Sign in

Ashley Cowburn

@ashcowburn.bsky.social
19K followers 283 following 166 posts

Deputy Political Editor, The Mirror ashley.cowburn@mirror.co.uk

PostsRepliesMedia
Ashley Cowburn @ashcowburn.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
Exclusive: Rachel Reeves hits out at Donald Trump Iran war 'folly' hitting UK families www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
mirror.co.uk
Rachel Reeves hits out at Donald Trump Iran war 'folly' hitting Brit families
In an interview with The Mirror, the Chancellor Rachel Reeves said she was 'very frustrated and angry' at America's actions as families across Britain suffer the consequences
221
Ashley Cowburn @ashcowburn.bsky.social · 06/04/2026
Hillsborough campaigner Margaret Aspinall tells Keir Starmer to honour promise and get law sorted 'ASAP' Aspinall - who introduced PM at Labour conf - says: "Do what you promised. You've not only promised it to me, you've promised it to the people of this country." www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
mirror.co.uk
Hillsborough campaigner tells PM to honour promise and get law sorted 'ASAP'
Margaret Aspinall, whose 18-year-old son James was among the 97 people killed in the 1989 tragedy, said she was frustrated by delays to the landmark Hillsborough Law
183
Ashley Cowburn @ashcowburn.bsky.social · 21/01/2026
Keir Starmer says Trump used words on Chagos Island "for the express purpose of putting pressure on me and Britain in relation to my values and principles on the future of Greenland". "He wants me to yield on my position, and I'm not going to do so." www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
mirror.co.uk
PM turns on Donald Trump in strongest criticism yet - 'UK will not yield'
Keir Starmer tells MPs Donald Trump hit out at the Chagos Islands deal for the 'express purpose of putting pressure on me and Britain in relation to my values and principles on the future of Greenland...
062
Ashley Cowburn @ashcowburn.bsky.social · 21/01/2026
Nigel Farage breaks MPs' code of conduct with 17 breaches www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
mirror.co.uk
Nigel Farage breaks MPs' code of conduct with 17 breaches
Nigel Farage has breached the MPs' code of conduct 17 times by registering financial interests late. This is a Breaking News story.
178
Ashley Cowburn @ashcowburn.bsky.social · 21/01/2026
A Reform defector has been accused of a "staggering act of hypocrisy" for griping about the Chagos Islands deal despite begging Joe Biden for an almost identical agreement. Exclusive from @daveburke12.bsky.social www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
mirror.co.uk
Reform 'hypocrite' blasted as letter to Joe Biden about Chagos Islands emerges
Andrew Rosindell, who defected to Nigel Farage's Reform UK at the weekend, wrote to Joe Biden in December 2020 saying failure to 'decolonise' the Chagos Islands was causing international anger
24023
Ashley Cowburn @ashcowburn.bsky.social · 17/01/2026
Breaking: Donald Trump says the UK and other European countries will be hit with a 10% tariff "on any and all goods" sent to the US from February 1. Will go up to 25% from June unless a deal is reached to buy Greenland www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
mirror.co.uk
Donald Trump slaps UK with tariffs for opposing him on Greenland
Donald Trump says he plans to impose import tariffs on goods from a string of countries - including the UK - with eye-watering tariffs as he sticks to his mad plan to own Greenland.
