Thread by @SimonFRCox

I want to learn from activists in Hungary, Italy, Greece, Poland what comes next from UK Govt as they scrabble for more distraction from corruption, and step up punishment of the powerless and their allies. And how we can get resist. +

Even when populist corruption doesn’t consciously model itself on another country’s, its *nature* makes it follow similar paths. And we can borrow ideas (even if we can’t borrow situations ht @billybragg ) +

in Italy, Salvini and his allies used criminal law against those rescuing drowning people - those prosecutions aren’t over. In Greece, refugees serve decade long sentences for trying to steer a dinghy with their own children to safety. What’s next for Patel there? +

in Hungary, Poland, politicians took years incrementally capturing the courts. Misusing age limits. Pressuring judges. How did independent judges and lawyers resist? *What would they do differently with hindsight?* +

I know you’re tired. (We’re tired.) I know you’ve written about this before. (I’ll be looking for that and sharing it.)

But you are further down those roads than we are right now. Your experiences, wisdom, mistakes, are invaluable. //

PS. Share it in Greek, Polish, etc, we can do the work of translating.