London Playbook
What's driving the day in Westminster. Politics and policymaking in the UK capital.
Latest issues
London Playbook PM: Reeves’ mansion tack
Good afternoon. This is Andrew McDonald. THURSDAY’S CHEAT SHEET — Rachel Reeves is gearing up to make a big speech to the City. — The government ruled …
Rachel’s back, tell a friend
WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING: Republicans officially secured a majority in the House of Representatives, giving the party full control of Congress and the White House for the …
London Playbook PM: The Trump in the room
Good afternoon. This is Andrew McDonald. WEDNESDAY’S CHEAT SHEET — Donald Trump and his allies are reportedly seeking to veto the Chagos Islands deal. — The government …
Elon joins the party
WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING: U.S. President-elect Donald Trump announced that loudmouth billionaires Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy will be the joint heads of a new “government efficiency” …
London Playbook PM: Going, going, gone
Good afternoon. This is Andrew McDonald. TUESDAY’S CHEAT SHEET — Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby is resigning over a Church of England abuse scandal. — In Baku, …
Good cop, bad cop
Good Tuesday morning. This is Stefan Boscia. DRIVING THE DAY GET BAKU: Keir Starmer will face the world’s media today with a big message to deliver on …
London Playbook PM: Top of the COPs
Good afternoon. This is Andrew McDonald. MONDAY’S CHEAT SHEET — Keir Starmer arrives at COP29 hoping to project some climate leadership on the global stage. — But …
I’ll be Bak-u
Good Monday morning. This is Stefan Boscia. DRIVING THE DAY IT’S JUST ANOTHER DAY: Keir Starmer will start his week juggling the small matters of climate change …
London Playbook PM: The back room boys and girls
Good afternoon. This is Andrew McDonald. FRIDAY’S CHEAT SHEET — No. 10 brought in Jonathan Powell as Keir Starmer’s new national security adviser. — SCOOP: The architect …
Trump gives Lammy a second helping
Good Friday morning. This is Sam Blewett. DRIVING THE DAY SERVING SECOND CHANCES: Trade wars, actual wars, a spiraling climate crisis and all-round chaos — the diplomatic …
London Playbook PM: Biden shuffles off
Good afternoon. This is Andrew McDonald. THURSDAY’S CHEAT SHEET — Joe Biden pledged a peaceful transition of power as he addressed America for the first time since …
The gathering storm
Good Thursday morning. This is Sam Blewett. DRIVING THE DAY GRIN AND BEAR IT: Keir Starmer is mustering with European allies in Hungary today to discuss the …
London Playbook PM: Letting that sink in
Good afternoon. This is Andrew McDonald. WEDNESDAY’S CHEAT SHEET — Donald Trump is the big winner, and the world is still taking it all in. — We’re …
It’s happening again
Good Wednesday morning. This is Stefan Boscia. DRIVING THE DAY THE TRUMPET SOUNDS: For those just waking up, it falls on Playbook to introduce you to the …
London Playbook PM: And now we wait
Good afternoon. This is Andrew McDonald. TUESDAY’S CHEAT SHEET — Polls are open in the U.S. We’ve got everything you need to know as the world waits. …
The world takes a very deep breath
Good Tuesday morning. This is Stefan Boscia. DRIVING THE DAY IT’S FINALLY HERE: One of the wildest, most unpredictable U.S. election campaigns finally comes to a close …
London Playbook PM: It’s all gone a bit Nick Clegg
Good afternoon. This is Andrew McDonald. MONDAY’S CHEAT SHEET — The government is hiking tuition fees for the first time in 8 years. — Kemi Badenoch is …
The small boats police
Good Monday morning. This is Dan Bloom, assisted by Emilio Casalicchio in Washington D.C. where he’s bulk-buying filter coffee and Pop-Tarts for U.S. election night. DRIVING THE …
London Playbook PM: Rob v Kemi, the finale
Good afternoon. This is Andrew McDonald. TGIF. FRIDAY’S CHEAT SHEET — Robert Jenrick or Kemi Badenoch will finally be crowned Tory leader tomorrow morning. We’ve got all …
Market day
Good Friday morning. This is Dan Bloom. DRIVING THE DAY FRIDAY IS MARKET DAY: Rachel Reeves and her top lieutenant are facing the media for the third …