Christabel Cooper
@christabelcoops.bsky.social
Director of Research at Labour Together. Interested in politics and data. Interested in how people think about politics and data.
Reposted by Christabel Cooper
This statement not acceptable and I suspect not sustainable. Large majority of public support principle of asylum, support letting people stay permanently. Majority for that among Labour and other progressive parties’ voters is overwhelming. The Reform voters this is aimed at will never vote Labour
"The era of permanent protection is over"
Is this Labour government really saying it was wrong in principle to let these refugees of the last 75 years to stay, settle and become British - and they believe that should NEVER happen again in principle or practice?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiuR...
Is this Labour government really saying it was wrong in principle to let these refugees of the last 75 years to stay, settle and become British - and they believe that should NEVER happen again in principle or practice?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiuR...
Refugees from 7 decades gather to commemorate 70 years of refugee in protection in the UK
YouTube video by Refugee Council
www.youtube.com
November 15, 2025 at 12:49 PM
This statement not acceptable and I suspect not sustainable. Large majority of public support principle of asylum, support letting people stay permanently. Majority for that among Labour and other progressive parties’ voters is overwhelming. The Reform voters this is aimed at will never vote Labour
There is little public understanding about what local authorities spend their money on (ie principally adult social care). Labour Together's polling finds people think it takes up 13% of council spending, in fact it's 39%. And they overestimate admin costs.
www.newstatesman.com/politics/202...
www.newstatesman.com/politics/202...
Council spending and the Jay delusion
Exclusive polling by Labour Together reveals the public have no idea how councils spend money
www.newstatesman.com
November 3, 2025 at 8:48 PM
There is little public understanding about what local authorities spend their money on (ie principally adult social care). Labour Together's polling finds people think it takes up 13% of council spending, in fact it's 39%. And they overestimate admin costs.
www.newstatesman.com/politics/202...
www.newstatesman.com/politics/202...
Further thought on Caerphilly: it's a grim result for Labour because it has been replaced as the progressive party most likely to beat Reform in Wales. But the *scale* of the collapse of Labour's vote is a much bigger problem for Reform, because it shows the level of tactical voting against them.
October 24, 2025 at 12:55 PM
Further thought on Caerphilly: it's a grim result for Labour because it has been replaced as the progressive party most likely to beat Reform in Wales. But the *scale* of the collapse of Labour's vote is a much bigger problem for Reform, because it shows the level of tactical voting against them.
Particularly notable that Reform was beaten in a high turnout election. At May's locals they seem to have benefitted from turning out people who did not vote in 2024 - looks like we're now seeing a similar turnout among more progressive voters, motivated to beat them.
Scale of Plaid win in Caerphilly is significant, not least because of what it says about the potential for progressive tactical voting in (relatively) high turnout elections to block Reform. Voters in this race knew it was a Plaid-Reform contest and voted accordingly.
October 24, 2025 at 7:46 AM
Particularly notable that Reform was beaten in a high turnout election. At May's locals they seem to have benefitted from turning out people who did not vote in 2024 - looks like we're now seeing a similar turnout among more progressive voters, motivated to beat them.
Enjoyed doing this podcast with @davehillonlondon.bsky.social. I made the point that Labour can't afford to lose its support in London. Right now 14% of the seats it won in 2024 are in the capital. But in the latest @yougov.co.uk MRP this rises to over a third of the 144 seats Labour keeps.
New True London podcast with guest @christabelcoops.bsky.social from @labourtogether.bsky.social. I asked her a large question: Is #Labour in big trouble in #London and, if so, does it care? www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFDz.... #truelondon @stephenkb.bsky.social @pickardje.bsky.social
True London: Does Labour care about London? With Christabel Cooper
YouTube video by Dave Hill On London
www.youtube.com
October 21, 2025 at 11:13 AM
Enjoyed doing this podcast with @davehillonlondon.bsky.social. I made the point that Labour can't afford to lose its support in London. Right now 14% of the seats it won in 2024 are in the capital. But in the latest @yougov.co.uk MRP this rises to over a third of the 144 seats Labour keeps.
I accept that even the Tories can't out-Reform Reform on immigration, but is it a totally crazy pitch for them to say to Con/Ref considerers "sure, we aren't as hard line on immigration as Reform, but we are pretty tough, and importantly we are not completely batshit on the the economy."
October 5, 2025 at 7:40 PM
I accept that even the Tories can't out-Reform Reform on immigration, but is it a totally crazy pitch for them to say to Con/Ref considerers "sure, we aren't as hard line on immigration as Reform, but we are pretty tough, and importantly we are not completely batshit on the the economy."
