Gail Parker
@gailp.bsky.social
💙💛
Climate, law, politics, health, dogs, cats, science, reading. Not in any order and not necessarily all at once.
A bit of whimsy is good too. And food.
Wivenhoe, Essex
Climate, law, politics, health, dogs, cats, science, reading. Not in any order and not necessarily all at once.
A bit of whimsy is good too. And food.
Wivenhoe, Essex
Reposted by Gail Parker
Many newspapers and politicians have been calling yesterday's fiscal statement a 'Budget for Benefits Street'. Here's three reasons why that is not accurate 🧵
November 27, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Many newspapers and politicians have been calling yesterday's fiscal statement a 'Budget for Benefits Street'. Here's three reasons why that is not accurate 🧵
Reposted by Gail Parker
Removing the two-child limit accounts for less than 1 per cent of social security bill. To remove 450,000 children out of poverty, that's pretty good return on investment.
November 27, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Removing the two-child limit accounts for less than 1 per cent of social security bill. To remove 450,000 children out of poverty, that's pretty good return on investment.
Reposted by Gail Parker
As political scandals go, a grubby backroom deal to, errrr, lift 450,000 children out of poverty is at least a novel one.
Headline on The World at One just now:
"Sir Keir Starmer has denied putting the Labour Party before the country by ending the two-child benefit cap".
Can we please go back to reporting the actual news, not someone's partisan take on it?
"Sir Keir Starmer has denied putting the Labour Party before the country by ending the two-child benefit cap".
Can we please go back to reporting the actual news, not someone's partisan take on it?
November 27, 2025 at 1:30 PM
As political scandals go, a grubby backroom deal to, errrr, lift 450,000 children out of poverty is at least a novel one.
Reposted by Gail Parker
This week's post: Expertise, Government, the Media and Covid mainlymacro.blogspot.com/2025/11/expe...
Why did the media hold Johnson to account for allowing lockdown parties in No.10, but did not hold him to account for allowing tens of thousands of preventable deaths from Covid?
Why did the media hold Johnson to account for allowing lockdown parties in No.10, but did not hold him to account for allowing tens of thousands of preventable deaths from Covid?
Expertise, Government, the Media and Covid
It is now generally (although not universally) accepted that those of us who campaigned vigorously against the government’s auster...
mainlymacro.blogspot.com
November 27, 2025 at 9:16 AM
This week's post: Expertise, Government, the Media and Covid mainlymacro.blogspot.com/2025/11/expe...
Why did the media hold Johnson to account for allowing lockdown parties in No.10, but did not hold him to account for allowing tens of thousands of preventable deaths from Covid?
Why did the media hold Johnson to account for allowing lockdown parties in No.10, but did not hold him to account for allowing tens of thousands of preventable deaths from Covid?
Reposted by Gail Parker
Uncertainty can be thought about either positively (opportunity / aspiration) or negatively (fear / precarity).
November 27, 2025 at 7:02 AM
Uncertainty can be thought about either positively (opportunity / aspiration) or negatively (fear / precarity).
Reposted by Gail Parker
A sad irony in Washington, D.C., where West Virginia National Guardsmen were shot today. Six days ago, a court ruled their deployment was illegal, but stayed the order pending appeal. My heart goes out to these public servants and their families. oag.dc.gov/sites/defaul...
November 26, 2025 at 11:48 PM
A sad irony in Washington, D.C., where West Virginia National Guardsmen were shot today. Six days ago, a court ruled their deployment was illegal, but stayed the order pending appeal. My heart goes out to these public servants and their families. oag.dc.gov/sites/defaul...
Reposted by Gail Parker
"The government will spend £16bn a year more by the end of the decade on welfare than was expected only six months ago"
on.ft.com/4rnu9Kz
First, I do think that needs to be tackled, where it represents a failing system with poor incentives.
Second, perspective: it's ~0.4% of GDP
on.ft.com/4rnu9Kz
First, I do think that needs to be tackled, where it represents a failing system with poor incentives.
Second, perspective: it's ~0.4% of GDP
Budget exposes Labour to charges of being ‘high tax, high welfare’ party
For now Rachel Reeves appears to have reassured many fractious backbench MPs
on.ft.com
November 27, 2025 at 6:57 AM
"The government will spend £16bn a year more by the end of the decade on welfare than was expected only six months ago"
on.ft.com/4rnu9Kz
First, I do think that needs to be tackled, where it represents a failing system with poor incentives.
