Alain Tolhurst
@alaintolhurst.bsky.social
Chief Reporter at @PoliticsHome.bsky.social and host of The Rundown podcast
🎧Listen here: bit.ly/3M8d963
📧[email protected]
🎧Listen here: bit.ly/3M8d963
📧[email protected]
Reposted by Alain Tolhurst
New by me: "The only person in this story with real power is RFK Jr., and he is—I cannot believe I am typing this sentence—maintaining a dignified silence. He doesn’t need to 'reclaim the narrative' because he’s too busy helping kids catch measles."
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
Olivia Nuzzi’s Tell-Nothing Memoir
Can American Canto turn scandal into literature?
www.theatlantic.com
December 2, 2025 at 11:08 AM
New by me: "The only person in this story with real power is RFK Jr., and he is—I cannot believe I am typing this sentence—maintaining a dignified silence. He doesn’t need to 'reclaim the narrative' because he’s too busy helping kids catch measles."
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
Reposted by Alain Tolhurst
Feel like I'm going mad. The Budget's 'headroom' is based on frankly irresponsible and wildly optimistic claims about what Labour will do in the final year of the forecast, and on ignoring a bunch of upward pressures on spending, and the claim is that she was being exaggeratedly *pessimistic*?
Suggestion Rachel Reeves exaggerated fiscal pressures is absurd
Chancellor was instead far too optimistic about public finances and government’s ability to secure cuts
www.ft.com
December 1, 2025 at 11:05 AM
Feel like I'm going mad. The Budget's 'headroom' is based on frankly irresponsible and wildly optimistic claims about what Labour will do in the final year of the forecast, and on ignoring a bunch of upward pressures on spending, and the claim is that she was being exaggeratedly *pessimistic*?
Only if the guests are allowed to smoke on set too
We need one of those bare set, hour long politics tv shows shown at 11pm where no one shouts, the questions are forensic, the other guests are figures of the arts world, and only 6 people watch it.
Though one important part of making politics intellectual is that when you host a podcast called "Political Thinking" and somebody comes out with guff like Badenoch did, you really do have to challenge it. Right now there's no reward structure for deeper thinking or self-reflection.
November 28, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Only if the guests are allowed to smoke on set too
Reposted by Alain Tolhurst
me: do you have any black friday deals?
doctor: you’re losing a lot of blood
doctor: you’re losing a lot of blood
November 28, 2025 at 6:32 AM
me: do you have any black friday deals?
doctor: you’re losing a lot of blood
doctor: you’re losing a lot of blood
Reposted by Alain Tolhurst
🚨OUT NOW🚨 The Budget: 2025 📊💷
Treasury minister Lucy Rigby, shadow chancellor Mel Stride and Labour MP Yuan Yang, plus economists James Smith and Carsten Jung, join host @alaintolhurst.bsky.social to discuss whether Rachel Reeves' big moment delivered
🎧 Listen here:
podfollow.com/politicshome...
Treasury minister Lucy Rigby, shadow chancellor Mel Stride and Labour MP Yuan Yang, plus economists James Smith and Carsten Jung, join host @alaintolhurst.bsky.social to discuss whether Rachel Reeves' big moment delivered
🎧 Listen here:
podfollow.com/politicshome...
November 28, 2025 at 11:50 AM
🚨OUT NOW🚨 The Budget: 2025 📊💷
Treasury minister Lucy Rigby, shadow chancellor Mel Stride and Labour MP Yuan Yang, plus economists James Smith and Carsten Jung, join host @alaintolhurst.bsky.social to discuss whether Rachel Reeves' big moment delivered
🎧 Listen here:
podfollow.com/politicshome...
Treasury minister Lucy Rigby, shadow chancellor Mel Stride and Labour MP Yuan Yang, plus economists James Smith and Carsten Jung, join host @alaintolhurst.bsky.social to discuss whether Rachel Reeves' big moment delivered
🎧 Listen here:
podfollow.com/politicshome...
Well done Ruben this is your worst one yet, and I didn’t even think that was still possible. You really are the Mozart of terrible Manchester United performances
November 24, 2025 at 9:45 PM
Well done Ruben this is your worst one yet, and I didn’t even think that was still possible. You really are the Mozart of terrible Manchester United performances
Reposted by Alain Tolhurst
I can’t bring myself to read this, but one day I hope there is as much time and energy devoted to the problem of the online radicalisation of vulnerable pregnant people and parents, as there is to the online radicalisation of young white men.
This might be one of the most disturbing pieces I’ve ever read. Staggering investigative work from Sirin Kale and Lucy Osbourne www.theguardian.com/world/ng-int...
Influencers made millions pushing ‘wild’ births – now the Free Birth Society is linked to baby deaths around the world
A year-long investigation reveals how mothers lost children after being radicalised by uplifting podcast tales of births without midwives or doctors
www.theguardian.com
November 22, 2025 at 6:23 PM
I can’t bring myself to read this, but one day I hope there is as much time and energy devoted to the problem of the online radicalisation of vulnerable pregnant people and parents, as there is to the online radicalisation of young white men.
Rassie’s mind games win again - how on god’s green earth is not at least a yellow?
November 22, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Rassie’s mind games win again - how on god’s green earth is not at least a yellow?
Reposted by Alain Tolhurst
I discuss the findings with @thinksinsight.bsky.social's Jennings, @psurridge.bsky.social and colleague PolHome's @alaintolhurst.bsky.social in this week's episode of The Rundown
podfollow.com/politicshome...
podfollow.com/politicshome...
The Rundown by PoliticsHome: Can Farage convert Reform-curious voters?
As Reform UK continue to top the polls, this week we’re looking at why so many voters are turning away from the two main parties and looking in Nigel Farage’s direction, and what they need to d...
podfollow.com
November 22, 2025 at 9:23 AM
I discuss the findings with @thinksinsight.bsky.social's Jennings, @psurridge.bsky.social and colleague PolHome's @alaintolhurst.bsky.social in this week's episode of The Rundown
podfollow.com/politicshome...
podfollow.com/politicshome...
Reposted by Alain Tolhurst
OUT NOW🚨🤔 Can Farage convert Reform-curious voters?
PolHome Editor @adampayne26.bsky.social, UK in a Changing Europe's @psurridge.bsky.social & @thinksinsight.bsky.social's Allie Jennings join @alaintolhurst.bsky.social to discuss exclusive new data on Reform support
podfollow.com/politicshome...
PolHome Editor @adampayne26.bsky.social, UK in a Changing Europe's @psurridge.bsky.social & @thinksinsight.bsky.social's Allie Jennings join @alaintolhurst.bsky.social to discuss exclusive new data on Reform support
podfollow.com/politicshome...
November 21, 2025 at 10:15 AM
OUT NOW🚨🤔 Can Farage convert Reform-curious voters?
PolHome Editor @adampayne26.bsky.social, UK in a Changing Europe's @psurridge.bsky.social & @thinksinsight.bsky.social's Allie Jennings join @alaintolhurst.bsky.social to discuss exclusive new data on Reform support
podfollow.com/politicshome...
PolHome Editor @adampayne26.bsky.social, UK in a Changing Europe's @psurridge.bsky.social & @thinksinsight.bsky.social's Allie Jennings join @alaintolhurst.bsky.social to discuss exclusive new data on Reform support
podfollow.com/politicshome...
Reposted by Alain Tolhurst
Tomorrow we're dropping interesting research on Reform curious voters — what attracts them, & what puts them off
I discuss on this week's pod w/ @thinksinsight.bsky.social, @psurridge.bsky.social, @alaintolhurst.bsky.social & unplanned guest: Alain's chicken, Judy!
podfollow.com/politicshome...
I discuss on this week's pod w/ @thinksinsight.bsky.social, @psurridge.bsky.social, @alaintolhurst.bsky.social & unplanned guest: Alain's chicken, Judy!
podfollow.com/politicshome...
November 21, 2025 at 9:48 AM
Tomorrow we're dropping interesting research on Reform curious voters — what attracts them, & what puts them off
I discuss on this week's pod w/ @thinksinsight.bsky.social, @psurridge.bsky.social, @alaintolhurst.bsky.social & unplanned guest: Alain's chicken, Judy!
podfollow.com/politicshome...
I discuss on this week's pod w/ @thinksinsight.bsky.social, @psurridge.bsky.social, @alaintolhurst.bsky.social & unplanned guest: Alain's chicken, Judy!
podfollow.com/politicshome...
Booooo!
SAAAANNNN MARIIIINOOOO!
November 18, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Booooo!
SAAAANNNN MARIIIINOOOO!
November 18, 2025 at 7:56 PM
SAAAANNNN MARIIIINOOOO!
Reposted by Alain Tolhurst
European political scientists are blue in the face from constantly pointing out that accommodating the far right does not help centre-left parties win, and contributes to the rise of far-right parties. There's a mountain of data to support that.
But no, the galaxy-brained strategists must be right.
