Renewal
@renewaljournal.bsky.social
A quarterly journal of politics and ideas, committed to exploring and expanding the radical potential of social democracy.
Subscribe here: https://renewal.org.uk/
Subscribe here: https://renewal.org.uk/
Great to hear @jydenham.bsky.social's Renewal essay from 2024 - "Whither the soft left?" - discussed in the latest episode of @steverichards.bsky.social's "Rock and Roll Politics" podcast:
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/w...
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/w...
Will Mahmood’s asylum policies stop the boats… and the rise of Reform?
Podcast Episode · Rock & Roll Politics with Steve Richards · 18/11/2025 · 46m
podcasts.apple.com
November 18, 2025 at 11:11 AM
Great to hear @jydenham.bsky.social's Renewal essay from 2024 - "Whither the soft left?" - discussed in the latest episode of @steverichards.bsky.social's "Rock and Roll Politics" podcast:
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/w...
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/w...
Reposted by Renewal
With the income tax saga in mind, I’ve written for @renewaljournal.bsky.social about why it is not constitutionally prudent to go beyond the boundaries of what has been sanctioned by the electorate. Importantly, I argue in support of the doctrine of the manifesto.
renewal.org.uk/blog/why-man...
renewal.org.uk/blog/why-man...
Why manifesto promises should be considered sacred
With economic pressures mounting, rumours were afoot that the most clearly defined and recognisable manifesto commitment—not raising income tax—was set to be broken. This led to an intense debate amon...
renewal.org.uk
November 14, 2025 at 1:45 PM
With the income tax saga in mind, I’ve written for @renewaljournal.bsky.social about why it is not constitutionally prudent to go beyond the boundaries of what has been sanctioned by the electorate. Importantly, I argue in support of the doctrine of the manifesto.
renewal.org.uk/blog/why-man...
renewal.org.uk/blog/why-man...
Reposted by Renewal
Can Zohran Mamdani's largely educated, middle-income support base be explained - or even justified - from a Marxist perspective?
@dmk1793.bsky.social presents five (5) conflicting ways in which it can:
@dmk1793.bsky.social presents five (5) conflicting ways in which it can:
Is DSA the class party of the PMC?
Five Marxist perspectives on Zohran Mamdani’s electoral coalition
renewal.org.uk
November 7, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Can Zohran Mamdani's largely educated, middle-income support base be explained - or even justified - from a Marxist perspective?
@dmk1793.bsky.social presents five (5) conflicting ways in which it can:
@dmk1793.bsky.social presents five (5) conflicting ways in which it can:
Reposted by Renewal
This is a brilliant piece of research and analysis well worth people’s time.
Brilliant, place-grounded essay from @sachahilhorst.bsky.social about Reform powering on through its seemingly irreconcilable contradictions
Reform’s aesthetics of industry
Renewal 33.2_HilhorstRenewal 33.2_Hilhorst.pdf110 KBdownload-circle
In North Nottinghamshire, Reform UK present themselves as the party of workers, community and coalmining heritage. But this image...
renewal.org.uk
November 12, 2025 at 9:49 AM
This is a brilliant piece of research and analysis well worth people’s time.
Reposted by Renewal
Brilliant, place-grounded essay from @sachahilhorst.bsky.social about Reform powering on through its seemingly irreconcilable contradictions
Reform’s aesthetics of industry
Renewal 33.2_HilhorstRenewal 33.2_Hilhorst.pdf110 KBdownload-circle
In North Nottinghamshire, Reform UK present themselves as the party of workers, community and coalmining heritage. But this image...
renewal.org.uk
November 11, 2025 at 10:58 AM
Brilliant, place-grounded essay from @sachahilhorst.bsky.social about Reform powering on through its seemingly irreconcilable contradictions
Reposted by Renewal
Essential reading from our brilliant Deputy Director @colmpm.bsky.social and former Director Patrick Diamond in @renewaljournal.bsky.social.
Ahead of the Budget, they argue that Rachel Reeves must argue more forcefully that "taxes are *the* essential down payment we all pay for a fairer society".
Ahead of the Budget, they argue that Rachel Reeves must argue more forcefully that "taxes are *the* essential down payment we all pay for a fairer society".
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 12:50 PM
Essential reading from our brilliant Deputy Director @colmpm.bsky.social and former Director Patrick Diamond in @renewaljournal.bsky.social.
Ahead of the Budget, they argue that Rachel Reeves must argue more forcefully that "taxes are *the* essential down payment we all pay for a fairer society".
Ahead of the Budget, they argue that Rachel Reeves must argue more forcefully that "taxes are *the* essential down payment we all pay for a fairer society".
Reposted by Renewal
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...
Can Zohran Mamdani's largely educated, middle-income support base be explained - or even justified - from a Marxist perspective?
@dmk1793.bsky.social presents five (5) conflicting ways in which it can:
@dmk1793.bsky.social presents five (5) conflicting ways in which it can:
Is DSA the class party of the PMC?
Five Marxist perspectives on Zohran Mamdani’s electoral coalition
renewal.org.uk
November 7, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Can Zohran Mamdani's largely educated, middle-income support base be explained - or even justified - from a Marxist perspective?
@dmk1793.bsky.social presents five (5) conflicting ways in which it can:
@dmk1793.bsky.social presents five (5) conflicting ways in which it can:
Reposted by Renewal
This is very much on point about how I and I think perhaps many others quietly feel about Britain?
Excellent.
Excellent.
"Most of us basically love our country, even if begrudgingly – not the version we’re told to, or even presented with, but the one we really see and live in every day. Silly Sausage Britain is the Britain most of us reside in, and love."
@sofiejenkinson.bsky.social on "Mr Blobby patriotism"
@sofiejenkinson.bsky.social on "Mr Blobby patriotism"
Mr Blobby patriotism
Over recent weeks I have found myself thinking about the country we live in, what it feels like and what I like, and love, about it.
I guess I found myself thinking about this because of the summer w...
renewal.org.uk
November 6, 2025 at 6:50 PM
This is very much on point about how I and I think perhaps many others quietly feel about Britain?
Excellent.
Excellent.
Reposted by Renewal
For anyone who is interested in an extensive discussion of what “social democracy” means, we asked the current & former editors of @renewaljournal.bsky.social to proffer their definitions & thoughts:
renewal.org.uk/blog/renewal...
renewal.org.uk/blog/renewal...
Renewal editors reflect on the meaning of social democracy
Renewal is a journal of social democracy, but social democracy has always been a contested concept - and one understood variously as an ideology, a movement, a historical phenomenon, or even a desired...
renewal.org.uk
November 6, 2025 at 1:47 PM
For anyone who is interested in an extensive discussion of what “social democracy” means, we asked the current & former editors of @renewaljournal.bsky.social to proffer their definitions & thoughts:
renewal.org.uk/blog/renewal...
renewal.org.uk/blog/renewal...
Reposted by Renewal
“I believe that to tackle the hate and division we see dominating our modern political debate, we have to build a democracy that is truly representative of its people.”
🌹 @annadixonmp.bsky.social makes the case for Proportional Representation, starting with a National Commission on Electoral Reform
🌹 @annadixonmp.bsky.social makes the case for Proportional Representation, starting with a National Commission on Electoral Reform
Electoral reform's time has come
During the Blair and Brown era, supporting proportional representation felt revolutionary. At Labour Party Conference, year after year, we were seen as the ‘cranks’, left to discuss our vision for a f...
renewal.org.uk
November 5, 2025 at 12:09 PM
“I believe that to tackle the hate and division we see dominating our modern political debate, we have to build a democracy that is truly representative of its people.”
🌹 @annadixonmp.bsky.social makes the case for Proportional Representation, starting with a National Commission on Electoral Reform
🌹 @annadixonmp.bsky.social makes the case for Proportional Representation, starting with a National Commission on Electoral Reform
NEW on Renewal Online: Anna Dixon MP (@annadixonmp.bsky.social) highlights the growing support for PR within the Labour Party, and argues that the threat of Nigel Farage makes electoral reform an urgent necessity
Electoral reform's time has come
During the Blair and Brown era, supporting proportional representation felt revolutionary. At Labour Party Conference, year after year, we were seen as the ‘cranks’, left to discuss our vision for a f...
renewal.org.uk
November 5, 2025 at 11:55 AM
NEW on Renewal Online: Anna Dixon MP (@annadixonmp.bsky.social) highlights the growing support for PR within the Labour Party, and argues that the threat of Nigel Farage makes electoral reform an urgent necessity
Reposted by Renewal
In the latest edition of @renewaljournal.bsky.social, Caitlin set out her vision for a new kind of community-centred Labour politics.
You can read her essay for free here: renewal.org.uk/articles/rec...
You can read her essay for free here: renewal.org.uk/articles/rec...
Loved reading this inspiring and substantive interview with one of the most exciting rising stars of the Labour movement
Women in Westminster: In Conversation With Caitlin Prowle
Caitlin Prowle has an unshakeable belief that real change starts in communities. As part of our Women in Westminster series, we sat down with the C...
www.politicshome.com
October 28, 2025 at 2:05 PM
In the latest edition of @renewaljournal.bsky.social, Caitlin set out her vision for a new kind of community-centred Labour politics.
You can read her essay for free here: renewal.org.uk/articles/rec...
You can read her essay for free here: renewal.org.uk/articles/rec...
"It’s hard to picture Powell as the smiler with the knife"
Renewal co-editor Morgan Jones (@morganj0nes.bsky.social) has written for the Guardian about Lucy Powell's victory in Labour's deputy leadership election, and what it means for the future of the party
Renewal co-editor Morgan Jones (@morganj0nes.bsky.social) has written for the Guardian about Lucy Powell's victory in Labour's deputy leadership election, and what it means for the future of the party
Keir Starmer won’t be surprised Lucy Powell is his new deputy leader – but he should be very worried | Morgan Jones
Labour members – and Caerphilly voters – have made their feelings clear. When will the PM realise that his strategy just isn’t working, asks Morgan Jones of Renewal
www.theguardian.com
October 27, 2025 at 8:19 PM
"It’s hard to picture Powell as the smiler with the knife"
Renewal co-editor Morgan Jones (@morganj0nes.bsky.social) has written for the Guardian about Lucy Powell's victory in Labour's deputy leadership election, and what it means for the future of the party
Renewal co-editor Morgan Jones (@morganj0nes.bsky.social) has written for the Guardian about Lucy Powell's victory in Labour's deputy leadership election, and what it means for the future of the party
"social democrats must talk less about patriotism in the abstract, and more about what that patriotism must stand for in practice"
Our co-editor Jack Jeffrey has written for the "Future of the Left" substack about the need give left-wing patriotism real substance:
Our co-editor Jack Jeffrey has written for the "Future of the Left" substack about the need give left-wing patriotism real substance:
The purpose of patriotism
Labour find it difficult to speak about love of country not for lack of feeling, but because the conditions that once gave that feeling substance have vanished.
futureoftheleft.substack.com
October 27, 2025 at 12:33 PM
"social democrats must talk less about patriotism in the abstract, and more about what that patriotism must stand for in practice"
Our co-editor Jack Jeffrey has written for the "Future of the Left" substack about the need give left-wing patriotism real substance:
Our co-editor Jack Jeffrey has written for the "Future of the Left" substack about the need give left-wing patriotism real substance:
Reposted by Renewal
This essay was prompted by an article in the latest issue of Renewal, which for anyone concerned by the threat of the far right in the UK, I would recommend reading from cover to cover. A brilliant issue @renewaljournal.bsky.social !
