oh so a while back I used to run these fun interviews with MPs for Parliament's in-house magazine - did one with John Healey, which I really enjoyed at the time, and you may like also: www.politicshome.com/thehouse/art...
Francis Elliott
@franciselliott.bsky.social
Journalist and author, editor of The House.
2/ ...the 12 months before becoming an MP in 2024. The investigation would be suspended while he was no longer an MP. If he won the by-election, it would resume. If he lost, it could still be resumed...
🧵 Amid all the speculation about Nigel Farage's 2pm statement, it's worth noting paragraph 40 of the Procedural Protocol to the MPs' Code of Conduct. If he announces he's resigning and seeking a by-election, that would not automatically end the investigation into whether he breached the Code in...
Good to see a minister push back against the content of the Blair piece. Particularly on the incredibly lazy "taxes have risen because of benefits" stuff.
Torsten Bell@torstenbell.bsky.social · 2mo agoBlair putting on full display what is in many ways his special ability - to lay out a political argument grounded in his own view of global trends (globalisation in the 2000s, tech in the 2020s). But… institute.global/insights/pol...
Latest state of play via @labourlist.bsky.social 103 Labour MPs publicly backing PM 90 calling for him to step down/set out a timetable for doing so 210 not yet announced Three ministers – Jess Phillips, Alex Davies-Jones and Miatta Fahnbulleh – have quit so far
The Jewish News, which I am proud to work for as Deputy Editor, has published an editorial on this week's Iftar prayers in Trafalgar Square www.jewishnews.co.uk/voice-of-the...
Westminster Hall debate this afternoon, triggered by an e-petition calling for automatic by-elections whenever an MP defects to another party. Some (sceptical) background reading (by me) here: swingometer.substack.com/p/waka-waka-...
Waka waka waka
Or, How I Learned To Stop Worrying and Love the Recall Petition
swingometer.substack.com
"Did you not hear me? Get yourselves over to Tehran and make the country proud"
@benshimshon.bsky.social the person that most clearly saw this error was a very senior figure in the Tory campaign. Told me 'yeah they are going to win but they're making a terrible mistake on tax in particular'
The trouble with the Ming vase approach to winning elections is that a Ming vase is not much use one you've carried it across the polished floor. This is not as facetious as it might sound. A more robust mandate for specific actions more useful than a flabby majority.
Since I see hacks are doing their self-serving recollections of Mandelson so here's mine: I was made very aware that he regarded me as below the salt. Our only meaningful interaction ended with him saying "off you pop". So Peter, off you pop.
Article for the House magazine, in which I get a bit Scrooge-like about my Santa poll www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Santa votes Green, Scrooge votes Reform
Who do you think Santa votes for? Chances are it's whichever is your preference. But once that bias is discounted, it turns out Father Christmas is...
politicshome.com
Philip Cowley@philipjcowley.bsky.social · 8mo agoWhat sort of shameless headline-seeking shyster would do a poll like this...? www.thetimes.com/article/8653...
"As a new generation of Labour MPs grapple with their unease...Taverne’s example reminds us of the importance of having independently minded MPs with the shrewdness and elegance of the 'Victor of Lincoln'." Words by our Manager Tom Chidwick in the latest @thehousemag.bsky.social! shorturl.at/BeTPd
Tribute to Lord Taverne: the resilient rebel who was 'too hot to handle'
In becoming the first post-war independent victor of an English by-election, Dick Taverne helped break the dominance of the main parties in 1973. W...
politicshome.com
Welsh Labour have just posted this on their official social media.
A brutal and electric documentary following a Ukrainian brigade as it attempts to liberate a strategically important village, Chernov’s film is breathtaking and unmissable 🎥 @tomthescribe.bsky.social reviews Mstyslav Chernov’s '2000 Meters to Andriivka' | @dogwoofdocs.bsky.social bit.ly/46tDzfa
'Masterful': Tom Mutch reviews '2000 Meters to Andriivka'
A brutal and electric documentary following one of Ukraine’s most elite brigades as it attempts to liberate a strategically important village from ...
bit.ly
Subscribe to your gloriously hard copy of The House magazine - featuring sage Cowley - and join the resistance. Offer on now.
