Ben Ansell
@benansell.bsky.social
Professor of Comparative Democratic Institutions, Nuffield & University of Oxford, FBA. http://benansell.substack.com. BBC Reith Lecturer 2023. Host BBC Radio 4 Rethink. Columnist for Prospect. Director, Centre for Advanced Social Science Methods (CASSM).
It’s sort of the opposite of May being dragged to a harder Brexit
February 12, 2026 at 8:50 PM
It’s sort of the opposite of May being dragged to a harder Brexit
At least no RA lost their job to this because well I simply wouldn’t have bothered.
February 12, 2026 at 8:46 PM
At least no RA lost their job to this because well I simply wouldn’t have bothered.
A posh calculator that tells me how great I am as well.
February 12, 2026 at 8:43 PM
A posh calculator that tells me how great I am as well.
Oh and I should note this is fast and loose because I didn’t do the sample weights (tut tut I know). So that might affect levels a bit though I would be surprised if consistent over-time trends went away.
February 12, 2026 at 8:43 PM
Oh and I should note this is fast and loose because I didn’t do the sample weights (tut tut I know). So that might affect levels a bit though I would be surprised if consistent over-time trends went away.
And, I know it's practically Bluesky erasure to do this, but this was all produced by Claude Code. I found and downloaded the data, separated out the key variables and gave CC the wave dates. It did everything else. I feel like this is quite useful.
February 12, 2026 at 8:38 PM
And, I know it's practically Bluesky erasure to do this, but this was all produced by Claude Code. I found and downloaded the data, separated out the key variables and gave CC the wave dates. It did everything else. I feel like this is quite useful.
And here are 'extreme' views of Farage. Strongly like bobs around between five and ten percent of people, consistently. Really the only actual change I find in how people think about Farage is there has been a large increase in the % who strongly dislike him - from mid 30s to high 40s - post Brexit.
February 12, 2026 at 8:37 PM
And here are 'extreme' views of Farage. Strongly like bobs around between five and ten percent of people, consistently. Really the only actual change I find in how people think about Farage is there has been a large increase in the % who strongly dislike him - from mid 30s to high 40s - post Brexit.
Here is the share of people who like him (7 to 10), are neutral (4 to 6) or dislike him (0 to 3). Even more consistent. 20=25% like him, 20% are neutral, 55-60% dislike him.
February 12, 2026 at 8:34 PM
Here is the share of people who like him (7 to 10), are neutral (4 to 6) or dislike him (0 to 3). Even more consistent. 20=25% like him, 20% are neutral, 55-60% dislike him.
Does feel remarkably close to a criminal offence to have sent this but I guess if they are already hiding out in Patagonia not much one can do
February 12, 2026 at 4:16 PM
Does feel remarkably close to a criminal offence to have sent this but I guess if they are already hiding out in Patagonia not much one can do
Makes me proud about the quality of a recent STP I made. 🇬🇧
February 12, 2026 at 4:13 PM
Makes me proud about the quality of a recent STP I made. 🇬🇧
Surprised the two red lines weren’t named ‘X consensus’ and ‘Bluesky consensus’
February 12, 2026 at 2:43 PM
Surprised the two red lines weren’t named ‘X consensus’ and ‘Bluesky consensus’
It feels like an Alphaville special
February 12, 2026 at 2:42 PM
It feels like an Alphaville special
Where is the amazing and amusing graph from?
February 12, 2026 at 2:36 PM
Where is the amazing and amusing graph from?
Yet another nightmare blunt rotation
February 12, 2026 at 2:28 PM
Yet another nightmare blunt rotation
Kinder gentler politics
February 12, 2026 at 12:30 PM
Kinder gentler politics
I'm sure he's enjoying his day and the meaningful impact he is having
February 12, 2026 at 12:27 PM
I'm sure he's enjoying his day and the meaningful impact he is having
Hadn't quite parsed that sentence because I had initially read it as an attack on Sir Jim... but yeh maybe Glazers
February 12, 2026 at 12:25 PM
Hadn't quite parsed that sentence because I had initially read it as an attack on Sir Jim... but yeh maybe Glazers
Anyway I will join the rest of your fanbase so bye!
February 12, 2026 at 12:20 PM
Anyway I will join the rest of your fanbase so bye!
Although perhaps this is your general vibe
February 12, 2026 at 12:19 PM
Although perhaps this is your general vibe
Yep that's my view of this - not apparently that of some of my interlocutors
February 12, 2026 at 12:17 PM
Yep that's my view of this - not apparently that of some of my interlocutors
I don't believe I called anyone a prick, so I do believe you've upped the ante there
February 12, 2026 at 12:16 PM
I don't believe I called anyone a prick, so I do believe you've upped the ante there