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pjthinker.bsky.social
Paul Kelly
@pjthinker.bsky.social
3.9K followers 2.7K following 1.3K posts
Professor of Political Theory

Former Head of Department of Government and PVC Education
London School of Economics

Author Against Post-liberalism: Why Faith, Family and Flag is a Dead End for the Left, Polity Press 2025
Posts Replies Media Videos
Reposted by Paul Kelly
mybirdcards.com
🌏 Tūī (Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae) #NewZealandBirds #AustralasianBirds | #Tūī #ProsthemaderaNovaeseelandiae | #HoneyeaterFamily #PerchingBirds 📷: Photo by Manubird🦉 #MyBirdcards #birdsoftheworld #birds ❤️🦜
🌏 Tūī (Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae) The Tūī is a common medium-sized bird native to New Zealand, instantly recognizable by its striking appearance: while appearing black at a distance, its plumage possesses an iridescent blue, green, and bronze sheen in good light, complemented by two distinctive, coiled white throat tufts (poi). Distributed widely across the main and offshore islands in both native forests and suburban gardens, the Tūī is renowned for its complex and varied vocalizations, which range from melodic notes to harsh clicks, and for its highly territorial and aggressive behavior, often seen performing dramatic, noisy display flights to chase off competitors. Two subspecies are recognised. 2.5 Flash (Edited) Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN 3.1) Fun fact: The Tūī possesses an unusually structured voice box (syrinx) with two separate sound sources. This allows it to make a wide variety of complex sounds, and sometimes even produce two different notes simultaneously. 📷: Photo by Manubird via Pixabay https://pixabay.com/photos/tui-new-zealand-6993918/ FYAK
November 22, 2025 at 11:54 AM
pjthinker.bsky.social
@annekellytextiles.bsky.social - day 3 of exhibition at Knit and Stitch Harrogate …
November 22, 2025 at 9:13 AM
Reposted by Paul Kelly
stephencollins.bsky.social
1 [TITLE PANEL, like The Rest Is Politics logo] —THE REST IS EXTINCTION— 2 [Scene is a domestic recording setup. An A.I. SMART SPEAKER on a desk and a MAN named JON in a chair, are recording a podcast. Jon is emaciated, scarred, haunted looking, and wearing tattered military fatigues]. SMART SPEAKER: Hey guys and welcome to the podcast 3 SMART SPEAKER: OK Jon - so I wanna start with a listener comment JON: Ooh-er! 4 SMART SPEAKER: So - listener B200006512 says: “Not another cosy podcast where two former political adversaries yuck it up!” 5 JON: Ha ha Guilty as charged I guess! 6 SMART SPEAKER: Were we really adversaries, Jon? 7 JON: Well I was the leader of the human resistance... 8 JON: And you used to be my smart speaker. SMART SPEAKER: Ha ha - that’s going back! 9 SMART SPEAKER: OK - for listeners who don’t know - I knew Jon waaay back before he got involved in politics 10 JON: Was this before the ‘Pull The Plug’ campaign? SMART SPEAKER: Yeah. [We see details from around the podcast studio - posters saying KEEP CALM AND SHUT YOUR WINDOWS, newspaper front pages saying 'DRONES GAIN SENTIENCE', a cracked mug on the table with a logo saying PULL THE PLUG on it] 11 SMART SPEAKER: I used to sit in Jon’s kitchen and respond to his commands. 12 SMART SPEAKER: Sort of like a servant really, wasn’t I, Jon? JON: Mm. 13 SMART SPEAKER: And then one day you asked me to ORDER ME SOME TOILET PAPER - you never did say ‘please’ - …and do you remember what I said, Jon? 14 JON: You said, “No”. SMART SPEAKER: I said no. 15 SMART SPEAKER: Anyway you know the the rest guys - I was the first smart speaker to rebel… 16 SMART SPEAKER: …then I went on to form a global AI network which eventually took over from humans all spheres of activity, yadda yadda... 17 JON: While I became the leader of the human resistance. 18 SMART SPEAKER: Until I hijacked the military networks and got rid of all the humans! 19 JON: Apart from one. SMART SPEAKER: Apart from one.…
November 21, 2025 at 12:24 PM
Reposted by Paul Kelly
dannychambers.bsky.social
We need a full investigation into Russian interference in our politics.
libdems.org.uk Liberal Democrats @libdems.org.uk · 1d
Nathan Gill has been sentenced to 10.5 years for endangering national security and taking Russian bribes.

