James Heale
@jaheale.bsky.social
Deputy Political Editor at The Spectator
Exc: Reform UK spend £1 million on a Budget blitz
📰 Some £700k spent on newspaper ads featuring Nigel Farage's 'letter to the nation'
💰Insiders bullish about tide of new donations
📈 Aim is to prove to biz community they can handle economy best
www.spectator.co.uk/article/insi...
📰 Some £700k spent on newspaper ads featuring Nigel Farage's 'letter to the nation'
💰Insiders bullish about tide of new donations
📈 Aim is to prove to biz community they can handle economy best
www.spectator.co.uk/article/insi...
Inside Reform's £1 million Budget blitz
It can be difficult for challenger parties to make much of an impact on the Budget, with parliament designed to emphasise the role of government and opposition. But Reform UK is determined to make a s...
www.spectator.co.uk
November 26, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Exc: Reform UK spend £1 million on a Budget blitz
📰 Some £700k spent on newspaper ads featuring Nigel Farage's 'letter to the nation'
💰Insiders bullish about tide of new donations
📈 Aim is to prove to biz community they can handle economy best
www.spectator.co.uk/article/insi...
📰 Some £700k spent on newspaper ads featuring Nigel Farage's 'letter to the nation'
💰Insiders bullish about tide of new donations
📈 Aim is to prove to biz community they can handle economy best
www.spectator.co.uk/article/insi...
Nine of the ten constituencies most hit by the 'mansion tax' are held by Labour MPs, via Bradshaw Advisory
As I say on Coffee House Shots, the London borough elections next year could be interesting
As I say on Coffee House Shots, the London borough elections next year could be interesting
November 26, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Nine of the ten constituencies most hit by the 'mansion tax' are held by Labour MPs, via Bradshaw Advisory
As I say on Coffee House Shots, the London borough elections next year could be interesting
As I say on Coffee House Shots, the London borough elections next year could be interesting
Jolly decent of the OBR to oblige early. Pub?
November 26, 2025 at 12:40 PM
Jolly decent of the OBR to oblige early. Pub?
Jeremy Hunt on how his ancestor George Ward Hunt – a fellow Chancellor of the Exchequer – invented a key Treasury tradition in 1868:
“He delivered one budget but forgot his speech and had to dash back to Number 11 to fetch it. MPs were furious... 1/2"
“He delivered one budget but forgot his speech and had to dash back to Number 11 to fetch it. MPs were furious... 1/2"
November 24, 2025 at 11:17 AM
Jeremy Hunt on how his ancestor George Ward Hunt – a fellow Chancellor of the Exchequer – invented a key Treasury tradition in 1868:
“He delivered one budget but forgot his speech and had to dash back to Number 11 to fetch it. MPs were furious... 1/2"
“He delivered one budget but forgot his speech and had to dash back to Number 11 to fetch it. MPs were furious... 1/2"
The Culture Select Committee has had more than its fair share of fireworks over the years. But tomorrow’s hearing on the BBC could be one for the ages.
Keep an eye on the two Lib Dems, given that Ed Davey has called for Robbie Gibb to resign…
Keep an eye on the two Lib Dems, given that Ed Davey has called for Robbie Gibb to resign…
November 23, 2025 at 9:44 PM
The Culture Select Committee has had more than its fair share of fireworks over the years. But tomorrow’s hearing on the BBC could be one for the ages.
Keep an eye on the two Lib Dems, given that Ed Davey has called for Robbie Gibb to resign…
Keep an eye on the two Lib Dems, given that Ed Davey has called for Robbie Gibb to resign…
David Cameron reveals to the Times that he has had prostate cancer, after his wife Samantha urged him to get tested.
Following successful treatment, he says he is using his platform now to encourage more men to get tested.
Following successful treatment, he says he is using his platform now to encourage more men to get tested.
November 23, 2025 at 8:52 PM
David Cameron reveals to the Times that he has had prostate cancer, after his wife Samantha urged him to get tested.
Following successful treatment, he says he is using his platform now to encourage more men to get tested.
Following successful treatment, he says he is using his platform now to encourage more men to get tested.
