William Lane
@williamjtlane.bsky.social
Policy, Public Affairs and Electoral Analysis
'Political Analyst' - Aaron H. Ellis
Views my own
Writes at https://thepartyanimal.substack.com/
'Political Analyst' - Aaron H. Ellis
Views my own
Writes at https://thepartyanimal.substack.com/
Pinned
Is Labour's Support Draining Out of the South?
Only a year on from a stunning political upset in the South East, Labour’s support appears to be draining away incredibly fast. Is this trend reversible, or are Labour on course for a major reversal?
open.substack.com
NEW ARTICLE
Well I promised a deep electoral dive for Labour's Conference special, and here it is!
Read about the ongoing fall of Labour's 2024 success in the South of England, and what that could mean for a potential Lib-Lab pact in 2029.
open.substack.com/pub/williamj...
Well I promised a deep electoral dive for Labour's Conference special, and here it is!
Read about the ongoing fall of Labour's 2024 success in the South of England, and what that could mean for a potential Lib-Lab pact in 2029.
open.substack.com/pub/williamj...
Reposted by William Lane
We remember today those who fought for this freedom.
"No man who knows aught can be so stupid to deny that all men were naturally born free," John Milton
"No man who knows aught can be so stupid to deny that all men were naturally born free," John Milton
November 11, 2025 at 11:50 AM
We remember today those who fought for this freedom.
"No man who knows aught can be so stupid to deny that all men were naturally born free," John Milton
"No man who knows aught can be so stupid to deny that all men were naturally born free," John Milton
So I'd say it is and it isn't
It's a bit like the English language, in that the baseline rules aren't that hard to grasp, but there's endless nuances to understand
IMO it comes down to two things:
Uni education, and inherited wealth
If you have one (or both) of those, you're seen as middle class
It's a bit like the English language, in that the baseline rules aren't that hard to grasp, but there's endless nuances to understand
IMO it comes down to two things:
Uni education, and inherited wealth
If you have one (or both) of those, you're seen as middle class
Could someone explain to me what is meant when a British person refers to "the middle class" ? Like, in the US, as I hear it, it basically just means a person who makes a certain amount of money, not too far below and not wildly above the median. Seems like a complex concept when UK writers use it?
November 10, 2025 at 10:42 PM
So I'd say it is and it isn't
It's a bit like the English language, in that the baseline rules aren't that hard to grasp, but there's endless nuances to understand
IMO it comes down to two things:
Uni education, and inherited wealth
If you have one (or both) of those, you're seen as middle class
It's a bit like the English language, in that the baseline rules aren't that hard to grasp, but there's endless nuances to understand
IMO it comes down to two things:
Uni education, and inherited wealth
If you have one (or both) of those, you're seen as middle class
'I am not a number, I am a free man!'
Ah, my favourite TV show! A true classic, and one that's stood the test of time.
Ah, my favourite TV show! A true classic, and one that's stood the test of time.
Share a TV series from the 1960s you love. 📺
The Prisoner.
The Prisoner.
November 9, 2025 at 6:00 PM
'I am not a number, I am a free man!'
Ah, my favourite TV show! A true classic, and one that's stood the test of time.
Ah, my favourite TV show! A true classic, and one that's stood the test of time.
Totally agree on both points (although IMO the growth of multi-party politics would have eroded Labour's voteshare over time regardless).
The future may look like a 'progressive' centre-left majority formed of a variety of major and minor parties. Ofc this assumes the Right won't recover...
The future may look like a 'progressive' centre-left majority formed of a variety of major and minor parties. Ofc this assumes the Right won't recover...
November 9, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Totally agree on both points (although IMO the growth of multi-party politics would have eroded Labour's voteshare over time regardless).
The future may look like a 'progressive' centre-left majority formed of a variety of major and minor parties. Ofc this assumes the Right won't recover...
The future may look like a 'progressive' centre-left majority formed of a variety of major and minor parties. Ofc this assumes the Right won't recover...
