Peter Cardwell
@petercardwell
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@TalkTV Presenter Fri 4-7pm, Sat & Sun 10am-1pm & sometimes @timesradio. Speaker, author, consultant & @PizzaExpress Gold Tier. Ex-SpAd to 4 Cabinet ministers
London/Richhill, Co Armagh
Joined March 2009
Brokey was the best of politics and the best of humanity — twice my boss, who became like a brother. He combined integrity, humanity, diligence and fun like no one else. Three weeks ago we danced around his kitchen to Nicky Minaj. I can’t believe he’s gone. #TeamBrokeyForever
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BREAKING. CONFIRMED — senior Downing Street source tells me Jojo, the Starmers’ rescue cat, is moving into No 10 shortly. Full analysis from @CatsProtection on @TalkTV tomorrow from 10am to 1pm (whole show not on Jojo, sadly, mainly as my producer won’t let me). #AdoptDontShop.
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Brokey left us a year ago today. A kind, brilliant, compassionate, thoughtful, funny and wise politician, boss and friend who I miss every day. #TeamBrokeyForever
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Can we just take a moment out of our day to sympathise with this poor person.
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Brokey — the man, the legend — would have been 55 years old today. Missing my lovely friend and raising a Diet Coke in memory of a kind and brilliant man.
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I'm hearing from two decent sources that there will be an announcement to the press from the PM at 5pm today in Downing Street.
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I am delighted my former boss, Justice Secretary @RobertBuckland and his family have adopted rescue cat Mrs Landingham (named in honour of the West Wing character), from @CatsProtection. There is NEVER any need to buy a cat, when so many rescues need loving homes #AdoptDontShop.
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Today in Sixmilecross, Co Tyrone, we said goodbye to my wonderful Granny, Ida McLaren, who was 96. She achieved a huge amount - not least as V/President of the NI Women’s Institute Federation, a role she loved. She was my lovely granny. I loved her and I will miss her.
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When Just Stop Oil spokesman Alex De Koning told my producer to “go f*** yourself” after the conclusion of my interview with Alex on @TalkTV, I decided to call out Alex on air.
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I'm told that within last hour PM addressed 70-80 Downing Street staff packed into Cabinet Room, with dozens more online. PM's principal private secretary, Martin Reynolds, who resigned yesterday, was also in attendance. PM quoted Lion King character Rafiki: "Change is good.".
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Train to Luton airport: £10. Diet Coke for plane: £1.10. Ryanair flight to Dublin: £82.90. Winning debate with ground staff that I could pass Irish immigration without a passport, in which I cited both the 1925 Common Travel Area legislation and the N. Ireland Act 1998: Priceless
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It was so lovely to join my friend Cathy Brokenshire and many others on Monday in remembering James at Cannon Street Station. South Eastern Trains named a brand new train after James, which will travel the route to his constituency every day.
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🚨SOME PROFESSIONAL NEWS 🚨. @TalkTV has promoted me to the newly-created role of Presenter & Chief Political Commentator. I’ll present at least two shows a week, on Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 1pm, and provide political commentary throughout the week on other shows.
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Three years today since we lost a great man — my wonderful friend and former boss James Brokenshire. I was so lucky to know him and call him a friend, and I miss him all the time. #TeamBrokeyForever
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Five years off the booze today! One of the best decisions I have ever made. Happier, thinner, healthier, a better person. Thanks to all who helped and supported me along the way — I’m toasting you today with a Diet Coke!.
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So lovely to see my 96-year-old Granny today in County Tyrone.
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Two years gone today and never, ever forgotten. My great friend for five years, boss for three, James Brokenshire MP. A wonderful man I was privileged to know and work for. #TeamBrokeyForever
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I haven’t felt properly well physically since Christmas Day and been battling through in a very Silly Man/“l’m Not Ill” sort of way. Today a wall of flu-like symptoms have downed me. I’m not broadcasting again until at least Tuesday, to rest and recover. (Mental health all good).
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My lovely grandmother, Ida McLaren, is 96 years old today. Pictured with Tabby the cat, another older lady enjoying her retirement and being well looked after in Newtownstewart, Co Tyrone, Northern Ireland.
