Alex Hall Hall
@alexhh.bsky.social
Ex-🇬🇧diplomat. Now an 🇺🇸. Resigned over Brexit lies. Frmr Ambassdr to 🇬🇪 . Writer Byline Times. Patron, European Movement. Advisor Eurasia Foundation. Member, Commission on Political Power looking at how to strengthen UK democracy. Frazzled mom. Owner of 2 🐕🦺
Reposted by Alex Hall Hall
Day after Alex Pretti killing I complained to BBC about presentation of White House statements and evidence as equivalent. Duty of balance doesn’t extend to complicity with clear lies, I said. BBC could and should report WH making false statements as a *fact of the story*. Today I got response …
February 12, 2026 at 3:34 PM
Day after Alex Pretti killing I complained to BBC about presentation of White House statements and evidence as equivalent. Duty of balance doesn’t extend to complicity with clear lies, I said. BBC could and should report WH making false statements as a *fact of the story*. Today I got response …
Reposted by Alex Hall Hall
A diplomat has to be on two sides at once - that of their home govt and that of the country they are posted in. The idea of 'going native' sounds old-fashioned, but it's also real. In an environment as toxic as Trump 2.0 that's a real risk, without any judgement on the character of the Ambassador.
February 12, 2026 at 2:15 PM
A diplomat has to be on two sides at once - that of their home govt and that of the country they are posted in. The idea of 'going native' sounds old-fashioned, but it's also real. In an environment as toxic as Trump 2.0 that's a real risk, without any judgement on the character of the Ambassador.
Reposted by Alex Hall Hall
Well there were plenty of good replacements on offer but the govt thought a high profile politician would flatter Trump (I doubt he cared). But there is a principle about not letting diplomats have indefinite postings and I think it makes sense for reasons beyond tradition and buggin's turn.
February 12, 2026 at 2:12 PM
Well there were plenty of good replacements on offer but the govt thought a high profile politician would flatter Trump (I doubt he cared). But there is a principle about not letting diplomats have indefinite postings and I think it makes sense for reasons beyond tradition and buggin's turn.
Reposted by Alex Hall Hall
I don't usually talk politics, but I am just going to put out there that Impeachment Convictions need 67 votes in the US Senate to go through (Unless I'm misremembering). Can we please energize the youth and get them to use the 6-7 funny hands meme as a rallying cry to go vote and flip seats?
February 11, 2026 at 9:40 PM
I don't usually talk politics, but I am just going to put out there that Impeachment Convictions need 67 votes in the US Senate to go through (Unless I'm misremembering). Can we please energize the youth and get them to use the 6-7 funny hands meme as a rallying cry to go vote and flip seats?
1000% this.
You'd think this would be obvious. But it isn't. In the end, good policy will often produce good communications. Good communications will never on its own produce good policy. And in a valence world, policy and outcomes are what counts.
February 12, 2026 at 2:17 PM
1000% this.
Perhaps Starmer should appoint himself Cabinet Secretary, because he has all the cautious, uncharismatic, yet essentially decent, honest and professional instincts to do that job well, while letting the Labour Party focus on finding someone with better political skills to replace him as PM!!!
In Britain, the wheels appear to be coming off of the plans to appoint Antonia Romeo as the U.K. Cabinet secretary.
Her former boss has warned Keir Starmer risks an “unnecessary tragedy” by repeating past vetting failures.
London Playbook has more 👇
Her former boss has warned Keir Starmer risks an “unnecessary tragedy” by repeating past vetting failures.
London Playbook has more 👇
Wherefore art though, Romeo?
Presented by Lloyds Banking Group By SAM FRANCIS with BETHANY DAWSON PRESENTED BY Send tips here | Subscribe for free | Listen to Playbook and view in your browser BREAKING NEWS: U.K. GDP grew by 0…
www.politico.eu
February 12, 2026 at 2:11 PM
Perhaps Starmer should appoint himself Cabinet Secretary, because he has all the cautious, uncharismatic, yet essentially decent, honest and professional instincts to do that job well, while letting the Labour Party focus on finding someone with better political skills to replace him as PM!!!
That being said, I came across plenty of bullying, self-promoting men in the civil service whose careers did not seem to be held back by their overweening self-regard and ambition. Not an excuse for Romeo, if there are similar concerns about her, but still, some double standards at play, here?
Simon McDonald may have had his faults, but I never remember him as sexist. This is same man who brought down Boris Johnson, by revealing Johnson knew about MP Pincher’s misconduct. It’s legit to ask if he’s right to speak out again now - but it suggests his concerns are genuine and substantive.
