Noah Keate

Nigel Farage says Reform candidates won’t be banned for backing Tommy Robinson online. The Reform chief told Radio 4's Today programme that while the far-right activist isn't his "cup of tea," he "wouldn’t ban anybody for liking someone like Tommy Robinson." Writeup below 👇

politico.euNigel Farage says Reform candidates won’t be banned for backing Tommy Robinson onlineReform UK leader says far-right activist isn’t his “cup of tea” but he “wouldn’t ban anyone” standing for the party who has liked his posts.

My @politico.eu piece here: www.politico.eu/article/nige...

Noah Keate reposted

What do Labour backbenchers think about Andy Burnham almost 100 days in? Isabel Loubser and I spoke to a dozen MPs to gauge the mood … and it’s broadly a positive one. However, on Europe, energy and welfare, there may be trouble ahead … putting Burnham to the test. Full @politico.eu piece below 👇

politico.eu4 reasons Andy Burnham’s MPs are feeling more cheerful — and the pitfalls aheadThe British PM’s party is impressed with his first 100 days but warn hurdles ahead could test that goodwill.

Our long read talking to MPs across the party about how the last three months compared to Keir Starmer’s administration. For many, it feels like a breath of fresh air … but they knew bumps in the road are inevitable. They just want to be heard and valued: www.politico.eu/article/4-re...

Andy Burnham has made today’s political weather by saying freedom of movement shouldn’t be off the table during negotiations with the EU. That’s sparked quite a debate, with politicians partying like it’s 2016. The PM hopes to find the middle ground. My analysis/newsletter 👇

politico.euMovement on freedom of movementPresented by Artificial Societies By NOAH KEATE PRESENTED BY Send tips here | Subscribe for free | Listen to Sunday Crunch and view in your browser Good Sunday afternoon. This is Noah Keate, extrem…

Full @politico.eu ‘Sunday Crunch’ including Burnham’s justification for his new approach, forthcoming details in the budget on mayors & AI and why Defence Secretary Wes Streeting wants us to prepare for war: www.politico.eu/newsletter/s...

The government has once again spent the Sunday morning round explaining why it disagrees with Donald Trump on Ukraine - without explicitly calling out the US president. But how long can this diplomatic tightrope of words realistically hold? My analysis/newsletter below 👇

politico.euSanctions small talkPresented by L’Oréal Groupe By NOAH KEATE PRESENTED BY Send tips here | Subscribe for free | Listen to Sunday Crunch and view in your browser Good Sunday afternoon. This is Noah Keate, amazed that …

Full @politico.eu ‘Sunday Crunch’ examining the UK’s reaction to Washington, D.C. waiving sanctions on Moscow, more budget speculation, info on the imminent ITV Reform UK documentary and the health announcement Yvette Cooper would have rather discussed: www.politico.eu/newsletter/s...

Lib Dem MPs pulled back from removing Ed Davey as leader - for now. YouGov's Anthony Wells highlights the “strategic advantage to them in terms of not offending people, but there’s also a strategic weakness in not defining yourself very clearly.” My @politico.eu analysis 👇

politico.euBritain’s Lib Dems are having a mini-meltdown. Here’s what’s going on.A surprise resignation followed by an extremely long show of unity: Britain’s centrist force — a potential key player in a future coalition — doesn’t seem ready to topple its leader just yet.…

Full piece here on the challenges facing the Lib Dem force, where there's internal discontent and how, should they wish, MPs could topple Davey and force a contest. www.politico.eu/article/brit...

I do feel sorry for Hannah Fry, who was punished for her intelligence. One benefit of the 'civilian' version is players have nothing to judge one another on *apart* from what happens during the game (except for those who are related/a couple, obviously). #CelebrityTraitors

Ed Davey’s future will be a pivotal theme of tonight’s Lib Dem parliamentary meeting. However, bigwigs would rather focus on the next general election. Two people tell me the Federal Board agreed to move the party into snap election readiness mode. More in Playbook PM 👇

Full analysis of what to expect from the unusually significant meeting of Britain’s centrist force in today’s @politico.eu Playbook PM by the brilliant @ecasalicchio.bsky.social: www.politico.eu/newsletter/l...

politico.eupolitico.eu

Has (reluctantly) decided to retire his fedora for 2026. I'd happily wear it all year round but the weather begs to differ. Instead, the fleeces, beanies and neck warmers which have sat without purpose in my wardrobe since March will need retrieving.

Britain is playing the ultimate round of diplomacy after the US and Ukraine had another dispute. Defence Secretary Wes Streeting criticised Washington, D.C.’s diesel deal with Moscow — but insisted the White House is invested in Ukraine’s future. My analysis/newsletter 👇

politico.euA bridge too far?Presented by Lloyds Banking Group By NOAH KEATE PRESENTED BY Send tips here | Subscribe for free | Listen to Sunday Crunch and view in your browser Good Sunday afternoon. This is Noah Keate, gearin…

Full @politico.eu ‘Sunday Crunch’ on the multiple dilemmas facing the government, more swirling rumours about John Healey’s budget, Reform UK’s latest immigration plans and what Andy Burnham said about Russian interference in the 2016 Brexit referendum: www.politico.eu/newsletter/s...

Interesting that Badenoch's speech will highlight a “battle for the soul of this nation.” Last year, Keir Starmer's final conference speech as Labour leader (which was well received at the time) mentioned a “fight for the soul of our country.”

Faux pas from Deputy Tory Leader Alex Burghart in conversation with historian Niall Ferguson at Tory conference. Burghart: "I understand you've just been to Russia." Ferguson: "To Kyiv, to Ukraine. It's still Ukraine, I'm glad to report."

Kemi Badenoch has many reasons to look on the bright side of life. Her personal polling is good, Reform has endured a bumpy summer and she's got a Shadow Cabinet in her image. However, there may be trouble ahead ... My analysis 👇 (no video as croaky conference cold voice!)

politico.eu4 reasons for Kemi Badenoch to be cheerful — and 3 looming headachesBritain’s Tories gather in Birmingham stronger than they’ve been in years — but face a long road from here to winning.

Full @politico.eu exploration about why the Tory leader can walk around Birmingham with a spring in her step ... but also needs to beware challenges ahead: www.politico.eu/article/kemi...

Kemi Badenoch is far more popular than the Tories. It’s no surprise she’s front and centre of the party’s annual conference — arguing they have credible policies, competent spokespeople and are ready for an election. But will the voters agree? My analysis/newsletter below 👇

politico.euAlright on the right?Presented by Lloyds Banking Group By NOAH KEATE PRESENTED BY Send tips here | Subscribe for free | Listen to Sunday Crunch and view in your browser Good Sunday afternoon. This is Noah Keate, roundi…

Full @politico.eu ‘Sunday Crunch’ here which also explores the government’s u-turn over jury trials and the rather eventual Green conference in Brighton, which finishes today: www.politico.eu/newsletter/s...

The Lib Dems are divided on scrapping the triple lock — but largely agree that debate should happen privately. However, frustration about Ed Davey's response to Andy Burnham tweaking state pensions means that's risen to the surface ... leading to grumblings. My @politico.eu Playbook PM reporting👇

politico.euLondon Playbook PM: 100 million barrels of not-laughsPresented by Lloyds Banking Group By EMILIO CASALICCHIO with ISABEL LOUBSER and NOAH KEATE PRESENTED BY Send tips here | Subscribe for free | Politics at Sam and Anne’s podcast | Listen to Pl…

Full newsletter from @ecasalicchio.bsky.social and Isabel Loubser to round off your week here — which gets into the divide about the triple lock either being an important coalition policy to defend ... or having well and truly run its course. www.politico.eu/newsletter/l...

Labour conference is (almost) over as the POLITICO Pub draws to a close. The watering hole has been a hotbed of political conversation with top ministers reflecting on the state of the world ... and the very real dilemmas facing the government. More on the thread below 🧵

politico.euUK’s global role in AI safety ‘not diminished’ by Trump, says AI ministerAI Minister Kanishka Narayan said he’s not bothered if the U.S. gets “first dibs” on AI model testing.

AI Minister Kanishka Narayan, who was ubiquitous on the fringe circuit, said the U.K.'s ability to take a lead on AI safety is “not diminished in the slightest” by the Trump administration's stance on the technology. www.politico.eu/article/uks-...

politico.euGreater Manchester mayor Bev Craig vows to put ‘grown-up shoes’ on when hosting Donald TrumpCraig — fresh from meeting Zohran Mamdani — says she will host the U.S. president at the G20 next year “in a professional and serious way.”

And finally, Greater Manchester Mayor Bev Craig vowed to put her “grown-up shoes on” when hosting Donald Trump at the G20 next year even though she wasn't sure close ties with the U.S. president are “the bromance I’m after in my life.” www.politico.eu/article/grea...

politico.euUK energy infrastructure under constant threat, minister warnsIt is a “really scary world,” Michael Shanks told Labour’s annual conference.

Energy Minister Michael Shanks said the U.K. faces threats against its infrastructure “all the time” and we are living in an “uncertain” and “really scary world.” www.politico.eu/article/uk-e...

politico.euUK must avoid US-style climate debate, minister saysThe U.S. has been “undermined” by climate rows, Katie White argued.

Climate Minister Katie White warned the U.K. against entering a “binary” debate on climate policy and said it'll try to “build bridges” on energy policy where it finds common ground with Donald Trump's climate-skeptical White House. www.politico.eu/article/uk-m...

politico.euScottish Labour leader says UK rejoining EU ‘not a realistic prospect’Michael Marra said that current political conditions in Europe mean the bloc is not in a position to consider a British return.

New Scottish Labour Leader Michael Marra said that rejoining the EU is not a “realistic prospect” because of the “huge political instability” across the continent. www.politico.eu/article/scot...

politico.euAlan Milburn rejects tax cut for youth jobsThe U.K.’s young employment adviser says a national insurance cut would “not be an effective use of public money.”

The government's unemployment tsar Alan Milburn rejected scrapping employer national insurance contributions for young people as it would “not be an effective use of public money.” www.politico.eu/article/alan...

The POLITICO Pub at Labour conference up in Liverpool has been packed with big guests, wide-ranging conversation and plenty of news. Do scroll through (and read) the thread below ... and there's another day of packed action tomorrow before and after Andy Burnham's speech. 🧵

politico.euUK slavery reparations not on the table, says Ed MilibandAhead of a crunch Commonwealth summit, the British foreign secretary says his priority is addressing the current challenges low-income countries experience.

Miliband also rejected paying reparations to Commonwealth nations affected by the slave trade. Ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua and Barbuda, he wanted to focus on present challenges facing lower income countries. www.politico.eu/article/uk-r...

politico.euWes Streeting: Britain and Europe must get out of ‘defensive crouch’U.K. defense secretary dismissed assertions that the U.S. was disengaging from Europe despite America reviewing its capabilities across the continent.

Finally, Defence Secretary Wes Streeting called for Britain and Europe to get out of their “defensive crouch,” where there had been a “European over-reliance” on America. He also rejected “the perception that the U.S. is somehow disengaging from Europe.” www.politico.eu/article/wes-...

politico.euLabour shouldn’t work with nationalists who want to break up the UK, says Welsh secretaryStephen Kinnock says Plaid Cymru’s support for independence would make a future coalition untenable.

