John Springford
@johnspringford.bsky.social
Economist and occasional politics dabbler. Working on a project to improve labour markets. Associate fellow, Centre for European Reform. Visiting fellow, Institute for Policy Research, Bath University.
Pinned
Getting Britain out of the hole
A plan for the UK economy
getting-out-of-the-hole.uk
New essay out today by me and @acjsissons.bsky.social - ‘Getting Britain out of the hole: a plan for the economy’. You can read the whole thing here getting-out-of-the-hole.uk
A chart mega-thread follows 🧵
A chart mega-thread follows 🧵
Quite the reverse - multiculturalism is bottom-up, driven by individual decisions to migrate and voters rejecting the BUF, NF, BNP, and whatever Lowe's party is called.
Rupert Lowe MP spoke to Tucker Carlson in this interview. This included a discussion on "the failed multiculturalism experiment" in which Lowe asked "does it go to the World Economic Forum? Is it the Bilderbergers? It does seem that there is this malign agenda to create this multicultural world"
December 29, 2025 at 10:48 AM
Quite the reverse - multiculturalism is bottom-up, driven by individual decisions to migrate and voters rejecting the BUF, NF, BNP, and whatever Lowe's party is called.
Reposted by John Springford
Interesting post on why manufacturing mania is misguided, but an idea that never really dies if you don’t believe too much in markets. Some lessons for Blue Labour here open.substack.com/pub/rbaldwin...
Is China misthinking manufacturing?
China’s problem isn’t just overproduction in manufacturing, it’s also underproduction of advanced services.
open.substack.com
December 26, 2025 at 12:31 PM
Interesting post on why manufacturing mania is misguided, but an idea that never really dies if you don’t believe too much in markets. Some lessons for Blue Labour here open.substack.com/pub/rbaldwin...
What will James Dyson, who supported the euro to "save" UK manufacturing, Brexit to end EU vacuum cleaner regulations, and the replacement of EU farm subsidies to maintain his farm income, propose?
December 27, 2025 at 9:29 AM
What will James Dyson, who supported the euro to "save" UK manufacturing, Brexit to end EU vacuum cleaner regulations, and the replacement of EU farm subsidies to maintain his farm income, propose?
The morning cricket check is always "Australia win the day by 30-50%". If you lose every day by 30-50% you lose. Here endeth the lesson.
December 26, 2025 at 10:40 AM
The morning cricket check is always "Australia win the day by 30-50%". If you lose every day by 30-50% you lose. Here endeth the lesson.
Merry Christmas everyone! Remember Santa's maxim: if your body complains, force more down.
December 25, 2025 at 8:44 AM
Merry Christmas everyone! Remember Santa's maxim: if your body complains, force more down.
My tablescape is slap it down, watch as it gets devoured in 10 minutes, gaze at the blast radius around each plate
Clever layers of colour, pattern, scent and texture are the recipe for a tablescape that goes to town without becoming a hot mess: ft.trib.al/2GXtZUr
How to create a festive table that’s a feast for the senses
Clever layers of colour, pattern, scent and texture are the recipe for a tablescape that goes to town without becoming a hot mess
ft.trib.al
December 24, 2025 at 12:56 PM
My tablescape is slap it down, watch as it gets devoured in 10 minutes, gaze at the blast radius around each plate
Reposted by John Springford
Feliz Navidad? Yeah, we’d love to bring the boy here, just trying to get the deal sealed before midnight
December 24, 2025 at 9:15 AM
Feliz Navidad? Yeah, we’d love to bring the boy here, just trying to get the deal sealed before midnight
Reposted by John Springford
Brilliant column by @sarahoconnor.ft.com on the Employment Rights Act:
The good, the bad and the ugly of Britain’s labour market reforms
It’s the detail of the new Employment Rights Act that will matter — and the timing
www.ft.com
December 23, 2025 at 12:41 PM
Brilliant column by @sarahoconnor.ft.com on the Employment Rights Act:
I always enjoy how, on the topic of farmers, the usual politics of the welfare state are completely reversed.
