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Simon Pease

@simonpease.bsky.social

8.1K followers 2K following 4.3K posts

Former UK diplomat. Neglectful gardener, baker, and maker. There is one planet. We pass through and are supposed to take care of it. Politics, as well as random observations on other stuff. No unsolicited DMs.

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Simon Pease @simonpease.bsky.social · Dec 2

Human beings are capable of believing two things which are mutually contradictory at the same time, without realising it.

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Anoosh Chakelian @anooshc.bsky.social · 15h

“I think politicians are ignoring prices and bills and hoping we’ll forget about them and find something else to complain about…”

My report on how the flighty Westminster bubble forgot about the cost-of-living crisis, which certainly isn't over:

Energy bills rise while Westminster talks immigration

Why have our politicians forgotten about the cost-of-living crisis?

www.newstatesman.com

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Simon Pease @simonpease.bsky.social · 6h

I look forward to it.

Simon Pease @simonpease.bsky.social · 6h

There is a serious economic and social crisis brewing. The facts are there for everyone to see, but they’re so difficult to deal with, nearly everyone ignores them.

Simon Pease @simonpease.bsky.social · 6h

On the contrary, they can lie all they like. But they do so on record and at risk of being discovered.

Reposted by Simon Pease

Sarah Murphy @13sarahmurphy.bsky.social · 9h

As red flags go, it doesn’t get any redder or in your face than this.

All politicians, commentators and organisations who care about our democracy should heed the warning, call it out and then *do something* about it.

First stop. Leave X.

Musk has in recent months switched his support from Nigel Farage's rightwing populist Reform UK party to the far-right movement led by Robinson.
Musk appeared via video link at a
"Unite the Kingdom" rally in London organised by Robinson last month, and the Tesla chief executive predicted that
"violence is going to come" to the UK
"whether you choose violence or not" and told Britons to "fight back - or you die".
After the first day of the trial before Westminster magistrates, which is expected to last two days, Robinson posted on X: "A huge thank you to Elon Musk today. Legend."

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Simon Pease @simonpease.bsky.social · 9h

How many of Tommy Robinson’s followers know a British passport isn’t good enough for him, I wonder?

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Richard Haviland @rfhaviland.bsky.social · 11h

The power of words. The court did indeed hear this but only, if you read the article, because Robinson’s lawyer claimed it. And yet anyone reading the headline would think Robinson had been vindicated.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Tommy Robinson police stop at Channel Tunnel unlawful, court hears

The far-right activist was charged under the Terrorism Act over an incident at the Channel Tunnel in July 2024.

www.bbc.co.uk

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Finbarr Bermingham @fbermingham.bsky.social · 21h

New - Europe’s 3-body problem: collapsing global order sparks hunt for new trajectory

I got to write about one of my favourite Chinese sci-fi novels. Europe, realising it can’t fix systemic chaos, is instead trying to shift its own orbit.

Europe’s 3-body problem: collapsing global order sparks hunt for new trajectory

Some are sceptical the EU’s talk of ‘economic security’ can translate into action, but there are early signs that may be changing.

www.scmp.com

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Dr Stylite @columnist.bsky.social · 22h

Great stuff from @stephenkb.bsky.social And while I think the Brexit was a disaster denialism is clearly most pronounced in the Conservative Party, it continues to affect the rest of the political spectrum in the form of we have to make the best of it / the situation will never change etc.

Financial Times @financialtimes.com · 23h

How Brexit drained the Tories’ talent pool on.ft.com/4qarx21 | opinion

How Brexit drained the Tories’ talent pool

The party can’t keep expecting successful people to pretend that leaving the EU was a good idea

on.ft.com

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Simon Pease @simonpease.bsky.social · 20h

I hope so. But I won’t hold my breath.

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Simon Pease @simonpease.bsky.social · 20h

Sorry you have to put up with this. Is there anything we can do?

Reposted by Simon Pease

Helene von Bismarck @helenebismarck.bsky.social · 21h

I am very aware that you „can‘t just rejoin tomorrow“, but perhaps you could start talking about the relationship with Europe in a non-paranoid, non elephant in the room-way?

Helene von Bismarck @helenebismarck.bsky.social · 21h

The Labour Position is weird. "we absolutely won‘t do something about that thing we think is really bad for the Country, and for which we blame the Tories."
Sounds like being invited late to a party you always wanted to attend, except now you are declining out of pique.

Dr Stylite @columnist.bsky.social · 22h

If it’s self damaging for the Conservatives to continue to profess their support for a Brexit no one likes, it’s incoherent - and self damaging - for Labour to both dislike Brexit but at the same time to (largely) support it in its current form.

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Mona Paulsen @monapaulsen.bsky.social · 21h

It’s interesting to see the awareness of reputational damage caused by imposing arbitrary trade controls.

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Sarah Murphy @13sarahmurphy.bsky.social · 21h

“An essential condition today for entry into the upper echelons of Conservative party politics is being willing to at least pretend that you think taking Britain out of the EU was a good idea. This is a never-ending lobotomy for the Tories”

Brexit will always ruin you in the end.
on.ft.com/4nZ6DBt

How Brexit drained the Tories’ talent pool

The party can’t keep expecting successful people to pretend that leaving the EU was a good idea

on.ft.com

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Reposted by Simon Pease

Nick Gerrard @crosstherubycon.bsky.social · 1d

'Stunned?' Farage's Admission He Knew Nathan Gill but Not His Kremlin Associates Does Not Stand Up to Scrutiny – Byline Times bylinetimes.com/2025/10/11/s...

'Stunned?' Farage's Admission He Knew Nathan Gill but Not His Kremlin Associates Does Not Stand Up to Scrutiny

Insiders have told Byline Times it is 'inconceivable' the Reform Leader did not know about his close aide's pro Russian statements

bylinetimes.com

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Simon Pease @simonpease.bsky.social · 1d

Well, those people need to understand that “we don’t like people of colour” or “we believe the poor should shoulder the major part of the tax burden” or “climate change is a con” are also beliefs. So those that believe them should be exposed.

Reposted by Simon Pease

Paul Bernal @paulbernal.bsky.social · 1d

It was only ridiculous articles in places like The Times that suggested they would.

The Times & Sunday Times @thetimes.com · 1d

Private school VAT raid ‘did not drive pupils to state sector’

Local councils reject claims by the Scottish Council of Independent Schools that Labour’s policy has added to burden on taxpayers

Private school VAT raid ‘did not drive pupils to state sector’

www.thetimes.com

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Simon Pease @simonpease.bsky.social · 1d

Beliefs aren’t solely a matter of religion.

Simon Pease @simonpease.bsky.social · 1d

Spot on. Unaccountable politicians, lazy voters and unquestioning journos. A recipe for a slow deflation of national pride and standing.

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Farrukh @implausibleblog.bsky.social · 1d

Chris Packham, "This country voted in a party with a massive majority and a mandate for change"

"All we see is Labour kowtowing to the far right. This causes me enormous concern"

"I'm frustrated, I'm angry, and I've frightened"

"And I get more scared every single day"

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Simon Pease @simonpease.bsky.social · 1d

Fair. But there are some things predominantly believed by either sex/gender.

Simon Pease @simonpease.bsky.social · 1d

No. It depends on them being able to convince people they are telling the truth. Of course some gullible souls may believe lies if they tell them; but quite a lot will not. Tell me why it is wrong in principle to ask a would be politician to make a statement of their beliefs?

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Simon Pease @simonpease.bsky.social · 1d

Maybe he needs a box of tissues because he has a cold.

Simon Pease @simonpease.bsky.social · 1d

Yes, definitely. If you hold it as a belief you should answer for it 😂