James Ball

1 week ago | thenewworld.co.uk | James Ball

“Wokeness” is an idea that in one form or other dates back almost a century. At its core is little more than an argument that we should be aware of, and concerned about, social injustices in our society – whether they stem from racism, sexism, anti-disability, or any number of other potential dividing lines. But to many on the right, the very idea of wokeness has become an existential threat to freedom, democracy and the west itself.

3 weeks ago | thenewworld.co.uk | James Ball

Let’s be honest: Zia Yusuf quitting Reform UK was not the most dramatic right wing falling-out that happened on Thursday evening. Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s escalating attacks on one another on X and Truth Social drew much of the attention a dramatic UK political resignation might garner – but that doesn’t make Yusuf’s resignation any less significant. Yusuf had served as the chairman of Reform UK since July 2024, and had been named by Nigel Farage as a potential successor for its leadership.

3 weeks ago | thenewworld.co.uk | James Ball

Helen Lewis is in demand. She’s a staff writer at both Private Eye and the Atlantic and a regular on Have I Got News For You. As we sit down to talk, she’s getting ready to attend the Paul Foot investigative journalism awards, for which she was a judge. And at some point before the end of the evening, she needs to do some research for her BBC Sounds podcast Strong Message Here, which she co-hosts with the satirist Armando Iannucci.

3 weeks ago | theneweuropean.co.uk | James Ball

It is a wonder that anyone wants to be chancellor – and have no doubt, hundreds of MPs would chop off several fingers, perhaps even their own, for a chance at the job – because it is surely the worst job in government. You are near the apex of political power in the UK, and your job is to say “no” to all of your colleagues and then explain to the public why they can’t have nice things. Rachel Reeves is undoubtedly doing the job at a difficult time.

4 weeks ago | theneweuropean.co.uk | James Ball

Here in the maelstrom of Donald Trump’s second term, the state department sets out the US government’s diplomatic position on Substack. That is, at this stage, perhaps the most normal thing that it does. While the delivery mechanism may be unconventional, it is nothing when compared to the content of the message.