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John Simkin

@johnsimkin1945.bsky.social

Taught history and sociology in several secondary state schools since 1977. Published textbook writer since 1980. Publisher of online teaching materials at Spartacus Educational since 1997. http://spartacus-educational.com

360 Posts470 Follower505 Folgt
Sarah Murphy@13sarahmurphy.bsky.social · 3w ago

The Farage show is tediously self-pitying. Even if his idiotic by-election stunt distracts temporarily from scrutiny of his dodgy finances, his inability to accept and make amends for the significant role he himself plays in the toxification of our politics will not. (Letters in The Times)

Reform UK and the toxic political discourse 2 out of 5 letters all condemning Farage’s divisive conduct Sir, Huge Rifkind rightly exposes the contradiction at the heart of Reform UK's position ("Reform can't have it both ways on hurty words", Jul 15). Its leaders demand more protection for politicians from abuse and violence, yet when I urged Nigel Farage simply to respect the police's request not to speculate about Ann Widdecombe's tragic death, Reform's "shadow home secretary", Zia Yusuf, responded not with civil argument but by publicly denouncing me as "depraved" and resurrecting a conviction 1 got 40 years ago under discriminatory laws that parliament has since recognised were unjust. The result has been a torrent of vitriol directed at me, including from Arron Banks and Laila Cunningham. Political leaders cannot credibly deplore today's toxic discourse while helping to fuel it. If Reform wishes to be taken seriously as a party of government, it should begin by practising the civility and restraint it so readily demands of others. K Harvey Proctor Conservative MP, 1979-87 Grantham, Lincs Sir, Nigel Farage has played the victim card far too soon. Resigning to trigger an unnecessary by-election is a costly political stunt and the other parties are quite right to refuse to participate. If he is re-elected, the standards inquiry into his £5 million gift will simply resume. But this raises a constitutional question. If an MP cannot serve under scrutiny, and quits, they should be barred from standing in the resulting by-election. To paint oneself into a corner and demand the public pay for an escape door is absurd. An honourable politician would respect the regulatory process; an honourable man would withdraw from active politics. David Dickinson Stadtschlaining, Austria
Fionna O’Leary@fascinatorfun.bsky.social · 3w ago

Did I hear him bang the drum about Russian interference with the 2016 election in order to get him elected in his Dementia Don speech last night trying to lay the ground for preferential cheating in the mid terms and in the next presidentical? No. But Russia undoubtedly did. “MY CHEATING IS GREAT”

Bloomberg News@bloomberg.com · 3w ago

President Donald Trump accused China of interfering with US elections in 2020, threatening to upend ties with the world’s second-biggest economy as he focuses on securing a victory in the midterms in November

@loopylaura.bsky.social · 3w ago

"Slush funds, astroturf projects, unattributed stories inflaming ethnic tensions .. this was .. the stuff of the Labour Together project, and it speaks volumes that Starmer’s leadership and government would emerge from its milieu.

Ignore the Pageantry – Keir Starmer is Leaving Power in Disgrace

As the most unpopular prime minister in modern times is evicted from No.10, Paul Holden remembers a leadership whose hatred the left curdled into the abandonment of democratic principles and basic dec...

novaramedia.com

Phoenix Satya@flyingpangolin.bsky.social · 3w ago

As the owner of a company put out of business by these incredibly complicated "disguised renumeration" tax laws. I've been puzzled for weeks how Farage has simply been able to ignore them. Dan Neidle with excellent synopsis:

Dan Neidle@danneidle.bsky.social · 3w ago

In May we said Nigel Farage probably didn't owe tax on his £5m gift. The Guardian now reports the gift followed talks where Farage said he'd need £5m to return to frontline politics. *If* that's right, we think there's a high risk of a £3m tax bill - payable by Reform.

John Simkin @johnsimkin1945.bsky.social · last mo.

At 81, after a lime time of experiencing the patronising words of those politicians who have enjoyed the benefits of their privileged education, I am guilty of being too passionate and concerned about the plight of the world than the accuracies of English grammar.

John Simkin @johnsimkin1945.bsky.social · last mo.

Both my parents were unskilled factory workers, and I was brought up on a council estate. I left school at 15 in 1960 without qualifications and received my political education on the factory floor. My fellow factory workers probably did not spend too much time correcting my English skills.

John Simkin @johnsimkin1945.bsky.social · last mo.

Both my parents were unskilled factory workers, and I was brought up on a council estate. I left school at 15 in 1960 without qualifications and received my political education on the factory floor. My fellow factory workers probably did not spend too much time correcting my English skills.

Prof. Catherine Rowett, ex MEP@catherinerowett.bsky.social · last mo.

Not sure quite what the evidence shows. I've supposed hitherto that Starmer was a tool for some corruption. I'm more inclined to think it's Israel. But the story is fascinating and extremely sleazy. Pity the blog is so badly written.

John Simkin @johnsimkin1945.bsky.social · last mo.

Donald Trump and the history of US Tariffs spartacus-educational.com/spartacus-bl... @richkhistory.bsky.social @willgoodfellow82.bsky.social @sam-jones.bsky.social @davev-vickersmg.bsky.social @jacobolivey.bsky.social @hb-history.bsky.social @jeremycorbyn.bsky.social @whiskyleitzel.bsky.social

Donald Trump and the History of Tariffs in the United States

Donald Trump and the History of Tariffs in the United States Last updated: 12th March, 2018

spartacus-educational.com

John Simkin @johnsimkin1945.bsky.social · last mo.

How do we stop Nigel Farage from forming the next government? spartacus-educational.com/spartacus-bl... @timetunnellers.bsky.social‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ @1972shp.bsky.social‬‬‬ @petejackson.bsky.social @fredoxby.bsky.social @mr-s-tiffany.bsky.social @htenuk.bsky.social @misschrishist.bsky.social

How do we stop Nigel Farage from forming a government?

How do we stop Nigel Farage from forming a government? Last updated: 30th October, 2025

spartacus-educational.com

John Simkin @johnsimkin1945.bsky.social · last mo.

Details of how Morgan McSweeny turned the Labour Party into a right-wing organisation. spartacus-educational.com/Labour_Toget... @davidbutleruk.bsky.social @arimaxpharma.bsky.social @nb23.bsky.social @solidarity.social @johnmcdonnellmp.bsky.social @zackpolanski.bsky.social @greenparty.org.uk

Labour Together

A detailed account of the Labour Together that includes images, quotations and the main facts of the newspaper. Key Stage 3. GCSE British History. A-level. Last updated: 30 May 2026

spartacus-educational.com

Ed Hawkins@edhawkins.org · last mo.

What is the future of summers in England? Our choices matter. A high-emissions future will commit our children and grandchildren to live in a world where the summers of 1976 & 2025 are cold. A global net-zero emissions future means that we can stabilise the climate & those summers will be normal.

England average summer temperatures in a high emissions futureEngland average summer temperatures in a global net-zero emissions future