Interesting that Reform, which is currently 10+ points ahead in the polls, has accused Starmer of "scholastic terrorism" apparently without being worried that it is labelling the Labour/Reform considerers it needs to attract as supporters of terrorism.
Crying racism only hurts Labour
Activists like it, but the median voter will feel attacked.
📊 @bwalker.uk
Activists like it, but the median voter will feel attacked.
📊 @bwalker.uk
Crying racism only hurts Labour
Activists like it, but the median voter will feel attacked.
www.newstatesman.com
October 2, 2025 at 7:30 AM
Interesting that Reform, which is currently 10+ points ahead in the polls, has accused Starmer of "scholastic terrorism" apparently without being worried that it is labelling the Labour/Reform considerers it needs to attract as supporters of terrorism.
Thoughts on the potential impact of a Your Party/Green pact versus the parties standing separately. Standing independently hurts Labour the most, but overwhelmingly the beneficiary is likely to be Reform. OTOH a pact helps Your Party in a handful of seats. Neither scenario really helps the Greens.
August 20, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Thoughts on the potential impact of a Your Party/Green pact versus the parties standing separately. Standing independently hurts Labour the most, but overwhelmingly the beneficiary is likely to be Reform. OTOH a pact helps Your Party in a handful of seats. Neither scenario really helps the Greens.
The problem with the Ukraine-Russia negotiations is that Trump completely fails to grasp that the aims of the two sides are totally incompatible, and he needs to decide which side he actually wants to win.
Ukraine wants to be a sovereign, thriving state. Russia ideally wants to subjugate Ukraine.
Ukraine wants to be a sovereign, thriving state. Russia ideally wants to subjugate Ukraine.
August 20, 2025 at 6:23 AM
The problem with the Ukraine-Russia negotiations is that Trump completely fails to grasp that the aims of the two sides are totally incompatible, and he needs to decide which side he actually wants to win.
Ukraine wants to be a sovereign, thriving state. Russia ideally wants to subjugate Ukraine.
Ukraine wants to be a sovereign, thriving state. Russia ideally wants to subjugate Ukraine.
It turns out that the vast majority (around 80%) of the public don't know which parties are (currently) likely to be the top challengers for their constituency, which could make effective tactical voting verrrry difficult, as I note here: labourlist.org/2025/08/tact...
'Tactical voting helped Labour to win, but it can't rely on it for victory in 2029' - LabourList
Political parties should aim to earn positive votes that reflect genuine support for their values and policies, and build a real mandate to govern and deliver lasting change.
labourlist.org
August 5, 2025 at 7:59 AM
It turns out that the vast majority (around 80%) of the public don't know which parties are (currently) likely to be the top challengers for their constituency, which could make effective tactical voting verrrry difficult, as I note here: labourlist.org/2025/08/tact...
I'd really recommend actually reading Ian's substack before passing any comment. It's thoughtful, offers some excellent advice and is generally an antidote to the kind of crap peddled to young men from the charlatans and the radical right.
OK so feeling slightly apprehensive about this, which I suppose is kind of the point. This is an attempt at a progressive view on masculinity and on men getting laid. God help me. iandunt.substack.com/p/how-to-be-...
How to be a man
The right story narrative about male attractiveness is grounded in Social Darwinism and free market economics. Can progressives tell a better story?
iandunt.substack.com
August 2, 2025 at 8:21 AM
I'd really recommend actually reading Ian's substack before passing any comment. It's thoughtful, offers some excellent advice and is generally an antidote to the kind of crap peddled to young men from the charlatans and the radical right.
Am quoted in @labourlist.bsky.social on the Return of Stevenage Woman, making the point that the biggest group of voters which Labour is currently losing is not to Reform, but to "Don't Know". labourlist.org/2025/07/stev...
Asylum and bills: How Labour quietly lost Stevenage Woman - and won her back - LabourList
Tom Belger reported from Stevenage
labourlist.org
July 31, 2025 at 8:19 AM
Am quoted in @labourlist.bsky.social on the Return of Stevenage Woman, making the point that the biggest group of voters which Labour is currently losing is not to Reform, but to "Don't Know". labourlist.org/2025/07/stev...
Wrote this on the big problem that the hard right have with London - if ethnic diversity and high levels of migration really are the major causes of decline in the UK, then why is the region with the greatest diversity and largest number of migrants, doing so well?
