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Alain Tolhurst

@alaintolhurst.bsky.social
21K followers 399 following 347 posts

Chief Reporter at @PoliticsHome.bsky.social and host of The Rundown podcast 🎧Listen here: bit.ly/3M8d963 📧Alain.Tolhurst@politicshome.com

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Reposted by Alain Tolhurst
PoliticsHome @politicshome.bsky.social · 19h
Despite anger over how the former PM was treated earlier this year, Starmer loyalists kept their heads down at Labour Party conference in Liverpool, with some staying away altogether, reports @alaintolhurst.bsky.social
politicshome.com
Starmer Loyalists Keep Their Heads Down At Calm Party Conference
Party conferences are often a forum for rows and plotting, but Labour's event in Liverpool passed by with barely a whiff of rancour, as allies of K...
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PoliticsHome @politicshome.bsky.social · 21h
🌹OUT NOW: The Rundown podcast at Labour conference 🌹 Listen to host @alaintolhurst.bsky.social's conversation with Defra Secretary @angelaeagle1.bsky.social in Liverpool, plus @adampayne26.bsky.social & @siennarodgers.bsky.social react to Andy Burnham's speech podfollow.com/politicshome...
podfollow.com
The Rundown by PoliticsHome
Our weekly podcast from PoliticsHome discussing all the ups and downs in Westminster. Please subscribe and share - and keep up with all the latest news on PoliticsHome.com. Got a question for the team...
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Alain Tolhurst @alaintolhurst.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
🚨 New podcast: LIVE from Labour’s party conference in Liverpool 🚨 Featuring a newsy interview with Defra secretary @angelaeagle1.bsky.social and top analysis of Andy Burnham’s big speech by @siennarodgers.bsky.social and @adampayne26.bsky.social 🎧 Listen here:
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The Rundown by PoliticsHome: Angela Eagle live at Labour Party conference
This week The Rundown is coming live from Liverpool, where the team have been at the Labour party conference, Andy Burnham’s first since he took over as leader of the party.Later in the episode i...
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sleepynaut @grovewalker.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
photo of werner herzog with a speech bubble added so that it looks like he is saying the quoted post
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ArtButMakeItSports @artbutmakeitsports.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Circus Performers, by Walt Kuhn, 1978, 📸 via @marisakabas.bsky.social
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Alain Tolhurst @alaintolhurst.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Best sign outside Labour conference by far
A man holding a sign outside Labour’s party conference in Liverpool reading ‘pedestrianise the M6’
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Anna Merlan @annamerlan.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
NEW: I came across a bookseller who was afraid that a mysterious company trying to buy some of his rarest books was going to use them to train AI models. I went down the rabbithole with him, and was confused and altogether existentially weirded out by what I found www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
motherjones.com
A bookseller confronts a mysterious company hunting his rarest books
Was a Kentucky retailer targeted by a destructive AI "predator"?
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The Guardian @theguardian.com · 26/09/2026
Alberta’s self-image as world’s only rat-free region shattered by discovery of rat
theguardian.com
Alberta’s self-image as world’s only rat-free region shattered by discovery of rat
Province’s rat patrol called in to investigate as town of Bowden announces discovery of dead vermin
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Alain Tolhurst @alaintolhurst.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Hugh Corcoran decided The Yellow Bittern would only accept reservations via postcard or on the phone two years ago - would be very funny if he becomes some sort of trailblazer www.instagram.com/p/C_5J_UsIpm...
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Jason Koebler @jasonkoebler.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Josh please subscribe to my website you might learn something
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John Oxley @joxley.jmoxley.co.uk · 25/09/2026
Think it shows both the confused position of the govt and the relative powers of new/old media that the PM won't speak to The Sun but still uses the CSAM & disinformation app owned by the guy who advocates for the overthrow of the government.
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PoliticsHome @politicshome.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
🚨 OUT NOW 🚨 @alaintolhurst.bsky.social speaks to former Conservative veterans minister Johnny Mercer about his time in politics, and what he sees as the broken system at the heart of it pod.fo/e/65269c
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The Guardian @theguardian.com · 25/09/2026
‘Everyone can relate to pain and struggle. So I’m sharing mine’: Michael Kiwanuka on life after his devastating stroke
theguardian.com
‘Everyone can relate to pain and struggle. So I’m sharing mine’: Michael Kiwanuka on life after his devastating stroke
The Mercury prize winner hasn’t been able to go home since falling ill last summer. In his only interview, he opens up about the ‘poignancy’ of finally releasing the new album his stroke shelved
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The Onion @theonion.com · 22/09/2026
Everyone In 200-Member Media Softball League Unemployed
Everyone In 200-Member Media Softball League Unemployed
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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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PoliticsHome @politicshome.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
🚨 OUT NOW 🚨 How to deal with big money in politics 💰 MP @stellacreasy.bsky.social, campaigner Olly Buston and journalist @petergeoghegan.bsky.social join @alaintolhurst.bsky.social to discuss whether Reform's mega-donations will lead to changes in how British politics is funded 🎧 pod.fo/e/6271c5
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Alain Tolhurst @alaintolhurst.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
🚨 New PolHome pod 🚨 After two record-breaking donations to Reform, how do we deal with big money in politics? I spoke to @stellacreasy.bsky.social, @petergeoghegan.bsky.social and @ollybuston.bsky.social about why a cap on donors is needed to help protect our democracy 🎧 here:
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The Rundown by PoliticsHome: How to deal with big money in politics
After a pair of record-breaking donations to Reform UK, host Alain Tolhurst looks at the role of big money in politics, the influence it can bring, why campaigners want to see caps on the amount pe...
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John Oxley @joxley.jmoxley.co.uk · 18/09/2026
What on earth is happening?
  This had become the new normal. RNLI crew members had been forced to take their permits off their cars after their tyres have been repeatedly slashed. Most of them have been pilloried at the school gates or turned away from local pubs. One man who worked in search and rescue had been beaten unconscious and hospitalised, recognised for TV interviews he had done.
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Sienna Rodgers @siennarodgers.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Exclusive: Unison general secretary Andrea Egan has accused Shabana Mahmood of putting up a “wall of silence” by refusing to meet with the union over its immigration reform concerns: www.politicshome.com/news/article...
politicshome.com
Unison Head Hits Out At “Wall Of Silence” From Shabana Mahmood Over Immigration Changes
Exclusive: Unison general secretary Andrea Egan has accused Shabana Mahmood of putting up a “wall of silence” by refusing to meet with the union ra...
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PoliticsHome @politicshome.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
🚨 OUT NOW 🚨 🪴 Ahead of Green Party conference, The Rundown is joined by @nataliegreenpeer.bsky.social, @russellwarfield.bsky.social, @moreincommonuk.bsky.social’s Louis O'Geran & @zoecrowther.bsky.social to discuss the party's future & Zack Polanski's chances of becoming an MP 🎧 pod.fo/e/5fb012
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Stephen Bush @stephenkb.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
"It is hard not to draw the conclusion that the police and Home Office seem to be incapable of an appropriate response to the threat of far-right activity and violence."
nicklowles.substack.com
Did Kent Police ignore a 999 call?
Contrary to their public statement, HOPE not hate can exclusively reveal that Kent Police were tipped off about the Patriot Platform mobilisation – and seemingly did not act on the information.
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Zoë Crowther @zoecrowther.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Business reps told @politicshome.bsky.social they were "unimpressed" with Reform's engagement at conference One business source complained that it was a "shitshow", while another said: "If that's how they run a conference day for business, I don't know how they're going to run an entire country."
politicshome.com
Business Leaders Left Disappointed By Reform UK Conference After “Disaster” Dinner And Donations Row
Business leaders and stakeholders have told PoliticsHome that they have been left frustrated by Reform UK's annual party conference in Birmingham.
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Tim Bale @timbale.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
My latest for @politicshome.bsky.social
politicshome.com
A bunch of narcissistic, psychopathic, Machiavellians? Britain's party members and their leaders
In 1964, Fact magazine sent a survey to over 12,000 American psychiatrists, asking them whether they believed that the ultra-conservative Republica...
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PoliticsHome @politicshome.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
👔🚨 OUT NOW 🚨🚄 As Parliament returns & conference season begins, Rundown host @alaintolhurst.bsky.social is joined by PolHome Editor @adampayne26.bsky.social, House mag Deputy Editor @siennarodgers.bsky.social and Lib Dem MP Joshua Reynolds to look at the weeks ahead podfollow.com/politicshome...
