Seb Schmoller
@schmoller.net
Wrote/ran TUC courses for union reps. Led Sheffield College's educational IT. Led ALT. Did techish consulting. Now involved in Further/Adult Ed/School governance. Finishing a maths degree. Walking a Border Collie.
Politics, outdoors, cycling, Sheffield.
Politics, outdoors, cycling, Sheffield.
Pinned
From Sheffield's Meersbrook Park this evening, looking out over the City towards the Hallamshire Hospital.
Reposted by Seb Schmoller
'Him and his minions would be hanging outside Jewish prayers.'
'Banter doesn't exist if you're not friends with that person.'
Stefan Benarroch explains his interactions with Nigel Farage at school, and what he has made of the Reform leader’s response to the allegations.
@natashadevon.bsky.social
'Banter doesn't exist if you're not friends with that person.'
Stefan Benarroch explains his interactions with Nigel Farage at school, and what he has made of the Reform leader’s response to the allegations.
@natashadevon.bsky.social
December 6, 2025 at 7:25 PM
'Him and his minions would be hanging outside Jewish prayers.'
'Banter doesn't exist if you're not friends with that person.'
Stefan Benarroch explains his interactions with Nigel Farage at school, and what he has made of the Reform leader’s response to the allegations.
@natashadevon.bsky.social
'Banter doesn't exist if you're not friends with that person.'
Stefan Benarroch explains his interactions with Nigel Farage at school, and what he has made of the Reform leader’s response to the allegations.
@natashadevon.bsky.social
Reposted by Seb Schmoller
Marwan Barghouti's lawyer Ben Marmarelli: there are reports that Barghouti was badly assaulted in prison, they "broke his ribs, teeth, fingers and cut part of his ear". Israeli Prison Service refused to comment or let the lawyer meet with him.
December 6, 2025 at 10:08 PM
Marwan Barghouti's lawyer Ben Marmarelli: there are reports that Barghouti was badly assaulted in prison, they "broke his ribs, teeth, fingers and cut part of his ear". Israeli Prison Service refused to comment or let the lawyer meet with him.
Reposted by Seb Schmoller
A Common Buzzard over the lower reclaimed waste tip by Sheffield's Gleadless Valley Estate.
December 6, 2025 at 11:14 AM
A Common Buzzard over the lower reclaimed waste tip by Sheffield's Gleadless Valley Estate.
This post by @ldfreedman.bsky.social is exceptionally detailed and informative.
Trump wants to move to next stage of Gaza peace plan. Key issue is the formation of the International Stabilisation Force, which Israel demands must fully disarm Hamas but to which no one will contribute if asked to try. All in new post (£/free trial), samf.substack.com/p/what-happe...
What happened to the Gaza peace plan?
Getting to the next stage
samf.substack.com
December 6, 2025 at 12:25 PM
This post by @ldfreedman.bsky.social is exceptionally detailed and informative.
A Common Buzzard over the lower reclaimed waste tip by Sheffield's Gleadless Valley Estate.
December 6, 2025 at 11:14 AM
A Common Buzzard over the lower reclaimed waste tip by Sheffield's Gleadless Valley Estate.
Reposted by Seb Schmoller
December 5, 2025 at 8:07 AM
Reposted by Seb Schmoller
Thank God for Bluesky: A little love letter to the people who would not compromise with Nazis iandunt.substack.com/p/thank-god-...
Thank God for Bluesky
Yes, it's eager. Yes, it's censorious. But it has the very considerable advantage of not being fascist.
iandunt.substack.com
December 5, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Thank God for Bluesky: A little love letter to the people who would not compromise with Nazis iandunt.substack.com/p/thank-god-...
"Looks set to begin to turn the tide on child poverty".
The Government’s Child Poverty Strategy published today is the first we’ve seen for 11 years – which in itself is a sea change. 🧵 👇
December 5, 2025 at 1:04 PM
"Looks set to begin to turn the tide on child poverty".
