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Robin Potter

@robinpotter.bsky.social

620 followers 1K following 98 posts

Academy Associate, UK in the World Programme @chathamhouse.org researching societal resilience to state threats. Former Labour staffer and civil servant.

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Robin Potter @robinpotter.bsky.social · Jul 9

Re upping my piece for LSE blogs in light of UK Gov’s “resilience action plan” yesterday

Still no word on resources… main intervention to support ‘whole of society’ resilience appears to be for the public to visit prepare.campaign.gov.uk - which along with the plan, doesn’t mention state threats!

LSE Blogs @lseblogs.bsky.social · Jun 23

The UK’s #StrategicDefenceReview brings a welcome focus to boosting societal #resilience in the face of global threats

Success will rely on policy and resources beyond the traditional realms of #defence and #security @robinpotter.bsky.social @chathamhouse.org on @lsepoliticsblog.bsky.social‬

Preparedness for war will require the whole of society and government - British Politics and Policy at LSE

The UK’s Strategic Defence Review brings a welcome focus to boosting societal resilience in the face of global threats. But success will rely on policy and resources beyond defence and security.

blogs.lse.ac.uk

Reposted by Robin Potter

Paul Marshall @pmarsha11.bsky.social · 17h

This is the result of Farage and Jenrick’s far-right, divisive rhetoric. Hard working, responsible people feeling afraid for their future.
Disgraceful.

Doncaster chippy owner 'scared for his children' after vandalism - BBC News

Poseidon's Fish Bar had the word "England" painted on its front, says Iraqi-born owner Darin Ahmed.

www.bbc.co.uk

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Reposted by Robin Potter

Chatham House @chathamhouse.org · 2d

The US takeover of TikTok may allay fears of Chinese influence. But it sends a worrying signal to allies who are increasingly dependent on US technology.

The TikTok transfer raises worrying questions for allies like the UK

The US takeover may allay fears of Chinese influence. But it sends a worrying signal to allies who are increasingly dependent on US technology.

www.chathamhouse.org

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Reposted by Robin Potter

dag @davidallengreen.bsky.social · 3d

The government want more coercive powers for the state against protests, and the main opposition party wants more coercive powers for the state against migrants.

Our political-media culture continues in a loop where the response to every perceived problem is yet more coercive powers for the state.

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Reposted by Robin Potter

Will Jennings 🗳️ @drjennings.bsky.social · 3d

A key driver of this is elites inhabiting online spaces that increasingly exaggerate and promote ideological extremes. The average British voter is not a culture warrior.

Giles Wilkes @gilesyb.bsky.social · 3d

"Polarisation may be an unhelpful term .... It implies that both sides are becoming equally extreme. Arguably the real dynamic is that elements of the right have hardened, embracing positions that would have been unacceptable a decade ago" on.ft.com/46TGRHs by @henrymance.ft.com 1/

How polarised is Britain?

Behind media perceptions of a sharpening political divide is a more complicated picture

on.ft.com

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Reposted by Robin Potter

Mark Chadbourn @chadbourn.bsky.social · 6d

In Poland authorities have captured a Russian intelligence operative carrying explosive-filled cans, drone components, and SIM cards. In Lithuania, explosives were discovered in a cemetery.

All part of a big Russian plot to commit terrorist attacks across Europe.

Rosyjski wywiad ukrył materiały wybuchowe na cmentarzu. Podejrzane puszki wjechały do Polski

Kurier rosyjskiego wywiadu wojskowego GRU odbierał polecenia: kup łopatę, jedź na cmentarz, wykop puszki, zostaw niedaleko Łodzi. Puszki idealnie pasują do uchwytów mocowanych do dronów.

warszawa.wyborcza.pl

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Robin Potter @robinpotter.bsky.social · 9d

In wake of US H-1B visa debacle - and appreciating UK gov says it will double global talent visas - is this really best way to hold onto that talent?

Paul Brand @paulbrand.bsky.social · 9d

Mahmood says she will introduce new conditions for indefinite leave to remain:

Lived here 10 years not 5
Being in work
Not taking a penny in benefits
No criminal record
Giving back to community eg volunteering

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Robin Potter @robinpotter.bsky.social · 11d

If it is the existential fight the PM says, and one he is engaged in - would be good to hear more about why he disagrees with Reform?

Usually he either accepts their main grievance is correct, or if they overstep a mark he gives a flat footed response days later?

Perhaps I’m missing something

Jessica Elgot @jessicaelgot.bsky.social · 12d

“History will not forgive us if we do not use every ounce of our energy to fight Reform. There is an enemy. It actually goes against the grain of our history. It’s right there in plain sight in front of us. We have to win this battle.”

Our PM interview tonight 👇

www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

Keir Starmer to warn Labour that battle with Reform is ‘fight for soul of the nation’

Exclusive: PM says history will not forgive his government if it fails to confront and defeat the populist right

www.theguardian.com

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Robin Potter @robinpotter.bsky.social · 16d

Part of the problem of N10's 'strategy' to counter Reform is the unwillingness to argue for shared moral/political norms

The extreme right will keep pushing envelope - and are doing so alarmingly quickly (mass deportations now?) due to lack of push back from what should be the bully pulpit of gov

Adam Bienkov @adambienkov.bsky.social · 16d

Labour calls the plan "half-baked" because Reform have got their figures wrong and it wouldn't even apply to everyone from the EU

Robin Potter @robinpotter.bsky.social · 18d

Sacrilège!

Robin Potter @robinpotter.bsky.social · 20d

a group of people are sitting on a set of stairs and one of them is wearing a hat

ALT: a group of people are sitting on a set of stairs and one of them is wearing a hat

media.tenor.com

Reposted by Robin Potter

James Ball @jamesrball.com · 21d

The Malicious Communications Act 1988 is a great reminder that the UK could pass silly, illiberal and overbroad laws long before the internet was a mainstream preoccupation, too.

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Robin Potter @robinpotter.bsky.social · 24d

Was just listening to @lewisgoodall.com interviewing Peter Kyle on LBC and think he did actually use the phrase "legitimate concerns" at one point

God help us

The Guardian @theguardian.com · 24d

Scale of ‘Unite the Kingdom’ march shows free speech ‘alive and well’ in UK, says minister – UK politics live

Peter Kyle said he was not ‘disturbed’ by huge Tommy Robinson-organised far-right protest but condemns violence against the police

www.theguardian.com

Robin Potter @robinpotter.bsky.social · 27d

This needs explaining

Sam @samdolan.bsky.social · 28d

creepy stuff ...

emails between Epstein and Mandelson referring to a "Mr Big" and hinting at leverage or blackmail ...

Robin Potter @robinpotter.bsky.social · 29d

Good grief

Maya Chhabra @mayachhabra.bsky.social · 29d

Yes, Peter Mandelson did write in the Epstein book, a multi-page letter with photos. Screenshots in thread.

page 1

Once upon a time, an intelligent, sharp-witted man they call "mysterious parachuted into my life...

Robin Potter @robinpotter.bsky.social · Sep 6

When in Warsaw I heard of bottom up pressure on shelters and alerting after public had witnessed Ukrainian systems

Their government taking action on both fronts - committing 0.3% of GDP

Poland is a NATO member, if they are targeted we will be too. UK so far from a viable civil protection system

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Reposted by Robin Potter

Keir Giles @keirgiles.bsky.social · Sep 6

This emergency alert system came up during the "Wargame" podcast simulating Russian missile strikes on the UK. Great, Brit team thought, we can use it to tell the public what to do, but then realised they had no idea what to tell them because oops, no civil defence.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

When is the UK emergency alert mobile phone test and how do you opt out?

