Neil J Smith
@neiljsmith.bsky.social
Singer/songwriter/musician and semi-autonomous biped from the badlands of the Buckinghamshire/Berkshire borders, UK
My lovely band Plynthology: https://linktr.ee/plynthology
My solo exploits: https://linktr.ee/neiljsmith
My lovely band Plynthology: https://linktr.ee/plynthology
My solo exploits: https://linktr.ee/neiljsmith
Reposted by Neil J Smith
Not been aware of this “uproar” anywhere but here. Either on the news or in broadsheet media. And there should be uproar. Because, in a nutshell, it tells you why Reform - in their infantile, idiotic, vengeful inadequacy - are so ragingly unfit for office.
nation.cymru/news/uproar-...
nation.cymru/news/uproar-...
Uproar as Reform policy chief threatens to defund Welsh university
Martin Shipton Reform UK’s head of policy Zia Yusuf launched a culture war in Wales by threatening to withhold funding from Bangor University after its student debating society refused to host two lea...
nation.cymru
February 11, 2026 at 8:12 AM
Not been aware of this “uproar” anywhere but here. Either on the news or in broadsheet media. And there should be uproar. Because, in a nutshell, it tells you why Reform - in their infantile, idiotic, vengeful inadequacy - are so ragingly unfit for office.
nation.cymru/news/uproar-...
nation.cymru/news/uproar-...
Reposted by Neil J Smith
Most of our media is studiously ignoring the Epstein links to Brexit, Farage and far right populism. Farage is being touted for No.10. He wants an even more extreme Brexit. A race to the bottom to sell us out to this global network of oligarch crooks.
Why TF isn’t he being investigated and stopped?
Why TF isn’t he being investigated and stopped?
Post-Brexit, Epstein told Thiel: "Brexit is just the beginning" – eyeing crypto deregulation via right-populism. 7/12
February 4, 2026 at 10:28 PM
Most of our media is studiously ignoring the Epstein links to Brexit, Farage and far right populism. Farage is being touted for No.10. He wants an even more extreme Brexit. A race to the bottom to sell us out to this global network of oligarch crooks.
Why TF isn’t he being investigated and stopped?
Why TF isn’t he being investigated and stopped?
Reposted by Neil J Smith
BREAKING: Gordon Brown defends Keir Starmer
"I can look in his eyes and see he is a man of integrity.
"He wants to do the right things. Perhaps he has been too slow to do the right things. But he must do the right things now.
"Lets judge what he does"
"I can look in his eyes and see he is a man of integrity.
"He wants to do the right things. Perhaps he has been too slow to do the right things. But he must do the right things now.
"Lets judge what he does"
February 7, 2026 at 9:08 AM
BREAKING: Gordon Brown defends Keir Starmer
"I can look in his eyes and see he is a man of integrity.
"He wants to do the right things. Perhaps he has been too slow to do the right things. But he must do the right things now.
"Lets judge what he does"
"I can look in his eyes and see he is a man of integrity.
"He wants to do the right things. Perhaps he has been too slow to do the right things. But he must do the right things now.
"Lets judge what he does"
Reposted by Neil J Smith
The sooner the wider public understands that Nigel Farage is actively working against Britain’s interests, the better.
January 24, 2026 at 9:42 AM
The sooner the wider public understands that Nigel Farage is actively working against Britain’s interests, the better.
Reposted by Neil J Smith
If he sets off right now, he could get to Dignitas before they close. It's only a 2 hour drive from #Davos.
If it's the cost he's worried about, I'm sure he'd get a generous crowdfunding response. Maybe they take gift vouchers? Either way, the clock's ticking...
If it's the cost he's worried about, I'm sure he'd get a generous crowdfunding response. Maybe they take gift vouchers? Either way, the clock's ticking...
January 21, 2026 at 2:57 PM
If he sets off right now, he could get to Dignitas before they close. It's only a 2 hour drive from #Davos.
If it's the cost he's worried about, I'm sure he'd get a generous crowdfunding response. Maybe they take gift vouchers? Either way, the clock's ticking...
If it's the cost he's worried about, I'm sure he'd get a generous crowdfunding response. Maybe they take gift vouchers? Either way, the clock's ticking...
