Jonathan Simons
@jonathansimons.bsky.social
Partner, Public First and Head of Education Practice. Education strategy + policy advisory. Former civil servant + think tanker. Occasional loud LFC. Centrist Dad, so naturally I also have a Substack.
You, an idiot: 'Infinity War' Is The Most Ambitious Crossover Event In History
Me:
Me:
I'm not going to post screenshots for obvious reasons but I have been alerted that a bunch of the top posts in r/MassiveCock are anti-ICE now and anyone who defends ICE in comments is getting yelled down lol
January 25, 2026 at 7:45 PM
You, an idiot: 'Infinity War' Is The Most Ambitious Crossover Event In History
Me:
Me:
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
It is not a tax rise; the interest rate has absolutely nothing to do with what you repay; the fact that MPs and other higher paid grads are paying back more is the entire point of the system; I beg of you to stop getting student loans wrong
It is not a tax rise; the interest rate has absolutely nothing to do with what you repay; the fact that MPs and other higher paid grads are paying back more is the entire point of the system; I beg of you to stop getting student loans wrong
Will student loans be the next mis-selling scandal?
Graduates are in uproar about Budget changes to loan repayment terms, and they have a point
giftarticle.ft.com
January 25, 2026 at 10:59 AM
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
It is not a tax rise; the interest rate has absolutely nothing to do with what you repay; the fact that MPs and other higher paid grads are paying back more is the entire point of the system; I beg of you to stop getting student loans wrong
It is not a tax rise; the interest rate has absolutely nothing to do with what you repay; the fact that MPs and other higher paid grads are paying back more is the entire point of the system; I beg of you to stop getting student loans wrong
Presumably Burnham’s biggest reluctance was that if he wins, he would have to leave The North That He Loves and travel to That Westminster
January 24, 2026 at 5:39 PM
Presumably Burnham’s biggest reluctance was that if he wins, he would have to leave The North That He Loves and travel to That Westminster
This actually makes me quite emotional and a little proud
January 22, 2026 at 8:36 PM
This actually makes me quite emotional and a little proud
Reposted by Jonathan Simons
Danish PM in Chequers today
January 22, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Danish PM in Chequers today
Bloody hell, promise that use of force is gone, tariff threat now gone. Assume the off ramp is more NATO troops plus poss some US leasing of a base (à la, er, the Chagos Islands)
Assuming this holds*, this is a hell of a European diplomatic win, no?
*mad kings, caveat emptor, etc etc
Assuming this holds*, this is a hell of a European diplomatic win, no?
*mad kings, caveat emptor, etc etc
January 21, 2026 at 7:36 PM
Bloody hell, promise that use of force is gone, tariff threat now gone. Assume the off ramp is more NATO troops plus poss some US leasing of a base (à la, er, the Chagos Islands)
Assuming this holds*, this is a hell of a European diplomatic win, no?
*mad kings, caveat emptor, etc etc
Assuming this holds*, this is a hell of a European diplomatic win, no?
*mad kings, caveat emptor, etc etc
Trump with that Nobel medal is like those people who buy 1sq foot of Scottish highland and claim they’re a Laird now
January 15, 2026 at 9:56 PM
Trump with that Nobel medal is like those people who buy 1sq foot of Scottish highland and claim they’re a Laird now
Reposted by Jonathan Simons
Mamdani:Socials::Kennedy:television
Not the first to do it, but the first to be good enough at the medium that it changes how politics views it and uses it.
Not the first to do it, but the first to be good enough at the medium that it changes how politics views it and uses it.
Last week, we announced a plan to make child care universal. Today, applications are open for pre-K & 3-K. If your child is turning 3 or 4, apply now for the fall at: myschools.nyc
January 14, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Mamdani:Socials::Kennedy:television
Not the first to do it, but the first to be good enough at the medium that it changes how politics views it and uses it.
Not the first to do it, but the first to be good enough at the medium that it changes how politics views it and uses it.
Make a controversial (albeit sensible) decision ✅
Fail to follow up or make the case, ceding all ground to opponents ✅
Do nothing, let opposition sentiment grow ✅
Do a partial u turn, irritating supporters while doing nothing to pull back weeks and months of disaffection ✅
That’s Starmer-wang!
Fail to follow up or make the case, ceding all ground to opponents ✅
Do nothing, let opposition sentiment grow ✅
Do a partial u turn, irritating supporters while doing nothing to pull back weeks and months of disaffection ✅
That’s Starmer-wang!