330
Ashley Cowburn @ashcowburn.bsky.social · 12/01/2026
Former Tory MP Nadhim Zahawi who once likened Nigel Farage to Hitler's propagandist has been unveiled as Reform's latest Conservative defector - with @daveburke12.bsky.social www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
mirror.co.uk
Ex-Tory Chancellor sacked over tax spat defects to Nigel Farage's Reform
Former Tory MP and Cabinet minister Nadhim Zahawi briefly served as Chancellor between July and September 2022 during the dying days of Boris Johnson's premiership
3103
Ashley Cowburn @ashcowburn.bsky.social · 12/01/2026
Breaking: Ofcom launches probe into Elon Musk's X over Grok deepfake images www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
mirror.co.uk
UK regulator launches probe into Elon Musk's X over Grok deepfake images
We'll be bringing you the latest updates on this Breaking Politics News story
096
Ashley Cowburn @ashcowburn.bsky.social · 12/01/2026
London homicide rate drops to historic low - as Sadiq Khan hits out at those 'talking city down' www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
mirror.co.uk
London homicide rate drops as Sadiq Khan blasts those 'talking city down'
New data shows London's homicide rate is considerably lower than cities including New York, Berlin, Toronto and Philadephia
1287
Ashley Cowburn @ashcowburn.bsky.social · 09/01/2026
Benefit claimants risk being pushed into poverty by unacceptable government delays, MPs warn Public Accounts Committee highlights some people are waiting over a year for their PIP claims to be processed www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
mirror.co.uk
DWP delays risk pushing disability PIP benefit claimants into poverty, MPs warn
MPs on the Public Accounts Committee said some benefit claimants have been left waiting over a year for their Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claims to be processed
033
Ashley Cowburn @ashcowburn.bsky.social · 16/08/2025
Exclusive: Neil Kinnock says the two-child benefit limit should be scrapped to lift kids out of poverty Former Labour leader says it could be paid for by a tax on assets of the super-rich or extra levies on the top 1% www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
mirror.co.uk
'Scrap Tory two-child benefit limit to lift kids out poverty'
In an interview with The Mirror, the former Labour leader Neil Kinnock said the Tories had left the country in a state that would 'make Charles Dickens furious' with 'intolerable' hardship
2252
Ashley Cowburn @ashcowburn.bsky.social · 10/05/2025
Inside Labour's benefits rebellion as Keir Starmer faces biggest revolt yet. "A lot of people have now decided they are more frightened of the voters than they are of the whips," one MP said. www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
mirror.co.uk
Inside Labour's benefits rebellion as Keir Starmer faces biggest revolt yet
One MP told The Mirror of those previously wavering on a key benefits vote: 'A lot of people have now decided they are more frightened of the voters than they are of the whips'
23212
Ashley Cowburn @ashcowburn.bsky.social · 09/05/2025
Some parish news — delighted to be promoted today to Deputy Political Editor at The Mirror 🎉
2692
Reposted by Ashley Cowburn
Kevin Maguire @kevmag.bsky.social · 08/05/2025
Really classy Daily Mirror front page on the 80th anniversary of VE Day. This Philip Zec celebrated cartoon was in the paper on this day in 1945
151302360
Ashley Cowburn @ashcowburn.bsky.social · 08/05/2025
Front page of @DailyMirror on May 8, 1945 - 80 years ago today.
15611
Ashley Cowburn @ashcowburn.bsky.social · 06/05/2025
Breaking: Downing Street rules out U-turn on winter fuel payment cut for millions of pensioners www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
mirror.co.uk
Prime Minister rules out U-turn on winter fuel cut for millions of pensioners
Labour MPs said last week the controversial cut to winter fuel payments for millions of pensioners was raised on the doorstep by voters at the local elections as anger mounts
232
Ashley Cowburn @ashcowburn.bsky.social · 29/04/2025
NEW: Andy Burnham suggests at @resfoundation.bsky.social event the government should introduce a target for new social homes of at least half a million by the end of the decade. He says it would help "end the housing crisis" and prevent kids from having to put up with "damp and mould"
051
Reposted by Ashley Cowburn
Ashley Cowburn @ashcowburn.bsky.social · 25/04/2025
Benefit claimants give verdict on welfare system - 'You're not treated as human’ @DailyMirror spoke to some people about their experience of Universal Credit/PIP benefits www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
mirror.co.uk
DWP claimants give verdict on welfare system - 'You're not treated as human'
Amnesty International's new research, which involves interviews with hundreds of people on benefits, claims the current welfare system is 'consciously cruel' and ruining lives
22516
Ashley Cowburn @ashcowburn.bsky.social · 25/04/2025
Benefit claimants give verdict on welfare system - 'You're not treated as human’ @DailyMirror spoke to some people about their experience of Universal Credit/PIP benefits www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
mirror.co.uk
DWP claimants give verdict on welfare system - 'You're not treated as human'
Amnesty International's new research, which involves interviews with hundreds of people on benefits, claims the current welfare system is 'consciously cruel' and ruining lives
22516
Ashley Cowburn @ashcowburn.bsky.social · 21/04/2025
Elections guru John Curtice writes for The Mirror ahead of next week’s local elections He suggests the Tories face losing hundreds of seats — they have the “most to lose”. www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
mirror.co.uk
'Reform UK may have just enough support to win hundreds of seats from Tories'
Sir John Curtice - of the country's top elections experts - writes in The Mirror the Tories 'have the most to lose' when voters head to ballot box in next week's local elections
1135
Ashley Cowburn @ashcowburn.bsky.social · 15/04/2025
Keir Starmer has failed to meet his promise at last year's Lab conference in Liverpool to introduce a "Hillsborough Law" ahead of today's 36th anniversary of the tragedy. No10 says more time is needed for best version of Bill. www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
mirror.co.uk
Starmer misses anniversary Hillsborough law deadline - 'huge disappointment'
Keir Starmer promised to introduce a 'Hillsborough Law' by the 36th anniversary of the tragedy - but No10 insists more time is needed to create the 'best version' of the legislation
237
Ashley Cowburn @ashcowburn.bsky.social · 11/04/2025
Nigel Farage to LBC on his pal Donald Trump's tariff chaos: "I think Trump did too much too soon, rather like Liz Truss did a couple of years ago."
581
Ashley Cowburn @ashcowburn.bsky.social · 04/04/2025
Exclusive: Liz Kendall admits it will be a personal failure if child poverty rates still rising at next election "Child poverty will be going down," she says, despite warning 50k extra kids will be in poverty as a result of last week's benefit cuts www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
mirror.co.uk
Liz Kendall admits it would be a 'failure' if child poverty is rising in 5 years
The Work and Pensions Secretary told The Mirror child poverty "will be going down" - despite a grim official analysis of her department's welfare cuts
4101
Ashley Cowburn @ashcowburn.bsky.social · 01/04/2025
Andy Burnham tells the Work and Pensions Committee: "Benefits policy in this country is too much - under all governments - been written to create headlines to please certain newspapers and not actually do the job of encouraging the recovery of people to a better position in their life."
37619
Ashley Cowburn @ashcowburn.bsky.social · 26/03/2025
Thursday’s @politics.mirror.co.uk front page
0155
Ashley Cowburn @ashcowburn.bsky.social · 21/03/2025
Stephen Fry, Stanley Tucci, and Arlene Phillips among stars demanding benefit cuts U-turn www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
mirror.co.uk
Stephen Fry and Stanley Tucci among stars demanding benefit cuts U-turn
Former Strictly judge Dame Arlene Phillips said: 'Our social security system should be rooted in justice and compassion, able to be there for us all...cutting disability benefits is shameful'
0183
Ashley Cowburn @ashcowburn.bsky.social · 20/03/2025
Interesting Cabinet league table of @LabourList readers, who say they are Labour members. Miliband tops survey of most liked member of the Cabinet - with Rayner in second place.   Starmer ranked 17th while Kendall and Reeves only ministers with unfavourable ratings.
3121
Ashley Cowburn @ashcowburn.bsky.social · 19/03/2025
NEW: Blackpool MP Chris Webb says PIP cuts will be a "devastating blow for many of my constituents who are already on the edge". He adds: "I will never vote for anything that makes people in Blackpool poorer - and some of these reforms could do exactly that."