Reposted by Seb Schmoller
"... pedantically scrutinising what Reeves did when she was 14, all the sheer absurdity and oil tankers of bile shows they're not content to box Labour in politically, but would rather this party, this interloper in their politics, be squeezed out for good."
Delegitimating Labour
Not only are the right wing press in this country poisonous, they're petty-minded. Their latest victim is Rachel Reeves. The story, in case ...
averypublicsociologist.blogspot.com
December 5, 2025 at 12:11 PM
"... pedantically scrutinising what Reeves did when she was 14, all the sheer absurdity and oil tankers of bile shows they're not content to box Labour in politically, but would rather this party, this interloper in their politics, be squeezed out for good."
Reposted by Seb Schmoller
Antisemitism is the deepest, oldest hatred, the first and most reliable sign that something is very wrong with any society. Historians of the c20th have a special duty to speak out about it. If what we're told is true Farage must never hold any power at all.
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/amp/entry/ho...
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/amp/entry/ho...
Holocaust Survivors Urge Nigel Farage To Apologise Amid Antisemitism Allegations
"Praising Hitler, mocking gas chambers, or hurling racist abuse is not banter."
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk
December 5, 2025 at 11:48 AM
Antisemitism is the deepest, oldest hatred, the first and most reliable sign that something is very wrong with any society. Historians of the c20th have a special duty to speak out about it. If what we're told is true Farage must never hold any power at all.
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/amp/entry/ho...
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/amp/entry/ho...
Reposted by Seb Schmoller
Govt’s child poverty strategy today a genuine accomplishment - Starmer putting his money where his mouth is.
Beyond 2 child limit reversal there’s changes to childcare for the poorest, child maintenance reforms & more. Will make a tangible difference to millions.
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Beyond 2 child limit reversal there’s changes to childcare for the poorest, child maintenance reforms & more. Will make a tangible difference to millions.
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Over half a million children to be lifted out of poverty as government unveils historic child poverty strategy
Around 550,000 children will be lifted out of poverty by 2030 – the biggest reduction in a single parliament since records began – as the Government launches its Child Poverty Strategy today (Friday 5...
www.gov.uk
December 5, 2025 at 9:12 AM
Govt’s child poverty strategy today a genuine accomplishment - Starmer putting his money where his mouth is.
Beyond 2 child limit reversal there’s changes to childcare for the poorest, child maintenance reforms & more. Will make a tangible difference to millions.
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Beyond 2 child limit reversal there’s changes to childcare for the poorest, child maintenance reforms & more. Will make a tangible difference to millions.
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Reposted by Seb Schmoller
This ongoing toxic discourse has multiple real-life, everyday consequences
It leads to the man sitting next to me on a bus not accepting I'm from Manchester as I have 'dark skin'
Declaring, while gesturing around the bus- 'you can fool all of them, but you can't fool me'
It permits open racism
It leads to the man sitting next to me on a bus not accepting I'm from Manchester as I have 'dark skin'
Declaring, while gesturing around the bus- 'you can fool all of them, but you can't fool me'
It permits open racism
GB News now broadcasting calls to remove the ethnic minority MPs from parliament
December 4, 2025 at 7:51 AM
This ongoing toxic discourse has multiple real-life, everyday consequences
It leads to the man sitting next to me on a bus not accepting I'm from Manchester as I have 'dark skin'
Declaring, while gesturing around the bus- 'you can fool all of them, but you can't fool me'
It permits open racism
It leads to the man sitting next to me on a bus not accepting I'm from Manchester as I have 'dark skin'
Declaring, while gesturing around the bus- 'you can fool all of them, but you can't fool me'
It permits open racism
I listened to this discussion just now. Definitely food for thought.
📢 Book launch this evening
In his latest book, @alanmanning4.bsky.social makes the case that while immigration policy will never satisfy everyone, that doesn’t mean it can’t be done much better.
