Author | Lightnews

William Simpson

@williamsimpson.bsky.social

1.3K followers 1K following 130 posts

Head of Content at Airship. We make podcasts like American Scandal and History Daily. British but work with Americans so I've basically forgotten the way round dates go, which is unfortunate for someone writing about history all day.

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

William Simpson @williamsimpson.bsky.social · 7h

The ravens are leaving the Tower Ballroom

Scott Bryan @scottygb.bsky.social · 8h

BREAKING - Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman are to leave Strictly at the end of the current series.

1 2

William Simpson @williamsimpson.bsky.social · 1d

It's just awful.

William Simpson @williamsimpson.bsky.social · 1d

Ah yes, "fringe cases" like that tiny proportion of people *with children*

William Simpson @williamsimpson.bsky.social · 1d

I mean, she sounds a real hardened criminal!

It's such an extreme policy I (naively perhaps) refuse to believe it could ever be introduced. But the fact that Lam feels comfortable promoting it, and that Labour are clearly so terrified of opposing it properly says a lot about where we are right now.

1 9

William Simpson @williamsimpson.bsky.social · 1d

And of course there's no guarantee it would be just limited to those with ILR. EU Settled Status is conspicuous by its absence from the stated exemptions, and a lot of the figures Lam has bandied about to justify her ludicrous hateful policy only vaguely make sense if they include EU citizens.

1 5

William Simpson @williamsimpson.bsky.social · 1d

When my wife was on insultingly low statutory maternity pay, it wasn't society that was being taken advantage of. It was her.

1 4 39

William Simpson @williamsimpson.bsky.social · 1d

As far as I can tell, this policy would deport my Swedish wife (who has a well-paying job and pays thousands in tax each year, not that that should decide these things) because she "took" from society by going on maternity leave when our kids were born.

Sunder Katwala (sundersays) @sundersays.bsky.social · 1d

Tory policy is to revoke permanent residence (ILR) for everybody who does not earn £38k - deporting most nurses who have ILR

This is put in the video as "who is unlikely to contribute more than they cost"

NB: video does not say EU settled status is exempt

No govt since Idi Amin has done this

15 76 220

William Simpson @williamsimpson.bsky.social · 2d

It took them a day to come up with this tortured, insulting nonsense. I'm not sure which is more depressing - the thought that No. 10 really does hate immigrants as much as they imply, or whether they think the British public are just so awful they have to pretend.

Jessica Elgot @jessicaelgot.bsky.social · 2d

“We welcome those who come to this country, legally, and give more than they take. We believe the right to stay here must not be automatic, but that those who play their part should be able to earn that right."

1 5

William Simpson @williamsimpson.bsky.social · 13d

Genuinely think one way to revitalise town centres would be to build kick-ass playgrounds in them. People underestimate the fact that parents will actually travel to places specifically for a good playground. And of course the kids will then want to buy snacks or a magazine or a toy...

1 4

William Simpson @williamsimpson.bsky.social · 22d

1 10

Reposted by William Simpson

Future Games Show @futuregamesshow.bsky.social · 27d

the Command & Conquer series is 30 years old today we so have an excuse to share this iconic moment with Tim Curry

54 2.8K 5.7K

William Simpson @williamsimpson.bsky.social · Sep 11

Everyone, ever since the election

William Simpson @williamsimpson.bsky.social · Sep 2

And "Farage is right, don't vote for him!" worked so well for the Tories too!

Been so disappointed with this lot, I actually wrote to my MP about it despairingly, that's what I've been reduced to.

1 1

Reposted by William Simpson

Classical Studies Memes for Hellenistic Teens @csmfht.bsky.social · Aug 14

2 46 290

Reposted by William Simpson

Jonathan Healey @jonathanhealey.bsky.social · Jul 30

This remains one of my favourite anecdotes from the English Civil War.

4 37 190

Reposted by William Simpson

Dave Vetter @davidrvetter.bsky.social · Aug 4

On the one hand, far fewer people are being killed. On the other, some people get to work two minutes later. So it's impossible to say whether it's good or not.

Journey times up, deaths down: Welsh 20mph speed limit still divisive two years on

Protests continue against default lower limit in urban areas that supporters say is working ‘exactly as intended’

www.theguardian.com

21 110 360

Reposted by William Simpson

David Litchfield @dc-litchfield.bsky.social · Jul 29

👀

1 2

William Simpson @williamsimpson.bsky.social · Jul 27

Just asked my eight year old daughter if she'd be inspired to play more football now, she looked at me witheringly and said no.

Reposted by William Simpson

The Author, Séamas O'Reilly @seamas.bsky.social · Jul 27

Not saying my 7yo son has been terminally tech-poisoned, but he's watching the English victory celebrations and has just said, in full seriousness, "look how many apps she has".

England's Chloe Kelly being interviewed after their Euros win, in front of an advertising hoarding displaying dozens of oblong tiles for different brands.

14 250 1.9K

William Simpson @williamsimpson.bsky.social · Jul 26

There seem to be loads in Bedford all of a sudden. Beautiful creatures.

William Simpson @williamsimpson.bsky.social · Jul 23

My dad is absolutely militant about this in summer. Has thermometers inside and out, the moment it's warmer outside the windows and doors are shut. Open again in the evening and early morning.

Naturally, having mocked him for years, I now do the same in my place.

William Simpson @williamsimpson.bsky.social · Jul 18

Sounds fascinating! I'll add it to my list. Recently I finally got round to reading Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver which I enjoyed.

William Simpson @williamsimpson.bsky.social · Jul 18

Love a thread like this, so many recommendations to pick up!

Rob Ford @robfordmancs.bsky.social · Jul 18

Nearly summer holiday season so I’m once again on the market for reading recommendations. I’m partial to history (bigger the theme/book the better), thoughtful sci-fi (Iain M Banks, Neal Stephenson type stuff) politics (obvs) and generally good quality fiction/non-fiction. Any tips?

1 1

William Simpson @williamsimpson.bsky.social · Jul 17

But that was a *famous* tree. This was just a teenage girl with family and friends and a whole life ahead of her.

William Simpson @williamsimpson.bsky.social · Jul 17

This sorry makes me so angry and sad. He should face far longer in prison and never be allowed behind the wheel again. Sentences for driving offences in this country are an utter joke.

Dan Douglas @dandouglas.bsky.social · Jul 17

speeding uninsured driver kills a child crossing the road, gets 16 months(!) in prison and will be free to drive again within three years. there is simply no deterrent to doing whatever you want, killing whoever you want with a car

Cardiff driver jailed for 16 months for killing teenager

Christopher West hit Keely Morgan on 1 May 2023 and she died at the scene.

www.bbc.co.uk

1 2