London Playbook
What's driving the day in Westminster. Politics and policymaking in the UK capital.
Latest issues
London Playbook PM: Duties now for the future
Good afternoon. This is Emilio Casalicchio. Housekeeping note: This newsletter is taking its annual summer break from next week. My morning Playbook colleagues will still be appearing …
Smoke and mayors
WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING: Donald Trump announced late last night that his Board of Peace had struck a deal to disarm Hamas and other armed groups in …
London Playbook PM: Drilling while Suffolk burns
Good afternoon. This is Sam Blewett. THURSDAY CHEAT SHEET — Andy Burnham indicated he’ll allow more North Sea oil drilling. — Meanwhile, a chunk of England was …
Das reboot
Good Thursday morning. This is Sam Francis. DRIVING THE DAY SUB OPTIMAL: After two weeks of direction-of-travel announcements, promises of plans and reviews of reviews, Andy Burnham …
London Playbook PM: Care to vote for us?
What’s driving the day in London. By SAM BLEWETT with NOAH KEATE PRESENTED BY Send tips here | Subscribe for free | Politics at Sam and …
Sharing is caring
Good Wednesday morning. This is Andrew McDonald. DRIVING THE DAY BURNHAM’S PROBLEMS TOUR: The Andy Burnham ideas train rolls on as the PM continues to put himself …
London Playbook PM: MBacc, Zack and French ‘attack’
Good afternoon. This is Sam Blewett. TUESDAY CHEAT SHEET — Chris Philp said he came under French warning shots while out on the Channel. — Ministers seemed …
NEET-seeking missiles
Good Tuesday morning. This is Andrew McDonald. DRIVING THE DAY INTO THE NEET-Y GRITTY: We’ve had vibes, good TikToks and some quick consumer-focused policies so far — …
London Playbook PM: Burnham stamps on duty suspicions
Good afternoon. This is Sam Blewett. MONDAY CHEAT SHEET — Andy Burnham ruled out scrapping stamp duty — for now. — The PM got his first meeting …
These Things Take Time
Good Monday morning. This is Andrew McDonald. DRIVING THE DAY SECOND WEEK SYNDROME: If his first week in office was about introducing himself to the public with …
Andy sees double
BREAKING: Westminster Bridge has been cordoned off, and a major emergency service response is underway after five police officers were injured when a police vessel struck the …
Is it really so strange?
WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING: Donald Trump hit 60 countries with trade tariffs to begin at 5 a.m. Saturday, including a 10 percent rate on the U.K. After …
London Playbook PM: Need for speed
Good afternoon. This is Esther Webber. THURSDAY’S CHEAT SHEET — Andy Burnham hit pause on the early release prison scheme. — The new PM has just met …
Off to the pub
Good Thursday morning. This is Sam Francis. DRIVING THE DAY EARLY DOORS: Andy Burnham appears to be enjoying his newfound power so much that he has designed …
London Playbook PM: Rolling back the Keirs
Good afternoon. This is Sam Blewett. WEDNESDAY’S CHEAT SHEET — Andy Burnham is continuing to erase the old regime — and is now reviewing the early release …
Planes, fiscal strains and (large) automobiles
Good Wednesday morning. This is Andrew McDonald. DRIVING THE DAY SLIDING DOORS: Somewhere in a parallel universe, the two men in the news this morning are duking …
London Playbook PM: Take VAT!
Good afternoon. This is Sam Blewett. TUESDAY CHEAT SHEET — Andy Burnham is promising more cost of living announcements — all properly funded, honest. — SCOOP: Starmerites …
Burnham through money
BURNHAM THE LATE OIL: Andy Burnham finally finished assembling a Cabinet at 11 p.m. after a looong day for officials, hacks and ministers waiting nervously by the …
London Playbook PM: Sh*t gets real
Good afternoon. This is Dan Bloom, aided by the Playbook team including Sam Francis in Downing Street. MONDAY CHEAT SHEET — Andy Burnham is appointing his Cabinet. …
You’ve Got Everything Now
WHILE I WAS WRITING PLAYBOOK: Keir Starmer was given a leaving gift by the left boot of Spain’s Ferran Torres, who ensured Argentina failed to retain the …