Jose Tomas Labarca
@jtlabarca.bsky.social
INT Academic Career Development Fellow, University of Cambridge | British politics, Political economy, Economic/Historical sociology, Latin American politics | https://www.josetomaslabarca.com/
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Jose Tomas Labarca
@jtlabarca.bsky.social
· Mar 27
Towards a (Minority) Shareholder State? The Labour Government's Fiscal Framework
This article explores the politics of the fiscal framework launched by the Labour government in October 2024. Relative to the trajectory of fiscal frameworks in the UK since fiscal rules were first i...
doi.org
New article in Political Quarterly: "Towards a (Minority) Shareholder State? The Labour Government's Fiscal Framework"
doi.org/10.1111/1467...
@campolis.bsky.social
doi.org/10.1111/1467...
@campolis.bsky.social
Reposted by Jose Tomas Labarca
New book, coming soon!
Duncan Bell & Douglas Mao, Utopia (Oxford UP, 2026)
It's a short interdisciplinary volume in the recently launched OUP Literature and Politics series.
global.oup.com/academic/pro...
Duncan Bell & Douglas Mao, Utopia (Oxford UP, 2026)
It's a short interdisciplinary volume in the recently launched OUP Literature and Politics series.
global.oup.com/academic/pro...
global.oup.com
October 23, 2025 at 2:34 PM
New book, coming soon!
Duncan Bell & Douglas Mao, Utopia (Oxford UP, 2026)
It's a short interdisciplinary volume in the recently launched OUP Literature and Politics series.
global.oup.com/academic/pro...
Duncan Bell & Douglas Mao, Utopia (Oxford UP, 2026)
It's a short interdisciplinary volume in the recently launched OUP Literature and Politics series.
global.oup.com/academic/pro...
Reposted by Jose Tomas Labarca
"The government needs to take ownership of the Budget and use it to construct a convincing narrative. That means not blaming the OBR or HMT but explaining why tax reform is necessary, why it will be good for growth and public services and how pain will be fairly shared.
www.ft.com/content/a06d...
www.ft.com/content/a06d...
Blaming the OBR for the Budget maths is a waste of time
The government must explain why tax reform is necessary and desirable for fiscal sustainability
www.ft.com
October 20, 2025 at 6:36 AM
"The government needs to take ownership of the Budget and use it to construct a convincing narrative. That means not blaming the OBR or HMT but explaining why tax reform is necessary, why it will be good for growth and public services and how pain will be fairly shared.
www.ft.com/content/a06d...
www.ft.com/content/a06d...
Reposted by Jose Tomas Labarca
"The Tiny Desk has witnessed some pretty legendary guitar solos. Shrouded in fog, this one opens with some shred played by a puppet. Only the deeply beloved 31 Minutos could pull off such a dramatic feat, even at the Desk." youtu.be/UEqTIwRrWvA?...
October 6, 2025 at 12:43 PM
"The Tiny Desk has witnessed some pretty legendary guitar solos. Shrouded in fog, this one opens with some shred played by a puppet. Only the deeply beloved 31 Minutos could pull off such a dramatic feat, even at the Desk." youtu.be/UEqTIwRrWvA?...
This truly is an excellent article. 👇
I'm thrilled to have been published in Past & Present.
Diving into the fractious politics of rich-country macroeconomics after 1973, I use the neglected case of protectionist Keynesians to rethink what happened, and why. I highlight statecraft, geopolitics, and Maier's 'territoriality'. (1/2)
Diving into the fractious politics of rich-country macroeconomics after 1973, I use the neglected case of protectionist Keynesians to rethink what happened, and why. I highlight statecraft, geopolitics, and Maier's 'territoriality'. (1/2)
September 12, 2025 at 9:30 AM
This truly is an excellent article. 👇
"Los hombres y los pueblos sin memoria de nada sirven, ya que ellos no saben rendir culto a los hechos del pasado que tienen trascendencia y significación; por esto son incapaces de combatir y crear nada grande para el futuro".
Salvador Allende, C Diputados, 1939.
Allende vive.
Salvador Allende, C Diputados, 1939.
Allende vive.
September 11, 2025 at 7:58 PM
"Los hombres y los pueblos sin memoria de nada sirven, ya que ellos no saben rendir culto a los hechos del pasado que tienen trascendencia y significación; por esto son incapaces de combatir y crear nada grande para el futuro".
