Anoosh Chakelian
@anooshc.bsky.social
Britain editor, New Statesman. Lead host, New Statesman Podcast (Publisher Podcast Award winner '21-24) & co-host Westminster Reimagined with Armando Iannucci.
Reposted by Anoosh Chakelian
“without a compass in a maze of realpolitik… justifying the means for ends you never achieve. Our government is stuck at the dead-end of this pragmatic political era, finding the “dirty hands” theory of leadership etched on its own palms.” Excellent on #Mandelson from @anooshc.bsky.social
Labour needs to bake morality into how it campaigns and governs.
My @newstatesman1913.bsky.social column on the Epstein-Mandelson story, and the hangover of a post-ideological age:
My @newstatesman1913.bsky.social column on the Epstein-Mandelson story, and the hangover of a post-ideological age:
The Epstein files expose the rot of Mandelson's Britain
New Labour’s dead-end of pragmatism over everything else – including morality
www.newstatesman.com
February 3, 2026 at 10:34 AM
“without a compass in a maze of realpolitik… justifying the means for ends you never achieve. Our government is stuck at the dead-end of this pragmatic political era, finding the “dirty hands” theory of leadership etched on its own palms.” Excellent on #Mandelson from @anooshc.bsky.social
Reposted by Anoosh Chakelian
"We no longer live under New Labour, and Starmer’s cabinet is very different from those in Mandelson’s day. But that impulse for pragmatism – voiced by many suffering nostalgia for the Blair years – still pulses through the political ether"
@anooshc.bsky.social
www.newstatesman.com/politics/202...
@anooshc.bsky.social
www.newstatesman.com/politics/202...
The Epstein files expose the rot of Mandelson’s Britain
New Labour’s dead-end of pragmatism over everything else – including morality
www.newstatesman.com
February 3, 2026 at 12:29 PM
"We no longer live under New Labour, and Starmer’s cabinet is very different from those in Mandelson’s day. But that impulse for pragmatism – voiced by many suffering nostalgia for the Blair years – still pulses through the political ether"
@anooshc.bsky.social
www.newstatesman.com/politics/202...
@anooshc.bsky.social
www.newstatesman.com/politics/202...
Labour is lost in the twilight of this pragmatic political era, finding the “dirty hands” theory of leadership etched on its own palms:
The Epstein files expose the rot of Mandelson’s Britain
New Labour’s dead-end of pragmatism over everything else – including morality
www.newstatesman.com
February 3, 2026 at 12:31 PM
Labour is lost in the twilight of this pragmatic political era, finding the “dirty hands” theory of leadership etched on its own palms:
Missed this at the time but very interesting and revealing bit on Steve Reed's philosophy re council housing in this interview by @danielhewittitv.bsky.social - thinks it isn't aspirational and just for the neediest (with no aim to change that). Opposite of Rayner's "social housing revolution":
Can Labour REALLY solve Britain’s housing crisis? | ITV News
YouTube video by ITV News
www.youtube.com
February 3, 2026 at 11:32 AM
Missed this at the time but very interesting and revealing bit on Steve Reed's philosophy re council housing in this interview by @danielhewittitv.bsky.social - thinks it isn't aspirational and just for the neediest (with no aim to change that). Opposite of Rayner's "social housing revolution":
Great piece by @georgeeaton.bsky.social on how Labour has been unable to quit Mandelson:
bsky.app/profile/news...
bsky.app/profile/news...
Peter Mandelson will haunt Labour
The mere mention of his name will be a gift to Starmer’s opponents
📫 Today’s Morning Call, with @georgeeaton.bsky.social
The mere mention of his name will be a gift to Starmer’s opponents
📫 Today’s Morning Call, with @georgeeaton.bsky.social
Peter Mandelson will haunt Labour
The mere mention of his name will be a gift to Starmer’s opponents
www.newstatesman.com
February 3, 2026 at 11:16 AM
Great piece by @georgeeaton.bsky.social on how Labour has been unable to quit Mandelson:
bsky.app/profile/news...
bsky.app/profile/news...
Labour u-turns on devolving powers over cattle-grids: even on such a small issue, the grip of Whitehall is intense lordseyeview.substack.com/p/labour-u-t...
Labour u-turns on devolving powers over cattle-grids
Welcome
lordseyeview.substack.com
February 3, 2026 at 11:07 AM
Reposted by Anoosh Chakelian
Labour needs to bake morality into how it campaigns and governs.
My @newstatesman1913.bsky.social column on the Epstein-Mandelson story, and the hangover of a post-ideological age:
My @newstatesman1913.bsky.social column on the Epstein-Mandelson story, and the hangover of a post-ideological age:
The Epstein files expose the rot of Mandelson's Britain
New Labour’s dead-end of pragmatism over everything else – including morality
www.newstatesman.com
February 3, 2026 at 9:56 AM
Labour needs to bake morality into how it campaigns and governs.
My @newstatesman1913.bsky.social column on the Epstein-Mandelson story, and the hangover of a post-ideological age:
My @newstatesman1913.bsky.social column on the Epstein-Mandelson story, and the hangover of a post-ideological age:
Labour needs to bake morality into how it campaigns and governs.
My @newstatesman1913.bsky.social column on the Epstein-Mandelson story, and the hangover of a post-ideological age:
My @newstatesman1913.bsky.social column on the Epstein-Mandelson story, and the hangover of a post-ideological age:
The Epstein files expose the rot of Mandelson's Britain
New Labour’s dead-end of pragmatism over everything else – including morality
www.newstatesman.com
February 3, 2026 at 9:56 AM
Labour needs to bake morality into how it campaigns and governs.
My @newstatesman1913.bsky.social column on the Epstein-Mandelson story, and the hangover of a post-ideological age:
My @newstatesman1913.bsky.social column on the Epstein-Mandelson story, and the hangover of a post-ideological age:
"Tick-box" playgrounds, rising numbers of "no ball games" signs, play curfews...
My column in this week's @newstatesman1913.bsky.social on "deplaytion" - inspired by the Chernobyl-like property developer-run playground on my street:
My column in this week's @newstatesman1913.bsky.social on "deplaytion" - inspired by the Chernobyl-like property developer-run playground on my street:
The hidden cost of "deplaytion"
Ban social media for kids all you like – but don't ignore their crap playgrounds
www.newstatesman.com
February 2, 2026 at 9:35 AM
"Tick-box" playgrounds, rising numbers of "no ball games" signs, play curfews...
My column in this week's @newstatesman1913.bsky.social on "deplaytion" - inspired by the Chernobyl-like property developer-run playground on my street:
My column in this week's @newstatesman1913.bsky.social on "deplaytion" - inspired by the Chernobyl-like property developer-run playground on my street:
Reposted by Anoosh Chakelian
The hidden cost of "deplaytion"
Ban social media for kids all you like – but don’t ignore their crap playgrounds
🖊️ @anooshc.bsky.social
Ban social media for kids all you like – but don’t ignore their crap playgrounds
🖊️ @anooshc.bsky.social
The hidden cost of "deplaytion"
Ban social media all you like – but don't ignore their crap playgrounds
www.newstatesman.com
February 1, 2026 at 11:30 AM
The hidden cost of "deplaytion"
Ban social media for kids all you like – but don’t ignore their crap playgrounds
🖊️ @anooshc.bsky.social
Ban social media for kids all you like – but don’t ignore their crap playgrounds
🖊️ @anooshc.bsky.social
Reposted by Anoosh Chakelian
Good to see mainstream coverage of “deplaytion” - the loss and decline of neighbourhood playgrounds, and of a tolerance of children’s neighbourhood play.
It’s critical that this issue is taken as seriously - in terms of children’s mental health - as social media.
Thanks @anooshc.bsky.social.
It’s critical that this issue is taken as seriously - in terms of children’s mental health - as social media.
Thanks @anooshc.bsky.social.
The hidden cost of "deplaytion"
Ban social media for kids all you like – but don't ignore their crap playgrounds
www.newstatesman.com
January 30, 2026 at 3:46 PM
Good to see mainstream coverage of “deplaytion” - the loss and decline of neighbourhood playgrounds, and of a tolerance of children’s neighbourhood play.
It’s critical that this issue is taken as seriously - in terms of children’s mental health - as social media.
Thanks @anooshc.bsky.social.
It’s critical that this issue is taken as seriously - in terms of children’s mental health - as social media.
Thanks @anooshc.bsky.social.
'Once a man three years my senior – no, not two children in a trench coat – offered me “dippy” eggs and “soldiers” for lunch.'
So well-observed on English food vernacular by @finnmcredmond.bsky.social:
So well-observed on English food vernacular by @finnmcredmond.bsky.social:
How to save the English diet
Try this one weird trick
www.newstatesman.com
January 30, 2026 at 2:12 PM
'Once a man three years my senior – no, not two children in a trench coat – offered me “dippy” eggs and “soldiers” for lunch.'
So well-observed on English food vernacular by @finnmcredmond.bsky.social:
So well-observed on English food vernacular by @finnmcredmond.bsky.social:
Reposted by Anoosh Chakelian
This. Every time I go to the Netherlands I weep, because it is perfectly possible to have lots and lots of playgrounds for children, well kept.
If kids are over-exposed online then they are under-served by our rubbish play culture.
My column on the other side to the under-16s social media ban now concerning parents and politicians:
My column on the other side to the under-16s social media ban now concerning parents and politicians:
The hidden cost of "deplaytion"
Ban social media for kids all you like – but don't ignore their crap playgrounds
www.newstatesman.com
January 29, 2026 at 10:04 PM
This. Every time I go to the Netherlands I weep, because it is perfectly possible to have lots and lots of playgrounds for children, well kept.
Reposted by Anoosh Chakelian
Great piece. This is the developers’ sorry attempt at a new play park near my parents’ house in Lancashire today. (Cc @mayaellismp.bsky.social)
January 29, 2026 at 7:28 PM
Great piece. This is the developers’ sorry attempt at a new play park near my parents’ house in Lancashire today. (Cc @mayaellismp.bsky.social)
Reposted by Anoosh Chakelian
If kids are over-exposed online then they are under-served by our rubbish play culture.
My column on the other side to the under-16s social media ban now concerning parents and politicians:
My column on the other side to the under-16s social media ban now concerning parents and politicians:
The hidden cost of "deplaytion"
Ban social media for kids all you like – but don't ignore their crap playgrounds
www.newstatesman.com
January 29, 2026 at 10:47 AM
If kids are over-exposed online then they are under-served by our rubbish play culture.
My column on the other side to the under-16s social media ban now concerning parents and politicians:
My column on the other side to the under-16s social media ban now concerning parents and politicians:
If kids are over-exposed online then they are under-served by our rubbish play culture.
My column on the other side to the under-16s social media ban now concerning parents and politicians:
My column on the other side to the under-16s social media ban now concerning parents and politicians:
The hidden cost of "deplaytion"
Ban social media for kids all you like – but don't ignore their crap playgrounds
www.newstatesman.com
January 29, 2026 at 10:47 AM
If kids are over-exposed online then they are under-served by our rubbish play culture.
My column on the other side to the under-16s social media ban now concerning parents and politicians:
My column on the other side to the under-16s social media ban now concerning parents and politicians:
This is excellent by @robfordmancs.bsky.social - read this before you look at any polling or briefings re this by-election!
bsky.app/profile/robf...
bsky.app/profile/robf...
New Swingometer post now out - my look at the Gorton and Denton by-election, taking place down the road from me swingometer.substack.com/p/the-gorton...
The Gorton and Denton by-election: a tale of two Manchesters?
