James Baggaley

We found people appreciated universities as local institutions that demonstrated global success (people were happy to have something that is leading the world).

However, there are also concerns that not all are benefiting. This is about working-class communties locked out or disrespected.

We found people appreciated universities as local institutions that demonstrated global success (people were happy to have something that is leading the world).

However, there are also concerns that not all are benefiting. This is about working-class communties locked out or disrespected.

Our universities can save us from America's political division New research shows Britain is proud of its institutions' ability to foster disagreement

Universities showcase the strengths and possible weaknesses of British institutions.

I've written for @newstatesman1913.bsky.social about our latest research, Shared Institutions on universities from @uclpolicylab.bsky.social & @moreincommonuk.bsky.social
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...

The education system is failing too many working-class pupils, but we can turn it around.

Jonathan Slater, Former Perm Sect at the Department for Education on BBC Radio 4 Today, discussing a new report from the UCL Policy Lab on how we can improve standards for poorer pupils.

Steve Reed's Yimbyism can't win

To connect to voters, politics needs to be rooted in place and community

Thanks Miranda!

Steve Reed’s Yimbyism can’t win To connect to voters, politics needs to be rooted in place and community

Taking the tone of disliking the voters - never a great idea - thought this by UCL policy lab @jimbaggaley.bsky.social was thought-provoking on the limits of Yimbyism www.newstatesman.com/politics/202...

Thanks David! And much inspired by your writing

Great piece, covering a lot of the same ground as my reflection for @renewaljournal.bsky.social last Saturday about the emergence of YIMBYism and communtiarianism as two distinct approaches to Labour politics:

bsky.app/profile/dmk1...

Thanks Anoosh!

Steve Reed’s Yimbyism can’t win To connect to voters, politics needs to be rooted in place and community

Really interesting piece by James Baggaley on the dangers of policy without people - and the real divide within Labour:

www.newstatesman.com/politics/202...

At the same time, a politics of community and belonging is waiting to be seized.

Labour is in part there with pride in place. As I say in the piece, there are signs in the polling and broader culture that this politics of place is a powerful political foundtion.

Steve Reed's Yimbyism can't win To connect to voters, politics needs to be rooted in place and community

“While you may well govern at times as a Yimby, you campaign as a communitarian.”

In my latest piece for @newstatesman.bsky.social I set out why YIMBYism isnt a politics Labour can win with.
www.newstatesman.com/politics/202...

Standing up for the places and communities that we love We reflect on lessons from the UCL Policy Lab programme and conversations at Labour Party Conference 2025.

Standing up for the places and communities that we love.

Our reflections @uclpolicylab.bsky.social on the Labour Conference 2025. www.ucl.ac.uk/policy-lab/n...

We were joined by leaders from across Britain for a celebration of what brings us together.

In partnership with @citizensuk.org @moreincommonuk.bsky.social and @belongnetwork.bsky.social. Thank you to all those who came along.

Speak for England, Big John In the face of racist attacks, the food influencer represents a form of patriotism that is modest and decent.

Speak for England, Big John

In the face of racist attacks, the food influencer represents a form of patriotism that is modest and decent.

By James Baggaley

Speak for England, Big John In the face of racist attacks, the food influencer represents a form of patriotism that is modest and decent.

Terrific piece on England by my greet @uclpolicylab.bsky.social colleague James Baggaley: www.newstatesman.com/politics/202...

Speak for England, Big John In the face of racist attacks, the food influencer represents a form of patriotism that is modest and decent.

Big John, England and why an ordinary, decent patriotism matters.

My piece for the @newstatesman.com.
www.newstatesman.com/politics/202...

Speak for England, Big John In the face of racist attacks, the food influencer represents a form of patriotism that is modest and decent.

Fantastic piece by @jimbaggaley.bsky.social on Big John in the @newstatesman.com

“For Keir Starmer…to respond to the growing division and isolation, they must speak about these people, lend them their platform, and stand up for them: their decency, love of community, and country.”

What’s wrong with the new Blue Labour? How the delusions of Brexit and Maga have alienated the ideological movement from ordinary people

“Today’s Maga-inflected version has far more in common with the “move fast and break things” worldview of Dominic Cummings than it does with the everyday, practical wisdom of Aristotle.” Top piece from @mds49.bsky.social on the new MAGA blue labour. www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/politics/703...

New project to reimagine social cohesion in light of tensions A new joint research project, This Place Matters, is designed to provide local and national governments with a blueprint for good cohesion policy and to amplify the work of civic actors on the ground ...

Today we launch This Place Matters in partnership with @citizensuk.org and @moreincommonuk.bsky.social. The project aims to reimagine social cohesion policy in light of recent tensions. www.ucl.ac.uk/policy-lab/n...

Doom, gloom and not much headroom: Spring Statement Podcast Episode · Political Fix · 28/03/2025 · 38m

“It's uncomfortable for the government, it's uncomfortable for the OBR itself. And I think in a democratic process, it feels pretty uncomfortable more widely still.”

@chrisgiles.ft.com UCL Policy Lab Hon Prof on the challanges for the OBR and economic projections. podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/p...

Keir Starmer must reassure pragmatic liberals There is no appetite among British voters for Trump-style disruption and populism.

Keir Starmer must reassure pragmatic liberals.

There is no appetite among British voters for Trump-style disruption and populism. @mds49.bsky.social and @luketryl.bsky.social on latest polling from UCL Policy Lab and @moreincommonuk.bsky.social. www.newstatesman.com/comment/2025...

“First and foremost there’s Luke Littler, the teenage wizard who lives on pizzas and vapes, and spends his winnings on FIFA packs but carries himself like a wizened member of the local Rotary Club”.
magazine.newstatesman.com/2025/01/03/h...

Our year in review and finding hope in the politics of connection James Baggaley provides reflections from a year of activity at the UCL Policy Lab, and the role connection plays in building a better world.

A look back on a fantastic year @uclpolicylab.bsky.social and some reflections on why understanding the connections between people, place and politics will be essential to building a better politics.

Thank you to all the brilliant folks we worked with in 2024 👏
www.ucl.ac.uk/policy-lab/n...

Our year in review and finding hope in the politics of connection James Baggaley provides reflections from a year of activity at the UCL Policy Lab, and the role connection plays in building a better world.

Our year in review and finding hope in the politics of connection.

@jimbaggaley.bsky.social provides reflections from a year of activity at the UCL Policy Lab and the role connection plays in building a better world in 2025. www.ucl.ac.uk/policy-lab/n...

World-leading experts gather to explore new tools to tackle shared political and social challenges Jake Cohen, lead for The Ecosystem Project, reflects on a week of action and why we’re helping lead an ambitious project to develop new tools for building social change and understanding.

World-leading experts gather to explore new tools to tackle shared political and social challenges.

@sjakeco.bsky.social reflects on a week of action and why we’re helping lead an ambitious project to develop new tools for building social change and understanding. www.ucl.ac.uk/policy-lab/n...

We were delighted to host Pat McFadden MP at @uclofficial.bsky.social East today as he set out the governments plan to reform the state.

At UCL Policy Lab we’re proud to be partnering with researchers, community leaders, civil society and govt to help drive a new era in public service reform.

@transportforlondon.bsky.social you keep over charging me on tap out and in - but your saying your system is still down for refunds. When are people getting the money they’re owed?!

I can't believe Dems are posting Pete Buttigieg clips with “this guy has to run”. People really haven't learnt.

The McKinsey pipeline ain't it.