Robert Saunders
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robertsaunders.bsky.social
Robert Saunders
@robertsaunders.bsky.social
Historian of modern Britain, singer and political nerd. Author of "Yes to Europe! The 1975 Referendum & Seventies Britain". "A jaw-dislocating page turner"(Andrew Marr). Deputy-director @mileendinstitute.bsky.social, Reader @QMHistory
On 25 April, my choir will be singing the complete choral works of Thomas Tallis in one day - culminating in his stunning 40-part motet "Spem in Alium".

Do come and listen if you're in Oxford, or watch the livestream. And we'd be hugely grateful for any donations!
www.justgiving.com/campaign/tal...
February 8, 2026 at 12:36 PM
The difficulty is that this is not "a simple problem".

There is no simple route to "growth, jobs and rising living standards" in an age of tariff wars, disruptive new technologies, climate change, war in Ukraine, Brexit & Trump.

The pretence that these things *were* easy has done Labour real harm
Our new polling with More in Common exposes a simple problem in British politics.

Voters want growth, jobs and rising living standards.

But they don’t think politicians are focused on any of them.
February 7, 2026 at 9:56 PM
No, Starmer will not request an election. This is the kind of willy-waving we got from Johnson in his dying days.

If he did, the king would be entitled to refuse.

The Parliament is still viable, an alternative govt could be formed & an election could not resolve what is an internal party problem.
February 7, 2026 at 9:43 PM
"An iron curtain has descended across the Continent".

On 5 March we'll mark 80 years of Churchill's "Sinews of Peace" speech at Fulton Missouri.

Join the brilliant @patporter76.bsky.social & @sophgaston.bsky.social to explore its history & the lessons for today
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/beyond-the...
Beyond the Iron Curtain: Churchill's Fulton Speech, 80 Years On
Join the Mile End Institute for Prof Patrick Porter's lecture marking 80 years since Churchill's "Iron Curtain" speech in Fulton, Missouri!
www.eventbrite.co.uk
February 7, 2026 at 12:34 PM
Do join us on 16 February for our next distinguished Hennessy Lecture, by the legendary broadcaster Kate Adie.

Adie reported on the Iranian Embassy siege, Tiananmen Square, the war in Yugoslavia, the Lockerbie Bombing and many other major stories.

Free tickets here!
www.qmul.ac.uk/mei/events/m...
The Hennessy Lecture: Kate Adie CBE
www.qmul.ac.uk
February 6, 2026 at 1:29 PM
Reposted by Robert Saunders
One thing the Mandelson affair shows is that it is good for politicians to have a moral compass that exists outside of polls and media cycles. Because the latter changes on a dime and suddenly something that was ok becomes the reason for a major political crisis
February 6, 2026 at 10:15 AM
The answer to this question is almost certainly "yes", but prime ministers are like opera singers: they can take a very long time to die.

John Major limped on for 4 yrs after Black Wednesday. Brown & May ran zombie premierships for 2yrs after their authority broke. 1/3
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Henry Zeffman: Could this be the beginning of the end for Keir Starmer?
Few Labour MPs are publicly calling for Sir Keir Starmer to go but this is very serious moment for the PM.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 5, 2026 at 6:06 PM
Reposted by Robert Saunders
Interested in the intersection between policymaking, especially in the UK, and academic research? Come work with us! The @mileendinstitute.bsky.social at @qmulsse.bsky.social is advertising for a new Policy Partnerships Officer. Details and application here:

qmul-jobs.tal.net/vx/mobile-0/...
Policy Partnerships Officer - QMUL Jobs
ID: 8276. Title: Policy Partnerships Officer. Application Deadline:
qmul-jobs.tal.net
January 15, 2026 at 1:00 PM
This podcast feels relevant again today.

We spent quite a lot of time on the problems with the "pipeline", and why we keep producing leaders who struggle to do the job.

Listen here: buff.ly/bhvHQf6
February 5, 2026 at 1:03 PM
Reposted by Robert Saunders
Today’s the day!

There’s still time to register for our lunchtime webinar on the Jury System.

Is the Government right to restrict trial by jury for all but the most serious offences? What can behaviour science tell us about how juries make decisions?

Find out at our free webinar, today at 12pm!
Is the government right to restrict trial by jury for all but the most serious offences?

What can behavioural science tell us about how juries make decisions?

Have we really had "800 years of trial by one's peers"?

Find out at our free webinar, Tuesday at 12:00!
us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
February 3, 2026 at 9:56 AM
Is the government right to restrict trial by jury for all but the most serious offences?

What can behavioural science tell us about how juries make decisions?

Have we really had "800 years of trial by one's peers"?

Find out at our free webinar, Tuesday at 12:00!
us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
February 2, 2026 at 8:56 AM
Tuesday 12:00: join our free webinar on the government's plans to abolish jury trial for most offences.

We'll be exploring the challenges facing the courts, what ministers are proposing, the history of jury trial and the behavioral science of juries.

All welcome!
us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
January 31, 2026 at 3:04 PM
Not everyday you see people sailing boats on Port "Meadow" in Oxford!
January 31, 2026 at 2:58 PM
A thoughtful response by @igmansfield.bsky.social to the essay I posted yesterday on "Brexit in Historical Perspective". (With a nice touch of Tolkien at the end!)

