ZigZag Politics
@zigzagpolitics.bsky.social
A Level Politics resources from ZigZag Education in Bristol. Posts by Sam!
Reposted by ZigZag Politics
One way of telling the political story of the last ten years is of three wasted overall majorities.
A substantive majority in the Commons for a full term is the greatest prize the UK constitution can bestow on a PM, and three times in a row, it has been wasted by those prize-winners.
A substantive majority in the Commons for a full term is the greatest prize the UK constitution can bestow on a PM, and three times in a row, it has been wasted by those prize-winners.
November 12, 2025 at 10:41 AM
One way of telling the political story of the last ten years is of three wasted overall majorities.
A substantive majority in the Commons for a full term is the greatest prize the UK constitution can bestow on a PM, and three times in a row, it has been wasted by those prize-winners.
A substantive majority in the Commons for a full term is the greatest prize the UK constitution can bestow on a PM, and three times in a row, it has been wasted by those prize-winners.
Reposted by ZigZag Politics
Congratulations to @beckyfrancis.bsky.social and team for producing a curriculum and assessment review that's evolutionary rather than throwing all the achievements of the last few years overboard. Lots of sensible recommendations.
www.gov.uk/government/p...
www.gov.uk/government/p...
Curriculum and Assessment Review Final Report
The conclusions and recommendations of the independent review of the curriculum, assessment and qualifications system in England.
www.gov.uk
November 5, 2025 at 11:26 AM
Congratulations to @beckyfrancis.bsky.social and team for producing a curriculum and assessment review that's evolutionary rather than throwing all the achievements of the last few years overboard. Lots of sensible recommendations.
www.gov.uk/government/p...
www.gov.uk/government/p...
This episode is superb as a survey of the pros and cons of electoral reform in the UK and the systems in use.
Loved the quiz question: which Prime Minister won a Commons seat under the single transferable vote system?
Loved the quiz question: which Prime Minister won a Commons seat under the single transferable vote system?
After years of waving away electoral reform, Labour and the Tories have a reason to question First Past The Post – the prospect of a Reform government. Has PR’s time finally come? @dmk1793.bsky.social joins @rmcunliffe.bsky.social and @nndroid.bsky.social to discuss ➡️ linktr.ee/ohgodwhatnow...
November 5, 2025 at 11:27 AM
This episode is superb as a survey of the pros and cons of electoral reform in the UK and the systems in use.
Loved the quiz question: which Prime Minister won a Commons seat under the single transferable vote system?
Loved the quiz question: which Prime Minister won a Commons seat under the single transferable vote system?
Reposted by ZigZag Politics
Then add in an election in Wales which could see one two party system of a century’s standing (Lab vs Con) replaced with another (PC vs Ref) & Scottish Parl election which could see extinction of Scot Cons & rise of a new force on Scottish right - Reform - it’s a hugely consequential day everywhere
October 28, 2025 at 9:16 AM
Then add in an election in Wales which could see one two party system of a century’s standing (Lab vs Con) replaced with another (PC vs Ref) & Scottish Parl election which could see extinction of Scot Cons & rise of a new force on Scottish right - Reform - it’s a hugely consequential day everywhere
Reposted by ZigZag Politics
Could be four or more different two party systems by next GE in England plus different jams in Scotland and Wales:
LD vs Ref - S Eng excl London
Lab vs Ref - North & Midlands towns
Con vs Ref - East coast, East Anglia
Lab vs Grn - most of London, other big cities, uni towns
LD vs Ref - S Eng excl London
Lab vs Ref - North & Midlands towns
Con vs Ref - East coast, East Anglia
Lab vs Grn - most of London, other big cities, uni towns
October 28, 2025 at 9:13 AM
Could be four or more different two party systems by next GE in England plus different jams in Scotland and Wales:
LD vs Ref - S Eng excl London
Lab vs Ref - North & Midlands towns
Con vs Ref - East coast, East Anglia
Lab vs Grn - most of London, other big cities, uni towns
LD vs Ref - S Eng excl London
Lab vs Ref - North & Midlands towns
Con vs Ref - East coast, East Anglia
Lab vs Grn - most of London, other big cities, uni towns
Reposted by ZigZag Politics
Imagine going back and telling the Aug 2024 Tories "In 14 months you'll be level with Labour"
Or the 2019 Tories "In 2025, Labour will be polling 17%"
Then showing them this.
Or the 2019 Tories "In 2025, Labour will be polling 17%"
Then showing them this.
Latest Polling by @YouGov
🟣 Reform 27%
🔵 Tory 17%
🔴 Labour 17%
💚 Green 16%
🟠 Lib Dem 15%
This is the LOWEST Labour
has ever polled with YouGov.
This is the HIGHEST @greenparty.org.uk has ever polled with YouGov.
4 parties within 2 points of each other for second place.
🟣 Reform 27%
🔵 Tory 17%
🔴 Labour 17%
💚 Green 16%
🟠 Lib Dem 15%
This is the LOWEST Labour
has ever polled with YouGov.
This is the HIGHEST @greenparty.org.uk has ever polled with YouGov.
4 parties within 2 points of each other for second place.
October 28, 2025 at 8:56 AM
Imagine going back and telling the Aug 2024 Tories "In 14 months you'll be level with Labour"
Or the 2019 Tories "In 2025, Labour will be polling 17%"
Then showing them this.
Or the 2019 Tories "In 2025, Labour will be polling 17%"
Then showing them this.
Another way to frame this is that the poor vote for 'populists'.
Financially struggling voters are *thinking* of voting for radical parties 👇
We'll win those voters back by getting living standards rising.
We'll win those voters back by getting living standards rising.
October 27, 2025 at 8:49 AM
Another way to frame this is that the poor vote for 'populists'.
Interesting thoughts on codified constitutions:
There's a lot to criticise Trump II for, but it has been a powerful vindication of my view that political culture is far more important than institutional design in the health of a democracy, with the US a) already having an awful and worsening political culture, and b) dogshit institutional design.
October 23, 2025 at 8:27 AM
Interesting thoughts on codified constitutions:
This is great on Labour's mispositioning and who their support base really is. Deeply rooted in our deep-seated views that mingle social and economic class, and assumptions about what kind of voter supports which party.
On the morning of Keir Starmer's conference speech here's a new post on an odd psychopathology in British politics - our main parties don't like the people who vote for them - the dreaded Professional Managerial Class. And so they are acting out like a divorced dad seeking cooler voters. 1/n
British Politics' Midlife Crisis
Why British Parties Can't Make Peace with Their Actual Voters
benansell.substack.com
September 30, 2025 at 12:35 PM
This is great on Labour's mispositioning and who their support base really is. Deeply rooted in our deep-seated views that mingle social and economic class, and assumptions about what kind of voter supports which party.
Reposted by ZigZag Politics
The interesting Q re: Polanski taking over the Greens is whether they can keep their strategic ambiguity that has allowed them to win in both progressive and nimby/Tory/conservationist areas.
September 2, 2025 at 10:25 AM
The interesting Q re: Polanski taking over the Greens is whether they can keep their strategic ambiguity that has allowed them to win in both progressive and nimby/Tory/conservationist areas.
Reposted by ZigZag Politics
Green Party of England & Wales Leadership Election Result:
Zack Polanski: 84.6% ✅
E. Chowns & A. Ramsay: 15.4%
Turnout: 24,265 (37.6%)
Zack Polanski: 84.6% ✅
E. Chowns & A. Ramsay: 15.4%
Turnout: 24,265 (37.6%)
September 2, 2025 at 10:16 AM
Green Party of England & Wales Leadership Election Result:
Zack Polanski: 84.6% ✅
E. Chowns & A. Ramsay: 15.4%
Turnout: 24,265 (37.6%)
Zack Polanski: 84.6% ✅
E. Chowns & A. Ramsay: 15.4%
Turnout: 24,265 (37.6%)
Reposted by ZigZag Politics
Reposted by ZigZag Politics
My great great niece studied A Level Politics and after her gap year is to study Politics at University. She'll learn much more than I'll ever know!
