James Ball
@jamesrball.com
Political editor @ The New World
Opinion @ The i Paper
Fellow @ Tech Policy Press
Fellow @ Demos
PhD researcher @ UCL Laws
newsletter @ techtris
Latest book: The Other Pandemic – How QAnon Contaminated The World. 🏳️🌈
https://www.jamesrball.com/
Opinion @ The i Paper
Fellow @ Tech Policy Press
Fellow @ Demos
PhD researcher @ UCL Laws
newsletter @ techtris
Latest book: The Other Pandemic – How QAnon Contaminated The World. 🏳️🌈
https://www.jamesrball.com/
Pinned
James Ball
@jamesrball.com
· Aug 11
Techtris | James Ball | Substack
A weekly(ish) newsletter on technology, policy and society, from James Ball. Click to read Techtris, by James Ball, a Substack publication with thousands of subscribers.
www.jamesrball.com
Enjoying my posts? (If not: sorry..?)
I have a newsletter here, plz do subscribe: www.jamesrball.com
Details of books I’ve written here: www.jamesrball.com/p/books
And all my writing for @thenewworldmag.bsky.social is here: www.thenewworld.co.uk/contributor/...
I often pop up elsewhere, too.
I have a newsletter here, plz do subscribe: www.jamesrball.com
Details of books I’ve written here: www.jamesrball.com/p/books
And all my writing for @thenewworldmag.bsky.social is here: www.thenewworld.co.uk/contributor/...
I often pop up elsewhere, too.
But if China stops Canada from playing ice hockey how will its homosexuals meet their boyfriends??
Trump, in the middle of his latest unhinged Truth Social screed, claims that if Canada makes a trade deal with China, "the first thing China will do is terminate ALL Ice Hockey being played in Canada, and permanently eliminate The Stanley Cup."
February 9, 2026 at 11:26 PM
But if China stops Canada from playing ice hockey how will its homosexuals meet their boyfriends??
Labour's approach to coups is, at least, consistent over the decades: fire, ready, aim.
Tonight feels v much like June 2009 when James Purnell quit the Brown cabinet saying Brown was going to lose the election, & everyone thought it was the start of a coup. (Including me, who was on a family holiday & cut it short to go back to the office, in order for nothing to actually happen)
February 9, 2026 at 10:54 PM
Labour's approach to coups is, at least, consistent over the decades: fire, ready, aim.
Reposted by James Ball
Getting really tired of "this is all a media concoction"...
Starmer has the lowest approval rating of any PM in history bar Truss. Senior ministers are openly and unsubtly positioning. His Chief of Staff, Director of Comms and Cab Sec have all resigned on the same day.
I mean come on...
Starmer has the lowest approval rating of any PM in history bar Truss. Senior ministers are openly and unsubtly positioning. His Chief of Staff, Director of Comms and Cab Sec have all resigned on the same day.
I mean come on...
February 9, 2026 at 10:32 PM
Getting really tired of "this is all a media concoction"...
Starmer has the lowest approval rating of any PM in history bar Truss. Senior ministers are openly and unsubtly positioning. His Chief of Staff, Director of Comms and Cab Sec have all resigned on the same day.
I mean come on...
Starmer has the lowest approval rating of any PM in history bar Truss. Senior ministers are openly and unsubtly positioning. His Chief of Staff, Director of Comms and Cab Sec have all resigned on the same day.
I mean come on...
Reposted by James Ball
In his first feature for The New World, editor-at-large Alan Rusbridger examines whether Jeff Bezos can still rescue his legacy amid The Washington Post crisis
@arusbridger.bsky.social
@arusbridger.bsky.social
Come on, Jeff. Don’t let the Washington Post die in darkness
There’s still a way the Amazon boss can save his legacy, even as his hitman Sir William Lewis walks away from the wreckage of the great American newspaper he owns
www.thenewworld.co.uk
February 9, 2026 at 1:30 PM
In his first feature for The New World, editor-at-large Alan Rusbridger examines whether Jeff Bezos can still rescue his legacy amid The Washington Post crisis
@arusbridger.bsky.social
@arusbridger.bsky.social
Reposted by James Ball
⚡️ BREAKING: International Olympic Committee has banned Vladyslav Heraskevych from using a custom helmet featuring images of Ukrainian athletes killed by Russia at the 2026 Olympics.
February 9, 2026 at 9:41 PM
⚡️ BREAKING: International Olympic Committee has banned Vladyslav Heraskevych from using a custom helmet featuring images of Ukrainian athletes killed by Russia at the 2026 Olympics.
Reposted by James Ball
Jamie Raskin said he reviewed an email sent from Epstein to co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell that was a forwarded conversation between Epstein’s lawyers and lawyers for Donald Trump.
The DOJ (illegally) redacted Trump's name in the public files.
What else are they hiding?
The DOJ (illegally) redacted Trump's name in the public files.
What else are they hiding?
Rep. Raskin Confirms ‘Troubling’ And ‘Unnecessary’ Epstein File Redactions
www.huffpost.com
February 9, 2026 at 8:31 PM
Jamie Raskin said he reviewed an email sent from Epstein to co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell that was a forwarded conversation between Epstein’s lawyers and lawyers for Donald Trump.
The DOJ (illegally) redacted Trump's name in the public files.
What else are they hiding?
The DOJ (illegally) redacted Trump's name in the public files.
What else are they hiding?
This is *amazing* (Bad Bunny was six when this happened)
The incredible content we’re getting in reaction to the Bad Bunny Super Bowl halftime show is helping me deal with my feelings about the situation in Iran.
February 9, 2026 at 9:38 PM
This is *amazing* (Bad Bunny was six when this happened)
The job of cabinet secretary is looking increasingly messy / untenable of late.
That gets said more of the job of PM itself, but I think that’s arguably more that people get the job and don’t then actually *do* it. The cab sec stuff feels a little more structural.
That gets said more of the job of PM itself, but I think that’s arguably more that people get the job and don’t then actually *do* it. The cab sec stuff feels a little more structural.
EXCL: Chris Wormald, the most senior civil servant in Downing Street, is negotiating his exit as part of a wider shakeup of Keir Starmer’s operation after dramatic day - @kiranstacey.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Top civil servant could become third key No 10 departure in days
Exclusive: Cabinet secretary Chris Wormald is expected to follow Morgan McSweeney and Tim Allan out the door
www.theguardian.com
February 9, 2026 at 8:25 PM
The job of cabinet secretary is looking increasingly messy / untenable of late.
That gets said more of the job of PM itself, but I think that’s arguably more that people get the job and don’t then actually *do* it. The cab sec stuff feels a little more structural.
That gets said more of the job of PM itself, but I think that’s arguably more that people get the job and don’t then actually *do* it. The cab sec stuff feels a little more structural.
Reposted by James Ball
The Ford worker who heckled Trump during a visit to the company's plant still has his job and "has no discipline on his record," a union official said
Ford worker who heckled Trump keeps job, 'no discipline' for incident
The United Auto Workers union said TJ Sabula remains employed and called out the president for making an obscene gesture toward the worker.
www.detroitnews.com
February 9, 2026 at 4:21 PM
The Ford worker who heckled Trump during a visit to the company's plant still has his job and "has no discipline on his record," a union official said
Reposted by James Ball
BREAKING: “in my 24th year of my quest to settle the planet Mars, I have just been informed of a basic fact of celestial mechanics.”
February 9, 2026 at 10:31 AM
BREAKING: “in my 24th year of my quest to settle the planet Mars, I have just been informed of a basic fact of celestial mechanics.”
Reposted by James Ball
An incredible turn of events here. 10/10, no notes. 😂
February 9, 2026 at 3:27 PM
An incredible turn of events here. 10/10, no notes. 😂
Reposted by James Ball
Not today's main point, but I do find it odd that ministers are signalling their support of Keir Starmer - pretty important as their silence is interpreted as a sign they might quit and force him to resign! - by... posting on X.
You know, the site condemned for being an AI porn hellscape last month
You know, the site condemned for being an AI porn hellscape last month
February 9, 2026 at 4:21 PM
Not today's main point, but I do find it odd that ministers are signalling their support of Keir Starmer - pretty important as their silence is interpreted as a sign they might quit and force him to resign! - by... posting on X.
You know, the site condemned for being an AI porn hellscape last month
You know, the site condemned for being an AI porn hellscape last month
I’m now genuinely keen to know how the initial investigation into the OBR’s early publication of the budget book confused “tens of thousands” with “43”.
It doesn’t seem ideal if the OBR isn’t good with numbers, does it?
It doesn’t seem ideal if the OBR isn’t good with numbers, does it?
43 wasn't a remotely plausible number. It didn't pass the sniff test.
February 9, 2026 at 4:23 PM
I’m now genuinely keen to know how the initial investigation into the OBR’s early publication of the budget book confused “tens of thousands” with “43”.
It doesn’t seem ideal if the OBR isn’t good with numbers, does it?
It doesn’t seem ideal if the OBR isn’t good with numbers, does it?
Cers has already had enough of watching me watching political news this week.
February 9, 2026 at 4:20 PM
Cers has already had enough of watching me watching political news this week.
Reposted by James Ball
A permacrisis premiership is finished. A Labour defeat in the Gorton & Denton by-election would signal even deeper problems for his successor
✏️ @jamesrball.com
✏️ @jamesrball.com
Keir Starmer faces the bitter end
A permacrisis premiership is finished. A Labour defeat in the Gorton & Denton by-election would signal even deeper problems for his successor
www.thenewworld.co.uk
February 9, 2026 at 4:11 PM
A permacrisis premiership is finished. A Labour defeat in the Gorton & Denton by-election would signal even deeper problems for his successor
✏️ @jamesrball.com
✏️ @jamesrball.com
More than one person in Scottish Labour has noted that they think Sarwar is the victim of his own exaggeration here – they think he barely knows Mandelson, but wanted to play up their connection.
…oooops?
…oooops?
February 9, 2026 at 4:07 PM
More than one person in Scottish Labour has noted that they think Sarwar is the victim of his own exaggeration here – they think he barely knows Mandelson, but wanted to play up their connection.
…oooops?
…oooops?
Reposted by James Ball
arguably the biggest news of the week that Lisa Nandy is currently doing something related to her brief
Only three cabinet ministers have not Tweeted or put out a message of support for Starmer:
Wes Streeting
Shabana Mahmood
Lisa Nandy (who is at the Winter Olympics)
This could of course change, but it's where we're at just before 3:30pm
Wes Streeting
Shabana Mahmood
Lisa Nandy (who is at the Winter Olympics)
This could of course change, but it's where we're at just before 3:30pm
February 9, 2026 at 3:27 PM
arguably the biggest news of the week that Lisa Nandy is currently doing something related to her brief
“If Things Can Only Get Better was the optimistic anthem of New Labour’s first term in government, Keir Starmer’s administration has seemed to be ruled by a more downbeat mantra: things can always get worse.”
www.thenewworld.co.uk/james-ball-k...
www.thenewworld.co.uk/james-ball-k...
Keir Starmer faces the bitter end
A permacrisis premiership is finished. A Labour defeat in the Gorton & Denton by-election would signal even deeper problems for his successor
www.thenewworld.co.uk
February 9, 2026 at 3:49 PM
“If Things Can Only Get Better was the optimistic anthem of New Labour’s first term in government, Keir Starmer’s administration has seemed to be ruled by a more downbeat mantra: things can always get worse.”
www.thenewworld.co.uk/james-ball-k...
www.thenewworld.co.uk/james-ball-k...
“Starmer has always insisted he would fight to hold the premiership until the bitter end. He must surely be looking around and wondering two things.
“First, what is it that he’s holding on for? And secondly, if this doesn’t qualify as the bitter end, what situation possibly could?”
“First, what is it that he’s holding on for? And secondly, if this doesn’t qualify as the bitter end, what situation possibly could?”
Keir Starmer faces the bitter end
A permacrisis premiership is finished. A Labour defeat in the Gorton & Denton by-election would signal even deeper problems for his successor
www.thenewworld.co.uk
February 9, 2026 at 3:48 PM
“Starmer has always insisted he would fight to hold the premiership until the bitter end. He must surely be looking around and wondering two things.
“First, what is it that he’s holding on for? And secondly, if this doesn’t qualify as the bitter end, what situation possibly could?”
“First, what is it that he’s holding on for? And secondly, if this doesn’t qualify as the bitter end, what situation possibly could?”
Nothing says a premiership is falling apart more blatantly than the cabinet all taking it in turns to post statements of loyalty to social media.
February 9, 2026 at 3:47 PM
Nothing says a premiership is falling apart more blatantly than the cabinet all taking it in turns to post statements of loyalty to social media.
Reposted by James Ball
Much the same as with Karen Pierce and the US ambo appointment, Starmer actually had someone who could have been director of comms, Steph Driver, who gave years of hard work and professionalism in opposition but then got a succession of people promoted over her for no apparent reason
February 9, 2026 at 12:20 PM
Much the same as with Karen Pierce and the US ambo appointment, Starmer actually had someone who could have been director of comms, Steph Driver, who gave years of hard work and professionalism in opposition but then got a succession of people promoted over her for no apparent reason
Labour essentially held its nose when it picked Keir Starmer – a candidate few of them loved, but they thought worked as a compromise.
The argument for selecting Wes Streeting as successor – assuming no Mandelson Files issues – is almost identical. Few in the PLP love his politics. (1/2)
The argument for selecting Wes Streeting as successor – assuming no Mandelson Files issues – is almost identical. Few in the PLP love his politics. (1/2)
February 9, 2026 at 11:45 AM
Labour essentially held its nose when it picked Keir Starmer – a candidate few of them loved, but they thought worked as a compromise.
The argument for selecting Wes Streeting as successor – assuming no Mandelson Files issues – is almost identical. Few in the PLP love his politics. (1/2)
The argument for selecting Wes Streeting as successor – assuming no Mandelson Files issues – is almost identical. Few in the PLP love his politics. (1/2)
Reposted by James Ball
Just discovered Mandelson’s reaction to our first report he’d leaked government emails:
February 9, 2026 at 11:35 AM
Just discovered Mandelson’s reaction to our first report he’d leaked government emails:
There are a lot of Labour crises going on right now, but this is an important thread on the honesty of a key Starmer minister’s response to allegations of paying a PR firm to investigate journalists.
When he ran Labour Together, Cabinet Office minister Josh Simons hired a PR firm to investigate journalists
After our revelations, and a flurry of news stories, Simons finally gave his side of the story
But it doesn't seem to tally with the facts... 🧵
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/mcsweeney-...
After our revelations, and a flurry of news stories, Simons finally gave his side of the story
But it doesn't seem to tally with the facts... 🧵
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/mcsweeney-...
McSweeney goes - but Josh Simons in the frame over targeting journalists
Cabinet Office minister hired a PR firm to investigate journalists. His explanation is bewildering - and begs one big question. How can Starmer keep him on?
democracyforsale.substack.com
February 9, 2026 at 11:40 AM
There are a lot of Labour crises going on right now, but this is an important thread on the honesty of a key Starmer minister’s response to allegations of paying a PR firm to investigate journalists.
Reposted by James Ball
The culture wars are ripping families apart!
February 9, 2026 at 4:34 AM
The culture wars are ripping families apart!