Marc Stears
@mds49.bsky.social
Political theorist, author, speechwriter, campaigner. Director UCL Policy Lab.
Reposted by Marc Stears
Had forgotten until reading @duncanrobinson.bsky.social’s peerless column that Peter Mandelson once publicly said Keir Starmer was too fat.
Britain’s worst political scandal of this century
The Mandelson affair threatens Sir Keir Starmer’s premiership
www.economist.com
February 4, 2026 at 10:58 PM
Had forgotten until reading @duncanrobinson.bsky.social’s peerless column that Peter Mandelson once publicly said Keir Starmer was too fat.
Reposted by Marc Stears
Keir Starmer has told parliament today that, when vetting Peter Mandelson for US ambassador, his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein came up. But as Alan Rusbridger wrote last year, even a cursory Google should have disqualified him
I helped bring Mandelson down before
Peter Mandelson is brilliant, but slippery. Connected, but compromised. Why was Starmer too naive to recognise that?
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
February 4, 2026 at 2:06 PM
Keir Starmer has told parliament today that, when vetting Peter Mandelson for US ambassador, his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein came up. But as Alan Rusbridger wrote last year, even a cursory Google should have disqualified him
Reposted by Marc Stears
Don't think I've ever felt as sick reading a newspaper story as I have looking at this morning's Epstein coverage. Just the open amorality of all the powerful people involved for so long.
February 3, 2026 at 8:30 AM
Don't think I've ever felt as sick reading a newspaper story as I have looking at this morning's Epstein coverage. Just the open amorality of all the powerful people involved for so long.
Reposted by Marc Stears
Increasingly obv that the govt wants to remodel a big chunk of the SEND system so that provision based on specific/individual needs & provision becomes one where support is delivered to groups.That will have the benefit of saving money & it suits some ideological prefs. It also defies what SEND is
February 1, 2026 at 6:02 PM
Increasingly obv that the govt wants to remodel a big chunk of the SEND system so that provision based on specific/individual needs & provision becomes one where support is delivered to groups.That will have the benefit of saving money & it suits some ideological prefs. It also defies what SEND is
Congrats to @drjennings.bsky.social on this really important work. Let’s hope the government listens. www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
Labour risks election wipeout unless it improves Britain’s high streets, study finds
Decay of town centres a top issue among voters especially Reform UK supporters and is fuelling resentment against Westminster
www.theguardian.com
January 28, 2026 at 10:18 AM
Congrats to @drjennings.bsky.social on this really important work. Let’s hope the government listens. www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
Reposted by Marc Stears
To be clear, this is not a point about Burnham or even Labour specifically.
But is it healthy for democracy to have an insider-outsider form of parliamentarism where even the mayor of a major city struggles to get "inside"?
It's difficult to look at today's Parliament and see "abundant leadership"
But is it healthy for democracy to have an insider-outsider form of parliamentarism where even the mayor of a major city struggles to get "inside"?
It's difficult to look at today's Parliament and see "abundant leadership"
January 26, 2026 at 8:56 AM
To be clear, this is not a point about Burnham or even Labour specifically.
But is it healthy for democracy to have an insider-outsider form of parliamentarism where even the mayor of a major city struggles to get "inside"?
It's difficult to look at today's Parliament and see "abundant leadership"
But is it healthy for democracy to have an insider-outsider form of parliamentarism where even the mayor of a major city struggles to get "inside"?
It's difficult to look at today's Parliament and see "abundant leadership"
Reposted by Marc Stears
The killing of Alex Pretti is a heartbreaking tragedy. It should also be a wake-up call to every American, regardless of party, that many of our core values as a nation are increasingly under assault.
January 25, 2026 at 5:39 PM
The killing of Alex Pretti is a heartbreaking tragedy. It should also be a wake-up call to every American, regardless of party, that many of our core values as a nation are increasingly under assault.
Reposted by Marc Stears
The BBC coverage is absolutely terrible.
It leads on "sharply contested narratives"
It has a dramatic skew to the US government
It has posted the video but has failed to report on what it shows: it shows the US govt account is untrue
It leads on "sharply contested narratives"
It has a dramatic skew to the US government
It has posted the video but has failed to report on what it shows: it shows the US govt account is untrue
January 24, 2026 at 11:00 PM
The BBC coverage is absolutely terrible.
It leads on "sharply contested narratives"
It has a dramatic skew to the US government
It has posted the video but has failed to report on what it shows: it shows the US govt account is untrue
It leads on "sharply contested narratives"
It has a dramatic skew to the US government
It has posted the video but has failed to report on what it shows: it shows the US govt account is untrue
Reposted by Marc Stears
"Britain has only ever been able to stand tall in the world, alongside partners, when it’s allowed all parts of the country to succeed."
@mds49.bsky.social on @andyburnham.bsky.social speech at @uclpolicylab.bsky.social and @theifs.bsky.social.
www.newstatesman.com/politics/202...
@mds49.bsky.social on @andyburnham.bsky.social speech at @uclpolicylab.bsky.social and @theifs.bsky.social.
www.newstatesman.com/politics/202...
Manchesterism could revive Britain's fading grandeur
The towns and cities of the north and the Midlands were key to Britain's global success
www.newstatesman.com
January 21, 2026 at 12:11 PM
"Britain has only ever been able to stand tall in the world, alongside partners, when it’s allowed all parts of the country to succeed."
@mds49.bsky.social on @andyburnham.bsky.social speech at @uclpolicylab.bsky.social and @theifs.bsky.social.
www.newstatesman.com/politics/202...
@mds49.bsky.social on @andyburnham.bsky.social speech at @uclpolicylab.bsky.social and @theifs.bsky.social.
www.newstatesman.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Marc Stears
And @mds49.bsky.social has written on some of the thinking here for those interested.
www.newstatesman.com/politics/202...
www.newstatesman.com/politics/202...
Manchesterism could revive Britain's fading grandeur
The towns and cities of the north and the Midlands were key to Britain's global success
www.newstatesman.com
January 21, 2026 at 12:54 PM
And @mds49.bsky.social has written on some of the thinking here for those interested.
www.newstatesman.com/politics/202...
www.newstatesman.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Marc Stears
Good piece by @mds49.bsky.social tying this to our collective security, where all of the country can play its part. www.newstatesman.com/politics/202...
Manchesterism could revive Britain's fading grandeur
The towns and cities of the north and the Midlands were key to Britain's global success
www.newstatesman.com
January 20, 2026 at 5:08 PM
Good piece by @mds49.bsky.social tying this to our collective security, where all of the country can play its part. www.newstatesman.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Marc Stears
‘Vulnerable children use social media for connection, peer support and trusted advice. Many of us have feared that a ban may solve one set of mental health risks but unleash new ones.’
The father of Molly Russell impressively thoughtful about policy on social media
www.thetimes.com/article/fc74...
The father of Molly Russell impressively thoughtful about policy on social media
www.thetimes.com/article/fc74...
Why I oppose banning children from social media
Sir Keir Starmer must target addictive tech design and promote online wellbeing rather than a popular but ineffective solution, writes the father of Molly Russell
www.thetimes.com
January 20, 2026 at 6:35 AM
‘Vulnerable children use social media for connection, peer support and trusted advice. Many of us have feared that a ban may solve one set of mental health risks but unleash new ones.’
The father of Molly Russell impressively thoughtful about policy on social media
www.thetimes.com/article/fc74...
The father of Molly Russell impressively thoughtful about policy on social media
www.thetimes.com/article/fc74...
Reposted by Marc Stears
What do people in England think about their local area? In this short report I take a look at surveys we conducted with @yougov.co.uk in 2022, 2024 and 2025 to gain some insights...
Some key findings...
Some key findings...
