Chaitanya Kumar @chaitanyakumar.bsky.social · 08/06/2026"happiness consists of the possession of a non-negotiable truth. Today, we no longer have such non-negotiable truths. Instead, we have an over-abundance of information". Byung-chul Han has been a great voice on the fracturing of shared narratives in the digital age. 000
Reposted by Chaitanya KumarTorsten Bell @torstenbell.bsky.social · 27/05/2026Blair putting on full display what is in many ways his special ability - to lay out a political argument grounded in his own view of global trends (globalisation in the 2000s, tech in the 2020s). But… institute.global/insights/pol...institute.globalThe Labour Party Is Playing With Fire Over Its Future and the Future of the CountryIn this essay, Tony Blair sets out the need for a new agenda for Britain. 34496174
Chaitanya Kumar @chaitanyakumar.bsky.social · 27/05/2026Ernesto Laclau's work on populism is a good place to begin understanding the current political movements and ways of responding to it. On Populist Reason | Verso Books share.google/tZxe0LvZ2436...share.googleOn Populist ReasonIn this highly prescient work - which has had a big impact on figures such as Pablo Oglesias of Podemos in Spain - Ernesto Laclau continues the philosophical and political exploration initiated in Heg... 000
Chaitanya Kumar @chaitanyakumar.bsky.social · 27/05/2026Policy before politics might sound great in a think tank (I love it!), but you cannot govern without political capital. Starmer tried to deliver policies without building a unifying story, and the populists are exploiting that emotional vacuum. 130
Chaitanya Kumar @chaitanyakumar.bsky.social · 27/05/2026We also get another plea for the "Radical Centre". But slapping radical onto centrist managerialism doesn't automatically create a vision. The electorate is fractured and angry and they don't just want more "ballast"; they want a leader who actually connects with them. Hence the Burnham appeal. 110
Chaitanya Kumar @chaitanyakumar.bsky.social · 27/05/2026Blair confidently declares that the AI revolution will change everything and revolutionise public services (I buy his premise). Yet, he offers exactly zero structural blueprints on how the state should actually govern in the age of AI. Not exactly policy before politics is it?! 120
Chaitanya Kumar @chaitanyakumar.bsky.social · 27/05/2026He argues for slowing Net zero and prioritising cheaper energy. This is short-termist rubbish. Sacrificing the green transition won't magically fix the fiscal gap, it just leaves the UK lagging in the race for clean tech. For someone concerned about UKs position in the world, it is a bizarre take. 143
Chaitanya Kumar @chaitanyakumar.bsky.social · 27/05/2026First, he claims Keir Starmer failed because of a lack of a coherent policy plan, rather than a failure of politics. 'plan', 'vision', 'radical' are the most vacuous and lazy terms in politics but that aside, technocratic governance without a compelling narrative is why Labour is struggling. 221
Chaitanya Kumar @chaitanyakumar.bsky.social · 27/05/2026Tony Blair’s new essay "playing with fire" is getting ba lot of attention. It read surprisingly apolitical but I'm afraid he misdiagnoses the current crisis. A short 🧵 that isn't just about net zero 🤦🏾 institute.global/insights/pol...institute.globalThe Labour Party Is Playing With Fire Over Its Future and the Future of the CountryIn this essay, Tony Blair sets out the need for a new agenda for Britain. 111
Reposted by Chaitanya KumarNew Economics Foundation @neweconomics.bsky.social · 01/04/2026There is one hard truth: the fossil-fuel giants will not save us. Energy shocks don’t just raise our energy bills – they can be turning points in how our economy runs, says @chaitanyakumar.bsky.social in @theguardian.com www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...theguardian.comThis is what a fossil-fuel shock looks like. The UK must adapt its energy system – and quickly | Chaitanya KumarThe Iran war will hit food prices, fuel costs and interest rates. But we could could turn this crisis to our advantage, says Chaitanya Kumar of the New Economics Foundation 01812
Chaitanya Kumar @chaitanyakumar.bsky.social · 01/04/2026Another crisitunity moment faces us - a clear choice between regressing to the old energy system that might feel comfortable or move rapidly to a new energy system that is challenging but is a more befitting response to the crisis. Op-ed by me in the guardian. 👇👇 www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...theguardian.comThis is what a fossil-fuel shock looks like. The UK must adapt its energy system – and quickly | Chaitanya KumarThe Iran war will hit food prices, fuel costs and interest rates. But we could could turn this crisis to our advantage, says Chaitanya Kumar of the New Economics Foundation 052
