Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Ailbhe Rea @pronouncedalva.bsky.social · 9d

Yes! Can't wait to be back on it - reunited with Anoosh!

6

Ailbhe Rea @pronouncedalva.bsky.social · 9d

🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

1

Ailbhe Rea @pronouncedalva.bsky.social · 10d

I'm thrilled to announce I'm returning to the New Statesman as Political Editor in November. 🥳

An honour to step into @andrewmarr.bsky.social's legendary shoes as he becomes editor-at-large. Can't wait to get started with @tommctague.bsky.social and the whole team!

25 21 310

Ailbhe Rea @pronouncedalva.bsky.social · Jul 25

Keir Starmer under pressure from cabinet and Macron to recognise Palestine sooner.

Streeting, Nandy, Benn and Mahmood urging in recent weeks.

Govt hasn't decided yet whether to join France in recognising Palestine in Sept.

w/ @ellenmilligan.bsky.social
Gift link:
bloomberg.com/news/articles/…

https://bloomberg.com/news/articles/…

5

Ailbhe Rea @pronouncedalva.bsky.social · Jul 23

This quiet move by Starmer suggests he has identified an issue he wants to fix after the welfare bill.

It could be a very significant change. It might mean no repeat of the winter fuel/welfare cuts - and might also mean he pushes his govt in a new - more progressive? - direction

3 1 9

Ailbhe Rea @pronouncedalva.bsky.social · Jul 23

The decision-making process is being called into question after the welfare reforms.

One Starmer ally says they don’t think the PM would have chosen that approach if he had had all of the facts available to him.

2 6

Ailbhe Rea @pronouncedalva.bsky.social · Jul 23

Starmer allies worry that this process bounces the PM into decisions he wouldn’t otherwise make — and he ends up making the less progressive choice.

It plays into the narrative in @patrickmaguire.bsky.social and @gabrielpogrund.bsky.social's book — that it is often advisers who call the shots.

1 5

Ailbhe Rea @pronouncedalva.bsky.social · Jul 23

This is how most decision making has worked in the past year: the tendency has been to reach a “house view” before a call on any policy area is presented to the PM for a final decision.

You can see the necessity of streamlining the amount of information reaching the PM. But...

1 4

Ailbhe Rea @pronouncedalva.bsky.social · Jul 23

Insiders say govt's worst decisions have followed the same path:
- Treasury officials say they need to make a cut
- Reeves is persuaded
- McSweeney says it would work politically
- Decision has such a head of steam by the time it's presented to Starmer that it's a fait accompli

1 2 6

Ailbhe Rea @pronouncedalva.bsky.social · Jul 23

Scoop: Keir Starmer has asked to be involved in policy-making earlier and to be given more detail following the welfare debacle, as allies say a cultural issue was developing in Number 10 where the PM was bounced into decisions.

Gift link 🔗 www.bloomberg.com/news/newslet...

Ailbhe Rea: Keir Starmer Implements a Quiet Government Reset

It’s been two weeks since Keir Starmer’s government faced its moment of crisis, forced to gut its flagship welfare reforms after coming dangerously close to a staggering, almost unprecedented, defeat ...

www.bloomberg.com

9 12 42

Ailbhe Rea @pronouncedalva.bsky.social · Jul 18

Thank you this is very kind!

1

Ailbhe Rea @pronouncedalva.bsky.social · Jul 9

Gift link here 🎁🔗 www.bloomberg.com/news/newslet...

Ailbhe Rea: Starmer’s Challenging Future Without a Policy Change

You almost wouldn’t know that last week Keir Starmer faced the worst crisis of his premiership. It’s a sunny day of full pomp and ceremony here in Westminster for the French state visit, and Emmanuel ...

shorturl.at

3

Ailbhe Rea @pronouncedalva.bsky.social · Jul 9

Labour is acting like everything's gone back to normal... but after last week, things are far from normal.

Ministers, aides and MPs are now saying they expect a leadership challenge to Starmer next May if nothing changes.

I wrote last night's newsletter on what happens next. shorturl.at/SPgvi

Ailbhe Rea: Starmer’s Challenging Future Without a Policy Change

You almost wouldn’t know that last week Keir Starmer faced the worst crisis of his premiership. It’s a sunny day of full pomp and ceremony here in Westminster for the French state visit, and Emmanuel ...

www.bloomberg.com

1 1 6

Reposted by Ailbhe Rea

John Rentoul @rentouljohn.bsky.social · Jun 30

Benchmarks, from @philipjcowley.bsky.social, the professor of parliamentary rebellions at QMUL

10 9

Ailbhe Rea @pronouncedalva.bsky.social · Jun 11

(Yes I am trying to remember to post on here again)

12

Ailbhe Rea @pronouncedalva.bsky.social · Jun 11

Full story on Sue Gray's next move 👇🏻 www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

Former Top Starmer Aide Sue Gray to Join Advisory Firm Consello

Keir Starmer’s former chief of staff, Sue Gray, will join global advisory firm Consello Group as its UK chair, moving into business 8 months after her departure from the prime minister’s top team.

www.bloomberg.com

1 2

Ailbhe Rea @pronouncedalva.bsky.social · Jun 11

ACOBA has told Gray her new role must not involve lobbying the government, sources said.

Gray and Consello have agreed to ACOBA’s rules, the sources said, adding that Gray will have no contact with government in her role and Consello doesn't do any lobbying.

1 1

Ailbhe Rea @pronouncedalva.bsky.social · Jun 11

SCOOP: Keir Starmer's former chief of staff Sue Gray is moving into business - joining advisory firm Consello as its UK chair.

She will be in charge of the firm's expansion in the UK, starting immediately. She joins Gary Neville and Serena Williams (!) on the company's staff.

1 4

Ailbhe Rea @pronouncedalva.bsky.social · Apr 8

Scoop: The government is "very seriously considering" nationalising Chinese-owned British Steel, two sources tell Bloomberg, as it scrambles to save the last UK steelmaker from closure.

w/ @alexwickham.bsky.social www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

UK Considers Taking Over China-Owned British Steel to Save Plant

The UK is seriously considering nationalizing Jingye Group’s British Steel, as ministers rush to rescue the country’s last steelmaker from the prospect of permanent closure.

www.bloomberg.com

2 30 100

Reposted by Ailbhe Rea

Alex Wickham @alexwickham.bsky.social · Jan 20

Exclusive with @pronouncedalva.bsky.social @ellenmilligan.bsky.social

UK Poised to Back Heathrow Airport Expansion in Push for Growth

Gatwick, Luton projects also set for approval

As well as Lower Thames Crossing and Universal Studios theme park

www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

UK Poised to Back Heathrow Airport Expansion in Push for Growth

Keir Starmer’s government is preparing to approve controversial expansions to three London airports as part of a push to spur growth that’s become more urgent this month after international markets ca...

www.bloomberg.com

3 9 27

Reposted by Ailbhe Rea

Alex Wickham @alexwickham.bsky.social · Dec 7

Our weekend story with top team @joemayes.bsky.social @pronouncedalva.bsky.social @ellenmilligan.bsky.social @lucygjwhite.bsky.social

Alex Wickham @alexwickham.bsky.social · Dec 7

NEW: Bloomberg Saturday read

Keir Starmer has triggered alarm across Labour over his poor performance in his first 5 months as PM, after Thursday’s reset speech flopped

His party wants bolder policies, a clearer purpose and much sharper messaging

www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

Starmer Triggers Labour Alarm After Early Reset Bid Falls Flat

Keir Starmer is facing calls from across his Labour Party for bolder policies and sharper messaging to reconnect with voters, after a major speech aimed at rebooting his stuttering UK premiership flop...

www.bloomberg.com

1 3 6

Ailbhe Rea @pronouncedalva.bsky.social · Dec 5

(Feels wrong putting the same thing on two platforms, like repeating a joke when people haven't heard it.)

3 7

Ailbhe Rea @pronouncedalva.bsky.social · Dec 5

Five missions
Six first steps
Two priorities
Six milestones
And a partridge in a pear tree

5 3 22

Ailbhe Rea @pronouncedalva.bsky.social · Dec 2

Very fair. I guess what I really mean is that even to political journalists he is a relatively unknown/ bland choice. Although as we dive into his tenure at health he may become less boring!

1

Ailbhe Rea @pronouncedalva.bsky.social · Dec 2

Sad thinking about what might have been if Keir Starmer had gone for the candidate with serious main character energy, Antonia Romeo.

www.thetimes.com/article/d1c5...

Antonia Romeo: model diplomat

Life for Antonia Romeo tends to happen at a frenetic pace. In July 2016 she began her posting as the first female British consul general in New York, as well as

www.thetimes.com

6