How To Win An Election How To Shut Down A Political Conspiracy
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Mar 26, 2026 
Polly Mackenzie, policy and communications expert, Sally Morgan, former Labour insider, and Daniel Finkelstein, Times columnist and ex-Conservative adviser, unpack the stolen phone story and whether it smells like conspiracy. They debate how smartphones reshaped political power and messaging. They also argue over vibes versus technical detail and size up possible coalition math.
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McSweeney Phone Theft Prompted Conspiracies
- Morgan McSweeney reported his work phone stolen and did not volunteer his role as the Prime Minister's chief of staff when calling the police.
- The Met released the full call transcript, prompting conspiracy theories about convenience and potential missing messages between McSweeney and Peter Mandelson.
Blair's Low Tech Number 10
- Tony Blair famously avoided personal tech: he wrote longhand, used switchboard calls, and only later got a mobile phone.
- Sally Morgan recalled being paged constantly and relying on switchboard-mediated calls to Number 10.
Messaging Speeds Coordination Not Strategy
- Messaging tools like WhatsApp speed execution but mainly handle noise and coordination rather than improving strategic decision making.
- Polly Mackenzie argued tools are executional; without a clear strategy they won't make government better or produce better decisions.