October 25, 2025 at 7:46 AM
This essay was prompted by an article in the latest issue of Renewal, which for anyone concerned by the threat of the far right in the UK, I would recommend reading from cover to cover. A brilliant issue @renewaljournal.bsky.social !
Reposted by Renewal
I did an interview where I talked at length about why liberal analyses of how to win elections are wrong, why social media matters so much, what’s changed, what’s the same, why Marxists are deeply unsuited for this moment, how people think, and more.
renewal.org.uk/blog/all-tha...
renewal.org.uk/blog/all-tha...
All that is solid melts into posts: an interview with Will Stancil
In recent years, the American researcher (and committed social media poster) Will Stancil has emerged as one of the most prominent and vociferous critics of materialist theories of politics, and of th...
renewal.org.uk
October 23, 2025 at 6:52 PM
I did an interview where I talked at length about why liberal analyses of how to win elections are wrong, why social media matters so much, what’s changed, what’s the same, why Marxists are deeply unsuited for this moment, how people think, and more.
renewal.org.uk/blog/all-tha...
renewal.org.uk/blog/all-tha...
Reposted by Renewal
A really interesting conversation about posting and politics with politics poster Will Stancil:
October 23, 2025 at 6:40 PM
A really interesting conversation about posting and politics with politics poster Will Stancil:
Is deliverism a doomed strategy? Does social media have an inherent right-wing bias? And have materialist theories of politics been discredited?
Renewal co-editors @morganj0nes.bsky.social and @dmk1793.bsky.social interviewed @whstancil.bsky.social about his controversial political analyses:
Renewal co-editors @morganj0nes.bsky.social and @dmk1793.bsky.social interviewed @whstancil.bsky.social about his controversial political analyses:
All that is solid melts into posts: an interview with Will Stancil
In recent years, the American researcher (and committed social media poster) Will Stancil has emerged as one of the most prominent and vociferous critics of materialist theories of politics, and of th...
renewal.org.uk
October 23, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Is deliverism a doomed strategy? Does social media have an inherent right-wing bias? And have materialist theories of politics been discredited?
Renewal co-editors @morganj0nes.bsky.social and @dmk1793.bsky.social interviewed @whstancil.bsky.social about his controversial political analyses:
Renewal co-editors @morganj0nes.bsky.social and @dmk1793.bsky.social interviewed @whstancil.bsky.social about his controversial political analyses:
Reposted by Renewal
What David said.
I read @sachahilhorst.bsky.social and @demofuturist.bsky.social's pieces on a recent flight, alongside the excellent conversation between Jack Jeffery and Alan Finlayson on why the left doesn't understand the internet.
These three pieces alone worth the sub.
I read @sachahilhorst.bsky.social and @demofuturist.bsky.social's pieces on a recent flight, alongside the excellent conversation between Jack Jeffery and Alan Finlayson on why the left doesn't understand the internet.
These three pieces alone worth the sub.
Patrick is absolutely right that Labour lacks a sufficient intellectual culture - but instead of reading race-war Whatsapp essays from anonymous crackheads, Labour MPs should subscribe to @renewaljournal.bsky.social for serious and informed strategic analysis and argument
Come for the really good essay by Patrick Maguire, stay for the really bad one being shared (approvingly!!) by some Labour MPs: www.thetimes.com/comment/colu...
October 20, 2025 at 5:50 PM
What David said.
I read @sachahilhorst.bsky.social and @demofuturist.bsky.social's pieces on a recent flight, alongside the excellent conversation between Jack Jeffery and Alan Finlayson on why the left doesn't understand the internet.
These three pieces alone worth the sub.
I read @sachahilhorst.bsky.social and @demofuturist.bsky.social's pieces on a recent flight, alongside the excellent conversation between Jack Jeffery and Alan Finlayson on why the left doesn't understand the internet.
These three pieces alone worth the sub.
New on Renewal Online: what can Sutan Sjahrir and the Indonesian Socialist Party of the 1940s and 1950s teach us about political education today?
renewal.org.uk/blog/when-po...
renewal.org.uk/blog/when-po...
