Robin Potter
@robinpotter.bsky.social
Academy Associate, UK in the World Programme @chathamhouse.org researching societal resilience to state threats. Former Labour staffer and civil servant.
Substack: https://open.substack.com/pub/robinjpotter
Substack: https://open.substack.com/pub/robinjpotter
Pinned
Labour may not be interested in culture war, but culture war is interested in Labour
Welcome!
open.substack.com
Have started a Substack.
Will mainly be concerned with security and foreign affairs with digressions into UK politics. To kick off, an account of Labour’s challenges on asylum, immigration, and its own leadership.
First time having a go at writing outside my niche, so all feedback very welcome!
Will mainly be concerned with security and foreign affairs with digressions into UK politics. To kick off, an account of Labour’s challenges on asylum, immigration, and its own leadership.
First time having a go at writing outside my niche, so all feedback very welcome!
Have started a Substack.
Will mainly be concerned with security and foreign affairs with digressions into UK politics. To kick off, an account of Labour’s challenges on asylum, immigration, and its own leadership.
First time having a go at writing outside my niche, so all feedback very welcome!
Will mainly be concerned with security and foreign affairs with digressions into UK politics. To kick off, an account of Labour’s challenges on asylum, immigration, and its own leadership.
First time having a go at writing outside my niche, so all feedback very welcome!
Labour may not be interested in culture war, but culture war is interested in Labour
Welcome!
open.substack.com
November 23, 2025 at 8:54 PM
Have started a Substack.
Will mainly be concerned with security and foreign affairs with digressions into UK politics. To kick off, an account of Labour’s challenges on asylum, immigration, and its own leadership.
First time having a go at writing outside my niche, so all feedback very welcome!
Will mainly be concerned with security and foreign affairs with digressions into UK politics. To kick off, an account of Labour’s challenges on asylum, immigration, and its own leadership.
First time having a go at writing outside my niche, so all feedback very welcome!
As myself and 100s of other officials were working overtime on the response in Feb 2020, Johnson was pottering around Sevenoaks doing his shopping while parts of Italy locked down
Bereaved families suggest misconduct in public office - is that hyperbole or a real potential risk?
Bereaved families suggest misconduct in public office - is that hyperbole or a real potential risk?
Boris Johnson took four days off as NHS warned Covid could ‘overwhelm’ system
Files show then PM was walking dog, riding motorbike and hosting guests as pandemic planning stalled in ‘lost month’
www.theguardian.com
November 23, 2025 at 11:13 AM
As myself and 100s of other officials were working overtime on the response in Feb 2020, Johnson was pottering around Sevenoaks doing his shopping while parts of Italy locked down
Bereaved families suggest misconduct in public office - is that hyperbole or a real potential risk?
Bereaved families suggest misconduct in public office - is that hyperbole or a real potential risk?
If individual politicians want to keep using it that’s one thing
However is it appropriate for smorgasbord of public authorities - every arm of national and local govt + agencies (including 100s of police accounts!) - to remain given the proliferation of illegal hate speech and racism?
However is it appropriate for smorgasbord of public authorities - every arm of national and local govt + agencies (including 100s of police accounts!) - to remain given the proliferation of illegal hate speech and racism?
Growing backbench pressure about how government uses X
I hope this pressure can link up with pressure to recognise strength of prima facie evidence thst X is in breach of legal duties (in systemic failure of its complaints system to be compliant with UK law)
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
I hope this pressure can link up with pressure to recognise strength of prima facie evidence thst X is in breach of legal duties (in systemic failure of its complaints system to be compliant with UK law)
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Labour MPs Call For A More Serious Review Of The Government's Use Of X
Labour MPs are calling for ministers to take control of decisions over the government’s continued use of X, as concerns grow about the platform’s s...
www.politicshome.com
November 20, 2025 at 5:16 PM
If individual politicians want to keep using it that’s one thing
However is it appropriate for smorgasbord of public authorities - every arm of national and local govt + agencies (including 100s of police accounts!) - to remain given the proliferation of illegal hate speech and racism?
However is it appropriate for smorgasbord of public authorities - every arm of national and local govt + agencies (including 100s of police accounts!) - to remain given the proliferation of illegal hate speech and racism?
Germany on course to hit 3% of GDP on defence by 2029 - placing orders now
Meanwhile in the UK we still have no clarity on spending plans to 2.6% in 2028, orders to industry on hold, plus £17bn hole remains from 2023 equipment plan
And questions on plans to fulfil obligations under NATO article 3…
Meanwhile in the UK we still have no clarity on spending plans to 2.6% in 2028, orders to industry on hold, plus £17bn hole remains from 2023 equipment plan
And questions on plans to fulfil obligations under NATO article 3…
November 20, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Germany on course to hit 3% of GDP on defence by 2029 - placing orders now
Meanwhile in the UK we still have no clarity on spending plans to 2.6% in 2028, orders to industry on hold, plus £17bn hole remains from 2023 equipment plan
And questions on plans to fulfil obligations under NATO article 3…
Meanwhile in the UK we still have no clarity on spending plans to 2.6% in 2028, orders to industry on hold, plus £17bn hole remains from 2023 equipment plan
And questions on plans to fulfil obligations under NATO article 3…
Reposted by Robin Potter
EU foreign ministers will be briefed tomorrow about a spate of sabotage attempts and airspace incursions that Russia’s neighbors say marks a “very dangerous phase of escalation” by the Kremlin, and one that endangers civilians.
EU ‘minutes from big casualties’ in Russian hybrid war, Lithuanian minister warns
An act of railway sabotage in Poland is just the latest sign the bloc needs to respond to Moscow’s tactics, Lithuania’s foreign minister told POLITICO.
www.politico.eu
November 19, 2025 at 6:39 PM
EU foreign ministers will be briefed tomorrow about a spate of sabotage attempts and airspace incursions that Russia’s neighbors say marks a “very dangerous phase of escalation” by the Kremlin, and one that endangers civilians.
One of Labour’s most egregious shortcomings for government has been the absence of a plan for adult social care
At some point, for the love of God, will someone ANYONE at long last take the council funding crisis seriously?!?
Because THIS is what will break down a society, not some poor soul escaping incredible dangers, arriving on our shores.
Because THIS is what will break down a society, not some poor soul escaping incredible dangers, arriving on our shores.
English councils plan to sell off social clubs and sports centres to balance books
November 15, 2025 at 9:16 PM
One of Labour’s most egregious shortcomings for government has been the absence of a plan for adult social care
Nuts policy
A levy on foreign students is one of the closest things you're going to see to tariffs on services - except the UK will be putting it on its own exports...
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Levy on international students’ tuition fees not in best interest of UK, says leader of top university
Duncan Ivison, president of Manchester University, says government’s 6% surcharge plan will ‘hurt the sector’
www.theguardian.com
November 15, 2025 at 12:31 PM
Nuts policy
Reposted by Robin Potter
The reaction to the Panorama edit has been nothing short of hysterical. Yes the BBC has some impartiality problems. But its biggest isn't the one you think.
New piece from me.
open.substack.com/pub/goodalla...
New piece from me.
open.substack.com/pub/goodalla...
The truth about impartiality at the BBC
And the hysteria of the current "crisis"
open.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 7:22 PM
The reaction to the Panorama edit has been nothing short of hysterical. Yes the BBC has some impartiality problems. But its biggest isn't the one you think.
New piece from me.
open.substack.com/pub/goodalla...
New piece from me.
open.substack.com/pub/goodalla...
Reposted by Robin Potter
November 10, 2025 at 7:53 AM
Reposted by Robin Potter
Has been very clear for a very long time the tax pledges would not hold - e.g. further defence spend beyond 2.7% in 2028 is unfunded
But also - incredible Reeves did not learn her lesson and keep more room for manoeuvre on tax at the last Budget - instead committing to not come back for more..!
But also - incredible Reeves did not learn her lesson and keep more room for manoeuvre on tax at the last Budget - instead committing to not come back for more..!
November 4, 2025 at 1:36 PM
Has been very clear for a very long time the tax pledges would not hold - e.g. further defence spend beyond 2.7% in 2028 is unfunded
But also - incredible Reeves did not learn her lesson and keep more room for manoeuvre on tax at the last Budget - instead committing to not come back for more..!
But also - incredible Reeves did not learn her lesson and keep more room for manoeuvre on tax at the last Budget - instead committing to not come back for more..!
Reposted by Robin Potter
X is a cesspit led by an unhinged billionaire who is desperately trying to stir up civil war in Britain.
Nobody with any sense or decency should be there.
No organisations, government departments, or politicians should be there.
Everyone who is, is enabling this monster.
Nobody with any sense or decency should be there.
No organisations, government departments, or politicians should be there.
Everyone who is, is enabling this monster.
October 29, 2025 at 8:22 AM
X is a cesspit led by an unhinged billionaire who is desperately trying to stir up civil war in Britain.
Nobody with any sense or decency should be there.
No organisations, government departments, or politicians should be there.
Everyone who is, is enabling this monster.
Nobody with any sense or decency should be there.
