Alexander Clifford
@alexclifford.bsky.social
Research & write on 30s Britain, Spain, Germany. Britain's Iron Chancellor out now!
Author of Hindenburg, Ludendorff & Hitler, Fighting for Spain, The People's Army and of the introduction to new release Britain's Iron Chancellor
Author of Hindenburg, Ludendorff & Hitler, Fighting for Spain, The People's Army and of the introduction to new release Britain's Iron Chancellor
Pinned
Back in print after 90 years and it’s finally here!
Amazing to receive copies of Britain’s Iron Chancellor, the new edition of the autobiography of Philip Snowden, Labour’s first chancellor
Easily the best memoir of the era
As usual, a fantastic production from Pen & Sword! 🗃️#histbookchat
Amazing to receive copies of Britain’s Iron Chancellor, the new edition of the autobiography of Philip Snowden, Labour’s first chancellor
Easily the best memoir of the era
As usual, a fantastic production from Pen & Sword! 🗃️#histbookchat
Reposted by Alexander Clifford
"We are freezing known Russian assets" says Rachel Reeves
"But let me be clear, I don't actually mean the member for Clacton"
"But let me be clear, I don't actually mean the member for Clacton"
November 26, 2025 at 1:10 PM
"We are freezing known Russian assets" says Rachel Reeves
"But let me be clear, I don't actually mean the member for Clacton"
"But let me be clear, I don't actually mean the member for Clacton"
Reposted by Alexander Clifford
Reposted by Alexander Clifford
Tory front benches equally furious at a tax on mansions and hundreds of thousands of kids being pulled out of poverty. Shameful stuff.
November 26, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Tory front benches equally furious at a tax on mansions and hundreds of thousands of kids being pulled out of poverty. Shameful stuff.
Reposted by Alexander Clifford
Why the two-child limit has to go, in a chart.
November 25, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Why the two-child limit has to go, in a chart.
Post a movie where you're from
My dad is the kid not doing a great job of being an extra next to Michael Caine
My dad is the kid not doing a great job of being an extra next to Michael Caine
November 23, 2025 at 9:15 PM
Post a movie where you're from
My dad is the kid not doing a great job of being an extra next to Michael Caine
My dad is the kid not doing a great job of being an extra next to Michael Caine
One aspect of the Global South MAGA Twitter accounts scandel-thing that I haven't seen mentioned: it may well be that people in Nigeria, Bangladesh, Thailand etc have latched onto this easy way to make $
Equally, might Russia not be paying people to influence western politics in a deniable way?
Equally, might Russia not be paying people to influence western politics in a deniable way?
November 23, 2025 at 8:27 PM
One aspect of the Global South MAGA Twitter accounts scandel-thing that I haven't seen mentioned: it may well be that people in Nigeria, Bangladesh, Thailand etc have latched onto this easy way to make $
Equally, might Russia not be paying people to influence western politics in a deniable way?
Equally, might Russia not be paying people to influence western politics in a deniable way?
Obviously Bazball is saving test cricket but also might it make it financially unviable? Sunday was a sold out 60k crowd that will now be refunded
Ballpark 100,000 tickets sold for days 3-5, $100 a ticket average, that’d be $10 million gone for WA. Not to mention gallons of beer down the drain…
Ballpark 100,000 tickets sold for days 3-5, $100 a ticket average, that’d be $10 million gone for WA. Not to mention gallons of beer down the drain…
November 22, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Obviously Bazball is saving test cricket but also might it make it financially unviable? Sunday was a sold out 60k crowd that will now be refunded
Ballpark 100,000 tickets sold for days 3-5, $100 a ticket average, that’d be $10 million gone for WA. Not to mention gallons of beer down the drain…
Ballpark 100,000 tickets sold for days 3-5, $100 a ticket average, that’d be $10 million gone for WA. Not to mention gallons of beer down the drain…
My relationship with the England cricket team over the last 24 hours has been like David Olusoga’s relationship with Alan Carr in the last minute of Traitors
Grinning like a fool, confident of victory then confounded disbelief. Then after seeing Stokes post-match I do just want to give them a hug
Grinning like a fool, confident of victory then confounded disbelief. Then after seeing Stokes post-match I do just want to give them a hug
November 22, 2025 at 12:13 PM
My relationship with the England cricket team over the last 24 hours has been like David Olusoga’s relationship with Alan Carr in the last minute of Traitors
Grinning like a fool, confident of victory then confounded disbelief. Then after seeing Stokes post-match I do just want to give them a hug
Grinning like a fool, confident of victory then confounded disbelief. Then after seeing Stokes post-match I do just want to give them a hug
How it started How it’s going
November 21, 2025 at 9:50 PM
How it started How it’s going
This is so shit
Paramount for the Champions League (except the Tuesday pick game which is on Prime!), Sky for the Europa & Conference Leagues
TNT still with the Saturday lunchtime Premier League game… at least all European football on BT/TNT made sense but it’s not done to make sense
Paramount for the Champions League (except the Tuesday pick game which is on Prime!), Sky for the Europa & Conference Leagues
TNT still with the Saturday lunchtime Premier League game… at least all European football on BT/TNT made sense but it’s not done to make sense
November 21, 2025 at 6:47 AM
This is so shit
Paramount for the Champions League (except the Tuesday pick game which is on Prime!), Sky for the Europa & Conference Leagues
TNT still with the Saturday lunchtime Premier League game… at least all European football on BT/TNT made sense but it’s not done to make sense
Paramount for the Champions League (except the Tuesday pick game which is on Prime!), Sky for the Europa & Conference Leagues
