Ryan Swift
@ryanswift93.bsky.social
Research Fellow at IPPR North/IPPR - work on democracy, devolution, regional identity | PhD on the politics of Northernness
Reposted by Ryan Swift
Devolution is essential for empowering our communities, councillors & mayors - but also our MPs. Read why in my opinion piece for @labourlist.bsky.social✍️
Do you agree?
labourlist.org/2025/11/no-m...
Do you agree?
labourlist.org/2025/11/no-m...
'Time for MPs to stop being ‘Super Councillors’ and start being legislators again' - LabourList
MPs Are Overstretched as ‘Super Councillors’—Devolution will restore their primary role as legislators says IPPR North's Zoe Billingham.
labourlist.org
November 21, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Devolution is essential for empowering our communities, councillors & mayors - but also our MPs. Read why in my opinion piece for @labourlist.bsky.social✍️
Do you agree?
labourlist.org/2025/11/no-m...
Do you agree?
labourlist.org/2025/11/no-m...
Nice piece on the special urban/rural character of the ‘south Pennines’ with its industrial heritage and wild moors and hills.
From my 19thC terraced house in a small mill town it’s just 10 mins to this
From my 19thC terraced house in a small mill town it’s just 10 mins to this
October 30, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Nice piece on the special urban/rural character of the ‘south Pennines’ with its industrial heritage and wild moors and hills.
From my 19thC terraced house in a small mill town it’s just 10 mins to this
From my 19thC terraced house in a small mill town it’s just 10 mins to this
“Instead of codification and careful planning the Parliamentary Estate is a mess of ‘unwritten’ conventions, which like the constitution are made sense of only through narrative and route-finding.”
Great to see this paper that I worked on with @alexprior.bsky.social and @snfschlee.bsky.social out👇
Great to see this paper that I worked on with @alexprior.bsky.social and @snfschlee.bsky.social out👇
Just published w/ @snfschlee.bsky.social & @ryanswift93.bsky.social! We find that accompanying interviewees around the UK Parliament "allowed us to directly experience the estate...and the ongoing negotiations and interactions which produce it as a living site". www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Go-along research in the UK Parliament
The current deadlock surrounding the prospective Restoration and Renewal of the UK Parliamentary Estate is attributable to several perceived risks. Th…
www.sciencedirect.com
October 10, 2025 at 2:24 PM
“Instead of codification and careful planning the Parliamentary Estate is a mess of ‘unwritten’ conventions, which like the constitution are made sense of only through narrative and route-finding.”
Great to see this paper that I worked on with @alexprior.bsky.social and @snfschlee.bsky.social out👇
Great to see this paper that I worked on with @alexprior.bsky.social and @snfschlee.bsky.social out👇
Reposted by Ryan Swift
🚨 | NEW PAPER: Community spaces are vanishing, and with them, the ties that bind us.
A year on from the Southport riots, we explore how the loss of pubs, parks and youth clubs is weakening social connection, and how to rebuild it 👉 ippr.org/articles/places-to-come-together
A year on from the Southport riots, we explore how the loss of pubs, parks and youth clubs is weakening social connection, and how to rebuild it 👉 ippr.org/articles/places-to-come-together
July 29, 2025 at 7:08 AM
🚨 | NEW PAPER: Community spaces are vanishing, and with them, the ties that bind us.
A year on from the Southport riots, we explore how the loss of pubs, parks and youth clubs is weakening social connection, and how to rebuild it 👉 ippr.org/articles/places-to-come-together
A year on from the Southport riots, we explore how the loss of pubs, parks and youth clubs is weakening social connection, and how to rebuild it 👉 ippr.org/articles/places-to-come-together
Reposted by Ryan Swift
"Young people in the North are being hit twice as hard due to regional inequalities."
Read @ryanswift93.bsky.social column in @yorkshirepost.co.uk about how deep geographical disparities are harming children in the North of England.
www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/opinion...
Read @ryanswift93.bsky.social column in @yorkshirepost.co.uk about how deep geographical disparities are harming children in the North of England.
www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/opinion...
Young people in the North are being hit twice as hard due to regional inequalities - Ryan Swift
The kids aren’t alright. Young people today have grown up in extremely challenging circumstances, enduring austerity, Brexit, economic stagnation, a pandemic and a cost-of-living crisis. Intergenerati...
www.yorkshirepost.co.uk
July 23, 2025 at 8:40 AM
"Young people in the North are being hit twice as hard due to regional inequalities."
