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”.
Jenrick in Reform is interesting - doesn’t strike me as someone who likes playing second fiddle. Farage not someone who much likes having any other fiddles.
January 15, 2026 at 11:26 AM
Jenrick in Reform is interesting - doesn’t strike me as someone who likes playing second fiddle. Farage not someone who much likes having any other fiddles.
Last night’s Traitors
January 15, 2026 at 10:12 AM
Last night’s Traitors
Did anyone else know that the Treasury had a drum kit in the basement?
If anyone knows of any music rooms that don’t require a government pass, @jcartlidgemp and his Tory band need a new rehearsal room…
And some new members…
In today’s @thetimes.com Diary
www.thetimes.com/article/b85a...
If anyone knows of any music rooms that don’t require a government pass, @jcartlidgemp and his Tory band need a new rehearsal room…
And some new members…
In today’s @thetimes.com Diary
www.thetimes.com/article/b85a...
Tories pump up the Jam after struggling to find rehearsal space
Plus: Nigel Farage makes a brave visit to dangerous territory; Reform’s Green roots; and why the Queen hates skiing
www.thetimes.com
January 15, 2026 at 8:07 AM
Did anyone else know that the Treasury had a drum kit in the basement?
If anyone knows of any music rooms that don’t require a government pass, @jcartlidgemp and his Tory band need a new rehearsal room…
And some new members…
In today’s @thetimes.com Diary
www.thetimes.com/article/b85a...
If anyone knows of any music rooms that don’t require a government pass, @jcartlidgemp and his Tory band need a new rehearsal room…
And some new members…
In today’s @thetimes.com Diary
www.thetimes.com/article/b85a...
Darren Jones is leading the government… when it comes to Scrabble at any rate
Dispatch from @instituteforgov’s conference in today’s @timesdiary
www.thetimes.com/article/7a95...
Dispatch from @instituteforgov’s conference in today’s @timesdiary
www.thetimes.com/article/7a95...
January 14, 2026 at 10:48 AM
Darren Jones is leading the government… when it comes to Scrabble at any rate
Dispatch from @instituteforgov’s conference in today’s @timesdiary
www.thetimes.com/article/7a95...
Dispatch from @instituteforgov’s conference in today’s @timesdiary
www.thetimes.com/article/7a95...
The pain of losing my dad will never leave. Nor has it dulled, but rather changed into something tinged with memories of love.
Grief can become bitterly beautiful, albeit something which can be “too much”.
I shall not see his like again, but how lucky I was to see.
Grief can become bitterly beautiful, albeit something which can be “too much”.
I shall not see his like again, but how lucky I was to see.
January 14, 2026 at 8:45 AM
The pain of losing my dad will never leave. Nor has it dulled, but rather changed into something tinged with memories of love.
Grief can become bitterly beautiful, albeit something which can be “too much”.
I shall not see his like again, but how lucky I was to see.
Grief can become bitterly beautiful, albeit something which can be “too much”.
I shall not see his like again, but how lucky I was to see.
UKIP’s manifesto proudly declares “Brexit has been a disaster”.
So that was time well spent.
So that was time well spent.
January 13, 2026 at 4:47 PM
UKIP’s manifesto proudly declares “Brexit has been a disaster”.
So that was time well spent.
So that was time well spent.
“I want to run in a by-election in Eastleigh”
January 13, 2026 at 1:43 PM
“I want to run in a by-election in Eastleigh”
Andy Burnham has called for proportional representation to be used for he Commons and the Lords to be replaced with a senate of the nations and regions.
Told @instituteforgovernment.org.uk that the only way to rewire the state is electoral and constitutional reform
Told @instituteforgovernment.org.uk that the only way to rewire the state is electoral and constitutional reform
January 13, 2026 at 12:15 PM
Andy Burnham has called for proportional representation to be used for he Commons and the Lords to be replaced with a senate of the nations and regions.
Told @instituteforgovernment.org.uk that the only way to rewire the state is electoral and constitutional reform
Told @instituteforgovernment.org.uk that the only way to rewire the state is electoral and constitutional reform
Reposted by Jack Blackburn
Someone in this piece describes it as Armageddon, which is a touch OTT. But - as someone living through it - I can say that it is utterly shambolic.
And always worth remembering that S E Water *still* has a hosepipe ban in operation -- in January...
And always worth remembering that S E Water *still* has a hosepipe ban in operation -- in January...
Water issues hit 30,000 properties in Kent and Sussex
South East Water says a number of problems are to blame, including Storm Goretti and a power cut.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 12, 2026 at 7:36 PM
Someone in this piece describes it as Armageddon, which is a touch OTT. But - as someone living through it - I can say that it is utterly shambolic.
And always worth remembering that S E Water *still* has a hosepipe ban in operation -- in January...
And always worth remembering that S E Water *still* has a hosepipe ban in operation -- in January...
Someone close to ministers in the last government told me recently
“The calculation they’re making is whether or not they think it’s easier to recover the Tory brand or go into Reform and make them less crazy.”
“The calculation they’re making is whether or not they think it’s easier to recover the Tory brand or go into Reform and make them less crazy.”
Nadhim Zahawi being unveiled as Reform’s newest defector
January 12, 2026 at 11:38 AM
Someone close to ministers in the last government told me recently
“The calculation they’re making is whether or not they think it’s easier to recover the Tory brand or go into Reform and make them less crazy.”
“The calculation they’re making is whether or not they think it’s easier to recover the Tory brand or go into Reform and make them less crazy.”
Reposted by Jack Blackburn
NEW: An Anglo-Saxon burial site with remarkable similarities to Sutton Hoo has been discovered at the development of the Sizewell C nuclear power station
www.thetimes.com/article/1528... #history #archaeology #anglosaxons
www.thetimes.com/article/1528... #history #archaeology #anglosaxons
Burial site ‘akin to Sutton Hoo’ sheds new light on Anglo-Saxons
The extremely rare discovery made during excavations at Sizewell C dates to the 6th or 7th century and includes a princely burial of two people and a horse
www.thetimes.com
January 12, 2026 at 9:25 AM
NEW: An Anglo-Saxon burial site with remarkable similarities to Sutton Hoo has been discovered at the development of the Sizewell C nuclear power station
www.thetimes.com/article/1528... #history #archaeology #anglosaxons
www.thetimes.com/article/1528... #history #archaeology #anglosaxons
Grab it while you can!
Burial site ‘akin to Sutton Hoo’ sheds new light on Anglo-Saxons
www.thetimes.com/article/1528...
Burial site ‘akin to Sutton Hoo’ sheds new light on Anglo-Saxons
www.thetimes.com/article/1528...
January 12, 2026 at 10:33 AM
Grab it while you can!
Burial site ‘akin to Sutton Hoo’ sheds new light on Anglo-Saxons
www.thetimes.com/article/1528...
Burial site ‘akin to Sutton Hoo’ sheds new light on Anglo-Saxons
www.thetimes.com/article/1528...
Reposted by Jack Blackburn
Curiously, not behind a paywall.
NEW: An Anglo-Saxon burial site with remarkable similarities to Sutton Hoo has been discovered at the development of the Sizewell C nuclear power station
www.thetimes.com/article/1528... #history #archaeology #anglosaxons
www.thetimes.com/article/1528... #history #archaeology #anglosaxons
Burial site ‘akin to Sutton Hoo’ sheds new light on Anglo-Saxons
The extremely rare discovery made during excavations at Sizewell C dates to the 6th or 7th century and includes a princely burial of two people and a horse
www.thetimes.com
January 12, 2026 at 10:24 AM
Curiously, not behind a paywall.
Reposted by Jack Blackburn
'The find, which dates to the 6th or 7th century, comes with extraordinary grave goods such as swords and shields, while the horse burial is remarkably similar to the one found at Sutton Hoo’s Mound 17.' A day's ride from Sutton Hoo... Exciting stuff from @cotswoldarch.bsky.social.
