Guy Opperman

Optimist. Father.
Ex jockey, lawyer, Hexham MP & Minister.
Brain tumour survivor and campaigner.
Now consulting, chairing and charity work.

[Guy Opperman @GuyOpperman]

I worked with @JohnHealey_MP for many years albeit we were opposite sides of the house.
He is the nicest and most decent man in the Labour cabinet. A big loss to the government.

[John Healey @JohnHealey_MP]

My letter to the Prime Minister

[Guy Opperman @GuyOpperman]

I want my country to do well … but this is further evidence that if the Labour Party choose to replace the PM with Burnham then there will be massive negative financial consequences … and it will not end well.

[Lucy Fisher @LOS_Fisher]

NEW: Andy Burnham has hinted at a new multibillion-pound spending commitment if he becomes PM, saying that more than 3.5mn women “deserve” compensation over what he regards as a pension scandal

Earlier I attended a Makerfield hustings event hosted by @MENnewsdesk, in which Burnham said: “I stick by campaigners that I support. I stuck by the Hillsborough families, I’ll stick by the Waspi women because they deserve some recompense for the unfairness.”

Stressing he wouldn’t ditch his longterm support for Waspi women, he said he felt “uncomfortable” that some politicians threw their support behind a cause but then went into government and “didn’t do anything”

https://t.co/vQkuikv3aG

[Guy Opperman @GuyOpperman]

What a tribute to Sir Alex Younger ⬇️
And evidence that the USA / UK intelligence relationship is much deeper and more substantial than the leading politicians.

[Mike Pompeo @mikepompeo]

Within hours of being announced as the nominee to be the U.S. Director of the CIA, I received a hand-delivered message on MI6 stationery congratulating me on my nomination. It was signed simply "C" in green ink. Legendary. I shared it with my son and even he thought I was now cool!

More than that, this note, from Sir Alex Younger, Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service of the United Kingdom, confirmed what I already believed: the work that the CIA and MI6 did together mattered, that the partnership was critical, and that two leaders focused on the mission could save lives and provide tools for our nations to deter our adversaries.

Alex's passing this week brought back so many memories of our time in service together. He flew to Langley to see me the day I was confirmed. We brought our two senior teams together in the UK to plan and coordinate and build in the first several weeks of my time on duty: making clear to them all that this relationship was more than special - it was critical for the security of our two countries.

Alex was a remarkable intelligence partner. When we needed help, it wasn't "let me see;" it was "this matters to you and America we'll get it done." And he and his team always did. I think he knew we would do the same for him and his team and his nation. Many Americans are alive today because of his leadership of MI6, I never knew how to thank him enough.

Alex became a friend as well. In the years since we both left office we would see each other from time to time. He was always so kind, so thoughtful, so smart. His deep love of his country was surpassed only by his deep commitment and love of his family. Decent and proper - and funny as hell - Alex was "C." As espionage requires, he was quiet, not attention seeking. He knew what evil was and he was ruthless in his efforts to crush it with every legal tool at his command. And he knew who his friends were and committed himself to supporting them.

I miss Sir Alex Younger. He was a role model for me and a man with whom every minute I spent was valued and savored. Blessings to you Alex. Praying for you and for your family. Well done and may you rest in peace in His hands.

[Kemi Badenoch @KemiBadenoch]

Today I have met Lucy, Mark and Katie, Henry Nowak’s mother, father and stepmother. Their courage is extraordinary.

They have endured the most appalling loss, it is a life sentence for them.

They have also faced the agonising decision to release the harrowing body-worn camera footage, knowing how painful it would be and how strongly people would react. They did so because they want truth, accountability and change.

They have asked that we work across political parties and religions to rebuild trust in the police. That trust has been broken because of what happened, and I agree with them on that.

We must also be prepared to examine, carefully and seriously, religious practices or exemptions that permit the carrying of dangerous weapons in public, and other activities that are not conducive to the public good. We also need to examine where the law needs to change.

