Gossip

On “Game of Thrones”, Conservatism, Israel and Lidl
On “Game of Thrones”, Conservatism, Israel and Lidl
Our political columnist pitches a dynastic new television show
On parliamentarians talented, vainglorious, entertaining and anarchic
On parliamentarians talented, vainglorious, entertaining and anarchic
Our Britain columnist considers the best and the worst of MPs in a lively week in the House of Commons and beyond
On political caricatures, “real” policies and the idea of public service
On political caricatures, “real” policies and the idea of public service
By BAGEHOTTHE PARADOXES of Brexit multiply by the day. Brexit was supposed to allow Britain to take back control of its destiny. This week a British prime minister sat...
On democracy, Sir Lewis Namier and the struggles of the super-rich
On democracy, Sir Lewis Namier and the struggles of the super-rich
Our Britain columnist has not lost all faith in his country’s parliament
On political paralysis, British intellectuals and the wisdom of Victorians
On political paralysis, British intellectuals and the wisdom of Victorians
Our Britain columnist offers Theresa May a dramatic suggestion
On protesting “nuns”, a Labour “defection” and a story about “Andre Previn”
On protesting “nuns”, a Labour “defection” and a story about “Andre Previn”
By BAGEHOTTHE FIRST time I encountered protesters dressed as nuns was when I lived in the Bay Area of San Francisco in 1984-5. Sister Mary Boom Boom and her...
On Brexit films, Brexit books and Brexit television
On Brexit films, Brexit books and Brexit television
I RECENTLY spent a happy few days in Los Angeles promoting my new book, “Capitalism in America: A History” (co-written with Alan Greenspan). I was driving down Hollywood Boulevard...
Britain’s government slides into chaos
Britain’s government slides into chaos
By BAGEHOTNOBODY CAN accuse Theresa May of an unwillingness to repeat herself. The woman who said, again and again, that “Brexit means Brexit” is now telling Britain that her...
Boris Johnson takes centre stage—from the sidelines
Boris Johnson takes centre stage—from the sidelines
By BAGEHOTTODAY’S Conservative Party conference is all about one person: Boris Johnson. Mr Johnson booked the largest room in the conference centre, with enough space for 700, but people...
Of blue suits and smelly trainers
Of blue suits and smelly trainers
THE most visible difference between the Conservative Party Conference and the Labour Party Conference is age-adjusted dress sense. The Conservative Party Conference is full of young people dressed like...
The Tory Party is split down the middle
The Tory Party is split down the middle
By BAGEHOTTHE first thing that you notice in Birmingham is that the Conservative Party is hopelessly split on Brexit. The government is united (for now) over Chequers. Most of...
What Birmingham means to today’s Conservatives
What Birmingham means to today’s Conservatives
By BAGEHOTBIRMINGHAM was an obvious place for the Tories to hold their conference. The mayor of the West Midlands, Andy Street, is a Conservative. Central Birmingham is a far...