Peter Williams
@petermwilliams.bsky.social
Managing Editor, Prospect
Will be fascinating to see who steps into the breach given Starmer was a McSweeney project. I suspect the answer to a scandal caused by a New Labour grandee will be yet more New Labour. But do read Stuart McGurk's @prospectmagazine.co.uk account of how MM took control of the party.
Keir Starmer’s chief of staff Morgan McSweeney was reportedly “instrumental” in appointing Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the US. But who is McSweeney? In December, Stuart McGurk profiled the PM’s right-hand man.
The curious rise of Morgan McSweeney
How a behind-the-scenes fixer captured the Labour party, only to become a symbol of Keir Starmer’s failing government
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
February 8, 2026 at 2:41 PM
Will be fascinating to see who steps into the breach given Starmer was a McSweeney project. I suspect the answer to a scandal caused by a New Labour grandee will be yet more New Labour. But do read Stuart McGurk's @prospectmagazine.co.uk account of how MM took control of the party.
Reposted by Peter Williams
NEW
The prime minister has lost the trust of the Commons on national security
MPs have defeated a government they no longer trust - and why this constitutionally significant
By me at @prospectmagazine.co.uk
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/th...
The prime minister has lost the trust of the Commons on national security
MPs have defeated a government they no longer trust - and why this constitutionally significant
By me at @prospectmagazine.co.uk
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/th...
The prime minister has lost the trust of the Commons on national security
MPs have defeated a government they no longer trust on matters of the highest importance
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
February 5, 2026 at 12:31 PM
NEW
The prime minister has lost the trust of the Commons on national security
MPs have defeated a government they no longer trust - and why this constitutionally significant
By me at @prospectmagazine.co.uk
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/th...
The prime minister has lost the trust of the Commons on national security
MPs have defeated a government they no longer trust - and why this constitutionally significant
By me at @prospectmagazine.co.uk
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/th...
Reposted by Peter Williams
🎥: The latest release of the Epstein files has further tarnished the reputation of Peter Mandelson. But what broader lessons do the files reveal? Peter Geoghegan explains.
prospectmagazine.sub...
prospectmagazine.sub...
February 5, 2026 at 10:34 AM
🎥: The latest release of the Epstein files has further tarnished the reputation of Peter Mandelson. But what broader lessons do the files reveal? Peter Geoghegan explains.
prospectmagazine.sub...
prospectmagazine.sub...
Reposted by Peter Williams
We are celebrating Philip Collins’s first issue as Prospect editor by dropping the paywall on our website! Visit www.prospectmagazine... to unlock free access to all our online journalism.
Free access is available until 12pm GMT Monday 2nd February.
Free access is available until 12pm GMT Monday 2nd February.
January 30, 2026 at 5:54 PM
We are celebrating Philip Collins’s first issue as Prospect editor by dropping the paywall on our website! Visit www.prospectmagazine... to unlock free access to all our online journalism.
Free access is available until 12pm GMT Monday 2nd February.
Free access is available until 12pm GMT Monday 2nd February.
We are celebrating Philip Collins’s first issue as Prospect editor by dropping the paywall on our website! Visit www.prospectmagazine... to unlock free access to all our online journalism.
Free access is available until 12pm GMT Monday 2nd February.
Free access is available until 12pm GMT Monday 2nd February.
January 30, 2026 at 8:11 PM
Reposted by Peter Williams
WORLD EXCLUSIVE: Ralph Fiennes speaks to Fiammetta Rocco about directing his first opera—Tchaikovsky’s EUGENE ONEGIN in Paris. “I couldn't believe it... What the f***?!”
From the heart: Ralph Fiennes and the making of ‘Eugene Onegin’
Ralph Fiennes talks exclusively to Prospect about directing his first opera—Tchaikovsky’s ‘Eugene Onegin’—in Paris and in collaboration with Semyon By...
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
January 29, 2026 at 11:05 AM
WORLD EXCLUSIVE: Ralph Fiennes speaks to Fiammetta Rocco about directing his first opera—Tchaikovsky’s EUGENE ONEGIN in Paris. “I couldn't believe it... What the f***?!”
