Robert Shrimsley
@robertshrimsley
Chief political commentator and executive editor, Financial Times
Some fantastic blue sky advice for Infantino revealed in private advice from communications guru Rutherford Hall (link below)
Not only is the right decision in principle it's smart politics to go straight in for the kill - its the best chance of stopping the whole plan before it gathers any traction in other parts of the world.
Sad news about Ann Widdecombe. Very good and nuanced obit from the Times. Didn't share many of her social views but she was a woman of strong principles, far better and kinder than her caricature. This last par captures here well: www.thetimes.com/uk/obituarie...
Fascinating how rattled Farage allies are by Count Binface. I doubt he can really marshal a serious challenge - perhaps they do. Or maybe they just need to build him up into more than a guy with a bin on his head so this contest doesn't look, well, silly
For Brexit anniversary week - I wrote this about the Tories just ahead of the last election. How the Conservative Party became of of Brexit's great casulaties. www.ft.com/content/820d...
Volodymr Zelenskyy has now outlasted four British prime ministers.
Al Carns letter - esp page 2 - where he goes off the defence topic - is the most nakedly ambitious resignation letter Ive seen in a fair while - well since Wes Streeting's anyway. Part resignation, part put the kettle on I'll be back before you know it.
Almost as if Reform is worried the Tories are going to win Aberdeen South
If Burnham loses - Labour will give up on the red wall and chase the "city wall" www.ft.com/content/680c...
Critical comms expert Rutherford Hall is now advising the Enhanced Games (aka steroid Olympics) - his first recommendations have leaked www.ft.com/content/1031...
Entirely impressionistically I'd say yes. Plenty of decent goalies, fewer who will win you a 5/6 games a season. But not just speaking of strikers but midfielders and forwards in general. Zubimendi cost nearly twice Raya. This chart a week old (obv defenders also relevant).
If Andy going for his run is going to be a daily picture any chance of a Go Fund Me for some new shorts
Following the exciting news that reading an museums can be as good for you as a workout - I'm publishing my culture diet. www.ft.com/content/64d9...
In particular, Britain has endured a decade of woefully inept leadership. An era of slogans in place of details.Leaders chosen because they match the ideological obsessions of activists rather than from any belief they can do the job. www.ft.com/content/e885...
Meanwhile at Manchester Piccadilly Glad tiding my friends. I have identified a winnable by-election in the north-west area which I shall soon be revealing. (Irony alert: am not actually comparing Andy Burnham to Lenin. For one thing Lenin had far better advace organistion)
My government will get back to you shortly. Thank you for holding
Great piece on Restore It is the party of racial purity and rich people who are fed up at not being able to take their kids skiing or water their huge garden at weekends www.ft.com/content/f3bf...
Old Greens, meet your new masters and future. This response to Caroline Lucas says everything about where the party is going
The fed-up-niks will not be won by back tacking right for the Refrom or left for the Greens www.ft.com/content/e6b8...