Alexandra Topping

Political correspondent at the Guardian. Northerner stranded in the South. Long-suffering Evertonian. Views mine alone. Also found at: @lexytopping.bsky.social

[Alexandra Topping @LexyTopping]

Preach

[Sherman McCoy @wasphyxiation]

Group stage is the best stage. The tournament is young, summer is young. You’re inundated with an endless marathon of games. All the teams, including yours, are in so anything can happen. Once you get to the quarters you’re reminded that it will all be over soon and you’ll die

[Alexandra Topping @LexyTopping]

Out for the Count

[Keiran Pedley @keiranpedley]

🚨 NEW from @Ipsos_in_the_UK Britain backs Binface 🚨

When asked who they would prefer win the Clacton by-election...

33% say Count Binface
21% say Nigel Farage
32% say neither
13% are undecided

[Rachel Reeves @RachelReevesMP]

I will accept Nigel Farage’s request to be appointed Steward and Bailiff of the Manor of Northstead.

It is a farce and a desperate distraction, and the people of Clacton deserve better.

But if he wants to spend the summer arguing with a bin, I won't stop him.

[Victims' Commissioner for England & Wales @VictimsComm]

I was repeatedly assured victims would be well informed and safeguarded before offenders were released early.
Those assurances have not been delivered. I have called for early release to be halted until those protections are in place. Victim safety cannot be an afterthought.

[Alexandra Topping @LexyTopping]

@VictimsComm In her damning letter to the MoJ, Dame Nicole Jacobs, @CommissionerDA, wrote that ministers had gone back on promises. “These were not vague commitments, they were conditions on which this scheme was deemed acceptable to alleviate the capacity crisis and protect public safety"

[Alexandra Topping @LexyTopping]

EXC: In a rare coordinated response @VictimsComm @CommissionerDA have written to gov ministers warning that a failure to put safeguards in place for abuse victims will leave them at risk when new laws see early release of offenders from September https://t.co/5ZX9RzJNwR

[Alexandra Topping @LexyTopping]

Claire Waxman, @VictimsComm said: “I was repeatedly told victims would be properly informed and reassured that measures would be put in place to keep them safe. What is abundantly clear now is that communication with victims, safeguarding and support has been an afterthought.”

[Alexandra Topping @LexyTopping]

Every Scouse catholic rn: “Is right La”

[Institute for Hispano Studies @hispano_studies]

Brazil was better when their players were womanizers, drunkards and slightly out of shape. In other words, when they were behaving like Catholics— letting the power of friendship and good fun do the heavy lifting.

Evangelical Protestant sterilization has flattened their ball, ruined their samba, and obliterated their swag.

World historic aura loss.

[Alexandra Topping @LexyTopping]

@benhoobs Hahahaha accuracy above all Ben!

[Alexandra Topping @LexyTopping]

Count Binface: "is Nigel running a cunning stunt? I pronounced that carefully at 8.55 in the morning"

[Alexandra Topping @LexyTopping]

Count Binface on the Today Programme: truly the great radio moment of our times

[Alexandra Topping @LexyTopping]

Count Binface on the Today Programme: truly the great radio moment of our times

[Kemi Badenoch @KemiBadenoch]

The Conservatives will not be standing a candidate in this fake by-election.

[Jessica Elgot @jessicaelgot]

BREAKING - Labour will not stand a candidate in Clacton by-election, NEC confirms

Tories, Restore, Lib Dems also won’t stand against Nigel Farage.

Has the stunt backfired?

[Scousericey @scousericey]

The originals!

[Alexandra Topping @LexyTopping]

Our no.1 💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙

[Ed McCosh @EdMc_Cosh]

What the Mexico fans haven't appreciated is that raining down a chorus of boos is just going to make Jordan Pickford feel at home.

[Alexandra Topping @LexyTopping]

"The media" scrutinises the financial arrangements, backing, interests and lobbying of every political leader and party that seeks power. It is called holding power to account.

[Danny Kruger @danny__kruger]

The hounding of Nigel Farage and his family over their personal finances and living arrangements is a transparent attempt by established power - in the government and the media - to disable Reform because of the threat the party poses to their privileges. All these attacks haven’t revealed a single incidence of wrongdoing. They’re playing the man and not the ball. The British public will see that, and see it is unfair, and it won’t work.

[Alexandra Topping @LexyTopping]

Hands up if you watched the whole game last night, the highlights this morning and this 44 times at your desk today 🇫🇷

[Match of the Day @BBCMOTD]

🎥 'Kylian Mbappe cam' for France's third goal was a treat 😍

Just wait for the backheel 😮‍💨

#FifaWorldCup

[Alexandra Topping @LexyTopping]

I met Julie and Carole in 2022 in a London cafe when they were setting up @KilledWomennw with 9 other families. There are few women I admire more. Here's the story of how they changed the law in honour of their murdered daughters >> https://t.co/snd0T20g4O

[Kiran Stacey @kiranstacey]

EXC: Britain's biggest trade union endorses Ed Miliband for chancellor. Others expected to follow.

(Side note - have we ever had explicit union endorsements for chancellor before?)

https://t.co/MtmtZJMFtv