Dr Seth Thévoz
@seththevoz.bsky.social
Historian, writer, immigrant, FRHistS, podcaster, right eyebrow raiser; UK political finance & global private members’ clubs; http://linktr.ee/sathevoz; Latest book: ‘London Clubland: A Companion for the Curious'. clubland.substack.com
On the Clubland Substack: the 1st of a 2-part article, offering a deep dive into clubs in the world of John Le Carré's George Smiley.
This one looks at Smiley's fictional clubs; their influences; & how they change between the original novels & the TV version.
clubland.substack.com/p/clubman-ta...
This one looks at Smiley's fictional clubs; their influences; & how they change between the original novels & the TV version.
clubland.substack.com/p/clubman-ta...
Clubman, Tailor, Soldier, Spy: George Smiley's clubs
Part 1 of 2
clubland.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 5:16 PM
On the Clubland Substack: the 1st of a 2-part article, offering a deep dive into clubs in the world of John Le Carré's George Smiley.
This one looks at Smiley's fictional clubs; their influences; & how they change between the original novels & the TV version.
clubland.substack.com/p/clubman-ta...
This one looks at Smiley's fictional clubs; their influences; & how they change between the original novels & the TV version.
clubland.substack.com/p/clubman-ta...
Reposted by Dr Seth Thévoz
🔊 The one in which the gang discuss 🎄 adverts in the extra bit, including reminiscing over their favourites as @rostaylor.bsky.social makes @jasonhazeley.bsky.social cry (again) over the heartbreaking gravy 😂 And @seththevoz.bsky.social has a Thunderbirds tear in his eye
🇬🇧 #UKPolitics 🗳️ #Podcasts 📻
🇬🇧 #UKPolitics 🗳️ #Podcasts 📻
🚨NEW EPISODE🚨 Zohran Mamdani's victory in the New York mayoralty race leaves Trump titanically unamused. @jasonhazeley.bsky.social & @seththevoz.bsky.social join @rostaylor.bsky.social to discuss. Plus Matt Warman examines the drastic measures needed to keep Reform out 👉 linktr.ee/ohgodwhatnow...
November 9, 2025 at 10:21 AM
🔊 The one in which the gang discuss 🎄 adverts in the extra bit, including reminiscing over their favourites as @rostaylor.bsky.social makes @jasonhazeley.bsky.social cry (again) over the heartbreaking gravy 😂 And @seththevoz.bsky.social has a Thunderbirds tear in his eye
🇬🇧 #UKPolitics 🗳️ #Podcasts 📻
🇬🇧 #UKPolitics 🗳️ #Podcasts 📻
Reposted by Dr Seth Thévoz
Pick one: a] bringing the Conservative Party back from the dead or b] Farage in No.10? We look at the dilemma on the right with @rostaylor.bsky.social, @seththevoz.bsky.social & @jasonhazeley.bsky.social and ex-Tory MP Matt Warman 👉 linktr.ee/ohgodwhatnow...
#podcast #ukpolitics
#podcast #ukpolitics
November 8, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Pick one: a] bringing the Conservative Party back from the dead or b] Farage in No.10? We look at the dilemma on the right with @rostaylor.bsky.social, @seththevoz.bsky.social & @jasonhazeley.bsky.social and ex-Tory MP Matt Warman 👉 linktr.ee/ohgodwhatnow...
#podcast #ukpolitics
#podcast #ukpolitics
I was doing this from the age of 14, before it was cool.
Loving today's news that the mysterious "fedora man" outside the Louvre heist was actually a 15-year-old museum visitor who dresses like a 1940s French detective all the time, just because. apnews.com/article/louv...
Fedora man unmasked: Meet the teen behind the Louvre mystery photo
Fifteen-year-old Pedro Elias Garzon Delvaux has become an internet sensation after an Associated Press photo captured him outside the Louvre on the day of a crown jewels heist.
apnews.com
November 9, 2025 at 5:27 PM
I was doing this from the age of 14, before it was cool.
Reposted by Dr Seth Thévoz
🚨NEW EPISODE🚨 Zohran Mamdani's victory in the New York mayoralty race leaves Trump titanically unamused. @jasonhazeley.bsky.social & @seththevoz.bsky.social join @rostaylor.bsky.social to discuss. Plus Matt Warman examines the drastic measures needed to keep Reform out 👉 linktr.ee/ohgodwhatnow...
