Graham Simpson
@grahambs.bsky.social
Advocate of proportional representation and progressive politics. Humanist. Anti Brexit! Anti Trump! @libdems.org.uk
Pinned
Graham Simpson
@grahambs.bsky.social
· Sep 12
It’s time for a politics, free of vested interests, free of dogma, free of corruption, free of populist easy answers to complicated questions. A politics which puts justice, the individual and the community ahead of narrow self interest. A politics based on evidence, rationality and compassion. Now!
He’s not well…
Trump at National Prayer Breakfast: "They rigged the second election. I had to win it. I needed it for my own ego. I would've had a bad ego for the rest of my life. Now I really have a big ego. Beating these lunatics was incredible ... The first time they said I didn't win the popular vote. I did"
February 5, 2026 at 9:51 PM
He’s not well…
“Starmer apologised but his regret is expressed in self-exculpatory terms – contrition for having been deceived into allowing Mandelson’s appointment. As if the salient offence that needs addressing is a fraud perpetrated against the PM” says @theguardian.com
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The Guardian view on Downing Street in crisis: Keir Starmer’s judgment looks fatally flawed | Editorial
Editorial: The prime minister has said sorry for believing Peter Mandelson’s lies – but the Epstein connection should have been disqualification enough
www.theguardian.com
February 5, 2026 at 8:24 PM
“Starmer apologised but his regret is expressed in self-exculpatory terms – contrition for having been deceived into allowing Mandelson’s appointment. As if the salient offence that needs addressing is a fraud perpetrated against the PM” says @theguardian.com
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Parliament revamp could cost £40bn and take 61 years - What a ridiculous waste of money! We need a purpose built Parliament with a debating chamber in the shape of a horseshoe, a seat and desk for every member, electronic voting and so much more.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Parliament revamp could cost £40bn and take 61 years
MPs and peers are presented with two renovation options and told to make a decision by the mid-2030s.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 5, 2026 at 5:19 PM
Parliament revamp could cost £40bn and take 61 years - What a ridiculous waste of money! We need a purpose built Parliament with a debating chamber in the shape of a horseshoe, a seat and desk for every member, electronic voting and so much more.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Lovely Brexit!
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Warning of long airport queues under new EU border control system
Airport organisation says queues could last up to six hours over the summer holidays.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 5, 2026 at 4:01 PM
Lovely Brexit!
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Graham Simpson
Exactly this. Starmer’s position is so bad because, even with his defence of being lied to, the question ‘what is the only acceptable degree of past intimacy with Epstein in a potential ambassador?’ demanded the answer ‘zero’.
Isn’t the point that you shouldn’t be mates with a convicted child sex offender anyway? Like the depth and the money should be add-ons
February 5, 2026 at 12:44 PM
Exactly this. Starmer’s position is so bad because, even with his defence of being lied to, the question ‘what is the only acceptable degree of past intimacy with Epstein in a potential ambassador?’ demanded the answer ‘zero’.
Reposted by Graham Simpson
At this point, punching down on your own side is pathological.
Keir Starmer attacks the racism of Reform and Matt Goodwin but then adds that "Britain has also been let down by a mindset on the left of politics that is too slow to defend core British values"
February 5, 2026 at 11:35 AM
At this point, punching down on your own side is pathological.
Reposted by Graham Simpson
Doesn't seem like the best day for Starmer to reheat "you lefties [on the backbenches/in the Labour membership/in the Labour electorate] just don't get it" Blue Labour type arguments?
Keir Starmer attacks the racism of Reform and Matt Goodwin but then adds that "Britain has also been let down by a mindset on the left of politics that is too slow to defend core British values"
February 5, 2026 at 11:49 AM
Doesn't seem like the best day for Starmer to reheat "you lefties [on the backbenches/in the Labour membership/in the Labour electorate] just don't get it" Blue Labour type arguments?
Reposted by Graham Simpson
If you were looking for an exposition of what British values *could* be you could do a lot worse than Ian McKellen wielding Shakespeare like a rapier.
Sir Ian McKellen performing a monologue from Shakespeare’s Sir Thomas More on the Stephen Colbert show. Never have I heard this monologue performed with such a keen sense of prescience. Nor have I ever been in this exact historical moment.TY Sir Ian, for reaching us once again.
#Pinks #ProudBlue
#Pinks #ProudBlue
February 5, 2026 at 1:13 PM
If you were looking for an exposition of what British values *could* be you could do a lot worse than Ian McKellen wielding Shakespeare like a rapier.
Reposted by Graham Simpson
This, for me, is the decisive argument for getting rid of FPTP: voters, activists, and strategists will effectively be going into the next election blind, and a lot of the results will feel basically random
Looking at the Gorton and Denton contest is like a foretaste of a GE where voters are given multiple messages, ‘only X party can win here’ based on - often - relatively poor data and bewildering changes in the national picture 🤯. I’m concerned about how we could provide decent information.
February 3, 2026 at 1:13 PM
This, for me, is the decisive argument for getting rid of FPTP: voters, activists, and strategists will effectively be going into the next election blind, and a lot of the results will feel basically random
Reposted by Graham Simpson
What is the point of Keir Starmer staying as prime minister?
February 5, 2026 at 8:19 AM
What is the point of Keir Starmer staying as prime minister?
You get the feeling Starmer has little support in the party and he has little understanding of the culture and ethos of the party. Plus he isn’t a very good politician, in fact he rejects politics and ‘ideas’.
The PM is clearly morally compromised by his decision to appoint Mandelson despite all he knew about him. Perhaps the only thing that stands a chance of restoring some modicum of the public's shattered trust in this country's politics and political class is him doing the decent thing and resigning.
Chris Mason: Starmer can ill afford any more days like these
Starmer is furious with Mandelson, and the mood among many Labour MPs is darkening, the BBC's political editor writes.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 5, 2026 at 8:14 AM
You get the feeling Starmer has little support in the party and he has little understanding of the culture and ethos of the party. Plus he isn’t a very good politician, in fact he rejects politics and ‘ideas’.
“The prime minister’s political future may rest on his ability to convince MPs that he is being transparent over the fateful decision to make Peter Mandelson the UK’s ambassador in Washington” says @theguardian.com
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The Guardian view on Epstein, power and accountability: full transparency is the least survivors deserve | Editorial
Editorial: As the wheels of justice begin to turn in Britain, a spotlight should also shine on the financier’s wealthy enablers in the US
www.theguardian.com
February 4, 2026 at 10:33 PM
“The prime minister’s political future may rest on his ability to convince MPs that he is being transparent over the fateful decision to make Peter Mandelson the UK’s ambassador in Washington” says @theguardian.com
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
It looks that way…
February 4, 2026 at 9:14 PM
It looks that way…
Starmer says he knew when giving Mandelson US job he had kept ties with Epstein after conviction - He also knew the questionable history of the man.
February 4, 2026 at 8:53 PM
Starmer says he knew when giving Mandelson US job he had kept ties with Epstein after conviction - He also knew the questionable history of the man.
Reposted by Graham Simpson
Wes Streeting saying on Today that Mandelson is ‘not the man we thought he was’ but the trouble is, he is exactly the man we thought, just on a much worse scale than almost anyone thought. And there is an alternative world where none of this is this govt’s problem, because they never gave him a job
February 4, 2026 at 8:16 AM
Wes Streeting saying on Today that Mandelson is ‘not the man we thought he was’ but the trouble is, he is exactly the man we thought, just on a much worse scale than almost anyone thought. And there is an alternative world where none of this is this govt’s problem, because they never gave him a job
Reposted by Graham Simpson
I have never seen anger like this on the Labour benches in private and in public. This is the kind of territory where things can move very fast.
February 4, 2026 at 1:36 PM
I have never seen anger like this on the Labour benches in private and in public. This is the kind of territory where things can move very fast.
Reposted by Graham Simpson
On the sleight of hand that uses free speech as a diversion from questions of who controls the digital infrastructure of democracy and to what purpose. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
When Maga oligarchs control the platforms, it isn’t really a debate about ‘free speech’ | Rafael Behr
The debate over banning under-16s from social media should raise deeper questions about who controls democracy’s digital infrastructure, says Guardian columnist Rafael Behr
www.theguardian.com
February 4, 2026 at 7:41 AM
On the sleight of hand that uses free speech as a diversion from questions of who controls the digital infrastructure of democracy and to what purpose. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Graham Simpson
Just a quick note to @greenparty.org.uk and @greenpartyhan.bsky.social - I was not consulted on being quoted on your leaflets and I have not endorsed your campaign (or any campaign in this seat). I think this note, like the bar chart next to it, is misleading and out of context.
February 4, 2026 at 11:47 AM
Just a quick note to @greenparty.org.uk and @greenpartyhan.bsky.social - I was not consulted on being quoted on your leaflets and I have not endorsed your campaign (or any campaign in this seat). I think this note, like the bar chart next to it, is misleading and out of context.
Thank you Spain 🇪🇸
www.thelondoneconomic.com/news/spain-s...
www.thelondoneconomic.com/news/spain-s...
Spain says it 'absolutely' supports the UK rejoining the EU
Spain's prime minister Pedro Sánchez has said he would "absolutely" support the UK rejoining the European Union.
www.thelondoneconomic.com
February 4, 2026 at 7:47 PM
Thank you Spain 🇪🇸
www.thelondoneconomic.com/news/spain-s...
www.thelondoneconomic.com/news/spain-s...
Starmer knew of Mandelson’s continuing relationship with Epstein after his conviction but still appointed him to probably the most important foreign affairs appointment. I don’t see how Starmer survives this one.
news.sky.com/video/share-...
news.sky.com/video/share-...
Prime Minister tells Commons 'I regret appointing Mandelson as ambassador'
Sir Keir Starmer told MPs Peter Mandelson betrayed the country, and 'lied repeatedly' to his team
news.sky.com
February 4, 2026 at 1:00 PM
Starmer knew of Mandelson’s continuing relationship with Epstein after his conviction but still appointed him to probably the most important foreign affairs appointment. I don’t see how Starmer survives this one.
news.sky.com/video/share-...
news.sky.com/video/share-...
Reform cabinet member quits over judgement 'lapse' - The biggest ‘lapse of judgment’ was people voting for Reform in the first place!
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reform UK cabinet member in Kent resigns over 'no cuts' quote
Matthew Fraser Moat says his words were a
www.bbc.co.uk
February 4, 2026 at 11:49 AM
Reform cabinet member quits over judgement 'lapse' - The biggest ‘lapse of judgment’ was people voting for Reform in the first place!
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
This speech should be updated to reflect Trump’s America…
youtu.be/fJh9t9h6Wn0?...
youtu.be/fJh9t9h6Wn0?...
Can You Say Why America is the Greatest Country in the World?
YouTube video by Christopher L Webster
youtu.be
February 4, 2026 at 11:02 AM
This speech should be updated to reflect Trump’s America…
youtu.be/fJh9t9h6Wn0?...
youtu.be/fJh9t9h6Wn0?...
Reposted by Graham Simpson
They’re taking children from Minnesota and locking them up like criminals in detention camps in Texas.
For the love of God, send our kids home and bring an end to this nightmare.
www.startribune.com/walz-demands...
For the love of God, send our kids home and bring an end to this nightmare.
www.startribune.com/walz-demands...
Walz demands DHS stop detaining Minnesota children
In a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Walz demanded details about how many Minnesota kids are in detention facilities.
www.startribune.com
February 4, 2026 at 1:35 AM
They’re taking children from Minnesota and locking them up like criminals in detention camps in Texas.
For the love of God, send our kids home and bring an end to this nightmare.
www.startribune.com/walz-demands...
For the love of God, send our kids home and bring an end to this nightmare.
www.startribune.com/walz-demands...
So much was known BEFORE Mandelson was appointed Ambassador to the USA.
BREAKING: “The Conservatives are moving a vote later about whether or not the government should just publish and be transparent with all of the information they got when it comes to the vetting process with Lord Mandelson and his appointment. Should the government publish that?”
Skys Sophy Ridge
Skys Sophy Ridge
February 4, 2026 at 8:16 AM
So much was known BEFORE Mandelson was appointed Ambassador to the USA.