Phil Burton-Cartledge
@philbc3.bsky.social
Does political sociology @DerbyUni | Blogger | Author: 'The Party's Over: The Rise and Fall of the Conservatives from Thatcher to Sunak' | Bylines @Tribune & @Jacobin | Bits of SF too | Writes things: http://averypublicsociologist.blogspot.co.uk
"And now that his days are numbered and the Labour right have suffered an historic embarrassment, he remains the tool of others, a meat shield whose sole purpose is to take the electoral beating coming the government's way."
What is the Point of Keir Starmer?
This is the worst 24 hours of Keir Starmer's leadership! Or, as the Simpson's meme has it, this is the worst 24 hours of Keir Starmer's lead...
averypublicsociologist.blogspot.com
February 9, 2026 at 10:52 PM
"And now that his days are numbered and the Labour right have suffered an historic embarrassment, he remains the tool of others, a meat shield whose sole purpose is to take the electoral beating coming the government's way."
Reposted by Phil Burton-Cartledge
I began to write LOSS PROTOCOL in 2023, and here at last is a box of copies of the finished book. Published, in the UK, on February 12th.
February 9, 2026 at 4:29 PM
I began to write LOSS PROTOCOL in 2023, and here at last is a box of copies of the finished book. Published, in the UK, on February 12th.
Reposted by Phil Burton-Cartledge
now that's the power of a union
The Ford worker who heckled Trump during a visit to the company's plant still has his job and "has no discipline on his record," a union official said
Ford worker who heckled Trump keeps job, 'no discipline' for incident
The United Auto Workers union said TJ Sabula remains employed and called out the president for making an obscene gesture toward the worker.
www.detroitnews.com
February 9, 2026 at 5:28 PM
now that's the power of a union
Ironic that a man barely ever in his workplace should make such a call.
BREAKING: Nigel Farage calls for an end to working from home and the focus on work-life balance
"People aren't more productive working from home - it's a load of nonsense”
Whatever you do JUST DON’T VOTE REFORM!
"People aren't more productive working from home - it's a load of nonsense”
Whatever you do JUST DON’T VOTE REFORM!
February 9, 2026 at 5:35 PM
Ironic that a man barely ever in his workplace should make such a call.
Reposted by Phil Burton-Cartledge
A fascinating "why format matters" example here. Making this the text of your post would be standard government minister boilerplate.
Posting it as a screenshot in the official font makes it look like you've been asked to carry the portrait of Lenin at the May Day Parade.
Posting it as a screenshot in the official font makes it look like you've been asked to carry the portrait of Lenin at the May Day Parade.
February 9, 2026 at 3:05 PM
A fascinating "why format matters" example here. Making this the text of your post would be standard government minister boilerplate.
Posting it as a screenshot in the official font makes it look like you've been asked to carry the portrait of Lenin at the May Day Parade.
Posting it as a screenshot in the official font makes it look like you've been asked to carry the portrait of Lenin at the May Day Parade.
Reposted by Phil Burton-Cartledge
Pitiful that Starmer is hanging on not because he has any prospect of actually staying in power long term, but because the Labour right doesn't fancy a leadership contest just yet. Shredding his dignity yet further, all for a few more weeks at the front of the DLR.
February 9, 2026 at 2:58 PM
Pitiful that Starmer is hanging on not because he has any prospect of actually staying in power long term, but because the Labour right doesn't fancy a leadership contest just yet. Shredding his dignity yet further, all for a few more weeks at the front of the DLR.
Is it safe to concentrate on work again?
February 9, 2026 at 2:57 PM
Is it safe to concentrate on work again?
Worth noting that on this most momentous political occasion, I'm watching Anas Sarwar on the Daily Record livestream with just ... 87 others.
February 9, 2026 at 2:43 PM
Worth noting that on this most momentous political occasion, I'm watching Anas Sarwar on the Daily Record livestream with just ... 87 others.
Sarwar throwing Starmer under the bus won't save Scottish Labour from humiliation this May. Nor his job.
February 9, 2026 at 2:39 PM
Sarwar throwing Starmer under the bus won't save Scottish Labour from humiliation this May. Nor his job.
🤔
NEW: Sources close to Eluned Morgan, Labour first minister in Wales, insist that she is not planning to say anything on Keir Starmer's leadership today - despite reports to the contrary.
February 9, 2026 at 2:32 PM
🤔
"It's your job or mine!"
Labour's Scottish leader Anas Sarwar will say PM should go before May, not after, in a press conference soon
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar to call on Keir Starmer to stand down
Sarwar said to be furious Starmer’s repeated mistakes have heavily damaged Scottish support before May elections
www.theguardian.com
February 9, 2026 at 2:28 PM
"It's your job or mine!"
Going to be disappointed now if Sarwar says that he has full confidence in Keir Starmer.
February 9, 2026 at 2:23 PM
Going to be disappointed now if Sarwar says that he has full confidence in Keir Starmer.
