hSlavery, trad wives and surveillance: The politics of Jane Austen Podcast with Austen scholar Bharat Tandon on why attempts by the alt-right to claim her and by the radical left to denounce her will always fail tps://comment.press/janeite30

The weird roots of wokeness – holiday read from me on why the politics that comes from US universities seems so strange to traditional left-wingers comment.press/woke30

Parth Patel and Nick Garland essay on national identity and ethnonationalism for @ippr.org www.ippr.org/articles/the...

The weird roots of wokeness – holiday read from me on why the politics that comes from US universities seems so strange to traditional left-wingers comment.press/woke30

Reposting to listen to later. I found Jane Austen, the Secret Radical fascinating (and persuasive) and am currently reading up on enclosures, which are a big concern in Emma and which I want to flip on their head for my #WIP version.

hSlavery, trad wives and surveillance: The politics of Jane Austen Podcast with Austen scholar Bharat Tandon on why attempts by the alt-right to claim her and by the radical left to denounce her will always fail tps://comment.press/janeite30

“Prince” Andrew’s other scandal: How did such a minor royal become so majorly rich? Holiday read from me (£ but free trial) comment.press/andy26

“The lies of Brexit never fade” Xmas read from me on how Hilary Mantel’s disillusionment with Britain speaks for the millions who lost faith in their country when it embarked on a course of clownish self-harm comment.press/mantel29

Compare and contrast this deeply sick Stephen Miller tweet (left) with the rhetoric that was used on people like his ancestors when they immigrated to the United States (right): newrepublic.com/article/2041...

Predictions for British politics in 2026 will be even tougher than usual because I think we are potentially near inflection points for both Lab and Con - if current steep declines continue, that will soon provoke leadership crisis/challenge which will change poll dynamics.

Trump's bid for regime change in Europe is unpopular with voters - splitting populist voters France 11-65 (but 25-43 among National Rally) Germany 13-66 (but 32-35 among the AfD vote) Britain 24-55 (but 48-30 among Reform UK) Reform voters more pro-Trump than AfD or FN/NR

What if autism is not a single condition, but several? Research into the spectrum’s enormous diversity could help lead to better treatments and interventions

“The lies of Brexit never fade” Xmas read from me on how Hilary Mantel’s disillusionment with Britain speaks for the millions who lost faith in their country when it embarked on a course of clownish self-harm comment.press/mantel29

This is an interesting appraisal of Matt Goodwin by @nickcohen.bsky.social nickcohen.substack.com/p/slobbery-a...

Crime has collapsed since the 1990s. We are living in a happier world. But because mainstream politicians and journalists don't tell the truth, the liars run riot. Piece from me about how Trump and Farage exploit bogus fears of a migrant-driven crime wave comment.press/crime1228

“I’m not dreaming of an all-white Christmas” Interview with Richard Coles on the far-right’s move into Christianity. Plus, long reads from me on how supporters of Putin and Trump exploit homophobia comment.press/coles1225

Crime has collapsed since the 1990s. We are living in a happier world. But because mainstream politicians and journalists don't tell the truth, the liars run riot. Piece from me about how Trump and Farage exploit bogus fears of a migrant-driven crime wave comment.press/crime1228

A reasonable interpretation of the Trump-Vance play is they are telling Europe that in unless it gifts Greenland to the US we will abandon Europe to Russia. So our madman leader is now simultaneously attempting to take all of Venezuela's oil and a big chunk of mineral-rich European territory.

Miniature musical instrument makers admit defeat as violin size requirement for story is declared "too small to build."

Imran’s case illustrates how we are moving into a world where plutocratic & political power are merging. Media owners like Musk facilitate propaganda that suits right-wing politicians. They use power of the state to punish anyone who threatens their business interests by holding them accountable.

“J.K. Rowling won’t play nice” – long read on why her refusal to conform helps make her a great writer. (£ but there are free trials on offer) nickcohen.substack.com/p/jk-rowling...

The decision of the Trump administration to target Imran Ahmed of the Center for Countering Digital Hate is deeply sinister. Ahmed’s crime was to expose the merger of MAGA with Silicon Valley. If they can come for him, they can come for anyone comment.press/2512im

“Prince” Andrew’s other scandal: How did such a minor royal become so majorly rich? Holiday read from me (£ but free trial) comment.press/andy26

The decision of the Trump administration to target Imran Ahmed of the Center for Countering Digital Hate is deeply sinister. Ahmed’s crime was to expose the merger of MAGA with Silicon Valley. If they can come for him, they can come for anyone comment.press/2512im

A transatlantic showdown over tech policy (as opposed to, say, net zero) could actually have a unifying & galvanising political effect within the EU. The union’s digital regulations are broadly popular and many voters actually want more, not fewer, controls on Big Tech. yougov.co.uk/technology/a...

