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

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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 [...]
Orgreave inquiry is a politically motivated waste of public money

July 28, 2025

The inquiry into a clash between police and striking miners at Orgreave over 40 years ago has more to do with a left-wing grievance narrative than getting to the truth, says Eliot Wilson Last week the home secretary, Yvette Cooper, announced a public inquiry into “the events at the Orgreave Coking Plant on 18 June [...]
On this day in 1974: US supreme court orders Nixon to hand over Watergate tapes

July 24, 2025

On this day 51 years ago, the US supreme court dealt a serious blow to executive privilege when it ordered to hand over hours of tape recordings relating to the Watergate scandal. It’s interesting to wonder how Donald Trump would respond to such a demand today, says Eliot Wilson Fifty-one years ago, Richard Nixon, President [...]
How much will the Afghan data leak really cost?

July 21, 2025

Many questions arise from the astonishing story of the Afghan data leak, but one is why the government seems to have no idea how much it will cost, says Eliot Wilson The announcement last week by defence secretary John Healey that the government had for two years had a super-injunction to conceal a massive loss [...]
On this day: Edward Heath’s incredible sulk comes to an end

July 17, 2025

Twenty years ago today, at 7.30 pm on 17 July 2005, Sir Edward Heath died at the age of 89 at his home in Salisbury. He had been Prime Minister for three years and 259 days, 26th of what was then 51 premiers. It was 30 years since he had held office. He could have [...]
Corbyn, Sultana and the politics of ‘someone else will pay’

July 15, 2025

Zarah Sultana’s shaky launch of a new left-wing movement highlights the false promise of cost-free socialism, offering voters an unrealistic alternative to the tough economic choices facing Britain, writes Eliot Wilson It did not bode well for a new powerful left-wing voice in British politics. When Coventry South MP Zarah Sultana recently announced she was [...]
On this day 1848: The opening of Waterloo Station

July 11, 2025

Waterloo Bridge Station opened on this day in 1848. 177 years later, it is the largest station in Britain. Eliot Wilson takes us back.
20 years on from 7/7 London proves terrorists will never win

July 7, 2025

20 years ago today, 52 people died in a devastating series of bombings on London’s transport infrastructure. Throughout the following decades and subsequent attacks, London has remained undaunted, says Eliot Wilson It was 8.49 am on Thursday 7 July 2005. The weather was unremarkable, edging towards 15℃, the skies partly cloudy. None of that was [...]
Starmer’s biggest barrier to growth is the Labour party

July 7, 2025

A year into Labour rule, the UK economy shows resilience despite government missteps, but Starmer’s statist instincts and fiscal misfires risk stalling the very growth he promises to deliver, says Eliot Wilson Sir Keir Starmer has little in common with Liz Truss, but the two Prime Ministers agreed on one issue: the UK will only [...]
Today’s date echoes through history – Starmer should be worried

July 4, 2025

The fourth of July may be synonymous with freedom in the United States, but around the world it has a very different meaning. In Britain it marks the anniversary of Starmer’s election victory, but he’ll probably be hoping to put this disastrous year behind him, says Eliot Wilson The United States of America was established [...]

Arsenal gatecrash top five of club valuations following return to glory

Arsenal gatecrash top five of club valuations following return to glory

Inside the radical festival uniting the left and right

By: Eliot Wilson

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