Wales Secretary Stephen Kinnock argued Labour shouldn't work with Plaid Cymru and parties that want to break up the UK. Though he believes the nationalist force wants the best for Wales, he's worried the party has “reverted to type” since taking office. www.politico.eu/article/uk-l...

politico.euMiliband distances Britain from Trump’s G20 Putin inviteThe U.K. foreign secretary says London still won’t directly engage with Moscow after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband distanced the UK from the US' inviting Vladimir Putin to attend the G20, stating Britain's policy of not engaging with Moscow since its invasion of Ukraine would remain in place. www.politico.eu/article/ed-m...

politico.euLondon’s Oxford Street will be pedestrianized from Oct. 26The London mayor said a kilometer of the capital city’s road will be traffic free from next month.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan confirmed a kilometre of Oxford Street will be pedestrianised from October 26th. He was optimistic this help end the street's "managed decline" and also slammed the "tat shops" that should not be there. www.politico.eu/article/lond...

politico.euLucy Powell ‘confident’ Labour will win Holborn and St Pancras by-electionSpeaking to POLITICO, Labour’s deputy leader says the insurgent Greens have ‘underestimated’ the challenge of winning in Holborn and St Pancras.

Deputy Labour Leader Lucy Powell said she's "confident" Labour will win the Holborn and St Pancras by-election next week and Zack Polanski is "unlikely" to succeed. www.politico.eu/article/lucy...

offtherecordmedia.co.ukHow Comms Pros Can Get Into Politics’ Must-Read NewsletterNoah Keate is the author of Politico’s Sunday Crunch newsletter

Very enjoyable contributing to @stephspyro.bsky.social's excellent 'Off the Record' newsletter about how @politico.eu's 'London Playbook' and 'Sunday Crunch' newsletters work. Do have a read about the best ways of getting in every morning/afternoon. www.offtherecordmedia.co.uk/p/how-comms-...

Andy Burnham wants Labour conference to restore hope in voters (and party members) that the state can positively enable change. However, that change almost always costs a lot of money … meaning the next election could be fought on social care. My analysis/newsletter below 👇

politico.euThe audacity of hope againPresented by SSE By NOAH KEATE PRESENTED BY Send tips here | Subscribe for free | Listen to Sunday Crunch and view in your browser Good Sunday afternoon. This is Noah Keate, hanging out by the Roya…

Full @politico.eu ‘Sunday Crunch’ here covering Burnham’s vibes vs substance on social care, Labour’s policy offerings and yet more intrigue about what John Healey will pop in his first budget as chancellor. Plus all the parties you could ever need: www.politico.eu/newsletter/s...

22 Sept

The stage is set for Ed Davey’s conference speech. The Lib Dem leader will try to show his party’s distinctiveness in a crowded political landscape. He’ll hope his remarks put to bed scepticism about his leadership — and who’s best placed to take the party into the next election.

22 Sept

If you discuss coalitions in the company of Lib Dems, be careful. The party is still wounded after its previous stint in power ended terribly. But they want to do anything to keep Nigel Farage out of power — which may mean working with Labour. My analysis/piece below 👇

politico.euThe UK coalition the Lib Dems don’t want to talk aboutBritain’s centrist force is coy about reentering government after a previous stint ended catastrophically.

22 Sept

My @politico.eu dispatch from Brighton with the mighty Sam Francis analysing the perennial dilemma facing the Lib Dems: who do they stand for? What are their values? And is Ed Davey the right person for the job? Plenty of food for thought — www.politico.eu/article/libe...

21 Sept

Few events more surreal, bizarre and unforgettable than Lib Dem Glee Club. A plethora of MPs including Wendy Chamberlain, Alison Bennett, Martin Wrigley, Steff Aquarone and Danny Chambers and Charlotte Cane singing a song about letterboxes when canvassing.

20 Sept

Lib Dem conference is well and truly underway. Ed Davey has tried capturing the headlines with calls for tax cuts, condemnation of Reform’s values and claiming Nigel Farage and Kemi Badenoch will strike a deal. But is his message landing? My analysis/newsletter below 👇