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Tom Arnold

@tjarnold.bsky.social
2.3K followers 521 following 511 posts

Manchester-based policy wonk working on devolution, housing and planning.

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Tom Arnold @tjarnold.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Losing the plot a bit over coverage of the visitor levy. It’s framed here as a centrally imposed tax (it’s not), it will be a blanket 5% (it won’t), and that where levied it will obviously destroy tourism (it’s a very common tax in other countries, it doesn’t). www.theguardian.com/business/202...
theguardian.com
Ministers face backlash from hospitality industry over ‘tourist tax’ plans
Many mayors welcome power to impose tourist tax but industry warns of ‘irreparable harm’ and job losses
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Tom Arnold @tjarnold.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
www.lgcplus.com/politics/gov...
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Tom Arnold @tjarnold.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
What a photo on @cricinfo.com
The first test between England and Pakistan at Headingley, 19 August 2026. The sky is very dark and there are five fielders in the slip cordon.
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Tom Arnold @tjarnold.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
Taken the afternoon off due to a severe case of #metrobankfever
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Tom Arnold @tjarnold.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
Arrived into Euston to see lots of people wearing cowboy hats? Who appear to be heading to see someone called Luke Combs? Who is apparently a country singer? And seemingly big enough to sell out several nights at Wembley Stadium?
Alan Partidge saying “stop talking about American things”.
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Tom Arnold @tjarnold.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
Great piece. This quote from Tony Travers is spot on. Local authority budgets are relatively clear, transparent and easy to scrutinise. Combined authority budgets - not so much.
It has taken years for me to even roughly understand the labyrinthine public-private web of finances in the Tees Valley, a mayoralty that lent out hundreds of millions of pounds of taxpayer cash without any written agreements. Even Tony Travers, former Audit Commission chief and now a professor at the London School of Economics, struggles to follow mayors' financial arrangements. "It is virtually impossible to read existing combined authority budgets and accounts in a way that non-accountants could understand," he says, noting that further devolution will land in a local media landscape that is a "shadow of its former self".
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Tom Arnold @tjarnold.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
Kasper has a severe case of Greater Manchester mayoral by election fever #dogsatpollingstations
A small dog standing in front of a sign that says Polling Station.
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Tom Arnold @tjarnold.bsky.social · 25/07/2026
Sounds like the Council of Nations and Regions is dead. RIP u r wiv da intergovernmental angels now.
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Tom Arnold @tjarnold.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
If Burnham is reviving the National Economic Council and mayors are attending, there are now three separate intergovernmental forums for English mayoral-national relations (Council of Nations & Regions and the Mayoral Council being the others). A bit of institutional tidying up required I think.
theguardian.com
Regional mayors to take key roles in UK policy decisions as part of No 10 North plans
Burnham says ‘no one in government loses when power is shared’ as he revives Brown-era national economic council
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Tom Arnold @tjarnold.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
Watching the new PM enter Downing Street and recognising all the Manchester politicos and policy wonks.
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Tom Arnold @tjarnold.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
English men's cricket learning nothing from English men's football in the dangers of going straight from chilled out vibes merchant to cold-eyed disciplinarian lunatic.
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Tom Arnold @tjarnold.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
Happy Local Government Reorganisation Day to all who celebrate.
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Tom Arnold @tjarnold.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
I am loath to be a chippy Northerner and complain about the London-centric media but millions of homes in the North West have been smothered by acrid smog for the last 4 days and I have barely seen mention of it in national outlets.
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Tom Arnold @tjarnold.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
Will be a magical atmosphere in Dallas tonight. 30,000 England fans belting out England Crazy (Swing Version) by Rider featuring Terry Venables. Goosebumps. m.youtube.com/watch?v=5Gya...
m.youtube.com
England Crazy - World Cup Song - Terry Venables with Leo Green/Matt Holland/Ralph Salmins..
YouTube video by theleogreen
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Tom Arnold @tjarnold.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
First Leicester manager to have a ‘(Name) Out’ thread on FoxesTalk before even being appointed.
Russell Martin appointed Leicester City first team manager.
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Tom Arnold @tjarnold.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
RIP David Hockney and Nigel Cabourn. Two of the most stylish Northern dudes to ever do it.
