Adam Payne
@adampayne26.bsky.social
Editor of PoliticsHome. Sometimes heard on our weekly podcast, The Rundown. Contact me: adam.payne@politicshome.com & DMs.
Some more awkwardness from Reform at local level:
Six months ago, Farage described doubling council tax on second homes as “madness”
North Northamptonshire, won by Reform in May, is now planning to do just that, say plans seen by @cjayanetti.bsky.social for PolHome
Six months ago, Farage described doubling council tax on second homes as “madness”
North Northamptonshire, won by Reform in May, is now planning to do just that, say plans seen by @cjayanetti.bsky.social for PolHome
A Reform-led council is planning to double council tax on second homes six months after party leader Nigel Farage denounced the idea as “madness” and “extortion”
North Northamptonshire is expected to approve the measure on Tuesday, in plans seen by PolHome
@cjayanetti.bsky.social reports
North Northamptonshire is expected to approve the measure on Tuesday, in plans seen by PolHome
@cjayanetti.bsky.social reports
Reform Council To Double Tax On Second Homes Despite Nigel Farage Calling The Idea 'Madness'
A Reform-led council is planning to double council tax on second homes six months after party leader Nigel Farage denounced such policies as “madne...
www.politicshome.com
November 11, 2025 at 8:52 AM
Some more awkwardness from Reform at local level:
Six months ago, Farage described doubling council tax on second homes as “madness”
North Northamptonshire, won by Reform in May, is now planning to do just that, say plans seen by @cjayanetti.bsky.social for PolHome
Six months ago, Farage described doubling council tax on second homes as “madness”
North Northamptonshire, won by Reform in May, is now planning to do just that, say plans seen by @cjayanetti.bsky.social for PolHome
Reposted by Adam Payne
A Reform-led council is planning to double council tax on second homes six months after party leader Nigel Farage denounced the idea as “madness” and “extortion”
North Northamptonshire is expected to approve the measure on Tuesday, in plans seen by PolHome
@cjayanetti.bsky.social reports
North Northamptonshire is expected to approve the measure on Tuesday, in plans seen by PolHome
@cjayanetti.bsky.social reports
Reform Council To Double Tax On Second Homes Despite Nigel Farage Calling The Idea 'Madness'
A Reform-led council is planning to double council tax on second homes six months after party leader Nigel Farage denounced such policies as “madne...
www.politicshome.com
November 10, 2025 at 11:27 PM
A Reform-led council is planning to double council tax on second homes six months after party leader Nigel Farage denounced the idea as “madness” and “extortion”
North Northamptonshire is expected to approve the measure on Tuesday, in plans seen by PolHome
@cjayanetti.bsky.social reports
North Northamptonshire is expected to approve the measure on Tuesday, in plans seen by PolHome
@cjayanetti.bsky.social reports
Reposted by Adam Payne
Quick thread on the BBC and the political and societal significance of recent developments:
One of the main reasons the UK has historically been so much less polarised than the US, is that Britain has a shared source of information, consumed and trusted by most people regardless of their politics.
One of the main reasons the UK has historically been so much less polarised than the US, is that Britain has a shared source of information, consumed and trusted by most people regardless of their politics.
November 10, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Quick thread on the BBC and the political and societal significance of recent developments:
One of the main reasons the UK has historically been so much less polarised than the US, is that Britain has a shared source of information, consumed and trusted by most people regardless of their politics.
One of the main reasons the UK has historically been so much less polarised than the US, is that Britain has a shared source of information, consumed and trusted by most people regardless of their politics.
