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Mark Pack

@markpackuk.bsky.social
9.3K followers 896 following 6.6K posts

Lib Dem Life Peer. Party President 2020-5. Author, "Polling UnPacked" / www.theweekinpolls.co.uk / libdemnewswire.substack.com / imprint + privacy markpack.org.uk/legal-privacy / he/him

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Mark Pack @markpackuk.bsky.social · 1h
The geography of Liberal Democrat potential (LDN#214)
markpack.org.uk
The geography of Liberal Democrat potential (LDN#214)
Lib Dem Newswire #214 takes a look at the geography of Lib Dem support, includes advice on how to react to stories about hung Parliaments...
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Mark Pack @markpackuk.bsky.social · 6h
Could it be you? New vacancy listed on Lib Dem website: Campaign Organiser and Constituency Support Officer (Woking)
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Campaign Organiser and Constituency Support Officer (Woking)
Woking Liberal Democrats and Will Forster MP are looking for an enthusiastic, organised and self-motivated person for a full-time role combining campaign organisation with constituency support.
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Mark Pack @markpackuk.bsky.social · 12h
Could it be you? New vacancy listed on Lib Dem website: Campaigns Manager (Wales)
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Campaigns Manager (Wales)
Following recent elections in which the Liberal Democrats have begun rebuilding in Wales, we’re looking for a driven and strategic Campaigns Manager to turn these green shoots into sustained electoral...
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Mark Pack @markpackuk.bsky.social · 14h
Could it be you? New vacancy listed on Lib Dem website: Assistant Returning Officer
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Assistant Returning Officer
Local Parties across the country need to choose their candidate now, not at the last minute and every selection needs a Returning Officer to make that happen. Without you, a Local Party simply can't get...
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Mark Pack @markpackuk.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Russia's spy agency opens criminal case against Lib Dem councillor
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Mark Pack @markpackuk.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
After all Labour's previous dalliances with PR for the Commons, let's hope they see this through - first past the post cannot cope with the modern state of politics.
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Mark Pack @markpackuk.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
It's notable how similar the seat tallies are in the latest MRP polls, and although there's quite a variation on the right, the Conservative plus Reform total is also similar across them all. More analysis here: theweekinpolls.substack.com/p/the-same-b...
Graph of how MRP seat tallies vary between pollsters.
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Mark Pack @markpackuk.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
There's bad news for one of the blocs in modern British politics when you look at the combined picture across the five (five!) MRPs recently released: buff.ly/6joHaYs
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The same but also different: the picture from five MRPs
Five MRPs have recently been published. What do they tell us, where do they agree and where do they disagree?
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Mark Pack @markpackuk.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
How Home Secretaries change immigration rules without telling Parliament
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How Home Secretaries change immigration rules without telling Parliament
The Home Secretary has the power to alter rules over who is allowed into the country, and does this without even telling Parliament.
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Mark Pack @markpackuk.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Christine Jardine will not be re-standing for Parliament
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Christine Jardine will not be re-standing for Parliament
Edinburgh West Member of Parliament Christine Jardine is not going to be standing at the next Westminster general election.
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Mark Pack @markpackuk.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Lib Dems most liked by political rivals, study finds
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Lib Dems most liked by political rivals, study finds
The Lib Dems are the party most liked by their political rivals, according to research by the Policy Institute at King’s College London,
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Mark Pack @markpackuk.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
The Lives of Others: a powerful film about art and the Stasi
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The Lives of Others: a powerful film about art and the Stasi
Mark and Cory discuss The Lives of Others, a modern classic about Stasi surveillance in 1980s East Germany.
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Mark Pack @markpackuk.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
I now have this lovely picture of people applying football tactics to their Scrabble playing. Looking forward to tips on how best to play the long letter.
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Mark Pack @markpackuk.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Lib Dems just miss out on another council by-election gain.
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Lib Dems just miss out on another council by-election gain.
Following the Lib Dem council by-election gain on Wednesday, there was very nearly another Lib Dem gain on Thursday.
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Mark Pack @markpackuk.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Could it be you? New vacancy listed on Lib Dem website: Campaigns Officer (Hertfordshire)
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Campaigns Officer (Hertfordshire)
Do you want to make the world around you a better place to live? Do you want to see your values making a real difference in peoples’ lives?
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Mark Pack @markpackuk.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Nothing quite so reassuring as a sign telling you there is no risk of things falling on your head.
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Mark Pack @markpackuk.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
How Home Secretaries change immigration rules without telling Parliament buff.ly/XbRqCRj
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How Home Secretaries change immigration rules without telling Parliament
The Home Secretary has the power to alter rules over who is allowed into the country, and can exercise this power without even telling Parliament.
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Ben Williams @bpwilliams72.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Good stuff here from Mark. There is only a very narrow window in which substantive action can be taken and it's narrowing quickly.
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Mark Pack @markpackuk.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
How to fix the problem of money in our politics buff.ly/whrljad
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How to fix the problem of money in our politics
Welcome to my latest update on work in the House of Lords.
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Mark Pack @markpackuk.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Hastings and Eastbourne MPs condemn abuse of RNLI volunteers
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Sussex MPs condemn 'disgusting' abuse of lifeboat volunteers
Helena Dollimore, Labour and Co-operative MP for Hastings, and Josh Babarinde, Liberal Democrat MP for Eastbourne, issued the joint statement.
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Mark Pack @markpackuk.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
How Home Secretaries change immigration rules without telling Parliament buff.ly/XbRqCRj
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How Home Secretaries change immigration rules without telling Parliament
The Home Secretary has the power to alter rules over who is allowed into the country, and can exercise this power without even telling Parliament.
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Mark Pack @markpackuk.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
From idealists to struggling sceptics: how Labour’s majority depends on five progressive voter types – in charts
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From idealists to struggling sceptics: how Labour’s majority depends on five progressive voter types – in charts
Analysis reveals five distinct groups with sharply contrasting priorities – and who has drifted the most from Labour towards Greens and Reform
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Mark Pack @markpackuk.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
After the expose of the Telegraph's role in mis-describing a JL Partners poll connected to Reform, welcome to see what may be the start of a new editorial policy on polling transparency in today's piece about another poll: www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/09...
First, evidence of the PM’s affability. The polling company Find Out Now (FON) has kindly shared a wealth of data from its own regular monitoring of public opinion about politics, research the firm funds itself. That data from four polls repeated across early September confirm that Burnham, by political standards, is a sympathetic character.
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Mark Pack @markpackuk.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
The Lives of Others: a powerful film about art and the Stasi buff.ly/1bvVXZc
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The Lives of Others
Mark and Cory discuss The Lives of Others, a modern classic about Stasi surveillance in 1980s East Germany.
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Mark Pack @markpackuk.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Extreme populism turns out to be ... not so popular.
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Mark Pack @markpackuk.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
It is striking how vulnerable both Reform and the Conservatives are to any combination of slipping support and tactical voting: look in how very few seats this poll puts them 10%+ ahead in. (And note the very solid base for the Lib Dems from which to move forward.)
67% of Reform UK's projected MRP wins are by a margin of five points or less, leaving the party particularly vulnerable to future tactical voting
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Mark Pack @markpackuk.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Lib Dems come from third to win by-election in Katie Lam’s constituency
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Lib Dems come from third to win by-election in Katie Lam's constituency
We had a rare Wednesday council by-election this week, in the constituency of high-profile Conservative MP Katie Lam. … Read the full post »
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Mark Pack @markpackuk.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Second Lichfield councillor becomes independent member after being suspended by Reform UK: buff.ly/r49EIRb Yet more updates required to my list: buff.ly/n6U55tK
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Second Lichfield councillor becomes independent member after being suspended by Reform UK
Cllr Matthew Wallens had represented party at Staffordshire County Council.
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Mark Pack @markpackuk.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
The Hecklers: a great documentary about the 1966 election
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The Hecklers: a great documentary about the 1966 election
Oscar-winning American director Joseph Strick made his mark on British politics with a film for the BBC on the 1966 election, The Hecklers.
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Mark Pack @markpackuk.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Big thanks to everyone involved in organising another Liberal Democrat conference, especially @nickdacosta.bsky.social who each day at conference fixes 47 problems behind the scenes so that we can all enjoy the event safely and securely. Thank you Nick, conference office team and everyone else!
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Lib Dem Peers @libdempeers.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
The fight of our lives, and Lib Dem peers are ready for it. Ed Davey called for a global treaty to pause super-intelligent AI and safe maternity care for every mother. Peers have been raising both in the Lords and will push to deliver them.
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Mark Pack @markpackuk.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
🎧 Sneak peak: there's a new party podcast on the way, and it was soft launched over conference with short pieces about the event. Take a listen and subscribe here - open.spotify.com/show/4YSbP7k...
open.spotify.com
Conference Conversations
Podcast · Liberal Democrats · Conversations from the Liberal Democrat Autumn Conference in Brighton.
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Mark Pack @markpackuk.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
We are in the fight of our lives: Ed Davey
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We are in the fight of our lives: Ed Davey
"If there was any doubt before, there can’t be now. We are in the fight of our lives. And it is a fight we must win" - Ed Davey
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Mark Pack @markpackuk.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Halt super-intelligent AI with non-proliferation treaty, Ed Davey to say
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Halt super-intelligent AI with non-proliferation treaty, Ed Davey to say
At Lib Dems’ conference in Brighton, leader will accuse Andy Burnham of relying on Donald Trump and ‘tech bros’ to solve problem
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Mark Pack @markpackuk.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Lib Dems propose big tech levy to fund £250m online crime agency
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Lib Dems propose big tech levy to fund £250m online crime agency
Proposal one of many at conference responding to concern voters unaware of party’s policies or what it stands for
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Mark Pack @markpackuk.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Feeling ‘forced out’ by Badenoch? Lib Dems conference welcomes young Tory defectors
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Feeling ‘forced out’ by Badenoch? Lib Dems conference welcomes young Tory defectors
Self-described moderates say Ed Davey’s party offers them a home as Conservatives shift further right
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Mark Pack @markpackuk.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Why politicians should pay more attention to the polls (reprise) buff.ly/TlmbooS
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Why politicians should pay more attention to the polls (reprise)
Here's the evidence which shows us why politicians should spend more time reading the polls.
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Angry People in Local Newspapers @apiln.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
"I have become increasingly convinced that we are heading for a disastrous confrontation and that the 21st century will be remembered for a terrible war between mankind and goats"
Goat war: an apology
FRIDAY'S Argus featured a Your Interview with Richard Robinson.
We would like to clarify that the quote "I have become increasingly convinced that we are heading for a disastrous confrontation and that the 21st century will be remembered for a terrible war between mankind and goats" was a reader question and not a response from Mr Robinson.
The next paragraph: "People often underestimate how dangerous a goat can be - I personally know six people who have become severely injured by goats, and the annual death toll racked up by goats is over
2,000,000",
, is also a reader question and not a response from Mr Robinson.
The Argus is happy to correct this and would like to apologise for the error.
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Mark Pack @markpackuk.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Ed Davey condemns 'groups of thugs in black shirts' for intimidating RNLI volunteers
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Liberal Jimocrat @liberaljimocrat.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
If @markpackuk.bsky.social gives any more plugs for More or Less at this fringe, @timharford.ft.com will be able to open an electrical supply shop
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Mark Pack @markpackuk.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Daisy Cooper Keynote Speech | Autumn Conference 2026
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Daisy Cooper Keynote Speech | Autumn Conference 2026
Daisy Cooper, Liberal Democrat Treasury Spokesperson, makes her Key...
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Mark Pack @markpackuk.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Conference Conversations - a new Lib Dem podcast
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Conference Conversations
Podcast · Liberal Democrats · Conversations from the Liberal Democrat Autumn Conference in Brighton.
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Mark Pack @markpackuk.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
‘Flip the table and rise up’: Lib Dems’ president in combative mood as party gathers in Brighton
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‘Flip the table and rise up’: Lib Dems’ president in combative mood as party gathers in Brighton
Josh Babarinde wants to target big tech and crypto billionaires while giving power and cash back to the public
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Mark Pack @markpackuk.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Ed Davey takes aim at Reform and Elon Musk as Lib Dem conference begins
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Ed Davey takes aim at Reform and Elon Musk as Lib Dem conference begins
Leader says party ‘won’t give up the fight’ to defeat ‘nasty populism’ in first-day speech to delegates in Brighton
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Mark Pack @markpackuk.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
This isn't just about "non-election" periods. Currently there's no national limit in place for most local elections (the ones that aren't close to a general election) - which means posted mailshots from party leaders don't count against any limit and can swamp the capped stuff.
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Mark Pack @markpackuk.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Notable how little the Green leaflet mentions green issues. Even the point where in the text it gets to briefly mentioning the environment, it them immediately pivots away to a different topic.
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Mark Pack @markpackuk.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Brexit backers want stronger UK defence ties with Europe, new polling shows
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Brexit backers want stronger UK defence ties with Europe
New polling by Savanta reveals that half of UK voters and four in ten Brexit supporters want to prioritise stronger defence ties with European allies over the United States.
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Mark Pack @markpackuk.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Lib Dems have ‘moral responsibility’ to block Reform, says Ed Davey as party gears up for snap election
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Lib Dems have ‘moral responsibility’ to block Reform, says Ed Davey as party gears up for snap election
Exclusive: Lib Dem leader bullish ahead of party conference despite static poll ratings and MPs’ frustrations
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Mark Pack @markpackuk.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Four in 10 Brexit backers want UK to strengthen defence ties with Europe, new poll shows
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Four in 10 Brexit backers want UK to strengthen defence ties with Europe
Exclusive: Impact of Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump on global security means Andy Burnham’s Brexit ‘red lines’ are putting the UK at risk, Lib Dems say on the first day of their annual conference...
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Lib Dem Peers @libdempeers.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
"Marriage equality was a Lib Dem achievement, we should never forget that." At conference, Lynne Featherstone, Lib Dem peer, joined Wendy Chamberlain MP and Jo Swinson to discuss equality. @lynnefeatherstone.bsky.social @wendychambld.bsky.social @joswinson.bsky.social
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