Dr Simon Ubsdell
@simonubsdell.bsky.social
Still raging about the abject moral abomination of Brexitism. Things I rage about less: Herodotus/5thc Athens, mograph/VFX, music.
No matter how hard he tries he will never be Laurence Fox.
And, boy, is he trying!
And that's so weird.
And, boy, is he trying!
And that's so weird.
When I lived in Japan, far-right parties used to drive around blaring out propaganda from loudspeaker vans. People saw them as public nuisances at best, dangerous nutters at worst. Interesting to see Matt Goodwin adopt the same strategy.
February 15, 2026 at 8:20 PM
No matter how hard he tries he will never be Laurence Fox.
And, boy, is he trying!
And that's so weird.
And, boy, is he trying!
And that's so weird.
Reposted by Dr Simon Ubsdell
Thing is, if the tools are building anything truly worth a damn, people would be obsessively talking about what they've built.
This feels like cargo-cult productivity at best. The Pokemon Go of hustle culture.
Show, don't tell. If agents are so great, the results should speak for themselves.
This feels like cargo-cult productivity at best. The Pokemon Go of hustle culture.
Show, don't tell. If agents are so great, the results should speak for themselves.
Token Anxiety
i think i mostly echo this for myself. with so much that can be done, i often feel like i *should* be doing something, always
i think i mostly echo this for myself. with so much that can be done, i often feel like i *should* be doing something, always
February 15, 2026 at 6:21 PM
Thing is, if the tools are building anything truly worth a damn, people would be obsessively talking about what they've built.
This feels like cargo-cult productivity at best. The Pokemon Go of hustle culture.
Show, don't tell. If agents are so great, the results should speak for themselves.
This feels like cargo-cult productivity at best. The Pokemon Go of hustle culture.
Show, don't tell. If agents are so great, the results should speak for themselves.
Reposted by Dr Simon Ubsdell
If the Brexit years really were behind us, Reform would no longer be a threat, there’d be no talk of leaving the ECHR, no Brexit peerages or whining about ‘Brexit betrayal’.
Instead, there’d be accountability and an electoral price to pay for the damage done. A ruthless reality check. No prisoners.
Instead, there’d be accountability and an electoral price to pay for the damage done. A ruthless reality check. No prisoners.
February 15, 2026 at 9:05 AM
If the Brexit years really were behind us, Reform would no longer be a threat, there’d be no talk of leaving the ECHR, no Brexit peerages or whining about ‘Brexit betrayal’.
Instead, there’d be accountability and an electoral price to pay for the damage done. A ruthless reality check. No prisoners.
Instead, there’d be accountability and an electoral price to pay for the damage done. A ruthless reality check. No prisoners.
Reposted by Dr Simon Ubsdell
Since a handful of hate filled people protested outside RNLI HQ yesterday because they're angry that crews don't discriminate in their rescues and work to save all lives at sea you might want to show your support with a one off or regular donation.
rnli.org/pages/ig/new...
rnli.org/pages/ig/new...
Donate to the RNLI and help save lives at sea
Your donations really make a difference. We depend on your generosity to educate people to stay safe and prevent tragedies on and offshore. Donate here.
rnli.org
February 15, 2026 at 3:20 PM
Since a handful of hate filled people protested outside RNLI HQ yesterday because they're angry that crews don't discriminate in their rescues and work to save all lives at sea you might want to show your support with a one off or regular donation.
rnli.org/pages/ig/new...
rnli.org/pages/ig/new...
Reposted by Dr Simon Ubsdell
Yep eg note Musk's definition of 'American culture' does not include; native American culture, black American culture, Latin American culture.... none of which have 'English-Scotts-Irish' origin.
1/3 What Musk is really referring to here is, of course “race” - that construct that served to define the hierarchies of wealth & power structured by modern colonialism. Like other far right racists though, he uses the word “culture” as a seemingly less pernicious synonym.
February 15, 2026 at 3:44 PM
Yep eg note Musk's definition of 'American culture' does not include; native American culture, black American culture, Latin American culture.... none of which have 'English-Scotts-Irish' origin.
Reposted by Dr Simon Ubsdell
I find the vote like it’s a game show brigade disturbing. The damage that can be done by that wild card, ‘can’t be worse than now’ mentality is irresponsible, especially as the Reform & their fellow travellers are explicitly loud & proud about their intentions. Brexit clearly taught us nothing!🤦🏼♀️
February 15, 2026 at 2:32 PM
I find the vote like it’s a game show brigade disturbing. The damage that can be done by that wild card, ‘can’t be worse than now’ mentality is irresponsible, especially as the Reform & their fellow travellers are explicitly loud & proud about their intentions. Brexit clearly taught us nothing!🤦🏼♀️
The problem that modern politics in “advanced democracies” is that every voter feels the need to appear individually interesting: to bring a compelling, complicated backstory to their vote.
1/2
1/2
February 15, 2026 at 2:39 PM
The problem that modern politics in “advanced democracies” is that every voter feels the need to appear individually interesting: to bring a compelling, complicated backstory to their vote.
