Politics & Comment
I comment regularly on British and American politics, with a broad focus on foreign policy. I also maintain a particular expertise in the internal workings of the Conservative Party. I have contributed columns to most major British newspapers, starting my career at The Spectator, and am currently most likely to be found at The Financial Times and The Guardian, as well as number of US outlets. I have recently joined the Board of Index on Censorship.
In addition to my perspective as an intellectual historian, I also have a strong hinterland in the Anglican church, and write regularly on issues of faith and ethics. Much of my insight into British politics has been shaped by my time as part of the team responsible for establishing Bright Blue, the think tank associated with the Tory modernisation agenda. In 2014, I published a collection of essays with Ryan Shorthouse on the future of the Conservative Party, entitled The Modernisers’ Manifesto, for Bright Blue.
I have also made available here the three articles I wrote in late 2017 about Damian Green MP, which formed part of the #metoo movement and eventually led to his resignation as First Secretary of State. Originally published behind paywalls, they were widely reported in more sensationalist terms and it is important to me that my own words on the matter are publicly available.
Like most people who write for newspapers, I have no control over the headlines added to my articles. So I sometimes post articles here with my own choice of headlines, when I feel strongly that the published headlines are inappropriate.
Pandering to UKIP won’t inspire Tory voters
written for The Telegraph, 27 February 2014 Yesterday’s Guardian carried a warning to the Conservative Party by David Skelton, Director of Renewal, that any pact with Ukip would bring disaster. Actually, it’s unlikely to be a disaster because it’s unlikely to happen: there’s no evidence that...
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Don’t get too excited about Yulia Tymoshenko – or her Syrian counterparts
written for The Telegraph, 22 February 2014 Last month I met Ahmad Tu’mah, the Interim Prime Minister of Syria – that is to say, the leader in exile of the rebels’ international Syrian National Coalition, the holder of a mythical title in an imaginary state. As I watch crowds gather for a...
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Ukrainians in Britain have been ignored by Cameron. So now London-based oligarchs will feel the heat…
written for The Telegraph, 19 February 2014 Twenty-five people had to die in Kiev’s central square yesterday for the world to take notice of the brutality of the current Ukrainian regime. Ukrainians in Britain find the complacency bewildering: one told me last night “this is our Tiananmen Square – but...
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Rape victims shouldn’t need anonymity. But they do
written for The Telegraph, 10 February 2014 Poor, much misunderstood David Starkey. Two days after his Question Time comments on the William Roache rape trial, an old acquaintance emailed me Tim Stanley’s post, complaining that Dr Stanley had failed to notice Dr Starkey’s compassion: the only crime...
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I’m a feminist, but no fan of Janet Yellen
written for The Telegraph, 5 February 2014 I’ve been invited to a feminist drinks party to celebrate Janet Yellen’s signing-in as Chair of the US Federal Reserve. Chair, not Chairwoman, as Dr Yellen is keen to make clear. But, though a feminist, I won’t be knocking back the pina coladas. It’s great...
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On the Turkish border, Syrian refugee camps are full to bursting
written for Conservative Home, 28 January 2014 I didn’t expect an official delegation of Conservative MPs to do a jot of good to a Syrian refugee camp. Sure, my generation are cynical about politicians – but as a member of the team behind Bright Blue and a lifelong Tory, I’m not normally the type to...
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