No organisations, government departments, or politicians should be there.
Everyone who is, is enabling this monster.
Interesting comments from @donald-tusk.bsky.social in the Sunday Times
UK’s “sweet illusion” that it would be spared in NATO-Russia war must end
Criticises perception of NATO’s eastern flank as a second order concern, compares to UK and France treatment of Poland and Czechoslovakia in the 1930s
UK’s “sweet illusion” that it would be spared in NATO-Russia war must end
Criticises perception of NATO’s eastern flank as a second order concern, compares to UK and France treatment of Poland and Czechoslovakia in the 1930s
Donald Tusk: Ukraine is ready to fight on for three more years
The Polish PM feels ‘bitter satisfaction’ that his years of warnings about Russia and the ‘extremely ordinary’ Putin have been vindicated
www.thetimes.com
October 26, 2025 at 8:29 AM
Interesting comments from @donald-tusk.bsky.social in the Sunday Times
UK’s “sweet illusion” that it would be spared in NATO-Russia war must end
Criticises perception of NATO’s eastern flank as a second order concern, compares to UK and France treatment of Poland and Czechoslovakia in the 1930s
UK’s “sweet illusion” that it would be spared in NATO-Russia war must end
Criticises perception of NATO’s eastern flank as a second order concern, compares to UK and France treatment of Poland and Czechoslovakia in the 1930s
I think we may be disappointed
October 22, 2025 at 8:09 AM
I think we may be disappointed
Reposted by Robin Potter
How does this timid quote tally with what Keir Starmer said in his speech - and in his interviews - just a fortnight ago?
October 21, 2025 at 10:11 AM
How does this timid quote tally with what Keir Starmer said in his speech - and in his interviews - just a fortnight ago?
Absolutely legit to argue for changing the electoral system to something more proportional (and compulsory, perhaps young people might find politicians better serve them if they actually voted) - but this is an awful take!
"Over the last year, Badenoch has asked c.200 questions, Davey around 70, Green MPs 9, and Farage just 6. If those questions had been distributed according to their share of the opinion polls, rather than the number of MPs, Farage would have asked 120 , and the others between 40 and 60 each."
PMQs should give more space to Nigel Farage
In a recent survey of young people by Onward, six out of 10 felt that “too many people are ignored” by democracy or, worse still, that “democracy i...
www.politicshome.com
October 15, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Absolutely legit to argue for changing the electoral system to something more proportional (and compulsory, perhaps young people might find politicians better serve them if they actually voted) - but this is an awful take!
Reposted by Robin Potter
This is the result of Farage and Jenrick’s far-right, divisive rhetoric. Hard working, responsible people feeling afraid for their future.
Disgraceful.
Disgraceful.
Doncaster chippy owner 'scared for his children' after vandalism - BBC News
Poseidon's Fish Bar had the word "England" painted on its front, says Iraqi-born owner Darin Ahmed.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 8, 2025 at 7:22 AM
This is the result of Farage and Jenrick’s far-right, divisive rhetoric. Hard working, responsible people feeling afraid for their future.
Disgraceful.
Disgraceful.
Reposted by Robin Potter
The US takeover of TikTok may allay fears of Chinese influence. But it sends a worrying signal to allies who are increasingly dependent on US technology.
The TikTok transfer raises worrying questions for allies like the UK
The US takeover may allay fears of Chinese influence. But it sends a worrying signal to allies who are increasingly dependent on US technology.
www.chathamhouse.org
October 6, 2025 at 8:00 PM
The US takeover of TikTok may allay fears of Chinese influence. But it sends a worrying signal to allies who are increasingly dependent on US technology.
Reposted by Robin Potter
The government want more coercive powers for the state against protests, and the main opposition party wants more coercive powers for the state against migrants.
Our political-media culture continues in a loop where the response to every perceived problem is yet more coercive powers for the state.
Our political-media culture continues in a loop where the response to every perceived problem is yet more coercive powers for the state.
October 5, 2025 at 7:31 AM
The government want more coercive powers for the state against protests, and the main opposition party wants more coercive powers for the state against migrants.
Our political-media culture continues in a loop where the response to every perceived problem is yet more coercive powers for the state.
Our political-media culture continues in a loop where the response to every perceived problem is yet more coercive powers for the state.
Reposted by Robin Potter
A key driver of this is elites inhabiting online spaces that increasingly exaggerate and promote ideological extremes. The average British voter is not a culture warrior.
"Polarisation may be an unhelpful term .... It implies that both sides are becoming equally extreme. Arguably the real dynamic is that elements of the right have hardened, embracing positions that would have been unacceptable a decade ago" on.ft.com/46TGRHs by @henrymance.ft.com 1/
How polarised is Britain?