TNT still with the Saturday lunchtime Premier League game… at least all European football on BT/TNT made sense but it’s not done to make sense
The whole “you get thrown in gaol just for saying you’re against genocide” is very much the left wing equivalent of the right’s “you get thrown in gaol just for saying you’re English”
The info on Palestine Action’s violent Bristol attack was out there when they were proscribed, but many ignored it
The info on Palestine Action’s violent Bristol attack was out there when they were proscribed, but many ignored it
November 20, 2025 at 12:43 PM
The whole “you get thrown in gaol just for saying you’re against genocide” is very much the left wing equivalent of the right’s “you get thrown in gaol just for saying you’re English”
The info on Palestine Action’s violent Bristol attack was out there when they were proscribed, but many ignored it
The info on Palestine Action’s violent Bristol attack was out there when they were proscribed, but many ignored it
Reposted by Alexander Clifford
'why are Labour banning peaceful protest.'
The peaceful protest:
The peaceful protest:
November 20, 2025 at 12:24 PM
'why are Labour banning peaceful protest.'
The peaceful protest:
The peaceful protest:
Not sure that the US in the social media age is ready for what’s coming next summer. Not sure they’re ready for the sunburn that will be on display. It is going to be wild
England & Scotland are there, Wales, Northern Ireland and Ireland are in the playoffs
THE BRITISH ARE COMING
England & Scotland are there, Wales, Northern Ireland and Ireland are in the playoffs
THE BRITISH ARE COMING
November 18, 2025 at 10:07 PM
Not sure that the US in the social media age is ready for what’s coming next summer. Not sure they’re ready for the sunburn that will be on display. It is going to be wild
England & Scotland are there, Wales, Northern Ireland and Ireland are in the playoffs
THE BRITISH ARE COMING
England & Scotland are there, Wales, Northern Ireland and Ireland are in the playoffs
THE BRITISH ARE COMING
Labour MP after Labour MP is standing up in the Commons and savaging this policy
Party management appears to be a serious weakness of the current admin. Blindsided on welfare rebellion, apparently on this too
Given how precarious Starmer’s position seems, it might end up being a fatal weakness
Party management appears to be a serious weakness of the current admin. Blindsided on welfare rebellion, apparently on this too
Given how precarious Starmer’s position seems, it might end up being a fatal weakness
November 17, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Labour MP after Labour MP is standing up in the Commons and savaging this policy
Party management appears to be a serious weakness of the current admin. Blindsided on welfare rebellion, apparently on this too
Given how precarious Starmer’s position seems, it might end up being a fatal weakness
Party management appears to be a serious weakness of the current admin. Blindsided on welfare rebellion, apparently on this too
Given how precarious Starmer’s position seems, it might end up being a fatal weakness
I think an underrated aspect here is ‘talent for charming MPs’. A prime minister is also a manager of 350-400 parliamentarians of varying abilities, ambitions and temperaments
Keeping your MPs happy is the stuff of UK politics and it’s remarkable how poor Starmer has shown himself in this area
Keeping your MPs happy is the stuff of UK politics and it’s remarkable how poor Starmer has shown himself in this area
All PMs are flawed but I think if you have no coherent vision, no ability to make decisions quickly, no humour or charisma when addressing the public, no strong roots in your party, no talent for charming MPs and no control over your own office, then you are unlikely to be able to turn it around
November 13, 2025 at 1:34 PM
I think an underrated aspect here is ‘talent for charming MPs’. A prime minister is also a manager of 350-400 parliamentarians of varying abilities, ambitions and temperaments
Keeping your MPs happy is the stuff of UK politics and it’s remarkable how poor Starmer has shown himself in this area
Keeping your MPs happy is the stuff of UK politics and it’s remarkable how poor Starmer has shown himself in this area
Bizarre sensation this AM to open a marketing email and find my own book being touted at a massive discount
If you’d like to know how an aging nationalist president with authoritarian leanings can pave the way for fascist dictatorship, this might be of interest tinyurl.com/mr3zwswm #histbookchat 🗃️
If you’d like to know how an aging nationalist president with authoritarian leanings can pave the way for fascist dictatorship, this might be of interest tinyurl.com/mr3zwswm #histbookchat 🗃️
November 12, 2025 at 7:59 AM
Bizarre sensation this AM to open a marketing email and find my own book being touted at a massive discount
If you’d like to know how an aging nationalist president with authoritarian leanings can pave the way for fascist dictatorship, this might be of interest tinyurl.com/mr3zwswm #histbookchat 🗃️
If you’d like to know how an aging nationalist president with authoritarian leanings can pave the way for fascist dictatorship, this might be of interest tinyurl.com/mr3zwswm #histbookchat 🗃️
As a teacher, I always find the “put it on the school curriculum” policy solution for a whole range of issues wrongheaded
I did French GCSE but then I didn’t use it for years and it’s all evaporated. Same for algebra etc
If you’re told something at 15 it’s doesn’t just stick in your brain forever
I did French GCSE but then I didn’t use it for years and it’s all evaporated. Same for algebra etc
If you’re told something at 15 it’s doesn’t just stick in your brain forever
Good blog this. I think another reason why this comes up so often (“put it on the curriculum” was far and away the most repeated ask when I chaired the BoD’s commission on racial inclusivity) is that the kind of person who submits to inquiries liked school, likes learning, had an inspiring teacher.
