Simon Pease
@simonpease.bsky.social
Former UK diplomat. Neglectful gardener, baker, and maker. There is one planet. We pass through and are supposed to take care of it. Politics, as well as random observations on other stuff. No unsolicited DMs.
Pinned
Simon Pease
@simonpease.bsky.social
· Dec 2
Human beings are capable of believing two things which are mutually contradictory at the same time, without realising it.
Reposted by Simon Pease
Reposted by Simon Pease
Trump officials have blocked Minnesota law enforcement from accessing materials to investigate the death of Alex Pretti.
They also refused to cooperate with Minnesota officials to investigate Renee Good’s death.
What don’t they want the public to know?
They also refused to cooperate with Minnesota officials to investigate Renee Good’s death.
What don’t they want the public to know?
February 17, 2026 at 8:01 PM
Trump officials have blocked Minnesota law enforcement from accessing materials to investigate the death of Alex Pretti.
They also refused to cooperate with Minnesota officials to investigate Renee Good’s death.
What don’t they want the public to know?
They also refused to cooperate with Minnesota officials to investigate Renee Good’s death.
What don’t they want the public to know?
Reposted by Simon Pease
“As the airplane took off, Epstein started touching me forcibly in between my legs, and I freaked out. I realized, this is not a modeling opportunity, I've been kidnapped. They whisked me away to the island. I was stuck there. They never arranged any modeling opportunities, I was completely conned."
Epstein survivor tells CBS News how she was trafficked, and assaulted
Juliette Bryant says not long after meeting Jeffrey Epstein, he assaulted her, and she realized, "this is not a modeling opportunity, I've been kidnapped."
www.aol.com
February 17, 2026 at 6:06 PM
“As the airplane took off, Epstein started touching me forcibly in between my legs, and I freaked out. I realized, this is not a modeling opportunity, I've been kidnapped. They whisked me away to the island. I was stuck there. They never arranged any modeling opportunities, I was completely conned."
Reposted by Simon Pease
🔴‘Build That Wall’: Why Secretary Rubio Is No Jack Kennedy
The Secretary of State’s address to European leaders showed how far American leadership has fallen under Donald Trump, argues @alexhh.bsky.social
bylinetimes.com/2026/02/17/b...
The Secretary of State’s address to European leaders showed how far American leadership has fallen under Donald Trump, argues @alexhh.bsky.social
bylinetimes.com/2026/02/17/b...
‘Build That Wall’: Why Secretary Rubio Is No Jack Kennedy
The Secretary of State's address to European leaders showed how far American leadership has fallen under Donald Trump, argues Alexandra Hall Hall
bylinetimes.com
February 17, 2026 at 10:59 AM
🔴‘Build That Wall’: Why Secretary Rubio Is No Jack Kennedy
The Secretary of State’s address to European leaders showed how far American leadership has fallen under Donald Trump, argues @alexhh.bsky.social
bylinetimes.com/2026/02/17/b...
The Secretary of State’s address to European leaders showed how far American leadership has fallen under Donald Trump, argues @alexhh.bsky.social
bylinetimes.com/2026/02/17/b...
Reposted by Simon Pease
This.
The media seem dumbstruck and awestruck by Farage.
The media seem dumbstruck and awestruck by Farage.
One of the more hopeful signs in UK politics is that Reform consistently struggles to poll above the mid-to-high 20s - despite a deteriorating economy, the simultaneous implosion of both the traditional parties and a pet TV station.
Reform is not some unstoppable force. It's eminently beatable.
Reform is not some unstoppable force. It's eminently beatable.
Reform's polling is ~the lowest its been since last year's local elections
February 17, 2026 at 6:29 PM
This.
The media seem dumbstruck and awestruck by Farage.
The media seem dumbstruck and awestruck by Farage.
To the constituents of Denton and Gorton; remember Caerphilly.
Labour has now come in from 10/1 to 5/1 in Gorton and Denton, with Reform at 3/1 against, and Greens odds-on.
NB: these are prices (reflecting betting patterns) not predictions
(There has been no representative polling of the constituency published during the campaign + no hard data).
NB: these are prices (reflecting betting patterns) not predictions
(There has been no representative polling of the constituency published during the campaign + no hard data).
February 17, 2026 at 8:22 PM
To the constituents of Denton and Gorton; remember Caerphilly.
Reposted by Simon Pease
The government really should leave X, part 94.
But of course Elon Musk is promoting Rupert Lowe's far-right Restore Britain as a political party
![Elon Musk @elonmusk
Join Rupert Lowe in Restore Britain, because he is the only one who will actually do it!
