Dr Nigel Fletcher
@nigelfletcher.bsky.social
Wanderer in the fourth dimension. British political and constitutional historian. Co-founder, Centre for Opposition Studies. Distracted by cats and camp classic telly. Will run for cake. 🖊️ 📖 🇬🇧 🏰 🐈⬛ 🏳️🌈 📺 🍰🏃🏻♂️ www.nigelfletcher.org
This Sunday I somehow find myself running the Royal Parks Half Marathon in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support. I know there are a lot of these "sponsor me" requests, but if you could lob me a few quid to encourage me in this latest folly, it would be hugely appreciated. 🙏 justgiving.com/page/nigel-f...
Nigel's fundraiser for Macmillan Cancer Support
Help Nigel Fletcher raise money to support Macmillan Cancer Support
justgiving.com
I admire the optimism of the news producer who asked if I would join their by-election coverage between 3am and 5am tonight, but this elderly princess badly needs her beauty sleep.
Sleep Sleepy
ALT: Sleep Sleepy
static.klipy.com
One consequence of Jeffrey Archer’s sudden death occurring during Tory Party conference is that there have been ample opportunities on the fringes and in the bars to collect INDUSTRIAL grade gossip about the old rogue. Entertaining to the end. RIP
Some top sleuthing from Miranda “Miss Marple” Hart at the round table, which isn’t getting the credit it deserves. #CelebrityTraitors
Miss Marple: Isn't That Interesting?
ALT: Miss Marple: Isn't That Interesting?
static.klipy.com
Gearing up for my talk tomorrow at the Chelsea History Festival on “Churchill’s Queen”. I’ll be sharing some exclusive insights on my research and new discoveries, and it’d be lovely to see you there. Do come along! Tickets via: chelseaheritagequarter.co.uk/chf-2026/chu...
Churchill’s Queen: The Remarkable Friendship that Shaped Our Age - Chelsea Heritage Quarter
Nigel Fletcher’s ground breaking research brings revelatory new insight into how their friendship impacted a pivotal moment in the UK’s post war history, ultimately shaping the monarchy and the nation...
chelseaheritagequarter.co.uk
Every time I do a running challenge I say “this will be the last one”. Well, I should have known better… It seems I'm doing the @royalparkshalf.bsky.social in aid of @macmillancancer.bsky.social in a couple of weeks, so any support would be much appreciated: justgiving.com/page/nigel-f...
Nigel's fundraiser for Macmillan Cancer Support
Help Nigel Fletcher raise money to support Macmillan Cancer Support
justgiving.com
Really excited to be taking to the stage at Greenwich Theatre in November to discuss “Churchill’s Queen”, alongside the superb Katherine Carter, whose own book on Churchill and Chartwell is excellent. Do come along and see us, and get your books signed! greenwichtheatre.org.uk/events/churc...
Churchill’s Queen: Book Launch - Greenwich Theatre
Churchill and The Queen: Writing history An evening with historians Dr Nigel Fletcher and Katherine Carter discussing the remarkable friendship between two giant figures in British history. Winston Ch...
greenwichtheatre.org.uk
Really excited to be taking to the stage at Greenwich Theatre in November to discuss “Churchill’s Queen”, alongside the superb Katherine Carter, whose own book on Churchill and Chartwell is excellent. Do come along and see us, and get your books signed! greenwichtheatre.org.uk/events/churc...
Churchill’s Queen: Book Launch - Greenwich Theatre
Churchill and The Queen: Writing history An evening with historians Dr Nigel Fletcher and Katherine Carter discussing the remarkable friendship between two giant figures in British history. Winston Ch...
greenwichtheatre.org.uk
I'm really looking forward to speaking about "Churchill's Queen" at the Chelsea History Festival next month! I'll be presenting new discoveries and discussing how the friendship between these two historical giants shaped modern Britain. Tickets from: chelseaheritagequarter.co.uk/chf-2026/chu...
How did this window change the history of the start of Queen Elizabeth II's reign? My latest video on YouTube considers a fateful - and slightly mysterious - aspect of the story of the death of King George the Sixth on a cold night in February 1952... youtu.be/obQB4_7DLdI?...
How this window changed the history of Queen Elizabeth's reign
YouTube video by Dr Nigel Fletcher
youtu.be
I’m trying to remain optimistic that the response to the terrifying AI warnings this week show enough people are worried and will start to demand robust action to halt development and put in place effective safeguards. That hope is the only thing preventing me from going into complete meltdown.
Hecklers and masked gangs - looking back at previous interruptions to leaders' conference speeches, and considering whether norms of behaviour in politics are breaking down...
The Centre for Opposition Studies@oppositionstudies.bsky.social · last mo.How should leaders deal with hecklers during their conference speeches? And what are the limits of legitimate protest? In the latest #OppositionCast Nigel and Sarah consider the violent scenes at Reform UK's conference, and the masked gangs of "protesters" on the streets. pod.link/oppositionca...
