The United Kingdom is nothing if not a trading nation. For centuries our island status has made us a leader in world commerce, and that continues to this day. Last year alone, foreign nationals made almost nine million business trips here, a staggering total. Those visits generated jobs, investment and prosperity for our country – prosperity … Read more
In recent weeks, we’ve all been thinking and talking about the Proms. I for one can’t wait to be back in the Royal Albert Hall next year, singing Land Of Hope And Glory at full voice. I have very fond childhood memories of watching at home every year with my grandma, and hope to be … Read more
There isn’t much good news around Covid-19, but for many mothers who have long wanted more flexible working, their day has come. When I edited Vogue, I had a staff of about 30 who were mainly female. It was a curious fact but office pregnancies seemed to happen in cycles, and often four or five … Read more
We have ceased to be a parliamentary democracy. There was no military putsch. Nobody passed an Enabling Act allowing rule by decree. But the House of Lords and the House of Commons are now the Dead Parrot Parliament. They are dead because they do nothing to hold the Government to account. The most shocking instance … Read more
It is The Guardian – inevitably – that has been leading the sneers. ‘As millionaires inside and outside of government lean on us to stop working from home, what are we really missing?’ the bible of woke Britain intoned last week. ‘If you want to feel like you’re in an office again, just wad a packet … Read more
One thing I have learnt from my time in office is that it is much easier to give advice than to do the job – so I have every sympathy for those in Government charged with making big decisions regarding how we combat this virus. But failing to make the right decisions will do immense … Read more
When broadcasting legend John Humphrys left Radio 4’s Today show after 32 years, he delivered a parting shot in this paper that outlined his fears over the BBC’s intrinsic Left-wing, metropolitan, anti-Brexit bias. One year on, as the new director general promises reforms, he argues the BBC is in an even worse state — held … Read more
We all know someone who has, let’s say, certain quirks. Perhaps they like their pens and pencils perfectly aligned on their desk. Or they are forever plumping up their cushions. Or their cutlery drawer is a work of art and their wardrobe perfectly colour-co-ordinated. All too often they will try to laugh off this quirky … Read more
Pictured: Tim Alderslade, CEO of Airlines UK Do you remember when this Government was talking up its vision of a post-Brexit ‘Global Britain’? It was a noble ambition, in keeping with our proud island history. Then came the pandemic and Brexit took a back seat. Now as we emerge from the aftermath and attention focuses … Read more
Britannia may rule the airwaves once more, but it’s a pity the same can’t be said for the airways. New BBC director-general Tim Davie might have overturned the ludicrous ban on singing traditional patriotic songs at the Proms. Yet what’s the point of belting out Land Of Hope And Glory when the country is still … Read more