Peter Walker
@peterwalker99.bsky.social
Guardian senior political correspondent. New book, Stress tested, out now: https://tinyurl.com/mhn82a7m
Email: peter.walker@theguardian.com Secure email if needed: peter.walker.guardian@protonmail.com
Email: peter.walker@theguardian.com Secure email if needed: peter.walker.guardian@protonmail.com
Reposted by Peter Walker
Michael Prescott's report makes vital points about the importance of being accurate, and also how difficult that is. For instance, he describes himself as having been Political Editor of the Sunday Times for 10 years, which is not what the Guardian reported when he left the job.
November 10, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Michael Prescott's report makes vital points about the importance of being accurate, and also how difficult that is. For instance, he describes himself as having been Political Editor of the Sunday Times for 10 years, which is not what the Guardian reported when he left the job.
This is notable in the light of Goodwin’s recent arguments on X that people from minority ethnic background are not British even if they were born and brought up here. I asked the Reform press office last week if they had a response to Goodwin’s views; silence so far.
November 10, 2025 at 1:48 PM
This is notable in the light of Goodwin’s recent arguments on X that people from minority ethnic background are not British even if they were born and brought up here. I asked the Reform press office last week if they had a response to Goodwin’s views; silence so far.
Reposted by Peter Walker
Maybe Keir should demand the heads of major US news networks any time they imply Britain is on the brink of civil war or that we live under sharia law. Or does it not work both ways?
November 10, 2025 at 11:29 AM
Maybe Keir should demand the heads of major US news networks any time they imply Britain is on the brink of civil war or that we live under sharia law. Or does it not work both ways?
This is a clever letter from the Lib Dems, challenging other party leaders to say whether they support the BBC or Trump. For the Tories in particular there is a real risk their inherent anti BBC-ness makes them look like they endorse Trump’s fairly deranged comments about the BBC.
I’ve written to Keir Starmer, Kemi Badenoch and Nigel Farage urging them to condemn Donald Trump’s attack on the BBC.
The BBC belongs to Britain, not Trump. We must defend it together.
The BBC belongs to Britain, not Trump. We must defend it together.
November 10, 2025 at 1:35 PM
This is a clever letter from the Lib Dems, challenging other party leaders to say whether they support the BBC or Trump. For the Tories in particular there is a real risk their inherent anti BBC-ness makes them look like they endorse Trump’s fairly deranged comments about the BBC.
Since we’re in the mood for strict accuracy in broadcast news, worth noting that a rival channel had a pundit - unchallenged - say asylum seekers in hotels committed 44% of sexual offences in one county, seemingly because she cannot understand basic maths.
A national newspaper journalist went on a British TV channel to claim police stats showed asylum-seekers committed 44% of sex crimes in Dorset.
This shocking claim was treated as fact by the channel which promoted the clip on social media where it was amplified by AI.
Except... it's bollocks.
This shocking claim was treated as fact by the channel which promoted the clip on social media where it was amplified by AI.
Except... it's bollocks.
November 9, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Since we’re in the mood for strict accuracy in broadcast news, worth noting that a rival channel had a pundit - unchallenged - say asylum seekers in hotels committed 44% of sexual offences in one county, seemingly because she cannot understand basic maths.
Reposted by Peter Walker
A national newspaper journalist went on a British TV channel to claim police stats showed asylum-seekers committed 44% of sex crimes in Dorset.
This shocking claim was treated as fact by the channel which promoted the clip on social media where it was amplified by AI.
Except... it's bollocks.
This shocking claim was treated as fact by the channel which promoted the clip on social media where it was amplified by AI.
Except... it's bollocks.
November 8, 2025 at 8:39 AM
A national newspaper journalist went on a British TV channel to claim police stats showed asylum-seekers committed 44% of sex crimes in Dorset.
This shocking claim was treated as fact by the channel which promoted the clip on social media where it was amplified by AI.
Except... it's bollocks.
This shocking claim was treated as fact by the channel which promoted the clip on social media where it was amplified by AI.
Except... it's bollocks.
“Restore Trust getting thumped in the National Trust AGM voting” seems to happen earlier every year.
November 9, 2025 at 12:42 PM
“Restore Trust getting thumped in the National Trust AGM voting” seems to happen earlier every year.
While ostensibly about one academic’s experiences with the NYT, the central point about the sheer, relentless march of, “critics say”, false-balance journalism should be read and understood by anyone involved in or just interested in the news.
November 9, 2025 at 10:16 AM
While ostensibly about one academic’s experiences with the NYT, the central point about the sheer, relentless march of, “critics say”, false-balance journalism should be read and understood by anyone involved in or just interested in the news.
Another mini-embarrassment for govt: culture sec Lisa Nandy has been criticised by William Shawcross, the commissioner for public appointments, for not saying David Kogan donated to Labour and to her Labour leadership campaign before she nominated him as chair of new football regulator.
November 6, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Another mini-embarrassment for govt: culture sec Lisa Nandy has been criticised by William Shawcross, the commissioner for public appointments, for not saying David Kogan donated to Labour and to her Labour leadership campaign before she nominated him as chair of new football regulator.
For anyone still tempted to take Dominic Cummings at all seriously, he's now an advocate of Donald Trump-style open racism.
November 6, 2025 at 2:26 PM
For anyone still tempted to take Dominic Cummings at all seriously, he's now an advocate of Donald Trump-style open racism.
The Conservatives are trying to frame moves towards pay per mile driving as an unacceptable tax raid. But Rishi Sunak’s No 10 drew up plans for a consultation on road pricing that was only pulled at the last minute. There was even a press release already written.
November 6, 2025 at 8:28 AM
The Conservatives are trying to frame moves towards pay per mile driving as an unacceptable tax raid. But Rishi Sunak’s No 10 drew up plans for a consultation on road pricing that was only pulled at the last minute. There was even a press release already written.
I just used the legacy London cycle “superhighways” (Embankment and then S-N) for the first time in ages and all I can say is: at rush hour, in the dark, it was *terrifying*. Lanes way too small for the traffic, especially given the speedsters’ penchant for dicey overtakes.
November 5, 2025 at 6:40 PM
I just used the legacy London cycle “superhighways” (Embankment and then S-N) for the first time in ages and all I can say is: at rush hour, in the dark, it was *terrifying*. Lanes way too small for the traffic, especially given the speedsters’ penchant for dicey overtakes.
I'm a couple of days late to this ConHome piece, but in awe of the sheer brass neck of a Conservative councillor in Wales writing 1,000 words on how the Caerphilly by-election was terrible for Labour without mentioning the fact that his own party got a 2% vote share and 690 votes.
November 5, 2025 at 3:13 PM
I'm a couple of days late to this ConHome piece, but in awe of the sheer brass neck of a Conservative councillor in Wales writing 1,000 words on how the Caerphilly by-election was terrible for Labour without mentioning the fact that his own party got a 2% vote share and 690 votes.
As context to freeing of an Algerian man, here's some info about HMP Wandsworth, where he was:
• Built for 900 prisoners. Holds 1,600.
• Daily roster of prison officers c.70. Up to 15 staff on long-term sick leave.
• 36% of officers have >3yrs service.
• 12% of prison staff leave *each year*.
• Built for 900 prisoners. Holds 1,600.
• Daily roster of prison officers c.70. Up to 15 staff on long-term sick leave.
• 36% of officers have >3yrs service.
• 12% of prison staff leave *each year*.
November 5, 2025 at 2:10 PM
As context to freeing of an Algerian man, here's some info about HMP Wandsworth, where he was:
• Built for 900 prisoners. Holds 1,600.
• Daily roster of prison officers c.70. Up to 15 staff on long-term sick leave.
• 36% of officers have >3yrs service.
• 12% of prison staff leave *each year*.
• Built for 900 prisoners. Holds 1,600.
• Daily roster of prison officers c.70. Up to 15 staff on long-term sick leave.
• 36% of officers have >3yrs service.
• 12% of prison staff leave *each year*.
Well, that was a very weird deputy PMQs. James Cartlidge asking the same question five times – could David Lammy guarantee no other jailed asylum seekers have been accidentally released rather than deported – and Lammy each time instead condemning the Tories' record on prisons and justice.
November 5, 2025 at 12:13 PM
Well, that was a very weird deputy PMQs. James Cartlidge asking the same question five times – could David Lammy guarantee no other jailed asylum seekers have been accidentally released rather than deported – and Lammy each time instead condemning the Tories' record on prisons and justice.
The full transcript of Zohran Mamdani's acceptance speech is very much worth reading in full. Even if you don't agree with your politics, it's very beautifully put together.
archive.is/8VqQJ
[this is a useable link to the NYT transcript]
archive.is/8VqQJ
[this is a useable link to the NYT transcript]
November 5, 2025 at 11:34 AM
The full transcript of Zohran Mamdani's acceptance speech is very much worth reading in full. Even if you don't agree with your politics, it's very beautifully put together.
archive.is/8VqQJ
[this is a useable link to the NYT transcript]
archive.is/8VqQJ
[this is a useable link to the NYT transcript]
While I don't at all endorse hurling foodstuff (or drinks) at law enforcement officers, or politicians, this court case sounds utterly compelling.
Border Patrol agent Lairmore testifies that he was not injured by the sandwich, but he felt the impact through his ballistic vest.
The sandwich came apart and "kind of exploded" on his chest upon impact, he says.
"I could smell the onions and mustard."
The sandwich came apart and "kind of exploded" on his chest upon impact, he says.
"I could smell the onions and mustard."
November 4, 2025 at 4:52 PM
While I don't at all endorse hurling foodstuff (or drinks) at law enforcement officers, or politicians, this court case sounds utterly compelling.
I was cycling behind a bus yesterday which had this sticker on it. It’s great to see, and I remain slightly baffled why all London buses (in fact all public motor vehicles) aren’t already tweaked to do the same thing.
November 4, 2025 at 12:20 PM
I was cycling behind a bus yesterday which had this sticker on it. It’s great to see, and I remain slightly baffled why all London buses (in fact all public motor vehicles) aren’t already tweaked to do the same thing.
Reposted by Peter Walker
What an absolute hero Samir Zitouni is - doubtless he saved lives that day
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Train hero who saved passengers during attack named
The rail worker credited with saving multiple lives is named as Samir Zitouni.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 4, 2025 at 11:36 AM
What an absolute hero Samir Zitouni is - doubtless he saved lives that day
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Peter Walker
I’m sure Matt Goodwin will be along shortly to tell us all whether LNER Customer Service Host Samir Zitouni counts as British or not. news.sky.com/story/train-...
Train company LNER 'extremely proud' of rail worker in critical condition after mass stabbing as family call him 'hero'
The "extraordinary bravery" of the LNER worker who intervened during the train mass stabbing attack on Saturday has been hailed by his company.
news.sky.com
November 4, 2025 at 10:59 AM
I’m sure Matt Goodwin will be along shortly to tell us all whether LNER Customer Service Host Samir Zitouni counts as British or not. news.sky.com/story/train-...
This is an interesting argument. Unless you're a top tier minister, or you have something big to announce, is there much point in doing a traditional "speech to lectern followed by media Q&A"? Kemi Badenoch does it all the time. Zack Polanski almost never. Tories and Greens currently tied on 16%.
November 4, 2025 at 12:00 PM
This is an interesting argument. Unless you're a top tier minister, or you have something big to announce, is there much point in doing a traditional "speech to lectern followed by media Q&A"? Kemi Badenoch does it all the time. Zack Polanski almost never. Tories and Greens currently tied on 16%.
YouGov has Greens level-pegging with the Conservatives on 16% - and the Tories are, in effect, one percentage point away from *fifth place*.
November 4, 2025 at 10:02 AM
YouGov has Greens level-pegging with the Conservatives on 16% - and the Tories are, in effect, one percentage point away from *fifth place*.
For aficionados of the lost London Ringways project this is fascinating. If you want an instant history of what it is - and what London nearly became - well, I wrote one a bit ago.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022...
November 3, 2025 at 6:52 PM
For aficionados of the lost London Ringways project this is fascinating. If you want an instant history of what it is - and what London nearly became - well, I wrote one a bit ago.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022...
I didn't think it was possible for a city newspaper to approach a mayoral election in a less dignified manner than the London Evening Standard in 2016, but the New York Post has managed it.
Nearly a million New Yorkers ready to flee NYC if Mamdani becomes mayor — possibly igniting mass exodus: poll
Nearly a million New Yorkers ready to flee NYC if Mamdani becomes mayor — possibly igniting mass exodus: poll
Hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers are prepared to bolt from the Big Apple if socialist candidate Zohran Mamdani wins Tuesday's mayoral race — potentially setting the stage for the largest population flight in US history, a new poll warns.
nypost.com
November 3, 2025 at 2:13 PM
I didn't think it was possible for a city newspaper to approach a mayoral election in a less dignified manner than the London Evening Standard in 2016, but the New York Post has managed it.
Reposted by Peter Walker
There is something magnificent about Nigel Farage, who has lost two of the five MPs he was elected with *last year*, explaining that HR departments don't matter.
November 3, 2025 at 11:28 AM
There is something magnificent about Nigel Farage, who has lost two of the five MPs he was elected with *last year*, explaining that HR departments don't matter.