Watching news programmes over the last couple of days, I’m really struck by the fact that the US isn’t putting people up & isn’t briefing us. Probably isn’t briefing anyone?

BREAKING: Keir Starmer says the U.K. has given the US permission to use British bases to launch strikes on Iran

The centrist establishment is dying in British politics & may be dead already. Labour’s collapse happened in entirely predictable ways. In fact @rewearmouth.bsky.social & I warned Starmer would face this in our 2024 book, Landslide. It’s happening in France, US, Germany. Gorton is just the start.

Polls were way out

🚨 Green Party wins Gorton & Denton byelection after tightly contested race, with Labour slipping to third in significant blow to Keir Starmer. Green Party: 14,980 Reform UK: 10,578 Labour: 9,364

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Top British and German military chiefs press ‘moral’ case for rearmament www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

🔥🔥🔥Anas Sarwar: "The distraction needs to end and the leadership in Downing Street needs to change." www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/hammer...

I fly to Brisbane tomorrow, and given it is summer in Australia (yes, you’re right, it does suck to be you!) I’ve just spent a shedload of cash on clothes

While we all get swept up in Westminster, take a moment to think how fortunate we are

This tells you that there’s really is no consensus in Labour about a way forward

Enjoyed this open.spotify.com/episode/49Cq...

I'd echo this. The mood in the last couple of hours has got *extremely* dark.

“Either MI6 and the UK’s intelligence agencies managed to miss everything that has now come to light, or else they found it and No 10 made the decision to ignore it. People will surely want answers on that front.” www.thenewworld.co.uk/james-ball-m...

the pitch is being rolled for a BBC/Channel 4 merger ahead of the next director general’s arrival www.thetimes.com/article/6c44...

🚨BREAKING - Gordon Brown says he has asked the Cabinet Secretary "to investigate the disclosure of confidential and market sensitive information" allegedly from Mandelson Says he asked the cabinet office to investigate this in September and department found no record.

Great read guardianbookshop.com/baltic-97813...

Great exclusive. Alarming story. ‘UK-based pair behind messaging app accused of giving data to Iranian regime’ www.theguardian.com/technology/2...

Panic on the streets of London? I am the resurrection? Love will tear us apart? So this is how it feels to be lonely? So many missed opportunities by political journalists this week

I find it pretty mental that we have spent the week talking about the NEC, given everything going on internationally

This is quite something

Iconic is an overused word Rachel’s bow is iconic #traitors

“I’m just a wee boy from the Isle of Lewis.” Awwww ❤️ #Traitors

Also, Faraaz … how can you be twice so late to the party, mate? You deserved to lose

So happy for Rachel & Stephen. Who wouldn’t want them on their team? #Traitors

I remember covering the 3 Rifles homecoming parade in Edinburgh in 2010. The soldiers were emotional, exhausted and relieved to be back home after their tour in Helmand. Not all of them came home, of course. www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/8156048...

The notion that Labour would use Trump as a stick to beat Farage with would be unthinkable 24hrs ago. Starmer would characterise it as reckless - subordinating the special relationship to narrow partisan advantage. A head-spinning change of approach.

Faraaz hits the nail on the head. Up the Boro. #thetraitors

The UK did this deal, btw, at significant political and financial cost, so that the US could keep operating a crucial regional military base at Diego Garcia. Donald Trump and Marco Rubio both welcomed the deal. There is nothing in it for the UK other than helping the US relationship. So: hmmmm.

“Alliances endure because they are built on respect and partnership, not pressure”, says Starmer, repeating that Trump’s tariff threat is “wrong”. “A trade war is in nobody’s interest”.

Utter horror www.thetimes.com/world/middle...

Rare combative tone from Keir Starmer on the Trump tariffs tonight, as he stands up for Greenland/Denmark. "Applying tariffs on allies for pursuing the collective security of NATO allies is completely wrong. We will of course be pursuing this directly with the US administration."

Actually looking forward to Ant & Dec having a podcast www.thetimes.com/culture/tv-r...

The i’s @richardholmes.bsky.social is a good reporter getting some really important defence & security exclusives inews.co.uk/news/nato-wa...

Iranians opposing the regime are protesting all over the world today - big turnouts in Tokyo, Perth, Auckland and Budapest…

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola: “The world is once again witnessing the brave people of Iran stand up. “Europe stands by their side.”

BREAKING: UK and France sign formal declaration of intent to put boots on ground in Ukraine in event of peace deal with Russia. They would "operate on Ukrainian soil, securing Ukraine’s skies and seas and building an armed forces fit for the future".

I am obsessed with this podcast called The Necessary Conversation, even though I find it almost unbearable. It is a US family chatting politics. The two kids are left-leaning and live in California & the parents are MAGA ultras living in Texas. open.spotify.com/show/3hkMl04...

Merry Christmas 🎄

‘We refuse to be afraid’: solidarity and vigilance in British Jewish community targeted by IS plot www.theguardian.com/news/2025/de...

Thousands of young people leaving care will receive free prescriptions, dental and eyecare services until their 25th birthday, Wes Streeting has announced.

Has Reform ever polled above 35%? (I think it’s only hit 35% once, maybe twice?) They’re winning lots of council seats when it comes to actual votes, though

As you’d expect from Kathryn Bigelow, this is outstanding m.youtube.com/watch?v=_wpw...

Two arrested after police say they will act against intifada chants www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Parents of sextortion victim sue Meta for alleged wrongful death www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...

Live blog on the Bondi Beach shooting 👇🏻 www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12...