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Tue, 22 July 2025
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Alain Tolhurst

Alain Tolhurst

@Alain_Tolhurst

Alain Tolhurst is Chief Reporter at PoliticsHome and host of The Rundown podcast each week.

Government Has Rejected Plans For Olympics-Style Event To Fund Mental Health Services For First Responders
Health
By Alain Tolhurst
Government Has Rejected Plans For Olympics-Style Event To Fund Mental Health Services For First Responders
Tory MPs have criticised the government for failing to support plans for an Olympics-style multi-sport event which will raise money towards mental health services for first responders.
Liz Truss Plays Down Lead In Race To Be Prime Minister As Rishi Sunak Admits He Is “Playing Catch-Up”
Political parties
By Alain Tolhurst
Liz Truss Plays Down Lead In Race To Be Prime Minister As Rishi Sunak Admits He Is “Playing Catch-Up”
The frontrunner to be the next Prime Minister, Liz Truss, has played down her lead over rival Rishi Sunak after he admitted he is “playing catch-up”.
The Rundown Podcast: Energy Crisis Reckoning Awaits New Prime Minister
Political parties
By Alain Tolhurst
The Rundown Podcast: Energy Crisis Reckoning Awaits New Prime Minister
As the race to replace Boris Johnson risks being overshadowed by the looming cost of living crisis, Tory MPs Richard Holden and Alec Shelbrooke, supporters of the two party leadership contenders, join PoliticsHome's Alain Tolhurst and Caitlin Doherty to talk about radical energy plans, blue-on-blue attacks and the hustings between Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss.
Tobias Ellwood Says Boris Johnson Has “More Chance Of Becoming A Bond Villain” Than NATO Chief
Defence
By Alain Tolhurst
Tobias Ellwood Says Boris Johnson Has “More Chance Of Becoming A Bond Villain” Than NATO Chief
Defence select committee chair Tobias Ellwood has dismissed reports that Boris Johnson could become the Nato chief once he steps down as Prime Minister.
Boris Johnson Accused Of 'Deflecting Attention” From Meeting With Ex-KGB Agent
Foreign affairs
Boris Johnson Accused Of "Deflecting Attention” From Meeting With Ex-KGB Agent
A senior Labour MP has accused Boris Johnson of trying to “deflect attention” from his meeting with ex-KGB agent Alexander Lebedev without officials present when he was Foreign Secretary by highlighting connections other MPs have to his media mogul son.
Liz Truss And Rishi Sunak Toughen Immigration Pledges In Race To Become Prime Minister
Home affairs
By Alain Tolhurst
Liz Truss And Rishi Sunak Toughen Immigration Pledges In Race To Become Prime Minister
Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak have both pledged to further toughen the UK's stance on illegal migration if they win the Tory leadership contest as they try to scoop up right wing support from the party’s grassroots.
The Rundown Podcast: Final Two To Replace Boris Johnson Are Clashing Already
Political parties
By Alain Tolhurst
The Rundown Podcast: Final Two To Replace Boris Johnson Are Clashing Already
As the Tory party leadership contest comes down to the final two candidates Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss, supporters of the rivals Simon Hart and Greg Smith join Alain Tolhurst and Eleanor Langford from PoliticsHome to look ahead to where the second stage of the race to replace Boris Johnson will be won and lost.
Former Cabinet Minister Dismisses Liz Truss Claim She Opposed Rishi Sunak’s Tax Rises
Political parties
By Alain Tolhurst
Former Cabinet Minister Dismisses Liz Truss Claim She Opposed Rishi Sunak’s Tax Rises
A former Cabinet minister who until recently worked alongside Liz Truss has rejected the leadership frontrunner's claim that she has argued against raising taxes over the past two years.
Senior Tory Accuses Boris Johnson Critic Of “Very Serious Mistake” Over Missing Vote
Political parties
By Alain Tolhurst
Senior Tory Accuses Boris Johnson Critic Of “Very Serious Mistake” Over Missing Vote
A senior minister has defended Boris Johnson’s decision to strip the Conservative whip from one of his biggest critics after they were stuck abroad and unable to take part in a Commons vote.
Failure To Resolve PPE Supplier Disputes May Cost Taxpayers £2.7bn, Warn MPs
Health
By Alain Tolhurst
Failure To Resolve PPE Supplier Disputes May Cost Taxpayers £2.7bn, Warn MPs
A cross-party committee of MPs has warned a failure to resolve disputes with suppliers of poor-quality PPE could cost the taxpayer £2.7bn.
Kemi Badenoch Knocked Out Of Tory Leadership Contest
Political parties
By Alain Tolhurst
Kemi Badenoch Knocked Out Of Tory Leadership Contest
The former equalities minister Kemi Badenoch is the latest leadership hopeful to be knocked out of the race to become Prime Minister.
Boris Johnson Critic Tobias Ellwood Has Tory Whip Removed Over Missing Confidence Vote
Political parties
By Alain Tolhurst
Boris Johnson Critic Tobias Ellwood Has Tory Whip Removed Over Missing Confidence Vote
Boris Johnson has been criticised for stripping the Tory whip from Tobias Ellwood over missing a vote on last night’s motion of confidence in the government, preventing him from voting in the leadership contest.
Transport Secretary Says Infrastructure Won't Be Resilient To Extreme Heat For 'Decades'
Transport
By Alain Tolhurst
Transport Secretary Says Infrastructure Won't Be Resilient To Extreme Heat For "Decades"
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has admitted it will take “decades” to make road and rail infrastructure able to deal with heatwaves.
Suella Braverman Backers Moving To Kemi Badenoch In Tory Leadership Race Is Stalling Liz Truss
Political parties
Suella Braverman Backers Moving To Kemi Badenoch In Tory Leadership Race Is Stalling Liz Truss
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss is not expected to gain ground on Penny Mordaunt in the battle for second in the Tory leadership contest, according to her supporters.
New Tory Leader Must 'Get Hold Of The Reins' Of Public Trust in Elections Rules, Watchdog’s Former Chief Warns
Communities
By Alain Tolhurst
New Tory Leader Must "Get Hold Of The Reins" Of Public Trust in Elections Rules, Watchdog’s Former Chief Warns
The former chief executive of the Electoral Commission has warned the incoming Prime Minister they need to work hard to show they aren’t removing the watchdog’s independence after Boris Johnson’s government passed a controversial piece of legislation.
Third Tory Leadership Debate Cancelled After Rishi Sunak And Liz Truss Pull Out Over Concerns Of Damaging Party
Political parties
By Alain Tolhurst
Third Tory Leadership Debate Cancelled After Rishi Sunak And Liz Truss Pull Out Over Concerns Of Damaging Party
The third televised Tory leadership debate has been cancelled after the frontrunners to become the next Prime Minister announced they are pulling out of the programme.
Minister Defends Boris Johnson Missing Emergency Heatwave Meetings To Host A Party
Political parties
By Alain Tolhurst
Minister Defends Boris Johnson Missing Emergency Heatwave Meetings To Host A Party
Kit Malthouse, the newly appointed Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, has defended Boris Johnson's decision to skip an emergency meeting addressing dangerously hot weather to host a party at his country retreat.
The Rundown Podcast: Rehman Chishti Has No Regrets
Political parties
By Alain Tolhurst
The Rundown Podcast: Rehman Chishti Has No Regrets
Short-lived Tory leadership candidate Rehman Chishti joined Alain Tolhurst and Adam Payne to talk about why he threw his hat in the ring to be the next Prime Minister as the race to replace Boris Johnson heats up.
Rehman Chishti Worries He Was Too Late To Have A Shot At Tory Leadership
Political parties
Rehman Chishti Worries He Was Too Late To Have A Shot At Tory Leadership
Eliminated Tory leadership candidate Rehman Chishti has said he does not regret his bid to be the next Prime Minister, but suspects he could have got more MPs to support his campaign if he had launched it sooner.
Liz Truss Ally Challenges “No Energy” Rival Right-Wing Candidates To Quit Tory Leadership Race
Political parties
By Alain Tolhurst
Liz Truss Ally Challenges “No Energy” Rival Right-Wing Candidates To Quit Tory Leadership Race
A prominent backer of Liz Truss has called on her rival candidates “without energy” to throw in the towel and back the Foreign Secretary’s campaign to be Prime Minister.
Boris Johnson Accused Of “Running Scared” After Blocking Labour's No Confidence Debate
Political parties
By Alain Tolhurst
Boris Johnson Accused Of “Running Scared” After Blocking Labour's No Confidence Debate
Boris Johnson has been heavily criticised for refusing to allow Parliamentary time for a vote of no confidence in his government to be debated tomorrow.
Priti Patel Ruled Out Of Tory Leadership Over Fear Of 'Fractured' Right-Wing Vote
Home affairs
Priti Patel Ruled Out Of Tory Leadership Over Fear Of "Fractured" Right-Wing Vote
The Home Secretary Priti Patel has ruled herself out of the race to replace Boris Johnson as Prime Minister over fears she “risked splitting the vote on the Tory right”.
Tom Tugendhat Warns Leadership Rivals Against Doing Deals 'Behind Tory Members’ Backs'
Political parties
Tom Tugendhat Warns Leadership Rivals Against Doing Deals "Behind Tory Members’ Backs"
Launching his bid to become Prime Minister, Tom Tugendhat has called on his leadership rivals not to do a deal “behind the back of Conservative Party members” that could prevent them from having a say on who takes over the party.
How Will Tory Leadership Contest That Decides The Next Prime Minister Be Run?
Political parties
By Alain Tolhurst
How Will Tory Leadership Contest That Decides The Next Prime Minister Be Run?
With the number of declared candidates in double figures and a desire to get a new leader in place quickly, new rules for the Conservative leadership contest aim to expedite the election of a new Prime Minister.
Pro-Boris Tories Want To Derail Rishi Sunak's Campaign To Be The Next Prime Minister
Political parties
By Alain Tolhurst
Pro-Boris Tories Want To Derail Rishi Sunak's Campaign To Be The Next Prime Minister
Rishi Sunak has become the target of sustained negative briefings as a behind-the-scenes campaign by some Tory MPs attempts to block him from becoming the next Prime Minister.
Sir John Major Calls For Boris Johnson To Be Kicked Out Of Downing Street Now
Political parties
By Alain Tolhurst
Sir John Major Calls For Boris Johnson To Be Kicked Out Of Downing Street Now
Former prime minister Sir John Major has called for Boris Johnson to be made to leave Number 10 immediately.
How Does Government Work Without Any Ministers?
Political parties
By Alain Tolhurst
How Does Government Work Without Any Ministers?
Boris Johnson is set to stay on as Prime Minister for the next few months until a new Conservative leader is elected, but for now there are still dozens of ministerial vacancies left open.
Boris Johnson Will Resign As Prime Minister
Political parties
By Alain Tolhurst
Boris Johnson Will Resign As Prime Minister
Boris Johnson will quit as Prime Minister on Thursday after being forced out by his own party.
Sajid Javid Tells MPs “The Problem Starts At The Top” As He Savages Boris Johnson
Political parties
By Alain Tolhurst
Sajid Javid Tells MPs “The Problem Starts At The Top” As He Savages Boris Johnson
Sajid Javid told MPs “enough is enough” as he delivered a searing personal statement criticising Boris Johnson’s leadership following his shock resignation last night.
Minister Says Boris Johnson Unaware Of Chris Pincher Accusations Before Appointment, Despite Slew Of New Allegations
Political parties
By Alain Tolhurst
Minister Says Boris Johnson Unaware Of Chris Pincher Accusations Before Appointment, Despite Slew Of New Allegations
A Cabinet minister has insisted that Boris Johnson was unaware of harassment allegations against Chris Pincher before he was appointed deputy chief whip, despite multiple reports suggesting the contrary.
The Rundown: Overturning Of Roe Vs Wade Exposes UK Abortion Law's Fragility
Social affairs
By Alain Tolhurst
The Rundown: Overturning Of Roe Vs Wade Exposes UK Abortion Law's Fragility
The Labour peer Baroness Hayter and Katherine O'Brien from the British Pregnancy Advisory Service join PoliticsHome's Alain Tolhurst and Adam Payne for this week’s episode to discuss the reverberations of the US Supreme Court's overturning of Roe Vs Wade, meaning abortion is now banned or severely restricted in a number of American states.
Roe Vs Wade Shows Now Is Finally Time To Decriminalise Abortion In The UK, Says Veteran Campaigner
Social affairs
By Alain Tolhurst
Roe Vs Wade Shows Now Is Finally Time To Decriminalise Abortion In The UK, Says Veteran Campaigner
A veteran abortion campaigner has called on the government to use the overturning of the legal right to terminations in America as the catalyst to finally fully decriminalise the procedure in the UK.
Ex-Naval Chief Warns Of Nuclear War With Russia Without Defence Spending Increases
Defence
Ex-Naval Chief Warns Of Nuclear War With Russia Without Defence Spending Increases
The former head of the Navy has accused the government of a repeated failure to spend enough on defence, and believes this has increased the chances of nuclear war with Russia.
Defence Secretary Warns “The Threat Is Changing” And Calls For More Defence Spending
Defence
Defence Secretary Warns “The Threat Is Changing” And Calls For More Defence Spending
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace is not backing down on his call for increased government spending on the armed forces. He said he “wouldn’t be doing his job” if he did.
Minister Claims Inflation-Matching Public Sector Pay Rise Will Cause “Deathly Spiral” Of High Prices
Economy
By Alain Tolhurst
Minister Claims Inflation-Matching Public Sector Pay Rise Will Cause “Deathly Spiral” Of High Prices
Technology Minister Chris Philp has defended the government’s decision not to offer public sector workers a pay rise in line with inflation, because he believes this year’s hike in prices are “transitory”.
Seismic US Abortion Ban Renews Calls To Get Northern Ireland Services Up And Running
Social affairs
By Alain Tolhurst
Seismic US Abortion Ban Renews Calls To Get Northern Ireland Services Up And Running
The decision by the US Supreme Court to reverse that country’s legal right to abortion has renewed focus on the lack of abortion provision in Northern Ireland where women still cannot access services locally, despite a law passed more than two years ago.