Reposted by Rob Johns
Our Collaborative studentship competition is NOW OPEN!
We have 8 exciting projects open for applications until 16 February 2026.
For more info visit: www.senss.ac.uk/collaborativ...
We have 8 exciting projects open for applications until 16 February 2026.
For more info visit: www.senss.ac.uk/collaborativ...
December 18, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Our Collaborative studentship competition is NOW OPEN!
We have 8 exciting projects open for applications until 16 February 2026.
For more info visit: www.senss.ac.uk/collaborativ...
We have 8 exciting projects open for applications until 16 February 2026.
For more info visit: www.senss.ac.uk/collaborativ...
Reposted by Rob Johns
This is, again, why I think "They are just the Tories with a new name" isn't necessarily damaging for them. Lots of people like(d) voting for the Tories.
www.joxleywrites.jmoxley.co.uk/p/voters-lik...
www.joxleywrites.jmoxley.co.uk/p/voters-lik...
Voters like Us
Identity, belonging, and the normalisation of Reform
www.joxleywrites.jmoxley.co.uk
January 21, 2026 at 5:31 PM
This is, again, why I think "They are just the Tories with a new name" isn't necessarily damaging for them. Lots of people like(d) voting for the Tories.
www.joxleywrites.jmoxley.co.uk/p/voters-lik...
www.joxleywrites.jmoxley.co.uk/p/voters-lik...
Reposted by Rob Johns
I feel staggeringly lucky to have missed the fee increase and been able to pay off my loan on a vaguely normal timescale. People who did the same course as me at the same place two years later face an additional 9% tax for 30 years of their working life
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
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 10:10 AM
I feel staggeringly lucky to have missed the fee increase and been able to pay off my loan on a vaguely normal timescale. People who did the same course as me at the same place two years later face an additional 9% tax for 30 years of their working life
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
Reposted by Rob Johns
"I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of Peace"
January 19, 2026 at 7:00 PM
"I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of Peace"
Big fan of this phrase:
"If the grass seems greener on Nigel Farage’s side, it has been well fertilised by the careers of anybody who has challenged, overshadowed, or even in one case succeeded by agreement, the position of the supreme leader."
"If the grass seems greener on Nigel Farage’s side, it has been well fertilised by the careers of anybody who has challenged, overshadowed, or even in one case succeeded by agreement, the position of the supreme leader."
Who will prevail in the fight on the right? ft.trib.al/WoSfHRm | opinion
Who will prevail in the fight on the right?
A useful indicator of the health of the Tory party and Reform is whether ambitious people are trying to get in or out
ft.trib.al
January 18, 2026 at 1:40 PM
Big fan of this phrase:
"If the grass seems greener on Nigel Farage’s side, it has been well fertilised by the careers of anybody who has challenged, overshadowed, or even in one case succeeded by agreement, the position of the supreme leader."
"If the grass seems greener on Nigel Farage’s side, it has been well fertilised by the careers of anybody who has challenged, overshadowed, or even in one case succeeded by agreement, the position of the supreme leader."
Reposted by Rob Johns
Portugal is having a presidential election tomorrow (Sunday).
It is a fairly unusual one, which is representative of how much the political landscape has changed in the country.
Here is some quick context about it, in case that is of interest:
1/9
It is a fairly unusual one, which is representative of how much the political landscape has changed in the country.
Here is some quick context about it, in case that is of interest:
1/9
January 17, 2026 at 6:06 PM
Portugal is having a presidential election tomorrow (Sunday).
It is a fairly unusual one, which is representative of how much the political landscape has changed in the country.
Here is some quick context about it, in case that is of interest:
1/9
It is a fairly unusual one, which is representative of how much the political landscape has changed in the country.
Here is some quick context about it, in case that is of interest:
1/9
Reposted by Rob Johns
First Scotland poll of the year, first Scotland poll tracker of the year. SNP still projected one short of a majority.
Seats (+/- 2021):
SNP: 64 (-)
Ref: 19 (+19)
Lab: 17 (-5)
Grn: 13 (+5)
Con: 9 (-22)
LD: 7 (+3)
Alba: 0 (-)
21 marginals: 17 SNP, 3 Labour, 1 Conservative.
