Josh Westerling
@joshwesterling.bsky.social
Work on campaigns and public affairs at JRF. Current home Bethnal Green, from Wycombe. West Ham ST holder. Views mine.
Really great piece that gets across what the economy, social life (or lack of it), and disparity actually feels like dispatch-media.com/the-empty-so...
The empty soul of Britain's Palm Springs
Sandbanks is England's most expensive neighbourhood • But at what cost? • A paradise built on imported sand
dispatch-media.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:50 AM
Really great piece that gets across what the economy, social life (or lack of it), and disparity actually feels like dispatch-media.com/the-empty-so...
Reposted by Josh Westerling
NEW! How should Labour respond to the two key issues to voters of the economy and immigration and what are the electoral stakes this week of the budget?
Read on for our answer...
@nprcoxford.bsky.social @jrf-uk.bsky.social
Read on for our answer...
@nprcoxford.bsky.social @jrf-uk.bsky.social
November 24, 2025 at 11:02 AM
NEW! How should Labour respond to the two key issues to voters of the economy and immigration and what are the electoral stakes this week of the budget?
Read on for our answer...
@nprcoxford.bsky.social @jrf-uk.bsky.social
Read on for our answer...
@nprcoxford.bsky.social @jrf-uk.bsky.social
On the Greens, clear No.10 and Lab more generally alert to the threat but I do not think fully understand the depth of discontent in its modern urban heartlands and how the vote could collapse.
November 23, 2025 at 2:56 PM
On the Greens, clear No.10 and Lab more generally alert to the threat but I do not think fully understand the depth of discontent in its modern urban heartlands and how the vote could collapse.
Reposted by Josh Westerling
Richard Feynman once wrote about "Cargo Cult Science" - "they follow all the apparent precepts and forms, but they're missing something essential, because the planes don't land." I wonder if we currently have a Cargo Cult model of messaging and media management in British politics
November 21, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Richard Feynman once wrote about "Cargo Cult Science" - "they follow all the apparent precepts and forms, but they're missing something essential, because the planes don't land." I wonder if we currently have a Cargo Cult model of messaging and media management in British politics
In a future leadership contest Labour MPs + members will need to value candidates ability at attentional politics. The way it'll be covered will put more emphasis on broadcast ability and what the lobby think/deems acceptable. Not that these are totally unimportant but certainly less so than before.
November 21, 2025 at 2:00 PM
In a future leadership contest Labour MPs + members will need to value candidates ability at attentional politics. The way it'll be covered will put more emphasis on broadcast ability and what the lobby think/deems acceptable. Not that these are totally unimportant but certainly less so than before.
Bright and cold winter's morning listening to England taking wickets in Australia 🙏
November 21, 2025 at 9:09 AM
Bright and cold winter's morning listening to England taking wickets in Australia 🙏
Think Julian Coman is right to identify Mahmood and Burnham as representing two different democratising tendencies in Labour. But the examples he picks (borders + bond markets) actually inadvertently highlight where there's overlap on sovereignty.
There are differences.
There are differences.
November 19, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Think Julian Coman is right to identify Mahmood and Burnham as representing two different democratising tendencies in Labour. But the examples he picks (borders + bond markets) actually inadvertently highlight where there's overlap on sovereignty.
There are differences.
There are differences.
Great to see No.10 finally owning the news agenda
November 12, 2025 at 8:53 AM
Great to see No.10 finally owning the news agenda
Reposted by Josh Westerling
Welcome news that the Chancellor is gearing up to invest in children & their futures by fully removing the two child limit. When families hit hard times they should be able to rely on Universal Credit.
It is also the most cost effective way to get child poverty falling this parliament.
It is also the most cost effective way to get child poverty falling this parliament.
November 11, 2025 at 10:10 AM
Welcome news that the Chancellor is gearing up to invest in children & their futures by fully removing the two child limit. When families hit hard times they should be able to rely on Universal Credit.
It is also the most cost effective way to get child poverty falling this parliament.
It is also the most cost effective way to get child poverty falling this parliament.
Reposted by Josh Westerling
Breaking the tax pledge is the right call...and politically sulphurous. Reeves must argue, far more forcefully, that taxes are *the* essential downpayment we all pay for a fairer society.
Patrick Diamond and I wrote for @renewaljournal.bsky.social. Key points in 🧵 👇
renewal.org.uk/blog/if-labo...
Patrick Diamond and I wrote for @renewaljournal.bsky.social. Key points in 🧵 👇
renewal.org.uk/blog/if-labo...
If Labour want a fairer society, they must argue for it
Labour must make the political argument: taxes are the critical downpayment we all pay to live in a fairer society.
It now seems all but certain that direct taxes will rise in the forthcoming Budget...
renewal.org.uk
November 10, 2025 at 7:34 AM
Breaking the tax pledge is the right call...and politically sulphurous. Reeves must argue, far more forcefully, that taxes are *the* essential downpayment we all pay for a fairer society.
Patrick Diamond and I wrote for @renewaljournal.bsky.social. Key points in 🧵 👇
renewal.org.uk/blog/if-labo...
Patrick Diamond and I wrote for @renewaljournal.bsky.social. Key points in 🧵 👇
renewal.org.uk/blog/if-labo...
On X Tommy Robinson is spreading bollocks about West Ham 'saying no to poppies'. We're not, obviously. This is West Ham.
November 8, 2025 at 11:47 AM
On X Tommy Robinson is spreading bollocks about West Ham 'saying no to poppies'. We're not, obviously. This is West Ham.
I don't think the 'we are the grown ups' technocratic response to the Greens is going to work, much as it doesn't with the populist right. There needs to be an actual counter argument that gets at why they are wrong and what the govt wants to do.
Greens’ ‘undeliverable’ promises will let voters down, says Labour minister
Exclusive: Darren Jones says Labour has to convince young people it is ‘modern party of the future’
www.theguardian.com
November 8, 2025 at 9:48 AM
I don't think the 'we are the grown ups' technocratic response to the Greens is going to work, much as it doesn't with the populist right. There needs to be an actual counter argument that gets at why they are wrong and what the govt wants to do.
I think two questions this raises is the extent to which the modern left has an idea of the common good/really cares about it, and whether 'anti-bedtime leftism' is an expression of left individualism
Tax policy on the British left is pure "anti-bedtime left". Bizarre idea that you can have a big social democratic welfare state without everyone contributing properly www.economist.com/britain/2025...
November 6, 2025 at 2:01 PM
I think two questions this raises is the extent to which the modern left has an idea of the common good/really cares about it, and whether 'anti-bedtime leftism' is an expression of left individualism
Reposted by Josh Westerling
Tax policy on the British left is pure "anti-bedtime left". Bizarre idea that you can have a big social democratic welfare state without everyone contributing properly www.economist.com/britain/2025...
November 6, 2025 at 11:06 AM
Tax policy on the British left is pure "anti-bedtime left". Bizarre idea that you can have a big social democratic welfare state without everyone contributing properly www.economist.com/britain/2025...
Failure of imagination from politicians and commentators dismissing any lessons from Mamdani because NYC-style politics wouldn't work in Labour's former heartlands. His launch video was literally going to the more Trump-supporting areas in New York and listening to people.
November 6, 2025 at 10:59 AM
Failure of imagination from politicians and commentators dismissing any lessons from Mamdani because NYC-style politics wouldn't work in Labour's former heartlands. His launch video was literally going to the more Trump-supporting areas in New York and listening to people.
Labour may then be 'ajar'
November 5, 2025 at 9:53 AM
Labour may then be 'ajar'
Good ideas in this, and Peter right to say there's nothing to lose - crucially trying different things out is needed to find what works authentically for you even if it's not your comfort zone comms wise.
How Keir Starmer could become a social media star. My Substack today.
open.substack.com/pub/peterhym...
open.substack.com/pub/peterhym...
How to make Keir Starmer a social media star
Five ways for the PM to connect with voters, without tap-dancing naked down Camden High Street
open.substack.com
November 4, 2025 at 10:20 AM
Good ideas in this, and Peter right to say there's nothing to lose - crucially trying different things out is needed to find what works authentically for you even if it's not your comfort zone comms wise.
Reposted by Josh Westerling
Yep. Also relentless focus on issues that concern a majority of voters, looking like you actually enjoy being around said voters, questioning the worth of old taboos, seeing 'strategic consultants' for what they are, not being scared of old men running old newspapers, and being *funny*.
Think what there is to learn from Mamdani is what applies outside of a New York context. Charismatic candidates who can work the new media environment and attract attention, combining that with listening to what people care about and rooting yourself in that + organising at the grassroots.
