@cmacg-0987.bsky.social
Reposted
Headline on The World at One just now:
"Sir Keir Starmer has denied putting the Labour Party before the country by ending the two-child benefit cap".
Can we please go back to reporting the actual news, not someone's partisan take on it?
"Sir Keir Starmer has denied putting the Labour Party before the country by ending the two-child benefit cap".
Can we please go back to reporting the actual news, not someone's partisan take on it?
November 27, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Headline on The World at One just now:
"Sir Keir Starmer has denied putting the Labour Party before the country by ending the two-child benefit cap".
Can we please go back to reporting the actual news, not someone's partisan take on it?
"Sir Keir Starmer has denied putting the Labour Party before the country by ending the two-child benefit cap".
Can we please go back to reporting the actual news, not someone's partisan take on it?
Reposted
Some thoughts on yesterday's asylum announcement.
Asylum clearly in need of reform - small boat numbers too high, processing too slow and hotel use too costly.
Gov wants principles of fairness/contribution to underpin reforms.
These are right principles. But will reforms deliver?
Asylum clearly in need of reform - small boat numbers too high, processing too slow and hotel use too costly.
Gov wants principles of fairness/contribution to underpin reforms.
These are right principles. But will reforms deliver?
November 18, 2025 at 9:26 AM
Some thoughts on yesterday's asylum announcement.
Asylum clearly in need of reform - small boat numbers too high, processing too slow and hotel use too costly.
Gov wants principles of fairness/contribution to underpin reforms.
These are right principles. But will reforms deliver?
Asylum clearly in need of reform - small boat numbers too high, processing too slow and hotel use too costly.
Gov wants principles of fairness/contribution to underpin reforms.
These are right principles. But will reforms deliver?
Reposted
What happens when you antagonise much of the middle of the party into getting organised? What then, left-libs?
www.newstatesman.com/politics/lab...
www.newstatesman.com/politics/lab...
The revenge of Labour’s soft left
Keir Starmer has provoked the mass of his party into organising – against his leadership.
www.newstatesman.com
July 3, 2025 at 5:07 PM
What happens when you antagonise much of the middle of the party into getting organised? What then, left-libs?
www.newstatesman.com/politics/lab...
www.newstatesman.com/politics/lab...
Reposted
this is good stuff, and I think this bit is astute in considering the implications of a huge majority where quite a lot of backbenchers are fully aware they're likely to be here for a good time, not a long time
July 3, 2025 at 5:23 PM
this is good stuff, and I think this bit is astute in considering the implications of a huge majority where quite a lot of backbenchers are fully aware they're likely to be here for a good time, not a long time
Reposted
Going to write on this but I think this puts too much faith in people understanding how different levels of government works.
Everyone in politics associated the Greens with Brighton Council being shit and not only did it not dent them nationally, they increased the MP's majority.
Everyone in politics associated the Greens with Brighton Council being shit and not only did it not dent them nationally, they increased the MP's majority.
Before we freak out I feel that an underrated factor is that Reform now has to competently run local government, which they may find challenging.
May 2, 2025 at 8:37 AM
Going to write on this but I think this puts too much faith in people understanding how different levels of government works.
Everyone in politics associated the Greens with Brighton Council being shit and not only did it not dent them nationally, they increased the MP's majority.
Everyone in politics associated the Greens with Brighton Council being shit and not only did it not dent them nationally, they increased the MP's majority.
Reposted
When people report on this week’s local elections, this is the crucial context for understanding broad-based dissatisfaction.
It’s not all about Farage or immigration or some kind of political awakening. The two largest parties have caused/presided over economic gloom.
It’s not all about Farage or immigration or some kind of political awakening. The two largest parties have caused/presided over economic gloom.
Bombshell new poll from @ipsosintheuk.bsky.social
shows economic optimism at its lowest level we have EVER seen.
Remember - Ipsos have been recording this since 1978!
