Writing from London

Writing from London by Nick Cohen offers critical insights into UK politics, US-European relations, the rise of the radical right, and the cultural and political impacts of Brexit, among other issues. It examines the consequences of populism, the flaws in contemporary political ideologies, and the significance of maintaining democratic values.

UK Politics US-European Relations Populism and the Radical Right Brexit Democracy and Authoritarianism Cultural Wars Media and Misinformation Conservative Politics Progressive Movements Global Security

The hottest Substack posts of Writing from London

And their main takeaways

Trump persuades British Tories to betray their country

1179 implied HN points • 27 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Security Conservatives Nationalism Extremism Geopolitics
  1. Donald Trump is seen as a threat to European security by some, especially due to his influence on Republicans' actions related to aid to Ukraine
  2. Some British Conservatives are prioritizing their hatred of progressives over national security concerns, leading to support for Trump
  3. There is concern that the right-wing betrayal and alignment with Trump may lead to consequences similar to the left's fate in the 1980s regarding national security

Radicalised conservatives cannot save themselves (Or their country)

766 implied HN points • 03 Feb 24
  1. Conservative party's radicalization makes compromise feel like treason
  2. Embracing Brexitism has put the Conservative party at risk of landslide defeat
  3. Conservatives need to move away from radical right-wing policies to appeal to a broader voter base
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Fear and lies in a world of fakes

668 implied HN points • 28 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Fake news
  1. The rise of fakery includes fake news, images, audio, and politics.
  2. Journalists like Michela Wrong play a crucial role in exposing lies and illusions.
  3. Advancements in AI and deep fake technology make it easier to fabricate attacks against individuals.

Writing for Substack

786 implied HN points • 11 Jan 24
  1. Write well by offering unique content that people can't find elsewhere.
  2. Building a paying audience takes time and hard work, with no guaranteed success in making money.
  3. Before monetizing your writing, focus on building a community first and offering quality content to attract and retain subscribers.

The first Labour government and the next Labour government

530 implied HN points • 01 Feb 24
💾 History Labour Party Progressive Movement
  1. A century ago, the UK saw the swearing in of its first Labour government, marking a significant shift in political history.
  2. The challenges faced by the first Labour government in the 1920s are still relevant today for the next Labour government, particularly in terms of navigating the political system and preventing conservative power.
  3. Creating a unified front against conservative parties has historically proven crucial for progressive movements, as seen with the alliance between Liberals and Labour in the past.

Psycho bosses will ruin us all!

530 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
💼 Business Management Leadership Justice Technology Scandal
  1. The prosecution of innocent postmasters by the Post Office was a grave miscarriage of justice.
  2. Facial recognition technologies and AI can perpetuate unjust beliefs, impacting society far beyond the UK.
  3. Successful managers are modest and consult with their staff, unlike dictatorial managers who insist on subservience.

Are US progressives playing into Trump’s hands?

393 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Politics Activism Progressives Democrats Trumpism
  1. The US progressive movement is not fully embracing an anti-fascist strategy in response to Trump's tactics.
  2. There is a lack of unity and compromise among Democrats, with concerns about the candidate choices and their approach to attracting moderate Republicans.
  3. The article warns that failure to adopt a more inclusive approach may have negative consequences in the upcoming elections.

Will the radical right take over the Tories?

569 implied HN points • 08 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Conservatism Brexit Nationalism
  1. Radical right Reform party and Nigel Farage may pose a threat to UK Conservative party in 2024 election.
  2. Though Conservatives are already right-wing, there is concern about the rise of even more radical right ideologies within the party.
  3. The distinction between radical right and far right movements is important in understanding the shift in conservative politics.