I've reviewed Matt Goodwin's new book Bad Education for @thetimes.com on why he left academia and what he thinks has gone wrong with our universities. His case about the rise of intolerance is powerful, but I found the book wanting on the wider problems facing universities. t.co/CmoJ3ykFuQ

The Times view on Sir Keir Starmer’s targets and Plan for Change - Back to Earth. Some welcome realism and tangible targets from the PM, but it was mostly more of the same. The already limited horizons of his government have been lowered further. t.co/nnMs0Kquct

The Times view on reducing cow methane: Bovaer Backlash. The likes of Rupert Lowe and Andrea Jenkyns should know better than to spread conspiracy theories. t.co/Gv9eJ8sXem

The Times view on Sir Keir Starmer’s Lord Mayor’s Banquet speech: Man in the Middle t.co/uVhuUPsM2e

Well, that’s all folks! I’ve loved every moment of the last two years at Onward. Thank you to the frankly amazing team, the board and our supporters for making us the best think tank in Westminster. I can’t wait to watch it go from strength to strength. From Monday, @thetimes.com awaits.

This is absolutely going to be worth your time - subscribe!

James Kanagasooriam@jameskanag.bsky.social · 2y ago

I've started a substack - The Political Whiteboard - where I analyse polls, trends and politics. Click through to read. It's free. The first post is about whether there's another way to think about the political cycle politicalwhiteboard.substack.com/p/is-there-a...

This - shouldn't be hard

James Ball@jamesrball.com · 2y ago

Blasphemy laws are straightforwardly bad. They should be a relic of the past. They have no place in a modern, secular democracy. Especially when we have laws that protect believers, rather than beliefs. Starmer should have felt able to say exactly that at the despatch box today.

Interested in reading about science and health? ⚛️⚕️ Do follow my colleagues at @thetimes.com: Science Editor: @whippletom.bsky.social Science Correspondent: @rhysblakely.bsky.social Health Editor: @eleanorhayward.bsky.social Health Correspondent: @poppykoronka.bsky.social

Peggy Noonan and @bariweiss.bsky.social are two of my favourite American writers. Their podcast in convo does not disappoint t.co/kN6s2qaC3d

We also asked what people made of an old Jaguar advert from 10 years ago, and asked them to compare it to today's. Answer 81% vs 19% preferred Old Jaguar. Results on the new logo were even worse 83% vs 17%. Mixed case logos are a massive red flag.

Fascinating thread that makes Jaguar’s doubling down even more bizarre. Well on the way to trashing a great brand for good.

James Kanagasooriam@jameskanag.bsky.social · 2y ago

I'm baffled by the Jaguar advert/rebrand. A tale of branding failure & the culture wars. Here at @focaldata.bsky.social towers we were intrigued - in a kind of Friday afternoon-esque way - to understand if the online viral backlash was as bad in the real world. In short, yes. In short. Yes.

Great piece this by @igmansfield.bsky.social that I wholeheartedly endorse www.edrith.co.uk/p/those-on-t...

Those on the right should give Bluesky a try

Forget about the ideology - it's just a much better platform

edrith.co.uk

The great @rcolvile.bsky.social is now here and added below

Sebastian Payne@sebastianpayne.bsky.social · 2y ago

Here’s a centre right starter pack, for those who want to ensure this isn’t entirely an echo chamber go.bsky.app/DNLEPTu

@j-amesmarriott.bsky.social isn't messing about on Jordan Peterson www.thetimes.com/culture/book...

Keeping this updated as more people come over to Bluesky

Sebastian Payne@sebastianpayne.bsky.social · 2y ago

Here’s a centre right starter pack, for those who want to ensure this isn’t entirely an echo chamber go.bsky.app/DNLEPTu

For those wondering why the farmers’ protest is having so much coverage, here’s a reminder from @yougov.bsky.social of how the public feel about their work

Here they come

Third Onward person here - after @jameskanag.bsky.social

Gavin Rice@gavinantonyrice.bsky.social · 2y ago

New here, not sure what to expect...👋

Kemi has made the right opening salvo - how the state works is now much more important than what it does, as Labour are experiencing. Any chat of John Hoskyns and 'Stepping Stones' should remember how much more complicated the state and society are now than in 1975. www.thetimes.com/uk/article/k...

Kemi Badenoch: We must stop rewarding ministers for managerialism — and reprogram the state

The way we govern, bogged down by the ever-increasing bureaucratic burden, no longer works. Unless the system is changed, plans to improve the UK are doomed

thetimes.com

Strong agree with Oliver Johnson, whose Twitter account has paradoxically disappeared bristoliver.substack.com/p/bluesky-an...

Updated this throughout today with new names - keep 'em coming

Sebastian Payne@sebastianpayne.bsky.social · 2y ago

Here’s a centre right starter pack, for those who want to ensure this isn’t entirely an echo chamber go.bsky.app/DNLEPTu

Here’s a centre right starter pack, for those who want to ensure this isn’t entirely an echo chamber go.bsky.app/DNLEPTu

Popping up on @bbcnewsnight.bsky.social with @jeevunsandher.bsky.social from 10:30pm to talk Mansion House, pension pots, Brexit and trade, Trumpworld and (no doubt) RFK Jr 📺

I’m deeply worried that buying the Infowars brand will damage The Onion’s commitment to in-depth, fact-checked reported journalism.

This list handily highlights a current flaw with Bluesky: everyone here is left leaning. Haven’t seen a single Conservative MP sign up, while centre right figures are thin on the ground. British politics should split into a left and right wing echo chamber, it needs a common town hall.

Adam Payne@adampayne26.bsky.social · 2y ago

With MPs seemingly joining this website at breakneck speed, I fear PolHome's @zoecrowther.bsky.social has her work cut out updating her invaluable starter pack. That said, she made her bed and there she must lie — so follow it! go.bsky.app/LrPkHJJ

Going to do a quick thread of my fellow @thetimes.com reporters who are on BlueSky and why you should follow them 👇

Happy Fenton 13th anniversary to those of you celebrate youtu.be/3GRSbr0EYYU

JESUS CHRIST IN RICHMOND PARK: ORIGINAL UPLOAD

YouTube video by JAGGL113

youtu.be

Like Iain, hoping we can recreate something of that 2010-2014 spirit

Iain Martin@iainmartin1.bsky.social · 2y ago

Hello. Have joined this place having been told by friends that it is an oasis of calm, reasoned, good natured discussion… unlike the other place.