lots going on in the midst of which @georgewparker.bsky.social and I had time (before polling day) with Sadiq Khan, 10 years mayor, on his conspicuous longevity - a contrast with Downing St turnover. There's no consitutional block on running again, I note in passing ... www.ft.com/content/c42c...

Farage was asked for a Cameo clip to “talk about how the world is going to shit and how secret societies are controlling everything”. He appears to have volunteered several Jewish conspiracy references himself to that request. Wouldn't all hell break out if Corbyn/Polanski did this on camera too?

Completely unacceptable from the Board of Deputies. This nakedly partisan hypocrisy does not represent me or many other British Jews. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...

‘You don’t have to sell them on the idea’: how Celebrity Traitors has seduced the stars

I think it's fair to say that whatever's driving the rise in support for @zackpolanski.bsky.social's @greenparty.org.uk, it's not concern about pollution or the climate emergency.

Speaking on R4, new Reform Essex councillor Peter Harris says the party will be looking (among other places) at the £43m spent on taxis to schools as part of wider efforts to "potentially reallocate some... funds to meet with our priorities." The bulk of that will be transport for Send pupils.

Me and @elizabethsim0n.bsky.social are working on a paper using data from ~1991 that indicates Reform voters haven't been Labour voters since at least 1997.

In 2024, more than 78% of UK Seasonal Worker Scheme visas went to Central Asians. That’s up sharply from just a few years ago when the program was dominated by Ukrainians & Russians. It’s part of a broader trend https://bit.ly/48HhEC0

"For the first time in his life, my son found himself denying he was Jewish last week" - powerful column here from @robertshrimsley.bsky.social www.ft.com/content/f9ee...

Asylum seeker sent back to France in ‘one in, one out’ scheme to be returned to Syria

Immigration is falling sharply, so why haven't politicians noticed? Me in The New World thenewworld.substack.com/p/immigratio...

‘Dad, is it safe for me to get the bus?’ Stabbings solidify anxiety among London’s Jews ft.trib.al/auYo6Sm

Have lost track of the number of times I've had Westminster Village types (journalists, politicians, policy types) ask "what impact will votes at 16 have?" and all of them seem genuinely surprised when I say "virtually none". Its basic maths! There aren't enough 16-17 year olds to change much!

There is so much nonsense talked about votes for 16. Once you consider registration, turnout, that not everyone votes one way, it is perhaps likely to make a net 200-300 vote difference in seats where there is an age voting gap www.dailymail.com/news/article...

“While the NF’s John Tyndall or the British National Party’s Nick Griffin were never close to power, many of their old ideas now are… [having been] made respectable by liberal society.” My ‪@theobserveruk.bsky.social column: observer.co.uk/news/opinion...

Shoplifters aren't just bad to the bone or mums stealing nappies. The truth is more complex| Emily Kenway

A Reform UK candidate served as a "de facto diplomat" for the government of Hong Kong, staying in post well after imposition of the contentious National Security Law. My story here: as.ft.com/r/3570697c-d...

YouGov's London council election MRP forecasts breakthrough for the Greens and Reform UK in the capital, but with close races in many boroughs # of boroughs where party has highest vote share, central projection Lab: 15 (-6 from 2022) Con: 5 (-1) Grn: 4 (+4) LD: 4 (+1) Ref: 3 (+3) Oth: 1 (-1)

We are proud to support @localhistoryhub.bsky.social's #LocalHistoryDay Our Learning Manager Tia Shah explores why teaching local history is a great way of engaging young people on migration – and highlighting some digital resources to get you started: www.migrationmuseum.org/why-teaching...

On the part that Trump appeasement plays - traits that should have disqualified Mandelson were seen as credentials to be emissary at the court of a rogue president www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

New IfG report recommends devolving employment support. I think the case for this is very strong: if you look at a map of “where sickness related economic inactivity happens”, it is obvious that what you are seeing is primarily a problem of how local economies operate:

Reform pledges to review the previous 5 years of asylum grants if got into power - deporting those granted refugee status if came without permission. Reform claim 400,000 people granted asylum would be "in scope" - and they would deport most of them www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...

Tube strikes: how disruptive will action by London Underground drivers be?

Why higher pay hasn’t made young adults feel richer ft.trib.al/AwY2n0q | opinion

People seeking asylum navigate one of the most complex areas of law, often not in their first language

Fascinating.

Science can change lives. But only with public trust. New research by @moreincommonuk.bsky.social finds Britain broadly trusts science – but we can’t take that for granted. Find out more in our new report ⤵️ wellcome.org/insights/rep...

The number of people crossing by small boat this year compared to last year. The fall is very real and not seasonal. Little difference in numbers during the winter but since numbers increased in spring, half as many people are coming as this time last year. This is mainly because of European trends.

So improve reporting and investigation for domestic abuse overall. This drip feed of misleading claims making out that there is widespread abuse of the asylum system is going to harm those genuinely affected, and make it harder for them to seek safety. 1/ #r4today www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

BBC editorial staff should re-read their immigration review The corporation struggles to cover well stuff that is not politically contested or controversial It should cover controversial issues but it risks reinforcing major public misperceptions on key issues www.bbc.co.uk/news/enterta...

This is right, but I'd go further: winning the domestic argument on the free movement of people is what's needed to unlock anything further than the reset. That means Starmer has to repudiate many of his own arguments on migration. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

✍️ "This is a tragedy for individuals, but also means our economy is missing out on a huge amount of potential talent." The gap in attainment between richer and poorer pupils has lifelong implications - for both individuals and society. It must be tackled ⤵️

Londoners may regret protest votes for Reform or Greens in local elections, says Sadiq Khan

This analysis is total nonsense. 1. There is no chance at all that net migration will average 235k in 2026-27. It will be much closer to zero than 235k 2. There will be declining school pupil numbers & closures for demographic reasons www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/04...

"There is a problem with legal competence– the power for the EU to negotiate a full-fat youth mobility scheme enabling young people to travel, study and, crucially, work." @cbarnard.bsky.social & Denzil Davidson explain why youth mobility negotiations are so complex 🔗 ukandeu.ac.uk/youth-mobili...

A new piece on Labour's red lines on tax, Europe and migration. We think it's time for Labour to drop them.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has pledged £30m from this year’s budget to launch a ‘Youth Lates’ programme with a new youth club in every London borough www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

The economy and health are seen as the most important issues facing Scotland, ahead of the Holyrood election Economy: 55% Health: 45% Immigration: 33% Education: 20% Housing: 20% Independence: 14% Crime: 14% Europe: 14% Tax: 14% Environment: 12% Welfare: 12% Defence: 10% yougov.com/en-gb/articl...

There’s only 2 weeks to until our webinar with @uofgpolicy.bsky.social where Prof Kezia Dugdale, @profnicolamcewen.bsky.social & Dr Hefin Gwilym will explore what can the devolved governments do to address the cost-of-living crisis. Register now➡️ www.eventbrite.com/e/what-can-d...

‘Immigrants could be found in every corner of the Irish Free State….the 1920s were quite a globalised world’. (John Gibney)

'Licence to Hate - Racism on the Front Line' - BBC Radio 4 this Sunday 5th at 1.30pm Examining whether racism is becoming more frequent and visible, with a focus on healthcare workers - incl discussion with our @sundersays.bsky.social www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...

Our research internships are an opportunity for anyone looking to start a career in policy to gain experience working on some of the thorniest problems that the UK government faces. Watch as our 2025-26 cohort tell us more about the projects they work on - and what they are particularly proud of.

Changing the rules for migrants already here is wrong and unfair but only affects a finite group of people. Extending default settlement to 10 years or more for everyone is a social policy disaster. open.substack.com/pub/wewanted...

This is absolutely spot on from Emily Thornberry 👏

In an Istanbul market, I came across an old German phrase book – and a reminder of how not to speak to migrants | Carolin Würfel

Free school meals are a game-changer. Not only are we fuelling kids with healthy food, but our programme has unlocked £49m in extra funding for disadvantaged pupils. That’s a win for families and our schools. www.london.gov.uk/mayors-unpre...

Greater Manchester Police: We’ve concluded our investigation into alleged ‘family voting’ at last month’s Gorton and Denton by-election, finding no evidence of any intent to influence or refrain any person from voting.

Outdoor dining is officially returning to London’s streets this summer ☀️ UKHospitality Chair, Kate Nicholls, joined BBC Radio London to discuss how City Hall funding will help councils and businesses bring socialising back outside.