Second, perspective: it's ~0.4% of GDP
on.ft.com/4rnu9Kz
First, I do think that needs to be tackled, where it represents a failing system with poor incentives.
Second, perspective: it's ~0.4% of GDP
Reposted by Gail Parker
Wouldn’t it be nice?
November 27, 2025 at 6:51 AM
Wouldn’t it be nice?
Reposted by Gail Parker
I'm hearing criticisms of the end to the two child limit, because it was done just to mollify Labour backbenchers, at a cost of £billions.
I remember another govt delivering a referendum on EU membership, just to mollify restive backbenchers. That's costing way, way more... A little perspective?
I remember another govt delivering a referendum on EU membership, just to mollify restive backbenchers. That's costing way, way more... A little perspective?
November 26, 2025 at 6:54 PM
I'm hearing criticisms of the end to the two child limit, because it was done just to mollify Labour backbenchers, at a cost of £billions.
I remember another govt delivering a referendum on EU membership, just to mollify restive backbenchers. That's costing way, way more... A little perspective?
I remember another govt delivering a referendum on EU membership, just to mollify restive backbenchers. That's costing way, way more... A little perspective?
Reposted by Gail Parker
Though it's getting lots of attention, the extra tax on £2m+ houses will raise only £435m by 2030-31. Higher taxes on dividends will raise 3x as much, & taxes on salary sacrifice pension contributions will raise 5x as much. Political importance is not the same as macroeconomic significance.
November 26, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Though it's getting lots of attention, the extra tax on £2m+ houses will raise only £435m by 2030-31. Higher taxes on dividends will raise 3x as much, & taxes on salary sacrifice pension contributions will raise 5x as much. Political importance is not the same as macroeconomic significance.
Reposted by Gail Parker
The abolition of the two-child benefit cap, which punishes children for their parents' circumstances, is the best part of the budget, potentially lifting almost half a million children out of poverty.
It may also be the part that comes under fiercest attack. So it needs celebrating and defending.
It may also be the part that comes under fiercest attack. So it needs celebrating and defending.
And the two child benefit limit is abolished. An enormous victory for those who have campaigned tirelessly for eight long years through successive governments. This will lift at least 450,000 children out of poverty. Fewer kids will be hungry. No more women forced to disclose their rape.
November 26, 2025 at 1:57 PM
The abolition of the two-child benefit cap, which punishes children for their parents' circumstances, is the best part of the budget, potentially lifting almost half a million children out of poverty.
It may also be the part that comes under fiercest attack. So it needs celebrating and defending.
It may also be the part that comes under fiercest attack. So it needs celebrating and defending.
Reposted by Gail Parker
I have thoughts on this excellent piece which (naturally) I agree with.
What might have caused this strange absence of attention to substance which we find across government, opposition, and criticism / commentary (the cult of savviness)?
What might have caused this strange absence of attention to substance which we find across government, opposition, and criticism / commentary (the cult of savviness)?
On budget, Brexit and UK politics paddling in the shallow end of a problem that goes way deeper than just tax rises. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Rachel Reeves has many problems. She’s realising that her Brexit bind may be the biggest of all | Rafael Behr
Brutal economic realities are prompting a shift in Labour’s tone on Europe. But will it dare tell the whole truth about Britain’s predicament, asks Guardian columnist Rafael Behr
www.theguardian.com
November 26, 2025 at 8:41 AM
I have thoughts on this excellent piece which (naturally) I agree with.
What might have caused this strange absence of attention to substance which we find across government, opposition, and criticism / commentary (the cult of savviness)?
What might have caused this strange absence of attention to substance which we find across government, opposition, and criticism / commentary (the cult of savviness)?
Reposted by Gail Parker
Amidst all the Budget noise I didn't notice this coming out
www.gov.uk/government/n...
But thanks to the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk live blog, I didn't miss it ...
www.gov.uk/government/n...
But thanks to the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk live blog, I didn't miss it ...
AI to power national renewal as government announces billions of additional investment and new plans to boost UK businesses, jobs and innovation
A major package of new reforms and investment will put AI at heart of government’s mission to drive growth, create jobs and spread prosperity across the country.
www.gov.uk
November 26, 2025 at 6:29 AM
Amidst all the Budget noise I didn't notice this coming out
www.gov.uk/government/n...
But thanks to the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk live blog, I didn't miss it ...
www.gov.uk/government/n...
But thanks to the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk live blog, I didn't miss it ...
