Tim Bale

@timbale.bsky.social

29K followers 1.1K following 3.9K posts

Professor of Politics at Queen Mary University of London & author of The Conservative Party after Brexit: Turmoil and Transformation (now out in paperback). The bits and pieces I do for websites and newspapers turn up eventually at https://proftimbale.com .. more

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Timothy Paul Bale is an English political scientist who is professor of politics at Queen Mary, University of London.

Source: Wikipedia

Political science 83%

Sociology 6%

Posts Replies Media Videos

Reposted by Patrick Dunleavy, Steve Peers, Tim Bale , and 4 more Patrick Dunleavy, Steve Peers, Tim Bale, Hugh Pemberton, Gillian Douglas, Philip Cowley, Paul Nightingale

Owen Winter @owenwntr.bsky.social · 2h

The untold story that is told constantly and isn’t really true

Tim Bale @timbale.bsky.social · 4h

This—by @iandunt.bsky.social—is the best thing I’ve read on the implications of this week’s shitshow for UK government, diplomacy and democracy

Starmer's moment of reckoning

Where is the competent boring government we were promised?

iandunt.substack.com

Tim Bale @timbale.bsky.social · 5h

"It’s the pussy-grabbers’ world – we just live in it. The only difference is you can now see it laid out in black and white." #IfYouReadOneThingToday

So the Epstein scandal is about politics? Silly me for thinking it’s about the mass abuse of women and girls | Marina Hyde

Obsessing over individual players and political chaos leaves less time to focus on the misogyny. And that’s for the best, isn’t it guys, says Guardian columnist Marina Hyde

www.theguardian.com

Reposted by Tim Bale

Will Of The People @creamywillbrie.bsky.social · 5h

Democracy sausage - Wikipedia share.google/V1YBmZIaQ7gI...

Democracy sausage - Wikipedia

share.google

Reposted by Tim Bale

Dr Mark | 北马克 |🍉🇦🇺🇲🇾🇹🇭 @ajaanmark.bsky.social · 6h

I hope everyone in the UK is aware of Democracy Sausage itself, the cherished and delicious symbol of our Australian democracy!

Democracy sausage - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democra...

en.wikipedia.org

Tim Bale @timbale.bsky.social · 6h

I'd actually never heard of that pod. So cheers, Jack. This ep, I presume?

Conservative crisis

Podcast Episode · Democracy Sausage with Mark Kenny · 22/01/2026 · 48m

podcasts.apple.com

Tim Bale @timbale.bsky.social · 6h

"Spotting a bad actor who fails to master the art of secret communication is relatively easy. It is extraordinary that so many of Epstein’s interlocutors were happy to use email. But for all we know there are other bad actors whose conversations will never be traced."
👏 @nickmacpherson.bsky.social

Counting the cost of money in politics

Revelations of Mandelson’s cabinet leaks spotlight the symbiotic relationship between government and bankers

www.ft.com

Tim Bale @timbale.bsky.social · 7h

Worth a read - parallels with the UK are fascinating.

Will Prescott: Why Australia’s centre-right is having an identity crisis | Conservative Home

With the Australian centre-right parties now divided and losing ground and under siege from both their left and right, the only winner is Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s Labor Party.

conservativehome.com

Reposted by Jonathan Portes, Tim Bale, Pauline Stafford

Anthony Painter @anthonypainter.bsky.social · 7h

It is terribly sad that the former PM feels the need to say this in the face of low life blowhards.

We cannot allow this to even be a question.

www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

‘I’m British, English and British Asian’, says Rishi Sunak in riposte to racially charged debate over identity

Podcaster claimed former prime minister not English because he is ‘brown-skinned Hindu’

www.theguardian.com

Reposted by Tim Bale, Philip Cowley, Peter Allen

Matthew Barnfield @mbarnfield.bsky.social · 23h

My thoughts on what is (and isn't) at risk for Reform in becoming "Tory Party 2.0", given recent polling, the dynamics of bloc politics, and the party's popularity with 2024 non-voters: theconversation.com/reform-has-b...

Reform has been warned that defecting Tories will damage its brand – and the first evidence is in

Conservative voters have become more positive about Reform since the defections – but some Reform voters have been turned off.

theconversation.com

Reposted by Steve Peers, Tim Bale

TVP World @tvpworld.bsky.social · 1d

Donald Trump has endorsed Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán ahead of upcoming April elections.

Tim Bale @timbale.bsky.social · 1d

From Barnet to Barnett Formula? #niche

Reform's new leader in Wales was until recently a Barnet councillor.

Reposted by Jonathan Portes, Steve Peers, Tim Bale

Jacob Öberg @profjacob.bsky.social · 1d

🚨🚨" Some leaders have chosen to hunt them down and deport them through operations that are both unlawful and cruel. My government has chosen a different way: a fast and simple path to regularize their immigration status." Spanish PM Pedro #Sanchez on why #migrants are essential for Western society:

Reposted by Tim Bale

Lucy Fisher @lucyfisher.ft.com · 1d

EXC: US State dept is set to fund Maga-aligned think-tanks and charities in UK/ Europe to amplify Washington’s policy stances and challenge perceived threats to free speech

W/ @annasophiegross.bsky.social, @oilsheppard.bsky.social & Amy McKinnon

as.ft.com/r/98452b33-5...

US government to fund Maga-aligned think-tanks and charities in Europe

[FREE TO READ] State department grants to spread ‘American values’ are part of Washington’s 250th anniversary celebrations

as.ft.com

Reposted by Tim Bale, Leigh Sparks, Edgar Morgenroth , and 2 more Tim Bale, Leigh Sparks, Edgar Morgenroth, Joni Lovenduski, Margot C. Finn

David Higham @oldtrotter.bsky.social · 1d

US government to fund Maga-aligned think-tanks and charities in Europe - www.ft.com/content/f869... via @FT

US government to fund Maga-aligned think-tanks and charities in Europe

State department grants to spread ‘American values’ are part of Washington’s 250th anniversary celebrations

www.ft.com

Tim Bale @timbale.bsky.social · 1d

Useful.

What exactly is misconduct in public office and could Peter Mandelson be convicted?

Documents relating to Peter Mandelson’s time in government have been passed on to police.

theconversation.com

Reposted by Tim Bale

Will Jennings📉🗳️ @drjennings.bsky.social · 1d

Even when there is no political scandal, voters often (overall) think the PM/ministers should resign. The numbers here for Labour supporters are decidedly lukewarm, though,

YouGov @yougov.co.uk · 1d

By 50% to 24%, Britons say Keir Starmer should step down as prime minister

2024 Labour voters are split, with 37% wanting him to stand down and 40% wanting him to stay

yougov.co.uk/topics/polit...

Tim Bale @timbale.bsky.social · 1d

I *think* I know what Playbook PM meant with 'Nigel Farage named the new Reform leader in Wales' but.... #OneManBand

Tim Bale @timbale.bsky.social · 1d

There's a one year (Teaching and Scholarship) job in Public Policy going at @qmulsse.bsky.social if you know any postdocs who might be interested. Deets here: qmul-jobs.tal.net/vx/mobile-0/...

Lecturer in Public Policy (Teaching & Scholarship) - QMUL Jobs

ID: 8933. Title: Lecturer in Public Policy (Teaching & Scholarship). Application Deadline:

qmul-jobs.tal.net

Reposted by Ben H. Ansell, Tim Bale

Nick Clarke @nickclarkegeo.bsky.social · 1d

I was on BBCR4’s Rethink today talking with @benansell.bsky.social about

political authenticity

Research links to follow. With co-authors @viktorv.bsky.social, @drjennings.bsky.social, @jmoss88.bsky.social, @danjdevine.bsky.social, @lawrencemckay.bsky.social

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...

BBC Sounds - Rethink, Rethink... authenticity

Is authenticity in the modern age in the eye of the beholder?

www.bbc.co.uk

Reposted by Joe R. Feagin, Steve Peers, Tim Bale , and 10 more Joe R. Feagin, Steve Peers, Tim Bale, Jonathan Wolff, Mark D. White, Eric Goldman, Alan Richardson, Jacob T. Levy, Samantha Brennan, Michael D. McDonald, Ben Rosamond, Philipp Sarasin, Simon Lester

Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 2d

Trump at National Prayer Breakfast: "They rigged the second election. I had to win it. I needed it for my own ego. I would've had a bad ego for the rest of my life. Now I really have a big ego. Beating these lunatics was incredible ... The first time they said I didn't win the popular vote. I did"

Reposted by Tim Bale

Ben Cooper @bencooper1995.bsky.social · 2d

Voters want more homes and more accessible green spaces.

Building on golf courses is a way to deliver both.

The government should make this argument - and they can win it.

Read my column for @labourlist.bsky.social

labourlist.org/2026/02/stop...

Ben Cooper column: 'Stop protecting golf courses, start building homes' - LabourList

Golf courses serve one per cent of the population but take up vast amounts of land. In a housing crisis, Labour should be bold and build homes instead.

labourlist.org

Reposted by Tim Bale

Robert Saunders @robertsaunders.bsky.social · 2d

This podcast feels relevant again today.

We spent quite a lot of time on the problems with the "pipeline", and why we keep producing leaders who struggle to do the job.

Listen here: buff.ly/bhvHQf6

Tim Bale @timbale.bsky.social · 2d

If any other subscribers, like me, didn't get @stephenkb.bsky.social's excellent newsletter in their inbox as per today, it's here. Spot-on on Starmer - and Marty Supreme!

Every doomed prime minister has a moment — this is Starmer’s

This end phase of his leadership requires a crisis or resignation to tip things over the edge

www.ft.com

Tim Bale @timbale.bsky.social · 2d

I guess the question that people who believe the PM should stay on need to ask themselves is whether they'd have said the same had Boris Johnson appointed someone as Ambassador knowing full well they'd stayed mates with a nonce - and, believe me, that's exactly what most voters think Starmer did.

Photo of Starmer and Mandy smiling together

Tim Bale @timbale.bsky.social · 2d

I suspect he'll be gone way before the electorate gets to have its say in 28/9 anyway.

Reposted by Tim Bale

Philip Cowley @philipjcowley.bsky.social · 2d

The Al Carns stuff is nuts. He's not even been an MP for two years. He's not even a Minister of State.

Parliamentary - and ministerial - careers have become accelerated recently, but not *that* accelerated.

Tim Bale @timbale.bsky.social · 2d

This is good.

Jack Kessler @jackkessler.bsky.social · 2d

Theresa May’s impotence. Boris Johnson’s scandals. Liz Truss’s management of opposition day debates. Keir Starmer has crammed a decade of Tory missteps into 18 months.

My newsletter, out now.