Dr Nigel Fletcher
@nigelfletcher.bsky.social
UK political historian, lecturer and writer;
Co-founder of the Centre for Opposition Studies.
Cake, campery & historical/constitutional trivia. 🍰🏳️🌈 📖 🇬🇧
Website: www.nigelfletcher.org
Subscribe to my newsletter:
https://nigelfletcher.substack.com
Co-founder of the Centre for Opposition Studies.
Cake, campery & historical/constitutional trivia. 🍰🏳️🌈 📖 🇬🇧
Website: www.nigelfletcher.org
Subscribe to my newsletter:
https://nigelfletcher.substack.com
Catching up on the Winter Olympics opening ceremony, and wondering (as I always do) if there is an option to watch it with a clean feed of the sound and no commentary?
These ceremonies are big dramatic productions, and I want to watch the performance without people talking over the whole thing.
These ceremonies are big dramatic productions, and I want to watch the performance without people talking over the whole thing.
February 7, 2026 at 11:32 AM
Catching up on the Winter Olympics opening ceremony, and wondering (as I always do) if there is an option to watch it with a clean feed of the sound and no commentary?
These ceremonies are big dramatic productions, and I want to watch the performance without people talking over the whole thing.
These ceremonies are big dramatic productions, and I want to watch the performance without people talking over the whole thing.
Is there no job not at risk from AI?
Talk has turned to who replaces Starmer (again).
Labour MP tonight:
“As far as I'm concerned, Starmer is done. What matters is what's next. If it's Angela, the honeymoon lasts a week. If it's Wes, a month. If it's Al, 6 months. Hard to see how it turns around beyond that.”
Labour MP tonight:
“As far as I'm concerned, Starmer is done. What matters is what's next. If it's Angela, the honeymoon lasts a week. If it's Wes, a month. If it's Al, 6 months. Hard to see how it turns around beyond that.”
February 4, 2026 at 11:50 PM
Is there no job not at risk from AI?
The Mandelson allegations are extremely serious, and the fallout will be important to our politics. In an era when trust in politics is a big problem, too many people will think “See? This is what politicians do.”
It’s hugely important to show that such apparent behaviour is very much not typical.
It’s hugely important to show that such apparent behaviour is very much not typical.
February 4, 2026 at 6:54 AM
The Mandelson allegations are extremely serious, and the fallout will be important to our politics. In an era when trust in politics is a big problem, too many people will think “See? This is what politicians do.”
It’s hugely important to show that such apparent behaviour is very much not typical.
It’s hugely important to show that such apparent behaviour is very much not typical.
I’ve now added a good 7,000 words to this total (well, I hope they’re good), and submitted the manuscript. 🎉
In other news, I’ve somehow become fully nocturnal, have only just woken up, and am not wholly sure what day it is or who I am.
🦉😵💫
In other news, I’ve somehow become fully nocturnal, have only just woken up, and am not wholly sure what day it is or who I am.
🦉😵💫
Well.
A few months ago I had what seemed like an impossible task: write my next book, to a wordcount of around 100,000, by the end of January.
It is now just after midnight on 1st February, and after a very long day my magical Excel totaliser tells me...
I'VE DONE IT!*
*(some caveats apply)
A few months ago I had what seemed like an impossible task: write my next book, to a wordcount of around 100,000, by the end of January.
It is now just after midnight on 1st February, and after a very long day my magical Excel totaliser tells me...
I'VE DONE IT!*
*(some caveats apply)
February 3, 2026 at 4:01 PM
I’ve now added a good 7,000 words to this total (well, I hope they’re good), and submitted the manuscript. 🎉
In other news, I’ve somehow become fully nocturnal, have only just woken up, and am not wholly sure what day it is or who I am.
🦉😵💫
In other news, I’ve somehow become fully nocturnal, have only just woken up, and am not wholly sure what day it is or who I am.
🦉😵💫
Well.
A few months ago I had what seemed like an impossible task: write my next book, to a wordcount of around 100,000, by the end of January.
It is now just after midnight on 1st February, and after a very long day my magical Excel totaliser tells me...
I'VE DONE IT!*
*(some caveats apply)
A few months ago I had what seemed like an impossible task: write my next book, to a wordcount of around 100,000, by the end of January.
It is now just after midnight on 1st February, and after a very long day my magical Excel totaliser tells me...
