Reposted by Rob Johns
Trump has called pollsters: "Negative Criminals," "COMPROMISED AND CORRUPT," and "TRULY THE ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE."
I hope that Gallup's decision isn't an act of anticipatory obedience to a president who views any display of disapproval as a criminal offense.
www.axios.com/2026/02/11/g...
I hope that Gallup's decision isn't an act of anticipatory obedience to a president who views any display of disapproval as a criminal offense.
www.axios.com/2026/02/11/g...
Gallup's presidential approval ratings poll is ending after eight decades
Gallup said it will remain committed to polling on issues that shape everyday lives.
www.axios.com
February 11, 2026 at 10:38 PM
Trump has called pollsters: "Negative Criminals," "COMPROMISED AND CORRUPT," and "TRULY THE ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE."
I hope that Gallup's decision isn't an act of anticipatory obedience to a president who views any display of disapproval as a criminal offense.
www.axios.com/2026/02/11/g...
I hope that Gallup's decision isn't an act of anticipatory obedience to a president who views any display of disapproval as a criminal offense.
www.axios.com/2026/02/11/g...
Reposted by Rob Johns
If you are an advanced PhD student or PostDoc working on AI and global politics/tech/authoritarianism come spend 1-6 months in Berlin this year with @scripts-berlin.eu! We have some funding for you and will help w/ visa and other moving issues.
Info here: www.scripts-berlin.eu/about-us/job...
Info here: www.scripts-berlin.eu/about-us/job...
February 5, 2026 at 12:34 PM
If you are an advanced PhD student or PostDoc working on AI and global politics/tech/authoritarianism come spend 1-6 months in Berlin this year with @scripts-berlin.eu! We have some funding for you and will help w/ visa and other moving issues.
Info here: www.scripts-berlin.eu/about-us/job...
Info here: www.scripts-berlin.eu/about-us/job...
Reposted by Rob Johns
🌀It's safe to say that UK politics is in flux 🌀
Join our expert panel @anandmenon.bsky.social, @sophiestowers.bsky.social, Rachel Wolf and @drjennings.bsky.social as they unpack the latest in UK politics
📆 Tues 10 Feb, 1pm GMT
💻 Online
Sign up now 👇
ukandeu.ac.uk/events/ukice...
Join our expert panel @anandmenon.bsky.social, @sophiestowers.bsky.social, Rachel Wolf and @drjennings.bsky.social as they unpack the latest in UK politics
📆 Tues 10 Feb, 1pm GMT
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Sign up now 👇
ukandeu.ac.uk/events/ukice...
UKICE Lunch Hour: UK politics in flux - UK in a changing Europe
Join UK in a Changing Europe experts as they discuss the high levels of volatility and fragmentation in UK politics.
ukandeu.ac.uk
February 5, 2026 at 10:41 AM
🌀It's safe to say that UK politics is in flux 🌀
Join our expert panel @anandmenon.bsky.social, @sophiestowers.bsky.social, Rachel Wolf and @drjennings.bsky.social as they unpack the latest in UK politics
📆 Tues 10 Feb, 1pm GMT
💻 Online
Sign up now 👇
ukandeu.ac.uk/events/ukice...
Join our expert panel @anandmenon.bsky.social, @sophiestowers.bsky.social, Rachel Wolf and @drjennings.bsky.social as they unpack the latest in UK politics
📆 Tues 10 Feb, 1pm GMT
💻 Online
Sign up now 👇
ukandeu.ac.uk/events/ukice...
Reposted by Rob Johns
Weird and almost universal revisionism today. Even at the time, it was pretty clear that Mandelson wasn't appointed *despite* his dodgy links but *because* of them. Trump's Washington is a dirty swamp. Mandelson was deemed a man able to swim in it. This wasn't a secret. Everybody said it out loud.
February 4, 2026 at 8:55 PM
Weird and almost universal revisionism today. Even at the time, it was pretty clear that Mandelson wasn't appointed *despite* his dodgy links but *because* of them. Trump's Washington is a dirty swamp. Mandelson was deemed a man able to swim in it. This wasn't a secret. Everybody said it out loud.