Perspectives on Place: what the English think about their local area
www.southampton.ac.uk
January 13, 2026 at 9:21 AM
What do people in England think about their local area? In this short report I take a look at surveys we conducted with @yougov.co.uk in 2022, 2024 and 2025 to gain some insights...
Some key findings...
Some key findings...
Reposted by Marc Stears
Delighted we’re welcoming @drodrik.bsky.social to Cambridge on Thursday to give the STLee public lecture - free but book here www.csap.cam.ac.uk/events/share...
Shared prosperity in a fractured world - a new economics for the middle class, the global poor, and our climate - Centre for Science and Policy
The 2026 Dr S T Lee Public Policy Lecture A talk by Dani Rodrik, Ford Foundation Professor of International Political Economy, Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government Overview Fighting...
www.csap.cam.ac.uk
January 11, 2026 at 3:31 PM
Delighted we’re welcoming @drodrik.bsky.social to Cambridge on Thursday to give the STLee public lecture - free but book here www.csap.cam.ac.uk/events/share...
The relationship with Donald Trump has killed the Starmer brand. Starmer came to office promising to respect voters, tell hard truths and prioritise substance over slogans and soundbites. By refusing to step out of line from Trumpian fantasy, he undermines each of those commitments.
January 4, 2026 at 12:38 PM
The relationship with Donald Trump has killed the Starmer brand. Starmer came to office promising to respect voters, tell hard truths and prioritise substance over slogans and soundbites. By refusing to step out of line from Trumpian fantasy, he undermines each of those commitments.
Reposted by Marc Stears
Marvellous column by @edwardluce.bsky.social on Trump’s new world order: “no obvious rules, does not respect allies, celebrates the jungle and is almost always about money”:
Trump now owns Venezuela
The US president has a growing appetite for military adventure
www.ft.com
January 4, 2026 at 10:14 AM
Marvellous column by @edwardluce.bsky.social on Trump’s new world order: “no obvious rules, does not respect allies, celebrates the jungle and is almost always about money”:
Reposted by Marc Stears
If rumblings about Special Needs changes are true,they'll place huge pressures on schools, in the absence of the necessary resources.Also, taking rights away & putting schools in the driving seat would be a retrogressive move: the Labourism of institutions rather than the empowerment of families 1/2
January 1, 2026 at 9:16 PM
If rumblings about Special Needs changes are true,they'll place huge pressures on schools, in the absence of the necessary resources.Also, taking rights away & putting schools in the driving seat would be a retrogressive move: the Labourism of institutions rather than the empowerment of families 1/2
Our best family tradition! The brilliant @hackneyempire.bsky.social panto on Christmas Eve. And this year’s was one of the best!
From ball gowns to big smiles, it’s been lovely welcoming generations of families back into our auditorium to experience the magic of Cinderella this festive season.
There’s still time for you & your family to enjoy this joyous celebration. www.hackneyempire.co.uk/events/cinderella
📸 Mark Senior
There’s still time for you & your family to enjoy this joyous celebration. www.hackneyempire.co.uk/events/cinderella
📸 Mark Senior
December 24, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Our best family tradition! The brilliant @hackneyempire.bsky.social panto on Christmas Eve. And this year’s was one of the best!
Reposted by Marc Stears
#OpenAccess from @poppublicsphere.bsky.social -
The Relational Method: How Community Organizing Can Reshape University Research - https://cup.org/4pIlRLX
- Amanda Tattersall & @mds49.bsky.social
#FirstView
The Relational Method: How Community Organizing Can Reshape University Research - https://cup.org/4pIlRLX
- Amanda Tattersall & @mds49.bsky.social
#FirstView
December 19, 2025 at 11:20 AM
#OpenAccess from @poppublicsphere.bsky.social -
The Relational Method: How Community Organizing Can Reshape University Research - https://cup.org/4pIlRLX
- Amanda Tattersall & @mds49.bsky.social
#FirstView
The Relational Method: How Community Organizing Can Reshape University Research - https://cup.org/4pIlRLX
- Amanda Tattersall & @mds49.bsky.social
#FirstView
Reposted by Marc Stears
NOW OUT ON FIRSTVIEW!!
