Joe Twyman @joetwyman.bsky.social · 21/09/2026Three years ago we ran an interesting experiment on public attitudes to censoring content such as Fawlty Towers and Agatha Christie's most popular work. We found that, while context and detail was important, in all the cases we tested a plurality wanted a warning but not a change to be made. 15912
Joe Twyman @joetwyman.bsky.social · 16/09/2026It feels like this whole Piddington story has become a real test of everyone's knowledge of very obscure, short-lived BBC TV series from the late 1990s. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Perfe...en.wikipedia.orgA Perfect State - Wikipedia 240
Joe Twyman @joetwyman.bsky.social · 14/09/2026This week it's EPOP - very much the Burning Man of the UK political science world. Unfortunately trains are no longer running from Liverpool to London on the Sunday until 4pm, thus creating a natural experiment for those attending: Do you trust rail engineering works to finish on time? 100
Reposted by Joe TwymanTim Bale @timbale.bsky.social · 03/09/2026As Nigel Farage and Reform begin their annual conference in Birmingham, @wepsocial.bsky.social has, with accidental but exquisite timing, today published our article (open access) on "Personality, populism and party: support for ‘dark triad’ leaders in the UK". Do share! Meanwhile, here's a taster: 44220
Reposted by Joe TwymanJim Waterson @jim.londoncentric.media · 02/09/2026Sadly, perhaps you do have to hand it to the anti-ULEZ protestors who gifted Sadiq Khan an untaxed car and instead created a story highlighting the flaws in the single justice procedure. (Credit to PA’s Tristan Kirk who is pretty much the only person looking.) www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/m...standard.co.ukMayor of London Sadiq Khan convicted of failing to tax car he ‘does not own’Sir Sadiq was issued with a fine at Herefordshire Magistrates’ Court after being prosecuted by the DVLA through the Single Justice Procedure 2220971
Reposted by Joe TwymanChris Butler @chrisbutlerpol.bsky.social · 01/09/2026Very surprised and delighted that my lead-authored article with @robfordmancs.bsky.social & @martamiori.bsky.social has won the BJPIR John Peterson Best Article Prize for 2025! If only I could find a uni to employ me I would keep trying to produce research at this level 🤣 75514
Joe Twyman @joetwyman.bsky.social · 15/08/2026A happy 80th birthday to the co-creator of what is, to my mind, still the definitive adaptation of The Odyssey: Tony Robinson @sirtonyrobinson.bsky.social 001
Joe Twyman @joetwyman.bsky.social · 14/08/2026The last person to win a by-election and not turn up to the count was Bobby Sands in 1981. Regardless your politics, I would suggest most people would agree he has a stronger claim to sticking two fingers up to The Establishment than Nigel Farage. 041
Joe Twyman @joetwyman.bsky.social · 14/08/2026Cyber News Group send out a flyer for their upcoming conference featuring headline speaker Paddy McGuinness (the former senior civil servant who advises on IT resilience, crisis, technology, data and cyber issues). What could possibly go wrong? 011
Joe Twyman @joetwyman.bsky.social · 14/08/2026Good news for Nigel Farage and Reform: Winning and increasing the number of people voting for him by nearly 5%. Bad news for Nigel Farage and Reform: Basically everything else. Will many people be paying attention? Probably not. 021
Joe Twyman @joetwyman.bsky.social · 08/08/2026This has to be satire, surely? Please tell me this is satire. www.theguardian.com/world/2026/a... 021
Joe Twyman @joetwyman.bsky.social · 29/07/2026Sometimes you just have to sit back and admire the sheer artistry. 140
Joe Twyman @joetwyman.bsky.social · 26/07/2026Burnham begins. But will it actually make any difference? I will be on the Westminster Hour on Radio 4 at 10pm to discuss. 120
Joe Twyman @joetwyman.bsky.social · 25/07/2026Launch the 5th generation podcasters and prepare for Mach 10. If feel the need. The need for... A discussion about the impact of hard drugs on the creative process in Hollywood. 163
Joe Twyman @joetwyman.bsky.social · 19/07/2026Assuming you should dress for the job you want, I hope Wayne Rooney does indeed become the new host of 1970s Blankety Blank. 191
Joe Twyman @joetwyman.bsky.social · 17/07/2026Very thought-provoking from Marie. Going off on a tangent, I think there is a really interesting* discussion to be had about the degree to which so many of these things are ever actually popular or unpopular in terms of true public opinion, beyond online discourse. * Perhaps only interesting to me. 130
Joe Twyman @joetwyman.bsky.social · 17/07/2026Congratulations to @drjennings.bsky.social on being elected as a new Fellow of the British Academy. Very well deserved. 260
Joe Twyman @joetwyman.bsky.social · 07/07/2026Quite fun to think someone not paying particularly close attention could have thought Prince Harry was there in the audience listening in? 040
Joe Twyman @joetwyman.bsky.social · 07/07/2026As someone who grew up 15 minutes from the Clacton constituency, please note that for the next few months I am legally required to begin all public statements with 'As someone who grew up 15 minutes from the Clacton constituency...' Available for tours, weddings, birthday parties, bar mitzvahs 140
Joe Twyman @joetwyman.bsky.social · 01/07/2026What can voting intention polls actually tell us about the state of public opinion, during what is such an unusual moment in British politics? Last night I had an in-depth with Petrie Hosken on this very subject, along with what the future might look like. youtu.be/XqzYjsCxzqM?...youtu.bePetrie Hosken | 30-Jun-26YouTube video by TalkTV 013
Joe Twyman @joetwyman.bsky.social · 30/06/2026I am not a religious person, but I do firmly believe Germany losing on penalties in the World Cup signifies the End of Days. 152
Joe Twyman @joetwyman.bsky.social · 22/06/2026Should Andy Burnham call a new general election if he does become the new Prime Minister? Nearly two thirds (63%) of Brits think so, including more than half (56%) of those who voted Labour at the last election. 831
Joe Twyman @joetwyman.bsky.social · 22/06/2026Keir Starmer himself demonstrated that you probably do not want to start as a new Prime Minister in July. A combination of staff (and school) holidays, the parliamentary recess and then conference season mean the first 100 days can pass extremely quickly. 142
Joe Twyman @joetwyman.bsky.social · 21/06/2026While this may well be true. I can certainly see a scenario where the Conservatives under Badenoch lose a large number of seats to Reform at the next election. She resigns and her successor then does some form of coalition deal with Farage. 131
Reposted by Joe TwymanLBC @lbc.co.uk · 19/06/2026'The phoney war of the Labour leadership election is now over, and full battle, I'm sure, will commence.' @joetwyman.bsky.social explains the significance of Andy Burnham's 'very strong' electoral performance in Makerfield. 063
Joe Twyman @joetwyman.bsky.social · 19/06/2026Politics is so often about momentum and the manner of Andy Burnham's victory clearly demonstrates the momentum is with him. But as we have seen over the last two years, delivering on potential is another matter entirely. Regardless, the Phoney War of the Labour leadership contest is now over. 021
Joe Twyman @joetwyman.bsky.social · 15/06/2026Should social media be banned for under 16s? Two thirds of British adults support the idea in principle, but that support could well change as details on how the ban will actually work (or not!) become clear. 000
Joe Twyman @joetwyman.bsky.social · 12/06/2026As broadcasting of the World Cup begins, I am reminded that at international football competitions there are only two emotions for the spectators in the crowd: 1) Total joy - to be demonstrated by shots of attractive young women. 2) Utter heartbreak - to be demonstrated by shots of crying children. 141
Joe Twyman @joetwyman.bsky.social · 11/06/2026How important is defence as an issue for the general public? 12% place it in their top three most important issues facing the country, making it a third tier issue. Instead, for many voters, Healey's resignation will reinforce existing concerns around government priorities and competence. 010
Joe Twyman @joetwyman.bsky.social · 10/06/2026It really feels like we have now reached a "No-Sided Ceasefire". 030
