Sebastian Salek
@sebastiansalek.com
I write threads about how Labour is fixing Britain. Councillor and ex-political journalist.
If you’re interested in what’s happening in Parliament, my newsletter explains the bills MPs are debating each week.
Get it free here: clearthelobby.co.uk
Get it free here: clearthelobby.co.uk
Clear the Lobby
A newsletter explaining the bills MPs are voting on each week
clearthelobby.co.uk
October 27, 2025 at 12:05 PM
If you’re interested in what’s happening in Parliament, my newsletter explains the bills MPs are debating each week.
Get it free here: clearthelobby.co.uk
Get it free here: clearthelobby.co.uk
There’s still lots to do.
The waiting list needs taming, for one.
But amid a gloomy national mood, let’s not overlook the things that are, quietly, on the up.
The waiting list needs taming, for one.
But amid a gloomy national mood, let’s not overlook the things that are, quietly, on the up.
October 27, 2025 at 12:05 PM
There’s still lots to do.
The waiting list needs taming, for one.
But amid a gloomy national mood, let’s not overlook the things that are, quietly, on the up.
The waiting list needs taming, for one.
But amid a gloomy national mood, let’s not overlook the things that are, quietly, on the up.
4. Half a million unnecessary appointments avoided
Thanks to Advice and Guidance, GPs accessed consultant advice directly for patients.
That prevented 500,000+ unnecessary hospital referrals between April and August.
Thanks to Advice and Guidance, GPs accessed consultant advice directly for patients.
That prevented 500,000+ unnecessary hospital referrals between April and August.
October 27, 2025 at 12:05 PM
4. Half a million unnecessary appointments avoided
Thanks to Advice and Guidance, GPs accessed consultant advice directly for patients.
That prevented 500,000+ unnecessary hospital referrals between April and August.
Thanks to Advice and Guidance, GPs accessed consultant advice directly for patients.
That prevented 500,000+ unnecessary hospital referrals between April and August.
3. Tests and checks jump
The NHS delivered almost 7.5m tests and checks.
That’s over 250,000 more than last summer.
The NHS delivered almost 7.5m tests and checks.
That’s over 250,000 more than last summer.
October 27, 2025 at 12:05 PM
3. Tests and checks jump
The NHS delivered almost 7.5m tests and checks.
That’s over 250,000 more than last summer.
The NHS delivered almost 7.5m tests and checks.
That’s over 250,000 more than last summer.
2. Record cancer diagnoses
More than 654,000 patients received a cancer diagnosis (or had it ruled out) within 28 days.
That’s 28,000 more than summer 2024.
Plus, an extra 2,400 patients starting cancer treatment within 62 days of a diagnosis.
More than 654,000 patients received a cancer diagnosis (or had it ruled out) within 28 days.
That’s 28,000 more than summer 2024.
Plus, an extra 2,400 patients starting cancer treatment within 62 days of a diagnosis.
October 27, 2025 at 12:05 PM
2. Record cancer diagnoses
More than 654,000 patients received a cancer diagnosis (or had it ruled out) within 28 days.
That’s 28,000 more than summer 2024.
Plus, an extra 2,400 patients starting cancer treatment within 62 days of a diagnosis.
More than 654,000 patients received a cancer diagnosis (or had it ruled out) within 28 days.
That’s 28,000 more than summer 2024.
Plus, an extra 2,400 patients starting cancer treatment within 62 days of a diagnosis.
1. Record elective cases
4.6m cases were managed by the NHS between June and August. That’s up 138,000 on last year.
Treatments per working day also rose 4.4% on last August.
4.6m cases were managed by the NHS between June and August. That’s up 138,000 on last year.
Treatments per working day also rose 4.4% on last August.
October 27, 2025 at 12:05 PM
1. Record elective cases
4.6m cases were managed by the NHS between June and August. That’s up 138,000 on last year.
Treatments per working day also rose 4.4% on last August.
4.6m cases were managed by the NHS between June and August. That’s up 138,000 on last year.
Treatments per working day also rose 4.4% on last August.
If you’re interested in what’s going on in Parliament, my newsletter explains the bills MPs are debating each week.
Get it free here: clearthelobby.co.uk
Get it free here: clearthelobby.co.uk
Clear the Lobby
A newsletter explaining the bills MPs are voting on each week
clearthelobby.co.uk
October 24, 2025 at 9:31 AM
If you’re interested in what’s going on in Parliament, my newsletter explains the bills MPs are debating each week.
Get it free here: clearthelobby.co.uk
Get it free here: clearthelobby.co.uk
So the polls may not look great for Labour right now.
And the Caerphilly result was nothing to celebrate.
