BRLSI’s “Democracy Under Threat” series explores #democracy, AI, checks & balances, and #authoritarianism, with speakers including John Curtice, Wera Hobhouse MP & A.C. Grayling. Includes a 4 July conference in #Bath. https://www.brlsi.org/democracyunderthreat/

I’m speaking at BRLSI in Bath this Saturday as part of their Democracy Under Threat event. I’ll be talking about my ESRC-funded work on the Qualitative Election Study of Britain, and how voters make sense of politics in their own words. In person and online. www.brlsi.org/whatson/unmo...

Unmoored voices: how voters navigate Britain’s complex democracy – Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution

Whatever your thoughts about the pressures on our current democracies, BRLSI’s Democracy Under Threat series invites you to pause and take stock as we collectively take the long view across history an...

brlsi.org

Citizens for Culture Cultural Plan handed over to WECA at Watershed yesterday. The value will only land if recommendations translate into visible decisions and delivery with accountability baked into existing governance. My reflections here: delegatesandtrustees.wordpress.com/2026/01/16/f...

From Cultural Plan to cultural practice: why the Citizens for Culture handover matters

Yesterday at Watershed, I had the privilege of witnessing a milestone for culture and democracy in the West of England: the formal handover of the Citizens for Culture Cultural Plan to the region’s…

delegatesandtrustees.wordpress.com

Spoke with John Darvall on BBC Radio Bristol about the politics of flags - how symbols of unity can become signs of division, and what this says about belonging, identity, and protest in Britain today. 🎧 Starts 10:50 www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/... #Politics #Identity #BBCBristol #Belonging

John Darvall - 23/10/2025 - BBC Sounds

John brings you great stories, extended interviews and breaking news.

bbc.co.uk

Honoured to join panel at Forwards Festival on Citizens’ Assemblies with LaToyah McAllister-Jones, Ruby Sant, Saad Eddine Said & Jemma Forte Discussing progress of #CitizensforCulture ahead of 1st assembly, showcasing politics done differently through participation, deliberation & shared ownership

Back on BBC Radio Bristol with John Darvall discussing Reform UK’s immigration plans 🎙️ Key point: much political noise, few solutions, failures of politics & process. Real reform = fair & fast decisions, clear legal routes, & tackling system backlogs. Listen (52:58): www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

John Darvall - 27/08/2025 - BBC Sounds

John brings you great stories, extended interviews and breaking news.

bbc.co.uk

Dr Thom Oliver dissects what the proposed scrapping of the committee system might mean for Bristol

'Westminster continues to undermine local autonomy'

erosion of local autonomyDr Thom Oliver, a senior lecturer in politics gives his opinion on the erosion of local autonomy

bristol247.com

Just as we were planning the Bristol Civic Leadership Project 2026 to look at experiences of Committee Governance in Bristol, we’ll have to also consider the next iteration 2 years back into Leader and Cabinet model. The BLCP has been alongside the waves of governance change which started in 2013. 🧵

Bristol24/7@bristol247.bsky.social · last yr.

Bristol's newly established committee system is likely to be abolished under government plans announced today

Lot of people asking what impact Reform running councils will have on their popularity. There are reasons to think it won't be smooth sailing. A lot of political novices taking over in challenging circs, and in the past Farage party councillors have often split or left in large numbers

Piece for @bristol247.bsky.social around the positive outcomes and some of the potential issues emerging from the WECA election result www.bristol247.com/opinion/your...

'Do we now have a mayor without a mandate?'

Dr Thom Oliver says the 2025 mayoral vote has raised more questions than it answered

bristol247.com

Happy to find time to speak with John Darvall at BBC Radio Bristol about the WECA Mayoral Election result, including what it might mean for the regions politics, the rise of Reform UK, and the perennial challenge of low turnout. You can listen back from 09:57 here: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

John Darvall - 02/05/2025 - BBC Sounds

John brings you great stories, extended interviews and breaking news.

bbc.co.uk

Up early this morning at 7:30am to speak with Charlie Taylor on the BBC Radio Bristol Breakfast show, offering a bit of early analysis of the WECA mayoral election. You can listen back via BBC Sounds from 1:37:57 www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

Joe Sims - Charlie Taylor sits in (02/05/2025) - BBC Sounds

A proper Bristol breakfast, waking you up with a smile every morning.

bbc.co.uk

As much as I'm willing to make an electoral prediction, I think it will be (differential) turnout, not tactics which ultimately decide the outcome of the WECA Mayoral vote www.bristol247.com/opinion/your... (Here is my new piece for @bristol247.bsky.social)

'Turnout not tactics will decide the WECA mayoral election'

"Predicting elections is tricky," says UWE Bristol's Dr Thom Oliver

bristol247.com

If you're from Bristol or beyond, this zoom talk on 'Bristol's Cultural Renaissance' by @andrewkelly.bsky.social is worth checking out. Its taking place online next Wednesday evening. Sign up for a link: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

Great to see this piece from Debbie Ransome of 'The Roundtable' The Commonwealth Journal of International Affairs written about the recent 'Referendums in Small States and Territories' Conference, hosted at the Centre for Small States (QMUL). www.commonwealthroundtable.co.uk/general/smal...

When to vote and what to vote on: The case for referendums in small states

Referendum experts look at what makes the process work - and fail - around the world.

commonwealthroundtable.co.uk

A pleasure to speak with @johndarvall.bsky.social today on BBC Radio Bristol. We discussed the big (not new) idea of regional bus franchising, explored the cost and timelines of such a change, and the very real prospects of (tax) precepts to pay for it. bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/... (Listen from 54.30)

John Darvall - 24/04/2025 - BBC Sounds

John brings you great stories, extended interviews, and breaking news.

bbc.co.uk

Good piece from @thomoli.bsky.social on the WECA mayoral election “Few candidates are setting out bold “asks” of central government… The best-known and most effective mayors, like Andy Burnham or Andy Street, did not just manage what they were given; they demanded more and fought for their regions”

'Where is the vision in the WECA mayoral race?'

Dr Thom Oliver says our next mayor "must have a vision, a distinct and clear ask, and a willingness to bring people together"

bristol247.com

This week began with a great conversation with Paris Troy on BBC Radio Bristol. We discussed young people, generational wars, and the experience of, and prospects for Votes at 16. If you want to, you can listen back on BBC Sounds www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/... (Scroll to 11:00)

John Darvall - Paris Troy sits in (03/02/2025) - BBC Sounds

Paris brings you great stories, extended interviews, and breaking news.

bbc.co.uk