🔥 "Government source" to The Times hits back at Simon MacDonald over Antonia Romeo:
"This is a desperate attempt from a senior male official whose time has passed but spent their career getting Britain into the mess it finds itself in today."
"This is a desperate attempt from a senior male official whose time has passed but spent their career getting Britain into the mess it finds itself in today."
February 12, 2026 at 2:03 PM
That being said, I came across plenty of bullying, self-promoting men in the civil service whose careers did not seem to be held back by their overweening self-regard and ambition. Not an excuse for Romeo, if there are similar concerns about her, but still, some double standards at play, here?
Reposted by Alex Hall Hall
NEGUSE: AG Bondi, that man works for you now, right? The man in that video from J6 yelling 'kill them!' at cops. His name is Jared Wise.
BONDI: He does work for us, yes. I believe he was pardoned
NEGUSE: And you expect hard-working police officers to believe you take law enforcement seriously?
BONDI: He does work for us, yes. I believe he was pardoned
NEGUSE: And you expect hard-working police officers to believe you take law enforcement seriously?
February 11, 2026 at 6:28 PM
NEGUSE: AG Bondi, that man works for you now, right? The man in that video from J6 yelling 'kill them!' at cops. His name is Jared Wise.
BONDI: He does work for us, yes. I believe he was pardoned
NEGUSE: And you expect hard-working police officers to believe you take law enforcement seriously?
BONDI: He does work for us, yes. I believe he was pardoned
NEGUSE: And you expect hard-working police officers to believe you take law enforcement seriously?
I suggest PM would be wise not to rush to appoint a new Cabinet Secretary, let alone one with a reputation for self-promotion and flamboyance. The job requires someone willing to work hard, quietly, professionally, behind the scenes, with experience and good relationships across Whitehall.
In Britain, the wheels appear to be coming off of the plans to appoint Antonia Romeo as the U.K. Cabinet secretary.
Her former boss has warned Keir Starmer risks an “unnecessary tragedy” by repeating past vetting failures.
London Playbook has more 👇
Her former boss has warned Keir Starmer risks an “unnecessary tragedy” by repeating past vetting failures.
London Playbook has more 👇
Wherefore art though, Romeo?
Presented by Lloyds Banking Group By SAM FRANCIS with BETHANY DAWSON PRESENTED BY Send tips here | Subscribe for free | Listen to Playbook and view in your browser BREAKING NEWS: U.K. GDP grew by 0…
www.politico.eu
February 12, 2026 at 1:12 PM
I suggest PM would be wise not to rush to appoint a new Cabinet Secretary, let alone one with a reputation for self-promotion and flamboyance. The job requires someone willing to work hard, quietly, professionally, behind the scenes, with experience and good relationships across Whitehall.
Reposted by Alex Hall Hall
One of the difficulties here is that, unless she denies it, the assumption has to be that the “government source” was Antonia Romeo herself.
And that if she denies it, one still must assume it might have been her.
As for being brilliant, there’s no doubt she thinks she is. As you say, she may be.
And that if she denies it, one still must assume it might have been her.
As for being brilliant, there’s no doubt she thinks she is. As you say, she may be.
February 12, 2026 at 10:26 AM
One of the difficulties here is that, unless she denies it, the assumption has to be that the “government source” was Antonia Romeo herself.
And that if she denies it, one still must assume it might have been her.
As for being brilliant, there’s no doubt she thinks she is. As you say, she may be.
And that if she denies it, one still must assume it might have been her.
As for being brilliant, there’s no doubt she thinks she is. As you say, she may be.
Simon McDonald may have had his faults, but I never remember him as sexist. This is same man who brought down Boris Johnson, by revealing Johnson knew about MP Pincher’s misconduct. It’s legit to ask if he’s right to speak out again now - but it suggests his concerns are genuine and substantive.
🔥 "Government source" to The Times hits back at Simon MacDonald over Antonia Romeo:
"This is a desperate attempt from a senior male official whose time has passed but spent their career getting Britain into the mess it finds itself in today."
"This is a desperate attempt from a senior male official whose time has passed but spent their career getting Britain into the mess it finds itself in today."
February 12, 2026 at 12:50 PM
Simon McDonald may have had his faults, but I never remember him as sexist. This is same man who brought down Boris Johnson, by revealing Johnson knew about MP Pincher’s misconduct. It’s legit to ask if he’s right to speak out again now - but it suggests his concerns are genuine and substantive.
