If there is anything close to an iron law in politics it is that people will not vote for parties that do not seem to like them

Why The Tories must learn to love London again.

ft.com/content/39f7d7…

Rayner got out her knuckleduster … and punched on a Tory blue bruise

My sketch for the The Independent

Indy Politics Independent Voices

Angela Rayner attacking the PM for being short? Ooh… how low can she go? independent.co.uk/voices/angela-…

Angela Rayner at Prime Minister’s Questions was harmless, knockabout fun… until her final question, when she suddenly pulled out a knuckleduster, writes Joe Murphy (Joe Murphy)

independent.co.uk/angela-rayner-…

Susan Hall AM Sadiq Khan And then Susan Hall AM was whisked off in a BMW limo (while The Standard got Southeastern back to the office)

Thread on the beauty of wildlife 🧵

1. When it’s cold enough to see the melody

Liz Truss – a woke-bashing ex-PM with a book to publicise – lit up on the floor of the House of Commons as she attempted to stub out her successor’s anti-tobacco bill, says Joe Murphy (Joe Murphy)

independent.co.uk/smoking-rishi-…

Tip of the hat to departing Treasury spad Cameron Brown after one hell of a mad slog.

One of the best in the business and a gent to boot.

My favourite over the years... 'We don't comment on Budget speculation but you'll look like a twat on Wednesday if you write that.'

My old boss too. A master craftsman and political reporter of deep integrity. And so kind and gentle along with the necessary steel.

Joe Murphy Lovely piece Joe Murphy . Can’t count how many times his early starts set the agenda for the day back in the day.

Joe Murphy Very sad news. Was lucky to see him in action for a short period before you took over -- a true lobby legend. RIP.

Joe Murphy Terribly sad news. A fantastic journalist who could be incredibly kind and generous with his time whilst simultaneously scaring the bejesus out of you, especially when, like me, you were a junior government press officer.

I was so sorry to hear this news.
Joe’s story pays fine and proper tribute to Charles - a great guy and a fantastic journalist whose deputy I was and from whom I learned loads

Sad news of the death of Charles Reiss, former political editor of the London Evening Standard. A titan of Westminster. I worked in the room above him for seven years & learned much of my trade from him. RIP.

As the report here notes, he had the exclusive of Ken Livingstone’s decision to stand against Labour for Mayor of London as an independent candidate.
Here is Charles Reiss’ splash from that day and the piece produced to form the paper’s exclusive. 2/

x.com/joemurphylondo…

I’m very sorry to read that Charles Reiss has died. He was a real news man who as the Standard’s political editor pursued his stories with great seriousness. He covered the politics of the introduction of a mayor of London and the first mayoral race expertly. 1/

“Always bite the hand that feeds you”

Great advice to journos from a legend of the craft, my old boss Charles Reiss

Former Standard political editor Charles Reiss dies aged 82 standard.co.uk/news/politics/…

Nigel Farage Happy with 2012 though?

Mark my words, the polls will narrow & Labour will panic before the election. My weekend article for The Independent independent.co.uk/voices/labour-…

Brilliant and very funny

Lee Anderson faithful are preaching to the convertible

thetimes.co.uk/article/6e3f5f…

THIS GOVT IS WORSE THAN MAJOR'S AND WILL LOSE MORE BADLY...
In 92-97 Michael Howard ended a decades-long rise in crime. Britain boomed after White Wednesday with the Ken&Eddie show. Thoughtful Green, Lottery and Schools policies were underway. John Major was still personally