Michael Chessum
@michaelchessum.bsky.social
Socialist writer and activist /// 📕 book - This Is Only The Beginning: the making of a new left /// ecosocialist Green /// Work for a trade union /// Personal account, all views my own.
The thing about the people who run the Labour Party is that they're not very good at politics, which is a shame because that's their only job.
Their next act of genius is to copy Denmark's "tough" (far right) migration policy to stop the far right. In fact, the Danish far right is surging:
Their next act of genius is to copy Denmark's "tough" (far right) migration policy to stop the far right. In fact, the Danish far right is surging:
November 8, 2025 at 6:45 PM
The thing about the people who run the Labour Party is that they're not very good at politics, which is a shame because that's their only job.
Their next act of genius is to copy Denmark's "tough" (far right) migration policy to stop the far right. In fact, the Danish far right is surging:
Their next act of genius is to copy Denmark's "tough" (far right) migration policy to stop the far right. In fact, the Danish far right is surging:
A thing I've grown to enjoy recently is people who say Polanski can't be left wing because he was a Lib Dem ten years ago.
Usually they combine this view with being a super fan of Tony Benn, the establishment minister who once described himself as being "on the right wing of the middle of the road"
Usually they combine this view with being a super fan of Tony Benn, the establishment minister who once described himself as being "on the right wing of the middle of the road"
November 6, 2025 at 7:29 PM
A thing I've grown to enjoy recently is people who say Polanski can't be left wing because he was a Lib Dem ten years ago.
Usually they combine this view with being a super fan of Tony Benn, the establishment minister who once described himself as being "on the right wing of the middle of the road"
Usually they combine this view with being a super fan of Tony Benn, the establishment minister who once described himself as being "on the right wing of the middle of the road"
Reposted by Michael Chessum
Sortition is sold as the solution to our democratic deficit. Michael Chessum argues that it is a chimaera ripe for undemocratic manoeuvres.
prometheusjournal.org/2025/11/04/a...
prometheusjournal.org/2025/11/04/a...
November 4, 2025 at 9:15 AM
Sortition is sold as the solution to our democratic deficit. Michael Chessum argues that it is a chimaera ripe for undemocratic manoeuvres.
prometheusjournal.org/2025/11/04/a...
prometheusjournal.org/2025/11/04/a...
Reposted by Michael Chessum
‘Zack Polanski is a former Liberal Democrat who talks about expropriating the rich; the Greens are a small environmentalist party transforming into a mass party of the left.’
@michaelchessum.bsky.social on the Green Party’s renaissance, from the blog.
www.lrb.co.uk/blog/2025/oc...
@michaelchessum.bsky.social on the Green Party’s renaissance, from the blog.
www.lrb.co.uk/blog/2025/oc...
Michael Chessum | Green New Left
Zack Polanski, the new leader of the Green Party of England and Wales, says he wants to replace Labour. That still seems...
www.lrb.co.uk
November 1, 2025 at 12:30 PM
‘Zack Polanski is a former Liberal Democrat who talks about expropriating the rich; the Greens are a small environmentalist party transforming into a mass party of the left.’
@michaelchessum.bsky.social on the Green Party’s renaissance, from the blog.
www.lrb.co.uk/blog/2025/oc...
@michaelchessum.bsky.social on the Green Party’s renaissance, from the blog.
www.lrb.co.uk/blog/2025/oc...
If the Greens really were to replace Labour, this is what the early build-up might look.
Some thoughts for the @lrb.co.uk on the new left gathering around @zackpolanski.bsky.social, the contingent nature of green parties, and why this surge confounds commentators on left and right.
Some thoughts for the @lrb.co.uk on the new left gathering around @zackpolanski.bsky.social, the contingent nature of green parties, and why this surge confounds commentators on left and right.
Michael Chessum | Green New Left
Zack Polanski, the new leader of the Green Party of England and Wales, says he wants to replace Labour. That still seems...
www.lrb.co.uk
October 31, 2025 at 5:51 PM
If the Greens really were to replace Labour, this is what the early build-up might look.
Some thoughts for the @lrb.co.uk on the new left gathering around @zackpolanski.bsky.social, the contingent nature of green parties, and why this surge confounds commentators on left and right.
Some thoughts for the @lrb.co.uk on the new left gathering around @zackpolanski.bsky.social, the contingent nature of green parties, and why this surge confounds commentators on left and right.
Reposted by Michael Chessum
‘Anti-capitalism and environmentalism are common bedfellows. But both the Green Party’s activists and its sceptics would do well to avoid reading its fortunes off a script written abroad or in the past.’
@michaelchessum.bsky.social on the Green New Left.
www.lrb.co.uk/blog/2025/oc...
@michaelchessum.bsky.social on the Green New Left.
www.lrb.co.uk/blog/2025/oc...
Michael Chessum | Green New Left
Zack Polanski, the new leader of the Green Party of England and Wales, says he wants to replace Labour. That still seems...
www.lrb.co.uk
October 31, 2025 at 1:15 PM
‘Anti-capitalism and environmentalism are common bedfellows. But both the Green Party’s activists and its sceptics would do well to avoid reading its fortunes off a script written abroad or in the past.’
@michaelchessum.bsky.social on the Green New Left.
www.lrb.co.uk/blog/2025/oc...
@michaelchessum.bsky.social on the Green New Left.
www.lrb.co.uk/blog/2025/oc...
ID cards are an almost perfect piece of stupidity, designed to win over Reform voters because they like authoritarianism and state action.
Except Reform voters deeply mistrust the state (look at covid). And they want it to be authoritarian to people who *aren't them*.
Except Reform voters deeply mistrust the state (look at covid). And they want it to be authoritarian to people who *aren't them*.
October 25, 2025 at 6:17 PM
ID cards are an almost perfect piece of stupidity, designed to win over Reform voters because they like authoritarianism and state action.
Except Reform voters deeply mistrust the state (look at covid). And they want it to be authoritarian to people who *aren't them*.
Except Reform voters deeply mistrust the state (look at covid). And they want it to be authoritarian to people who *aren't them*.
Fun fact: my daughter was born the same day Zack became leader. Since then, like the party, she has roughly doubled in size.
By 2029, the Greens will have about a trillion members. And Ella will be the largest organism on Earth, weighing the equivalent of 400 blue whales. Crazy times we live in.
By 2029, the Greens will have about a trillion members. And Ella will be the largest organism on Earth, weighing the equivalent of 400 blue whales. Crazy times we live in.
🚨 BREAKING 🚨
📈 Since the election of our new leadership team, our membership has doubled, now sitting at more than 140,000.
And this is just the beginning: join.greenparty.org.uk
📈 Since the election of our new leadership team, our membership has doubled, now sitting at more than 140,000.
And this is just the beginning: join.greenparty.org.uk
October 22, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Fun fact: my daughter was born the same day Zack became leader. Since then, like the party, she has roughly doubled in size.
By 2029, the Greens will have about a trillion members. And Ella will be the largest organism on Earth, weighing the equivalent of 400 blue whales. Crazy times we live in.
By 2029, the Greens will have about a trillion members. And Ella will be the largest organism on Earth, weighing the equivalent of 400 blue whales. Crazy times we live in.
This autumn business was absolutely fine until it started raining properly, wasn't it.
October 20, 2025 at 9:57 AM
This autumn business was absolutely fine until it started raining properly, wasn't it.
It's properly happening - a whoosh of momentum not seen since the summer of 2015.
The Greens are no longer a minor party. We're third on members and, in many cities, second on votes. The prize is not a few more councillors, it is kicking the doors down on the political system.
The Greens are no longer a minor party. We're third on members and, in many cities, second on votes. The prize is not a few more councillors, it is kicking the doors down on the political system.
Something extraordinary is happening.
+6000 new members in ONE SINGLE day.