While I have been fixated on figure skating at the Olympics the last few days, it turns out there are sharper blades being flourished in Whitehall. Who’d want to work in this ice cold, backstabbing environment?
🔥 "Government source" to The Times hits back at Simon MacDonald over Antonia Romeo:
"This is a desperate attempt from a senior male official whose time has passed but spent their career getting Britain into the mess it finds itself in today."
"This is a desperate attempt from a senior male official whose time has passed but spent their career getting Britain into the mess it finds itself in today."
February 12, 2026 at 12:16 PM
While I have been fixated on figure skating at the Olympics the last few days, it turns out there are sharper blades being flourished in Whitehall. Who’d want to work in this ice cold, backstabbing environment?
The French judge (“quel surprise”) in massive statistical outlier, scored US pair EIGHT points below French pair, giving latter the gold. 5 of other 9 judges ranked US pair first! Both were excellent, but the French duo had an error, while US were flawless. Fixed www.sportingnews.com/us/olympics/...
Ice dancing scoring controversy, explained: Why U.S. fans think judges sabotaged Madison Chock, Evan Bates | Sporting News
Chock and Bates won the silver medal, but plenty of Americans think they should have won gold.
www.sportingnews.com
February 12, 2026 at 4:30 AM
The French judge (“quel surprise”) in massive statistical outlier, scored US pair EIGHT points below French pair, giving latter the gold. 5 of other 9 judges ranked US pair first! Both were excellent, but the French duo had an error, while US were flawless. Fixed www.sportingnews.com/us/olympics/...
Reposted by Alex Hall Hall
Ecosystem of anti‑EU nationalism, dark‑money, data‑driven voter manipulation
Files show Brexit was the outcome & instrument of a transnational network of oligarchs, data‑operation firms & authoritarian‑leaning actors. All stood to profit from destabilisation, low regulation, weak democratic checks
Files show Brexit was the outcome & instrument of a transnational network of oligarchs, data‑operation firms & authoritarian‑leaning actors. All stood to profit from destabilisation, low regulation, weak democratic checks
The will of the rich and powerful: Brexit and the Epstein files
The Epstein files reveal the role of Brexit in a global network which stands to gain from undermining democracy itself
eastangliabylines.co.uk
February 11, 2026 at 12:48 PM
Ecosystem of anti‑EU nationalism, dark‑money, data‑driven voter manipulation
Files show Brexit was the outcome & instrument of a transnational network of oligarchs, data‑operation firms & authoritarian‑leaning actors. All stood to profit from destabilisation, low regulation, weak democratic checks
Files show Brexit was the outcome & instrument of a transnational network of oligarchs, data‑operation firms & authoritarian‑leaning actors. All stood to profit from destabilisation, low regulation, weak democratic checks
Reposted by Alex Hall Hall
It's the citizens on this grand jury & the people blowing whistles in Minneapolis & across America that are standing up to Trump's lawless, authoritarian takeover.
We, the People are protecting our democracy as spineless Republicans in Congress roll over for Trump every time.
We, the People are protecting our democracy as spineless Republicans in Congress roll over for Trump every time.
Grand Jury Rebuffs Justice Dept. Attempt to Indict 6 Democrats in Congress
www.nytimes.com
February 11, 2026 at 3:11 AM
It's the citizens on this grand jury & the people blowing whistles in Minneapolis & across America that are standing up to Trump's lawless, authoritarian takeover.
We, the People are protecting our democracy as spineless Republicans in Congress roll over for Trump every time.
We, the People are protecting our democracy as spineless Republicans in Congress roll over for Trump every time.
My namesake is killing it! x.com/nbcolympics/...
NBC Olympics & Paralympics on X: "Defending gold medalist Alex Hall with a great 2nd run in the freeski men's slopestyle. 🔥 https://t.co/K84zlMdDqM" / X
Defending gold medalist Alex Hall with a great 2nd run in the freeski men's slopestyle. 🔥 https://t.co/K84zlMdDqM
x.com
February 10, 2026 at 9:06 PM
My namesake is killing it! x.com/nbcolympics/...
Why didn’t the Biden admin release the Epstein files? Why are we still getting this drip, drip, drip of revelations when presumably dozens of people in DoJ under both admins know what’s in them. It can’t be about “protecting” the victims because they are being hurt most by the continuing cover-up.
February 10, 2026 at 12:50 PM
Why didn’t the Biden admin release the Epstein files? Why are we still getting this drip, drip, drip of revelations when presumably dozens of people in DoJ under both admins know what’s in them. It can’t be about “protecting” the victims because they are being hurt most by the continuing cover-up.
Reposted by Alex Hall Hall
Dishonesty and cronyism have become embedded in our system. Brexit further corroded our institutions, weakened economy, destroyed trust. It’s time for a proper, honest, cross-party, nationwide debate about the state of our democracy. Starmer could still be a transformative PM if he launched this.
February 9, 2026 at 2:52 PM
Dishonesty and cronyism have become embedded in our system. Brexit further corroded our institutions, weakened economy, destroyed trust. It’s time for a proper, honest, cross-party, nationwide debate about the state of our democracy. Starmer could still be a transformative PM if he launched this.
Removing advisors and reshuffling the staff in No 10 is like rearranging chairs on the Titanic, when it’s the design of the Titanic itself which is bringing our own “ship of state” down into such murky depths.
I wrote this yesterday - Starmer could still turn his premiership around, if he finally, FINALLY, finds the courage to address the grubby circs which allow people like Mandelson to rise so far. bylinetimes.com/2026/02/07/t...
'The Mandelson-Epstein Scandal Is an Opportunity for Starmer to Radically Reform Our Broken Politics'
The Prime Minister should use this moment to shine a light on the dark forces corrupting our democracy, argues former British diplomat Alexandra Hall Hall
bylinetimes.com
February 10, 2026 at 12:40 PM
Removing advisors and reshuffling the staff in No 10 is like rearranging chairs on the Titanic, when it’s the design of the Titanic itself which is bringing our own “ship of state” down into such murky depths.
Reposted by Alex Hall Hall
It’s not easy being PM in challenging geopolitical times, under 24 hr watch. But, that’s why mere tinkering, piecemeal reforms, or catchy slogan initiatives aren’t the answer. We need more profound, HONEST, review of our constitutional setup, national security posture, international relations. 🧵
February 9, 2026 at 2:52 PM
It’s not easy being PM in challenging geopolitical times, under 24 hr watch. But, that’s why mere tinkering, piecemeal reforms, or catchy slogan initiatives aren’t the answer. We need more profound, HONEST, review of our constitutional setup, national security posture, international relations. 🧵
Reposted by Alex Hall Hall
Here is my conclusion after sitting through Maxwell's deposition with her refusing to answer a single question about the men who raped underage girls, saying she would only do so for clemency.
She must immediately be sent back to the maximum security prison where she belongs.
She must immediately be sent back to the maximum security prison where she belongs.
February 10, 2026 at 12:41 AM
Here is my conclusion after sitting through Maxwell's deposition with her refusing to answer a single question about the men who raped underage girls, saying she would only do so for clemency.
She must immediately be sent back to the maximum security prison where she belongs.
She must immediately be sent back to the maximum security prison where she belongs.
And what could be fairer than that…..?
Attorney for Ghislaine Maxwell says the convicted Epstein accomplice can clear President Trump's name in the Epstein probe in exchange for clemency. Follow live updates: https://cnn.it/3ZtSzW3
February 9, 2026 at 6:05 PM
And what could be fairer than that…..?
Reposted by Alex Hall Hall
I cannot believe we live in a world where a 15 minute halftime performance causes more outrage than the Epstein files.
February 9, 2026 at 5:39 PM
I cannot believe we live in a world where a 15 minute halftime performance causes more outrage than the Epstein files.
Reposted by Alex Hall Hall
By his dramatic intervention calling for Keir Starmer to resign, Anas Sarwar has drawn attention to himself in ways likely to be deeply unhelpful to his own chances of survival in office and to Labour’s electoral prospects in Scotland.
Amazing.
Amazing.
February 9, 2026 at 3:09 PM
By his dramatic intervention calling for Keir Starmer to resign, Anas Sarwar has drawn attention to himself in ways likely to be deeply unhelpful to his own chances of survival in office and to Labour’s electoral prospects in Scotland.
Amazing.
Amazing.
It’s not easy being PM in challenging geopolitical times, under 24 hr watch. But, that’s why mere tinkering, piecemeal reforms, or catchy slogan initiatives aren’t the answer. We need more profound, HONEST, review of our constitutional setup, national security posture, international relations. 🧵
February 9, 2026 at 2:52 PM
It’s not easy being PM in challenging geopolitical times, under 24 hr watch. But, that’s why mere tinkering, piecemeal reforms, or catchy slogan initiatives aren’t the answer. We need more profound, HONEST, review of our constitutional setup, national security posture, international relations. 🧵