Salvador Allende, C Diputados, 1939.
Allende vive.
Salvador Allende, C Diputados, 1939.
Allende vive.
Reposted by Jose Tomas Labarca
As far as I can tell, and as you would expect, NIESR do not mention a "50bn black hole" anywhere in their report or commentary. Who is the BBC quoting here? No indication of where the phrase has come from, or what it refers to. Nor is there a link to the interview. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Rachel Reeves rejects claims of £50bn ‘black hole’ in finances
The chancellor hit back at the idea that the government faces so large a gap between spending and tax income.
www.bbc.co.uk
September 10, 2025 at 9:05 AM
As far as I can tell, and as you would expect, NIESR do not mention a "50bn black hole" anywhere in their report or commentary. Who is the BBC quoting here? No indication of where the phrase has come from, or what it refers to. Nor is there a link to the interview. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Jose Tomas Labarca
Three things to note on Gilts:
i. The 30yr yield is historically quite elevated at 5.6%, the 10yr at 4.7-4.8% is a bit more normal - levels that were typical in the 2000s. What's (possibly) different is it was also normal for the economy to grow at 2.5% real, 5% nominal back then.
i. The 30yr yield is historically quite elevated at 5.6%, the 10yr at 4.7-4.8% is a bit more normal - levels that were typical in the 2000s. What's (possibly) different is it was also normal for the economy to grow at 2.5% real, 5% nominal back then.
September 2, 2025 at 9:04 AM
Three things to note on Gilts:
i. The 30yr yield is historically quite elevated at 5.6%, the 10yr at 4.7-4.8% is a bit more normal - levels that were typical in the 2000s. What's (possibly) different is it was also normal for the economy to grow at 2.5% real, 5% nominal back then.
i. The 30yr yield is historically quite elevated at 5.6%, the 10yr at 4.7-4.8% is a bit more normal - levels that were typical in the 2000s. What's (possibly) different is it was also normal for the economy to grow at 2.5% real, 5% nominal back then.
Reposted by Jose Tomas Labarca
I have a new article out on wage-earner funds, a famous attempt at economic democracy in Sweden in the 70s & 80s. It explores the funds' defeat, emphasising the issue's stronger resonance with businesses compared to workers & the Social Democratic Party
journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....
journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....
May 5, 2025 at 11:22 AM
I have a new article out on wage-earner funds, a famous attempt at economic democracy in Sweden in the 70s & 80s. It explores the funds' defeat, emphasising the issue's stronger resonance with businesses compared to workers & the Social Democratic Party
journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....
journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....
Reposted by Jose Tomas Labarca
How do federal and state governments drive innovation in the US? My new paper @cjres.bsky.social shows how the 'Polycentric Innovation State' with multi-level, place-based policies is reshaping regional growth in places like Michigan and Maine
academic.oup.com/cjres/advanc...
academic.oup.com/cjres/advanc...
The US’ Polycentric Innovation State
Abstract. This paper analyses US innovation policymaking since the 2008 Global Financial Crisis, as prevailing political economy accounts, such as the Vari
academic.oup.com
August 12, 2025 at 3:20 PM
How do federal and state governments drive innovation in the US? My new paper @cjres.bsky.social shows how the 'Polycentric Innovation State' with multi-level, place-based policies is reshaping regional growth in places like Michigan and Maine
academic.oup.com/cjres/advanc...
academic.oup.com/cjres/advanc...
What a game. And what a legend Mo is. On and off the pitch.
August 15, 2025 at 9:04 PM
What a game. And what a legend Mo is. On and off the pitch.
Reposted by Jose Tomas Labarca
Great. As ever, this actually isn't about 'Green Book reforms' but much more about 'clearly stated strategic policy objectives *as set set by ministers* that form the basis for any objective appraisal of projects'.
But, granted, that's much less catchy.
But, granted, that's much less catchy.
Rachel Reeves to announce billions in regional spending after Treasury rule changes
Extra investment lined up for schemes such as energy projects, roads and rails outside London and south-east
www.theguardian.com
June 1, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Great. As ever, this actually isn't about 'Green Book reforms' but much more about 'clearly stated strategic policy objectives *as set set by ministers* that form the basis for any objective appraisal of projects'.
But, granted, that's much less catchy.
But, granted, that's much less catchy.
Reposted by Jose Tomas Labarca
I had to read this several times as “prioritise growth” and “hit universities over the head” are so mutually contradictory
'Universities will be lucky to avoid being “completely hit over the head” in the UK government’s upcoming spending review as ministers look set to prioritise plans for growth – which could eat into core research funding – and save higher education reform for a later date.' 1/3
Universities face ‘tough’ spending review after brutal few months
Potential reprioritisation of parts of research budget could heap pressure on institutions already counting cost of immigration and tax changes
www.timeshighereducation.com
May 30, 2025 at 7:01 AM
I had to read this several times as “prioritise growth” and “hit universities over the head” are so mutually contradictory
Reposted by Jose Tomas Labarca
The Telegraph has deleted the seemingly made-up article titled “We earn £345k but soaring private school fees mean we can’t go on five holidays” featuring “Al & Alexandra Moy” from its website... but, if interested, you can access an archived version here. h/t @alanrew.bsky.social
archive.is/s1GPF
archive.is/s1GPF
May 25, 2025 at 5:56 PM
The Telegraph has deleted the seemingly made-up article titled “We earn £345k but soaring private school fees mean we can’t go on five holidays” featuring “Al & Alexandra Moy” from its website... but, if interested, you can access an archived version here. h/t @alanrew.bsky.social
archive.is/s1GPF
archive.is/s1GPF
Reposted by Jose Tomas Labarca
The early evaluations of Sure Start were rather negative - it took a long time for benefits to appear. Sometimes government has to do the right thing whatever Treasury assessment says, as there’s enough broad evidence about early years interventions
May 22, 2025 at 8:28 AM
The early evaluations of Sure Start were rather negative - it took a long time for benefits to appear. Sometimes government has to do the right thing whatever Treasury assessment says, as there’s enough broad evidence about early years interventions
Reposted by Jose Tomas Labarca
🏭💪💲 We have a few spaces left for this week's lecture on carbon politics, American power, and the almighty dollar with Mark Blyth, a political economist and Professor at Brown University, in this upcoming event titled "Burning Down the House".
Register now: www.eventbrite.com/e/burning-do...
Register now: www.eventbrite.com/e/burning-do...
May 19, 2025 at 9:20 AM
🏭💪💲 We have a few spaces left for this week's lecture on carbon politics, American power, and the almighty dollar with Mark Blyth, a political economist and Professor at Brown University, in this upcoming event titled "Burning Down the House".
Register now: www.eventbrite.com/e/burning-do...
Register now: www.eventbrite.com/e/burning-do...
This is such a great book. Highly recommended! 👏👏👏 @jonathanpjwhite.bsky.social
May 18, 2025 at 11:42 AM
This is such a great book. Highly recommended! 👏👏👏 @jonathanpjwhite.bsky.social
Reposted by Jose Tomas Labarca
It's obviously some time ago, and other things have changed, but the most negative period of public attitudes was over the 1960s and 1970s, when net migration was *negative*
May 6, 2025 at 1:41 PM
It's obviously some time ago, and other things have changed, but the most negative period of public attitudes was over the 1960s and 1970s, when net migration was *negative*
Reposted by Jose Tomas Labarca
Every now again it’s useful to repeat advice about accessing papers that are behind a paywall that excludes you. Email the author. My estimate is that 90% of academics are so thrilled that a living, breathing, possibly even reading, person shows interest that they will swiftly send you a copy.
May 3, 2025 at 1:44 PM
Every now again it’s useful to repeat advice about accessing papers that are behind a paywall that excludes you. Email the author. My estimate is that 90% of academics are so thrilled that a living, breathing, possibly even reading, person shows interest that they will swiftly send you a copy.
Reposted by Jose Tomas Labarca
Please join us on Tues 6 May at 5pm when Emile Chabal (@emile-chabal.bsky.social) will be speaking at the History & Economics Seminar (jointly with the Modern European History Seminar). Magdalene College, Cambridge. Click for further info & abstract.
www.histecon.magd.cam.ac.uk/seminar_chab...
www.histecon.magd.cam.ac.uk/seminar_chab...
EMILE CHABAL
Transition, revolution, modernity: (re)thinking capitalism with Eric Hobsbawm
www.histecon.magd.cam.ac.uk
May 3, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Please join us on Tues 6 May at 5pm when Emile Chabal (@emile-chabal.bsky.social) will be speaking at the History & Economics Seminar (jointly with the Modern European History Seminar). Magdalene College, Cambridge. Click for further info & abstract.
www.histecon.magd.cam.ac.uk/seminar_chab...
www.histecon.magd.cam.ac.uk/seminar_chab...
@jdportes.bsky.social do you know anything about this? “of the 108,000 people who claimed asylum in the UK in 2024, 16,000 held a student visa.” Who are they? Also: shouldn’t this mean there are 16k asylum applications denied? www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Labour targets international students claiming asylum after losses to Reform in local elections
Exclusive: Ministers understood to be drafting white paper this month in move to reduce legal migration
www.theguardian.com
May 3, 2025 at 4:40 PM
@jdportes.bsky.social do you know anything about this? “of the 108,000 people who claimed asylum in the UK in 2024, 16,000 held a student visa.” Who are they? Also: shouldn’t this mean there are 16k asylum applications denied? www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Reposted by Jose Tomas Labarca
"Spending, tax, borrowing, and debt numbers... often take on the role of key standards for policy appraisal and debate... The means of policy commonly become the very goals governments want to achieve."
@jtlabarca.bsky.social on Labour's fiscal framework
@jtlabarca.bsky.social on Labour's fiscal framework
Towards a (Minority) Shareholder State? The Labour Government's Fiscal Framework
The fiscal framework launched by Labour in October 2024 represents a contradictory enterprise.
politicalquarterly.org.uk
April 28, 2025 at 9:26 AM
"Spending, tax, borrowing, and debt numbers... often take on the role of key standards for policy appraisal and debate... The means of policy commonly become the very goals governments want to achieve."
@jtlabarca.bsky.social on Labour's fiscal framework
@jtlabarca.bsky.social on Labour's fiscal framework
Reposted by Jose Tomas Labarca
They like Farage but don't share his hostility to net zero. And they worry about the whole, you know, possible racism thing *uptalk for this bit*. Illuminating new research from @steveakehurst.bsky.social on "Reform-curious" Labour voters and a host of policy dilemmas www.ft.com/content/deb2...
What makes ‘Reform-curious’ Labour voters so hard to woo back
Downing Street fears Starmer will lose support to Farage but imitating him will alienate other groups it needs on side
www.ft.com
April 27, 2025 at 5:38 PM
They like Farage but don't share his hostility to net zero. And they worry about the whole, you know, possible racism thing *uptalk for this bit*. Illuminating new research from @steveakehurst.bsky.social on "Reform-curious" Labour voters and a host of policy dilemmas www.ft.com/content/deb2...
Reposted by Jose Tomas Labarca
The recent establishment of the UK’s Office of Value for Money is the latest attempt to identify “efficiency savings” in government. Yet as @mrweatherburn.bsky.social argues in a new policy paper, similar efforts in the past have been fraught with difficulties. historyandpolicy.org/policy-paper...
The Gospel of Efficiency: DOGE and the UK Office of Value for Money in historical perspective - History & Policy
The establishment of the UK’s Office of Value for Money (OVfM) in late 2024 was accompanied by a claim that this new initiative would be ‘informed by lessons learned from the past’. Yet these lessons ...
historyandpolicy.org
April 30, 2025 at 2:14 PM
The recent establishment of the UK’s Office of Value for Money is the latest attempt to identify “efficiency savings” in government. Yet as @mrweatherburn.bsky.social argues in a new policy paper, similar efforts in the past have been fraught with difficulties. historyandpolicy.org/policy-paper...
Reposted by Jose Tomas Labarca
Public investment in the UK has lagged behind average OECD levels for over two decades.
Read more ➡️ buff.ly/iPgoNzv
Read more ➡️ buff.ly/iPgoNzv
April 30, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Public investment in the UK has lagged behind average OECD levels for over two decades.
Read more ➡️ buff.ly/iPgoNzv
Read more ➡️ buff.ly/iPgoNzv
Reposted by Jose Tomas Labarca
This moment when the penny drops that trying to implement bathroom bans is an impossibility for the former Tory Chief Secretary Simon Clarke is delicious.
April 25, 2025 at 9:36 AM
This moment when the penny drops that trying to implement bathroom bans is an impossibility for the former Tory Chief Secretary Simon Clarke is delicious.