Claire Ainsley
@claire-ainsley.bsky.social
Director PPI project on Centre-left Renewal; author ‘The New Working Class’; Exec Director of Policy for Labour and Keir Starmer 2020-22
Energising and hopeful @cnliberalism.org action summit in DC this week with 300+ young people debating ideas for the future. Enjoyed the debate w/ Francis Fukuyama, Shikha Dalmia, Art Eggleton, Jeremiah Johnson on liberalism and w/ Rep Laura Friedman, Pete Brodnitz, and Will Marshall on voter trust
October 24, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Energising and hopeful @cnliberalism.org action summit in DC this week with 300+ young people debating ideas for the future. Enjoyed the debate w/ Francis Fukuyama, Shikha Dalmia, Art Eggleton, Jeremiah Johnson on liberalism and w/ Rep Laura Friedman, Pete Brodnitz, and Will Marshall on voter trust
When Keir Starmer said he was returning Labour to the service of working people, he meant it. Good to talk Labour politics and the electoral strategy underpinning their political direction with Tim Shipman for The Spectator Coffee House Shots:
www.spectator.co.uk/podcast/labo...
www.spectator.co.uk/podcast/labo...
Labour's deputy divisions: insider vs outsider?
Tim Shipman and Claire Ainsley from the Progressive Policy Institute join Patrick Gibbons to reflect on Labour's party conference as it draws to a close in Liverpool. This conference has been received...
www.spectator.co.uk
October 1, 2025 at 4:50 PM
When Keir Starmer said he was returning Labour to the service of working people, he meant it. Good to talk Labour politics and the electoral strategy underpinning their political direction with Tim Shipman for The Spectator Coffee House Shots:
www.spectator.co.uk/podcast/labo...
www.spectator.co.uk/podcast/labo...
Proud to launch this report with @deborahmattinson.bsky.social Tom Brookes for PPI
Thanks to Labour Together and Progressive Britain for co-hosting our launch events today
www.progressivepolicy.org/build-back-b...
Thanks to Labour Together and Progressive Britain for co-hosting our launch events today
www.progressivepolicy.org/build-back-b...
Build Back Belief: Why Voters Around the World Lost Faith in Government and How to Win it Back - Progressive Policy Institute
INTRODUCTION: A BREAKDOWN IN TRUST Listening to swing voters in Pittsburgh, Brandenburg, and Accrington, we heard the same story over and over. Frustration, even anger, with the politicians they had ...
www.progressivepolicy.org
July 15, 2025 at 9:39 PM
Proud to launch this report with @deborahmattinson.bsky.social Tom Brookes for PPI
Thanks to Labour Together and Progressive Britain for co-hosting our launch events today
www.progressivepolicy.org/build-back-b...
Thanks to Labour Together and Progressive Britain for co-hosting our launch events today
www.progressivepolicy.org/build-back-b...
Preview of next week’s research with @debmattin.bsky.social for Progressive Policy Institute on how the global center-left can build back belief between government and the people
In @theobserveruk.bsky.social
observer.co.uk/news/opinion...
In @theobserveruk.bsky.social
observer.co.uk/news/opinion...
Do our leaders really care about us? To keep us on side t...
Stretched voters have never been more disaffected and are searching for answers beyond traditional parties
observer.co.uk
July 11, 2025 at 8:47 AM
Preview of next week’s research with @debmattin.bsky.social for Progressive Policy Institute on how the global center-left can build back belief between government and the people
In @theobserveruk.bsky.social
observer.co.uk/news/opinion...
In @theobserveruk.bsky.social
observer.co.uk/news/opinion...
Reposted by Claire Ainsley
PODCAST🎙️Ending in tears: Labour’s first year in government
@jillongovt.bsky.social, Claire Ainsley and @samfr.bsky.social join @drhannahwhite.bsky.social to weigh up the government’s highs and lows – and what comes next.
Listen in full🎧
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/podcast/insi...
@jillongovt.bsky.social, Claire Ainsley and @samfr.bsky.social join @drhannahwhite.bsky.social to weigh up the government’s highs and lows – and what comes next.
Listen in full🎧
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/podcast/insi...
Ending in tears: Labour’s first year in government | Institute for Government
Jill Rutter, Claire Ainsley and Sam Freedman join Hannah White to weigh up the government’s highs and lows – and what comes next.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
July 7, 2025 at 10:06 AM
PODCAST🎙️Ending in tears: Labour’s first year in government
@jillongovt.bsky.social, Claire Ainsley and @samfr.bsky.social join @drhannahwhite.bsky.social to weigh up the government’s highs and lows – and what comes next.
Listen in full🎧
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/podcast/insi...
@jillongovt.bsky.social, Claire Ainsley and @samfr.bsky.social join @drhannahwhite.bsky.social to weigh up the government’s highs and lows – and what comes next.
Listen in full🎧
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/podcast/insi...
So looking forward to this: former Congressman Tim Ryan and senior advisor to PPI in conversation with Anushka Asthana, C4 News U.S. Editor, at the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk
Sign up to join in person or online here:
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/inside...
Sign up to join in person or online here:
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/inside...
Inside Trump’s America: In conversation with Tim Ryan | Institute for Government
Join us to hear former US congressman Tim Ryan share his experiences of frontline US politics.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
July 2, 2025 at 8:33 AM
So looking forward to this: former Congressman Tim Ryan and senior advisor to PPI in conversation with Anushka Asthana, C4 News U.S. Editor, at the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk
Sign up to join in person or online here:
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/inside...
Sign up to join in person or online here:
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/inside...
Looking forward to launching the Building Back Britain report this evening with Labour Growth Group and WPI Strategy - packed full of industry-led ideas to deliver stronger productivity and growth across the country
Previewed in today’s Times and City AM
www.thetimes.com/article/3ba2...
Previewed in today’s Times and City AM
www.thetimes.com/article/3ba2...
June 25, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Looking forward to launching the Building Back Britain report this evening with Labour Growth Group and WPI Strategy - packed full of industry-led ideas to deliver stronger productivity and growth across the country
Previewed in today’s Times and City AM
www.thetimes.com/article/3ba2...
Previewed in today’s Times and City AM
www.thetimes.com/article/3ba2...
New piece from me in today’s @nytimes.com - the progressive case for immigration control
www.nytimes.com/2025/06/19/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/06/19/o...
Opinion | A Progressive Future Depends on National Identity
www.nytimes.com
June 19, 2025 at 7:09 AM
New piece from me in today’s @nytimes.com - the progressive case for immigration control
www.nytimes.com/2025/06/19/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/06/19/o...
Such a pleasure to chat with @nickbryantoz.bsky.social in Sydney on what the global center left can learn from the recent Australian election for ABC.
Extraordinary circumstances means there’s no easy win here - vital the center left learns the right lessons early
www.abc.net.au/listen/progr...
Extraordinary circumstances means there’s no easy win here - vital the center left learns the right lessons early
www.abc.net.au/listen/progr...
Lessons for global centre-left parties from Labor's win - ABC listen
Centre-left parties the world over are lamenting the loss of their heartland, as low paid, working-class and non-graduate voters defect to the right.
Claire Ainsley was a key aide to the UK Prime Min...
www.abc.net.au
June 17, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Such a pleasure to chat with @nickbryantoz.bsky.social in Sydney on what the global center left can learn from the recent Australian election for ABC.
Extraordinary circumstances means there’s no easy win here - vital the center left learns the right lessons early
www.abc.net.au/listen/progr...
Extraordinary circumstances means there’s no easy win here - vital the center left learns the right lessons early
www.abc.net.au/listen/progr...
Reposted by Claire Ainsley
Governing from the Centre Left in the 2020s
Collection featuring Portugal NZ US Australia & Germany
@eunicegoes.bsky.social
Grant Duncan
@claire-ainsley.bsky.social
@emilyrosefoley.bsky.social & Rob Manwaring
Jörg Michael Dostal
@pjsloman.bsky.social
politicalquarterly.org.uk/collections/...
Collection featuring Portugal NZ US Australia & Germany
@eunicegoes.bsky.social
Grant Duncan
@claire-ainsley.bsky.social
@emilyrosefoley.bsky.social & Rob Manwaring
Jörg Michael Dostal
@pjsloman.bsky.social
politicalquarterly.org.uk/collections/...
Governing from the Centre Left in the 2020s
The first half of the 2020s has been a turbulent period in global politics, with the Covid pandemic, surging inflation, wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, and the fall and return of Donald Trump. Th...
politicalquarterly.org.uk
May 22, 2025 at 9:06 AM
Governing from the Centre Left in the 2020s
Collection featuring Portugal NZ US Australia & Germany
@eunicegoes.bsky.social
Grant Duncan
@claire-ainsley.bsky.social
@emilyrosefoley.bsky.social & Rob Manwaring
Jörg Michael Dostal
@pjsloman.bsky.social
politicalquarterly.org.uk/collections/...
Collection featuring Portugal NZ US Australia & Germany
@eunicegoes.bsky.social
Grant Duncan
@claire-ainsley.bsky.social
@emilyrosefoley.bsky.social & Rob Manwaring
Jörg Michael Dostal
@pjsloman.bsky.social
politicalquarterly.org.uk/collections/...
The state needs serious reform to work better for those it’s meant to serve. It’s critical to the future of democracy.
Delighted @re-state.bsky.social is here for the challenge, and to be part of their launch essays:
Delighted @re-state.bsky.social is here for the challenge, and to be part of their launch essays:
To mark becoming Re:State, today we've published a collection of short essays by leading thinkers, all making the case for bold action to remake the State
What an honour to have this incredible line up involved
READ the collection here: re-state.co.uk/publications...
What an honour to have this incredible line up involved
READ the collection here: re-state.co.uk/publications...
May 20, 2025 at 7:53 AM
The state needs serious reform to work better for those it’s meant to serve. It’s critical to the future of democracy.
Delighted @re-state.bsky.social is here for the challenge, and to be part of their launch essays:
Delighted @re-state.bsky.social is here for the challenge, and to be part of their launch essays:
Looking forward to this WPI Strategy local election results analysis tomorrow. Register via rsvp@wpi-strategy.com
May 6, 2025 at 12:16 PM
Looking forward to this WPI Strategy local election results analysis tomorrow. Register via rsvp@wpi-strategy.com
Pleased to be published in @theneweuropean.bsky.social with Deborah Mattinson on new research for PPI on what’s driving populism in Germany, and how the centre left needs to have an urgent alternative for voters who want change:
www.theneweuropean.co.uk/deborah-matt...
www.theneweuropean.co.uk/deborah-matt...
How populism gives youth wings
Bitter at the old politics, young Germans saw the far-right AfD as a revitalising tonic. How can the left get that taste out of their mouths?
www.theneweuropean.co.uk
April 24, 2025 at 7:05 AM
Pleased to be published in @theneweuropean.bsky.social with Deborah Mattinson on new research for PPI on what’s driving populism in Germany, and how the centre left needs to have an urgent alternative for voters who want change:
www.theneweuropean.co.uk/deborah-matt...
www.theneweuropean.co.uk/deborah-matt...
Superb - and accessible - explainer on how Trump’s trade war is about to make working Americans poorer from PPI President Will Marshall 👇
thehill.com/opinion/fina...
thehill.com/opinion/fina...
thehill.com
April 4, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Superb - and accessible - explainer on how Trump’s trade war is about to make working Americans poorer from PPI President Will Marshall 👇
thehill.com/opinion/fina...
thehill.com/opinion/fina...
I could do without the macho imagery and language of chainsaws and the like.
But the centre left has to grip reforming the state so it works better for people.
A pleasure to talk to Sonia Sodha and David Willetts for this week’s BBC Radio 4 Week in Westminster:
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
But the centre left has to grip reforming the state so it works better for people.
A pleasure to talk to Sonia Sodha and David Willetts for this week’s BBC Radio 4 Week in Westminster:
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
The Week in Westminster - 15/03/2025 - BBC Sounds
Sonia Sodha of The Observer assesses the latest developments at Westminster.
www.bbc.co.uk
March 15, 2025 at 12:13 PM
I could do without the macho imagery and language of chainsaws and the like.
But the centre left has to grip reforming the state so it works better for people.
A pleasure to talk to Sonia Sodha and David Willetts for this week’s BBC Radio 4 Week in Westminster:
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
But the centre left has to grip reforming the state so it works better for people.
A pleasure to talk to Sonia Sodha and David Willetts for this week’s BBC Radio 4 Week in Westminster:
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
If Trump’s tariffs stand, American families will in reality get higher costs for everyday goods like groceries and medicines, while American manufacturers, builders, and farmers will see production costs spike - @progressivepolicy.org @ebgresser.bsky.social
www.progressivepolicy.org/ppi-statemen...
www.progressivepolicy.org/ppi-statemen...
PPI Statement on President Trump’s Continued Reckless Tariffs Campaign - Progressive Policy Institute
WASHINGTON — Today, Ed Gresser, Vice President and Director for Trade and Global Markets at the Progressive Policy Institute (PPI), issued the following statement in response to President Trump imposi...
www.progressivepolicy.org
March 5, 2025 at 8:15 AM
If Trump’s tariffs stand, American families will in reality get higher costs for everyday goods like groceries and medicines, while American manufacturers, builders, and farmers will see production costs spike - @progressivepolicy.org @ebgresser.bsky.social
www.progressivepolicy.org/ppi-statemen...
www.progressivepolicy.org/ppi-statemen...
Reposted by Claire Ainsley
Join us and @policyatkings.bsky.social on 4 Feb as we discuss the role inequality is playing in fuelling populist politics, with @liambyrnemp.bsky.social, @claire-ainsley.bsky.social , @benansell.bsky.social, @hamidaali.bsky.social and @peterhyman.bsky.social 👇 fairnessfoundation.com/posts/the-re...
January 28, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Join us and @policyatkings.bsky.social on 4 Feb as we discuss the role inequality is playing in fuelling populist politics, with @liambyrnemp.bsky.social, @claire-ainsley.bsky.social , @benansell.bsky.social, @hamidaali.bsky.social and @peterhyman.bsky.social 👇 fairnessfoundation.com/posts/the-re...
Reposted by Claire Ainsley
As Trump is sworn into office, Democrats start down the difficult road to reconnect with voters.
Writing for FGF, @claire-ainsley.bsky.social maps a path forward for the Dems and asks what a second Trump term means for the UK govt & global centre-left ⬇️
futuregovforum.substack.com/p/going-glob...
Writing for FGF, @claire-ainsley.bsky.social maps a path forward for the Dems and asks what a second Trump term means for the UK govt & global centre-left ⬇️
futuregovforum.substack.com/p/going-glob...
Going global and local – the way ahead for the centre left | By Claire Ainsley, Director of the Project on Center-Left Renewal at PPI
A second Trump presidency compels the centre left to chart a new course.
open.substack.com
January 20, 2025 at 9:30 AM
As Trump is sworn into office, Democrats start down the difficult road to reconnect with voters.
Writing for FGF, @claire-ainsley.bsky.social maps a path forward for the Dems and asks what a second Trump term means for the UK govt & global centre-left ⬇️
futuregovforum.substack.com/p/going-glob...
Writing for FGF, @claire-ainsley.bsky.social maps a path forward for the Dems and asks what a second Trump term means for the UK govt & global centre-left ⬇️
futuregovforum.substack.com/p/going-glob...
