Stephen Farrall

Oh dear! That wasn’t really thought-through, was it?

Isn’t the response simply “we had to do this by law”?

The effects of New Labour's social policy agenda on crime over the life-course. YouTube video by Cambridge Criminology

The talk I gave last week in Cambridge (many thanks to the Institute of Criminology @cambcriminology.bsky.social for the invitation and hospitality, of course) is now available on YouTube. We start 1st March and are funded by @leverhulme.ac.uk (and thank you too!)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=J63q...

This is the link to the talk I am giving on Thursday 12th Feb (5-6pm) at the Inst. of Criminology @ Cambridge:

www.crim.cam.ac.uk/events/explo...

Here! Here! 👏👏👏

The One With No Rain | Strava View stephen farrall's mountainbikeride on February 7, 2026 | Strava

Yesterday’s ride in the fantastic #LakeDistrict

strava.app.link/XgWJ5dUpA0b

A poster advertising a public seminar by Professor Stephen Farrall.

One week left until the first of the Lent Term public seminars, given by Professor @stephenfarrall.bsky.social from the @uniofnottingham.bsky.social, about New Labour's policy on crime and its effect on crime over individuals' life course.

Learn more and book: www.crim.cam.ac.uk/events/explo...

A poster advertising a public seminar by Professor Stephen Farrall.

Join Professor @stephenfarrall.bsky.social for this year's first Lent Term public seminars on 12 February, titled 'The effects of New Labour’s social policy agenda on crime over the life-course'.

Learn more and apply: www.crim.cam.ac.uk/events/explo...

Terrible news, Chris.

What happens when the taps run dry? England is about to find out | Aditya Chakrabortty It’s not just Tunbridge Wells – a country famous around the world for its rain is in danger of self-imposed drought, says Guardian columnist Aditya Chakrabortty

Yet more joys of Thatcherism (the gift that keeps on giving):

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

The Undisciplining Seminar Series 2026 Call for applications The Sociological Review Foundation invites proposals for its 2026 Undisciplining Seminar Series exploring “Who and what is sociology for?”

CALL: seminar funding for 2026

The Foundation is inviting submissions for its 2026 Undisciplining Seminar Series exploring who and what sociology is for.

Submit your proposal by 31 January for public events focusing on the transformative potential of sociological thinking.

➡️

"Hanging on in quiet desperation is the English way" Pink Floyd.

Can’t wait to see it out, Glen!

Unless #government policy towards UK #Universities changes very soon, you will sees numerous already struggling towns and cities become something close to “skilled labour deserts”. In many towns and cities universities are big employers, employing many on medium and lower incomes.

Dear Juliet,

It would help struggling #universities in all #towns and #cities if your government took this situation seriously. Universities are motors of prosperity & advancement. #Labour is presiding over the collapse of a sector worth £bns to the #UK #economy.

This AM’s MTB ride:

strava.app.link/yQFjcIWrlYb

... and I've just ordered my copy now!

Thanks Glen, looking forward to reading this ahead of our @leverhulme.ac.uk grant on #NewLabour 's policy legacies next March. Great that you're on our steering committee too - many thanks again.

John Major tells Tories alliance with Reform would be ‘beyond stupid’ Former PM says a pact would destroy the Conservatives for good and urges them not to desert centre ground

The #Tories are in the “centre ground”?!? Eh?

www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

Looking forward to the 3rd term, then? 😉

Threat to US vaccines as CDC staff supporting key advisory panel laid off Critics say scientists ‘held hostage’ by RFK Jr as changes mean vaccine development and guidance in peril

You know, aside from #TheOrangeTrumpet being in office, another thing which puts me off going to the #USA , sadly, is their health policy, or lack thereof.

#vaccine #academicsky #POTUS
#WhiteHouse #covid #governmentshutdown #US #Trump #morons

www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

Right to buy in reverse: how Brighton is tackling its social housing crisis | Richard Partington The council is rolling back Thatcher’s flagship policy by buying stock from private landlords. Other local authorities should take note

This is interesting news:

www.theguardian.com/society/2025...

They’re right. #Thatcher’s right to buy was a disaster - we wrote abt the effects in terms of crime here:

academic.oup.com/bjc/article/...

#academicsky #housing #crime #politics #thatcherism #legacies

Manchester University Press - New Labour, New Britain? New Labour, New Britain? - Browse and buy the Hardcover edition of New Labour, New Britain? by Glen O'Hara

**NEW** You can now pre-order my book on the domestic policies of the Blair governments for just £14... All you need do is type in EVENT30 at checkout! What a bargain. Do spread the word if you think a historical look at Labour govts might help: manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/9781526146328/

Intelligence on ‘extreme’ Maccabi fans with history of violence led to Villa Park ban Exclusive: West Midlands police were told supporters randomly attacked Muslims in Amsterdam last year

#KierStarmer really does have some sort of #ReverseMidasTouch doesn’t he? Everything he says turns out to be little better than Bloke in a Pub type analysis. Another self-inflicted error. No political nouse at all.

#Maccabi #AstonVillaFC #AcademicSky

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...

My Thoughts on The University Funding Crisis: What might the university financial crisis mean for Labour's chances at the next Election?

You're quite right! The only real, sustainable solution would be for the Govt to pay universities the additional money needed - which is what used to happen before £9k were introduced.

My thoughts here (a year old, but still about right, I think):

stephenfarrall.substack.com/p/my-thought...

My Thoughts on The University Funding Crisis: What might the university financial crisis mean for Labour's chances at the next Election?

I wrote this about a year ago. Aside from some £ figures, it is still largely correct:

stephenfarrall.substack.com/p/my-thought...

Hope all is going well Tim. Great that you are teaching again! 👏

Margaret Thatcher's legacy continues to cast its long shadow Britain is still living the consequences of the ideas Margaret Thatcher injected into British political discourse and policymaking.

Want a quick summary of some #Thatcher ‘s impact on #UK #society? You could start here 👇

#academicsky #politics #ConservativeParty #Thatcherism #neoliberalism #neo-liberalism #BigIssue #TheBigIssue #crime #housing #schooling #transport #sociology #criminology

www.bigissue.com/news/politic...

Margaret Thatcher's legacy continues to cast its long shadow Britain is still living the consequences of the ideas Margaret Thatcher injected into British political discourse and policymaking.

It is 100 years since #Thatcher was born. Read my thoughts on her legacy in this week's #TheBigIssue here:

#Thatcherism #politics #crime #housing #trains #TonyBlair #schooling #neoliberalism #neo-liberalism #UK #Conservatives #Tories #ConservativeParty #GreenParty

www.bigissue.com/news/politic...

Margaret Thatcher's legacy continues to cast its long shadow Britain is still living the consequences of the ideas Margaret Thatcher injected into British political discourse and policymaking.

Read my thoughts on the legacy of #Thatcher and #Thatcherism here (courtesy of the #BigIssue ):

www.bigissue.com/news/politic...

Inside the Big Issue: Thatcher at 100 This week marks the centenary of Margaret Thatcher’s birth. In this week's Big Issue, we dive into her legacy.

100 years ago today, #Thatcher was born. The #BigIssue have written this about her (and to which I have contributed):

www.bigissue.com/behind-the-s...