Tom Watson
@tom_watson
Author, Chair of UK Music Management: [email protected]
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A lovely tribute to the late David Lipsey - a wonderfully clever, witty and generous colleague. It was a privilege to know him. politicshome.com/opinion/articl…
Nearly 16 years ago I was camping at the V Festival with a 1 year-old and 4 year-old, excited to see @Oasis. They no-showed then split up. Tonight, I’m seeing them reunited, with a 20 and 17-year-old by my side. I’m emotional beyond words. Some moments are worth the wait.
I’ve been critical of Sharon Graham, but the reports she links to below show Len McCluskey’s legacy in black and white: a captured union, financial chaos, and no scrutiny. Cleaning up Unite won’t be easy but she’s right to blow the lid off. Fair play to her.
When I was elected @unitetheunion GS, I promised to uncover the truth about allegations of historical corruption, particularly in relation to the Birmingham Hotel and Conference Centre. I can now provide information from the independent inquiries I commissioned, through this…
Congratulations to @HuddlestonNigel on landing the best job in the shadow cabinet. All of us at @UK_Music look forward to working with him in his new role as shadow Secretary of State at @DCMS. From my time in the Commons, I know he is a genuine friend of the creative industries.
I'm sure nothing could possibly go wrong.
It only took 5 Secretaries of State, 4 Prime Ministers, 3 Sports Ministers, 2 Monarchs (and 2 Governments) but the Football Governance Bill has now passed all its Parliamentary stages!
If Angie is their idea of a problem, Unite has become even more a parody of itself since Len McCluskey retired. Their members and officials must cringe with embarrassment at these stunts. A once proud and serious union is now just Twitter gimmick pressure group. It’s so sad.
🚨 BREAKING. THIS IS BIG! 🚨 Unite conference votes overwhelmingly to re-examine relationship with @UKLabour and suspend @AngelaRayner from Unite membership over Birmingham bins dispute. More to follow...
Heard about this last month and was told Seumas Milne was involved, which can’t be right. He’s famously a master strategist and he’d never launch on a Friday afternoon. That’s when he’s heading to the country.
EXCLUSIVE: I understand Jeremy Corbyn has not agreed to join the new left party with Zarah Sultana yet He is furious and bewildered at the way it has been launched without consultation.
Mr Timothy engineered one of the most catastrophic election campaigns in modern history, lost a majority, broke a PM, then spent five years slagging her off in the Telegraph. He wrecked a premiership, ran from the wreckage, then cashed in by trashing her. Still, Mr Nice, I see.
I feel sorry for the Chancellor - but she is the author of her own misfortune. In the Budget she increased spending eight times more than she had promised. She gave herself no fiscal headroom. The emergency welfare cuts were written on the back of an envelope. She’s finished.
His Majesty the King has awarded @DaveWardGS of the @CWUnews the Commander of the Order of the British Empire award (CBE). This is one of the highest awards that can be bestowed on an individual. Congratulations to Dave for his service to our country.
A beautiful clip - not sure they make em like this anymore. The boss & Brian Wilson. RIP.
George Martin and Brian Wilson discussing songwriting and music production (2006) Two legends lost. RIP
There’s a much treasured patch of land that the good people of Wyre Forest are trying to purchase. It’s has great history and is loved by local people. It once even had Stanley Baldwin dancing around the Maypole. Can you help? friendsofthemaypole.co.uk
The @LibDems are doing so well you just knew @nickclegg would show up.
Football is full of pathos but this is tragic. This man is a hero to thousands of West Midlands kids and has enriched their lives with humour, skill, dedication and passion.
🗣️ "He'll be a big loss to them" 🗣️ "That does look like he was waving goodbye for sure" Roy Keane and Jamie Redknapp on Emi Martinez waving to the Villa Park crowd with tears in his eyes 👋
"We need protections for music businesses, publishers, creators, songwriters and musicians. If Government wants export-led growth, they need to protect us." UK Music Chair Lord Watson on why strong copyright protections for the music industry are essential for economic growth.
I’ve written before about how Green Party rules open them up to factional attack. Reading their leadership election rules, I would say that putting Ellie Chowns on the front of the web site breaches rules 5.x and 5.xi. If I were running, I’d be furious. greenparty.org.uk/app/uploads/20…
This is a very sad day. Thinking of all those mourning the death of Pope Francis. A man of humility and deep faith, he reached across divides to build understanding between peoples and religions. May his memory bring comfort and inspire peace.
Pope Francis died on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88 at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta.