James Baggaley
@jimbaggaley.bsky.social
Comms and other stuff for UCL Policy Lab
Pinned
James Baggaley
@jimbaggaley.bsky.social
· Oct 15
Steve Reed's Yimbyism can't win
To connect to voters, politics needs to be rooted in place and community
www.newstatesman.com
“While you may well govern at times as a Yimby, you campaign as a communitarian.”
In my latest piece for @newstatesman.bsky.social I set out why YIMBYism isnt a politics Labour can win with.
www.newstatesman.com/politics/202...
In my latest piece for @newstatesman.bsky.social I set out why YIMBYism isnt a politics Labour can win with.
www.newstatesman.com/politics/202...
Reposted by James Baggaley
Voters want agency and respect: it’s why politics must do relationships, not just delivery.
@danhonig.bsky.social explores why agency and respect are crucial to understanding the political moment we find ourselves in, ahead of Britian Renewed 2026. www.ucl.ac.uk/policy-lab/n...
@danhonig.bsky.social explores why agency and respect are crucial to understanding the political moment we find ourselves in, ahead of Britian Renewed 2026. www.ucl.ac.uk/policy-lab/n...
Voters want agency and respect: it’s why politics must do relationships, not just delivery
Dan Honig explores why agency and respect are crucial to understanding the political moment we find ourselves in, ahead of Britian Renewed 2026, a major one-day conference exploring a more place-based approach to public service reform.
www.ucl.ac.uk
November 28, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Voters want agency and respect: it’s why politics must do relationships, not just delivery.
@danhonig.bsky.social explores why agency and respect are crucial to understanding the political moment we find ourselves in, ahead of Britian Renewed 2026. www.ucl.ac.uk/policy-lab/n...
@danhonig.bsky.social explores why agency and respect are crucial to understanding the political moment we find ourselves in, ahead of Britian Renewed 2026. www.ucl.ac.uk/policy-lab/n...
Reposted by James Baggaley
New research shows that empowered local communities are most effective at responding to crises.
A new report from Lauren Andres @thebartlettucl.bsky.social and Jennifer Constantine takes lessons from COVID-19 for how we build resilience. www.ucl.ac.uk/policy-lab/n...
A new report from Lauren Andres @thebartlettucl.bsky.social and Jennifer Constantine takes lessons from COVID-19 for how we build resilience. www.ucl.ac.uk/policy-lab/n...
Local communities are shown to respond best in a crisis
From Crisis to Resilience: Radical Transformations for Food Security, Health and Social Justice shows that local responses to the COVID-19 pandemic were effective in supporting resilience and tackling food insecurity.
www.ucl.ac.uk
November 24, 2025 at 11:08 AM
New research shows that empowered local communities are most effective at responding to crises.
A new report from Lauren Andres @thebartlettucl.bsky.social and Jennifer Constantine takes lessons from COVID-19 for how we build resilience. www.ucl.ac.uk/policy-lab/n...
A new report from Lauren Andres @thebartlettucl.bsky.social and Jennifer Constantine takes lessons from COVID-19 for how we build resilience. www.ucl.ac.uk/policy-lab/n...
Reposted by James Baggaley
What will Labour do when its asylum reforms don’t work?
James Baggaley: There are no simple solutions to the small boats crisis
James Baggaley: There are no simple solutions to the small boats crisis
There are no simple solutions to the small boats crisis
What will Labour do when its asylum reforms don't work?
www.newstatesman.com
November 21, 2025 at 9:21 AM
What will Labour do when its asylum reforms don’t work?
James Baggaley: There are no simple solutions to the small boats crisis
James Baggaley: There are no simple solutions to the small boats crisis
There are no simple solutions to the small boats crisis.
My latest for @newstatesman1913.bsky.social on why the home secretary risks doing what every conservative home secretary has done: tackling the wrong problem while raising the political stakes.
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
My latest for @newstatesman1913.bsky.social on why the home secretary risks doing what every conservative home secretary has done: tackling the wrong problem while raising the political stakes.
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
There are no simple solutions to the small boats crisis
What will Labour do when its asylum reforms don't work?
www.newstatesman.com
November 21, 2025 at 8:57 AM
There are no simple solutions to the small boats crisis.
My latest for @newstatesman1913.bsky.social on why the home secretary risks doing what every conservative home secretary has done: tackling the wrong problem while raising the political stakes.
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
My latest for @newstatesman1913.bsky.social on why the home secretary risks doing what every conservative home secretary has done: tackling the wrong problem while raising the political stakes.
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
Reposted by James Baggaley
"Real change will not just be measured in political projects or opinion polls, but will be measured in the lives of people and places across Britain."
Read @jimbaggaley.bsky.social and @gracewyld.bsky.social on the need for a public service reform based on respect.
www.ucl.ac.uk/policy-lab/n...
Read @jimbaggaley.bsky.social and @gracewyld.bsky.social on the need for a public service reform based on respect.
www.ucl.ac.uk/policy-lab/n...
Changing public services is hard - what can we learn from those already doing it?
James Baggaley and Grace Wyld (Head of Policy and Research at The Future Governance Forum) explore the drive behind our upcoming conference, Britain Renewed 2025: Public Service for People and Place, ...
www.ucl.ac.uk
November 17, 2025 at 12:53 PM
"Real change will not just be measured in political projects or opinion polls, but will be measured in the lives of people and places across Britain."
Read @jimbaggaley.bsky.social and @gracewyld.bsky.social on the need for a public service reform based on respect.
www.ucl.ac.uk/policy-lab/n...
Read @jimbaggaley.bsky.social and @gracewyld.bsky.social on the need for a public service reform based on respect.
www.ucl.ac.uk/policy-lab/n...
Reposted by James Baggaley
We found people appreciated universities as local institutions that demonstrated global success (people were happy to have something that is leading the world).
However, there are also concerns that not all are benefiting. This is about working-class communties locked out or disrespected.
However, there are also concerns that not all are benefiting. This is about working-class communties locked out or disrespected.
November 1, 2025 at 12:37 PM
We found people appreciated universities as local institutions that demonstrated global success (people were happy to have something that is leading the world).
However, there are also concerns that not all are benefiting. This is about working-class communties locked out or disrespected.
However, there are also concerns that not all are benefiting. This is about working-class communties locked out or disrespected.
Universities showcase the strengths and possible weaknesses of British institutions.
I've written for @newstatesman1913.bsky.social about our latest research, Shared Institutions on universities from @uclpolicylab.bsky.social & @moreincommonuk.bsky.social
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
I've written for @newstatesman1913.bsky.social about our latest research, Shared Institutions on universities from @uclpolicylab.bsky.social & @moreincommonuk.bsky.social
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
Our universities can save us from America's political division
New research shows Britain is proud of its institutions' ability to foster disagreement
www.newstatesman.com
November 1, 2025 at 12:26 PM
Universities showcase the strengths and possible weaknesses of British institutions.
I've written for @newstatesman1913.bsky.social about our latest research, Shared Institutions on universities from @uclpolicylab.bsky.social & @moreincommonuk.bsky.social
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
I've written for @newstatesman1913.bsky.social about our latest research, Shared Institutions on universities from @uclpolicylab.bsky.social & @moreincommonuk.bsky.social
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
Reposted by James Baggaley
The education system is failing too many working-class pupils, but we can turn it around.
Jonathan Slater, Former Perm Sect at the Department for Education on BBC Radio 4 Today, discussing a new report from the UCL Policy Lab on how we can improve standards for poorer pupils.
Jonathan Slater, Former Perm Sect at the Department for Education on BBC Radio 4 Today, discussing a new report from the UCL Policy Lab on how we can improve standards for poorer pupils.
October 27, 2025 at 9:49 AM
The education system is failing too many working-class pupils, but we can turn it around.
Jonathan Slater, Former Perm Sect at the Department for Education on BBC Radio 4 Today, discussing a new report from the UCL Policy Lab on how we can improve standards for poorer pupils.
Jonathan Slater, Former Perm Sect at the Department for Education on BBC Radio 4 Today, discussing a new report from the UCL Policy Lab on how we can improve standards for poorer pupils.
