Nick Anstead
@nickanstead.bsky.social
Associate Professor at LSE, researching political communications and the role of ideas in politics. More on me and my research: https://linktr.ee/NickAnstead
Pinned
Nick Anstead
@nickanstead.bsky.social
· Apr 24
🚨New article alert! 🚨
"Facebook election advertising: dangerous for democracy or politics as usual? The case of the 2017 UK general election" in the Journal of Information Technology & Politics.
Available open access: www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
"Facebook election advertising: dangerous for democracy or politics as usual? The case of the 2017 UK general election" in the Journal of Information Technology & Politics.
Available open access: www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
The IOC really doesn't help itself, does it?
The IOC: We must absolutely keep politics out of sport.
Also the IOC: We sell Nazi t-shirts!
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
The IOC: We must absolutely keep politics out of sport.
Also the IOC: We sell Nazi t-shirts!
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Olympic body criticised for selling Nazi-era Games T-shirt
The International Olympic Committee defends the T-shirt as being part of its Heritage Collection, celebrating styles from all editions of the Games.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 13, 2026 at 12:25 PM
The IOC really doesn't help itself, does it?
The IOC: We must absolutely keep politics out of sport.
Also the IOC: We sell Nazi t-shirts!
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
The IOC: We must absolutely keep politics out of sport.
Also the IOC: We sell Nazi t-shirts!
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Nick Anstead
✨ Save the date! Registration is now open for @banaji.bsky.social's Inaugural Lecture "Infinite #Justice".
Prof Banaji will explore how #media, education & #tech shape our ideas of love and dignity.
📅 Mon 16 March 6.30pm
📍 #LSE & Online
🎟️ Register: lse.ac.uk/events/infinite-justice
#LSEEvents
Prof Banaji will explore how #media, education & #tech shape our ideas of love and dignity.
📅 Mon 16 March 6.30pm
📍 #LSE & Online
🎟️ Register: lse.ac.uk/events/infinite-justice
#LSEEvents
Infinite justice | Shakuntala Banaji
6:30pm Mon 16 Mar | Shakuntala Banaji | Ticket Required | Free public event at LSE
lse.ac.uk
February 12, 2026 at 3:40 PM
✨ Save the date! Registration is now open for @banaji.bsky.social's Inaugural Lecture "Infinite #Justice".
Prof Banaji will explore how #media, education & #tech shape our ideas of love and dignity.
📅 Mon 16 March 6.30pm
📍 #LSE & Online
🎟️ Register: lse.ac.uk/events/infinite-justice
#LSEEvents
Prof Banaji will explore how #media, education & #tech shape our ideas of love and dignity.
📅 Mon 16 March 6.30pm
📍 #LSE & Online
🎟️ Register: lse.ac.uk/events/infinite-justice
#LSEEvents
Interesting that the figure is so high in Denmark, which has always been seen as one of the more Eurosceptic members (and ironically perhaps the country with attitudes most similar to the UK on membership).
February 12, 2026 at 3:25 PM
Interesting that the figure is so high in Denmark, which has always been seen as one of the more Eurosceptic members (and ironically perhaps the country with attitudes most similar to the UK on membership).
This looks like good politics. Lab as dominant voice among progressive parties, while exploiting/generating divisions on the right (and aside from that, it also had the benefit of being the right thing to do on its own terms).
February 12, 2026 at 3:16 PM
This looks like good politics. Lab as dominant voice among progressive parties, while exploiting/generating divisions on the right (and aside from that, it also had the benefit of being the right thing to do on its own terms).
We should avoid reading too much into a relatively minor story in a single news cycle. But notable how parties have lined up on Radcliffegate: strong attack on JR from Lab, LDs, Greens (also Starmer led this - almost unheard of). Reform basically defends JR, Tories shift around uncomfortably.
This seems a major potential flaw the “2-bloc” analysis that has become so trendy recently: voters have to actually believe they are in those blocs so they can vote efficiently under FPTP. But if, for example, Green voters simply don’t see Lab as part of their tribe, you move from a bloc to a split.