1/2
1/2
It's illiberal I know but I really am starting to think that we need urgently to disenfranchise the “let’s just roll the dice” voters.
They may be lovely in person but the harm they have done is incalculable.
Let alone the harm that they are still to do.
They may be lovely in person but the harm they have done is incalculable.
Let alone the harm that they are still to do.
🧵In today’s Times @joshglancy.bsky.social has a brilliant write up of our focus groups he sat in on. Definitely read it in full! But I want to focus on two voters: Kylie & Eve I think have outsized importance in explaining today’s politics
www.thetimes.com/article/b75e...
www.thetimes.com/article/b75e...
February 15, 2026 at 2:13 PM
It's illiberal I know but I really am starting to think that we need urgently to disenfranchise the “let’s just roll the dice” voters.
They may be lovely in person but the harm they have done is incalculable.
Let alone the harm that they are still to do.
They may be lovely in person but the harm they have done is incalculable.
Let alone the harm that they are still to do.
The abuser's favourite song.
Tom Homan on Gov. Walz and Mayor Frey: "They ought to be saying 'thank you.'"
February 15, 2026 at 2:09 PM
The abuser's favourite song.
Reposted by Dr Simon Ubsdell
“While Rubio’s tone was politer than the diatribe delivered by US vice-president JD Vance on the same stage the previous year….the substance of the US message was little changed.” So glad to see clear reporting from my colleagues. www.ft.com/content/9463...
February 15, 2026 at 8:24 AM
“While Rubio’s tone was politer than the diatribe delivered by US vice-president JD Vance on the same stage the previous year….the substance of the US message was little changed.” So glad to see clear reporting from my colleagues. www.ft.com/content/9463...
Reposted by Dr Simon Ubsdell
Rubio is offering Europe a junior partnership: embrace Trumpism, ditch climate action, endorse nativism.
A Trump adjacent ally will put this on the ballot paper in most national elections, though most people in most European democracies are sceptical/opposed
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
A Trump adjacent ally will put this on the ballot paper in most national elections, though most people in most European democracies are sceptical/opposed
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
Rubio tells Europe US wants renewed alliance – but on Trump’s terms
Secretary of state calls the US ‘a child of Europe’ and urges continent to back a new world order
www.theguardian.com
February 14, 2026 at 5:37 PM
Rubio is offering Europe a junior partnership: embrace Trumpism, ditch climate action, endorse nativism.
A Trump adjacent ally will put this on the ballot paper in most national elections, though most people in most European democracies are sceptical/opposed
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
A Trump adjacent ally will put this on the ballot paper in most national elections, though most people in most European democracies are sceptical/opposed
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
Reposted by Dr Simon Ubsdell
The main argument against rejoining the EU is that it would "embolden Farage".
Bullshit. It would expose Farage.
It would force him to oppose the majority of voters, remind them that his last "Great Crusader" left us poor and powerless, and force him to admit he wants us to remain that way.
Bullshit. It would expose Farage.
It would force him to oppose the majority of voters, remind them that his last "Great Crusader" left us poor and powerless, and force him to admit he wants us to remain that way.
February 14, 2026 at 7:14 PM
The main argument against rejoining the EU is that it would "embolden Farage".
Bullshit. It would expose Farage.
It would force him to oppose the majority of voters, remind them that his last "Great Crusader" left us poor and powerless, and force him to admit he wants us to remain that way.
Bullshit. It would expose Farage.
It would force him to oppose the majority of voters, remind them that his last "Great Crusader" left us poor and powerless, and force him to admit he wants us to remain that way.
Reposted by Dr Simon Ubsdell
AOC: “We are seeing our presidential administration tear apart the transatlantic partnership — rip up every democratic norm — & really calling into question, as was mentioned by Mark Carney at the World Economic Forum, the rules-based order that we have or question mark, do we have?”
February 14, 2026 at 5:04 PM
AOC: “We are seeing our presidential administration tear apart the transatlantic partnership — rip up every democratic norm — & really calling into question, as was mentioned by Mark Carney at the World Economic Forum, the rules-based order that we have or question mark, do we have?”
Reposted by Dr Simon Ubsdell
Yes it’s Valentine’s Day. But it’s also the chosen birthday of Frederick Douglass who was born in 1818 on a plantation in Talbot County, Maryland. He escaped from slavery & rose to become the most eloquent and forceful voice for the abolition of slavery & for Black voting rights in the U.S.
February 14, 2026 at 6:45 PM
Yes it’s Valentine’s Day. But it’s also the chosen birthday of Frederick Douglass who was born in 1818 on a plantation in Talbot County, Maryland. He escaped from slavery & rose to become the most eloquent and forceful voice for the abolition of slavery & for Black voting rights in the U.S.
Reposted by Dr Simon Ubsdell
No senior EU officials I've spoken to have a positive assessment of Rubio's speech. Not one
February 14, 2026 at 6:23 PM
No senior EU officials I've spoken to have a positive assessment of Rubio's speech. Not one
Reposted by Dr Simon Ubsdell
The commander in chief telling troops who they have to vote for is itself a presidency ending impeachable scandal.