Philip Cowley@philipjcowley.bsky.social · 10mo agoPolitical Studies Association announces it is no longer going to send out hard copies of its journals to members. Maybe I'm the only dinosaur still to get them and find them useful. But feels like other example of enshitification to me.
Political Studies Association announces it is no longer going to send out hard copies of its journals to members. Maybe I'm the only dinosaur still to get them and find them useful. But feels like other example of enshitification to me.
A fascinating interview with David Evans by @franciselliott.bsky.social that gets to the core of modern Labour’s intellectual roots www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Keir Starmer's First General Secretary On What Labour Must Do Next
David Evans was instrumental in turning Labour into an election-winning machine. He tells Francis Elliott about soothing Angela Rayner's rows with ...
politicshome.com
"It is not often possible to recommend a TV series as compelling as Adam Curtis’ Shifty" 📺 Baroness Tessa Blackstone reviews 'Shifty' | #BBCiPlayer #shifty bit.ly/4nXuNg4
'A triumph': Baroness Blackstone reviews 'Shifty'
Looking for a summer recess watch? Waste no time and go straight to Adam Curtis’ documentary series
bit.ly
Listen carefully: How AI is changing Britain's GP surgeries
Listen carefully: How AI is changing Britain's GP surgeries
Does AI hold the key to fixing our health service? Noah Vickers reports from the ‘wild west’ of GP surgeries getting to grips with the technology
politicshome.com
Your friendly neighbourhood rebellions guru, @qmpoliticsir.bsky.social's @philipjcowley.bsky.social on where MPs sit (and stand). Sadly, the Rush reference is to the loud band, not the lethal Liverpool striker. But, hey, you can't have everything.
Philip Cowley@philipjcowley.bsky.social · last yr.Latest @thehousemag.bsky.social piece - on how to rank MPs, inc one of my fave academic studies, which put Diane Abbott to the right of Giles Radice. Also includes Rush reference.
Incredible story. What selflessness and honour ! www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricke...
Wiaan Mulder says 'legend' Brian Lara should keep Test record for highest individual score
South Africa’s Wiaan Mulder declares on 367 not out, passing up the opportunity to break Brian Lara’s record for the highest individual score in a Test innings.
bbc.co.uk
NEW: Tony Blair's staff took part in a BCG project for the redevelopment of Gaza along the lines of the 'Trump Riviera' plan www.ft.com/content/0b1b...
Tony Blair’s staff took part in ‘Gaza Riviera’ project with BCG
Former UK prime minister’s institute participated in meetings on plan to turn shattered enclave into trading hub
ft.com
In particular, parking app I resent having had to download, I feel no need to review Tesco Mare Street car park.
John Oxley@joxley.jmoxley.co.uk · last yr.No, modern world, I have no interest in "Rating [my] recent car parking experience".
Not saying things are quiet on the Tottenham beat rn but the lead story on that section of @theathletic.bsky.social has been a pair of gates for three days. Unclear what position they will play - presume defence...
Here's @roberthutton.co.uk on the time Gordon Brown met some sushi. Fairly confident this is the funniest thing you'll read all week
Politicians making a meal of it. This week: Gordon Brown’s sushi
“What’s this?”
politicshome.com
Latest @thehousemag.bsky.social article on the costs of governing. Inc references to Game of Thrones (lame), the opening credits of Fame (more than 40 years ago), and Rush (maybe not the coolest band ever). As always, ultra hip, finger on the pulse, etc. www.politicshome.com/opinion/arti...
The Professor Will See You Now: The Costs Of Governing
Professor Philip Cowley offers a political science lesson for The House’s readers. This week: the costs of governing
politicshome.com