Colm Murphy
@colmpm.bsky.social
Historian of UK and ROI politics and political economy. Senior Lecturer at QMUL and Deputy Director of Mile End Institute (https://www.qmul.ac.uk/politics/staff/profiles/murphycolm.html). Book on Labour and 'modernisation' (https://tinyurl.com/37tzatvk).
Reposted by Colm Murphy
Great piece here by @colmpm.bsky.social
A useful reminder on today of all days from our @qmulsse.bsky.social colleague @colmpm.bsky.social
Labour's problem isn't Keir Starmer | LSE British Politics
Labour's dismal performance in the polls has lead to Keir Starmer's leadership of the Labour Party being openly contested. But Colm Murphy argues that, while Starmer is a flawed politician, many of th...
blogs.lse.ac.uk
February 5, 2026 at 1:53 PM
Great piece here by @colmpm.bsky.social
Reposted by Colm Murphy
NEW BOOK!
I'm very happy to say that my new book, Utopia, co-written with Douglas Mao, has been published on-line
academic.oup.com/book/62279
I'm very happy to say that my new book, Utopia, co-written with Douglas Mao, has been published on-line
academic.oup.com/book/62279
Utopia
Abstract. Ideal societies, better worlds, more just and peaceful ways of living: these have long been the stuff of human beings’ social dreaming. In this c
academic.oup.com
February 3, 2026 at 4:30 PM
NEW BOOK!
I'm very happy to say that my new book, Utopia, co-written with Douglas Mao, has been published on-line
academic.oup.com/book/62279
I'm very happy to say that my new book, Utopia, co-written with Douglas Mao, has been published on-line
academic.oup.com/book/62279
Seems significant. Davey's Lib Dems have hitherto been quite calculating in how far they will criticise the government.
The British people can’t afford for this Labour soap opera to drag on for months.
Let’s have a confidence vote now to see whether Labour MPs have any confidence in the Prime Minister, so the government can move on one way or the other and focus on the change our country needs.
Let’s have a confidence vote now to see whether Labour MPs have any confidence in the Prime Minister, so the government can move on one way or the other and focus on the change our country needs.
February 5, 2026 at 1:26 PM
Seems significant. Davey's Lib Dems have hitherto been quite calculating in how far they will criticise the government.
Top notch journalism from Jim.
EXCLUSIVE:
Peter Mandelson sought advice from Jeffrey Epstein on setting up his advisory firm, Global Counsel, including how to target potential new clients such as the Chinese government.
www.ft.com/content/13d2...
Peter Mandelson sought advice from Jeffrey Epstein on setting up his advisory firm, Global Counsel, including how to target potential new clients such as the Chinese government.
www.ft.com/content/13d2...
Peter Mandelson sought help from Jeffrey Epstein on setting up advisory firm
Emails from 2010 show former UK minister asking child sex offender how to win political and corporate clients
www.ft.com
February 5, 2026 at 1:20 PM
Top notch journalism from Jim.
Reposted by Colm Murphy
The Al Carns stuff is nuts. He's not even been an MP for two years. He's not even a Minister of State.
Parliamentary - and ministerial - careers have become accelerated recently, but not *that* accelerated.
Parliamentary - and ministerial - careers have become accelerated recently, but not *that* accelerated.
February 5, 2026 at 10:02 AM
The Al Carns stuff is nuts. He's not even been an MP for two years. He's not even a Minister of State.
Parliamentary - and ministerial - careers have become accelerated recently, but not *that* accelerated.
Parliamentary - and ministerial - careers have become accelerated recently, but not *that* accelerated.
This is exactly correct.
What is the point of Keir Starmer staying as prime minister?
February 5, 2026 at 9:15 AM
This is exactly correct.
Reposted by Colm Murphy
The Mandelson saga is doubly bad for Starmer & co. First because it goes against their supposed brand of probity. Second because it fits their actual brand of not listening to concerns from their colleagues and majoring on ideas that only make sense in transactional terms or getting through the week
What is the point of Keir Starmer staying as prime minister?
February 5, 2026 at 8:28 AM
The Mandelson saga is doubly bad for Starmer & co. First because it goes against their supposed brand of probity. Second because it fits their actual brand of not listening to concerns from their colleagues and majoring on ideas that only make sense in transactional terms or getting through the week
Reposted by Colm Murphy
For anyone interested in our 18-month post in British Studies please follow the link below. @ihr.bsky.social
www.jobs.london.ac.uk/Job/JobDetai...
www.jobs.london.ac.uk/Job/JobDetai...
Jacob Price Fellowship in British Studies (18 month FTC):London Senate House - Hybrid
The University of London is both the UK’s largest provider of international distance and online learning and the convenor of a federation of 17 renowned higher education institutions.
www.jobs.london.ac.uk
February 4, 2026 at 6:59 PM
For anyone interested in our 18-month post in British Studies please follow the link below. @ihr.bsky.social
www.jobs.london.ac.uk/Job/JobDetai...
www.jobs.london.ac.uk/Job/JobDetai...
A sentence that links to a deeply significant study that talks precisely about the hit to the economy.
But it doesn't matter in any case. Your initial point remains incorrect.
But it doesn't matter in any case. Your initial point remains incorrect.
February 4, 2026 at 4:58 PM
A sentence that links to a deeply significant study that talks precisely about the hit to the economy.
But it doesn't matter in any case. Your initial point remains incorrect.
But it doesn't matter in any case. Your initial point remains incorrect.
Incorrect. Brexit is in the piece.
February 4, 2026 at 3:49 PM
Incorrect. Brexit is in the piece.
Reposted by Colm Murphy
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..
Good to see this up!
In this piece itself, I argue the problem is not *just* Keir Starmer.
In this piece itself, I argue the problem is not *just* Keir Starmer.
A useful reminder on today of all days from our @qmulsse.bsky.social colleague @colmpm.bsky.social
Labour's problem isn't Keir Starmer | LSE British Politics
Labour's dismal performance in the polls has lead to Keir Starmer's leadership of the Labour Party being openly contested. But Colm Murphy argues that, while Starmer is a flawed politician, many of th...
blogs.lse.ac.uk
February 4, 2026 at 2:09 PM
Good to see this up!
In this piece itself, I argue the problem is not *just* Keir Starmer.
In this piece itself, I argue the problem is not *just* Keir Starmer.
Reposted by Colm Murphy
no hiding for the PM really, is there
February 4, 2026 at 9:02 AM
no hiding for the PM really, is there
Reposted by Colm Murphy
Another important article from a great scholar who is much missed
New article, by the late Aaron Graham, 'Glorious Autarky? Foreign Resources and the British Fiscal-Military State, 1688–1815'
academic.oup.com/ehr/advance-...
@fiscalmilitary.bsky.social
academic.oup.com/ehr/advance-...
@fiscalmilitary.bsky.social
Glorious Autarky? Foreign Resources and the British Fiscal-Military State, 1688–1815*
Abstract. Studies of state formation and state-building in early modern Britain have almost overwhelmingly focused on how domestic resources were mobilised
academic.oup.com
February 3, 2026 at 2:53 PM
Another important article from a great scholar who is much missed
Yes. It's not actually that surprising if you know Mandelson's career. Some wishful thinking at play.
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 9:58 AM
Yes. It's not actually that surprising if you know Mandelson's career. Some wishful thinking at play.
Reposted by Colm Murphy
Reposted by Colm Murphy
Breaking:
The European Commission said on Tuesday it would investigate Mandelson, who was European trade commissioner from 2004-8 before leaving early to return to UK politics.
Mandelson draws a pension from his time there and has to adhere to a code of conduct for former staff.
The European Commission said on Tuesday it would investigate Mandelson, who was European trade commissioner from 2004-8 before leaving early to return to UK politics.
Mandelson draws a pension from his time there and has to adhere to a code of conduct for former staff.
February 3, 2026 at 12:25 PM
Breaking:
The European Commission said on Tuesday it would investigate Mandelson, who was European trade commissioner from 2004-8 before leaving early to return to UK politics.
Mandelson draws a pension from his time there and has to adhere to a code of conduct for former staff.
The European Commission said on Tuesday it would investigate Mandelson, who was European trade commissioner from 2004-8 before leaving early to return to UK politics.
Mandelson draws a pension from his time there and has to adhere to a code of conduct for former staff.
A few months ago, I suggested something very similar in these two posts.
I did not then know the scale of Mandelson's wrongdoing - although, revealingly, it doesn't actually surprise me.
bsky.app/profile/colm...
