Barometer
How teetotal is Britain?
Royal removals The King has had more success in stripping Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor of his royal titles than George IV had…
Which US city is the most violent?
Black in the day A new book claims William Shakespeare’s works were really written by a black woman and were…
Which royals have appeared in court?
Political frenemies Nigel Farage accepted Robert Jenrick into Reform UK in spite of having previously called him a ‘fraud’ (for…
How many pubs are left in the UK?
Net freedoms The government was pressed to ban X over charges that Elon Musk’s AI app Grok is being used…
What went up – and down – in 2025?
Erasmus in England The government is to rejoin the Erasmus scheme, which allows students at British universities to spend time…
Who inspired Winnie-the-Pooh?
Pooh-pooh Christmas Eve marks the 100th birthday of Winnie-the-Pooh, which first appeared in a short story in the Evening News…
Should a two-bedroom flat worth £2m be called a ‘mansion’?
Many mansions Does a two-bedroom flat worth £2 million deserve to be called a ‘mansion’? — The word ‘mansion’ is…
Could ‘Your party’ become the shortest-lived political party in British history?
Party poopers ‘Your party’ holds its inaugural conference this weekend in a state of internal wrangling. Could it become the…
How many illegal migrants does Britain return?
Condemned leaders Former Bangladeshi prime minister Sheikh Hasina was sentenced to death for crimes against humanity, for using lethal force…
How popular is the British royal family?
Austere environment Who introduced the word ‘austerity’ into the political lexicon? While chiefly associated with attacks on the Conservatives, and…
Who would dare raid the Louvre?
Louvre incursion Jewellery once belonging to Napoleon’s family was sprung from the Louvre. In 1911 the ‘Mona Lisa’ was stolen…
How many people admit to using their phones at the dinner table?
King’s speechless There will be no state opening of parliament this year and consequently no King’s speech. This is only…
How many babies in Britain are called Jihad?
Out of office French prime minister Sébastien Lecornu resigned after just 27 days – making his time in office 22…
What are the risks of first cousins having children?
Park life Locals were angered by the closing off of 1,500 acres of Windsor Great Park to create a secure…
How long does it take to build a runway?
Flight path How long does it take to build a runway? — 33 years (at least) in the case of…
Is the countryside racist?
Crossing the floor Danny Kruger defected from the Tories to Reform, the first sitting MP to do so. Which parties…
What percentage of hotel rooms in Britain are occupied by migrants?
Flagged up The Finnish air force announced that it is to remove the swastika from its flag (which was designed…
Is Angela Rayner pushing up house prices?
By George There is a popular movement to fly St George’s flags from lampposts. The St George Cross was used…
How many homes in England have air conditioning?
Suit cases Volodymyr Zelensky again failed to wear a suit and tie to a meeting at the White House, in…
How many organisations are proscribed in the UK?
Mind your manors US Vice-President J.D. Vance is holidaying in an £8,000-a-week manor house near Charlbury in the Cotswolds. What…
How bad can August storms get?
Injury time England bowler Chris Woakes won a standing ovation for coming out to bat against India at the Oval…
How happy are private renters?
Coined terms Liz Williams, a Reform UK council candidate in May’s local elections, began a High Court action trying to…
Are heatwaves becoming more common?
Grand unions The BMA – or British Medical Association – called a five-day strike of junior doctors (which it now…
How many countries have banned the burqa?
Behind the veil How many countries have banned the burqa? At least 24 have placed some restrictions around the wearing…
