Stephen Daisley
@stephendaisley.bsky.social
You won’t like anything I post here and I’m sorry for that.
Op-ed journalist, political commentator, and critic. Pauline Kael was right about Hiroshima, Mon Amour.
https://stephendaisley.com/where-to-find-me/
Op-ed journalist, political commentator, and critic. Pauline Kael was right about Hiroshima, Mon Amour.
https://stephendaisley.com/where-to-find-me/
Pinned
Does the SNP think it is above the law?
Is the Scottish government above the law? The SNP-run devolved administration is being taken to court after it refused to comply with freedom of information legislation. While that might sound dry and...
spectator.com
The Scottish Government refuses to comply with the Freedom of Information Act.
Can it do that? Over to you, Court of Session.
My latest @thespectator1828.bsky.social dispatch from a totally normal, functioning democracy that in no way resembles a failed state.
Can it do that? Over to you, Court of Session.
My latest @thespectator1828.bsky.social dispatch from a totally normal, functioning democracy that in no way resembles a failed state.
The Scottish Government refuses to comply with the Freedom of Information Act.
Can it do that? Over to you, Court of Session.
My latest @thespectator1828.bsky.social dispatch from a totally normal, functioning democracy that in no way resembles a failed state.
Can it do that? Over to you, Court of Session.
My latest @thespectator1828.bsky.social dispatch from a totally normal, functioning democracy that in no way resembles a failed state.
Does the SNP think it is above the law?
Is the Scottish government above the law? The SNP-run devolved administration is being taken to court after it refused to comply with freedom of information legislation. While that might sound dry and...
spectator.com
January 23, 2026 at 7:49 PM
The Scottish Government refuses to comply with the Freedom of Information Act.
Can it do that? Over to you, Court of Session.
My latest @thespectator1828.bsky.social dispatch from a totally normal, functioning democracy that in no way resembles a failed state.
Can it do that? Over to you, Court of Session.
My latest @thespectator1828.bsky.social dispatch from a totally normal, functioning democracy that in no way resembles a failed state.
Contaminated hospital water. Dead children. Freedom of information disregarded. Secret files hidden from the public.
My @dailymail.co.uk sketch of #FMQs from Holyrood, the cover-up parliament.
My @dailymail.co.uk sketch of #FMQs from Holyrood, the cover-up parliament.
STEPHEN DAISLEY: The dam had crumbled... the truth was gushing out
The stench of cover-up clings to Holyrood, staining the walls like years of old cigarette smoke.
www.dailymail.co.uk
January 23, 2026 at 8:13 AM
Contaminated hospital water. Dead children. Freedom of information disregarded. Secret files hidden from the public.
My @dailymail.co.uk sketch of #FMQs from Holyrood, the cover-up parliament.
My @dailymail.co.uk sketch of #FMQs from Holyrood, the cover-up parliament.
‘Donald Trump sees America’s underwriting of European security as a sugar daddy arrangement. In demanding Greenland, he has read his credit card bill aloud to us and unzipped himself expectantly.’
Me in the @thespectator1828.bsky.social.
Me in the @thespectator1828.bsky.social.
Europe must give Trump what he wants
By all means, break with the United States and militarise the European Union, but be prepared for the avalanche of invoices coming your way
spectator.com
January 21, 2026 at 2:59 PM
‘Donald Trump sees America’s underwriting of European security as a sugar daddy arrangement. In demanding Greenland, he has read his credit card bill aloud to us and unzipped himself expectantly.’
Me in the @thespectator1828.bsky.social.
Me in the @thespectator1828.bsky.social.
As Scotland considers banning protests near migrant hotels, I argue in @thespectator1828.bsky.social that we are on the road to Buffer Zone Britain.
Welcome to buffer-zone Britain
It might well be that buffer zones are the future. Multiculturalism is unmanageable without fundamental changes to time-honoured customs.
spectator.com
January 14, 2026 at 12:04 PM
As Scotland considers banning protests near migrant hotels, I argue in @thespectator1828.bsky.social that we are on the road to Buffer Zone Britain.
A Jewish MP has been banned from visiting his local school ‘in case his presence inflames the teachers’.
Britain, 2026.
I have some questions over at @thespectator1828.bsky.social.
Britain, 2026.
I have some questions over at @thespectator1828.bsky.social.
Why can’t a Jewish MP visit his local school?
Ruth Wisse defines anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism as ‘the organisation of politics against the Jews’, and in Britain it is striking just how openly the organisers operate. During his remarks to Sunday...
spectator.com
January 13, 2026 at 9:01 AM
A Jewish MP has been banned from visiting his local school ‘in case his presence inflames the teachers’.
Britain, 2026.