But no, the galaxy-brained strategists must be right.
November 18, 2025 at 11:58 AM
European political scientists are blue in the face from constantly pointing out that accommodating the far right does not help centre-left parties win, and contributes to the rise of far-right parties. There's a mountain of data to support that.
But no, the galaxy-brained strategists must be right.
But no, the galaxy-brained strategists must be right.
Reposted by Alain Tolhurst
to be clear, i also do not think it is necessarily true that adopting a laundry list of progressive positions is an instant win either. i think you have to do the work of discovering what it is that voters want in a direct and engaged way. and i think that voters want moral leadership.
it is almost as if accommodating and conceding to far right ideas legitimizes them and signals to voters that the far right is a legitimate choice for governance
The Danish Social Democrats are currently on course for their worst election result since at least the Second World War, despite their brand of far-right accommodationism being touted as a blueprint for other centre-left parties.
November 18, 2025 at 2:44 PM
to be clear, i also do not think it is necessarily true that adopting a laundry list of progressive positions is an instant win either. i think you have to do the work of discovering what it is that voters want in a direct and engaged way. and i think that voters want moral leadership.
Reposted by Alain Tolhurst
So if Olivia is 32 now, broke up with Lizza last year, was together with him for a decade, and then was living with you for 4+ years before that, how old was she when you moved her out of her (presumably parents’) house in the suburbs to live with you?
Btw about this from Lizza's reply: Olivia and I lived together for 4+ years (4 b'days, 4 Xmases, 4 anniversaries). That's like $1250 of jewelry per celebration. And her apartment was a writing studio. And I made an f-ton then. What was I supposed to do? Get her a lot of Gift Certificates from Kmart?
November 18, 2025 at 2:03 PM
So if Olivia is 32 now, broke up with Lizza last year, was together with him for a decade, and then was living with you for 4+ years before that, how old was she when you moved her out of her (presumably parents’) house in the suburbs to live with you?
Reposted by Alain Tolhurst
You got wormfished by a guy who eats roadkill and looks like fucking Krang. A guy you were tasked with covering neutrally, for half a milly a year, while he ran for fucking president on an "every disabled person should die" ticket.
Well, now your career is back, and so is measles. Well done.
Well, now your career is back, and so is measles. Well done.
November 17, 2025 at 3:36 PM
You got wormfished by a guy who eats roadkill and looks like fucking Krang. A guy you were tasked with covering neutrally, for half a milly a year, while he ran for fucking president on an "every disabled person should die" ticket.
Well, now your career is back, and so is measles. Well done.
Well, now your career is back, and so is measles. Well done.
Reposted by Alain Tolhurst
oh my god you have to read this until the end www.telos.news/p/part-1-how...
Part 1: How I Found Out
Olivia had just returned from a reporting trip—at least that’s what she told me it was—and her Herschel backpack, the one with the flap that never quite closed properly, was tossed beside our bed, its...
www.telos.news
November 18, 2025 at 1:00 AM
oh my god you have to read this until the end www.telos.news/p/part-1-how...
Great pod this week - looking at one of those thorny issues every government sticks in the ‘too hard’ pile; council tax
🎧 here: pod.fo/e/3529c3
🎧 here: pod.fo/e/3529c3
November 14, 2025 at 12:26 PM
Great pod this week - looking at one of those thorny issues every government sticks in the ‘too hard’ pile; council tax
🎧 here: pod.fo/e/3529c3
🎧 here: pod.fo/e/3529c3
Reposted by Alain Tolhurst
🚨 OUT NOW 🚨 Why won't anyone reform council tax?
🏘️ Labour MPs @jonathanbrashmp.bsky.social & @catherinewestmp.bsky.social, Tory MP Harriett Baldwin & tax lawyer @danneidle.bsky.social join @alaintolhurst.bsky.social to discuss why council tax seems politically untouchable
🎧 Listen: pod.fo/e/3529c3
🏘️ Labour MPs @jonathanbrashmp.bsky.social & @catherinewestmp.bsky.social, Tory MP Harriett Baldwin & tax lawyer @danneidle.bsky.social join @alaintolhurst.bsky.social to discuss why council tax seems politically untouchable
🎧 Listen: pod.fo/e/3529c3
November 14, 2025 at 12:19 PM
🚨 OUT NOW 🚨 Why won't anyone reform council tax?
