Usually on this blog, I write about serious political issues but today I’m going to attempt something more light-hearted and review a few podcasts I have got into over the pandemic. Before March 2020, I wasn’t a huge fan of podcasts. I’d listen to some fairly niche ones when going…

When it comes to Antisemitic hate crime committed across London, there is a stark picture. This has risen by 47% between March 2020 and February 2021, whilst London went through a period of lockdowns and covid restrictions. Lee Burkwood analyses the numbers to see where the highest and lowest offences have occurred and what it means for the Jewish communities in London. The Community Security Trust, a charity that aims to protect British Jews from antisemitism, produced the Antisemitic Incidents Report 2020 in February this year. This report highlights statistics and real-life incidents of antisemitic hate crimes. …

Wanstead Village Covid-19 Mutual Aid Group: The growth of collectivism and community in a corner of North-East London Wanstead Village Mutual Aid group has grown since its inception in March earlier this year. …

What Labour members can learn by Biden’s and the Democrats win There will and has been already many takes on what Labour can learn from President-elect Biden’s victory. …

It is easy to either fall in two camps in assessing the start Keir Starmer has made. Either he is an “awful blairite” who is “purging” the left of the party or an “amazing forensic leader who is showing serious leadership”. I supported his campaign so it will come as…

How social media has turned the Labour Leadership election into a quite nasty and divisive contest: Personal thoughts and reflections on the Labour Leadership election As voting closes on the Labour leadership election, I guess I’d like to reflect a little bit. At the start of the contest, even way back in December, pretty much most of my friends in the Labour Party were backing Long-Bailey. Given I’m very much on the left of the…

Why I'm backing Keir Starmer as the next Labour Party leader. Over this last month I've said consistently how undecided I am in who I'm backing for Labour leader. This has been very difficult as all the candidates have made interesting pitches. Jess Phillips and Lisa Nandy clearly understand day…

“Tough on Crime, Tough on the Causes of Crime”. How Labour can embrace the power of effective messaging whilst still remaining fairly radical. On twitter recently , I came across a thread that showed what happened a few months after Labour lost our fourth election in a row back in the early 1990s. Tony Blair was shadow Home Secretary and had just coined the phrase “Tough on crime, tough on the causes of…