The renowned director’s new film, which uses the socialist mood of 1945 to assail the world Margaret Thatcher created, is bad history and worse politics, says David Hayes
28 Apr 13 Comments (0)Britain’s military complex
The grim conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq have dulled the instinct for armed intervention. But it still runs deep in British political culture, writes David Hayes
12 Apr 13 Comments (1)Margaret Thatcher, between myth and politics
A sympathetic film portrayal of Britain’s most divisive modern prime minister fits a broader mood of reappraisal of her years in power, says David Hayes
09 Apr 13 Comments (3)Britain and Europe: living together, apart
The roots of ambivalence in Britain’s relationship with the European Union go deep, says David Hayes
25 Feb 13 Comments (0)Britain’s economic tunnel
An endless recession has changed politics and livelihoods. But in a many-sided national argument there is no consensus about its lessons, says David Hayes
03 Dec 12 Comments (0)Britain’s political misty season
The halfway point of Britain’s five-year parliament finds all of the parties under pressure to adapt to a changing environment, says David Hayes
04 Oct 12 Comments (0)An Olympics fantasy
A thrilling opening ceremony turned London’s mood from cynical to euphoric. But after artistic seduction comes political reduction, says David Hayes in London
03 Aug 12 Comments (0)A holiday from reality
Britain’s season of high spectacle offers only a temporary respite from economic and political troubles, writes David Hayes
18 Jun 12 Comments (0)A long reign and a lost republic
The celebration of Queen Elizabeth’s sixty years on the throne coincides with the best of recent times for the British monarchy. The moment will pass, but this offers little comfort to the institution’s paralysed opponents, says David Hayes
19 Apr 12 Comments (2)The matter of Scotland
A high-stakes constitutional tussle over the future of the United Kingdom is under way. The political transformation of Scotland since the 1950s will help to shape the outcome, says David Hayes
22 Feb 12 Comments (0)The intimate megacity
London’s mayoral election might be overshadowed in 2012 by royal and Olympic pageants, but it’s more revealing of the city’s heartbeat, says David Hayes
07 Dec 11 Comments (0)The smoke this time
An encampment around St Paul’s Cathedral in London casts a new light on this icon of British wartime defiance. But the epic days of the 1940s may have something to teach the protesters in return, says David Hayes
01 Nov 11 Comments (0)A country of the mind
The tendency to press reality into a heritage mould traps England in political aspic, says David Hayes
18 Sep 11 Comments (1)England on trial
Four days and nights of riotous disorder are a potent argument for social repair. But lack of agreement on fundamentals could soon prove fatal to the chances, says David Hayes
16 Aug 11 Comments (1)Britain’s compromise revolution
Britain’s voters have forced a two-party system to begin to operate by a three-party logic. And it’s about to get even more interesting, writes David Hayes
27 May 10 Comments (0)Britain’s election: backing into the future
Although it’s been dominated by three middle-aged white men in suits, the election has been thrilling in many ways, writes David Hayes
04 May 10 Comments (1)
