@benshimshon.bsky.social the person that most clearly saw this error was a very senior figure in the Tory campaign. Told me 'yeah they are going to win but they're making a terrible mistake on tax in particular'

The trouble with the Ming vase approach to winning elections is that a Ming vase is not much use one you've carried it across the polished floor. This is not as facetious as it might sound. A more robust mandate for specific actions more useful than a flabby majority.

Since I see hacks are doing their self-serving recollections of Mandelson so here's mine: I was made very aware that he regarded me as below the salt. Our only meaningful interaction ended with him saying "off you pop". So Peter, off you pop.

Article for the House magazine, in which I get a bit Scrooge-like about my Santa poll www.politicshome.com/news/article...

"As a new generation of Labour MPs grapple with their unease...Taverne’s example reminds us of the importance of having independently minded MPs with the shrewdness and elegance of the 'Victor of Lincoln'." Words by our Manager Tom Chidwick in the latest @thehousemag.bsky.social! shorturl.at/BeTPd

Welsh Labour have just posted this on their official social media.

A brutal and electric documentary following a Ukrainian brigade as it attempts to liberate a strategically important village, Chernov’s film is breathtaking and unmissable 🎥 @tomthescribe.bsky.social reviews Mstyslav Chernov’s '2000 Meters to Andriivka' | @dogwoofdocs.bsky.social bit.ly/46tDzfa

Subscribe to your gloriously hard copy of The House magazine - featuring sage Cowley - and join the resistance. Offer on now.

Political Studies Association announces it is no longer going to send out hard copies of its journals to members. Maybe I'm the only dinosaur still to get them and find them useful. But feels like other example of enshitification to me.

A fascinating interview with David Evans by @franciselliott.bsky.social that gets to the core of modern Labour’s intellectual roots www.politicshome.com/news/article...

"It is not often possible to recommend a TV series as compelling as Adam Curtis’ Shifty" 📺 Baroness Tessa Blackstone reviews 'Shifty' | #BBCiPlayer #shifty bit.ly/4nXuNg4

Listen carefully: How AI is changing Britain's GP surgeries

Your friendly neighbourhood rebellions guru, @qmpoliticsir.bsky.social's @philipjcowley.bsky.social on where MPs sit (and stand). Sadly, the Rush reference is to the loud band, not the lethal Liverpool striker. But, hey, you can't have everything.

Incredible story. What selflessness and honour ! www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricke...

NEW: Tony Blair's staff took part in a BCG project for the redevelopment of Gaza along the lines of the 'Trump Riviera' plan www.ft.com/content/0b1b...

In particular, parking app I resent having had to download, I feel no need to review Tesco Mare Street car park.

Not saying things are quiet on the Tottenham beat rn but the lead story on that section of @theathletic.bsky.social has been a pair of gates for three days. Unclear what position they will play - presume defence...

Here's @roberthutton.co.uk on the time Gordon Brown met some sushi. Fairly confident this is the funniest thing you'll read all week

Latest @thehousemag.bsky.social article on the costs of governing. Inc references to Game of Thrones (lame), the opening credits of Fame (more than 40 years ago), and Rush (maybe not the coolest band ever). As always, ultra hip, finger on the pulse, etc. www.politicshome.com/opinion/arti...

Wrote about the enhanced games

Thanks for the reminder @janemunday.bsky.social. Every summer, I repost this article DROWNING DOES NOT LOOK LIKE DROWNING. To date, I know of FOUR kids who were saved after someone who'd clicked on the link learnt how to spot actual drowning. Take time to read and pass on. slate.com/technology/2...

And so it begins...

From a Q&A I wrote for the Guardian in 2021. www.theguardian.com/media/2021/d...

If you ever wanted to understand what an effort to exert unchecked executive power against representatives of the legislative branch looks like

Latest piece in the @thehousemag.bsky.social, on sortition for parliamentary candidates. www.politicshome.com/opinion/arti...

Pls pass this on to any aspiring political journalist- especially those that might not be able afford unpaid internships in London totalpoliticsgroup.bamboohr.com/careers/73?s...

Latest piece for @thehousemag.bsky.social - on perceptions of prime ministerial power. With added marking. www.politicshome.com/opinion/arti...

A fine issue of a fine magazine

2025 UEFA Super Cup: PSG 0 (4.76 xG) - Spurs 1 (0.91) Johnson (9’)

Follow the money… will be fascinating to see what Reform’s conference actually looks loke this year

The Sultan of Spin - a denizen of the back room brought blinking into the light

The UK's former chief trade adviser Sir Crawford Falconer talks US tariffs, an EU deal and more with @matildamartin.bsky.social Is Donald Trump a good negotiator? "Well, if he is, I’m yet to see the part of the play where I could say, ‘Ah, so that’s what he was up to’,” he tells her

An institution with intricate power dynamics; characters grappling with political intrigue, elections and doubts about their faith – what film could be more apt for a parliamentary audience? 🎬 @angusmacdonaldld.bsky.social reviews 'Conclave' | #Conclave bit.ly/4k3Yucx

No Phil, sorry you're tuning out. I'm joined by my guests to see what this stunning Reform win means for politics... www.politicshome.com/thehouse/art...

What's that Paula? Can't quite hear you. Now, back to the studio from this utterly transformed new political scene....

Lovely stuff on Kemi and beef from @roberthutton.co.uk

Fukuyama’s prediction was stunningly prescient, and fits MAGA, Kneecap and various other modern political phenomena to a tee:

We had a lot of fun cooking this one up - next on the hot plate - Kemi's Steak.

Behold, my new series for The House magazine: Recipes For Disaster. It's about the meals that shaped politics. Starting, of course, with Ed Miliband's Bacon Sandwich: www.politicshome.com...

Simply the best cartoonist out there

Can anyone help identify this bird seen in Switzerland? Has a v distinctive white head plume. Looked raptor like in flight.

This is really unfair to everyone who just voted for him for the racism.

I have tariffed the penguins that are on Heard Island and which you were probably assuming did not export goods forgive me they were taking advantage of us so cunning and so cold

“Grassroots campaigning was seen as a relic, carried out to give activists something to do rather than being of any import.“ 🖊️ @philipjcowley.bsky.social writes for @thehousemag.bsky.social on canvassing

"I tried to be generous when Ash Sarkar came out against divisive identity politics… but then I read her book" 📚 Baroness Claire Fox reviews 'Minority Rule: Adventures in the Culture War' bit.ly/4c242S4

give Nathan Newby a knighthood, what an absolute hero