So economic optimism now lower than during winter of discontent, financial crash or Covid.
www.thetimes.com/article/8b29...
shows economic optimism at its lowest level we have EVER seen.
Remember - Ipsos have been recording this since 1978!
So economic optimism now lower than during winter of discontent, financial crash or Covid.
www.thetimes.com/article/8b29...
April 27, 2025 at 7:39 AM
When people report on this week’s local elections, this is the crucial context for understanding broad-based dissatisfaction.
It’s not all about Farage or immigration or some kind of political awakening. The two largest parties have caused/presided over economic gloom.
It’s not all about Farage or immigration or some kind of political awakening. The two largest parties have caused/presided over economic gloom.
Reposted
Tbf to Reeves here she's pointing out it's not a prediction but an assessment if no mitigation is taken.
That said I don't think their mitigation will make as much difference as she does.
That said I don't think their mitigation will make as much difference as she does.
ICYMI last night, HuffPost UK's interview with Rachel Reeves after the Spring Statement.
🚨 Says her own government's prediction that 250,000 will be pushed into poverty by her welfare cuts is wrong.
🚨 Refuses to rule out more cuts in future
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/exclus...
🚨 Says her own government's prediction that 250,000 will be pushed into poverty by her welfare cuts is wrong.
🚨 Refuses to rule out more cuts in future
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/exclus...
Exclusive: Rachel Reeves Denies Welfare Reforms Will Push 250,000 Into Poverty
The chancellor sat down with HuffPost UK after delivering her first Spring Statement.
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk
March 27, 2025 at 7:50 AM
Tbf to Reeves here she's pointing out it's not a prediction but an assessment if no mitigation is taken.
That said I don't think their mitigation will make as much difference as she does.
That said I don't think their mitigation will make as much difference as she does.
Reposted
Ahead of the Spring Statement, do catch up with the @mileendinstitute.bsky.social's webinar from 11 days ago, in which a stellar lineup (and me) probe the worsening tensions within the UK government's economic strategy.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTC6...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTC6...
The Political Economy of Starmer's Labour
YouTube video by Mile End Institute
www.youtube.com
March 26, 2025 at 9:33 AM
Ahead of the Spring Statement, do catch up with the @mileendinstitute.bsky.social's webinar from 11 days ago, in which a stellar lineup (and me) probe the worsening tensions within the UK government's economic strategy.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTC6...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTC6...
Reposted
You probably read this weekend the government was watering down the workers rights bill.
Having looked at the amendments, there’s no weakening of anything, in most cases it’s been toughened up.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Having looked at the amendments, there’s no weakening of anything, in most cases it’s been toughened up.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
UK unions welcome ministers’ decision to bolster workers’ rights bill
Unions delighted that there has been no watering down of plans, which will apply to England, Scotland and Wales
www.theguardian.com
March 4, 2025 at 4:45 PM
You probably read this weekend the government was watering down the workers rights bill.
Having looked at the amendments, there’s no weakening of anything, in most cases it’s been toughened up.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Having looked at the amendments, there’s no weakening of anything, in most cases it’s been toughened up.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted
“Trump’s victory seemed likely to me then... mainly because the Democratic Party had failed to address the legitimate grievances of working people and voters without university degrees.”
Very pleased to publish this, from Thomas Piketty and Michael Sandel: www.newstatesman.com/ideas/2025/0...
Very pleased to publish this, from Thomas Piketty and Michael Sandel: www.newstatesman.com/ideas/2025/0...
The left after Trump
In an age of rampant inequality and oligarchic government, two leading thinkers ask: can democratic socialism survive?
www.newstatesman.com
January 23, 2025 at 9:56 AM
“Trump’s victory seemed likely to me then... mainly because the Democratic Party had failed to address the legitimate grievances of working people and voters without university degrees.”
Very pleased to publish this, from Thomas Piketty and Michael Sandel: www.newstatesman.com/ideas/2025/0...
Very pleased to publish this, from Thomas Piketty and Michael Sandel: www.newstatesman.com/ideas/2025/0...