Steven Fielding
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polprofsteve2024.bsky.social
Steven Fielding
@polprofsteve2024.bsky.social
4.1K followers 1.4K following 6.5K posts

Emeritus Prof, writing (slowly) about Labour’s existential struggles since 1976 for Polity. Knows stuff about politics & culture.
Labour List: https://labourlist.org/author/s-fielding/
Zeitgeist Tapes: https://shorturl.at/nwdO4 .. more

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Steven Fielding is an academic in the School of Politics at the University of Nottingham where he is professor of political history and director of the Centre for British Politics. His most recent work A State of Play sets out the qualified constructivist view that how individuals regard real politics can be shaped by fictional works about politics. .. more

Political science 73%
History 11%
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polprofsteve2024.bsky.social
Steven Fielding @polprofsteve2024.bsky.social · 20d
What is Labour’s record on multiculturalism & how does this government measure up? We talk to the author of this highly recommended book. www.progressivebritain.org/multicultura...

Reposted by Steven Fielding

polprofsteve2024.bsky.social
Steven Fielding @polprofsteve2024.bsky.social · 1h
In New York. I wonder how that’s going down in Michigan or Ohio? 🤞🏾

polprofsteve2024.bsky.social
Steven Fielding @polprofsteve2024.bsky.social · 4h
I might be wrong, I’ve yet to hear a Labour minister said this is happening? If they’re so desperate to chase Reform voters, they should be screaming this from the rooftops.
theguardian.com The Guardian @theguardian.com · 4h
Two-thirds of UK voters wrongly think immigration is rising, poll finds
Two-thirds of UK voters wrongly think immigration is rising, poll finds
Exclusive: Voters say they have little confidence that government can control borders despite sharp falls in net migration A large majority of UK voters believe immigration is increasing despite sharp falls in the number of people entering the UK, according to exclusive polling shared with the Guardian. Voters also say they have no confidence in the government’s ability to control the UK’s borders, according to the poll by More in Common. The results will come as a blow to Keir Starmer’s administration, which has taken an increasingly hardline stance on immigration in recent months. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com

Reposted by Jonathan Portes, Ben H. Ansell, Will Jennings , and 1 more

theguardian.com
The Guardian @theguardian.com · 4h
Two-thirds of UK voters wrongly think immigration is rising, poll finds
Two-thirds of UK voters wrongly think immigration is rising, poll finds
Exclusive: Voters say they have little confidence that government can control borders despite sharp falls in net migration A large majority of UK voters believe immigration is increasing despite sharp falls in the number of people entering the UK, according to exclusive polling shared with the Guardian. Voters also say they have no confidence in the government’s ability to control the UK’s borders, according to the poll by More in Common. The results will come as a blow to Keir Starmer’s administration, which has taken an increasingly hardline stance on immigration in recent months. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com

polprofsteve2024.bsky.social
Steven Fielding @polprofsteve2024.bsky.social · 7h
I very much doubt that.

polprofsteve2024.bsky.social
Steven Fielding @polprofsteve2024.bsky.social · 8h
Corbyn was the anti-Blair whilst Starmer was the anti-Corbyn: here I suggested maybe Labour needs to be less Manichean. labourlist.org/2025/09/jere...
'Corbynism failed, but Labour risks failure now too if it forgets why he rose' - LabourList
Jeremy Corbyn’s election as Labour leader on September 12th 2015 was just one of the shocks endured by…
labourlist.org

polprofsteve2024.bsky.social
Steven Fielding @polprofsteve2024.bsky.social · 8h
I was echoing Mogg’s ridiculous claim that Britain would be a vassal state of the EU, so I’m being (a bit) rhetorical.

polprofsteve2024.bsky.social
Steven Fielding @polprofsteve2024.bsky.social · 8h
Interesting. He was also a lawyer that did relatively badly with juries but well on appeal with judges. Which is also not a good trait in a party leader especially these days.

