responsibilities as Ministers of the Crown have obliged them to reverse their policy, and it is not surprising that they have now com-mitted themselves to intensifying the control under the Act. Employment vouchers are to be redu…
Gordon Darroch@gordondarroch.bsky.social · yesterday

Utterly fatuous claims being made on other social media channels that the protests in The Hague were smothered by local football hooligans "defending" the city centre. "We don't tolerate our city being plundered, cultural heritage being destroyed or any other form of vandalism," they blustered.

Tien aanhoudingen in Den Haag, maar geen grote demonstraties in steden

In Den Haag wordt geprotesteerd. Er is veel politie, net als in Maastricht, maar daar is de sfeer gemoedelijk.

nos.nl

Dan Sohege@danielsohege.bsky.social · 10h ago

With way in which trans individuals are being directly persecuted, and I do not use that word lightly, as a matter of government policy what exactly is the point of Stonewall if they will not campaign to get the Supreme Court ruling, which has fuelled much of the removal of rights, overturned. 3/

Stonewall was not, Blake stressed, aiming to overturn the supreme court ruling. "We understand that this is the law. But we also want to ensure that trans people are protected and, along with other organisations, we are looking at what that would look like." NHS England policy for trans people could have 'a number of adverse impacts', report finds Discriminating against trans people on the grounds of gender reassignment remains illegal, he noted, and the supreme court judges argued their ruling should not be seen as one side in a bitter culture war triumphing over the other. "It's on government and our watchdogs and everybody with responsibility to understand the impact, and where there is a negative impact to take action."
Dan Sohege@danielsohege.bsky.social · 10h ago

Trans rights are being rolled back across the world. Under Labour we are witnessing the largest attack on trans, as well as human in general, rights for decades. The Supreme Court ruling has opened the door to trans individuals being excluded from public life. 1/ www.theguardian.com/society/2026...

‘Progress takes time’: Stonewall CEO on turning down the heat on the trans debate

Leader is charting a course through troubled waters as a new survey finds trans people feel more pessimistic about social acceptance after combative decade

theguardian.com

Ramona Negrón@ramonanegron.bsky.social · 6d ago

📚Publication day!📚 Today, @routledgebooks.bsky.social published my PhD book. It's available to order, and it is also open access thanks to NWO. So, you can read or download it for free! Interested? See: www.routledge.com/Silver-Spice...

Silver, Spices, and the Slave Trade: The Coymans Family and Dutch Entrepreneurship in the Spanish Americas (1580-1700)

Silver, Spices, and the Slave Trade: The Coymans Family and Dutch Entrepreneurship in the Spanish Americas (1580-1700) explains how Amsterdam entrepreneurs, specifically the Coymans family, built prof...

routledge.com

Otto English@ottoenglish.bsky.social · 10h ago

Exactly that point. The "History Reclaimed" leaning right constantly boasts that Britain ended slavery... while simultaneously insisting that modern Britain has no responsibility for the past. Which is it, Suella?

Sunder Katwala (sundersays)@sundersays.bsky.social · yesterday

Suella Braverman says slavery abhorrent - but the British people of the 21st century aren't responsible for the wrongs of the past. "Let’s also not forget the role Britain played in ending slavery" then seem illogical: the British people of the 21st century can't be responsible for that either!

Slavery was abhorrent. Fact. But to issue a formal apology today is dangerous virtue-signalling that could expose Britain to reparations costing us millions or even billions of pounds. This is very much how the Chagos disaster started under the Tories. There is no good reason why people living in 21st Britain should pay for the wrongdoings of centuries ago. And let’s also not forget the role that Britain played in ending slavery- often overlooked in our schools, museums and by the BBC. And then there are the clear benefits of the British Empire. Investment, infrastructure, legal systems, education, healthcare- there was also much that was good. I write a lot about this in my best-selling book, ‘Patriot: Empire, betrayal and hope’. Let’s teach history in a balanced and truthful way; not through the lens of political ideology. And Burnham should stand up for 21st century Brits, not pay for the wrongs of 18th century slave-traders.
Dan Sohege@danielsohege.bsky.social · 11h ago

Immigration is not and never has been the cause of underfunding in schools, the high cost of living, public spending cuts etc. Yes the far right hijacks all these issues to scapegoat migrants, but immigration isn't why people are protesting the cost of living, the cost of living is.

Amal Chatterjee (migrant, grumbler)@amalkc.eurosky.social · 11h ago

The press in much of the West is largely ignoring what is happening in India, though there are occasional articles. Here's one, India is going through a significant time, one way or the other. www.theguardian.com/world/2026/n...

Indian forces tighten security in Delhi ahead of big opposition protest

Opposition says hundreds of thousands of people expected to participate in march demanding election chief resign over voter list changes

theguardian.com

Prem Sikka@premnsikka.bsky.social · 11h ago

England’s water companies failed on environment. Sewage dumped in rivers. 2666 pollution incidents in England in 2025, 40% more on 2016. Execs rewarded, none prosecuted. Customers fleeced. Even with nationalization, it will take a generation to recover.

Eight of England’s nine water companies still failing on environment, report finds

Angela Eagle tells industry ‘people are sick of excuses’ as pollution levels remain high despite billions in investment

theguardian.com

Anonymous@youranoncentral.bsky.social · yesterday

An Israeli propaganda campaign pushed the “Great Replacement” conspiracy theory across 30 countries, portraying a Muslim invasion of Europe and Qatar to blame. It is reported to have reached 533 million impressions and views.

Covert campaign traced to Israel pushed the far right's "Great Replacement" myth across Europe, recasting Qatar as the hidden hand behind Muslim migration

A covert campaign traced to Israel spread the Great Replacement myth to 533 million exposures in 30 countries, blaming Qatar for Muslim migration.

yacnews.com

Dr Surekha Davies, Historical Monster Consultant (she/her)@drsurekhadavies.bsky.social · last wk.

#Amsterdam and Netherlands folks: The American Book Center website is now back online! Pleeeze come and chat monsters with me and @julie-phillips.com on Friday 13 Nov, at 17:00! Free event, q&a, and book signing of HUMANS: A MONSTROUS HISTORY. abc.nl/events/event...

An afternoon with Surekha Davies: Humans, a Monstrous History

Please join us in ABC Amsterdam for an afternoon with Surekha Davies, author of Humans: A Monstrous History. She will talk about her book, have a Q&A, and sign the book afterwards.About the book:Monst...

abc.nl

Prem Sikka@premnsikka.bsky.social · yesterday

£1.25bn subsidy for Rolls-Royce to develop a new engine. RR will keep assets and income streams. RR had operating profit of £3.5bn in 2024-25, will pay £9bn to shareholders over next 3 years. Why are shareholders not funding new engine? UK Govt won't take equity stake, £1.25bn not repayable.

Hold your nose: a £1.25bn subsidy for rich Rolls-Royce’s new engine had to happen

The chancellor’s budget giveaway is, unfortunately, a reflection of how life works in the global aerospace business

theguardian.com

Albert Pinto@70sbachchan.bsky.social · 2d ago

Shameful by Labour govt. Solidarity with Andreas Malm who has been a committed Palestine activist, unlike it must be said, too many climate ppl in the West Read one of his finest. From fossil capitalism to fossil empire, On Steam power & the pulverization of Gaza www.versobooks.com/blogs/news/t...

The Destruction of Palestine Is the Destruction of the Earth

This essay is a lightly edited version of a lecture given at the American University of Beirut, The Center for Arts and Humanities and Critical Humanities for the Liberal Arts on 4 April. We use the i...

versobooks.com

Prof Julia Steinberger 🌹🌱🌍 #ClimateAction #Fightfascism@jksteinberger.bsky.social · 2d ago

Full solidarity with colleague Prof Andreas Malm, banned from entering the UK for siding with Palestine Action. This is outrageous. He is one of the best and most principled academics. @andyburnham.bsky.social please reverse immediately. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...

Amal Chatterjee (migrant, grumbler)@amalkc.eurosky.social · yesterday

This was - is - in the continuum of far-right violence and intimidation in the Netherlands.

Gordon Darroch@gordondarroch.bsky.social · yesterday

Twice in the last 14 months hooligans have "protected cultural heritage" in The Hague and repudiated vandalism by, er … torching police cars, smashing a political party's office windows, tearing up street furniture, making Nazi salutes and trying to storm the historic parliamentary complex.

Sir Almaviva@ilcontealmaviva.bsky.social · yesterday

A few stories about people who will be impacted by the ILR changes. The changes will accomplish nothing except inflicting misery and suffering on people, which at this point I must assume is their only purpose.

Indefinite leave to remain changes are devastating - I worry I'll lose everything

Young people on track for permanent residency say the proposed ILR reform could leave them facing years of uncertainty, mounting costs and the prospect of uprooting from the UK

inews.co.uk

Jonathan Portes@jdportes.bsky.social · yesterday

The exemption for care workers is very welcome. However - as @jamesbowes01.bsky.social & @sundersays.bsky.social have indefatigably pointed out - this still puts tens/hundreds of thousands at risk of forced emigration/remigration. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Mahmood expected to announce changes to rules around indefinite leave to remain

The home secretary has faced opposition from within the government over plans to impose new rules on migrant workers already in the UK.

bbc.co.uk

Democracy Now!@democracynow.org · 6d ago

"The fact that you have all of these parties that are advocating major war crimes and nobody is blinking says something very deep about Israeli society, but also about an international community that has fostered this and that has allowed this to brew for all of these years."

Will Ousting Netanyahu Change Anything for Palestinians? Diana Buttu on Upcoming Israeli Elections

Israeli parliamentary elections are being held on Tuesday, the first since Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack and Israel’s subsequent assault on Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is cu...

democracynow.org