🏘️ Labour MPs @jonathanbrashmp.bsky.social & @catherinewestmp.bsky.social, Tory MP Harriett Baldwin & tax lawyer @danneidle.bsky.social join @alaintolhurst.bsky.social to discuss why council tax seems politically untouchable
🎧 Listen: pod.fo/e/3529c3
🏘️ Labour MPs @jonathanbrashmp.bsky.social & @catherinewestmp.bsky.social, Tory MP Harriett Baldwin & tax lawyer @danneidle.bsky.social join @alaintolhurst.bsky.social to discuss why council tax seems politically untouchable
🎧 Listen: pod.fo/e/3529c3
Reposted by Alain Tolhurst
The dilemma of being one of Kim Kardashian’s psychics and knowing she’s paying you to say “you’re going to pass the bar exam!” meanwhile all the ghosts and spirits in the room are hollering “SHE DOESNT EVEN KNOW WHAT TORTS ARE”
Kim Kardashian slams psychics who told her she'd pass the bar exam: 'All fucking full of shit'
Kim Kardashian slams psychics who told her she'd pass the bar exam: 'All f---ing full of s---'
'All f---ing full of s---': Kim Kardashian has some choice words for the psychics who predicted she'd pass the bar exam.
ew.com
November 11, 2025 at 5:02 PM
The dilemma of being one of Kim Kardashian’s psychics and knowing she’s paying you to say “you’re going to pass the bar exam!” meanwhile all the ghosts and spirits in the room are hollering “SHE DOESNT EVEN KNOW WHAT TORTS ARE”
Reposted by Alain Tolhurst
EXC: The Conservatives have introduced an optional streamlined selection process for local election candidates, as they struggle to find people to stand for election
Tories Fast-Track Local Selection Rules As Party Struggles To Find Candidates
Exclusive: The Conservatives have introduced an optional streamlined selection process for local election candidates, as the party struggles to fin...
www.politicshome.com
November 11, 2025 at 6:35 PM
EXC: The Conservatives have introduced an optional streamlined selection process for local election candidates, as they struggle to find people to stand for election
Reposted by Alain Tolhurst
Well, you're in your little room
And you're working on something good
But if it's really good
You're gonna need a bigger room
And when you're in the bigger room
You might not know what to do
You might have to think of how you got started
Sitting in your little room
- The White Stripes
And you're working on something good
But if it's really good
You're gonna need a bigger room
And when you're in the bigger room
You might not know what to do
You might have to think of how you got started
Sitting in your little room
- The White Stripes
OutKast is inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame:
“We started in a little room. Great things start in little rooms”
“We started in a little room. Great things start in little rooms”
November 9, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Well, you're in your little room
And you're working on something good
But if it's really good
You're gonna need a bigger room
And when you're in the bigger room
You might not know what to do
You might have to think of how you got started
Sitting in your little room
- The White Stripes
And you're working on something good
But if it's really good
You're gonna need a bigger room
And when you're in the bigger room
You might not know what to do
You might have to think of how you got started
Sitting in your little room
- The White Stripes
Reposted by Alain Tolhurst
Loving today's news that the mysterious "fedora man" outside the Louvre heist was actually a 15-year-old museum visitor who dresses like a 1940s French detective all the time, just because. apnews.com/article/louv...
Fedora man unmasked: Meet the teen behind the Louvre mystery photo
Fifteen-year-old Pedro Elias Garzon Delvaux has become an internet sensation after an Associated Press photo captured him outside the Louvre on the day of a crown jewels heist.
apnews.com
November 9, 2025 at 12:16 PM
Loving today's news that the mysterious "fedora man" outside the Louvre heist was actually a 15-year-old museum visitor who dresses like a 1940s French detective all the time, just because. apnews.com/article/louv...
Reposted by Alain Tolhurst
Enjoyed chatting with @alaintolhurst.bsky.social and guests about the current challenges facing the university sector
We discuss:
🎓The international student levy
🎓The tensions between wider govt immigration policy and unis
🎓And....Reform UK
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/a...
We discuss:
🎓The international student levy
🎓The tensions between wider govt immigration policy and unis
🎓And....Reform UK
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/a...
Are universities about to collapse?
Podcast Episode · The Rundown by PoliticsHome · 07/11/2025 · 40m
podcasts.apple.com
November 7, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Enjoyed chatting with @alaintolhurst.bsky.social and guests about the current challenges facing the university sector
We discuss:
🎓The international student levy
🎓The tensions between wider govt immigration policy and unis
🎓And....Reform UK
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/a...
We discuss:
🎓The international student levy
🎓The tensions between wider govt immigration policy and unis
🎓And....Reform UK
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/a...