Great piece for On London by the brilliant @christabelcoops.bsky.social. If fewer "White British" means national decline, how come the nation's capital is content with diversity & the UK's economic powerhouse? www.onlondon.co.uk/christabel-c... @philipstephens.bsky.social
If fewer 'White British' means decline, why is London successful?
Using the capital to paint apocalyptic visions conveniently ignores its contentment with diversity and its economic vitality
www.onlondon.co.uk
June 25, 2025 at 12:50 PM
Wrote this on the big problem that the hard right have with London - if ethnic diversity and high levels of migration really are the major causes of decline in the UK, then why is the region with the greatest diversity and largest number of migrants, doing so well?
Reform's policies are designed for maximum political appeal but are economically bonkers. This *should* hurt them badly in an election campaign, so long as we still have some semblance of normal politics - unlike, say, in the US where Trump's destructive economic agenda was simply ignored.
Reform UK is proposing a "Britannia card" that would let wealthy foreigners pay a £250k fee to move to the UK, and live here exempt from all tax on their foreign assets
What they don't say: it would cost the UK £34bn
Report here, and thread below: buff.ly/gpe2Dpf
What they don't say: it would cost the UK £34bn
Report here, and thread below: buff.ly/gpe2Dpf
June 23, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Reform's policies are designed for maximum political appeal but are economically bonkers. This *should* hurt them badly in an election campaign, so long as we still have some semblance of normal politics - unlike, say, in the US where Trump's destructive economic agenda was simply ignored.
Reposted by Christabel Cooper
The rise of Nigel Farage could lead you to believe that a more abrasive way of doing politics is popular.
So, we wanted to test: Does the public want politicians to swear more?
Should politicians try to be more colourful, by using more colourful language?
The answer is ‘no’(-ish).
A thread 🧵:
So, we wanted to test: Does the public want politicians to swear more?
Should politicians try to be more colourful, by using more colourful language?
The answer is ‘no’(-ish).
A thread 🧵:
June 20, 2025 at 7:10 AM
The rise of Nigel Farage could lead you to believe that a more abrasive way of doing politics is popular.
So, we wanted to test: Does the public want politicians to swear more?
Should politicians try to be more colourful, by using more colourful language?
The answer is ‘no’(-ish).
A thread 🧵:
So, we wanted to test: Does the public want politicians to swear more?
Should politicians try to be more colourful, by using more colourful language?
The answer is ‘no’(-ish).
A thread 🧵:
So many genuine problems facing the UK - neither the government nor individuals have enough money, poor public services, threats from hostile foreign powers. That parts of the right obssess about "too many brown people in London" speaks volumes about their lack of solutions to the real problems.
Today’s London Standard has a big report on how the capital “isn’t working”. It blames immigrants, especially Muslims, and the lack of “White British”. It asks “if there’s a minimum number of natives” at which London must give it up its status as the UK capital. www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/lond...
June 20, 2025 at 6:06 AM
So many genuine problems facing the UK - neither the government nor individuals have enough money, poor public services, threats from hostile foreign powers. That parts of the right obssess about "too many brown people in London" speaks volumes about their lack of solutions to the real problems.
The bust-ups on the populist right — Musk vs Trump in the US, and Reform UK’s Zia Yusuf vs MP Sarah Pochin are fundamentally about ideological splits - one between small-state libertarians and economic populists, the other between those embracing racial politics and those aiming for respectability.
June 13, 2025 at 5:02 PM
The bust-ups on the populist right — Musk vs Trump in the US, and Reform UK’s Zia Yusuf vs MP Sarah Pochin are fundamentally about ideological splits - one between small-state libertarians and economic populists, the other between those embracing racial politics and those aiming for respectability.
The idea that apocalyptic levels of demographic change are destroying Britain are always undermined by proponents citing stats on ethnicity from London. When London is the richest region in the country and is broadly at ease - even celebratory - of its diversity.
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/06...
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/06...
June 9, 2025 at 8:20 AM
The idea that apocalyptic levels of demographic change are destroying Britain are always undermined by proponents citing stats on ethnicity from London. When London is the richest region in the country and is broadly at ease - even celebratory - of its diversity.
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/06...
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/06...
Today @labourtogether.bsky.social called for a Digital ID for all UK citizens and residents. There are many good reasons for this - convenience, efficiency of public services, avoiding another Windrush scandal, but also the impact on perceptions of migration. www.labourtogether.uk/all-reports/...
