Dan Bloom
@danbloom1.bsky.social
U.K. political editor for POLITICO
https://www.politico.eu/staff/dan-bloom/
https://www.politico.eu/staff/dan-bloom/
Brilliant piece from my colleague Charlie Cooper on the mixed politics of Keir Starmer's trip to the COP30 summit
The PM is said to be instinctively supportive of climate action — but not so much that he has "his own ideas about things," argues one Labour MP
The PM is said to be instinctively supportive of climate action — but not so much that he has "his own ideas about things," argues one Labour MP
Keir Starmer, climate leader (when the Treasury lets him)
The U.K. prime minister is heading to the COP30 climate summit in Brazil to show climate still matters Britain, even in the age of Trump. But back at home, Starmer blows hot and cold on all things …
www.politico.eu
November 6, 2025 at 7:26 AM
Brilliant piece from my colleague Charlie Cooper on the mixed politics of Keir Starmer's trip to the COP30 summit
The PM is said to be instinctively supportive of climate action — but not so much that he has "his own ideas about things," argues one Labour MP
The PM is said to be instinctively supportive of climate action — but not so much that he has "his own ideas about things," argues one Labour MP
“It’s pathetic nailing on one point. It’s just pathetic. Grow up. Seriously, seriously ... Why are you guys obsessing about one little piece?"
— Reform UK's Richard Tice to me when I asked about ... a data-sharing agreement between his DOGE unit and Kent County Council 🤔
— Reform UK's Richard Tice to me when I asked about ... a data-sharing agreement between his DOGE unit and Kent County Council 🤔
Reform UK’s DOGE chief takes aim at ‘pathetic’ questions on council savings drive
Richard Tice advised POLITICO to “grow up” when asked if he had given up on seeking a data-sharing agreement with Kent County Council
www.politico.eu
November 4, 2025 at 9:02 AM
“It’s pathetic nailing on one point. It’s just pathetic. Grow up. Seriously, seriously ... Why are you guys obsessing about one little piece?"
— Reform UK's Richard Tice to me when I asked about ... a data-sharing agreement between his DOGE unit and Kent County Council 🤔
— Reform UK's Richard Tice to me when I asked about ... a data-sharing agreement between his DOGE unit and Kent County Council 🤔
EXCL: Reform UK is eyeing up sweeping changes to public sector pensions, Richard Tice has indicated. Nigel Farage’s deputy told me “how long can we carry on offering defined benefit pensions to all public sector workers?” is a massive Q “not properly discussed in Westminster”
November 4, 2025 at 8:55 AM
EXCL: Reform UK is eyeing up sweeping changes to public sector pensions, Richard Tice has indicated. Nigel Farage’s deputy told me “how long can we carry on offering defined benefit pensions to all public sector workers?” is a massive Q “not properly discussed in Westminster”
🔴 Big week for the collapsed China spy case next week
We took a swing at why Keir Starmer is fighting so hard to keep Jonathan Powell — breaking down just how tied he is into every aspect of foreign policy
We took a swing at why Keir Starmer is fighting so hard to keep Jonathan Powell — breaking down just how tied he is into every aspect of foreign policy
Why Europe needs Britain’s under-fire security chief Jonathan Powell
Amid a row over a collapsed China spying trial, it’s not just Keir Starmer who relies on veteran Northern Ireland peace negotiator Jonathan Powell.
www.politico.eu
October 24, 2025 at 1:13 PM
🔴 Big week for the collapsed China spy case next week
We took a swing at why Keir Starmer is fighting so hard to keep Jonathan Powell — breaking down just how tied he is into every aspect of foreign policy
We took a swing at why Keir Starmer is fighting so hard to keep Jonathan Powell — breaking down just how tied he is into every aspect of foreign policy
Some Caerphilly takeaways that go beyond Wales
— "Non-voters" slipping under the radar
— Tactical voting is key. Does it help Labour elsewhere?
— Incumbency sucks
— Messaging doesn't land
— Nothing sticks to Reform (yet)
— But can we now see the ceiling?
— "Non-voters" slipping under the radar
— Tactical voting is key. Does it help Labour elsewhere?
— Incumbency sucks
— Messaging doesn't land
— Nothing sticks to Reform (yet)
— But can we now see the ceiling?
5 reasons Starmer’s new election disaster should spook Europe’s centrists
Britain’s ruling Labour Party has had a dismal by-election in its Welsh heartland. As left-wing and populist parties go mainstream, can the center hold?
www.politico.eu
October 24, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Some Caerphilly takeaways that go beyond Wales
— "Non-voters" slipping under the radar
— Tactical voting is key. Does it help Labour elsewhere?
— Incumbency sucks
— Messaging doesn't land
— Nothing sticks to Reform (yet)
— But can we now see the ceiling?
— "Non-voters" slipping under the radar
— Tactical voting is key. Does it help Labour elsewhere?
— Incumbency sucks
— Messaging doesn't land
— Nothing sticks to Reform (yet)
— But can we now see the ceiling?
