Fraser Nelson

1 week ago | frasernelson.substack.com | Fraser Nelson

Isabel Hardman sent her last Evening Blend today — and with it ends an era. For 13 years she has written Britain’s most-read politics email, with an unprecedented 180,000 readers. But the email is just one part of what she’s given The Spectator. I want to say a bit more about the rest. She joined as online editor in 2012 when The Spectator didn’t do very much online.

2 weeks ago | thetimes.com | Fraser Nelson

2 weeks ago | thetimes.com | Fraser Nelson

For a brief moment, it looked like Keir Starmer might be spared. He inherited a bizarre deal to cede British control of the Chagos islands where he would then rent the British military base in Diego Garcia at great expense. It was set to be signed today. But at 2.25am the High Court blocked this with an injunction, saying the islanders had not been properly consulted. Might it all be off? By 1pm, the injunction had been dismissed - and the deal back on.

3 weeks ago | thetimes.com | Fraser Nelson

3 weeks ago | shorturl.at | Fraser Nelson

Just over a year ago, Parliament passed a law declaring - on a point of principle - that autocracies should not own or co-own newspapers. The Bill, a backbench rebellion foisted upon the Tory government, showed the institutions of democracy protecting each other. Rishi Sunak, who was all set to keep the Emiratis sweet hoping for their investment, had to yield. But the Emiratis did not sell. They defied Parliament and clung on, waiting to see if Keir Starmer’s government might be more biddable.