Chris Wilkins
@mrchriswilkins.bsky.social
Communications and strategy advisor. Media commentator. Former Downing Street Director of Strategy and serial Tory SPAD. Politics, International Relations & National Security.
The budget debate we should actually be having…
www.thetimes.com/article/646f...
www.thetimes.com/article/646f...
Labour are still not serious about defence
PM and chancellor need to fill the gap between soaring rhetoric and pinched reality at the MoD
www.thetimes.com
December 1, 2025 at 7:05 PM
The budget debate we should actually be having…
www.thetimes.com/article/646f...
www.thetimes.com/article/646f...
Good. Bye bye. Off you go. But again, they haven't 'defected'. They're not MPs. They just joined Reform online like any member of the public can.
Three Conservative former MPs have defected to Reform, a source in Nigel Farage’s party confirmed today.
Three former Tory MPs defect to Farage’s Reform
www.independent.co.uk
December 1, 2025 at 10:57 AM
Good. Bye bye. Off you go. But again, they haven't 'defected'. They're not MPs. They just joined Reform online like any member of the public can.
Reposted by Chris Wilkins
if only there was a recent speech where the chancellor could have made this case to a packed House of Commons 😉
Rightly lots of debates about growth this weekend - rightly because it was low productivity growth that saw wages entirely flatline during the 2010s.
December 1, 2025 at 10:39 AM
if only there was a recent speech where the chancellor could have made this case to a packed House of Commons 😉
Reposted by Chris Wilkins
A lot of people need to hear this. @jayrayner1.bsky.social is 1000% correct. on.ft.com/4rnR3lb
November 29, 2025 at 1:00 PM
A lot of people need to hear this. @jayrayner1.bsky.social is 1000% correct. on.ft.com/4rnR3lb
This is right. Budgets are essentially works of fiction. We spend ages analysing things that will most likely never happen.
There’s another potential explanation: the stated election year plans are irrelevant because because in 2026-2027 the three-year rolling window kicks in. From then on, the Chancellor can always put the austerity at the end of the window but never need to implement it.
November 29, 2025 at 10:03 AM
This is right. Budgets are essentially works of fiction. We spend ages analysing things that will most likely never happen.
Keep reading that No 10 denies the Chancellor misled people ahead of the Budget, but they don’t seem to have an alternative explanation. We’ve all seen the timeline and the evidence. What else is there? Did she just not read the OBR documents?
November 29, 2025 at 7:57 AM
Keep reading that No 10 denies the Chancellor misled people ahead of the Budget, but they don’t seem to have an alternative explanation. We’ve all seen the timeline and the evidence. What else is there? Did she just not read the OBR documents?
Reposted by Chris Wilkins
“A European intelligence agency distributed a hard-copy report in a manila envelope to some of the continent’s most senior national security officials...inside were details of the commercial and economic plans the US had been pursuing with Russia, including jointly mining rare earths in the Arctic.”
November 29, 2025 at 6:01 AM
“A European intelligence agency distributed a hard-copy report in a manila envelope to some of the continent’s most senior national security officials...inside were details of the commercial and economic plans the US had been pursuing with Russia, including jointly mining rare earths in the Arctic.”
Reposted by Chris Wilkins
It takes a special kind of right-wing British political party to literally sell black shirts.
Are you going to tell them?
Or shall I?
Are you going to tell them?
Or shall I?
November 28, 2025 at 1:55 PM
It takes a special kind of right-wing British political party to literally sell black shirts.
Are you going to tell them?
Or shall I?
Are you going to tell them?
Or shall I?
Reposted by Chris Wilkins
I hate that this is necessary, but it is. So it’s good that things are moving.
www.politico.eu/article/euro...
www.politico.eu/article/euro...
Europe thinks the unthinkable: Retaliating against Russia
Countries are looking at joint offensive cyber operations and surprise military drills as Moscow steps up its campaign to destabilize NATO allies.
www.politico.eu
November 27, 2025 at 9:25 AM
I hate that this is necessary, but it is. So it’s good that things are moving.
www.politico.eu/article/euro...
www.politico.eu/article/euro...
Reposted by Chris Wilkins
"I do think this budget creates an opportunity for the Conservative Party," says Jon Sopel.
"You could see the reinvention of the Tories as a Thatcherite party, saying it must stop the ballooning size of the state, and demand a fundamental reform"
www.thenewsagents.co.uk/article/i-ho...
"You could see the reinvention of the Tories as a Thatcherite party, saying it must stop the ballooning size of the state, and demand a fundamental reform"
www.thenewsagents.co.uk/article/i-ho...
‘I honestly cannot remember a more shambolic lead-up to a budget’ | The News Agents
Rachel Reeves' second budget as Chancellor of the Exchequer was overshadowed by its leak, in entirety, shortly before she delivered it to the House of Commons. Now shared with MPs and the public, has…
www.thenewsagents.co.uk
November 27, 2025 at 6:45 AM
"I do think this budget creates an opportunity for the Conservative Party," says Jon Sopel.