I'VE DONE IT!*
*(some caveats apply)
February 1, 2026 at 12:18 AM
Well.
A few months ago I had what seemed like an impossible task: write my next book, to a wordcount of around 100,000, by the end of January.
It is now just after midnight on 1st February, and after a very long day my magical Excel totaliser tells me...
I'VE DONE IT!*
*(some caveats apply)
A few months ago I had what seemed like an impossible task: write my next book, to a wordcount of around 100,000, by the end of January.
It is now just after midnight on 1st February, and after a very long day my magical Excel totaliser tells me...
I'VE DONE IT!*
*(some caveats apply)
I think I’d find it pretty easy to decide who to vote out on #TheTraitors:
“I’m sorry, [X], I’ve written your name down. Obviously we have no actual evidence of anything, but I just heard you say ‘yourself’ instead of ‘you’, during this roundtable and I honestly can’t let that go unpunished.”
“I’m sorry, [X], I’ve written your name down. Obviously we have no actual evidence of anything, but I just heard you say ‘yourself’ instead of ‘you’, during this roundtable and I honestly can’t let that go unpunished.”
January 22, 2026 at 9:20 PM
I think I’d find it pretty easy to decide who to vote out on #TheTraitors:
“I’m sorry, [X], I’ve written your name down. Obviously we have no actual evidence of anything, but I just heard you say ‘yourself’ instead of ‘you’, during this roundtable and I honestly can’t let that go unpunished.”
“I’m sorry, [X], I’ve written your name down. Obviously we have no actual evidence of anything, but I just heard you say ‘yourself’ instead of ‘you’, during this roundtable and I honestly can’t let that go unpunished.”
This morning in the shower I was struck by inspiration for a brilliant (I thought) metaphor for the current chapter. Worried it might vanish before I could write it down, I dictated it into my phone.
Dictating prose from your bathroom is very Churchillian. 🛁 ✌️
Dictating prose from your bathroom is very Churchillian. 🛁 ✌️
January 21, 2026 at 10:33 AM
This morning in the shower I was struck by inspiration for a brilliant (I thought) metaphor for the current chapter. Worried it might vanish before I could write it down, I dictated it into my phone.
Dictating prose from your bathroom is very Churchillian. 🛁 ✌️
Dictating prose from your bathroom is very Churchillian. 🛁 ✌️
In other news…
Last night I appeared on stage with Sir Derek Jacobi. 🤩
Was absolutely delighted, as Chair of Trustees of Greenwich Theatre, to welcome him back to our stage (on which he first performed in 1971) for a glorious fundraising event with his husband Richard Clifford. They were lovely.
Last night I appeared on stage with Sir Derek Jacobi. 🤩
Was absolutely delighted, as Chair of Trustees of Greenwich Theatre, to welcome him back to our stage (on which he first performed in 1971) for a glorious fundraising event with his husband Richard Clifford. They were lovely.
January 20, 2026 at 8:24 AM
In other news…
Last night I appeared on stage with Sir Derek Jacobi. 🤩
Was absolutely delighted, as Chair of Trustees of Greenwich Theatre, to welcome him back to our stage (on which he first performed in 1971) for a glorious fundraising event with his husband Richard Clifford. They were lovely.
Last night I appeared on stage with Sir Derek Jacobi. 🤩
Was absolutely delighted, as Chair of Trustees of Greenwich Theatre, to welcome him back to our stage (on which he first performed in 1971) for a glorious fundraising event with his husband Richard Clifford. They were lovely.
Whenever I emerge briefly from my writing purdah to see what’s going on in the news I really wish I hadn’t.
In a couple of weeks I’m going to hit “send”, smile in satisfaction and start to reconnect with the world, which I very much hope will still be there at that point.
In a couple of weeks I’m going to hit “send”, smile in satisfaction and start to reconnect with the world, which I very much hope will still be there at that point.
January 18, 2026 at 10:08 AM
Whenever I emerge briefly from my writing purdah to see what’s going on in the news I really wish I hadn’t.
In a couple of weeks I’m going to hit “send”, smile in satisfaction and start to reconnect with the world, which I very much hope will still be there at that point.
In a couple of weeks I’m going to hit “send”, smile in satisfaction and start to reconnect with the world, which I very much hope will still be there at that point.
I received two- TWO! - sales calls before 9am this morning, after stupidly complying with the demand on a website to enter my contact details when browsing for business services yesterday.
