Simon Edmonds
@sjsedmonds.bsky.social
Full time carer. Retired ex Govt, Innovation, R&D, Industrial Policy, views all mine. Live in Dorset, happy place is Lohr am Main, Lower Franconia, rejoin EU. Bake sourdough. Walk a lot. Drink nice coffee. Garden a bit. Rescues plants. Grows veg.
Pinned
Simon's fundraiser for Alzheimer's Society
Help Simon Edmonds raise money to support Alzheimer's Society
www.justgiving.com
I am definitely not making any New Year resolutions but I am so looking forward to the Jurassic Trek in aid of @alzheimerssoc.bsky.social
I was supposed to complete this in 2025 but storm weather called it off I have been allowed to do the Trek in June 2026.
www.justgiving.com/page/simon-e...
I was supposed to complete this in 2025 but storm weather called it off I have been allowed to do the Trek in June 2026.
www.justgiving.com/page/simon-e...
Pick up the nearest book. Turn to page 42, post the second sentence.
“But the reality of national socialism soon became unmistakable.”
“But the reality of national socialism soon became unmistakable.”
Pick up the nearest book. Turn to page 42, post the second sentence.
“And this jacket is the thing I wanted you to know about.”
“And this jacket is the thing I wanted you to know about.”
Pick up the nearest book. Turn to page 42, post the second sentence.
"I don't care and neither does Jacqui."
"I don't care and neither does Jacqui."
January 21, 2026 at 2:14 PM
Pick up the nearest book. Turn to page 42, post the second sentence.
“But the reality of national socialism soon became unmistakable.”
“But the reality of national socialism soon became unmistakable.”
Heavens the audience at the Trump jackanory speech at Davos must be asleep. He’s pausing for either laughter or applause 👏 and nothing is coming, room is silent most likely in disbelief. Waiting for the ‘they’re eating our dogs’ moment.
January 21, 2026 at 1:58 PM
Heavens the audience at the Trump jackanory speech at Davos must be asleep. He’s pausing for either laughter or applause 👏 and nothing is coming, room is silent most likely in disbelief. Waiting for the ‘they’re eating our dogs’ moment.
At long last Lindsay Hoyle @commonsspeaker.parliament.uk ejects an unruly MP from #PMQs
Couldn’t have happened to a nicer Conservative, Richard Holden, known for Constituency hopping and 10 minutes as Chair of the Conservative Party in Sunak short reign.
Couldn’t have happened to a nicer Conservative, Richard Holden, known for Constituency hopping and 10 minutes as Chair of the Conservative Party in Sunak short reign.
January 21, 2026 at 1:18 PM
At long last Lindsay Hoyle @commonsspeaker.parliament.uk ejects an unruly MP from #PMQs
Couldn’t have happened to a nicer Conservative, Richard Holden, known for Constituency hopping and 10 minutes as Chair of the Conservative Party in Sunak short reign.
Couldn’t have happened to a nicer Conservative, Richard Holden, known for Constituency hopping and 10 minutes as Chair of the Conservative Party in Sunak short reign.
I really am hoping with all fingers crossed that the creative team at @ledbydonkeys.org are in the Davos area.
🙏🤞😂
🙏🤞😂
Trump’s ‘wrecking ball’ set to touch down in Davos ft.trib.al/P94EylN
Trump’s ‘wrecking ball’ set to touch down in Davos
From Venezuela to Iran and now Greenland, the volatile US president is tearing up global norms
ft.trib.al
January 21, 2026 at 10:10 AM
I really am hoping with all fingers crossed that the creative team at @ledbydonkeys.org are in the Davos area.
🙏🤞😂
🙏🤞😂
Reposted by Simon Edmonds
NEW: NEW: Standards commissioner finds Nigel Farage committed seventeen breaches of MPs code of conduct.
He failed to declare £333,000 in outside interests (more than 3x MPs annual salary)…
He failed to declare £333,000 in outside interests (more than 3x MPs annual salary)…
January 21, 2026 at 8:48 AM
NEW: NEW: Standards commissioner finds Nigel Farage committed seventeen breaches of MPs code of conduct.
He failed to declare £333,000 in outside interests (more than 3x MPs annual salary)…
He failed to declare £333,000 in outside interests (more than 3x MPs annual salary)…
Reposted by Simon Edmonds
I’m back to mocking up my own headlines for my newsletter because the press - esp here in the UK - is failing to meet the moment.
We’re now trapped between Russia in the east. And the US in the west. Two hostile states openly seeking to crush us.
open.substack.com/pub/broligar...
2/
We’re now trapped between Russia in the east. And the US in the west. Two hostile states openly seeking to crush us.
open.substack.com/pub/broligar...
2/
Stop Normalizing Fascism
If not now, then when?
open.substack.com
January 20, 2026 at 9:01 AM
I’m back to mocking up my own headlines for my newsletter because the press - esp here in the UK - is failing to meet the moment.
We’re now trapped between Russia in the east. And the US in the west. Two hostile states openly seeking to crush us.
open.substack.com/pub/broligar...
