Andrew Rawnsley
@andrewrawnsley.bsky.social
Chief Political Commentator & Associate Editor, The Observer
How a cunning plan to bolster the prime minister backfired spectacularly
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observer.co.uk/news/columni...
How a cunning plan to bolster the PM backfired spectacularly | The Observer
observer.co.uk
November 16, 2025 at 9:57 AM
How a cunning plan to bolster the prime minister backfired spectacularly
observer.co.uk/news/columni...
observer.co.uk/news/columni...
“Rachel could not only do everything as a journalist…she could invariably do it all better, and quicker, than anybody else.” My colleague Tim Adams has written the tribute to Rachel Cooke that she richly deserves.
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Remembering Rachel Cooke | The Observer
observer.co.uk
November 15, 2025 at 11:57 PM
“Rachel could not only do everything as a journalist…she could invariably do it all better, and quicker, than anybody else.” My colleague Tim Adams has written the tribute to Rachel Cooke that she richly deserves.
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Thank you, Mike
@andrewrawnsley.bsky.social correctly concluding that most voters, whether in the UK or the US, are not interested in ideology. Politicians who know this can win.
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observer.co.uk/news/columni...
Zohran Mamdani’s victory shows the power of charisma in politics | The Observer
observer.co.uk
November 9, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Thank you, Mike
Thank you, David
@andrewrawnsley.bsky.social by
An excellent analysis Andrew. The candidates’ success was driven by their two mantras: their authenticity and to deliver affordability outcomes for the electorate. Transferring that to a UK election will be interesting.
observer.co.uk/news/columni...
An excellent analysis Andrew. The candidates’ success was driven by their two mantras: their authenticity and to deliver affordability outcomes for the electorate. Transferring that to a UK election will be interesting.
observer.co.uk/news/columni...
Zohran Mamdani’s victory shows the power of charisma in politics | The Observer
observer.co.uk
November 9, 2025 at 10:50 AM
Thank you, David
Many thanks, Paul
November 9, 2025 at 10:50 AM
Many thanks, Paul
Thank you, Tim
As per, @andrewrawnsley.bsky.social nails it observer.co.uk/news/columni...
November 9, 2025 at 10:49 AM
Thank you, Tim
Lessons from America
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observer.co.uk/news/columni...
Zohran Mamdani’s victory shows the power of charisma in politics | The Observer
observer.co.uk
November 9, 2025 at 10:04 AM
Lessons from America
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observer.co.uk/news/columni...
What did she mean by that?
observer.co.uk/news/politic...
observer.co.uk/news/politic...
Substantial tax rises are coming – the chancellor has put...
Now we know: the government is about to break its manifesto pledge. But there is a case for doing so
observer.co.uk
November 4, 2025 at 7:07 PM
What did she mean by that?
observer.co.uk/news/politic...
observer.co.uk/news/politic...
Thank you, Alan. As you suggest, upping basic rate raises quite a lot more than upping higher rates.
Thanks Andrew. Very good piece.
I would go for 1p on basic and 2p on higher and additional. Is that in the mix ?
It would seem easier to sell, and without the Treasury calculator I guess undercollects vs 2p on basic, but still a good return ?
I would go for 1p on basic and 2p on higher and additional. Is that in the mix ?
It would seem easier to sell, and without the Treasury calculator I guess undercollects vs 2p on basic, but still a good return ?
November 2, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Thank you, Alan. As you suggest, upping basic rate raises quite a lot more than upping higher rates.
Thank you, Chris.
Strong points Andrew. Fiscally essential v political suicide indeed. Perhaps she might have a tinker with tax thresholds and personal allowances to ease some pain. Those extra geo political demands you mention are factors Labour MUST press home.
November 2, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Thank you, Chris.
Thank you, Jos. You’re not wrong.
Good article.
I think the choice would be easier if the government had an overarching purpose.
I think the choice would be easier if the government had an overarching purpose.
2p or not 2p? That is the question.
observer.co.uk/news/columni...
observer.co.uk/news/columni...
November 2, 2025 at 12:28 PM
Thank you, Jos. You’re not wrong.
Thank you, Irene
Really good article...
2p or not 2p? That is the question.
observer.co.uk/news/columni...
observer.co.uk/news/columni...
November 2, 2025 at 12:28 PM
Thank you, Irene
Thank you, Dean
@andrewrawnsley.bsky.social excellent on Reeves’ dilemmas. But why a 2p rise on basic rate and not an increase from 20/40/45% to 21/41/46% which would hit everyone AND levy more on the wealthier?
November 2, 2025 at 11:42 AM
Thank you, Dean
Thank you, Rick
Good piece on the Chancellor’s dilemma, by @andrewrawnsley.bsky.social
She needs to go big. As the quoted MP says, the worst thing she could do is tinker then have to come back for more next time.
Raise basic rate, cut NI, lower VAT threshold, bring in land tax.
observer.co.uk/news/columni...
She needs to go big. As the quoted MP says, the worst thing she could do is tinker then have to come back for more next time.
Raise basic rate, cut NI, lower VAT threshold, bring in land tax.
observer.co.uk/news/columni...
The chancellor is stuck between a fiscal rock and a polit...