Reposted by Gail Parker
🚨🚨 It is rare that the rulings of @eucourtofjustice.bsky.social make headlines but the judgment yesterday on the recognition of #samesex marriage is a rare exception to this. Very welcome ruling from the CJEU: 🧵
www.politico.eu/article/eu-c...
www.politico.eu/article/eu-c...
Top EU court mandates same-sex marriage recognition across borders
The Luxembourg-based court said a decision by Polish authorities infringed on a same-sex couple’s freedom of movement.
www.politico.eu
November 26, 2025 at 6:32 AM
🚨🚨 It is rare that the rulings of @eucourtofjustice.bsky.social make headlines but the judgment yesterday on the recognition of #samesex marriage is a rare exception to this. Very welcome ruling from the CJEU: 🧵
www.politico.eu/article/eu-c...
www.politico.eu/article/eu-c...
"The legacy of Brexit can’t be measured only in declining trade volumes when so many of the politicians who campaigned for it gleefully align themselves with a US administration that despises the rule of law and is busy blowing up the foundations of the US’s constitutional republic."
Rachel Reeves has many problems. She’s realising that her Brexit bind may be the biggest of all | Rafael Behr
Rachel Reeves has many problems. She’s realising that her Brexit bind may be the biggest of all | Rafael Behr
Brutal economic realities are prompting a shift in Labour’s tone on Europe. But will it dare tell the whole truth about Britain’s predicament, asks Guardian columnist Rafael Behr
www.theguardian.com
November 26, 2025 at 6:36 AM
"The legacy of Brexit can’t be measured only in declining trade volumes when so many of the politicians who campaigned for it gleefully align themselves with a US administration that despises the rule of law and is busy blowing up the foundations of the US’s constitutional republic."
Reposted by Gail Parker
Most first-term governments have a disastrous first year. It's the 'not visibly having learnt any lessons from it' that is new.
If the Government do go ahead with the mooted plan in here to (effectively) remove workplace pensions from salary sacrifice schemes I am genuinely a little in awe of how bad their "growth strategy is."
www.ft.com/content/ca5e...
www.ft.com/content/ca5e...
The four audiences Reeves’ ‘high-wire’ Budget must satisfy
Chancellor needs a lot to go right if she is to somehow reconcile interests of Labour MPs, markets, business and the public
www.ft.com
November 26, 2025 at 12:56 AM
Most first-term governments have a disastrous first year. It's the 'not visibly having learnt any lessons from it' that is new.
Reposted by Gail Parker
Juries are not perfect.
Many of the worst miscarriages of justice have followed jury trials.
But the merit of juries is not so much the power they have, but the power they prevent others from having.
They mean a judge cannot just nod-along with prosecution evidence and give a guilty verdict.
Many of the worst miscarriages of justice have followed jury trials.
But the merit of juries is not so much the power they have, but the power they prevent others from having.
They mean a judge cannot just nod-along with prosecution evidence and give a guilty verdict.
November 25, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Juries are not perfect.
Many of the worst miscarriages of justice have followed jury trials.
But the merit of juries is not so much the power they have, but the power they prevent others from having.
They mean a judge cannot just nod-along with prosecution evidence and give a guilty verdict.
Many of the worst miscarriages of justice have followed jury trials.
But the merit of juries is not so much the power they have, but the power they prevent others from having.
They mean a judge cannot just nod-along with prosecution evidence and give a guilty verdict.
Reposted by Gail Parker
This is very good. We need to tax wealth and raise taxes on middle earners.
My pre-budget take for the LSE Politics blog is up:
Labour are unable to articulate any vision or sense of purpose.
Much of the left has convinced itself that government spending can be maintained without broad-based tax increases.
Not a great budget backdrop.
blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandp...
Labour are unable to articulate any vision or sense of purpose.
Much of the left has convinced itself that government spending can be maintained without broad-based tax increases.
Not a great budget backdrop.
blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandp...
Wealth tax and looser fiscal rules won’t save the Budget | British Politics and Policy at LSE
The narrative on the left that a wealth tax and looser fiscal rules would solve the Chancellor's 2025 Budget headaches has got out of hand.
blogs.lse.ac.uk
November 25, 2025 at 6:04 PM
This is very good. We need to tax wealth and raise taxes on middle earners.
Reposted by Gail Parker
Someone really needs to explain the Striesand Effect to the BBC. And also tell them to stop being so pathetic.
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
November 25, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Someone really needs to explain the Striesand Effect to the BBC. And also tell them to stop being so pathetic.
Reposted by Gail Parker
Perhaps there is a role for this guy at the Labour Party, I feel like his "people like chicken, let's give them that, the pizza customers will order from us anyway because they've nowhere else to go" ideas might resonate with them.
www.ft.com/content/f0bf...
www.ft.com/content/f0bf...
Domino’s Pizza parts ways with chief who bet on fried chicken
Andrew Rennie leaves UK group ‘by mutual agreement’ as chair says there are opportunities to drive growth
www.ft.com
November 25, 2025 at 11:15 AM
Perhaps there is a role for this guy at the Labour Party, I feel like his "people like chicken, let's give them that, the pizza customers will order from us anyway because they've nowhere else to go" ideas might resonate with them.
www.ft.com/content/f0bf...
www.ft.com/content/f0bf...
Reposted by Gail Parker
Looking at polling averages, Reform has dipped a little recently but it's largely because of Labour 24 voters who had been saying "don't know" now saying Green.
As DKs they were excluded but as Greens they are not, so Reform drop even though they have the same number of people supporting them.
As DKs they were excluded but as Greens they are not, so Reform drop even though they have the same number of people supporting them.
November 25, 2025 at 11:47 AM
Looking at polling averages, Reform has dipped a little recently but it's largely because of Labour 24 voters who had been saying "don't know" now saying Green.
As DKs they were excluded but as Greens they are not, so Reform drop even though they have the same number of people supporting them.
As DKs they were excluded but as Greens they are not, so Reform drop even though they have the same number of people supporting them.
Reposted by Gail Parker
New post just out:
"MAGA Meltdown?"
With Trump's approval ratings collapsing the Republicans are starting to realise they're in serious trouble.
Here's why it's going to get worse for them.
(£/free trial)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/m...
"MAGA Meltdown?"
With Trump's approval ratings collapsing the Republicans are starting to realise they're in serious trouble.
Here's why it's going to get worse for them.
(£/free trial)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/m...
MAGA Meltdown?
Why the Republicans are in serious trouble
open.substack.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:41 AM
New post just out:
"MAGA Meltdown?"
With Trump's approval ratings collapsing the Republicans are starting to realise they're in serious trouble.
Here's why it's going to get worse for them.
(£/free trial)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/m...
"MAGA Meltdown?"
With Trump's approval ratings collapsing the Republicans are starting to realise they're in serious trouble.
Here's why it's going to get worse for them.
(£/free trial)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/m...
Reposted by Gail Parker
New post: Expertise, Government, the Media and Covid
mainlymacro.blogspot.com/2025/11/expe...
The Covid inquiry shows not just political failure on a deadly scale, but of media failure to transmit expertise and to hold to account politicians that let tens of thousands die unnecessarily.
mainlymacro.blogspot.com/2025/11/expe...
The Covid inquiry shows not just political failure on a deadly scale, but of media failure to transmit expertise and to hold to account politicians that let tens of thousands die unnecessarily.
Expertise, Government, the Media and Covid
It is now generally (although not universally) accepted that those of us who campaigned vigorously against the government’s auster...
mainlymacro.blogspot.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:00 AM
New post: Expertise, Government, the Media and Covid
mainlymacro.blogspot.com/2025/11/expe...
The Covid inquiry shows not just political failure on a deadly scale, but of media failure to transmit expertise and to hold to account politicians that let tens of thousands die unnecessarily.
mainlymacro.blogspot.com/2025/11/expe...
The Covid inquiry shows not just political failure on a deadly scale, but of media failure to transmit expertise and to hold to account politicians that let tens of thousands die unnecessarily.
Reposted by Gail Parker
OMG. The Guardian have confused Kenneth Clark, presenter of the 1969 series 'Civilisation' with Tory ex-MP & former Chancellor Kenneth Clarke in their review of the new BBC series 'Civilisations:Rise & Fall'
November 25, 2025 at 12:29 AM
OMG. The Guardian have confused Kenneth Clark, presenter of the 1969 series 'Civilisation' with Tory ex-MP & former Chancellor Kenneth Clarke in their review of the new BBC series 'Civilisations:Rise & Fall'
Reposted by Gail Parker
Brilliant thecritic.co.uk/auntie-in-th...
November 24, 2025 at 10:06 PM
Brilliant thecritic.co.uk/auntie-in-th...