Gary Kent
@garykent.bsky.social
Worked in parliament since 1987 as Labour adviser. Focus on foreign policy. Columnist for Progressive Britain. https://www.progressivebritain.org/author/gary-kent/page/2/
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Gary Kent
@garykent.bsky.social
· Jan 23
Euroscepticism v. Euro-Enthusiasm: 50 Years on from the Common Market Referendum - Progressive Britain
Frequent contributor Gary Kent reflects on the 50 year anniversary of the Common Market referendum and the lessons Labour must learn from its outcomes.
www.progressivebritain.org
My latest column looks at some lessons from the Common Market referendum of 50 years ago and being on the losing side in two European polls. Feel free to repost www.progressivebritain.org/eurosceptici...
Reposted by Gary Kent
Truly shocking that Rachel Reeves had the audacity to call herself the U14 girls chess champions when she won the U14 girls chess championship but some bloke thought she was talking about something else.
December 3, 2025 at 12:41 PM
Truly shocking that Rachel Reeves had the audacity to call herself the U14 girls chess champions when she won the U14 girls chess championship but some bloke thought she was talking about something else.
Latest column assesses the ZZ Tops of politics and concludes that social democrats who understand that dangerous times require strong deterrence and a robust alliance need to win informed support in the Labour Party and more widely for Nato. www.progressivebritain.org/the-new-poli...
The New Political Circus Acts - Progressive Britain
Longtime contributor Gary Kent provides insight into two of the most talked about political figures, Zarah Sultana and Zack Polanski
www.progressivebritain.org
November 4, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Latest column assesses the ZZ Tops of politics and concludes that social democrats who understand that dangerous times require strong deterrence and a robust alliance need to win informed support in the Labour Party and more widely for Nato. www.progressivebritain.org/the-new-poli...
My new column concludes that Ukraine needs more of the same from the British government and public but Palestine and Israel deserve much better solidarity. Please share if you like.
A Tale of Two Solidarity Networks - Progressive Britain
An informed party base can help our government end and prevent war and build peace. Ukraine needs more of the same from the British government and public. Palestine and Israel deserve much better soli...
www.progressivebritain.org
October 18, 2025 at 4:50 PM
My new column concludes that Ukraine needs more of the same from the British government and public but Palestine and Israel deserve much better solidarity. Please share if you like.
Labour needs to stick to our guns and there’s a strong case for grassroots European networks to bolster collective security
Making the case for defence in every generation - Progressive Britain
The adage that ‘America eventually does the right thing after exhausting all other options’ is apocryphally, and probably falsely attributed to Winston Churchill. Churchill or at least his bust, is ba...
www.progressivebritain.org
September 13, 2025 at 6:40 AM
Labour needs to stick to our guns and there’s a strong case for grassroots European networks to bolster collective security
Reposted by Gary Kent
Brian Wilson doesn't miss them and hit the wall in today's Scotsman. It's game on for 2026.
June 7, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Brian Wilson doesn't miss them and hit the wall in today's Scotsman. It's game on for 2026.
Kurdish achievements would not have happened without John Major. A fitting tribute to him would be a continuing interest by Conservative MPs in the plight and potential of Iraqi Kurdistan.
Gary Kent: Conservatives should be proud of Major's legacy in Kurdistan - and strive to maintain it today | Conservative Home
As a lifelong Labour member, I never thought I would recommend naming a street after a Tory prime minister. But in Erbil, he earned it.
conservativehome.com
May 23, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Kurdish achievements would not have happened without John Major. A fitting tribute to him would be a continuing interest by Conservative MPs in the plight and potential of Iraqi Kurdistan.
I visited Ranya last month to meet the Mayor and his aides who want us to understand this potentially existential exodus of entrepreneurs and workers
Kurdish Lessons for Labour - Progressive Britain
The small town of Ranya in Iraqi Kurdistan once loomed large in British foreign policy, now it plays a key role in informing migration policy
www.progressivebritain.org
May 14, 2025 at 12:58 PM
I visited Ranya last month to meet the Mayor and his aides who want us to understand this potentially existential exodus of entrepreneurs and workers
Impressive at the Cenotaph tonight. Let’s remember all those who fell in fighting fascism.
May 8, 2025 at 9:40 PM
Impressive at the Cenotaph tonight. Let’s remember all those who fell in fighting fascism.
Reposted by Gary Kent
Should 🇬🇧 have a foreign policy doctrine?
We asked 5 experts in today’s #BigAsk
✍️ @willfreer.bsky.social, @garykent.bsky.social @james-rogers.bsky.social, @gracetheodoulou.bsky.social, @rgwhitman.bsky.social
#BritainsWorld
We asked 5 experts in today’s #BigAsk
✍️ @willfreer.bsky.social, @garykent.bsky.social @james-rogers.bsky.social, @gracetheodoulou.bsky.social, @rgwhitman.bsky.social
#BritainsWorld
Should Britain have a foreign policy doctrine?
The Big Ask | No. 18.2025
www.britainsworld.org.uk
May 2, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Should 🇬🇧 have a foreign policy doctrine?
We asked 5 experts in today’s #BigAsk
✍️ @willfreer.bsky.social, @garykent.bsky.social @james-rogers.bsky.social, @gracetheodoulou.bsky.social, @rgwhitman.bsky.social
#BritainsWorld
We asked 5 experts in today’s #BigAsk
✍️ @willfreer.bsky.social, @garykent.bsky.social @james-rogers.bsky.social, @gracetheodoulou.bsky.social, @rgwhitman.bsky.social
#BritainsWorld
Reposted by Gary Kent
‘It is difficult to finalise a foreign policy doctrine in a world which is changing at such a frenetic and frightening pace. Progressive Realism will do just fine,’ argues @garykent.bsky.social, @progbrit.bsky.social
#BritainsWorld #BigAsk
#BritainsWorld #BigAsk
Should Britain have a foreign policy doctrine?
The Big Ask | No. 18.2025
www.britainsworld.org.uk
May 2, 2025 at 1:08 PM
‘It is difficult to finalise a foreign policy doctrine in a world which is changing at such a frenetic and frightening pace. Progressive Realism will do just fine,’ argues @garykent.bsky.social, @progbrit.bsky.social
#BritainsWorld #BigAsk
#BritainsWorld #BigAsk
Personal news. After 40 visits to the Kurdistan Region (and Baghdad and Mosul) in two decades, I’m deeply honoured by this. The journey has been stimulating and enjoyable and isn’t entirely over.
KRG Honors Pro-Kurdish Advocate Gary Kent
KRG Honors Pro-Kurdish Advocate Gary Kent
kurdistanchronicle.com
April 22, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Personal news. After 40 visits to the Kurdistan Region (and Baghdad and Mosul) in two decades, I’m deeply honoured by this. The journey has been stimulating and enjoyable and isn’t entirely over.
My new column examines various Trumplications for Labour.
The Trumplications for Labour - Progressive Britain
In his latest piece for PB, Gary Kent sets out the complex nature of the Trump administration and how Labour must approach dealing with it.
www.progressivebritain.org
April 8, 2025 at 12:00 PM
My new column examines various Trumplications for Labour.
Reposted by Gary Kent
Top-quality childcare places boost children’s life chances and parent’s work choices!
I’m delighted that two schools in Beckenham & Penge are amongst the first to get new school-based nurseries - and will support more schools to do so!
I’m delighted that two schools in Beckenham & Penge are amongst the first to get new school-based nurseries - and will support more schools to do so!
April 2, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Top-quality childcare places boost children’s life chances and parent’s work choices!
I’m delighted that two schools in Beckenham & Penge are amongst the first to get new school-based nurseries - and will support more schools to do so!
I’m delighted that two schools in Beckenham & Penge are amongst the first to get new school-based nurseries - and will support more schools to do so!
Reposted by Gary Kent
my step father will not shut up about it, I think it might be his favourite book about borders
Exciting times! My book Borderlines is out in paperback - advance copies are in the bookshops already. It's a history of modern Europe told through the story of its national borders in all their humour, strangeness and tragedy.
March 31, 2025 at 10:25 PM
my step father will not shut up about it, I think it might be his favourite book about borders
Reposted by Gary Kent
A brilliant morning with @serailway.bsky.social to celebrate Clock House and Elmers End stations turning 161 years old!
And it was great to see so many people thanking the wonderful staff who are an important part of our community.
Looking forward to more #Railway200 celebrations soon!
And it was great to see so many people thanking the wonderful staff who are an important part of our community.
Looking forward to more #Railway200 celebrations soon!
April 1, 2025 at 11:25 AM
A brilliant morning with @serailway.bsky.social to celebrate Clock House and Elmers End stations turning 161 years old!
And it was great to see so many people thanking the wonderful staff who are an important part of our community.
Looking forward to more #Railway200 celebrations soon!
And it was great to see so many people thanking the wonderful staff who are an important part of our community.
Looking forward to more #Railway200 celebrations soon!
Reposted by Gary Kent
Incredible atmosphere as London is awash with green for the St Patrick’s Day Parade!
I’m proud to be London Irish, and to join our Mayor Sadiq Khan to celebrate the enormous contributions the Irish community make to our great city!
Lá Fhéile Pádraig sona daoibh! ☘️🇮🇪
I’m proud to be London Irish, and to join our Mayor Sadiq Khan to celebrate the enormous contributions the Irish community make to our great city!
Lá Fhéile Pádraig sona daoibh! ☘️🇮🇪
March 16, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Incredible atmosphere as London is awash with green for the St Patrick’s Day Parade!
I’m proud to be London Irish, and to join our Mayor Sadiq Khan to celebrate the enormous contributions the Irish community make to our great city!
Lá Fhéile Pádraig sona daoibh! ☘️🇮🇪
I’m proud to be London Irish, and to join our Mayor Sadiq Khan to celebrate the enormous contributions the Irish community make to our great city!
Lá Fhéile Pádraig sona daoibh! ☘️🇮🇪
Reposted by Gary Kent
Had a great time visiting the Beckenham Dementia Cafe at St Edmund’s Church today.
The Cafe provides invaluable support and friendship for people living with dementia and their carers.
