Tom Belger
@tombelger.bsky.social
Political and policy journalist and communications consultant, WPI Strategy senior adviser, LabourList columnist and former editor.
Previously a reporter at the Liverpool Echo, Yahoo Finance and Schools Week.
Get in touch at tombelgerwork@gmail.com.
Previously a reporter at the Liverpool Echo, Yahoo Finance and Schools Week.
Get in touch at tombelgerwork@gmail.com.
Reposted by Tom Belger
Crime, abortion, net zero: Are Reform campaigning on the best issues to threaten Labour - or is it's voter coalition too fractured? @tombelger.bsky.social looks at the policies Reform are looking at and the contradictions they hold.
Crime, welfare, abortion: Where could Reform threaten Labour next? – LabourList
“Today is just the start of something very big indeed,” Nigel Farage declared this week as he unveiled the new Small Business for Reform group.…
labourlist.org
November 14, 2025 at 9:09 AM
Crime, abortion, net zero: Are Reform campaigning on the best issues to threaten Labour - or is it's voter coalition too fractured? @tombelger.bsky.social looks at the policies Reform are looking at and the contradictions they hold.
Reposted by Tom Belger
Why aren't Labour's life-changing policies connecting with voters - and what can the party do? It's down to messaging, how it's told, and the messengers...
Why don’t Labour’s workers’ and renters’ rights reforms cut through to voters – and how should they? – LabourList
When millions of workers and renters don’t know you’re doing more to improve their rights than any government in half a century, something is going…
labourlist.org
November 8, 2025 at 9:05 AM
Why aren't Labour's life-changing policies connecting with voters - and what can the party do? It's down to messaging, how it's told, and the messengers...
Reposted by Tom Belger
✊Labour’s doing more to improve workers’ and renters’ rights than any government in half a century.
🤦♂️Polls suggest millions don’t know about it.
❓Why isn’t Labour cutting through? And how can it?
✍️ I’ve written for @labourlist.bsky.social:
labourlist.org/2025/11/work...
🤦♂️Polls suggest millions don’t know about it.
❓Why isn’t Labour cutting through? And how can it?
✍️ I’ve written for @labourlist.bsky.social:
labourlist.org/2025/11/work...
Why don’t Labour's workers’ and renters’ rights reforms cut through to voters - and how should they? - LabourList
Why aren’t even life-changing, flagship policies cutting through, and what can Labour do? LabourList asked a string of MPs and communication, polling and policy experts.
labourlist.org
November 10, 2025 at 6:58 AM
✊Labour’s doing more to improve workers’ and renters’ rights than any government in half a century.
🤦♂️Polls suggest millions don’t know about it.
❓Why isn’t Labour cutting through? And how can it?
✍️ I’ve written for @labourlist.bsky.social:
labourlist.org/2025/11/work...
🤦♂️Polls suggest millions don’t know about it.
❓Why isn’t Labour cutting through? And how can it?
✍️ I’ve written for @labourlist.bsky.social:
labourlist.org/2025/11/work...
✊Labour’s doing more to improve workers’ and renters’ rights than any government in half a century.
🤦♂️Polls suggest millions don’t know about it.
❓Why isn’t Labour cutting through? And how can it?
✍️ I’ve written for @labourlist.bsky.social:
labourlist.org/2025/11/work...
🤦♂️Polls suggest millions don’t know about it.
❓Why isn’t Labour cutting through? And how can it?
✍️ I’ve written for @labourlist.bsky.social:
labourlist.org/2025/11/work...
Why don’t Labour's workers’ and renters’ rights reforms cut through to voters - and how should they? - LabourList
Why aren’t even life-changing, flagship policies cutting through, and what can Labour do? LabourList asked a string of MPs and communication, polling and policy experts.
labourlist.org
November 10, 2025 at 6:58 AM
✊Labour’s doing more to improve workers’ and renters’ rights than any government in half a century.
🤦♂️Polls suggest millions don’t know about it.
❓Why isn’t Labour cutting through? And how can it?
✍️ I’ve written for @labourlist.bsky.social:
labourlist.org/2025/11/work...
🤦♂️Polls suggest millions don’t know about it.
❓Why isn’t Labour cutting through? And how can it?
✍️ I’ve written for @labourlist.bsky.social:
labourlist.org/2025/11/work...
A few weeks after a Labour councillor's defection, Reform has its first seat on Stevenage council.
It's a blow for Labour after an impressive performance in another by-election a few months ago.
Only 2 councillors but it makes Reform the third largest party...
www.thecomet.net/news/2558696...
It's a blow for Labour after an impressive performance in another by-election a few months ago.
Only 2 councillors but it makes Reform the third largest party...
www.thecomet.net/news/2558696...
Reform UK win borough council seat after by-election
Reform UK have won a Stevenage Borough Council seat for the first time after Rob Henry was elected to represent Roebuck ward following a by-election…
www.thecomet.net
October 31, 2025 at 2:00 PM
A few weeks after a Labour councillor's defection, Reform has its first seat on Stevenage council.
It's a blow for Labour after an impressive performance in another by-election a few months ago.
Only 2 councillors but it makes Reform the third largest party...
www.thecomet.net/news/2558696...
It's a blow for Labour after an impressive performance in another by-election a few months ago.
Only 2 councillors but it makes Reform the third largest party...
www.thecomet.net/news/2558696...
Two of the last government's standards advisers literally quit over how bad things were.
This government's standards adviser cleared Reeves for an honest mistake that estate agents have accepted the blame for.
Perspective!
Great to make that point on Talk TV tonight...
This government's standards adviser cleared Reeves for an honest mistake that estate agents have accepted the blame for.
Perspective!
Great to make that point on Talk TV tonight...
October 30, 2025 at 8:12 PM
Two of the last government's standards advisers literally quit over how bad things were.
This government's standards adviser cleared Reeves for an honest mistake that estate agents have accepted the blame for.
Perspective!
Great to make that point on Talk TV tonight...
This government's standards adviser cleared Reeves for an honest mistake that estate agents have accepted the blame for.
Perspective!
Great to make that point on Talk TV tonight...
🗳️New: My report on the ground from Labour's 10th safest seat.
🔷 @plmr.co.uk MRP puts Reform in the lead.
🌹Once-Corbynite council chief reveals his Reform defection.
🟩 Greens on the march too.
📉Labour' lead across 10 safest seats just 4pp vs Reform.
Piece on @labourlist.bsky.social
👇
🔷 @plmr.co.uk MRP puts Reform in the lead.
🌹Once-Corbynite council chief reveals his Reform defection.
🟩 Greens on the march too.
📉Labour' lead across 10 safest seats just 4pp vs Reform.
Piece on @labourlist.bsky.social
👇
October 24, 2025 at 8:33 AM
🗳️New: My report on the ground from Labour's 10th safest seat.
🔷 @plmr.co.uk MRP puts Reform in the lead.
🌹Once-Corbynite council chief reveals his Reform defection.
🟩 Greens on the march too.
📉Labour' lead across 10 safest seats just 4pp vs Reform.
Piece on @labourlist.bsky.social
👇
🔷 @plmr.co.uk MRP puts Reform in the lead.
🌹Once-Corbynite council chief reveals his Reform defection.
🟩 Greens on the march too.
📉Labour' lead across 10 safest seats just 4pp vs Reform.
Piece on @labourlist.bsky.social
👇
Labour will have a new deputy leader this week.
But is the prize worth what it takes candidates to get there?
I spoke to over a dozen former candidates or campaign teams about the intriguing, varied reasons people run - and why many more don't.
@labourlist.bsky.social piece link here 👇
But is the prize worth what it takes candidates to get there?
I spoke to over a dozen former candidates or campaign teams about the intriguing, varied reasons people run - and why many more don't.
@labourlist.bsky.social piece link here 👇
October 21, 2025 at 11:56 AM
Labour will have a new deputy leader this week.
But is the prize worth what it takes candidates to get there?
I spoke to over a dozen former candidates or campaign teams about the intriguing, varied reasons people run - and why many more don't.
@labourlist.bsky.social piece link here 👇
But is the prize worth what it takes candidates to get there?
I spoke to over a dozen former candidates or campaign teams about the intriguing, varied reasons people run - and why many more don't.
@labourlist.bsky.social piece link here 👇
New: Me for @labourlist.bsky.social on the backlash over the 'graveyard slot' the deputy leadership hustings has got at conference - after many members leave.
🧵
labourlist.org/2025/09/depu...
🧵
labourlist.org/2025/09/depu...
