Jesus Christ. These people are just ghouls. Plain and simple.

A very successful event tonight in the House of Commons. 'First Past the Post and the Threat of Reform' Brilliant speeches by David Blunkett Peter Lamb MP 🌹 Margaret Mullane MP Packed room. Lively discussion. Thank you to our speakers and to everyone who came.

I do wish Downing St would stop using policy arguments that make it seem impotent & lacking agency. Saying there is 'no alternative' to unpopular decisions just feeds into that idea that govts are powerless & all the same. Own the action. Explain the trade-off. Make the case.

stmarys.ac.uk/news/2025/prof… John, our first Provost, was a key part of the leadership team at St Mary's and a much-loved friend and colleague. He will be greatly missed.

We're delighted to announce that the Bloomsbury Academic Writing Fellowship will run for a third consecutive year, in partnership with Writers & Artists. Applications are open from 1st September 2025 to 1st October 2025. Find out how you can apply here: bit.ly/4mHlgcn

On 10 June we'll be marking 50 years since the 1975 referendum & 9 years since 2016 by asking "How to win a referendum on Europe". Join Anand Menon, Sara Hobolt, Maria Sobolewska 🇺🇦 & our very own Robert Saunders to explore how referendums are won or lost, & the lessons for today.

Worth a read from excellent colleague Philip Cowley What do we want? Everything. When do we want it? Right now! on.ft.com/4kNzjeI via @financialtimes

07.06.2023 2 years ago today, West Ham became European champions.

2 years ago today us West Ham fans experienced one of the best moments in life we’ll ever experience A day I’ll never forget & will cherish forever 🏆⚒

This evening, we'll be marking 50 years since the 1975 referendum & 9 years since 2016 by asking "How to win a referendum on Europe". Book your place to join Anand Menon, Sara Hobolt, Neil Carmichael and Robert Saunders to explore how referendums are won or lost ⬇️

‘Tories recognise that in constitutions there will be knots in the wood. Tory constitutions are not IKEA. They are made from oak and ash and pine and fir.’ - Michael Gove on the Tory understanding of the constitution. As quoted by the great Peter Hennessy in his 2021-2 diaries.

📅Monday 23 June, 6.30pm📅 Does the #ConservativeParty have a future? Join us to hear Tim Bale, Dr Nigel Fletcher and Rachel Cunliffe, The New Statesman's ace Associate Political Editor, discuss the Conservatives' problems and the challenges of opposition. 🔗qmul.ac.uk/mei/events/mei…

If you’re at #BISA2025 today and are thinking of writing a #Politics or #InternationalRelations book, you’ve got just over an hour left to meet the brilliant Atifa Jiwa!

After last week's vote in the Commons, could the assisted dying bill be blocked in the Lords? New piece by me for The Conversation. 'Assisted dying: what happens now the House of Lords has the bill?' theconversation.com/assisted-dying… #AssistedDyingBill

Thank you to all who attended my conference today. 'Making a Success of Lexit: How Labour Can Use Brexit to Revive the British Economy' Wonderful set of papers exploring policy & political possibilities open to the government following Brexit, many of which remain underutilised

For your lunchtime reading... "...there is no loyalty dividend. They feel unloved, disrespected and taken for granted" How Downing Street sleepwalked into a welfare crisis, by Sienna Rodgers politicshome.com/news/article/h…

One of the best things about Parliament is it’s traditions and history. Now some MPs want to tear it up because apparently the words “Bill” and “division” are too confusing. Something so sad and patronising about that. thetimes.com/article/0590da…

In 1997, Blair stared down a potential 3-figure rebellion over his abolition of the Lone Parent Payment. Not simply as a deer in headlights but by making an argument (repeatedly) for the policy in principle. Starmer shows he can't defend his own policies unherd.com/2025/06/what-s…

This is an excellent & useful insightful comparison of similar events from QMUL colleague Richard Johnson. Blair showed leadership but didn’t bear grudges. Corston went on to share PM PPS duties with Bruce Grocott. @UnHerd unherd.com/2025/06/what-s…

I expect you're wondering whether other leading politicians have shed tears in the House of Commons before - and more generally about the history of crying in British culture, and what it means. Good news - there is a book all about it! bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…