Simon Ward
@simonjward65.bsky.social
Mainly theatre reviews at thepegreview.com and LUFC for my sins. Also interested in politics. #FBPE
Reposted by Simon Ward
Have been thinking about “immigration has been tearing this country apart.” Surely I’m not the only person to think that it isn’t true, but inflamed rhetoric about immigration by politicians is what is tearing this country apart and so statements like that only makes it worse.
November 18, 2025 at 6:37 AM
Have been thinking about “immigration has been tearing this country apart.” Surely I’m not the only person to think that it isn’t true, but inflamed rhetoric about immigration by politicians is what is tearing this country apart and so statements like that only makes it worse.
Reposted by Simon Ward
Reminder that @ukandeu.bsky.social have, of course, published an assessment of the potential pitfalls of attempting to mimic the 'Danish approach' to immigration by @kristinabsimonsen.bsky.social ukandeu.ac.uk/denmarks-mig...
Denmark’s migration policy – an example to follow? - UK in a changing Europe
Kristina Bakkær Simonsen explains why countries feel they have something to learn from Denmark's strict migration policy, but argues that there are many key pitfalls.
ukandeu.ac.uk
November 17, 2025 at 8:47 AM
Reminder that @ukandeu.bsky.social have, of course, published an assessment of the potential pitfalls of attempting to mimic the 'Danish approach' to immigration by @kristinabsimonsen.bsky.social ukandeu.ac.uk/denmarks-mig...
Reposted by Simon Ward
There’s just so much performative cruelty and stupidity in the asylum announcements that it’s hard to know where to start.
But one place to start is that if its aim is to reduce small boats crossings, it won’t work.
We’ve had 5 years of deterrent policies. They don’t work.
But one place to start is that if its aim is to reduce small boats crossings, it won’t work.
We’ve had 5 years of deterrent policies. They don’t work.
November 17, 2025 at 8:31 AM
There’s just so much performative cruelty and stupidity in the asylum announcements that it’s hard to know where to start.
But one place to start is that if its aim is to reduce small boats crossings, it won’t work.
We’ve had 5 years of deterrent policies. They don’t work.
But one place to start is that if its aim is to reduce small boats crossings, it won’t work.
We’ve had 5 years of deterrent policies. They don’t work.
Reposted by Simon Ward
The New York Times quickly sending out Douthat to argue that Mamdani’s victory doesn’t really matter is so predictable it borders on self-parody.
Remember, folks: Every time the Right wins an election, it’s an undeniable expression of the will of the people. If a lefty wins, it’s just a blip.
Remember, folks: Every time the Right wins an election, it’s an undeniable expression of the will of the people. If a lefty wins, it’s just a blip.
Opinion | Mamdani’s Victory Is Less Significant Than You Think
www.nytimes.com
November 5, 2025 at 5:27 PM
The New York Times quickly sending out Douthat to argue that Mamdani’s victory doesn’t really matter is so predictable it borders on self-parody.
Remember, folks: Every time the Right wins an election, it’s an undeniable expression of the will of the people. If a lefty wins, it’s just a blip.
Remember, folks: Every time the Right wins an election, it’s an undeniable expression of the will of the people. If a lefty wins, it’s just a blip.
Reposted by Simon Ward
Starvation as a weapon of war is deeply troubling. Starvation as a policy of domestic politics is a dystopian nightmare.
The USDA now threatening grocery stores who offer discounts to SNAP recipients.
People are going hungry. Their benefits were illegally cut off leaving them to starve.
40% of SNAP households have children.
If grocery stores & local business want to step up to help… let them.
People are going hungry. Their benefits were illegally cut off leaving them to starve.
40% of SNAP households have children.
If grocery stores & local business want to step up to help… let them.
The USDA sent an email to grocery stores telling them they are prohibited from offering special discounts to customers affected by the SNAP funding lapse.
I'm aware of at least 2 stores that had offered struggling customers a discount, then withdrew it after receiving this email
I'm aware of at least 2 stores that had offered struggling customers a discount, then withdrew it after receiving this email
November 4, 2025 at 5:27 AM
Starvation as a weapon of war is deeply troubling. Starvation as a policy of domestic politics is a dystopian nightmare.
Reposted by Simon Ward
I love this fascinating detective story by @vanessathorpe.bsky.social that reveals the identity of The Girl With The Pearl Earring observer.co.uk/culture/art/... @theobserveruk.bsky.social
Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring finally gets a name
Historian Andrew Graham-Dixon has a radical new theory about the life and beliefs of the Dutch master
observer.co.uk
October 19, 2025 at 12:11 PM
I love this fascinating detective story by @vanessathorpe.bsky.social that reveals the identity of The Girl With The Pearl Earring observer.co.uk/culture/art/... @theobserveruk.bsky.social
Reposted by Simon Ward
This deserves more attention than it has received.
Gove: "we were too anxious as a government to secure those deals in order to show that Brexit was working".
Exactly as so many of us warned at the time, and as the government denied at the time.
www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/country-and-...
Gove: "we were too anxious as a government to secure those deals in order to show that Brexit was working".
Exactly as so many of us warned at the time, and as the government denied at the time.
www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/country-and-...
Michael Gove admits that post-Brexit trade deals were bad for farmers
Michael Gove has admitted for the first time that the Australia and New Zealand trade deals negotiated by the former Tory government did not protect Britain’s farmers.
www.yorkshirepost.co.uk
October 13, 2025 at 9:48 AM
This deserves more attention than it has received.
Gove: "we were too anxious as a government to secure those deals in order to show that Brexit was working".
Exactly as so many of us warned at the time, and as the government denied at the time.
www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/country-and-...
Gove: "we were too anxious as a government to secure those deals in order to show that Brexit was working".
Exactly as so many of us warned at the time, and as the government denied at the time.
www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/country-and-...
Reposted by Simon Ward
I need a Tommy Flowers Was Robbed t-shirt. Great piece!
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
Move over, Alan Turing: meet the working-class hero of Bletchley Park you didn’t see in the movies
The Oxbridge-educated boffin is feted as the codebreaking genius who helped Britain win the war. But should a little-known Post Office engineer named Tommy Flowers be seen as the real father of comput...
www.theguardian.com
October 12, 2025 at 4:58 PM
I need a Tommy Flowers Was Robbed t-shirt. Great piece!
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
Reposted by Simon Ward
There was certainly something recently which monopolised all public debate and paralysed all policy initiative in the UK for the better part of a decade, and I dont think it was trans rights.
"While Britain was redefining what a woman is, China was building five nuclear reactors," says Kemi Badenoch.
I cannot be the only person curious about how these two things are related
I cannot be the only person curious about how these two things are related
October 8, 2025 at 12:47 PM
There was certainly something recently which monopolised all public debate and paralysed all policy initiative in the UK for the better part of a decade, and I dont think it was trans rights.
Reposted by Simon Ward
As Kemi Badenoch confirms plans to pull out of the ECHR a reminder that much of this debate is driven by myths and misinformation observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Misinformation and myth: the UK’s phoney war over human r...
The debate over the future of the European Convention on Human Rights will shape conference season and beyond
observer.co.uk
October 5, 2025 at 5:16 PM
As Kemi Badenoch confirms plans to pull out of the ECHR a reminder that much of this debate is driven by myths and misinformation observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Reposted by Simon Ward
In which, remarkably, while talking about the fiscal bind, and even after Jeremy Hunt goes on about acting in the interests of the country, no one brings up the TWO NI cuts carried out largely if not solely for narrow party political ends. podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/h...
How (And When) To Topple A Leader - With Jeremy Hunt
Podcast Episode · How To Win An Election · 18/09/2025 · 41m
podcasts.apple.com
September 21, 2025 at 10:08 AM
In which, remarkably, while talking about the fiscal bind, and even after Jeremy Hunt goes on about acting in the interests of the country, no one brings up the TWO NI cuts carried out largely if not solely for narrow party political ends. podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/h...
Reposted by Simon Ward
THE most important part:
PATEL DID NOT ANSWER THE QUESTION
They are running away and frantically pointing elsewhere for a reason.
PATEL DID NOT ANSWER THE QUESTION
They are running away and frantically pointing elsewhere for a reason.
Kash Patel is asked about why Ghislaine Maxwell was transferred to a lower security prison shortly after meeting w. Deputy Atty Gen. Todd Blanche
His response included calling Sen Adam Schiff (D-CA) a "fraud" & a "baffoon"
I've never seen that before in a Congressional hearing
His response included calling Sen Adam Schiff (D-CA) a "fraud" & a "baffoon"
I've never seen that before in a Congressional hearing
September 16, 2025 at 8:01 PM
THE most important part:
PATEL DID NOT ANSWER THE QUESTION
They are running away and frantically pointing elsewhere for a reason.
PATEL DID NOT ANSWER THE QUESTION
They are running away and frantically pointing elsewhere for a reason.
Reposted by Simon Ward
Kruger. Do you remember this?
BBC NEWS | UK | Politics | Tory candidate quits over remark
news.bbc.co.uk
September 15, 2025 at 11:50 AM
Kruger. Do you remember this?
Reposted by Simon Ward
Had this nagging feeling that what’s going on in the US had a familiar tone. I think I’ve got it. The entire US has been turned into a colossal version of Zimbardo’s Stanford Prison Experiment.
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanfor...
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanfor...
Stanford prison experiment - Wikipedia
en.m.wikipedia.org
September 4, 2025 at 3:17 AM
Had this nagging feeling that what’s going on in the US had a familiar tone. I think I’ve got it. The entire US has been turned into a colossal version of Zimbardo’s Stanford Prison Experiment.
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanfor...
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanfor...
Reposted by Simon Ward
Where has this ludicrous ECHR "debate" even come from.
I've never once met an ordinary member of the public who's said to me, "Do you know what? We REALLY need to leave the ECHR."
It's just a new right wing talking point because every other shit idea they've foisted on us has run out of steam.
I've never once met an ordinary member of the public who's said to me, "Do you know what? We REALLY need to leave the ECHR."
It's just a new right wing talking point because every other shit idea they've foisted on us has run out of steam.
September 1, 2025 at 7:53 AM
Where has this ludicrous ECHR "debate" even come from.
I've never once met an ordinary member of the public who's said to me, "Do you know what? We REALLY need to leave the ECHR."
It's just a new right wing talking point because every other shit idea they've foisted on us has run out of steam.
I've never once met an ordinary member of the public who's said to me, "Do you know what? We REALLY need to leave the ECHR."
It's just a new right wing talking point because every other shit idea they've foisted on us has run out of steam.
Reposted by Simon Ward
Reposted by Simon Ward
Leaving the ECHR is the latest iteration of the "one weird trick" politics that has served us so well in recent years. It appeals because it's simple and it won't work because it's simple.
August 29, 2025 at 8:30 AM
Leaving the ECHR is the latest iteration of the "one weird trick" politics that has served us so well in recent years. It appeals because it's simple and it won't work because it's simple.
Reposted by Simon Ward
Ppl, they promised you Brexit would solve everything, and it was a piece of shit. They’re telling you leaving the ECHR will solve everything. It will also be a piece of shit.
Stop believing them. They talk self-serving bollocks.
Stop believing them. They talk self-serving bollocks.
August 29, 2025 at 8:48 AM
Ppl, they promised you Brexit would solve everything, and it was a piece of shit. They’re telling you leaving the ECHR will solve everything. It will also be a piece of shit.
Stop believing them. They talk self-serving bollocks.
Stop believing them. They talk self-serving bollocks.
Reposted by Simon Ward
While the mainstream discussions are depressingly about *how* best to remove and stop immigrants, it’s a revolutionary act nowadays to say that immigration is actually a positive thing and an essential component of a thriving country, so please join me in doing so!
August 28, 2025 at 9:17 AM
While the mainstream discussions are depressingly about *how* best to remove and stop immigrants, it’s a revolutionary act nowadays to say that immigration is actually a positive thing and an essential component of a thriving country, so please join me in doing so!
Reposted by Simon Ward
If your concern is that a white person who pleaded guilty received a sentence within the guidelines maybe you *want* two tier justice.
August 24, 2025 at 7:50 AM
If your concern is that a white person who pleaded guilty received a sentence within the guidelines maybe you *want* two tier justice.
Reposted by Simon Ward
Britain isn’t being “overrun” by migration — it’s being sustained by it.
The Bear argues politicians on all sides owe voters honesty about this simple fact.
The Bear argues politicians on all sides owe voters honesty about this simple fact.
Britain has never stood alone
From Empire to the NHS, this country has always relied on outsiders. The real crisis isn’t migration – it’s dishonesty
eastangliabylines.co.uk
August 24, 2025 at 6:05 AM
Britain isn’t being “overrun” by migration — it’s being sustained by it.
The Bear argues politicians on all sides owe voters honesty about this simple fact.
The Bear argues politicians on all sides owe voters honesty about this simple fact.
Reposted by Simon Ward
Yet another retrospective triumph for Cameron and Osborne.
Scrapping of audit watchdog for English councils ‘led to soaring costs and chaos’
High critical report finds that instead of promised annual saving of £100m, fees have rocketed amid financial crisis
www.theguardian.com
August 19, 2025 at 6:43 AM
Yet another retrospective triumph for Cameron and Osborne.
Reposted by Simon Ward
Record number of solar panels, batteries and heat pumps have been installed in UK homes and buildings in the first six months of 2025
www.standard.co.uk/business/bus...
www.standard.co.uk/business/bus...
Record installations of solar panels, batteries and heat pumps so far in 2025
An accreditation body has reported increases in installations of small scale renewables in the first half of this year compared to 2024.
www.standard.co.uk
August 6, 2025 at 7:43 AM
Record number of solar panels, batteries and heat pumps have been installed in UK homes and buildings in the first six months of 2025
www.standard.co.uk/business/bus...
www.standard.co.uk/business/bus...
Reposted by Simon Ward
Seeing a bit of angst about lack of vision in progressive politics both sides of the Atlantic. So once again I offer you St Lucian development economist Arthur Lewis’s sketch of what socialists want.
August 2, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Seeing a bit of angst about lack of vision in progressive politics both sides of the Atlantic. So once again I offer you St Lucian development economist Arthur Lewis’s sketch of what socialists want.