Reposted by James Baggaley
To connect to voters, politics needs to be rooted in place and community
Steve Reed's Yimbyism can't win
www.newstatesman.com
October 14, 2025 at 5:10 PM
To connect to voters, politics needs to be rooted in place and community
Reposted by James Baggaley
Taking the tone of disliking the voters - never a great idea - thought this by UCL policy lab @jimbaggaley.bsky.social was thought-provoking on the limits of Yimbyism www.newstatesman.com/politics/202...
Steve Reed’s Yimbyism can’t win
To connect to voters, politics needs to be rooted in place and community
www.newstatesman.com
October 16, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Taking the tone of disliking the voters - never a great idea - thought this by UCL policy lab @jimbaggaley.bsky.social was thought-provoking on the limits of Yimbyism www.newstatesman.com/politics/202...
Reposted by James Baggaley
Great piece, covering a lot of the same ground as my reflection for @renewaljournal.bsky.social last Saturday about the emergence of YIMBYism and communtiarianism as two distinct approaches to Labour politics:
bsky.app/profile/dmk1...
bsky.app/profile/dmk1...
Really interesting piece by James Baggaley on the dangers of policy without people - and the real divide within Labour:
www.newstatesman.com/politics/202...
www.newstatesman.com/politics/202...
Steve Reed’s Yimbyism can’t win
To connect to voters, politics needs to be rooted in place and community
www.newstatesman.com
October 15, 2025 at 10:39 AM
Great piece, covering a lot of the same ground as my reflection for @renewaljournal.bsky.social last Saturday about the emergence of YIMBYism and communtiarianism as two distinct approaches to Labour politics:
bsky.app/profile/dmk1...
bsky.app/profile/dmk1...
Reposted by James Baggaley
Really interesting piece by James Baggaley on the dangers of policy without people - and the real divide within Labour:
www.newstatesman.com/politics/202...
www.newstatesman.com/politics/202...
Steve Reed’s Yimbyism can’t win
To connect to voters, politics needs to be rooted in place and community
www.newstatesman.com
October 15, 2025 at 10:02 AM
Really interesting piece by James Baggaley on the dangers of policy without people - and the real divide within Labour:
www.newstatesman.com/politics/202...
www.newstatesman.com/politics/202...
“While you may well govern at times as a Yimby, you campaign as a communitarian.”
In my latest piece for @newstatesman.bsky.social I set out why YIMBYism isnt a politics Labour can win with.
www.newstatesman.com/politics/202...
In my latest piece for @newstatesman.bsky.social I set out why YIMBYism isnt a politics Labour can win with.
www.newstatesman.com/politics/202...
Steve Reed's Yimbyism can't win
To connect to voters, politics needs to be rooted in place and community
www.newstatesman.com
October 15, 2025 at 7:57 AM
“While you may well govern at times as a Yimby, you campaign as a communitarian.”
In my latest piece for @newstatesman.bsky.social I set out why YIMBYism isnt a politics Labour can win with.
www.newstatesman.com/politics/202...
In my latest piece for @newstatesman.bsky.social I set out why YIMBYism isnt a politics Labour can win with.
www.newstatesman.com/politics/202...
Standing up for the places and communities that we love.
Our reflections @uclpolicylab.bsky.social on the Labour Conference 2025. www.ucl.ac.uk/policy-lab/n...
Our reflections @uclpolicylab.bsky.social on the Labour Conference 2025. www.ucl.ac.uk/policy-lab/n...
Standing up for the places and communities that we love
We reflect on lessons from the UCL Policy Lab programme and conversations at Labour Party Conference 2025.
www.ucl.ac.uk
October 2, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Standing up for the places and communities that we love.
Our reflections @uclpolicylab.bsky.social on the Labour Conference 2025. www.ucl.ac.uk/policy-lab/n...
Our reflections @uclpolicylab.bsky.social on the Labour Conference 2025. www.ucl.ac.uk/policy-lab/n...
Reposted by James Baggaley
We were joined by leaders from across Britain for a celebration of what brings us together.
In partnership with @citizensuk.org @moreincommonuk.bsky.social and @belongnetwork.bsky.social. Thank you to all those who came along.
In partnership with @citizensuk.org @moreincommonuk.bsky.social and @belongnetwork.bsky.social. Thank you to all those who came along.
September 30, 2025 at 8:16 AM
We were joined by leaders from across Britain for a celebration of what brings us together.
