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The Brexit decade
Was it worth it?
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Economic gloom is Keir Starmer’s real legacy
Was Brexit a mistake?
Do politicians really care about the evidence?
What I learned in the pubs of Makerfield
Keir Starmer’s delusion is becoming tragic
The strange divide at Labour’s Makerfield HQ
Civil service grifting hits new heights
The perfect two words to describe this zombie parliament
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The glorious silliness of tribute band names
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A toff’s guide to Ascot
From Spectator Life
The safety features in my car are downright dangerous
From Spectator Life
Why do I get stuck with bores at parties?
From Spectator Life
Whoops, I’ve given my children a gambling problem
From the magazineThe problem with my gambling, Caroline has always maintained, is not the fact that I nearly always lose. I only ever bet on QPR, so that’s inevitable. No, the issue is that I might pass on the habit to my children, particularly the boys. My bets rarely exceed £25, but my sons might have less self control. What if they become addicts, she wants to know? It will ruin their lives. In her eyes, gambling in front of them is like snorting heroin off the kitchen table. Well, it pains me to say it, but she was right. My youngest recently celebrated his 18th birthday and the first thing he did, at one minute after midnight, was open a bet365 account. The fact that his becoming an adult coincided with the start of the World Cup didn’t help.
‘Through ecstasy I say: it’s perfect’: The Old Original Bakewell Pudding Shop reviewed
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The Brexit decade
Was it worth it?
The Brexit decade: was it worth it?
It may not feel or sound like it but Keir Starmer is a born-again Brexiteer. His achievements in office may be nugatory, his search for a legacy tragicomic, but there are countless actions this government boasts of which simply would not have been possible if we had stayed in the EU. Earlier this year, Labour moved to protect our steel industry with a tariff package possible only because we have an independent trade policy. I was delighted this month when the minister in the Lords made it clear this was a Brexit benefit. Those same Brexit freedoms allowed the Chancellor last month to cut tariffs on more than 100 foodstuffs to ease the cost-of-living crisis.
The Brexit decade: was it worth it?
It may not feel or sound like it but Keir Starmer is a born-again Brexiteer. His achievements in office may be nugatory, his search for a legacy tragicomic, but there are countless actions this government boasts of which simply would not have been possible if we had stayed in the EU. Earlier this year, Labour moved to protect our steel industry with a tariff package possible only because we have an independent trade policy. I was delighted this month when the minister in the Lords made it clear this was a Brexit benefit. Those same Brexit freedoms allowed the Chancellor last month to cut tariffs on more than 100 foodstuffs to ease the cost-of-living crisis.
Culture
The good, the bad and the ugly in books, exhibitions, cinema, TV, dance, music, podcasts and theatre.
The glorious silliness of tribute band names
From the magazineSeeing a tribute band can be a strange experience. There are your heroes on stage once more, magically rejuvenated and playing the music of your youth. You too feel briefly young again – until you notice everyone else at the gig is also at least 57. But as often as not the band is brilliant. They have lovingly tracked down the right guitars, effect pedals and amp settings in search of the perfect sound. They have styled their hair just so, applied the requisite tattoos and, at some obvious expense, commissioned perfect replicas of signature stage outfits. See Björn Again and the girls might come complete with the purple capes worn for Abba’s 1980 world tour before changing into the white-booted ‘SOS’ look.
A ballet masterpiece revived – but where’s the pony?
From the magazineIs there anything sadder than a Scots Gaelic lament?
From the magazine
Toy Story 5 contains delicious touches
From the magazine
Clarkson’s Farm remains the best drama on TV
From the magazine
Head to Deptford for one of the exhibitions of the year
From the magazine
A play that shows Iranian society is like our own
From the magazine
Cartoons
‘‘He’s been sent home for politicising the egg and spoon race.’’
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‘‘I’ve found a sweet “How to Avoid a Social Media Ban” guide on TikTok.’’
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