Deputy Political Editor @spectator. DM for email.
Joined August 2012
- Tweets 22,342
- Following 3,794
- Followers 42,605
- Likes 83,869
Photos and videos
16h
After losing the 1945 election, a Yugoslav woman reportedly cried, "Poor Mr Churchill, what's going to happen to him now? Is he going to be shot?" On hearing this, Churchill replied, "They've reserved for me a far worse fate than that. I am to be the Leader of the Opposition."
9
239
6,489
141,445
17h
Fun fact: Ted Heath was a great fan of American football and rarely missed the Super Bowl. He once turned up for lunch with a fellow Tory MP, clad in a turquoise and orange Miami Dolphins sweatshirt.
18
13
199
25,737
18h
Striking just how much of Restore’s energy is focused on Reform
183
42
361
170,047
Jun 12
New ministerial appointments
Angela Eagle is Security Minister
Stephen Morgan takes her job as DEFRA Minister of State
Calvin Bailey takes Al Carns’ job as Veterans Minister
Jade Botterill is a Whip
Emma Foody is an Assistant Whip
Lord Leong is DBT PUSS
Lord Lemos is MHCLG PUSS
Lord Collins is Parliamentary Secretary.
Baroness Ramsey is a Whip
Baroness Curran is a Whip
18
13
148
66,419
13 Nov 2025
The biggest story in SW1: Gail’s is coming to Westminster. One for the Clapham girlie in your life…
13 Nov 2025
SCOOP: Westminster likely getting a Gail's. Luke Johnson tells me SW1 is very much in the bakery's sights.
All in next week's Reality Check. Be sure to follow so you don't miss👇
10
8
274
54,417
Jun 11
Can report that several Labour women are “gutted” at the loss of Al Carns from government
11
4
226
26,774
Jun 11
New: Al Carns has resigned
Jun 11
We owe those who serve the UK the kit to do the job and the loyalty to stand by them when it's done. We are failing on both.
I’ve spent my whole time in government making that case. Number 10 will not listen, so I am resigning as Minister for the Armed Forces.
Letter to the PM below.🫡🫡🫡⬇️⬇️
11
30
288
23,588
Jun 11
Really hope someone in the Treasury tries briefing against Carns! Lets see how that one goes
4
7
91
3,784
Jun 11
Jun 11
🚨 NEW: A Treasury source attacks John Healey for resigning as Defence Secretary
"Let's be clear on what John is asking for: cuts to schools and hospitals"
h/t @e_casalicchio
2
50
3,857
Jun 11
Exc: Reform are ramping up their candidate applications. More than 100 are expected to be approved by party conference in September
spectator.com/article/how-re…
26
64
268
19,062
Jun 11
Half a million subscribers - well done to @NatashaFeroze @meganmcelr0y @oscaredmondson_ @ReleaseGibbons
3
9
73
17,757
Jun 11
Reform has kept their parliamentary candidates’ procedure under close wraps, with hopefuls told not to disclose details. Believe this is the first time one has been announced. Met Ellie Reynolds briefly in Makerfield - extraordinary woman.
Jun 11
Nigel Farage met with Ellie Reynolds in Makerfield.
She will stand as a Reform UK candidate at the next election to make her voice heard.
14
27
285
59,298
Jun 11
Healey resignation wounds because 1) it is targeted directly at Starmer's supposed strengths: 'sensible', 'serious' 'doing the basics right' 2) Healey is an ex Treasury man, Labour loyal to his core and the 2020 last shad cab member still in his post. Touch of Howe about it.
8
30
306
23,394
Jun 11
“We want 0.08 and we won’t wait”
Jun 11
NEW: Inside John Healey's resignation talks
Healey told Starmer that an increase of just 0.08 per cent of GDP to defence would not keep the country safe.
Starmer offered £13.5bn on defence, of which just £10bn was new money from the Treasury. He also refused to commit to reaching three per cent of GDP by any specific date, with the Treasury pushing for 2034-5.
It is understood Downing Street only gave Healey a copy of the approved plan on Monday, and tried to rush its publication out today.
But Healey told Starmer that the settlement of just £13.5bn was not enough, and that it would put the lives of British personnel at risk. He called for more time to allow the plan to be reworked. No10 refused.
It is understood that Healey favoured a "multilateral" defence spending offer, similar to other efforts by 17 European countries. He argued in talks with Sir Keir that only a larger settlement would protect Labour's defence agenda. The Treasury has opposed those plans.
Healey also argued that the global situation has changed since Labour's strategic defence review last year, pointing to a call from Nato for the alliance to be ready for conflict with Russia by 2030, which is earlier than was previously planned.
However, the deal Starmer offered the MoD did not commit to bringing defence spending to three per cent of GDP by any specific date, which Healey and defence chiefs had argued was required to keep the threat from Russia at bay.
In his meetings with Starmer, it is understood that Healey was told the Treasury wanted the MoD to only reach three per cent of GDP by the 2034-5 financial year, which he said would breach a commitment Starmer made to Parliament in April.
Follow the latest in @Telegraph live blog here: telegraph.co.uk/politics/202…
3
11
138
18,721