In partnership with @citizensuk.org @moreincommonuk.bsky.social and @belongnetwork.bsky.social. Thank you to all those who came along.
In partnership with @citizensuk.org @moreincommonuk.bsky.social and @belongnetwork.bsky.social. Thank you to all those who came along.
Reposted by James Baggaley
Speak for England, Big John
In the face of racist attacks, the food influencer represents a form of patriotism that is modest and decent.
By James Baggaley
In the face of racist attacks, the food influencer represents a form of patriotism that is modest and decent.
By James Baggaley
Speak for England, Big John
In the face of racist attacks, the food influencer represents a form of patriotism that is modest and decent.
www.newstatesman.com
September 9, 2025 at 10:12 AM
Speak for England, Big John
In the face of racist attacks, the food influencer represents a form of patriotism that is modest and decent.
By James Baggaley
In the face of racist attacks, the food influencer represents a form of patriotism that is modest and decent.
By James Baggaley
Reposted by James Baggaley
Terrific piece on England by my greet @uclpolicylab.bsky.social colleague James Baggaley: www.newstatesman.com/politics/202...
Speak for England, Big John
In the face of racist attacks, the food influencer represents a form of patriotism that is modest and decent.
www.newstatesman.com
September 9, 2025 at 8:44 AM
Terrific piece on England by my greet @uclpolicylab.bsky.social colleague James Baggaley: www.newstatesman.com/politics/202...
Big John, England and why an ordinary, decent patriotism matters.
My piece for the @newstatesman.com.
www.newstatesman.com/politics/202...
My piece for the @newstatesman.com.
www.newstatesman.com/politics/202...
Speak for England, Big John
In the face of racist attacks, the food influencer represents a form of patriotism that is modest and decent.
www.newstatesman.com
September 9, 2025 at 8:08 AM
Big John, England and why an ordinary, decent patriotism matters.
My piece for the @newstatesman.com.
www.newstatesman.com/politics/202...
My piece for the @newstatesman.com.
www.newstatesman.com/politics/202...
Reposted by James Baggaley
Fantastic piece by @jimbaggaley.bsky.social on Big John in the @newstatesman.com
“For Keir Starmer…to respond to the growing division and isolation, they must speak about these people, lend them their platform, and stand up for them: their decency, love of community, and country.”
“For Keir Starmer…to respond to the growing division and isolation, they must speak about these people, lend them their platform, and stand up for them: their decency, love of community, and country.”
Speak for England, Big John
In the face of racist attacks, the food influencer represents a form of patriotism that is modest and decent.
www.newstatesman.com
September 9, 2025 at 7:48 AM
Fantastic piece by @jimbaggaley.bsky.social on Big John in the @newstatesman.com
“For Keir Starmer…to respond to the growing division and isolation, they must speak about these people, lend them their platform, and stand up for them: their decency, love of community, and country.”
“For Keir Starmer…to respond to the growing division and isolation, they must speak about these people, lend them their platform, and stand up for them: their decency, love of community, and country.”
“Today’s Maga-inflected version has far more in common with the “move fast and break things” worldview of Dominic Cummings than it does with the everyday, practical wisdom of Aristotle.” Top piece from @mds49.bsky.social on the new MAGA blue labour. www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/politics/703...
What’s wrong with the new Blue Labour?
How the delusions of Brexit and Maga have alienated the ideological movement from ordinary people
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
June 28, 2025 at 1:35 PM
“Today’s Maga-inflected version has far more in common with the “move fast and break things” worldview of Dominic Cummings than it does with the everyday, practical wisdom of Aristotle.” Top piece from @mds49.bsky.social on the new MAGA blue labour. www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/politics/703...
Reposted by James Baggaley
Today we launch This Place Matters in partnership with @citizensuk.org and @moreincommonuk.bsky.social. The project aims to reimagine social cohesion policy in light of recent tensions. www.ucl.ac.uk/policy-lab/n...
New project to reimagine social cohesion in light of tensions
A new joint research project, This Place Matters, is designed to provide local and national governments with a blueprint for good cohesion policy and to amplify the work of civic actors on the ground ...
www.ucl.ac.uk
May 19, 2025 at 7:48 AM
Today we launch This Place Matters in partnership with @citizensuk.org and @moreincommonuk.bsky.social. The project aims to reimagine social cohesion policy in light of recent tensions. www.ucl.ac.uk/policy-lab/n...
