Sunder Katwala (sundersays)
@sundersays.bsky.social
Director of @britishfuture.bsky.social
Author How to be a Patriot https://harpercollins.co.uk/products/how-to-be-a-patriot-why-love-of-country-can-end-our-very-british-culture-war-sunder-katwala?variant=40518936559694
Evertonian
Author How to be a Patriot https://harpercollins.co.uk/products/how-to-be-a-patriot-why-love-of-country-can-end-our-very-british-culture-war-sunder-katwala?variant=40518936559694
Evertonian
Pinned
Sadiq Khan had America on his mind as he spoke at London's Guildhall. He was opening up an important new debate about a new phase of immigration + the danger of this government's settlement reforms, in the name of integration, raise barriers + impede it. My column
www.easterneye.biz/sadiq-khan-l...
www.easterneye.biz/sadiq-khan-l...
The SDP are running in the Gorton and Denton by-election: the party performed very badly in the 2024 general election: with 122 candidates securing only 33,811 votes: average 277. This candidate Sebastian Moore got 240 in Manchester Central
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Sebastian Moore named as Social Democratic Party by-election candidate
Sebastian Moore, the SDP’s north west chair, is the party's choice for the Gorton and Denton by-election.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 31, 2026 at 12:16 AM
The SDP are running in the Gorton and Denton by-election: the party performed very badly in the 2024 general election: with 122 candidates securing only 33,811 votes: average 277. This candidate Sebastian Moore got 240 in Manchester Central
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Politicians in Birmingham have been responding tonight to the news of the death of Councillor Wassem Zaffar - aged just 44 - including Council leader John Cotton and Robert Alden, the leader of the Conservative group, and MPs from the city.
January 31, 2026 at 12:02 AM
Politicians in Birmingham have been responding tonight to the news of the death of Councillor Wassem Zaffar - aged just 44 - including Council leader John Cotton and Robert Alden, the leader of the Conservative group, and MPs from the city.
I doubt many people would instinctively recall that January 31st 2026 tomorrow is the sixth anniversary of actual Brexit day. (The tenth anniversary of 23rd June 2016 will be a much bigger deal).
The Daily Express can't claim to speak for Britain with his headline - but clearly feels it does
The Daily Express can't claim to speak for Britain with his headline - but clearly feels it does
January 30, 2026 at 9:48 PM
I doubt many people would instinctively recall that January 31st 2026 tomorrow is the sixth anniversary of actual Brexit day. (The tenth anniversary of 23rd June 2016 will be a much bigger deal).
The Daily Express can't claim to speak for Britain with his headline - but clearly feels it does
The Daily Express can't claim to speak for Britain with his headline - but clearly feels it does
Bruce Springsteen has released a new winter of '26 song: "Streets of Minneapolis" to protest federal agents killing those protesting ICE deportations
January 30, 2026 at 9:42 PM
Bruce Springsteen has released a new winter of '26 song: "Streets of Minneapolis" to protest federal agents killing those protesting ICE deportations
Konstantin Kisin claims that these exchanges are "not a debate about whether Rishi Sunak is English or British"
Nelson: "Rishi Sunak is English?"
Kisin: "He’s a brown Hindu, how can he be English?”
Alexander: You said “he’s a brown Hindu, how is he english?
Kisin: That's not what I said."
Nelson: "Rishi Sunak is English?"
Kisin: "He’s a brown Hindu, how can he be English?”
Alexander: You said “he’s a brown Hindu, how is he english?
Kisin: That's not what I said."
January 30, 2026 at 8:47 PM
Konstantin Kisin claims that these exchanges are "not a debate about whether Rishi Sunak is English or British"
Nelson: "Rishi Sunak is English?"
Kisin: "He’s a brown Hindu, how can he be English?”
Alexander: You said “he’s a brown Hindu, how is he english?
Kisin: That's not what I said."
Nelson: "Rishi Sunak is English?"
Kisin: "He’s a brown Hindu, how can he be English?”
Alexander: You said “he’s a brown Hindu, how is he english?
Kisin: That's not what I said."
Tommy Robinson posted "vote for Matt" - endorsing Matthew Goodwin, the Reform candidate in Denton and Gorton.
In 2018, Farage left UKIP due to the party's association with Tommy Robinson, also saying that this might work for an 'online figure' but could not work in party politics at all.
In 2018, Farage left UKIP due to the party's association with Tommy Robinson, also saying that this might work for an 'online figure' but could not work in party politics at all.
January 30, 2026 at 5:12 PM
Tommy Robinson posted "vote for Matt" - endorsing Matthew Goodwin, the Reform candidate in Denton and Gorton.
In 2018, Farage left UKIP due to the party's association with Tommy Robinson, also saying that this might work for an 'online figure' but could not work in party politics at all.
In 2018, Farage left UKIP due to the party's association with Tommy Robinson, also saying that this might work for an 'online figure' but could not work in party politics at all.
Reposted by Sunder Katwala (sundersays)
Embodies that so much of what is bad about the BBC's news current affairs they could simply just learn from another bit of the BBC: the audience for the News Quiz sits to re-record bits where someone's mic has popped, but Fiona Bruce's producer can't go 'no, we need to revisit and redo that bit?'
January 30, 2026 at 3:41 PM
Embodies that so much of what is bad about the BBC's news current affairs they could simply just learn from another bit of the BBC: the audience for the News Quiz sits to re-record bits where someone's mic has popped, but Fiona Bruce's producer can't go 'no, we need to revisit and redo that bit?'
The BBC need to do better than letting panelists simply lie about what they said
bsky.app/profile/impl...
bsky.app/profile/impl...
Left: Konstantin Kisin denies calling Rishi Sunak a 'brown Hindu' on #BBCQT
Right: Konstantin Kisin, "He's a brown Hindu"
Right: Konstantin Kisin, "He's a brown Hindu"
January 30, 2026 at 4:22 PM
The BBC need to do better than letting panelists simply lie about what they said
bsky.app/profile/impl...
bsky.app/profile/impl...
Reposted by Sunder Katwala (sundersays)
Honestly what is the point of having a programme that is *not* live if you are not going to use that function to aggressively factcheck the people on it?
It is quite striking that Konstantin Kisin simply denied (falsely) on BBC1 that he had said what he said, word for word, on his podcast.
Konstantin Kisin straight up lying on #bbcqt
Douglas Alexander: “When Fraser Nelson put it to you that Rishi Sunak is absolutely english… you said “he’s a brown Hindu, how is he english?”
Kisin: “No, that’s not what I said...”
Douglas Alexander: “When Fraser Nelson put it to you that Rishi Sunak is absolutely english… you said “he’s a brown Hindu, how is he english?”
Kisin: “No, that’s not what I said...”
January 30, 2026 at 3:38 PM
Honestly what is the point of having a programme that is *not* live if you are not going to use that function to aggressively factcheck the people on it?
It is quite striking that Konstantin Kisin simply denied (falsely) on BBC1 that he had said what he said, word for word, on his podcast.
Konstantin Kisin straight up lying on #bbcqt
Douglas Alexander: “When Fraser Nelson put it to you that Rishi Sunak is absolutely english… you said “he’s a brown Hindu, how is he english?”
Kisin: “No, that’s not what I said...”
Douglas Alexander: “When Fraser Nelson put it to you that Rishi Sunak is absolutely english… you said “he’s a brown Hindu, how is he english?”
Kisin: “No, that’s not what I said...”
January 30, 2026 at 3:37 PM
It is quite striking that Konstantin Kisin simply denied (falsely) on BBC1 that he had said what he said, word for word, on his podcast.
It is interesting that party favourability sums to 130%: median score is to like 1.3 political parties, even with the two traditional parties at unusually low ebbs.
It would be esp interesting to see the map of
- not favourable to anybody
- like 1 party
- like 2 parties + the combinations
It would be esp interesting to see the map of
- not favourable to anybody
- like 1 party
- like 2 parties + the combinations
January 30, 2026 at 3:03 PM
It is interesting that party favourability sums to 130%: median score is to like 1.3 political parties, even with the two traditional parties at unusually low ebbs.
It would be esp interesting to see the map of
- not favourable to anybody
- like 1 party
- like 2 parties + the combinations
It would be esp interesting to see the map of
- not favourable to anybody
- like 1 party
- like 2 parties + the combinations
Reform have had a lot of Westminster and media momentum in the last couple of months: it is interesting that appears detached from their public standing
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opinion...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opinion...
January 30, 2026 at 2:47 PM
Reform have had a lot of Westminster and media momentum in the last couple of months: it is interesting that appears detached from their public standing
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opinion...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opinion...
Reposted by Sunder Katwala (sundersays)
Jim Wallace gave his adult life to serving the people of the Northern Isles, Scotland and the United Kingdom. His sudden and tragic death leaves a huge gap in public life. For those of us who knew him that gap is one that we shall struggle ever to fill.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Scotland's first deputy first minister Lord Jim Wallace dies, aged 71
The former Scottish Liberal Democrat leader was undergoing a procedure at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 30, 2026 at 1:24 PM
Jim Wallace gave his adult life to serving the people of the Northern Isles, Scotland and the United Kingdom. His sudden and tragic death leaves a huge gap in public life. For those of us who knew him that gap is one that we shall struggle ever to fill.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Sunder Katwala (sundersays)
a broader point I would make — which goes beyond UK public opinion — is that the exaggerated media narrative about Gen Z men being especially right-wing is in part an artifact of comparing them too exclusively with Gen Z women (who are usually the *most* left-leaning gender-age group)
John Oxley points out the clear yet often overlooked point that young men 18-24 are the second most liberal, left-leaning group in society (after young women) - being more so than young-ish thirtysomething women, and older women, as well as than men in older cohorts
🚨🚨 NEW BLOGPOST 🚨🚨
The right wing should be worried about young men. Unlike Europe and the US, British young men are swinging wildly behind progressive parties. Some thoughts on why, and why most of the right are ignoring it.
open.substack.com/pub/joxleywr...
The right wing should be worried about young men. Unlike Europe and the US, British young men are swinging wildly behind progressive parties. Some thoughts on why, and why most of the right are ignoring it.
open.substack.com/pub/joxleywr...
January 30, 2026 at 1:09 PM
a broader point I would make — which goes beyond UK public opinion — is that the exaggerated media narrative about Gen Z men being especially right-wing is in part an artifact of comparing them too exclusively with Gen Z women (who are usually the *most* left-leaning gender-age group)
Matthew Goodwin once ate his own book on TV after a wrong prediction
Nobody noticed his Oct 2024 interview with Nick Robinson included another promise to eat his book if net migration fell to 200k in a year. (It did: net 204k in year to June 2025; will dip far below 200k once we have 2025 stats)
Nobody noticed his Oct 2024 interview with Nick Robinson included another promise to eat his book if net migration fell to 200k in a year. (It did: net 204k in year to June 2025; will dip far below 200k once we have 2025 stats)
January 30, 2026 at 10:47 AM
Matthew Goodwin once ate his own book on TV after a wrong prediction
Nobody noticed his Oct 2024 interview with Nick Robinson included another promise to eat his book if net migration fell to 200k in a year. (It did: net 204k in year to June 2025; will dip far below 200k once we have 2025 stats)
Nobody noticed his Oct 2024 interview with Nick Robinson included another promise to eat his book if net migration fell to 200k in a year. (It did: net 204k in year to June 2025; will dip far below 200k once we have 2025 stats)
Reposted by Sunder Katwala (sundersays)
On the subject of World Cup boycotts, this is a story which ought to be much better known: why African countries decided not to compete for a place at the 1966 tournament. One of Fifa's most shameful moments, which hardly ever gets a mention.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-a...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-a...
How Africa boycotted the 1966 World Cup
The BBC's Piers Edwards explains the little-known story behind the African boycott to the 1966 World Cup, the only World Cup in history to have been snubbed by an entire continent.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 20, 2026 at 11:46 AM
On the subject of World Cup boycotts, this is a story which ought to be much better known: why African countries decided not to compete for a place at the 1966 tournament. One of Fifa's most shameful moments, which hardly ever gets a mention.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-a...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-a...
Reposted by Sunder Katwala (sundersays)
It's a v good piece, and the example is a good insight into the general point 'which comparator' really matters. If your comparator for young men is young women, then sure they look less liberal. But if your comparator is men generally or even older women, as you and John say, the story is different
January 30, 2026 at 10:29 AM
It's a v good piece, and the example is a good insight into the general point 'which comparator' really matters. If your comparator for young men is young women, then sure they look less liberal. But if your comparator is men generally or even older women, as you and John say, the story is different
Reposted by Sunder Katwala (sundersays)
What’s so bizarre is that the media constantly try to insist otherwise.
I feel like it’s partly Yank brain and partly because it’s something that seems intuitive to them “young lads will hate the woke” or whatever.
I feel this isn’t even new, it was much the same during the Corbyn years?
I feel like it’s partly Yank brain and partly because it’s something that seems intuitive to them “young lads will hate the woke” or whatever.
I feel this isn’t even new, it was much the same during the Corbyn years?
John Oxley points out the clear yet often overlooked point that young men 18-24 are the second most liberal, left-leaning group in society (after young women) - being more so than young-ish thirtysomething women, and older women, as well as than men in older cohorts
🚨🚨 NEW BLOGPOST 🚨🚨
The right wing should be worried about young men. Unlike Europe and the US, British young men are swinging wildly behind progressive parties. Some thoughts on why, and why most of the right are ignoring it.
open.substack.com/pub/joxleywr...
The right wing should be worried about young men. Unlike Europe and the US, British young men are swinging wildly behind progressive parties. Some thoughts on why, and why most of the right are ignoring it.
open.substack.com/pub/joxleywr...
January 30, 2026 at 9:56 AM
What’s so bizarre is that the media constantly try to insist otherwise.
I feel like it’s partly Yank brain and partly because it’s something that seems intuitive to them “young lads will hate the woke” or whatever.
I feel this isn’t even new, it was much the same during the Corbyn years?
I feel like it’s partly Yank brain and partly because it’s something that seems intuitive to them “young lads will hate the woke” or whatever.
I feel this isn’t even new, it was much the same during the Corbyn years?
Reposted by Sunder Katwala (sundersays)
Fascinating (and worrying) to see a false meme derived from overseas data & social media culture get so much traction… never mind the UK evidence
John Oxley points out the clear yet often overlooked point that young men 18-24 are the second most liberal, left-leaning group in society (after young women) - being more so than young-ish thirtysomething women, and older women, as well as than men in older cohorts
🚨🚨 NEW BLOGPOST 🚨🚨
The right wing should be worried about young men. Unlike Europe and the US, British young men are swinging wildly behind progressive parties. Some thoughts on why, and why most of the right are ignoring it.
open.substack.com/pub/joxleywr...
The right wing should be worried about young men. Unlike Europe and the US, British young men are swinging wildly behind progressive parties. Some thoughts on why, and why most of the right are ignoring it.
open.substack.com/pub/joxleywr...
January 30, 2026 at 9:59 AM
Fascinating (and worrying) to see a false meme derived from overseas data & social media culture get so much traction… never mind the UK evidence
John Oxley points out the clear yet often overlooked point that young men 18-24 are the second most liberal, left-leaning group in society (after young women) - being more so than young-ish thirtysomething women, and older women, as well as than men in older cohorts
🚨🚨 NEW BLOGPOST 🚨🚨
The right wing should be worried about young men. Unlike Europe and the US, British young men are swinging wildly behind progressive parties. Some thoughts on why, and why most of the right are ignoring it.
open.substack.com/pub/joxleywr...
The right wing should be worried about young men. Unlike Europe and the US, British young men are swinging wildly behind progressive parties. Some thoughts on why, and why most of the right are ignoring it.
open.substack.com/pub/joxleywr...
The Revolt of the Young Men?
Britain's second wokest cohort might surprise you
open.substack.com
January 30, 2026 at 9:47 AM
John Oxley points out the clear yet often overlooked point that young men 18-24 are the second most liberal, left-leaning group in society (after young women) - being more so than young-ish thirtysomething women, and older women, as well as than men in older cohorts
- It seems clear to me - in the context - that Matthew Goodwin was contrasting the energy of Conservative conference in Manchester to the Reform conference, not criticising the city, in this clip. (Labour do have a 2009 tweet disparaging Manchester itself v London)
fullfact.org/politics/mat...
fullfact.org/politics/mat...
What did Reform UK candidate Matt Goodwin say about Manchester in 2023? – Full Fact
Reform UK has accused Labour of sharing a misleading video featuring past comments from its Gorton and Denton by-election candidate.
fullfact.org
January 30, 2026 at 12:38 AM
- It seems clear to me - in the context - that Matthew Goodwin was contrasting the energy of Conservative conference in Manchester to the Reform conference, not criticising the city, in this clip. (Labour do have a 2009 tweet disparaging Manchester itself v London)
fullfact.org/politics/mat...
fullfact.org/politics/mat...
On my way to Oxford: talking about the English flag at the Oxford Union tonight: has it become a symbol of division? And what should we do with it now?
January 29, 2026 at 4:39 PM
On my way to Oxford: talking about the English flag at the Oxford Union tonight: has it become a symbol of division? And what should we do with it now?
An energising day in Westminster yesterday with many @churchillfship.bsky.social Fellows on how to understand & shape debates about migration+cohesion in volatile times: thanks @bekelewoyecha.bsky.social @jacquibroadhead.bsky.social @emilyagraham.bsky.social + Rosie Carter for insights + inspiration
January 28, 2026 at 11:49 PM
An energising day in Westminster yesterday with many @churchillfship.bsky.social Fellows on how to understand & shape debates about migration+cohesion in volatile times: thanks @bekelewoyecha.bsky.social @jacquibroadhead.bsky.social @emilyagraham.bsky.social + Rosie Carter for insights + inspiration
Sarah Mullally formally confirmed as Archbishop of Canterbury, pledging a "ministry of hospitality" in "times of division and uncertainty for our fractured world" which "will offer space to break bread together and discover what we have in common"
Times report
www.thetimes.com/uk/religion/...
Times report
www.thetimes.com/uk/religion/...
First female Archbishop of Canterbury pledges help for ‘fractured world’
Sarah Mullally, who has replaced Justin Welby as leader of the Church of England, was heckled during the ceremony at St Paul’s Cathedral
www.thetimes.com
January 28, 2026 at 3:28 PM
Sarah Mullally formally confirmed as Archbishop of Canterbury, pledging a "ministry of hospitality" in "times of division and uncertainty for our fractured world" which "will offer space to break bread together and discover what we have in common"
Times report
www.thetimes.com/uk/religion/...
Times report
www.thetimes.com/uk/religion/...
Reposted by Sunder Katwala (sundersays)
Here is my thread on the original report. Another crucial finding is that people are really quite good at recognising how well or badly their area is doing across a range of domains.
What do people in England think about their local area? In this short report I take a look at surveys we conducted with @yougov.co.uk in 2022, 2024 and 2025 to gain some insights...
Some key findings...
Some key findings...
Perspectives on Place: what the English think about their local area
www.southampton.ac.uk
January 28, 2026 at 10:27 AM
Here is my thread on the original report. Another crucial finding is that people are really quite good at recognising how well or badly their area is doing across a range of domains.