London Playbook
What's driving the day in Westminster. Politics and policymaking in the UK capital.
Latest issues
Fix the foundations while the sun is shining
Good Monday morning. This is Stefan Boscia. DRIVING THE DAY AND WE’RE BACK: After weeks of ceremonial flummery and inter-party bonhomie, normal service will be resumed in …
London Playbook PM: Keir Starmer dodges Olympic disruption
Good afternoon. This is Andrew McDonald. FRIDAY’S CHEAT SHEET — The prime minister is in Paris for the Olympics opening ceremony. — But even Keir Starmer couldn’t …
Reeves lays the ground for ’29
Good Friday morning. This is Stefan Boscia. DRIVING THE DAY PLAYING THE LONG GAME: Rachel Reeves will have the next three days to prepare for the next …
London Playbook PM: The price of political hot air
Good afternoon. THURSDAY CHEAT SHEET — Keir Starmer got wrapped up in questions about whether his green fuel production plans will cut bills. — He announced a …
Keir and the king join forces
WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING: U.S. President Joe Biden said it was “time to pass the torch to a new generation” to “unite the nation.” Speaking publicly for …
London Playbook PM: Nigel making plans for others
Good afternoon. WEDNESDAY CHEAT SHEET — The formal starting gun on the Conservative leadership race is about to fire. And Nigel Farage knows it. — Rishi Sunak …
The prosecutor becomes the defendant
Good Wednesday morning. This is Sam Blewett. SCOOP — CASE ADVISED TO QUIT: Cabinet Secretary Simon Case has been advised to step down permanently from his role …
London Playbook PM: How broken is Britain … ?
Good afternoon. TUESDAY CHEAT SHEET — A government watchdog handed the Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves a stack of damning conclusions about the state of public services. …
Kamala crosses the line
Good Tuesday morning. This is Sam Blewett. While you were sleeping: Shortly before 5.30 a.m. U.K. time, Vice President Kamala Harris announced she had secured the backing …
London Playbook PM: PM swerves stating ‘Yes we Kam’
Good afternoon. MONDAY CHEAT SHEET — Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris made her first speech in the White House since Joe Biden withdrew from the upcoming U.S. …
Biden bows to the inevitable
Good Monday morning. This is Sam Blewett. DRIVING THE DAY BIG MOMENT: There’s only one story in town today and it’s Keir Starmer’s big speech on skills. …
London Playbook PM: Starmer and Zelenskyy chat as the internet breaks
Good afternoon. This is Andrew McDonald. FRIDAY’S CHEAT SHEET — Keir Starmer welcomed Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Downing Street for a historic address of the Cabinet. — The …
Hulk Hogan and ‘divine providence’
Good Friday morning. This is Stefan Boscia. DRIVING THE DAY DOMINATING THE DAY: Donald Trump and Joe Biden are going to dominate headlines in the U.K. and …
London Playbook PM: Keir Starmer asks ‘who are EU’?
Good afternoon from Blenheim Palace. THURSDAY CHEAT SHEET — Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Britain was back on the world stage. He discussed illegal migration with EU …
Another day, another summit
Good Thursday morning. This is Stefan Boscia. DRIVING THE DAY IS IT ALWAYS LIKE THIS? Keir Starmer will continue his perfectly planned post-election schedule this morning as …
London Playbook PM: The king reveals what ‘change’ means
Good afternoon from the press seats of the House of Commons, where MPs are debating the king’s speech. WEDNESDAY CHEAT SHEET — Prime Minister Keir Starmer pledged …
King Keir unveils his legislative plan
JUST IN FROM THE ONS: Inflation remained static at 2 percent last month, according to the latest CPI data. Good Wednesday morning. This is Stefan Boscia. DRIVING …
London Playbook PM: Failing to deliver goals, then quitting
Good afternoon. TUESDAY CHEAT SHEET — Keir Starmer issued statements after Vaughan Gething quit as Wales First Minister and Gareth Southgate quit as England manager. — Gething …
Trump’s return
Good Tuesday morning. This is Sam Blewett. LAST NIGHT IN WASHINGTON … AND MILWAUKEE WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING: A white bandage covering his right ear, Donald Trump …
London Playbook PM: Winning in cash terms
Good afternoon. MONDAY CHEAT SHEET — New official figures show Labour pulled in more than five times as much in big donations than the Tories during the …