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Simon Bazalgette

@simonbazalgette.bsky.social
117 followers 239 following 72 posts

A few of my obsessions: Family, Brentford, The Fall, Horseracing, Roundhouse and leaving the world a better place. How hard can it be?

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Reposted by Simon Bazalgette
Sunder Katwala (sundersays) @sundersays.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
2026 total is 17,500 over 9 and a half months, down 44%. 2026 looks on course to end somewhere close to 22,500. it was 41,472 in 2025. Lowest level in the last 6 years is 28,500 in 2021 (up from 8k in 2020). Main way to now reduce this significantly < 20k is an expanded routes for returns deal
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Reposted by Simon Bazalgette
Sunder Katwala (sundersays) @sundersays.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Reform have launched an app & game for real-time tracking of boats crossing the channel. But some supporters have said it is boring because so little happens. There were 3 boats in last 7 days www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
independent.co.uk
Fury as Reform UK launch small boats mobile ‘game’
Reform launches mobile game amid questions over party’s £72 million donations
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Otto English @ottoenglish.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
In May of 1940 there was a mass panic in Britain - stirred up by the tabloid press - about 'fighting aged men' who had come to Britain as 'refugees' posing a threat to the women and children of this country - and essentially forming a 'fifth column' that could, at any moment rise up against everyone
static.klipy.com
WW2 Soldiers in Croatia: Ivan Janjic Storefront
ALT: WW2 Soldiers in Croatia: Ivan Janjic Storefront
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The Author, Séamas O'Reilly @seamas.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Have seen this Nature piece about the effects of X's algorithm mentioned again and it bears repeating; exposure to a right wing algorithm makes you - measurably and predictably - more right wing, even after you stop using it. www.nature.com/articles/s41...
nature.com
The political effects of X’s feed algorithm - Nature
Among users initially on a chronological feed, 7 weeks of exposure to X’s algorithmic feed in 2023 shifted political attitudes and account-following behaviour in a more conservative direction compared...
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Oliver Bullough @oliverbullough.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
The fact something as fundamental and superb as the RNLI is a charity is one of the most magical and strange things about Britain. You can support them here. rnli.org/support-us/g...
rnli.org
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.
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Adrian Littlejohn @yorksfella59.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
I am bloody proud to be an #RNLI supporter and member! These brilliant men and women have quite enough to cope with without being harassed by the scum of the earth. Their only concern is to help people in danger at sea - not check passports first! Which is how it should be. Please RT if you agree🙏
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The News Agents @thenewsagents.co.uk · 25/08/2026
Rupert Lowe's extreme X posts are set to make him more money this year than his job as an MP. Are modern politicians now content creators, and is this dangerous?
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Robert Reich @rbreich.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
A recent survey found that 92% of U.S. adults have delayed or avoided medical care due to high costs. Meanwhile, a new study from Yale estimates that Medicare for All would save over 114,000 lives and $1 trillion a year. If this country was truly “pro-life,” we would have universal healthcare.
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Josiah Mortimer @josiahmortimer.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
I don't believe Byline Times' extensive reporting on Cambridge academic - and Reform policy chief - James Orr has received a single piece of pick-up by other outlets
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MeidasTouch @meidastouch.com · 13/08/2026
Trump pocketed $2.2 BILLION in 2025 while American families lost $219 BILLION to rising costs, according to a stunning new report. The numbers tell the story.
meidasnews.com
Trump Pocketed $2.2 Billion in 2025 While American Families Lost $219 Billion to Rising Costs, New Report Finds
New calculations from the Joint Economic Committee, Minority, show a staggering gap between how President Trump fared financially in 2025 and how ordinary
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Dmitry Grozoubinski @explaintrade.com · 10/08/2026
College kids defacing a McDonalds during a climate change rally lead to calls to call in the tanks, whereas coke-head wife beaters trying to burn refugees alive get sorrowful expressions of sympathy for their "legitimate underlying concerns" and "lads with strong feelings, what can you do?" shrug.
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Simon Bazalgette @simonbazalgette.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
Shout out for the Scooter cafe, one of London's hidden gems...
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Reposted by Simon Bazalgette
Otto English @ottoenglish.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
There has been little mention of the 72 people who drowned or were crushed trying to reach Ceuta last week. A shocking figure that's been eclipsed by right wing press fear mongering. The incident and how it started is now coming under welcome scrutiny www.theguardian.com/world/2026/a...
theguardian.com
Chaos of border crossing gives way to limbo for Moroccans on Ceuta’s streets
People among the more than 50,000 who entered Spanish enclave this week describe the journey and their prospects
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Alex Andreou @sturdyalex.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
RefUK, RW media, & Eurofash are plainly trying to whip up a panic about this. Any serious report must begin by explaining that Ceuta is in Africa - not mainland Spain - and 48k+ of the 50k crossers were already returned. It is frightening how many still don't know this. Please share on all socials.
