Peter Walker
@peterwalker99.bsky.social
Guardian senior political correspondent. New book, Stress tested, out now: https://tinyurl.com/mhn82a7m
Email: [email protected] Secure email if needed: [email protected]
Email: [email protected] Secure email if needed: [email protected]
I missed this yesterday, but very much file under: oh, fancy that.
January 16, 2026 at 9:18 AM
I missed this yesterday, but very much file under: oh, fancy that.
While Jenrick is obviously Reform-adjacent in his views, plenty of colleagues thought there was little chance of him going, not least as Reform are a one-man band leadership wise and he might well have got a chance heading the Tories. But v damaging for Badenoch and her party.
January 15, 2026 at 11:14 AM
While Jenrick is obviously Reform-adjacent in his views, plenty of colleagues thought there was little chance of him going, not least as Reform are a one-man band leadership wise and he might well have got a chance heading the Tories. But v damaging for Badenoch and her party.
Can’t believe I have *one* day off and I miss this.
January 15, 2026 at 11:11 AM
Can’t believe I have *one* day off and I miss this.
Reposted by Peter Walker
When the interior ministry declares its militia to be above the law in terms that equate dissent with treason there really isn’t any question of whether or not we are looking at an authoritarian regime.
January 14, 2026 at 4:05 PM
When the interior ministry declares its militia to be above the law in terms that equate dissent with treason there really isn’t any question of whether or not we are looking at an authoritarian regime.
I mean, it feels to me like it's mainly a case of waiting till enough time passes, but what do I know.
January 14, 2026 at 2:14 PM
I mean, it feels to me like it's mainly a case of waiting till enough time passes, but what do I know.
This is from yesterday but I've only just seen it and it's pretty extraordinary. Rachel Maclean, Tory peer who was an MP and minister alongside Nadhim Zahawi, and was until recently a key aide to Kemi Badenoch, saying he was:
• Universally disliked
• Never in his constituency
• Can't be trusted.
• Universally disliked
• Never in his constituency
• Can't be trusted.
January 13, 2026 at 5:43 PM
This is from yesterday but I've only just seen it and it's pretty extraordinary. Rachel Maclean, Tory peer who was an MP and minister alongside Nadhim Zahawi, and was until recently a key aide to Kemi Badenoch, saying he was:
• Universally disliked
• Never in his constituency
• Can't be trusted.
• Universally disliked
• Never in his constituency
• Can't be trusted.
There's a fantastically fussy sign which has gone up in parliament advising visitors how to "safely access and egress the estate". Egress?! I have not knowingly egressed from anywhere, whether safely or unsafely.
January 13, 2026 at 3:54 PM
There's a fantastically fussy sign which has gone up in parliament advising visitors how to "safely access and egress the estate". Egress?! I have not knowingly egressed from anywhere, whether safely or unsafely.
No. Does it into this?
January 13, 2026 at 3:10 PM
No. Does it into this?
I remain convinced that "turbocharging" should only ever be used in the context of boosting the power output and efficiency of an internal combustion engine. See also "hacks" and computer systems.
January 13, 2026 at 12:39 PM
I remain convinced that "turbocharging" should only ever be used in the context of boosting the power output and efficiency of an internal combustion engine. See also "hacks" and computer systems.
At health questions in the Commons, an MP just asked about the idea of seeking to "turbocharge NHS dentistry", which doesn't sound like a very safe idea.
January 13, 2026 at 12:37 PM
At health questions in the Commons, an MP just asked about the idea of seeking to "turbocharge NHS dentistry", which doesn't sound like a very safe idea.
I'm told Davey is taking a Farage-style 20 or so media questions after the speech. Presumably we won't get any Reform-esque shout-downs of, "Boring!" or people being told they have asked a stupid question.
January 13, 2026 at 10:34 AM
I'm told Davey is taking a Farage-style 20 or so media questions after the speech. Presumably we won't get any Reform-esque shout-downs of, "Boring!" or people being told they have asked a stupid question.
Ed Davey is making his big kicking-off-the-new-year speech in London, with - as you can see - a focus on the NHS. Can he seize some attention amid all the chaos and the endless focus on Reform?
January 13, 2026 at 10:31 AM
Ed Davey is making his big kicking-off-the-new-year speech in London, with - as you can see - a focus on the NHS. Can he seize some attention amid all the chaos and the endless focus on Reform?
Amid yet another day off what=the-hell news, this really is almost beyond belief: the chair of the US Federal Reserve releasing a video statement stating that he is being threatened with concocted criminal charges because he won't set the interest rates the president wants to see.
Video message from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome H. Powell:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=KckG...
www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/s...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=KckG...
www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/s...
Statement by Federal Reserve Chair Jerome H. Powell
YouTube video by Federal Reserve
www.youtube.com
January 12, 2026 at 2:49 PM
Amid yet another day off what=the-hell news, this really is almost beyond belief: the chair of the US Federal Reserve releasing a video statement stating that he is being threatened with concocted criminal charges because he won't set the interest rates the president wants to see.
Ah.
❤️🔥Tory sources confirm that Nadhim Zahawi made approaches to senior members of Kemi Badenoch's team about getting a peerage just weeks before defecting to Reform UK - but was turned down.
January 12, 2026 at 2:35 PM
Ah.
New version of Nigel Farage's defence against multiple claims of school-era racism and antisemitism - Farage tells a press conference that the accusations are "meaningless", because claims of racism are now so common. This is slightly different from last week's "fantasies".
January 12, 2026 at 12:17 PM
New version of Nigel Farage's defence against multiple claims of school-era racism and antisemitism - Farage tells a press conference that the accusations are "meaningless", because claims of racism are now so common. This is slightly different from last week's "fantasies".
Reposted by Peter Walker
Kemi, this is just a population density map
January 12, 2026 at 8:01 AM
Kemi, this is just a population density map
Robert Jenrick's views increasingly give the impression that he's just reading out the "for you" feed on X.
January 9, 2026 at 5:34 PM
Robert Jenrick's views increasingly give the impression that he's just reading out the "for you" feed on X.
This is, to an extent, just a more explicit version of No 10's existing "all options are on the table" line from earlier this week, but it's notable to spell out what this could actually mean.
January 9, 2026 at 4:04 PM
This is, to an extent, just a more explicit version of No 10's existing "all options are on the table" line from earlier this week, but it's notable to spell out what this could actually mean.
NEW: Liz Kendall, the technology secretary, says Ofcom would have the "full backing" of government if it opted to block access to X in the UK (but it's a decision for Ofcom)
January 9, 2026 at 3:39 PM
NEW: Liz Kendall, the technology secretary, says Ofcom would have the "full backing" of government if it opted to block access to X in the UK (but it's a decision for Ofcom)
The Liberal Democrats have called on Reform MPs, including Nigel Farage, to donate the "tainted" money they receive from X to charities helping victims of sexual abuse.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Lib Dems call on Reform MPs to donate income from X to charity amid Grok row
Exclusive: party says Nigel Farage and colleagues receiving ‘tainted money’ for their posts on Elon Musk’s platform
www.theguardian.com
January 9, 2026 at 2:52 PM
The Liberal Democrats have called on Reform MPs, including Nigel Farage, to donate the "tainted" money they receive from X to charities helping victims of sexual abuse.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
If you missed this about David Bowie's childhood home being opened to the public, I *love" that the photo of Little Richard, which he kept with him his whole life, is going back on the same spot on the same bedroom wall where he first stuck it aged 10 or 11.
www.theguardian.com/music/2026/j...
www.theguardian.com/music/2026/j...
David Bowie’s childhood home to open to public after 1960s restoration
South London house to feature never-before-seen archival items and creative workshops for young people
www.theguardian.com
January 9, 2026 at 12:42 PM
If you missed this about David Bowie's childhood home being opened to the public, I *love" that the photo of Little Richard, which he kept with him his whole life, is going back on the same spot on the same bedroom wall where he first stuck it aged 10 or 11.
www.theguardian.com/music/2026/j...
www.theguardian.com/music/2026/j...
But as yet, no immediate action. All options are, as they still say, on the table.
January 9, 2026 at 12:14 PM
But as yet, no immediate action. All options are, as they still say, on the table.
Scathing words from No 10 on X making the Grok image tool available only to paying users: “That simply turns an AI feature that allows the creation of unlawful images into a premium service. It's not a solution. In fact, it's insulting to victims of misogyny and sexual violence."
January 9, 2026 at 12:13 PM
Scathing words from No 10 on X making the Grok image tool available only to paying users: “That simply turns an AI feature that allows the creation of unlawful images into a premium service. It's not a solution. In fact, it's insulting to victims of misogyny and sexual violence."
According to David Frost, a road casualty toll which involves an average of 80+ people *every single day* either dying or suffering injuries which could change their life forever is an "utter non-problem".
January 9, 2026 at 11:11 AM
According to David Frost, a road casualty toll which involves an average of 80+ people *every single day* either dying or suffering injuries which could change their life forever is an "utter non-problem".