For political hacks like myself, 'put it in the curriculum' is the oldest and hattiest of old hat policy ideas.
Why do we think schools should solve all our problems? What if we thought differently about life skills and civic education?
howtorunacountry.substack.com/p/schools-ca...
Why do we think schools should solve all our problems? What if we thought differently about life skills and civic education?
howtorunacountry.substack.com/p/schools-ca...
November 7, 2025 at 6:39 PM
As a teacher, I always find the “put it on the school curriculum” policy solution for a whole range of issues wrongheaded
I did French GCSE but then I didn’t use it for years and it’s all evaporated. Same for algebra etc
If you’re told something at 15 it’s doesn’t just stick in your brain forever
I did French GCSE but then I didn’t use it for years and it’s all evaporated. Same for algebra etc
If you’re told something at 15 it’s doesn’t just stick in your brain forever
Reposted by Alexander Clifford
Admiral Nelson's advice for Labour:
'The measure may be thought bold, but I am of the opinion the boldest are the safest.'
'The measure may be thought bold, but I am of the opinion the boldest are the safest.'
October 30, 2025 at 8:27 AM
Admiral Nelson's advice for Labour:
'The measure may be thought bold, but I am of the opinion the boldest are the safest.'
'The measure may be thought bold, but I am of the opinion the boldest are the safest.'
Reposted by Alexander Clifford
Private Eye nailing it.
October 29, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Private Eye nailing it.
Reposted by Alexander Clifford
1980:
NHS spending as a % of GDP: 5.1%
Defence spending as a % of GDP: 5%
2024:
NHS spending as a % of GDP: 10.9%
Defence spending as a % of GDP: 2.2%
This is such a common applause line, but it’s also total bullshit.
NHS spending as a % of GDP: 5.1%
Defence spending as a % of GDP: 5%
2024:
NHS spending as a % of GDP: 10.9%
Defence spending as a % of GDP: 2.2%
This is such a common applause line, but it’s also total bullshit.
There is always money for war, never for the poor.
Every penny spent on bombs, tanks and missiles is stolen from our homes, schools and hospitals.
We are not going to take it anymore.
Every penny spent on bombs, tanks and missiles is stolen from our homes, schools and hospitals.
We are not going to take it anymore.
October 28, 2025 at 10:38 AM
1980:
NHS spending as a % of GDP: 5.1%
Defence spending as a % of GDP: 5%
2024:
NHS spending as a % of GDP: 10.9%
Defence spending as a % of GDP: 2.2%
This is such a common applause line, but it’s also total bullshit.
NHS spending as a % of GDP: 5.1%
Defence spending as a % of GDP: 5%
2024:
NHS spending as a % of GDP: 10.9%
Defence spending as a % of GDP: 2.2%
This is such a common applause line, but it’s also total bullshit.
This is precisely the line Labour & Attlee used in the mid-late 30s when they consistently voted against British rearmament
Turns out we very much did need the tanks and bombs
Turns out we very much did need the tanks and bombs
There is always money for war, never for the poor.
Every penny spent on bombs, tanks and missiles is stolen from our homes, schools and hospitals.
We are not going to take it anymore.
Every penny spent on bombs, tanks and missiles is stolen from our homes, schools and hospitals.
We are not going to take it anymore.
October 28, 2025 at 8:30 AM
This is precisely the line Labour & Attlee used in the mid-late 30s when they consistently voted against British rearmament
Turns out we very much did need the tanks and bombs
Turns out we very much did need the tanks and bombs
Felt like I was embarking on an adventure opening this - and the first chapter has not disappointed. Lovely writing, evocatively grounded in the landscapes I love
October 27, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Felt like I was embarking on an adventure opening this - and the first chapter has not disappointed. Lovely writing, evocatively grounded in the landscapes I love