All run by wonderful volunteers - and a very cute comfort dog!
The Cafe provides invaluable support and friendship for people living with dementia and their carers.
All run by wonderful volunteers - and a very cute comfort dog!
March 6, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Had a great time visiting the Beckenham Dementia Cafe at St Edmund’s Church today.
The Cafe provides invaluable support and friendship for people living with dementia and their carers.
All run by wonderful volunteers - and a very cute comfort dog!
The Cafe provides invaluable support and friendship for people living with dementia and their carers.
All run by wonderful volunteers - and a very cute comfort dog!
Reposted by Gary Kent
Starmer begins PMQs with memorial to servicemen who died on this day in Afghanistan - JD Vance not mentioned but it's a powerful rebuke
March 5, 2025 at 12:03 PM
Starmer begins PMQs with memorial to servicemen who died on this day in Afghanistan - JD Vance not mentioned but it's a powerful rebuke
Reposted by Gary Kent
Lots of teams out today in the Spring sun speaking to residents in West Wickham with a great response!
Thanks to everyone who took the time to talk to us! ☀️🌹
Thanks to everyone who took the time to talk to us! ☀️🌹
March 1, 2025 at 8:18 PM
Lots of teams out today in the Spring sun speaking to residents in West Wickham with a great response!
Thanks to everyone who took the time to talk to us! ☀️🌹
Thanks to everyone who took the time to talk to us! ☀️🌹
Some tips on making meetings more interesting.
The Politics of Organisation and the Organisation of Politics - Progressive Britain
Frequent contributor Gary Kent reflects on the ways in which political engagement can be encouraged on all levels.
www.progressivebritain.org
February 18, 2025 at 7:17 AM
Some tips on making meetings more interesting.
Reposted by Gary Kent
clever campaigning by the TUC here
We revealed Nigel Farage’s voting record to his constituents in Clacton.
They weren’t happy.
They weren’t happy.
February 11, 2025 at 10:50 AM
clever campaigning by the TUC here
Reposted by Gary Kent
🎾 A pleasure to spend the morning with Lucas De Gouveia from Beckenham - who at 14 is already representing GB in wheelchair tennis!
I’m really proud of everything Lucas is achieving - and looking forward to supporting him to access more opportunities to play sport and excel!
I’m really proud of everything Lucas is achieving - and looking forward to supporting him to access more opportunities to play sport and excel!
February 8, 2025 at 1:52 PM
🎾 A pleasure to spend the morning with Lucas De Gouveia from Beckenham - who at 14 is already representing GB in wheelchair tennis!
I’m really proud of everything Lucas is achieving - and looking forward to supporting him to access more opportunities to play sport and excel!
I’m really proud of everything Lucas is achieving - and looking forward to supporting him to access more opportunities to play sport and excel!
Reposted by Gary Kent
It was an honour to re-open the Beckenham Library today with the Mayor of Bromley and my friend the Baroness of Beckenham, Floella Benjamin.
Our refurbished library will be invaluable in promoting education and literacy, and building community.
Delighted to see it reopen! 📚
Our refurbished library will be invaluable in promoting education and literacy, and building community.
Delighted to see it reopen! 📚
February 5, 2025 at 1:27 PM
It was an honour to re-open the Beckenham Library today with the Mayor of Bromley and my friend the Baroness of Beckenham, Floella Benjamin.
Our refurbished library will be invaluable in promoting education and literacy, and building community.
Delighted to see it reopen! 📚
Our refurbished library will be invaluable in promoting education and literacy, and building community.
Delighted to see it reopen! 📚
Pleasure to meet Anthony Smith of the Westminster Foundation for Democracy which does great work as I have in the past seen in Iraqi Kurdistan. All power to his elbow.
January 29, 2025 at 9:32 PM
Pleasure to meet Anthony Smith of the Westminster Foundation for Democracy which does great work as I have in the past seen in Iraqi Kurdistan. All power to his elbow.
Reposted by Gary Kent
👀 Would you like a sneak peek at our major new report on Brexit that’s launching tomorrow…?
📖 Have a read of our chapter on the 2016 EU referendum by @robfordmancs.bsky.social one of our fantastic expert contributors 👇
ukandeu.ac.uk/the-referend...
📖 Have a read of our chapter on the 2016 EU referendum by @robfordmancs.bsky.social one of our fantastic expert contributors 👇
ukandeu.ac.uk/the-referend...
The referendum result - UK in a changing Europe
Robert Ford examines the 2016 EU referendum [An extract from UK in a Changing Europe's report: ‘The Brexit Files: from referendum to reset’].
ukandeu.ac.uk
January 27, 2025 at 12:53 PM
👀 Would you like a sneak peek at our major new report on Brexit that’s launching tomorrow…?
📖 Have a read of our chapter on the 2016 EU referendum by @robfordmancs.bsky.social one of our fantastic expert contributors 👇
ukandeu.ac.uk/the-referend...
📖 Have a read of our chapter on the 2016 EU referendum by @robfordmancs.bsky.social one of our fantastic expert contributors 👇
ukandeu.ac.uk/the-referend...