Philip Stephens
@philipstephens.bsky.social
Writer, historian, Contrib Ed, FT, Robert Bosch Fellow, Berlin, author These Divided Isles, and Britain Alone (both Faber), British, Irish and European. philipstephens.substack.com, philipstephens.net
Pinned
The book I always wanted to write. How Partition turned the Irish Question in British politics into the British Question in Irish politics. And the extraordinary mix of enmity and intimacy that finally mapped a path to a different future. Now open for advance orders:
linktr.ee/thesedivided...
linktr.ee/thesedivided...
Reposted by Philip Stephens
The CER's annual report features an essay which analyses the many problems the EU faces, but concludes that it is not doomed.
The report also highlights the CER’s most important events and publications in 2025.
The report also highlights the CER’s most important events and publications in 2025.
February 17, 2026 at 1:00 PM
The CER's annual report features an essay which analyses the many problems the EU faces, but concludes that it is not doomed.
The report also highlights the CER’s most important events and publications in 2025.
The report also highlights the CER’s most important events and publications in 2025.
Reposted by Philip Stephens
32. Following WW2, the US wanted to buy the freehold to its embassy in London from the Duke of Westminster. His people responded that the Duke would sell in return for his ancestor’s land confiscated in 1783.
When the ambassador asked what the land included, the answer was all of Miami.
When the ambassador asked what the land included, the answer was all of Miami.
November 6, 2025 at 9:55 PM
32. Following WW2, the US wanted to buy the freehold to its embassy in London from the Duke of Westminster. His people responded that the Duke would sell in return for his ancestor’s land confiscated in 1783.
When the ambassador asked what the land included, the answer was all of Miami.
When the ambassador asked what the land included, the answer was all of Miami.
Reposted by Philip Stephens
February 16, 2026 at 7:37 PM
Reposted by Philip Stephens
"humiliating climbdown”
February 16, 2026 at 6:34 PM
"humiliating climbdown”
To cap it all Royal Mail response to complaints is simply to lie. Been told that deliveries in my area are fine when haven't received 1st class letters posted week and more earlier. Sorting office staff privately apologetic but told by managers not to admit delays.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Royal Mail staff tell BBC letters sit undelivered as firm prioritises parcels
Staff and customers tell the BBC prioritising parcels can mean missed NHS appointments and late payment fines.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 16, 2026 at 1:50 PM
To cap it all Royal Mail response to complaints is simply to lie. Been told that deliveries in my area are fine when haven't received 1st class letters posted week and more earlier. Sorting office staff privately apologetic but told by managers not to admit delays.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Philip Stephens
Still waiting for my December bank statements: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Royal Mail staff tell BBC letters sit undelivered as firm prioritises parcels
Staff and customers tell the BBC prioritising parcels can mean missed NHS appointments and late payment fines.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 16, 2026 at 8:55 AM
Still waiting for my December bank statements: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Philip Stephens
For Europe, there is only one sensible path forward: we must strengthen ourselves and be prepared to use power to advance our interests. Germany and Poland are united in this effort. #MSC2026
February 15, 2026 at 10:32 AM
For Europe, there is only one sensible path forward: we must strengthen ourselves and be prepared to use power to advance our interests. Germany and Poland are united in this effort. #MSC2026
Reposted by Philip Stephens
I have met Tony Blackburn and he is a) exactly the same in the flesh away from the cameras as he is on the telly and b) an absolute gent #totp
February 13, 2026 at 9:53 PM
I have met Tony Blackburn and he is a) exactly the same in the flesh away from the cameras as he is on the telly and b) an absolute gent #totp
cergrant.bsky.social always worth reading.
February 13, 2026 at 12:27 PM
cergrant.bsky.social always worth reading.
Reposted by Philip Stephens
Good work. Hopefully other reporters will follow up, especially those who may have inadvertently misled their readers
FACTCHECK: Centrica's Chris O'Shea got blanket coverage for claiming electricity will cost more in 2030 than in energy crisis (Chris Stark: "he's wrong on this")
I asked Centrica for evidence – they didn’t reply
(Bills in crisis were >2x today, before huge govt subsidies)
1/4
I asked Centrica for evidence – they didn’t reply
(Bills in crisis were >2x today, before huge govt subsidies)
1/4
February 13, 2026 at 11:44 AM
Good work. Hopefully other reporters will follow up, especially those who may have inadvertently misled their readers
FT: "Sir Tony Blair’s think-tank has called on the UK government to reverse its ban on new North Sea exploration licences and scrap the windfall tax on the oil and gas sector".
Since his institute is now effectively owned by Trump cheerleader and donor Larry Ellison, this is unsurprising.
Since his institute is now effectively owned by Trump cheerleader and donor Larry Ellison, this is unsurprising.
February 13, 2026 at 11:31 AM
FT: "Sir Tony Blair’s think-tank has called on the UK government to reverse its ban on new North Sea exploration licences and scrap the windfall tax on the oil and gas sector".
Since his institute is now effectively owned by Trump cheerleader and donor Larry Ellison, this is unsurprising.
Since his institute is now effectively owned by Trump cheerleader and donor Larry Ellison, this is unsurprising.
Reading lots about Starmer now being in the thrall of the left but nothing as to what this means in terms of specific policy changes?
February 13, 2026 at 10:32 AM
Reading lots about Starmer now being in the thrall of the left but nothing as to what this means in terms of specific policy changes?
Sometimes names tell you everything. Only Pete Hegseth could be Pete Hegseth and Pam Bondi, Pam Bondi
February 12, 2026 at 5:30 PM
Sometimes names tell you everything. Only Pete Hegseth could be Pete Hegseth and Pam Bondi, Pam Bondi
Reposted by Philip Stephens
Am obviously hating the way Radio Four, rather than binning vox pops on this and other issues, now just uses a few comments from Radio Five Live's morning phone-in. Cheaper, and saves a reporter having to stand in the cold recruiting jobless and retired passers-by. But it's still rubbish journalism.
Ratcliffe says sorry his language 'offended some people' after criticism of immigration comments - live updates
The Man Utd co-owner says it's important to talk about
www.bbc.co.uk
February 12, 2026 at 2:28 PM
Am obviously hating the way Radio Four, rather than binning vox pops on this and other issues, now just uses a few comments from Radio Five Live's morning phone-in. Cheaper, and saves a reporter having to stand in the cold recruiting jobless and retired passers-by. But it's still rubbish journalism.
Reposted by Philip Stephens
just billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe throwing out some serious made-up numbers on TV
February 11, 2026 at 6:48 PM
just billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe throwing out some serious made-up numbers on TV
Reposted by Philip Stephens
No-one seems to have noticed, but many of the core developments in the Mandelson/Epstein story these last few days have been broken on this website. @pickardje.bsky.social and @petergeoghegan.bsky.social are both posting each breaking development on BlueSky, not X.
February 10, 2026 at 11:40 AM
No-one seems to have noticed, but many of the core developments in the Mandelson/Epstein story these last few days have been broken on this website. @pickardje.bsky.social and @petergeoghegan.bsky.social are both posting each breaking development on BlueSky, not X.
Reposted by Philip Stephens
The conditions in detention centres are beyond horrific. No human should be treated like this.
Seamus Culleton, who is held in a Texas detention centre, said: "It's like a modern day concentration camp."
Seamus Culleton, who is held in a Texas detention centre, said: "It's like a modern day concentration camp."
Irish man held in ICE detention for five months despite having valid work permit
Seamus Culleton has been in a Texas detention centre for more than four months
www.independent.co.uk
February 10, 2026 at 1:10 PM
The conditions in detention centres are beyond horrific. No human should be treated like this.
Seamus Culleton, who is held in a Texas detention centre, said: "It's like a modern day concentration camp."
Seamus Culleton, who is held in a Texas detention centre, said: "It's like a modern day concentration camp."
Reposted by Philip Stephens
new clown car meme just dropped
Plans to invade Greenland have just been cancelled after this
February 10, 2026 at 10:20 AM
new clown car meme just dropped
Edelman annual trust survey makes for interesting reading. Looking forward to many self-reflective pieces on why trust in British media (39 pct) is barely above that (36pct) in nation's venal politicians.
PS: Shocked to discover this morning that Starmer still in No 10
PS: Shocked to discover this morning that Starmer still in No 10
February 10, 2026 at 10:08 AM
Edelman annual trust survey makes for interesting reading. Looking forward to many self-reflective pieces on why trust in British media (39 pct) is barely above that (36pct) in nation's venal politicians.
PS: Shocked to discover this morning that Starmer still in No 10
PS: Shocked to discover this morning that Starmer still in No 10
So if Sarwar ever claims a footnote in history it will be as the politician who saved Keir Starmer
February 9, 2026 at 10:11 PM
So if Sarwar ever claims a footnote in history it will be as the politician who saved Keir Starmer
This was John Major's response to the onslaught of the Eurosceptic "bastards" in and outside the cabinet during the 1990s. Survived much greater pressure than Starmer facing now.
Keir Starmer has told Labour MPs he will not "walk away" from No 10 and that he will keep fighting "as long as I have breath left in my body”
A minister told PolHome the Prime Minister was “stronger than he was at the beginning of the day” after addressing a restless Parliamentary Labour Party
A minister told PolHome the Prime Minister was “stronger than he was at the beginning of the day” after addressing a restless Parliamentary Labour Party
Keir Starmer Says He Will Keep Fighting 'As Long As I Have Breath Left In My Body'
Keir Starmer has said he will not 'walk away' from Downing Street as the Prime Minister looks to strengthen his position among Labour MPs.
www.politicshome.com
February 9, 2026 at 8:54 PM
This was John Major's response to the onslaught of the Eurosceptic "bastards" in and outside the cabinet during the 1990s. Survived much greater pressure than Starmer facing now.
Reposted by Philip Stephens
Almost like feeling the blade itself
February 9, 2026 at 5:29 PM
Almost like feeling the blade itself
I really felt for Sarwar when he explained how personally painful it had been for him to put the knife into Starmer....
February 9, 2026 at 5:28 PM
I really felt for Sarwar when he explained how personally painful it had been for him to put the knife into Starmer....
Assume Labour MPs calling for someone to "steady the ship" intentionally ironic. One lead pretender closely associated with Mandelson, another under investigation by HMRC...
February 9, 2026 at 2:08 PM
Assume Labour MPs calling for someone to "steady the ship" intentionally ironic. One lead pretender closely associated with Mandelson, another under investigation by HMRC...