Simon Bazalgette
@simonbazalgette.bsky.social
A few of my obsessions: Family, Brentford, The Fall, Horseracing, Roundhouse and leaving the world a better place. How hard can it be?
One of the great pioneering tracks of all time, can't wait for the King Tubby celebration at the Jazz Cafe next week,
🇺🇦 #NowPlaying on #BBC6Music's #LaurenLaverne
Augustus Pablo:
🎵 King Tubby Meets The Rockers Uptown
#6music #AugustusPablo
▶️ 🪄 Automagic 🔊 show 📻 playlist on Spotify
▶️ Song/Cover on #Bandcamp:
Augustus Pablo - King Tubby Meets The Rockers Uptown, by Various Artists
from the album Mission to Zion
metrobandcampltd.bandcamp.com
January 28, 2026 at 11:51 AM
One of the great pioneering tracks of all time, can't wait for the King Tubby celebration at the Jazz Cafe next week,
Reposted by Simon Bazalgette
The same people who said that the mass murder of children in schools was a sad but necessary price to enable citizens to bear arms and oppose tyranny are now saying that if you carry a gun it’s your fault if you’re murdered.
January 25, 2026 at 8:52 AM
The same people who said that the mass murder of children in schools was a sad but necessary price to enable citizens to bear arms and oppose tyranny are now saying that if you carry a gun it’s your fault if you’re murdered.
My favourite band, favourite comedian, favourite bassist!
👇🏼👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
STEWART LEE!
THE FALL!
STEVE HANLEY!
💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥
STEWART LEE!
THE FALL!
STEVE HANLEY!
💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥
January 22, 2026 at 3:38 PM
My favourite band, favourite comedian, favourite bassist!
Reposted by Simon Bazalgette
we hear so much about trans people from the British press yet so rarely hear from them - I'm really pleased this piece was commissioned, and will also be in the physical paper: www.thenewworld.co.uk/marie-le-con...
January 21, 2026 at 9:40 AM
we hear so much about trans people from the British press yet so rarely hear from them - I'm really pleased this piece was commissioned, and will also be in the physical paper: www.thenewworld.co.uk/marie-le-con...
Reposted by Simon Bazalgette
We are Christopher Isherwood, watching the violent racist authoritarian lawless scenes in the Berlin street below from our apartment window above.
Federal agents are pulling over off duty cops based on the color of their skin.
This is not a serious operation to enforce immigration law. It’s a performative show of force and it’s gotten way out of hand.
This is not a serious operation to enforce immigration law. It’s a performative show of force and it’s gotten way out of hand.
January 21, 2026 at 5:27 AM
We are Christopher Isherwood, watching the violent racist authoritarian lawless scenes in the Berlin street below from our apartment window above.
Reposted by Simon Bazalgette
Ex-Banshee John McKay is back after 40-odd years and can hardly believe how bad things have gotten for musicians… So if you’re a fan of independent artists, please please please consider buying their records and merch and going to their gigs! ❤️
January 20, 2026 at 7:20 PM
Ex-Banshee John McKay is back after 40-odd years and can hardly believe how bad things have gotten for musicians… So if you’re a fan of independent artists, please please please consider buying their records and merch and going to their gigs! ❤️
Reposted by Simon Bazalgette
Do not be surprised if in the first days of an incoming populist radical government there is an entire raft of statutory instruments and other measures prepared and ready to go, exploiting every gap in our constitutional arrangements.
And worryingly, as you highlight, it would be extremely naive for us to assume the well funded right wing “think tanks” haven’t already worked out exactly how to dismantle what protections remain at blitzkrieg speed, should they gain power.
January 15, 2026 at 7:39 PM
Do not be surprised if in the first days of an incoming populist radical government there is an entire raft of statutory instruments and other measures prepared and ready to go, exploiting every gap in our constitutional arrangements.
Reposted by Simon Bazalgette
This.
It’s all by design.
It’s all by design.
We need to make this more explicit: The violence and civil collapse we're now seeing in Minnesota is by design. It's exactly what Trump and Stephen Miller want. MAGA is *all about* deliberately unleashing ethnic hatreds and violent antagonisms among Americans.
newrepublic.com/article/2052...
newrepublic.com/article/2052...
January 15, 2026 at 4:34 PM
This.
It’s all by design.
It’s all by design.
Reposted by Simon Bazalgette
A little statistical tweak, so nobody can say "Ah, but.. "
Police fatal shootings per million of population
Canada 7.314
France 3. 396
Germany 1.189
Australia 1.920
UK 0.316
US 43.921
Police fatal shootings per million of population
Canada 7.314
France 3. 396
Germany 1.189
Australia 1.920
UK 0.316
US 43.921
January 12, 2026 at 8:27 AM
A little statistical tweak, so nobody can say "Ah, but.. "
Police fatal shootings per million of population
Canada 7.314
France 3. 396
Germany 1.189
Australia 1.920
UK 0.316
US 43.921
Police fatal shootings per million of population
Canada 7.314
France 3. 396
Germany 1.189
Australia 1.920
UK 0.316
US 43.921
Reposted by Simon Bazalgette
Nadim Zahawi arrived in the UK from Iraq as a child refugee. His family claimed asylum once they were here. Today he has joined Reform who will stop all in country asylum applications. Under his new party, his own family fleeing persecution would be immediately deported.
