Matt Bennett
@matt1066.bsky.social
Historian: medieval warfare and literature. FSA. FRHS. Rejoin EU.
Reposted by Matt Bennett
In case you were wondering, this is actually what Communist totalitarianism looked like in practice. Education by the fiat of the ruling party. History only as told by the politicians. Certain questions and topics cannot he discussed.
But yeah, let's make sure the Neo Nazis get freedom of speech.
But yeah, let's make sure the Neo Nazis get freedom of speech.
Yesterday, those who teach Intro to Sociology at Florida colleges (as opposed to universities) received a ready-made curriculum from the state and were ordered to teach it.
Yes, you read that correctly. The *state* is enforcing a curriculum on college profs, complete w/ the following restrictions:
Yes, you read that correctly. The *state* is enforcing a curriculum on college profs, complete w/ the following restrictions:
February 19, 2026 at 11:22 PM
In case you were wondering, this is actually what Communist totalitarianism looked like in practice. Education by the fiat of the ruling party. History only as told by the politicians. Certain questions and topics cannot he discussed.
But yeah, let's make sure the Neo Nazis get freedom of speech.
But yeah, let's make sure the Neo Nazis get freedom of speech.
Reposted by Matt Bennett
Academics *literally have nowhere else to go*, and UK employment law and standard employer expectations do not account for that. You'd need to take 20 years' pay to make it worth quitting. Unless, ofc, they coincidentally also make your job unbearable and undoable. Oh I see
'If they choose to take up the Voluntary Severance Scheme, open to all academic staff in the School of Humanities and the School of Modern Languages, staff essentially make themselves redundant in return for a good pay-out.'
9 months' pay; 3 weeks to decide. 1/3
9 months' pay; 3 weeks to decide. 1/3
University of Bristol asks Humanities and Languages academic staff to voluntarily quit
Certain departments are being run into a ‘managed decline’, says Bristol UCU's co-President, as a new Voluntary Severance Scheme is announced.
epigram.org.uk
February 18, 2026 at 7:15 PM
Academics *literally have nowhere else to go*, and UK employment law and standard employer expectations do not account for that. You'd need to take 20 years' pay to make it worth quitting. Unless, ofc, they coincidentally also make your job unbearable and undoable. Oh I see
Reposted by Matt Bennett
Once again--Trump is weakening Ukrainian air defense to help Putin kill Ukrainian civilians and damage Ukrainian infrastructure.
How many times does this need to be said before people will get it.
How many times does this need to be said before people will get it.
Zelenskyy: US promised Europe licenses to produce Patriot missiles — then refused
Germany now has no air defense missiles left to give Ukraine. Zelenskyy says it didn't have to be this way: "There were promises of licenses, but America did not go along with it"
euromaidanpress.com/2026/02/18/w...
Germany now has no air defense missiles left to give Ukraine. Zelenskyy says it didn't have to be this way: "There were promises of licenses, but America did not go along with it"
euromaidanpress.com/2026/02/18/w...
Washington promised missile licenses, then walked back — now Europe is scrambling to arm itself, Zelenskyy says
Germany has run out of air defense missiles to give Ukraine. The US declined to license Patriot missile production in Europe when Ukraine proposed it years ago. Zelenskyy said
euromaidanpress.com
February 18, 2026 at 4:09 PM
Once again--Trump is weakening Ukrainian air defense to help Putin kill Ukrainian civilians and damage Ukrainian infrastructure.
How many times does this need to be said before people will get it.
How many times does this need to be said before people will get it.
Reposted by Matt Bennett
We need to end all donations in order to properly clean up politics - and end foreign and tax exile influence in our democracy.
February 18, 2026 at 8:30 PM
We need to end all donations in order to properly clean up politics - and end foreign and tax exile influence in our democracy.
Reposted by Matt Bennett
New data shows #Brexit has lowered UK GDP by 6-8% in 10 years. Investment down 18%, employment down 4%.
It's even worse than economists had predicted pre-referendum, because they thought there would be a bounce-back long term.
"Economists were roughly right on the magnitude of the impact, but...
It's even worse than economists had predicted pre-referendum, because they thought there would be a bounce-back long term.
"Economists were roughly right on the magnitude of the impact, but...
Brexit’s slow‑burn hit to the UK economy
The UK is once again debating why its economy has grown slowly since the mid‑2010s. This column examines the impact of the decision to leave the European Union in 2016. Using almost a decade of data s...
cepr.org
February 17, 2026 at 8:21 AM
New data shows #Brexit has lowered UK GDP by 6-8% in 10 years. Investment down 18%, employment down 4%.
It's even worse than economists had predicted pre-referendum, because they thought there would be a bounce-back long term.
"Economists were roughly right on the magnitude of the impact, but...
It's even worse than economists had predicted pre-referendum, because they thought there would be a bounce-back long term.
"Economists were roughly right on the magnitude of the impact, but...
Reposted by Matt Bennett
Here’s something to consider, with all the hype and heat around immigration.
First it fell nearly 70% year on year to last June. Second at 20k it’s one fifth of what it was under the Tories, Labour have this very much in control.
uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/reachin...
First it fell nearly 70% year on year to last June. Second at 20k it’s one fifth of what it was under the Tories, Labour have this very much in control.
uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/reachin...
February 17, 2026 at 11:33 AM
Here’s something to consider, with all the hype and heat around immigration.
First it fell nearly 70% year on year to last June. Second at 20k it’s one fifth of what it was under the Tories, Labour have this very much in control.
uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/reachin...
First it fell nearly 70% year on year to last June. Second at 20k it’s one fifth of what it was under the Tories, Labour have this very much in control.
uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/reachin...
Reposted by Matt Bennett
February 16, 2026 at 11:36 AM
Reposted by Matt Bennett
We hear way too much about angry Britain, blue-red Britain. What about the Britain of Save the Children, Oxfam, the RSPCA, the RNLI, popular environmentalism, the Britain of London's absolute triumph since its 80s nadir, its civic universities, the Britain of volunteering, giving, hoping?
February 16, 2026 at 10:52 AM
We hear way too much about angry Britain, blue-red Britain. What about the Britain of Save the Children, Oxfam, the RSPCA, the RNLI, popular environmentalism, the Britain of London's absolute triumph since its 80s nadir, its civic universities, the Britain of volunteering, giving, hoping?
Reposted by Matt Bennett
The messages between the far-right former Trump adviser Steve Bannon and the late convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein reveal how Bannon worked with Boris Johnson and Farage to “overthrow” Theresa May at the height of the 2018 Brexit crisis in the UK
bylinetimes.com/2026/02/16/b...
bylinetimes.com/2026/02/16/b...
Bannon, Epstein, Farage and Johnson and the Plot to 'Topple' Theresa May
The far-right former Trump adviser told Jeffrey Epstein that "we are overthrowing May right now" as he worked with Boris Johnson to remove the then Conservative Prime Minister from office
bylinetimes.com
February 16, 2026 at 12:17 PM
The messages between the far-right former Trump adviser Steve Bannon and the late convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein reveal how Bannon worked with Boris Johnson and Farage to “overthrow” Theresa May at the height of the 2018 Brexit crisis in the UK
bylinetimes.com/2026/02/16/b...
bylinetimes.com/2026/02/16/b...
Reposted by Matt Bennett
Have any of your colleagues recently been made redundant by a UK university? Have you? Do you fear losing your job? What has been the effect of redundancies on departmental morale? We are keen to hear your views
UK university staff: please complete our survey about redundancies
Academic or professional staff, employed or unemployed, we are anxious to hear your perspectives
www.timeshighereducation.com
February 16, 2026 at 7:20 AM
Have any of your colleagues recently been made redundant by a UK university? Have you? Do you fear losing your job? What has been the effect of redundancies on departmental morale? We are keen to hear your views
Reposted by Matt Bennett
Reposted by Matt Bennett
The problem is, inevitably, women, in particular childless women and academic childless women.
'In a February 2025 clip, Peterson said there were three predictors of “politically correct authoritarianism”, of which the first was “being female”, at which point Goodwin interjected and added: “I was going to say that.”'
‘Handmaid’s Tale future’: Reform’s Matt Goodwin sparks outcry with fertility comments
Byelection candidate accused of indulging ‘alt right fantasy’ by suggesting women need ‘biological reality’ check
www.theguardian.com
February 14, 2026 at 9:52 AM
The problem is, inevitably, women, in particular childless women and academic childless women.
Appalling treatment of people in a so-called democracy.
This is the second account - the first being in Chicago - of DHS agents mass detaining people and then *sorting them by race*.
More than 400 people, including hundreds of citizens, were “sorted” at gun point into racial and ethnic groups by 200 ICE agents who fired flash-bang grenades into cars with people inside, pointed guns at children & demanded their zip tied parents not comfort them. apple.news/Ausdx6kWtT0e...
February 13, 2026 at 12:44 PM
Appalling treatment of people in a so-called democracy.
Reposted by Matt Bennett
This is big.
£5bn council SEND debts to be paid off by government
It comes days after the Local Government Association warned that eight in 10 English councils would face bankruptcy, if they had to honour deficits.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 10, 2026 at 7:59 AM
This is big.
Reposted by Matt Bennett
Labour announce £1bn in funding for community energy projects!
Community centres, places of worship, libraries, leisure centres and more will benefit from owning & generating their own energy, and create revenue from it.
The Local Power Plan will see GB Energy deliver this biggest ever investment!
Community centres, places of worship, libraries, leisure centres and more will benefit from owning & generating their own energy, and create revenue from it.
The Local Power Plan will see GB Energy deliver this biggest ever investment!
Community energy investment to build community wealth and power
Biggest ever public investment in community energy will cut bills and create revenue for community centres, social clubs and places of worship.
www.gov.uk
February 10, 2026 at 6:50 AM
Labour announce £1bn in funding for community energy projects!
Community centres, places of worship, libraries, leisure centres and more will benefit from owning & generating their own energy, and create revenue from it.
The Local Power Plan will see GB Energy deliver this biggest ever investment!
Community centres, places of worship, libraries, leisure centres and more will benefit from owning & generating their own energy, and create revenue from it.
The Local Power Plan will see GB Energy deliver this biggest ever investment!
Reposted by Matt Bennett
Of course Starmer has made mistakes but his mistakes didn't cost 20,000 lives, destroy our public services, leave our armed forces living in squalid housing, make us a laughing stock on the global stage and ruin our relationship with the EU. 14 years of misrule can't be fixed in 19 months.
February 10, 2026 at 9:23 AM
Of course Starmer has made mistakes but his mistakes didn't cost 20,000 lives, destroy our public services, leave our armed forces living in squalid housing, make us a laughing stock on the global stage and ruin our relationship with the EU. 14 years of misrule can't be fixed in 19 months.
Reposted by Matt Bennett
We can assure you that to the families of the dead represented on our Wall, who were unable to be with their dying loved ones because they obeyed rules made by and then cynically flouted by those in power, it was not just 'a bit of cake'. It was devastating. Breathtaking insensitivity by Madeley.
February 9, 2026 at 12:19 PM
We can assure you that to the families of the dead represented on our Wall, who were unable to be with their dying loved ones because they obeyed rules made by and then cynically flouted by those in power, it was not just 'a bit of cake'. It was devastating. Breathtaking insensitivity by Madeley.
Reposted by Matt Bennett
Farage sold farmers (and fishermen) a lie, along with the rest of the country. Proof is in the numbers. Brexit did great harm. So when Farage rails against his latest faux enemy - net zero - and tells us we’re better off without it, let’s remember all the broken Brexit promises.
buff.ly/FhuTJkd
buff.ly/FhuTJkd
February 9, 2026 at 9:23 AM
Farage sold farmers (and fishermen) a lie, along with the rest of the country. Proof is in the numbers. Brexit did great harm. So when Farage rails against his latest faux enemy - net zero - and tells us we’re better off without it, let’s remember all the broken Brexit promises.
buff.ly/FhuTJkd
buff.ly/FhuTJkd
Reposted by Matt Bennett
ICE HELL
Irishman 🇮🇪 lived in 🇺🇸 for 20 yrs. Built own plastering business in Boston. Valid work permit. Married to 🇺🇸 citizen. No convictions “not even a parking ticket”. Green card application underway since April 2025. Would normally be granted.
www.irishtimes.com/world/us/202...
Irishman 🇮🇪 lived in 🇺🇸 for 20 yrs. Built own plastering business in Boston. Valid work permit. Married to 🇺🇸 citizen. No convictions “not even a parking ticket”. Green card application underway since April 2025. Would normally be granted.
www.irishtimes.com/world/us/202...
