PRs: This is how to handle conflict May 21, 2026 As a humanities student, one of the academics I cited regularly was the 20th century philosopher AJ Ayer. Ayer is credited, among other things, with popularising, in the English speaking world, the movement of logical positivism – which, to oversimplify, is a theory of the meaning of statements about the world. Few academics were more [...]
‘Manchesterism’ is a myth and you can’t trust Andy Burnham May 21, 2026 Andy Burnham says he wants to “roll back the 80s” but the growth of Manchester is down to the rolling back of socialism that began before he became Mayor, says Ayushma Maharjan Britain’s most popular politician is running on a myth, is not credible, and might out-do Starmer in U-turns. A recent Yougov poll found [...]
How SpaceX could become the most valuable company in the universe May 21, 2026 Elon Musk’s plans to colonise Mars may sound far-fetched, but he has already achieved most of what he set to do. But in order to make science fiction a reality, we need to make sure companies are rewarded for taking risks in space, says Rainer Zitelmann SpaceX is aiming to go public in June setting [...]
On This Day: Happy birthday Andrew Neil May 21, 2026 Today in 1949, Andrew Neil was born. He remains one of the most compelling figures in the British media landscape, writes Eliot Wilson In a media landscape of interchangeable and forgettable talking heads, Andrew Neil remains an unmistakable and forceful presence. Readers who can recall a time when he was not a well-kent face in [...]
SCC UK boss: I’ve returned to London after 10 years. Locals forget how good they have it May 21, 2026 Russell Brown, CEO at IT giant SCC UK, tells us about returning to London after a decade away, and navigating a career in tech.
Who is accountable when AI gets it wrong? May 21, 2026 AI operates across systems at a pace no human oversight function can match. So who's accountable when it goes wrong, asks Paul Loftus.
Andy Burnham’s departure could put Manchester’s growth at risk May 21, 2026 Andy Burnham is not actually obliged to step down as Mayor to contest the Makerfield by-election, but if he does his departure would leave Manchester more susceptible to fragmented national politics, says Simon Goacher Andy Burnham’s decision to run in the Makerfield by-election is being treated largely as a Westminster comeback – a route back [...]
You don’t have to be a chav to lead the Labour Party, but it helps! May 21, 2026 Rather than a grand battle of big ideas or a serious debate about why this government has blundered so much, Labour’s looming leadership contest looks set to be a depressing competition to see who had the grimmest childhood, laments James Ford Did your dad have a blue-collar job? Did you live in social housing? Did [...]
Burnham’s ‘neoliberalism’ critique is just Thatcher karaoke May 21, 2026 The British economy today is a million miles away from “neoliberalism”, even if we lack a catchy name to describe what has replaced it, says Kristian Niemietz For some countries, we have well-developed national stereotypes and associations. Everyone has an idea in their mind of what counts as “typically French”, “typically Italian” or “typically German”. [...]
Office foodies, the working lunch needs YOU! May 21, 2026 Amid a hospitality crisis, it's up to workers to take longer, boozier lunches and power the economy, says Nicole Gordon.