Reposted by Peter Williams
My three @prospectmagazine.co.uk posts on the Minnesota killings and government thuggery
A death in Minnesota (Good)
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/th...
The new ICE Age
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/th...
Another death in Minnesota (Pretti)
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/th...
A death in Minnesota (Good)
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/th...
The new ICE Age
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/th...
Another death in Minnesota (Pretti)
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/th...
Death in Minnesota
The significance of the reaction to the killing of Renee Nicole Good
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
January 26, 2026 at 8:41 PM
My three @prospectmagazine.co.uk posts on the Minnesota killings and government thuggery
A death in Minnesota (Good)
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/th...
The new ICE Age
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/th...
Another death in Minnesota (Pretti)
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/th...
A death in Minnesota (Good)
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/th...
The new ICE Age
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/th...
Another death in Minnesota (Pretti)
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/th...
Reposted by Peter Williams
📰 Prospect’s latest issue hits newsstands today! Here’s a peek at what’s inside... 1/7
For the cover essay of his first issue as Prospect’s new editor, Philip Collins surveys the wreckage of the two party system: www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/politics/722...
For the cover essay of his first issue as Prospect’s new editor, Philip Collins surveys the wreckage of the two party system: www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/politics/722...
January 28, 2026 at 9:10 AM
📰 Prospect’s latest issue hits newsstands today! Here’s a peek at what’s inside... 1/7
For the cover essay of his first issue as Prospect’s new editor, Philip Collins surveys the wreckage of the two party system: www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/politics/722...
For the cover essay of his first issue as Prospect’s new editor, Philip Collins surveys the wreckage of the two party system: www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/politics/722...
Reposted by Peter Williams
Reform’s candidate for the Gorton and Denton byelection will be Matthew Goodwin. James Bloodworth profiled the controversial right-wing populist last year, calling him a “morbid symptom of the digital age”:
Matthew Goodwin, Reform and the politics of resentment
The ‘heterodox intellectual’ turned populist is a morbid symptom of the digital age
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
January 28, 2026 at 10:55 AM
Reform’s candidate for the Gorton and Denton byelection will be Matthew Goodwin. James Bloodworth profiled the controversial right-wing populist last year, calling him a “morbid symptom of the digital age”:
The latest Prospect is out now! Our new editor Philip Collins leads on the collapse of two-party politics, plus @isabelh.bsky.social on Greenland, @jenstout.bsky.social on treason in Ukraine, @ethanz.bsky.social on servers in space, and Ralph Fiennes' operatic debut:
bsky.app/profile/pros...
bsky.app/profile/pros...
📰 Prospect’s latest issue hits newsstands today! Here’s a peek at what’s inside... 1/7
For the cover essay of his first issue as Prospect’s new editor, Philip Collins surveys the wreckage of the two party system: www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/politics/722...
For the cover essay of his first issue as Prospect’s new editor, Philip Collins surveys the wreckage of the two party system: www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/politics/722...
January 28, 2026 at 9:43 AM
The latest Prospect is out now! Our new editor Philip Collins leads on the collapse of two-party politics, plus @isabelh.bsky.social on Greenland, @jenstout.bsky.social on treason in Ukraine, @ethanz.bsky.social on servers in space, and Ralph Fiennes' operatic debut:
bsky.app/profile/pros...
bsky.app/profile/pros...
Reposted by Peter Williams
US treasury secretary Scott Bessent said this morning that Denmark is “irrelevant”. But as Elisabeth Braw wrote last year, Trump and Vance shouldn’t underestimate the small Scandinavian nation.
Beware Denmark’s quiet power
Trump and Vance see the small Scandinavian nation as a pushover, but Denmark is a business giant. They may regret messing with it
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
January 23, 2026 at 11:47 AM
US treasury secretary Scott Bessent said this morning that Denmark is “irrelevant”. But as Elisabeth Braw wrote last year, Trump and Vance shouldn’t underestimate the small Scandinavian nation.
