Why is Starmer talking tough on immigration?

My take: it's not because he believes migration causes social breakdown - but because he thinks political betrayal over immigration broke public trust. His strategy is to restore that trust, then pivot to policies that actually rebuild community. (1/)

Immigration in Australia under 2022-25 government (both immigration patterns + immigration politics) interesting + offer important clues about dynamics of immigration politics:
UK takeaways: overall numbers can matter - but visibility of boats matters much more. Control + perceived control matters

Starmer's language was deplorable.

It was grotesquely offensive, accusing people who have brought their gifts to this country of doing "incalculable" "damage"; & politically foolish, in endorsing Farage's claims of an establishment conspiracy.

But bad analogies with Powell miss the key problem. 🧵

Our latest report looks at five 'anti-supply measures' that are a major bottleneck on urban housebuilding and the 1.5m new home target - a quick thread below on what they are, why they're a problem, and how to fix them:

Is there empirical evidence that shows this is a counter-productive strategy for centre-left parties?

I found this paper on centre-right parties, which suggests it works for them (at least in the short term): cris.unibo.it/retrieve/157...

Bill Gates accuses Elon Musk of ‘killing’ children with USAID cuts

on.ft.com/4d4TguS

Legend

I find it really hard to judge the government because I haven’t found the reporting I’d like to see. I’d love it if the FT had a section that reported on the gov’s progress with each of its missions.

Going on a mountaineering course this summer with the Dutch mountaineering association (yes, that’s real). Here’s my Q2 training plan - feedback welcome!

'Europe is not only home to our traditional allies; it is an enviable zone of democracy, wealth and prosperity with which it benefits us to have good relations, and from which we can sometimes learn'

Snyder on the new US imperialism

open.substack.com/pub/snyder/p...

One lesson I've learned from history, is that few reputations survive being on the opposite side to the Quakers

www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-eve...

Albania was great – wild landscapes, warm people – but it really makes you appreciate how well-organised the Netherlands is. Saw 070 Shake at Paradiso last night and for a live music venue (not exactly known for logistics), it was so efficient – no queue at the bar, QR-code lockers, smooth as silk.

The latest ep of Het Parool’s podcast had a brief bit on cheap coffee in Amsterdam but it missed the two best spots I know of! Kaffee on Dapperplein in Oost does €1 espresso and, even more impressively, Het Stadspaleis in the centre does does the same (provided you stand at the bar)

Observations on Albania after my first visit.

I found it wild reading Caro on how blatantly LBJ sold political influence via ad slots on his own radio stations. Mad to see media owners still monetising power so openly today.

Is this a return to austerity?

@pjtheeconomist.bsky.social responds: “The government's increasing spending a lot this year, and a fair bit next year, and increasing capital spending."

"In comparison with the plans that Jeremy Hunt had, this is extremely generous.”

#PoliticsLive

Happy World Happiness Day!

This year is special for two reasons.

The Netherlands has climbed to 5th place in the World Happiness Report, only behind a few Scandinavian countries (classic).

This year’s report includes a chapter on how much different charities vary in cost-effectiveness. 🧵 (1/8)