Reposted by Steve Peers

polprofsteve2024.bsky.social
Steven Fielding @polprofsteve2024.bsky.social · 9h
Leaders often go against their members’ prejudices to be popular with voters or vice versa: Starmer has achieved a very difficult & unenviable trick.

polprofsteve2024.bsky.social
Steven Fielding @polprofsteve2024.bsky.social · 9h
Since at least Thatcher (& esp since 2008) Labour has been in a continuing existential struggle with itself & the electorate about who & what it was meant to represent. But I doubt there’s been a leadership so much out of sympathy with both its members & the public.

polprofsteve2024.bsky.social
Steven Fielding @polprofsteve2024.bsky.social · 9h
But in the long-term, we are dead.

polprofsteve2024.bsky.social
Steven Fielding @polprofsteve2024.bsky.social · 9h
Bluntly, this government looks like toast without big changes. What is in question is Labour’s future as a party that can aspire to govt, that it won’t simply become irrelevant after the next election. Luke’s monomania which he thinks is going to save the party only looks like it will destroy it.

Reposted by Simon Wren‐Lewis, Pauline Stafford

polprofsteve2024.bsky.social
Steven Fielding @polprofsteve2024.bsky.social · 9h
Since becoming leader Starmer has prioritised winning back ‘hero voters’ - & completely failed. Lab won in 2024 despite that busted strategy & we can see the results of persisting with it. Luke et al are more of a danger to Lab than Corbyn ever was. magazine.newstatesman.com/2026/01/09/o...
Only Reform voters can save Labour
A progressive coalition simply doesn’t have the vote share
magazine.newstatesman.com

polprofsteve2024.bsky.social
Steven Fielding @polprofsteve2024.bsky.social · 10h
‘If a nation with as enduring a bond with the United States as Denmark is treated this way, then what is the point of being America’s friend?’ www.nytimes.com/2026/01/09/o...
Opinion | Greenland Is Only the Beginning. Trump Has His Sights Set on Europe.
www.nytimes.com

polprofsteve2024.bsky.social
Steven Fielding @polprofsteve2024.bsky.social · 1d
I do hope not, if nothing else it would be such a cliche.

polprofsteve2024.bsky.social
Steven Fielding @polprofsteve2024.bsky.social · 1d
This looks very much like turning a corner into a cul-de-sac.
resolutionfoundation.org Resolution Foundation @resolutionfoundation.org · 1d
How does the Government's rhetoric around the cost of living compare with the reality? Could we really be “turning a corner” in 2026, as Starmer hopefully proclaimed at PMQs?

Find out how “£150 off Energy bills” works in practice ⤵️ buff.ly/wkw0Sqh

Reposted by Steven Fielding

resolutionfoundation.org
Resolution Foundation @resolutionfoundation.org · 1d
How does the Government's rhetoric around the cost of living compare with the reality? Could we really be “turning a corner” in 2026, as Starmer hopefully proclaimed at PMQs?

Find out how “£150 off Energy bills” works in practice ⤵️ buff.ly/wkw0Sqh

polprofsteve2024.bsky.social
Steven Fielding @polprofsteve2024.bsky.social · 1d
Fascinating & very relevant example of how politics can shape perceptions.
yougov.co.uk YouGov @yougov.co.uk · 1d
61% of Britons say they think London is an unsafe place to live

Think about London
Safe: 30%
Unsafe: 61%

Think about their own local area
Safe: 87%
Unsafe: 11%

Reposted by Steven Fielding

yougov.co.uk
YouGov @yougov.co.uk · 1d
61% of Britons say they think London is an unsafe place to live

Think about London
Safe: 30%
Unsafe: 61%

Think about their own local area
Safe: 87%
Unsafe: 11%

polprofsteve2024.bsky.social
Steven Fielding @polprofsteve2024.bsky.social · 1d
I guess if you don’t stay at home and shut the fuck up, then you must be a terrorist?

polprofsteve2024.bsky.social
Steven Fielding @polprofsteve2024.bsky.social · 1d
Maybe. But hopefully it will repivot to a Europe able to stand on its own 2 feet.

polprofsteve2024.bsky.social
Steven Fielding @polprofsteve2024.bsky.social · 1d
But this isn’t going to happen. Like so much spouted on here, I’m venting, it’s just hot air, as those who are in charge have already committed themselves in a blinkered, grim way to the course which in all likelihood is going to lead to Labour’s defeat & the UK a virtual vassal state.

polprofsteve2024.bsky.social
Steven Fielding @polprofsteve2024.bsky.social · 1d
That doesn’t mean going all Stop The War & be anti-US but even after Trump leaves office the US will never be the same: its priorities were already re-orientating away from Europe. And domestically this challenges Farage’s Trump sycophancy in a patriotic way while appealing to progressives.

polprofsteve2024.bsky.social
Steven Fielding @polprofsteve2024.bsky.social · 1d
Unless something radically changes then yes. The course is set for a Reform-led government.

Reposted by Pauline Stafford

polprofsteve2024.bsky.social
Steven Fielding @polprofsteve2024.bsky.social · 1d
Britain’s reliance on US intelligence is well known but they also need ours. & Trump can do a lot of economic damage to the UK. But there comes a point when national self-respect is slightly more important. & the moment has come when we need to declare our own independence from this toxified state.
ramiismail.com Rami Ismail (رامي) @ramiismail.com · 1d
Trump, who is openly discussing annexing Greenland, wants UK's Starmer to know that if he takes any action against Elon Musk's automated child sexual abuse material delivery system X, the UK will "face consequences" until Starmer allows US oligarchs to plunder the UK like a good boy.

polprofsteve2024.bsky.social
Steven Fielding @polprofsteve2024.bsky.social · 1d
That is one of a number of issues. But a new leader in itself won’t rectify much.

Reposted by Steven Fielding

ramiismail.com
Rami Ismail (رامي) @ramiismail.com · 1d
Trump, who is openly discussing annexing Greenland, wants UK's Starmer to know that if he takes any action against Elon Musk's automated child sexual abuse material delivery system X, the UK will "face consequences" until Starmer allows US oligarchs to plunder the UK like a good boy.

polprofsteve2024.bsky.social
Steven Fielding @polprofsteve2024.bsky.social · 1d
One of the big problems for the govt - which undoubtedly encourages the below - is ministers do not have a clear, precise, consistent & realistic plan for that much-heralded ‘change’. It is aw a muddle.
joxley.jmoxley.co.uk John Oxley @joxley.jmoxley.co.uk · 1d
Think the problem with this is everyone wants the government to just do stuff until it just does stuff they don't like.
luketryl.bsky.social Luke Tryl @luketryl.bsky.social · 1d
Great @economist.com piece by @matthewholehouse.bsky.social on state capacity. Am convinced next election winner will be who convinces people Government can actually just *do things* & politicians aren’t powerless to make good on promises. My reframe of Reagan maxim www.economist.com/britain/2026...

Reposted by Steven Fielding

joxley.jmoxley.co.uk
John Oxley @joxley.jmoxley.co.uk · 1d
Think the problem with this is everyone wants the government to just do stuff until it just does stuff they don't like.
luketryl.bsky.social Luke Tryl @luketryl.bsky.social · 1d
Great @economist.com piece by @matthewholehouse.bsky.social on state capacity. Am convinced next election winner will be who convinces people Government can actually just *do things* & politicians aren’t powerless to make good on promises. My reframe of Reagan maxim www.economist.com/britain/2026...

Reposted by Steven Fielding

artinsociety.bsky.social
Journal of Art in Society @artinsociety.bsky.social · 1d
Restoration of this 16C Italian painting ‘Woman at a Window’ revealed that the original, much more provocative, woman (at R) had been overpainted ~ compare the eyes, mouth, hair colour & bust ~ to conform to polite Victorian tastes (at L)
www.nationalgallery.org.uk/research/res...