David Hockney, sometime in the 1980s I guess? He's wearing a wide peak label sport jacket, thick red and white striped shirt and polka dot blue tie, and smoking a cigarette. Nigel Cabourn wearing his signature wide fatigue trousers, trainers, checked shirt and watch cap.
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Tom Arnold @tjarnold.bsky.social · 06/06/2026
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Tom Arnold @tjarnold.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
Off to a T20 Blast game tonight, which for my money is the perfect blend of the two forms of English entertainment: feral and cerebral.
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Tom Arnold @tjarnold.bsky.social · 24/05/2026
A very picturesque evening constitutional.
Kasper the terrier-dachshund cross enjoying a coastal evening walk.
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Tom Arnold @tjarnold.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
Not a huge surprise but the Northern Powerhouse Bill included in the King's Speech kills the idea of a new Manchester-Leeds via Bradford line. Only new bit of NPR will be Manchester-Liverpool via Warrington and Manchester Airport.
NPR will be delivered in three phases:
○ The first phase will include upgrades to lines east of the Pennines
for delivery in the 2030s, focusing on electrification and upgrades in
the Leeds-Bradford, Leeds-Sheffield and Leeds-York corridors,
including the stations.
○ In the second phase, the Government will take forward a new route
between Liverpool and Manchester via Warrington and Manchester
Airport. The adapted High Speed Rail (Crewe - Manchester) Bill will
provide the necessary powers to construct and operate the connection
into Manchester Piccadilly via Manchester Airport.
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○ In the third phase, the Government will deliver better cross-Pennine
links over and above the Transpennine Route Upgrade already
underway.
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Tom Arnold @tjarnold.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
Stockport/Manchester/Trafford
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Tom Arnold @tjarnold.bsky.social · 27/04/2026
"The Levelling Up and Regeneration Act, the Planning and Infrastructure Act, changes to the NPPF - what does that say to you about planning legislation?" "There's too much of it?" "That's one way of looking at it. Another way is - the OBR likes it, let's do more of it"
Alan Partridge pitching ideas to Tony Hayers
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Tom Arnold @tjarnold.bsky.social · 18/04/2026
Plan for the rest of this disastrous season is to ignore Leicester’s impending relegation and just pretend it’s 2016.
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Tom Arnold @tjarnold.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
This is super interesting for a bunch of reasons but the suggestion from NISTA that West Yorkshire's tram proposals are based “around a political agenda rather than a recognised programmatic approach” is particularly revealing. www.politicshome.com/news/article...
politicshome.com
How A Secret Government Report Delayed Leeds' Long-Awaited Trams
The long wait in Leeds for a tram network was recently extended yet again. Noah Vickers uncovers the real reasons for the latest delay
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Tom Arnold @tjarnold.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
Happy St Cuthbert‘s Day to all fellow citizens of the Northern Powerhouse. Feels like a good day to big up my favourite British novel of the 2020s so far.
The cover of Cuddy by Benjamin Myers. It’s about St Cuthbert, Northern England, and a bunch of other stuff.
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Tom Arnold @tjarnold.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
This is a great piece on my old (now neighbouring) constituency.
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Tom Arnold @tjarnold.bsky.social · 23/01/2026
Another consideration for Labour is that the English Devolution Bill isn't law yet, which means a snap mayoral by-election could be under first past the post and not the preferential vote that will soon be reintroduced. That would likely favour Reform, if last May's elections are anything to go by.
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Reposted by Tom Arnold
Heseltine Institute for Public Policy, Practice and Place @livuniheseltine.bsky.social · 16/01/2026
Northern Powerhouse Rail is back - but after a decade of uncertainty, will it really happen this time? @tjarnold.bsky.social discussses the decade-long history of the project and what it tells us about the progress and limitations of devoluton. www.liverpool.ac.uk/heseltine-in...
A map of the proposed Northern Powerhouse Rail route.