Henry’s family do not want anger to tear communities apart. They are a family who have friends across faith and race, and so did Henry. His family want his memory to help bring our society together.

Everyone knows I have strong views about how we should deal with equality under the law. What the family agreed with me on is that we need to bring common sense back, and that is what we should all be fighting for.

I promised the family that we will work to ensure there is a positive legacy for Henry out of this tragedy.

That is my focus now.

[Guy Opperman @GuyOpperman]

This is both a brilliant summary of the world we now live in, and why the UK 🇬🇧 will miss the amazing Sir Alex Younger.
RIP and thank you for your service.

[Nicholas Drummond @nicholadrummond]

This is the best summary of the current geopolitical situation I have seen. Sir Alex Younger was head of MI6 between 2014 and 2020. Really worth watching.

[Guy Opperman @GuyOpperman]

My mum worked for MI5. Would never discuss what she did - even to me when I worked at the Home Office - just said “No, I signed the Official Secrets Act”

[Guy Opperman @GuyOpperman]

@ryancavengolf The amazing North Berwick - played it once and hit my drive well out of bounds to the right of the cars 😂

[Guy Opperman @GuyOpperman]

You may like or dislike Tony Blair - but this is well worth a read ⬇️

The analysis of UK 🇬🇧 issues, and potential solutions is fascinating.

His critique of the present Labour Party is getting the headlines but this is much bigger than that.

[Tony Blair Institute for Global Change @InstituteGC]

https://t.co/27lbhXTsjk

[Guy Opperman @GuyOpperman]

110% he won’t ⬇️

[Calgie @christiancalgie]

EXCL: Andy Burnham sparks excitement among WASPI women that he’ll obey longstanding pledge to pay out compensation that could cost £10b.

https://t.co/KZom5skgB9

[Guy Opperman @GuyOpperman]

The tech is superb and the team are exceptionally able. Of course we had to take the photo on the roof of their building 😀
There are multiple businesses who could benefit from their services here & abroad 👍
Full report here: https://t.co/kPjKLHuvtX

[Guy Opperman @GuyOpperman]

Delighted to be joining #Raindrop as a Director, helping the team to grow the business.
Since launch, barely a few years ago, Raindrop has recovered over £1.6 billion from over 166,000 lost pension pots for UK savers. Those are big #tracing numbers in a very short time. 1/

[Guy Opperman @GuyOpperman]

@PFNicholls @NichollsOlive @NewtonAbbotRace A great achievement- you should be v proud 🐎 👍

[Guy Opperman @GuyOpperman]

I want my country to do well. But things are going to get v messy after Starmer announces he’s stepping down.

Mainly because all of his / Reeves successors will take the Labour Party even more to the left. And that will make UK borrowing untenable in my view.
Buckle up

[Guy Opperman @GuyOpperman]

Ernest Hemingway sums up the Prime Ministers position ⬇️
Keir Starmer will announce he is stepping down v soon. His leadership is over.

[Guy Opperman @GuyOpperman]

@lukerobertblack That is a proper campaign injury! Good luck my friend

[Guy Opperman @GuyOpperman]

@northumbriana Love it
Does this make Tynedale or Longbenton the new Bermuda Triangle?

[Guy Opperman @GuyOpperman]

I want my country to do well - but this is not going to end well unless govt changes its approach. And the Iran conflict has still not really fed into the UK economy - that happens over the next 6-9 months. If Burnham or Rayner take over from Starmer then things get worse 100%

[Guy Opperman @GuyOpperman]

A reckoning is coming: Gilts are now consistently above 5% ⬇️

The gilt market has become reactive and jittery - it no longer is a bedrock of stability.
Iran war is compounding ever higher govt spending, taxes, debt and lack of monetary discipline. 1/

[Guy Opperman @GuyOpperman]

@PrudhoeNland It is an amazing school-thank you for all the support you give it 🙏

[Today in History @TodayinHistory]

Today’s main takeaway is King Charles III is actually very funny.