Simon Nixon
@nixonsimon.bsky.social
European political economy and geoeconomics commentator. Publisher of the Wealth of Nations newsletter. Previously chief Europe commentator @WSJ, chief leader writer @TheTimes. Runner, cold water swimmer, aspiring chef.
https://nixons.substack.com/
https://nixons.substack.com/
Yes, and the starting threshold for repayment was lowered. It’s effectively a lifelong graduate tax for anyone whose parents were not rich enough to pay their fees for them
January 29, 2026 at 12:02 PM
Yes, and the starting threshold for repayment was lowered. It’s effectively a lifelong graduate tax for anyone whose parents were not rich enough to pay their fees for them
It was obvious at the time that student debt was a key factor in the doctor’s strike but the political and media class collectively decided to completely ignore it
January 29, 2026 at 11:49 AM
It was obvious at the time that student debt was a key factor in the doctor’s strike but the political and media class collectively decided to completely ignore it
Indeed. The centre right Tory revival strategy hinges on getting amenable candidates selected ahead of the next election. Hard enough with current membership, pretty much impossible with Badenoch’s ECHR purity test
January 29, 2026 at 11:02 AM
Indeed. The centre right Tory revival strategy hinges on getting amenable candidates selected ahead of the next election. Hard enough with current membership, pretty much impossible with Badenoch’s ECHR purity test
Reposted by Simon Nixon
The problem surely is that to win back the liberal vote, they would need a leader willing to acknowledge that Brexit was a disastrous mistake - and a party membership willing to elect such a leader. Neither is likely…
January 29, 2026 at 10:42 AM
The problem surely is that to win back the liberal vote, they would need a leader willing to acknowledge that Brexit was a disastrous mistake - and a party membership willing to elect such a leader. Neither is likely…
Yes, I think that’s exactly right. For the supposed 7 million centrist voters, being able to speak truths is an entry level requirement for being taken seriously
January 29, 2026 at 10:53 AM
Yes, I think that’s exactly right. For the supposed 7 million centrist voters, being able to speak truths is an entry level requirement for being taken seriously
It’s a problem for the liberal conservatives trying to drag the party back to the centre too, as their unconvincing attempts to appear loyal to Badenoch leave them with nothing to say on the big strategic choices facing the country
January 29, 2026 at 10:49 AM
It’s a problem for the liberal conservatives trying to drag the party back to the centre too, as their unconvincing attempts to appear loyal to Badenoch leave them with nothing to say on the big strategic choices facing the country
The problem surely is that to win back the liberal vote, they would need a leader willing to acknowledge that Brexit was a disastrous mistake - and a party membership willing to elect such a leader. Neither is likely…
January 29, 2026 at 10:42 AM
The problem surely is that to win back the liberal vote, they would need a leader willing to acknowledge that Brexit was a disastrous mistake - and a party membership willing to elect such a leader. Neither is likely…
Reposted by Simon Nixon
After the TACO - thoughts on the economic consequences of Trump's Greenland climbdown, assuming that is what it was...
After the TACO
Thoughts on the economic consequences for Europe of a tumultuous week
open.substack.com
January 26, 2026 at 9:41 PM
Reposted by Simon Nixon
This piece by @nixonsimon.bsky.social is good:
"The lesson of the 1930s is that in such a contested world, containment is not enough. Europeans also need to build their deterrence, so they are better able to resist military and economic coercion"
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
"The lesson of the 1930s is that in such a contested world, containment is not enough. Europeans also need to build their deterrence, so they are better able to resist military and economic coercion"
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Europe’s Greenland Moment Exposes a Misread Lesson of Appeasement
Invoking the 1930s to confront Donald Trump over Greenland misses the real lesson of how Britain and France prepared for a world sliding into disorder.
www.bloomberg.com
January 23, 2026 at 1:26 PM
This piece by @nixonsimon.bsky.social is good:
"The lesson of the 1930s is that in such a contested world, containment is not enough. Europeans also need to build their deterrence, so they are better able to resist military and economic coercion"
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
"The lesson of the 1930s is that in such a contested world, containment is not enough. Europeans also need to build their deterrence, so they are better able to resist military and economic coercion"
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Only the non-oligarch owned ones though…
January 22, 2026 at 10:00 AM
Only the non-oligarch owned ones though…