I’m going to teach you one of the most powerful sentences in the English language — four words that define what it means to be British: Mind your own business. The sworn enemies of every true Brit are the bossy bureaucrat, the nosy neighbour, the local gossip, and the curtain-twitching nebbisher. The nosy Parker. The … Read more
The Battle Over Indefinite Leave to Remain: Labour, Conservatives, and Reform Compared Labour, the Conservatives, and Reform UK have all announced plans to tighten the rules around Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). On the surface, they’re united by a single goal — reducing net migration. But dig deeper, and the differences are huge. What Is … Read more
All summer long the press — along with a depressing number of commentators and politicians — warned of a “summer of violence,” supposedly echoing last year’s riots in British cities. At times their warnings felt less like reporting and more like an attempt to foment unrest themselves, an embrace of mob politics. The reality fell … Read more
From Rave to RevivalSunderland Council has given planning permission for work on the old Blue Monkey nightclub. For anyone who missed the rave era, the Blue Monkey was infamous for wild nights and louder music. It closed long ago, but its name still carries weight in Sunderland nightlife. Immigration and TensionsThe city is changing, and … Read more
Every September, as the new school term begins, the press reach for the same tired filler. Cue the Daily Mail or the Telegraph running a piece about a school—usually in London or Birmingham—where pupils supposedly speak “100 languages.” It makes for a good headline, but it’s nonsense. Try it yourself: write down 100 languages. After … Read more
Immigration in Britain has become one of the defining political issues of the last decade. From Brexit to the rise of Reform UK, arguments over net migration shape headlines and elections alike. This survey is your chance to cut through the noise and share your own view on what immigration means for Britain today. Loading…
The Post-Holiday Daydream Holidays are over, the beaches are just a memory, and reality is back with a thud. Every September, millions of us ask the same wistful question: why can’t life always be like this? Why not move somewhere sunny, with cheap wine and great food? The newspapers know this seasonal mood well. Like … Read more
Something Odd Is Going On With Small Boat Crossings There’s been a sharp fall in small boat crossings — and you probably haven’t heard much about it. In August, small boat crossings were down 40% compared to last month. That makes it the lowest August figure for five years. Why Small Boat Crossings Are Falling … Read more
Farage’s Authoritarian Dream Nigel Farage has unveiled another round of “policy announcements” — less a manifesto, more a vision for a whiter, more conformist Britain. Meanwhile, the Government appears asleep at the wheel, or perhaps snoozing on a deckchair. Angela Rayner provokes tabloid paroxysms by vaping in a dinghy or drinking rosé in a dry … Read more
A long time ago, when I was an NHS CEO, a member of staff asked if we could fly the England flag during a football tournament. I liked the idea, and even suggested we make it a tradition whenever England reached the finals over a major tournament we would fly the cross of St George. … Read more