Rainbow Murray
@rainbowmurray.bsky.social
Professor of Politics at Queen Mary University of London. Gender, diversity, parliaments, elections, institutions, French politics, UK politics. 🏳️🌈🌱
Reposted by Rainbow Murray
Re-reading @colmpm.bsky.social’s marvellous “Futures of Socialism”. A very different experience to reading the proof in 2023 and having a horrible feeling of dread, as opposed to now where you go “well, yeah, my worst fears have been realised and exceeded”.
November 3, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Re-reading @colmpm.bsky.social’s marvellous “Futures of Socialism”. A very different experience to reading the proof in 2023 and having a horrible feeling of dread, as opposed to now where you go “well, yeah, my worst fears have been realised and exceeded”.
If you are interested in Dutch politics and/or the rise of the far-right in politics then you should follow @stijntvankessel.bsky.social because he really knows what he's talking about AND he has great plants
One observation re. the Dutch election is the enduring strength of the far right (I am not fully subscribing to the 'shift back to the centre' narrative). I should be on ABC Australia News channel at around 11 CET to talk about this and to show my plants (again). www.youtube.com/live/vOTiJkg...
October 30, 2025 at 11:11 AM
If you are interested in Dutch politics and/or the rise of the far-right in politics then you should follow @stijntvankessel.bsky.social because he really knows what he's talking about AND he has great plants
Reposted by Rainbow Murray
"‘Whatever It Takes?’ The Policy Implications of Supporting Ukraine".
What does supporting Ukraine mean in practice?
What are the implications for national security, tax policy, EU relations, energy security & more?
28 Oct 12:00 at @mileendinstitute.bsky.social.
us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
What does supporting Ukraine mean in practice?
What are the implications for national security, tax policy, EU relations, energy security & more?
28 Oct 12:00 at @mileendinstitute.bsky.social.
us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
October 22, 2025 at 1:28 PM
"‘Whatever It Takes?’ The Policy Implications of Supporting Ukraine".
What does supporting Ukraine mean in practice?
What are the implications for national security, tax policy, EU relations, energy security & more?
28 Oct 12:00 at @mileendinstitute.bsky.social.
us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
What does supporting Ukraine mean in practice?
What are the implications for national security, tax policy, EU relations, energy security & more?
28 Oct 12:00 at @mileendinstitute.bsky.social.
us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
The co-optation of the themes of the far-right by mainstream parties, in the Netherlands as elsewhere, only serves to normalise the far-right's agenda and strengthen far-right parties electorally. You cannot defeat the far-right by becoming more like them.
I wrote a pre-election briefing / commentary ahead of the Dutch parliamentary election next week (October 29th). The main focus is on the enduring relevance of the far right, the salience of the immigration issue, and how mainstream parties contribute to its politicisation.
Op-ed: The enduring relevance of the Far Right ahead of the Dutch National Election on 29th October - The Foreign Policy Centre
Alongside issues such as housing and health care, the key far-right theme of immigration continues to feature high on the political agenda ahead of the Dutch national election on 29th October. In a fr...
fpc.org.uk
October 23, 2025 at 9:29 AM
The co-optation of the themes of the far-right by mainstream parties, in the Netherlands as elsewhere, only serves to normalise the far-right's agenda and strengthen far-right parties electorally. You cannot defeat the far-right by becoming more like them.
Reposted by Rainbow Murray
Latest Daily on Monocle Radio. @rainbowmurray.bsky.social and Nik Gowing on the day's stuff, plus regular panellist Julie Norman on the new book she has co-written on Gaza. monocle.com/radio/shows/...
Will the proposed Trump-Putin summit in Budapest do any good? - Monocle
As reports emerge of a “shouting match” between Zelensky and Trump during their latest meeting, we discuss what lies ahead...
monocle.com
October 20, 2025 at 7:11 PM
Latest Daily on Monocle Radio. @rainbowmurray.bsky.social and Nik Gowing on the day's stuff, plus regular panellist Julie Norman on the new book she has co-written on Gaza. monocle.com/radio/shows/...