Reposted by Peter Williams
ICE is freely kidnapping, beating up and killing people. This is no accident. It is deliberate public policy, writes dag
The new ICE Age
The implications of the transition to lawlessness as general policy
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
January 19, 2026 at 12:13 PM
ICE is freely kidnapping, beating up and killing people. This is no accident. It is deliberate public policy, writes dag
Reposted by Peter Williams
Trump is pursuing an “ahistorical version of ‘greatness’ [which] rejects persuasion in favour of intimidation, legitimacy in favour of spectacle and leadership in favour of force,” argues Sasha Mudd.
Trump has destroyed American soft power
With its actions in Venezuela and the menacing of Greenland, the US is just another global bully
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
January 15, 2026 at 2:24 PM
Trump is pursuing an “ahistorical version of ‘greatness’ [which] rejects persuasion in favour of intimidation, legitimacy in favour of spectacle and leadership in favour of force,” argues Sasha Mudd.
Reposted by Peter Williams
Badenoch has missed a trick not doing her sacking Jenrick video like his fare dodging one. Chasing him through Portcullis House saying 'you're bang to rights'.
January 15, 2026 at 11:24 AM
Badenoch has missed a trick not doing her sacking Jenrick video like his fare dodging one. Chasing him through Portcullis House saying 'you're bang to rights'.
Reposted by Peter Williams
New here on Bluesky, thanks to Grok’s mayhem on the Other Site? Our starter pack provides a great list of journalists to follow for news and analysis on UK politics and global affairs.
go.bsky.app/Vk8j7vP
go.bsky.app/Vk8j7vP
January 13, 2026 at 12:09 PM
New here on Bluesky, thanks to Grok’s mayhem on the Other Site? Our starter pack provides a great list of journalists to follow for news and analysis on UK politics and global affairs.
go.bsky.app/Vk8j7vP
go.bsky.app/Vk8j7vP
Reposted by Peter Williams
It was a little over three years ago that Keir Starmer promised to do away with the House of Lords altogether as part of his plans to restore trust in politics. Now, he's nominating his own (less than stellar) allies, writes @arusbridger.bsky.social
The PM vowed to abolish the Lords. Why is he stuffing it with allies?
In Matthew Doyle, we are about to get another less than stellar peer. Now is the time for change
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
January 5, 2026 at 10:53 AM
It was a little over three years ago that Keir Starmer promised to do away with the House of Lords altogether as part of his plans to restore trust in politics. Now, he's nominating his own (less than stellar) allies, writes @arusbridger.bsky.social
Reposted by Peter Williams
The natural year prayers are for peace, prosperity and harmony
The odds of an embattled PM, however, could actually be improved by an unhappy new year
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/politics/720...
The odds of an embattled PM, however, could actually be improved by an unhappy new year
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/politics/720...
Keir Starmer’s unhappy new year
The natural new year prayers for the PM will be for prosperity, peace and political harmony. His survival, however, could be more likely if those pray...
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
January 5, 2026 at 12:06 PM
The natural year prayers are for peace, prosperity and harmony
The odds of an embattled PM, however, could actually be improved by an unhappy new year
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/politics/720...
The odds of an embattled PM, however, could actually be improved by an unhappy new year
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/politics/720...
Reposted by Peter Williams
“Superman is the story of America. An immigrant that came from other places...” When @jamesgunn.bsky.social said this, the internet exploded.
@pghoskin.bsky.social on why the director’s comments are unimpeachable—as a lavish new book reveals.
@pghoskin.bsky.social on why the director’s comments are unimpeachable—as a lavish new book reveals.
The limits of Superman
Is he an immigrant? An American? A god? An average joe? The answer is all of these things and more, though he still can’t be everything to everyone
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
January 1, 2026 at 4:46 PM
“Superman is the story of America. An immigrant that came from other places...” When @jamesgunn.bsky.social said this, the internet exploded.
@pghoskin.bsky.social on why the director’s comments are unimpeachable—as a lavish new book reveals.
@pghoskin.bsky.social on why the director’s comments are unimpeachable—as a lavish new book reveals.
Reposted by Peter Williams
“Christmas, as much as it is about anything,” writes @petermwilliams.bsky.social, “is about what we watch”—and we all used to watch Top of the Pops. Should we miss the programme, or should it stay in the past?
I miss Top of the Pops at Christmas, but it should never come back
The longrunning music show is Britain’s Ghost of Christmas past, and a unique archive of pop’s golden age. Yet the past is where it should stay
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
December 24, 2025 at 1:29 PM
“Christmas, as much as it is about anything,” writes @petermwilliams.bsky.social, “is about what we watch”—and we all used to watch Top of the Pops. Should we miss the programme, or should it stay in the past?
Reposted by Peter Williams
Italy has been the “Silicon Valley of populism” since the 1990s—from Berlusconi to Meloni. So Giuliano da Empoli had a headstart in understanding how predator politics works:
Meet the 21st century’s apex predators
Giuliano da Empoli has spent his working life around power. He tells us where its holders are leading us now
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
December 28, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Italy has been the “Silicon Valley of populism” since the 1990s—from Berlusconi to Meloni. So Giuliano da Empoli had a headstart in understanding how predator politics works:
Reposted by Peter Williams
I wrote a little, vaguely festive something on why Top of the Pops was perfect Christmas viewing, but also why it can't be resurrected:
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/culture/musi...
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/culture/musi...
I miss Top of the Pops at Christmas, but it should never come back
The longrunning music show is Britain’s Ghost of Christmas past, and a unique archive of pop’s golden age. Yet the past is where it should stay
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
December 22, 2025 at 11:05 AM
I wrote a little, vaguely festive something on why Top of the Pops was perfect Christmas viewing, but also why it can't be resurrected:
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/culture/musi...
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/culture/musi...
Reposted by Peter Williams
Grokipedia promises a backward-looking dystopia where one conspiracy-minded individual can overturn established knowledge, writes @ethanz.bsky.social.
Elon Musk versus Wikipedia continues an age-old battle over truth
Musk’s Grokipedia wants to take us back to a time when established knowledge was controlled by one opaque voice
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
December 20, 2025 at 6:58 PM
Grokipedia promises a backward-looking dystopia where one conspiracy-minded individual can overturn established knowledge, writes @ethanz.bsky.social.
Reposted by Peter Williams
Top of the Pops is Britain’s Ghost of Christmas Past. A unique archive of pop’s golden age—and the darkness it contained, writes Prospect's @petermwilliams.bsky.social
I miss Top of the Pops at Christmas, but it should never come back
The longrunning music show is Britain’s Ghost of Christmas past, and a unique archive of pop’s golden age. Yet the past is where it should stay
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
December 22, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Top of the Pops is Britain’s Ghost of Christmas Past. A unique archive of pop’s golden age—and the darkness it contained, writes Prospect's @petermwilliams.bsky.social
Reposted by Peter Williams
“Other PMs have had powerful advisers—Cummings, Mandelson—yet only Morgan McSweeney has effectively chosen a leader.” Stuart McGurk profiles the back-room fixer who captured the Labour party.
The curious rise of Morgan McSweeney
How a behind-the-scenes fixer captured the Labour party, only to become a symbol of Keir Starmer’s failing government
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
December 24, 2025 at 8:13 AM
“Other PMs have had powerful advisers—Cummings, Mandelson—yet only Morgan McSweeney has effectively chosen a leader.” Stuart McGurk profiles the back-room fixer who captured the Labour party.
Reposted by Peter Williams
Italy has been the “Silicon Valley of populism” since the 1990s—from Berlusconi to Meloni. So Giuliano da Empoli had a headstart in understanding how predator politics works:
Meet the 21st century’s apex predators
Giuliano da Empoli has spent his working life around power. He tells us where its holders are leading us now
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
December 21, 2025 at 5:48 PM
Italy has been the “Silicon Valley of populism” since the 1990s—from Berlusconi to Meloni. So Giuliano da Empoli had a headstart in understanding how predator politics works: