Simon Bell

Retired Property Lawyer interested in International Relations, Trade, Politics, and Brexit.

[Simon Bell @SimonSBell]

Massive Electricity Price Rises Expected as National Grid Confirms Gas is the Only Back-Up for Intermittent Renewables https://t.co/1zDepCXQNl

[Simon Bell @SimonSBell]

@BumbleCricket I feel both have their place in the fixture calendar.

[Simon Bell @SimonSBell]

Is anyone else amused by the prospect of Donald Trump presenting the FIFA World Cup trophy to Iran?
Also how about a final between Iraq and Iran?

[Simon Bell @SimonSBell]

@PippaCrerar @adamboultonTABB So, “cherry picking” is allowed when it suits them?

[Simon Bell @SimonSBell]

@KobeissiLetter Is this the Chairman Trump hand picked?

Ironically, he was just boasting that stopping bombing Iran inevitably raised market values.

[Krisztina Maria @KrisztinaMaria]

SWEDEN JUST DREW THE LINE

Sweden is doing it. Finally.

Parliament has just passed a law that lets the state revoke residence permits for bad behavior. And here is the part that matters - the behavior does not have to be criminal.

Undeclared work. Unpaid debts. Tax evasion. Benefit fraud. Links to extremist organizations. That is enough.

The law does not only cover new applications. It covers permits already granted. Retroactively.

The principle is simple, and it should never have been controversial: a residence permit is a privilege, not a right. Anyone who lives off a society’s hospitality while working against that society’s laws and values has NO automatic claim to stay.

Sweden has paid a high price to learn this. Now they are acting. The rest of Europe and the West should take note. Let’s go!🪽❤️‍🔥✝️

[Simon Bell @SimonSBell]

@WG_RumblePants Hope you get your cap back. It's so clearly a fundamental part of your character.

[Simon Bell @SimonSBell]

@PhilAldrick I thought the job of Government was to develop the economy by pursuing growth policies and that a “hit” of 2% was worth my Leave vote to escape the burdensome regulatory and contribution burdens of the EU. That Governments have failed to achieve growth is political failure alone.

[Simon Bell @SimonSBell]

@InsideLucysHead It's plane for all to see.

[Simon Bell @SimonSBell]

What is this (further) idiocy from our esteemed Government?

This is an area where we still have comparative advantage - an important factor in international trade - and used to be leaders.

British defence companies locked out of £100bn Nato ‘bomb bank’

https://t.co/NCoNEQa34t

[Simon Bell @SimonSBell]

@WestHam To the Board of Directors:

Resign! You're total failures and do not deserve to run a decent football club.

[Simon Bell @SimonSBell]

@henrywinter Can't wait for your review of West Ham's season.

[Simon Bell @SimonSBell]

@TheBarmyArmy Jimmy Anderson.

[Simon Bell @SimonSBell]

@robertguest1
Your teaser email today concerning the predicament the PM finds himself in suggests the forthcoming leadership contest might succeed in finding a politician "with the necessary gumption".
I struggle to see where from Labour's ranks such an individual could be found

[Simon Bell @SimonSBell]

Should tomorrow's King's Speech in Parliament be changed so instead of:

"My Government will .... (e.g. introduce legislation to do x)"

He says:

"My Government will probably ....."?

[Simon Bell @SimonSBell]

@benrileysmith @JuliaHB1 If so, please can we have Italy's weather?

[Simon Bell @SimonSBell]

@EuroBriefing I have always thought the EU needs to resolve the issue of a fiscal union before - to keep things in order - a banking union, and only then a political union.
Without the other two in place, up and running, the latter is essentially inoperable.
Much like the EU is now.

[Simon Bell @SimonSBell]

@julianHjessop @UxbEconomist07 @EuroBriefing @AntonSpisak - and your definition of economic and fiscal harm is?

[Simon Bell @SimonSBell]

There's no Umpire's Video Review, and, importantly, in the case of uncertainty by the Fourth Official, the Umpire is directed to stick with his original decision.
It this cricket approach has been used in #WHUvARS last night, the match would have been drawn and points shared.

[Simon Bell @SimonSBell]

Watched last night's #WHUvARS match last night. After seeing the video of the mêlée in the goal mouth during the corner kick, it clear the goalie was fouled. But what of the other offences of manhandling players that preceded the foul that overturned the goal?
.../2

[Simon Bell @SimonSBell]

VAR this season has been over-used, inconsistent, and at times clearly unfairly.
Consequently, I believe it must either cease to be used or, ideally changed to a method fairer to both teams.
An Umpire's Review in Cricket either confirms "Out!" or overturns a "Not Out!".
.../3