Exclusive: Government is considering watering down a key element of the Digital ID scheme
Government previously said Digital ID would be mandatory for Right to Work checks from 2029.
But this could now be introduced as optional, PoliticsHome understands
Government previously said Digital ID would be mandatory for Right to Work checks from 2029.
But this could now be introduced as optional, PoliticsHome understands
Government Considers Watering Down Mandatory Element Of Digital ID
Exclusive: There are discussions within government about introducing a key part of the digital ID scheme as optional, rather than as mandatory, Pol...
www.politicshome.com
January 13, 2026 at 4:17 PM
Make a controversial (albeit sensible) decision ✅
Fail to follow up or make the case, ceding all ground to opponents ✅
Do nothing, let opposition sentiment grow ✅
Do a partial u turn, irritating supporters while doing nothing to pull back weeks and months of disaffection ✅
That’s Starmer-wang!
Fail to follow up or make the case, ceding all ground to opponents ✅
Do nothing, let opposition sentiment grow ✅
Do a partial u turn, irritating supporters while doing nothing to pull back weeks and months of disaffection ✅
That’s Starmer-wang!
Was hoping for a slightly longer and closer final than that but Littler was just immense (even accounting for Van Veen falling off a cliff)
January 3, 2026 at 9:38 PM
Was hoping for a slightly longer and closer final than that but Littler was just immense (even accounting for Van Veen falling off a cliff)
Looks like it’s time for my regular rant of “you had TWO YEARS when you KNEW you were going to be in govt, you spent a vast amount of political capital hiring a civil service chief of staff, you had ANYONE you wanted to help, why did you do absolutely ZERO prep for what government in 21c IS?!!??!”
January 2, 2026 at 10:34 AM
Looks like it’s time for my regular rant of “you had TWO YEARS when you KNEW you were going to be in govt, you spent a vast amount of political capital hiring a civil service chief of staff, you had ANYONE you wanted to help, why did you do absolutely ZERO prep for what government in 21c IS?!!??!”
This is as excellent as everyone says.
I am struck in particular by the SpAds working more closely with officials. Thoughts follow…..
1. In my experience, a huge part of the political team’s weekly life is bonding in anger over what they see as conscious or unconscious blocking by officials.
I am struck in particular by the SpAds working more closely with officials. Thoughts follow…..
1. In my experience, a huge part of the political team’s weekly life is bonding in anger over what they see as conscious or unconscious blocking by officials.
New post just out:
"Advice for advisers - 14 lessons for making government work"
A final guest post of the year from former PM adviser Henry de Zoete on how to make things happen in power.
(£/free trial)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/a...
"Advice for advisers - 14 lessons for making government work"
A final guest post of the year from former PM adviser Henry de Zoete on how to make things happen in power.
(£/free trial)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/a...
Advice for advisers - 14 lessons for making government work
We have one final guest post this year from Henry de Zoete who wrote for us a few months ago on “How to Make Government Work” with a case study of the AI Security Institute.
open.substack.com
December 30, 2025 at 12:57 PM
This is as excellent as everyone says.
I am struck in particular by the SpAds working more closely with officials. Thoughts follow…..
1. In my experience, a huge part of the political team’s weekly life is bonding in anger over what they see as conscious or unconscious blocking by officials.
I am struck in particular by the SpAds working more closely with officials. Thoughts follow…..
1. In my experience, a huge part of the political team’s weekly life is bonding in anger over what they see as conscious or unconscious blocking by officials.
As someone who has a niche interest* in “the economics of popular culture”, I am all here for this
*annoying habit, according to most other people
*annoying habit, according to most other people
December 27, 2025 at 10:31 AM
As someone who has a niche interest* in “the economics of popular culture”, I am all here for this
*annoying habit, according to most other people
*annoying habit, according to most other people
December 23, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Reposted by Jonathan Simons
Half Ma’am Half Brisket
December 21, 2025 at 10:42 AM
Half Ma’am Half Brisket
Reposted by Jonathan Simons
I need the most Bluesky take you have- no, that's too Bluesky
December 17, 2025 at 1:58 PM
I need the most Bluesky take you have- no, that's too Bluesky
Fascinating straw in the wind. Is this that Reform:
A) has changed its mind - poss driven by its own councils
B) never believed it, was helpful as a dog whistle, but now they need to be serious
C) still believe it, but need to be serious
Which one it is bears relevance for lots of other issues!
A) has changed its mind - poss driven by its own councils
B) never believed it, was helpful as a dog whistle, but now they need to be serious
C) still believe it, but need to be serious
Which one it is bears relevance for lots of other issues!
