Simon Usherwood
@simonusherwood.bsky.social
Researcher of UK-EU relations, euroscepticism and learning & teaching. Open University and UK in a Changing Europe. Renowned for my bubbly personality, I imagine.
Come for the forms, stay for the research funding shortfall
NEW: UK universities' 25-year-old system for costing activities like teaching and research is no longer providing the insights needed to help navigate the sector's challenges.
Our report argues the Transparent Approach to Costing (TRAC) system could be enhanced to support better decision-making
🧵⬇️
Our report argues the Transparent Approach to Costing (TRAC) system could be enhanced to support better decision-making
🧵⬇️
University costing data must be better used to tackle financial crisis, report says | King's College London
The TRAC methodology is not providing the detailed insights that could help support better decision-making
www.kcl.ac.uk
November 11, 2025 at 8:11 AM
Come for the forms, stay for the research funding shortfall
Reposted by Simon Usherwood
EU(27) moving towards adoption of mandates for negotiations on SPS and ETS agreements with the UK.
data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document...
data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document...
November 11, 2025 at 7:12 AM
EU(27) moving towards adoption of mandates for negotiations on SPS and ETS agreements with the UK.
data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document...
data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document...
Me, for @ukandeu.bsky.social, on why we might be going back to talking about money in the UK-EU relationship
@oupolitics.bsky.social @openuniversity.bsky.social
@oupolitics.bsky.social @openuniversity.bsky.social
💶"But as the UK has started to develop new links with the EU, so too has it generated new financial obligations."
✍️ @simonusherwood.bsky.social explains financial flows between the UK and the EU since the UK’s withdrawal & how they may be affected by the UK-EU reset
🔗 ukandeu.ac.uk/the-sleeping...
✍️ @simonusherwood.bsky.social explains financial flows between the UK and the EU since the UK’s withdrawal & how they may be affected by the UK-EU reset
🔗 ukandeu.ac.uk/the-sleeping...
The sleeping dog of UK-EU finances - UK in a changing Europe
Simon Usherwood explains financial flows between the UK and the EU since the UK's withdrawal and how they may be affected by the UK-EU reset.
ukandeu.ac.uk
November 10, 2025 at 11:51 AM
Me, for @ukandeu.bsky.social, on why we might be going back to talking about money in the UK-EU relationship
@oupolitics.bsky.social @openuniversity.bsky.social
@oupolitics.bsky.social @openuniversity.bsky.social
Today's constitutional
November 8, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Today's constitutional
As with the rest of the Cmn Understanding, just because it didn't say it would be asked for, doesn't mean it wouldn't be asked for
That didn't say anything about contributions to regional cohesion funds 2/3
November 7, 2025 at 10:32 AM
As with the rest of the Cmn Understanding, just because it didn't say it would be asked for, doesn't mean it wouldn't be asked for
Today's constitutional
November 7, 2025 at 9:01 AM
Today's constitutional
An update of progress on EU-UK negotiations of the Strategic Partnership/Common Understanding agenda from May's summit
tl;dr barring SAFE, not much to see
PDF: bit.ly/UshGraphic141
tl;dr barring SAFE, not much to see
PDF: bit.ly/UshGraphic141
November 6, 2025 at 9:12 AM
An update of progress on EU-UK negotiations of the Strategic Partnership/Common Understanding agenda from May's summit
tl;dr barring SAFE, not much to see
PDF: bit.ly/UshGraphic141
tl;dr barring SAFE, not much to see
PDF: bit.ly/UshGraphic141
Today's constitutional
November 5, 2025 at 8:36 AM
Today's constitutional
Today's constitutional
November 4, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Today's constitutional
Since I'm being asked about this story from the weekend, a quick reminder that the UK left the EU nearly 6 years ago and the financials have been the absolute least problematic part of it all
November 3, 2025 at 10:58 AM
Since I'm being asked about this story from the weekend, a quick reminder that the UK left the EU nearly 6 years ago and the financials have been the absolute least problematic part of it all
Reposted by Simon Usherwood
My take on what 🇳🇱 elections may mean for 🇪🇺 @ Politico.eu
“What is already clear is that the Dutch electorate voted far more pro-European than it did in 2023. […] Euroskepticism that once dominated the political mood has given way to a quiet mandate for cooperation”
www.politico.eu/article/neth...
“What is already clear is that the Dutch electorate voted far more pro-European than it did in 2023. […] Euroskepticism that once dominated the political mood has given way to a quiet mandate for cooperation”
www.politico.eu/article/neth...
As the Netherlands moves to the center, Brussels is watching
It seems the Euroskepticism that once dominated the political mood has given way to a quiet mandate for cooperation and reform.
www.politico.eu
November 3, 2025 at 7:53 AM
My take on what 🇳🇱 elections may mean for 🇪🇺 @ Politico.eu
“What is already clear is that the Dutch electorate voted far more pro-European than it did in 2023. […] Euroskepticism that once dominated the political mood has given way to a quiet mandate for cooperation”
www.politico.eu/article/neth...
