“Let a carrot be a carrot.” www.ft.com/content/cbe1...

We are seeing increased illiberalism, and anti-liberalism, in our politics. The Labour party has a responsibility, as a government and as a centre-left political tradition, to counter this illiberalism, which takes different forms. fabians.org.uk/hearts-and-m...

The consequences of Labour’s manifesto tax pledge continue to be significant. Real shame there wasn’t enough debate about it, particularly within the party. That it was a key pledge, though, is impossible to ignore: journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1...

But those choices were made, and there will surely be consequences to breaking such a clear commitment - including in terms of trust. Debate about tax and spend is much needed - it was in 2024, it is now - but the context is very relevant.

What an absolute hero Samir Zitouni is - doubtless he saved lives that day www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

One observation re. the Dutch election is the enduring strength of the far right (I am not fully subscribing to the 'shift back to the centre' narrative). I should be on ABC Australia News channel at around 11 CET to talk about this and to show my plants (again). www.youtube.com/live/vOTiJkg...

Think the budget discussion, specifically about tax rates and the big three, could use a little more acknowledgment of the costs of breaking a clear manifesto pledge, as I wrote here: journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...

Have written for the Conversation on Labour’s deputy leadership contest. Of course, one big thing has not changed: Labour’s difficulty governing, stemming from Starmer’s ideologically confusing leadership. theconversation.com/lucy-powell-...

We are seeing increased illiberalism, and anti-liberalism, in our politics. The Labour party has a responsibility, as a government and as a centre-left political tradition, to counter this illiberalism, which takes different forms. fabians.org.uk/hearts-and-m...

“Having a coherent ideology is an underappreciated way of avoiding or managing a busy, unpredictable political environment.” A renewed confidence in its liberal social democratic roots can help Labour shape the narrative, writes @karlpike.bsky.social ⬇️ fabians.org.uk/hearts-and-m...

Great to speak to @greenmirandahere.bsky.social for today's FT Inside Politics about the latest finding from our politics of (im)patience project, w/ @karlpike.bsky.social and @philipjcowley.bsky.social. www.ft.com/content/e984...

Some coverage from the FT today of our ongoing project on the politics of patience, and the Labour govt: www.ft.com/content/e984...

In one crisp para — & the 2 charts he highlights — @chrisgiles.ft.com bursts a huge number of “welfare” myths www.ft.com/content/ee67...

"In more positive news for the Lib Dems,..research carried out by [the party members project] after the 2024 election showed that the @libdems.org.uk were the most active of all the memberships of the political parties."

Reform in local govt, latest: www.ft.com/content/277c...

My contribution to this issue calls for Labour to counter the growing illiberalism in British politics.

Another fab read from Phil which mentions one of the best books written about Labour: Henry Drucker’s Doctrine and Ethos in the Labour Party.

Retrospectively removing indefinite leave to remain would be immoral and economically damaging. It would tear families apart. Attacking it as ‘potentially illegal’ is completely beside the point. Argue with the (awful) idea. Don’t try ’well, actually you can’t do that’.

We have to differentiate between defending the right of all to disagree and being indifferent to the impact of what is being said - the message from yesterday is not simply free speech is safe but that we need to work harder to counter those who claim division offers anything for our future.

Støre: “possible for the Social Democrats to win elections even when right-wing forces are on the rise in Europe” www.politico.eu/article/labo...

Radical right accommodation really does not work. New paper out with this exceptionally talented team @katharinalawall.bsky.social @robjohns75.bsky.social @drjennings.bsky.social @sarahobolt.bsky.social @zachdickson.bsky.social @danjdevine.bsky.social & @jack-bailey.co.uk doi.org/10.31235/osf...

This moment never ceases to excite. Out in shops on 9 Sept...

I have a new article out at @polstudies.bsky.social. In "Electoral Hope", I make the case that supposedly irrational "wishful thinking" is actually a crucial part of how voters make rational sense of their role in democracies. OA link: doi.org/10.1177/0032...

