David Hayes
@davidhayes4.bsky.social
Senior Lecturer at the University of Sheffield, School of Law, researching criminal justice and law's relationship to mythology. Branch President of Sheffield UCU. Vegan, wears orange, has beard, ferments. Other personality traits TBD.
Reposted by David Hayes
Not easy to get to sleep tonight - have burnt the bridge of whatever career I had left and really don’t feel that my opinions are so extreme that that should have been necessary
Very sad that I felt I had no choice but to resign from The Infinite Monkey Cage - a victory for the transphobes and other bigots - I did it because so much of the media has chosen to believe the kind and empathetic people are a fiction - they are real and so often unrepresented.
December 13, 2025 at 1:23 AM
Not easy to get to sleep tonight - have burnt the bridge of whatever career I had left and really don’t feel that my opinions are so extreme that that should have been necessary
This is a great piece about the intimidation tactics from management in trying to crush our strike action through punitive lockouts:
www.sheffieldtribune.co.uk/wont-work-ca... (paywall, sorry!)
For context, I'm facing a total of 40 days' lots of pay for not delivering 4 hours of lectures.
www.sheffieldtribune.co.uk/wont-work-ca... (paywall, sorry!)
For context, I'm facing a total of 40 days' lots of pay for not delivering 4 hours of lectures.
Won’t work? Can’t work. The University of Sheffield is no longer playing nice
Striking staff have been warned they won’t be paid unless missed lessons are replaced. Plus: exciting news from the British Journalism Awards
www.sheffieldtribune.co.uk
December 12, 2025 at 9:18 AM
This is a great piece about the intimidation tactics from management in trying to crush our strike action through punitive lockouts:
www.sheffieldtribune.co.uk/wont-work-ca... (paywall, sorry!)
For context, I'm facing a total of 40 days' lots of pay for not delivering 4 hours of lectures.
www.sheffieldtribune.co.uk/wont-work-ca... (paywall, sorry!)
For context, I'm facing a total of 40 days' lots of pay for not delivering 4 hours of lectures.
Reposted by David Hayes
Sign this petition to support staff threatened with lockout at the University of Sheffield! www.megaphone.org.uk/petitions/no...
No lockout for University of Sheffield staff
UCU members have been standing up against the continual cutting and restructuring of the last several years which has significantly damaged the University’s international standing, the quality of educ...
www.megaphone.org.uk
December 12, 2025 at 7:40 AM
Sign this petition to support staff threatened with lockout at the University of Sheffield! www.megaphone.org.uk/petitions/no...
Reposted by David Hayes
"Of the 1,022 members of the university community who took part in the vote, 983 (96.2 per cent) voted that they have “No Confidence” in Professor Canagarajah. Meanwhile, 39 (3.8 per cent) expressed confidence in his leadership."
www.leicester.news/leicester-un...
www.leicester.news/leicester-un...
Leicester university vice chancellor loses vote of no confidence
96.2 per cent vote that they have no confidence amid mass sackings
www.leicester.news
December 11, 2025 at 7:03 PM
"Of the 1,022 members of the university community who took part in the vote, 983 (96.2 per cent) voted that they have “No Confidence” in Professor Canagarajah. Meanwhile, 39 (3.8 per cent) expressed confidence in his leadership."
www.leicester.news/leicester-un...
www.leicester.news/leicester-un...
Reposted by David Hayes
Wealth in the UK is extremely concentrated at the top: over half belongs to the richest 10%, while the richest 1% control over a fifth by themselves. But the bottom half of the population – nearly 34 million people – have less than 1/20th between them. This is bad for all of us. It has to change.
December 10, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Wealth in the UK is extremely concentrated at the top: over half belongs to the richest 10%, while the richest 1% control over a fifth by themselves. But the bottom half of the population – nearly 34 million people – have less than 1/20th between them. This is bad for all of us. It has to change.
Reposted by David Hayes
So this week shall I write about how killing unarmed civilians is murder or about how unwise it would be to limit the human right against torture.
Western liberal democracies in 2025.
Western liberal democracies in 2025.
December 8, 2025 at 7:57 AM
So this week shall I write about how killing unarmed civilians is murder or about how unwise it would be to limit the human right against torture.
Western liberal democracies in 2025.
Western liberal democracies in 2025.