Behind media perceptions of a sharpening political divide is a more complicated picture
on.ft.com
October 5, 2025 at 10:41 AM
A key driver of this is elites inhabiting online spaces that increasingly exaggerate and promote ideological extremes. The average British voter is not a culture warrior.
Reposted by Robin Potter
In Poland authorities have captured a Russian intelligence operative carrying explosive-filled cans, drone components, and SIM cards. In Lithuania, explosives were discovered in a cemetery.
All part of a big Russian plot to commit terrorist attacks across Europe.
All part of a big Russian plot to commit terrorist attacks across Europe.
Rosyjski wywiad ukrył materiały wybuchowe na cmentarzu. Podejrzane puszki wjechały do Polski
Kurier rosyjskiego wywiadu wojskowego GRU odbierał polecenia: kup łopatę, jedź na cmentarz, wykop puszki, zostaw niedaleko Łodzi. Puszki idealnie pasują do uchwytów mocowanych do dronów.
warszawa.wyborcza.pl
October 2, 2025 at 9:54 AM
In Poland authorities have captured a Russian intelligence operative carrying explosive-filled cans, drone components, and SIM cards. In Lithuania, explosives were discovered in a cemetery.
All part of a big Russian plot to commit terrorist attacks across Europe.
All part of a big Russian plot to commit terrorist attacks across Europe.
In wake of US H-1B visa debacle - and appreciating UK gov says it will double global talent visas - is this really best way to hold onto that talent?
Mahmood says she will introduce new conditions for indefinite leave to remain:
Lived here 10 years not 5
Being in work
Not taking a penny in benefits
No criminal record
Giving back to community eg volunteering
Lived here 10 years not 5
Being in work
Not taking a penny in benefits
No criminal record
Giving back to community eg volunteering
September 29, 2025 at 7:18 PM
In wake of US H-1B visa debacle - and appreciating UK gov says it will double global talent visas - is this really best way to hold onto that talent?
If it is the existential fight the PM says, and one he is engaged in - would be good to hear more about why he disagrees with Reform?
Usually he either accepts their main grievance is correct, or if they overstep a mark he gives a flat footed response days later?
Perhaps I’m missing something
Usually he either accepts their main grievance is correct, or if they overstep a mark he gives a flat footed response days later?
Perhaps I’m missing something
“History will not forgive us if we do not use every ounce of our energy to fight Reform. There is an enemy. It actually goes against the grain of our history. It’s right there in plain sight in front of us. We have to win this battle.”
Our PM interview tonight 👇
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Our PM interview tonight 👇
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Keir Starmer to warn Labour that battle with Reform is ‘fight for soul of the nation’
Exclusive: PM says history will not forgive his government if it fails to confront and defeat the populist right
www.theguardian.com
September 27, 2025 at 7:34 AM
If it is the existential fight the PM says, and one he is engaged in - would be good to hear more about why he disagrees with Reform?
Usually he either accepts their main grievance is correct, or if they overstep a mark he gives a flat footed response days later?
Perhaps I’m missing something
Usually he either accepts their main grievance is correct, or if they overstep a mark he gives a flat footed response days later?
Perhaps I’m missing something
Part of the problem of N10's 'strategy' to counter Reform is the unwillingness to argue for shared moral/political norms
The extreme right will keep pushing envelope - and are doing so alarmingly quickly (mass deportations now?) due to lack of push back from what should be the bully pulpit of gov
The extreme right will keep pushing envelope - and are doing so alarmingly quickly (mass deportations now?) due to lack of push back from what should be the bully pulpit of gov
Labour calls the plan "half-baked" because Reform have got their figures wrong and it wouldn't even apply to everyone from the EU
September 22, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Part of the problem of N10's 'strategy' to counter Reform is the unwillingness to argue for shared moral/political norms
The extreme right will keep pushing envelope - and are doing so alarmingly quickly (mass deportations now?) due to lack of push back from what should be the bully pulpit of gov
The extreme right will keep pushing envelope - and are doing so alarmingly quickly (mass deportations now?) due to lack of push back from what should be the bully pulpit of gov
Reposted by Robin Potter
The Malicious Communications Act 1988 is a great reminder that the UK could pass silly, illiberal and overbroad laws long before the internet was a mainstream preoccupation, too.
September 17, 2025 at 7:36 AM
The Malicious Communications Act 1988 is a great reminder that the UK could pass silly, illiberal and overbroad laws long before the internet was a mainstream preoccupation, too.