Simon Pease
@simonpease.bsky.social
Former UK diplomat. Neglectful gardener, baker, and maker. There is one planet. We pass through and are supposed to take care of it. Politics, as well as random observations on other stuff. No unsolicited DMs.
Pinned
Simon Pease
@simonpease.bsky.social
· Dec 2
Human beings are capable of believing two things which are mutually contradictory at the same time, without realising it.
Reposted by Simon Pease
* Starmer’s budget balm keeps the troops docile
* Susie Dent gifts us ‘quockerwodger’ – take your pick
* Bishop of Norwich out-preaches the Home Office
* Reform’s polling bubble looks like it’s leaking
Pecksniff's Diary
eastangliabylines.co.uk/pecksniff/pe...
* Susie Dent gifts us ‘quockerwodger’ – take your pick
* Bishop of Norwich out-preaches the Home Office
* Reform’s polling bubble looks like it’s leaking
Pecksniff's Diary
eastangliabylines.co.uk/pecksniff/pe...
Pecksniff : A budget to save Starmer and Reeves, though they were never in present danger
In which Mr Pecksniff lays before his readers for their approval certain observations and speculations reflecting on the political life
eastangliabylines.co.uk
November 29, 2025 at 3:00 PM
* Starmer’s budget balm keeps the troops docile
* Susie Dent gifts us ‘quockerwodger’ – take your pick
* Bishop of Norwich out-preaches the Home Office
* Reform’s polling bubble looks like it’s leaking
Pecksniff's Diary
eastangliabylines.co.uk/pecksniff/pe...
* Susie Dent gifts us ‘quockerwodger’ – take your pick
* Bishop of Norwich out-preaches the Home Office
* Reform’s polling bubble looks like it’s leaking
Pecksniff's Diary
eastangliabylines.co.uk/pecksniff/pe...
Reposted by Simon Pease
Hey! Well done everyone🥂
Now let’s watch them studiously ignore us. As if exposing the selling out of our democracy is an unnecessary distraction, rather than critical to our national wellbeing…
Now let’s watch them studiously ignore us. As if exposing the selling out of our democracy is an unnecessary distraction, rather than critical to our national wellbeing…
November 29, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Hey! Well done everyone🥂
Now let’s watch them studiously ignore us. As if exposing the selling out of our democracy is an unnecessary distraction, rather than critical to our national wellbeing…
Now let’s watch them studiously ignore us. As if exposing the selling out of our democracy is an unnecessary distraction, rather than critical to our national wellbeing…
Reposted by Simon Pease
Why wouldn’t you want to know? What have you got to fear? Losing your precious Brexit? Being revealed as a traitor and a liar?
Surely, anyone decent and honest who genuinely cares about our country and our democracy has nothing to lose from this. So, sign up.
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Surely, anyone decent and honest who genuinely cares about our country and our democracy has nothing to lose from this. So, sign up.
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Petition: Call a public inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics & democracy
We are concerned about reported efforts from Russia to influence democracy in the US, UK, Europe and elsewhere. We believe we must establish the depth and breadth of possible Russian influence campaig...
petition.parliament.uk
November 28, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Why wouldn’t you want to know? What have you got to fear? Losing your precious Brexit? Being revealed as a traitor and a liar?
Surely, anyone decent and honest who genuinely cares about our country and our democracy has nothing to lose from this. So, sign up.
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Surely, anyone decent and honest who genuinely cares about our country and our democracy has nothing to lose from this. So, sign up.
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Reposted by Simon Pease
We have painful past experience of their ‘consider’ nonsense. On Brexit in particular. But Russian influence in our politics. Come the fuck on. How can exposing that be a bad thing?
a man in a green and blue jacket stands next to another man
Alt: a man in a green and blue jacket does cursory security checks on men walking into a football match
media.tenor.com
November 29, 2025 at 4:32 PM
We have painful past experience of their ‘consider’ nonsense. On Brexit in particular. But Russian influence in our politics. Come the fuck on. How can exposing that be a bad thing?