Joe Twyman @joetwyman.bsky.social · 10/06/2026I tell you what, I am not sure that those on the right in America have always been massively enthusiastic about the World Cup. 84112
Joe Twyman @joetwyman.bsky.social · 15/05/2026In Denton and Gorton "Get Starmer Out" was the key slogan of Reform's (unsuccessful) campaign. In Makerfield, however, if you really want to get Starmer out, voting for Burnham is the way to do that. But "Get Starmer Out Sooner" doesn't really strike me as the kind of slogan Labour will go for. 101
Joe Twyman @joetwyman.bsky.social · 15/05/2026'How much for broadband and TV?' '£34 a month for the broadband and TV plus £17.99 a month for the telephone line.' 'I don't want the telephone line. Can I get it without?' 'Yes. Certainly.' 'How much is that? Just for broadband and TV?' '£51.99 a month.' 'That's the same price.' 'No it isn't.' 140
Joe Twyman @joetwyman.bsky.social · 14/05/2026Boris Johnson stayed as Mayor of London for just over a year after rejoining the House of Commons as a London MP. Does Andy Burnham have to give up being Mayor of Manchester? (Serious question)static.klipy.comJon Snow Declared King In The North - Game Of ThronesALT: Jon Snow Declared King In The North - Game Of Thrones 321
Joe Twyman @joetwyman.bsky.social · 14/05/2026What impact will a change of leader have on the polls? The danger is it will be like a set of inflatables at children's party with a puncture: Any bounce will be very modest and short-lived, leaving some crying in disappointment, while to others the problems were clear from the start. 100
Joe Twyman @joetwyman.bsky.social · 13/05/2026Ed Davey standing down for Andy Burnham really would be the ultimate political stunt. 050
Joe Twyman @joetwyman.bsky.social · 13/05/2026You can ask survey respondents for their views of Burnham, Rayner and Streeting but the only valid conclusion to draw from the findings is that the average person in the street (and the 50% of people less engaged) do not currently know much about any of them at all. 1194
Joe Twyman @joetwyman.bsky.social · 12/05/2026The Keeper (2018) is a perfectly fine film about this, but not nearly as great as it could be, given the real story. And I would say it definitely counts as a war movie @warmovietheatre.com. Plus the film's focus on forgiveness would have (unusually) gone down with my POW grandfather. 010
Joe Twyman @joetwyman.bsky.social · 11/05/2026What next for Keir Starmer and the Labour government? I will be discussing the aftermath of last Thursday's elections at an @OVIDHealth event on Thursday morning (8.30 - 10:30) in central London. If you would like to come along you can register here: bit.ly/PatientsParl... 020
Joe Twyman @joetwyman.bsky.social · 08/05/2026First the good name of the FIFA Peace Prize is sullied and now this. www.espn.com/soccer/story...espn.comFIFA to drop Panini for World Cup deal with Fanatics in 2031FIFA and Fanatics have signed a long-term exclusive license allowing Topps, owned by Fanatics, to produce trading cards, stickers and trading card games for the World Cup and other FIFA events startin... 030
Joe Twyman @joetwyman.bsky.social · 08/05/2026Remember today really is World Donkey Day. Please note this is not a party-political comment. 020
Joe Twyman @joetwyman.bsky.social · 08/05/2026If you are Labour and losing to Reform AND Greens (plus also SNP, Plaid, Conservative and Lib Dems etc) then a pivot or some other ideological repositioning is not going to solve your problems. Instead you need to focus on delivery and hope that you can turn around perceptions. 383
Reposted by Joe TwymanLBC @lbc.co.uk · 02/05/2026'Andy Burnham is the most popular - that's kind of like saying he's the tallest of Snow White's housemates.' The potential contenders for Labour leadership are 'not very well known', @joetwyman.bsky.social tells @shelaghfogarty.bsky.social. 9164
Joe Twyman @joetwyman.bsky.social · 07/04/2026When I was at university we called this "revision". BBC News - www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... Worcester football fan completes 50-hour gaming challenge - BBC Newsbbc.co.ukWorcester football fan completes 50-hour gaming challengeRick Holloway spent more than two days playing Championship Manager on his computer. 130