Diary: As war in Ukraine looms, Johnson is out in the cold
With Boris Johnson persona non grata in Europe, defence secretary Ben Wallace is minding the international store
Tearful Adele trumps Brexit border chaos in the British news agenda
While all eyes are focussed on Partygate, or even Adele postponing her entire Las Vegas residency, British businesses face exponential border queues. But, media outlets aren’t interested.
Jack Doyle and his knack for personal mobile numbers
Boris Johnson’s director of communications is quite the natural when it comes to obtaining personal mobile numbers. MANDRAKE wonders if this sometimes has sinister consequences.
Escaping the shadow of the Iron Lady, Margaret Thatcher
Would hopefuls like Liz Truss and Valérie Pécresse deliver a calmer, fresher politics in the spirit of Ardern and Merkel, or just a retread of muscular Iron Ladyism?
The writing on the wall: Is it time for a new Amsterdam?
Politicians are determined to clean up the city’s fabled sex and drug trade. But some locals aren’t so sure.
The Royals’ coded message is simple: We will endure
The photos recently released in celebration of the Duchess of Cambridge’s 40th birthday came just at the right time, writes BONNIE GREER. But, they also have a deeper meaning.
Boris Johnson and Prince Andrew: A pair of entitled men no longer defying gravity
The two men aren’t getting away with their rotting of British life any longer. The #MeToo moment may not have delivered all that was hoped, but is this the start of the #HadIt era?
Multicultural Man: On cannabis
The legalisation of cannabis in all its forms is almost here – all done bar the shouting, says WILL SELF
You’ll never put a meta bit of butter on your knife? Turkish farmer trials VR
A Turkish farmer has claimed that putting virtual reality goggles on his cows causes them to produce more milk
Germansplaining: The wolves are always at the door in Germany
Our columnist explains why Germans still hold the wolf in such reverence.
Everyday Philosophy: Why compassion must not be forgotten in the wake of Partygate
While Britain has focussed on Boris Johnson’s partying and Prince Andrew, desperate people have risked their lives in cold and dangerous waters, writes NIGEL WARBURTON.
What happened to Brexit giving the elite a kicking?
It was promised that Brexit would “give the Westminster elite a good kicking”. One reader wonders why instead we have seen the breaking of lockdown rules, nepotistic Covid deals and corrupt funding for fancy furnishings.
New border red tape is choking British business… and it’s only just the beginning
Almost unnoticed as Partygate occupies minds and headlines, new Brexit rules are already doing serious damage to British business.
Mark Francois’ Spartan Victory is illiteracy on parade
They shared a famous TV Brexit moment. When Mark Francois wrote a book, there was only one person who could review it…
The Big Picture: Las Luminarias once again fanned the flames of controversy
The Spanish festival has returned only to be met with condemnation from animal rights groups.
Boris Johnson is 007 in Now, Time To Die
Agent Blond faces imminent doom. But could there be one last chance to escape?
Games to make your ‘work event’ go off with a bang
Comedian MITCH BENN offers up some advice on how to follow in the steps of Downing Street and make your next ‘work event’ one to remember (or rather not remember…)
War in Ukraine would be a war like no other… the West must act now
A war between Russia and Ukraine is a prospect to be avoided at all costs. If it is not, then the human, social and economic impacts across Europe will be devastating.
Who are the next PM runners and riders?
Paul Dacre and Ted Verity make one last stand for Boris Johnson
Their Daily Mail recently laid into those attacking Johnson for his law-breaking, lying and partying and told them it was time to “move on”.
The Tory spin machine is already going into overdrive about Sue Gray’s report
They will try to claim victory whatever it says – and they’ve put a brilliant civil servant in an impossible position
After a disastrous start to the season, Novak Djokovic’s 2022 isn’t looking much better
The world No. 1 men’s tennis star won’t disappear from headlines just because he’s left Australia’s shores.
It’s happened again. No, not another party at Downing Street
As the national dialogue is swamped with Partygate, yet another young woman has been killed. Her name was Ashling Murphy, she was 23 years old and she was going for a run.
Gina Miller delivers a surprise at her True & Fair Party launch
The party is neither a Remain or Rejoin party as expected, but a movement pushing for enforceable rules on how MPs conduct themselves and spend public money.
Where is the moral case for ‘looking up’, not locking up?
Why have we forgotten about the moral case for tighter Covid restrictions? Asks one reader.
Big Mac’s legal plans in Italy are left in ruins
A legal bid by McDonald’s to build a drive-through in close proximity to some ruins in Rome has been ended by Italy’s highest court.
55 Tufton Street, SW1: The most influential address you’ve never heard of
It’s home to pro-Brexit groups and climate change sceptics. But just how much power over this government is wielded by the tenants of 55 Tufton Street?
A failure to follow the party line is almost unbelievable
Comedian MITCH BENN presents his take on the news of more lockdown parties in Downing Street and Nigel Farage coming to Novak Djokovic’s aid.
The American ugliness that has its base in race
America has always been full of ‘Rampaging White People’. But if anyone can face them it’s Joe Biden, writes BONNIE GREER.
Germansplaining: How Germany keeps using the same approach for its problems
Dinner for One popularised the catchphrase “same procedure as every year”. Now it’s synonymous with Germany’s Covid policy, writes TANIT KOCH.
The story of HS2: ‘The high-speed train not arriving at Platform One…’
The government’s abandonment of rail plans has left its levelling-up policy in tatters.
Photographing the decay of that colossal wreck…
Georgian photographer DAVIT TABAGARI produces stunning images of the rusting remains of the once mighty Soviet empire in his hometown Tbilisi.
Everyday Philosophy: How to decode politicians’ use of flags
Keir Starmer opted for the backdrop of a Union flag while he delivered a keynote speech. It may look like a prop, but we can’t ignore it, writes NIGEL WARBURTON.
A non-apology for a non-party
Boris Johnson finally breaks his silence on THAT party only to prove once again that the truth is the first casualty when you seek to remake the world in your image.
Over 50 years on, the sexism and double standards in A Very British Scandal are still with us
The BBC’s three-part dramatisation of the notorious case of Argyll v Argyll is a scandalous tale of egoism and hypocrisy.
The Spider Woman bites back
Lady Hale, former president of the Supreme Court, remains as calm and steadfast as ever. But, as her much-praised book indicates, we haven’t heard the last of her measured voice.
Look the other way: the evil that lurks inside the Park Hotel
The world’s eyes are on the Park Hotel in the wake of the Novak Djokovic fiasco. Can refugee advocates use the situation to their advantage?
Could Corbyn’s new party keep Labour out of power?
What would Jeremy Corbyn’s new political party mean for the Left? Perhaps he should just apologise for dismissing anti-semitism and leave the next move to Labour, says SUNA ERDEM.
Tim Davie and his mission to reveal the BBC’s top dogs’ outside earnings
The director-general has expressed his passion for total transparency, and feels what has been declared thus far only scratches the surface…
Jacob Rees-Mogg hits all the wrong notes
In laughing off the struggles musicians are facing with touring in the EU due to Brexit, he only made himself appear more out of touch than ever.
Nigel Farage’s guide to the Australian Open
The party’s over for Boris Johnson but we all have the hangover
A superficial prime minister is in the dock – again – for a transgression that stems from the fatal flaw that has defined his career: arrogance.
Alastair Campbell’s Diary: Unease about Boris Johnson is turning to disgust
The only party to look forward to is the one celebrating the departure of this dreadful government, says ALASTAIR CAMPBELL.
An elite that thinks it’s above the law is in for a rude awakening
There is a conflict of interest epidemic plaguing the government. And it starts at the top.
Putin blames The West, Johnson wears an England shirt and Gove forms a funk band: 2022 bingo
The collapse of American democracy is the greatest threat of our times
The storming of Capitol Hill a year ago has changed how the rest of the century will pan out. Make no mistake, it was an insurrection.
Multicultural Man: On betrayal
WILL SELF on the British government’s betrayal of Afghanistan
Maybe things are, in fact, looking up
Boris Johnson’s motivations for avoiding an Omicron lockdown are all bad, but that doesn’t make him the equivalent of Meryl Streep’s president in Don’t Look Up.
Hard cheese, but the Tories just won’t trust Liz Truss
The idea that Liz Truss could be the next prime minister is hindered by the fact that Brexiteer Tories won’t trust her, argues one reader.
Germansplaining: Why Germany’s Nuxit plan is still misguided
Our columnist argues how the timing of Germany’s nuclear phase-out is irresponsible.
A special relationship…two nations united in our shared venality
Being a citizen of both the United States and United Kingdom was once a privilege. Now it’s an embarrassment. How did we get here?
The Eurostar is back on track
Buffeted by the pandemic, Eurostar faced collapse. With little thanks to the UK government, this link to the continent is revived.
There is nothing wrong with Critical Race Theory… except the name
The term should never have escaped the halls of academe. But, a more appropriate name for it would be the truth.
Transgender jibe hits Madame Macron
The president’s wife is starting legal proceedings over a conspiracy theory that she is transgender.
Everyday Philosophy: How to define a party
Most parties include alcohol, some even include cheese… Philosopher NIGEL WARBUTON on what makes a party.
Checking in to Farage towers
Nigel Farage is to become the new Basil Fawlty, except without the laughs.
Trump finds Brexit’s pastures not quite as green as predicted
STEVE ANGLESEY on the latest sunlit uplands of sovereign Britain.
Alastair Campbell’s Diary: The striking similarities between Ghislaine Maxwell and Boris Johnson
Connections, a degree from Oxford and a sense of entitlement, editor-at-large ALASTAIR CAMPBELL draws on the parallels between Ghislaine Maxwell and the prime minister.
Special Report: Putin’s plan and its terrifying consequences for Europe
The West faces an ultimatum from Russia that could result in actual war. Yet we don’t seem to have noticed. Paris Sorbonne professor of international relations and Russia specialist FRANÇOISE THOM analyses the threat.
Johnson in trouble, more bank holidays and a World Cup: What to look forward to in 2022
After the two years we’ve had, raising a glass on New Year’s Eve felt almost like an exercise in universe-baiting. But there are reasons to be hopeful over the next 12 months.
Boris Johnson has got away with it (again) over Wallpapergate. Here’s how.
Insiders say Lord Geidt was unwilling to bring the PM down, but has put him on a final warning
Happy New Brexit Year… the worst is yet to come
New rules and standards on EU trade will make the first set of Brexit measures pale into insignificance.
From Tutankhamun to Lucian Freud – key anniversaries in 2022
As much as the arrival of a New Year encourages us to look forward, it also offers a chance to look back. JONATHAN SALE flags up the most notable anniversaries in 2022.
When Russia’s greatest love machine was… Leonid Brezhnev
He’s remembered as an unsmiling, bloated figure festooned with medals. But at one point the Soviet leader was classed as a heart-throb.
Christmas in Calais: The refugees stranded in limbo by political posturing
Calmer weather has brought a new surge of migrant boat crossings in the Channel – and with them, new risks.
BadFellas: A Tory gangster story
“As far back as I can remember I always wanted to be a Conservative…”
Could Liz Truss be our next prime minister?
Her speeches and social media have played up her clownish, Johnsonian side, but she has managed to have a better 2021 than the PM and her other rivals.
Boris Johnson’s nightmare from the right
The Lib Dems’ North Shropshire victory overshadows a new danger for the Conservatives.
It’s Teenage Kicks for Johnson
You’ve got to assume at this point that a fair few people in Britain, in parliament, and yes, even in the Tory party, are angry with Boris Johnson. But one group is really vexed and they Just. Can’t. Even.
“Boris Johnson, the party’s over”
The Liberal Democrats’ upset victory in the North Shropshire by-election, a seat the Tories held for nearly two centuries, deals a huge blow to the prime minister and is a stark indictment of a political system that has become a “nightly soap opera of calamity and chaos”.
Adam Boulton: Goodbye to another year of coming apart
The outgoing Sky News editor-at-large presents his review of 2021, and says his own goodbye to Sky News.
When Harry met Santa: Gay Santa goes viral in Norway
A Norwegian Christmas advert depicting Santa falling in love with a man called Harry has been widely shared on social media.
Nigel Farage: The making of a demagogue
In this exclusive extract from his new book It’s the Leader, Stupid: Changemakers in Modern Politics, ANDREW ADONIS charts the inexorable rise of Nigel Farage, the ‘bloody-minded wind-up merchant’ who changed Britain for the worse.
John Bercow: “Reading an Adonis book is analogous to eating a Chinese meal. A couple of hours later, I am hungry for more”
Focusing on 20 outstanding leaders, Andrew Adonis writes with passion and excitement, says ex-Speaker of the House JOHN BERCOW.
The twenty faces who have the power to make or break 2022
Liz Truss, Yolanda Díaz, Valérie Pécresse, Mamata Banerjee, Andrew Bailey. Just some of the names we think will make the headlines in the next 12 months … for better or worse
Mandrake: Lord Brownlow is a friend in deed.
The former Tory Party vice-chairman may have had to chuck his own money into the Downing Street pit, but his own personal wealth is increasing by £26.5m this year. So, swings and roundabouts…
How my Christmas tradition was shelved this year
The festive period just won’t be the same this year without my favourite shop, writes BONNIE GREER.
What a Russian invasion would mean for already anarchy-filled Ukraine
Facing rare criticism at home, Vladimir Putin is preparing a crowd-pleasing war against what he considers a ‘fake’ country.
Germansplaining: How Germany uses the get-out-of-jail card
Why Germany and Britain diverge wildly when it comes to justice and imposing prison terms.
Multicultural man: On Eric Zemmour
WILL SELF on the French far-right politician who emerged from a Jewish background.
Boris Johnson has become, quite literally, a Major disaster
Boris Johnson and his government are starting to resemble John Major’s final term in office. Is history repeating itself for the Conservatives?
The party must be over for the Tories, not just the hapless PM
Last year’s Downing Street Christmas festivities must be the end for the government, not just Boris Johnson. We cannot afford a fourth Tory prime minister in a row, writes one reader.
The classic political Christmas films
Miracle on Downing Street and How the Mogg stole Christmas: What to watch this festive season
Comedian MITCH BENN presents his recommendations of what to watch this Christmas. Featuring a few familiar faces…
Of course, you can wish a Muslim ‘Merry Christmas’
There’s much in the Qur’an that unites the Islamic faith with Christianity, including the birth of Jesus Christ.
Everyday Philosophy: Hypocrisy is everywhere you look
Public figures, including Prince Charles, continue to demonstrate that it’s one rule for us, and another for them.
The New European’s photograph of 2021
The image offers a window into a conflict with no end in sight.
Dinner is served: How your food will transform in the next 20 years
Environmental and technological changes will transform the way we eat in coming decades. So what we can expect on our plates in the next 20 years?
The Succession finale and what (may be) next for the Murdoch family
What can the exploits of the Roys tell us about a real-world media empire?
A year of Brexit that went from bad to verse
How our first year properly out of the EU went in the form of rhymes and poetry.
Alastair Campbell’s Diary: This worst-ever government has made me a ranter
This is the worst government in memory. Having a rant at their expense may only be a coping mechanism, but every little helps.
No Tucker Carlson, “feminised” is not an insult
The Fox News host said during his interview with Nigel Farage that contracting Covid had, like others, emasculated, weakened and feminised Boris Johnson. But becoming feminine is not a synonym for weakness, nor has it got anything to do with the virus.
Gem finder wins cash from a crash
A young Frenchman has financially benefitted after finding gemstones, and being allowed to keep half, from a plane crash on Mont Blanc dating back to 1950.
Brexit can’t be fixed or made to work… it must be reversed
One reader asks if the mess Brexit has caused can really be cleaned up? The only solution is to reverse it.
Is there a bridge back to the European Union?
With rival negotiators at odds over the Northern Ireland Protocol, and Boris Johnson and Emmanuel Macron trading insults, it seems that Britain and the EU have never been further apart. But a former diplomat argues that a coming together is inevitable.
Germansplaining: Germany’s problem with jabs
Why do German-speaking countries have significantly lower vaccination rates than the rest of Western Europe?
The case of a couple of Dicks and the Tory Christmas party
Comedian MTCH BENN questions the Metropolitan Police’s policy of not to “retrospectively” investigate crimes…
Sending a Trevelyan to woo O’Biden must be a bad joke
Sending Anne-Marie Trevelyan to win over Joe Biden is laughable, and illogical.
Labour has a new hope – their mission is possible
Bolstered by Tory scandals and a new shadow cabinet, Keir Starmer should heed a newly published account of one of his party’s darkest hours, which turns the Red Wall narrative on its head.
Can Scholz work a miracle in the shadow of Merkel?
Germany’s new chancellor faces a tough task in steering a risk-averse country through the radical change of modernisation.