Michael Higham
@michaelhigham11.bsky.social
European Politics PhD at King's College London. Researching exceptionalism in the EU, political myths, and legitimacy.
https://www.kcl.ac.uk/people/michael-higham
https://www.kcl.ac.uk/people/michael-higham
Reposted by Michael Higham
Lack of a common foe enfeebled Europe — but not any more, says Simon Kuper ft.trib.al/DSHzkRZ
February 7, 2026 at 11:21 AM
Lack of a common foe enfeebled Europe — but not any more, says Simon Kuper ft.trib.al/DSHzkRZ
Reposted by Michael Higham
On Brexit, are there “glimmers of hope that the UK may be preparing to turn the page of this costly national psychodrama” asks Martin Leng:
big-europe.eu/publications...
big-europe.eu/publications...
Brexit Britain has one viable option left: Europe
Almost ten years since the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union, the Brexiteers’ pilgrimage to ‘sunlit uplands’ has instead become a national Via Dolorosa – a painful procession of...
big-europe.eu
February 6, 2026 at 9:27 PM
On Brexit, are there “glimmers of hope that the UK may be preparing to turn the page of this costly national psychodrama” asks Martin Leng:
big-europe.eu/publications...
big-europe.eu/publications...
Reposted by Michael Higham
One of the most depressing things about Carney’s brilliant speech is the certain knowledge that neither Keir Starmer nor any other senior British politician of any party could have given anything like it - even if they understood the arguments.
“Principled and pragmatic: Canada’s path” Prime Minister Carney addresses the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting
Thank you, Larry.It’s a pleasure – and a duty – to be with you at this turning point for Canada and for the world.Today, I’ll talk about the rupture in the world order, the end of a nice story, and th...
www.pm.gc.ca
January 21, 2026 at 10:02 AM
One of the most depressing things about Carney’s brilliant speech is the certain knowledge that neither Keir Starmer nor any other senior British politician of any party could have given anything like it - even if they understood the arguments.
Reposted by Michael Higham
I’ve been stalwart backer of transatlantic alliance all my life. I understand why Europeans have so far trod softly/tried to keep Trump onside. But, there comes a time when you have to face reality. The US is no longer our ally. Its defense guarantee is worthless. Time to kick ass back🧵
January 17, 2026 at 6:00 PM
I’ve been stalwart backer of transatlantic alliance all my life. I understand why Europeans have so far trod softly/tried to keep Trump onside. But, there comes a time when you have to face reality. The US is no longer our ally. Its defense guarantee is worthless. Time to kick ass back🧵
Reposted by Michael Higham
The number of one-off structural changes that disadvantage young people vs their parents at the same age is pretty staggering
January 11, 2026 at 2:44 PM
The number of one-off structural changes that disadvantage young people vs their parents at the same age is pretty staggering
Reposted by Michael Higham
finally, we're living through precedented times
January 4, 2026 at 6:56 AM
finally, we're living through precedented times
Reposted by Michael Higham
European weakness on full display by these horribly contorted responses from Merz, Macron and Starmer - neither condoning nor condemning US actions in Venezuela
Such weakness only risks making the Europeans more vulnerable (ie Greenland)
Such weakness only risks making the Europeans more vulnerable (ie Greenland)
January 3, 2026 at 7:43 PM
European weakness on full display by these horribly contorted responses from Merz, Macron and Starmer - neither condoning nor condemning US actions in Venezuela
Such weakness only risks making the Europeans more vulnerable (ie Greenland)
Such weakness only risks making the Europeans more vulnerable (ie Greenland)
Reposted by Michael Higham
'So many unhappy souls comprise the royal family - they're listless.'
@lewisgoodall.com approves of listener Lea's method on 'getting rid of' the monarchy.
@lewisgoodall.com approves of listener Lea's method on 'getting rid of' the monarchy.
December 24, 2025 at 2:43 PM
'So many unhappy souls comprise the royal family - they're listless.'
@lewisgoodall.com approves of listener Lea's method on 'getting rid of' the monarchy.
@lewisgoodall.com approves of listener Lea's method on 'getting rid of' the monarchy.