Reposted by William Lane
Sixth is Blasphemous 2 by @thegamekitchen.com
Release Year: 2023
Genre: Metroidvania
Playthrough length: 45hrs
A sequel to the 2019 hit, Blasphemous 2 takes place generations after the end of the first game, with the Penitent One being revived to prevent the birth of the child of the Miracle.
Release Year: 2023
Genre: Metroidvania
Playthrough length: 45hrs
A sequel to the 2019 hit, Blasphemous 2 takes place generations after the end of the first game, with the Penitent One being revived to prevent the birth of the child of the Miracle.
November 8, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Sixth is Blasphemous 2 by @thegamekitchen.com
Release Year: 2023
Genre: Metroidvania
Playthrough length: 45hrs
A sequel to the 2019 hit, Blasphemous 2 takes place generations after the end of the first game, with the Penitent One being revived to prevent the birth of the child of the Miracle.
Release Year: 2023
Genre: Metroidvania
Playthrough length: 45hrs
A sequel to the 2019 hit, Blasphemous 2 takes place generations after the end of the first game, with the Penitent One being revived to prevent the birth of the child of the Miracle.
Reposted by William Lane
Positives:
Area Variety - B2 is more of a traditional Metroidvania than the first game, and that shows in the gameplay variety
Weapon Variety - B2 allows switching between 3 (4 w/DLC) weapons unlike the first game
Boss Fights - Although not as good as the original, the bosses remain great
Area Variety - B2 is more of a traditional Metroidvania than the first game, and that shows in the gameplay variety
Weapon Variety - B2 allows switching between 3 (4 w/DLC) weapons unlike the first game
Boss Fights - Although not as good as the original, the bosses remain great
November 8, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Positives:
Area Variety - B2 is more of a traditional Metroidvania than the first game, and that shows in the gameplay variety
Weapon Variety - B2 allows switching between 3 (4 w/DLC) weapons unlike the first game
Boss Fights - Although not as good as the original, the bosses remain great
Area Variety - B2 is more of a traditional Metroidvania than the first game, and that shows in the gameplay variety
Weapon Variety - B2 allows switching between 3 (4 w/DLC) weapons unlike the first game
Boss Fights - Although not as good as the original, the bosses remain great
Reposted by William Lane
Negatives:
Writing - The plot is confusing, the lore is convoluted and the game's writing feels significantly less evocative
Visual Design - Lacking the unifying catholic imagery of B1, B2 feels much more like generic fantasy
Enemy Reuse - Far, far too much, both between areas and between B1 & B2
Writing - The plot is confusing, the lore is convoluted and the game's writing feels significantly less evocative
Visual Design - Lacking the unifying catholic imagery of B1, B2 feels much more like generic fantasy
Enemy Reuse - Far, far too much, both between areas and between B1 & B2
November 8, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Negatives:
Writing - The plot is confusing, the lore is convoluted and the game's writing feels significantly less evocative
Visual Design - Lacking the unifying catholic imagery of B1, B2 feels much more like generic fantasy
Enemy Reuse - Far, far too much, both between areas and between B1 & B2
Writing - The plot is confusing, the lore is convoluted and the game's writing feels significantly less evocative
Visual Design - Lacking the unifying catholic imagery of B1, B2 feels much more like generic fantasy
Enemy Reuse - Far, far too much, both between areas and between B1 & B2
Reposted by William Lane
Final Thoughts:
A muddled follow-up to a 10/10 game, B2 feels like a compromise between the searing clarity of the original's vision and a traditional fantasy Metroidvania.
It's still a good game, but it feels overwritten and lacks the punch and urgency of the original.
Final Score: 7/10
A muddled follow-up to a 10/10 game, B2 feels like a compromise between the searing clarity of the original's vision and a traditional fantasy Metroidvania.
It's still a good game, but it feels overwritten and lacks the punch and urgency of the original.