Progressives don’t change the world by changing language Holiday read from me on how and why the left middle class’s endless attempts to police language on race, sexuality and disability fail to deliver real change.

I mean, these visa sanctions are a direct attack on the freedom of speech of UK citizens. I guess sovereignty only applies for some issues..... www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Progressives don’t change the world by changing language Holiday read from me on how and why the left middle class’s endless attempts to police language on race, sexuality and disability fail to deliver real change.

Interesting discussion between @nickcohen.bsky.social and the Rev Richard Coles, including a reminder that conservatives used to "try not to break things". Hard to believe now: youtu.be/vdvdBDZxphI?...

“I’m not dreaming of an all-white Christmas” Interview with Richard Coles on the far-right’s move into Christianity. Plus, long reads from me on how supporters of Putin and Trump exploit homophobia comment.press/coles1225

The UK will celebrate net emigration and depopulation come 2027. And by 2028 it will start to realise, with an ageing society and low growth, what a really silly thing it has done. The right will go "pro-natalist", the centre-left will be completely stuck.

I've launched my Writing from London newsletter on Substack. It’s an independent space for my journalism. Please sign-up as a free subscriber or as paying subscriber if you can afford to nick cohen.substack.com

I just wished for Matt Goodwin to have a very miserable Christmas and it looks like I'm getting my wish

It’s all so pathetic isn’t it

Immigration salience has less to do with aggregate Immigration numbers than - visibility of boats & asylum > visas - general vibes about integration - elite cues from media & political discourse in shaping public perceptions This is more true when immigration is falling then when it is rising

A bit overstated, but not by much. Anton is a paranoid fanatic whose racist ideology matches up well with Peter Thiel, Elon Musk, and tech guru Curtis Yarvin, who believe that democracy is incompatible with liberty and should be replaced by a government led by an unelected, wealthy tech-elite.

How Putin uses fear and bribery to intimidate the West Piece from me how the EU sold out Ukraine last night and how Trump will sell its freedom for Russian gold at the weekend. (Free to read but please subscribe)

Good piece by @nickcohen.bsky.social on the liberals who either support or refuse to criticise Hamas and its Iranian backers. They are supporting or giving a free pass to people who have nothing to offer the Palestinians except an unending attempt to kill Jews: open.substack.com/pub/nickcohe...

How Putin uses fear and bribery to intimidate the West Piece from me how the EU sold out Ukraine last night and how Trump will sell its freedom for Russian gold at the weekend. (Free to read but please subscribe)

Sobering piece from @nickcohen.bsky.social. 'America is not our friend or our ally. Indeed, it is going to great lengths to make it clear that it may soon be our enemy. The sooner we cut our ties the better.' Michael Anton: An American fanatic open.substack.com/pub/nickcohe...

Trump threatens democracy in Europe and the US Interview with Charlie Sykes on the menace from the far right comment.press/charlie1512

Labour is now threatening rights to appeal David Lammy’s “swift justice” is not justice at all comment.press/justice1412

The man who pledged that Trump’s America would support the European far right is a racial conspiracist, paranoid fantasist, and fake tough guy. Piece from me on America’s collapse into fanatical stupidity comment.press/michael1612

Plaid 33%, Reform 30%, Labour, Cons and Green around 10% in May 2026 Sennedd voting intention in Wales (YouGov for ITV Cymru Wales + Cardiff University), via Will Hayward willhaywardwales.substack.com/p/bombshell-...

A review of foreign interference in British democracy might close down some of the loopholes which make laundering foreign donations pretty straightforward. www.gov.uk/government/n...

The man who pledged that Trump’s America would support the European far right is a racial conspiracist, paranoid fantasist, and fake tough guy. Piece from me on America’s collapse into fanatical stupidity comment.press/michael1612

Trump threatens democracy in Europe and the US Interview with Charlie Sykes on the menace from the far right comment.press/charlie1512

@nickcohen.bsky.social open.substack.com/pub/thebante...