A reflection of our political culture: we have local elections on Thursday but I see relatively few posters on people's windows. Is that form of public politics over?

Compass director Neal Lawson reflects on the life and work of his friend and mentor David Marquand:
renewal.org.uk/marquand-remem…

Enjoyed London Tide at the National Theatre. Dramatisation of Dickens's Our Mutual Friend. Reviewed it on my Facebook page. nationaltheatre.org.uk/productions/lo…

letter to the Times from a former Conservative MP

Delighted to see David Edgerton's essay on Harold Wilson in the New Statesman this week. It was originally the keynote at the 'How Labour Governs' conference at Anglia Ruskin in January. Labour History Research Unit David Edgerton newstatesman.com/the-weekend-es….

Can we please have an election before any more damage is done to this country? theguardian.com/education/2024…

Okay, crack down on immigration. Local universities collapse, skills shortages climb, social care melts down and teacher training trails off. You get buried at an election. Anyone recommending this hasn't thought about UK political economy for more than ten seconds.

Great launch for new book on Social Democracy by Eunice Goes at the Fabian Society. Promises to be an important book that takes on the difficult task of weaving together the different currents of thought. Eunice Goes agendapub.com/page/detail/so…

I would love to see Past Lives win the Best Picture Oscar though I suspect it won't. theguardian.com/film/2024/mar/…

.Royal Historical Society President, Emma Griffin, is among those expressing concern at emerging 'cold spots' - of courses and options - for humanities provision in UK Higher Education, in an article published today Times Higher Education bit.ly/3uRVSKV 1/2

Fintan O'Toole reviews Tom Baldwin's biography of Keir Starmer in the TLS. Comparing him to other leading politicians of our time, he writes 'Starmer is Gulliver, not in Brobdingnag, but in Lilliput. It is not hard for him to walk tall'.

From Rory Stewart's Politics on the Edge: canvassing his constituency in the 2015 election, he noticed that if a house was filled with books, the people would not be voting Conservative!

Very sorry to learn of the passing of Professor James Sharpe (University of York). He was a wonderful early modern social historian, esp of crime and witchcraft. Loved his Dick Turpin book among many. He was always very supportive to me. Such a loss.

Looking forward to our third year dissertation conference at Anglia Ruskin (University of the year!). Students will give presentations on their research and show off their discoveries. ARU

Wise words from Chris Patten as he stands down as chancellor of University of Oxford.

Prof David Edgerton (Kings London) re-assesses Harold Wilson #HowLabourGoverns

Charles Clarke delivers keynote on the challenges facing Labour in future. Emphasises need for clarity of purpose and rebuilding the public realm #HowLabourGoverns

Patrick Diamond (and Colm Murphy) on the role of fiscal prudence underpinning progressive reform in New Labour era. #HowLabourGoverns

Glen O'Hara reasseses the statecraft of New Labour and its focus on the future and the 'techno-fix'. #HowLabourGoverns

Jim Tomlinson reasseses de-industrialisation in modern Britain @HowLabourGoverns