Robin Simcox

Senior Visiting Research Fellow @KingsCollegeLon. Senior Associate (Non-Resident) @CSIS. UK Commissioner for Countering Extremism 2021-25.
Likes = bookmarks.

[CounterExtremism @CEGroupUK]

CEG is saddened to hear of the passing of Sir Alex Younger, former Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service.

Sir Alex was one of our finest public servants. He combined a fierce intellect with an unassuming air & charm. Sir Alex's storied career & unrelenting dedication to keeping our country safe will be much discussed in the days ahead - as it should be.

However his generosity in sharing his time and his wisdom with the next generation may be less well understood. Sir Alex instinctively recognised the need to convey to young people the litany of threats we face. He understood these threats clearly & explained them masterfully as the inaugural patron of our Young Leaders programme.

Our thoughts are with his family at this time.

[Robin Simcox @RobinSimcox]

A pleasure to discuss @burke_jason's latest book, The Revolutionists - a compelling study of terrorism and extremism in the 1970s - at a @CEGroupUK event last night.

[Robin Simcox @RobinSimcox]

In today’s @Telegraph: the politics of the blasphemy belt and what it might mean for the future. https://t.co/vXI4TDk0iB

[Robin Simcox @RobinSimcox]

Antisemitism is an acute problem across the political spectrum. But it is the Islamists and Far Left mainly responsible for the ugly atmospherics government knows it now must address. Some thoughts on the current mess and what next for @thetimes today
https://t.co/QLcZgN3mA1

[The Spectator @spectator]

As Tony Blair contested a third election in 2005, the Labour government’s popularity was in tatters. The divisions in the country were running deep, following a United States-led war in the Middle East.

The general election, held alongside the locals, saw the emergence of new radical political parties. They seized an opportunity to break the two-party consensus by opposing foreign wars and weaponising an increasingly politicised Muslim vote.

Not much is written today about Respect, but it had some success fighting on an anti-Iraq war platform. George Galloway, the party’s leader, won in Bethnal Green and Bow.

Although Respect’s staying power proved limited, what is emerging for next month’s local elections might prove more durable. This time, the left-wing, anti-Labour alliance is built around the Green party and various independent candidates who are cutting deals, forming pacts and encouraging tactical voting, united by the issue of Palestine.

✍️ Robin Simcox

Article | https://t.co/Dl2ImB8I0H

[Robin Simcox @RobinSimcox]

@spectator Of course there are issues beyond Gaza that shape the way people vote. But Gaza retains a unique power at this time to unite various factions who may not otherwise have a lot in common.

[Robin Simcox @RobinSimcox]

I have an article out in tomorrow’s @spectator on the upcoming local elections. It argues that this political moment echoes 2005, when upstart parties threatened to overturn the apple cart by harnessing anger over Iraq. https://t.co/odMGernur7

[Robin Simcox @RobinSimcox]

@spectator For Iraq then, see Gaza today. This time the anti-Labour alliance is built around the Greens and independents. I argue that party loyalty is less fixed than it once was: candidates who had previously campaigned wearing a blue or red rosette are now wearing black, red and green.

[Robin Simcox @RobinSimcox]

In today's @JewishChron. After the latest terrorist attack in Manchester, what next? https://t.co/YLMafEZkug

[Robin Simcox @RobinSimcox]

My thoughts on the Manchester terror attack, antisemitism and today’s protests in the @Telegraph. https://t.co/cryCwK47LV

[Robin Simcox @RobinSimcox]

Some thoughts on the UK’s permissive environment for antisemitism on @BBCNewsnight last night.

[Robin Simcox @RobinSimcox]

The last piece of work I commissioned during my tenure at @CommissionCE explored how to balance counter extremism with defending free speech. Out now with contributions from @JMchangama, @Eric_Heinze_ @LiamSD12, @kafkaswife, @martinbright & many others. https://t.co/wt2hRk5vkI

[Robin Simcox @RobinSimcox]

I have accepted a position as a visiting senior fellow at KCL’s War Studies Department, from where I plan to continue contributing to ongoing public policy debates around extremism and terrorism.

[Robin Simcox @RobinSimcox]

Today is my last day as Commissioner for Countering Extremism and the government’s independent adviser on extremism. It has been a great privilege to help shape consecutive governments’ responses to the range of extremism challenges our country has faced over the past four years.

[Robin Simcox @RobinSimcox]

As outlined in CONTEST, during that time the CCE has become the government’s independent centre of excellence on extremism. Providing forensic, day-to-day scrutiny of government policy is a model that works— and one which I hope will endure.

[Robin Simcox @RobinSimcox]

Out today: a new IPSOS survey commissioned by @CommissionCE on free expression.

[Commission for Countering Extremism @CommissionCE]

📊NEW: Our survey reveals widespread public concern about freedom of expression in the UK, including the rapid pace of change affecting how freely people feel able to speak.

Read the full report: https://t.co/ZPoDrkxypl

[Robin Simcox @RobinSimcox]

My remarks to @CommonsHomeAffs can be viewed here. https://t.co/OF2UCnCq6a

[Home Affairs Committee @CommonsHomeAffs]

Watch live on Tuesday 15th July from 2.30pm as we hold the first session on our inquiry into new forms of extremism.

We will examine new and emerging forms of extremism in the UK.

Watch on Parliament Live 🟢

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[Commission for Countering Extremism @CommissionCE]

Read @Robin_Simcox's reflections on StaCU's first year and our new Annual Report. From establishing robust complaints processes to launching our first ministerial investigation, we've built a foundation for effective Prevent oversight.

🔗https://t.co/UG2g2qf79p

[Robin Simcox @RobinSimcox]

This end of year review provides an insight into all the work @CommissionCE has been doing to provide independent oversight on Prevent.

[Commission for Countering Extremism @CommissionCE]

🚨 Our first Standards and Compliance Unit (StaCU) Annual Report is now published. The report highlights our work to ensure Prevent maintains the highest standards and aligns with ministerial objectives.

Read the full report: https://t.co/wuWRpmGGym