It’s not the central issue here, granted, but surely “paedophile _and_ financier”, not “paedophile financier”.
useful summary of what Starmer knew and when via Times political team
February 5, 2026 at 10:48 AM
It’s not the central issue here, granted, but surely “paedophile _and_ financier”, not “paedophile financier”.
Reposted by Rob Johns
All news is local...
February 3, 2026 at 9:50 PM
All news is local...
This is (characteristically) excellent.
Some thoughts on regulating social media.
In the past I've compared smartphones to cigarettes, which is unfair - they're obviously more useful than that.
Cars are a better analogy - a brilliant technology with horrible downsides.
substack.nomoremarking.com/p/what-would...
In the past I've compared smartphones to cigarettes, which is unfair - they're obviously more useful than that.
Cars are a better analogy - a brilliant technology with horrible downsides.
substack.nomoremarking.com/p/what-would...
What would Mr Toad make of school phone bans?
Why phones are more like cars than cigarettes
substack.nomoremarking.com
February 3, 2026 at 5:31 PM
This is (characteristically) excellent.
Reposted by Rob Johns
Reposted by Rob Johns
Our Collaborative studentship competition is NOW OPEN!
We have 8 exciting projects open for applications until 16 February 2026.
For more info visit: www.senss.ac.uk/collaborativ...
We have 8 exciting projects open for applications until 16 February 2026.
For more info visit: www.senss.ac.uk/collaborativ...
December 18, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Our Collaborative studentship competition is NOW OPEN!
We have 8 exciting projects open for applications until 16 February 2026.
For more info visit: www.senss.ac.uk/collaborativ...
We have 8 exciting projects open for applications until 16 February 2026.
For more info visit: www.senss.ac.uk/collaborativ...
Reposted by Rob Johns
This is, again, why I think "They are just the Tories with a new name" isn't necessarily damaging for them. Lots of people like(d) voting for the Tories.
www.joxleywrites.jmoxley.co.uk/p/voters-lik...
www.joxleywrites.jmoxley.co.uk/p/voters-lik...
Voters like Us
Identity, belonging, and the normalisation of Reform
www.joxleywrites.jmoxley.co.uk
January 21, 2026 at 5:31 PM
This is, again, why I think "They are just the Tories with a new name" isn't necessarily damaging for them. Lots of people like(d) voting for the Tories.
www.joxleywrites.jmoxley.co.uk/p/voters-lik...
www.joxleywrites.jmoxley.co.uk/p/voters-lik...
Reposted by Rob Johns
I feel staggeringly lucky to have missed the fee increase and been able to pay off my loan on a vaguely normal timescale. People who did the same course as me at the same place two years later face an additional 9% tax for 30 years of their working life
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
Britain's youth are living in Nick Clegg's shadow
All except the richest graduates since 2012 face a bespoke additional tax. No wonder they're radicalised
www.newstatesman.com
January 20, 2026 at 10:10 AM
I feel staggeringly lucky to have missed the fee increase and been able to pay off my loan on a vaguely normal timescale. People who did the same course as me at the same place two years later face an additional 9% tax for 30 years of their working life
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
Reposted by Rob Johns
"I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of Peace"
January 19, 2026 at 7:00 PM
"I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of Peace"
Big fan of this phrase:
"If the grass seems greener on Nigel Farage’s side, it has been well fertilised by the careers of anybody who has challenged, overshadowed, or even in one case succeeded by agreement, the position of the supreme leader."
"If the grass seems greener on Nigel Farage’s side, it has been well fertilised by the careers of anybody who has challenged, overshadowed, or even in one case succeeded by agreement, the position of the supreme leader."
Who will prevail in the fight on the right? ft.trib.al/WoSfHRm | opinion
Who will prevail in the fight on the right?
A useful indicator of the health of the Tory party and Reform is whether ambitious people are trying to get in or out
ft.trib.al
January 18, 2026 at 1:40 PM
Big fan of this phrase:
"If the grass seems greener on Nigel Farage’s side, it has been well fertilised by the careers of anybody who has challenged, overshadowed, or even in one case succeeded by agreement, the position of the supreme leader."
"If the grass seems greener on Nigel Farage’s side, it has been well fertilised by the careers of anybody who has challenged, overshadowed, or even in one case succeeded by agreement, the position of the supreme leader."
Reposted by Rob Johns
Portugal is having a presidential election tomorrow (Sunday).
It is a fairly unusual one, which is representative of how much the political landscape has changed in the country.
Here is some quick context about it, in case that is of interest:
1/9
It is a fairly unusual one, which is representative of how much the political landscape has changed in the country.
Here is some quick context about it, in case that is of interest:
1/9
January 17, 2026 at 6:06 PM
Portugal is having a presidential election tomorrow (Sunday).
It is a fairly unusual one, which is representative of how much the political landscape has changed in the country.
Here is some quick context about it, in case that is of interest:
1/9
It is a fairly unusual one, which is representative of how much the political landscape has changed in the country.
Here is some quick context about it, in case that is of interest:
1/9
Reposted by Rob Johns
First Scotland poll of the year, first Scotland poll tracker of the year. SNP still projected one short of a majority.
Seats (+/- 2021):
SNP: 64 (-)
Ref: 19 (+19)
Lab: 17 (-5)
Grn: 13 (+5)
Con: 9 (-22)
LD: 7 (+3)
Alba: 0 (-)
21 marginals: 17 SNP, 3 Labour, 1 Conservative.
1/3
Seats (+/- 2021):
SNP: 64 (-)
Ref: 19 (+19)
Lab: 17 (-5)
Grn: 13 (+5)
Con: 9 (-22)
LD: 7 (+3)
Alba: 0 (-)
21 marginals: 17 SNP, 3 Labour, 1 Conservative.
1/3
January 16, 2026 at 11:23 AM
First Scotland poll of the year, first Scotland poll tracker of the year. SNP still projected one short of a majority.
Seats (+/- 2021):
SNP: 64 (-)
Ref: 19 (+19)
Lab: 17 (-5)
Grn: 13 (+5)
Con: 9 (-22)
LD: 7 (+3)
Alba: 0 (-)
21 marginals: 17 SNP, 3 Labour, 1 Conservative.
1/3
Seats (+/- 2021):
SNP: 64 (-)
Ref: 19 (+19)
Lab: 17 (-5)
Grn: 13 (+5)
Con: 9 (-22)
LD: 7 (+3)
Alba: 0 (-)
21 marginals: 17 SNP, 3 Labour, 1 Conservative.
1/3
Essex Summer School is back!
With a boundless energy and a freshness of slides that you wouldn't expect from someone now squarely in the 'veteran' category, I'll be delivering my course on Designing & Analysing Surveys.
And that's just one of the delights on offer. Browse below and sign up ASAP.
With a boundless energy and a freshness of slides that you wouldn't expect from someone now squarely in the 'veteran' category, I'll be delivering my course on Designing & Analysing Surveys.
And that's just one of the delights on offer. Browse below and sign up ASAP.
January 16, 2026 at 9:53 AM
Essex Summer School is back!
With a boundless energy and a freshness of slides that you wouldn't expect from someone now squarely in the 'veteran' category, I'll be delivering my course on Designing & Analysing Surveys.
And that's just one of the delights on offer. Browse below and sign up ASAP.
With a boundless energy and a freshness of slides that you wouldn't expect from someone now squarely in the 'veteran' category, I'll be delivering my course on Designing & Analysing Surveys.
And that's just one of the delights on offer. Browse below and sign up ASAP.
On the vidiprinter, it would have said "Labour: 10% (ten per cent)".
Plaid open 14 point lead over Reform UK in our January 2026 Senedd voting intention
Plaid Cymru: 37% (+7 from 4-10 Sep 2025)
Reform UK: 23% (-6)
Green: 13% (+7)
Conservative: 10% (-1)
Labour: 10% (-4)
Lib Dem: 5% (-1)
Other: 2% (-2)
yougov.co.uk/politics/art...
Plaid Cymru: 37% (+7 from 4-10 Sep 2025)
Reform UK: 23% (-6)
Green: 13% (+7)
Conservative: 10% (-1)
Labour: 10% (-4)
Lib Dem: 5% (-1)
Other: 2% (-2)
yougov.co.uk/politics/art...
January 14, 2026 at 9:57 AM
On the vidiprinter, it would have said "Labour: 10% (ten per cent)".
"We were able to show that voting would take less time than traditional peer review and would spread the workload over many more reviewers." Well, there's that.
January 14, 2026 at 9:55 AM
"We were able to show that voting would take less time than traditional peer review and would spread the workload over many more reviewers." Well, there's that.
Just read the abstract of the paper cited in support of the democratic option. Even its authors don't buy it: "This is a preliminary study that does not investigate many of the concerns about how a voting system would work...including vote rigging, lobbying and it becoming a popularity contest."
January 14, 2026 at 9:54 AM
Just read the abstract of the paper cited in support of the democratic option. Even its authors don't buy it: "This is a preliminary study that does not investigate many of the concerns about how a voting system would work...including vote rigging, lobbying and it becoming a popularity contest."
Reposted by Rob Johns
From November 2025 -
From the Factory Floor to the Ballot Box: Firm-Based Origins of Brazil’s Populist Right - https://cup.org/4r04qrj
- @matigiannoni.bsky.social
#OpenAccess
From the Factory Floor to the Ballot Box: Firm-Based Origins of Brazil’s Populist Right - https://cup.org/4r04qrj
- @matigiannoni.bsky.social
#OpenAccess
January 13, 2026 at 12:11 PM
From November 2025 -
From the Factory Floor to the Ballot Box: Firm-Based Origins of Brazil’s Populist Right - https://cup.org/4r04qrj
- @matigiannoni.bsky.social
#OpenAccess
From the Factory Floor to the Ballot Box: Firm-Based Origins of Brazil’s Populist Right - https://cup.org/4r04qrj
- @matigiannoni.bsky.social
#OpenAccess
In other words, if we're talking about the might-have-voted-Labour as opposed to the did-vote-Labour-in-2024, then I think the relative importance of the economy would be reduced.
January 6, 2026 at 2:04 PM
In other words, if we're talking about the might-have-voted-Labour as opposed to the did-vote-Labour-in-2024, then I think the relative importance of the economy would be reduced.
I have a similar experience, actually, and I think it would have helped to put a timeframe on the abandonment. The quote was more about losses since the election. Labour's pretty meagre vote share in July 2024 indicates that many liberal-inclined voters had already turned against them by then.
January 6, 2026 at 2:04 PM
I have a similar experience, actually, and I think it would have helped to put a timeframe on the abandonment. The quote was more about losses since the election. Labour's pretty meagre vote share in July 2024 indicates that many liberal-inclined voters had already turned against them by then.
Two possibilities:
i) they believe [rightly or wrongly] that another party offers a better economy;
ii) concluding [rightly or wrongly] that there's little between the parties on the economy, they judge on other grounds, e.g. values, where some find Labour too liberal and some not liberal enough.
i) they believe [rightly or wrongly] that another party offers a better economy;
ii) concluding [rightly or wrongly] that there's little between the parties on the economy, they judge on other grounds, e.g. values, where some find Labour too liberal and some not liberal enough.
January 6, 2026 at 12:56 PM
Two possibilities:
i) they believe [rightly or wrongly] that another party offers a better economy;
ii) concluding [rightly or wrongly] that there's little between the parties on the economy, they judge on other grounds, e.g. values, where some find Labour too liberal and some not liberal enough.
i) they believe [rightly or wrongly] that another party offers a better economy;
ii) concluding [rightly or wrongly] that there's little between the parties on the economy, they judge on other grounds, e.g. values, where some find Labour too liberal and some not liberal enough.