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A rather beautiful view
As a child, I would disappear down to the beach in Cornwall and spend hours investigating rock pools. From above they looked empty. Get down on your knees and suddenly there were fish, crabs and entire worlds. The UK stock market is rather like that. The ice cream in Cornwall was pretty good too. Years later, I met Edward Hugo. Smart, relentless and the sort of man you trust. He was waiting in a coffee shop. The rain was biblical. London was miserable. And yet, I had spent years dreaming about this moment. Now I just needed Ed to say yes. In 2019, we founded Kernow. A contrarian investment manager specialising exclusively in UK equities. The timing was terrible. Everyone seemed to agree about Britain. Unloved.
Penhaligon’s: perfumes that tell timeless stories
A seemingly respectable patriarch hiding ‘brandy-soaked secrets’. His alluring wife, ‘dangerously charming’ on the outside while plotting revenge on the inside. A handsome young Duke who sets hearts aflutter, and a captivating, anything-but-innocent Duchess. Add the rebellious, rule-breaking Constance, a newly arrived Baroness who’s long been pulling the strings behind the scenes, and Mr Thompson, the butler who sees everything, and you’ve got an aristocratic cast of characters as mesmerising as any created by any Victorian playwright or modern TV scriptwriter. But look closely and you’ll find one among their number whose story is perhaps even more captivating than fiction.
We still can’t agree how big Britain’s illegal tobacco problem is
Britain has an illegal tobacco problem. Our research found that 31 per cent of adults say they have been offered illegal tobacco, 85 per cent have heard of it and 82 per cent think not enough is being done to stop it.[1] Nicky Small, Corporate Affairs and Communications Director, JTI UK In the UK, legal duty-paid tobacco volumes have fallen by 52 per cent since 2021, on HMRC’s own figures[2]. Smoking rates have fallen too, but far more slowly. As shown in the Smoking Toolkit Study, tobacco smoking prevalence fell from 16.9 per cent in 2021 to 14.9 per cent in 2026, representing a 2 percentage point reduction, or an 11.8 per cent relative decline over the period.
Croatia. I hear it’s beautiful
Titan Travel has been creating travel adventures for almost 50 years and its Croatia tours are designed to show you the best of this remarkable country. When it comes to the cities you’re spoilt for choice. Explore Zadar, home to a host of excellent museums and galleries. Along with Roman ruins and the historic Sea Gate, the town has a flight of stark white steps descending into the sea. These are perforated, creating a so-called ‘sea organ’ which seems to sigh and whistle with the motion of the waves. Or tour Diocletian’s Palace, an incredible palace built at the turn of the 4th century, which sprawls across the historic heart of Split.
Individual journeys, extraordinary futures
Clayesmore possesses a quiet magic – a rare combination of warmth, ambition and opportunity that empowers every child to flourish. At its heart is a deep belief that every child should have the confidence and freedom to discover their own path. Academic ambition sits alongside creative, sporting and personal excellence, with opportunities such as Clayesmore’s unique LEX programme, Model United Nations, Young Enterprise and the Duke of Edinburgh Award developing character, leadership and resilience. Here, pupils are encouraged to explore widely, challenge themselves and discover talents they never knew they had.
Where ambition has no glass ceiling
For nearly 300 years, James Allen’s Girls’ School (JAGS) has been a pioneering force in girls’ education, empowering generations of students to thrive through a forward-thinking approach to learning, opportunity and access. While renowned as London’s oldest independent girls’ school, JAGS continues to look firmly to the future. What began in 1741 in the back room of a Dulwich pub has grown into one of the country’s leading schools, while remaining true to James Allen’s original mission to challenge inequality and expand opportunity. The enduring value of outstanding girls’ schools remains clear The decision to educate girls was a radical one in its day; three centuries later, that spirit continues to shape the school.
Recovering a sense of purpose
The independent school world is changing at pace. Hardly a week passes without news of another closure or merger. The narrative is unrelentingly negative: we blame a hostile government, take defensive action and hope it will all work out, without really believing it will. Managed decline. John Moule There is another way. We should look to ourselves and tell a better story. Practically, we must seize the opportunities that come with challenge and be confident about what we can achieve. Fundamentally, we must remind ourselves what charitable independent education has been — and should be — about. We are assailed by taxation and regulation.
Natural England shouldn’t be above the law
A High Court ruling has found that conditions imposed by Natural England (NE) on game shoots were ‘irrational’ and ‘misinterpreting the scope of their powers’. The British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) brought the case, arguing that approach had created significant uncertainty for shoots – even forcing some to close. Handing down judgment at the Royal Courts of Justice, the Court found NE had acted unlawfully by adopting an interpretation of ‘release’ that exceeded the meaning of the legislation enacted by Parliament. The Court ruled that NE cannot impose conditions preventing the keeping of gamebirds on site prior to release.
How to watch the World Cup with ExpressVPN
For football fans keen to soak up the atmosphere of the 2026 Fifa World Cup, it’s hard to beat being there. But if travelling to the US, Canada and Mexico is off the cards, there’s a trick to help you get the next best thing at home. With ExpressVPN – an official supporter of the Fifa World Cup – you can watch local coverage of the tournament from anywhere in the world, without leaving the UK. Enjoy America’s commentators, Canada’s half-time discussions or Mexico’s post-match analysis, with no flights, tickets or sky-high hotel bills to deal with. Most broadcast and streaming services are geo-blocked, meaning they can only be accessed from specific locations.
Ettinger’s guide to packing the essentials
A long weekend is a peculiarly British art form: just enough time to escape, but not quite long enough to justify overpacking. The seasoned traveller knows that restraint, paired with the right accessories, is the key to arriving both prepared and unburdened. The secret lies not in how much you bring, but in how well you choose it. Start, as ever, with the bag. A proper weekend holdall sets the tone, and few do it better than the Ettinger Cotswold Weekend Bag. Crafted with a reassuring solidity and understated elegance, it encourages discipline. Its capacity is generous without being cavernous, which is precisely the point — it gently insists that you edit your wardrobe to the essentials.
Join KYN at their exclusive London events
For those seeking something beyond the conventional, KYN offers a transformative approach to post-surgery care and later-life living. With residences that feel like private homes, and a philosophy rooted in dignity, autonomy and warmth, KYN sets a new benchmark in care. KYN’s pioneering approach to care is built on a foundation of clinical excellence, holistic wellbeing and advanced nutrition. This is elevated through a life enrichment and wellbeing programme, innovative technology and beautiful, homely interiors delivered with unobtrusive hospitality. Spectator readers are invited to attend one of KYN’s refined and informative specialist events this summer.
Building the future, grounded in the past
While Sherborne Schools have thrived in our honey-coloured buildings for 1,300 years, we have always felt slightly ahead of the curve, happily steering away from any short-term, educational fads. We have educated tens of thousands of forward-thinking pupils, from actors, generals and musicians, to scientists, business leaders and global figures, male and female. But we are especially proud this year to be celebrating the 100th anniversary of the arrival at Sherborne of Alan Turing, who, thanks to his pioneering work in computing, did as much as anyone to influence the world in which we live. To honour him and to further Sherborne Schools Group’s reputation as a first mover in education, we are launching an initiative in Turing’s name to nurture the next generation of technologists.
How a family-owned tailor created fashion’s most famous street
As Henry Poole & Co celebrates its 220th anniversary, we reflect on the people, patronage and craftsmanship that have shaped our house since 1806. James Poole was born in Shropshire, around 1782. In January 1806, he arrived in London at a moment of national mourning. The funeral of Horatio Nelson had just taken place, and the capital was filled with the splendour of naval and military dress. Establishing himself in Everett Street behind Bloomsbury Square as a linen and mantua draper, he quickly turned his attention to military uniforms. The exquisite quality of his work brought him to prominence, and he became known for producing finely cut, regulation-perfect uniforms at a time when precision and presentation were paramount. Henry Poole & Co.
We’re delivering a smoke-free future, today
At Philip Morris International, our mission is clear: To reduce smoking by replacing cigarettes with better smoke-free alternatives for legal-age consumers. Learn more at PMI.
Digital IDs and how ExpressVPN can protect your privacy online
Britain is gearing up for the age of the digital ID. While the government recently backtracked on plans to make digital ID mandatory for everyone working in the UK, the £1.8 billion scheme hasn’t gone away: planning is ongoing for a ‘voluntary’ programme to be rolled out by 2029, with a public consultation expected to take place this year. The government claims that ‘digital identity systems can offer efficiency, fraud reduction and privacy protection’. But critics have warned that they come with significant risks, including data breaches, surveillance, user profiling and function creep (where a ‘voluntary’ digital ID becomes compulsory in more scenarios than expected).
A retirement roadmap
Planning in your thirties and forties Retirement may seem like a lifetime away, but the earlier you can start paying into a pension, the better. Get into the habit of paying into your pension and get to grips with the basics of planning for retirement. If a company employs you, they are legally obliged to pay into a pension for you, and you’ll also have to pay in a set amount too. The government tops up these payments. An Isa can be a tax-efficient way of saving for the future. In particular, stocks and shares Isas can be a powerful way to supplement your pension pot, offering the potential for higher returns over time, without having to pay tax on the growth.