More top @matildamartin.bsky.social data work, this time showing why there are growing calls for council tax to be overhauled
Highest rates (% of house price) are in some of the country's poorest areas
@jonathanbrashmp.bsky.social, chair of council tax reform APPG, says the figures are "insane"
Highest rates (% of house price) are in some of the country's poorest areas
@jonathanbrashmp.bsky.social, chair of council tax reform APPG, says the figures are "insane"
November 10, 2025 at 3:38 PM
More top @matildamartin.bsky.social data work, this time showing why there are growing calls for council tax to be overhauled
Highest rates (% of house price) are in some of the country's poorest areas
@jonathanbrashmp.bsky.social, chair of council tax reform APPG, says the figures are "insane"
Highest rates (% of house price) are in some of the country's poorest areas
@jonathanbrashmp.bsky.social, chair of council tax reform APPG, says the figures are "insane"
Reposted by Adam Payne
NEW: Reported plans to double tax rates on the top two council tax bands would cause huge distortions and unequal treatment between owners of expensive homes across England
One area where homes cost £500k would barely be touched
By me, for Politics Home www.politicshome.com/news/article...
One area where homes cost £500k would barely be touched
By me, for Politics Home www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Why Council Tax Reform Is Fraught With Difficulty
New analysis shows why council tax reform is such a hard task for the government as it faces widespread calls for the system to be updated.
www.politicshome.com
November 8, 2025 at 11:35 AM
NEW: Reported plans to double tax rates on the top two council tax bands would cause huge distortions and unequal treatment between owners of expensive homes across England
One area where homes cost £500k would barely be touched
By me, for Politics Home www.politicshome.com/news/article...
One area where homes cost £500k would barely be touched
By me, for Politics Home www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Reposted by Adam Payne
What an absolute hero Samir Zitouni is - doubtless he saved lives that day
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Train hero who saved passengers during attack named
The rail worker credited with saving multiple lives is named as Samir Zitouni.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 4, 2025 at 11:36 AM
What an absolute hero Samir Zitouni is - doubtless he saved lives that day
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Adam Payne
One in twenty Reform councillors elected in May 2025 has left by the Autumn
- half expelled/suspended
- a quarter resigned from council
- some defected
An "unusual rate" of attrition in 6 months, says Tony Travers
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
- half expelled/suspended
- a quarter resigned from council
- some defected
An "unusual rate" of attrition in 6 months, says Tony Travers
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Reform Is Losing Councillors Elected In May At An 'Unusual' Rate
Reform UK has lost more than 5 per cent of the councillors it had elected six months ago, an analysis by PoliticsHome has found.
www.politicshome.com
November 1, 2025 at 10:58 AM
One in twenty Reform councillors elected in May 2025 has left by the Autumn
- half expelled/suspended
- a quarter resigned from council
- some defected
An "unusual rate" of attrition in 6 months, says Tony Travers
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
- half expelled/suspended
- a quarter resigned from council
- some defected
An "unusual rate" of attrition in 6 months, says Tony Travers
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Reposted by Adam Payne
Six months on from the locals…
Reform is losing councillors at an “unusual” rate
PolHome analysis finds that Farage’s party has lost over 5% of all cllrs elected in May
In Kent, its 14%
@matildamartin.bsky.social’s deep dive www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Reform is losing councillors at an “unusual” rate
PolHome analysis finds that Farage’s party has lost over 5% of all cllrs elected in May
In Kent, its 14%
@matildamartin.bsky.social’s deep dive www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Reform Is Losing Councillors Elected In May At An 'Unusual' Rate
Reform UK has lost more than 5 per cent of the councillors it had elected six months ago, an analysis by PoliticsHome has found.
www.politicshome.com
October 31, 2025 at 9:28 PM
Six months on from the locals…
Reform is losing councillors at an “unusual” rate
PolHome analysis finds that Farage’s party has lost over 5% of all cllrs elected in May
In Kent, its 14%
@matildamartin.bsky.social’s deep dive www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Reform is losing councillors at an “unusual” rate
PolHome analysis finds that Farage’s party has lost over 5% of all cllrs elected in May
In Kent, its 14%
@matildamartin.bsky.social’s deep dive www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Reposted by Adam Payne
Reform has lost over 5% of councillors it had elected six months ago
A @matildamartin.bsky.social deep dive into the councils won by Farage's party in May found what a local government expert called "unusual" levels of churn
Exclusions, suspensions and resignations have taken place nationwide
A @matildamartin.bsky.social deep dive into the councils won by Farage's party in May found what a local government expert called "unusual" levels of churn
Exclusions, suspensions and resignations have taken place nationwide
Reform Is Losing Councillors Elected In May At An 'Unusual' Rate
Reform UK has lost more than 5 per cent of the councillors it had elected six months ago, an analysis by PoliticsHome has found.
