Noah Keate

From Truss to Blair, Britain just can’t escape its ex-prime ministers Former occupants of No.10 Downing Street can’t resist carping from the sidelines. Should they?

When you're Prime Minister, everyone thinks they can run the country better than you — including people who've actually done the job before.

My @politico.eu summer long read about why Britain's many, many ex-PMs can't stop pontificating on politics.

www.politico.eu/article/uk-l...

Well done Alex and good luck!

From Truss to Blair, Britain just can’t escape its ex-prime ministers Former occupants of No.10 Downing Street can’t resist carping from the sidelines. Should they?

When you're Prime Minister, everyone thinks they can run the country better than you — including people who've actually done the job before.

My @politico.eu summer long read about why Britain's many, many ex-PMs can't stop pontificating on politics.

www.politico.eu/article/uk-l...

BBC Radio 4 - Currently, Turn Right for Wales Will Hayward asks if Wales could become the setting for Reform’s biggest breakthrough yet.

Fascinating Radio 4 documentary by @willhaycardiff.bsky.social about Reform's rise in Wales ahead of next year's Senedd elections. An incisive look at what they've promised, why people are turning against Welsh Labour and what Farage's win could mean for the country.
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...

Always satisfying to find an undiscovered Ben Elton tome in a second hand bookshop. Many hours of literary pleasure await.

BBC Radio 4 - But First, This... Radio 4’s continuity announcers invite you into their world.

Stumbled across this absolutely wonderful Radio 4 programme about - and hosted by - continuity announcers. Excellent insight into the hard work keeping the station on air … while always sounding calm, engaged and relaxed for listeners (which they do).

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...

Has found boat trips on the Thames are the perfect way to admire the capital’s bridges and sunsets.

Welcome to Scotland, Donald! Here’s what the locals think of you. The U.S. president lands in his mother’s native country for a spot of golf this weekend — and an expected barrage of protests. Here’s what Scottish politicians make of the circus rolling in.…

Donald Trump arrives in Scotland for a long golfing weekend. But what do locals think about that?

I spoke to seven Scottish politicians for @politico.eu about his impact on policing, supporting the economy — and putting Scotland on the global stage.

www.politico.eu/article/us-d...

Thanks Leon, and right back at you! Excellent to chat. Have a good recess.

Tory MSP Tess White said Trump would "do in two days what the SNP have just failed to do in over a decade" on energy, Lib Dem MP Wendy Chamberlain warned there "seems to be a lack of knowledge" about the itinerary while Labour's Torcuil Crichton said "every prodigal son is welcomed home."

Welcome to Scotland, Donald! Here’s what the locals think of you. The U.S. president lands in his mother’s native country for a spot of golf this weekend — and an expected barrage of protests. Here’s what Scottish politicians make of the circus rolling in.…

Donald Trump arrives in Scotland for a long golfing weekend. But what do locals think about that?

I spoke to seven Scottish politicians for @politico.eu about his impact on policing, supporting the economy — and putting Scotland on the global stage.

www.politico.eu/article/us-d...

Sleepy summer? 7 times UK politics went nuts over recess So much for the “silly season.”

MPs head off for recess this afternoon to pack their suitcases and don their shades for some time at the seaside (and in their constituencies, obvs). Those hoping for a quiet August will be disappointed, as my latest @politico.eu read proves.
www.politico.eu/article/unit...

UK’s Farage channels Trump with El Salvador prison pledge Right-wing Reform UK party says it would ‘consider multiple partners including El Salvador’ in third country prison pledge — and heaps praise on Trump ally Rudy Giuliani.

My @politico.eu writeup from the start of Reform UK's six week law and order campaign. The biggest proposal channeled Donald Trump by sending some criminals to El Salvador to serve their sentence - even Farage admitted that was an "extreme example."
www.politico.eu/article/refo...

The Wargame podcast: Fictional British government faces a terrifying choice in final episode Former senior politicians, including Sir Ben Wallace, Jack Straw and Amber Rudd, play a fictional British government pitched against an imagined Kremlin.

