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John Rentoul

@rentouljohn.bsky.social

Chief political commentator, The Independent, and visiting professor, the Strand Group, King's College London

18,220 Followers  |  79 Following  |  4,157 Posts  |  Joined: 03.11.2023
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Posts by John Rentoul (@rentouljohn.bsky.social)

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The Commons Confidential newsletter has gone out to subscribers. Sign up here
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04.03.2026 19:29 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Thanks to Lauren MacDougall for editing the View from Westminster today

04.03.2026 18:44 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Will the Chagos deal go ahead? David Lammy to Robert Peston: No idea

04.03.2026 18:20 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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The View from Westminster newsletter has gone out. Free sign-up here www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...

04.03.2026 18:15 β€” πŸ‘ 9    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
The Top Ten: Backronyms! From the USA Patriot Act and Gross to Spectre and Start...

From the archive, 10 years ago: #Top10 Backronyms
1. USA Patriot Act
2. Gross
3. Twain
4. Ash
5. Fatah
6. Cobra
7. Cabal
8. Posh
9. Spectre
10. Start
independent.co.uk/arts-enterta...

04.03.2026 10:19 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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From the archive, 10 years ago, and still available on Kindle Listellany: A Miscellany of Very British Top 10s amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00N...

04.03.2026 10:22 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 0
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Will the Iran war be the making of Keir Starmer? The prime minister is said to be β€˜intensely relaxed’ about Donald Trump insulting him, knowing that public opinion is on his side, writes John Rentoul

Will the Iran war be the making of Keir Starmer? www.independent.co.uk/voices/iran-...

04.03.2026 14:58 β€” πŸ‘ 7    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 11    πŸ“Œ 0

one for @rentouljohn.bsky.social #QTWTAIN

04.03.2026 11:01 β€” πŸ‘ 9    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Will the Iran war be the making of Keir Starmer? The prime minister is said to be β€˜intensely relaxed’ about Donald Trump insulting him, knowing that public opinion is on his side, writes John Rentoul

Will the Iran war be the making of Keir Starmer? www.independent.co.uk/voices/iran-...

04.03.2026 14:58 β€” πŸ‘ 7    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 11    πŸ“Œ 0
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From the archive, 10 years ago, and still available on Kindle Listellany: A Miscellany of Very British Top 10s amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00N...

04.03.2026 10:22 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
The Top Ten: Backronyms! From the USA Patriot Act and Gross to Spectre and Start...

From the archive, 10 years ago: #Top10 Backronyms
1. USA Patriot Act
2. Gross
3. Twain
4. Ash
5. Fatah
6. Cobra
7. Cabal
8. Posh
9. Spectre
10. Start
independent.co.uk/arts-enterta...

04.03.2026 10:19 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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What are the chances that Kemi Badenoch will quote this at PMQs? www.thetimes.com/article/uk-f...

04.03.2026 09:35 β€” πŸ‘ 7    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 4    πŸ“Œ 0
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The View from Westminster newsletter has gone out. Free sign-up here www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...

03.03.2026 18:07 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Finally, Rachel Reeves has given Keir Starmer something to smile about With his chancellor delivering her Spring Statement, the prime minister for once looked happy by her side – because, during a war, no one expects the sums to add up, says John Rentoul

Finally, Rachel Reeves has given Keir Starmer something to smile about www.independent.co.uk/voices/rache...

03.03.2026 15:48 β€” πŸ‘ 7    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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The View from Westminster newsletter has gone out. Free sign-up here www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...

03.03.2026 18:07 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 0
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The next election could be Reform vs Green… and nothing in between: what I wrote on 1 Feb www.independent.co.uk/voices/gorto...

03.03.2026 08:38 β€” πŸ‘ 8    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 3    πŸ“Œ 0
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What it is like working in No 10 when a PM is sinking: Cleo Watson www.independent.co.uk/voices/gorto...

03.03.2026 09:04 β€” πŸ‘ 33    πŸ” 6    πŸ’¬ 4    πŸ“Œ 3
Preview
Finally, Rachel Reeves has given Keir Starmer something to smile about With his chancellor delivering her Spring Statement, the prime minister for once looked happy by her side – because, during a war, no one expects the sums to add up, says John Rentoul

Finally, Rachel Reeves has given Keir Starmer something to smile about www.independent.co.uk/voices/rache...

03.03.2026 15:48 β€” πŸ‘ 7    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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Nearly half of Britons believe the government taxes and spends too much, the joint highest level in the seven years YouGov have been tracking the question

Too much: 45% (+1 from 31 Jan-2 Feb)
About right: 10% (-1)
Too little: 21% (=)

yougov.com/en-gb/tracke...

03.03.2026 11:49 β€” πŸ‘ 5    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 8    πŸ“Œ 15
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What it is like working in No 10 when a PM is sinking: Cleo Watson www.independent.co.uk/voices/gorto...

03.03.2026 09:04 β€” πŸ‘ 33    πŸ” 6    πŸ’¬ 4    πŸ“Œ 3
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The next election could be Reform vs Green… and nothing in between: what I wrote on 1 Feb www.independent.co.uk/voices/gorto...

03.03.2026 08:38 β€” πŸ‘ 8    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 3    πŸ“Œ 0

By which I mean references to international law are meaningless: Iraq was a mistake, despite being lawful; the initial attack on Iran was also a bad idea, regardless of its supposed legal status

02.03.2026 17:33 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 5    πŸ“Œ 1
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Andrew Murrison, Con, helpfully illuminating the confusion about international law: he says Iraq (which was lawful) was bad, but criticises Starmer for failing to support the initial attack on Iran (which was β€œunlawful” according to HMG)

02.03.2026 17:33 β€” πŸ‘ 8    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 0
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The View from Westminster newsletter has gone out. Free sign-up here www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...

02.03.2026 18:26 β€” πŸ‘ 20    πŸ” 4    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 1

I know no such thing!

02.03.2026 21:52 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Though the byline pic of @rentouljohn.bsky.social in full-blown New Romantic mode is arguably more striking...

02.03.2026 19:01 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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The View from Westminster newsletter has gone out. Free sign-up here www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...

02.03.2026 18:26 β€” πŸ‘ 20    πŸ” 4    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 1

By which I mean references to international law are meaningless: Iraq was a mistake, despite being lawful; the initial attack on Iran was also a bad idea, regardless of its supposed legal status

02.03.2026 17:33 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 5    πŸ“Œ 1
Post image

Andrew Murrison, Con, helpfully illuminating the confusion about international law: he says Iraq (which was lawful) was bad, but criticises Starmer for failing to support the initial attack on Iran (which was β€œunlawful” according to HMG)

02.03.2026 17:33 β€” πŸ‘ 8    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 0
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From the archive, 7 years ago: a #Top10 in quiz form independent.co.uk/voices/top-1...

02.03.2026 14:23 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0