NEW: Daily Mail have signed £500m deal to buy the Daily Telegraph with RedBird IMI
The Rothermeres finally get the broadsheet they always craved
The Rothermeres finally get the broadsheet they always craved
November 22, 2025 at 10:07 AM
NEW: Daily Mail have signed £500m deal to buy the Daily Telegraph with RedBird IMI
The Rothermeres finally get the broadsheet they always craved
The Rothermeres finally get the broadsheet they always craved
Lloyd Russell-Moyle and others will take great joy in inflicting revenge on a Labour leadership which drummed them out the party. It's not just business – it's personal too.
From August:
www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-...
From August:
www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-...
The left’s fightback against Labour has begun
If there is a hallmark of Keir Starmer’s leadership, it is a willingness to bash the left. For five years, he has repeatedly sided with his moderate factions to make Labour electable. Corbynites have ...
www.spectator.co.uk
November 20, 2025 at 7:07 PM
Lloyd Russell-Moyle and others will take great joy in inflicting revenge on a Labour leadership which drummed them out the party. It's not just business – it's personal too.
From August:
www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-...
From August:
www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-...
New: Plaid Cymru becomes the first party to confirm the top candidates in all 16 constituencies for the Senedd elections in six months' time
Leader Rhun ap Iorwerth: "Polls show it is a two-horse race to be the largest party, and only Plaid Cymru can prevent Reform."
Leader Rhun ap Iorwerth: "Polls show it is a two-horse race to be the largest party, and only Plaid Cymru can prevent Reform."
November 20, 2025 at 3:26 PM
New: Plaid Cymru becomes the first party to confirm the top candidates in all 16 constituencies for the Senedd elections in six months' time
Leader Rhun ap Iorwerth: "Polls show it is a two-horse race to be the largest party, and only Plaid Cymru can prevent Reform."
Leader Rhun ap Iorwerth: "Polls show it is a two-horse race to be the largest party, and only Plaid Cymru can prevent Reform."
ountry strife: more than 100 rural seats backed Labour at the last election.
Ministers’ tax, trade and sports agenda risks an almighty backlash
The Tories hope to benefit but the rise of rural Reform is the big story from year one of this government
www.spectator.co.uk/article/labo...
Ministers’ tax, trade and sports agenda risks an almighty backlash
The Tories hope to benefit but the rise of rural Reform is the big story from year one of this government
www.spectator.co.uk/article/labo...
Labour may have lost the countryside forever
Before the last election, Keir Starmer promised that his party’s relationship with the countryside would be ‘based on respect, on genuine partnership’. But, 16 months into his premiership, the governm...
www.spectator.co.uk
November 20, 2025 at 2:29 PM
ountry strife: more than 100 rural seats backed Labour at the last election.
Ministers’ tax, trade and sports agenda risks an almighty backlash
The Tories hope to benefit but the rise of rural Reform is the big story from year one of this government
www.spectator.co.uk/article/labo...
Ministers’ tax, trade and sports agenda risks an almighty backlash
The Tories hope to benefit but the rise of rural Reform is the big story from year one of this government
www.spectator.co.uk/article/labo...
In the House of Lords, Lib Dem peers have backed the Conservative amendment on the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill.
So now it only has the support of Labour and SDLP - which could mean another defeat looming in the Upper House for the government…
So now it only has the support of Labour and SDLP - which could mean another defeat looming in the Upper House for the government…
November 18, 2025 at 7:47 PM
In the House of Lords, Lib Dem peers have backed the Conservative amendment on the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill.
So now it only has the support of Labour and SDLP - which could mean another defeat looming in the Upper House for the government…
So now it only has the support of Labour and SDLP - which could mean another defeat looming in the Upper House for the government…
Lucid and withering by one of the best:
My column in today’s FT: a government with no real vision is reverting to its comfort zone of launching campaigns and drawing dividing lines - against Wes Streeting, on tax. Meanwhile in the real world its position keeps getting worse:
Brain-dead Labour retreats to its comfort zone: campaigning
Downing Street’s bizarre war on itself is a symptom of a government whose ideas dissolve on contact with reality
www.ft.com
November 14, 2025 at 10:18 AM
Lucid and withering by one of the best:
New: JCB hand £200k apiece to Reform UK and the Conservatives
Spox: "JCB has been backing Britain since 1945 and is supportive of pro-business political parties that create the conditions for these businesses to grow and prosper"
www.spectator.co.uk/article/jcb-...
Spox: "JCB has been backing Britain since 1945 and is supportive of pro-business political parties that create the conditions for these businesses to grow and prosper"
www.spectator.co.uk/article/jcb-...
JCB hand £200k to Reform and Tories
The battle on the right is well underway, with competition between Reform and the Tories for attention, ideas and personnel. One front where the Conservatives have had more success to date is on donat...
www.spectator.co.uk
November 8, 2025 at 11:18 AM
New: JCB hand £200k apiece to Reform UK and the Conservatives
Spox: "JCB has been backing Britain since 1945 and is supportive of pro-business political parties that create the conditions for these businesses to grow and prosper"
www.spectator.co.uk/article/jcb-...
Spox: "JCB has been backing Britain since 1945 and is supportive of pro-business political parties that create the conditions for these businesses to grow and prosper"
www.spectator.co.uk/article/jcb-...
Denis Healey without the eyebrows – Rachel Reeves set to become the biggest tax-raising Chancellor of modern times if she repeats last year's Budget
www.spectator.co.uk/article/reev...
www.spectator.co.uk/article/reev...
November 7, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Denis Healey without the eyebrows – Rachel Reeves set to become the biggest tax-raising Chancellor of modern times if she repeats last year's Budget
www.spectator.co.uk/article/reev...
www.spectator.co.uk/article/reev...
The successful Tory effort to box Labour in on tax during May 2024 must be looked upon as the political equivalent of Pearl Harbor – a stunning assault in an inevitably doomed campaign
www.spectator.co.uk/article/reev...
www.spectator.co.uk/article/reev...
Reeves set to break manifesto pledge – and hike income tax
Rachel Reeves billed her £38 billion in tax increases last year – the biggest tax-rising Budget since Black Wednesday – as a ‘one and done’ approach. As she prepares to deliver her second Budget in th...
www.spectator.co.uk
November 7, 2025 at 1:31 PM
The successful Tory effort to box Labour in on tax during May 2024 must be looked upon as the political equivalent of Pearl Harbor – a stunning assault in an inevitably doomed campaign
www.spectator.co.uk/article/reev...
www.spectator.co.uk/article/reev...
Defeats for the Conservative candidates in Badenoch, Stride and Jenrick's seats last night:
www.spectator.co.uk/article/top-...
www.spectator.co.uk/article/top-...
Top Tory team suffer bad night
After a decent conference speech, there was some hope among the Tories that Kemi Badenoch had finally turned the corner. Her PMQs performances are much more assured and there have been some notable La...
www.spectator.co.uk
November 7, 2025 at 8:51 AM
Defeats for the Conservative candidates in Badenoch, Stride and Jenrick's seats last night:
www.spectator.co.uk/article/top-...
www.spectator.co.uk/article/top-...
How green issues became the new ‘clear blue water’:
• Warnings £300 energy savings won’t materialise
• Coutinho to launch a ‘Cut My Bills’ push to take 20% off
• Lib Dems eye communitarian Tories
• Greens keen for local London pacts
www.spectator.co.uk/article/west...
• Warnings £300 energy savings won’t materialise
• Coutinho to launch a ‘Cut My Bills’ push to take 20% off
• Lib Dems eye communitarian Tories
• Greens keen for local London pacts
www.spectator.co.uk/article/west...
Energy is the new political battleground
With three weeks until the Budget, the main political parties have been setting out their economic thinking. Each faces the same bind: anaemic growth, fiscal constraints and uncomfortable exposure to ...
www.spectator.co.uk
November 6, 2025 at 9:25 AM
How green issues became the new ‘clear blue water’:
• Warnings £300 energy savings won’t materialise
• Coutinho to launch a ‘Cut My Bills’ push to take 20% off
• Lib Dems eye communitarian Tories
• Greens keen for local London pacts
www.spectator.co.uk/article/west...
• Warnings £300 energy savings won’t materialise
• Coutinho to launch a ‘Cut My Bills’ push to take 20% off
• Lib Dems eye communitarian Tories
• Greens keen for local London pacts
www.spectator.co.uk/article/west...
And the lucky man facing David Lammy at PMQs is… James Cartlidge, the Shadow Defence Secretary
November 5, 2025 at 9:29 AM
And the lucky man facing David Lammy at PMQs is… James Cartlidge, the Shadow Defence Secretary
Given Reeves' speech today, it's worth remembering that Budget broadcasts - followed by a response from Opposition parties – existed until 2012.