The #Relational #Method: How #Community #Organizing Can Reshape #University #Research
By @amandatattersall.bsky.social & @mds49.bsky.social
doi.org/10.1017/S153...
The #Relational #Method: How #Community #Organizing Can Reshape #University #Research
By @amandatattersall.bsky.social & @mds49.bsky.social
doi.org/10.1017/S153...
December 19, 2025 at 8:40 AM
NOW OUT ON FIRSTVIEW!!
The #Relational #Method: How #Community #Organizing Can Reshape #University #Research
By @amandatattersall.bsky.social & @mds49.bsky.social
doi.org/10.1017/S153...
The #Relational #Method: How #Community #Organizing Can Reshape #University #Research
By @amandatattersall.bsky.social & @mds49.bsky.social
doi.org/10.1017/S153...
Reposted by Marc Stears
New Substack post from me... it's free, so subscribe if you fancy it
maybeimamazed.substack.com/p/thank-you-...
maybeimamazed.substack.com/p/thank-you-...
Thank you for this year... and why 2026 will see huge battles about neurodiversity
The Maybe I'm Amazed Substack will be returning regularly, and with good reason
maybeimamazed.substack.com
December 9, 2025 at 5:28 PM
New Substack post from me... it's free, so subscribe if you fancy it
maybeimamazed.substack.com/p/thank-you-...
maybeimamazed.substack.com/p/thank-you-...
Reposted by Marc Stears
ECHR Reform: A Danger of Contagion in Relation to Article 3
Veronika Fikfak from @uclspp.bsky.social on the propsed changes to the ECHR. ukconstitutionallaw.org/2025/12/09/v...
Veronika Fikfak from @uclspp.bsky.social on the propsed changes to the ECHR. ukconstitutionallaw.org/2025/12/09/v...
Veronika Fikfak: ECHR Reform: A Danger of Contagion in Relation to Article 3
On Wednesday 10 December, which is also Human Rights Day, Ministers of Justice of the Council of Europe will meet in Strasbourg to discuss how the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR) should …
ukconstitutionallaw.org
December 9, 2025 at 6:44 PM
ECHR Reform: A Danger of Contagion in Relation to Article 3
Veronika Fikfak from @uclspp.bsky.social on the propsed changes to the ECHR. ukconstitutionallaw.org/2025/12/09/v...
Veronika Fikfak from @uclspp.bsky.social on the propsed changes to the ECHR. ukconstitutionallaw.org/2025/12/09/v...
Reposted by Marc Stears
It's right to explore what's driving increased prevalence & what support people need. But as @johnharris1969.bsky.social says, in "a country in which questioning other people’s needs is almost becoming a national sport" the government risks stoking a toxic debate www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The right’s callous overdiagnosis bandwagon is rolling. Wes Streeting should not be on it | John Harris
Thankfully, we now know more about conditions such as autism and ADHD. The health secretary must not be part of this attempt to turn back the clock, says Guardian columnist John Harris
www.theguardian.com
December 8, 2025 at 12:29 PM
It's right to explore what's driving increased prevalence & what support people need. But as @johnharris1969.bsky.social says, in "a country in which questioning other people’s needs is almost becoming a national sport" the government risks stoking a toxic debate www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Marc Stears
For generations, the Trafalgar Square Christmas tree has brought light to the heart of London.
Thank you, Norway, for this gift of friendship since 1947.
Thank you, Norway, for this gift of friendship since 1947.
December 4, 2025 at 8:07 PM
For generations, the Trafalgar Square Christmas tree has brought light to the heart of London.
Thank you, Norway, for this gift of friendship since 1947.
Thank you, Norway, for this gift of friendship since 1947.