Lise Butler
@lisebutler.bsky.social
Senior Lecturer in Modern History at City, University of London. Interested in the history of the British left and futures past. Author of Michael Young, Social Science and the British Left, 1945-70. Co-editor, Renewal: A Journal of Social Democracy
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Lise Butler
@lisebutler.bsky.social
· May 16
So excited to announce the relaunch of @renewaljournal.bsky.social, which I’m now co-editing along with @dmk1793.bsky.social @morganj0nes.bsky.social and Jack Jeffries. Thanks to all the amazing contributors to this relaunch issue. We think you’ll love it.
renewal.org.uk
renewal.org.uk
Manchester and area friends: Join us for our launch of our British Academy funded exhibition ‘The Artefacts of Prediction: Imagining Tomorrow’ on December 2nd! There will be speakers, drinks, and nibbles. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/launch-eve...
Launch Event: The Artefacts of Prediction: Imagining Tomorrow
Join us for the opening of a new exhibition that explores how people from 1900-present have tried to glimpse, design, or control the future.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
November 10, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Manchester and area friends: Join us for our launch of our British Academy funded exhibition ‘The Artefacts of Prediction: Imagining Tomorrow’ on December 2nd! There will be speakers, drinks, and nibbles. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/launch-eve...
Reposted by Lise Butler
Breaking the tax pledge is the right call...and politically sulphurous. Reeves must argue, far more forcefully, that taxes are *the* essential downpayment we all pay for a fairer society.
Patrick Diamond and I wrote for @renewaljournal.bsky.social. Key points in 🧵 👇
renewal.org.uk/blog/if-labo...
Patrick Diamond and I wrote for @renewaljournal.bsky.social. Key points in 🧵 👇
renewal.org.uk/blog/if-labo...
If Labour want a fairer society, they must argue for it
Labour must make the political argument: taxes are the critical downpayment we all pay to live in a fairer society.
It now seems all but certain that direct taxes will rise in the forthcoming Budget...
renewal.org.uk
November 10, 2025 at 7:34 AM
Breaking the tax pledge is the right call...and politically sulphurous. Reeves must argue, far more forcefully, that taxes are *the* essential downpayment we all pay for a fairer society.
Patrick Diamond and I wrote for @renewaljournal.bsky.social. Key points in 🧵 👇
renewal.org.uk/blog/if-labo...
Patrick Diamond and I wrote for @renewaljournal.bsky.social. Key points in 🧵 👇
renewal.org.uk/blog/if-labo...
A writer very dear to my heart named Dave Wingrave (who is not on here) published his first piece in Harpers last week - a short story set in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus about conflict, division and what happens after it.
“As a visitor, I felt a temptation to fixate on this romance of twentieth-century stasis. But there had been diplomatic successes. The border was porous now. There were crossing points; Leonie and I had done it ourselves several times.” —David Wingrave
buff.ly/2oTF0Fh
buff.ly/2oTF0Fh
Aytaç, by David Wingrave
We've recently updated our website to make signing in easier and more secure
harpers.org
October 30, 2025 at 2:21 PM
A writer very dear to my heart named Dave Wingrave (who is not on here) published his first piece in Harpers last week - a short story set in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus about conflict, division and what happens after it.
Very glad to see the solid, sensible protections of the Renters Rights Act at least get some recognition in the NS - as a renter in London who has experienced the blight of bidding wars etc the dearth of mainstream media coverage has been stunning.
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
The Renters' Rights Act may be the first law to improve my life
Labour should make more of a fuss of these long overdue reforms
www.newstatesman.com
October 30, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Very glad to see the solid, sensible protections of the Renters Rights Act at least get some recognition in the NS - as a renter in London who has experienced the blight of bidding wars etc the dearth of mainstream media coverage has been stunning.
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
Reposted by Lise Butler
My book UP IN THE AIR: A HISTORY OF HIGH-RISE BRITAIN is out today!
October 28, 2025 at 9:41 AM
My book UP IN THE AIR: A HISTORY OF HIGH-RISE BRITAIN is out today!
Reposted by Lise Butler
I did an interview where I talked at length about why liberal analyses of how to win elections are wrong, why social media matters so much, what’s changed, what’s the same, why Marxists are deeply unsuited for this moment, how people think, and more.
renewal.org.uk/blog/all-tha...
renewal.org.uk/blog/all-tha...
All that is solid melts into posts: an interview with Will Stancil
In recent years, the American researcher (and committed social media poster) Will Stancil has emerged as one of the most prominent and vociferous critics of materialist theories of politics, and of th...
renewal.org.uk
October 23, 2025 at 6:52 PM
I did an interview where I talked at length about why liberal analyses of how to win elections are wrong, why social media matters so much, what’s changed, what’s the same, why Marxists are deeply unsuited for this moment, how people think, and more.
renewal.org.uk/blog/all-tha...
renewal.org.uk/blog/all-tha...
Reposted by Lise Butler
Looking forward to this!
Join us tomorrow 5.30pm at the IHR or online (link below). We're super excited to host Dr Scott Anthony on the history of arts funding! All welcome! www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...
‘I will take money for the arts from murderers, from rapists, from anybody’: The British state as cultural patron
This paper examines the growth of arts policy in post-war Britain.
www.history.ac.uk
October 22, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Looking forward to this!
Reposted by Lise Butler
Congratulations to our contributing editor Sacha!
We're pleased to announce that our Inaugural Craig J. Calhoun Prize for an Outstanding Thesis in Sociology has been awarded to @sachahilhorst.bsky.social. Her thesis investigated the shifting politics of ex-mining and manufacturing towns in the Midlands.
Read more about the prize 👇
Read more about the prize 👇
News
Read the latest news from the LSE Department of Sociology
buff.ly
October 6, 2025 at 12:36 PM
Congratulations to our contributing editor Sacha!
Everybody wants growth, but how can we get it? Jimena Valdez makes the case for a growth strategy that embraces international students and immigration, now online for @renewaljournal.bsky.social
New on Renewal Online: Jimena Valdez considers what Spain's socialist government can teach Keir Starmer about how to deliver economic growth & higher living standards
Lessons for economic growth from Pedro Sánchez’s Spain
In a recent issue of Renewal David Cesar Heymann wrote about one of the most successful social democratic governments in Europe: that of Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE) leader Pedro Sánchez (2...
renewal.org.uk
October 1, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Everybody wants growth, but how can we get it? Jimena Valdez makes the case for a growth strategy that embraces international students and immigration, now online for @renewaljournal.bsky.social
Reposted by Lise Butler
Huge thanks to @anneliesedoddsmp.bsky.social for this fascinating and timely lecture on the social democratic response to big tech. Look out for the full lecture, forthcoming in our end-of-year double issue.
It was a pleasure to give @renewaljournal.bsky.social journal's annual Rita Hinden memorial lecture earlier this month at @citystgeorges.bsky.social.
Labour must adapt to today’s challenges, not least big tech’s political as well as economic power.
Labour must adapt to today’s challenges, not least big tech’s political as well as economic power.
September 18, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Huge thanks to @anneliesedoddsmp.bsky.social for this fascinating and timely lecture on the social democratic response to big tech. Look out for the full lecture, forthcoming in our end-of-year double issue.
Reposted by Lise Butler
So much talk about Reform voters, but I'm yet to read much about their lives beyond tropes and excuses ('legitimate concerns').
I've been back in the midlands to interview people and learn more. Here's my piece on them and Reform's attempts to present itself as a community-minded, pro-worker party:
I've been back in the midlands to interview people and learn more. Here's my piece on them and Reform's attempts to present itself as a community-minded, pro-worker party:
Reform’s aesthetics of industry
Renewal 33.2_HilhorstRenewal 33.2_Hilhorst.pdf110 KBdownload-circle
In North Nottinghamshire, Reform UK present themselves as the party of workers, community and coalmining heritage. But this image...
renewal.org.uk
September 17, 2025 at 1:20 PM
So much talk about Reform voters, but I'm yet to read much about their lives beyond tropes and excuses ('legitimate concerns').
I've been back in the midlands to interview people and learn more. Here's my piece on them and Reform's attempts to present itself as a community-minded, pro-worker party:
I've been back in the midlands to interview people and learn more. Here's my piece on them and Reform's attempts to present itself as a community-minded, pro-worker party:
Reposted by Lise Butler
A Q&A I did earlier this year with about digital political culture. Some might find it relevant to current events. The tl;dr is that it’s all different but it’s also the same: people want and need a vocabulary to think with & things to do to feel like agents in their lives. Who gives that wins.
FREE TO READ: Renewal co-editor Jack Jeffrey talks to @profafinlayson.bsky.social about the subcultures of the online right and how they are transforming political communication
renewal.org.uk/articles/the...
renewal.org.uk/articles/the...
The left (still) doesn't understand the internet
Renewal 33.2_Finlayson & JeffreyRenewal 33.2_Finlayson & Jeffrey.pdf161 KBdownload-circle
In June 2025, Nigel Farage boasted on Facebook and X that he had more TikTok subscribers than all other 649...
renewal.org.uk
September 16, 2025 at 1:54 PM
A Q&A I did earlier this year with about digital political culture. Some might find it relevant to current events. The tl;dr is that it’s all different but it’s also the same: people want and need a vocabulary to think with & things to do to feel like agents in their lives. Who gives that wins.
The new issue of @renewaljournal.bsky.social, themed around the far right, is out now and it couldn't be more timely. Free to read articles by guest editor @sachahilhorst.bsky.social, @profafinlayson.bsky.social and Cailtlin Prowle. Subscribe here to read the rest: renewal.org.uk/journal/volu...
September 16, 2025 at 1:41 PM
The new issue of @renewaljournal.bsky.social, themed around the far right, is out now and it couldn't be more timely. Free to read articles by guest editor @sachahilhorst.bsky.social, @profafinlayson.bsky.social and Cailtlin Prowle. Subscribe here to read the rest: renewal.org.uk/journal/volu...
Reposted by Lise Butler
I join the now abundant discourse about Abundance. A good book but more importantly a bellwether book for the orientation of the center-left. But like many, they hope we can engineer a way around politics and put things back in the hands of competent technocrats...I am not so sure...
September 15, 2025 at 9:37 AM
I join the now abundant discourse about Abundance. A good book but more importantly a bellwether book for the orientation of the center-left. But like many, they hope we can engineer a way around politics and put things back in the hands of competent technocrats...I am not so sure...
If Labour has any political strategy at all it should be seeking to appeal not to the people who participated in the protest today, but to the majority of the public who are alarmed by it.
September 13, 2025 at 9:59 PM
If Labour has any political strategy at all it should be seeking to appeal not to the people who participated in the protest today, but to the majority of the public who are alarmed by it.
Reposted by Lise Butler
“As social democrats we must be clear that AI is ultimately parasitic on our collective endeavours”
September 9, 2025 at 7:05 PM
“As social democrats we must be clear that AI is ultimately parasitic on our collective endeavours”
Reposted by Lise Butler
Anneliese Dodds speaking at the @renewaljournal.bsky.social Rita Hinden Lecture tonight. Her talk identifies the "tech bros", and the systems they oversee and interventions they make, as a threat to "free and fair democracy". She argues the left should focus strongly on protecting democracy.
September 9, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Anneliese Dodds speaking at the @renewaljournal.bsky.social Rita Hinden Lecture tonight. Her talk identifies the "tech bros", and the systems they oversee and interventions they make, as a threat to "free and fair democracy". She argues the left should focus strongly on protecting democracy.
Reposted by Lise Butler
Really enjoyed this evening’s @renewaljournal.bsky.social lecture from Anneliese Dodds.
She’s right that delivery in government is necessary but not sufficient. Labour must protect democracy and be a voice for humans in the age of AI.
#Labour #AI #democracy
She’s right that delivery in government is necessary but not sufficient. Labour must protect democracy and be a voice for humans in the age of AI.
#Labour #AI #democracy
Renewal is excited to announce Dr. Anneliese Dodds MP as the inaugural speaker for our new annual Rita Hinden Memorial Lecture.
The Lecture will be held on Tuesday 9th September at City St. George's University.
Register for free here: www.eventbrite.com/e/renewal-pr...?
The Lecture will be held on Tuesday 9th September at City St. George's University.
Register for free here: www.eventbrite.com/e/renewal-pr...?
September 9, 2025 at 10:09 PM
Really enjoyed this evening’s @renewaljournal.bsky.social lecture from Anneliese Dodds.
She’s right that delivery in government is necessary but not sufficient. Labour must protect democracy and be a voice for humans in the age of AI.
#Labour #AI #democracy
She’s right that delivery in government is necessary but not sufficient. Labour must protect democracy and be a voice for humans in the age of AI.
#Labour #AI #democracy
Anneliese Dodds MP takes on the dominance of the (tech) bros in our democracy in her fantastic inaugural @renewaljournal.bsky.social
Rita Hinden Memorial Lecture
Rita Hinden Memorial Lecture
September 9, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Anneliese Dodds MP takes on the dominance of the (tech) bros in our democracy in her fantastic inaugural @renewaljournal.bsky.social
Rita Hinden Memorial Lecture
Rita Hinden Memorial Lecture
Reposted by Lise Butler
Final reminder that Anneliese Dodds's lecture - on the Labour government, the challenges of new technology, and the need for a new, internationalist collectivism - is TONIGHT, and will be followed by a drinks reception.
