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BEST INTERNATIONAL OBITUARIES P39 PEOPLE P10 ARTHTICLES P19 EWEEK 3OCTOBER 2020 |ISSUE 1299 |£3.99 THE BESTOFTHE BRITISH AND INTERNATIONAL MEDIA Trump’stax dodges Theloss-making billionaire Page2

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9771362 343166 ALL YOUNEED TO KNOW ABOUT EVERYTHING THATMATTERS theweek.co.uk 2 NEWS The main stories…

What happened What the editorials said Taxing times for Trump No wonder Trump has repeatedly defied convention by refusing to release his tax returns, said the Los AngelesTimes. The New York Timespublished a bombshell The leaked details completely undercut his self- report on Donald Trump’s finances this week projectedimage as abrilliant businessman. based on aleak of decades of his taxreturns. He emerges less as a “shrewdManhattan It revealedthat the president paid just $750 in developer” than as “a con man settingupa federal income taxesinthe year hewas elected three-card monte table in Times Square to and in thesubsequent year, and no income fleece the gullible”. Still, it’s hardtosee this taxes at all for much of the previous two storychanging entrenchedvoting intentions decades. This wasdue to the losses racked at this stage. Indeed not, said The Daily up by muchofhis business empire and to Telegraph. Before the last election, Hillary his offsetting of generous expenses, including Clinton took the same line of attack against consultancyfees to his daughter Ivanka and Trump, accusing him ofhardly paying income $70,000 forthe styling of his hair on The tax. What makes the president’s adversaries Apprentice.Hedismissed the reportas“fake think itwill be any more effective thistime? news” and said he had“paid alot” in taxes. The uglydebate onTuesday won’t have The storybroke just days before Trump’s first “Aggressive and unfocused” changed many mindseither, saidThe Wall debate with Democratic rival Joe Biden, an ill- Street Journal. Biden,whomTrump has been tempered affair inwhich the pair traded insults and repeatedly casting for months as feeble and senile, “did succeed in passing interrupted each other. At one point,Biden told Trump to the test of appearing coherent for90minutes”, but he hardly “shut up, man”. Challenged tocondemn whitesupremacist shone. Trump, meanwhile, came across as aggressive and groups like theProud Boys, Trump saidthe group should unfocused. Evenbythe standards of current US politics,the “stand back and stand by”. He said the real problem was the “insults, interruptions, endless cross-talk, exaggerations and Left, and that “somebody has to do something about Antifa”. flat-out lies”made it averydepressing spectacle.

What happened What the editorials said Imprisoned on campus The crisis that nowfaces the universities was “entirely predictable”, said The Observer.Withoutregular mass testing, Thousandsofstudentswere told to self-isolatefor 14 days they were sure tobecome “transmissionhotbeds”, as the as cases ofCovid-19 soaredoncampuses at Government’s own panel of scientific advisers, the start of the new academic year. Some 40 Sage, warned earlierthis month. Asfor the universities have reported outbreaks. Worst students themselves, having been encouraged to hit was Manchester Metropolitan University move onto campus, they now find alarge part where a14-dayquarantine was imposedon of their teaching is online. No wonder so many 1,700 students after an outbreak in halls of are so angry. Isolation is particularly hard on residence. Onsome campuses, security guards this year’s freshers, said The Daily Telegraph. have been employed to enforce the new rules. What shouldhave been an “exciting firsttime away from home” hasturned into a“miserable The imposition of new restrictionsin experience”. One leading Tory MP is calling for the northeast, along with heftyfinesfor universities to offerstudents adiscount ontheir lockdown rule-breakers, created anger and fees as compensation. It seems only fair. confusion. Boris Johnson had to apologise after he himself got confused when trying to The universities arguethat in many cases they’re explain the newrulesatapress conference. the economic “lifeblood” of their town, said Nearly 60rebel Tory MPs backedaproposed A“miserable experience” The Sunday Times. Andindeed, in citiesreeling amendment tothe CoronavirusAct that from industrial decline, theycan be themain would have required No. 10 to consult Parliament onall employer.But the real reasonfor callingstudents back, one futurerestrictions. In the event, however, theamendment – suspects, was to collect much-needed accommodation fees. drawn up by Tory backbencherSir Graham Brady –was To protect their finances, the universitiesmay have turned not selected by the Commons Speaker for debate. campuses into thecarehomes of thesecond coronavirus wave.

It wasn’tall bad Alandmine-detecting rat in Scientists working on asuper- Cambodia has been given a enzyme that digests plastic have Atest for Covid-19 that can give gold medal for his “life-saving said it could be ready to start results in under an hour is to be bravery”. Magawa, agiant tackling the waste crisis within a distributed in poorer countries, Africanpouched rat who is couple of years. Engineered by where alack of testing is too light to set off amine, has linking two separate enzymes hampering efforts to contain helped clear more than 141,000 found in bacteria on arubbish the virus. Approved by the square metres of land (the dump in Japan in 2016, the WHO, the rapid antigen tests equivalent of 20 football super-enzyme breaks down are simple to use, and based on pitches), discovering 39 mines PET plastic six times faster than nasal swabs. Although they will and 28 items of unexploded similar enzymes, and it can do be available in richer countries ordnance. He is the first rodent so at room temperature: others too, their manufacturers have to be honoured by the PDSA, a require the plastic to be heated struck adeal with the Bill & veterinary charity that has been to 70°C. Furthermore, its Melinda Gates Foundation to awarding medals to animals since the Second World War. Magawa creators, in the UK and US, say provide 120 million tests at a was trained in Tanzania by the Belgian charity Apopo. Its chief they think that with additional discounted cost to 133 low- executive described the award as areal honour, and thanked the engineering, it might be able and middle-income nations. PDSA for “bringing the problem of landmines to global attention”. to digest mixed fabrics too. DSA ©P

COVER CARTOON: HOWARD MCWILLIAM THE WEEK 3October 2020 …and how they were covered NEWS 3

What the commentators said What next? The New York Timeshas provided some entertaining details about the “tragicomic The New York Timeshas tawdriness” of Trump’s efforts to avoid tax, said Timothy L. O’Brien on Bloomberg. But more promised torelease more importantly, it hasalsoshone some light on his present finances. The president reportedly has leaked details about Trump’s about $421mindebts that he has personallyguaranteed, and “which are coming due over the finances in the weeks leading next several years”.Whether he has the resources to pay back this money is unclear,said Paul up to the 3 November Krugman in The New York Times. So we’re left with adeeplyindebted business-owner who election. It added: “The tax has “everyincentivetoengage in malfeasance”–and who is also in charge of the country. Add returns that Mr Trump has in the fact that Trump has repeatedlyfailed to confirm that he’daccept the result of the long fought tokeep private election, were he to be defeated, and it createsarather scary picture. tell a story fundamentally different from theone he has The fear among liberals, said Jonathan Freedland in The Guardian, is thatTrump willdeclare sold tothe American public.” victory on election night after in-person votes – which are likely toskew towards Republicans – are tallied; and that he’llthen claim the election isbeing stolen as postal ballots – which are Trump and Biden are due to likely to favourthe Democrats –are totted up over the following hours and days, andtry to hold two more presidential stop thosevotes from being counted. It would take “an extraordinary confluence of events” for debates, on 15 and22 Trump to force his way back into the White House with suchastrategy, said Michael Cohen in October. SomeBidenallies the same paper. Apart from anything, it would requireacloseresult, and polls suggest Trump believe that, giventhe tenor is trailing Biden badly. “Only a fool – or someone who has blotted out from their memory the of Tuesday’s debate, he 2016 election –would say Trump cannot win.” But the most likely outcome is acomfortable should refusetoparticipate victory forBiden. I’mnot so sure, said Sarah Baxter in The Sunday Times. So much in elections in any more.However, his dependsongetting out the vote, and the Democrats aren’t doing enoughonthis front. The runningmate, Sen. Kamala Biden campaign has banneddoor-to-door canvassing because of Covid, leaving itself “all but Harris, insisted hewouldgo invisible” in some areas whereRepublican canvassersare chasingevery vote.The election ahead with them, saying he’s forecaster Rachel Bitecofer, an expert on the Midwesternswingstates, has warned thatthe “never going to refusetotalk Democrats haveso“unilaterally disarmed”, it amountsto“political malpractice”. to the American people”.

