Ed Dorrell
@eddorrell.bsky.social
Partner at Public First (education, levelling up and Labour). Quant, qual, political comms. Ex-journo at @tes. Still write a lot.
Pinned
Ed Dorrell
@eddorrell.bsky.social
· Nov 17
The Unnoticed Battle for the Future of Labour's Public Sector Reform Agenda - Progressive Britain
The Government are delivering much needed public service reform, Ed Dorrell analyses how different key Cabinet members are approaching this task.
www.progressivebritain.org
In case you missed it on Friday, I've done a little piece for Progressive Britain on the very different ideas that underpin Labour's reform agendas I'm education and health.
Tldr, it's collaboration vs competition.
www.progressivebritain.org/the-unnotice...
Tldr, it's collaboration vs competition.
www.progressivebritain.org/the-unnotice...
Reposted by Ed Dorrell
“The idea that the child limit has achieved totemic status among potential Lab-Reform switchers in the Red Wall is for the birds”
>> time to end the two child cap. Well said @eddorrell.bsky.social for @labourlist.bsky.social
labourlist.org/2025/05/two-...
>> time to end the two child cap. Well said @eddorrell.bsky.social for @labourlist.bsky.social
labourlist.org/2025/05/two-...
'Ignore stereotypes. Reform-leaning Labour voters dislike the two-child cap' - LabourList
Labour voters of all persuasions, from progressives in Brighton to those in Reform’s sights in Teesside, are ready to back an end to the two-child benefit cap. The decision can’t come quickly enough.
labourlist.org
May 28, 2025 at 3:08 PM
“The idea that the child limit has achieved totemic status among potential Lab-Reform switchers in the Red Wall is for the birds”
>> time to end the two child cap. Well said @eddorrell.bsky.social for @labourlist.bsky.social
labourlist.org/2025/05/two-...
>> time to end the two child cap. Well said @eddorrell.bsky.social for @labourlist.bsky.social
labourlist.org/2025/05/two-...
By me
🌹"Labour voters of all persuasions, from progressives in Brighton to those in Reform’s sights in Teesside, are ready to back an end to the two-child benefit cap."
Read @eddorrell.bsky.social here:
labourlist.org/2025/05/two-...
Read @eddorrell.bsky.social here:
labourlist.org/2025/05/two-...
'Ignore stereotypes. Reform-leaning Labour voters dislike the two-child cap' - LabourList
Labour voters of all persuasions, from progressives in Brighton to those in Reform’s sights in Teesside, are ready to back an end to the two-child benefit cap. The decision can’t come quickly enough.
labourlist.org
May 28, 2025 at 8:29 AM
By me
I've written for @labourlist this week on why Reform-intrigued voters are not in fact the snarling right wingers that the Guardian-readers of London might assume they are.
(Also, on why they'll support reversing the two-child benefit cap.)
labourlist.org/2025/05/two-...
(Also, on why they'll support reversing the two-child benefit cap.)
labourlist.org/2025/05/two-...
'Ignore stereotypes. Reform-leaning Labour voters dislike the two-child cap' - LabourList
Labour voters of all persuasions, from progressives in Brighton to those in Reform’s sights in Teesside, are ready to back an end to the two-child benefit cap. The decision can’t come quickly enough.
labourlist.org
May 28, 2025 at 7:35 AM
I've written for @labourlist this week on why Reform-intrigued voters are not in fact the snarling right wingers that the Guardian-readers of London might assume they are.
(Also, on why they'll support reversing the two-child benefit cap.)
labourlist.org/2025/05/two-...
(Also, on why they'll support reversing the two-child benefit cap.)
labourlist.org/2025/05/two-...
Just explaining #Eurovision to my 6 year old daughter: "... and what's more, lots of the songs are funny..."
"Like 'Beans, Beans Are Good For Your Heart'?"
"Like 'Beans, Beans Are Good For Your Heart'?"
May 17, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Just explaining #Eurovision to my 6 year old daughter: "... and what's more, lots of the songs are funny..."
"Like 'Beans, Beans Are Good For Your Heart'?"
"Like 'Beans, Beans Are Good For Your Heart'?"
Voters know we need sane fiscal policies - but 2025 isn't 2010 and they don't want a repeat of Osborne endlessly banging on about "failing to fix the roof while the sun was shining". They'd like to imagine that ministers do actually want to spend some cash...
labourlist.org/2025/05/revi...
labourlist.org/2025/05/revi...
