London Playbook
What's driving the day in Westminster. Politics and policymaking in the UK capital.
Latest issues
Starmer fights the ‘flab’
Good Thursday morning. This is Stefan Boscia. DRIVING THE DAY BATTLE OF THE BULGE: Keir Starmer will try to get his reform agenda on the front foot …
London Playbook PM: Five hard nuts face the cameras
Good afternoon. This is Emilio Casalicchio. WEDNESDAY CHEAT SHEET — U.K. and European defense ministers are about to face the cameras as a peace deal between Ukraine …
Your play, Putin
Good Wednesday morning. This is Andrew McDonald. DRIVING THE DAY NOT THE LAST TANGO IN PARIS: Defence Secretary John Healey meets his major European counterparts in Paris …
London Playbook PM: Ship in distress
Good afternoon. This is Emilio Casalicchio. TUESDAY CHEAT SHEET — Downing Street said there did not appear to be “foul play” over the two ships that collided …
It’s simple — we kill the bat tunnel
Good Tuesday morning. This is Andrew McDonald. DRIVING THE DAY BUILDING BLOCKS: Keir Starmer chairs Cabinet at 9.30 a.m., and will be hoping for another rare day …
London Playbook PM: Reform to Labour: Hold our ale
Good afternoon. This is Emilio Casalicchio. JUST IN: Keir Starmer will face his first by-election test in Runcorn and Helsby after former Labour MP Mike Amesbury told …
POLITICO London Playbook: Bringing it all back home
Good Monday morning. This is Sam Blewett. DRIVING THE DAY KEIR STARMER GOES ELECTRIC: The prospect of peace on the continent will again dominate the political discourse …
London Playbook PM: Trump (finally) Putin the boot in
Good afternoon. This is Emilio Casalicchio. SHIPPERS RE-BOUND: As George Osborne scooped on his podcast last month … godfather of the weekend political brief-a-thon Tim Shipman has …
O Brother, Where Art(icle 5) Thou?
Good Friday morning. This is Sam Blewett. DRIVING THE DAY ALL FOR ONE, BUT ONE WANTS ALL: Keir Starmer dials back into the European conversation today as …
London Playbook PM: Ocean between America and Europe
Good afternoon. This is Emilio Casalicchio. THURSDAY CHEAT SHEET — European nations pledged further support to Ukraine while the Americans continue to throw up barriers. — The …
Seeking Trump’s intelligence
Good Thursday morning. This is Sam Blewett. DRIVING THE DAY THE SEARCH FOR INTELLIGENCE: Keir Starmer is off to see defense industry workers in Britain, while European …
London Playbook PM: Labour loyalties tested
Good afternoon. This is Emilio Casalicchio. WEDNESDAY CHEAT SHEET — Labour MPs were critical of the aid budget cut during a tense Commons debate. — The U.S. …
Trump and Zelenskyy inch closer
Good Wednesday morning. This is Stefan Boscia. DRIVING THE DAY GETTING WARMER: Keir Starmer will continue his efforts to bring Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy together today, …
London Playbook PM: Rollercoaster ends in a kiss of the ring
Good afternoon. This is Emilio Casalicchio. TUESDAY CHEAT SHEET — Westminster went nuts about Donald Trump pausing aid to Ukraine and his second-in-command appearing to trash U.K. …
Trump halts Ukraine military aid
Good Tuesday morning. This is Stefan Boscia. DRIVING THE DAY HE ACTUALLY DID IT: Keir Starmer wakes up this morning to fresh evidence the traditional Western alliance …
London Playbook PM: MPs hold a love-in … almost
Good afternoon. This is Emilio Casalicchio in the press seats of the House of Commons where Keir Starmer has been delivering a statement on Ukraine and defense. …
Coalition of the grillings
Good Monday morning. This is Andrew McDonald. DRIVING THE DAY BACK TO EARTH: Keir Starmer faces a lengthy Q&A with MPs this afternoon on his and France’s …
London Playbook PM: First aid cut casualty
Good afternoon. This is Emilio Casalicchio. FRIDAY CHEAT SHEET — Cabinet minister Anneliese Dodds resigned over Keir Starmer slashing the foreign aid budget. — The PM insisted …
What a beautiful accent
Good Friday morning. This is Andrew McDonald. DRIVING THE DAY BIGLY: Keir Starmer is landing back in Britain this morning with a bundle of wins under his …
London Playbook PM: Filet-O-Fish, Keir?
Good afternoon. This is Emilio Casalicchio. THURSDAY CHEAT SHEET — Keir Starmer and Donald Trump are lunching in the White House after the PM gifted his counterpart …