Issue: October 2021
Canary in the cultural coalmine
Robin Ashenden talks to the prescient Lionel Shriver about cancel culture
Passing on the batons
The future of conducting is looking bright — everywhere except in Russia and America
The very long arm of the law
It would be wrong to give British citizens more protection from extradition than foreigners
The satisfaction of small pleasures
The most anticipated book of the year, a Booker Prize nominee and a posthumous release: John Self on three new, big releases this month
Hit the road, Jack
It’s time for Villa fans to let Grealish go
Australia first
What are we supposed to fight for in the Pacific? Is it for Australia or for the sake of US pre-eminence?
Dilyn the Dog goes to conference
Remember, there’s no difference between Team Rishi and Team Tory
The noise before defeat
Even a good retreat would not have rescued a bad war
Team Europe
In the Ryder Cup the US have the superstars, the major titles, the private jets. Europe have team spirit
Most Read
American strategy in Iran is wiser than it seems
President Trump’s intervention will leave the world safer than it was
Saint Nicola
Nicola Sturgeon wants sympathy for her husband’s crimes—but after years spent avoiding awkward questions, her latest reinvention may be the hardest sell yet.
The lonely death of Henry Nowak
We must draw lessons from a horrendous and disgraceful case
Rewatching the English
English identity has become too surreal and discomfiting to define
A failed war on fags
The black market has taken over the tobacco trade Down Under
The Islamists’ young recruits
Islamist networks are increasingly targeting children, and the British state refuses to acknowledge the problem
Polish piano
Andre Tchaikowsky: Piano concertos (Ondine)
How to build a Europe of the peripheries
Resetting Britain’s relations with the EU should not mean being beholden to France and Germany
Windy Whitty
Chris Whitty is wrong about so-called “fat jabs”
Spectres of folk
Can the gallery embrace unofficial culture?
The rise and fall of Star Trek liberalism
We should celebrate real-world achievement rather than identitarian fantasy
The trains have to run
Populists have had success in persuading people that they can govern — but can they actually govern?
The Symphony’s Indian summer
Imagine hearing a symphony for the first time
Sexy sisters and holy hotties
Less Sister Simper, more Attila the Nun
Chopping The Onion
It is neither brave nor clever to portray dissenting women as insane
This apology for a political comedy
Amusing as a war crimes trial, and seems to last twice as long