Theo Bertram
@theobertram.bsky.social
Director of the Social Market Foundation
Reposted by Theo Bertram
Join us for our event, Top of the Pops: Charting the rise of Populism in the UK
We'll welcome @saschaosullivan.bsky.social & @keiranpedley.bsky.social along with @jamiegollings.bsky.social & @theobertram.bsky.social to discuss our new report, Understanding Populism.
📅 Sign up: buff.ly/BQ8kINO
We'll welcome @saschaosullivan.bsky.social & @keiranpedley.bsky.social along with @jamiegollings.bsky.social & @theobertram.bsky.social to discuss our new report, Understanding Populism.
📅 Sign up: buff.ly/BQ8kINO
April 27, 2025 at 11:01 AM
Join us for our event, Top of the Pops: Charting the rise of Populism in the UK
We'll welcome @saschaosullivan.bsky.social & @keiranpedley.bsky.social along with @jamiegollings.bsky.social & @theobertram.bsky.social to discuss our new report, Understanding Populism.
📅 Sign up: buff.ly/BQ8kINO
We'll welcome @saschaosullivan.bsky.social & @keiranpedley.bsky.social along with @jamiegollings.bsky.social & @theobertram.bsky.social to discuss our new report, Understanding Populism.
📅 Sign up: buff.ly/BQ8kINO
The last episode of Severance was brilliant. The scene with the brass band - and the intricacy & depth, weirdness & fullness of the portrait of the cult of Egan & Lumon - really reminded me of Matthew Barney's Cremaster Cycle.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqQN...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqQN...
Cremaster Cycle Trailer
YouTube video by naradeni
www.youtube.com
March 28, 2025 at 10:09 AM
The last episode of Severance was brilliant. The scene with the brass band - and the intricacy & depth, weirdness & fullness of the portrait of the cult of Egan & Lumon - really reminded me of Matthew Barney's Cremaster Cycle.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqQN...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqQN...
Reposted by Theo Bertram
SMF Director @theobertram.bsky.social reacts to the Spring Statement 🧮
You can read the full reaction from the SMF team below 👇
www.smf.co.uk/social-marke...
You can read the full reaction from the SMF team below 👇
www.smf.co.uk/social-marke...
March 26, 2025 at 2:49 PM
SMF Director @theobertram.bsky.social reacts to the Spring Statement 🧮
You can read the full reaction from the SMF team below 👇
www.smf.co.uk/social-marke...
You can read the full reaction from the SMF team below 👇
www.smf.co.uk/social-marke...
Reposted by Theo Bertram
On @lbc.co.uk , SMF Director @theobertram.bsky.social set out our inventive ideas for the Spring Statement 🧮
✅ Raise Remote Gambling Duty to raise £4.4bn
✅ Vacant Property Tax to raise £10bn
✅ Tax on house flipping to raise £2.8bn
✅ Tax on non-resident home purchases to raise £6.7bn
✅ Raise Remote Gambling Duty to raise £4.4bn
✅ Vacant Property Tax to raise £10bn
✅ Tax on house flipping to raise £2.8bn
✅ Tax on non-resident home purchases to raise £6.7bn
March 25, 2025 at 4:51 PM
On @lbc.co.uk , SMF Director @theobertram.bsky.social set out our inventive ideas for the Spring Statement 🧮
✅ Raise Remote Gambling Duty to raise £4.4bn
✅ Vacant Property Tax to raise £10bn
✅ Tax on house flipping to raise £2.8bn
✅ Tax on non-resident home purchases to raise £6.7bn
✅ Raise Remote Gambling Duty to raise £4.4bn
✅ Vacant Property Tax to raise £10bn
✅ Tax on house flipping to raise £2.8bn
✅ Tax on non-resident home purchases to raise £6.7bn
Reposted by Theo Bertram
Great to see the @guardian cover our suggestions on the fairer, cost-effective solutions the Chancellor could make ahead of the Spring Statement.
You can read our full list of suggestions here 👇
www.smf.co.uk/commen...
You can read our full list of suggestions here 👇
www.smf.co.uk/commen...
March 21, 2025 at 9:48 AM
Great to see the @guardian cover our suggestions on the fairer, cost-effective solutions the Chancellor could make ahead of the Spring Statement.
You can read our full list of suggestions here 👇
www.smf.co.uk/commen...