Join Alan, @ruthcurtice.bsky.social & @stephenkb.bsky.social to discuss
Register👉 buff.ly/0jtepcy
In his latest book, @alanmanning4.bsky.social makes the case that while immigration policy will never satisfy everyone, that doesn’t mean it can’t be done much better.
Join Alan, @ruthcurtice.bsky.social & @stephenkb.bsky.social to discuss
Register👉 buff.ly/0jtepcy
December 4, 2025 at 6:15 PM
I listened to this discussion just now. Definitely food for thought.
Reposted by Seb Schmoller
"Simply removing juries without strengthening other parts of the criminal justice system would therefore be a false economy leading to a miscarriage of justice." From an excellent @prospectmagazine.co.uk piece by @davidallengreen.bsky.social:
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/th...
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/th...
Why juries matter
Jury trials should not be deleted without properly funding other parts of the criminal justice system
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
December 4, 2025 at 12:00 PM
"Simply removing juries without strengthening other parts of the criminal justice system would therefore be a false economy leading to a miscarriage of justice." From an excellent @prospectmagazine.co.uk piece by @davidallengreen.bsky.social:
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/th...
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/th...
Reposted by Seb Schmoller
Last year Sky News was rending its garments over Starmer's free eyeglasses: WHAT INFLUENCE DID LORD ALLI BUY?
Now, RefUK get £9m from a crypto bro, they have not one word about the donor's interests; just BRAVO NIGEL, barely concealed glee, and "what a huge boost... money goes where momentum is". 🤡
Now, RefUK get £9m from a crypto bro, they have not one word about the donor's interests; just BRAVO NIGEL, barely concealed glee, and "what a huge boost... money goes where momentum is". 🤡
December 4, 2025 at 12:49 PM
Last year Sky News was rending its garments over Starmer's free eyeglasses: WHAT INFLUENCE DID LORD ALLI BUY?
Now, RefUK get £9m from a crypto bro, they have not one word about the donor's interests; just BRAVO NIGEL, barely concealed glee, and "what a huge boost... money goes where momentum is". 🤡
Now, RefUK get £9m from a crypto bro, they have not one word about the donor's interests; just BRAVO NIGEL, barely concealed glee, and "what a huge boost... money goes where momentum is". 🤡
Reposted by Seb Schmoller
Made the mistake of reading this while drinking tea and very nearly ruined my keyboard.
www.economist.com/britain/2025... new guy just dropped
December 4, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Made the mistake of reading this while drinking tea and very nearly ruined my keyboard.
Reposted by Seb Schmoller
Key findings:
1 “Brexit has imposed a large & persistent cost…”
2 “… losses emerged gradually.…”
3 “Economists were roughly right on the magnitude…, but wrong on the timing. The forecast [4%]… turned out to be close to the actual loss after 5 years, but too optimistic about the longer run.”
1 “Brexit has imposed a large & persistent cost…”
2 “… losses emerged gradually.…”
3 “Economists were roughly right on the magnitude…, but wrong on the timing. The forecast [4%]… turned out to be close to the actual loss after 5 years, but too optimistic about the longer run.”
The economic impacts of Brexit: new research from my @kingscollegelondon.bsky.social colleague Paul Mizen et al brings together macro (top-down) and micro (bottom-up) evidence.
They find a large and persistent negative impact on GDP, output and productivity.
ukandeu.ac.uk/brexits-impa...
They find a large and persistent negative impact on GDP, output and productivity.
ukandeu.ac.uk/brexits-impa...
Brexit’s impact on the UK economy - UK in a changing Europe
Nicholas Bloom, Philip Bunn, Paul Mizen, Pawel Smietanka, and Gregory Thwaites argue that there is evidence that Brexit has had a large and persistent negative impact on GDP, output and productivity i...
ukandeu.ac.uk
December 4, 2025 at 12:32 PM
Key findings:
1 “Brexit has imposed a large & persistent cost…”
2 “… losses emerged gradually.…”
3 “Economists were roughly right on the magnitude…, but wrong on the timing. The forecast [4%]… turned out to be close to the actual loss after 5 years, but too optimistic about the longer run.”
