Aveek Bhattacharya
@aveek18.bsky.social
Strategy Fellow, Global Health & Wellbeing at Coefficient Giving. Views my own
Pinned
Why I'm starting a Substack
And why you might want to subscribe
open.substack.com
Right, something new for 2025: I'm starting a Substack. About four years behind the trend, as ever.
I want to use it to think through social and political issues, and hopefully help you make sense of what you think to.
Have a read, and consider subscribing
open.substack.com/pub/aveekbha...
I want to use it to think through social and political issues, and hopefully help you make sense of what you think to.
Have a read, and consider subscribing
open.substack.com/pub/aveekbha...
Reposted by Aveek Bhattacharya
Indeed, playing devil's advocate, I suspect that robust enforcement of the current limit would have a bigger impact on public health than lowering the limit without changing enforcement. Although obviously both is the correct answer.
January 7, 2026 at 10:06 AM
Indeed, playing devil's advocate, I suspect that robust enforcement of the current limit would have a bigger impact on public health than lowering the limit without changing enforcement. Although obviously both is the correct answer.
Evidence from the lower drink drive limit in Scotland suggests it didn't do much of anything. Very small impact on pubs -0.7% sales but no discernible impact on accidents either
evidence.nihr.ac.uk/alert/a-lowe...
evidence.nihr.ac.uk/alert/a-lowe...
January 7, 2026 at 10:22 AM
Evidence from the lower drink drive limit in Scotland suggests it didn't do much of anything. Very small impact on pubs -0.7% sales but no discernible impact on accidents either
evidence.nihr.ac.uk/alert/a-lowe...
evidence.nihr.ac.uk/alert/a-lowe...
LBJ bought a season ticket to watch Aberdeen FC, white labelled as a DC team in the proto North American Soccer League
January 6, 2026 at 11:45 PM
LBJ bought a season ticket to watch Aberdeen FC, white labelled as a DC team in the proto North American Soccer League
Reminds me of this thing I wrote in 2019 (!)
socialproblemsarelikemaths.wordpress.com/2019/12/16/i...
socialproblemsarelikemaths.wordpress.com/2019/12/16/i...
January 6, 2026 at 9:46 PM
Reminds me of this thing I wrote in 2019 (!)
socialproblemsarelikemaths.wordpress.com/2019/12/16/i...
socialproblemsarelikemaths.wordpress.com/2019/12/16/i...
Reposted by Aveek Bhattacharya
It's essentially just this. Most people's personal experiences are fine, but they're convinced that the country is a hellscape.
How good do Britons think 2026 will be for...
Themselves personally
Good: 39%
Average: 33%
Bad: 15%
The UK
Good: 9%
Average: 26%
Bad: 52%
yougov.co.uk/society/arti...
Themselves personally
Good: 39%
Average: 33%
Bad: 15%
The UK
Good: 9%
Average: 26%
Bad: 52%
yougov.co.uk/society/arti...
January 6, 2026 at 9:57 AM
It's essentially just this. Most people's personal experiences are fine, but they're convinced that the country is a hellscape.
Reposted by Aveek Bhattacharya
Recording available here www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
January 5, 2026 at 4:30 PM
Recording available here www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
Reposted by Aveek Bhattacharya
This is a good piece on the nuances + complexity of long + short-term shifts, including noting that conflating birthplace with *ethnonationalism* misses that birthplace had civic (multiethnic) implications in citizenship reform, such as in Germany
First substantive post back on the Substack, with some thoughts on @npjgarland.bsky.social & @parth0.bsky.social's @ippr.org piece from last week on the apparent rise in ethnocentric ideas of British identity.
open.substack.com/pub/aveekbha...
open.substack.com/pub/aveekbha...
Is ethno-nationalism winning in Britain?
If so, what should be done?
open.substack.com
January 5, 2026 at 10:17 PM
This is a good piece on the nuances + complexity of long + short-term shifts, including noting that conflating birthplace with *ethnonationalism* misses that birthplace had civic (multiethnic) implications in citizenship reform, such as in Germany
Reposted by Aveek Bhattacharya
Very good post from Aveek on the (who I am v pleased is back writing!) on the longer term data on ethno-nationalist views in Britain, and what we might do to curb any future rises
First substantive post back on the Substack, with some thoughts on @npjgarland.bsky.social & @parth0.bsky.social's @ippr.org piece from last week on the apparent rise in ethnocentric ideas of British identity.
open.substack.com/pub/aveekbha...
open.substack.com/pub/aveekbha...
Is ethno-nationalism winning in Britain?
If so, what should be done?
open.substack.com
January 5, 2026 at 9:14 PM
Very good post from Aveek on the (who I am v pleased is back writing!) on the longer term data on ethno-nationalist views in Britain, and what we might do to curb any future rises
First substantive post back on the Substack, with some thoughts on @npjgarland.bsky.social & @parth0.bsky.social's @ippr.org piece from last week on the apparent rise in ethnocentric ideas of British identity.
open.substack.com/pub/aveekbha...
open.substack.com/pub/aveekbha...
Is ethno-nationalism winning in Britain?
If so, what should be done?
open.substack.com
January 5, 2026 at 7:49 PM
First substantive post back on the Substack, with some thoughts on @npjgarland.bsky.social & @parth0.bsky.social's @ippr.org piece from last week on the apparent rise in ethnocentric ideas of British identity.
open.substack.com/pub/aveekbha...
open.substack.com/pub/aveekbha...
Oof has anybody ever been footballed harder?
absolutely hilarious xG story going on with Wilfried Nancy at Celtic
January 5, 2026 at 3:24 PM
Oof has anybody ever been footballed harder?
This is very exciting! Great hire for a great role, really looking forward to all the interesting analysis George will no doubt produce.
Excited to join @neweconomics.bsky.social today as Head of Social Policy, focusing on living standards, housing, social security etc.
(and also to start saying things online again, now I’m no longer a civil servant!).
Please do get in touch if you’re interested in working together!
(and also to start saying things online again, now I’m no longer a civil servant!).
Please do get in touch if you’re interested in working together!
January 5, 2026 at 3:00 PM
This is very exciting! Great hire for a great role, really looking forward to all the interesting analysis George will no doubt produce.
The 2025/26 Premier League season: nobody can handle parity, everyone is losing their minds
January 5, 2026 at 11:01 AM
The 2025/26 Premier League season: nobody can handle parity, everyone is losing their minds
It is definitely true that civil servants are incentivised to be good at handling stakeholder concerns. It is also true that handling stakeholders effectively means politely and diplomatically telling them to get stuffed ,*if that's what your minister wants*
I have a few thoughts on the Stakeholder State and the piece by Paul Ovenden.
I disagree with the extent of emphasis on stakeholders, but the more dismissive engagement on this app misses that a Strong Stakeholderism does exist, and has placed particular constraints on a govt that lacks direction 🧵
I disagree with the extent of emphasis on stakeholders, but the more dismissive engagement on this app misses that a Strong Stakeholderism does exist, and has placed particular constraints on a govt that lacks direction 🧵
The Blob, the Groups and now The Stakeholder state
Alaa Abd el-Fattah has shown supremacy of the Stakeholder State
www.thetimes.com/article/3720...
Alaa Abd el-Fattah has shown supremacy of the Stakeholder State
www.thetimes.com/article/3720...
January 3, 2026 at 4:40 PM
It is definitely true that civil servants are incentivised to be good at handling stakeholder concerns. It is also true that handling stakeholders effectively means politely and diplomatically telling them to get stuffed ,*if that's what your minister wants*
Interesting and encouraging data on Swedish shootings from @stefanschubert.bsky.social's new newsletter (read and subscribe here! theupdatebrief.substack.com/p/why-is-cri...)
Though I'm a little sceptical that we can attribute this to policy. My prior would be some regression, some policing
Though I'm a little sceptical that we can attribute this to policy. My prior would be some regression, some policing
January 2, 2026 at 11:34 PM
Interesting and encouraging data on Swedish shootings from @stefanschubert.bsky.social's new newsletter (read and subscribe here! theupdatebrief.substack.com/p/why-is-cri...)
Though I'm a little sceptical that we can attribute this to policy. My prior would be some regression, some policing
Though I'm a little sceptical that we can attribute this to policy. My prior would be some regression, some policing
Football is so complacent it's unreal
January 2, 2026 at 3:15 PM
Football is so complacent it's unreal
The biggest irony in this for me is that Labour were unusually committed to stakeholderism before even going into government.
I used to describe Labour's manifesto (...often to stakeholders) as a commitment to have lots of meetings or direct other people to hold meetings
I used to describe Labour's manifesto (...often to stakeholders) as a commitment to have lots of meetings or direct other people to hold meetings
Just like the Tories, Labour's centrist hacks think themselves omniscient and infallible - they cannot fail, they can only be failed. So when they do fail, they blame everyone else.
We saw it with the Tories, and it's already started from the Starmerites with this idiotic dreck: archive.ph/rHoXA
We saw it with the Tories, and it's already started from the Starmerites with this idiotic dreck: archive.ph/rHoXA
January 2, 2026 at 8:57 AM
The biggest irony in this for me is that Labour were unusually committed to stakeholderism before even going into government.
I used to describe Labour's manifesto (...often to stakeholders) as a commitment to have lots of meetings or direct other people to hold meetings
I used to describe Labour's manifesto (...often to stakeholders) as a commitment to have lots of meetings or direct other people to hold meetings
"Colonial reparations", "banning vaping in pub gardens" and "meeting with foreign leaders in London" don't seem like they belong in the same category.