A thoughtful and informed analysis of today’s political labels by @benansell.bsky.social - so enjoyable to have a proper discussion with Giles Dilnot from @conservativehome.bsky.social and @sarahobolt.bsky.social
Listen again via @BBCSounds www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Listen again via @BBCSounds www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Rethink - Rethink… political labels - BBC Sounds
Is British politics today too complicated to be understood in terms of left and right?
www.bbc.co.uk
January 17, 2025 at 12:24 PM
A thoughtful and informed analysis of today’s political labels by @benansell.bsky.social - so enjoyable to have a proper discussion with Giles Dilnot from @conservativehome.bsky.social and @sarahobolt.bsky.social
Listen again via @BBCSounds www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Listen again via @BBCSounds www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Good discussion with @shelaghfogarty.bsky.social and and @JoannaNicolas on @lbc.co.uk this lunchtime on Keir Starmer’s commitment to implement mandatory reporting of abuse.
Child abuse victims deserve action to prevent future cases, not being used for political ends.
Child abuse victims deserve action to prevent future cases, not being used for political ends.
January 6, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Good discussion with @shelaghfogarty.bsky.social and and @JoannaNicolas on @lbc.co.uk this lunchtime on Keir Starmer’s commitment to implement mandatory reporting of abuse.
Child abuse victims deserve action to prevent future cases, not being used for political ends.
Child abuse victims deserve action to prevent future cases, not being used for political ends.
Good news for the Govt to start the year - new research for @WPI_Strategy in today’s @FT @thetimes @politico shows U.K. business leaders more positive about investment in the U.K. in 2025 than 2024, with the UK’s political stability the single most important factor:
January 3, 2025 at 9:19 AM
Good news for the Govt to start the year - new research for @WPI_Strategy in today’s @FT @thetimes @politico shows U.K. business leaders more positive about investment in the U.K. in 2025 than 2024, with the UK’s political stability the single most important factor:
Read the full report from @debmattinson @Will_PPI and I for @ppi on the US election analysis and what next for Democrats:
www.progressivepolicy.org/ppi-2024-ele...
www.progressivepolicy.org/ppi-2024-ele...
December 13, 2024 at 7:33 AM
Read the full report from @debmattinson @Will_PPI and I for @ppi on the US election analysis and what next for Democrats:
www.progressivepolicy.org/ppi-2024-ele...
www.progressivepolicy.org/ppi-2024-ele...
Lessons for Labour and centre-left from the US election -
@debmattinson and I writing in for today’s Observer ahead of our @ppi report this week
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
@debmattinson and I writing in for today’s Observer ahead of our @ppi report this week
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
On wokeness, patriotism and change, Kamala Harris’s defeat has lessons for Starmer | Deborah Mattinson and Claire Ainsley
Two former senior advisers to Labour analyse the clear messages from US voters’ preference for Trump
www.theguardian.com
December 8, 2024 at 10:02 AM
Lessons for Labour and centre-left from the US election -
@debmattinson and I writing in for today’s Observer ahead of our @ppi report this week
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
@debmattinson and I writing in for today’s Observer ahead of our @ppi report this week
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Ahead of Labour setting out its plan for making sure it delivers the change voters want - have a listen to this podcast @ThePowerTest on lessons for the centre left from around the world
@ayeshahazarika.bsky.social
@samfr.bsky.social
thepowertest.substack.com/p/can-you-fe...
@ayeshahazarika.bsky.social
@samfr.bsky.social
thepowertest.substack.com/p/can-you-fe...
Can you feel it? Labour's big task
Recorded live at the Centre for Progressive Policy’s Inclusive Growth Conference on 28th November, this special episode The Power Test looks at where we are six months into the new Labour government a...
thepowertest.substack.com
December 3, 2024 at 6:02 PM
Ahead of Labour setting out its plan for making sure it delivers the change voters want - have a listen to this podcast @ThePowerTest on lessons for the centre left from around the world
@ayeshahazarika.bsky.social
@samfr.bsky.social
thepowertest.substack.com/p/can-you-fe...
@ayeshahazarika.bsky.social
@samfr.bsky.social
thepowertest.substack.com/p/can-you-fe...