Reposted by Chaitanya KumarGreen Alliance @green-alliance.org.uk · 26/03/2026#GAevent 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸: join us and a panel of experts one month on from the start of the latest oil and gas crisis to unpack the instability and what it means for the cost of living in the UK. 📅 1 April, 12:00–13:00 | Onlineeventbrite.co.ukHow does conflict abroad shape energy, costs and climate choices at home?Join us for a responsive webinar, one month on from the start of the latest oil and gas crisis. 132
Chaitanya Kumar @chaitanyakumar.bsky.social · 18/03/2026Ends with attacking nigel farage and talks of wanting to go back into the EU one day in the future.. and states unequivocally that Brexit was a horrible idea. 000
Chaitanya Kumar @chaitanyakumar.bsky.social · 18/03/2026On tackling the welfare bill - he disagrees that the bill is spiralling out of control. Goes back to basics and says this is an essential safety net and we shouldn't strip it away. Highlights the value of things like universal food access for kids in London as a good example of what a safety net is. 100
Chaitanya Kumar @chaitanyakumar.bsky.social · 18/03/2026On BoE, zack calls for no more increases on interest rates. Goes back to challenging the OBR /HMT dynamic. More on the background to his arguments here share.google/xwEryIxrO0DW...share.googleA democratic fiscal frameworkTransforming the Office for Budget Responsibility into the Office for Fiscal Transparency 100
Chaitanya Kumar @chaitanyakumar.bsky.social · 18/03/2026An explicit question to zack on whether he is a proponent of modern monetary theory - gives a good response to say he's a pragmatist and not an ideologue. Doubles down on borrowing to investment as good. Focuses on what's needed now like public ownership of water, wealth tax etc. Phew! 110
Chaitanya Kumar @chaitanyakumar.bsky.social · 18/03/2026On the notion of economic growth itself - he says what we are measuring and calling growth is all wrong. Quotes mazzucatos work on missions and states that growth cannot be a mission, it's a positive side effect but missions should be tackling big challenges like the climate breakdown. 100
Chaitanya Kumar @chaitanyakumar.bsky.social · 18/03/2026On a q about the Greens just wanting to print money, he suggests his tax policies will raise a lot of money. Also says borrowing for investment is good. He loves the idea of fiscal multipliers and goes back to it again and again. 100
Chaitanya Kumar @chaitanyakumar.bsky.social · 18/03/2026In response to dealing with youth unemployment, he speaks of opportunities in the green economy. On legalising drugs, he speaks of high drug deaths in the UK and suggests civil service actually proposed legalising to Rachel reeves but she ignored it. Attacks Starmer on de basing the conversation. 100
Chaitanya Kumar @chaitanyakumar.bsky.social · 18/03/2026Hannah peaker from @neweconomics.bsky.social asks about whether he would also call for guaranteeing essential energy for all households. See more to the background on that here share.google/NoJLZcrp2S5C...share.googleNational Energy GuaranteeA long-term policy to protect essential energy needs, reduce bills and cut carbon 100
Chaitanya Kumar @chaitanyakumar.bsky.social · 18/03/2026He goes on to challenge the OBR. It's origins had sound rationale but look at the state of the economy today, the original objectives haven't been met. He cited @neweconomics.bsky.social work on reforming obr as one of the options to seriously consider. share.google/mLjw07cQNMgD...share.googleA democratic fiscal frameworkTransforming the Office for Budget Responsibility into the Office for Fiscal Transparency 100
Chaitanya Kumar @chaitanyakumar.bsky.social · 18/03/2026"the govt. should change these failing fiscal rules" and introduce fiscal referees instead. This is welcome. See more here - neweconomics.org/2024/09/calling-time-on-fiscal-rules share.google/6ycOAuiK0yE9...neweconomics.orgCalling time on fiscal rulesAs the Chancellor weighs up making changes to the fiscal rules, we take a look at some of the available options 100
Chaitanya Kumar @chaitanyakumar.bsky.social · 18/03/2026"stop equating government finances with a household". Hallelujah! Cites the recent Ifs report that states the existing fiscal framework is dysfunctional (they suggest a traffic light system instead of spurious preciseness of fiscal forecasts) 100
Chaitanya Kumar @chaitanyakumar.bsky.social · 18/03/2026He goes on to call for rent controls in Britain. "stop the chokeholds of rip off rents"! "let's end private ownership of water" and bring water into public hands. Another clear demand and very very popular. He then calls to cut the ability of gas plants to set the market price for electricity! 110
