40 years on, the next Big Bang is happening behind the scenes instead of on the trading floor Opinion Capital markets are undergoing a structural shift as investment banks move away from legacy, self-operated back office functions toward shared, collaborative systems capable of supporting AI, says Joe Channer The Thatcher government’s Big Bang reforms transformed the City of London from an old boys’ club into a global electronic marketplace 40 years ago this month. [...]
Jeffrey Archer (1940-2026): A writer of fiction in all senses Opinion Following the death of novelist and former political Jeffrey Archer, Eliot Wilson looks back at a complicated life.
Beware the politician who promises he is different Opinion Andy Burnham has battered home that he is different, an outsider, but distinction comes from actions, not 'honest conversations'.
Wandsworth Council plans 94 per cent tax rise after Rayner’s cuts September 16, 2026 Wandsworth Council has announced taxes will rise by 94 per cent for Band D residents after local leaders hit out at the government for cutting funding by £84m a year. The local authority, regularly dubbed Margaret Thatcher’s favourite council because of its historically low-levels of council tax, will make Band D council taxpayers stump up [...]
Britain’s problem isn’t too much Thatcherism, but too little August 7, 2026 Margaret Thatcher remains a bogeyman for Andy Burnham and the British left despite having left Downing Street 35 years ago, but their critiques are wide of the mark, says Emma Revell Everyone has someone or something they blame when things get tough. Astrology girlies use the position of Mercury to absolve themselves of any responsibility [...]
The 24-hour news cycle is ruining politics July 24, 2026 The relentless 24-hour news cycle and social media landscape have fundamentally altered political discourse by prioritizing quick, performative reactions over thoughtful deliberation, says Emma Revell If there’s one thing we can count on in the perma-crisis that is British politics, it’ll be that our screens will be filled with updates from weary political correspondents and [...]
On this day: the birth of Michael Foot July 23, 2026 On 23rd July 1913, Michael Foot was born. He would go on to become a Labour leader known for his eloquence, his rigid socialist ideology and his jackets. What lessons does his career offer for Andy Burnham? Asks Eliot Wilson Michael Mackintosh Foot was born on this day in 1913 in Plymouth. He would rise, [...]
Burnham’s Thatcherism jibes are just tired socialist talking points July 20, 2026 Oasis caution against looking back in anger, yet the narrative Manchester’s other favourite son rehearsed in his first speech as Prime Minister was based on hackneyed old grievances, says Alys Denby Here we go again. Britain has gone through as many prime ministers in the last 10 years as it did in the previous 37 [...]
Remembering Norman Tebbit July 7, 2026 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 July 2, 2026 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.