December 23, 2025 at 12:14 PM
I always enjoy how, on the topic of farmers, the usual politics of the welfare state are completely reversed.
A brutal watch. Bravo to Sharyn Alfonsi for taking a stand against her editor's efforts to censor it.
December 23, 2025 at 10:57 AM
A brutal watch. Bravo to Sharyn Alfonsi for taking a stand against her editor's efforts to censor it.
Reposted by John Springford
Snuck out just before Christmas, the Government has confirmed that one of the conditions of the UK rejoining the EU's internal market for electricity will be the UK once again being signed up to the Renewable Energy Directive, or obligations tantamount to it. /1
www.gov.uk/government/p...
www.gov.uk/government/p...
Outcome of the exploratory discussions on the possible participation of the United Kingdom in the European Union’s internal electricity market (HTML)
www.gov.uk
December 23, 2025 at 7:26 AM
Snuck out just before Christmas, the Government has confirmed that one of the conditions of the UK rejoining the EU's internal market for electricity will be the UK once again being signed up to the Renewable Energy Directive, or obligations tantamount to it. /1
www.gov.uk/government/p...
www.gov.uk/government/p...
Reposted by John Springford
This is a very simple coordination problem.
No one Labour MP can solve it. But No. 10/the government could, tomorrow, with one letter from the Cabinet Secretary.
Both in their own self-interest and for the sake of our democracy, they should.
No one Labour MP can solve it. But No. 10/the government could, tomorrow, with one letter from the Cabinet Secretary.
Both in their own self-interest and for the sake of our democracy, they should.
Apparently staying on X allows MPs 'to shape political conversation'. Not clear which one, as no examples are offered. With a sharing link for 3 non-subscribers.
‘A stream of negativity and abuse’: why are Labour MPs still sticking with X?
Despite concerns, politicians continue to use Elon Musk’s platform in search of a ‘civilised debate’ with constituents
giftarticle.ft.com
December 23, 2025 at 8:22 AM
This is a very simple coordination problem.
No one Labour MP can solve it. But No. 10/the government could, tomorrow, with one letter from the Cabinet Secretary.
Both in their own self-interest and for the sake of our democracy, they should.
No one Labour MP can solve it. But No. 10/the government could, tomorrow, with one letter from the Cabinet Secretary.
Both in their own self-interest and for the sake of our democracy, they should.
Reposted by John Springford
Anyways, its a classic collective action problem and the only way to win is to leave. The govt doing so en masse would be enough I think
December 23, 2025 at 8:11 AM
Anyways, its a classic collective action problem and the only way to win is to leave. The govt doing so en masse would be enough I think
Reposted by John Springford
This by the excellent @jburnmurdoch.ft.com confirms my view that political trends are being driven by the halting of the upward economic conveyor belt - striking charts: www.ft.com/content/30a4... Welcome to the age of zero-sum politics
Welcome to the age of zero-sum politics
A stalled economic conveyor belt is behind the rise of anti-system, anti-growth parties on both the right and left
www.ft.com
December 19, 2025 at 7:31 AM
This by the excellent @jburnmurdoch.ft.com confirms my view that political trends are being driven by the halting of the upward economic conveyor belt - striking charts: www.ft.com/content/30a4... Welcome to the age of zero-sum politics
Reposted by John Springford
So what the hell just happened? Two things: Ukraine will get 90 billion euros. And Orbán did not veto that even though he could have.
How so? Short thread:
How so? Short thread:
December 19, 2025 at 8:49 AM
So what the hell just happened? Two things: Ukraine will get 90 billion euros. And Orbán did not veto that even though he could have.
How so? Short thread:
How so? Short thread:
The danger of getting angry about the Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive, rather than doing a proper cost-benefit analysis
December 19, 2025 at 7:50 AM
The danger of getting angry about the Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive, rather than doing a proper cost-benefit analysis
Eurobonds becoming the emergency funding mechanism of choice. Note too that this was (de facto?) enhanced co-operation.
www.ft.com/content/e569...
www.ft.com/content/e569...