There's been too little constructive dialogue between Leavers and Remainers since 2016. So I'm grateful to Iain for engaging with this.
Post-Brexit Britain should look to Canada, not to nostalgic dreams of Empire, as its model and inspiration.

A response to @robertsaunders.bsky.social 'Brexit in Historical Perspective'.

www.edrith.co.uk/p/six-years-...
Six Years of Brexit
A response to Dr Robert Saunders: Brexit in Historical Perspective
www.edrith.co.uk
January 31, 2026 at 1:08 PM
Reposted by Robert Saunders
It's six years today since Britain left the EU.

I wrote this on Brexit day in 2020, about the strategic dilemmas to which European membership had once been the answer and that would now reopen once Britain left.

I'd stand by most of it today.
gladstonediaries.blogspot.com/2020/01/brex...
Brexit in Historical Perspective: The Age of Britain in Europe
When the bell tolls at eleven o’clock tonight, ringing out Britain’s membership of the EU, an entire phase of British history will ...
gladstonediaries.blogspot.com
January 30, 2026 at 12:01 PM
It's six years today since Britain left the EU.

I wrote this on Brexit day in 2020, about the strategic dilemmas to which European membership had once been the answer and that would now reopen once Britain left.

I'd stand by most of it today.
gladstonediaries.blogspot.com/2020/01/brex...
Brexit in Historical Perspective: The Age of Britain in Europe
When the bell tolls at eleven o’clock tonight, ringing out Britain’s membership of the EU, an entire phase of British history will ...
gladstonediaries.blogspot.com
January 30, 2026 at 12:01 PM
Excellent critique of the government's proposed jury reforms by @georginaq.bsky.social.

The @mileendinstitute.bsky.social are hosting a webinar on this on Tuesday at 12, with three expert guests. Register for free here: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
www.ft.com/content/bb5a...
Labour lacks the data and modelling to justify its judicial reforms
Government’s misunderstanding of operational failures facing courts makes planned juryless trials hard to defend
www.ft.com
January 30, 2026 at 9:57 AM
On my way to London to deliver this paper. It's possible to watch online if you're interested.
‘“Democracy Has Come!” The Third Reform Act & the Making of British Democracy’.

I'll be speaking at the IHR Modern British Seminar on Thursday 29 Jan, on why the 1884 Reform Act is more exciting than you think...

17:30 in London or online. Read on for a taster...🧵
www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...
January 29, 2026 at 3:00 PM
We're thrilled to be welcoming legendary broadcaster Kate Adie to the @mileendinstitute.bsky.social for our 5th distinguished Hennessy Lecture.

She'll discuss her life as a reporter and explore the challenges & paths ahead for journalism today.

16 Feb 6:30.Book here!
www.qmul.ac.uk/mei/events/m...
The Hennessy Lecture: Kate Adie CBE
www.qmul.ac.uk
January 29, 2026 at 8:58 AM
This "my way or the highway" strategy has been a disaster for both Labour & the Conservatives.

Parties are not just vehicles for their leaders, to be driven this way or that by whoever's currently at the wheel. They are coalitions built out of multiple traditions.

Wise leaders make that a strength
January 28, 2026 at 10:57 PM
From the Chartists to the suffragettes, and from the civil rights movement to the anti-apartheid struggle, every great protest movement has found strength in song.

There is extraordinary power in music. More than one injustice has fallen before a hail of ballads.
I wrote this song on Saturday, recorded it yesterday and released it to you today in response to the state terror being visited on the city of Minneapolis. It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good.

Stay free
Bruce Springsteen - Streets Of Minneapolis (Official Audio)
YouTube video by Bruce Springsteen
youtu.be
January 28, 2026 at 10:43 PM
Reposted by Robert Saunders
This sounds interesting - and obviously topical.
Should jury trial be scrapped for most offences?

What can behavioural science tell us about how juries make decisions?

What can we learn from the history of the jury system?

Join our online panel to explore all this & more on Tuesday 3 February 12:00. All welcome!
us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
January 28, 2026 at 9:29 PM
Reposted by Robert Saunders
🔔 Following up on our Politics on Trial series, your chance to tune in to see PPF regular and national treasure @robertsaunders.bsky.social live on 'Reforming the Jury System' 🔔

📅 Tuesday 3rd February
⏰ 12pm UK time
🎟️ Free to all, register online below ⬇️
Should jury trial be scrapped for most offences?

What can behavioural science tell us about how juries make decisions?

What can we learn from the history of the jury system?

Join our online panel to explore all this & more on Tuesday 3 February 12:00. All welcome!
us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
January 28, 2026 at 4:31 PM
‘“Democracy Has Come!” The Third Reform Act & the Making of British Democracy’.

I'll be speaking at the IHR Modern British Seminar on Thursday 29 Jan, on why the 1884 Reform Act is more exciting than you think...

17:30 in London or online. Read on for a taster...🧵
www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...
January 28, 2026 at 11:19 AM
Should jury trial be scrapped for most offences?

What can behavioural science tell us about how juries make decisions?

What can we learn from the history of the jury system?

Join our online panel to explore all this & more on Tuesday 3 February 12:00. All welcome!
us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
January 28, 2026 at 10:07 AM