Ed Granter
@edgranter.bsky.social
Academic in the UK. Sociology of work and organization. Critical Theory. Gardening. Food. Miscellaneous. Posts views opinions links likes reposts comments strictly personal.
I'll defer to KL's knowledge. Certainly they failed to reverse deindustrialization and privatization under Blair.
November 10, 2025 at 9:55 PM
I'll defer to KL's knowledge. Certainly they failed to reverse deindustrialization and privatization under Blair.
I'm not up to date on his comments on immigration, I confess.
November 10, 2025 at 9:44 PM
I'm not up to date on his comments on immigration, I confess.
The NHS is our greatest national achievement ever, I believe.
November 10, 2025 at 9:42 PM
The NHS is our greatest national achievement ever, I believe.
Also notable - Our universities are not owned by the govt (the Open Uni might be the 1 exception), which many people, including I think fellow Brits, assume. Note finally that I'm not generalising and criticising 'Americans' - I'm careful not to.
November 10, 2025 at 9:40 PM
Also notable - Our universities are not owned by the govt (the Open Uni might be the 1 exception), which many people, including I think fellow Brits, assume. Note finally that I'm not generalising and criticising 'Americans' - I'm careful not to.
The things Labour've GOT to do = stand against racism/xenophobia/transphobia, renationalize utilities/transport and fix the NHS. All absolutely possible. But... I refer you to my pinned post for what they/we're up against.
November 10, 2025 at 9:32 PM
The things Labour've GOT to do = stand against racism/xenophobia/transphobia, renationalize utilities/transport and fix the NHS. All absolutely possible. But... I refer you to my pinned post for what they/we're up against.
They have some good left wing MPs, but all governments tend to be co-opted by capital. My feeling is that they're pretty similar to the Democrats. Both parties are dealing with a resurgent far-right, and it hasn't been played out decicively yet.
November 10, 2025 at 9:25 PM
They have some good left wing MPs, but all governments tend to be co-opted by capital. My feeling is that they're pretty similar to the Democrats. Both parties are dealing with a resurgent far-right, and it hasn't been played out decicively yet.
Sure - I've ranted rather than replied! I don't have a deep analysis of Labour specifically. I remember they did at least invest in schools/hospitals after 1997. The country was a wreck and they helped repair it.
November 10, 2025 at 9:20 PM
Sure - I've ranted rather than replied! I don't have a deep analysis of Labour specifically. I remember they did at least invest in schools/hospitals after 1997. The country was a wreck and they helped repair it.
Obviously I've had to summarise. Schools are now mostly 'Academies' and not for profit supposedly. Some recent quasi renationalization of rail, some municipal intervention in buses. The train thing was because under privatization the service went to absolute sh*t.
November 10, 2025 at 9:13 PM
Obviously I've had to summarise. Schools are now mostly 'Academies' and not for profit supposedly. Some recent quasi renationalization of rail, some municipal intervention in buses. The train thing was because under privatization the service went to absolute sh*t.
I respectfully and honestly think many US commentators (not you clearly) conflate the UK with countries with much higher state involvement in econ., stronger unions, written constitutions etc.
November 10, 2025 at 9:08 PM
I respectfully and honestly think many US commentators (not you clearly) conflate the UK with countries with much higher state involvement in econ., stronger unions, written constitutions etc.
The companies pump huge quantities of shit into them because they've paid shareholders rather than repair systems.
November 10, 2025 at 9:04 PM
The companies pump huge quantities of shit into them because they've paid shareholders rather than repair systems.
It has to be remembered that the UK is highly unequal, poverty rates are high, particularly for children - 1 in 4? France, Ger, Nordics have more generous public services/welfare. Nordics MUCH higher.
November 10, 2025 at 9:02 PM
It has to be remembered that the UK is highly unequal, poverty rates are high, particularly for children - 1 in 4? France, Ger, Nordics have more generous public services/welfare. Nordics MUCH higher.
Childcare is wildly expensive and I've never seen *public* childcare, although I've heard of it in London. There are some hours paid by govt but it's far from free childcare.
November 10, 2025 at 8:58 PM
Childcare is wildly expensive and I've never seen *public* childcare, although I've heard of it in London. There are some hours paid by govt but it's far from free childcare.
In some ways we're more neoliberal/privatised than the US. Even the NHS is delivered by private companies to a significant extent.
November 10, 2025 at 8:56 PM
In some ways we're more neoliberal/privatised than the US. Even the NHS is delivered by private companies to a significant extent.
It's worth noting that water, steel, gas, airlines, telecoms, probation service, (some) prisons, mass transit, electric, city services, secondary schools *were* public. All privatized 80s on.
November 10, 2025 at 8:54 PM
It's worth noting that water, steel, gas, airlines, telecoms, probation service, (some) prisons, mass transit, electric, city services, secondary schools *were* public. All privatized 80s on.
I've got a feeling that was placed at Salford uni for a time
November 10, 2025 at 7:25 PM
I've got a feeling that was placed at Salford uni for a time
AI has become... problematic.
November 10, 2025 at 1:26 PM
AI has become... problematic.
Oxford Road looking South?
November 10, 2025 at 9:31 AM
Oxford Road looking South?
The ruling class cannot tolerate any threat to their control and ambition for more total control. They will weaponise anything and everything to neutralise opposition. They have real economic, political and media power - and it's transatlantic.
November 10, 2025 at 8:16 AM
Strictly Business: Critical Theory and the Society of Rackets
pure-oai.bham.ac.uk
November 10, 2025 at 8:12 AM
Strictly Business: Critical Theory and the Society of Rackets
Top level BBC resignations
November 9, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Top level BBC resignations
Oh man, that's not subtle
November 8, 2025 at 10:10 PM
Oh man, that's not subtle