February 12, 2026 at 3:16 PM
We should avoid reading too much into a relatively minor story in a single news cycle. But notable how parties have lined up on Radcliffegate: strong attack on JR from Lab, LDs, Greens (also Starmer led this - almost unheard of). Reform basically defends JR, Tories shift around uncomfortably.
Reposted by Nick Anstead
There is a lot to be said for this letter in today's Times
February 11, 2026 at 11:21 AM
There is a lot to be said for this letter in today's Times
This seems a major potential flaw the “2-bloc” analysis that has become so trendy recently: voters have to actually believe they are in those blocs so they can vote efficiently under FPTP. But if, for example, Green voters simply don’t see Lab as part of their tribe, you move from a bloc to a split.
February 11, 2026 at 12:44 PM
This seems a major potential flaw the “2-bloc” analysis that has become so trendy recently: voters have to actually believe they are in those blocs so they can vote efficiently under FPTP. But if, for example, Green voters simply don’t see Lab as part of their tribe, you move from a bloc to a split.
My outside bet has always been that REF 2029 never happens. At a time of massive financial instability (including redundancies) around HE it simply seems like an obscene waste of money.
Scrapping REF should be “serious’ option”, says Manchester VC.
Duncan Ivison questions “usefulness” of “massive, bureaucratic” research assessment exercise.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
Duncan Ivison questions “usefulness” of “massive, bureaucratic” research assessment exercise.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
Scrapping REF should be ‘serious’ option, says Manchester VC - Research Professional News
Duncan Ivison questions “usefulness” of “massive, bureaucratic” research assessment exercise
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
February 10, 2026 at 10:36 AM
My outside bet has always been that REF 2029 never happens. At a time of massive financial instability (including redundancies) around HE it simply seems like an obscene waste of money.
Reposted by Nick Anstead
It's hard to pick the one maddest element of British politics, but the tradition of committee room table-banging noise assessment before a leader is destroyed surely has to be in the running.
February 9, 2026 at 6:09 PM
It's hard to pick the one maddest element of British politics, but the tradition of committee room table-banging noise assessment before a leader is destroyed surely has to be in the running.
Interesting… Streeting obviously trying to get ahead of this but also has the side effect of publishing some of his private thinking on the government eg. No growth strategy; no clear answer to why Labour.
Only downside for him seems to be reminding everyone how marginal his seat is.
Only downside for him seems to be reminding everyone how marginal his seat is.
BREAKING: Wes Streeting publishes his private WhatsApp messages with Peter Mandelson in apparent attempt to draw a line under their friendship. They reveal:
:: He feared being “toast at the next election” in his Ilford North seat, adding: “There isn’t a clear answer to the question: why Labour?”.
:: He feared being “toast at the next election” in his Ilford North seat, adding: “There isn’t a clear answer to the question: why Labour?”.
February 9, 2026 at 6:31 PM
Interesting… Streeting obviously trying to get ahead of this but also has the side effect of publishing some of his private thinking on the government eg. No growth strategy; no clear answer to why Labour.
Only downside for him seems to be reminding everyone how marginal his seat is.
Only downside for him seems to be reminding everyone how marginal his seat is.
I'm not sure the reign of Henry VI would be the historical analogy I'd reach for.
February 9, 2026 at 6:02 PM
I'm not sure the reign of Henry VI would be the historical analogy I'd reach for.
One of the small subplots in British politics in recent decades has been power wielded by devolved politicians over party affairs, either here by voicing opinions on leadership or being Kings / Queens over the water.
February 9, 2026 at 1:40 PM
One of the small subplots in British politics in recent decades has been power wielded by devolved politicians over party affairs, either here by voicing opinions on leadership or being Kings / Queens over the water.
I can also claim a Bill Nighy siting in Soho. He very graciously stepped into the road to allow me to push our pram down the narrow pavement.
February 5, 2026 at 12:36 PM
I can also claim a Bill Nighy siting in Soho. He very graciously stepped into the road to allow me to push our pram down the narrow pavement.
The iron law of political scandal: they are particularly devastating when they undermine how politicians seek to present themselves but also confirm all the suspicions the public hold about those politicians (see also: partygate).
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 10:13 AM
The iron law of political scandal: they are particularly devastating when they undermine how politicians seek to present themselves but also confirm all the suspicions the public hold about those politicians (see also: partygate).
I'm sure you are right. Additionally, a lot will also come down to other financial burdens, such as how over-leveraged places got during the low-interest 2010s.
February 4, 2026 at 10:00 AM
I'm sure you are right. Additionally, a lot will also come down to other financial burdens, such as how over-leveraged places got during the low-interest 2010s.
Politically, Labour need to have a hard think about this. Pandering to a Reform immigration agenda on international student access will lead to unis going bust in precisely the seats where Reform might win (e.g. Southend, where Lab won with 35% of vote in 2024 & Reform got 17%).
February 4, 2026 at 9:48 AM
Politically, Labour need to have a hard think about this. Pandering to a Reform immigration agenda on international student access will lead to unis going bust in precisely the seats where Reform might win (e.g. Southend, where Lab won with 35% of vote in 2024 & Reform got 17%).
This is the paradox of a more restrictive student visa model: the universities / campuses which go to the wall will be the ones that draw students disproportionately from the local community (so at Essex / Southend, 50% from the city itself).
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
‘If I think about what this means, I want to cry’: what happens when a city loses its university?
When Essex University’s Southend campus opened, it was a message of hope for a ‘left behind’ UK seaside town. Its closure will be felt far beyond its 800 students, some of whom will not get their degr...
www.theguardian.com
February 4, 2026 at 9:48 AM
This is the paradox of a more restrictive student visa model: the universities / campuses which go to the wall will be the ones that draw students disproportionately from the local community (so at Essex / Southend, 50% from the city itself).
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
While thinking about this, another problem is the information rich environment of contemporary politics. MRPs, for example, can easily be abused to make claims about individual constituencies, even when the margins of error are astronomic. They will I am sure be appearing on many election leaflets.
February 3, 2026 at 11:48 AM
While thinking about this, another problem is the information rich environment of contemporary politics. MRPs, for example, can easily be abused to make claims about individual constituencies, even when the margins of error are astronomic. They will I am sure be appearing on many election leaflets.
I think this is such an important point. Tactical voting only works in an environment where voters have good info.
The paradox of a poor information + anti-Reform tactical voting might be worse relations between parties on the left, as they fight like rats in a sack for status of main challenger.
The paradox of a poor information + anti-Reform tactical voting might be worse relations between parties on the left, as they fight like rats in a sack for status of main challenger.
Looking at the Gorton and Denton contest is like a foretaste of a GE where voters are given multiple messages, ‘only X party can win here’ based on - often - relatively poor data and bewildering changes in the national picture 🤯. I’m concerned about how we could provide decent information.
February 3, 2026 at 11:42 AM
I think this is such an important point. Tactical voting only works in an environment where voters have good info.
The paradox of a poor information + anti-Reform tactical voting might be worse relations between parties on the left, as they fight like rats in a sack for status of main challenger.
The paradox of a poor information + anti-Reform tactical voting might be worse relations between parties on the left, as they fight like rats in a sack for status of main challenger.
Realisation of middle age...
Browsing Netflix with our 6-year-old, who requests to watch Scooby Doo. Searching, a few things pop up, including what I absent mindedly referred to as "The New Scooby Doo" film...
...before realising IT IS A QUARTER OF A CENTURY OLD.
Browsing Netflix with our 6-year-old, who requests to watch Scooby Doo. Searching, a few things pop up, including what I absent mindedly referred to as "The New Scooby Doo" film...
...before realising IT IS A QUARTER OF A CENTURY OLD.
scooby doo from the scooby doo cartoon is making a funny face
ALT: scooby doo from the scooby doo cartoon is making a funny face
media.tenor.com
February 2, 2026 at 12:32 PM
Realisation of middle age...
Browsing Netflix with our 6-year-old, who requests to watch Scooby Doo. Searching, a few things pop up, including what I absent mindedly referred to as "The New Scooby Doo" film...
...before realising IT IS A QUARTER OF A CENTURY OLD.
Browsing Netflix with our 6-year-old, who requests to watch Scooby Doo. Searching, a few things pop up, including what I absent mindedly referred to as "The New Scooby Doo" film...
...before realising IT IS A QUARTER OF A CENTURY OLD.
Absolutely worth your time from @robertsaunders.bsky.social.
It is an indictment of the 🇬🇧 political class that we are no further with these questions than in 2020 (although I fear the problem is there is only one real answer, and it is the one rejected in 2016).
It is an indictment of the 🇬🇧 political class that we are no further with these questions than in 2020 (although I fear the problem is there is only one real answer, and it is the one rejected in 2016).
It's six years today since Britain left the EU.
I wrote this on Brexit day in 2020, about the strategic dilemmas to which European membership had once been the answer and that would now reopen once Britain left.
I'd stand by most of it today.
gladstonediaries.blogspot.com/2020/01/brex...
I wrote this on Brexit day in 2020, about the strategic dilemmas to which European membership had once been the answer and that would now reopen once Britain left.
I'd stand by most of it today.
gladstonediaries.blogspot.com/2020/01/brex...
Brexit in Historical Perspective: The Age of Britain in Europe
When the bell tolls at eleven o’clock tonight, ringing out Britain’s membership of the EU, an entire phase of British history will ...
gladstonediaries.blogspot.com
January 30, 2026 at 2:20 PM
Absolutely worth your time from @robertsaunders.bsky.social.
It is an indictment of the 🇬🇧 political class that we are no further with these questions than in 2020 (although I fear the problem is there is only one real answer, and it is the one rejected in 2016).
It is an indictment of the 🇬🇧 political class that we are no further with these questions than in 2020 (although I fear the problem is there is only one real answer, and it is the one rejected in 2016).
One of my favourite media experiences as an academic was being interviewed by Pat Kenny a couple of times in the run-up to the 2015 UK election. He was a great interviewer and incredibly knowledgeable on British politics.
‘To be honest I’m a bit overwhelmed’: Pat Kenny signs off after more than four decades of daily radio
‘To be honest I’m a bit overwhelmed’: Pat Kenny signs off after more than four decades of daily radio
Radio: Vetaran broadcaster is flooded with messages from wellwishers as he leaves his weekday slot on Newstalk
www.irishtimes.com
January 30, 2026 at 1:36 PM
One of my favourite media experiences as an academic was being interviewed by Pat Kenny a couple of times in the run-up to the 2015 UK election. He was a great interviewer and incredibly knowledgeable on British politics.
The other risk is that it confuses what is Labour’s best ultimate electoral goal, which is being seen as the leader of a multi-party coalition of left parties using tactical voting. Such an arrangement requires voters to have info about who to vote for, so party system instability is a real problem.
January 30, 2026 at 1:18 PM
The other risk is that it confuses what is Labour’s best ultimate electoral goal, which is being seen as the leader of a multi-party coalition of left parties using tactical voting. Such an arrangement requires voters to have info about who to vote for, so party system instability is a real problem.
I agree that would be the major risk.
But the danger is now that Lab becomes an irrelevance in the by-election campaign, inflating the idea of insurgent parties on both the left & right are in the ascendency.
But the danger is now that Lab becomes an irrelevance in the by-election campaign, inflating the idea of insurgent parties on both the left & right are in the ascendency.
January 30, 2026 at 1:16 PM
I agree that would be the major risk.
But the danger is now that Lab becomes an irrelevance in the by-election campaign, inflating the idea of insurgent parties on both the left & right are in the ascendency.
But the danger is now that Lab becomes an irrelevance in the by-election campaign, inflating the idea of insurgent parties on both the left & right are in the ascendency.
There doesn't seem to be any doubt that a Burham candidacy would have prevented that happening, as it would have likely then been Burham vs. Reform.
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January 30, 2026 at 11:36 AM
There doesn't seem to be any doubt that a Burham candidacy would have prevented that happening, as it would have likely then been Burham vs. Reform.
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