Remembering Norman Tebbit Opinion Norman Tebbit died one year ago today. He remains a mnemonic for the high days of the high days of Thatcherism, writes Eliot Wilson A year ago today, former Conservative Cabinet minister Lord Tebbit died at the age of 94. The media coverage was extensive for a man who had left office nearly 40 years [...]
On this day in 1940: Happy birthday Ken Clarke Opinion For many in parliament, it may feel as if he's always been there. But on this day, 2 July 1940, Kenneth Clarke was born.
Burnham’s ‘neoliberalism’ critique is just Thatcher karaoke Opinion 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”. [...]
‘Mascots don’t move markets’: City grandee pours cold water on retail investment drive April 28, 2026 The government’s industry-backed investing campaign will fail to usher in a new wave of retail investment unless ministers also promise to scrap the UK’s “hard to defend” tax regime on shares, the boss of a top investment bank has warned. Writing in City AM, Peel Hunt chief executive Steven Fine said that the record haul [...]
Mel Stride vows ‘Big Bang’ as he targets careful City March 6, 2026 Shadow Chancellor Sir Mel Stride is set to promise a new “Big Bang” on City regulation in a speech at a Conservative conference this weekend harking back to Margaret Thatcher’s financial reforms. Stride is set to decry the lack of risk-taking across the UK economy and suggest regulation has been a “vast yoke” on businesses. [...]
Show them the book: why politicians need to read more novels February 26, 2026 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 [...]
Farage’s revenge on the banks proves he is more Trump than Thatcher January 26, 2026 Nigel Farage's promise to tax banks more shows his Trumpian revenge coming out to play, writes Eliot Wilson.
‘Liz Truss-lite’: Is Japan in the midst of a sovereign debt crisis? January 22, 2026 Japan’s long-dated bonds suffered their worst sell-off this century on Tuesday. Ali Lyon asks whether the rout could spark a full-blown debt crisis? For decades, the world’s fixed income investors have been sucked in – and spat out – by an alluring trade on Japan’s government bonds. Secure in their belief that the securities’ unfathomable, [...]
No future: is Britain losing hope? December 4, 2025 Britain faces a deep, decade-in-the-making crisis of hope, as rising costs, stagnating opportunities, and widening structural failures leave both young and middle-class people feeling trapped, disillusioned, and asking if a viable future in the UK is still possible, says Eliza Filby Throughout my conversations in recent months it’s become clear to me that the country’s [...]
On this day: The resignation of Margaret Thatcher November 28, 2025 On 28 November 1990, Margaret Thatcher left Downing Street for the last time, leaving the United Kingdom in a very,very much better state than when she came there, writes Eliot Wilson I doubt I am alone in remembering the day clearly, though I had only recently turned 13. Margaret Thatcher gave a short and emotional [...]