Read @ryanswift93.bsky.social column in @yorkshirepost.co.uk about how deep geographical disparities are harming children in the North of England.
www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/opinion...
Read @ryanswift93.bsky.social column in @yorkshirepost.co.uk about how deep geographical disparities are harming children in the North of England.
www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/opinion...
Reposted by Ryan Swift
“Funding and policy making for culture needs to devolve"
We are grateful to esteemed culture expert Professor Katy Shaw for welcoming our State of the North 2025 report ⤵️
We are grateful to esteemed culture expert Professor Katy Shaw for welcoming our State of the North 2025 report ⤵️
July 22, 2025 at 1:01 PM
“Funding and policy making for culture needs to devolve"
We are grateful to esteemed culture expert Professor Katy Shaw for welcoming our State of the North 2025 report ⤵️
We are grateful to esteemed culture expert Professor Katy Shaw for welcoming our State of the North 2025 report ⤵️
The announcement on votes at 16 was welcome but as we set out in our @ipprnorth.bsky.social State of the North report there’s a need to go further to empower young people in our democracy at the local, regional + national levels
I’ve written about this here www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/opinion...
I’ve written about this here www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/opinion...
Young people in the North are being hit twice as hard due to regional inequalities - Ryan Swift
The kids aren’t alright. Young people today have grown up in extremely challenging circumstances, enduring austerity, Brexit, economic stagnation, a pandemic and a cost-of-living crisis. Intergenerati...
www.yorkshirepost.co.uk
July 22, 2025 at 11:54 AM
The announcement on votes at 16 was welcome but as we set out in our @ipprnorth.bsky.social State of the North report there’s a need to go further to empower young people in our democracy at the local, regional + national levels
I’ve written about this here www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/opinion...
I’ve written about this here www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/opinion...
Brilliant to have @alunfrancis.bsky.social, Chair of the Social Mobility Commission welcoming our State of the North report.
"IPPR’s ‘State of the North 2025’ brings important focus on the specific challenges faced by many young people in the north of England"
@alunfrancis.bsky.social, Chair of the Social Mobility Commission, has welcomed our report highlighting the need to spread opportunity fairly across the country ⤵️
@alunfrancis.bsky.social, Chair of the Social Mobility Commission, has welcomed our report highlighting the need to spread opportunity fairly across the country ⤵️
July 18, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Brilliant to have @alunfrancis.bsky.social, Chair of the Social Mobility Commission welcoming our State of the North report.
Great to have @kimmcguinness.bsky.social backing our State of the North report and its call for fairer culture funding for the North and more devolved powers for culture.
“Too much power is held in London, and by unelected quangos, where decision makers hold the future of Northern arts in their hands"
We have united with North East Mayor and Chair of The Great North @kimmcguinness.bsky.social to call out our regional culture chasm ⤵️
We have united with North East Mayor and Chair of The Great North @kimmcguinness.bsky.social to call out our regional culture chasm ⤵️
July 18, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Great to have @kimmcguinness.bsky.social backing our State of the North report and its call for fairer culture funding for the North and more devolved powers for culture.
Reposted by Ryan Swift
Young people today have endured stagnation and seen opportunity limited. But young people in the North are being hit twice as hard – faced with entrenched regional inequalities.
This year’s @ipprnorth.bsky.social State of the North report focuses on the challenges for young northerners.
This year’s @ipprnorth.bsky.social State of the North report focuses on the challenges for young northerners.
July 17, 2025 at 7:40 AM
Young people today have endured stagnation and seen opportunity limited. But young people in the North are being hit twice as hard – faced with entrenched regional inequalities.
This year’s @ipprnorth.bsky.social State of the North report focuses on the challenges for young northerners.
This year’s @ipprnorth.bsky.social State of the North report focuses on the challenges for young northerners.
Reposted by Ryan Swift
Great to see the government set out its plans for an elections and democracy bill.
www.gov.uk/government/p...
www.gov.uk/government/p...
Restoring trust in our democracy: Our strategy for modern and secure elections
Details of the plans for delivering the government’s commitments on elections and registration.
www.gov.uk
July 17, 2025 at 10:25 AM
Great to see the government set out its plans for an elections and democracy bill.
www.gov.uk/government/p...
www.gov.uk/government/p...
