referendum
We could learn a thing or two from Swiss democracy
There was another referendum in Switzerland over the weekend. This one was about protecting the young from the evils of…
Television, not social media, is fracturing our society
All it took for the Twitter mob to descend on me was a retweet from Michael Gove. Message after message…
I’m sorry because I failed: An interview with David Cameron
‘How have you been?’ David Cameron asks, bounding up to meet me. Fine, I say, then make the mistake of…
Must ‘the will of the people’ always be respected?
I’ve always respected Alistair Darling and cannot imagine him saying anything ill-considered. But listening to him interviewed last Monday on…
Four year terms are a bad idea
The election of Donald Trump, the vote for Brexit, and the return of One Nation have all threatened the centre-right status…
Leave campaigners aren’t being disrespected. They’re being paranoid
There are moments when one wonders whether one is seeing and hearing the same things as others. For me such…
A lesson from Italy on the futility of referendums
As we prepare in Britain for our momentous referendum in June, Italy has just had one. It happened last Sunday…
Portrait of the week
Home An official analysis by the Cabinet Office said that if Britain left the EU it would lead to a…
Trade comes before trade agreements (but the ‘in’ campaign don’t think so)
The government, or at least David Cameron’s bit of it, seems to think that trade is something that takes place…
Why does no one in the cabinet admit to being a Europhile?
One of the oddest features of the cabinet majority for staying in the EU is that almost no one in…
Go back and get more from the EU, Prime Minister
Throughout his negotiations with the European Union, David Cameron was fatally undermined by his own lack of resolve. He was…
Portrait of the Week: David Cameron’s EU deal and the death of Terry Wogan
Home David Cameron, the Prime Minister, made a speech in Wiltshire about a letter from Donald Tusk, the president of…
The new sceptics’ case for staying in the EU: it’ll sink soon anyway
As Tory ministers wrestle with their consciences before the EU referendum, an intriguing new argument for voting to stay has…
What Brexit would look like for Britain
Life outside the EU would be good for Britain
Charles Moore’s Notes: Are we really going to try Lord Janner’s corpse?
At the end of next week, a judge will decide whether the ‘trial of the facts’ can proceed now that…
Can Cameron really offer the best of both worlds in the EU referendum?
By this time next year Britain will, if the government has its way, have voted on whether or not this…
'This will take longer than I’d thought' - an interview with David Cameron
An interview with the Prime Minister
Portrait of the week
Home Two groups were launched, one in favour of remaining in the European Union and the other in favour of…
Charles Moore’s Notes: Why Labour keeps failing to choose a woman leader
Watching the very pleasant Liz Kendall on television this week, I was struck by how extraordinary it is that more…
Charles Moore’s Notes: Why the Greek No is a great moment for socialism
Even if everything goes wronger still, the Greek No vote is a great victory for the left. Until now, the…
Greeks just want to keep what they’ve got
We were breakfasting outside on the morning of the Greek referendum. The result could only be guessed at and all…
Charles Moore’s Notes: Now even the FT has joined in issuing threats to the Greek people
‘The Greek people,’ the Financial Times leading article said on Monday, ‘would be well advised to listen closely to the…
Reflections on the revolution in Scotland
This was the Scottish election. Where next for the Union now?
Interview: Alex Salmond’s game plan for the Commons
Scotland’s former first minister on the allure of the Commons, the Queen and Prince Charles – and the defects of Cameron and Miliband
Yes or no, I’ll never feel the same about the Scots
I doubt I’m alone among English readers of this magazine in having felt uncomfortable with our last issue. ‘Please stay…
