Tony Blair

NATO allies ‘not prepared’ for war, top UK defense adviser warns
Grace Cassy, an adviser to the British government’s defense review, tells POLITICO the U.K. has a “way to go” on taking up cutting-edge military tech.

The London mayoralty’s quarter-life crisis

Doctors to refer NHS to data watchdog over feeding patient data to AI

Britain prepares to go all-in on nuclear power — after years of dither

How AI and copyright turned into a political nightmare for Labour

How to run your Cabinet: Lessons for Starmer

Labour’s AI gold rush gets stuck in the mud
How Britain got to the front of Donald Trump’s trade queue
From last-minute pork demands to parties in the embassy, this is how Britain charmed the unpredictable president — and why it could all still unravel.
PMQs: Badenoch misses open goal on India trade deal
The Tory leader opted not to press her party’s attacks on the British-India trade deal and instead attacked Keir Starmer on winter fuel and net zero.
Tony Blair targets Ed Miliband
The morning political podcast, which gives you all you need for the day ahead in 20 minutes, with Sky News’ Sam Coates and Politico’s Anne McElvoy. Back …
UK Greens spy their chance as Labour freaks out about Farage
The left-wing outfit hopes to scoop up disillusioned former Labour voters in next month’s local elections.
Blair to Starmer: Don’t hit back at Trump’s tariffs
Former prime minister says it is not “in the U.K.’s best interest to retaliate” and praises current leader’s “cool heads” approach.
The Starmer and Reeves double act is about to be tested
A strong, if shallow, partnership at the top has defined Labour in office. Can it hold when the going gets tough?
How to launch a backbench rebellion
With the stench of rebellion hanging around the tearooms of SW1 after ministers announced fresh welfare cuts, this week host Patrick Baker explores the backbench revolts of years past, …
Tony Blair’s right-hand man goes into battle for Ukraine
Jonathan Powell played a crucial role in securing peace in Northern Ireland — and his much-hyped skills as a negotiator are being put to the test again.
7 times UK prime ministers went to war with the civil service
Keir Starmer’s not the only one to take potshots at government officials.
How Starmer saved Ukraine’s ceasefire as Trump and Zelenskyy ragedÂ
The U.K. prime minister and his top security adviser worked intensively to rescue the broken relationship between Kyiv and Washington, drafting a truce plan that might one day pave the way for peace.
Inside COBRA
Have you ever wondered about COBRA? Not the snake or the yoga pose — but Cabinet Office Briefing Room A, the place at the heart of Whitehall …
How Keir Starmer buttered up Donald Trump
Inside the months of quiet, grinding preparation that went into the British prime minister’s all-smiles first trip to the Trump White House — and why it could all still unravel.
5 awkward encounters between UK prime ministers and US presidentsÂ
Keir Starmer and Donald Trump will likely be all smiles during their meeting Thursday — but a frosty encounter between the two nations’ leaders isn’t unusual.
Nigel Farage is surging in Britain’s rust belt — and Labour is panicked
The U.K.’s ruling Labour Party has a 103-year winning streak in Wales, but that could end next May. POLITICO talked to officials, politicians and disillusioned steelworkers to track the rapid rise of Farage’s Reform UK.
British MPs already want a vote on sending troops to Ukraine
Labour MPs — and opposition lawmakers too — are asking for a parliamentary say on any British escalation.
As Trump torches overseas aid, will Britain step up?
Britain used to lead the world on international development. But in the era of right-wing populists, its Labour government is now treading carefully.
Britain goes soft on AI after Trump’s bonfire of rules
Labour promised tough new rules for the world’s leading AI developers. But now Donald’s Trump’s back, ministers are thinking again.
Tony Blair picks his Labour rising stars
The former U.K. prime minister has quietly been meeting Labour’s new MPs — and he’s not the only Blairite who’s at it.
Britain’s handover of the Chagos Islands is pleasing nobody
Labour’s decision to grant the geopolitical archipelago to Mauritius has sparked criticism from all sides.
Sorry you hated us: 5 grovelling apologies from UK politicians
Taken over as the leader of a wounded political party? Try some self-flagellation.
How to woo Donald Trump: Tips from a diplomacy pro
Tom Fletcher served three U.K. prime ministers — and has plenty of advice for diplomats in the Trump era.
Von der Leyen wins Charlemagne Prize for European unification
European Commission president is rewarded for “her services to the unity of the Member States.”
Why Starmer might need to bring back Blair
Britain’s prime minister is seemingly always overseas, and some allies wish he’d delegate more of the diplomatic grind — just as his predecessor did.