Peter Walker
@peterwalker99.bsky.social
Guardian senior political correspondent. New book, Stress tested, out now: https://tinyurl.com/mhn82a7m
Email: [email protected] Secure email if needed: [email protected]
Email: [email protected] Secure email if needed: [email protected]
Yes, yes, it's famously the case everywhere that the moment you remove cars, crime rates soar.
November 21, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Yes, yes, it's famously the case everywhere that the moment you remove cars, crime rates soar.
This is one of the changes in the UK media landscape that should be more remarked on: the fact that being a very open, proud, outright racist is no longer a bar to being a pundit on some TV stations (in this case GBN and Talk TV).
Lucy White advocates a ban on "non-natives" from office, citing Rishi Sunak and Priti Patel.
So she is referring to UK-born ethnic minority citizens. (Her argument would apply equally to Shabana Mahmood, Kemi Badenoch, Suella Braverman and others)
Lucy White continues to be a GB News regular
So she is referring to UK-born ethnic minority citizens. (Her argument would apply equally to Shabana Mahmood, Kemi Badenoch, Suella Braverman and others)
Lucy White continues to be a GB News regular
November 21, 2025 at 11:12 AM
This is one of the changes in the UK media landscape that should be more remarked on: the fact that being a very open, proud, outright racist is no longer a bar to being a pundit on some TV stations (in this case GBN and Talk TV).
My story from a day reading the very long and very damning report by the official Covid inquiry into the actions of government during the pandemic.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
‘Too little, too late’: damning report condemns UK’s Covid response
Report on handling of pandemic contains stinging criticism of ‘toxic and chaotic’ culture inside Boris Johnson’s No 10
www.theguardian.com
November 20, 2025 at 4:03 PM
My story from a day reading the very long and very damning report by the official Covid inquiry into the actions of government during the pandemic.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
For anyone cycling in London today: it's colder than you think. I'm normally an advocate for not overdoing the layers or coats. Ignore that - go nuclear.
November 20, 2025 at 11:05 AM
For anyone cycling in London today: it's colder than you think. I'm normally an advocate for not overdoing the layers or coats. Ignore that - go nuclear.
The Times has been leaked the full EHRC guidance on trans people/single sex spaces, and what it mainly confirms is that for all the calls for immediate implementation, this is still a vast, largely unresolved ethical can of worms, and a job creation scheme for lawyers.
![The EHRC document states it is “a legitimate aim” to provide single-sex spaces for “ensuring the safety of women or the privacy and dignity of women and/or men”.
The guidance said that if transgender people are excluded from a space, organisations should consider whether there is a suitable alternative for them and that it would not be proportionate to leave them without essential services, such as access to lavatories.
But it also outlines how in some cases that may not be possible owing to the physical constraints of buildings or high costs. It said: “It may be that offering alternative arrangements is not reasonably possible […] this may be because of the type of service being provided, the needs of the service users, the physical constraints of any building, or because of the disproportionate financial costs associated with making those arrangements.”](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:fondzonhxhlrfp777gwvfmah/bafkreid2txt5re2in7zquojrpprocctbunz4kdyiz3qx7rgku55eyfdfqq@jpeg)
November 20, 2025 at 10:09 AM
The Times has been leaked the full EHRC guidance on trans people/single sex spaces, and what it mainly confirms is that for all the calls for immediate implementation, this is still a vast, largely unresolved ethical can of worms, and a job creation scheme for lawyers.
Over on X, the co-founder of the Brexit Party is posting open racism about Shabana Mahmood, saying she should be "deported". Blaiklock left the Brexit Party v quickly over anti-Islam posts but now identifies herself as a supporter of Rupert Lowe's Restore Britain.
November 19, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Over on X, the co-founder of the Brexit Party is posting open racism about Shabana Mahmood, saying she should be "deported". Blaiklock left the Brexit Party v quickly over anti-Islam posts but now identifies herself as a supporter of Rupert Lowe's Restore Britain.
On Monday, Reform held a press conference to say the councils it runs had identified £330m in savings, and that it had a list setting out the details. Since then I have asked Reform several times to see the list, and have been told repeatedly it will be sent. It has still not been sent.
