Paul McNamara
@PGMcNamara
Followers
21K
Following
23K
Media
2K
Statuses
12K
Senior Political Correspondent for @Channel4News; all views usually belong to someone else far cleverer and passed off as my own...
Joined April 2011
The Downing St camera knows the shot we all really want…
138
2K
47K
So what does that whopping great big majority actually look like. ?. THIS👇. Terrific illustration from @DailyMailUK of yesterday's first day in Parliament
243
1K
12K
On days like today I’m reminded of this clip. John McCain defending Barack Obama:. “No Ma’am. “He’s a decent family man & citizen that I just happen to have disagreements with on fundamental issues.”
161
859
9K
Larry @Number10cat appears less fussed by the arrival of #Ukraine’s President…
97
497
7K
I had a chat with the Prime Minister…. #Protocol.
“You must be furious with whoever signed up to a deal this bad?”. Boris Johnson wants to make reforms to the Northern Ireland Protocol, @PGMcNamara asks the prime minister why he signed it in the first place?
375
1K
6K
Insult to injury. Lorry drivers parked up on roads in Kent slapped with Parking Fines
652
2K
6K
The roof of the @SpursOfficial football ground is currently pulsating up and down in the wind!. (Turn your phone landscape and look at the suspended lighting rigs). #StormEunice
376
1K
5K
President Zelenskyy has just arrived in Downing St and greeted at the door by @Keir_Starmer
695
399
5K
Waterloo Station - the busiest station in the UK - at 7:57am on a Monday.
117
2K
5K
My word. Sir John Major has written to Sir Graham Brady:. "For the overall wellbeing of the country, Mr Johnson should not remain in Downing Street”. This is an incredible intervention from a former Conservative Prime Minister about the current one.
97
1K
4K
I’m from North London, just like @DavidLammy. My family are immigrants, just like David Lammy (albeit mine from Ireland). Yet people never jump to “you’re not even English” with me, unlike with David Lammy (and many other BAME Brits). I wonder what the difference could be. ?!.
Born in Archway. Lived here all my life. Yes Mr Adams I’m as English as you.
81
784
4K
How much does the travel industry need today’s #quarantine announcement. ?. I’m at Gatwick. This is a robin.
88
271
3K
Just been sent this by a Conservative MP…👀. “This post has been deleted”
72
1K
3K
Ooof - that didn’t take long…. Two @Conservatives backbenchers telling me “on principle” @RishiSunak should resign as this is his second fixed penalty notice.
#Breaking Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has been issued with a “conditional offer of fixed penalty” by Lancashire Constabulary for failing to wear a seatbelt while filming a social media clip in the back of a moving car
177
726
3K
Of all the tributes I’ve seen to Keith Flint today, this is probably the nicest (and most unexpected).
18
509
2K
A poll to chill the bones of any holidaying Conservative MP. 11,000 voters asked by @findoutnowuk & @electcalculus how they would vote were an election imminent. Result: #Labour landslide
New polling - given exclusively to Channel 4 News - shows a Labour landslide victory with around 460 seats and the Conservatives reduced to 90 seats - if there were an imminent general election. Poll by @FindoutnowUK and @ElectCalculus. @PGMcNamara has more details.
217
633
2K
Resident dishing out sandwiches to emergency services crews at #GrenfellTower - tiny bit of light at this bleak, bleak scene
18
1K
2K
🚨OOOFT. Red Wall Tory MP texts re @RicHolden:. “The snake has been found slithering around Westminster yet again, rather than being a leading voice up & down the country. “The prick got what he deserved in that interview. “There are many of us praying for his downfall on July 4”.
“Was this a stitch up to make sure that you got a safe seat?” “No.”. EXCL: @PGMcNamara presses Chairman of the Conservative party Richard Holden as he tells @Channel4News he’s been agreed as the only Tory candidate for Basildon and Billericay.
