Simon Ferrigno
@brexcyclopaedia.bsky.social
Dad Writer Editor Researcher Sustainability (esp cotton) Some history Long 'sanity' project "The Charge of the Lightweight Brigade", a satire on the idiots of Brexit ('C’est magnifique, mais ce n’est pas la guerre: c'est de la folie') Rejoiner Liberal
Pinned
European Convention on Human Rights (Withdrawal) - Hansard - UK Parliament
Hansard record of the item : ' European Convention on Human Rights (Withdrawal)' on Wednesday 29 October 2025.
hansard.parliament.uk
Pin Farage's lies and Davey's response somewhere - they will be needed in the years ahead hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2025...
Also, the 'Putin's Patsy' heckle
Also, the 'Putin's Patsy' heckle
Reposted by Simon Ferrigno
Russian links keep piling up. Time to investigate before the most Russian linked party of all (Reform) walks into Number 10?
"The Polish government think Epstein may have been spying for Vladimir Putin, is the PM concerned that Mandelson may have been leaking state secrets, not just to a paedophile, financier, but also a Russian agent?" asks Ed Davey.
Starmer: "The investigation will go wherever the evidence leads"
Starmer: "The investigation will go wherever the evidence leads"
February 4, 2026 at 3:08 PM
Russian links keep piling up. Time to investigate before the most Russian linked party of all (Reform) walks into Number 10?
Reposted by Simon Ferrigno
The tendering process for Palantir’s contracts with Uk gov. should now be scrutinised. Mandelson was obviously chosen because he represented their interests not ours when he was made UK 🇬🇧 ambassador. Before that appointment his lobbying company rep. Palantir . Labour were fully aware of this .
The Peter Mandelson scandal on the front pages of UK papers. For decades Mandelson has briefed, lobbied & spun his views to senior journalists undermining colleagues in his own party & advocating for corporate interests (who were paying him). Finally the dam has burst.
February 4, 2026 at 1:03 PM
The tendering process for Palantir’s contracts with Uk gov. should now be scrutinised. Mandelson was obviously chosen because he represented their interests not ours when he was made UK 🇬🇧 ambassador. Before that appointment his lobbying company rep. Palantir . Labour were fully aware of this .
This essentially means China has joined Russia's hybrid war on us
China is now bankrolling Russia’s war in Ukraine by providing 60% of the funds needed by Moscow to continue fighting, MPs on the Commons Defence Committee were told today.
The aim is to gain an advantage over the West.
The aim is to gain an advantage over the West.
China bankrolling Putin’s war to gain advantage over West, MPs told
Beijing’s huge support for Russian aggression against Ukraine part of larger threatening posture, air marshal tells Commons committee
www.telegraph.co.uk
February 4, 2026 at 2:56 PM
This essentially means China has joined Russia's hybrid war on us
The bind moggles: "Medical staff had to halt the procedure, fearing a possible explosion." english.elpais.com/internationa...
A 24-year-old Frenchman shows up at hospital with a World War I shell lodged in his rectum
Doctors had to operate on the patient with the help of bomb disposal experts. He could yet be charged with possession of ammunition
english.elpais.com
February 4, 2026 at 2:51 PM
The bind moggles: "Medical staff had to halt the procedure, fearing a possible explosion." english.elpais.com/internationa...
Reposted by Simon Ferrigno
"The planned hyperscale facilities of north and west Texas, if fully built out, could be among the largest emissions sources in both the country and the world, Bird said"
“I’d be hard-pressed to think of a bigger emitter"
“I’d be hard-pressed to think of a bigger emitter"
Huge Texas data centers will get their own gas power plants
The developer of one project, in Pecos County, calls it the largest power project in the U.S. Data centers are sparking a surge of gas power plant construction in Texas.
www.texastribune.org
February 4, 2026 at 2:37 PM
"The planned hyperscale facilities of north and west Texas, if fully built out, could be among the largest emissions sources in both the country and the world, Bird said"
“I’d be hard-pressed to think of a bigger emitter"
“I’d be hard-pressed to think of a bigger emitter"
Perhaps they'll finally get rid of him....
Some interesting reporting in the New Statesman. There was a shortlist of four to be UK Ambassador to the US. Starmer favoured George Osborne. It was Morgan McSweeney who pushed for Mandelson.
The Mandelson affair: inside the scandal of a century
Mandelson's fall from grace reveals a very Labour weakness
www.newstatesman.com
February 4, 2026 at 12:54 PM
Perhaps they'll finally get rid of him....
Reposted by Simon Ferrigno
Vendel Helmet 1. Iron helmet with bronze fittings from a boat grave in Vendel, Uppland, Sweden, c. 550–793 AD.
📷 Swedish History Museum samlingar.shm.se/object/F0DD4...
#Archaeology
📷 Swedish History Museum samlingar.shm.se/object/F0DD4...
#Archaeology
February 4, 2026 at 12:45 PM
Vendel Helmet 1. Iron helmet with bronze fittings from a boat grave in Vendel, Uppland, Sweden, c. 550–793 AD.
