Dan Bloom
@danbloom1.bsky.social
U.K. political editor for POLITICO
https://www.politico.eu/staff/dan-bloom/
https://www.politico.eu/staff/dan-bloom/
🌹 Labour's Brexit tribes
This isn't the Tory "five families" or the Malthouse Compromise. Not yet.
But distinct strains of thought are beginning to emerge in the Labour Party and could burst out if there was a leadership contest
Where will it all end?
⬇️
www.politico.eu/article/meet...
This isn't the Tory "five families" or the Malthouse Compromise. Not yet.
But distinct strains of thought are beginning to emerge in the Labour Party and could burst out if there was a leadership contest
Where will it all end?
⬇️
www.politico.eu/article/meet...
The Labour tribes shaping Britain’s Brexit reset
POLITICO sketches the tangled Venn diagram of Brexit camps in Britain’s ruling party.
www.politico.eu
January 9, 2026 at 10:05 AM
🌹 Labour's Brexit tribes
This isn't the Tory "five families" or the Malthouse Compromise. Not yet.
But distinct strains of thought are beginning to emerge in the Labour Party and could burst out if there was a leadership contest
Where will it all end?
⬇️
www.politico.eu/article/meet...
This isn't the Tory "five families" or the Malthouse Compromise. Not yet.
But distinct strains of thought are beginning to emerge in the Labour Party and could burst out if there was a leadership contest
Where will it all end?
⬇️
www.politico.eu/article/meet...
Keir Starmer doesn’t have a big back-to-school speech in the diary next week, I hear — though he does have a series of visits planned to talk about the cost of living and will give a few remarks
Nigel Farage meanwhile is drawing up plans for a press conference next week
Nigel Farage meanwhile is drawing up plans for a press conference next week
January 1, 2026 at 10:06 AM
Keir Starmer doesn’t have a big back-to-school speech in the diary next week, I hear — though he does have a series of visits planned to talk about the cost of living and will give a few remarks
Nigel Farage meanwhile is drawing up plans for a press conference next week
Nigel Farage meanwhile is drawing up plans for a press conference next week
🎖️ Forget the New Year Honours! Here are the London Playbook Awards 2025
From SpAd and Political Adviser of the Year to Survivor of the Year ... no prizes for guessing who that last one is
www.politico.eu/article/poli...
From SpAd and Political Adviser of the Year to Survivor of the Year ... no prizes for guessing who that last one is
www.politico.eu/article/poli...
POLITICO London Playbook awards 2025
From ministers and peers to survivor of the year, Westminster’s essential morning newsletter picks out the people who moved the dial — for good or otherwise — in 2025
www.politico.eu
December 30, 2025 at 10:21 AM
🎖️ Forget the New Year Honours! Here are the London Playbook Awards 2025
From SpAd and Political Adviser of the Year to Survivor of the Year ... no prizes for guessing who that last one is
www.politico.eu/article/poli...
From SpAd and Political Adviser of the Year to Survivor of the Year ... no prizes for guessing who that last one is
www.politico.eu/article/poli...
MARK YOUR DIARIES — How to watch British politics in 2026 like a pro 📅
Why is the May king's speech so jeopardous?
Will the Treasury manage to keep the March spring statement low key?
Which summit on May 15 will decide the future of migration policy?
The guide you need ⬇️
Why is the May king's speech so jeopardous?
Will the Treasury manage to keep the March spring statement low key?
Which summit on May 15 will decide the future of migration policy?
The guide you need ⬇️
How to watch British politics in 2026 like a pro
Mark your diaries — POLITICO has all the dates in a year of make-or-break elections, a closer U.K.-EU relationship and laws on migration control that Keir Starmer hopes will save his premiership. I…
www.politico.eu
December 19, 2025 at 10:06 AM
MARK YOUR DIARIES — How to watch British politics in 2026 like a pro 📅
Why is the May king's speech so jeopardous?
Will the Treasury manage to keep the March spring statement low key?
Which summit on May 15 will decide the future of migration policy?
The guide you need ⬇️
Why is the May king's speech so jeopardous?
Will the Treasury manage to keep the March spring statement low key?
Which summit on May 15 will decide the future of migration policy?