38
619
2K
Got the new Business Secretary @jreynoldsMP to check sound levels by giving me his job title. "It's quite unusual and hard not to say 'Shadow' to be honest!"
15
114
2K
He’s as nice a chap to work with as you think/hope he would be. Cheers Jon 🥂.
"It's been the greatest privilege of my life to bring you the news.". @jonsnowC4 signs off from Channel 4 News for the very last time after presenting the programme for 32 years.
46
109
2K
🎄#TIER4 TWITTER TIP⛄️. If you’ve already bought loads of food, and your circumstances allow:. Google your local food bank.
21
619
2K
Anger. So much anger from Tory MPs fighting for their careers tonight. Many of them are NOT happy about this interview and its timing. .
NEW: As revealed on @itvnews at 10, @PaulBrandITV confirms this interview was filmed this afternoon. Rishi Sunak flew back to London from D-Day commemorations early, missing the main event with world leaders. The Conservatives suggested today as the day to do the interview.
53
318
2K
💥💥💥. ANOTHER TORY MP TEXTS ON @RicHolden . “He appears devoid of basic morals and principles and presents an appalling image of our Party.”. Pulling no punches:. “It’s clear that Richard Holden’s position as Chairman of the Party is untenable…”
🚨OOOFT. Red Wall Tory MP texts re @RicHolden:. “The snake has been found slithering around Westminster yet again, rather than being a leading voice up & down the country. “The prick got what he deserved in that interview. “There are many of us praying for his downfall on July 4”.
60
603
1K
Soooooo. I’m now Political Correspondent for @Channel4News. all stories gratefully received. !.
328
111
1K
2 wonderfully kind Muslim ladies handing out food to the media: "If you don't report what's happening our lives won't change" #GrenfellTower
33
1K
1K
NEW. Conservative HQ have emailed asking for candidates in almost 100 seats. When candidates ask when the deadline is, they have been told it’s 48 hours, according to 2 I’ve spoken to. Some Tory associations are pretty livid at having been left in such an unprepared situation
160
496
1K
#BREAKING. @RishiSunak TO ANNOUNCE LARGEST-EVER MILITARY AID PACKAGE TO #UKRAINE ON VISIT TO POLAND. 💷£500m boost for Ukraine. 💷400 vehicles. 💷1,600 munitions . 💷4 million rounds of ammunition
48
266
1K
🚨Shamelessly self-indulgent tweet alert…. I’ve just been made Senior Political Correspondent for @Channel4News. Over the moon about a permanent home in SW1 (after years bouncing around covering pretty much every Whitehall department!). Hit me up with your stories!.
138
52
1K
PEEPS - YOU CAN BUY LOCAL. Queuing down the road outside Aldi. Next door shop is fully stocked for fruit and veg. (They had a lot more inside too).
64
268
1K
US warning shots on #NIProtocol…. 🇺🇸🇬🇧🇪🇺🇮🇪. #Brexit
Chairs @RepGregoryMeeks, @USRepKeating, @RepBlumenauer, @CongBoyle statement on the UK’s threats to suspend the Northern Ireland Protocol of the EU withdrawal agreement: .
71
548
1K
So how does Operation Yellowhammer think the poorest will be affected. ?
62
802
1K
Oooof. 📈 Inflation is 10.1%, BUT. 🍲 food inflation has hit 14.6% - THE HIGHEST IN 42 YEARS
38
797
1K
🚨Punchy from @Keir_Starmer on **that** £2,000 tax line. About the Prime Minister @RishiSunak:. “He resorted to LIES and he knew they were lies”
57
237
918
NEW. Labour sources tell me they are making more money from corporate sponsors and exhibitors at this years conference than at any time since 2007. Party says they’re a Government in waiting…it would appear big business thinks they might be too. #LabourConference
159
216
965
MISSING CHILDREN IN SOUTH LONDON. - abduction of three children from their foster home. ⁃ any info: contact police immediately on 07942 599 374. ⁃ or anyone anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting crime reference number 6143/20AUG20
1
3K
1K
Former PM @BorisJohnson has reportedly warned @RishiSunak it would be a mistake to ditch the Northern Ireland #Protocol Bill. Here’s what Mr Johnson had to say about the deal he signed when I asked him about it last year…. #NIProtocol.
“You must be furious with whoever signed up to a deal this bad?”. Boris Johnson wants to make reforms to the Northern Ireland Protocol, @PGMcNamara asks the prime minister why he signed it in the first place?
87
303
816
🚨A Cabinet Minister comments on #RichardHolden's selection in a safe seat with a 20k majority:. "He’s a tosser; it’s appalling".
“Was this a stitch up to make sure that you got a safe seat?” “No.”. EXCL: @PGMcNamara presses Chairman of the Conservative party Richard Holden as he tells @Channel4News he’s been agreed as the only Tory candidate for Basildon and Billericay.
50
261
746
Ooooft. A backbench Tory MP texts:. “Just like Liz Truss, Suella lacks the intellectual capacity to run a country.”.
51
117
686
Another Tory MP texts: “Sh*t indeed”. This result has had quite an impact on backbench morale among MPs I’m chatting to…and their morale was already pretty low. #RutherglenandHamiltonWest.
🚨MASSIVE win for Labour in the Rutherglen and Hamilton West by-election. 🔺Labour majority: 9,446. ☹️SNP majority in 2019: 5,230. ⚖️That’s a huge swing of 20.4%. 🥶Conservative vote collapsed from 15% of the vote in 2019 to 3.9%. 😱A Tory MP texts simply: “Sh*t”
71
162
663
Lesson 1 on local papers: . ALWAYS look for the local angle.
8
90
688
Yesterday we spoke to:. - Major supermarkets: said shops won't shut. - Global distributors: said NO problem with supply lines. Empty shelves are short term because of panic buyers. - A SINGLE MUM: she cannot afford to bulk buy. Panic buyers mean she can't get her bare minimum.
Never done the capital letters tweet thing before but sod it . FOOD SHOPS WILL NOT CLOSE.
25
328
645
The [let’s be polite and call it] Anti-Boris Johnson protest has reached Downing Street
65
304
620
Cannot speak highly enough of the officers we saw overnight - stern and efficient at 11pm, same officers still going at 9am #LondonBridge
15
230
622
The Queen goes to bed a widow tonight. After 73 years of marriage. Grief doesn’t care about your place in society.
13
42
583
I understand Suella Braverman’s editorial WAS sent to Number 10 prior to publication. BUT…. She was asked to make changes described as “not minor”. Those changes were not made.
🚨BREAKING. Suella Braverman’s article in The Times was NOT cleared by the Prime Minister or his team. When asked, the PM’s spokesperson said:. “No. It was not approved by Number 10.”. Big question: was it ever sent to No 10 in the first place?. Spokesperson wouldn’t go into that.
31
187
512
#BREAKING. Defence Secretary Ben Wallace confirms to me that the UK WILL be supplying #Mastiff vehicles to Ukraine. More tonight on @Channel4News at 7pm…
16
126
508
Anger flying off in all directions now. Another Tory MP texts:. “Lee’s always been a bloody liability. “The fact Rishi promoted him to Deputy Chairman tells you all you need to know about his judgment. “He gave Lee publicity and more of a platform.“I’m beyond angry right now.”.
26
200
477
Crikey. There are *A LOT* of business folk here for this Labour Conference today…each stumping up reportedly £1,000-a-head to be here…
Labour has a plan for business that will deliver growth and prosperity in every corner of Britain.
54
113
462
Apparently it’s designed like this because there are no uprights. This is the first real test it’s had….
7
19
513
#BREAKING. “Why didn’t that happen a week ago”. @KeirStarmer reacts to the Conservative Party withdrawing support for #BettingGate candidates Craig Williams or Laura Saunders at the General Election
34
136
449
Wondering who Rehman Chishti is?. Here you go. We chatted in 2018 after Jamal Khashoggi was murdered - Mr Chishti had previously earned £46,000 from a Saudi think tank while an MP. I stuck to “yes or no” questions…not many answered. Full interview:.
46
240
442
I’d argue: It came home. That song came out when I was a kid: all I’ve ever known is national footballing disappointment. Yet for a month the whole country has rejoiced, a nation truly uplifted in times anything-but-uplifting. It’s coming home? These lads already brought it home.
10
106
471
I’m from an immigrant family. No-one’s ever told me to go back where we came from. #SpotTheDifference.
"I've been told as a woman of colour to 'go home'. ".@BBCNaga shares her experience as we discuss the reaction to comments made by President Trump.
19
76
437
🚨MASSIVE win for Labour in the Rutherglen and Hamilton West by-election. 🔺Labour majority: 9,446. ☹️SNP majority in 2019: 5,230. ⚖️That’s a huge swing of 20.4%. 🥶Conservative vote collapsed from 15% of the vote in 2019 to 3.9%. 😱A Tory MP texts simply: “Sh*t”
28
93
440
Ooooft. Page 120 from #LabourManifesto - the photo @Keir_Starmer got but @RishiSunak didn’t because he left D-Day commemorations early…
“So you did give advice?”. Foreign Secretary David Cameron is asked whether he spoke to Rishi Sunak about staying at D-Day commemorations.
8
99
418
Both victims of the #LondonBridgeAttack2019 have been formally named. 25-year-old Jack Merritt and 23-year-old Saskia Jones. Both were graduates of the University of Cambridge. Their poor families. Beyond awful.
8
146
438
🚨RED WALL COMPLETELY CRUMBLES. @Channel4News & @JLPartnersPolls have been tracking the #RedWall since 2019…. For the FIRST time the polling now shows:. 🦋All 45 ‘Red Wall’ Tory seats would be lost to Labour. 🌹Labour are now MORE trusted than Conservatives on the #Economy. 🧵….
EXCLUSIVE POLL: If there was an election tomorrow, the Conservatives would lose ALL of the 45 so-called ‘red wall’ seats they won from Labour in 2019.
32
147
409
The Prime Minister has just finished addressing the CBI conference. No mention of Brexit. Brexit is kind of a big deal for business. .
18
103
386
Labour have WON Nuneaton & Bedworth Council. They’ve taken 20 of the 38 seats. Conservatives - 16.Greens - 2
1
52
354
I think @MarcusRashford is my new man-crush. 👏👏👏.
💫 @MarcusRashford during lockdown:. 👏 His charity raised £20m helping feed 400,000 children. 🤝 Launched a campaign to help the homeless. 🙌 Learned sign language to judge a poetry event in a deaf school. 🍴 Supplied 3m meals to vulnerable children in the UK. 🙏 Incredible.
7
39
370
🚨NEW COLUMN🚨. I’ve stopped spreadsheeting for two hours and:. ❌ We’ve had to add a “SACKED” column to accommodate @michaelgove;. 💥 We’re now up to 42 resignations and 1 sacking, so…. 🦋 43 in total so far flown from Government…
19
96
366
16
615
347
Nissan say Britain's biggest car plant "will not be sustainable" if there is no deal. They employ 7,000 people at their Sunderland factory. #Brexit .
102
210
318
The real star of today is @Channel4News cameraman Neil Corbett. He’s the guy that got *THAT* disposable cup footage AND ever-so-politely doorstepped @BorisJohnson. He’s too modest for The Twitter himself. but you can see him walking backwards in @bbclaurak’s report tonight.
7
59
360
The Conservatives have been in Government for 9 years. There will be some who question how wise it is for them to campaign with the hashtag: #BritainDeservesBetter.
Parliament & Jeremy Corbyn have blocked everything — we need a new Parliament so we can #GetBrexitDone and the country can #MoveOn to focus on the cost of living, NHS, clean energy, violent crime and higher pay #BritainDeservesBetter.
15
140
317
This is/was a very good interview. @DavidHarewood eloquently describing to @krishgm why the events of the last week are important. It’s not long. I’d recommend watching it.
13
127
324
👀 👀 👀 👀.All eyes on the Scottish Courts as the Prime Minister accepts he may have to ask for Brexit delay, according to documents. How do we know? Because of legal action taken by @JolyonMaugham and his team. Here’s mine & @stephidavs’ report.
10
98
315
#NEW. Labour accuse @RishiSunak of “squatting in Downing St”. @patmcfaddenmp on news there WON’T be a General Election on May 2:. "Rishi Sunak should stop squatting in Downing Street and give the country what it desperately needs – a chance for change with a Labour government.”
#BREAKING. Prime Minister @RishiSunak says there WILL NOT be a General Election on May 2. Asked by @itvwestcountry he said:. “There won’t be a general election on that day.”.
17
100
303
Ooooft, the list of Cabinet ministers - including the Prime Minister @RishiSunak - that could lose their seat on current polling is. 👀
50
95
326
🔥.“I thought it was a joke”. Just off the phone with VERY angry and despondent Conservative Red Wall MPs. “David Cameron? Rishi’s basically given up on the #RedWall. “Jeremy Hunt’s bad enough - it’s like watching 2010 Cabinet reassemble. I’m just waiting for George Osborne.".
10
64
312
🚨ANOTHER Conservative MP announces they're not standing at the next election. @lucyallan not running for Telford again. No reason given. (Majority - 10,941).
General Election 2024 | Lucy Allan
38
117
289
On the day parliament was supposed to vote on her deal to leave the EU, here Theresa May gives her reasons for remaining in the European Union shortly before the 2016 referendum.
32
313
302
I love #TheOverlap. but this one is exceptional. Heart was in my mouth listening to Paul Scholes opening up about his teenage son's #autism. The whole interview with @GNev2 is fantastic, but 18-25 minutes is the section. Best Overlap so far.
9
18
238
It takes a team to make TV. Behind @lindseyhilsum & @mattfrei’s incredible reports:. 🎥🎬Philippa Collins & Ray Queally (@topshoulder),. And super-producers @MillyTeasdale & @Stanleigh77. It’s just as dangerous behind the camera as in front. #UkraineWar.
10
66
279
A grown man cried to me today at the thought of having to let some of his staff go. I can’t describe the relief in his face as he watched the bailout proposal - so see for yourself. Mine, @nicksp, @AndyLeeC4, @MillyTeasdale and Philippa Collins’ report:
12
70
285
These were given to me at Conservative Conference. So…when Labour change their minds on a policy: flip flop. When the Conservatives do it, it’s “courage”…?. Those are tricky arguments to square with one another🤷♂️
‘When the facts change you should have the courage to change direction.’. The ‘facts have changed’ on HS2, Rishi Sunak insists to @TomSwarbrick1 (five times).
14
67
272
Boris Johnson’s resignation statement…it’s long. Where it began, he believes:. “I am not alone in thinking that there is a witch hunt underway, to take revenge for #Brexit and ultimately to reverse the 2016 referendum result. “My removal is the necessary first step”
152
125
295
The person shepherded out is Conservative chair of the London Assembley, @AndrewBoff.
29
160
266
I have a 4 and 7 year old. We’re doing lockdown in a flat. With no garden. If sunbathers get the public spaces closed I will be somewhat miffed with them. .
Police ‘disappointed’ after picnics and sunbathing on Primrose Hill despite lockdown.
16
41
266
It’s official…according to The King. Sir Keir Starmer is the new Prime Minister
18
69
256