Ian Moss
@thebriefwriters.com
Politics, policy, music and blah.
Partner at thebriefwriters.com, ex Senior Civil Servant, ex Labour Advisor
From Stoke on Trent to the Sussex countryside.
Partner at thebriefwriters.com, ex Senior Civil Servant, ex Labour Advisor
From Stoke on Trent to the Sussex countryside.
Reposted by Ian Moss
This would explain why Vadera's email is in all-caps. Brown had terrible eyesight - advisers knew to write memos to him in giant font in bold capital letters
NEW: Who was John Pond?
This August 2009 email exchange which was forwarded to Jeffrey Epstein included Mandelson, the PM's PPS Jeremy Heywood, the minister/adviser Shriti Vadera and... John Pond.
Two sources have told the BBC that John Pond was in fact Gordon Brown, then the PM
This August 2009 email exchange which was forwarded to Jeffrey Epstein included Mandelson, the PM's PPS Jeremy Heywood, the minister/adviser Shriti Vadera and... John Pond.
Two sources have told the BBC that John Pond was in fact Gordon Brown, then the PM
February 2, 2026 at 3:46 PM
This would explain why Vadera's email is in all-caps. Brown had terrible eyesight - advisers knew to write memos to him in giant font in bold capital letters
It would be a fitting tribute if a law stripping Peerages became forever known as the Mandelson Law.
February 2, 2026 at 11:09 AM
It would be a fitting tribute if a law stripping Peerages became forever known as the Mandelson Law.
Reposted by Ian Moss
Alistair Darling and the official Treasury were always aware that investment banks had an inside track to Number 10. But the brazen nature of that inside track is rather breath-taking.
Who leaked this Number 10 discussion to Jeffrey Epstein? And are there consequences for the leaker?
It’s an internal discussion re. getting markets moving in the aftermath of the financial crisis. No doubt of great interest to Epstein and his financial market clients.
It’s an internal discussion re. getting markets moving in the aftermath of the financial crisis. No doubt of great interest to Epstein and his financial market clients.
February 2, 2026 at 10:33 AM
Alistair Darling and the official Treasury were always aware that investment banks had an inside track to Number 10. But the brazen nature of that inside track is rather breath-taking.
He should know that the letter of resignation has to be to the Secretary of his CLP not the General Secretary.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Lord Mandelson resigns from Labour Party over Epstein links
Lord Mandelson resigns from Labour Party over Epstein links
www.bbc.co.uk
February 1, 2026 at 10:41 PM
He should know that the letter of resignation has to be to the Secretary of his CLP not the General Secretary.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Gemma Bolton is in my constituency, supposedly. I haven’t seen her at a meeting for years. She hasn’t campaigned in the seat or for local elections since getting onto the NEC. I fail to see what grassroots activists she stands for.
Now more than ever we need NEC Reps committed to standing up for democracy and radical policies in the Labour Party.
Support the CLGA's slate.
futureweneed.com
Support the CLGA's slate.
futureweneed.com
January 28, 2026 at 9:49 AM
Gemma Bolton is in my constituency, supposedly. I haven’t seen her at a meeting for years. She hasn’t campaigned in the seat or for local elections since getting onto the NEC. I fail to see what grassroots activists she stands for.
I struggle to think of a campaign that has ever had a worse ratio of taken seriously by MPs to merit of the case.
I’ve joined over 100 MPs calling on the Government to finally do the right thing for WASPI women. Women born in the 1950s were harmed by pension changes made without proper notice. Despite the Ombudsman’s findings, ministers are still delaying fair compensation.
I will keep pushing for justice.
I will keep pushing for justice.
January 26, 2026 at 10:27 PM
I struggle to think of a campaign that has ever had a worse ratio of taken seriously by MPs to merit of the case.
Reposted by Ian Moss
The term "big beast" is now far too casually applied in politics to both medium-sized and even smaller beasts. Stop the beast Inflation, or at least introduce a Beast* category.
January 26, 2026 at 2:34 PM
The term "big beast" is now far too casually applied in politics to both medium-sized and even smaller beasts. Stop the beast Inflation, or at least introduce a Beast* category.
Defections obviously bring out the worst in political parties, as they are essentially tribal. But it's also an opportunity for the public expression of the deep enmities that exist in political parties that is otherwise held a little in check.
January 26, 2026 at 2:20 PM
Defections obviously bring out the worst in political parties, as they are essentially tribal. But it's also an opportunity for the public expression of the deep enmities that exist in political parties that is otherwise held a little in check.
Not my disco, but the floor is open wide for them to take back Gaulke and Clarke, get a pro business pro stability message and grow up.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
January 26, 2026 at 1:07 PM
Not my disco, but the floor is open wide for them to take back Gaulke and Clarke, get a pro business pro stability message and grow up.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
There are some very sensible machine reasons why the NEC blocked Burnham. His promises to Manchester and the cost and risk of a by-election in particular. This is the decision they would take usually. But most people outside the inner workings of the Labour Party won't see those as the reasons.
January 25, 2026 at 12:21 PM
There are some very sensible machine reasons why the NEC blocked Burnham. His promises to Manchester and the cost and risk of a by-election in particular. This is the decision they would take usually. But most people outside the inner workings of the Labour Party won't see those as the reasons.
Rachel played that absolutely brilliantly though. Stephen owed her that £50k
January 23, 2026 at 9:47 PM
Rachel played that absolutely brilliantly though. Stephen owed her that £50k
Amazing telly again. So many mistakes. Not voting with the way others vote at the end and counting the votes.
January 23, 2026 at 9:46 PM
Amazing telly again. So many mistakes. Not voting with the way others vote at the end and counting the votes.
If Stephen doesn’t vote Rachel he’s a fool #thetraitors
January 23, 2026 at 9:42 PM
If Stephen doesn’t vote Rachel he’s a fool #thetraitors
Jade should so obviously have voted for Rachel to try and save herself. #thetraitors
January 23, 2026 at 9:25 PM
Jade should so obviously have voted for Rachel to try and save herself. #thetraitors
Faraaz has got the numbers wrong. He clearly wasn’t in Labour Srudents. #thetraitors
January 23, 2026 at 9:12 PM
Faraaz has got the numbers wrong. He clearly wasn’t in Labour Srudents. #thetraitors
I think they've edited the episode to make it look like Rachel was a goner but they have talked themselves out of it during the day. #thetraitors
January 22, 2026 at 8:47 PM
I think they've edited the episode to make it look like Rachel was a goner but they have talked themselves out of it during the day. #thetraitors
Have to admire Rachel's chops #thetraitors
January 22, 2026 at 8:44 PM
Have to admire Rachel's chops #thetraitors
In case you hadn't guessed without watching, Crawley was out, caught behind, driving at a wide one. #thecricket
January 22, 2026 at 1:23 PM
In case you hadn't guessed without watching, Crawley was out, caught behind, driving at a wide one. #thecricket
Roxy, isn't trying to sway people at the round table THE POINT OF THE ROUND TABLE? #thetraitors
January 21, 2026 at 8:43 PM
Roxy, isn't trying to sway people at the round table THE POINT OF THE ROUND TABLE? #thetraitors
I think Roxy is the secret traitor. #Thetraitors
January 21, 2026 at 8:13 PM
I think Roxy is the secret traitor. #Thetraitors
Because of The Traitors I have caught the end of Eastenders a few times. They are always angry. Everyone always angry. It's social media on TV.
January 21, 2026 at 7:54 PM
Because of The Traitors I have caught the end of Eastenders a few times. They are always angry. Everyone always angry. It's social media on TV.
The technology of solar has massively improved but so has the aesthetics. It’s a minor point but why chose a photo of the older generation solar panels for this?
January 21, 2026 at 11:02 AM
The technology of solar has massively improved but so has the aesthetics. It’s a minor point but why chose a photo of the older generation solar panels for this?
In this uncertain world, the Green's policy is to leave ourselves defenceless and do exactly what Russia wants. I can't think of a stupider foreign policy but to brief it "this week" is spectacular.
EXC: Zack Polanski tells us Britain should consider closing US military bases, leave Nato and denuclearise, as he begins to flesh out the Greens’ foreign policy.
Also spells out to @pippacrerar.bsky.social and me his red lines in any coalition talks to come.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Also spells out to @pippacrerar.bsky.social and me his red lines in any coalition talks to come.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
UK should consider expelling US forces from British bases, says Zack Polanski
Exclusive: Green party leader advocates leaving Nato and says Britain should wean itself off its reliance on the US
www.theguardian.com
January 20, 2026 at 9:12 AM
In this uncertain world, the Green's policy is to leave ourselves defenceless and do exactly what Russia wants. I can't think of a stupider foreign policy but to brief it "this week" is spectacular.
I worked at the BPI (British Music Industry) when Grand Theft Auto V was released, in October 2013. It sold more that year (in one month) than the entire value of the British Recorded Music industry for the year. Games is "huge" and the creative industry gang recognise this.
In Britain video games generate more revenue (£4.3bn) than the film (excluding streaming) and music industries combined (£3.4bn).
economist.com/britain/2025...
economist.com/britain/2025...
Britain is a global gaming superpower
Can it remain one?
economist.com
January 19, 2026 at 3:31 PM
I worked at the BPI (British Music Industry) when Grand Theft Auto V was released, in October 2013. It sold more that year (in one month) than the entire value of the British Recorded Music industry for the year. Games is "huge" and the creative industry gang recognise this.
The BBC saying “the White House says many other experts still have concerns’ on the Paracetamol story is dangerous, and stupidly négligent.
January 17, 2026 at 9:33 AM
The BBC saying “the White House says many other experts still have concerns’ on the Paracetamol story is dangerous, and stupidly négligent.