2/
We’re now trapped between Russia in the east. And the US in the west. Two hostile states openly seeking to crush us.
open.substack.com/pub/broligar...
2/
Reposted by Simon Edmonds
Ignore the political pundits. They’ve failed us. The media is failing us. Listen to the historians. This is Conservative historian Robert Kagan on what is happening in Minneapolis & what it means for the US…& the world
3/
3/
January 20, 2026 at 9:02 AM
Ignore the political pundits. They’ve failed us. The media is failing us. Listen to the historians. This is Conservative historian Robert Kagan on what is happening in Minneapolis & what it means for the US…& the world
3/
3/
Reposted by Simon Edmonds
This is what historian Robert Kagan on what it means for the world.
We’re responding to this crisis as if it’s just another crisis. It’s not. This is it. It’s the political crisis of our lifetimes. And how we respond in the US & UK & Europe is critical.
4/
We’re responding to this crisis as if it’s just another crisis. It’s not. This is it. It’s the political crisis of our lifetimes. And how we respond in the US & UK & Europe is critical.
4/
January 20, 2026 at 9:03 AM
This is what historian Robert Kagan on what it means for the world.
We’re responding to this crisis as if it’s just another crisis. It’s not. This is it. It’s the political crisis of our lifetimes. And how we respond in the US & UK & Europe is critical.
4/
We’re responding to this crisis as if it’s just another crisis. It’s not. This is it. It’s the political crisis of our lifetimes. And how we respond in the US & UK & Europe is critical.
4/
Reposted by Simon Edmonds
Compare & contrast. This is Trump’s demand for Greenland. And this is Hitler’s for the Sudetenland.
There is no difference. The language. The unstoppable need to dominate. The megalomania. It’s the same.
And Keir Starmer’s response is appeasement. We are in that moment.
1/
There is no difference. The language. The unstoppable need to dominate. The megalomania. It’s the same.
And Keir Starmer’s response is appeasement. We are in that moment.
1/
January 20, 2026 at 9:00 AM
Compare & contrast. This is Trump’s demand for Greenland. And this is Hitler’s for the Sudetenland.
There is no difference. The language. The unstoppable need to dominate. The megalomania. It’s the same.
And Keir Starmer’s response is appeasement. We are in that moment.
1/
There is no difference. The language. The unstoppable need to dominate. The megalomania. It’s the same.
And Keir Starmer’s response is appeasement. We are in that moment.
1/
Simple answer, it's because Trump has been out of control on every platform for days without any control from his Cabinet or advisors, that's why Scott.
January 21, 2026 at 8:37 AM
Simple answer, it's because Trump has been out of control on every platform for days without any control from his Cabinet or advisors, that's why Scott.
Reposted by Simon Edmonds
So what has AI ever done for us? *in style of Life of Brian*
January 20, 2026 at 6:38 PM
So what has AI ever done for us? *in style of Life of Brian*
Reposted by Simon Edmonds
Why would you say this? It's not true!
UK in ‘strong position’ to avoid further tax rises, says Rachel Reeves
Chancellor defends UK decision not to threaten retaliation over Greenland dispute
www.ft.com
January 21, 2026 at 12:16 AM
Why would you say this? It's not true!
If you ever wondered what @darrenpjones.bsky.social big speech on Civil Service reform was all about Martin Stanley @ukcivilservant.bsky.social has the clear summary
open.substack.com/pub/ukcivils...
open.substack.com/pub/ukcivils...
Darren Jones Announces Improved Technology, Promotions for Deliverers, and a Pay Cut.
I hoped that Darren Jones’ ‘Move Fast, Fix Things’ speech, earlier today, would contain some genuinely novel thinking.
open.substack.com
January 21, 2026 at 8:26 AM
If you ever wondered what @darrenpjones.bsky.social big speech on Civil Service reform was all about Martin Stanley @ukcivilservant.bsky.social has the clear summary
open.substack.com/pub/ukcivils...
open.substack.com/pub/ukcivils...
Instead of a social media ban for under 16's might it be better to ban those over 65 especially with their own Truth platform.
Seriously, I think I'd like a ban, would make for a much more pleasurable day. 😂
Seriously, I think I'd like a ban, would make for a much more pleasurable day. 😂
January 20, 2026 at 9:57 PM
Instead of a social media ban for under 16's might it be better to ban those over 65 especially with their own Truth platform.
Seriously, I think I'd like a ban, would make for a much more pleasurable day. 😂
Seriously, I think I'd like a ban, would make for a much more pleasurable day. 😂
Reposted by Simon Edmonds
The Prime Minister of Belgium speaks:
January 20, 2026 at 12:47 PM
The Prime Minister of Belgium speaks:
Reposted by Simon Edmonds
In a speech to the World Economic Forum, Mark Carney says middle powers such as Canada must accept that the rules-based international order is effectively dead, and great power rivalry with is here to stay. Key excerpt:
January 20, 2026 at 3:48 PM
In a speech to the World Economic Forum, Mark Carney says middle powers such as Canada must accept that the rules-based international order is effectively dead, and great power rivalry with is here to stay. Key excerpt:
Rosindell was supposed to be special guest on BBC Politics Live re Chagos but apparently he’s been detained, ie Farage not allowing him to appear. We will see a lot more of this from Farage who won’t like imports talking for him.
And another one...
When mews just isn't news anymore.
Andrew Rosindell quits Tories and defects to Reform UK www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
When mews just isn't news anymore.
Andrew Rosindell quits Tories and defects to Reform UK www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Andrew Rosindell quits Tories and defects to Reform UK
His defection comes days after former shadow justice minister Robert Jenrick joined Reform.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 20, 2026 at 12:26 PM
Rosindell was supposed to be special guest on BBC Politics Live re Chagos but apparently he’s been detained, ie Farage not allowing him to appear. We will see a lot more of this from Farage who won’t like imports talking for him.
Really good of the BBC to seamlessly move from coverage of the Masters Snooker to the World Indoor Bowls Championship from Potters in Horton on Sea.
January 20, 2026 at 12:13 PM
Really good of the BBC to seamlessly move from coverage of the Masters Snooker to the World Indoor Bowls Championship from Potters in Horton on Sea.
Having previously decried Davos ‘elite’ this year Farage is going to presumably grift, nothing to do with Trump being there, no nothing at all…
January 20, 2026 at 11:51 AM
Having previously decried Davos ‘elite’ this year Farage is going to presumably grift, nothing to do with Trump being there, no nothing at all…
Quite a lot of faff for 5 jars but tastes and smells great, and it’s raining outside and blowing a gale !
January 20, 2026 at 11:37 AM
Quite a lot of faff for 5 jars but tastes and smells great, and it’s raining outside and blowing a gale !
Reposted by Simon Edmonds
Just to point this out: Trump had signed off on the Chagos deal. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...
Donald Trump signs off UK’s handover of Chagos Islands to Mauritius
No 10 says deal to cede UK’s last African colony is being finalised after months of doubt
www.theguardian.com
January 20, 2026 at 10:56 AM
Just to point this out: Trump had signed off on the Chagos deal. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...
Good opportunities at the @bennettschool.cam.ac.uk 👇👇
We @bennettschool.cam.ac.uk are hiring an associate prof www.cam.ac.uk/jobs/associa... and 2 assistant profs www.jobs.cam.ac.uk/job/54210/ Two of the roles will focus on digital policy.
Associate Professor in Public Policy
Applications are invited for an Associate Professor at the new Bennett School of Public Policy in the Faculty of Human, Social and Political Science (BSPP). The start date for this role will be July
www.cam.ac.uk
January 20, 2026 at 11:06 AM
Good opportunities at the @bennettschool.cam.ac.uk 👇👇
Reposted by Simon Edmonds
We @bennettschool.cam.ac.uk are hiring an associate prof www.cam.ac.uk/jobs/associa... and 2 assistant profs www.jobs.cam.ac.uk/job/54210/ Two of the roles will focus on digital policy.
Associate Professor in Public Policy
Applications are invited for an Associate Professor at the new Bennett School of Public Policy in the Faculty of Human, Social and Political Science (BSPP). The start date for this role will be July
www.cam.ac.uk
January 20, 2026 at 11:01 AM
We @bennettschool.cam.ac.uk are hiring an associate prof www.cam.ac.uk/jobs/associa... and 2 assistant profs www.jobs.cam.ac.uk/job/54210/ Two of the roles will focus on digital policy.
Reposted by Simon Edmonds
A year ago today, Boris Johnson, Farage, Braverman, Truss, and a host of Trump’s British fans were all in Washington for Trump’s second inauguration...
Starmer wasn't invited - and it was treated like a massive Diss - remember that? Because we should.
Starmer wasn't invited - and it was treated like a massive Diss - remember that? Because we should.
January 20, 2026 at 8:37 AM
A year ago today, Boris Johnson, Farage, Braverman, Truss, and a host of Trump’s British fans were all in Washington for Trump’s second inauguration...
Starmer wasn't invited - and it was treated like a massive Diss - remember that? Because we should.
Starmer wasn't invited - and it was treated like a massive Diss - remember that? Because we should.
Reposted by Simon Edmonds
accurate headline: "Greenlanders in tears, Ukrainians die, Kremlin in joy"
euromaidanpress.com/2026/01/19/g...
euromaidanpress.com/2026/01/19/g...
Greenlanders in tears, Ukrainians die, Kremlin in joy: Sowing discord in West is Putin's core idea - Euromaidan Press
Moscow deeply interested in US-EU conflict: Greenland dispute weakens Ukraine's support base, says the expert.
euromaidanpress.com
January 20, 2026 at 8:12 AM
accurate headline: "Greenlanders in tears, Ukrainians die, Kremlin in joy"
euromaidanpress.com/2026/01/19/g...
euromaidanpress.com/2026/01/19/g...