John Johnston
@johnjohnstonmi
Followers
5K
Following
2K
Media
316
Statuses
3K
London Influence reporter @POLITICOEurope. Covering lobbying, campaigning, political finance and standards in Westminster. Email: [email protected]
London
Joined December 2016
EXCL: Final decision on restoring the Palace of Westminster will be delayed until 2030s MPs were expected to vote by the end of 2025 on a way forward for fixing the crumbling parliament, but that now won't happen Story w/@danbloom1
politico.eu
It’s a fire-hazard that’s prone to tumbling masonry — but fear of a public backlash is again delaying repairs to the world famous building.
22
37
149
What was behind the government inviting influencers to Rachel Reeves' speech last week? Great look behind the scenes from @johnjohnstonmi
Downing Street has been quietly building relationships with hundreds of the U.K.'s biggest and most trusted content creators to spread their message. But are they free to speak their minds? I spoke to influencers and insiders about the project. https://t.co/ZmvfdZM4r0
1
5
11
🔌🏠🐭NEW Westminster Insider! Inside No 10… Why @Keir_Starmer is said to “hate” working from it + all the secrets of the famous mad house ex Cab Sec Simon Case @danbloom1 Love Actually set designer Jim Clay @jackwbrown
@BeatriceTimpson
@johnmcternan
open.spotify.com
Westminster Insider · Episode
1
10
12
Downing Street has been quietly building relationships with hundreds of the U.K.'s biggest and most trusted content creators to spread their message. But are they free to speak their minds? I spoke to influencers and insiders about the project. https://t.co/ZmvfdZM4r0
politico.eu
An embattled administration is hugging online creators close. Are they free to speak their minds?
6
16
40
🏠 "Keir hates it" We have a big piece on the trials of running a G7 country from Downing Street — a poky rabbit warren in three Georgian townhouses knocked together Mice, "nan's bathrooms," duct-taped carpets, dodgy heating, no phone signal, hardly any showers ... and a prawn
33
41
450
Scottish independence has a new hero ... and it's Nigel Farage Insiders hope fear of a Farage government can be catalyst that moves the dial on indy. In the meantime, it looks stuck even with a shiny new strategy from John Swinney From conf in Aberdeen:
politico.eu
The Scottish National Party’s independence dream is still stuck — but a bogeyman could help.
1
5
11
🐜 SATURDAY READ on the antsy mood going into Labour conference Keir Starmer wants to focus on patriotism, trumpet his overlooked achievements, tell a story and talk new policy on digital ID, infrastructure and health But he has much deeper problems 🧵 https://t.co/j8WsvZLoc2
politico.eu
The U.K. prime minister will use his annual party conference to promise “patriotic renewal.” Some of his own party wants to renew him.
6
13
14
As ever - Keir Starmer pretended not to see the sole raised hand in the front row and picked reporters from a list aides gave him in advance. He then told Donald Trump to take Qs from US reporters. Classic Starmer being control freak
7
22
116
NEW: Morgan McSweeney has been a key figure quietly shaping thinking around a big "progressives" conference in London next week He aims to position Starmer as a leader among the global center-left. But both he and Starmer now have more acute domestic pressure to worry about ...
82
34
152
New: Reform’s priority at conference was to ensure the party can step out of Nigel Farage’s shadow. @danbloom1 and I spent weekend in Birmingham figuring out how it wants to do this Loads of new reporting on policy process, decision making and more 👇 https://t.co/RyEgMrodnW
politico.eu
A Reform UK party conference with Farage is like a “tour with the pope.” Will a wave of policy work and new figureheads prove his church is here to stay?
3
8
12
I took Ed Davey kayaking to ask him just how well his Mr Nice Guy routine works. He said his his stunt-laden strategy was inspired by right-wing leaders such as Nigel Farage and Boris Johnson. We also spoke care, restless MPs, and how to fight reform
politico.eu
It could take more than eye-catching stunts to steal attention from populists like Nigel Farage at the next election.
5
20
37
"I’ve literally had people say I’d like to come along to one of your events but don’t tell anybody I’m coming." Great piece by @johnjohnstonmi on how the corporate world is gearing up for Reform's party conference https://t.co/2xEwur4NTh
politico.eu
Lobbyists and business leaders are gearing up for a schmoozing offensive at Reform UK’s annual conference — even if some are nervous about the Farage association.
1
3
2
Donald Trump arrives in Scotland for a long golfing weekend. But what do locals think about that? I spoke to seven Scottish politicians for @POLITICOEurope about his impact on policing, supporting the economy — and putting Scotland on the global stage. https://t.co/FXIaNy9doD
politico.eu
The U.S. president lands in his mother’s native country for a spot of golf this weekend — and an expected barrage of protests. Here’s what Scottish politicians make of the circus rolling in.…
1
2
2
🏌️♂️ IN LONDON PLAYBOOK PM TONIGHT ... 😴 Meg Hillier ends liaison cttee slumber ... ⛲ Govt could close water boss bonus loophole ... ⚖️ New standards rules via @johnjohnstonmi ... 🔥 Nigel Farage warns of civil disorder via @NoahKeate. Link in next post
1
3
6
Same for "serious" breaches of revolving door rules. But severance pay amounts to 1/4 of ministerial salary - meaning a junior minister would be asked to repay around £5,500 or £16,800 for a Cabinet minister. Hardly a huge deterrent given salaries on offer for outside roles...
NEW GOVERNMENT "ETHICS" COMMISSION: The PM seems to think ministers who resign/are sacked for breaches of the ministerial code that are not "serious" still deserve thousands of pounds in severance cash. And "serious" is of course not defined - so open to abuse
0
1
3
Some interesting changes to election rules... but eligibility checks on donations to unincorporated associations won't offer scrutiny of donors, let alone those running the opaque groups in the first place. Our explainer on why they are such an issue⬇️ https://t.co/NNvr7CxF7O
0
0
0
Nice piece from @johnjohnstonmi on how the Labour govt has fared on its promise to clean up British politics.
politico.eu
U.K. prime minister had a bold plan for cleaning up British politics. A year in, campaigners say it amounts to little more than “tinkering.”
0
2
2
NEW: Labour rightly diagnosed the problems with Westminster's standards regime during the election campaign... but one year on and experts have accused the party of merely "tinkering around the edges". https://t.co/bxZYkr294D
politico.eu
U.K. prime minister had a bold plan for cleaning up British politics. A year in, campaigners say it amounts to little more than “tinkering.”
0
0
0
NEW — Keir Starmer’s disillusioned MPs finally find their voice Welfare cuts created a perfect storm — but grumblings go deeper Cab minister: “Lots of colleagues don’t feel that they are listened to or that they have a way to shape policy and thinking." https://t.co/5mSd8V5zzs
4
14
35
Great to speak to @johnjohnstonmi about the Smart Thinking Awards and all things think tank! We are especially looking forward to the 'fully costed and actionable hangovers' but before all that - find out how to apply: https://t.co/5X51CqGcaT
0
1
1