Drop an album that was important to you when you were nineteen.

This appears to be a vitally important story being ignored by other media. bylinetimes.com/2026/02/16/b...

“Claims”? Asked which world leader he admires the most, Farage said in 2014: “As an operator, but not as a human being, I would say Putin.” In 2022 he suggested on X the invasion was “a consequence of EU and NATO expansion.” The BBC has got to do better than this.

With my PR hat on, I would suggest there are some non-apology “apologies” that can actually make a situation worse. If you can only bring yourself to apologise “if your choice of language has offended some people in the UK and Europe”, it’s probably best to say nothing at all.

For a member of the mandarin class to go over the top in this way to knife another is… highly unusual, to say the least.

One of my favourite bands in the world, Midlake, put on a fantastic show at the Electric Ballroom in Camden tonight. I’ve loved them for over 20 years and they keep getting better and better. @midlake.bsky.social

Alistair Darling and the official Treasury were always aware that investment banks had an inside track to Number 10. But the brazen nature of that inside track is rather breath-taking.

They’re arresting journalists now in the US. Straight from the Putin playbook.

The fact that this individual is allowed to remain a member of the Conservative Party while going around saying dangerous and frankly bonkers stuff like this is one indication of how far it has to travel before being ready to resume power.

This is quite odd. Even if you, personally, don't like the ideas of Ruth Davidson and Andy Street it's a simple fact that they both consistently out-performed their party in elections. There is also no polling evidence I know of that the wider electorate is in the "mood" described.

Epic stuff from Anna von Hausswolff at Electric Brixton tonight. Shades of PJ Harvey and Susanne Sundfor but essentially her own thing. Her voice is a weapon. Highly recommend checking out her latest album Iconoclasts.

Centrist ideas are no longer wanted in the Tory party, says Kemi Badenoch. Fair enough. Lib Dem gain! www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

This reads like a breathless Reform press release. Not the slightest reflection that being seen as a dumping ground for failed Tories might not be entirely positive. Or that it might help Tories detoxify. Or that Reform is ticking down in all recent polls. Dismal stuff. www.bbc.com/news/article...

I couldn’t hold less of a torch for Braverman but throwing mental health slurs at her in this way is unseemly and ill advised. I can’t understand how such a line was signed off and issued by Tory HQ.

Starmer rightly condemns Trump’s slur on our war dead as “insulting and frankly appalling” and backs veterans’ families’ demands for an apology. By far the strongest rebuke of a US president by a British PM in my lifetime. How will the despicable individual in the White House respond?

Have we heard a peep from Trump’s little poodle Farage about his despicable slur on the UK and other NATO allies’ war dead? Last I heard he was swanning around Davos saying Greenland would be better off American.

Trump's "Board of Peace": Belarus, Morocco, Vietnam, Kazakhstan, Hungary, Armenia, Egypt, Kosovo, Pakistan, Paraguay, Albania, Uzbekistan, Bahrain, Qatar, Indonesia. The US’s new sphere of influence.

Did the 457 British servicemen and women who died in Afghanistan after a request from the US stay "off the front lines"? Grotesque.

The grovelling lick spittle bends the knee to his trans Atlantic masters on the Neo Con far right wing of American politics. He’s no patriot, he’s a puppet prepared to sell anyone out if the price is right.

No MP should be earning £380,000 on top of their parliamentary salary. Farage manages it because he's turned "politainment" into a viable career. Like his US counterparts he's discovered that being a disruptor can make you very wealthy indeed. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

No one can be watching this Davos speech and reach any conclusion but that the President of the United States is mentally disturbed and that something is deeply wrong with him. This is both embarrassing and extremely dangerous.

Trump keeps referring to Iceland, when he appears to mean Greenland. He also repeats his offensive claim that NATO wouldn't be there for the US if asked. The US is the only country ever to have invoked Article 5, after 9/11. The war in Afghanistan cost the lives of 454 Brits.

There are very few bright spots in the disaster of the Trump presidency. But there is one: he is likely to make Reform unelectable in the UK, as he did the Canadian Conservatives last year. Trump's toxic brand of politics is going to be anathema across much of the rest of the world.

Donald Trump: “God is very proud of the job I’ve done.”

The Trump disbelief that the Norwegian govt doesn't control the Nobel process is deeply indicative of his thinking. He can't conceive that an institution could (or should) be genuinely independent of coercion or political power. That's the change he represents.

The BBC reporter described Trump’s rambling as “enigmatic”. Jesus Christ man, have some dignity

This Trump press conference is painful to watch. If Reagan or Biden had ever made an appearance like this the media would have been full of stories about their obvious mental decline. The president is unfit and the whole world can see it.

Introduce yourself with 5 concerts you've been to Kate Bush Fleetwood Mac Prince Tori Amos Gregory Alan Isakov

This should have been the end of it.

1970s-style debt crisis update – UK borrowing costs fall to lowest in more than a year www.ft.com/content/0574...

The letter from Bill and Hillary Clinton to James Comer explaining their refusal to testify in his Epstein investigation is really remarkable, not like any letter of this genre I've seen. It's signed by them, not a lawyer, and the arguments are not legal ones. Reprinted from their X account:

Nadim Zahawi arrived in the UK from Iraq as a child refugee. His family claimed asylum once they were here. Today he has joined Reform who will stop all in country asylum applications. Under his new party, his own family fleeing persecution would be immediately deported.

Who are your top 10 all time favourite vocalists? Real quick off the top of my head… Sufjan Stevens Tori Amos Stevie Nicks Aimee Mann Jeff Buckley Kate Bush Ryan Adams Neko Case Tim Smith (Midlake) Bjork

“The numbers show that after many years of chaos, immigration is now back under control.” The downward trend could mean the UK joins Sweden in becoming the only country in Europe to achieve net zero migration, says The Times’s @frasernelson.bsky.social. Thoughts and prayers with Reform UK Ltd.

Happy New Year! May 2026 bring you every happiness. Χρόνια Πολλά

Less than a third of Britons think that Brexit was the right decision www.economist.com/leaders/2025...

A wonderful, moving extended BBC interview with Reed boss James Reed on the career and legacy of his father Sir Alec Reed, who died this month. It’s a privilege for Soho Comms to work with @biggive.bsky.social, the charity Sir Alec founded, and on the PhilCo movement. www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p...

The best story you’ll read this Christmas. www.bbc.com/news/article...

If you’re sick of overplayed Christmas chart tunes and fancy something alternative, give my annual festive indie playlist a spin. This year featuring Sufjan Stevens, Tori Amos, Phoebe Bridgers, Thea Gilmore, The Lemon Twigs, Bright Eyes, Lumineers. Happy Christmas! open.spotify.com/playlist/6IA...

As I’ve said before, the omertà may finally be broken but the UK’s main parties are way, way behind the electorate on the disaster of Brexit. Given it is the single “achievement” of Farage’s career, it also represents the best line of attack against Reform.

It’s that time of year: here’s my annual indie Christmas playlist for those who crave some alternative festive tunes. Featuring @theagilmore.bsky.social @toriamos.bsky.social Sufjan Stevens @thelumineersmusic.bsky.social Phoebe Bridgers and more. Happy Christmas! open.spotify.com/playlist/6IA...

There is now an estimated majority of 8.1 million among the British electorate for rejoining the EU. Tick tock. www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/ex-pol...

@biggive.bsky.social's Christmas Challenge has raised an incredible, record-breaking £57.4m in seven days, making it the UK's biggest public fundraiser for the second year running. Everyone at Soho Comms has loved playing a part in spreading the word about the power of match funding.

Pleased to share some personal news: I'm delighted to have been appointed as CEO of Soho Comms. www.prweek.co.uk/article/1942...

There is just over an hour left of this year's @biggive.bsky.social Christmas Challenge, which has grown to become the UK's biggest fundraiser. You can choose any of 1,589 charities to support and have your money DOUBLED. Please consider supporting the campaign if you haven't yet. www.biggive.org

My first time seeing Thea Gilmore, a singer I’ve loved for years, live tonight at St Pancras Old Church, a magical venue for her folk tunes. Her voice was even more special live than on record. Rise was my favourite song; there was also a great Cohen cover @theagilmore.bsky.social

WOW! @biggive.bsky.social's Christmas Challenge has raised £10m in less than 4 hours today. Soho Comms is thrilled to be part of this amazing campaign - now the UK's biggest public fundraiser. Donate by Dec 9 to any of 1,589 charities taking part and have your money doubled. www.biggive.org

@biggive.bsky.social's Christmas Challenge has grown to be the UK's biggest fundraiser. As ever, it's a privilege to be involved in spreading the word. From noon today, and for the following 7 days, you can give to any of 1,589 charities and have your money DOUBLED fundraising.co.uk/2025/12/02/b...

Boris Johnson described HMT's “doom-laden” predictions as a “hoax” and “just not credible”. Farage attacked Cameron and Osborne for feeding the public “a constant diet of lies". In fact, it transpires, HMT's Brexit forecasts weren't nearly negative enough. yorkshirebylines.co.uk/opinion/brex...

This is the most alarming story I’ve read today. Giving up the fight before it’s started