You can read our full list of suggestions here 👇
www.smf.co.uk/commen...
The story of the local elections is likely to be Tory losses but if Reform were to win the Runcorn by-election on the same day then the story will be plague-on-both-your-houses, providing some cover for Badenoch. Conversely, if Labour manages to hold the seat then it makes her situation worse.
Following the resignation of Mike Amesbury, @commonsspeaker.parliament.uk has issued a writ for a by-election to take place in the constituency of Runcorn and Helsby, on a date yet to be announced.
March 20, 2025 at 11:24 AM
The story of the local elections is likely to be Tory losses but if Reform were to win the Runcorn by-election on the same day then the story will be plague-on-both-your-houses, providing some cover for Badenoch. Conversely, if Labour manages to hold the seat then it makes her situation worse.
Badenoch says: "families being forced to replace perfectly functioning cars, boilers and cookers with more expensive, less reliable versions of the same thing." No one is being forced to buy EVs or heat pumps. It's a common myth that she's deliberately reinforcing.
March 18, 2025 at 12:37 PM
Badenoch says: "families being forced to replace perfectly functioning cars, boilers and cookers with more expensive, less reliable versions of the same thing." No one is being forced to buy EVs or heat pumps. It's a common myth that she's deliberately reinforcing.
Tacking right on net zero
March 18, 2025 at 9:51 AM
Tacking right on net zero
A very significant day of politics - Badenoch going right on net zero, Labour not going left on welfare reform
March 18, 2025 at 9:45 AM
A very significant day of politics - Badenoch going right on net zero, Labour not going left on welfare reform
This was actually a fascinating panel despite the apparent disinterest Colm and I appear to be showing in the image
Enjoyed this @mileendinstitute.bsky.social webinar on the Starmer govt's economic policies with @samfr.bsky.social, @katealexandershaw.bsky.social, @theobertram.bsky.social and @morganj0nes.bsky.social.
I was lucky to join such an expert panel. Great turnout online too!
youtu.be/cTC6td1Ge9w?...
I was lucky to join such an expert panel. Great turnout online too!
youtu.be/cTC6td1Ge9w?...
The Political Economy of Starmer's Labour
YouTube video by Mile End Institute
youtu.be
March 17, 2025 at 3:01 PM
This was actually a fascinating panel despite the apparent disinterest Colm and I appear to be showing in the image
🧵HOW TO POWER AI - New from
@SMFthinktank
The UK ranks 4th gl;obally on AI talent & research but infrastructure is the Achilles heel of the UK’s AI ambitions, where we rank 17th. Two problems: planning & energy costs risk us losing our European crown. The problem in one chart:
@SMFthinktank
The UK ranks 4th gl;obally on AI talent & research but infrastructure is the Achilles heel of the UK’s AI ambitions, where we rank 17th. Two problems: planning & energy costs risk us losing our European crown. The problem in one chart:
February 10, 2025 at 9:03 AM
🧵HOW TO POWER AI - New from
@SMFthinktank
The UK ranks 4th gl;obally on AI talent & research but infrastructure is the Achilles heel of the UK’s AI ambitions, where we rank 17th. Two problems: planning & energy costs risk us losing our European crown. The problem in one chart:
@SMFthinktank
The UK ranks 4th gl;obally on AI talent & research but infrastructure is the Achilles heel of the UK’s AI ambitions, where we rank 17th. Two problems: planning & energy costs risk us losing our European crown. The problem in one chart:
Today marks a decisive shift in Labour's strategy. Reeves' speech and Starmer's article are less doomsterish and much more bullish - not just about the future but the present.
January 29, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Today marks a decisive shift in Labour's strategy. Reeves' speech and Starmer's article are less doomsterish and much more bullish - not just about the future but the present.
Alex Jones - banned from Facebook, Apple, Spotify, YouTube, TikTok, Pinterest, Mailchimp, LinkedIn, Paypal - is allowed on X since Musk bought it.
Below is an ad promoting Jones & his conspiracy theory that MRNA is causing 'COVID AIDS'.
X directly profit from this misinfo.
Below is an ad promoting Jones & his conspiracy theory that MRNA is causing 'COVID AIDS'.
X directly profit from this misinfo.
January 23, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Alex Jones - banned from Facebook, Apple, Spotify, YouTube, TikTok, Pinterest, Mailchimp, LinkedIn, Paypal - is allowed on X since Musk bought it.
Below is an ad promoting Jones & his conspiracy theory that MRNA is causing 'COVID AIDS'.
X directly profit from this misinfo.
Below is an ad promoting Jones & his conspiracy theory that MRNA is causing 'COVID AIDS'.
X directly profit from this misinfo.
Both sides living up to their stereotype today:
BlueSky: growth is good, nimbys are bad and actually PR is really quite possible, probably inevitable
X: growth growth is good, nimbys are bad and actually the death penalty is quite sensible, probably inevitable
BlueSky: growth is good, nimbys are bad and actually PR is really quite possible, probably inevitable
X: growth growth is good, nimbys are bad and actually the death penalty is quite sensible, probably inevitable
January 23, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Both sides living up to their stereotype today:
BlueSky: growth is good, nimbys are bad and actually PR is really quite possible, probably inevitable
X: growth growth is good, nimbys are bad and actually the death penalty is quite sensible, probably inevitable
BlueSky: growth is good, nimbys are bad and actually PR is really quite possible, probably inevitable
X: growth growth is good, nimbys are bad and actually the death penalty is quite sensible, probably inevitable
🧵New analysis on public attitudes to net zero from
@SMFthinktank
First, the good news - Brits are much less likely to be climate change sceptics than the US. 'Drill, baby, drill' is not going to be a 'vibe shift' in the UK, as it was in the US.
@SMFthinktank
First, the good news - Brits are much less likely to be climate change sceptics than the US. 'Drill, baby, drill' is not going to be a 'vibe shift' in the UK, as it was in the US.
January 23, 2025 at 12:36 PM
🧵New analysis on public attitudes to net zero from
@SMFthinktank
First, the good news - Brits are much less likely to be climate change sceptics than the US. 'Drill, baby, drill' is not going to be a 'vibe shift' in the UK, as it was in the US.
@SMFthinktank
First, the good news - Brits are much less likely to be climate change sceptics than the US. 'Drill, baby, drill' is not going to be a 'vibe shift' in the UK, as it was in the US.
We have had so much in recent weeks about suspected cover ups and the damage to trust attributed to various key institutions in the UK. Will those folks extend that criticism to The Sun, or does that institution get a free pass?
January 22, 2025 at 7:26 PM
We have had so much in recent weeks about suspected cover ups and the damage to trust attributed to various key institutions in the UK. Will those folks extend that criticism to The Sun, or does that institution get a free pass?
It will be interesting to see whether those who frequently are quick to criticise the BBC or mainstream media now make any criticism of The Sun.
January 22, 2025 at 7:22 PM
It will be interesting to see whether those who frequently are quick to criticise the BBC or mainstream media now make any criticism of The Sun.
Why is the triple lock 'unsustainable' in the long run?
Because it guarantees that we as a country pay out (pensions) more than we pay in (earnings) and eventually that becomes unaffordable for workers.
The IFS modelled it here:
Because it guarantees that we as a country pay out (pensions) more than we pay in (earnings) and eventually that becomes unaffordable for workers.
The IFS modelled it here:
January 17, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Why is the triple lock 'unsustainable' in the long run?
Because it guarantees that we as a country pay out (pensions) more than we pay in (earnings) and eventually that becomes unaffordable for workers.
The IFS modelled it here:
Because it guarantees that we as a country pay out (pensions) more than we pay in (earnings) and eventually that becomes unaffordable for workers.
The IFS modelled it here:
To this point by @rmcunliffe.bsky.social, is there a definitive list of politicians who have acknowledged (publicly, rather than just in private) that the triple lock can't last?
Mel Stride: "does become unsustainable in the long-term"
Torsten Bell: “not a sensible mechanism for pensions uprating”
Mel Stride: "does become unsustainable in the long-term"
Torsten Bell: “not a sensible mechanism for pensions uprating”
It would actually be really good to have a conversation about the sustainability of the triple lock.
Yesterday Badenoch called for politicians to tell hard truths about things voters don’t want to hear, and pensions is the big one.
Torsten Bell also knows this.
Can we all just be grownups?
Yesterday Badenoch called for politicians to tell hard truths about things voters don’t want to hear, and pensions is the big one.
Torsten Bell also knows this.
Can we all just be grownups?
January 17, 2025 at 12:34 PM
To this point by @rmcunliffe.bsky.social, is there a definitive list of politicians who have acknowledged (publicly, rather than just in private) that the triple lock can't last?
Mel Stride: "does become unsustainable in the long-term"
Torsten Bell: “not a sensible mechanism for pensions uprating”
Mel Stride: "does become unsustainable in the long-term"
Torsten Bell: “not a sensible mechanism for pensions uprating”
Reposted by Theo Bertram
Reasons why Chancellors have left
✔️Mutiny
✔️Govt majority collapses
✔️They become PM
Not reasons why Chancellors leave
❌Barbs in the Commons
❌Opinion polls
👇Thoughts by @theobertram.bsky.social on the speculation this week regarding Chancellor Reeves www.smf.co.uk/commentary_p...
✔️Mutiny
✔️Govt majority collapses
✔️They become PM
Not reasons why Chancellors leave
❌Barbs in the Commons
❌Opinion polls
👇Thoughts by @theobertram.bsky.social on the speculation this week regarding Chancellor Reeves www.smf.co.uk/commentary_p...
No, Reeves is not hanging on by her fingertips - here's why - Social Market Foundation.
Theo Bertram takes a look back, reminding us that Chancellors have a history of enduring through the barbs, the polls, and bad headlines.
www.smf.co.uk
January 17, 2025 at 9:34 AM
Reasons why Chancellors have left
✔️Mutiny
✔️Govt majority collapses
✔️They become PM
Not reasons why Chancellors leave
❌Barbs in the Commons
❌Opinion polls
👇Thoughts by @theobertram.bsky.social on the speculation this week regarding Chancellor Reeves www.smf.co.uk/commentary_p...
✔️Mutiny
✔️Govt majority collapses
✔️They become PM
Not reasons why Chancellors leave
❌Barbs in the Commons
❌Opinion polls
👇Thoughts by @theobertram.bsky.social on the speculation this week regarding Chancellor Reeves www.smf.co.uk/commentary_p...
The start of this week was wild. Lots of people in Westminster got completely carried away with Tory wishful thinking that Rachel Reeves was about to be replaced. Why did this obviously daft idea get taken seriously?
I've figured it out. I blame the noobs.
🧵
I've figured it out. I blame the noobs.
🧵
January 17, 2025 at 11:56 AM
The start of this week was wild. Lots of people in Westminster got completely carried away with Tory wishful thinking that Rachel Reeves was about to be replaced. Why did this obviously daft idea get taken seriously?
I've figured it out. I blame the noobs.
🧵
I've figured it out. I blame the noobs.
🧵
The US at home: preparing to ban TikTok because it's not US-owned & they fear foreign influence & suspect (unproven) links to China govt.
The US abroad: Musk using his platform to destabilise other democracies & support far-right groups, while Zuck wants US to overturn other democracies laws.
The US abroad: Musk using his platform to destabilise other democracies & support far-right groups, while Zuck wants US to overturn other democracies laws.
January 11, 2025 at 12:03 PM
The US at home: preparing to ban TikTok because it's not US-owned & they fear foreign influence & suspect (unproven) links to China govt.
The US abroad: Musk using his platform to destabilise other democracies & support far-right groups, while Zuck wants US to overturn other democracies laws.
The US abroad: Musk using his platform to destabilise other democracies & support far-right groups, while Zuck wants US to overturn other democracies laws.
Reposted by Theo Bertram
1/ This goes beyond a criticism of the EU Digital Services Act (on the grounds that the US First Amendment should apply worldwide). It argues the EU should not apply its *competition* law to US tech companies on the EU market either. A rejection of the very idea of the EU regulation of its market.
🚨 BREAKING: The U.S. government under incoming President Donald Trump should intervene to stop the EU from fining American tech companies for breaching antitrust rules and other violations, Meta chief exec Mark Zuckerberg said late Friday.
Full story: trib.al/IWW9g57
Zuckerberg urges Trump to stop the EU from fining US tech companies
Comparing the bloc’s antitrust penalties to tariffs, the Meta boss argued that Brussels is “screwing with” American industry.
trib.al
January 11, 2025 at 11:16 AM
1/ This goes beyond a criticism of the EU Digital Services Act (on the grounds that the US First Amendment should apply worldwide). It argues the EU should not apply its *competition* law to US tech companies on the EU market either. A rejection of the very idea of the EU regulation of its market.