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:
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.
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.
After years of helping to organise it, it feels surreal not to be at the @ukstoptrump.bsky.social protest today
Good luck to everyone marching. Let's use this moment to build something. We can't defeat the far right by calling it names. We need an alternative.
Good luck to everyone marching. Let's use this moment to build something. We can't defeat the far right by calling it names. We need an alternative.
September 17, 2025 at 1:23 PM
After years of helping to organise it, it feels surreal not to be at the @ukstoptrump.bsky.social protest today
Good luck to everyone marching. Let's use this moment to build something. We can't defeat the far right by calling it names. We need an alternative.
Good luck to everyone marching. Let's use this moment to build something. We can't defeat the far right by calling it names. We need an alternative.
Some personal news.
Ella arrived with us on Tuesday. She's healthy, and beautiful, and home.
Mum doing well.
Ella arrived with us on Tuesday. She's healthy, and beautiful, and home.
Mum doing well.
September 8, 2025 at 11:51 AM
Some personal news.
Ella arrived with us on Tuesday. She's healthy, and beautiful, and home.
Mum doing well.
Ella arrived with us on Tuesday. She's healthy, and beautiful, and home.
Mum doing well.
The job is racism.
August 28, 2025 at 7:35 PM
The job is racism.
I've submitted this text to Green Party conference.
It would commit the party to a strategy of electoral cooperation with a new left party and would clarify that it is not our blanket policy to always run in every seat.
It needs seconders. If you're a member, please log in and back it.
It would commit the party to a strategy of electoral cooperation with a new left party and would clarify that it is not our blanket policy to always run in every seat.
It needs seconders. If you're a member, please log in and back it.
August 21, 2025 at 4:59 PM
I've submitted this text to Green Party conference.
It would commit the party to a strategy of electoral cooperation with a new left party and would clarify that it is not our blanket policy to always run in every seat.
It needs seconders. If you're a member, please log in and back it.
It would commit the party to a strategy of electoral cooperation with a new left party and would clarify that it is not our blanket policy to always run in every seat.
It needs seconders. If you're a member, please log in and back it.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not building a Rejoin the EU movement right now.
But there is clearly a huge disconnect between our political class, where rejoining is unspeakable, and the views of the public, who overwhelmingly support it.
The issue is a bit of a sleeping giant.
But there is clearly a huge disconnect between our political class, where rejoining is unspeakable, and the views of the public, who overwhelmingly support it.
The issue is a bit of a sleeping giant.
August 10, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Don't get me wrong, I'm not building a Rejoin the EU movement right now.
But there is clearly a huge disconnect between our political class, where rejoining is unspeakable, and the views of the public, who overwhelmingly support it.
The issue is a bit of a sleeping giant.
But there is clearly a huge disconnect between our political class, where rejoining is unspeakable, and the views of the public, who overwhelmingly support it.
The issue is a bit of a sleeping giant.
This is genuinely very good - a cut above anything I've seen from a UK politician in years.
And it could not be further from where Starmer is - politically, strategically and in quality of comms.
I don't think we've seen the start of the Green surge, if @zackpolanski.bsky.social wins.
And it could not be further from where Starmer is - politically, strategically and in quality of comms.
I don't think we've seen the start of the Green surge, if @zackpolanski.bsky.social wins.
July 24, 2025 at 12:57 PM
This is genuinely very good - a cut above anything I've seen from a UK politician in years.
And it could not be further from where Starmer is - politically, strategically and in quality of comms.
I don't think we've seen the start of the Green surge, if @zackpolanski.bsky.social wins.
And it could not be further from where Starmer is - politically, strategically and in quality of comms.
I don't think we've seen the start of the Green surge, if @zackpolanski.bsky.social wins.
Good.
Though I can't help feeling that if Orgreave happened now, Keir Starmer would have called for harsher jail sentences for the striking miners, and then proscribed the NUM as a terrorist organisation.
Though I can't help feeling that if Orgreave happened now, Keir Starmer would have called for harsher jail sentences for the striking miners, and then proscribed the NUM as a terrorist organisation.
July 20, 2025 at 10:05 PM
Good.
Though I can't help feeling that if Orgreave happened now, Keir Starmer would have called for harsher jail sentences for the striking miners, and then proscribed the NUM as a terrorist organisation.
Though I can't help feeling that if Orgreave happened now, Keir Starmer would have called for harsher jail sentences for the striking miners, and then proscribed the NUM as a terrorist organisation.
If you want to understand what's happening today, this paragraph in the Times is the only thing you need to read.
The Labour Party, and the country, is being run by over-excited lads who think this is an effective way to brief a newspaper.
