Dr James Strong
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drjamesstrong.bsky.social
Dr James Strong
@drjamesstrong.bsky.social
830 followers 110 following 28 posts
Senior Lecturer in British Politics and Foreign Policy at Queen Mary University of London | Parliamentary Studies | Foreign Policy Analysis | UK Foreign Policy | Parliamentary War Powers
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Reposted by Dr James Strong
qmul-sse-cgd.bsky.social
Please join us this Thursday for the book launch of:
'Populist Radical Right Parties in Action: The Survival of the Mass Party' (Oxford University Press). 📕 🚀
Date: Thursday 20th November 2025, 17.00-18.30hrs (followed by reception)
Location: Queen Mary University, Graduate Centre, Room GC201. /1
November 18, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Reposted by Dr James Strong
colmpm.bsky.social
As Patrick Diamond and I wrote a few days ago for @renewaljournal.bsky.social.....

renewal.org.uk/blog/if-labo...
We shouldn’t be surprised, then, that some government advisors are reportedly arguing for keeping to the letter of the manifesto pledge as much as possible. They advocate a ‘smorgasbord’ of smaller tax rises to make up the missing ‘headroom’. Yet, the obvious danger is that cobbling together a ragtag of tax hikes will alienate vocal interest groups, absorb government attention, and only just create sufficient fiscal headroom. To reduce the risk of another tax rising Budget in 2026, more ambition is required. In contrast, direct taxes reliably raise significant revenue. Estimates vary but a 2p increase in the basic rate alone would yield up to £20 billion by 2028-29. Even if Labour also cut National Insurance for lower earners on grounds of intergenerational fairness, as recent reports strongly suggest they will, they could raise up to £11bn a year.
November 14, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Reposted by Dr James Strong
colmpm.bsky.social
Breaking the tax pledge is the right call...and politically sulphurous. Reeves must argue, far more forcefully, that taxes are *the* essential downpayment we all pay for a fairer society.

Patrick Diamond and I wrote for @renewaljournal.bsky.social. Key points in 🧵 👇

renewal.org.uk/blog/if-labo...
If Labour want a fairer society, they must argue for it
Labour must make the political argument: taxes are the critical downpayment we all pay to live in a fairer society.  It now seems all but certain that direct taxes will rise in the forthcoming Budget...
renewal.org.uk
November 10, 2025 at 7:34 AM
Reposted by Dr James Strong
stijntvankessel.bsky.social
Andrej Zaslove and I wrote down our thoughts on the recent Dutch election results, noting the continuing relevance of the far right and the hollowing of the (liberal) centre. 👇 @qmul-sse-cgd.bsky.social @qmulsse.bsky.social
November 5, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Reposted by Dr James Strong
mileendinstitute.bsky.social
Last week, inspired by @ldfreedman.bsky.social's "Hennessy Lecture", we explored the foreign and domestic policy implications of Britain's support for Ukraine.

Feat. @drjamesstrong.bsky.social, @elkeschwarz.bsky.social, Patrick Porter and @evieaspinall.bsky.social⬇️

www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUvQ...
"Whatever it takes": The Policy Implications of Supporting Ukraine
YouTube video by Mile End Institute
www.youtube.com
November 4, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Reposted by Dr James Strong
stijntvankessel.bsky.social
One observation re. the Dutch election is the enduring strength of the far right (I am not fully subscribing to the 'shift back to the centre' narrative). I should be on ABC Australia News channel at around 11 CET to talk about this and to show my plants (again). www.youtube.com/live/vOTiJkg...
October 30, 2025 at 9:45 AM
Reposted by Dr James Strong
mileendinstitute.bsky.social
At lunchtime today, we'll be exploring the policy implications of supporting Ukraine until the end, inspired by @ldfreedman.bsky.social's "Hennessy Lecture".

