Leading article
The human factor
Just over 30 years ago, Margaret Thatcher’s government decided to look at local government finance. A young aide, John Redwood,…
Britain should not mistake its allies for friends
It would be hard to dream up a more absurd piece of political satire than an agency of the British…
Britain should not mistake its allies for friends
It would be hard to dream up a more absurd piece of political satire than an agency of the British…
It's not Tory vs Labour; it's the party of government v the party of protest
Political party conferences have, in recent years, felt like an empty ritual. They used to be convened in seaside towns,…
This is the Tories’ golden chance to seize the centre ground
Political party conferences have, in recent years, felt like an empty ritual. They used to be convened in seaside towns,…
Will Spain learn from Scotland in the battle for Catalan separatism?
One of the unforeseen consequences of the reunification of Europe after the Cold War has been a resurgence of independence…
Will Spain learn?
One of the unforeseen consequences of the reunification of Europe after the Cold War has been a resurgence of independence…
The people who really need the Pope's help
On Tuesday, Pope Francis set foot in the United States for the first time in his life. His plane touched…
The Pope’s moment
On Tuesday, Pope Francis set foot in the United States for the first time in his life. His plane touched…
The Tories must move quickly to recruit ex-Labour voters. Here's how
David Cameron might not be remembered as the best prime minister in modern British history but he will probably be…
The right answer
David Cameron might not be remembered as the best prime minister in modern British history but he will probably be…
On drone strikes, David Cameron is repeating Tony Blair’s big mistake
Not even Jeremy Corbyn lamented the death of Reyaad Khan, who was killed by an RAF drone in Syria after…
The fog of law
Not even Jeremy Corbyn lamented the death of Reyaad Khan, who was killed by an RAF drone in Syria after…
Queen Elizabeth the great
That the Queen has lived to become our longest-reigning monarch — a milestone which she will mark quietly with a…
Elizabeth the Great
That the Queen has lived to become our longest-reigning monarch — a milestone which she will mark quietly with a…
George Osborne has bet the house (and other people's houses) on there being no new crash
When George Osborne visited Sweden, Finland and Denmark the stock markets of each country promptly fell by about 5 per…
Gamblin’ man
When George Osborne visited Sweden, Finland and Denmark the stock markets of each country promptly fell by about 5 per…
At last, Britain can have its shale gas revolution
Over the past week, the government has finally made a decisive move to kickstart a fracking industry in Britain. Licences…
Get fracking
Over the past week, the government has finally made a decisive move to kickstart a fracking industry in Britain. Licences…
To defend the NHS, stop health tourism
Speaking after the Stafford hospital scandal in 2010, the then newly appointed Health Secretary, Andrew Lansley, grandly announced plans for…
Stop health tourism
Speaking after the Stafford hospital scandal in 2010, the then newly appointed Health Secretary, Andrew Lansley, grandly announced plans for…
Edward Heath and a very modern witch-hunt
There was a grim inevitability that the name Edward Heath would one day be trawled up in connection with allegations…
Ted talk
There was a grim inevitability that the name Edward Heath would one day be trawled up in connection with allegations…
Look beyond the Sewel video: the House of Lords still works
The shaming of Lord Sewel was a classic tabloid exposé. The fact that a peer of the realm (albeit one…
House in order
The shaming of Lord Sewel was a classic tabloid exposé. The fact that a peer of the realm (albeit one…
