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TAX BANK SUPER-PROFITS AT THE BUDGET

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Trump's $5,000 'dividend' is the ultimate marketization of politics. Voting reduced to a purely financial transaction with no political or social content. This is what happens if all we expect is to choose from the goods on offer at election time: no engagement, discourse, agency or resistance.

Being more French? Council Elections 2026 eddieplayfair.com/2026/08/22/b...

Being more French? Council Elections 2026

2026 has been a year of elections for first tier local authorities both in France (March) and in England (May). Is there anything to be learned by comparing the two systems, and what might it mean …

eddieplayfair.com

Being More French? How do French council elections compare to English ones? A new blog with a couple of worked examples.

Being more French? Council Elections 2026

2026 has been a year of elections for first tier local authorities both in France (March) and in England (May). Is there anything to be learned by comparing the two systems, and what might it mean for England’s councils to be elected in a more French way? A brief summary of 10 key differences: 1. A wider range of council sizes…

eddieplayfair.com

I've been at the brilliant 14th International Conference on Critical Education www.icce2026izmir.com presenting 'From Labour Power to Humam Capital' and discussing how to challenge the dominance of Human Capital thinking across every aspect of education.

I've been at the brilliant 14th International Conference on Critical Education www.icce2026izmir.com presenting 'From Labour Power to Humam Capital' and discussing how to challenge the dominance of Human Capital thinking across every aspect of education.

A phenomenal production of Brecht's 'Mother Courage' at #Shakespeare'sGlobe. @annaruthjordan.bsky.social's sympathetic updating enhanced the powerful anti-war message. #MichelleTerry and the whole cast were brilliant. For anyone who speaks glibly of preparing for 'the next war'...

The case for a Really Useful education: journals.lwbooks.co.uk/forum/vol-67...

For a really useful education: a dialectic of purpose - Lawrence Wishart

This contribution takes a dialectical approach to thinking about educational purpose. Using the liberal arts �trivium� categorie

journals.lwbooks.co.uk

It's time for a 'Zucman' wealth tax to tackle runaway inequality.

The Guardian@theguardian.com · 4mo ago

The case for Labour to introduce a wealth tax has never been stronger | Phillip Inman

New Stepping Stone English and maths qualifications could be just what students need, to re-engage and remotivate them and provide opportunities for success on the way to a grade 4 GCSE. My piece in @feweek.bsky.social feweek.co.uk/smaller-step...

Smaller steps could transform English and maths GCSE resits

A more inclusive stepping stone approach to English and maths resits can help students overcome failure stigma

feweek.co.uk

At a time of violent global conflict colleges have a duty to educate about causes and consequences and to explain, discuss and reaffirm the need for peacebuilding, human rights, respect and dialogue. My recent piece in @feweek.bsky.social feweek.co.uk/dont-shy-awa...

Don’t shy away from talking to students about global conflict

Colleges should not stay silent about global conflicts and leave the space to misinformation and extremism

feweek.co.uk

A 'rich' education should be "an expression of an expansive, inclusive, generous and joyful vision of human flourishing" for all students. My blog on educational enrichment for @edgeuk.bsky.social www.edge.co.uk/research/wha...

Woman looking through a microscope, Cliff Rowe (1966) and Woman examining a sample, Maurice Broomfield (1968).

A great presentation yesterday from Andy Friend about his brilliant history of the Artists International - group of anti-fascist artists 1933-43. Even today when art is so commodified, it can still find political purpose. #MarxMemorialLibrary

For an equitable transition to a green economy and a guarantee of economic security for all... For a shift in power and wealth to people and communities through democratic social ownership... support the Reclaim our Economies for People and Planet petition: actionnetwork.org/petitions/re...

Rewire our economies for people and planet

For too long, the rules of the global economy have been written by and for the few elites, billionaires and multinationals. Our leaders have measured success through GDP growth. But GDP is nothing mor...

actionnetwork.org

'Earth and other planets' last night was a phenomenal experience, going way beyond 'fusion'or 'reimagining'. 'Mars' is powerful anti-war music and all yesterday's performances were stunning. Thank you @willharmonicas.bsky.social #DeliaStevens, #RobertMacfarlane #BrittenPhilharmonia & #MiltonCourt

Whenever I see the circular neon lights in the prow of Commonwealth house at the top of New Oxford street I think of this Maurice Broomfield photo.

Treating 'populism' as the main threat is not a political response. Taking on the far-right requires a programme which offers an alternative to growing inequality, economic exclusion, division, xenophobia and racism. My letter in today's @theguardian.com www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

It is Labour’s party machine that is out of touch | Letters

Letters: Readers respond to Chris Powell’s article about how to tackle the threat of rightwing populism

theguardian.com

My first Janaček opera and what an experience. A truly thrilling combination of big issues, emotional charge and gorgeous music - and such a fresh, lively production. More Janaček please! ://www.rbo.org.uk/tickets-and-events/the-makropulos-case-katie-mitchell-details

The Makropulos Case

Find out about The Makropulos Case at the Royal Opera House. Acclaimed director Katie Mitchell stages a new production of Janáček’s haunting and enigmatic opera The Makropulos Case.

rbo.org.uk

On seeing the margins as spaces in which a majority can be mobilised. Brilliant piece from @nesrinemalik.bsky.social on Zohran Mamdani's campaign. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

In New York, Zohran Mamdani showed how it’s done: ‘identity politics’ can win elections | Nesrine Malik

New York’s newly elected mayor rooted his campaign in the personal while, ironically, exemplifying the tradition of the American ‘melting pot’, says Guardian columnist Nesrine Malik

theguardian.com

An important and timely reminder from Zoe Williams in today's @theguardian.com that war is always "a portal from civilization to cruelty". www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

The story of war is one of kidnapping, slavery and rape. And what we talk about is strategy and territory | Zoe Williams

From the Boer war to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Imperial War Museum’s new exhibition reminds us what really happens once the bullets begin to fly, writes Guardian columnist Zoe Williams

theguardian.com

Does class inequality still matter? Yes it does - more than ever! At @lseinequalities.bsky.social this evening with @faizashaheen.bsky.social @zarahsultana.bsky.social @mikesavagelse.bsky.social @claremacg.bsky.social & Aditya Chakraborty

Our new #ThinkFurther blog by @eddieplayfair.bsky.social, Senior Policy Manager at AoC, highlights the importance of teaching about the Holocaust and other genocides to help students understand history and combat discrimination. Read here: www.aoc.co.uk/news-campaig...

"Teaching about past atrocities can help encourage students to challenge hatred, racism and discrimination in the here and now," says Eddie Playfair, Senior Policy Manager at AoC, in our new blog on #InternationalHolocaustRemembranceDay. Read more: www.aoc.co.uk/news-campaig...

A brilliant 'Vulture Capitalism' talk with @graceblakeley.bsky.social at @lseinequalities.bsky.social this evening. The Lucas Plan, workers' control and popular planning movements continue to inspire us to imagine a different economy organised around meeting social need rather capital accumulation.

Let's celebrate the record number of post-16 students achieving grade 4+ in GCSE English and/or maths in November. These are mostly college-based ‘retake’ students who hadn't achieved grade 4 in Year 11. See our AoC briefing on the November results: bit.ly/4jd2B6m

“Why is it that the rich must become immeasurably more rich before the poor can become even fractionally less poor?” We will miss Jeremy Seabrook's championing of greater equality. www.theguardian.com/books/2024/d...

Jeremy Seabrook obituary

Social and political commentator whose work focused on the environment and the marginalisation of poor people

theguardian.com

I discussed maths qualification reform in this 'Right Angle' podcast: “We need a modular and progressive model with plenty of steps to give students credit for what they can do, so they experience success and build on it. That’s more motivating and would build students’ confidence” bit.ly/4iiBFSk

Ep.29:A conversation on Post-16 Maths with Eddie Playfair

The Right Angle · Episode

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Our @AoC_info draft response to the Curriculum & Assessment Review has just gone live. We hope it will prompt discussion and that colleges will respond in large numbers. This is a great opportunity to help shape the system and benefit our students. d4hfzltwt4wv7.cloudfront.net/uploads/file...

Some reflections on skills, knowledge, policy, pedagogy and the role of colleges in supporting the government's missions. I think I managed to cover a lot in five minutes! youtu.be/aDhe8vltnUg

Eddie Playfair, Senior Policy Manager at AoC discusses bridging Policy and Pedagogy

YouTube video by FE News - The #FutureofEducation News Channel

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