November 7, 2025 at 7:01 AM
🚨NEW EPISODE🚨 Zohran Mamdani's victory in the New York mayoralty race leaves Trump titanically unamused. @jasonhazeley.bsky.social & @seththevoz.bsky.social join @rostaylor.bsky.social to discuss. Plus Matt Warman examines the drastic measures needed to keep Reform out 👉 linktr.ee/ohgodwhatnow...
Amateurs take photos of themselves in front of Big Ben from College Green.
Whereas the cognoscenti know that the best photos of Big Ben are taken from Westminster Bridge.
Whereas the cognoscenti know that the best photos of Big Ben are taken from Westminster Bridge.
November 6, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Amateurs take photos of themselves in front of Big Ben from College Green.
Whereas the cognoscenti know that the best photos of Big Ben are taken from Westminster Bridge.
Whereas the cognoscenti know that the best photos of Big Ben are taken from Westminster Bridge.
The only thing worse than people saying in speeches and conversation, “The rest is history,” is people saying in speeches and conversation, “The rest, as they say, is history.”
November 5, 2025 at 12:55 PM
The only thing worse than people saying in speeches and conversation, “The rest is history,” is people saying in speeches and conversation, “The rest, as they say, is history.”
Reposted by Dr Seth Thévoz
On the left, the refurbished Lincoln bathroom. On the right, picture I took in Saddam Hussein's palace in Basra in 2005.
October 31, 2025 at 5:57 PM
On the left, the refurbished Lincoln bathroom. On the right, picture I took in Saddam Hussein's palace in Basra in 2005.
Reposted by Dr Seth Thévoz
🚨NEW🚨 Figures like Leila Khaled and Carlos the Jackal turned political violence into global theatre. @jasonburke2.bsky.social joins @seththevoz.bsky.social to discuss how these figures reshaped global politics, and what their legacy reveals about ideology, glamour and violence 👉 linktr.ee/bunker_pod
October 30, 2025 at 7:00 AM
🚨NEW🚨 Figures like Leila Khaled and Carlos the Jackal turned political violence into global theatre. @jasonburke2.bsky.social joins @seththevoz.bsky.social to discuss how these figures reshaped global politics, and what their legacy reveals about ideology, glamour and violence 👉 linktr.ee/bunker_pod
Reposted by Dr Seth Thévoz
It’s wild that we’re talking about Reform being so popular when it only has 27% of the vote. In the Before Times, 27% would be seen as disastrous for her official opposition — party leaders have resigned for their support dropping to higher levels than this.
Labour hits their lowest ever poll rating with YouGov, level with the Conservatives on 17%. Greens at their highest ever.
Labour, Conservatives, Lib Dems and Greens now all essentially within margin of error of each other
Labour, Conservatives, Lib Dems and Greens now all essentially within margin of error of each other
October 28, 2025 at 10:14 AM
It’s wild that we’re talking about Reform being so popular when it only has 27% of the vote. In the Before Times, 27% would be seen as disastrous for her official opposition — party leaders have resigned for their support dropping to higher levels than this.
Reposted by Dr Seth Thévoz
Last week:
-Trump pardoned Binance's founder after a $2B deal with his crypto firm
-Hegseth awards a DoD contract to a Don Jr.-backed firm
-Trump orders his DOJ cronies pay him $230M in "compensation"
We must not become numb to this. https://popular.info/p/3-scandals-in-4-days-that-would-define
-Trump pardoned Binance's founder after a $2B deal with his crypto firm
-Hegseth awards a DoD contract to a Don Jr.-backed firm
-Trump orders his DOJ cronies pay him $230M in "compensation"
We must not become numb to this. https://popular.info/p/3-scandals-in-4-days-that-would-define
3 Scandals in 4 Days That Would Define Any Other Presidency
During the second Trump administration, corruption scandals that would typically define a presidency receive a day or tw
popular.info
October 27, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Last week:
-Trump pardoned Binance's founder after a $2B deal with his crypto firm
-Hegseth awards a DoD contract to a Don Jr.-backed firm
-Trump orders his DOJ cronies pay him $230M in "compensation"
We must not become numb to this. https://popular.info/p/3-scandals-in-4-days-that-would-define
-Trump pardoned Binance's founder after a $2B deal with his crypto firm
-Hegseth awards a DoD contract to a Don Jr.-backed firm
-Trump orders his DOJ cronies pay him $230M in "compensation"
We must not become numb to this. https://popular.info/p/3-scandals-in-4-days-that-would-define
I interviewed Ben Schott for ClubCast - the Clubland Podcast - as we talked about the use of language in private members’ clubs.
