Robert Saunders
@robertsaunders.bsky.social
Historian of modern Britain, singer and political nerd. Author of "Yes to Europe! The 1975 Referendum & Seventies Britain". "A jaw-dislocating page turner"(Andrew Marr). Deputy-director @mileendinstitute.bsky.social, Reader @QMHistory
We can all get things wrong, but if I had been this consistently and catastrophically wrong about such important issues I don't think I could carry on publishing my opinions every week.
I'd want to go away and think about how I'd so badly misunderstood the things I write about.
I'd want to go away and think about how I'd so badly misunderstood the things I write about.
January 24, 2026 at 12:16 PM
We can all get things wrong, but if I had been this consistently and catastrophically wrong about such important issues I don't think I could carry on publishing my opinions every week.
I'd want to go away and think about how I'd so badly misunderstood the things I write about.
I'd want to go away and think about how I'd so badly misunderstood the things I write about.
Reposted by Robert Saunders
A big problem with The End of History is it’s far too long and has far too much Hegel so most people know the title but not the book and missed the crucial and prophetic caveat at the end. This book should have remained an essay
January 24, 2026 at 10:44 AM
A big problem with The End of History is it’s far too long and has far too much Hegel so most people know the title but not the book and missed the crucial and prophetic caveat at the end. This book should have remained an essay
It isn't widely understood that Burnham *cannot*, legally, stay on as mayor if he's elected to Parlt.
The Mayor of Greater Manchester is also the Police & Crime Commissioner. PCCs are barred by law from sitting as MPs.
This was not the case for Boris Johnson in London or Dan Jarvis in S. Yorkshire
The Mayor of Greater Manchester is also the Police & Crime Commissioner. PCCs are barred by law from sitting as MPs.
This was not the case for Boris Johnson in London or Dan Jarvis in S. Yorkshire
All the coverage of Andy Burnham is about what it would mean for Labour at Westminster.
Can one outlet at least mention that Burnham is less than halfway into his term as mayor & would be legally obliged to resign that role if he became an MP?
There's a serious case for a party saying "no" to that
Can one outlet at least mention that Burnham is less than halfway into his term as mayor & would be legally obliged to resign that role if he became an MP?
There's a serious case for a party saying "no" to that
January 24, 2026 at 11:33 AM
It isn't widely understood that Burnham *cannot*, legally, stay on as mayor if he's elected to Parlt.
The Mayor of Greater Manchester is also the Police & Crime Commissioner. PCCs are barred by law from sitting as MPs.
This was not the case for Boris Johnson in London or Dan Jarvis in S. Yorkshire
The Mayor of Greater Manchester is also the Police & Crime Commissioner. PCCs are barred by law from sitting as MPs.
This was not the case for Boris Johnson in London or Dan Jarvis in S. Yorkshire
Reposted by Robert Saunders
Nigel Farage attended Davos as adviser to Iranian billionaire - www.ft.com/content/7b40... via @FT
Some good sleuthing here.
Some good sleuthing here.
Nigel Farage attended Davos as adviser to Iranian billionaire
Reform UK leader’s pass and hotel costs for World Economic Forum event were paid for by Sasan Ghandehari
www.ft.com
January 24, 2026 at 11:24 AM
Nigel Farage attended Davos as adviser to Iranian billionaire - www.ft.com/content/7b40... via @FT
Some good sleuthing here.
Some good sleuthing here.
All the coverage of Andy Burnham is about what it would mean for Labour at Westminster.
Can one outlet at least mention that Burnham is less than halfway into his term as mayor & would be legally obliged to resign that role if he became an MP?
There's a serious case for a party saying "no" to that
Can one outlet at least mention that Burnham is less than halfway into his term as mayor & would be legally obliged to resign that role if he became an MP?
There's a serious case for a party saying "no" to that
January 24, 2026 at 10:44 AM
All the coverage of Andy Burnham is about what it would mean for Labour at Westminster.
Can one outlet at least mention that Burnham is less than halfway into his term as mayor & would be legally obliged to resign that role if he became an MP?
There's a serious case for a party saying "no" to that
Can one outlet at least mention that Burnham is less than halfway into his term as mayor & would be legally obliged to resign that role if he became an MP?
There's a serious case for a party saying "no" to that
Superb - and alarming - piece on the torrent of falsehood and disinformation pouring into people's phones, designed to stir up racial hatred.
If you don't subscribe to @londoncentric.media, its investigative journalism is outstanding. @jim.londoncentric.media www.londoncentric.media/p/tiktok-lon...
If you don't subscribe to @londoncentric.media, its investigative journalism is outstanding. @jim.londoncentric.media www.londoncentric.media/p/tiktok-lon...
Who's secretly filming fake TikToks inside Londoners' homes?
