Luke Cooper
@lukecooper100.bsky.social
Associate Professorial Research Fellow in International Relations (IR) at LSE IDEAS running PeaceRep's Ukraine programme. Book: Authoritarian Contagion, co-host Another Europe pod.
https://www.lse.ac.uk/ideas/people/Luke-Cooper
https://www.lse.ac.uk/ideas/people/Luke-Cooper
Reposted by Luke Cooper
During Fiona Hill's testimony to Congress on Oct 14, 2019, she described how Trump and Putin discussed exchanging Ukraine for Venezuela. The quid pro quo was if Trump refuses to help Ukraine fight off a Russian invasion, Putin would not help Venezuela (a Russian ally) resist a US takeover.
January 4, 2026 at 2:36 AM
During Fiona Hill's testimony to Congress on Oct 14, 2019, she described how Trump and Putin discussed exchanging Ukraine for Venezuela. The quid pro quo was if Trump refuses to help Ukraine fight off a Russian invasion, Putin would not help Venezuela (a Russian ally) resist a US takeover.
Reposted by Luke Cooper
French Foreign Ministry: “The removal of Maduro from power and the violation of sovereignty constitute a serious act of aggression against the dignity of the Venezuelan people and their right to determine their own future.
January 3, 2026 at 3:02 PM
French Foreign Ministry: “The removal of Maduro from power and the violation of sovereignty constitute a serious act of aggression against the dignity of the Venezuelan people and their right to determine their own future.
Reposted by Luke Cooper
This does seem just a little bit bad! Idk the sort of thing you’d think politicians might distance themselves from or something!
January 2, 2026 at 10:47 AM
This does seem just a little bit bad! Idk the sort of thing you’d think politicians might distance themselves from or something!
Next time you’re watching a US sitcom and are struck by how lavish the lifestyles of the imagined professionals represented in the show are remember that this conspicuous consumption is reflective of just 10% or at a push 20% of all Americans. From FT h/t @adamtooze.bsky.social
December 31, 2025 at 12:06 PM
Next time you’re watching a US sitcom and are struck by how lavish the lifestyles of the imagined professionals represented in the show are remember that this conspicuous consumption is reflective of just 10% or at a push 20% of all Americans. From FT h/t @adamtooze.bsky.social
Reposted by Luke Cooper
Joint EU/UK statement confirms UK participation in Erasmus, plus update on other negotiations
ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
December 17, 2025 at 9:42 AM
Joint EU/UK statement confirms UK participation in Erasmus, plus update on other negotiations
ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
At this festive time of yeah, can you take a moment to spare a thought for those of us going to work Xmas parties, and at home were confronted with the words “YOUR PARTY”. In our split second of bafflement we were exposed as some of the least cool people on planet earth.
December 16, 2025 at 9:19 AM
At this festive time of yeah, can you take a moment to spare a thought for those of us going to work Xmas parties, and at home were confronted with the words “YOUR PARTY”. In our split second of bafflement we were exposed as some of the least cool people on planet earth.
Reposted by Luke Cooper
Over this weekend, we have pushed the @calaisappeal.bsky.social fundraiser to almost £10k!! 🥹🥹
Let’s give it a really big push this week🙏
I feel sure we can raise more than the far right did to send over their thugs to harass people ❤️💪
www.justgiving.com/campaign/tog...
Let’s give it a really big push this week🙏
I feel sure we can raise more than the far right did to send over their thugs to harass people ❤️💪
www.justgiving.com/campaign/tog...
December 8, 2025 at 7:52 AM
Over this weekend, we have pushed the @calaisappeal.bsky.social fundraiser to almost £10k!! 🥹🥹
Let’s give it a really big push this week🙏
I feel sure we can raise more than the far right did to send over their thugs to harass people ❤️💪
www.justgiving.com/campaign/tog...
Let’s give it a really big push this week🙏
I feel sure we can raise more than the far right did to send over their thugs to harass people ❤️💪
www.justgiving.com/campaign/tog...
Reposted by Luke Cooper
Good news from Scotland! Standards are to be introduced for seasonal agricultural worker housing, addressing current issues with many workers reporting poor conditions such as cold, unsafe caravans and high salary deductions
@workersupportc.bsky.social
workersupportcentre.org.uk/2025/12/03/c...
@workersupportc.bsky.social
workersupportcentre.org.uk/2025/12/03/c...
Celebrating a big win for seasonal farm workers: Scotland commits to new housing standards – Worker Support Centre
Today, WSC is celebrating a major campaign success shaped directly by the leadership and determination of the seasonal farm workers with whom we partner.
workersupportcentre.org.uk
December 7, 2025 at 9:17 AM
Good news from Scotland! Standards are to be introduced for seasonal agricultural worker housing, addressing current issues with many workers reporting poor conditions such as cold, unsafe caravans and high salary deductions
@workersupportc.bsky.social
workersupportcentre.org.uk/2025/12/03/c...
