London Playbook
What's driving the day in Westminster. Politics and policymaking in the UK capital.
Latest issues
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 …
London Playbook PM: Last stop before the locals
Good afternoon. This is Emilio Casalicchio. WEDNESDAY CHEAT SHEET — The parties tried to land their pre-locals talking points. Both Labour and the Tories sounded worried about …
A net zero sum game
WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING … the RAF (jointly with the U.S.) carried out after-dark airstrikes against a Houthi military facility in Yemen, according to a statement released …
London Playbook PM: Great for Spotify clicks
Good afternoon. This is Emilio Casalicchio. TUESDAY CHEAT SHEET — MPs gave Irish rap group Kneecap “what they want” with a full blown Commons debate about their …
Centrists of all lands, unite!
WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING: Canadian broadcasters called the country’s election for Mark Carney’s Liberals, completing the mother of all political comebacks for the centrist party sparked by …
London Playbook PM: Not what the doctor ordered
Good afternoon. This is Emilio Casalicchio. MONDAY CHEAT SHEET — Keir Starmer made a pre-locals NHS prescription offer but fell into the public sector pay hole. — …
Let’s get ready to grumble
Good Monday morning. This is Andrew McDonald. DRIVING THE DAY PREPARE FOR YOUR ANNUAL HEALTH CHECK: The Labour government would love, love, love to talk about the …
London Playbook PM: The Reeves meme
Good afternoon. This is Emilio Casalicchio. FRIDAY CHEAT SHEET — Rachel Reeves is wrapping up a chat with her U.S. counterpart after committing a possible diplomatic faux …
Bessent friends
A NOTE TO OUR READERS: This week marked 10 years since the launch of POLITICO Europe — once a small digital start-up and now a formidable newsgathering …
London Playbook PM: Neighbors want benefits
Good afternoon. This is Emilio Casalicchio. THURSDAY CHEAT SHEET — Keir Starmer and Ursula von der Leyen are holding private talks after a love-in about energy security. …
The art of the pre-deal
Good Thursday morning. This is Sam Blewett. DRIVING THE DAY FACING BOTH WAYS: Britain will spend today making its appeals to both the U.S. and EU in …
London Playbook PM: Mr Orange bears fruit
Good afternoon. This is Emilio Casalicchio. WEDNESDAY CHEAT SHEET — Rachel Reeves wants to see U.K. tariffs on U.S. imports reduced as part of a trade deal …
Money talks
Good Wednesday morning. This is Stefan Boscia, hoping he gets hand-delivered another St George’s Day cupcake this year. DRIVING THE DAY HERE WE GO AGAIN: The teetering …
London Playbook PM: Gender on the agenda
Good afternoon. This is Dan Bloom filling in for Emilio, who returns tomorrow. TUESDAY CHEAT SHEET — Keir Starmer gave his definition of a woman. — The …
Back to school
Good Tuesday morning. This is Stefan Boscia. DRIVING THE DAY HOLIDAY’S OVER: It’s back to school for MPs today as the two-week Easter recess is replaced by …
It’s just another Easter Monday
Good Easter Monday morning. This is Stefan Boscia, recovering from eating too much lamb and chocolate. DRIVING THE DAY ABOUT TO SPRING BACK INTO ACTION: All is …
An Easter treat
Good (Good) Friday morning. This is Andrew McDonald. DRIVING THE DAY OH LAWD, HE COMIN’: Just as Westminster was settling in for a quiet night and your …