Henry Zeffman
@hzeffman.bsky.social
BBC Chief Political Correspondent
Instagram: @hzeffmanbbc
Instagram: @hzeffmanbbc
15 months in, Labour MPs are still craving a compelling story from Keir Starmer. Read my analysis for BBC News here www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Labour MPs still crave a compelling story from Starmer
Frustration is growing about the PM's ability to define the government's message - and sell it to the public.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 30, 2025 at 10:22 AM
15 months in, Labour MPs are still craving a compelling story from Keir Starmer. Read my analysis for BBC News here www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Breaking: Hadush Kebatu has been deported to Ethiopia. He left the UK on a flight last night.
Shabana Mahmood: “I have pulled every lever to deport Mr Kebatu and remove him off British soil. I am pleased to confirm this vile child sex offender has been deported."
Shabana Mahmood: “I have pulled every lever to deport Mr Kebatu and remove him off British soil. I am pleased to confirm this vile child sex offender has been deported."
October 29, 2025 at 5:48 AM
Breaking: Hadush Kebatu has been deported to Ethiopia. He left the UK on a flight last night.
Shabana Mahmood: “I have pulled every lever to deport Mr Kebatu and remove him off British soil. I am pleased to confirm this vile child sex offender has been deported."
Shabana Mahmood: “I have pulled every lever to deport Mr Kebatu and remove him off British soil. I am pleased to confirm this vile child sex offender has been deported."
Reposted by Henry Zeffman
#Newscast 🎧- new allegations about Prince Andrew; and which party has the best plan to bring down your energy bills?
With Henry Zeffman, Simon Jack and me
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
With Henry Zeffman, Simon Jack and me
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Newscast - New Prince Andrew Allegations - BBC Sounds
New accusations claim that Andrew sought to investigate Virginia Guiffre.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 19, 2025 at 12:55 PM
#Newscast 🎧- new allegations about Prince Andrew; and which party has the best plan to bring down your energy bills?
With Henry Zeffman, Simon Jack and me
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
With Henry Zeffman, Simon Jack and me
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Angela Rayner has helped Keir Starmer defuse left-wing discontent. What if she were replaced as deputy leader by someone whose express mandate was to represent left-wing discontent?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c0...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c0...
September 5, 2025 at 8:52 AM
Angela Rayner has helped Keir Starmer defuse left-wing discontent. What if she were replaced as deputy leader by someone whose express mandate was to represent left-wing discontent?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c0...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c0...
Rayner's political future under threat after stamp duty admission — my analysis www.bbc.com/news/article...
Angela Rayner's political future under threat after stamp duty admission
The deputy prime minister has referred herself for an ethics probe by the PM's adviser.
www.bbc.com
September 3, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Rayner's political future under threat after stamp duty admission — my analysis www.bbc.com/news/article...
EXCL: Kemi Badenoch is reshuffling her shadow cabinet today.
And she has persuaded James Cleverly, defeated leadership candidate and former Foreign and Home Secretary, to make a frontbench comeback
And she has persuaded James Cleverly, defeated leadership candidate and former Foreign and Home Secretary, to make a frontbench comeback
July 22, 2025 at 5:58 AM
EXCL: Kemi Badenoch is reshuffling her shadow cabinet today.
And she has persuaded James Cleverly, defeated leadership candidate and former Foreign and Home Secretary, to make a frontbench comeback
And she has persuaded James Cleverly, defeated leadership candidate and former Foreign and Home Secretary, to make a frontbench comeback
Reposted by Henry Zeffman
STARMER'S STORMY YEAR
A new BBC Radio 4 programme by me and ace producer Leela Padmanabhan, available NOW
From winter fuel to welfare, tax to Trump - I've been speaking to insiders from the PM down to uncover the real story of the past 12 months
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
A new BBC Radio 4 programme by me and ace producer Leela Padmanabhan, available NOW
From winter fuel to welfare, tax to Trump - I've been speaking to insiders from the PM down to uncover the real story of the past 12 months
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Starmer's Stormy Year - BBC Sounds
The inside story of Keir Starmer's turbulent first year as Labour prime minister.
www.bbc.co.uk
June 27, 2025 at 7:06 AM
STARMER'S STORMY YEAR
A new BBC Radio 4 programme by me and ace producer Leela Padmanabhan, available NOW
From winter fuel to welfare, tax to Trump - I've been speaking to insiders from the PM down to uncover the real story of the past 12 months
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
A new BBC Radio 4 programme by me and ace producer Leela Padmanabhan, available NOW
From winter fuel to welfare, tax to Trump - I've been speaking to insiders from the PM down to uncover the real story of the past 12 months
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
STARMER'S STORMY YEAR
A new BBC Radio 4 programme by me and ace producer Leela Padmanabhan, available NOW
From winter fuel to welfare, tax to Trump - I've been speaking to insiders from the PM down to uncover the real story of the past 12 months
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
A new BBC Radio 4 programme by me and ace producer Leela Padmanabhan, available NOW
From winter fuel to welfare, tax to Trump - I've been speaking to insiders from the PM down to uncover the real story of the past 12 months
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Starmer's Stormy Year - BBC Sounds
The inside story of Keir Starmer's turbulent first year as Labour prime minister.
