George Abaraonye takes hard to nail. It’s interesting for orthogonal reasons. 1/ private fleeting moments blowing up to global scrutiny - a la Coldplay 2/ Oxford’s admissions criteria 3/ political reasoning across left and right that is sociopathic 4/ free speech debate 5/ why is Oxford in the news

🚨 The UK Youth Poll 2025 is here! 🚨 Young people believe in democracy but fear for its future. They want better politics & financial stability. 📊 Read the #UKYouthPoll2025 now: www.ukyouthpoll.com @focaldata.bsky.social @uofglasgow.bsky.social #Nationwide

Parenting becoming more effort filled is downstream of so many things - the necessity of dual incomes in some areas, housing, atomised living, geographically dislocated families, a public realm that doesn’t have lots of nice free stuff, a culture of individualism over community, declining faith.

I’ve written today for @thetimes.com on how our shortening attention spans are damaging our politics. Another slightly doomery column

Just read this and it’s a pretty astonishing paper download.ssrn.com/2024/10/20/4...

The sheer number of non voters towards the lower end of the income spectrum indicates the potential for much higher turnout in a multiparty system

The lovely people @britishelectionstudy.com released the random probaility data which means we can begin to unravel some unanswered questions about turnout in 2024. A substack to follow but a starter of social class and vote/non-vote. Which party represents the working class? None of the above.

My latest substack is a labour of love (link below) on the issue of agency, and how bringing it back at the personal and institutional level might be critical to improving our politics again. Featuring detailed polling and analysis from us here at @focaldata.bsky.social

Fascinating as per from @jameskanag.bsky.social - loads of great data and analysis but this particular graphic shows shares of those lucky people who are optimistic and have a strong sense both of their own agency/efficacy and trust in others. politicalwhiteboard.substack.com/p/agency-cou...

My latest substack on agency and the role it plays in our politics, inspired by chats with @jburnmurdoch.ft.com and @luketryl.bsky.social and @cate.bsky.social substack.com/@jameskanag/...

Politics faces its own AI reckoning https://on.ft.com/3UjioFy | opinion

I’ve written up my thoughts on AI and the impending white collar hiring doom to come for the @thetimes.com. Reader I am not optimistic www.thetimes.com/article/a064...

This is really thoughtful stuff, as per, from @jameskanag.bsky.social. I suspect that elites will be better at protecting their jobs, and that ultimately the number of hand/heart jobs has a (Baumol cost-related) upper limit. But so much to think through here.

A fascinating blog by James Kanagasooriam on the potential political sociology of AI. Much, much to consider. Many, many questions. politicalwhiteboard.substack.com/p/the-collar...

Some afternoon thoughts on UK politics and AI exposure and how it’s so different by geography politicalwhiteboard.substack.com/p/the-collar...

Our take on the Canadian election from @focaldata.bsky.social + @politico.com. Liberals ahead by 3 pts which is likely to translate into a small majority. Trump has had a material effect. One pause for thought. “Wisdom of the crowds” has a 4 point Conservative lead. www.politico.com/news/2025/04...

2 pieces youshould read side by side today - first fantastic piece from @jameskanag.bsky.social on importance of volunteering/associational life. 2nd a BBC report on the cancellation of 150 year old Shrewsbury Flower Show & Margaret's quote about what it means to her www.thetimes.com/article/d86f...

In an age of defence and geopolitical uncertainty it’s domestic issues like lack of “social capital” that are likely to fall by the wayside. Me in today’s @thetimes.com Making friends is what keeps us happy www.thetimes.com/article/d86f...

Popped into the local church - curious over anecdata about crowd sizes this Easter and was pretty astonished by the hundreds packing it out with no seats available. Interested in the official data when it’s out

Enjoyed writing this new year piece for The Times on celebrities and politics

Enjoyed doing this with @pimlicat.bsky.social about macro trends in public opinion. Link to my substack here which references some of my thinking open.substack.com/pub/politica...

this is wonderful from HTSI - the loveliest places of worship - I had absolutely no idea there is a church full of Chagall stained glass in Kent and am now campaigning for a day out www.ft.com/content/9ad2...

James Kanagasooriam - @jameskanag.bsky.social - one of the smartest politics analysts out there - now has a substack, which is well worth a read. Check it out here: politicalwhiteboard.substack.com/p/is-there-a...

This is going to be one to follow. V interesting first post.

Really interesting way to think about political cycles, to understand how their speed might be behind some of Labour’s struggles and what they might mean for the future of the Tories vs Reform. Well worth a read!

I've started a substack - The Political Whiteboard - where I analyse polls, trends and politics. Click through to read. It's free. The first post is about whether there's another way to think about the political cycle politicalwhiteboard.substack.com/p/is-there-a...

This petition for a UK general election now is such errant nonsense. We’ve had an election.

Bluesky reaction to Jaguar advert/rebrand is a red flag for its degree of representativeness. More than I can remember early Twitter. We have a poll showing most brits don’t like it all. Bluesky disagrees. Jury still out on whether Bluesky leads the U.K. left down a massive rabbit hole. Again.

I'm baffled by the Jaguar advert/rebrand. A tale of branding failure & the culture wars. Here at @focaldata.bsky.social towers we were intrigued - in a kind of Friday afternoon-esque way - to understand if the online viral backlash was as bad in the real world. In short, yes. In short. Yes.

Third Onward person here - after @jameskanag.bsky.social

@alwynturner.bsky.social posted the following screen grab, and I’ve never seen a better example of the decline of British political culture.

Thinking of starting a substack to write about polling - but much shorter pieces. What’s the best advice you could give as readers and writers? @stephenkb.bsky.social @sundersays.bsky.social @robfordmancs.bsky.social @benansell.bsky.social @jburnmurdoch.bsky.social

Here’s a centre right starter pack, for those who want to ensure this isn’t entirely an echo chamber go.bsky.app/DNLEPTu

Still reflecting on the US polling miss and our Focaldata “wisdom of the crowds” question indicating massive differences to voting intention. Similar to Brexit. Interestingly in the Australian Voice referendum the two converged and were both right

Headed out to the democratic convention with Focaldata next week - if others are around and would be up for coffee in Chicago.

Not convinced this platform will take off yet…What are the key differences to X?