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
This is notable in the light of Goodwin’s recent arguments on X that people from minority ethnic background are not British even if they were born and brought up here. I asked the Reform press office last week if they had a response to Goodwin’s views; silence so far.
November 10, 2025 at 1:48 PM
This is notable in the light of Goodwin’s recent arguments on X that people from minority ethnic background are not British even if they were born and brought up here. I asked the Reform press office last week if they had a response to Goodwin’s views; silence so far.
While ostensibly about one academic’s experiences with the NYT, the central point about the sheer, relentless march of, “critics say”, false-balance journalism should be read and understood by anyone involved in or just interested in the news.
November 9, 2025 at 10:16 AM
While ostensibly about one academic’s experiences with the NYT, the central point about the sheer, relentless march of, “critics say”, false-balance journalism should be read and understood by anyone involved in or just interested in the news.
For anyone still tempted to take Dominic Cummings at all seriously, he's now an advocate of Donald Trump-style open racism.
November 6, 2025 at 2:26 PM
For anyone still tempted to take Dominic Cummings at all seriously, he's now an advocate of Donald Trump-style open racism.
The Conservatives are trying to frame moves towards pay per mile driving as an unacceptable tax raid. But Rishi Sunak’s No 10 drew up plans for a consultation on road pricing that was only pulled at the last minute. There was even a press release already written.
November 6, 2025 at 8:28 AM
The Conservatives are trying to frame moves towards pay per mile driving as an unacceptable tax raid. But Rishi Sunak’s No 10 drew up plans for a consultation on road pricing that was only pulled at the last minute. There was even a press release already written.
I'm a couple of days late to this ConHome piece, but in awe of the sheer brass neck of a Conservative councillor in Wales writing 1,000 words on how the Caerphilly by-election was terrible for Labour without mentioning the fact that his own party got a 2% vote share and 690 votes.
November 5, 2025 at 3:13 PM
I'm a couple of days late to this ConHome piece, but in awe of the sheer brass neck of a Conservative councillor in Wales writing 1,000 words on how the Caerphilly by-election was terrible for Labour without mentioning the fact that his own party got a 2% vote share and 690 votes.
Ah, OK. So here we are.
November 5, 2025 at 12:38 PM
Ah, OK. So here we are.
The full transcript of Zohran Mamdani's acceptance speech is very much worth reading in full. Even if you don't agree with your politics, it's very beautifully put together.
archive.is/8VqQJ
[this is a useable link to the NYT transcript]
archive.is/8VqQJ
[this is a useable link to the NYT transcript]
November 5, 2025 at 11:34 AM
The full transcript of Zohran Mamdani's acceptance speech is very much worth reading in full. Even if you don't agree with your politics, it's very beautifully put together.
archive.is/8VqQJ
[this is a useable link to the NYT transcript]
archive.is/8VqQJ
[this is a useable link to the NYT transcript]
I was cycling behind a bus yesterday which had this sticker on it. It’s great to see, and I remain slightly baffled why all London buses (in fact all public motor vehicles) aren’t already tweaked to do the same thing.
November 4, 2025 at 12:20 PM
I was cycling behind a bus yesterday which had this sticker on it. It’s great to see, and I remain slightly baffled why all London buses (in fact all public motor vehicles) aren’t already tweaked to do the same thing.
This is an interesting argument. Unless you're a top tier minister, or you have something big to announce, is there much point in doing a traditional "speech to lectern followed by media Q&A"? Kemi Badenoch does it all the time. Zack Polanski almost never. Tories and Greens currently tied on 16%.
November 4, 2025 at 12:00 PM
This is an interesting argument. Unless you're a top tier minister, or you have something big to announce, is there much point in doing a traditional "speech to lectern followed by media Q&A"? Kemi Badenoch does it all the time. Zack Polanski almost never. Tories and Greens currently tied on 16%.
Headline of the Labour response to Badenoch's speech is certainly blunt.
November 4, 2025 at 11:47 AM
Headline of the Labour response to Badenoch's speech is certainly blunt.
Badenoch is thus far mainly castigating Reeves. She calls Reeves’ speech “a masterclass in managed decline” and “a laundry list of excuses”. As with last week’s outdoor speech a whole load of Tory MPs are here, and so we have a regular chorus of approving mutters and applause.