[Quote tweet] Rupert Lowe MP @RupertLowe10. Feb 13
I am today launching Restore Britain as a national political party.
Join us.
[Video]
6:26 AM GMT Feb 14, 2026 22.4M Views
8.5K replies 42K shares 237K likes](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2kf2qj56o2vq7jfaq4x4ogp6/bafkreigq7e2oi3vgghfgkvajmxicgb7ykdz2qocfs6ew2sj7feyeoflaky@jpeg)
![Tweet by Elon Musk @elonmusk
Bravo!
It's a sign of how crazy these days are that this even needs to be said!
[Quote tweet] Restore Britain @RestoreBritain_ Feb 15
Restore Britain will ban foreigners from voting in British elections.
[Rate proposed Community Notes pointing out Commonwealth citizens aren't classed as foreign under British law]
5:28 PM Feb 16, 2026
14.4M Views 2.9K replies 10K shares 90K likes](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2kf2qj56o2vq7jfaq4x4ogp6/bafkreicnhqluyijv2eop7ughiywx3yq27bzhkvmrssjfntmfnfwudhnkte@jpeg)
February 17, 2026 at 6:45 PM
The government really should leave X, part 94.
Reposted by Simon Pease
Mars colonies. AGI. Life extension. Tech billionaires cast themselves as humanity’s saviours – while inequality deepens and platforms polarize societies. This is not science fiction, it Is the rise of technofascism. Stephen McNair reports
eastangliabylines.co.uk/democracy/te...
eastangliabylines.co.uk/democracy/te...
February 17, 2026 at 7:01 PM
Mars colonies. AGI. Life extension. Tech billionaires cast themselves as humanity’s saviours – while inequality deepens and platforms polarize societies. This is not science fiction, it Is the rise of technofascism. Stephen McNair reports
eastangliabylines.co.uk/democracy/te...
eastangliabylines.co.uk/democracy/te...
Reposted by Simon Pease
It's becoming clearer. The plan is to create a veritable government of all the talentless.
Reform’s new shadow cabinet team:
Leader: Nigel Farage
Chancellor: Robert Jenrick
Home: Zia Yusuf
Business, Trade & Energy: Richard Tice
Education & Skills: Suella Braverman
Chief Whip: Lee Anderson
Leader: Nigel Farage
Chancellor: Robert Jenrick
Home: Zia Yusuf
Business, Trade & Energy: Richard Tice
Education & Skills: Suella Braverman
Chief Whip: Lee Anderson
February 17, 2026 at 12:36 PM
It's becoming clearer. The plan is to create a veritable government of all the talentless.
Reposted by Simon Pease
Another reason why Europe needs Ukraine as a full and free partner.
A crucial fact too few Europeans know:
Ukraine produces far more drones and inexpensive cruise missiles than the entire EU combined, yet it still doesn’t have enough.
What does it say about Europe’s capabilities?
We urgently need to step up
Ukraine produces far more drones and inexpensive cruise missiles than the entire EU combined, yet it still doesn’t have enough.
What does it say about Europe’s capabilities?
We urgently need to step up
February 17, 2026 at 12:39 PM
Another reason why Europe needs Ukraine as a full and free partner.
Reposted by Simon Pease
Think there's a fascinating and plausible scenario where Lab change leader, recover, Ref fall back and you end up with a smaller Lab majority, Greens picking up seats, and Ref and Con basically flipping positions in opposition
Reform's polling is ~the lowest its been since last year's local elections
February 17, 2026 at 9:08 AM
Think there's a fascinating and plausible scenario where Lab change leader, recover, Ref fall back and you end up with a smaller Lab majority, Greens picking up seats, and Ref and Con basically flipping positions in opposition
Reposted by Simon Pease
Staggering that 24% of voters in this advanced country continue to believe in a bunch of entitled bigots with unworkable policies, whose very ideas put us in the abject chaos we are in. Truly God awful idiots, and I make no apology for saying that.
YouGov Reform 24% (Reform + Cons 42% on the right) fits genereal pattern: Reform 2026 < Reform 2025.
Westminster Voting Intention:
REF: 24% (-3)
LAB: 19% (=)
CON: 18% (=)
GRN: 17% (+1)
LDM: 13% (-1)
SNP: 3% (=)
OTH: 4% (+2)
Via @YouGov, On 15-16th February,
Changes w/ 8-9 February.
Westminster Voting Intention:
REF: 24% (-3)
LAB: 19% (=)
CON: 18% (=)
GRN: 17% (+1)
LDM: 13% (-1)
SNP: 3% (=)
OTH: 4% (+2)
Via @YouGov, On 15-16th February,
Changes w/ 8-9 February.
