Tim Ross
@timross1.bsky.social
Chief Political Correspondent for Europe and UK at POLITICO. Author of three books on UK elections.
“Everybody thinks we are helped by the West, by the East, by Israel, by Russia, but it’s actually God behind us." George Simion, Romania's far right leader, is sure about his support www.politico.eu/article/geor... by @timross1.bsky.social in @politico.eu
Political chaos turns spotlight on Romania’s MAGA champion
As the possibility of snap elections draws closer, hard-right leader George Simion tells POLITICO that “God” is on his side.
politico.eu
Our latest voting intention sees cross over. Labour move ahead by 4. Their first lead since March 2025 & highest share since Nov 24 🌹 LAB 28% (+4) ⏩ REF 24% (-2) 🌳 CON 22% (nc) 🔶 LIB DEM 12% (+1) 🟢 GREEN 8% (-3) 🟡 SNP 2% (nc) N = 2061| Dates 24-27/7| Change w 22/7
First voting intention of Burnham’s premiership. Labour narrow the gap with Reform to 2 points, the closest since April 2025. ⏩ REF 26% (nc) 🌹 LAB 24% (+2) 🌳 CON 22% (nc) 🔶 LIB DEM 11% (-1) 🟢 GREEN 11% (-1) 🟡 SNP 2% (nc) N = 3,118 | 21-22/7 | Changes w 12/7
Making players contest the third place playoff is cruel. Nobody cares. Everyone wants to go home.
Interested in rebellions during the first session of the parliament - which, helpfully, almost perfectly coincides with the Starmer premiership? Here's a piece I wrote for @robfordmancs.bsky.social's substack, giving rebellion rates, lists of rebels, etc. swingometer.substack.com/p/rebel-rebel
Rebel Rebel
In a guest post, Philip Cowley takes a look at backbench rebellions during Keir Starmer's time as Prime Minister
swingometer.substack.com
Eurovision is “apolitical” but “is so big an event that it has a political impact,” a top official at the annual song contest’s organizer told POLITICO, adding that event managers are “prepared” for more disruptions during Saturday night’s final.
‘We’re not the United Nations’: top official defends Eurovision ahead of tense final
Song contest managers are “prepared” for more disruptions during Saturday night’s event, said Jean Philip de Tender, deputy director general at Eurovision organizer EBU.
politico.eu
It’s Thursday morning so the latest edition of our Opinion Brief podcast is out! We discuss the public’s views of Starmer’s premiership & what should happen next, and answer your questions about the locals AND would Brits press the red button or blue. Listen below tr.ee/KasOq-wGy2
The Opinion Brief Podcast Official: Instagram, X | Linktree
The essential weekly update on what the British public thinks and why. A fresh politics podcast brought to you by More in Common UK and Luke Tryl.
tr.ee
In our first Westminster VI after the local elections, Reform’s lead increases to 9pts over Labour ➡️ REF UK 30% (+2) 🌹 LAB 21% (nc) 🌳 CON 19% (-1) 🌍 GREEN 11% (-1) 🔶 LIB DEM 14% (+2) ❓OTH 2% (-3) 🟡 SNP 3% (+1) N = 3,070 | Fieldwork 9-12 May | Changes w/ 4 May
Buckingham Palace: Are we really still doing the State Opening? Downing St: Yes please 👍 Buckingham Palace: Ok. Please could we try to keep the King out of this leadership mess? Downing St: 💯. The king’s speech will show the PM is still the man with the plan. 🙌💪 www.politico.eu/article/king...
King’s Speech: Palace tells No. 10 to keep Charles out of Starmer’s crisis
The formal opening of parliament comes as the British prime minister is fending off threats to his leadership.
politico.eu
A guess a lot people will be spending a lot of today checking some slowly changing numbers on a BBC webpage. If you enjoy that sort of thing and want it to be a more than annual occurrence - can I recommend getting into county cricket?
[Analysis] #Trump’s FAFO moment: #America needs #Europe after all, by @timross1.bsky.social & @elistokols.bsky.social | Politico www.politico.eu/article/dona...
Trump’s lightbulb moment: America needs Europe after all
The U.S. is even looking to Ukraine to help its operations against Iran — as Trump rages at Starmer and Sánchez for refusing to back his war.
politico.eu
The centrist establishment is dying in British politics & may be dead already. Labour’s collapse happened in entirely predictable ways. In fact @rewearmouth.bsky.social & I warned Starmer would face this in our 2024 book, Landslide. It’s happening in France, US, Germany. Gorton is just the start.
My interview with Swedish PM Ulf Kristersson: Trump has damaged trust in America, and should keep MAGA out of European politics… (and Europe should work harder for NATO, too). www.politico.eu/article/ulf-...
Trusting Trump is hard but NATO’s newest member won’t ditch the US yet
Sweden’s PM Ulf Kristersson tells POLITICO that America should not meddle in European democracy, with transatlantic relations in “crisis.”
politico.eu
2024: can Europe defend itself ALONGSIDE America? 2025: can Europe defend itself WITHOUT America? 2026: can Europe defend itself AGAINST America?
BREAKING: Europeans finally get seats at Trump’s negotiations on Ukraine peace deal, starting tomorrow. www.politico.eu/article/ukra...
Ukraine’s allies rush to counter Trump’s ‘non-starter’ peace plan
Top British and European officials will join high-level talks between the U.S. and Ukraine starting Sunday, after Kyiv’s allies voiced concern at Trump’s proposed deal.
politico.eu
I did a lecture on the impact of Brexit on British politics. Watch it here if you're really bored www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztqL...
Reflections on the Brexit Revolution: 2025-26 Mackenzie-Stuart Lecture
YouTube video by Cambridge Law Faculty
youtube.com
It’s a 2-minute drive from the Council and the Commission to Bart De Wever’s office. They are on the same Brussels street. Did anyone bother to go to ask him what he really felt about raiding Russian assets? www.politico.eu/article/eu-l...
Von der Leyen and Costa fail to cash in on Trump smacking Putin
EU chiefs lost some credibility when they failed to get a deal to fund Ukraine using Russian assets. Zelenskyy could lose a lot more.
politico.eu
EU Confidential was at the EUCO summit until the wee hours yesterday. Host @swheatonjourno.bsky.social spoke to @gregsorgi.bsky.social @ziaweise.bsky.social @nicholasvinocur.bsky.social and @timross1.bsky.social on what leaders plan to do about the threat from Putin — and the far right:
How about them assets — making Russia pay for Ukraine
open.spotify.com
The EU wants influence as well as invoices when it comes to rebuilding Gaza. And European officials are not yet ready to take the pressure off Israel. For one thing, Israel must be held accountable for the civilian deaths, they say. My latest with @politico.eu team: www.politico.eu/article/isra...
‘Israel needs to deliver’: Europe’s private fears over Trump’s plan for Gaza
Officials and diplomats are hoping the ceasefire lasts but don’t want to ease the pressure on Israel just yet.
politico.eu
Israel wants to reset relations with the EU, the country’s new ambassador in Brussels told me. Now the Trump peace initiative is underway, “there is no reason” for the EU to keep restrictions on cooperation in place or threaten more sanctions, Avi Nir-Feldklein said. www.politico.eu/article/eu-m...
EU must lift penalties on Israel now that Gaza ceasefire has begun, envoy says
Israel’s new ambassador to the EU tells POLITICO that Europe is not likely to get a seat on Trump’s “board of peace” unless it restores full cooperation with Netanyahu’s government.
politico.eu
After Ursula von der Leyen calls Israel’s Gaza operation “abhorrent”, the Israeli ambassador to the E.U. tells me Brussels should stop wielding the “stick” if it wants to be “a player” in the Middle East. Interview in Playbook here: www.politico.eu/newsletter/b...
Israel wants peace (with Brussels)
Presented by PPC By TIM ROSS with ZOYA SHEFTALOVICH PRESENTED BY Send tips here | Tweet @NicholasVinocur @swheaton | Listen to Playbook and view in your browser GOOD MORNING. It’s Wednesday and I’m…
politico.eu
What did Nicușor Dan’s 9-year old daughter tell him when he said he would run for President of Romania? find out in this @politico.com portrait of the common sense candidate who bucked the trend of populism. @timross1.bsky.social @andreipopoviciu.bsky.social www.politico.eu/article/nicu...
18 hours in the making of a president: Inside Nicușor Dan’s election win
Romania’s new leader told POLITICO how he will approach international affairs and what he will do to rebuild trust in a democracy battered by corruption, economic strife and Russian meddling.
politico.eu
For Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Victory Day and Europe Day provide a joint lesson for the Age of Trump: Europeans must join forces so they can stand up for themselves. Today's Brussels Playbook has more: ow.ly/E5J750VP14o
This seagull will be the first living creature to know there's a new Pope outside of the Conclave.
Why Romania really matters, and one man’s mission to save it from the cynicism that Putin exploits. Interview with Bucharest mayor and presidential candidate Nicusor Dan. By @andreipopoviciu.bsky.social and me www.politico.eu/article/roma...
The Romanian mathematician trying to stop Putin and Trump wrecking the West
Elon Musk and JD Vance don’t know enough to judge the country’s election crisis, and Trump should be tougher on Putin, says Bucharest Mayor and presidential candidate Nicușor Dan.
politico.eu
The brilliant @timross1.bsky.social has an interview with Sweden's Europe minister on how fish and security interact www.politico.eu/article/uk-e...
UK-EU defense pact really does depend on fish, European minister warns
Countries including France are said to want to tie a new post-Brexit security deal to more beneficial access to British waters, potentially holding up military cooperation.
politico.eu