January 12, 2026 at 11:25 AM
Nadim Zahawi arrived in the UK from Iraq as a child refugee. His family claimed asylum once they were here. Today he has joined Reform who will stop all in country asylum applications. Under his new party, his own family fleeing persecution would be immediately deported.
Reposted by Simon Bazalgette
I do enjoy these CCHQ quotes: "Yes another of the people we promoted to extremely important roles is a grifting wanker."
A Tory spokesperson goes in two-footed: "Reform is fast becoming the party of has-been politicians looking for their next gravy train. Their latest recruit used to say he'd be 'frightened to live in a country' run by Nigel Farage, which shows the level of loyalty for sale."
Former Conservative cabinet minister Nadhim Zahawi has defected to Reform UK
Having served in numerous ministerial positions for successive prime ministers, his defection will likely be seen as the most high-profile yet
"Britain needs Nigel Farage as prime minister," he said on Monday morning
Having served in numerous ministerial positions for successive prime ministers, his defection will likely be seen as the most high-profile yet
"Britain needs Nigel Farage as prime minister," he said on Monday morning
January 12, 2026 at 12:02 PM
I do enjoy these CCHQ quotes: "Yes another of the people we promoted to extremely important roles is a grifting wanker."
Reposted by Simon Bazalgette
I call on my party and my government to remove themselves entirely from X and communicate with the public where they actually participate online and can be protected from such illegality.
January 8, 2026 at 12:31 PM
I call on my party and my government to remove themselves entirely from X and communicate with the public where they actually participate online and can be protected from such illegality.
As a centrist I've always found it helpful to challenge myself to understand and take on board why people come to different conclusions than me.
The decline of consistency and integrity on the right make it much harder to engage with.
So this resonated strongly with me.
The decline of consistency and integrity on the right make it much harder to engage with.
So this resonated strongly with me.
I have a piece on @bloomberg.com today about why the global collapse of the centre-right is the most important political trend of the past decade. And whether it can recover.
(Gift link)
eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3...
(Gift link)
eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3...
Embracing the Radical Right Is Killing Conservatism as We Knew It
Mainstream center-right parties in the US and Europe have chased populist voters — only to lose economic credibility and fracture their winning coalitions.
eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com
January 2, 2026 at 11:41 AM
As a centrist I've always found it helpful to challenge myself to understand and take on board why people come to different conclusions than me.
The decline of consistency and integrity on the right make it much harder to engage with.
So this resonated strongly with me.
The decline of consistency and integrity on the right make it much harder to engage with.
So this resonated strongly with me.
Always a highlight when the Gales play London, and a great excuse to support the Moth Club as well.
Back in business. Feb 2026
🎟️ www.thenightingales.org.uk/live
🎟️ www.thenightingales.org.uk/live
December 27, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Always a highlight when the Gales play London, and a great excuse to support the Moth Club as well.
What a great night this was, a lot of love for Johnny Green, MC'd brilliantly by his son Earl. Thanks @johncooperclarke.bsky.social, @richardhawley.bsky.social, Stewart Lee, Phil Jupitus, Mike Garry, @lukewrightpoet.bsky.social @freyabeer.bsky.social, Toria Garbutt and all involved.
December 6, 2025 at 8:12 PM
What a great night this was, a lot of love for Johnny Green, MC'd brilliantly by his son Earl. Thanks @johncooperclarke.bsky.social, @richardhawley.bsky.social, Stewart Lee, Phil Jupitus, Mike Garry, @lukewrightpoet.bsky.social @freyabeer.bsky.social, Toria Garbutt and all involved.
Reposted by Simon Bazalgette
Oh look. They’ve actually drawn a diagram for all the people stupid enough to need a bloody diagram.
Elon Musk and his Russian friends call for the abolishment of the EU
December 6, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Oh look. They’ve actually drawn a diagram for all the people stupid enough to need a bloody diagram.
For those of us interested and concerned with the Government's approach, I found this a helpful guide to the consultation process.
I am currently, because I know how to enjoy a Saturday morning, writing some guidance for people on filling this consultation in. As I do several things are highly apparent. Before I go through them though I don't want this to put people off of filling it in. It is important to do so nonetheless. 1/
Government has today published its consultation into "earned settlement", the forward alone contains a hot mess of misrepresentation of the current system by the Home Secretary. I would strongly urge anyone affected by the current system to respond.
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/691edd...
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/691edd...
