How the Guardian flattered Morgan McSweeney and why it did soThose hoping to be impressed when Morgan McSweeney made a rare public appearance, courtesy of the Commons' foreign affairs select committee, will have been disappointed. A No. 10 led by him and Keir Starmer really was a case of the bland leading the bland. But how did the Guardian's Whitehall editor greet Morgan McSweeney when he was appointed? Those of you with strong stomachs, read on: As the brains behind Keir Starmer's leadership campaign, McSweeney is credited with having brought the prime minister to power. He entered No 10 as head of political strategy, in charge of charting the party's ... (more) |
Lloyd George Society Weekend 2026 - A Meeting ReportThe weekend of 6 March 2026 signalled a change in the Lloyd George Society. For the first time in many years, we held our meeting at a new venue – the Lake Country House Hotel & Spa in Llangammarch Wells. The venue change reinvigorated the Weekend school. First of all, the accommodation was a marked change, spacious and luxurious in feeling. The food was outstanding throughout, with the staff being beyond compare. From conversations that I had with the other members, I noted that they were very positive about these aspects of the weekend. Also, as an added bonus, those ... (more) |
#interrail2026 - day 1: a detour with my family on the way to AntwerpSo, having retrieved my wallet, it was time to start my journey. Ipswich to Liverpool Street was easy enough - I even won the "Greater Anglia lottery" with the first class carriages actually on the 09.41. It's all becoming a bit cheapskate these days, as Greater Anglia don't offer free hot drinks and biscuits to first class passengers at weekends any more, but the new Stadler rolling stock is comfortable enough. And then things started going a little haywire. My plan was to take the Elizabeth Line to Farringdon and then Thameslink to Brent Cross West, but, as it turned ... (more) |
What is the economy for? Liberalism already knows the answerWhat is the economy for? It's a simple question. But how we answer it underpins everything else in politics. We created the economy to serve us – to make life easier, safer, better. It is a human system, designed to help people thrive. But somewhere along the way, that relationship has become inverted. Too often, it feels as though people and communities are expected to bend themselves around the demands of the economy, rather than the other way round. For decades, we have treated GDP growth as the ultimate measure of success. If the number goes up, we assume things ... (more) |
Labour MPs plotting against StarmerIt used to be the Tory Party that was able to ruthlessly discard leaders when they ceased to be an electoral asset, but now it seems that Labour is getting in on the act as well. The Guardian reports that Labour figures from across rival factions have begun circulating informal proposals for an "orderly transition" of power away from Keir Starmer. The paper says that MPs have shifted discussions from speculating about whether the prime minister could be removed to how - including timelines, potential triggers and the mechanics of forcing a leadership contest: One Labour MP said: "There have ... (more) |
The enticing remains of Grace Dieu Priory in LeicestershireOur History Underfoot - like and subscribe, my pretties - takes a break from the railways to explore the enticing remains of Grace Dieu Priory in the west of Leicestershire. You can read more on the Friends of Grace Dieu Priory website. (more) |
Down a recherché rabbit hole: More on Vaughan Wilkins's familyOne of this blog's more obscure heroes is Vaughan Wilkins, a now-obscure historical novelist who had quite a following from the 1930s to the 1950s. Through him, we discovered the spooky "strategic advisory" firm Hakluyt that occasionally features in Private Eye. That's because Wilkins's son Christopher was one of its founders. Another of Vaughan Wilkins's sons is the artist William Wilkins. And his daughter Laura has published fiction under the names Laura Powell and Laura Vaughan. Powell and Vaughan are the middle names of her father and grandfather (who was christened William Vaughan Wilkins) respectively. Vaughan Wilkins's only children's book, ... (more) |
New strategy aims to help nature recover in ShropshireShropshire and Telford & Wrekin Councils have published their Local Nature Recovery Strategy, reports Shropshire Live. David Walker, the Liberal Democrat run Shropshire Council's cabinet member with responsibility for planning, tells the radio station: "Nature underpins everyday life, from clean air and water to the green spaces that support our health and wellbeing, yet many species and habitats across Shropshire are still in decline. "This strategy sets out a shared, locally‑led approach to turning that around. It's about bringing councils, landowners, organisations and communities together to deliver real, practical improvements for nature. I'd like to thank everyone who contributed and ... (more) |
Mathew on Monday - Ed Davey, Trump, and why legitimate criticism being blamed for violence is nonsenseEarly this morning on GB News I debated a former Tory MP (and the presenter) on why there's no connection between our leader's criticism of the present occupant of the White House and the alleged political violence that took place this past weekend -the argument simply doesn't stand up to even the most basic scrutiny. Let's start with first principles. All political violence is wrong. Full stop. Whether it's an alleged incident at the White House Correspondents' Dinner this weekend, or the well documented events of January 6th, 2021 – when a mob of angry supporters of Donald Trump (arguably ... (more) |
Reform candidate no.3 in troubleIn Gateshead, so far we've had one Reform candidate disappear (no explanation given) and one candidate booted out because he forgot to tell Reform he had previously been a member of the BNP. Now another candidate is in trouble. Linda McFarlane, standing in Chopwell and Rowlands Gill for Reform, has been exposed for her white supremacist views on social media.Please note that you may find the (more) |