Chaitanya Kumar @chaitanyakumar.bsky.social · 18/03/2026Makes a clear warning about AI. He notes it's potential for good but highlights the huge economic, climate and labour market impacts of unfettered AI deployment. 100
Chaitanya Kumar @chaitanyakumar.bsky.social · 18/03/2026He attacks the rent seeking billionaires. 1 in 4 billionaires made most of their wealth from property value extraction and inheritance, he says. His consistency on this message is a big part of his appeal today. He calls for equivalising CGT with income tax. A wealth tax. 110
Chaitanya Kumar @chaitanyakumar.bsky.social · 18/03/2026"Rip off Britain". That's his headline framing. British people are being ripped off by every day by energy, water and other utilities. The basics of life are extracted from us and sold back to the public at extortionate prices. 100
Chaitanya Kumar @chaitanyakumar.bsky.social · 18/03/2026@zackpolanski.bsky.social giving his first major speech on the economy at @neweconomics.bsky.social 's 40th anniversary. Starts off with a call to freeze the price cap at current levels and willing to shield consumers up to a £300 bill rise. 101
Chaitanya Kumar @chaitanyakumar.bsky.social · 25/02/2026Overall, welcome respite for everybody but network+balancing costs remain a huge worry. Sustained fall in gas prices will also be welcomed but we face a bizzare risk of looking like muppets on the recent CfD contracts if those price drops are big. Energy policy is now one battle after another! 000
Chaitanya Kumar @chaitanyakumar.bsky.social · 25/02/20264. Electricity standing charge has nonetheless gone up- because network costs have increased by £66 a year! RIIO-ET3 will deliver the largest increase in capital spending in recent history, but that also means higher bills. Redistributing the burden of these costs should be top priority. 100
Chaitanya Kumar @chaitanyakumar.bsky.social · 25/02/20263. We @neweconomics.bsky.social are calling for the govt. to take this progressivity further and introduce a block tariff system. Standing charges gradually taken off and higher consumption leading to higher bills. It's fair, intuitive and efficient. neweconomics.org/campaigns/na...neweconomics.orgNational Energy GuaranteeA long-term policy to protect essential energy needs, reduce bills and cut carbon 100
Chaitanya Kumar @chaitanyakumar.bsky.social · 25/02/20262. Martin Lewis has been campaigning against standing charges and the govt. has listened, by moving ~£34 off SC on to unit rates (with a bit more from April '27). This again is welcome and useful to see this acknowledged as a progressive move... which it is. But.. 110
Chaitanya Kumar @chaitanyakumar.bsky.social · 25/02/20261. Given the complex ways we split costs across gas/elec; unit/standing charges; the distribution effects of today's announcement is varied and relatively regressive. This is useful for those who are asking why the govt. claims a £150 reduction when the price cap saving is only £117. 110
Chaitanya Kumar @chaitanyakumar.bsky.social · 25/02/2026Good news on the energy price cap. A 7% fall, driven largely by policy decisions and a bit by wholesale prices, is a relief for the govt. and hhlds. It won't stop the incessant attacks on net zero. A few red/amber flags to watch out for. 👇👇 141
Chaitanya Kumar @chaitanyakumar.bsky.social · 19/02/2026Recreated this for Britain, no job displacement (yet)!... and besides, too soon to make broad brush statements on losses. 010
Chaitanya Kumar @chaitanyakumar.bsky.social · 19/02/2026Overall, the case for fiscal framework reform is stronger than ever before. From the OECD to NIESR to now the IFS, many are echoing the same message even if their solutions differ slightly. Read more here - investinbritain.org.uk/resource/the...investinbritain.org.ukThe case for reforming the fiscal framework - Invest in Britain 000
Chaitanya Kumar @chaitanyakumar.bsky.social · 19/02/2026The IFS is careful to suggest that their proposed changes should only be introduced in the new parliament or when we are back in current account surplus. Taking the spirit of their own report that one single metric shouldn't define sustainability, we believe reforms need to be brought in sooner. 100
Chaitanya Kumar @chaitanyakumar.bsky.social · 19/02/2026c. Modernise the “fiscal multipliers” used in official scoring. Current multipliers are dated- often too low and assumed to fade to zero after 5 years (right when fiscal rules bite). This bakes in a bias against productive spending and can force unnecessary cuts. neweconomics.org/2024/10/the-...neweconomics.orgThe OBR’s fiscal powers need a rethinkOutdated fiscal assumptions are limiting the chancellor’s spending power by £8bn a year 100
Chaitanya Kumar @chaitanyakumar.bsky.social · 19/02/2026b. Reform the OBR’s role from rule “referee” to a principles-guided fiscal policy adviser - reshape OBR leadership into something like a Fiscal Policy Committee with broader expertise. Replace rigid pass/fail judgments with recommendations for an appropriate range of fiscal stances/borrowing. 100
Chaitanya Kumar @chaitanyakumar.bsky.social · 19/02/2026This is a welcome shift and acknowledges that spuriously precise forecasts cannot form the basis of major policy decisions. We would go further with 3 more changes. a. Refocus the framework on long-term debt sustainability rather than short-term targets-the OBRs long-term risk work is useful here. 100
Chaitanya Kumar @chaitanyakumar.bsky.social · 19/02/2026The case for reform is clear and the IFS proposes a traffic light system to judge fiscal sustainability based on a variety of metrics and also proposes the Chancellor set out a fiscal strategy statement at the start of each parliament. ifs.org.uk/publications...ifs.org.ukFrom fiscal rules to fiscal traffic lights: rethinking the UK fiscal framework | Institute for Fiscal StudiesThe UK’s approach to fiscal policy needs a rethink. The current framework, based around a set of pass–fail fiscal rules, isn’t working well. 100
Chaitanya Kumar @chaitanyakumar.bsky.social · 19/02/2026We have also seen how short term changes to highly uncertain forecasts have led to kneejerk policy decisions in order to meet these rules. The government was subsequently forced to row back on this decision, embarrasingly. neweconomics.org/2025/03/bene...neweconomics.orgBenefits cuts driven by need to meet fiscal rules rather than support for ill and disabled, NEF warnsCutting the income of ill and disabled will not help them return to work 100
Chaitanya Kumar @chaitanyakumar.bsky.social · 19/02/2026Consistent fiscal tightening over the years, to meet these rules, has neither reduced the stock of debt nor enabled much needed investment. The PSNFL rule change from Oct '24 was indeed welcome was Britain remains weak on public investment compared to other OECD nations. 100
Chaitanya Kumar @chaitanyakumar.bsky.social · 19/02/2026@neweconomics.bsky.social have shown how these rules have changed multiple times over the past 2 decades. Since 2021 alone, 3 more rule changes were introduced. All the while the stock of debt has only gone up. These rules have largely failed on their own terms, over and over again. 100
Chaitanya Kumar @chaitanyakumar.bsky.social · 19/02/2026I ❤️ this analogy from the report. "You cannot assess road safety by just looking at the speedometer." Fiscal sustainability too cannot be judged just by looking at Debt/GDP or such metric. Economies are complex systems and distilling it to 1 figure makes for good headlines but bad policymaking. 101
Chaitanya Kumar @chaitanyakumar.bsky.social · 19/02/2026@theifs.bsky.social isn't exactly radical but they are rightly calling for a serious rethink of the current fiscal framework... and how it's leading to "dysfunctional policymaking". It's time for the Chancellor to pay attention! We @neweconomics.bsky.social would go much further. Some thoughts 👇👇 132
Reposted by Chaitanya KumarLeo Hickman @leohickman.carbonbrief.org · 17/02/2026An extraordinary new column in the Daily Telegraph (no, that's not a typo!) by Ambrose Evans Pritchard. Yes, it includes two charts by Carbon Brief, sure. But stay for the concluding few paragraphs about the electoral suicide of climate denial... www.telegraph.co.uk/business/202... 1510950
Chaitanya Kumar @chaitanyakumar.bsky.social · 10/02/2026We urge the national wealth fund to step in, particularly for offshore wind given the recent high clearing prices, to reduce the cost of capital and consequently the prices that consumers pay over long, 20 year contracts. 000
Chaitanya Kumar @chaitanyakumar.bsky.social · 10/02/2026However, these projects will lock in prices for 20 yrs. While the longer term security helps lower bids, the clearing prices still reflects a high risk premium due to the current cost of capital. These numbers are in the same ball park as previous rounds but still represent an 'avoidable' premium. 100
Chaitanya Kumar @chaitanyakumar.bsky.social · 10/02/20268 of the new onshore wind farms are co-located with battery storage. Need to look into the economics of these projects given the revenue stacking capability. Co-location protects from cannibalisation + the CfD guarantee means these projects are great for developers. Perhaps a bit too great! 110