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Reposted by Robert Saunders

Robert Saunders @robertsaunders.bsky.social · 23h

Burnham's speech marks perhaps the best opportunity to replace First Past the Post since 1918. I joined @jonathanfreedland.bsky.social & @lucyfisher.ft.com recently on "The Long View" to explore the history of electoral reform in Britain - & the lessons we might learn. www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...

bbc.co.uk

BBC Radio 4 - The Long View, Electoral reform

Jonathan Freedland takes the long view of electoral reform.

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Robert Saunders @robertsaunders.bsky.social · 9h

On 26 October, we'll be marking 50 years since the IMF crisis by exploring the politics of economic shocks. What is it like to govern in an economic crisis? What happens when "the markets" turn on governments? And what does this mean for democracy? All welcome! www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/politics-a...

eventbrite.co.uk

Politics and Economic Shocks, from the IMF Crisis to the Mini-Budget

Join the Mile End Institute for a discussion exploring how financial crises and market pressures have shaped British politics since 1976.

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Robert Saunders @robertsaunders.bsky.social · 13h

It’s a mark of the corruption of our whole way of thinking about the world that trying to meet a planetary emergency is routinely described as “ideological”, while continuing to accelerate it is presented as “pragmatic” and “economic”.

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Robert Saunders @robertsaunders.bsky.social · 23h

bbc.co.uk

BBC Radio 4 - The Long View, Electoral reform

Jonathan Freedland takes the long view of electoral reform.

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Robert Saunders @robertsaunders.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Looking forward to tonight's sell-out lecture at the @mileendinstitute.bsky.social by the brilliant @iandunt.bsky.social. He'll be discussing how well Britain is governed and how brilliantly things are going, in "How Westminster Works ... and Why It (Still) Doesn't".

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Robert Saunders @robertsaunders.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Getting some expert help with tomorrow's lecture.

A handsome cat looks thoughtfully at the computer screen. A human is also in shot.

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Dean Baker @deanbaker13.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Elon Musk is shutting down the Catholic Bishops in Brazil account on X to help the right-wing win the election there paydayreport.com/x-blocks-acc...

paydayreport.com

X Blocks Account of National Conference of Bishops of Brasil As Catholics Back Lula

Polls show Catholics backing Lula as the church denounces foreign interference.

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Tom Roberts @tpgroberts.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Fundamentally, the median voter has had a tax cut since 2010 and the result is that nothing works.

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James Murray @james-bg.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

This is a low key tragedy. A broad consensus torched by a handful of ideologues and opportunists who do not even understand what net zero target is and why it was adopted. The reality is temperatures will continue to spiral until we reach net zero or civilisation collapses, whichever comes first.

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Robert Saunders @robertsaunders.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Really interesting review of the recent Brown book by my colleague (and former member of the Number 10 Policy Unit) Patrick Diamond. politicalquarterly.org.uk/blog/review-...

politicalquarterly.org.uk

Review: Gordon Brown. Power with Purpose, by James Macintyre

Gordon Brown in power: was it a missed opportunity?

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Robert Saunders @robertsaunders.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Apparently it's now ok to tell the public to vote again until they give the right answer. (This is also a very odd *Conservative* take on the 2010-15 coalition, which put the party in office, led to its first majority for 23 years and was the only govt in the last 19 years to complete a full term).

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Robert Saunders @robertsaunders.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

It's enormously depressing to see the Lib Dems loyally falling in behind the collective fantasy of our times: that you can cut taxes, rebuild public services & solve the massive problems confronting the public finances by pulling some magic lever marked "increased growth". This is just not serious.

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Robert Saunders @robertsaunders.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Rejoining the single market has become the new "magic money tree" of UK politics. I'd gladly rejoin, but are we all now pretending growth was going gangbusters, money was pouring into the Exchequer & there was no pressure on the public finances before Brexit? www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

theguardian.com

Ed Davey promises £17bn income tax cut if Lib Dems are elected

Growth created by rejoining EU single market and customs union would fund change, Davey tells the party’s conference

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Royal Historical Society @royalhistsoc.org · 22/09/2026

Join us online at 1pm on Thursday (24th Sept) for 'Historical Context: The Climate Crisis' bit.ly/3V4lgKf With panellists @dagomardegroot.bsky.social, @sadiahqureshi.bsky.social and @ellydezateux.bsky.social. How does historical expertise help us understand the world today? All welcome #Skystorians

bit.ly

Historical Context: The Climate Crisis

A panel discussion, hosted by the Royal Historical Society, in which expert historical researchers provide context for current events.

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Robert Saunders @robertsaunders.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

It's worth noting that the "Burnham bounce" - before the tough decisions kick in - has Labour at 23-30%. The "Keminaissance" has the Tories at 18-22%. The old social and cultural ties that anchored voters to the two-party system, even when things were rough, just don't exist anymore.

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Robert Saunders @robertsaunders.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

I generally ignore royal stories, but there's something deeply tawdry about the saturation coverage here. It's basically one person's word against another, involving the parents of two real people who've probably suffered enough from their private grief being treated like primetime entertainment.

Umpteen links on the BBC News page about the Earl Spencer allegations.

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Robert Saunders @robertsaunders.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Had one of those lovely things today where a complete stranger (in this case, an elderly lady) says something so nice that it lifts the whole day. The kindness of strangers is a wonderful thing.

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Robert Saunders @robertsaunders.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

For me, "doing better" for the Lib Dems means doing more with the MPs they already have. The key question here is "why should you want a large bloc of Lib Dem MPs"? When there are 72 of them, & liberal-democracy is in crisis, they have both an opportunity & an obligation to give a better answer.

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Robert Saunders @robertsaunders.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Fancy a nice podcast for the weekend? The Parliament Matters pod came to Queen Mary, to discuss how Andy Burnham is doing, Reform's billionaire donors, the state of the Union & best political books. With me, Cath Haddon, Dan Gover, Ruth Fox & Mark D'Arcy. www.hansardsociety.org.uk/news/parliam...

hansardsociety.org.uk

PMQs: Parliament Matters Questions, with students at Queen Mary University of London - Parliament Matters podcast, Episode 157

Recorded live at Queen Mary University of London as part of Student Week, we are joined by Dr Robert Saunders, Dr Daniel Gover and Dr Catherine Haddon to take stock of the new Burnham Government and t...

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Robert Saunders @robertsaunders.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Not sure about the new Borrowers remake.

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Robert Saunders @robertsaunders.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Fixed that story about Sir Jim Ratcliffe on the BBC.

Picture of man smiling with tea-mug. Headline reads: "Non-Billionaire who actually lives in the UK and pays its taxes says he has lost confidence in the super-rich", with sub-header: 'One of Britain's taxpayers says he has lost confidence in billionaires, describing them as "on the take"".

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Gill Bennett @gillhistory.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

This is excellent.

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Robert Saunders @robertsaunders.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

"UK's 'dismal' Eurovision song choices to be examined by MPs". Surely the solution is obvious...

Andy Burnham tearing up the stage with an acoustic guitar.

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Nick Garland @npjgarland.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Really excited to be relaunching Progressive Review, @ippr.org's journal of politics, ideas and public policy, with a new editorial team + advisory board:

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Robert Saunders @robertsaunders.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

"Into the Bermuda Triangle! How Prime Ministers Fall". I've written for the new "Progressive Review" on why we keep losing PMs, and what we might learn from previous periods of prime ministerial churn. With a guest appearance by @number10cat.bsky.social. onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...

onlinelibrary.wiley.com

Into the Bermuda Triangle: How Prime Ministers Fall

Eleven years after David Cameron promised ‘stability and strong government’; nine years after Theresa May pledged ‘strong and stable leadership’; and two years after Keir Starmer vowed to ‘stop the c...

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Robert Saunders @robertsaunders.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

I have been dutifully listening to the Sam Fender/Olivia Deane song "Don't Rein Me In", having been berated for not knowing it at our student quiz yesterday. It's ok: but it's no match for "Don't FENCE Me In", by Louis Armstrong & Velma Middelton. This is pure gold. www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJZm...

youtube.com

Don't Fence Me in (feat. Velma Middelton, the All Stars)

YouTube video by Louis Armstrong And The All-Stars - Topic

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Robert Saunders @robertsaunders.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

It was great to welcome the "Parliament Matters" podcast to "the political studies powerhouse that is Queen Mary University of London". Featuring the brilliant @ruthfox.bsky.social @darcyxtip.bsky.social @cathhaddon.bsky.social & @danielgover.bsky.social, plus me going tonto on billionaire donors.

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Robert Saunders @robertsaunders.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

"How Westminster Works ... and Why It (Still) Doesn't". Really looking forward to hosting the fabulous @iandunt.bsky.social at the @mileendinstitute.bsky.social on 28 September. Come and explore what's wrong with British politics - and what we can do about it. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/how-westmi...

eventbrite.co.uk

How Westminster Works ... and Why it (Still) Doesn't

Join the podcaster and journalist Ian Dunt to explore how Westminster is working today and how we can build something better for the future!

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Robert Saunders @robertsaunders.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Perhaps the UK government should take Piddington at its word. It could set up border posts around the village & arrest any residents who try to cross as illegal immigrants. There would be tariffs on goods, of course, and no access to the NHS or UK schools, police, fire, pensions or utilities.

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Robert Saunders @robertsaunders.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

At this rate, the first pledge in Reform's manifesto is going to be a Trump-style power of prime ministerial pardons.

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Robert Saunders @robertsaunders.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

This will be excellent, from our wonderful @mileendinstitute.bsky.social manager Tom Chidwick! And we will of course be launching it at the MEI, with a great line-up of speakers. Keep an eye out for updates...

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Phil Brickell MP @philbrickellmp.bsky.social · 10/04/2026

Ben Delo isn't just a "billionaire expat" with a soft spot for Farage. In 2022 he was found guilty of serious criminal charges in the United States. American prosecutors said he deliberately built a dodgy crypto platform designed to help people hide dirty money. He admitted as much in court.

justice.gov

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Hassinator @hassinator.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

a great letter in the times today. perhaps worth sharing in these troubled times. #RNLI #heroes

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Robert Saunders @robertsaunders.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Britain's campaign finance laws. (Or: how my cooking usually goes).

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Robert Saunders @robertsaunders.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

I sang at a celebrity wedding yesterday, so have gone mad and bought a (fairly bog-standard) jumper. It comes with all sorts of alarming warnings about washing it in a "net", whatever that may be. Should I take this seriously, or just bung it in the machine as usual?

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Robert Saunders @robertsaunders.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Fancy a podcast for the weekend? I always enjoy talking about Gladstone and Disraeli, and hope you'll like this episode. Available on "Past, Present, Future", wherever you get your podcasts, or in the link below. @ppfideas.bsky.social

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Robert Saunders @robertsaunders.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

League tables are basically garbage, but some of the data they include is useful. It's nice that 96.3% of History students at Queen Mary are satisfied with their teaching. Yet the pressure from the "Teaching Excellence Framework" seems to be all about reducing the choice & variety students value.

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Robert Saunders @robertsaunders.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

The most fundamental question in politics is: whose support do you need to win and hold power? Is it warlords, aristocrats, empires or "the demos"? If the answer is "billionaires", you are not a democracy but a plutocracy. That's why democracies *must* erect barricades against capture by the rich

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Duncan Hames @duncanhames.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Democratic politics will not serve the people when politicians owe their place and their futures to one or two billionaires.

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Robert Saunders @robertsaunders.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

A serious democratic society simply cannot allow this. That's £72 million from just two men. (Both, until lately, based overseas). The average UK earner (full-time) would have to work for over 1,800 years to raise that much. It's a nuclear strike on any pretence at the equality of political power

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Punch Cartoons @punchbooks.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Here's our favourite PUNCH cartoon of Gladstone and Disraeli. 'Lancashire Lions' of 1872. Don't think the PUNCH people were too keen on Disraeli! #history #politics #politicians #Victorians @robertsaunders.bsky.social

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Robert Saunders @robertsaunders.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

This week on @ppfideas.bsky.social, we explore "Gladstone, Disraeli & the Bulgarian Horrors": the last great battle between the two towering politicians of the Victorian age. It's a story of empire, religion, mass protest & soaring oratory. Here's a quick taster...🧵 www.ppfideas.com/episodes/now...

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Robert Saunders @robertsaunders.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

The ability of the richest & most powerful men in the world to position themselves against "the elite" - a category that excludes the world's richest man, its biggest media magnates, the UK's richest party & the biggest donors in UK history - may be the most effective lie in modern political history

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Robert Saunders @robertsaunders.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Reform is the richest party in Britain. Its leaders are almost all millionaires. It is funded almost exclusively by billionaires. It has a supportive TV station and widespread media backing. So naturally, this donation comes with the usual attack on "elites". www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

theguardian.com

Reform UK given record £36m donation by British crypto billionaire

Ben Delo was convicted in US for failing to implement adequate anti-money laundering controls but pardoned by Trump

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Robert Saunders @robertsaunders.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

My landlord has hit on a cunning plan for catching birds. (He has never caught a bird).

A hungry cat stands on the bird bath, hoping birds will fly into his mouth.

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Robert Saunders @robertsaunders.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

As their former Head of Policy put it, on the recent Channel 4 expose, "We just don't have British resident donors that would support us ... That's the grim reality".

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Robert Saunders @robertsaunders.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

"The faster melting of Arctic sea ice, attributed to global warming, made it more feasible for ships to try it out this summer". This is not a good news story. news.sky.com/story/contai...

news.sky.com

Container ship arrives in UK after landmark voyage from China via the Arctic

The 575-ft-long Dubai Tower arrived at Teesport in the North East of England after leaving eastern China on 15 August.

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Dinah Rose KC @dinahrose.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Just woke up

Grey cat sitting in a basin looking a bit groggy.

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Robert Saunders @robertsaunders.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

I'm probably a dinosaur, but I wish students were allowed more time just to be students: to study, to read, to think, to talk to each other, to have big ideas - maybe even to have fun now & then. I'm not convinced turning unis into training centres is going to fix bigger problems in the jobs market

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