082
Reposted by Ashley Cowburn
George Eaton @georgeeaton.bsky.social · 19/03/2025
Diane Abbott is far from the only Labour MP who believes there isn't a moral case for cutting benefits – opposition stretches well beyond the Socialist Campaign Group. www.newstatesman.com/politics/lab...
newstatesman.com
A Labour welfare revolt is still brewing
As many as 40 of Keir Starmer’s MPs are threatening to rebel against benefit cuts.
44813
Ashley Cowburn @ashcowburn.bsky.social · 19/03/2025
Labour MP Diane Abbott tells Starmer to drop the "moral" arguments for benefit cuts. "There is nothing moral about cutting benefits for what may be up to a million people," she tells him. "This is not about morality - this is about the Treasury's wish to balance the books" on the back of poorest.
1175
Ashley Cowburn @ashcowburn.bsky.social · 18/03/2025
Ministers have recently criticised speculation over benefit cuts as causing anxiety among claimants. Today they have failed to produce an impact assessment alongside their proposed changes. Instead, people will be forced to wait until next week's spring statement. Not sure that line will hold.
083
Ashley Cowburn @ashcowburn.bsky.social · 18/03/2025
Labour MP Debbie Abrahams - chair of the Work and Pensions Committee - says she appreciates difficult financial situation. *BUT* she warns benefit cuts are the largest cuts in social security since 2015 and warns ministers "not to balance the books" on the backs of sick and disabled.
1111
Ashley Cowburn @ashcowburn.bsky.social · 18/03/2025
FBU's Steve Wright urges Labour MPs to vote against cuts to disability benefits. He says today: "The government's drastic cuts to disability and welfare benefits are a Thatcherite assault on the welfare state...
153
Ashley Cowburn @ashcowburn.bsky.social · 17/03/2025
Unite’s Sharon Graham to @mirrorpolitics on planned benefit changes: “The government seems to be making the wrong choices… “… Why are we in a situation where we're pitting the poorest against the poorest while wealthiest go relatively untouched?” www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
mirror.co.uk
Keir Starmer issued warning on eve of huge DWP benefit cuts announcement
Keir Starmer's Cabinet will meet on Tuesday to sign-off a controversial package of reforms to sickness and disability benefits - before the plans are announced to MPs
2194
Ashley Cowburn @ashcowburn.bsky.social · 17/03/2025
DWP minister Stephen Timms commits in the Commons to publishing a full impact assessment of disability benefit reforms/cuts in "due course".
162
Ashley Cowburn @ashcowburn.bsky.social · 12/03/2025
TUC's General Secretary Paul Nowak on planned disability benefit cuts: “A major lesson from the Tory years is that austerity damaged the nation’s health. We must not make the same mistake again."
36019
Ashley Cowburn @ashcowburn.bsky.social · 11/03/2025
"Cuts to benefits don't make jobs - they only make more poverty," says Labour MP Neil Duncan-Jordan "It feels like a rerun of austerity and I'm worried about that," he adds. www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
mirror.co.uk
DWP benefit cut plans under fire from Labour MP - 'feels like austerity rerun'
The MP Neil Duncan-Jordan hit out at leaked plans to slash around £6billion from the benefits bill. He warned: 'Cuts to benefits don't make jobs - they only make more poverty'
3259
Ashley Cowburn @ashcowburn.bsky.social · 10/03/2025
​NEW: 16 major charities - including Trusell, Scope, and Mind - are warning the government benefit cuts will have a “catastrophic impact on disabled people up and down the country”. In a letter to the Chancellor today, they say 700k more disabled households could be pushed into poverty.