‘Absolute hell’: Irishman with valid US work permit held by Ice since September
Seamus Culleton has been in a detention facility in Texas for nearly five months despite having no criminal record
www.irishtimes.com
February 9, 2026 at 7:12 AM
ICE HELL
Irishman 🇮🇪 lived in 🇺🇸 for 20 yrs. Built own plastering business in Boston. Valid work permit. Married to 🇺🇸 citizen. No convictions “not even a parking ticket”. Green card application underway since April 2025. Would normally be granted.
www.irishtimes.com/world/us/202...
Irishman 🇮🇪 lived in 🇺🇸 for 20 yrs. Built own plastering business in Boston. Valid work permit. Married to 🇺🇸 citizen. No convictions “not even a parking ticket”. Green card application underway since April 2025. Would normally be granted.
www.irishtimes.com/world/us/202...
Reposted by Matt Bennett
"Eighty-two years after his execution by the Gestapo on June 16, 1944, the Jewish historian and resistance fighter Marc Bloch will be inducted into the Pantheon on June 23... His family requested that 'the far right, in all its forms, be excluded from any participation in the ceremony.'"
Marc Bloch, historien et résistant juif, entrera au Panthéon le 23 juin
Marc Bloch, historien et résistant juif, entrera au Panthéon le 23 juin
La date du 16 juin avait été dans un premier temps pressentie pour son entrée au Panthéon, mais la cérémonie a dû être décalée de quelques jours en raison du G7 à Evian-les-Bains.
www.lemonde.fr
February 8, 2026 at 7:02 PM
"Eighty-two years after his execution by the Gestapo on June 16, 1944, the Jewish historian and resistance fighter Marc Bloch will be inducted into the Pantheon on June 23... His family requested that 'the far right, in all its forms, be excluded from any participation in the ceremony.'"
Reposted by Matt Bennett
Well done Ed Davey. Maybe we can turn attention to the misogyny, and questions of control of and access to women’s bodies that lies at the heart of the camaraderie of patriarchy in the Epstein affair.
Ed Davey has finally taken action against Lord Rennard - after @aligoldsworthy.bsky.social asked him to "apply the same rules to your party", after his condemnation of Mandelson this week
Very important story by @katemaltby.bsky.social
observer.co.uk/news/opinion...
Very important story by @katemaltby.bsky.social
observer.co.uk/news/opinion...
It’s years too late, but at least Ed Davey is learning fr...
The Lib Dem leader has finally taken action against a peer who was at the centre of 2013 inquiry involving complaints by four women
observer.co.uk
February 8, 2026 at 8:53 AM
Well done Ed Davey. Maybe we can turn attention to the misogyny, and questions of control of and access to women’s bodies that lies at the heart of the camaraderie of patriarchy in the Epstein affair.
Reposted by Matt Bennett
Know Your Parasites
January 25, 2026 at 12:16 PM
Know Your Parasites
Reposted by Matt Bennett
Incredible and outrageous.
Incredibly this rare, ancient 21 mile long chalk stream is officially a road. Outrageously it’s being used for 4x4 fun - destroying nature in the process.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Incredibly this rare, ancient 21 mile long chalk stream is officially a road. Outrageously it’s being used for 4x4 fun - destroying nature in the process.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
February 6, 2026 at 5:01 PM
Incredible and outrageous.
Incredibly this rare, ancient 21 mile long chalk stream is officially a road. Outrageously it’s being used for 4x4 fun - destroying nature in the process.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Incredibly this rare, ancient 21 mile long chalk stream is officially a road. Outrageously it’s being used for 4x4 fun - destroying nature in the process.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Matt Bennett
Such an interesting part of our history, and an extraordinary woman - thank you for linking, @histoftech.bsky.social!
No joke: I got angry hate mail today for writing an obituary of a Black woman scientist—because the person felt she did didn’t deserve the recognition.
Which just makes me want to share it again: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Which just makes me want to share it again: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Gladys Mae West obituary: mathematician who pioneered GPS technology
She made key contributions to US cold-war science despite facing huge barriers as a Black woman.
www.nature.com
February 6, 2026 at 3:57 PM
Such an interesting part of our history, and an extraordinary woman - thank you for linking, @histoftech.bsky.social!
Reposted by Matt Bennett
Just incredible.
Not only does the University of Edinburgh have net assets of £3.1bn, but they have a surplus of £43mn. Yet, in the name of savings, the university continues to pursue redundancies which harm students, staff, and the institution itself.
An utter disgrace.
An utter disgrace.
February 4, 2026 at 11:06 PM
Just incredible.