Jack Kessler
@jackkessler.bsky.social
I write the newsletter, Lines To Take, bringing you one big story of the day, every day.
Sign up for free: https://www.linestotake.com/
I like human rights and French cuisine.
Sign up for free: https://www.linestotake.com/
I like human rights and French cuisine.
Pinned
Jack Kessler
@jackkessler.bsky.social
· Mar 14
What it's like to go horribly, horribly viral
I incurred the wrath of a continent (and the Daily Mail)
www.linestotake.com
What it's like to go horribly, horribly viral.
That time I incurred the wrath of a continent (and the Daily Mail).
My new newsletter, Lines To Take, out now.
That time I incurred the wrath of a continent (and the Daily Mail).
My new newsletter, Lines To Take, out now.
Reposted by Jack Kessler
Alistair Campbell’s exit was a blow to Blair because he was good at his job. But his departure did not — and was never going to — fundamentally alter the direction of the government. Because that was set by Blair himself!
✍️ www.linestotake.com/p/morgan-mcs...
My newsletter, out now.
✍️ www.linestotake.com/p/morgan-mcs...
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February 9, 2026 at 11:13 AM
Alistair Campbell’s exit was a blow to Blair because he was good at his job. But his departure did not — and was never going to — fundamentally alter the direction of the government. Because that was set by Blair himself!
✍️ www.linestotake.com/p/morgan-mcs...
My newsletter, out now.
✍️ www.linestotake.com/p/morgan-mcs...
My newsletter, out now.
Alistair Campbell’s exit was a blow to Blair because he was good at his job. But his departure did not — and was never going to — fundamentally alter the direction of the government. Because that was set by Blair himself!
✍️ www.linestotake.com/p/morgan-mcs...
My newsletter, out now.
✍️ www.linestotake.com/p/morgan-mcs...
My newsletter, out now.
February 9, 2026 at 11:13 AM
Alistair Campbell’s exit was a blow to Blair because he was good at his job. But his departure did not — and was never going to — fundamentally alter the direction of the government. Because that was set by Blair himself!
✍️ www.linestotake.com/p/morgan-mcs...
My newsletter, out now.
✍️ www.linestotake.com/p/morgan-mcs...
My newsletter, out now.
I'm sure you all get this first time but when I first heard the voice, I was surprised by who this was.
February 9, 2026 at 10:17 AM
I'm sure you all get this first time but when I first heard the voice, I was surprised by who this was.
It shouldn't matter *this much* who the prime minister's chief of staff is. Senior advisors ought to be downstream from strategy — not the other way around!
My newsletter, out now.
My newsletter, out now.
Morgan who?
It shouldn't matter this much who the No 10 chief of staff is
www.linestotake.com
February 9, 2026 at 7:49 AM
It shouldn't matter *this much* who the prime minister's chief of staff is. Senior advisors ought to be downstream from strategy — not the other way around!
My newsletter, out now.
My newsletter, out now.
Regret to inform the House that I’ve downloaded Championship Manager 01/02.
February 8, 2026 at 8:58 AM
Regret to inform the House that I’ve downloaded Championship Manager 01/02.
Christ alive I've seen some political eviscerations in my time, but Brian Walden on Harold Wilson is a disembowelment.
Walden on Wilson (BBC 1997)
YouTube video by batrachious
www.youtube.com
February 7, 2026 at 12:38 PM
Christ alive I've seen some political eviscerations in my time, but Brian Walden on Harold Wilson is a disembowelment.
Niche but regret that @semafor.com's Mixed Signals podcast has changed its theme music, as I enjoyed saying "Billy Libby" in my head the way Elaine in Seinfeld says 'casus belli'.
Casus belli - Seinfeld
YouTube video by Seinfeld Fan
www.youtube.com
February 7, 2026 at 8:21 AM
Niche but regret that @semafor.com's Mixed Signals podcast has changed its theme music, as I enjoyed saying "Billy Libby" in my head the way Elaine in Seinfeld says 'casus belli'.