I have some questions over at @thespectator1828.bsky.social.
Britain, 2026.
I have some questions over at @thespectator1828.bsky.social.
‘Marty Supreme is the movie that makes male heroism and masculine glory acceptable again.’
Your humble critic over on my Substack.
Your humble critic over on my Substack.
Full Metal Racket
Ticket Stubs #15: Timothée Chalamet serves up ace after ace in “Marty Supreme”.
comment.press
January 11, 2026 at 4:25 PM
‘Marty Supreme is the movie that makes male heroism and masculine glory acceptable again.’
Your humble critic over on my Substack.
Your humble critic over on my Substack.
No wonder the UAE wants to keep its youngsters away from British universities. They are hotbeds of extremism.
Me in @thespectator1828.bsky.social.
Me in @thespectator1828.bsky.social.
The Emiratis are right to keep their kids out of Britain
If you don’t want your kids joining the jihad, don’t send them to a British university. That is the view of the United Arab Emirates.
spectator.com
January 9, 2026 at 8:33 PM
No wonder the UAE wants to keep its youngsters away from British universities. They are hotbeds of extremism.
Me in @thespectator1828.bsky.social.
Me in @thespectator1828.bsky.social.
This week’s #FMQs sketch features a scene that would be unremarkable at Westminster but is shocking at Holyrood: an SNP backbencher asked first minister John Swinney a politically awkward question.
All hail Michelle Thomson.
All hail Michelle Thomson.
STEPHEN DAISLEY: Something's off when SNP seals stop clapping
There was a theme evident as Russell Findlay clipped through his weekly questions to John Swinney.
www.dailymail.co.uk
January 9, 2026 at 10:55 AM
This week’s #FMQs sketch features a scene that would be unremarkable at Westminster but is shocking at Holyrood: an SNP backbencher asked first minister John Swinney a politically awkward question.
All hail Michelle Thomson.
All hail Michelle Thomson.
Donald Trump should get a grip on the disaster that is Minnesota before he troubles himself with Greenland. He is meant to be America First, after all.
Me in @thespectator1828.bsky.social.
Me in @thespectator1828.bsky.social.
Trump shouldn't let Greenland distract him from Minnesota
Reports that some of Minnesota’s alleged frauds have been ‘orchestrated mainly by members of its Somali community’.
spectator.com
January 8, 2026 at 1:53 PM
Donald Trump should get a grip on the disaster that is Minnesota before he troubles himself with Greenland. He is meant to be America First, after all.
Me in @thespectator1828.bsky.social.
Me in @thespectator1828.bsky.social.
SPOILER: John Swinney will not deliver another independence referendum. Not if the SNP wins a majority at Holyrood. Not if they win a majority with the Greens. Not if Scotland wins the World Cup on penalties.
The. Constitution. Is. Reserved.
The. Constitution. Is. Reserved.
The SNP is up to its old referendum tricks
Keir Starmer will simply do what his predecessors did: tell the SNP to bog off
spectator.com
January 7, 2026 at 9:48 PM
SPOILER: John Swinney will not deliver another independence referendum. Not if the SNP wins a majority at Holyrood. Not if they win a majority with the Greens. Not if Scotland wins the World Cup on penalties.
The. Constitution. Is. Reserved.
The. Constitution. Is. Reserved.
The Lords have given MPs one last chance to avert the disastrous Chagos surrender.
I explain why over at @thespectator1828.bsky.social.
I explain why over at @thespectator1828.bsky.social.
Britain can still escape Starmer’s dreadful Chagos deal
The government’s latest difficulties in the House of Lords over plans to surrender the Chagos islands is another humiliation for Keir Starmer.
spectator.com
January 6, 2026 at 12:58 PM
The Lords have given MPs one last chance to avert the disastrous Chagos surrender.
I explain why over at @thespectator1828.bsky.social.
I explain why over at @thespectator1828.bsky.social.
Trump has won the first Great Meme War.
Me on Venezuela in @thespectator1828.bsky.social.
spectator.com/article/trum...
Me on Venezuela in @thespectator1828.bsky.social.
spectator.com/article/trum...
Trump is winning the Maduro meme war
Meme warfare is being used not only to humiliate the Venezuela regime but also domestic critics of the president’s actions
spectator.com
January 5, 2026 at 11:52 AM
Trump has won the first Great Meme War.
Me on Venezuela in @thespectator1828.bsky.social.
spectator.com/article/trum...
Me on Venezuela in @thespectator1828.bsky.social.
spectator.com/article/trum...
You’ll soon forget about Walid Saadaoui and Amar Hussein’s plot to smuggle AK47s and massacre Jews in Manchester. Other jihadists won’t. They’ll keep at it until they succeed. Which is why the UK must wage all-out war on Islamism.