Tickets are free, and we still have some left, so sign-up on Eventbrite below:
Tickets are free, and we still have some left, so sign-up on Eventbrite below:
Renewal is excited to announce Dr. Anneliese Dodds MP as the inaugural speaker for our new annual Rita Hinden Memorial Lecture.
The Lecture will be held on Tuesday 9th September at City St. George's University.
Register for free here: www.eventbrite.com/e/renewal-pr...?
The Lecture will be held on Tuesday 9th September at City St. George's University.
Register for free here: www.eventbrite.com/e/renewal-pr...?
September 9, 2025 at 11:50 AM
Final reminder that Anneliese Dodds's lecture - on the Labour government, the challenges of new technology, and the need for a new, internationalist collectivism - is TONIGHT, and will be followed by a drinks reception.
Tickets are free, and we still have some left, so sign-up on Eventbrite below:
Tickets are free, and we still have some left, so sign-up on Eventbrite below:
A reminder that this event is tomorrow at City St Georges. Light refreshments will be provided courtesy of our co—sponsor the Finsbury Institute. Attendance is free but booking required here: www.citystgeorges.ac.uk/news-and-eve...
September 8, 2025 at 1:11 PM
A reminder that this event is tomorrow at City St Georges. Light refreshments will be provided courtesy of our co—sponsor the Finsbury Institute. Attendance is free but booking required here: www.citystgeorges.ac.uk/news-and-eve...
Reposted by Lise Butler
A reminder that Anneliese Dodds, who resigned from Starmer's government, is giving the Rita Hinden memorial lecture for @renewaljournal.bsky.social on Tuesday. With the government in obvious distress and a deputy leadership contest imminent, I am intrigued about what she will say.
Renewal is excited to announce Dr. Anneliese Dodds MP as the inaugural speaker for our new annual Rita Hinden Memorial Lecture.
The Lecture will be held on Tuesday 9th September at City St. George's University.
Register for free here: www.eventbrite.com/e/renewal-pr...?
The Lecture will be held on Tuesday 9th September at City St. George's University.
Register for free here: www.eventbrite.com/e/renewal-pr...?
September 7, 2025 at 5:59 PM
A reminder that Anneliese Dodds, who resigned from Starmer's government, is giving the Rita Hinden memorial lecture for @renewaljournal.bsky.social on Tuesday. With the government in obvious distress and a deputy leadership contest imminent, I am intrigued about what she will say.
Reposted by Lise Butler
This is interesting because it's yet another indicator of the 1970s being memorialised in political culture nostalgically and positively, not as the years of "crisis".
@lisebutler.bsky.social spotted this in a Starmer speech from a few years back and now we see it on the radical right.
@lisebutler.bsky.social spotted this in a Starmer speech from a few years back and now we see it on the radical right.
July 25, 2025 at 1:50 PM
This is interesting because it's yet another indicator of the 1970s being memorialised in political culture nostalgically and positively, not as the years of "crisis".
@lisebutler.bsky.social spotted this in a Starmer speech from a few years back and now we see it on the radical right.
@lisebutler.bsky.social spotted this in a Starmer speech from a few years back and now we see it on the radical right.
Reposted by Lise Butler
"The YIMBYs of the party must speak to a Labour vision for Britain, not shoehorn the word Labour into a pre-existing single issue campaign"
@mcortonscott.bsky.social assesses the current state of Labour YIMBYism, after the departures of Chrises Hinchliffe and Worrall
@mcortonscott.bsky.social assesses the current state of Labour YIMBYism, after the departures of Chrises Hinchliffe and Worrall
The Chris of It All
Last week the Labour Party shed two Chrises. On Wednesday, the whips suspended Chris Hinchliff MP, for persistent rebellions against the government. On Saturday, Chris Worrall’s defection to the Conse...
renewal.org.uk
July 23, 2025 at 5:45 PM
"The YIMBYs of the party must speak to a Labour vision for Britain, not shoehorn the word Labour into a pre-existing single issue campaign"
@mcortonscott.bsky.social assesses the current state of Labour YIMBYism, after the departures of Chrises Hinchliffe and Worrall
@mcortonscott.bsky.social assesses the current state of Labour YIMBYism, after the departures of Chrises Hinchliffe and Worrall
Reposted by Lise Butler
Back in the Guardian, on the rise of racialised declinism
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The right wants us to think Britain is on the verge of ethnic conflict. The truth is worse than that | John Merrick
In blaming problems on migrant ‘outsiders’, prophets of decline are paving the way for harder borders and mass deportations, says John Merrick, deputy editor of the Break-Down
www.theguardian.com
July 14, 2025 at 10:52 AM
Back in the Guardian, on the rise of racialised declinism
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...