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The University of Southampton
Centre for English Identity and Politics

Director's blog

An occasional blog by our Director Prof John Denham and a link to his personal blog, The Optimistic Patriot

 

Less than England needs - first thoughts on the Brown report

John Denham's analysis of Labour's Commission on the Future of the UK as it applies to England

Are the English really British?

John Denham and Prof Ailsa Henderson probe behind some strange changes in England's national identities in the most recent census.

Mayors are not for everywhere

John Denham examines two recent publications about directly elected mayors and questions the direction of public policy

England and the Conservative leadership

Published at the start of the Conservative leadership election, this blog examines the basis of recent Conservative success in England and the issues that might influence the MPs and members who have to chose a new leader and Prime Minister

English Democracy: England, electoral reform and the future of the United Kingdom

In this report for Compass and Unlock Democracy, CEIP Director Prof John Denham argues that both electoral reform for Westminster and the establishment of a democratic system of government for England are essential both for England and for the future of the UK. He also highlights their importance for Labour strategy

Give councils more say on public spending, say Engish voters

Prof John Denham analyses a recent YouGov poll for the Centre for English Identity and Politics which shows strong public support for giving local councils more say over public spending in their area. This popular support can be taken as broad support for further devolution within England

Labour's statecraft - governing for change

Is it time to revisit the old assumption that England is too big to have its own national institutions within the United Kingdom? 

John Denham explains how the government is now applying the same centralist Anglo-centric British nationalism to the governance of England as it is to the rest of the Union.

Blog by Prof John Denham and Dr Lawrence McKay published by Prospect.

Labour and the Hartlepool by-election.

St George's Day thoughts on how the people of England view England, Britain and the union.

Prof Michael Keating’s new book was published on 9th April. I was invited to make some remarks at a pre-publication discussion at the PSA’s annual conference in March 2021. I focused on what Michael describes as the ‘loss of the polyvalent union’.

A discussion on the census.

Prof John Denham and Dr Lawrence McKay explore whether the debate on England's governance is held back by the identities and outlooks of England's elites.

 English Heritage's 'flag of names, carries the 32,000 most common surnames in England. Prof John Denham, who advised on the project, explains why England's story must include the stories of everyone who is living here today.

 

 

 

 

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