Reposted by Neil J Smith
Remember the Soviet joke about a man who always goes to look at the papers but never buys one. The news agent asks him what he's looking for and he says, "An obituary" and the news agent points out that they're always in the back section. "This one won't be".
January 21, 2026 at 5:55 AM
Remember the Soviet joke about a man who always goes to look at the papers but never buys one. The news agent asks him what he's looking for and he says, "An obituary" and the news agent points out that they're always in the back section. "This one won't be".
Reposted by Neil J Smith
NEW
“…neither rhyme nor reason.”
We are currently in a situation where precedents and norms and laws and rules and theories offer no assistance.
By me.
Substack: emptycity.substack.com/p/neither-rh...
Personal blog: davidallengreen.com/2026/01/neit...
“…neither rhyme nor reason.”
We are currently in a situation where precedents and norms and laws and rules and theories offer no assistance.
By me.
Substack: emptycity.substack.com/p/neither-rh...
Personal blog: davidallengreen.com/2026/01/neit...
![What, if anything, is Trumpism?
There is not really any rhyme: there is no consistency or predictability in what he does. His actions in situation [A] will tell you little or nothing about what he may do in situation [B].
There are, at a general level, certain themes: he is indifferent to norms, he is cunning, he likes leverage, he will renege on deals, he has a sense for ratings, he will often back down. But these are tactics and improvisations: they say little or nothing about which subjects he will engage with next.
And nor is there is much reason: little or nothing he does makes sense, at least for the reasons he gives – or for the reasons his partisan supporters come up with to justify his actions and inactions.
It would be fair to say there is neither rhyme nor reason.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:nx2kxyxako6sobj4g4pdkl6s/bafkreiht5hm2c5ywad6s6pn3zttwxw2hxnvdvmhokkfoyz4o6zmy3p6myi@jpeg)
January 20, 2026 at 9:39 AM
NEW
“…neither rhyme nor reason.”
We are currently in a situation where precedents and norms and laws and rules and theories offer no assistance.
By me.
Substack: emptycity.substack.com/p/neither-rh...
Personal blog: davidallengreen.com/2026/01/neit...
“…neither rhyme nor reason.”
We are currently in a situation where precedents and norms and laws and rules and theories offer no assistance.
By me.
Substack: emptycity.substack.com/p/neither-rh...
Personal blog: davidallengreen.com/2026/01/neit...
Reposted by Neil J Smith
"Donald Trump now genuinely lives in a different reality, one in which neither grammar nor history nor the normal rules of human interaction now affect him. Also, he really is maniacally, unhealthily obsessive about the Nobel Prize."
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
www.theatlantic.com
January 19, 2026 at 3:21 PM
"Donald Trump now genuinely lives in a different reality, one in which neither grammar nor history nor the normal rules of human interaction now affect him. Also, he really is maniacally, unhealthily obsessive about the Nobel Prize."
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
Reposted by Neil J Smith
We've spent ten years being proved right about all the things the loudest, biggest voices in the UK media insisted, often obnoxiously, we were wrong about. The real kicker is that there's no consolation whatsoever in being correct. Brexit, Putin, Johnson, Truss, Trump, Twitter, Netanyahu etc etc...
January 19, 2026 at 9:12 AM
We've spent ten years being proved right about all the things the loudest, biggest voices in the UK media insisted, often obnoxiously, we were wrong about. The real kicker is that there's no consolation whatsoever in being correct. Brexit, Putin, Johnson, Truss, Trump, Twitter, Netanyahu etc etc...
Reposted by Neil J Smith
This is so important. If you persist in misrepresenting or misunderstanding reality you give even more ammunition to populist liars who understand nothing.
It is really important to understand that the asylum hotel chaos of 2022-24 is a *failed experiment in closed borders* (in contrast to the liberal visa policy)
The hotel chaos comes from passing multiple laws that all claims will be refused & to stop processing claims
bsky.app/profile/pete...
The hotel chaos comes from passing multiple laws that all claims will be refused & to stop processing claims
bsky.app/profile/pete...
“Robert Jenrick is the man who as Immigration Minister oversaw the open borders experiment that led to the biggest increase in illegal immigration in our country”
Labour's Steve Reed reacts to Robert Jenrick's decision to defect from the Conservatives to Reform UK
Labour's Steve Reed reacts to Robert Jenrick's decision to defect from the Conservatives to Reform UK
January 16, 2026 at 8:45 AM
This is so important. If you persist in misrepresenting or misunderstanding reality you give even more ammunition to populist liars who understand nothing.
Reposted by Neil J Smith
Today, waiting lists are down by more than 312,000 since Labour came into government - with an 86,000 drop in November alone.
That's the second biggest drop in 15 years.🎉
See more below ⬇️🧵
That's the second biggest drop in 15 years.🎉
See more below ⬇️🧵
January 15, 2026 at 10:27 AM
Today, waiting lists are down by more than 312,000 since Labour came into government - with an 86,000 drop in November alone.
That's the second biggest drop in 15 years.🎉
See more below ⬇️🧵
That's the second biggest drop in 15 years.🎉
See more below ⬇️🧵
Reposted by Neil J Smith
When the interior ministry declares its militia to be above the law in terms that equate dissent with treason there really isn’t any question of whether or not we are looking at an authoritarian regime.
January 14, 2026 at 4:05 PM
When the interior ministry declares its militia to be above the law in terms that equate dissent with treason there really isn’t any question of whether or not we are looking at an authoritarian regime.
Democratic rights should be withheld from those who oppose democracy.
January 7, 2026 at 12:20 PM
Democratic rights should be withheld from those who oppose democracy.
Reposted by Neil J Smith
A Christmas cartoon from my new book of science cartoons PHYSICS FOR CATS. In good bookshops and online now: www.tomgauld.com/comic-books-v2
December 17, 2025 at 12:56 PM
A Christmas cartoon from my new book of science cartoons PHYSICS FOR CATS. In good bookshops and online now: www.tomgauld.com/comic-books-v2
Reposted by Neil J Smith
Rob Reiner was a genius. He brought joy to this world, and in decades to come, people will still be laughing, crying, and quoting along to his incredible oeuvre.
Donald Trump is a nobody. History will remember him as a villain and a nasty, dim-witted, unloved one at that.
There's your difference
Donald Trump is a nobody. History will remember him as a villain and a nasty, dim-witted, unloved one at that.
There's your difference
December 15, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Rob Reiner was a genius. He brought joy to this world, and in decades to come, people will still be laughing, crying, and quoting along to his incredible oeuvre.
Donald Trump is a nobody. History will remember him as a villain and a nasty, dim-witted, unloved one at that.
There's your difference
Donald Trump is a nobody. History will remember him as a villain and a nasty, dim-witted, unloved one at that.
There's your difference
It’s increasingly hard to find balanced news about the UK government’s policies and actions, but this is an informative article on proposed changes to ECHR rules on asylum rights.
www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/12...
www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/12...
Why is the UK leading the charge to curb asylum rights under the ECHR?
UK seeks revision of the European Convention on Human Rights amid pressure from the far right.
www.aljazeera.com
December 11, 2025 at 10:32 AM
It’s increasingly hard to find balanced news about the UK government’s policies and actions, but this is an informative article on proposed changes to ECHR rules on asylum rights.
www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/12...
www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/12...
Reposted by Neil J Smith
We celebrated FREE SPEECH in the village yesterday.
We called each other bastards & fuckers.
Everyone said Jill in the village shop was a bitch & should be jailed.
I called Dean our paperboy a lying wanker and Bunty said Simple Sally should be burnt for being a slut.
🇬🇧
We called each other bastards & fuckers.
Everyone said Jill in the village shop was a bitch & should be jailed.
I called Dean our paperboy a lying wanker and Bunty said Simple Sally should be burnt for being a slut.
🇬🇧
September 13, 2025 at 8:51 AM
We celebrated FREE SPEECH in the village yesterday.
We called each other bastards & fuckers.
Everyone said Jill in the village shop was a bitch & should be jailed.
I called Dean our paperboy a lying wanker and Bunty said Simple Sally should be burnt for being a slut.
🇬🇧
We called each other bastards & fuckers.
Everyone said Jill in the village shop was a bitch & should be jailed.
I called Dean our paperboy a lying wanker and Bunty said Simple Sally should be burnt for being a slut.
🇬🇧
Reposted by Neil J Smith
Can someone please explain why it is that too many politicians only seem to want the votes of the prejudiced and the ignorant? To the extent that they are actively repelling anyone capable of rational thought and decency. Why the pathetic need to appease the bigot vote, at everyone else’s expense?
July 27, 2025 at 9:23 AM
Can someone please explain why it is that too many politicians only seem to want the votes of the prejudiced and the ignorant? To the extent that they are actively repelling anyone capable of rational thought and decency. Why the pathetic need to appease the bigot vote, at everyone else’s expense?
Reposted by Neil J Smith
I hoped never to see concentration camps like the ones I grew up in appear again in this country. Reading this breaks my heart.
July 9, 2025 at 2:08 PM
I hoped never to see concentration camps like the ones I grew up in appear again in this country. Reading this breaks my heart.
Reposted by Neil J Smith
Anyone who knows the first thing about literary translation knows that direct translations are often impossible, and that creative, nuanced, sympathetic solutions must be found due to unfamiliar idioms, imagery, rhyming schemes, etc while balancing author motifs and style. AI simply can't do that.
Writers! Note that AI translation (under the guise of "global access") is being seen/used as the weak point to get AI into publishing (possible bc Eng lang publishing is weak on translation). Stand with translators & for more human translation, fairly paid!
The founders of independent publisher Bloodhound Books have launched a new AI fiction translation service, Globescribe.ai 👇 #BookSky
July 7, 2025 at 11:22 AM
Anyone who knows the first thing about literary translation knows that direct translations are often impossible, and that creative, nuanced, sympathetic solutions must be found due to unfamiliar idioms, imagery, rhyming schemes, etc while balancing author motifs and style. AI simply can't do that.
Reposted by Neil J Smith
'Mothra' live by Plynthology at Other Space Arts, Windsor. What an amazing night we had at Other Space Arts! Mega thanks to Ruby Dawn and Vinna Bee for truly off-the-scale performances, Mr C for superb dad jokes and compering, Steve the sound and all at OSA for hosting us at their wonderful venue.
'Mothra' live by Plynthology at Other Space Arts, Windsor
YouTube video by Plynthology
youtu.be
June 24, 2025 at 2:09 PM
'Mothra' live by Plynthology at Other Space Arts, Windsor. What an amazing night we had at Other Space Arts! Mega thanks to Ruby Dawn and Vinna Bee for truly off-the-scale performances, Mr C for superb dad jokes and compering, Steve the sound and all at OSA for hosting us at their wonderful venue.
Reposted by Neil J Smith
V good letter in The Guardian on Labour’s flailing hopelessness in the face of Reform.
Come on, Labour. The country is crying out for better. We’re sick of this ugly rightwing agenda. It brings nothing but failure.
It’s disloyal to your voters and to the country. You’ve got power and time. Use them.
Come on, Labour. The country is crying out for better. We’re sick of this ugly rightwing agenda. It brings nothing but failure.
It’s disloyal to your voters and to the country. You’ve got power and time. Use them.
May 6, 2025 at 6:32 AM
V good letter in The Guardian on Labour’s flailing hopelessness in the face of Reform.
Come on, Labour. The country is crying out for better. We’re sick of this ugly rightwing agenda. It brings nothing but failure.
It’s disloyal to your voters and to the country. You’ve got power and time. Use them.
Come on, Labour. The country is crying out for better. We’re sick of this ugly rightwing agenda. It brings nothing but failure.
It’s disloyal to your voters and to the country. You’ve got power and time. Use them.
Reposted by Neil J Smith
April 11, 2025 at 11:51 AM
Reposted by Neil J Smith
What the US constructed over 8 decades, Trump is destroying in days. And once destroyed, it will be almost impossible to resurrect. Trump is congenitally unable to understand the strategic value of allies--US competitors might not be so foolish.
April 10, 2025 at 7:56 AM
What the US constructed over 8 decades, Trump is destroying in days. And once destroyed, it will be almost impossible to resurrect. Trump is congenitally unable to understand the strategic value of allies--US competitors might not be so foolish.
Reposted by Neil J Smith
Just as a reminder, not a single state gave in to Trump’s tariff threats. Not one. He’s blown up US economic credibility for nothing.
April 9, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Just as a reminder, not a single state gave in to Trump’s tariff threats. Not one. He’s blown up US economic credibility for nothing.