October 17, 2025 at 1:00 PM
New on Renewal Online: what can Sutan Sjahrir and the Indonesian Socialist Party of the 1940s and 1950s teach us about political education today?
renewal.org.uk/blog/when-po...
renewal.org.uk/blog/when-po...
The chair of our Editorial Board, @profafinlayson.bsky.social, was interviewed by @piercepenniless.bsky.social for the LRB podcast about his work on the nature of Online Politics
I was delighted to speak to Alan Finlayson for the @lrb.co.uk's On Politics. We take on the digital right (and online left), the champions of inegalitarianism, print and social democracy, Farage as influencer and... whether the internet is just right-wing.
October 17, 2025 at 12:50 PM
The chair of our Editorial Board, @profafinlayson.bsky.social, was interviewed by @piercepenniless.bsky.social for the LRB podcast about his work on the nature of Online Politics
Reposted by Renewal
What did we learn at Labour conference? Four members of the Renewal editorial team offer their reflections:
- @morganj0nes.bsky.social on Starmer vs Burnham
- @dmk1793.bsky.social on the Mair-ian void
- @parth0.bsky.social on Labour's nationalism
- @ben-glover.bsky.social on 'Big tent Starmerism'
- @morganj0nes.bsky.social on Starmer vs Burnham
- @dmk1793.bsky.social on the Mair-ian void
- @parth0.bsky.social on Labour's nationalism
- @ben-glover.bsky.social on 'Big tent Starmerism'
What did we learn at Labour Party conference?
Ten days on from the Labour Party's annual conference in Liverpool, four members of the Renewal editorial team who attended offer their reflections on the events of the week.
A stay of execution
Th...
renewal.org.uk
October 11, 2025 at 10:25 AM
What did we learn at Labour conference? Four members of the Renewal editorial team offer their reflections:
- @morganj0nes.bsky.social on Starmer vs Burnham
- @dmk1793.bsky.social on the Mair-ian void
- @parth0.bsky.social on Labour's nationalism
- @ben-glover.bsky.social on 'Big tent Starmerism'
- @morganj0nes.bsky.social on Starmer vs Burnham
- @dmk1793.bsky.social on the Mair-ian void
- @parth0.bsky.social on Labour's nationalism
- @ben-glover.bsky.social on 'Big tent Starmerism'
Reposted by Renewal
Finally got round to reading this, everyone should. It is excellent.
And speak to anyone in their teens if you need convincing that the left is ceding this ideological battleground. Not just on cultural issues, but everything from economic aspiration to ideas of the good life.
And speak to anyone in their teens if you need convincing that the left is ceding this ideological battleground. Not just on cultural issues, but everything from economic aspiration to ideas of the good life.
FREE TO READ: Renewal co-editor Jack Jeffrey talks to @profafinlayson.bsky.social about the subcultures of the online right and how they are transforming political communication
renewal.org.uk/articles/the...
renewal.org.uk/articles/the...
The left (still) doesn't understand the internet
Renewal 33.2_Finlayson & JeffreyRenewal 33.2_Finlayson & Jeffrey.pdf161 KBdownload-circle
In June 2025, Nigel Farage boasted on Facebook and X that he had more TikTok subscribers than all other 649...
renewal.org.uk
October 11, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Finally got round to reading this, everyone should. It is excellent.
And speak to anyone in their teens if you need convincing that the left is ceding this ideological battleground. Not just on cultural issues, but everything from economic aspiration to ideas of the good life.
And speak to anyone in their teens if you need convincing that the left is ceding this ideological battleground. Not just on cultural issues, but everything from economic aspiration to ideas of the good life.
Reposted by Renewal
The print copy of @renewaljournal.bsky.social looks amazing. Really like the design.
October 12, 2025 at 7:19 PM
The print copy of @renewaljournal.bsky.social looks amazing. Really like the design.