May 29, 2018The Political Revolution and me - Data Wars, network organising, next chapterI have a few pieces of news to share about what I’m up to. Steve Hilton has resigned as CEO of Crowdpac in the US to focus on his Fox News show. In parallel, we’ve confirmed the platform’s commitment to democracy, and our opposition to an increasingly toxic Trumpism. …Politics3 min read
Mar 12, 2018My December Memo for Jeremy Corbyn’s officeThe Skwawkbox blog got hold of a copy of a confidential strategy memo I had sent to Karie Murphy and Seumas Milne in early December, and via intermediaries to Andrew Murray, chief of staff to Len McCluskey and a key LOTO (Leader of the Opposition) office adviser. I was glad…Labour Party10 min read
Mar 2, 2018“Movement Organising” - my conversation with Labour’s NEC in 2011Here’s what I said (or at least, my notes for the NEC conversation!) when I was one of the eight candidates interviewed for the role of Labour General Secretary. Curious to hear what others think (although we’ve come so far since then, and there’s much more to say now —…Politics6 min read
Mar 2, 2018Momentum and Me?*I’m a network organiser, a movement-builder, and a member of many things — including the Labour Party, and Momentum. I got over my Groucho Marx tendency on clubs/tribes a long time ago… just as long as they’re open tribes, or can be met with openness. These links might be interesting…Politics2 min read
Apr 13, 2017The Political RevolutionThe UK’s Prospect Magazine published my long read on the Political Revolution of 2016. Includes stories from the frontline of the Trump, Brexit and Sanders revolutions (plus a sprinkling of historical perspective and a dash of status-quo-baiting). If you read just one thing I’ve written, make it this. Taster below: …Political Revolution3 min read
Mar 24, 2017Crowdpac is an open platform, and the new politics is comingCrowdpac is an open platform for new politics — a place where anyone can crowdfund a campaign or nominate someone for office. We also provide voter information: for example, we map politicians’ positions transparently using big data to help you decide who to support. While we come from opposite sides…Politics2 min read
Sep 9, 2016Populist lessons for LabourThis piece was published in the Fabian Review in September 2016 Social democratic parties are crumbling all across Europe. Insurgent political forces are on the rise, from left to right. …Politics4 min read
Jun 23, 2016The breaking point of democracyYour country needs you — This referendum casts a stark spotlight on the state of our democracy. Jo Cox was one of the most passionate, principled and honest campaigners I have ever known, and she was killed amidst a toxic fog of cynical campaigning and failing politics. It is time for all of us to…Brexit5 min read
Jun 13, 2016#InOrOut — weigh up the arguments, decide for yourselfIn less than two weeks, the people of the UK will vote on the most important decision of our generation: should Britain be In or Out of the European Union? This referendum outcome will shape our society’s direction in the coming decades. …Brexit4 min read
Mar 1, 2016Seven steps for Labour to win in EnglandOriginally published by LabourList and the Fabian Society in March 2016; updated in January 2017 Six months before the 2015 general election, some of us identified the question of “how can Labour win in England?” as an existential challenge. MPs like John Denham, Jon Cruddas and Steve Reed, PPCs including…Politics6 min read