Show them the book: why politicians need to read more novels Opinion Leading historian Dominic Sandbrook has said declining reading habits of our politicians tells you everything you need to know about why they’re so inadequate. William Atkinson couldn’t agree more… Would Keir Starmer be a better Prime Minister if he went to bed with a good Trollope? That was the suggestion of Dominic Sandbrook – Britain’s [...]
On this day in 1996: the IRA bombs the Docklands Opinion 30 years ago today, two men were killed in a massive explosion at Canary Wharf – and the IRA proved that you can bomb your way to the negotiating table, writes Eliot Wilson At around 5.00 pm, 30 years ago today, a blue Ford Iveco Cargo truck was parked 80 yards from South Quay DLR [...]
Don’t blame universities for the graduate crisis Opinion Blaming universities for the graduate crisis is convenient, but it isn't true, writes Eliza Filby. Here's what's actually gone wrong.
UK’s first high-speed railway HS1 faced cancellation months before Channel Tunnel opening December 31, 2025 Ministers considered abandoning the High Speed 1 (HS1), the UK’s first high-speed railway that links London to the Channel Tunnel amid financial struggles just months before the cross-channel line was opened by Queen Elizabeth II, City AM can reveal. According to correspondence released by the National Archives, transport minister John MacGregor listed axing the high-speed [...]
Elizabeth Line branded a ‘folie de grandeur’ in Treasury campaign against Crossrail December 31, 2025 Tory Chancellor Kenneth Clarke warned that initial plans for the Elizabeth Line were a “folie de grandeur” that taxpayers would be unwilling to foot the bill, during a protracted rearguard action against the megaproject by the Treasury in the 1990s, City AM can reveal. According to a fraught set of ministerial correspondence released to the [...]
John Major warns of ‘dangerous world’ if US does not stand behind allies February 16, 2025 A world in which the United States does not support its allies will be “rather more dangerous”, former prime minister Sir John Major warned.
It may already be too late for Labour December 11, 2024 The popularity of the Labour party has plunged since the election, and history tells that once a certain narrative has taken hold, it’s very difficult to turn it around, says Paul Ormerod Since the general election in July, the popularity of both the Prime Minister and the Labour Party has fallen sharply. Labour’s share of [...]
Margaret Thatcher’s Westminster home is up for sale October 21, 2024 Political junkies, rejoice! The central London house, which served as Margaret Thatcher’s home after she fell from power and John Major’s headquarters during his tenure, is officially up for sale at £3.65m. The three-bedroom Georgian townhouse on Great College Street packs a political punch. It has also served as a place for Conservatives to gather [...]
Sunak’s clampdown on ‘sick note culture’ is Back to Basics 2.0 – and it may end as badly May 1, 2024 Sunak’s clampdown on 'sick note culture' has the whiff of John Major’s Back to Basics… and risks the same results, writes Simon Neville.