Milo O’Neil
@milooneil.bsky.social
A left wing Political Economist who likes writing about politics, current affairs and economics. I primarily write about the UK but am interested in International politics as well.
You can find my writing at: https://milooneil.substack.com/
You can find my writing at: https://milooneil.substack.com/
New #Substack post.
Given the global surge of #authoritarianism, I wanted to examine the likelihood of a would-be #UK authoritarian succeeding at imposing their rule within the UK’s economic context.
I’ve had to split this into multiple parts.
milooneil.substack.com/p/britain-an...
Given the global surge of #authoritarianism, I wanted to examine the likelihood of a would-be #UK authoritarian succeeding at imposing their rule within the UK’s economic context.
I’ve had to split this into multiple parts.
milooneil.substack.com/p/britain-an...
Britain and Dictatorship. How likely is authoritarianism in the UK? Part 1
Will the UK succumb to a Trump-style authoritarianism?
milooneil.substack.com
November 26, 2025 at 8:23 AM
New #Substack post.
Given the global surge of #authoritarianism, I wanted to examine the likelihood of a would-be #UK authoritarian succeeding at imposing their rule within the UK’s economic context.
I’ve had to split this into multiple parts.
milooneil.substack.com/p/britain-an...
Given the global surge of #authoritarianism, I wanted to examine the likelihood of a would-be #UK authoritarian succeeding at imposing their rule within the UK’s economic context.
I’ve had to split this into multiple parts.
milooneil.substack.com/p/britain-an...
Reposted by Milo O’Neil
Trial by jury is a cornerstone of our democracy and an essential safeguard against authoritarianism.
It is truly frightening that such a fundamental freedom is now under attack.
Once rights are lost, they are not easy to win back. We must resist this with all we’ve got.
It is truly frightening that such a fundamental freedom is now under attack.
Once rights are lost, they are not easy to win back. We must resist this with all we’ve got.
MoJ to remove right to trial by jury for thousands of cases in controversial overhaul
MoJ to remove right to trial by jury for thousands of cases in controversial overhaul
Exclusive: Courts minister says change needed to stop criminals opting for juries to delay cases, sometimes by years, and clear huge backlog
*
UK politics live – latest updates
Criminals will be stopped from “gaming the system” by choosing trial by jury in order to increase the chances of proceedings collapsing, the courts minister has said, promising to enact radical changes to limit jury trials by the next election.
Drug dealers and career criminals were “laughing in the dock” knowing cases can take years to come to trial, Sarah Sackman told the Guardian, saying inaction would be a road to “chaos and ruin”. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 25, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Trial by jury is a cornerstone of our democracy and an essential safeguard against authoritarianism.
It is truly frightening that such a fundamental freedom is now under attack.
Once rights are lost, they are not easy to win back. We must resist this with all we’ve got.
It is truly frightening that such a fundamental freedom is now under attack.
Once rights are lost, they are not easy to win back. We must resist this with all we’ve got.
A #Substack article I wrote about the shutdown capitulation in the #US
In short, neoliberal #democrats fear #socialism more than they fear Trump
As the shutdown dragged on, they became paranoid about empowering the socialists and ultimately caved to avoid it
milooneil.substack.com/p/democrats-...
In short, neoliberal #democrats fear #socialism more than they fear Trump
As the shutdown dragged on, they became paranoid about empowering the socialists and ultimately caved to avoid it
milooneil.substack.com/p/democrats-...
Democrats and the Shutdown. Why Did the Democrat Senators Capitulate? A Theory.
The Neoliberal dislike of Socialism compels law makers to capitulate
milooneil.substack.com
November 22, 2025 at 3:08 PM
A #Substack article I wrote about the shutdown capitulation in the #US
In short, neoliberal #democrats fear #socialism more than they fear Trump
As the shutdown dragged on, they became paranoid about empowering the socialists and ultimately caved to avoid it
milooneil.substack.com/p/democrats-...
In short, neoliberal #democrats fear #socialism more than they fear Trump
As the shutdown dragged on, they became paranoid about empowering the socialists and ultimately caved to avoid it
milooneil.substack.com/p/democrats-...
