Julian Coman

2 months ago | theguardian.com | Julian Coman

In his first words from the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica in 2013, the newly elected Pope Francis, below: “You all know that the duty of the conclave was to give a bishop to Rome. It seems that my brother cardinals have come almost to the ends of the earth to get him.”The wry observation struck a winning self-deprecatory note.

2 months ago | theguardian.com | Julian Coman

Most reviews of Get In, the recently published history of Keir Starmer’s Labour by the Times journalists Patrick Maguire and Gabriel Pogrund, focused on its exposure of the prime minister’s unease with the rough and tumble of politics, and his consequent reliance on Morgan McSweeney, now his chief of staff. A spectacular what-might-have-been moment in the book concerns another Downing Street svengali figure, however; one rumoured to be plotting Nigel Farage’s path to power at the next election.

Feb 21, 2025 | theguardian.com | Julian Coman

As one poll this month placed Nigel Farage’s Reform UK ahead of Labour and the Conservatives for the first time, I sought distraction on holiday in Jonathan Coe’s latest novel. Set during the brief seven-week premiership of Liz Truss, The Proof of My Innocence is a Graham Greene-style “entertainment”, rather than another Coe state-of-the-nation book like Middle England or Bournville.

Oct 23, 2024 | theguardian.com | Julian Coman

On a chilly autumnal evening last month, the Berliner Platz in the eastern German city of Cottbus was buzzing by the time Sahra Wagenknecht appeared. One activist, busy handing out leaflets promoting the latest maverick force to disrupt European politics, said she was there because Wagenknecht “understands people like us”. Anti-war banners were dotted around the square. One elderly woman proudly displayed a badge reading Omas für Frieden (grandmothers for peace).

May 21, 2024 | thetablet.co.uk | Julian Coman

Much of the polarisation and bitterness coursing through our culture can be traced back to this lossParadoxically, given the Church’s reputation for absolutism, Catholic Social Teaching is a vigorous defence of a politics of pluralismGet Instant AccessRegister for free to read this article in fullSubscribe for unlimited accessFrom just £30 quarterly  Complete access to all Tablet website content including all premium content.