Tim Oliver
@tjoliver.bsky.social
Lecturer, British Politics. University of Manchester.
Reposted by Tim Oliver
Do you wonder about how women in the UK are known to be ‘more traditionalist’ and yet vote more progressive?
Well, wonder no more!
@cerifowler.bsky.social and I have a new paper in @electoralstudies.bsky.social on how this supposed paradox is a measurement artefact
1/ 8
Well, wonder no more!
@cerifowler.bsky.social and I have a new paper in @electoralstudies.bsky.social on how this supposed paradox is a measurement artefact
1/ 8
Theories and measurement of political values and under-represented groups: the case of women in the UK
This paper argues that the primary divide in values (Inglehart, 1977; 1990) between safety and self-expression lies in a different place for discrimin…
www.sciencedirect.com
July 10, 2026 at 10:28 AM
Do you wonder about how women in the UK are known to be ‘more traditionalist’ and yet vote more progressive?
Well, wonder no more!
@cerifowler.bsky.social and I have a new paper in @electoralstudies.bsky.social on how this supposed paradox is a measurement artefact
1/ 8
Well, wonder no more!
@cerifowler.bsky.social and I have a new paper in @electoralstudies.bsky.social on how this supposed paradox is a measurement artefact
1/ 8
Reposted by Tim Oliver
“But there would be no Minecraft without maths. And gamers would be waiting much longer for GTA without the world-leading mathematical sciences that are vital to bringing it to life.”
There will be no more games like Minecraft without maths
Cuts to UK higher education courses are a danger to our tech industries
www.ft.com
July 3, 2026 at 8:26 AM
“But there would be no Minecraft without maths. And gamers would be waiting much longer for GTA without the world-leading mathematical sciences that are vital to bringing it to life.”
It's very easy to find out the stats on who uses buses in Greater Manchester. Perhaps Camilla Long could put that very expensive education to work and see that it is the poorest in this region who use buses most?
share.google/69fERUxuDCuZ...
share.google/69fERUxuDCuZ...
June 21, 2026 at 10:16 AM
It's very easy to find out the stats on who uses buses in Greater Manchester. Perhaps Camilla Long could put that very expensive education to work and see that it is the poorest in this region who use buses most?
share.google/69fERUxuDCuZ...
share.google/69fERUxuDCuZ...
I've put together some thoughts, with the help of friends, on Andy Burnham and Northerness, for the Sunday Times.
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
Will Andy Burnham appeal beyond M62 if he becomes PM?
The new MP for Makerfield has become an expert at using his regional identity as a political tool. He would be the first ‘proper’ northerner in No 10 for 50 years
www.thetimes.com
June 21, 2026 at 7:54 AM
I've put together some thoughts, with the help of friends, on Andy Burnham and Northerness, for the Sunday Times.
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
Reposted by Tim Oliver
⏰ CALL FOR PAPERS - EPSS PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOP ON PLACE, POLITICS AND EVIDENCE-BASED POLICY ⏰
Submit by Weds 20 May!
For all those interested in politics of geographic divides and keen to explore impact potential of their work.
More info/submit here: shorturl.at/xS0iS
@twanhuijsmans.bsky.social
Submit by Weds 20 May!
For all those interested in politics of geographic divides and keen to explore impact potential of their work.
More info/submit here: shorturl.at/xS0iS
@twanhuijsmans.bsky.social
EPSS pre-conference: “Place, Politics, and Evidence-Based Policy”
In this pre-conference workshop we bring together researchers who study the role of place in politics, and we want to focus particularly on how we (can) make impact on policies and public debates with...
shorturl.at
May 8, 2026 at 8:55 AM
⏰ CALL FOR PAPERS - EPSS PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOP ON PLACE, POLITICS AND EVIDENCE-BASED POLICY ⏰
Submit by Weds 20 May!
For all those interested in politics of geographic divides and keen to explore impact potential of their work.
More info/submit here: shorturl.at/xS0iS
@twanhuijsmans.bsky.social
Submit by Weds 20 May!
For all those interested in politics of geographic divides and keen to explore impact potential of their work.
More info/submit here: shorturl.at/xS0iS
@twanhuijsmans.bsky.social
In the context of today's headlines around the University of Sussex and the Office for Students, sharing my article from last year - onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1...
Learning to Stand on its own Two Feet: The Office for Students and the Crisis in Higher Education in England
In order to address an ever-growing crisis in higher education in England, policy makers need tools capable of meeting the challenge. Yet the Office for Students has been roundly criticised for its s...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
April 29, 2026 at 3:01 PM
In the context of today's headlines around the University of Sussex and the Office for Students, sharing my article from last year - onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1...
Finally had confirmation that @bloomsburybooksuk.bsky.social are going to pay me the £80 they owe from November last year for reviewing 10 chapters for an upcoming textbook. Academic publishing really is a joke!
February 18, 2026 at 10:11 AM
Finally had confirmation that @bloomsburybooksuk.bsky.social are going to pay me the £80 they owe from November last year for reviewing 10 chapters for an upcoming textbook. Academic publishing really is a joke!
Reposted by Tim Oliver
The workload facing MPs and their staff is growing, in ways that aren't visible to the public: casework and the inbox.
For @thehousemag.bsky.social, I delved into what the workload looks like, why it's growing, and what this means for how MPs can balance the different aspects of their role
For @thehousemag.bsky.social, I delved into what the workload looks like, why it's growing, and what this means for how MPs can balance the different aspects of their role
Casework Crisis: Increase In Constituency Caseload Takes Its Toll
The inexorable growth in casework is stopping MPs from fulfilling their other roles. Alice Lilly sifts through the inbox looking for what might be ...
www.politicshome.com
February 17, 2026 at 12:37 PM
The workload facing MPs and their staff is growing, in ways that aren't visible to the public: casework and the inbox.
For @thehousemag.bsky.social, I delved into what the workload looks like, why it's growing, and what this means for how MPs can balance the different aspects of their role
For @thehousemag.bsky.social, I delved into what the workload looks like, why it's growing, and what this means for how MPs can balance the different aspects of their role
Reposted by Tim Oliver
New Swingometer! The Gorton and Denton By-election: A tale of Two Manchesters
open.substack.com/pub/swingome...
open.substack.com/pub/swingome...
The Gorton and Denton by-election: a tale of two Manchesters?
Unpopular incumbent + fragmented opposition + unusual seat = unpredictable contest
open.substack.com
January 28, 2026 at 7:21 PM
New Swingometer! The Gorton and Denton By-election: A tale of Two Manchesters
open.substack.com/pub/swingome...
open.substack.com/pub/swingome...
Reposted by Tim Oliver
Radical right accommodation really does not work.
New paper out with this exceptionally talented team
@katharinalawall.bsky.social @robjohns75.bsky.social @drjennings.bsky.social @sarahobolt.bsky.social @zachdickson.bsky.social @danjdevine.bsky.social & @jack-bailey.co.uk
doi.org/10.31235/osf...
New paper out with this exceptionally talented team
@katharinalawall.bsky.social @robjohns75.bsky.social @drjennings.bsky.social @sarahobolt.bsky.social @zachdickson.bsky.social @danjdevine.bsky.social & @jack-bailey.co.uk
doi.org/10.31235/osf...
September 5, 2025 at 6:50 AM
Radical right accommodation really does not work.
New paper out with this exceptionally talented team
@katharinalawall.bsky.social @robjohns75.bsky.social @drjennings.bsky.social @sarahobolt.bsky.social @zachdickson.bsky.social @danjdevine.bsky.social & @jack-bailey.co.uk
doi.org/10.31235/osf...
New paper out with this exceptionally talented team
@katharinalawall.bsky.social @robjohns75.bsky.social @drjennings.bsky.social @sarahobolt.bsky.social @zachdickson.bsky.social @danjdevine.bsky.social & @jack-bailey.co.uk
doi.org/10.31235/osf...
Reposted by Tim Oliver
📣 NEW PAPER ALERT! 🚨
"School subject choices in adolescence affect political party support"
Just published in @wepsocial.bsky.social with @nspmartin.bsky.social and @rolandkappe.bsky.social.
doi.org/10.1080/0140...
🧵👇
"School subject choices in adolescence affect political party support"
Just published in @wepsocial.bsky.social with @nspmartin.bsky.social and @rolandkappe.bsky.social.
doi.org/10.1080/0140...
🧵👇
July 14, 2025 at 1:13 PM
📣 NEW PAPER ALERT! 🚨
"School subject choices in adolescence affect political party support"
Just published in @wepsocial.bsky.social with @nspmartin.bsky.social and @rolandkappe.bsky.social.
doi.org/10.1080/0140...
🧵👇
"School subject choices in adolescence affect political party support"
Just published in @wepsocial.bsky.social with @nspmartin.bsky.social and @rolandkappe.bsky.social.
doi.org/10.1080/0140...
🧵👇
Reposted by Tim Oliver
Mine and @profsob.bsky.social paper
Comparing registration systems using the International Difficulty of Registration Index (IDORI). How difficult is electoral registration in the UK?
has been published. Please read it here,
url: academic.oup.com/pa/article/d...
Comparing registration systems using the International Difficulty of Registration Index (IDORI). How difficult is electoral registration in the UK?
has been published. Please read it here,
url: academic.oup.com/pa/article/d...
Comparing registration systems using the International Difficulty of Registration Index (IDORI). How difficult is electoral registration in the UK?
Abstract. Electoral registration in the UK is often critiqued for making it hard for voters to participate in elections. However, without a tool for a syst
academic.oup.com
July 3, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Mine and @profsob.bsky.social paper
Comparing registration systems using the International Difficulty of Registration Index (IDORI). How difficult is electoral registration in the UK?
has been published. Please read it here,
url: academic.oup.com/pa/article/d...
Comparing registration systems using the International Difficulty of Registration Index (IDORI). How difficult is electoral registration in the UK?
has been published. Please read it here,
url: academic.oup.com/pa/article/d...
Good, solid local journalism from @manchestermill.bsky.social on mental health care in Greater Manchester. A salient reminder of what local journalism is meant to be
manchestermill.co.uk/a-murder-of-...
manchestermill.co.uk/a-murder-of-...
A murder of crows: how a blog post deepened the conflict inside Greater Manchester Mental Health Trust
The board says it’s committed to transparency, critics say it prefers ambiguity
manchestermill.co.uk
June 28, 2025 at 8:59 AM
Good, solid local journalism from @manchestermill.bsky.social on mental health care in Greater Manchester. A salient reminder of what local journalism is meant to be
manchestermill.co.uk/a-murder-of-...
manchestermill.co.uk/a-murder-of-...
Reposted by Tim Oliver
🛎️ New Publication 🛎️
How did public and party priorities interact during the 2024 European Parliament elections?
In our new @wepsocial.bsky.social article, Daniela Braun, @giucarny.bsky.social @rosanavarrete.bsky.social @annreinl.bsky.social and I find some connections
tinyurl.com/yhc4ae8m
🧵
How did public and party priorities interact during the 2024 European Parliament elections?
In our new @wepsocial.bsky.social article, Daniela Braun, @giucarny.bsky.social @rosanavarrete.bsky.social @annreinl.bsky.social and I find some connections
tinyurl.com/yhc4ae8m
🧵
The role of key European issues in the 2024 election campaign
International crises and Euroscepticism have made European issues prominent in citizens’ lives. This article studies the role of three key European issues – migration, the environment, and EU integ...
www.tandfonline.com
May 26, 2025 at 7:20 AM
🛎️ New Publication 🛎️
How did public and party priorities interact during the 2024 European Parliament elections?
In our new @wepsocial.bsky.social article, Daniela Braun, @giucarny.bsky.social @rosanavarrete.bsky.social @annreinl.bsky.social and I find some connections
tinyurl.com/yhc4ae8m
🧵
How did public and party priorities interact during the 2024 European Parliament elections?
In our new @wepsocial.bsky.social article, Daniela Braun, @giucarny.bsky.social @rosanavarrete.bsky.social @annreinl.bsky.social and I find some connections
tinyurl.com/yhc4ae8m
🧵
Reposted by Tim Oliver
🚨NEW PUBLICATION 🚨
Though people have moved on from Brexit, they still vote in line with their Brexit preferences - with age/education still separating voters.
Voters now back party blocs, which matters greatly for Labour's current appeals to Reform voters.
🧵
academic.oup.com/pa/advance-a...
Though people have moved on from Brexit, they still vote in line with their Brexit preferences - with age/education still separating voters.
Voters now back party blocs, which matters greatly for Labour's current appeals to Reform voters.
🧵
academic.oup.com/pa/advance-a...
The Brexit realignment amid electoral volatility: The role of party blocs in the 2024 General Election
Abstract. Brexit accelerated the long-term realignment of how demographic groups vote in Britain. However, Europe is no longer salient to voters, support f
academic.oup.com
May 12, 2025 at 10:23 AM
🚨NEW PUBLICATION 🚨
Though people have moved on from Brexit, they still vote in line with their Brexit preferences - with age/education still separating voters.
Voters now back party blocs, which matters greatly for Labour's current appeals to Reform voters.
🧵
academic.oup.com/pa/advance-a...
Though people have moved on from Brexit, they still vote in line with their Brexit preferences - with age/education still separating voters.
Voters now back party blocs, which matters greatly for Labour's current appeals to Reform voters.
🧵
academic.oup.com/pa/advance-a...
Reposted by Tim Oliver
UK has a comparatively difficult registration process.
Our comparative analysis of registration difficulty in 62 countries is timely as Labour consider introducing automatic voter registration.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Our comparative analysis of registration difficulty in 62 countries is timely as Labour consider introducing automatic voter registration.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Britain has one of most difficult voter registration processes, report finds
UK system makes it a ‘real outlier’ among liberal democracies, according to study examining 62 countries
www.theguardian.com
May 12, 2025 at 11:30 AM
UK has a comparatively difficult registration process.
Our comparative analysis of registration difficulty in 62 countries is timely as Labour consider introducing automatic voter registration.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Our comparative analysis of registration difficulty in 62 countries is timely as Labour consider introducing automatic voter registration.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
To propose taxing the income stream that is essentially keeping UK higher education from widescale collapse is the sign of a government that has given up trying to understand the country it is meant to lead.
May 12, 2025 at 11:35 AM
To propose taxing the income stream that is essentially keeping UK higher education from widescale collapse is the sign of a government that has given up trying to understand the country it is meant to lead.
The failure of our public service broadcaster to actually engage with evidence is really quite staggering, sometimes. I recall, with a chill, their constant coding of any actual discussion of policy during Brexit as "nerd stuff".
Yes, there are only 6 Labour seats where the Lib Dems are 2nd. This is because the 2024 Labour vote was propped up by tactical voting between the two parties. Allowing Labour to win seats in Conservative areas... seats they won't be able to keep if their left-wing coalition crumbles
This take on #BBCNewscast *completely* misses the point about how it's precisely losing votes to the LD and Greens that can make Labour lose seats to Reform ...
May 12, 2025 at 8:53 AM
The failure of our public service broadcaster to actually engage with evidence is really quite staggering, sometimes. I recall, with a chill, their constant coding of any actual discussion of policy during Brexit as "nerd stuff".
Reposted by Tim Oliver
Yes, there are only 6 Labour seats where the Lib Dems are 2nd. This is because the 2024 Labour vote was propped up by tactical voting between the two parties. Allowing Labour to win seats in Conservative areas... seats they won't be able to keep if their left-wing coalition crumbles
This take on #BBCNewscast *completely* misses the point about how it's precisely losing votes to the LD and Greens that can make Labour lose seats to Reform ...
May 11, 2025 at 9:42 PM
Yes, there are only 6 Labour seats where the Lib Dems are 2nd. This is because the 2024 Labour vote was propped up by tactical voting between the two parties. Allowing Labour to win seats in Conservative areas... seats they won't be able to keep if their left-wing coalition crumbles
Reposted by Tim Oliver
Out now (OA) in @electoralstudies.bsky.social. Do people in rural areas want politicians offering stronger representation to rural areas - as opposed to just their local area? Yes - based an original conjoint experiment in the UK (1/5)
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
April 29, 2025 at 11:38 AM
Out now (OA) in @electoralstudies.bsky.social. Do people in rural areas want politicians offering stronger representation to rural areas - as opposed to just their local area? Yes - based an original conjoint experiment in the UK (1/5)
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Reposted by Tim Oliver
“No single decision is to blame” for UK universities' dire financial situations, writes @rostaylor.bsky.social. “But many trace [the crisis] back to a decision made by chancellor George Osborne in December 2013.”
www.prospectmagazine...
www.prospectmagazine...
How universities were sent over the edge
UK higher education institutions did as the government asked and took on more students. Now many face collapse
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
April 12, 2025 at 8:54 AM
“No single decision is to blame” for UK universities' dire financial situations, writes @rostaylor.bsky.social. “But many trace [the crisis] back to a decision made by chancellor George Osborne in December 2013.”
www.prospectmagazine...
www.prospectmagazine...
Reposted by Tim Oliver
Hey this seems sensible!
I wrote a while ago about how crazy it is British election infrastructure relies on a bunch of volunteer nerds. (takes.jamesomalley.co.uk/p/its-mad-th...)
Now the electoral commission is bringing it in-house!
democracyclub.org.uk/blog/2025/04...
I wrote a while ago about how crazy it is British election infrastructure relies on a bunch of volunteer nerds. (takes.jamesomalley.co.uk/p/its-mad-th...)
Now the electoral commission is bringing it in-house!
democracyclub.org.uk/blog/2025/04...
A new home for the polling station finder
Big news from the Electoral Commission's five-year plan.
democracyclub.org.uk
April 10, 2025 at 10:02 AM
Hey this seems sensible!
I wrote a while ago about how crazy it is British election infrastructure relies on a bunch of volunteer nerds. (takes.jamesomalley.co.uk/p/its-mad-th...)
Now the electoral commission is bringing it in-house!
democracyclub.org.uk/blog/2025/04...
I wrote a while ago about how crazy it is British election infrastructure relies on a bunch of volunteer nerds. (takes.jamesomalley.co.uk/p/its-mad-th...)
Now the electoral commission is bringing it in-house!
democracyclub.org.uk/blog/2025/04...
Reposted by Tim Oliver
The core trilma here remains the same - the govt needs to accept one of three things: high student migration, higher domestic student fees (or higher taxes to fund universities) or university bankruptcies. Those are the only options, given where we are. Pick one.
The UK government is proposing to finally finish off its universities by further tightening the terms of the graduate visa route. The stupid fools. Playing with dangers they don't even understand. www.ft.com/content/f441...
UK Home Office’s reform of graduate visas runs into opposition
[FREE TO READ] Education department at odds with plan to curb number of overseas students allowed to stay in Britain
www.ft.com
April 8, 2025 at 7:58 AM
The core trilma here remains the same - the govt needs to accept one of three things: high student migration, higher domestic student fees (or higher taxes to fund universities) or university bankruptcies. Those are the only options, given where we are. Pick one.
Sussex's Vice-Chancellor states that the OfS investigation into that University was "flawed and politically motivated". The OfS's methodology was flawed, and its behaviour erratic - www.politicshome.com/opinion/arti...
The Kafkaesque investigation into our university looks like political scapegoating
The Office for Students' so-called investigation into the University I represent was flawed and politically motivated. The implications for the hig...
www.politicshome.com
March 26, 2025 at 7:42 AM
Sussex's Vice-Chancellor states that the OfS investigation into that University was "flawed and politically motivated". The OfS's methodology was flawed, and its behaviour erratic - www.politicshome.com/opinion/arti...
It is remarkable how little central government trusts local government. It is less remarkable, and more wearingly predictable, to see a new duty created for local government without specific money allocated to fulfil that duty.
It's all too tempting for government to do this (& go big on it in the media) but asking 'every council in England' to publish how many pot holes they've filled is overly burdensome & bad for everyone.
It's a regressive move after some positive steps on LG finance reform
www.gov.uk/government/n...
It's a regressive move after some positive steps on LG finance reform
www.gov.uk/government/n...
PM tells councils to prove action on pothole plague to unlock extra cash and reveals £4.8 billion for major roads
The Plan for Change is tackling the pothole plague, building vital roads and ensuring every penny is delivering results for the taxpayer.
www.gov.uk
March 24, 2025 at 10:19 AM
It is remarkable how little central government trusts local government. It is less remarkable, and more wearingly predictable, to see a new duty created for local government without specific money allocated to fulfil that duty.