Joel Budd
@joelbudd.bsky.social
Journalist at the Economist, writing about life in Britain. Author of "Underdogs".
Happy new year to all, but especially to cat owners. Last night I walked into the living room to find a bird's head, lots of feathers and an innocent-looking feline--but no wings or feet anywhere. This morning I was miaowed awake at six.
January 1, 2026 at 8:19 AM
Happy new year to all, but especially to cat owners. Last night I walked into the living room to find a bird's head, lots of feathers and an innocent-looking feline--but no wings or feet anywhere. This morning I was miaowed awake at six.
I’m sticking to my unfashionable theory that if Britain’s economy was consistently growing by 3% a year, the government would be decently popular and Nigel Farage would be a gadfly rather than a prime minister in waiting.
www.ft.com/content/1995...
www.ft.com/content/1995...
‘There’s a real dislike, even loathing’: why voters hate Starmer and Reeves
Allies concede the prime minister and chancellor have made mistakes yet the level of disdain towards them is still striking
www.ft.com
December 31, 2025 at 9:33 AM
I’m sticking to my unfashionable theory that if Britain’s economy was consistently growing by 3% a year, the government would be decently popular and Nigel Farage would be a gadfly rather than a prime minister in waiting.
www.ft.com/content/1995...
www.ft.com/content/1995...
This is a great piece, with the Indian officer class living up to its brandy-sipping reputation.
A few weeks ago I traveled to Ladakh to see how the India-China frontier had changed since a bloody clash five years ago. Things are much calmer, but both sides are rapidly building up infrastructure & there is no going back to the pre-2020 status quo.
www.economist.com/asia/2025/12...
www.economist.com/asia/2025/12...
A fragile thaw at the top of the world
The Economist gained rare access to India’s tense border with China
www.economist.com
December 30, 2025 at 3:49 PM
This is a great piece, with the Indian officer class living up to its brandy-sipping reputation.
Saw so many people in LA who I vaguely recognised but couldn't place that I conceived the idea of an app for recognising celebrities, a bit like Shazam is for music. Anyone who makes one, cut me in please.
Please quote this with the time you didn’t interact with someone famous - eg one time I was in Cardiff the same weekend as Willem Dafoe (but I didn’t see him or even know he was there until he appeared on the telly later)
Please quote this with your major interactions with massive celebrities. eg “I was married to the pope for fifteen years”
December 30, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Saw so many people in LA who I vaguely recognised but couldn't place that I conceived the idea of an app for recognising celebrities, a bit like Shazam is for music. Anyone who makes one, cut me in please.
Many of these scan terribly! The correct version, which ends “Kojak lost his lollipop on the M1 motorway”, simply sounds better.
For your collective delectation this holiday season:
Quite possibly the silliest thing I've ever written (and definitely the most ridiculous graph I've ever made!)
loreandordure.com/2025/12/16/j...
Quite possibly the silliest thing I've ever written (and definitely the most ridiculous graph I've ever made!)
loreandordure.com/2025/12/16/j...
Jingle Bells (Batman Smells): an incomplete festive folk-rhyme taxonomy
Gather round the fire, everyone, and let me tell you a story. It has everything you could want in a Christmas blockbuster: superheroes and villains, a car crash, children singing, a mystery to solv…
loreandordure.com
December 16, 2025 at 9:46 PM
Many of these scan terribly! The correct version, which ends “Kojak lost his lollipop on the M1 motorway”, simply sounds better.
The Australianisation of Britain’s suburbs looms! I would guess that people will be keen to build in their gardens. Britons think of themselves as keen gardeners but most aren’t. My suburban neighbours think I’m an expert because I can name a dozen or so common plants.
www.ft.com/content/3f73...
www.ft.com/content/3f73...
New planning rules in England to stop councils blocking developments
Government aims to drive ‘densification’ and revive push to build 1.5mn homes
www.ft.com
December 16, 2025 at 9:18 PM
The Australianisation of Britain’s suburbs looms! I would guess that people will be keen to build in their gardens. Britons think of themselves as keen gardeners but most aren’t. My suburban neighbours think I’m an expert because I can name a dozen or so common plants.
www.ft.com/content/3f73...
www.ft.com/content/3f73...
Reposted by Joel Budd
1/ Thetford Guildhall - designed by Herbert John Green in neoclassical style and completed in 1901; the former home of Thetford Borough Council. Inside, there is a small display commemorating Britain's first black mayor, Allan Glaisyer Minns.
December 12, 2025 at 3:20 PM
1/ Thetford Guildhall - designed by Herbert John Green in neoclassical style and completed in 1901; the former home of Thetford Borough Council. Inside, there is a small display commemorating Britain's first black mayor, Allan Glaisyer Minns.
Reposted by Joel Budd
You hear sometimes - including from senior figures in government - that Reform has hit a "ceiling" as its polling plateaus. That seems unlikely. Bit on fascinating new research from @profjanegreen.bsky.social and Marta Miori
www.economist.com/briefing/202...
www.economist.com/briefing/202...
The populists of Reform UK, already topping the polls, may climb higher
Claims that it has hit a ceiling are probably wishful thinking
www.economist.com
December 11, 2025 at 1:42 PM
You hear sometimes - including from senior figures in government - that Reform has hit a "ceiling" as its polling plateaus. That seems unlikely. Bit on fascinating new research from @profjanegreen.bsky.social and Marta Miori
www.economist.com/briefing/202...
www.economist.com/briefing/202...
Good reporting on far-right activism in Kent here. Check out the responses to the council's Facebook post, in which people excuse aggression and vandalism if it makes a point about immigrants.
When I first started writing about local council meetings, I didn't imagine this is the kind of thing I'd end up covering. Where we are right now is incredibly bleak.
A Swale Borough Council meeting was suspended after coordinated far-right activists disrupted a debate on becoming a District of Sanctuary. Councillors reported abuse, intimidation and damage to the building.
What happened, and why it matters:
What happened, and why it matters:
December 12, 2025 at 9:27 AM
Good reporting on far-right activism in Kent here. Check out the responses to the council's Facebook post, in which people excuse aggression and vandalism if it makes a point about immigrants.
I’m never quite sure whether New York is especially good at creating characters like this or especially good at creating journalism like this.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/10/s...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/10/s...
Judi Jupiter, a 76-Year-Old Social Media Star, Is Gen Z at Heart
www.nytimes.com
December 11, 2025 at 8:17 AM
I’m never quite sure whether New York is especially good at creating characters like this or especially good at creating journalism like this.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/10/s...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/10/s...
Two findings here, which apply to other cultural changes too.
1. Some things just don’t change much, sorry.
2. The biggest changes are among women. Please stop going on about men all the time.
www.pewresearch.org/religion/202...
1. Some things just don’t change much, sorry.
2. The biggest changes are among women. Please stop going on about men all the time.
www.pewresearch.org/religion/202...
Religion Holds Steady in America
Analysis of our polls and other data shows no clear evidence of a religious revival among young adults. Read more about religiousness by age and gender.
www.pewresearch.org
December 8, 2025 at 10:09 PM
Two findings here, which apply to other cultural changes too.
1. Some things just don’t change much, sorry.
2. The biggest changes are among women. Please stop going on about men all the time.
www.pewresearch.org/religion/202...
1. Some things just don’t change much, sorry.
2. The biggest changes are among women. Please stop going on about men all the time.
www.pewresearch.org/religion/202...
Reposted by Joel Budd
In this week's Economist I've written about how, contrary to the breathless hot-takes last week, the emigration of British citizens from the UK is actually falling. (A thread 1/17)
www.economist.com/britain/2025...
www.economist.com/britain/2025...
Are Brits really leaving the country in droves?
No. We estimate that emigration is lower now than it was five years ago
www.economist.com
December 4, 2025 at 5:42 PM
In this week's Economist I've written about how, contrary to the breathless hot-takes last week, the emigration of British citizens from the UK is actually falling. (A thread 1/17)
www.economist.com/britain/2025...
www.economist.com/britain/2025...
Reposted by Joel Budd
My favourite genre turns out to be alternative country, sometimes known as “y’allternative”, per Wikipedia. Very pleased with that.
December 3, 2025 at 8:18 PM
My favourite genre turns out to be alternative country, sometimes known as “y’allternative”, per Wikipedia. Very pleased with that.
The first British political party to promise to cut the price of a first-class stamp to below one pound will win 600 seats in Parliament. If only for December, 550 seats.
December 2, 2025 at 3:05 PM
The first British political party to promise to cut the price of a first-class stamp to below one pound will win 600 seats in Parliament. If only for December, 550 seats.
Forecast for the politics of migration in Britain:
2025: numbers fall, polls static
2026: numbers fall, businesses complain, polls move slightly
2027: rows between Treasury and Home Office
2028: slight policy loosening
2029: numbers rise; "Labour loses control of migration"; general election
2025: numbers fall, polls static
2026: numbers fall, businesses complain, polls move slightly
2027: rows between Treasury and Home Office
2028: slight policy loosening
2029: numbers rise; "Labour loses control of migration"; general election
December 1, 2025 at 9:55 AM
Forecast for the politics of migration in Britain:
2025: numbers fall, polls static
2026: numbers fall, businesses complain, polls move slightly
2027: rows between Treasury and Home Office
2028: slight policy loosening
2029: numbers rise; "Labour loses control of migration"; general election
2025: numbers fall, polls static
2026: numbers fall, businesses complain, polls move slightly
2027: rows between Treasury and Home Office
2028: slight policy loosening
2029: numbers rise; "Labour loses control of migration"; general election
A government led by an admirer of Harold Wilson could be on course for Wilson-era levels of net migration.
Revised net migration projection based on yesterday’s data, the new ILR policy and an expected gradual decline in dependant numbers (Currently dependant applications are double main applicant applications for work visas but this won’t last).
Yes it is negative in 2026. Roughly -110,000 to -10,000.
Yes it is negative in 2026. Roughly -110,000 to -10,000.
November 28, 2025 at 6:26 PM
A government led by an admirer of Harold Wilson could be on course for Wilson-era levels of net migration.
Yesterday, while I was raiding the Business and Finance food cupboard, someone mentioned this column. They suggested I should reflect on my behaviour. I replied that I would eat first and reflect later, possibly.
www.economist.com/business/202...
www.economist.com/business/202...
Observed in the wild: office snackers and foragers
From the snack cupboard to the coffee machine
www.economist.com
November 28, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Yesterday, while I was raiding the Business and Finance food cupboard, someone mentioned this column. They suggested I should reflect on my behaviour. I replied that I would eat first and reflect later, possibly.
www.economist.com/business/202...
www.economist.com/business/202...
Here I attempt to answer a simple question: which country is most like Britain?
www.economist.com/britain/2025...
www.economist.com/britain/2025...
Which country is most similar to Britain?
Clue: none of the ones its politicians obsess over
www.economist.com
November 28, 2025 at 8:45 AM
Here I attempt to answer a simple question: which country is most like Britain?
www.economist.com/britain/2025...
www.economist.com/britain/2025...
Ooh, yes please.
Suggestion to newspaper editors: run a picture of Sonny Sharrock in every other issue.
www.theguardian.com/music/2025/n...
Suggestion to newspaper editors: run a picture of Sonny Sharrock in every other issue.
www.theguardian.com/music/2025/n...
‘I almost always play it in hiding, alone’: can anyone get into free jazz, history’s most maligned music?
Even though he’s partial to hideous noise, free jazz is mostly unknown to the Guardian’s pop critic. A new guidebook from Sonic Youth’s Thurston Moore may change his mind
www.theguardian.com
November 28, 2025 at 8:21 AM
Ooh, yes please.
Suggestion to newspaper editors: run a picture of Sonny Sharrock in every other issue.
www.theguardian.com/music/2025/n...
Suggestion to newspaper editors: run a picture of Sonny Sharrock in every other issue.
www.theguardian.com/music/2025/n...
Reposted by Joel Budd
A total of 2 out of 75 policy decisions in yesterday's #Budget were what I would call 'material'. Were all of the 73 others really necessary? Politically, possibly yes, but economically, they add to the complexity costs of the UK's fiscal regime. #dataisbeautiful
November 27, 2025 at 9:45 AM
A total of 2 out of 75 policy decisions in yesterday's #Budget were what I would call 'material'. Were all of the 73 others really necessary? Politically, possibly yes, but economically, they add to the complexity costs of the UK's fiscal regime. #dataisbeautiful
Reposted by Joel Budd
Starmer and Reeves run probably the most economically left-wing government of past five decades and yet bleeding support to its left thanks to dumb strategy www.economist.com/britain/2025...
November 27, 2025 at 8:58 AM
Starmer and Reeves run probably the most economically left-wing government of past five decades and yet bleeding support to its left thanks to dumb strategy www.economist.com/britain/2025...
For those wanting a break from Britain's budget
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/n...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/n...
‘She’s Clearly Playing Us’: Influencer Dined and Dashed Through Williamsburg
www.nytimes.com
November 26, 2025 at 8:32 PM
For those wanting a break from Britain's budget
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/n...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/n...
As a resident, I endorse a four-part split: 1: The Future (all the new towns and garden cities). 2: The Past (St Albans, Harpenden, Hitchin). 3: Basically London. 4: Basically Essex. Some heroic gerrymandering required but it would be worth it.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Hertfordshire's councils split over shake-up plans
Most of the 11 existing authorities want four new councils, but others go for two or three.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 21, 2025 at 5:21 PM
As a resident, I endorse a four-part split: 1: The Future (all the new towns and garden cities). 2: The Past (St Albans, Harpenden, Hitchin). 3: Basically London. 4: Basically Essex. Some heroic gerrymandering required but it would be worth it.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Joel Budd
'Will Britain copy asylum policy from a place with poor integration?' - @economist.com talks to our @sundersays.bsky.social about the differences between Britain and Denmark, inspiration for Labour's new asylum proposals.
www.economist.com/britain/2025...
www.economist.com/britain/2025...
Will Britain copy asylum policy from a place with poor integration?
Everything sounds better in Danish
www.economist.com
November 21, 2025 at 4:27 PM
'Will Britain copy asylum policy from a place with poor integration?' - @economist.com talks to our @sundersays.bsky.social about the differences between Britain and Denmark, inspiration for Labour's new asylum proposals.
www.economist.com/britain/2025...
www.economist.com/britain/2025...