Mr Matthew Lloyd, Political Science BA (University of Birmingham); International Political Economy MA (Kings College London)

Profile

Matthew is completing his PhD in Political Science at Queen Mary University of London supervised by Professor Patrick Diamond and Professor Ray Kiely. His thesis focuses on the Labour Party’s economic policy using original 58 elite interviews with key economic advisors and politicians from the New Labour, Miliband, Corbyn and Starmer economic projects. Matthew’s research combines historical and discursive new institutionalism to examine how British governments can create economic institutional change in order to transform Britain’s liberal market variety of capitalism. 

Matthew’s varieties of capitalism and new institutionalism theoretical work alongside his original 58 elite interviews also informs his working papers and books. 

Matthew completed his undergraduate degree in Political Science at the University of Birmingham completing his dissertation focusing on the UK Labour Party’s 2015 electoral defeat, supervised by Professor Colin Thain. He then went on to study a Masters at King’s College London in International Political Economy completing his dissertation on the UK Labour Party’s economic policy 2007-2017, supervised by Dr Isabelle Hertner. 

Matthew is also a self-employed political strategist and campaign manager consultant. He has worked for a number of Labour Party Parliamentarians including Jess Phillips MP, Baroness Gisela Stuart MP, Jack Dromey MP and Lord Rodger Liddle as well as the UK Labour Party. He has managed countless elections for the Labour Party and other campaign organisations across the UK in Lambeth, Midlands and Wales. He was also national co-chair of LGBT+ Labour. Matthew was also a research associate for ‘Policy Network’ and ‘Progress’ thinktanks. Matthew was mentored and worked with a number of the top UK political strategists such as Matthew Doyle, Morgan McSweeney, Richard Angell and Caroline Badley. 

Teaching

Current Teaching:

POL105 Political Analysis

POL259 The Politics of International Law

POL249 Foreign Policy Analysis 

Guest Lectures: 

Lloyd, M. (2022) ‘The Role of the Market - a Force for Queer Liberation? Tracing the relationship between the role of the state and the role of the market in queer liberation in the UK‘ Guest Lecture, October 2022, on a third year undergraduate module, hosted by Royal Holloway University and convened by Professor Jeff Frank. 

Lloyd, M. (2022) ‘The Role of Agency in Changing Structures: How can agents change structural constraints?’, Guest Lecture, March 2022, on Political Analysis first year undergraduate module, hosted by Queen Mary University London, School of Politics and International Relations.

Lloyd, M. (2022) ‘Structure & Agency in liberal market democracies: Why the the Labour Party / leftwing parties lose elections in liberal market democracies’, Guest Lecture, February 2022, on Political Analysis first year undergraduate module, hosted by Queen Mary University London, School of Politics and International Relations.

Lloyd, M. (2020) ‘Queer Domestic Violence and the Policy Response’, Guest Lecture, March 2020, on Sexual orientation, gender issues and gender third year undergraduate module, hosted by Royal Holloway University and convened by Professor Jeff Frank. 

Academic Teaching Training:

QMUL Teaching Associate Training 2021

QMUL POL113 Politics in Action Facilitator Training 2022 

Previous Teaching Experience: 

POL105 Political Analysis, POL113 Politics in Action, POL243 British Politics, POL249 Foreign Policy Analysis, POL259 The Politics of International Law

Research

Research Interests:

Broad research interest areas: Comparative Politics, British Politics, American Politics, Political Analysis, Political Economy, Political Parties and Queer Theory

Current Thesis Research: New institutionalism, Labour Party’s Political Economy, Thatcherism, Structure & Agency Theory, Varieties of Capitalism the Alternative Economic Strategy, New Labour’s Political Economy and the Political Economy of Corbynomics.

Working Papers Research: The UK Labour Party in Opposition, Starmer’s Economic Strategy, Miliband’s Economic Strategy, Structure & Agency, New Institutionalism Theory, Structure & Agency Theory, Queer Theory and LGBTQ+ Politics in British Political Parties

Past areas of research: Brexit, the UK and the European Union relationship, post-war Britain, 2008 Financial Crisis, Austerity under the UK Coalition Government, Theories of Power and Discourse Analysis. 

Examples of research funding:

Funded Graduate Teaching Associate Studentship position used to support my thesis research and support professional teaching development. I have secured funding from the QMUL POLSIS department to attend conferences and workshops. I also secured funding to attend and help host the COST workshop and conference on LGBTQ+ Methodology Studies. 

Publications

Working Papers or Under Preparation:  

UK Labour Party Political Economy: 

Matthew’s varieties of capitalism and new institutionalism theoretical work alongside his original 58 elite interviews informs his working papers and books on UK Labour Party Political Economy.

‘The emergence of Starmer’s “Securonomics” political economy - the heir to Blair? Economic Structural Constraints - historical perceptions or everyday realities for the labour party’s political economy?’ journal article. Matthew is co-authoring this paper with Professor Patrick Diamond. Examining changing constraints and internal perceptions of limitations on Labour’s economic policy 1997-present {Drafting} 

‘Labour Wars: Labour’s economic policy making in opposition and the role of Labour’s forgotten internal institutional structures’. Examining why the Labour Party’s economic policy shifts perceptively to the left after leaving office {Drafting}

‘From New Labour to Corbynomics: The UK Labour Party’s historical political economic tradition’ book {Under Negotiation - Future Post PhD Publication}

‘The Road to Starmerism’ book  {Under Negotiation - Future Post PhD Publication}

‘Structure & Agency all over again: How the left and right of the UK Labour Party perceive constraints on economic policy’ journal article {Future Planned Publication} 

Queer Theory Political Party Comparison: 

‘LGBTQ+ liberation: When and why have political parties in the UK modernised their policy positions?’ journal article. Matthew is co-authoring this paper with Dr Isabelle Hertner (KCL). Drawing on original elite interviews with LGBTQ+ MPs from the Labour Party, the Conservative Party, the Scottish Nationalist Party and the Liberal Democrats {Research Ongoing} 

‘Queering Bourdieu's Types of Capital’ journal article. Examining how Bourdieu’s types of capital can be used to examine capital within the LGBTQ+ community using original focus groups {Future Planned Publication} 

Governance: 

‘Going for broke: How Birmingham City Council went broke’ journal article. Examining the reasons and consequences of Birmingham City Council’s 114 notice using original elite interviews {Future Planned Publication} 

Presented Conference Papers: 

Diamond, P. & Lloyd, M. (2023) ‘The emergence of Starmer’s “everyday” political economy - the heir to Blair? Economic Structural Constraints - historical perceptions or everyday realities for the labour party’s political economy?’ at the Political Science Association 2023 Conference at University of Liverpool.  

Lloyd, M. (2023) ‘Labour Wars: Labour’s economic policy making in opposition and the role of Labour’s forgotten internal institutional structures’ at the Political Science Association 2023 Conference at University of Liverpool.  

Lloyd, M. (2022) ‘Queering Bourdieu's Types of Capital’ at the COST LGBTQ+ Methods Workshop 2022 at Royal Holloway University London 

Lloyd, M. (2022) ‘Labour Wars: Labour’s economic policy making in opposition and the role of Labour’s forgotten internal institutional structures’ at the Opposition Studies Conference at King’s College London. 

Diamond, P. & Lloyd, M. (2022) ‘The emergence of Starmer’s “everyday” political economy - the heir to Blair? Economic Structural Constraints - historical perceptions or everyday realities for the labour party’s political economy?’ at the UK in a Changing Europe Conference at The University of Manchester. 

Diamond, P. & Lloyd, M. (2022) ‘The emergence of Starmer’s “everyday” political economy - the heir to Blair? Economic Structural Constraints - historical perceptions or everyday realities for the labour party’s political economy?’ at the Political Science Association 2021 Conference at University of York. 

Crines, A. & Lloyd, M. (2021) ‘Theresa May and the Rhetoric of Global Britain: A Paper Commemorating Dr Judi Atkins’ ‘The UK and the World’ Conference at Anglo American University.

Lloyd, M. (2018) ‘Why has there been a shift in the UK Labour Party’s economic policy since 2007?’ at ‘Future of the Left’ Conference, University of Birmingham. 

Papers Presented to University Departments: 

Presented at the Faculty of Arts & Humanities staff research seminar at Coventry University: The emergence of Starmer’s ‘everyday’ political economy - the heir to Blair? Economic Structural Constraints - historical perceptions or everyday realities for Labour Party political economy? Co-authored by Patrick Diamond (QMUL) 

Supervision

N/a

Public Engagement

Invited Academic Speaking Events

Panel speaker and convener (2022) ‘Less Tweeting. More Talking' How can LGBT+ Labour influence the Labour Party? This House Believes That LGBT+ groups hold more influence working within political parties rather than against them’, October 2022, with Ian Thomas (Rainbow Rose), Sarah Kerton (University College Birmingham) and Katy Hanson (LGBT+ Labour) jointly hosted by The Political Science Thought Bubble & LGBT+ Labour. 

Chair and co-convener (2022) with Dr Peter Kerr (University of Birmingham) of ‘The Future of the UK Conservative Party' panel, September 2022, hosted by the University of Birmingham and Queen Mary University of London, with Dr David Jeffery (University of Liverpool), Dr Neema Begum (University of Nottingham), Dr Stuart McAnulla (University of Leeds) and Dr Peter Kerr (University of Birmingham)

Discussant (2022) ‘Progressive Britain Thinktank Oxford Conference: Future of the Centre Left’, July 2022, hosted by Oxford University. I was one of two doctorate research students invited alongside other senior academics, politicians and journalists from both the UK and across Europe. 

Co-chair and convener (2022) ‘Updating hegemonic femininity in British broadsheet newspapers: The appropriation of trans-exclusionary “feminism”’, June 2022, in conversation with Camila Montinel McCann (University of Liverpool), jointly hosted by The Political Science Thought Bubble & LGBT+ Labour. 

Co-chair and convener (2022) ‘LGBTQ+ Health in the Medical Curriculum: A Call for Change’ June 2022, in conversation with the LGBTQ+ Inclusive Medical Alliance (LIMA), jointly hosted by The Political Science Thought Bubble & LGBT+ Labour. 

Co-chair and convener (2022) ‘To what extent and in what ways is marriage an economic institution as well as a sexual one?’ May 2022, roundtable discussion in conversation with Dr Nicola Smith (University of Birmingham) about their recent book Capitalism’s Sexual History, jointly hosted by The Political Science Thought Bubble & LGBT+ Labour. 

Chair of ‘Conservatism’ panel, (April 2022), PSA 2022 Conservative Studies Specialist Group at PSA 2022 Conference hosted by the University of York, with Mr Lenon Maschette (University of São Paulo), Dr. Andrew Roe-Crines (University of Liverpool), Dr. Ben Wellings (Monash University), Dr. Matteo Bonitti (Monash University),  Dr. Maria Rost Rublee (Monash), Dr. Steven Zech (Monash University) and Dr. Kostas Maronitis (Leeds Trinity University). 

Chair and convener (2021) ‘Participating in and Defending British Democracy’, November 2021, seminar with Rt Hon. Baroness Gisela Stuart as guest speaker speaking about their upcoming pamphlet on democracy, hosted by Queen Mary University London, School of Politics and International Relations with guest discussant Dr Richard Johnson.

Chair and convener (2021) ‘The Lessons of New Labour’, October 2021, panel with Lord Andrew Adonis as guest speaker with Professor Jeff Frank sponsored by Royal Holloway University of London, Economics department with guest discussant Dr Richard Johnson.

Discussant (2021) ‘Wilton Park Dialogue Roundtable: Germany and the UK - Facing The Future’, October 2021, roundtable. I was one of two doctorate research students invited alongside 33 other senior academics, politicians and business leaders from both the UK and Germany. 

Discussant (2021) book launch of Crines, A. (2021) ‘Corbynism in Perspective: The Labour Party under Jeremy Corbyn - Building Progressive Alternatives’, London, Agenda Publishing, September 2021, hosted by University of Liverpool, Politics Department. 

Chair (2021) ‘Approaches to Power and Leadership’ panel, July 2021, The Thatcher Network Annual Conference, hosted by Newcastle University and the Political Science Association History & Politics Group.  

Discussant (2020) ‘Bringing About Political Change’, May 2020, panel hosted by University of Birmingham and chaired by Dr Julian Paenke.  

Academic Research Training

COST Queer Theory Methodology Workshop 2022

Introduction to Inferential Statistics 2023 ECPR Methods School https://ecpr.eu/Events/Event/PanelDetails/14408 

Introduction to social science 2: Quantitative Methods and Data POLM083 QMUL Quantitative Methods Training 2021

Introduction to social science 1: Qualitative Methods - QMUL Qualitative Methods Training 2021

RESEARCH IMPACT 

I write for several thinktanks drawing on my research. I have also had initial discussions with thinktanks such as Progressive Britain about how my research on my thesis can be used to contribute to their work with the Labour Party. I hope to produce several thinktank pamphlets or a report from my thesis, which will form recommendations for the Labour Party and the Conservative Party on economic policy. I am also in discussions with Progressive Britain about several blog post articles that will be spun off from my thesis. I have also interviewed a number of senior Labour Party politicians and economic advisors from the New Labour, Miliband, Corbyn and Starmer period. A number of them have agreed to speak at outreach/impact events as well as academic conferences and workshops. After my thesis completion, I will individually brief many of the interviewees who include key economic actors in their fields, senior Labour MPs and current economic advisors to the Labour Party. I have also worked with LGBT+ Labour and cross party LGBTQ+ groups in British political parties to present and draw on my research on queer theory. 

RESEARCH IMPACT EVENTS

Chair and convener (2023) ‘Queer, Religious and Leftwing - Oh My!’, April 2023, panel with Danielle Nichols Wilson (Inclusive Gathering Birmingham Pastor and Former Co-CEO & Editor at Red Letter Christians UK) and Pat Nimmo (Former Minister at Carrs Lane Church Birmingham) jointly hosted by The Political Science Thought Bubble & LGBT+ Labour. 

Guest speaker and co-convener (2023) ‘Queer Theory - Examining the problem through structure & agency theory’, March 2023 hosted by Inclusive Gathering Birmingham Methodist Church.  

Guest speaker and co-convener (2023) ‘Queer Theory - Christian Prayer and the problem of structure & agency’, February 2023 hosted by Inclusive Gathering Birmingham Methodist Church.  

Chair and convener (2023) ‘LGBTQ+ History: How we continue to campaign to protect and extended LGBTQ+ rights today’, March 2023, guest speaker Dame Angela Eagle MP DBE (Co-Chair of the APPG on Global LGBT+ Rights and Co-Chair of the Parliamentary Labour Party LGBT+ Caucus), jointly hosted by The Political Science Thought Bubble & LGBT+ Labour. 

Panel speaker and convener (2022) ‘Queer Economics Discussion: The Role of the Market in Strengthening Queer Rights and Freedom’ December 2022,speakers included Evie Brooks (LGBT+ Labour), Lilly Soaper (LGBT+ Labour), Dr Ian Burn (The University of Liverpool) and Professor Jeff Frank, jointly hosted by The Political Science Thought Bubble & LGBT+ Labour.

Panel speaker (2022) ‘Banning Conversion Therapy’ September 2022, panel at Labour Party Conference jointly hosted by LGBT+ Labour and Stonewall.  

Panel speaker (2022) ‘Out of the EU but firmly in Europe: Fighting For Equality At Home And Abroad’ September 2022, panel at Labour Party Conference jointly hosted by LGBT+ Labour and Rainbow Rose.  

Co-chair and convener (2022) ‘Queer Domestic Violence: How do we identify it? How do we stop it?’, June 2022, panel with Thomas Labrune (Galop charity), Savannah Stanislaus (Oxford University LGBTQ+ Association), Alice McKimm (Cambridge University) and Dr Alexander Maine (University of Leicester), jointly hosted by The Political Science Thought Bubble & LGBT+ Labour. 

Co-chair and convener (2022) ‘Co-operative spaces run by and for members of the LGBTQ+ Community. What role do these spaces play? How can we expand these spaces?’, June 2022, in discussion with the Chair of the Scottish Co-Operative Party Ben Procter, jointly hosted by The Political Science Thought Bubble & LGBT+ Labour. 

Convened and chaired (2022) ‘How can academic research support front line LGBTQI+ community groups and public policy?’, June 2022, in discussion with Richard Angell (Terrence Higgins Trust CEO), Stephanie Fuller (General Manager Switchboard LGBT+ Helpline) and Lisa Harrington (GALOP Training Manager), COST LGBTQI+ Research Methodologies Conference at Royal Holloway University London.

Co-chair and convener (2022) ‘LGBTQ+ Rights in British Politics - History & Future’, February 2022, panel hosted by University of Birmingham, School of Government Student Experience. The event was co-chaired by Associate Professor Charlotte Galpin.

Panel speaker (2022) ‘LGBTQ+ History & Future’ February 2022 hosted by Wadham College, University of Oxford. I was one of four speakers including Angela Eagle MP, Anneliese Dodds MP & Chair of the Labour Party and Savannah Stanislaus LGBTQ+ Oxford Association Committee. 

Policy Impact Training

Mile End Institute Research Impact Training 2023

KCL Policy Institute Research Impact Training 2021  

Published Thinktank Blog Articles

Matthew is the editor of ‘The Political Science Thought Bubble’ blog where you can find all his blog articles that have been published: https://politicsbubble.co.uk/

Matthew also writes regularly for ‘The Mile End Institute’, ‘UK in a Changing Europe’ thinktank, and ‘Gay45 - The Journal for Queer Freedom and Creativity’ and ‘Progressive Britain’ Centre Left thinktank. Sample blog articles include: 

‘International Political Economy: Russian aggression triggers the return of the political’ UK in a Changing Europe Thinktank https://ukandeu.ac.uk/international-political-economy-russian-aggression-triggers-the-return-of-the-political/ 

‘Labour and Wars’ Mile End Institute Thinktank
https://www.qmul.ac.uk/mei/news-and-opinion/items/labour-wars.html

‘Inflating Labour’ Progressive Britain Thinktank 
https://www.progressivebritain.org/inflating-labour-blog/ 

‘In a world of populist ‘culture wars’ the liberal challenge just got harder’ https://gay45.eu/in-a-world-of-populist-culture-wars-the-liberal-challenge-just-got-harder/

‘A lesson to the left on both sides of the Atlantic. Economic credibility is essential to winning and retaining power’ Mile End Institute Thinktank 
https://www.qmul.ac.uk/mei/news-and-opinion/items/a-lesson-to-the-left-on-both-sides-of-the-atlantic-economic-credibility-is-essential-to-winning-and-retaining-power--matthew-lloyd.html