NEW: Labour is getting fighty again on Brexit
Ministers are now deliberately talking about Brexit harms to pitch-roll for the budget, where the OBR will say the impact of leaving is worse than thought
But there are overlapping strategies and huge danger
Ministers are now deliberately talking about Brexit harms to pitch-roll for the budget, where the OBR will say the impact of leaving is worse than thought
But there are overlapping strategies and huge danger
Why Labour got fighty again on Brexit
After years of staying quiet, Britain’s ruling party is preparing to blame its economic woes on leaving the EU. But some argue the strategy goes deeper — and is fraught with danger.
www.politico.eu
October 17, 2025 at 10:34 AM
NEW: Labour is getting fighty again on Brexit
Ministers are now deliberately talking about Brexit harms to pitch-roll for the budget, where the OBR will say the impact of leaving is worse than thought
But there are overlapping strategies and huge danger
Ministers are now deliberately talking about Brexit harms to pitch-roll for the budget, where the OBR will say the impact of leaving is worse than thought
But there are overlapping strategies and huge danger
🐜 SATURDAY READ on the antsy mood going into Labour conference
Keir Starmer wants to focus on patriotism, trumpet his overlooked achievements, tell a story and talk new policy on digital ID, infrastructure and health
But he has much deeper problems
Keir Starmer wants to focus on patriotism, trumpet his overlooked achievements, tell a story and talk new policy on digital ID, infrastructure and health
But he has much deeper problems
Britain’s Keir Starmer, under friendly fire, tries to hoist his flag
The U.K. prime minister will use his annual party conference to promise “patriotic renewal.” Some of his own party wants to renew him.
www.politico.eu
September 27, 2025 at 8:27 AM
🐜 SATURDAY READ on the antsy mood going into Labour conference
Keir Starmer wants to focus on patriotism, trumpet his overlooked achievements, tell a story and talk new policy on digital ID, infrastructure and health
But he has much deeper problems
Keir Starmer wants to focus on patriotism, trumpet his overlooked achievements, tell a story and talk new policy on digital ID, infrastructure and health
But he has much deeper problems
NEW — Brussels lowers its expectations of the Brexit reset
One person tells POLITICO: “If you talk to anyone in Europe, they ask ‘what do you actually want’?” Another asks of the reset unit: “What are they actually doing?”
(with colleagues Jon Stone & Sam Blewett)
www.politico.eu/article/brus...
One person tells POLITICO: “If you talk to anyone in Europe, they ask ‘what do you actually want’?” Another asks of the reset unit: “What are they actually doing?”
(with colleagues Jon Stone & Sam Blewett)
www.politico.eu/article/brus...
Brussels lowers its expectations for Keir Starmer’s Brexit reset
EU officials and diplomats believe improvements to the cross-channel relationship are possible, and still happening — but slowly.
www.politico.eu
February 3, 2025 at 6:45 AM
NEW — Brussels lowers its expectations of the Brexit reset
One person tells POLITICO: “If you talk to anyone in Europe, they ask ‘what do you actually want’?” Another asks of the reset unit: “What are they actually doing?”
(with colleagues Jon Stone & Sam Blewett)
www.politico.eu/article/brus...
One person tells POLITICO: “If you talk to anyone in Europe, they ask ‘what do you actually want’?” Another asks of the reset unit: “What are they actually doing?”
(with colleagues Jon Stone & Sam Blewett)
www.politico.eu/article/brus...
📞 NEW: As Keir Starmer waits his turn ... How to survive a phone call with Donald Trump
“The calls were extraordinary,” recalls one of the many No10 officials who used to listen in. “Everyone was in there with tears [of] laughter ..they were hilarious.”
www.politico.eu/article/how-...
“The calls were extraordinary,” recalls one of the many No10 officials who used to listen in. “Everyone was in there with tears [of] laughter ..they were hilarious.”
www.politico.eu/article/how-...
How to survive a phone call with Donald Trump
Former Downing Street officials tell POLITICO how U.K. prime ministers tried to play the TV show host at his own game … without getting fired.
www.politico.eu
January 24, 2025 at 7:42 AM
📞 NEW: As Keir Starmer waits his turn ... How to survive a phone call with Donald Trump
“The calls were extraordinary,” recalls one of the many No10 officials who used to listen in. “Everyone was in there with tears [of] laughter ..they were hilarious.”
www.politico.eu/article/how-...
“The calls were extraordinary,” recalls one of the many No10 officials who used to listen in. “Everyone was in there with tears [of] laughter ..they were hilarious.”
www.politico.eu/article/how-...
✍️ Some personal news! This morning’s Playbook was my last as I crawl into daylight (mostly) today with a new gig as POLITICO's U.K. political editor
I'll be taking on overall leadership of London Playbook from the peerless Jack Blanchard (who is off to the US) & doing broader Westminster reporting
I'll be taking on overall leadership of London Playbook from the peerless Jack Blanchard (who is off to the US) & doing broader Westminster reporting
January 13, 2025 at 12:48 PM
✍️ Some personal news! This morning’s Playbook was my last as I crawl into daylight (mostly) today with a new gig as POLITICO's U.K. political editor
I'll be taking on overall leadership of London Playbook from the peerless Jack Blanchard (who is off to the US) & doing broader Westminster reporting
I'll be taking on overall leadership of London Playbook from the peerless Jack Blanchard (who is off to the US) & doing broader Westminster reporting