Rebels and Rivals
It’s funny how implicated we are in the places from which we take our bearings. Memories of the Lexington-Concord bridge,…
Aussie life
Less than two months after its imposition, the world’s first children’s social media ban is already exceeding targets, with a…
Language
Let’s begin the year by summarising the ‘Words of the Year’ chosen by the world’s great dictionaries to represent last…
Spectator Competition: Forward thinking
For Competition 3430 you were invited to write a rhyming prophecy for 2026. Joe Houlihan’s closing couplet encapsulates the tenor…
I walked out of my son’s nativity play
To walk out of a public performance before the end – be it the theatre, a concert or a lecture…
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…
Should we fear falling birth rates more than over-population?
In 1980, two American academics made a bet. Julian Simon, professor of economics at the University of Illinois, predicted that…
The Boring Twenties: good British fun is being strangled
A century ago, Britain had reason to despair. A generation had been lost to war, influenza was killing those who…
Labour is doing all it can to kill off horse racing
In July, Victoria, Lady Starmer was photographed at Royal Ascot, celebrating with friends after backing the winner of the Princess…
The 14 questions that will define British politics in 2026
Contemplating a new year always raises questions. Was there a Third Protocol? What was wrong with Oral-A? Can Keir Starmer…
Who’s up to the challenge of restoring Britain’s prosperity?
In 1956, Malta held a referendum on joining the United Kingdom. Since the islands were economically reliant on the Royal…
Heroes have faults too
The chief function of the prime minister is to take the blame, and Sir Keir Starmer can no more escape…
