Anthony Painter
@anthonypainter.bsky.social
Policy. Political economy. Increasing bewilderment.
"The Three Economies" Substack here: https://open.substack.com/pub/anthonypainter
#ynwa
"The Three Economies" Substack here: https://open.substack.com/pub/anthonypainter
#ynwa
Pinned
Slow politics fast
Driven by an "alcoholic" White House, UK and EU politics has been bent out of shape by American ideology, technology, and dystopian global vision. 2026 needs to be a year of go-slow - at pace.
anthonypainter.substack.com
Slow politics fast. New substack.
How American ideologies, tech and "might is right" driven by an "alcoholic" White House has bent geo-politics out of shape. And why the UK and EU must go slow - at pace in 2026.
anthonypainter.substack.com/p/slow-polit...
How American ideologies, tech and "might is right" driven by an "alcoholic" White House has bent geo-politics out of shape. And why the UK and EU must go slow - at pace in 2026.
anthonypainter.substack.com/p/slow-polit...
Peep Show GBBO > Amandaland Xmas Special. 🌲
December 25, 2025 at 11:04 PM
Peep Show GBBO > Amandaland Xmas Special. 🌲
Some seem angry that the King didn't deliver the tear each other apart on ethnic grounds and turn our backs on the world message they were expecting.
In my case, just enjoying Charles III shine a light on their petty vindictiveness.
Merry Christmas all.
In my case, just enjoying Charles III shine a light on their petty vindictiveness.
Merry Christmas all.
December 25, 2025 at 8:18 PM
Some seem angry that the King didn't deliver the tear each other apart on ethnic grounds and turn our backs on the world message they were expecting.
In my case, just enjoying Charles III shine a light on their petty vindictiveness.
Merry Christmas all.
In my case, just enjoying Charles III shine a light on their petty vindictiveness.
Merry Christmas all.
Reading Bournville by Jonathan Coe and one of the things it does, subversively, is present WWII as a nationalistic as much as anti-fascist endeavour. And lots of things that have happened since - and now - suddenly make a lot more sense when you look at it in those terms.
December 24, 2025 at 11:43 AM
Reading Bournville by Jonathan Coe and one of the things it does, subversively, is present WWII as a nationalistic as much as anti-fascist endeavour. And lots of things that have happened since - and now - suddenly make a lot more sense when you look at it in those terms.
If you were a passionate believer in sovereignty you'd be appalled by the implications of this. You would, wouldn't you?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
US denies visas to ex-EU commissioner and others over social media rules
Thierry Breton, the former top tech regulator at the European Commission, says a
www.bbc.co.uk
December 24, 2025 at 10:26 AM
If you were a passionate believer in sovereignty you'd be appalled by the implications of this. You would, wouldn't you?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Most Yimby, abundance style stuff just brushes away or ignores real world trade-offs. I have to say though, this one on tram financing and management is compelling.
Would involve a big shift in power and resources to the local level- including local taxation.
www.britainremade.co.uk/backontrack
Would involve a big shift in power and resources to the local level- including local taxation.
www.britainremade.co.uk/backontrack
How to Build New Trams in the UK and Get Britain Moving
Cities across Europe are building trams at a rate not seen in nearly a century. Places that had torn up their tram tracks in the 1950s have realised they had made a mistake. Twenty-one French cities h...
www.britainremade.co.uk
December 24, 2025 at 8:19 AM
Most Yimby, abundance style stuff just brushes away or ignores real world trade-offs. I have to say though, this one on tram financing and management is compelling.
Would involve a big shift in power and resources to the local level- including local taxation.
www.britainremade.co.uk/backontrack
Would involve a big shift in power and resources to the local level- including local taxation.
www.britainremade.co.uk/backontrack
Which model of housing will increase affordability? Madrid (market-led, "abundance") or Barcelona (state-regulated, scarcity).
You need both of course. In the case of the UK, I would be inclined to bet on a strategic state managing/sitting alongside the market.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
You need both of course. In the case of the UK, I would be inclined to bet on a strategic state managing/sitting alongside the market.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Barcelona and Madrid have very different ideas on tackling Spain’s housing crisis. Which will succeed? | Jaime Palomera
While the country’s capital is loosening regulations, the Catalan city is strengthening social housing. Their outcomes will affect all our futures, says author and researcher Jaime Palomera
www.theguardian.com
December 23, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Which model of housing will increase affordability? Madrid (market-led, "abundance") or Barcelona (state-regulated, scarcity).
