Michael Higham
@michaelhigham11.bsky.social
European Politics PhD at King's College London. Researching exceptionalism in the EU, political myths, and legitimacy.
https://www.kcl.ac.uk/people/michael-higham
https://www.kcl.ac.uk/people/michael-higham
Reposted by Michael Higham
A former UK prime minister held responsible for tens of thousands of deaths while the US president calls for elected politicians to be hanged.
A jolt of a reminder that law and policy are ultimately about life and death.
And politicians are often not up to dealing with such things.
A jolt of a reminder that law and policy are ultimately about life and death.
And politicians are often not up to dealing with such things.
November 20, 2025 at 5:45 PM
A former UK prime minister held responsible for tens of thousands of deaths while the US president calls for elected politicians to be hanged.
A jolt of a reminder that law and policy are ultimately about life and death.
And politicians are often not up to dealing with such things.
A jolt of a reminder that law and policy are ultimately about life and death.
And politicians are often not up to dealing with such things.
Reposted by Michael Higham
"To say 'Zelenskyy is no friend of the working class' is an insulting, facile distraction from the fact that Sultana refuses to support the Ukrainian people’s fight for existence."
Proper cold fury and moral clarity from @paulmason.bsky.social on Sultana.
open.substack.com/pub/htsf/p/c...
Proper cold fury and moral clarity from @paulmason.bsky.social on Sultana.
open.substack.com/pub/htsf/p/c...
Coventry South needs a by-election soon
Zarah Sultana has no mandate for disarming the people of Britain and betraying Ukraine
open.substack.com
October 28, 2025 at 3:06 PM
"To say 'Zelenskyy is no friend of the working class' is an insulting, facile distraction from the fact that Sultana refuses to support the Ukrainian people’s fight for existence."
Proper cold fury and moral clarity from @paulmason.bsky.social on Sultana.
open.substack.com/pub/htsf/p/c...
Proper cold fury and moral clarity from @paulmason.bsky.social on Sultana.
open.substack.com/pub/htsf/p/c...
Reposted by Michael Higham
I’ve said it once, I’ll say it again.
Ignore the haters, London is the 🐐
Ignore the haters, London is the 🐐
September 23, 2025 at 4:17 PM
I’ve said it once, I’ll say it again.
Ignore the haters, London is the 🐐
Ignore the haters, London is the 🐐
Reposted by Michael Higham
Read in full 👉
Commission President Von der Leyen’s 2025 State of the Union Address. A call to action, but is anybody listening? - UK in a changing Europe
Hussein Kassim reflects on Ursula von der Leyen's State of the Union address on Wednesday 10 September and her terms as President of the European Commission.
ukandeu.ac.uk
September 14, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Read in full 👉
Reposted by Michael Higham
One of the strangest ironies of the last ten years has been watching Britain immersing itself as deeply as ever in memories of WW2 while proudly turning its back on the project that emerged from it.
May 8, 2025 at 10:46 AM
One of the strangest ironies of the last ten years has been watching Britain immersing itself as deeply as ever in memories of WW2 while proudly turning its back on the project that emerged from it.
Reposted by Michael Higham
This very much aligns with my view: eulogy for the transatlantic alliance has now to be written. Time for Europe to move on.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Trump or no Trump, Europe’s relationship with the US will never recover | Nathalie Tocci
Optimists cling to a faith in the old alliance, but the best we can achieve is an amicable divorce, says Guardian Europe columnist Nathalie Tocci
www.theguardian.com
September 11, 2025 at 6:59 PM
This very much aligns with my view: eulogy for the transatlantic alliance has now to be written. Time for Europe to move on.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Michael Higham
Europe’s State of the Union address is becoming a political ritual, symbolizing the slow maturing of the EU as a political entity, writes columnist Caroline de Gruyter. foreignpolicy.com/2025/09/09/e...
Europe Has Found Its True Language
The State of the Union has become a yearly ritual that breathes life into the EU.
foreignpolicy.com
September 10, 2025 at 7:16 PM
Europe’s State of the Union address is becoming a political ritual, symbolizing the slow maturing of the EU as a political entity, writes columnist Caroline de Gruyter. foreignpolicy.com/2025/09/09/e...
Reposted by Michael Higham
Radical right accommodation really does not work.
New paper out with this exceptionally talented team
@katharinalawall.bsky.social @robjohns75.bsky.social @drjennings.bsky.social @sarahobolt.bsky.social @zachdickson.bsky.social @danjdevine.bsky.social & @jack-bailey.co.uk
doi.org/10.31235/osf...
New paper out with this exceptionally talented team
@katharinalawall.bsky.social @robjohns75.bsky.social @drjennings.bsky.social @sarahobolt.bsky.social @zachdickson.bsky.social @danjdevine.bsky.social & @jack-bailey.co.uk
doi.org/10.31235/osf...
September 5, 2025 at 6:50 AM
Radical right accommodation really does not work.
New paper out with this exceptionally talented team
@katharinalawall.bsky.social @robjohns75.bsky.social @drjennings.bsky.social @sarahobolt.bsky.social @zachdickson.bsky.social @danjdevine.bsky.social & @jack-bailey.co.uk
doi.org/10.31235/osf...
New paper out with this exceptionally talented team
@katharinalawall.bsky.social @robjohns75.bsky.social @drjennings.bsky.social @sarahobolt.bsky.social @zachdickson.bsky.social @danjdevine.bsky.social & @jack-bailey.co.uk
doi.org/10.31235/osf...
Reposted by Michael Higham
- 8/20 He stresses that while the EU's first decades could draw on memories of war and the goodwill of strong economic growth, those have both dried up (correct, but for my money this was the weakest part of his speech: as the experience in central and eastern Europe is very different).
August 24, 2025 at 7:01 PM
- 8/20 He stresses that while the EU's first decades could draw on memories of war and the goodwill of strong economic growth, those have both dried up (correct, but for my money this was the weakest part of his speech: as the experience in central and eastern Europe is very different).
Reposted by Michael Higham
Just got round to watching Mario Draghi's speech in Rimini in the original Italian. It is easily the most important speech on Europe so far this year and I hope someone (@grandcontinent.bsky.social?) publishes it in English and other EU languages soon.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMME...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMME...
Mario Draghi’s Full Speech: Europe’s Harsh Reality — Powerless on the Global Stage! -ITALIAN-
YouTube video by EU Debates | eudebates.tv
www.youtube.com
August 24, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Just got round to watching Mario Draghi's speech in Rimini in the original Italian. It is easily the most important speech on Europe so far this year and I hope someone (@grandcontinent.bsky.social?) publishes it in English and other EU languages soon.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMME...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMME...
Reposted by Michael Higham
Meanwhile, UK politicians continue their race to the bottom as to who can talk the most nonsense about immigration...
www.ft.com/content/8bfd...
www.ft.com/content/8bfd...
Rich economies will need foreign workers to fuel growth, policymakers warn
Central bankers say low birth rates in world’s largest economies pose threat to productivity and prices
www.ft.com
August 24, 2025 at 3:24 AM
Meanwhile, UK politicians continue their race to the bottom as to who can talk the most nonsense about immigration...
www.ft.com/content/8bfd...
www.ft.com/content/8bfd...
Reposted by Michael Higham
President Zelenskyy:
When Russia raises the issue of security guarantees,I honestly don't know who is threatening them yet.They attacked us, they’re on our land.I don't quite understand what guarantees the aggressor needs.Guarantees of what?
When Russia raises the issue of security guarantees,I honestly don't know who is threatening them yet.They attacked us, they’re on our land.I don't quite understand what guarantees the aggressor needs.Guarantees of what?
August 22, 2025 at 1:32 PM
President Zelenskyy:
When Russia raises the issue of security guarantees,I honestly don't know who is threatening them yet.They attacked us, they’re on our land.I don't quite understand what guarantees the aggressor needs.Guarantees of what?
When Russia raises the issue of security guarantees,I honestly don't know who is threatening them yet.They attacked us, they’re on our land.I don't quite understand what guarantees the aggressor needs.Guarantees of what?
Reposted by Michael Higham
Thoughts ahead of Trump’s meeting with Zelenskyy & European leaders. First, Trump wants both sides to stop fighting, but is only prepared to put pressure on Ukraine. If Putin had any worries on that score, the Alaska summit will have reassured him. Sanctions are postponed, again. 1/16
August 17, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Thoughts ahead of Trump’s meeting with Zelenskyy & European leaders. First, Trump wants both sides to stop fighting, but is only prepared to put pressure on Ukraine. If Putin had any worries on that score, the Alaska summit will have reassured him. Sanctions are postponed, again. 1/16
Reposted by Michael Higham
It is only sentimental American exceptionalism that makes what Trump is doing any different from "increasingly dictatorial president uses military to assert power in capital city".
August 11, 2025 at 7:33 PM
It is only sentimental American exceptionalism that makes what Trump is doing any different from "increasingly dictatorial president uses military to assert power in capital city".
A pretty damning indictment of the EU's neighbourhood policy when Trump is having to broker peace deals for you. Ah the never-ending joy that is 'strategic autonomy'
I warmly welcome the initialling of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Peace Treaty today in Washington DC — an important move by President Aliyev and PM Pashinyan that paves the way to a lasting, sustainable peace.
Joint statement with @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu
www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/pre...
Joint statement with @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu
www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/pre...