EU agrees €90bn loan to Ukraine after frozen Russian asset plan fails
Money to be borrowed against bloc’s budget after leaders fail to agree on proposal using Moscow’s funds
www.ft.com
December 19, 2025 at 7:22 AM
Eurobonds becoming the emergency funding mechanism of choice. Note too that this was (de facto?) enhanced co-operation.
www.ft.com/content/e569...
www.ft.com/content/e569...
This is well worth your time
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 3:20 PM
This is well worth your time
Mike Leigh's finest work, IMO
December 17, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Mike Leigh's finest work, IMO
Reposted by John Springford
Great to see our idea to extend climate-based buy European conditionality extended to corporate car subsidies.
It covers about 60% of the EU market and is a key lever to respond to the China shock.
And given that the EU is revising its corporate car directive soon, it was an obvious move.
1/
It covers about 60% of the EU market and is a key lever to respond to the China shock.
And given that the EU is revising its corporate car directive soon, it was an obvious move.
1/
Lots to criticise in yesterday’s cars package - but one point deserves credit.
The COM plans to limit support for corporate cars to EVs and tie it to European preferences. Exactly what @lucasguttenberg.bsky.social, @sandertordoir.bsky.social, and I called for and a genuinely meaningful step forward
The COM plans to limit support for corporate cars to EVs and tie it to European preferences. Exactly what @lucasguttenberg.bsky.social, @sandertordoir.bsky.social, and I called for and a genuinely meaningful step forward
December 17, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Great to see our idea to extend climate-based buy European conditionality extended to corporate car subsidies.
It covers about 60% of the EU market and is a key lever to respond to the China shock.
And given that the EU is revising its corporate car directive soon, it was an obvious move.
1/
It covers about 60% of the EU market and is a key lever to respond to the China shock.
And given that the EU is revising its corporate car directive soon, it was an obvious move.
1/
Disagree on the second bit of the second sentence :) getting-out-of-the-hole.uk
December 17, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Disagree on the second bit of the second sentence :) getting-out-of-the-hole.uk
Succinct and elegant, as per.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Putin thinks democracy is the west’s weakness. We have to prove him wrong | Rafael Behr
The Russian strategy of exporting chaos to provoke extremism only works if liberals succumb to cynicism and despair, says Guardian columnist Rafael Behr
www.theguardian.com
December 17, 2025 at 9:22 AM
Succinct and elegant, as per.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Just as with the UK, my prior is this is about current-account deficit countries' tendencies towards higher inflation and monetary policy has to be tighter to constrain it.
"Jobs and factories will come roaring back into our country, and you see it happening already."
-Donald Trump, 4/2/25
-Donald Trump, 4/2/25
December 16, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Just as with the UK, my prior is this is about current-account deficit countries' tendencies towards higher inflation and monetary policy has to be tighter to constrain it.
Reposted by John Springford
Once you see it, it's hard to miss it. Statements condemning violent attacks targeting Jews that don't actually mention "Jews" or "antisemitism".
This is a choice — and it's central to the crisis.
My newsletter, out now.
This is a choice — and it's central to the crisis.
My newsletter, out now.
I am not your canary in the coal mine
The Bondi shooting deliberately targeted Jews. It's important to say so
www.linestotake.com
December 16, 2025 at 8:34 AM
Once you see it, it's hard to miss it. Statements condemning violent attacks targeting Jews that don't actually mention "Jews" or "antisemitism".
This is a choice — and it's central to the crisis.
My newsletter, out now.
This is a choice — and it's central to the crisis.
My newsletter, out now.
Reposted by John Springford
Some thoughts on Bondi Beach, the sliding doors surreality of knowing my sister could have been there, and how it feels to be lighting candles tonight to celebrate our resilience
www.newstatesman.com/world/2025/1...
www.newstatesman.com/world/2025/1...
The Bondi Beach shooting was an attack on Jews
This Chanukah, I finally understand the meaning of resilience
www.newstatesman.com
December 14, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Some thoughts on Bondi Beach, the sliding doors surreality of knowing my sister could have been there, and how it feels to be lighting candles tonight to celebrate our resilience
www.newstatesman.com/world/2025/1...
www.newstatesman.com/world/2025/1...