Holy shit! That’s my professional analysis. Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor becomes the first senior royal in modern history to be arrested. Police have raided the Royal Family's Sandringham estate. Holy shit!

I’m blown away to be shortlisted for The Unwin Award by the @publishersassoc.bsky.social. The prize recognises non-fiction authors in the earlier stages of their careers whose work is considered “to have made a significant contribution to the world.” I didn’t even get out of bed.

Hugely important story in tomorrow’s Guardian. Domestic violence suicides growing at a rate that a woman in an abusive relationship is now more likely to take her own life than be killed by a partner. But official stats may track as few as 10% of the true number. www.theguardian.com/society/2026...

“Public opinion of politicians – and the current Labour party – is in the gutter. It seems unlikely that it will improve by them tweeting from it.” My col. on why a very bad week for Starmer should end with him and the government quitting at least one thing: X. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

“There is a deep irony that the platforms we seek escapism in are increasingly the most glaring demonstrations of the very darkness we wish to avoid.” I wrote about social media’s descent into Nazis and A.I porn and why we don’t log off (but Keir Starmer should). www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

When ministers defended Starmer over Mandelson’s links to Epstein this week, they rushed to X - a platform that lets users strip photos of women and girls. Is it surely time for the government to log off X? And is social media too toxic for all of us? My col: www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

this was way more prevalent when i was still on tiktok but it feels like people are getting really weird about alcohol, coffee, anything that might make you happy--even in innocuous amounts! feels like we're re-engineering puritanism as a method of maintaining control (over ourselves, each other)

Such an incredibly classy response from Melinda French Gates on allegations against ex-husband, Bill. That she’s been more grilled on Epstein than any of the men accused of abuse says so much. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...

One of those deaths that makes you shout, “oh no!” at the phone, which I suppose is the very modern tribute to a wonderful career. Thanks for the decades of laughs, Catherine. www.theguardian.com/film/2026/ja...

So lovely to get this package from @thehealthpsych.bsky.social to celebrate the upcoming publication of It’s All In Your Body. If you have a chronic health condition, this book really could be a life-changer. Pre-order: www.waterstones.com/book/its-all...

I’m sorry but this couple should not have children. That wasn’t the question asked but nonetheless, that’s the urgent one. You have conflicting lifestyles and values! This will only end in misery for both of you! www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...

It’s funny how Kemi Badenoch thinks “mental health” has impacted Suella Braverman’s behaviour. I thought Kemi didn’t really believe in anxiety or depression? I guess that’s just for benefit claimants.

Reform genuinely out here arguing Suella Braverman can’t have a mental health condition because *checks notes* she’s well-educated and has a successful career. Try again, lads. Your bigotry is showing.

Tory defections were useful to Reform at the start but are now a real risk. There is little sense in packing the party full of the very politicians the electorate overwhelmingly voted out. You can’t pitch to fix the country whilst hiring the Home Secretary and cabinet who broke it.

Suella Braverman is clearly a bloody awful figure but a low blow for the Tory leadership to comment on her mental health. “The Conservatives did all we could to look after Suella’s mental health” is all a bit “she looks tired.” Braverman is a careerist racist. That’s more than enough to criticise.

An exquisite detail from my @theguardian.com news colleagues on why Robert Jenrick was late to meet Nigel Farage onstage today.

Pleased at least some of the media are saying this stuff out loud.

There’s clear benefits to Nigel Farage embracing Tory defectors: it reinforces idea Tories are dying and Reform are the victors. But it’s a funny thing to take on ministers who screwed up what you’re criticising from a party the public voted out. If the Tories are dead, why smile with their ghosts?

Tory MPs leaving the disgraced party and trying to get elected under the Reform banner.

I can only respect Peter Kay for not wanting Phoenix Nights on streaming because a part of the humour has racism in it (like so much of 2000 era comedy) but 25 years on, I still mourn the fact I can’t see “shabba!” again unless I YouTube a grainy DVD recording. www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...

Today is 10 years of my Guardian column. When I started writing it in 2016 - back then under the (ironic) Hardworking Britain campaigning title - George Osborne was Chancellor, Covid hadn’t entered the lexicon, and Twitter had memes rather than revenge porn. Forgive me a very brief reflection.

The year ended with hysteria that disabled people are getting “free BMWs” through Motability. As 2026 begins, @theipaper.com asked me: what are disabled people in Britain really getting from the state? And what should politicians actually be arguing for? inews.co.uk/opinion/mota...

2025 ended with a backlash against disabled people supposedly getting “free BMWs” on Motability. To kick off 2026, the @theipaper.com asked me: what do disabled people in Britain really get from the state? And what do they actually need? inews.co.uk/opinion/mota...

There’s been a bit of fuss in recent days after tabloids picked up comments I made over media coverage of Jesy Nelson’s brave campaign for her twins. When I posted on Instagram, broadcaster - and fellow disabled blonde wheelchair user - Sophie Morgan amplified my remarks. Cue: MANY HEADLINES. 1/3

SUBTLE.

There is surely no greater January ritual than reading The Guardian’s “50 must see shows for the year.” New Rivals! Malcolm in the Middle returns! A Game of Thrones spin-off that remembers humour! Lisa McGee’s follow up to Derry Girls! We are spoilt. www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...

Thanks to everyone who bought, shared, or reviewed Who Wants Normal? in 2025. It was a brutal news year for disability rights (like much else) and reading your messages about how the book gave you a lift was a huge highlight.

On the list of “must read articles you might have missed in 2025”, this on one man dealing with NHS wheelchair services is up there (and is much more fascinating and maddening than it might sound). www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...

wow, sorry. Deleting now. I didn’t know she was French

If you’re looking for a festive watch, I reviewed Finding Father Christmas (Ch4) - a one off special starring Lenny Rush and James Buckley, with a cameo from Stephen Fry being a Very Good Sport. www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...

I reviewed tonight’s Finding Father Christmas - a lovely one off special starring Lenny Rush and James Buckley, with cameos from Stephen Fry and more being Very Good Sports. www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...

Unbelievably, #DuvetKnowItsChristmas generates such good will on social media that over the years we've raised somewhere approaching a quarter of a million quid for homeless charities. If you can spare a bob or two, sling some to Centrepoint, and here's the link: www.gofundme.com/f/duvet-know...

A really touching piece by @jaseokundaye.bsky.social on balancing the often complex family dynamics and emotions that Christmas can bring up. (With a side note of celebrity gossip.) www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

@thechiller.bsky.social I sent the book about a week ago second class. Hope it arrives and no fox disasters occur!

I love this letter from a reader on why “we’re not doing presents this year!” is often a miserable, middle class pursuit. www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...

The last bit from me for 2025 is the (Christmas) Opinion newsletter where a different columnist writes each Saturday. On the 27th, I’ll be reflecting on a bonfire year in news and why the Radio Times double issue should actually be longer. Sign up here: www.theguardian.com/global/2025/...

Actual Good News: Labour has launched its fair funding formula for local councils. The aim is to push more cash towards deprived communities like Middlesbrough and Birmingham. And less for wealthier areas such as Kensington and the Home Counties. www.theguardian.com/society/2025...

I’m unflinching in my belief in the right to strike but there surely has to be a line when it comes to cancelling people’s chemotherapy and radiotherapy. www.theguardian.com/society/2025...

Dr Jack Fletcher, the chair of the BMA’s resident doctors committee, has accused Wes Streeting of “scaremongering the public into thinking that the NHS will not be able to look after them and their loved ones”. Are you going to tell Dr. Fletcher or should I? www.theguardian.com/society/2025...

What horrific news about Rob Reiner and his wife. I only watched When Harry Met Sally again last week. Reiner surely had one of the best runs of any modern creative: This is Spinal Tap, Stand by Me, WHMS, Misery, and A Few Good Men in just eight years. Terribly sad end but immovable legacy.

There can’t be a more horrific insight into the sickness of the US’s gun crime epidemic than the fact two survivors of Brown University had already survived school shootings. One was shot in the abdomen in 2016, while her best friend died. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

For those who don`t have a Lidl nearby , think of donating to actionforchilfren.org.uk . They operate a Secret Santa this time of year for children living in poverty .

[12hrs into my ice interrogation] agent: in 2021 you posted “they should call him matt hardcock am i right fellas” can you explain that? me: do you know who matt hancock is? a:… [43mins later] a: he had his own app? for parkour? me: no the parkour was a separate issue

This is truly horrific. Bryonie Gawith, 29, and her three children, Denisty, 9, Oscar, 5, and baby Aubree were murdered by her sister’s ex-boyfriend. He blamed Bryonie for helping her sister leave him and set her house on fire with everyone inside. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...

Lidl has put Toy Banks in stores where you can donate a gift for a child who wouldn’t otherwise have one on Christmas Day. Must be unopened and dropped off by 15th. Wonderful thing to do if you can (and there’s loads of cheap but great toy deals online still). www.lidl.co.uk/c/christmas-...

Finally saw Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy. A wonderful return to form after the third but I worry it’s permanently ruined my Christmas rewatch of the original. Run, Bridget! There’s only heartbreak ahead!

Good on NHS leader, Daniel Elkeles, calling for a revival of mask-wearing during the current “tidal wave of flu.” That trying to save lives is going to be highly controversial - and No. 10 are already sitting on the fence - is deeply depressing. www.theguardian.com/society/2025...

Over the last year, myths about the Motability scheme have spread online and in the right wing media. Now, some of it is government policy.  In today’s Guardian, I set about finding the facts and why the idea of “free cars for the disabled” has taken hold. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

“I know a disabled person who takes their Motability car on holiday” is an absolute zinger of a comeback. Famously, disabled people only go to the supermarket and hospital. I’d personally put a ban on mainland Europe.