Deputy election: Labour faces backlash as hustings gets conference ‘graveyard slot’ - LabourList
Labour members are frustrated at the timing of the deputy leadership hustings being held in Liverpool at the end of conference.
labourlist.org
September 18, 2025 at 3:47 PM
New: Me for @labourlist.bsky.social on the backlash over the 'graveyard slot' the deputy leadership hustings has got at conference - after many members leave.
🧵
labourlist.org/2025/09/depu...
🧵
labourlist.org/2025/09/depu...
After two and a half amazing years living and breathing all things Labour as editor of LabourList (more on that later), I'm relishing a new freelance chapter with two great new roles.
🧵
🧵
September 12, 2025 at 8:13 AM
After two and a half amazing years living and breathing all things Labour as editor of LabourList (more on that later), I'm relishing a new freelance chapter with two great new roles.
🧵
🧵
🗳️ New: I've just heard the @teamlabouruk.bsky.social
party’s national executive committee (NEC) will meet on Monday to decide on the internal election to replace Angela Rayner as deputy leader.
More here on the latest:
labourlist.org/2025/09/labo...
party’s national executive committee (NEC) will meet on Monday to decide on the internal election to replace Angela Rayner as deputy leader.
More here on the latest:
labourlist.org/2025/09/labo...
Labour deputy leader election: Date revealed for NEC meet to decide on contest as candidate speculation begins - LabourList
The Labour party’s national executive committee (NEC) will meet on Monday to decide on the internal election to…
labourlist.org
September 6, 2025 at 8:19 PM
🗳️ New: I've just heard the @teamlabouruk.bsky.social
party’s national executive committee (NEC) will meet on Monday to decide on the internal election to replace Angela Rayner as deputy leader.
More here on the latest:
labourlist.org/2025/09/labo...
party’s national executive committee (NEC) will meet on Monday to decide on the internal election to replace Angela Rayner as deputy leader.
More here on the latest:
labourlist.org/2025/09/labo...
🏨 New: Another Labour-run council weighs up its options for using planning law to stop a local hotel housing asylum seekers in the wake of Epping judgement.
Latest here from Stevenage, which had already threatened enforcement action before the High Court case:
labourlist.org/2025/08/asyl...
Latest here from Stevenage, which had already threatened enforcement action before the High Court case:
labourlist.org/2025/08/asyl...
Asylum hotels: Another Labour council weighs options for planning law action - LabourList
Another Labour-run council - Stevenage - is weighing up its options for using planning law to stop a hotel housing asylum seekers in the wake of the Epping High Court judgement, Tom Belger reports.
labourlist.org
August 21, 2025 at 12:05 PM
🏨 New: Another Labour-run council weighs up its options for using planning law to stop a local hotel housing asylum seekers in the wake of Epping judgement.
Latest here from Stevenage, which had already threatened enforcement action before the High Court case:
labourlist.org/2025/08/asyl...
Latest here from Stevenage, which had already threatened enforcement action before the High Court case:
labourlist.org/2025/08/asyl...
Reposted by Tom Belger
I wrote about my often fairly miserable time on the doorstep last summer hearing just how much the public hates politicians, and how Labour hasn't – and maybe can't – deal with the anti-politics that feeds Reform:
labourlist.org/2025/07/labo...
labourlist.org/2025/07/labo...
'One year on, Labour still hasn't reckoned with collapsing trust in politics' - LabourList
I spent the general election campaign travelling the country for LabourList, visiting marginal seats, talking to candidates and knocking…
labourlist.org
July 3, 2025 at 6:40 AM
I wrote about my often fairly miserable time on the doorstep last summer hearing just how much the public hates politicians, and how Labour hasn't – and maybe can't – deal with the anti-politics that feeds Reform:
labourlist.org/2025/07/labo...
labourlist.org/2025/07/labo...
Reposted by Tom Belger
◀️ Almost two-thirds of members said they want to see Labour move to the left
Poll: Majority of Labour members want party to move to the left - LabourList
A majority of Labour members want the party to move to the left, according to exclusive polling by Survation for LabourList.
labourlist.org
June 29, 2025 at 9:42 AM
◀️ Almost two-thirds of members said they want to see Labour move to the left
Up bright and early to talk all things Labour on BBC Breakfast in Media City…on at 7.30.
No prizes for guessing we’ll be talking welfare
No prizes for guessing we’ll be talking welfare
June 29, 2025 at 5:52 AM
Up bright and early to talk all things Labour on BBC Breakfast in Media City…on at 7.30.
No prizes for guessing we’ll be talking welfare
No prizes for guessing we’ll be talking welfare
Reposted by Tom Belger
🤨 One Labour insider: “Whoever ‘hand-picked’ this new intake is probably going to have a tough quarterly assessment."
Editor @tombelger.bsky.social writes on how Labour's tight grip on selections didn't yield as loyal 'Starmtroopers' as planned:
labourlist.org/2025/06/welf...
Editor @tombelger.bsky.social writes on how Labour's tight grip on selections didn't yield as loyal 'Starmtroopers' as planned:
labourlist.org/2025/06/welf...
Welfare reform: 'So much for new Labour MPs being ultra-loyal Starmtroopers' - LabourList
Some 59 of the 108 first signatories of the reasoned amendment opposing welfare cuts are new Labour MPs. Weren't the newbies in the class of '24 supposed to be ultra-loyal "Starmtroopers"?
labourlist.org
June 25, 2025 at 8:30 AM
🤨 One Labour insider: “Whoever ‘hand-picked’ this new intake is probably going to have a tough quarterly assessment."
Editor @tombelger.bsky.social writes on how Labour's tight grip on selections didn't yield as loyal 'Starmtroopers' as planned:
labourlist.org/2025/06/welf...
Editor @tombelger.bsky.social writes on how Labour's tight grip on selections didn't yield as loyal 'Starmtroopers' as planned:
labourlist.org/2025/06/welf...
'Our choices are Labour choices,' Rachel Reeves says in the Spending Review speech.
A definite new emphasis on Labour being Labour...
A definite new emphasis on Labour being Labour...
🌹“In this review, we’re making Labour choices," Darren Jones tells members.
It's a long way from the old 'country first, party second' messaging - is Labour finally trying to sound more Labour-y in its Spending Review?
@tombelger.bsky.social writes:
labourlist.org/2025/06/uk-s...
It's a long way from the old 'country first, party second' messaging - is Labour finally trying to sound more Labour-y in its Spending Review?
@tombelger.bsky.social writes:
labourlist.org/2025/06/uk-s...
Spending Review: Labour tried looking prudent. Do we now want to look lavish? - LabourList
Watch the Spending Review today – at 12.30pm – for signs Labour wants to look Labour and turn on the public spending taps, not turn them off.
labourlist.org
June 11, 2025 at 11:49 AM
'Our choices are Labour choices,' Rachel Reeves says in the Spending Review speech.
A definite new emphasis on Labour being Labour...
A definite new emphasis on Labour being Labour...
Great to interview @andyburnham.bsky.social (on a northbound Northern line train, naturally) on:
🕊️ His view on Labour's 'wings' and 'factionalism'
💷 The Spending Review
⚖️How the whip system could be radically overhauled
labourlist.org/2025/06/spen...
🕊️ His view on Labour's 'wings' and 'factionalism'
💷 The Spending Review
⚖️How the whip system could be radically overhauled
labourlist.org/2025/06/spen...
Interview: Burnham on party factions, spending review and scrapping the whip - LabourList
“A Northerner in London, this is what happens,” jokes Andy Burnham as we hurl ourselves back off a Tube train we had just boarded in the wrong direction.
labourlist.org
June 11, 2025 at 7:14 AM
Great to interview @andyburnham.bsky.social (on a northbound Northern line train, naturally) on:
🕊️ His view on Labour's 'wings' and 'factionalism'
💷 The Spending Review
⚖️How the whip system could be radically overhauled
labourlist.org/2025/06/spen...
🕊️ His view on Labour's 'wings' and 'factionalism'
💷 The Spending Review
⚖️How the whip system could be radically overhauled
labourlist.org/2025/06/spen...
📈 Great to see LabourList's exclusive Labour member polling by the top team at Survation featured on @skynewsrss.bsky.social on Sunday.
Lots more to come on @labourlist.bsky.social from the survey, including on members' views on the Spending Review - with snippets featured here:
Lots more to come on @labourlist.bsky.social from the survey, including on members' views on the Spending Review - with snippets featured here:
June 9, 2025 at 1:46 PM
📈 Great to see LabourList's exclusive Labour member polling by the top team at Survation featured on @skynewsrss.bsky.social on Sunday.
Lots more to come on @labourlist.bsky.social from the survey, including on members' views on the Spending Review - with snippets featured here:
Lots more to come on @labourlist.bsky.social from the survey, including on members' views on the Spending Review - with snippets featured here:
🔥Top reporting and graphics by my colleague @dangreenjourno.bsky.social for this coverage, picked up across the media today.
🌹 New: Our latest exclusive Labour member polling with Survation is out - with four stories now live:
1. Almost all cabinet ministers - including Reeves, especially Rayner - have seen a bump in approval ratings among Labour members over the past two months:
1/4
labourlist.org/2025/06/cabi...
1. Almost all cabinet ministers - including Reeves, especially Rayner - have seen a bump in approval ratings among Labour members over the past two months:
1/4
labourlist.org/2025/06/cabi...
June 6, 2025 at 8:31 AM
🔥Top reporting and graphics by my colleague @dangreenjourno.bsky.social for this coverage, picked up across the media today.
Reposted by Tom Belger
🌹The council leader warned that without addressing the “root causes”, Farage could make serious gains and even be the next Prime Minister. “Without those Red Wall seats, there is no second term. It’s done.”
Read more here:
labourlist.org/2025/06/spen...
Read more here:
labourlist.org/2025/06/spen...
Spending Review: Councils demand cash to stave off bankruptcy – and Reform - LabourList
A string of councils could be left in serious financial difficulties - and Reform could make further gains - without additional funding for local authorities, a leading council leader has warned ahead...
labourlist.org
June 5, 2025 at 1:43 PM
🌹The council leader warned that without addressing the “root causes”, Farage could make serious gains and even be the next Prime Minister. “Without those Red Wall seats, there is no second term. It’s done.”
Read more here:
labourlist.org/2025/06/spen...
Read more here:
labourlist.org/2025/06/spen...
Great result for Labour.
🌹 Anas Sarwar said the result was the "first path to electing a Scottish Labour government next year"
Hamilton by-election: Labour reaction after surprise Holyrood gain from SNP - LabourList
Scottish Labour has confounded expectations to win the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election - a result hailed by party figures as a sign of growing momentum ahead of elections to Holyrood nex...
labourlist.org
June 6, 2025 at 8:30 AM
Great result for Labour.
A big intervention from the GM mayor just ahead of the Spending Review...notable how wide-ranging the policies he sets out are (to rapturous applause at the @compassoffice.bsky.social conference)
📣 New: Andy Burnham has set out a wide-ranging critique of the government and alternative left policy programme in an impassioned speech to a progressive conference.
He suggests Labour must move beyond "factionalism" and "too much timidity in our offer".
labourlist.org/2025/05/andy...
He suggests Labour must move beyond "factionalism" and "too much timidity in our offer".
labourlist.org/2025/05/andy...
'Too much timidity and factionalism': Burnham issues a radical rallying cry - LabourList
Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has set out a wide-ranging critique of the government and alternative left policy…
labourlist.org
May 31, 2025 at 4:39 PM
A big intervention from the GM mayor just ahead of the Spending Review...notable how wide-ranging the policies he sets out are (to rapturous applause at the @compassoffice.bsky.social conference)
@miattafahnbulleh.bsky.social , the one minister at @compassoffice.bsky.social’s #radicalrenewal conference today in London, calls for a ‘new economic model’.
May 31, 2025 at 3:09 PM
@miattafahnbulleh.bsky.social , the one minister at @compassoffice.bsky.social’s #radicalrenewal conference today in London, calls for a ‘new economic model’.
📣 'We've had New Labour and Blue Labour. It's now time for Lou Labour.'
Neal Lawson introduces @louisehaighmp.bsky.social at @compassoffice.bsky.social's #RadicalRenewal conference to give a speech ahead of the spending review.
She says Labour's too often chosen 'caution and consensus'
Neal Lawson introduces @louisehaighmp.bsky.social at @compassoffice.bsky.social's #RadicalRenewal conference to give a speech ahead of the spending review.
She says Labour's too often chosen 'caution and consensus'
May 31, 2025 at 9:56 AM
📣 'We've had New Labour and Blue Labour. It's now time for Lou Labour.'
Neal Lawson introduces @louisehaighmp.bsky.social at @compassoffice.bsky.social's #RadicalRenewal conference to give a speech ahead of the spending review.
She says Labour's too often chosen 'caution and consensus'
Neal Lawson introduces @louisehaighmp.bsky.social at @compassoffice.bsky.social's #RadicalRenewal conference to give a speech ahead of the spending review.
She says Labour's too often chosen 'caution and consensus'