Friends in the NGO/Think-Tank/Policy/Comms world, I’d grab Dan while they’re on the market as you won’t find anyone better at what they do, IMV.

If Trump saw a globe rather than a Mercator projection he might notice that Greenland is actually smaller than Algeria.

'ExxonMobil has warned that Venezuela remains “uninvestable” without “significant changes” in a rebuke to Donald Trump’s call for oil companies to pour billions of dollars into revitalising its oil industry.' www.ft.com/content/4c21... #R4Today

I might be naive, but I think this is good news. “Farage vows to fight Starmer’s reset of EU ties and uphold Brexit” giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...

Yesterday I posted my last ever Tweet and called on the Government to do the same. Read more below on why I think it’s time to leave the cesspit formerly known as Twitter. www.politicshome.com/opinion/arti...

ICE agents killing people in the streets. The naked extortion of a sovereign state. The National Guard unleashed in American cities. The Justice Department weaponized to prosecute political opponents. The tyranny is on full display — and it's waking America up.

Absolutely this.

In the past an incident like the killing of Ms Good would have had an administration call for calm, express regret at the tragedy (without taking the blame for it) and then promising an investigation in the hope that it would allow time for anger to subside. /1

Bloomberg's @rosaprince.bsky.social says unpicking Brexit "could be a vote winner for Starmer" and "more importantly, on the policy side, what he really needs is to deliver growth. So, if any of this can lead to an economic uptick, then it should be something he should consider." ~AA

I appreciate it’s cold here, but spare a thought for #Ukraine

I'm writing about the Palestine Action hunger strikers at the moment, any of whom could die at any moment, and the astonishing media and government silence surrounding them. The Establishment seems to have become even crueller than when Thatcher was PM.

“These sentences also likely breach Article 3 of the Human Rights Act which protects people from torture and degrading treatment - just think about that” ON JANUARY 6 Keir Starmer can take a significant step towards ending this monstrous injustice. Will he take it?

An important step, as the UK government publicly acknowledges the superior economic value of the EU Single Market over a customs union. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

Lib Dem leader Ed Davey: “Keir Starmer should condemn Trump’s illegal action in Venezuela. Maduro is a brutal and illegitimate dictator, but unlawful attacks like this make us all less safe. “Trump is giving a green light to the likes of Putin and Xi to attack other countries with impunity.”

Zack Polanski nails Keir Starmer

BREAKING "British voters want to be part of the EU more than the French and Italians, new poll reveals Exclusive: Campaigners said Labour had to ‘catch up with public opinion’ as PM faces calls for closer ties to the EU after #Brexit" www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...

BREAKING "British voters want to be part of the EU more than the French and Italians, new poll reveals Exclusive: Campaigners said Labour had to ‘catch up with public opinion’ as PM faces calls for closer ties to the EU after #Brexit" www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...

podcasts

After years languishing on indefinite jail terms, hundreds of prisoners have experienced a deterioration in their mental health to point they need hospital care. But when they get better, many will be back where they started: in jail with no release date www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crim...

2026 dawns beautifully in Richmond Park

Disappointed to hear #BBC reporting that Bulgaria ‘plunges into the euro’ rather than ‘joins the euro’. Disappointed to hear #BBC uncritically, and without challenge, reporting that Trump says crime has dropped in the cities from which the National Guard is withdrawing.

Fresh proposals for panel of judges to reconsider cases of every IPP prisoner Lords have tabled fresh proposals in a bid to convince Labour to help almost 2,500 prisoners trapped on cruel indefinite jail terms www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crim...

Why Bother? 5 x 10 min spoof interviews between Chris Morris and Peter Cook's character Sir Arthur Streeb-Greebling. Recorded in late 1993, Cook received the sole writing credit whilst Morris also produced the series, although the pair ad-libbed the majority of the dialogue, which Morris then edited

I think the key to answering this question is understanding Starmer/Reeves unpopularity among natural allies. A majority of Laboir voters disapprove of him, as do large majorities of LD/Green voters. Hostility from natural political opponents is normal. Hostility from natural supporters is not.

Thoroughly enjoyed #Cinderella at the Richmond Theatre this afternoon - fast-paced, top-notch, family entertainment. On until 4th January….

As we approach 2026 a good time to remember that Human rights are universal - politicians may not always find them politically convenient but it shouldn’t fall to any government to say who those rights should and should not apply to

Roz is absolutely correct. Deprivation of citizenship should not be a matter for mere ministerial discretion (with light touch judicial review). In the extreme circumstances when it can happen, the determination should be made by a tribunal, where government and citizen can make their cases.

"Following the Ukraine-US meeting, Trump lauded Putin, saying the Russian president “wants to see Ukraine succeed”. This is becoming farcical giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/... via @FT

🚨On January 6 Keir Starmer has an opportunity to end one of the most CRUEL, INHUMANE & MONUMENTAL INJUSTICES of the past half-century - the #IPPscandal - by supporting an amendment to the Sentencing Bill tabled by Lord Thomas. Will he take it? youtu.be/O1gkY3gByHg?...

Important announcement

Ghost resorts’: as hundreds of ski slopes lie abandoned, will nature reclaim the Alps? www.theguardian.com/environment/...

View to a Kilburn

Never say Edgware again

Important letter from an actual expert

We’re going to need more opposition to the US in the coming months.

14 - must try harder

The UK is doing its usual trick of negotiating with itself and ignoring what the EU has consistently said. ‘Labour MPs back Swiss-style EU deal’ 🤷🏻‍♂️

The UK is doing its usual trick of negotiating with itself and ignoring what the EU has consistently said. www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/202...

Merry Christmas m.youtube.com/watch?v=q8tS...

Left: Greta Thunberg arrested for holding a placard in London Right: Labour's Baron Hain, "This gov is treating Palestine action as equivalent to ISIS or al-Qaeda, which is intellectually bankrupt, politically unprincipled and morally wrong. I'm deeply ashamed"

When the political dam has burst, it’s probably best to go with the flow. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

🧪A Christmas edition of the Life Scientific on Radio4 tomorrow with environmentalist Tony Juniper.

A big chunk of the Erasmus+ £570mn will come back to the UK's educational institutions. That's how EU schemes work - put into the pot and get it back. #BBCPM

Performative politics at its best!

This chart is rubbish. Just check the UK figures.

Excellent news!

EXCL: An agreement to rejoin Erasmus – the EU’s student exchange programme – set to be announced on Wednesday as part of UK government’s drive towards closer relations with Brussels. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...

my latest

‘Reforming’ or leaving the ECHR…A raising of false expectations, based on populist dishonesty. A demonisation of immigrants to mask the failures of government. Lies about sovereignty. A cynical refusal by politicians and media to tell us the truth. So very Brexit. www.theguardian.com/law/2025/dec...

The UK and the EU would be in a better position with the US if Brexit had not eliminated the UK’s role as a communication channel between the EU and the US. Discuss.