November 23, 2025 at 1:37 PM
For those of us interested and concerned with the Government's approach, I found this a helpful guide to the consultation process.
Reposted by Simon Bazalgette
Fantasy numbers.
Many of those "EU nationals" claims he can cut benefits to *are already UK citizens*.
Almost all the rest are entitled to UK citizenship.
Idea this will save any significant sum is simply absurd.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Many of those "EU nationals" claims he can cut benefits to *are already UK citizens*.
Almost all the rest are entitled to UK citizenship.
Idea this will save any significant sum is simply absurd.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reform plans to strip EU citizens of benefit rights, says Farage
Leader Nigel Farage says his party would renegotiate the Brexit deal struck by the Tory government.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 18, 2025 at 1:53 PM
Fantasy numbers.
Many of those "EU nationals" claims he can cut benefits to *are already UK citizens*.
Almost all the rest are entitled to UK citizenship.
Idea this will save any significant sum is simply absurd.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Many of those "EU nationals" claims he can cut benefits to *are already UK citizens*.
Almost all the rest are entitled to UK citizenship.
Idea this will save any significant sum is simply absurd.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Join me in supporting the BBC to retain it status as one of the UK's most trusted institutions - that's what real patriots do!
38d.gs/cicq
38d.gs/cicq
Sign the petition: save our BBC: don't let the likes of Trump and his UK cronies meddle with our public broadcaster
🚨Our BBC is under attack 🚨 We can't let those that want to see it torn up & replaced by the likes of GBNews or Fox win. Sign the open letter now to demand the new BBC boss is someone that will protect...
38d.gs
November 17, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Join me in supporting the BBC to retain it status as one of the UK's most trusted institutions - that's what real patriots do!
38d.gs/cicq
38d.gs/cicq
One of the most worrying thing about the Trumpian wing of politics has been their attempts, quite often successful, to attack and corrupt independent institutions.
We need to defend the BBC, one of the most trusted institutions in the UK. It's far from perfect, but it's pretty bloody good!
We need to defend the BBC, one of the most trusted institutions in the UK. It's far from perfect, but it's pretty bloody good!
What you’re witnessing is a populist assault on the BBC.
This is not an institutional scandal in any meaningful sense of the word. It is an attack on public service broadcasting.
iandunt.substack.com/p/extra-edit...
This is not an institutional scandal in any meaningful sense of the word. It is an attack on public service broadcasting.
iandunt.substack.com/p/extra-edit...
November 10, 2025 at 1:02 PM
One of the most worrying thing about the Trumpian wing of politics has been their attempts, quite often successful, to attack and corrupt independent institutions.
We need to defend the BBC, one of the most trusted institutions in the UK. It's far from perfect, but it's pretty bloody good!
We need to defend the BBC, one of the most trusted institutions in the UK. It's far from perfect, but it's pretty bloody good!
Reposted by Simon Bazalgette
"Far from draining our welfare system, migrants are supporting the British state’s solvency."
New analysis by @lgilbert.co
ukandeu.ac.uk/lower-migrat...
New analysis by @lgilbert.co
ukandeu.ac.uk/lower-migrat...
November 7, 2025 at 8:17 AM
"Far from draining our welfare system, migrants are supporting the British state’s solvency."
New analysis by @lgilbert.co
ukandeu.ac.uk/lower-migrat...
New analysis by @lgilbert.co
ukandeu.ac.uk/lower-migrat...
Reposted by Simon Bazalgette
If you're a member of the National Trust remember to vote for council members by midnight tonight.
Use the Quick Vote option.
Entryist pressure group Reform Trust is trying to seize control. Stop them
Voting is quick and easy if your membership card is at hand
secure.cesvotes.com/V3-3-0/nt25/...
Use the Quick Vote option.
Entryist pressure group Reform Trust is trying to seize control. Stop them
Voting is quick and easy if your membership card is at hand
secure.cesvotes.com/V3-3-0/nt25/...
Log In
Welcome to the National Trust 2025 voting website, hosted by independent voting service provider Civica Election Services.
secure.cesvotes.com
October 31, 2025 at 2:19 PM
If you're a member of the National Trust remember to vote for council members by midnight tonight.
Use the Quick Vote option.
Entryist pressure group Reform Trust is trying to seize control. Stop them
Voting is quick and easy if your membership card is at hand
secure.cesvotes.com/V3-3-0/nt25/...
Use the Quick Vote option.
Entryist pressure group Reform Trust is trying to seize control. Stop them
Voting is quick and easy if your membership card is at hand
secure.cesvotes.com/V3-3-0/nt25/...
Reposted by Simon Bazalgette
Your daily reminder that the government continues to commercially support an individual who wants to destroy it through fascist violence.
Elon musk: ‘Civil war in Britain is inevitable. Just a question of when.’
October 29, 2025 at 8:10 AM
Your daily reminder that the government continues to commercially support an individual who wants to destroy it through fascist violence.