But the good news is that 2029 is very much still in play.
And the Caerphilly result was nothing to celebrate.
But the good news is that 2029 is very much still in play.
October 24, 2025 at 9:31 AM
So the polls may not look great for Labour right now.
And the Caerphilly result was nothing to celebrate.
But the good news is that 2029 is very much still in play.
And the Caerphilly result was nothing to celebrate.
But the good news is that 2029 is very much still in play.
Green, Lib Dem, and Tory voters won’t love this.
But they know that voting anything other than Labour in a winnable seat helps Farage win.
And the polling shows they won’t take the risk.
But they know that voting anything other than Labour in a winnable seat helps Farage win.
And the polling shows they won’t take the risk.
October 24, 2025 at 9:31 AM
Green, Lib Dem, and Tory voters won’t love this.
But they know that voting anything other than Labour in a winnable seat helps Farage win.
And the polling shows they won’t take the risk.
But they know that voting anything other than Labour in a winnable seat helps Farage win.
And the polling shows they won’t take the risk.
Starmer (45%) was way ahead of Farage (33%).
That lead remains when they stripped away the names and asked about Labour (46%) vs Reform (34%).
So either way, the anti-Reform bloc holds strong.
That lead remains when they stripped away the names and asked about Labour (46%) vs Reform (34%).
So either way, the anti-Reform bloc holds strong.
October 24, 2025 at 9:31 AM
Starmer (45%) was way ahead of Farage (33%).
That lead remains when they stripped away the names and asked about Labour (46%) vs Reform (34%).
So either way, the anti-Reform bloc holds strong.
That lead remains when they stripped away the names and asked about Labour (46%) vs Reform (34%).
So either way, the anti-Reform bloc holds strong.
The next general election looks like a straight Starmer vs Farage fight.
It’ll probably have echoes of Macron vs Le Pen in France.
And when YouGov asked voters who they’d prefer as PM, the result was clear.
It’ll probably have echoes of Macron vs Le Pen in France.
And when YouGov asked voters who they’d prefer as PM, the result was clear.
October 24, 2025 at 9:31 AM
The next general election looks like a straight Starmer vs Farage fight.
It’ll probably have echoes of Macron vs Le Pen in France.
And when YouGov asked voters who they’d prefer as PM, the result was clear.
It’ll probably have echoes of Macron vs Le Pen in France.
And when YouGov asked voters who they’d prefer as PM, the result was clear.
Those who will do anything to stop Farage.
In Caerphilly they rallied behind Plaid Cymru – and won.
In 2029, the data suggests they’ll back Labour.
In Caerphilly they rallied behind Plaid Cymru – and won.
In 2029, the data suggests they’ll back Labour.
October 24, 2025 at 9:31 AM
Those who will do anything to stop Farage.
In Caerphilly they rallied behind Plaid Cymru – and won.
In 2029, the data suggests they’ll back Labour.
In Caerphilly they rallied behind Plaid Cymru – and won.
In 2029, the data suggests they’ll back Labour.
In Caerphilly, Reform won 36% of the vote.
That’s way above the ~30% they’re polling at nationally.
But it STILL wasn’t enough to win, because of a quiet voter group we never talk about:
That’s way above the ~30% they’re polling at nationally.
But it STILL wasn’t enough to win, because of a quiet voter group we never talk about:
October 24, 2025 at 9:31 AM
In Caerphilly, Reform won 36% of the vote.
That’s way above the ~30% they’re polling at nationally.
But it STILL wasn’t enough to win, because of a quiet voter group we never talk about:
That’s way above the ~30% they’re polling at nationally.
But it STILL wasn’t enough to win, because of a quiet voter group we never talk about:
Labour’s poor showing in the Caerphilly by-election wasn’t a shock.
We all knew it wasn’t going to be a good night.
What’s much more surprising is Reform’s performance.
We all knew it wasn’t going to be a good night.
What’s much more surprising is Reform’s performance.
October 24, 2025 at 9:31 AM
Labour’s poor showing in the Caerphilly by-election wasn’t a shock.
We all knew it wasn’t going to be a good night.
What’s much more surprising is Reform’s performance.
We all knew it wasn’t going to be a good night.
What’s much more surprising is Reform’s performance.
If you’re interested in what’s happening in Parliament, my newsletter explains the bills MPs are debating each week.
Get it free here: clearthelobby.co.uk
Get it free here: clearthelobby.co.uk
Clear the Lobby
A newsletter explaining the bills MPs are voting on each week
clearthelobby.co.uk
October 17, 2025 at 10:44 AM
If you’re interested in what’s happening in Parliament, my newsletter explains the bills MPs are debating each week.
Get it free here: clearthelobby.co.uk
Get it free here: clearthelobby.co.uk
8. Crackdown on employers underpaying staff
Labour has named and shamed almost 500 employers who failed to pay the minimum wage.
They’ve been fined, and around 42,000 workers have been repaid.
Labour has named and shamed almost 500 employers who failed to pay the minimum wage.
They’ve been fined, and around 42,000 workers have been repaid.
October 17, 2025 at 10:44 AM
8. Crackdown on employers underpaying staff
Labour has named and shamed almost 500 employers who failed to pay the minimum wage.
They’ve been fined, and around 42,000 workers have been repaid.
Labour has named and shamed almost 500 employers who failed to pay the minimum wage.
They’ve been fined, and around 42,000 workers have been repaid.
7. Mental health support to get people back into work
The £80m package will target areas with the highest unemployment.
Plus, Labour is investing £50m into mental health research.
The £80m package will target areas with the highest unemployment.
Plus, Labour is investing £50m into mental health research.
October 17, 2025 at 10:44 AM
7. Mental health support to get people back into work
The £80m package will target areas with the highest unemployment.
Plus, Labour is investing £50m into mental health research.
The £80m package will target areas with the highest unemployment.
Plus, Labour is investing £50m into mental health research.
6. Knife robberies down
Offences fell 10% among the seven police forces most impacted by knife crime.
Comes as part of a taskforce crackdown that started last year.
Offences fell 10% among the seven police forces most impacted by knife crime.
Comes as part of a taskforce crackdown that started last year.
October 17, 2025 at 10:44 AM
6. Knife robberies down
Offences fell 10% among the seven police forces most impacted by knife crime.
Comes as part of a taskforce crackdown that started last year.
Offences fell 10% among the seven police forces most impacted by knife crime.
Comes as part of a taskforce crackdown that started last year.
5. Toughest Russia sanctions yet
Labour announced 90 new sanctions on oil companies, including giants Rosneft and Lukoil.
Labour announced 90 new sanctions on oil companies, including giants Rosneft and Lukoil.
October 17, 2025 at 10:44 AM
5. Toughest Russia sanctions yet
Labour announced 90 new sanctions on oil companies, including giants Rosneft and Lukoil.
Labour announced 90 new sanctions on oil companies, including giants Rosneft and Lukoil.
4. Protecting Jewish communities
Labour announced record funding for security around synagogues and Jewish schools.
Stats show religious hate crime at highest ever levels, with Jewish people most targeted.
Labour announced record funding for security around synagogues and Jewish schools.
Stats show religious hate crime at highest ever levels, with Jewish people most targeted.
October 17, 2025 at 10:44 AM
4. Protecting Jewish communities
Labour announced record funding for security around synagogues and Jewish schools.
Stats show religious hate crime at highest ever levels, with Jewish people most targeted.
Labour announced record funding for security around synagogues and Jewish schools.
Stats show religious hate crime at highest ever levels, with Jewish people most targeted.
3. £84m homelessness package
Funding will help families cover essentials like food, school travel, and laundry.
Children and families in temporary accommodation will be prioritised.
Funding will help families cover essentials like food, school travel, and laundry.
Children and families in temporary accommodation will be prioritised.
October 17, 2025 at 10:44 AM
3. £84m homelessness package
Funding will help families cover essentials like food, school travel, and laundry.
Children and families in temporary accommodation will be prioritised.
Funding will help families cover essentials like food, school travel, and laundry.
Children and families in temporary accommodation will be prioritised.
2. Stronger planning laws to boost building
The changes will prevent locals from blocking housing using judicial reviews.
They’ll also speed up new reservoirs and onshore wind farms.
The changes will prevent locals from blocking housing using judicial reviews.
They’ll also speed up new reservoirs and onshore wind farms.
October 17, 2025 at 10:44 AM
2. Stronger planning laws to boost building
The changes will prevent locals from blocking housing using judicial reviews.
They’ll also speed up new reservoirs and onshore wind farms.
The changes will prevent locals from blocking housing using judicial reviews.
They’ll also speed up new reservoirs and onshore wind farms.
1. Half of rail operators publicly owned
Greater Anglia's services entered public ownership on Sunday.
Public operators now run 33% of all passenger rail journeys.
Greater Anglia's services entered public ownership on Sunday.
Public operators now run 33% of all passenger rail journeys.
October 17, 2025 at 10:44 AM
1. Half of rail operators publicly owned
Greater Anglia's services entered public ownership on Sunday.
Public operators now run 33% of all passenger rail journeys.
Greater Anglia's services entered public ownership on Sunday.
Public operators now run 33% of all passenger rail journeys.