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Adam Payne

@adampayne26.bsky.social
31K followers 1K following 1K posts

Editor of PoliticsHome. Sometimes heard on our weekly podcast, The Rundown. Contact me: adam.payne@politicshome.com & DMs.

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Reposted by Adam Payne
PoliticsHome @politicshome.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Going to Labour conference? Head to 4A on Sunday at 15:45 where @alaintolhurst.bsky.social will be talking to The House mag's @siennarodgers.bsky.social and Environment Secretary @angelaeagle1.bsky.social for a live recording of PolHome podcast The Rundown Listen, ask questions, meet the PH team!
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Adam Payne @adampayne26.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
Thanks for the plug! Hope to see you there
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Adam Payne @adampayne26.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
looking forward to it!
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Ian Bond @cerianbond.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
In 2016 hardly anyone in the Leave campaign paid any attention to Brexit's possible effects on Northern Ireland, despite warnings from John Major and Tony Blair. Where do things stand ten years later? Hear from @otoolematthew.bsky.social & @adampayne26.bsky.social at @centreeuropeanref.bsky.social.
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Zoë Crowther @zoecrowther.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
How much are UK MPs earning from X? Restore Britain’s Rupert Lowe has received more than £70k, including more than £10k in a single month Luke Charters has become the first Labour MP to register income from the platform (which he is donating to local causes)
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Sunder Katwala (sundersays) @sundersays.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
The Birmingham political map in 2026: a city of 5-6 party & non-party politics
Birmingham coloured ward map
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PoliticsHome @politicshome.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
The Reform wave reaches Badenoch's backyard Of the local election results worrying the Tory leader the most, Essex will likely be towards the top of the list The county is home to ten Conservative MPs, six of whom are in the shadow cabinet – including Badenoch www.politicshome.com/news/article...
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PoliticsHome @politicshome.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
"Starmer has tested to destruction the idea that the centre ground can survive simply as a defence of managed incremental reform and a politics of caution" The centre ground isn't dead, but tepid managerialism is, writes former Blair and Brown No 10 adviser @theobertram.bsky.social
politicshome.com
Tepid managerialism is dead but the centre ground is not
For 80 years, the Conservatives and Labour have shared 80 per cent or more of the vote, but – as the results of these elections come in – is the ce...
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Adam Payne @adampayne26.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
the Tories have been flattened in Essex bsky.app/profile/jahe...
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Adam Payne @adampayne26.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
Writing for us, @ipsosintheuk.bsky.social says their data shows that Burnham is: the only net popular politician (and not due to a lack of name recognition), better placed than Labour leadership rivals to win back progressives from Lib Dems & Greens, a v strong brand in the northwest battleground
politicshome.com
Labour can't afford to ignore Andy Burnham
If Labour's challenge at the next election is building a coalition of progressives big enough to take on Reform, then Andy Burnham's leadership pit...
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Adam Payne @adampayne26.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
A Labour figure in London gets in touch to stress that the Greens are doing huge damage to Labour not just directly, but indirectly. They point to the fact that the Tories won Westminster despite their vote being down, saying that's because the Greens (+15.6%) ate into Labour support (-16%).
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Adam Payne @adampayne26.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
It's not just Labour facing an electoral pincer effect. With one declaration to go in Hampshire, both Reform (+18) & the Lib Dems (+8) have made significant gains at the Tories' expense. Conservatives in the region complained to colleague @matildamartin.bsky.social that the party was complacent
politicshome.com
'We Can't Be Going Backwards': Tories Warn Party Against Local Elections Complacency
This week’s local elections will be painful for the two main parties. The scale of the Labour losses and the implications for Keir Starmer’s future...
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Adam Payne @adampayne26.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
London has some good news for the Tories but the wider picture is shaping up to be pretty bleak. Reform's on the cusp of taking Essex (contains Badenoch, Cleverly & Patel's parliamentary constituencies), while in Hampshire the Conservatives have lost control for the first time in nearly 30 years.
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Reposted by Adam Payne
Alice Lilly @aliceolilly.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
No these are not “midterm” elections, thank you for your attention to this matter
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Adam Payne @adampayne26.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
@robfordmancs.bsky.social's predictably excellent locals preview reminds us just how much the backdrop has changed - a different universe - since the last time these councils were contested: Johnson was in No10, lockdown being phased out, and Labour and the Tories enjoyed 75% of the vote (now <40%).
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PoliticsHome @politicshome.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
🚨 OUT NOW 🚨 What to look out for at the local elections 📝 📊 @adampayne26.bsky.social, @siennarodgers.bsky.social, More in Common's @luketryl.bsky.social & Exeter Uni's @hannahbunting.bsky.social discuss the key results on 7 May Hosted by @alaintolhurst.bsky.social podfollow.com/politicshome...
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PoliticsHome @politicshome.bsky.social · 24/04/2026
🚨 OUT NOW 🚨 The Mandelson crisis exposes No 10's civil service rift Former Cabinet Secretary Lord Robin Butler, the IfG's @hannahkeenan.bsky.social, FDA's Dave Penman, and CSW's @suzannahb.bsky.social discuss the damaging sacking of Olly Robbins and its fallout Listen now: pod.fo/e/40598c
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Adam Payne @adampayne26.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
hello mate - done!
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Zoë Crowther @zoecrowther.bsky.social · 13/04/2026
NEW: Interview w/ Lib Dem leader Ed Davey 🔶 Davey thinks the Lib Dems could pick up environmental-focused Green voters who are unhappy with their party’s leftward shift 👀 He shares some of his more critical MPs’ “restlessness” 🇺🇸 Hillary Clinton gave him some “choice advice” about fighting Reform
politicshome.com
Ed Davey: Hillary Clinton Told Me To “Stand Up To Bullies” Like Reform UK
Former US presidential candidate Hillary Clinton privately urged Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey to “stand up to bullies” like Reform UK during a ...
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PoliticsHome @politicshome.bsky.social · 12/04/2026
Ed Davey has revealed to PolHome that Hillary Clinton privately told him to "stand up to bullies" like Reform In an interview with @zoecrowther.bsky.social, Davey insisted he was the best person to lead the Lib Dems, and said that the party could pick up traditional Green voters put off by Polanski
politicshome.com
Ed Davey: Hillary Clinton Told Me To “Stand Up To Bullies” Like Reform UK
Former US presidential candidate Hillary Clinton privately urged Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey to “stand up to bullies” like Reform UK during a ...
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Adam Payne @adampayne26.bsky.social · 12/04/2026
… @siennarodgers.bsky.social reports that the Burnham operation is reaching out to NEC officials, trade unions and Labour MPs ahead of a fresh push to return to the Commons, and that left / soft left Labour MPs currently prefer him to Rayner
politicshome.com
Team Burnham Is Getting Organised Ahead Of The May Elections
Labour MPs say Angela Rayner is down, Andy Burnham is up. Sienna Rodgers reports on the obstacles on the mayor’s path to No 10
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Adam Payne @adampayne26.bsky.social · 12/04/2026
PolHome’s @tomscotson.bsky.social visits planet Burnham to find out what makes the hope of the Labour left tick Oscar Wilde, Ian Brown & Lenin feature As does David Blunkett, who recently advised him: “Timing is everything in politics” (more on that via @siennarodgers.bsky.social below…)
politicshome.com
Worker Bees: Inside The Burnham Operation
Andy Burnham remains a likely candidate to replace Keir Starmer if the Prime Minister leaves office before the next election. Tom Scotson goes in s...
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Zoë Crowther @zoecrowther.bsky.social · 07/04/2026
EXC w/ @adampayne26.bsky.social The government is carrying out a consultation on whether to implement tougher laws on the public sale of fireworks MPs, including @sarahowen.org.uk and Simon Hoare, have welcomed the news, with Owen calling it a "huge step forward"
politicshome.com
Government Looks At Bringing In Tougher Laws To Restrict Fireworks Sales
Exclusive: The government is carrying out a consultation on whether to implement tougher laws on the public sale of fireworks.
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Matilda Martin @matildamartin.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
Exclusive: We reveal Travelodge has been handed over £68m by the public sector (including to house vulnerable people) since a woman was sexually assaulted in one of its rooms in 2022 There are now growing questions over whether Travelodge should continue to receive taxpayers' money
politicshome.com
Travelodge Given Almost £70m In Public Money Since 2022 Hotel Room Assault
There are growing questions over whether Travelodge should continue to receive taxpayers' money after PoliticsHome revealed that the public sector ...
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Adam Payne @adampayne26.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
Genuinely the best news of 2026
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Adam Payne @adampayne26.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
It looks like the great man lives to fight another day
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Adam Payne @adampayne26.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
About 80% of this post still stands
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Adam Payne @adampayne26.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
It is insane. If only that legend could speak.
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Tamadventures @tamathatsme.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
George was born 12 years after Napoleon died which just sounds insane. We knew a creature whose mother probably wandered on the same soil as Napoleon.
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Will Jennings📉🗳️ @drjennings.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
Trump is sinking. Now +22 disapproval via @fiftyplusone.news.
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Adam Payne @adampayne26.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
Please pause to consider for a moment 193 years of age. Jonathan the tortoise had been on the scene for nearly three decades by the time the US civil war started. The best part of a century when Titanic sank. We’ve lost a real-life time lord
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Paula Surridge @psurridge.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
I wonder how many are the same who went LibDem 2010 to UKIP 2015. Voters are funny things 🤫
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Adam Payne @adampayne26.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
I'm late to it but @bwalker.uk spots something that makes sense, but is still fascinating: the Greens seem to be taking votes from Reform "Some voters are looking more to Shake Things Up than pursue a necessarily right or left platform. They may see little difference in a Green or Reform vote"
newstatesman.com
Are the Greens taking Reform votes?
The Green surge might do more than just upend Labour
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Reposted by Adam Payne
PoliticsHome @politicshome.bsky.social · 27/03/2026
"What the Greens were saying about redistribution of wealth, improvement of public services – that’s basically Labour Party stuff" Labour MP and ex-goalkeeper Brian Leishman talks to @bengartside.bsky.social about playing snooker with Stephen Flynn and his party being "miles off" where it should be
politicshome.com
Brian Leishman: 'We’re Miles Off Where A Labour Party Should Be'
After a life in golf and football, Brian Leishman finds himself at the sharp end of the new government’s whipping operation. He speaks to Ben Garts...
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PoliticsHome @politicshome.bsky.social · 27/03/2026
Over a dozen universities wrongly spent £190m of taxpayers' money on student loans, PolHome can reveal Bridget Phillipson has accused the universities involved of “incompetence” and “abuse of public money” Around 22k students are estimated to be affected, according to a DfE letter seen by PolHome
politicshome.com
Over A Dozen Universities Wrongly Spent £190m Of Taxpayers' Money On Student Loans
A student loans mistake by universities has seen up to £190m of taxpayers’ money wrongly given to unaware students, PoliticsHome can reveal, leavin...
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Adam Payne @adampayne26.bsky.social · 26/03/2026
In Nov, Tom Scotson & I reported frustration within gov that write-rounds, ministers using written correspondence to reach decisions, were choking delivery They'll be streamlined in an Antonio Romeo-driven bid to tackle bureaucracy, which also inc reducing consultations & using AI to spot red tape
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Adam Payne @adampayne26.bsky.social · 26/03/2026
The Whitehall write-round process is to be overhauled, as PolHome first reported in November The Cabinet Office says a ripping up of "consultation culture" will "reform the process for collective Cabinet agreement of government policy to speed up decision-making"
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Zoë Crowther @zoecrowther.bsky.social · 25/03/2026
More MPs read PoliticsHome than Labour List, New Statesman or The Spectator Yet another reason why you should follow @politicshome.bsky.social, subscribe to our newsletters, and listen to our podcast! And you can find and follow our reporters on this list: bsky.app/profile/poli...
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Adam Payne @adampayne26.bsky.social · 25/03/2026
Chuffed with these @politicshome.bsky.social numbers — but the work continues!
