Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Mile End Institute

History of Parliament @histparl.bsky.social · 8h

Died #OTD 1967, Clement Attlee, Labour Party leader and Prime Minister 1945-1951. Attlee led his party to a landslide victory in July 1945: an event that many late 20th c. MPs describe in their #OralHistory interviews as their 'political awakening'. historyofparliament.com/2015/07/27/1...

1945 Election: A political awakening - The History of Parliament

Seventy years ago yesterday the results of the 1945 General Election were declared. Although the poll had been held on 5 July, the results were only announced

historyofparliament.com

5 6

Reposted by Mile End Institute

Colm Murphy @colmpm.bsky.social · 1d

*Calling PhD students of modern British and imperial history in London*

The @ihrbritainseminar.bsky.social's first session this Thursday (9 Oct.) is dedicated to PhDs, at any stage, for elevator pitches and meet-and-greet. Do come along! Details in the link.

www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...

New PhD Student Session

For the first session of term we will be hosting a meet and greet at the IHR for all PhD students in modern British and imperial history.

www.history.ac.uk

32 24

Mile End Institute @mileendinstitute.bsky.social · 6h

Tonight, the @mileendinstitute.bsky.social will be hosting our next “Hennessy Lecture” when @ldfreedman.bsky.social will be discussing the UK’s commitment to Ukraine.

A handful of tickets are still available, particularly for @qmul.bsky.social staff and students, so do join us if you can!

Mile End Institute @mileendinstitute.bsky.social · 29d

On 8 October, we will be hosting our fourth distinguished "Hennessy Lecture" at @qmul.bsky.social.

We're delighted to announce that
@ldfreedman.bsky.social will be lecturing on Europe's commitment to Ukraine and asking what can be done to make it more credible.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/as-long-as...

'As Long As It Takes': What does it mean to commit to Ukraine's security?

Join the Mile End Institute for our fourth distinguished Hennessy Lecture by the legendary Professor of War Studies, Sir Lawrence Freedman!

www.eventbrite.co.uk

3 6

Reposted by Mile End Institute

Robert Saunders @robertsaunders.bsky.social · 20h

Still, a good opportunity to advertise our next event at the @mileendinstitute.bsky.social on 20 October:

"Still Thatcher's Britain? The Thatcher Legacy, 1925-2025".

Featuring Gillian Shephard, Simone Finn, @philipjcowley.bsky.social and me.
www.qmul.ac.uk/mei/events/m...

Still “Thatcher’s Britain”? The Thatcher Legacy, 1925-2025

www.qmul.ac.uk

2 11 14

Reposted by Mile End Institute

Robert Saunders @robertsaunders.bsky.social · 9d

"'As Long As It Takes': What does it mean to commit to Ukraine's security?"

We are delighted to be welcoming Sir Lawrence Freedman to the @mileendinstitute.bsky.social on 8 Oct, 18:30, for this term's distinguished Hennessy Lecture.

Book your free ticket here:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/as-long-as...

'As Long As It Takes': What does it mean to commit to Ukraine's security?

Join the Mile End Institute for our fourth distinguished Hennessy Lecture by the legendary Professor of War Studies, Sir Lawrence Freedman!

www.eventbrite.co.uk

9 27

Mile End Institute @mileendinstitute.bsky.social · 12d

“As Long As It Takes”: What does it mean to commit to Ukraine's security?

We are thrilled to welcome Sir @ldfreedman.bsky.social to @qmul.bsky.social to deliver the @mileendinstitute.bsky.social’s fourth distinguished “Hennessy Lecture” on 8 October.

You can book your free ticket below!

Mile End Institute @mileendinstitute.bsky.social · 29d

On 8 October, we will be hosting our fourth distinguished "Hennessy Lecture" at @qmul.bsky.social.

We're delighted to announce that
@ldfreedman.bsky.social will be lecturing on Europe's commitment to Ukraine and asking what can be done to make it more credible.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/as-long-as...

'As Long As It Takes': What does it mean to commit to Ukraine's security?

Join the Mile End Institute for our fourth distinguished Hennessy Lecture by the legendary Professor of War Studies, Sir Lawrence Freedman!

www.eventbrite.co.uk

1 3 11

Reposted by Mile End Institute

Daniel Gover @danielgover.bsky.social · 18d

Very happy to be back on the Parliament Matters podcast, discussing the latest developments on the assisted dying bill with @ruthfox.bsky.social & @matthewengland.bsky.social. Thank you for having me!

Listen to the episode here: pod.link/1714627828/e...

9 7

Reposted by Mile End Institute

Robert Saunders @robertsaunders.bsky.social · 29d

'"As Long As It Takes": What does it mean to commit to Ukraine's security?'

We are thrilled to welcome Sir Lawrence Freedman (@ldfreedman.bsky.social) to Queen Mary to deliver our 4th distinguished Hennessy Lecture on 8 October, 6:30.

Get your free ticket here!
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/as-long-as...

'As Long As It Takes': What does it mean to commit to Ukraine's security?

Join the Mile End Institute for our fourth distinguished Hennessy Lecture by the legendary Professor of War Studies, Sir Lawrence Freedman!

www.eventbrite.co.uk

2 5 19

Mile End Institute @mileendinstitute.bsky.social · 29d

On 8 October, we will be hosting our fourth distinguished "Hennessy Lecture" at @qmul.bsky.social.

We're delighted to announce that
@ldfreedman.bsky.social will be lecturing on Europe's commitment to Ukraine and asking what can be done to make it more credible.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/as-long-as...

'As Long As It Takes': What does it mean to commit to Ukraine's security?

Join the Mile End Institute for our fourth distinguished Hennessy Lecture by the legendary Professor of War Studies, Sir Lawrence Freedman!

www.eventbrite.co.uk

1 4 11

Mile End Institute @mileendinstitute.bsky.social · Sep 8

Congratulations to Tom Chidwick who has (finally) finished the draft manuscript of his book on Scotland’s first devolution referendum in March 1979!

It will be published by @bloomsburyacad.bsky.social next spring. Tom hasn't moved to Bluesky yet so we'll post updates in the months to come!

tonymcn64.bsky.social @tonymcn64.bsky.social · Sep 8

Great news from @mileendinstitute.bsky.social supremo Tom Chidwick

“Last month, I finally finished the draft manuscript of “Now or Never!” – the book I’ve been working on about Scotland’s first devolution referendum in March 1979.
Published next year by @BloomsburyAcad! - @atifajiwa.bsky.social ”

1 2 13

Reposted by Mile End Institute

Daniel Gover @danielgover.bsky.social · Jul 14

I was interviewed on Today in Parliament on Radio 4 on Friday, discussing how the assisted dying bill might fare in the House of Lords.

Listen here (around 7 mins in): www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

1 9 10

Reposted by Mile End Institute

Imogen Shaw @imogenshaw.bsky.social · Jul 1

Ten years ago, in July 2015, 48 Labour MPs defied party whips to vote against the Tory government’s Welfare Reform and Work Bill. Two Corbyn leadership election wins and one Starmer landslide election victory later, here we are again.

Me on why and how the Labour welfare rebellion got this big ⬇️

It’s welfare, stupid

How have we got to the stage where Keir Starmer’s Labour has lost control of more t

www.secnewgate.co.uk

1 5 6

Reposted by Mile End Institute

Miranda Green @greenmirandahere.bsky.social · Jun 27

Another cracking history lesson from @philipjcowley.bsky.social on the welfare battles of previous Labour PMs and what makes this different www.ft.com/content/f637...

Rebel rebel: parliamentary humiliations didn’t start with Starmer

Government climbdown on welfare reveals the perpetually problematic relationship between Labour’s front and backbench

www.ft.com

5 3

Reposted by Mile End Institute

Tim Bale @timbale.bsky.social · Jun 27

Some expert analysis from our @qmpoliticsir.bsky.social colleague (and former Labour minister, no less) @tonymcn64.bsky.social

Labour’s disability cuts rebellion: a former government whip asks, how did Keir Starmer not see this coming?

The government has been forced into another u-turn to see off a rebellion. But it really shouldn’t have come to this.

theconversation.com

1 4 5

Reposted by Mile End Institute

Elizabeth Simon @elizabethsim0n.bsky.social · Jun 24

New @mileendinstitute.bsky.social and @savanta.bsky.social polling out today shows that a quarter of Londoners who voted Labour in the 2024 GE would not do so again if there was a GE tomorrow - with Labour losing voters to parties on the right and left in roughly equal measure in the capital

The Standard @thelondonstandard.bsky.social · Jun 24

Sir Keir Starmer’s party is on 32% - an 11 point drop since the general election last July, according to the new poll

Labour 'sheds votes' in London to Reform, Tories, Lib Dems and Greens, new poll shows

www.standard.co.uk

1 8 11

Reposted by Mile End Institute

Daniel Gover @danielgover.bsky.social · Jun 24

‘Labour isn’t a London city any more’

@timbale.bsky.social discusses new polling from @mileendinstitute.bsky.social on political attitudes in London.

www.standard.co.uk/comment/lond...

London isn't a Labour city any more — the three key questions that new polling raises

“London is a Labour city” was always something of an exaggeration but it’s even more misleading today than it has been for quite a while. Polling just released by the Mile End Institute (MEI) at Queen...

www.standard.co.uk

1 3

Reposted by Mile End Institute

Tim Bale @timbale.bsky.social · Jun 24

He always looks so worried. Perhaps he should be. Did this for The Standard off the back of @mileendinstitute.bsky.social's fab London polling.