'Labour is right to revisit winter fuel. But it needs a wider reset of messaging' - LabourList
Ed Dorrell argues
labourlist.org
May 6, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Voters know we need sane fiscal policies - but 2025 isn't 2010 and they don't want a repeat of Osborne endlessly banging on about "failing to fix the roof while the sun was shining". They'd like to imagine that ministers do actually want to spend some cash...
labourlist.org/2025/05/revi...
labourlist.org/2025/05/revi...
So so so... maybe the long shadow of covid is genuinely in retreat.
Could youth mental health be improving?
New polling by Public First suggests so.
Could youth mental health be improving?
New polling by Public First suggests so.
Over the last year, Public First have been working with the Coalition for Youth Mental Health in Schools to develop an updated picture of how children's mental health and wellbeing has changed since the pandemic.
Today, our report is published in full. www.publicfirst.co.uk/green-roots-...
Today, our report is published in full. www.publicfirst.co.uk/green-roots-...
www.publicfirst.co.uk
April 23, 2025 at 7:07 AM
So so so... maybe the long shadow of covid is genuinely in retreat.
Could youth mental health be improving?
New polling by Public First suggests so.
Could youth mental health be improving?
New polling by Public First suggests so.
"From national security to job security to border security to home security to financial security, voters are deeply concerned about a scary world."
My latest piece for LabourList:
labourlist.org/2025/04/labo...
My latest piece for LabourList:
labourlist.org/2025/04/labo...
'Keir Starmer has finally found the right narrative - security is everything' - LabourList
Ed Dorrell argues Labour has now established a frame and a narrative that gives it a fighting chance - security is everything.
labourlist.org
April 8, 2025 at 11:45 AM
"From national security to job security to border security to home security to financial security, voters are deeply concerned about a scary world."
My latest piece for LabourList:
labourlist.org/2025/04/labo...
My latest piece for LabourList:
labourlist.org/2025/04/labo...
Reposted by Ed Dorrell
Comrade Honecker had an exceptional day’s hunting.
April 5, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Comrade Honecker had an exceptional day’s hunting.
Chilled monkey brains
March 30, 2025 at 8:52 PM
Chilled monkey brains
One of my favourite quotes about journalism is, "If a newspaper headline is a question, then the answer is always 'no'. Unless the headline is in the Guardian/Observer, in which case the answer will be 'who cares?'" This is the greatest example I've seen for some time.
March 30, 2025 at 4:40 PM
One of my favourite quotes about journalism is, "If a newspaper headline is a question, then the answer is always 'no'. Unless the headline is in the Guardian/Observer, in which case the answer will be 'who cares?'" This is the greatest example I've seen for some time.
Just published the results of polling we've been doing with teachers and parents on the impact of mobile phones in the classroom.
Many stark stats stand out, but here's one: 66% of teachers deal with phone-related interruptions at least 5 times per week. Shocker.
www.thetimes.com/life-style/p...
Many stark stats stand out, but here's one: 66% of teachers deal with phone-related interruptions at least 5 times per week. Shocker.
www.thetimes.com/life-style/p...
Parents want phone ban in schools to improve classroom behaviour
Most teachers face disruption from phones at least five times a week, new research shows
www.thetimes.com
February 28, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Just published the results of polling we've been doing with teachers and parents on the impact of mobile phones in the classroom.
Many stark stats stand out, but here's one: 66% of teachers deal with phone-related interruptions at least 5 times per week. Shocker.
www.thetimes.com/life-style/p...
Many stark stats stand out, but here's one: 66% of teachers deal with phone-related interruptions at least 5 times per week. Shocker.
www.thetimes.com/life-style/p...
"It might leave a bad taste for many supporters, but it was probably the best day of popular politics the Keir Starmer administration has mustered up since July 2024."
My take in @labourlist.bsky.social on the politics of the aid/defence switch.
labourlist.org/2025/02/aid-...
My take in @labourlist.bsky.social on the politics of the aid/defence switch.
labourlist.org/2025/02/aid-...
‘Love it or loathe it, aid cuts and defence cash play well on the doorstep’ - LabourList
Honestly, I wish it weren’t so, but it is. Keir Starmer’s rabbit out of the hat on defence…
labourlist.org
February 28, 2025 at 10:29 AM
"It might leave a bad taste for many supporters, but it was probably the best day of popular politics the Keir Starmer administration has mustered up since July 2024."
My take in @labourlist.bsky.social on the politics of the aid/defence switch.
labourlist.org/2025/02/aid-...
