Presented by Ørsted
London Playbook
By SAM BLEWETT
with BETHANY DAWSON
Good Friday morning. This is Sam Blewett.
DRIVING THE DAY
ALL FOR ONE, BUT ONE WANTS ALL: Keir Starmer dials back into the European conversation today as — on the one hand — there are a couple of slices of optimism for Ukraine. Washington seems to be toning down the rhetoric, and Volodymyr Zelenskyy is preparing to travel to Saudi Arabia next week as peace talks there resume with the U.S. It’s quite the turnaround a week after that White House meltdown. But on the other hand … Donald Trump went and reignited fears that he might not come to the support of allies under NATO’s Article 5 (if they fail to hike military spending). You win some, you lose some.
Late last night: Between flicks of his Sharpie in another one of those Oval Office executive order signing sessions, the president told reporters: “Well, I think it’s common sense — if they don’t pay I’m not gonna defend them.” NBC News had earlier revealed that Trump had chatted with aides about possibly upending how America treats the 32-country defense alliance to favor those that spend a certain amount of GDP on their militaries.
No word on … whether Starmer’s new 2.5 percent pledge would cut the mustard — though as my U.S. colleagues point out, Trump’s Ukraine envoy Keith Kellogg previously advocated revoking protections to those who don’t hit 2 percent. British officials sought to play down the comment, suggesting it’s the kind of thing Trump threatened in his first term, too. His Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, at least, gave indications he’s happy about U.K. commitments during a pretty chipper meeting with British counterpart John Healey last night.
**A message from Ørsted:With the right reforms to the planning system, the UK will be able to deploy more offshore wind and simultaneously enhance the marine environment. When Government, industry, and NGOs work together, we can deliver home-grown, secure and low-cost renewable energy and long-lasting benefits for nature and people.**
But Trump didn’t stop there: “If the United States was in trouble and we called them and we said ‘we’ve got a problem, France we’ve got a problem’ … a couple of others I won’t mention … Do you think they’re going to come and protect us? Mmm they’re supposed to — I’m not so sure.”
Much like his veep JD Vance … Trump may need a reminder that the only time the attack-on-one-is-an-attack-on-all Article 5 clause was invoked was in the wake of 9/11, when European allies supported the U.S. Check out the Trump clip here.
You’re welcome: It won’t be exactly comfortable viewing for Starmer. One of the perceived successes of his White House visit last week was Trump backing Article 5 at their joint press conference. The prime minister gave Vance’s widely criticized comments (which Vance later rowed back in characteristic style) pretty short shrift by publicly remembering the Britons killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Don’t expect the same indirect slapdown for MAGA’s overlord.
Safely ensconced in Downing Street: Starmer hasn’t got any public-facing events lined up today, No. 10 said. Instead he’ll be sitting down this morning to dial in to a debrief with EU bigwigs Ursula von der Leyen and António Costa after EU leaders talked about raising defense spending at Thursday’s emergency summit in Brussels. Outsiders from the bloc, including Canada’s Justin Trudeau and Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, will also be on the line. Expect a readout afterward.
Smile! Having to field the questions on Trump’s latest play is Health Minister Stephen Kinnock, who would rather be using the morning broadcast round to talk about the launch of an £11 million national supervised toothbrushing campaign for 3- to 5-year-olds. That and the lesser-shouted-about expansion of adding fluoride to water across the northeast of England. It’s a perfectly normal move; he’ll just be hoping it flutters under the radar of Trump’s former brain-worm-suffering top health official, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
What the PM can catch up on: “Hugs. Photo ops. A pledge to keep arming Ukraine,” is how my colleague in Brussels Nicholas Vinocur put it, in his excellent wrap piece. EU leaders agreed on a package to massively hike defense spending (European Council President Costa said “we are putting our money where our mouth is”) — but Viktor Orbán, the pro-Putin prime minister of Hungary, opposed the signing of a statement calling out Trump’s Russia-friendly negotiating style. The defense discussion lasted for most of the 10 hours as leaders locked horns over how to finance an €800 billion defense package — but one EU diplomat said talks on Ukraine were done and dusted in 15 minutes. Read all about it here.
THE ART OF THE DEAL IN THE DESERT: As he was departing the Brussels summit, Zelenskyy announced he will visit Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Saudi Arabia on Monday — where his team will stay on to “work with our American partners.” In a scrupulously polite X post the Ukrainian president thanked allies and stressed his commitment to peace “as soon as possible.” Substantive talks are then expected to start between the U.S. and Ukraine on Tuesday, Playbook hears from officials in Washington.
More positive signals … came from Healey’s meeting with Hegseth at the Pentagon. The U.S. defense secretary said Trump is “very encouraged” by what he’s seeing from Kyiv now — comments that make the Times’ splash. In televised remarks at the top of their discussions, Hegseth recognized Britain and France’s willingness to be the “core part” of plans to keep the peace in Ukraine. But when asked about Trump parroting Vladimir Putin’s claims, he described accusations that the president is pro-Russia as “all garbage.”
Coming to Kyiv’s aid: Hegseth insisted the U.S. suspension of military support for Ukraine and intelligence sharing is just a “pause for now.” British officials were relieved that it looks likely the destructive move won’t be permanent and was more of a bargaining chip to bend Zelenskyy to Trump’s will. They were pleased by Hegseth’s support of a broad “coalition of the willing” to keep the peace in Ukraine. The meeting ran well over time — lasting an hour and a half — and Ambassador Peter Mandelson was heard to purr that it was a “triumph” on the way out, satisfied at Healey’s handling and Hesgeth’s responsiveness.
Which is all a lot more diplomatic than this: Trump’s special envoy to Ukraine and Russia, Keith Kellogg, blamed Kyiv for having “brought it on themselves” when it came to the aid pause, and bluntly described Trump’s tactic as “sort of like hitting a mule with a two by four across the nose. It got their attention.” Clip here.
“HERMINATOR” 2: Meanwhile, focus is moving onto plans to seize frozen Russian assets and plow them into funding Ukraine’s defense … and it was only a matter of time before Attorney General Richard Hermer was blamed for holding it up. The Times’ Chris Smyth and George Greenwood have got the story, citing one critic bemoaning the “risk-averse lawyer,” though Hermer’s allies insist he’s not a blocker and is instead looking for solutions to what is, by all accounts, a legally thorny issue.
Judgment Day: The Guardian reveals that ministers are preparing to take Roman Abramovich to court to secure more than £2 billion from the sale of Chelsea to spend on aid for Ukraine. No final decision has been reached, they reported, but one insider told them “it seems the law is going to be the only way to resolve that.”
Nuthin’ but an ESG Thang: The Telegraph’s front page goes big on claims top pensions giants are blocking investment in the defense industry on ethical grounds. The paper hears Chancellor Rachel Reeves is considering making it easier for investors to see whether environmental, social and governance (ESG) rules bar military spending. A Treasury spokesperson said: “If opaque ESG ratings are blocking vital private investment to our defense sector, this has to change.”
BACK IN BLIGHTY
FOES WITH BENEFITS: The air war over Rachel Reeves’ plans to slash billions off the welfare budget properly whirred into action overnight, as the chancellor confirmed what we all widely expected — she’s looking to “reform our welfare system,” which she argues is “letting down taxpayers” in its current form.
It’s all the Rach: Those comments come in an interview with Beth Rigby for her Electoral Dysfunction podcast, the full version went up in the past two hours. The chancellor talked about the cuts in terms of giving people “support to get back to work” — but she also wasn’t ruling out making it harder for sick and disabled people to claim personal independence payments (which are not linked to people’s work status at all). Meanwhile Reeves doubled down on those self-imposed fiscal rules that will only make her March 26 spring spending review more painful for her Cabinet colleagues.
Mounting a defense: Keir Starmer will seek to take on his foot soldiers’ concerns (both on benefits and the drastic foreign aid cuts) when he addresses the weekly meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party on Monday, the i’s Kitty Donaldson hears.
Here’s why: There’s a swell of discontent in the party ranks over the moves. Some pointed out that the benefits change could ultimately boost that great nemesis of Labour and the Tories (and perhaps even his own MP Rupert Lowe) Nigel Farage. One senior Labour MP told Playbook the cuts could “hit the elderly” and the seaside towns that Reform UK is targeting particularly hard. “We need to think very, very carefully,” they said.
Activate the charity sector: Playbook’s inbox is beginning to get busier with warnings about the reality of living in receipt of welfare payments. A YouGov poll for food bank charity Trussell suggests 43 percent of people on universal credit and disability benefits had to skip meals to keep up with other essential costs. PolHome got first sight of that.
Fire up the supporters: The right-wing Policy Exchange think tank has a report out calling for a radical overhaul of health and disability benefits. Former Labour Pensions Secretary David Blunkett backed the research, saying that change will be “both painful and vital to the overall health and wellbeing of the U.K.”
SCOOP — BASH THE “BLOCKERS”: In another one of the pre-spending review pit stops, Starmer will set his sights on Britain’s watchdogs as part of a push for growth, my colleagues James Fitzgerald and Dan Bloom text in. The prime minister is expected to make an announcement next week after he (and Cabinet allies Reeves and Jonathan Reynolds) wrote to 15 regulators on Christmas Eve calling on them to rip up red tape. Two industry representatives tell James some kind of action plan is on the way. The full story for POLITICO Pro subscribers (sorry, U.S. diplomats) is here.
Then there’s reshaping Whitehall: Scottish Secretary Ian Murray has a (perhaps slightly hyped-up) speech on setting out a “radical new direction” for the Scotland Office to focus on … drumroll … growth. In fairness, that is quite the change from the endless rows waged with Holyrood under the Tories. Murray’s speech at Edinburgh uni starts at 10 a.m.
TARIFF TANGO: In what could be a boost for the government’s hopes of averting Trump’s steel and aluminum tariffs (which are due to hit on Wednesday), the president once again climbed down from his threat to impose 25 percent tariffs on Mexico and Canada. He delayed the trade taxes on goods and services on products covered by the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement until next month. It’s the second U-turn in as many days and ministers will hope he gets cold feet over the metals tariffs, too.
Steel is real: Reynolds warned Washington that retaliatory measures “already exist” as he vowed to “stand up” for the already ailing British steel industry. Read the business secretary’s interview with Lucy Fisher during his trade mission to Japan here.
NOW READ THIS: My colleague Abby Wallace has a profile out this morning on newbie energy minister Miatta Fahnbulleh, a politician juggling one of Whitehall’s trickiest tasks: trying to meet Labour’s election pledge to bring down ever-rising energy bills while trying to get money out of the Treasury. The economist, former think tank boss and (it turns out) lover of the dance floor will have to achieve this all while ministers are strapped for cash and opposition parties gun for the government’s energy policies.
TODAY IN WESTMINSTER
PHONING IT IN: Parliament is sitting to debate another round of private members’ bills — and first up for a second reading is pretty popular legislation to protect children from the potential damage caused by addictive phones and social media algorithms. Playbook hears ministers have struck a deal so Labour MP Josh MacAlister withdraws his Safer Phones Bill on the condition they report back on new proposals to tackle the issue within a year.
The kids aren’t alright: Polling by More in Common for the NEU has found 62 percent of Gen Zers believe social media does more harm than good for young people, with social media topping the list of negative influences on teens’ mental health. Thirty-five percent of respondents said they wish they had waited until they were older before joining social media. The Metro has a write-up.
JUDGE STOP OIL: In a few hours the Court of Appeal will announce whether 16 Just Stop Oil activists have been successful in appealing against tough sentences.
It’s a big deal because: The future of environmental protest and protest in general will be shaped by what they decide. The three-judge panel isn’t just deciding these cases, but will set a legal precedent for how disruptive protests are punished in the U.K. Courts, for example, have recently stopped taking into account any kind of conscientious motivation when punishing protesters. That’s a big break from the past, as this piece by POLITICO’s Karl Mathiesen from last year showed.
AWKWARD: Sentencing Council guidelines that suggest people from ethnic minorities should be considered for softer sentences were influenced by a 2017 review by David Lammy, according to the Times’ Matt Dathan. Not ideal for Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood, who has expressed her “displeasure” at the guidance. Shadow Justice Minister Kieran Mullan is on the morning round (times below) to trumpet this one.
The justice the government wants to talk about: Prisons Minister James Timpson is launching a 700-place expansion that’ll turn Suffolk’s HMP Highpoint into the U.K.’s largest nick.
Then there’s this: Prosecutors alleged that former soldier Kyle Clifford watched up to 10 videos from self-declared misogynist Andrew Tate in the lead-up to the triple murder of his ex-girlfriend, her mother and sister. A court heard that the “violent misogyny” promoted by Tate fueled Clifford’s attacks. The story splashes the Express, the Mail and the Sun.
RISE OF THE MACHINES: Eight departments, including the MOD, FCDO and DHSC, have not exactly issued a full denial when asked if they’re using AI software to help respond to written parliamentary questions. Instead, they told Conservative MP Peter Bedford that (for example) responses “are signed off by ministers” or that AI software is not part of the “established process.” And DBT told him that AI tools “may be used to support the drafting process.” Note: Other departments gave a much more vehement “no.” Responses can all be seen here.
NO THANKS: Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation Jonathan Hall told LBC’s Tom Swarbrick he does not support the definition of terrorism changing in light of the Southport attacks. “If you started to say every really violent, sadistic murder (was terrorism), things like the threat level would have to go up,” he said. Hall’s comments come ahead of a report on the definition of terrorism, which is due to be released next week.
NOW LISTEN TO THIS: POLITICO’s Westminster Insider host Patrick Baker takes listeners inside COBRA meetings to find out how those in charge take crucial decisions, often on matters of life and death. Former GCHQ boss David Omand lifts the lid on the secret bunker under the MOD that would be the venue for meetings in response to, err … nuclear war. (Not that that’s likely. Right?) And former director Susan Scholefield’s got a great story about the Popemobile. Tune in here.
BREATHING EASY: Roadside levels of NO2, a gas that mainly comes from vehicles and has harmful health effects, have decreased by 27 percent across London since the ULEZ was expanded, according to a study independently reviewed and shared by the mayor of London. City Hall added that the London boroughs of Sutton, Merton, Croydon, Harrow and Bromley had the largest reduction in NO2 … which happens to be some of the boroughs most vocally against expanding the scheme. You’re welcome!
REPORTS OUT TODAY: Forty-six percent of children in families with non-U.K. born parents live in poverty, finds IPPR research … The government lacks insight into how funding for disadvantaged children is being spent by schools, with the Public Accounts Committee warning this could mean disadvantaged children may not benefit from funding intended for them … The County Councils Network has supported the government’s plan for new unitary councils, but warned new authorities must cover areas of “at least” 500,000 people to save billions and free up investment.
HOUSE OF COMMONS: Second readings of private member bills start at 9.30 a.m., including Protection of Children (Digital Safety and Data Protection) Bill (led by Labour MP Josh MacAlister) … the Space Industry (Indemnities) Bill (Labour MP John Grady) … Military Action Bill (Lib Dem MP Richard Foord) … Green Spaces Bill (Lib Dem MP Caroline Voaden) … Statutory Instruments Act 1946 (Amendment) Bill (Conservative MP Christopher Chope).
HOUSE OF LORDS: Not sitting.
BEYOND THE M25
OFFICIAL BUSINESS: Foreign Office Minister Stephen Doughty is in Turkish-controlled North Cyprus — referred to as the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus by Turkey — to meet with regional President Ersin Tatar. The pair’s meeting comes ahead of U.N. talks about the future of Cyprus on March 17 and 18.
DOGE THIS ONE: Donald Trump convened his Cabinet on Thursday to clarify the role of Elon Musk. According to two administration officials, Trump said Musk was empowered to make recommendations to the departments — but not to issue unilateral decisions on staffing and policy. Musk was also in the room. My colleagues Dasha Burns and Kyle Cheney got the scoop.
Visa move: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is seeking to cancel the visas of foreign nationals who appear to support Hamas or other designated terror groups, according to Axios’ Marc Caputo.
**A message from Ørsted:Clean energy and restoring biodiversity are two of the most powerful tools we have to fight climate change. With the Government’s decision to accelerate the deployment of offshore wind to deliver clean power by 2030, the UK is going to have to create a regulatory framework that can deliver this whilst also improving the biodiversity in our seas and coastline. But we must go further. Any new policies must not only protect but also enhance the biodiversity in our seas. The most effective way to do this is to take a strategic approach to delivering an increase in both offshore wind and biodiversity. This is why Ørsted greatly welcome the Government’s announcement that they will adopt this approach and launch the ‘Marine Recovery Fund’ later this year. Find out more here.**
MEDIA ROUND
Care Minister Stephen Kinnock broadcast round: GB News (6.45 a.m.) … Times Radio (7.05 a.m.) … LBC (7.20 a.m.) … BBC Breakfast (7.35 a.m.) … Sky News (8.15 a.m.) … GMB (8.30 a.m.).
Shadow Justice Minister Kieran Mullen broadcast round: Sky News (7.15 a.m.) … GB News (7.30 a.m.) … Times Radio (7.45 a.m.) … LBC News (8.45 a.m.) … Talk (9.05 a.m.).
Also on Good Morning Britain: Daughter of Captain Tom, Hannah Ingram-Moore (8.15 a.m.).
Also on Times Radio Breakfast: German MP and CDU foreign policy spokesperson Jürgen Hardt and Polish MP Jarosław Wałęsa (8 a.m.) … Mayor of London Sadiq Khan (8.15 a.m.) … former Conservative Minister Nicky Morgan and former Scottish First Minister Jack McConnell (9 a.m.).
Also on Sky News Breakfast: Former postmaster Christopher Head (7.45 a.m.).
Also on LBC News: Former Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood (8.20 a.m.).
TODAY’S FRONT PAGES
POLITICO UK: EU promises big on defense — but risks leaving Ukraine disappointed.
Daily Express: Evil ‘fuelled’ by watching Tate videos.
Daily Mail: Misogyny that fuelled killer.
Daily Mirror: Betrayed again.
Daily Star: Foul!
Financial Times: Canada and Mexico win tariff reprieve in Trump’s latest climbdown on trade.
i: Gen z jobless face benefit cuts.
Metro: 1 in 4 knows a female victim of violence.
The Daily Telegraph: Pension fund giants boycott UK arms firms.
The Guardian: ‘A watershed moment:’ EU leaders agree huge defence spending rise.
The Independent: Russia warns PM’s peace plan would trigger ‘direct war.’
The Sun: Warped by Toxic Tate.
The Times: Trump is ‘encouraged’ by Zelensky peace talk.
TODAY’S NEWS MAG
The Economist: The revised economic outlook.
THANK POD IT’S FRIDAY
Westminster Insider: Host Patrick Baker takes listeners inside COBRA to hear how Prime Ministers and their underlings make decisions when crises hits, with top guests including former director of GCHQ David Omand, former Defence Secretary Michael Fallon, former COBRA director Susan Scholefield, ex Downing St comms chief Katie Perrior, emergency planner Lucy Easthope and the FT’s Lucy Fisher.
Power Play: Host Anne McElvoy speaks with one of the most senior politicians in Ukraine, Oleksandr Merezhko, who argues that Trump is “being used by Putin” in his attempts to force a deal and call for fresh elections in Ukraine.
EU Confidential: POLITICO’s Clea Caulcutt gives a quick update on European Council talks on how to bolster defense spending and further support Ukraine. Host Sarah Wheaton then sits down with Mikko Patokallio, a Ukraine specialist at the Martti Ahtisaari Peace Foundation.
Plus six of the other best political podcasts to listen to this weekend:
Women with Balls: The Spectator’s Katy Balls interviews Conservative MP and PPS to Kemi Badenoch, Julia Lopez.
Encompass: Host Paul Adamson speaks with MEP Sandro Gozi, the co-chair of the EU-UK Parliamentary Partnership Assembly.
The Political Party: Former Conservative Chief Whip Simon Hart joins host Matt Forde to discuss his new book “Ungovernable.”
Whitehall Sources: The hosts are joined by Liberal Democrat MP Mike Martin, a Defence Select Committee member and senior visiting fellow of war studies at King’s College London, to discuss Trump, Ukraine and the responses from political leaders in the U.K.
The Rundown: Lib Dem defence spokesperson Helen Maguire, former Tory ministers James Heappey and Greg Hands, and More in Common’s Luke Tryl join host Adam Payne to discuss Keir Starmer’s attempts to bring peace to Ukraine.
Chopper’s Political Podcast: Host Christopher Hope is joined by Labour MP Henry Tufnell and Tory MP Nick Timothy to discuss Ukraine and U.K. farms.
LONDON CALLING
WESTMINSTER WEATHER: The sun will hide slightly behind some clouds, but it’s still there. Promise. High 16C, low 8C.
SPOTTED: In parliament for an early celebration of World Down Syndrome Day with the National Down Syndrome Policy Group … Disability and Social Security Minister Stephen Timms … Deputy Speaker Caroline Nokes … Labour MPs Peter Prinsley and Mark Sedwards … Reform UK MP Lee Anderson … the National Down Syndrome Policy Group’s Ken Ross and Rachel Ross … model and activist Kate Grant.
MARKING INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY: The Independent has compiled its annual list of the 50 most influential women, including Conservative Leader Kemi Badenoch, Home Office Minister Jess Phillips, Chancellor Rachel Reeves, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, Green Party Co-Leader Carla Denyer, Lib Dem MP Layla Moran, Lady Chief Justice Sue Carr and outgoing NHS England CEO Amanda Pritchard. The list was launched alongside Refuge at London’s Outernet building, where passersby can see portraits by Sane Seven of some of the women displayed until the end of the month.
JOB ADS: The Commonwealth is looking for a speechwriter to the secretary-general … the Labour Party is on the hunt for a press and broadcast officer.
MOVING ON: Long-time civil service comms pro Robert Midgley has left SW1 to be a freelance comms consultant. LinkedIn post here.
BEST WISHES: To North East Mayor Kim McGuinness, who is recovering from an emergency appendectomy.
WHAT’S EVERYONE ASKING? An eyebrow-raising line from Popbitch has got SW1 trying to figure out the answer to the question of which MP “with a particular interest in retail crime and safety … had an interesting past-era as a prolific teenage shoplifter?”
NOW READ:Seb Payne’s Times column on the Looking for Growth group, through which “angry young men” are trying to tackle Britain’s growth problem.
WRITING PLAYBOOK PM: Emilio Casalicchio.
WRITING PLAYBOOK MONDAY MORNING: Sam Blewett.
BIRTHDAYS: Mail on Sunday columnist Dan Hodges … North Herefordshire MP Ellie Chowns … crossbench peer and lawyer David Pannick … Tory peer John Horam … Tory peer Jamie Borwick … Liberal Democrat peer Cathy Bakewell … Managing Director of Portland Emma Dean … former Northern Irish civil service boss David Sterling … former Macclesfield MP David Rutley … Cabinet Office Campaigns and Marketing Director Conrad Bird … DCMS Permanent Secretary Susannah Storey … British Ambassador to Germany Andrew Mitchell … DSIT Head of Spectrum Sophie Lyddon … No. 10 legislative affairs chief Alex Roycroft … LBC Political Editor Natasha Clark.
AND CELEBRATING OVER THE WEEKEND: Carshalton and Wallington MP Bobby Dean … Middlesbrough MP Andy McDonald … former Glasgow North East MP Anne McLaughlin … former Leicester East MP Claudia Webbe … Tory peer Greg Barker … Ofcom Chair Michael Grade … former Foreign Secretary Douglas Hurd … former Tory MP Gyles Brandreth … former U.K. Ambassador to Ireland Robin Barnett … Alba MSP Ash Regan … Government Whip Vicky Foxcroft … Perth and North Perthshire MP Pete Wishart … crossbench peer Simon McDonald … Ofcom Chief Executive Melanie Dawes … Tory peer David Willetts … crossbench peer Kishwer Falkner … The Nightly Writer-at-Large Latika Bourke … the Sun’s Editor-in-Chief Victoria Newton … Sun Deputy Political Editor Ryan Sabey … former Israeli Ambassador Mark Regev … former Deputy Chief of Defense Staff Roger Austin … former UKIP leader Neil Hamilton.
PLAYBOOK COULDN’T HAPPEN WITHOUT: My editors Zoya Sheftalovich, Dan Bloom and Alex Spence, diary reporter Bethany Dawson and producer Lola Boom.
SUBSCRIBE to the POLITICO newsletter family: Brussels Playbook | London Playbook | London Playbook PM | Playbook Paris | EU Election Playbook | Berlin Playbook | Global Playbook | POLITICO Confidential | Sunday Crunch | EU Influence | London Influence | China Watcher | Berlin Bulletin | Living Cities | D.C. Playbook | D.C. Influence | All our POLITICO Pro policy morning newsletters