Joel Budd
@joelbudd.bsky.social
Journalist at the Economist, writing about life in Britain. Author of "Underdogs".
Good piece. I had a vague notion a while ago of writing an article called “The Humanities 1 economy” but couldn’t work out how to do it without pissing everyone off and being thrown out.
November 21, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Good piece. I had a vague notion a while ago of writing an article called “The Humanities 1 economy” but couldn’t work out how to do it without pissing everyone off and being thrown out.
they have a funny way of showing it. Linthorpe Road (which has lots of immigrant-run businesses) is often very busy in the evenings, whereas much of central Middlesbrough is a ghost town.
November 9, 2025 at 8:41 AM
they have a funny way of showing it. Linthorpe Road (which has lots of immigrant-run businesses) is often very busy in the evenings, whereas much of central Middlesbrough is a ghost town.
is Manjaros, a successful African and Caribbean restaurant that started in Middlesbrough in 2013, quite a while ago in restaurant years. Is Manjaros not “original”?
The piece also says that local people are fed up with the changes on Linthorpe Road. If they are fed up…
The piece also says that local people are fed up with the changes on Linthorpe Road. If they are fed up…
November 9, 2025 at 8:41 AM
is Manjaros, a successful African and Caribbean restaurant that started in Middlesbrough in 2013, quite a while ago in restaurant years. Is Manjaros not “original”?
The piece also says that local people are fed up with the changes on Linthorpe Road. If they are fed up…
The piece also says that local people are fed up with the changes on Linthorpe Road. If they are fed up…
Is this John Rocker the pitcher? I can remember the fervent abuse that Mets fans heaped on him a couple of weeks after 9/11--a truly enjoyable, heart-warming moment in a desolate time. He wasn't even pitching if I remember right, just warming up. The ultimate unifying figure for New Yorkers.
November 5, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Is this John Rocker the pitcher? I can remember the fervent abuse that Mets fans heaped on him a couple of weeks after 9/11--a truly enjoyable, heart-warming moment in a desolate time. He wasn't even pitching if I remember right, just warming up. The ultimate unifying figure for New Yorkers.
Reposted by Joel Budd
The electoral outcome most strongly linked to deprivation is not any party’s vote share, but turnout. Across almost all indicators, turnout is markedly lower in more deprived areas, with only barriers to housing & services and quality in the living environment showing weaker correlations.
November 3, 2025 at 8:41 AM
The electoral outcome most strongly linked to deprivation is not any party’s vote share, but turnout. Across almost all indicators, turnout is markedly lower in more deprived areas, with only barriers to housing & services and quality in the living environment showing weaker correlations.
It’s possible that the practice of 20-somethings dressing up has been imported from America, specifically Greenwich Village.
October 31, 2025 at 10:23 AM
It’s possible that the practice of 20-somethings dressing up has been imported from America, specifically Greenwich Village.
That raises the question: what are the council’s housing rules? Best I can do is: “Rachel Reeves was required by the local council to obtain a licence to rent out a property and didn’t.” Which isn’t too snappy.
October 30, 2025 at 9:00 AM
That raises the question: what are the council’s housing rules? Best I can do is: “Rachel Reeves was required by the local council to obtain a licence to rent out a property and didn’t.” Which isn’t too snappy.
Not sure that’s mine! Sounds plausible though.
October 30, 2025 at 8:08 AM
Not sure that’s mine! Sounds plausible though.
I found the spectacle of America being run by British people quite enjoyable.
October 28, 2025 at 5:11 PM
I found the spectacle of America being run by British people quite enjoyable.
I’m afraid I think this is OK. The text is fine. I don’t see why using ChatGPT to compose a text is worse than using a friend or repeating something you’ve written before. The mistake that reveals it is silly, but we all make silly mistakes. The apology is good.
October 26, 2025 at 4:58 PM
I’m afraid I think this is OK. The text is fine. I don’t see why using ChatGPT to compose a text is worse than using a friend or repeating something you’ve written before. The mistake that reveals it is silly, but we all make silly mistakes. The apology is good.
Story pitch: could sensible spouses explain the mysterious reluctance of UK consumers to spend money?
October 26, 2025 at 10:39 AM
Story pitch: could sensible spouses explain the mysterious reluctance of UK consumers to spend money?
I don’t see the appeal at all. These things are bulky and ugly, and will rapidly add water to the air. Why not just use an old-fashioned fold-up airer? They’re slower, you have to leave them overnight, but in the night you don’t notice. Possibly I am even older.
October 26, 2025 at 8:36 AM
I don’t see the appeal at all. These things are bulky and ugly, and will rapidly add water to the air. Why not just use an old-fashioned fold-up airer? They’re slower, you have to leave them overnight, but in the night you don’t notice. Possibly I am even older.