r/LabourUK 12d ago

Ann Widdecombe – please avoid gratification in what could be political violence

191 Upvotes

It’s noticeably clear to say that Ann Widdecombe’s politics would not be viewed sympathetically here. However, please avoid making any jokes, memes, or so forth in a way which conveys agreement with her now [speculated murder.](mailto:https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cp9l8l05vxet)

Celebrating political violence at this level is not something we should be doing, and will reflect poorly on the community to do so. In the grand schemes of things, I know the majority here wont conduct the above, but for others, please don’t, or you’ll have comments/posts removed.

Edit:
A clarification asked for in a now deleted comment about what counts as "gratification". Basically anything along the lines of "It's good that she's dead", or that it's "fair" that she died would fit within gratification.


r/LabourUK 4h ago

Want to give back to this community? Join us on the mod team!

2 Upvotes

Hello!

We're looking to expand the mod team here and, with a change in Labour leader thought now is a fantastic time for some recruitment.

There are a few requirements:

  • By convention be a member of the Labour Party

  • Active member of the LabourUK community here on the Subreddit.

  • We do quite a bit of mod organising via moderation channels on Discord so must be happy to use it.

  • Has the temperament to moderate heated discussions and able to respond appropriately to nasty or aggressive challenges to moderation action.

  • Accept that you will see a lot of crap. Possibly even the worst shit. By definition more of your time will be spent looking at contentious posts, you will also make decisions people will disagree with - you can very rarely be everyone's friend here.

  • You will make a bad call at some point. Having the ability to turn around and put your hands up and reflect is real positive.

  • It is expected you will conform to the existing moderating style, not "do your own thing" and you need to be a good "fit" in general.

Below are a set of questions for you to fill out and send to us via modmail. The more information you provide the better:

  1. Why do you want to be a moderator on r/LabourUK

  2. Are you a current Labour Party member?

  3. Personal statement (~200 words): A few expanded words about yourself, your personality, and what makes you think you’re the right person to be a mod.

  4. Are you willing to join, and be active on the Discord channel? (It's were we discuss and track moderation)

  5. Do you have any other online social media presences (established)?

  6. Are you active in any other communities, and what do you like about them?

  7. What would you bring to the moderation team?

  8. What changes would you like to see?

  9. What do you think the subreddit has gotten wrong?

  10. What activities do you undertake as part of the Labour Party?

Any questions ask here or send a modmail and we'll take a look at it.


r/LabourUK 1h ago

Wes Streeting took cash from donors with arms firm and Palantir links

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thenational.scot
Upvotes

r/LabourUK 3h ago

Ex-CEO of Southern Water among four charged with conspiracy to defraud

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news.sky.com
40 Upvotes

On conviction, would that make any bonuses received the proceeds of crime?


r/LabourUK 11h ago

Bodycam accidentally left recording captured 4 damning hours in police station

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metro.co.uk
142 Upvotes

r/LabourUK 1h ago

Lobbying giant filmed offering reporter payment for flattering client coverage in national press

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theguardian.com
Upvotes

r/LabourUK 5h ago

'Northern Ireland Does Not Have an Immigration Problem, It Has a Problem With Violence'

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bylinetimes.com
29 Upvotes

12 June 2026:

More than 30 women and girls have died violently at the hands of men in Northern Ireland since 2020. There were no “protests” for Natalie McNally, Sarah Montgomery, or Ellie Flanagan; no “rage” at the brutality of their murders.

Northern Ireland does not have an immigration problem, it has a problem with violence.

The Shankill Butchers, the Kingsmill Massacre, Bloody Sunday – violence did not arrive in Northern Ireland on a boat of migrants from Europe or Africa or the Middle East, but through British colonialism that incited civil war and the partitioning of Ireland, leaving behind a legacy of sectarianism and a society scarred by conflict.

At the centre of the latest disorder is Stephen Ogilie, a man in his 40s who was violently assaulted by Hadi Alodid, losing an eye and sustaining serious knife wounds. Three people intervened including Maitiu Mag Tighearnan, who was seen beating the assailant with a hurling bat, most likely saving his life.

Northern Ireland has been home to many barbaric attacks; in 2017, Lurgan man David Lyness murdered Anita Downey, a mother of three – she suffered a wound to her neck so severe that it extended to the back of her spine. The difference? This week’s assault in North Belfast was perpetrated by a Sudanese migrant. Men did not take to the streets for Anita, because this isn’t about any victim or community – it is bold-faced racism.

Hate Amplified

A video of the attack against Ogilie quickly circulated on social media and was instantly exploited by far-right agitators in England and the United States who probably couldn’t point Belfast out on a map. They know absolutely nothing about Northern Ireland’s history of violence, care not for the lives and futures of the volatile young people they goad onto the streets to commit acts of hate for which they are arrested, or the innocent people whose homes and businesses have since been destroyed. Their objective is chaos. They want more clicks, more views, more money, more influence. Musk’s X feeds on negative content.

Seizing on any opportunity to further their own aims, Elon Musk, Tommy Robinson and Reform representatives amplified hateful discourse and spread disinformation in an attempt to cause civil unrest. “Prepare for War”, said messages circulating on social media and WhatsApp. Because nothing says solidarity like burning a bus or setting a family’s home on fire because of the colour of their skin.

The outside interference of bad faith actors led to the proliferation of AI-generated images of the victim, and escalated targeted attacks against minority communities by circulating lists of home addresses that racist thugs suspected were occupied by migrants. What unfolded was not a protest, it was a racist pogrom with men dressed in dark clothes, their faces covered going door-to-door to set alight family homes.

‘Recreational Rioting’

The displays of bigotry fuelling the riots that erupted on the streets of largely loyalist parts of Belfast are not novel – they are annual. Colloquially known as “recreational rioting” due to the large presence of youths who participate, throwing rocks and burning wheelie bins – not in protest to Government policy, but because they are egged-on and encouraged by self-appointed “community leaders”; paramilitaries and criminal gangs who exploit and control some of the Northern Ireland’s most deprived areas.

Referred to as sinkhole estates, defined by poverty, unemployment and lack of aspiration, these neighbourhoods have been a powder-keg for violent disorder for decades.

While violence has historically been directed predominantly toward Catholics, during the intense sectarian violence of August 1969 over 1500 catholic families were forced out of their homes in Belfast, the equivalent of 1 in 20. Now, with the influence of bad faith actors, far-right agitators and paramilitaries, the criteria has broadened to include migrants.


r/LabourUK 12h ago

Young people won't forgive being forced to fund the triple lock pension

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inews.co.uk
104 Upvotes

r/LabourUK 3h ago

Streeting says Burnham government will prioritise military over other spending

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theguardian.com
17 Upvotes

r/LabourUK 4h ago

The fourth most googled thing about Andy Burnham is his political views

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16 Upvotes

r/LabourUK 1h ago

Trump threatens to target Iran's bridges and power plants if Hormuz attacks persist

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bbc.com
Upvotes

r/LabourUK 2h ago

Ministers must correct record on NHS Palantir claims after stats watchdog criticism

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foxglove.org.uk
10 Upvotes

r/LabourUK 5h ago

TUC Cymru: We should be proud to call ourselves a Nation of Sanctuary

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tuc.org.uk
16 Upvotes

r/LabourUK 25m ago

AMA I’m running to represent young members on Labour’s NEC. AMA 🌹

Upvotes

Hi all,

I’m Caspar Chatham- a Labour member and English Literature undergrad at Durham running to be the next Youth Representative on the NEC because I want our party to work as hard for us as we work for it. I’m running to be an advocate for young members and against the divisive politics of the past- so if elected, I’ll be an independent and democratic voice for the transformational change our party and country desperately needs. Any Labour member either in a trade union or under 27 (who joins before votes open on July 27) can vote for me to do just that!

I’ll be online from 6PM tomorrow (Thursday 23rd) to answer any questions you have about my campaign- you can also hear more on my Twitter - https://x.com/cc4nec - or Instagram at the same handle (cc4nec)

Looking forward to answering all of your questions- especially the tough ones, of course…


r/LabourUK 39m ago

How do you predict Andy Burnham’s premiership could compare to his 9 living predecessors?

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Upvotes

r/LabourUK 8h ago

'I can't afford to turn the oven on': 7.4m households struggling to buy essentials

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bbc.com
15 Upvotes

r/LabourUK 3h ago

Are there any plans to reduce the cost of train fares?

6 Upvotes

My train fares are 90 pounds a week, I don’t get the bus


r/LabourUK 5h ago

BAE unveils Brontanax, first sovereign UK fighter drone

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ukdefencejournal.org.uk
9 Upvotes

r/LabourUK 5h ago

Funding bus fare cap from aid budget will hit world’s poorest, Burnham told | Transport policy

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theguardian.com
9 Upvotes

r/LabourUK 9h ago

How could Britain look under proportional representation? See the results for your area

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theguardian.com
17 Upvotes

r/LabourUK 29m ago

Mike Tapp sacked as Immigration Minister weeks after Mahmood row

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lbc.co.uk
Upvotes

r/LabourUK 1h ago

Keir Starmer’s Fast and Furious TikTok farewell becomes viral hit | News

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independent.co.uk
Upvotes

r/LabourUK 21h ago

Bus fares to be capped at £2 slashing travel costs for millions

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mirror.co.uk
94 Upvotes

r/LabourUK 13h ago

UK inflation rate falls to 2.6%

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bbc.co.uk
21 Upvotes

r/LabourUK 8h ago

Burnham says he will review early prisoner release scheme.

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bbc.co.uk
7 Upvotes

I presume this is ok as these are Northern focus groups that he's basing policy on.