As Political Editor for Britain's most-read newspaper, Harry Cole specializes in:
"The best stories come from understanding both the corridors of power and the pub conversations" - Cole on his reporting philosophy
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We've followed Harry Cole's rise from university Conservative activist to one of Britain's most influential political journalists. His career began at Guido Fawkes during the 2009 expenses scandal, where he honed his knack for uncovering political misconduct[1]. After transitioning to mainstream media through roles at The Daily Star Sunday and Mail on Sunday, Cole returned to The Sun in 2020 as Political Editor - a position that cemented his status as Westminster's preeminent tabloid investigator[1][4].
Cole's 2021 scoop revealing the Health Secretary's lockdown-breaching affair became a landmark in pandemic-era accountability journalism. Through meticulous source cultivation and document verification, he exposed the hypocrisy of senior officials flouting their own restrictions. The story's impact reverberated beyond politics, influencing public trust in COVID regulations and setting new standards for public interest reporting during national crises[1][4].
This 2022 exclusive captured the unraveling of Truss's premiership through real-time policy reversal reporting. Cole's Westminster network enabled him to break news of the disastrous mini-budget fallout before official announcements, demonstrating his unique access to Conservative power brokers. The piece remains essential reading for understanding modern Tory factionalism[1][4].
Cole's April 2025 analysis of international perceptions about UK stability showcases his evolution into political commentary. Blending anecdotal observations with hard policy analysis, he examines how domestic controversies impact global standing - a rare fusion of tabloid storytelling and geopolitical insight[6].
Cole maintains unparalleled access to Tory factions through decades of relationship-building. Pitches should focus on leadership challenges, policy disagreements, or behind-the-scenes power struggles. His recent book Out of the Blue about Liz Truss demonstrates particular interest in leadership crises[1][4].
With multiple scoops about MP misconduct, Cole prioritizes stories exposing hypocrisy between public rhetoric and private actions. Provide documented evidence of rule-breaking or ethical lapses, particularly involving pandemic-era decisions or current policy makers[4][6].
Stories examining how political narratives form in digital media environments align with Cole's background in political blogging. He's particularly interested in how social media scandals impact traditional journalism[7].
Cole's recent US-focused pieces indicate growing interest in transatlantic policy comparisons. Pitch analyses of shared challenges like immigration debates or populist movements, emphasizing unique British angles[6].
Having authored a bestselling political biography, Cole welcomes insider accounts from policymakers and staffers. Focus on untold stories from recent administrations with verifiable documentation[1][4].
"Cole's Hancock investigation redefined accountability journalism in the pandemic era" - British Journalism Awards Committee[4]
Cole's 2021 Scoop of the Year award recognized his courage in exposing high-level government misconduct during national crisis. The British Journalism Awards panel particularly noted how his reporting balanced public interest with personal privacy considerations[4].
His inclusion in the New Statesman's 2023 "Right-Wing Power List" highlights Cole's influence beyond traditional journalism, acknowledging his role shaping Conservative political narratives through investigative reporting and commentary[1].
At PressContact, we aim to help you discover the most relevant journalists for your PR efforts. If you're looking to pitch to more journalists who write on Politics, here are some other real estate journalist profiles you may find relevant:
