Political Change Across Britain and Ireland: Identities, Institutions & Futures. Launch Event in Belfast next Wednesday 1st October 2025 5pm Panellists: Dr Paul Gillespie, UCD; Prof Katy Hayward, QUB; Prof Michael Keating, Aberdeen Register here: www.eventbrite.ie/e/launch-dis...

Which four forces have challenged ideas of the nation and the nation state and fostered national populism?

Truly facile, awful analysis by Nick Robinson normalising hate speech by 'ordinary people' and equating it with free speech. The boiling point is too many of Britain's commentators unthinkingly wading in the toxic swamp of X and believing it is what passes as normal.

National populism’s appeal can be surprisingly traditional - nation states should serve nations and their people. To counter it, we need to understand it.

The first post in my series on the rise of national populism.

Why can’t the centre and forces resist national populism successfully and consistently? First post in series about the rise of national populism

Why can’t the centre and forces resist national populism successfully and consistently? First post in series about the rise of national populism

The first post in my series on the rise of national populism.

National populism is international but always national. Exploring the paradox of ‘international nationalism’

Event | Local government reorganisation and public service delivery: What are the options and challenges? With @jydenham.bsky.social Harborough District Council Norse Group North Yorkshire Council @matthewfright.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/local-...

Didn’t believe it when I read this an hour ago, but they’ve just done it again!

National Populism speaks to a sense of nation and nationhood. Progressive politics often ignores it - but it doesn't have to.

Thanks Tariq

Nation, State and Politics will explore symbols of nationhood. Why is diverse England seen only on the sports field? Why do the populist right and liberal left both see the St George’s Cross as a far-right symbol; and why are they both wrong?

Nation, State and Politics will explore symbols of nationhood. Why is diverse England seen only on the sports field? Why do the populist right and liberal left both see the St George’s Cross as a far-right symbol; and why are they both wrong?

Responding to @labourlewis.bsky.social @compassoffice.bsky.social Robin Cook memorial lecture, I thought this from Cook's 2003 diary was remarkably relevant to today

Responding to @labourlewis.bsky.social @compassoffice.bsky.social Robin Cook memorial lecture, I thought this from Cook's 2003 diary was remarkably relevant to today

On Tuesday I told MPs on the English Devolution Bill Committee why putting the Mayoral Council on a statutory basis would help embed English devolution for the long term.

Nations aren’t discovered, they’re created. What should nation-building look like in the 21st century?

On Tuesday I told MPs on the English Devolution Bill Committee why putting the Mayoral Council on a statutory basis would help embed English devolution for the long term.

Looking forward to responding to @labourlewis.bsky.social Robin Cook memorial lecture this evening

Why is national populism rising and mainstream politics struggling to respond? We ignore how deeply nationhood shapes voters’ choices. I’m exploring why - and what next - in my new Substack.

Ideas of sovereignty, democracy, belonging, and identity run through every debate, from Brexit to climate change. My new Substack - Nation, State and Politics - will explore how ideas of nation and nationhood shape politics, and what this means for those who want progressive change.

It's not just policy, values or demographics that shape voters choices, but how they see their nation, its people, in whose interests it is run, and how it should be governed. We need a story of our nations that unites rather than divides us.

It's not just policy, values or demographics that shape voters choices, but how they see their nation, its people, in whose interests it is run, and how it should be governed. We need a story of our nations that unites rather than divides us.

Can there be a politics of the common good without a politics of nationhood?

Can there be a politics of the common good without a politics of nationhood?

Today I’m excited to launch Nation, State and Politics - a Substack exploring the powerful role that ideas of nations and nationhood play in shaping the political forces swirling around us today nationstateandpolitics.substack.com/p/nation-sta...

Mainstream is set on making sure Labour can defeat authoritarian populism and win the long-term transformation of our country. We're pleased to have the support of @jydenham.bsky.social, Former Secretary of State for Communities & Local Government and for Innovation, Universities & Skills.

Today I’m excited to launch Nation, State and Politics - a Substack exploring the powerful role that ideas of nations and nationhood play in shaping the political forces swirling around us today nationstateandpolitics.substack.com/p/nation-sta...

I've written to Keir Starmer, Kemi Badenoch and Nigel Farage, urging them to join me in condemning Elon Musk's dangerous remarks inciting violence yesterday. As leaders, we must stand together and make clear Musk will face serious consequences for these actions.

Join us for what promises to be a compelling conversation with a stellar line up: John Denham, Liz Elliot, Justin Galliford, and Rachel Joyce will explore the challenges and opportunities facing local government leaders as they reshape public services. Sign up now to be part of the discussion

I don’t expect ministers to make statements immediately, they’re busy. But if the silence persists into tomorrow, there will be no way back for the government. Its total moral cowardice will condemn it.

Our democracy is too precious to be a plaything for foreign tech barons. Elon Musk doesn’t care about the British people or our rights. He only cares about himself and his ego.

Years ago the powerful Office of Life Science was set up to hold the ring between the competing pressures from the NHS and the industry. The state’s capacity to work across private and public sectors has been degraded.

‘England remains a nation whose name is unspoken’

Clearing my office and found this from2019. Turns out I wasn’t wrong…

Clearing my office and found this from2019. Turns out I wasn’t wrong…

Nothing like feeding your 2-week-old newborn and suddenly getting a call from No. 10… Hugely humbling to be asked to be a minister, joining @darrenpjones.bsky.social and Cabinet Office team to deliver our plan for change. Enormous thanks @joshsimonsmp.bsky.social for covering my maternity leave.

Not a word has come from this government, for a month, about Racist attacks in Britain: graffiti & intimidation The sewer of racism online These racist attacks on government ministers The world's richest man promoting fascists who want to eradicate minorities from the UK

New centre-left Labour group Mainstream is launching tomorrow, key backers include Andy Burnham and all of the below. Pitches itself as “the home for Labour’s radical realists” and will play key role in the deputy leadership contest.

someone really needs to tell the prick in No 10 that keeps coming up with these quotes that he sounds like Gareth from The Office

This breathless headline and article sums up what’s gone so badly wrong with the BBC’s treatment of Reform. Of course they should be covered, but where is the scrutiny here? Where is policy interrogated? Why no mention of their one dismal “achievement”, Brexit? www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Elon Musk will be championing the Tommy Robinson 13/9 rally, on grounds that Nigel Farage is "weak sauce" on mass deportation and too soft on Islam Govt not even reviewing its use of X since 2022 shows different rules apply to Elon Musk than we expect of every school-child on British values

We expect mutual respect and tolerance for different faiths + for the rule of lsw in every school. Yet the UK government now turns a blind eye so there is now infinite tolerance for the promotion of racial hatred and intolerance by the world's richest man on the X platform, however far he goes

Mark Ferguson is pitch perfect, not least because he is obvs simply talking about his relationship with our flag, long before he became an MP. Others can adapt his vg message and tone bsky.app/profile/mark...

Lovely

We are calling this "Raise the Colours (or, The Ballad of Little Bobby Jenrick)" www.youtube.com/watch?v=87bY... It's a musical commentary on #raisethecolours, celebrating Robert Jenrick's latest social media antics, with a ukelele gradually going out of tune.

Angry at insinuations that judges who granted or overturned Epping injunction were politically biased. I've known both Cons & Lab lawyers who've become judges. Whatever their previous politics they take seriously their judicial oath to do justice without fear or favour

I think there's plenty of good English culture, but need to disentangle from Empire. I see it a lot like John Denham here: www.theoptimisticpatriot.co.uk/post/6701068...