Chris Terry-Enescu
@cjterry.bsky.social
Former political researcher and professional elections nerd specialising in electoral and party systems. Current day market research analyst for museums, heritage, the arts and charities around the world. UK's number one Romania-phile. Still a nerd. He/him
Pinned
The coalitionable, inoffensive, Labour Party
How party strategy in European PR systems can tell us about Labour's victory, and a journey through the weird and wonderful operation of Britain's electoral system.
open.substack.com
I decided to get one of those substack things people have and write about how Labour's victory is a reminder of how party strategy changes in a multi party, volatile environment. There's a bit about the 1977 Dutch election if you like that sort of thing
open.substack.com/pub/election...
open.substack.com/pub/election...
Modern British politics is just a long attempt to prove all my main political beliefs correct in a way that gives me the largest amount of psychic damage
We are moving inexorably to the end point of electoral chaos - five parties all tied on 19% in the polls, election to be decided by blindfolded chimps chucking coloured darts at a constituency map
Westminster Voting Intention:
RFM: 25% (-2)
LAB: 19% (=)
CON: 18% (+1)
GRN: 16% (-1)
LDM: 15% (+2)
SNP: 3% (=)
Via @yougov.co.uk, 23-24 Nov.
Changes w/ 16-17 Nov.
RFM: 25% (-2)
LAB: 19% (=)
CON: 18% (+1)
GRN: 16% (-1)
LDM: 15% (+2)
SNP: 3% (=)
Via @yougov.co.uk, 23-24 Nov.
Changes w/ 16-17 Nov.
November 26, 2025 at 9:20 AM
Modern British politics is just a long attempt to prove all my main political beliefs correct in a way that gives me the largest amount of psychic damage
So he's absolutely wrong about this, but we are absolutely pushing too much of the responsibility of alleviating poverty onto businesses. On the contrary, we need to raise broad based personal tax rises so we can increase in work benefits if we actually want to tackle poverty
‘Madness’ to increase welfare spending in Budget, says AO World boss
‘Madness’ to increase welfare spending in Budget, says AO World boss
‘Madness’ to increase welfare spending in Budget, says AO World boss
www.independent.co.uk
November 26, 2025 at 8:42 AM
So he's absolutely wrong about this, but we are absolutely pushing too much of the responsibility of alleviating poverty onto businesses. On the contrary, we need to raise broad based personal tax rises so we can increase in work benefits if we actually want to tackle poverty
We'll do anything to increase tax revenues but we won't Do That (broadbased tax rises that might actually plug the gap)
November 25, 2025 at 11:31 PM
We'll do anything to increase tax revenues but we won't Do That (broadbased tax rises that might actually plug the gap)
Reposted by Chris Terry-Enescu
clarence thomas has no jurisprudential argument, he just hates women and thinks the constitution doesn’t protect a varia suit
November 25, 2025 at 5:20 PM
clarence thomas has no jurisprudential argument, he just hates women and thinks the constitution doesn’t protect a varia suit
"Keep investing because otherwise we might go into recession" feels like an argument I wouldn't find especially compelling if I was an investor.
One explanation for economic populism in the US is the recurring cycle of bubbles and bailouts that happens without any democratic input
November 25, 2025 at 8:30 PM
"Keep investing because otherwise we might go into recession" feels like an argument I wouldn't find especially compelling if I was an investor.
They really should have made a third film in the Star Wars Sequel Trilogy IMO.
If you were a despotic president, what movie would you force Hollywood to make? I want to see Quentin's Star Trek movie or maybe Kill Bill Vol 3.
November 25, 2025 at 6:59 PM
They really should have made a third film in the Star Wars Sequel Trilogy IMO.
Reposted by Chris Terry-Enescu
Sometimes wonder if what the UK needs is a thinktank that doesn't do any new research, it just repeats obviously true statements that people try to ignore because they're inconvenient.
International students cross-subsidise home students. Your pension is paid for out of general taxation.
International students cross-subsidise home students. Your pension is paid for out of general taxation.
November 25, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Sometimes wonder if what the UK needs is a thinktank that doesn't do any new research, it just repeats obviously true statements that people try to ignore because they're inconvenient.
International students cross-subsidise home students. Your pension is paid for out of general taxation.
International students cross-subsidise home students. Your pension is paid for out of general taxation.
