London Playbook
What's driving the day in Westminster. Politics and policymaking in the UK capital.
Latest issues
The Land of Eagles has landed
JUST IN: The U.K. economy grew by 0.7 percent in the first three months of 2025, according to Office for National Statistics estimates published moments ago. The GDP figure for the period leading …
London Playbook PM: Prison spinners
Good afternoon. This is Emilio Casalicchio. Apologies for the later arrival of the newsletter — the government had some last-minute embarrassing news. WEDNESDAY CHEAT SHEET — The …
What Kemi did next
Good Wednesday morning. This is Andrew McDonald. DRIVING THE DAY SIDE PLOT PMQS: Keir Starmer and Kemi Badenoch face off at an unusual PMQs at noon smack …
London Playbook PM: It appears to be crime week
Good afternoon. This is Emilio Casalicchio. TUESDAY CHEAT SHEET — A Conservative MP was suspended after being charged with two counts of sexual assault. — A man …
The immigration spin war
Good Tuesday morning. This is Andrew McDonald. DRIVING THE DAY FIGHTING ON THE HOME FRONT: Yvette Cooper and Robert Jenrick are competing on this morning’s broadcast round …
London Playbook PM: Border skirmishes
Good afternoon. This is Emilio Casalicchio. REVEALED THIS AFTERNOON: Police are investigating a fire that broke out at Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s house in north London overnight. …
Controls on immigration, for real this time
Good Monday morning. This is Andrew McDonald. DRIVING THE DAY IT’S WHITE PAPER DAY: The government’s shake-up of legal migration laws finally lands today, as Keir Starmer …
London Playbook PM: Fact vs trade friction
Good afternoon. This is Emilio Casalicchio. FRIDAY CHEAT SHEET — The text of the MAGA mitigations deal is out and businesses are still scratching their heads. Full …
The Art of Selling the Deal
Good Friday morning. This is Andrew McDonald. DRIVING THE DAY A BIG, BEAUTIFUL DEAL: Keir Starmer’s lieutenants have the Friday job of selling his U.S. trade deal, …
London Playbook PM: White smoke … on all counts
Good afternoon. This is Emilio Casalicchio. White smoke has emerged from a specially installed ceremonial chimney on the Sistine Chapel to announce that the Catholic Church has …
It’s a deal!
Good Thursday morning. This is Andrew McDonald. DRIVING THE DAY HERE WE GO! Donald Trump will announce the striking of a long-awaited trade agreement with Britain this …
London Playbook PM: Gonna need a bigger Plan for Change
Good afternoon. This is Emilio Casalicchio. WEDNESDAY CHEAT SHEET — Labour MPs are getting their first chance to fume at the government since the local elections. — …
Trade Week returns
STROPPY JOE: Joe Biden’s first interview since leaving the White House landed on the BBC an hour ago, and — surprise! — he didn’t hold back about …
London Playbook PM: Survival Modi
Good afternoon. This is Emilio Casalicchio in the press seats of the House of Commons, where MPs are chatting about the India trade deal Keir Starmer announced …
Facing down Farage
Good Tuesday morning. This is Stefan Boscia. DRIVING THE DAY NO PLACE HE’D RATHER BE: Parliament returns today after a set of local elections that left Nigel …
Mayday!
Good Monday morning. This is Sam Blewett. DRIVING THE DAY RED FLAGS, EVERYWHERE: Westminster is using this May Day bank holiday to take one last deep breath …
London Playbook PM: Master of his domain
Good afternoon. This is Emilio Casalicchio. FRIDAY CHEAT SHEET — Nigel Farage is lapping up his local election wins while Labour and the Conservatives are keeping a …
Farage hits Labour for six
Good Friday morning. This is Sam Blewett. DRIVING THE DAY JUST SIX VOTES! That’s all that was in it — but Nigel Farage delivered Keir Starmer an …
Power to the people
WHITE SMOKE: Late last night, the White House and Ukraine finally signed the minerals deal that might just bring Europe a little closer toward peace. Donald Trump’s …