Conor Sewell
@ccsewell.bsky.social
Associate Director at Flint Global. Macro, financial services, digital assets. Views my own. Ex-BoE, Treasury. Labour member, big on sports, rugby referee. Bi and autistic.
Reposted by Conor Sewell
Japan is a typical, developed democracy. Elections take place in an environment where the general public have a range of political parties to choose from, operating in a pluralistic media landscape, with totally free, secret ballots, after which the LDP win.
February 8, 2026 at 11:32 AM
Japan is a typical, developed democracy. Elections take place in an environment where the general public have a range of political parties to choose from, operating in a pluralistic media landscape, with totally free, secret ballots, after which the LDP win.
Reposted by Conor Sewell
Right, but just to clarify, you did not appoint Peter Mandelson, because you were not Prime Minister.
NEW: PM’s Chief of Staff Morgan McSweeney resigns
“After careful reflection, I have decided to resign from the government. The decision to appoint Peter Mandelson was wrong. He has damaged our party, our country and trust in politics itself.”
“After careful reflection, I have decided to resign from the government. The decision to appoint Peter Mandelson was wrong. He has damaged our party, our country and trust in politics itself.”
February 8, 2026 at 2:35 PM
Right, but just to clarify, you did not appoint Peter Mandelson, because you were not Prime Minister.
Also, McSweeney’s statement says he takes full responsibility for Mandelson but that he didn’t oversee the process.
Which begs the question: who did and why aren’t they resigning too?
Which begs the question: who did and why aren’t they resigning too?
February 8, 2026 at 2:35 PM
Also, McSweeney’s statement says he takes full responsibility for Mandelson but that he didn’t oversee the process.
Which begs the question: who did and why aren’t they resigning too?
Which begs the question: who did and why aren’t they resigning too?
Reposted by Conor Sewell
Right that the prime minister has resigned. His successor, Keir Starmer, has a very difficult inheritance.
Morgan McSweeney resigns as Downing Street chief of staff
Exit of Mandelson protégé comes as Sir Keir Starmer seeks to stave off leadership speculation
www.ft.com
February 8, 2026 at 2:33 PM
Right that the prime minister has resigned. His successor, Keir Starmer, has a very difficult inheritance.
In keeping with Keir Starmer Thought, this comes three days too late to be of any political value or appease anyone
BREAKING: Morgan McSweeney quits as Keir Starmer's chief of staff amid fall-out from the Mandelson scandal
February 8, 2026 at 2:19 PM
In keeping with Keir Starmer Thought, this comes three days too late to be of any political value or appease anyone
Okay, British bluesky folks:
Who else is staying up for the Super Bowl?
Who else is staying up for the Super Bowl?
February 8, 2026 at 11:10 AM
Okay, British bluesky folks:
Who else is staying up for the Super Bowl?
Who else is staying up for the Super Bowl?
Reposted by Conor Sewell
I agree. And I hope that within the EU we might mitigate this by legislation. Here is how: www.digitalemigration.eu/digital-sove...
How to Build Democratic Resilience in the Age of Platform Algorithms
How recommendation algorithms amplify lawful political content at scale, and why the Digital Services Act only partially constrains that effect.
www.digitalemigration.eu
February 8, 2026 at 10:10 AM
I agree. And I hope that within the EU we might mitigate this by legislation. Here is how: www.digitalemigration.eu/digital-sove...
This.
Unfortunately, one of the most societally damaging aspects of social media is also one of the simplest: the fact that you can directly monetise your activity means that grifters are incentivised to spam whatever will maximise attention, regardless of truth, ethics or anything else.
Unfortunately, one of the most societally damaging aspects of social media is also one of the simplest: the fact that you can directly monetise your activity means that grifters are incentivised to spam whatever will maximise attention, regardless of truth, ethics or anything else.
People often jump to saying online propaganda is either the work of radicalised actors, or else Russia.
In practice, it’s amazing how often the answer is much simpler – someone is chasing either (a) clout, (b) money, or (c) both.
In practice, it’s amazing how often the answer is much simpler – someone is chasing either (a) clout, (b) money, or (c) both.
Hate-filled fake videos about London are everywhere. We've obtained a recording of a TikToker confessing to secretly filming Londoners in their homes for clicks.
He says it's not political. He just wants to make money from far-right anger.
Read what he says: www.londoncentric.media/p/london-tik...
He says it's not political. He just wants to make money from far-right anger.
Read what he says: www.londoncentric.media/p/london-tik...
February 8, 2026 at 10:04 AM
This.
Unfortunately, one of the most societally damaging aspects of social media is also one of the simplest: the fact that you can directly monetise your activity means that grifters are incentivised to spam whatever will maximise attention, regardless of truth, ethics or anything else.
Unfortunately, one of the most societally damaging aspects of social media is also one of the simplest: the fact that you can directly monetise your activity means that grifters are incentivised to spam whatever will maximise attention, regardless of truth, ethics or anything else.
This is what I meant when I said a few days ago that this will be a drip drip drip story.
Between the FT and others pursuing existing lines of inquiry, and almost guaranteed new revelations from the ISC releases, this won’t go away no matter how much Starmer hopes it will.
Between the FT and others pursuing existing lines of inquiry, and almost guaranteed new revelations from the ISC releases, this won’t go away no matter how much Starmer hopes it will.
New on FT website:
Downing Street has refused to say whether Sir Keir Starmer knew Palantir was a client of Peter Mandelson’s lobbying firm when they both visited the company in Washington last February — ahead of it winning a £240mn UK government contract.
www.ft.com/content/5bba...
Downing Street has refused to say whether Sir Keir Starmer knew Palantir was a client of Peter Mandelson’s lobbying firm when they both visited the company in Washington last February — ahead of it winning a £240mn UK government contract.
www.ft.com/content/5bba...
Starmer faces questions over visit to Palantir office alongside Mandelson
Former ambassador was also shareholder in lobbying group that counted US tech firm as a client
www.ft.com
February 7, 2026 at 10:03 AM
This is what I meant when I said a few days ago that this will be a drip drip drip story.
Between the FT and others pursuing existing lines of inquiry, and almost guaranteed new revelations from the ISC releases, this won’t go away no matter how much Starmer hopes it will.
Between the FT and others pursuing existing lines of inquiry, and almost guaranteed new revelations from the ISC releases, this won’t go away no matter how much Starmer hopes it will.
Reposted by Conor Sewell
Everyone has their breaking point, I guess!
(A rather spectacular goof from The Spectator...)
(A rather spectacular goof from The Spectator...)
February 6, 2026 at 5:36 PM
Everyone has their breaking point, I guess!
(A rather spectacular goof from The Spectator...)
(A rather spectacular goof from The Spectator...)
Reposted by Conor Sewell
this is who we think it is yeah?
*UK POLICE SAY CARRYING OUT SEARCHES IN WILTSHIRE, CAMDEN
*UK POLICE CARRYING OUT SEARCH WARRANTS OVER 72-YEAR-OLD MAN
*UK POLICE SEARCH RELATED TO PROBE INTO PUBLIC OFFICE MISCONDUCT
*UK POLICE SAY NO ARREST, ENQUIRIES ONGOING
*UK POLICE SAY CARRYING OUT SEARCHES IN WILTSHIRE, CAMDEN
*UK POLICE CARRYING OUT SEARCH WARRANTS OVER 72-YEAR-OLD MAN
*UK POLICE SEARCH RELATED TO PROBE INTO PUBLIC OFFICE MISCONDUCT
*UK POLICE SAY NO ARREST, ENQUIRIES ONGOING
February 6, 2026 at 3:46 PM
this is who we think it is yeah?
*UK POLICE SAY CARRYING OUT SEARCHES IN WILTSHIRE, CAMDEN
*UK POLICE CARRYING OUT SEARCH WARRANTS OVER 72-YEAR-OLD MAN
*UK POLICE SEARCH RELATED TO PROBE INTO PUBLIC OFFICE MISCONDUCT
*UK POLICE SAY NO ARREST, ENQUIRIES ONGOING
*UK POLICE SAY CARRYING OUT SEARCHES IN WILTSHIRE, CAMDEN
*UK POLICE CARRYING OUT SEARCH WARRANTS OVER 72-YEAR-OLD MAN
*UK POLICE SEARCH RELATED TO PROBE INTO PUBLIC OFFICE MISCONDUCT
*UK POLICE SAY NO ARREST, ENQUIRIES ONGOING
I have no doubt Mandelson lied.
But, given what was already known and in the public domain when he was appointed, limiting scrutiny to these three specific questions is a completely failure of judgement and responsibility.
But, given what was already known and in the public domain when he was appointed, limiting scrutiny to these three specific questions is a completely failure of judgement and responsibility.
February 6, 2026 at 3:30 PM
I have no doubt Mandelson lied.
But, given what was already known and in the public domain when he was appointed, limiting scrutiny to these three specific questions is a completely failure of judgement and responsibility.
But, given what was already known and in the public domain when he was appointed, limiting scrutiny to these three specific questions is a completely failure of judgement and responsibility.
I’m sorry, but this doesn’t hold water.
I, some random dude with a Bluesky account, knew all about those links when he was appointed.
For Starmer not to know suggests he was wilfully blind.
I, some random dude with a Bluesky account, knew all about those links when he was appointed.
For Starmer not to know suggests he was wilfully blind.
Labour MPs & party insiders tell me they’ve never seen Keir Starmer so angry as over Mandelson’s lies about Epstein links.
But those who know him well say that anger has now turned inwards. That Starmer is, above all else, a man of public service, and will be grappling with his conscious this w/e.
But those who know him well say that anger has now turned inwards. That Starmer is, above all else, a man of public service, and will be grappling with his conscious this w/e.
February 6, 2026 at 2:17 PM
I’m sorry, but this doesn’t hold water.
I, some random dude with a Bluesky account, knew all about those links when he was appointed.
For Starmer not to know suggests he was wilfully blind.
I, some random dude with a Bluesky account, knew all about those links when he was appointed.
For Starmer not to know suggests he was wilfully blind.
Reposted by Conor Sewell
There's no reason to accept this as normal, though. Much of Starmer and Labour's unpopularity is not misfortune but his own doing. Mandelson was a choice. Consistently pursuing policy positions designed to appeal to people who will not vote for you - and alienating core supporters - is a choice.
Starmer's reported condition - incredibly unpopular, shorn of authority, probably un-reelectable and yet will stagger on for want of an alternative - is just the new normal of how Britain is governed. It was also true for two-thirds of May's premiership, half of Johnson's and all of Sunak's.
February 6, 2026 at 11:48 AM
There's no reason to accept this as normal, though. Much of Starmer and Labour's unpopularity is not misfortune but his own doing. Mandelson was a choice. Consistently pursuing policy positions designed to appeal to people who will not vote for you - and alienating core supporters - is a choice.
Reposted by Conor Sewell
There's exactly one normal man left on planet Earth.
Child at the podium: “A woo woo woo.”
Mamdani: That’s how I felt when we came up with this plan. Together, we will expand the idea of what is possible in our city—and what sounds and noises we can make at a press conference.
Mamdani: That’s how I felt when we came up with this plan. Together, we will expand the idea of what is possible in our city—and what sounds and noises we can make at a press conference.
February 6, 2026 at 5:12 AM
There's exactly one normal man left on planet Earth.
This is the basis for my Ed Miliband propaganda.
Is he the perfect candidate? No.
Does he, out of the viable options, have by far the most consistent, convincing and deliverable worldview and agenda? Yes.
Is he the perfect candidate? No.
Does he, out of the viable options, have by far the most consistent, convincing and deliverable worldview and agenda? Yes.
The only way Labour can win the next election is by governing well.
That might not be enough, but it’s the bare minimum.
The questions to be asking about any potential new PM are “what is their agenda and can they achieve it?”
Not “do they currently poll well?”
Or “can they handle a media round?”
That might not be enough, but it’s the bare minimum.
The questions to be asking about any potential new PM are “what is their agenda and can they achieve it?”
Not “do they currently poll well?”
Or “can they handle a media round?”
February 5, 2026 at 10:39 AM
This is the basis for my Ed Miliband propaganda.
Is he the perfect candidate? No.
Does he, out of the viable options, have by far the most consistent, convincing and deliverable worldview and agenda? Yes.
Is he the perfect candidate? No.
Does he, out of the viable options, have by far the most consistent, convincing and deliverable worldview and agenda? Yes.
Reposted by Conor Sewell
this is vicious and correct www.economist.com/britain/2026...
February 5, 2026 at 9:35 AM
this is vicious and correct www.economist.com/britain/2026...
Lots of Mandelson/Partygate comparisons today (of varying degrees of accuracy).
One key similarity: because of the role for the ISC in vetting docs for release, and the ongoing Met investigation, we will get new news in bits and pieces for months.
It’s not one bad story. It’s a stream of them.
One key similarity: because of the role for the ISC in vetting docs for release, and the ongoing Met investigation, we will get new news in bits and pieces for months.
It’s not one bad story. It’s a stream of them.
February 5, 2026 at 10:28 AM
Lots of Mandelson/Partygate comparisons today (of varying degrees of accuracy).
One key similarity: because of the role for the ISC in vetting docs for release, and the ongoing Met investigation, we will get new news in bits and pieces for months.
It’s not one bad story. It’s a stream of them.
One key similarity: because of the role for the ISC in vetting docs for release, and the ongoing Met investigation, we will get new news in bits and pieces for months.
It’s not one bad story. It’s a stream of them.
Reposted by Conor Sewell
What is the point of Keir Starmer staying as prime minister?
February 5, 2026 at 8:19 AM
What is the point of Keir Starmer staying as prime minister?
Well that’s his Economics A-Level failed
BESSENT: TARIFFS DO NOT CAUSE INFLATION
February 4, 2026 at 3:44 PM
Well that’s his Economics A-Level failed
Reposted by Conor Sewell
A friend put money on Miliband as next PM at 40-1 ages ago and I’m bitterly regretting not doing the same
February 4, 2026 at 2:25 PM
A friend put money on Miliband as next PM at 40-1 ages ago and I’m bitterly regretting not doing the same
Think we’ve gone straight through febrile and into volatile, with the possibility of reaching explosive by the end of the day
February 4, 2026 at 2:15 PM
Think we’ve gone straight through febrile and into volatile, with the possibility of reaching explosive by the end of the day
Reposted by Conor Sewell
EXC: Disgraced peer Peter Mandelson was directly involved in helping Morgan McSweeney select Labour’s parliamentary candidates ahead of the 2024 general election, a party whistleblower told The i Paper.
inews.co.uk/news/politic...
inews.co.uk/news/politic...
Mandelson was given secret spreadsheet to vet left-wing MPs in Labour power struggle
The revelation shows the extent of Mandelson’s direct involvement in the bitter battle to gain control of the party ahead of the 2024 general election
inews.co.uk
February 4, 2026 at 12:29 PM
EXC: Disgraced peer Peter Mandelson was directly involved in helping Morgan McSweeney select Labour’s parliamentary candidates ahead of the 2024 general election, a party whistleblower told The i Paper.
inews.co.uk/news/politic...
inews.co.uk/news/politic...