Simon Fletcher

Political campaigns || consultancy || writing and analysis

[Simon Fletcher @fletchersimon]

Whilst there are welcome things in the budget the main underlying problems facing the majority remain unchallenged. By me, link below.

[Momentum 🌹 @PeoplesMomentum]

Over 50 MPs have signed @RichardBurgon's Early Day Motion calling for urgent action to allow aid into Gaza.

Urge your MP to sign!

https://t.co/ZjTFc9TVQS

[Labour Hub @LabourHub]

Budget reactions “ A huge missed opportunity”
@johnmcdonnellMP @KateOsborneMP @EndFuelPoverty @FuelPovAction @WomensBudgetGrp @mainstreamlbr @AndreaEganGS @UniteSharon @mencap_charity @friends_earth @IndependentAge @meadwaj @NeilForPoole @fletchersimon
https://t.co/Yj9Nyk7sKz

[Simon Fletcher @fletchersimon]

Link

https://t.co/lfpuXkcJUI

[Simon Fletcher @fletchersimon]

Whilst there are welcome things in the budget the main underlying problems facing the majority remain unchallenged. By me, link below.

[Simon Fletcher @fletchersimon]

@jacobin @AndreJanonesMG Would be interested to read more on this.

[Simon Fletcher @fletchersimon]

Not surprising but still very striking how publishing this has been met with such rage from @owenjonesjourno’s haters

[Etan Smallman @EtanSmallman]

Owen Jones has, for the last three years, revealed himself to be a man who watched a film of Hamas atrocities and complained there wasn't "conclusive" evidence of rape; defended marches on Oct 7; responded to report of antisemitism in our schools with post headlined: "Debunked!"

[Simon Fletcher @fletchersimon]

I’m pleased to be speaking at this later on. Join us!

[Labour Assembly @labourassembly]

THIS EVENING: join this online event hosted by @JohnMcDonnellMP and @RichardBurgon ahead of the budget, with trade unionists, analysts and campaigners discussing the policy agenda we need and the next steps for our movement.

Find out more & register here: https://t.co/lU27ErvfM1

[Kevin Maguire @Kevin_Maguire]

Let’s Show Racism the Red Card @SRTRC_England on Wear Red Day #WRD26.

Decent people everywhere know communities are better united than divided.

[Clive Lewis MP @labourlewis]

What was the outcome of Palantir’s legal action against the Mayor?

It didn’t establish unlawful action or policy, or that the decision should be overturned.

Nor did it secure the contract or recover its costs.

Those are the facts.

[lan Byrne MP @IanByrneMP]

When I voted against the proscription of Palestine Action, I and many others warned of the draconian consequences it would bring.

Since then, we’ve seen thousands arrested and criminalised simply for holding a sign.

And now this injustice against one of the finest writers of her generation.

An utterly disgraceful attack on freedom of expression.

This ban must be overturned.

[Simon Fletcher @fletchersimon]

Starmerism’s authoritarianism was/is both dangerous and farcical. The Burnham-era government needs to put an end to this

https://t.co/TLKw2OftgK

[Arise - a festival of Left Ideas @arise_festival]

Ahead of this month's budget, @JohnMcDonnellMP and @RichardBurgon will be hosting an online event to set out the measures needed to deliver a crucial lift in living standards and consider the next steps for the labour movement- with guests including @BFAWUOfficial General Secretary @SarahWoolley01, analyst/campaigner @FletcherSimon, Zita Holbourne from @BARACUK and @GawainLittle, General Secretary of the @GFTU1.

You can find out more and register for it here: https://t.co/99MNmgnk1e

[Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani @NYCMayor]

This morning, the federal government turned the full force of the Department of Homeland Security against a sitting member of Congress for the offense of disagreeing with the White House.

The path to citizenship should not be weaponized against anyone, including Rep. Ilhan Omar, a naturalized American who swore an oath to this country — the same one that I took.

The promise of citizenship should not be contingent on someone agreeing with the federal government.

[Trades Union Congress @The_TUC]

Everyone: We should tax the banks.

Banks: This would be a disaster!

Also banks: We are all making so much money it wouldn't even materially affect us.

[PCS - the civil service union @pcs_union]

Outsourced Universal Credit Review (UCR) staff to be insourced

PCS welcomes the decision of DWP and the government to bring the work in-house, which is currently delivered by around 2,700 staff working for the outsourcing company Teleperformance.

PCS has disputed the DWP's rationale that Universal Credit Review (UCR) work should be outsourced since 2023 when we first became aware of the DWPs plans. We argued that it would not deliver value for taxpayers’ money, that it would not deliver the work efficiently, and that this core civil service work should not be delivered for profit by the private sector.

Contract issues

Throughout the duration of the contract, frustrated members working for DWP on UCR have told PCS that it wasn't working, that handovers from the private sector were not in good shape and created extra work for DWP staff. Meanwhile, Teleperformance was able to reap the benefits of an initial £368 million contract presented to it in 2024.

The decision to insource this work demonstrates again the failure of the private sector to deliver key public sector services.

Greatest wave of insourcing

When in opposition, the Labour Party pledged to oversee the greatest wave of insourcing into public services for a generation. It is welcome news that DWP and the government have listened to PCS and will soon deliver on this commitment in respect of this Teleperformance contract.

Work that should never have been outsourced for private profit will now be carried out by staff directly employed by DWP. This will also provide some relief for the frustrated staff already delivering UCR work for the DWP in-house.
#PCS

[Dexys Midnight Runners @DexysOfficial]

In response to an appeal by the Garvaghy Road residents, we are more than happy to add our voice to this open call on the British Secretary of State Chris Bryant, supporting the right of the Garvaghy Road community to live in peace, free from fear and intimidation.

[Arise - a festival of Left Ideas @arise_festival]

ONLINE EVENT 💻

A Fork in the Road Moment - For an Irreversible Shift in the Balance of Power & Wealth 📢

Wed. Oct. 21, 18.30 🗓️

Reviewing Andy Burnham's 1st @UKLabour Conference & looking forward to October's #Budget2026 join @j@johnmcdonnellMP & a range of special guests for a discussion on the way ahead, & the alternative economy strategy we need👇

https://t.co/BuYr7my5cX

[Simon Fletcher @fletchersimon]

@MatthewStiles2 Thanks

[Simon Fletcher @fletchersimon]

Article for @tribunemagazine here:

https://t.co/c2446fbDBr

[Simon Fletcher @fletchersimon]

Some thoughts on Labour’s messaging shift under Andy Burnham, and the tension with the reality that as long as the govt is hemmed in by the framework of the Reeves-era Treasury, that will dictate the terms of its domestic programme.

@tribunemagazine link below