Zach Elsbury
@zachelsbury.bsky.social
🏳️🌈 🇦🇺 - transport - politics - flying
Starmer‘s „punch a hippy“ approach doesn’t work when a) the Labour base are „hippies“ and b) no-one is rewarding them for punching hippies.
Labour’s core voter is a Londoner. While they fret about imagined Reform defecting voters in the “red wall” they’re at risk of losing their 21st century heartland entirely.
www.thenewworld.co.uk/james-ball-l...
www.thenewworld.co.uk/james-ball-l...
November 18, 2025 at 12:21 PM
Starmer‘s „punch a hippy“ approach doesn’t work when a) the Labour base are „hippies“ and b) no-one is rewarding them for punching hippies.
But sure, let’s blindly follow Starmer and Mahmood off the deep end as they push forward morally-reprehensible policy that won’t work.
So much for change.
So much for being the grown ups.
So much for the „that was me“ after his conference speech.
So much for that contemptible man and his ministry.
So much for change.
So much for being the grown ups.
So much for the „that was me“ after his conference speech.
So much for that contemptible man and his ministry.
The basic problem with the temporary refugee status policy - especially one lasting up to 20 years - is it leads to very few removals (based on Denmark's experience) but does significantly worsen integration.
November 18, 2025 at 9:29 AM
But sure, let’s blindly follow Starmer and Mahmood off the deep end as they push forward morally-reprehensible policy that won’t work.
So much for change.
So much for being the grown ups.
So much for the „that was me“ after his conference speech.
So much for that contemptible man and his ministry.
So much for change.
So much for being the grown ups.
So much for the „that was me“ after his conference speech.
So much for that contemptible man and his ministry.
If you don’t want people pointing out you’ve jumped into bed with the Far Right … don’t jump into bed with the Far Right.
Shabana Mahmood asks MPs to stop mentioning Tommy Robinson's name (in relation to his support for her policies) as "he doesn't even think I am English. I find that offensive."
November 18, 2025 at 5:29 AM
If you don’t want people pointing out you’ve jumped into bed with the Far Right … don’t jump into bed with the Far Right.
Reposted by Zach Elsbury
Nigel Farage is actually quoted as saying that the Home Secretary ‘sounds like a Reform supporter’ with these horrible policies. She probably thinks that’s a good thing - most right minded people think it’s a disgrace.
Just wilful performative cruelty that is entirely out of step with the majority of British people.
How many Labour MPs got into politics in order to vote for stealing jewellery off of people seeking refuge from war and persecution?
How many Labour MPs got into politics in order to vote for stealing jewellery off of people seeking refuge from war and persecution?
November 17, 2025 at 8:38 AM
Nigel Farage is actually quoted as saying that the Home Secretary ‘sounds like a Reform supporter’ with these horrible policies. She probably thinks that’s a good thing - most right minded people think it’s a disgrace.
Reposted by Zach Elsbury
The idea of the Home Office selling off the confiscated jewellery of those who have fled war and persecution should, in an ideal world, be the death knell for this government.
November 17, 2025 at 7:28 AM
The idea of the Home Office selling off the confiscated jewellery of those who have fled war and persecution should, in an ideal world, be the death knell for this government.
Reposted by Zach Elsbury
Hate Starmer, hate McSweeney, hate Mahmood, hate that entire grubby, miserable little clique who have thrown away the opportunity of a generation in exchange for the empty thrill of doing CLP factionalism on a national stage. Congratulations! You showed the left! You won! Enjoy your empire of ashes.
November 17, 2025 at 10:02 AM
Hate Starmer, hate McSweeney, hate Mahmood, hate that entire grubby, miserable little clique who have thrown away the opportunity of a generation in exchange for the empty thrill of doing CLP factionalism on a national stage. Congratulations! You showed the left! You won! Enjoy your empire of ashes.
Reposted by Zach Elsbury
Here the Justin Trudeau to Mark Carney transition for the Liberals in Canada is a warning to anyone declaring Labour already dead. A party ruthless enough to chuck out a blunderingly unpopular leader with a replacement that has better policy and politics instincts can rapidly turn things around.
