Jack Kessler
@jackkessler.bsky.social
I write the newsletter, Lines To Take, bringing you one big story of the day, every day.
Sign up for free: https://www.linestotake.com/
I like human rights and French cuisine.
Sign up for free: https://www.linestotake.com/
I like human rights and French cuisine.
Includes my favourite party conference speech anecdote that I've almost certainly shared before.
January 21, 2026 at 8:31 AM
Includes my favourite party conference speech anecdote that I've almost certainly shared before.
But Carney actually had something to say, and it was basically:
"Middle Powers. Get your shit together."
"Middle Powers. Get your shit together."
January 21, 2026 at 8:25 AM
But Carney actually had something to say, and it was basically:
"Middle Powers. Get your shit together."
"Middle Powers. Get your shit together."
Why political speeches are so often dreadful.
January 21, 2026 at 8:20 AM
Why political speeches are so often dreadful.
Fatima's next job could be in ammunition assembly (she just doesn't know it yet).
January 20, 2026 at 11:59 AM
Fatima's next job could be in ammunition assembly (she just doesn't know it yet).
tl;dr fewer hospitality workers, more ammunition assemblers?
January 20, 2026 at 8:16 AM
tl;dr fewer hospitality workers, more ammunition assemblers?
"These strikes are wrong at a time when negotiations are going on. I urge both sides to put aside the rhetoric and stop it happening again."
January 19, 2026 at 9:41 AM
"These strikes are wrong at a time when negotiations are going on. I urge both sides to put aside the rhetoric and stop it happening again."
Not a New York Times headline guy but this is the current homepage. Not sure US and European media are treating this quite the same way.
January 19, 2026 at 9:30 AM
Not a New York Times headline guy but this is the current homepage. Not sure US and European media are treating this quite the same way.
Matlock versus Severance
January 19, 2026 at 8:17 AM
Matlock versus Severance
Finally, for fans of footnotes and dad jokes.
January 16, 2026 at 11:43 AM
Finally, for fans of footnotes and dad jokes.
Some selected takeaways:
January 16, 2026 at 11:30 AM
Some selected takeaways:
The older I get, the more I've reluctantly begun to believe in tribes.
January 14, 2026 at 10:04 AM
The older I get, the more I've reluctantly begun to believe in tribes.
This sort of thing may no longer secure the 40% or 50% it did in the second half of the 20th century but, in a multi-party system, it’s not clear it even needs to.
January 13, 2026 at 8:24 AM
This sort of thing may no longer secure the 40% or 50% it did in the second half of the 20th century but, in a multi-party system, it’s not clear it even needs to.
Until recently, the Tories appeared to have a policy of deporting people *living legally* in the UK for many years. It still holds a position on net zero that would be unpopular with many Reform UK supporters, let alone the former Tories who now vote Lib Dem in droves.
January 13, 2026 at 8:20 AM
Until recently, the Tories appeared to have a policy of deporting people *living legally* in the UK for many years. It still holds a position on net zero that would be unpopular with many Reform UK supporters, let alone the former Tories who now vote Lib Dem in droves.
Bluesky may not have forgiven the Tories for the mini-Budget, but the public (or at least quite a few) have. Look — the party of economic responsibility leads on the economy!
January 13, 2026 at 8:16 AM
Bluesky may not have forgiven the Tories for the mini-Budget, but the public (or at least quite a few) have. Look — the party of economic responsibility leads on the economy!
Yes, Labour was a more generous opponent than the Liberals, but the Tories have been able to rely on a set of durable strengths. Quick and dirty summary below:
January 13, 2026 at 8:07 AM
Yes, Labour was a more generous opponent than the Liberals, but the Tories have been able to rely on a set of durable strengths. Quick and dirty summary below:
Prices in Britain rose by roughly 750% in the 25 years to 1992 — more than in the previous 250 years. Then we discovered the joys of central bank independence.
January 12, 2026 at 8:11 AM
Prices in Britain rose by roughly 750% in the 25 years to 1992 — more than in the previous 250 years. Then we discovered the joys of central bank independence.
This line from a 2008 review in The Times of William Shatner's autobiography for some reason stayed with me.
January 9, 2026 at 11:02 AM
This line from a 2008 review in The Times of William Shatner's autobiography for some reason stayed with me.
Like highway hypnosis except for Scott Parker managing any of the bottom six.
January 9, 2026 at 7:55 AM
Like highway hypnosis except for Scott Parker managing any of the bottom six.
Guy who supported the Great Society and Vietnam War but went Nixon in ‘68 on the basis of how LBJ treated beagles.
December 31, 2025 at 10:12 AM
Guy who supported the Great Society and Vietnam War but went Nixon in ‘68 on the basis of how LBJ treated beagles.
Classic of the genre, in many ways:
1. Someone does something antisemitic 2. Someone else uses the opportunity to attack an unrelated Jew they don't like.
1. Someone does something antisemitic 2. Someone else uses the opportunity to attack an unrelated Jew they don't like.
December 29, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Classic of the genre, in many ways:
1. Someone does something antisemitic 2. Someone else uses the opportunity to attack an unrelated Jew they don't like.
1. Someone does something antisemitic 2. Someone else uses the opportunity to attack an unrelated Jew they don't like.
In the past few days, there has been what had previously been almost wholly absent for the last two years: visible support for the Jewish community – indeed, visible Jewishness at all. Vigils, commemorative swims, the Sydney Opera House lit up with a Hanukkah menorah.
December 21, 2025 at 11:17 AM
In the past few days, there has been what had previously been almost wholly absent for the last two years: visible support for the Jewish community – indeed, visible Jewishness at all. Vigils, commemorative swims, the Sydney Opera House lit up with a Hanukkah menorah.
Not a regular newsletter. A cool newsletter.
December 19, 2025 at 10:18 AM
Not a regular newsletter. A cool newsletter.
Picture round!
📈 What projection does this OBR graphic represent?
a. Productivity growth b. Fuel duty revenue c. Stamp duty d. inheritance tax
📈 What projection does this OBR graphic represent?
a. Productivity growth b. Fuel duty revenue c. Stamp duty d. inheritance tax
December 19, 2025 at 10:13 AM
Picture round!
📈 What projection does this OBR graphic represent?
a. Productivity growth b. Fuel duty revenue c. Stamp duty d. inheritance tax
📈 What projection does this OBR graphic represent?
a. Productivity growth b. Fuel duty revenue c. Stamp duty d. inheritance tax
The final Lines To Take of the year markets itself as a Christmas Quiz, but is in fact a test of who’s really been paying attention in class.
✍️ www.linestotake.com/p/the-christ...
✍️ www.linestotake.com/p/the-christ...
December 19, 2025 at 10:09 AM
The final Lines To Take of the year markets itself as a Christmas Quiz, but is in fact a test of who’s really been paying attention in class.
✍️ www.linestotake.com/p/the-christ...
✍️ www.linestotake.com/p/the-christ...
