Ten years ago, I coauthored a book on Mrs #Thatcher's rhetoric and oratory! How time flies. Over #Christmas I'll be finishing off a new book, this time looking at the oratory and rhetoric of a more recent Conservative Prime Minister... www.amazon.co.uk/Political-Rh...

Seen it all now. Here we have #AnimalFarm as a cute family comedy(!) It's not supposed to be light-hearted comedy with feel-good moments! www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8wL...

As #Christmas approaches, time to begin the traditions - such as the Victorian tradition of a ghost story at Christmas. Here is one told by Christopher Lee. www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAiF...

Many congratulations to the @livunipol.bsky.social students who are graduating today! A great achievement and a testament to your hard work! Well done!

It is a year since #Kemi #Badenoch became leader of the #ConservativeParty - she's had moments of excellence, esp in #PMQs (same as William Hague), but it has mostly been a difficult year. For 2026 to be better she needs a good story to tell that outlines why she wants to be PM.

Very enjoyable seminar this morning on #rhetoric in #BritishPolitics! Using ancient methods outlined by Aristotle, we discussed the extent to which they represent a valuable framework for modern politicians & their relationship with the media/voters. Great group of students with excellent questions!

Very enjoyable seminar this morning on #rhetoric in #BritishPolitics! Using ancient methods outlined by Aristotle, we discussed the extent to which they represent a valuable framework for modern politicians & their relationship with the media/voters. Great group of students with excellent questions!

Recently I lost 13 stone. Here's how! i) keep an eye on calories to ensure you have a calorie deficit between consumption and burning; ii) cleanse the system regularly with purges that flush the body; iii) drink plenty of water & eat fresh veg; iv) regular exercise; and v) consistency! Stick to it.

FUNDED PhDs! We are advertising for three ESRC-funded PhD scholarships! Any specialism permitted, depending on departmental supervision available. Spread the word! www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DPH631/e...

FUNDED PhDs! We are advertising for three ESRC-funded PhD scholarships! Any specialism permitted, depending on departmental supervision available. Spread the word! www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DPH631/e...

This shouldn't need saying but drivers should let the funeral procession pass in peace. We should just know not to do this. We really need to remember the social conventions of civility that make up society if this is where we are at. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

The #LabourDeputyLeadership results - #LucyPowell wins, with 87,407 votes (55%). Bridget Phillipson secured 73,536 (45%). Rayner was one of the few who may have appealed to #Labour voters considering #Reform. Can Powell? Could any contender?! Nominations: labour.org.uk/deputy-leade...

This is a great collection. Myself and Mark Bennister wrote the chapter on Liz Truss.

#Tuitionfees in England are to increase by the rate of inflation from next year. Fees have been frozen for a decade or so (bar the recent tiny increase) - with the value of the £ going down, 9k today is worth 6k, & cuts to int. students leaves a significant funding shortfall that's harder to absorb.

Delighted to contribute a chapter on Theresa May & her leadership of the #Conservatives for the new second edition of 'British Conservative Leaders' (eds. Charles Clarke, Toby James, Tim Bale, & Patrick Diamond). @livunipol.bsky.social @timbale.bsky.social www.bitebackpublishing.com/books/britis...

Hope everyone has a well deserved relaxing weekend! The last few weeks have been early morning starts and late night finishes, so very much looking forward to a weekend of rest. This year has hit the road running, which hopefully will settle back rather than intensify! Rest well, all.

An upcoming event for all HLC staff and GTAs looking at the use of AI in Higher Education. Register your interest here: www.ticketsource.co.uk/andrewroecri... @livunihss.bsky.social @livunipol.bsky.social

Always happy to do media work on #BritishPolitics, #communication, political #leadership, or #ideological tensions! I've previously contributed to UK national and international print & broadcast #media, which is always an enjoyable experience!

Simon Amstell has a new show - I love It Here. Playing only four times in London, there is a sense of exclusivity! Also, has to be asked... has he been in the gym?! The geeky style has transformed into a different type of geek(!) www.iloveithereshow.com

Congratulations to all @livunipol.bsky.social postgraduate students submitting your thesis! It's a great moment and one which opens doors to many more opportunities which we can help with. Keep in touch after graduation - see you then!

One of the last beach walks of the summer! (It's still summer, despite what the aisles in supermarkets seem to think!)

This is making Change UK look well organised and delivered! There are serious issues outlined below which make this a bit... toxic.

Call for Papers! My PhD student, @josefnicholson.bsky.social is organising a 'Work in Progress Seminar Series' for early career & PGR students with an interest in Archaeology, Classics and Egyptology! Review and/or pass it on to anyone interested - contact details for Josef are on the CfP. Enjoy!

