I feel for HMT officIals. The rules precluded them sharing spending pressures with Ms Reeves ahead of the Election; the current framework precluded them discussing the realism of spending plans with the OBR. The changes to the OBR charter announced today are a big step forward.

Not my disco, not my dancefloor but it's not a great sign of coherency that a party of 121 MPs can split 6 ways for a leadership campaign.

In the latest issue of our newsletter, The Brief's Philip Collins analyses Rachel Reeves' Commons statement on public spending inheritance. Our consultancy can advise you on the policy and politics of Labour. Contact us at [email protected]. 🔗zachthedraftwriters.substack.com/p/the-state-of…

Well done British fish men. #OlympicGames

I smiled a lot that Lisa Nandy MP ended on a Take That lyric as I know she was/is a proper super fan.

.blur's Dave Rowntree talks to SDE about the new documentary, 'To The End', and playing Wembley Stadium > bit.ly/46v4rJY

Even in the midst of all of this, otherwise supposedly sensible people still amplify nonsense and conspiracy by quote tweeting it. Big follow accounts pretend dunking by giving stuff more clicks and boosting it up the algorithm.

Join the Labour Party as our new Director of Policy & Communications. Details here: labour.org.uk/about-us/work-…

She's going to totally finish on a power chord

Be There Then.

Danny is absolutely right here. Waheed Alli is justifiably highly regarded as an advisor and is also a member of the Legislature. In a political system that relies on donations, the idea he would be better off not supporting financially is nuts.

Blur missed a trick to announce a tour with same dates at different venues

Centre for Countering Digital Hate ⁦Center for Countering Digital Hate⁩ calls for ⁦Ofcom to be granted⁩ ‘emergency powers’ to tackle #misinformation online among 5 recommendations, including enabling ⁦Department for Science, Innovation and Technology⁩ to direct ⁦Ofcom⁩ to take action thetimes.com/article/e134ab…

One of our Partners, Philip Collins with his analysis of Keir Starmer's speech today in the No10 garden. The Brief is a consultancy offering advice on politics, government and the civil service. Get in touch if we can help on [email protected] open.substack.com/pub/zachthedra…

Finally got to see my pal Horace play with Darts and it was absolutely joyous. One of those bands I remember from watching Top of the Pops as a kid and they are still playing and enjoying every minute. Here’s Horace

The last Labour Government broke the link with civil service pay scales for some regulators - I worked on Ofcom in HMT. It allows higher quality recruitment, private sector expertise, better retention. The Environment Agency should be freed in this Bill.

Every few years the Mercury Award gets it right and gives it to the best finalist rather than the quirky or ‘with it’ one. This year it’s got it right. #mercuryaward #EnglishTeacher