The relationship with Donald Trump has killed the Starmer brand. Starmer came to office promising to respect voters, tell hard truths and prioritise substance over slogans and soundbites. By refusing to step out of line from Trumpian fantasy, he undermines each of those commitments.

Marvellous column by @edwardluce.bsky.social on Trump’s new world order: “no obvious rules, does not respect allies, celebrates the jungle and is almost always about money”:

If rumblings about Special Needs changes are true,they'll place huge pressures on schools, in the absence of the necessary resources.Also, taking rights away & putting schools in the driving seat would be a retrogressive move: the Labourism of institutions rather than the empowerment of families 1/2

Our best family tradition! The brilliant @hackneyempire.bsky.social panto on Christmas Eve. And this year’s was one of the best!

#OpenAccess from @poppublicsphere.bsky.social - The Relational Method: How Community Organizing Can Reshape University Research - https://cup.org/4pIlRLX - Amanda Tattersall & @mds49.bsky.social#OpenAccess #FirstView

NOW OUT ON FIRSTVIEW!! The #Relational #Method: How #Community #Organizing Can Reshape #University #Research By @amandatattersall.bsky.social & @mds49.bsky.social doi.org/10.1017/S153...

New Substack post from me... it's free, so subscribe if you fancy it maybeimamazed.substack.com/p/thank-you-...

ECHR Reform: A Danger of Contagion in Relation to Article 3 Veronika Fikfak from @uclspp.bsky.social on the propsed changes to the ECHR. ukconstitutionallaw.org/2025/12/09/v...

It's right to explore what's driving increased prevalence & what support people need. But as @johnharris1969.bsky.social says, in "a country in which questioning other people’s needs is almost becoming a national sport" the government risks stoking a toxic debate www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

For generations, the Trafalgar Square Christmas tree has brought light to the heart of London. Thank you, Norway, for this gift of friendship since 1947.

“Place is where trust is built or broken. So, place must be our orienting principle.” It was a pleasure to welcome @joshsimonsmp.bsky.social to Britain Renewed 2026 with @futuregovforum.bsky.social to discuss how we can drive a new era in public service reform.

Fancy reading an unashamedly unfinished history of relational public services? @nick80.bsky.social asked his Linkedin network if such a thing existed. @simonparker.bsky.social, @antlerboy.com and I had a go, drawing on 200 comments on Nicks post. Its a fascinating story www.ucl.ac.uk/policy-lab/n...

I'm really delighted to announce that- in a restructure of the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk’s senior team - I've appointed @gemmatetlow.bsky.social to the new role of Executive Director of Research & Innovation & @alexgathomas.bsky.social to the new role of Executive Director of Impact & Influence

If the Chancellor had told the OBR what the Home Secretary says here is a firm commitment of the government, she would need > £7.5 billion of tax rises or spending cuts to afford to lift the two child limit. The fiscal forecast is based on not cutting immigration further & it drifting up to > 300k

Praise where praise is due: scrapping the two-child benefit cap is an excellent move. And the most consequential of any of the measures announced today.

Distributional analysis published alongside the Budget shows that the poorest will benefit most from the measures - particularly due to welfare and public service improvements. Source: www.gov.uk/government/p...

New research shows that empowered local communities are most effective at responding to crises. A new report from Lauren Andres @thebartlettucl.bsky.social and Jennifer Constantine takes lessons from COVID-19 for how we build resilience. www.ucl.ac.uk/policy-lab/n...

Question on Monday Is it now your principle that every Ukranian refugee in Britain should leave, must leave once it is safe + that they will all be made to leave?

The whole of the HMRC Board got me to present to them about the opportunities and risks of AI about 18 months ago and my main messages were be very careful with high stakes decision making and remember the Horizon Post Office scandal which was about governance and accountability…

Our universities can save us from America's political division New research shows Britain is proud of its institutions’ ability to foster disagreement By James Baggaley

Our new report with @uclpolicylab.bsky.social, Shared Institutions, is a deep dive of public opinion on universities. At a top level Britons feel positively about our universities impact on the UK & their local area. But emerging divides show the sector can’t take public opinion for granted

Our new report Shared Institutions with @moreincommonuk.bsky.social explores the public's view of universities. We find universities encapsulate the challenges facing a range of Britain's institutions. Strong support remains, but gaps are emerging among reform voters. www.ucl.ac.uk/policy-lab/n...

Love this new video from @johnharris1969.bsky.social - perfectly captures the beautiful spirit of a town I know so well from childhood. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

The education system is failing too many working-class pupils, but we can turn it around. Jonathan Slater, Former Perm Sect at the Department for Education on BBC Radio 4 Today, discussing a new report from the UCL Policy Lab on how we can improve standards for poorer pupils.