Reposted by Jack Kessler
Why must Brexit be discussed 'sotto voce'?
Why is 'orthogonal' everywhere all of a sudden?
Gosh, 'imbibe' is having a moment, isn't it?
The strange words journalists can't stop using.
My newsletter, out now.
Why is 'orthogonal' everywhere all of a sudden?
Gosh, 'imbibe' is having a moment, isn't it?
The strange words journalists can't stop using.
My newsletter, out now.
The strange words you'll only hear in the media
Why must Brexit be discussed 'sotto voce'?
www.linestotake.com
February 6, 2026 at 9:19 AM
Why must Brexit be discussed 'sotto voce'?
Why is 'orthogonal' everywhere all of a sudden?
Gosh, 'imbibe' is having a moment, isn't it?
The strange words journalists can't stop using.
My newsletter, out now.
Why is 'orthogonal' everywhere all of a sudden?
Gosh, 'imbibe' is having a moment, isn't it?
The strange words journalists can't stop using.
My newsletter, out now.
Why must Brexit be discussed 'sotto voce'?
Why is 'orthogonal' everywhere all of a sudden?
Gosh, 'imbibe' is having a moment, isn't it?
The strange words journalists can't stop using.
My newsletter, out now.
Why is 'orthogonal' everywhere all of a sudden?
Gosh, 'imbibe' is having a moment, isn't it?
The strange words journalists can't stop using.
My newsletter, out now.
The strange words you'll only hear in the media
Why must Brexit be discussed 'sotto voce'?
www.linestotake.com
February 6, 2026 at 9:19 AM
Why must Brexit be discussed 'sotto voce'?
Why is 'orthogonal' everywhere all of a sudden?
Gosh, 'imbibe' is having a moment, isn't it?
The strange words journalists can't stop using.
My newsletter, out now.
Why is 'orthogonal' everywhere all of a sudden?
Gosh, 'imbibe' is having a moment, isn't it?
The strange words journalists can't stop using.
My newsletter, out now.
Reposted by Jack Kessler
Theresa May’s impotence. Boris Johnson’s scandals. Liz Truss’s management of opposition day debates. Keir Starmer has crammed a decade of Tory missteps into 18 months.
My newsletter, out now.
My newsletter, out now.
The Eras Torture
Keir Starmer has crammed a decade of Tory missteps into 18 months
www.linestotake.com
February 5, 2026 at 9:15 AM
Theresa May’s impotence. Boris Johnson’s scandals. Liz Truss’s management of opposition day debates. Keir Starmer has crammed a decade of Tory missteps into 18 months.
My newsletter, out now.
My newsletter, out now.
Weirdly defensive — "Before anyone asks, the fridge was like this when I got there" — tone from the ECB.
We kept our key interest rates at their current levels.
We did this because we see inflation stabilising where we want it to be: 2%.
Read today’s monetary policy decisions www.ecb.europa.eu/press/pr/dat...
We did this because we see inflation stabilising where we want it to be: 2%.
Read today’s monetary policy decisions www.ecb.europa.eu/press/pr/dat...
February 5, 2026 at 1:25 PM
Weirdly defensive — "Before anyone asks, the fridge was like this when I got there" — tone from the ECB.
I know the PCB have bigger problems at present but how is there not a Bar bar bar Babar Azam chant?
The Great Babar Azam Go-Slow | Footmarks
Podcast Episode · Good Areas Podcast · 05/02/2026 · 52m
podcasts.apple.com
February 5, 2026 at 11:16 AM
I know the PCB have bigger problems at present but how is there not a Bar bar bar Babar Azam chant?
A 25-minute video that frankly could have been a feature film.
The inside story of Patrick Vieira’s transfer to Arsenal | Transfer 360
YouTube video by Sky Sports Premier League
youtu.be
February 5, 2026 at 10:34 AM
A 25-minute video that frankly could have been a feature film.
Reposted by Jack Kessler
I did a piece for @brookings.edu trying to make sense of what's going on in British politics. Back to the future? British politics in 2026 www.brookings.edu/articles/bac...
