London Playbook
What's driving the day in Westminster. Politics and policymaking in the UK capital.
Latest issues
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 …
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 …