Getting Ahead for Society
GSK is committed to transforming healthcare by focusing on prevention. In collaboration with the NHS and Government, GSK aims to shift the focus from sickness to prevention, aligning with the Government’s 10-year plan. Through science, innovation, and strategic partnerships, GSK is developing medicines and vaccines, advancing research, and investing in early detection and education to help get ahead of illness. Health Challenges Facing the UK Neale Belson, General Manager, GSK in the UK The UK faces a growing burden of preventable illnesses, threatening both lives and NHS sustainability. Conditions like respiratory diseases, cancer, and antimicrobial-resistant infections are increasing pressure on services, costing billions annually and reducing quality of life for millions.
Latest from Coffee House
The truth about Gazan ‘journalists’
For two years we were told that Israel was waging a war on journalists. The statistics were recited at the UN, quoted in human rights reports, and repeated earnestly by presenters keen to prove their virtue from the safety of far-off studios and podcast sets. Gaza, we heard, had become the deadliest place on earth to be a reporter, and the dominant explanation offered was that Israel was deliberately silencing the press by mercilessly targeting those brave people who were simply serving the cause of objective truth. This week, the IDF published what it calls the Press Files: the names, photographs and roles of 170 of those people killed during the war who were presented to the world as journalists and media workers, and who were also operatives in terrorist organisations.
Is Badenoch cutting through?
We are on the home stretch of the party conference season. It’s the turn of the Greens this weekend and Zack Polanski – now a distant 6-1 shot to win the Holborn and St Pancras by-election next week – has given his big speech, promising to keep Andy Burnham’s Labour honest. ‘Vote Green and watch Labour move,’ he cried, citing the government’s shifts on Israel and fossil fuels. Polanski is now the one in the hotseat with the regional broadcast political editors. James Heale is down in Brighton keeping an eye on things and rounds up the best of it here. The Greens, somewhat bizarrely, seem to have briefed that if they can turn 30 per cent of the 2024 Labour vote in the by-election, they would then be just four points behind. ‘This is on a knife edge,’ a source says.
Can the Greens survive Burnham?
16 min listen
James Heale reports from Green Party conference in Brighton, joined by More in Common’s Luke Tryl and Noa Hoffman. After a year in which the Greens appeared to be challenging Labour on the left, has their momentum begun to stall – and how much of that is down to Zac Polanski himself, compared to Andy Burnham winning progressive voters back to Labour? They discuss the tensions within the Greens’ increasingly broad coalition plus look ahead to next week's Holborn and St Pancras by-election. Will Polanski survive losing in London? Produced by Patrick Gibbons.
What a brain haemorrhage feels like
Something bad and life-changing happened to me: last October I had a subarachnoid brain haemorrhage and then spent three months in hospital shackled to a cylinder containing my cerebrospinal fluids. Ordinarily, I’m a private person and recoil from those who need to centre their “lived experience”, especially if that experience amounts to a claim of victimhood. But I also feel trapped in my story and figure that if I tell it here I will stop reliving it in my head. Perhaps there are others who will recognise their own experiences in mine, but that’s not really why I’m writing this. It’s more to make sense of what happened to me and to draw a line under something that’s difficult to absorb.
Fines don’t stop parents taking their kids on term-time holidays
The assumption is an obvious one: if you fine people for bad behaviour, they should stop. But human psychology is much more complicated than that. The reality is that financial penalties often fail because they inadvertently shift human behaviour from a moral framework to a market framework. In other words, the punishable behaviour stops being about right or wrong and instead becomes an economic choice. For example, rather than thinking, 'littering is bad for my community,' people instead ask themselves, 'Is it worth £100 to leave my rubbish rather than take it with me?' A social wrongdoing now becomes a purchasable commodity: people can ‘buy’ the right to break a rule, because the distinction is no longer between illegal and legal, but what is legal for a price.
Proportional voting will usher in a sectarian Britain
Andy Burnham's pledge to change our voting system – and his vow at last year's Labour conference that 'Proportional Representation's time has come' – will come back to bite Labour, and Britain. There are any number of good reasons why PR would be a disaster, most of them well-rehearsed. But there is one specific issue which, in the context of Britain today, should send a clear warning of the danger in store should Labour change the voting system. Whatever arguments there might be suggesting the ‘fairness’ of a system in which a party’s parliamentary seats represent its share of the vote, it is almost guaranteed that any government formed under PR will be a coalition.