Final Score: 7/10
November 8, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Final Thoughts:
A muddled follow-up to a 10/10 game, B2 feels like a compromise between the searing clarity of the original's vision and a traditional fantasy Metroidvania.
It's still a good game, but it feels overwritten and lacks the punch and urgency of the original.
Final Score: 7/10
A muddled follow-up to a 10/10 game, B2 feels like a compromise between the searing clarity of the original's vision and a traditional fantasy Metroidvania.
It's still a good game, but it feels overwritten and lacks the punch and urgency of the original.
Final Score: 7/10
Something I find strangely cute is the way that Wikipedia hasn't yet got to grips with what colour the Lib Dems are supposed to be.
I've been looking through the councils up for election in 2026, and some have the Lib Dems in their new 'Liberal orange', while most still have them as yellow.
I've been looking through the councils up for election in 2026, and some have the Lib Dems in their new 'Liberal orange', while most still have them as yellow.
November 8, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Something I find strangely cute is the way that Wikipedia hasn't yet got to grips with what colour the Lib Dems are supposed to be.
I've been looking through the councils up for election in 2026, and some have the Lib Dems in their new 'Liberal orange', while most still have them as yellow.
I've been looking through the councils up for election in 2026, and some have the Lib Dems in their new 'Liberal orange', while most still have them as yellow.
Kyle Ren as a cargo-cult/fanboy fascist was always the best part of the sequel trilogy (even if his motivations were kinda wonky).
The idea of him essentially being a manchild fanboy of Vader, but lacking any of Vader's strengths as a Sith Lord was honestly a stroke of genius.
The idea of him essentially being a manchild fanboy of Vader, but lacking any of Vader's strengths as a Sith Lord was honestly a stroke of genius.
In other words, you can imagine a sequel trilogy which gave the bones their connective tissue and allowed Palpatine to pop up and feel organic. As someone for Kylo Ren to both venerate and direct his aimless rage towards, and as someone for Rey to exorcise.
November 8, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Kyle Ren as a cargo-cult/fanboy fascist was always the best part of the sequel trilogy (even if his motivations were kinda wonky).
The idea of him essentially being a manchild fanboy of Vader, but lacking any of Vader's strengths as a Sith Lord was honestly a stroke of genius.
The idea of him essentially being a manchild fanboy of Vader, but lacking any of Vader's strengths as a Sith Lord was honestly a stroke of genius.
It's really notable to me that pretty much everyone I know under 35 that I'd consider culturally conservative (in terms of habit, interests and outlook) votes Lib Dem.
That is potentially a long term issue for the Libs, but it's a really really bad sign for the British right.
That is potentially a long term issue for the Libs, but it's a really really bad sign for the British right.
Possibly the British right's biggest long-term problem is that it is no longer a social movement, and has no youth movement to speak of anymore.
By contrast the American right, for all its awfulness, still has a big youth movement that's deeply integrated with religious movements.
By contrast the American right, for all its awfulness, still has a big youth movement that's deeply integrated with religious movements.
When I talk about how the history of progressive/radical movements is tied to a history of intimacy this is what I mean.
Socialism is always both a theory of economic redistribution and a chance to hang out!!
Socialism is always both a theory of economic redistribution and a chance to hang out!!
November 8, 2025 at 3:30 PM
It's really notable to me that pretty much everyone I know under 35 that I'd consider culturally conservative (in terms of habit, interests and outlook) votes Lib Dem.
That is potentially a long term issue for the Libs, but it's a really really bad sign for the British right.
That is potentially a long term issue for the Libs, but it's a really really bad sign for the British right.
This article made me so angry.
You can see ChatGPT parroting back his worst thoughts and instincts, he's treating it like a confidant but in reality it's more like a mirror to his own mind.
I've almost lost friends to suicide.
This is genuinely evil.
You can see ChatGPT parroting back his worst thoughts and instincts, he's treating it like a confidant but in reality it's more like a mirror to his own mind.
I've almost lost friends to suicide.