@workersupportc.bsky.social
workersupportcentre.org.uk/2025/12/03/c...
This is good on the grim £5.7 billion transfer in the budget from working class graduates to the state, leading to a situation where graduates working a 40 hour week on the minimum wage are now set to face an effective tax rate of 37% (20% income, 8% NI and 9% loan)
www.thetimes.com/article/9e71...
www.thetimes.com/article/9e71...
One more way the government lets inflation do its dirty work
As well as being the bane of many taxpayers, frozen thresholds can also hit graduates and current students
www.thetimes.com
December 8, 2025 at 7:29 PM
This is good on the grim £5.7 billion transfer in the budget from working class graduates to the state, leading to a situation where graduates working a 40 hour week on the minimum wage are now set to face an effective tax rate of 37% (20% income, 8% NI and 9% loan)
www.thetimes.com/article/9e71...
www.thetimes.com/article/9e71...
Great essay from @martinsandbu.ft.com highlighting the stumbles Europe is making - born of the usual conservatism on risk sharing - on Russian assets. Citing our @peacerep.bsky.social report on the Russian economy he points out, Europe has leverage but lacks the will.
www.ft.com/content/fb01...
www.ft.com/content/fb01...
The EU stumbles to an imperfect solution for funding Ukraine
Europe has cards. But will it manage to play them?
www.ft.com
December 8, 2025 at 8:17 AM
Great essay from @martinsandbu.ft.com highlighting the stumbles Europe is making - born of the usual conservatism on risk sharing - on Russian assets. Citing our @peacerep.bsky.social report on the Russian economy he points out, Europe has leverage but lacks the will.
www.ft.com/content/fb01...
www.ft.com/content/fb01...
Reposted by Luke Cooper
A particularly good report by @zoejardiniere.bsky.social here on genuine ways in which to fix what is, objectively, a broken system. Hint, making life harder for migrants isn't the way to do it.
HOT OFF THE PRESS: Time for Change is here!
Sick of the constant demonisation of migrants?
Want to see an alternative plan?
Our new report by @zoejardiniere.bsky.social outlines 9 steps to a system that delivers dignity for all.
Read it here: www.anothereurope.org/time-for-cha...
Sick of the constant demonisation of migrants?
Want to see an alternative plan?
Our new report by @zoejardiniere.bsky.social outlines 9 steps to a system that delivers dignity for all.
Read it here: www.anothereurope.org/time-for-cha...
Time For Change: The evidence-based policies that can actually fix the immigration system
A new report from prominent migration expert Zoe Gardner has been enthusiastically welcomed by senior Labour backbenchers.
www.anothereurope.org
December 5, 2025 at 11:43 AM
A particularly good report by @zoejardiniere.bsky.social here on genuine ways in which to fix what is, objectively, a broken system. Hint, making life harder for migrants isn't the way to do it.
Reposted by Luke Cooper
HOT OFF THE PRESS: Time for Change is here!
Sick of the constant demonisation of migrants?
Want to see an alternative plan?
Our new report by @zoejardiniere.bsky.social outlines 9 steps to a system that delivers dignity for all.
Read it here: www.anothereurope.org/time-for-cha...
Sick of the constant demonisation of migrants?
Want to see an alternative plan?
Our new report by @zoejardiniere.bsky.social outlines 9 steps to a system that delivers dignity for all.
Read it here: www.anothereurope.org/time-for-cha...
Time For Change: The evidence-based policies that can actually fix the immigration system
A new report from prominent migration expert Zoe Gardner has been enthusiastically welcomed by senior Labour backbenchers.
www.anothereurope.org
December 5, 2025 at 11:01 AM
HOT OFF THE PRESS: Time for Change is here!
Sick of the constant demonisation of migrants?
Want to see an alternative plan?
Our new report by @zoejardiniere.bsky.social outlines 9 steps to a system that delivers dignity for all.
Read it here: www.anothereurope.org/time-for-cha...
Sick of the constant demonisation of migrants?
Want to see an alternative plan?
Our new report by @zoejardiniere.bsky.social outlines 9 steps to a system that delivers dignity for all.
Read it here: www.anothereurope.org/time-for-cha...
Reposted by Luke Cooper
⏰ It's time for change on immigration policy - We all agree on that much!
Labour so far have got it all wrong, chasing hostile headlines that will only make our system crueller, society more divided & immigrants easier to exploit.
BUT THERE IS ANOTHER WAY!!
My 9-point plan for a system that works👇
Labour so far have got it all wrong, chasing hostile headlines that will only make our system crueller, society more divided & immigrants easier to exploit.
BUT THERE IS ANOTHER WAY!!
