John Johnston
@johnjohnstonmi
London Influence reporter @POLITICOEurope. Covering lobbying, campaigning, political finance and standards in Westminster. Email: [email protected]
Donald Trump arrives in Scotland for a long golfing weekend. But what do locals think about that? I spoke to seven Scottish politicians for @POLITICOEurope about his impact on policing, supporting the economy — and putting Scotland on the global stage. politico.eu/article/us-don…
🏌️♂️ IN LONDON PLAYBOOK PM TONIGHT ... 😴 Meg Hillier ends liaison cttee slumber ... ⛲ Govt could close water boss bonus loophole ... ⚖️ New standards rules via @johnjohnstonmi ... 🔥 Nigel Farage warns of civil disorder via @NoahKeate. Link in next post
Same for "serious" breaches of revolving door rules. But severance pay amounts to 1/4 of ministerial salary - meaning a junior minister would be asked to repay around £5,500 or £16,800 for a Cabinet minister. Hardly a huge deterrent given salaries on offer for outside roles...
NEW GOVERNMENT "ETHICS" COMMISSION: The PM seems to think ministers who resign/are sacked for breaches of the ministerial code that are not "serious" still deserve thousands of pounds in severance cash. And "serious" is of course not defined - so open to abuse
Some interesting changes to election rules... but eligibility checks on donations to unincorporated associations won't offer scrutiny of donors, let alone those running the opaque groups in the first place. Our explainer on why they are such an issue⬇️ politico.eu/article/how-to…
Nice piece from @johnjohnstonmi on how the Labour govt has fared on its promise to clean up British politics. politico.eu/article/labour…
NEW: Labour rightly diagnosed the problems with Westminster's standards regime during the election campaign... but one year on and experts have accused the party of merely "tinkering around the edges". politico.eu/article/labour…
NEW — Keir Starmer’s disillusioned MPs finally find their voice Welfare cuts created a perfect storm — but grumblings go deeper Cab minister: “Lots of colleagues don’t feel that they are listened to or that they have a way to shape policy and thinking." politico.eu/article/keir-s…
Great to speak to @johnjohnstonmi about the Smart Thinking Awards and all things think tank! We are especially looking forward to the 'fully costed and actionable hangovers' but before all that - find out how to apply: bit.ly/44jd89J
FWIW, the "Not So Pitch Perfect" story from @johnjohnstonmi here is fascinating. So interesting to see this debate make it out into public...
London Influence: Pitched battle ow.ly/gPYe106cgXA
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…
🎤🔬🎙️🍻🍻 NEW Westminster Insider. Join me on a pub crawl through SW1 as I find out: What makes the perfect political pub? @Nigel_Farage says Westminster Arms is his no1 and tells me criticism he devises policy in pubs is 'a fair cop'. Listen here! open.spotify.com/episode/0NF5w5…
🎙️NEW ep: what’s the point of political satire? (If you need a bit of light) With co-creator of Yes Minister Jonathan Lynn Sketchwriters @JohnJCrace and @Madz_Grant Cartoonist @MattCartoonist Fake MP @RosieisaHolt Former MP @Mike_Fabricant @EdwardJDavey @andrewhunterm
People inside government have expressed frustration with Rachel Reeves’ inability to construct a political narrative to sell tens of billions of cuts this year. I write today that she needs to find a purpose for her prudence. Via @POLITICOEurope politico.eu/article/rachel…
🎙️ NEW ep. A boozy lunch with the legend behind Politics Live @Jo_Coburn as she moves on from her spot behind that famous desk. Have a listen to the best – and worst – rows. And how moderating that show week in and week out, gave Jo an *actual* injury @POLITICOEurope
NEW: Tory shadow minister for AI takes second job with AI firm. Comes amid ongoing scrutiny over peers' outside interests. Baroness Jenny Jones said the crossover between the Tory peer's parliament brief and new advisory gig is "particularly egregious". politico.eu/article/tories…
Dived into what's going on with Charles III and his very British power play as he wades into U.S./ Canada rows. We reveal Mark Carney's bro is running Kensington Palace, and why there might be maple syrup on the menu when Donald Trump comes to town. politico.eu/article/uk-us-…
EXC: How an EU company supplied advanced tech for Putin's surveillance state — even after waves of sanctions came into force — through a network of subsidiaries. My latest for @POLITICOEurope politico.eu/article/german…
🔬🎙️NEW: Westminster Insider: "How to run your Cabinet" with ex-Cab Mins David Owen, Malcom Rifkind, Clare Short, ex-No10 advisor @cleowatson88 ex-HMT spad Sonia Khan + Michael Cockerell @patrickkmaguire @lukesullivan w/insight into Keir's cabinet&style open.spotify.com/episode/524grq…
How Britain lost respect for its veterans politico.eu/article/britai…
This is fascinating by @johnjohnstonmi on the government's "New Media Unit" — Hiring spree — All those govt posts on TikTok — TikToker interviewing the PM — Influencers invited into No10 to swap notes ... — ... But told to sign a non-disclosure agreement politico.eu/newsletter/pol…