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Tom Arnold @tjarnold.bsky.social · 15/01/2026
This promo launching the new Hundred franchise is right up there with The Courteeners and ”we do things differently” for artificially Mancified cringe. youtu.be/CDpGgpbxIVc
youtu.be
Introducing, Manchester Super Giants
YouTube video by Emirates Old Trafford
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Tom Arnold @tjarnold.bsky.social · 20/12/2025
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Tom Arnold @tjarnold.bsky.social · 18/12/2025
A flowchart illustrating the lifecycle of a Northern transport infrastructure project.
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Tom Arnold @tjarnold.bsky.social · 12/12/2025
No one asked for it or cares, but here it is anyway - my favourite ten albums of 2025, in no particular order.
Caroline
Freddie Gibbs
Alex G
YHWH Nailgun
Nourished by Time 
Panda Bear
Geese
Joanne Robertson
Jim Legaxcy
Rainy Miller
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Tom Arnold @tjarnold.bsky.social · 30/11/2025
Timeline cleanse: dog + rainbow.
A small dog in a park with a rainbow behind him.
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Tom Arnold @tjarnold.bsky.social · 26/11/2025
Very good news that Mayoral Strategic Authorities will be allowed to introduce tourist taxes. I feared government might seek to restrict how funds raised by a visitor levy would be used (e.g. only for transport or public safety), but the proposals are quite flexible. www.gov.uk/government/c...
3.2. Funding priorities and local allocation
3.2.1. The Government is of the view that local leaders should be able to invest visitor levy revenues in pro-growth projects, including both
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initiatives directly related to the visitor economy and broader initiatives which have a positive impact on the region’s economic health. This includes, for example, improved public transport, regeneration of the public realm, or providing housing to allow employees to live closer to their places of work, and investing in cultural and visitor attractions. This could be achieved by allowing local leaders to use levy revenues towards capital investment and to access borrowing. This type of investment will enhance the overall visitor experience and the wider local economy, which could in turn drive up tourism and overnight stays.
3.2.2. Local leaders should also be able to use levy funds for revenue spending, towards ongoing service delivery that supports local economic growth, including by enhancing the area’s appeal as a destination for visitors. This could include local authority delivered services, where these support growth, including in the local visitor economy. It would also include Strategic Authority-level functions such as funding:
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Existing and new cultural and sporting events that attract visitors to the area, supported by new powers in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (EDCEB) that allow Mayors to invest in concerts, exhibitions, and local tourism promotion, including in shoulder seasons;
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Transport services, such as bus franchising and integrated ticketing schemes, which improve accessibility for visitors and residents; and,
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Support for businesses in training and skills development, recognising the significant labour and skills shortages in the hospitality sector.
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Tom Arnold @tjarnold.bsky.social · 22/11/2025
Travis Head, fair play.
Don Mattingly/Travis Head.
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Reposted by Tom Arnold
Political Studies Association @polstudiesassoc.bsky.social · 21/11/2025
*PSA EVENT* 'English #Devolution & Community Empowerment Bill - Possibilities & (Missed?) Opportunities' Hybrid workshop with PSA Local Governance & #Politics Group @psalocalpol.bsky.social 📆 24 November, Online & London ➡️
buff.ly
Hybrid Workshop - English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill - Possibilities and (Missed?) Opportunities | The Political Studies Association (PSA)
PSA Local Governance and Politics Specialist Group WorkshopDate: 24 November 2025Time: 12:30 – 17:00 GMTLocation: Online, and limited in person spaces available at the Political Studies Association,…
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Tom Arnold @tjarnold.bsky.social · 20/11/2025
The Ashes 🤝 American elections Waking up at 6 am, nervously checking my phone, and hoping the loud blokes with daft hair aren’t winning.
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Tom Arnold @tjarnold.bsky.social · 22/10/2025
Looking forward to this 👇
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Tom Arnold @tjarnold.bsky.social · 14/10/2025
Really sad to hear this. Just the three albums across 20 years but all are stone cold classics. Black Messiah is surely one of the greatest comeback albums ever - to return with a record of such quality and innovation after so long away was incredible. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
R&B singer D’Angelo dead at 51 - BBC News
The singer, who was also an acclaimed songwriter, was known for helping create the genre of neo-soul.
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Tom Arnold @tjarnold.bsky.social · 10/10/2025
My view on JG is that 90% of his takes on culture are great but his stuff on politics is mostly terrible. This column contains some genuinely useful advice which has actually shifted my reading habits. www.ft.com/content/685a...
ft.com
What and how to read
The golden rule is to read as few contemporary books as possible
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Reposted by Tom Arnold
Heseltine Institute for Public Policy, Practice and Place @livuniheseltine.bsky.social · 09/10/2025
⚽NEW POLICY BRIEFING⚽To mark our 2025 annual lecture, which this year celebrates the deep relationship between the city of Liverpool and its football clubs, this new briefing by @tjarnold.bsky.social explores the role of clubs as anchor institutions. www.liverpool.ac.uk/heseltine-in...
liverpool.ac.uk
Policy Brief 3(25) - Heseltine Institute for Public Policy, Practice and Place - University of Liverpool
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Reposted by Tom Arnold
Heseltine Institute for Public Policy, Practice and Place @livuniheseltine.bsky.social · 07/10/2025
Just 2 weeks to go until our 2025 annual lecture! Join us for a fascinating discussion on football's relationship with Liverpool, its economy and its people, featuring Keiran Maguire (Associate Professor in football finance) at @liverpooluni.bsky.social and more. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/heseltine-...
eventbrite.co.uk
Heseltine Institute Annual Lecture 2025: Football and the City
Exploring the role of football clubs in driving regeneration, uplifting communities and sustaining our connection to place.
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Tom Arnold @tjarnold.bsky.social · 03/10/2025
I'm at Conservative conference next week with @instituteforgovernment.org.uk talking integrated settlements, local growth plans, fiscal devolution and probably a bunch of other stuff.
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Reposted by Tom Arnold
Heseltine Institute for Public Policy, Practice and Place @livuniheseltine.bsky.social · 01/10/2025
It's October, which means our annual lecture is this month! Marking Everton's move to a new stadium and Liverpool's 20th top flight title, we focus on the deep and complex relationship between football and the city. Join us on 21 October @liverpooluni.bsky.social news.liverpool.ac.uk/2025/10/01/c...
news.liverpool.ac.uk
City’s relationship with football in spotlight at Heseltine Institute Annual Lecture - University of Liverpool News
City’s relationship with football in spotlight at Heseltine Institute Annual Lecture
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Tom Arnold @tjarnold.bsky.social · 30/09/2025
Relieved that the weather has played ball in Liverpool for conference. Last year I attended an event where the politician on the panel arrived late and was so wet that he looked like he’d just stepped out of the River Mersey.
The River Mersey in the sunshine.
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Tom Arnold @tjarnold.bsky.social · 25/09/2025
Took Kasper to a physio today where he had to wear safety goggles due to some kind of laser being used, so please enjoy this photo of him looking like a WW2 fighter pilot.
A small dog wearing goggles.
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Tom Arnold @tjarnold.bsky.social · 24/09/2025
First week of term campus fashion observation: we may be approaching peak big trousers. The wheel of trouser may soon turn and in 3-4 years everyone will start dressing like The Strokes again.
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Tom Arnold @tjarnold.bsky.social · 06/09/2025
I know by their nature reshuffles are disruptive but ditching McMahon seems really daft. He’s leading on a bill that‘s just passed second reading, dealing with tricky local government reorganisation, has worked the brief for several years and is widely regarded as doing a pretty good job.
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Reposted by Tom Arnold
Stuart Turnbull-Dugarte @turnbulldugarte.com · 05/09/2025
Radical right accommodation really does not work. New paper out with this exceptionally talented team @katharinalawall.bsky.social @robjohns75.bsky.social @drjennings.bsky.social @sarahobolt.bsky.social @zachdickson.bsky.social @danjdevine.bsky.social & @jack-bailey.co.uk doi.org/10.31235/osf...
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Tom Arnold @tjarnold.bsky.social · 01/09/2025
@footballcliches.bsky.social Julián Carranza has just signed on loan for Leicester, with the news accompanied on the LCFC website by this image. The year the loan ends on the back of the shirt - are we having this? Surely the date on the shirt thing should be reserved for contract renewals?
New Leicester City signing Julian Carranza holding a Leicester shirt with 'Carranza 2026' on the back.
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