Chris Grey
@chrisgrey.bsky.social
Emeritus Prof of Organization Studies, Royal Holloway University of London, ex-Prof Warwick & Cambridge. FAcSS, FRHistS. Now mainly Brexit analysis including Brexit & Brexitism Blog. Author Brexit Unfolded (Biteback, 2021, 2023). Elsewhere @chrisgreybrexit
Pinned
Chris Grey
@chrisgrey.bsky.social
· Jun 23
So it's now 7 years since the vote to leave the EU. For a detailed account & analysis of what happened from the day after that, see my book, "Brexit Unfolded: How no one got what they wanted (and why they were never going to)" (2nd, updated, edition 2023): www.bitebackpublishing.com/books/brexit...
I really don't get this revelation of specific bits and pieces in the last few hours before the budget (youth minimum wage, sugar tax on milkshakes etc. being other examples). It's happening so much that it is presumably a deliberate strategy - but what is that strategy?
BREAKING: Tourist tax to be introduced across England.
The money raised is intended to be invested in local transport, infrastructure and the visitor economy to attract more tourists
news.sky.com/story/touris...
The money raised is intended to be invested in local transport, infrastructure and the visitor economy to attract more tourists
news.sky.com/story/touris...
Tourist tax to be introduced across England
The new visitor levy will allow mayors to impose a "modest" charge on overnight stays to invest in local transport and infrastructure.
news.sky.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:27 PM
I really don't get this revelation of specific bits and pieces in the last few hours before the budget (youth minimum wage, sugar tax on milkshakes etc. being other examples). It's happening so much that it is presumably a deliberate strategy - but what is that strategy?
And note this about the Reith Lectures - it is not about news reporting
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
November 25, 2025 at 12:15 PM
And note this about the Reith Lectures - it is not about news reporting
Reposted by Chris Grey
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
November 25, 2025 at 9:26 AM
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
This report refers to "New analysis by the House of Commons library", but there's no link to it and I can't seem to find it on the HOCL website: can anyone help?
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
Brexit costing UK up to £90bn in lost tax revenue , new analysis shows
Exclusive: Britons also up to £3,700 worse off, leading to calls for the Labour government to improve relations with the EU
www.independent.co.uk
November 25, 2025 at 10:43 AM
This report refers to "New analysis by the House of Commons library", but there's no link to it and I can't seem to find it on the HOCL website: can anyone help?
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
It's interesting, but I don't think it properly grapples with what Gill did. Effectively, it's saying he was a good apple who inexplicably turned bad, as if this, and the particular form it took, had nothing whatsoever to do with the parties he belonged to or anyone else in them. 1/2
An interesting piece and the first one to properly grapple with what Nathan Gill did by a figure from within Reform
gawaintowler.substack.com/p/the-deep-b...
gawaintowler.substack.com/p/the-deep-b...
The Deep Betrayal of Nathan Gill
A Personal Reckoning
gawaintowler.substack.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:11 AM
It's interesting, but I don't think it properly grapples with what Gill did. Effectively, it's saying he was a good apple who inexplicably turned bad, as if this, and the particular form it took, had nothing whatsoever to do with the parties he belonged to or anyone else in them. 1/2
Reposted by Chris Grey
🚨 LSE Assistant Professor in Political Science 🚨
We’re hiring a tenure-track assistant professor - any area of empirical political science - to join our wonderful Government Dept @lsegovernment.bsky.social
Any questions, please reach out to me
📣 Please share! 📣
jobs.lse.ac.uk/Vacancies/W/...
We’re hiring a tenure-track assistant professor - any area of empirical political science - to join our wonderful Government Dept @lsegovernment.bsky.social
Any questions, please reach out to me
📣 Please share! 📣
jobs.lse.ac.uk/Vacancies/W/...
November 25, 2025 at 8:38 AM
🚨 LSE Assistant Professor in Political Science 🚨
We’re hiring a tenure-track assistant professor - any area of empirical political science - to join our wonderful Government Dept @lsegovernment.bsky.social
Any questions, please reach out to me
📣 Please share! 📣
jobs.lse.ac.uk/Vacancies/W/...
We’re hiring a tenure-track assistant professor - any area of empirical political science - to join our wonderful Government Dept @lsegovernment.bsky.social
Any questions, please reach out to me
📣 Please share! 📣
jobs.lse.ac.uk/Vacancies/W/...
Reposted by Chris Grey
Sen. Mark Kelly has released a statement.
"If this is meant to intimidate me and other members of Congress from doing our jobs and holding this administration accountable, it won't work. I've given too much to this country to be silenced by bullies..."
"If this is meant to intimidate me and other members of Congress from doing our jobs and holding this administration accountable, it won't work. I've given too much to this country to be silenced by bullies..."