The UK's emergency alert system will be tested for the second time on Sunday 7 September.

www.bbc.co.uk

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Reposted by Robin Potter

Marie Le Conte @youngvulgarian.marieleconte.com · Sep 5

get why she had to go but irksome she lost her job to something quite complex and, let's be honest, reasonably minor in the grand scheme of things, when shadow cabinet members get to merrily hang out with Eddie Swastika without any repercussions

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Robin Potter @robinpotter.bsky.social · Sep 5

Who could have possibly foreseen this

Anoosh Chakelian @anooshc.bsky.social · Sep 5

Really interesting that support for *all* left-of-centre parties dropped as salience of immigration rose after "island of strangers" speech - our exclusive:

It’s official – Keir Starmer’s “island of strangers” speech has backfired

Exclusive: the first survey before and after the immigration speech reveals a drop in Labour support.

www.newstatesman.com

Robin Potter @robinpotter.bsky.social · Sep 4

The odd statements about flags are indicative of a void where a confident vision of civic nationalism should be - the only alternative to increasingly ethnocentric narratives promoted by Reform and some in the Tories

Ian Dunt @iandunt.bsky.social · Sep 3

Labour's weirdness over flags is deranged, not patriotic. It's like witnessing a nervous breakdown inews.co.uk/opinion/labo...

Labour's weirdness over flags is deranged, not patriotic

It's like witnessing a nervous breakdown

inews.co.uk

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Reposted by Robin Potter

Daniel Knowles @dlknowles.bsky.social · Sep 3

Feels awfully like London is a thriving global capital rather than a "third world hell hole" or whatever Nigel Farage says, and Britain can still build transformational infrastructure projects. Maybe the government should make something of that?

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Robin Potter @robinpotter.bsky.social · Sep 2

Actually I find your flippant smearing of the critics seeking to prevent harms from this poorly evidenced practice of so-called “hypnosis” really problematic

Robin Potter @robinpotter.bsky.social · Aug 30

Interesting piece from Minna

Reading about Finland/Sweden athletics champs couldn’t help but reflect on the upcoming Ashes series against Australia - best frenemies indeed!

Serious point is that with a more unreliable US, in Europe and beyond Britain must also renew and deepen its old friendships

Minna Ålander 🌻 @alanderminna.bsky.social · Aug 30

Just published a wholesome weekend read, taking stock of the ever-ongoing bilateral competition between Finland and Sweden. Including my personal score !

Jokes aside though - should Finland and Sweden reunite ?

Should Finland and Sweden reunite?

The ever-deteriorating state of world affairs has prompted the Nordic countries to set aside their sibling rivalry and start thinking about a reunion.

open.substack.com

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Robin Potter @robinpotter.bsky.social · Aug 30

Particularly as the policy answers are not wholly confined to the online realm

Means a plan and resources to rebuild the infrastructure for social cohesion that we lost in the austerity years - getting people meeting in real life, building trust in institutions, challenging misinformation

Will Jennings 🗳️ @drjennings.bsky.social · Aug 28

The unwillingness of policymakers to robustly tackle the online fuelling of social harms is going to have long-term consequences for society.

Reposted by Robin Potter

Sam Freedman @samfr.bsky.social · Aug 27

I do think X is seriously damaging the brains of the UK political class. It's wildly unrepresentative of actual public opinion but is still being treated as such.

(Bluesky isn't representative either obviously but no one treats it as such).

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Robin Potter @robinpotter.bsky.social · Aug 27

Not having a story or narrative for the country means your populist right opponents fill that void instead

Unconvinced that deliverism will see us through the next few years

David Klemperer @dmk1793.bsky.social · Aug 26

It depresses me that our political and media elite have seemingly decided to pre-emptively capitulate this, on the basis of a folk-myth of the British public as essentially Farageist at heart

David Klemperer @dmk1793.bsky.social · Aug 26

Reform's vision for Britain