John Springford
@johnspringford.bsky.social
Economist and occasional politics dabbler. Working on a project to improve labour markets. Associate fellow, Centre for European Reform. Visiting fellow, Institute for Policy Research, Bath University.
Pinned
Getting Britain out of the hole
A plan for the UK economy
getting-out-of-the-hole.uk
New essay out today by me and @acjsissons.bsky.social - ‘Getting Britain out of the hole: a plan for the economy’. You can read the whole thing here getting-out-of-the-hole.uk
A chart mega-thread follows 🧵
A chart mega-thread follows 🧵
Reposted by John Springford
This makes the post-9/11 NSA warrantless surveillance program look like digging through people's trash (which the FBI also did).
That caused such a backlash there was still congressional activity on it a decade later.
This is absolutely blood-chilling levels of state overreach and so far crickets.
That caused such a backlash there was still congressional activity on it a decade later.
This is absolutely blood-chilling levels of state overreach and so far crickets.
January 30, 2026 at 12:40 PM
This makes the post-9/11 NSA warrantless surveillance program look like digging through people's trash (which the FBI also did).
That caused such a backlash there was still congressional activity on it a decade later.
This is absolutely blood-chilling levels of state overreach and so far crickets.
That caused such a backlash there was still congressional activity on it a decade later.
This is absolutely blood-chilling levels of state overreach and so far crickets.
Surely correct that Britain is being forced to choose. This may well be a rupture, as Carney put it, because de-MAGAfying US politics and institutions will be difficult even if the Republicans lose. Britain should also be part of the attempt to uphold *the European order* against the far right.
Six years on, geopolitics is impacting severely on Brexit choices. By @jreland.bsky.social and me ukandeu.ac.uk/brexit-in-a-...
Brexit in a changing world - UK in a changing Europe
Anand Menon and Joël Reland argue that geopolitical tensions make the UK's choices post-Brexit increasingly difficult, even when it comes to regulatory divergence.
ukandeu.ac.uk
January 30, 2026 at 12:03 PM
Surely correct that Britain is being forced to choose. This may well be a rupture, as Carney put it, because de-MAGAfying US politics and institutions will be difficult even if the Republicans lose. Britain should also be part of the attempt to uphold *the European order* against the far right.
Reposted by John Springford
So it looks like Trump is going to nominate Warsh. Couple of thoughts:
1. Lol at the whole Rick Rieder stuff last week. Good plot twist at the end of this season of The Apprentice.
2. Feels like an odd pick to me. Warsh was almost always hawkish & wrong during 2006-11.
www.ft.com/content/e227...
1. Lol at the whole Rick Rieder stuff last week. Good plot twist at the end of this season of The Apprentice.
2. Feels like an odd pick to me. Warsh was almost always hawkish & wrong during 2006-11.
www.ft.com/content/e227...
Donald Trump preparing to nominate Kevin Warsh as Federal Reserve chair
US president says he will announce nominee to replace Jay Powell on Friday morning
www.ft.com
January 30, 2026 at 8:17 AM
So it looks like Trump is going to nominate Warsh. Couple of thoughts:
1. Lol at the whole Rick Rieder stuff last week. Good plot twist at the end of this season of The Apprentice.
2. Feels like an odd pick to me. Warsh was almost always hawkish & wrong during 2006-11.
www.ft.com/content/e227...
1. Lol at the whole Rick Rieder stuff last week. Good plot twist at the end of this season of The Apprentice.
2. Feels like an odd pick to me. Warsh was almost always hawkish & wrong during 2006-11.
www.ft.com/content/e227...
Great stuff from Andrew - on why low funding and weak enforcement powers explain the failures of Britain's regulators.
New personal piece: Why does regulation often feel so toothless?
The news is full of businesses behaving badly and seeming to get off very lightly. Why? As someone who used to work for a regulator, I wanted to set out some of the very simple reasons regulators struggle…
The news is full of businesses behaving badly and seeming to get off very lightly. Why? As someone who used to work for a regulator, I wanted to set out some of the very simple reasons regulators struggle…
Why does regulation often feel so toothless?
It has become a common complaint that regulators in the UK are toothless and ineffective. Unable to keep up with the pace of the internet…
acjsissons.medium.com
January 30, 2026 at 8:51 AM
Great stuff from Andrew - on why low funding and weak enforcement powers explain the failures of Britain's regulators.
Reposted by John Springford
Some new Bronze Age archaeology showcasing trade links between ancient Britain and the continent
New archaeological evidence from Cornwall shows how a rare British metal underpinned a technological revolution
How Britain’s earliest export transformed the ancient world
www.thetimes.com
January 29, 2026 at 5:50 PM
Some new Bronze Age archaeology showcasing trade links between ancient Britain and the continent
Is it possible to have a *successful* Conservative economic programme that isn't founded on openness to trade and migration? A bigger effective market to provide economies of scale; workers to expand production in labour-intensive services, including the public sector, while bearing down on costs.
January 29, 2026 at 4:28 PM
Is it possible to have a *successful* Conservative economic programme that isn't founded on openness to trade and migration? A bigger effective market to provide economies of scale; workers to expand production in labour-intensive services, including the public sector, while bearing down on costs.
"Sacrificing principle for popularity is one thing. Harsh tactics that produce no return — Labour continues to be outpolled by Reform UK — are ghastly. "
My Trade Secrets today, in which it's fair to say I go off on one.
The Labour party is famously "a moral crusade or it is nothing". On aid, immigration and trade they're going for the latter option, with betrayals of principle both repugnant and pointless. 1/n
The Labour party is famously "a moral crusade or it is nothing". On aid, immigration and trade they're going for the latter option, with betrayals of principle both repugnant and pointless. 1/n
The abandonment of Labour’s moral crusade
[FREE TO READ] The UK is taking a cynical but fruitless turn to the reactionary and insular on aid, immigration and trade
as.ft.com
January 29, 2026 at 2:21 PM
"Sacrificing principle for popularity is one thing. Harsh tactics that produce no return — Labour continues to be outpolled by Reform UK — are ghastly. "
@chrisdillow.bsky.social is sceptical of 'if I were king' better regulation of utilities, of the type @acjsissons.bsky.social and I suggest. Proposes consumer organisation instead.
chrisdillow.substack.com/p/on-regulat...
chrisdillow.substack.com/p/on-regulat...
On regulatory capture
Why regulators work for the companies they oversee, and what to do about it.
chrisdillow.substack.com
January 29, 2026 at 9:59 AM
@chrisdillow.bsky.social is sceptical of 'if I were king' better regulation of utilities, of the type @acjsissons.bsky.social and I suggest. Proposes consumer organisation instead.
chrisdillow.substack.com/p/on-regulat...
chrisdillow.substack.com/p/on-regulat...
Jonathan surveys Brexit and immigration over the long duree. Looking forward to reading this in full.
January 29, 2026 at 9:26 AM
Jonathan surveys Brexit and immigration over the long duree. Looking forward to reading this in full.
The expensive purchase of insurance against the actions of mad kings that Carney was talking about. Plus social-media-fried brains?
Another extraordinary move from Gold this morning as it rises US $200 to above US $5500.
January 29, 2026 at 9:03 AM
The expensive purchase of insurance against the actions of mad kings that Carney was talking about. Plus social-media-fried brains?
Reposted by John Springford
This is a sensible hedge against the AI Startup vapourizing, offering an income stream as a lifestyle influencer.
January 29, 2026 at 8:44 AM
This is a sensible hedge against the AI Startup vapourizing, offering an income stream as a lifestyle influencer.
Reposted by John Springford
📢now forthcoming in ECMA!
The Class Gap in Career Progression: Evidence from US Academia
Class is rarely a focus of research or DEI in elite US occupations.
Evidence suggests it should be: we find a large class gap in at least one occupation - tenure-track academia...🧵
The Class Gap in Career Progression: Evidence from US Academia
Class is rarely a focus of research or DEI in elite US occupations.
Evidence suggests it should be: we find a large class gap in at least one occupation - tenure-track academia...🧵
January 27, 2026 at 10:34 PM
📢now forthcoming in ECMA!
The Class Gap in Career Progression: Evidence from US Academia
Class is rarely a focus of research or DEI in elite US occupations.
Evidence suggests it should be: we find a large class gap in at least one occupation - tenure-track academia...🧵
The Class Gap in Career Progression: Evidence from US Academia
Class is rarely a focus of research or DEI in elite US occupations.
Evidence suggests it should be: we find a large class gap in at least one occupation - tenure-track academia...🧵
Reposted by John Springford
New Swingometer! The Gorton and Denton By-election: A tale of Two Manchesters
open.substack.com/pub/swingome...
open.substack.com/pub/swingome...
The Gorton and Denton by-election: a tale of two Manchesters?
Unpopular incumbent + fragmented opposition + unusual seat = unpredictable contest
open.substack.com
January 28, 2026 at 7:21 PM
New Swingometer! The Gorton and Denton By-election: A tale of Two Manchesters
open.substack.com/pub/swingome...
open.substack.com/pub/swingome...
Very helpful explainer.
The stakes of the election could not be higher: if Orbán wins, #Hungary will continue its slide into autocracy domestically and will keep blocking joint action at the EU level. 🇭🇺 🇪🇺
@centreeuropeanref.bsky.social insight by @zecsaky.bsky.social
Read here: buff.ly/MtJXrKQ
@centreeuropeanref.bsky.social insight by @zecsaky.bsky.social
Read here: buff.ly/MtJXrKQ
January 28, 2026 at 11:36 AM
Very helpful explainer.
Reposted by John Springford
Someone should do a daily podcast this May on the General Strike one century on.
15 min episodes 4th to 12th May.
(I will happily write and present this podcast if some organisation wants to pay me).
15 min episodes 4th to 12th May.
(I will happily write and present this podcast if some organisation wants to pay me).
January 28, 2026 at 11:19 AM
Someone should do a daily podcast this May on the General Strike one century on.
15 min episodes 4th to 12th May.
(I will happily write and present this podcast if some organisation wants to pay me).
15 min episodes 4th to 12th May.
(I will happily write and present this podcast if some organisation wants to pay me).
Reposted by John Springford
Failing to pursue closer integration with the EU creates tension with the Government’s growth ambitions.
The Brexit impact on GDP per person may be bigger than feared; the impact on GDP per person may well sit above 4 per cent already.
Read more ➡️ buff.ly/VWHNFCb
The Brexit impact on GDP per person may be bigger than feared; the impact on GDP per person may well sit above 4 per cent already.
Read more ➡️ buff.ly/VWHNFCb
January 28, 2026 at 11:15 AM
Failing to pursue closer integration with the EU creates tension with the Government’s growth ambitions.
The Brexit impact on GDP per person may be bigger than feared; the impact on GDP per person may well sit above 4 per cent already.
Read more ➡️ buff.ly/VWHNFCb
The Brexit impact on GDP per person may be bigger than feared; the impact on GDP per person may well sit above 4 per cent already.
Read more ➡️ buff.ly/VWHNFCb
Usually UK companies base operations in other countries to get over barriers *their* governments impose, not ours.
In any other context, requiring a high-productivity sector to offshore the production of its highest value-added exports would be seen as the economic illiteracy it so obviously is...
www.ft.com/content/a23c...
www.ft.com/content/a23c...
UK drops target for international student recruitment
Government to encourage education providers to open campuses overseas as it focuses on reducing migration
www.ft.com
January 28, 2026 at 11:03 AM
Usually UK companies base operations in other countries to get over barriers *their* governments impose, not ours.
Reposted by John Springford
Mind-blowing vets don't have to do this already! As @acjsissons.bsky.social + @johnspringford.bsky.social argued recently, sorting this rip-off Britain stuff is a no-brainer for the economy...
January 28, 2026 at 10:09 AM
Mind-blowing vets don't have to do this already! As @acjsissons.bsky.social + @johnspringford.bsky.social argued recently, sorting this rip-off Britain stuff is a no-brainer for the economy...
This isn't convincing, because the problem isn't tackled. Many consumers prefer media that confirms their biases and gives them ammo in online arguments. That's an existential challenge for impartial reporting.
Weiss' full remarks to CBS News staff (1/4)
January 28, 2026 at 9:58 AM
This isn't convincing, because the problem isn't tackled. Many consumers prefer media that confirms their biases and gives them ammo in online arguments. That's an existential challenge for impartial reporting.
Reposted by John Springford
NEW: Expensive gas still biggest driver of high UK electricity bills, says UKERC
"Volatile, gas-linked market prices – not green policies, as some misleading claims have suggested – dominate the real-terms increase in bills since 2021."
www.carbonbrief.org/expensive-ga...
"Volatile, gas-linked market prices – not green policies, as some misleading claims have suggested – dominate the real-terms increase in bills since 2021."
www.carbonbrief.org/expensive-ga...
January 28, 2026 at 9:03 AM
NEW: Expensive gas still biggest driver of high UK electricity bills, says UKERC
"Volatile, gas-linked market prices – not green policies, as some misleading claims have suggested – dominate the real-terms increase in bills since 2021."
www.carbonbrief.org/expensive-ga...
"Volatile, gas-linked market prices – not green policies, as some misleading claims have suggested – dominate the real-terms increase in bills since 2021."
www.carbonbrief.org/expensive-ga...
Just ask - we speak English
January 27, 2026 at 9:14 PM
Just ask - we speak English
Reposted by John Springford
Last week in Minnesota, I watched ordinary people risk their lives to protect their neighbors. In the process, they not only won a significant—though not final—victory against authoritarianism, they proved virtually every MAGA social theory wrong. (gift link) www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
January 27, 2026 at 1:06 PM
Last week in Minnesota, I watched ordinary people risk their lives to protect their neighbors. In the process, they not only won a significant—though not final—victory against authoritarianism, they proved virtually every MAGA social theory wrong. (gift link) www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
Hasn't got the memo on what people are thinking about it yet.
Rep. Claudia Tenney has brainworms shooting out of her head on Fox Business: "We see these tragic deaths that have occurred because the Democrats are using outside groups and a lot of money going in to gin up these people and they really don't know what they're fighting about."
January 27, 2026 at 1:03 AM
Hasn't got the memo on what people are thinking about it yet.
A powerful, moving essay by Ta-Nehisi Coates.
www.vanityfair.com/news/story/t...
www.vanityfair.com/news/story/t...
“The Homeland” Is War on America: The Blood-and-Soil Nationalism That Killed Renee Good and Alex Pretti
In the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, Trump has clarified an inconvenient fact: The culture war is an actual war.
www.vanityfair.com
January 26, 2026 at 9:06 PM
A powerful, moving essay by Ta-Nehisi Coates.
www.vanityfair.com/news/story/t...
www.vanityfair.com/news/story/t...
Reposted by John Springford
Prosper UK has launched today. It is a new centre right movement in British politics. To find out more and to sign up as a supporter, go to prosperuk.com/sign-up/
Prosper UK - Sign Up
Prosper UK is bringing people together who share our values, care about the future of the country, and want politics to work better.
prosperuk.com
January 26, 2026 at 1:49 PM
Prosper UK has launched today. It is a new centre right movement in British politics. To find out more and to sign up as a supporter, go to prosperuk.com/sign-up/