A must-listen you can find on iTunes, Spotify, YouTube, or even Substack below.
clubland.substack.com/p/clubcast-7...
A must-listen you can find on iTunes, Spotify, YouTube, or even Substack below.
clubland.substack.com/p/clubcast-7...
ClubCast 7: Ben Schott on Clubland language
To mark the launch of Ben Schott’s new book, Schott’s Significa, I spoke to Ben about the distinctive and idiosyncratic use of language in London Clubland.
clubland.substack.com
October 27, 2025 at 7:53 AM
I interviewed Ben Schott for ClubCast - the Clubland Podcast - as we talked about the use of language in private members’ clubs.
A must-listen you can find on iTunes, Spotify, YouTube, or even Substack below.
clubland.substack.com/p/clubcast-7...
A must-listen you can find on iTunes, Spotify, YouTube, or even Substack below.
clubland.substack.com/p/clubcast-7...
RIP Dick Taverne. I first met him 20 years ago, inviting him to speak to my student society about his 1973 byelection. He accepted on 1 condition: he would only speak about the future, not the past. Well into his 90s, he remained one of the most youthful people I knew. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Tributes paid to ex-Lincoln MP and Lib Dems founding member Dick Taverne
Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey described him as
www.bbc.co.uk
October 25, 2025 at 5:41 PM
RIP Dick Taverne. I first met him 20 years ago, inviting him to speak to my student society about his 1973 byelection. He accepted on 1 condition: he would only speak about the future, not the past. Well into his 90s, he remained one of the most youthful people I knew. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Dr Seth Thévoz
🚨ICYMI🚨
Is brainrot taking over politics?
@seththevoz.bsky.social is joined by @zoegrunewald.bsky.social, @youngvulgarian.marieleconte.com and @jasonhazeley.bsky.social to discuss 👉 linktr.ee/ohgodwhatnow...
#brainrot #ukpolitics #podcast
Is brainrot taking over politics?
@seththevoz.bsky.social is joined by @zoegrunewald.bsky.social, @youngvulgarian.marieleconte.com and @jasonhazeley.bsky.social to discuss 👉 linktr.ee/ohgodwhatnow...
#brainrot #ukpolitics #podcast
October 25, 2025 at 11:59 AM
🚨ICYMI🚨
Is brainrot taking over politics?
@seththevoz.bsky.social is joined by @zoegrunewald.bsky.social, @youngvulgarian.marieleconte.com and @jasonhazeley.bsky.social to discuss 👉 linktr.ee/ohgodwhatnow...
#brainrot #ukpolitics #podcast
Is brainrot taking over politics?
@seththevoz.bsky.social is joined by @zoegrunewald.bsky.social, @youngvulgarian.marieleconte.com and @jasonhazeley.bsky.social to discuss 👉 linktr.ee/ohgodwhatnow...
#brainrot #ukpolitics #podcast
Reposted by Dr Seth Thévoz
🎧 The one where @youngvulgarian.marieleconte.com talks crimes, 🇫🇷 ones, and @jasonhazeley.bsky.social later asks “can I read you this from The Railway Magazine?” To which @seththevoz.bsky.social responds, “I would love nothing more.” 👏😆
🇬🇧 #UKPolitics 🗳️ #Podcasts 📻
🇬🇧 #UKPolitics 🗳️ #Podcasts 📻
🚨NEW EPISODE🚨
Reform UK just pulled off the sequel to the Jackie Weaver Handforth Parish Council Zoom meeting, and it’s excellent. Are the cracks starting to show in Reform? Plus, is social media brainrot ruining British politics? Listen now 👉 linktr.ee/ohgodwhatnow...
