World
The excellent wine of Mount Ventoux
On April 26, 1336, the poet Petrarch, accompanied by his younger brother, climbed up the windy slopes of Mount Ventoux…
Why should cohabitees get the benefits of marriage?
One way or another in life, we end up making choices, even if we think we’re choosing not to choose.…
Defence cooperation with France would be a bad idea for Britain
Donald Trump’s recent decision to deny Ukraine access to American intelligence data in the war against Russia has concentrated minds…
Have we reached peak EDI?
As the old saying goes, ‘when American sneezes, England catches a cold’. This week, the two major city watchdogs announced…
Watch: Reynolds grovels over solicitor claim
Well, well, well. After Guido Fawkes revealed that Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds had previously – and inaccurately – referred to…
More booze won’t save France’s dying village life
Reach for the pastis, Jacques. A law is making its way through the French parliament to relax alcohol licensing, to…
Ireland isn’t out of Trump’s firing line just yet
The Taoiseach Micheal Martin’s White House encounter with Donald Trump was controversial even before it was announced. Before any invitation…
Save Eastbourne’s bowls club!
Somewhat unfairly (the actual median age of residents is 45) the East Sussex coastal resort of Eastbourne is known as…
Seven in ten Reform voters don’t recognise Rupert Lowe
It was only a few weeks ago that Reform UK was flying high in the polls. Now a fallout between…
Losing Kursk is a big blow to Zelensky
After eight months of fighting on Russian soil, Ukrainian troops are pulling back from the Kursk region. This morning, Russian…
Steve Bannon blames Gavin Newsom for creating Elon Musk
Critics say California governor Gavin Newsom’s new podcast, This Is Gavin Newsom, is an attempt to appeal to the center ahead…
Man Utd fans – and Gary Neville – should stop moaning
What exactly is it that the Glazer family has done that makes Manchester United fans whine so endlessly? I ask…
Team Trump’s incoherent plan to change GDP measurements
If there is anything that all governments watch carefully, it is GDP growth. Without substantive and ongoing increases in what…
Is £250 a year enough for you to have a pylon ruining your view?
As part of its plans to streamline the planning process for much-needed infrastructure, the government has confirmed that it intends…
Why Russia should agree to a ceasefire – and five reasons Putin might not
The main achievement of the US-Ukrainian talks in Jeddah was to produce a ceasefire document that Russia might actually want…
Is Kemi Badenoch getting better at PMQs?
If Kemi Badenoch has a plan, she’s keeping it hidden. At PMQs she used her scattergun approach to complain about…
Putin can still defeat Ukraine
After Ukraine accepted America’s 30-day ceasefire proposal, all eyes are on Russia’s reaction. Will Vladimir Putin – who, as President Trump…
Will better-than-expected inflation numbers calm the markets?
Has Donald Trump’s return to the White House triggered a second round of inflation? Not yet, according to the Bureau…
Are thought crimes now a deportable offense?
In his inaugural address, Donald Trump promised to safeguard the First Amendment. “After years and years of illegal and unconstitutional…
Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs is catching up with him
I saw my first murder scene in Manila. On the evening of the 22 January 2018, a pair of assassins…
Nicola Sturgeon wasted eight years in power
As Nicola Sturgeon announces that she is standing down from the Scottish parliament, it is worth reflecting on what a…
Will Streeting’s shake-up save the NHS?
Not for the first time, the NHS is facing a major overhaul under a Labour government. A series of announcements in…
Labour MP U-turns on benefit cuts letter
There’s drama in Labourland today as one backbencher appears to have had second thoughts about her stance on benefits payments…
Is Kemi Badenoch finally getting the hang of PMQs?
Kemi Badenoch made some changes to her strategy at Prime Minister’s Questions today and had a much better time of…
Quangos are forever
So it is goodbye to the Payment Systems Regulator, which will be merged with the Financial Conduct Authority. That is…
