Tim Shipman

Political Editor, The @spectator. Ex-Sunday Times, Mail, Sun Tel, Express. Author of the Brexit quartet. Order No Way Out and Out here:

[Tim Shipman @ShippersUnbound]

OUT is out in paperback on Nov 6. Order it here: https://t.co/4Z69kC0QrL

[Tim Shipman @ShippersUnbound]

@bobg611 @tombradby @mccloskeybooks It’s a cracker

[tom bradby @tombradby]

This by @mccloskeybooks was just pure pleasure. You'd expect a former CIA analyst's depiction of the espionage world to be full of compelling and convincing detail, but David is just such a beautiful writer and that lifts this to a different level. I loved his first novel, Damascus Station, but this is just as good. An incredibly entertaining page-turner. But very satisfying too.

[Spybrary @spybrary]

Did you know that the man who wrote one of the best modern spy films (Spy Game) also pens spy thrillers? Find out more in our Q&A with @MichaelFBeckner - read it now on Spybrary - link in the 1st comment.

#spybrary #thrillerbooks #spygame

[tom bradby @tombradby]

This by @danfesperman was recommended to me by @ShippersUnbound (well-known for his political coverage, but an excellent source of advice on great spy novels). It's set in Berlin as the wall comes down and power leeches from the old intelligence and security agencies of East Germany. It's atmospheric, beautifully written and rather moving. I absolutely loved it.

[Tim Shipman @ShippersUnbound]

@CharlesCumming Go elsewhere

[The Spectator @spectator]

Well-organised Downing Street operations have a bully pulpit to dominate the news schedules and Burnham's team have made the most of that. Starmer, from the off, seemed passive and reactive. Burnham is on the front foot.

There will come a time, like a batsman playing forward, when he takes a ball on the chin, but most batsmen thrive when taking the initiative and you're less likely to get trapped in front of your stumps when the pitch starts to break up.

✍️ Tim Shipman

Article | https://t.co/iNs4UyC9hJ | @ShippersUnbound

[Spybrary @spybrary]

The tickets are booked. The bags are packed. But have you sorted your spy holiday reading?

Spybrary’s @ShippersUnbound Tim Shipman ranks his favourite spy novels of 2026 — from established masters to hidden gems. Link in the 1st reply.

[Tim Shipman @ShippersUnbound]

@north_andsouth One of the very greatest one hit wonders though

[Tim Shipman @ShippersUnbound]

Interesting take by a former Labour Spad on the dangers as well as attractions of Burnham’s regional tribalism https://t.co/dg9tSISezj

[Tim Shipman @ShippersUnbound]

@Lachlan_Edi Clever use of 'public' transport. 70-80% of the country drives to work, of course

[Tim Shipman @ShippersUnbound]

@Paulodaburka @TheThrillerZone Yeah I saw. Tremendous news

[Tim Shipman @ShippersUnbound]

@TheThrillerZone Oh man, this is wonderful news. Your abrupt silence really worried me and I’ve been meaning to email you. I so hoped you were writing not ill. Bring it on DT

[Tim Shipman @ShippersUnbound]

As tipped in last week’s Spectator

[Dan Bloom @danbloom1]

More No10 job news in Playbook: Nathan Yeowell, boss of the Future Governance Forum think tank and formerly of the Blairite outfit Progressive Britain, is joining No. 10 as a SpAd covering devolution, local government and Wales. Adam Terry is taking over his old job at the FGF

[Tim Shipman @ShippersUnbound]

Amazing piece of detective work by @JeremyDuns. He has found a hidden treasure trove of short stories by Eric Ambler, one of the godfathers of spy fiction, published before he wrote The Dark Frontier.

Part I: https://t.co/kSDvF6ER5H
Part II: https://t.co/zPrtqV5XOc

Huge opportunity for a smart publisher here to produce a new athology @_SwiftPress @AtriaMysteryBus @eqmm @noexitpress @canelo_co @MysteriousPress @strandbookstore

[James Heale @JAHeale]

Exc: Grant Shapps believed to be one of at least 10 ex Tory MPs who have failed their assessments as Badenoch overhauls selection process

https://t.co/aKDkUf57Bi

[Tim Shipman @ShippersUnbound]

@MotoClark it's glorious

[Tim Shipman @ShippersUnbound]

@MotoClark Have you not watched the film either? Sorkin script. Philip Seymour Hoffman in one of the great supporting turns of all time

[Anand Menon @anandMenon1]

Say what you want about the ‘reset’ - and I’ve been critical - Nick worked tirelessly to get it over the line. And now all those relationships will need to be rebuilt. Doable, certainly. But will hardly add impetus to the process.

[Tim Shipman @ShippersUnbound]

And so it begins

[Darren Jones MP @darrenpjones]

Good news that VAT will be cut on electricity bills. It’s a simple way for families to save a few quid, and to mechanically help to keep inflation that little bit lower.

But the DigitalID program was unfunded.

The government will have to set out how it will pay for its new policies at the budget.

[Tim Shipman @ShippersUnbound]

@AlexanderPHRose This is sort of how it works anyway

[Tim Shipman @ShippersUnbound]

I do wish PMs would just come into Downing Street with a chart and tear off strips to reveal each appointment while the contenders stand in a pen next to the media. Anyone who didn’t want the job would have to publicly resign to the cameras. This would speed things up