I did not then know the scale of Mandelson's wrongdoing - although, revealingly, it doesn't actually surprise me.
bsky.app/profile/colm...
Idly wondering about the long-term career prospects of certain advisors to the Tsar.
xcancel.com/SamCoatesSky... (I'm not on X anymore so this is how I can access Coates's tweets).
news.sky.com/story/no-10-...
xcancel.com/SamCoatesSky... (I'm not on X anymore so this is how I can access Coates's tweets).
news.sky.com/story/no-10-...
February 3, 2026 at 9:43 AM
A few months ago, I suggested something very similar in these two posts.
I did not then know the scale of Mandelson's wrongdoing - although, revealingly, it doesn't actually surprise me.
bsky.app/profile/colm...
I did not then know the scale of Mandelson's wrongdoing - although, revealingly, it doesn't actually surprise me.
bsky.app/profile/colm...
Good piece this morning by @stephenkb.bsky.social, on why the Mandelson scandal raises pressure on McSweeney - but also Starmer.
www.ft.com/content/08b4...
www.ft.com/content/08b4...
Mandelson row hits Starmer already at rock bottom
Morgan McSweeney could be forced out over misjudgment, raising stakes for PM’s survival
www.ft.com
February 3, 2026 at 9:43 AM
Good piece this morning by @stephenkb.bsky.social, on why the Mandelson scandal raises pressure on McSweeney - but also Starmer.
www.ft.com/content/08b4...
www.ft.com/content/08b4...
Great sketch.
You have to admire Peter Mandelson's capacity to deliver surprises. thecritic.co.uk/pete...
February 3, 2026 at 8:34 AM
Great sketch.
Reposted by Colm Murphy
the problem with this newfound “bursary” argument aired in the Times is this:
twhen we first heard about these payments in September a person close to Mandelson said it couldn’t possibly be the case and, er, threatened to sue us
twhen we first heard about these payments in September a person close to Mandelson said it couldn’t possibly be the case and, er, threatened to sue us
February 2, 2026 at 9:31 PM
the problem with this newfound “bursary” argument aired in the Times is this:
twhen we first heard about these payments in September a person close to Mandelson said it couldn’t possibly be the case and, er, threatened to sue us
twhen we first heard about these payments in September a person close to Mandelson said it couldn’t possibly be the case and, er, threatened to sue us
Reposted by Colm Murphy
"adam tooze comes out as a treatler"
You bolt awake in the shores of Little St James. You are not online. It is 1997 AD. You are the Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, and you have changed your mind. The future cannot come to pass. The financial industry must not be deregulated
You bolt awake in the shores of Little St James. You are not online. It is 1997 AD. You are the Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, and you have changed your mind. The future cannot come to pass. The financial industry must not be deregulated
February 2, 2026 at 4:48 PM
"adam tooze comes out as a treatler"
You bolt awake in the shores of Little St James. You are not online. It is 1997 AD. You are the Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, and you have changed your mind. The future cannot come to pass. The financial industry must not be deregulated
You bolt awake in the shores of Little St James. You are not online. It is 1997 AD. You are the Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, and you have changed your mind. The future cannot come to pass. The financial industry must not be deregulated
Reposted by Colm Murphy
Idly wondering about the long-term career prospects of certain advisors to the Tsar.
xcancel.com/SamCoatesSky... (I'm not on X anymore so this is how I can access Coates's tweets).
news.sky.com/story/no-10-...
xcancel.com/SamCoatesSky... (I'm not on X anymore so this is how I can access Coates's tweets).
news.sky.com/story/no-10-...
September 11, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Idly wondering about the long-term career prospects of certain advisors to the Tsar.
xcancel.com/SamCoatesSky... (I'm not on X anymore so this is how I can access Coates's tweets).
news.sky.com/story/no-10-...
xcancel.com/SamCoatesSky... (I'm not on X anymore so this is how I can access Coates's tweets).
news.sky.com/story/no-10-...
Reposted by Colm Murphy
the mad thing is that when Mandelson went on the BBC earlier this month for a grand Sunday geopolitical interview, he knew that the FT knew about the Epstein payments to his husband, and that they were about to come out
February 2, 2026 at 2:42 PM
the mad thing is that when Mandelson went on the BBC earlier this month for a grand Sunday geopolitical interview, he knew that the FT knew about the Epstein payments to his husband, and that they were about to come out