This is genuinely evil.
This conversation between ChatGPT and the young man it encouraged to commit suicide is just...my god
www.cnn.com/2025/11/06/u...
www.cnn.com/2025/11/06/u...
November 8, 2025 at 12:32 AM
This article made me so angry.
You can see ChatGPT parroting back his worst thoughts and instincts, he's treating it like a confidant but in reality it's more like a mirror to his own mind.
I've almost lost friends to suicide.
This is genuinely evil.
You can see ChatGPT parroting back his worst thoughts and instincts, he's treating it like a confidant but in reality it's more like a mirror to his own mind.
I've almost lost friends to suicide.
This is genuinely evil.
Reminds me of one of my favourite moments from my favourite TV episode of all time
www.youtube.com/watch?v=pETc...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=pETc...
November 7, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Reminds me of one of my favourite moments from my favourite TV episode of all time
www.youtube.com/watch?v=pETc...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=pETc...
Reposted by William Lane
BBC really burying the lede there
November 7, 2025 at 12:07 PM
BBC really burying the lede there
Good thread, I'd also note that this has happened before.
The alliance between extreme modernism and reactionary pre-modernism was the driving force behind interwar European Fascism, along with a big dollop of cultural relativism that acted as the glue that bound those disparate groups together.
The alliance between extreme modernism and reactionary pre-modernism was the driving force behind interwar European Fascism, along with a big dollop of cultural relativism that acted as the glue that bound those disparate groups together.
The key word here is historical. Reactionary pre modernism and cultish technology modernism are both outmoded - the former because (obviously) the world has moved on (the past is the past) and the latter because innovation is not some perpetual exponential curve.
November 7, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Good thread, I'd also note that this has happened before.
The alliance between extreme modernism and reactionary pre-modernism was the driving force behind interwar European Fascism, along with a big dollop of cultural relativism that acted as the glue that bound those disparate groups together.
The alliance between extreme modernism and reactionary pre-modernism was the driving force behind interwar European Fascism, along with a big dollop of cultural relativism that acted as the glue that bound those disparate groups together.
I will say it seems really odd that the Greens aren't running more candidates in council seats the already hold, especially given their recent increase in the polls.
Anyone know what's going on there?
Anyone know what's going on there?
For third time since May, Greens don't put up anyone to defend one of their own seats.
Yet another Lib Dem gain in Mel Stride’s seat, this time from the Greens
November 7, 2025 at 12:21 PM
I will say it seems really odd that the Greens aren't running more candidates in council seats the already hold, especially given their recent increase in the polls.
Anyone know what's going on there?
Anyone know what's going on there?
While I don't agree with everything in @rosenstead.bsky.social's piece, she's bang on about One Nation Cons not being Liberals
I mentioned this in a recent article, while some remaining Tories are gettable tactical votes, they're not long term switchers
thepartyanimal.substack.com/p/keeping-th...
I mentioned this in a recent article, while some remaining Tories are gettable tactical votes, they're not long term switchers
thepartyanimal.substack.com/p/keeping-th...
November 7, 2025 at 10:58 AM
While I don't agree with everything in @rosenstead.bsky.social's piece, she's bang on about One Nation Cons not being Liberals
I mentioned this in a recent article, while some remaining Tories are gettable tactical votes, they're not long term switchers
thepartyanimal.substack.com/p/keeping-th...
I mentioned this in a recent article, while some remaining Tories are gettable tactical votes, they're not long term switchers
thepartyanimal.substack.com/p/keeping-th...
Personally I've always been baffled by the claim that video games aren't art, simply because I don't know how you could define 'art' in such a way that it excludes video games as a category? I mean, where would you even start?
The only way IMO would be to argue that interactive media can't be art..
The only way IMO would be to argue that interactive media can't be art..
I don't care much for the "are video games art" debate in terms of, like, wanting legitimisation from people outside of the industry, but I do care in that I think viewing them as "not art" is at the root of a lot of dogshit attitudes and expectations amongst consumers
November 6, 2025 at 11:44 PM
Personally I've always been baffled by the claim that video games aren't art, simply because I don't know how you could define 'art' in such a way that it excludes video games as a category? I mean, where would you even start?
The only way IMO would be to argue that interactive media can't be art..
The only way IMO would be to argue that interactive media can't be art..
Absolutely great finale, and what a twist at the end!
Although I'd have loved to see Joe snatch victory, I really can't fault Alan's performance.
I will say I do think his mini breakdown at the end was genuine, even just being a traitor in Avalon is extremely stressful, and that's only 2-3hrs!
Although I'd have loved to see Joe snatch victory, I really can't fault Alan's performance.
I will say I do think his mini breakdown at the end was genuine, even just being a traitor in Avalon is extremely stressful, and that's only 2-3hrs!
The fact that they got an extremely tense game of cat and mouse between the worlds most obvious flamboyant gay man and a giant monster man who has had 37 concussions....this is britain this is british pride
November 6, 2025 at 11:11 PM
Absolutely great finale, and what a twist at the end!
Although I'd have loved to see Joe snatch victory, I really can't fault Alan's performance.
I will say I do think his mini breakdown at the end was genuine, even just being a traitor in Avalon is extremely stressful, and that's only 2-3hrs!
Although I'd have loved to see Joe snatch victory, I really can't fault Alan's performance.
I will say I do think his mini breakdown at the end was genuine, even just being a traitor in Avalon is extremely stressful, and that's only 2-3hrs!
And the thing is, that's even partly still true today!
There's a reason the public buys biographies of Montie, Wellington or Nelson rather than thick academic tomes with names like 'Heavy Rain: Variations in Small Arms Fire Used by the British Army 1965-80'.
Character is what makes it interesting!
There's a reason the public buys biographies of Montie, Wellington or Nelson rather than thick academic tomes with names like 'Heavy Rain: Variations in Small Arms Fire Used by the British Army 1965-80'.
Character is what makes it interesting!
one of the funniest things about all this is that when you read about the history of men and warfare it is an endless series of internecine feuds between the biggest fucking prima donnas you've ever heard of
THIS IS WHY WE ALL HATE EVOPSYCH. Can we please fucking discredit this pseudo-naturalist bullshit at last?
November 6, 2025 at 5:06 PM
And the thing is, that's even partly still true today!
There's a reason the public buys biographies of Montie, Wellington or Nelson rather than thick academic tomes with names like 'Heavy Rain: Variations in Small Arms Fire Used by the British Army 1965-80'.
Character is what makes it interesting!
There's a reason the public buys biographies of Montie, Wellington or Nelson rather than thick academic tomes with names like 'Heavy Rain: Variations in Small Arms Fire Used by the British Army 1965-80'.
Character is what makes it interesting!
Reposted by William Lane
I'm *relatively* confident that if this is the driving argument in 2029, then it works.
But a) this is a tactic that gets you *at most* a small majority, and quite likely ends up with a Lib-Lab pact, and b) it basically sets you up to fail in 2034 when the other centre-left parties smell blood.
But a) this is a tactic that gets you *at most* a small majority, and quite likely ends up with a Lib-Lab pact, and b) it basically sets you up to fail in 2034 when the other centre-left parties smell blood.
I think this is more accurate than a lot of people on this website admit, but I also think taking it for granted is the surest way to alienate just enough people that it's not enough
Inspiring campaign messages of our time
November 6, 2025 at 9:08 AM
I'm *relatively* confident that if this is the driving argument in 2029, then it works.
But a) this is a tactic that gets you *at most* a small majority, and quite likely ends up with a Lib-Lab pact, and b) it basically sets you up to fail in 2034 when the other centre-left parties smell blood.
But a) this is a tactic that gets you *at most* a small majority, and quite likely ends up with a Lib-Lab pact, and b) it basically sets you up to fail in 2034 when the other centre-left parties smell blood.
I'm *relatively* confident that if this is the driving argument in 2029, then it works.
But a) this is a tactic that gets you *at most* a small majority, and quite likely ends up with a Lib-Lab pact, and b) it basically sets you up to fail in 2034 when the other centre-left parties smell blood.
But a) this is a tactic that gets you *at most* a small majority, and quite likely ends up with a Lib-Lab pact, and b) it basically sets you up to fail in 2034 when the other centre-left parties smell blood.
I think this is more accurate than a lot of people on this website admit, but I also think taking it for granted is the surest way to alienate just enough people that it's not enough
Inspiring campaign messages of our time
November 6, 2025 at 9:08 AM
I'm *relatively* confident that if this is the driving argument in 2029, then it works.
But a) this is a tactic that gets you *at most* a small majority, and quite likely ends up with a Lib-Lab pact, and b) it basically sets you up to fail in 2034 when the other centre-left parties smell blood.
But a) this is a tactic that gets you *at most* a small majority, and quite likely ends up with a Lib-Lab pact, and b) it basically sets you up to fail in 2034 when the other centre-left parties smell blood.
Obviously it's not the same situation, but I think any attempt to rule by decree in the US will meet the same fate as in France when Macron began relying on article 49.3.
Fundamentally it's just not tenable in a modern, deep rooted democracy to invest that much power in a single person.
Fundamentally it's just not tenable in a modern, deep rooted democracy to invest that much power in a single person.
In the short term there’s no win condition and the ability of the executive to rule by decree is increasingly politically untenable even outside the government not having the capacity to do half the stuff the executive wants. The options are keep it closed and get more toxic or open under Dem terms.
November 5, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Obviously it's not the same situation, but I think any attempt to rule by decree in the US will meet the same fate as in France when Macron began relying on article 49.3.
Fundamentally it's just not tenable in a modern, deep rooted democracy to invest that much power in a single person.
Fundamentally it's just not tenable in a modern, deep rooted democracy to invest that much power in a single person.
More and more I think that the case for tax rises must *actually be made*, as opposed to trying to sneak them in via the backdoor.
I was chatting to a shire Tory relative of mine recently, and when I mentioned that it looked like Income Tax was going up they said: 'good, because that's a fair tax.'
I was chatting to a shire Tory relative of mine recently, and when I mentioned that it looked like Income Tax was going up they said: 'good, because that's a fair tax.'
The problem with so much of Labour's fiscal policy is that we've implemented lots of 'stealth' taxes on wealth that have managed to wind up lots of engaged voter groups – while failing to do what what a wealth tax should do i.e. loudly signal fairness and solidarity
The principle that we all contribute to high quality public services and a welfare safety net is a good one. Solidarity is a virtue. It’s not progressive nor left-wing to attack it as a principle. We all contribute, but those with the broadest shoulders contribute the most.
November 5, 2025 at 12:10 PM
More and more I think that the case for tax rises must *actually be made*, as opposed to trying to sneak them in via the backdoor.
I was chatting to a shire Tory relative of mine recently, and when I mentioned that it looked like Income Tax was going up they said: 'good, because that's a fair tax.'
I was chatting to a shire Tory relative of mine recently, and when I mentioned that it looked like Income Tax was going up they said: 'good, because that's a fair tax.'
Great article here with good advice for anyone looking to start a new endeavour, and not just because Aaron kindly calls me an 'exciting new thinker' in it!
I've written about starting a podcast from scratch - and how I intend to build on the progress I've made:
strategyaaron.ghost.io/strategyaaro...
strategyaaron.ghost.io/strategyaaro...
STRATEGYAARON 2.0
A lot is going on in the world right now. Strategyaaron is my attempt at making sense of it all.
strategyaaron.ghost.io
November 4, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Great article here with good advice for anyone looking to start a new endeavour, and not just because Aaron kindly calls me an 'exciting new thinker' in it!