Jack Blackburn
@hackblackburn.bsky.social
History Correspondent and Deputy Diary Editor for The Times
Pinned
Jack Blackburn
@hackblackburn.bsky.social
· Sep 22
🚨 PERSONAL NEWS 🚨
Am formally taking over The Times Diary as Diary Editor & History Correspondent for @thetimes.com.
I’ll be working from Westminster, and it’s a privilege to take on what Ed Balls recently described as “probably the most impactful national newspaper diary”.
Am formally taking over The Times Diary as Diary Editor & History Correspondent for @thetimes.com.
I’ll be working from Westminster, and it’s a privilege to take on what Ed Balls recently described as “probably the most impactful national newspaper diary”.
I am on today’s edition of The Story from @thetimes explaining the ins and outs of the sequencing of Hitler’s DNA
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
Hitler’s shocking DNA discovery – the Sunday Story
Podcast Episode · The Story · 16/11/2025 · 32m
podcasts.apple.com
November 16, 2025 at 8:11 AM
I am on today’s edition of The Story from @thetimes explaining the ins and outs of the sequencing of Hitler’s DNA
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
Would have been 80 today. So dearly miss you daddy
November 13, 2025 at 8:29 AM
Would have been 80 today. So dearly miss you daddy
Exclusive: Adolf Hitler’s DNA has been sequenced by scientists
It has:
- shown he had a disorder which impacted his sexual development
- debunked rumours about his ancestry
- shown a high likelihood that he had a neurodivergent condition and/or bipolar disorder
www.thetimes.com/article/e728...
It has:
- shown he had a disorder which impacted his sexual development
- debunked rumours about his ancestry
- shown a high likelihood that he had a neurodivergent condition and/or bipolar disorder
www.thetimes.com/article/e728...
Hitler had hidden genetic sexual disorder, DNA analysis reveals
The Nazi dictator had Kallmann syndrome, which hinders normal puberty and the development of sexual organs, according to groundbreaking research
www.thetimes.com
November 12, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Exclusive: Adolf Hitler’s DNA has been sequenced by scientists
It has:
- shown he had a disorder which impacted his sexual development
- debunked rumours about his ancestry
- shown a high likelihood that he had a neurodivergent condition and/or bipolar disorder
www.thetimes.com/article/e728...
It has:
- shown he had a disorder which impacted his sexual development
- debunked rumours about his ancestry
- shown a high likelihood that he had a neurodivergent condition and/or bipolar disorder
www.thetimes.com/article/e728...
Nick Mohamed’s national popularity just seesawed like a six year old on sweets #thecelebritytraitors
November 6, 2025 at 10:20 PM
Nick Mohamed’s national popularity just seesawed like a six year old on sweets #thecelebritytraitors
"This inattention to detail was typical of the laziness the show’s narrator was known for. Real shoddy narrating. Just pure crap."
November 4, 2025 at 9:11 PM
"This inattention to detail was typical of the laziness the show’s narrator was known for. Real shoddy narrating. Just pure crap."
In my Times Diary this morning…
Reform are pursuing a “Millwall” strategy
www.thetimes.com/article/aa6b...
Reform are pursuing a “Millwall” strategy
www.thetimes.com/article/aa6b...
October 31, 2025 at 9:46 AM
In my Times Diary this morning…
Reform are pursuing a “Millwall” strategy
www.thetimes.com/article/aa6b...
Reform are pursuing a “Millwall” strategy
www.thetimes.com/article/aa6b...
The historical symmetry of Andrew Mountbatten Windsor ending up in Sandringham
Where will Andrew live in Sandringham? Estate has its own troubled past
www.thetimes.com/article/0680...
Where will Andrew live in Sandringham? Estate has its own troubled past
www.thetimes.com/article/0680...
October 31, 2025 at 9:45 AM
The historical symmetry of Andrew Mountbatten Windsor ending up in Sandringham
Where will Andrew live in Sandringham? Estate has its own troubled past
www.thetimes.com/article/0680...
Where will Andrew live in Sandringham? Estate has its own troubled past
www.thetimes.com/article/0680...
As promised on Times Radio, Jilly Cooper’s dirty joke (or one of them at any rate)
I have multiple Jilly stories, but one is her favourite joke.
Three upper middle class women meet on a train, get chatting and then start boasting about their husbands…
Three upper middle class women meet on a train, get chatting and then start boasting about their husbands…
Devastated to hear that Jilly Cooper has died. Even just meeting her in passing, she was just the most wonderful woman.
October 18, 2025 at 7:33 AM
As promised on Times Radio, Jilly Cooper’s dirty joke (or one of them at any rate)
Wes Streeting “forgot” to include the Tories in his conference speech
This and more in today’s @TimesDiary
Including Jeremy King on dress codes and a campaign to get Bertie Wooster recognised at Oxford
Wes Streeting forgets to sing the blues
www.thetimes.com/article/9017...
This and more in today’s @TimesDiary
Including Jeremy King on dress codes and a campaign to get Bertie Wooster recognised at Oxford
Wes Streeting forgets to sing the blues
www.thetimes.com/article/9017...
October 17, 2025 at 7:29 AM
Wes Streeting “forgot” to include the Tories in his conference speech
This and more in today’s @TimesDiary
Including Jeremy King on dress codes and a campaign to get Bertie Wooster recognised at Oxford
Wes Streeting forgets to sing the blues
www.thetimes.com/article/9017...
This and more in today’s @TimesDiary
Including Jeremy King on dress codes and a campaign to get Bertie Wooster recognised at Oxford
Wes Streeting forgets to sing the blues
www.thetimes.com/article/9017...
It’s difficult to describe the mood of anticipation at Tory Conference ahead of Badenoch’s speech.
Very difficult.
Electron microscopes would struggle to detect it.
Very difficult.
Electron microscopes would struggle to detect it.
October 8, 2025 at 9:38 AM
It’s difficult to describe the mood of anticipation at Tory Conference ahead of Badenoch’s speech.
Very difficult.
Electron microscopes would struggle to detect it.
Very difficult.
Electron microscopes would struggle to detect it.
Penny Mordaunt on plans for a comeback: “I’m styling myself as National Treasure and MP on sabbatical”
October 7, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Penny Mordaunt on plans for a comeback: “I’m styling myself as National Treasure and MP on sabbatical”
No, no, I think there’s not enough puppetry work in modern political oratory.
October 7, 2025 at 11:08 AM
No, no, I think there’s not enough puppetry work in modern political oratory.
Robert Jenrick gets a (gradually) standing ovation and one of the higher attendance figures garnered this week.
Still plenty of seats available…
Still plenty of seats available…
October 7, 2025 at 10:56 AM
Robert Jenrick gets a (gradually) standing ovation and one of the higher attendance figures garnered this week.
Still plenty of seats available…
Still plenty of seats available…
Manchester United get a shout out from Laura Trott at Tory Conference.
A once titanic force which has fallen into mediocrity, a shadow of its former self, harking back to memories of past glories…
Do your own punchline
A once titanic force which has fallen into mediocrity, a shadow of its former self, harking back to memories of past glories…
Do your own punchline
October 7, 2025 at 10:40 AM
Manchester United get a shout out from Laura Trott at Tory Conference.
A once titanic force which has fallen into mediocrity, a shadow of its former self, harking back to memories of past glories…
Do your own punchline
A once titanic force which has fallen into mediocrity, a shadow of its former self, harking back to memories of past glories…
Do your own punchline
James Cleverly is a master of spin. Pours a pint (on the second attempt) which is one quarter head - says it’s for Oktoberfest
October 6, 2025 at 10:22 AM
James Cleverly is a master of spin. Pours a pint (on the second attempt) which is one quarter head - says it’s for Oktoberfest
I have multiple Jilly stories, but one is her favourite joke.
Three upper middle class women meet on a train, get chatting and then start boasting about their husbands…
Three upper middle class women meet on a train, get chatting and then start boasting about their husbands…
Devastated to hear that Jilly Cooper has died. Even just meeting her in passing, she was just the most wonderful woman.
October 6, 2025 at 10:17 AM
I have multiple Jilly stories, but one is her favourite joke.
Three upper middle class women meet on a train, get chatting and then start boasting about their husbands…
Three upper middle class women meet on a train, get chatting and then start boasting about their husbands…
Devastated to hear that Jilly Cooper has died. Even just meeting her in passing, she was just the most wonderful woman.
October 6, 2025 at 9:53 AM
Devastated to hear that Jilly Cooper has died. Even just meeting her in passing, she was just the most wonderful woman.
Not saying it’s already been a long conference, but James Cleverly is on the Guinness at 10.25am
October 6, 2025 at 9:28 AM
Not saying it’s already been a long conference, but James Cleverly is on the Guinness at 10.25am
Reposted by Jack Blackburn
Tories remain top of the props.
Hacks at the party conference have received a goodie bag with Haribo and chocolate and also a fake fat packet with Reform’s manifesto written on it.
Very good, though a hangover cure which depicts someone in blue just clinging on to life might backfire a little
Hacks at the party conference have received a goodie bag with Haribo and chocolate and also a fake fat packet with Reform’s manifesto written on it.
Very good, though a hangover cure which depicts someone in blue just clinging on to life might backfire a little
October 5, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Tories remain top of the props.
Hacks at the party conference have received a goodie bag with Haribo and chocolate and also a fake fat packet with Reform’s manifesto written on it.
Very good, though a hangover cure which depicts someone in blue just clinging on to life might backfire a little
Hacks at the party conference have received a goodie bag with Haribo and chocolate and also a fake fat packet with Reform’s manifesto written on it.
Very good, though a hangover cure which depicts someone in blue just clinging on to life might backfire a little
Jess Phillips is a sellout… at the conference bookshop at least. There are no copies to be had of her memoir. Wes Streeting’s is selling well. Even a biog of Tony Blair has sold a few.
What isn’t selling? Keir Starmer’s biography.
What isn’t selling? Keir Starmer’s biography.
September 30, 2025 at 10:08 AM
Jess Phillips is a sellout… at the conference bookshop at least. There are no copies to be had of her memoir. Wes Streeting’s is selling well. Even a biog of Tony Blair has sold a few.
What isn’t selling? Keir Starmer’s biography.
What isn’t selling? Keir Starmer’s biography.
Jess Phillips is a sellout… at the conference bookshop at least. There are no copies to be had of her memoir. Wes Streeting’s is selling well. Even a biog of Tony Blair has sold a few.
What isn’t selling? Keir Starmer’s biography.
What isn’t selling? Keir Starmer’s biography.
September 30, 2025 at 10:08 AM
Jess Phillips is a sellout… at the conference bookshop at least. There are no copies to be had of her memoir. Wes Streeting’s is selling well. Even a biog of Tony Blair has sold a few.
What isn’t selling? Keir Starmer’s biography.
What isn’t selling? Keir Starmer’s biography.
Andy Burnham leads in the wrong direction, and Labour remains able to “agree disagreeably”
All in my #LabourConference2025 Diary for @thetimes.com
Burnham’s abortive coup dissolves into thin air
www.thetimes.com/article/07a7...
All in my #LabourConference2025 Diary for @thetimes.com
Burnham’s abortive coup dissolves into thin air
www.thetimes.com/article/07a7...
September 30, 2025 at 7:13 AM
Andy Burnham leads in the wrong direction, and Labour remains able to “agree disagreeably”
All in my #LabourConference2025 Diary for @thetimes.com
Burnham’s abortive coup dissolves into thin air
www.thetimes.com/article/07a7...
All in my #LabourConference2025 Diary for @thetimes.com
Burnham’s abortive coup dissolves into thin air
www.thetimes.com/article/07a7...
For those still up…
Farewell to Andy Burnham’s leadership challenge… we hardly knew thee
Burnham’s abortive coup dissolves into thin air
www.thetimes.com/article/07a7...
Farewell to Andy Burnham’s leadership challenge… we hardly knew thee
Burnham’s abortive coup dissolves into thin air
www.thetimes.com/article/07a7...
September 29, 2025 at 11:41 PM
For those still up…
Farewell to Andy Burnham’s leadership challenge… we hardly knew thee
Burnham’s abortive coup dissolves into thin air
www.thetimes.com/article/07a7...
Farewell to Andy Burnham’s leadership challenge… we hardly knew thee
Burnham’s abortive coup dissolves into thin air
www.thetimes.com/article/07a7...
Khan calls for regional powers to have rent controls
September 29, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Khan calls for regional powers to have rent controls