London isn't a Labour city any more — the three key questions that new polling raises

“London is a Labour city” was always something of an exaggeration but it’s even more misleading today than it has been for quite a while. Polling just released by the Mile End Institute (MEI) at Queen...

www.standard.co.uk

3 9 14

Reposted by Mile End Institute

Daniel Gover @danielgover.bsky.social · Jun 23

After last week's vote in the Commons, could the assisted dying bill be blocked in the Lords? New piece by me for @uk.theconversation.com.

'Assisted dying: what happens now the House of Lords has the bill?'

theconversation.com/assisted-dyi...

#AssistedDyingBill

Assisted dying: what happens now the House of Lords has the bill?

Peers would be on dicey political ground if they tried to stop the bill passed by MPs – but they may run into problems over timing.

theconversation.com

1 16 11

Reposted by Mile End Institute

Liesbeth Corens @onslies.bsky.social · Jun 23

At the @mileendinstitute.bsky.social media cent on “does the Conservative party have a future” and we’re at Game of Thrones analogies, in case anyone wanted a sense of the state of play…

Picture of a very full lecture theatre listening two a speaker at the screen and two other panel lists sat ready

1 2

Reposted by Mile End Institute

Matthew Barnfield @mbarnfield.bsky.social · Jun 20

New piece by @zoecrowther.bsky.social in @politicshome.bsky.social covering some of our ongoing research (w/ @karlpike.bsky.social @philipjcowley.bsky.social) into voters' time horizons and its implications for the current UK government's "politics of patience":

www.politicshome.com/news/article...

Public Expects To See Improvements In NHS, Education And Housing Before The Next General Election

The public expects to see tangible improvements in this Parliament in the NHS, schools and housing, according to new polling.

www.politicshome.com

1 11 8

Reposted by Mile End Institute

Colm Murphy @colmpm.bsky.social · Jun 19

Very pleased to see my co-authored piece with Patrick Diamond for @bjpir.bsky.social published!

We use the case of the UK since 1945 to show that fiscal orthodoxy, macroeconomic prudence, and even 'austerity' can, in certain conditions, be pursued by the left as well as right.

But... (1/2)

Abstract for 'Prudence from the left: Economic restraint and UK social democracy since 1945', authored by Colm Murphy and Patrick Diamond.

The abstract is too long to put here, but click on the link in the second skeet to find a machine-readable version.

1 17 16

Reposted by Mile End Institute

Tim Bale @timbale.bsky.social · Jun 19

What better way to celebrate Big Dog Boris Johnson's birthday today than by signing up to hear @nigelfletcher.bsky.social and the @newstatesman.com's @rmcunliffe.bsky.social and me discuss the death (sorry, future) of the Tory Party this coming Monday? www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/does-the-c...

Does the Conservative Party Have a Future?

Join us to explore the causes of the Conservatives' problems, the challenges of Opposition and the prospects for the party in future.

www.eventbrite.co.uk

3 13 17

Mile End Institute @mileendinstitute.bsky.social · Jun 18

📅Monday 23 June, 6.30pm📅

Does the #ConservativeParty have a future?

Join us to hear @timbale.bsky.social, @nigelfletcher.bsky.social and the @newstatesman.com's @rmcunliffe.bsky.social discuss the Conservatives' problems and the challenges of opposition.

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/does-the-c...

Does the Conservative Party Have a Future?

Join us to explore the causes of the Conservatives' problems, the challenges of Opposition and the prospects for the party in future.

www.eventbrite.co.uk

2 4 4

Mile End Institute @mileendinstitute.bsky.social · Jun 17

Next Monday, we'll be hosting a fascinating conversation between @timbale.bsky.social, @nigelfletcher.bsky.social and the @newstatesman.com's Associate Political Editor, Rachel Cunliffe. They'll be discussing the causes of the Conservatives' problems and the challenges of opposition. Do join us!

Dr Nigel Fletcher @nigelfletcher.bsky.social · Jun 12

"Does the Conservative Party have a future?"
...is the provocative question @timbale.bsky.social and I will discuss at the @mileendinstitute.bsky.social later this month as we mark the publication of the paperback editions of our respective books. Come along!
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/does-the-c...

Does the Conservative Party Have a Future?

Join us to explore the causes of the Conservatives' problems, the challenges of Opposition and the prospects for the party in future.

www.eventbrite.co.uk

2

Mile End Institute @mileendinstitute.bsky.social · Jun 10

Tonight, we are exploring what the 1975 and 2016 referendums can teach us about ‘How to Win a Referendum on Europe’.

We’re delighted to welcome Neil Carmichael, @sarahobolt.bsky.social and @anandmenon.bsky.social to QM, and to revisit @robertsaunders.bsky.social’s brilliant book, ‘Yes to Europe’!

The former Conservative MP, Neil Carmichael, speaking at the Mile End Institute on 10 June 2025.

Professor Sara Hobolt speaking at the Mile End Institute on 10 June 2025.

Professor Anand Menon speaking at the Mile End Institute on 10 June 2025.

Dr Robert Saunders speaking at the Mile End Institute on 10 June 2025.

1 9 17