David Sheppard @oilsheppard.bsky.social · 30/09/2026I remember being driven once from Riyadh airport and it was utter chaos, with our driver mounting the pavement and leaning almost constantly on the horn to get through traffic. And my colleague just calmly remarked: “This is what happens when you don’t have an Esther Rantzen in society”. RIP 020
David Sheppard @oilsheppard.bsky.social · 29/09/2026Going to be hugely disappointed if the answer isn’t “don’t announce it until it’s a bit icy outside”. 021
David Sheppard @oilsheppard.bsky.social · 27/09/2026Pensions minister Torsten Bell not letting his beef with Jim Ratcliffe go, telling a fringe event at Labour’s conference: “I'll tell you what if I was if I was running Manchester United, I wouldn't be talking about anybody else being on the slide.” 073
David Sheppard @oilsheppard.bsky.social · 24/09/2026The US supplies about a third of the UK’s diesel exports. Despite this, the PM did not raise the issue of a potential diesel export ban with Trump when they had their first meeting in NYC on Tuesday, according to people familiar with the matter. ft.com/content/68173e… via @ftft.com 110
David Sheppard @oilsheppard.bsky.social · 24/09/2026Reform UK says it would halve size of civil service in radical overhaul www.ft.com/content/199d... via @ftft.comReform UK says it would halve size of civil service in radical overhaulRightwing anti-immigration party is warning mandarins that they are prepared to counter any ‘sabotage or resistance’ 000
David Sheppard @oilsheppard.bsky.social · 17/09/2026Reform UK’s mega-donor backed a friend’s libel claim. Now he controls her home www.ft.com/content/21aa... via @ft Me with @bondhack.ft.comft.comReform UK’s mega-donor backed a friend’s libel claim. Now he controls her homeCrypto billionaire Ben Delo loaned more than £300,000 to former academic Nina Power 182
Reposted by David SheppardLucy Fisher @lucyfisher.ft.com · 05/09/2026Plus, @georgewparker.bsky.social and Sam Fleming joined the pod fresh from their interview with Chx John Healey 061
Reposted by David SheppardLucy Fisher @lucyfisher.ft.com · 05/09/2026This ‘back to school week’ in Westminster has been so busy we’ve had to record *two* episodes of Political Fix! In the latest, we discuss Reform battling scandal - again - with @oilsheppard.bsky.social, who brought us the latest from their conference in B’ham open.spotify.com/episode/7M0Z...open.spotify.comReform in hot water … againPolitical Fix · Episode 281
David Sheppard @oilsheppard.bsky.social · 02/09/2026The Restore Britain backer who once gave money to the Lib Dems, and who never wants to be viewed as a "psycopath or a bully" ft.com/content/3d25... via @alphaville.ft.com Me with @rachel-rees.bsky.socialft.comThe Restore Britain backer who once gave money to the Lib DemsEntrepreneur Simon Galbraith’s gift to the far-right party has startled the tech start-up scene, with some saying it risks a ‘reverse Midas touch’ 362
David Sheppard @oilsheppard.bsky.social · 22/07/2026If you like arguing about Oxbridge, class, regionalism and alleged politically convenient truthiness - and your presence on this website suggests you probably do - then read on. as.ft.com/r/58f0f3fa-f... @rachel-rees.bsky.socialas.ft.comUK education secretary accused of misleading claim about Oxford entryFormer Xaverian College pupils say Lucy Powell was not the ‘only one’ in her year to attend elite university 052
Reposted by David SheppardRachel Cunliffe @rmcunliffe.bsky.social · 07/07/2026Jeremy Clarkson now has the chance to do the funniest thing... 213223
Reposted by David SheppardPatrick Osgood @patrickosgood.bsky.social · 18/06/2026He signed it in Versailles? 2279
David Sheppard @oilsheppard.bsky.social · 10/06/2026The Wapo algo has created the most Bluesky of stories 2508
David Sheppard @oilsheppard.bsky.social · 12/05/2026Is there really a credible route for Andy Burnham? I can see a farcical route back - which I wouldn't rule out Labour embracing. But a credible one? Not so much. 140
