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Robert Shrimsley

UK chief political commentator and UK editor at large

Robert Shrimsley is UK chief political commentator and UK editor at large of the Financial Times. He writes a weekly column on British politics and for the FT weekend magazine. Before this, he served as the FT’s chief political correspondent, news editor, managing editor of FT.com and editorial director.

Email Robert Shrimsley @robertshrimsley  on Twitter (link opens in a new browser window)
Email Robert Shrimsley @robertshrimsley  on Twitter (link opens in a new browser window)

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  • Friday, 20 May, 2022
    FT MagazineLife & Arts
    I’m worried about Gove’s ‘street votes’ plan. There’s enough tension over the jubilee street party 

    Allowing neighbours the right to vote on building loft conversions, extensions and homes has some downsides

  • Wednesday, 18 May, 2022
    Brexit
    A Brexit opportunity worth grasping

    The genetic technology bill is a moment to cheer new global benefits from the UK’s agricultural science research

  • Monday, 16 May, 2022
    Rutherford Hall
    “Oleg, it’s obviously great news that you have not been sanctioned”

    Introducing a new FT column: a behind the scenes look into the work of Rutherford Hall, communications strategist

  • Friday, 13 May, 2022
    FT MagazineCoronavirus pandemic
    I’m a Covid late-starter. Could people at least pretend to care?

    At home my plight was treated more as an inconvenience than a cause for sympathy

  • Wednesday, 11 May, 2022
    Boris Johnson
    Tax cuts are the only tactic left for Boris Johnson

    Conservatives warn that other divisive issues are a distraction from putting money in people’s pockets

  • Monday, 9 May, 2022
    Instant InsightKeir Starmer
    Keir Starmer’s gamble could be the making of him — as long as it works

    The Labour leader has struggled to define himself with voters. By offering to resign if he is fined by police he stands in sharp contrast to Boris Johnson

  • Friday, 6 May, 2022
    Instant InsightUK local elections
    Five early lessons from the local elections

    London, where Labour triumphed, is not England — spotty results outside the capital carry warnings for both parties

  • Friday, 6 May, 2022
    FT MagazineLife & Arts
    Enough Star Wars and Marvel spin-offs: here are seven worth making

    How about ‘When Harry Left Sally’? Or maybe something from ‘The Godfather’ cinematic universe?

  • Wednesday, 4 May, 2022
    Labour Party UK
    What Labour still needs to learn from Tony Blair, 25 years on

    If Keir Starmer fails to define himself as his predecessor did, the party’s opponents will do it for him

  • Friday, 29 April, 2022
    FT MagazineLife & Arts
    The Moggfather: why the minister for Brexit opportunities needs to get more Sicilian

    Jacob Rees-Mogg hasn’t gone nearly far enough with his passive-aggressive notes

  • Wednesday, 27 April, 2022
    Northern Ireland
    Self-serving leaders block Northern Ireland’s path to a new politics

    A population that would like to enjoy its ‘peace dividend’ is trapped by Brexit and rules that reward hardliners

  • Thursday, 21 April, 2022
    FT MagazineConservative Party UK
    God joins the Tories’ list of institutions in need of reform

    Criticisms of the government’s Rwanda plan show the Lord has lost sight of the Conservative Christian message

  • Wednesday, 20 April, 2022
    Conservative Party UK
    Why Rishi Sunak’s fall from grace is a disaster for the Conservatives

    The chancellor’s plummeting reputation leaves the Tories with no viable Plan B

  • Friday, 15 April, 2022
    FT MagazineLife & Arts
    Rishi Sunak’s tax row and why it’s hard to put a politician off politics

    If my wife was going to be targeted because of my career, I’d definitely want it to be for her £11mn annual dividend

  • Wednesday, 13 April, 2022
    Boris Johnson
    Tories must learn from Trump and call time on Johnson’s lawbreaking

    Contempt for the rules is dragging down the PM’s party and destroying faith in the system

  • Tuesday, 12 April, 2022
    Instant InsightBoris Johnson
    The party fine is shocking, but it’s probable Johnson will keep clinging on

    While the PM is likely to survive for now, the long-term damage to him and his party will be irreparable

  • Wednesday, 30 March, 2022
    ReviewPolitical books
    Who Are We Now? by Jason Cowley — looking for a new England

    This series of fascinating vignettes by the New Statesman editor attempts to map the emergence of the nation today

  • Friday, 25 March, 2022
    FT MagazineCoronavirus pandemic
    This is Covid calling. We’d like to schedule an appointment 

    Chances are I won’t be able to dodge the current wave — but could it wait until, say, late April?

  • Wednesday, 23 March, 2022
    Spring Statement
    Sunak tries to restore his fortunes with help for Tory targets

    Chancellor’s most political move resurrected the old notion of the deserving and the undeserving

  • Friday, 18 March, 2022
    FT MagazineLife & Arts
    The urban fox hunt. No beagles. No killing. Some halloumi

    Ideally, we just want to chase the animals over the bridges to north London

  • Wednesday, 16 March, 2022
    UK politics & policy
    Endless crises are frustrating Boris Johnson’s vision for Britain

    The prime minister’s plan to address the UK’s underlying weaknesses is threatened by 15 years of costly distractions

  • Thursday, 10 March, 2022
    FT MagazineChelsea FC PLC
    It’s time to nationalise Chelsea FC

    Some will argue the government could find better things to spend its money on, but the club must be saved for the nation

  • Wednesday, 9 March, 2022
    Boris Johnson
    Ukraine has saved Boris Johnson for now, but dangers remain

    Hyping the prime minister’s role in this crisis reflects allies’ need to persuade Conservative MPs of his worth

  • Friday, 4 March, 2022
    FT MagazineWar in Ukraine
    Putin proves my point. Whatever it is

    While Ukrainians fight for their lives, battalions of keyboard warriors are explaining how this validates their other opinions

  • Wednesday, 2 March, 2022
    War in Ukraine
    Ukraine marks an end to Brexit illusions

    Lofty dreams of a tilt to the Indo-Pacific must give way to the real threat of war in Europe

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