@greenparty.org.uk just hit 130,000 members and rising!!!
Join.greenparty.org.uk
+6000 new members in ONE SINGLE day.
@greenparty.org.uk just hit 130,000 members and rising!!!
Join.greenparty.org.uk
October 20, 2025 at 9:40 AM
It's properly happening - a whoosh of momentum not seen since the summer of 2015.
The Greens are no longer a minor party. We're third on members and, in many cities, second on votes. The prize is not a few more councillors, it is kicking the doors down on the political system.
The Greens are no longer a minor party. We're third on members and, in many cities, second on votes. The prize is not a few more councillors, it is kicking the doors down on the political system.
On the left: the people who have an inalienable right to attend any football match.
On the right: the people who must be sent to prison as terrorists.
On the right: the people who must be sent to prison as terrorists.
October 19, 2025 at 9:27 AM
On the left: the people who have an inalienable right to attend any football match.
On the right: the people who must be sent to prison as terrorists.
On the right: the people who must be sent to prison as terrorists.
Listening to the radio thinking "why are they talking about the suspect's nationality? This news bulletin is basically a Reform broadcast."
And realising that the government literally told them to. It turns out it is possible to die of stupidity, and the Labour Right is doing it.
And realising that the government literally told them to. It turns out it is possible to die of stupidity, and the Labour Right is doing it.
Police given new guidance on releasing suspects' nationalities and ethnicities
Police forces will be encouraged to release a suspect's details in a move aimed at combating misinformation.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 16, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Listening to the radio thinking "why are they talking about the suspect's nationality? This news bulletin is basically a Reform broadcast."
And realising that the government literally told them to. It turns out it is possible to die of stupidity, and the Labour Right is doing it.
And realising that the government literally told them to. It turns out it is possible to die of stupidity, and the Labour Right is doing it.
The rate of the Green membership surge is accelerating, not dropping off.
We're now on 110,000 members - 5,000 in a single day. If you think the Greens overtaking Labour is impossible, consider suspending your disbelief.
We're now on 110,000 members - 5,000 in a single day. If you think the Greens overtaking Labour is impossible, consider suspending your disbelief.
The Green surge is breaking limits! 😲
Together, we can make hope normal again! 💚
Together, we can make hope normal again! 💚
October 14, 2025 at 7:01 PM
The rate of the Green membership surge is accelerating, not dropping off.
We're now on 110,000 members - 5,000 in a single day. If you think the Greens overtaking Labour is impossible, consider suspending your disbelief.
We're now on 110,000 members - 5,000 in a single day. If you think the Greens overtaking Labour is impossible, consider suspending your disbelief.
4.5 million children live in poverty in the UK. Child poverty is growing - on Labour's watch.
This government's answer? Cut more, attack benefit claimants, and don't even think about bringing back Sure Start. But sure, here's Gordon, have some nostalgia.
This government's answer? Cut more, attack benefit claimants, and don't even think about bringing back Sure Start. But sure, here's Gordon, have some nostalgia.
“I’ll make ending child poverty the moral mission of this government. This is a time for delivery, not division.”
Proud to share my ambition with Gordon Brown.
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
Proud to share my ambition with Gordon Brown.
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
Labour deputy leadership hopeful vows urgent child poverty action
The Education Secretary shared how her own experiences motivated her to end child poverty, and reaffirmed her commitment to ending the cruel two-child benefit cap.
www.mirror.co.uk
October 12, 2025 at 12:53 PM
4.5 million children live in poverty in the UK. Child poverty is growing - on Labour's watch.
This government's answer? Cut more, attack benefit claimants, and don't even think about bringing back Sure Start. But sure, here's Gordon, have some nostalgia.
This government's answer? Cut more, attack benefit claimants, and don't even think about bringing back Sure Start. But sure, here's Gordon, have some nostalgia.
A month ago, I was certain Your Party was going to outnumber the Greens. Now the Greens are the home of the left surge.
If you think Corbyn and Sultana sound awkward justifying Your Party's separate existence to activists, just imagine having to do it with actual voters.
If you think Corbyn and Sultana sound awkward justifying Your Party's separate existence to activists, just imagine having to do it with actual voters.
October 11, 2025 at 11:37 AM
A month ago, I was certain Your Party was going to outnumber the Greens. Now the Greens are the home of the left surge.
If you think Corbyn and Sultana sound awkward justifying Your Party's separate existence to activists, just imagine having to do it with actual voters.
If you think Corbyn and Sultana sound awkward justifying Your Party's separate existence to activists, just imagine having to do it with actual voters.
Licensing laws in this country are ridiculous, restrictive and based in a mixture of postwar paternalism and victorian moralism.
We should deregulate them as a reclamation of public space and collective joy, not "for growth", but deregulation is absolutely what needs to happen.
We should deregulate them as a reclamation of public space and collective joy, not "for growth", but deregulation is absolutely what needs to happen.
October 9, 2025 at 8:02 AM
Licensing laws in this country are ridiculous, restrictive and based in a mixture of postwar paternalism and victorian moralism.
We should deregulate them as a reclamation of public space and collective joy, not "for growth", but deregulation is absolutely what needs to happen.
We should deregulate them as a reclamation of public space and collective joy, not "for growth", but deregulation is absolutely what needs to happen.
This is dystopian and will consolidate Britain's status as an increasingly authoritarian state when it comes to protest.
It is also stupid, because if your problem is thousands of people showing up to be arrested, threatening them with arrest is unlikely to deter.
It is also stupid, because if your problem is thousands of people showing up to be arrested, threatening them with arrest is unlikely to deter.
Police to get new powers to crack down on repeated protests, says Home Office
Move follows arrest of almost 500 people at latest pro-Palestinian demonstration in London on Saturday
www.theguardian.com
October 5, 2025 at 8:43 AM
This is dystopian and will consolidate Britain's status as an increasingly authoritarian state when it comes to protest.
It is also stupid, because if your problem is thousands of people showing up to be arrested, threatening them with arrest is unlikely to deter.
It is also stupid, because if your problem is thousands of people showing up to be arrested, threatening them with arrest is unlikely to deter.
Attending my first Green conference as a member, it's remarkable how friendly and curious everyone is.
I think it's a mistake to regard that as unserious. Contrary to what Labour hack school teaches you, being a self-important control freak is not likeable or electable. #gpconf
I think it's a mistake to regard that as unserious. Contrary to what Labour hack school teaches you, being a self-important control freak is not likeable or electable. #gpconf
October 4, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Attending my first Green conference as a member, it's remarkable how friendly and curious everyone is.
I think it's a mistake to regard that as unserious. Contrary to what Labour hack school teaches you, being a self-important control freak is not likeable or electable. #gpconf
I think it's a mistake to regard that as unserious. Contrary to what Labour hack school teaches you, being a self-important control freak is not likeable or electable. #gpconf
83% of Green Party members back an electoral pact with Your Party.
I've put forward a motion to #gpconf25 that would make it party policy to pursue an alliance. It's amendment 1 to motion D14.
If you're at conference and (big if) if we get to debate it, please support it.
I've put forward a motion to #gpconf25 that would make it party policy to pursue an alliance. It's amendment 1 to motion D14.
If you're at conference and (big if) if we get to debate it, please support it.
October 3, 2025 at 8:11 PM
83% of Green Party members back an electoral pact with Your Party.
I've put forward a motion to #gpconf25 that would make it party policy to pursue an alliance. It's amendment 1 to motion D14.
If you're at conference and (big if) if we get to debate it, please support it.
I've put forward a motion to #gpconf25 that would make it party policy to pursue an alliance. It's amendment 1 to motion D14.
If you're at conference and (big if) if we get to debate it, please support it.
You've fled torture and death. You've made it across thousands of miles. You've won your asylum claim in a rigged system. You're traumatised.
And the Starmer government says "you can stay, but you'll be alone and your family are staying where the danger is".
