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
Very good and persuasive analysis of the wrongful and illiberal arrests of two journalists by the US federal government.
Don Lemon and Georgia Fort have been released.
But the procedural history now emerging is unusual. Before the arrests, a federal magistrate judge found no probable cause to arrest them. The government appealed anyway.
Here’s why that matters—and what it signals more broadly.
But the procedural history now emerging is unusual. Before the arrests, a federal magistrate judge found no probable cause to arrest them. The government appealed anyway.
Here’s why that matters—and what it signals more broadly.
January 31, 2026 at 7:38 AM
Very good and persuasive analysis of the wrongful and illiberal arrests of two journalists by the US federal government.
A torrent of unsubstantiated claims does not, of course, confirm guilt. But the sheer volume might make you wonder why so many people think the accusations could be credible.
January 31, 2026 at 7:38 AM
A torrent of unsubstantiated claims does not, of course, confirm guilt. But the sheer volume might make you wonder why so many people think the accusations could be credible.
Reposted by Simon Pease
Pecksniff’s Diary :
* No.10 briefed the media that the NEC would block Andy Burnham before telling him. Catastrophic handling
* Reform UK boasted of canvassing Gorton and Denton, using a photo from the wrong seat
* Even now, it’s unclear whether Reform has a Clacton office at all.
* No.10 briefed the media that the NEC would block Andy Burnham before telling him. Catastrophic handling
* Reform UK boasted of canvassing Gorton and Denton, using a photo from the wrong seat
* Even now, it’s unclear whether Reform has a Clacton office at all.
Pecksniff: Rock star Burnham becomes stalking horse for what comes next
In which Mr Pecksniff lays before his readers for their approval certain observations and speculations reflecting on the political life
eastangliabylines.co.uk
January 31, 2026 at 7:18 AM
Pecksniff’s Diary :
* No.10 briefed the media that the NEC would block Andy Burnham before telling him. Catastrophic handling
* Reform UK boasted of canvassing Gorton and Denton, using a photo from the wrong seat
* Even now, it’s unclear whether Reform has a Clacton office at all.
* No.10 briefed the media that the NEC would block Andy Burnham before telling him. Catastrophic handling
* Reform UK boasted of canvassing Gorton and Denton, using a photo from the wrong seat
* Even now, it’s unclear whether Reform has a Clacton office at all.
Reposted by Simon Pease
“A proper Brexit”
What does that even mean?
The Express certainly can’t explain it. They haven’t got the first fucking clue. And the Brexiters who could explain it, won’t. Because people don’t want the ruinous, insecure, unsafe race to the bottom that it entails.
It’s a shitshow. Time to admit it.
What does that even mean?
The Express certainly can’t explain it. They haven’t got the first fucking clue. And the Brexiters who could explain it, won’t. Because people don’t want the ruinous, insecure, unsafe race to the bottom that it entails.
It’s a shitshow. Time to admit it.
January 30, 2026 at 10:54 PM
“A proper Brexit”
What does that even mean?
The Express certainly can’t explain it. They haven’t got the first fucking clue. And the Brexiters who could explain it, won’t. Because people don’t want the ruinous, insecure, unsafe race to the bottom that it entails.
It’s a shitshow. Time to admit it.
What does that even mean?
The Express certainly can’t explain it. They haven’t got the first fucking clue. And the Brexiters who could explain it, won’t. Because people don’t want the ruinous, insecure, unsafe race to the bottom that it entails.
It’s a shitshow. Time to admit it.
Reposted by Simon Pease
Tragic really. 10 years on. Rocking back and forth in its pungent prejudice-and-nostalgia-soaked corner, begging the architects of their precious Brexit to make - whatever their impossible fantasy was - come true.
It’s truly pathetic.
It’s truly pathetic.
Daily Express: NOW YOU MUST GIVE BRITAIN A PROPER BREXIT #TomorrowsPapersToday
January 30, 2026 at 10:35 PM
Tragic really. 10 years on. Rocking back and forth in its pungent prejudice-and-nostalgia-soaked corner, begging the architects of their precious Brexit to make - whatever their impossible fantasy was - come true.
It’s truly pathetic.
It’s truly pathetic.
Reposted by Simon Pease
Those emails don't prove anything.
I'm sure that once he arrived on Epstein's party island Elon Musk was exactly as discerning about the adulthood of those he sexualised as his AI image generator is.
I'm sure that once he arrived on Epstein's party island Elon Musk was exactly as discerning about the adulthood of those he sexualised as his AI image generator is.
January 31, 2026 at 12:51 AM
Those emails don't prove anything.
I'm sure that once he arrived on Epstein's party island Elon Musk was exactly as discerning about the adulthood of those he sexualised as his AI image generator is.
I'm sure that once he arrived on Epstein's party island Elon Musk was exactly as discerning about the adulthood of those he sexualised as his AI image generator is.
Reposted by Simon Pease
The BBC need to do better than letting panelists simply lie about what they said
bsky.app/profile/impl...
bsky.app/profile/impl...
