‘A bodice-ripping period drama’

Costume drama or fly-on-the-wall documentary? ALWYN TURNER revisits Downton Abbey. Continue reading →

‘Slowly masticating’: The words of Boris Johnson

Some quotes from the days when Boris Johnson was the court jester at the Palace of Westminster. Continue reading →

Calling all cliches: Specific criminal offences

What do we want? More criminal offences! When do we want them? All the time! Continue reading →

‘This idiot has no place in British public life’

ALWYN TURNER reflects on the language of Patrick Mercer, John Terry and the Devil’s Arse. Continue reading →

Neither Nottingham nor Algeria

SIMON MATTHEWS on Britain’s most radical political novel. Continue reading →

‘What is the BBC for?’

Sachsgate, Kittengate, the Queen ‘losing it’ – the BBC had a difficult few years, reflects ALWYN TURNER. Continue reading →

Lies, damned lies & EU citizens

One of the key questions of the Brexit debate: How many foreign EU citizens live in Britain? Continue reading →

‘The wrong brother’

ALWYN TURNER remembers the battle of the meek vs the geek – was it really the start of all Labour’s problems? Continue reading →

The coming crisis (of 2012)

From the archives, ALWYN TURNER on the political instability of the Coalition years. Continue reading →

Biba vs The Angry Brigade

May Day 1971 – and British terrorists bomb a fashion boutique. ALWYN TURNER tells the story. Continue reading →

Les McKeown: ‘A cheeky little upstart’

The late Bay City Rollers singer in his own words, as recorded by ALWYN TURNER. Continue reading →

Sir Keir and the Heart of the Matter

Sir Keir Starmer – he’s all heart, you know. Continue reading →