Esther Webber
estwebber.bsky.social
Esther Webber
@estwebber.bsky.social
Senior correspondent, POLITICO
One optimistic government adviser pointed to Trump’s reception by the King and Queen of the Netherlands, which helped pave the way for a successful NATO summit, as a template for royal impact.
September 17, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Calls to possible candidates to replace Mandelson already under way.

Former national security adviser Mark Sedwill is being seen as a frontrunner.

Karen Pierce remains a favourite of Trump but difficult for No.10 to backtrack and admit mistake.
September 12, 2025 at 8:53 AM
On coalition of the willing, IISS' François Heisbourg tells my colleague @cleacaulcutt.bsky.social:

“Apart from counting once more the number of buttons on uniforms, I don’t see the point of [the meeting]”
July 10, 2025 at 10:23 AM
Macron will give an address from the Royal Gallery later.

Tapestries were used to cover paintings of Waterloo and Trafalgar battles during a visit by Charles de Gaulle to parliament in 1960, but Macron will not be spared.
July 8, 2025 at 1:29 PM
When Charles addressed the French Senate during that visit, he said: “France has been an essential part of the fabric of my own life for as long as I can remember.”

The speech, delivered largely in French, earned him a standing ovation.
July 8, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Macron and the King have a friendship which underpins this visit.

Follows Macron's tribute to the Queen, the King's cancelled state visit to France due to riots, and the Macrons' 2023 banquet at the Palace of Versailles, where they served Pol Roger's Sir Winston Churchill cuvée.
July 8, 2025 at 1:27 PM
In the wake of the SDR, the government is focused on boosting manufacturing of artillery and munitions.

Govt aide stresses this is “a Keynesian and a left-wing thing to do”

They want to align themselves with Labour heroes of the past such as Attlee, Bevin and Healey
June 30, 2025 at 9:56 AM
MPs who find themselves to the left of Starmer say they're being taken for granted

Long-serving city MP says the welfare plan left them “incandescent — this was not what I expected. We can’t just be slightly better than the Tories”
April 15, 2025 at 12:55 PM
Prof Jane Green questions whether it makes sense for Labour to target Reform/potential Reform voters.

“Can they even win over Reform? They’re likely to misunderstand that voter anyway” while at the same time “alienating other voters and attracting people onto an issue where you can’t deliver.”
April 15, 2025 at 12:52 PM