@chrismartin861.bsky.social
Reposted
Opinion: what do I hope for from Wednesday’s Budget? Some sight of a workable and coherent long-term economic strategy. I do not expect it. It may already be too late. But, without that, it is hard to be optimistic about the UK’s future. on.ft.com/47Yb6if
November 24, 2025 at 8:30 AM
Opinion: what do I hope for from Wednesday’s Budget? Some sight of a workable and coherent long-term economic strategy. I do not expect it. It may already be too late. But, without that, it is hard to be optimistic about the UK’s future. on.ft.com/47Yb6if
Reposted
In 2024, the UK had the lowest taxes on an average employee of any G7 country.
UK taxes for lower earners were also the lowest in the G7.
But the UK's position might change in 2025.
Read more 👉 buff.ly/4ppe7Q8
UK taxes for lower earners were also the lowest in the G7.
But the UK's position might change in 2025.
Read more 👉 buff.ly/4ppe7Q8
November 13, 2025 at 5:15 PM
In 2024, the UK had the lowest taxes on an average employee of any G7 country.
UK taxes for lower earners were also the lowest in the G7.
But the UK's position might change in 2025.
Read more 👉 buff.ly/4ppe7Q8
UK taxes for lower earners were also the lowest in the G7.
But the UK's position might change in 2025.
Read more 👉 buff.ly/4ppe7Q8
Reposted
Must-read piece by Aditya Chakrabortty on detailed analysis of who Reform voters are by @focaldata.bsky.social & @hopenothate.org.uk
"What this analysis of Reform voters shows you is not Farage’s strength, but the political mainstream’s weakness" 🎯
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
"What this analysis of Reform voters shows you is not Farage’s strength, but the political mainstream’s weakness" 🎯
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The real Reform voters have been revealed – it’s a slapdash coalition Farage will struggle to hold together | Aditya Chakrabortty
This is no single bloc marching under one ideology, or even a mass of ‘red-wall’ voters. What unites them is a desire for something different, says Guardian columnist Aditya Chakrabortty
www.theguardian.com
November 13, 2025 at 12:55 PM
Must-read piece by Aditya Chakrabortty on detailed analysis of who Reform voters are by @focaldata.bsky.social & @hopenothate.org.uk
"What this analysis of Reform voters shows you is not Farage’s strength, but the political mainstream’s weakness" 🎯
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
"What this analysis of Reform voters shows you is not Farage’s strength, but the political mainstream’s weakness" 🎯
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted
More memories to be made 💙
Hear from our Club Captain as he commits to his home county for another three years.
Read more 👉 yorkshireccc.com/news/jonny-b...
Hear from our Club Captain as he commits to his home county for another three years.
Read more 👉 yorkshireccc.com/news/jonny-b...
November 13, 2025 at 11:16 AM
More memories to be made 💙
Hear from our Club Captain as he commits to his home county for another three years.
Read more 👉 yorkshireccc.com/news/jonny-b...
Hear from our Club Captain as he commits to his home county for another three years.
Read more 👉 yorkshireccc.com/news/jonny-b...
Reposted
Prospects for ending war in Ukraine, future of Russia, role of China, use of small-yield nuclear weapons, future of defence industry - answering questions put by subscribers (£/free trial). open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/w...?
Will Russians continue to support the war? Will 2026 be a crunch year? Possibility of Ukrainian counter-attack?
More answers to your questions.
open.substack.com
November 13, 2025 at 8:35 AM
Prospects for ending war in Ukraine, future of Russia, role of China, use of small-yield nuclear weapons, future of defence industry - answering questions put by subscribers (£/free trial). open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/w...?
Reposted
Trump and his cronies have the BBC in their sights. Leaders can’t stay silent while one of our great institutions is attacked.
We must defend its independence, end political appointments, and remove Robbie Gibb from the Board.
We must defend its independence, end political appointments, and remove Robbie Gibb from the Board.
November 10, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Trump and his cronies have the BBC in their sights. Leaders can’t stay silent while one of our great institutions is attacked.
We must defend its independence, end political appointments, and remove Robbie Gibb from the Board.
We must defend its independence, end political appointments, and remove Robbie Gibb from the Board.
Reposted
SUPERB and angrily unvarnished response, by former BBC chairman, Lord Patten.
"I don't think that we should allow ourselves to be bullied into thinking that the BBC is only any good, if it reflects the prejudice of the last person who shouted at it." ~AA
"I don't think that we should allow ourselves to be bullied into thinking that the BBC is only any good, if it reflects the prejudice of the last person who shouted at it." ~AA
November 10, 2025 at 6:40 PM
SUPERB and angrily unvarnished response, by former BBC chairman, Lord Patten.
"I don't think that we should allow ourselves to be bullied into thinking that the BBC is only any good, if it reflects the prejudice of the last person who shouted at it." ~AA
"I don't think that we should allow ourselves to be bullied into thinking that the BBC is only any good, if it reflects the prejudice of the last person who shouted at it." ~AA
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Should Gibb be sacked? yes, obviously. He's an abomination of basic journalistic standards. His GB News channel spreads conspiracy theory & disinformation. His Jewish Chronicle newspaper spreads invented stories. He is plainly trying to undermine the BBC so it's as bad as everything else he touches.