February 17, 2026 at 9:17 AM
Staggering that 24% of voters in this advanced country continue to believe in a bunch of entitled bigots with unworkable policies, whose very ideas put us in the abject chaos we are in. Truly God awful idiots, and I make no apology for saying that.
Reposted by Simon Pease
Trump’s menacing operation to bury the Epstein files forever.Channel 4 estimates as little as 2% could have been released.
“We know that a lot of the victims say that conversations they have had with the FBI have not been released as part of the files.“
apple.news/A4x7_tnV9Sey...
“We know that a lot of the victims say that conversations they have had with the FBI have not been released as part of the files.“
apple.news/A4x7_tnV9Sey...
Trump's menacing operation to bury the Epstein files for ever — The i Paper
US lawmakers have accused the Department of Justice of an 'outrageous abuse of power' after it tracked which unredacted Epstein files they were viewing
apple.news
February 17, 2026 at 6:47 AM
Trump’s menacing operation to bury the Epstein files forever.Channel 4 estimates as little as 2% could have been released.
“We know that a lot of the victims say that conversations they have had with the FBI have not been released as part of the files.“
apple.news/A4x7_tnV9Sey...
“We know that a lot of the victims say that conversations they have had with the FBI have not been released as part of the files.“
apple.news/A4x7_tnV9Sey...
Reposted by Simon Pease
“…all that data exists given Epstein’s meticulous records, so the framing in which the DOJ has done this has deliberately been partial and constructed in a way which doesn’t allow scrutiny of Trump.”
February 17, 2026 at 6:47 AM
“…all that data exists given Epstein’s meticulous records, so the framing in which the DOJ has done this has deliberately been partial and constructed in a way which doesn’t allow scrutiny of Trump.”
Reposted by Simon Pease
The “you have to be Christian to be British” proposition is not worth debating. It’s abject nonsense. You know it and they know it. Just call it out for the racism it is.
February 16, 2026 at 10:59 PM
The “you have to be Christian to be British” proposition is not worth debating. It’s abject nonsense. You know it and they know it. Just call it out for the racism it is.
Reposted by Simon Pease
NEW 👀
The Reform candidate at this month’s byelection claims he wants to put Britain first, but is he still on the payroll of Viktor Orbán’s far-right propaganda unit?
https://goodlaw.social/lhqt
The Reform candidate at this month’s byelection claims he wants to put Britain first, but is he still on the payroll of Viktor Orbán’s far-right propaganda unit?
https://goodlaw.social/lhqt
Orbán’s pay checks: Reform candidate fuelled by profits from Russian oil
The Reform candidate at this month’s byelection claims he wants to put Britain first, but is he still on the payroll of Viktor Orbán’s far-right propaganda unit?
goodlaw.social
February 16, 2026 at 5:29 PM
NEW 👀
The Reform candidate at this month’s byelection claims he wants to put Britain first, but is he still on the payroll of Viktor Orbán’s far-right propaganda unit?
https://goodlaw.social/lhqt
The Reform candidate at this month’s byelection claims he wants to put Britain first, but is he still on the payroll of Viktor Orbán’s far-right propaganda unit?
https://goodlaw.social/lhqt
Reposted by Simon Pease
"Look at this dumb bitch, taking 20 seconds to give a live answer to one of the most complex geopolitical questions of the 21st century," I smugly write as I fuck up basic titles in an article I wrote in unhurried tranquility with the benefit of internet access, a fact checker, and an editor.
February 16, 2026 at 8:18 PM
"Look at this dumb bitch, taking 20 seconds to give a live answer to one of the most complex geopolitical questions of the 21st century," I smugly write as I fuck up basic titles in an article I wrote in unhurried tranquility with the benefit of internet access, a fact checker, and an editor.
Reposted by Simon Pease
This.
Brexit was a gift to the Kremlin and a betrayal of the UK.
It did exactly what Russia and China wanted.
By choosing to divide and weaken Europe, the architects of Brexit traded national security for a lie.
It was a strategic disaster for the entire West
It did exactly what Russia and China wanted.
By choosing to divide and weaken Europe, the architects of Brexit traded national security for a lie.
It was a strategic disaster for the entire West
February 16, 2026 at 8:43 PM
This.
Reposted by Simon Pease
Minister to government lawyer:
"Can we with legal safety cancel local elections using secondary legislation?"
Government lawyer to minister:
"Almost certainly not."
~ a former government lawyer
"Can we with legal safety cancel local elections using secondary legislation?"
