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Director @ukandeu Bitter and twisted observer of politics. ‘Not yoda’ (DC) ‘Slightly matey politics don' (Q. Letts) Trustee, @fullfact #LUFC Most views someone else’s
41,126 followers 4,534 following 2,320 posts
view profile on Bluesky
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Oooh. Which is that?
Well Mike Tapp's had a baptism of fire
Potentially with a Deputy leader as an outrider
In a long list of extraordinary things that have happened today, this strength of this statement by Andy Burnham's new movement is something else. A proper shot across the bows.
What role does the ECHR play in the Belfast/Good Friday agreement? Find out: ukandeu.ac.uk/the-belfast-...
Westminster Voting Intention: RFM: 34% (+2) LAB: 19% (=) CON: 15% (-2) LDM: 12% (-1) GRN: 12% (+1) SNP: 2% (=) Via @findoutnow.bsky.social, 10 Sep. Changes w/ 3 Sep.
Information about the Comparative Politics section at the June 2026 EPSS Conference in Belfast. epssnet.org/belfast-2026...
Added to which people need you and need your help and will offer you stuff.
'In a quirk that has not been fully explained, Nick Clegg, the deputy prime minister between 2010 and 2015, was given the right to claim PDCA funds from the scheme even though he never held the top job. He received a total of £445,000 over four years'. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Don’t spoil it
Who said there’s no good news around? Chelsea charges: FA hand Blues 74 charges relating to agent regulations and third-party investment in players www.skysports.com/share/13428653
Mandelson has been sacked as ambassador to US, MPs told - www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
“Given that Trump was involved with Epstein too, this won’t harm Peter’s relationship with the White House. It might even give it a lift.” 🤮🤮🤮 H/T @georgewparker.bsky.social @pickardje.bsky.social @pmdfoster.bsky.social www.ft.com/content/7537...
Well if that Today programme interview is the best defence the government is going to put up, I suspect Mandelson’s toast
Absolutely.
Who has had most influence? The US. That’s fairly clear. Europe spends lots for no influence. And Gaza is on our doorstep.
The most effective actor for Gaza? God I hope they’ve not been effective as I hate to think what ineffective would look like
Judging by the shamefully opportunistic & politicizing rhetoric of some rightwingers on Twitter, & their cynical use of Charlie Kirk’s horrific murder for political point scoring, it’s almost as if Minnesota Rep. Melissa Hortman wasn’t murdered by a Trump-voting MAGA maniac just 12 weeks ago.
Now you’ve made me hungry!!
It’s quite hard to prove a negative. Show me how the Way has had an impact on this conflict?
On time and on budget? Whaaat? Make this man prime minister immediately www.ft.com/content/639a...
Ah. this explains 'Change'. I often seem to post partial sentences on social media. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
The post active actor for Gaza? The EU (well, Europe) has basically been a spectator. Picking up the tab and shaping what happens are two different things.
Quite a claim. Not convinced.
I have come to the conclusion that a tube strike when it's not raining is a very different beast to a tube strike when it's pissing down.
British NIMBYism is truly a sight to behold. “We are rejecting this solar farm, because one time I saw an electric vehicle on fire, which reminded me that decades ago a coal mining disaster killed lots of children”.
Paula Barker, Labour left MP for Liverpool Wavertree, has confirmed her bid to be Labour's new deputy leader She said her party had "stepped too far away from traditional Labour principles" and cannot fight Nigel Farage's Reform UK "at their own game, nor should we want to"
It's official. Age has finally caught up with me. I just wrote something, sent it off, then realised I'd got the date of the referendum wrong in it. And it wasn't a typo. Bugger 🤦🏾🤦🏾
Interesting that @pjtheeconomist.bsky.social argues that financial market concerns that a populist party might win the next UK election helps explain the interest rate premium attached to UK debt. Might this see PR being mobilised as a necessary step to remove a punishing burden on growth?
'The Greens and Corbyn to the left and Reform to the right peddle utterly incoherent, populist economic policies yet are taking large shares in opinion polls. Goodness knows where the Conservatives stand'. @pjtheeconomist.bsky.social unleashed.... ukandeu.ac.uk/what-can-rac...
The weird and wonderful history of British voter segmentations: the names, the ideas, the myths! From how "the man on the Clapham omnibus" changed English common law to how "Gail's Voter" helped the Lib Dems gain 64 seats in 2024 to what works well when doing segmentation (and what doesn't)
Are we really facing an economic crisis like in the 70s and possible bailout? Read the one and only @pjtheeconomist.bsky.social to find out..... ukandeu.ac.uk/what-can-rac...
Oh please just try to be serious.