November 17, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Here the Justin Trudeau to Mark Carney transition for the Liberals in Canada is a warning to anyone declaring Labour already dead. A party ruthless enough to chuck out a blunderingly unpopular leader with a replacement that has better policy and politics instincts can rapidly turn things around.
The longer this goes on, the less credible it is that Starmer clings on until May.
Something has to give for a change in direction to be meaningful.
Something has to give for a change in direction to be meaningful.
Both the Budget and the asylum bill are disintegrating before they've even been formally announced.
Absolutely dead government.
Absolutely dead government.
November 17, 2025 at 11:15 AM
The longer this goes on, the less credible it is that Starmer clings on until May.
Something has to give for a change in direction to be meaningful.
Something has to give for a change in direction to be meaningful.
Reposted by Zach Elsbury
What should be done?
November 17, 2025 at 8:20 AM
What should be done?
Reposted by Zach Elsbury
What should be done?
November 17, 2025 at 8:17 AM
What should be done?
Reposted by Zach Elsbury
What should be done?
November 17, 2025 at 8:13 AM
What should be done?
Reposted by Zach Elsbury
New essay out today by me and @acjsissons.bsky.social - ‘Getting Britain out of the hole: a plan for the economy’. You can read the whole thing here getting-out-of-the-hole.uk
A chart mega-thread follows 🧵
A chart mega-thread follows 🧵
Getting Britain out of the hole
A plan for the UK economy
getting-out-of-the-hole.uk
November 17, 2025 at 8:00 AM
New essay out today by me and @acjsissons.bsky.social - ‘Getting Britain out of the hole: a plan for the economy’. You can read the whole thing here getting-out-of-the-hole.uk
A chart mega-thread follows 🧵
A chart mega-thread follows 🧵
Reposted by Zach Elsbury
This weekend has been an interesting approach to winning over the Parliamentary Labour Party for a leader on the verge of being dumped.
November 16, 2025 at 8:02 PM
This weekend has been an interesting approach to winning over the Parliamentary Labour Party for a leader on the verge of being dumped.
Starmer continues to treat the PLP, members, and voters with naked contempt and wonders why Labour are polling so badly.
That contemptuous man had an opportunity to build a progressive UK and chose to run to the right in a futile attempt to chase Reform voters.
That contemptuous man had an opportunity to build a progressive UK and chose to run to the right in a futile attempt to chase Reform voters.
November 16, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Starmer continues to treat the PLP, members, and voters with naked contempt and wonders why Labour are polling so badly.
That contemptuous man had an opportunity to build a progressive UK and chose to run to the right in a futile attempt to chase Reform voters.
That contemptuous man had an opportunity to build a progressive UK and chose to run to the right in a futile attempt to chase Reform voters.
“At least they didn’t raise income tax” says the average voter as they watch the Palace of Westminster burn.
Voters won’t thank Labour for The Popular Policy when the consequences of it turn out to be less popular. The Tories learned this the hard way, and Labour just refuse to pay attention.
Voters won’t thank Labour for The Popular Policy when the consequences of it turn out to be less popular. The Tories learned this the hard way, and Labour just refuse to pay attention.
EXCL:
Final decision on restoring the Palace of Westminster will be delayed until 2030s
MPs were expected to vote by the end of 2025 on a way forward for fixing the crumbling parliament, but that now won't happen
Story w/@danbloom1.bsky.social
www.politico.eu/article/fina...
Final decision on restoring the Palace of Westminster will be delayed until 2030s
MPs were expected to vote by the end of 2025 on a way forward for fixing the crumbling parliament, but that now won't happen
Story w/@danbloom1.bsky.social
www.politico.eu/article/fina...
Final decision on fate of crumbling UK parliament delayed to 2030s
It’s a fire-hazard that’s prone to tumbling masonry — but fear of a public backlash is again delaying repairs to the world famous building.
www.politico.eu
November 15, 2025 at 1:33 PM
“At least they didn’t raise income tax” says the average voter as they watch the Palace of Westminster burn.
Voters won’t thank Labour for The Popular Policy when the consequences of it turn out to be less popular. The Tories learned this the hard way, and Labour just refuse to pay attention.
Voters won’t thank Labour for The Popular Policy when the consequences of it turn out to be less popular. The Tories learned this the hard way, and Labour just refuse to pay attention.
The underlying vision is keeping Starmer in No 10. That’s it. They’re so utterly drunk on the polls and focus groups they’re just ignoring basic politics and government.
With the ending of permanent asylum, taxes on foreign students, two U-turns on income tax, a refusal to listen to business concerns about hiring costs, again I ask ‘who are Labour for?’ What is the vision underlying all these choices other than responding to last week’s polls?
November 15, 2025 at 1:26 PM
The underlying vision is keeping Starmer in No 10. That’s it. They’re so utterly drunk on the polls and focus groups they’re just ignoring basic politics and government.
Reposted by Zach Elsbury
With the ending of permanent asylum, taxes on foreign students, two U-turns on income tax, a refusal to listen to business concerns about hiring costs, again I ask ‘who are Labour for?’ What is the vision underlying all these choices other than responding to last week’s polls?
November 15, 2025 at 10:36 AM
With the ending of permanent asylum, taxes on foreign students, two U-turns on income tax, a refusal to listen to business concerns about hiring costs, again I ask ‘who are Labour for?’ What is the vision underlying all these choices other than responding to last week’s polls?
“At least they didn’t break their promise to raise taxes”.
"Thank Heavens Reeves froze the thresholds," says the median voter in 2029 as they walk past the derelict sports centre and down the empty high street to cast their vote.
English councils plan to sell off social clubs and sports centres to balance books
November 15, 2025 at 11:49 AM
“At least they didn’t break their promise to raise taxes”.
Reposted by Zach Elsbury
"Thank Heavens Reeves froze the thresholds," says the median voter in 2029 as they walk past the derelict sports centre and down the empty high street to cast their vote.
English councils plan to sell off social clubs and sports centres to balance books
English councils plan to sell off social clubs and sports centres to balance books
Survey finds 60% of key cities councils are planning to sell assets to meet costs of adult and children’s social care
English councils are planning to sell social clubs, sports centres and shopping arcades as they bet on a fire sale of assets to balance the books, according to a survey of local authorities.
The key cities group of councils, which represents second-tier cities in England, said 60% of councils were planning to sell assets to meet the escalating costs of adult and children’s social care. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 15, 2025 at 11:34 AM
"Thank Heavens Reeves froze the thresholds," says the median voter in 2029 as they walk past the derelict sports centre and down the empty high street to cast their vote.
The PLP will *love* being forced to swallow this shit from a leader that treats them with near-naked contempt.
It’s almost like he’s goading them to get rid of him sooner rather than later.
It’s almost like he’s goading them to get rid of him sooner rather than later.
The government just keeps doubling down on the strategy that’s taken it to genuinely historical unpopularity ever harder.
The horse will be flogged until it sprints.
The horse will be flogged until it sprints.
the video goes on and on about illegal immigration and yet the new proposal will target legal migration by confirmed refugees
November 15, 2025 at 11:22 AM
The PLP will *love* being forced to swallow this shit from a leader that treats them with near-naked contempt.
It’s almost like he’s goading them to get rid of him sooner rather than later.
It’s almost like he’s goading them to get rid of him sooner rather than later.
Reposted by Zach Elsbury
This has always been been argument against our fiscal framework. You need some kind of debt rule but this kind of last minute flailing around is toxic for policy development.
I know it’s always like this. But one striking thing from the budget kite flying and kite pulling back in, is how major policy decisions are constantly being buffeted around by iterative forecast changes.
All feels a bit of a silly way to be making major economic policy & political decisions.
All feels a bit of a silly way to be making major economic policy & political decisions.