We tracked down the viral video account invading people's houses to spread false claims about immigrants.
www.londoncentric.media
January 24, 2026 at 10:25 AM
Superb - and alarming - piece on the torrent of falsehood and disinformation pouring into people's phones, designed to stir up racial hatred.
If you don't subscribe to @londoncentric.media, its investigative journalism is outstanding. @jim.londoncentric.media www.londoncentric.media/p/tiktok-lon...
If you don't subscribe to @londoncentric.media, its investigative journalism is outstanding. @jim.londoncentric.media www.londoncentric.media/p/tiktok-lon...
So much admiration for those out protesting in freezing conditions. This is what standing up against authoritarianism looks like.
January 24, 2026 at 10:17 AM
So much admiration for those out protesting in freezing conditions. This is what standing up against authoritarianism looks like.
Stephen looking at the prize pot and wondering whether to betray Rachel.
I really thought the ring had taken him.
So glad he turned back at the end. #traitors
I really thought the ring had taken him.
So glad he turned back at the end. #traitors
January 24, 2026 at 10:13 AM
Stephen looking at the prize pot and wondering whether to betray Rachel.
I really thought the ring had taken him.
So glad he turned back at the end. #traitors
I really thought the ring had taken him.
So glad he turned back at the end. #traitors
Reposted by Robert Saunders
I know some people are cynical about everything now and just say “eh, what do you expect” at every new low, but really this is just astonishing and outrageous, and I don’t think we should shrug at that www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
White House posts digitally altered image of woman arrested after ICE protest
Guardian analysis shows images are the same, with Nekima Levy Armstrong looking composed in original but sobbing after alteration
www.theguardian.com
January 23, 2026 at 10:32 AM
I know some people are cynical about everything now and just say “eh, what do you expect” at every new low, but really this is just astonishing and outrageous, and I don’t think we should shrug at that www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
Reposted by Robert Saunders
Democratic politicians have, though, pursued growth in GDP at the expense of other values. One response to @jburnmurdoch.ft.com pessimistic scenario is refocus on those values, combined with egalitarianism, sufficiency and quality of life. Not "it's the economy, stupid" but "it's the the society"
Is liberal democracy in terminal decline?
The old system worked under a set of conditions that are no longer present
www.ft.com
January 23, 2026 at 8:19 AM
Democratic politicians have, though, pursued growth in GDP at the expense of other values. One response to @jburnmurdoch.ft.com pessimistic scenario is refocus on those values, combined with egalitarianism, sufficiency and quality of life. Not "it's the economy, stupid" but "it's the the society"
Are the Traitors insane? Murdering Faraaz was an absolute no-brainer. One fewer vote for Rachel, and she could have said "everyone heard him accusing me, so now the Traitors are stitching me up. Would I really do something so stupid..."
January 22, 2026 at 9:03 PM
Are the Traitors insane? Murdering Faraaz was an absolute no-brainer. One fewer vote for Rachel, and she could have said "everyone heard him accusing me, so now the Traitors are stitching me up. Would I really do something so stupid..."
Reposted by Robert Saunders
In our conservative estimate, 41 percent of Grok’s images — or 1.8 million — were sexualized depictions of women. Separately, CCDH analyzed how many were sexualized images across genders and ages. Their findings: an estimated 3 million images, including more than 23,000 of children.
January 22, 2026 at 3:01 PM
In our conservative estimate, 41 percent of Grok’s images — or 1.8 million — were sexualized depictions of women. Separately, CCDH analyzed how many were sexualized images across genders and ages. Their findings: an estimated 3 million images, including more than 23,000 of children.
I'm sorry, there'll be more considered commentary, but fundamentally he's just such an asshole.
January 21, 2026 at 2:07 PM
I'm sorry, there'll be more considered commentary, but fundamentally he's just such an asshole.
Reposted by Robert Saunders
Groan. Biggest investment in history in helping vulnerable people benefit from net zero bill saving tech, free solar and insulation for people struggling, zero and low interest loans for able to pay, and guardian leads on there being no gas boiler ban. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
No ban on gas boilers in UK warm homes plan but heat pumps get £2.7bn push
Government opts against phasing out new boilers by 2035 in effort to cut energy bills by as much as £1,000 a year
www.theguardian.com
January 21, 2026 at 1:19 PM
Groan. Biggest investment in history in helping vulnerable people benefit from net zero bill saving tech, free solar and insulation for people struggling, zero and low interest loans for able to pay, and guardian leads on there being no gas boiler ban. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Robert Saunders
It's #PMQs at Westminster. But is being Prime Minister now an impossible job?
Historian @robertsaunders.bsky.social of the @mileendinstitute.bsky.social explores why PMs burn out so fast, broken leadership pipelines, and why leaders should trust voters more.
🎧 Listen: buff.ly/bhvHQf6
Historian @robertsaunders.bsky.social of the @mileendinstitute.bsky.social explores why PMs burn out so fast, broken leadership pipelines, and why leaders should trust voters more.
