Clare Simpson
@claremsimpson.bsky.social
Reading, writing, theatre (including theatre reviews for @FringeReview)
Finding out there’s life after work.
Trustee @opfs
Finding out there’s life after work.
Trustee @opfs
Reposted by Clare Simpson
Listen in tomorrow evening (7.15 Weds 3rd Dec) when I’ll be talking to Kirsty Wark about 18th century genius #marywortleymontagu the subject of my #saltirebookaward winning novel #awomanofopinion
December 2, 2025 at 9:16 AM
Listen in tomorrow evening (7.15 Weds 3rd Dec) when I’ll be talking to Kirsty Wark about 18th century genius #marywortleymontagu the subject of my #saltirebookaward winning novel #awomanofopinion
Reposted by Clare Simpson
Reposted by Clare Simpson
I'm thrilled that Upon A White Horse is going to be Radio 4's Book Of The Week. The first episode, which is on Stonehenge, will be on December 8 at 11.45am – and then there will be a reading from a different part of the book every day up to and including December 12. I hope you'll enjoy listening.
December 1, 2025 at 8:59 AM
I'm thrilled that Upon A White Horse is going to be Radio 4's Book Of The Week. The first episode, which is on Stonehenge, will be on December 8 at 11.45am – and then there will be a reading from a different part of the book every day up to and including December 12. I hope you'll enjoy listening.
Reposted by Clare Simpson
Reposted by Clare Simpson
Some great choices here. Mine are: Maggie Nelson, Yiyun Li, Ed Atkins, @wednesdayerskin.bsky.social, David Park, @elainefeeney.bsky.social, Leanne Shapton, and our Nero Fiction shortlist of Ben Woods, Oyinkan Braithwaite, Damian Barr and Ian McEwan. www.irishtimes.com/culture/book... #Booksoftheyear
Books of the year 2025: Authors and critics pick their favourites
Roisín O’Donnell’s Nesting, Helen Garner’s How to End a Story and Liadan Ní Chuinn’s Every One Still Here are among the year’s top choices
www.irishtimes.com
November 29, 2025 at 9:25 AM
Some great choices here. Mine are: Maggie Nelson, Yiyun Li, Ed Atkins, @wednesdayerskin.bsky.social, David Park, @elainefeeney.bsky.social, Leanne Shapton, and our Nero Fiction shortlist of Ben Woods, Oyinkan Braithwaite, Damian Barr and Ian McEwan. www.irishtimes.com/culture/book... #Booksoftheyear
Reposted by Clare Simpson
End of over 11 fantastic years. Hugely grateful for all the kindness and good wishes I have received as I exit stage left. @aberlourcharity.bsky.social it has been an absolute privilege - thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve. Remember speak up and speak out for what is right and fair. ❤️🙏
It's the end of an era today as we say goodbye to our CEO, @sallyannkelly1.bsky.social. Over the past 11 years SallyAnn has led Aberlour with courage, compassion & bravery. We're extremely grateful for everything she has helped us achieve to improve the lives of children, young people & families.
November 28, 2025 at 8:37 PM
End of over 11 fantastic years. Hugely grateful for all the kindness and good wishes I have received as I exit stage left. @aberlourcharity.bsky.social it has been an absolute privilege - thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve. Remember speak up and speak out for what is right and fair. ❤️🙏
Reposted by Clare Simpson
This is murder. www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
November 28, 2025 at 6:16 PM
This is murder. www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Reposted by Clare Simpson
Irish Book Awards 2025: Roisín O’Donnell, Claire Gleeson and Manchán Magan among winners. Jacqueline Connolly, Andrew Porter, Cecelia Ahern, Andrea Mara, Elaine Feeney, Joseph O’Connor and Michael D Higgins also honoured
www.irishtimes.com/culture/book...
www.irishtimes.com/culture/book...
Irish Book Awards 2025: Roisín O’Donnell, Claire Gleeson and Manchán Magan among winners
Jacqueline Connolly, Andrew Porter, Cecelia Ahern, Andrea Mara, Elaine Feeney, Joseph O’Connor and Michael D Higgins also honoured
www.irishtimes.com
November 28, 2025 at 7:55 AM
Irish Book Awards 2025: Roisín O’Donnell, Claire Gleeson and Manchán Magan among winners. Jacqueline Connolly, Andrew Porter, Cecelia Ahern, Andrea Mara, Elaine Feeney, Joseph O’Connor and Michael D Higgins also honoured
www.irishtimes.com/culture/book...
www.irishtimes.com/culture/book...
Reposted by Clare Simpson
"We followed everything we were supposed to do"
Legitimate green card applicants with US spouses are being
arrested by armed, masked men at scheduled immigration interviews, taken away from their children, sent to prison
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
Legitimate green card applicants with US spouses are being
arrested by armed, masked men at scheduled immigration interviews, taken away from their children, sent to prison
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
Green Card Interviews End in Handcuffs for Spouses of U.S. Citizens
www.nytimes.com
November 27, 2025 at 11:55 AM
"We followed everything we were supposed to do"
Legitimate green card applicants with US spouses are being
arrested by armed, masked men at scheduled immigration interviews, taken away from their children, sent to prison
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
Legitimate green card applicants with US spouses are being
arrested by armed, masked men at scheduled immigration interviews, taken away from their children, sent to prison
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
Reposted by Clare Simpson
Scrapping the two-child limit in full is a monumental decision. Well done to all involved in the Child Poverty Strategy, and everyone who has made the case against the policy.
OBR says scrapping costs £3 billion in 2029-30 and will lift 450,000 out of poverty
OBR says scrapping costs £3 billion in 2029-30 and will lift 450,000 out of poverty
November 26, 2025 at 12:57 PM
Scrapping the two-child limit in full is a monumental decision. Well done to all involved in the Child Poverty Strategy, and everyone who has made the case against the policy.
OBR says scrapping costs £3 billion in 2029-30 and will lift 450,000 out of poverty
OBR says scrapping costs £3 billion in 2029-30 and will lift 450,000 out of poverty
Reposted by Clare Simpson
Huge news in the budget today, the two child limit is being scrapped. It has been the driving cause behind rising child poverty, which has reached record levels. Wouldn't hav been possible without the 100s of organistions that have tirelessly campaigned to scrap it since its introduction 8 yrs ago.
November 26, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Huge news in the budget today, the two child limit is being scrapped. It has been the driving cause behind rising child poverty, which has reached record levels. Wouldn't hav been possible without the 100s of organistions that have tirelessly campaigned to scrap it since its introduction 8 yrs ago.
Reposted by Clare Simpson
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
November 25, 2025 at 9:26 AM
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
Reposted by Clare Simpson
Planning to start your Christmas shopping this weekend?
I've got you covered with over 100 links to charities, museums and small businesses selling interesting things which will bring joy not landfill.
#GoodGifts
I've got you covered with over 100 links to charities, museums and small businesses selling interesting things which will bring joy not landfill.
#GoodGifts
Good Gifts 2025
Use your Secret Santa or present giving to support charities, museums and small businesses.
madlinblog.wordpress.com
November 21, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Planning to start your Christmas shopping this weekend?
I've got you covered with over 100 links to charities, museums and small businesses selling interesting things which will bring joy not landfill.
#GoodGifts
I've got you covered with over 100 links to charities, museums and small businesses selling interesting things which will bring joy not landfill.
#GoodGifts
Reposted by Clare Simpson
"My NHS colleagues & I weren’t willing to let the bodies pile high in their thousands. Boris no longer mentions them at all."
My piece on the responses to the UK Covid-UK Inquiry report that try to airbrush the dead away.
Sincere thanks, @theobserveruk.bsky.social.
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
My piece on the responses to the UK Covid-UK Inquiry report that try to airbrush the dead away.
Sincere thanks, @theobserveruk.bsky.social.
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
I’ll never forget the horror of the Covid wards | The Observer
observer.co.uk
November 23, 2025 at 9:18 AM
"My NHS colleagues & I weren’t willing to let the bodies pile high in their thousands. Boris no longer mentions them at all."
My piece on the responses to the UK Covid-UK Inquiry report that try to airbrush the dead away.
Sincere thanks, @theobserveruk.bsky.social.
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
My piece on the responses to the UK Covid-UK Inquiry report that try to airbrush the dead away.
Sincere thanks, @theobserveruk.bsky.social.
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Reposted by Clare Simpson
I flew to Canada this week to go to a Paul McCartney concert and I wrote about it here:
open.substack.com/pub/naomiald...
open.substack.com/pub/naomiald...
going through hell, keeping going
on art, grief, and the emotional heroism of just bloody keeping on making your work
open.substack.com
November 23, 2025 at 8:23 AM
I flew to Canada this week to go to a Paul McCartney concert and I wrote about it here:
open.substack.com/pub/naomiald...
open.substack.com/pub/naomiald...
Reposted by Clare Simpson
A MASSIVE WIN AT ST. JAMES' PARK!! 😍😍😍
November 22, 2025 at 7:26 PM
A MASSIVE WIN AT ST. JAMES' PARK!! 😍😍😍
Thread 🧵 👇🏼
The Covid inquiry’s findings are shocking but unsurprising now, so the main thing it left me thinking is that without a vaccine we wd’ve been utterly screwed. & if you worked round the clock to make a thing that saved millions of lives globally, to see that legacy trashed by anti-vaxxers…
November 20, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Thread 🧵 👇🏼
Reposted by Clare Simpson
Steve McQueen’s 34-hour long film Occupied City is a “living archive” of some 2,000 addresses, alongside details of who lived where during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands...
Steve McQueen: Artists have never been more useful
The director on having his latest film in Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum and ‘living with ghosts’
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
November 20, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Steve McQueen’s 34-hour long film Occupied City is a “living archive” of some 2,000 addresses, alongside details of who lived where during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands...
