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 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.
Burnham’s choice of Chancellor will define his premiership

June 29, 2026

Economic policy is so fraught that Burnham must choose from various paths. Retaining Reeves means warmed-over Starmerism; Miliband would be a sign that the Labour Party is tacking left; and choosing Streeting would be an advertisement that the Blairites were getting the band back together. What signal will the next Prime Minister seek to send? [...]
On this day: Brits vote in referendum that changes everything

June 23, 2026

The Brexit referendum was 10 years ago today. A decade on, very little has been resolved, says Eliot Wilson There have only ever been three UK-wide referendums. Appealing directly to the electorate on a single issue through a plebiscite fits awkwardly with parliamentary government, as Enoch Powell told the House of Commons in 1972: “The [...]
Andy Burnham: being all things to all men will end up letting everyone down

June 22, 2026

Andy Burnham has made a series of promises he knows he can’t keep. Either that he does not care, so consumed is he with ambition to be Prime Minister, or that he believes he will somehow find a way to make the circle appear squared and satisfy a broad spectrum of opinion. Indifference or mendacity [...]
Should museums in London start charging (again) for entry?

June 19, 2026

Our museums are struggling to scrape by – but is charging admission really the answer? Eliot Wilson weighs up the arguments Neil MacGregor celebrated his 80th birthday this week. The Glasgow-born art historian, considered by Sir Anthony Blunt at the Courtauld Institute the most brilliant pupil he ever taught, has exercised an enormous influence on [...]
On this day: “God’s Banker” found dead, suicide or murder?

June 18, 2026

On 18th June 1982, Roberto Calvi, a banker with close ties to both the Vatican and the Mafia was found hanged under Blackfriars Bridge. Eliot Wilson asks what happened The temperature was climbing by 7.30am on Friday 18 June 1982 and had reached 14°C, but London remained cloudy and wet. A postal clerk was walking [...]
Judi Dench Theatre is a fitting tribute to the great dame

June 17, 2026

On Tuesday, the Shaftesbury Theatre, the largest independent theatre in the West End, announced that it was changing its name. As of February 2027, following a renovation which will include restoration of its unique opening dome, it will be the Judi Dench Theatre, in honour of the 91-year-old actress who boasts an Academy Award, a [...]
John Healey has delivered a fatal blow to Starmer’s premiership

June 15, 2026

The defence minister’s resignation reveals the complete collapse of Keir Starmer’s authority, says Eliot Wilson The resignation of the Defence Secretary, John Healey, last week, with his Armed Forces Minister Al Carns a few hours behind him, was a very serious blow for Sir Keir Starmer. Let us be clear about the significance of this: [...]
One year after Brian Wilson’s death: Beach Boys founder a genius like no other

June 11, 2026

A year ago today, Brian Wilson, the introverted, vulnerable genius behind the Beach Boys, died in his sleep at home in Beverly Hills. He was 82 years old, and his health was ruined: his death certificate included respiratory arrest, sepsis, cystitis, neurodegenerative disorder, obstructive sleep apnoea and chronic kidney disease. His mental state had long been [...]
On this day: Britain’s first banking crisis

June 8, 2026

On 8 June 1772 Alexander Fordyce, a partner at Neale, James, Fordyce and Down absconded to France to escape crippling debts caused by a sharp rise in shares in the East India Company, writes Eliot Wilson As 1772 opened, Alexander Fordyce seemed like a wealthy and successful man. He was 42 years old, a partner [...]

Fifa crisis: Uefa exec Nasser Al-Khelaifi ‘not interested’ in ousting Infantino

Fifa crisis: Uefa exec Nasser Al-Khelaifi ‘not interested’ in ousting Infantino

Is the Maybach GLS the most excessive SUV?

By: Eliot Wilson

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