Robin Simcox

In today’s @Telegraph: the politics of the blasphemy belt and what it might mean for the future. telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/05/1…

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 thetimes.com/uk/politics/ar…

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 | spectator.com/article/how-ga…

@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.

@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.

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. spectator.com/article/how-ga…

In today's @JewishChron. After the latest terrorist attack in Manchester, what next? thejc.com/opinion/uk-mus…

My thoughts on the Manchester terror attack, antisemitism and today’s protests in the @Telegraph. telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/10/0…

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

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. #essays" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">gov.uk/government/col…

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.

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.

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.

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

My remarks to @CommonsHomeAffs can be viewed here. parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/e5…

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. 🔗bit.ly/3YxNJqI

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

Our End of Year Report is now published, featuring @RobinSimcox's foreword on his tenure as Commissioner. It outlines @CommissionCE's work providing independent advice, training, and thought leadership on counter extremism. Read it here: bit.ly/44igJGC

Read more here about recent @CommissionCE engagement with the French government on counter extremism policy.