John Denham
@jydenham.bsky.social
Professor | Former Labour MP and Cabinet Minister | Director, Centre for English Identity and Politics | Writing about how ideas of nation and nationhood shape politics today at nationstateandpolitics.substack.com ✍️
I do find odd that we all apparently enjoy the right to enter a hotel uninvited, go to the guest floors, knock on the doors of complete strangers on the grounds that they are not white - and yet not commit any offence.
Group entered hotel of Pakistan cricketers mistaken for migrants
Protesters congregated at a Portsmouth hotel after false rumours that a coach of migrants had arrived.
www.bbc.co.uk
September 10, 2026 at 4:42 PM
I do find odd that we all apparently enjoy the right to enter a hotel uninvited, go to the guest floors, knock on the doors of complete strangers on the grounds that they are not white - and yet not commit any offence.
Reposted by John Denham
A suggested statement for Andy Burnham.
September 7, 2026 at 8:32 PM
A suggested statement for Andy Burnham.
Reposted by John Denham
Much common sense from @jydenham.bsky.social on R4 on Portsmouth, Dover. In France it is a crime to wear a face covering at a political demonstration. But heaven forfend we might learn anything from Europe @nicklowles.bsky.social @roswynnejones.bsky.social
September 7, 2026 at 4:46 PM
Much common sense from @jydenham.bsky.social on R4 on Portsmouth, Dover. In France it is a crime to wear a face covering at a political demonstration. But heaven forfend we might learn anything from Europe @nicklowles.bsky.social @roswynnejones.bsky.social
Reposted by John Denham
Oh bravo @jydenham.bsky.social on #bbcpm. Evan wants him to talk about stopping the boats but he’s very clear about stopping the black-clad thugs instead.
September 7, 2026 at 4:45 PM
Oh bravo @jydenham.bsky.social on #bbcpm. Evan wants him to talk about stopping the boats but he’s very clear about stopping the black-clad thugs instead.
Reposted by John Denham
Orwell’s reflections on England and Britain informed our recent public debate on nationhood, featuring Ros Wynne-Jones, Rosie Campbell, Tom McTague, John Denham, and Pippa Catterall.
Listen now:
Listen now:
'Englishness, Britishness, and the Populist Challenge', with The Orwell Foundation
Listen to 'Englishness, Britishness, and the Populist Challenge', with The Orwell Foundation by Political_Quarterly
www.mixcloud.com
August 18, 2026 at 9:26 AM
Orwell’s reflections on England and Britain informed our recent public debate on nationhood, featuring Ros Wynne-Jones, Rosie Campbell, Tom McTague, John Denham, and Pippa Catterall.
Listen now:
Listen now:
Reposted by John Denham
R4 #PM had John Denham on - he was absolutely clear that this was masked thuggery and that the organisers should be brought to justice - maybe a modicum of backtracking from the Beeb?
(I know, that's wishful thinking!)
(I know, that's wishful thinking!)
It's not just a feeble response in itself, it also leaves a vacuum that is filled by others, hence the BBC News at One led with the Tory Police & Crime Commissioner for Hampshire effectively justifying the 'protests'.
September 7, 2026 at 6:55 PM
R4 #PM had John Denham on - he was absolutely clear that this was masked thuggery and that the organisers should be brought to justice - maybe a modicum of backtracking from the Beeb?
(I know, that's wishful thinking!)
(I know, that's wishful thinking!)
Reposted by John Denham
This is genuinely hilarious framing of small boats now numbers are dropping
September 3, 2026 at 12:10 PM
This is genuinely hilarious framing of small boats now numbers are dropping
Reposted by John Denham
‘Those close to the process say capping donations is not a priority for Burnham and not a subject over which it would be worth triggering a fight with Labour’s biggest backers.’
Oligarchic politics is not Burnham’s friend. But he doesn’t seem to realise it
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Oligarchic politics is not Burnham’s friend. But he doesn’t seem to realise it
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Burnham drops support for political funding cap aimed at curbing mega-donors
PM said he would set bar at £500k, but trade unions say funding reforms could undermine their ability to donate to Labour
www.theguardian.com
August 26, 2026 at 8:13 PM
‘Those close to the process say capping donations is not a priority for Burnham and not a subject over which it would be worth triggering a fight with Labour’s biggest backers.’
Oligarchic politics is not Burnham’s friend. But he doesn’t seem to realise it
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Oligarchic politics is not Burnham’s friend. But he doesn’t seem to realise it
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by John Denham
The trade unions have got this one absolutely wrong, and it's *so* dangerous that Labour's not able to see the bigger picture on this one.
Union concerns that a future government could use this to come for union funding to parties is legitimate – *but that will happen anyway*.
Union concerns that a future government could use this to come for union funding to parties is legitimate – *but that will happen anyway*.
Burnham drops support for political funding cap aimed at curbing mega-donors
Burnham drops support for political funding cap aimed at curbing mega-donors
PM said he would set bar at £500k, but trade unions say funding reforms could undermine their ability to donate to Labour
Andy Burnham has dropped his support for capping political donations, causing anger among activists and Labour MPs who have long campaigned for change to the way parties are funded.
The prime minister has decided not to back amendments to the elections bill, which would cap the amount a person or an organisation can give in a single donation, according to government sources. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
August 26, 2026 at 9:20 PM
The trade unions have got this one absolutely wrong, and it's *so* dangerous that Labour's not able to see the bigger picture on this one.
Union concerns that a future government could use this to come for union funding to parties is legitimate – *but that will happen anyway*.
Union concerns that a future government could use this to come for union funding to parties is legitimate – *but that will happen anyway*.
Reposted by John Denham
It seems he' s made the wrong call ( @georgemonbiot.bsky.social, @writesbright.bsky.social @petergeoghegan.bsky.social). It's reversible & must be reversed. But first, don't blame the Trade Unions! This is an old gag. Their support is easily sorted. 2/4 www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Burnham drops support for political funding cap aimed at curbing mega-donors
PM said he would set bar at £500k, but trade unions say funding reforms could undermine their ability to donate to Labour
www.theguardian.com
August 26, 2026 at 9:01 PM
It seems he' s made the wrong call ( @georgemonbiot.bsky.social, @writesbright.bsky.social @petergeoghegan.bsky.social). It's reversible & must be reversed. But first, don't blame the Trade Unions! This is an old gag. Their support is easily sorted. 2/4 www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by John Denham
Very decent of the BBC to report our £50bn savings claim as though it's a fact, rather than the made up load of old bollocks that it actually is.
August 16, 2026 at 6:47 PM
Very decent of the BBC to report our £50bn savings claim as though it's a fact, rather than the made up load of old bollocks that it actually is.
Reposted by John Denham
It remains striking that Cambridge University – which has rightly found itself subject to immense scrutiny in recent days over its academic appointments process – did not answer any of Byline Times' questions re Cambridge Professor James Orr, Reform's Head of Policy, and his activities there. Why?
Another new PM, another edition of Byline Times goes to press... Read our exclusive investigation on James Orr, head of policy at Reform & Cambridge professor in print - what's happening at the world-renowned university refusing to answer any of our questions?
In shops / subscribe.bylinetimes.com 👇
In shops / subscribe.bylinetimes.com 👇
August 7, 2026 at 4:11 PM
It remains striking that Cambridge University – which has rightly found itself subject to immense scrutiny in recent days over its academic appointments process – did not answer any of Byline Times' questions re Cambridge Professor James Orr, Reform's Head of Policy, and his activities there. Why?
Reposted by John Denham
@jacknewman.bsky.social @histparl.bsky.social @rafaelbehr.bsky.social @timbale.bsky.social @conunitucl.bsky.social @xychelsea.tv @robjohns75.bsky.social @jydenham.bsky.social @andywestwood.bsky.social @goodauth.bsky.social @futuregovforum.bsky.social @darcyxtip.bsky.social @peterrees.bsky.social
August 5, 2026 at 4:51 PM
By coincidence, read this today. It’s a great study with lots of relevance to making the more ambitious devolution framework work. (The associated book has even more detail)
Quotes:
"during our period of study (1993-2024), mechanisms designed to regulate spending tended towards input control and short-term decision-making, struggled to support strategic investment and often failed to deliver sustained improvements in outcomes."
"during our period of study (1993-2024), mechanisms designed to regulate spending tended towards input control and short-term decision-making, struggled to support strategic investment and often failed to deliver sustained improvements in outcomes."
This is the Nuffield research that the incredibly productive Diane Coyle refers to in this article.
www.bennettschool.cam.ac.uk/publications...
www.bennettschool.cam.ac.uk/publications...
August 4, 2026 at 6:50 PM
By coincidence, read this today. It’s a great study with lots of relevance to making the more ambitious devolution framework work. (The associated book has even more detail)
Reposted by John Denham
England’s sporting, cultural and political elites have long been imbued with the Anglo-centrism fostered under empire. (Belief that Britain’s and England’s interest can be conflated and require no distinct recognition)🧵
August 1, 2026 at 10:34 AM
England’s sporting, cultural and political elites have long been imbued with the Anglo-centrism fostered under empire. (Belief that Britain’s and England’s interest can be conflated and require no distinct recognition)🧵
This is important - much more radical than local tax raising powers. If substantial it will also gain a momentum of its own as localities explore and exercise their new powers.
Andy Burnham to give regional mayors share of income tax
The prime minister says the move will give power to "every postcode" but critics say the plans lack detail.
www.bbc.co.uk
July 31, 2026 at 6:02 AM
This is important - much more radical than local tax raising powers. If substantial it will also gain a momentum of its own as localities explore and exercise their new powers.
Thanks for reposting. I’ve also written about England, the UK and the need for Labour to understand the politics
of nationhood open.substack.com/pub/nationst...
of nationhood open.substack.com/pub/nationst...
July 25, 2026 at 8:55 PM
Thanks for reposting. I’ve also written about England, the UK and the need for Labour to understand the politics
of nationhood open.substack.com/pub/nationst...
of nationhood open.substack.com/pub/nationst...
Very good 👇
There's gonna be a new PM. What he needs is an op-ed telling him what to do, of which there's no doubt a lamentable absence. Here's the time-hallowed method for creating one:
1. Set out the problem cleanly, as if the PM had literally no idea that growth, the cost of living and deficit matter. 1/
1. Set out the problem cleanly, as if the PM had literally no idea that growth, the cost of living and deficit matter. 1/
July 17, 2026 at 7:59 PM
Very good 👇
Burnham’s team will surely know that dropping the focus on Net Zero would be a ‘winter fuel allowance’ moment for key sections of the electorate.
Weird thing is most testing will show you that one of the most vote losing positions Labour could adopt is explicit anti-Net Zero signalling.
This is because climate still disproportionately matters to Lab/Green voters while Lab/Reform voters don’t care either way...
This is because climate still disproportionately matters to Lab/Green voters while Lab/Reform voters don’t care either way...
July 16, 2026 at 4:29 PM
Burnham’s team will surely know that dropping the focus on Net Zero would be a ‘winter fuel allowance’ moment for key sections of the electorate.
Reposted by John Denham
Not going to lie, I think this is a bad idea. UK Government has not properly adjusted to devolution. We have a series of ministers who seem to largely man mark devolved nations/regions- we don't need more. Which creates even more clutter/duplication.
We have to push power down *and* de-dupe.
We have to push power down *and* de-dupe.
Labour MPs in the capital have urged Andy Burnham to bring back the minister for London role when he forms his first cabinet
Florence Eshalomi, MP for Vauxhall & Camberwell Green, told PolHome's Harriet Symonds that doing so would help London "work with all the regions to support economic growth"
Florence Eshalomi, MP for Vauxhall & Camberwell Green, told PolHome's Harriet Symonds that doing so would help London "work with all the regions to support economic growth"
Bring Back The Minister For London, Labour MPs In Capital Urge Burnham
Labour MPs in the capital have called on incoming prime minister Andy Burnham to restore the role of minister for London.
www.politicshome.com
July 15, 2026 at 7:59 AM
Not going to lie, I think this is a bad idea. UK Government has not properly adjusted to devolution. We have a series of ministers who seem to largely man mark devolved nations/regions- we don't need more. Which creates even more clutter/duplication.
We have to push power down *and* de-dupe.
We have to push power down *and* de-dupe.
Reposted by John Denham
A successful Labour government needs to align its story of the nation(s), the organisation of the state, and its political aims and support.
Andy, Labour, and the politics of nationhood
Can Labour find a nation politics?
open.substack.com
July 15, 2026 at 8:30 AM
A successful Labour government needs to align its story of the nation(s), the organisation of the state, and its political aims and support.
A successful Labour government needs to align its story of the nation(s), the organisation of the state, and its political aims and support.
Andy, Labour, and the politics of nationhood
Can Labour find a nation politics?
open.substack.com
July 15, 2026 at 8:30 AM
A successful Labour government needs to align its story of the nation(s), the organisation of the state, and its political aims and support.
July 13, 2026 at 5:55 PM
Enjoyed this discussion with Tom McTague, Pippa Catterall and Ros Wynne-Jones
Read insights from the debate 'Englishness, Britishness, and the Populist Challenge' presented by The Political Quarterly and the Orwell Foundation, written by @orwellprize.bsky.social's Sam Taylor Hill
politicalquarterly.org.uk/blog/english...
politicalquarterly.org.uk/blog/english...
Englishness, Britishness, and the Populist Challenge
Insights from the debate 'Englishness, Britishness, and the Populist Challenge' presented by The Political Quarterly and the Orwell Foundation.
politicalquarterly.org.uk
July 13, 2026 at 5:16 PM
Enjoyed this discussion with Tom McTague, Pippa Catterall and Ros Wynne-Jones
Reposted by John Denham
Collaboration between nations is essential. But it must be rooted in national democracy and support from voters.https://buff.ly/yJGURth
July 3, 2026 at 5:01 PM
Collaboration between nations is essential. But it must be rooted in national democracy and support from voters.https://buff.ly/yJGURth