64221
Reposted by Ashley Cowburn
Kartik Raj @kartikraj.eurosky.social · 04/03/2025
Clear coverage in @politics.mirror.co.uk by @ashcowburn.bsky.social of the recommendations by the UN Committee on Economic, Social, Cultural Rights focused on social security and austerity (and an important aside on overseas development aid). www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
Daily Mirror headline and lede from article on 3 March 2025 by Ashley Cowburn

DWP two-child benefit limit should be axed, says major UN report
The UN's Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights says Keir Starmer's government should now launch an independent assessment of austerity measures since 2010
062
Ashley Cowburn @ashcowburn.bsky.social · 04/03/2025
Weird, just walked past this on the way to work
2123
Ashley Cowburn @ashcowburn.bsky.social · 03/03/2025
Breaking: UN report published this afternoon says the two-child benefit limit should be reversed. It also urges the UK government to "conduct an independent assessment of the cumulative impact of austerity measures introduced since 2010". www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
mirror.co.uk
DWP two-child benefit limit should be axed, says major UN report
The UN's Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights says Keir Starmer's government should now launch an independent assessment of austerity measures since 2010
32516
Ashley Cowburn @ashcowburn.bsky.social · 01/03/2025
Keir Starmer to Ukraine’s President Zelensky in Downing Street: “I hope you heard some of that cheering in the street — that is the people of the United Kingdom coming out to demonstrate how much they support you, how much they support Ukraine and our absolute determination to stand with you.”
101120152
Reposted by Ashley Cowburn
Mikey Smith @mikeysmith.com · 26/02/2025
Kemi Badenoch wants 'foreign power' Donald Trump to interfere in UK politics and block government decision www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
mirror.co.uk
Kemi Badenoch wants Donald Trump to interfere in UK politics, her spokesman says
Asked if Donald Trump should block the deal, Kemi Badenoch's spokesman said: "If it is as has been rumoured...then yes," he said, adding "Hopefully he will stop it"
595
Ashley Cowburn @ashcowburn.bsky.social · 26/02/2025
Keir Starmer: "I'm going to have to let the leader of the opposition down gently. "She didn't feature in my thinking at all, I was so busy at the weekend, I didn't even see her proposal. I think she's appointed herself the saviour of Western civilisation & it's a desperate search for relevance."
3206
Ashley Cowburn @ashcowburn.bsky.social · 26/02/2025
Axe two-child benefit limit or face "embarrassing record" of rising child poverty by 2029, Keir Starmer warned by @resfoundation.bsky.social www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
mirror.co.uk
​Axe DWP two-child benefit or face 'embarrassing child poverty record' PM warned
The Resolution Foundation estimates without urgent action the number of kids falling below the poverty line will hit a record high of 4.6million by the end of the decade
072
Ashley Cowburn @ashcowburn.bsky.social · 26/02/2025
It’s finally getting brighter pre-7am 🌞🌞
2333
Ashley Cowburn @ashcowburn.bsky.social · 25/02/2025
Ouch. Former Labour Cabinet minister Clare Short to @labourlist.bsky.social - “It splashes money on defence spending and Ukraine and is not focused on bringing peace to Ukraine – and disgracefully, it has still not abolished the two-child benefit cap.
350
Ashley Cowburn @ashcowburn.bsky.social · 25/02/2025
David Miliband, CEO of the International Rescue Committee, on aid funding being slashed: "The UK government's decision to cut aid by £6billion in order to fund defence spending is a blow to Britain’s proud reputation as a global humanitarian and development leader."
2174
Ashley Cowburn @ashcowburn.bsky.social · 25/02/2025
Breaking: Keir Starmer announces a multi-billion pound cut to the overseas aid budget in order to hike defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027.
032
Reposted by Ashley Cowburn
Lizzy Buchan @lizzybuchan.bsky.social · 24/02/2025
Keir Starmer will fly into the heart of a storm when he travels to Washington for talks with Donald Trump in what is seen as one of the most important UK-US meetings since the Second World War. My primer ahead of a high-stakes White House visit this week👇
mirror.co.uk
Keir Starmer's crunch talks with Trump - why they're so risky for UK and world
Keir Starmer jets to Washington this week for a critical meeting with Donald Trump, where the PM will seek to persuade the US President to step back from the brink
182