As I was up working until 2am, this was not exactly how I wanted to start the day. 😒
As I was up working until 2am, this was not exactly how I wanted to start the day. 😒
January 15, 2026 at 9:08 AM
I received two- TWO! - sales calls before 9am this morning, after stupidly complying with the demand on a website to enter my contact details when browsing for business services yesterday.
As I was up working until 2am, this was not exactly how I wanted to start the day. 😒
As I was up working until 2am, this was not exactly how I wanted to start the day. 😒
I really haven’t got my head around the extent to which people - apparently lots of people- are regularly using regurgitative AI to write things for them. It only dawned on me the other day why so many LinkedIn posts seem so oddly contrived and artificial. Now I keep looked suspiciously all around.
a man in a suit and tie is saying `` sometimes i don t know what is real '' .
ALT: a man in a suit and tie is saying `` sometimes i don t know what is real '' .
media.tenor.com
January 14, 2026 at 10:29 AM
I really haven’t got my head around the extent to which people - apparently lots of people- are regularly using regurgitative AI to write things for them. It only dawned on me the other day why so many LinkedIn posts seem so oddly contrived and artificial. Now I keep looked suspiciously all around.
One of our (supposedly “smart”) TVs abjectly refuses to recognise my iPhone or iPad for screen mirroring purposes. We have another TV that does, but it’s in another room, and I abjectly refuse to move from the warm comfy room I’m in.
We have a standoff situation.
We have a standoff situation.
a man in a suit and tie is pointing at another man in a white shirt
ALT: a man in a suit and tie is pointing at another man in a white shirt
media.tenor.com
January 13, 2026 at 11:02 PM
One of our (supposedly “smart”) TVs abjectly refuses to recognise my iPhone or iPad for screen mirroring purposes. We have another TV that does, but it’s in another room, and I abjectly refuse to move from the warm comfy room I’m in.
We have a standoff situation.
We have a standoff situation.
Grateful for all those who have included me in starter packs, and to new followers for stopping by. I will have some interesting history and other content for you to enjoy or ignore this year- but this month I’m deep in essay crisis for my book, so posting will be sporadic (and/or dull)…
January 12, 2026 at 10:10 AM
Grateful for all those who have included me in starter packs, and to new followers for stopping by. I will have some interesting history and other content for you to enjoy or ignore this year- but this month I’m deep in essay crisis for my book, so posting will be sporadic (and/or dull)…
Are we having another influx of ex-Xers? Because I’ve just had a boost in followers, and I don’t know why. (Part of me had a panicked flash of “Oh heck, what have I said now?”)
Anyway, you’re all very welcome.
Come for the cats and cake, stay for the wry historical/constitutional musings.
Anyway, you’re all very welcome.
Come for the cats and cake, stay for the wry historical/constitutional musings.
January 10, 2026 at 11:45 PM
Are we having another influx of ex-Xers? Because I’ve just had a boost in followers, and I don’t know why. (Part of me had a panicked flash of “Oh heck, what have I said now?”)
Anyway, you’re all very welcome.
Come for the cats and cake, stay for the wry historical/constitutional musings.
Anyway, you’re all very welcome.
Come for the cats and cake, stay for the wry historical/constitutional musings.
“And where the heck have you been?”
The sight that greeted me on walking through the front door.
Ah, the judgement of cats.
The sight that greeted me on walking through the front door.
Ah, the judgement of cats.
January 10, 2026 at 11:20 PM
“And where the heck have you been?”
The sight that greeted me on walking through the front door.
Ah, the judgement of cats.
The sight that greeted me on walking through the front door.
Ah, the judgement of cats.
The new office setup is definitely having a positive impact. Another 3,000-word day yesterday (though I’m staying up later and becoming slowly nocturnal). The current chapter is now over 10,000 words, which might need cutting. But that’s for the editing stage. For now, ONWARDS!
#authorlife
#authorlife
Today was a 3,000-word day, and I'm not even done yet. Coming back to my keyboard after the Traitors...
#smug
#smug
kermit the frog is typing on a typewriter .
ALT: kermit the frog is typing on a typewriter .
media.tenor.com
January 10, 2026 at 11:21 AM
The new office setup is definitely having a positive impact. Another 3,000-word day yesterday (though I’m staying up later and becoming slowly nocturnal). The current chapter is now over 10,000 words, which might need cutting. But that’s for the editing stage. For now, ONWARDS!
