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 Suez Canal reopens

April 24, 2026

Today 69 years ago, on 24 April 1957, the Suez Canal reopened after six months of closure. What can history teach us about the current predicament in the Middle East, asks Eliot Wilson A strategically vital global waterway was re-opened to maritime traffic after conflict between a Middle Eastern state and Western powers had seen [...]
Wales First Minister’s radar station objections show she is out of her depth

April 20, 2026

Wales's First Minister has urged Keir Starmer to halt work on an AUKUS radar station. He would do best to ignore her, writes Eliot Wilson.
The golden boy: What we can learn from the late Henry Kelly

April 16, 2026

If you’re of a certain age – by which I mean at least in your 40s – you may have memories of wasting afternoons watching the extraordinary Reg Grundy-produced Euroquiz Going for Gold. Its genius loci was an affable Irishman called Henry Kelly, a man whom you suspected of having a different brass-buttoned blazer for [...]
On this day in 1660: The birth of Sir Hans Sloane, father of the Sloane Ranger

April 16, 2026

On this day, 16 April, in 1660, Sir Hans Sloane, whose name would later be lent to London socialite class the Sloane Rangers, was born.
The defence industry can’t wait for the government to find its courage

April 13, 2026

The government slips from one deadline to another and insists all is well. But the damage is already being done, to our industrial base, our capabilities and our reputation, says Eliot Wilson Sir Keir Starmer’s government cannot be blamed for all the shortcomings in Britain’s defence posture and capabilities, the roots of which can be [...]
On This Day in 1980: America severs diplomatic relations with Iran

April 7, 2026

The United States severed diplomatic relations with Iran on April 7, 1980, after the Ayatollah Khomeini refused to order the release of the American hostages who had been held at the US Embassy since the previous November, writes Eliot Wilson If you remember good relations between the United States and Iran, you are at least facing [...]
Keir Starmer believes undoing Brexit will solve Britain’s problems – he’s wrong

April 6, 2026

The only way Starmer can get everything he wants from a relationship “reset” with Brussels is by rejoining the EU, says Eliot Wilson This Wednesday is the anniversary of Britain and France signing the Entente cordiale in 1904. It was actually three separate agreements, ostensibly dealing with colonial boundaries and fishing rights, but in practice [...]
On this day: The death of JP Morgan

March 31, 2026

Today in 1913, John Pierpoint Morgan died in Rome having saved the United States from financial catastrophe not once but twice, writes Eliot Wilson Today in 1913, in Rome’s Grand Plaza Hotel, a 75-year-old American died in his sleep. He was a big man, 6’2” and heavyset, with sharp, unsettling eyes and a purple, swollen [...]
It’s time for Farage to choose between a big and small state

March 30, 2026

Reform UK can’t duck the tough choices any longer, says Eliot Wilson Some had hailed it as a symbol of a new era of politics: when Reform UK issued its manifesto for the 2024 general election, with its impressive strike rate of eight photographs of Nigel Farage in a slender 28 pages, it included a [...]
A hundred not out… yet: Why Veeraswamy is in trouble

March 25, 2026

Veeraswamy, the Michelin-starred Indian restaurant on Regent Street, celebrated its centenary on 18 March. But it has found itself in the headlines for other reasons recently: glowingly reviewed by City AM’s own Adam Bloodworth two years ago, it is now in dispute with its landlord, the Crown Estate. Campaigners have even called for the King [...]

Anthropic reveals $80bn loss as AI giant files for blockbuster IPO

Sheikh Mansour doubles down on Manchester City with £100m injection despite legal row

Monkey Shoulder is winning over a new generation of whisky drinkers

By: Eliot Wilson

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