Reposted by Michael Higham
Reflections on the European Council decision to borrow €90 billion and lend it to Ukraine. Tl; dr: Ukraine benefits, but not enough; Putin & Trump will be encouraged; the EU & individual member-states have shown that it’s still too easy to intimidate them. 🧵1/13
December 19, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Reflections on the European Council decision to borrow €90 billion and lend it to Ukraine. Tl; dr: Ukraine benefits, but not enough; Putin & Trump will be encouraged; the EU & individual member-states have shown that it’s still too easy to intimidate them. 🧵1/13
Reposted by Michael Higham
If we can't even identify our enemies then how can we fight them?
Trump's National Security Strategy is the longest suicide note in American history
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
Trump's National Security Strategy is the longest suicide note in American history
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
The Longest Suicide Note in American History
The Trump administration’s new National Security Strategy targets liberal democracy itself.
www.theatlantic.com
December 16, 2025 at 1:59 PM
If we can't even identify our enemies then how can we fight them?
Trump's National Security Strategy is the longest suicide note in American history
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
Trump's National Security Strategy is the longest suicide note in American history
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
Reposted by Michael Higham
The Berlin meeting.
December 15, 2025 at 7:48 PM
The Berlin meeting.
Reposted by Michael Higham
🇪🇺🇺🇦 Kallas: The Donbas isn’t Putin’s end game. If he gets it, he will demand more. We know this from history and we should learn from history.
December 15, 2025 at 8:40 AM
🇪🇺🇺🇦 Kallas: The Donbas isn’t Putin’s end game. If he gets it, he will demand more. We know this from history and we should learn from history.
Reposted by Michael Higham
‘The 0.001%’: a quick visual breakdown of the world’s wealthiest people
‘The 0.001%’: a quick visual breakdown of the world’s wealthiest people
About 56,000 people control three times as much wealth as half of humanity. Here’s one way to illustrate that
www.theguardian.com
December 10, 2025 at 5:06 PM
‘The 0.001%’: a quick visual breakdown of the world’s wealthiest people
Reposted by Michael Higham
“AI is clearly sticking around so you have to get used to it” wrong. I don’t have to get used to shit. I am a practiced hater and I can keep this going for decades if I am required to
December 1, 2025 at 11:29 PM
“AI is clearly sticking around so you have to get used to it” wrong. I don’t have to get used to shit. I am a practiced hater and I can keep this going for decades if I am required to
Reposted by Michael Higham
Persuasive letter on populism as a cognitive short-cut in the @financialtimes.com
November 29, 2025 at 7:13 AM
Persuasive letter on populism as a cognitive short-cut in the @financialtimes.com
Reposted by Michael Higham
A former UK prime minister held responsible for tens of thousands of deaths while the US president calls for elected politicians to be hanged.
A jolt of a reminder that law and policy are ultimately about life and death.
And politicians are often not up to dealing with such things.
A jolt of a reminder that law and policy are ultimately about life and death.
And politicians are often not up to dealing with such things.
November 20, 2025 at 5:45 PM
A former UK prime minister held responsible for tens of thousands of deaths while the US president calls for elected politicians to be hanged.
A jolt of a reminder that law and policy are ultimately about life and death.
And politicians are often not up to dealing with such things.
A jolt of a reminder that law and policy are ultimately about life and death.
And politicians are often not up to dealing with such things.
Reposted by Michael Higham
"To say 'Zelenskyy is no friend of the working class' is an insulting, facile distraction from the fact that Sultana refuses to support the Ukrainian people’s fight for existence."
Proper cold fury and moral clarity from @paulmason.bsky.social on Sultana.
open.substack.com/pub/htsf/p/c...
Proper cold fury and moral clarity from @paulmason.bsky.social on Sultana.
open.substack.com/pub/htsf/p/c...
Coventry South needs a by-election soon
Zarah Sultana has no mandate for disarming the people of Britain and betraying Ukraine
open.substack.com
October 28, 2025 at 3:06 PM
"To say 'Zelenskyy is no friend of the working class' is an insulting, facile distraction from the fact that Sultana refuses to support the Ukrainian people’s fight for existence."
Proper cold fury and moral clarity from @paulmason.bsky.social on Sultana.
open.substack.com/pub/htsf/p/c...
Proper cold fury and moral clarity from @paulmason.bsky.social on Sultana.
open.substack.com/pub/htsf/p/c...
Reposted by Michael Higham
I’ve said it once, I’ll say it again.
Ignore the haters, London is the 🐐
Ignore the haters, London is the 🐐
September 23, 2025 at 4:17 PM
I’ve said it once, I’ll say it again.