My latest #Substack article
On the collapse of the UK state, the breakup of the union, and a possible constitutional crisis.
milooneil.substack.com/p/collapse-a...
On the collapse of the UK state, the breakup of the union, and a possible constitutional crisis.
milooneil.substack.com/p/collapse-a...
Collapse and Disintegration. The Withdrawal of the UK State and the breakup of the Union.
The UK is entering a cycle of collapse and political stagnation.
milooneil.substack.com
November 14, 2025 at 1:25 PM
My latest #Substack article
On the collapse of the UK state, the breakup of the union, and a possible constitutional crisis.
milooneil.substack.com/p/collapse-a...
On the collapse of the UK state, the breakup of the union, and a possible constitutional crisis.
milooneil.substack.com/p/collapse-a...
Reposted by Milo O’Neil
1. Placing these two graphs side by side shows why we have a prisons crisis. They can also be seen as a kind of Authoritarianism Index, showing the trend in state attitudes.
On the left is the Crime Survey for England and Wales.
On the right is the UK prison population.
🧵1/8
On the left is the Crime Survey for England and Wales.
On the right is the UK prison population.
🧵1/8
November 13, 2025 at 6:54 AM
1. Placing these two graphs side by side shows why we have a prisons crisis. They can also be seen as a kind of Authoritarianism Index, showing the trend in state attitudes.
On the left is the Crime Survey for England and Wales.
On the right is the UK prison population.
🧵1/8
On the left is the Crime Survey for England and Wales.
On the right is the UK prison population.
🧵1/8
Reposted by Milo O’Neil
When was the last time anyone at the BBC had to resign for misrepresenting a leftwinger?
November 10, 2025 at 2:06 PM
When was the last time anyone at the BBC had to resign for misrepresenting a leftwinger?
Reposted by Milo O’Neil
The rule of law has delivered:
Profiteering
Poverty
Poor housing
Low wages/pensions
Queues for hospital appointments
Premature death to many
Sewage in rivers
Cuts in spending on essential services
Closure of libraries, community centres.
Whose law, who rules? Govts appease corporations/rich.
Profiteering
Poverty
Poor housing
Low wages/pensions
Queues for hospital appointments
Premature death to many
Sewage in rivers
Cuts in spending on essential services
Closure of libraries, community centres.
Whose law, who rules? Govts appease corporations/rich.
Nothing will change until the political system is freed from the clutches of corporations and the super-rich
The law is being used to enforce existing power structures for the benefit of the few
leftfootforward.org
November 9, 2025 at 8:57 AM
The rule of law has delivered:
Profiteering
Poverty
Poor housing
Low wages/pensions
Queues for hospital appointments
Premature death to many
Sewage in rivers
Cuts in spending on essential services
Closure of libraries, community centres.
Whose law, who rules? Govts appease corporations/rich.
Profiteering
Poverty
Poor housing
Low wages/pensions
Queues for hospital appointments
Premature death to many
Sewage in rivers
Cuts in spending on essential services
Closure of libraries, community centres.
Whose law, who rules? Govts appease corporations/rich.
The US establishment (Democrats and Republicans both) did everything they could to block #Mamdani, and he still won!
The demands for socialism are growing louder and louder.
The demands for socialism are growing louder and louder.
November 5, 2025 at 10:54 AM
The US establishment (Democrats and Republicans both) did everything they could to block #Mamdani, and he still won!
The demands for socialism are growing louder and louder.
The demands for socialism are growing louder and louder.
Reposted by Milo O’Neil
Absolutely insane.
Labour would have purged and smeared someone like Zohran Mamdani.
Wes Streeting's politics align far more closely with Andrew Cuomo.
The lessons from Mamdani are about how to defeat both the right - and the bankrupt "centre".
Labour would have purged and smeared someone like Zohran Mamdani.
Wes Streeting's politics align far more closely with Andrew Cuomo.
The lessons from Mamdani are about how to defeat both the right - and the bankrupt "centre".
November 5, 2025 at 9:58 AM
Absolutely insane.
Labour would have purged and smeared someone like Zohran Mamdani.
Wes Streeting's politics align far more closely with Andrew Cuomo.
The lessons from Mamdani are about how to defeat both the right - and the bankrupt "centre".
Labour would have purged and smeared someone like Zohran Mamdani.
Wes Streeting's politics align far more closely with Andrew Cuomo.
The lessons from Mamdani are about how to defeat both the right - and the bankrupt "centre".
New #Substack
This is a defence of the #GreenParty’s proposed cap on executive pay (they’ve suggested a 10:1 ratio), which many capitalists predictably oppose.
I argue that the role of a corporate executive, and the CEO in particular, is often performative.
open.substack.com/pub/miloonei...
This is a defence of the #GreenParty’s proposed cap on executive pay (they’ve suggested a 10:1 ratio), which many capitalists predictably oppose.
I argue that the role of a corporate executive, and the CEO in particular, is often performative.
open.substack.com/pub/miloonei...
The Myth of the Executive. Why executive pay ratios should be capped.
A defence of the Green Party’s proposed 10:1 pay ratio.
open.substack.com
November 4, 2025 at 5:23 PM
New #Substack
This is a defence of the #GreenParty’s proposed cap on executive pay (they’ve suggested a 10:1 ratio), which many capitalists predictably oppose.
I argue that the role of a corporate executive, and the CEO in particular, is often performative.
open.substack.com/pub/miloonei...
This is a defence of the #GreenParty’s proposed cap on executive pay (they’ve suggested a 10:1 ratio), which many capitalists predictably oppose.
I argue that the role of a corporate executive, and the CEO in particular, is often performative.
open.substack.com/pub/miloonei...
It’s often said that it’s the government that loses, not the opposition that wins.
Now within a few years, a Tory and Labour government have lost everything they’ve had for a century.
As things stand, the 2034 UK election will be a contest between the Green party and Reform. 2029 could be as well.
Now within a few years, a Tory and Labour government have lost everything they’ve had for a century.
As things stand, the 2034 UK election will be a contest between the Green party and Reform. 2029 could be as well.
November 3, 2025 at 8:12 AM
It’s often said that it’s the government that loses, not the opposition that wins.
Now within a few years, a Tory and Labour government have lost everything they’ve had for a century.
As things stand, the 2034 UK election will be a contest between the Green party and Reform. 2029 could be as well.
Now within a few years, a Tory and Labour government have lost everything they’ve had for a century.
As things stand, the 2034 UK election will be a contest between the Green party and Reform. 2029 could be as well.
Clownish politicians succeed because politics has become ridiculous
It's out of touch and obsessed with trivia, which makes many serious politicians look foolish
The disingenuous actors who revel in absurdity, however, appear authentic, like comedians reassuring the audience that it's all an act
It's out of touch and obsessed with trivia, which makes many serious politicians look foolish
The disingenuous actors who revel in absurdity, however, appear authentic, like comedians reassuring the audience that it's all an act
November 2, 2025 at 7:47 AM
Clownish politicians succeed because politics has become ridiculous
It's out of touch and obsessed with trivia, which makes many serious politicians look foolish
The disingenuous actors who revel in absurdity, however, appear authentic, like comedians reassuring the audience that it's all an act
It's out of touch and obsessed with trivia, which makes many serious politicians look foolish
The disingenuous actors who revel in absurdity, however, appear authentic, like comedians reassuring the audience that it's all an act
New #Substack post
#Authoritarianism is on the rise, and the institutional safeguards that prevent abuses of power are buckling. I wanted to examine why.
My hypothesis is this: institutions can't safeguard democracy because they are not themselves democratic.
substack.com/@milooneil/n...
#Authoritarianism is on the rise, and the institutional safeguards that prevent abuses of power are buckling. I wanted to examine why.
My hypothesis is this: institutions can't safeguard democracy because they are not themselves democratic.
substack.com/@milooneil/n...
Dictatorship by Default. Why institutional safeguards keep failing.
Non-democratic institutions cannot be relied on to preserve democratic norms.
substack.com
October 29, 2025 at 7:50 AM
New #Substack post
#Authoritarianism is on the rise, and the institutional safeguards that prevent abuses of power are buckling. I wanted to examine why.
My hypothesis is this: institutions can't safeguard democracy because they are not themselves democratic.
substack.com/@milooneil/n...
#Authoritarianism is on the rise, and the institutional safeguards that prevent abuses of power are buckling. I wanted to examine why.
My hypothesis is this: institutions can't safeguard democracy because they are not themselves democratic.
substack.com/@milooneil/n...
My latest #Substack article.
There’s a stark contradiction in the Conservative Party. It advocates preservation whilst causing destruction.
I argue that this contradiction is responsible for its historical dominance, its contemporary collapse, and for Reform.
open.substack.com/pub/miloonei...
There’s a stark contradiction in the Conservative Party. It advocates preservation whilst causing destruction.
I argue that this contradiction is responsible for its historical dominance, its contemporary collapse, and for Reform.
open.substack.com/pub/miloonei...
Wither the Conservatives. The Strange Death of the UK Conservative Party and the Rise of Reform.
On the contradictory mechanics of the Conservative Party, and its relationship to Reform UK.
open.substack.com
October 23, 2025 at 3:59 PM
My latest #Substack article.
There’s a stark contradiction in the Conservative Party. It advocates preservation whilst causing destruction.
I argue that this contradiction is responsible for its historical dominance, its contemporary collapse, and for Reform.
open.substack.com/pub/miloonei...
There’s a stark contradiction in the Conservative Party. It advocates preservation whilst causing destruction.
I argue that this contradiction is responsible for its historical dominance, its contemporary collapse, and for Reform.
open.substack.com/pub/miloonei...
New #Substack article
There’s been a bit of discussion in the media lately about whether Farage and Reform UK count as fascist, which I’ve here tried to answer.
open.substack.com/pub/miloonei...
There’s been a bit of discussion in the media lately about whether Farage and Reform UK count as fascist, which I’ve here tried to answer.
open.substack.com/pub/miloonei...
Fascism and Farage. Should Reform UK be understood as a Fascist movement?
The nature of fascism and authoritarian rule
open.substack.com
October 15, 2025 at 7:04 AM
New #Substack article
There’s been a bit of discussion in the media lately about whether Farage and Reform UK count as fascist, which I’ve here tried to answer.
open.substack.com/pub/miloonei...
There’s been a bit of discussion in the media lately about whether Farage and Reform UK count as fascist, which I’ve here tried to answer.
open.substack.com/pub/miloonei...
My most recent #Substack article: Politics as Comedy
I’ve the last decade, politicians have behaved in increasingly ridiculous ways (especially the authoritarian right).
Here I’ve made some preliminary observations on the nature and mechanics of this trend.
open.substack.com/pub/miloonei...
I’ve the last decade, politicians have behaved in increasingly ridiculous ways (especially the authoritarian right).
Here I’ve made some preliminary observations on the nature and mechanics of this trend.
open.substack.com/pub/miloonei...
Politics as Comedy
Politicians who revel in absurdity are easy to ridicule and likely to succeed.
open.substack.com
October 10, 2025 at 11:32 AM
My most recent #Substack article: Politics as Comedy
I’ve the last decade, politicians have behaved in increasingly ridiculous ways (especially the authoritarian right).
Here I’ve made some preliminary observations on the nature and mechanics of this trend.
open.substack.com/pub/miloonei...
I’ve the last decade, politicians have behaved in increasingly ridiculous ways (especially the authoritarian right).
Here I’ve made some preliminary observations on the nature and mechanics of this trend.
open.substack.com/pub/miloonei...
Reposted by Milo O’Neil
UK workers using food banks, bosses feast.
Melrose CEO, 1,112 times the average employee wage.
Tesco, 375
Person, 355
Compass, 330
Marks & Spencer, 261
British Associated Foods, 218
Sainsbury's, 195
Can't rebuild economy/society without equitable distribution of income and wealth.
Melrose CEO, 1,112 times the average employee wage.
Tesco, 375
Person, 355
Compass, 330
Marks & Spencer, 261
British Associated Foods, 218
Sainsbury's, 195
Can't rebuild economy/society without equitable distribution of income and wealth.
