Alexander Clarkson
@aphclarkson.bsky.social
Lecturer for European Politics and History at King's College London. Opinions my own. RT not always endorsement.
Also to be found at @APHClarkson
https://www.ullstein.de/werke/die-macht-der-diaspora/hardcover/978354910
Also to be found at @APHClarkson
https://www.ullstein.de/werke/die-macht-der-diaspora/hardcover/978354910
I think you can argue that a different timeline Starmer Downing Street in which Sue Gray plays the key coordinating role might even be doing better than it is now under McSweeney
Dismissing Katen Pierce was also a poor decision by Starmer. They do keep piling up.
February 4, 2026 at 1:40 PM
I think you can argue that a different timeline Starmer Downing Street in which Sue Gray plays the key coordinating role might even be doing better than it is now under McSweeney
Reposted by Alexander Clarkson
Dismissing Katen Pierce was also a poor decision by Starmer. They do keep piling up.
February 4, 2026 at 1:39 PM
Dismissing Katen Pierce was also a poor decision by Starmer. They do keep piling up.
Reposted by Alexander Clarkson
Starmer needs to replace his advisors - bring in experienced advisors, and if they come from other parties, so be it.
And Starmer needs to hold a press conference where he is open and honest with the media over the failures relating to Mandelson’s appointment
And Starmer needs to hold a press conference where he is open and honest with the media over the failures relating to Mandelson’s appointment
February 4, 2026 at 1:24 PM
Starmer needs to replace his advisors - bring in experienced advisors, and if they come from other parties, so be it.
And Starmer needs to hold a press conference where he is open and honest with the media over the failures relating to Mandelson’s appointment
And Starmer needs to hold a press conference where he is open and honest with the media over the failures relating to Mandelson’s appointment
Reposted by Alexander Clarkson
It is worth recalling that the position of U.K. Ambassador to the US was not vacant at the time the Prime Minister chose to appoint Peter Mandelson to the role. A highly competent and respected woman was replaced.
February 4, 2026 at 1:05 PM
It is worth recalling that the position of U.K. Ambassador to the US was not vacant at the time the Prime Minister chose to appoint Peter Mandelson to the role. A highly competent and respected woman was replaced.
Interesting detail
February 4, 2026 at 1:27 PM
Interesting detail
Reposted by Alexander Clarkson
Labour’s “how could we possibly have known” stuff today doesn’t exactly hold water.
Appointing Peter Mandelson to be the ambassador to the US is *exactly* the kind of appointment Labour implied it would stop when it was in opposition.
1. Politicises what is usually an official role
2. Cronyism, again
3. Mandelson has been a paid lobbyist/public affairs guy for almost 15 years
1. Politicises what is usually an official role
2. Cronyism, again
3. Mandelson has been a paid lobbyist/public affairs guy for almost 15 years
February 4, 2026 at 12:43 PM
Labour’s “how could we possibly have known” stuff today doesn’t exactly hold water.
Reposted by Alexander Clarkson
French trolling is just superb.
February 4, 2026 at 11:49 AM
French trolling is just superb.
Reposted by Alexander Clarkson
Watching TikTok, YouTube and Reddit bake the Epstein emails like it's 2016. No, Pizzagate isn't real. No, "pizza" in the Epstein emails doesn't mean anything other than the food, and grape soda isn't secret code for rape. They aren't speaking in code in the emails; they don't need to.
February 4, 2026 at 1:06 PM
Watching TikTok, YouTube and Reddit bake the Epstein emails like it's 2016. No, Pizzagate isn't real. No, "pizza" in the Epstein emails doesn't mean anything other than the food, and grape soda isn't secret code for rape. They aren't speaking in code in the emails; they don't need to.
Reposted by Alexander Clarkson
UK PM - We cannot disclose documents that will prejudice the affairs of another country
US DoJ - Wheeeeeeeeee!
US DoJ - Wheeeeeeeeee!
February 4, 2026 at 1:21 PM
UK PM - We cannot disclose documents that will prejudice the affairs of another country
US DoJ - Wheeeeeeeeee!
US DoJ - Wheeeeeeeeee!
Or maybe there is a deeper structural problem in UK politics if since 2010 you have Prime Ministers falling into the same dysfunctional patterns at ever shorter intervals
It's genuinely fascinating how despite Starmer's hatred of Boris Johnson, Boris is easily the PM he's most wound up resembling
February 4, 2026 at 12:34 PM
Or maybe there is a deeper structural problem in UK politics if since 2010 you have Prime Ministers falling into the same dysfunctional patterns at ever shorter intervals
Reposted by Alexander Clarkson
The MAGA 5 dimensional master strategists around Colby and Anton are playing Risk when they should be playing Railroad Tycoon
February 4, 2026 at 11:45 AM
The MAGA 5 dimensional master strategists around Colby and Anton are playing Risk when they should be playing Railroad Tycoon
Reposted by Alexander Clarkson
“Let’s Build!” guys and gals across Defense Tech in smithereens.
Do they know the administration doesn’t have a plan?
(The Biden team did have one, but they were hated because he was old and she was a lady)
Do they know the administration doesn’t have a plan?
(The Biden team did have one, but they were hated because he was old and she was a lady)
February 4, 2026 at 11:34 AM
“Let’s Build!” guys and gals across Defense Tech in smithereens.
Do they know the administration doesn’t have a plan?
(The Biden team did have one, but they were hated because he was old and she was a lady)
Do they know the administration doesn’t have a plan?
(The Biden team did have one, but they were hated because he was old and she was a lady)
Washington could have all the clever analysts and dynamic officials in the world and they would still not be able to solve the rot eating its way through the logistical and naval foundations of American global power
February 4, 2026 at 11:40 AM
Washington could have all the clever analysts and dynamic officials in the world and they would still not be able to solve the rot eating its way through the logistical and naval foundations of American global power
Reposted by Alexander Clarkson
One by one, Europeans mentioned in the Epstein files who still hold political office are beginning to resign or are being forced out of office.
Meanwhile, ruled by an administration almost entirely made up of Epstein associates, the US carries on as if nothing really happened.
Meanwhile, ruled by an administration almost entirely made up of Epstein associates, the US carries on as if nothing really happened.
February 3, 2026 at 2:39 PM
One by one, Europeans mentioned in the Epstein files who still hold political office are beginning to resign or are being forced out of office.
Meanwhile, ruled by an administration almost entirely made up of Epstein associates, the US carries on as if nothing really happened.
Meanwhile, ruled by an administration almost entirely made up of Epstein associates, the US carries on as if nothing really happened.
Reposted by Alexander Clarkson
Yes, it’s *exactly* the same failings of character that got him fired from government the first two times.
Comprehensively, too: his desire to schmooze the ultra-rich, his willingness to use his office to do that, and his indignant belief that it’s okay for him to do that.
Comprehensively, too: his desire to schmooze the ultra-rich, his willingness to use his office to do that, and his indignant belief that it’s okay for him to do that.
Wes Streeting saying on Today that Mandelson is ‘not the man we thought he was’ but the trouble is, he is exactly the man we thought, just on a much worse scale than almost anyone thought. And there is an alternative world where none of this is this govt’s problem, because they never gave him a job
February 4, 2026 at 9:45 AM
Yes, it’s *exactly* the same failings of character that got him fired from government the first two times.
Comprehensively, too: his desire to schmooze the ultra-rich, his willingness to use his office to do that, and his indignant belief that it’s okay for him to do that.
Comprehensively, too: his desire to schmooze the ultra-rich, his willingness to use his office to do that, and his indignant belief that it’s okay for him to do that.
There is a good book to be written about the impact of weed on armies and militias at war
Throwback to that time some idiot got an entire gunline high as fuck. That said potluck and artillery does sound like a fun day out, I even know a guy who had one, had good reviews besides the massive safety hazard of mixing weed and live ammunition.
N.B. soldier found guilty of secretly feeding troops cannabis-laced cupcakes | CBC News
Bombardier Chelsea Cogswell, a New Brunswick soldier accused of giving cannabis-laced cupcakes to troops on a live-fire training exercise, has been found guilty of nine charges and faces up to five ye...
www.cbc.ca
February 4, 2026 at 11:30 AM
There is a good book to be written about the impact of weed on armies and militias at war
Reposted by Alexander Clarkson
Hot Take 2: if this is Mandelson's position, there is no reason for him not to issue a statement to this effect. If he has not issued a statement to this effect, the BBC's "understanding" of his actual position may be inaccurate. Stop letting people play this game.
February 4, 2026 at 9:55 AM
Hot Take 2: if this is Mandelson's position, there is no reason for him not to issue a statement to this effect. If he has not issued a statement to this effect, the BBC's "understanding" of his actual position may be inaccurate. Stop letting people play this game.
Reposted by Alexander Clarkson
This is preying on my mind a bit. Jeffrey Epstein was not primarily a British scandal! So far we've removed a Prince from the Royal family, fired our US ambassador who was one of the most important political figures of the last few decades and banned the CEO of Barclays from the financial industry..
One by one, Europeans mentioned in the Epstein files who still hold political office are beginning to resign or are being forced out of office.
Meanwhile, ruled by an administration almost entirely made up of Epstein associates, the US carries on as if nothing really happened.
Meanwhile, ruled by an administration almost entirely made up of Epstein associates, the US carries on as if nothing really happened.
February 4, 2026 at 11:13 AM
This is preying on my mind a bit. Jeffrey Epstein was not primarily a British scandal! So far we've removed a Prince from the Royal family, fired our US ambassador who was one of the most important political figures of the last few decades and banned the CEO of Barclays from the financial industry..
Reposted by Alexander Clarkson
If Morgan McSweeney ends up having to go because he didn't look closely enough into Peter Mandelson, which seems quite possible, what would be the effect on American public life of applying a similar standard?
February 4, 2026 at 11:16 AM
If Morgan McSweeney ends up having to go because he didn't look closely enough into Peter Mandelson, which seems quite possible, what would be the effect on American public life of applying a similar standard?
Reposted by Alexander Clarkson
Devastatingly sad.
Every Labour MP should be forced to read this. In fact, every MP, who rushed back to Parliament to vote to save one steel mill, whilst hastening the collapse of dozens of universities - and harming the students, staff, communities and economies universities sustain and support
Every Labour MP should be forced to read this. In fact, every MP, who rushed back to Parliament to vote to save one steel mill, whilst hastening the collapse of dozens of universities - and harming the students, staff, communities and economies universities sustain and support
'When it opened, the campus housed a GP surgery and a new dental clinic offering free treatment to local people. This was followed later by the forum – a library and art gallery shared by the university and local people.' 1/2
‘If I think about what this means, I want to cry’: what happens when a city loses its university?
When Essex University’s Southend campus opened, it was a message of hope for a ‘left behind’ UK seaside town. Its closure will be felt far beyond its 800 students, some of whom will not get their degr...
www.theguardian.com
February 4, 2026 at 8:06 AM
Devastatingly sad.
Every Labour MP should be forced to read this. In fact, every MP, who rushed back to Parliament to vote to save one steel mill, whilst hastening the collapse of dozens of universities - and harming the students, staff, communities and economies universities sustain and support
Every Labour MP should be forced to read this. In fact, every MP, who rushed back to Parliament to vote to save one steel mill, whilst hastening the collapse of dozens of universities - and harming the students, staff, communities and economies universities sustain and support
Reposted by Alexander Clarkson
This part of our response essay is where I'm at. Boiling down all of politics to electoralism has been absolutely terrible for resisting rising authoritarianism.
www.bostonreview.net/forum/how-no...
www.bostonreview.net/forum/how-no...
February 3, 2026 at 11:28 PM
This part of our response essay is where I'm at. Boiling down all of politics to electoralism has been absolutely terrible for resisting rising authoritarianism.
www.bostonreview.net/forum/how-no...
www.bostonreview.net/forum/how-no...
Reposted by Alexander Clarkson
👂🏼 POD TIME 👂🏼
me and @robarmstrong.bsky.social on:
-Warsh
-Huh
-What is he good for?
-Being the Fed chair, apparently
Featuring:
-Great hair
-Rollercoasters
-grindcore
open.spotify.com/episode/50hv...
me and @robarmstrong.bsky.social on:
-Warsh
-Huh
-What is he good for?
-Being the Fed chair, apparently
Featuring:
-Great hair
-Rollercoasters
-grindcore
open.spotify.com/episode/50hv...
The next Fed chair
open.spotify.com
February 4, 2026 at 9:19 AM
👂🏼 POD TIME 👂🏼
me and @robarmstrong.bsky.social on:
-Warsh
-Huh
-What is he good for?
-Being the Fed chair, apparently
Featuring:
-Great hair
-Rollercoasters
-grindcore
open.spotify.com/episode/50hv...
me and @robarmstrong.bsky.social on:
-Warsh
-Huh
-What is he good for?
-Being the Fed chair, apparently
Featuring:
-Great hair
-Rollercoasters
-grindcore
open.spotify.com/episode/50hv...
More often than not a viable political vision that can get a wider movement on board emerges through intense dialogue with a wide network of activists, MPs, civil society organisers, business circles and so on.
I'm not sure the current Labour leadership is really willing to engage in that process
I'm not sure the current Labour leadership is really willing to engage in that process
You could make the same argument for Labour in the UK. Too much electoral strategy, not enough political vision and leadership.
This part of our response essay is where I'm at. Boiling down all of politics to electoralism has been absolutely terrible for resisting rising authoritarianism.
www.bostonreview.net/forum/how-no...
www.bostonreview.net/forum/how-no...
February 4, 2026 at 9:14 AM
More often than not a viable political vision that can get a wider movement on board emerges through intense dialogue with a wide network of activists, MPs, civil society organisers, business circles and so on.
I'm not sure the current Labour leadership is really willing to engage in that process
I'm not sure the current Labour leadership is really willing to engage in that process
Reposted by Alexander Clarkson
You could make the same argument for Labour in the UK. Too much electoral strategy, not enough political vision and leadership.
This part of our response essay is where I'm at. Boiling down all of politics to electoralism has been absolutely terrible for resisting rising authoritarianism.
www.bostonreview.net/forum/how-no...
www.bostonreview.net/forum/how-no...
February 4, 2026 at 2:49 AM
You could make the same argument for Labour in the UK. Too much electoral strategy, not enough political vision and leadership.