1/3
Seats (+/- 2021):
SNP: 64 (-)
Ref: 19 (+19)
Lab: 17 (-5)
Grn: 13 (+5)
Con: 9 (-22)
LD: 7 (+3)
Alba: 0 (-)
21 marginals: 17 SNP, 3 Labour, 1 Conservative.
1/3
January 16, 2026 at 11:23 AM
First Scotland poll of the year, first Scotland poll tracker of the year. SNP still projected one short of a majority.
Seats (+/- 2021):
SNP: 64 (-)
Ref: 19 (+19)
Lab: 17 (-5)
Grn: 13 (+5)
Con: 9 (-22)
LD: 7 (+3)
Alba: 0 (-)
21 marginals: 17 SNP, 3 Labour, 1 Conservative.
1/3
Seats (+/- 2021):
SNP: 64 (-)
Ref: 19 (+19)
Lab: 17 (-5)
Grn: 13 (+5)
Con: 9 (-22)
LD: 7 (+3)
Alba: 0 (-)
21 marginals: 17 SNP, 3 Labour, 1 Conservative.
1/3
Essex Summer School is back!
With a boundless energy and a freshness of slides that you wouldn't expect from someone now squarely in the 'veteran' category, I'll be delivering my course on Designing & Analysing Surveys.
And that's just one of the delights on offer. Browse below and sign up ASAP.
With a boundless energy and a freshness of slides that you wouldn't expect from someone now squarely in the 'veteran' category, I'll be delivering my course on Designing & Analysing Surveys.
And that's just one of the delights on offer. Browse below and sign up ASAP.
January 16, 2026 at 9:53 AM
Essex Summer School is back!
With a boundless energy and a freshness of slides that you wouldn't expect from someone now squarely in the 'veteran' category, I'll be delivering my course on Designing & Analysing Surveys.
And that's just one of the delights on offer. Browse below and sign up ASAP.
With a boundless energy and a freshness of slides that you wouldn't expect from someone now squarely in the 'veteran' category, I'll be delivering my course on Designing & Analysing Surveys.
And that's just one of the delights on offer. Browse below and sign up ASAP.
On the vidiprinter, it would have said "Labour: 10% (ten per cent)".
Plaid open 14 point lead over Reform UK in our January 2026 Senedd voting intention
Plaid Cymru: 37% (+7 from 4-10 Sep 2025)
Reform UK: 23% (-6)
Green: 13% (+7)
Conservative: 10% (-1)
Labour: 10% (-4)
Lib Dem: 5% (-1)
Other: 2% (-2)
yougov.co.uk/politics/art...
Plaid Cymru: 37% (+7 from 4-10 Sep 2025)
Reform UK: 23% (-6)
Green: 13% (+7)
Conservative: 10% (-1)
Labour: 10% (-4)
Lib Dem: 5% (-1)
Other: 2% (-2)
yougov.co.uk/politics/art...
January 14, 2026 at 9:57 AM
On the vidiprinter, it would have said "Labour: 10% (ten per cent)".
Reposted by Rob Johns
From November 2025 -
From the Factory Floor to the Ballot Box: Firm-Based Origins of Brazil’s Populist Right - https://cup.org/4r04qrj
- @matigiannoni.bsky.social
#OpenAccess
From the Factory Floor to the Ballot Box: Firm-Based Origins of Brazil’s Populist Right - https://cup.org/4r04qrj
- @matigiannoni.bsky.social
#OpenAccess
January 13, 2026 at 12:11 PM
From November 2025 -
From the Factory Floor to the Ballot Box: Firm-Based Origins of Brazil’s Populist Right - https://cup.org/4r04qrj
- @matigiannoni.bsky.social
#OpenAccess
From the Factory Floor to the Ballot Box: Firm-Based Origins of Brazil’s Populist Right - https://cup.org/4r04qrj
- @matigiannoni.bsky.social
#OpenAccess
🌈
Our latest Mile End Institute/Savanta London Poll is out!
Labour - 31%
Reform - 19%
Greens - 18%
Cons - 17%
LD - 13%
@standard.co.uk.web.brid.gy @mileendinstitute.bsky.social @savanta.bsky.social
www.standard.co.uk/news/politic...
Labour - 31%
Reform - 19%
Greens - 18%
Cons - 17%
LD - 13%
@standard.co.uk.web.brid.gy @mileendinstitute.bsky.social @savanta.bsky.social
www.standard.co.uk/news/politic...
Labour hits record low in London with Tories 4th behind Greens and Reform, new poll
EXCLUSIVE: Just 31% of Londoners now say they would vote for Sir Keir Starmer’s party, according to a Savanta survey, down from 43% at the 2024 General Election
www.standard.co.uk
January 6, 2026 at 11:47 AM
🌈
"Where voters go after they abandon Labour is driven by culture and values, but their decision to move away from Labour is driven by economics."
Beautiful essay prompt from @stephenkb.bsky.social's Inside Politics today. (And I think that, if called upon to 'Discuss' it, I'd be pretty sympathetic.)
Beautiful essay prompt from @stephenkb.bsky.social's Inside Politics today. (And I think that, if called upon to 'Discuss' it, I'd be pretty sympathetic.)
January 6, 2026 at 11:45 AM
"Where voters go after they abandon Labour is driven by culture and values, but their decision to move away from Labour is driven by economics."
Beautiful essay prompt from @stephenkb.bsky.social's Inside Politics today. (And I think that, if called upon to 'Discuss' it, I'd be pretty sympathetic.)
Beautiful essay prompt from @stephenkb.bsky.social's Inside Politics today. (And I think that, if called upon to 'Discuss' it, I'd be pretty sympathetic.)
Reposted by Rob Johns
Reposted by Rob Johns
A very worrying return to the Cold War in the current geopolitical context. It evokes a past of interventionism: from Guatemala in 1954 to Caracas today, the historical echoes of bombings and external pressure as tools of political and economic control in Latin America are still present.
Venezuela accuses US after explosions and low-flying aircraft reported in Caracas – live
Venezuela accuses US after explosions and low-flying aircraft reported in Caracas – live
Multiple loud explosions were reported in Caracas at about 2am on Saturday
Venezuela’s authoritarian government has accused the US of risking plunging Latin America into chaos with “an extremely serious” act of “imperial aggression” after Donald Trump reportedly ordered strikes against the South American country.
Explosions, loud noises and low-flying aircraft were heard in the Venezuelan capital of Caracas in the early hours of Saturday amid reports that Trump had ordered the attack. In a statement, Venezuela’s government confirmed that Caracas had come under attack, as well as three other states: Miranda, La Guaira and Aragua. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
January 3, 2026 at 9:28 AM
A very worrying return to the Cold War in the current geopolitical context. It evokes a past of interventionism: from Guatemala in 1954 to Caracas today, the historical echoes of bombings and external pressure as tools of political and economic control in Latin America are still present.
Merry Christmas, academics!
December 25, 2025 at 12:54 AM
Merry Christmas, academics!
Reposted by Rob Johns
The 2025 Headline of the Year Nominees
🧵
🧵
December 22, 2025 at 11:48 PM
The 2025 Headline of the Year Nominees
🧵
🧵
Reposted by Rob Johns
🇪🇺🇩🇪 Published Today in @bjpols.bsky.social 🇮🇹🇫🇷
How a voting advice application affected voting behavior in three large-scale field experiments:
shorturl.at/2ekBj
TLDR of our study (with @simonhix.bsky.social & @rlachat.bsky.social) below 👇 1/14
How a voting advice application affected voting behavior in three large-scale field experiments:
shorturl.at/2ekBj
TLDR of our study (with @simonhix.bsky.social & @rlachat.bsky.social) below 👇 1/14
December 18, 2025 at 11:41 AM
🇪🇺🇩🇪 Published Today in @bjpols.bsky.social 🇮🇹🇫🇷
How a voting advice application affected voting behavior in three large-scale field experiments:
shorturl.at/2ekBj
TLDR of our study (with @simonhix.bsky.social & @rlachat.bsky.social) below 👇 1/14
How a voting advice application affected voting behavior in three large-scale field experiments:
shorturl.at/2ekBj
TLDR of our study (with @simonhix.bsky.social & @rlachat.bsky.social) below 👇 1/14
Reposted by Rob Johns
I can’t help thinking that when, in future, people ask what UK political leaders said as it became undeniable that US saw European liberal democracy as its no1 strategic foe, Starmer and others will regret that the answer is “not much, shuffled awkwardly, looked at their feet”.
December 10, 2025 at 9:38 AM
I can’t help thinking that when, in future, people ask what UK political leaders said as it became undeniable that US saw European liberal democracy as its no1 strategic foe, Starmer and others will regret that the answer is “not much, shuffled awkwardly, looked at their feet”.
Reposted by Rob Johns
It can't be emphasised enough: we are on course for either the most disproportional Holyrood result ever, or the SNP will win far fewer seats than projections predict they will.
December 10, 2025 at 2:51 PM
It can't be emphasised enough: we are on course for either the most disproportional Holyrood result ever, or the SNP will win far fewer seats than projections predict they will.
How on earth did she fit in her marking?
December 10, 2025 at 2:28 PM
How on earth did she fit in her marking?
Reposted by Rob Johns
New Scottish Parliament poll, Ipsos 27 Nov - 3 Dec (vs 12-18 Jun):
List:
SNP ~ 28% (+2)
Lab ~ 18% (-4)
RUK ~ 17% (+1)
Grn ~ 17% (+2)
Con ~ 12% (+2)
LD ~ 7% (-1)
Constituency:
SNP ~ 35% (+1)
RUK ~ 18% (+4)
Lab ~ 16% (-7)
Con ~ 11% (+1)
Grn ~ 9% (nc)
LD ~ 9% (nc)
List:
SNP ~ 28% (+2)
Lab ~ 18% (-4)
RUK ~ 17% (+1)
Grn ~ 17% (+2)
Con ~ 12% (+2)
LD ~ 7% (-1)
Constituency:
SNP ~ 35% (+1)
RUK ~ 18% (+4)
Lab ~ 16% (-7)
Con ~ 11% (+1)
Grn ~ 9% (nc)
LD ~ 9% (nc)
December 10, 2025 at 12:13 PM
New Scottish Parliament poll, Ipsos 27 Nov - 3 Dec (vs 12-18 Jun):
List:
SNP ~ 28% (+2)
Lab ~ 18% (-4)
RUK ~ 17% (+1)
Grn ~ 17% (+2)
Con ~ 12% (+2)
LD ~ 7% (-1)
Constituency:
SNP ~ 35% (+1)
RUK ~ 18% (+4)
Lab ~ 16% (-7)
Con ~ 11% (+1)
Grn ~ 9% (nc)
LD ~ 9% (nc)
List:
SNP ~ 28% (+2)
Lab ~ 18% (-4)
RUK ~ 17% (+1)
Grn ~ 17% (+2)
Con ~ 12% (+2)
LD ~ 7% (-1)
Constituency:
SNP ~ 35% (+1)
RUK ~ 18% (+4)
Lab ~ 16% (-7)
Con ~ 11% (+1)
Grn ~ 9% (nc)
LD ~ 9% (nc)
Reposted by Rob Johns
🚨 New in Nature+Science!🚨
AI chatbots can shift voter attitudes on candidates & policies, often by 10+pp
🔹Exps in US Canada Poland & UK
🔹More “facts”→more persuasion (not psych tricks)
🔹Increasing persuasiveness reduces "fact" accuracy
🔹Right-leaning bots=more inaccurate
AI chatbots can shift voter attitudes on candidates & policies, often by 10+pp
🔹Exps in US Canada Poland & UK
🔹More “facts”→more persuasion (not psych tricks)
🔹Increasing persuasiveness reduces "fact" accuracy
🔹Right-leaning bots=more inaccurate
December 4, 2025 at 8:43 PM
🚨 New in Nature+Science!🚨
AI chatbots can shift voter attitudes on candidates & policies, often by 10+pp
🔹Exps in US Canada Poland & UK
🔹More “facts”→more persuasion (not psych tricks)
🔹Increasing persuasiveness reduces "fact" accuracy
🔹Right-leaning bots=more inaccurate
AI chatbots can shift voter attitudes on candidates & policies, often by 10+pp
🔹Exps in US Canada Poland & UK
🔹More “facts”→more persuasion (not psych tricks)
🔹Increasing persuasiveness reduces "fact" accuracy
🔹Right-leaning bots=more inaccurate
Reposted by Rob Johns
You lose your wallet.
