Sign in

Alain Tolhurst

@alaintolhurst.bsky.social
21K followers 400 following 353 posts

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

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by Alain Tolhurst
London Review of Books @lrb.co.uk · 10/10/2026
‘In fixating on the threat of “foreign” money, Labour has implicitly accepted that plutocrats can buy politics, so long as they are on the electoral roll.’ @petergeoghegan.bsky.social on party fundraising. www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
lrb.co.uk
Peter Geoghegan · Short Cuts: Funding Reform
British politics has long been complacent about the power of big money. The relatively low price of access to...
34222
Alain Tolhurst @alaintolhurst.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
Just to pick at random, say, 3 villages that are within 10 miles of where the Guardian’s offices in Manchester used to be. Not to mention Wilmslow, Prestbury, Handforth, Hale Barns, Knutsford, Altrincham etc
060
Alain Tolhurst @alaintolhurst.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
Today’s pod pick in @politico.eu Playbook is our chat with London mayoral hopeful Festus Akinbusoye at Tory conference - listen here: pod.fo/e/6953c0
010
Alain Tolhurst @alaintolhurst.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
I enjoyed this very much
020
Reposted by Alain Tolhurst
PoliticsHome @politicshome.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
🔵 OUT NOW 🔵: London mayoral hopeful Festus Akinbusoye joins PolHome's @alaintolhurst.bsky.social & Harriet Symonds for a live recording of The Rundown podcast at Conservative Party conference + Editor @adampayne26.bsky.social reacts to Kemi Badenoch's speech pod.fo/e/6953c0
pod.fo
The Rundown by PoliticsHome: Festus Akinbusoye live from Conservative Party conference
This week The Rundown is coming from Birmingham as the PoliticsHome team tick off the final conference of the season at the Conservative Party’s annual gathering.Later in the episode host Alain T...
002
Alain Tolhurst @alaintolhurst.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
🚨 Tory conference podcast is out now: London mayoral hopeful Festus Akinbusoye speaks about his campaign to replace Sadiq Khan And myself and @adampayne26.bsky.social analyse today’s keynote speech by Kemi Badenoch in Birmingham 🎧 here: pod.fo/e/6953c0
pod.fo
The Rundown by PoliticsHome: Festus Akinbusoye live from Conservative Party conference
This week The Rundown is coming from Birmingham as the PoliticsHome team tick off the final conference of the season at the Conservative Party’s annual gathering.Later in the episode host Alain T...
001
Alain Tolhurst @alaintolhurst.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Just met the darling of Tory conference - party chairman Kevin Hollinrake’s black labrador zuzu - absolute 10/10 doggo
330
Reposted by Alain Tolhurst
Liam Kirkaldy @liamkirkaldy.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
"It's more of a cormorant than a question", I say, with a wry smile, as my pet cormorant repeatedly dive bombs the panel, pecking at their eyes
215338
Alain Tolhurst @alaintolhurst.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Asked what he makes of his new opposite number Alex Norris, shadow justice secretary tells a fringe at Tory party conference that it’s like “punching a shadow”, adding: “What is he?”
100
Reposted by Alain Tolhurst
Matilda Martin @matildamartin.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Green Party figures are wrestling with a question: how can they demonstrate economic credibility while maintaining their radical edge? “there's still this perception that the Green Party are going to protect Britain with healing herbs and herbal tea”
politicshome.com
The Greens Look To Get Serious On The Economy
Green Party figures are wrestling with a question: how can they demonstrate economic credibility while maintaining their radical edge?
323
Reposted by Alain Tolhurst
PoliticsHome @politicshome.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
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...
042
Reposted by Alain Tolhurst
PoliticsHome @politicshome.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
🌹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...
002
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:
pod.fo
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...
001
Reposted by Alain Tolhurst
gravewalker @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
2877941899
Reposted by Alain Tolhurst
ArtButMakeItSports @artbutmakeitsports.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Circus Performers, by Walt Kuhn, 1978, 📸 via @marisakabas.bsky.social
178125112681
Alain Tolhurst @alaintolhurst.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Are you asking me? You know it’s not my sign right?
101
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’
3182
Reposted by Alain Tolhurst
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"?
17886390
Reposted by Alain Tolhurst
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
1091094233
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...
140
Reposted by Alain Tolhurst
Jason Koebler @jasonkoebler.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Josh please subscribe to my website you might learn something
314419
Reposted by Alain Tolhurst
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.
828583
Reposted by Alain Tolhurst
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
211
Reposted by Alain Tolhurst
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
419353
Reposted by Alain Tolhurst
The Onion @theonion.com · 22/09/2026
Everyone In 200-Member Media Softball League Unemployed
Everyone In 200-Member Media Softball League Unemployed
760346
Reposted by Alain Tolhurst
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!
013
Reposted by Alain Tolhurst
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
124
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:
pod.fo
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...
011
Reposted by Alain Tolhurst
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.
23833111338
Reposted by Alain Tolhurst
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...
2187
Reposted by Alain Tolhurst
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
086
Reposted by Alain Tolhurst
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.
26710282
Reposted by Alain Tolhurst
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.
56628
Reposted by Alain Tolhurst
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...
1125
Reposted by Alain Tolhurst
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...
001
Reposted by Alain Tolhurst
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 ...
142
Reposted by Alain Tolhurst
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
24551206
Reposted by Alain Tolhurst
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
64432201
Reposted by Alain Tolhurst
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.
283
Reposted by Alain Tolhurst
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
24454128
Reposted by Alain Tolhurst
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
143
Reposted by Alain Tolhurst
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
052
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…
030
Reposted by Alain Tolhurst
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
213
Reposted by Alain Tolhurst
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.
341305681
Reposted by Alain Tolhurst
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
162
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
001
Reposted by Alain Tolhurst
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
064
Reposted by Alain Tolhurst
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
011