Map showing the Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla in North Africa.Screengrab from Politico piece that explains, citing Reuters, that 48,300 of the 50,000 recent crossings have already been expelled or voluntarily returned to Morocco.BBC report on Friday, still echoing the RW disinformation - or at the very least not challengning it sufficiently.

"Spain's PM blames traffickers after 60,000 migrants reach Ceuta from Morocco
01:32
What triggered the mass migrant crossings into Ceuta?
Sofia Ferreira Santos and Sarah Rainsford, Southern and Eastern Europe
correspondent
31 July 2026
Spain's prime minister has blamed trafficking gangs after about 60,000 migrants crossed into the Spanish North African enclave of Ceuta from Morocco. At least 57 people died during the surge, according to local media."Daily Mail and Daily Express from this weekend, with front page headlines "Ministers MUST stop the Spanish border invaders reaching UK" and "SPANISH BORDER CRISIS IS 'WAKE-UP CALL' FOR UK", respectively.
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Jonathan Portes @jdportes.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
Thorough write-up of the Times/Chris Philp migrants stat fabrication story by @garethtbij.bsky.social of @tbij.bsky.social www.thebureauinvestigates.com/stories/2026...
thebureauinvestigates.com
False migrant care worker data came from Conservative Party
The Times is forced to issue correction after claiming 12 workers from Cameroon brought 180 family members to UK
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Simon Bazalgette @simonbazalgette.bsky.social · 26/07/2026
Lovely to see Helen @mccookerybook.bsky.social at lunchtime at the Twickenham High Tide Festival, with the great Lester Square on guitar. Loved it!
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Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan @london.gov.uk · 25/07/2026
To every trans Londoner: this city is yours too. Today we celebrate London Trans+ Pride and reaffirm a simple truth: you should be free to live as yourself, without fear or prejudice. You are loved. You are wanted. You belong here.
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Simon Bazalgette @simonbazalgette.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
Great gig, amazing the artists that @banquetrecords.com get to play in Kingston.
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Chris Grey @chrisgrey.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
"Most people arrested during Henry Nowak protests had been reported for domestic abuse": www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
theguardian.com
Most people arrested during Henry Nowak protests had been reported for domestic abuse
Exclusive: Hampshire police data reveals 22 of 37 detained had been accused or convicted of intimate partner violence
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Simon Bazalgette @simonbazalgette.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
‘Til things are brighter, I’m the man in black
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Robert Reich @rbreich.bsky.social · 19/07/2026
At least 52 people have died in ICE custody since Trump returned to the White House. At least 23 people have been shot at by federal immigration agents. And thousands more have been caged, separated from their families, or shipped off to dangerous countries. The cruelty is endless.
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The New York Times @nytimes.com · 03/07/2026
Heat and humidity as severe, prolonged and far-reaching as this week’s would have been “virtually impossible” in the Northeast and eastern Canada before humans began warming the planet, a team of scientists said on Friday.
nyti.ms
Without Climate Change, U.S. Heat Wave Called ‘Virtually Impossible’
Scientists have said the conditions are the result of a climate that is “fundamentally different” from the time before fossil fuel use started rapidly warming the world.
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Simon Bazalgette @simonbazalgette.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
Hopefully the rest of official Government comms will do the same… Culture secretary quits X in protest at 'misinformation' www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Culture secretary Lisa Nandy quits X in protest at 'misinformation'
Lisa Nandy says her department is also leaving Elon Musk's platform, which she claims "isn't healthy for our democracy".
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Robert Reich @rbreich.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
When Trump said, "I don’t think about Americans’ financial situation," he wasn't lying. He's too focused on lining his own pockets — growing his crypto empire while simultaneously deregulating the industry.
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Robert Saunders @robertsaunders.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
Nigel Farage is running the bizarre line again on Today that he "wasn't in politics" when he stuffed £5 million down his trousers from a crypto-billionaire. He literally owned a political party.
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Adam Bienkov @adambienkov.bsky.social · 21/06/2026
The attacks in Edinburgh, in which an armed bare-chested white man terrorised Muslims, leaving five people injured, don't feature on a single newspaper front page this morning. Two tier journalism
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The Guardian @theguardian.com · 21/06/2026
‘They didn’t know or care, or wouldn’t say’: how we investigated the casualties of a covert US war
theguardian.com
‘They didn’t know or care, or wouldn’t say’: how we investigated the casualties of a covert US war
When a large number of children were killed during a US drone strike in Somalia last year, two reporters collaborated to piece together what happened
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Unch Crosswords @unchcrosswords.com · 20/12/2025
If you like cryptic crosswords repost this
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Simon Bazalgette @simonbazalgette.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
And so it begins…
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Dan Sohege @danielsohege.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
Labour has rolled back protections for trans individuals. The Under Secretary of State for Equalities has just opened the door for vigilantism against trans individuals. UK has dropped in terms of LGBTQIA+ rights under this government. This performative politics doesn't match Labour's own policies.