Reposted by Rainbow Murray
Great to speak to @greenmirandahere.bsky.social for today's FT Inside Politics about the latest finding from our politics of (im)patience project, w/ @karlpike.bsky.social and @philipjcowley.bsky.social.
www.ft.com/content/e984...
www.ft.com/content/e984...
Labour sheds support from impatient Britons
Research shows party losing voters who want results now, with women more likely to prioritise short-term gains
www.ft.com
October 20, 2025 at 9:20 AM
Great to speak to @greenmirandahere.bsky.social for today's FT Inside Politics about the latest finding from our politics of (im)patience project, w/ @karlpike.bsky.social and @philipjcowley.bsky.social.
www.ft.com/content/e984...
www.ft.com/content/e984...
Reposted by Rainbow Murray
If you think this proposed organisational model will work (or, indeed, last very long in reality rather than appearance), then you might want to google 'Robert Michels and "iron law of oligarchy"'.
Voters' voices are being shut out of British politics. Your Party has a radical plan to change that | Jeremy Corbyn
At our conference in November we will use a jury service-type model to allow members to discuss and decide policy, strategy and even the name of our party, says Your Party co-founder Jeremy Corbyn
www.theguardian.com
October 14, 2025 at 6:11 AM
If you think this proposed organisational model will work (or, indeed, last very long in reality rather than appearance), then you might want to google 'Robert Michels and "iron law of oligarchy"'.
There's a French saying that perfectly captures this week in French politics: "plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose" (the more things change, the more they stay the same). On Sunday night, PM Lecornu appointed a government that was almost identical to the govt that had fallen weeks earlier 1/
October 10, 2025 at 8:45 PM
There's a French saying that perfectly captures this week in French politics: "plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose" (the more things change, the more they stay the same). On Sunday night, PM Lecornu appointed a government that was almost identical to the govt that had fallen weeks earlier 1/
I'll be on @france24.com (in English) at 21h30 UK time to laugh hysterically at the fact that, after nearly five days of deliberations, false promises and calls for compromise, Macron has nominated as the new French PM... the same guy who resigned on Monday 🤣🤣😦
October 10, 2025 at 8:11 PM
I'll be on @france24.com (in English) at 21h30 UK time to laugh hysterically at the fact that, after nearly five days of deliberations, false promises and calls for compromise, Macron has nominated as the new French PM... the same guy who resigned on Monday 🤣🤣😦
Last night, France's new prime minister, Sebatien Lecornu, announced his new govt, with a line-up v similar to the preceding govts. Other parties protested. This morning Lecornu resigned. He'd only been in office a few weeks, France's 5th PM in <2 yrs. No side has a majority & no-one will compromise
October 6, 2025 at 10:25 AM
Last night, France's new prime minister, Sebatien Lecornu, announced his new govt, with a line-up v similar to the preceding govts. Other parties protested. This morning Lecornu resigned. He'd only been in office a few weeks, France's 5th PM in <2 yrs. No side has a majority & no-one will compromise
Reposted by Rainbow Murray
My contribution to this issue calls for Labour to counter the growing illiberalism in British politics.
The autumn edition of Fabian Review is on its way to members! 🍂
This issue features articles by @stellacreasy.bsky.social reasy.bsky.social, @annadixonmp.bsky.social,
@elliereeves.bsky.social s.bsky.social, @karlpike.bsky.social e.bsky.social.
This issue features articles by @stellacreasy.bsky.social reasy.bsky.social, @annadixonmp.bsky.social,
@elliereeves.bsky.social s.bsky.social, @karlpike.bsky.social e.bsky.social.
September 26, 2025 at 2:11 PM
My contribution to this issue calls for Labour to counter the growing illiberalism in British politics.
