Philip Stephens
@philipstephens.bsky.social
Writer, historian, Contrib Ed, FT, Robert Bosch Fellow, Berlin, author These Divided Isles, and Britain Alone (both Faber), British, Irish and European. philipstephens.substack.com, philipstephens.net
Pinned
The book I always wanted to write. How Partition turned the Irish Question in British politics into the British Question in Irish politics. And the extraordinary mix of enmity and intimacy that finally mapped a path to a different future. Now open for advance orders:
linktr.ee/thesedivided...
linktr.ee/thesedivided...
Reposted by Philip Stephens
Is welfare spending ''out of control''?
Total welfare spending in Britain in 2025-26 is estimated to be 10.8 per cent of GDP.
That's just 0.8 per cent of GDP higher than in 2007-08, and total welfare spending has actually fallen fallen by 1.2 per cent of GDP since 2012-13⤵️
buff.ly/s5mz97u
Total welfare spending in Britain in 2025-26 is estimated to be 10.8 per cent of GDP.
That's just 0.8 per cent of GDP higher than in 2007-08, and total welfare spending has actually fallen fallen by 1.2 per cent of GDP since 2012-13⤵️
buff.ly/s5mz97u
November 25, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Is welfare spending ''out of control''?
Total welfare spending in Britain in 2025-26 is estimated to be 10.8 per cent of GDP.
That's just 0.8 per cent of GDP higher than in 2007-08, and total welfare spending has actually fallen fallen by 1.2 per cent of GDP since 2012-13⤵️
buff.ly/s5mz97u
Total welfare spending in Britain in 2025-26 is estimated to be 10.8 per cent of GDP.
That's just 0.8 per cent of GDP higher than in 2007-08, and total welfare spending has actually fallen fallen by 1.2 per cent of GDP since 2012-13⤵️
buff.ly/s5mz97u
So now we know. Nigel Farage says his youthful admiration for the Nazis and embrace of "Gas 'em all" anti-semitism was just a bit of "banter". Nothing there to apologise for.
November 25, 2025 at 11:38 AM
So now we know. Nigel Farage says his youthful admiration for the Nazis and embrace of "Gas 'em all" anti-semitism was just a bit of "banter". Nothing there to apologise for.
Reposted by Philip Stephens
So wonderful to have launched These Divided Isles in Kiltimagh, my mother's home and the finest town in Ireland's wild west!
www.westernpeople.ie/news/philips...
www.westernpeople.ie/news/philips...
Philip's story spans decades and borders - news - Western People
Philip's story spans decades and borders - news - Western People
www.westernpeople.ie
November 23, 2025 at 11:46 AM
So wonderful to have launched These Divided Isles in Kiltimagh, my mother's home and the finest town in Ireland's wild west!
www.westernpeople.ie/news/philips...
www.westernpeople.ie/news/philips...
Reposted by Philip Stephens
As an admirer of The Economist, sad to see it recycling garbage about chicken nuggets and the ECHR. The former wasn’t why a man’s deportation was halted. The latter worked well in the upper tribunal that decided he should be deported, after all.
November 22, 2025 at 9:26 PM
As an admirer of The Economist, sad to see it recycling garbage about chicken nuggets and the ECHR. The former wasn’t why a man’s deportation was halted. The latter worked well in the upper tribunal that decided he should be deported, after all.
Takeover of Telegraph by Daily Mail would leave Harmsworth dynasty (now led by 4th Viscount Rothermere, Jonathan) as powerful as during the 1930s. That of course was when virulently anti-semitic first Viscount, Harold backed British fascists at home and cheered on Hitler and Mussolini in Europe.
November 22, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Takeover of Telegraph by Daily Mail would leave Harmsworth dynasty (now led by 4th Viscount Rothermere, Jonathan) as powerful as during the 1930s. That of course was when virulently anti-semitic first Viscount, Harold backed British fascists at home and cheered on Hitler and Mussolini in Europe.
Simple point to be made to Trump by Europeans. His proposed deal with Putin is as threatening to the rest of Europe as it is humiliating for Ukraine. Rejecting it is not "siding" with Kyiv, but unavoidable to safeguard security of every European democracy......
November 22, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Simple point to be made to Trump by Europeans. His proposed deal with Putin is as threatening to the rest of Europe as it is humiliating for Ukraine. Rejecting it is not "siding" with Kyiv, but unavoidable to safeguard security of every European democracy......
The definition of hypocrisy. Cantankerous Wetherspoons boss and arch Brexiter Tim Martin wants to open his awful pubs in the EU. But the little England cheerleader has found its no longer easy to open a British business in Alicante. His answer? A new company in Dublin to operate his EU ventures.