1 “Brexit has imposed a large & persistent cost…”
2 “… losses emerged gradually.…”
3 “Economists were roughly right on the magnitude…, but wrong on the timing. The forecast [4%]… turned out to be close to the actual loss after 5 years, but too optimistic about the longer run.”
Reposted by Seb Schmoller
The star atop the tree of Capita ineptitude
December 4, 2025 at 12:15 PM
The star atop the tree of Capita ineptitude
Reposted by Seb Schmoller
Hardline slogans such as UK’s “smash the gangs” having opposite effect according to biggest piece of qualitative research involving interviews with 80,000 migrants and 458 smugglers
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
Hardline migration policies are fuelling people smuggling, report finds
As leaders try to break smugglers’ business model, research suggests strategy so far has had opposite effect
www.theguardian.com
December 4, 2025 at 10:47 AM
Hardline slogans such as UK’s “smash the gangs” having opposite effect according to biggest piece of qualitative research involving interviews with 80,000 migrants and 458 smugglers
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
"Simply removing juries without strengthening other parts of the criminal justice system would therefore be a false economy leading to a miscarriage of justice." From an excellent @prospectmagazine.co.uk piece by @davidallengreen.bsky.social:
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/th...
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/th...
Why juries matter
Jury trials should not be deleted without properly funding other parts of the criminal justice system
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
December 4, 2025 at 12:00 PM
"Simply removing juries without strengthening other parts of the criminal justice system would therefore be a false economy leading to a miscarriage of justice." From an excellent @prospectmagazine.co.uk piece by @davidallengreen.bsky.social:
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/th...
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/th...
Reposted by Seb Schmoller
Agree with @jomichell.bsky.social here.
My earlier piece: "The claim that that MMT means that a future government can dodge hard choices about how to pay for decent public services is just plain nonsense."
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/econom...
My earlier piece: "The claim that that MMT means that a future government can dodge hard choices about how to pay for decent public services is just plain nonsense."
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/econom...
December 3, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Agree with @jomichell.bsky.social here.
My earlier piece: "The claim that that MMT means that a future government can dodge hard choices about how to pay for decent public services is just plain nonsense."
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/econom...
My earlier piece: "The claim that that MMT means that a future government can dodge hard choices about how to pay for decent public services is just plain nonsense."
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/econom...
Reposted by Seb Schmoller
This is so good. This is the Englishness that I knew and loved.
December 4, 2025 at 7:07 AM
This is so good. This is the Englishness that I knew and loved.
Reposted by Seb Schmoller
GB News now broadcasting calls to remove the ethnic minority MPs from parliament
December 3, 2025 at 7:07 PM
GB News now broadcasting calls to remove the ethnic minority MPs from parliament
Reposted by Seb Schmoller
Makes me nostalgic for the days when we saw universities as key anchor institutions for driving regeneration.
December 3, 2025 at 8:55 AM
Makes me nostalgic for the days when we saw universities as key anchor institutions for driving regeneration.
Reposted by Seb Schmoller
Admirably restrained and persistent questioning of Andrew Milne by @sheffieldtribune.bsky.social's Daniel Timms:
youtu.be/ncJfWwERA_E?...
youtu.be/ncJfWwERA_E?...
We ask Andrew Milne 13 questions about his letters to homeowners
YouTube video by Sheffield Tribune
youtu.be
December 3, 2025 at 11:56 AM
Admirably restrained and persistent questioning of Andrew Milne by @sheffieldtribune.bsky.social's Daniel Timms:
youtu.be/ncJfWwERA_E?...
youtu.be/ncJfWwERA_E?...