John Kampfner

On the day of Trump's Davos-Doom, here's an animation that attempts some practical optimism. 'Braver New World'. 10 countries with lessons in radical change to improve lives & strengthen democracy. More on the book to come, including some exhilarating endorsements

NEW ‼️ Andy Burnham's Manchesterism Ahead of UK budget day tomorrow 🇬🇧, @johnkampfner.bsky.social looks into what animates the new British prime minister's general approach. ip-quarterly.com/en/andy-burn...

Pleased to see that the British parliament has just issued a timely warning on the subject www.bbc.com/news/article...

Two Left titans joined forces last night. Joschka Fischer, ex-Green Foreign Minister, & Daniel Cohn-Bendit, 68er, ex-MEP, spent an hour discussing all that's wrong. It was stimulating but I came away without a single new idea. There are great ideas out there; but it needs people to think afresh

Russian warfare at sea: the view from close by

After 12 days on the road - Berlin-London-Vienna-Finland-Scotland-across England talking about 'Braver New World' - some reflections: During that time more dirty Trump-Putin deals. Burnham admits Kremlin's hand in Brexit. Wherever I went, audiences keen to talk about bold routes out of the mire

Where's the courage? Resilience? Candour? Imagination? Where is the practical optimism and sensible risk-taking to meet our many long-term challenges? I've been advocating this, with examples from abroad. It's too early to say for sure, but might Andy Burnham have found some of it?

Lösungen für Wohnungsnot, Gesundheitsversorgung, Migration existieren längst, irgendwo auf der Welt. In seinem neuen Buch hat John Kampfner sie gesucht & gefunden. Was fehlt, ist politischer Mut zur Umsetzung. Er spricht mit @tessaszy.bsky.social @kreiskyforum.bsky.social @johnkampfner.bsky.social

Aus Liverpool vom Labour-Parteitag nach Wien, um dort am Donnerstag Abend mit @johnkampfner.bsky.social im @kreiskyforum.bsky.social darüber zu reden, was wo wie gut klappt: Kommt und diskutiert bitte mit!

Much media comment about Burnham's brave new world, one election away. It was an impressive start, for sure, but what he needs is a braver new world. Courage, imagination, resilience. www.ft.com/content/122a...

johnkampfner.substack.com/p/the-rights...

Today is publication day of the German edition of Braver New World - 'Mutig in die Zukunft'. Last night marked the first in a series of events, with a great audience, as Germany grapples with the need for political courage. Will post on it once the pictures are in. In the meantime, here's the cover

Fascinating analysis by Steve Erlanger @nytimes.com on the social causes of the far-right resurgence in Europe. Was pleased to be in the company of some venerable commentators quoted in the piece www.nytimes.com/2026/09/21/w...

Merz on the ropes. What next? An interview Sky News wetransfer.com/previews/128...

My instant analysis on the BBC news channel of the two important German elections this evening, seconds after the first exit polls were published

Today is the 2nd time I've voted in Germany (first was the gen election early 2025). This time it's the regional elections in Berlin - and rarely has a vote for liberal democracy felt so vital. The results here and in Meck-Pom nearby will have huge repercussions. Will be broadcasting & writing later

The extremist AfD party has won the state election in Saxony Anhalt – it is a disaster for the west. Both Putin and Trump will be well pleased ✏️ @johnkampfner.bsky.social

Latest broadcast interview on the German elections @news.sky.com

On this very difficult day for Germany and for liberal democracy, I gave an interview to BBC News and the ever-excellent Kasia Madera on today's elections in Saxony-Anhalt. You can watch it here

A portentous day for Germany and liberal democracy everywhere

The shadow of the AfD hangs over German democracy – but I still have faith in my adopted country | John Kampfner

johnkampfner.substack.com/p/germany-on...

He loves being called Germany's most dangerous man. Who is Ulrich Siegmund, the leader of the far right AfD in the eastern German state of Saxony Anhalt and now on the verge of power? I discuss on the Guardian's Today In Focus podcast www.theguardian.com/news/audio/2...

Five years ago (next week) I became a German citizen. These are my reflections now, written on the eve of the expected far-right triumph in Saxony-Anhalt www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

A week ahead of elections in Saxony-Anhalt

johnkampfner.substack.com/p/germanys-s...

A new season of events on 'Braver New World' started yesterday in Edinburgh with a packed-out event with Jeremy Hunt & Liz Lloyd. We didn't agree on everything (that would've been strange); we did agree that voters are crying out for fresh ideas from around the world to get us out of the mire.

Getting ready for an autumn series of events for 'Braver New World'. It will take me across the UK and Germany, also to Vienna, Helsinki and more. Kicks off next Thursday Aug 20 at the Edinburgh Book Festival, in conversation with Jeremy Hunt and Liz Lloyd www.edbookfest.co.uk/events/jerem...

open.substack.com/pub/johnkamp...

“Braver new world” by @johnkampfner.bsky.social should be required reading for all politicians. I’d vote for any party that used it to write its manifesto. In a world with so little to celebrate, it offers hope that things really can be better.

open.substack.com/pub/johnkamp...

Just read the chapter on Estonia in the @johnkampfner.bsky.social book ‘Braver New World’ -Their success in digital ID contrasts with our timid and counterproductive attempts to do something similar. In particular Starmer turned a country broadly sympathetic to the idea of ID to a hostile one.

Which of the three, Germany, France or the UK has most cause for optimism, or least cause for pessimism? The chart changes all the time, but for the moment... johnkampfner.substack.com/p/wholl-be-t...

Europe is starting to take note of Brand Burnham inews.co.uk/news/world/b...

Thank you @nickmh.bsky.social

As he starts his journey...

Your pre-match primer

One of a series of 'Braver New World' events in the UK and around Europe this autumn. The Henley Lit Festival is always one of the most enjoyable. Looking forward to it. Oct 9.

The Brits’ neuralgia about the Germans is about to go into overdrive johnkampfner.substack.com/p/is-a-germa...

Braver New World by John Kampfner: Enlightenment under threat

Also public housing does not have to be bad: read about what they do in Vienna, which @johnkampfner.bsky.social devoted a chapter of his book to, reviewed by me here www.ft.com/content/7de3...

Can democracy become more resilient by being bolder? In the latest #HowToFixDemocracy podcast, Andrew Keen speaks with John Kampfner about why resilience, imagination & political courage are essential to renewing democracy.🎧https://open.spotify.com/episode/3fRsEaQulEWLGrkpMLed90

Gah I’m buying too many books. But look at the beauties I have to read!

It was a delight to have long conversation with the folks @politico.eu about the best practice Europe can learn from others. Hope you enjoy the podcast www.politico.eu/podcast/brus...

Europe is embracing Turkey as Donald Trump’s commitment to the continent’s security wanes. But Ankara’s human rights record makes it awkward. 🎙️ On #BrusselsPlaybookPod, @swheatonjourno.bsky.social unpacks it with @asliaydintasbas.bsky.social. + We discuss @johnkampfner.bsky.social's new book.

@johnkampfner.bsky.social great to hear about what is possible for liberal democracies to succeed in this populist era

First Bluesky post with a lovely review of my book My Neighbour, The Dictator, covering four years immediately after Suharto’s brutal coup and yes, he did live in my neighbourhood. @johnkampfner.bsky.social @thenewworldmag.bsky.social @monsoonbooks.bsky.social www.thenewworld.co.uk/john-kampfne...

Looking forward to it @radixuk.bsky.social

The 7th UK prime minister in 10 years. Will he finally be the one?

Britain's European allies want to know what a new PM would mean for defence, Ukraine, energy and AI ✏️ @johnkampfner.bsky.social

Britain's European allies want to know what a new PM would mean for defence, Ukraine, energy and AI ✏️ John Kampfner ( @johnkampfner.bsky.social )