Back to the future? British politics in 2026 | Brookings
The roots of Britain's current political moment long predate recent crises over Brexit or Conservative governmental instability.
www.brookings.edu
February 5, 2026 at 7:04 AM
I did a piece for @brookings.edu trying to make sense of what's going on in British politics. Back to the future? British politics in 2026 www.brookings.edu/articles/bac...
Reposted by Jack Kessler
This is good.
Theresa May’s impotence. Boris Johnson’s scandals. Liz Truss’s management of opposition day debates. Keir Starmer has crammed a decade of Tory missteps into 18 months.
My newsletter, out now.
My newsletter, out now.
The Eras Torture
Keir Starmer has crammed a decade of Tory missteps into 18 months
www.linestotake.com
February 5, 2026 at 9:26 AM
This is good.
Theresa May’s impotence. Boris Johnson’s scandals. Liz Truss’s management of opposition day debates. Keir Starmer has crammed a decade of Tory missteps into 18 months.
My newsletter, out now.
My newsletter, out now.
The Eras Torture
Keir Starmer has crammed a decade of Tory missteps into 18 months
www.linestotake.com
February 5, 2026 at 9:15 AM
Theresa May’s impotence. Boris Johnson’s scandals. Liz Truss’s management of opposition day debates. Keir Starmer has crammed a decade of Tory missteps into 18 months.
My newsletter, out now.
My newsletter, out now.
Reposted by Jack Kessler
British politics loves an 'Australian-style' policy: immigration, trade, social media bans.
But when the Reserve Bank of Australia raises interest rates due to sticky inflation and weak productivity, that enthusiasm mysteriously vanishes.
My newsletter, out now.
But when the Reserve Bank of Australia raises interest rates due to sticky inflation and weak productivity, that enthusiasm mysteriously vanishes.
My newsletter, out now.
An Australian-style interest rate rise
Aussies are experiencing sticky inflation and weak productivity growth. Sound familiar?
www.linestotake.com
February 4, 2026 at 10:44 AM
British politics loves an 'Australian-style' policy: immigration, trade, social media bans.
But when the Reserve Bank of Australia raises interest rates due to sticky inflation and weak productivity, that enthusiasm mysteriously vanishes.
My newsletter, out now.
But when the Reserve Bank of Australia raises interest rates due to sticky inflation and weak productivity, that enthusiasm mysteriously vanishes.
My newsletter, out now.
British politics loves an 'Australian-style' policy: immigration, trade, social media bans.
But when the Reserve Bank of Australia raises interest rates due to sticky inflation and weak productivity, that enthusiasm mysteriously vanishes.
My newsletter, out now.
But when the Reserve Bank of Australia raises interest rates due to sticky inflation and weak productivity, that enthusiasm mysteriously vanishes.
My newsletter, out now.
An Australian-style interest rate rise
Aussies are experiencing sticky inflation and weak productivity growth. Sound familiar?
www.linestotake.com
February 4, 2026 at 10:44 AM
British politics loves an 'Australian-style' policy: immigration, trade, social media bans.
But when the Reserve Bank of Australia raises interest rates due to sticky inflation and weak productivity, that enthusiasm mysteriously vanishes.
My newsletter, out now.
But when the Reserve Bank of Australia raises interest rates due to sticky inflation and weak productivity, that enthusiasm mysteriously vanishes.
My newsletter, out now.
Reposted by Jack Kessler
🎾 What's your number?
Somewhere along the way, the number of grand slam titles became the sole measure of greatness. It wasn't always so simple.
My newsletter, out now.
Somewhere along the way, the number of grand slam titles became the sole measure of greatness. It wasn't always so simple.
My newsletter, out now.
What's your number?
Grand slams determine tennis greatness — but it wasn’t always this way
www.linestotake.com
February 3, 2026 at 9:37 AM
🎾 What's your number?
Somewhere along the way, the number of grand slam titles became the sole measure of greatness. It wasn't always so simple.