Here's Gordon Brown in 2000, succinctly explaining his changes and broader thinking:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wf1u...
Here's Gordon Brown in 2000, succinctly explaining his changes and broader thinking:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wf1u...
Budget Broadcast by Gordon Brown 2000
YouTube video by David Boothroyd
www.youtube.com
November 4, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Given Reeves' speech today, it's worth remembering that Budget broadcasts - followed by a response from Opposition parties – existed until 2012.
Here's Gordon Brown in 2000, succinctly explaining his changes and broader thinking:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wf1u...
Here's Gordon Brown in 2000, succinctly explaining his changes and broader thinking:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wf1u...
Exc: Reform launch their own Research Department, to rival the Tories' famed CRD
Up to a dozen hires are sought, with the party moving into opposition research
Senior source: "The building of the party machine continues at pace"
t.co/ci2fkLLJ5b
Up to a dozen hires are sought, with the party moving into opposition research
Senior source: "The building of the party machine continues at pace"
t.co/ci2fkLLJ5b
https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/reform-launches-its-own-research-department/
t.co
November 4, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Exc: Reform launch their own Research Department, to rival the Tories' famed CRD
Up to a dozen hires are sought, with the party moving into opposition research
Senior source: "The building of the party machine continues at pace"
t.co/ci2fkLLJ5b
Up to a dozen hires are sought, with the party moving into opposition research
Senior source: "The building of the party machine continues at pace"
t.co/ci2fkLLJ5b
In his big speech in the City tomorrow, Nigel Farage will say that London ought to be a leading centre in digital assets.
Column from this week's Spectator on how he has spent years championing the crypto craze:
www.spectator.co.uk/article/whic...
Column from this week's Spectator on how he has spent years championing the crypto craze:
www.spectator.co.uk/article/whic...
Which party has the crypto factor?
He helped ‘break’ the Bank of England – but now Scott Bessent is helping to shape its future. As a young hedge-fund manager, he served in George Soros’s firm when it made $1 billion on Black Wednesday...
www.spectator.co.uk
November 2, 2025 at 9:37 PM
In his big speech in the City tomorrow, Nigel Farage will say that London ought to be a leading centre in digital assets.
Column from this week's Spectator on how he has spent years championing the crypto craze:
www.spectator.co.uk/article/whic...
Column from this week's Spectator on how he has spent years championing the crypto craze:
www.spectator.co.uk/article/whic...
Increasing chatter among Tory staff that they will soon vacate their Matthew Parker Street base. Lease is up next year…
t.co/I3AybfjK9N
t.co/I3AybfjK9N
https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/will-tories-leave-their-westminster-base/
t.co
October 31, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Increasing chatter among Tory staff that they will soon vacate their Matthew Parker Street base. Lease is up next year…
t.co/I3AybfjK9N
t.co/I3AybfjK9N
New: Lewis Cocking and Bradley Thomas were both elected to the 1922 Committee executive last night, defeating Alison Griffiths and Simon Hoare
October 30, 2025 at 4:34 PM
New: Lewis Cocking and Bradley Thomas were both elected to the 1922 Committee executive last night, defeating Alison Griffiths and Simon Hoare
Kwasi Kwarteng: ‘Bitcoin has been around for 16 years – digital currencies will only play a bigger role.’
Column in this week’s Spectator on policymakers scrambling to keep up with the crypto craze:
t.co/SKqhqML3bt
Column in this week’s Spectator on policymakers scrambling to keep up with the crypto craze:
t.co/SKqhqML3bt
https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/which-party-has-the-crypto-factor/
t.co
October 30, 2025 at 9:20 AM
Kwasi Kwarteng: ‘Bitcoin has been around for 16 years – digital currencies will only play a bigger role.’
Column in this week’s Spectator on policymakers scrambling to keep up with the crypto craze:
t.co/SKqhqML3bt
Column in this week’s Spectator on policymakers scrambling to keep up with the crypto craze:
t.co/SKqhqML3bt
Some wry Tory smiles tonight that Angela Rayner voted to keep stamp duty
October 28, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Some wry Tory smiles tonight that Angela Rayner voted to keep stamp duty