Chris Mullin

I once asked defence secretary, Geoff Hoon, how we got suckered into helping to invade Iraq. He replied, 'We didn't realise until too late that Dick Cheney was the president'.

@chrismullinexmp.bsky.social Hi Chris, I picked up your book 'a view from the foothills'. I've not been able to put it down since I got it. Very enjoyable read. Thank you for your years of public service.

It’s more than a worthy successor to the brilliant previous 3 volumes of diaries - definitely recommended reading.

Loads of truth in this @chrismullinexmp.bsky.social piece.
It is also quite shocking to see former Chancellor Hunt also being feted as some fiscal guru by some commentators and podcasters when he was a totally irresponsible Chancellor knowing full well his party would not be elected.

Two old codgers at tge Durham book festival this morning. It would all be different if we were in charge...

On Politics: Labour's Problems Podcast Episode · The LRB Podcast · 17/09/2025 · 1h 7m

In the first episode of our new politics series, On Politics, host @piercepenniless.bsky.social speaks to @chrismullinexmp.bsky.social, Andy Beckett and @morganj0nes.bsky.social about the future of the Labour Party.

Listen here or wherever you get podcasts:
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...

Thank you, Julian please spread the word. This latedt volume is almost a secret compared to those. which preceded it.

My companion on the Central Line across London, from Bethnal Green to White City.

Like being in the company of an old friend: wise, sometimes provocative, always thoughtful and humane @chrismullinexmp.bsky.social

Podcast: James Butler, Chris Mullin, Andy Beckett and Morgan Jones · On Politics: Labour's Problems

‘A large part of their supporter base has defected to Reform. I don't see an easy way out of that for them, and that makes politics very volatile.’

@chrismullinexmp.bsky.social on Labour’s problems, on the podcast: www.lrb.co.uk/podcasts-and...

'Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness'

The idea of replacing Starmer is just utter nonsense. He's just won an election with a huge majority. It would look foolhardy, sel-obssessed, chaotic, insane: classic Tory bollocks.

Thank you, Jordan. Please spread the word. PS There are three other volumes. The latest 'Didn't You Use to Be Chris Mullin? covers the years 2010 to 2022.

My plums are good this year.

My garden this evening 1

My garden: harvesting peaches in north Northumberland.

My garden: peaches grown outdoors in north Northumberland.

Not a bad year for peaches in northumberland.

The poppies have taken over .y rose beds, but I haven't the heart to rip them out.

My rambling rose has started to ramble.

My garden this sfternoon.

Callaly: the view from the living room window.

My garden this evening...

My tree peone

Wild garlic at Callaly

My Camassia looking good, despite the drought.

At last, a pope who is younger than me. Now I know the game is nearly up.

Two old codgers at the Hexham Book Festival. Full house -- 360 people.

How serously should we take the rise of Reform in this age of disillusion? Who now remembers the SDP, once alleged to be on the brink of taking power, only to sink without trace after polling less votes than the Monster Raving Loony Party in the Bootle by election?

My garden: apple blossum time.