Neil
@neilthomas.bsky.social
Work in consultancy and interested in UK and EU politics. You can also expect the odd post about #nufc. Labour person 🌹.
Reposted by Neil
Amid the (mostly) trivia freebiegate stories, the real story of Labour conference was largely missed. The clearest signs yet the govt is going to shift fiscal and political approach and start talking about borrowing to invest. My piece for NS.
www.newstatesman.com/comment/2024...
www.newstatesman.com/comment/2024...
Rachel Reeves must bet on borrowing to invest
The Chancellor’s shift in position is Labour’s best hope of avoiding political and economic decline.
www.newstatesman.com
September 28, 2024 at 10:18 AM
Amid the (mostly) trivia freebiegate stories, the real story of Labour conference was largely missed. The clearest signs yet the govt is going to shift fiscal and political approach and start talking about borrowing to invest. My piece for NS.
www.newstatesman.com/comment/2024...
www.newstatesman.com/comment/2024...
Reposted by Neil
Shorter Keir Starmer: "The KC's not for turning."
September 24, 2024 at 1:43 PM
Shorter Keir Starmer: "The KC's not for turning."
Love the idea that an endorsement from RFK Jr is a difference maker on the doorstep in North West Leicestershire.
This - from the ridiculous Conservative Woman website - about former MP Andrew Bridgen is just about the funniest thing you'll read this week...
And best of all, every word is written without a hint of irony.
And best of all, every word is written without a hint of irony.
September 24, 2024 at 10:20 AM
Love the idea that an endorsement from RFK Jr is a difference maker on the doorstep in North West Leicestershire.
Reposted by Neil
This - from the ridiculous Conservative Woman website - about former MP Andrew Bridgen is just about the funniest thing you'll read this week...
And best of all, every word is written without a hint of irony.
And best of all, every word is written without a hint of irony.
September 23, 2024 at 9:24 PM
This - from the ridiculous Conservative Woman website - about former MP Andrew Bridgen is just about the funniest thing you'll read this week...
And best of all, every word is written without a hint of irony.
And best of all, every word is written without a hint of irony.
So great to be here in Liverpool #labourconference
September 23, 2024 at 10:02 AM
So great to be here in Liverpool #labourconference
I am once again asking you to stop sharing what number Bluesky user you are.
September 22, 2024 at 3:28 PM
I am once again asking you to stop sharing what number Bluesky user you are.
Reposted by Neil
The section of society - by far: it isn't even close and the numbers are genuinely shocking - with the highest rates of people in 'fuel poverty' are households headed by single parents. But they don't have powerful charities constantly lobbying on their behalf.
September 4, 2024 at 7:22 PM
The section of society - by far: it isn't even close and the numbers are genuinely shocking - with the highest rates of people in 'fuel poverty' are households headed by single parents. But they don't have powerful charities constantly lobbying on their behalf.
One huge benefit of rail nationalisation will surely be getting rid of the “…but the bloke told me I could get on this train with this ticket” conversations forever.
September 19, 2024 at 9:43 AM
One huge benefit of rail nationalisation will surely be getting rid of the “…but the bloke told me I could get on this train with this ticket” conversations forever.
Reposted by Neil
Quite remarkable that the writers at the Jewish Chronicle do not know who actually owns it, as it continues to lurch further to the hard right.
Hats off to David Aaronovitch for this piece, and for resigning in principle alongsid Freedland, Freeman and Baddiel
open.substack.com/pub/davidaar...
Hats off to David Aaronovitch for this piece, and for resigning in principle alongsid Freedland, Freeman and Baddiel
open.substack.com/pub/davidaar...
September 17, 2024 at 9:40 PM
Quite remarkable that the writers at the Jewish Chronicle do not know who actually owns it, as it continues to lurch further to the hard right.
Hats off to David Aaronovitch for this piece, and for resigning in principle alongsid Freedland, Freeman and Baddiel
open.substack.com/pub/davidaar...
Hats off to David Aaronovitch for this piece, and for resigning in principle alongsid Freedland, Freeman and Baddiel
open.substack.com/pub/davidaar...
Reposted by Neil
The HuffPost UK weekend political read on how Tory MPs now believe they are on a “death march” to electoral disaster.
One said: “The mood is that we are resigned to defeat and on an awful scale.”
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/is-thi...
Tory 'Death March': Did This Week Seal Rishi Sunak's Fate?
Conservative MPs already "resigned to defeat" at the next election following "toddler tantrum" over the Elgin Marbles.
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk
December 2, 2023 at 3:20 PM
The HuffPost UK weekend political read on how Tory MPs now believe they are on a “death march” to electoral disaster.
One said: “The mood is that we are resigned to defeat and on an awful scale.”
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/is-thi...
Reposted by Neil
Depressing level of debate over tax as usual prior to Autumn Statement, led by leaks and instant reactions to how to spend limited (and fictional) amount of ‘headroom’. Experts find ourselves drawn into detail of this or that change instead of being able to debate reform of tax system as whole.
November 20, 2023 at 10:08 AM
Depressing level of debate over tax as usual prior to Autumn Statement, led by leaks and instant reactions to how to spend limited (and fictional) amount of ‘headroom’. Experts find ourselves drawn into detail of this or that change instead of being able to debate reform of tax system as whole.
Maybe I'm mis-reading this but I can't see how this could be beneficial for Sunak politically.
Cameron remains super unpopular with voters (-40% approval rating) as the architect of austerity and Brexit (while also a Remainer).