NEW: An Anglo-Saxon burial site with remarkable similarities to Sutton Hoo has been discovered at the development of the Sizewell C nuclear power station
www.thetimes.com/article/1528... #history #archaeology #anglosaxons
www.thetimes.com/article/1528... #history #archaeology #anglosaxons
Burial site ‘akin to Sutton Hoo’ sheds new light on Anglo-Saxons
The extremely rare discovery made during excavations at Sizewell C dates to the 6th or 7th century and includes a princely burial of two people and a horse
www.thetimes.com
January 12, 2026 at 9:32 AM
'The find, which dates to the 6th or 7th century, comes with extraordinary grave goods such as swords and shields, while the horse burial is remarkably similar to the one found at Sutton Hoo’s Mound 17.' A day's ride from Sutton Hoo... Exciting stuff from @cotswoldarch.bsky.social.
NEW: An Anglo-Saxon burial site with remarkable similarities to Sutton Hoo has been discovered at the development of the Sizewell C nuclear power station
www.thetimes.com/article/1528... #history #archaeology #anglosaxons
www.thetimes.com/article/1528... #history #archaeology #anglosaxons
Burial site ‘akin to Sutton Hoo’ sheds new light on Anglo-Saxons
The extremely rare discovery made during excavations at Sizewell C dates to the 6th or 7th century and includes a princely burial of two people and a horse
www.thetimes.com
January 12, 2026 at 9:25 AM
NEW: An Anglo-Saxon burial site with remarkable similarities to Sutton Hoo has been discovered at the development of the Sizewell C nuclear power station
www.thetimes.com/article/1528... #history #archaeology #anglosaxons
www.thetimes.com/article/1528... #history #archaeology #anglosaxons
“Nobody wants to see scenes like this”
January 11, 2026 at 9:15 AM
“Nobody wants to see scenes like this”
When will the world accept the inalienable truth that Nespresso coffee is rubbish?
January 11, 2026 at 9:14 AM
When will the world accept the inalienable truth that Nespresso coffee is rubbish?
Trump has caused the G7 to be delayed so he can watch cage-fighting on the White House lawn for his birthday
This and more in this morning’s @TimesDiary
www.thetimes.com/article/30c3...
This and more in this morning’s @TimesDiary
www.thetimes.com/article/30c3...
President Macron avoids cage-fight clash with Trump
Plus: Rebellion ends with a whimper; prisoners there for a good time, if not a long time; the sunny climes of Wolverhampton; Gyles Brandreth’s charitable works
www.thetimes.com
January 10, 2026 at 9:14 AM
Trump has caused the G7 to be delayed so he can watch cage-fighting on the White House lawn for his birthday
This and more in this morning’s @TimesDiary
www.thetimes.com/article/30c3...
This and more in this morning’s @TimesDiary
www.thetimes.com/article/30c3...
Reposted by Jack Blackburn
Spoilers but…
- Relentlessly accuses an innocent woman
- Misrepresents evidence
- Chooses to reveal her undercover role to someone who is murdering people
Amanda’s not exactly helping improve the ailing reputation of the Metropolitan Police
#thetraitors
- Relentlessly accuses an innocent woman
- Misrepresents evidence
- Chooses to reveal her undercover role to someone who is murdering people
Amanda’s not exactly helping improve the ailing reputation of the Metropolitan Police
#thetraitors
January 8, 2026 at 9:56 PM
Spoilers but…
- Relentlessly accuses an innocent woman
- Misrepresents evidence
- Chooses to reveal her undercover role to someone who is murdering people
Amanda’s not exactly helping improve the ailing reputation of the Metropolitan Police
#thetraitors
- Relentlessly accuses an innocent woman
- Misrepresents evidence
- Chooses to reveal her undercover role to someone who is murdering people
Amanda’s not exactly helping improve the ailing reputation of the Metropolitan Police
#thetraitors
Spoilers but…
- Relentlessly accuses an innocent woman
- Misrepresents evidence
- Chooses to reveal her undercover role to someone who is murdering people
Amanda’s not exactly helping improve the ailing reputation of the Metropolitan Police
#thetraitors
- Relentlessly accuses an innocent woman
- Misrepresents evidence
- Chooses to reveal her undercover role to someone who is murdering people
Amanda’s not exactly helping improve the ailing reputation of the Metropolitan Police
#thetraitors
January 8, 2026 at 9:56 PM
Spoilers but…
- Relentlessly accuses an innocent woman
- Misrepresents evidence
- Chooses to reveal her undercover role to someone who is murdering people
Amanda’s not exactly helping improve the ailing reputation of the Metropolitan Police
#thetraitors
- Relentlessly accuses an innocent woman
- Misrepresents evidence
- Chooses to reveal her undercover role to someone who is murdering people
Amanda’s not exactly helping improve the ailing reputation of the Metropolitan Police
#thetraitors
Reposted by Jack Blackburn
Keir Starmer facing ministerial revolt over jury trials, claims chief backbench rebel
This and more in today’s @thetimes.com diary
www.thetimes.com/article/c8ec...
This and more in today’s @thetimes.com diary
www.thetimes.com/article/c8ec...
Keir Starmer’s jury reforms face 12 angry MPs
Plus: Lee Anderson vs the BBC; the left’s love for despots; and gallows humour at the Bar
www.thetimes.com
January 8, 2026 at 10:58 AM
Keir Starmer facing ministerial revolt over jury trials, claims chief backbench rebel
This and more in today’s @thetimes.com diary
www.thetimes.com/article/c8ec...
This and more in today’s @thetimes.com diary
www.thetimes.com/article/c8ec...
Keir Starmer facing ministerial revolt over jury trials, claims chief backbench rebel
This and more in today’s @thetimes.com diary
www.thetimes.com/article/c8ec...
This and more in today’s @thetimes.com diary
www.thetimes.com/article/c8ec...
Keir Starmer’s jury reforms face 12 angry MPs
Plus: Lee Anderson vs the BBC; the left’s love for despots; and gallows humour at the Bar
www.thetimes.com
January 8, 2026 at 10:58 AM
Keir Starmer facing ministerial revolt over jury trials, claims chief backbench rebel
This and more in today’s @thetimes.com diary
www.thetimes.com/article/c8ec...
This and more in today’s @thetimes.com diary
www.thetimes.com/article/c8ec...
Reposted by Jack Blackburn
Writing this I had to look through Grok's mentions. Earlier I counted around 8 requests PER MINUTE featuring "bikini" and "her". Thousands of women and girls stripped each day. I found users stripping dozens of women per hour, from female celebrities to gym selfies.
www.thetimes.com/uk/technolog...
www.thetimes.com/uk/technolog...
MPs urge boycott of Elon Musk’s X over Grok AI’s undressing
The call to end use of X for official government communication follows posts of digitally undressed women and children that may have broken UK law
www.thetimes.com
January 5, 2026 at 10:08 PM
Writing this I had to look through Grok's mentions. Earlier I counted around 8 requests PER MINUTE featuring "bikini" and "her". Thousands of women and girls stripped each day. I found users stripping dozens of women per hour, from female celebrities to gym selfies.
www.thetimes.com/uk/technolog...
www.thetimes.com/uk/technolog...
Spotted on train - a very dapper James Cleverly (hat, smart coat, red socks)
Nearly missed his stop as he was engrossed in solving a Rubik’s Cube
Seemed like the trickiest part of the puzzle was trying to get all the blues on one side
Nearly missed his stop as he was engrossed in solving a Rubik’s Cube
Seemed like the trickiest part of the puzzle was trying to get all the blues on one side
January 5, 2026 at 6:24 PM
Spotted on train - a very dapper James Cleverly (hat, smart coat, red socks)
Nearly missed his stop as he was engrossed in solving a Rubik’s Cube
Seemed like the trickiest part of the puzzle was trying to get all the blues on one side
Nearly missed his stop as he was engrossed in solving a Rubik’s Cube
Seemed like the trickiest part of the puzzle was trying to get all the blues on one side
Oh we all had a history teacher who was like this
January 5, 2026 at 12:46 PM
Oh we all had a history teacher who was like this