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John Denham

@jydenham.bsky.social
5.8K followers 588 following 920 posts

Professor | Former Labour MP and Cabinet Minister | Director, Centre for English Identity and Politics | Writing about how ideas of nation and nationhood shape politics today at nationstateandpolitics.substack.com ✍️

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Reposted by John Denham
Colin Yeo @colinyeo.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Thought this was good nationstateandpolitics.substack.com/p/labour-int...
nationstateandpolitics.substack.com
Labour, intellectuals and progressive politics
Where does Labour get its ideas from?
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Reposted by John Denham
Jonathan Portes @jdportes.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
yes, this is excellent, as i'd expect from @jydenham.bsky.social - if a bit depressing!
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John Denham @jydenham.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
nationstateandpolitics.substack.com
Labour, intellectuals and progressive politics
Where does Labour get its ideas from?
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Reposted by John Denham
John Denham @jydenham.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
‘Services designed around people….prevention not crisis’ Lou Haigh promises Total Place principles at Labour conference today.
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John Denham @jydenham.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
‘Services designed around people….prevention not crisis’ Lou Haigh promises Total Place principles at Labour conference today.
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John Denham @jydenham.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Powerful endorsement of Total Place principles by Lou Haigh at Labour conference just now (with Andy Burnham on the platform): 'biggest and most important reform' (to public services) for generations.
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John Denham @jydenham.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
The relationship between Labour and the world of ideas is too weak. A modest initiaive to improve it.... buff.ly/9pHL5jN
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John Denham @jydenham.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
👇👇👇👇
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Will Jennings📉🗳️ @drjennings.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
I wouldn't consider myself a particular expert in national security, but it is absolutely obvious what the problem is and what needs to be done. The failure of the UK government to respond to disorder over a sustained period is egregious.
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John Denham @jydenham.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Labour needs better relationships with academics and experts. renewal.org.uk/blog/labour-...
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John Denham @jydenham.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Welcome views from party activists and non-partisan academics on this 👇
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Antony Carpen @acarpen.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
" @labouruk.bsky.social has recently appointed a No 10 advisor to lead engagement with think tanks, academics, and other networks. But, welcome though this is, Labour has never had a consistent strategy for engaging a wider intellectual community." Former MHCLG Secretary John Denham (2009-10)
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John Denham @jydenham.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Rekindling Labour's relationship with the wider world of progressive ideas. renewal.org.uk/blog/labour-...
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John Denham @jydenham.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Thanks
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Reposted by John Denham
John Denham @jydenham.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Labour’s relationship with academics and intellectuals needs an overhaul renewal.org.uk/blog/labour-...
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John Denham @jydenham.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Labour’s relationship with academics and intellectuals needs an overhaul renewal.org.uk/blog/labour-...
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John Denham @jydenham.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Labour's historically patchy, on-off, short term engagement with academics and intellectuals needs an overhaul renewal.org.uk/blog/labour-...
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Tom Clark @tom-clark.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
The BBC has decided that this constitutes news… A man who left for Monaco several years ago declaring he’s ’lost confidence’ in the UK His qualification for making the headlines? Owning £15bn Broadcasting like democracy already died! www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Billionaire Manchester United owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe says he has lost confidence in UK
Ineos founder Sir Jim Ratcliffe tells the BBC he thinks the country is "on the slide" and calls for more investment in the North Sea.
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John Denham @jydenham.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Where and how does Labour get its ideas? And could it do better?
renewal.org.uk
Labour, intellectuals and progressive politics
Progressive parties are sustained by vision, aspiration, energy, commitment and organisation. But none last long without ideas. Labour, however, is remarkably uncurious about where its ideas come from...
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John Denham @jydenham.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Where does Labour get its ideas from? renewal.org.uk/blog/labour-...
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John Denham @jydenham.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Where does Labour get its ideas from? renewal.org.uk/blog/labour-...
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Reposted by John Denham
Renewal @renewaljournal.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
New on Renewal Online: John Denham (@jydenham.bsky.social) considers Labour's past and current relationship with the wider progressive intellectual eco-system, and calls for a pro-active strategy to foster new strategic thinking renewal.org.uk/blog/labour-...
renewal.org.uk
Labour, intellectuals and progressive politics
Progressive parties are sustained by vision, aspiration, energy, commitment and organisation. But none last long without ideas. Labour, however, is remarkably uncurious about where its ideas come from...
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John Denham @jydenham.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Where and how does Labour get its ideas? And could it do better?
renewal.org.uk
Labour, intellectuals and progressive politics
Progressive parties are sustained by vision, aspiration, energy, commitment and organisation. But none last long without ideas. Labour, however, is remarkably uncurious about where its ideas come from...
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Otto English @ottoenglish.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Absolutely horrendous for this woman and her family.
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John Denham @jydenham.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
I do find odd that we all apparently enjoy the right to enter a hotel uninvited, go to the guest floors, knock on the doors of complete strangers on the grounds that they are not white - and yet not commit any offence.
bbc.co.uk
Group entered hotel of Pakistan cricketers mistaken for migrants
Protesters congregated at a Portsmouth hotel after false rumours that a coach of migrants had arrived.
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Reposted by John Denham
Robert Saunders @robertsaunders.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
A suggested statement for Andy Burnham.
‘The British public decided in the 1930s that they would not tolerate black-shirted militias marching through their streets. They would cherish robust political argument; they would not accept thuggery and intimidation. When Oswald Mosley led his Blackshirts to Cable Street, local people turned them back. A new law – introduced by a Liberal, backed by Labour and carried by a Conservative majority – banned private militias, political uniforms and ‘the use or display of physical force in promoting any political object’. The British people are as determined today as in the 1930s that they will not accept the methods of Mussolini and the Munich Beer Hall. This government will uphold the law and defend the traditions of British democracy’.
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denismacshane.bsky.social @denismacshane.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Much common sense from @jydenham.bsky.social on R4 on Portsmouth, Dover. In France it is a crime to wear a face covering at a political demonstration. But heaven forfend we might learn anything from Europe @nicklowles.bsky.social @roswynnejones.bsky.social
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Sarah Taylor @saturngirl.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Oh bravo @jydenham.bsky.social on #bbcpm. Evan wants him to talk about stopping the boats but he’s very clear about stopping the black-clad thugs instead.
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Political Quarterly @politicalquarterly.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Orwell’s reflections on England and Britain informed our recent public debate on nationhood, featuring Ros Wynne-Jones, Rosie Campbell, Tom McTague, John Denham, and Pippa Catterall. Listen now:
mixcloud.com
'Englishness, Britishness, and the Populist Challenge', with The Orwell Foundation
Listen to 'Englishness, Britishness, and the Populist Challenge', with The Orwell Foundation by Political_Quarterly
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Nolan Principles Matter. End the #GazaGenocide💔💙 @philildo.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
R4 #PM had John Denham on - he was absolutely clear that this was masked thuggery and that the organisers should be brought to justice - maybe a modicum of backtracking from the Beeb? (I know, that's wishful thinking!)
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Will Jennings📉🗳️ @drjennings.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
This is genuinely hilarious framing of small boats now numbers are dropping
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Peter Geoghegan @petergeoghegan.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
‘Those close to the process say capping donations is not a priority for Burnham and not a subject over which it would be worth triggering a fight with Labour’s biggest backers.’ Oligarchic politics is not Burnham’s friend. But he doesn’t seem to realise it www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
theguardian.com
Burnham drops support for political funding cap aimed at curbing mega-donors
PM said he would set bar at £500k, but trade unions say funding reforms could undermine their ability to donate to Labour
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James Ball @jamesrball.com · 26/08/2026
The trade unions have got this one absolutely wrong, and it's *so* dangerous that Labour's not able to see the bigger picture on this one. Union concerns that a future government could use this to come for union funding to parties is legitimate – *but that will happen anyway*.