You can book your place to hear @evieaspinall.bsky.social, @patporter76.bsky.social, @elkeschwarz.bsky.social and @drjamesstrong.bsky.social🔽
bfpg.bsky.social British Foreign Policy Group @bfpg.bsky.social · 28d
Tomorrow, 28th October at 12:00, tune in to the Mile End Institute's webinar to hear BFPG Director, Evie Aspinall, and fellow panellists discussing Britain's role in Ukraine, and the implications for UK foreign and domestic policy.

Sign up here: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
October 28, 2025 at 9:14 AM
Reposted by Dr James Strong
robertsaunders.bsky.social
"‘Whatever It Takes?’ The Policy Implications of Supporting Ukraine".

What does supporting Ukraine mean in practice?

What are the implications for national security, tax policy, EU relations, energy security & more?

28 Oct 12:00 at @mileendinstitute.bsky.social.
us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
October 22, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Reposted by Dr James Strong
stijntvankessel.bsky.social
I wrote a pre-election briefing / commentary ahead of the Dutch parliamentary election next week (October 29th). The main focus is on the enduring relevance of the far right, the salience of the immigration issue, and how mainstream parties contribute to its politicisation.
Op-ed: The enduring relevance of the Far Right ahead of the Dutch National Election on 29th October - The Foreign Policy Centre
Alongside issues such as housing and health care, the key far-right theme of immigration continues to feature high on the political agenda ahead of the Dutch national election on 29th October. In a fr...
fpc.org.uk
October 22, 2025 at 9:10 AM
Reposted by Dr James Strong
mbarnfield.bsky.social
My write-up for The Conversation on how a strategy of "short-term pain for long-term gain" could be losing the government support from the more short-term-focused of its voters:

theconversation.com/keir-starmer...

Trailed in the FT this morning (www.ft.com/content/e984...)
Keir Starmer needs to give voters short-term gain to persuade them he can deliver long-term renewal
Keir Starmer says painful decisions are needed now to fix the country for the future. But voters may not stick around to find out if he’s right.
theconversation.com
October 20, 2025 at 9:39 AM
Reposted by Dr James Strong
mbarnfield.bsky.social
Great to speak to @greenmirandahere.bsky.social for today's FT Inside Politics about the latest finding from our politics of (im)patience project, w/ @karlpike.bsky.social and @philipjcowley.bsky.social.

www.ft.com/content/e984...
Labour sheds support from impatient Britons
Research shows party losing voters who want results now, with women more likely to prioritise short-term gains
www.ft.com
October 20, 2025 at 9:20 AM
Reposted by Dr James Strong
philipjcowley.bsky.social
Latest from our politics of impatience project - some excellent analysis by @mbarnfield.bsky.social showing Labour is losing the jam today voters.

Labour sheds support from impatient Britons: on.ft.com/48EaX4h
October 20, 2025 at 8:50 AM
Reposted by Dr James Strong
philipjcowley.bsky.social
Latest article in @thehousemag.bsky.social - on opposition. What % of government bills do you think are opposed in full by the opposition? That is, what % see the opposition vote against at second and/or third reading?

www.politicshome.com/opinion/arti...
The Professor Will See You Now: Opposition
Lessons in political science. This week: opposition
www.politicshome.com
October 14, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Reposted by Dr James Strong
marcgeddes.uk
🚨 Job Opportunity! 🚨 Applications are now open for a new 2.5-year postdoc at @edinburghpir.bsky.social to examine how parliaments gather, analyse and use different types of knowledge - see the full job listing here: elxw.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/Candid...
Postdoctoral Research Fellow (SPARK)
We are looking for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow with experience in the politics of the UK, Scottish, German or Bavarian parliaments to join the UKRI-funded research project, ‘Studying Parliaments an...
elxw.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com
September 30, 2025 at 12:50 PM
Reposted by Dr James Strong
stijntvankessel.bsky.social
With Andrej Zaslove, I wrote a piece on the recent extreme-right riots in the Netherlands, and what should be learned from them 👇
September 29, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Reposted by Dr James Strong
karlpike.bsky.social
My contribution to this issue calls for Labour to counter the growing illiberalism in British politics.
thefabians.bsky.social Fabian Society @thefabians.bsky.social · Sep 26
The autumn edition of Fabian Review is on its way to members! 🍂


This issue features articles by @stellacreasy.bsky.social reasy.bsky.social, @annadixonmp.bsky.social,
@elliereeves.bsky.social s.bsky.social, @karlpike.bsky.social e.bsky.social.
September 26, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Reposted by Dr James Strong
danielgover.bsky.social
Very happy to be back on the Parliament Matters podcast, discussing the latest developments on the assisted dying bill with @ruthfox.bsky.social & @matthewengland.bsky.social. Thank you for having me!

Listen to the episode here: pod.link/1714627828/e...
September 20, 2025 at 7:08 AM
Reposted by Dr James Strong
danielgover.bsky.social
The assisted dying bill begins its substantive Lords scrutiny this Friday.

Re-posting my piece on what we should expect now that the Lords has the bill. theconversation.com/assisted-dyi...

#assisteddyingbill
Assisted dying: what happens now the House of Lords has the bill?
Peers would be on dicey political ground if they tried to stop the bill passed by MPs – but they may run into problems over timing.
theconversation.com
September 8, 2025 at 8:53 AM
Reposted by Dr James Strong
elizabethsim0n.bsky.social
After a fantastic few years, I'll soon be leaving @qmpoliticsir.bsky.social and the @mileendinstitute.bsky.social.

I've been surrounded by inspiring and generous colleagues, had lots of time and freedom to pursue my own research agenda, and had the pleasure of running the Polling London project.
August 6, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Reposted by Dr James Strong
colmpm.bsky.social
The London Mayoralty is 25 this year. As a birthday present, the Mile End Institute asked Londoners whether they feel politically empowered.

In short, no. But why? For @theconversation.com, @elizabethsim0n.bsky.social and I dig into the clashing explanations.

theconversation.com/its-25-years...
It’s 25 years since London got a mayor – and our polling reveals discontent
Even though the position is now coveted by politicians, Londoners don’t feel their mayors are delivering.
theconversation.com
August 22, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Reposted by Dr James Strong
philipjcowley.bsky.social
This moment never ceases to excite. Out in shops on 9 Sept...
August 13, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Reposted by Dr James Strong
mbarnfield.bsky.social
I have a new article out at @polstudies.bsky.social. In "Electoral Hope", I make the case that supposedly irrational "wishful thinking" is actually a crucial part of how voters make rational sense of their role in democracies.

OA link: doi.org/10.1177/0032...
Title page of article "Electoral Hope" in journal Political Studies.
August 6, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Reposted by Dr James Strong
philipjcowley.bsky.social
Latest article for the @thehousemag.bsky.social - in which I think I discover most common politicians name, worldwide, is David Smith. Only then to discover it might actually be Maria...

www.politicshome.com/opinion/arti...
How do you solve a problem like Maria?
What's in a politician's name?
www.politicshome.com
August 1, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Reposted by Dr James Strong
davehillonlondon.bsky.social
Great diagnosis for On London of the Tories' problems in the capital by the one and only @timbale.bsky.social - www.onlondon.co.uk/tim-bale-the... #london #conservatives
Tim Bale: The Conservatives' problems in London run very deep
Tories imagining they will make a comeback in the boroughs next year or win the mayoralty in 2028 could be fooling themselves badly
www.onlondon.co.uk
July 31, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Reposted by Dr James Strong
colmpm.bsky.social
From the CPGB to Left Unity: Sultana and (now) Corbyn's venture is not the first time a new party has challenged Labour from the left.

I wrote for @theconversation.com about the dilemmas these predecessors faced, which confront the new party today.

theconversation.com/what-would-i...
What would it take for a new British left-wing party to succeed?
History tells us why insurgent parties have struggled to get off the ground.
theconversation.com
July 11, 2025 at 11:45 AM