Me in @thespectator1828.bsky.social.
Me in @thespectator1828.bsky.social.
How to stop the next massacre of British Jews
No one remembers the ones they catch in time. Walid Saadaoui and Amar Hussein will quickly be forgotten and so will the carnage they planned to visit upon British Jews. The men were convicted at Prest...
spectator.com
December 24, 2025 at 2:04 PM
You’ll soon forget about Walid Saadaoui and Amar Hussein’s plot to smuggle AK47s and massacre Jews in Manchester. Other jihadists won’t. They’ll keep at it until they succeed. Which is why the UK must wage all-out war on Islamism.
Me in @thespectator1828.bsky.social.
Me in @thespectator1828.bsky.social.
‘The Bishop’s Wife looks like Christmas, feels like Christmas, and it’s not Christmas until I’ve watched it at least once.’
I’ve written about a 1947 Cary Grant movie that is ineffably optimistic about the human condition and thus a festive must-watch.
I’ve written about a 1947 Cary Grant movie that is ineffably optimistic about the human condition and thus a festive must-watch.
Angels with Flirty Faces
Ticket Stubs #14: Heavenly helper Cary Grant falls for a cleric’s spouse in The Bishop’s Wife.
comment.press
December 24, 2025 at 10:41 AM
‘The Bishop’s Wife looks like Christmas, feels like Christmas, and it’s not Christmas until I’ve watched it at least once.’
I’ve written about a 1947 Cary Grant movie that is ineffably optimistic about the human condition and thus a festive must-watch.
I’ve written about a 1947 Cary Grant movie that is ineffably optimistic about the human condition and thus a festive must-watch.
Starmer’s Labour has nothing to offer. Not to its core supporters, not to floating voters, not to anyone.
It has no policies it won’t jettison before the day is out. It is clueless, listless, and gutless.
Why would anyone support a government like this?
Me over at @thespectator1828.bsky.social.
It has no policies it won’t jettison before the day is out. It is clueless, listless, and gutless.
Why would anyone support a government like this?
Me over at @thespectator1828.bsky.social.
Starmer has nothing going for him
Labour will U-turn on inheritance tax changes. The threshold will increase from £1 million to £2.5m, or £5m if there is a surviving spouse.
spectator.com
December 23, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Starmer’s Labour has nothing to offer. Not to its core supporters, not to floating voters, not to anyone.
It has no policies it won’t jettison before the day is out. It is clueless, listless, and gutless.
Why would anyone support a government like this?
Me over at @thespectator1828.bsky.social.
It has no policies it won’t jettison before the day is out. It is clueless, listless, and gutless.
Why would anyone support a government like this?
Me over at @thespectator1828.bsky.social.
BREAKING: US Supreme Court justice Amy Coney Barrett warns that ‘contrary opinions’ are being ‘criminalised’ in the UK.
I reveal her comments in @thespectator1828.bsky.social.
I reveal her comments in @thespectator1828.bsky.social.
America is increasingly worried about free speech in the UK
Of the many political headaches Keir Starmer does not need right now, further American warnings that Britain is suppressing speech are pretty high on the list. Unfortunately for the Prime Minister, a...
spectator.com
December 22, 2025 at 8:24 AM
BREAKING: US Supreme Court justice Amy Coney Barrett warns that ‘contrary opinions’ are being ‘criminalised’ in the UK.
I reveal her comments in @thespectator1828.bsky.social.
I reveal her comments in @thespectator1828.bsky.social.
Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty, a largely forgotten Irish priest, spent World War II hiding Jews from the Nazis. He is a compelling moral example to us today as antisemitism surges once again.
A new essay from me.
A new essay from me.
Ireland’s forgotten Schindler teaches us how to fight antisemitism
Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty, a minor but well-connected Vatican official, spent World War II hiding Jews from the Nazis.
stephendaisley.substack.com
December 20, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty, a largely forgotten Irish priest, spent World War II hiding Jews from the Nazis. He is a compelling moral example to us today as antisemitism surges once again.
A new essay from me.
A new essay from me.
‘Was Angela Constance’s committee appearance really so bad? Put it this way, I now think you should have to sit a practical and theory test before becoming a minister.’
My @dailymail.co.uk sketch of whatever the hell that was yesterday.
My @dailymail.co.uk sketch of whatever the hell that was yesterday.
Every answer made her sound thicker than canteen custard
The way I see it, Justice Secretary Angela Constance has two options after her session yesterday before the education committee.
www.dailymail.co.uk
December 18, 2025 at 7:26 AM
‘Was Angela Constance’s committee appearance really so bad? Put it this way, I now think you should have to sit a practical and theory test before becoming a minister.’