One of my mates is in Portcullis House right now. Says it's tumbleweed.
February 9, 2026 at 2:18 PM
One of my mates is in Portcullis House right now. Says it's tumbleweed.
Don't think putting an out of office notice on because there's a major political crisis will cut it.
February 9, 2026 at 2:12 PM
Don't think putting an out of office notice on because there's a major political crisis will cut it.
How am I supposed to concentrate on the work in front of me.
February 9, 2026 at 2:11 PM
How am I supposed to concentrate on the work in front of me.
Reposted by Phil Burton-Cartledge
alright, first issue is out for Forces of Production, Common Wealth's new monthly newsletter on the US supply side, from a macro point of view!
www.forcesofproduction.com/p/slow-slide...
www.forcesofproduction.com/p/slow-slide...
Slow Slide on the Supply Side
Our first issue!
www.forcesofproduction.com
February 9, 2026 at 2:05 PM
alright, first issue is out for Forces of Production, Common Wealth's new monthly newsletter on the US supply side, from a macro point of view!
www.forcesofproduction.com/p/slow-slide...
www.forcesofproduction.com/p/slow-slide...
The doom is upon him.
BREAKING | Welsh Labour leader Eluned Morgan is set to follow Scottish Labour's Anas Sarwar in calling for Keir Starmer to resign
trib.al/Jh0qibA
trib.al/Jh0qibA
Starmer latest: Scottish Labour leader to demand PM resign over Mandelson scandal
A major intervention from Anas Sarwar could be the tipping point for Keir Starmer’s premiership
trib.al
February 9, 2026 at 2:08 PM
The doom is upon him.
Reposted by Phil Burton-Cartledge
Keir Starmer talk like a half-way normal person challenge.
“I've known Morgan for eight years as a colleague and as a friend. We have run up and down every political football pitch that is across the country.”
“I've known Morgan for eight years as a colleague and as a friend. We have run up and down every political football pitch that is across the country.”
February 9, 2026 at 1:52 PM
Keir Starmer talk like a half-way normal person challenge.
“I've known Morgan for eight years as a colleague and as a friend. We have run up and down every political football pitch that is across the country.”
“I've known Morgan for eight years as a colleague and as a friend. We have run up and down every political football pitch that is across the country.”
Reposted by Phil Burton-Cartledge
The way Chris pincher has been basically been erased from boris downfall is really instructive in Westminster culture and how these people get away with it
I see we're back to "Johnson resigned because of a party" and not because he employed a known sex pest, lied about what he knew, and more than half his cabinet resigned as a result.
Madeley. FFS.
February 9, 2026 at 1:34 PM
The way Chris pincher has been basically been erased from boris downfall is really instructive in Westminster culture and how these people get away with it
That post I was thinking of writing later about Keir Starmer's survival ... it's going in the bin.
February 9, 2026 at 1:57 PM
That post I was thinking of writing later about Keir Starmer's survival ... it's going in the bin.
Patriotism, loyalty, honour. Values they expect the little people to live by. But, of course, it seldom applies to them.
Police assessing claims about Andrew sharing confidential trade details
It comes after files suggest the former prince shared confidential information with Jeffrey Epstein from his official work as trade envoy.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 9, 2026 at 1:52 PM
Patriotism, loyalty, honour. Values they expect the little people to live by. But, of course, it seldom applies to them.
Reposted by Phil Burton-Cartledge
He should resign at the same time.
Huge breaking news. Anas Sarwar is going to call for Sir Keir Starmer to quit. Emergency press conference at 2.30pm. Follow @heraldscotland.bsky.social live blog here www.heraldscotland.com/news/2583840...
Anas Sarwar to call for Keir Starmer to stand down as Prime Minister
Anas Sarwar is set to address reporters in Glasgow city centre this afternoon.
www.heraldscotland.com
February 9, 2026 at 1:23 PM
He should resign at the same time.
Reposted by Phil Burton-Cartledge
The OBR has modelled nationalising the most vulnerable 39 Higher Education Institutions, by the way. It 'only' adds £800m to Public Sector Net Financial Liabilities, and overall it makes Public Sector Net Worth *higher*. Just saying here. 🤷♂️
February 9, 2026 at 12:46 PM
The OBR has modelled nationalising the most vulnerable 39 Higher Education Institutions, by the way. It 'only' adds £800m to Public Sector Net Financial Liabilities, and overall it makes Public Sector Net Worth *higher*. Just saying here. 🤷♂️
"If McSweeney has a genuine talent, it's as a con man."
A Farewell to Morgan McSweeney
What a fantastic week. Peter Mandelson toasted to charcoal, the government being forced to make public all communications about him, the pos...
averypublicsociologist.blogspot.com
February 9, 2026 at 12:14 PM
"If McSweeney has a genuine talent, it's as a con man."
Another day, another resignation from Downing Street.
February 9, 2026 at 11:24 AM
Another day, another resignation from Downing Street.