Government lawyer to minister:
"Almost certainly not."
~ a former government lawyer
February 16, 2026 at 4:13 PM
Minister to government lawyer:
"Can we with legal safety cancel local elections using secondary legislation?"
Government lawyer to minister:
"Almost certainly not."
~ a former government lawyer
"Can we with legal safety cancel local elections using secondary legislation?"
Government lawyer to minister:
"Almost certainly not."
~ a former government lawyer
Reposted by Simon Pease
Asked back in 2019 about reports of his work with Steve Bannon, Boris Johnson described them as “the biggest load of codswallop I have ever heard.”
His spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment following the publication of Bannon's messages to Epstein confirming the relationship
His spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment following the publication of Bannon's messages to Epstein confirming the relationship
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 5:35 PM
Asked back in 2019 about reports of his work with Steve Bannon, Boris Johnson described them as “the biggest load of codswallop I have ever heard.”
His spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment following the publication of Bannon's messages to Epstein confirming the relationship
His spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment following the publication of Bannon's messages to Epstein confirming the relationship
Reposted by Simon Pease
Dan wasn't even born before decimalisation (nor was he anywhere near the UK when he was born) but still he yearns for Britain's pre-decimal times 55 years later.
February 16, 2026 at 4:00 PM
Dan wasn't even born before decimalisation (nor was he anywhere near the UK when he was born) but still he yearns for Britain's pre-decimal times 55 years later.
I find it completely bizarre that a government led by a lawyer and former DPP apparently failed to get good legal advice before suggesting that some local elections might not be held.
What is going on?
What is going on?
February 16, 2026 at 5:31 PM
I find it completely bizarre that a government led by a lawyer and former DPP apparently failed to get good legal advice before suggesting that some local elections might not be held.
What is going on?
What is going on?
Reposted by Simon Pease
It's only been four days since the last big attack on Ukraine by fascist Russia, and there's usually a gap of 7 to 10 days between its Blitz air raids. However, Putin may be in a rush to put pressure on Ukraine in the talks and take advantage of the expected dip in temperatures.
🚀⚠️ Russia has completed preparations for a strike on Ukraine. The attack may take place tonight, before tomorrow's negotiations, - monitoring channels
Three Tu-95MS have been redeployed closer to the border with Ukraine.
Three Tu-95MS have been redeployed closer to the border with Ukraine.
February 16, 2026 at 9:31 AM
It's only been four days since the last big attack on Ukraine by fascist Russia, and there's usually a gap of 7 to 10 days between its Blitz air raids. However, Putin may be in a rush to put pressure on Ukraine in the talks and take advantage of the expected dip in temperatures.
Reposted by Simon Pease
Reform's candidate Matthew Goodwin challenged for calling it "insane" to prosecute a man for "start the slaughter. Violence & murder is the only way now. Start off burning every migrant hotel then head to MPs’ houses & Parliament, we need to take over by FORCE’
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
February 16, 2026 at 9:54 AM
Reform's candidate Matthew Goodwin challenged for calling it "insane" to prosecute a man for "start the slaughter. Violence & murder is the only way now. Start off burning every migrant hotel then head to MPs’ houses & Parliament, we need to take over by FORCE’
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
Reposted by Simon Pease
And it's not just FCO and the World Service.
The BBC more generally is having to make vast cuts as are the National Gallery, British Library, National Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company...
The list goes on.
The UK is destroying its own cultural identity as well as its soft power.
The BBC more generally is having to make vast cuts as are the National Gallery, British Library, National Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company...
The list goes on.
The UK is destroying its own cultural identity as well as its soft power.
Exactly. This is not a lot of money. And once destroyed you don’t get to rebuild it.
The entire UK diplomatic budget is about £1.4 billion a year. That’s pretty much precisely 0.1% of government spending.
BBC World Service is about £0.25 billion (it should be higher), or 0.02%.
These are rounding errors on rounding errors. Double each and public expenditure wouldn’t twitch.
Mad.
BBC World Service is about £0.25 billion (it should be higher), or 0.02%.
These are rounding errors on rounding errors. Double each and public expenditure wouldn’t twitch.
Mad.
February 16, 2026 at 7:47 AM
And it's not just FCO and the World Service.
The BBC more generally is having to make vast cuts as are the National Gallery, British Library, National Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company...
The list goes on.
The UK is destroying its own cultural identity as well as its soft power.
The BBC more generally is having to make vast cuts as are the National Gallery, British Library, National Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company...
The list goes on.
The UK is destroying its own cultural identity as well as its soft power.