Just finished Sky News' magnificent 'The Wargame' podcast. Hosted by Deborah Haynes, the series brilliantly imagines how Whitehall could respond to a direct Russian attack. There are countless dilemmas, limited options and a reliance on unreliable allies.
news.sky.com/story/the-wa...

My @politico.eu writeup of Friedrich Merz admitting Europe was free-riding on American defense. While the German Chancellor claimed a good working relationship with Donald Trump, Merz still argued the U.S. President was less committed to the continent.
www.politico.eu/article/euro...

Update: that post has now been deleted.

Labour MP (and whip) Christian Wakeford says 16-year-olds can "get married with consent" despite the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) Act 2022 banning this and raising the age of marriage to 18.

Update: a correction has now been issued at the end of the article.

Angela Rayner's Times op-ed originally said "by law, they [16-year-olds] can get married" despite the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) Act 2022 raising the age of marriage to 18. This was edited out in an updated version (with no correction).

www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...

Nigel Farage could be the real winner if Labour lets teens vote The Reform UK leader is wooing young people just as Labour wants to lower the voting age.

Last August, I investigated the impact of votes at 16 after Labour didn't include the measure in its first king's speech (exactly a year ago today!). Even then, it was clear the government wouldn't be the automatic beneficiary from widening eligibility.
www.politico.eu/article/nige...

Brits’ trust in the US has plummeted over the past year, poll shows Only 38 percent of Britons trusted America to act responsibly in the world, a 15 point drop from 2024.

My latest @politico.eu piece delves into the @bfpg.bsky.social's annual survey on global affairs — the findings are striking: growing distrust towards the US, fears about Donald Trump's actions and greater trust towards the EU.

www.politico.eu/article/brit...

Outdoor speakers in Westminster blasting out Twisted Sister's 'We’re Not Gonna Take It.' Unclear if the track is from Steve Bray or Downing Street.

PMQs: Badenoch ducks massive Afghan data leak The Tory leader steered clear of the severe Afghan civilian data breach under the last government — leaving her flailing for answers on the upcoming budget.

Final @politico.eu #PMQs scorecard before recess from yours truly where Kemi Badenoch skirted over the huge Afghan data leak and two year super-injunction that finally became common knowledge on Tuesday. She instead tried (and failed) to get answers on the economy.
www.politico.eu/article/star...

Labour Tribes Mapped: Interactive guide to Labour MPs – by PLMR and LabourList - LabourList LabourList and leading comms agency PLMR are proud to unveil the Labour Tribes Mapped project,  a one-of-a-kind interactive guide to Labour's 403 MPs.

Excellent @labourlist.bsky.social interactive site mapping the different tribes of Labour MPs. An infographic I could play around with all day.

labourlist.org/2025/07/labo...

Future of Media Awards shortlist highlights best of digital journalism in 2025 Press Gazette is proud to announce the Future of Media Awards 2025 shortlist covering digital excellence across news publishers big and small.

I was away last week so belatedly delighted that @politico.eu's UK general election liveblog was shortlisted in the Future of Media Awards' Best Live Journalism (National/International) category. All led by the amazing @matthfoster.bsky.social.

pressgazette.co.uk/publishers/d...

Just an unbelievable match. Bravo Jannik Sinner coming back from Roland-Garros just over a month ago. Carlos Alcaraz a beyond worthy opponent - these two are guaranteed to meet again and again. A superb two weeks of sport, genius, talent and athletic dominance. #Wimbledon

Nothing like baking banana bread, er, out of lockdown. Two loaves attempted: one with plain flour & extra baking powder, the other with self-raising flour as recommended. Two eggs, two bananas, 140g caster sugar, 140g (softened) butter - all supremely edible.

Thinks 5 Live naming its 606 phone-in show 6-Love-6 during #Wimbledon is a work of genius.

Finds watching #Wimbledon distinctly stressful. Beautiful, glorious and awe-inspiring. But very stressful.

One of my favourite ever TV series so a great Friday read.