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Rachel Blake MP @rachelblakemp.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Check out my piece in Politics Home, where i talk of the need to steer away from the unworkable First-Past-The-Post system: www.politicshome.com/opinion/arti...
politicshome.com
The time has come for electoral reform
“PR’s time has definitely come – because I think the world we are in now demands a new politics. It demands a new approach.” That was Andy Burnham ...
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Peter Geoghegan @petergeoghegan.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
“Reform.... present themselves as the anti-establishment insurgents, but banning independent journalists like me from party conference isn’t anti-establishment. It’s the establishment playbook.” Am taking being barred from Reform conference as badge of honour! www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
theguardian.com
Reform UK bans three journalists who have investigated party from its conference
Guardian City editor Anna Isaac, investigative reporter Peter Geoghegan and broadcaster Michael Crick refused entry
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Jessica Elgot @jessicaelgot.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Reform UK has banned some journalists from its annual conference who have reported critically on the party and Nigel Farage. It includes the Guardian’s City editor, Anna Isaac, who uncovered the £5m gift. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
theguardian.com
Reform UK bans three journalists from its conference after critical reporting
Guardian City editor Anna Isaac among those who had credentials to cover event declined
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PoliticsHome @politicshome.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Keir Starmer has announced that he is standing down as an MP The former PM told his local newspaper it was the “right time” to leave the House of Commons, adding that he plans to take up work in international affairs
politicshome.com
Keir Starmer Standing Down As MP To Work In International Affairs
Keir Starmer is standing down as Labour MP for Holborn and St Pancras, after having resigned as prime minister in June.
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Jim Waterson @jim.londoncentric.media · 30/08/2026
Trying to make local journalism works as a business is hard. That's why I'm proud to announce that London Centric is diversifying into the capital's ice cream trade. www.londoncentric.media/p/ice-cream-...
londoncentric.media
Intimidation, illegality and Mr Whippy: We join London’s ice cream wars
London Centric enters the ice cream trade • The capital’s soft serve vendors act like they can ignore the law • It turns out they probably can
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Samantha Niblett MP @samanthaniblett.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
Great to chat to @alaintolhurst.bsky.social & @zoecrowther.bsky.social Have a listen here and let me know what you think. ➡️ www.politicshome.com/news/article... Or your preferred streamer platform, mine is here: ➡️ open.spotify.com/episode/0bsI... #LifeLongSexEducation #SexEducation
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PoliticsHome @politicshome.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
🚨 OUT NOW 🚨 Labour MP @samanthaniblett.bsky.social speaks to @zoecrowther.bsky.social and @alaintolhurst.bsky.social about her ‘summer of sex’ campaign, the backlash she's faced, and the importance of moral ambition in politics 🎧https://pod.fo/e/58cd0f
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Alain Tolhurst @alaintolhurst.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, The Great Kingdom of Northern Britain and United Ireland, The Kongdom of Nerthen Grate Airland and Oonited Brittern…
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PoliticsHome @politicshome.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
🚨 OUT NOW 🚨 Michelin-starred chef and hospitality campaigner Chef Tom Kerridge speaks to @alaintolhurst.bsky.social about his fight to convince the government to reduce VAT in his sector & why hospitality needs help from Andy Burnham 🎧https://pod.fo/e/562ba7
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Jason Koebler @jasonkoebler.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Exclusive: A rare bookseller suspected his books were being bought by AI companies. He stuck an AirTag in a book and we tracked it to a secretive Amazon facility in Las Vegas where they scan and destroy books called VGT3: www.404media.co/we-tracked-a...
404media.co
We Tracked a Shipment of Rare Books. It Ended at an Amazon AI Training Facility
We placed a tracking device in a shipment of rare books to see which AI company was buying it, and found an Amazon facility where Amazon scans and destroys books.
