Duncan Weldon
@duncanweldon.bsky.social
Economics writer. Author.
Expect history, economics, finance and other stuff.
Wrote Two Hundred Years of Muddling Through.
Blood and Treasure, on the economics of war, out now.
Expect history, economics, finance and other stuff.
Wrote Two Hundred Years of Muddling Through.
Blood and Treasure, on the economics of war, out now.
Pinned
Duncan Weldon
@duncanweldon.bsky.social
· Aug 25
Time for a new pinned post. Out now in the UK, coming January 6th in the US.
A highlight of today was Mary Beard helpfully correcting my Latin pronunciation.
For a start, I’ve never been taught Latin - so poor pronunciation is only to be expected. And if anyone is going to correct you, Mary Beard is hard to beat.
For a start, I’ve never been taught Latin - so poor pronunciation is only to be expected. And if anyone is going to correct you, Mary Beard is hard to beat.
February 9, 2026 at 10:57 PM
A highlight of today was Mary Beard helpfully correcting my Latin pronunciation.
For a start, I’ve never been taught Latin - so poor pronunciation is only to be expected. And if anyone is going to correct you, Mary Beard is hard to beat.
For a start, I’ve never been taught Latin - so poor pronunciation is only to be expected. And if anyone is going to correct you, Mary Beard is hard to beat.
Just find this sort of thing really stupid.
You’re an aide to minister. Don’t you have better things to do with your time than workshop anonymous quotes to get yourself in an email?
Pathetic.
You’re an aide to minister. Don’t you have better things to do with your time than workshop anonymous quotes to get yourself in an email?
Pathetic.
February 9, 2026 at 5:54 PM
Just find this sort of thing really stupid.
You’re an aide to minister. Don’t you have better things to do with your time than workshop anonymous quotes to get yourself in an email?
Pathetic.
You’re an aide to minister. Don’t you have better things to do with your time than workshop anonymous quotes to get yourself in an email?
Pathetic.
Completely get the argument that changing PM would be economically damaging to the country & politically damaging to Labour.
But there’s a point when a wounded PM with no authority hugely increases economic uncertainty & is more politically damaging.
That point has been crossed.
But there’s a point when a wounded PM with no authority hugely increases economic uncertainty & is more politically damaging.
That point has been crossed.
February 9, 2026 at 1:52 PM
Completely get the argument that changing PM would be economically damaging to the country & politically damaging to Labour.
But there’s a point when a wounded PM with no authority hugely increases economic uncertainty & is more politically damaging.
That point has been crossed.
But there’s a point when a wounded PM with no authority hugely increases economic uncertainty & is more politically damaging.
That point has been crossed.
Need a bit of caution on gilt/sterling wobbles I think. As much about increased uncertainty at this point as anything else.
If Starmer goes - initial market reaction will almost certainly be “UK govt shifting left, sell”.
1/2
If Starmer goes - initial market reaction will almost certainly be “UK govt shifting left, sell”.
1/2
February 9, 2026 at 9:43 AM
Need a bit of caution on gilt/sterling wobbles I think. As much about increased uncertainty at this point as anything else.
If Starmer goes - initial market reaction will almost certainly be “UK govt shifting left, sell”.
1/2
If Starmer goes - initial market reaction will almost certainly be “UK govt shifting left, sell”.
1/2
Deep(er than I expected when I clicked) dive in Japan’s public sector balance sheet from @tobyn.bsky.social.
Really interesting.
www.ft.com/content/f7d3...
Really interesting.
www.ft.com/content/f7d3...
February 9, 2026 at 7:55 AM
Deep(er than I expected when I clicked) dive in Japan’s public sector balance sheet from @tobyn.bsky.social.
Really interesting.
www.ft.com/content/f7d3...
Really interesting.
www.ft.com/content/f7d3...
The problem here is that format demands 800-1000 words but all the real info is in one short paragraph: no one really knows what happens next.
Chris Mason: Crunch time for the prime minister www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Chris Mason: Crunch time for the prime minister www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
February 9, 2026 at 7:46 AM
The problem here is that format demands 800-1000 words but all the real info is in one short paragraph: no one really knows what happens next.
Chris Mason: Crunch time for the prime minister www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Chris Mason: Crunch time for the prime minister www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
One of the more depressing paragraphs in a throughly depressing read.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/08/b...
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/08/b...
February 8, 2026 at 8:22 PM
One of the more depressing paragraphs in a throughly depressing read.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/08/b...
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/08/b...
February 8, 2026 at 7:11 PM
My unpopular opinion: releasing the emails & messages surrounding Mandelson’s appointment is entirely reasonable.
Releasing every communication between Mandelson and any ministers or Spads over the course of his ambassadorship is disproportionate, unnecessary and sets a really bad precedent.
Releasing every communication between Mandelson and any ministers or Spads over the course of his ambassadorship is disproportionate, unnecessary and sets a really bad precedent.
February 8, 2026 at 6:44 PM
My unpopular opinion: releasing the emails & messages surrounding Mandelson’s appointment is entirely reasonable.
Releasing every communication between Mandelson and any ministers or Spads over the course of his ambassadorship is disproportionate, unnecessary and sets a really bad precedent.
Releasing every communication between Mandelson and any ministers or Spads over the course of his ambassadorship is disproportionate, unnecessary and sets a really bad precedent.
BRB, just googling “what happens if you get rid of your lightning rod and there is more lightning?”
February 8, 2026 at 6:28 PM
BRB, just googling “what happens if you get rid of your lightning rod and there is more lightning?”
My gut feeling is that Trump’s ability to browbeat US media - which looked strong 12 months ago - has faded sharply.
Because booking Green Day for the Super Bowl isn’t the action of an entirely cowed media complex.
Because booking Green Day for the Super Bowl isn’t the action of an entirely cowed media complex.
February 8, 2026 at 3:42 PM
My gut feeling is that Trump’s ability to browbeat US media - which looked strong 12 months ago - has faded sharply.
Because booking Green Day for the Super Bowl isn’t the action of an entirely cowed media complex.
Because booking Green Day for the Super Bowl isn’t the action of an entirely cowed media complex.
Boring opinion: if people know the name of the Downing Street Chief of Staff, the CoS is not doing a good job.
February 8, 2026 at 3:28 PM
Boring opinion: if people know the name of the Downing Street Chief of Staff, the CoS is not doing a good job.
Getting very nervous about this Nepal performance.
February 8, 2026 at 11:58 AM
Getting very nervous about this Nepal performance.
Reposted by Duncan Weldon
Love cricket pre-match analysis.
Something relaxing about watching an in-depth discussion of moisture levels in the ground.
Something relaxing about watching an in-depth discussion of moisture levels in the ground.
February 8, 2026 at 9:10 AM
Love cricket pre-match analysis.
Something relaxing about watching an in-depth discussion of moisture levels in the ground.
Something relaxing about watching an in-depth discussion of moisture levels in the ground.
T20 World Cup in this time zone is an absolute joy. Great to get up on a Sunday, make a coffee and stick New Zealand/Afghanistan on.
February 8, 2026 at 7:26 AM
T20 World Cup in this time zone is an absolute joy. Great to get up on a Sunday, make a coffee and stick New Zealand/Afghanistan on.
Checked the India-USA score. Put the cricket back on. Family groaned.
February 7, 2026 at 3:13 PM
Checked the India-USA score. Put the cricket back on. Family groaned.
A good example of how strangely unpolitical this government is at times.
The Economist is fretting that trade union laws have been tilted (sharply!) back towards strengthening unions.
But is the government making an argument around this to progressive voters? No.
economist.com/britain/2026...
The Economist is fretting that trade union laws have been tilted (sharply!) back towards strengthening unions.
But is the government making an argument around this to progressive voters? No.
economist.com/britain/2026...
February 7, 2026 at 12:59 PM
A good example of how strangely unpolitical this government is at times.
The Economist is fretting that trade union laws have been tilted (sharply!) back towards strengthening unions.
But is the government making an argument around this to progressive voters? No.
economist.com/britain/2026...
The Economist is fretting that trade union laws have been tilted (sharply!) back towards strengthening unions.
But is the government making an argument around this to progressive voters? No.
economist.com/britain/2026...
It’s not working. But I think Scotland are right to just try and slog some boundaries here.
February 7, 2026 at 12:52 PM
It’s not working. But I think Scotland are right to just try and slog some boundaries here.
Reposted by Duncan Weldon
800 words on newspaper economics in a era where no one will pulp a magazine
February 7, 2026 at 12:46 PM
800 words on newspaper economics in a era where no one will pulp a magazine
Don’t understand reviewing a decision and then basically walking off before the review is in.
February 7, 2026 at 12:41 PM
Don’t understand reviewing a decision and then basically walking off before the review is in.
Hhhmmm.
Can’t see any of the likely successors making *major* changes to borrowing. You might get more taxes & more spending.
And don’t rule out a more pro-growth attitude to immigration.
www.ft.com/content/c855... Starmer camp warns leadership challenge risks economic chaos
Can’t see any of the likely successors making *major* changes to borrowing. You might get more taxes & more spending.
And don’t rule out a more pro-growth attitude to immigration.
www.ft.com/content/c855... Starmer camp warns leadership challenge risks economic chaos
Starmer camp warns leadership challenge risks economic chaos
Investors also signal concern at prospect of a more leftwing government
www.ft.com
February 7, 2026 at 9:08 AM
Hhhmmm.
Can’t see any of the likely successors making *major* changes to borrowing. You might get more taxes & more spending.
And don’t rule out a more pro-growth attitude to immigration.
www.ft.com/content/c855... Starmer camp warns leadership challenge risks economic chaos
Can’t see any of the likely successors making *major* changes to borrowing. You might get more taxes & more spending.
And don’t rule out a more pro-growth attitude to immigration.
www.ft.com/content/c855... Starmer camp warns leadership challenge risks economic chaos
Delighted to have a Blood and Treasure extract in Foreign Policy today.
foreignpolicy.com/2026/02/06/b...
foreignpolicy.com/2026/02/06/b...
How the British Empire Chose Canada Over Guadeloupe
London won the spoils of war from France—and lost the United States.
foreignpolicy.com
February 7, 2026 at 7:36 AM
Delighted to have a Blood and Treasure extract in Foreign Policy today.
foreignpolicy.com/2026/02/06/b...
foreignpolicy.com/2026/02/06/b...
Not sure how big the UK TV audience for Netherlands-Pakistan is. But I’m adding to it.
February 7, 2026 at 7:28 AM
Not sure how big the UK TV audience for Netherlands-Pakistan is. But I’m adding to it.
The value bet here is Ed Miliband.
A competent minister, has an agenda, possesses politics.
Who might succeed Sir Keir Starmer as Britain’s prime minister?
economist.com/britain/2026...
from The Economist
A competent minister, has an agenda, possesses politics.
Who might succeed Sir Keir Starmer as Britain’s prime minister?
economist.com/britain/2026...
from The Economist
February 6, 2026 at 9:23 PM
The value bet here is Ed Miliband.
A competent minister, has an agenda, possesses politics.
Who might succeed Sir Keir Starmer as Britain’s prime minister?
economist.com/britain/2026...
from The Economist
A competent minister, has an agenda, possesses politics.
Who might succeed Sir Keir Starmer as Britain’s prime minister?
economist.com/britain/2026...
from The Economist