Also, surely doesn't help Sunak's positioning as "change" candidate.
Cameron remains super unpopular with voters (-40% approval rating) as the architect of austerity and Brexit (while also a Remainer).
Also, surely doesn't help Sunak's positioning as "change" candidate.
David Cameron makes surprise political comeback as foreign secretary in cabinet reshuffle www.ft.com/content/a86e...
UK reshuffle latest: James Cleverly appointed home secretary as Sunak shakes up team
www.ft.com
November 13, 2023 at 10:16 AM
Maybe I'm mis-reading this but I can't see how this could be beneficial for Sunak politically.
Cameron remains super unpopular with voters (-40% approval rating) as the architect of austerity and Brexit (while also a Remainer).
Also, surely doesn't help Sunak's positioning as "change" candidate.
Cameron remains super unpopular with voters (-40% approval rating) as the architect of austerity and Brexit (while also a Remainer).
Also, surely doesn't help Sunak's positioning as "change" candidate.
After the disaster of 2019, even a "narrow election victory" would be a huge achievement for Starmer given the state of the party he inherited.
Labour is limping towards a narrow election victory – sowing the seeds for future disaster | Andy ...
Tracking right and backing a divisive war, Keir Starmer’s party resembles the Labour of 2005, says Guardian columnist Andy Beckett
www.theguardian.com
November 9, 2023 at 2:14 PM
After the disaster of 2019, even a "narrow election victory" would be a huge achievement for Starmer given the state of the party he inherited.
In ordinary times Wellinborough would be a very safe seat for the Conservatives - but it's actually more marginal than Tamworth and Mid-Beds (before last week). Tories in real trouble, again.
Labour prepares to force byelection if Tory MP Peter Bone suspended
Party to encourage Wellingborough voters to sign petition if Commons votes to suspend Bone on Wednesday
www.theguardian.com
October 25, 2023 at 8:47 AM
In ordinary times Wellinborough would be a very safe seat for the Conservatives - but it's actually more marginal than Tamworth and Mid-Beds (before last week). Tories in real trouble, again.
Good piece by @stephenkb.bsky.social. Correct to say political strategy is not the answer.
But it's not clear to me that Number 10 even understands the question given that they apparently thought cancelling HS2 net zero policies would move the dial with voters.
But it's not clear to me that Number 10 even understands the question given that they apparently thought cancelling HS2 net zero policies would move the dial with voters.
Rishi Sunak needs policy solutions, not political strategies
If the prime minister wants to win the next UK election, he will have to fix the structural issues affecting voters
www.ft.com
October 24, 2023 at 4:00 PM
Good piece by @stephenkb.bsky.social. Correct to say political strategy is not the answer.
But it's not clear to me that Number 10 even understands the question given that they apparently thought cancelling HS2 net zero policies would move the dial with voters.
But it's not clear to me that Number 10 even understands the question given that they apparently thought cancelling HS2 net zero policies would move the dial with voters.
Whatever the caveats to these two by-election results (and there are many), they represent extraordinary and hugely symbolic victories for Labour.
October 20, 2023 at 7:11 AM
Whatever the caveats to these two by-election results (and there are many), they represent extraordinary and hugely symbolic victories for Labour.
As a Newcastle fan, this story is just incredibly depressing on every level. Mostly though, I just feel angry at how completely pervasive betting has become in football and in wider society.
Newcastle stunned by reports Tonali has admitted to betting on Milan games
Sandro Tonali has admitted to placing bets on Milan matches during his time as a player at the club, according to reports in Italy
www.theguardian.com
October 18, 2023 at 5:46 PM
As a Newcastle fan, this story is just incredibly depressing on every level. Mostly though, I just feel angry at how completely pervasive betting has become in football and in wider society.
Great research from BCW Brussels on the most-trusted media sources by EU decision makers, including MEPs. Unsurprisingly, Politico is #1.
bcw-global.com/insights/bel...
bcw-global.com/insights/bel...
October 13, 2023 at 1:10 PM
Great research from BCW Brussels on the most-trusted media sources by EU decision makers, including MEPs. Unsurprisingly, Politico is #1.
bcw-global.com/insights/bel...
bcw-global.com/insights/bel...
Good piece in the @financialtimes.com about the upcoming by-election in Tamworth. Brexity, affluent and semi-rural seat makes it an uphill battle for #Labour. A win would be the best, recent result yet and would point to a big swing next year. Also, very symbolic as it used to be Robert Peel's seat.
Labour aims for repeat of historic by-election triumph as Tory support weakens
Victory in Tamworth next week could foreshadow a general election triumph, as it did for Blair in 1996
www.ft.com
October 12, 2023 at 12:36 PM
Good piece in the @financialtimes.com about the upcoming by-election in Tamworth. Brexity, affluent and semi-rural seat makes it an uphill battle for #Labour. A win would be the best, recent result yet and would point to a big swing next year. Also, very symbolic as it used to be Robert Peel's seat.
Finally had a chance to catch up on Keir Starmer’s conference speech. Felt like a solid attempt at the “vision thing” but the challenge now will be associating that vision with concrete policies in the minds of voters, that they can easily call back to (40+ hospitals, 20k+ new police officers etc).
October 10, 2023 at 6:05 PM
Finally had a chance to catch up on Keir Starmer’s conference speech. Felt like a solid attempt at the “vision thing” but the challenge now will be associating that vision with concrete policies in the minds of voters, that they can easily call back to (40+ hospitals, 20k+ new police officers etc).