Dr. Henry Tam
@henrytam.bsky.social
2.4K followers 1.8K following 390 posts
Political writer - books include: 'Time to Save Democracy', 'Communitarianism', 'Against Power Inequalities', 'Who's Afraid of Political Education', 'Tomorrow's Communities', etc + the Anti-Con novels. More info from: https://hbtam.blogspot.com
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henrytam.bsky.social
Robert Jenrick walks into a room with other Tory leadership contenders. What's that he said angrily about "not seeing another white face around"?
(Better tell Javid, Patel, Sharma, Sunak, Zahawi, Jayawardena, and others to keep away in case Bob loses it completely ...)
henrytam.bsky.social
Arsonists rely on fire.
The Fourth Reich counts on ICE.
henrytam.bsky.social
There are those who hear about immigrants who have lived and worked here for years, paid taxes, helped others, contributed to our country,
& yet they don't want them settling here because of (whisper it) the colour of their skin.
What word other than 'racist' would they like for their attitude?
henrytam.bsky.social
Never shrug when some amass great wealth & power while others are thus weakened.
Growth in power inequalities leads inexorably to exploitation and oppressive rule: citizen-network.org/library/the-...
Citizen Network: The Power Gap
Democracy stops working when some people have much more power than others.
citizen-network.org
henrytam.bsky.social
Trump will sanction Russia, but ... and there will always be a 'but', because the chain of command only goes one way, and everyone knows who's really in charge.
henrytam.bsky.social
How will every Tory/Reform/Republican politician parrot the 'tax cuts' sales pitch, and pretend the doorway to paradise will fly open ...
Read this 'Tax Cuts Q&A' for all seasons:
henry-tam.blogspot.com/2022/07/tax-...
Tax Cuts Q&A
[Conservative politicians can’t stop talking about ‘tax cuts’. But rarely are they pressed to explain why it’s the be all and end all of the...
henry-tam.blogspot.com
henrytam.bsky.social
If 'democracy' is just a basic voting process, not only could it be cut off from what concerns citizens, it is susceptible to being subverted by manipulators.
We need Citizen Democracy to connect & empower us as equal citizens in an informed and inclusive manner:
citizen-network.org/work/citizen...
Citizen Democracy
Developing more effective forms of democracy.
citizen-network.org
henrytam.bsky.social
For ppl who love to defend the use of words like 'invasion' and 'legitimate concerns', would it be fair to say that we all have legitimate concerns about the invasion of hate & prejudice into our British culture of tolerance and compassion?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... #1930s
No pensioner deportations under Reform, says Kruger
The MP for East Wiltshire was responding to concerns about scrapping indefinite leave to remain.
www.bbc.co.uk
henrytam.bsky.social
Don't just tell communities help will eventually arrive.
But work with them, listen, empower them to develop real improvements with public support.
12 'Putting Communities First' recommendations: citizen-network.org/library/putt...
@cormacrussell.bsky.social
Citizen Network: Putting Communities First: 12 Recommendations
Cormac Russell provides a clear strategy for the state to rebuild trust with communities.
citizen-network.org
henrytam.bsky.social
It is estimated that 7-18% of the UK population do not have a smartphone - around 28% for those aged over 75. So digital ID is going to be introduced to make them all 'suspected aliens' to deter ppl who are prepared to die crossing the channel? news.sky.com/story/starme...
Starmer to unveil plan for digital ID cards to crack down on illegal immigration
The so-called "Brit card" would verify a citizen's right to live and work in the UK.
news.sky.com
henrytam.bsky.social
Čapek’s play, 'R.U.R.', is both an allegorical indictment of how the rich and powerful in society treat those forced to do the most unrewarding work, and a call to find empathy with others regardless of how we have been conditioned to perceive them:
henry-tam.blogspot.com/2023/07/cape...
Čapek’s Empathy Test
2023 marks the centenary of the first staging of Karel Čapek ’s revolutionary play,  R.U.R.  in England – at the St. Martin’s Theatre, West ...
henry-tam.blogspot.com
henrytam.bsky.social
In 1984, Orwell warned us about a new form of authoritarianism.
In 2025, Trump shows us exactly how it works in practice.
henrytam.bsky.social
Good traditions are worth preserving, but oppressive customs should go.
Build strong communities through mutual respect,
And transcend divisiveness with cooperation.
Discover the real communitarian approach:
citizen-network.org/library/comm...
@citizennetwork.bsky.social
Citizen Network: Communitarianism A Review
Henry Tam's book outlines an inclusive and democratic vision that we could all get behind.
citizen-network.org
henrytam.bsky.social
The few who commit atrocities, wherever they are, should be punished.
But the vast majorities on every side who have not harmed anyone should be able to live in peace.
henrytam.bsky.social
When anyone on the Right is attacked by mentally unstable people, it is open season to target everyone who disagrees with the Right.
When Right-wing extremists commit acts of terror, they are recorded by the US Dept of 'Justice' as ‘Non-Existent’:
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
US justice department removes study finding far-right extremists commit ‘far more’ violence
Report finding rightwing extremists have killed more Americans than other domestic terrorist groups vanished from DoJ website
www.theguardian.com
henrytam.bsky.social
Is it a time for national mourning,
When pomp & ceremony are served up
For one who inflicts pain on allies,
Tramples on the rule of law,
And treats the vulnerable with contempt?
henrytam.bsky.social
Extremism is on the rise,
Authoritarians lurk on the wings of power,
Charlatans thrive on lies & manipulation.
We urgently need to bolster the social, economic and political foundations of democracy:
citizen-network.org/news/democra... #DemocracySOS
Democracy SOS
On the International Day of Democracy, a new report sharing eight steps to save the UK’s democratic system.
citizen-network.org
henrytam.bsky.social
The 'populist right' politicians share one tactical stance - blame immigrants for everything, and plan for tax cuts for the superrich.
Ever wonder if a plutocratic Faustian pact was made somewhere along the way ... donate to hate-mongers in return for big fiscal gains?