My @dailymail.co.uk sketch of whatever the hell that was yesterday.
My @dailymail.co.uk sketch of whatever the hell that was yesterday.
Scottish Parliament backs SNP minister who misled it over grooming gangs inquiry.
Next time I point out how third-rate this institution is, don’t accuse me of disrespecting the parliament. The parliament doesn’t respect itself.
Me in the @thespectator1828.bsky.social.
Next time I point out how third-rate this institution is, don’t accuse me of disrespecting the parliament. The parliament doesn’t respect itself.
Me in the @thespectator1828.bsky.social.
Why is the Scottish government so afraid of a grooming gangs inquiry?
The Scottish parliament is a failed institution that lurches between national irrelevance and terrible law-making
spectator.com
December 17, 2025 at 11:49 AM
Scottish Parliament backs SNP minister who misled it over grooming gangs inquiry.
Next time I point out how third-rate this institution is, don’t accuse me of disrespecting the parliament. The parliament doesn’t respect itself.
Me in the @thespectator1828.bsky.social.
Next time I point out how third-rate this institution is, don’t accuse me of disrespecting the parliament. The parliament doesn’t respect itself.
Me in the @thespectator1828.bsky.social.
Fantastic Priests and Where to Find Them
Irish cleric Mgr. Hugh O’Flaherty hid thousands of Jews and POWs from the Nazis during WWII. To mark the centenary of his ordination, I’ve written about movies featuring O’Flaherty and other heroic priests.
Irish cleric Mgr. Hugh O’Flaherty hid thousands of Jews and POWs from the Nazis during WWII. To mark the centenary of his ordination, I’ve written about movies featuring O’Flaherty and other heroic priests.
Fantastic Priests and Where to Find Them
Ticket Stubs #13: The Scarlet and the Black (1983), True Confessions (1981), Father Stu (2022), and The Cardinal (1963).
stephendaisley.substack.com
December 11, 2025 at 1:17 PM
Fantastic Priests and Where to Find Them
Irish cleric Mgr. Hugh O’Flaherty hid thousands of Jews and POWs from the Nazis during WWII. To mark the centenary of his ordination, I’ve written about movies featuring O’Flaherty and other heroic priests.
Irish cleric Mgr. Hugh O’Flaherty hid thousands of Jews and POWs from the Nazis during WWII. To mark the centenary of his ordination, I’ve written about movies featuring O’Flaherty and other heroic priests.
Israel is beleaguered by the twin menaces of Palestinian terrorism and settler violence. Here’s how it can address both.
My latest post on Substack.
My latest post on Substack.
Settling down
The Promising Land #9: How to address the twin problems of settler and Palestinian violence.
comment.press
December 11, 2025 at 9:13 AM
Israel is beleaguered by the twin menaces of Palestinian terrorism and settler violence. Here’s how it can address both.
My latest post on Substack.
My latest post on Substack.
Eurovision is such trash, Israel should be boycotting *it*.
My take in the @jewishchron.bsky.social.
My take in the @jewishchron.bsky.social.
The one Israel boycott I back is Eurovision. The contest is trash - The Jewish Chronicle
I’m a passionate Zionist. But a man has his limits, and while I’ll gladly defend checkpoints, settlements and exploding pagers, I draw the line at Netta Barzilai impersonating a chicken
www.thejc.com
December 10, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Eurovision is such trash, Israel should be boycotting *it*.
My take in the @jewishchron.bsky.social.
My take in the @jewishchron.bsky.social.
As polls continue to show the SNP on course to win a fifth Scottish Parliament election in a row, my @dailymail.co.uk column asks a difficult question: what if Scottish Labour simply can’t win at Holyrood any more?
www.dailymail.co.uk
December 8, 2025 at 10:50 AM
As polls continue to show the SNP on course to win a fifth Scottish Parliament election in a row, my @dailymail.co.uk column asks a difficult question: what if Scottish Labour simply can’t win at Holyrood any more?
Living next door to Ireland is weird. It’s like having a neighbour who is super friendly and charming and then you go over for dinner one night and every wall is just photographs of random Jews with red string running between them.
Me in @thespectator1828.bsky.social.
Me in @thespectator1828.bsky.social.
Ireland should venerate Chaim Herzog
Israel is the ultimate malefactor of the Irish imagination, the bogeyman of Dublin politics and Dublin media.
www.spectator.co.uk
December 2, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Living next door to Ireland is weird. It’s like having a neighbour who is super friendly and charming and then you go over for dinner one night and every wall is just photographs of random Jews with red string running between them.
Me in @thespectator1828.bsky.social.
Me in @thespectator1828.bsky.social.