David Sheppard @oilsheppard.bsky.social · 25/04/2026One of the saddest post-pandemic/inflation surge/general malaise trends we’re still living through is the number of London restaurants no longer doing the free bread thing 001
David Sheppard @oilsheppard.bsky.social · 24/04/2026FORE! A Russian businessman looked at buying a Lake District golf course that sits next to the rail line serving the UK's shipyard where the nuclear-power Aukus attacks submarines will be built. Then the FT started asking questions... www.ft.com/content/19a3...ft.comRussian oilman tried to buy land on railway to British nuclear sitePurchase of Lake District golf course collapsed this week after government officials and the FT raised questions over strategic location 45534
David Sheppard @oilsheppard.bsky.social · 23/04/2026Won 21, drawn 7, lost 5 Hearts, Man City and Arsenal all with near identical results in their respective leagues this season, but only two sets of fans feeling kinda cursed right now 110
Reposted by David SheppardHenry Foy @henryjfoy.ft.com · 01/04/2026💥 Trump threatened to stop supplying weapons to Ukraine in order to pressure European Nato allies to join a “coalition of the willing” to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Nato’s Rutte warned capitals Trump was “rather hysterical” about their refusal w @lauramdubois.ft.com as.ft.com/r/d508debe-f...as.ft.comTrump threatened to stop weapons for Ukraine unless Europe joined Hormuz coalition[FREE TO READ] Nato’s top official urged key alliance members to offer help to US to reopen key waterway 73719
David Sheppard @oilsheppard.bsky.social · 30/03/2026US defence secretary Pete Hegseth’s broker looked to buy a BlackRock defence fund before Iran attack The inquiry on behalf of the high-profile potential client was flagged internally at BlackRock, according to three people familiar with the matter www.ft.com/content/744e...ft.comPete Hegseth’s broker looked to buy defence fund before Iran attackMorgan Stanley wealth manager approached BlackRock about multimillion-dollar investment on behalf of US defence secretary 021
David Sheppard @oilsheppard.bsky.social · 15/03/2026Trump tells @edwardluce.bsky.social Nato faces a ‘very bad future’ if they don’t assist the US in Iran www.ft.com/content/1ca6...ft.comDonald Trump warns Nato faces ‘very bad future’ if allies fail to help US in IranUS president tells the FT in an interview that China summit could be delayed 221
Reposted by David SheppardJamie Smyth @jamiesmythft.bsky.social · 12/03/2026US intervention in oil futures would be a ‘biblical disaster’, CME chief Terry Duffy warns, amid speculation the Trump administration was considering the option as.ft.com/r/8cde746a-4... @financialtimes.comas.ft.comUS intervention in oil futures would be ‘biblical disaster’, CME warns[FREE TO READ] Terry Duffy says any attempt by the government to lower prices using derivatives market would erode confidence 132
David Sheppard @oilsheppard.bsky.social · 09/03/2026I have no view on this beyond finding grown men saying they’re “excited” strangely nauseating. 030
David Sheppard @oilsheppard.bsky.social · 09/03/2026Oil just hit Mum and Dad seen dancing together in the kitchen. She’s glowing. He’s smiling for the first time in years. Kids confused. 120
David Sheppard @oilsheppard.bsky.social · 09/03/2026The oil market thinks Trump just TACO’d (I’m less convinced, but let’s see) A $30 price swing in a day, helped by expectations of a big strategic oil stock release. Such larks. Oil tumbles to $90 as Trump says Iran war is ‘very complete’ www.ft.com/content/56dd... via @ftft.comMiddle East war live: Oil tumbles to $90 as Trump says Iran war is ‘very complete’Brent benchmark had exceeded $119 in early action 111
David Sheppard @oilsheppard.bsky.social · 09/03/2026For those who go to bed at a normal hour rather than watching Armageddon/a normal economic reaction to scarcity 062
David Sheppard @oilsheppard.bsky.social · 08/03/2026At the risk of boring everyone,a little context. $100 oil in isolation isn’t that bad. It averaged around that level from 2011-2014 without severe economic ramifications*. It’s the pace of the rise that has people spooked. And not knowing where it might stop. 19434115
David Sheppard @oilsheppard.bsky.social · 08/03/2026Oil just hit Dad’s bought a convertible without telling Mum shortly after the open 1849
Reposted by David SheppardBBC Sport {bot} @bbcsport.xmirror.bot · 07/03/2026"He always goes for the hug but she's sticking with the formalities!" 😅 A nice moment between Princess Anne and Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu 🤗 24615
Reposted by David SheppardRob Ford @robfordmancs.bsky.social · 03/03/2026Radical parties of the right and left in top two slots. Legacy parties getting only a third of the vote between them. A whole new world. 2213031
Reposted by David SheppardFinancial Times @financialtimes.com · 28/02/2026American military assets in the region and Gulf oil supplies are vulnerable to retaliation and Israel is a renewed target. Read the FT's military briefing here: ft.trib.al/sJzNxc2 54620
Reposted by David SheppardChris Cook @chriscook.news · 20/02/2026one of the world's largest smuggling networks has accidentally exposed itself because of a stupid e-mail configuration blunder, which has revealed around 50 apparently unconnected companies are all sharing back-office functions: www.ft.com/content/4310...ft.comEmail blunder exposes $90bn Russian oil smuggling ringApparent network of companies using same server includes little-known group that has become country’s largest oil exporter 5223103
David Sheppard @oilsheppard.bsky.social · 09/02/2026Shabana Mahmood, Lisa Nandy and Wes Streeting (and dark horse contender Armed Forces Minister Al Carns, who's not in cabinet) have now all also Tweeted or voiced support for Starmer. He's got a full house for the moment. Now to see if they all really mean it... 182
David Sheppard @oilsheppard.bsky.social · 09/02/2026Only three cabinet ministers have not Tweeted or put out a message of support for Starmer: Wes Streeting Shabana Mahmood Lisa Nandy (who is at the Winter Olympics) This could of course change, but it's where we're at just before 3:30pm 122910
David Sheppard @oilsheppard.bsky.social · 06/02/2026How Epstein propelled investment career of UK power broker Ian Osborne, a onetime PR man and adviser to David Cameron Epstein guided him in setting up Hedosophia (now one of UK’s most important start-up backers) and even appointed him to one of his own investment vehicles www.ft.com/content/8b04...ft.comEpstein propelled investment career of UK power broker Ian OsborneConvicted sex offender helped establish tech fund Hedosophia after Osborne offered to help clean up Epstein’s image 33832
Reposted by David SheppardLucy Fisher @lucyfisher.ft.com · 06/02/2026EXC: US State dept is set to fund Maga-aligned think-tanks and charities in UK/ Europe to amplify Washington’s policy stances and challenge perceived threats to free speech W/ @annasophiegross.bsky.social, @oilsheppard.bsky.social & Amy McKinnon as.ft.com/r/98452b33-5...as.ft.comUS government to fund Maga-aligned think-tanks and charities in Europe[FREE TO READ] State department grants to spread ‘American values’ are part of Washington’s 250th anniversary celebrations 32628
David Sheppard @oilsheppard.bsky.social · 02/02/2026If Trump has actually convinced India to stop buying Russian oil it’s potentially a very big deal. India was buying ~40% of Russian export volumes, and now the only remaining buyer of any significance is China. And Beijing just got huge pricing power and leverage www.ft.com/content/72f1...ft.comTrump says US to cut India tariffs after Modi agrees halt to Russian oil importsPresident claims New Delhi will buy more than $500bn of American goods 100
David Sheppard @oilsheppard.bsky.social · 31/01/2026Is this the end of Epstein’s “best pal”? www.ft.com/content/608a... @pickardje.bsky.socialft.comHow Peter Mandelson’s Jeffrey Epstein links were exposedDocuments disclosed on Friday revealed payments from disgraced financier to former power broker’s husband 021