Reposted by Rainbow Murray
For the Guardian, @turnbulldugarte.com and I discuss our research that clearly shows one thing: Labour's anti-immigration strategy will only strengthen Reform and weaken its own electoral prospects. It won't win voters back but ultimately normalizes the far right
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Our research makes it clear: by capitulating to the right, Labour is driving voters to Reform UK | Tarik Abou-Chadi and Stuart Turnbull-Dugarte
Mimicking Farage on immigration is senseless. Labour voters feel betrayed; anti-immigration voters see through the ruse, say academics Tarik Abou-Chadi and Stuart Turnbull-Dugarte
www.theguardian.com
September 26, 2025 at 11:30 AM
For the Guardian, @turnbulldugarte.com and I discuss our research that clearly shows one thing: Labour's anti-immigration strategy will only strengthen Reform and weaken its own electoral prospects. It won't win voters back but ultimately normalizes the far right
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Rainbow Murray
Keir Starmer writes in the Telegraph (where else!?) that Labour “did shy away from people’s concerns around illegal immigration.” Perhaps I was living in a parallel universe when I wrote this for @politicalquarterly.bsky.social in 2014? (Free to read version here: qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/bitstr...)
September 26, 2025 at 6:35 AM
Keir Starmer writes in the Telegraph (where else!?) that Labour “did shy away from people’s concerns around illegal immigration.” Perhaps I was living in a parallel universe when I wrote this for @politicalquarterly.bsky.social in 2014? (Free to read version here: qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/bitstr...)
Reposted by Rainbow Murray
I just do not understand in what world a Labour advisor is suggesting it would be a good idea to write in the Telegraph. Even if you buy that they need the 'hero' voters and to win them from Reform they are not the type of Reform voter reading the Telegraph.
September 26, 2025 at 7:51 AM
I just do not understand in what world a Labour advisor is suggesting it would be a good idea to write in the Telegraph. Even if you buy that they need the 'hero' voters and to win them from Reform they are not the type of Reform voter reading the Telegraph.
Reposted by Rainbow Murray
Latest Daily on Monocle Radio. @rainbowmurray.bsky.social and @elisabethbraw.bsky.social on the day's big stories, a report from a cheese festival in Italy, and an excerpt from Monocle's recent interview with Kongjian Yu, who died yesterday, aged 62. monocle.com/radio/shows/...
Germany leads the way for Europe’s rearmament. Plus: The legacy of Chinese architect Kongjian Yu - Monocle
Europe plans to rearm by 2030 – but is it soon enough? Then: the rise of medical disinformation as Washington...
monocle.com
September 24, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Latest Daily on Monocle Radio. @rainbowmurray.bsky.social and @elisabethbraw.bsky.social on the day's big stories, a report from a cheese festival in Italy, and an excerpt from Monocle's recent interview with Kongjian Yu, who died yesterday, aged 62. monocle.com/radio/shows/...
Me when I get a string of notifications about all the great work that my peers have just published 👍👏😃🎉😔
a woman is sitting on a couch and saying i 'm so happy and not at all jealous ..
ALT: a woman is sitting on a couch and saying i 'm so happy and not at all jealous ..
media.tenor.com
September 20, 2025 at 9:15 PM
Me when I get a string of notifications about all the great work that my peers have just published 👍👏😃🎉😔
I'm looking for someone UK-based with web-scraping skills who can scrape a substantial amount of data for me from the French parliamentary website in exchange for a fixed (negotiable) one-off fee. French language skills are not essential as full instructions will be provided. 1/2
September 17, 2025 at 3:12 PM
I'm looking for someone UK-based with web-scraping skills who can scrape a substantial amount of data for me from the French parliamentary website in exchange for a fixed (negotiable) one-off fee. French language skills are not essential as full instructions will be provided. 1/2
I've never been more grateful not to be the monarch. Poor dude really taking one for the team for the next 48 hours #StateVisit
September 16, 2025 at 9:04 PM
I've never been more grateful not to be the monarch. Poor dude really taking one for the team for the next 48 hours #StateVisit
"I'm not a racist. I just hate foreigners, ethnic minorities, people of other faiths and anyone who doesn't look like me. That doesn't make me a racist, it makes me a patriot!" 🙄
This, from The Londoner yesterday, also features people on the march who claim not to be racists. Though the things they say prove otherwise
September 16, 2025 at 8:29 PM
"I'm not a racist. I just hate foreigners, ethnic minorities, people of other faiths and anyone who doesn't look like me. That doesn't make me a racist, it makes me a patriot!" 🙄
My child - who was born after CDs became effectively obsolete - wants me to buy this: storeuk.taylorswift.com/products/the... I struggled to understand why someone who has never seen a CD player would want a CD. "To support the artist & get the poster and things." Technology changes, fandom doesn't
The Life of a Showgirl: It's Rapturous Edition CD with Poster
While Supplies Last 12 Tracks Jewel case with collectible front and back cover art. 1 double-sided folded poster, unique to this edition (approximately 19” x 9.5”). Each side features a photo of Taylo...
