Rachel Cunliffe
@rmcunliffe.bsky.social
Associate Political Editor @NewStatesman. Devout classicist, "indulgent editrix", at one point the only Ancient Greek teacher in South Korea
Age 18: fractured two ribs falling ONTO my bicycle (walking with the bike, tripped, bike fell off the curb, I fell onto it and landed on the handlebars). It was 11am, I was completely sober, no one believed me.
Three days later, I went to an event at Buckingham Palace high as a kite on opioids...
Three days later, I went to an event at Buckingham Palace high as a kite on opioids...
What's the most ridiculous way you ever hurt yourself? I got out of the tub, skidded in water and tripped over the toilet. Ankle sprain.
😅
😅
January 6, 2026 at 11:39 AM
Age 18: fractured two ribs falling ONTO my bicycle (walking with the bike, tripped, bike fell off the curb, I fell onto it and landed on the handlebars). It was 11am, I was completely sober, no one believed me.
Three days later, I went to an event at Buckingham Palace high as a kite on opioids...
Three days later, I went to an event at Buckingham Palace high as a kite on opioids...
Note to self: next year, get the bloody flu vaccine
Okay but seriously, how long does this super-flu thing last?
January 2, 2026 at 12:46 PM
Note to self: next year, get the bloody flu vaccine
Reposted by Rachel Cunliffe
The fascinating subculture of cryptic crosswords
If there’s a bit of mental torture in struggling towards a solution, well, isn’t that the point?
By @RMCunliffe.bsky.social
If there’s a bit of mental torture in struggling towards a solution, well, isn’t that the point?
By @RMCunliffe.bsky.social
The fascinating subculture of cryptic crosswords
If there’s a bit of mental torture in struggling towards a solution, well, isn’t that the point?
www.newstatesman.com
December 30, 2025 at 12:02 AM
The fascinating subculture of cryptic crosswords
If there’s a bit of mental torture in struggling towards a solution, well, isn’t that the point?
By @RMCunliffe.bsky.social
If there’s a bit of mental torture in struggling towards a solution, well, isn’t that the point?
By @RMCunliffe.bsky.social
Okay but seriously, how long does this super-flu thing last?
December 29, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Okay but seriously, how long does this super-flu thing last?
Find someone who loves you as much as a cat loves a newly switched-on radiator
December 27, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Find someone who loves you as much as a cat loves a newly switched-on radiator
Tips for how a marriage can survive a husband with a knitwear fetish?
December 26, 2025 at 9:37 AM
Tips for how a marriage can survive a husband with a knitwear fetish?
Guys guys guys! We found the CD and turns out it’s TRUE
It’s that time of year again, when my husband claims he is on the 1998 @classicfm.com Christmas Carols recording as the soloist in "In The Bleak Midwinter".
There is no recording to stream online. Anyone got any evidence/advice to help solve the mystery of whether he's making it all up...?
There is no recording to stream online. Anyone got any evidence/advice to help solve the mystery of whether he's making it all up...?
December 25, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Guys guys guys! We found the CD and turns out it’s TRUE
Reposted by Rachel Cunliffe
From @rmcunliffe.bsky.social's great interview with him:
December 24, 2025 at 1:54 PM
From @rmcunliffe.bsky.social's great interview with him:
Possibly my favourite radio review of the year!
December 22, 2025 at 1:32 PM
Possibly my favourite radio review of the year!
Reposted by Rachel Cunliffe
*You* might call it a fire hazard
*We* call it Chanukah
*We* call it Chanukah
December 20, 2025 at 5:23 PM
*You* might call it a fire hazard
*We* call it Chanukah
*We* call it Chanukah
I post a link to an article I wrote about the Lib Dems' plans for 2026.
This individual chooses to reply like this.
I'm sure they've got a really good reason for chasing Jewish journalists around BlueSky accusing them of covering for genocide. And it definitely isn't about antisemitism.
This individual chooses to reply like this.
I'm sure they've got a really good reason for chasing Jewish journalists around BlueSky accusing them of covering for genocide. And it definitely isn't about antisemitism.
No more running cover for genocide?
December 18, 2025 at 3:09 PM
I post a link to an article I wrote about the Lib Dems' plans for 2026.
This individual chooses to reply like this.
I'm sure they've got a really good reason for chasing Jewish journalists around BlueSky accusing them of covering for genocide. And it definitely isn't about antisemitism.
This individual chooses to reply like this.
I'm sure they've got a really good reason for chasing Jewish journalists around BlueSky accusing them of covering for genocide. And it definitely isn't about antisemitism.
Reposted by Rachel Cunliffe
“It’s between us and Reform”: The Lib Dem plan to win in 2026
Ed Davey’s party is drawing up attack lines for Labour, Reform and Brexit
🖊️ @RMCunliffe.bsky.social
Ed Davey’s party is drawing up attack lines for Labour, Reform and Brexit
🖊️ @RMCunliffe.bsky.social
“It’s between us and Reform”: The Lib Dem plan to win in 2026
Ed Davey's party is drawing up attack lines for Labour, Reform and Brexit
www.newstatesman.com
December 18, 2025 at 10:11 AM
“It’s between us and Reform”: The Lib Dem plan to win in 2026
Ed Davey’s party is drawing up attack lines for Labour, Reform and Brexit
🖊️ @RMCunliffe.bsky.social
Ed Davey’s party is drawing up attack lines for Labour, Reform and Brexit
🖊️ @RMCunliffe.bsky.social
Anyway! What are the Lib Dems up to? Do they feel sidelined by Farage and Polanski, or do they think being the party that fixes the church roof (and campaigns on rubbish mountains and water scandals) is right where they ought to be?
A dispatch from Lib Dem land
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
A dispatch from Lib Dem land
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
“It’s between us and Reform”: The Lib Dem plan to win in 2026
Ed Davey's party is drawing up attack lines for Labour, Reform and Brexit
www.newstatesman.com
December 18, 2025 at 9:27 AM
Anyway! What are the Lib Dems up to? Do they feel sidelined by Farage and Polanski, or do they think being the party that fixes the church roof (and campaigns on rubbish mountains and water scandals) is right where they ought to be?
A dispatch from Lib Dem land
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
A dispatch from Lib Dem land
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
I'll say it again: if any other ethnic or religious minority said "please don't use this particular term or chant, you might not have bad intentions but it is deeply racist and threatening to us", the reaction would be mortified apology.
And that's without a mass terror event four days ago
And that's without a mass terror event four days ago
December 18, 2025 at 9:15 AM
I'll say it again: if any other ethnic or religious minority said "please don't use this particular term or chant, you might not have bad intentions but it is deeply racist and threatening to us", the reaction would be mortified apology.
And that's without a mass terror event four days ago
And that's without a mass terror event four days ago
“He doesn’t have the baubles”, quipped Kemi Badenoch, causing MPs to lose it like a class of teenagers at the end of term singing a Christmas carol that includes the word “breast”. Dignified it was not.
Some thoughts on the last PMQs of the year
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
Some thoughts on the last PMQs of the year
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
PMQs: Christmas cracker jokes fail to revive Keir Starmer
According to Kemi Badenoch, all Labour MPs want for Christmas is a new leader
www.newstatesman.com
December 17, 2025 at 1:55 PM
“He doesn’t have the baubles”, quipped Kemi Badenoch, causing MPs to lose it like a class of teenagers at the end of term singing a Christmas carol that includes the word “breast”. Dignified it was not.
Some thoughts on the last PMQs of the year
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
Some thoughts on the last PMQs of the year
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
1. THAT IS NOT CLIO THE CAT
2. Also, why is my cat in Greece?
2. Also, why is my cat in Greece?
December 17, 2025 at 11:41 AM
1. THAT IS NOT CLIO THE CAT
2. Also, why is my cat in Greece?
2. Also, why is my cat in Greece?
Reposted by Rachel Cunliffe
On a happier note, I wrote for the @newstatesman1913.bsky.social Christmas issue on my 2025 mission to learn how to do cryptic crosswords.
Welcome to a world of anagrinds and homophones, red herrings and old slang, niche subcultures - and very tricksy Hobbitses
www.newstatesman.com/culture/life...
Welcome to a world of anagrinds and homophones, red herrings and old slang, niche subcultures - and very tricksy Hobbitses
www.newstatesman.com/culture/life...
The fascinating subculture of cryptic crosswords
If there’s a bit of mental torture in struggling towards a solution, well, isn’t that the point?
www.newstatesman.com
December 16, 2025 at 10:32 AM
On a happier note, I wrote for the @newstatesman1913.bsky.social Christmas issue on my 2025 mission to learn how to do cryptic crosswords.
Welcome to a world of anagrinds and homophones, red herrings and old slang, niche subcultures - and very tricksy Hobbitses
www.newstatesman.com/culture/life...
Welcome to a world of anagrinds and homophones, red herrings and old slang, niche subcultures - and very tricksy Hobbitses
www.newstatesman.com/culture/life...
On a happier note, I wrote for the @newstatesman1913.bsky.social Christmas issue on my 2025 mission to learn how to do cryptic crosswords.
Welcome to a world of anagrinds and homophones, red herrings and old slang, niche subcultures - and very tricksy Hobbitses
www.newstatesman.com/culture/life...
Welcome to a world of anagrinds and homophones, red herrings and old slang, niche subcultures - and very tricksy Hobbitses
www.newstatesman.com/culture/life...
The fascinating subculture of cryptic crosswords
If there’s a bit of mental torture in struggling towards a solution, well, isn’t that the point?
www.newstatesman.com
December 16, 2025 at 10:32 AM
On a happier note, I wrote for the @newstatesman1913.bsky.social Christmas issue on my 2025 mission to learn how to do cryptic crosswords.
Welcome to a world of anagrinds and homophones, red herrings and old slang, niche subcultures - and very tricksy Hobbitses
www.newstatesman.com/culture/life...
Welcome to a world of anagrinds and homophones, red herrings and old slang, niche subcultures - and very tricksy Hobbitses
www.newstatesman.com/culture/life...
Reposted by Rachel Cunliffe
It’s hard to explain what the last two days have felt like. I tried to put it into words on the New Statesman podcast today.
But really I just wanted to talk about Chanukah - what it means to me, the message it signifies, and why you need at lest 10kg of potatoes
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/d...
But really I just wanted to talk about Chanukah - what it means to me, the message it signifies, and why you need at lest 10kg of potatoes
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/d...
Are Jews safe?
Podcast Episode · Daily Politics from the New Statesman · 15/12/2025 · 32m
podcasts.apple.com
December 15, 2025 at 11:51 PM
It’s hard to explain what the last two days have felt like. I tried to put it into words on the New Statesman podcast today.
But really I just wanted to talk about Chanukah - what it means to me, the message it signifies, and why you need at lest 10kg of potatoes
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/d...
But really I just wanted to talk about Chanukah - what it means to me, the message it signifies, and why you need at lest 10kg of potatoes
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/d...
Oh yes, play White Wine In The Sun, Tim Minchin's song about celebrating this time of year and how it feels being 9000 miles from family and the oddities of it being summer in Australia and winter here, listen to that when your sister is Sydney, that's a great idea that totally won't make you cry
December 15, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Oh yes, play White Wine In The Sun, Tim Minchin's song about celebrating this time of year and how it feels being 9000 miles from family and the oddities of it being summer in Australia and winter here, listen to that when your sister is Sydney, that's a great idea that totally won't make you cry
Some thoughts on Bondi Beach, the sliding doors surreality of knowing my sister could have been there, and how it feels to be lighting candles tonight to celebrate our resilience
www.newstatesman.com/world/2025/1...
www.newstatesman.com/world/2025/1...
The Bondi Beach shooting was an attack on Jews
This Chanukah, I finally understand the meaning of resilience
www.newstatesman.com
December 14, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Some thoughts on Bondi Beach, the sliding doors surreality of knowing my sister could have been there, and how it feels to be lighting candles tonight to celebrate our resilience
www.newstatesman.com/world/2025/1...
www.newstatesman.com/world/2025/1...
I went to bed excited to celebrate the first night of Chanukah tonight.
I woke up to a text from my sister in Sydney reassuring us that she wasn’t at the candle event on Bondi Beach where 11 people have been killed in a shooting targeting the Jewish community.
Feeling sick with relief - and horror
I woke up to a text from my sister in Sydney reassuring us that she wasn’t at the candle event on Bondi Beach where 11 people have been killed in a shooting targeting the Jewish community.
Feeling sick with relief - and horror
December 14, 2025 at 12:13 PM
I went to bed excited to celebrate the first night of Chanukah tonight.
I woke up to a text from my sister in Sydney reassuring us that she wasn’t at the candle event on Bondi Beach where 11 people have been killed in a shooting targeting the Jewish community.
Feeling sick with relief - and horror
I woke up to a text from my sister in Sydney reassuring us that she wasn’t at the candle event on Bondi Beach where 11 people have been killed in a shooting targeting the Jewish community.
Feeling sick with relief - and horror
Reposted by Rachel Cunliffe
Our new study 🚨'Are broadcasters reflecting multi-party politics in the UK? An analysis of BBC News at Ten and ITV News at Ten in 2025' written up brilliantly by @rmcunliffe.bsky.social in The @newstatesman1913.bsky.social Thread with headlines: www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
Exclusive: Reform overtakes the Conservatives in media mentions
New research from Cardiff University finds Reform is now treated as the opposition party on mainstream news shows
www.newstatesman.com
December 12, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Our new study 🚨'Are broadcasters reflecting multi-party politics in the UK? An analysis of BBC News at Ten and ITV News at Ten in 2025' written up brilliantly by @rmcunliffe.bsky.social in The @newstatesman1913.bsky.social Thread with headlines: www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
Rogue opinion as I celebrate my 6th Christmas (still learning the ropes): presents for adults should be scrapped. Or at the very least, do a Secret Santa.
Focus on making it magical for the kids and get each adult one quality present they might actually want, rather than lots of random panic-gifts
Focus on making it magical for the kids and get each adult one quality present they might actually want, rather than lots of random panic-gifts
December 12, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Rogue opinion as I celebrate my 6th Christmas (still learning the ropes): presents for adults should be scrapped. Or at the very least, do a Secret Santa.
Focus on making it magical for the kids and get each adult one quality present they might actually want, rather than lots of random panic-gifts
Focus on making it magical for the kids and get each adult one quality present they might actually want, rather than lots of random panic-gifts