“What is already clear is that the Dutch electorate voted far more pro-European than it did in 2023. […] Euroskepticism that once dominated the political mood has given way to a quiet mandate for cooperation”
www.politico.eu/article/neth...
Today's cycle
November 2, 2025 at 11:08 AM
Today's cycle
I don't think that's how Question Time works, Matt
October 31, 2025 at 11:19 AM
I don't think that's how Question Time works, Matt
Today's constitutional
October 30, 2025 at 8:32 AM
Today's constitutional
Thoughtful piece, to which I'd only add that any discussion about feasibility needs to start from a point of purpose: why join (or, indeed, not join)?
In my latest blog this week, I try to unpack the different ways that people talk about the feasibility of the UK rejoining the EU
pascallth.substack.com/p/can-the-uk...
pascallth.substack.com/p/can-the-uk...
Can the UK ‘just’ rejoin the EU?
Yes, but occasionally no
pascallth.substack.com
October 30, 2025 at 7:35 AM
Thoughtful piece, to which I'd only add that any discussion about feasibility needs to start from a point of purpose: why join (or, indeed, not join)?
Today's constitutional
October 29, 2025 at 8:35 AM
Today's constitutional
Reposted by Simon Usherwood
What I think this demonstrates is 3 things (1) This mass deportation policy is wildly at odds with public opinion in general, and with opinion of many sensible Tory voters, members & MPs (2) Many ppl defending the policy didn't know what was in it (3) Informing and pressuring them therefore works
Are the Tories now rowing back on ILR?
Last week Badenoch's spokesman said Katie Lam's comments were "broadly in line" with the party's stance
Now a party spokesperson says it's “subject to an ongoing internal review” following a widespread backlash
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Last week Badenoch's spokesman said Katie Lam's comments were "broadly in line" with the party's stance
Now a party spokesperson says it's “subject to an ongoing internal review” following a widespread backlash
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Tories in turmoil after deportation backlash | The Observer
Conservative immigration policy is in flux after shadow minister Katie Lam's controversial comments
observer.co.uk
October 28, 2025 at 10:48 AM
What I think this demonstrates is 3 things (1) This mass deportation policy is wildly at odds with public opinion in general, and with opinion of many sensible Tory voters, members & MPs (2) Many ppl defending the policy didn't know what was in it (3) Informing and pressuring them therefore works
Today's constitutional
October 28, 2025 at 7:53 AM
Today's constitutional
One for @vcorenmitchell.bsky.social I believe
October 27, 2025 at 7:12 AM
One for @vcorenmitchell.bsky.social I believe
Reposted by Simon Usherwood
Public attitudes to Chris Philp's policy: it should take at least 10 years to get ILR, and that should "never" lead to benefits access
October 26, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Public attitudes to Chris Philp's policy: it should take at least 10 years to get ILR, and that should "never" lead to benefits access
Reposted by Simon Usherwood
We had the first meeting of our nascent #Cycling #Europe Study Circle (a working title) today! Thanks a lot to @simonusherwood.bsky.social for the slides and for moderating, and to everyone who attended. Watch this space for updates - we promise not to (only) share pictures of bikes and lycra 🚴🏽♀️
October 24, 2025 at 5:40 PM
We had the first meeting of our nascent #Cycling #Europe Study Circle (a working title) today! Thanks a lot to @simonusherwood.bsky.social for the slides and for moderating, and to everyone who attended. Watch this space for updates - we promise not to (only) share pictures of bikes and lycra 🚴🏽♀️
Last chance to sign up for our discussion about how we might study cycling and Europe: even if you can't make it, do share your details and we'll tell you about what we thought we'd do
Interested in cycling and Europe?
Fancy talking with other researchers about how we might develop our work?
Then sign up for the launch webinar of a new network, Cycling Europe Study Circle, with me and @patrickbijsmans.bsky.social, on 24 October, 14-16 UK time
forms.office.com/e/SsXKNb1gvC
Fancy talking with other researchers about how we might develop our work?
Then sign up for the launch webinar of a new network, Cycling Europe Study Circle, with me and @patrickbijsmans.bsky.social, on 24 October, 14-16 UK time
forms.office.com/e/SsXKNb1gvC
October 24, 2025 at 11:34 AM
Last chance to sign up for our discussion about how we might study cycling and Europe: even if you can't make it, do share your details and we'll tell you about what we thought we'd do
My pessimistic take would be that LAB decide they're good for #GE29 because tactical voting will block REF, so they don't need to address the failings of their current strategy
Reform lost by 11% in Caerphilly - because of a surge in turnout, because Reform looked set to win the seat.
This illustrates Reform's vulnerability *because* they are leading the polls (in a 6 party system) while being an *unpopular* party. A much bigger problem under FPTP 2029 than PR 2026
This illustrates Reform's vulnerability *because* they are leading the polls (in a 6 party system) while being an *unpopular* party. A much bigger problem under FPTP 2029 than PR 2026
October 24, 2025 at 9:20 AM
My pessimistic take would be that LAB decide they're good for #GE29 because tactical voting will block REF, so they don't need to address the failings of their current strategy