Publications

  • The PM now wants to be a top blogger

    The Prime Minister is not known for being an energiser, but he’s taken a jab at his critics.

    He’s launched his own Substack newsletter.

    It’s a novel attempt to do it in his own way, in his own time, and on his own terms.

    It’s not for the feint hearted.

    The Labour blood runs through his veins thickly. It comes out strongly in his first post, titled “Politics that makes a difference”.

    It’s a lament of the UK’s state of affairs over child poverty. It tugs at the heart on an issue his party has campaigned on a lot.

    If you know someone who likes him in office, this new blog of sorts is for them.

    Why not recommend it as a Christmas gift? It’s certainly cheaper than buying something.

    The PM can be their top new influencer just in time for the new year.

  • Founding Issues: A very Private Eye

    The publication Private Eye kicked off its run in 1961, first edited by Journalist Christopher Booker. It’s since continued to publish the UK’s most incisive journalism. It regularly picks its fights with the biggest personalities in business, politics, and popular culture.

    An example of its front covers, and inside cartoons.

    A long-running feature is the humour that rips throughout each issue, starting with its famed front covers. It’s courted controversy for its made-up quotations and cartoon-like graphics. It’s often lampooned political leaders for inconsistencies and their missteps.

    The fortnightly publication is a staple of magazine stands across the country, but it also has a website and podcast. It’s remained faithful to its heritage by keeping the print edition. It regularly sells over 200,000 copies per issue according to up-to-date figures.

  • Founding Issues: Conservative Home’s rent to pay

    The website, ConservativeHome, has a short but well-lived history so far. It’s a fledgling brand, due to its founding only in 2005 by Tim Montgomerie, now a member of Reform UK after having withdrawn his support for the Conservative Party. Yet it’s achieved a name for itself by sticking close to Party figures, and news.

    ConservativeHome website

    The online world is a vibrant and yet patchy network, if you’re interested in politics, that is. It often lacks quality, and this is where Montgomerie’s brand started to make a change. It’s succeeded to some extent, breaking news and making waves in terms of its commentary. It’s often put him on TV, which is boon for any commentator.

    The tone of public discussion is often low, and it’s seen across channels and social media profiles that try to bring down each and every government that comes along. The whole ethos behind Home has been to support what the narrative is, and question it along the way. Its regular newsletters also uphold this principle.