The government must ensure fair distribution of income
'The average real wage of workers has hardly moved from the 2008 level whilst bosses never had it so good.'
leftfootforward.org
October 5, 2025 at 10:55 AM
UK workers using food banks, bosses feast.
Melrose CEO, 1,112 times the average employee wage.
Tesco, 375
Person, 355
Compass, 330
Marks & Spencer, 261
British Associated Foods, 218
Sainsbury's, 195
Can't rebuild economy/society without equitable distribution of income and wealth.
Melrose CEO, 1,112 times the average employee wage.
Tesco, 375
Person, 355
Compass, 330
Marks & Spencer, 261
British Associated Foods, 218
Sainsbury's, 195
Can't rebuild economy/society without equitable distribution of income and wealth.
New #Substack article
I’m normally pretty optimistic when I write about #YourParty but, while I’m still somewhat optimistic, recent events do have me thinking about leftist infighting
The new article is a hypothesis on the material nature of leftist factionalism
open.substack.com/pub/miloonei...
I’m normally pretty optimistic when I write about #YourParty but, while I’m still somewhat optimistic, recent events do have me thinking about leftist infighting
The new article is a hypothesis on the material nature of leftist factionalism
open.substack.com/pub/miloonei...
The Crisis of Your Party and the Factions of the UK Left. A Theory
Preliminary observations and theories on the dominant factions of the UK left.
open.substack.com
October 1, 2025 at 6:10 AM
New #Substack article
I’m normally pretty optimistic when I write about #YourParty but, while I’m still somewhat optimistic, recent events do have me thinking about leftist infighting
The new article is a hypothesis on the material nature of leftist factionalism
open.substack.com/pub/miloonei...
I’m normally pretty optimistic when I write about #YourParty but, while I’m still somewhat optimistic, recent events do have me thinking about leftist infighting
The new article is a hypothesis on the material nature of leftist factionalism
open.substack.com/pub/miloonei...
New #Substack article
My thoughts on Trump's second state visit. The UK's subordination to the US was made very explicit, I think.
open.substack.com/pub/miloonei...
My thoughts on Trump's second state visit. The UK's subordination to the US was made very explicit, I think.
open.substack.com/pub/miloonei...
The UK’s subordination is on full display. Trump’s Second State Visit.
The UK’s vassal status has long been explicit. Now they’re revelling in it.
open.substack.com
September 25, 2025 at 6:43 PM
New #Substack article
My thoughts on Trump's second state visit. The UK's subordination to the US was made very explicit, I think.
open.substack.com/pub/miloonei...
My thoughts on Trump's second state visit. The UK's subordination to the US was made very explicit, I think.
open.substack.com/pub/miloonei...
New #Substack article
Some comments on the onset of political repression under Trump’s #authoritarian drive
open.substack.com/pub/miloonei...
Some comments on the onset of political repression under Trump’s #authoritarian drive
open.substack.com/pub/miloonei...
Trump, Fear, and Political Repression
The Repressive Fallout of Political Violence
open.substack.com
September 18, 2025 at 8:59 AM
New #Substack article
Some comments on the onset of political repression under Trump’s #authoritarian drive
open.substack.com/pub/miloonei...
Some comments on the onset of political repression under Trump’s #authoritarian drive
open.substack.com/pub/miloonei...
Reposted by Milo O’Neil
We have struggled to explain the Starmer government. But I think the explanation comes down to two simple forces:
1. A visceral, obsessive hatred of the Labour left. Any progressive policy, however necessary and popular, looks to the inner circle like a dangerous concession to the left.
🧵1/2
1. A visceral, obsessive hatred of the Labour left. Any progressive policy, however necessary and popular, looks to the inner circle like a dangerous concession to the left.
🧵1/2
September 11, 2025 at 8:34 AM
We have struggled to explain the Starmer government. But I think the explanation comes down to two simple forces:
1. A visceral, obsessive hatred of the Labour left. Any progressive policy, however necessary and popular, looks to the inner circle like a dangerous concession to the left.
🧵1/2
1. A visceral, obsessive hatred of the Labour left. Any progressive policy, however necessary and popular, looks to the inner circle like a dangerous concession to the left.
