I've been incessantly making the case that the electoral tide currently raises all boats.

Even this one (and GB News viewers, it also seems).

📢ICYMI: We are hiring a Researcher (EU Public Policy).

Help design and deliver our work exploring how data and AI can be governed and regulated to ensure benefits for individuals and society.

Apply by 7 May: adalovelaceinstitute.org/job/researcher…

While everyone will get very excited about election results next week, it's worth remembering that they tell us less about key groups at general elections than we might like. Those switching parties (Con to Lab) and undecided are less likely to vote at locals.

Interesting academic analysis of the likely economic impact of a UK-EU veterinary agreement, via Peter Foster: a 22 per cent boost to British agrifood exports to the EU, and a commensurate 5.6 per cent boost to imports from the EU.

ft.com/content/9ae494…

I wrote a thing for The Conversation about how, unless the election result will differ markedly from current poll standings of both Labour and the Conservatives, the upcoming election could produce more disproportionality that we have seen before.

theconversation.com/a-labour-lands…

Very sad news. He was an inspiration to me: one of the reasons I packed in my NHS job and went off to do a PhD at Sheffield, where he was one of my several 'unofficial supervisors.' A brilliant academic and a sparkling stylist but also a genuinely lovely man. RIP David Marquand.

Such sad news. David Marquand was a giant of social democracy & progressive thinking in Britain. His writing articulated a vision of the good society that resonates to this day.

If anyone with memories of David Marquand, or who’s been influenced by his work, would be interested in writing up some reflections for the Renewal blog, please get in touch.

Immigration: what should Labour do?

My essay for Social Market Foundation argues (sharply) falling legal migration over next few years, combined with public opinion that is more positive (especially for work/study migration) offers an opportunity for a more constructive approach (1/12?)

Really is lots of low hanging fruit available for the UK Government to encourage (not just un-ban) more onshore wind development in England. Look at the contrast with Scotland!

Astute analysis from Peter with two key takeaways:

1) The Rwanda policy will only be politically effective if it works (spoiler: it won't).

2)On Rwanda, Labour needs an alternative immigration answer (and one already exists in the form of ID cards).

From helping optimise energy grids to predicting severe weather events and making faster, and better decisions for the planet, #technology offers us the answer to delivering meaningful climate action.

On #EarthDay , it is more apparent than ever that leaders must radically…

Nor do Britons think that the government's Rwanda plans represent good value for money. Only 19% think they are good value, compared to 47% who think they are not (Jan 2024)

yougov.co.uk/topics/politic…

And most Britons (54%) don't think the Rwanda policy would be effective at deterring small boat migrants - only 28% think it will be effective (Jan 2024)

yougov.co.uk/topics/politic…

Great clip from the mid 2000s of people complaining that GPs would only see them…too quickly.

I think one of the most difficult things politically is transmitting to younger people how much better things were. This sounds like a satire now.

Really interesting mixed-methods work here from More in Common.

Great piece from my colleague Jess Lythgow. The ‘red wall’ is much more complex than many Westminster narratives suggest. That makes the task of winning it back not about complicated, divisive politics - but creating a unifying vision for the country.

medium.com/@jesslythgow/r…

Some brief comments on the European Commission’s proposal to get a mandate to negotiate a youth mobility agreement with the UK. ec.europa.eu/commission/pre…

Fantastic post for an African quantitative social scientist - Afrobarometer is a really rich and still underutilised data source that should be more central in social science

Less good news for the Cons if we look at Dont Know/Would not vote group

9% Con win
25% Enough for decent opp
30% Fewer the better
37% DK

Probably best not to put all the Dks in the Cons column