James Heale
@jaheale.bsky.social
Deputy Political Editor at The Spectator
In the House of Lords, Lib Dem peers have backed the Conservative amendment on the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill.
So now it only has the support of Labour and SDLP - which could mean another defeat looming in the Upper House for the government…
So now it only has the support of Labour and SDLP - which could mean another defeat looming in the Upper House for the government…
November 18, 2025 at 7:47 PM
In the House of Lords, Lib Dem peers have backed the Conservative amendment on the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill.
So now it only has the support of Labour and SDLP - which could mean another defeat looming in the Upper House for the government…
So now it only has the support of Labour and SDLP - which could mean another defeat looming in the Upper House for the government…
Lucid and withering by one of the best:
My column in today’s FT: a government with no real vision is reverting to its comfort zone of launching campaigns and drawing dividing lines - against Wes Streeting, on tax. Meanwhile in the real world its position keeps getting worse:
Brain-dead Labour retreats to its comfort zone: campaigning
Downing Street’s bizarre war on itself is a symptom of a government whose ideas dissolve on contact with reality
www.ft.com
November 14, 2025 at 10:18 AM
Lucid and withering by one of the best:
New: JCB hand £200k apiece to Reform UK and the Conservatives
Spox: "JCB has been backing Britain since 1945 and is supportive of pro-business political parties that create the conditions for these businesses to grow and prosper"
www.spectator.co.uk/article/jcb-...
Spox: "JCB has been backing Britain since 1945 and is supportive of pro-business political parties that create the conditions for these businesses to grow and prosper"
www.spectator.co.uk/article/jcb-...
JCB hand £200k to Reform and Tories
The battle on the right is well underway, with competition between Reform and the Tories for attention, ideas and personnel. One front where the Conservatives have had more success to date is on donat...
www.spectator.co.uk
November 8, 2025 at 11:18 AM
New: JCB hand £200k apiece to Reform UK and the Conservatives
Spox: "JCB has been backing Britain since 1945 and is supportive of pro-business political parties that create the conditions for these businesses to grow and prosper"
www.spectator.co.uk/article/jcb-...
Spox: "JCB has been backing Britain since 1945 and is supportive of pro-business political parties that create the conditions for these businesses to grow and prosper"
www.spectator.co.uk/article/jcb-...
Denis Healey without the eyebrows – Rachel Reeves set to become the biggest tax-raising Chancellor of modern times if she repeats last year's Budget
www.spectator.co.uk/article/reev...
www.spectator.co.uk/article/reev...
November 7, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Denis Healey without the eyebrows – Rachel Reeves set to become the biggest tax-raising Chancellor of modern times if she repeats last year's Budget
www.spectator.co.uk/article/reev...
www.spectator.co.uk/article/reev...
The successful Tory effort to box Labour in on tax during May 2024 must be looked upon as the political equivalent of Pearl Harbor – a stunning assault in an inevitably doomed campaign
www.spectator.co.uk/article/reev...
www.spectator.co.uk/article/reev...
Reeves set to break manifesto pledge – and hike income tax
Rachel Reeves billed her £38 billion in tax increases last year – the biggest tax-rising Budget since Black Wednesday – as a ‘one and done’ approach. As she prepares to deliver her second Budget in th...
www.spectator.co.uk
November 7, 2025 at 1:31 PM
The successful Tory effort to box Labour in on tax during May 2024 must be looked upon as the political equivalent of Pearl Harbor – a stunning assault in an inevitably doomed campaign
www.spectator.co.uk/article/reev...
www.spectator.co.uk/article/reev...
Defeats for the Conservative candidates in Badenoch, Stride and Jenrick's seats last night:
www.spectator.co.uk/article/top-...
www.spectator.co.uk/article/top-...
Top Tory team suffer bad night
After a decent conference speech, there was some hope among the Tories that Kemi Badenoch had finally turned the corner. Her PMQs performances are much more assured and there have been some notable La...
www.spectator.co.uk
November 7, 2025 at 8:51 AM
Defeats for the Conservative candidates in Badenoch, Stride and Jenrick's seats last night:
www.spectator.co.uk/article/top-...
www.spectator.co.uk/article/top-...
