John Simkin

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

479 followers510 following377 posts

John Simkin reposted

John Simkin
@johnsimkin1945.bsky.social

Details of how Morgan McSweeny turned the Labour Party into a right-wing organisation. spartacus-educational.com/Labour_Toget... @andrew-s-hatton.bsky.social @freereed59.net @h-istory.bsky.social @corvidelle.bsky.social @ronentk.me @bennevis.bsky.social @fisherandrew79.bsky.social

spartacus-educational.comLabour TogetherA 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: 19 August 2026
John Simkin
@johnsimkin1945.bsky.social

Technofeudalism: Is AI going to destroy Capitalism and Democracy? spartacus-educational.com/spartacus-bl... @andrew-s-hatton.bsky.social @freereed59.net @h-istory.bsky.social @corvidelle.bsky.social @ronentk.me @bennevis.bsky.social @davidbutleruk.bsky.social @arimaxpharma.bsky.social

spartacus-educational.comTechnofeudalism: Is AI going to destroy Capitalism and Democracy?Technofeudalism: Is AI going to destroy Capitalism and Democracy? Last updated: 20 December, 2025
John Simkin
@johnsimkin1945.bsky.social

Details of how Morgan McSweeny turned the Labour Party into a right-wing organisation. spartacus-educational.com/Labour_Toget... @andrew-s-hatton.bsky.social @freereed59.net @h-istory.bsky.social @corvidelle.bsky.social @ronentk.me @bennevis.bsky.social @fisherandrew79.bsky.social

spartacus-educational.comLabour TogetherA 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: 19 August 2026

John Simkin reposted

Dan Sohege
@danielsohege.bsky.social

There is a huge difference in politics between "opposing" a policy and "not explicitly supporting" a policy. What is need are MPs, and a lot of them, to actively oppose Mahmood's inhumane and hostile anti-immigration policies. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...

theguardian.comCabinet split widens as minister refuses to back Shabana Mahmood’s immigration plansMiatta Fahnbulleh avoids explicitly expressing support for 15-year path to permanent residency for foreign workers

John Simkin reposted

Byline Times
@bylinetimes.bsky.social

🔎 From the archive: five years of work As the Met announce an investigation into Reform Donations, catch up on the Cambridge Academic implicated - James Orr Support our work

bylinetimes.comFree News SiteFree online access to the NEWS that shapeS our print edition out SOON IN PRINT & DIGITAL EDITION 89 – SEPTEMBER 2026 PLAYING WITH FIRE The fossil fuel age is burning itself alive.We know where this is headed.Why are we not doing anything? Nafeez Ahmed, Clive Lewis MP, Asad Rehman, Caroline Lucas BURNHAM’S CHALLENGE #ReformUncovered Got […]

John Simkin reposted

Sarah Murphy
@13sarahmurphy.bsky.social

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)

John Simkin reposted

Fionna O’Leary
@fascinatorfun.bsky.social

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

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

bloom.bgTrump Accuses China of Election Meddling, Putting Ties at RiskPresident 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.

John Simkin reposted

loopylaura.bsky.social
@loopylaura.bsky.social

"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.

novaramedia.comIgnore the Pageantry – Keir Starmer is Leaving Power in DisgraceAs 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...

John Simkin reposted

Blairer
@haggisblarer.bsky.social

And this will get worse under Farage. #Brexit Time he was binned.

Prem Sikka@premnsikka.bsky.social

UK economy grew by 0.1% in May. Hikes in energy, water, internet, phone, grocery, dentist, and bills for essentials result in higher GDP. Higher GDP doesn't say anything about poverty, depletion of disposable incomes. Most people are not better off.

theguardian.comUK economy grew by 0.1% in May despite impact of Iran warRise in GDP follows a 0.1% decline in April, figures from the Office for National Statistics show

John Simkin reposted

Phoenix Satya
@flyingpangolin.bsky.social

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

spartacus-educational.comDonald Trump and the History of Tariffs in the United StatesDonald Trump and the History of Tariffs in the United States Last updated: 12th March, 2018
John Simkin
@johnsimkin1945.bsky.social

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

spartacus-educational.comHow do we stop Nigel Farage from forming a government?How do we stop Nigel Farage from forming a government? Last updated: 30th October, 2025
John Simkin
@johnsimkin1945.bsky.social

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

spartacus-educational.comLabour TogetherA 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