📷 Swedish History Museum samlingar.shm.se/object/F0DD4...
#Archaeology
📷 Swedish History Museum samlingar.shm.se/object/F0DD4...
#Archaeology
Reposted by Simon Ferrigno
reminder!!!!!
You don't have to obey anyone's framing. Calling them British Petroleum. Call it a chatbot instead of "artificial intelligence". Use real emissions, not adjusted for offsets or certificates. It's all allowed!!!
February 4, 2026 at 12:48 PM
reminder!!!!!
This should be good
Wednesday is @prospectmagazine.co.uk pod day, and this week the excellent @petergeoghegan.bsky.social joins me and @ellenhalliday.bsky.social to talk about Epstein, Mandelson, and the nexus of power, money and politics that Democracy for Sale covers so well www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/podcasts/pro...
Peter Geoghegan on the Epstein files, power and impunity
‘We only know all this because Epstein was a paedophile...who else is involved in this sort of access peddling?’
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
February 4, 2026 at 11:55 AM
This should be good
Reposted by Simon Ferrigno
🤣😂🤣👏🏻
February 4, 2026 at 10:48 AM
🤣😂🤣👏🏻
Reposted by Simon Ferrigno
"Some people will never like you because your spirit irritates their demons." ~ #DenzelWashington
February 4, 2026 at 10:49 AM
"Some people will never like you because your spirit irritates their demons." ~ #DenzelWashington
Reposted by Simon Ferrigno
Europe depends on US companies to handle digital payments, putting our money at risk. A strong Digital Euro would give everyone safe, independent access to money. But banks and Big Tech want to kill the proposal. Sign the petition now: action.wemove.eu/sign/2026-02...
Save the Digital Euro
Europe depends on US companies to handle digital payments, putting our money at risk. A strong Digital Euro would give everyone safe, independent access to money. But banks and Big Tech want to kill t...
action.wemove.eu
February 4, 2026 at 10:51 AM
Europe depends on US companies to handle digital payments, putting our money at risk. A strong Digital Euro would give everyone safe, independent access to money. But banks and Big Tech want to kill the proposal. Sign the petition now: action.wemove.eu/sign/2026-02...
Reposted by Simon Ferrigno
Is there a ‘Goldilocks zone’ for climate anxiety?
@drdaniellawatson.bsky.social from @climatecares.bsky.social spoke to the BBC to explore what climate anxiety really means, why it’s rising, but also why climate anxiety is a rational response to the world we live in 🧵
buff.ly/VZq3NqZ
@drdaniellawatson.bsky.social from @climatecares.bsky.social spoke to the BBC to explore what climate anxiety really means, why it’s rising, but also why climate anxiety is a rational response to the world we live in 🧵
buff.ly/VZq3NqZ
February 4, 2026 at 10:43 AM
Is there a ‘Goldilocks zone’ for climate anxiety?
@drdaniellawatson.bsky.social from @climatecares.bsky.social spoke to the BBC to explore what climate anxiety really means, why it’s rising, but also why climate anxiety is a rational response to the world we live in 🧵
buff.ly/VZq3NqZ
@drdaniellawatson.bsky.social from @climatecares.bsky.social spoke to the BBC to explore what climate anxiety really means, why it’s rising, but also why climate anxiety is a rational response to the world we live in 🧵
buff.ly/VZq3NqZ
Reposted by Simon Ferrigno
Estonia has seized a Russian-linked container in the Gulf of Finland. Special forces boarded the ship and detained 23 Russian citizens.
February 4, 2026 at 10:06 AM
Estonia has seized a Russian-linked container in the Gulf of Finland. Special forces boarded the ship and detained 23 Russian citizens.
Reposted by Simon Ferrigno
Well done @marina-purkiss.bsky.social
“Under him (Trump), there are still millions of files that haven't been released. There is no mention of you (Reform UK) talking about women or girls unless through the lens of immigration, but here, when you’re faced with a guy who is on your side, not a peep"
“Under him (Trump), there are still millions of files that haven't been released. There is no mention of you (Reform UK) talking about women or girls unless through the lens of immigration, but here, when you’re faced with a guy who is on your side, not a peep"
You get to see how thin the skin, morals and principles are of a politician when challenged properly. Andrea Jenkyns is exposed here in all her paucity and gruel thin self.
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
Reform UK politician almost walks off Jeremy Vine Show amid explosive row
Andrea Jenkyns, the mayor of Greater Lincolnshire, became so angry at questioning by Marina Purkiss on The Jeremy Vine Show she threatened to leave the television studio
www.mirror.co.uk
February 4, 2026 at 9:17 AM
Well done @marina-purkiss.bsky.social
“Under him (Trump), there are still millions of files that haven't been released. There is no mention of you (Reform UK) talking about women or girls unless through the lens of immigration, but here, when you’re faced with a guy who is on your side, not a peep"
“Under him (Trump), there are still millions of files that haven't been released. There is no mention of you (Reform UK) talking about women or girls unless through the lens of immigration, but here, when you’re faced with a guy who is on your side, not a peep"
Reposted by Simon Ferrigno
“This story has been updated to clarify that the alleged driving must have taken place at roughly the speed of sound - rather than twice the speed of sound.”