Where are you most likely to get it back?
It depends on how much $$$ is in the wallet.
But it's better to lose your wallet in:
Switzerland 🇨🇭
Norway 🇳🇴
Netherlands 🇳🇱
Denmark 🇩🇰
You're far less likely to get your wallet back in:
China 🇨🇳
Morrocco 🇲🇦
Peru 🇵🇪
Kazakhstan 🇰🇿
Where are you most likely to get it back?
It depends on how much $$$ is in the wallet.
But it's better to lose your wallet in:
Switzerland 🇨🇭
Norway 🇳🇴
Netherlands 🇳🇱
Denmark 🇩🇰
You're far less likely to get your wallet back in:
China 🇨🇳
Morrocco 🇲🇦
Peru 🇵🇪
Kazakhstan 🇰🇿
December 1, 2025 at 9:30 PM
You lose your wallet.
Where are you most likely to get it back?
It depends on how much $$$ is in the wallet.
But it's better to lose your wallet in:
Switzerland 🇨🇭
Norway 🇳🇴
Netherlands 🇳🇱
Denmark 🇩🇰
You're far less likely to get your wallet back in:
China 🇨🇳
Morrocco 🇲🇦
Peru 🇵🇪
Kazakhstan 🇰🇿
Where are you most likely to get it back?
It depends on how much $$$ is in the wallet.
But it's better to lose your wallet in:
Switzerland 🇨🇭
Norway 🇳🇴
Netherlands 🇳🇱
Denmark 🇩🇰
You're far less likely to get your wallet back in:
China 🇨🇳
Morrocco 🇲🇦
Peru 🇵🇪
Kazakhstan 🇰🇿
As one who would struggle to get beyond the third press-up even on a particularly athletic day, I am hugely impressed by this and will be donating accordingly.
Christmas is approaching, the season of giving, and this December I have decided to make a gift of my dignity by bravely/foolishly joining in a festive season challenge. Every day this month I will (attempt to) do 100 press-ups, to raise money for this fine cause: www.gofundme.com/f/help-us-he...
Donate to Help us help Moses build new sanitary toilets in Kibera, organized by Miriam Ronzoni
Moses is an activist who has dedicated much of his life to impr… Miriam Ronzoni needs your support for Help us help Moses build new sanitary toilets in Kibera
www.gofundme.com
December 1, 2025 at 10:20 AM
As one who would struggle to get beyond the third press-up even on a particularly athletic day, I am hugely impressed by this and will be donating accordingly.
Reposted by Rob Johns
🚨 New working paper 🚨
Can LLMs with reasoning + web search reliably fact-check political claims?
We evaluated 15 models from OpenAI, Google, Meta, and DeepSeek on 6,000+ PolitiFact claims (2007–2024).
Short answer: Not reliably—unless you give them curated evidence.
arxiv.org/abs/2511.18749
Can LLMs with reasoning + web search reliably fact-check political claims?
We evaluated 15 models from OpenAI, Google, Meta, and DeepSeek on 6,000+ PolitiFact claims (2007–2024).
Short answer: Not reliably—unless you give them curated evidence.
arxiv.org/abs/2511.18749
November 29, 2025 at 10:06 PM
🚨 New working paper 🚨
Can LLMs with reasoning + web search reliably fact-check political claims?
We evaluated 15 models from OpenAI, Google, Meta, and DeepSeek on 6,000+ PolitiFact claims (2007–2024).
Short answer: Not reliably—unless you give them curated evidence.
arxiv.org/abs/2511.18749
Can LLMs with reasoning + web search reliably fact-check political claims?
We evaluated 15 models from OpenAI, Google, Meta, and DeepSeek on 6,000+ PolitiFact claims (2007–2024).
Short answer: Not reliably—unless you give them curated evidence.
arxiv.org/abs/2511.18749