Public interest is about more than what creates economic growth. Efficiency, equity, certainty, the recognition of differences, accessibility, affordability, quality, decency, acceptability, environmental sustainability and meeting all matter too.

The Northern Irish Assembly has formally granted ‘democratic consent’ to the Windsor Framework. Here's what that means. politicalquarterly.org.uk/blog/the-nor...

Between 1969 and the peace deal in 1998, British soldiers killed hundreds of people in Northern Ireland, including many civilians. Should such collective state violence fade from scrutiny? What is the best way to hold it to account?

"MPs’ preferred policy instrument is a sticking plaster. Any well worked-out policy will have losers as well as winners, but MPs are not up for the challenge of putting across the big picture when they face angry and noisy constituents" - Deborah Mabbett

The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act of 2023 is quietly being repealed by the Labour government. So what might an alternative model for dealing with historical abuses by the Army in Northern Ireland look like?

If London is the economic engine of the UK, why is it home to millions who live in poverty? Could experimenting with more wide-ranging policy, and then fiscal devolution, empower the Mayor to make improvements directly?

As Labour faces challenges from Reform UK and the far right, football provides a civic space capable of countering their divisive narratives, where dignity, recognition and belonging are sustained. By Sam Taylor Hill

Is the idea that MPs are in touch with the real world through their constituency offices ill-founded? The Labour government needs to be bolder and braver—and this probably means listening less to its MPs, argues Deborah Mabbett.

London's housing crisis is a key driver of poverty in the capital. Following decades of failure, it must be treated as a national priority. Here's what policymakers can do.

Current Labour policy potentially restricts public input into the building of new houses. But the concept of public interest is ill-defined, contested, unevidenced and, too often, unchallenged.

This episode of 'Uncovering Politics' in partnership with @uclspp.bsky.social looks at proposals for democratic reform in the UK. What are the problems that reformers want to address, and is there any chance they’ll be implemented? Listen now:

In an era of populism, universities make an easy political target. Public opinion reflects a growing suspicion, with research-intensive universities distant from ‘left behind places’ . A solid base of citizen support is urgently needed to survive.

A striking feature of Rachel Reeves’s recent budget was the frequency with which she name-checked (or, more precisely, constituency-checked) backbench Labour MPs. But listening to MPs is not a substitute for good policy advice, argues Deborah Mabbett.

Households in poverty in London spend an average of 54% of their income on housing; in the rest of England, the average is 32%. What might policymakers do to try and address housing inequality in London? By @jwbrown.bsky.social & Joe Fyans

As Labour faces challenges from Reform UK and the far right, football provides a civic space capable of countering their divisive narratives, where dignity, recognition and belonging are sustained. By Sam Taylor Hill politicalquarterly.org.uk/blog/opportu...

Current Labour policy potentially restricts public input into the building of new houses. But the concept of public interest is ill-defined, contested, unevidenced and, too often, unchallenged. politicalquarterly.org.uk/blog/how-is-...

A REALLY great piece!

Depression. A sense permanent unease. Anger. Anxiety. Disorientation. Mourning for an old political reality. What are the mood effects of Trumpism, and what do they mean for democracy at large?

"One day they will all regret this. But, by then, it will be too late." Donald Sasson reviews 'One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This' by Omar El Akkad.

If London is the economic engine of the UK, why is it home to millions who live in poverty? Could experimenting with more wide-ranging policy, and then fiscal devolution, empower the Mayor to make improvements directly?

A striking feature of Rachel Reeves’s recent budget was the frequency with which she name-checked (or, more precisely, constituency-checked) backbench Labour MPs. But listening to MPs is not a substitute for good policy advice, argues Deborah Mabbett. politicalquarterly.org.uk/blog/the-lis...

Interested in democratic reform? Don't miss this episode of 'Uncovering Politics' in partnership with @uclspp.bsky.social. Experts examine two specific reform ideas: reforming party funding and giving smaller parties a stronger voice.

Could a version of Trump's attack on US universities happen here? Universities are increasingly criticised as elitist, self-serving and disconnected from the everyday lives of UK citizens. We must redefine their moral purpose.

For political philosophers, the recognition of disability, especially cognitive impairment, entails a revision of Rawlsian liberalism to incorporate something more bodily, social and relational. By Nick O'Brien.

London's housing crisis is a key driver of poverty in the capital. Following decades of failure, it must be treated as a national priority. Here's what policymakers can do.

Britain's universities face an acute financial and moral crisis, seen as being disconnected from the everyday lives of citizens. To regain trust and renew their social license, universities find new ways of engaging with places and communities.

London is home to shocking levels of inequality. Funds designed to increase growth or reduce inequality have for years ignored the city. And it may not benefit from Labour policy as an electoral stronghold. Could devolution help? By Graeme Atherton.

The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act of 2023 is quietly being repealed by the Labour government. So what might an alternative model for dealing with historical abuses by the Army in Northern Ireland look like?

Could a version of Trump's attack on US universities happen here under Reform? Universities are increasingly criticised as elitist, self-serving and disconnected from the everyday lives of UK citizens. We must redefine their moral purpose. politicalquarterly.org.uk/blog/attacki...

The policy answer (as many are pointing out) is tough. Labour's version of levelling-up runs into same problem Johnson and Sunak faced - hard fiscal reality, downstream of our low growth problem (this from 2021 @politicalquarterly.bsky.social article with @drjennings.bsky.social and Gerry Stoker)

In @politicalquarterly.bsky.social in 2021, Gerry Stoker, Lawrence McKay and I argued that "Levelling up creates opportunities for high-profile initiatives and symbols of change through which the government can craft a narrative of success".

Post the 2024 election this article examines how voters weigh competing policy platforms reveals which issues cut through the noise of party politics, & which speak most directly to voters’ everyday concerns. The author compares whether Labour to Reform “Switchers” differ from Labour loyalists.

What do ex-Labour Reform supporters believe in? Data shows estimated difference in support between “Labour Loyalists” and “Labour to Reform Switchers” By @lottehargrave.bsky.social. politicalquarterly.org.uk/blog/unity-a...

Depression. A sense permanent unease. Anger. Anxiety. Disorientation. Mourning for an old political reality. What are the mood effects of Trumpism, and what do they mean for democracy at large? politicalquarterly.org.uk/blog/how-tru...

Households in poverty in London spend an average of 54% of their income on housing; in the rest of England, the average is 32%. What might policymakers do to try and address housing inequality in London? By @jwbrown.bsky.social & Joe Fyans

We should retrieve the sense of political hope that animated the campaign for the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, and examine what community and the common good mean to us now. By Nick O'Brien.

Households in poverty in London spend an average of 54 per cent of their income on housing; in the rest of England, the average is 32 per cent. What might policymakers do to try and address housing inequality in London? politicalquarterly.org.uk/blog/why-is-...

The Government’s trials and inquests into historical abuses by the Army in Northern Ireland are narrowly focused on individuals and exceptional incidents. This ignores the "everyday violence" of colonialism, argues Matthew Whiting.

London is home to shocking levels of inequality. Funds designed to increase growth or reduce inequality have for years ignored the city. And it may not benefit from Labour policy as an electoral stronghold. Could devolution help? By Graeme Atherton. politicalquarterly.org.uk/blog/how-can...

Interested in democratic reform? Don't miss this episode of 'Uncovering Politics' in partnership with @uclspp.bsky.social. Experts examine two specific reform ideas: reforming party funding and giving smaller parties a stronger voice.

Labour's initiatives to cut red tape in the financial sector pose a threat to long-term economic well-being because they target regulations which have already been calibrated to balance risk and growth.

Between 1969 and the peace deal in 1998, British soldiers killed hundreds of people in Northern Ireland, including many civilians. Should such collective state violence fade from scrutiny? What is the best way to hold it to account? politicalquarterly.org.uk/blog/the-bri...

London, despite being the economic engine of the UK, is home to millions who live in poverty and shocking levels of inequality. Why is this? And how can it be addressed? politicalquarterly.org.uk/blog/how-can...

“Labour to Reform Switchers are not simply disillusioned Labour supporters but hold different preferences. Labour’s attempts to appeal to them may therefore be unsuccessful, and risk alienating its broader base”

Is it right for politicians and officials to use WhatsApp for official business? By @benworthy.bsky.social & @mrosenbaum.bsky.social

For a woman to be elected as US president, an astonishing convergence of events will need to have taken place to enable her to step through the hurdles and over the men in her way. By @profrosiecamp.bsky.social & @jonilo.bsky.social

AI policy is central to Labour’s agenda at all levels. But there is reason to be sceptical of their techno-solutionist approach. By @nathancritch.bsky.social & @drdarcyluke.bsky.social

What do ex-Labour Reform supporters believe in? Data shows estimated difference in support between “Labour Loyalists” and “Labour to Reform Switchers” By @lottehargrave.bsky.social.

This year, New York became the first city in the United States to introduce a congestion charge. And the temporary congestion charge introduced in Oxford was the first significant scheme in the UK since 2003. Is the congestion charge back in fashion? politicalquarterly.org.uk/blog/is-the-...

It is true that housing needs planning, but the Labour government’s single-minded focus on this issue has led it to ignore a host of ways in which the allocation of the existing housing stock could be improved, argues leading economist Christine Whitehead.