January 1, 2026 at 10:50 PM
"Colonial reparations", "banning vaping in pub gardens" and "meeting with foreign leaders in London" don't seem like they belong in the same category.
Also I believe Liverpool's last 0-0 in the league was December 2023? So went the entirety of 2024 and 2025 without one.
The slow controlled first halves are fine if you kick on in the second half. Liverpool didn't do that enough today (not for the first time).
But 19-4 on shots today, only one for Leeds between the 6th and 91st minutes so... yeah. Not enough good Liverpool chances, never mind great.
Up the Reds.
But 19-4 on shots today, only one for Leeds between the 6th and 91st minutes so... yeah. Not enough good Liverpool chances, never mind great.
Up the Reds.
January 1, 2026 at 9:45 PM
Also I believe Liverpool's last 0-0 in the league was December 2023? So went the entirety of 2024 and 2025 without one.
I thought this was maybe Liverpool's best performance in the league this season, maybe apart from Arsenal?
Which is partly me being perverse, and a lot me damning with faint praise.
Which is partly me being perverse, and a lot me damning with faint praise.
The slow controlled first halves are fine if you kick on in the second half. Liverpool didn't do that enough today (not for the first time).
But 19-4 on shots today, only one for Leeds between the 6th and 91st minutes so... yeah. Not enough good Liverpool chances, never mind great.
Up the Reds.
But 19-4 on shots today, only one for Leeds between the 6th and 91st minutes so... yeah. Not enough good Liverpool chances, never mind great.
Up the Reds.
January 1, 2026 at 9:41 PM
I thought this was maybe Liverpool's best performance in the league this season, maybe apart from Arsenal?
Which is partly me being perverse, and a lot me damning with faint praise.
Which is partly me being perverse, and a lot me damning with faint praise.
Reposted by Aveek Bhattacharya
Answers to the nine most common questions I get about the (now delayed) Leeds tram. tomforth.co.uk/tramquestions/
Tram questions.
Answers to the nine most common questions I've had about the Leeds tram proposals.
tomforth.co.uk
December 31, 2025 at 6:58 PM
Answers to the nine most common questions I get about the (now delayed) Leeds tram. tomforth.co.uk/tramquestions/
Yes! Brings together a bunch of roiling trends:
Pandemic hangover (dog population grew by a couple of million, and the dogs seem to be less well socialised)
Safetyism
Lower toleration of noisy, messy families (CF kids in public space)
Also culture war conspiracy (Muslims coming for your dog)
Pandemic hangover (dog population grew by a couple of million, and the dogs seem to be less well socialised)
Safetyism
Lower toleration of noisy, messy families (CF kids in public space)
Also culture war conspiracy (Muslims coming for your dog)
Think one of the next big fronts in the culture wars will be between dog owners and people who really dislike dogs
January 1, 2026 at 1:10 PM
Yes! Brings together a bunch of roiling trends:
Pandemic hangover (dog population grew by a couple of million, and the dogs seem to be less well socialised)
Safetyism
Lower toleration of noisy, messy families (CF kids in public space)
Also culture war conspiracy (Muslims coming for your dog)
Pandemic hangover (dog population grew by a couple of million, and the dogs seem to be less well socialised)
Safetyism
Lower toleration of noisy, messy families (CF kids in public space)
Also culture war conspiracy (Muslims coming for your dog)
Here's a list of stuff I liked in 2025: aveekbhattacharya.substack.com/p/readwatche...
Read/Watched/Listened/Ate in 2025
Things I enjoyed this year
aveekbhattacharya.substack.com
December 31, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Here's a list of stuff I liked in 2025: aveekbhattacharya.substack.com/p/readwatche...
Widespread dislike of Keir Starmer is not a recent phenomenon: over 50% of people had an unfavourable view of him before the election, so not sure it's mainly about his choices in power.
yougov.co.uk/politics/art...
yougov.co.uk/politics/art...
December 31, 2025 at 9:51 AM
Widespread dislike of Keir Starmer is not a recent phenomenon: over 50% of people had an unfavourable view of him before the election, so not sure it's mainly about his choices in power.
yougov.co.uk/politics/art...
yougov.co.uk/politics/art...
“In focus groups, people say Starmer is a liar and only said what he thought he needed to say to get elected”
December 31, 2025 at 9:08 AM
“In focus groups, people say Starmer is a liar and only said what he thought he needed to say to get elected”
Reposted by Aveek Bhattacharya
"Most Americans predicted that, over the next 27 years, the country would have elected a Black president, gay marriages would be legal and commonplace and a “deadly new disease” would have emerged"
www.cnn.com/2025/12/29/p...
www.cnn.com/2025/12/29/p...
December 29, 2025 at 9:32 PM
"Most Americans predicted that, over the next 27 years, the country would have elected a Black president, gay marriages would be legal and commonplace and a “deadly new disease” would have emerged"
www.cnn.com/2025/12/29/p...
www.cnn.com/2025/12/29/p...