November 4, 2025 at 10:13 AM
Badenoch is thus far mainly castigating Reeves. She calls Reeves’ speech “a masterclass in managed decline” and “a laundry list of excuses”. As with last week’s outdoor speech a whole load of Tory MPs are here, and so we have a regular chorus of approving mutters and applause.
Speaking of the Conservatives, I’m in central London where Kemi Badenoch is about to make a speech on welfare (and will presumably be reacting to Reeves’ comments earlier).
November 4, 2025 at 10:04 AM
Speaking of the Conservatives, I’m in central London where Kemi Badenoch is about to make a speech on welfare (and will presumably be reacting to Reeves’ comments earlier).
YouGov has Greens level-pegging with the Conservatives on 16% - and the Tories are, in effect, one percentage point away from *fifth place*.
November 4, 2025 at 10:02 AM
YouGov has Greens level-pegging with the Conservatives on 16% - and the Tories are, in effect, one percentage point away from *fifth place*.
Extract from more recent Goodwin post. He really should never be allowed on the BBC - or any other reputable broadcaster - again.
November 2, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Extract from more recent Goodwin post. He really should never be allowed on the BBC - or any other reputable broadcaster - again.
He’s not really trying to hide it. It’s open, unapologetic racism; let’s be plain about it.
November 2, 2025 at 3:03 PM
He’s not really trying to hide it. It’s open, unapologetic racism; let’s be plain about it.
Well, the Tories aren't giving up.
October 30, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Well, the Tories aren't giving up.
Well that was fun while it lasted
October 30, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Well that was fun while it lasted
In other news, Kevin Hollinrake, the Tory party chair, is in Dulwich. Sadly for him – I know the area fairly well – he's currently a good 30-minute walk from Rachel Reeves' family home.
October 30, 2025 at 4:47 PM
In other news, Kevin Hollinrake, the Tory party chair, is in Dulwich. Sadly for him – I know the area fairly well – he's currently a good 30-minute walk from Rachel Reeves' family home.
Some good news for Rachel Reeves - Southwark council say they only take enforcement action (eg fines) against landlords who don't have a licence unless they don't get a licence within three weeks of a warning or the property is unsafe. You'd assume Reeves is safe on both of those.
October 30, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Some good news for Rachel Reeves - Southwark council say they only take enforcement action (eg fines) against landlords who don't have a licence unless they don't get a licence within three weeks of a warning or the property is unsafe. You'd assume Reeves is safe on both of those.
As Mel Stride is speaking at this event, three electronic slogan vans have driven behind him and Kemi Badenoch is getting out of one of them. This is a deeply curious event.
October 30, 2025 at 9:13 AM
As Mel Stride is speaking at this event, three electronic slogan vans have driven behind him and Kemi Badenoch is getting out of one of them. This is a deeply curious event.
As Mel Stride is speaking at this event, three electronic slogan vans have driven behind him and Kemi Badenoch is getting out of one of them. This is a deeply curious event.
October 30, 2025 at 9:13 AM
As Mel Stride is speaking at this event, three electronic slogan vans have driven behind him and Kemi Badenoch is getting out of one of them. This is a deeply curious event.
I’m at a slightly curious Conservative speech/rally on the side of the Thames where Kemi Badenoch and Mel Stride will say Rachel Reeves should be sacked if she raises taxes at the budget.
October 30, 2025 at 8:53 AM
I’m at a slightly curious Conservative speech/rally on the side of the Thames where Kemi Badenoch and Mel Stride will say Rachel Reeves should be sacked if she raises taxes at the budget.
“This is a white Christian Anglo-Saxon nation.”
Your reminder that Arron Banks was Reform’s candidate to be West of England mayor in May.
Your reminder that Arron Banks was Reform’s candidate to be West of England mayor in May.
October 26, 2025 at 12:56 PM
“This is a white Christian Anglo-Saxon nation.”
Your reminder that Arron Banks was Reform’s candidate to be West of England mayor in May.
Your reminder that Arron Banks was Reform’s candidate to be West of England mayor in May.
Keir Starmer on Katie Lam and her migration views: "“I can’t tell you how much I disagree with her." Some fairly strong comments to ITV.
October 23, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Keir Starmer on Katie Lam and her migration views: "“I can’t tell you how much I disagree with her." Some fairly strong comments to ITV.