The meaning of Zohran Mamdani
Will the New York mayoral favourite be a boon to the Democratic Party, or a millstone around its neck?
www.ft.com
November 4, 2025 at 9:43 AM
Yep. Also relentless focus on issues that concern a majority of voters, looking like you actually enjoy being around said voters, questioning the worth of old taboos, seeing 'strategic consultants' for what they are, not being scared of old men running old newspapers, and being *funny*.
Think what there is to learn from Mamdani is what applies outside of a New York context. Charismatic candidates who can work the new media environment and attract attention, combining that with listening to what people care about and rooting yourself in that + organising at the grassroots.
The meaning of Zohran Mamdani
Will the New York mayoral favourite be a boon to the Democratic Party, or a millstone around its neck?
www.ft.com
November 4, 2025 at 9:36 AM
Think what there is to learn from Mamdani is what applies outside of a New York context. Charismatic candidates who can work the new media environment and attract attention, combining that with listening to what people care about and rooting yourself in that + organising at the grassroots.
Yeah, agree with this and Reeves deserves some credit for owning the argument and proactively doing the pitchrolling for the public and the markets when broadly the government has not been v good at setting the agenda.
Lots of commentary saying that it's not clear what the point of the speech is. Seems pretty clear to me. It's pitchrolling broad based tax rises in the Budget and making sure - as Reeves did with the fiscal rule change in 2024 - that it doesn't surprise the markets on the day.
Rachel Reeves' answer to @pippacrerar.bsky.social makes it crystal clear that Reeves is headed towards breaking a manifesto pledge on tax and how she will frame it - as a necessary response to "the world as it is" when the alternative would be more cuts or borrowing.
November 4, 2025 at 9:08 AM
Yeah, agree with this and Reeves deserves some credit for owning the argument and proactively doing the pitchrolling for the public and the markets when broadly the government has not been v good at setting the agenda.
Patrick Maguire column identifies Reform's pitch to the petty bourgeoisie. It could be potent too as it'd be fair to say the govt currently lacks a distinctive offer to these workers. They don't often feature strongly in Labour's conception of its people and that shows in policy and comms.
November 3, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Patrick Maguire column identifies Reform's pitch to the petty bourgeoisie. It could be potent too as it'd be fair to say the govt currently lacks a distinctive offer to these workers. They don't often feature strongly in Labour's conception of its people and that shows in policy and comms.
Interesting to compare the Democrats and Labour on this. Klein positions part of the Democrats' problem as the censoriousness of the left reducing the pluralism of the party, and therefore its ability to win in more places.
This Is How the Democratic Party Beats Trump
Podcast Episode · The Ezra Klein Show · 11/02/2025 · 38m
podcasts.apple.com
November 3, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Interesting to compare the Democrats and Labour on this. Klein positions part of the Democrats' problem as the censoriousness of the left reducing the pluralism of the party, and therefore its ability to win in more places.
Would like odds on Southgate for Labour leader within next 10 years
Gareth Southgate reveals he is not looking for return to football management
Gareth Southgate reveals he is not looking for return to football management
*
Hard to recreate ‘higher calling’ of England job, he says
*
Southgate trying to ‘make a difference’ in other areas
Sir Gareth Southgate says he is not looking for a return to football management, saying it would be hard to recreate the “higher calling” he found as England’s manager.
Southgate indicated he intends to focus on working with young people and helping to counter the “negative narrative” he says is found in the country. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 3, 2025 at 11:53 AM
Would like odds on Southgate for Labour leader within next 10 years
Reposted by Josh Westerling
Spoke to the BBC about the drivers of deprivation and the impact on families. There's a clear link between living in hardship & feeling socially/politically disconnected.
To make meaningful progress, communities must be involved in decisions affecting their lives.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
To make meaningful progress, communities must be involved in decisions affecting their lives.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
What is life really like in one of England's most deprived towns?
Hastings in East Sussex is one of the most deprived local authorities in England, data shows.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 3, 2025 at 9:40 AM
Spoke to the BBC about the drivers of deprivation and the impact on families. There's a clear link between living in hardship & feeling socially/politically disconnected.
To make meaningful progress, communities must be involved in decisions affecting their lives.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
To make meaningful progress, communities must be involved in decisions affecting their lives.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Awful consequence of Love Island is people treating a discussion about a disagreement as one of those ‘we need a chat’ moments and mimicking all the rhetorical style of it (currently overhearing one such moment in the pub)
October 31, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Awful consequence of Love Island is people treating a discussion about a disagreement as one of those ‘we need a chat’ moments and mimicking all the rhetorical style of it (currently overhearing one such moment in the pub)