Call for Papers! My PhD student, @josefnicholson.bsky.social is organising a 'Work in Progress Seminar Series' for early career & PGR students with an interest in Archaeology, Classics and Egyptology! Review and/or pass it on to anyone interested - contact details for Josef are on the CfP. Enjoy!

Thus far, we have Paula Barker, Alison McGovern, Bridget Phillipson, Lucy Powell, Bell Ribeiro-Addy, Emily Thornberry standing for #Labour's deputy leader. Nominations close on 11 Sept, with CLPs opening from 13th-27th ahead of ballots opening on 8th-23rd Oct. Result: Oct 25th.

Very much looking forward to meeting new @livunipol.bsky.social students next week! Especially welcoming them to the British Politics #POLI101 module, which is a large team-taught module and is delivered by a wide range of well-published scholars! Will be great!

An evidence-based article on the interstellar comet that entered our solar system recently. It led to speculation of it being aliens because of the speed of the object, which is very high. But in reality it's a comet which picked up speed over billions of year. Read: arxiv.org/abs/2508.02934

Calling prospective PhD Students! Below is a summary of the key areas of expertise which I'd be content providing primary supervision! UK, Comparative, or global perspectives welcome. #FindAPhD

An interesting and extensive interview with Simon Amstell on a wide range of topics, including therapy, chocolate cake, sex, acceptance, enjoyment, & connecting perspectives with audiences (as well as interpreting and adopting counter-positions). Well worth a watch! www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibuJ...

My #summer leave ends in a few days, which I've spent relaxing, reading, exercise, and the occasional check of emails! Oh and catching up with a few good films, too. The #Holdovers is a good film, whilst Catch Me If You Can is fun! #ViennaBlood is a hugely underrated TV drama, along with #Avenue5.

Congratulations to all #Alevel #students who got the grades they need for #university! Thinking about doing a #Politics degree? Here are some helpful pointers from Prof. Stuart Wilkes-Heeg @stuartwilksheeg.bsky.social buff.ly/DQYqZSh #alevelresultsday2025 #resultsday2025 #resultsday #alevelresults

Good luck to everyone getting their #results tomorrow! Well done and congratulations! The doors are opened to the next chapter, that can include studying Politics/IR which come with a very wide range of career options! Read: www.psa.ac.uk/psa/news/con... #resultsday #resultsday2025

The circumstances surrounding the death of this Huddersfield MP, Lewis Fenton, are discussed in this post: victoriancommons.wordpress.com/2019/12/19/b...

Election riots have history - here's an example from Huddersfield, where "disgraceful riots" were triggered after the sitting MP fell out of a window and died. Also Merry #Christmas(!) (Although this was well before the Christmas season we recognise emerged).

Delighted to have worked at @livunipol.bsky.social for ten years! I've enjoyed bringing my #rhetoric research to undergraduate students via two modules, and serving in various leadership roles. It has been a highly enjoyable decade! Very much looking forward to opportunities the next will bring!

Trivia! The 1941 calendar is the same as 2025. That is all! www.timeanddate.com/calendar/?ye...

Happy #YorkshireDay! Enjoy the hills and sights of Gods Own Country!

New book coming soon....

This upcoming chapter covers Theresa May's time in David Cameron's Cabinet; an overview of the #Brexit ref that led to her becoming PM; and an assessment of her priorities in govt and how she managed them. Ultimately, despite any wins she secured, it was Brexit that textured her legacy of failure.

The @polstudiesassoc.bsky.social is the premier learned society which has pioneered cutting edge research and under/postgraduate studies of political science, ancient and modern political theory, comparative politics, and international studies. Here is a short video: www.psa.ac.uk/psa/news/cel...

Very much looking forward to the second Global Discourse #rhetoric special edition symposium, taking place at @livunipol.bsky.social on Oct 1st! The project has 18 conference papers & articles, making this a deep exploration of political language from the ancient to modern world!

Also, it's a year since I graduated from Liverpool with an MA in Academic Practice! Time flies - definitely an enjoyable experience and qualification which I'd recommend to all @livunihss.bsky.social colleagues!

Graduation day at @livunipol.bsky.social!

Call for Papers! The PSA Conservativism Specialist Group is seeking abstracts for an upcoming workshop at Hull. Details below!

People saying 'there is no Planet B' forget the galaxy is filled with planets, many of which we've yet to discover. Even in our solar system, technically Venus is our twin! Europa has an ocean, and the exo-systems contain Earth-like planets. Not to mention the asteroid belt is rich with resources.

Archive research day for a project on David Owen!

Graduation week! Looking forward to seeing soon-to-be former @livunipol.bsky.social students become graduates and alumni shortly!

Happy Birthday! It was an excellent workshop with lots of great papers from a sampling of chapters & wider discussions. The weather also held up nicely so we had lunch on the Square! I'm certain the book will be a valuable contribution to leadership & #Conservative studies. @livunipol.bsky.social