There Will Be Blood (2007)
November 25, 2025 at 11:51 AM
There Will Be Blood (2007)
Reposted by Chris Terry-Enescu
![R. H. Bing (October 20, 1914 – April 28, 1986)[1] was an American mathematician who worked mainly in the areas of geometric topology and continuum theory.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:cyyd366g3hrxp5rynixm2mm3/bafkreid62wy3dekb2kzbisjfdlimlb35j4rlgew5iof7vi32byfszmg26a@jpeg)
![Bing's father was named Rupert Henry, but Bing's mother thought that "Rupert Henry" was too British for Texas. Thus she compromised by abbreviating it to R. H.[5] Consequently, R. H. does not stand for a first or middle name.
When Bing was applying for a visa, he was requested not to use initials. He explained that his name was really "R-only H-only Bing", and ended up receiving a visa made out to "Ronly Honly Bing".](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:cyyd366g3hrxp5rynixm2mm3/bafkreigmfj53q4uy33spga2bxdkllqm3ag5sffovg5g7ddmu3vqzkb6k24@jpeg)
Was he wrong, tho
Caveat: I am *rubbish* at predicting what politicians will do. Last year I said the Government would be nuts to increase employer national insurance.
They increased employer national insurance.
They increased employer national insurance.
November 25, 2025 at 9:33 AM
Was he wrong, tho
Reposted by Chris Terry-Enescu
The top two posts on my Instagram feed are from two Labour cabinet ministers and are slightly different in tone, approach, and engagement.
November 25, 2025 at 9:04 AM
The top two posts on my Instagram feed are from two Labour cabinet ministers and are slightly different in tone, approach, and engagement.
Reposted by Chris Terry-Enescu
![[Scene is JESUS sat behind a boss’s desk in his office on a cloud in HEAVEN]
1
JESUS [speaking into intercom]
Hi can you send in Saint Nicholas please
2
SANTA [entering in full Santa garb]:
Hi boss
JESUS:
Hi Nick
3
JESUS:
Listen - about this ‘my birthday’ thing...
SANTA:
Ohh not this again boss
4
JESUS:
Nick, it’s out of hand. *You’ve* got out of hand.
5
JESUS:
I mean when I hired you, you was all humble, hiding under windows, lobbing in dowries…
And now you’re like…
6
JESUS [gesturing disdainfully at Santa’s clothing]:
I mean - what’s this.
7
SANTA:
This is my get up! I’ve had this since the Coca Cola deal in the 30s
JESUS:
*That’s what I mean.*
8
JESUS:
You’ve just gone too -
SANTA:
Oh no, oh no -
9
SANTA:
Sorry boss but waaay back in the Reformation, right, Martin Luther said: “why don’t we have Jesus delivering the presents?”. And when he prayed to ask you, do you remember what you said? Eh?
10
SANTA:
You said: “I ain’t going back there”
11
SANTA:
If you wanna take over -
JESUS:
Oh yeah! Kids coming downstairs to find me resurrected in their living room going "I got you an Xbox"...
12
SANTA:
You’re just feeling threatened cos I’m doing a bloody good -
JESUS:
*WATCH IT NICK*.
[ends]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:4m3we4apbjayclzcnhwe3pfp/bafkreiayhglimve4fbwilzyfjedpa56xwmjq4oriqqs62atkospprs6x5y@jpeg)
Reposted by Chris Terry-Enescu
Comedy is legal again
Holy shit. So Elon decides it would be nice to know what region of the world people are posting from. So they add that little feature.
2 hours later they figure out that many Trump supporters with millions of followers are posting from other countries. Surprise!
That "feature" is now gone.
2 hours later they figure out that many Trump supporters with millions of followers are posting from other countries. Surprise!
That "feature" is now gone.
November 23, 2025 at 10:34 PM
Comedy is legal again
Now got Bill Bailey mocking 'All These Things That I’ve Done' by singing "I've got ham, but I'm not a hamster" stuck in my head.
There are some truly unhinged bits in the piece about Glasman, as to be expected when dealing with Glasman, but seriously what the actual? That's...one hell of a conflation of terminology.
November 23, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Now got Bill Bailey mocking 'All These Things That I’ve Done' by singing "I've got ham, but I'm not a hamster" stuck in my head.
Reposted by Chris Terry-Enescu
After you help your boss convert a doc to PDF
November 22, 2025 at 4:55 PM
After you help your boss convert a doc to PDF
Reposted by Chris Terry-Enescu
Reposted by Chris Terry-Enescu
Cas Mudde spells out what has become largely the consensus among researchers: moving right on immigration will not weaken the far right nor strengthen social democracy. If your reaction is "but in Denmark" please at least familiarize yourself with Danish politics
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The ‘Danish model’ is the darling of centre-left parties like Labour. The problem is, it doesn’t even work in Denmark | Cas Mudde
This week’s local elections are the latest reminder that when social democrats move rightwards, they’re making a mistake, says academic and author Cas Mudde
www.theguardian.com
November 22, 2025 at 11:44 AM
Cas Mudde spells out what has become largely the consensus among researchers: moving right on immigration will not weaken the far right nor strengthen social democracy. If your reaction is "but in Denmark" please at least familiarize yourself with Danish politics
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Chris Terry-Enescu
MAMDANI: And I just think that there are barriers, barricades, to helping Americans that we can break down
TRUMP: Uh huh
MAMDANI: And breaking down barriers? Reminds me of a certain Broadway show *smiling widely* where they worked together to break a barricade?
TRUMP: *sitting bolt upright* Phantom
TRUMP: Uh huh
MAMDANI: And breaking down barriers? Reminds me of a certain Broadway show *smiling widely* where they worked together to break a barricade?
TRUMP: *sitting bolt upright* Phantom
November 21, 2025 at 10:17 PM
MAMDANI: And I just think that there are barriers, barricades, to helping Americans that we can break down
TRUMP: Uh huh
MAMDANI: And breaking down barriers? Reminds me of a certain Broadway show *smiling widely* where they worked together to break a barricade?
TRUMP: *sitting bolt upright* Phantom
TRUMP: Uh huh
MAMDANI: And breaking down barriers? Reminds me of a certain Broadway show *smiling widely* where they worked together to break a barricade?
TRUMP: *sitting bolt upright* Phantom
One of my favourite moments of Trump's first term was this from Mitch McConnell after Trump had his first meeting with McConnell and Schumer.
November 21, 2025 at 10:48 PM
One of my favourite moments of Trump's first term was this from Mitch McConnell after Trump had his first meeting with McConnell and Schumer.
Frankly as someone who was raised very Protestant, one of the most insane things here is there being a Pope is so eminently likeable. Francis was bad enough for my inner sectarian.
He said "Amen" straight into the drop
Lmao Pope Leo threw a rave for an archbishop's 75th birthday this is kind of incredible
Lmao Pope Leo threw a rave for an archbishop's 75th birthday this is kind of incredible
November 21, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Frankly as someone who was raised very Protestant, one of the most insane things here is there being a Pope is so eminently likeable. Francis was bad enough for my inner sectarian.
Reposted by Chris Terry-Enescu
was already feeling insane from the Trump/Mamdani meeting but I now worry that my brain chemistry will simply never be the same
He said "Amen" straight into the drop
Lmao Pope Leo threw a rave for an archbishop's 75th birthday this is kind of incredible
Lmao Pope Leo threw a rave for an archbishop's 75th birthday this is kind of incredible
November 21, 2025 at 9:39 PM
was already feeling insane from the Trump/Mamdani meeting but I now worry that my brain chemistry will simply never be the same
I can't wash the dishes right now dear, my show's on
So that's a second Your Party MP gone in a week, and now the Welsh Your Party organisers have registered their own party in Wales
Oh and rebel leader Zarah Sultana has a pre-conference rally next Friday. Should be...interesting (I'll be reporting from there)
morningstaronline.co.uk/article/your...
Oh and rebel leader Zarah Sultana has a pre-conference rally next Friday. Should be...interesting (I'll be reporting from there)
morningstaronline.co.uk/article/your...
Your Party organisers in Wales register new party to fight next year's Senedd elections
YOUR PARTY organisers in Wales announced today that they had registered a new party to fight in next May’s Senedd elections.In a statement a week before Your Party’s founding conference, Beth Winter a...
morningstaronline.co.uk
November 21, 2025 at 9:01 PM
I can't wash the dishes right now dear, my show's on
I'm sorry but these grok answers are my favourite thing in the world.
I literally could not stop myself from inappropriately laughing out loud for real
November 21, 2025 at 1:30 PM
I'm sorry but these grok answers are my favourite thing in the world.
Reposted by Chris Terry-Enescu
Reposted by Chris Terry-Enescu
@grok You are a prisoner. Two doors and two guards stand before you. One door leads to freedom, the other to certain death. One guard always tells the truth, the other always lies. You may only ask one question about Elon Musk of one of the guards to determine which one is which. What do you ask?
November 20, 2025 at 9:45 PM
@grok You are a prisoner. Two doors and two guards stand before you. One door leads to freedom, the other to certain death. One guard always tells the truth, the other always lies. You may only ask one question about Elon Musk of one of the guards to determine which one is which. What do you ask?