My take in @labourlist.bsky.social on the politics of the aid/defence switch.
labourlist.org/2025/02/aid-...
The only thing I'd like to do for a job more than the thing I do now, or the thing I used to do (journalism), is be a historian.
Unfortunately, having the attention span of a pineapple would, I fear, be career-limiting.
Unfortunately, having the attention span of a pineapple would, I fear, be career-limiting.
February 19, 2025 at 11:12 PM
The only thing I'd like to do for a job more than the thing I do now, or the thing I used to do (journalism), is be a historian.
Unfortunately, having the attention span of a pineapple would, I fear, be career-limiting.
Unfortunately, having the attention span of a pineapple would, I fear, be career-limiting.
I wonder how all those passionate Ukraine-backing Conservative politicians who also signalled their support for Trump are feeling now.
Trump is selling Zalensky down the river - and in its wake is the last tiny reason anyone might have found to defend Boris Johnson.
Trump is selling Zalensky down the river - and in its wake is the last tiny reason anyone might have found to defend Boris Johnson.
February 19, 2025 at 10:52 PM
I wonder how all those passionate Ukraine-backing Conservative politicians who also signalled their support for Trump are feeling now.
Trump is selling Zalensky down the river - and in its wake is the last tiny reason anyone might have found to defend Boris Johnson.
Trump is selling Zalensky down the river - and in its wake is the last tiny reason anyone might have found to defend Boris Johnson.
Preaching perfect behaviour to your kids, and then behaving like this in a meeting is not exactly modelling what you hope your students to become...
x.com/Ed_Dorrell/s...
x.com/Ed_Dorrell/s...
x.com
x.com
February 12, 2025 at 11:14 PM
Preaching perfect behaviour to your kids, and then behaving like this in a meeting is not exactly modelling what you hope your students to become...
x.com/Ed_Dorrell/s...
x.com/Ed_Dorrell/s...
Reposted by Ed Dorrell
Public First’s landmark study on conspiracies and disinformation in classrooms and among young people (led by @eddorrell.bsky.social and @sallyburtonshaw.bsky.social) publishes today after a year’s work. Rather timely really.
Young people more likely to trust social media influencers than government, landmark study finds
Conspiracy theories are rife in classrooms and children (and parents) see no harm in spreading them
Exclusive in @thetimes.com
www.thetimes.com/uk/education...
Conspiracy theories are rife in classrooms and children (and parents) see no harm in spreading them
Exclusive in @thetimes.com
www.thetimes.com/uk/education...
Pupils share conspiracy theories for fun, with girls ‘more susceptible’
Teachers have told a landmark survey that they feel powerless to combat the spread of misinformation, even when children know it’s untrue
www.thetimes.com
February 10, 2025 at 8:27 AM
Public First’s landmark study on conspiracies and disinformation in classrooms and among young people (led by @eddorrell.bsky.social and @sallyburtonshaw.bsky.social) publishes today after a year’s work. Rather timely really.
Binning USAID would be morally bankrupt in itself. Doing it without any tapering seems to me to be a) a huge opportunity for China to fill the void and b) evil
February 7, 2025 at 10:21 PM
Binning USAID would be morally bankrupt in itself. Doing it without any tapering seems to me to be a) a huge opportunity for China to fill the void and b) evil
Not everyone will agree.
There were always going to be critics when the report card was published.
FWIW, I think today's proposals will give parents a much more nuanced picture of schools.
And insodoing reduce pressure on school staff - if only as a second-order consequence.
There were always going to be critics when the report card was published.
FWIW, I think today's proposals will give parents a much more nuanced picture of schools.
And insodoing reduce pressure on school staff - if only as a second-order consequence.
February 3, 2025 at 8:26 AM
Not everyone will agree.
There were always going to be critics when the report card was published.
FWIW, I think today's proposals will give parents a much more nuanced picture of schools.
And insodoing reduce pressure on school staff - if only as a second-order consequence.
There were always going to be critics when the report card was published.
FWIW, I think today's proposals will give parents a much more nuanced picture of schools.
And insodoing reduce pressure on school staff - if only as a second-order consequence.
Reposted by Ed Dorrell
- Elon Musk has $420 billion
- over a billion people live on less than $1 per day
- over a billion people live on less than $1 per day
February 2, 2025 at 8:40 PM
- Elon Musk has $420 billion
- over a billion people live on less than $1 per day
- over a billion people live on less than $1 per day