Hugo Rifkind

I didn't write the headline, though.

Writing @thetimes, talking @timesradio Monday-Thursday, 10am-1pm. Latest novel, Rabbits, at link below...

[Hugo Rifkind @hugorifkind]

My novel *Rabbits* is out today in paperback.

I feel you should definitely buy it.

Here are some of the lovely things readers have said about it over the last few months.

[Hugo Rifkind @hugorifkind]

@alanmonolith Ach, no. Thanks but it definitely helped. People remember you and are perhaps more interested. But I think that direct benefit probably expired in my case a couple of decades ago.

[Hugo Rifkind @hugorifkind]

It's easy to say "I regret it happened but tempers were high." He doesn't say that because he doesn't regret it. Jenrick wants to be Chancellor. There is no other party with figures at this level who would express open delight at their political opponents being beaten up.

[LBC @LBC]

'What did you expect them to do?'

Robert Jenrick reacts to footage of Reform conference attendees manhandling a protestor, and claims he has 'no sympathy'.

@Lewis_Goodall

[Hugo Rifkind @hugorifkind]

@Laocailarry Thanks for looking it up, tho.

[Hugo Rifkind @hugorifkind]

@Laocailarry That is, in fact, more accurate. My work was read by a commissioning editor at The Times of about my age who encouraged me to freelance. I'd also never met Neil. I got my job at that website because they were desperate for writers and my flatmate worked in the office next door.

[Hugo Rifkind @hugorifkind]

@Laocailarry I mean, it's immaterial because that's not remotely how it happened. But even if it had been, what would have been in it for them? He was one ex cabinet minister among many. Why bother?

[Hugo Rifkind @hugorifkind]

@Laocailarry That would have been much easier. Alas, it didn't work like that. I'm also not sure why on Earth they'd have said "yes" given he wasn't even an MP by then. It's very easy to see how my career began and has progressed by using things like Google. By all means have a go.

[Hugo Rifkind @hugorifkind]

@Laocailarry Indeed we're not. One key difference is that you have to completely make up quotes and views for me in order to make a point. Whereas I can just quote your guy directly.

[Hugo Rifkind @hugorifkind]

@DexterSemper @FrankLeeBrian They didn't look very frightened. And either way, it's immaterial to Jenrick's glee two days later.

[Hugo Rifkind @hugorifkind]

@MWhitmore16302 I don't think I'm on the progressive left. I had often met and much admired Ann. I'd advise you to Google the words "sub judice".

[Hugo Rifkind @hugorifkind]

@Diogenes1 There's none. It's just the real him.

[Hugo Rifkind @hugorifkind]

@FrankLeeBrian Except she didn't, and Jenrick also knows she didn't because it was two days ago.

[Hugo Rifkind @hugorifkind]

@FrankLeeBrian What threat do you think she could have posed?

[Hugo Rifkind @hugorifkind]

@HackBlackburn Ok you've convinced me. I drifted off halfway thru s2. I'll have another go.

[Hugo Rifkind @hugorifkind]

@DAaronovitch I've been worrying about this all day and I'm just not sure that crack dealing and goatherding are synergistic professions. The crackheads would have to hike up a mountain. Otherwise, who buys the crack? Goats?

[Hugo Rifkind @hugorifkind]

@scribblercat They may beat you to it, tbh.

[Hugo Rifkind @hugorifkind]

@scribblercat Promise me you'll immediately shoot me if I ever even try.

[Hugo Rifkind @hugorifkind]

@scribblercat That's very kind, thank you.

[Hugo Rifkind @hugorifkind]

@scribblercat I absolutely agree, tho, that the distinctions between those different disciplines should often be far more rigorous and obvious than they are.

[Hugo Rifkind @hugorifkind]

@scribblercat Of course, but it's also not always supposed to. I mean, I know I *would* say this, but many things - polemic, satire, analysis, advocacy - have a place in papers alongside reporting. I tend to think it's all "journalism" by virtue of being there. Tho that's semantics, I suppose.