May 29, 2025 at 8:27 AM
My great great niece studied A Level Politics and after her gap year is to study Politics at University. She'll learn much more than I'll ever know!
Reposted by ZigZag Politics
Best A Level choice! ❤️
May 29, 2025 at 7:59 AM
Best A Level choice! ❤️
Reposted by ZigZag Politics
The twins both want to do politics A-level. I'm so happy.
May 28, 2025 at 9:22 PM
The twins both want to do politics A-level. I'm so happy.
Reposted by ZigZag Politics
In Parliament last week I hosted two very different groups! I welcomed Stroud GPs for a roundtable on GP training, and students from Thomas Keble for a tour. Both were excited to watch debates from the galleries — always a privilege to share how the legislative process works.
May 20, 2025 at 3:30 PM
In Parliament last week I hosted two very different groups! I welcomed Stroud GPs for a roundtable on GP training, and students from Thomas Keble for a tour. Both were excited to watch debates from the galleries — always a privilege to share how the legislative process works.
Reposted by ZigZag Politics
"anarcho-communist? oh, no, you misheard me.
I'm an arachno-communist. I believe we shouldn't have private property, and also the only legitimate form of government is THE SPIDER"
I'm an arachno-communist. I believe we shouldn't have private property, and also the only legitimate form of government is THE SPIDER"
February 23, 2025 at 7:31 PM
"anarcho-communist? oh, no, you misheard me.
I'm an arachno-communist. I believe we shouldn't have private property, and also the only legitimate form of government is THE SPIDER"
I'm an arachno-communist. I believe we shouldn't have private property, and also the only legitimate form of government is THE SPIDER"
Reposted by ZigZag Politics
🚨 NEW 🚨 Updated list of all the UK MPs on Bluesky 👇
Labour – 248
Liberal Democrats – 40
Conservative – 4
Green – 4
Independent – 3
SNP – 2
Alliance, Plaid Cymru, SDLP – 1 each
And Commons Speaker @commonsspeaker.parliament.uk
Labour – 248
Liberal Democrats – 40
Conservative – 4
Green – 4
Independent – 3
SNP – 2
Alliance, Plaid Cymru, SDLP – 1 each
And Commons Speaker @commonsspeaker.parliament.uk
February 17, 2025 at 5:11 PM
🚨 NEW 🚨 Updated list of all the UK MPs on Bluesky 👇
Labour – 248
Liberal Democrats – 40
Conservative – 4
Green – 4
Independent – 3
SNP – 2
Alliance, Plaid Cymru, SDLP – 1 each
And Commons Speaker @commonsspeaker.parliament.uk
Labour – 248
Liberal Democrats – 40
Conservative – 4
Green – 4
Independent – 3
SNP – 2
Alliance, Plaid Cymru, SDLP – 1 each
And Commons Speaker @commonsspeaker.parliament.uk
Reposted by ZigZag Politics
Just updated the starter pack with @sarrajenkins.bsky.social and @politicsastar.bsky.social
Teachers and professors of politics, journalists and pundits for A Level Politics
Let me know if there's anyone missing or if you'd like to be added!
go.bsky.app/UH3ZB49
Teachers and professors of politics, journalists and pundits for A Level Politics
Let me know if there's anyone missing or if you'd like to be added!
go.bsky.app/UH3ZB49
November 25, 2024 at 9:36 AM
Just updated the starter pack with @sarrajenkins.bsky.social and @politicsastar.bsky.social
Teachers and professors of politics, journalists and pundits for A Level Politics
Let me know if there's anyone missing or if you'd like to be added!
go.bsky.app/UH3ZB49
Teachers and professors of politics, journalists and pundits for A Level Politics
Let me know if there's anyone missing or if you'd like to be added!
go.bsky.app/UH3ZB49
Reposted by ZigZag Politics
Are you a teacher, run a youth group, or work with teenagers aged 16-18 in the UK? Can you help with a game experiment? It’s a game about running an election funded by the Electoral Commission.
More info in 🧵, form to sign up here. forms.gle/TPhX39HjEgAC...
More info in 🧵, form to sign up here. forms.gle/TPhX39HjEgAC...
December 17, 2024 at 5:34 PM
Are you a teacher, run a youth group, or work with teenagers aged 16-18 in the UK? Can you help with a game experiment? It’s a game about running an election funded by the Electoral Commission.
More info in 🧵, form to sign up here. forms.gle/TPhX39HjEgAC...
More info in 🧵, form to sign up here. forms.gle/TPhX39HjEgAC...
Reposted by ZigZag Politics
Would love to see an accompanying question where they are asked to define them.
December 10, 2024 at 11:25 AM
Would love to see an accompanying question where they are asked to define them.
Reposted by ZigZag Politics
Would warn strongly against over interpreting this as “Reform being ahead of Labour” remember there was a Tory/Reform cross over in some polls in the election tracking back these do seem clearly wide of the mark. Wait to see if this shows up in other polls and sustains overtime.
Yikes. Just one poll from @findoutnow.bsky.social but this is the first poll where Labour are behind Reform UK (not something we’ve found yet with Reform still behind Labour and Tories) but it’s not ideal backdrop for relaunch and shows just how deeply we are in 3.5 party politics now.
Westminster Voting Intention:
CON: 26% (-1)
RFM: 24% (+2)
LAB: 23% (-2)
LDM: 11% (-1)
GRN: 9% (=)
SNP: 3% (=)
Via @findoutnow.bsky.social, 4 Dec.
Changes w/ 27 Nov.
CON: 26% (-1)
RFM: 24% (+2)
LAB: 23% (-2)
LDM: 11% (-1)
GRN: 9% (=)
SNP: 3% (=)
Via @findoutnow.bsky.social, 4 Dec.
Changes w/ 27 Nov.
December 5, 2024 at 3:11 PM
Would warn strongly against over interpreting this as “Reform being ahead of Labour” remember there was a Tory/Reform cross over in some polls in the election tracking back these do seem clearly wide of the mark. Wait to see if this shows up in other polls and sustains overtime.
😱
Westminster Voting Intention:
CON: 26% (-1)
RFM: 24% (+2)
LAB: 23% (-2)
LDM: 11% (-1)
GRN: 9% (=)
SNP: 3% (=)
Via @findoutnow.bsky.social, 4 Dec.
Changes w/ 27 Nov.
CON: 26% (-1)
RFM: 24% (+2)
LAB: 23% (-2)
LDM: 11% (-1)
GRN: 9% (=)
SNP: 3% (=)
Via @findoutnow.bsky.social, 4 Dec.
Changes w/ 27 Nov.
December 5, 2024 at 2:54 PM
😱
Why on earth is 'inheritance tax' abbreviated to IHT?
December 5, 2024 at 10:16 AM
Why on earth is 'inheritance tax' abbreviated to IHT?
Reposted by ZigZag Politics
Do you teach OCR African Kingdoms Alevel or African Kingdoms at KS3? Would you like to start?
On Friday 25 April 2025, the Bristol Historical Association are hosting an afternoon of lectures on Early Modern African Kingdoms from an amazing group of academics.
Free for Sixth Formers and Teachers!
On Friday 25 April 2025, the Bristol Historical Association are hosting an afternoon of lectures on Early Modern African Kingdoms from an amazing group of academics.
Free for Sixth Formers and Teachers!
December 3, 2024 at 2:19 PM
Do you teach OCR African Kingdoms Alevel or African Kingdoms at KS3? Would you like to start?
On Friday 25 April 2025, the Bristol Historical Association are hosting an afternoon of lectures on Early Modern African Kingdoms from an amazing group of academics.
Free for Sixth Formers and Teachers!
On Friday 25 April 2025, the Bristol Historical Association are hosting an afternoon of lectures on Early Modern African Kingdoms from an amazing group of academics.
Free for Sixth Formers and Teachers!