Author Archives: Simon Jenkins
Assisted dying: the government must not visit indignity on the terminally ill | Simon Jenkins
The coalition should not declare assisted dying a matter of ‘individual conscience’ while leaving it subject to criminal lawThe one important response to this week’s Falconer report on legalising assisted dying comes from the government of the day. On … Continue reading
Britain’s imperial echoes have led it to a ruinous decade of wars | Simon Jenkins
The UK has been belligerent to the Muslim world – while not being threatened by any stateWhat do Britons “want” in the coming year? An ambassador to Washington was once asked the question on radio and replied, “That’s very kind of you, a box of candi… Continue reading
At this time of year, let’s thank God for churches | Simon Jenkins
Believer or not, Christmas is a reminder of what these places of worship do so well – maintaining and expressing communityGod has blessings, even for atheists. Chief among them is the British Christmas. Cleared of its commercial and religious clutter… Continue reading
The cause of this recession? Economic pundits ignoring history’s voice | Simon Jenkins
As long as factional interests like bankers or economists override common sense, there will be another crashThe Queen, reported the Daily Mail, was wearing a speckled cream suit and matching hat. Her Majesty was at the London School of Economics, liste… Continue reading
Europe’s hopeless last stand in defence of the single currency | Simon Jenkins
Bashing Britain may make Eurocrats feel good, but Cameron was right to stand aloof from a treaty that will surely failNick Clegg’s finger cannot have hovered long over his suicide belt at the weekend. He could have blasted the coalition to smithereens … Continue reading
The law on murder is most foul. Kenneth Clarke should reform it | Simon Jenkins
The public and the legal profession want change. It would be a tragedy if the justice minister is thwarted by his peersThe justice secretary, Kenneth Clarke, should beware of a report published this week advising a change to the law on murder. He has b… Continue reading
Osborne’s misplaced trust in banks is a risk that has failed | Simon Jenkins
A wise chancellor would have pleaded with people to go out and spend. Lending-led recovery does not happenNow we know. George Osborne is an old corporatist lefty at heart. He has led from the front and kept his nerve. He has won the central argume… Continue reading
Wild flowers are nature’s anarchists. Yet today even weeds must conform | Simon Jenkins
Plants have evolved their own class system. Those of the countryside are treasured, and those ‘in the wrong place’ villifiedWe all find solace in flowers. I go when times are hard to the wild dune church of Aberdaron in north Wales, where is pinned up … Continue reading
‘Devo max’ would make Scotland fiscally responsible – why does Cameron oppose it? | Simon Jenkins
Only a tribalistic craving for central control explains the prime minister’s urge to defend the UK against Scottish autonomyHere we go again. Ireland gone. Scotland going. Next is Wales, and then where? Cornwall? The Isle of Wight? There is no kno… Continue reading »