Robert Saunders
@robertsaunders.bsky.social
Historian of modern Britain, singer and political nerd. Author of "Yes to Europe! The 1975 Referendum & Seventies Britain". "A jaw-dislocating page turner"(Andrew Marr). Deputy-director @mileendinstitute.bsky.social, Reader @QMHistory
On 25 April, my choir will be singing the complete choral works of Thomas Tallis in one day - culminating in his stunning 40-part motet "Spem in Alium".
Do come and listen if you're in Oxford, or watch the livestream. And we'd be hugely grateful for any donations!
www.justgiving.com/campaign/tal...
Do come and listen if you're in Oxford, or watch the livestream. And we'd be hugely grateful for any donations!
www.justgiving.com/campaign/tal...
February 8, 2026 at 12:36 PM
On 25 April, my choir will be singing the complete choral works of Thomas Tallis in one day - culminating in his stunning 40-part motet "Spem in Alium".
Do come and listen if you're in Oxford, or watch the livestream. And we'd be hugely grateful for any donations!
www.justgiving.com/campaign/tal...
Do come and listen if you're in Oxford, or watch the livestream. And we'd be hugely grateful for any donations!
www.justgiving.com/campaign/tal...
This podcast feels relevant again today.
We spent quite a lot of time on the problems with the "pipeline", and why we keep producing leaders who struggle to do the job.
Listen here: buff.ly/bhvHQf6
We spent quite a lot of time on the problems with the "pipeline", and why we keep producing leaders who struggle to do the job.
Listen here: buff.ly/bhvHQf6
February 5, 2026 at 1:03 PM
This podcast feels relevant again today.
We spent quite a lot of time on the problems with the "pipeline", and why we keep producing leaders who struggle to do the job.
Listen here: buff.ly/bhvHQf6
We spent quite a lot of time on the problems with the "pipeline", and why we keep producing leaders who struggle to do the job.
Listen here: buff.ly/bhvHQf6
Is the government right to restrict trial by jury for all but the most serious offences?
What can behavioural science tell us about how juries make decisions?
Have we really had "800 years of trial by one's peers"?
Find out at our free webinar, Tuesday at 12:00!
us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
What can behavioural science tell us about how juries make decisions?
Have we really had "800 years of trial by one's peers"?
Find out at our free webinar, Tuesday at 12:00!
us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
February 2, 2026 at 8:56 AM
Is the government right to restrict trial by jury for all but the most serious offences?
What can behavioural science tell us about how juries make decisions?
Have we really had "800 years of trial by one's peers"?
Find out at our free webinar, Tuesday at 12:00!
us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
What can behavioural science tell us about how juries make decisions?
Have we really had "800 years of trial by one's peers"?
Find out at our free webinar, Tuesday at 12:00!
us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Tuesday 12:00: join our free webinar on the government's plans to abolish jury trial for most offences.
We'll be exploring the challenges facing the courts, what ministers are proposing, the history of jury trial and the behavioral science of juries.
All welcome!
us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
We'll be exploring the challenges facing the courts, what ministers are proposing, the history of jury trial and the behavioral science of juries.
All welcome!
us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
January 31, 2026 at 3:04 PM
Tuesday 12:00: join our free webinar on the government's plans to abolish jury trial for most offences.
We'll be exploring the challenges facing the courts, what ministers are proposing, the history of jury trial and the behavioral science of juries.
All welcome!
us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
We'll be exploring the challenges facing the courts, what ministers are proposing, the history of jury trial and the behavioral science of juries.
All welcome!
us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Not everyday you see people sailing boats on Port "Meadow" in Oxford!
January 31, 2026 at 2:58 PM
Not everyday you see people sailing boats on Port "Meadow" in Oxford!
This "my way or the highway" strategy has been a disaster for both Labour & the Conservatives.
Parties are not just vehicles for their leaders, to be driven this way or that by whoever's currently at the wheel. They are coalitions built out of multiple traditions.
Wise leaders make that a strength
Parties are not just vehicles for their leaders, to be driven this way or that by whoever's currently at the wheel. They are coalitions built out of multiple traditions.
Wise leaders make that a strength
!["While Badenoch said she welcomed any help that could win her party an election, she said this did not involve any policies that were not based around her right-leaning ideas. “They need to recognise the agenda which I’m setting,” she said, when asked about the efforts by Street and Davidson under their Prosper UK banner.
“I’m the leader of the Conservative party, not anyone else. And it is what I think needs to happen that they need to support. Anybody who is trying to push an agenda that is not what I got [elected on], not the platform I stood on, is not being helpful.”
