Thomas Penny
@thomaswpenny.bsky.social
Writer, editor, bereaved single Dad, Quaker, allotmenteer and very amateur musician.
Lover of strangers.
Lover of strangers.
Reposted by Thomas Penny
One of the most beautiful bits of english eccentricity and glorious design is coming back to Sotheby’s and should be bought by a musuem (or me) for THE NATION. www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...
Jewelled golden hare that sparked national treasure hunt set for auction
Artist and author Kit Williams hid a golden hare with clues to its precise location given in his 1979 book
www.independent.co.uk
November 27, 2025 at 9:18 AM
One of the most beautiful bits of english eccentricity and glorious design is coming back to Sotheby’s and should be bought by a musuem (or me) for THE NATION. www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...
Reposted by Thomas Penny
Full article by Anne is available here via @theatlantic.com : www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
Why Does Steve Witkoff Keep Taking Russia’s Side?
Trump’s envoy isn’t promoting peace. His interventions are helping Vladimir Putin.
www.theatlantic.com
November 27, 2025 at 8:56 AM
Full article by Anne is available here via @theatlantic.com : www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
Reposted by Thomas Penny
🔴 A 12-year-old girl injured in the November 19 missile strike on Ternopil has died, the mayor reported.
Doctors fought for Adriana's life for nine days. Her mother was also killed, and her sister remains hospitalized. The death toll in Ternopil has now reached 35.
Doctors fought for Adriana's life for nine days. Her mother was also killed, and her sister remains hospitalized. The death toll in Ternopil has now reached 35.
November 27, 2025 at 8:42 AM
🔴 A 12-year-old girl injured in the November 19 missile strike on Ternopil has died, the mayor reported.
Doctors fought for Adriana's life for nine days. Her mother was also killed, and her sister remains hospitalized. The death toll in Ternopil has now reached 35.
Doctors fought for Adriana's life for nine days. Her mother was also killed, and her sister remains hospitalized. The death toll in Ternopil has now reached 35.
Reposted by Thomas Penny
The war will end when Russia stops fighting. Therefore, pressure has to be put on Russia, so that they stop believing that they will win. Why is that so hard to understand?
November 27, 2025 at 1:49 AM
The war will end when Russia stops fighting. Therefore, pressure has to be put on Russia, so that they stop believing that they will win. Why is that so hard to understand?
It's really grim that the Mail, Express and Sun all take the same divisive line by demonising benefit claimants on their front pages today.
And that they all do so by referencing Benefits Street, a 10 year old TV show.
They need to get out and listen to more struggling people.
Life is not a TV show.
And that they all do so by referencing Benefits Street, a 10 year old TV show.
They need to get out and listen to more struggling people.
Life is not a TV show.
November 27, 2025 at 8:11 AM
It's really grim that the Mail, Express and Sun all take the same divisive line by demonising benefit claimants on their front pages today.
And that they all do so by referencing Benefits Street, a 10 year old TV show.
They need to get out and listen to more struggling people.
Life is not a TV show.
And that they all do so by referencing Benefits Street, a 10 year old TV show.
They need to get out and listen to more struggling people.
Life is not a TV show.
Reposted by Thomas Penny
Peer mediation can be transformative. It empowers young people to resolve conflicts themselves, and points to the possibility of a more peaceful world beyond the classroom. With the publication of a new report showing its benefits, we’re calling for peer mediation to be mainstreamed across schools.
Quakers call for peer mediation to be mainstreamed across schools in the UK
Educators and policy makers should mainstream peer mediation, Quakers in Britain says following the publication of a new national report showing its positive impact.
www.quaker.org.uk
November 25, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Peer mediation can be transformative. It empowers young people to resolve conflicts themselves, and points to the possibility of a more peaceful world beyond the classroom. With the publication of a new report showing its benefits, we’re calling for peer mediation to be mainstreamed across schools.
Reposted by Thomas Penny
Reposted by Thomas Penny
‼️ Witkoff and Kushner began writing the 28-point plan on a plane from the Middle East after the announcement of the agreement between Israel and Hamas, — WSJ
November 25, 2025 at 8:45 PM
‼️ Witkoff and Kushner began writing the 28-point plan on a plane from the Middle East after the announcement of the agreement between Israel and Hamas, — WSJ
Reposted by Thomas Penny
With all disagreements between the Commons and the Lords now resolved, our landmark Planning and Infrastructure Bill is on course to receive Royal Assent before the end of the year.
Labour is getting Britain building again.
Labour is getting Britain building again.
November 25, 2025 at 3:02 PM
With all disagreements between the Commons and the Lords now resolved, our landmark Planning and Infrastructure Bill is on course to receive Royal Assent before the end of the year.
Labour is getting Britain building again.
Labour is getting Britain building again.
Reposted by Thomas Penny
Farage says he can't remember being continually racist and antisemitic.
The axe forgets. The tree remembers.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
The axe forgets. The tree remembers.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Nigel Farage responds to racism claims saying he never ‘tried to hurt anybody’
Reform leader denies racist or antisemitic behaviour ‘with intent’ at school, but says he can’t remember everything from 49 years ago
www.theguardian.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Farage says he can't remember being continually racist and antisemitic.
The axe forgets. The tree remembers.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
The axe forgets. The tree remembers.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Thomas Penny
It’s especially ironic because the lecture is exactly about the ‘paralyzing cowardice’ of today’s elites.
About universities, corporations and media networks bending the knee to authoritarianism. /4
About universities, corporations and media networks bending the knee to authoritarianism. /4
November 25, 2025 at 9:26 AM
It’s especially ironic because the lecture is exactly about the ‘paralyzing cowardice’ of today’s elites.
About universities, corporations and media networks bending the knee to authoritarianism. /4
About universities, corporations and media networks bending the knee to authoritarianism. /4
Reposted by Thomas Penny
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 Thomas Penny
Ellen Ross on the humanitarian activities of a British Quaker, Francesca Wilson, in the Spanish Civil War and beyond.
This piece accompanies Ellen Ross and Tammy M Proctor’s recent article in History Workshop Journal Volume 99.
This piece accompanies Ellen Ross and Tammy M Proctor’s recent article in History Workshop Journal Volume 99.
On Writing and Relief Work
Ellen Ross on the humanitarian activities of a British Quaker, Francesca Wilson, in the Spanish Civil War and beyond.
www.historyworkshop.org.uk
November 25, 2025 at 7:55 AM
Ellen Ross on the humanitarian activities of a British Quaker, Francesca Wilson, in the Spanish Civil War and beyond.
This piece accompanies Ellen Ross and Tammy M Proctor’s recent article in History Workshop Journal Volume 99.
This piece accompanies Ellen Ross and Tammy M Proctor’s recent article in History Workshop Journal Volume 99.
Reposted by Thomas Penny
Hang onto these pictures because Hegseth will have the offending sign removed as soon as he sobers up today.
November 23, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Hang onto these pictures because Hegseth will have the offending sign removed as soon as he sobers up today.
If Trump was a patriot, as he claims to be, he would understand why Ukraine can't just hand over its land to its expansionist neighbour.
He's not a patriot, and he has no empathy, so he can't comprehend it at all.
He's not a patriot, and he has no empathy, so he can't comprehend it at all.
November 21, 2025 at 10:25 PM
If Trump was a patriot, as he claims to be, he would understand why Ukraine can't just hand over its land to its expansionist neighbour.
He's not a patriot, and he has no empathy, so he can't comprehend it at all.
He's not a patriot, and he has no empathy, so he can't comprehend it at all.
Reposted by Thomas Penny
Betty Mackereth, Philip Larkin's feisty long term secretary, immortalised in the 1962 poems Toads Revisited, has passed away today aged 101. Betty was a great supporter of the Philip Larkin Society. We send our condolences to her family.
November 20, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Betty Mackereth, Philip Larkin's feisty long term secretary, immortalised in the 1962 poems Toads Revisited, has passed away today aged 101. Betty was a great supporter of the Philip Larkin Society. We send our condolences to her family.
Reposted by Thomas Penny
Some food for thought…
November 21, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Some food for thought…
Trump is on the ropes over his close links to notorious paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, who also claimed to be close contact with Russia.
US "negotiators" take dictation from Moscow and prepare to sell-out Ukraine.
