Simon Parker
@simonparker.bsky.social
Public servant in search of a better future. Communities and service users first. Desires to unbuild walls.
Yep. Prime ministers holding one of the most powerful executive positions in the world whining that they can't get things done.
February 6, 2026 at 2:07 PM
Yep. Prime ministers holding one of the most powerful executive positions in the world whining that they can't get things done.
MPs will always have this issue. The only thing that's different now is the number of people who become politicians without much hinterland.
February 6, 2026 at 2:05 PM
MPs will always have this issue. The only thing that's different now is the number of people who become politicians without much hinterland.
Yes I've frequently read the argument that Labour shouldn't devolve power because what if the Tories get it? Which is fine as long as you expect Labour to always be in government. A degree of contestation is healthy and was largely accepted as normal before the 1980s.
February 6, 2026 at 2:03 PM
Yes I've frequently read the argument that Labour shouldn't devolve power because what if the Tories get it? Which is fine as long as you expect Labour to always be in government. A degree of contestation is healthy and was largely accepted as normal before the 1980s.
Yes. The paradox of power in the British state is that centralising everything has not empowered ministers, but overwhelmed the system.
February 6, 2026 at 1:41 PM
Yes. The paradox of power in the British state is that centralising everything has not empowered ministers, but overwhelmed the system.
Apols if I misread.
February 6, 2026 at 11:33 AM
Apols if I misread.
I can take or leave the visitors centre but 'we can't afford to repair our crumbling parliament building' is a bit last days of Rome.
February 6, 2026 at 11:24 AM
I can take or leave the visitors centre but 'we can't afford to repair our crumbling parliament building' is a bit last days of Rome.
Yes. It is good.
February 5, 2026 at 11:51 AM
Yes. It is good.
FWIW I think the evidence suggests that Hallam-style protest is actually effective. Of course people think eg JSO are annoying, but their actions keep climate in the news and tend to legitimise moderate action.
February 5, 2026 at 10:23 AM
FWIW I think the evidence suggests that Hallam-style protest is actually effective. Of course people think eg JSO are annoying, but their actions keep climate in the news and tend to legitimise moderate action.
Yes that's right - I suppose I'm suggesting that the failure of degrowth has also put a dent in the confidence of the wider climate movement. As you hint, it will be interesting to see what happens when the likes of Roger Hallam are back on the streets.
February 5, 2026 at 10:21 AM
Yes that's right - I suppose I'm suggesting that the failure of degrowth has also put a dent in the confidence of the wider climate movement. As you hint, it will be interesting to see what happens when the likes of Roger Hallam are back on the streets.
I also wonder if the actual experience of low growth and (slightly) lower inequality since 2010 has taken some of the shine off 'prosperity without growth' arguments? I've never been able to get alongside degrowth precisely because it isn't a politically acceptable way to transition.
February 5, 2026 at 9:29 AM
I also wonder if the actual experience of low growth and (slightly) lower inequality since 2010 has taken some of the shine off 'prosperity without growth' arguments? I've never been able to get alongside degrowth precisely because it isn't a politically acceptable way to transition.
Good piece Luca - but does it undersell what Ed Miliband is actually doing? I full accept it isn't remotely a green new deal, but his vision of an electrostate is surely a step in the right direction?
February 5, 2026 at 9:27 AM
Good piece Luca - but does it undersell what Ed Miliband is actually doing? I full accept it isn't remotely a green new deal, but his vision of an electrostate is surely a step in the right direction?
My whole point is that policy doesn't matter. The Greens win on lefty vibe-ishness and that's Kryptonite for the McSweeney hippie punching strategy.
February 4, 2026 at 7:31 PM
My whole point is that policy doesn't matter. The Greens win on lefty vibe-ishness and that's Kryptonite for the McSweeney hippie punching strategy.
Labour people don't know how to engage with the Greens at all. 'But NATO...' doesn't work because Polanski is never going to be in a position to take us out. 'They're just middle class hippies' would be fine if it didn't involve Labour dissing its own core vote.
February 4, 2026 at 6:11 PM
Labour people don't know how to engage with the Greens at all. 'But NATO...' doesn't work because Polanski is never going to be in a position to take us out. 'They're just middle class hippies' would be fine if it didn't involve Labour dissing its own core vote.
Ok I'm going to take the plunge and say that you're misinterpreting the Greens. No they aren't the Lib Dems, because the Lib Dems are still doing what they did in the 2000s. The Greens are more like Reform, and that makes them a much bigger challenge IMHO.
February 4, 2026 at 6:08 PM
Ok I'm going to take the plunge and say that you're misinterpreting the Greens. No they aren't the Lib Dems, because the Lib Dems are still doing what they did in the 2000s. The Greens are more like Reform, and that makes them a much bigger challenge IMHO.
I basically agree, but note that £94,000 is a lot of money to most people.
February 4, 2026 at 12:59 PM
I basically agree, but note that £94,000 is a lot of money to most people.
And I can see why it happens. You're the goddamn business secretary and you get paid less than the financial services goons who are lobbying you. It's very human to be pissed off about that. But you chose public service, you've done very well indeed and you need to be content with that.
February 4, 2026 at 12:54 PM
And I can see why it happens. You're the goddamn business secretary and you get paid less than the financial services goons who are lobbying you. It's very human to be pissed off about that. But you chose public service, you've done very well indeed and you need to be content with that.
I'm ok with the idea we should pay MPs more. It might tempt a slightly wider range of people. I think the problem is when MPs and ministers start to benchmark themselves against captains of industry. Politics should offer a comfortable living, but not a luxurious one IMHO.
February 4, 2026 at 12:50 PM
I'm ok with the idea we should pay MPs more. It might tempt a slightly wider range of people. I think the problem is when MPs and ministers start to benchmark themselves against captains of industry. Politics should offer a comfortable living, but not a luxurious one IMHO.
Yes we could read 'cheaper but worse' as 'better than what most people could afford before'.
February 4, 2026 at 12:05 PM
Yes we could read 'cheaper but worse' as 'better than what most people could afford before'.
We live as we dream, alone.
February 4, 2026 at 9:24 AM
We live as we dream, alone.
The point Portes lands very well is that slightly lower inequality and very low growth don't solve much. I think this is symptomatic of a progressive politics that fails to situate its social goals within a wider account of political economy, cultural and institutional frameworks.
February 3, 2026 at 9:24 AM
The point Portes lands very well is that slightly lower inequality and very low growth don't solve much. I think this is symptomatic of a progressive politics that fails to situate its social goals within a wider account of political economy, cultural and institutional frameworks.