February 14, 2026 at 4:12 PM
The commander in chief telling troops who they have to vote for is itself a presidency ending impeachable scandal.
Reposted by Dr Simon Ubsdell
“I have searched the depths of Legal Arguments not yet articulated.“
February 13, 2026 at 10:27 PM
“I have searched the depths of Legal Arguments not yet articulated.“
Reposted by Dr Simon Ubsdell
Translation: I will steal this election, and my lawyers will find a thin excuse to justify it.
February 13, 2026 at 11:03 PM
Translation: I will steal this election, and my lawyers will find a thin excuse to justify it.
Reposted by Dr Simon Ubsdell
This is a breathtaking article about the complete clown show at DHS being overseen by Kristi Noem and Corey Lewandowski (gift link)
A Pilot Fired Over Kristi Noem’s Missing Blanket and the Constant Chaos Inside DHS
Secretary faces fire for confrontational immigration crackdown and self-promotional style; White House to wind down Minnesota operations.
www.wsj.com
February 13, 2026 at 3:55 PM
This is a breathtaking article about the complete clown show at DHS being overseen by Kristi Noem and Corey Lewandowski (gift link)
Reposted by Dr Simon Ubsdell
while no surprise this BBC exposition of all the lies Andrew M-W told in his interview with @maitlis.bsky.social is pretty devastating!
www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/...
Watch: How Andrew's BBC interview compares to what Epstein emails tell us now
Following the latest release of the Epstein files, claims made by the then Prince Andrew in 2019 are under fresh scrutiny.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 13, 2026 at 5:52 PM
while no surprise this BBC exposition of all the lies Andrew M-W told in his interview with @maitlis.bsky.social is pretty devastating!
www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/...
Reposted by Dr Simon Ubsdell
I wrote for the Guardian about why Jim Ratcliffe's talk of Britain being "colonised" by immigrants crosses the line between legitimate debate and inflammatory rhetoric. It fuses echoes of Powellism with great replacement conspiracies of "civilisational erasure"
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Forget Jim Ratcliffe’s half-apology: to speak of immigrants ‘colonising’ Britain is wrong and sinister | Sunder Katwala
He fused an echo of Enoch Powell with the spirit of the far right’s great replacement theory. This is no way to progress a humane migration debate, says Sunder Katwala, director of British Future
www.theguardian.com
February 13, 2026 at 1:54 PM
I wrote for the Guardian about why Jim Ratcliffe's talk of Britain being "colonised" by immigrants crosses the line between legitimate debate and inflammatory rhetoric. It fuses echoes of Powellism with great replacement conspiracies of "civilisational erasure"
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Dr Simon Ubsdell
You know what helps make the streets safer? Paying your taxes
Nadhim Zahawi thinks London is now unsafe, because the other day a tired-looking man walked past him during the morning rush hour.
February 13, 2026 at 4:38 PM
You know what helps make the streets safer? Paying your taxes
Reposted by Dr Simon Ubsdell
Many good points caught here by the estimable @jamesrball.com
The judgment was an impressive win for the claimant, but the court was certainly *not* impressed by Palestine Action.
The judgment was an impressive win for the claimant, but the court was certainly *not* impressed by Palestine Action.
Significant that the High Court ruling is still, in places, quite damning of Palestine Action. It emphatically rejects that the group is engaged in "civil disobediance", for example.
It just finds (compellingly) that proscription was still wrong, despite that.
It just finds (compellingly) that proscription was still wrong, despite that.
February 13, 2026 at 12:07 PM
Many good points caught here by the estimable @jamesrball.com
The judgment was an impressive win for the claimant, but the court was certainly *not* impressed by Palestine Action.
The judgment was an impressive win for the claimant, but the court was certainly *not* impressed by Palestine Action.
Reposted by Dr Simon Ubsdell
Nadhim Zahawi thinks London is now unsafe, because the other day a tired-looking man walked past him during the morning rush hour.
February 13, 2026 at 12:42 PM
Nadhim Zahawi thinks London is now unsafe, because the other day a tired-looking man walked past him during the morning rush hour.
Reposted by Dr Simon Ubsdell
Very clear overlap between Goodwin's thoughts here, and Fuentes recent rant. Different words, exactly the same message, that women who do not confirm to these nazi sensibilities are the enemy, are dragging down society.
bsky.app/profile/meli...
bsky.app/profile/meli...
Fuentes, yesterday: “Our #1 political enemy is women because women constrain everything, every conversation, every man, everything. They have to be imprisoned. They are the ones that are hurting the fertility rate. They're the ones making us sympathetic to poor people, which are also brown people.”
Nick Fuentes: “The number one political enemy in America is women. … They have to be imprisoned.”
www.mediamatters.org
February 13, 2026 at 9:17 AM
Very clear overlap between Goodwin's thoughts here, and Fuentes recent rant. Different words, exactly the same message, that women who do not confirm to these nazi sensibilities are the enemy, are dragging down society.
bsky.app/profile/meli...
bsky.app/profile/meli...