Reposted by Simon Pease
Scandalously corrupt. Any US firm that gets involved in such a deal will deserve to have sanctions imposed on it in Europe, since it will be helping Putin to rebuild his economy & his forces for their next attack.
1/ The Wall Street Journal reports that the main focus of the US-Russia peace talks is to get commercial advantage for American companies, and personal benefits for individuals linked to the Trump Administration. European officials are said to be shocked by the plans. ⬇️
November 29, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Scandalously corrupt. Any US firm that gets involved in such a deal will deserve to have sanctions imposed on it in Europe, since it will be helping Putin to rebuild his economy & his forces for their next attack.
Reposted by Simon Pease
Just because it's reached the 100,000 threshold, doesn't mean anything will happen.
So keep signing and sharing, because we need to show MPs that there's a huge demand.
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
So keep signing and sharing, because we need to show MPs that there's a huge demand.
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Petition: Call a public inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics & democracy
We are concerned about reported efforts from Russia to influence democracy in the US, UK, Europe and elsewhere. We believe we must establish the depth and breadth of possible Russian influence campaig...
petition.parliament.uk
November 29, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Just because it's reached the 100,000 threshold, doesn't mean anything will happen.
So keep signing and sharing, because we need to show MPs that there's a huge demand.
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
So keep signing and sharing, because we need to show MPs that there's a huge demand.
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Reposted by Simon Pease
Taking the puppy for an evening walk
November 29, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Taking the puppy for an evening walk
Reposted by Simon Pease
I wonder which British newspaper is the most dishonest.
The Mail seems too editorially thick to win that prize. It howls out its hypocrisy with its absurd headlines.
My vote would be for The Times. A deeply sly operation that uses its ‘paper of record’ reputation as cover for its far right agenda.
The Mail seems too editorially thick to win that prize. It howls out its hypocrisy with its absurd headlines.
My vote would be for The Times. A deeply sly operation that uses its ‘paper of record’ reputation as cover for its far right agenda.
November 29, 2025 at 11:37 AM
I wonder which British newspaper is the most dishonest.
The Mail seems too editorially thick to win that prize. It howls out its hypocrisy with its absurd headlines.
My vote would be for The Times. A deeply sly operation that uses its ‘paper of record’ reputation as cover for its far right agenda.
The Mail seems too editorially thick to win that prize. It howls out its hypocrisy with its absurd headlines.
My vote would be for The Times. A deeply sly operation that uses its ‘paper of record’ reputation as cover for its far right agenda.
Reposted by Simon Pease
Lying in politics is wrong and should never be rewarded, says newspaper which pays Boris Johnson £1 million a year to be its star columnist
November 29, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Lying in politics is wrong and should never be rewarded, says newspaper which pays Boris Johnson £1 million a year to be its star columnist
Reposted by Simon Pease
'We have historically high welfare spending.' No we don't.
'We have a historically high proportion of working-age people not actually working.' No we don't.
'The number of Britons emigrating is skyrocketing.' No it isn't.
'We have a historically high proportion of working-age people not actually working.' No we don't.
'The number of Britons emigrating is skyrocketing.' No it isn't.
November 29, 2025 at 5:08 PM
'We have historically high welfare spending.' No we don't.
'We have a historically high proportion of working-age people not actually working.' No we don't.
'The number of Britons emigrating is skyrocketing.' No it isn't.
'We have a historically high proportion of working-age people not actually working.' No we don't.
'The number of Britons emigrating is skyrocketing.' No it isn't.
Reposted by Simon Pease
Excellent piece by @patrickwintour.bsky.social . "Europe has vowed to get its act together so often. Inertia, not Russia, may have become its own worst enemy". Failure of EU-UK talks on including the UK in SAFE programme of European defence procurement shows Europeans still don't realise danger.
The week Europe realised it stands alone against Russian expansionism
The week Europe realised it stands alone against Russian expansionism
Washington’s Putin-appeasing plan for peace in Ukraine has failed, but many heard death knell sounded for European reliance on US protection
www.theguardian.com
November 29, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Excellent piece by @patrickwintour.bsky.social . "Europe has vowed to get its act together so often. Inertia, not Russia, may have become its own worst enemy". Failure of EU-UK talks on including the UK in SAFE programme of European defence procurement shows Europeans still don't realise danger.
@alexproeu.bsky.social Congratulations on the response to your petition. I hope there are enough people in Parliament who will take this seriously.
November 29, 2025 at 5:37 PM
@alexproeu.bsky.social Congratulations on the response to your petition. I hope there are enough people in Parliament who will take this seriously.
Reposted by Simon Pease
BOOM!! 100,000 signatures! Now let’s have a date for the debate
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
November 29, 2025 at 5:17 PM
BOOM!! 100,000 signatures! Now let’s have a date for the debate
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Reposted by Simon Pease
Badenoch says she lost her faith because Elizabeth Fritzl's prayers for release weren't answered.
2008 Kemi B was in her late 20s, working in banking.
She became the Conservative MP for Saffron Walden in 2017. Tory Leader 7 yrs later.
Gave up God, found the Tories, rose quickly within the ranks.
2008 Kemi B was in her late 20s, working in banking.
She became the Conservative MP for Saffron Walden in 2017. Tory Leader 7 yrs later.
Gave up God, found the Tories, rose quickly within the ranks.
Kemi Badenoch speaks about her loss of faith
Leader of the Opposition tells the BBC that, after reading about Josef Fritzl case, it was “like someone blew out a candle”
www.churchtimes.co.uk
November 29, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Badenoch says she lost her faith because Elizabeth Fritzl's prayers for release weren't answered.
2008 Kemi B was in her late 20s, working in banking.
She became the Conservative MP for Saffron Walden in 2017. Tory Leader 7 yrs later.
Gave up God, found the Tories, rose quickly within the ranks.
2008 Kemi B was in her late 20s, working in banking.
She became the Conservative MP for Saffron Walden in 2017. Tory Leader 7 yrs later.
Gave up God, found the Tories, rose quickly within the ranks.
Reposted by Simon Pease
After a city councillor was charged with several child sexual abuse offences, council leaders stressed the seriousness of the situation and the need to protect residents.
eastangliabylines.co.uk/politics/jus...
eastangliabylines.co.uk/politics/jus...
Councillor charged with 26 child-related sexual offences
Councillor faces charges including rape, sexual activity with a child and making indecent images; allegations span 2021–2025
eastangliabylines.co.uk
November 29, 2025 at 8:00 AM
After a city councillor was charged with several child sexual abuse offences, council leaders stressed the seriousness of the situation and the need to protect residents.
eastangliabylines.co.uk/politics/jus...
eastangliabylines.co.uk/politics/jus...
Reposted by Simon Pease
Tory party reject.
And here he is apparently touting Russia’s propaganda for free.
What does that say about him?
bsky.app/profile/adam...
And here he is apparently touting Russia’s propaganda for free.
What does that say about him?
bsky.app/profile/adam...
Here's UKIP's former Scottish leader David Coburn, who has denied taking Russian bribes after being named in Whatsapp messages between Nathan Gill and a pawn of the Putin administration, being applauded by Gill for arguing against Ukraine's entry to the EU
November 28, 2025 at 10:47 PM
Tory party reject.
And here he is apparently touting Russia’s propaganda for free.
What does that say about him?
bsky.app/profile/adam...
And here he is apparently touting Russia’s propaganda for free.
What does that say about him?
bsky.app/profile/adam...
Reposted by Simon Pease
Very much enjoying this BBC article explaining how David Coburn, Nathan Gill’s fellow MEP who acted as an echo chamber for Gill’s Ukraine position, is now another bloody immigrant living in his “chateau in France” (but took no 🇷🇺 money)
His Wiki page is worth a read
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
His Wiki page is worth a read
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Former Brexit Party MEP denies taking payment from pro-Russian campaign
A prominent former MEP for Nigel Farage's old party denies taking bribes in a pro-Russian campaign.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 28, 2025 at 10:31 AM
Very much enjoying this BBC article explaining how David Coburn, Nathan Gill’s fellow MEP who acted as an echo chamber for Gill’s Ukraine position, is now another bloody immigrant living in his “chateau in France” (but took no 🇷🇺 money)
His Wiki page is worth a read
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
His Wiki page is worth a read
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Simon Pease
BOOM! Now over 90,000 signatures. Let’s get it to 100,000 and get this done!
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
November 28, 2025 at 11:04 PM
BOOM! Now over 90,000 signatures. Let’s get it to 100,000 and get this done!
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Reposted by Simon Pease
Takes a few seconds and this is definitely needed so please do your bit.
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Petition: Call a public inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics & democracy
We are concerned about reported efforts from Russia to influence democracy in the US, UK, Europe and elsewhere. We believe we must establish the depth and breadth of possible Russian influence campaig...
petition.parliament.uk
November 28, 2025 at 11:07 PM
Takes a few seconds and this is definitely needed so please do your bit.
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Reposted by Simon Pease
To put a finer point on this whole thing: "Two people with direct knowledge of the operation" — presumably uniformed military leaders — are accusing the U.S. Secretary of Defense of personally ordering specific war crimes. That's a historic accusation.
Textbook war crime/extrajudicial killing
"Two survivors were clinging to the smoldering wreck. The Special Operations commander overseeing the Sept. 2 attack ... ordered a second strike to comply with Hegseth’s instructions."
Report by @alexhorton.bsky.social @ellenwapo.bsky.social o.bsky.social
"Two survivors were clinging to the smoldering wreck. The Special Operations commander overseeing the Sept. 2 attack ... ordered a second strike to comply with Hegseth’s instructions."
Report by @alexhorton.bsky.social @ellenwapo.bsky.social o.bsky.social
November 29, 2025 at 12:36 AM
Reposted by Simon Pease
At least the kid will be trying to integrate, unlike Isabel Oakeshott.
November 29, 2025 at 6:39 AM
At least the kid will be trying to integrate, unlike Isabel Oakeshott.
Reposted by Simon Pease
Reposted by Simon Pease
- Budget first, Country second?
- Farage haunted by schoolyard spite and present day hubris
- Lib Dems daring to mention Brexit
Meanwhile the Bishop of Norwich brings moral clarity....
This and more in Pecksniff's Diary
- Farage haunted by schoolyard spite and present day hubris
- Lib Dems daring to mention Brexit
Meanwhile the Bishop of Norwich brings moral clarity....
This and more in Pecksniff's Diary
Pecksniff : A budget to save Starmer and Reeves, though they were never in present danger
In which Mr Pecksniff lays before his readers for their approval certain observations and speculations reflecting on the political life
eastangliabylines.co.uk
November 29, 2025 at 7:16 AM
- Budget first, Country second?
- Farage haunted by schoolyard spite and present day hubris
- Lib Dems daring to mention Brexit
Meanwhile the Bishop of Norwich brings moral clarity....
This and more in Pecksniff's Diary
- Farage haunted by schoolyard spite and present day hubris
- Lib Dems daring to mention Brexit
Meanwhile the Bishop of Norwich brings moral clarity....
This and more in Pecksniff's Diary
Reposted by Simon Pease
Public money. Poor contracts.
It's a story that's repeated too often...
Via BBC News
It's a story that's repeated too often...
Via BBC News
Waterbeach waste site problems costing council £100,000 a week
The Waterbeach facility needs significant investment to reduce emissions.
www.bbc.com
November 29, 2025 at 7:05 AM
Public money. Poor contracts.
It's a story that's repeated too often...
Via BBC News
It's a story that's repeated too often...
Via BBC News
Reposted by Simon Pease
Poorly written exit clauses, unforeseen circumstances, and haste in getting agreement of the corporate partner are often the downfall of public funded contracted obligations...
And short termism.
And short termism.
November 29, 2025 at 7:26 AM
Poorly written exit clauses, unforeseen circumstances, and haste in getting agreement of the corporate partner are often the downfall of public funded contracted obligations...
And short termism.
And short termism.