The guide you need ⬇️
🧰 🧰 🧰 My budget piece
How today shows that — despite Rachel Reeves' best efforts — British politics is still living hand-to-mouth, year-to-year.
What will next year bring? Who knows!
How today shows that — despite Rachel Reeves' best efforts — British politics is still living hand-to-mouth, year-to-year.
What will next year bring? Who knows!
A leaked budget shows British politics is still living hand-to-mouth
Embattled Chancellor Rachel Reeves wants to finally end the economic doom loop — but it could still swallow her whole.
www.politico.eu
November 26, 2025 at 9:01 PM
🧰 🧰 🧰 My budget piece
How today shows that — despite Rachel Reeves' best efforts — British politics is still living hand-to-mouth, year-to-year.
What will next year bring? Who knows!
How today shows that — despite Rachel Reeves' best efforts — British politics is still living hand-to-mouth, year-to-year.
What will next year bring? Who knows!
NEW: How the Tories learned to stop worrying and fight dirty
Inside the "attack cell" in CCHQ that fuelled the Angela Rayner story before her resignation
Plus, the changes in Kemi Badenoch's office line-up that have finally helped her find attack mode
Inside the "attack cell" in CCHQ that fuelled the Angela Rayner story before her resignation
Plus, the changes in Kemi Badenoch's office line-up that have finally helped her find attack mode
How Britain’s routed Tories learned to stop worrying and fight dirty
The Conservative Party is reeling from its worst ever election defeat — and there could be worse to come. But Leader Kemi Badenoch has finally found attack mode.
www.politico.eu
November 24, 2025 at 12:06 PM
NEW: How the Tories learned to stop worrying and fight dirty
Inside the "attack cell" in CCHQ that fuelled the Angela Rayner story before her resignation
Plus, the changes in Kemi Badenoch's office line-up that have finally helped her find attack mode
Inside the "attack cell" in CCHQ that fuelled the Angela Rayner story before her resignation
Plus, the changes in Kemi Badenoch's office line-up that have finally helped her find attack mode
EXC: Keir Starmer is polling even worse than ex-prince Andrew, Wales’ Labour finance minister has said
Two people tell me Mark Drakeford made the hair-raising comparison at an event on Sunday
The former first minister's team say he was talking in a personal capacity re. publicly available polling
Two people tell me Mark Drakeford made the hair-raising comparison at an event on Sunday
The former first minister's team say he was talking in a personal capacity re. publicly available polling
Turning the air Blue Labour again
Presented by SSE By SAM BLEWETT with BETHANY DAWSON PRESENTED BY Send tips here | Subscribe for free | Listen to Playbook and view in your browser Good Thursday morning. This is Sam Blewett. DRIVIN…
www.politico.eu
November 20, 2025 at 7:35 AM
EXC: Keir Starmer is polling even worse than ex-prince Andrew, Wales’ Labour finance minister has said
Two people tell me Mark Drakeford made the hair-raising comparison at an event on Sunday
The former first minister's team say he was talking in a personal capacity re. publicly available polling
Two people tell me Mark Drakeford made the hair-raising comparison at an event on Sunday
The former first minister's team say he was talking in a personal capacity re. publicly available polling
This looks like the "jewellery" clause in the Home Office's asylum reforms:
“We will require individuals to contribute towards the cost of their asylum support where they have some assets or income, but not enough to support themselves independently.
1/2
“We will require individuals to contribute towards the cost of their asylum support where they have some assets or income, but not enough to support themselves independently.
1/2
Restoring Order and Control: A statement on the government’s asylum and returns policy
www.gov.uk
November 17, 2025 at 3:54 PM
This looks like the "jewellery" clause in the Home Office's asylum reforms:
“We will require individuals to contribute towards the cost of their asylum support where they have some assets or income, but not enough to support themselves independently.
1/2
“We will require individuals to contribute towards the cost of their asylum support where they have some assets or income, but not enough to support themselves independently.
1/2
🚨🚨🚨 EXCLUSIVE by @estwebber.bsky.social and me
Final decision on restoration of parliament is set to be postponed **beyond the next general election**
MPs were due to vote this year on 4 options
Plan is now: pick 2 options, and start "preparatory work"
Final option may only emerge in early 2030s
Final decision on restoration of parliament is set to be postponed **beyond the next general election**
MPs were due to vote this year on 4 options
Plan is now: pick 2 options, and start "preparatory work"
Final option may only emerge in early 2030s
Final decision on fate of crumbling UK parliament delayed to 2030s
It’s a fire-hazard that’s prone to tumbling masonry — but fear of a public backlash is again delaying repairs to the world famous building.
www.politico.eu
November 15, 2025 at 12:23 PM
🚨🚨🚨 EXCLUSIVE by @estwebber.bsky.social and me
Final decision on restoration of parliament is set to be postponed **beyond the next general election**
MPs were due to vote this year on 4 options
Plan is now: pick 2 options, and start "preparatory work"
Final option may only emerge in early 2030s
Final decision on restoration of parliament is set to be postponed **beyond the next general election**
MPs were due to vote this year on 4 options
Plan is now: pick 2 options, and start "preparatory work"
Final option may only emerge in early 2030s
🏠 "Keir hates it"
We have a big piece on the trials of running a G7 country from Downing Street — a poky rabbit warren in three Georgian townhouses knocked together
Tiny offices, mice, "nan's bathrooms," duct-taped carpets, dodgy heating, no phone signal, hardly any showers ... and a prawn
We have a big piece on the trials of running a G7 country from Downing Street — a poky rabbit warren in three Georgian townhouses knocked together
Tiny offices, mice, "nan's bathrooms," duct-taped carpets, dodgy heating, no phone signal, hardly any showers ... and a prawn
Inside 10 Downing Street, the creaky old house that runs Britain
Mice, “nan’s bathrooms,” carpets duct-taped together — and terrible phone signal. Is there a worse place to run a country from than 10 Downing Street?
www.politico.eu
November 14, 2025 at 9:28 AM
🏠 "Keir hates it"
We have a big piece on the trials of running a G7 country from Downing Street — a poky rabbit warren in three Georgian townhouses knocked together
Tiny offices, mice, "nan's bathrooms," duct-taped carpets, dodgy heating, no phone signal, hardly any showers ... and a prawn
We have a big piece on the trials of running a G7 country from Downing Street — a poky rabbit warren in three Georgian townhouses knocked together
Tiny offices, mice, "nan's bathrooms," duct-taped carpets, dodgy heating, no phone signal, hardly any showers ... and a prawn
Brilliant piece from my colleague Charlie Cooper on the mixed politics of Keir Starmer's trip to the COP30 summit
The PM is said to be instinctively supportive of climate action — but not so much that he has "his own ideas about things," argues one Labour MP
The PM is said to be instinctively supportive of climate action — but not so much that he has "his own ideas about things," argues one Labour MP
Keir Starmer, climate leader (when the Treasury lets him)
The U.K. prime minister is heading to the COP30 climate summit in Brazil to show climate still matters Britain, even in the age of Trump. But back at home, Starmer blows hot and cold on all things …
www.politico.eu
November 6, 2025 at 7:26 AM
Brilliant piece from my colleague Charlie Cooper on the mixed politics of Keir Starmer's trip to the COP30 summit
The PM is said to be instinctively supportive of climate action — but not so much that he has "his own ideas about things," argues one Labour MP
The PM is said to be instinctively supportive of climate action — but not so much that he has "his own ideas about things," argues one Labour MP
“It’s pathetic nailing on one point. It’s just pathetic. Grow up. Seriously, seriously ... Why are you guys obsessing about one little piece?"
— Reform UK's Richard Tice to me when I asked about ... a data-sharing agreement between his DOGE unit and Kent County Council 🤔
— Reform UK's Richard Tice to me when I asked about ... a data-sharing agreement between his DOGE unit and Kent County Council 🤔
Reform UK’s DOGE chief takes aim at ‘pathetic’ questions on council savings drive
Richard Tice advised POLITICO to “grow up” when asked if he had given up on seeking a data-sharing agreement with Kent County Council
www.politico.eu
November 4, 2025 at 9:02 AM
“It’s pathetic nailing on one point. It’s just pathetic. Grow up. Seriously, seriously ... Why are you guys obsessing about one little piece?"
