Commentators
Phillip Knightley: The nasty side of the new Australia
Published: 14 December 2005
The Third Leader: Literary lingerie
Published: 14 December 2005
Ay, Connie lass! By 'eck, but there's trouble oop at t'DH Lawrence estate. Seems that t'nobs running it are a bit brassed off that t'well-known floggers of all sorts of 'elp to earthy goings on, Ann Summers, are selling a Lady Chatterley Basque, a Lady Chatterley Thong, and a Lady Chatterley Bra, appen, tha' knows.
Douglas Hurd: Don't stir up ancient disputes
Published: 13 December 2005
The Third Leader: Schadenfreude for beginners
Published: 13 December 2005
Oh, dear. Once again, our foreign language failings are brought to notice. Despite every incentive, invitation and entreaty to rejoice, luxuriate and frolic in the delights of another tongue, the number of young people learning one remains in decline. There was another appeal for more effort yesterday, citing economic necessity and cultural reward, from Thomas Matussek, the departing German ambassador to Britain.
Iain Hutchison: The crossing of a dangerous medical frontiers
Published: 12 December 2005
Charles Nevin: News from Elsewhere
Published: 12 December 2005
Patrick Cockburn: Iraq: the beginning of the end
Published: 11 December 2005
Katy Guest: Party time at the office again. 'Tis the season to be jolly humiliated
Published: 11 December 2005
Nick Foulkes: Deck shoes ready, Boden Man is on the march
Published: 11 December 2005
Jeff Barak: Anti-semitism or a war with the 'Mail'? It would be simpler if Ken just said sorry
Published: 11 December 2005
Chapman Pincher: The far from glorious history of MI5
Published: 11 December 2005
In the latest attempt to burnish its public image and diminish its aura of secrecy, MI5, the security service responsible for the prevention of espionage, sabotage and now terrorism in the UK, has embellished its website with portraits and potted CVs of its former chiefs, dating back to its pre-Second World War director general, Sir Vernon Kell.
Rupert Cornwell: Out of America
Published: 11 December 2005
John Bercow: Forget Little Britain. Let's join up with the international brigade
Published: 11 December 2005
Dr Neal Brener: Why you can't just tell an alcoholic to stop drinking
Published: 11 December 2005
Alcoholism is not a silly little self-inflicted illness. It is a major problem for the NHS. One in five beds at any one time is occupied by people with drinking problems. Unfortunately it is often not well recognised by the medical profession, and treatment options in the NHS are limited.
Richard Ingrams' Week: Who are these New Men trying to kid?
Published: 10 December 2005
Questioned on the Today programme about how he would hope to measure up to the much more youthful David Cameron, Gordon Brown boasted that he was the proud father of a two-year-old son and that only the night before he had been sitting up with him at 4am.
Jemima Lewis: Why would any woman want to become an MP?
Published: 10 December 2005
Matthew Norman: The powerful never know when to go
Published: 09 December 2005
The Third Leader: Sofa, so good
Published: 09 December 2005
Knowledge is the most splendid thing, isn't it? Oh, I know, courtesy of Francis Bacon, about it being power; and I know how useful it can be, particularly when I can't find the washing machine handbook and that seeping on to the floor is continuing and I'm trying to get through to customer services with the hand that isn't holding the towel. But even the most useless knowledge has a compelling quality. Just the other day, for example, I learnt that the old Chislehurst and Bickley telephone exchange was called "Imperial", in honour of Napoleon III, who came to live in Chisle- hurst after that unpleasantness with the Prussians in 1870. Marvellous.
The Third Leader: Lure of the lamp post
Published: 08 December 2005
Dogs had a bit of a day yesterday, with the latest news on their genome, carrying important implications for both biological and medical advances, canine and human. Interpretation of this sort of thing is, of course, normally best left to our excellent science writers, but I thought you might benefit from what is incontestably a fresh mind in the field.
James Bethell: Forget the old and focus on the young
Published: 07 December 2005
If there is one thing David Cameron must do, it is to make sure his ageing party puts an appeal to young voters at the centre of its strategy, a radical move that would reverse political battle lines. In May's general election, Conservatives polled a desperate third place among 20-34 year olds, with a measly 26 per cent of the vote underlining their dependence on the Saga vote.
The Third Leader: The fractious life
Published: 06 December 2005
Bliss! We should be clear that we are all fallen creatures; and, of course, some would say that this trade has fallen further than most. Nevertheless, there can be few who do not enjoy a good local row, even, or particularly, when they're not involved. And when someone famous is involved, well.
Bianca Jagger: This persistent prejudice against Aids sufferers
Published: 05 December 2005
