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With the exception of Masterchef and the Antiques Roadshow, I’ve more or less given up watching the BBC, as it seems to be living in a parallel universe where Frankie Boyle is funny and Alastair Campbell is still running Downing Street. But like a fool I tuned in anyway on New Year’s Eve, expecting to … Read more
Last month, having had a bad knee for ages, I finally got around to doing something about it. The damn thing had got so painful it was starting to keep me awake at night. My osteopath took one look at it, rolled his eyes and scolded me for leaving it so long, emptied half a … Read more
As we approach Christmas after this most challenging of years, families are looking forward to a precious bit of downtime; some welcome — if short-lived — respite from the horrors of the pandemic. But for one family, the festive cheer will be somewhat muted. Will and Rachel Knowland, together with their five children ranging in … Read more
Describing the current impasse in Brussels over Brexit the other day, the Prime Minister explained that ‘it was put to me that this was kind of a bit like twins and the UK is one twin, the EU is another, and if the EU decides to have a haircut then the UK is going to … Read more
No doubt like many of you, I have spent the last few days trying to get my head around the Government’s latest response to coronavirus, and the fact that, for the most part, it seems to have gone down like a dry cough in a crowded train carriage. And I’ve concluded that, when it comes … Read more
Rejoice! For Christmas has been ‘saved’. After much to-ing and fro-ing and gnashing of teeth, the Government has announced that families will be allowed to ‘bubble up’ to enjoy the festive season together. For many people this is a long-awaited chance to catch up with much-missed relatives. But for some reason the idea of being … Read more
Imagine if Priti Patel was a Labour Minister – the reaction to Sir Alex Allan’s inquiry into her conduct at the Home Office would be very different. The entire liberal establishment, from The Guardian to Twitter to the BBC, would have ridden out in her defence, shutting down any objections with furious cries of ‘racism’. … Read more
Many years ago, when my grandmother moved from her terrace house in Mumbles to a care home, I rang up and, with the arrogance of youth, suggested making a royal visit. There was a pause at the end of the line and then she said: ‘Oh no, my bach, don’t bother yourself. I’m fine.’ I … Read more
Friday evening, and I’m sitting in the kitchen with my son when the news that Dominic Cummings has left No 10 pings on to my phone. ‘Dom’s gone,’ I say, watching him unload half a bottle of tomato ketchup on to his sausages. ‘Dom?’ he says. ‘As in… dad’s friend Dom?’ ‘Yup,’ I reply. ‘Oh … Read more
When I think back to that evening in 2004 when, heavily pregnant with our son, I accompanied my nervous husband to the final selection round at the Surrey Heath Conservative Association, the memory is crystal clear. We sat together for a while in the car park, going over his speech. We talked about what it … Read more