Leading Articles

Leading article: The collapse of an economy that was built on sand

The spectre of default in Dubai has serious implications for us all

Recent Leading Articles

Leading article: Serious issues and sloppy politics

Friday, 27 November 2009

In the House of Commons this week David Cameron raised the issue of two schools – one in Slough, another in north London – run by the Shakhsiyah Foundation. The Conservative leader alleged that the foundation has links to the radical Islamist group, Hizb ut Tahrir. Mr Cameron also claimed the schools had received public money from a Government fund set up to combat radicalisation and that neither institution had been registered or inspected by Ofsted.

Leading article: Guess who's coming to dinner

Friday, 27 November 2009

Not since the ghost of Banquo appeared at Macbeth's table has there been a more shocking case of gatecrashing. Whatever else one might say about Tareq and Michaele Salahi, they don't aim low. The couple might have chosen any number of dinners to intrude upon on Tuesday night. But they went for the biggest of them all: a state banquet at the White House.

Leading article: The campaign for fair bank charges must go on

Thursday, 26 November 2009

The court ruling is a setback, but much has already been achieved

Leading article: Lacklustre reform

Thursday, 26 November 2009

It's a pity that the inquiry chaired by John Bercow, the new Speaker, should come up with such a tired report on increasing the representation of women, ethnic minorities and disabled people in the House of Commons.

Leading article: Off with their heads

Thursday, 26 November 2009

Even allowing for the fact that change overtakes some institutions earlier than others, the Tower of London seems a particular laggard. It recruited its first female Beefeater only two years ago, designed a special uniform for her and sent her out on parade. Modernising the Beefeater staff was one thing, though; modernising attitudes quite another. Now two Yeoman Warders have been dismissed after an inquiry into harassment. The lady beefeater, it seems, had hardly been in her job two minutes before she was bullied.

Leading article: The chilling price of the great energy rip-off

Wednesday, 25 November 2009

It is a moral imperative to alleviate fuel poverty among the elderly

Leading article: No place for gigantism

Wednesday, 25 November 2009

Any regulatory body has to tread a fine line between showing off its own competence, as demonstrated by improvements in what it regulates, while justifying its existence by pointing out continuing flaws. Yesterday's annual report from Ofsted, the education and children's watchdog, did precisely this. It presented a generally positive impression of developments in schools and children's services, while noting "a stubborn core of inadequate teaching" that held some schools back. It also criticised children's services in "a minority of councils".

Leading article: Aids treatment sets the standard

Wednesday, 25 November 2009

Almost three decades after Aids first emerged, official confirmation came yesterday that new infections with HIV are in decline. That is welcome news. Before we celebrate, though, it is important to note that the number living with HIV is not declining, but rising thanks to the life-saving effects of anti-retroviral drugs. Yet less than half of those who need the drugs are receiving them.

Leading article: The crucial questions that the Iraq inquiry must answer

Tuesday, 24 November 2009

Sir John Chilcot must assert his independence and focus on the key issues

Leading article: A strange business

Tuesday, 24 November 2009

It is not often that you get the leaders of all three main political parties addressing a CBI national conference. Still more unusual is the sight of all three leaders of the m ain parties addressing the Conference on the same day. That is a sure sign that an election is in the offing. It's also a tribute to the fact that, at a time of continuing recession, each of the parties want to look as if the issues of unemployment, growth and private sector investment are uppermost in their minds. As indeed they should be.