#politics #brainrot #farage
Reform UK just pulled off the sequel to the Jackie Weaver Handforth Parish Council Zoom meeting, and it’s excellent. Are the cracks starting to show in Reform? Plus, is social media brainrot ruining British politics? Listen now 👉 linktr.ee/ohgodwhatnow...
#politics #brainrot #farage
October 24, 2025 at 5:23 PM
🎧 The one where @youngvulgarian.marieleconte.com talks crimes, 🇫🇷 ones, and @jasonhazeley.bsky.social later asks “can I read you this from The Railway Magazine?” To which @seththevoz.bsky.social responds, “I would love nothing more.” 👏😆
🇬🇧 #UKPolitics 🗳️ #Podcasts 📻
🇬🇧 #UKPolitics 🗳️ #Podcasts 📻
The view, entering the East Wing of the White House two years ago, when it still existed.
October 24, 2025 at 5:55 PM
The view, entering the East Wing of the White House two years ago, when it still existed.
Reposted by Dr Seth Thévoz
Exclusive: Two of Nathan Gill's fellow Ukip/Brexit Party MEPs used the same pro-Russia talking points in European Parliament, after joining him on a paid-for trip to Kyiv
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
‘Jail is inevitable’ for former Reform politician awaitin...
Two other MEPs joined Nathan Gill on a trip paid for by pro-Russian interests – and 6 weeks later repeated his talking points in Parliament
observer.co.uk
October 23, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Exclusive: Two of Nathan Gill's fellow Ukip/Brexit Party MEPs used the same pro-Russia talking points in European Parliament, after joining him on a paid-for trip to Kyiv
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
I had fun doing this, with @youngvulgarian.marieleconte.com , @zoegrunewald.bsky.social & @jasonhazeley.bsky.social.
🚨NEW EPISODE🚨
Reform UK just pulled off the sequel to the Jackie Weaver Handforth Parish Council Zoom meeting, and it’s excellent. Are the cracks starting to show in Reform? Plus, is social media brainrot ruining British politics? Listen now 👉 linktr.ee/ohgodwhatnow...
#politics #brainrot #farage
Reform UK just pulled off the sequel to the Jackie Weaver Handforth Parish Council Zoom meeting, and it’s excellent. Are the cracks starting to show in Reform? Plus, is social media brainrot ruining British politics? Listen now 👉 linktr.ee/ohgodwhatnow...
#politics #brainrot #farage
October 24, 2025 at 10:00 AM
I had fun doing this, with @youngvulgarian.marieleconte.com , @zoegrunewald.bsky.social & @jasonhazeley.bsky.social.
Reposted by Dr Seth Thévoz
If we want to rebuild the defences against authoritarianism (as we should) we'd be better off using the instruments we already have.
Dismantling Henry VIII powers, getting dirty money out of elections, even changing the electoral system could all be done more easily than writing a new constitution.
Dismantling Henry VIII powers, getting dirty money out of elections, even changing the electoral system could all be done more easily than writing a new constitution.
October 23, 2025 at 10:42 PM
If we want to rebuild the defences against authoritarianism (as we should) we'd be better off using the instruments we already have.
Dismantling Henry VIII powers, getting dirty money out of elections, even changing the electoral system could all be done more easily than writing a new constitution.
Dismantling Henry VIII powers, getting dirty money out of elections, even changing the electoral system could all be done more easily than writing a new constitution.
Reposted by Dr Seth Thévoz
Obviously the focus is on Plaid, Reform and Labour but the Conservatives also fell drastically - to 2% and a lost deposit. Hardly a ringing endorsement from the Welsh valleys for their recent turn to the far right
Caerphilly, Senedd constituency by-election result:
PC: 47.4% (+19.0)
REF: 36.0% (+34.2)
LAB: 11.0% (-34.9)
CON: 2.0% (-15.3)
GRN: 1.5% (+1.5)
LDEM: 1.5% (-1.2)
GWL: 0.3% (+0.3)
UKIP: 0.2% (+0.2)
Plaid Cymru GAIN from Labour.
PC: 47.4% (+19.0)
REF: 36.0% (+34.2)
LAB: 11.0% (-34.9)
CON: 2.0% (-15.3)
GRN: 1.5% (+1.5)
LDEM: 1.5% (-1.2)
GWL: 0.3% (+0.3)
UKIP: 0.2% (+0.2)
Plaid Cymru GAIN from Labour.
October 24, 2025 at 7:09 AM
Obviously the focus is on Plaid, Reform and Labour but the Conservatives also fell drastically - to 2% and a lost deposit. Hardly a ringing endorsement from the Welsh valleys for their recent turn to the far right
Reposted by Dr Seth Thévoz
Voters knew what to do to stop Reform. Unusually for a by-election, turnout surged to > 50% up from 44% in 2021.
This is terrible for Labour though & smashes the campaign phrase that “Only Labour can stop Reform”.
They now need 2 oppo votes to pass Senedd Bills.
This is terrible for Labour though & smashes the campaign phrase that “Only Labour can stop Reform”.
They now need 2 oppo votes to pass Senedd Bills.
Caerphilly, Senedd constituency by-election result:
PC: 47.4% (+19.0)
REF: 36.0% (+34.2)
LAB: 11.0% (-34.9)
CON: 2.0% (-15.3)
GRN: 1.5% (+1.5)
LDEM: 1.5% (-1.2)
GWL: 0.3% (+0.3)
UKIP: 0.2% (+0.2)
Plaid Cymru GAIN from Labour.
PC: 47.4% (+19.0)
REF: 36.0% (+34.2)
LAB: 11.0% (-34.9)
CON: 2.0% (-15.3)
GRN: 1.5% (+1.5)
LDEM: 1.5% (-1.2)
GWL: 0.3% (+0.3)
UKIP: 0.2% (+0.2)
Plaid Cymru GAIN from Labour.
October 24, 2025 at 5:55 AM
Voters knew what to do to stop Reform. Unusually for a by-election, turnout surged to > 50% up from 44% in 2021.
This is terrible for Labour though & smashes the campaign phrase that “Only Labour can stop Reform”.
They now need 2 oppo votes to pass Senedd Bills.
This is terrible for Labour though & smashes the campaign phrase that “Only Labour can stop Reform”.
They now need 2 oppo votes to pass Senedd Bills.
Reposted by Dr Seth Thévoz
On the “big two” parties - combined Tory/Lab vote in 2021 63% in Caerphilly, Today 13%(!) We certainly aren’t in Kansas anymore.
October 24, 2025 at 1:34 AM
On the “big two” parties - combined Tory/Lab vote in 2021 63% in Caerphilly, Today 13%(!) We certainly aren’t in Kansas anymore.
Well, that's the lesson for Labour in tonight's Caerphilly by-election: keep obsessing about losing votes on the right, placating Reform voters...and lose votes on to the left. Here, Plaid Cymru benefitted.
I wrote about Labour's strategic dilemma here:
www.opendemocracy.net/en/labour-st...
I wrote about Labour's strategic dilemma here:
www.opendemocracy.net/en/labour-st...
October 24, 2025 at 1:20 AM
Well, that's the lesson for Labour in tonight's Caerphilly by-election: keep obsessing about losing votes on the right, placating Reform voters...and lose votes on to the left. Here, Plaid Cymru benefitted.
I wrote about Labour's strategic dilemma here:
www.opendemocracy.net/en/labour-st...
I wrote about Labour's strategic dilemma here:
www.opendemocracy.net/en/labour-st...
Chief Historian of the White House Historical Association:
“All of the founders would have been disgusted by this.”
www.instagram.com/reel/DQIoMmL...
“All of the founders would have been disgusted by this.”
www.instagram.com/reel/DQIoMmL...
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October 23, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Chief Historian of the White House Historical Association:
“All of the founders would have been disgusted by this.”
www.instagram.com/reel/DQIoMmL...
“All of the founders would have been disgusted by this.”
www.instagram.com/reel/DQIoMmL...
Asbestos. I’m sure that in the Trump administration’s carefully-considered demolition of the East Wing of the White House (a structure largely built in 1942), they’ve remembered to safely remove any asbestos.
October 23, 2025 at 8:33 AM
Asbestos. I’m sure that in the Trump administration’s carefully-considered demolition of the East Wing of the White House (a structure largely built in 1942), they’ve remembered to safely remove any asbestos.