November 14, 2025 at 6:07 PM
This has always been been argument against our fiscal framework. You need some kind of debt rule but this kind of last minute flailing around is toxic for policy development.
Starmer’s political cowardice is seeing him squander a once-in-a-generation opportunity to affect meaningful and transformative change.
Instead, he goes no further than tinkering around the edges lest he annoy people who will always oppose Labour, and certainly won’t vote for them.
Coward.
Instead, he goes no further than tinkering around the edges lest he annoy people who will always oppose Labour, and certainly won’t vote for them.
Coward.
Imagine a 100+ seat majority in the hands of even Wilson and Callaghan, never mind Attlee, Blair or Brown.
Every one of those Labour Prime Ministers did something or would have done something far more transformative than Starmer's strategic timidity.
Every one of those Labour Prime Ministers did something or would have done something far more transformative than Starmer's strategic timidity.
Starmer isn't Britain's worst ever prime minister, but he is Labour's worst ever prime minister and it's not even close
November 14, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Starmer’s political cowardice is seeing him squander a once-in-a-generation opportunity to affect meaningful and transformative change.
Instead, he goes no further than tinkering around the edges lest he annoy people who will always oppose Labour, and certainly won’t vote for them.
Coward.
Instead, he goes no further than tinkering around the edges lest he annoy people who will always oppose Labour, and certainly won’t vote for them.
Coward.
Reposted by Zach Elsbury
Imagine a 100+ seat majority in the hands of even Wilson and Callaghan, never mind Attlee, Blair or Brown.
Every one of those Labour Prime Ministers did something or would have done something far more transformative than Starmer's strategic timidity.
Every one of those Labour Prime Ministers did something or would have done something far more transformative than Starmer's strategic timidity.
Starmer isn't Britain's worst ever prime minister, but he is Labour's worst ever prime minister and it's not even close
November 14, 2025 at 11:45 AM
Imagine a 100+ seat majority in the hands of even Wilson and Callaghan, never mind Attlee, Blair or Brown.
Every one of those Labour Prime Ministers did something or would have done something far more transformative than Starmer's strategic timidity.
Every one of those Labour Prime Ministers did something or would have done something far more transformative than Starmer's strategic timidity.
Simultaneously dragging millions into the higher tax rate while arguing that no, they haven’t put taxes up because they didn’t raise the rate is the type of cynical bullshit that erodes trust in politics/ politicians, not breaking manifesto commitments (after they arguably already did last year).
Oh look people definitely notice and respond to thresholds where their marginal rates jump.
So let’s build a whole fiscal strategy around people not noticing and responding when their marginal rates jump.
So let’s build a whole fiscal strategy around people not noticing and responding when their marginal rates jump.
NEW - we've data showing huge numbers of people reducing their income to avoid high marginal income tax rates. Not just at the £100k point (as previously reported). But at the £50k point:
November 14, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Simultaneously dragging millions into the higher tax rate while arguing that no, they haven’t put taxes up because they didn’t raise the rate is the type of cynical bullshit that erodes trust in politics/ politicians, not breaking manifesto commitments (after they arguably already did last year).
Reposted by Zach Elsbury
Some things to bear in mind about these late changes to the budget:
1) Govt sources say the forecasts changed. But the only new thing they learned this week was the OBR's assessment of their own plans.
Maybe the OBR said their tax rises would raise more than expected?
1) Govt sources say the forecasts changed. But the only new thing they learned this week was the OBR's assessment of their own plans.
Maybe the OBR said their tax rises would raise more than expected?
November 14, 2025 at 11:59 AM
Some things to bear in mind about these late changes to the budget:
1) Govt sources say the forecasts changed. But the only new thing they learned this week was the OBR's assessment of their own plans.
Maybe the OBR said their tax rises would raise more than expected?
1) Govt sources say the forecasts changed. But the only new thing they learned this week was the OBR's assessment of their own plans.
Maybe the OBR said their tax rises would raise more than expected?