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A number of people contacted me and asked me to check in on @TalkTV caller Avril, who had a pretty spirited discussion with Charles Amos on air earlier. Avril has told me she’s absolutely fine and has “a pretty thick skin”, but kindly thanked me for contacting her after the show.
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🚨Career news klaxon🚨.I am delighted to be joining @talkRADIO as Political Editor. I will also occasionally present programmes. Here with @JuliaHB1 at @UKLabour's conference in Brighton this morning. Many thanks to @talkRADIO supremo @DennieMorris. Can't wait to get stuck in!
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I'm delighted to be presenting Talk Drive on Fridays on @TalkTV from next week, 4pm to 7pm every Friday. This is in addition to my usual weekend shows on Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 1pm. I will also continue my political coverage on the station.
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Many people have been in touch about Teresa’s story and offered to help her. Please email my colleague Claire on feedback@talk.tv about this and she will get back to you. As promised, I rang Teresa after the show and she assures me she is OK and thanks people for caring.
Caller Teresa breaks down in tears while telling Peter Cardwell she cannot afford to put her heating on today, in one degree heat, despite receiving the winter fuel allowance. "It's about time they woke up and realised! I worked for 47 years - I wish I'd never!". @petercardwell
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Aideen Kennedy was a lovely colleague @UTVNews who used to affectionately call me “Matthew Crawley” as she thought I looked like the Downton Abbey character. The last time I saw her, in a hotel in Belfast, she gave me a big hug and I can still see her beautiful smile. RIP Aideen.
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Raúl Castro is 90 today. He was DEPUTY head of the army, VICE president of Cuba, for decades in his brother's shadow. It can't have been easy always playing second Fidel.
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Knackered yesterday morning, I left my laptop in a black cab. Cabbie Eric, a big @TalkTV fan, dropped it in reception, with his mobile number. I rang him to thank him, asked him for his address to send him a gift and wondered how he knew it was mine. “You’re Cardi P!” he said.
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@ConnollyEliza @CatsProtection @TalkTV I mean I'll be presenting it mainly so I can talk about the cat.
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I suppose it could be worse: I could be called Mike Hunt.
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Missing James today, and every day.
A message from Cathy Brokenshire on what would have been James Brokenshire’s 54th birthday. You can add your tribute and thoughts of James at
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The Gov't has just lost its very best minister with the resignation of @JBrokenshire from the Home Office, as his recovery from cancer treatment is taking longer than expected. James was my brilliant boss for 3 years, and is one of the finest human beings I know. Get well soon.
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Thanks to everyone in touch about my mental health stuff as mentioned on air today @TalkTV. I’m going to chill out with Jack for the rest of the weekend and will be back on air on Monday, all being well. I’ll reply to everyone when I’m feeling a little better, but thank you.
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Sad to see news of the death of David Trimble, my political hero, who sacrificed so much politically to negotiate the Belfast Agreement, allowing my generation to grow up in a peaceful Northern Ireland. History will be much kinder to him that his political opponents were.
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A month ago, @TalkTV caller Mark told me on air he faced his 7th Christmas on his own; his 3rd without a single Christmas card. I decided to send him a card and presents. Others did too. Mark sent me this pic to say thanks to everyone who thought of him and sent good wishes.
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I am delighted @RobertBuckland has been re-confirmed as Justice Secretary. Sadly, in reshuffles Special Advisers sometimes do not survive, and after three-and-a-half wonderful years I am leaving Government. I wish the Johnson administration and everyone in it all the very best.
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Except I worked for the BBC for three years as a producer at Newsnight in London and Washington and then a reporter. But thanks for your kind comment.
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🚨SOME PROFESSIONAL NEWS 🚨. As well as presenting my usual 10am to 1pm Saturday show on @TalkTV, I will now be presenting weekly on Sundays in the same time slot, 10am to 1pm, starting this weekend. It would be lovely to have your company on Sundays as well as Saturdays.
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Delighted to have my brother, Tom, and nephew, Charlie, come to visit this weekend (even though Funcle Peter has been a bit on the busy side!)
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Jack will always be my number one cat, but it’s been just an absolute delight in the last 24 hours to get to know — and earn the trust of — my parents’ beautiful new rescue cat Rosie, an elderly lady who is enjoying her retirement sleeping on my knee this evening.
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Absolutely lovely to see my oldest friend Andrea Coll in studio in London today. She sat with the production team for the last half hour of the show and then we went to Pizza Express for lunch. 37 years since we were in nursery school together in Richhill and still friends!
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Boxing night hug with Rosie, my parents’ rescue cat, on my shoulder, her favourite position. Enjoying reading my Christmas book, ‘Precipice’ by Robert Harris, holding it up with my other hand…!
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I've now finished up @TalkTV for Christmas. Probably off social media too. After Christmas, I will be presenting the following shows:. Sat 30th: 10am-1pm.Sun 31st: 10am-1pm.Mon 1st: 7am-10am.Tues 2nd: 7pm-8pm. I wish all viewers and listeners a happy, peaceful and fun Christmas!
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Jack can now confirm that the post-vet “how DARE you put me in the carrier, Dad?!” phase is complete and huggles have recommenced. #BusinessAsUsual.#Jacksination
The face that says “OK, so I hissed and spat at the vet as she tried to take my bloods, but at least the vet’s is now over — hopefully — until my next annual check up!”. #Jacksination
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My first book, 'The Secret Life of Special Advisers', is published by Biteback on 13th October. You can pre-order it here:
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Thanks for many msgs re @TalkTV changes. I can't speak for other presenters or Talk bosses, but I'm continuing to:. - present Fri Drive 4pm-7pm & Sat & Sun shows from 10am as usual.- cover politics on other shows. though this week I'm presenting Talk Drive 4pm-7pm Mon-Thurs.
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When in Belfast and between lives for @TalkTV, what could be better than nipping out to Maccy D’s for a Big Mac with your old mate, former colleague and @UTVNews legend @PaulClark_UTV?
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On the way home to London and looking forward to getting back to work on @TalkTV tomorrow morning at 10am. A wonderful Christmas break, and I will miss my new friend Rosie, my parents’ new rescue cat, with whom I have formed a strong friendship. #AdoptDontShop @yvetteshapiro
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I’ve also heard rumours about some sort of toolmaker in his family. More when we have it.
Scoop: Keir Starmer once ran the Crown Prosecution Service. More to follow.
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Truly, this was my finest hour.
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Jack can almost always be found watching/listening to his dad on @TalkTV, but tonight both he and I are giving a big thanks (and a listen) to our friends at @ClassicFM, who do a special show for pets at this time of year to keep them calm when fireworks are being let off.
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Factually incorrect. Rep. Ritchie Neal is NOT a “guarantor” of the Belfast Agreement. Neither is the Irish government a “co-guarantor” with the UK Gov’t. This phrase has zero constitutional or legal basis and is used frequently, unquestioningly and — sometimes — disingenuously.
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The revelation Sunak’s closest parliamentary aide Craig Williams is being investigated by the Gambling Commission after putting a successful £100 bet on the date of the election has changed the atmosphere here at Grimsby Town Hall quite dramatically.
Have arrived in Grimsby for the debate later where Sir Keir Starmer and Rishi Sunak face questions from the people of the town. Full coverage on @TalkTV.
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Just a nice chilled evening with my best bud. Off to Birmingham tomorrow to cover Conservative Party Conference for @TalkTV, but will see him again on Wednesday evening. He is in the great care of my lovely flatmate when I’m away.
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I was in a bar tonight (with none other than @DrHoenderkamp, actually) and the barman said to his mate, who was hosting us: “That guy you’re with looks like the guy off Talk, but it can’t be him because he’s too thin.”. #Winning. #BigTipForTheBarman.
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Fundraising for the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation at London Bridge station in memory of James Brokenshire MP, my boss and friend. If you’re in the station, say hello! @JBrokenshire @Roy_Castle_Lung
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I'm wearing a vest today around the flat because of the heat. In my mind I'm rocking the Vin Diesel look, but in reality I think it's probably more Onslow from Keeping Up Appearances.
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When writing my book on SpAds, I thought we’d be lucky to sell 1,000 copies. It’s sold nearly 7x that; not bad for a niche political book. Today, my publisher told me we’re going to a 3rd reprint of TSLOSA. And this afternoon I started work on Book 2… . …details to follow!
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Final Richhill snuggles with Rosie the cat before heading back to London (and Jack) this afternoon. Back on air on @TalkTV tomorrow for Talk Drive from 4pm to 7pm (minus Christmas stubble…!). It would be great to have your company.
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I’ll be presenting programmes for the next 8 days on @TalkTV. Tomorrow (Weds), Thurs and Fri from 3pm to 4pm, in for @iancollinsuk . Saturday and Sunday 10am to 1pm as usual. Mon, Tues and Weds next week 10am to 1pm, in for @JuliaHB1. It would be great to have your company.
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As I mentioned on air @TalkTV a moment ago, Teresa has asked all the kind people in touch about this not for money for herself, but to donate to Friends of the Elderly, who do great work keeping older people warm and in comfort each winter.
Caller Teresa breaks down in tears while telling Peter Cardwell she cannot afford to put her heating on today, in one degree heat, despite receiving the winter fuel allowance. "It's about time they woke up and realised! I worked for 47 years - I wish I'd never!". @petercardwell
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No, at @TalkTV we're the home of free speech so we let people have their say and challenge it, as we did in the rest of the segment. It's called debate.
@TalkTV @petercardwell Very weak presenter. This grossly offensive looney should have been taken off air. What a disgrace.
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I think this might be my favourite thing I have ever broadcasted.
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At the House of Lords to see Sir John Major receive an honorary doctorate from Queen’s Uni, Belfast, for his huge and pivotal role in the Northern Ireland peace process. He planted a tree in whose shade he did not sit, paving the way for my generation to grow up in peace.
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That’s it from me on @TalkTV for the moment — I will be back after Christmas presenting on:. Saturday 31st from 10am to 1pm.Sunday 1st from 1pm to 4pm.Monday 2nd from 10am to 1pm. …and back as Political Editor from Tuesday 3rd. Merry Christmas to all our viewers and listeners!
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Thanks to everyone asking why I am not presenting @TalkTV PrimeTime as planned this evening. Unfortunately I am unwell, as you may have picked up if you saw me presenting breakfast yesterday, and am confined to bed. I hope to be back soon! @thejamesmax doing a sterling job.
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Annual Christmas tradition of my friend Réachbha’s Christmas party in Dublin, with a little bit of a sing-song around the big tree. For me, Christmas has now begun. Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.
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Finally home from Manchester and reunited with my best bud. Back on @TalkTV tomorrow at 6.10am in studio with @jkyleofficial and @nicolathorp_ to talk about Rishi Sunak’s #CPC23 speech.
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I’m delighted to be filling in on @TalkTV Breakfast tomorrow morning, from 6.30am to 10am. My friend @jkyleofficial is taking a well-earned holiday, so I will be in the hot seat. I hope you can join me. I’ll also be presenting my usual show from 10am to 1pm on Saturday.
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Update: Alex De Koning from Just Stop Oil has WhatsApped me to apologise for telling my producer to "go f*** yourself" and has also now apologised to the producer too. Alex has also agreed that I can read out his apology to me on air tomorrow, which I will do at 3pm @TalkTV.
When Just Stop Oil spokesman Alex De Koning told my producer to “go f*** yourself” after the conclusion of my interview with Alex on @TalkTV, I decided to call out Alex on air.
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Can I just say, @TalkTV listeners/viewers are the best? I didn't think even for a moment at midday that 45 seconds of broadcasting before the news when I mentioned I was having a bad day of mental health, that there would be such a reaction. Both publicly and privately. (1/7).
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Fabulous evening at the @Roy_Castle_Lung Cancer Foundation Star Awards in Liverpool as guest of amazing award nominee, Cathy Brokenshire. Sadly Cathy didn’t win her category, but we’re all so incredibly proud of all her brilliant work in James’s memory, with over £135k raised.
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Thanks to everyone for all the comments on the last 8 days’ shows. Great to fill in for Julia and Ian. Off Thurs/Fri, but back on Saturday and Sunday 10am-1pm @TalkTV as usual. Then one more fill-in, for @iancollinsuk on Monday 3pm-4pm. It would be great to have your company.
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It's "you're".
@petercardwell @TalkTV Just fuck off Cardwell, your a two bob hack without a moral bone in your body….
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True love on Valentine’s Day from my best bud. (Or maybe he’s just telling me to shut up).
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Hi John — as a clinically diagnosed depressive who takes pills every day for anxiety and depression it’s a minority I’m part of. @PeterBleksley also. The person we were discussing is a murderer. I make no apology for using that description. But thank you for your comment.
@petercardwell You have no business describing a mentally ill person as a waster of space. Your station just feeds prejudice against minorities.
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Please donate in my friend James's memory to this wonderful charity.
From the Brokenshire family: We have set up a memorial page to James where you can share your memories, photographs and donate in his memory to the @Roy_Castle_Lung Cancer Foundation, a charity James supported. Please retweet.
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Jack was a little bit cold and wet when he came inside for a hug earlier today, so after drying off and settling down for a snooze, I put a t-shirt over him as a little quilt. He was purring/snoring away happily within minutes of this photo being taken…!
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I’m getting my kitchen floor tiled and Julia, the builder, told all three housemates the drying concrete was not to be walked on for 12 hours. Two of the three housemates informed of this complied. One did not.
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After a week off, I’m BACK on @TalkTV — starting at 10am on Sunday — for 12 consecutive days of shows…. - Sun 10am to 1pm. - Mon to Fri from 4pm to 7pm. - Sat 25th & Sun 26th, 10am to 1pm, as usual. - Mon 27th to Thurs 30th, 4pm to 7pm. It would be great to have your company!
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Factually wrong. The protest will be in Trafalgar Square, a few hundred yards from the Cenotaph, on Saturday afternoon, as it has been for the past four weeks running.
@jayemdee63 @TalkTV @petercardwell @PeterBleksley There's no protests anywhere near The Cenotaph either Saturday, or Sunday. Peter is a snide broadcaster of TalkTV toxic dogwhistle.
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Except it’s well-documented that Dr Starkey comes from a deprived working class background: his parents were factory workers and he struggled with ill health as a child.
@censoredanonz @elonmusk @Nigel_Farage David Starkey speaking for the working class? The irony never ends.
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In the @TalkTV Breakfast hot seat with @DrHoenderkamp right now — would be great to have your company.
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Forgive my dewy-eyed folksiness, but when @claudmilne and @peterbarron1 gave me the opportunity of a lifetime in 2006 straight out of University to work on @BBCNewsnight as a researcher, I never, ever imagined I’d be a guest on the programme. That happened tonight. @maitlis
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Lovely return trip to The Keys — the bar at the Tower of London — with top Beefeater and top human being @spike_abbott, retiring after 9 years at the Tower and over four decades in uniform serving the United Kingdom. Spike kindly had my lovely colleague @DrHoenderkamp along too!
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I am delighted that Philip May has been awarded a knighthood. He was exemplary when in Downing Street with @theresa_may and a tremendous support to the former PM, we as May SpAds and the Conservative Party — he even manned the call centre once a week! A true gentleman.
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Churlish, factually inaccurate and beneath you, Colum. UKG’s exch. now 100%+ of GNI in debt to support people in NI and across the UK — 80% of salary for furloughed staff, grants for businesses of at least £10,000 etc. NI is best-funded part of UK per head of population.
This is great news. The Irish government defending our interests again. Not much of that from the British government.
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As journalists get charged to use desks at the Conservative conference in the media centre, I have instead installed myself on the WiFi at a renowned eaterie within the secure zone in Birmingham to do some work between lives. @PizzaExpress .#GoldTierMember
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I’ll be presenting Talk Today, our breakfast programme, alongside @nicolathorp_ tomorrow morning on @TalkTV between 6am and 9.30am. It would be great to have your company.
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Hi Paul. Thank you for quoting me accurately. It is not, factually, a “genocide”. Feel free to look up the definition. The Holocaust, Cambodia, Rwanda, Srebrenica were. And yes I studied civil rights in the US extensively as part of my Oxford MA in history and politics.
"This is not a #Genocide" - @petercardwell 22nd November 2024. Claims to be some sort of student of civil rights?.
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IT’S FINALLY HERE!! The paperback of my book, The Secret Life of Special Advisers, is published on Tuesday, but I got my author copies today. If you want a signed copy delivered anywhere in the UK for £10, send me a DM.
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