If this week’s AI news wasn’t alarming enough, they’re now talking about giving our new robot overlords actual defensive capabilities. Jeesh. 😫
Duncan Weldon@duncanweldon.bsky.social · last mo.If your data centres require air defences and/or being built underground then you’re probably not the best suited location for hosting data centres.
I think the problem with such existential dread is that the best coping mechanism is to try and ignore it and hope it all turns out OK, while getting on with our lives - BUT if we all do that, no-one will heed the warnings and actually do something to prevent disaster. See also: climate change.
Dr Nigel Fletcher@nigelfletcher.bsky.social · last mo.My generally optimistic outlook is taking quite a battering this week. That latest AI warning story has sparked quite the doom spiral of catastrophizing in my little human brain, I can tell you. My usual response is “Ah well, I’m sure it’ll all be OK in the end”. I’m not actually sure it will. 😕
If you feel like donating to the RNLI, here’s a link. I just have. Their minimum donation is £2: I think it might be nice for them to receive a lot of donations this week, even if they’re mostly very modest. Just so they know a lot of people out here appreciate their work. rnli.org/support-us/g...
Donate to the RNLI and help save lives at sea
Your donations really make a difference. We depend on your generosity to educate people to stay safe and prevent tragedies on and offshore. Donate here.
rnli.org
My generally optimistic outlook is taking quite a battering this week. That latest AI warning story has sparked quite the doom spiral of catastrophizing in my little human brain, I can tell you. My usual response is “Ah well, I’m sure it’ll all be OK in the end”. I’m not actually sure it will. 😕
I remain utterly bemused at the casual nonchalance with which so many people are cheerfully embracing tech products from companies whose reckless disregard for our safety could literally kill us all. It’s completely mad. www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
Anthropic researchers say AI could cause human extinction by 2030
One researcher who resigned said many in industry believe that without regulation AI could kill off humanity
theguardian.com
I remain utterly bemused at the casual nonchalance with which so many people are cheerfully embracing tech products from companies whose reckless disregard for our safety could literally kill us all. It’s completely mad. www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
Anthropic researchers say AI could cause human extinction by 2030
One researcher who resigned said many in industry believe that without regulation AI could kill off humanity
theguardian.com
I was delving into a political issue today and piecing together evidence to back up the case I needed to make. It was like a policy nerd version of a detective thriller. At least in my mind.
Hercule Poirot's Charming Hello and Hat Tip
ALT: Hercule Poirot's Charming Hello and Hat Tip
static.klipy.com
Yesterday was Accession Day- with the King marking four years on the throne, while his Prime Minister marked his own milestone “Truss Day”… Some musings on longevity, legacy and what I think is the biggest challenge facing both monarch and PM: nigelfletcher.substack.com/p/a-mileston...
I’m back on the 'stack! It’s been a while (as you might know, I’ve been somewhat preoccupied writing a book…), but I plan to return to regular posting on Substack. Do please subscribe if you like this sort of thing, and share for others who might also. nigelfletcher.substack.com/p/a-mileston...
A milestone day for the King - and his Prime Minister
Four years on from the death of Elizabeth II, the King is already on his fourth premier
nigelfletcher.substack.com
Watching Gosford Park on BBC2 for the umpteenth time: it never gets old. Such an absolute gem of a film with a stellar cast. Lovely stuff.
I’m back on the 'stack! It’s been a while (as you might know, I’ve been somewhat preoccupied writing a book…), but I plan to return to regular posting on Substack. Do please subscribe if you like this sort of thing, and share for others who might also. nigelfletcher.substack.com/p/a-mileston...
A milestone day for the King - and his Prime Minister
Four years on from the death of Elizabeth II, the King is already on his fourth premier
nigelfletcher.substack.com
Even leaving any politics at all aside: as general rule, no state can allow a group of masked men to be able to close down critical infrastructure. This is basic stuff.
One of our cats has mastered the tricky operation of bringing a live mouse into the house through the cat flap. This is not a welcome development. Still less welcome is the fact that she’s now lost possession of it, triggering an emergency lockdown situation until we can locate it.
Farage tells his conference that if the House of Lords frustrates a majority Reform government, he will flood the upper house with peers to gain a majority, or hold a referendum to sweep them away; and if the judiciary frustrate them, they will “look at how judicial appointments work”. Hmm…
I was in the hall last year, and once a few protesters had been evicted, the attention of the audience (and presumably Farage himself) was distracted by wondering when the next one would pop up.
Peter Walker@peterwalker99.bsky.social · last mo.A third protest. It is interrupting the rhythm of the speech. As the third woman is removed Farage says, “The benefits of a university education” and makes some quip about her studying sociology.
