As late as the 1960s, the Prime Minister’s driver used to always have to make sure he had four one penny coins in his pocket because if there was an alert of imminent Soviet nuclear attack when the PM was travelling, that was how the PM would dial Whitehall and coordinate the UKs response.

We are so sad to hear that Dave Ball, the keyboard genius of Soft Cell, has died. He was an electronic pop pioneer and with Marc Almond made a unique catalogue of songs, completely original in sound and content. Our love and condolences go to Marc and all those close to Dave. Neil and Chris xx

Such sad news. RIP Clem and condolences to his family and friends.

My old boss taught me that there was only one indispensable figure in the Blair govt besides Blair, and it was John Prescott. He pulled off that trick of being fiercely loyal while still very much having his own mind: if he pushed back against something, it mattered. A total force of nature.

Emotional this morning about the loss of Prescott. He hugely inspired my dad, who became a Labour councillor at the age of 50, after years as a bus driver. He gave permission to be in politics, while being your imperfect self, whatever your accent or background.

Tony Blair’s tribute to John Prescott, in full docs.google.com/document/d/1...

The Cure Galore: Baby from front cover of album given surprise gift on wedding day

New post just out:

"Dropping Out"

Why improvements to school standards are at serious risk.

(Free to read)

open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/d...