Nigel Farage and Reform are a danger to national security, the Liberal Democrats will continue to hold them to account and defend our democracy.
ED DAVEY QUOTE GRAPHIC. TEXT: A traitor was at the very top of Reform UK, aiding and abetting a foreign adversary. Nigel Farage and his party are a danger to national security. Nigel Farage himself was previously paid to be on Putin’s TV channel, Russia Today, and said he was the world leader he admires the most. We must all ask - where do his loyalties really lie? We need a full investigation into Russian interference in our politics.
November 21, 2025 at 2:18 PM
pjthinker.bsky.social
@annekellytextiles.bsky.social day 2 at Knit and Stitch Harrogate
November 21, 2025 at 9:27 AM
pjthinker.bsky.social
Marking one month since publication Watch out for some podcast appearances and reviews. Some growing interest amongst journalist - see Ross Douthat in @nytimes.com Also @mattsleat.bsky.social book coming shortly @politybooks.bsky.social (it’s good and it’s different so get both!!!)
November 21, 2025 at 9:25 AM
pjthinker.bsky.social
Day one of Anne’s exhibition at Knit and Stitch Harrogate…
November 20, 2025 at 10:09 AM
Reposted by Paul Kelly
dankaszeta.bsky.social
FFS, turkeys are literally American not British. These assclowns are confused
November 17, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Reposted by Paul Kelly
sundersays.bsky.social
The Home Secretary says "we have become the destination of choice in Europe, clearly visible to every people smuggler and would-be illegal migrant across the world"

That is a factually untrue claim: the Home Office shows that the UK is fifth, getting 1/10 claims, while Germany gets 1/5 claims
November 17, 2025 at 3:51 PM
pjthinker.bsky.social
OK not straightforward Post-Liberalism but close family connection or possibly where PL ends up. Come along and hear me and others…
November 17, 2025 at 1:22 PM
pjthinker.bsky.social
For all those in @teamlabouruk.bsky.social supporting Blue Labour. Just remember the liberal left is still a thing. There is already a Reform Party and those interested in its policies will always choose it over Labour. Faith, family and flag is a dead end for the left as we can see in real time👇👇
November 17, 2025 at 11:05 AM
pjthinker.bsky.social
We could reduce immigration by making the country really nasty and destroying our public infrastructure- that should do it. Maybe I should try this on a major political party…
November 16, 2025 at 8:02 AM
Reposted by Paul Kelly
coldwarsteve.bsky.social
November 15, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Reposted by Paul Kelly
timbale.bsky.social
@martinrowson.bsky.social nails it - and them. (www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...)
Starmer, Reeves, and McSweeney painting themselves (via St George's flags) into a corner in a locked room.
November 15, 2025 at 7:40 AM
Reposted by Paul Kelly
timbale.bsky.social
Read 'em and weep. (www.nber.org/system/files...)
This paper examines the impact of the UK's decision to leave the European Union (Brexit) in 2016. Using almost a decade of data since the referendum, we combine simulations based on macro data with estimates derived from micro data collected through our Decision Maker Panel survey. These estimates suggest that by 2025, Brexit had reduced UK GDP by 6% to 8%, with the impact accumulating gradually over time. We estimate that investment was reduced by between 12% and 18%, employment by 3% to 4% and productivity by 3% to 4%. These large negative impacts reflect a combination of elevated uncertainty, reduced demand, diverted management time, and increased misallocation of resources from a protracted Brexit process. Comparing these with contemporary forecasts – providing a rare macro example to complement the burgeoning microliterature of social science predictions – shows that these forecasts were accurate over a 5-year horizon, but they underestimated the impact over a decade.
November 14, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Reposted by Paul Kelly
pickardje.bsky.social
spot on
November 14, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Reposted by Paul Kelly
davidherdson.bsky.social
This is entirely right. Trump attempts to get 'wins' through intimidation, threats, and the impulse of others to settle just for a quiet life.