Unpopular incumbent + fragmented opposition + unusual seat = unpredictable contest
swingometer.substack.com
January 29, 2026 at 9:44 AM
This is excellent by @robfordmancs.bsky.social - read this before you look at any polling or briefings re this by-election!
bsky.app/profile/robf...
bsky.app/profile/robf...
Will leasehold reform go far enough? @willdunn.bsky.social and I discuss the policy, social and political implications of the government's plans on the latest Daily Politics podcast from the @newstatesman1913.bsky.social:
Do leasehold reforms go far enough? | Daily Politics from the New Statesman
shows.acast.com
January 29, 2026 at 9:14 AM
Will leasehold reform go far enough? @willdunn.bsky.social and I discuss the policy, social and political implications of the government's plans on the latest Daily Politics podcast from the @newstatesman1913.bsky.social:
Reposted by Anoosh Chakelian
IMO both traditional main parties have struggled because they haven't been seen to focus on what voters elect them for - for Tories top is economic stability, for Labour it's looking after working class and public services.
January 28, 2026 at 3:24 PM
IMO both traditional main parties have struggled because they haven't been seen to focus on what voters elect them for - for Tories top is economic stability, for Labour it's looking after working class and public services.
Reposted by Anoosh Chakelian
Normally with PMQs, I try to review not just the drama and spectacle but what we actually learnt in terms of government policy.
Today, alas, I can only give you one takeaway: what a mess
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
Today, alas, I can only give you one takeaway: what a mess
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
What we learnt from PMQs: David Lammy is saved by Andrew Griffith
“He’s not going to get this gig again, let’s face it,” Lammy jeered
www.newstatesman.com
January 28, 2026 at 1:15 PM
Normally with PMQs, I try to review not just the drama and spectacle but what we actually learnt in terms of government policy.
Today, alas, I can only give you one takeaway: what a mess
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
Today, alas, I can only give you one takeaway: what a mess
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
Excellent behind-the-scenes report by @pronouncedalva.bsky.social which also reveals the strange bathos of being PM - a Teams meeting with Labour apparatchiks sandwiched between a call with Zelensky and trip to China.
Must-read!
Must-read!
How a single call sealed Andy Burnham’s fate
Keir Starmer applied a personal touch when he blocked his rival’s return to parliament
www.newstatesman.com
January 28, 2026 at 11:01 AM
Excellent behind-the-scenes report by @pronouncedalva.bsky.social which also reveals the strange bathos of being PM - a Teams meeting with Labour apparatchiks sandwiched between a call with Zelensky and trip to China.
Must-read!
Must-read!
"Your Positive Story (Optional)"
Inside Reform's vetting process in Gorton and Denton
The Pygge has seen the questionnaire used to select the party's by-election candidate
www.newstatesman.com
January 28, 2026 at 8:51 AM
"Your Positive Story (Optional)"
Great piece by a security guard giving the inside view on shoplifting:
Can Shabana stop shoplifting?
I've been on the frontlines of the shoplifting epidemic. There are no easy solutions
www.newstatesman.com
January 27, 2026 at 10:38 AM
Great piece by a security guard giving the inside view on shoplifting:
Reposted by Anoosh Chakelian
Everything I've learned from life on the frontline of Britain's housebuilding slump - my latest @newstatesman1913.bsky.social column:
Britain’s housebuilding crisis on my block
Building work on the estate I live in was supposed to take two years – it’s now in its fifth
www.newstatesman.com
January 26, 2026 at 10:03 AM
Everything I've learned from life on the frontline of Britain's housebuilding slump - my latest @newstatesman1913.bsky.social column:
What a great interview by @georgemonaghan.bsky.social on the joys and agonies of being the internet's biggest book critic:
Meet Jack Edwards, the world's most powerful literary critic
Jack Edwards shapes the online world’s reading habits from BookTok. But can he handle his success?
www.newstatesman.com
January 26, 2026 at 3:00 PM
What a great interview by @georgemonaghan.bsky.social on the joys and agonies of being the internet's biggest book critic: