I will be getting this from bookshop.org so independents are getting supported 😊

Lovely to see Who Wants Normal? still a bestseller on Amazon. It’s also available in bookshops that pay their staff a living wage.

“That’s his opinion. I can disagree with him, but it’s his policies I’m looking at,” said one Makerfield voter about Reform’s candidate who self-declares as sexist and called gay people “poofs”. Another day, another terrifying insight into the electorate. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

As headlines report 4m U.K. households now have air conditioning, I wanted to write about the part we’re not meant to say: it’s disabled, poor, and older people who are at risk in heatwaves but the wealthy and healthy who get to have the cool homes. Today’s col. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

“It’s the British class system with a climate-crisis spin: the more someone requires air conditioning to survive heatwaves, the less likely they are to be able to afford it.” My col. in today’s paper. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

'Welfare reforms through these MPs'? 'These MPs' are the most handpicked intake ever, and they voted for cuts to disability benefits and the winter fuel! It's genuinely astonishing how the idea they are all wet lefties has been able to spread like wildfire.

A part of my book, Who Wants Normal?, that felt important to include was cultural prejudice around disability aids. I spoke with people who endure pain or stay indoors rather than use one. We can talk about helping people keep healthy as they age without stigmatising “ending up in a wheelchair.”

My colleagues on the environment desk are providing Brits with everything they need during a heatwave.

I like how wikipedia could only get a freely licensed photo of the political editor of BBC News by cropping this UK government photo

Mabel thinking about why it’s 31 degrees in May in the U.K. and the ever growing existential threat of climate change. Also, her lunch.

I previewed tonight’s Dear England, the BBC’s long awaited adaptation of James Graham’s Olivier award winning play (and dealt with the childhood trauma of Euro ‘96). www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...

Add in today’s Guardian newsletter to the Dear England preview and this is the most football content I’ve ever produced. They’re probably going to ask me to run the sport desk soon.

“To watch Dear England, you must understand the damage to the national psyche from Gareth Southgate missing a penalty. Imagine the apocalypse mixed with the death of your childhood pet and you’re just about halfway there.” I’m on TV column duty in today’s paper: www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...

Yet there you are, outside.

Not Wes Streeting out here highlighting the injustice of lower capital gains tax. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

@unaroseauthor.bsky.social I meant to say, if you’d be kind enough to put your lovely review on Amazon (you don’t have to have bought the book there), that’s always a really appreciated way to reach others. Thanks again for such kind words! And do hope you’re feeling better.

I’m writing Matters of Opinion this Saturday: a newsletter by Guardian columnists about what we’ve been debating, reading, and watching. Spoiler: full frontal nudity/product placement in Rivals and the Greens v Labour in the Makerfield by-election. Sign up: www.theguardian.com/global/2025/...

IMPORTANT NEWS: Emma Willis, Johannes Radebe and Josh Widdecombe are the new hosts of Strictly. It was the worst kept secret in television but I’m keen to see the results. The BBC (hopefully) only put three somewhat random individuals together if the chemistry tests were through the roof.

Happy ‘new series of Rivals is out’ day to all who celebrate.

Makerfield will be a tough test for Burnham. Britain Predicts has Reform at 41% and Labour at 28%. *But* such modelling doesn’t make any allowance for candidate popularity. Burnham has a whopping 62% support in Makerfield and will be able to run an insurgency campaign untied to dislike of Starmer.

It’s hard to overstate just how much of a bloodbath is on its way. If Starmer blocks Burnham again, the PLP will be uncontrollable. If Burnham is allowed to do the by-election, Reform will throw every penny they’ve got at it to keep him out anyway whilst the Labour left fight for their lives.

Times reporting Al Carns will run if there's a contest, includes one of the most cringe quotes of all time from a supporter: "Al Carns has said he is getting on with doing his job, but if someone fires the starting gun, he isn’t afraid of gunfire."

“It’s a big shit cocktail. We’re all doomed,” says one Burnham ally. Quite. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

One cabinet ally of the prime minister told the Guardian: “Personally I’d throw him in the river but luckily Keir Starmer is a calm and patient person.” It looks like Wes Streeting is going to resign and launch a leadership bid - and everyone is coping well. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

“The push to topple Starmer feels at once a necessary and pointless endeavour. The reason this Labour government has failed is not simply because of personnel, but a refusal to do what’s necessary to address the deep-seated issues facing the country.” My col. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Ireland’s national broadcaster, RTÉ, is boycotting Eurovision in protest against Israel’s inclusion - and will instead broadcast the Father Ted episode A Song for Europe. 👏 👏 👏 www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...

“The desire not to have an argument means we rarely make an argument.” Brutal but undoubtedly true.

“A story last week said millions of Britons are building up a stash of tinned food and torches at home. Watching Keir Starmer stubbornly cling on to his leadership, you half expect the Prime Minister to barricade himself in Downing Street with a jumbo pack of baked beans and a carton of cigarettes.”

“Starmer has by any measure failed. But framing Labour’s problems as solved by a change in leadership misses the point. Unless Labour’s current flawed ideology (or lack of it) is addressed, swapping out the person spouting it isn’t going to be much use.” My col. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

oh :(

Incredible that a woman who up to two days ago was only known to her immediate family could be responsible for ending Starmer’s premiership.

Seth Rogan out here at the BAFTAs acting like a man who’s never been abroad before or possibly put a television on. Describing legendary actor Celia Imrie as “the woman in green who farted on a reality show” was a particular highlight.

BREAKING DRAMA: Labour MP Catherine West says she’ll seek to trigger a leadership contest if a minister doesn’t launch a challenge by Monday. www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...

I’m not sure there is a bleaker - or older - phenomenon in politics than desperate voters turning to charlatans and bigots for change. Reform councillors will do nothing to help someone’s elderly Mum get social care or keep the local library open for kids. And Farage is laughing his arse off.

Never seen such a slam dunk case. Ronnie’s surely going to come back next week and find a 100% guilty verdict - whilst using Billy’s Guardian subscription. www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...

As I said last week, I'm starting a substack focused on social affairs, public services, policymaking etc - and I'll be launching it soon I've given it the unglamorous but self-explanatory name Policy Matters. Free for now, and for a while yet I imagine Sign up here! chamindajayanetti.substack.com

All the world’s problems are solved when it’s a wonderful Blind Date! www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...

This all looks strangely familiar. Great to see some coverage of the reality of what it's like to use a Blue Badge on a daily basis. Matches my findings as part of www.politicsofparking.com

So many messages about people being harassed - or in extreme cases, attacked - for using a blue badge. I’m not sure there’s a clearer example of the irrationality of resentment against disabled people. It’s a parking space! It just gets you slightly closer to Asda!

Disabled people in the U.K. report rising abuse from the public over Blue Badges as anti-benefit rhetoric grows. Many told The Guardian they have been verbally harassed, with some even physically assaulted. My story in today’s paper: www.theguardian.com/world/2026/a... 1/5

“A few days of joviality will hardly guarantee Trump’s erratic affections for long, as Starmer found out the hard way. What will last far longer is the sense of complicity: the indefensible has yet again been legitimised.” My col. on the royal White House trip. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

This is so awful and one of the things that makes me anxious about using my badge.

“That Charles courted Trump while failing to meet Epstein’s victims could hardly be a clearer message of who counts and who doesn’t, of which horrors are punished and which are excused.” My col. in tomorrow’s paper on the royal White House visit and complicity. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

“This was a state visit that was less an exercise in diplomacy than full-throttle distraction and denial.” My col. in tomorrow’s paper on Trump’s royal visit and legitimising the indefensible. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Thank you so much to everyone who shared their story with me. We couldn’t do this sort of reporting if readers didn’t give us their trust and knowledge. And shout out to my colleague Jane Clinton who was an absolute lifesaver in calling people for follow ups when my fatigue said no thank you.

Disabled people in the U.K. are facing harassment from the public for using a Blue Badge. Many said they have been verbally abused for “faking”, with some being filmed on phones, physically intimidated, or having their mobility aid pulled away. My exclusive: www.theguardian.com/world/2026/a...

Alcohol in the House of Commons is like pay rises for MPs. It’s completely impossible to make the case for either without sounding out of touch.

I’ve got a few of these limited edition Who Wants Notmal? postcards (that were sent out to celebs) hanging around the house. If you’re getting a copy of the paperback for your daughter or mate etc and would like one with a dedication, email me: [email protected]

It was so good to chat to Annie Macmanus for her Changes Q&A this week to celebrate the Who Wants Normal? paperback. We spoke about coping with life events you didn’t choose, house renovations, and why different perspectives are better than loads of loud opinions. open.substack.com/pub/anniemac...