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.
Reposted by Dr Simon Ubsdell
The EU has been cornered into participating in Trump's #BoardofPeace as an observer thanks to the machinations of Giorgia Meloni, who is now the most powerful woman in Europe.
My piece on how the EU's leadership vacuum has put her in the driver's seat:
My piece on how the EU's leadership vacuum has put her in the driver's seat:
It's Meloni's Europe, and we're all just living in it
The Italian PM has pressured the EU into participating in Trump's "Board of Peace" as an observer. Amid a leadership vacuum at the top, Meloni is dictating Europe's Atlanticist right-wing direction.
davekeating.substack.com
February 17, 2026 at 5:38 PM
The EU has been cornered into participating in Trump's #BoardofPeace as an observer thanks to the machinations of Giorgia Meloni, who is now the most powerful woman in Europe.
My piece on how the EU's leadership vacuum has put her in the driver's seat:
My piece on how the EU's leadership vacuum has put her in the driver's seat:
Farage's misogynistic contempt for female journalists is so (revoltingly) often on display.
I am sure it comes naturally to him but you can't help noticing how closely it apes Trump.
I am sure it comes naturally to him but you can't help noticing how closely it apes Trump.
To reiterate this point: during the Q&A Farage dismissed very arrogantly a perfectly fair question from the brilliant Anna Gross of the FT and then took the piss out of the paper. If you want to persuade people that you don’t have predilections towards bullying it was not ideal. It was grim.
One element of recent Reform press conferences seems to me to be Nigel Farage believing his own hype, as it were, being particularly bullish and, at times, glib with critical questions. This could be risky for him as it's not always 100% appealing.
February 17, 2026 at 5:33 PM
Farage's misogynistic contempt for female journalists is so (revoltingly) often on display.
I am sure it comes naturally to him but you can't help noticing how closely it apes Trump.
I am sure it comes naturally to him but you can't help noticing how closely it apes Trump.
Reposted by Dr Simon Ubsdell
How is it possible that Kristi Noem still has this job. Imagine if you’re a family member or a shipmate of this guardsman.
www.nbcnews.com/politics/imm...
www.nbcnews.com/politics/imm...
February 17, 2026 at 3:17 PM
How is it possible that Kristi Noem still has this job. Imagine if you’re a family member or a shipmate of this guardsman.
www.nbcnews.com/politics/imm...
www.nbcnews.com/politics/imm...
Reposted by Dr Simon Ubsdell
This person does not understand the idea of a counterfactual. It's not true that the '4%' imagines a Britain that 'avoided every global shock, and followed a perfectly smooth pre-2016 trend forever.' It judges that on average, in all scenarios, shock or no shock, we'd eventually be 4% poorer.
A desperate Keir Starmer will argue anything to save himself including that Brexit cost us 4% and in the process will diminish our sovereignty.
I discuss it here 👇
conservativehome.com/2026/02/17/s...
I discuss it here 👇
conservativehome.com/2026/02/17/s...
Saqib Bhatti: Brexit didn’t cost us 4 per cent, but Labour will argue it did anyway | Conservative Home
Starmer’s attacks on Brexit and its impact on the economy are as predictable as they are risible. If we want an honest conversation about growth, productivity, and our place in the world we must not l...
conservativehome.com
February 17, 2026 at 9:36 AM
This person does not understand the idea of a counterfactual. It's not true that the '4%' imagines a Britain that 'avoided every global shock, and followed a perfectly smooth pre-2016 trend forever.' It judges that on average, in all scenarios, shock or no shock, we'd eventually be 4% poorer.
Reposted by Dr Simon Ubsdell
Recent CBS News news:
1. Anderson Cooper leaves 60 Minutes after two decades
2. Stephen Colbert reveals network won’t let him air interview with Dem
3. Producer says politics dictating what airs
4. Owner’s bid for CNN parent back on the table.
5. Not firing Epstein pal.
1. Anderson Cooper leaves 60 Minutes after two decades
2. Stephen Colbert reveals network won’t let him air interview with Dem
3. Producer says politics dictating what airs
4. Owner’s bid for CNN parent back on the table.
5. Not firing Epstein pal.
February 17, 2026 at 12:27 PM
Recent CBS News news:
1. Anderson Cooper leaves 60 Minutes after two decades
2. Stephen Colbert reveals network won’t let him air interview with Dem
3. Producer says politics dictating what airs
4. Owner’s bid for CNN parent back on the table.
5. Not firing Epstein pal.
1. Anderson Cooper leaves 60 Minutes after two decades
2. Stephen Colbert reveals network won’t let him air interview with Dem
3. Producer says politics dictating what airs
4. Owner’s bid for CNN parent back on the table.
5. Not firing Epstein pal.
Reposted by Dr Simon Ubsdell
We interrupt tributes to Jesse Jackson to bring you your daily dose of racism.
Thanks, Beeb. Respectfully handled.
Thanks, Beeb. Respectfully handled.
February 17, 2026 at 11:42 AM
We interrupt tributes to Jesse Jackson to bring you your daily dose of racism.
Thanks, Beeb. Respectfully handled.
Thanks, Beeb. Respectfully handled.
Reposted by Dr Simon Ubsdell
It's just so strange - like the fixation on 'imperial units'. I actually remember, just about, getting my pocket money in pre-decimal currency & can even still remember the advertising jingle of the decimalization public information films. But so what? Why would anyone *care* about this?
Dan wasn't even born before decimalisation (nor was he anywhere near the UK when he was born) but still he yearns for Britain's pre-decimal times 55 years later.
February 16, 2026 at 8:22 PM
It's just so strange - like the fixation on 'imperial units'. I actually remember, just about, getting my pocket money in pre-decimal currency & can even still remember the advertising jingle of the decimalization public information films. But so what? Why would anyone *care* about this?
Reposted by Dr Simon Ubsdell
Dan wasn't even born before decimalisation (nor was he anywhere near the UK when he was born) but still he yearns for Britain's pre-decimal times 55 years later.
February 16, 2026 at 4:00 PM
Dan wasn't even born before decimalisation (nor was he anywhere near the UK when he was born) but still he yearns for Britain's pre-decimal times 55 years later.
Reposted by Dr Simon Ubsdell
And it's not just FCO and the World Service.
The BBC more generally is having to make vast cuts as are the National Gallery, British Library, National Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company...
The list goes on.
The UK is destroying its own cultural identity as well as its soft power.
The BBC more generally is having to make vast cuts as are the National Gallery, British Library, National Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company...
The list goes on.
The UK is destroying its own cultural identity as well as its soft power.
Exactly. This is not a lot of money. And once destroyed you don’t get to rebuild it.
The entire UK diplomatic budget is about £1.4 billion a year. That’s pretty much precisely 0.1% of government spending.
BBC World Service is about £0.25 billion (it should be higher), or 0.02%.
These are rounding errors on rounding errors. Double each and public expenditure wouldn’t twitch.
Mad.
BBC World Service is about £0.25 billion (it should be higher), or 0.02%.
These are rounding errors on rounding errors. Double each and public expenditure wouldn’t twitch.
Mad.
February 16, 2026 at 7:47 AM
And it's not just FCO and the World Service.
The BBC more generally is having to make vast cuts as are the National Gallery, British Library, National Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company...
The list goes on.
The UK is destroying its own cultural identity as well as its soft power.
The BBC more generally is having to make vast cuts as are the National Gallery, British Library, National Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company...
The list goes on.
The UK is destroying its own cultural identity as well as its soft power.
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
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.