Reposted by Ryan Swift
Today the government have announced that votes at 16 will be part of the upcoming Elections and Democracy Bill 👏
@zoebillingham.bsky.social reacts 👇
@zoebillingham.bsky.social reacts 👇
July 17, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Today the government have announced that votes at 16 will be part of the upcoming Elections and Democracy Bill 👏
@zoebillingham.bsky.social reacts 👇
@zoebillingham.bsky.social reacts 👇
Reposted by Ryan Swift
Cultural funding must become fairer across the country 🎭
@ryanswift93.bsky.social spoke to Capital FM Yorkshire about today’s State of the North research ⤵️
@ryanswift93.bsky.social spoke to Capital FM Yorkshire about today’s State of the North research ⤵️
July 17, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Cultural funding must become fairer across the country 🎭
@ryanswift93.bsky.social spoke to Capital FM Yorkshire about today’s State of the North research ⤵️
@ryanswift93.bsky.social spoke to Capital FM Yorkshire about today’s State of the North research ⤵️
Reposted by Ryan Swift
“Too much power is held in London, and by unelected quangos, where decision makers hold the future of Northern arts in their hands"
We have united with North East Mayor and Chair of The Great North @kimmcguinness.bsky.social to call out our regional culture chasm ⤵️
We have united with North East Mayor and Chair of The Great North @kimmcguinness.bsky.social to call out our regional culture chasm ⤵️
July 17, 2025 at 2:35 PM
“Too much power is held in London, and by unelected quangos, where decision makers hold the future of Northern arts in their hands"
We have united with North East Mayor and Chair of The Great North @kimmcguinness.bsky.social to call out our regional culture chasm ⤵️
We have united with North East Mayor and Chair of The Great North @kimmcguinness.bsky.social to call out our regional culture chasm ⤵️
Great to see our @ipprnorth.bsky.social State of the North findings on regional inequalities in culture funding being picked up by the Yorkshire Post who highlight the important role that culture can play socially and economically across the region.
www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/opinion...
www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/opinion...
Culture can play a vital role for Yorkshire so why is there such a gap in funding?
The value of culture should not be underestimated. Yorkshire has seen repeatedly how hosting world-class events and nurturing best in class talent can benefit the region. In fact, we are seeing it now...
www.yorkshirepost.co.uk
July 17, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Great to see our @ipprnorth.bsky.social State of the North findings on regional inequalities in culture funding being picked up by the Yorkshire Post who highlight the important role that culture can play socially and economically across the region.
www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/opinion...
www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/opinion...
Reposted by Ryan Swift
Barely half of people voted in last year’s general election. Our democracy is in crisis, and we risk reaching a tipping point where politics loses its legitimacy. The government has clearly heard these alarm bells.
July 17, 2025 at 10:48 AM
Barely half of people voted in last year’s general election. Our democracy is in crisis, and we risk reaching a tipping point where politics loses its legitimacy. The government has clearly heard these alarm bells.
Great to see the government set out its plans for an elections and democracy bill.
www.gov.uk/government/p...
www.gov.uk/government/p...
Restoring trust in our democracy: Our strategy for modern and secure elections
Details of the plans for delivering the government’s commitments on elections and registration.
www.gov.uk
July 17, 2025 at 10:25 AM
Great to see the government set out its plans for an elections and democracy bill.
www.gov.uk/government/p...
www.gov.uk/government/p...
Reposted by Ryan Swift
🚨 Today we publish State of the North 2025 🚨
The North gets just half as much arts and culture funding per person as London. We reveal the impact this & other regional divides have on young people, and what must change 👇
www.ippr.org/articles/the...
The North gets just half as much arts and culture funding per person as London. We reveal the impact this & other regional divides have on young people, and what must change 👇
www.ippr.org/articles/the...
July 17, 2025 at 7:41 AM
🚨 Today we publish State of the North 2025 🚨
The North gets just half as much arts and culture funding per person as London. We reveal the impact this & other regional divides have on young people, and what must change 👇
www.ippr.org/articles/the...
The North gets just half as much arts and culture funding per person as London. We reveal the impact this & other regional divides have on young people, and what must change 👇
www.ippr.org/articles/the...
Reposted by Ryan Swift
Research from IPPR North shows that the North has received arts and culture funding of £28 per head since 2023, compared to £57 in London
North faces £450m 'culture chasm' as report shows huge funding gap to London
North faces £450m 'culture chasm' as report shows huge funding gap to London
www.chroniclelive.co.uk
July 17, 2025 at 2:13 AM
Research from IPPR North shows that the North has received arts and culture funding of £28 per head since 2023, compared to £57 in London
Young people today have endured stagnation and seen opportunity limited. But young people in the North are being hit twice as hard – faced with entrenched regional inequalities.