🎧 Listen: buff.ly/bhvHQf6
January 21, 2026 at 12:00 PM
It's #PMQs at Westminster. But is being Prime Minister now an impossible job?
Historian @robertsaunders.bsky.social of the @mileendinstitute.bsky.social explores why PMs burn out so fast, broken leadership pipelines, and why leaders should trust voters more.
🎧 Listen: buff.ly/bhvHQf6
Historian @robertsaunders.bsky.social of the @mileendinstitute.bsky.social explores why PMs burn out so fast, broken leadership pipelines, and why leaders should trust voters more.
🎧 Listen: buff.ly/bhvHQf6
Reposted by Robert Saunders
The Trump disbelief that the Norwegian govt doesn't control the Nobel process is deeply indicative of his thinking. He can't conceive that an institution could (or should) be genuinely independent of coercion or political power. That's the change he represents.
Trump: "I should have gotten the Nobel prize for each war...I saved millions and millions of people...and don't let anyone tell you that Norway doesn't control the shots. It's in Norway. Norway controls the shots. It's a joke. They've lost such prestige.“
January 20, 2026 at 8:02 PM
The Trump disbelief that the Norwegian govt doesn't control the Nobel process is deeply indicative of his thinking. He can't conceive that an institution could (or should) be genuinely independent of coercion or political power. That's the change he represents.
Reposted by Robert Saunders
Significantly, only a unanimous vote of the Executive Board can remove the chairman (Trump). Guess who appoints & dismisses its members?
"(a) The Executive Board shall be selected by the Chairman...
(b) Members of the Executive Board shall serve two-year terms, subject to removal by the Chairman"
"(a) The Executive Board shall be selected by the Chairman...
(b) Members of the Executive Board shall serve two-year terms, subject to removal by the Chairman"
January 20, 2026 at 12:22 PM
Significantly, only a unanimous vote of the Executive Board can remove the chairman (Trump). Guess who appoints & dismisses its members?
"(a) The Executive Board shall be selected by the Chairman...
(b) Members of the Executive Board shall serve two-year terms, subject to removal by the Chairman"
"(a) The Executive Board shall be selected by the Chairman...
(b) Members of the Executive Board shall serve two-year terms, subject to removal by the Chairman"
Reposted by Robert Saunders
This is very personal for me. I am this generation (I matriculated in 2013). I marched against tuition fees as a school student. I now lecture and research in UK HE.
It's not a loan. It's a tax, but one from which the rich can escape. It should be treated as a tax. Fairness requires more honesty.
It's not a loan. It's a tax, but one from which the rich can escape. It should be treated as a tax. Fairness requires more honesty.
"Those 18-year-olds – the first guinea pigs, the class who matriculated in 2012 – are now turning 31. And belatedly, the impact of the loans they were assured were a rock-solid investment in their futures is becoming apparent."
Some thoughts on student loans
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
Some thoughts on student loans
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
Britain's youth are living in Nick Clegg's shadow
All except the richest graduates since 2012 face a bespoke additional tax. No wonder they're radicalised
www.newstatesman.com
January 20, 2026 at 11:45 AM
This is very personal for me. I am this generation (I matriculated in 2013). I marched against tuition fees as a school student. I now lecture and research in UK HE.
It's not a loan. It's a tax, but one from which the rich can escape. It should be treated as a tax. Fairness requires more honesty.
It's not a loan. It's a tax, but one from which the rich can escape. It should be treated as a tax. Fairness requires more honesty.
Trump's "Board of Peace" isn't an international organisation; it's a personal fiefdom.
Its Charter names him personally as chair,subject only to resignation or unanimous vote of incapacity; lets him pick his successor; allows him to hire & fire the executive...
www.timesofisrael.com/full-text-ch...
Its Charter names him personally as chair,subject only to resignation or unanimous vote of incapacity; lets him pick his successor; allows him to hire & fire the executive...
www.timesofisrael.com/full-text-ch...
Full text: Charter of Trump’s Board of Peace
No mention of Gaza, which bolsters ToI's reporting that US also envisions panel helping resolve other conflicts worldwide; member countries must pay $1 billion for permanent spot
www.timesofisrael.com
January 20, 2026 at 10:48 AM
Trump's "Board of Peace" isn't an international organisation; it's a personal fiefdom.
Its Charter names him personally as chair,subject only to resignation or unanimous vote of incapacity; lets him pick his successor; allows him to hire & fire the executive...
www.timesofisrael.com/full-text-ch...
Its Charter names him personally as chair,subject only to resignation or unanimous vote of incapacity; lets him pick his successor; allows him to hire & fire the executive...
www.timesofisrael.com/full-text-ch...
Reposted by Robert Saunders
In fact the EEC (as it then was) banned imports from Argentina during the Falklands conflict, to support the UK - eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/1982...