Joint statement by President Costa of the European Council and President von der Leyen of the European Commission on the initialling of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Peace Treaty and on the declaration between President Aliyev and PM Pashinyan in Washington DC
European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcome today's meeting of President Aliyev of Azerbaijan and Prime Minister Pashinyan of Armenia, hosted by US President Trump, to initialise an Agreement on Peace and Establishment of Interstate Relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
www.consilium.europa.eu
August 8, 2025 at 9:09 PM
A pretty damning indictment of the EU's neighbourhood policy when Trump is having to broker peace deals for you. Ah the never-ending joy that is 'strategic autonomy'
Reposted by Michael Higham
Reposted by Michael Higham
By failing to sanction Israel, EU leaders are complicit in its crimes. They must act now | Josep Borrell
By failing to sanction Israel, EU leaders are complicit in its crimes. They must act now | Josep Borrell
Europe’s silence has allowed the genocide of Palestinians to continue unchecked – undermining all it stands for, says Josep Borrell, a former EU high representative
www.theguardian.com
August 1, 2025 at 8:34 AM
By failing to sanction Israel, EU leaders are complicit in its crimes. They must act now | Josep Borrell
Reposted by Michael Higham
If academic institutions want to grade students in a meaningful way, I suspect they will now need to go back to handwritten exams and oral tests only. If you can’t handwrite or speak, it’ll have to be done on a non-networked dumb machine. Maybe just a typewriter
“Massive numbers of students are going to emerge from university with degrees, and into the workforce, who are essentially illiterate…Both in the literal sense and in the sense of being historically illiterate and having no knowledge of their own culture, much less anyone else’s.”
Everyone Is Cheating Their Way Through College
ChatGPT has unraveled the entire academic project.
nymag.com
May 7, 2025 at 12:47 PM
If academic institutions want to grade students in a meaningful way, I suspect they will now need to go back to handwritten exams and oral tests only. If you can’t handwrite or speak, it’ll have to be done on a non-networked dumb machine. Maybe just a typewriter
Its clear that Mr Clegg would greatly benefit from taking our 2nd year undergraduate module: Introduction to the Integration of the European Union!
The EU must reinvent itself... or die
World peace cannot be safeguarded without the making of creative efforts proportionate to the dangers which threaten it.
observer.co.uk
April 28, 2025 at 9:34 AM
Its clear that Mr Clegg would greatly benefit from taking our 2nd year undergraduate module: Introduction to the Integration of the European Union!
Reposted by Michael Higham
The US is now attacking Europe on multiple fronts: economic, diplomatic and political all the while weaselling out of its strategic commitment to European security and offering aid and comfort to Europe’s existential threat… Russia.
Can’t address the problem until it’s honestly identified.
Can’t address the problem until it’s honestly identified.
🔥😡 A private Heritage Foundation workshop took place last month aimed at dismantling the EU.
Right-wing push to dismantle the EU: Heritage Foundation’s private workshop
After seizing control of the US government, the Heritage Foundation turns its attention to the EU
yorkshirebylines.co.uk
April 24, 2025 at 9:32 AM
The US is now attacking Europe on multiple fronts: economic, diplomatic and political all the while weaselling out of its strategic commitment to European security and offering aid and comfort to Europe’s existential threat… Russia.
Can’t address the problem until it’s honestly identified.
Can’t address the problem until it’s honestly identified.
Reposted by Michael Higham
Reposted by Michael Higham
Carney: Canada must be looking elsewhere to expand our trade, to build our economy, and to protect our sovereignty. Canada is ready to take a leadership role in building a coalition of likeminded countries who share our values… If the US no longer wants to lead, Canada will
April 3, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Carney: Canada must be looking elsewhere to expand our trade, to build our economy, and to protect our sovereignty. Canada is ready to take a leadership role in building a coalition of likeminded countries who share our values… If the US no longer wants to lead, Canada will
Reposted by Michael Higham
Would be cool if the European Union were occasionally not living a defining moment
March 11, 2025 at 10:43 AM
Would be cool if the European Union were occasionally not living a defining moment
I think we’ve reached the point where this discourse is no longer helpful. It’s hardly breaking news that the EU/Europe has been heavily dependent on the US for its security. What we should be discussing is how do we move away from this dependency in as fast and as sustainable way as possible.
European NATO members have become even more dependent on US weapons than before, according to a report released today.
US dominates European weapons purchases: report
European NATO members have become even more dependent on U.S. weapons than before, according to a report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) released Monday. European ar…
ow.ly
March 10, 2025 at 10:34 AM
I think we’ve reached the point where this discourse is no longer helpful. It’s hardly breaking news that the EU/Europe has been heavily dependent on the US for its security. What we should be discussing is how do we move away from this dependency in as fast and as sustainable way as possible.
