Will Mawhood
@viljamsmauhuds.bsky.social
Person who says 'no, you're thinking of the Balkans' a lot. Also Deep Baltic editor, and occasional writer of stuff. Ik pa laikam arī tulkotājs.
Pinned
The Northerner and the Landlord
Parallels and Contrasts in Recent Latvian and British Politics
willmawhood.substack.com
The English version of my piece for Satori – what does the behaviour and popularity of new British PM Andy Burnham and new Latvian PM Andris Kulbergs say about where politics may be going for all of us, despite the huge differences between our countries?
willmawhood.substack.com/p/the-northe...
willmawhood.substack.com/p/the-northe...
Reposted by Will Mawhood
After last year's Nobel went to László Krasznahorkai, I wrote this fun little piece on what I think is his best work—WAR & WAR—for the beloved colleagues at The Diasporist. Also in German translation >>
thediasporist.de/life-sentence/
thediasporist.de/life-sentence/
Life Sentence – the Diasporist
The Hungarian author's László Krasznahorkai's Nobel Prize win and his love of holy fools and stinky incoherent visionaries.
thediasporist.de
October 7, 2026 at 7:25 PM
After last year's Nobel went to László Krasznahorkai, I wrote this fun little piece on what I think is his best work—WAR & WAR—for the beloved colleagues at The Diasporist. Also in German translation >>
thediasporist.de/life-sentence/
thediasporist.de/life-sentence/
Reposted by Will Mawhood
One thing I find endlessly funny about the rise of AI is that it has revealed that there is a large number of people who believe that the reason they wrote essays at school or university is their teachers were desperately waiting for them to provide a definite answer to “Lear: what’s up with him?”
"By using AI, tasks like essays that used to take hours can be completed in minutes!"
Sure, like how if I arrive at the gym and immediately go for a shower, my workout is done in record time. And if I throw my sandwiches straight in the bin, I can finish my lunch in under 10 seconds.
Sure, like how if I arrive at the gym and immediately go for a shower, my workout is done in record time. And if I throw my sandwiches straight in the bin, I can finish my lunch in under 10 seconds.
October 6, 2026 at 8:36 PM
One thing I find endlessly funny about the rise of AI is that it has revealed that there is a large number of people who believe that the reason they wrote essays at school or university is their teachers were desperately waiting for them to provide a definite answer to “Lear: what’s up with him?”
An interesting account of holidaying in the so-called Suwałki Gap, where as we are endlessly told World War III could break out
In the Suwałki Gap – a narrow span of NATO territory linking Poland with the Baltic states – Polish and Lithuanian history overlaps, and the peace and serenity is overwhelming
deepbaltic.com/2026/10/06/t...
deepbaltic.com/2026/10/06/t...
The Land of What If: Offline in the Suwałki Gap
“It didn’t feel as a flashpoint should – a relief tinged with journalistic regret. I regretted that regret.”
deepbaltic.com
October 6, 2026 at 2:25 PM
An interesting account of holidaying in the so-called Suwałki Gap, where as we are endlessly told World War III could break out
Reposted by Will Mawhood
For my English-speaking followers, here's me and @holgerroonemaa.bsky.social (of "Delfi" and "Baltic Flank) talking about Latvian election results a bit more deeper that "pro-Western, pro-Ukraine" camp winning: www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Gvz...
Latvia’s Election Results: The Biggest Surprises and What Comes Next
YouTube video by Re:Baltica
www.youtube.com
October 6, 2026 at 5:21 AM
For my English-speaking followers, here's me and @holgerroonemaa.bsky.social (of "Delfi" and "Baltic Flank) talking about Latvian election results a bit more deeper that "pro-Western, pro-Ukraine" camp winning: www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Gvz...