January 19, 2026 at 4:14 PM
In fact the EEC (as it then was) banned imports from Argentina during the Falklands conflict, to support the UK - eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/1982...
Reposted by Robert Saunders
I'm delighted that we can share the termcard of the IHR Britain at Home and Abroad since 1800 seminar.
First up, @robertsaunders.bsky.social on 29 January to present on the history of UK democracy (specifically, the neglected Third Reform Act). Sign up in the link below!
First up, @robertsaunders.bsky.social on 29 January to present on the history of UK democracy (specifically, the neglected Third Reform Act). Sign up in the link below!
HERE IT IS! We are super excited to share our 2025/26 spring programme! Mark your calendars for some exciting new research in modern British history...
www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...
First up! QMUL's Dr Rob Saunders on DEMOCRACY on 29 January. Online or in person at the IHR. See you there.
www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...
First up! QMUL's Dr Rob Saunders on DEMOCRACY on 29 January. Online or in person at the IHR. See you there.
Britain at Home and Abroad
This seminar was formed from the merger of the Modern British History seminar and the Reconfiguring the British: Nation, Empire, World 1600-1900 seminar.
www.history.ac.uk
January 19, 2026 at 11:31 AM
I'm delighted that we can share the termcard of the IHR Britain at Home and Abroad since 1800 seminar.
First up, @robertsaunders.bsky.social on 29 January to present on the history of UK democracy (specifically, the neglected Third Reform Act). Sign up in the link below!
First up, @robertsaunders.bsky.social on 29 January to present on the history of UK democracy (specifically, the neglected Third Reform Act). Sign up in the link below!
The weakness of this response is that it blames "Congress" and "politicians" for the failures of the Republican Party.
That just increases the hostility to institutions on which Trump and his allies feed.
It undermines confidence in the democratic system as a whole, not those subverting it.
That just increases the hostility to institutions on which Trump and his allies feed.
It undermines confidence in the democratic system as a whole, not those subverting it.
When we were all making fun of Scaramucci, I never thought I'd be quoting him but here we are. We need Congress to do its job.
January 19, 2026 at 10:30 AM
The weakness of this response is that it blames "Congress" and "politicians" for the failures of the Republican Party.
That just increases the hostility to institutions on which Trump and his allies feed.
It undermines confidence in the democratic system as a whole, not those subverting it.
That just increases the hostility to institutions on which Trump and his allies feed.
It undermines confidence in the democratic system as a whole, not those subverting it.
"Considering your Country decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize, I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of Peace".
It's not said often enough what a very small man Trump is.
It's not said often enough what a very small man Trump is.
January 19, 2026 at 9:04 AM
"Considering your Country decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize, I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of Peace".
It's not said often enough what a very small man Trump is.
It's not said often enough what a very small man Trump is.
It's not the biggest issue today, but this statement should be given in Parliament.
This isn't fuddy-duddyism. It allows MPs to ask questions, puts other parties on the record, and, most importantly, doesn't allow a PM to pick the audience: a power that Starmer does not abuse, but future PMs will.
This isn't fuddy-duddyism. It allows MPs to ask questions, puts other parties on the record, and, most importantly, doesn't allow a PM to pick the audience: a power that Starmer does not abuse, but future PMs will.
January 19, 2026 at 9:02 AM
It's not the biggest issue today, but this statement should be given in Parliament.
This isn't fuddy-duddyism. It allows MPs to ask questions, puts other parties on the record, and, most importantly, doesn't allow a PM to pick the audience: a power that Starmer does not abuse, but future PMs will.
This isn't fuddy-duddyism. It allows MPs to ask questions, puts other parties on the record, and, most importantly, doesn't allow a PM to pick the audience: a power that Starmer does not abuse, but future PMs will.
This is a huge problem: humans are not wired to cope with this daily torrent of disgust & dismay. It's exhausting & unbalancing.
It's tempting just to switch off the news. But that surrenders the political arena - & the lives of all those it affects - to the hooligans & vandals who are trashing it.
It's tempting just to switch off the news. But that surrenders the political arena - & the lives of all those it affects - to the hooligans & vandals who are trashing it.
I'm perfectly aware this is by far not the worst thing he's done, but Trump's constant presence - day after day after day - in the lives and headspaces of hundreds of millions of people (billions?), in the US and outside, is so taxing. Every morning, we wake up and have to think about this asshole.
January 19, 2026 at 8:49 AM
This is a huge problem: humans are not wired to cope with this daily torrent of disgust & dismay. It's exhausting & unbalancing.
It's tempting just to switch off the news. But that surrenders the political arena - & the lives of all those it affects - to the hooligans & vandals who are trashing it.
It's tempting just to switch off the news. But that surrenders the political arena - & the lives of all those it affects - to the hooligans & vandals who are trashing it.