Surprised that Rachel Reeves didn't look at a £1 tax for every time "Uptown Funk" is played at a wedding disco or office Christmas party. Fiscal black hole filled, headroom restored and calm on the markets.

Andy Haldane rightly questions the whole budget process. Why save this up for 1 speech, and have the weeks of speculation, leaks and denials which puts business and purchasing decisions on hold. The pandemic showed that when decisions made and policies done, a government can just do them. #LBC #Marr

Middle class media professionals and intellectuals talking about hated "workers rights" from the standpoint of never being in precarious jobs that needed these. #R4Today

Lord Michael Gove pretty much allowed free reign to spout his various opinions and conspiracy theories regarding the COVID pandemic, little challenge from Justin Webb. #R4Today

Hopefully,junior Westminster staffers are probably a bit more alert to possible "stings" than this lot. #R4Today news.sky.com/story/former...

Surprised Robert Jenrick hasn't turned up with a film crew.

Pretty damning stuff on Keir Starmer from Bagehot in the latest Economist.

Reports of a "coup" plot against Starmer seems to have reinvigorated Justin Webb this morning. #R4Today

That pesky "red tape" and "health & safety", doing nothing but adding unnecessary costs to business.. www.hackneygazette.co.uk/news/2561152...

Starmer must be terrified of Trump slapping a further 50% tariff on UK goods to force him into action on the BBC. #R4Today

So, most of this morning will be taken up in trying to understand the instructions of how to clean this damned thing (and make the warning lights go out). Love the coffee it makes, but it comes pretty close to getting destroyed with a baseball bat.

Sure they don't refer to individuals within the Trump regime as "Christian,far right" so why is Mamdani "Muslim,hard left socialist" in the news headlines? #R4Today

Nigel Farage "rail ministers have no experience in running railways." That will be news to Lord Peter Hendy, former TFL Commissioner and Chair of Network Rail, who was appointed Transport Minister in July 2024.

#ChristmasIsBanned.

The British media after Reform get well beaten by Plaid in Caerphilly. #R4Today

"Why Reform suspending four councillors in Kent is good news for Nigel Farage and Reform, but means yet more problems for Keir Starmer and Labour."

You can almost hear those who have switched their voting intentions from Labour to Reform saying, "you know, I think Keir Starmer is the man for me."

Not even bothering to hide it anymore. #R4Today

I'm pretty certain that should the figure get stuck at 149,999, then Kemi Badenoch will deport herself to ensure the target is met. #BBCLauraK.

"No more beardos" rages Pete Hegseth. Think most people will agree with that.

"What Europe's dramatic Ryder Cup win means for Reform, and why it's yet another headache for Keir Starmer and the government." #r4today

"Why the former leader of Welsh Reform pleading guilty to bribery over pro Russian statements means more trouble for Keir Starmer and Labour, and good news for Nigel Farage."

One of our "favourite railway lines" is the section between Exeter and Newton Abbot. Non electrified, relies on antiquated and slow diesel technology and is prone to being closed in stormy weather (dramatic views though). Twee nostalgica rather than serious and reliable infrastructure.#r4today

Keir Starmer even having a Head Of Communications is the most surprising part of this story.

"Now tell him that immigrants are catching swans and eating them." #FarageLies

Why is it always "the price of a pint" not a tea,coffee or bottled water (for example)? www.bbc.co.uk/sport/horse-...

Assume that the flag mob will be out in Plymouth this evening in support of the victims. www.plymouthherald.co.uk/news/plymout...

No mention on #r4today of how this would torch the Brexit withdrawal and FTA agreed with the EU. Does shift the story away from the Clacton house purchase though.

"Now tell them that the note was destroyed, but the authorities can reconstruct it."

The bloke from Microsoft talking about AI. #r4today

Glad this popped up, it reminded me to put out the recycling.

Anybody else looking forward to "Poppy Month" this year? Promises to be a good one.

Would be interesting to read the thoughts of @davehillonlondon.bsky.social on this. Looks like really bad news for London and UK, and makes me wonder what will happen to the huge (and half finished) building opposite King's Cross Station.

" Why Thomas Bosh Skinner walking out of a Strictly press conference is good news for Nigel Farage and Reform, but means more headaches for Keir Starmer."

If a Labour government with 400 seats which has nailed its colours to the masts of planning reform and the green transition can't steam roller people like this and their ridiculous selfish BS objections, then what on earth is the point of it?

In there for four hours? Blimey, must have been chronic constipation.

Rayner was the architect of the workers rights bills and renters rights bills, which the right wing press hated. Next in their sights will be Ed Milliband, responsible for the government's net zero and renewable energy policies. Which they also hate. #r4today

Yvette Cooper's car spotted leaving the Home Office yesterday. #r4today

Someone I suspect we'll be hearing a lot more from in the next few years, read speculation that he'll be the Tory candidate for London Mayor in 2028. Another excellent Bagehot piece. www.economist.com/britain/2025... From The Economist

Shift the plot line, Trump as the ace reality TV producer. #R4Today

Must have missed Farage, Jenrick and the rest condemning this and also the gatherings of "locals with legitimate concerns" outside South Yorkshire churches. www.cps.gov.uk/cps/news/for...

@lbc.co.uk @benkentish.bsky.social "Why are you coming for us all the time?"

Telegraph in "interesting article" shocker. It explains why the Argentina under Javier Millei isn't a good example to follow for Kemi Badenoch and Nigel Farage, and how it's still an economic (and social) basket case. www.telegraph.co.uk/business/202...

Shockingly bad interview of Heidi Alexander by Emma Barnett. Total lack of analysis and insight on the significance of what the recognition of a Palestinian state means, instead just continual efforts on "gotcha" moments and persistent narrative about a weak and u turning Starmer. #R4Today

Certain media outlets are positively aching for a repeat of last August's civil unrest.

"Why the Girl Guides launching 72 new badges is good news for Reform, but spells trouble for Keir Starmer and the government. " #R4Today

Richard Tice, 2022: “These initiatives will save hundreds of tonnes of CO2 every year and help our occupiers with lower electricity bills than they might otherwise have to pay,” Tice wrote in the 2022 annual report for Quidnet REIT, a real estate firm in which he is the largest shareholder