November 24, 2025 at 6:45 PM
Sen. Mark Kelly has released a statement.
"If this is meant to intimidate me and other members of Congress from doing our jobs and holding this administration accountable, it won't work. I've given too much to this country to be silenced by bullies..."
"If this is meant to intimidate me and other members of Congress from doing our jobs and holding this administration accountable, it won't work. I've given too much to this country to be silenced by bullies..."
Reposted by Chris Grey
P.Kyle on R4 Today this morning saying that the "Brexit Deal" had cost the UK massively. The Brexiteer fantasy that there was a magical Brexit deal if only they'd looked at the end of the Rainbow as he plans to do.
Trade folk (including myself) are unconvinced there is much of a growth dividend for Rachel Reeves from agreements with India, EU, and US. Just as there's no evidence of positive impact from independent UK trade policy since 2021. www.politico.eu/article/rach...
Rachel Reeves hopes trade deals can save Britain’s budget. Economists aren’t convinced.
With a difficult budget looming, the chancellor has increasingly turned her gaze overseas.
www.politico.eu
November 24, 2025 at 12:28 PM
P.Kyle on R4 Today this morning saying that the "Brexit Deal" had cost the UK massively. The Brexiteer fantasy that there was a magical Brexit deal if only they'd looked at the end of the Rainbow as he plans to do.
Reposted by Chris Grey
Except that’s not true.
Gill was the head of Reform UK in Wales only a few years ago - in 2021.
Gill was constantly seen by Farage’s side since his first election - as a UKIP MEP - in 2014.
Reform must come clean with their Russian connections.
Gill was the head of Reform UK in Wales only a few years ago - in 2021.
Gill was constantly seen by Farage’s side since his first election - as a UKIP MEP - in 2014.
Reform must come clean with their Russian connections.
Reform UK's Zia Yusuf calls Nathan Gill 'ancient history'
The party's head of policy says he has never met Nathan Gill, who served as the leader of Reform UK in Wales in 2021.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 24, 2025 at 7:31 AM
Except that’s not true.
Gill was the head of Reform UK in Wales only a few years ago - in 2021.
Gill was constantly seen by Farage’s side since his first election - as a UKIP MEP - in 2014.
Reform must come clean with their Russian connections.
Gill was the head of Reform UK in Wales only a few years ago - in 2021.
Gill was constantly seen by Farage’s side since his first election - as a UKIP MEP - in 2014.
Reform must come clean with their Russian connections.
Reposted by Chris Grey
NEW: This is worth your time.
@thenerve_news has the receipts.
A comprehensive timeline of Nathan Gill & Nigel Farage’s pro-Kremlin influencing activities & 2 other MEPs, David Cobourn & Jonathan Arnott.
Please read & share.
@thenerve_news has the receipts.
A comprehensive timeline of Nathan Gill & Nigel Farage’s pro-Kremlin influencing activities & 2 other MEPs, David Cobourn & Jonathan Arnott.
Please read & share.
November 23, 2025 at 2:44 PM
NEW: This is worth your time.
@thenerve_news has the receipts.
A comprehensive timeline of Nathan Gill & Nigel Farage’s pro-Kremlin influencing activities & 2 other MEPs, David Cobourn & Jonathan Arnott.
Please read & share.
@thenerve_news has the receipts.
A comprehensive timeline of Nathan Gill & Nigel Farage’s pro-Kremlin influencing activities & 2 other MEPs, David Cobourn & Jonathan Arnott.
Please read & share.
Reposted by Chris Grey
I do think it's worth addressing that the intellectual lodestar of this government is a gibbering idiot.
There are some truly unhinged bits in the piece about Glasman, as to be expected when dealing with Glasman, but seriously what the actual? That's...one hell of a conflation of terminology.
November 23, 2025 at 4:30 PM
I do think it's worth addressing that the intellectual lodestar of this government is a gibbering idiot.
Reposted by Chris Grey
This is very good. Reeves needs to set out her views both on the strategic purpose of the tax system (and the role of the state) as part of a plan to deliver fiscal consolidation. That requires both more political and communications skills than she’s displayed thus far. But we can live in hope.
Here’s this week’s column, in which I beg the chancellor to go big this week - on both headroom and narrative - so that by next year, if she’s still here to deliver it, the budget will be boring, because we all know the plan 🙏🏻
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Rachel Reeves, please, let’s make budgets boring again | Heather Stewart
Budgets need to be reassuringly dull with no repeat of this year’s long, drawn-out and chaotic buildup
www.theguardian.com
November 23, 2025 at 4:08 PM
This is very good. Reeves needs to set out her views both on the strategic purpose of the tax system (and the role of the state) as part of a plan to deliver fiscal consolidation. That requires both more political and communications skills than she’s displayed thus far. But we can live in hope.
Reposted by Chris Grey
Asylum is not "illegal migration"
Let's start from here theconversation.com/asylum-is-no...
Let's start from here theconversation.com/asylum-is-no...
Asylum is not illegal migration – why the UK government shouldn’t conflate the two
The new proposals transform settlement into something that must be continually earned. The path has become longer, more conditional and far more easily disrupted.
theconversation.com
November 20, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Asylum is not "illegal migration"
Let's start from here theconversation.com/asylum-is-no...
Let's start from here theconversation.com/asylum-is-no...
Reposted by Chris Grey
It’s a sign of how insane the news cycle is these days that this historic failure of government policy got just one day of news coverage this week.
Not saying that’s right or wrong, but it’s astonishing how quickly the agenda moves on these days.
Not saying that’s right or wrong, but it’s astonishing how quickly the agenda moves on these days.
BREAKING: UK’s response to Covid was “too little too late”. Acting faster could have saved 23,000 lives in England according to the public inquiry.
Boris Johnson presided over a “toxic, sexist, chaotic culture” in No10, where rule-breaking seriously undermined public confidence.
Boris Johnson presided over a “toxic, sexist, chaotic culture” in No10, where rule-breaking seriously undermined public confidence.
November 23, 2025 at 10:07 AM
It’s a sign of how insane the news cycle is these days that this historic failure of government policy got just one day of news coverage this week.
Not saying that’s right or wrong, but it’s astonishing how quickly the agenda moves on these days.
Not saying that’s right or wrong, but it’s astonishing how quickly the agenda moves on these days.
Reposted by Chris Grey
Suspended Reform UK Councillor, Tom Pickup’s WhatsApp group called for "mass Islam genocide" and encouraged others to stockpile weapons to attack "lefties" and "migrants.”
Reform councillor suspended after 'Islam genocide' comments made in WhatsApp group | LBC
Tom Pickup claimed the comments he made were
www.lbc.co.uk
November 21, 2025 at 9:41 AM
Suspended Reform UK Councillor, Tom Pickup’s WhatsApp group called for "mass Islam genocide" and encouraged others to stockpile weapons to attack "lefties" and "migrants.”
Reposted by Chris Grey
Russia's ambassador to the UK, Yakovenko, boasted about Brexit to another diplomat:
“We have crushed the British to the ground. They are on their knees and will not rise for a very long time”
Today, Farage’s close ally, leader of Reform in Wales, was sentenced to 10yrs for taking bribes from Russia.
“We have crushed the British to the ground. They are on their knees and will not rise for a very long time”
Today, Farage’s close ally, leader of Reform in Wales, was sentenced to 10yrs for taking bribes from Russia.
Brexit has caused almost twice as much damage to the UK economy than estimated by official forecasts, according to new paper from a group of experts including a senior Bank of England economist
Brexit Hit to UK Economy Double Official Estimate, Study Finds
Brexit has caused almost twice as much damage to the UK economy than estimated by official forecasts, according to new paper from a group of experts including a senior Bank of England economist.
bloom.bg
November 21, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Russia's ambassador to the UK, Yakovenko, boasted about Brexit to another diplomat:
“We have crushed the British to the ground. They are on their knees and will not rise for a very long time”
Today, Farage’s close ally, leader of Reform in Wales, was sentenced to 10yrs for taking bribes from Russia.
“We have crushed the British to the ground. They are on their knees and will not rise for a very long time”
Today, Farage’s close ally, leader of Reform in Wales, was sentenced to 10yrs for taking bribes from Russia.
Judging by the report, the Reform Party official in question is quite a charmer, even by the standards of that party.
“'Peter Morgan shouldn’t be anywhere near politics regardless of the level. He is dangerous,' was the firm opinion of one Reform member ...
“'Peter Morgan shouldn’t be anywhere near politics regardless of the level. He is dangerous,' was the firm opinion of one Reform member ...
Reform party official wants to scrap vital New Addington trams insidecroydon.com/2025/11/21/r... #Croydon #Reform #Trams @christianwolmar.bsky.social @ldntravelwatch.bsky.social
Reform party official wants to scrap vital New Addington trams
EXCLUSIVE: As Nigel Farage’s company-cum-party struggles with a constant credibility crisis, here in Croydon, one member has a policy idea which could damage their election chances. By STEVEN…
insidecroydon.com
November 21, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Judging by the report, the Reform Party official in question is quite a charmer, even by the standards of that party.
“'Peter Morgan shouldn’t be anywhere near politics regardless of the level. He is dangerous,' was the firm opinion of one Reform member ...
“'Peter Morgan shouldn’t be anywhere near politics regardless of the level. He is dangerous,' was the firm opinion of one Reform member ...
"Sir Keir told the BBC: 'Every minute that is spent talking about anything other than cost-of-living is a wasted minute in my book.'"
OK, so why does his government keep banging on about immigration?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
OK, so why does his government keep banging on about immigration?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Judge me at next election, Keir Starmer tells doubters
The PM tells the BBC he has made
www.bbc.co.uk
November 21, 2025 at 6:25 PM
"Sir Keir told the BBC: 'Every minute that is spent talking about anything other than cost-of-living is a wasted minute in my book.'"
OK, so why does his government keep banging on about immigration?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
OK, so why does his government keep banging on about immigration?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Farage et al really mustn't be allowed to walk away from this scandal, and its wider implications:
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Former Reform in Wales leader Nathan Gill jailed for pro-Russian bribery
Nathan Gill, 52, is sentenced to 10 and a half years in prison after admitting taking bribes while an MEP.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 21, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Farage et al really mustn't be allowed to walk away from this scandal, and its wider implications:
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Chris Grey
The UKTBC brought together leading experts to assess the current state of UK-EU relations.
Witnesses provided valuable insights into the negotiations of a ‘Youth Experience Scheme’ between the UK and the EU.
Read the full Evidence Report below 👇
bit.ly/4pu1SAp
Witnesses provided valuable insights into the negotiations of a ‘Youth Experience Scheme’ between the UK and the EU.
Read the full Evidence Report below 👇
bit.ly/4pu1SAp
Shaping the Future: UK–EU Youth Experience Scheme — UK Trade and Business Commission
The UK Trade and Business Commission session brought together leading experts to assess the current state of UK-EU relations. Witnesses provided valuable insights into the ongoing negotiations of a ‘Y...
bit.ly
November 21, 2025 at 11:08 AM
The UKTBC brought together leading experts to assess the current state of UK-EU relations.
Witnesses provided valuable insights into the negotiations of a ‘Youth Experience Scheme’ between the UK and the EU.
Read the full Evidence Report below 👇
bit.ly/4pu1SAp
Witnesses provided valuable insights into the negotiations of a ‘Youth Experience Scheme’ between the UK and the EU.
Read the full Evidence Report below 👇
bit.ly/4pu1SAp
It's as if Vance thinks that for some unaccountable reason they started fighting, rather than that Russia invaded Ukraine.
U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance has proposed a "brilliant" idea for how to end the war in Ukraine. And how no one thought of it earlier.
November 20, 2025 at 6:23 PM
It's as if Vance thinks that for some unaccountable reason they started fighting, rather than that Russia invaded Ukraine.
Reposted by Chris Grey
So it's true.
Tesco really has cancelled Christmas.
Tesco really has cancelled Christmas.
November 20, 2025 at 5:44 PM
So it's true.
Tesco really has cancelled Christmas.
Tesco really has cancelled Christmas.
Reposted by Chris Grey
This does feel like a major crossing of the Rubicon – the world's best-funded and in many ways most powerful public health agency is now actively pushing disinformation.
I know there's a *lot* going on to care about at the moment, but this one really is significant, and matters well beyond the US.
I know there's a *lot* going on to care about at the moment, but this one really is significant, and matters well beyond the US.
The CDC website now disseminates disinformation about vaccines, claiming erroneously that infant vaccines might cause autism, when we know conclusively that they do not. It is difficult to overstate just how dangerous this is. www.cdc.gov/vaccine-safe...
November 20, 2025 at 2:03 PM
This does feel like a major crossing of the Rubicon – the world's best-funded and in many ways most powerful public health agency is now actively pushing disinformation.
I know there's a *lot* going on to care about at the moment, but this one really is significant, and matters well beyond the US.
I know there's a *lot* going on to care about at the moment, but this one really is significant, and matters well beyond the US.
Reposted by Chris Grey
SAS Regiment Association raise ECHR Articles 8 and 6 as grounds to object to Northern Ireland Troubles bill
www.scribd.com/document/951...
www.scribd.com/document/951...
Special Air Service Regimental Association Letter to the RT Hon Hilary Benn MP (1) | PDF
Veterans
www.scribd.com
November 20, 2025 at 7:01 AM
SAS Regiment Association raise ECHR Articles 8 and 6 as grounds to object to Northern Ireland Troubles bill
www.scribd.com/document/951...
www.scribd.com/document/951...
Reposted by Chris Grey
Lancashire County Councillor suspended for being member of a WhatsApp group where people expressed very extreme views.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reform UK councillor suspended over WhatsApp group featuring extremist posts
Tom Pickup confirms he was member of group in which one participant allegedly called for ‘mass Islam genocide’
www.theguardian.com
November 19, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Lancashire County Councillor suspended for being member of a WhatsApp group where people expressed very extreme views.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...