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Anthony Barnett @anthonybarnett.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
It seems he' s made the wrong call ( @georgemonbiot.bsky.social, @writesbright.bsky.social @petergeoghegan.bsky.social). It's reversible & must be reversed. But first, don't blame the Trade Unions! This is an old gag. Their support is easily sorted. 2/4 www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
theguardian.com
Burnham drops support for political funding cap aimed at curbing mega-donors
PM said he would set bar at £500k, but trade unions say funding reforms could undermine their ability to donate to Labour
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Parody Nigel Farage @parodypm.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
Very decent of the BBC to report our £50bn savings claim as though it's a fact, rather than the made up load of old bollocks that it actually is.
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Hardeep Matharu @hardeepmatharu.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
It remains striking that Cambridge University – which has rightly found itself subject to immense scrutiny in recent days over its academic appointments process – did not answer any of Byline Times' questions re Cambridge Professor James Orr, Reform's Head of Policy, and his activities there. Why?
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DrMaxPolitics @drmaxpolitics.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
@jacknewman.bsky.social @histparl.bsky.social @rafaelbehr.bsky.social @timbale.bsky.social @conunitucl.bsky.social @xychelsea.tv @robjohns75.bsky.social @jydenham.bsky.social @andywestwood.bsky.social @goodauth.bsky.social @futuregovforum.bsky.social @darcyxtip.bsky.social @peterrees.bsky.social
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John Denham @jydenham.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
By coincidence, read this today. It’s a great study with lots of relevance to making the more ambitious devolution framework work. (The associated book has even more detail)
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John Denham @jydenham.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
England’s sporting, cultural and political elites have long been imbued with the Anglo-centrism fostered under empire. (Belief that Britain’s and England’s interest can be conflated and require no distinct recognition)🧵
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John Denham @jydenham.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
This is important - much more radical than local tax raising powers. If substantial it will also gain a momentum of its own as localities explore and exercise their new powers.
bbc.co.uk
Andy Burnham to give regional mayors share of income tax
The prime minister says the move will give power to "every postcode" but critics say the plans lack detail.
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John Denham @jydenham.bsky.social · 25/07/2026
Thanks for reposting. I’ve also written about England, the UK and the need for Labour to understand the politics of nationhood open.substack.com/pub/nationst...
open.substack.com
Andy, Labour, and the politics of nationhood
Can Labour find a nation politics?
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John Denham @jydenham.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
Very good 👇
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John Denham @jydenham.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
Burnham’s team will surely know that dropping the focus on Net Zero would be a ‘winter fuel allowance’ moment for key sections of the electorate.
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Anthony Painter @anthonypainter.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
Not going to lie, I think this is a bad idea. UK Government has not properly adjusted to devolution. We have a series of ministers who seem to largely man mark devolved nations/regions- we don't need more. Which creates even more clutter/duplication. We have to push power down *and* de-dupe.
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John Denham @jydenham.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
A successful Labour government needs to align its story of the nation(s), the organisation of the state, and its political aims and support.
open.substack.com
Andy, Labour, and the politics of nationhood
Can Labour find a nation politics?
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John Denham @jydenham.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
A successful Labour government needs to align its story of the nation(s), the organisation of the state, and its political aims and support.
open.substack.com
Andy, Labour, and the politics of nationhood
Can Labour find a nation politics?
003
John Denham @jydenham.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
open.substack.com/pub/nationst...
open.substack.com
Which England is on the pitch?
....as the World Cup campaign begins
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John Denham @jydenham.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
Enjoyed this discussion with Tom McTague, Pippa Catterall and Ros Wynne-Jones
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John Denham @jydenham.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
Collaboration between nations is essential. But it must be rooted in national democracy and support from voters.https://buff.ly/yJGURth
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