November 10, 2025 at 12:47 PM
Should Gibb be sacked? yes, obviously. He's an abomination of basic journalistic standards. His GB News channel spreads conspiracy theory & disinformation. His Jewish Chronicle newspaper spreads invented stories. He is plainly trying to undermine the BBC so it's as bad as everything else he touches.
Reposted
Public trust in media (Reuters/Oxford) 2024
reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk/digital-news...
reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk/digital-news...
November 10, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Public trust in media (Reuters/Oxford) 2024
reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk/digital-news...
reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk/digital-news...
Reposted
The BBC is tearing itself apart to appease publications and politicians who want to see it die.
An absolutely kamikaze approach to running a media organisation. I can't see it ending well.
An absolutely kamikaze approach to running a media organisation. I can't see it ending well.
November 9, 2025 at 9:55 PM
The BBC is tearing itself apart to appease publications and politicians who want to see it die.
An absolutely kamikaze approach to running a media organisation. I can't see it ending well.
An absolutely kamikaze approach to running a media organisation. I can't see it ending well.
Reposted
On Donald Trump's attack on the BBC this PM, Lib Dem Leader Ed Davey:
"It’s easy to see why Trump wants to destroy the world’s number one news source. We can’t let him.
"The BBC belongs to all of us here in the UK.
"The PM [and others] should be united in telling Trump to keep his hands off it."
"It’s easy to see why Trump wants to destroy the world’s number one news source. We can’t let him.
"The BBC belongs to all of us here in the UK.
"The PM [and others] should be united in telling Trump to keep his hands off it."
November 9, 2025 at 10:10 PM
On Donald Trump's attack on the BBC this PM, Lib Dem Leader Ed Davey:
"It’s easy to see why Trump wants to destroy the world’s number one news source. We can’t let him.
"The BBC belongs to all of us here in the UK.
"The PM [and others] should be united in telling Trump to keep his hands off it."
"It’s easy to see why Trump wants to destroy the world’s number one news source. We can’t let him.
"The BBC belongs to all of us here in the UK.
"The PM [and others] should be united in telling Trump to keep his hands off it."
Reposted
Borrowing would be £14 billion higher in 2029-30 as a result of u-turns and changes in the economy forecast.
While smaller than the £20 billion expected by some, this is still a very large hit to the public finances.
While smaller than the £20 billion expected by some, this is still a very large hit to the public finances.
November 8, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Borrowing would be £14 billion higher in 2029-30 as a result of u-turns and changes in the economy forecast.
While smaller than the £20 billion expected by some, this is still a very large hit to the public finances.
While smaller than the £20 billion expected by some, this is still a very large hit to the public finances.
Reposted
Another superb piece by @robertshrimsley.bsky.social "One of the reasons why the Starmer government looks so uncomfortable in its skin is because it is trying to seem more frugal than it either is or wants to be"
The inescapable logic of Labour’s choices - on.ft.com/3XeDTc5
The inescapable logic of Labour’s choices - on.ft.com/3XeDTc5
The inescapable logic of Labour’s choices
Starmer and Reeves should lean in to what the Budget reveals about this tax-and-spend government
on.ft.com
November 6, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Another superb piece by @robertshrimsley.bsky.social "One of the reasons why the Starmer government looks so uncomfortable in its skin is because it is trying to seem more frugal than it either is or wants to be"
The inescapable logic of Labour’s choices - on.ft.com/3XeDTc5
The inescapable logic of Labour’s choices - on.ft.com/3XeDTc5
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New substack: why governments cannot offer competence alone: chrisdillow.substack.com/p/on-compete...
On competenciness
Centrists don't offer actual competence, but merely a false illusion of it.
chrisdillow.substack.com
November 6, 2025 at 12:26 PM
New substack: why governments cannot offer competence alone: chrisdillow.substack.com/p/on-compete...
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This from the nation that selected Boris Johnson on a landslide. You really are kidding yourselves.
November 6, 2025 at 4:18 PM
This from the nation that selected Boris Johnson on a landslide. You really are kidding yourselves.
Reposted
Bank of England on hold at 4% on tight 5-4 vote with MPC minutes suggesting closer-than-expected decision. Big issue for today is outlook for inflation and new BoE comms. But this is also a key decision for the Chancellor ahead of the Budget. Thread on all that to follow...
November 6, 2025 at 12:14 PM
Bank of England on hold at 4% on tight 5-4 vote with MPC minutes suggesting closer-than-expected decision. Big issue for today is outlook for inflation and new BoE comms. But this is also a key decision for the Chancellor ahead of the Budget. Thread on all that to follow...
Reposted
Also the speed of desk rejections at some top journals.
The speed of light visualized on a world map.
Credit: Dr James O'Donoghue
Credit: Dr James O'Donoghue
November 5, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Also the speed of desk rejections at some top journals.
Reposted
Kindle edition is £1.99 today until midnight.
www.amazon.co.uk/Proof-My-Inn...
www.amazon.co.uk/Proof-My-Inn...
November 2, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Kindle edition is £1.99 today until midnight.
www.amazon.co.uk/Proof-My-Inn...
www.amazon.co.uk/Proof-My-Inn...
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The sheer greasy desperation from these bastards that any violent crime is committed by an immigrant so they can continue their grift. Even when they know it isn't true. Foul.
Matt Goodwin attributes a crime that he now knows appears to have been committed by people born in Britain in the early 1990s to "mass uncontrolled immigration"
November 2, 2025 at 12:06 PM
The sheer greasy desperation from these bastards that any violent crime is committed by an immigrant so they can continue their grift. Even when they know it isn't true. Foul.
Reposted
New post just out:
"Who might replace Starmer?"
With pressure growing on the PM, there are a lot of conversations going on in Westminster about who could take over.
Who are the contenders? Who's best placed to win? Would it make any difference?
(£/free trial)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/w...
"Who might replace Starmer?"
With pressure growing on the PM, there are a lot of conversations going on in Westminster about who could take over.
Who are the contenders? Who's best placed to win? Would it make any difference?
(£/free trial)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/w...
Who might replace Starmer?
As predicted at the start of the summer, the idea that the Prime Minister might not make it through another year is gaining traction.
open.substack.com
November 2, 2025 at 9:09 AM
New post just out:
"Who might replace Starmer?"
With pressure growing on the PM, there are a lot of conversations going on in Westminster about who could take over.
Who are the contenders? Who's best placed to win? Would it make any difference?
(£/free trial)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/w...
"Who might replace Starmer?"
With pressure growing on the PM, there are a lot of conversations going on in Westminster about who could take over.
Who are the contenders? Who's best placed to win? Would it make any difference?
(£/free trial)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/w...
Reposted
Government has published one of those quiet but important documents that might get overlooked as it is not 'newsy'. The headline finding is that £1 of public R&D investment generates £8 in net economic benefits for the UK over the long term
www.gov.uk/government/p...
www.gov.uk/government/p...
The value of public R&D
www.gov.uk
October 30, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Government has published one of those quiet but important documents that might get overlooked as it is not 'newsy'. The headline finding is that £1 of public R&D investment generates £8 in net economic benefits for the UK over the long term
www.gov.uk/government/p...
www.gov.uk/government/p...
Reposted
If racism has no place in his party, then Nigel Farage should prove it by withdrawing the whip from Sarah Pochin immediately.
October 28, 2025 at 6:00 PM
If racism has no place in his party, then Nigel Farage should prove it by withdrawing the whip from Sarah Pochin immediately.
Reposted
I always enjoy reading Simon's thoughts, but I think this misses two big things.
1) What this thermostat analogy misses is that the act of constantly fiddling with the dial (volatility in tax and spend policy) is itself damaging - in particular because it ramps up uncertainty. That's one ...
1) What this thermostat analogy misses is that the act of constantly fiddling with the dial (volatility in tax and spend policy) is itself damaging - in particular because it ramps up uncertainty. That's one ...
October 24, 2025 at 9:55 AM
I always enjoy reading Simon's thoughts, but I think this misses two big things.
1) What this thermostat analogy misses is that the act of constantly fiddling with the dial (volatility in tax and spend policy) is itself damaging - in particular because it ramps up uncertainty. That's one ...
1) What this thermostat analogy misses is that the act of constantly fiddling with the dial (volatility in tax and spend policy) is itself damaging - in particular because it ramps up uncertainty. That's one ...
Reposted
After submitting a FOIA request UKRI, I obtained success rates by three grant call scheme and I can only say that I am disheartened by the results:
- AHRC Responsive Mode 2025: 2%
- ESRC New Investigator Grant 2025: 1%
- ESRC Research Grant Round 2025: 1%
- AHRC Responsive Mode 2025: 2%
- ESRC New Investigator Grant 2025: 1%
- ESRC Research Grant Round 2025: 1%
October 22, 2025 at 7:55 AM
After submitting a FOIA request UKRI, I obtained success rates by three grant call scheme and I can only say that I am disheartened by the results:
- AHRC Responsive Mode 2025: 2%
- ESRC New Investigator Grant 2025: 1%
- ESRC Research Grant Round 2025: 1%
- AHRC Responsive Mode 2025: 2%
- ESRC New Investigator Grant 2025: 1%
- ESRC Research Grant Round 2025: 1%
Reposted
Counterpoint: the NHS has always been public-private, and most people would rather have their cataracts done this year in a private hospital they don't have to pay for than in 2027 in one that is deemed ethically pure.
October 23, 2025 at 8:34 AM
Counterpoint: the NHS has always been public-private, and most people would rather have their cataracts done this year in a private hospital they don't have to pay for than in 2027 in one that is deemed ethically pure.