How many Britons now vape?
Talking Turkey David Cameron again accused the Leave campaign of ‘lying’ about the prospect of Turkey joining the EU. A…
Letters: parliament has a responsibility to stop Brexit
Parliament’s responsibility Sir: I always enjoy reading the intelligent and outspoken Lionel Shriver. But her latest article (14 September) puts…
to 2423: Redheads
The unclued lights were all leaders of the USSR. First prize Wendy Atkin, Sleaford, LincsRunners-up Robert Burgon, North Berwick, East…
Britain’s jobs miracle proves there is no reason to fear technology
Another week, another set of economic figures that suggest the country is showing remarkable resilience while politics implodes. Rather than…
Portrait of the week: The Speaker resigns, BA pilots strike and Mugabe dies
Home A bill sponsored by Hilary Benn and supported by Alistair Burt and other dissident Tories was passed — becoming…
Does the outcome of the Ashes dictate who wins a general election?
Party speak Should the next Speaker of the House of Commons be a Labour MP on the basis that John…
Letters: There is more to village life than shutters, benches and paint
Shambles at sea Sir: On 19 July Iranian Republican Guard forces captured the UK flagged tanker Stena Impero, as described…
to 2422: 40 furlongs
The unclued Across lights are words abbreviated by F which includes ‘40’ and the unclued Down lights are abbreviated by f…
The next election will be a referendum – on Corbynism
The next general election will have been precipitated by, and will inevitably be fought over, Brexit. Yet it will also…
Portrait of the week: Brexit gets complicated
Home The government was defeated by 328 to 301 on a motion to take over the business of the House,…
How often has a general election been held on a Monday?
A Monday poll? The government was considering a general election on 14 October — a Monday. This raised eyebrows because…
Letters: History has not done justice to Neville Chamberlain
Helping the homeless Sir: The number of rough sleepers in one of the richest countries on the planet is surely…
to 2421: Tina
Fats WALLER (5), who has been called ‘THE BLACK HOROWITZ’ (40/37/1A), was born in NEW YORK (28) and died in…
The G7’s doomed effort to preserve the hegemony of white power
When the G7 was first convened in 1976 it made sense for those countries to gather. In a world divided…
Portrait of the week: Prorogation fury, cricketing glory and the PM’s pork pie
Home The government sought to prorogue parliament on 10 September and have the Queen’s Speech opening the new session of…
Is Trump’s suggestion to bomb hurricanes really that stupid?
Blowing against the wind President Trump was ridiculed for suggesting that hurricanes could be impeded on their passage across the…
Letters: Prince Harry has been searching for purpose since he left the army
Harry’s army career Sir: I believe Jan Moir has misread the situation over Harry and Meghan (‘By royal disappointment’, 24 August).…
to 2420: Crafty
1, 4, 23 and 30 are livery companies (33/22). They are found in The 21 and 2 (the singular of…
To get a deal Boris needs to show (or fake) some humility
There were many Brexiteers who were urging Boris Johnson to travel to Washington before he went anywhere else, to underline…
Portrait of the week: back to the backstop, PC Harper’s death and the wrong kind of lightning
Home Boris Johnson, the Prime Minister, wrote to Donald Tusk, the President of the European Council, saying: ‘The backstop cannot…
How did Richard Braine become Dick Braine?
Name calling Richard Braine was appointed leader of Ukip, leading to jokes about the party being led by a ‘Dick…
Letters: civil servants have ruined our trains
Travelling in discomfort Sir: I don’t agree with much of what Matthew Parris says these days, but he was spot…
to 2419: Figures in place
The unclued lights are English place names which include a number in their spelling. These words appeared as figures in the…
Where’s Boris?
Before Boris Johnson became Prime Minister there was widespread expectation that his government would be chaotic. It was thought that…
Portrait of the week: All-women cabinets, employment growth and more Hong Kong protests
Home Boris Johnson, the Prime Minister, proposed an extra 10,000 prison places and the expansion of stop-and-search powers. PC Stuart…