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PoliticsHome @politicshome.bsky.social · 24/03/2026
Multi-party politics isn’t necessarily chaotic – we could be moving towards a new local two-party-ism, write @profjanegreen.bsky.social and @martamiori.bsky.social
politicshome.com
Multi-party politics isn’t necessarily chaotic – we could be moving towards a new local two-party-ism
There are certainly reasons to argue for electoral reform. But pointing to the current system as a generator of chaos could be a misinterpretation ...
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PoliticsHome @politicshome.bsky.social · 23/03/2026
Lisa Nandy sits down with @franciselliott.bsky.social to discuss the BBC, AI in the arts, being "non-factional" to her "core", and how the government can communicate better On Andy Burnham's bid to become an MP: "had I been sitting in that seat... yeah, I would have voted to allow him to stand"
politicshome.com
Culture Clash – Lisa Nandy On Keeping Hope Alive
Critics say Lisa Nandy should spend more time meeting stakeholders in her brief, but the Culture Secretary tells Francis Elliott she’s fighting for...
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Adam Payne @adampayne26.bsky.social · 22/03/2026
cheers Joshua, appreciate it
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PoliticsHome @politicshome.bsky.social · 22/03/2026
Rugby league is cherished by many of the 'left behind' towns that have become central to Britain's electoral politics. But now community clubs in northern England are fighting to stay afloat What next for 'The Workington Man', asks @adampayne26.bsky.social
politicshome.com
From ‘Workington Man’ To Clubs On The Brink: Rugby League’s Fight To Survive
Rugby league is cherished by many of the 'left behind' towns that have become central to Britain's electoral politics. But now community clubs are ...
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Adam Payne @adampayne26.bsky.social · 22/03/2026
For The House magazine, I dust off the writing hat to look at a topic close to my heart — rugby league Years on from Boris Johnson’s 'Workington Man', the game, rooted in communities, is facing existential questions. What can, what should, the government do to help?
politicshome.com
From ‘Workington Man’ To Clubs On The Brink: Rugby League’s Fight To Survive
Rugby league is cherished by many of the 'left behind' towns that become central to Britain's electoral politics. But now community clubs are fight...
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Adam Payne @adampayne26.bsky.social · 21/03/2026
Colleague @siennarodgers.bsky.social reprises her role as Labour-faction-chronicler-in-chief to look at how the party’s future could be determined by an arm wrestle between two organisers called Luke Akehurst (Labour First, right of party) vs Hurst (Mainstream, soft left)
politicshome.com
Inside The Battle For Labour's Mainstream: Luke Akehurst Vs Luke Hurst
Two internal players called Luke are battling to claim Labour’s mainstream. The outcome of their rivalry will shape the future of the party – and p...
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Tim Bale @timbale.bsky.social · 17/03/2026
"64 councillors have defected to the Greens since the July 2024 general election at the time of writing. Of these, 48 defections have taken place since September 2025, shortly after Polanski became party leader on 2 September." @zoecrowther.bsky.social
politicshome.com
Is The Green Party Getting A Wave Of Councillor Defections?
The Green Party has said a growing number of Labour councillors are joining its ranks ahead of the local elections. What does the data say?
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Noah Vickers @noahvickers.bsky.social · 16/03/2026
NEW: Labour MPs are pushing ministers to go further in plans to regulate holiday lets. DCMS will introduce a national register of lets, but this will be "light-touch" and seems to be delayed. MHCLG is meanwhile "considering" giving councils more powers: www.politicshome.com/news/article...
politicshome.com
Labour MPs Push For Tighter Controls On Holiday Lets
Short-term holiday lets are a major part of Britain’s tourism industry – but many Labour MPs want tighter controls on their number. Will the govern...
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Adam Payne @adampayne26.bsky.social · 17/03/2026
I've had much harsher feedback over the years, don't worry!
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Adam Payne @adampayne26.bsky.social · 16/03/2026
I was delighted to make my Today programme debut at the weekend! Here’s a bit of me on fragmentation in our party system
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Adam Payne @adampayne26.bsky.social · 16/03/2026
The PM is really going after the Tories & Reform in his Iran presser. He says his approach to UK involvement is principled and in line w/ the public, whereas others "would've rushed the UK headlong into this war" without a "full picture" or exit plan. He says: "That's not leading, that's following."
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