Andrew Rawnsley
andrewrawnsley.bsky.social
Andrew Rawnsley
@andrewrawnsley.bsky.social
Chief Political Commentator & Associate Editor, The Observer
Thank you, Ruth
The brilliant @andrewrawnsley.bsky.social pointing to the lessons from Julius Caesar…
Chatter about dethroning the prime minister is easy. Doing so is much harder.
observer.co.uk/news/columni...
January 4, 2026 at 10:19 AM
Chatter about dethroning the prime minister is easy. Doing so is much harder.
observer.co.uk/news/columni...
Chatter of dethroning the prime minister is easy. Doing s...
Keir Starmer, a proud man, looks at his lean and hungry colleagues and doesn’t see anyone who would do a better job
observer.co.uk
January 4, 2026 at 9:24 AM
Merry Christmas everyone! A big thank you to those who are working today.
December 25, 2025 at 10:39 AM
Thank you, Ian
Excellent OP this week @andrewrawnsley.bsky.social “The document
( #USNationalSecurityStrategy ) oozes contempt for America’s traditional allies in Europe, who are allegedly facing “civilizational erasure”, a favoured trope of rightwing extremists.” #Trump #AmericaFirst #politics
Keir Starmer flinches from the alarming truth that the United States no longer behaves like a friend observer.co.uk/news/columni...
December 14, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Keir Starmer flinches from the alarming truth that the United States no longer behaves like a friend observer.co.uk/news/columni...
Time to sound the alarm: the United States no longer behaves like a friend | The Observer
observer.co.uk
December 14, 2025 at 10:28 AM
Thank you, Ian. Fear you are correct.
Wonderful analysis again @andrewrawnsley.bsky.social .
With the rare exceptions, the right wing are much more ruthless regarding the attainment of power, whereas left wing often are more concerned about their purity. I hope the current situation focuses minds.
December 7, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Thank you, Tim
"Squint at the numbers a different way and you can see two big blocks....Who forms our next government could well depend on whether it is the right block or the left one which is the most splintered." Spot-on @andrewrawnsley.bsky.social
Will the leftish parties unite to stop Nigel Farage from becoming PM? | The Observer
observer.co.uk
December 7, 2025 at 12:09 PM
Will the leftish parties unite to stop Nigel Farage? observer.co.uk/news/columni...
Will the leftish parties unite to stop Nigel Farage from becoming PM? | The Observer
observer.co.uk
December 7, 2025 at 11:09 AM
The budget has left Labour even more vulnerable to its enemies
observer.co.uk/news/columni...
What is the point of this Labour government? The budget offered no compelling answer | The Observer
observer.co.uk
November 30, 2025 at 10:51 AM
Labour MPs are finally cheering, but the true test of this budget is yet to come
observer.co.uk/news/columni...
Labour MPs are finally cheering – but this budget’s true test is yet to come | The Observer
observer.co.uk
November 26, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Thank you, Judeet
Good article...so rare to read anything picking apart what's happening in the HoL after May, Johnson, Truss, Sunak stuffed it full of Tories in quick succession over a short time period, ensuring any gov other than RW wouldn't get legislation through. Press #fail though too, not to report on this.
November 23, 2025 at 6:22 PM
We agree, John
Baffling that this isn’t being seen as the massive issue that it truly is
November 23, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Thank you, Christine
November 23, 2025 at 12:52 PM
The trouble with Lords
observer.co.uk/news/columni...
The Lords they are a-leaping to frustrate ministers | The Observer
observer.co.uk
November 23, 2025 at 11:15 AM
How a cunning plan to bolster the prime minister backfired spectacularly
observer.co.uk/news/columni...
How a cunning plan to bolster the PM backfired spectacularly | The Observer
observer.co.uk
November 16, 2025 at 9:57 AM
“Rachel could not only do everything as a journalist…she could invariably do it all better, and quicker, than anybody else.” My colleague Tim Adams has written the tribute to Rachel Cooke that she richly deserves.

observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Remembering Rachel Cooke | The Observer
observer.co.uk
November 15, 2025 at 11:57 PM
Thank you, Mike
@andrewrawnsley.bsky.social correctly concluding that most voters, whether in the UK or the US, are not interested in ideology. Politicians who know this can win.
observer.co.uk/news/columni...
Zohran Mamdani’s victory shows the power of charisma in politics | The Observer
observer.co.uk
November 9, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Thank you, David
@andrewrawnsley.bsky.social by
An excellent analysis Andrew. The candidates’ success was driven by their two mantras: their authenticity and to deliver affordability outcomes for the electorate. Transferring that to a UK election will be interesting.

observer.co.uk/news/columni...
Zohran Mamdani’s victory shows the power of charisma in politics | The Observer
observer.co.uk
November 9, 2025 at 10:50 AM
Many thanks, Paul
November 9, 2025 at 10:50 AM
Thank you, Tim
November 9, 2025 at 10:49 AM
Lessons from America
observer.co.uk/news/columni...
Zohran Mamdani’s victory shows the power of charisma in politics | The Observer
observer.co.uk
November 9, 2025 at 10:04 AM
Thank you, Alan. As you suggest, upping basic rate raises quite a lot more than upping higher rates.
Thanks Andrew. Very good piece.

I would go for 1p on basic and 2p on higher and additional. Is that in the mix ?
It would seem easier to sell, and without the Treasury calculator I guess undercollects vs 2p on basic, but still a good return ?
November 2, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Thank you, Chris.
Strong points Andrew. Fiscally essential v political suicide indeed. Perhaps she might have a tinker with tax thresholds and personal allowances to ease some pain. Those extra geo political demands you mention are factors Labour MUST press home.
November 2, 2025 at 12:30 PM