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
I honestly cannot stop laughing
December 23, 2025 at 6:44 PM
I honestly cannot stop laughing
If you’ve not quite yet switched off from news: Reform’s plan to slash the aid budget by 90% would not cover existing contributions to global bodies such as the UN and World Bank, shredding Britain’s international influence, charities & other parties have warned.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reform plan to cap aid at £1bn would damage UK’s international influence, critics warn
Exclusive: Campaigners say slashing overseas aid would leave UK unable to meet existing commitments
www.theguardian.com
December 23, 2025 at 8:32 AM
If you’ve not quite yet switched off from news: Reform’s plan to slash the aid budget by 90% would not cover existing contributions to global bodies such as the UN and World Bank, shredding Britain’s international influence, charities & other parties have warned.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Over on X it’s not just the guests on certain right wing TV stations who are now being openly racist. This sort of thing would have been career-ending not so long ago.
December 21, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Over on X it’s not just the guests on certain right wing TV stations who are now being openly racist. This sort of thing would have been career-ending not so long ago.
Cycling in booming in London but fairly stagnant UK-wide. What’s going on? I spoke to some people who know about these sorts of things.
www.theguardian.com/news/2025/de...
www.theguardian.com/news/2025/de...
Cycling is changing at speed – but is Britain keeping pace?
Emulating the bike-friendly highways enjoyed by our continental neighbours will take a lot more money and political will
www.theguardian.com
December 21, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Cycling in booming in London but fairly stagnant UK-wide. What’s going on? I spoke to some people who know about these sorts of things.
www.theguardian.com/news/2025/de...
www.theguardian.com/news/2025/de...
The more discussion I see here about No 10’s decision to cut back on lobby briefings the more I realise that lots of people really don’t understand what they are and what they are for. Which may or may not be a fault of political journalism.
December 20, 2025 at 3:57 PM
The more discussion I see here about No 10’s decision to cut back on lobby briefings the more I realise that lots of people really don’t understand what they are and what they are for. Which may or may not be a fault of political journalism.
NEW: Chris Parry, the Reform mayoral candidate who said David Lammy should “go home to the Caribbean”, also suggested at least eight other politicians from minority ethnic backgrounds do not have a primary loyalty towards the UK. Reform have not disowned him.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reform candidate who told Lammy to ‘go home’ questioned other MPs’ loyalty to UK
Exclusive: Labour says Nigel Farage’s party should swiftly condemn Chris Parry after further comments emerge
www.theguardian.com
December 19, 2025 at 8:14 AM
NEW: Chris Parry, the Reform mayoral candidate who said David Lammy should “go home to the Caribbean”, also suggested at least eight other politicians from minority ethnic backgrounds do not have a primary loyalty towards the UK. Reform have not disowned him.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Downing Street have unilaterally announced they are cancelling one of the two daily No 10 "lobby" media briefings and will at times replace the other with a ministerial press conference. The lobby system has its drawbacks but it very much holds No 10 to account, so this will reduce scrutiny a lot.
December 18, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Downing Street have unilaterally announced they are cancelling one of the two daily No 10 "lobby" media briefings and will at times replace the other with a ministerial press conference. The lobby system has its drawbacks but it very much holds No 10 to account, so this will reduce scrutiny a lot.
Fascinating thread about a fascinating poll on Welsh voting intentions. I was particularly struck by these two vignettes.
December 17, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Fascinating thread about a fascinating poll on Welsh voting intentions. I was particularly struck by these two vignettes.
As far as that PMQs goes, recess might have already started. Apart from a couple of decent jokes from Starmer, both he and Badenoch seemed to be going through the motions a bit.
December 17, 2025 at 12:17 PM
As far as that PMQs goes, recess might have already started. Apart from a couple of decent jokes from Starmer, both he and Badenoch seemed to be going through the motions a bit.
Very pugnacious official response by Reform to this mass letter about Nigel Farage's actions at school. Calling the allegations of racism "smears" and "a naked attempt to discredit Reform and Nigel Farage" echoes the Richard Tice "made-up twaddle" line. The defence does seem to change weekly.
December 17, 2025 at 10:47 AM
Very pugnacious official response by Reform to this mass letter about Nigel Farage's actions at school. Calling the allegations of racism "smears" and "a naked attempt to discredit Reform and Nigel Farage" echoes the Richard Tice "made-up twaddle" line. The defence does seem to change weekly.
A mini-story to cheer you up this morning. The other day my teenage son returned to his locked bike to find the back wheel nicked. We went back yesterday to rescue it - and found this note taped to the frame. We have the wheel again. A very happy Xmas to Ollie and his note-writing other half.
December 17, 2025 at 8:11 AM
A mini-story to cheer you up this morning. The other day my teenage son returned to his locked bike to find the back wheel nicked. We went back yesterday to rescue it - and found this note taped to the frame. We have the wheel again. A very happy Xmas to Ollie and his note-writing other half.
Labour's gradual shuffle back towards the EU continues. Exclusive by @pippacrerar.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
UK to rejoin EU’s Erasmus student exchange programme
Exclusive: British students will be able to participate in EU-wide scheme from January 2027, sources say
www.theguardian.com
December 16, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Labour's gradual shuffle back towards the EU continues. Exclusive by @pippacrerar.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
Fantastic detail from the PA court coverage of Lib Dem peer Lord Razzall getting his second driving ban of the year.
December 16, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Fantastic detail from the PA court coverage of Lib Dem peer Lord Razzall getting his second driving ban of the year.
I'm been at a Richard Tice press conference at which he:
• Refused to say whether he still believes Nigel Farage's school accusers made up their claims, calling the row "old news".
• Refused twice to condemn a Reform candidate who said David Lammy should "go home" to the Caribbean.
• Refused to say whether he still believes Nigel Farage's school accusers made up their claims, calling the row "old news".
• Refused twice to condemn a Reform candidate who said David Lammy should "go home" to the Caribbean.
December 16, 2025 at 11:40 AM
I'm been at a Richard Tice press conference at which he:
• Refused to say whether he still believes Nigel Farage's school accusers made up their claims, calling the row "old news".
• Refused twice to condemn a Reform candidate who said David Lammy should "go home" to the Caribbean.
• Refused to say whether he still believes Nigel Farage's school accusers made up their claims, calling the row "old news".
• Refused twice to condemn a Reform candidate who said David Lammy should "go home" to the Caribbean.
As with many contentious policy areas, the aftermath of the Supreme Court ruling on gender is, as much as it is anything, a job creation scheme for lawyers.
December 15, 2025 at 5:46 PM
As with many contentious policy areas, the aftermath of the Supreme Court ruling on gender is, as much as it is anything, a job creation scheme for lawyers.
Overdue and valuable work, even in part of me does miss the daily rush of adrenaline.
Lambeth Bridge N&S used to be one of the most dangerous junctions in London.
We're transforming it - making it safer for everyone.
I'm delighted the carriageway has now reopened to two-way traffic - with new protected cycle lanes both side (with anti-terrorism protection) 🚲
We're transforming it - making it safer for everyone.
I'm delighted the carriageway has now reopened to two-way traffic - with new protected cycle lanes both side (with anti-terrorism protection) 🚲
December 15, 2025 at 12:23 PM
Overdue and valuable work, even in part of me does miss the daily rush of adrenaline.
Reform UK say they will not be commenting any more on the claims of racism against Nigel Farage when he was younger. Danny Kruger, who was hosting a press conference on their proposed changes to the civil service, told me: "We have nothing more to say on those allegations."
December 15, 2025 at 12:10 PM
Reform UK say they will not be commenting any more on the claims of racism against Nigel Farage when he was younger. Danny Kruger, who was hosting a press conference on their proposed changes to the civil service, told me: "We have nothing more to say on those allegations."
Reposted by Peter Walker
My kids woke up so excited this morning for the first night of Hannukah and now yet again we have a festival where I’m very conflicted about whether it’s safe to take them to synagogue to celebrate. Communities shouldn’t have to live like this.
December 14, 2025 at 12:50 PM
My kids woke up so excited this morning for the first night of Hannukah and now yet again we have a festival where I’m very conflicted about whether it’s safe to take them to synagogue to celebrate. Communities shouldn’t have to live like this.
V pertinent point in a useful mini-thread.
Its striking that people who would prob not platform as a "journalist" a man arguing "don't let Jews run for parliament [unless they have a UK-born grandparent at least]" will now platform those openly arguing that about Asians, black people, Muslims, Hindus [+ most Jews, as it happens]
December 13, 2025 at 7:37 PM
V pertinent point in a useful mini-thread.
Given Christmas songs start playing in most big shops some time around early September* then the plot by the Woke Liberati to cancel the festive season isn’t going very well.
*I exaggerate but only a bit.
*I exaggerate but only a bit.
The UK far right is increasingly infiltrating the Anglican church so this is bang on trend.
December 13, 2025 at 10:09 AM
Given Christmas songs start playing in most big shops some time around early September* then the plot by the Woke Liberati to cancel the festive season isn’t going very well.
*I exaggerate but only a bit.
*I exaggerate but only a bit.
Reposted by Peter Walker
Well, it has "provoked debate", alright. Mainly along the lines of "Has Bobby Gillespie only just become a massive bell-end with a tin ear for racial sensitivity, or were the signs there as long ago as 1994 when he put a neon Confederate flag on an album sleeve?" www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Primal Scream defend image of swastika inside Star of David shown during London gig
Scottish rock band says image ‘meant to provoke debate, not hate’ after many at concert accuse group of antisemitism
www.theguardian.com
December 12, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Well, it has "provoked debate", alright. Mainly along the lines of "Has Bobby Gillespie only just become a massive bell-end with a tin ear for racial sensitivity, or were the signs there as long ago as 1994 when he put a neon Confederate flag on an album sleeve?" www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Some interesting thoughts from roads minister Lillian Greenwood, who I spoke to this week.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Tory transport culture wars risked making roads less safe, says minister
Lilian Greenwood condemns Conservative ‘mixed messages’ and promises a system that works for everybody
www.theguardian.com
December 12, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Some interesting thoughts from roads minister Lillian Greenwood, who I spoke to this week.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Peter Walker
Met commissioner Mark Rowley says Trump talks 'complete nonsense' about crime in London - www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
December 12, 2025 at 11:21 AM
Met commissioner Mark Rowley says Trump talks 'complete nonsense' about crime in London - www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
New from @jessicaelgot.bsky.social - Senior *opponents* of assisted dying have called on peers to not hold up the bill through parliament, warning there is a serious danger of the Lords losing democratic legitimacy.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Senior opponents of assisted dying bill urge Lords not to deliberately block it
Letter says there is danger of Lords losing legitimacy as more than 1,000 amendments tabled, delaying any vote
www.theguardian.com
December 11, 2025 at 5:55 PM
New from @jessicaelgot.bsky.social - Senior *opponents* of assisted dying have called on peers to not hold up the bill through parliament, warning there is a serious danger of the Lords losing democratic legitimacy.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Reposted by Peter Walker
“If you were a member of the public, you would think that grooming gangs is the biggest threat to children in our country,” says the director of Britain's Child Sexual Exploitation Taskforce
“But in the overall statistics, that represents just over 0.5% of offending”
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/10/w...
“But in the overall statistics, that represents just over 0.5% of offending”
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/10/w...
Britain Releases New Data on ‘Grooming Gangs’ and Child Sexual Abuse
www.nytimes.com
December 11, 2025 at 10:57 AM
“If you were a member of the public, you would think that grooming gangs is the biggest threat to children in our country,” says the director of Britain's Child Sexual Exploitation Taskforce
“But in the overall statistics, that represents just over 0.5% of offending”
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/10/w...
“But in the overall statistics, that represents just over 0.5% of offending”
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/10/w...