My 9-point plan for a system that works👇
December 5, 2025 at 11:35 AM
⏰ It's time for change on immigration policy - We all agree on that much!
Labour so far have got it all wrong, chasing hostile headlines that will only make our system crueller, society more divided & immigrants easier to exploit.
BUT THERE IS ANOTHER WAY!!
My 9-point plan for a system that works👇
Labour so far have got it all wrong, chasing hostile headlines that will only make our system crueller, society more divided & immigrants easier to exploit.
BUT THERE IS ANOTHER WAY!!
My 9-point plan for a system that works👇
New report! The big headline: Russia's economy is in trouble, likely in recession and perhaps 1.5% smaller today than in Feb 2022. The growth of the war economy is at the expense of the wider economy.
peacerep.org/2025/12/02/a...
peacerep.org/wp-content/u...
peacerep.org/2025/12/02/a...
peacerep.org/wp-content/u...
Analysis Finds Russia Likely in Recession Amid Ongoing War Costs - PeaceRep
A new report finds that Russia’s economy has likely contracted since 2022, with hidden inflation, shrinking revenues, and rising inequality placing significant strain on its economic position.
peacerep.org
December 2, 2025 at 3:11 PM
New report! The big headline: Russia's economy is in trouble, likely in recession and perhaps 1.5% smaller today than in Feb 2022. The growth of the war economy is at the expense of the wider economy.
peacerep.org/2025/12/02/a...
peacerep.org/wp-content/u...
peacerep.org/2025/12/02/a...
peacerep.org/wp-content/u...
Reposted by Luke Cooper
EXCLUSIVE: US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff advised Russia on how to pitch Ukraine plans to Trump, in audio files reviewed by Bloomberg
Witkoff has got to go.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Witkoff has got to go.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Witkoff Discusses Ukraine Plans With Key Putin Aide: Transcript
The following is a transcript of an Oct. 14 phone call lasting just over 5 minutes between Steve Witkoff, Donald Trump’s special envoy for peace missions, and Yuri Ushakov, Vladimir Putin’s most senio...
www.bloomberg.com
November 25, 2025 at 11:27 PM
EXCLUSIVE: US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff advised Russia on how to pitch Ukraine plans to Trump, in audio files reviewed by Bloomberg
Witkoff has got to go.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Witkoff has got to go.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Reposted by Luke Cooper
EXCLUSIVE: US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff advised Russia on how to pitch Ukraine plans to Trump, in audio files reviewed by Bloomberg
Witkoff Advised Russia on How to Pitch Ukraine Plan to Trump
US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff, fresh from the triumph of the Gaza peace deal, held a phone call last month with a senior Kremlin official to suggest they work together on a similar plan for Ukraine — and that Vladimir Putin should raise it with Donald Trump.
bloom.bg
November 25, 2025 at 7:52 PM
EXCLUSIVE: US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff advised Russia on how to pitch Ukraine plans to Trump, in audio files reviewed by Bloomberg
“Reeves avoided tackling any of the major issues, sticking in the strictest of technical senses to the wording of Labour’s promises, and by doing so she threw away the chance to do anything of lasting impact.”
Yep 👍👍👍👍
@jamesrball.com
www.thenewworld.co.uk/james-ball-t...
Yep 👍👍👍👍
@jamesrball.com
www.thenewworld.co.uk/james-ball-t...
The Budget: Rachel Reeves’s missed opportunity
A government doesn’t get many chances to make real change. Today was one of those opportunities - the chancellor missed it
www.thenewworld.co.uk
November 26, 2025 at 3:50 PM
“Reeves avoided tackling any of the major issues, sticking in the strictest of technical senses to the wording of Labour’s promises, and by doing so she threw away the chance to do anything of lasting impact.”
Yep 👍👍👍👍
@jamesrball.com
www.thenewworld.co.uk/james-ball-t...
Yep 👍👍👍👍
@jamesrball.com
www.thenewworld.co.uk/james-ball-t...
Reposted by Luke Cooper
The problem for Polanski’s argument here is that at the present time no one would join an alternative alliance. So as a geopolitical strategy it doesn’t make sense (at the present time) and as a political position in uk politics it may create a ceiling for GP support.
bsky.app/profile/luke...
bsky.app/profile/luke...
I stand corrected as Polanski does tell BBC this morning that he favours "an alternative alliance". I find this a bit puzzling from his own perspective. Why depart from the existing GP position when it's clearly not one of his policy priorities and is very unpopular? www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...
Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg - Budget Lookahead
Laura Kuenssberg talks to transport secretary Heidi Alexander, Green Party leader Zack Polanski and shadow chancellor Mel Stride. Jeremy Hunt, Sharon Graham and Andy Haldane are on the panel.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 23, 2025 at 12:14 PM
The problem for Polanski’s argument here is that at the present time no one would join an alternative alliance. So as a geopolitical strategy it doesn’t make sense (at the present time) and as a political position in uk politics it may create a ceiling for GP support.
bsky.app/profile/luke...
bsky.app/profile/luke...
Reposted by Luke Cooper
So, on the current poll, Farage would have a very comfortable overall majority, with no effective checks on his powers, on less than a third of the vote. @teamlabouruk.bsky.social members who still think 1st Past the Post keeps the extremists out need to re-examine the facts @labour4pr.bsky.social
Nowcast Update - Green's vote share surpasses Lib Dems, as Labour hits new low.
RFM: 350 (+345), 30.2% (50 Maj.)
LAB: 87 (-324), 18.8%
LDM: 75 (+3), 13.0%
SNP: 44 (+35), 2.7%
CON: 38 (-83), 17.6%
GRN: 23 (+19), 13.5%
PLC: 7 (+3), 1.1%
Oth: 7 (+2), 3.1%
electionmaps.uk/nowcast
RFM: 350 (+345), 30.2% (50 Maj.)
LAB: 87 (-324), 18.8%
LDM: 75 (+3), 13.0%
SNP: 44 (+35), 2.7%
CON: 38 (-83), 17.6%
GRN: 23 (+19), 13.5%
PLC: 7 (+3), 1.1%
Oth: 7 (+2), 3.1%
electionmaps.uk/nowcast
November 23, 2025 at 11:35 AM
So, on the current poll, Farage would have a very comfortable overall majority, with no effective checks on his powers, on less than a third of the vote. @teamlabouruk.bsky.social members who still think 1st Past the Post keeps the extremists out need to re-examine the facts @labour4pr.bsky.social
Reposted by Luke Cooper
The conundrum - as Ukraine and Gaza amply demonstrate - is that both Russia and the US-led West pose grave threats to international security. There are no easy answers to this, but we can at least give credit to people willing to acknowledge and grapple in good faith with the actual problem.
I’m not in the Green Party but as someone who supports information quality I’m disconcerted by the campaign to present them as pro leaving NATO. When I’ve heard Polanski talk about this he makes the (obvs true) point that a Trump White House calls the explicitly US led alliance into question.
November 23, 2025 at 9:24 AM
The conundrum - as Ukraine and Gaza amply demonstrate - is that both Russia and the US-led West pose grave threats to international security. There are no easy answers to this, but we can at least give credit to people willing to acknowledge and grapple in good faith with the actual problem.
I’m not in the Green Party but as someone who supports information quality I’m disconcerted by the campaign to present them as pro leaving NATO. When I’ve heard Polanski talk about this he makes the (obvs true) point that a Trump White House calls the explicitly US led alliance into question.
November 23, 2025 at 9:16 AM
I’m not in the Green Party but as someone who supports information quality I’m disconcerted by the campaign to present them as pro leaving NATO. When I’ve heard Polanski talk about this he makes the (obvs true) point that a Trump White House calls the explicitly US led alliance into question.
Reposted by Luke Cooper
All the rape, torture, and murder will be brushed under the carpet, a great lesson for any future war criminals.
November 21, 2025 at 7:08 AM
All the rape, torture, and murder will be brushed under the carpet, a great lesson for any future war criminals.
Reposted by Luke Cooper
Remember last week, when Trump was suing for $1 billion over the suggestion that he would incite violence against elected representatives?
Now look at what he's been saying today:
Now look at what he's been saying today:
November 20, 2025 at 9:32 PM
Remember last week, when Trump was suing for $1 billion over the suggestion that he would incite violence against elected representatives?
Now look at what he's been saying today:
Now look at what he's been saying today:
Reposted by Luke Cooper
Shabana Mahmood is wrong - Another cowardly attack on immigrants does not hide the incompetence of the Starmer government.
Me, for the @newstatesman1913.bsky.social
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
Me, for the @newstatesman1913.bsky.social
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
Shabana Mahmood is wrong
Another cowardly attack on immigrants does not hide the incompetence of the Starmer government
www.newstatesman.com
November 18, 2025 at 12:51 PM
Shabana Mahmood is wrong - Another cowardly attack on immigrants does not hide the incompetence of the Starmer government.
Me, for the @newstatesman1913.bsky.social
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
Me, for the @newstatesman1913.bsky.social
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
Reposted by Luke Cooper
🆘 Don't let the Government abolish refugee status. Take action now! 🆘
www.anothereurope.org/petition-don...
www.anothereurope.org/petition-don...
November 17, 2025 at 5:56 PM
🆘 Don't let the Government abolish refugee status. Take action now! 🆘
www.anothereurope.org/petition-don...
www.anothereurope.org/petition-don...