London Playbook
What's driving the day in Westminster. Politics and policymaking in the UK capital.
Latest issues
London Playbook PM: How to DOGE donation rules
Good afternoon. This is Emilio Casalicchio easing back in to afternoon newslettering following a couple of weeks off. Thanks to top colleagues for their excellent Playbook PM …
Business is about to pick up
Good Friday morning. This is Stefan Boscia. DRIVING THE DAY LAST FEW DAYS OF PEACE: All is quiet in SW1 this morning as MPs enjoy the final …
Starmer names his nemesis
Good afternoon. This is Annabelle Dickson for the last time this week. Fans of Emilio will be pleased to hear the Playbook PM don is back in …
Keir and loathing in Las Vegas
WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING: A U.S. federal trade court blocked the bulk of Donald Trump’s tariffs. The court ruled the president overstepped his powers by implementing the …
A good old spending Rowley
Good afternoon. This is Annabelle Dickson flexing the old Playbook muscles for the first time in a while. I’m also in the PM hot seat tomorrow so …
Reeves vs. the rozzers
Good Wednesday morning. This is Stefan Boscia. DRIVING THE DAY CRIME AND PUNISHMENT: Rachel Reeves finds herself under increasing pressure to loosen the Treasury purse strings this …
London Playbook PM: Reform’s other policies
Good afternoon. This is Mason Boycott-Owen at the tiller of the good ship PM, as we sail through the calm blue seas of recess. TUESDAY CHEAT SHEET …
Latest from Liverpool
Good Tuesday morning. This is Andrew McDonald. DRIVING THE DAY LATEST FROM LIVERPOOL: Westminster’s eyes will be firmly trained on the northwest today, as Liverpool reels from …
The calm before the storm
WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING: Donald Trump posted that Vladimir Putin has “gone absolutely CRAZY,” his most forceful criticism yet of the Russian president over the war in …
London Playbook PM: Bank holiday woes
Good afternoon. This is Andrew McDonald. FRIDAY’S CHEAT SHEET — We’re approaching a bank holiday … but Keir Starmer’s not getting much relief on welfare and child …
Striking deals
Good Friday morning. This is Stefan Boscia. DRIVING THE DAY WASN’T THERE AN ENVOY FOR THIS? Fresh from ceding some of Britain’s overseas territory to another country, …
London Playbook PM: Chagos chaos
Good afternoon. This is Andrew McDonald. Please blame any typos on the carbon monoxide currently filling up my flat. The things we do to bring you this …
And justice for all
Good Thursday morning. This is Stefan Boscia. DRIVING THE DAY UNCORK THE GAUKE: The government will today announce a series of monumental changes to Britain’s criminal justice …
London Playbook PM: Achtung! U-turn!
Good afternoon. This is Andrew McDonald. WEDNESDAY’S CHEAT SHEET ― Keir Starmer U-turned on cuts to winter fuel payments… partially. ― It isn’t clear yet whether any …
Rayn-ing it in
Good Wednesday morning. This is Stefan Boscia. DRIVING THE DAY ON TO THE NEXT: After days of debate over Keir Starmer’s EU deal, the conversation in Westminster …
London Playbook PM: Two statements, one shift
Good afternoon. This is Andrew McDonald. TUESDAY’S CHEAT SHEET — The government suspended trade negotiations with Israel, as it tries to talk tough over Netanyahu’s assault on …
Go fish
Good Tuesday morning. This is Sam Blewett. DRIVING THE DAY BREXIT REVISITED: Keir Starmer gets a second chance at selling his new EU deal today when he …
London Playbook PM: Keir’s EU love-in
WAITING FOR WHITE SMOKE: Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin started speaking on the phone shortly after 3.30 p.m. — with readouts and briefing on the potentially-seismic call …
Get Brexit done … again
Good Monday morning. This is Sam Blewett. DRIVING THE DAY SUMMIT GOING DOWN: Keir Starmer hopes to sign an expansive “reset” with European Commission President Ursula von …
London Playbook PM: Death and deals
Good afternoon. This is Mason Boycott-Owen, running amok today while Emilio is away. Andrew McDonald will be driving the Playbook PM battle-bus next week. FRIDAY CHEAT SHEET …