Monday, December 8, 2025

The prime minister has launched an account on TikTok, the short video platform that is banned on government devices because of security fears about its Chinese owner, ByteDance.  

"TikTok, follow me," he says in a 13-second clip of him walking out of No 10 holding hands with his wife Victoria, before counting down to a boy switching on the Downing Street Christmas tree lights. 

Three days ago he started a Substack, writing a long post about his child poverty strategy, and saying: "Communication is changing, and I want to be a part of that. People have a right to know how decisions that affect them are taken and why. That's why I'm now on Substack." 

Good work by his communications team (although I am confused by whether TikTok is a threat to national security or not). Politicians should use whatever media they can to get their message across. 

But they need a message that people want to hear, and I wrote at the weekend that Keir Starmer's pitch is being crowded out by speculation among Labour MPs about his future. 

Since the Elizabeth Line opened, which station has overtaken Waterloo as the busiest in the UK?

Answer at the bottom of today's email 

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QUOTATION OF THE DAY

I'm now on decent terms with all of them – apart from Liz. Liz, I think I'm still not on her Christmas card list

Michael Gove on his relations with recent Conservative leaders

Quiz answer: Liverpool Street, London 

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