Clare Simpson
@claremsimpson.bsky.social
Reading, writing, theatre (including theatre reviews for @FringeReview)
Finding out there’s life after work.
Trustee @opfs
Finding out there’s life after work.
Trustee @opfs
Reposted by Clare Simpson
Thrilled to be appointed the new writer in residence for the IASH/Traverse Creative Fellowship for 2026. More details to follow soon. www.traverse.co.uk/news/travers...
November 19, 2025 at 11:28 AM
Thrilled to be appointed the new writer in residence for the IASH/Traverse Creative Fellowship for 2026. More details to follow soon. www.traverse.co.uk/news/travers...
Reposted by Clare Simpson
Our fourth manifesto call is to deliver universal and intensive whole family support to all that need it, incorporating Open Kindergartens as an effective means of universal provision.
Too many feel they don't have adequate help or support in their parenting journey - this must change.
Too many feel they don't have adequate help or support in their parenting journey - this must change.
November 19, 2025 at 10:47 AM
Our fourth manifesto call is to deliver universal and intensive whole family support to all that need it, incorporating Open Kindergartens as an effective means of universal provision.
Too many feel they don't have adequate help or support in their parenting journey - this must change.
Too many feel they don't have adequate help or support in their parenting journey - this must change.
Reposted by Clare Simpson
The BBC Scotland commentary for Kenny McLean’s halfway line goal is glorious. Stuff of dreams. 🔥
Congratulations #Scotland, see you at the World Cup.
Congratulations #Scotland, see you at the World Cup.
November 18, 2025 at 10:00 PM
The BBC Scotland commentary for Kenny McLean’s halfway line goal is glorious. Stuff of dreams. 🔥
Congratulations #Scotland, see you at the World Cup.
Congratulations #Scotland, see you at the World Cup.
Reposted by Clare Simpson
The basic problem with the temporary refugee status policy - especially one lasting up to 20 years - is it leads to very few removals (based on Denmark's experience) but does significantly worsen integration.
November 18, 2025 at 9:05 AM
The basic problem with the temporary refugee status policy - especially one lasting up to 20 years - is it leads to very few removals (based on Denmark's experience) but does significantly worsen integration.
Reposted by Clare Simpson
Really good to hear Stella Creasy on @newsagents.bsky.social saying students should be removed from immigration figures. Of course they should! And they make up a huge chunk of the figures - around half. They’re part of the success story of global Britain - coming here to get a great education.
"I know there are a lot of MPs who are deeply uncomfortable at the idea of frisking people at the border to see if we can remove their jewellery," says Stella Creasy.
"That's not the way we want to manage somebody who is a victim of torture"
www.thenewsagents.co.uk/article/labo...
"That's not the way we want to manage somebody who is a victim of torture"
www.thenewsagents.co.uk/article/labo...
Labour’s new immigration plan 'not progressive, or practical', says Stella Creasy | The News Agents
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has announced tough new measures to deter asylum seekers from attempting to enter the UK. Will her methods be enough, or is this simply an attempt to win back support…
www.thenewsagents.co.uk
November 17, 2025 at 7:09 PM
Really good to hear Stella Creasy on @newsagents.bsky.social saying students should be removed from immigration figures. Of course they should! And they make up a huge chunk of the figures - around half. They’re part of the success story of global Britain - coming here to get a great education.
Reposted by Clare Simpson
New post
The legal and constitutional implications of the asylum white paper: Some initial thoughts
publiclawforeveryone.com/2025/11/17/t...
The legal and constitutional implications of the asylum white paper: Some initial thoughts
publiclawforeveryone.com/2025/11/17/t...
The legal and constitutional implications of the asylum white paper: Some initial thoughts
Proposals for radical reform of the UK’s asylum system raise a number of legal and constitutional issues, with respect both to the European Convention on Human Rights and the domestic principle of …
publiclawforeveryone.com
November 17, 2025 at 9:43 PM
New post
The legal and constitutional implications of the asylum white paper: Some initial thoughts
publiclawforeveryone.com/2025/11/17/t...
The legal and constitutional implications of the asylum white paper: Some initial thoughts
publiclawforeveryone.com/2025/11/17/t...
Reposted by Clare Simpson
“The greatest books of 2025” - that’s quite a claim … but I am delighted that “Your Life is Manufactured” is on the list!
#manufacturing #bookrecommendations
@faberbooks.bsky.social
www.telegraph.co.uk/gift/8174406...
#manufacturing #bookrecommendations
@faberbooks.bsky.social
www.telegraph.co.uk/gift/8174406...
The greatest books of 2025
Our critics review hundreds of books a year. Here are their favourites, from fiction and crime to memoir and history
www.telegraph.co.uk
November 16, 2025 at 10:00 AM
“The greatest books of 2025” - that’s quite a claim … but I am delighted that “Your Life is Manufactured” is on the list!
#manufacturing #bookrecommendations
@faberbooks.bsky.social
www.telegraph.co.uk/gift/8174406...
#manufacturing #bookrecommendations
@faberbooks.bsky.social
www.telegraph.co.uk/gift/8174406...
Reposted by Clare Simpson
Here I am on Start The Week talking about the information crisis and how we can TRY to make things better with laws, technology and new social norms
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
November 17, 2025 at 10:16 AM
Here I am on Start The Week talking about the information crisis and how we can TRY to make things better with laws, technology and new social norms
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Reposted by Clare Simpson
"We are not surrounded by cretinous, vicious imbeciles but mostly by careful, thoughtful people who may disagree with us but usually have good reasons for doing so."
Fascinating & wise piece from @naomialderman.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/n...
Fascinating & wise piece from @naomialderman.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/n...
Don’t argue with strangers… and 11 more rules to survive the information crisis
Feeling overwhelmed by divisive opinions, endless rows and unreliable facts? Here’s how to weather the data storm
www.theguardian.com
November 15, 2025 at 1:11 PM
"We are not surrounded by cretinous, vicious imbeciles but mostly by careful, thoughtful people who may disagree with us but usually have good reasons for doing so."
Fascinating & wise piece from @naomialderman.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/n...
Fascinating & wise piece from @naomialderman.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/n...
Reposted by Clare Simpson
Beautiful piece by @TimAdamsWrites on the brilliant Observer journalist Rachel Cooke who could write wonderfully about anything, has died tragically young and will be hugely, hugely missed by so many people.
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Remembering Rachel Cooke | The Observer
observer.co.uk
November 14, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Beautiful piece by @TimAdamsWrites on the brilliant Observer journalist Rachel Cooke who could write wonderfully about anything, has died tragically young and will be hugely, hugely missed by so many people.
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Reposted by Clare Simpson
This was a December ritual for us - get your kid involved in choosing what goes, and explain what you’re doing (in a believer-appropriate way obvs…)
Love being reminded to do this every year. It's a win/win all round
November 11, 2025 at 3:30 PM
This was a December ritual for us - get your kid involved in choosing what goes, and explain what you’re doing (in a believer-appropriate way obvs…)
Reposted by Clare Simpson
50 years ago today, Patti Smith released Horses, her classic debut album.
Its iconic cover was shot by renowned photographer Robert Mapplethorpe, the subject of Smith's 2010 memoir, Just Kids.
𝘐𝘔𝘈𝘎𝘌: 𝘙𝘰𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘵 𝘔𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘱𝘦/𝘈𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘢
Its iconic cover was shot by renowned photographer Robert Mapplethorpe, the subject of Smith's 2010 memoir, Just Kids.
𝘐𝘔𝘈𝘎𝘌: 𝘙𝘰𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘵 𝘔𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘱𝘦/𝘈𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘢
November 10, 2025 at 10:54 AM
50 years ago today, Patti Smith released Horses, her classic debut album.
Its iconic cover was shot by renowned photographer Robert Mapplethorpe, the subject of Smith's 2010 memoir, Just Kids.
𝘐𝘔𝘈𝘎𝘌: 𝘙𝘰𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘵 𝘔𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘱𝘦/𝘈𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘢
Its iconic cover was shot by renowned photographer Robert Mapplethorpe, the subject of Smith's 2010 memoir, Just Kids.
𝘐𝘔𝘈𝘎𝘌: 𝘙𝘰𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘵 𝘔𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘱𝘦/𝘈𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘢
Reposted by Clare Simpson
It’s just over two weeks now till the budget. Every night, parents in poverty are lying in bed, unable to sleep, worrying about how to pay essential bills. This can and must be changed. Ending the two-child limit & benefit cap is the right (indeed only) place to start m.youtube.com/watch?v=94fq...
Lying awake
YouTube video by Aaron Reeves
m.youtube.com
November 10, 2025 at 9:18 AM
It’s just over two weeks now till the budget. Every night, parents in poverty are lying in bed, unable to sleep, worrying about how to pay essential bills. This can and must be changed. Ending the two-child limit & benefit cap is the right (indeed only) place to start m.youtube.com/watch?v=94fq...
Reposted by Clare Simpson
Two panels commemorating the contribution of Black American soldiers towards the liberation of the Netherlands in World War Two have been quietly removed from a cemetery in Limburg. It follows a complaint by right-wing think tank The Heritage Foundation to the American Battle Monuments Commission.
Op Margraten zijn twee panelen over zwarte Amerikaanse bevrijders van Nederland opeens weg. ‘Past bij beleid van de regering-Trump’
Op Margraten zijn twee panelen over zwarte Amerikaanse bevrijders van Nederland opeens weg. ‘Past bij beleid van de regering-Trump’
Op de Amerikaanse begraafplaats in Margraten is het opeens stil geworden rond de zwarte Amerikanen die hielpen Nederland bevrijden. Twee panelen die hun bijdrage herdachten – én wezen op hun strijd tegen racisme binnen het leger – werden zonder toelichting verwijderd.
www.nrc.nl
November 8, 2025 at 8:55 PM
Two panels commemorating the contribution of Black American soldiers towards the liberation of the Netherlands in World War Two have been quietly removed from a cemetery in Limburg. It follows a complaint by right-wing think tank The Heritage Foundation to the American Battle Monuments Commission.
Reposted by Clare Simpson
3,900 Pages of Paul Klee’s Personal Notebooks Are Now Online, Highlighting His Bauhaus Teachings (1921–1931)
3,900 Pages of Paul Klee’s Personal Notebooks Are Now Online, Highlighting His Bauhaus Teachings (1921–1931)
Paul Klee led an artistic life that spanned the 19th and 20th centuries, but he kept his aesthetic sensibility tuned to the future.
www.openculture.com
November 8, 2025 at 5:51 PM
3,900 Pages of Paul Klee’s Personal Notebooks Are Now Online, Highlighting His Bauhaus Teachings (1921–1931)
Reposted by Clare Simpson
Zohran Mamdani refused to compromise on his values – and was rewarded for it.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Mamdani refused to compromise on his values – and was rewarded for it | Moustafa Bayoumi
His win is a huge victory for all New Yorkers, but it is also meaningful far beyond the five boroughs of this city
www.theguardian.com
November 8, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Zohran Mamdani refused to compromise on his values – and was rewarded for it.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Clare Simpson
Much of the content about Mamdani online hasn't come from his campaign, or the dozens of political influencers invited to cover it. It's also come from fans. www.wired.com/story/zohran...
Zohran Mamdani's Campaign Figured Out How to Channel Fandom
Much of the content about Mamdani online hasn't come from his campaign, or the dozens of political influencers invited to cover it. It's also come from fans.
www.wired.com
November 5, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Much of the content about Mamdani online hasn't come from his campaign, or the dozens of political influencers invited to cover it. It's also come from fans. www.wired.com/story/zohran...
Reposted by Clare Simpson
This really the cracking of speeches: a banger.
Worth reading in full.
Worth reading in full.
The full transcript of Zohran Mamdani's acceptance speech is very much worth reading in full. Even if you don't agree with your politics, it's very beautifully put together.
archive.is/8VqQJ
[this is a useable link to the NYT transcript]
archive.is/8VqQJ
[this is a useable link to the NYT transcript]
November 5, 2025 at 11:58 AM
This really the cracking of speeches: a banger.
Worth reading in full.
Worth reading in full.
He took Manhattan, the Bronx and Staten.
November 5, 2025 at 12:23 PM
He took Manhattan, the Bronx and Staten.
Reposted by Clare Simpson
This is the president of the United States taking a break from gold-and-marble interior renovations to say he’ll defy a court order to feed hungry Americans.
Nero would be proud.
Nero would be proud.
November 4, 2025 at 7:47 PM
This is the president of the United States taking a break from gold-and-marble interior renovations to say he’ll defy a court order to feed hungry Americans.
Nero would be proud.
Nero would be proud.
Reposted by Clare Simpson
Hearty congratulations to Helen Garner who has won the Baillie Gifford Prize for non-fiction with her collected diaries, How to End a Story.
A glorious book - confession, analysis, memory store, comedy - which shows all the things words can do: often on the same page. AND it’s mega good value.
A glorious book - confession, analysis, memory store, comedy - which shows all the things words can do: often on the same page. AND it’s mega good value.
November 4, 2025 at 10:21 PM
Hearty congratulations to Helen Garner who has won the Baillie Gifford Prize for non-fiction with her collected diaries, How to End a Story.
A glorious book - confession, analysis, memory store, comedy - which shows all the things words can do: often on the same page. AND it’s mega good value.
A glorious book - confession, analysis, memory store, comedy - which shows all the things words can do: often on the same page. AND it’s mega good value.
Reposted by Clare Simpson
My non-French-speaking husband went every day to the campsite shop in 🇫🇷 proudly returning with both a croissant & a chocolate danish. On the last day, I went with him. Madame stopped me by the caisse and said « Dites à votre mari: c’est pas un panneau chocolate mais un pain au chocolat. » 🥐
November 4, 2025 at 6:26 PM
My non-French-speaking husband went every day to the campsite shop in 🇫🇷 proudly returning with both a croissant & a chocolate danish. On the last day, I went with him. Madame stopped me by the caisse and said « Dites à votre mari: c’est pas un panneau chocolate mais un pain au chocolat. » 🥐
Reposted by Clare Simpson
I find the pressure to spend around Christmas quite bleak.
But some things are beautiful & do good!
I'm proud to be the chair of the charity Makani, which supports women in Lebanon who make exquisite blankets, bags & cushions.
Perfect presents for people with taste and heart.
oshana.co.uk/blankets
But some things are beautiful & do good!
I'm proud to be the chair of the charity Makani, which supports women in Lebanon who make exquisite blankets, bags & cushions.
Perfect presents for people with taste and heart.
oshana.co.uk/blankets
Crochet blankets — Oshana - crafts to empower women- London- UK
Crochet blankets handmade by Syrian refugee women
oshana.co.uk
November 4, 2025 at 8:56 PM
I find the pressure to spend around Christmas quite bleak.
But some things are beautiful & do good!
I'm proud to be the chair of the charity Makani, which supports women in Lebanon who make exquisite blankets, bags & cushions.
Perfect presents for people with taste and heart.
oshana.co.uk/blankets
But some things are beautiful & do good!
I'm proud to be the chair of the charity Makani, which supports women in Lebanon who make exquisite blankets, bags & cushions.
Perfect presents for people with taste and heart.
oshana.co.uk/blankets
Reposted by Clare Simpson
Transport Scotland are evaluating the Older and Disabled Person's Free Bus Pass Scheme in Scotland. You can give feedback via an online survey, accessed at:
online1.snapsurveys.com/ODPS
The closing date is 23 November 2025.
Please share.
online1.snapsurveys.com/ODPS
The closing date is 23 November 2025.
Please share.
November 1, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Transport Scotland are evaluating the Older and Disabled Person's Free Bus Pass Scheme in Scotland. You can give feedback via an online survey, accessed at:
online1.snapsurveys.com/ODPS
The closing date is 23 November 2025.
Please share.
online1.snapsurveys.com/ODPS
The closing date is 23 November 2025.
Please share.