www.politicshome.com
October 31, 2025 at 10:06 PM
Reform has lost over 5% of councillors it had elected six months ago
A @matildamartin.bsky.social deep dive into the councils won by Farage's party in May found what a local government expert called "unusual" levels of churn
Exclusions, suspensions and resignations have taken place nationwide
A @matildamartin.bsky.social deep dive into the councils won by Farage's party in May found what a local government expert called "unusual" levels of churn
Exclusions, suspensions and resignations have taken place nationwide
Reposted by Adam Payne
Reform UK councils (& their cllrs) have been in the news a lot in recent weeks. But what is happening more widely?
My analysis @politicshome.bsky.social has found Reform has lost more than 5% of the cllrs it elected just 6 months ago
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
My analysis @politicshome.bsky.social has found Reform has lost more than 5% of the cllrs it elected just 6 months ago
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Reform Is Losing Councillors Elected In May At An 'Unusual' Rate
Reform UK has lost more than 5 per cent of the councillors it had elected six months ago, an analysis by PoliticsHome has found.
www.politicshome.com
October 31, 2025 at 9:35 PM
Reform UK councils (& their cllrs) have been in the news a lot in recent weeks. But what is happening more widely?
My analysis @politicshome.bsky.social has found Reform has lost more than 5% of the cllrs it elected just 6 months ago
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
My analysis @politicshome.bsky.social has found Reform has lost more than 5% of the cllrs it elected just 6 months ago
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Six months on from the locals…
Reform is losing councillors at an “unusual” rate
PolHome analysis finds that Farage’s party has lost over 5% of all cllrs elected in May
In Kent, its 14%
@matildamartin.bsky.social’s deep dive www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Reform is losing councillors at an “unusual” rate
PolHome analysis finds that Farage’s party has lost over 5% of all cllrs elected in May
In Kent, its 14%
@matildamartin.bsky.social’s deep dive www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Reform Is Losing Councillors Elected In May At An 'Unusual' Rate
Reform UK has lost more than 5 per cent of the councillors it had elected six months ago, an analysis by PoliticsHome has found.
www.politicshome.com
October 31, 2025 at 9:28 PM
Six months on from the locals…
Reform is losing councillors at an “unusual” rate
PolHome analysis finds that Farage’s party has lost over 5% of all cllrs elected in May
In Kent, its 14%
@matildamartin.bsky.social’s deep dive www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Reform is losing councillors at an “unusual” rate
PolHome analysis finds that Farage’s party has lost over 5% of all cllrs elected in May
In Kent, its 14%
@matildamartin.bsky.social’s deep dive www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Reposted by Adam Payne
'The explosion of AI-driven social media has created an online public realm where fake news, manipulated content & deliberate misinformation spread unchecked'
A recent AI deepfake showed Tory MP George Freeman defecting to Reform. Writing for The House, he says parliamentary democracy is at stake
A recent AI deepfake showed Tory MP George Freeman defecting to Reform. Writing for The House, he says parliamentary democracy is at stake
I was the victim of an AI deepfake yet the law was unable to protect me
We've allowed the growth of a dangerous digital space where pretty much anything goes.
www.politicshome.com
October 27, 2025 at 2:31 PM
'The explosion of AI-driven social media has created an online public realm where fake news, manipulated content & deliberate misinformation spread unchecked'
A recent AI deepfake showed Tory MP George Freeman defecting to Reform. Writing for The House, he says parliamentary democracy is at stake
A recent AI deepfake showed Tory MP George Freeman defecting to Reform. Writing for The House, he says parliamentary democracy is at stake
Reposted by Adam Payne
Important story from @cjayanetti.bsky.social - Rise In SEND Requests As Parents Fear Upcoming Reforms www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Rise In SEND Requests As Parents Fear Upcoming Reforms
Fears over upcoming reforms to the special education needs (SEND) system have led more parents to request formal support for their children, accord...
www.politicshome.com
October 27, 2025 at 9:57 AM
Important story from @cjayanetti.bsky.social - Rise In SEND Requests As Parents Fear Upcoming Reforms www.politicshome.com/news/article...
@robfordmancs.bsky.social on Caerphilly & the particularly "dire", perhaps existential, result for the Welsh Conservatives:
'Four yrs on from their best ever Senedd performance... the Tories have been reduced to a vote share more typically associated with novelty candidates and the lunatic fringe'
'Four yrs on from their best ever Senedd performance... the Tories have been reduced to a vote share more typically associated with novelty candidates and the lunatic fringe'
Five lessons from the Caerphilly by-election
Politics is changing at a dizzying pace
swingometer.substack.com
October 27, 2025 at 3:25 PM
@robfordmancs.bsky.social on Caerphilly & the particularly "dire", perhaps existential, result for the Welsh Conservatives:
'Four yrs on from their best ever Senedd performance... the Tories have been reduced to a vote share more typically associated with novelty candidates and the lunatic fringe'
'Four yrs on from their best ever Senedd performance... the Tories have been reduced to a vote share more typically associated with novelty candidates and the lunatic fringe'
Last month, PolHome's @matildamartin.bsky.social reported that SEND reforms, initially promised in September, face being delayed until the start of 2026
Government today confirms her story, with Bridget Phillipson telling the education committee to expect long-awaited reforms "in the new year"
🔮
Government today confirms her story, with Bridget Phillipson telling the education committee to expect long-awaited reforms "in the new year"
🔮
SEND Reforms At Risk Of Further Delay As Government Tries To Avoid Backlash
There is growing concern that long-awaited reforms to the special education needs and disabilities system risk further delay, PoliticsHome understa...
www.politicshome.com
October 22, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Last month, PolHome's @matildamartin.bsky.social reported that SEND reforms, initially promised in September, face being delayed until the start of 2026
Government today confirms her story, with Bridget Phillipson telling the education committee to expect long-awaited reforms "in the new year"
🔮
Government today confirms her story, with Bridget Phillipson telling the education committee to expect long-awaited reforms "in the new year"
🔮
Reposted by Adam Payne
Former Conservative minister Damian Green has joined other voices on the right in calling for the end of the pensions triple lock
“Let’s be brave for once. The triple lock has served its purpose and has had its day. We need a new settlement that is fair to all generations.”
“Let’s be brave for once. The triple lock has served its purpose and has had its day. We need a new settlement that is fair to all generations.”
Former Tory Cabinet Minister Calls For Pensions Triple Lock To Be Scrapped
A former senior Conservative minister has said the pensions triple lock has “served its purpose” and should be replaced.
www.politicshome.com
October 21, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Former Conservative minister Damian Green has joined other voices on the right in calling for the end of the pensions triple lock
“Let’s be brave for once. The triple lock has served its purpose and has had its day. We need a new settlement that is fair to all generations.”
“Let’s be brave for once. The triple lock has served its purpose and has had its day. We need a new settlement that is fair to all generations.”