I'm sure the timing is entirely coincidental and there's no kompromat whatsoever...
US "negotiators" take dictation from Moscow and prepare to sell-out Ukraine.
I'm sure the timing is entirely coincidental and there's no kompromat whatsoever...
November 21, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Trump is on the ropes over his close links to notorious paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, who also claimed to be close contact with Russia.
US "negotiators" take dictation from Moscow and prepare to sell-out Ukraine.
I'm sure the timing is entirely coincidental and there's no kompromat whatsoever...
US "negotiators" take dictation from Moscow and prepare to sell-out Ukraine.
I'm sure the timing is entirely coincidental and there's no kompromat whatsoever...
Reposted by Thomas Penny
Jeez. Trump reposted a call to execute six Democratic members of Congress, and it’s not on the front page of the NY Times, and this is the headline—no mention of hanging lawmakers.
November 21, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Jeez. Trump reposted a call to execute six Democratic members of Congress, and it’s not on the front page of the NY Times, and this is the headline—no mention of hanging lawmakers.
Reposted by Thomas Penny
More evidence that the Trump/Witkoff “peace plan” for Ukraine came straight from the Russians - it uses Russian syntax.
www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...
www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...
November 21, 2025 at 3:58 PM
More evidence that the Trump/Witkoff “peace plan” for Ukraine came straight from the Russians - it uses Russian syntax.
www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...
www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...
Reposted by Thomas Penny
Latest piece for the @thehousemag.bsky.social, on the island of strangers speech and similar. Also ft Bob Hawke.
www.politicshome.com/opinion/arti...
www.politicshome.com/opinion/arti...
The Professor Will See You Now: Island of strangers
Lessons in political science. This week: island of strangers
www.politicshome.com
November 20, 2025 at 12:11 PM
Latest piece for the @thehousemag.bsky.social, on the island of strangers speech and similar. Also ft Bob Hawke.
www.politicshome.com/opinion/arti...
www.politicshome.com/opinion/arti...
Reposted by Thomas Penny
This is *nothing* like a peace plan.
It is a surrender plan.
It is akin to what Hitler did to Czechoslovakia in 1938, browbeating its president into accepting brutal occupation.
It is a surrender plan.
It is akin to what Hitler did to Czechoslovakia in 1938, browbeating its president into accepting brutal occupation.
Breaking news: Ukraine is coming under intense pressure to accept a sweeping peace plan drawn up by the Trump administration with Moscow’s input to end Russia’s war in the country, according to Ukrainian officials. on.ft.com/3K0onha
November 20, 2025 at 9:51 PM
This is *nothing* like a peace plan.
It is a surrender plan.
It is akin to what Hitler did to Czechoslovakia in 1938, browbeating its president into accepting brutal occupation.
It is a surrender plan.
It is akin to what Hitler did to Czechoslovakia in 1938, browbeating its president into accepting brutal occupation.
Reposted by Thomas Penny
A Trump supporter started murdering his way through an assassination list of Democratic law makers FIVE MONTHS AGO. He murdered my colleague Melissa Hortman, and her husband Mark — and attempted to assassinate my dear friend John Hoffman and his wife Yvette. I was also on the hit list. WTF
November 20, 2025 at 5:56 PM
A Trump supporter started murdering his way through an assassination list of Democratic law makers FIVE MONTHS AGO. He murdered my colleague Melissa Hortman, and her husband Mark — and attempted to assassinate my dear friend John Hoffman and his wife Yvette. I was also on the hit list. WTF
Reposted by Thomas Penny
Well I mean if nothing else, Trump calling for the execution of Democratic members of Congress is unlikely to aid his lawsuit against the BBC.
November 20, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Well I mean if nothing else, Trump calling for the execution of Democratic members of Congress is unlikely to aid his lawsuit against the BBC.
Reposted by Thomas Penny
Senator Murphy sounds the alarm as Trump calls for the deaths of Dems who served the country to be killed for reminding the military their loyalty is to the constitution not to him 🇺🇸
November 20, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Senator Murphy sounds the alarm as Trump calls for the deaths of Dems who served the country to be killed for reminding the military their loyalty is to the constitution not to him 🇺🇸