By: Eliot Wilson

Eliot Wilson is a writer, commentator and contributing editor at Defence On The Brink. He was formerly a clerk in the House of Commons and writes regularly on politics, defence and international security, and Parliament and the constitution, including for The Spectator, The Hill, The i Paper and CapX

All 453 Articles

A Treasury reshuffle on the eve of a Budget is a bad sign for Reeves

September 1, 2025

Handing responsibility for the economy to a man who was director of policy for Ed Miliband is a sign of desperation from Rachel Reeves, says Eliot Wilson Every time I see a new announcement from Rachel Reeves at the Treasury now, it puts me in mind of the poet Stevie Smith: “I was much further [...]
On This Day: When Britain led the atomic age

August 27, 2025

On this day in 1956, Calder Hall became the first nuclear power station to supply domestic electricity, so what went wrong? Asks Eliot Wilson Sixty-nine years ago today, on 27 August 1956, the United Kingdom reached an extraordinary scientific and industrial milestone. Calder Hall Nuclear Power Station near Seascale on the coast of Cumbria was [...]
Nostalgia won’t save the steel industry, no matter how hard Labour tries

August 25, 2025

As the government takes control of another beleaguered steel works, Eliot Wilson asks what, exactly, the long-term plan is?
On this day in 1968: Moscow crushes the Prague Spring

August 20, 2025

On this day in 1968, Alexander Dubček's experiments in "socialism with a human face" with the Prague Spring were met by the force of Moscow.
Sorry Nigel, appointing business leaders to government never actually works

August 18, 2025

Taking successful people from the business world and putting them in government sounds like a good idea, but history proves otherwise.
On this day: The special relationship is born with the Atlantic Charter

August 14, 2025

On this day in 1941, Churchill and Roosevelt made a joint statement that would come to be known as the Atlantic Charter - and the start of the special relationship.
Small boats deal shows Labour’s technocrats have no clue what they’re doing

August 11, 2025

Labour positioned itself as a party of technocrats, but the small boats deal shows they have no clue what they're doing, writes Eliot Wilson.
On this day: Gibraltar is captured by the British

August 4, 2025

On this day in 1704, Gibraltar was surrendered to the Anglo-Dutch fleet. 321 years later, Eliot Wilson looks at what that means today.
Comparing Nigel Farage to Jimmy Savile marks a new low in politics

August 4, 2025

Invoking Jimmy Savile to attack Nigel Farage over online safety is not just offensive – it exposes a deeper intolerance in political debate. Peter Kyle’s remarks cross a dangerous line, says Eliot Wilson You would think that any mainstream politician would think twice before comparing an opponent to Jimmy Savile. The man police believe was [...]
On this day: the Royal Navy drinks its last daily rum ration

July 31, 2025

On this day in 1970, sailors’ daily rum ration – a tradition dating back to the glory days of the Royal Navy – was abolished, an occasion now known as Black Tot Day, writes Eliot Wilson On this date, 31 July, 55 years ago, at 11am, the Royal Navy performed one of its cherished traditions [...]

Burnham warns Labour of ‘final chance’ after Makerfield win

Prem Rugby needs to switch up its calendar to stop final being banished to fringes

VW Golf R 2026 long-term review: Final verdict on a classic hot hatch

By: Eliot Wilson

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