This is such a good read on Trump’s man in the U.K. The tail number on his private jet is a reference to the 139 bus he used to take to school in Dagenham

Great deep dive on the Western Balkans - “the other hotspot” - by Sam Blewett including an interview with David Lammy Tory peer (and former war refugee) Arminka Helic tells Sam that Russian’s influence is “like a disease developing slowly and invisibly” politico.eu/article/with-a…

The Untold Story of How Trump Shocked Europe in a Few Short Days ⤵️👀 By yours truly & fab colleagues Dan Bloom Sam Blewett Nette Nöstlinger Nicholas Vinocur ✍️ Esther Webber politico.eu/article/donald…

The only guide you need to interpreting the local election results - from Sam Blewett politico.eu/article/keir-s…

BAM — your local elections night London Playbook is here now politico.eu/newsletter/lon… Top work by Sam Blewett

NEW: How the UK lost respect for its veterans "Once the old guard is lost, Britain will need to reconsider how it celebrates VE Day and Remembrance, and whether younger generations of veterans deserve the same reverence and honor for their willingness to die for their nation."

🇬🇧🇺🇸How Britain got to the front of Donald Trump’s trade queue ⚽️Keir Starmer yielded to a last minute ethanol demand by Donald Trump during their mid-Arsenal match phone call 🐷But resisted his pork markets plea Helmed by Dan Bloom politico.eu/article/donald…

A nice moment in the Commons this morning as Commons leader Lucy Powell pays tribute to Richard Wheeler on his final day as Parliamentary Editor, after 12 years in the gallery for the Press Association. He'll be hugely missed.

Great piece by Sam Blewett on Labour’s new push to reform the ECHR Is “lefty lawyer” Keir Starmer the ideal man to get a sensible compromise? Or will he embolden Reform and the Tories by only doing half the job? politico.eu/article/lefty-…

Apply now to be the newest author of London Playbook. An incredible opportunity to help set the Westminster agenda every day (and have a lot of fun while doing it). Around to answer questions on the role - just get in touch! jobs.mpleo.net/en/politico/00…

Must-read piece from our Sam Blewett on how assisted dying campaigners pulled it off — and the scraps to come politico.eu/article/britai…

Here's a big read on how Kim Leadbeater and co managed to convince MPs to support assisted dying — and the challenges to come politico.eu/article/britai…

NEW: Labour MPs raise concerns over major Whitehall gas deal with UK subsidiary of fossil fuel giant TotalEnergies The firm has been criticised for its Russia ties incl continued gas imports to EU FOI shows No 10, FCDO, DESNZ all get gas from the firm politico.eu/article/downin…

💰 CONFIRMED IN LONDON PLAYBOOK PM: Welfare minister Stephen Timms will announce fresh concession in Commons when he winds up the second reading debate on the welfare bill. politico.eu/newsletter/lon…

Back in the Playbook hotseat after a two-week news fast Westminster, please do get in touch with your tips, stories and glorious gossip