November 22, 2025 at 12:18 PM
The definition of hypocrisy. Cantankerous Wetherspoons boss and arch Brexiter Tim Martin wants to open his awful pubs in the EU. But the little England cheerleader has found its no longer easy to open a British business in Alicante. His answer? A new company in Dublin to operate his EU ventures.
Reposted by Philip Stephens
Ex UKIP MEP, and ex Leader of Reform in Wales, Nathan Gill sentenced to 10 ½ years for corruption and bribery by Russians. Met Police anti terrorism unit also has ongoing investigations
How's the Union Jack waving going?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c8...
How's the Union Jack waving going?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c8...
Ex-leader of Reform UK in Wales sentenced to 10-and-a-half years for taking pro-Russian bribes
The judge tells Nathan Gill his actions were a
www.bbc.co.uk
November 21, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Ex UKIP MEP, and ex Leader of Reform in Wales, Nathan Gill sentenced to 10 ½ years for corruption and bribery by Russians. Met Police anti terrorism unit also has ongoing investigations
How's the Union Jack waving going?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c8...
How's the Union Jack waving going?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c8...
Reposted by Philip Stephens
It's quite a remarkable coincidence that Nigel Farage spent years working for Russia Today (RT) and socialising with prominent Russian and other wealthy individuals also linked with Russia. 🧐
November 21, 2025 at 11:31 AM
It's quite a remarkable coincidence that Nigel Farage spent years working for Russia Today (RT) and socialising with prominent Russian and other wealthy individuals also linked with Russia. 🧐
Reposted by Philip Stephens
Just in case Farage denys every knowing Gill.
November 21, 2025 at 1:46 PM
Just in case Farage denys every knowing Gill.
Nigel Farage now says his former school colleagues have "mis-rembered" him singing vile "Gas 'em all" Nazi songs...Seems odd that they all misremembered the same thing....
November 21, 2025 at 12:42 PM
Nigel Farage now says his former school colleagues have "mis-rembered" him singing vile "Gas 'em all" Nazi songs...Seems odd that they all misremembered the same thing....
I am not in the lets-go-to-war with Beijing camp but the reported confidence of the intelligence services about handling any threat from the new Chinese embassy should invite scepticism. Not so long ago the same services were alleged to be happy for Huawai to control Britain's digital infrastructure
November 21, 2025 at 11:57 AM
I am not in the lets-go-to-war with Beijing camp but the reported confidence of the intelligence services about handling any threat from the new Chinese embassy should invite scepticism. Not so long ago the same services were alleged to be happy for Huawai to control Britain's digital infrastructure
Sad really that Australia is being led into the first Ashes test by a proven cheat....
November 20, 2025 at 8:18 PM
Sad really that Australia is being led into the first Ashes test by a proven cheat....
Today there is one question for Nigel Farage. Does he hold to the truly vile anti-semitic, racist views he expressed as a teenager at the elite Dulwich School?
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
No 10 calls on Farage to urgently address ‘disturbing allegations’ of past racist behaviour
Keir Starmer ramps up pressure on Reform leader, who has dismissed claims as ‘one person’s word against another’
www.theguardian.com
November 20, 2025 at 11:41 AM
Today there is one question for Nigel Farage. Does he hold to the truly vile anti-semitic, racist views he expressed as a teenager at the elite Dulwich School?
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
By the account of contemporaries , as a pupil at London's elite Dulwich School Nigel Farage said Hitler had been right to send Jews to the gas chambers. Has Mr Farage changed his mind? Maybe someone should ask him?
November 19, 2025 at 11:29 PM
By the account of contemporaries , as a pupil at London's elite Dulwich School Nigel Farage said Hitler had been right to send Jews to the gas chambers. Has Mr Farage changed his mind? Maybe someone should ask him?
“He used to say things like, you know, ‘Jude’, to Peter, which is the German for Jew, in the way it was said in the 1930s, a long ‘u’ in a menacing way, you know?”, former friend of Nigel Farage at Dulwich College reported In Guardian......
November 19, 2025 at 11:09 PM
“He used to say things like, you know, ‘Jude’, to Peter, which is the German for Jew, in the way it was said in the 1930s, a long ‘u’ in a menacing way, you know?”, former friend of Nigel Farage at Dulwich College reported In Guardian......
Do Harvard students really want to be taught by this person? Does Harvard consider him a suitable role model?
www.ft.com/content/fbf2...
www.ft.com/content/fbf2...