Badenoch was clear on her direction, setting out a Reform-adjacent policy platform based around cutting immigration, opposition to net zero policies, slashing social security and lower taxes. “My Conservative party has moved to the right every day since I became leader,” she said in an early draft of the speech, a line Tory officials said was removed only for reasons of length."](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:cixgmtrg7nzy4gkmyfeosaox/bafkreiewpctosqbxj6hwasmmxa3mxyuqqrfa5p4x4rp4e5nf2lnf33tcse@jpeg)
January 28, 2026 at 10:57 PM
This "my way or the highway" strategy has been a disaster for both Labour & the Conservatives.
Parties are not just vehicles for their leaders, to be driven this way or that by whoever's currently at the wheel. They are coalitions built out of multiple traditions.
Wise leaders make that a strength
Parties are not just vehicles for their leaders, to be driven this way or that by whoever's currently at the wheel. They are coalitions built out of multiple traditions.
Wise leaders make that a strength
I just searched for the conference page, and was interested to see that "co-pilot" is covering this with its usual accuracy...
January 28, 2026 at 5:59 PM
I just searched for the conference page, and was interested to see that "co-pilot" is covering this with its usual accuracy...
Josephine Butler wondered bitterly how MPs could dare to speak of a "wholly enfranchised people", when "half the people remain unenfranchised".
"A time will come", she wrote, "when men will look back with wonder that such an expression should have been possible, the facts being such as they are".
"A time will come", she wrote, "when men will look back with wonder that such an expression should have been possible, the facts being such as they are".
January 28, 2026 at 11:19 AM
Josephine Butler wondered bitterly how MPs could dare to speak of a "wholly enfranchised people", when "half the people remain unenfranchised".
"A time will come", she wrote, "when men will look back with wonder that such an expression should have been possible, the facts being such as they are".
"A time will come", she wrote, "when men will look back with wonder that such an expression should have been possible, the facts being such as they are".
The bill triggered a fight between Commons & Lords that Victoria thought "fraught with peril".
There were mass demonstrations across the UK.
Gardeners carried giant thistles, to warn the Lords that ‘they won’t sit on us’.
Tobacconists joked that ‘tobacco & the Lords are equal – they're all weeds’
There were mass demonstrations across the UK.
Gardeners carried giant thistles, to warn the Lords that ‘they won’t sit on us’.
Tobacconists joked that ‘tobacco & the Lords are equal – they're all weeds’
January 28, 2026 at 11:19 AM
The bill triggered a fight between Commons & Lords that Victoria thought "fraught with peril".
There were mass demonstrations across the UK.
Gardeners carried giant thistles, to warn the Lords that ‘they won’t sit on us’.
Tobacconists joked that ‘tobacco & the Lords are equal – they're all weeds’
There were mass demonstrations across the UK.
Gardeners carried giant thistles, to warn the Lords that ‘they won’t sit on us’.
Tobacconists joked that ‘tobacco & the Lords are equal – they're all weeds’
The Reform Act established, for the first time, the modern system of single-member constituencies using First Past the Post across much of the UK.
It brought mineworkers, agricultural labourers, gamekeepers and domestic servants cascading onto the electorate, & made them a serious political power.
It brought mineworkers, agricultural labourers, gamekeepers and domestic servants cascading onto the electorate, & made them a serious political power.
January 28, 2026 at 11:19 AM
The Reform Act established, for the first time, the modern system of single-member constituencies using First Past the Post across much of the UK.
It brought mineworkers, agricultural labourers, gamekeepers and domestic servants cascading onto the electorate, & made them a serious political power.
It brought mineworkers, agricultural labourers, gamekeepers and domestic servants cascading onto the electorate, & made them a serious political power.
It created 2 million new voters - twice as many as 1867 & many times the total in 1832.
It tripled the electorate in Ireland, with seismic consequences for Home Rule.
It was the first reform crisis in which women's suffrage was a major issue; the first at which Proportional Repn was widely debated
It tripled the electorate in Ireland, with seismic consequences for Home Rule.
It was the first reform crisis in which women's suffrage was a major issue; the first at which Proportional Repn was widely debated
January 28, 2026 at 11:19 AM
It created 2 million new voters - twice as many as 1867 & many times the total in 1832.
It tripled the electorate in Ireland, with seismic consequences for Home Rule.
It was the first reform crisis in which women's suffrage was a major issue; the first at which Proportional Repn was widely debated
It tripled the electorate in Ireland, with seismic consequences for Home Rule.
It was the first reform crisis in which women's suffrage was a major issue; the first at which Proportional Repn was widely debated
The 1884 Reform Act was a political earthquake.
The Conservative leader, Lord Salisbury, called it "a change so tremendous that it exceeds the Revolution of 1688".
The Radical Joe Chamberlain thought it "a transfer of power unparalleled in the history of reform … Democracy has established itself"
The Conservative leader, Lord Salisbury, called it "a change so tremendous that it exceeds the Revolution of 1688".
The Radical Joe Chamberlain thought it "a transfer of power unparalleled in the history of reform … Democracy has established itself"
January 28, 2026 at 11:19 AM
The 1884 Reform Act was a political earthquake.
The Conservative leader, Lord Salisbury, called it "a change so tremendous that it exceeds the Revolution of 1688".
The Radical Joe Chamberlain thought it "a transfer of power unparalleled in the history of reform … Democracy has established itself"
The Conservative leader, Lord Salisbury, called it "a change so tremendous that it exceeds the Revolution of 1688".
The Radical Joe Chamberlain thought it "a transfer of power unparalleled in the history of reform … Democracy has established itself"
‘“Democracy Has Come!” The Third Reform Act & the Making of British Democracy’.
I'll be speaking at the IHR Modern British Seminar on Thursday 29 Jan, on why the 1884 Reform Act is more exciting than you think...
17:30 in London or online. Read on for a taster...🧵
www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...
I'll be speaking at the IHR Modern British Seminar on Thursday 29 Jan, on why the 1884 Reform Act is more exciting than you think...
17:30 in London or online. Read on for a taster...🧵
www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...
January 28, 2026 at 11:19 AM
‘“Democracy Has Come!” The Third Reform Act & the Making of British Democracy’.
I'll be speaking at the IHR Modern British Seminar on Thursday 29 Jan, on why the 1884 Reform Act is more exciting than you think...
17:30 in London or online. Read on for a taster...🧵
www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...
I'll be speaking at the IHR Modern British Seminar on Thursday 29 Jan, on why the 1884 Reform Act is more exciting than you think...
17:30 in London or online. Read on for a taster...🧵
www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...
@kaycrosby.bsky.social is Senior Lecturer in Law at the University of Newcastle.
Her groundbreaking work on the history of juries since the 17th century, and on women's citizenship and the judicial system, has been cited in the US Supreme Court and the House of Commons Library.
Her groundbreaking work on the history of juries since the 17th century, and on women's citizenship and the judicial system, has been cited in the US Supreme Court and the House of Commons Library.
January 28, 2026 at 10:07 AM
@kaycrosby.bsky.social is Senior Lecturer in Law at the University of Newcastle.
Her groundbreaking work on the history of juries since the 17th century, and on women's citizenship and the judicial system, has been cited in the US Supreme Court and the House of Commons Library.
Her groundbreaking work on the history of juries since the 17th century, and on women's citizenship and the judicial system, has been cited in the US Supreme Court and the House of Commons Library.
Our expert panellists include:
@rebeccakhelm.bsky.social Professor of Law at the University of Exeter & author of the brilliant "How Juries Work & How They Could Work Better".
Her book uses behavioural science to explore how juries make decisions, what they get wrong & how to help them work better
@rebeccakhelm.bsky.social Professor of Law at the University of Exeter & author of the brilliant "How Juries Work & How They Could Work Better".
Her book uses behavioural science to explore how juries make decisions, what they get wrong & how to help them work better
January 28, 2026 at 10:07 AM
Our expert panellists include:
@rebeccakhelm.bsky.social Professor of Law at the University of Exeter & author of the brilliant "How Juries Work & How They Could Work Better".
Her book uses behavioural science to explore how juries make decisions, what they get wrong & how to help them work better
@rebeccakhelm.bsky.social Professor of Law at the University of Exeter & author of the brilliant "How Juries Work & How They Could Work Better".
Her book uses behavioural science to explore how juries make decisions, what they get wrong & how to help them work better
Should jury trial be scrapped for most offences?
What can behavioural science tell us about how juries make decisions?
What can we learn from the history of the jury system?
Join our online panel to explore all this & more on Tuesday 3 February 12:00. All welcome!
us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
What can behavioural science tell us about how juries make decisions?
What can we learn from the history of the jury system?
Join our online panel to explore all this & more on Tuesday 3 February 12:00. All welcome!
us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
January 28, 2026 at 10:07 AM
Should jury trial be scrapped for most offences?
What can behavioural science tell us about how juries make decisions?
What can we learn from the history of the jury system?
Join our online panel to explore all this & more on Tuesday 3 February 12:00. All welcome!
us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
What can behavioural science tell us about how juries make decisions?
What can we learn from the history of the jury system?
Join our online panel to explore all this & more on Tuesday 3 February 12:00. All welcome!
us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
We can all get things wrong, but if I had been this consistently and catastrophically wrong about such important issues I don't think I could carry on publishing my opinions every week.
I'd want to go away and think about how I'd so badly misunderstood the things I write about.
I'd want to go away and think about how I'd so badly misunderstood the things I write about.
January 24, 2026 at 12:16 PM
We can all get things wrong, but if I had been this consistently and catastrophically wrong about such important issues I don't think I could carry on publishing my opinions every week.
I'd want to go away and think about how I'd so badly misunderstood the things I write about.
I'd want to go away and think about how I'd so badly misunderstood the things I write about.
Stephen looking at the prize pot and wondering whether to betray Rachel.
I really thought the ring had taken him.
So glad he turned back at the end. #traitors
I really thought the ring had taken him.
So glad he turned back at the end. #traitors
January 24, 2026 at 10:13 AM
Stephen looking at the prize pot and wondering whether to betray Rachel.
I really thought the ring had taken him.
So glad he turned back at the end. #traitors
I really thought the ring had taken him.
So glad he turned back at the end. #traitors
... gives him a personal veto and - of course - control over its money ($1 billion from each permanent member. He picks the rest for good behaviour).
It's a Trump Organisation private members' club, disguised as an international peace initiative.
It's a Trump Organisation private members' club, disguised as an international peace initiative.
January 20, 2026 at 10:48 AM
... gives him a personal veto and - of course - control over its money ($1 billion from each permanent member. He picks the rest for good behaviour).
It's a Trump Organisation private members' club, disguised as an international peace initiative.
It's a Trump Organisation private members' club, disguised as an international peace initiative.
"Considering your Country decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize, I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of Peace".
It's not said often enough what a very small man Trump is.
It's not said often enough what a very small man Trump is.
January 19, 2026 at 9:04 AM
"Considering your Country decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize, I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of Peace".
It's not said often enough what a very small man Trump is.
It's not said often enough what a very small man Trump is.
It's not the biggest issue today, but this statement should be given in Parliament.
This isn't fuddy-duddyism. It allows MPs to ask questions, puts other parties on the record, and, most importantly, doesn't allow a PM to pick the audience: a power that Starmer does not abuse, but future PMs will.
This isn't fuddy-duddyism. It allows MPs to ask questions, puts other parties on the record, and, most importantly, doesn't allow a PM to pick the audience: a power that Starmer does not abuse, but future PMs will.
January 19, 2026 at 9:02 AM
It's not the biggest issue today, but this statement should be given in Parliament.
This isn't fuddy-duddyism. It allows MPs to ask questions, puts other parties on the record, and, most importantly, doesn't allow a PM to pick the audience: a power that Starmer does not abuse, but future PMs will.
This isn't fuddy-duddyism. It allows MPs to ask questions, puts other parties on the record, and, most importantly, doesn't allow a PM to pick the audience: a power that Starmer does not abuse, but future PMs will.
The very stable geniuses of British politics should not be allowed to forget their sycophancy towards Trump.
January 18, 2026 at 8:40 PM
The very stable geniuses of British politics should not be allowed to forget their sycophancy towards Trump.
One example of this would be the admission of women to serve as jurors, which only happened in 1919 after women won the vote for parliamentary elections.
January 16, 2026 at 11:24 AM
One example of this would be the admission of women to serve as jurors, which only happened in 1919 after women won the vote for parliamentary elections.
So does the byline.
January 16, 2026 at 8:53 AM
So does the byline.
1926: the BBC decided women should not be radio announcers:
"The...physical strain...is greater than could be borne by the average woman", & "there is something incongruous in a woman announcing weighty news bulletins or...football results".
The decision was rapidly reversed after public derision.
"The...physical strain...is greater than could be borne by the average woman", & "there is something incongruous in a woman announcing weighty news bulletins or...football results".
The decision was rapidly reversed after public derision.
January 15, 2026 at 11:04 PM
1926: the BBC decided women should not be radio announcers:
"The...physical strain...is greater than could be borne by the average woman", & "there is something incongruous in a woman announcing weighty news bulletins or...football results".
The decision was rapidly reversed after public derision.
"The...physical strain...is greater than could be borne by the average woman", & "there is something incongruous in a woman announcing weighty news bulletins or...football results".
The decision was rapidly reversed after public derision.