Nick Plumb
@nickplumb.bsky.social
Director of Policy and Insight at @powertochange.org.uk
Interests include: UK politics, trust, communities, localism, democratic reform, and inequality.
Interests include: UK politics, trust, communities, localism, democratic reform, and inequality.
Pinned
Nick Plumb
@nickplumb.bsky.social
· Jun 2
🧵1/8
New research from @powertochange.org.uk revisits the 100 places in England with the sharpest rise in long-term high street vacancies between 2015 and 2023.
Inspired by work from @trfetzer.com, @jacobedenhofer.bsky.social and @prashantgarg.bsky.social
New research from @powertochange.org.uk revisits the 100 places in England with the sharpest rise in long-term high street vacancies between 2015 and 2023.
Inspired by work from @trfetzer.com, @jacobedenhofer.bsky.social and @prashantgarg.bsky.social
Supermarkets' monopsony power over farmers hurts rural communities, and their huge and expanding market share hurts small retailers which often represent some of the only economic activity in these places.
November 7, 2025 at 12:35 PM
Supermarkets' monopsony power over farmers hurts rural communities, and their huge and expanding market share hurts small retailers which often represent some of the only economic activity in these places.
Reposted by Nick Plumb
We'll be there!
@jamestplunkett.bsky.social is on the panel alongside @rachelcoldicutt.bsky.social of Carefull Industries; @hetanshah.bsky.social of @britishacademy.bsky.social; and Emily Bolton from Our Future.
@jamestplunkett.bsky.social is on the panel alongside @rachelcoldicutt.bsky.social of Carefull Industries; @hetanshah.bsky.social of @britishacademy.bsky.social; and Emily Bolton from Our Future.
Join us in Westminster for the launch of our new essay collection, marking a decade of Power to Change and the community business movement and looking ahead to the next 10 years.
In-person launch: 18 Nov, panel chaired by @anooshc.bsky.social.
Quick register: lnkd.in/l1k8w
In-person launch: 18 Nov, panel chaired by @anooshc.bsky.social.
Quick register: lnkd.in/l1k8w
November 6, 2025 at 4:26 PM
We'll be there!
@jamestplunkett.bsky.social is on the panel alongside @rachelcoldicutt.bsky.social of Carefull Industries; @hetanshah.bsky.social of @britishacademy.bsky.social; and Emily Bolton from Our Future.
@jamestplunkett.bsky.social is on the panel alongside @rachelcoldicutt.bsky.social of Carefull Industries; @hetanshah.bsky.social of @britishacademy.bsky.social; and Emily Bolton from Our Future.
Reposted by Nick Plumb
Looking forward to speaking at this in a couple of weeks, alongside a great panel.
Join us in Westminster for the launch of our new essay collection, marking a decade of Power to Change and the community business movement and looking ahead to the next 10 years.
In-person launch: 18 Nov, panel chaired by @anooshc.bsky.social.
Quick register: lnkd.in/l1k8w
In-person launch: 18 Nov, panel chaired by @anooshc.bsky.social.
Quick register: lnkd.in/l1k8w
November 6, 2025 at 12:28 PM
Looking forward to speaking at this in a couple of weeks, alongside a great panel.
I thought this was excellent. Brought more clarity to the "governments terrified of the bond markets" debate than anything else I've read or listened to.
I really enjoyed this long debate with Andy Haldane on the state of Britain's macrofinancial politics and who are the real bond vigilantes
www.podbean.com/media/share/...
www.podbean.com/media/share/...
On Politics: Do bond markets and the Bank of England run Britain?
Andy Burnham recently said that the government is ‘in hock to the bond markets’, and the political turbulence of the past few years, not least the downfall of Liz Truss following her ‘mini-budget’, wo...
www.podbean.com
October 29, 2025 at 7:10 PM
I thought this was excellent. Brought more clarity to the "governments terrified of the bond markets" debate than anything else I've read or listened to.
Great to have Nick writing for us, and putting recent (v positive) announcements in historical context.
And, ultimately, calling for a more expansive communitarianism with a clearer view of political economy - something I hope we @powertochange.org.uk and others can do in the months to come.
And, ultimately, calling for a more expansive communitarianism with a clearer view of political economy - something I hope we @powertochange.org.uk and others can do in the months to come.
I tried to cover a lot of ground here. A few points developing the argument, regarding current government's "Pride in Place" etc: basically I like this stuff, but worry a bit about lack of realism about what they might achieve in isolation.
📖 @npjgarland.bsky.social pens our next 10-year anniversary essay, exploring the history of past regeneration efforts to help guide today’s public policy, and offering three lessons as the government pursues its new Pride of Place agenda.
Read: http://bit.ly/4qoNpXz #PowerToChange10
Read: http://bit.ly/4qoNpXz #PowerToChange10
October 24, 2025 at 9:31 AM
Great to have Nick writing for us, and putting recent (v positive) announcements in historical context.
And, ultimately, calling for a more expansive communitarianism with a clearer view of political economy - something I hope we @powertochange.org.uk and others can do in the months to come.
And, ultimately, calling for a more expansive communitarianism with a clearer view of political economy - something I hope we @powertochange.org.uk and others can do in the months to come.
Reposted by Nick Plumb
Exclusive! Labour spends more on Boris Johnson's flagship policy in its first year than Boris Johnson did:
Exclusive: Starmer outspends Johnson on levelling up in first year
Labour invested £2bn more on Levelling Up in its first year
www.newstatesman.com
October 20, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Exclusive! Labour spends more on Boris Johnson's flagship policy in its first year than Boris Johnson did:
It's a privilege to be a small part of this.
The film really gets to the heart of why this stuff matters now more than ever.
Well worth three minutes of your time.
The film really gets to the heart of why this stuff matters now more than ever.
Well worth three minutes of your time.
Our new film argues that community power is the antidote to division and democratic decline.
Give communities the power to fix broken Britain from the ground up.
🎥 Watch and share.
Read the story behind the film: www.right-here.org/community-po...
Film by @tuz0.bsky.social
Give communities the power to fix broken Britain from the ground up.
🎥 Watch and share.
Read the story behind the film: www.right-here.org/community-po...
Film by @tuz0.bsky.social
October 22, 2025 at 8:53 AM
It's a privilege to be a small part of this.
The film really gets to the heart of why this stuff matters now more than ever.
Well worth three minutes of your time.
The film really gets to the heart of why this stuff matters now more than ever.
Well worth three minutes of your time.
What David said.
I read @sachahilhorst.bsky.social and @demofuturist.bsky.social's pieces on a recent flight, alongside the excellent conversation between Jack Jeffery and Alan Finlayson on why the left doesn't understand the internet.
These three pieces alone worth the sub.
I read @sachahilhorst.bsky.social and @demofuturist.bsky.social's pieces on a recent flight, alongside the excellent conversation between Jack Jeffery and Alan Finlayson on why the left doesn't understand the internet.
These three pieces alone worth the sub.
Patrick is absolutely right that Labour lacks a sufficient intellectual culture - but instead of reading race-war Whatsapp essays from anonymous crackheads, Labour MPs should subscribe to @renewaljournal.bsky.social for serious and informed strategic analysis and argument
Come for the really good essay by Patrick Maguire, stay for the really bad one being shared (approvingly!!) by some Labour MPs: www.thetimes.com/comment/colu...
October 20, 2025 at 5:50 PM
What David said.
I read @sachahilhorst.bsky.social and @demofuturist.bsky.social's pieces on a recent flight, alongside the excellent conversation between Jack Jeffery and Alan Finlayson on why the left doesn't understand the internet.
These three pieces alone worth the sub.
I read @sachahilhorst.bsky.social and @demofuturist.bsky.social's pieces on a recent flight, alongside the excellent conversation between Jack Jeffery and Alan Finlayson on why the left doesn't understand the internet.
These three pieces alone worth the sub.
"Looking out from the bubble of conference, it was striking how separate the wider city and the people that live there can seem.
It was great to have Hannah with us at conference this year. Her reflections below 👇
It was great to have Hannah with us at conference this year. Her reflections below 👇
✍️ Hannah Sloggett, Co-Director of Nudge Community Builders, joined Labour Conference 2025 with Power to Change. Two weeks on, she reflects on why community voices must be heard in national policy debates, to shape policies that actually serve people on the ground. Read her blog: buff.ly/SSedghG 👇
The community business view: Labour Party Conference 2025 - Power to Change
Hannah Sloggett, Co-Director of Nudge Community Builders in Plymouth, attended the Labour Party Conference 2025 with Power to Change as part of a delegation ...
buff.ly
October 20, 2025 at 3:52 PM
"Looking out from the bubble of conference, it was striking how separate the wider city and the people that live there can seem.
It was great to have Hannah with us at conference this year. Her reflections below 👇
It was great to have Hannah with us at conference this year. Her reflections below 👇
Reposted by Nick Plumb
💭 We're reflecting on a busy #LabourConference 2025, where the power of community, and the importance of growth that everyone can see and feel, were central themes.
Here are our 5 key highlights: #Lab25
Here are our 5 key highlights: #Lab25
October 3, 2025 at 5:02 PM
💭 We're reflecting on a busy #LabourConference 2025, where the power of community, and the importance of growth that everyone can see and feel, were central themes.
Here are our 5 key highlights: #Lab25
Here are our 5 key highlights: #Lab25
Reposted by Nick Plumb
Tech as social infrastructure.
Delighted to have @rachelcoldicutt.bsky.social writing for us. She challenges the orthodoxy that social media platforms are bad for community power.
(Though I'm sure @dmk1793.bsky.social would point out that there are fewer algorithms involved in these examples.)
Delighted to have @rachelcoldicutt.bsky.social writing for us. She challenges the orthodoxy that social media platforms are bad for community power.
(Though I'm sure @dmk1793.bsky.social would point out that there are fewer algorithms involved in these examples.)
October 2, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Tech as social infrastructure.
Delighted to have @rachelcoldicutt.bsky.social writing for us. She challenges the orthodoxy that social media platforms are bad for community power.
(Though I'm sure @dmk1793.bsky.social would point out that there are fewer algorithms involved in these examples.)
Delighted to have @rachelcoldicutt.bsky.social writing for us. She challenges the orthodoxy that social media platforms are bad for community power.
(Though I'm sure @dmk1793.bsky.social would point out that there are fewer algorithms involved in these examples.)
Reposted by Nick Plumb
New essay for the @powertochange.org.uk 10th anniversary.
The digital society has been around for decades, but digital social policy is still non-existent. Tech policy can't just pick corporate winners, it should also invest in communities and places
www.powertochange.org.uk/evidence-and...
The digital society has been around for decades, but digital social policy is still non-existent. Tech policy can't just pick corporate winners, it should also invest in communities and places
www.powertochange.org.uk/evidence-and...
October 3, 2025 at 6:02 AM
New essay for the @powertochange.org.uk 10th anniversary.
The digital society has been around for decades, but digital social policy is still non-existent. Tech policy can't just pick corporate winners, it should also invest in communities and places
www.powertochange.org.uk/evidence-and...
The digital society has been around for decades, but digital social policy is still non-existent. Tech policy can't just pick corporate winners, it should also invest in communities and places
www.powertochange.org.uk/evidence-and...
Tech as social infrastructure.
Delighted to have @rachelcoldicutt.bsky.social writing for us. She challenges the orthodoxy that social media platforms are bad for community power.
(Though I'm sure @dmk1793.bsky.social would point out that there are fewer algorithms involved in these examples.)
Delighted to have @rachelcoldicutt.bsky.social writing for us. She challenges the orthodoxy that social media platforms are bad for community power.
(Though I'm sure @dmk1793.bsky.social would point out that there are fewer algorithms involved in these examples.)
October 2, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Tech as social infrastructure.
Delighted to have @rachelcoldicutt.bsky.social writing for us. She challenges the orthodoxy that social media platforms are bad for community power.
(Though I'm sure @dmk1793.bsky.social would point out that there are fewer algorithms involved in these examples.)
Delighted to have @rachelcoldicutt.bsky.social writing for us. She challenges the orthodoxy that social media platforms are bad for community power.
(Though I'm sure @dmk1793.bsky.social would point out that there are fewer algorithms involved in these examples.)
Reposted by Nick Plumb
The publication was created with @uclpolicylab.bsky.social and @powertochange.org.uk to bring together voices from our campaign alongside leading Labour politicians and thinkers.
👉 Read Kirsty McNeil’s essay and the full collection: www.ucl.ac.uk/policy-lab/s...
🧵 2/2 #CommunityPoweredPolitics
👉 Read Kirsty McNeil’s essay and the full collection: www.ucl.ac.uk/policy-lab/s...
🧵 2/2 #CommunityPoweredPolitics
www.ucl.ac.uk
October 1, 2025 at 3:21 PM
The publication was created with @uclpolicylab.bsky.social and @powertochange.org.uk to bring together voices from our campaign alongside leading Labour politicians and thinkers.
👉 Read Kirsty McNeil’s essay and the full collection: www.ucl.ac.uk/policy-lab/s...
🧵 2/2 #CommunityPoweredPolitics
👉 Read Kirsty McNeil’s essay and the full collection: www.ucl.ac.uk/policy-lab/s...
🧵 2/2 #CommunityPoweredPolitics
Reposted by Nick Plumb
Our new essay collection explores Labour’s relationship to the politics of community.
In her essay, MP @kirstymcneill.bsky.social writes:
“long-term, relational, power-building work should be our guide as we navigate the 2nd year of this still-young Labour government.”
🧵 1/2
In her essay, MP @kirstymcneill.bsky.social writes:
“long-term, relational, power-building work should be our guide as we navigate the 2nd year of this still-young Labour government.”
🧵 1/2
October 1, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Our new essay collection explores Labour’s relationship to the politics of community.
In her essay, MP @kirstymcneill.bsky.social writes:
“long-term, relational, power-building work should be our guide as we navigate the 2nd year of this still-young Labour government.”
🧵 1/2
In her essay, MP @kirstymcneill.bsky.social writes:
“long-term, relational, power-building work should be our guide as we navigate the 2nd year of this still-young Labour government.”
🧵 1/2
Reposted by Nick Plumb
Pleased to see @sundersays.bsky.social highlight the new @uclpolicylab.bsky.social essay collection on Labour and communitarianism in his response to the anonymous screed being circulated of late amongst Labour MPs
September 29, 2025 at 10:53 AM
Pleased to see @sundersays.bsky.social highlight the new @uclpolicylab.bsky.social essay collection on Labour and communitarianism in his response to the anonymous screed being circulated of late amongst Labour MPs
I'm a late addition to this event.
Looking forward to it, alongside stellar fellow panellists.
Looking forward to it, alongside stellar fellow panellists.
Are you heading to #LabourConference in Liverpool?
Interested in reclaiming our regions, and how can mayors resist the rise of the far right?
Join our RORE fringe event👇
🕑 Mon 29 Sept, 2-2:45pm
📍 Exhibition Event Hub, ECL
neweconomics.org/2025/09/nef-...
Interested in reclaiming our regions, and how can mayors resist the rise of the far right?
Join our RORE fringe event👇
🕑 Mon 29 Sept, 2-2:45pm
📍 Exhibition Event Hub, ECL
neweconomics.org/2025/09/nef-...
September 29, 2025 at 11:16 AM
I'm a late addition to this event.
Looking forward to it, alongside stellar fellow panellists.
Looking forward to it, alongside stellar fellow panellists.
Our new @powertochange.org.uk research briefing - Returning Power to the People - was published last week.
Three charts which should shape debates on Pride in Place this Labour conference.
Three charts which should shape debates on Pride in Place this Labour conference.
September 29, 2025 at 9:48 AM
Our new @powertochange.org.uk research briefing - Returning Power to the People - was published last week.
Three charts which should shape debates on Pride in Place this Labour conference.
Three charts which should shape debates on Pride in Place this Labour conference.
Award-winning pies, drinks and community-led growth.
Join us later at the community-owned Baltic Creative.
Join us later at the community-owned Baltic Creative.
📣Join us today at #LabourConference to burst the conference bubble & explore how to achieve the kind of growth that reaches into everyday life in every community.
🥧Sign up: buff.ly/0oYQG6i
👋Meet the community businesses: buff.ly/TIJ0uzj
🥧Sign up: buff.ly/0oYQG6i
👋Meet the community businesses: buff.ly/TIJ0uzj
September 29, 2025 at 9:19 AM
Award-winning pies, drinks and community-led growth.
Join us later at the community-owned Baltic Creative.
Join us later at the community-owned Baltic Creative.
Reposted by Nick Plumb
I was delighted to contribute to this excellent @uclpolicylab.bsky.social & @powertochange.org.uk essay collection on “Labour and the communitarian tradition”, alongside @ewallis.bsky.social, @mds49.bsky.social, @caitprowle.bsky.social, @kirstymcneill.bsky.social & @andyburnham.bsky.social
September 28, 2025 at 12:17 PM
I was delighted to contribute to this excellent @uclpolicylab.bsky.social & @powertochange.org.uk essay collection on “Labour and the communitarian tradition”, alongside @ewallis.bsky.social, @mds49.bsky.social, @caitprowle.bsky.social, @kirstymcneill.bsky.social & @andyburnham.bsky.social
On the way up to Labour conference for @powertochange.org.uk.
The following pieces from @anooshc.bsky.social and @morganj0nes.bsky.social on govt's Pride in Place announcements - lost a bit among digital ID debates - set the context from our perspective.
The following pieces from @anooshc.bsky.social and @morganj0nes.bsky.social on govt's Pride in Place announcements - lost a bit among digital ID debates - set the context from our perspective.
September 28, 2025 at 8:36 AM
On the way up to Labour conference for @powertochange.org.uk.
The following pieces from @anooshc.bsky.social and @morganj0nes.bsky.social on govt's Pride in Place announcements - lost a bit among digital ID debates - set the context from our perspective.
The following pieces from @anooshc.bsky.social and @morganj0nes.bsky.social on govt's Pride in Place announcements - lost a bit among digital ID debates - set the context from our perspective.
Reposted by Nick Plumb
I’ve spent a lot of time writing and thinking about the ways the government is fucking it. Nice to take a break and write about something going sincerely right:
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Labour’s plan to revitalise high streets is good - now it has to make sure people hear about it | Morgan Jones
There have been hyped policies before about local funding, but unlike ‘levelling up’ this project could lead to actual change, says Morgan Jones
www.theguardian.com
September 27, 2025 at 11:39 AM
I’ve spent a lot of time writing and thinking about the ways the government is fucking it. Nice to take a break and write about something going sincerely right:
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
1/4 | Our @powertochange.org.uk response to today's announcement.
Today’s Pride in Place announcement should be applauded. In targeting investment at the hyper-local level, the government has shown that it understands...
Today’s Pride in Place announcement should be applauded. In targeting investment at the hyper-local level, the government has shown that it understands...
Starmer gambles on ‘levelling up’-style initiative to tackle Reform threat
Deprived communities to be given tens of millions to patch up derelict shops, pubs and libraries and ‘restore pride’
www.theguardian.com
September 25, 2025 at 5:02 PM
1/4 | Our @powertochange.org.uk response to today's announcement.
Today’s Pride in Place announcement should be applauded. In targeting investment at the hyper-local level, the government has shown that it understands...
Today’s Pride in Place announcement should be applauded. In targeting investment at the hyper-local level, the government has shown that it understands...
Reposted by Nick Plumb
💡 In new polling, we found people are more positive about the state of their local area, which they describe as ‘good and ‘safe’ than the country overall, where one word cuts through the rest - 'broken'.
September 25, 2025 at 2:01 PM
💡 In new polling, we found people are more positive about the state of their local area, which they describe as ‘good and ‘safe’ than the country overall, where one word cuts through the rest - 'broken'.
Reposted by Nick Plumb
Welcome news! The government is investing “Pride in Place” funding in 330+ deprived communities. Our research published today shows why this matters.
Read the full report on why community power is essential to tackling discontent, restoring trust, and driving national renewal buff.ly/MIQNu9O
Read the full report on why community power is essential to tackling discontent, restoring trust, and driving national renewal buff.ly/MIQNu9O
Returning power to the people: What community empowerment can do for the public and for politics - Power to Change
At a time when the government faces enormous pressure to mount a response to the sense of discontent and decline that the public is feeling, giving communit ...
www.powertochange.org.uk
September 25, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Welcome news! The government is investing “Pride in Place” funding in 330+ deprived communities. Our research published today shows why this matters.
Read the full report on why community power is essential to tackling discontent, restoring trust, and driving national renewal buff.ly/MIQNu9O
Read the full report on why community power is essential to tackling discontent, restoring trust, and driving national renewal buff.ly/MIQNu9O