Gerry Brakus

Creative Editor, New Statesman. European to the end. Find me on Instagram @gerrylb

[The New Statesman @NewStatesman]

Before Syria, I saw John Cantlie's drive for danger

@gerrylb
https://t.co/hfNCdumPIz

[The New Statesman @NewStatesman]

Paul Conroy knew the importance of bearing witness

The war photographer has died aged 61

By @gerrylb

https://t.co/01Q1mjAxgH

[The New Statesman @NewStatesman]

How the Epstein story sidelines women

This is not about women failing to protect themselves; it is about power finding ways to neutralise them

By @gerrylb https://t.co/6U21MBbjC4

[The New Statesman @NewStatesman]

My small thanks to Andreas Whittam Smith

The founding editor of The Independent has died aged 88

@gerrylb https://t.co/bzVwVowDqR

[Gerry Brakus @gerrylb]

@willydunn So good

[The New Statesman @NewStatesman]

STATE OF EMERGENCY: @AndrewMarr9 on the crises Keir Starmer can’t afford

What have we learned from 12 days of war in the Middle East? Britain has no agency. British diplomacy is irrelevant. British social democracy is so fragile that one shock could finish it off in our lifetimes. If Keir Starmer’s problems were confined to conflicts abroad that he has no real influence over, that would be bad enough. But the trouble is: this war is happening as the government loses authority in the country and in parliament.

Something serious has gone wrong in the relationship between Downing Street and the Labour Party in parliament. Such is the scale of discontent on the Labour benches that Liz Kendall’s bill may be postponed or even lost entirely. To think, after barely a year of this government, the authority of the prime minister and the chancellor is being directly threatened.

Natural supporters of Starmer are asking whether there is a private room in Number 10 in which any genuine political conversation is taking place. They are beginning to conclude that such a room doesn’t exist.

[The New Statesman @NewStatesman]

In one sense, Keir Starmer has come to power at just the right moment. The country that he governs is one that feels traumatised by events. Britain is coming to terms with almost two decades of failure. Yet, Starmer finds it difficult to articulate this feeling, to capture the mood of the nation in its raw reality, much as he finds it hard to explain his emotions. The words he has to find inside himself must reach millions, must drag them along with him. He must understand the national trauma and its causes, to connect with emotion and anger. Yet he seems reluctant to poke at the reasons the country is so tense and angry and poor, to analyse the cause of the country’s malaise.

[Gerry Brakus @gerrylb]

This hugely important and brilliant issue is the last for the NS by the eternally fantastic @Tom_Gatti. Wishing him all the luck at The Observer. He will be so missed

[Tom Gatti @Tom_Gatti]

The @GordonBrown guest edit on child poverty is also my last issue at the @NewStatesman. V proud of this one. A huge effort from the ultra-talented NS team but special thanks to @meganekenyon, Pippa Bailey, Kate Mossman, @gerrylb & @WeathersErica & @freebrianrea for the ace cover

[The New Statesman @NewStatesman]

The Face Magazine: Culture Shift invites you into the cool club

🖼️ @gerrylb on photography
https://t.co/vtiUW1FlKZ

[Gerry Brakus @gerrylb]

I was lucky to have worked in the same newsroom as Kim for many years. He was humble and so calm for someone who faced shocking scenes of war so regularly. I was a little in awe of his bravery. What a loss. https://t.co/WbZLreozdo

[Gerry Brakus @gerrylb]

I was lucky to have worked in the same newsroom as Kim for many years. He was humble and so calm for someone who faced shocking scenes of war so regularly. I was a little in awe of his bravery. What a loss.
https://t.co/WbZLrep72W

[Gerry Brakus @gerrylb]

This means a lot. I always put a lot of thought into it, but especially when what we’re covering is so sensitive and important

[Gerry Brakus @gerrylb]

His last interview, with Kate Mossman, illustrated by Ryan McAmis. RIP Parky

[The New Statesman @NewStatesman]

Michael Parkinson, the veteran talk-show host, has passed away aged 88.

Earlier this year, he spoke to Kate Mossman about broadcasting’s halcyon days, car-crash interviews and today’s “charlatans in high office”.

Free to read 🔓
https://t.co/Oy6nwKeFnF

[Gerry Brakus @gerrylb]

Great piece on Simone Weil in this week’s @NewStatesman, beautifully illustrated by Carlo Giamberresi https://t.co/O35B6gfM8g

[Gerry Brakus @gerrylb]

This year’s Prix Pictet shortlist and its theme, ‘Human’ is a particularly strong one. You can read more about it here; https://t.co/zsfh7gPXyE

[Gerry Brakus @gerrylb]

Nice one trooper @KevinJRawlinson

[Hadley Freeman @HadleyFreeman]

Chapeau to @KevinJRawlinson!

[Gerry Brakus @gerrylb]

@RMCunliffe Hope you’re ok Rachel. Sending Rudy x

[Gerry Brakus @gerrylb]

@JonnElledge I’m so sorry Jonn. My thoughts are with you x

[Gerry Brakus @gerrylb]

@chrisfloyduk That made me lol

[Gerry Brakus @gerrylb]

Surely I’m not the only person unsurprised by Diane Abbott’s letter?