Reposted by David SheppardLucy Fisher @lucyfisher.ft.com · 26/01/2026EXC: The multibillion-pound contract to build ‘Skynet 6’ next-gen military satellites is shaping up as key flashpoint in UK govt, as Trump’s threats to western allies are fuelling concern about London’s reliance on Washington for defence giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...giftarticle.ft.comTrump threats fuel concern over UK reliance on US defence and military satellitesContest between Airbus and Lockheed Martin to supply SkyNet 6 programme has become lightning rod for Whitehall debate 32816
Reposted by David SheppardSoumaya Keynes @soumayakeynes.ft.com · 10/01/2026FT journos starter pack… go.bsky.app/FuqnwdD 14722
Reposted by David SheppardTony Tassell @tonytassell.bsky.social · 05/01/2026Just a few more days left to apply for the Paul McLean graduate trainee programme at the FT. This is an amazing opportunity for any aspiring journalist job-boards.greenhouse.io/financialtim...job-boards.greenhouse.ioPaul McClean Graduate TraineeLondon 01436
Reposted by David SheppardJames Barr @jamesbarr.bsky.social · 03/01/2026It is, for once, all about oil. 5297
David Sheppard @oilsheppard.bsky.social · 20/12/2025Cracking piece by Miles Johnson www.ft.com/content/d7f9...ft.comInside the secret supply chain fuelling America’s warsAnd what Will Somerindyke’s company, Regulus Global, means for the future of conflict 151
Reposted by David SheppardHetan Shah @hetanshah.bsky.social · 20/12/2025This could be messy. The state owned UK Atomic Energy Authority is in a joint venture with the organisation merging with Trump Media & Technology Group www.ft.com/content/1e05... @pickardje.bsky.social @oilsheppard.bsky.socialft.comTrump family deal with fusion energy firm adds to complicated UK-US tiesTAE Technologies has already agreed joint venture with UK government’s atomic laboratory 0118
Reposted by David SheppardMatthew Palmer @so3brocktree.bsky.social · 17/12/2025Shock. While No.10 quibbles, the threat grows and our ability to combat it remains diminished. But defence is apparently a 'top priority' for government....ft.comDefence spending plan delayed over Starmer concernsNew national armaments director insists the paper is in its ‘final stages’ 1138
David Sheppard @oilsheppard.bsky.social · 11/12/2025UK bankers warn on plan to use Russian assets for loans to Ukraine www.ft.com/content/7e90... via @ftft.comUK bankers warn on plan to use Russian assets for loans to UkraineLenders concerned they could be at significant risk of potential lawsuits from Moscow 000
Reposted by David SheppardFinancial Times @financialtimes.com · 05/12/2025Just in: A new US national security strategy is calling for 'cultivating resistance' in Europe, warning that the continent is subverting democracy, blocking peace in Ukraine and facing 'civilisational erasure' from high migration and falling birth rates. on.ft.com/3Y7XP0G 186832
Reposted by David SheppardFinancial Times @financialtimes.com · 05/12/2025Robert Jenrick: ‘I’m unashamedly provincial in my attitudes’ on.ft.com/44Sho0Oon.ft.comRobert Jenrick: ‘I’m unashamedly provincial in my attitudes’The UK shadow justice secretary on embracing populism, his political ambitions — and whether there will be an alliance with Reform 771
David Sheppard @oilsheppard.bsky.social · 03/12/2025The Guardian hates the new JPMorgan tower in NYC and has a litany of whinges. I think it looks great www.theguardian.com/artanddesign... 420
Reposted by David SheppardFinancial Times @financialtimes.com · 02/12/2025FT Exclusive: The Reform UK leader told donors he expects a deal or merger between his party and the Conservatives ahead of the next general election, suggesting he does not believe he can sweep to power alone. on.ft.com/44xlHi0 4210464
Reposted by David SheppardAlan Smith @theboysmithy.ft.com · 26/11/2025New: 'Shark's fin' chart reveals the uneven impact of 'fiscal drag', the stealth tax beloved of recent chancellors. Plus use our interactive calculator to see how fresh freezes announced by Rachel Reeves at todays Budget could affect you on.ft.com/3KqOYUL 34324