Left: Konstantin Kisin denies calling Rishi Sunak a 'brown Hindu' on #BBCQT
Right: Konstantin Kisin, "He's a brown Hindu"
Right: Konstantin Kisin, "He's a brown Hindu"
January 30, 2026 at 4:22 PM
The BBC need to do better than letting panelists simply lie about what they said
bsky.app/profile/impl...
bsky.app/profile/impl...
Reposted by Simon Pease
Reposted by Simon Pease
I'm still slightly surprised the young haven't taken to the streets about this.
I left university in 2019 with £49,600 of debt. A few months later, I became an MP and have since received a salary that puts me in the top 5% in the country. 6 years on, the repayments from my salary have brought this total to down to £48,600 - just £1,000 less.
January 17, 2026 at 12:37 PM
I'm still slightly surprised the young haven't taken to the streets about this.
Reposted by Simon Pease
Well
Tommy Robinson posted "vote for Matt" - endorsing Matthew Goodwin, the Reform candidate in Denton and Gorton.
In 2018, Farage left UKIP due to the party's association with Tommy Robinson, also saying that this might work for an 'online figure' but could not work in party politics at all.
In 2018, Farage left UKIP due to the party's association with Tommy Robinson, also saying that this might work for an 'online figure' but could not work in party politics at all.
January 30, 2026 at 5:16 PM
Well
Reposted by Simon Pease
I know it is a total waste of time to even ask but what does a "proper Brexit“ look like?
Genuine question.
Genuine question.
January 30, 2026 at 9:50 PM
I know it is a total waste of time to even ask but what does a "proper Brexit“ look like?
Genuine question.
Genuine question.
Reposted by Simon Pease
Matt Goodwin and the end of England: How one man's career explains our public life iandunt.substack.com/p/matt-goodw...
Matt Goodwin and the end of England
How one man's career explains our public life.
iandunt.substack.com
January 30, 2026 at 12:10 PM
Matt Goodwin and the end of England: How one man's career explains our public life iandunt.substack.com/p/matt-goodw...
Reposted by Simon Pease
Very good summary, not just of the inadequate bore that is Goodwin, but of all the fascistic simpletons grubbing for influence, money and power in the extremist swamp. That’s everyone in Reform. All promoted to properly fuck things up for the rest of us.
January 30, 2026 at 8:03 PM
Very good summary, not just of the inadequate bore that is Goodwin, but of all the fascistic simpletons grubbing for influence, money and power in the extremist swamp. That’s everyone in Reform. All promoted to properly fuck things up for the rest of us.
Reposted by Simon Pease
All part of the absence of a story of the world or the economy behind this government. Engaging with all of the US, EU, and China is the right approach, but isn't obviously founded on solid thinking as to why.
A cross-party failing since 2016. What is the UK to be?
A cross-party failing since 2016. What is the UK to be?
January 30, 2026 at 1:26 PM
All part of the absence of a story of the world or the economy behind this government. Engaging with all of the US, EU, and China is the right approach, but isn't obviously founded on solid thinking as to why.
A cross-party failing since 2016. What is the UK to be?
A cross-party failing since 2016. What is the UK to be?
Reposted by Simon Pease
What took you, RCP?
#Xodus: Royal College of Physicians leaves X
“we cannot overlook the normalisation of unacceptable online behaviour. Council members agreed that we should stop posting on X with immediate effect.”
@rcphysicians.bsky.social
www.rcplondon.ac.uk/news-and-med....
“we cannot overlook the normalisation of unacceptable online behaviour. Council members agreed that we should stop posting on X with immediate effect.”
@rcphysicians.bsky.social
www.rcplondon.ac.uk/news-and-med....
RCP to stop X activity following Council review
www.rcplondon.ac.uk
January 30, 2026 at 9:17 AM
What took you, RCP?
Reposted by Simon Pease
This make you uncomfortable? Good! Because this isn’t history, it’s reality and what ICE has normalized.
January 30, 2026 at 6:00 AM
This make you uncomfortable? Good! Because this isn’t history, it’s reality and what ICE has normalized.
Reposted by Simon Pease
The USA, where the summary execution of an unarmed man can now be justified by the actual president, because on a separate occasion he kicked the tail light of a "very expensive government vehicle."
January 30, 2026 at 7:24 AM
The USA, where the summary execution of an unarmed man can now be justified by the actual president, because on a separate occasion he kicked the tail light of a "very expensive government vehicle."
Reposted by Simon Pease
“Zia Yusuf, the party's head of policy, told the Times last year that his party would adopt a 'Trump 2.0' approach to immigration, saying: "We are going to move at great speed. It'll be much more like Trump mark two than Trump mark one"
When they tell you who they are, you better listen”
When they tell you who they are, you better listen”
The Reform rising star who stands with ICE
Joseph Boam, a councillor and Farage favourite, has given his support to the trigger-happy MAGA militia in the wake of the latest shooting
www.thenewworld.co.uk/rats-in-a-sa...
Joseph Boam, a councillor and Farage favourite, has given his support to the trigger-happy MAGA militia in the wake of the latest shooting
www.thenewworld.co.uk/rats-in-a-sa...
The Reform rising star who stands with ICE
Jospeh Boam, a councillor and Farage favourite, has given his support to the trigger-happy MAGA militia in the wake of the latest shooting
www.thenewworld.co.uk
January 30, 2026 at 7:29 AM
“Zia Yusuf, the party's head of policy, told the Times last year that his party would adopt a 'Trump 2.0' approach to immigration, saying: "We are going to move at great speed. It'll be much more like Trump mark two than Trump mark one"
When they tell you who they are, you better listen”
When they tell you who they are, you better listen”
Reposted by Simon Pease
If someone had made a film about how an Eastern European sex worker came to America illegally and ends up as First Lady I reckon it’d be a box office hit. But I guess they weren’t ready to go there.
January 29, 2026 at 10:42 PM
If someone had made a film about how an Eastern European sex worker came to America illegally and ends up as First Lady I reckon it’d be a box office hit. But I guess they weren’t ready to go there.
Reposted by Simon Pease
Thread. Iran/Israel indications.
8 USAF transports destined to or departing Fort Hood for missions eventually to Europe and beyond. The implication is these transports are picking up air defense equipment. Fort Hood is host to the 69th Air Defense Artillery Brigade.
1/
8 USAF transports destined to or departing Fort Hood for missions eventually to Europe and beyond. The implication is these transports are picking up air defense equipment. Fort Hood is host to the 69th Air Defense Artillery Brigade.
1/
"Multiple outlets are reporting that US air defense assets are moving into the Middle East.
In the last 24 hours alone, 8 USAF C-17A Globemasters have arrived at Fort Hood, TX, with another inbound."
Via @theintelfrog.bsky.social
In the last 24 hours alone, 8 USAF C-17A Globemasters have arrived at Fort Hood, TX, with another inbound."
Via @theintelfrog.bsky.social
January 24, 2026 at 3:11 PM
Thread. Iran/Israel indications.
8 USAF transports destined to or departing Fort Hood for missions eventually to Europe and beyond. The implication is these transports are picking up air defense equipment. Fort Hood is host to the 69th Air Defense Artillery Brigade.
1/
8 USAF transports destined to or departing Fort Hood for missions eventually to Europe and beyond. The implication is these transports are picking up air defense equipment. Fort Hood is host to the 69th Air Defense Artillery Brigade.
1/
Reposted by Simon Pease
Andy Burnham calls out Westminster culture of briefing against politicians without impunity...
January 29, 2026 at 4:35 PM
Andy Burnham calls out Westminster culture of briefing against politicians without impunity...
Reposted by Simon Pease
That these humanoid buttplugs even have the nerve to try and justify what has been happening in Minneapolis, instead of looking for a rock to crawl under, is evidence of how far they have degraded politics globally.
January 29, 2026 at 4:38 PM
That these humanoid buttplugs even have the nerve to try and justify what has been happening in Minneapolis, instead of looking for a rock to crawl under, is evidence of how far they have degraded politics globally.
Reposted by Simon Pease
For easy reference. On the left, "agitators" and "domestic terrorists". Or the right, presidentially pardonned "freedom fighters".
January 29, 2026 at 4:38 PM
For easy reference. On the left, "agitators" and "domestic terrorists". Or the right, presidentially pardonned "freedom fighters".
Reposted by Simon Pease
I do wonder if 'disruption fatigue' is hurtling towards us but we can't discern it yet. I mean, Trump, obviously. But also Brexit and AI (maybe tech generally).
If so, Starmer might suddenly look like a man for the times. But he really needs to 'bed in' and sort out his Govt's godawful comms.
If so, Starmer might suddenly look like a man for the times. But he really needs to 'bed in' and sort out his Govt's godawful comms.
Juliet Samuels thesis is that centrism = seriousness = hamstrung = boring = nothingness.
Starmer is the embodiment of this.
Samuels goes on to suggest this is why Badenoch doesn't want to turn a bit more centrist as it doesn't have the disruptive radicalism needed to fix deep-seated problems.
Starmer is the embodiment of this.
Samuels goes on to suggest this is why Badenoch doesn't want to turn a bit more centrist as it doesn't have the disruptive radicalism needed to fix deep-seated problems.
Can read it here. I mean, why would you think that Ruth Davidson was 'a loss' in 2019 and be surprised that she is offering the exact same politics as when she was 'a loss'?
January 29, 2026 at 4:50 PM
I do wonder if 'disruption fatigue' is hurtling towards us but we can't discern it yet. I mean, Trump, obviously. But also Brexit and AI (maybe tech generally).
If so, Starmer might suddenly look like a man for the times. But he really needs to 'bed in' and sort out his Govt's godawful comms.
If so, Starmer might suddenly look like a man for the times. But he really needs to 'bed in' and sort out his Govt's godawful comms.
Reposted by Simon Pease