#authorlife
#authorlife
Today was a 3,000-word day, and I'm not even done yet. Coming back to my keyboard after the Traitors...
#smug
#smug
kermit the frog is typing on a typewriter .
ALT: kermit the frog is typing on a typewriter .
media.tenor.com
January 8, 2026 at 7:01 PM
Today was a 3,000-word day, and I'm not even done yet. Coming back to my keyboard after the Traitors...
#smug
#smug
Update: I’ve now flipped the whole setup the other way after my husband said it’s bad feng shui to have your back to the door. I now have DEFINITIVELY the best layout, putting my desk in the “command position” facing the door. I now need someone to knock so I can do the CJ/ Reggie Perrin routine:
January 7, 2026 at 4:20 PM
Update: I’ve now flipped the whole setup the other way after my husband said it’s bad feng shui to have your back to the door. I now have DEFINITIVELY the best layout, putting my desk in the “command position” facing the door. I now need someone to knock so I can do the CJ/ Reggie Perrin routine:
Right, #DoctorWho people- I need your help.
I’ve just glanced over at my Eaglemoss line-up and it troubles me that I don’t have a Ncuti Gatwa figure to complete the line-up. Has anyone produced one? (I know the company went bust).
I’ve just glanced over at my Eaglemoss line-up and it troubles me that I don’t have a Ncuti Gatwa figure to complete the line-up. Has anyone produced one? (I know the company went bust).
January 7, 2026 at 10:26 AM
Right, #DoctorWho people- I need your help.
I’ve just glanced over at my Eaglemoss line-up and it troubles me that I don’t have a Ncuti Gatwa figure to complete the line-up. Has anyone produced one? (I know the company went bust).
I’ve just glanced over at my Eaglemoss line-up and it troubles me that I don’t have a Ncuti Gatwa figure to complete the line-up. Has anyone produced one? (I know the company went bust).
Latest constructive procrastination update: I’ve moved my office around - again- so I can see out the window from my desk. And I’ve decided I need a writing slope.
January 7, 2026 at 10:15 AM
Latest constructive procrastination update: I’ve moved my office around - again- so I can see out the window from my desk. And I’ve decided I need a writing slope.
OK, it’s Twelfth Night, and this all needs to be eaten.
Them’s the rules. 🍰
Them’s the rules. 🍰
January 5, 2026 at 9:05 PM
OK, it’s Twelfth Night, and this all needs to be eaten.
Them’s the rules. 🍰
Them’s the rules. 🍰
Our cottage is still looking unfeasibly pretty in the snow, but-as I’m told that doxing yourself by plastering photos of your actual house online is generally a bad idea, you’ll just have to believe me on that.
But put it this way- I watched The Holiday at the weekend and… yep, we’re prettier.
But put it this way- I watched The Holiday at the weekend and… yep, we’re prettier.
January 5, 2026 at 5:05 PM
Our cottage is still looking unfeasibly pretty in the snow, but-as I’m told that doxing yourself by plastering photos of your actual house online is generally a bad idea, you’ll just have to believe me on that.
But put it this way- I watched The Holiday at the weekend and… yep, we’re prettier.
But put it this way- I watched The Holiday at the weekend and… yep, we’re prettier.
It SNOWED! And we live in a country cottage now, so it seems I’ve woken up in a Hallmark Christmas movie.
January 2, 2026 at 12:07 PM
It SNOWED! And we live in a country cottage now, so it seems I’ve woken up in a Hallmark Christmas movie.
I’ve just been told off for being too smug, having said from series one of #TheTraitors that it needs an element where we as the audience also have to guess along.
This is going to be fun.
This is going to be fun.
January 1, 2026 at 9:24 PM
I’ve just been told off for being too smug, having said from series one of #TheTraitors that it needs an element where we as the audience also have to guess along.
This is going to be fun.
This is going to be fun.
Anyway, Happy New Year, everyone. Hope 2026 brings you all you desire.
Or at least just enough of it to make you reasonably happy without becoming unbearably smug.
Or at least just enough of it to make you reasonably happy without becoming unbearably smug.
December 31, 2025 at 11:53 PM
Anyway, Happy New Year, everyone. Hope 2026 brings you all you desire.
Or at least just enough of it to make you reasonably happy without becoming unbearably smug.
Or at least just enough of it to make you reasonably happy without becoming unbearably smug.