Anthony Painter
@anthonypainter.bsky.social
Policy. Political economy. Increasing bewilderment.
"The Three Economies" Substack here: https://open.substack.com/pub/anthonypainter
#ynwa
"The Three Economies" Substack here: https://open.substack.com/pub/anthonypainter
#ynwa
Maybe the White House will offer @rutgerbregman.com asylum for his freedom to refer to Trump's corruption being obstructed by the BBC?
November 25, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Maybe the White House will offer @rutgerbregman.com asylum for his freedom to refer to Trump's corruption being obstructed by the BBC?
Global temperatures could still rise beyond 3c or even as much as 5c - with civilizational consequences.
Are you abundance people really sure that environmental regulations are our biggest problem?
theconversation.com/the-world-lo...
Are you abundance people really sure that environmental regulations are our biggest problem?
theconversation.com/the-world-lo...
The world lost the climate gamble. Now it faces a dangerous new reality
The world bet on collective but voluntary action to keep global warming at a safe level.
theconversation.com
November 25, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Global temperatures could still rise beyond 3c or even as much as 5c - with civilizational consequences.
Are you abundance people really sure that environmental regulations are our biggest problem?
theconversation.com/the-world-lo...
Are you abundance people really sure that environmental regulations are our biggest problem?
theconversation.com/the-world-lo...
I guess I'll be more open to the argument that Brussels won't do a much enhanced deal with the UK, including customs union, when I see the energy and effort that's gone into influencing the Trump White House go into developing European relations.
November 25, 2025 at 12:43 PM
I guess I'll be more open to the argument that Brussels won't do a much enhanced deal with the UK, including customs union, when I see the energy and effort that's gone into influencing the Trump White House go into developing European relations.
In case you are wondering, this is dreadful. Basically makes the case Rome fell because of a refugee crisis. The whole thing is a superficial mess.
I'm not going to watch the episode on the fall of "samurai" (shogunate?!?) civilisation.
Painful viewing. Happy to help.
I'm not going to watch the episode on the fall of "samurai" (shogunate?!?) civilisation.
Painful viewing. Happy to help.
Civilisations: Rise and Fall review – TV that will make you despair for our own plummeting society
Civilisations: Rise and Fall review – TV that will make you despair for our own plummeting society
The mightily stressful and incredibly close-to-the-bone BBC show traces the demise of four ancient worlds – and it’s wildly prescient stuff. Will we never learn?
www.theguardian.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:24 AM
In case you are wondering, this is dreadful. Basically makes the case Rome fell because of a refugee crisis. The whole thing is a superficial mess.
I'm not going to watch the episode on the fall of "samurai" (shogunate?!?) civilisation.
Painful viewing. Happy to help.
I'm not going to watch the episode on the fall of "samurai" (shogunate?!?) civilisation.
Painful viewing. Happy to help.
I suspect the Government will come to regret not taking the opportunity to free itself from a manifesto that basically leaves it administering the post-Brexit economy and state.
It's a lot to ask of industrial policy and a bit of deregulation to structurally shift things.
Hope I'm wrong.
It's a lot to ask of industrial policy and a bit of deregulation to structurally shift things.
Hope I'm wrong.
November 25, 2025 at 8:03 AM
I suspect the Government will come to regret not taking the opportunity to free itself from a manifesto that basically leaves it administering the post-Brexit economy and state.
It's a lot to ask of industrial policy and a bit of deregulation to structurally shift things.
Hope I'm wrong.
It's a lot to ask of industrial policy and a bit of deregulation to structurally shift things.
Hope I'm wrong.
The problem with UK fiscal policy is low productivity, Brexit and a refusal of Chancellors to be straight with the public about what it costs to have the services they want.
None of this is the responsibility of the OBR.
If anything, they've been too accommodating.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
None of this is the responsibility of the OBR.
If anything, they've been too accommodating.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
The difficult question about how powerful the Budget watchdog is
Ahead of this week's Budget, some have accused the Office for Budget Responsibility of being a
www.bbc.co.uk
November 25, 2025 at 7:00 AM
The problem with UK fiscal policy is low productivity, Brexit and a refusal of Chancellors to be straight with the public about what it costs to have the services they want.
None of this is the responsibility of the OBR.
If anything, they've been too accommodating.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
None of this is the responsibility of the OBR.
If anything, they've been too accommodating.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
What's the opposite of the Overton window, where a mainstream concern such as restoring our relationship with the EU, is driven off the legitimate agenda by presenting a choice as an unchangeable reality?
There must be a snazzy polsci name for that. Because that's where we are.
There must be a snazzy polsci name for that. Because that's where we are.
She said the Office for Budget Responsibility’s report on Wednesday would conclude that a downgrade of productivity was down to Brexit and to the Conservative’s austerity measures – and would say explicitly that it was not due to the policies of the current government.
November 24, 2025 at 9:51 PM
What's the opposite of the Overton window, where a mainstream concern such as restoring our relationship with the EU, is driven off the legitimate agenda by presenting a choice as an unchangeable reality?
There must be a snazzy polsci name for that. Because that's where we are.
There must be a snazzy polsci name for that. Because that's where we are.
There's lots more to come here quite clearly. Or why else wouldn't he have just said "it was foolish, it was wrong, I apologise to everyone who I may have hurt."
“I would never ever do it in a hurtful or insulting way”
Nigel Farage responds to allegations of racist behaviour from when he was a teenager at school
@itvnewspolitics.bsky.social
Nigel Farage responds to allegations of racist behaviour from when he was a teenager at school
@itvnewspolitics.bsky.social
November 24, 2025 at 7:39 PM
There's lots more to come here quite clearly. Or why else wouldn't he have just said "it was foolish, it was wrong, I apologise to everyone who I may have hurt."
There are two polling questions on tax.
Do you support [x tax] on people who are not you? 60% support.
Do you support [y tax] on people like you? 25% support.
You don't even need to run the surveys- just drop the specific tax name into the above.
Do you support [x tax] on people who are not you? 60% support.
Do you support [y tax] on people like you? 25% support.
You don't even need to run the surveys- just drop the specific tax name into the above.
November 24, 2025 at 4:55 PM
There are two polling questions on tax.
Do you support [x tax] on people who are not you? 60% support.
Do you support [y tax] on people like you? 25% support.
You don't even need to run the surveys- just drop the specific tax name into the above.
Do you support [x tax] on people who are not you? 60% support.
Do you support [y tax] on people like you? 25% support.
You don't even need to run the surveys- just drop the specific tax name into the above.
One day we will stop this silly way of selling regulatory change. No, a single Arctic tern did not stop a nuclear power station being built and the quote itself shows that.
And yes, large volumes of environmental assessment are necessary for nuclear power stations. They can be destructive things.
And yes, large volumes of environmental assessment are necessary for nuclear power stations. They can be destructive things.
!["The discovery of one Arctic tern in Anglesey 10 years ago was one of the factors that scuppered Hitachi's AP1000 [reactor] being built there. There were other problems as well, but that was the straw that broke the camel's back,” he said.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:oabzqrmabjcgjz4e6fgkjdgn/bafkreia66pylx5rbwhew3ruxcta25dsctuwhudgpsazzwrtoqekrwm6v7q@jpeg)
November 24, 2025 at 7:34 AM
One day we will stop this silly way of selling regulatory change. No, a single Arctic tern did not stop a nuclear power station being built and the quote itself shows that.
And yes, large volumes of environmental assessment are necessary for nuclear power stations. They can be destructive things.
And yes, large volumes of environmental assessment are necessary for nuclear power stations. They can be destructive things.
To be clear, this is a tariff on our own exports.
Yes, it will raise money - tariffs do. The question is whether it will also cut exports from one of our core economic strengths- HE.
Yes, it will raise money - tariffs do. The question is whether it will also cut exports from one of our core economic strengths- HE.
i: Reeves to unveil £600m raid on foreign student
university fees #TomorrowsPapersToday
university fees #TomorrowsPapersToday
November 23, 2025 at 10:15 PM
To be clear, this is a tariff on our own exports.
Yes, it will raise money - tariffs do. The question is whether it will also cut exports from one of our core economic strengths- HE.
Yes, it will raise money - tariffs do. The question is whether it will also cut exports from one of our core economic strengths- HE.
The key to Blue Labour's influence is its understanding the sacred symbols of the Labour movement (which is a church-like organisation) and connecting them to middle class guilt and craving for working class authenticity.
It's very effective but utterly transparent when you observe it closely.
It's very effective but utterly transparent when you observe it closely.
November 23, 2025 at 8:28 PM
The key to Blue Labour's influence is its understanding the sacred symbols of the Labour movement (which is a church-like organisation) and connecting them to middle class guilt and craving for working class authenticity.
It's very effective but utterly transparent when you observe it closely.
It's very effective but utterly transparent when you observe it closely.
Fascinating piece - contends massively increased cost of infrastructure is down to wages (ie Baumol's cost disease). Second is things like "we don't want to kill workers" or "we won't just trust the engineer" anymore.