BritCard: a progressive digital identity for Britain — Labour Together
In government, Labour has committed to reducing migration. Labour Together is supporting this agenda with a series of papers looking at how to create a migration system that puts country first. In Oct...
www.labourtogether.uk
June 6, 2025 at 9:10 AM
Today @labourtogether.bsky.social called for a Digital ID for all UK citizens and residents. There are many good reasons for this - convenience, efficiency of public services, avoiding another Windrush scandal, but also the impact on perceptions of migration. www.labourtogether.uk/all-reports/...
@economist.com this week quotes Labour Together's research which found that voters are supremely pessimistic about high prices, thinking that they're here forever. If some energy prices *do* fall (as they are predicted to do) this could be a rare upside surprise for voters.
Britons are so used to squeezed incomes they refuse to believe actually-forecast improvements are possible, says @christabelcoops.bsky.social
May 15, 2025 at 10:00 PM
@economist.com this week quotes Labour Together's research which found that voters are supremely pessimistic about high prices, thinking that they're here forever. If some energy prices *do* fall (as they are predicted to do) this could be a rare upside surprise for voters.
If this is the analysis from Conservatives (from BBC) they are in even more trouble than I imagined - this is basic innumeracy! Even if you start from the (incorrect) assumption that most Ref voters are ex-Labour, then Labour doing better just brings them back to Lab, it has no impact on Con vote.
May 3, 2025 at 7:14 AM
If this is the analysis from Conservatives (from BBC) they are in even more trouble than I imagined - this is basic innumeracy! Even if you start from the (incorrect) assumption that most Ref voters are ex-Labour, then Labour doing better just brings them back to Lab, it has no impact on Con vote.
The two main reasons that people voted Labour in GE2024 (including those who have now switched to Reform) was because they hoped Labour would deal with the cost of living and poor public services. Worth bearing in mind when looking for reasons why people are switching away from Labour.
May 2, 2025 at 8:26 AM
The two main reasons that people voted Labour in GE2024 (including those who have now switched to Reform) was because they hoped Labour would deal with the cost of living and poor public services. Worth bearing in mind when looking for reasons why people are switching away from Labour.
This is excellent research from @steveakehurst.bsky.social. Urge everyone to read for an *informed* take on the voters Labour is losing to Reform.
NEW: Who are the voters Labour risks losing to Reform?
How might Lab unite them with the rest of its election winning coalition? How might Reform win them over?
Some big new research out today with @persuasionuk.bsky.social as featured by @greenmirandahere.bsky.social in today's FT 🧵👇
How might Lab unite them with the rest of its election winning coalition? How might Reform win them over?
Some big new research out today with @persuasionuk.bsky.social as featured by @greenmirandahere.bsky.social in today's FT 🧵👇
Getting to know 'Reform curious Labour voters'
exploring the attitudes, demography and values of Reform curious Labour voters and the coalitional dilemmas they lose
persuasionuk.org
April 28, 2025 at 7:46 AM
This is excellent research from @steveakehurst.bsky.social. Urge everyone to read for an *informed* take on the voters Labour is losing to Reform.
There was consensus that GE2024 was a valence election ie decided on the (in)competence of the government. Yet commentary focuses on ideology to explain current polling (Lab losing to Ref on immigration, or losing to Greens/LDs on progressive issues) rather than perceptions of competence.
April 28, 2025 at 7:42 AM
There was consensus that GE2024 was a valence election ie decided on the (in)competence of the government. Yet commentary focuses on ideology to explain current polling (Lab losing to Ref on immigration, or losing to Greens/LDs on progressive issues) rather than perceptions of competence.
Astonishing analysis here from Tory peer Lord Hayward. The governing party is down 10 points in the polls since the election, he predicts will lose few seats the local elections, while the supposed main Opposition party loses half its seats - and apparently this is a massive problem for... Labour!
🗳️Reform could gain as many as 450 councillors, particularly in the Midlands and North in seats which “should have gone to Labour”.
Read more here:
labourlist.org/2025/04/loca...
Read more here:
labourlist.org/2025/04/loca...
Local elections expert predicts 'bad night' for Labour
An election expert has predicted a "bad night" for Labour at the 2025 local elections next week, warning it is likely to emerge with overall councillor numbers virtually unchanged despite a likely col...
labourlist.org
April 24, 2025 at 1:18 PM
Astonishing analysis here from Tory peer Lord Hayward. The governing party is down 10 points in the polls since the election, he predicts will lose few seats the local elections, while the supposed main Opposition party loses half its seats - and apparently this is a massive problem for... Labour!