Personal announcement. After 21 years, I have decided to move on from the BBC.l leave behind many happy memories and wonderful colleagues. But from the New Year I am moving to Global to write and present political and cultural shows, and to write for newspapers
Another extraordinary thing about Shirley Williams. As prisons minister, in 1966, she wanted to find out what life was really like for women inside: so she persuaded the authorities to lock her up in Holloway on a pretended prostitution charge. Who would do that now?
After poor health times - big stroke, cancer etc - great health moment. Got my vaccine shot. Fast, easy, hyper efficient, London NHS at warp speed. When you get the call, don’t hesitate
Incredibly poignant cartoon by
@mortenmorland
in today’s Times.
If you know someone who lives alone, perhaps bereaved, for whom today may hit especially hard, perhaps give them a ring later on 🖤
Look away if you’re eating lunch, or about to. Calm and measured assessment of the mood in the Commons from a Tory MP: “we are being offered the choice of a shit sandwich… Or a shit sandwich with extra shit.”
EXC: Inside Brexit War Cabinet:
- Dominic Cummings described EU negotiation as "a sham" in internal strategy meetings, per two highly placed sources.
- AG Cox warned Johnson it was "complete fantasy" to think EU would bin backstop 1/thread
1/thread
"For the first time since the Second World War we have a domestic, proscribed terrorist group. It's right-wing, it's neo-Nazi, it's proudly white supremacist."
The Met's former counter-terrorism chief says Britain hasn't "woken up" to the extreme right-wing
#newsnight
I very much want to start doing revised versions of my show on Sunday evening with everyone - guests, me, producer, camera, sound - completely smashed.i think it would make great telly and perhaps be more politically revealing. And I’m looking to Rob for support
On the face of it, Bercow’s ruling makes a no Deal Exit it much more likely. I don’t believe he wants that for a second. Does he know something the rest of us don’t? I rather think he does…
Utterly deplore this shockingly irresponsible tweet by
@Telegraph
. May is incompetent, untrustworthy & reckless, but that is not ‘treason’. Editors need to remember that it is just two years since an MP was murdered, and that many receive regular death threats. Just grow up.
This was so moving. Spontaneously stopped off at the London Bridge station organ to play a couple of pieces for the Queen. This lovely security guard, Marcella, asked if I could play Lascia ch'io pianga. Turns out she trained as a singer! ❤️😭
I’ve been doing lockdown drawings and once this nightmare is over, I’d like to sell them to raise cash for NHS and care home charities. Anyone wanting to look should try
Yesterday my brilliant LBC colleague
@charlotterlynch
was arrested by
@HertsPolice
for *doing her job* and reporting on a protest. It was a scary few hours when we lost contact, and I just cannot imagine what it was like for her being handcuffed & put in a cell. In Britain. 2022.
Let me get this right. May is now being told price for avoiding No Deal is her resignation and a Job for a Boy. Refuse and the UK gets no deal? Well, thanks a bundle chaps
A stone cold brilliant journalist of unimpeachable integrity and absolute impartiality.
The BBC have been very very lucky to have her… And whatever the next role is, I’m sure she will shine in it.
Thanks for everything Laura
After nearly 7 years, in April I'm moving on from best daily reporting job + the most wonderful team in the business. It's been an honour and an amazing ride - more to come in 2022! With love + thanks to all at
@BBCPolitics
Jack Dromey was a hero of the Grunwick confrontation, a deep source of wisdom on political history and a very kind and witty man. Thinking of Harriet tonight
Old truth: governments fail When chancellors and prime ministers fundamentally disagree: Truss has just created the latest reason for the impossibility of her survival. As a functioning PM, it’s over.
I disagree with almost every word Anna Soubry says on Brexit, but this is appalling. No one should have to endure this kind of verbal assault. We have seen where it can lead, as the tweeter below says.
This is not a free speech. issue. It is an incitement issue.
Queen now placed in the centre of the most sensational constitutional fight in modern history. We must expect that Bercow will call Commons back today. Conference season blown away. Over to Johnson in New York. Calls today for him to resign, may follow soon
Fmr Environment Sec George Eustice has spoken about the post-Brexit UK/Australia trade deal in the Commons. He says now no longer a minister: "I no longer have to put such a positive gloss on what was agreed...the Australia deal is not actually a very good trade deal for the UK."
Thisis an urban liberal trying to explain the immediate aftermath of the referendum, during which immigration was a massive issue. Every academic analysis later said the same thing. There is literally nobody who knows me who thinks I have a shred of anti immigrant feeling
“Waves of migration and globalised culture washed among us, eroding our sense of self… but the self-confidently multi-ethnic, liberal, urban class… barely noticed.”
Not a UKIP broadcast, but the authoritative voice of Andrew Marr. (26/6/16)
Brilliant piece of interviewing byTom Bradbury… perfect click of right inquisitor, right subject, right moment. It must have taken nerveless concentration
Dear
@thetimes
- The headline and graphic accompanying this article are deeply misleading. I didn’t receive - nor sought - a penny when I left the BBC (and I’m pretty certain neither did Andrew or Emily). And would have happily confirmed this if anyone had asked.
Sitting knackered on the sofa at home, watching the amazing Sophie Raworth and Reeta C - and Laura K - still at it. Maximum respect. Girls really are tougher
It’s been 13 long hours of broadcasting today, and an even longer 11 days since the Queen passed away. A privilege to play a small part in reporting on this moment of history
This is totally disgusting.
@elonmusk
should retract. It occurs as British Conservatives are told that the problem with the Nazis was that they “mucked up” the case for nationalism. This normalization of the heinous is a disgrace,
EXC: Labour’s pledge to abolish the Lords is set to be watered down in favour of “reform” after an eleventh hour row between Gordon Brown and Starmer aides
Story with
@patrickkmaguire
@hzeffman
By the way, if it’s safe for the country to head back to the shops, it’s safe to end the remote news conferences and get journalists back in the same room as the ministers they are questioning .
1. I was born 60 years ago today: under an Old Etonian Tory prime minister Regarded by his enemies as a Chancer; a Labour leader widely criticised by his own side for being anti-European; and in a country hotly Debating what kind of relationship it wanted with Brussels....
Please could any 2 of my Followers just copy and repost?
This lockdown period is especially hard for people with depression.
Samaritans 116 123
Just two. Any two. Say done.
Looking out of the window at a gorgeous blue sky I feel my spring is being stolen. Except that all my life every politician has said they love the NHS, as do we all: and this spring is the time to prove we mean it
In Edinburgh the traditional Hogmanay street party was cancelled because of Covid - but people were able to watch this beautiful video online of a drone display, forming images across Scotland's skies to welcome in 2021
See more:
EXC: PR firm founded by Penny Mordaunt lobbied for doctors' group that opposed abortion, even in cases of rape
The Tory leadership candidate was listed as director & shareholder when lobbying firm MIPPR did work for the Christian Medical Fellowship
Delighted to report that it’s working! We have a record-breaking audience for Tonight with Andrew Marr & the highest for the slot on LBC in 50 years. We’re up 30% on the year & 10% on the quarter. Huge congrats to my crack team
@hattmarris84
@JTMaclaren
@Ellie_Tivey
@Zeynelradio
Westminster, for now, has the best cliffhanger drama available anywhere. Who needs dragons, Iron Thrones or sieges when you’ve got Cummings v Starmer today? On the edge of my seat!
Guess what I am finding hard is the awakening to an even bigger audience of the "would we or wouldn't we rape Jess Phillips" because of legitimising of the perpetrator. I've dealt with it in drips for nearly 4 years and just deleted or blocked. It's like a torrent at the moment
Update on Frances: a thread.
First of all, Frances would like to say a huge thank you to everybody who has helped her, especially the amazing doctors and nurses of the NHS, and her many MANY well-wishers. ❤️
Baker coming out for Rishi on Sophy Ridge and calmly withering about BJ. First moment in a big day; “I’m not prepared to lay down my integrity for Boris Johnson.”
There's a widespread expectation among Westminster-based journalists and foreign correspondents reporting from London that a huge constitutional bust up between Sturgeon and Johnson is inevitable. But it's not clear the British government has to do anything 1/9
Tessa Jowell receives a standing ovation in the House of Lords, after she delivers moving speech on cancer care, appealing for patients to be able to trial treatments
Heartbroken that my Mum passed away peacefully in her sleep last night, after many years of Alzheimer’s. She was a beloved Mum & Nain who was adored by her family & friends. A truly formidable person in every single way, and with such a cheeky sense of humour! Rest in peace ❤️❤️
Absolutely thrilled to have won Journalist of the Year at the
@londonpressclub
awards. Such an honour. It isn’t always the easiest job in the world, but my god I’m lucky to do it. 🙏🏽
Marr will write a weekly column on political affairs and contribute more generally to the New Statesman’s ambitious plans to expand and internationalise its reach and political coverage