Ralph Palmer

47% of people think immigration is primarily illegal. There were 4% irregular arrivals in March

New YouGov polling. A monumental failure of our political class to educate, a monumental failure of our media to report fairly, for a generation

In the Future of Socialism Anthony Crosland rightly said that socialism should be focused not just on exports and pensions, but also on having more cafes, brighter streets, more theatres, murals, public art and the many public goods that make life better.

This paper from the IPPR touches on this.

Imagine introducing on the market a product that is several times more fatal for children.

That wouldn't work in most sectors, but it barely raises an eyebrow in the car market.

And soon most cars on European roads will be SUVs.

Back-to-back European Champions! My god. What a team 🦁

This Lionesses team though, bloody hell. What an incredible group. They were dead on their feet but just never stopped. 3 consecutive finals!

Surely it's time to rename Fergie time to Wiegman time?

A must read.

Labour MPs challenge Richard Tice over Reform UK’s plan to scrap green projects Exclusive: Letter signed by 59 MPs criticises party’s deputy leader after his warned energy firms over new contracts

📢 “When you made these threats, were you aware you were threatening one of Britain’s strongest drivers of growth?”

The Guardian has covered @pollybillington.bsky.social's letter to Richard Tice, in response to his letter threatening green energy investors.

🔗: www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

Great to hear @umakumaran.bsky.social using an adjournment debate to commemorate the 137th anniversary of the Matchgirls Strike. We published an essay on its importance by Diana Holland, patron of the Matchgirls Memorial Trust, in our Return of Spring collection:

ait Borsay: "Do you think climate change exists?" Andrea: "I've said for a long time, we need to ditch net zero and actually focus on economic growth. A million percent." Kait: "But then how do you tackle climate change? And do you believe that climate change exists?" Andrea: "Do I believe that climate change exists? No." Kait: "Okay. So you are not a believer in climate, you know, despite rising global temperatures, melting glaciers, rising sea levels, despite all of that evidence?" Andrea: "It depends. It depends what evidence you look at.... I think it's a way to actually make money." Kait: "Okay. But you don't believe climate change exists. And so that's why there is no need for net zero, in your opinion." Andrea: "Absolutely. And I think it's harming industry. I think it's a money making racket where certain businesses and individuals are making money out of it."

Reform mayor Andrea Jenkyns tells Times Radio that she doesn’t believe climate change exists, and that it’s just a “racket” for some people to make money. If Reform win the next election, the UK could become a very different place quite quickly.

Reform are against the 5,000 jobs in South Wales and energy security that floating offshore wind could support. And apparently now against… electricity, with this nuts letter opposing any cables, batteries, or in fact anything getting built

My mum texts me when I stand up to speak in Parliament. She tells me to fix my tie or sort my hair out. A mum’s job is never done!

And when I talk about growing up in poverty, she says sorry. Like so many others, my mum lives with guilt, but the fault lies with the politics that failed us.

The second piece also explored something that disproportionately impacts those on the lowest incomes.

My piece looks at the role of the planning system in delivering better air quality. It's alongside a real star-cast of contributors & I highly recommend reading!

4/🧵

bsky.app/profile/lcef...

Absolutely stellar line-up for our new essay collection looking at how public health, worker's rights, improved housing and transport investment will contribute to Labour's planned decade of renewal.

It just so happens they will also bring massive benefits for cleaning up our air.

Pleased to contribute to this great publication by @lcefuk.bsky.social.

@eloisesacares.bsky.social and I make the case for boldness and political bravery in tackling toxic air pollution.

So pleased to bring together a stellar line-up of contributors incl. two great Labour MPs @umakumaran.bsky.social & @jenny4suffcoast.bsky.social, @metecoban92.bsky.social, @joedromey.bsky.social & @eloisesacares.bsky.social, @tuccymru.bsky.social @cmdkenyon.bsky.social, & @msingerhobbs.bsky.social

Clean air can be a lens for Labour's plans for a decade of renewal & an outcome for the changes we want to see for our communities up and down the country.

This includes better, warmer homes; active, thriving streets with high-quality sustainable transport; more green spaces; & healthy workplaces.

Delighted that today we've launched our new essay collection on clean air.

'Clearing the Air' is a timely focus on why clean air is not only an important issue, but one that deeply connects to core issues and values of the labour movement, as well as many of the priorities for this government.