There are going to be a lot of people in the UK hoping she doens't say the "EU will support this by helping coordinate investments and making sure that defense equipment is 'Made in Europe'", unless 'Europe' means something different to 'EU' www.politico.eu/article/ursu...
With today's publication of new NHS league tables, @theasrstein.bsky.social says that while the focus on winning back the public is understandable, "there's a risk that trusts will focus only on the measures that immediately boost their ranking, even if it's not necessarily best for patients."
I do hope the Deputy leadership election doesn't turn into a parody of the four Yorkshiremen sketch....
I am running to be Deputy Leader of the Labour Party. As a proud working-class woman from the North East, I have come from a tough council street all the way to the Cabinet. I will be a strong voice to unite our Party, take the fight to Reform, and deliver for our country.
Bridget is a true friend of the union movement - a longstanding GMB member - as shown by her commitment to the SSSNB. Her expansion of free school meals will help thousands of families in Birmingham Northfield. I'm proud to nominate her for Deputy Leader today.
I mean, while I'm sure former MPs (and indeed former civil servants) would like us to think they land lucrative gigs because they're so unbelievably smart, who doubts they trade the contacts and knowledge gained when in gov for profit afterwards? www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Want the low down on what's happening in France. Read the new piece by the man I like to call the French John Curtice, Bruno Cautres: ukandeu.ac.uk/francois-bay...
Well his story is ‘they’ve failed you’.
But it's an 'anti-story', isn't it. 'This lot have all failed you'
We’ve been told stories since 2010. What we could do with is a bit of growth and some concrete improvements. I don’t think people will believe any stories they’re told at this point.
"It might just be the case that government can't deliver on its pledges without breaking its promises." @anandmenon.bsky.social on the need for the Labour govt. to deliver on its promises at @resfoundation.bsky.social Get up to speed on the key policy challenges👇 ukandeu.ac.uk/reports/poli...
Sounded good at the time….
📆 🚨 EVENT CANCELLED 🚨 📆 Unfortunately, tomorrow's event has been cancelled due to ongoing strike action. We apologize for any inconvenience caused. Keep an eye on our webpage for future updates! 👀
Want the low down on what's happening in France. Read the new piece by the man I like to call the French John Curtice, Bruno Cautres: ukandeu.ac.uk/francois-bay...
The government is in a serious bind argues @anandmenon.bsky.social: to deliver its manifesto pledges it might have to break its promises . Catch up on the full discussion about the tough policy choices facing the government 👇 buff.ly/MX9Qayj
Ah ok. That makes sense. Ta!
Blimey
😂
That's the sort of adivce you'd pay good money for.... www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
📣 SPEAKER ANNOUCNEMENT 📣 We are delighted to announce that the Rt Hon Nick Thomas-Symonds will be joining us in Brussels to discuss the future of UK-EU relations along with a host of other top speakers Find out more 👇
📖 Looking for some weekend reading? 🤓 Take a look at our Policy Landscape 2025 report with @resfoundation.bsky.social - your perfect primer to all the main policy challenges facing the UK
From Brexit to Brexitism. New post starting the 10th year of my now retitled Brexit & Brexitism Blog, analysing the current politics of Brexit, this summer's confected crisis, and the new terrain of post-Brexit politics. Long read: chrisgreybrexitblog.blogspot.com/2025/09/from... 1/2
I'd politely suggest they need to come up with something better than 'this is not chaos' before the next election.
What are the key policy challenges the UK must confront? As we publish the Policy Landscape 2025 report with @ukandeu.bsky.social, @ruthcurtice.bsky.social & @anandmenon.bsky.social reflect on the challenges facing the government one year in. Read it here: buff.ly/Q7LSOmx
‼️ Don't miss our panel on the negotiations to come between the UK and EU on the policy areas outlined at the summit W/ @anandmenon.bsky.social, @cbarnard.bsky.social, @jillongovt.bsky.social, @jannikewachowiak.bsky.social & @jreland.bsky.social 💻 Online, Weds 10 Sept
And we're off! The @instituteforgovernment.org.uk reshuffle live blog is now live, stay with us for updates and analysis from IfG colleagues on Starmer's first government reshuffle. www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/live-blog/st...
The government is in a serious bind argues @anandmenon.bsky.social: to deliver its manifesto pledges it might have to break its promises . Catch up on the full discussion about the tough policy choices facing the government 👇 buff.ly/MX9Qayj
bsky.app/profile/anan...
WHAT DO YOU MEAN THAT'S YOUR BIGGEST FLAG?
Now there’s a background for the presentation of the @moreincommonuk.bsky.social @ukandeu.bsky.social report on who Reform supporters are. Get it here ukandeu.ac.uk/reports/from...
"I think that will be a real tension for Reform moving forward. What do they prioritise in their messaging? What do they prioritise in their policies?" BBC News on our report with @moreincommonuk.bsky.social on Reform UK's widening voter base ukandeu.ac.uk/reports/from...
🚨 NEW REPORT 🚨 From protest to power? Inside Reform UK's changing support base Our new report with @moreincommonuk.bsky.social maps the complexity of Reform UK’s support and identifies the levers that could determine the party’s trajectory Some key findings below 🧵 ukandeu.ac.uk/reports/from...
Out today - which is what I'd call timely - our work with @moreincommonuk.bsky.social on who Reform voters and Reform considerers are. And the challenges they'll face keeping this coalition together. Pleasure working with you @luketryl.bsky.social ukandeu.ac.uk/reports/from...
yep
False alarm. They don’t open till 10 🤦🏾
Here we go
I think it would be an improvement
👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Yep. So higher. 😉
I don’t know how MPs, let alone Cabinet Ministers, are expected to manage their lives alongside their jobs. They’re underpaid and under supported. But I suppose the answer to my question is ‘very cautiously’.
Yep
A proper council tax? A tax on vendors not buyers, so higher CGT?
Let’s not lose from sight the key point that stamp duty is an utterly stupid tax.
Yeah. Trump's got Putin just where he wants him.... www.ft.com/content/0157...
England clearly don't intend to hang about at Lords 😂
"I am going to argue that trust really does matter... If people don't have confidence in government to deliver on what it has said, it has real world consequences." @healthfoundation.bsky.social's Anita Charlesworth on the crisis of trust in politics
I am!
Just as well, or we'd have no staff left... www.theguardian.com/money/2025/s...
Er… I’m not sure the BBC is what it used to be 🫤
Interesting that Politico are focussing on the cost of party conferences. One issue that I hear raised a lot is the fact that Foreign Embassies are charged to attend, which often causes them problems when they have to justify 'political donations' at home. www.politico.eu/newsletter/p...
"For Jones himself, there is both risk and opportunity. He could fail to rescue the government – and find himself the next victim of prime ministerial ruthlessness. Or he might succeed– and be seen as doing a better job than Keir Starmer." @jillongovt.bsky.social on changes in No.10 bit.ly/469d6C9
Creating a more effective No 10, or rearranging the deck chairs? @jillongovt.bsky.social explains all... ukandeu.ac.uk/has-keir-sta...
What are the key policy challenges the UK must confront? As we publish the Policy Landscape 2025 report with @ukandeu.bsky.social, @ruthcurtice.bsky.social and @anandmenon.bsky.social reflect on the challenges facing the government one year in. Read it here: buff.ly/Q7LSOmx
one of the most baffling things about all this is that I really can't understand why nobody in government seems to be saying "guys the strategy isn't working"
The politics of austerity may be dead, but fiscal constraints are alive, well and doing 20 minutes of planking a day.
I’ve been asked share.google/PqvQRaGq6QYE...
‘Let us not risk getting trapped in the last war.’ My piece for @pbe.co.uk on why the wellbeing v GDP framing has run out of road pbe.co.uk/insights/bey...
How to deal with Reform (& much of the Conservative Party and media), from @anandmenon.bsky.social "I’d like to see the government tackle head on the problems inherent in stoking racism, junking the rule of law, and sending people back to the Taliban." www.independent.co.uk/voices/farag...
🍂 This autumn will bring a new series of negotiations between the UK and the EU 🤔 But what will be the key policy areas? Where will the main tensions be? Will external factors play a role? Don't miss our online panel explaining everything you need to know 👇 ukandeu.ac.uk/events/ukice...
🚨 NEW REPORT 🚨 The latest edition of our Policy Landscape report with @resfoundation.bsky.social is now available! As Parliament returns from recess, it's the perfect primer for all the main policy challenges the UK and its politicians must confront 🔗
You can read the report in full here 👉 ukandeu.ac.uk/reports/poli...
I hope it took you as long to find all those Bluesky handles as it did me!
Essential insight from @ukandeu.bsky.social @resfoundation.bsky.social - reviews of key policy areas from experts e.g. @jillongovt.bsky.social @anandmenon.bsky.social @hannahslaughter.bsky.social @robfordmancs.bsky.social @kittyjstewart.bsky.social @jdportes.bsky.social ukandeu.ac.uk/reports/poli...
What are the key policy challenges the UK must confront? As we publish the Policy Landscape 2025 report with @ukandeu.bsky.social, @ruthcurtice.bsky.social and @anandmenon.bsky.social reflect on the challenges facing the government one year in. Read it here: buff.ly/Q7LSOmx
Fantastic to work with @anandmenon.bsky.social and others on this report out this morning. Big takeaway from our panel - is the government prepared to take on fights this Autumn to make progress on these challenges. Nothing left to lose, or the window of opportunity to be bold already passed?