— Reform UK's Richard Tice to me when I asked about ... a data-sharing agreement between his DOGE unit and Kent County Council 🤔
— Reform UK's Richard Tice to me when I asked about ... a data-sharing agreement between his DOGE unit and Kent County Council 🤔
EXCL: Reform UK is eyeing up sweeping changes to public sector pensions, Richard Tice has indicated. Nigel Farage’s deputy told me “how long can we carry on offering defined benefit pensions to all public sector workers?” is a massive Q “not properly discussed in Westminster”
November 4, 2025 at 8:55 AM
EXCL: Reform UK is eyeing up sweeping changes to public sector pensions, Richard Tice has indicated. Nigel Farage’s deputy told me “how long can we carry on offering defined benefit pensions to all public sector workers?” is a massive Q “not properly discussed in Westminster”
🔴 Big week for the collapsed China spy case next week
We took a swing at why Keir Starmer is fighting so hard to keep Jonathan Powell — breaking down just how tied he is into every aspect of foreign policy
We took a swing at why Keir Starmer is fighting so hard to keep Jonathan Powell — breaking down just how tied he is into every aspect of foreign policy
Why Europe needs Britain’s under-fire security chief Jonathan Powell
Amid a row over a collapsed China spying trial, it’s not just Keir Starmer who relies on veteran Northern Ireland peace negotiator Jonathan Powell.
www.politico.eu
October 24, 2025 at 1:13 PM
🔴 Big week for the collapsed China spy case next week
We took a swing at why Keir Starmer is fighting so hard to keep Jonathan Powell — breaking down just how tied he is into every aspect of foreign policy
We took a swing at why Keir Starmer is fighting so hard to keep Jonathan Powell — breaking down just how tied he is into every aspect of foreign policy
Some Caerphilly takeaways that go beyond Wales
— "Non-voters" slipping under the radar
— Tactical voting is key. Does it help Labour elsewhere?
— Incumbency sucks
— Messaging doesn't land
— Nothing sticks to Reform (yet)
— But can we now see the ceiling?
— "Non-voters" slipping under the radar
— Tactical voting is key. Does it help Labour elsewhere?
— Incumbency sucks
— Messaging doesn't land
— Nothing sticks to Reform (yet)
— But can we now see the ceiling?
5 reasons Starmer’s new election disaster should spook Europe’s centrists
Britain’s ruling Labour Party has had a dismal by-election in its Welsh heartland. As left-wing and populist parties go mainstream, can the center hold?
www.politico.eu
October 24, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Some Caerphilly takeaways that go beyond Wales
— "Non-voters" slipping under the radar
— Tactical voting is key. Does it help Labour elsewhere?
— Incumbency sucks
— Messaging doesn't land
— Nothing sticks to Reform (yet)
— But can we now see the ceiling?
— "Non-voters" slipping under the radar
— Tactical voting is key. Does it help Labour elsewhere?
— Incumbency sucks
— Messaging doesn't land
— Nothing sticks to Reform (yet)
— But can we now see the ceiling?
NEW: Labour is getting fighty again on Brexit
Ministers are now deliberately talking about Brexit harms to pitch-roll for the budget, where the OBR will say the impact of leaving is worse than thought
But there are overlapping strategies and huge danger
Ministers are now deliberately talking about Brexit harms to pitch-roll for the budget, where the OBR will say the impact of leaving is worse than thought
But there are overlapping strategies and huge danger
Why Labour got fighty again on Brexit
After years of staying quiet, Britain’s ruling party is preparing to blame its economic woes on leaving the EU. But some argue the strategy goes deeper — and is fraught with danger.
www.politico.eu
October 17, 2025 at 10:34 AM
NEW: Labour is getting fighty again on Brexit
Ministers are now deliberately talking about Brexit harms to pitch-roll for the budget, where the OBR will say the impact of leaving is worse than thought
But there are overlapping strategies and huge danger
Ministers are now deliberately talking about Brexit harms to pitch-roll for the budget, where the OBR will say the impact of leaving is worse than thought
But there are overlapping strategies and huge danger
🐜 SATURDAY READ on the antsy mood going into Labour conference
Keir Starmer wants to focus on patriotism, trumpet his overlooked achievements, tell a story and talk new policy on digital ID, infrastructure and health
But he has much deeper problems
Keir Starmer wants to focus on patriotism, trumpet his overlooked achievements, tell a story and talk new policy on digital ID, infrastructure and health
But he has much deeper problems
Britain’s Keir Starmer, under friendly fire, tries to hoist his flag
The U.K. prime minister will use his annual party conference to promise “patriotic renewal.” Some of his own party wants to renew him.
www.politico.eu
September 27, 2025 at 8:27 AM
🐜 SATURDAY READ on the antsy mood going into Labour conference
Keir Starmer wants to focus on patriotism, trumpet his overlooked achievements, tell a story and talk new policy on digital ID, infrastructure and health
But he has much deeper problems
Keir Starmer wants to focus on patriotism, trumpet his overlooked achievements, tell a story and talk new policy on digital ID, infrastructure and health
But he has much deeper problems
NEW — Brussels lowers its expectations of the Brexit reset
One person tells POLITICO: “If you talk to anyone in Europe, they ask ‘what do you actually want’?” Another asks of the reset unit: “What are they actually doing?”
(with colleagues Jon Stone & Sam Blewett)
www.politico.eu/article/brus...
One person tells POLITICO: “If you talk to anyone in Europe, they ask ‘what do you actually want’?” Another asks of the reset unit: “What are they actually doing?”
(with colleagues Jon Stone & Sam Blewett)
www.politico.eu/article/brus...
Brussels lowers its expectations for Keir Starmer’s Brexit reset
EU officials and diplomats believe improvements to the cross-channel relationship are possible, and still happening — but slowly.
www.politico.eu
February 3, 2025 at 6:45 AM
NEW — Brussels lowers its expectations of the Brexit reset
One person tells POLITICO: “If you talk to anyone in Europe, they ask ‘what do you actually want’?” Another asks of the reset unit: “What are they actually doing?”
(with colleagues Jon Stone & Sam Blewett)
www.politico.eu/article/brus...
One person tells POLITICO: “If you talk to anyone in Europe, they ask ‘what do you actually want’?” Another asks of the reset unit: “What are they actually doing?”
(with colleagues Jon Stone & Sam Blewett)
www.politico.eu/article/brus...
📞 NEW: As Keir Starmer waits his turn ... How to survive a phone call with Donald Trump
“The calls were extraordinary,” recalls one of the many No10 officials who used to listen in. “Everyone was in there with tears [of] laughter ..they were hilarious.”
www.politico.eu/article/how-...
“The calls were extraordinary,” recalls one of the many No10 officials who used to listen in. “Everyone was in there with tears [of] laughter ..they were hilarious.”
www.politico.eu/article/how-...
How to survive a phone call with Donald Trump
Former Downing Street officials tell POLITICO how U.K. prime ministers tried to play the TV show host at his own game … without getting fired.
www.politico.eu
January 24, 2025 at 7:42 AM
📞 NEW: As Keir Starmer waits his turn ... How to survive a phone call with Donald Trump
“The calls were extraordinary,” recalls one of the many No10 officials who used to listen in. “Everyone was in there with tears [of] laughter ..they were hilarious.”
www.politico.eu/article/how-...
“The calls were extraordinary,” recalls one of the many No10 officials who used to listen in. “Everyone was in there with tears [of] laughter ..they were hilarious.”
www.politico.eu/article/how-...
✍️ Some personal news! This morning’s Playbook was my last as I crawl into daylight (mostly) today with a new gig as POLITICO's U.K. political editor
I'll be taking on overall leadership of London Playbook from the peerless Jack Blanchard (who is off to the US) & doing broader Westminster reporting
I'll be taking on overall leadership of London Playbook from the peerless Jack Blanchard (who is off to the US) & doing broader Westminster reporting
January 13, 2025 at 12:48 PM
✍️ Some personal news! This morning’s Playbook was my last as I crawl into daylight (mostly) today with a new gig as POLITICO's U.K. political editor
I'll be taking on overall leadership of London Playbook from the peerless Jack Blanchard (who is off to the US) & doing broader Westminster reporting
I'll be taking on overall leadership of London Playbook from the peerless Jack Blanchard (who is off to the US) & doing broader Westminster reporting