November 19, 2025 at 2:20 PM
On Monday, Reform held a press conference to say the councils it runs had identified £330m in savings, and that it had a list setting out the details. Since then I have asked Reform several times to see the list, and have been told repeatedly it will be sent. It has still not been sent.
After prime minister's questions we had our first ever media "huddle" with Reform UK - normally it is just the govt and then Tories. Nigel Farage's spokesperson reiterated the denials of racist and antisemitic behaviour when Farage was at school, saying it was so long ago people could mis-remember.
November 19, 2025 at 1:39 PM
After prime minister's questions we had our first ever media "huddle" with Reform UK - normally it is just the govt and then Tories. Nigel Farage's spokesperson reiterated the denials of racist and antisemitic behaviour when Farage was at school, saying it was so long ago people could mis-remember.
Sweet moment at PMQs as Keir Starmer congratulates the newly-engaged Lib Dem MP Josh Babarinde "a lifetime of happiness" with his fiancé after Babarinde proposed inside parliament this week. Babarinde looks very chuffed.
November 19, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Sweet moment at PMQs as Keir Starmer congratulates the newly-engaged Lib Dem MP Josh Babarinde "a lifetime of happiness" with his fiancé after Babarinde proposed inside parliament this week. Babarinde looks very chuffed.
Blimey. Some pretty big questions for Nigel Farage to answer about this.
www.theguardian.com/politics/ng-...
www.theguardian.com/politics/ng-...
‘Deeply shocking’: Nigel Farage faces fresh claims of racism and antisemitism at school
Bafta-winning director among contemporaries urging contrition and apology from Reform UK leader, who denies the allegations
www.theguardian.com
November 18, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Blimey. Some pretty big questions for Nigel Farage to answer about this.
www.theguardian.com/politics/ng-...
www.theguardian.com/politics/ng-...
I’m back at the same Westminster venue where yesterday I saw Richard Tice to watch Nigel Farage set out plans including the unilateral removal of some benefits for EU/EAA nationals with settled status - a move Labour say could start a damaging trade war with Brussels.
November 18, 2025 at 10:03 AM
I’m back at the same Westminster venue where yesterday I saw Richard Tice to watch Nigel Farage set out plans including the unilateral removal of some benefits for EU/EAA nationals with settled status - a move Labour say could start a damaging trade war with Brussels.
Reposted by Peter Walker
Danny Kruger performs a vital Parliamentary function of acting as a Peace Wall between the co-leaders of Your Party.
November 17, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Danny Kruger performs a vital Parliamentary function of acting as a Peace Wall between the co-leaders of Your Party.
Reposted by Peter Walker
Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice complains about Send children wearing ear defenders in schools @peterwalker99.bsky.social reports - www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
November 17, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice complains about Send children wearing ear defenders in schools @peterwalker99.bsky.social reports - www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
At the Reform press conference I asked Richard Tice about Matthew Goodwin being made the head of the party's student wing, and Goodwin's views on some minority ethnic Britons not being British.
Tice did *not* distance Reform from Goodwin or the views – feels like a significant moment.
Tice did *not* distance Reform from Goodwin or the views – feels like a significant moment.
November 17, 2025 at 12:24 PM
At the Reform press conference I asked Richard Tice about Matthew Goodwin being made the head of the party's student wing, and Goodwin's views on some minority ethnic Britons not being British.
Tice did *not* distance Reform from Goodwin or the views – feels like a significant moment.
Tice did *not* distance Reform from Goodwin or the views – feels like a significant moment.
New statement from Labour MP Simon Opher, who is not very happy at the proposed asylum plans: "We should stop the boats because it's dangerous, and we should stop the scapegoating of immigrants because it's wrong and cruel…. We should push back on the racist agenda of Reform rather than echo it."
November 17, 2025 at 11:24 AM
New statement from Labour MP Simon Opher, who is not very happy at the proposed asylum plans: "We should stop the boats because it's dangerous, and we should stop the scapegoating of immigrants because it's wrong and cruel…. We should push back on the racist agenda of Reform rather than echo it."
I’m at a Reform UK press conference where Richard Tice is setting out how the party plans to save money in local government. On Send support he singles out what he calls “a crisis of over-diagnosis” among children.
