Andrew is right - austerity meant severe cuts to non social care spending by councils and at the same time council tax went up in real terms. Councils had no other choice. And so no wonder people are so fed up

New YIMBY Pod! - Why does the BBC seem to hate the Universal theme park?! - And why Thames Water SHOULDN’T be nationalised, with @danmead.bsky.social ! www.abundancepod.com/p/the-bbcs-a...

After the bruising local election losses last week. Labour needs an answer on how it holds together its broad electoral coalition. My colleague @christabelcoops.bsky.social has a paper out today giving our response

Today marks the launch of ThinkLabour! 🌹We are a unique political organisation dedicated to helping Labour govern confidently, win elections, and deliver lasting change.Here is what we are building 👇

Pleased to once again get the chance to make the case for compulsory voting, this time in a report for Labour Together. I set out why compulsory voting would rebalance British democracy towards a more long-termist progressive politics.

Reclaiming the Future – the founding essay of @arguablymag.bsky.social To defy the twin foes of populism and fatalism, progressives must put ideas back at the centre of their politics and draw on the greatest thinkers from their past: Keynes, Crosland and Rawls. www.arguably.uk/p/reclaiming...

Could street votes be the key to unlocking the UK’s housing crisis? Our new paper with @britishprogress.org explores how ministers could turn to residents to help create thousands of new homes.

I know nationalising Thames Water sounds appealing, especially if you're on the left. But in a blog post today I argue it's actually the least progressive option available. If we care about clean rivers and lower bills, we need to make privatisation work. Here's my argument: 1/6

Speedrunning Tesco – plus mixed feelings about Artemis, Mormon gambling, and a council finance nightmare. (Odds and Ends #93) takes.jamesomalley.co.uk/p/speedrunni...

We've got a new game that puts you in the shoes of a council leader. Try to win re-election and avoid bankruptcy - it's difficult...

It is exactly this kind of remark that causes residents to lose trust in their council and in political parties. Kemi says "Lower taxes" but in reality West Sussex increased council tax by the maximum amount possible of 4.99% This is the absurdity of local government at the moment writ large.

I wrote this paper because too many people feel like they’re paying more and getting less from local government. Council tax keeps going up, but the services people actually see: bins, potholes, parks, libraries, street cleaning. Too often feel like they’re getting worse.