Peter Whitewood
@pwhitewood.bsky.social
Associate Prof & Head of History @YSJ. Early Soviet history and Stalinism. Working on POWs and the Soviet Red Cross. Occasional drummer https://shorturl.at/LRaWz
Reposted by Peter Whitewood
Britain’s inequitable student loan system ft.trib.al/ybwY34T | opinion
Britain’s inequitable student loan system
Graduate discontent is growing over their repayment terms
ft.trib.al
February 4, 2026 at 6:45 PM
Britain’s inequitable student loan system ft.trib.al/ybwY34T | opinion
For some, Brexit remains stuck in its Trotskyist phase.
February 1, 2026 at 5:18 PM
For some, Brexit remains stuck in its Trotskyist phase.
A weak response from Goodwin
January 31, 2026 at 8:58 PM
A weak response from Goodwin
Philip Augar is right about the need for a ‘proper debate’ on HE funding; but while recognising the very difficult graduate job market, he also calls for courses with below sector results to be cut. There is obviously a relationship.
January 30, 2026 at 5:27 PM
Philip Augar is right about the need for a ‘proper debate’ on HE funding; but while recognising the very difficult graduate job market, he also calls for courses with below sector results to be cut. There is obviously a relationship.
Reposted by Peter Whitewood
It is quite striking that Konstantin Kisin simply denied (falsely) on BBC1 that he had said what he said, word for word, on his podcast.
Konstantin Kisin straight up lying on #bbcqt
Douglas Alexander: “When Fraser Nelson put it to you that Rishi Sunak is absolutely english… you said “he’s a brown Hindu, how is he english?”
Kisin: “No, that’s not what I said...”
Douglas Alexander: “When Fraser Nelson put it to you that Rishi Sunak is absolutely english… you said “he’s a brown Hindu, how is he english?”
Kisin: “No, that’s not what I said...”
January 30, 2026 at 3:37 PM
It is quite striking that Konstantin Kisin simply denied (falsely) on BBC1 that he had said what he said, word for word, on his podcast.
Reposted by Peter Whitewood
Why did the Russian Army collapse in 1917? 🪆
Full article: www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
In our latest issue, Konstantin Tarasov argues that the 1917 Russian soldier’s "rampage" was a quest for dignity, not just war fatigue.
cc: @ktarasov.bsky.social
Full article: www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
In our latest issue, Konstantin Tarasov argues that the 1917 Russian soldier’s "rampage" was a quest for dignity, not just war fatigue.
cc: @ktarasov.bsky.social
January 30, 2026 at 4:05 PM
Why did the Russian Army collapse in 1917? 🪆
Full article: www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
In our latest issue, Konstantin Tarasov argues that the 1917 Russian soldier’s "rampage" was a quest for dignity, not just war fatigue.
cc: @ktarasov.bsky.social
Full article: www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
In our latest issue, Konstantin Tarasov argues that the 1917 Russian soldier’s "rampage" was a quest for dignity, not just war fatigue.
cc: @ktarasov.bsky.social
Reposted by Peter Whitewood
On almost everything – fraud, polarisation, radicalisation, misinformation – evidence suggests that over 60s are in much more urgent need of online protection and education than teenagers.
But that issue gets zero political attention, and is a total non-starter. Nothing good will come of it.
But that issue gets zero political attention, and is a total non-starter. Nothing good will come of it.
This was a minor story on London news this morning - but suspect is a real cautionary (and alarming) tale of an older man getting radicalised online.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Sidcup man convicted aover explosive attack on Ulez camera
Kevin Rees's homemade bomb caused damage to vehicles and property including a child's bedroom.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 29, 2026 at 9:43 AM
On almost everything – fraud, polarisation, radicalisation, misinformation – evidence suggests that over 60s are in much more urgent need of online protection and education than teenagers.
But that issue gets zero political attention, and is a total non-starter. Nothing good will come of it.
But that issue gets zero political attention, and is a total non-starter. Nothing good will come of it.
A confusing one from Allister this week, not least because nothing says national pride like a weekly insistence that your country is finished
January 28, 2026 at 6:18 PM
A confusing one from Allister this week, not least because nothing says national pride like a weekly insistence that your country is finished
Reposted by Peter Whitewood
Recent top political insights from candidate Goodwin
January 27, 2026 at 5:30 PM
Recent top political insights from candidate Goodwin
Reposted by Peter Whitewood
It's like watching a doctor remove all the infected organs and wondering if they'll be enough left to allow the uninfected patient to live.
New: Nigel Farage unveils Suella Braverman, former Home Secretary, as his latest defector
January 26, 2026 at 12:18 PM
It's like watching a doctor remove all the infected organs and wondering if they'll be enough left to allow the uninfected patient to live.
Doing some research in the National Library of Finland this week, which is an amazing building
January 26, 2026 at 8:23 AM
Doing some research in the National Library of Finland this week, which is an amazing building
Reposted by Peter Whitewood
New post out:
"Who runs Britain?"
Politicians complain they are unable to do anything because of the machinery of state. Yet they have more power than ever.
What explains this "paradox of executive power" and how can it be fixed?
(£/free trial)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/w...
"Who runs Britain?"
Politicians complain they are unable to do anything because of the machinery of state. Yet they have more power than ever.
What explains this "paradox of executive power" and how can it be fixed?
(£/free trial)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/w...
Who runs Britain?
The paradox of executive power
open.substack.com
January 25, 2026 at 9:09 AM
New post out:
"Who runs Britain?"
Politicians complain they are unable to do anything because of the machinery of state. Yet they have more power than ever.
What explains this "paradox of executive power" and how can it be fixed?
(£/free trial)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/w...
"Who runs Britain?"
Politicians complain they are unable to do anything because of the machinery of state. Yet they have more power than ever.
What explains this "paradox of executive power" and how can it be fixed?
(£/free trial)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/w...
Very bleak on the graduate job market:
‘In a poll by the Institute of Student Employers, hiring was reduced by 8 per cent in the last academic year and there were 140 applications for each vacancy among those surveyed for a second consecutive year, up from 86 per vacancy in 2022-23.’
‘In a poll by the Institute of Student Employers, hiring was reduced by 8 per cent in the last academic year and there were 140 applications for each vacancy among those surveyed for a second consecutive year, up from 86 per vacancy in 2022-23.’
The great graduate job drought
Economic uncertainty and the arrival of AI have brought a reduction in entry-level roles, with potentially disastrous consequences for young people
www.ft.com
January 22, 2026 at 9:33 PM
Very bleak on the graduate job market:
‘In a poll by the Institute of Student Employers, hiring was reduced by 8 per cent in the last academic year and there were 140 applications for each vacancy among those surveyed for a second consecutive year, up from 86 per vacancy in 2022-23.’
‘In a poll by the Institute of Student Employers, hiring was reduced by 8 per cent in the last academic year and there were 140 applications for each vacancy among those surveyed for a second consecutive year, up from 86 per vacancy in 2022-23.’
Feel the energy!
January 22, 2026 at 10:06 AM
Feel the energy!
Reposted by Peter Whitewood
'Several universities’ undergraduate student intakes fell by between 20 and 30 per cent for this academic year, as many elite institutions reported record numbers.' Sector as a whole accepted 2% more students. Russell Group up 9% (29% of all UK enrolments). 1/3
Intakes down by a third at some providers, latest Ucas data show
Half of Russell Group universities accept record number of undergraduates, according to end-of-cycle admissions figures
www.timeshighereducation.com
January 21, 2026 at 4:04 PM
'Several universities’ undergraduate student intakes fell by between 20 and 30 per cent for this academic year, as many elite institutions reported record numbers.' Sector as a whole accepted 2% more students. Russell Group up 9% (29% of all UK enrolments). 1/3
Reposted by Peter Whitewood
All fine - every Chancellor says this.
But won't move the dial when PM/HomeSec tell migrant workers and foreign students their presence is a "squalid chapter" & are changing rules so as to kick them out.
HMT understands damage of current trajectory but needs to act, and soon.
But won't move the dial when PM/HomeSec tell migrant workers and foreign students their presence is a "squalid chapter" & are changing rules so as to kick them out.
HMT understands damage of current trajectory but needs to act, and soon.
January 21, 2026 at 8:02 AM
All fine - every Chancellor says this.
But won't move the dial when PM/HomeSec tell migrant workers and foreign students their presence is a "squalid chapter" & are changing rules so as to kick them out.
HMT understands damage of current trajectory but needs to act, and soon.
But won't move the dial when PM/HomeSec tell migrant workers and foreign students their presence is a "squalid chapter" & are changing rules so as to kick them out.
HMT understands damage of current trajectory but needs to act, and soon.
Reposted by Peter Whitewood
Former Prime Minister Liz Truss tweets that Robert Jenrick is a "trojan horse" who is "getting his orders" from some unidentified shadowy force of global conspirators
January 18, 2026 at 11:12 PM
Former Prime Minister Liz Truss tweets that Robert Jenrick is a "trojan horse" who is "getting his orders" from some unidentified shadowy force of global conspirators
Reposted by Peter Whitewood
January 18, 2026 at 5:47 PM
Reposted by Peter Whitewood
Hard agree. I'm increasingly just zero sympathy for the cowardly chauvinists who can't handle places where lots of different people get along together.
I realise I'm just a freak, but living in a multicultural city is the best thing of all time, it's just the best possible human experience and i can not understand why anyone on earth would be like "weve got to destroy this"
January 17, 2026 at 8:11 AM
Hard agree. I'm increasingly just zero sympathy for the cowardly chauvinists who can't handle places where lots of different people get along together.
Reposted by Peter Whitewood
We have an ageing population, struggling public services, and climate change. People might want low taxes, no migrants and cheaper energy, but they also don't want to lie in a hospital corridor for hours or have their house flooded. You can win elections with magic thinking but can't govern with it.
January 16, 2026 at 8:06 AM
We have an ageing population, struggling public services, and climate change. People might want low taxes, no migrants and cheaper energy, but they also don't want to lie in a hospital corridor for hours or have their house flooded. You can win elections with magic thinking but can't govern with it.
Reposted by Peter Whitewood
@stephenkb.bsky.social v good on Jenrick defection, opportunity it presents to Tories, unlikelihood of them seizing it giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
Jenrick’s sacking is both threat and opportunity for Badenoch
The surprise departure deprives Farage of some Westminster theatre and gives the Tories a chance to reclaim ground
giftarticle.ft.com
January 16, 2026 at 11:09 AM
@stephenkb.bsky.social v good on Jenrick defection, opportunity it presents to Tories, unlikelihood of them seizing it giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
Reposted by Peter Whitewood
Reform’s hollow revolution: a wave of Tory defections reflects a Thatcherite tribute act rather than a true insurgency. www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
Reform’s hollow revolution
A wave of Tory defections reflects a Thatcherite tribute act rather than a true insurgency
www.newstatesman.com
January 16, 2026 at 11:14 AM
Reform’s hollow revolution: a wave of Tory defections reflects a Thatcherite tribute act rather than a true insurgency. www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
Reposted by Peter Whitewood
It is really important to understand that the asylum hotel chaos of 2022-24 is a *failed experiment in closed borders* (in contrast to the liberal visa policy)
The hotel chaos comes from passing multiple laws that all claims will be refused & to stop processing claims
bsky.app/profile/pete...
The hotel chaos comes from passing multiple laws that all claims will be refused & to stop processing claims
bsky.app/profile/pete...
“Robert Jenrick is the man who as Immigration Minister oversaw the open borders experiment that led to the biggest increase in illegal immigration in our country”
Labour's Steve Reed reacts to Robert Jenrick's decision to defect from the Conservatives to Reform UK
Labour's Steve Reed reacts to Robert Jenrick's decision to defect from the Conservatives to Reform UK
January 16, 2026 at 8:23 AM
It is really important to understand that the asylum hotel chaos of 2022-24 is a *failed experiment in closed borders* (in contrast to the liberal visa policy)
The hotel chaos comes from passing multiple laws that all claims will be refused & to stop processing claims
bsky.app/profile/pete...
The hotel chaos comes from passing multiple laws that all claims will be refused & to stop processing claims
bsky.app/profile/pete...
Good on OfS concerns about grade inflation.
January 16, 2026 at 9:43 AM
Good on OfS concerns about grade inflation.