Reposted by Adam Payne
Voters want more balanced broadcast coverage of political parties, new research by @yougov.co.uk and Cardiff Uni shared with PolHome suggests
Lib Dem culture spox Anna Sabine MP said the findings are a rejection of "wall-to-wall coverage" of Reform UK, which leader Ed Davey has complained about
Lib Dem culture spox Anna Sabine MP said the findings are a rejection of "wall-to-wall coverage" of Reform UK, which leader Ed Davey has complained about
Public Wants More Balanced Coverage Of Political Parties, New Polling Suggests
Voters want more balanced broadcast coverage of political parties to reflect the emerging multi-party system, new research from YouGov and Cardiff ...
www.politicshome.com
October 20, 2025 at 9:31 PM
Voters want more balanced broadcast coverage of political parties, new research by @yougov.co.uk and Cardiff Uni shared with PolHome suggests
Lib Dem culture spox Anna Sabine MP said the findings are a rejection of "wall-to-wall coverage" of Reform UK, which leader Ed Davey has complained about
Lib Dem culture spox Anna Sabine MP said the findings are a rejection of "wall-to-wall coverage" of Reform UK, which leader Ed Davey has complained about
Reposted by Adam Payne
A long-awaited definition is expected to refer to “anti-Muslim hostility” as the government prepares to move away from the term Islamophobia, PolHome understands
Sources stress that any new definition, which could come as soon as in the next few weeks, must focus on protecting people, not religion
Sources stress that any new definition, which could come as soon as in the next few weeks, must focus on protecting people, not religion
Ministers Set To Drop The Word 'Islamophobia' From New Definition
A long-awaited definition is expected to refer to “anti-Muslim hostility” as the government prepares to move away from the previous wording of Isla...
www.politicshome.com
October 20, 2025 at 9:38 PM
A long-awaited definition is expected to refer to “anti-Muslim hostility” as the government prepares to move away from the term Islamophobia, PolHome understands
Sources stress that any new definition, which could come as soon as in the next few weeks, must focus on protecting people, not religion
Sources stress that any new definition, which could come as soon as in the next few weeks, must focus on protecting people, not religion
This is either a superb or dire omen, nothing in between
October 20, 2025 at 5:12 PM
This is either a superb or dire omen, nothing in between
Reposted by Adam Payne
With the collapsed China spy case set to dominate #PMQs, @politicshome.bsky.social is sharing our March 2023 podcast featuring Chris Cash
It was recorded 10 days before his arrest on espionage charges, which have now been dropped
Cash continues to deny the allegations
Listen here: pod.fo/e/169a8e
It was recorded 10 days before his arrest on espionage charges, which have now been dropped
Cash continues to deny the allegations
Listen here: pod.fo/e/169a8e
October 15, 2025 at 10:48 AM
With the collapsed China spy case set to dominate #PMQs, @politicshome.bsky.social is sharing our March 2023 podcast featuring Chris Cash
It was recorded 10 days before his arrest on espionage charges, which have now been dropped
Cash continues to deny the allegations
Listen here: pod.fo/e/169a8e
It was recorded 10 days before his arrest on espionage charges, which have now been dropped
Cash continues to deny the allegations
Listen here: pod.fo/e/169a8e
Reposted by Adam Payne
Interesting piece. But it's not just about channels, it's about a larger crisis in government comms - and in society - which is not a new thing and goes back perhaps 15 years. Put simply, the Whitehall comms machine has lost the ability to win arguments.
The AI minister says the digital ID announcement is an e.g of where gov must up its online comms game:
“To be able to make sure that when a significant thing is happening, like an announcement on digital ID, we're winning the battle of ideas and arguments…” he tells @zoecrowther.bsky.social
“To be able to make sure that when a significant thing is happening, like an announcement on digital ID, we're winning the battle of ideas and arguments…” he tells @zoecrowther.bsky.social
Government Must Do 'A Lot More' To Sell Its Policies Online, Says AI Minister
The minister for artificial intelligence has said the government needs to do “a lot more to win the battle of content online”.
www.politicshome.com
October 15, 2025 at 10:03 AM
Interesting piece. But it's not just about channels, it's about a larger crisis in government comms - and in society - which is not a new thing and goes back perhaps 15 years. Put simply, the Whitehall comms machine has lost the ability to win arguments.
The AI minister says the digital ID announcement is an e.g of where gov must up its online comms game:
“To be able to make sure that when a significant thing is happening, like an announcement on digital ID, we're winning the battle of ideas and arguments…” he tells @zoecrowther.bsky.social
“To be able to make sure that when a significant thing is happening, like an announcement on digital ID, we're winning the battle of ideas and arguments…” he tells @zoecrowther.bsky.social
Government Must Do 'A Lot More' To Sell Its Policies Online, Says AI Minister
The minister for artificial intelligence has said the government needs to do “a lot more to win the battle of content online”.
www.politicshome.com
October 15, 2025 at 9:58 AM
The AI minister says the digital ID announcement is an e.g of where gov must up its online comms game:
“To be able to make sure that when a significant thing is happening, like an announcement on digital ID, we're winning the battle of ideas and arguments…” he tells @zoecrowther.bsky.social
“To be able to make sure that when a significant thing is happening, like an announcement on digital ID, we're winning the battle of ideas and arguments…” he tells @zoecrowther.bsky.social
Reposted by Adam Payne
In which @stephenkb.bsky.social absolutely nails the way the Tories are performing a "never-ending lobotomy" on themselves by requiring everyone to believe (or at least pretend) Brexit was a good idea. www.ft.com/content/a65f...
October 14, 2025 at 2:08 PM
In which @stephenkb.bsky.social absolutely nails the way the Tories are performing a "never-ending lobotomy" on themselves by requiring everyone to believe (or at least pretend) Brexit was a good idea. www.ft.com/content/a65f...
Reposted by Adam Payne
As attention turns to next month's Budget, PolHome's
@matildamartin.bsky.social profiles the woman at Keir Starmer's side in No 10: his new economics adviser, Minouche Shafik
The PM is "extremely fortunate" to have her, said former Tory minister Andrew Mitchell
It is "a damn difficult job..."
@matildamartin.bsky.social profiles the woman at Keir Starmer's side in No 10: his new economics adviser, Minouche Shafik
The PM is "extremely fortunate" to have her, said former Tory minister Andrew Mitchell
It is "a damn difficult job..."
Minouche Shafik: The Other Chancellor
If Keir Starmer is to pull the country – and himself – from the economic mire, it will be in part because of a 63-year-old barely known to MPs, let...
www.politicshome.com
October 13, 2025 at 12:37 PM
As attention turns to next month's Budget, PolHome's
@matildamartin.bsky.social profiles the woman at Keir Starmer's side in No 10: his new economics adviser, Minouche Shafik
The PM is "extremely fortunate" to have her, said former Tory minister Andrew Mitchell
It is "a damn difficult job..."
@matildamartin.bsky.social profiles the woman at Keir Starmer's side in No 10: his new economics adviser, Minouche Shafik
The PM is "extremely fortunate" to have her, said former Tory minister Andrew Mitchell
It is "a damn difficult job..."
Reposted by Adam Payne
Universities in the UK are heading for a financial calamity like the 2008 crash, the head of @ucu.org.uk has warned
@drjogrady.bsky.social told @matildamartin.bsky.social: "The people who should be either governing from government or governing institutions are asleep at the wheel"
@drjogrady.bsky.social told @matildamartin.bsky.social: "The people who should be either governing from government or governing institutions are asleep at the wheel"
Universities Are Heading A Financial Crisis Like The 2008 Crash, Warns Union BossBoss
The head of the University and College Union, Jo Grady, has warned that universities face a financial calamity similar to the 2008 banking crisis, ...
www.politicshome.com
October 13, 2025 at 12:29 PM
Universities in the UK are heading for a financial calamity like the 2008 crash, the head of @ucu.org.uk has warned
@drjogrady.bsky.social told @matildamartin.bsky.social: "The people who should be either governing from government or governing institutions are asleep at the wheel"
@drjogrady.bsky.social told @matildamartin.bsky.social: "The people who should be either governing from government or governing institutions are asleep at the wheel"