iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Simon Harries @simonharries.bsky.social · 3h

It doesn't cause offence. Conversely, Brits want what's best for them and, as we can see, individual European interest groups also want what they consider to be in their own interests. That's why we negotiate, isn't it? To see if your interests and ours can coincide? Which I am sure they do.

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Simon Harries @simonharries.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Seconded. But it won't be easy... Lots of trust needed and last time i looked, that was in short supply.

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Simon Harries @simonharries.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

How does this affect us all? Trivial example. I am proud of my collection of coloured sweat shirts. I wear them in a strict order. A day came when it was time for the orange shirt. My wife quietly told me today was July 12th. Just that. I put the shirt away. We all know, it's part of all our lives.

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Simon Harries @simonharries.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

For the second time I have to say a post of yours is a work of art.

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Simon Harries @simonharries.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

So many good posts today! Is it just me or is everyone somewhat on fire today?

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Simon Harries @simonharries.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Here in the remote fens there is a pro Palestine demo each saturday in the market and one regular attendee is an elderly French lady from Bourgogne. She used to know Melenchon quite well (selon elle) and promises all who will listen that he has changed. I am sceptical, which slightly upsets her.

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Simon Harries @simonharries.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

We're getting some good comments today- keep it up team!

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Simon Harries @simonharries.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

It distresses me that the Shamima Begum story has been lost to view. At the time I was completely horrified that a Home Secretary could strip British citizenship from anyone in this way. It is the hard cases that test you. She was/is our fellow citizen and our concern.

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Simon Harries @simonharries.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Can we all agree never to use noms de guerre or pseudonyms again? His name- given in the story- is Daniel Thomas.

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Simon Harries @simonharries.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Universities are so desperate for money they will sell themselves to billionaires in hope of a hand out. It won't work. Billionaires think they deserve everything they have and your fawning support is a just reward for being awesome, with no reciprocity implied. As with narcissists- see also Trump.

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Simon Harries @simonharries.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

It is very hard to explain how deeply shocking and depressing this is. The worst point of all is not even the existence of racist fanatics but the total lack of response by politicians. Why and how is this the case?

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Reposted by Simon Harries

Lewis Baston @lewisbaston.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Arrest this thug and proscribe his organisation. It’s a dangerous criminal conspiracy.

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Simon Harries @simonharries.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

The question is: why? What is stopping the authorities from arresting and prosecuting him? Anyone? Any politician? @libdems.org.uk how about you? @labouruk.bsky.social what is your reason? Anyone like to guess? How is this possible?

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Simon Harries @simonharries.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

In answer to your last question: no. Also you exaggerate. Unification will almost certainly happen but for positive reasons, not to flee a dysfunctional sh*tshow of a country. That rarely leads to happy ever after. Let's calm down and be positive- you will get to where you want faster that way.

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Guy Shrubsole @guyshrubsole.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

“The rise of anti-migration neofascism is more threatening than anything I’ve seen in my lifetime.” Good piece by @pollytoynbee.bsky.social challenging Burnham to confront the rise of the far right in his conference speech next week. Features @hopenothate.org.uk www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

theguardian.com

There is a racism and cohesion crisis in Britain, and someone needs to lead us out of it. His name is Andy Burnham | Polly Toynbee

I want him to start the fightback next week against extremists who peddle hate and those who despise this country. That would be true patriotism, says Guardian columnist Polly Toynbee

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Simon Harries @simonharries.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Good article. I am amazed that the Lib Dems are not absolutely all over this.

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Simon Harries @simonharries.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Excellent thought. Let's start there and see where it takes us- let's just for heaven's sake talk about it!

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Simon Harries @simonharries.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Can only add to the general admiration. Extraordinarily succinct, sober and clear analysis. Cannot fault any of it.

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Simon Harries @simonharries.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Aaargh noooo!! What an insanely stupid idea! Why won't they do the right thing? This is Labour- have they been through so much aversion therapy that acting like Labour is now impossible for them?

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Ross Greer (he/him) @ross-greer.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Hundreds of people have been arrested and accused of terrorism offences for holding signs saying they support Palestine Action. But apparently this organised campaign to literally terrorise lifeboat crews and endanger lives isn't terrorism?

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Simon Harries @simonharries.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

By God I love a good bad review- and this is excellent! Lip smackingly enjoyable.

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Simon Harries @simonharries.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

I'm sorry to say this seems about right. It's the saddest problem of all for me. FoM always seemed the most wonderful gift of EU membership. To have it denigrated and seen as a threat seems so mad to me I can hardly understand it. Until we get over that mental block nothing will change.

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Simon Harries @simonharries.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Oh my God! The de Gaulle film? Fabulous. Sat absolutely transfixed. Loved every minute, Reminds me of how we used to see 2 or 3 foreign language films every week! As for Simon Russel Beale? Why is he not Sir Simon by now?! French speaker, musician, intellectual? Knight the man!

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Simon Harries @simonharries.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

I try to understand but don't. We need to be in the single market and customs union. So let's apply to join. What is the reason why not? Like the minister saying she had heard the people of Piddington "Roar", or that blackshirted masked paramilitary vigilantes have legitimate concerns. Appeasement.