November 17, 2025 at 11:17 AM
I’m at a Reform UK press conference where Richard Tice is setting out how the party plans to save money in local government. On Send support he singles out what he calls “a crisis of over-diagnosis” among children.
Asked on BBC1 if the government is chasing Reform with the new asylum plans, Home Office minister Alex Norris says: “The one thing I can assure you is that political considerations don’t come into this.” Hmmmmm.
November 17, 2025 at 8:04 AM
Asked on BBC1 if the government is chasing Reform with the new asylum plans, Home Office minister Alex Norris says: “The one thing I can assure you is that political considerations don’t come into this.” Hmmmmm.
I mean, it’s quite clever politics for someone from the Greens to pretend to be Shabana Mahmood’s special adviser and brief this sort of stuff to the Times, but I’m not sure it’s especially ethical.
November 16, 2025 at 9:06 PM
I mean, it’s quite clever politics for someone from the Greens to pretend to be Shabana Mahmood’s special adviser and brief this sort of stuff to the Times, but I’m not sure it’s especially ethical.
Some elements of the new asylum migration policy seem set to be problematic for Labour MPs, particularly the idea of perpetual asylum limbo. And as (another) MP predicted to me on Friday: “Weak governments don’t get to push through controversial policy.”
The Prime Minister said in September that we are at a fork in the road. These asylum proposals suggest we have taken the wrong turning.
The idea that recognised refugees need to be deported is wrong.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
The idea that recognised refugees need to be deported is wrong.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Asylum system in UK ‘out of control’ and dividing country, home secretary says
Shabana Mahmood to unveil new proposals modelled on Denmark’s controversial system
www.theguardian.com
November 16, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Some elements of the new asylum migration policy seem set to be problematic for Labour MPs, particularly the idea of perpetual asylum limbo. And as (another) MP predicted to me on Friday: “Weak governments don’t get to push through controversial policy.”
It is so notable how the language of asylum has changed in the post-Farage/small boats world. “Illegal migrants” was once reserved for right wing papers, Now government spokespeople call basic sustenance and shelter for refugees banned from working “handouts”.
November 15, 2025 at 11:28 PM
It is so notable how the language of asylum has changed in the post-Farage/small boats world. “Illegal migrants” was once reserved for right wing papers, Now government spokespeople call basic sustenance and shelter for refugees banned from working “handouts”.
This is an element of the migration/asylum plans I suspect quite a few Labour MPs will find hardest to sign up to: if you come to the UK as a refugee you can never make your life here, but only ever exist in a state of limbo.
Question on Monday
Is it now your principle that every Ukranian refugee in Britain should leave, must leave once it is safe + that they will all be made to leave?
Is it now your principle that every Ukranian refugee in Britain should leave, must leave once it is safe + that they will all be made to leave?
November 15, 2025 at 8:43 AM
This is an element of the migration/asylum plans I suspect quite a few Labour MPs will find hardest to sign up to: if you come to the UK as a refugee you can never make your life here, but only ever exist in a state of limbo.
NEW: Labour MPs are pushing back against the Home Office's robust 'Danish-style' asylum & immigration plans. One MP: “The policy of chasing Reform will not build confidence but fear". Another: “Weak governments don’t get to push through controversial policy.”
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
No 10 tells Labour MPs it expects support for tough new asylum policies
Some backbenchers already opposing planned immigration crackdown seen as ‘economically and culturally illiterate’
www.theguardian.com
November 14, 2025 at 5:39 PM
NEW: Labour MPs are pushing back against the Home Office's robust 'Danish-style' asylum & immigration plans. One MP: “The policy of chasing Reform will not build confidence but fear". Another: “Weak governments don’t get to push through controversial policy.”
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Blimey. Major new split in Your Party. Blackburn MP Adnan Hussain -who is secretary of the Your Party company - says he's quitting due to "persistent infighting, factional competition, and a struggle for power, position and influence rather than a shared commitment to the common good."
November 14, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Blimey. Major new split in Your Party. Blackburn MP Adnan Hussain -who is secretary of the Your Party company - says he's quitting due to "persistent infighting, factional competition, and a struggle for power, position and influence rather than a shared commitment to the common good."
Someone on the Telegraph picture desk is enjoying themselves today.
November 13, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Someone on the Telegraph picture desk is enjoying themselves today.