How green issues became the new ‘clear blue water’:
• Warnings £300 energy savings won’t materialise
• Coutinho to launch a ‘Cut My Bills’ push to take 20% off
• Lib Dems eye communitarian Tories
• Greens keen for local London pacts
www.spectator.co.uk/article/west...
• Warnings £300 energy savings won’t materialise
• Coutinho to launch a ‘Cut My Bills’ push to take 20% off
• Lib Dems eye communitarian Tories
• Greens keen for local London pacts
www.spectator.co.uk/article/west...
Energy is the new political battleground
With three weeks until the Budget, the main political parties have been setting out their economic thinking. Each faces the same bind: anaemic growth, fiscal constraints and uncomfortable exposure to ...
www.spectator.co.uk
November 6, 2025 at 9:25 AM
How green issues became the new ‘clear blue water’:
• Warnings £300 energy savings won’t materialise
• Coutinho to launch a ‘Cut My Bills’ push to take 20% off
• Lib Dems eye communitarian Tories
• Greens keen for local London pacts
www.spectator.co.uk/article/west...
• Warnings £300 energy savings won’t materialise
• Coutinho to launch a ‘Cut My Bills’ push to take 20% off
• Lib Dems eye communitarian Tories
• Greens keen for local London pacts
www.spectator.co.uk/article/west...
And the lucky man facing David Lammy at PMQs is… James Cartlidge, the Shadow Defence Secretary
November 5, 2025 at 9:29 AM
And the lucky man facing David Lammy at PMQs is… James Cartlidge, the Shadow Defence Secretary
Given Reeves' speech today, it's worth remembering that Budget broadcasts - followed by a response from Opposition parties – existed until 2012.
Here's Gordon Brown in 2000, succinctly explaining his changes and broader thinking:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wf1u...
Here's Gordon Brown in 2000, succinctly explaining his changes and broader thinking:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wf1u...
Budget Broadcast by Gordon Brown 2000
YouTube video by David Boothroyd
www.youtube.com
November 4, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Given Reeves' speech today, it's worth remembering that Budget broadcasts - followed by a response from Opposition parties – existed until 2012.
Here's Gordon Brown in 2000, succinctly explaining his changes and broader thinking:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wf1u...
Here's Gordon Brown in 2000, succinctly explaining his changes and broader thinking:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wf1u...
Exc: Reform launch their own Research Department, to rival the Tories' famed CRD
Up to a dozen hires are sought, with the party moving into opposition research
Senior source: "The building of the party machine continues at pace"
t.co/ci2fkLLJ5b
Up to a dozen hires are sought, with the party moving into opposition research
Senior source: "The building of the party machine continues at pace"
t.co/ci2fkLLJ5b
https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/reform-launches-its-own-research-department/
t.co
November 4, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Exc: Reform launch their own Research Department, to rival the Tories' famed CRD
Up to a dozen hires are sought, with the party moving into opposition research
Senior source: "The building of the party machine continues at pace"
t.co/ci2fkLLJ5b
Up to a dozen hires are sought, with the party moving into opposition research
Senior source: "The building of the party machine continues at pace"
t.co/ci2fkLLJ5b
In his big speech in the City tomorrow, Nigel Farage will say that London ought to be a leading centre in digital assets.
Column from this week's Spectator on how he has spent years championing the crypto craze:
www.spectator.co.uk/article/whic...
Column from this week's Spectator on how he has spent years championing the crypto craze:
www.spectator.co.uk/article/whic...
Which party has the crypto factor?
He helped ‘break’ the Bank of England – but now Scott Bessent is helping to shape its future. As a young hedge-fund manager, he served in George Soros’s firm when it made $1 billion on Black Wednesday...
www.spectator.co.uk
November 2, 2025 at 9:37 PM
In his big speech in the City tomorrow, Nigel Farage will say that London ought to be a leading centre in digital assets.
Column from this week's Spectator on how he has spent years championing the crypto craze:
www.spectator.co.uk/article/whic...
Column from this week's Spectator on how he has spent years championing the crypto craze:
www.spectator.co.uk/article/whic...
Increasing chatter among Tory staff that they will soon vacate their Matthew Parker Street base. Lease is up next year…
t.co/I3AybfjK9N
t.co/I3AybfjK9N
https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/will-tories-leave-their-westminster-base/
t.co
October 31, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Increasing chatter among Tory staff that they will soon vacate their Matthew Parker Street base. Lease is up next year…
t.co/I3AybfjK9N
t.co/I3AybfjK9N
New: Lewis Cocking and Bradley Thomas were both elected to the 1922 Committee executive last night, defeating Alison Griffiths and Simon Hoare
October 30, 2025 at 4:34 PM
New: Lewis Cocking and Bradley Thomas were both elected to the 1922 Committee executive last night, defeating Alison Griffiths and Simon Hoare
Kwasi Kwarteng: ‘Bitcoin has been around for 16 years – digital currencies will only play a bigger role.’
Column in this week’s Spectator on policymakers scrambling to keep up with the crypto craze:
t.co/SKqhqML3bt
Column in this week’s Spectator on policymakers scrambling to keep up with the crypto craze:
t.co/SKqhqML3bt
https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/which-party-has-the-crypto-factor/
t.co
October 30, 2025 at 9:20 AM
Kwasi Kwarteng: ‘Bitcoin has been around for 16 years – digital currencies will only play a bigger role.’
Column in this week’s Spectator on policymakers scrambling to keep up with the crypto craze:
t.co/SKqhqML3bt
Column in this week’s Spectator on policymakers scrambling to keep up with the crypto craze:
t.co/SKqhqML3bt
Some wry Tory smiles tonight that Angela Rayner voted to keep stamp duty
October 28, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Some wry Tory smiles tonight that Angela Rayner voted to keep stamp duty
Trying to find a wonderful Harold Macmillan quote. Involves a conversation with an official/minister who remarks on how national decline has quickened since they brought in all these statisticians. Supermac replies "Ah but the rate of decline has never been better recorded!"
All help welcome!
All help welcome!
October 28, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Trying to find a wonderful Harold Macmillan quote. Involves a conversation with an official/minister who remarks on how national decline has quickened since they brought in all these statisticians. Supermac replies "Ah but the rate of decline has never been better recorded!"
All help welcome!
All help welcome!
Labour chair Anna Turley with a dreadful pun on Reform’s morning presser:
“Their savings plans collapse at the first contact with reality. It's a serious case of Doge-ja vu.”
“Their savings plans collapse at the first contact with reality. It's a serious case of Doge-ja vu.”
October 28, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Labour chair Anna Turley with a dreadful pun on Reform’s morning presser:
“Their savings plans collapse at the first contact with reality. It's a serious case of Doge-ja vu.”
“Their savings plans collapse at the first contact with reality. It's a serious case of Doge-ja vu.”
New: Danny Kruger expected to pledge a Reform UK government would -
- Exit existing international legal obligations + prune back JR
- Slash Whitehall head count and quit existing premises when leases end
- Cite its democratic mandate when dealing with obstruction and unions
t.co/fEkaeLn2Kt
- Exit existing international legal obligations + prune back JR
- Slash Whitehall head count and quit existing premises when leases end
- Cite its democratic mandate when dealing with obstruction and unions
t.co/fEkaeLn2Kt
https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/revealed-how-pm-farage-wants-to-govern/
t.co
October 27, 2025 at 10:54 PM
New: Danny Kruger expected to pledge a Reform UK government would -
- Exit existing international legal obligations + prune back JR
- Slash Whitehall head count and quit existing premises when leases end
- Cite its democratic mandate when dealing with obstruction and unions
t.co/fEkaeLn2Kt
- Exit existing international legal obligations + prune back JR
- Slash Whitehall head count and quit existing premises when leases end
- Cite its democratic mandate when dealing with obstruction and unions
t.co/fEkaeLn2Kt
Another busy week for Reform UK, with three press conferences set to be held.
A key theme will be the work done by Zia Yusuf and Danny Kruger in preparing the party’s policy offering and readiness for government.
More from this week’s Spectator here:
www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-...
A key theme will be the work done by Zia Yusuf and Danny Kruger in preparing the party’s policy offering and readiness for government.
More from this week’s Spectator here:
www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-...
The battle for Farage’s mind
If New Labour was Margaret Thatcher’s greatest achievement, then Reform UK is perhaps Tony Blair’s. Distaste for the three-time election winner is a thread which connects much of the party’s leadershi...
www.spectator.co.uk
October 26, 2025 at 8:56 PM
Another busy week for Reform UK, with three press conferences set to be held.
A key theme will be the work done by Zia Yusuf and Danny Kruger in preparing the party’s policy offering and readiness for government.
More from this week’s Spectator here:
www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-...
A key theme will be the work done by Zia Yusuf and Danny Kruger in preparing the party’s policy offering and readiness for government.
More from this week’s Spectator here:
www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-...
Mervyn King to Trevor Phillips on Sky: "We haven't seen a Chancellor take a strategic look at the tax system for almost 40 years. It's been one kind of tinkering after another."
Reeves shd set up a group to "look deeply at all aspects of the tax treatment" to improve coherence
Reeves shd set up a group to "look deeply at all aspects of the tax treatment" to improve coherence
October 26, 2025 at 11:05 AM
Mervyn King to Trevor Phillips on Sky: "We haven't seen a Chancellor take a strategic look at the tax system for almost 40 years. It's been one kind of tinkering after another."
Reeves shd set up a group to "look deeply at all aspects of the tax treatment" to improve coherence
Reeves shd set up a group to "look deeply at all aspects of the tax treatment" to improve coherence
A lovely man who was generous to a somewhat gauche 19 year old blogging on political history. RIP.
Deeply saddened by the passing of Dick Taverne. He will be missed by all of us, including his colleagues in the House of Lords.
His life of public service is an inspiration and a reminder of what politics can be.
My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
His life of public service is an inspiration and a reminder of what politics can be.
My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
October 25, 2025 at 3:57 PM
A lovely man who was generous to a somewhat gauche 19 year old blogging on political history. RIP.
Rishi Sunak to the Times: "Clearly, I miss the levers of power. I’m proud I brought in the smoking ban for the young. I miss playing cricket in the garden with the England cricket team and the staff. But not much else."
October 25, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Rishi Sunak to the Times: "Clearly, I miss the levers of power. I’m proud I brought in the smoking ban for the young. I miss playing cricket in the garden with the England cricket team and the staff. But not much else."
Caerphilly offered the trailer for the Senedd movie next May: bitter attacks, tactical voting and a bad night for Welsh Labour
www.spectator.co.uk/article/plai...
www.spectator.co.uk/article/plai...
Plaid Cymru storms to victory in Caerphilly
The Welsh nationalists have won almost half the vote in the Caerphilly by-election, storming to a victory in a seat that has voted Labour for more than a century. The party’s candidate Lindsay Whittle...
www.spectator.co.uk
October 24, 2025 at 7:04 AM
Caerphilly offered the trailer for the Senedd movie next May: bitter attacks, tactical voting and a bad night for Welsh Labour
www.spectator.co.uk/article/plai...
www.spectator.co.uk/article/plai...
Very happy for my colleague Michael Simmons has launched his own show on SpecTV, mixing data with insight:
First guest? Art Laffer on Reeves, Farage, Trump.
You can read about it here:
www.spectator.co.uk/article/intr...
First guest? Art Laffer on Reeves, Farage, Trump.
You can read about it here:
www.spectator.co.uk/article/intr...
Introducing: Reality Check
Michael Simmons launches Reality Check, a show for explaining the numbers behind the noise. The first episode is with Arthur Laffer.
www.spectator.co.uk
October 23, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Very happy for my colleague Michael Simmons has launched his own show on SpecTV, mixing data with insight:
First guest? Art Laffer on Reeves, Farage, Trump.
You can read about it here:
www.spectator.co.uk/article/intr...
First guest? Art Laffer on Reeves, Farage, Trump.
You can read about it here:
www.spectator.co.uk/article/intr...
The thinkers, politicians and institutes all jostling for influence in Reform UK:
www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-...
www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-...
The battle for Farage’s mind
If New Labour was Margaret Thatcher’s greatest achievement, then Reform UK is perhaps Tony Blair’s. Distaste for the three-time election winner is a thread which connects much of the party’s leadershi...
www.spectator.co.uk
October 23, 2025 at 8:08 AM
The thinkers, politicians and institutes all jostling for influence in Reform UK:
www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-...
www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-...