Today’s newsletter: on the Tory party’s lurching language:

New piece by @zoecrowther.bsky.social in @politicshome.bsky.social covering some of our ongoing research (w/ @karlpike.bsky.social @philipjcowley.bsky.social) into voters' time horizons and its implications for the current UK government's "politics of patience": www.politicshome.com/news/article...

📅Monday 23 June, 6.30pm📅 Does the #ConservativeParty have a future? Join us to hear @timbale.bsky.social, @nigelfletcher.bsky.social and the @newstatesman.com's @rmcunliffe.bsky.social discuss the Conservatives' problems and the challenges of opposition. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/does-the-c...

The Norwegian Labour party (Ap) has kept their newfound popularity for 3 months now, while the pop. right Progress Party (Frp) is down ~5pp. Elections coming up early September.

I may mention this, occasionally, over the next few months.

Tonight, we are exploring what the 1975 and 2016 referendums can teach us about ‘How to Win a Referendum on Europe’. We’re delighted to welcome Neil Carmichael, @sarahobolt.bsky.social and @anandmenon.bsky.social to QM, and to revisit @robertsaunders.bsky.social’s brilliant book, ‘Yes to Europe’!

Karl Pike (@karlpike.bsky.social): Social democracy is about equality

Our paper “Long-Term Time Horizons and Support for Public Investment” is open access @psjeditor.bsky.social (w/ @karlpike.bsky.social @philipjcowley.bsky.social). Whether the public supports policy that pays off in the long term depends on what “long term” means. doi.org/10.1111/psj.70040

Huge pleasure to work on this report, and IPPR’s new Decade of National Renewal programme, with the great Parth Patel, Jane Gingrich and Will Davies.

I'm thrilled to have been published in Past & Present. Diving into the fractious politics of rich-country macroeconomics after 1973, I use the neglected case of protectionist Keynesians to rethink what happened, and why. I highlight statecraft, geopolitics, and Maier's 'territoriality'. (1/2)

I’m old fashioned enough to think the BBC should be leading on what the deal is and what it means. Rather than the political claims from both sides.

Bit from my review of the book Get In for Party Politics. Can read the full thing here (log-in required): journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...

People have real problems believing Reform voters don't come from Labour, if not recently, then in the past. A small proportion do, but let's look at how far back you'd have to go now ...

Think this, plus an article from @morganj0nes.bsky.social earlier this week, correct re concern at how Labour reacts: pointing in different political directions, while the policy agenda continues to not really add up (in the case of raising the money to fund ‘the plan for change’, quite literally).

‘Reeves is pushing for Sir Keir Starmer to take an ambitious approach to removing EU trade barriers.’ Positive from the chancellor speaking to the FT. www.ft.com/content/f51a...

My book launch is tomorrow. I’ll be chatting to Aditya Chakrabortty about all things contemporary politics and how we can make sense of it. Anyone in Bath/Bristol, come along!

On Tuesday March 25th in Bath, I will be in conversation with the brilliant Aditya Chakrabortty to mark the launch of my new book, HOW TO THINK ABOUT POLITICS. Tickets are free, you can book and find more details here — tiny.cc/HTTAPlaunch

Huge pleasure working with Karl, Eunice and Craig on Renewal - & really looking forward to seeing what @morganj0nes.bsky.social, @dmk1793.bsky.social, Lise Butler & Jack Jeffrey do with the journal going forward. Some of my favourite pieces from last 2 years, all of which hold up pretty well: 🧵

And there was a bit on Brexit, discussing a piece from @stellacreasy.bsky.social in the issue.

Here’s what we said in the opening paragraphs:

The print copy of the most recent Renewal arrived recently, completing this volume and our last as the current editorial team.

what's particularly bonkers is the sheer expense, political effort, complicated negotiations and pain for exporters - for a result which the public have now largely disowned

This will be a brilliant read, really looking forward to it.

The @labour4europe.bsky.social has campaigned for the UK to join PEM as one way to help cut the red tape and costs brexit has caused for British business because it reduces the paperwork connected to the rules of origin requirements. This is very welcome news - www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Latest piece for @thehousemag.bsky.social... It's only partly about Votes at 16. It's just as much about being honest when you make a mistake. www.politicshome.com/thehouse/art...