Unfathomably evil.
And the Starmer government says "you can stay, but you'll be alone and your family are staying where the danger is".
Unfathomably evil.
Starmer to end asylum ‘golden ticket’ of resettlement and family reunion rights
People granted asylum will have to earn right to invite family in plan charities call ‘straight from populist playbook’
www.theguardian.com
October 2, 2025 at 6:19 AM
You've fled torture and death. You've made it across thousands of miles. You've won your asylum claim in a rigged system. You're traumatised.
And the Starmer government says "you can stay, but you'll be alone and your family are staying where the danger is".
Unfathomably evil.
And the Starmer government says "you can stay, but you'll be alone and your family are staying where the danger is".
Unfathomably evil.
ID cards are a genius idea because they combine:
- being really expensive
- being really unpopular
- focussing on illegal immigration, I.e. Reform's main talking point
It's a level of strategic genius we haven't seen since the disability benefit cuts.
- being really expensive
- being really unpopular
- focussing on illegal immigration, I.e. Reform's main talking point
It's a level of strategic genius we haven't seen since the disability benefit cuts.
September 26, 2025 at 6:37 AM
ID cards are a genius idea because they combine:
- being really expensive
- being really unpopular
- focussing on illegal immigration, I.e. Reform's main talking point
It's a level of strategic genius we haven't seen since the disability benefit cuts.
- being really expensive
- being really unpopular
- focussing on illegal immigration, I.e. Reform's main talking point
It's a level of strategic genius we haven't seen since the disability benefit cuts.
It is politics by ego. This is what you get when you place the hopes of the left in the hands of celebrities and their bag-carriers, without nourishing the capacity to self-organise.
The farce of recent days is the logical end point of that political method.
For @novaramedia.com.
The farce of recent days is the logical end point of that political method.
For @novaramedia.com.
The New Party Fallout Shows That Hero-Worship Gets Us Nowhere | Novara Media
The public split between Your Party co-founders Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana shows how building mass movements around leftwing celebrities doesn’t work, argues Michael Chessum.
novaramedia.com
September 22, 2025 at 3:03 PM
It is politics by ego. This is what you get when you place the hopes of the left in the hands of celebrities and their bag-carriers, without nourishing the capacity to self-organise.
The farce of recent days is the logical end point of that political method.
For @novaramedia.com.
The farce of recent days is the logical end point of that political method.
For @novaramedia.com.
Our political class has a special kind of collective psychosis.
Two years into a genocide, after arming the perpetrators, they draw themselves up to their fullest height, clear their throats, and say: "we recognise the existence of the victims".
And we are supposed to stand and applaud.
Two years into a genocide, after arming the perpetrators, they draw themselves up to their fullest height, clear their throats, and say: "we recognise the existence of the victims".
And we are supposed to stand and applaud.
September 21, 2025 at 8:50 AM
Our political class has a special kind of collective psychosis.
Two years into a genocide, after arming the perpetrators, they draw themselves up to their fullest height, clear their throats, and say: "we recognise the existence of the victims".
And we are supposed to stand and applaud.
Two years into a genocide, after arming the perpetrators, they draw themselves up to their fullest height, clear their throats, and say: "we recognise the existence of the victims".
And we are supposed to stand and applaud.
One of the few positive things about the events of the past few days is that it blows apart the culture of loyalism that has blighted the British left since 2015.
Blindly defend whatever the leader is doing? Which one? Oh no, guess we'd better organise and think for ourselves.
Blindly defend whatever the leader is doing? Which one? Oh no, guess we'd better organise and think for ourselves.
September 20, 2025 at 10:22 AM
One of the few positive things about the events of the past few days is that it blows apart the culture of loyalism that has blighted the British left since 2015.
Blindly defend whatever the leader is doing? Which one? Oh no, guess we'd better organise and think for ourselves.
Blindly defend whatever the leader is doing? Which one? Oh no, guess we'd better organise and think for ourselves.
