Jamie Driscoll
@jamiedriscoll.bsky.social
Former North of Tyne Mayor. Socialist, Dad. @majorityuk
Pragmatism is about doing what works. If you want to lift millions out of poverty, heal division, and give everyone security from cradle to grave, it's pragmatic to challenge vested interests. That requires courage. My article in @thecanaryuk.bsky.social
The Canary@thecanaryuk.bsky.social · 2mo agoPragmatism is one of the most abused words in politics. What should mean, “Will this work?” is weaponised to mean, “I’m scared to challenge vested interests.” by @jamiedriscoll.bsky.social
Would a Burnham led government tax wealth not work? Reverse NHS privatisation? Make Meta, Twitter and TikTok responsible for their content? End child poverty once and for all? Or are lobbysits and Labour Together embedded too deep? My analysis, as someone who knows Andy and the Labour Party well.
The Canary@thecanaryuk.bsky.social · 3mo agoIs Andy Burnham about to become Prime Minister? Maybe. Will he lead us out of the valley of darkness? I can’t see it by @jamiedriscoll.bsky.social
It’s polling day! 🗳️ So much of our lives are governed by political decisions. Today is your chance to have your say. 📣 Majority’s backing candidates across the region, including @jamiedriscoll@bsky.social, the brilliant former North of Tyne Mayor. Choose hope. 💚 #localelections2026 #newcastle
Attack ads alienate voters, so why do they do them? To derail discussion about wealth inequality.
The Canary@thecanaryuk.bsky.social · 3mo agoThere’s nothing screams desperation like attack ads. Unsurprisingly, they are all that the establishment parties have left by @jamiedriscoll.bsky.social
It's time to get bold about buses. That means more than bus franchising, it means treating public transport as critical infrastructure. It would boost our economy, reduce social isolation, and benefit the planet. My article in @thecanaryuk.bsky.social
The Canary@thecanaryuk.bsky.social · 3mo agoToo many still think buses are “pleb-wagons”. We need to make a step change and see public transport for the critical infrastructure it is by @jamiedriscoll.bsky.social
Former North of Tyne Mayor @jamiedriscoll.bsky.social on BBC Look North discussing the Green surge in #Newcastle @nclgreenparty.bsky.social #LocalElections2026 #GreenParty
@greenparty.org.uk has selected me to run for Monument ward in May. That’s the ward I represented before I was Mayor. I’ll be part of an increasingly strong Green team. Greens won the recent South Jesmond by-election. Labour vote fell from 43% to 17%, most switching to the Greens. Article below.
To tackle political lies why not have mandatory MP training? Making MPs do work experience might help then realise the difference between what they say in elections and what they do in government. My latest article in @thecanaryuk.bsky.social. www.thecanary.co/opinion/2026...
To tackle political lies why not have mandatory training for MPs?
Soon people can’t tell the difference between the political lies they tell to get elected and the lies they tell themselves about the way
thecanary.co
Any government that wants to end the cost of living crisis will come into conflict with very rich people. But it’s easier to get things done that public discourse would have us believe. My latest article. www.thecanary.co/opinion/2026...
Zack Polanski being labelled a 'populist' is another masterpiece of misdirection
What Zack Polanski is coming with is not 'populism' - it's ending forty years of successive diseases of despair, writes Jamie Driscoll
thecanary.co
British politics is a mess. Food, energy, housing are all too expensive. Major parties are all flogging the dead horse of trickle down. So I’m joining the Green Party. Britain needs an economy that works for workers, for small businesses, and future generations. @greenparty.org.uk
It’s a pity that Starmer, Reeves and co haven’t followed Denmark’s other policies. They tax capital gains up to 42% vs Britain’s top rate of 28%. This funds free university and excellent public services, providing the world’s second highest standard of living. www.thecanary.co/opinion/2025...
Labour has just betrayed its 2024 manifesto completely
When push comes to shove Labour will sell out anyone to protect their jobs and the white colonialist infrastructure the UK is built on
thecanary.co
My latest article, on opinion polls. Will Labour now step down rather than split the anti-Reform vote? On @thecanaryuk.bsky.social www.thecanary.co/opinion/2025...
Opinion polls are useful - but they're not a crystal ball
Throughout history, humans have tried to predict the future - but maybe we'd be better off focusing on the here and now
thecanary.co
Prisoner releases have been made a political football. We need politicians who want to fix it, not make it a political football. My article in @thecanaryuk.bsky.social www.thecanary.co/uk/analysis/...
The current culture wars over prisoner releases is hiding the real issue
We don’t need more people in prison - we need to get prisoners back on their feet, argues Jamie Driscoll as the political discourse goes south
thecanary.co
"Majority legends! ✊🏼 Come rain or shine (luckily it was shine today), our hardy Majority members hit the streets every week. First talking to shoppers at our street stall, then standing together with refugees at the regular anti-racism demo. 1/3
My take on the Caerphilly by-election. Persistent grassroots campaigning on community issues shows that Reform have no answers. www.thecanary.co/uk/analysis/...
The Caerphilly by-election shows Reform is beatable - and Labour is finished
The Caerphilly by-election has exposed the fact that it is the Labour Party now splitting the vote - and they should stand down
thecanary.co
My take on the Caerphilly by-election. Persistent grassroots campaigning is a key element that shows Reform have no answers. www.thecanary.co/uk/analysis/...
The Caerphilly by-election shows Reform is beatable - and Labour is finished
The Caerphilly by-election has exposed the fact that it is the Labour Party now splitting the vote - and they should stand down
thecanary.co
I would like to coin the phrase ‘fake crusader’. The fake crusader is someone who shouts angrily at an injustice for just long enough to get attention and feel self-righteous. Despite having no track record of actually doing anything about it.
The Canary@thecanaryuk.bsky.social · 10mo agoFar-right fascist protesters are 'fake crusaders' cosplaying people who care about women and children The far right don't actually care about women and girls - but are playing up their faux outrage to justify their racism. www.thecanary.co/opinion/2025...
British people want leaders they can be proud of. Patriotism would be taking water back into public ownership. It would cost nothing. Simply enforce the fines. Share prices would drop to zero. And the government would look like it has a backbone. www.thecanary.co/opinion/2025...
For competent leaders with integrity, it's no use looking at the major political parties in the UK
Major political parties haven't got a hope or a clue, writes Majority's Jamie Driscoll as he skewers establishment politics
thecanary.co
When 150 far-right tried to march through Newcastle yesterday, 3000 Geordies stopped them. I’m proud of our city and its people. My article is a first-hand account of the day. www.thecanary.co/opinion/2025...
Geordies weren't letting far-right fascists spout hate in their city this weekend
A far-right rogues gallery of racists came to Newcastle on Saturday 27 September - and yes, racists is the correct term. Or fascists...
thecanary.co
Today Newcastle stood united. ✊🏼 The far-right were in town trying to spread their hate and division. Only about 200 turned up. Over 3000 canny geordies, including dozens of Majority members stopped them marching and sent them packing! #TheyDidNotPass #NaePasaran
📣TOMORROW📣 Stephen Yaxley-Lennon aka Tommy Robinson will be in the toon tomorrow with Nick Tenconi and his UKIP pals. They seek to divide us and turn us against each other. But we won’t let them. Let’s turn out in force and show them who we are in the North East!
Anyone who supports ID cards on the grounds that “if you’ve got nothing to hide you have nothing to worry about” should be banned from having curtains. Mark Thomas’s People’s Manifesto
The Guardian@theguardian.com · 10mo agoKeir Starmer expected to announce plans for digital ID cards
People want a new kind of politics. @majorityuk.bsky.social's packed conference shows it’s already happening. It’s about time Britain was run in the interests of its people. Not billionaires. My article in @thecanaryuk.bsky.social.
The Canary@thecanaryuk.bsky.social · 11mo agoThe Majority conference in Newcastle showed there is hope for the future A mix of inspirational speeches, interviews, table discussions, and lots of practical training made up the Majority conference www.thecanary.co/opinion/2025...
Great to have @zarahsultana.bsky.social at the Majority annual conference yesterday. Labour have failed to provide the answers to the huge challenges we face. We’ll be working with ‘Your Party’ to provide an alternative that will deliver for our communities. Join us 👇🏼 #wearethemajority
Well done Zack!
Majority@majorityuk.bsky.social · 11mo agoCongratulations to @zackpolanski.bsky.social for winning the Green party leadership with a stunning 84.6% of the vote. There is a real appetite for genuine change in this country, and a broad progressive coalition will bring it. We look forward to working with Zack and the Greens in the future!
Left-wing and right-wing are blunt terms. We need to get beyond them and talk about evidence, or we descend into tribalism. My article in @thecanaryuk.bsky.social
The Canary@thecanaryuk.bsky.social · 11mo agoFlags aren't left or right wing - yet suddenly, they are Tribalism says my side is good, your side is bad, and evidence is irrelevant. Flags shouldn't be left or right wing - but suddenly they are. www.thecanary.co/opinion/2025...
A Green Party by-election victory shows what's possible with progressive alliances Labour threw everything - including Rachel Reeves - at a recent by-election, yet the Green Party smashed them www.thecanary.co/uk/analysis/...
A Green Party by-election victory shows what's possible with progressive alliances
Labour threw everything - including Rachel Reeves - at a recent by-election, yet the Green Party smashed them
thecanary.co
Join us on Saturday 6th September at Newcastle’s Discovery Museum for our Annual Conference. Keynote speakers include @jamiedriscoll.bsky.social and @zarahsultana.bsky.social, who will give an update on Your Party. Book today - tickets going fast. Free for Majority members, £6 for non-members. 👇🏼
