John Merrick
@johnmerrick.bsky.social
Deputy editor: @the-breakdown.bsky.social
"Leftist pseudo-intellectual", The Critic
johnphilipmerrick@gmail.com / john.merrick@break-down.org
https://www.johnmerrick.co.uk/
"Leftist pseudo-intellectual", The Critic
johnphilipmerrick@gmail.com / john.merrick@break-down.org
https://www.johnmerrick.co.uk/
Pinned
James Goldsmith, godfather of British populism
Unlike Nigel Farage or Rupert Lowe, Goldsmith told the truth
www.newstatesman.com
For the New Statesman I tracked the career of the corporate raiding Thatcherite turned populist tribune, James Goldsmith
www.newstatesman.com/ideas/2026/0...
www.newstatesman.com/ideas/2026/0...
Reposted by John Merrick
'James Goldsmith, godfather of British populism', by @johnmerrick.bsky.social, for @newstatesman1913.bsky.social.
James Goldsmith, godfather of British populism
Unlike Nigel Farage or Rupert Lowe, Goldsmith told the truth
www.newstatesman.com
February 11, 2026 at 12:54 PM
'James Goldsmith, godfather of British populism', by @johnmerrick.bsky.social, for @newstatesman1913.bsky.social.
Reposted by John Merrick
"Who has an interest in claiming a peak is nigh, or too high to reach? If the peak occurs, how fast will the descent be, and where is the bottom of the mountain?"
New this week @the-breakdown.bsky.social:
@noahjgordon.bsky.social writes on the politics of promises
www.break-down.org/three-peaks/
New this week @the-breakdown.bsky.social:
@noahjgordon.bsky.social writes on the politics of promises
www.break-down.org/three-peaks/
Three Peaks
The story of climate action is one of peaks—promised, assumed or still to come.
www.break-down.org
February 5, 2026 at 12:16 PM
"Who has an interest in claiming a peak is nigh, or too high to reach? If the peak occurs, how fast will the descent be, and where is the bottom of the mountain?"
New this week @the-breakdown.bsky.social:
@noahjgordon.bsky.social writes on the politics of promises
www.break-down.org/three-peaks/
New this week @the-breakdown.bsky.social:
@noahjgordon.bsky.social writes on the politics of promises
www.break-down.org/three-peaks/
Reposted by John Merrick
The story of climate action is one of peaks—promised, assumed, or still to come. But who, and what, do those peaks ultimately serve?
My first essay for @the-breakdown.bsky.social !
Thx @johnmerrick.bsky.social & @adriennebuller.bsky.social
www.break-down.org/three-peaks/
My first essay for @the-breakdown.bsky.social !
Thx @johnmerrick.bsky.social & @adriennebuller.bsky.social
www.break-down.org/three-peaks/
Three Peaks
The story of climate action is one of peaks—promised, assumed or still to come. But who, and what, do those peaks ultimately serve?
www.break-down.org
February 5, 2026 at 11:57 AM
The story of climate action is one of peaks—promised, assumed, or still to come. But who, and what, do those peaks ultimately serve?
My first essay for @the-breakdown.bsky.social !
Thx @johnmerrick.bsky.social & @adriennebuller.bsky.social
www.break-down.org/three-peaks/
My first essay for @the-breakdown.bsky.social !
Thx @johnmerrick.bsky.social & @adriennebuller.bsky.social
www.break-down.org/three-peaks/
Reposted by John Merrick
"People are feeling incredibly insecure, and rightly so. In those circumstances, they're looking to strongmen and women to protect them."
www.youtube.com/watch?v=psMM...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=psMM...
January 31, 2026 at 9:31 AM
"People are feeling incredibly insecure, and rightly so. In those circumstances, they're looking to strongmen and women to protect them."
www.youtube.com/watch?v=psMM...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=psMM...
Reposted by John Merrick
For the New Statesman I tracked the career of the corporate raiding Thatcherite turned populist tribune, James Goldsmith
www.newstatesman.com/ideas/2026/0...
www.newstatesman.com/ideas/2026/0...
James Goldsmith, godfather of British populism
Unlike Nigel Farage or Rupert Lowe, Goldsmith told the truth
www.newstatesman.com
January 24, 2026 at 1:37 PM
For the New Statesman I tracked the career of the corporate raiding Thatcherite turned populist tribune, James Goldsmith
www.newstatesman.com/ideas/2026/0...
www.newstatesman.com/ideas/2026/0...
Reposted by John Merrick
Hope is not a policy, nor is “innovation” a magic trick. As our podcast of the week argues, the idea that climate salvation will come through breakthrough technologies is a myth that serves as an alibi for inaction.
With @davidedgerton.bsky.social on @the-breakdown.bsky.social
buff.ly/Z0I6utI
With @davidedgerton.bsky.social on @the-breakdown.bsky.social
buff.ly/Z0I6utI
January 29, 2026 at 12:02 PM
Hope is not a policy, nor is “innovation” a magic trick. As our podcast of the week argues, the idea that climate salvation will come through breakthrough technologies is a myth that serves as an alibi for inaction.
With @davidedgerton.bsky.social on @the-breakdown.bsky.social
buff.ly/Z0I6utI
With @davidedgerton.bsky.social on @the-breakdown.bsky.social
buff.ly/Z0I6utI
Reposted by John Merrick
"Keynes was very clear: that's the great sin of usury . And i want that sin of usury to come back again."
Political economist Ann Pettifor on the power of finance and how Wall Street gambles with people and the planet
www.break-down.org/how-wall-st-...
Political economist Ann Pettifor on the power of finance and how Wall Street gambles with people and the planet
www.break-down.org/how-wall-st-...
January 29, 2026 at 9:57 AM
"Keynes was very clear: that's the great sin of usury . And i want that sin of usury to come back again."
Political economist Ann Pettifor on the power of finance and how Wall Street gambles with people and the planet
www.break-down.org/how-wall-st-...
Political economist Ann Pettifor on the power of finance and how Wall Street gambles with people and the planet
www.break-down.org/how-wall-st-...
Reposted by John Merrick
I'll be in conversation with @annpettifor.bsky.social in a few weeks at Foyles on all things finance!
Hopefully see some of you there - and look out for our interview with Ann @the-breakdown.bsky.social this Thursday 👀
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-global...
Hopefully see some of you there - and look out for our interview with Ann @the-breakdown.bsky.social this Thursday 👀
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-global...
The Global Casino: Ann Pettifor and Adrienne Buller in Conversation
Celebrated economists Ann Pettifor and Adrienne Buller discuss how the global financial system, left unregulated, is wrecking our lives
www.eventbrite.co.uk
January 26, 2026 at 10:20 AM
I'll be in conversation with @annpettifor.bsky.social in a few weeks at Foyles on all things finance!
Hopefully see some of you there - and look out for our interview with Ann @the-breakdown.bsky.social this Thursday 👀
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-global...
Hopefully see some of you there - and look out for our interview with Ann @the-breakdown.bsky.social this Thursday 👀
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-global...
Reposted by John Merrick
“We can think about the restructuring of the global economy to remove ... dependence, not just from foreign tourist industries but offshore financial centres & tax havens” — Kojo Koram
Explore our visual project on the Caribbean: https://visualising-extractive-capitalism.common-wealth.org
Explore our visual project on the Caribbean: https://visualising-extractive-capitalism.common-wealth.org
January 29, 2026 at 9:04 AM
“We can think about the restructuring of the global economy to remove ... dependence, not just from foreign tourist industries but offshore financial centres & tax havens” — Kojo Koram
Explore our visual project on the Caribbean: https://visualising-extractive-capitalism.common-wealth.org
Explore our visual project on the Caribbean: https://visualising-extractive-capitalism.common-wealth.org
Reposted by John Merrick
Reposted by John Merrick
Hello, I have a new book out in the spring with Picador and I would love it if you could help me spread the word.
IF WE TOLERATE THIS draws on years of work, to help readers understand why British politics is hurtling rightwards and what to do about it.
Pre-orders: uk.bookshop.org/p/books/if-w...
IF WE TOLERATE THIS draws on years of work, to help readers understand why British politics is hurtling rightwards and what to do about it.
Pre-orders: uk.bookshop.org/p/books/if-w...
January 26, 2026 at 2:44 PM
Hello, I have a new book out in the spring with Picador and I would love it if you could help me spread the word.
IF WE TOLERATE THIS draws on years of work, to help readers understand why British politics is hurtling rightwards and what to do about it.
Pre-orders: uk.bookshop.org/p/books/if-w...
IF WE TOLERATE THIS draws on years of work, to help readers understand why British politics is hurtling rightwards and what to do about it.
Pre-orders: uk.bookshop.org/p/books/if-w...
Reposted by John Merrick
what do we talk about when we talk about energy? my answer features (among many others) adorno, bogdanov, and the austrian communist wilhelm frank, who experimented with national exergy balances in the 1950s. out april 2026.
January 28, 2026 at 7:38 AM
what do we talk about when we talk about energy? my answer features (among many others) adorno, bogdanov, and the austrian communist wilhelm frank, who experimented with national exergy balances in the 1950s. out april 2026.
Reposted by John Merrick
This interview makes wonderful critiques of the nostalgia and "retro"-ness embedded in conservative and reactionary futurism. And a good corrective to our understanding of capital-intensive innovation. Made me really excited for Edgerton's next book on the history of production.
ICYMI: here's my interview with David Edgerton, the historian of technology and of modern Britain, about the politics of technology and the climate crisis, the rise of China, AI, and much more
open.spotify.com/episode/4tGI...
open.spotify.com/episode/4tGI...
Beyond Techno-Optimism w/ David Edgerton
open.spotify.com
January 27, 2026 at 11:18 PM
This interview makes wonderful critiques of the nostalgia and "retro"-ness embedded in conservative and reactionary futurism. And a good corrective to our understanding of capital-intensive innovation. Made me really excited for Edgerton's next book on the history of production.
Reposted by John Merrick
This is a terrific piece by John Merrick.
For the New Statesman I tracked the career of the corporate raiding Thatcherite turned populist tribune, James Goldsmith
www.newstatesman.com/ideas/2026/0...
www.newstatesman.com/ideas/2026/0...
James Goldsmith, godfather of British populism
Unlike Nigel Farage or Rupert Lowe, Goldsmith told the truth
www.newstatesman.com
January 27, 2026 at 1:56 PM
This is a terrific piece by John Merrick.
A brilliant rejoinder by @philtinline.bsky.social to the increasingly consensus right-wing view of the modern British state. The state has been hollowed out and is failing many people––but the solution is not more privatisation or markets, but more democracy!
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
January 27, 2026 at 11:54 AM
A brilliant rejoinder by @philtinline.bsky.social to the increasingly consensus right-wing view of the modern British state. The state has been hollowed out and is failing many people––but the solution is not more privatisation or markets, but more democracy!
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
Reposted by John Merrick
I can't help read the opening of this in the voice of Adam Curtis (praise).
The Weekend Essay: James Goldsmith, godfather of British populism, by John Merrick
James Goldsmith, godfather of British populism
Unlike Nigel Farage or Rupert Lowe, Goldsmith told the truth
www.newstatesman.com
January 26, 2026 at 8:39 PM
I can't help read the opening of this in the voice of Adam Curtis (praise).
Reposted by John Merrick
The Weekend Essay: James Goldsmith, godfather of British populism, by John Merrick
James Goldsmith, godfather of British populism
Unlike Nigel Farage or Rupert Lowe, Goldsmith told the truth
www.newstatesman.com
January 24, 2026 at 1:10 PM
The Weekend Essay: James Goldsmith, godfather of British populism, by John Merrick
Reposted by John Merrick
ICYMI: for the @newstatesman1913.bsky.social i went back to the ground zero for contemporary politics, 1990, to track the career of the James Goldsmith and his turn against the reigning free market orthodoxies to a new form of populism and anti-globalism
www.newstatesman.com/ideas/2026/0...
www.newstatesman.com/ideas/2026/0...
James Goldsmith, godfather of British populism
Unlike Nigel Farage or Rupert Lowe, Goldsmith told the truth
www.newstatesman.com
January 26, 2026 at 9:36 AM
ICYMI: for the @newstatesman1913.bsky.social i went back to the ground zero for contemporary politics, 1990, to track the career of the James Goldsmith and his turn against the reigning free market orthodoxies to a new form of populism and anti-globalism
www.newstatesman.com/ideas/2026/0...
www.newstatesman.com/ideas/2026/0...
ICYMI: for the @newstatesman1913.bsky.social i went back to the ground zero for contemporary politics, 1990, to track the career of the James Goldsmith and his turn against the reigning free market orthodoxies to a new form of populism and anti-globalism
www.newstatesman.com/ideas/2026/0...
www.newstatesman.com/ideas/2026/0...
James Goldsmith, godfather of British populism
Unlike Nigel Farage or Rupert Lowe, Goldsmith told the truth
www.newstatesman.com
January 26, 2026 at 9:36 AM
ICYMI: for the @newstatesman1913.bsky.social i went back to the ground zero for contemporary politics, 1990, to track the career of the James Goldsmith and his turn against the reigning free market orthodoxies to a new form of populism and anti-globalism
www.newstatesman.com/ideas/2026/0...
www.newstatesman.com/ideas/2026/0...
The real issue is that we are far too online now. *Everyone* spends a huge proportion of there day online
It used to be said that the left was far too 'online', but it seems that this is increasingly (more) so for the right nowadays.
January 25, 2026 at 1:28 PM
The real issue is that we are far too online now. *Everyone* spends a huge proportion of there day online
Reposted by John Merrick
This is a great read.
For the New Statesman I tracked the career of the corporate raiding Thatcherite turned populist tribune, James Goldsmith
www.newstatesman.com/ideas/2026/0...
www.newstatesman.com/ideas/2026/0...
James Goldsmith, godfather of British populism
Unlike Nigel Farage or Rupert Lowe, Goldsmith told the truth
www.newstatesman.com
January 25, 2026 at 9:10 AM
This is a great read.
Reposted by John Merrick
Absolutely fascinating, must-read piece.
For the New Statesman I tracked the career of the corporate raiding Thatcherite turned populist tribune, James Goldsmith
www.newstatesman.com/ideas/2026/0...
www.newstatesman.com/ideas/2026/0...
James Goldsmith, godfather of British populism
Unlike Nigel Farage or Rupert Lowe, Goldsmith told the truth
www.newstatesman.com
January 24, 2026 at 7:26 PM
Absolutely fascinating, must-read piece.
Reposted by John Merrick
"While those like Nigel Farage & Rupert Lowe can dissemble, valorising the free market in everything except labour, Goldsmith told us what he, and they, really think"
A fantastic piece by John Merrick on the founder of the Referendum Party👇
A fantastic piece by John Merrick on the founder of the Referendum Party👇
The Weekend Essay: James Goldsmith, godfather of British populism, by John Merrick
James Goldsmith, godfather of British populism
Unlike Nigel Farage or Rupert Lowe, Goldsmith told the truth
www.newstatesman.com
January 24, 2026 at 4:08 PM
"While those like Nigel Farage & Rupert Lowe can dissemble, valorising the free market in everything except labour, Goldsmith told us what he, and they, really think"
A fantastic piece by John Merrick on the founder of the Referendum Party👇
A fantastic piece by John Merrick on the founder of the Referendum Party👇
Reposted by John Merrick
Characteristically excellent essay
For the New Statesman I tracked the career of the corporate raiding Thatcherite turned populist tribune, James Goldsmith
www.newstatesman.com/ideas/2026/0...
www.newstatesman.com/ideas/2026/0...
James Goldsmith, godfather of British populism
Unlike Nigel Farage or Rupert Lowe, Goldsmith told the truth
www.newstatesman.com
January 24, 2026 at 1:55 PM
Characteristically excellent essay
Reposted by John Merrick
The last ten years have seen a parade of billionaires entering politics and telling ordinary people how to fix its ills.
“Yet none of the new generation of plutocrats-turned-populists have been as penetrating as the original.”
nice profile of their godfather James Goldsmith
“Yet none of the new generation of plutocrats-turned-populists have been as penetrating as the original.”
nice profile of their godfather James Goldsmith
For the New Statesman I tracked the career of the corporate raiding Thatcherite turned populist tribune, James Goldsmith
www.newstatesman.com/ideas/2026/0...
www.newstatesman.com/ideas/2026/0...
James Goldsmith, godfather of British populism
Unlike Nigel Farage or Rupert Lowe, Goldsmith told the truth
www.newstatesman.com
January 24, 2026 at 5:18 PM
The last ten years have seen a parade of billionaires entering politics and telling ordinary people how to fix its ills.
“Yet none of the new generation of plutocrats-turned-populists have been as penetrating as the original.”
nice profile of their godfather James Goldsmith
“Yet none of the new generation of plutocrats-turned-populists have been as penetrating as the original.”
nice profile of their godfather James Goldsmith