@richardpaulsimms.bsky.social
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🚨 “Can I tell you how many times in the last 45 years the European Court of Human Rights has ruled against the UK when it comes to deporting people from this country - only 13 times - in 45 years”
Hugely important point made by @vicderbyshire.bsky.social 👏
Hugely important point made by @vicderbyshire.bsky.social 👏
December 11, 2025 at 8:38 PM
🚨 “Can I tell you how many times in the last 45 years the European Court of Human Rights has ruled against the UK when it comes to deporting people from this country - only 13 times - in 45 years”
Hugely important point made by @vicderbyshire.bsky.social 👏
Hugely important point made by @vicderbyshire.bsky.social 👏
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There is another country. New post on my Brexit & Brexitism Blog discussing the thuggery, sanctimony and hypocrisy of the last fortnight, and how Starmer should lead in articulating an alternative version of patriotism to that of the far-right: chrisgreybrexitblog.blogspot.com/2025/09/ther...
September 19, 2025 at 6:23 AM
There is another country. New post on my Brexit & Brexitism Blog discussing the thuggery, sanctimony and hypocrisy of the last fortnight, and how Starmer should lead in articulating an alternative version of patriotism to that of the far-right: chrisgreybrexitblog.blogspot.com/2025/09/ther...
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Tinderbox Britain: How conservatives ended up praying for violence iandunt.substack.com/p/tinderbox-...
August 15, 2025 at 8:59 AM
Tinderbox Britain: How conservatives ended up praying for violence iandunt.substack.com/p/tinderbox-...
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Not for the first time I am begging angry people to put the phone down, walk through actual streets, go to actual pubs, stand on the touch line at local sports clubs, browse Saturday markets, chat with ramblers on footpaths and rediscover beauty & contentedness.
Lionel Shriver tells those of us who live here what our country looks like if you leave it + rely on the media ecosystem of the very online right as a proxy for reality
July 24, 2025 at 12:47 PM
Not for the first time I am begging angry people to put the phone down, walk through actual streets, go to actual pubs, stand on the touch line at local sports clubs, browse Saturday markets, chat with ramblers on footpaths and rediscover beauty & contentedness.
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It's clear that quite large sections of the right - including some well-known politicians and newspaper columnists - actively want an explosion of violence this summer.
And if it comes, they'll stand there clutching their matches, petrol cans and aerosols saying "we told you so".
And if it comes, they'll stand there clutching their matches, petrol cans and aerosols saying "we told you so".
It’s completely extraordinary that after the riots of last year, the populist right are trying to whip up hatred of asylum seekers again. Utterly shameful.
July 24, 2025 at 9:39 PM
It's clear that quite large sections of the right - including some well-known politicians and newspaper columnists - actively want an explosion of violence this summer.
And if it comes, they'll stand there clutching their matches, petrol cans and aerosols saying "we told you so".
And if it comes, they'll stand there clutching their matches, petrol cans and aerosols saying "we told you so".
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There seems to be a concerted far-right discourse slipping into, and happily amplified by, mainstream media right now. One target is the othering of 'Turkish'barbers. Stoking, othering.
But what happens when you have a closer look at the humans who work in them? I did.
beestonian.com/kirkuk-the-b...
But what happens when you have a closer look at the humans who work in them? I did.
beestonian.com/kirkuk-the-b...
Kirkuk, the Barber and the Grain of Sand - The Beestonian
Beeston is a perpetual source of inspiration and fascination. Seek it out. One of the greatest pleasures of writing about Beeston lies in that nothing is as it seems. If William Blake could see the wo...
beestonian.com
June 20, 2025 at 8:02 AM
There seems to be a concerted far-right discourse slipping into, and happily amplified by, mainstream media right now. One target is the othering of 'Turkish'barbers. Stoking, othering.
But what happens when you have a closer look at the humans who work in them? I did.
beestonian.com/kirkuk-the-b...