Reposted by David Hayes
it might seem surprising that the people who said “look, let trans people live their lives, but i have Reasonable Concerns about sports and toilets” aren’t up in arms about this, but what you have to remember is that those people who said that are liars who were lying
December 6, 2025 at 12:40 PM
it might seem surprising that the people who said “look, let trans people live their lives, but i have Reasonable Concerns about sports and toilets” aren’t up in arms about this, but what you have to remember is that those people who said that are liars who were lying
Reposted by David Hayes
Great to see media coverage of the hostile and punitive approach taken by management at @sheffielduni.bsky.social towards @sheffielducu.bsky.social staff striking to protect jobs. Threats and intimidation won't work. We're out until we win!
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
University of Sheffield staff 'intimidated' by pay forfeit warning
University of Sheffield to withhold pay if staff do not make up for teaching missed while striking.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 2, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Great to see media coverage of the hostile and punitive approach taken by management at @sheffielduni.bsky.social towards @sheffielducu.bsky.social staff striking to protect jobs. Threats and intimidation won't work. We're out until we win!
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by David Hayes
Sending much solidarity @sheffielducu.bsky.social. These punitive deductions are immoral and any conscionable employer should steer away from them.
There are cases going through courts trying to clear up the legal grey area: qmucu.org/working-grou...
There are cases going through courts trying to clear up the legal grey area: qmucu.org/working-grou...
December 2, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Sending much solidarity @sheffielducu.bsky.social. These punitive deductions are immoral and any conscionable employer should steer away from them.
There are cases going through courts trying to clear up the legal grey area: qmucu.org/working-grou...
There are cases going through courts trying to clear up the legal grey area: qmucu.org/working-grou...
Reposted by David Hayes
The British press poses a genuine and profound threat to our democracy and our shared prosperity. They howl out their right wing, wealth-protecting agenda and want Farage as PM. We will all pay a very high price for their selfish greed and their utter indifference to social inequality.
November 29, 2025 at 5:26 PM
The British press poses a genuine and profound threat to our democracy and our shared prosperity. They howl out their right wing, wealth-protecting agenda and want Farage as PM. We will all pay a very high price for their selfish greed and their utter indifference to social inequality.
Reposted by David Hayes
The Home Office is clearly pushing for illegal migrants=asylum seekers. Interesting to see that many media didn't use the Home Office headline, and preferred 'asylum seekers'.
November 30, 2025 at 8:59 AM
The Home Office is clearly pushing for illegal migrants=asylum seekers. Interesting to see that many media didn't use the Home Office headline, and preferred 'asylum seekers'.
Reposted by David Hayes
NEWS --> BBC confirms to me that they did edit a line out of historian @rutgerbregman.com's speech. It called Trump "the most openly corrupt president in US history."
BBC also confirms this was done on the advice of lawyers. So Trump's threats worked.
New piece:
newrepublic.com/article/2036...
BBC also confirms this was done on the advice of lawyers. So Trump's threats worked.
New piece:
newrepublic.com/article/2036...
Trump’s Fury at BBC Gets Unnerving Results with Pro-MAGA Edit Stunner
First, British Broadcasting Corporation execs resigned after Trump complained about a segment. Now the BBC edited out a line from a historian that was critical of Trump. Where does this end?
newrepublic.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:10 PM
NEWS --> BBC confirms to me that they did edit a line out of historian @rutgerbregman.com's speech. It called Trump "the most openly corrupt president in US history."
BBC also confirms this was done on the advice of lawyers. So Trump's threats worked.
New piece:
newrepublic.com/article/2036...
BBC also confirms this was done on the advice of lawyers. So Trump's threats worked.
New piece:
newrepublic.com/article/2036...
Reposted by David Hayes
Reposted by David Hayes
32 colleges hit the turnout threshold. 90% backed strike action.
Our ballots have already won pay deals at 17 colleges now others must follow.
College teachers are still paid £9,000 less than school teachers. This isn’t sustainable. Pay parity now.
feweek.co.uk/ucu-ballot-r...
Our ballots have already won pay deals at 17 colleges now others must follow.
College teachers are still paid £9,000 less than school teachers. This isn’t sustainable. Pay parity now.
feweek.co.uk/ucu-ballot-r...
UCU ballot results: 32 colleges vote to strike over pay and workload
Pay deals were agreed at a further 17 colleges during the ballot window
feweek.co.uk
November 19, 2025 at 12:26 PM
32 colleges hit the turnout threshold. 90% backed strike action.
Our ballots have already won pay deals at 17 colleges now others must follow.
College teachers are still paid £9,000 less than school teachers. This isn’t sustainable. Pay parity now.
feweek.co.uk/ucu-ballot-r...
Our ballots have already won pay deals at 17 colleges now others must follow.
College teachers are still paid £9,000 less than school teachers. This isn’t sustainable. Pay parity now.
feweek.co.uk/ucu-ballot-r...
Reposted by David Hayes
Lots of Labour MPs asking Mahmood tonight to rule out child detention. She won’t rule it out. That’s because forced removals of families will mean children in detention for periods.
Home Office ruling out deportation of lone minors but the changes will certainly mean more detention of children.
Home Office ruling out deportation of lone minors but the changes will certainly mean more detention of children.
November 17, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Lots of Labour MPs asking Mahmood tonight to rule out child detention. She won’t rule it out. That’s because forced removals of families will mean children in detention for periods.
Home Office ruling out deportation of lone minors but the changes will certainly mean more detention of children.
Home Office ruling out deportation of lone minors but the changes will certainly mean more detention of children.
Reposted by David Hayes
"If you're not careful, the newspapers will have you hating the people who are being oppressed and loving the people who are doing the oppressing." Malcolm X.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Dark forces are preventing us fighting the climate crisis – by taking knowledge hostage | George Monbiot
The fundamental problem is this: that most of the means of communication are owned or influenced by the very rich, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot
www.theguardian.com
November 16, 2025 at 10:41 AM
"If you're not careful, the newspapers will have you hating the people who are being oppressed and loving the people who are doing the oppressing." Malcolm X.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by David Hayes
To explain briefly: at the moment people successful in their asylum claims get permission to stay in the UK for 5 years, then have to apply for permanent residency. At that point a review of their status is done, but it’s rare not to succeed at that point unless they‘ve committed an offence 1/
To reiterate, this is about making life immeasurably more miserable and stressful for some of the most vulnerable people, in the almost certainly vain hope of winning over the votes of racists.
Anything more shabby and shameful is difficult to envisage.
Anything more shabby and shameful is difficult to envisage.
Asylum in UK to be made temporary under Home Secretary’s plans
Shabana Mahmood will lay out reforms modelled on the Danish system on Monday.
www.independent.co.uk
November 15, 2025 at 9:36 AM
To explain briefly: at the moment people successful in their asylum claims get permission to stay in the UK for 5 years, then have to apply for permanent residency. At that point a review of their status is done, but it’s rare not to succeed at that point unless they‘ve committed an offence 1/
Reposted by David Hayes
Led by @libertyhq.bsky.social, almost 300 organisations across the UK have come together to defend the vital importance of the European Convention on Human Rights in protecting every person in the UK.
1/3
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
1/3
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
Leaving the ECHR won’t stop the boats, 300 organisations warn in rallying cry
Prime minister Keir Starmer urged to make positive case for ECHR after Kemi Badenoch pledged a Tory government would leave the treaty
www.independent.co.uk
November 3, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Led by @libertyhq.bsky.social, almost 300 organisations across the UK have come together to defend the vital importance of the European Convention on Human Rights in protecting every person in the UK.
1/3
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
1/3
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
Reposted by David Hayes
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Powerful advocacy of the European Convention on Human Rights, currently a number one target of Britain’s Right and far Right. Sadly hardly defended by a government led by a human rights lawyer. Rights have become demonised as standing for ‘them’ not all of us
Powerful advocacy of the European Convention on Human Rights, currently a number one target of Britain’s Right and far Right. Sadly hardly defended by a government led by a human rights lawyer. Rights have become demonised as standing for ‘them’ not all of us
How the European convention on human rights became a battleground between the centre and the right | Daniel Trilling
For 20 years, populists have been blaming the ECHR for endangering Britain by offering basic protections to immigrants, says author Daniel Trilling
www.theguardian.com
November 4, 2025 at 10:19 AM
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Powerful advocacy of the European Convention on Human Rights, currently a number one target of Britain’s Right and far Right. Sadly hardly defended by a government led by a human rights lawyer. Rights have become demonised as standing for ‘them’ not all of us
Powerful advocacy of the European Convention on Human Rights, currently a number one target of Britain’s Right and far Right. Sadly hardly defended by a government led by a human rights lawyer. Rights have become demonised as standing for ‘them’ not all of us
Reposted by David Hayes
It's Halloween and Westminster is looking spooky... 🎃💀
Here are some of the creatures haunting the House of Commons under First Past the Post:
Here are some of the creatures haunting the House of Commons under First Past the Post:
October 31, 2025 at 11:20 AM
It's Halloween and Westminster is looking spooky... 🎃💀
Here are some of the creatures haunting the House of Commons under First Past the Post:
Here are some of the creatures haunting the House of Commons under First Past the Post:
Reposted by David Hayes
Forgot I did another comic about the NT thing in @prospectmagazine.co.uk two years ago. I loathe all the culture wars stuff we have to wade through nowadays but I can't say it hasn't given us all something to write about. That's part of the problem of course
![1
[Title panel]
National Trust
Autumn Family Fun Guide
2
Go on a crunchy autumn rant!
Get your wellies on and kick through some leaves
while venting about the wokes
[Show someone red faced, kicking up leaves, shouting “BUT BRITAIN *ABOLISHED* SLAVERYYY”]
3
Make a stick man to argue with
Straw men are for summer, but in the autumn you can glue together sticks, woodland items
and made-up talking points for a fun debate
[A hand holding a little stick man with a pinecone head while the person argues with it: “Actually country houses *aren’t* racist”]
4
Forage for nuts in the NT Council Candidates statements!
See if you can identify the nutty right-wingers in the NT Council Candidates’ election statements
[Show a parent and child looking through NT website - child says
“I’ve spotted a mention of ‘woke forces’!”]
5
Make a woodland shelter to protect commonsense conservatives from all the wokeness
[Show a big box constructed on a tree trunk with a person hiding inside it. A child whispers to them from nearby:
“You are safe now”]
6
Build a cosy bonfire by gathering copies of the Interim Report on Colonialism and Slavery
[Show a bonfire scene, a person sitting next to it]
I mean it was AGES ago
7
Spot Some Candidates in the Mist
Every autumn anti-woke campaigners come out of hiding to try and take over the gaff. How many can you spot?
[Show people stalking round the NT property grounds like deer]
8
Join us for Spooky Storytime!
Throughout October our more right-leaning members will be telling scary tales of woke ghouls and demons
[Show an NT volunteer in a dark candle-lit hut, saying to children “They’re coming to kill our history…”]
[Ends]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:4m3we4apbjayclzcnhwe3pfp/bafkreiemlstxynnffkf7c3ptrmeetuaem3c262pgcoulleh4glpv5qzytm@jpeg)
October 31, 2025 at 9:47 AM
Forgot I did another comic about the NT thing in @prospectmagazine.co.uk two years ago. I loathe all the culture wars stuff we have to wade through nowadays but I can't say it hasn't given us all something to write about. That's part of the problem of course
Reposted by David Hayes
My comment? I'm proud of Green councillors who are doing everything they can to bring attention to stopping the genocide.
www.thejc.com/news/uk/hack...
www.thejc.com/news/uk/hack...
Hackney synagogue calls on Zack Polanski to suspend Green councillors who ‘rallied against Israel’ - The Jewish Chronicle
An extraordinary meeting of the council, called to discuss a motion to cut all ties with ‘Israel’s genocide’, led to an ‘inflamed’ debate
www.thejc.com
October 29, 2025 at 5:36 PM
My comment? I'm proud of Green councillors who are doing everything they can to bring attention to stopping the genocide.
www.thejc.com/news/uk/hack...
www.thejc.com/news/uk/hack...
Reposted by David Hayes
Friendly reminder: these are the rights we all have under the ECHR.
They're not just for a privileged few
They're for EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US
They're not just for a privileged few
They're for EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US
October 29, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Friendly reminder: these are the rights we all have under the ECHR.
They're not just for a privileged few
They're for EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US
They're not just for a privileged few
They're for EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US
Reposted by David Hayes
Just in case anyone is listening, please note that UK universities cannot operate successfully on the basis of continuous reduction of academic staff and academic staff pay. No amount of staff wellness sessions will change this.
October 29, 2025 at 9:04 AM
Just in case anyone is listening, please note that UK universities cannot operate successfully on the basis of continuous reduction of academic staff and academic staff pay. No amount of staff wellness sessions will change this.
Reposted by David Hayes
A strategy based on 'well, what if everything political science tells us, everything economics tells us and everything history tells us is wrong?' is ending in a predictable fashion.
It's increasingly obvious that Labour's strategy - call it Starmerism, Blue Labour, whatever - has got it badly wrong. It has alienated the party's core vote while failing to win over those leaning to Reform. There was no shortage of people warning them they were getting it wrong either.
Three years ago, Labour was polling in the 50s.
October 28, 2025 at 12:07 PM
A strategy based on 'well, what if everything political science tells us, everything economics tells us and everything history tells us is wrong?' is ending in a predictable fashion.