Jamie Driscoll, Author at Charlie Alford

Is Makerfield a tipping point, or just a speed bump?

Post author:Jamie Driscoll
Post published:19 June 2026
Post last modified:19 June 2026

Andy Burnham’s back in Westminster after the Makerfield by-election. He’ll soon be Prime Minister. Which Andy turns up remains to be seen. And that, in part, will determine how much of a honeymoon he gets. If he guns for the privatised utilities and invests in council housing and public transport as he should, the establishment will target him. If he sits on the fence over Gaza, Palestine Action, or the EU, his coalition of voters will start to break apart. He’s one of the best communicators in politics – he can seem to offer everyone a little bit of hope. But…

There’s nothing pragmatic about ‘centrism’

Post author:Jamie Driscoll
Post published:29 May 2026
Post last modified:8 June 2026

Pragmatism does not mean grifting. Pragmatism is a serious philosophical movement. At its heart is a definition of truth. It seeks an honest answer to the question, “Does this work, and what practical difference does it make in our lives?” If it’s a short-term gain at a long-term cost, it is not pragmatic. If it enriches a small group of people at the cost of serious economic damage, it’s not pragmatic. At least not in the context of a democratic government. Pragmatism is one of the most abused words in politics. What should mean, “Will this work?” is weaponised to mean,…