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Philip Cowley @philipjcowley.bsky.social · 20h

A reminder: people say "guru" because it uses fewer characters than "charlatan". But still, do come along...

Robert Saunders @robertsaunders.bsky.social · 20h

We'll be exploring the Thatcher legacy & her impact on British politics today at the @mileendinstitute.bsky.social on 20 Oct.

With former Thatcher minister, Gillian Shephard; Conservative peer Simone Finn; legendary politics guru @philipjcowley.bsky.social & me.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/still-that...

Still “Thatcher’s Britain”? The Thatcher Legacy, 1925-2025

Join the Mile End Institute to explore why Margaret Thatcher continues to cast such a shadow across British politics!

www.eventbrite.co.uk

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UK in a Changing Europe @ukandeu.bsky.social · 13h

"The Conservatives have been in very deep holes before… But the big difference this time is that they face a threat on their right flank, which is something they have never had to face before."

@timbale.bsky.social on whether the Tories face an existential threat

👉 www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivRL...

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Mile End Institute @mileendinstitute.bsky.social · 17h

We will be publishing a recording on our YouTube channel soon and an edited version of Sir Lawrence's lecture has been published on his and @samfr.bsky.social's popular "Comment is Freed" Substack. You can read ‘As Long as it Takes' here:

samf.substack.com/p/as-long-as...

‘As Long as it Takes': What does it mean to commit to Ukraine’s security?

This post was originally a lecture given in honour of Peter Hennessy at the Mile End Institute, Queen Mary University of London.

samf.substack.com

Mile End Institute @mileendinstitute.bsky.social · 17h

It was an honour to welcome @ldfreedman.bsky.social to @qmul.bsky.social on Wednesday evening, to deliver our latest "Hennessy Lecture" on the West's commitment to Ukraine.

Thanks to everyone who came, all those who asked questions and especially Sir Lawrence himself for such a stimulating lecture.

A close-up of Sir Lawrence Freedman delivering the Hennessy Lecture at QMUL on 8 October 2025. Credit: Gary Schwarz.

Sir Lawrence Freedman in conversation with Dr Robert Saunders at the Mile End Institute on 8 October 2025. Credit: Gary Schwarz.

Photo of the audience watching Sir Lawrence Freedman in conversation with Dr Robert Saunders at the Mile End Institute on 8 October 2025. Credit: Gary Schwarz.

Close-up of Sir Lawrence Freedman answering a question from the audience at the Mile End Institute on 8 October 2025. Credit: Gary Schwarz.

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Robert Saunders @robertsaunders.bsky.social · 2d

Standing room only for @ldfreedman.bsky.social's superb "Hennessy Lecture" at the @mileendinstitute.bsky.social this evening, on "As long as it takes: What does it mean to commit to Ukraine's security?"

Really good questions from the audience, too. Thanks to everyone who came.

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Robert Saunders @robertsaunders.bsky.social · 20h

We'll be exploring the Thatcher legacy & her impact on British politics today at the @mileendinstitute.bsky.social on 20 Oct.

With former Thatcher minister, Gillian Shephard; Conservative peer Simone Finn; legendary politics guru @philipjcowley.bsky.social & me.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/still-that...

Still “Thatcher’s Britain”? The Thatcher Legacy, 1925-2025

Join the Mile End Institute to explore why Margaret Thatcher continues to cast such a shadow across British politics!

www.eventbrite.co.uk

2 5 8

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History of Parliament @histparl.bsky.social · 2d

Died #OTD 1967, Clement Attlee, Labour Party leader and Prime Minister 1945-1951. Attlee led his party to a landslide victory in July 1945: an event that many late 20th c. MPs describe in their #OralHistory interviews as their 'political awakening'. historyofparliament.com/2015/07/27/1...

1945 Election: A political awakening - The History of Parliament

Seventy years ago yesterday the results of the 1945 General Election were declared. Although the poll had been held on 5 July, the results were only announced

historyofparliament.com

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Colm Murphy @colmpm.bsky.social · 3d

*Calling PhD students of modern British and imperial history in London*

The @ihrbritainseminar.bsky.social's first session this Thursday (9 Oct.) is dedicated to PhDs, at any stage, for elevator pitches and meet-and-greet. Do come along! Details in the link.

www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...

New PhD Student Session

For the first session of term we will be hosting a meet and greet at the IHR for all PhD students in modern British and imperial history.

www.history.ac.uk

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Mile End Institute @mileendinstitute.bsky.social · 2d

Tonight, the @mileendinstitute.bsky.social will be hosting our next “Hennessy Lecture” when @ldfreedman.bsky.social will be discussing the UK’s commitment to Ukraine.

