Patrick Maguire
@patrickmaguire.bsky.social
Chief political commentator, The Times
I spent today with Nigel Farage and watched Robert Jenrick’s rumoured defection become reality in the space of minutes, listening to a phone call from my vantage point in the back seat of a people carrier. Here’s how it happened.
www.thetimes.com/article/12d3...
www.thetimes.com/article/12d3...
Advantage Nigel Farage as the right realigns
Kemi Badenoch may have projected strength by firing Robert Jenrick but I watched as Reform leader had the last laugh
www.thetimes.com
January 15, 2026 at 11:06 PM
I spent today with Nigel Farage and watched Robert Jenrick’s rumoured defection become reality in the space of minutes, listening to a phone call from my vantage point in the back seat of a people carrier. Here’s how it happened.
www.thetimes.com/article/12d3...
www.thetimes.com/article/12d3...
Reposted by Patrick Maguire
Indeed. The overriding essay question that Reform needs to answer in the next three years is: if you are on the right and hate Keir Starmer, which of a) Reform UK or b) The Tories is the bigger, stronger, more viable vehicle for change? In many ways it is a basic issue of showing mass and velocity
99 per cent of analysis I’m reading about Zahawi is way too involved. To the extent people pay attention to this at all, it will be to note that Reform are doing well and hear someone else say Farage will/can be PM. Also: are Reform the same old Tories or something new and scary?
January 12, 2026 at 1:22 PM
Indeed. The overriding essay question that Reform needs to answer in the next three years is: if you are on the right and hate Keir Starmer, which of a) Reform UK or b) The Tories is the bigger, stronger, more viable vehicle for change? In many ways it is a basic issue of showing mass and velocity
99 per cent of analysis I’m reading about Zahawi is way too involved. To the extent people pay attention to this at all, it will be to note that Reform are doing well and hear someone else say Farage will/can be PM. Also: are Reform the same old Tories or something new and scary?
January 12, 2026 at 12:59 PM
99 per cent of analysis I’m reading about Zahawi is way too involved. To the extent people pay attention to this at all, it will be to note that Reform are doing well and hear someone else say Farage will/can be PM. Also: are Reform the same old Tories or something new and scary?
I've gone completely insane. New Substack on – variously – Harry Enfield, Alan Bleasdale, Walter Greenwood, Dennis Potter, Jimmy Reid and Damian McBride.
maguirepatrick.substack.com/p/in-defence...
maguirepatrick.substack.com/p/in-defence...
In defence of Loadsamoney
More thoughts on Labour's blindspot
maguirepatrick.substack.com
December 13, 2025 at 3:51 PM
I've gone completely insane. New Substack on – variously – Harry Enfield, Alan Bleasdale, Walter Greenwood, Dennis Potter, Jimmy Reid and Damian McBride.
maguirepatrick.substack.com/p/in-defence...
maguirepatrick.substack.com/p/in-defence...
Reposted by Patrick Maguire
Insightful piece from @patrickmaguire.bsky.social on what makes some voters tick, and how to tickle them
maguirepatrick.substack.com/p/the-voters...
maguirepatrick.substack.com/p/the-voters...
The voters who make populism happen
And why this government isn't speaking to them
maguirepatrick.substack.com
December 8, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Insightful piece from @patrickmaguire.bsky.social on what makes some voters tick, and how to tickle them
maguirepatrick.substack.com/p/the-voters...
maguirepatrick.substack.com/p/the-voters...
New Substack: why Labour Together's membership survey matters. And how to define "helpful"
maguirepatrick.substack.com/p/how-not-to...
maguirepatrick.substack.com/p/how-not-to...
How not to be helpful
Why Labour Together's leadership survey matters
maguirepatrick.substack.com
December 8, 2025 at 4:05 PM
New Substack: why Labour Together's membership survey matters. And how to define "helpful"
maguirepatrick.substack.com/p/how-not-to...
maguirepatrick.substack.com/p/how-not-to...
I've written a Substack about what I've been reading and writing recently – on the voters who make populism happen, and why Labour isn't speaking to them.
maguirepatrick.substack.com/p/the-voters...
maguirepatrick.substack.com/p/the-voters...
The voters who make populism happen
And why this government isn't speaking to them
maguirepatrick.substack.com
December 7, 2025 at 6:42 PM
I've written a Substack about what I've been reading and writing recently – on the voters who make populism happen, and why Labour isn't speaking to them.
maguirepatrick.substack.com/p/the-voters...
maguirepatrick.substack.com/p/the-voters...
New on my similarly new Substack: why Keir Starmer needs fat men around him, the person actually doing a good job inside No 10, and the best books on Brownism
substack.com/home/post/p-...
substack.com/home/post/p-...
Get some fat men around him
Keir Starmer's government is full of the wrong Brownites
substack.com
November 7, 2025 at 11:04 AM
New on my similarly new Substack: why Keir Starmer needs fat men around him, the person actually doing a good job inside No 10, and the best books on Brownism
substack.com/home/post/p-...
substack.com/home/post/p-...
Column: not many people appreciate just how many Brownites there are at the top of this Labour government. But are they the right ones for a PM with his back to the wall?
www.thetimes.com/comment/colu...
www.thetimes.com/comment/colu...
It’s Browning Street revisited but where’s Starmer’s Tom Watson?
The old guard offers experience across Whitehall but the prime minister lacks the enforcers that sustained New Labour
www.thetimes.com
November 7, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Column: not many people appreciate just how many Brownites there are at the top of this Labour government. But are they the right ones for a PM with his back to the wall?
www.thetimes.com/comment/colu...
www.thetimes.com/comment/colu...
I've joined Substack to share more thoughts on my reading, writing and thoughts on the history that helps explain our political moment. Subscribe here, if you like.
substack.com/home/post/p-...
substack.com/home/post/p-...
What I'm reading and writing
Welcome to my Substack
substack.com
November 4, 2025 at 1:57 PM
I've joined Substack to share more thoughts on my reading, writing and thoughts on the history that helps explain our political moment. Subscribe here, if you like.
substack.com/home/post/p-...
substack.com/home/post/p-...
Reposted by Patrick Maguire
Nigel Farage v Keir Starmer is the only game in town | ✍️ Patrick Maguire
Nigel Farage v Keir Starmer is the only game in town
Nigel Farage v Keir Starmer is the only game in town
www.thetimes.com
October 10, 2025 at 11:55 AM
Nigel Farage v Keir Starmer is the only game in town | ✍️ Patrick Maguire
Reposted by Patrick Maguire
A podcast intro that is actually funny!
@patrickmaguire.bsky.social sings I Think We're Alone Now at Maggie Thatcher’s 100th birthday to explain Kemi’s position at conference.
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
@patrickmaguire.bsky.social sings I Think We're Alone Now at Maggie Thatcher’s 100th birthday to explain Kemi’s position at conference.
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
Badenoch woos WhatsApp plotters
Podcast Episode · The State of It · 08/10/2025 · 37m
podcasts.apple.com
October 8, 2025 at 8:41 AM
A podcast intro that is actually funny!
@patrickmaguire.bsky.social sings I Think We're Alone Now at Maggie Thatcher’s 100th birthday to explain Kemi’s position at conference.
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
@patrickmaguire.bsky.social sings I Think We're Alone Now at Maggie Thatcher’s 100th birthday to explain Kemi’s position at conference.
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
Reposted by Patrick Maguire
Fascinating and hugely depressing stuff by @patrickmaguire.bsky.social There’s a void at the heart of Labour: it needs a battle of ideas
www.thetimes.com/article/7177...
www.thetimes.com/article/7177...
There’s a void at the heart of Labour: it needs a battle of ideas
A withering analysis shared among Keir Starmer’s MPs says his vague incrementalism and absence of critical thinking is steering the party to disaster
www.thetimes.com
September 27, 2025 at 7:47 AM
Fascinating and hugely depressing stuff by @patrickmaguire.bsky.social There’s a void at the heart of Labour: it needs a battle of ideas
www.thetimes.com/article/7177...
www.thetimes.com/article/7177...
Morgan McSweeney:
- broke contact with “dismissive” Mandelson on Tuesday
- resolved he should be sacked on after PMQs on Wednesday
- then went to Brussels that evening
- by the time he returned, his longtime friend and mentor was gone
Full story in today’s Times: www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
- broke contact with “dismissive” Mandelson on Tuesday
- resolved he should be sacked on after PMQs on Wednesday
- then went to Brussels that evening
- by the time he returned, his longtime friend and mentor was gone
Full story in today’s Times: www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
September 13, 2025 at 9:12 AM
Morgan McSweeney:
- broke contact with “dismissive” Mandelson on Tuesday
- resolved he should be sacked on after PMQs on Wednesday
- then went to Brussels that evening
- by the time he returned, his longtime friend and mentor was gone
Full story in today’s Times: www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
- broke contact with “dismissive” Mandelson on Tuesday
- resolved he should be sacked on after PMQs on Wednesday
- then went to Brussels that evening
- by the time he returned, his longtime friend and mentor was gone
Full story in today’s Times: www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
Reposted by Patrick Maguire
Terrific column this:
Peter Mandelson and Keir Starmer: a sorry story that begins and ends with the incoherence of the prime minister’s political project
www.thetimes.com/comment/colu...
www.thetimes.com/comment/colu...
Peter Mandelson embodied this muddled project
Keir Starmer’s handling of the sacked ambassador in and out of office is testament to the government’s abject incoherence
www.thetimes.com
September 11, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Terrific column this:
Peter Mandelson and Keir Starmer: a sorry story that begins and ends with the incoherence of the prime minister’s political project
www.thetimes.com/comment/colu...
www.thetimes.com/comment/colu...
Peter Mandelson embodied this muddled project
Keir Starmer’s handling of the sacked ambassador in and out of office is testament to the government’s abject incoherence
www.thetimes.com
September 11, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Peter Mandelson and Keir Starmer: a sorry story that begins and ends with the incoherence of the prime minister’s political project
www.thetimes.com/comment/colu...
www.thetimes.com/comment/colu...
Reposted by Patrick Maguire
Really interesting by @patrickmaguire.bsky.social (apart from the unnecessary LUFC dig) www.thetimes.com/comment/colu...
Labour bets big on three new words this autumn
Expect to hear a lot about ‘contribution’, ‘fairness’ and ‘renewal’, but will these simply join the graveyard of Keir Starmer mantras past?
www.thetimes.com
August 15, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Really interesting by @patrickmaguire.bsky.social (apart from the unnecessary LUFC dig) www.thetimes.com/comment/colu...
Reposted by Patrick Maguire
Don't think I'm being overly precious to say not enough made of the booing of the minute's silence for Jota. TNT coverage seemed desperate to move on and be able to talk about how wonderful and deserving the Palace fans were. Yes, I know, a minority etc.
August 10, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Don't think I'm being overly precious to say not enough made of the booing of the minute's silence for Jota. TNT coverage seemed desperate to move on and be able to talk about how wonderful and deserving the Palace fans were. Yes, I know, a minority etc.
Reposted by Patrick Maguire
The central issue for parties now is fairness. For Labour that means cost of living, good public services, social justice. But Farage has defined it on crime, immigration, welfare bills and voters being played for mugs. And right now he is winning that fight
www.ft.com/content/e153...
www.ft.com/content/e153...
July 25, 2025 at 11:07 AM
The central issue for parties now is fairness. For Labour that means cost of living, good public services, social justice. But Farage has defined it on crime, immigration, welfare bills and voters being played for mugs. And right now he is winning that fight
www.ft.com/content/e153...
www.ft.com/content/e153...
EXC: Ministers and civil servants are deliberately misleading the public with “false” and “unfounded” briefings about the Hillsborough Law, Andy Burnham tells The Times
KC who wrote draft bill says officials are seeking to “subvert and destroy the entire process”
www.thetimes.com/article/a220...
KC who wrote draft bill says officials are seeking to “subvert and destroy the entire process”
www.thetimes.com/article/a220...
Andy Burnham: Officials misleading public over Hillsborough Law
The mayor of Greater Manchester accused parts of Whitehall of making ‘false’ and ‘unfounded’ claims about legislation to stop state cover-ups
www.thetimes.com
July 21, 2025 at 11:05 AM
EXC: Ministers and civil servants are deliberately misleading the public with “false” and “unfounded” briefings about the Hillsborough Law, Andy Burnham tells The Times
KC who wrote draft bill says officials are seeking to “subvert and destroy the entire process”
www.thetimes.com/article/a220...
KC who wrote draft bill says officials are seeking to “subvert and destroy the entire process”
www.thetimes.com/article/a220...
Is Keir Starmer planning a progressive pivot?
He made a class-conscious speech to cabinet last week.
But the justice secretary asked whether Labour could really claim to represent the working class...
...and then his policy chief sketched out a tougher direction of travel.
He made a class-conscious speech to cabinet last week.
But the justice secretary asked whether Labour could really claim to represent the working class...
...and then his policy chief sketched out a tougher direction of travel.
July 18, 2025 at 12:10 PM
Is Keir Starmer planning a progressive pivot?
He made a class-conscious speech to cabinet last week.
But the justice secretary asked whether Labour could really claim to represent the working class...
...and then his policy chief sketched out a tougher direction of travel.
He made a class-conscious speech to cabinet last week.
But the justice secretary asked whether Labour could really claim to represent the working class...
...and then his policy chief sketched out a tougher direction of travel.
Column in this morning's Times:
- How four MPs ended up without the Labour whip – and why No 10 wanted more
- Shabana tells Keir: no point having a working class cabinet the working class hate
- Liz Lloyd tells cabinet: social cohesion under threat due to migration
www.thetimes.com/comment/colu...
- How four MPs ended up without the Labour whip – and why No 10 wanted more
- Shabana tells Keir: no point having a working class cabinet the working class hate
- Liz Lloyd tells cabinet: social cohesion under threat due to migration
www.thetimes.com/comment/colu...
Keir Starmer doesn’t yet have whip hand over his MPs
A tough autumn awaits when Keir Starmer will need new powers of persuasion to sell the vision he’s beginning to articulate
www.thetimes.com
July 18, 2025 at 7:05 AM
Column in this morning's Times:
- How four MPs ended up without the Labour whip – and why No 10 wanted more
- Shabana tells Keir: no point having a working class cabinet the working class hate
- Liz Lloyd tells cabinet: social cohesion under threat due to migration
www.thetimes.com/comment/colu...
- How four MPs ended up without the Labour whip – and why No 10 wanted more
- Shabana tells Keir: no point having a working class cabinet the working class hate
- Liz Lloyd tells cabinet: social cohesion under threat due to migration
www.thetimes.com/comment/colu...