Really odd editorial decision on world at one on r4 to have the lead interview on forced adoption story with someone who was adopted and says was very good for him Not saying he shouldn’t have a voice but not sure why would lead with this position

Ach shite. Many moons ago, on the night of the seismic 2011 Scottish elections, I put on a night of political comedy and poetry in Edinburgh Paul v kindly agreed to compere it - and was both terrific and a total gentleman Will be much missed www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Andy Burnham's incoming chief of staff, James Purnell, ran a lobbying firm that organised a meeting between a Labour minister and its own corporate clients – without declaring any lobbying. Yet another story about Labour and the lobbying industry... 🧵 democracyforsale.substack.com/p/burnhams-c...

At Media and Democracy summit in Paris at panel on Slapps. 20 EU countries have implemented anti Slapps laws (13 haven’t, 13 not enough info) Britain isn’t in the EU, but when will it follow on its promises for comprehensive anti Slapps legislation?

Not to say Labour aren't guilty, but Cameron's "Lobbying" Act needs to be replaced with a Lobbying Act.

Andy Burnham's incoming chief of staff, James Purnell, ran a lobbying firm that organised a meeting between a Labour minister and its own corporate clients – without declaring any lobbying. Yet another story about Labour and the lobbying industry... 🧵 democracyforsale.substack.com/p/burnhams-c...

The dissonance between this and Burnham's "it's morning in Manchester" is really striking.

For the moment that's in it (god, Cathal Coughlan went far too young) www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCKw...

Could Britain be in this situation not long after the next general election?

I don't want to hear another word about how much white European visitors are enjoying ranch dressing while team officials, Africa's top referee, and now one of the world's most celebrated fans are turned away from the World Cup. The USA is an utterly unfit host — it's as simple as that

Would really recommend signing this petition

I understand it's predominantly jobs in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences that are at risk, including the brilliant @proffrancesca.bsky.social Absolute tragedy

This is absolute dereliction Exeter university is home to world leading experts in corruption and kleptocracy (among other things) Now it’s facing being cut to ribbons www.timeshighereducation.com/news/univers...

very good listen

Ecuador!!! (Not good for scotland but totally deserved. Also don’t think scotland has any chance of going through anyway)

Ah thanks so much 😊

This is a wonderful, thoughtful conversation. Makes one think about where a Burnham could focus. Worth a listen.

“Change”

Andy Burnham’s chief of staff ran a lobbying firm until yesterday He’s got Josh Simons in his inner circle (despite all our stories!) So what chance Burnham cleaning up British politics? Great to chat about this with Peter Oborne on Democracy for Sale today open.substack.com/pub/democrac...

Good piece from @petergeoghegan.bsky.social following announcements that James Purnell and Josh Simons are expected to play pivotal roles in a Burnham-led Government. open.substack.com/pub/democrac...

Don’t look up wasn’t a great film but it really nailed the level of climate denialism

It’s less than a week since my radio was telling me that Britain needed to abandon net zero and drill baby drill because the Tories won a by election in Aberdeen Now it’s so hot the kids can’t sleep

Burnham’s new chief of staff was chief executive of lobbying firm Flint It’s like the British political elite is addicted to conflicts of interest www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

Burnham’s new chief of staff was chief executive of lobbying firm Flint It’s like the British political elite is addicted to conflicts of interest www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

The Ayews are Abedi Pele’s sons?!? Mind just blown That nugget from commentators best thing by a mile from this game so far

And this is the richest man ever whose company has soared in value since its IPO Almost like something really fundamental is broken in our political economy 😬

A lot going on today but this is a huge political story. (Jeffrey Donaldson is the only person who has actually sued me. Case never went to court. Had nothing to do with this) www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...

Much coverage of today strikes me as rather odd Yes, replacing another prime minister is incredible - and real question about whether PM job is even possible as constituted But Starmer had no ideology or support base in his party. Which is no way to run anything, and fundamentally why he’s gone

Sorry if it's a bit 'Hitler my part in his downfall' but as Starmer seems set to resign found myself reflecting on the (very unlikely) role that my humble newsletter, Democracy for Sale, has played in the end of British prime ministership (short 🧵) democracyforsale.substack.com

Sorry if it's a bit 'Hitler my part in his downfall' but as Starmer seems set to resign found myself reflecting on the (very unlikely) role that my humble newsletter, Democracy for Sale, has played in the end of British prime ministership (short 🧵) democracyforsale.substack.com

Thanks hive mind! Bottle of fizz is staying in the fridge, alas

Bluesky hivemind…. Can you (well me) take alcohol into the Oval?

Feeling pretty smug that bought cheep tickets for Oval for final day of the test match earlier this week (child’s was only a quid!)

From @politicsjoe.bsky.social interviewing @petergeoghegan.bsky.social . www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojHC... If Simons is anywhere close to Burnham when he becomes PM, nothing will change. The Labour Together organ grinders will just have control over a different dancing monkey.

"Burnham’s victory in Makerfield was so decisive that it exposes the hollowness of Starmer’s position as prime minister." Great to have @johnmct.bsky.social writing on where next for Labour in today's Democracy for Sale newsletter democracyforsale.substack.com/p/john-mcter...

Am really touched by this lovely write-up of my work from my hometown. Was a complete pleasure to Ciara at Longford Live. www.longfordleader.ie/news/longfor...

Reminder that Burnham's right hand man Josh Simons IN FEB had to resign after Labour Together scandal Earlier this month Democracy for Sale revealed that PR firm he hired to discredit journalists accused him of making "wrong" and "misleading statements" democracyforsale.substack.com/p/wrong-in-n...

It is extremely important that Labour understands that the movement of voters between Lab and Ref was not the crucial factor, it was consolidation of the anti-Ref vote and Lab voters turning out in droves. Otherwise Burnham will make the same mistakes as Starmer in targeting only one set of voters.

Exc: First Government department quits Twitter over racism and violence concerns Richard Hermer sent a directive to staff last week saying the Attorney General's Office would be coming off the platform observer.co.uk/news/politic...

Am I the only one who sings ‘because I’m Norman whiteside’ in the chorus of Mr Brightside?

Gutting the BBC right now seems like a really bad idea www.theguardian.com/media/2026/j...

🔴 SCOOP: Farage doesn't seem to want to answer questions about his money. So I went looking - and found that the Reform leader's personal company is in breach of UK company law democracyforsale.substack.com/p/revealed-n...

🔴 SCOOP: Farage doesn't seem to want to answer questions about his money. So I went looking - and found that the Reform leader's personal company is in breach of UK company law democracyforsale.substack.com/p/revealed-n...

Roger Cook got death threats from some of the vilest people in the world. The fact he's died peacefully after a short illness at the age of 83 feels like he won, ultimately. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

@johnmct.bsky.social Hi John, trying to get in touch but can't message you on here for some reason. Could you message me? cheers! Peter

The power that board chairs have in charities/not for profit organisations is *mad* This is one example. But there are many, many more…. www.heraldscotland.com/news/2618624...

How many garage bands are out there now called ‘hydration break’ Expecting to see one of them down bill at all points east in a few years

'The MAGA World Cup: how #Fifa sold #football to the highest bidder. Nick McGeehan on Fifa, #corruption and the authoritarian capture of the people's game' via @petergeoghegan.bsky.social @ncgeehan.bsky.social @fairsq.bsky.social

The same politician wants to go to court to over turn a ban on foreign donations (over £100k) www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

Doing some tidying and just found this, from Belfast flag protests in 2012 Massive echoes with last week, although big difference - no Elon musk and minimal influence from UK politicians