John Denham
@jydenham.bsky.social
Professor | Former Labour MP and Cabinet Minister | Director, Centre for English Identity and Politics | Writing about how ideas of nation and nationhood shape politics today at nationstateandpolitics.substack.com ✍️
Reposted by John Denham
Conservative Shadow Culture Secretary Nigel Huddleston tells GB News that the BBC should "grovel" to Trump.
Amazing how many British 'patriots' are spending their time telling our national broadcaster to prostrate itself before a hostile foreign leader
Amazing how many British 'patriots' are spending their time telling our national broadcaster to prostrate itself before a hostile foreign leader
November 11, 2025 at 11:21 AM
Conservative Shadow Culture Secretary Nigel Huddleston tells GB News that the BBC should "grovel" to Trump.
Amazing how many British 'patriots' are spending their time telling our national broadcaster to prostrate itself before a hostile foreign leader
Amazing how many British 'patriots' are spending their time telling our national broadcaster to prostrate itself before a hostile foreign leader
From my latest post on the rise of national populism
eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com?url=https%3A...
eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com?url=https%3A...
November 11, 2025 at 10:01 AM
From my latest post on the rise of national populism
eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com?url=https%3A...
eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com?url=https%3A...
Reposted by John Denham
Six posts, one theme: how national populism reshaped European politics.
Here’s what we’ve learned so far 🧵 👇
Here’s what we’ve learned so far 🧵 👇
November 10, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Six posts, one theme: how national populism reshaped European politics.
Here’s what we’ve learned so far 🧵 👇
Here’s what we’ve learned so far 🧵 👇
Six posts, one theme: how national populism reshaped European politics.
Here’s what we’ve learned so far 🧵 👇
Here’s what we’ve learned so far 🧵 👇
November 10, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Six posts, one theme: how national populism reshaped European politics.
Here’s what we’ve learned so far 🧵 👇
Here’s what we’ve learned so far 🧵 👇
Reposted by John Denham
Six posts, one theme: how national populism reshaped European politics.
Here’s what we’ve learned so far 🧵 👇
Here’s what we’ve learned so far 🧵 👇
November 9, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Six posts, one theme: how national populism reshaped European politics.
Here’s what we’ve learned so far 🧵 👇
Here’s what we’ve learned so far 🧵 👇
Reposted by John Denham
The Nation Returns
Across Europe, voters are turning to movements that promise to restore national control.
The question is not only why they believe it — but why so few opponents of national populism offer a convincing alternative.
nationstateandpolitics.substack.com/p/how-we-got...
Across Europe, voters are turning to movements that promise to restore national control.
The question is not only why they believe it — but why so few opponents of national populism offer a convincing alternative.
nationstateandpolitics.substack.com/p/how-we-got...
November 9, 2025 at 1:11 PM
The Nation Returns
Across Europe, voters are turning to movements that promise to restore national control.
The question is not only why they believe it — but why so few opponents of national populism offer a convincing alternative.
nationstateandpolitics.substack.com/p/how-we-got...
Across Europe, voters are turning to movements that promise to restore national control.
The question is not only why they believe it — but why so few opponents of national populism offer a convincing alternative.
nationstateandpolitics.substack.com/p/how-we-got...
Six posts, one theme: how national populism reshaped European politics.
Here’s what we’ve learned so far 🧵 👇
Here’s what we’ve learned so far 🧵 👇
November 9, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Six posts, one theme: how national populism reshaped European politics.
Here’s what we’ve learned so far 🧵 👇
Here’s what we’ve learned so far 🧵 👇
Reposted by John Denham
This has been an interesting series to date, as you'd expect. John will now turn to his own 'convincing alternative.
FWIW, here's my attempt at something similar (more UK specific), from a year or two back medium.com/@bickerrecor... Nobody read it, as you'd expect.
FWIW, here's my attempt at something similar (more UK specific), from a year or two back medium.com/@bickerrecor... Nobody read it, as you'd expect.
November 9, 2025 at 1:31 PM
This has been an interesting series to date, as you'd expect. John will now turn to his own 'convincing alternative.
FWIW, here's my attempt at something similar (more UK specific), from a year or two back medium.com/@bickerrecor... Nobody read it, as you'd expect.
FWIW, here's my attempt at something similar (more UK specific), from a year or two back medium.com/@bickerrecor... Nobody read it, as you'd expect.
The Nation Returns
Across Europe, voters are turning to movements that promise to restore national control.
The question is not only why they believe it — but why so few opponents of national populism offer a convincing alternative.
nationstateandpolitics.substack.com/p/how-we-got...
Across Europe, voters are turning to movements that promise to restore national control.
The question is not only why they believe it — but why so few opponents of national populism offer a convincing alternative.
nationstateandpolitics.substack.com/p/how-we-got...
November 9, 2025 at 1:11 PM
The Nation Returns
Across Europe, voters are turning to movements that promise to restore national control.
The question is not only why they believe it — but why so few opponents of national populism offer a convincing alternative.
nationstateandpolitics.substack.com/p/how-we-got...
Across Europe, voters are turning to movements that promise to restore national control.
The question is not only why they believe it — but why so few opponents of national populism offer a convincing alternative.
nationstateandpolitics.substack.com/p/how-we-got...
National populism connects economics, identity and democracy into one story of the nation.
Its critics rarely offer a story of their own. That’s why moral disapproval keeps failing.
Its critics rarely offer a story of their own. That’s why moral disapproval keeps failing.
How we got here: recapping the rise of national populism in Europe
In this post, my seventh on the rise of national populism in Europe, I summarise the issues covered to date.
nationstateandpolitics.substack.com
November 8, 2025 at 3:01 PM
National populism connects economics, identity and democracy into one story of the nation.
Its critics rarely offer a story of their own. That’s why moral disapproval keeps failing.
Its critics rarely offer a story of their own. That’s why moral disapproval keeps failing.
Reposted by John Denham
Populism’s appeal is coherent: it links economics, democracy and belonging through the idea of the nation.
Its opponents rarely offer a story of their own.
Its opponents rarely offer a story of their own.
November 8, 2025 at 10:24 AM
Populism’s appeal is coherent: it links economics, democracy and belonging through the idea of the nation.
Its opponents rarely offer a story of their own.
Its opponents rarely offer a story of their own.
National populism keeps advancing. Each time its critics express shock - then carry on as before.
Why does opposition keep failing?🧵
Why does opposition keep failing?🧵
November 8, 2025 at 10:24 AM
National populism keeps advancing. Each time its critics express shock - then carry on as before.
Why does opposition keep failing?🧵
Why does opposition keep failing?🧵
Idea for BBC R4: quality BBC journos, serious investigative reports, interviewers on top of subjects, balanced coverage of parties. No breathless reporting of Reform, journos as ‘experts’, book pluggers, pop song lyrics, football banter. Could be broadcast 06:00-09:00.
November 5, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Idea for BBC R4: quality BBC journos, serious investigative reports, interviewers on top of subjects, balanced coverage of parties. No breathless reporting of Reform, journos as ‘experts’, book pluggers, pop song lyrics, football banter. Could be broadcast 06:00-09:00.
Reposted by John Denham
‘Sovereingtist’ voters who supported Brexit are also opposed to leading on climate change action. nationstateandpolitics.substack.com/p/englands-w...
England’s World
UK Foreign Policy in a multi-nation state
nationstateandpolitics.substack.com
November 5, 2025 at 2:42 PM
‘Sovereingtist’ voters who supported Brexit are also opposed to leading on climate change action. nationstateandpolitics.substack.com/p/englands-w...
‘Sovereingtist’ voters who supported Brexit are also opposed to leading on climate change action. nationstateandpolitics.substack.com/p/englands-w...
England’s World
UK Foreign Policy in a multi-nation state
nationstateandpolitics.substack.com
November 5, 2025 at 2:42 PM
‘Sovereingtist’ voters who supported Brexit are also opposed to leading on climate change action. nationstateandpolitics.substack.com/p/englands-w...
Reposted by John Denham
If net zero can be linked to the domestic politics of employment and living standards, the national populists hope to mobilise their Brexit coalitions again. But this time with more support in Scotland
nationstateandpolitics.substack.com/p/englands-w...
nationstateandpolitics.substack.com/p/englands-w...
England’s World
UK Foreign Policy in a multi-nation state
nationstateandpolitics.substack.com
November 4, 2025 at 6:00 PM
If net zero can be linked to the domestic politics of employment and living standards, the national populists hope to mobilise their Brexit coalitions again. But this time with more support in Scotland
nationstateandpolitics.substack.com/p/englands-w...
nationstateandpolitics.substack.com/p/englands-w...
Reposted by John Denham
With COP30 approaching, why are right-wing and Eurosceptic parties so resistant to climate change action? English voters polarise on how much the UK should act as a sovereign independent nation. 'Sovereigntist' Eurosceptic voters also oppose climate change leadership🧵
November 4, 2025 at 6:00 PM
With COP30 approaching, why are right-wing and Eurosceptic parties so resistant to climate change action? English voters polarise on how much the UK should act as a sovereign independent nation. 'Sovereigntist' Eurosceptic voters also oppose climate change leadership🧵
With COP30 approaching, why are right-wing and Eurosceptic parties so resistant to climate change action? English voters polarise on how much the UK should act as a sovereign independent nation. 'Sovereigntist' Eurosceptic voters also oppose climate change leadership🧵
November 4, 2025 at 6:00 PM
With COP30 approaching, why are right-wing and Eurosceptic parties so resistant to climate change action? English voters polarise on how much the UK should act as a sovereign independent nation. 'Sovereigntist' Eurosceptic voters also oppose climate change leadership🧵
Reposted by John Denham
As COP approaches, climate change might be the next issue to polarise the politics of the UK’s foreign policy and international relations 👇
New paper shows how England dominates UK foreign policy irrespective of the views of other members of a multi-nation union. But what shapes England's world view?
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
November 3, 2025 at 3:54 PM
As COP approaches, climate change might be the next issue to polarise the politics of the UK’s foreign policy and international relations 👇
As COP approaches, climate change might be the next issue to polarise the politics of the UK’s foreign policy and international relations 👇
New paper shows how England dominates UK foreign policy irrespective of the views of other members of a multi-nation union. But what shapes England's world view?
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
November 3, 2025 at 3:54 PM
As COP approaches, climate change might be the next issue to polarise the politics of the UK’s foreign policy and international relations 👇
New paper shows how England dominates UK foreign policy irrespective of the views of other members of a multi-nation union. But what shapes England's world view?
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
November 3, 2025 at 12:13 PM
New paper shows how England dominates UK foreign policy irrespective of the views of other members of a multi-nation union. But what shapes England's world view?
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
Reposted by John Denham
British government and MPs still use this man's social media platform.
Elon Musk, "These lovely small towns in England, Scotland and Ireland, they've been living their lives quietly. They're like hobbits"
"And so one day, 1,000 people show up in your village of 500 and start raping the kids"
"This has now happened, God knows how many times in Britain"
"And so one day, 1,000 people show up in your village of 500 and start raping the kids"
"This has now happened, God knows how many times in Britain"
November 2, 2025 at 8:42 PM
British government and MPs still use this man's social media platform.
Reposted by John Denham
Sadly true. Having worked for the likes of CGI, PwC, Capgemini, etc. that operate public services for the government, the procurement processes surprised me. No one in civil service is really equipped to challenge the private service providers on contracts.
November 2, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Sadly true. Having worked for the likes of CGI, PwC, Capgemini, etc. that operate public services for the government, the procurement processes surprised me. No one in civil service is really equipped to challenge the private service providers on contracts.
This is why simply asking for government efficiency savings won’t work. Much of Whitehall exists to transfer public funds into private hands.👇
“A system that has generated vast profits for private corporations while undermining the decision-making capacity of the state and leaving unheeded the aspirations of ordinary people.” My @theobserveruk.bsky.social column: observer.co.uk/news/columni...
Privatisation has made a Dad’s Army of the state
The market-oriented approach has left services hollowed out while generating huge profits for private companies
observer.co.uk
November 2, 2025 at 12:07 PM
This is why simply asking for government efficiency savings won’t work. Much of Whitehall exists to transfer public funds into private hands.👇
Very good - we should not be complacent about ILR policy in the absence of any coherent vision of how to make a diverse nation work and so long as major parties agree that ILR is the problem.
Immigration, indecency, and incompetence. New post on my Brexit & Brexitism Blog. The ever-more indecent terms of the immigration 'debate' are another failure of Brexit, which links to the ever-more obvious incompetence of Reform in local government: chrisgreybrexitblog.blogspot.com/2025/10/immi...
November 2, 2025 at 10:55 AM
Very good - we should not be complacent about ILR policy in the absence of any coherent vision of how to make a diverse nation work and so long as major parties agree that ILR is the problem.