Not close in the end

Stephen Bush on the extraordinary draft legislation which Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp, Matt Vickers, Katie Lam and backbench colleagues have proposed in parliament It is a proposal that would seek to deport around 5% of the resident population, including over a quarter of a million with ILR

Hadn’t, in truth, really absorbed the scale of what the Conservatives are proposing on ILR and immigration more broadly until this week’s Sunday Times interviews. Some thoughts on that in today’s note:

Great piece from @drodrik.bsky.social which echoes themes in our report about net zero (above) - there is a need to take action at local levels for national and global issues to engage communities and make a tangible difference to people’s lives on.ft.com/4ojhXIh

Interested in cities, places, connectivity, & planning? Applications are open for fully-funded UCL ESRC doctoral studentships through the UBEL partnership. The deadline is 10 November. See further details & eligibility criteria at ubel-dtp.ac.uk/postdoctoral... Contact [email protected]

My hero is a farmer, not a duck. Which will only make sense if you read this new piece by me, the start of a new substack which I am bravely calling How To Run A Country. howtorunacountry.substack.com/p/its-the-de...

Interesting and troubling report/thread here on vulnerability of scientific bodies to politicisation, something the public do not want and is not in there interest but could happen nonetheless if politicians with selective or hostile views on science and evidence were in charge

Congratulations to Maria Corina Machado, recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize - her incredible optimism has already changed her country. I spoke to her, and wrote about her, at the beginning of this year: www.theatlantic.com/internationa...

Happy World Mental Health Day - may you be free from stress, stigma or fear.

At #Lab25 conference it was clear ministers are committed to investment at local level via the £5bn Pride in Place plan, but its delivery will be critical. Read a new report by FGF & @localtrust.org.uk which has our recommendations for government 🔽 www.futuregovernanceforum.co.uk/resource/mis...

Wonderful and thoroughly deserved news! Congratulations @hahrie.bsky.social

Thank you to everyone who joined us in Manchester for this year's Conservative Conference, for excellent, packed-out conversations - from the future of conservatism and public service reform, to how we can rebuild social cohesion.

Not long left to get your tickets for #Locality25 Convention. Workshops include delivering the government’s ‘Neighbourhood Health Service’; building belonging in times of division; and community ownership across the world. 🎟️Tickets: https://locality.org.uk/events/locality-convention/tickets

Join us at the Conservative Party conference in Manchester. Firs up on Monday ➡️ Conservative Thinking at the Crossroads: Where Next for the Right?

The new 10 Year Health Plan for England promises to shift more care from hospitals into the community, but history shows how hard this ambition is to deliver. Our research explores lessons from Denmark and Ireland, two countries pursuing bold reforms to rebalance care.

Standing with my Jewish neighbours in the rain close to Heaton Park Shul. Antisemitism has been on the rise. When I go to Mass, there’s no security on the door. My kids don’t have drills to prepare for a possible attack. We can’t defeat hate with more hate, only with love, togetherness and action.

Congratulations to Dame Sarah Mullally DBE on her historic appointment as the Archbishop of Canterbury. As Bishop of London for the past seven years, she has shown remarkable leadership and dedication to our city - I know she’ll continue this vital work in her new role.

Is community Labour’s new big idea? Our @uclpolicylab.bsky.social reflections from Labour Party conference here: www.ucl.ac.uk/policy-lab/n...

We're really pleased to be a part of an important new initiative: A Nation of Neighbours. As @pollycurtis.bsky.social and @mds49.bsky.social write, "We need to flip the script. Enable the communities that are already leading to shape the national agenda — not the other way around."

We were joined by leaders from across Britain for a celebration of what brings us together. In partnership with @citizensuk.org @moreincommonuk.bsky.social and @belongnetwork.bsky.social. Thank you to all those who came along.

Another stunning morning in Liverpool and more fringe panels ahead …. If you are here come join us to talk about the future of the NHS at 9.15am downstairs in the ACC.

People powered reform: how can we put civil society at the heart of public service reform? In partnership with @demos-uk.bsky.social. Featuring @georgiagould.bsky.social and @anooshc.bsky.social.

Changing culture conflicts: where next for the culture wars and EDI? In partnership with @moreincommonuk.bsky.social and @ox.ac.uk.

Rebalancing the economy: how can Britain foster growth and opportunity across the country?

I was delighted to contribute to this excellent @uclpolicylab.bsky.social & @powertochange.org.uk essay collection on “Labour and the communitarian tradition”, alongside @ewallis.bsky.social, @mds49.bsky.social, @caitprowle.bsky.social, @kirstymcneill.bsky.social & @andyburnham.bsky.social

Beautiful morning in Liverpool as we start the @uclpolicylab.bsky.social programme at the Labour Party conference. Opening this morning with a conversation with the Attorney General on the rule of law.