Mickleover: the real home of cricket
Readers concerned that the seemingly imperious march of Bazball across the cricket firmament has blotted out the more, er, traditional…
Nordic dream or nightmare?: The Mark, by Frida Isberg, reviewed
A test has been developed in Iceland to assess a citizen’s sensitivity and potential for anti-social behaviour. Will the looming referendum make it compulsory?
More about my mother: Elaine, by Will Self, reviewed
We have already met versions of Self’s mother in his fiction, but here we have a detailed portrait – of her rages, frustrations, fantasies, panic attacks and – not least – extramarital affairs
A world history of morality is maddeningly optimistic
Peaceful co-operation is essential for human survival, and our present ‘feast of feverish discord and hatred’ is bound to be replaced by one of ‘calm and community’, says Hanno Saur
Uncomfortable truths about the siege of Leningrad
The legend of heroic resistance during the 872-day blockade helped many survivors bear the guilt of having robbed, betrayed, murdered and even eaten their fellow citizens
A necklace for the Empress Josephine: The Glassmaker, by Tracy Chevalier, reviewed
With the family business in Murano under threat, the daughter of a Venetian glassmaker learns to craft perfect coloured beads, soon much sought after by high society
The ‘British Muslim patriot’ on a mission to get Farage into No. 10
Few people had heard of Zia Yusuf before he spoke at Reform’s final campaign rally in Birmingham. But after a…
Why is no one marching against VAT on school fees?
How passively we respond to revelations of Labour’s real direction of travel. As millions of pensioners brace for the confiscation…
Starmer’s double standards
Sir Keir Starmer’s readiness to do ‘whatever it takes’ to support Ukraine seems to be qualified by his fear of…
What’s gone wrong at the National Theatre?
Now we have a Labour government, it would be nice to feel repertory will return to the National Theatre. It…
The rise of the Gaza Five
What should the Tories do about Nigel Farage? The leadership candidates have made many speeches and written many columns explaining…
Portrait of the week: UK cancels Israel exports, Grenfell fire report released and AfD victory in Germany
Home The government cancelled 30 out of 350 export licences for arms to Israel on items that it said could…
The real crisis in our school system
For years, each school in England has been put in one of four categories: ‘outstanding’, ‘good’, ‘requires improvement’ and ‘inadequate’.…
The no-bake bliss of icebox cake
Standing in the biscuit aisle of my local supermarket, I’m overwhelmed by possibilities. This isn’t unusual for me, but normally…
What prompted Vivien Leigh’s dark journey into madness?
Did her many miscarriages so unhinge the beautiful actress that she ended up a sex-crazed harridan, screaming obscenities at those she loved?
Miliband’s empty energy promise
Though not quite up there with history’s great political texts, Ed Miliband’s letter this week to the director of the…
The new dilemma facing racehorse trainers
There is a new dilemma for racehorse trainers. ‘What do I do?’ some of them are now worrying. ‘Do I…
The deep sorrow of losing a sibling
My sister died last summer, before her time, at 58. Her death has left me shaken with sorrow and remorse:…
No one will change their mind about Hamas
Earlier this summer, my son and I biked over to fashionable east Hackney where it’s normal to pay £4.20 for…
The first Olympian: what was there to celebrate about Heracles?
However great the achievements of athletes at the Olympic Games – and even more so the Paralympics – there will…
Letters: Lucy Letby and the statistics myth
Pensioners at risk Sir: Douglas Murray wonders what would have happened if a Conservative chancellor had announced the removal of…
What happened to pride in our nation?
I suppose there must be someone somewhere in this nation of ours who was surprised by the news that our…