But what happens when you have a closer look at the humans who work in them? I did.
beestonian.com/kirkuk-the-b...
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If you are not concerned by the proscription of Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation because you think it doesn’t impact you, you are wrong.
This is an authoritarian abuse of power by the government & it curtails all of our civil liberties #r4today
This is an authoritarian abuse of power by the government & it curtails all of our civil liberties #r4today
On LBC @zoejardiniere.bsky.social lists 3 previous instances where military aircraft have been targeted by campaigners in order to prevent them being used in war crimes, and she describes the govt banning Palestine Action as terrorists as an abuse of state power.
Well said.
Well said.
June 24, 2025 at 6:48 AM
If you are not concerned by the proscription of Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation because you think it doesn’t impact you, you are wrong.
This is an authoritarian abuse of power by the government & it curtails all of our civil liberties #r4today
This is an authoritarian abuse of power by the government & it curtails all of our civil liberties #r4today
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The Liverpool attack wasn’t terrorism. But the far-right didn’t wait for facts – they had a script ready.
This piece by The Bear cuts through the noise to show how outrage is manufactured.
Read how this works ⤵️
@eastangliabylines.co.uk @bearlypolitics.co.uk
This piece by The Bear cuts through the noise to show how outrage is manufactured.
Read how this works ⤵️
@eastangliabylines.co.uk @bearlypolitics.co.uk
What the Liverpool incident tells us about the new culture war
Forty-seven people were injured. The facts were clear. But the far-right had already written the script
eastangliabylines.co.uk
May 28, 2025 at 5:42 AM
The Liverpool attack wasn’t terrorism. But the far-right didn’t wait for facts – they had a script ready.
This piece by The Bear cuts through the noise to show how outrage is manufactured.
Read how this works ⤵️
@eastangliabylines.co.uk @bearlypolitics.co.uk
This piece by The Bear cuts through the noise to show how outrage is manufactured.
Read how this works ⤵️
@eastangliabylines.co.uk @bearlypolitics.co.uk
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It's become set in stone that the skin colour of a perpetrator must be declared immediately to satisfy racists. Brown = riots, white = tumbleweed.
May 27, 2025 at 7:16 AM
It's become set in stone that the skin colour of a perpetrator must be declared immediately to satisfy racists. Brown = riots, white = tumbleweed.
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In short, Starmer has taken a massive hit among Labour voters, for no gain elsewhere, while boosting Farage's popularity, including doubling his ceiling among Labour voters.
I.e., the political scientists were right, Morgan McSweeney was horrendously wrong.
I.e., the political scientists were right, Morgan McSweeney was horrendously wrong.
Keir Starmer's net favourability rating has dropped 12pts in a month to -46, his lowest level ever, including a 34pt drop among Labour voters
All Britons: -46 net rating (down 12 from 13-14 Apr)
By 2024 vote
Labour: -5 (down 34)
Lib Dem: -13 (down 12)
Conservative: -76 (up 1)
Reform: -94 (down 5)
All Britons: -46 net rating (down 12 from 13-14 Apr)
By 2024 vote
Labour: -5 (down 34)
Lib Dem: -13 (down 12)
Conservative: -76 (up 1)
Reform: -94 (down 5)
May 16, 2025 at 7:58 AM
In short, Starmer has taken a massive hit among Labour voters, for no gain elsewhere, while boosting Farage's popularity, including doubling his ceiling among Labour voters.
I.e., the political scientists were right, Morgan McSweeney was horrendously wrong.
I.e., the political scientists were right, Morgan McSweeney was horrendously wrong.
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Via @greenpeaceuk.bsky.social on insta, the most accurate use of this meme ever
May 15, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Via @greenpeaceuk.bsky.social on insta, the most accurate use of this meme ever
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"Why do you 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 talk about Pakistani grooming gangs? There are 𝙩𝙚𝙣 times as many white grooming gang suspects?"
@maitlis.bsky.social asks ex-Reform MP @rupertlowe.bsky.social why he won't denounce all perpetrators of grooming gangs equally.
@maitlis.bsky.social asks ex-Reform MP @rupertlowe.bsky.social why he won't denounce all perpetrators of grooming gangs equally.
May 15, 2025 at 1:13 PM
"Why do you 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 talk about Pakistani grooming gangs? There are 𝙩𝙚𝙣 times as many white grooming gang suspects?"
@maitlis.bsky.social asks ex-Reform MP @rupertlowe.bsky.social why he won't denounce all perpetrators of grooming gangs equally.
@maitlis.bsky.social asks ex-Reform MP @rupertlowe.bsky.social why he won't denounce all perpetrators of grooming gangs equally.
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Who the fuck do Labour think they'll will win votes back from if they keep fucking off their core vote by chasing Reform cunts who didn't and won't vote for them regardless?!
May 10, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Who the fuck do Labour think they'll will win votes back from if they keep fucking off their core vote by chasing Reform cunts who didn't and won't vote for them regardless?!
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Oh yeah nice one kid hook that hope for humanity right into my veins
May 8, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Oh yeah nice one kid hook that hope for humanity right into my veins
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The anger we see everywhere, that is fuelled by bad faith actors, distorts realities. It obscures achievements, exaggerates problems, heightens fears. Instead of solutions, it looks for culprits. The change everyone wants, starts with truth.
#GoodMorning, everyone.
#GoodMorning, everyone.
April 27, 2025 at 6:05 AM
The anger we see everywhere, that is fuelled by bad faith actors, distorts realities. It obscures achievements, exaggerates problems, heightens fears. Instead of solutions, it looks for culprits. The change everyone wants, starts with truth.
#GoodMorning, everyone.
#GoodMorning, everyone.
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At this juncture I’d like to point out:
* we’re on the brink of a golden age of medical healing
* there’s enough money in the world to solve every problem in the world
* a united approach could stop the climate crisis
But a small group of sociopaths seeking personal power are going to throw it away.
* we’re on the brink of a golden age of medical healing
* there’s enough money in the world to solve every problem in the world
* a united approach could stop the climate crisis
But a small group of sociopaths seeking personal power are going to throw it away.
April 26, 2025 at 10:52 PM
At this juncture I’d like to point out:
* we’re on the brink of a golden age of medical healing
* there’s enough money in the world to solve every problem in the world
* a united approach could stop the climate crisis
But a small group of sociopaths seeking personal power are going to throw it away.
* we’re on the brink of a golden age of medical healing
* there’s enough money in the world to solve every problem in the world
* a united approach could stop the climate crisis
But a small group of sociopaths seeking personal power are going to throw it away.
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The truth has become basic. Trump is a fool who is fucking everything up. There's no more to it than that. But there's only so many times you can write that column. So people are forced to construct 'well actually he has a point' arguments and 'hidden strategy' think pieces.
April 11, 2025 at 7:46 AM
The truth has become basic. Trump is a fool who is fucking everything up. There's no more to it than that. But there's only so many times you can write that column. So people are forced to construct 'well actually he has a point' arguments and 'hidden strategy' think pieces.
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Would very much like “heading off the threat of Reform/Farage” to STOP being the way government decides on policy. It’s done nothing but profound harm since 2016 and Farage is still going strong. It doesn’t work for anyone, except him.
on.ft.com/42eewsY
on.ft.com/42eewsY
April 9, 2025 at 6:23 AM
Would very much like “heading off the threat of Reform/Farage” to STOP being the way government decides on policy. It’s done nothing but profound harm since 2016 and Farage is still going strong. It doesn’t work for anyone, except him.
on.ft.com/42eewsY
on.ft.com/42eewsY
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Publicly and flagrantly forgetting the war dead of America’s closest allies so soon after demanding gratitude from Zelenskyy for military and financial aid will be particularly noticed.