🚨 NEW PUBLICATION: Clearing the Air 🚨

Our latest essay collection explores the political importance of clean air for the labour movement — as both a framing and outcome of the government’s ambition for a decade of national renewal.

🧵1/3

Clearing the Air: LCEF Essay Collection Launch · Luma Labour Climate and Environment Forum and Baroness Young of Old Scone would like to invite you to an afternoon reception in the House of Lords on Tuesday 15th…

Just a reminder that LCEF will be launching our new essay collection ‘Clearing the Air: Putting Health, Prosperity and Productivity at the Heart of a Decade of Renewal’ tomorrow in Parliament.

Last few hours to sign up if you'd like to come along: lu.ma/0jpge8cz

Streets have become increasingly hostile & dangerous for young people. Putting young people at the heart of community design, opening up safe & active routes not only to & from school but across communities - to high streets, green spaces, play areas - should be a priority for our places.

School run superheroes to boost cycle lanes and walkways to schools New junior active travel inspectors will work with teachers and parents to assess local walking and cycling routes around their schools.

Love this @heidialexander.bsky.social

"We’re putting young people at the heart of our Active Travel mission... innovative new scheme will help councils make smarter decisions, improve local infrastructure, and support our Plan for Change... easing pressure on the NHS."

www.gov.uk/government/n...

London’s low-traffic zones ‘cut deaths and injuries by more than a third’ Exclusive: Study also finds no change in number of casualties on roads just outside low-traffic neighbourhoods

NEW: Big study of low-traffic neighbourhoods in London suggest they cut road injuries and deaths by more than a third within their boundaries with no apparent negative safety effect on nearby roads. This feels a *major* boost for proponents of such schemes.

www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...

UK carmakers on track to meet EV sales target despite intense lobbying to lower quota Electric car sales made up 21.6% of sales in first half of 2025, only just below the effective 22% share needed to meet rules Carmakers are on track to meet existing UK electric car sales targets despite having successfully lobbied the government to water them down. Electric car sales made up 21.6% of sales in the first half of 2025, only marginally below the 22.06% share needed to meet existing rules once concessions are taken into account, according to an analysis by New AutoMotive, a thinktank. Continue reading...

UK carmakers on track to meet EV sales target despite intense lobbying to lower quota

We’ve got a plan, and we want you to be part of it.

While Reform sows division, we’re building a different politics:

🛠 Giving communities the right to save local spaces
⚡ Putting local people in control of new energy
🏘 Backing ownership that builds pride and trust

📊 Jan-Jun data for electric vehicle registrations across Europe's largest car markets is out now! | Peter Mock 📊 Jan-Jun data for electric vehicle registrations across Europe's largest car markets is out now! 🚗 ⚡ 🇩🇪 In Germany, battery-#ElectricVehicles (BEVs) increased by one third compared to last year,...

(credit to the @theicct.org for the tables in the first post: www.linkedin.com/posts/peter-...)

The next election will be largely fought on if people feel better off. If govt policy supports people - particularly lower income/car dependent households - make the switch to EVs over the next few years & save them £000s a year in running costs, that'd be a major policy & political win for Labour.

While things are positive, there are opportunities to do more e.g.
- identify & plug gaps in local charging rollout
- support safe cross-kerb charging solutions
- support renters to install chargers
- introduce battery health standard
- run public info campaigns
- engage businesses on e-van rollout

The govt is doing positive things on planning & grid connections, & continuing support for local charging rollout. While extending tax breaks for electric company cars & grants for electric vans was positive.

The UK is in the very good place to deliver on the 2030 phase out & ZEV mandate targets.

New car registrations in European top markets June 2025 versus June 2024 Battery electric vehicles as a share of new sales Germany 18.4%, up 9% France 17.2%, up 0% Italy 6.0%, down 41% Spain 9.4%, up 103% United Kingdom 24.9%, up 46%

New car registrations in European top markets January to June 2025 versus January to June 2024 Battery electric vehicles as a share of new sales Germany 17.7%, up 35% France 17.7%, down 6% Italy 5.2%, up 28% Spain 7.6%, up 84% United Kingdom 21.6%, up 31%

The UK's EV market continues to go from strength to strength, making up 1/5 of all new cars sold in the first half of 2025 (1/4 in June) putting the UK at the forefront of the transition in Europe.

Opportunity for govt to build on momentum & maximise carbon & cost savings potential for households.