My newsletter, out now.
Somewhere along the way, the number of grand slam titles became the sole measure of greatness. It wasn't always so simple.
My newsletter, out now.
The banter heuristic here would be that any Treasury official receiving a £100,000 payout can only use it for capital, not current spending.
UK Treasury offers up to £100,000 exit packages to cut hundreds of jobs
Chancellor Rachel Reeves wants to slash about 300 staff by 2030
www.ft.com
February 3, 2026 at 12:27 PM
The banter heuristic here would be that any Treasury official receiving a £100,000 payout can only use it for capital, not current spending.
Reposted by Jack Kessler
I have decided that ALL physical analogies for the economy are rubbish.
open.substack.com/pub/gileswil...
Income is not located in a place. Money doesn't flow. The economy isn't a machine. Or a body. There's no meaningful "fuel".
open.substack.com/pub/gileswil...
Income is not located in a place. Money doesn't flow. The economy isn't a machine. Or a body. There's no meaningful "fuel".
it is not just that there are no "levers"
language is a huge barrier to understanding
open.substack.com
February 2, 2026 at 6:30 PM
I have decided that ALL physical analogies for the economy are rubbish.
open.substack.com/pub/gileswil...
Income is not located in a place. Money doesn't flow. The economy isn't a machine. Or a body. There's no meaningful "fuel".
open.substack.com/pub/gileswil...
Income is not located in a place. Money doesn't flow. The economy isn't a machine. Or a body. There's no meaningful "fuel".
🎾 What's your number?
Somewhere along the way, the number of grand slam titles became the sole measure of greatness. It wasn't always so simple.
My newsletter, out now.
Somewhere along the way, the number of grand slam titles became the sole measure of greatness. It wasn't always so simple.
My newsletter, out now.
What's your number?
Grand slams determine tennis greatness — but it wasn’t always this way
www.linestotake.com
February 3, 2026 at 9:37 AM
🎾 What's your number?
Somewhere along the way, the number of grand slam titles became the sole measure of greatness. It wasn't always so simple.
My newsletter, out now.
Somewhere along the way, the number of grand slam titles became the sole measure of greatness. It wasn't always so simple.
My newsletter, out now.
Reposted by Jack Kessler
When John F. Kennedy vowed to "bear any burden" and "support any friend" to secure liberty, the US wasn't even a multiracial democracy.
It's never been domestic tranquility that keeps alliances together. It's the hegemon's reliability.
My newsletter, out now.
It's never been domestic tranquility that keeps alliances together. It's the hegemon's reliability.
My newsletter, out now.
America the Fitful
It's not whether the US is good or bad. It's that it can't be relied on.
www.linestotake.com
February 2, 2026 at 10:43 AM
When John F. Kennedy vowed to "bear any burden" and "support any friend" to secure liberty, the US wasn't even a multiracial democracy.
It's never been domestic tranquility that keeps alliances together. It's the hegemon's reliability.
My newsletter, out now.
It's never been domestic tranquility that keeps alliances together. It's the hegemon's reliability.
My newsletter, out now.
When John F. Kennedy vowed to "bear any burden" and "support any friend" to secure liberty, the US wasn't even a multiracial democracy.
It's never been domestic tranquility that keeps alliances together. It's the hegemon's reliability.
My newsletter, out now.
It's never been domestic tranquility that keeps alliances together. It's the hegemon's reliability.
My newsletter, out now.
America the Fitful
It's not whether the US is good or bad. It's that it can't be relied on.
www.linestotake.com
February 2, 2026 at 10:43 AM
When John F. Kennedy vowed to "bear any burden" and "support any friend" to secure liberty, the US wasn't even a multiracial democracy.
It's never been domestic tranquility that keeps alliances together. It's the hegemon's reliability.
My newsletter, out now.
It's never been domestic tranquility that keeps alliances together. It's the hegemon's reliability.
My newsletter, out now.
I regret noticing the fingers.
February 1, 2026 at 1:08 PM
I regret noticing the fingers.