"You could see the reinvention of the Tories as a Thatcherite party, saying it must stop the ballooning size of the state, and demand a fundamental reform"
www.thenewsagents.co.uk/article/i-ho...
"You could see the reinvention of the Tories as a Thatcherite party, saying it must stop the ballooning size of the state, and demand a fundamental reform"
www.thenewsagents.co.uk/article/i-ho...
Reposted by Chris Wilkins
Utterly surreal that a key part of the pre Budget narrative from the government hasn’t been ‘Russian planes keep buzzing the Essex coast, US support for NATO is looking shaky, and thanks to the Tories our army fits in Old Trafford - that’s why we need to raise taxes’.
November 26, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Utterly surreal that a key part of the pre Budget narrative from the government hasn’t been ‘Russian planes keep buzzing the Essex coast, US support for NATO is looking shaky, and thanks to the Tories our army fits in Old Trafford - that’s why we need to raise taxes’.
Reposted by Chris Wilkins
"Brexit, in other words, is both cause and consequence of a lot of what is going on in our politics today."
🗣️ @anandmenon.bsky.social of @ukandeu.bsky.social – based in the Policy Institute – recently gave his reflections on the "Brexit Revolution" for the Mackenzie-Stuart Lecture at Cambridge Uni
🗣️ @anandmenon.bsky.social of @ukandeu.bsky.social – based in the Policy Institute – recently gave his reflections on the "Brexit Revolution" for the Mackenzie-Stuart Lecture at Cambridge Uni
November 25, 2025 at 5:10 PM
"Brexit, in other words, is both cause and consequence of a lot of what is going on in our politics today."
🗣️ @anandmenon.bsky.social of @ukandeu.bsky.social – based in the Policy Institute – recently gave his reflections on the "Brexit Revolution" for the Mackenzie-Stuart Lecture at Cambridge Uni
🗣️ @anandmenon.bsky.social of @ukandeu.bsky.social – based in the Policy Institute – recently gave his reflections on the "Brexit Revolution" for the Mackenzie-Stuart Lecture at Cambridge Uni
Reposted by Chris Wilkins
The movement to destroy liberal democracy is international, and so must be its defense
NEWS --> BBC confirms to me that they did edit a line out of historian @rutgerbregman.com's speech. It called Trump "the most openly corrupt president in US history."
BBC also confirms this was done on the advice of lawyers. So Trump's threats worked.
New piece:
newrepublic.com/article/2036...
BBC also confirms this was done on the advice of lawyers. So Trump's threats worked.
New piece:
newrepublic.com/article/2036...
Trump’s Fury at BBC Gets Unnerving Results with Pro-MAGA Edit Stunner
First, British Broadcasting Corporation execs resigned after Trump complained about a segment. Now the BBC edited out a line from a historian that was critical of Trump. Where does this end?
newrepublic.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:31 PM
The movement to destroy liberal democracy is international, and so must be its defense
Reposted by Chris Wilkins
beginning to believe I would actually vote for a dead pigeon on a stick if it just promised to restore the fuel duty escalator
November 25, 2025 at 4:40 PM
beginning to believe I would actually vote for a dead pigeon on a stick if it just promised to restore the fuel duty escalator
Reposted by Chris Wilkins
"My beloved working class" - i.e. the one that exists in his head, but in real life has always rejected this particularly ugly strain of 'you don't deserve commercial television, nice holidays or little luxuries' whenever Labour have taken it to the public.
November 24, 2025 at 11:44 PM
"My beloved working class" - i.e. the one that exists in his head, but in real life has always rejected this particularly ugly strain of 'you don't deserve commercial television, nice holidays or little luxuries' whenever Labour have taken it to the public.
Reposted by Chris Wilkins
He seems genuinely unable to explain what a Kamala Harris Panorama episode should have reported, given she did not actually lead an insurrection against the Capitol. And yet it's a point he keeps returning to as if it's one of his best.
November 24, 2025 at 4:24 PM
He seems genuinely unable to explain what a Kamala Harris Panorama episode should have reported, given she did not actually lead an insurrection against the Capitol. And yet it's a point he keeps returning to as if it's one of his best.
Reposted by Chris Wilkins
*Dandles grandchild on knee*
“Yes, junior. It is funny looking back. But in the olden days someone decided the right way to mark the birth of Christ was to have amateurs edit the country’s foremost current affairs programme.”
“Yes, junior. It is funny looking back. But in the olden days someone decided the right way to mark the birth of Christ was to have amateurs edit the country’s foremost current affairs programme.”
November 24, 2025 at 7:32 AM
*Dandles grandchild on knee*
“Yes, junior. It is funny looking back. But in the olden days someone decided the right way to mark the birth of Christ was to have amateurs edit the country’s foremost current affairs programme.”
“Yes, junior. It is funny looking back. But in the olden days someone decided the right way to mark the birth of Christ was to have amateurs edit the country’s foremost current affairs programme.”
Reposted by Chris Wilkins
The honest budget speech...
"This year we're putting pensioners ahead of growth. We're prioritising reform voters over growth. Incumbent businesses. Tax advisors...
And the party opposite can complain, but they did exactly the same thing.
In UK politics, this is called change"
"This year we're putting pensioners ahead of growth. We're prioritising reform voters over growth. Incumbent businesses. Tax advisors...
And the party opposite can complain, but they did exactly the same thing.
In UK politics, this is called change"
i: Reeves to unveil £600m raid on foreign student
university fees #TomorrowsPapersToday
university fees #TomorrowsPapersToday
November 24, 2025 at 7:21 AM
The honest budget speech...
"This year we're putting pensioners ahead of growth. We're prioritising reform voters over growth. Incumbent businesses. Tax advisors...
And the party opposite can complain, but they did exactly the same thing.
In UK politics, this is called change"
"This year we're putting pensioners ahead of growth. We're prioritising reform voters over growth. Incumbent businesses. Tax advisors...
And the party opposite can complain, but they did exactly the same thing.
In UK politics, this is called change"
Reposted by Chris Wilkins
The plan says that "A dialogue will be held between Russia and NATO, mediated by the United States." This implies that both Russia and the Trump administration don't see the US as part of NATO in any real sense. That should deeply alarm every other NATO state.
November 21, 2025 at 10:06 AM
The plan says that "A dialogue will be held between Russia and NATO, mediated by the United States." This implies that both Russia and the Trump administration don't see the US as part of NATO in any real sense. That should deeply alarm every other NATO state.
Reposted by Chris Wilkins
The UK has the most progressive tax system in the developed world, argues @jburnmurdoch.ft.com
As @duncanrobinson.bsky.social wrote for @economist.com, the Tories created "an unbelievably progressive tax system".
on.ft.com/3JPv6dP
economist.com/britain/2025...
As @duncanrobinson.bsky.social wrote for @economist.com, the Tories created "an unbelievably progressive tax system".
on.ft.com/3JPv6dP
economist.com/britain/2025...
November 21, 2025 at 10:14 AM
The UK has the most progressive tax system in the developed world, argues @jburnmurdoch.ft.com
As @duncanrobinson.bsky.social wrote for @economist.com, the Tories created "an unbelievably progressive tax system".
on.ft.com/3JPv6dP
economist.com/britain/2025...
As @duncanrobinson.bsky.social wrote for @economist.com, the Tories created "an unbelievably progressive tax system".
on.ft.com/3JPv6dP
economist.com/britain/2025...
With Nigel Farage currently on track to be the main beneficiary
Brexit has caused almost twice as much damage to the UK economy than estimated by official forecasts, according to new paper from a group of experts including a senior Bank of England economist
Brexit Hit to UK Economy Double Official Estimate, Study Finds
Brexit has caused almost twice as much damage to the UK economy than estimated by official forecasts, according to new paper from a group of experts including a senior Bank of England economist.
bloom.bg
November 21, 2025 at 10:44 AM
With Nigel Farage currently on track to be the main beneficiary
Complete madness that the UK seems all too keen to replicate
The White House just blasted this out under the headline "Good News You May Have Missed"
November 19, 2025 at 10:11 PM
Complete madness that the UK seems all too keen to replicate
“Delighted?” Ok then… I fear they have no idea what they’re doing.
November 17, 2025 at 12:47 PM
“Delighted?” Ok then… I fear they have no idea what they’re doing.
100% this. Media is not the same as comms.
Part of the problem here is they keep hiring comms people from newspapers who know how to pitch stuff to their former colleagues - but these tricks don't work anymore.
This does seem to be a relevant question. Reading the Sun and Guardina pieces side by side it is hard to believe they are describing the same policy. That kind of spin might have worked in 1990s but in a social media ecosystem where anger goes viral is is likely to generate own goals
November 17, 2025 at 9:00 AM
100% this. Media is not the same as comms.
Reposted by Chris Wilkins
In a similar vein, Theresa May should have stuck to her social care policy. She'd already taken the hit for it, so she might as well have at least addressed one of the most intractable problems in British politics
Reeves should risk it all on one last roll of the dice.
Raise income tax, break the triple lock, slay the deficit, spend the money on the things she believes in.
It may not work - but better than waiting for doom to overtake her.
open.substack.com/pub/edrith/p...
Raise income tax, break the triple lock, slay the deficit, spend the money on the things she believes in.
It may not work - but better than waiting for doom to overtake her.
open.substack.com/pub/edrith/p...
Reeves in Zugzwang
Incremental politics no longer works
open.substack.com
November 17, 2025 at 8:39 AM
In a similar vein, Theresa May should have stuck to her social care policy. She'd already taken the hit for it, so she might as well have at least addressed one of the most intractable problems in British politics