www.bbc.co.uk
June 27, 2025 at 7:06 AM
STARMER'S STORMY YEAR
A new BBC Radio 4 programme by me and ace producer Leela Padmanabhan, available NOW
From winter fuel to welfare, tax to Trump - I've been speaking to insiders from the PM down to uncover the real story of the past 12 months
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
A new BBC Radio 4 programme by me and ace producer Leela Padmanabhan, available NOW
From winter fuel to welfare, tax to Trump - I've been speaking to insiders from the PM down to uncover the real story of the past 12 months
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
EXCL: International law is at the heart of Sir Keir Starmer's government and its approach to foreign policy, the attorney general Richard Hermer has said.
In his first broadcast interview, he said the government was "determined to lead on international law issues” www.bbc.com/news/article...
In his first broadcast interview, he said the government was "determined to lead on international law issues” www.bbc.com/news/article...
International law 'at heart' of Starmer's foreign policy, says attorney general
Lord Richard Hermer said that the government was determined to "lead on international law issues" globally.
www.bbc.com
June 24, 2025 at 6:09 AM
EXCL: International law is at the heart of Sir Keir Starmer's government and its approach to foreign policy, the attorney general Richard Hermer has said.
In his first broadcast interview, he said the government was "determined to lead on international law issues” www.bbc.com/news/article...
In his first broadcast interview, he said the government was "determined to lead on international law issues” www.bbc.com/news/article...
New: President Zelensky of Ukraine is visiting the UK today for talks with Keir Starmer
June 23, 2025 at 7:20 AM
New: President Zelensky of Ukraine is visiting the UK today for talks with Keir Starmer
Assisted dying passes by 314 votes to 291
Or, if you prefer, British politics’s favourite ratio: 52-48
Or, if you prefer, British politics’s favourite ratio: 52-48
June 20, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Assisted dying passes by 314 votes to 291
Or, if you prefer, British politics’s favourite ratio: 52-48
Or, if you prefer, British politics’s favourite ratio: 52-48
Why was Keir Starmer's honeymoon so short lived?
Were Labour prepared for government?
Has the prime minister found a new purpose on the world stage?
Does Labour's strategy need to change to deal with fragmented multi-party politics?
Were Labour prepared for government?
Has the prime minister found a new purpose on the world stage?
Does Labour's strategy need to change to deal with fragmented multi-party politics?
June 16, 2025 at 9:56 AM
Why was Keir Starmer's honeymoon so short lived?
Were Labour prepared for government?
Has the prime minister found a new purpose on the world stage?
Does Labour's strategy need to change to deal with fragmented multi-party politics?
Were Labour prepared for government?
Has the prime minister found a new purpose on the world stage?
Does Labour's strategy need to change to deal with fragmented multi-party politics?
Reposted by Henry Zeffman
Great piece on Tory woes
"You go from having a whole department of thousands of civil servants filling your red box with briefings to working out how to respond to the government in the House of Commons all by yourself," says one shadow minister, sitting alone at a table in parliament. 🥺
😂😂😂
"You go from having a whole department of thousands of civil servants filling your red box with briefings to working out how to respond to the government in the House of Commons all by yourself," says one shadow minister, sitting alone at a table in parliament. 🥺
😂😂😂
The Conservative Party faces serious problems — is its leader one of them?
My BBC InDepth piece on the despondency among Tory MPs
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
My BBC InDepth piece on the despondency among Tory MPs
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
The UK Conservatives face problems - is their leader one of them?
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has made missteps that are a ‘total disaster’ for the party, claim insiders
www.bbc.co.uk
May 29, 2025 at 7:51 AM
Great piece on Tory woes
"You go from having a whole department of thousands of civil servants filling your red box with briefings to working out how to respond to the government in the House of Commons all by yourself," says one shadow minister, sitting alone at a table in parliament. 🥺
😂😂😂
"You go from having a whole department of thousands of civil servants filling your red box with briefings to working out how to respond to the government in the House of Commons all by yourself," says one shadow minister, sitting alone at a table in parliament. 🥺
😂😂😂
The Conservative Party faces serious problems — is its leader one of them?
My BBC InDepth piece on the despondency among Tory MPs
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
My BBC InDepth piece on the despondency among Tory MPs
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
The UK Conservatives face problems - is their leader one of them?
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has made missteps that are a ‘total disaster’ for the party, claim insiders
www.bbc.co.uk
May 29, 2025 at 6:51 AM
The Conservative Party faces serious problems — is its leader one of them?
My BBC InDepth piece on the despondency among Tory MPs
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
My BBC InDepth piece on the despondency among Tory MPs
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Henry Zeffman
Is it a sign of strength from a pragmatic government willing to listen to criticism and act fast in response? Or a sign of weakness from an ideologically unmoored government which does not know what it believes?
My analysis of Keir Starmer's winter fuel u-turn
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
My analysis of Keir Starmer's winter fuel u-turn
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Starmer's winter fuel U-turn seeks to calm Labour nerves
Grumblings from MPs were exacerbated by local election results, as campaigners reported unhappiness from voters.
www.bbc.co.uk
May 21, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Is it a sign of strength from a pragmatic government willing to listen to criticism and act fast in response? Or a sign of weakness from an ideologically unmoored government which does not know what it believes?
My analysis of Keir Starmer's winter fuel u-turn
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
My analysis of Keir Starmer's winter fuel u-turn
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Is it a sign of strength from a pragmatic government willing to listen to criticism and act fast in response? Or a sign of weakness from an ideologically unmoored government which does not know what it believes?
My analysis of Keir Starmer's winter fuel u-turn
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
My analysis of Keir Starmer's winter fuel u-turn
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Starmer's winter fuel U-turn seeks to calm Labour nerves
Grumblings from MPs were exacerbated by local election results, as campaigners reported unhappiness from voters.
www.bbc.co.uk
May 21, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Is it a sign of strength from a pragmatic government willing to listen to criticism and act fast in response? Or a sign of weakness from an ideologically unmoored government which does not know what it believes?
My analysis of Keir Starmer's winter fuel u-turn
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
My analysis of Keir Starmer's winter fuel u-turn
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
NEW: Senior government figures are discussing whether to reverse the controversial winter fuel policy within weeks.
Any announcement could coincide with the spending review next month although the talks are fluid and have not yet reached a conclusion
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Any announcement could coincide with the spending review next month although the talks are fluid and have not yet reached a conclusion
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Ministers consider easing winter fuel payment cuts
Options under discussion include changing eligibility, or restoring the payments to all pensioners.
www.bbc.co.uk
May 20, 2025 at 1:01 PM
NEW: Senior government figures are discussing whether to reverse the controversial winter fuel policy within weeks.
Any announcement could coincide with the spending review next month although the talks are fluid and have not yet reached a conclusion
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Any announcement could coincide with the spending review next month although the talks are fluid and have not yet reached a conclusion
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Can Keir Starmer become our first truly post-Brexit prime minister? My analysis for BBC News
Starmer banks on public being over Brexit www.bbc.com/news/article...
Starmer banks on public being over Brexit www.bbc.com/news/article...
Keir Starmer banks on public being over Brexit
For the UK-EU deal to succeed the PM needs it to seem as insignificant and uncontroversial as possible.
www.bbc.com
May 19, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Can Keir Starmer become our first truly post-Brexit prime minister? My analysis for BBC News
Starmer banks on public being over Brexit www.bbc.com/news/article...
Starmer banks on public being over Brexit www.bbc.com/news/article...
NEW: The government's new rules making migrants wait 10 years instead of 5 to qualify for permanent settlement in the UK are set to apply to people already in the country, subject to consultation
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Migrants already in UK face longer wait for permanent settlement
People will typically have to live in the UK for 10 years before applying for the right to stay indefinitely.
www.bbc.co.uk
May 14, 2025 at 10:17 AM
NEW: The government's new rules making migrants wait 10 years instead of 5 to qualify for permanent settlement in the UK are set to apply to people already in the country, subject to consultation
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
NEW: Conservative MP Patrick Spencer has been charged in relation to two sexual assaults which reportedly occurred at the Groucho Club in August 2023.
He was first elected for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich in July last year.
news.met.police.uk/news/patrick...
He was first elected for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich in July last year.
news.met.police.uk/news/patrick...
Patrick Spencer MP charged by the Metropolitan Police Service
Man charged in connection with two sexual assaults in Soho in London
news.met.police.uk
May 13, 2025 at 1:27 PM
NEW: Conservative MP Patrick Spencer has been charged in relation to two sexual assaults which reportedly occurred at the Groucho Club in August 2023.
He was first elected for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich in July last year.
news.met.police.uk/news/patrick...
He was first elected for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich in July last year.
news.met.police.uk/news/patrick...
Breaking: Met Police have made an arrest in relation to the fires at properties linked to Sir Keir Starmer
A 21-year old man was arrested in the early hours of this morning on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life
A 21-year old man was arrested in the early hours of this morning on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life
May 13, 2025 at 6:34 AM
Breaking: Met Police have made an arrest in relation to the fires at properties linked to Sir Keir Starmer
A 21-year old man was arrested in the early hours of this morning on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life
A 21-year old man was arrested in the early hours of this morning on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life
It was a real privilege to travel to Ukraine this weekend with the prime minister and other leaders.
My report for BBC News made with Jack Slater and Imogen Wallace:
My report for BBC News made with Jack Slater and Imogen Wallace:
May 11, 2025 at 1:34 PM
It was a real privilege to travel to Ukraine this weekend with the prime minister and other leaders.
My report for BBC News made with Jack Slater and Imogen Wallace:
My report for BBC News made with Jack Slater and Imogen Wallace:
Labour MPs rage over election results - but party divided on next steps
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Labour MPs rage over election results - but party divided on next steps
Anger over the party's drubbing in last week's local elections has not dissipated over the weekend.
www.bbc.co.uk
May 6, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Labour MPs rage over election results - but party divided on next steps
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