Reposted by Clare Simpson
Some of the first shows announced for next year at The King’s Theatre
The first few shows to be staged at the newly renovated King's Theatre have been announced. There will be a bit of everything as always from the West End shows to drama, dance and family entertainment. Audiences are promised…
The first few shows to be staged at the newly renovated King's Theatre have been announced. There will be a bit of everything as always from the West End shows to drama, dance and family entertainment. Audiences are promised…
Some of the first shows announced for next year at The King’s Theatre
The first few shows to be staged at the newly renovated King's Theatre have been announced. There will be a bit of everything as always from the West End shows to drama, dance and family entertainment. Audiences are promised more dance than before with the new level stage door and Jasmin Vardimon's Lullaby will come to the theatre in September. This is a groundbreaking new piece with a storyline set in a hospital.
theedinburghreporter.co.uk
November 19, 2025 at 12:36 PM
Some of the first shows announced for next year at The King’s Theatre
The first few shows to be staged at the newly renovated King's Theatre have been announced. There will be a bit of everything as always from the West End shows to drama, dance and family entertainment. Audiences are promised…
The first few shows to be staged at the newly renovated King's Theatre have been announced. There will be a bit of everything as always from the West End shows to drama, dance and family entertainment. Audiences are promised…
Reposted by Clare Simpson
Thrilled to be appointed the new writer in residence for the IASH/Traverse Creative Fellowship for 2026. More details to follow soon. www.traverse.co.uk/news/travers...
November 19, 2025 at 11:28 AM
Thrilled to be appointed the new writer in residence for the IASH/Traverse Creative Fellowship for 2026. More details to follow soon. www.traverse.co.uk/news/travers...
Reposted by Clare Simpson
Our fourth manifesto call is to deliver universal and intensive whole family support to all that need it, incorporating Open Kindergartens as an effective means of universal provision.
Too many feel they don't have adequate help or support in their parenting journey - this must change.
Too many feel they don't have adequate help or support in their parenting journey - this must change.
November 19, 2025 at 10:47 AM
Our fourth manifesto call is to deliver universal and intensive whole family support to all that need it, incorporating Open Kindergartens as an effective means of universal provision.
Too many feel they don't have adequate help or support in their parenting journey - this must change.
Too many feel they don't have adequate help or support in their parenting journey - this must change.
Reposted by Clare Simpson
The BBC Scotland commentary for Kenny McLean’s halfway line goal is glorious. Stuff of dreams. 🔥
Congratulations #Scotland, see you at the World Cup.
Congratulations #Scotland, see you at the World Cup.
November 18, 2025 at 10:00 PM
The BBC Scotland commentary for Kenny McLean’s halfway line goal is glorious. Stuff of dreams. 🔥
Congratulations #Scotland, see you at the World Cup.
Congratulations #Scotland, see you at the World Cup.
Reposted by Clare Simpson
The basic problem with the temporary refugee status policy - especially one lasting up to 20 years - is it leads to very few removals (based on Denmark's experience) but does significantly worsen integration.
November 18, 2025 at 9:05 AM
The basic problem with the temporary refugee status policy - especially one lasting up to 20 years - is it leads to very few removals (based on Denmark's experience) but does significantly worsen integration.
Reposted by Clare Simpson
Really good to hear Stella Creasy on @newsagents.bsky.social saying students should be removed from immigration figures. Of course they should! And they make up a huge chunk of the figures - around half. They’re part of the success story of global Britain - coming here to get a great education.
"I know there are a lot of MPs who are deeply uncomfortable at the idea of frisking people at the border to see if we can remove their jewellery," says Stella Creasy.
"That's not the way we want to manage somebody who is a victim of torture"
www.thenewsagents.co.uk/article/labo...
"That's not the way we want to manage somebody who is a victim of torture"
www.thenewsagents.co.uk/article/labo...
Labour’s new immigration plan 'not progressive, or practical', says Stella Creasy | The News Agents
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has announced tough new measures to deter asylum seekers from attempting to enter the UK. Will her methods be enough, or is this simply an attempt to win back support…
www.thenewsagents.co.uk
November 17, 2025 at 7:09 PM
Really good to hear Stella Creasy on @newsagents.bsky.social saying students should be removed from immigration figures. Of course they should! And they make up a huge chunk of the figures - around half. They’re part of the success story of global Britain - coming here to get a great education.
Reposted by Clare Simpson
New post
The legal and constitutional implications of the asylum white paper: Some initial thoughts
publiclawforeveryone.com/2025/11/17/t...
The legal and constitutional implications of the asylum white paper: Some initial thoughts
publiclawforeveryone.com/2025/11/17/t...
The legal and constitutional implications of the asylum white paper: Some initial thoughts
Proposals for radical reform of the UK’s asylum system raise a number of legal and constitutional issues, with respect both to the European Convention on Human Rights and the domestic principle of …
publiclawforeveryone.com
November 17, 2025 at 9:43 PM
New post
The legal and constitutional implications of the asylum white paper: Some initial thoughts
publiclawforeveryone.com/2025/11/17/t...
The legal and constitutional implications of the asylum white paper: Some initial thoughts
publiclawforeveryone.com/2025/11/17/t...