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Simon Fletcher

@fletchersimon.bsky.social
14K followers 441 following 150 posts

Former adviser to Labour leaders, former chief of staff to the Mayor of London. Director of winning Labour leadership campaigns. Socialist. Political campaigns II writing and analysis II consultancy linktr.ee/simonfletcher

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Simon Fletcher @fletchersimon.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
“Against rearmament” - by me for Tribune tribunemag.co.uk/2026/07/agai...
tribunemag.co.uk
Against Rearmament
America is ushering in a new age of militarism and bellicosity — with the British establishment in tow. The Left’s politics should be organised around stopping the relentless drive to war.
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Simon Fletcher @fletchersimon.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
Five points after Makerfield. New by me, free to read modernleft.substack.com/p/labours-ch...
modernleft.substack.com
Labour's choices after Makerfield
The Makerfield byelection was unique.
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Simon Fletcher @fletchersimon.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
. @andyburnham.bsky.social’s huge victory in the Makerfield byelection built a coalition that derailed Reform, who should have expected to win. The majority is easily clear of the Restore vote, giving Farage no excuse. A very important defeat for Farage, Lowe and the right as a whole
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Simon Fletcher @fletchersimon.bsky.social · 13/06/2026
Good to spend time talking to residents in Orrell today. After all the hate of the last few days, inflicting a defeat on the right in the Makerfield by-election would put an obstacle in their path. Vote Andy Burnham, stop Reform. @andyburnham.bsky.social
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Adam Bienkov @adambienkov.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
bylinetimes.com/2026/06/10/t...
bylinetimes.com
Tommy Robinson, Nigel Farage and the ‘Pure Cold Rage’ Used to Trigger a Racist Pogrom in Belfast
Mainstream politicians have stood by as the global far-right campaigns for anti-migrant violence on our streets. Now we're suffering the consequences, argues Adam Bienkov
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Simon Fletcher @fletchersimon.bsky.social · 06/06/2026
Polling of trade union members this week showed Labour and Reform neck and neck. I’ve written about this - on both the possible weaknesses of the poll itself but also implications. modernleft.substack.com/p/how-far-ha...
modernleft.substack.com
How far has Labour shed union members to Reform?
Trade union members are as likely to vote for Reform as they are for the Labour Party, according to the top lines of a new poll published this week.
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Adam Bienkov @adambienkov.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
Why Farage's 'White Lives Matter' speech and Reform's increasingly desperate descent into explicitly far-right rhetoric is a sign of the party's growing fears that their time at the top of British politics may soon be coming to an end bylinetimes.com/2026/06/02/n...
bylinetimes.com
Nigel Farage’s ‘White Lives Matter’ Speech Is a Sign of Reform’s Growing Desperation
The Reform leader's descent into explicitly far-right rhetoric is the mark of a politician and party which fears its time at the top of British politics may soon come to an end, argues Adam Bienkov
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Andrew Fisher @fisherandrew79.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
Really good piece by @fletchersimon.bsky.social on for @bylinetimes.bsky.social "The problem is not that Labour’s programme is basically good but hindered by errors, but rather that its most fundamental choices – primarily on the economy – were wrong" bylinetimes.com/2026/05/11/k...
bylinetimes.com
'Labour’s Leader Must Change Not Just Because Keir Starmer Is Unpopular, but Because of What Made Him Unpopular'
Replacing Keir Starmer won't be enough to solve the far deeper problems of how a Labour Government lost the trust of the British people, argues his former adviser Simon Fletcher
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Simon Fletcher @fletchersimon.bsky.social · 11/05/2026
bylinetimes.com/2026/05/11/k... ‘Labour’s Leader Must Change Not Just Because Keir Starmer Is Unpopular, but Because of What Made Him Unpopular’ Latest for @bylinetimes.bsky.social
bylinetimes.com
'Labour’s Leader Must Change Not Just Because Keir Starmer Is Unpopular, but Because of What Made Him Unpopular'
Replacing Keir Starmer won't be enough to solve the far deeper problems of how a Labour Government lost the trust of the British people, argues his former adviser Simon Fletcher
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Andrew Fisher @fisherandrew79.bsky.social · 09/05/2026
"Unless Labour changes, and does so quickly, it will be consigned to the history books. Thats is about more than changing one face at the top and bringing back former leaders, the party needs a dramatic shift in policy and strategy too" My new column for @theipaper.com inews.co.uk/opinion/labo...