You need both of course. In the case of the UK, I would be inclined to bet on a strategic state managing/sitting alongside the market.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
You need both of course. In the case of the UK, I would be inclined to bet on a strategic state managing/sitting alongside the market.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Right block: 44%
Centre/left block: 50%
And which has largely controlled the national agenda for a decade?
Centre/left block: 50%
And which has largely controlled the national agenda for a decade?
Westminster Voting Intention:
RFM: 25% (-3)
LAB: 20% (+2)
CON: 19% (+2)
LDM: 15% (+1)
GRN: 15% (-2)
SNP: 3% (-1)
Via @yougov.co.uk, 21-22 Dec.
Changes w/ 14-15 Dec.
RFM: 25% (-3)
LAB: 20% (+2)
CON: 19% (+2)
LDM: 15% (+1)
GRN: 15% (-2)
SNP: 3% (-1)
Via @yougov.co.uk, 21-22 Dec.
Changes w/ 14-15 Dec.
December 23, 2025 at 10:34 AM
Right block: 44%
Centre/left block: 50%
And which has largely controlled the national agenda for a decade?
Centre/left block: 50%
And which has largely controlled the national agenda for a decade?
Reposted by Anthony Painter
Inspired by @anthonypainter.bsky.social and @jamesdaustin.bsky.social saying there’s a lack of discussion about a progressive vision for immigration, here’s my tuppence worth.
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December 22, 2025 at 10:23 PM
Inspired by @anthonypainter.bsky.social and @jamesdaustin.bsky.social saying there’s a lack of discussion about a progressive vision for immigration, here’s my tuppence worth.
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1/
This is right. I would also add: the counter-reaction also obscures how these technologies are actually useful. So we end up with hype and counter-hype but too little institutional change to enable us to deploy technologies in the most socially useful way.
See regulation of social media, AI.
See regulation of social media, AI.
December 23, 2025 at 7:13 AM
This is right. I would also add: the counter-reaction also obscures how these technologies are actually useful. So we end up with hype and counter-hype but too little institutional change to enable us to deploy technologies in the most socially useful way.
See regulation of social media, AI.
See regulation of social media, AI.
Every single one of these violent perpetrators has their ethnicity referenced. The husband as it happens was White British but that really isn't the point.
Nothing in the story is about ethnicity. This is the national broadcaster not the Express.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Nothing in the story is about ethnicity. This is the national broadcaster not the Express.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Husband and 5 other men charged with sex offences against ex-wife
Philip Young is charged with offences including rape and administering a substance with intent to stupefy.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 22, 2025 at 9:29 PM
Every single one of these violent perpetrators has their ethnicity referenced. The husband as it happens was White British but that really isn't the point.
Nothing in the story is about ethnicity. This is the national broadcaster not the Express.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Nothing in the story is about ethnicity. This is the national broadcaster not the Express.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
The economic data in general isn't great but there is one exception.... Investment.
Business investment has grown significantly this year.
Either (i) there is more underlying confidence than appears (latest PMI backs this up) (ii) some statistical oddity.
Would love to hear thoughts.
Business investment has grown significantly this year.
Either (i) there is more underlying confidence than appears (latest PMI backs this up) (ii) some statistical oddity.
Would love to hear thoughts.
December 22, 2025 at 11:39 AM
The economic data in general isn't great but there is one exception.... Investment.
Business investment has grown significantly this year.
Either (i) there is more underlying confidence than appears (latest PMI backs this up) (ii) some statistical oddity.
Would love to hear thoughts.
Business investment has grown significantly this year.
Either (i) there is more underlying confidence than appears (latest PMI backs this up) (ii) some statistical oddity.
Would love to hear thoughts.
The UK will celebrate net emigration and depopulation come 2027.
And by 2028 it will start to realise, with an ageing society and low growth, what a really silly thing it has done.
The right will go "pro-natalist", the centre-left will be completely stuck.
And by 2028 it will start to realise, with an ageing society and low growth, what a really silly thing it has done.
The right will go "pro-natalist", the centre-left will be completely stuck.
December 22, 2025 at 7:28 AM
The UK will celebrate net emigration and depopulation come 2027.
And by 2028 it will start to realise, with an ageing society and low growth, what a really silly thing it has done.
The right will go "pro-natalist", the centre-left will be completely stuck.
And by 2028 it will start to realise, with an ageing society and low growth, what a really silly thing it has done.
The right will go "pro-natalist", the centre-left will be completely stuck.
The pro-European glee at rejoining Erasmus is understandable but also betrays a lack of self-confidence.
It's tempting to be the reasonable ones against the Brexit headbangers but that also makes you easy to fob off. There isn't a softly, softly, nicey, nicey way back I'm afraid.
It's tempting to be the reasonable ones against the Brexit headbangers but that also makes you easy to fob off. There isn't a softly, softly, nicey, nicey way back I'm afraid.
December 21, 2025 at 11:40 AM
The pro-European glee at rejoining Erasmus is understandable but also betrays a lack of self-confidence.
It's tempting to be the reasonable ones against the Brexit headbangers but that also makes you easy to fob off. There isn't a softly, softly, nicey, nicey way back I'm afraid.
It's tempting to be the reasonable ones against the Brexit headbangers but that also makes you easy to fob off. There isn't a softly, softly, nicey, nicey way back I'm afraid.
The only way to reduce taxes and meet public expectations is very close alignment/membership of the single market.
Streeting gets into that territory. Hopefully this is the beginning of the end of the centre-left pretending it has a viable governing model with Brexit
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Streeting gets into that territory. Hopefully this is the beginning of the end of the centre-left pretending it has a viable governing model with Brexit
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Wes Streeting: ‘I’m diplomatically ducking the question. ...
On a stroll through Hainault forest, the health secretary extols the virtues of Waitrose chocolate biscuits, talks up closer relations with the EU and spoils for a fight with the chancellor over the s...
observer.co.uk
December 21, 2025 at 11:04 AM
The only way to reduce taxes and meet public expectations is very close alignment/membership of the single market.
Streeting gets into that territory. Hopefully this is the beginning of the end of the centre-left pretending it has a viable governing model with Brexit
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Streeting gets into that territory. Hopefully this is the beginning of the end of the centre-left pretending it has a viable governing model with Brexit
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Can we all just agree that DEEP filled mince pies with thin short crust pastry are best? Not puff pastry, not more pastry than filling.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. AJP.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. AJP.
December 21, 2025 at 9:29 AM
Can we all just agree that DEEP filled mince pies with thin short crust pastry are best? Not puff pastry, not more pastry than filling.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. AJP.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. AJP.
A tech trend we can all get behind. In fact, let's back it with the law. No smartphone should be allowed on the market without a headphone jack.
www.theguardian.com/fashion/2025...
www.theguardian.com/fashion/2025...
Move over Bluetooth: wired headphones are back – and suddenly cool again
From celebrity endorsements to digital fatigue, the once-obsolete white wire has become a fashion statement and a quiet act of opting out
www.theguardian.com
December 20, 2025 at 7:09 AM
A tech trend we can all get behind. In fact, let's back it with the law. No smartphone should be allowed on the market without a headphone jack.
www.theguardian.com/fashion/2025...
www.theguardian.com/fashion/2025...
I was just thinking what a frustrating player Crawley is. He always does just enough to avoid being dropped but no more. They I realised, why single him out? All the batsmen are infuriating apart from Root. #ashes
December 20, 2025 at 6:56 AM
I was just thinking what a frustrating player Crawley is. He always does just enough to avoid being dropped but no more. They I realised, why single him out? All the batsmen are infuriating apart from Root. #ashes
You can add together as many abstract Labour factions as you like and still not have a governing idea or coalition.
This one asks us to turn a blind eye to Blue Labour authoritarianism and less explicitly, ethno-nationalism. Not a great starting point.
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
This one asks us to turn a blind eye to Blue Labour authoritarianism and less explicitly, ethno-nationalism. Not a great starting point.
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
How combining soft left and Blue Labour politics can save Labour
Blue Labour offers the “what” of politics; the soft left offers the “how”
www.newstatesman.com
December 19, 2025 at 6:18 PM
You can add together as many abstract Labour factions as you like and still not have a governing idea or coalition.
This one asks us to turn a blind eye to Blue Labour authoritarianism and less explicitly, ethno-nationalism. Not a great starting point.
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
This one asks us to turn a blind eye to Blue Labour authoritarianism and less explicitly, ethno-nationalism. Not a great starting point.
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
When there is political will, Europe can lead.
Rumours of the EU's demise have been greatly exaggerated. Don't believe the MAGA.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
Rumours of the EU's demise have been greatly exaggerated. Don't believe the MAGA.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
Ukraine deal: EU leaders agree €90bn loan, but without use of frozen Russian assets
Two-year deal will cover most of Ukraine’s needs, but will be secured against EU borrowing rather than Russian assets
www.theguardian.com
December 19, 2025 at 7:58 AM
When there is political will, Europe can lead.