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PoliticsHome @politicshome.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
🚨 OUT NOW 🚨 Former Conservative Cabinet Minister Sir David Lidington speaks to @adampayne26.bsky.social about the state of the Tory party + He explains why the Tories should pledge to scrap the triple lock on pensions and build more new homes 🎧Listen now: pod.fo/e/542145
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Alain Tolhurst @alaintolhurst.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
Come for a great chat about how government is still being cowed by big tech on online safety, stay for a discussion on where ‘dick pics’ fall in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs
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PoliticsHome @politicshome.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
🚨 OUT NOW 🚨 Jess Phillips on trying to make the internet safer 👩 Former safeguarding minister @jessphillipsmp.bsky.social joins @alaintolhurst.bsky.social to discuss the government's battle with big tech to make the internet safer for women and children 🎧 Listen now: pod.fo/e/50fbe2
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PoliticsHome @politicshome.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
🚨 OUT NOW 🚨 Baroness Smith: Youngest peer on trying to abolish the Lords 🗣️ Plaid Cymru peer and former carer @carmensmith.bsky.social joins @alaintolhurst.bsky.social to discuss her fight for constitutional reform and the new PM's pledge to fix the social care system 🎧 Listen now: pod.fo/e/4de3aa
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Sienna Rodgers @siennarodgers.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
NEW: Lord Glasman Wrote A Song For The Exiled Crown Prince Of Iran And Played It To Him: www.politicshome.com/news/article...
politicshome.com
Lord Glasman Wrote A Song For The Exiled Crown Prince Of Iran And Played It To Him
Exclusive: Labour peer Maurice Glasman wrote and recorded a song dedicated to Reza Pahlavi, the son of the last Shah of Iran, in support of his exi...
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PoliticsHome @politicshome.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
🚨 OUT NOW 🚨 Burnham's first week @adampayne26.bsky.social, @siennarodgers.bsky.social & @alaintolhurst.bsky.social take a look at Andy Burnham’s first week in No 10 Plus Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride discusses new Chancellor John Healey & how the Tories plan to take on Reform 🎧: pod.fo/e/4a15f4
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PoliticsHome @politicshome.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
🚨 OUT NOW 🚨 What will Andy Burnham's first hours in Downing St be like? @alaintolhurst.bsky.social brings together former policy directors and press advisers to discuss what Burnham and his team can expect as soon as they step through that famous black door 🎧: pod.fo/e/44ccc6
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Cormac Kehoe @coramazov.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
My investigation into the network that pioneered the "dodgy shop" model just landed. I trace the group’s mid-2000s takeover of the West End souvenir trade, their expansion across the UK, and follow the money used to fuel it all the way to the badlands of Afghanistan the-fence.com/article/grav...
the-fence.com
The Graveyard of Empires
Cormac Kehoe went shopping for a souvenir.
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Alain Tolhurst @alaintolhurst.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
I would just gently add that, speaking from experience, it also requires *both* partners to pay attention to said joint calendar for it to work…
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Alain Tolhurst @alaintolhurst.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
Hiddleston must be gutted
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Alain Tolhurst @alaintolhurst.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
Very redolent of the totally sane responses from Ukip supporters when Al Murray ran as the Pub Landlord against Farage in 2015
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PoliticsHome @politicshome.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
🚨 OUT NOW 🚨 What Happens Inside No 10 After A PM Resigns? @alaintolhurst.bsky.social speaks with former Downing St press secretary Paul Harrison, former deputy chief of staff to David Cameron Baroness Fall, and No 10 director of comms for Boris Johnson Guto Harri 🎧: pod.fo/e/446607
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slate @pleasebegneiss.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
villain: we’re not so different, you and i hero: we’re literally the opposite. i’m good and you’re bad villain: wait no im the… now hold on hero: villain: i’m gonna throw up
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PoliticsHome @politicshome.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
🚨 OUT NOW 🚨 What's the nation's mood as Burnham takes over? 🌹 MPs @tonia-antoniazzi.bsky.social & @sarahhall-labour.bsky.social & Thinks Insight's @benshimshon.bsky.social join @alaintolhurst.bsky.social & @adampayne26.bsky.social to discuss how Brits feel about their country 🎧: pod.fo/e/44053d
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Matilda Martin @matildamartin.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
A curious tale from yours truly & @bengartside.bsky.social Tens of thousands have joined pro-Restore Britain FB groups being run by people who appear to be based in Pakistan & Bangladesh Some of these groups are later turned into vessels for selling firesticks, download codes & tech support
politicshome.com
Thousands Join Pro-Restore Britain Facebook Groups Run From Pakistan And Bangladesh
Tens of thousands have joined pro-Restore Britain Facebook groups being run by people who appear to be based in Pakistan and Bangladesh, an investi...
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