🧵1/2
Reposted by Milo O’Neil
Dependence on food banks is the new norm in the UK.
In a rich country 14m people, including 3.8m children, food insecure. One in six households went hungry last year.
Result of low wages/benefits, unchecked profiteering, govt indifference.
1% have more wealth than 70% of the population combined.
In a rich country 14m people, including 3.8m children, food insecure. One in six households went hungry last year.
Result of low wages/benefits, unchecked profiteering, govt indifference.
1% have more wealth than 70% of the population combined.
Failure to tackle dependence on food banks in UK driving public discontent
One in six households went hungry last year, says Trussell, with Britain facing ‘new normal’ of severe hardship
www.theguardian.com
September 10, 2025 at 6:30 AM
Dependence on food banks is the new norm in the UK.
In a rich country 14m people, including 3.8m children, food insecure. One in six households went hungry last year.
Result of low wages/benefits, unchecked profiteering, govt indifference.
1% have more wealth than 70% of the population combined.
In a rich country 14m people, including 3.8m children, food insecure. One in six households went hungry last year.
Result of low wages/benefits, unchecked profiteering, govt indifference.
1% have more wealth than 70% of the population combined.
New #Substack article
Focused on the re-emergent UK left: Zack Polanski, the Greens and Your Party. It also has some points on #ProportionalRepresentation, which is made more likely by having multiple left wing parties
open.substack.com/pub/miloonei...
Focused on the re-emergent UK left: Zack Polanski, the Greens and Your Party. It also has some points on #ProportionalRepresentation, which is made more likely by having multiple left wing parties
open.substack.com/pub/miloonei...
The Return of the UK Left
Zack Polanski, the Greens, and the reconstituted UK left
open.substack.com
September 9, 2025 at 4:31 PM
New #Substack article
Focused on the re-emergent UK left: Zack Polanski, the Greens and Your Party. It also has some points on #ProportionalRepresentation, which is made more likely by having multiple left wing parties
open.substack.com/pub/miloonei...
Focused on the re-emergent UK left: Zack Polanski, the Greens and Your Party. It also has some points on #ProportionalRepresentation, which is made more likely by having multiple left wing parties
open.substack.com/pub/miloonei...
Reposted by Milo O’Neil
If Farage wins the next election, it will be down to one person. His name is Keir Starmer.
This thread explains why.
1. Destroying faith in democracy. The UK decisively voted out the Tories, only for Starmer to give us a Continuity Tory government, shamefully beholden to economic power.
🧵
This thread explains why.
1. Destroying faith in democracy. The UK decisively voted out the Tories, only for Starmer to give us a Continuity Tory government, shamefully beholden to economic power.
🧵
September 7, 2025 at 4:46 PM
If Farage wins the next election, it will be down to one person. His name is Keir Starmer.
This thread explains why.
1. Destroying faith in democracy. The UK decisively voted out the Tories, only for Starmer to give us a Continuity Tory government, shamefully beholden to economic power.
🧵
This thread explains why.
1. Destroying faith in democracy. The UK decisively voted out the Tories, only for Starmer to give us a Continuity Tory government, shamefully beholden to economic power.
🧵
New Substack Post
Material observations on two trends that, I suspect, are closely linked. Labour’s pandering to the UK far right (which only serves to benefit Reform, and the collapse of their Blair era base.
open.substack.com/pub/miloonei...
Material observations on two trends that, I suspect, are closely linked. Labour’s pandering to the UK far right (which only serves to benefit Reform, and the collapse of their Blair era base.
open.substack.com/pub/miloonei...
Labour's Right Wing Pandering and the Centre's Collapse.
Two Material Dynamics of Labour's Right Wing Drift
open.substack.com
September 2, 2025 at 4:04 PM
New Substack Post
Material observations on two trends that, I suspect, are closely linked. Labour’s pandering to the UK far right (which only serves to benefit Reform, and the collapse of their Blair era base.
open.substack.com/pub/miloonei...
Material observations on two trends that, I suspect, are closely linked. Labour’s pandering to the UK far right (which only serves to benefit Reform, and the collapse of their Blair era base.
open.substack.com/pub/miloonei...