Simon Ricketts
@simonicity.bsky.social
Ubiquitous planning lawyer.
Arts; culture; politics; simonicity blog.
Personal views.
Not much football because Saints FC.
Arts; culture; politics; simonicity blog.
Personal views.
Not much football because Saints FC.
Reposted by Simon Ricketts
How to convince UK gov that Bluesky is worth using?
Maybe follow some - or all - of these accounts ⬇️👍🏻
Maybe follow some - or all - of these accounts ⬇️👍🏻
So... I've created a starter pack of UK government organisations currently on Bluesky: go.bsky.app/JHsY1Wz
(Currently includes all those listed under ministerial and non-ministerial departments here www.gov.uk/government/o... - let me know any I've missed, or got wrong)
(Currently includes all those listed under ministerial and non-ministerial departments here www.gov.uk/government/o... - let me know any I've missed, or got wrong)
January 12, 2026 at 8:25 AM
How to convince UK gov that Bluesky is worth using?
Maybe follow some - or all - of these accounts ⬇️👍🏻
Maybe follow some - or all - of these accounts ⬇️👍🏻
Reflections on Marty Supreme: bit flashy, I think with some shots he could have more effectively just delicately dinked the ball over the net.
January 11, 2026 at 8:49 PM
Reflections on Marty Supreme: bit flashy, I think with some shots he could have more effectively just delicately dinked the ball over the net.
I don't want to be on any starter pack that would have me on their list.
January 10, 2026 at 10:43 PM
I don't want to be on any starter pack that would have me on their list.
USA is no longer the leader of the free world.
Because it is no longer part of the free world.
Gangsters.
Because it is no longer part of the free world.
Gangsters.
Posted by @liminalwarmth.bsky.social:
“Someone I personally know in Minneapolis posted this to Facebook a few hours ago. This isn’t what orderly law enforcement looks like. No charge, no location info? How do you even know citizens are getting due process here?”
“Someone I personally know in Minneapolis posted this to Facebook a few hours ago. This isn’t what orderly law enforcement looks like. No charge, no location info? How do you even know citizens are getting due process here?”
January 10, 2026 at 7:00 PM
USA is no longer the leader of the free world.
Because it is no longer part of the free world.
Gangsters.
Because it is no longer part of the free world.
Gangsters.
BBC1 now if you like seeing premier league teams humiliated. #macclesfield
January 10, 2026 at 1:44 PM
BBC1 now if you like seeing premier league teams humiliated. #macclesfield
January 10, 2026 at 9:19 AM
Reposted by Simon Ricketts
Anyone withnessing the chaos and barbarism of the untrained thugs masquerading as law officers for the last nine months understands ICE is raw human trash gathered into a lawless street gang. That's all. This isn't policing. It isn't legal enforcement. It's just incompetent, undisciplined terror.
January 7, 2026 at 10:21 PM
Anyone withnessing the chaos and barbarism of the untrained thugs masquerading as law officers for the last nine months understands ICE is raw human trash gathered into a lawless street gang. That's all. This isn't policing. It isn't legal enforcement. It's just incompetent, undisciplined terror.
I second that lack of emotion 🎵
At political cabinet today, Morgan McSweeney gave a presentation on “three Es” on how the government can connect with voters - emotion, empathy and evidence.
Am told he said the government currently has a “deficit in emotion”
Am told he said the government currently has a “deficit in emotion”
January 6, 2026 at 4:07 PM
I second that lack of emotion 🎵
Reposted by Simon Ricketts
‘It’s important the swimmers provide a counter-narrative’
January 5, 2026 at 7:19 PM
‘It’s important the swimmers provide a counter-narrative’
Reposted by Simon Ricketts
America’s Putin. And he’ll do to the US what Putin has done to Russia.
The ‘Putinization’ of US foreign policy has arrived in Venezuela
Trump is no longer bending the rules – he is demolishing them, with consequences far beyond Caracas
www.theguardian.com
January 3, 2026 at 5:26 PM
America’s Putin. And he’ll do to the US what Putin has done to Russia.
Oh what a surprise - supine reactions from liberal democracies to what Trump admits to be a unilateral intention to run another sovereign country - invasion - not to mention illegal kidnap of foreign subjects on foreign soil. And he just rambles on in this press conference with his vain nonsense.
Let’s face it, US constitution & any pretence of controls to prevent rogue presidency are completely crocked. Other world leaders need to be entirely clear as to utter illegality of his actions. Withdraw teams from sporting tournaments, cancel state visits. He’s on his own.
January 3, 2026 at 4:57 PM
Oh what a surprise - supine reactions from liberal democracies to what Trump admits to be a unilateral intention to run another sovereign country - invasion - not to mention illegal kidnap of foreign subjects on foreign soil. And he just rambles on in this press conference with his vain nonsense.
This weekend why not take down the Christmas decorations rather than the government of a sovereign foreign state?
January 3, 2026 at 10:20 AM
This weekend why not take down the Christmas decorations rather than the government of a sovereign foreign state?
Let’s face it, US constitution & any pretence of controls to prevent rogue presidency are completely crocked. Other world leaders need to be entirely clear as to utter illegality of his actions. Withdraw teams from sporting tournaments, cancel state visits. He’s on his own.
January 3, 2026 at 9:06 AM
Let’s face it, US constitution & any pretence of controls to prevent rogue presidency are completely crocked. Other world leaders need to be entirely clear as to utter illegality of his actions. Withdraw teams from sporting tournaments, cancel state visits. He’s on his own.
Reposted by Simon Ricketts
London in the good old days - before everyone's feet pointed forwards.
January 2, 2026 at 8:24 PM
London in the good old days - before everyone's feet pointed forwards.
Reposted by Simon Ricketts
From today’s Times. I’m of the view that going to the pub is good for you. A walk there and back, being sociable, maybe read a bit, nice cask ales to try. It really settles the mind.
January 1, 2026 at 2:49 PM
From today’s Times. I’m of the view that going to the pub is good for you. A walk there and back, being sociable, maybe read a bit, nice cask ales to try. It really settles the mind.
Various people rightly recommended this sobering start to the year. You can read it in an evening. May not sleep that night, mind you.
January 1, 2026 at 11:04 AM
Various people rightly recommended this sobering start to the year. You can read it in an evening. May not sleep that night, mind you.
Some themes to take for the here and now from this great book. The politics of governing a city that’s under financial pressure, under pressure from bullying business (Trump), with race, homelessness, health & social care issues always simmering. Nice analysis of the main NY protagonists 1986-1990.
December 31, 2025 at 10:05 AM
Some themes to take for the here and now from this great book. The politics of governing a city that’s under financial pressure, under pressure from bullying business (Trump), with race, homelessness, health & social care issues always simmering. Nice analysis of the main NY protagonists 1986-1990.
Ooh the Christmas present works. The Fox and Badger isn’t just a pub name then.
December 30, 2025 at 9:59 AM
Ooh the Christmas present works. The Fox and Badger isn’t just a pub name then.
Immense & inspirational record to blow away the cobwebs this morning. Bass up. ✊ 🔈
December 29, 2025 at 11:35 AM
Immense & inspirational record to blow away the cobwebs this morning. Bass up. ✊ 🔈
Reposted by Simon Ricketts
🚨🚨🚨
Episode 156 of 50 Shades of Planning is available now via this link or from the usual podcast platforms.
🏆The Planoraks Awards 2025🏆
pod.co/50-shades-of...
Episode 156 of 50 Shades of Planning is available now via this link or from the usual podcast platforms.
🏆The Planoraks Awards 2025🏆
pod.co/50-shades-of...
🏆The #Planoraks Awards 2025🏆 - 50 Shades of Planning
This is the second of Sam Stafford's seasonal offerings which serve as a review of another exciting year in the fast-paced, ever-changing, rock and roll world of town and country planning.
Once again...
pod.co
December 27, 2025 at 10:36 AM
🚨🚨🚨
Episode 156 of 50 Shades of Planning is available now via this link or from the usual podcast platforms.
🏆The Planoraks Awards 2025🏆
pod.co/50-shades-of...
Episode 156 of 50 Shades of Planning is available now via this link or from the usual podcast platforms.
🏆The Planoraks Awards 2025🏆
pod.co/50-shades-of...