Henry Fairlie

Henry Fairlie wrote for The Spectator in the 1950s and the 1960s. His pieces are widely thought to be the first examples of the modern political column. He later moved to the US, where he wrote for the New Republic and the Washington post. He died in 1990, aged 66.

Wednesday

Henry Fairlie

Macmillan's 'Night of the Long Knives' was political genius (1962)

Sixty years ago today, Harold Macmillan carried out a cabinet reshuffle which became known as the ‘Night of the Long Knives’. He dismissed seven ministers – one-third of the cabinet – and replaced them with men who would soon become political heavyweights, such as Reg Maudling, Sir Keith Joseph and Bill Deedes. The Spectator’s leader