This year’s @ipprnorth.bsky.social State of the North report focuses on the challenges for young northerners.
This year’s @ipprnorth.bsky.social State of the North report focuses on the challenges for young northerners.
July 17, 2025 at 7:40 AM
Young people today have endured stagnation and seen opportunity limited. But young people in the North are being hit twice as hard – faced with entrenched regional inequalities.
This year’s @ipprnorth.bsky.social State of the North report focuses on the challenges for young northerners.
This year’s @ipprnorth.bsky.social State of the North report focuses on the challenges for young northerners.
Reposted by Ryan Swift
Today I’ve published an intervention @ipprnorth.bsky.social on visitor levies 🏨
Backed by calls from Mayors like Oliver Coppard and @davidskaith.bsky.social, the @yorkshirepost.co.uk says it puts pressure on Rachel Reeves to hand over the power to Mayors 🧵
Backed by calls from Mayors like Oliver Coppard and @davidskaith.bsky.social, the @yorkshirepost.co.uk says it puts pressure on Rachel Reeves to hand over the power to Mayors 🧵
July 4, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Today I’ve published an intervention @ipprnorth.bsky.social on visitor levies 🏨
Backed by calls from Mayors like Oliver Coppard and @davidskaith.bsky.social, the @yorkshirepost.co.uk says it puts pressure on Rachel Reeves to hand over the power to Mayors 🧵
Backed by calls from Mayors like Oliver Coppard and @davidskaith.bsky.social, the @yorkshirepost.co.uk says it puts pressure on Rachel Reeves to hand over the power to Mayors 🧵
Reposted by Ryan Swift
A really welcome announcement from the government earlier this week on fairer funding for local government. I was pleased to comment on it.
www.gov.uk/government/n...
www.gov.uk/government/n...
June 21, 2025 at 8:31 PM
A really welcome announcement from the government earlier this week on fairer funding for local government. I was pleased to comment on it.
www.gov.uk/government/n...
www.gov.uk/government/n...
A really welcome announcement from the government earlier this week on fairer funding for local government. I was pleased to comment on it.
www.gov.uk/government/n...
www.gov.uk/government/n...
June 21, 2025 at 8:31 PM
A really welcome announcement from the government earlier this week on fairer funding for local government. I was pleased to comment on it.
www.gov.uk/government/n...
www.gov.uk/government/n...
The Chancellor was right when she said ‘where things are made and who makes them matters’.
Regions like the North that have suffered from deindustrialisation should benefit from a long-term, secure approach to industrial strategy and investment as we discussed here:
www.ippr.org/articles/reg...
Regions like the North that have suffered from deindustrialisation should benefit from a long-term, secure approach to industrial strategy and investment as we discussed here:
www.ippr.org/articles/reg...
Regional economies: The role of industrial strategy as a pathway to greener growth | IPPR
The government’s ongoing development of an industrial strategy provides an opportune moment to lay the foundations for a stronger and more secure domestic
www.ippr.org
June 11, 2025 at 1:12 PM
The Chancellor was right when she said ‘where things are made and who makes them matters’.
Regions like the North that have suffered from deindustrialisation should benefit from a long-term, secure approach to industrial strategy and investment as we discussed here:
www.ippr.org/articles/reg...
Regions like the North that have suffered from deindustrialisation should benefit from a long-term, secure approach to industrial strategy and investment as we discussed here:
www.ippr.org/articles/reg...
Reposted by Ryan Swift
Fantastic new report by @ipprnorth.bsky.social & @msingerhobbs.bsky.social.
Decent buses sit at the heart of a thriving society, inclusive economy and healthy environment.
This report spells out the changes needed to unlock the real potential of buses in England.
Decent buses sit at the heart of a thriving society, inclusive economy and healthy environment.
This report spells out the changes needed to unlock the real potential of buses in England.
En route to renewal: Delivering better, greener buses | IPPR
They can accelerate growth and enhance access to opportunity, economic or cultural, while helping clean our air and reduce our carbon emissions. Our resear
www.ippr.org
June 10, 2025 at 7:55 AM
Fantastic new report by @ipprnorth.bsky.social & @msingerhobbs.bsky.social.
Decent buses sit at the heart of a thriving society, inclusive economy and healthy environment.
This report spells out the changes needed to unlock the real potential of buses in England.
Decent buses sit at the heart of a thriving society, inclusive economy and healthy environment.
This report spells out the changes needed to unlock the real potential of buses in England.