A handful of tickets are still available, particularly for @qmul.bsky.social staff and students, so do join us if you can!

Mile End Institute @mileendinstitute.bsky.social · Sep 9

On 8 October, we will be hosting our fourth distinguished "Hennessy Lecture" at @qmul.bsky.social.

We're delighted to announce that
@ldfreedman.bsky.social will be lecturing on Europe's commitment to Ukraine and asking what can be done to make it more credible.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/as-long-as...

'As Long As It Takes': What does it mean to commit to Ukraine's security?

Join the Mile End Institute for our fourth distinguished Hennessy Lecture by the legendary Professor of War Studies, Sir Lawrence Freedman!

www.eventbrite.co.uk

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Robert Saunders @robertsaunders.bsky.social · 3d

Still, a good opportunity to advertise our next event at the @mileendinstitute.bsky.social on 20 October:

"Still Thatcher's Britain? The Thatcher Legacy, 1925-2025".

Featuring Gillian Shephard, Simone Finn, @philipjcowley.bsky.social and me.
www.qmul.ac.uk/mei/events/m...

Still “Thatcher’s Britain”? The Thatcher Legacy, 1925-2025

www.qmul.ac.uk

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Robert Saunders @robertsaunders.bsky.social · 11d

"'As Long As It Takes': What does it mean to commit to Ukraine's security?"

We are delighted to be welcoming Sir Lawrence Freedman to the @mileendinstitute.bsky.social on 8 Oct, 18:30, for this term's distinguished Hennessy Lecture.

Book your free ticket here:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/as-long-as...

'As Long As It Takes': What does it mean to commit to Ukraine's security?

Join the Mile End Institute for our fourth distinguished Hennessy Lecture by the legendary Professor of War Studies, Sir Lawrence Freedman!

www.eventbrite.co.uk

9 27

Mile End Institute @mileendinstitute.bsky.social · 14d

“As Long As It Takes”: What does it mean to commit to Ukraine's security?

We are thrilled to welcome Sir @ldfreedman.bsky.social to @qmul.bsky.social to deliver the @mileendinstitute.bsky.social’s fourth distinguished “Hennessy Lecture” on 8 October.

You can book your free ticket below!

Mile End Institute @mileendinstitute.bsky.social · Sep 9

On 8 October, we will be hosting our fourth distinguished "Hennessy Lecture" at @qmul.bsky.social.

We're delighted to announce that
@ldfreedman.bsky.social will be lecturing on Europe's commitment to Ukraine and asking what can be done to make it more credible.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/as-long-as...

'As Long As It Takes': What does it mean to commit to Ukraine's security?

Join the Mile End Institute for our fourth distinguished Hennessy Lecture by the legendary Professor of War Studies, Sir Lawrence Freedman!

www.eventbrite.co.uk

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Daniel Gover @danielgover.bsky.social · 20d

Very happy to be back on the Parliament Matters podcast, discussing the latest developments on the assisted dying bill with @ruthfox.bsky.social & @matthewengland.bsky.social. Thank you for having me!

Listen to the episode here: pod.link/1714627828/e...

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Robert Saunders @robertsaunders.bsky.social · Sep 9

'"As Long As It Takes": What does it mean to commit to Ukraine's security?'

We are thrilled to welcome Sir Lawrence Freedman (@ldfreedman.bsky.social) to Queen Mary to deliver our 4th distinguished Hennessy Lecture on 8 October, 6:30.

Get your free ticket here!
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/as-long-as...

'As Long As It Takes': What does it mean to commit to Ukraine's security?

Join the Mile End Institute for our fourth distinguished Hennessy Lecture by the legendary Professor of War Studies, Sir Lawrence Freedman!

www.eventbrite.co.uk

2 5 19

Mile End Institute @mileendinstitute.bsky.social · Sep 9

On 8 October, we will be hosting our fourth distinguished "Hennessy Lecture" at @qmul.bsky.social.

We're delighted to announce that
@ldfreedman.bsky.social will be lecturing on Europe's commitment to Ukraine and asking what can be done to make it more credible.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/as-long-as...

'As Long As It Takes': What does it mean to commit to Ukraine's security?

Join the Mile End Institute for our fourth distinguished Hennessy Lecture by the legendary Professor of War Studies, Sir Lawrence Freedman!

www.eventbrite.co.uk

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Mile End Institute @mileendinstitute.bsky.social · Sep 8

Congratulations to Tom Chidwick who has (finally) finished the draft manuscript of his book on Scotland’s first devolution referendum in March 1979!

It will be published by @bloomsburyacad.bsky.social next spring. Tom hasn't moved to Bluesky yet so we'll post updates in the months to come!

tonymcn64.bsky.social @tonymcn64.bsky.social · Sep 8

Great news from @mileendinstitute.bsky.social supremo Tom Chidwick

“Last month, I finally finished the draft manuscript of “Now or Never!” – the book I’ve been working on about Scotland’s first devolution referendum in March 1979.
Published next year by @BloomsburyAcad! - @atifajiwa.bsky.social ”

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Daniel Gover @danielgover.bsky.social · Jul 14

I was interviewed on Today in Parliament on Radio 4 on Friday, discussing how the assisted dying bill might fare in the House of Lords.

Listen here (around 7 mins in): www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

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Imogen Shaw @imogenshaw.bsky.social · Jul 1

Ten years ago, in July 2015, 48 Labour MPs defied party whips to vote against the Tory government’s Welfare Reform and Work Bill. Two Corbyn leadership election wins and one Starmer landslide election victory later, here we are again.

Me on why and how the Labour welfare rebellion got this big ⬇️

It’s welfare, stupid

How have we got to the stage where Keir Starmer’s Labour has lost control of more t

www.secnewgate.co.uk

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Miranda Green @greenmirandahere.bsky.social · Jun 27

Another cracking history lesson from @philipjcowley.bsky.social on the welfare battles of previous Labour PMs and what makes this different www.ft.com/content/f637...

Rebel rebel: parliamentary humiliations didn’t start with Starmer

Government climbdown on welfare reveals the perpetually problematic relationship between Labour’s front and backbench

www.ft.com

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Tim Bale @timbale.bsky.social · Jun 27

Some expert analysis from our @qmpoliticsir.bsky.social colleague (and former Labour minister, no less) @tonymcn64.bsky.social

Labour’s disability cuts rebellion: a former government whip asks, how did Keir Starmer not see this coming?

The government has been forced into another u-turn to see off a rebellion. But it really shouldn’t have come to this.

theconversation.com

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Elizabeth Simon @elizabethsim0n.bsky.social · Jun 24

New @mileendinstitute.bsky.social and @savanta.bsky.social polling out today shows that a quarter of Londoners who voted Labour in the 2024 GE would not do so again if there was a GE tomorrow - with Labour losing voters to parties on the right and left in roughly equal measure in the capital

The Standard @thelondonstandard.bsky.social · Jun 24

Sir Keir Starmer’s party is on 32% - an 11 point drop since the general election last July, according to the new poll

Labour 'sheds votes' in London to Reform, Tories, Lib Dems and Greens, new poll shows

www.standard.co.uk

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Daniel Gover @danielgover.bsky.social · Jun 24

‘Labour isn’t a London city any more’

@timbale.bsky.social discusses new polling from @mileendinstitute.bsky.social on political attitudes in London.

www.standard.co.uk/comment/lond...

London isn't a Labour city any more — the three key questions that new polling raises

“London is a Labour city” was always something of an exaggeration but it’s even more misleading today than it has been for quite a while. Polling just released by the Mile End Institute (MEI) at Queen...

www.standard.co.uk

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Tim Bale @timbale.bsky.social · Jun 24

He always looks so worried. Perhaps he should be. Did this for The Standard off the back of @mileendinstitute.bsky.social's fab London polling.

London isn't a Labour city any more — the three key questions that new polling raises

“London is a Labour city” was always something of an exaggeration but it’s even more misleading today than it has been for quite a while. Polling just released by the Mile End Institute (MEI) at Queen...

www.standard.co.uk

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Daniel Gover @danielgover.bsky.social · Jun 23

After last week's vote in the Commons, could the assisted dying bill be blocked in the Lords? New piece by me for @uk.theconversation.com.

'Assisted dying: what happens now the House of Lords has the bill?'

theconversation.com/assisted-dyi...

#AssistedDyingBill

Assisted dying: what happens now the House of Lords has the bill?

Peers would be on dicey political ground if they tried to stop the bill passed by MPs – but they may run into problems over timing.

theconversation.com

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Liesbeth Corens @onslies.bsky.social · Jun 23

At the @mileendinstitute.bsky.social media cent on “does the Conservative party have a future” and we’re at Game of Thrones analogies, in case anyone wanted a sense of the state of play…

Picture of a very full lecture theatre listening two a speaker at the screen and two other panel lists sat ready

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