John Ralfe

Just to be clear:
- Paracetamol does not cause autism.
- Sadiq Khan is not introducing Sharia law in the UK
- We do not have a massive free speech problem here.
- Britain is not on the verge of civil war.
These are not controversial subjects or contested, they're just not true.

"Flagging"

What’s gone wrong for WHSmith? We don’t know. But we’re prepared to take a guess

What’s gone wrong for WHSmith? on.ft.com/4lHE0H8

The stronger likelihood is that this summit is more likely to be the geopolitical equivalent of a loud farting noise that causes much embarrassment before everyone moves on

U.K. is being “left behind” on crypto, says George Osborne Former Chancellor who now advises Coinbase says Rachel Reeves should set up a framework for stablecoins

Extraordinary that anyone gives creedence to Osborne’s views on economics. Clearly thinks he knows more than Bailey about financial stability.

Fortunately they don't give you a specific age

I have just had to verify my age for DMs here...

As Stephen Yaxley Lennon's public profile continues to rise, so do the chances of this Graham Keyes cartoon coming true each time TRB goes out on tour...

See p12 of PrivateEye HP sauce on Rachel Reeves Mansion House Speech. My contribution on Alastair King's claims about the wonders of private equity = his numbers were "the usual wishful thinking from people who want to charge retail investors an arm and a leg".

Just been on Times Radio with Kate McCann talking about increasing the SPA, getting rid of the Triple Lock and public sector pensions

On the 36th anniversary of Mel Blanc's passing, a classic.

The time he went on Letterman in 1982. Within a minute, he did not disappoint.

"If Rachel ReevesMP wants to risk our pensions, she should start with her own" telegraph.co.uk/money/pensions… See my latest Telegraph piece on TPRgovuk conflict of interest in last week's newly minted regulatory policy

Dressing up or giving up? The heatwave trials of commuter clothing Londoners are attempting to adapt their wardrobes to a sweltering Tube journey, with mixed results

Dressing up or giving up? The heatwave trials of commuter clothing https://on.ft.com/3GdMWW3 | opinion

On June 21, 1948, Columbia Records introduced the long-playing (LP) record album at a press conference held at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City.

Made in England: The Films of Powell and Pressburger Eminent American film-maker Martin Scorsese shares his lifelong love affair with the films of Powell and Pressburger.

Buried deep in the BBC iplayer is this gorgeous film with Martin Scorsese talking about Powell and Pressburger. His commentary is beautiful, insightful and really moving. Recommend it. www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...

“And the bill contains no details of how pensions will be protected if cash is withdrawn. Member security must be a priority with strict rules on repaying amounts if funding deteriorates.”

“The DWP figures estimate just a fraction of this – under £12bn – will be paid out over the next 10 years, mainly because most companies want a full buyout with an insurance company."

“Forget about £160bn of pension surpluses just waiting, as Rachel Reeves said, to be paid out to ‘drive growth and boost working people’s pension pots’."

Pensions report cuts Reeves’ planned growth funds from £160bn to £11bn Chancellor had anticipated surpluses from final salary schemes would boost investment in UK economy

theguardian.com/business/2025/jun/07/pensions-report-cuts-rachel-reeves-planned-growth-funds-from-160bn-to-11bn?CMP=share_btn_url
@theguardian.com article based on my analysis on behalf of PIC. See my quotes

"Hello darkness, my old friend"

Reform’s attack on public sector pensions doesn’t go far enough I doubt Farage will be rushing to agree a complete overhaul of the unfair system

telegraph.co.uk/money/pensions/state-pensions/reforms-attack-public-sector-pensions-doesnt-far-enough/ See my latest piece, on MPs' pensions with name checks to Rachel Reeves, Dame Meg Hillier, Dame Harriet Baldwin , @richardtice.bsky.social @nigelfarage1.bsky.social

telegraph.co.uk/money/pensions

EVERYONE should read this

"Firm but Fair"

Didn't you have 5 years as pensions minister to tackle this problem?

Fact-check: no they won’t, no they aren’t, no it won’t and no it isn’t.

At this point Steve Witkoff at meetings with Putin comes across as one of those socially desperate hedge fund billionaires willing to pay 10 million dollars for Beyonce to sing at their nephew's wedding

Again, I didn't know that - I read the first of the Cazalets recently

I didn't know she was a canal fan