The Labour Party, and the country, is being run by over-excited lads who think this is an effective way to brief a newspaper.
July 16, 2025 at 3:03 PM
If you want to understand what's happening today, this paragraph in the Times is the only thing you need to read.
The Labour Party, and the country, is being run by over-excited lads who think this is an effective way to brief a newspaper.
The Labour Party, and the country, is being run by over-excited lads who think this is an effective way to brief a newspaper.
Trump is coming to the UK again in September, at Keir Starmer’s invitation.
Join @ukstoptrump.bsky.social to tell him to get lost.
Join @ukstoptrump.bsky.social to tell him to get lost.
July 14, 2025 at 8:09 AM
Trump is coming to the UK again in September, at Keir Starmer’s invitation.
Join @ukstoptrump.bsky.social to tell him to get lost.
Join @ukstoptrump.bsky.social to tell him to get lost.
Is Starmer only pretending to hate immigrants? Or was he lying when he said he "deeply regretted" the words? Does he think he can say one thing to the Sun and another to the Observer?
It's beyond mendacious. Mendacity involves knowing what the hell you're doing.
It's beyond mendacious. Mendacity involves knowing what the hell you're doing.
July 12, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Is Starmer only pretending to hate immigrants? Or was he lying when he said he "deeply regretted" the words? Does he think he can say one thing to the Sun and another to the Observer?
It's beyond mendacious. Mendacity involves knowing what the hell you're doing.
It's beyond mendacious. Mendacity involves knowing what the hell you're doing.
Look, however embarrassing the left's leaks and internal rows, can we please remember the glorious summer when the Labour Right tried to do a coup and ended up running this guy for the leadership.
July 6, 2025 at 9:07 AM
Look, however embarrassing the left's leaks and internal rows, can we please remember the glorious summer when the Labour Right tried to do a coup and ended up running this guy for the leadership.
Always nice to see such pious Labour loyalty from a man who:
✅Campaigned for Boris Johnson in 2019 and voted for his Brexit deal
☑️Was then appointed to the House of Lords by Boris Johnson
✅ Worked for Tory governments as a trade envoy and anti-protest "tsar".
✅Campaigned for Boris Johnson in 2019 and voted for his Brexit deal
☑️Was then appointed to the House of Lords by Boris Johnson
✅ Worked for Tory governments as a trade envoy and anti-protest "tsar".
June 26, 2025 at 12:19 PM
Always nice to see such pious Labour loyalty from a man who:
✅Campaigned for Boris Johnson in 2019 and voted for his Brexit deal
☑️Was then appointed to the House of Lords by Boris Johnson
✅ Worked for Tory governments as a trade envoy and anti-protest "tsar".
✅Campaigned for Boris Johnson in 2019 and voted for his Brexit deal
☑️Was then appointed to the House of Lords by Boris Johnson
✅ Worked for Tory governments as a trade envoy and anti-protest "tsar".
If you want to read something absolutely nuts, try this.
The police effectively taking an active political stance on Palestine Action.
They are saying "we want these guys banned and so we're imposing operational conditions on a protest against moves to ban them".
The police effectively taking an active political stance on Palestine Action.
They are saying "we want these guys banned and so we're imposing operational conditions on a protest against moves to ban them".
June 23, 2025 at 8:44 AM
If you want to read something absolutely nuts, try this.
The police effectively taking an active political stance on Palestine Action.
They are saying "we want these guys banned and so we're imposing operational conditions on a protest against moves to ban them".
The police effectively taking an active political stance on Palestine Action.
They are saying "we want these guys banned and so we're imposing operational conditions on a protest against moves to ban them".
I like to think of myself as unshockable when it comes to Labour politicians and lying about things.
But if you'd told me in 2020 that Keir Starmer would lead the UK to being ranked behind everywhere else in western Europe on LGBT rights, I wouldn't have believed you.
But if you'd told me in 2020 that Keir Starmer would lead the UK to being ranked behind everywhere else in western Europe on LGBT rights, I wouldn't have believed you.
May 15, 2025 at 12:57 PM
I like to think of myself as unshockable when it comes to Labour politicians and lying about things.
But if you'd told me in 2020 that Keir Starmer would lead the UK to being ranked behind everywhere else in western Europe on LGBT rights, I wouldn't have believed you.
But if you'd told me in 2020 that Keir Starmer would lead the UK to being ranked behind everywhere else in western Europe on LGBT rights, I wouldn't have believed you.
The crucial insight into Reform's advance is hidden in plain sight: "we can't keep spending more than we're earning".
In other words, they're a party of austerity. This should be unpopular and make them vulnerable to an assault from the left on economics
But Labour is determined to do the opposite
In other words, they're a party of austerity. This should be unpopular and make them vulnerable to an assault from the left on economics
But Labour is determined to do the opposite
May 2, 2025 at 6:07 PM
The crucial insight into Reform's advance is hidden in plain sight: "we can't keep spending more than we're earning".
In other words, they're a party of austerity. This should be unpopular and make them vulnerable to an assault from the left on economics
But Labour is determined to do the opposite
In other words, they're a party of austerity. This should be unpopular and make them vulnerable to an assault from the left on economics
But Labour is determined to do the opposite
This is so embarrassing. Firstly, no politics. Just "vote for us (the people doing austerity and handing Reform the next election) in order to stop Reform". What?
Also, WHERE is it a two horse race? This is like a Lib Dem bar chart but abstracted so as to obviously lie to everyone, everywhere.
Also, WHERE is it a two horse race? This is like a Lib Dem bar chart but abstracted so as to obviously lie to everyone, everywhere.
May 1, 2025 at 4:16 PM
This is so embarrassing. Firstly, no politics. Just "vote for us (the people doing austerity and handing Reform the next election) in order to stop Reform". What?
Also, WHERE is it a two horse race? This is like a Lib Dem bar chart but abstracted so as to obviously lie to everyone, everywhere.
Also, WHERE is it a two horse race? This is like a Lib Dem bar chart but abstracted so as to obviously lie to everyone, everywhere.
People of Nowich and the east of England!
I'm speaking at Caracol Books on Thursday 8th May about my book and the future of the left. Come down, speak your brains, have a go at me, etc.
I'm speaking at Caracol Books on Thursday 8th May about my book and the future of the left. Come down, speak your brains, have a go at me, etc.
April 27, 2025 at 10:32 AM
People of Nowich and the east of England!
I'm speaking at Caracol Books on Thursday 8th May about my book and the future of the left. Come down, speak your brains, have a go at me, etc.
I'm speaking at Caracol Books on Thursday 8th May about my book and the future of the left. Come down, speak your brains, have a go at me, etc.
Sure, let's write Reform's leaflets for them. Genius.
What is wrong with these people? Where do they find them?
What is wrong with these people? Where do they find them?
April 22, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Sure, let's write Reform's leaflets for them. Genius.
What is wrong with these people? Where do they find them?
What is wrong with these people? Where do they find them?
Protest in parliament square tomorrow - stand up against the march of reaction.
April 18, 2025 at 9:19 AM
Protest in parliament square tomorrow - stand up against the march of reaction.
Ivania and Karla Rodriguez Sanchez, who faced abduction and death in El Salvador, are facing imminent deportation because of an admin error.
Use this tool to email your MP to lobby the Home Office: www.labourfreemovement.org/urgent-write...
Welcome to Labour's new "efficient" deportation agenda.
Use this tool to email your MP to lobby the Home Office: www.labourfreemovement.org/urgent-write...
Welcome to Labour's new "efficient" deportation agenda.
April 16, 2025 at 11:01 AM
Ivania and Karla Rodriguez Sanchez, who faced abduction and death in El Salvador, are facing imminent deportation because of an admin error.
Use this tool to email your MP to lobby the Home Office: www.labourfreemovement.org/urgent-write...
Welcome to Labour's new "efficient" deportation agenda.
Use this tool to email your MP to lobby the Home Office: www.labourfreemovement.org/urgent-write...
Welcome to Labour's new "efficient" deportation agenda.
Lambeth is planning cuts to libraries and other vital services.
If you live or work in the area, come down to this tomorrow and help build the resistance.
If you live or work in the area, come down to this tomorrow and help build the resistance.
April 11, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Lambeth is planning cuts to libraries and other vital services.
If you live or work in the area, come down to this tomorrow and help build the resistance.
If you live or work in the area, come down to this tomorrow and help build the resistance.
I went to #WeDemandChange last weekend. It was huge. Some thoughts:
1. The left keeps building organisations around rallies, mailing lists and minor celebrities saying the same thing (at length). There was little room for organising or open discussion of what We Demand Change will be.
1. The left keeps building organisations around rallies, mailing lists and minor celebrities saying the same thing (at length). There was little room for organising or open discussion of what We Demand Change will be.
April 5, 2025 at 1:34 PM
I went to #WeDemandChange last weekend. It was huge. Some thoughts:
1. The left keeps building organisations around rallies, mailing lists and minor celebrities saying the same thing (at length). There was little room for organising or open discussion of what We Demand Change will be.
1. The left keeps building organisations around rallies, mailing lists and minor celebrities saying the same thing (at length). There was little room for organising or open discussion of what We Demand Change will be.