Read on Twitter
So I've decided to follow up a little on this thread and give an example, of how free-market, Brexit supporting think tanks and funders, amplify the messages of people like Sikora. 1/ https://twitter.com/Niall001/status/1263883499318185986
Sikora recently had a video banned by Youtube. It was an interview with Freddie Sayers of Unherd. In the interview, Sikora, once again, speaks on subjects in which he has no expertise. But let's leave that to one side, and look instead at Unherd. 2/
Unherd was set up by Tim Montgomerie who also founded Conservativehome and the Centre for Social Justice. Tim is highly influential in free-market, right wing think tank circles. 3/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Montgomerie
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Montgomerie
Tim has worked for Boris Johnson. He has sparked controversy in the past for his views on Viktor Orban of Hungary. 4/ https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/top-stories/tim-montgomerie-on-uk-relationship-with-hungary-after-brexit-1-6453735
Tim, along with lockdown skeptic Matt Ridley & Owen Paterson ran the Tufton St. Brexit supporting think-tank UK2020. He was also involved in the Legatum Institute.
In short, he has been a prolific and influential right-wing commentator, lobbyist and advisor.
5/
In short, he has been a prolific and influential right-wing commentator, lobbyist and advisor.
5/
So, why did he set up Unherd?
Well to "push back against the herd mentality with new and bold thinking, and to provide a platform for otherwise unheard ideas, people and places."
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Well to "push back against the herd mentality with new and bold thinking, and to provide a platform for otherwise unheard ideas, people and places."
6/
So who are the unheard people that Unherd gives platforms to? (Aside from Sikora).
Well, there was Giles Fraser, formerly linked to the Quilliam Foundation
https://powerbase.info/index.php/Quilliam_Foundation
7/
Well, there was Giles Fraser, formerly linked to the Quilliam Foundation
https://powerbase.info/index.php/Quilliam_Foundation
7/
Douglas Murray - who founded the Civitas backed Centre for Social Cohesion. The CSC has now merged with Henry Jackson Society.
https://powerbase.info/index.php/Centre_for_Social_Cohesion
8/
https://powerbase.info/index.php/Centre_for_Social_Cohesion
8/
Matthew Goodwin - an advisor to lockdown skeptic Toby Young's Free Speech Union. Matthew has written and consulted for a wide variety of influential groups and individuals.
9/
https://www.matthewjgoodwin.org/
9/
https://www.matthewjgoodwin.org/
Ian Birrell - a former David Cameron speechwriter who currently helps edit The Mail on Sunday.
http://www.ianbirrell.com/about-me/ 10/
http://www.ianbirrell.com/about-me/ 10/
Anyway, I'll stop now. You get the idea. These "unheard" voices tend to be highly influential people who have links to the Tory party.
But where did Tim get the money to set up his new platform?
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But where did Tim get the money to set up his new platform?
11/
Well he got it from Paul Marshall. Paul is worth £590 million and set up one of the UK's first hedge funds. He has financed Prosperity UK, the Legatum Institute, Michael Gove and Vote Leave:
12/ https://bylinetimes.com/2019/03/18/the-disaster-capitalism-club-part-2-sir-paul-marshall-and-michael-gove/
12/ https://bylinetimes.com/2019/03/18/the-disaster-capitalism-club-part-2-sir-paul-marshall-and-michael-gove/
Now all of this is interesting in and of itself, but the point of this thread is to show how somebody like Sikora's message gets amplified.
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13/
Marshall has funded a political ally to set up a platform which amplifies the voices of those whose views he, generally, likes. Just as he funded Vote Leave, Michael Gove (who wants lockdown lifted quickly) & Legatum. 14/
The network of journalists, political advisors and donors that funded the Leave movement are now being used to amplify the anti-lockdown movement.
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And looking at the comments of some SAGE members, these voices are now being prioritised over scientific advice. 16/16 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-52858392