Breaking news about the new driving taxes in Iceland
Driver billed for circling Earth 25 times at the speed of sound - RÚV.is
A coach driver in Egilsstaðir flatly refuses to pay nearly ISK 20.000.000 for (allegedly) driving almost a million kilometres in January. This would mean his coach circling the Earth 25 times at the s...
www.ruv.is
February 4, 2026 at 9:18 AM
“This story has been updated to clarify that the alleged driving must have taken place at roughly the speed of sound - rather than twice the speed of sound.”
Reposted by Simon Ferrigno
But let’s not pretend Mandelson is the only one, including many within our governments.
Mandelson was not just operating against his government's interests, but against his country's interests inews.co.uk/opinion/rot-...
The rot at the heart of British politics is a patriotic affront
It would seem that Mandelson was not just operating against his government's interests, but against his country's interests
inews.co.uk
February 4, 2026 at 8:39 AM
But let’s not pretend Mandelson is the only one, including many within our governments.
Reposted by Simon Ferrigno
Another Brexit ‘benefit’:
‘If I think about what this means, I want to cry’: what happens when a city loses its university? When Essex University’s Southend campus opened, it was a message of hope. Its closure will be felt far beyond its 800 students, some of whom will not get their degrees
‘If I think about what this means, I want to cry’: what happens when a city loses its university? When Essex University’s Southend campus opened, it was a message of hope. Its closure will be felt far beyond its 800 students, some of whom will not get their degrees
February 4, 2026 at 8:13 AM
Another Brexit ‘benefit’:
‘If I think about what this means, I want to cry’: what happens when a city loses its university? When Essex University’s Southend campus opened, it was a message of hope. Its closure will be felt far beyond its 800 students, some of whom will not get their degrees
‘If I think about what this means, I want to cry’: what happens when a city loses its university? When Essex University’s Southend campus opened, it was a message of hope. Its closure will be felt far beyond its 800 students, some of whom will not get their degrees
In my experience, this largely consist of the caller being shunted from non existent # to non existent # until they give up "roughly £1m of the £8m savings will come from Artificial Intelligence (AI) through the council's ongoing drive to boost efficiency" www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Crime and climate among Derby's budget priorities
Unlike recent years, the city council is not planning any job losses in its budget.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 4, 2026 at 8:16 AM
In my experience, this largely consist of the caller being shunted from non existent # to non existent # until they give up "roughly £1m of the £8m savings will come from Artificial Intelligence (AI) through the council's ongoing drive to boost efficiency" www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
"instead of threatening Colombia, consider why farmers like him grow the coca plant, and send economic help.". I was in line on two projects that tried to do this. The one in Pakistan never passed risk assessments (Afghan border), the one in Colombia just never happened www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
BBC joins Colombian commandos on search for jungle cocaine labs
As the US and Colombian presidents meet, Orla Guerin joins a police unit tasked with finding and destroying jungle cocaine labs.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 4, 2026 at 8:07 AM
"instead of threatening Colombia, consider why farmers like him grow the coca plant, and send economic help.". I was in line on two projects that tried to do this. The one in Pakistan never passed risk assessments (Afghan border), the one in Colombia just never happened www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Populism, crypto, Russia, Tech bros .... and Farage, the ever reliable patsy, linked to Epstein by Bannon bylinetimes.com/2026/02/03/i...
In Putin’s Orbit: The Crypto Politics of Jeffrey Epstein and Peter Thiel
The web of ties between Epstein, Moscow and Silicon Valley leads back to Steve Bannon and Nigel Farage
bylinetimes.com
February 4, 2026 at 8:02 AM
Populism, crypto, Russia, Tech bros .... and Farage, the ever reliable patsy, linked to Epstein by Bannon bylinetimes.com/2026/02/03/i...
Reposted by Simon Ferrigno
Moves to ban under-16s from social media should raise deeper questions about who controls democracy’s digital infrastructure.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
When Maga oligarchs control the platforms, it isn’t really a debate about ‘free speech’ | Rafael Behr
The debate over banning under-16s from social media should raise deeper questions about who controls democracy’s digital infrastructure, says Guardian columnist Rafael Behr
www.theguardian.com
February 4, 2026 at 7:12 AM
Moves to ban under-16s from social media should raise deeper questions about who controls democracy’s digital infrastructure.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
C'mon, retired gammon, back to the potato picking...your country needs you
Zero net migration would shrink UK economy by 3.6%, says thinktank
Jump of £37bn in budget deficit by 2040 would force government to increase taxes, NIESR predicts
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Jump of £37bn in budget deficit by 2040 would force government to increase taxes, NIESR predicts
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Zero net migration would shrink UK economy by 3.6%, says thinktank
Jump of £37bn in budget deficit by 2040 would force government to increase taxes, NIESR predicts
www.theguardian.com
February 4, 2026 at 7:26 AM
C'mon, retired gammon, back to the potato picking...your country needs you