@joshwesterling.bsky.social
Politics, campaigns, and public affairs at JRF - working on communities and place, and the labour market. Current home Bethnal Green, from Wycombe. West Ham ST holder. Views mine.
@dmk1793.bsky.socialReposted by @joshwesterling.bsky.socialExtremely proud to have put together this issue of Renewal, which (in addition to containing the text of @yuanfenyang.bsky.social's brilliant Rita Hinden Memorial Lecture), explores the question of what and how social democrats should promote as our version of the good life
@joshwesterling.bsky.socialThe piece covers the 'original sin' of leaving home, the struggles of common life in London, the desire for a lack of friction particularly in regard to dating and relationships, and how we balance our time in work and civic life.
@joshwesterling.bsky.socialFor the very reasonable price of a Renewal subscription, you can read about my failures as a communitarian and how they're compounded by how we've organised society and the economy as well as collective action problems. Looking forward to digging into the rest of the issue.
@joshwesterling.bsky.socialBrilliant!
@sarahoconnorft.ft.comReposted by @joshwesterling.bsky.socialGorgeous piece on what you learn when you learn Japanese, by @caitlinallen.bsky.social in @engelsbergideas.bsky.social engelsbergideas.com/notebook/why...
@joshwesterling.bsky.socialLikewise check out this paper with @thefabians.bsky.social on worker status.
@joshwesterling.bsky.socialYou can read more on @jrf-uk.bsky.social's work in this space here.
@joshwesterling.bsky.socialBrilliant piece by @tombelger.bsky.social on the need for the government to properly tackle employment status reform at the same time as developing an offer for the genuinely self-employed, who Labour often overlook, citing @jrf-uk.bsky.social work on insecurity in the labour market.
@dmk1793.bsky.socialReposted by @joshwesterling.bsky.socialReally enjoyed collating these reflections from @abbyabhaya.bsky.social, @morganj0nes.bsky.social, @caitprowle.bsky.social, @joshwesterling.bsky.social, @sellottie.bsky.social, @ben-glover.bsky.social & myself (of which mine is by far the least insightful and interesting)
@joshwesterling.bsky.socialBrilliant reflections from great people. In mine I argue Burnham opened up new political terrain in his conference speech, the next task being to make good on his phrase “get behind this plan…and get behind each other” by bringing politics closer to civic life.
@joshwesterling.bsky.socialDo read Ryan Wain's thoughtful response to the collection. Brilliant to see it sparking debate on the left.
@joshwesterling.bsky.socialPleased to write a short reflection in this @futureoftheleft.bsky.social collection where we each explore our experience of modern life. Mine looks back on the World Cup and why - for all I still value the unity it brings - this year it felt there was a fakeness and performance to it.
@joshwesterling.bsky.socialThe Glastonbury queue doesn't really have a mystique when you know people can play the system and I think it would be better for everyone if it moved to some kind of ballot system.
@joshwesterling.bsky.socialWhat the Pope said
@right-here.orgReposted by @joshwesterling.bsky.socialOnce a year, politicians leave Westminster for party conference. Power gets on the train to Liverpool but never leaves the conference centre. Communities need power in their hands all year round. Don't take your foot off the gas, Andy. The next stop for devolution: community power. 🧵1/2
@joshwesterling.bsky.socialThere is a real opportunity on the note Burnham ended on - "get behind this plan and get behind each other" is a call for both the party and the country to be social and connected again.
@joshwesterling.bsky.socialProud of @right-here.org for pulling off a brilliant rally and bringing the community power bus to party conference, doing our bit to close the gap between communities and politics and show that community spaces, activities and groups are essential for us to live good lives where we're in control.
@joshwesterling.bsky.socialLonger term I think what is significant about the speech is that he broached conversations that have been written off for years, and with the rubicon crossed in numerous areas, new political space opens up that will be contested in the years to come but was just not there before.
@joshwesterling.bsky.socialThe emotion of Burnham's speech was what immediately struck me - himself, clearly moved, but also seeing tears from people I've never seen cry.
@katieschmuecker.bsky.socialReposted by @joshwesterling.bsky.socialGreat to see investment in high streets and community spaces announced today. These are places that help us feel confident, connected and in control. 🤔 But these places aren’t just about bricks and mortar. A community space needs people to make it thrive.