Reposted by James Baggaley
“It's uncomfortable for the government, it's uncomfortable for the OBR itself. And I think in a democratic process, it feels pretty uncomfortable more widely still.”
@chrisgiles.ft.com UCL Policy Lab Hon Prof on the challanges for the OBR and economic projections. podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/p...
@chrisgiles.ft.com UCL Policy Lab Hon Prof on the challanges for the OBR and economic projections. podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/p...
Doom, gloom and not much headroom: Spring Statement
Podcast Episode · Political Fix · 28/03/2025 · 38m
podcasts.apple.com
March 29, 2025 at 8:04 AM
“It's uncomfortable for the government, it's uncomfortable for the OBR itself. And I think in a democratic process, it feels pretty uncomfortable more widely still.”
@chrisgiles.ft.com UCL Policy Lab Hon Prof on the challanges for the OBR and economic projections. podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/p...
@chrisgiles.ft.com UCL Policy Lab Hon Prof on the challanges for the OBR and economic projections. podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/p...
Reposted by James Baggaley
Keir Starmer must reassure pragmatic liberals.
There is no appetite among British voters for Trump-style disruption and populism. @mds49.bsky.social and @luketryl.bsky.social on latest polling from UCL Policy Lab and @moreincommonuk.bsky.social. www.newstatesman.com/comment/2025...
There is no appetite among British voters for Trump-style disruption and populism. @mds49.bsky.social and @luketryl.bsky.social on latest polling from UCL Policy Lab and @moreincommonuk.bsky.social. www.newstatesman.com/comment/2025...
Keir Starmer must reassure pragmatic liberals
There is no appetite among British voters for Trump-style disruption and populism.
www.newstatesman.com
March 8, 2025 at 10:48 AM
Keir Starmer must reassure pragmatic liberals.
There is no appetite among British voters for Trump-style disruption and populism. @mds49.bsky.social and @luketryl.bsky.social on latest polling from UCL Policy Lab and @moreincommonuk.bsky.social. www.newstatesman.com/comment/2025...
There is no appetite among British voters for Trump-style disruption and populism. @mds49.bsky.social and @luketryl.bsky.social on latest polling from UCL Policy Lab and @moreincommonuk.bsky.social. www.newstatesman.com/comment/2025...
“First and foremost there’s Luke Littler, the teenage wizard who lives on pizzas and vapes, and spends his winnings on FIFA packs but carries himself like a wizened member of the local Rotary Club”.
magazine.newstatesman.com/2025/01/03/h...
magazine.newstatesman.com/2025/01/03/h...
How darts conquered Britain
With Luke Littler as their champion, a new generation of fans have taken the sport into their hearts.
magazine.newstatesman.com
January 4, 2025 at 10:55 AM
“First and foremost there’s Luke Littler, the teenage wizard who lives on pizzas and vapes, and spends his winnings on FIFA packs but carries himself like a wizened member of the local Rotary Club”.
magazine.newstatesman.com/2025/01/03/h...
magazine.newstatesman.com/2025/01/03/h...
A look back on a fantastic year @uclpolicylab.bsky.social and some reflections on why understanding the connections between people, place and politics will be essential to building a better politics.
Thank you to all the brilliant folks we worked with in 2024 👏
www.ucl.ac.uk/policy-lab/n...
Thank you to all the brilliant folks we worked with in 2024 👏
www.ucl.ac.uk/policy-lab/n...
Our year in review and finding hope in the politics of connection
James Baggaley provides reflections from a year of activity at the UCL Policy Lab, and the role connection plays in building a better world.
www.ucl.ac.uk
December 18, 2024 at 12:47 PM
A look back on a fantastic year @uclpolicylab.bsky.social and some reflections on why understanding the connections between people, place and politics will be essential to building a better politics.
Thank you to all the brilliant folks we worked with in 2024 👏
www.ucl.ac.uk/policy-lab/n...
Thank you to all the brilliant folks we worked with in 2024 👏
www.ucl.ac.uk/policy-lab/n...