John Denham

Looking for to this evening’s discussion of England and St George’s Day

Andy Burnham has announced a National Commission on electoral reform - we just took a huge step towards fairer votes. PR is key to a more equal, sustainable society. Thanks to our 3,000+ members & tens of thousands of supporters, the next Government could deliver it. How some of them reacted👇

Why is a retired banjo playing, public school nepo-baby on the BBC's flagship Newsnight commenting on the Red Wall? And why no mention that: Winston Marshall only has a political platform because his Dad is billionaire Paul Marshall... owner of GB NEWS and the Spectator.

26th October: the Bishop of Leicester will host a webinar involving myself, Chine of Theos, John Denham to inform how the Church of England can think about England + to how to mark St George's Day. Those outside the Church are welcome to attend the online event too www.eventbrite.com/e/how-st-geo...

It is clear that the blood & soil idea of American identity is now perhaps inevitably infecting the British right. What is most disturbing is this discussion suggests even those conservatives ostensibly opposed to hard right nutters have fallen into line with this way of thinking - as has Robinson.

There is a sense which all 3 seem to believe that English people resent being told they don’t have a proper identity but: how many resent this & who is saying it? No facts or figures or any evidence other than what the laziest commentator can get away with is produced or asked for.

I’m not at all surprised that in its final segment yesterday the editor thought it appropriate to discuss Braverman’s claims about English identity with 2 right wing commentators who basically agree she’s correct - with Nick Robinson organising the consensus. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

Dear tv and radio producers. Thankyou for the invitation. But, no, I do not want to appear on your show to defend the idea that I am English, after 50 years of living and working here, because the increasingly feral right want to turn this into a "debate" and you cannot see how you're being played

Beyond a 90-minute nation: Why it’s time for an inclusive England outside the stadium (2021) - a @britishfuture.bsky.social coproduction with @jydenham.bsky.social & Centre for English Identity www.britishfuture.org/english-iden...

Really interesting the extent to which X is now functioning as the Editor of @BBC Today programme.

I'm planning a new career as a "fitness influencer" (which is what I believe they're called). Link to my YouTube channel in next post......

Still annoys me that Brexit is seen as somehow different to political trends in the EU, particularly France and Germany, when their parallel is so obvious. Similarly what is happening now, a shared politics of nostalgia, with very little vision for the future of Europe.

Thought this was good nationstateandpolitics.substack.com/p/labour-int...

yes, this is excellent, as i'd expect from @jydenham.bsky.social - if a bit depressing!

‘Services designed around people….prevention not crisis’ Lou Haigh promises Total Place principles at Labour conference today.

‘Services designed around people….prevention not crisis’ Lou Haigh promises Total Place principles at Labour conference today.

Powerful endorsement of Total Place principles by Lou Haigh at Labour conference just now (with Andy Burnham on the platform): 'biggest and most important reform' (to public services) for generations.

The relationship between Labour and the world of ideas is too weak. A modest initiaive to improve it.... buff.ly/9pHL5jN

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I wouldn't consider myself a particular expert in national security, but it is absolutely obvious what the problem is and what needs to be done. The failure of the UK government to respond to disorder over a sustained period is egregious.

Labour needs better relationships with academics and experts. renewal.org.uk/blog/labour-...

Welcome views from party activists and non-partisan academics on this 👇

" @labouruk.bsky.social has recently appointed a No 10 advisor to lead engagement with think tanks, academics, and other networks. But, welcome though this is, Labour has never had a consistent strategy for engaging a wider intellectual community." Former MHCLG Secretary John Denham (2009-10)

Rekindling Labour's relationship with the wider world of progressive ideas. renewal.org.uk/blog/labour-...

Thanks

Labour’s relationship with academics and intellectuals needs an overhaul renewal.org.uk/blog/labour-...

Labour’s relationship with academics and intellectuals needs an overhaul renewal.org.uk/blog/labour-...

Labour's historically patchy, on-off, short term engagement with academics and intellectuals needs an overhaul renewal.org.uk/blog/labour-...

The BBC has decided that this constitutes news… A man who left for Monaco several years ago declaring he’s ’lost confidence’ in the UK His qualification for making the headlines? Owning £15bn Broadcasting like democracy already died! www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Where and how does Labour get its ideas? And could it do better?

Where does Labour get its ideas from? renewal.org.uk/blog/labour-...

Where does Labour get its ideas from? renewal.org.uk/blog/labour-...

New on Renewal Online: John Denham (@jydenham.bsky.social) considers Labour's past and current relationship with the wider progressive intellectual eco-system, and calls for a pro-active strategy to foster new strategic thinking renewal.org.uk/blog/labour-...

Where and how does Labour get its ideas? And could it do better?

Absolutely horrendous for this woman and her family.

I do find odd that we all apparently enjoy the right to enter a hotel uninvited, go to the guest floors, knock on the doors of complete strangers on the grounds that they are not white - and yet not commit any offence.

A suggested statement for Andy Burnham.

Much common sense from @jydenham.bsky.social on R4 on Portsmouth, Dover. In France it is a crime to wear a face covering at a political demonstration. But heaven forfend we might learn anything from Europe @nicklowles.bsky.social @roswynnejones.bsky.social

Orwell’s reflections on England and Britain informed our recent public debate on nationhood, featuring Ros Wynne-Jones, Rosie Campbell, Tom McTague, John Denham, and Pippa Catterall. Listen now:

R4 #PM had John Denham on - he was absolutely clear that this was masked thuggery and that the organisers should be brought to justice - maybe a modicum of backtracking from the Beeb? (I know, that's wishful thinking!)

This is genuinely hilarious framing of small boats now numbers are dropping

‘Those close to the process say capping donations is not a priority for Burnham and not a subject over which it would be worth triggering a fight with Labour’s biggest backers.’ Oligarchic politics is not Burnham’s friend. But he doesn’t seem to realise it www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

The trade unions have got this one absolutely wrong, and it's *so* dangerous that Labour's not able to see the bigger picture on this one. Union concerns that a future government could use this to come for union funding to parties is legitimate – *but that will happen anyway*.

It seems he' s made the wrong call ( @georgemonbiot.bsky.social, @writesbright.bsky.social @petergeoghegan.bsky.social). It's reversible & must be reversed. But first, don't blame the Trade Unions! This is an old gag. Their support is easily sorted. 2/4 www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

Very decent of the BBC to report our £50bn savings claim as though it's a fact, rather than the made up load of old bollocks that it actually is.

It remains striking that Cambridge University – which has rightly found itself subject to immense scrutiny in recent days over its academic appointments process – did not answer any of Byline Times' questions re Cambridge Professor James Orr, Reform's Head of Policy, and his activities there. Why?

@jacknewman.bsky.social @histparl.bsky.social @rafaelbehr.bsky.social @timbale.bsky.social @conunitucl.bsky.social @xychelsea.tv @robjohns75.bsky.social @jydenham.bsky.social @andywestwood.bsky.social @goodauth.bsky.social @futuregovforum.bsky.social @darcyxtip.bsky.social @peterrees.bsky.social