Britain political correspondent, @TheEconomist. Chairman of the @housmansoc. Þæs ofereode, þisses swa mæg. Get in touch: hugogye@economist.com
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It's a big edition of Blighty this week
I've taken on the animal banknotes
They're cute but
1) why is the BoE spending time on this?
2) who cares about cash anyway?
3) couldn't we be more adventurous?
@TheEconomist subscribers can sign up here: economist.com/newsletters/bl…
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Hugo Gye retweeted
OPEN LETTER: Sally Rooney is a writer, not a terrorist. Her books must be available to the public. Their withdrawal from sale, on the basis of ill-conceived and draconian anti terror legislation, is an affront to basic principles of free speech and expression so long taken for granted in this country. We categorically reject censorship - whether direct or indirect - and urge the government to change course, amending the legislation which has led us to this point of repressive absurdity.
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Featuring this remarkable graph (h/t @SonnyTLoughran) which shows that terror arrest have increased by a factor of ~10 as a result of the Palestine Action proscription
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I've written this week's Blighty newsletter on the increasingly absurd ban on Palestine Action
It is limiting free speech and undermining the Terrorism Act - the ban must go
Subscribers to @TheEconomist can sign up here: economist.com/newsletters/bl…
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Featuring this remarkable graph (h/t @SonnyTLoughran) which shows that terror arrest have increased by a factor of ~10 as a result of the Palestine Action proscription
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You can also read the newsletter on our website: economist.com/britain/2026/1…
The free-speech warriors on the political right are refusing to stand up against this ludicrous situation
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The SNP is shifting to the right, @TheEconomist notes after its party conference: economist.com/britain/2026/1…
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Hugo Gye retweeted
Less than six months to go until the first round of the French Presidential election. The outcome is arguably more significant and impactful for UK than the US mid terms. Please could we have more coverage and analysis of what it means for the UK.
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Hugo Gye retweeted
Reform UK has lost its first MSP and dropped into third place at Holyrood.
Amanda Bland is now an independent and no longer a Reform MSP.
scotsman.com/news/politics/r…
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'my mum — whom I had asked to accompany me for the weekend instead of my tiramisued-out wife and son — provided a reassuring presence'
Great read by @matt_dathan about his quest to become the tiramisu world champion: thetimes.com/article/ffe1259…
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Hugo Gye retweeted
Exclusive @theipaper: David Blunkett has warned @andyburnham to be “extremely careful” what he wishes for with electoral reform.
Blunkett - whom the PM has called a mentor - said PR could lead to Israeli-style politics where small parties with “outlandish views” call the shots.
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Hugo Gye retweeted
EXCLUSIVE. Celebrated Irish writer Colm Tóibín tells me about the Sally Rooney case in the UK and the withdrawal of her works after supporting Palestine Action. 🇮🇪🇬🇧
“It seems that Sally Rooney's books won't be published in the UK.
People will have to come to Ireland to buy them where they will be freely on sale.
In the 1970's, since you couldn't buy condoms in Ireland, you had to go to England to get them
Now, it is reversed, except it is Sally Rooney books, not condoms.
In Northern Ireland, since it is - from the point of view of customs and tariffs - half in the UK and half in Ireland, the books by Sally Rooney will be available and not available.
In other words, this is absurd. And at its heart is an absurd piece of legislation.
Who believes that Palestine Action is a terrorist organisation? No one does.
If you carry a tiny bit of paper saying 'Palestine Action', you can be arrested.
If you have it in your pocket, you can't be arrested.
How mad is this?
Sally Rooney is a serious and committed person. The idea that she is a suspect under this mad piece of legislation is absurd.
British governments of recent years are not known for their sanity or their wisdom.
If Andy Burnham doesn't repeal this insane piece of legislation, then he will be despised as much as his last five predecessors were.”
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Hugo Gye retweeted
On Scottish independence, Andy Burnham says: "I just feel we all have to move beyond the constitutional questions. Our job is to focus on solutions for people right now. Too much time is wasted on those dramas."
How does he square that with re-opening the debate about Brexit?
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Great piece by top colleague Georgia Banjo in @theipaper, on her work following the growing Tommy Robinson cult of personality in America
In return for his warnings to Americans about immigration, wealthy backers fund his rallies and amplify his social media posts
trib.al/DtIWmcL
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Hugo Gye retweeted
France has dropped its opposition to the UK being included in the EU’s “Made in Europe” legislation as long as the British government aligns with the bloc’s position over tariffs on Chinese EVs.
Story from @lisaocarroll
theguardian.com/world/2026/o…
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