Jonathan Clarke
@jrlclarke.bsky.social
Associate Professor in Global Sustainable Development. Interested in cities, energy, water and housing. Methods around resilience, representation and co-creation.
There’s something weirdly parochial about the British media focus on Andrew in the Epstein files. For reference, I have long thought he needs to be prosecuted. But we see almost no reflection on Epstein himself, or the many other rich powerful men implicated. Is it fear or squeamishness?
February 1, 2026 at 9:07 AM
There’s something weirdly parochial about the British media focus on Andrew in the Epstein files. For reference, I have long thought he needs to be prosecuted. But we see almost no reflection on Epstein himself, or the many other rich powerful men implicated. Is it fear or squeamishness?
Reposted by Jonathan Clarke
I also sense that the Beeb doesn’t care. These individuals’ behaviour is not surprising. There are long documented histories available online. There’s just a decision that these people are now part of the accepted mainstream and do have to be platformed.
The BBC is getting played here: if a contributor gets to flat out deny having his own words quoted to him on television (with the viewer not told the denial is untrue) then post about "dropping truth bombs". The mission to inform & counter misinformation is flailing if the editorial controls so weak
Konstantin Kisin has since posted on his own Youtube channel saying he 'dropped truth bombs on Question Time'.
Clearly 'alternative truth' bombs.
The video has had over 400k views and counting.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AN1...
Clearly 'alternative truth' bombs.
The video has had over 400k views and counting.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AN1...
January 31, 2026 at 1:22 PM
I also sense that the Beeb doesn’t care. These individuals’ behaviour is not surprising. There are long documented histories available online. There’s just a decision that these people are now part of the accepted mainstream and do have to be platformed.
Reposted by Jonathan Clarke
the epstein files prove that all billionaires should be put in jail unless they can prove they’re *not* paedophiles
January 31, 2026 at 11:35 AM
the epstein files prove that all billionaires should be put in jail unless they can prove they’re *not* paedophiles
Reposted by Jonathan Clarke
It is quite striking that Konstantin Kisin simply denied (falsely) on BBC1 that he had said what he said, word for word, on his podcast.
Konstantin Kisin straight up lying on #bbcqt
Douglas Alexander: “When Fraser Nelson put it to you that Rishi Sunak is absolutely english… you said “he’s a brown Hindu, how is he english?”
Kisin: “No, that’s not what I said...”
Douglas Alexander: “When Fraser Nelson put it to you that Rishi Sunak is absolutely english… you said “he’s a brown Hindu, how is he english?”
Kisin: “No, that’s not what I said...”
January 30, 2026 at 3:37 PM
It is quite striking that Konstantin Kisin simply denied (falsely) on BBC1 that he had said what he said, word for word, on his podcast.
Reposted by Jonathan Clarke
There's so much "Look over there!" going on in politics that the people who most need help (Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan) are being pushed out of the headlines and there isn't enough focus on changing their situation.
Kyiv is in total blackout,
as are many parts of Ukraine.
No water, no heating, no electricity.
Severe frost outside.
This is the result of constant russian attacks.
Thank you to those few who still care.
as are many parts of Ukraine.
No water, no heating, no electricity.
Severe frost outside.
This is the result of constant russian attacks.
Thank you to those few who still care.
January 31, 2026 at 11:47 AM
There's so much "Look over there!" going on in politics that the people who most need help (Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan) are being pushed out of the headlines and there isn't enough focus on changing their situation.
Reposted by Jonathan Clarke
I also think that Reform has more internal leeway to do non-right wing economically populist stuff.
One reason I've been so bearish on the Tories over the past few years is I don't see a route out for them. They can't beat Reform on the right and they've lost their liberal vote.
So - I think Kemi Badenoch is *right* that the conditions for a centre-right party are worse now than they were in, say, 2019. The territory that Reform and she are scrapping over is electorally fertile. I just don't think it is territory the Conservative party, specifically, can win on:
January 29, 2026 at 11:01 AM
I also think that Reform has more internal leeway to do non-right wing economically populist stuff.
Reposted by Jonathan Clarke
I don’t usually follow the ONS redundancy data that closely, but that’s a fairly notable pickup over the last 18 months.
www.ons.gov.uk/employmentan...
www.ons.gov.uk/employmentan...
January 29, 2026 at 11:11 AM
I don’t usually follow the ONS redundancy data that closely, but that’s a fairly notable pickup over the last 18 months.
www.ons.gov.uk/employmentan...
www.ons.gov.uk/employmentan...
Reposted by Jonathan Clarke
If Tesla couldn't make decent cars (i.e. tech that has been around for centuries as is generally easy to replicate), what makes anyone think they'll make decent robots that are infinitely more complicated?
Musk highlighted Tesla’s shift towards AI and robotics, as the company’s electric vehicles continue to see a decline in sales.
Tesla Shares Rise As Musk Outlines AI Pivot And End Of Model S And X Production
Musk highlighted Tesla’s shift towards AI and robotics, as the company’s electric vehicles continue to see a decline in sales.
www.forbes.com
January 29, 2026 at 11:12 AM
If Tesla couldn't make decent cars (i.e. tech that has been around for centuries as is generally easy to replicate), what makes anyone think they'll make decent robots that are infinitely more complicated?
Reposted by Jonathan Clarke
Her pitch is - explicitly! - 'Britain is a broken mess. Hire the firm that broke it, because we have more experience'. No-one would choose a plumber on that basis:
Why the Tories should move back to the centre
Kemi Badenoch should stop presenting the party as anti-system and instead champion its centrist achievements
www.ft.com
January 29, 2026 at 10:26 AM
Her pitch is - explicitly! - 'Britain is a broken mess. Hire the firm that broke it, because we have more experience'. No-one would choose a plumber on that basis:
Reposted by Jonathan Clarke
I use @electionstudies.bsky.social data from 1972 to model how characters in The Simpsons would have voted in presidential elections
It turns out to be very revealing about how the demographic coalitions of the Democratic and Republican parties have completely rearranged themselves...
It turns out to be very revealing about how the demographic coalitions of the Democratic and Republican parties have completely rearranged themselves...
How The Simpsons Explain America's Political Realignment
How the Democrats lost Homer Simpson but gained Mr Burns
jamesbreckwoldt.substack.com
January 27, 2026 at 8:33 AM
I use @electionstudies.bsky.social data from 1972 to model how characters in The Simpsons would have voted in presidential elections
It turns out to be very revealing about how the demographic coalitions of the Democratic and Republican parties have completely rearranged themselves...
It turns out to be very revealing about how the demographic coalitions of the Democratic and Republican parties have completely rearranged themselves...
Reposted by Jonathan Clarke
Everyone needs to know this. I’ve spoken to Reform voters who deny this is the case. (But is it genuine denial, or is this what some people who used to vote Conservative want to vote for but not admit it?)
The UK version of “Project 2025” by the Reform party includes a British ICE, a concentration camp for 24,000 people, mass surveillance and withdrawing from refugee, anti-torture and anti-trafficking conventions.
It’s on their website. That’s how comfortable fascists are in the UK today.
It’s on their website. That’s how comfortable fascists are in the UK today.
January 27, 2026 at 7:51 AM
Everyone needs to know this. I’ve spoken to Reform voters who deny this is the case. (But is it genuine denial, or is this what some people who used to vote Conservative want to vote for but not admit it?)
Reposted by Jonathan Clarke
RheEnergise use a mineral-rich suspension 2.5 times denser than water which can then operate like a conventional hydro
Only needs hills -not mountains - so can be more widely deployed
Allows long-duration storage at (they claim) half price of lithium batteries
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Only needs hills -not mountains - so can be more widely deployed
Allows long-duration storage at (they claim) half price of lithium batteries
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
First of its kind ‘high-density’ hydro system begins generating electricity in Devon
Project employs technology that can be used to store and release renewable energy using even gentle slopes
www.theguardian.com
January 27, 2026 at 8:04 AM
RheEnergise use a mineral-rich suspension 2.5 times denser than water which can then operate like a conventional hydro
Only needs hills -not mountains - so can be more widely deployed
Allows long-duration storage at (they claim) half price of lithium batteries
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Only needs hills -not mountains - so can be more widely deployed
Allows long-duration storage at (they claim) half price of lithium batteries
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Reposted by Jonathan Clarke
Which rather suggests that, as well as being unable to tell right from wrong, he has not yet grasped the difference between the United Kingdom and the United States.
Leicestershire Reform councillor tweeted in support of ICE after the shooting of Alex Pretti
Joseph Boam, the Remain councillor and former deputy leader of Leicestershire County Council. tweeted an image including the words "I Stand ...
liberalengland.blogspot.com
January 26, 2026 at 8:42 PM
Which rather suggests that, as well as being unable to tell right from wrong, he has not yet grasped the difference between the United Kingdom and the United States.
Reposted by Jonathan Clarke
This reads like a breathless Reform press release.
Not the slightest reflection that being seen as a dumping ground for failed Tories might not be entirely positive.
Or that it might help Tories detoxify.
Or that Reform is ticking down in all recent polls.
Dismal stuff.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Not the slightest reflection that being seen as a dumping ground for failed Tories might not be entirely positive.
Or that it might help Tories detoxify.
Or that Reform is ticking down in all recent polls.
Dismal stuff.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Suella Braverman: Another big beast defection shows momentum is with Reform
Former Home Secretary Suella Braverman is the fourth sitting Tory MP to join the party since the last election.
www.bbc.com
January 26, 2026 at 9:10 PM
This reads like a breathless Reform press release.
Not the slightest reflection that being seen as a dumping ground for failed Tories might not be entirely positive.
Or that it might help Tories detoxify.
Or that Reform is ticking down in all recent polls.
Dismal stuff.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Not the slightest reflection that being seen as a dumping ground for failed Tories might not be entirely positive.
Or that it might help Tories detoxify.
Or that Reform is ticking down in all recent polls.
Dismal stuff.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Reposted by Jonathan Clarke
These examples from the live updates show really weak thinking . There has been plenty of time to adjust to the fact that the US government, especially in this area, is the opposite of a reliable source. The third video made clear what happened. Due impartiality does not require repeating lies.
The BBC coverage is absolutely terrible.
It leads on "sharply contested narratives"
It has a dramatic skew to the US government
It has posted the video but has failed to report on what it shows: it shows the US govt account is untrue
It leads on "sharply contested narratives"
It has a dramatic skew to the US government
It has posted the video but has failed to report on what it shows: it shows the US govt account is untrue
January 25, 2026 at 8:12 AM
These examples from the live updates show really weak thinking . There has been plenty of time to adjust to the fact that the US government, especially in this area, is the opposite of a reliable source. The third video made clear what happened. Due impartiality does not require repeating lies.
Reposted by Jonathan Clarke
The BBC News summary of Minnesota is *worse* than both-siding.
It says there are 'conflicting accounts'.
But only states *one* of them - that ICE agents fired 'defensive shots'.
Nothing about the *other* account - that ICE agents murdered him.
It says there are 'conflicting accounts'.
But only states *one* of them - that ICE agents fired 'defensive shots'.
Nothing about the *other* account - that ICE agents murdered him.
January 25, 2026 at 7:40 AM
The BBC News summary of Minnesota is *worse* than both-siding.
It says there are 'conflicting accounts'.
But only states *one* of them - that ICE agents fired 'defensive shots'.
Nothing about the *other* account - that ICE agents murdered him.
It says there are 'conflicting accounts'.
But only states *one* of them - that ICE agents fired 'defensive shots'.
Nothing about the *other* account - that ICE agents murdered him.
Reposted by Jonathan Clarke
Quite glad that the big story in British politics is whether Andy Burnham will apply to stand in a by-election and not people being gunned down by state militias.
Solidarity with Minnesotans resisting this barbarity.
Solidarity with Minnesotans resisting this barbarity.
January 24, 2026 at 4:43 PM
Quite glad that the big story in British politics is whether Andy Burnham will apply to stand in a by-election and not people being gunned down by state militias.
Solidarity with Minnesotans resisting this barbarity.
Solidarity with Minnesotans resisting this barbarity.
Reposted by Jonathan Clarke
Reposted by Jonathan Clarke
The BBC coverage is absolutely terrible.
It leads on "sharply contested narratives"
It has a dramatic skew to the US government
It has posted the video but has failed to report on what it shows: it shows the US govt account is untrue
It leads on "sharply contested narratives"
It has a dramatic skew to the US government
It has posted the video but has failed to report on what it shows: it shows the US govt account is untrue
January 24, 2026 at 11:00 PM
The BBC coverage is absolutely terrible.
It leads on "sharply contested narratives"
It has a dramatic skew to the US government
It has posted the video but has failed to report on what it shows: it shows the US govt account is untrue
It leads on "sharply contested narratives"
It has a dramatic skew to the US government
It has posted the video but has failed to report on what it shows: it shows the US govt account is untrue
Reposted by Jonathan Clarke
‘Our analysis of job postings data from the US, UK, France, Germany and the Netherlands shows no clear evidence that AI is behind the slowdown in early-career employment across much of the west’ @jburnmurdoch.ft.com @sarahoconnorft.ft.com
www.ft.com/content/7fbc...
www.ft.com/content/7fbc...
January 22, 2026 at 8:33 PM
‘Our analysis of job postings data from the US, UK, France, Germany and the Netherlands shows no clear evidence that AI is behind the slowdown in early-career employment across much of the west’ @jburnmurdoch.ft.com @sarahoconnorft.ft.com
www.ft.com/content/7fbc...
www.ft.com/content/7fbc...
Reposted by Jonathan Clarke
Read this thread for the lived experience of what it's like in almost all UK universities now - just an internal implosion. Organisationally, morally, in terms of capacity and morale.
Missing from the coverage of redundancies at Edinburgh: this was done in such a haphazard, uncoordinated way, there are now core teams who have gone from 5 people to 1 with no change in workload or pressure and huge loss in knowledge of institutional process. www.heraldscotland.com/news/2576321...
Hundreds of staff leave Edinburgh University amid cuts drive
According to the university, 345 of these departures were the result of a targeted voluntary severance (VS) scheme run by the institution in 2025.
www.heraldscotland.com
January 22, 2026 at 7:19 PM
Read this thread for the lived experience of what it's like in almost all UK universities now - just an internal implosion. Organisationally, morally, in terms of capacity and morale.
Reposted by Jonathan Clarke
We are Christopher Isherwood, watching the increasingly alarming scenes in the Berlin street below from our apartment window above.
"Liam’s teacher, Ella Sullivan, teared up when thinking about Liam. 'He’s a bright young student,' she said, 'and he’s so kind and loving. His classmates miss him.'"
www.startribune.com/preschooler-...
www.startribune.com/preschooler-...
Preschooler and three other students detained by ICE, school district leader says
The detentions of Columbia Heights students come after weeks of heightened concern and enforcement presence near and on Twin Cities school property.
www.startribune.com
January 22, 2026 at 6:10 AM
We are Christopher Isherwood, watching the increasingly alarming scenes in the Berlin street below from our apartment window above.
Reposted by Jonathan Clarke
Brilliant, disturbing piece on our water, by Aditya Chakrabortty: www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
What happens when the taps run dry? England is about to find out | Aditya Chakrabortty
It’s not just Tunbridge Wells – a country famous around the world for its rain is in danger of self-imposed drought, says Guardian columnist Aditya Chakrabortty
www.theguardian.com
January 22, 2026 at 7:01 AM
Brilliant, disturbing piece on our water, by Aditya Chakrabortty: www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Jonathan Clarke
And now something positive:
solar and wind energy production in the EU surpasses fossil energy for the first time.
☀️ 💨
#TippingPoint
Source: dr.dk
solar and wind energy production in the EU surpasses fossil energy for the first time.
☀️ 💨
#TippingPoint
Source: dr.dk
January 22, 2026 at 6:41 AM
And now something positive:
solar and wind energy production in the EU surpasses fossil energy for the first time.
☀️ 💨
#TippingPoint
Source: dr.dk
solar and wind energy production in the EU surpasses fossil energy for the first time.
☀️ 💨
#TippingPoint
Source: dr.dk