December 16, 2025 at 6:13 PM
Fascinating straw in the wind. Is this that Reform:
A) has changed its mind - poss driven by its own councils
B) never believed it, was helpful as a dog whistle, but now they need to be serious
C) still believe it, but need to be serious
Which one it is bears relevance for lots of other issues!
A) has changed its mind - poss driven by its own councils
B) never believed it, was helpful as a dog whistle, but now they need to be serious
C) still believe it, but need to be serious
Which one it is bears relevance for lots of other issues!
So look, yes the club may cost you £500k to be a founder member. But you get Chat-Lizzie-T with it
December 13, 2025 at 9:52 AM
So look, yes the club may cost you £500k to be a founder member. But you get Chat-Lizzie-T with it
Reposted by Jonathan Simons
Breaking: Two 'elite' sixth forms proposed by Eton College and Star Academies have been approved, while the government blocked a third feweek.co.uk/eton-gets-go...
Eton gets go-ahead to develop 2 of 3 elite sixth forms
UTC among 28 of 44 free school proposals canned by DfE
feweek.co.uk
December 11, 2025 at 10:34 PM
Breaking: Two 'elite' sixth forms proposed by Eton College and Star Academies have been approved, while the government blocked a third feweek.co.uk/eton-gets-go...
Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume
Breathes a life of gathering gloom.
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying,
Sealed in the stone cold tomb.
Mary: ok…..thanks, I guess, third magi? For this present and your….good wishes for the future of my newborn baby?
Breathes a life of gathering gloom.
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying,
Sealed in the stone cold tomb.
Mary: ok…..thanks, I guess, third magi? For this present and your….good wishes for the future of my newborn baby?
December 11, 2025 at 10:28 AM
Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume
Breathes a life of gathering gloom.
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying,
Sealed in the stone cold tomb.
Mary: ok…..thanks, I guess, third magi? For this present and your….good wishes for the future of my newborn baby?
Breathes a life of gathering gloom.
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying,
Sealed in the stone cold tomb.
Mary: ok…..thanks, I guess, third magi? For this present and your….good wishes for the future of my newborn baby?
She’s found 1000 reasons to vote for Reform, and she did it all in 24 hours
New - Bonnie Blue nails her colours to the mast, writing in The Spectator:
“Reform has sensible positions on immigration and inheritance tax, so I stand with Nigel Farage.”
“Reform has sensible positions on immigration and inheritance tax, so I stand with Nigel Farage.”
December 11, 2025 at 7:26 AM
She’s found 1000 reasons to vote for Reform, and she did it all in 24 hours
I take no satisfaction in being right despite some Stokes and Jacks hope.
Still there’s always football. Oh.
Still there’s always football. Oh.
Under 300 all out by lunchtime tomorrow at this rate
December 7, 2025 at 8:11 AM
I take no satisfaction in being right despite some Stokes and Jacks hope.
Still there’s always football. Oh.
Still there’s always football. Oh.
Every. Single. Analyst / Commentator / Pundit / Coach: see off the new bowlers, keep it calm, the ball is doing more in the night, there’s a great opportunity with this pitch, don’t drive at wide balls out there deliberately for you
England top order: hold my beer
England top order: hold my beer
December 6, 2025 at 10:04 AM
Every. Single. Analyst / Commentator / Pundit / Coach: see off the new bowlers, keep it calm, the ball is doing more in the night, there’s a great opportunity with this pitch, don’t drive at wide balls out there deliberately for you
England top order: hold my beer
England top order: hold my beer
Reposted by Jonathan Simons
Please share this info. I cannot emphasise enough: all formulas are the same by law (*except prescription ones), you don’t need to spend £3-£5 more a tub for the branding. Spending more buys no extra quality and does not make you a better mama x
And where it comes to formula:
- all formulas are the same by law
- the cheapest is always Aldi Mamia at £7.50 or so a tub (only own brand on the market)
- follow-on milk is a marketing device to get round the ad ban - your baby doesn’t need it
- all formulas are the same by law
- the cheapest is always Aldi Mamia at £7.50 or so a tub (only own brand on the market)
- follow-on milk is a marketing device to get round the ad ban - your baby doesn’t need it
December 3, 2025 at 11:17 PM
Please share this info. I cannot emphasise enough: all formulas are the same by law (*except prescription ones), you don’t need to spend £3-£5 more a tub for the branding. Spending more buys no extra quality and does not make you a better mama x