Lawrence Summers steps down from OpenAI board over Epstein emails
Scandal-hit former Treasury secretary had said he will withdraw from ‘public commitments’
www.ft.com
November 19, 2025 at 10:38 PM
Do Harvard students really want to be taught by this person? Does Harvard consider him a suitable role model?
www.ft.com/content/fbf2...
www.ft.com/content/fbf2...
If, as he insists, Nigel Farage did not habitually express vile, anti semitic views while a prefect at Dulwich School, presumably he will be suing the many contemporary students and teachers who have told The Guardian otherwise?
November 19, 2025 at 4:22 PM
If, as he insists, Nigel Farage did not habitually express vile, anti semitic views while a prefect at Dulwich School, presumably he will be suing the many contemporary students and teachers who have told The Guardian otherwise?
Reposted by Philip Stephens
Of all the vile, grim, ugly things Trump has done and said, I'm probably the most angry and upset by "quiet, Piggy". It's just everything that's repulsive about him: rude, disrespectful, bullying, and deeply misogynistic.
November 19, 2025 at 10:25 AM
Of all the vile, grim, ugly things Trump has done and said, I'm probably the most angry and upset by "quiet, Piggy". It's just everything that's repulsive about him: rude, disrespectful, bullying, and deeply misogynistic.
Anti-semitism comes in many guises, but history tells us it has always been the very bedrock of far right politics. For these warped extremists, Muslims are a useful target but Jews remain the real enemy. Nothing has changed.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Farage’s wholesale denial of detailed racism claims is ‘troubling’, says former extremism adviser
Lord Walney expresses concern over Reform leader’s response as Labour calls on Farage to address ‘disturbing’ allegations
www.theguardian.com
November 19, 2025 at 12:21 PM
Anti-semitism comes in many guises, but history tells us it has always been the very bedrock of far right politics. For these warped extremists, Muslims are a useful target but Jews remain the real enemy. Nothing has changed.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Philip Stephens
The UK is too dependent on the United States for its defense and has not adequately invested in a back-up plan should America pull away from Europe, a damning report by a cross-party group of lawmakers has warned.
Britain’s defenses too reliant on Trump’s America, MPs warn
The cross-party Defence Committee says Europe will be “left vulnerable” if the U.S. backs away.
www.politico.eu
November 19, 2025 at 11:34 AM
The UK is too dependent on the United States for its defense and has not adequately invested in a back-up plan should America pull away from Europe, a damning report by a cross-party group of lawmakers has warned.
“He would sidle up to me and growl: ‘Hitler was right,’ or ‘Gas them,’ sometimes adding a long hiss to simulate the sound of the gas showers.” Former school classmate of Nigel Farage quoted in Guardian. Anti-semitism always at very core of far right politics.
November 18, 2025 at 7:57 PM
“He would sidle up to me and growl: ‘Hitler was right,’ or ‘Gas them,’ sometimes adding a long hiss to simulate the sound of the gas showers.” Former school classmate of Nigel Farage quoted in Guardian. Anti-semitism always at very core of far right politics.
Reposted by Philip Stephens
“Farage and others had marched through a quiet Sussex village very late at night shouting Hitler Youth songs”.
www.theguardian.com/politics/ng-...
www.theguardian.com/politics/ng-...
‘Deeply shocking’: Nigel Farage faces fresh claims of racism and antisemitism at school
Bafta-winning director among contemporaries urging contrition and apology from Reform UK leader, who denies the allegations
www.theguardian.com
November 18, 2025 at 5:38 PM
“Farage and others had marched through a quiet Sussex village very late at night shouting Hitler Youth songs”.
www.theguardian.com/politics/ng-...
www.theguardian.com/politics/ng-...
Reposted by Philip Stephens
In 2024, the UK had the lowest taxes on an average employee of any G7 country.
UK taxes for lower earners were also the lowest in the G7.
But the UK's position might change in 2025.
Read more 👉 buff.ly/4ppe7Q8
UK taxes for lower earners were also the lowest in the G7.
But the UK's position might change in 2025.
Read more 👉 buff.ly/4ppe7Q8
November 18, 2025 at 6:01 PM
In 2024, the UK had the lowest taxes on an average employee of any G7 country.
UK taxes for lower earners were also the lowest in the G7.
But the UK's position might change in 2025.
Read more 👉 buff.ly/4ppe7Q8
UK taxes for lower earners were also the lowest in the G7.
But the UK's position might change in 2025.
Read more 👉 buff.ly/4ppe7Q8