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Simon Harries @simonharries.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

I am not suggesting you can leave and yet enjoy the benefits of membership. I am pointing out that the EU is ready to develop a customised relationship with a 3rd country (or maybe several). Is there some problem about this? Why do you default to suggesting something I am not saying or proposing?

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Simon Harries @simonharries.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

To avoid misunderstanding, I think this is an all round excellent idea. It does suggest, however, that the EU may not be quite so inflexible as one might imagine.

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Will Jennings📉🗳️ @drjennings.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

This is an absolute disgrace. There is no excuse for anyone not calling this out for the thuggish extremism it is.

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Kat 💥 @katstark.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

I'm pretty sure if non-white blokes did this, they'd all be locked up and all their extended family would be under surveillance

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Simon Harries @simonharries.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

I'm not talking about the exact same benefits. What is this association offered to Canada? It suggests a level of flexibility you and others have been telling us simply does not exist.

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Simon Harries @simonharries.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

So Cakeism rules? As long as it's with a Canadian accent?

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Simon Harries @simonharries.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

So does this mean that all the Brits suggesting there could be a special arrangement with the UK were right all along? If there is such an arrangement for Canada it's also good for us, right?

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Simon Harries @simonharries.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

It's even on Linked In, where the discourse is hysterical to put it very politely. The agenda could not be more clear: step out of line and we will come for you and everyone you know. This is about as obvious an indication of the pathology inside Israeli society as you could wish for.

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Simon Harries @simonharries.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

There is still a mount Edith Cavell in the Red Rose Province. I have never met a Canadian who knew who she was.

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Simon Harries @simonharries.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Now try the same approach with the other party leaders. I bet you'd find the same result.

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Simon Harries @simonharries.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

I do find this extraordinary. I may just be lucky in that I know almost every inch of Scotland, have ancestors buried in SW Wales and have a daughter who lives and works in Ireland- but anglo centricity leaves me no so much angry as totally baffled. Why don't you know? Have you no curiosity at all?

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Simon Harries @simonharries.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Why is anyone surprised? The whole point about truly deep corruption is that the corrupt operators simply have no clue that they are corrupt. It's just business to them. They assume you and I are doing the same thing- or would if we were clever enough.

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Simon Harries @simonharries.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

There's a simple answer to both questions. There is another interested party involved. For the EU there is a path to entry and if we want to rejoin we use that path and no other. It doesn't matter that we have regrets. We need to do it by the book and that is that. Same as for Scottish independence.

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Simon Harries @simonharries.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

The term UK was actually treated as a form of insult by Tories, which makes the current obsession with this silly acronym very weird indeed to old relics of empire such as my good self.

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Simon Harries @simonharries.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

As a child I remember my mother severely chastising me for repeating the term "UK" that I had heard- for the first time- used by someone at Lagos docks. We never, ever, ever used the term- I never heard anyone around my very conservative parents who said anything other than Britain.

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Simon Harries @simonharries.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Everything he touches is tainted, that's for sure, but you can just shrug and ignore him. He is a crazy old man shouting in the street. Sad but not relevant. In my house we laughed at the instant gag: "not as orange as he looks, then?" so I can certify that laughter is the best medicine.

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Simon Harries @simonharries.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Sad story. We all need a really good detox from social media, don't we? Amazing how angry one can get with people that we could argue with politely if you met face to face, without being enemies. Such is the life we have made for ourselves...

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Simon Harries @simonharries.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Thanks for reposting the homage to Janey Godley- which brightened the day for many of us and helped restore our faith in human nature after a bad week.

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Simon Harries @simonharries.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Objectively hilarious picture but one point always stands out. Prove me wrong. The whole point about being a sophist is that you NEVER prove them wrong. It is actually impossible. They will not, cannot accept the possibility of being wrong in the only terms that matter to them: winning.

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Simon Harries @simonharries.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Donald Trump supports a UNited Ireland and expects it to happen at once, for whihc he will claim credit. @gylesnamopaleen.bsky.social @nialloconghaile.bsky.social what are your thoughts today? I imagine your emotions are pretty unprintable.

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Simon Harries @simonharries.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Delighted to see this and it is so sad to remember Janey Godley today- yet inspiring, too.

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Simon Harries @simonharries.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Got off a flight in San Francisco on 10th September 2001. Very jetlagged: left my passport on the plane and in a panic tried to go back to get it. Two policemen laughed at me and told me I had committed a federal offence- then laughed more and let me go. Next morning I went in search of pancakes-

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Simon Harries @simonharries.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

The point about Agents is you do not need to tell them anything except give them a mission. They will then interpret that mission and complete it by whatever means help efficient execution of the task. They have no morality or view on legality- they just do it. That's what makes them so dangerous.

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Simon Harries @simonharries.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Explicitly training for running an empire- expected to be hard, brutal and require self-sufficiency to an extreme degree. Read Stalky and Co by Kipling, which explains the process and reasoning from the inside very effectively. Before that, of course, it was training to be monks. Today? It's crazy.

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