Author | Lightnews

Tom Baker @mrtombaker.bsky.social · 1d

Spotted these @greenpeaceuk.bsky.social campaign posters on a recent visit to Birmingham.

Love the bright and bold design. Stood out at a busy junction.

#ArtOfActvisim

Reposted by Tom Baker

Save the Children UK @savechildrenuk.bsky.social · 3d

It's not just us that wants you to scrap the two-child limit to benefits Rachel Reeves, over 40 economists, academics & policy experts back us too.

Removing this cruel policy at the Autumn Budget in full doesn't only make moral sense, it makes economic sense.

Read our open letter: bit.ly/4hBHpqs

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Reposted by Tom Baker

Steve Akehurst @steveakehurst.bsky.social · 3d

Ahead of Budget, where do voters stand on tax and the dilemmas facing government?

Big new @persuasionuk.bsky.social report out today on this.

TL;DR as risky as breaching the manifesto is for Lab - failing on public services, cost of living and child poverty is *far riskier* for Lab.

🧵

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Tom Baker @mrtombaker.bsky.social · 7d

@thetilehurstend.bsky.social we currently have 8 first team players out injured (Pereira, Garcia, Fraser, Kyerewaa, Elliot, Camara, Marriott, perhaps Rushesha) is that just bad luck or a sign of something else when it comes to conditioning/rehab?

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Tom Baker @mrtombaker.bsky.social · 7d

Lucy Powell’s statement during Deputy Leadership election to @labourcid.bsky.social included a commitment to push the government for a timetable for a return to 0.7% ODA.

lcid.org.uk/deputyleader...

Image of a Statement from Lucy Powell taken l from https://lcid.org.uk/deputyleadership-election-2025/

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Tom Baker @mrtombaker.bsky.social · 9d

“Our analysis has found that major government policy announcements fade from public attention after 24 hours, raising questions over how effectively Whitehall communicates beyond Westminster”

Fascinating research from New Britain Project ->> www.newbritain.org.uk/cananybodyhe...

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Tom Baker @mrtombaker.bsky.social · 13d

Good performance against Cardiff. Let’s hope the tactical changes aren’t just a one-off. Tuesday night is an important match. Play again like Saturday and hopefully we get a win.

My question. What does Ben Elliot need to do to get on the pitch.

Look forward to the pod.

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Tom Baker @mrtombaker.bsky.social · 29d

Replace Republican for Radical Right, and NGO/Charities for Democrats - the same is true..

Time for us to change our approach - www.fwiw.news/p/democrats-...

Text which reads:

While Republicans are scripting, recording, and posting, Democrats are stuck in an approvals email chain waiting for a fifth sign-off. By the time our content goes live, the moment has passed. They’ve ripped countless long and short-form videos, shaping the narrative, and we’re playing catch up. And when our content finally goes live, it’s often a recycled TV ad, stump speech, or one-off explainer — content designed for the Obama-era, not the Trump-era algorithm.

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Tom Baker @mrtombaker.bsky.social · Sep 30

Just saying. Been talking about the ‘politics of vibes’ before it was cool…

WhatsApp message from June 2025 saying:

Agreed - I have a whole ‘vibes’ theory of what makes an issue politically salient that I’ve been kicking around in my mind that the individual polling often misses that.

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Tom Baker @mrtombaker.bsky.social · Sep 30

Just one in four Brits think the UK is viewed positively on the world stage, with most wanting their country to play a large role in international affairs

New @moreincommonuk.bsky.social polling for @savechildrenuk.bsky.social out today >

www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...

Britons believe the UK is seen by the rest of the world as ‘weak’ and ‘soft touch’

Just one in four Brits think the UK is viewed positively on the world stage, with most wanting their country to play a large role in international affairs, exclusive poll shows

www.independent.co.uk

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Tom Baker @mrtombaker.bsky.social · Sep 28

Our message to everyone arriving for Labour Party Conference - it’s time to scrap the two child limit.

Image of a billboard in Liverpool which says ‘wasn’t the point of winning to lift kids out of poverty’

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Tom Baker @mrtombaker.bsky.social · Sep 19

and this is excellent on where different Labour 'factions'/'tribes' ended up in the nominations - labourlist.org/2025/09/labo...

Pro-leadership MP groups, ministers and PPS' back Phillipson, analysis reveals - LabourList

Bridget Phillipson's bid to become the next deputy leader of the Labour Party has received support from the majority of ministers and parliamentary private secretaries – and many MPs in pro-leadership...

labourlist.org

Tom Baker @mrtombaker.bsky.social · Sep 9

Super useful spreadsheet for UK political nerds like me..

docs.google.com/spreadsheets...

Labour Deputy Leadership MP Nominations

docs.google.com

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Tom Baker @mrtombaker.bsky.social · Aug 22

"But most voters are getting on with their lives, trying to look after their families and do their day job. They're not getting obsessed with what we're getting obsessed with"

Useful reminder from @chriscurtis94.bsky.social in latest Policy Unstuck > policyunstuck.castfromclay.co.uk/p/i-m-not-go...

Text which reads:

The first thing I learned in polling is that there is a silent majority out there who are often very different from the noisy people that you hear from. Newspaper headlines do not represent the public view. My email inbox does not represent the public’s views. Planning consultations, which mostly hear from people who are opposed to projects, do not represent the views of the public who often appreciate, for example, the importance of building new homes or energy infrastructure.
The second thing I learned is not to sweat the small stuff. Ultimately, there may be an issue here that seems like it's really big, it seems like it's the end of the world, it seems like it's the only thing everyone ever cares about. But most voters are getting on with their lives, trying to look after their families and do their day job. They're not getting obsessed with what we're getting obsessed with.

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Tom Baker @mrtombaker.bsky.social · Aug 8

“The rise of GB News is a stark reminder that the way we tell stories has changed. Traditional, values-led narratives are being edged out by content that is emotionally charged, provocative, and – let’s be honest – sensational”

www.clearlypr.co.uk/insights/gb-...

GB News overtakes BBC and Sky: what this means for PR and brand storytelling

GB News becoming the UK's number one broadcast news channel is one of the most pivotal moments in news history and a wake-up call for brand storytellers.

www.clearlypr.co.uk

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Tom Baker @mrtombaker.bsky.social · Jul 31

Who are Reform UK's 'red' and 'blue' voters?

Good look from @unchecked-uk.bsky.social at what unites Reform UK's coalition of voters — and where the cracks might begin to emerge

unchecked.substack.com/p/who-are-re...

Who are Reform UK's 'red' and 'blue' voters? (Part 2)

In part 2 we explore what unites Reform UK's coalition of voters — and where the cracks begin to emerge

unchecked.substack.com

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Tom Baker @mrtombaker.bsky.social · Jul 25

Some important lessons for NGO comms here as well..

Matthew Sheffield @matthew.flux.community · Jul 16

🧵 Social media permanently changed American political campaigning, but only Republicans have changed with it.

Donald Trump won the 2024 election, not because people liked him, but because his party understands network marketing.

@rynnreed.bsky.social and I discussed. Click thru or continue here...

Republicans treat politics like viral marketing, Democrats don’t

Creator Congress founder Rynn Reed discusses how Republicans intuitively understand para-social relationships and influencer marketing

plus.flux.community

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Tom Baker @mrtombaker.bsky.social · Jul 24

Let's be honest, it's the same for most NGO comms

From www.chaoticera.news/p/opinion-zo...

Text box that reads

For starters, most Democratic campaigns in recent years have struggled to compete in the attention economy. There’s an outdated school of thought in Democratic communications that goes something like this: You start by crafting your poll-tested, focus-grouped message that’s so polished and flawless that it’s utterly boring and unremarkable. Then, you try to shoehorn this perfect message wherever you can — maybe a quote in a paywalled local news article or a wordy tweet that virtually no one reads.

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Tom Baker @mrtombaker.bsky.social · Jul 17

Super helpful tool for getting an insight into the ‘tribes’ within the Labour Party.

LabourList @labourlist.bsky.social · Jul 16

We've launched an interactive Labour Tribes tool. Here's a screenshot of how it looks through one lense (the parliament MPs were elected in - with initial welfare rebels shaded in green):

labourlist.org/2025/07/labo...

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Reposted by Tom Baker

Hub Cymru Africa @hubcymruafrica.wales · Jul 3

One week to go to apply to be the next Head of Hub Cymru Africa!

We’re looking for a thoughtful, experienced leader to take forward this important role at a key moment for us.

📍 Hybrid and flexible

🗓️ Fixed term to March 2027

Apply by 13:00 on Friday, 11th of July 2025.

Hub Cymru Africa @hubcymruafrica.wales · Jun 16

We're recruiting a new Head of Hub Cymru Africa – a thoughtful, strategic leader to take forward our work at a crucial time for the sector.

🗓️ Contract to March 2027
📍 Hybrid and flexible
🔗 Apply by 13:00 BST Friday 11th July

Vacancy | Head of Hub Cymru Africa | Hub Cymru Africa

Hub Cymru Africa is seeking a thoughtful and experienced leader to guide our partnership into its next chapter.

hubcymruafrica.wales

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