storeuk.taylorswift.com
September 15, 2025 at 9:06 PM
My child - who was born after CDs became effectively obsolete - wants me to buy this: storeuk.taylorswift.com/products/the... I struggled to understand why someone who has never seen a CD player would want a CD. "To support the artist & get the poster and things." Technology changes, fandom doesn't
For once, Macron has been lightning fast in nominating a new PM: Sébastian Lecornu, current Defence minister, little known in France despite having served as a minister throughout Macron's two terms as president. A Macron loyalist who comes from the right, so everyone on the left is furious. 1/n
September 9, 2025 at 8:22 PM
For once, Macron has been lightning fast in nominating a new PM: Sébastian Lecornu, current Defence minister, little known in France despite having served as a minister throughout Macron's two terms as president. A Macron loyalist who comes from the right, so everyone on the left is furious. 1/n
Quelle surprise! Bayrou lost the confidence vote and yet another French government falls. See my thread below for insights into why this happened and what might happen next
French govt is widely expected to fall later today as PM François Bayrou has called a confidence vote that other parties do not support. While outcome is predictable, resolution is not - lots of options on the table but none provides an elegant solution to the current crisis in French politics 1/n
September 8, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Quelle surprise! Bayrou lost the confidence vote and yet another French government falls. See my thread below for insights into why this happened and what might happen next
French govt is widely expected to fall later today as PM François Bayrou has called a confidence vote that other parties do not support. While outcome is predictable, resolution is not - lots of options on the table but none provides an elegant solution to the current crisis in French politics 1/n
September 8, 2025 at 10:47 AM
French govt is widely expected to fall later today as PM François Bayrou has called a confidence vote that other parties do not support. While outcome is predictable, resolution is not - lots of options on the table but none provides an elegant solution to the current crisis in French politics 1/n
This is an excellent thread based on an excellent paper, but if you only have time for one post, this is the one. Bottom line: progressive parties (eg Labour) do themselves more harm than good by trying to copy the far-right's (eg Reform) anti-immigrant rhetoric
The takeaway:
👉 Accommodating the radical right on immigration doesn’t win back voters.
👉 It alienates the progressive base.
👉 And it raises the salience of the very issue the radical right owns.
In short: it’s electoral self-harm.
👉 Accommodating the radical right on immigration doesn’t win back voters.
👉 It alienates the progressive base.
👉 And it raises the salience of the very issue the radical right owns.
In short: it’s electoral self-harm.
September 5, 2025 at 8:38 PM
This is an excellent thread based on an excellent paper, but if you only have time for one post, this is the one. Bottom line: progressive parties (eg Labour) do themselves more harm than good by trying to copy the far-right's (eg Reform) anti-immigrant rhetoric
Angela Rayner's position was untenable once she was found to have breached the ministerial code; she had to resign. But, as a working-class woman in high office surrounded by wealthy men, she had a symbolic importance that makes her resignation a real loss to British politics
September 5, 2025 at 11:55 AM
Angela Rayner's position was untenable once she was found to have breached the ministerial code; she had to resign. But, as a working-class woman in high office surrounded by wealthy men, she had a symbolic importance that makes her resignation a real loss to British politics