The complicating factor is that it’s hard to imagine Vance was so insulting simply by accident.
The complicating factor is that it’s hard to imagine Vance was so insulting simply by accident.
March 4, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Publicly and flagrantly forgetting the war dead of America’s closest allies so soon after demanding gratitude from Zelenskyy for military and financial aid will be particularly noticed.
The complicating factor is that it’s hard to imagine Vance was so insulting simply by accident.
The complicating factor is that it’s hard to imagine Vance was so insulting simply by accident.
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Sigh…..😞
Another day, another wildly misleading Daily Mail headline.
I mean, it certainly would be headline worthy if police had turned up and accused her of committing a crime by writing innocent FB posts.
But that's not what happened…
🧵
1/
Another day, another wildly misleading Daily Mail headline.
I mean, it certainly would be headline worthy if police had turned up and accused her of committing a crime by writing innocent FB posts.
But that's not what happened…
🧵
1/
February 23, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Sigh…..😞
Another day, another wildly misleading Daily Mail headline.
I mean, it certainly would be headline worthy if police had turned up and accused her of committing a crime by writing innocent FB posts.
But that's not what happened…
🧵
1/
Another day, another wildly misleading Daily Mail headline.
I mean, it certainly would be headline worthy if police had turned up and accused her of committing a crime by writing innocent FB posts.
But that's not what happened…
🧵
1/
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What you are seeing this morning over the refugee decision is Labour alienating and offending its remaining liberal supporters without bringing any new voters onside.
February 12, 2025 at 8:17 AM
What you are seeing this morning over the refugee decision is Labour alienating and offending its remaining liberal supporters without bringing any new voters onside.
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Posting footage of deportations impresses no one. Reform voters don’t think it’s enough hatred and the rest of us turn away from yet more performative cruelty. The Labour vote disintegrates.
If Labour can’t decide who it should be talking and listening to, then it ends up without an audience.
If Labour can’t decide who it should be talking and listening to, then it ends up without an audience.
February 11, 2025 at 7:42 AM
Posting footage of deportations impresses no one. Reform voters don’t think it’s enough hatred and the rest of us turn away from yet more performative cruelty. The Labour vote disintegrates.
If Labour can’t decide who it should be talking and listening to, then it ends up without an audience.
If Labour can’t decide who it should be talking and listening to, then it ends up without an audience.
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For @vittles.bsky.social i wrote about my two most formative male influences: my father and Rick Stein www.vittlesmagazine.com/p/rick-stein...
Rick Stein’s Oddity
John Merrick on the strange allure and bumbling anti-charisma of Rick Stein. Illustration by Alex Brenchley.
www.vittlesmagazine.com
January 27, 2025 at 9:45 AM
For @vittles.bsky.social i wrote about my two most formative male influences: my father and Rick Stein www.vittlesmagazine.com/p/rick-stein...
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What I do not understand about the enthusiasm for preservation of a "culture" is:
1. A culture that has ceased to innovate and is blind to other creative influence is dead. It is preserved in the sense that stuffed animals are preserved; and
2. If it has to be forced upon people it is not a culture.
1. A culture that has ceased to innovate and is blind to other creative influence is dead. It is preserved in the sense that stuffed animals are preserved; and
2. If it has to be forced upon people it is not a culture.
January 27, 2025 at 9:39 AM
What I do not understand about the enthusiasm for preservation of a "culture" is:
1. A culture that has ceased to innovate and is blind to other creative influence is dead. It is preserved in the sense that stuffed animals are preserved; and
2. If it has to be forced upon people it is not a culture.
1. A culture that has ceased to innovate and is blind to other creative influence is dead. It is preserved in the sense that stuffed animals are preserved; and
2. If it has to be forced upon people it is not a culture.
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I have just sent a message to the Rt. Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde, Bishop of Washington.
January 22, 2025 at 4:59 PM
I have just sent a message to the Rt. Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde, Bishop of Washington.