Rumours of the EU's demise have been greatly exaggerated. Don't believe the MAGA.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
Rumours of the EU's demise have been greatly exaggerated. Don't believe the MAGA.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
Just wow. Grim actually from Badenoch.
Only willing to see the violence against women that is committed by migrants it would seem.
How on earth is combating misogyny across society - within whatever ethnicity - in any way controversial?
Only willing to see the violence against women that is committed by migrants it would seem.
How on earth is combating misogyny across society - within whatever ethnicity - in any way controversial?
December 18, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Just wow. Grim actually from Badenoch.
Only willing to see the violence against women that is committed by migrants it would seem.
How on earth is combating misogyny across society - within whatever ethnicity - in any way controversial?
Only willing to see the violence against women that is committed by migrants it would seem.
How on earth is combating misogyny across society - within whatever ethnicity - in any way controversial?
Slow politics fast. New substack.
How American ideologies, tech and "might is right" driven by an "alcoholic" White House has bent geo-politics out of shape. And why the UK and EU must go slow - at pace in 2026.
anthonypainter.substack.com/p/slow-polit...
How American ideologies, tech and "might is right" driven by an "alcoholic" White House has bent geo-politics out of shape. And why the UK and EU must go slow - at pace in 2026.
anthonypainter.substack.com/p/slow-polit...
Slow politics fast
Driven by an "alcoholic" White House, UK and EU politics has been bent out of shape by American ideology, technology, and dystopian global vision. 2026 needs to be a year of go-slow - at pace.
anthonypainter.substack.com
December 18, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Slow politics fast. New substack.
How American ideologies, tech and "might is right" driven by an "alcoholic" White House has bent geo-politics out of shape. And why the UK and EU must go slow - at pace in 2026.
anthonypainter.substack.com/p/slow-polit...
How American ideologies, tech and "might is right" driven by an "alcoholic" White House has bent geo-politics out of shape. And why the UK and EU must go slow - at pace in 2026.
anthonypainter.substack.com/p/slow-polit...
Lots of emphasis on the *changes* to planning policy. But something important *didn't change*: the commitment to *sustainable development* as an overarching principle of the system.
Meeting economic, social and environmental needs.
That is a cornerstone.
open.substack.com/pub/samdumit...
Meeting economic, social and environmental needs.
That is a cornerstone.
open.substack.com/pub/samdumit...
Labour are finally taking the housing shortage seriously
Is the new National Planning Policy Framework Labour’s biggest pro-growth move?
open.substack.com
December 18, 2025 at 8:11 AM
Lots of emphasis on the *changes* to planning policy. But something important *didn't change*: the commitment to *sustainable development* as an overarching principle of the system.
Meeting economic, social and environmental needs.
That is a cornerstone.
open.substack.com/pub/samdumit...
Meeting economic, social and environmental needs.
That is a cornerstone.
open.substack.com/pub/samdumit...
Little sympathy for companies who have assets at risk of being stranded in Russia - especially banks. You knew the risks.
Big day for the EU today. And Ukraine. And us.
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
Big day for the EU today. And Ukraine. And us.
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
Putin’s retaliation threat over frozen assets rattles EU capitals
Italy, Belgium and Austria worry about Russia moving against their companies
giftarticle.ft.com
December 18, 2025 at 7:35 AM
Little sympathy for companies who have assets at risk of being stranded in Russia - especially banks. You knew the risks.
Big day for the EU today. And Ukraine. And us.
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
Big day for the EU today. And Ukraine. And us.
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
This was the year that sensible people realised that genAI was a useful but incremental technology.
Not transformative, not existential, just useful when deployed right.
Certainly not worth surrendering your national sovereignty over.....
www.reuters.com/business/bus...
Not transformative, not existential, just useful when deployed right.
Certainly not worth surrendering your national sovereignty over.....
www.reuters.com/business/bus...
AI promised a revolution. Companies are still waiting.
Executives say they still believe generative AI will eventually transform their businesses, but they are reconsidering how quickly that will happen within their organizations.
www.reuters.com
December 17, 2025 at 7:15 AM
This was the year that sensible people realised that genAI was a useful but incremental technology.
Not transformative, not existential, just useful when deployed right.
Certainly not worth surrendering your national sovereignty over.....
www.reuters.com/business/bus...
Not transformative, not existential, just useful when deployed right.
Certainly not worth surrendering your national sovereignty over.....
www.reuters.com/business/bus...