Robert Shrimsley
@robertshrimsley.bsky.social
Chief political commentator and executive editor, Financial Times https://www.ft.com/robert-shrimsley https://www.chartwellspeakers.com/speaker/robert-shrimsley/
The whole middle-aged working stiff genre is being redefined. You can’t afford not to be involved, writes Robert Shrimsley: ft.trib.al/ldDCWoD
Manchester mayoral count has so far lasted around 14 hours - but hey this is Manchester we do things differently here.
Since 2025, America has had more cases of measles (4,500), than in the previous 25 years combined after the disease had been declared eradicated. Almost all the US measles outbreaks have been in unvaccinated communities. Most of its fatalities are children www.ft.com/content/570e...
The twilight of Dr Fauci
Scientist’s congressional testimony came amid the most sustained assault on US public service since the McCarthy era
ft.com
How to TikTok like Andy: "Perhaps you are not doing TikTok and Instagram videos at all because you’re, well, an adult. But now you see that even PMs are Tiking, or Toking, and you realise that lying on LinkedIn is no longer enough of a social media offering." www.ft.com/content/57ec...
How can I TikTok like Andy Burnham?
The whole middle-aged working stiff genre is being redefined. You can’t afford not to be involved
ft.com
This is a really important point from Jen. All those of us who started out on local or regional papers know the vital role they played holding local authorities to scrutiny (also teaching generations of journalists how to do the job!) Powerful mayors will need a media they can't just ignore.
Jennifer Williams@jenwilliamsft.bsky.social · 5d agoA bit on something that’s worrying me as.ft.com/r/9fe0cfe2-f...
Not only is the right decision in principle it's smart politics to go straight in for the kill - its the best chance of stopping the whole plan before it gathers any traction in other parts of the world.
The Farage drop is, I think, potentially more consequential medium term than the Burnham bounce (which will fade I'm sure). Reform are a one man band, built around Farage's brand. If he becomes toxic (a) he might quit politics (as he has before) (b) whether he does or not they have no plan B.
Luke Tryl@luketryl.bsky.social · 6d agoLatest leader approvals 🌹Burnham bumps up to +19, 8 higher than Keir’s high of 11. 🌳Badenoch down slightly to break even 🔶Davey drops back to -11 💚Polanski is at -24 ➡️Farage drops to another low, by far his lowest since the election at -32
And here is @robertshrimsley.bsky.social on a pre-holiday roll pointing out the right sound a bit delusional (also IMHO hoping for the country to fail is neither a strategy nor very attractive) www.ft.com/content/5fa1...
There is no modern-day Maggie to save Britain from Burnhamism
The right hopes that Labour’s new leader will fail, but who exactly is going to step in and shake things up?
ft.com
Dunwich Heath is so beautiful. This fire is tragic.
I enjoyed Power Trip but it is telling how much the lobby adores this book. It's largely process over ideas, dirty tricks over policy, tactics over strategy and of course its hugely about us.
Duncan Robinson@duncanrobinson.bsky.social · last wk.Digging out random quote from Damian McBride book and there's so many fun chunks
Started writing on Andy Burnham’s education proposal thinking “not sure about this”. Realised in writing “no, I am sure: it sucks!”
Education is not to blame for England’s Neet crisis
Andy Burnham’s schools overhaul risks throwing babies out with the bathwater, as changes will probably require cuts elsewhere
ft.com
Got to admit, Number 10 North is making some good hires:
Excellent and very wise from @stephenkb.bsky.social on the downsides and dangers of TikTok Andy www.ft.com/content/9f96...
Burnham and the problem of politics by social media
The old tightly regulated party broadcast model is dead — for better and for worse
ft.com
Just parsing the statement on the new AI task force. Lord Vallance, who left govt on Monday, will chair it. But Kanishka Narayan, the AI minister, "leads" it. The task force reports to Antonia Romeo and Kinishka but Vallance reports to Andy Burnham. Are they making this up on the hoof?
"Political professionalism is not just about communications, though its importance is often bafflingly dismissed. It is also about having a clear theory of politics and a project." Really good piece from start to finish
Robert Shrimsley@robertshrimsley.bsky.social · 2w agoHow the spad class sneaked back into power. www.ft.com/content/d692...
Burnham wants “a return of the Labour they once knew?” Which Labour is that? We know he doesn’t mean Blair’s. So is it Wilson’s or Callaghan’s? Kinnock’s or Miliband’s? The one voters got rid of at the first opportunity or the one they knew not to elect in the first place www.ft.com/content/d692...
The return of the political professional
After years of duds and dilettantes, true operators have returned to Downing Street — but that won’t guarantee success
ft.com
I think Burnham's right to pause and review the early release scheme. But we'll only really see his fibre when he takes a position that's not the easy political call.
The fourth official’s main job seems to be being a call centre customer service operator saying “uh-huh, I can only apologise that you feel that way”
Did you like the half time show? “ I thought it was crap” Wayne Rooney my new hero
Don’t suppose there’s any chance of Pete Sarstedt?
Do Americans actually like sport? They seem to feel there must always be something else going on to keep you engaged. Most fans just want the game to restart. We’re capable of enjoying the break.
Football is a language without words, says Tom Cruise in an pointless long-winded speech ahead of kick-off
For Pete’s sake. Just play Abide with me and get on with the match