Ignore the haters, London is the 🐐
Ignore the haters, London is the 🐐
Reposted by Michael Higham
Read in full 👉
Commission President Von der Leyen’s 2025 State of the Union Address. A call to action, but is anybody listening? - UK in a changing Europe
Hussein Kassim reflects on Ursula von der Leyen's State of the Union address on Wednesday 10 September and her terms as President of the European Commission.
ukandeu.ac.uk
September 14, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Read in full 👉
Reposted by Michael Higham
One of the strangest ironies of the last ten years has been watching Britain immersing itself as deeply as ever in memories of WW2 while proudly turning its back on the project that emerged from it.
May 8, 2025 at 10:46 AM
One of the strangest ironies of the last ten years has been watching Britain immersing itself as deeply as ever in memories of WW2 while proudly turning its back on the project that emerged from it.
Reposted by Michael Higham
This very much aligns with my view: eulogy for the transatlantic alliance has now to be written. Time for Europe to move on.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Trump or no Trump, Europe’s relationship with the US will never recover | Nathalie Tocci
Optimists cling to a faith in the old alliance, but the best we can achieve is an amicable divorce, says Guardian Europe columnist Nathalie Tocci
www.theguardian.com
September 11, 2025 at 6:59 PM
This very much aligns with my view: eulogy for the transatlantic alliance has now to be written. Time for Europe to move on.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Michael Higham
Europe’s State of the Union address is becoming a political ritual, symbolizing the slow maturing of the EU as a political entity, writes columnist Caroline de Gruyter. foreignpolicy.com/2025/09/09/e...
Europe Has Found Its True Language
The State of the Union has become a yearly ritual that breathes life into the EU.
foreignpolicy.com
September 10, 2025 at 7:16 PM
Europe’s State of the Union address is becoming a political ritual, symbolizing the slow maturing of the EU as a political entity, writes columnist Caroline de Gruyter. foreignpolicy.com/2025/09/09/e...
Reposted by Michael Higham
Radical right accommodation really does not work.
New paper out with this exceptionally talented team
@katharinalawall.bsky.social @robjohns75.bsky.social @drjennings.bsky.social @sarahobolt.bsky.social @zachdickson.bsky.social @danjdevine.bsky.social & @jack-bailey.co.uk
doi.org/10.31235/osf...
New paper out with this exceptionally talented team
@katharinalawall.bsky.social @robjohns75.bsky.social @drjennings.bsky.social @sarahobolt.bsky.social @zachdickson.bsky.social @danjdevine.bsky.social & @jack-bailey.co.uk
doi.org/10.31235/osf...
September 5, 2025 at 6:50 AM
Radical right accommodation really does not work.
New paper out with this exceptionally talented team
@katharinalawall.bsky.social @robjohns75.bsky.social @drjennings.bsky.social @sarahobolt.bsky.social @zachdickson.bsky.social @danjdevine.bsky.social & @jack-bailey.co.uk
doi.org/10.31235/osf...
New paper out with this exceptionally talented team
@katharinalawall.bsky.social @robjohns75.bsky.social @drjennings.bsky.social @sarahobolt.bsky.social @zachdickson.bsky.social @danjdevine.bsky.social & @jack-bailey.co.uk
doi.org/10.31235/osf...
Reposted by Michael Higham
- 8/20 He stresses that while the EU's first decades could draw on memories of war and the goodwill of strong economic growth, those have both dried up (correct, but for my money this was the weakest part of his speech: as the experience in central and eastern Europe is very different).
August 24, 2025 at 7:01 PM
- 8/20 He stresses that while the EU's first decades could draw on memories of war and the goodwill of strong economic growth, those have both dried up (correct, but for my money this was the weakest part of his speech: as the experience in central and eastern Europe is very different).
Reposted by Michael Higham
Just got round to watching Mario Draghi's speech in Rimini in the original Italian. It is easily the most important speech on Europe so far this year and I hope someone (@grandcontinent.bsky.social?) publishes it in English and other EU languages soon.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMME...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMME...
Mario Draghi’s Full Speech: Europe’s Harsh Reality — Powerless on the Global Stage! -ITALIAN-
YouTube video by EU Debates | eudebates.tv
www.youtube.com
August 24, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Just got round to watching Mario Draghi's speech in Rimini in the original Italian. It is easily the most important speech on Europe so far this year and I hope someone (@grandcontinent.bsky.social?) publishes it in English and other EU languages soon.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMME...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMME...