PersonGB

James Heale

Political journalist at The Spectator.

During 2026, James Heale covered Westminster politics and elections for The Spectator, including the Holborn and St Pancras by-election.

Last refreshed: 22 October 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic

Timeline for James Heale

#19 8 Oct

Credited Andy Burnham with uniting the left-of-centre vote

UK Local Elections 2026: Labour holds Holborn as Greens close in

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Background

James Heale is deputy political editor of The Spectator. His author archive contains signed reporting and analysis on Westminster, party conferences, leadership contests and elections. It also lists appearances on the publication's Coffee House Shots and Spectator Out Loud programmes, alongside written interviews and political dispatches.

Heale co-authored Out of the Blue, a 2022 biography of Liz Truss, with Harry Cole. The book was published by HarperCollins and covered Truss's rise and fall as prime minister. His current Spectator work ranges across Labour, Conservative, Reform UK and Green Party politics. His publisher biography also records appearances on BBC, Sky and GB News, plus articles for Tatler, the Washington Post and Mail on Sunday.

Common Questions

Reference

Who is James Heale?

He is deputy political editor of The Spectator.Source: https://spectator.com/writer/james-heale/

What does James Heale write about?

He writes about Westminster, political parties and elections.Source: https://spectator.com/writer/james-heale/

Where does James Heale work?

He works at The Spectator as deputy political editor.Source: https://spectator.com/writer/james-heale/

Source Material

Shock to the System: The Inside Story of Reform UK Holborn and St Pancras election result James Heale

How the World Sees Them

Scottish National Party / John Swinney

Scotland is ready to be independent

Liberal Democrats / Ed Davey

I am ruling out our party entering into a national partnership with any party that is committed to a dangerous and antisemitic policy like the Green Party's

Reform UK / Richard Tice

likely broken the law

Rhun ap Iorwerth / Welsh Government (Plaid Cymru)

the outcomes it delivers

Michael Marra / Scottish Labour

Scots know what we are against. They can't tell you what we are for.

Andy Burnham / Labour Party

contest the next election with a manifesto commitment to change the electoral system so that everyone's vote counts and everyone's voice is heard

Reform UK

fully cooperate with the investigation

Steff Aquarone / Liberal Democrats (North Norfolk)

made to waste £600,000

Stephen Atkinson / Lancashire County Council (Reform UK)

the opportunity to challenge the July decision

Written with AI from Lowdown's published reporting. Not individually reviewed by an editor. Updated 22 October 2026. Editorial standards.