Reposted by Ben WorthySam Freedman @samfr.bsky.social · 14/10/2026New post: "Drowning in slop" Large parts of the state are being increasingly overwhelmed with complaints, appeals, objections.... written by AI. It's gumming up every process. Britain is particularly vulnerable. How bad has it got and what can we do about it? samf.substack.com/p/drowning-i...samf.substack.comDrowning in slopCan the state survive the rise of AI? 45407144
Reposted by Ben WorthySara Hobolt @sarahobolt.bsky.social · 13/10/2026Super excited to see this article in print in the APSR: 📚 “Public Service Decline and Support for the Populist Right: Evidence from England’s National Health Service” - with the brilliant @zachdickson.bsky.social @catherinedevries.bsky.social @simonecremaschi.bsky.social doi.org/10.1017/S000... 10222101
Reposted by Ben WorthySeth Masket @smotus.bsky.social · 12/10/2026Attack on Pearl Harbor raises questions about the Japanese Empire's commitment to peace in the Pacific 952174
Reposted by Ben WorthyRob Ford @robfordmancs.bsky.social · 10/10/2026Also obvious and often forgotten: underlying maths here changed. A lot of people still analyse politics of Brexit as if the split in the public is still 52/48, with leave both an overall majority and more efficiently spread, with most seats majority Leave. None of that true now 925158
Reposted by Ben WorthyFederica Genovese @fgenovese.bsky.social · 10/10/2026very much work in progress -- currently written-up only for the UK surveys | soon including German data 0167
Reposted by Ben WorthyJane Green @profjanegreen.bsky.social · 09/10/2026Holborn and St Pancras: 1. Yes, good for Labour. But not a usual 'mid-term' moment but a honeymoon. Will it last? 2. Greens could have won, Polanski could be an MP. They have done themselves real harm. 3. Doesn't show Burnham's *strategy* working - uniting the left. Other seats much better tests. 2268
Reposted by Ben WorthyElizabeth Simon @elizabethsim0n.bsky.social · 08/10/2026🚨The Politics and Policy of London: Elections, Demography and the Reshaping of Power in the Capital is now available for pre-order.🚨 www.routledge.com/The-Politics...routledge.comThe Politics and Policy of London: Elections, Demography and the Reshaping of Power in the CapitalThis book examines the changing demographics, attitudes and electoral behaviours of Londoners over the last 50 years and considers the impact these changes have had on the policy agendas of the capita... 32111
Reposted by Ben WorthyClare Rice @clarerice.bsky.social · 06/10/2026🎉NEW PUBLICATION 🎉 In this new article, co-authored with @meganannarms.bsky.social, we explore how the 2016 referendum that led to Brexit shaped how people in Northern Ireland felt, thought, and talked about their identity www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....tandfonline.com‘Am I going to be forced to have an Irish passport?’: A qualitative study of Brexit and identity in Northern IrelandMatters of identity in Northern Ireland are often premised on the idea of a neatly bipartite, constitutional division, yet academic scholarship reflects a more complex reality. Expressions of natio... 1138
Reposted by Ben WorthyAngry People in Local Newspapers @apiln.bsky.social · 29/09/2026This is the proper use of a Freedom of Information request.thestar.co.ukThis is how many times council has repainted ‘L’ on Pool Square street signHighways teams have attended Pool Square many times to repair the road sign due to a missing ‘L’ 1830379
Reposted by Ben WorthyDannagal Goldthwaite Young @dannagal.bsky.social · 02/10/2026Do yourself a favor. Read these 7 pages by @lilymasonphd.bsky.social right now. It is the most concise explanation of the current situation in U.S. politics I've seen and it captures why calls to reduce "polarization" can ultimately worsen the problem 🧵 www.journalofdemocracy.org/articles/pol...journalofdemocracy.orgPolarization Is Not the Problem | Journal of DemocracyAmericans have never been angrier with one another. But polarization is not the disease—it is the response to a revanchist movement seeking to roll back sixty years of social progress. 11387176
Reposted by Ben WorthyJournal of Democracy @jodemocracy.bsky.social · 01/10/2026Americans have never been angrier with one another. But polarization is not the disease—it is the response to a revanchist movement seeking to roll back sixty years of social progress. 🆕 by @lilymasonphd.bsky.social muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a... 13483165
Reposted by Ben WorthyG Elliott Morris @gelliottmorris.com · 30/09/2026Strength In Numbers called this eight months ago www.gelliottmorris.com/p/meet-ameri... (from The Bulwark's latest Focus Group pod) 012923
Reposted by Ben WorthyFederica Genovese @fgenovese.bsky.social · 29/09/2026Lest we forget, this is politics in action: - the David Cameron-led Conservative govt had de facto halted onshore wind in 2015 (raised planning restrictions, cut subsidies) - in 2024 Labour under Starmer, and really the energy secretary Ed Miliband, removed the hurdles and lifted the ban 12912
Reposted by Ben WorthyAndrew @openpolicy.bsky.social · 27/09/2026I’ve written an op-ed for @newsroom.co.nz with Russell Opland, on how ministers and some senior officials are using poor quality data to justify an assault on our right to information under the OIA. Strengthening our democracy is a core issue this election. #nzpol newsroom.co.nz/2026/09/28/o...newsroom.co.nzOfficials crack on behind closed doors to limit the OIA, under cover of electionAndrew Ecclestone and Russell Opland argue the managerialism of processing official information requests is shielding the heart of the matter: reducing our right to participate in making policies, and... 45128
Reposted by Ben Worthynottspolitics.bsky.social @nottspolitics.bsky.social · 24/09/2026Congratulations to Dr @neemabegum.bsky.social on winning funding from @nuffieldfoundation.org's Racial Diversity UK (RDUK) fund. Working with @climateoutreach.bsky.social and Dr Charles Ogunbode, the project will explore public attitudes towards climate-linked migration. ℹ️ ➡️ tinyurl.com/bde9jn3b 176
Ben Worthy @benworthy.bsky.social · 24/09/2026This Fireman Sam based intervention is perfection. Water carrier of Fascism 020
Reposted by Ben WorthyMiriam Sorace @miriamsorace.bsky.social · 24/09/2026Brilliant, as ever, from @martamiori.bsky.social and @profjanegreen.bsky.social might I add: v likely consequence is that state of the art data-driven campaign operations will become even more crucial, if anything to ensure correct signalling to voters-potentially scary, depending on campaign ethos 171
Reposted by Ben WorthyMarta Miori @martamiori.bsky.social · 24/09/2026New opinion piece with @profjanegreen.bsky.social in @financialtimes.com ⬇️📊 We argue that five parties in the polls doesn't mean five-way races. What's really going on is a scramble within each bloc over who can win, fought out seat by seat. 03824
Reposted by Ben WorthyArchie Hall @archiehall.bsky.social · 23/09/2026My latest for @economist.com: AI writing is taking over politics. 10% of what was is said in Parliament is now AI-drafted, per Pangram. Yet more in the House of Representatives, or in Australia and Canada. Link: www.economist.com/britain/202... And a 🧵 below, w/ some main offenders 811865
Reposted by Ben WorthyWill Jennings📉🗳️ @drjennings.bsky.social · 17/09/2026We live in a poll-driven political age, but it's important for all politicians to remember that they can lead/influence public opinion through leadership and communication. 614517
Reposted by Ben WorthyInstitute for Government @instituteforgovernment.org.uk · 17/09/2026TONIGHT | Does the UK do enough to guard against corruption in public life? With political donations in the news, join us at 17:30 to hear an expert panel discuss what reforms may be needed to strengthen transparency and accountability www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/does-u... 263
Reposted by Ben WorthyJosiah Mortimer @josiahmortimer.bsky.social · 14/09/2026In April 2026, while still apparently based in Hong Kong, Delo wrote in The Telegraph that he would move be moving back to Britain so he could contribute more to Reform, framing Labour’s £100,000 cap on donations from Brits living abroad as a “rigged game”. April is ofc after the 25 March cut off...bylinetimes.comWhy Reform UK Could Be Forced to Hand Back Their £72m Donations From Crypto BillionairesChristopher Harborne and Ben Delo gave a record £36 million each over the weekend to Nigel Farage's party, but a new law means they may have to take it all back 14610
Reposted by Ben WorthyPeter Geoghegan @petergeoghegan.bsky.social · 14/09/2026How to stop billionaires buying our politics - three clear fixes to mend our democracy, from a former Electoral Commissioner democracyforsale.substack.com/p/stop-billi...democracyforsale.substack.comHow to stop billionaires buying our politicsEx-Electoral Commissioner David Howarth on Reform's £72m crypto donation, the loopholes that allow big money to buy our democracy – and three ways to close them 316171
Reposted by Ben WorthyBen Rosher @benrosher.bsky.social · 14/09/2026New paper!! Sean Haughey, Jon Tonge, and I draw on data from the Northern Ireland General Election Survey to chart a way toward some potential reforms that could enjoy popular and political support and (hopefully) improve the stability of the NI institutions. www.cambridge.org/core/journal...cambridge.orgWhy Northern Ireland’s Institutions Need Reform | Government and Opposition | Cambridge CoreWhy Northern Ireland’s Institutions Need Reform - Volume 61 095
Reposted by Ben WorthyBritish Journal of Political Science @bjpols.bsky.social · 14/09/2026NEW - Reshaping Belonging: National Identity Change in Post-Referendum Britain - cup.org/4AhXkmW - @jaclarner.bsky.social, @jamesdgriffiths.bsky.social & @danielwincott.bsky.social #OpenAccess 0125
Reposted by Ben WorthyRebecca McKee @rebeccamckee.bsky.social · 11/09/2026The assisted dying bill has been voted down by MPs at 2nd reading today. There are strong views on many sides but it also raises questions of whether PMBs are the right way to legislate on complex, ethical issues. We discussed this earlier this year www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/assist...instituteforgovernment.org.ukAre private members' bills a good way for MPs to decide on difficult policy issues? | Institute for GovernmentAn expert panel drew on lessons from the recent assisted dying bill and other PMBs to consider how backbench MPs should approach complex issues. 076
Ben Worthy @benworthy.bsky.social · 11/09/2026This fascinating as to why things turned out differently by @danielgover.bsky.social 👇 011
Reposted by Ben WorthyDaniel Gover @danielgover.bsky.social · 11/09/2026After MPs voted against assisted dying legislation today, a new piece from me on the outcome: 'Why did MPs vote to reject the assisted dying bill – and what happens now?' @uk.theconversation.com theconversation.com/why-did-mps-...theconversation.comWhy did MPs vote to reject the assisted dying bill – and what happens now?It’s the end of the road for this particular bill. 11014
Reposted by Ben WorthyWill Davies @will-davies.bsky.social · 10/09/2026On fiscal hyperpolitics as Covid hangover substack.com/home/post/p-...substack.comPost-holiday bluesCovid and the unlearning of neoliberalism 1117
Reposted by Ben WorthyWest European Politics @wepsocial.bsky.social · 10/09/2026🎭 Do party members with "dark" traits want "dark" leaders? Paul Webb, @timbale.bsky.social & Stavroula Chrona survey 4,266 UK party members: Reform UK and Conservative members score higher on the "Dark Triad", and those high on these traits prefer leaders who share them. 🔗 doi.org/10.1080/0140... 0135
Reposted by Ben WorthyDr Peter Starie @stariep.bsky.social · 08/09/2026Retired academic here. Still time for a seminar before train leaves 011
Reposted by Ben WorthyNick Langley @nicklangley.bsky.social · 08/09/2026Never seen the numbers on one of these go up so fast. Could be faster though. act.38degrees.org.uk/act/rnli-tha...act.38degrees.org.ukAn open letter in support of the volunteers and staff at the RNLIThis is a disgrace. Brave RNLI volunteers being called scum for risking their lives to save others at sea is just plain wrong. So I've signed an open letter of thanks for the RNLI letting them know th... 22621
Reposted by Ben WorthyJim Ray @jimray.net · 08/09/2026I read this post and it answered all of the questions about AI that I have ever had, currently have, or will have in the future. Highly recommended. I also hacked @bsky38.com with the power of GLM 5.3 so now Dave will win. 3164
Reposted by Ben WorthyViktor Winetrout @viktorwinetrout.bsky.social · 08/09/2026More than anything, Jaws is a metaphor about the dangers of being attacked by a killer shark 28971149
Reposted by Ben WorthyRobert Hutton @roberthutton.co.uk · 08/09/2026On Andy Burnham's sudden bout of shyness. thecritic.co.uk/sanc... 19957304
Reposted by Ben WorthyJonn Elledge @jonnelledge.bsky.social · 07/09/2026I want the Prime Minister to look into a TV camera and say the RNLI are heroes, that we do not change policy by street violence in this country, and that he expects any criminal action to face the full force of the law. That's it. That's all he has to do. 632781881
Reposted by Ben WorthyRichard Carr @richardcarr.bsky.social · 05/09/2026His successor David Logan also a former Irish Nationalist who is Labour but kind of personally handed the seat by T.P. which he then holds to 1964. 162
Reposted by Ben WorthyJacob T. Levy @jacobtlevy.bsky.social · 04/09/2026I don't think the news has made it here: bluesky political scientist Julia Azari @juliaazari.bsky.social 's _Backlash Presidents: From Transformative to Reactionary Leaders in American History_ (Princeton) was recognized with the Richard Neustadt award for best book published on the presidency! 15872160
Reposted by Ben WorthyNicholas Whithorn @nickwhithorn.bsky.social · 03/09/2026Today Meloni's government becomes the longest serving government in the history of the Italian Republic. Pity it's achieved nothing of any value whatsoever. 34210
Reposted by Ben WorthyWill Jennings📉🗳️ @drjennings.bsky.social · 03/09/2026One of the interesting aspects of all this footage is it reveals that parties/strategists firmly believe that opinion polls can be used for significant political advantage. 29576130
![screenshot from I Think You Should Leave of a guy in a hot dog costume standing in a clothing store surrounded by suspicious shoppers, who is loudly saying "we're all trying to find the guy who did this [drove the hot dog car into the store]" but his face has been replaced by Karl Rove](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:fc2gusbhlelz43l7oexi5zq4/bafkreic4ic7gx7duuvo7tujbllaet5udpezxqkak3m32zm4jj2llfci72a)
