The Gaza breakthrough and – can the government fix its China crisis ? @EmilyThornberry and @TimRoss_1 with me on how foreign affairs shaped a rollercoaster week at Westminster.

What went wrong in Keir Starmer’s handling of China? ➡️On one of our Westminster Insider interviews specials this week, discussed whether Britain’s own “deep state” messed up - and what it might mean for our delicate relationship with Beijing. @EmilyThornberry joined me along

Israel shouldn’t count on EU leaders forgetting the deaths of tens of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza, even if Donald Trump’s peace deal succeeds in ending the war. That’s the candid private view of diplomats, politicians and officials. https://t.co/MH1F08VNpx

Shame @TimRoss_1 didn’t report on the far more interesting chat we had about cricket….

I’m in Schindler’s Lift

Iran’s exiled ‘crown prince’ says he is ready to take over from Khamenei

After @vonderleyen calls Israel’s Gaza operation “abhorrent” the Israeli ambassador to the E.U. tells me Brussels should stop wielding the “stick” if it wants to be “a player” in the Middle East. https://t.co/sbJ3kB3X5L

As voting was underway in Romania, we were granted exclusive access to presidential candidate Nicușor Dan as he spent time with his family and closest aides away from the TV cameras on election day. 🔗 https://t.co/EqkAhl4nO2

What did @NicusorDanRO’s 9-year old daughter tell him when he said he would run for President of #Romania? Find out in this @POLITICOEurope portrait of the common sense candidate who bucked the trend of populism. @TimRoss_1 @AndreiPopoviciu https://t.co/Yc19RsGjT2

Who is winning the Romanian election? https://t.co/iYtv7tari3

Trump’s long shadow over Europe — with case studies from 🇩🇪 & 🇷🇴. A chancellor weakened before day one. A MAGA-loving firebrand leads in Bucharest. This week on #EUConfidential with @swheaton, @TimRoss_1, @carmenpaun & @NetteNostlinger @POLITICOEurope https://t.co/IA8BKUcAWd

On today's Politics at Sam and Anne’s, @SamCoatesSky and @annemcelvoy discuss a new crackdown on asylum claims days after Reform’s by-election and council victories. 🎧 Listen: https://t.co/fg7MLINTqx

Can Nigel Farage keep on winning, all the way to Downing Street? https://t.co/qt7lFz2AsY

➡️ Reform's Alex Wilson, London Assembly member, says the results will transform their campaign machine “We're getting that data locally that will feed into targeting for future campaigns” Having a base of councillors elected provides “foot soldiers who’ve got skin in the game”

On this episode @SamCoatesSky is joined by Politico’s @TimRoss_1 as Mark Carney’s Liberal Party has won the Canadian election. It’ll give Keir Starmer a centre-left ally at G7 but how will the PM position himself now in the Trump-Carney standoff? 🎧➡️ https://t.co/LP6K4IpxTj

On this episode @SamCoatesSky is joined by Politico’s @TimRoss_1 as Mark Carney’s Liberal Party has won the Canadian election. It’ll give Keir Starmer a centre-left ally at G7 but how will the PM position himself now in the Trump-Carney standoff? 🎧➡️

Memo to @VP and @elonmusk: Why Romania matters and how one candidate wants to save it from the cynicism and despair that Putin's agents happily exploit. Interview with Bucharest mayor @NicusorDanRO by @AndreiPopoviciu and me https://t.co/pUiReGqXuI

The Romanian mathematician trying to stop Putin and Trump from wrecking the West. https://t.co/CkDYFVMRNG

EXCL: Keir Starmer’s director of communications, Matthew Doyle, is standing down from his role after nine months in No 10. Senior special adviser is going after Downing Street’s strategy and narrative stabilised after turbulence of early days in power. His role to be split

I agree Europe must do more on security - but Sir Keir should remind USA the UK led from the front. I authorised 4 RAF strikes on the Houthis & the Royal Navy defended Red Sea shipping. Our forces risked their lives to protect trade. Some in DC need reminding.