Congratulations to @beckyfrancis.bsky.social and team for producing a curriculum and assessment review that's evolutionary rather than throwing all the achievements of the last few years overboard. Lots of sensible recommendations. www.gov.uk/government/p...

This episode is superb as a survey of the pros and cons of electoral reform in the UK and the systems in use. Loved the quiz question: which Prime Minister won a Commons seat under the single transferable vote system?

Then add in an election in Wales which could see one two party system of a century’s standing (Lab vs Con) replaced with another (PC vs Ref) & Scottish Parl election which could see extinction of Scot Cons & rise of a new force on Scottish right - Reform - it’s a hugely consequential day everywhere

Could be four or more different two party systems by next GE in England plus different jams in Scotland and Wales: LD vs Ref - S Eng excl London Lab vs Ref - North & Midlands towns Con vs Ref - East coast, East Anglia Lab vs Grn - most of London, other big cities, uni towns

Imagine going back and telling the Aug 2024 Tories "In 14 months you'll be level with Labour" Or the 2019 Tories "In 2025, Labour will be polling 17%" Then showing them this.

Another way to frame this is that the poor vote for 'populists'.

Interesting thoughts on codified constitutions:

This is great on Labour's mispositioning and who their support base really is. Deeply rooted in our deep-seated views that mingle social and economic class, and assumptions about what kind of voter supports which party.

The interesting Q re: Polanski taking over the Greens is whether they can keep their strategic ambiguity that has allowed them to win in both progressive and nimby/Tory/conservationist areas.

Green Party of England & Wales Leadership Election Result: Zack Polanski: 84.6% ✅ E. Chowns & A. Ramsay: 15.4% Turnout: 24,265 (37.6%)

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My great great niece studied A Level Politics and after her gap year is to study Politics at University. She'll learn much more than I'll ever know!

Best A Level choice! ❤️

The twins both want to do politics A-level. I'm so happy.

In Parliament last week I hosted two very different groups! I welcomed Stroud GPs for a roundtable on GP training, and students from Thomas Keble for a tour. Both were excited to watch debates from the galleries — always a privilege to share how the legislative process works.

"anarcho-communist? oh, no, you misheard me. I'm an arachno-communist. I believe we shouldn't have private property, and also the only legitimate form of government is THE SPIDER"

🚨 NEW 🚨 Updated list of all the UK MPs on Bluesky 👇 Labour – 248 Liberal Democrats – 40 Conservative – 4 Green – 4 Independent – 3 SNP – 2 Alliance, Plaid Cymru, SDLP – 1 each And Commons Speaker @commonsspeaker.parliament.uk

Just updated the starter pack with @sarrajenkins.bsky.social and @politicsastar.bsky.social Teachers and professors of politics, journalists and pundits for A Level Politics Let me know if there's anyone missing or if you'd like to be added! go.bsky.app/UH3ZB49

Are you a teacher, run a youth group, or work with teenagers aged 16-18 in the UK? Can you help with a game experiment? It’s a game about running an election funded by the Electoral Commission. More info in 🧵, form to sign up here. forms.gle/TPhX39HjEgAC...

Would love to see an accompanying question where they are asked to define them.

Would warn strongly against over interpreting this as “Reform being ahead of Labour” remember there was a Tory/Reform cross over in some polls in the election tracking back these do seem clearly wide of the mark. Wait to see if this shows up in other polls and sustains overtime.

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Why on earth is 'inheritance tax' abbreviated to IHT?

Do you teach OCR African Kingdoms Alevel or African Kingdoms at KS3? Would you like to start? On Friday 25 April 2025, the Bristol Historical Association are hosting an afternoon of lectures on Early Modern African Kingdoms from an amazing group of academics. Free for Sixth Formers and Teachers!

Just updated the starter pack with @sarrajenkins.bsky.social and @politicsastar.bsky.social Teachers and professors of politics, journalists and pundits for A Level Politics Let me know if there's anyone missing or if you'd like to be added! go.bsky.app/UH3ZB49

Ed Balls

Anyone got any ideas of what to do with all the bookmarks you want to keep from the other place??

Political Currency Rest is Politics Oh God What Now PoliticsJoe Novara Media Political Dysfunction News Agents Power Test Rock n Roll Politics Americast Quiet Riot David Runciman’s Talking Politics History of Ideas Anarchist Essays In Our Time

Somebody was kind enough to include me in this starter pack. If pollsters and polling are your thing then there are many better commentators on this list: go.bsky.app/5PNH9Bg

A feed of UK MPs:

Have found 37 current UK MPs on Bluesky so far 👇 Please let me know if there are any we've missed

Many politics teachers teach history too, so:

X has a disproportionate influence over the stories the media covers and our political debate

Inflation eats incumbency for breakfast

One thing that the last few years has made very clear is that it's almost impossible for incumbents to survive high inflation. Regardless of ideology, parties held responsible have lost - or seen their position significantly worsen - nearly everywhere.

Well, it's 50/50 (take a close look)

I’ve just been elected school governor for my local high school. I’ve never done this before and don’t really know what to expect from the first meeting I attend. Anyone have any advice for how I can have a positive impact? Ideally without treading on toes?

I've set up a starter pack for A Level Politics - mostly commentators and journalists, a few politics teachers/departments who are already here: go.bsky.app/UH3ZB49

A quick thread for politics teachers of resources for the US election #politicsteacher #presidentialelection2024 #election2024

How about a mini design diary? This is how I made Poll & Write USA: a short 🧵 🎲✂️

Was it @lewisgoodall.bsky.social on News Agents who said he'd love to play an electoral college boardgame? Well I made a print-and-play one about the 2024 election! It's available to play on election night (though I imagine Lewis is too busy).

The UK having our election this year on 4th July and America having theirs on 5th November feels like an odd sort of cultural exchange between our two countries.

I've just launched Poll & Write USA: a print-and-play game to distract you from the real US election! 🎲✂️ www.kickstarter.com/projects/sam...

Harris has quite a lead among older women (65+).

Excited to see my article 'Balancing Politics and Parenthood' in EJPR is out. In a UK study, I find that the public do not punish MPs for taking parental leave. In fact, for women there is some electoral advantage. ejpr.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....

You thought 52/48 was close?

Do you teach US politics? We're looking for more authors to submit articles for The Think Tank regularly on the USA - with the obvious starting point for our next issue which goes out just after the election. Email me [email protected] for more information.

Some variant of this result is one you'll see a lot of at the locals next year I suspect.

Great starting point for bluesky users interested in UK politics: