Chris Terry-Enescu
@cjterry.bsky.social
Former political researcher and professional elections nerd specialising in electoral and party systems. Current day market research analyst for museums, heritage, the arts and charities around the world. UK's number one Romania-phile. Still a nerd. He/him
Pinned
The coalitionable, inoffensive, Labour Party
How party strategy in European PR systems can tell us about Labour's victory, and a journey through the weird and wonderful operation of Britain's electoral system.
open.substack.com
I decided to get one of those substack things people have and write about how Labour's victory is a reminder of how party strategy changes in a multi party, volatile environment. There's a bit about the 1977 Dutch election if you like that sort of thing
open.substack.com/pub/election...
open.substack.com/pub/election...
It helps to look convincingly happy about the things you're doing. It helps sell the sense that you're doing something because it aligns with your values. This government's default mode is to do something while handwringing that they had no other choice because someone else made them do it.
Labour has positioned itself so it gets no credit from either the left or the right for doing things they support
February 13, 2026 at 11:19 AM
It helps to look convincingly happy about the things you're doing. It helps sell the sense that you're doing something because it aligns with your values. This government's default mode is to do something while handwringing that they had no other choice because someone else made them do it.
It's like gazing into the future of the next general election
Fletton & Woodston (Peterborough) Council By-Election Result:
➡️ RFM: 29.4% (New)
🌍 GRN: 27.6% (+16.2)
🌳 CON: 21.8% (-11.8)
🌹 LAB: 16.8% (-31.2)
🔶 LDM: 4.4% (-0.7)
No TUSC (-1.9) as previous.
Reform GAIN from Labour.
Changes w/ 2024.
➡️ RFM: 29.4% (New)
🌍 GRN: 27.6% (+16.2)
🌳 CON: 21.8% (-11.8)
🌹 LAB: 16.8% (-31.2)
🔶 LDM: 4.4% (-0.7)
No TUSC (-1.9) as previous.
Reform GAIN from Labour.
Changes w/ 2024.
February 13, 2026 at 9:36 AM
It's like gazing into the future of the next general election
Only two more Liberal Party leadership spills until the next federal election probably!
The Liberal Party of Australia has a new leader. Angus Taylor beat Sussan Ley in a party ballot, 34-17.
Breaking: Angus Taylor becomes Liberal leader defeating Sussan Ley 34-17
Sussan Ley, the first female leader of the Liberal Party, has been replaced by Angus Taylor after nine months in the role.
www.abc.net.au
February 12, 2026 at 11:07 PM
Only two more Liberal Party leadership spills until the next federal election probably!
Reposted by Chris Terry-Enescu
I guess the reason for the flood of cash on Green at the bookies today was because it became clear that Goodwin was planning to speak to the voters
February 12, 2026 at 8:39 PM
I guess the reason for the flood of cash on Green at the bookies today was because it became clear that Goodwin was planning to speak to the voters
Reposted by Chris Terry-Enescu
I only met Matt once and he was on his way to meet Liz Truss's team in No 10 to advise them....
I'm at a by election hustings.
Matt Goodwin: "I was never really a Tory" oh yeah, cos Reform is much better
Matt Goodwin: "I was never really a Tory" oh yeah, cos Reform is much better
February 12, 2026 at 8:21 PM
I only met Matt once and he was on his way to meet Liz Truss's team in No 10 to advise them....
I'm at a by election hustings.
Matt Goodwin: "I was never really a Tory" oh yeah, cos Reform is much better
Matt Goodwin: "I was never really a Tory" oh yeah, cos Reform is much better
February 12, 2026 at 8:06 PM
I'm at a by election hustings.
Matt Goodwin: "I was never really a Tory" oh yeah, cos Reform is much better
Matt Goodwin: "I was never really a Tory" oh yeah, cos Reform is much better
Reposted by Chris Terry-Enescu
Back in 2022, @economist.com published a neat graphical summary of how tightly is the system engineered to favor Fidesz-KDNP. Including a comparison with the US House of Representatives in which the US came out ahead of Hungary.
www.economist.com/graphic-deta...
www.economist.com/graphic-deta...
February 12, 2026 at 6:16 PM
Back in 2022, @economist.com published a neat graphical summary of how tightly is the system engineered to favor Fidesz-KDNP. Including a comparison with the US House of Representatives in which the US came out ahead of Hungary.
www.economist.com/graphic-deta...
www.economist.com/graphic-deta...
A good tool to remind yourself how absurdly gerrymandered Hungary sadly is.
59 days until the Hungarian elections.
Here's a new interactive seat projection tool.
mandatumkalkulator.voksadat.hu
Here's a new interactive seat projection tool.
mandatumkalkulator.voksadat.hu
February 12, 2026 at 6:01 PM
A good tool to remind yourself how absurdly gerrymandered Hungary sadly is.
Reposted by Chris Terry-Enescu
59 days until the Hungarian elections.
Here's a new interactive seat projection tool.
mandatumkalkulator.voksadat.hu
Here's a new interactive seat projection tool.
mandatumkalkulator.voksadat.hu
February 12, 2026 at 5:45 PM
59 days until the Hungarian elections.
Here's a new interactive seat projection tool.
mandatumkalkulator.voksadat.hu
Here's a new interactive seat projection tool.
mandatumkalkulator.voksadat.hu
Matt Goodwin pulled out of yesterday's hustings in Gorton because the group who organised it weren't impartial enough for him. I thought he'd debate anyone, anytime, any place. Not very marketplace of ideas of you, Matt.
February 12, 2026 at 3:06 PM
Matt Goodwin pulled out of yesterday's hustings in Gorton because the group who organised it weren't impartial enough for him. I thought he'd debate anyone, anytime, any place. Not very marketplace of ideas of you, Matt.
Woken up unusually quickly this time.
February 11, 2026 at 9:35 PM
Woken up unusually quickly this time.
Reposted by Chris Terry-Enescu
The brains of the rich are still developing and they are easy targets for grooming by bad actors. This is why they can't be trusted with social media
February 11, 2026 at 5:45 PM
The brains of the rich are still developing and they are easy targets for grooming by bad actors. This is why they can't be trusted with social media
If you haven't watched 'Don't Trust the B---- In Apartment 23', James van der Beek does an excellent comic performance in that. RIP.
February 11, 2026 at 7:49 PM
If you haven't watched 'Don't Trust the B---- In Apartment 23', James van der Beek does an excellent comic performance in that. RIP.
Knighthood now
“I’ve reviewed over 50 sticky toffee puddings” is an incredibly powerful way to begin a video
February 11, 2026 at 7:42 PM
Knighthood now
It's quite telling that this is simultaneously a very pro trade union government that also has trade unions and trade union members angry at it.
A good example of how strangely unpolitical this government is at times.
The Economist is fretting that trade union laws have been tilted (sharply!) back towards strengthening unions.
But is the government making an argument around this to progressive voters? No.
economist.com/britain/2026...
The Economist is fretting that trade union laws have been tilted (sharply!) back towards strengthening unions.
But is the government making an argument around this to progressive voters? No.
economist.com/britain/2026...
February 11, 2026 at 12:10 PM
It's quite telling that this is simultaneously a very pro trade union government that also has trade unions and trade union members angry at it.
I think LLMs are a useful technology with some tricky ethical issues that need careful thought that has not been applied as throughly as it should have been.
I think OpenAI is the devil itself.
I think OpenAI is the devil itself.
Exclusive: OpenAI fired executive Ryan Beiermeister in January, citing sexual discrimination, after she opposed the planned AI erotica feature in ChatGPT, sources said.
OpenAI Executive Who Opposed ‘Adult Mode’ Fired for Sexual Discrimination
Ryan Beiermeister, who served as the vice president leading OpenAI’s product policy team, had raised concerns about the upcoming launch of erotic content.
on.wsj.com
February 11, 2026 at 10:44 AM
I think LLMs are a useful technology with some tricky ethical issues that need careful thought that has not been applied as throughly as it should have been.
I think OpenAI is the devil itself.
I think OpenAI is the devil itself.
9:16 and no announcements to be seen.
This isn't very alarm clock Britain or you.
This isn't very alarm clock Britain or you.
🚨MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT from Deputy Leader @LibDemDaisy.bsky.social
Dropping tomorrow at 9am.
Watch this space.
Dropping tomorrow at 9am.
Watch this space.
February 11, 2026 at 9:16 AM
9:16 and no announcements to be seen.
This isn't very alarm clock Britain or you.
This isn't very alarm clock Britain or you.
Reposted by Chris Terry-Enescu
Seven minutes past nine and no news from Daisy Cooper.
This is why trust in politics is at an all time low.
This is why trust in politics is at an all time low.
February 11, 2026 at 9:07 AM
Seven minutes past nine and no news from Daisy Cooper.
This is why trust in politics is at an all time low.
This is why trust in politics is at an all time low.
"We do TOO have business experience. Anyway here's three examples of sectors we've worked in, only one of which is private sector"
February 10, 2026 at 8:55 PM
"We do TOO have business experience. Anyway here's three examples of sectors we've worked in, only one of which is private sector"
New Labour Party leadership candidate just dropped
🚨MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT from Deputy Leader @LibDemDaisy.bsky.social
Dropping tomorrow at 9am.
Watch this space.
Dropping tomorrow at 9am.
Watch this space.
February 10, 2026 at 7:09 PM
New Labour Party leadership candidate just dropped
Reposted by Chris Terry-Enescu
Yeah, British politics is simple. You just need to improve public services without any meaningful tax increases, reduce immigration without any labour market impacts, and deliver growth and you'll be hugely successful.
Right, but if you strip out the hyperbole it's just "the public are angry about the cost of living, immigration and the NHS and don't particularly understand any of them" which, sure, but what do I do with that?
You may not like it, but strip out the hyperbole and abuse and it's quite hard to argue with this Cummings asssessment of the public mood
February 10, 2026 at 3:18 PM
Yeah, British politics is simple. You just need to improve public services without any meaningful tax increases, reduce immigration without any labour market impacts, and deliver growth and you'll be hugely successful.
Reposted by Chris Terry-Enescu
BREAKING: PLUMMER ALSO DID HVAC WORK
February 10, 2026 at 7:41 AM
BREAKING: PLUMMER ALSO DID HVAC WORK
Love that American politics is now trapped in a permanent loop of buyer's remorse.
February 10, 2026 at 1:18 PM
Love that American politics is now trapped in a permanent loop of buyer's remorse.
BREAKING: releasing my texts with @ralucahippie.bsky.social. They reveal
:: Our baby is very cute
:: I don't know where my keys are most days
:: That I need to go to the shops and pick up some milk and eggs
:: Our baby is very cute
:: I don't know where my keys are most days
:: That I need to go to the shops and pick up some milk and eggs
February 9, 2026 at 6:38 PM
BREAKING: releasing my texts with @ralucahippie.bsky.social. They reveal
:: Our baby is very cute
:: I don't know where my keys are most days
:: That I need to go to the shops and pick up some milk and eggs
:: Our baby is very cute
:: I don't know where my keys are most days
:: That I need to go to the shops and pick up some milk and eggs