Via @crisortunity.bsky.social
open.substack.com/pub/nickmain...
Via @crisortunity.bsky.social
open.substack.com/pub/nickmain...
Hammersmith Bridge
Where did 25,000 vehicles go?
open.substack.com
November 23, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Fascinating piece - contends massively increased cost of infrastructure is down to wages (ie Baumol's cost disease). Second is things like "we don't want to kill workers" or "we won't just trust the engineer" anymore.
Via @crisortunity.bsky.social
open.substack.com/pub/nickmain...
Via @crisortunity.bsky.social
open.substack.com/pub/nickmain...
I have spoken to five people who haven't seen the classic 1980s movie Lost Boys in the past 48 hours.
My world is dying.
(Biographical note: I worked in the fair in Lost Boys for a Summer so I take this personally- the film is essential for my origin story).
My world is dying.
(Biographical note: I worked in the fair in Lost Boys for a Summer so I take this personally- the film is essential for my origin story).
November 23, 2025 at 12:13 PM
I have spoken to five people who haven't seen the classic 1980s movie Lost Boys in the past 48 hours.
My world is dying.
(Biographical note: I worked in the fair in Lost Boys for a Summer so I take this personally- the film is essential for my origin story).
My world is dying.
(Biographical note: I worked in the fair in Lost Boys for a Summer so I take this personally- the film is essential for my origin story).
I don't think I've heard any single Government minister say anything of the nature of this from Brown in '97. (With the obvious exception of Ed Milliband).
If growth is not compatible with quality of life rather than just "abundance" or accumulation for the few then it is a destructive force.
If growth is not compatible with quality of life rather than just "abundance" or accumulation for the few then it is a destructive force.
Ironically, one of the first things that the Major administration did to attempt to restore its credibility after Black Wednesday was to implement the fuel price duty escalator both to raise revenue and to reduce emissions. In 1997 Brown said. All now seemingly forgotten.
November 23, 2025 at 8:11 AM
I don't think I've heard any single Government minister say anything of the nature of this from Brown in '97. (With the obvious exception of Ed Milliband).
If growth is not compatible with quality of life rather than just "abundance" or accumulation for the few then it is a destructive force.
If growth is not compatible with quality of life rather than just "abundance" or accumulation for the few then it is a destructive force.
Those who are pursuing increasingly racialised politics lecture the rest of us about how we are out of touch.
All the time, it is they who have fundamentally misread the public.
Yes, people want managed migration. No, they do not want the country torn apart by aggressive nationalism.
All the time, it is they who have fundamentally misread the public.
Yes, people want managed migration. No, they do not want the country torn apart by aggressive nationalism.
Why do people think England flags have been raised on lampposts?
White adults
National pride: 26%
Anti-migrant/minority sentiment: 49%
Both: 19%
Ethnic minority adults
National pride: 15%
Anti-migrant/minority sentiment: 55%
Both: 20%
yougov.co.uk/society/arti...
White adults
National pride: 26%
Anti-migrant/minority sentiment: 49%
Both: 19%
Ethnic minority adults
National pride: 15%
Anti-migrant/minority sentiment: 55%
Both: 20%
yougov.co.uk/society/arti...
November 23, 2025 at 7:56 AM
Those who are pursuing increasingly racialised politics lecture the rest of us about how we are out of touch.
All the time, it is they who have fundamentally misread the public.
Yes, people want managed migration. No, they do not want the country torn apart by aggressive nationalism.
All the time, it is they who have fundamentally misread the public.
Yes, people want managed migration. No, they do not want the country torn apart by aggressive nationalism.
"Needs additional work".
November 22, 2025 at 2:12 PM
"Needs additional work".
Intriguing interview with Danny Kruger where he sees his opponents as naive and dangerous radicals wanting to see "socialist heaven" on earth.
Yet his traditionalism is the far more radical and idealistic vision with potential for enormous harm.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Yet his traditionalism is the far more radical and idealistic vision with potential for enormous harm.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
‘America is British’. Heaven is ‘a socialist state’. David Attenborough is ‘anti-human’ – the startling theories of Reform MP Danny Kruger
He was a Conservative party big-hitter who wrote speeches for David Cameron and worked with Boris Johnson before he suddenly jumped ship. He talks family, flags and why Nigel Farage is ‘top dog’
www.theguardian.com
November 22, 2025 at 12:59 PM
Intriguing interview with Danny Kruger where he sees his opponents as naive and dangerous radicals wanting to see "socialist heaven" on earth.
Yet his traditionalism is the far more radical and idealistic vision with potential for enormous harm.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Yet his traditionalism is the far more radical and idealistic vision with potential for enormous harm.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Special dust particles to "turn down the sun".
The main purpose of start-ups such as this is not scientific. It's political: to have "frontier technologies" that allow us to pretend that we don't need to take action today.
And so science becomes anti science.
www.politico.com/news/magazin...
The main purpose of start-ups such as this is not scientific. It's political: to have "frontier technologies" that allow us to pretend that we don't need to take action today.
And so science becomes anti science.
www.politico.com/news/magazin...
The Strange and Totally Real Plan to Blot Out the Sun and Reverse Global Warming
A 25-person startup is developing technology to block the sun and turn down the planet’s thermostat. The stakes are huge — and the company and its critics say regulations need to catch up.
www.politico.com
November 22, 2025 at 9:56 AM
Special dust particles to "turn down the sun".
The main purpose of start-ups such as this is not scientific. It's political: to have "frontier technologies" that allow us to pretend that we don't need to take action today.
And so science becomes anti science.
www.politico.com/news/magazin...
The main purpose of start-ups such as this is not scientific. It's political: to have "frontier technologies" that allow us to pretend that we don't need to take action today.
And so science becomes anti science.
www.politico.com/news/magazin...
I blame Mark Ramprakash.
By the way, football fans, learn from this. Break the cycle. Resist the England pre-tournament hype. We can do this.
#ashes
www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/n...
By the way, football fans, learn from this. Break the cycle. Resist the England pre-tournament hype. We can do this.
#ashes
www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/n...
I can’t remember ever being so confident at the start of an away Ashes series | Mark Ramprakash
Australia have big injuries and concerns over their top order: if England start well in Perth they can win back the Ashes
www.theguardian.com
November 22, 2025 at 9:44 AM
I blame Mark Ramprakash.
By the way, football fans, learn from this. Break the cycle. Resist the England pre-tournament hype. We can do this.
#ashes
www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/n...
By the way, football fans, learn from this. Break the cycle. Resist the England pre-tournament hype. We can do this.
#ashes
www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/n...
At what point do we get real that this US-Russia deal - because that is what it is - crosses a red line for non-US NATO. It leaves NATO countries forever vulnerable to security risk and even direct attack.
It is now time to get serious about a new European security agreement. This can't go on.
It is now time to get serious about a new European security agreement. This can't go on.
November 21, 2025 at 6:47 PM
At what point do we get real that this US-Russia deal - because that is what it is - crosses a red line for non-US NATO. It leaves NATO countries forever vulnerable to security risk and even direct attack.
It is now time to get serious about a new European security agreement. This can't go on.
It is now time to get serious about a new European security agreement. This can't go on.
November 21, 2025 at 9:13 AM
It's become obvious that the route to fiscal sustainability includes broadening the tax base.
I suspect the gilt markets know that and that is one reason why there was such a bad reaction to the income tax u-turn.
@jburnmurdoch.ft.com with the key data.
on.ft.com/488n5IZ
I suspect the gilt markets know that and that is one reason why there was such a bad reaction to the income tax u-turn.
@jburnmurdoch.ft.com with the key data.
on.ft.com/488n5IZ
Britain’s tax system combines the worst of the US and Scandinavia
The UK’s experiment in eating the rich while shrinking the state has left everyone worse off
on.ft.com
November 21, 2025 at 7:33 AM
It's become obvious that the route to fiscal sustainability includes broadening the tax base.
I suspect the gilt markets know that and that is one reason why there was such a bad reaction to the income tax u-turn.
@jburnmurdoch.ft.com with the key data.
on.ft.com/488n5IZ
I suspect the gilt markets know that and that is one reason why there was such a bad reaction to the income tax u-turn.
@jburnmurdoch.ft.com with the key data.
on.ft.com/488n5IZ
Ashes hubris and World Cup hubris in the same week. The worst thing is that we play mind games against ourselves.
November 21, 2025 at 6:05 AM
Dear Beeb, word of advice, don't edit this one.
Trump says 'seditious' Democrats urging US troops to refuse illegal orders should face death reut.rs/4ibDwIU
Trump says 'seditious' Democrats urging US troops to refuse illegal orders should face death
President Donald Trump on Thursday assailed Democratic lawmakers who told members of the U.S. military they must refuse any illegal orders, calling them traitors who could face execution.
reut.rs
November 20, 2025 at 10:18 PM
Dear Beeb, word of advice, don't edit this one.