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Simon Bazalgette @simonbazalgette.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
Worrying times when homophobia, transphobia, misogyny, antisemitism, Islamophobia, racism are all on the rise. Empathy, tolerance and kindness are ridiculed in parts of the media, social media and by politicians, but are still the standard for most people and should be celebrated.
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Simon Bazalgette @simonbazalgette.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
Certainly the speech I wish the PM had made. Is it too much to hope that our leaders and would-be leaders take an approach like this.
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Chris Barton @chrisbarton01.bsky.social · 20/04/2026
#TheMeters Hey Pocky A-Way open.spotify.com/track/3QWref...
open.spotify.com
Hey Pocky A-Way - 2002 Remaster
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Simon Bazalgette @simonbazalgette.bsky.social · 20/04/2026
My favourite album start ever…
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Simon Bazalgette @simonbazalgette.bsky.social · 18/04/2026
The greatest indie pop single ever, I’ll die in a ditch for it…
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The GREAT HOUDINI @thegreathoudini.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
This aged well!!! IMPEACH TRUMP'S ASS!!!
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Simon Bazalgette @simonbazalgette.bsky.social · 13/04/2026
One of my favourite ever tracks, and certainly one with the most emotional kick to it
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The 🫠 ᴘʀᴇᴛᴛʏ BBC 6Music 🎶 #NowPlaying Bot - Radio 6 @bbc6musicbot.bsky.social · 13/04/2026
🇺🇦 #NowPlaying on #BBC6Music's #6MusicArtistInResidence The Chills: 🎵 Pink Frost #6music #TheChills ▶️ 🪄 Automagic 🔊 show 📻 playlist on Spotify ▶️ Song/Cover on #Bandcamp:
psychedelic72.bandcamp.com
Pink Frost, by The Chills
from the album Original Psychedelic Music 1976-1996. Vol. 3
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Jewish Council of Australia @jewishcouncilau.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
As Jewish Australians, we are devastated to learn of the Israeli assault on Lebanon yesterday. We urge @albomp.bsky.social and Foreign Minister Wong to speak out against Israel's violent escalation and call on the Government to take decisive action by demanding an immediate ceasefire.
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Simon Bazalgette @simonbazalgette.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
Tankus, still just about the best live band around - go see them this summer. They were great at LVLS last weekend youtu.be/5-J83Btp-Pw?...
youtu.be
Tankus - Valley of Distraction (Official Video)
YouTube video by Tankus
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Simon Bazalgette @simonbazalgette.bsky.social · 25/03/2026
Great gig last night at the Oslo Hackney by Howling Bells, new LP is a worthy follow up to their debut album, one of my favourites of the last 20 years. Go see them!
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Resolution Foundation @resolutionfoundation.org · 24/03/2026
At our event, we've asked our panellists and audience the following Q: Where should policy focus to close the earnings gap caused by childhood poverty? The most popular answer was: Increasing school attainment for children in poverty. www.resolutionfoundation.org/events/socia...
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Dmitry Grozoubinski @explaintrade.com · 16/03/2026
"Iran, which is completely defeated, is disrupting the Strait with the navy and missiles we've completely destroyed and that is unacceptable because it is making the oil price go up, which is good actually, and NATO which I do not support needs to come rescue us immediately. Thank you for your a..."
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Simon Bazalgette @simonbazalgette.bsky.social · 15/03/2026
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Simon Bazalgette @simonbazalgette.bsky.social · 14/03/2026
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Simon Bazalgette @simonbazalgette.bsky.social · 03/03/2026
British Horseracing in crisis as Lord Allen resigns as Chair of the governing body after less than 6 months.
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Simon Bazalgette @simonbazalgette.bsky.social · 01/03/2026
A great track, @mccookerybook.bsky.social is still going strong if you like this and want to follow her.
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Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan @london.gov.uk · 28/02/2026
Measles is on the rise in London. It’s highly infectious and can be passed on even before a rash appears. Protect yourself and your family from becoming seriously unwell by making sure you are all up to date with your MMR vaccinations.
nhs.uk
MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine
Find out about the MMR vaccine for measles, mumps and rubella, including who should have it, when it's given and possible side effects.
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Simon Bazalgette @simonbazalgette.bsky.social · 25/02/2026
Now Playing - 49 years old, a forgotten classic of the punk era. Debut album of John Foxx era Ultravox! before he and the exclamation mark left. Produced by Brian Eno and Steve Lilywhite - and more than a whiff of influence of Roxy Music, and none the worse for that.
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Simon Bazalgette @simonbazalgette.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
A singalong for our times - The Sea by Helen McCookerybook @mccookerybook.bsky.social #VinylJunkies #NowPlaying #VinylCommunity #MusicSky #VinylSky
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