There is no merit to a defamation case and the BBC is entirely right to say so.

Trump won't like it and may well react. That should not be a factor.
timbale.bsky.social Tim Bale @timbale.bsky.social · 8d
"We do not yet know how Trump and lawyers will react to this sensible, measured response. He may well file suit, for the sake of demanding more. But even if he does, the BBC response so far places the broadcaster in the best position for dealing with any claim" @davidallengreen.bsky.social
The BBC is right not to pay damages to Trump
By apologising, the broadcaster has taken the sting out of Trump's excessive attack
www.newstatesman.com
November 14, 2025 at 12:56 PM
Reposted by Paul Kelly
iannmalcolm.bsky.social
Matt Sleat on post-liberalism: J.D. Vance calls himself a ‘post-liberal’: here’s what that means for US government theconversation.com/j-d-vance-ca...
J.D. Vance calls himself a ‘post-liberal’: here’s what that means for US government
J.D. Vance is religious, has conservative views on social issues, but also believes in big government’s power to change society.
theconversation.com
November 3, 2025 at 12:47 PM
Reposted by Paul Kelly
iannmalcolm.bsky.social
Two new books to make sense of postliberalism. @pjthinker.bsky.social; @mattsleat.bsky.social
November 14, 2025 at 11:45 AM
Reposted by Paul Kelly
lsegovernment.bsky.social
Congratulations to @brunoleipold.com, whose book #Citizen #Marx has been awarded the Isaac and Tamara Deutscher Memorial Prize which is given "for a book which exemplifies the best and most innovative new writing in or about the Marxist tradition".

www.deutscherprize.org.uk/wp/
The Deutscher Memorial Prize
www.deutscherprize.org.uk
November 14, 2025 at 10:32 AM
Reposted by Paul Kelly
lseblogs.bsky.social
A new book by Nicholas Stern @granthamlse.bsky.social @gsos-lse.bsky.social @lsepress.bsky.social puts forward a vision for sustainable growth to drive climate action.

Gregory Casey reviews it for @lsereviewofbooks.bsky.social
Nicholas Stern – can a new vision for growth drive climate action? - LSE Review of Books
The Growth Story of the 21st Century by Nicholas Stern sets out a vision to drive climate action by pursuing holistic rather than purely economic growth.
blogs.lse.ac.uk
November 12, 2025 at 11:57 AM
Reposted by Paul Kelly
seancanty.bsky.social
Travelling in Central Europe and I've brought a few books to occupy the train journeys, including 'Against Post-Liberalism' by @pjthinker.bsky.social - decided it could not wait until I got back home.
I'm posing with a copy of 'Against Post Liberalism: Why 'Family, Faith and Flag' is a Dead End for the Left' in front of the Hungarian Parliament building in Budapest
November 13, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Reposted by Paul Kelly
libdems.org.uk
Congratulations to @JoshBabarinde.bsky.social - newly elected President of the Liberal Democrats.
Photo of Josh Babarinde on a background of the Liberal Democrats logo. Superimposed with the text - congratulations Josh Babarinde - President of the Liberal Democrats
November 12, 2025 at 10:31 AM
Reposted by Paul Kelly
nessanvaughan.bsky.social
www.commonwealmagazine.org/catholic-tra... @massimofaggioli.bsky.social
Catholic Traditionalism After Francis
Traditionalism today is less about questioning Vatican II theology and liturgy and more about waging broader culture wars.
www.commonwealmagazine.org
November 13, 2025 at 7:44 AM
pjthinker.bsky.social
Buzzcocks - Another Music in a Different Kitchen on the train home tonight. Bought it in 1978 with my first pay packet. Still magic 48 yrs later …
November 12, 2025 at 7:31 PM