Reposted by Will Mawhood
Hmm, seems like the kind of thing Head of Money would say
October 5, 2026 at 10:21 PM
Hmm, seems like the kind of thing Head of Money would say
Reposted by Will Mawhood
Jacob Rees-Mogg is emerging as a serial defender of foundational boundaries against a radicalised right, with Carlson combining a defence of Putin with a 'who cares' view of WW2
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
Jacob Rees-Mogg accuses Tucker Carlson of ‘verging on defending Hitler’
Former Tory minister defends UK decision to enter war in podcast with US rightwinger and Putin sympathiser
www.theguardian.com
October 4, 2026 at 8:37 PM
Jacob Rees-Mogg is emerging as a serial defender of foundational boundaries against a radicalised right, with Carlson combining a defence of Putin with a 'who cares' view of WW2
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
Reposted by Will Mawhood
As a Jew I think what the Greens have done is appalling. As a political commentator I think Andy Burnham is a lucky man.
October 5, 2026 at 8:12 AM
As a Jew I think what the Greens have done is appalling. As a political commentator I think Andy Burnham is a lucky man.
Reposted by Will Mawhood
Given Labour's very specific history with antisemitism, I wonder what the Green motion does to potential coalition negotiations? Previously you'd just give the Greens DEFRA and DESNZ (which would be bad for other reasons) and count them in, but does this put them beyond the pale for Labour?
October 5, 2026 at 11:12 AM
Given Labour's very specific history with antisemitism, I wonder what the Green motion does to potential coalition negotiations? Previously you'd just give the Greens DEFRA and DESNZ (which would be bad for other reasons) and count them in, but does this put them beyond the pale for Labour?
Sorry but implying Kulbergs is *not* populist is bonkers
Latvian PM Kulbergs' party achieves a historic victory, pushing populists to the margins
Latvian PM Kulbergs' party achieves a historic victory, pushing populists to the margins
With 35.3% of the vote, an unprecedented result for any political party since 1990 in the country, the centrist, pro-European and pro-Ukrainian leader can now form a coalition without the populists.
www.lemonde.fr
October 4, 2026 at 6:27 PM
Sorry but implying Kulbergs is *not* populist is bonkers
Reposted by Will Mawhood
Oh my god, they did the meme.
October 4, 2026 at 4:20 PM
Oh my god, they did the meme.
Reposted by Will Mawhood
I don’t write about Israel/ Palestine in my book Borderlines. But the European history there - of what happened when nation states were born or moved, and what happened to the people who didn’t fit or were weaker - is relevant context. I think all nationalisms, including Zionism, contain multitudes.
October 4, 2026 at 4:02 PM
I don’t write about Israel/ Palestine in my book Borderlines. But the European history there - of what happened when nation states were born or moved, and what happened to the people who didn’t fit or were weaker - is relevant context. I think all nationalisms, including Zionism, contain multitudes.
Reposted by Will Mawhood
Tā JV ideja par savas valdības gāšanu bija tiešām izcila. Viss tik labi sanāca.
October 4, 2026 at 5:12 AM
Tā JV ideja par savas valdības gāšanu bija tiešām izcila. Viss tik labi sanāca.
New PM Kulbergs' party wins every council in Latvia in parliamentary elections, bar a few mostly russophone ones in the east
So the coalition will be United List and, most likely, the National Alliance.
Good luck to all those people asking for an explanation of United List's ideology!
So the coalition will be United List and, most likely, the National Alliance.
Good luck to all those people asking for an explanation of United List's ideology!
October 4, 2026 at 6:00 AM
New PM Kulbergs' party wins every council in Latvia in parliamentary elections, bar a few mostly russophone ones in the east
So the coalition will be United List and, most likely, the National Alliance.
Good luck to all those people asking for an explanation of United List's ideology!
So the coalition will be United List and, most likely, the National Alliance.
Good luck to all those people asking for an explanation of United List's ideology!
Reposted by Will Mawhood
One of two Labour gains from Reform in Northumberland by-elections yesterday. Too early to know for sure we've passed peak Reform, but another encouraging sign.
Hirst (Northumberland) Council By-Election Result:
🌹 LAB: 50.1% (+7.0)
➡️ RFM: 30.0% (-20.0)
◼️ RES: 10.3% (New)
🌳 CON: 4.1% (-2.8)
🔶 LDM: 3.9% (New)
🙋 Ind: 1.6% (New)
Labour GAIN from Reform UK.
Changes w/ 2025.
🌹 LAB: 50.1% (+7.0)
➡️ RFM: 30.0% (-20.0)
◼️ RES: 10.3% (New)
🌳 CON: 4.1% (-2.8)
🔶 LDM: 3.9% (New)
🙋 Ind: 1.6% (New)
Labour GAIN from Reform UK.
Changes w/ 2025.
October 2, 2026 at 1:20 PM
One of two Labour gains from Reform in Northumberland by-elections yesterday. Too early to know for sure we've passed peak Reform, but another encouraging sign.
The English version of my piece for Satori – what does the behaviour and popularity of new British PM Andy Burnham and new Latvian PM Andris Kulbergs say about where politics may be going for all of us, despite the huge differences between our countries?
willmawhood.substack.com/p/the-northe...
willmawhood.substack.com/p/the-northe...
The Northerner and the Landlord
Parallels and Contrasts in Recent Latvian and British Politics
willmawhood.substack.com
October 2, 2026 at 2:43 PM
The English version of my piece for Satori – what does the behaviour and popularity of new British PM Andy Burnham and new Latvian PM Andris Kulbergs say about where politics may be going for all of us, despite the huge differences between our countries?
willmawhood.substack.com/p/the-northe...
willmawhood.substack.com/p/the-northe...
Reposted by Will Mawhood
Šī ir tendence NE TIKAI Latvijā:
"Ārpus valdības aparāta uznirst populāra, enerģiska personība, kura svētīta ar spēju runāt cilvēku valodā, acīmredzami ir uz tu ar jaunākajiem saziņas līdzekļiem un vēlas aizstāt bezpalīdzīgo miegainās valdības vadītāju."
satori.lv/article/ziem...
"Ārpus valdības aparāta uznirst populāra, enerģiska personība, kura svētīta ar spēju runāt cilvēku valodā, acīmredzami ir uz tu ar jaunākajiem saziņas līdzekļiem un vēlas aizstāt bezpalīdzīgo miegainās valdības vadītāju."
satori.lv/article/ziem...
Vils Mohuds | Ziemeļnieks un saimnieks. Vēlēšanu troksnis
Laikā, kad cilvēki ar aizdomām skatās uz politiķiem un politiskajām partijām, palīdz arī tas, ja vari sevi pozicionēt kā cilvēku no malas.
satori.lv
September 30, 2026 at 8:39 AM
Šī ir tendence NE TIKAI Latvijā:
"Ārpus valdības aparāta uznirst populāra, enerģiska personība, kura svētīta ar spēju runāt cilvēku valodā, acīmredzami ir uz tu ar jaunākajiem saziņas līdzekļiem un vēlas aizstāt bezpalīdzīgo miegainās valdības vadītāju."
satori.lv/article/ziem...
"Ārpus valdības aparāta uznirst populāra, enerģiska personība, kura svētīta ar spēju runāt cilvēku valodā, acīmredzami ir uz tu ar jaunākajiem saziņas līdzekļiem un vēlas aizstāt bezpalīdzīgo miegainās valdības vadītāju."
satori.lv/article/ziem...
Reposted by Will Mawhood
Coming next year from @judithherrin.bsky.social
September 30, 2026 at 2:14 PM
Coming next year from @judithherrin.bsky.social
Bija prieks man tikt uzaicināt kaut ko rakstīt izcilajam žurnālam Satori - tā nu mans raksts par dažām dīvainām līdzībām (un dziļākām atšķirībām) Latvijas un manas pašas dzimtenes nesenajā politikā
Par Bērnemu sīkāk pēc brīža. Vispirms jūsu pašu spēkavīrs, kas runā tiešu valodu, – saimnieks, ar kuru, domājams, jau esat saskatījuši manas ne pārāk delikāti iezīmētās paralēles. Kulbergs un Bērnems pirmkārt un galvenokārt ir labi komunikatori.
Britu rakstnieks no malas vēro Latvijas politiku.
Britu rakstnieks no malas vēro Latvijas politiku.
Vils Mohuds | Ziemeļnieks un saimnieks. Vēlēšanu troksnis
Laikā, kad cilvēki ar aizdomām skatās uz politiķiem un politiskajām partijām, palīdz arī tas, ja vari sevi pozicionēt kā cilvēku no malas.
satori.lv
September 30, 2026 at 9:44 AM
Bija prieks man tikt uzaicināt kaut ko rakstīt izcilajam žurnālam Satori - tā nu mans raksts par dažām dīvainām līdzībām (un dziļākām atšķirībām) Latvijas un manas pašas dzimtenes nesenajā politikā
Reposted by Will Mawhood
Every private conversation in Westminster: "Well the triple lock obviously has to go at some point".
Every commentator on Burnham: "completely mad to propose getting rid of triple lock - political suicide".
Every commentator on Burnham: "completely mad to propose getting rid of triple lock - political suicide".
The BBC news summary this morning went seamlessly from "critics warn PM scrapping triple lock would be electoral suicide" to "critics ask if PM has nerve to make tough decisions" and I don't think it's a particularly pro Burnham stance to suggest he might not be the entire problem here.
September 29, 2026 at 9:11 AM
Every private conversation in Westminster: "Well the triple lock obviously has to go at some point".
Every commentator on Burnham: "completely mad to propose getting rid of triple lock - political suicide".
Every commentator on Burnham: "completely mad to propose getting rid of triple lock - political suicide".
Reposted by Will Mawhood
🧵Ahead of Burnham’s speech our latest research looks at the state of Labour and the 3 tests by which public will judge this gov’t. Burnham’s earned his party a rehearing, but has yet to detoxify Labour brand. Only ½ of those who think Burnham is doing a good job would vote Lab
September 29, 2026 at 9:59 AM
🧵Ahead of Burnham’s speech our latest research looks at the state of Labour and the 3 tests by which public will judge this gov’t. Burnham’s earned his party a rehearing, but has yet to detoxify Labour brand. Only ½ of those who think Burnham is doing a good job would vote Lab
Reposted by Will Mawhood
Targeting the British youth subculture of “Wilsonheads” who consider the late prime minister a style icon and role model. You can barely move for pipes in the clubs some Saturday nights.
That’s both Lucy Powell and Louise Haigh who have referenced ‘white heat’ in their speeches. Wonder how much cabinet co-ordination has gone on
September 27, 2026 at 2:00 PM
Targeting the British youth subculture of “Wilsonheads” who consider the late prime minister a style icon and role model. You can barely move for pipes in the clubs some Saturday nights.
Reposted by Will Mawhood
"The Bank of England was set up by Tony Blair"
It's easy to forget that Tony Blair had been in power since 1694 when the Bank of England was founded. Good job Brain of Britain Liz Truss is here to remind us.
It's easy to forget that Tony Blair had been in power since 1694 when the Bank of England was founded. Good job Brain of Britain Liz Truss is here to remind us.
September 25, 2026 at 8:18 PM
"The Bank of England was set up by Tony Blair"
It's easy to forget that Tony Blair had been in power since 1694 when the Bank of England was founded. Good job Brain of Britain Liz Truss is here to remind us.
It's easy to forget that Tony Blair had been in power since 1694 when the Bank of England was founded. Good job Brain of Britain Liz Truss is here to remind us.
A rather strange choice of example from French president François Mitterand in 1990, talking about his fears of what the future would bring to Margaret Thatcher - I assume he didn't literally think German crusaders would re-invade Poland and the Baltic states, but maybe I'm wrong
September 26, 2026 at 12:36 PM
A rather strange choice of example from French president François Mitterand in 1990, talking about his fears of what the future would bring to Margaret Thatcher - I assume he didn't literally think German crusaders would re-invade Poland and the Baltic states, but maybe I'm wrong
Reposted by Will Mawhood
this is daft. driving passengers away is the whole point of a bus
September 23, 2026 at 11:21 AM
this is daft. driving passengers away is the whole point of a bus
Reposted by Will Mawhood
It's one of the absolute pinnacles of the art form, both this final series and the whole great tapestry of it. It is both a fantastic bit of social history and also in of itself an item of social history, and it happened in a lot of ways by accident and serendipity.
Unless anything dramatic happens, reckon 70 Up will be the best television I have seen all year.
September 22, 2026 at 10:02 PM
It's one of the absolute pinnacles of the art form, both this final series and the whole great tapestry of it. It is both a fantastic bit of social history and also in of itself an item of social history, and it happened in a lot of ways by accident and serendipity.