With the budget looming, Rachel Reeves must decide whether to put up the basic rate
observer.co.uk
November 2, 2025 at 11:41 AM
Thank you, Rick
Glad it hit the spot, David
@andrewrawnsley.bsky.social excellent article, loved the “2p or not 2p” opening.
observer.co.uk/news/columni...
observer.co.uk/news/columni...
The chancellor is stuck between a fiscal rock and a polit...
With the budget looming, Rachel Reeves must decide whether to put up the basic rate
observer.co.uk
November 2, 2025 at 11:41 AM
Glad it hit the spot, David
2p or not 2p? That is the question.
observer.co.uk/news/columni...
observer.co.uk/news/columni...
The chancellor is stuck between a fiscal rock and a polit...
With the budget looming, Rachel Reeves must decide whether to put up the basic rate
observer.co.uk
November 2, 2025 at 10:32 AM
2p or not 2p? That is the question.
observer.co.uk/news/columni...
observer.co.uk/news/columni...
Will Keir Starmer pay any heed to Lucy Powell?
observer.co.uk/news/columni...
observer.co.uk/news/columni...
Lucy Powell has a resonant message. The PM would be wise ...
After a disastrous byelection in Wales, Labour’s new deputy leader should not be frozen out by Keir Starmer
observer.co.uk
October 26, 2025 at 9:50 AM
Will Keir Starmer pay any heed to Lucy Powell?
observer.co.uk/news/columni...
observer.co.uk/news/columni...
Many thanks, Guy
This is excellent
There's a potential path back for the Tories, but not by being a Reform tribute act
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observer.co.uk/news/columni...
October 12, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Many thanks, Guy
Thank you, Jane
Conservatives, @andrewrawnsley.bsky.social is on the money here.
There is only one way back, and that is to reclaim competence.
There is only one way back, and that is to reclaim competence.
There's a potential path back for the Tories, but not by being a Reform tribute act
observer.co.uk/news/columni...
observer.co.uk/news/columni...
October 12, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Thank you, Jane
Thank you, Ian
I’m old enough to remember when the Tories were called the “natural party of government”. Not any more after George Osborne’s austerity, Boris Johnson’s Brexit, PartyGate and the Liz Truss debacle. Sharp analysis from @andrewrawnsley.bsky.social this week #politics👇
There's a potential path back for the Tories, but not by being a Reform tribute act
observer.co.uk/news/columni...
observer.co.uk/news/columni...
October 12, 2025 at 11:38 AM
Thank you, Ian
Thank you, Mike
@andrewrawnsley.bsky.social correctly highlighting why Tories repelled by Reform probably won’t vote for a tribute act. If they vote tactically, who they choose will decide the result of the next General Election.
observer.co.uk/news/columni...
observer.co.uk/news/columni...
The Conservatives must reclaim competence – and stop imit...
Years of blunders have wrecked the Tory brand. Mimicking Nigel Farage won’t rebuild it – owning their failures might
observer.co.uk
October 12, 2025 at 11:38 AM
Thank you, Mike
Thank you, Ben
@andrewrawnsley.bsky.social spots the gap in the market for the Conservatives as a competent, responsible centre right party IF they abandon “karaoke Faragism” AND “frankly acknowledge everything they got wrong.”
#KemiBadenoch #NigelFarage #bbclaurak #LVIPolitics
observer.co.uk/news/columni...
#KemiBadenoch #NigelFarage #bbclaurak #LVIPolitics
observer.co.uk/news/columni...
The Conservatives must reclaim competence – and stop imit...
Years of blunders have wrecked the Tory brand. Mimicking Nigel Farage won’t rebuild it – owning their failures might
observer.co.uk
October 12, 2025 at 10:51 AM
Thank you, Ben
There's a potential path back for the Tories, but not by being a Reform tribute act
observer.co.uk/news/columni...
observer.co.uk/news/columni...
The Conservatives must reclaim competence – and stop imit...
Years of blunders have wrecked the Tory brand. Mimicking Nigel Farage won’t rebuild it – owning their failures might
observer.co.uk
October 12, 2025 at 8:56 AM
There's a potential path back for the Tories, but not by being a Reform tribute act
observer.co.uk/news/columni...
observer.co.uk/news/columni...
Kemi Badenoch’s closing speech was a success- in the conference hall at least.
observer.co.uk/news/opinion...
observer.co.uk/news/opinion...
Badenoch’s speech may just have bought her a bit more tim...
The confident speech touched most of the right notes for her Conservative family in the Manchester hall, but voters are unlikely to be as convinced
observer.co.uk
October 8, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Kemi Badenoch’s closing speech was a success- in the conference hall at least.
observer.co.uk/news/opinion...
observer.co.uk/news/opinion...
Thank you, Ian
The call to ‘Renew Britain’ after the self-sabotage of leaving Europe (but we can’t admit that, can we). Thoughtful piece by @andrewrawnsley.bsky.social this week👇
observer.co.uk/news/columni...
observer.co.uk/news/columni...
It’s not enough to be up for the fight – Keir Starmer mus...
A harder challenge lies ahead for the prime minister – persuading voters and some within his party that he can deliver
observer.co.uk
October 5, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Thank you, Ian