inews.co.uk
Labour is in an existential crisis - and has no idea how to stop it
Vowing to remain and bringing in additional help in the form of Gordon Brown won't be enough to win voters, the public needs to see tangible change - and quickly
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Simon Fletcher @fletchersimon.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
The Labour right’s strategy is devastating Labour. modernleft.substack.com/p/the-labour...
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Simon Fletcher @fletchersimon.bsky.social · 05/05/2026
The @fbunational.bsky.social General Secretary Steve Wright says in the fire service “with our wages and also with the lack of funding and investment in public services, it’s just been austerity mark II” and calls for the unions to be heard. Interview: modernleft.substack.com/p/after-the-...
modernleft.substack.com
'I’m angry that Labour's in this position'
FBU General Secretary Steve Wright on Labour's leadership, austerity and the unions
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London Assembly @londonassembly.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
The new episode of London Voices is out! This time, Chair of the London Assembly, Lord Duvall of Woolwich, spoke to the Chief of Staff of the first Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone: www.london.gov.uk/who-we-are/w...
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Simon Fletcher @fletchersimon.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
I recently took part in the @londonassembly.bsky.social podcast series reflecting on 25 years of the Greater London Authority. With Len Duvall I discussed Ken Livingstone’s time as mayor and his administration’s legacy. On YouTube here and also Spotify. youtu.be/atqn8qowkbY?...
youtu.be
London Voices: Ken Livingstone / Simon Fletcher
YouTube video by London Assembly
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Simon Fletcher @fletchersimon.bsky.social · 13/03/2026
Exclusive on my Substack - voting projections show Labour is set for historic losses in Tyne & Wear at this May’s local elections, according to new modelling. It shows Labour losing control of all four councils up for all-out elections in May. Full details: modernleft.substack.com/p/exclusive-...
modernleft.substack.com
Exclusive - Labour facing historic council losses in the North East
Labour projected to lose Newcastle, Sunderland, Gateshead and South Tyneside
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Simon Fletcher @fletchersimon.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
Labour: third in a ‘two horse race’ open.substack.com/pub/modernle...
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Simon Fletcher @fletchersimon.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
I now have a public Instagram, maybe see you over there too: www.instagram.com/p/DUla5Y-DFp...
instagram.com
Instagram
Create an account or log in to Instagram - Share what you're into with the people who get you.
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Andrew Fisher @fisherandrew79.bsky.social · 09/02/2026
Important thread ... 👇
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Andrew Fisher @fisherandrew79.bsky.social · 05/02/2026
Insightful insider perspective from @fletchersimon.bsky.social on the close relationship between Starmer's office and Mandelson modernleft.substack.com/p/the-mandel...
modernleft.substack.com
The Mandelson crisis is a crisis of Labour's leadership project
The scandal of the Peter Mandelson crisis and his relationship with the convicted criminal Jeffrey Epstein is immense.
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Richard Leonard @labourrichard.bsky.social · 05/02/2026
A distinctive and informed insight into the Mandelson scandal by @fletchersimon.bsky.social
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Simon Fletcher @fletchersimon.bsky.social · 04/02/2026
Labour’s leadership brought Mandelson in and clung to him because of a shared political project. The Mandelson crisis is a crisis of that project. By me: modernleft.substack.com/p/the-mandel...
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Simon Fletcher @fletchersimon.bsky.social · 03/02/2026
Bruce Springsteen’s song responding to the murders of Renée Good and Alex Pretti was the highest-selling song in the USA last week. www.billboard.com/music/chart-...
billboard.com
Bruce Springsteen’s Anti-ICE Song ‘Streets of Minneapolis’ Makes No. 1 Sales Debut
Bruce Springsteen's anti-ICE song "Streets of Minneapolis" was the most-sold song of the week, debuting at No. 1 on the Digital Song Sales chart.
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Bruce Springsteen @brucespringsteen.net · 28/01/2026
I wrote this song on Saturday, recorded it yesterday and released it to you today in response to the state terror being visited on the city of Minneapolis. It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good. Stay free
youtu.be
Bruce Springsteen - Streets Of Minneapolis (Official Audio)
YouTube video by Bruce Springsteen
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Simon Fletcher @fletchersimon.bsky.social · 09/01/2026
Late sharing it, but this by @jemgilbert.bsky.social from just before Christmas is good on the mismatch between the scale of the economic and social challenges in Britain, and the policy programme of the Labour leadership. www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
newstatesman.com
Why is Keir Starmer so unpopular?
Britain needs a leader willing to break with the legacy of Thatcherism
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Simon Fletcher @fletchersimon.bsky.social · 17/12/2025
Excellent by @fisherandrew79.bsky.social on Wes Streeting and BMA - a very welcome corrective to all the boneheaded denunciations of resident doctors. bsky.app/profile/fish...
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Simon Fletcher @fletchersimon.bsky.social · 15/12/2025
British and European militarism is out of control: “To serve. And if necessary, to fight. And more families will know what sacrifice for our nation means." news.sky.com/story/uks-so...
news.sky.com
UK's 'sons and daughters' need to be ready to fight, amid growing Russian threat, says head of armed forces
In an extraordinarily blunt intervention, Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton warned that Russia's military strength is increasing and is something to fear, with Russian troops now battle-hardened ...
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Simon Fletcher @fletchersimon.bsky.social · 11/12/2025
MPs of all parties should be pressed to sign this motion tabled by @johnmcdonnellmp.bsky.social calling on the Justice Secretary to intervene urgently to ensure the Palestine hunger strikers’ treatment is humane and their human rights are upheld. edm.parliament.uk/early-day-mo...
edm.parliament.uk
Palestine Action hunger strike - Early Day Motions - UK Parliament
That this House expresses its extreme concern that six prisoners associated with Palestine Action have felt that they had no other recourse to protest against their prison conditions but to launch a h...
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Simon Fletcher @fletchersimon.bsky.social · 31/10/2025
I went to see Emma-Jean Thackray at the Glasshouse tonight and it was outstanding.
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Simon Fletcher @fletchersimon.bsky.social · 25/10/2025
The election of Lucy Powell as deputy leader is a rebuke by party members to Labour’s course under the leadership of Keir Starmer. Her opponents argued that a vote for Powell would destabilise Labour - but Labour was already destabilised (and worse) modernleft.substack.com/p/who-destab...
modernleft.substack.com
Who destabilised Labour?
The election of Lucy Powell as deputy leader of the Labour Party, only a few weeks after she was removed from the Cabinet, is a rebuke by party members to Labour’s course under the leadership of Keir ...
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Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP @bellribeiroaddy.bsky.social · 08/09/2025
I am putting myself forward to stand as Deputy Leader of the Labour Party. I look forward to explaining why, over the three short and undemocratic days we have to do so.
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Simon Fletcher @fletchersimon.bsky.social · 29/08/2025
From a story in the current edition of The Beano
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Simon Fletcher @fletchersimon.bsky.social · 26/08/2025
The Labour leadership has not only failed to challenge the anti-migrant, anti-multicultural narrative that’s been unleashed, it’s fed it. Its responses here to Farage’s extremely right wing speech compound that and leave the goal totally wide open for the far right. Disgraceful.
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Simon Fletcher @fletchersimon.bsky.social · 24/08/2025
I’m away for a few days and not keeping up with everything but this by @adambienkov.bsky.social from a couple of days ago contains much to agree with. open.substack.com/pub/bylinesu...
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Simon Fletcher @fletchersimon.bsky.social · 11/08/2025
Very interesting on the impact of Labour’s political direction on the party’s youth and student structures www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
newstatesman.com
Inside Labour students' revolt over Gaza
Tensions between HQ and their members on university campuses have reached boiling point.
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Simon Fletcher @fletchersimon.bsky.social · 09/08/2025
No nukes. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
theguardian.com
Radioactive water from UK nuclear bomb base leaked into sea, files show
Exclusive: Polluted water was released into loch near Glasgow because Royal Navy failed to maintain 1,500 water pipes, says watchdog
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Simon Fletcher @fletchersimon.bsky.social · 07/08/2025
Best seat on the bus #gateshead #newcastle
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Simon Fletcher @fletchersimon.bsky.social · 29/07/2025
This is wide-ranging piece that discusses in depth Keir Starmer’s approach as PM to human rights, and how that is reflected in the policies of the Labour government. Strong recommend. bsky.app/profile/tril...
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Simon Fletcher @fletchersimon.bsky.social · 22/07/2025
Excellent article by Andrew Fisher on the need for publicly-owned water utilities bsky.app/profile/fish...
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Simon Fletcher @fletchersimon.bsky.social · 18/07/2025
Tonight.
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Simon Fletcher @fletchersimon.bsky.social · 12/07/2025
Beautiful day for the Gala
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Simon Fletcher @fletchersimon.bsky.social · 07/07/2025
Spare some time today to remember all those killed, injured and traumatised on this day twenty years ago in the London bombings, and recall the public service workers who responded to those horrific attacks with such bravery and dedication.
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Simon Fletcher @fletchersimon.bsky.social · 06/07/2025
A few reflections on the anniversary of the 7 July bombings, which is tomorrow open.substack.com/pub/modernle...
open.substack.com
7/7 twenty years on
Ken Livingstone's speech from Singapore
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Duncan Weldon @duncanweldon.bsky.social · 02/07/2025
Pathetic stuff from ‘senior government sources’.
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Simon Fletcher @fletchersimon.bsky.social · 30/06/2025
Good article: bsky.app/profile/fish...
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Simon Fletcher @fletchersimon.bsky.social · 18/06/2025
The problem with this government line is that there is no moral case for it either, quite the opposite www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
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Simon Fletcher @fletchersimon.bsky.social · 13/06/2025
Correct position bsky.app/profile/andy...
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Simon Fletcher @fletchersimon.bsky.social · 02/06/2025
A 'bomber-clad nation.' Dreary and dreadful. Militarism drags society down, sets the sights so low. Join CND. www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
theguardian.com
UK moving to ‘war-fighting readiness’, Starmer says, as he calls on ‘every part of society’ to play role in defence – politics live
Prime minister reveals defence spending plans and says UK must be fastest military innovator in Nato
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Adam Bienkov @adambienkov.bsky.social · 29/05/2025
Fare evasion has been falling on London's transport network for years. A reminder that one of the times evasion actually did rise in recent years was when the last Conservative mayor spent hundreds of millions of pounds building a fleet of new buses with entirely open backs
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Simon Fletcher @fletchersimon.bsky.social · 25/05/2025
Ridiculous that it even needs saying: “new data reveals bats and newts are not the main reason planning is delayed in England” www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
theguardian.com
Wildlife charities urge Labour to scrap ‘licence to kill nature’ in planning bill
Conservationists say part of bill allowing developers to avoid environmental laws by paying into nature fund should be ditched
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Simon Fletcher @fletchersimon.bsky.social · 22/05/2025
“Party staff will no longer be reporting its membership data to the NEC, the governing body of the Party, which is completely unprecedented” Covering up the consequences of bad political decisions doesn’t make the bad politics go away. via @labour-hub.bsky.social labourhub.org.uk/2025/05/22/b...
labourhub.org.uk
Bonfire of the equalities
A report of Labour’s 20th May National Executive Committee by left CLP reps Jess Barnard, Gemma Bolton and Yasmine Dar Summary In an unprecedented move, it was declared that the Party will no…
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