Simon Belcher
@nimbos.bsky.social
Professionally analytical, quiz-geek, photo hobbyist, TV-head, who talks about Doctor Who far too much.
Reposted by Simon Belcher
I find it interesting that every single TV political journalist opened with an editorialising comment, while all the newspaper ones just asked questions. I suspect, because the latter know the question won't be in the write-up, while the former are trying to craft a clip that is all about them. ~AA
December 1, 2025 at 11:36 AM
I find it interesting that every single TV political journalist opened with an editorialising comment, while all the newspaper ones just asked questions. I suspect, because the latter know the question won't be in the write-up, while the former are trying to craft a clip that is all about them. ~AA
Reposted by Simon Belcher
The "don't have an extra kid if you can't afford it" brigade get awfully upset when you suggest they don't stay in their £2m house if they can't afford it, don't they?
November 27, 2025 at 6:09 PM
The "don't have an extra kid if you can't afford it" brigade get awfully upset when you suggest they don't stay in their £2m house if they can't afford it, don't they?
Reposted by Simon Belcher
'This isn't an opinion. This is counting.'
- A 100,000 drop in net migration costs us £7bn
- Scrapping the two-child benefit cap costs us £3bn
What gets more attention?
James O’Brien says 'we have become a ludicrous country'.
- Scrapping the two-child benefit cap costs us £3bn
What gets more attention?
James O’Brien says 'we have become a ludicrous country'.
November 27, 2025 at 11:29 AM
'This isn't an opinion. This is counting.'
Reposted by Simon Belcher
Plus sides to today: Two-child benefit scrapped. Largely progressive tax implications. Good market reaction. No big spending cuts. Nightmare prospect of cutting funding to net zero etc avoided. It's a left-wing budget. Those who say there's no difference between Labour and Tories are bananas.
November 26, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Plus sides to today: Two-child benefit scrapped. Largely progressive tax implications. Good market reaction. No big spending cuts. Nightmare prospect of cutting funding to net zero etc avoided. It's a left-wing budget. Those who say there's no difference between Labour and Tories are bananas.
Reposted by Simon Belcher
I'm not going to die on any hills but it microwaves my urine that the phrase "bad apple" has flipped meaning in my lifetime.
November 24, 2025 at 10:03 AM
I'm not going to die on any hills but it microwaves my urine that the phrase "bad apple" has flipped meaning in my lifetime.
This is such a mood
youtu.be/v04-d838340?...
youtu.be/v04-d838340?...
Meelik - Tuju (Eesti Laul 2023)
YouTube video by Ansambel Meelik
youtu.be
November 23, 2025 at 12:50 AM
This is such a mood
youtu.be/v04-d838340?...
youtu.be/v04-d838340?...
Reposted by Simon Belcher
Brexit has caused almost twice as much damage to the UK economy than estimated by official forecasts, according to new paper from a group of experts including a senior Bank of England economist
Brexit Hit to UK Economy Double Official Estimate, Study Finds
Brexit has caused almost twice as much damage to the UK economy than estimated by official forecasts, according to new paper from a group of experts including a senior Bank of England economist.
bloom.bg
November 21, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Brexit has caused almost twice as much damage to the UK economy than estimated by official forecasts, according to new paper from a group of experts including a senior Bank of England economist
Reposted by Simon Belcher
I just wish Mamdani had leant across and whispered "Putin's the bad guy" in Trump's ear.
November 21, 2025 at 10:51 PM
I just wish Mamdani had leant across and whispered "Putin's the bad guy" in Trump's ear.
Reposted by Simon Belcher
The real BBC bias story, narrated by Anna Ford
November 19, 2025 at 12:12 PM
The real BBC bias story, narrated by Anna Ford
Reposted by Simon Belcher
Alf Dubs is a 92 year old man who spent his life fighting for refugees, and in particular for refugee children. He fought the Tories tooth and nail during their last three terms, only to see Labour adopt far-right policies on immigration.
“But to use children as a weapon ... I’m lost for words.”
“But to use children as a weapon ... I’m lost for words.”
Labour Peer Who Fled The Nazis Condemns His Party's Immigration Crackdown
Lord Dubs said he was "lost for words".
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk
November 19, 2025 at 8:20 AM
Alf Dubs is a 92 year old man who spent his life fighting for refugees, and in particular for refugee children. He fought the Tories tooth and nail during their last three terms, only to see Labour adopt far-right policies on immigration.
“But to use children as a weapon ... I’m lost for words.”
“But to use children as a weapon ... I’m lost for words.”
Reposted by Simon Belcher
"The Home Office has re-assessed Peru and finds that it is no longer the deepest, or the darkest on our list. It is therefore safe for you to return, and we will compel you to do so within 1 week of receipt of this letter. Your marmalade sandwiches have been confiscated in lieu of your costs."
November 17, 2025 at 7:00 PM
"The Home Office has re-assessed Peru and finds that it is no longer the deepest, or the darkest on our list. It is therefore safe for you to return, and we will compel you to do so within 1 week of receipt of this letter. Your marmalade sandwiches have been confiscated in lieu of your costs."
Reposted by Simon Belcher
Looking forward to the “Reform’s war on motorists” headlines.
November 17, 2025 at 10:31 PM
Looking forward to the “Reform’s war on motorists” headlines.
Reposted by Simon Belcher
Reposted by Simon Belcher
At the risk of talking shop: there are just under 50 Government Bills before Parliament (including Employment Rights, English Devolution, Great British Energy) which aren’t getting the media attention that Coalition Bills at a similar point did. We’re missing proper scrutiny outside of Parliament.
This whole Streeting vs Starmer story is such a Westminster bubble inanity from a bored media class that has gotten addicted to toppling governments and abdicated any responsibility for what they're actually meant to be doing in a healthy society
November 12, 2025 at 1:55 PM
At the risk of talking shop: there are just under 50 Government Bills before Parliament (including Employment Rights, English Devolution, Great British Energy) which aren’t getting the media attention that Coalition Bills at a similar point did. We’re missing proper scrutiny outside of Parliament.
Reposted by Simon Belcher
November 6, 2025 at 9:35 PM
Reposted by Simon Belcher
November 6, 2025 at 10:15 PM
It's 5-11
Time for annual ritual watch of Mongrels S01E08
Time for annual ritual watch of Mongrels S01E08
November 5, 2025 at 12:43 PM
It's 5-11
Time for annual ritual watch of Mongrels S01E08
Time for annual ritual watch of Mongrels S01E08
Reposted by Simon Belcher
Reposted by Simon Belcher
Labour can't even do its Brexit shift competently. Say it was wrong and you can make Farage carry the can. Say it was badly executed, as Labour is doing, and you support his narrative that Leave voters were betrayed.
It would be funny - except we'll all have to carry the can for their incompetence.
It would be funny - except we'll all have to carry the can for their incompetence.
October 21, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Labour can't even do its Brexit shift competently. Say it was wrong and you can make Farage carry the can. Say it was badly executed, as Labour is doing, and you support his narrative that Leave voters were betrayed.
It would be funny - except we'll all have to carry the can for their incompetence.
It would be funny - except we'll all have to carry the can for their incompetence.
Reposted by Simon Belcher
"Eye-catching..." is kinda how much of the West has ended up in this clown car hurtling towards authoritarianism. I think it's time to acknowledge that.
Strong speech from Badenoch. Well delivered. Sharp critique of government. Focussed on politically fertile territory on the economy. Eye catching policy which will get a lot of v positive press attention.
October 10, 2025 at 2:45 PM
"Eye-catching..." is kinda how much of the West has ended up in this clown car hurtling towards authoritarianism. I think it's time to acknowledge that.
Reposted by Simon Belcher
Sky News and the BBC repeatedly mention the "migrant crisis" in doing so they are normalising and legitimising far right talking points. There is no "migrant crisis", there is only migrant hysteria, which the British media is feeding into instead of countering.
September 27, 2025 at 11:21 AM
Sky News and the BBC repeatedly mention the "migrant crisis" in doing so they are normalising and legitimising far right talking points. There is no "migrant crisis", there is only migrant hysteria, which the British media is feeding into instead of countering.
Reposted by Simon Belcher
Dutch late night TV has its take
September 19, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Dutch late night TV has its take
September 19, 2025 at 6:41 PM
Reposted by Simon Belcher
We're like 8 years from SUVs that need an inflatable slide for emergency exits
September 19, 2025 at 4:11 PM
We're like 8 years from SUVs that need an inflatable slide for emergency exits