What the commentators said What next? “Who the hell even makesupthis sort of crackpot policy,” asked Judith Woods in The Labour hasurged the Daily Telegraph. It’s not just that students everywhere arebeing forced into self-isolation. Government to delaythe (In Scotland,theywere told this week to stay away from all pubs, restaurants and parties.) return of students who have Unbelievably, there has even been official talk of a“Christmas lockdown” that could force yet to begin the new term, them to remainoncampus over the holiday. This is the “stuff of totalitarian regimes”. What until campuses make mass angers me is the attemptto“demonise ouryoung people”, said Gillian Bowditch in The Times. testingavailable. Many The Scottish authorities, in particular, have been talking of “disciplinary action”, andeven universities are spending “discontinuation of study”,for rule-breakers. But the people they are scolding are often 17-to millions tolaunch their 18-year-olds, away from home for thefirst time,beingforcedtoisolate “inoverpriced cells”. own systems to identify Some arealready into their second 14-day spellofisolation. Whatthey need is sympathy. outbreaks. Twelve already offer testing. One thing this crisis has highlighted, said Stephen Bush in the NewStatesman, is how much our cash-starved universities rely on student lodgings to fund themselves.They were desperate Oxford University students to cajole students back to their “digs”: many of theseconsist of “pile-’em-high-sell-’em-cheap are being asked to sign a studenthousing”builtinthe past decade or shoddyroomsinmultiple-occupancy homes, but Student Responsibility they’re acrucial sourceofincome. And as aresult, said Simon Jenkins in The Guardian, we Agreement on Covid-19. saw “two millionCovidsuper-spreaders [dispersing] across British cities” this month. Yet in It includespledgesto the long term, the crisis will do higher education ahuge favour, by revolutionising our hide- “practise effective hygiene bounduniversities. It will force them to seethat themainway to cutcosts is to offer more methods”, and to respect and more teachingonline. The glory days of the “physical campus”are over. That is adigital governmentregulations, vision thatmany of us don’t relish, said Paul Goodman on Conservative Home.“We already wear masks and social complain that young people are stuck at homefor toolong. Do we want them there during distance. Similar codes their university yearstoo?” Thenagain,“one cannomoreturn back the online tide than one have beendrawn up at could turn back arealone”.Our universities “have no alternativebut to sink or swiminit”. other universities.

Editor-in-chief: Caroline Law Italy is justly proud of the way it is handling the Covid-19 threat. Editor: Theo Tait THEWEEK The country was one of the biggest victims of the first wave of Deputy editor: HarryNicolle Executive editor: LaurenceEarle City editor: JaneLewis Assistanteditor: Robin de Peyer Covid-19, but has so far succeeded in preventing amajor Contributing editors: Simon Wilson, RobMcLuhan, Catherine Heaney,DigbyWarde-Aldam, TomYarwood, resurgence, thanks in large part to the public’s disciplined observance of social distancing rules. WilliamSkidelsky Editorial staff: Anoushka Petit, Tigger Ridgwell,Sorcha Bradley, Aaron Drapkin Editorial So the nation didn’t take kindly to Boris Johnson’s suggestion last week that the UK had fared less assistant: Asya Likhtman Picture editor: Xandie Nutting Art director: Nathalie Fowler Sub-editor: TomCobbe well than Italy because the British population was more “freedom-loving”, and thus less inclined to Production editor: AlannaO’Connell comply with rules on masks and other health measures (see page 7). Italianjournalists saw this as Editorialchairman and co-founder: Jeremy O’Grady ProductionManager: Maaya Mistry Production Executive: both adig at theircountry’s fascist past and amischaracterisation of the orderly British people. They Sophie Griffin Newstrade Director: DavidBarker DirectMarketing Director: Abi Spooner suggested an alternative explanation for the UK’s inferior observance of social distancing rules: that Account Manager/Inserts: JackReader Classified: Henry Haselock Account Directors: Jonathan Claxton, Hattie White the British public had simply been left confused by their leaders’ mixed messages. Senior Account Manager: Joe Teal AdvertisingManager: Carly Activille The Italian press surely has apoint there. By all accounts, our Government was shocked by just Group Advertising Director: CarolineFenner Founder: Jolyon Connell how willing people were to comply with the lockdown when it was introduced in March. And there’s ChiefExecutive, The Week: Kerin O’Connor still aremarkable level of acceptance in the UK for the current curtailing of civil liberties. What has ChiefExecutive: JamesTye really bothered people over recent months, though, is the apparent lack of logic behind some DennisPublishingfounder: FelixDennis restrictions, and the fact that it’s hard (even for Johnson, who got in amuddle this week) to keep THE WEEK Ltd,asubsidiary of Dennis, 31-32 Alfred up with the endlessly changing rules. Whether they love freedom or not, what Place, London WC1E 7DP. Tel: 020-3890 3890 Harry Nicolle Editorial: 020-3890 3787 British voters seem to want most right now is consistency and clarity. Email: [email protected]

Subscriptions:0330-333 9494; [email protected]©DennisPublishing Limited 2020. Allrights reserved. The Week is aregistered trademark. Neither the whole of this publication nor any part of it may be reproduced, stored in aretrieval systemortransmittedinany form or by any means without the writtenpermission of the publishers 3October 2020 THE WEEK 4 NEWS Politics

Controversy of the week Adult education overhaul The Prime Minister has The winter plan promised a“radical” shake- up of the adult education “Britainisinfor along, hard winter,”said Larry Elliott in The system in England, to boost Guardian.Thatcameacross“loud andclear” lastThursday people’s employment as the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak,unveiled his “Winter Economy prospects in the post-Covid Plan”: new measures designed to prevent unemployment from economy. Speaking this rocketingover thecoming months. It’s now clearthatlifewill week, Boris Johnson said not returntonormal untilnext springatthe earliest, and that the pandemic had Sunak said it wastime to moveonfrom blanketsupport to accelerated changes that had made the “training gap” all amore targeted approach. “I cannot save every business; I too apparent. To tackle this, cannotsaveevery job,” he said. In the place of thefurlough, he unveiled a“Lifetime Skills firms arebeing offered the JobSupport Scheme, whichwilltop Guarantee” –offeringfree up wagesofworkersforcedtoworkpart-timeowing to the college courses to every pandemic.Itwillapply to staff whocan workatleast athird adult who does not have of their usual hours, and will give themthree-quartersoftheir Sunak: can’t save every business and job A-levels or equivalent quali- normal salaries forsix months. Employers will have to makea fications. In place from April, much biggercontribution:fromNovember, companies willpay aminimumof55% of these salaries it will be paid for via the andthe Treasury up to 22%. Many “arelikely to decide they can’t afford to keep workers on”. £2.5bn National Skills Fund announced in March. Labour said it wouldn’t make up for Sunakhas “towalk afine line”,said The Times.The country cannotaffordtomaintain the furlough adecade of education cuts. scheme, which will have cost a“ruinous” £60bnwhenitiswound down at theend of themonth. The challenge –which Sunak haslargely met –istosupport “viable” jobs without using taxpayers’ Covid-free hospitals cash “tokeepopenthose that areunlikelyever to return”. Butthat’s precisely what this plan failsto NHSEngland is to designate do, said JulietSamuel in TheDaily Telegraph. If apopular pubinLeicester, or aWest Endtheatre, some hospitals as Covid-free, lays offstaff, it’s not because it is a“non-viable”business. “Itisbecause theGovernment hasshut in an effort to avoid the theplace down.”Back in April, “the economywas placedintoapeaceful slumber”. The Government widespread suspension of flicked on thelifesupport machine of the furlough,along with various loansand grants. “But now, normal medical services that theanaesthetic is wearing off, as it were, halfway throughthe operation. Businesses arewaking up occurred in the spring. The chosen hospitals are likely into anightmare.” For theaverage worker on furlough, whogoesbacktoworkfor theminimum to be smaller ones in urban number of hours, government support will plummetfrom £1,400 permonth to £300.Thiswill be areas that are close to other massivelydestructive. Forecasts suggest unemploymentwillrisefrom around 4% to atleast 10%. hospitals. Ambulances will be told not to take Covid Sunak believes “hecannot keep relyingonlow interest ratesand quantitative easing” to fund public patients to the “cold” sites, spending forever,said Rachel SylvesterinThe Times. His giveawaysduring thepandemic haveseen and if patients there become hispopularity soar,but he is “prepared to be mean when theeconomy needs himtobe” –evenif symptomatic, they will taken Boris Johnsonwouldprefer to keep thegovernment cash flowing. Abattle is loomingbetween No. to the nearest “hot” hospital. 10 andNo. 11 DowningStreet over public finances. Andthere’snodoubtwho hasplayedtheirhand In Wales this week, an outbreak at the Royal better so far: Sunak hasbeen credible, competent andunifying wherethe PM has beenanything but. Glamorgan Hospital forced “The votersknowthere is no such thing as afree lunch,and most will ultimately favour hard-headed the suspension of most realism over moonshot fantasies as the country grapples with the long-term shock of the crisis.” scheduled operations.

Good weekfor: Spirit of the age University funds, with new figures showing that despitethe Poll watch The Royal Opera House in pandemic –and contrary to widespread predictions–international 66% of Britons support the London is staging its first studentsare stillapplying to studyinthe UK in droves.According “rule of six”; 15% oppose it. “hyper-reality opera” –a to Ucas, 44,300 undergraduates from outside theUKand the EU 74% approve of compulsory “multi-sensory” production startedcourses thisautumn–9%more than last year. face masks, while 11% involving virtual reality and The British Royal Family, after anew study concluded that they disapprove. 64% approve “4D effects” such as wind. are notonlythe hardest-working royals in Europe, they’realso of the quarantine rules for During Current, Rising at the returning holidaymakers. Linbury Theatre, audiences among thecheapest. Only theBelgian andSpanishroyal families Opinium/The Guardian will walk around the audi- cost less, perheadofpopulation. torium with VR backpacks Tom Stoppard, who turns out to have made millions as an 49% of Britons believe that and headsets as the space anonymous scripteditor. Accordingtoanewbiography by Britain is aforce for good in morphs in front of their Hermione Lee, the playwright“polished” the dialogue fora the world, down 10 points eyes to suit the music of numberofHollywood movies including the Beethoven series, from April 2019. 41% agree the pre-recorded opera. Indiana Jones andthe LastCrusade,and My Mom’saWerewolf. that Britain should “punch above its weight” in world Fashion designers are The Lake District, with news that the world’s first jetpack- affairs; 38% think that it responding to our now- carrying paramedic maybedeployed to the area. Thelocal should “stop pretending Zoom-based lives by ambulance service is carrying out trials of thekit, which could it is an important power”. focusing on the “waist up” transportamedic to the3,117ftsummitofHelvellyn in eight Ipsos Mori/The Guardian in their lines. Critics at Milan minutes –athird of the timeittakesbyhelicopter. and London Fashion Weeks Labour is leading in polls noted atrend for detailed for the first time since Keir necklines and relaxed Bad week for: Starmer was elected in trousers. Prada, which has Land Rover and Tesla, after aWhich?survey of tens of April. The party is now moved its logo up close thousands of drivers concludedthat theyare the two leastreliable on 42% (up 3points in a to the collar on its tops, makesofcar. Themostreliable brand was Lexus. fortnight) and the Tories said it wasinspired by the Getting sozzled, after 40%ofunder-30sinapoll claimed not are on 39% (down 3points “contemporary relationship in the same period). with technology”. to know what it means. Otherwordsgoing out of useinclude cad Opinium/The Observer and bonk (not knownby37% of under-30s)and boogie (28%).

THE WEEK 3October 2020 The UK at aglance NEWS 5

Edinburgh Dunkeld, Perthshire Cinema juries: Jurors inScotland are to watch trials play out on Eagle “killed”: Asatellitetag cinemascreens, as part of attempts to tackleavast backlogof removed from a young golden cases caused by the coronavirus pandemic. From thisweek,five eagle that went missingover a screensatthe Odeon cinema at the Fort Kinnaird shopping grouse moor in Perthshire four centre in Edinburgh will each accommodate 15 physically years ago hasbeen found distanced jurors, who will be able to watchproceedingsatthe discarded in ariver, suggesting High Courts inEdinburgh andLivingston viaavideo link. The the bird waskilled illegally.The jurors willhavefourviews of the courtonasplit screen; imagesof tag hadbeenwrapped in lead them will be beamed back to thecourt; and court staff will be sheeting,and thrown intoariver present. A similar centre willbeset up near Glasgow from 12 near Dunkeld.“As is the case in virtually every raptor persecution October. The remote juries are unprecedented inthe UK. investigation, nobody seemed to know anything,” said Ian However, Holyrood’s justicecommittee has warned thatthe Thomson, of RSPB Scotland. “However, now we know the schemeisnot a“silver bullet” for tackling the backlog, and that it truth.” The presumption, he added,isthatmost other birds that could still take adecade to get it to pre-Covid levels. havegone missing over grouse moors have sufferedsimilar fates.

Belfast Curfew introduced: An 11pm curfew wasannouncedinNorthern Ireland this week.The rule–which also applies to wedding parties – requires pubs, barsand restaurants to stop servingby 10.30pm,and for customers to leave by 11pm. The curfew is more relaxed than theone inthe rest of the UK (which comesinto forceat10pm). However, hospitality leadershad lobbied for an 11.30pm cutoff,inlinewith the Republic ofIreland. Meanwhile, Northern Ireland’sHealth Minister Robin Swann publicly criticised the Belfast-bornsinger Van Morrison for releasinga song called No More Lockdown.Swanndescribed the song – which hasthe lyrics “No more fascist bullies / Disturbing our peace... Pretending it’s for our safety / When it’s really to enslave” – as “dangerous”.

SouthWales Lockdown extended: The Welsh government has imposed tough lockdown measures on seven morecouncilareas. Since Monday, the residents of Neath Port Talbot, Torfaenand theVale of Glamorgan havebeen banned fromenteringorleavingtheir areas without areasonable excuse (such as going to work or school); nor can they any longermeetindoors with anyone who is not a member oftheir own household. Extended households,which people in Wales can formwith uptothree other households, are also suspended in those areas. On Thursday, the same restrictions were imposed on Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire and Wrexham, in North Wales. Some2.3 million people in 15councilareas in Walesarenowlivingunder the enhanced restrictions.

Penally,Pembrokeshire Migrant campprotests: Far-right protesters from around theUK have flockedtothe small villageofPenally, in Pembrokeshire, to protest againstthe Government’sdecision to house up to 230 asylum seekersatanMoD training camp. The village, whichis home to 800people, willhost the men –aged18-35, andmainly from Iraqand Iran –for up to 12 monthswhile their asylum applications areconsidered. The first migrants arrived last week despiteprotests in which far-right groups clashed with police, andone 50-year-old man (whowas notfrom thearea)was arrested, while anti-racism campaigners staged counter-protests. The Welsh government said theHome Office had not informed them of theirplans until daysbeforearrivalsbegan.

Bristol London Colston Hall renamed: Aconcerthall namedafter the 17th Suspect named: Twenty-three-year-old century slave trader Edward Colston hasbeen renamedBristol Louis de Zoysahas been named as the Beacon, following apublicconsultation. The venue, which has suspect in the fatal shooting of apolice hosted acts including The Beatles, TheRolling Stones andJimi officerinCroydon.Sergeant Matt Hendrix, wasnamed 150years afterColston’s death,and (unlike Ratana (pictured), 54,was shotdead otherBristol institutions)received no funding from his estate. in acustody suitelast Friday.Police Some artists, including the Bristol band MassiveAttack, had long said the suspect hadhis handscuffed refused to playatColston Hall on account of itsname, andits behind his back when he opened fire, management agreed three years agotochange it as partofa apparently with agun he had hidden £49m refurbishment. Theannouncement of thenew name drew underhis clothes. De Zoysa,who shot amixed reaction: localMPThangam Debbonaire described himselfand wasstill in hospitalthis it as an “appropriatemetaphor”, butonsocial media,auser week, was described by former suggestedBristol Beacon sounds like “a local freenewspaper”. classmates as agun obsessive.

3October 2020 THE WEEK

Europe at aglance NEWS 7

Paris Bern Moscow Rape claims: Free movement backed: Swiss votershave Assetfreeze: AlexeiNavalny’s assets – The former emphatically rejected aproposal to end an including his flat in Moscow –have been European accordwith the EU thatallows the mutual frozen at the behest of acatering magnate president of freemovement of people. The proposition, andKremlin ally knownas“Putin’s chef”. Elitemodelling put forward by theright-wingSwiss Navalny wasdischargedfrom hospital in is being People’s Party (SVP), was defeatedby62% Berlin last week after spending weeks on investigated to 38%inareferendum last weekend. aventilator in a medicallyinducedcoma. by French Switzerland is not amember ofthe EU, but This week, it emerged thatwhen he was prosecutors has made various agreements with Brussels still inacoma in late August, a court in over claims he that allowitaccesstothe singlemarket. Moscow froze hisbank account, and put sexuallyassaulted womeninthe 1980s Around 1.4 million EUcitizens live in abar on him sellingormortgaging his and1990s.Gérald Marieworked at Elite Switzerland, and about 500,000 Swiss flat. The case was broughtbyYevgeny – one ofthe world’s biggest agencies –for liveinEU countries. The SVP argued that Prigozhin, who ispursuing Navalny over decades,and isstill in the business. Two voiding theagreementonfree movement unpaiddamagesfroma2019 libel case. former models have accused him ofrape, would allow Switzerlandtoselectonly the “Of course, if Comrade Navalny gives one of whom says heattacked her immigrants it wants. Thoseopposing the his soul to God, then Ipersonallydonot “countless” times when she was 17. Two proposed change, including the Swiss intendtogo after himinthisworld,” other women have accused him of assault. government, warned that itwould lead Prigozhin said lastmonth. One is British journalist Lisa Brinkworth, to theunravelling of related bilateral deals whosaysheassaulted her when shewas –ontrade, transport andresearch – and working undercoverforaBBC plungethe economy into recession. In a investigation into the industry. Marie, who separatevoteheld thesame day, wasonce married to the supermodelLinda votersbacked grantingpaternity Evangelista, denies theallegations. leave to new fathers.

Paris Hebdo attack: An 25-year-old Pakistani man was arrested last Friday onsuspicion of attacking two people with a meat cleaver near theformer office of Charlie Hebdo magazine,wherejihadist terrorists killed 12people in January2015. Both victims sufferedserious, but not life- threatening injuries.The suspect was arrested an hour later,and hasbeen charged with attemptedmurder connected with terroristactivity. At least sixother people, believed tobehis associates, have also beendetained. The attack is thought to be linkedtothe ongoing trial of 14 alleged accomplices of Saïd andChérif Kouachi,the brothers who attacked the magazine’sofficeafter it publishedsatirical cartoons ofthe Prophet Mohammed. The magazine, which has since movedtonew officesatan undisclosed location, recently republished thecartoons, and jihadist groups hadthreatened reprisals.

Barcelona Marseille,France Rome President barred: Coronavirus revolt: Hundreds of bar and Covid friction: Boris Johnson’s claimthat Catalonia’s restaurantownerstook to thestreets of thecoronavirus is more prevalent in the pro- MarseilleonMonday, to protest against a UK than in Italy or Germany because independence decree fromParis thattheymust closetheir Britons aremore “freedomloving” has president has businesses for two weeks, to help contain not gone down well in Italy. “WeItalians been barred the spread of the coronavirus. Thecity also lovefreedom,but we also care about from office by authorities arealso opposedtothe new seriousness,” said the country’s president, Spain’s Supreme restrictions, which they say were imposed Sergio Mattarella, 79. Meanwhile, Court. In a by the centralgovernment without local Corriere della Sera, Italy’sbiggest-selling unanimous consultation; and Renaud Muselier,the newspaper,suggested in afront page decision,the judges upheld an earlier centre-rightpresident of theProvence- editorial that the British PM had been ruling that QuimTorra hadbroken Alpes-Côte d’Azur region, hasjoinedin alluding to Italy’sfascist past. “Soit election rules by displayingpolitical alegalaction challenging them.Marseille seemsthatifwewearmasks more than materials in public buildings ahead of and nearbyAix have been placed on in London it is because we had Mussolini electionsinApril 2019.Theseincluded “maximum alert”, one step below areturn and notChurchill,”said itsauthor, abanner calling for the release of local to total lockdown.Elevenother French adding:“Letmeunderstand –the country politicians whowerejailed for their partin cities, including Paris andLyon, areone that inventedthe queue, theneatly mowed the2017independence referendum. Torra notch belowMarseilleon“heightened lawn and the modern army is notableto condemned theruling as anti-democratic, alert”,meaning that bars must close at ‘uniformly obey’?” Officials in Italy credit andsaidthere’dbenew elections within 10pm, andgymshave been closed. Across its relatively lowinfectionrate with an months, in which voterswould choose France, newcases arebeing reported at a effectivetest andtrace system,and clear between “freedomand repression”. rate of around 12,000 aday, on average. messaging on social distancing measures.

Catch up with daily news at theweek.co.uk 3October 2020 THE WEEK 8 NEWS The world at aglance

Washington DC Baltimore, Maryland Highest honour: Ruth Bader One million dead: The known global death tollfromthe Ginsburg, the US Supreme Court coronavirus pandemicpassed onemillion on Tuesday, justice who died lastmonthatthe according to researchersatJohns Hopkins University in age of 87, hasbecame thefirst Baltimore. However, experts warned that the truedeath tollis woman to beaccorded thehonour of likely to bemuch higher. UN Secretary-General António Guterres lying in state at theUSCapitol.She is described it as a “mind-numbingfigure”, but urged peoplenot to also the first Jewish persontobeso “lose sightofeach and every individual life.Theywere fathers honoured. Prior to the ceremonyat andmothers, wives andhusbands,brothers andsisters, friends Congress, Ginsburg had lainin andcolleagues.” More than half (55%) ofthe knowndeaths repose for two days at the Supreme have beeninthe Americas, 22% in Europe, 19% in Asia and the Court, where a streamofvisitorspaid tribute. Theyincluded Middle East, and under 4% in Africa. In the US, which has the President Trump, who was jeered and booedbyonlookers, some highest national death toll(currently more than 206,000), New of whom chanted “vote himout”.Trumphas courtedpolitical York,one ofthe worst hitstates,recorded more than 1,000 new controversy byinsisting on appointing aconservative successor cases in adayfor the first time sinceearly June. to Ginsburg –who was aliberal on theSupreme Courtpanel, knownfor her campaigns forgender equality – before the presidentialelectionon3November. On Saturday, Trump named Amy Coney Barrett,48, as his nominee(see page 16). A Catholic member of a charismatic Christian community called People ofPraise, she is likely to be a popular choice among white evangelicalvoters.

Washington DC Peaceful transfer: Several senior Republicanshave publicly promised a peaceful transfer of power in the event thatDonald Trump losesthe election, inanattempt to reassure Americans alarmed by the president’s repeated warnings that if Joe Biden wins, it will indicate fraud–andhis refusal to confirmthathewill acceptthe result. In particular, he has cast doubt on thelegitimacy of postal voting (whichislikely tobevery high this year, owing to social distancing concerns),thoughthere is no evidence that it is open to manipulation. Last week, Republican Senateleader Mitch McConnell tweeted, “Therewillbeanorderly transition just as therehas been every four years since 1792”.Meanwhile, Mitt Romney called Trump’s threats “unthinkable and unacceptable”, tweeting that: “Fundamental to democracy is the peaceful transitionofpower; without that, there is Belarus.”

Louisville, Kentucky Anger over Breonna: Protests erupted in Louisville andother US cities last week, after the attorney-general of Kentucky announced thatnone ofthe three police officers involved in thedeath of Breonna Taylorwould facecharges. An emergencymedical technician, Taylor waskilled in March byplain-clothes officers who’dforced theirway into her flat, after midnight, to execute a“no knock” search warrantfor herex- boyfriend.Shewas asleep in bed with her new partner, who fired ashotatwhathethought were intruders, whereupon all three officers opened fire. One officerhas been indicted,but only for “wanton endangerment”, because some of his shots struck other apartments. In last week’sprotests,two Louisvillepolice officers were shot and injured.

Medellín, Colombia Brasília Cash stash: Anephew of thelate Colombian drug kingpin Pablo Popular handouts: Support for Escobarhas found theequivalentofaround £14m in banknotes Brazil’s right-wing president,Jair stashedinside awallinone of hisuncle’sformerhomesin Bolsonaro, hasbouncedback Medellín. NicolásEscobar, whohas lived in the apartment for strongly –especially among poorer the past fiveyears, told Colombian TV he hadalsofound a voters. Brazilhas suffered morethan142,000 Covid-19deaths, typewriter, satellite phones, agold pen,camera andfilm roll thehighest total in theworld afterthe US –acatastrophe blamed hidden in thecavity. Pablo Escobarwas one of the richestpeople by many on Bolsonaro’s cavalierand chaoticresponseinthe early in theworld for several years before hisdeath in 1993. His cartel months of the pandemic. However,apollfor Datafolha in August was responsiblefor around 80% of thecocaine importedintothe foundthat almost50% did notblame the president, andlast US, and forthousandsofmurders. In recentyears, interest in his monthanother poll puthis government’s approval ratingsat brutal reignhas been reignited by the TV drama Narcos.The 40%. Bolsonaro’spopularity has been boosted by adirectcash question of who should benefit fromEscobar’semergency stash aid scheme, knownasthe “coronavoucher”, which pays £85 a doesnot arise: according to Colombian media, the decades-old monthtoabout 60 million low-income Brazilians,nearly athird notes havelong sincebeendiscontinued,and are worthless. of the population.

THE WEEK 3October 2020 The world at aglance NEWS 9

Baga, Nigeria Nagorno-Karabakh Lhasa, Tibet Jihadist attacks: Frozenconflict erupts: At least ahundred Tibet clampdown: As manyashalf a The governor of soldiers andcivilians were killed this week million Tibetanshave been forcibly moved Nigeria’sBorno in intense fightingbetween Azerbaijan and into “vocational training”camps this year, province –the Armenia over thelong-disputed territory as part of a vast schemeofstate-sponsored birthplace of of Nagorno-Karabakh. Themountainous indoctrination,according to research by a Boko Haram enclave lieswithinthe internationally US-based think tank. In his report forThe –has survived recognised borders of Azerbaijan,but its JamestownFoundation, academic Adrian two attacks by populationisalmost entirely Armenian Zenz accuses China of adopting “military- aBoko Haram andthe territoryhas resistedAzeri rule for style management” in an effort to reform splinter group more than acentury. Today, it is a de facto the “backward thinking” of rural loyal to Islamic self-governingrepublic, allied to Armenia. Tibetans.And a separate studybythe State. Some two million peoplehavefled It is not clear what set off the new round Australian Strategic Policy Institute their homes since theIslamist uprising of fighting, but some reports suggest that chargesChina withbuilding 380 detention began in 2009. BabaganaUmara Zulum Azerbaijan, which isstronglybackedby facilities, holding aboutamillion Uighurs (pictured)wasaccompanyingsome people Turkey, hadbeen activelypreparing for for “re-education and vocational training”, back to their villages lastweek whenhis renewed conflict for some time. The in neighbouring Xinjiangprovince. convoy was attacked;30people were clashes are theworst since 2016,when Fourteenofthe centreswere built thisyear. killed. Twodayslater,itwas ambushed hundreds died in a four-day war. In an The research alsofound that two-thirds of again by jihadists using a donkeystrapped earlier war over the territory, in 1988-94, mosques and shrines in the regionhave with explosives. Severalmilitantswere some30,000 people were killed. been whollyorpartiallydestroyed. killedinthe ensuing shoot-out.

New Delhi Amnesty pulls out: Amnesty International hasannounced that it is ceasing allits operations in India,inresponse to what it callsa“witch hunt” by the Hindu nationalistgovernment. Amnesty –whichhas criticised the government’s security crackdown in Kashmir, and accused police of committing abuses during riots in Delhiearlier this year – said that it had faced an “unprecedented” campaignof“attacks, bullying and harassment”.

Beirut Jerusalem PM-elect Lockdownanger: steps down: Thousands of Lebanon’s Israelis defiedstrict political crisis lockdown ruleslast deepened on Saturday to take part Sunday, when in an anti-government demonstration the prime outside the residenceofPMBenjamin minister Koh Chang,Thailand Netanyahu. Theprotesters say his designate, Defamation row: An American teacher government has bungled itsresponsetothe Mustapha Adib, resigned before he had living in Thailandwas arrestedlastweek pandemic by openinguptoo fastand then even started. Aformer ambassadorto for writing badreviews about ahotel on forcingthe country into anew lockdown. Germany,Adib wasseen as atechnocrat theisland of Koh Chang.Wesley Barnes, With thousandsofcases being reported capable of unitingthe warring factions whohas since been releasedonbail, each day, Israelcurrentlyhas one of the that make up Lebanon’s politicalclass, posteddamning reviewsonsites including world’s highest percapita infection rates. but having spentamonth tryingtoforma Tripadvisor afterhaving arow with staff Howeverits death rate –172 permillion government, he said he wasgivingup. The aboutcorkage fees. TheSea ViewResort of population –isfar lower than in many primary sticking pointwas the refusalof says it asked himtostop, andwhen he countries in Europe and theAmericas. the two main Shia parties, Hezbollahand persisted in writing whatitdescribed as The current lockdown,which began on 18 Amal, to give up control of thefinance “untruths”, it filed acomplaint with September, wastightened further last week ministry. Theirpositions hadhardened police. Thailandhas notoriously harsh andnow includesabanontravelling more following the imposition of new US criminaldefamationlaws, which rights than one kilometre to takepartinprotests. sanctionsonIran, their sponsors. groups claim areusedtostifle freespeech.

3October 2020 THE WEEK 10 NEWS People

MartinLewis’s workload knows she risks sounding out Everybody wants a piece of of touch, whenshe complains Martin Lewis,says Decca about her glamorous life. But Aitkenhead in The Sunday “it’s always beensobaffling Times.Sincesetting up to me – the hooplaand the MoneySavingExpert.com in wasted money that couldbe 2003,hehas helped millions better put to making more of peoplewith their finances, independent films, number one, fought landmark consumer or buildingf**king class- rights campaigns, and now rooms.” Now, that lockdown frequently tops pollsof“the has proved it’spossible, she most trusted voice in Britain”. plans to fly less often, and Often, peoplestop him in the tampthe whole thingdown. street to ask for advice. At first, After all,“there’s only so much he found it overwhelming. aperson can stomach before “One womangrabbed me on your morals come into play”. the Tube and told me she’d kill herself if I wouldn’t help,” he AlexWinter onabuse recalls.“People would tellme, Thoughhestarred in thelatest ‘You’re like a god, I just do Bill and Ted film,Alex Winter whatever you say.’ AndIhated rarely acts now: he gave it up it.” With the help ofathera- years ago,tomake documen- pist, helearned to copewith taries, says David SmithinThe the pressure. But his workload Guardian.His latestisabout has ballooned inthepandemic: the highs andhorrorsofbeing he has advised the Government achildactor –asubject close on furlough, and has had to his heart. Aged12, he was 300,000 emails from people in sharing a Broadway stagewith crisis.Sometimes, itgets too Yul Brynner.Itwas “magic”, Leo Houlding’s family holiday this summer much. “I [find] myself in tears he says. “But at the same time, wasn’t most people’s idea of arelaxing break. ThereThere waswas nono villavilla o orr too often at my computer, Iwasdealing with really beach resort. Instead, the British climber, his wife Jessica and their because Ijust don’tknow how intense and prolonged abuse.” children –Freya, seven, and Jackson, three –conquered Piz Badile, to help all thesepeople.” His home life was great, and a10,853ft peak on the Swiss-Italian border. “It looks alot like the Brynner waswonderful;but ShardinLondon –but threetimes as high,” he told Tom Robbins Kate Winslet’s resolve he had“this nightmarish other in the FT. Ascending the mountain’s sheer, granite north ridge took Film premieres, award shows existence”. Its scarswere deep them four days. For most of it, Jackson was carried in aharness by andpublicity tours have been and lastedlong, yet it was only his mother –but sometimes,fuelledbyHaribo, he struckout alone. cancelled since the onset of the after #MeToo that he felt able “We weren’t doing it to make apoint, but Idothink families are pandemic – but Kate Winslet to talk publicly about it. The capable of much more than people expect,” says Houlding. The insists shedoesn’t miss life on movement wasawatershed, he problem, he says, is the “extreme risk aversion” in modern society. the red carpet. “It’s always says. “If what happenedtome “It’s made people think that life is out to get you, but it’s not: you’ve pained me, the money thatgets then had happened to menow, got to go out to get life.” Once the summit was conquered, the wasted on flying journalists, Iwould have walked right up family abseiled down the other side –before travelling on to Rome. actors, glam squads allover the to a stage manageroranybody Of course, with small children in tow, it wasn’t easy. “Everything’s a world,” she told Julie Miller in and just said: ‘Hey, you know challenge with kids,” says Houlding, 40. “What we’ve found is that Vanity Fair.“Why thehellis what? This is happening;what major challenges are no harder than minor ones. You’ve still got to anyofthat important?The do I do?’ Thosewords didn’t get them dressed and get their teeth brushed and go through that dresses,the dress fittings, it’s come out of my mouthuntil I whole rigmarole. But then, instead of going to the park for an hour, so stressful.”The 44-year-old was inmy40s.” you go and climb amassive mountain.”

Castaway of the week Viewpoint: Farewell This week’s edition of Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs featured Theshadowy elites the musician Yusuf Cat Stevens Tommy DeVito, member “I sometimes think that, in order to of the Four Seasons, died 1 America from WestSideStory by Stephen Sondheim and combat conspiracytheories, Imight 21 September, aged 92. Leonard Bernstein,performed by RitaMoreno,George Chakiris, spread aconspiracy theory of my The Sharks and Girls Barbara Ker Wilson, own. My conspiracytheoryisthatall editor whodiscovered 2 TuttiFrutti,writtenbyLittle Richard, Dorothy LaBostrieand conspiracy theoriesabout shadowy Paddington,died10 JoeLubin, performed by Little Richard eliteswere actuallydevisedby September, aged 90. 3 Twistand Shout by Bert Berns andPhilMedley,performed shadowy elites, in order to distractthe by TheBeatles Michael Lonsdale, actor publicfromthe real crimesthat the 4 March from AClockworkOrange (Beethoven:Ninth Symphony: whoplayedthe villain Fourth Movement, abridged),written by Friedrich Schiller and shadowy elites are secretly committing. in Moonraker,died Ludwig van Beethoven, performedbyWendy Carlos So, if youbelieve anytheory about the 21 September, aged 89. 5 The Wind,written and performed by Cat Stevens shadowy elites, you’re adupeofthe Derwent May, writer of 6 AllahUya,written andperformed by AliFarka Touré shadowy elites. Justpicture it:the The Times’sNature shadowy elitesall sitting in their secret Notes for 39 years, died 7 Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood by Bennie Benjamin, Gloria 26 September, aged 90. Caldwell and SolMarcus, performed by NinaSimone island hideaway, cackling wickedly 8* As,written andperformed by Stevie Wonder while they gloatover howthey’ve Pat Smullen, Irish jockey tricked youintobelieving in the who wonthe Derby and Book: The Masnavi IMa’navi by Rumi (trans. E.H. Whinfield) Illuminati andthe mind-controlling the 2,000 Guineas, died properties of face masks.” 15 September, aged 43. Luxury: Bendicks Bittermints *Choiceifallowed only one record Michael Deacon in The Daily Telegraph

THE WEEK 3October 2020 ge. nerated Ima Ge mputer Co Prices correct as at time of print. This is Brentford

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Why do people oppose vaccines? explicitly linked the whooping cough Heath professionals today usethe term vaccine with brain damage.His claims “vaccinehesitancy” to describe a sparkedamedia frenzy and saw vaccine complex phenomenon driven by arange coverage among children in England and of sentiments,depending on the time, the Wales fall from77% to 31% in just four place andthe vaccine. Most of those who years – but were laterdiscredited. The don’tget themselves ortheir children furore servedasaprototypefor future vaccinated arenot strongly opposed vaccine safety scares – for instance, to vaccines: they have some fears,and Sudden InfantDeath Syndrome and, may be complacent about therisks. most famously, the supposed link Vaccination is the victimofits own between the Measles, Mumps and success. It has eradicated ordrastically Rubella(MMR)vaccineand autism(see reduced so many dangerous diseases – box). In all cases, the claim was later smallpox, polio, tetanus, rubella, Hib, completelydiscredited. Butit’sclearthat measles, whooping cough, mumps, the MMR scare in particular has helped diphtheria – that manypeoplesuffer from increasehesitancy to dangerous levels. what hasbeen dubbed “immunological amnesia”:they tend tobeprotected by How bad is the problem? herd immunity anyway. But attheother Anti-vaccine protesters in London last month A survey of 70,000 British people by end of the spectrum isamuch smaller University College London published last andmore vocal group who refuse on principle: adherents ofthe week found that 53% believedthatvaccines can cause unforeseen anti-vaccination – “anti-vaxx”–or vaccine-sceptic movements. effects.More than athird (38%)thoughtnatural immunity – havingadiseaseandthenrecovering – was better than getting Where do these movements come from? immunity from vaccines. Aquarter were deeply suspicious of They areasold as vaccines themselves. There is something pharmaceutical companies. A small minority (4%) saidthat they disturbing about infecting healthy people – particularly children didnot believethatvaccines offered protection; the samepropor- – with avirus or bacteria,evenatasafe dose. In 19thcentury tion stronglybelieved that vaccination programmeswereacon Britain, when smallpox vaccinationswere made compulsoryby perpetrated by pharmaceutical companies andthe authorities. law, protests brought tensofthousandstothe streets. Pamphlets inveighed against the “fallacies andevils” of vaccination. Some Whyisthis happening now? clergy rejected it for religious reasons, becausethe vaccine came There areahost offactors driving anti-vaccination sentiment, from ananimal (cowpox blisters were used).Others thought it suggests Nick Paumgarten in The NewYorker: “Suspicion of wasdangerous or unsanitary, or simplydemandedthe rightto authority, rejection ofexpertise,afracturing of factual consensus, controltheir bodies andthose of their children. Today, these same the oldquestion ofindividual libertyversusthecommon good, objections still drive hesitancyaround theworld. In Britain and the chequeredhistory of medical experimentation, thecynicism of the US, it isprevalentamong particulargroups:Orthodox Jews, the pharmaceutical industry, the periodic laxity ofits regulators... conspiracytheorists, and devotees of “natural motherhood”: andthe media, both old and new, that feed on it.” But the general some private schools in Beverley Hillshave immunisation rates understanding amonghealth professionals isthatthe hardcore similar to South Sudan. But it isaglobal problem, particularly anti-vaxxminority hasbeen effective in spreadingitsfears and severe in France and Russia,and parts of India and China. its pseudoscience, particularly on social media.

Is there any reason to be worried about vaccines? Howhas the coronavirus changed things? In short, no. There have been bad vaccines in thepast. In 1955, a It haslong been thought that aserious pandemic wouldbelikely flawed virus containing live poliovirus to driveupvaccination rates.And caused40,000 cases in the US. This Afraud’s progress the evidence suggests that some anti- led to greatlyenhancedregulation. In 1998, Dr Andrew Wakefield, agastroenterologist, vaxxers are now wavering intheir Today, inoculations mostly cause only published astudy in TheLancetlinking the MMR views, but that others are doubling mild side-effects.Veryrarely, they vaccine to autism and bowel disease. It sparked a down. Online groups promotingfake cause anaphylacticshock, an extreme media storm and hundreds of thousands of parents vaccinescience nowalsopromote allergic reaction–atarateof boycotted the jab. In the UK, MMR vaccination levels anti-mask scare stories, andthe view approximately oneper million doses. dropped to 80% in 2004, well below the 95% needed that Covid-19 is ahoax. Therehave Vaccines arerigorouslytestedand are for herd immunity. Outbreaks of mumps and measles been protests against both Covid laws amongthe safest medicinesweuse. followed. Britain recorded its first measles death for and vaccination in London, Berlin and 14 years in 2006. Later, The Sunday Times revealed Vaccination is one of thegreat success undeclared conflicts of interest: Wakefield had been the US. There arenow alsoconcerns stories of modern public health: the paid more than £400,000 by lawyers preparing an that therushtodevelop vaccines may World Health Organisationestimates MMR lawsuit. In 2010, the General Medical Council creategenuine safety risks, with that it prevents 2-3million deaths per found he had acted “dishonestly and irresponsibly” serious effectsonpublic confidence. year globally. Andstudy afterstudy and struck him off; The Lancet withdrew the paper. Even before thepandemic, theWHO has found that the risks are minuscule. Since then, more than adozen studies have found no listed vaccinehesitancy as one of the However, they aresowidely used that link between MMR and autism. But Wakefield, now ten biggest threatstoglobal public many coincidental conditions and resident in the US, presents himself as the victim of health. The general consensus among events are blamedonthem. an establishment stitch-up. In 2016, he directed publichealth officials nowisthatthe Vaxxed,afilmthat claims the link to autism has been case forvaccinesneeds to be put What conditions and events? covered up. His cause has been adopted by US moreeffectively,particularlyonline celebrities such as Jenny McCarthy and President The first major modern vaccination Trump. “To our community, Andrew Wakefield is –and that thosewithdoubtsneed to scareinBritain camein1974,when Nelson Mandela and Jesus Christ rolled up into one,” havetheir questions answered, rather John Wilson, adoctoratGreat says J.B. Handley, aprominent vaccinecritic. than beingbombardedwithfacts,or Ormond Streetchildren’shospital, dismissed as idiots.

3October 2020 THE WEEK

Best articles: Britain NEWS 15

The uglybattle over thevacantseatonthe US Supreme Court has led to some self-congratulatory comment here about how wisewe IT MUST BE TRUE… British judges are to keep theworlds of politicsand law separate, says David I read it in the tabloids Allen Green. Yet the bald truth is that here, in England andWales, thesetwo worlds overlap alot.Wejust pretend otherwise. Indeed, Police in Vietnam have made and the taint an alarming discovery: a so great hasbeenthe fluidity betweenthe politicaland judicial factory where about 345,000 of politics establishment that,until afew yearsago,the LordChancellorwas used condoms were being entitled to sitbothinthe Cabinet and as ajudgeinthe most senior recycled and repackaged as David Allen Green courtinthe land.Eventoday, oneofthe ways that barristerswin new. The 34-year-old owner judicial promotion is by providing cheap legal services to ministers of the factory near Ho Chi Financial Times andofficials. As for our judges, they may claimjusttointerpret Minh City said she bought thelaw, but as oftenasnot they make it.Overthe past 20 years, the old condoms in bulk off for instance,they’ve “introduced an entirely newprivacy law, amiddleman, then washed with no explicit statutory basis”. And most of themare farfrom and reshaped them, before packing them in plastic shyabout making and publishing extrajudicialspeeches on public sacks for resale. Vietnam’s policy issues. There may be nothing intrinsically wrong withthis state broadcaster VTV said blurringofthe boundaries. Butit’s naive to believeitdoesn’t exist. it was unclear how many had already been sold on. What couldbewrong with a law thatprotects our brave soldiers from vexatious prosecutions? Quite alot, asitturns out, says The Abad bill that Guardian. The Overseas Operations Bill, whichreceived its second reading last week, isadangerous piece of legislation. It creates a gives torture a presumption thatintheabsenceofcompelling new evidence and the consent of the Attorney General, soldiers should not be tried free pass for offences committed on operations abroad ifthe offences areof more than fiveyears’ standing.Given how long it takes forvictims Editorial to come forward, thiswould make it all but impossible to pursue legitimate cases.The law doesn’t apply to rape orsexual violence The Guardian cases, but it does cover torture and other crimes prohibited by international law, which will effectively be decriminalised once five years havepassed. Human rights groups oppose this bill; so do ex-military figures such as Field Marshal Charles Guthrie. And Labour must too, evenatthe riskofbeing caughton“the wrong side ofatabloid storm about ‘protecting our boys’”.It’s a “cynical bill” thatdoes no favours to either civilian or soldier. AFrench schoolteacher whose body,faceand tongue “The world of business seems to have decided black lives matter,” are coveredintattoos, and says Sathnam Sanghera. Ahostofbig companies have rallied to the who has had thewhites of How business anti-racism cause in the wake ofthe widespread outrage provoked hiseyes surgically blackened, by the murder of George Floyd. Disney, Facebook and H&M have is disappointed that hehas profits from made hefty donations; Ben & Jerry’s has called for the dismantling beenpreventedfrom of whitesupremacy.Why? It’s not frompolitical correctness; it’s teachingatakindergarten. woking up “because it makes basic business sense”. It tallies withthe prefer- Sylvain Hélaine, 35, still ences of their future customers. As every survey shows,millennials teaches children from the age Sathnam Sanghera (those born 1981-96) andGeneration Z (1997-c.2010)care a of sixupin Palaiseau near greatdeal about racial equality. Most of themfeel that brands Paris, but hasbeen banned The Times should get even more involved inthe BLMmovement than they from teaching younger pupils already are. And giventhatthe spendingpowerofUSmillennials becausethe parents ofa aloneissome$2.5trn a year, these are people whocan’tbe three-year-old saidhegave ignored. What’smore, the populations of countries like Britain are their child nightmares. “I predicted to becomesignificantly moreracially diverse. Whether think the decision they took or not companies really feel passionatelyabout racial equality, was quite sad,” saidHelaine. they have “stone-coldcommercialreasons” to campaign for it. He claims pupils reactwell to himafter theinitial shock. So much for theUK’s grand ambitions to become aspace power, says Joseph Rachman. Knowing that,post Brexit, it could no Waitrose has been roundly The grand longerplayanactive role in thedevelopment of theEU’sGalileo mocked for selling “Autumn satellite navigation system,and that it wastobeexcluded fromits Seasonal Foliage” –or military side, the Tory government twoyears ago resolved that we autumn leaves –toits well- plan that got heeled customers, for £6 a shouldstrike outonour own and create ahome-grownrival.So bag. “Bring the outside lost in space thisyear, as partofthe plan, it bought a£400m stake in the indoors,” reads the bouquet’s struggling satellite company OneWeb.But where Galileo and description. One Twitter user Joseph Rachman mostother navigation systems usemedium Earth orbit satellites, said: “Hello @waitrose I OneWeb relies on flimsier low-orbitingsatellites.These, as experts applaud you for trying to sell Reaction.life warned at thetime, aresuitable for providingbroadband,but not customers abunch of leaves satnav. The Government nowaccepts thoseexperts were right, for £6.” But aspokesperson though it still clingstothe hope that atechnical fix will eventually for the supermarket insisted: be found. The new systemcould deliver “considerablebenefits” “We’ve seen areally strong demand for autumn foliage to consumers,declaredBusinessSecretaryAlokSharmalastweek, –our customers love using while“potentially reducingour dependency on foreign satellite these to mix in with their systems”. In that hedged-about phrase, which“screams of grand seasonal flowers to brighten ambitions hastilyscaled back”,one candetectthe Government’s their homes.” faltering confidence in itsown space –and Brexit –strategy.

3October 2020 THE WEEK 16 NEWS Best of the American columnists

Blindjustice? Playing politics with the Supreme Court Well, now we know, saidLara Bazelon Senate to blockObama’s nominee, in TheNew York Times. The next andtodo what it could to confirm persontosit on theUSSupreme Court, Trump’s. No,the only ones bent on if theRepublicans succeed inramming destroyingpolitical normshere are through her appointment, will beAmy thoseonthe Leftnow vowing “ideo- Coney Barrett. President Trumphad logical vengeance”. Democrats are promised tonameawoman to replace actuallythreatening,ifthey win the Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who died last election,toexpand the nine-member month, but this is no like-for-like Supreme Court to 13, addingfournew substitution. Ginsburgwasfamously sympathetic justices to createanew liberal and regarded by many as a 7-6 liberal majority. Not only that, “feminist icon”;Barrett is adevout they arealso talking of using a similar Catholic with a decidedlyconservative tactictoboost theirparty’s number outlook. A 48-year-old mother of of senators. Theywant to admit seven,shehas “impeccable intellectual Washington DC,Puerto Rico, and credentials, but a record that stands in Samoa –places that lean to the stark contrast” to her predecessor’s. Barrett: cementing the conservative majority Democrats –asnew states in the She has, forinstance, writtenthat unionand therebyregaincontrol of abortion is“always immoral”; as a judge on the US Courtof the Senate. It’s a move “that smacks of pre-CivilWar-era power Appeals she joined two dissents against decisions supporting the politics”. Of course they’d neverhave done thisafewyears ago, right to choose. Barrettisadream justice for conservative men when they controlled theSenate andwereconfident they hada who’ve“pined forawoman to dothe final work of denying permanentmajority. But now they’re in a minority, theyclaim women their right to their own bodies”, saidElie Mystalin the system is impossibly “rigged” againstthem and so, in the The Nation.And she’ll be around foryears. Given her relatively words of SenateDemocraticleader Chuck Schumer,“nothing is young age, she could serve onthe court into the 2060s. off the table”. Packingthe courtisunquestionably a bad idea, said The Washington Post.Afar better oneisto imposeterm You expectapresident to get one Supreme Court appointment limits onjustices. That would lower thestakes, andeliminate duringany given four-yearterm, saidFrankBruni in TheNew the incentive “to pick young andrelatively inexperiencedjudges YorkTimes.But three? That’s howmanyTrump hashad. The merely because they are likely to live longer”. lastpresident to install thatmany justiceswas RonaldReagan, and that wasover twoterms. Barack Obama should have The “tit-for-tat”war over the Supreme Court has beengoing matchedthat, and theonlyreasonhedidn’t is because in2016 on foryears, saidMeganMcArdle inthesamepaper.Both the Republicansrefused to grant ahearing to his third nominee, sides keepuppingthe ante, convinced that their opponents are arguing thatconfirmationvotes shouldn’thappen in an election behavingoutrageously while their own escalations aremerited. year. In astunning display ofhypocrisy, they’venow changed Nobody thinks ofthe consequences. We maynowbe “entering their tuneand are rushing to get Barrett confirmedbefore the endgame, simplybecausethere arealmost no norms leftto November’s election,amove that will create a 6-3 conservative destroy”. If the Democrats expand the court, and the GOP majority inthe court. It’s an “unabashed power grab”. replies in kind, they’llend up destroying the body’s legitimacy. “And when this packed, stacked and nowthoroughly It’s nothingofthe sort, said the National Review. It was entirely shellacked courtstarts issuing rulings thatsimplycannot be within acceptedpoliticalnorms for the Republican-controlled abided by the other party – well then, pray tell, what then?”

Princeton University hasgot itself in abind, says MatthewX.Wilson. In abid to placate progressive students, its president, Christopher L. Eisgruber, recently published an open letter promising to Princeton must combat“systemic racism” at theschool. He would, he said,implement policies to addressthe “racist decide if it assumptions” that “remain embedded in thestructures of the university itself”. This statement has promptedthe US Department of Education to launchaninvestigationinto Princeton andtorequest really is racist records relating to this confessed bias.Ithas every right to launch such aprobe. Princeton,after all, as acondition of receivingfederal aid, has repeatedlycertified that it is notdiscriminatory. It also Matthew X. Wilson proudly markets itself to prospective students as an equal-opportunitiesinstitution.Yet if you take Eisgruber’sstatement at face value,Princeton has been engaging in racist conduct allthistime and Washington Examiner then lyingabout it in order to collectfederalhandouts andrecruit newstudents. The university now faces achoice.Itcan continuetoassertits complicity in bigotry andracism, andrisk losing hundreds of millions of dollarsinannual federalfunding.Oritcan retract Eisgruber’s statement as “the dubious self-flagellatoryexercise”itso obviouslyis. Princeton can’t have it “both ways” on racism.

Genderreveal parties–in which expectant parents useincreasingly wacky meanstocommunicate It’s aboy! The to friends andfamilythe sex of their forthcoming baby –are abad ideaatthe best of times,says MariahKreutter. Apart from anything, they reinforce “harmful genderstereotypes” with their parties that lit pink-blue binary. Andthat’s just when they go right. Unfortunately, some go disastrously wrong. Aprime example is the one in El Dorado,California last month, in whichanexplosion of coloured up California powderended up sparking an inferno thathas burned more than 35 square miles of land. It’snot the first time this has happened.Asimilargender-revealstuntin2017set off a47,000-acre firein Mariah Kreutter Arizona.In2019, awoman in Iowa was killedbyflying debris fromahomemadepyrotechnic device. The situation hasgot so badthatJenna Karvunidis, theblogger creditedwith starting the Los Angeles Times gender-revealtrend back in 2008, recently tooktoFacebook to beg people to desist.“Stop having thesestupid parties,” shewrote. “For the loveofGod,stop burning things down to tell everyone about yourkid’s penis.Noone caresbut you.” That’s wise advice.Ifyou must shareyourchild’s sex with the world, at leasthavethe decency tofollowKarvunidis and“stick to acake”.

THE WEEK 3October 2020

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Unrest in Bangkok: challenging the monarchy A“courageous”generation of young dissidents” and persecutingminorities. protesters is shaking Thailand’s February’s ban on the popular establishment to its core, said Wichit opposition Future Forward Party added ChaitronginThe Nation (Bangkok). to fears that Thailand is sliding into For months, school pupils andstudents authoritarian rule. Andthen there’s the havebeen calling for theresignation king, said Shashank Bengali in the LA of Prime MinisterPrayuthChan-ocha, Times. A “mercurial figure”whohas aformer army chief who took power heldthe throne since 2016,hespends followingacoup in 2014and claimed much of his time in aluxury German victory indisputed elections last year. hotel; he rewrote the constitution so Now,the protestsare“developing he could rule from abroad and take rapidly”:last week, tensofthousands personal ownership of the crown’s of people defied policewarnings to £30bn fortune. His behaviour –not stage a rally in Bangkok demanding least in appointing a“royal consort” political reform – Thailand’s biggest The Thai king and queen at their wedding ceremony –has adistinctly “feudal” flavour. protests since 2014. And whileunrest isn’t new in Thai politics – the country hasseen no fewer than Criticisms of the king’s lavish lifestyle have long been whispered. 12 army coups since 1932 andisonits 20th constitution – this But ittakes “a special kind of courage” to question publicly the time is different. Protesters are breakinglong-held taboos (and role of the monarchy inThailand, said PhilipJ.Cunningham in risking harsh punishment) bydirectly challenging the monarchy, the Bangkok Post:strict lèse-majesté laws can landanyone who includingtheir extravagant king, Maha Vajiralongkorn. does with a15-year jail sentence. Yet these brave protesters are doing just that –and it seemstobehaving an effect. Republican Their dissatisfaction is understandable, saidGreg Raymond sentiment has neverrun strong in Thailand – more thanks to a on TheConversation.com (Melbourne).The 2014 coup leaders, “reverence fortradition” than afear of reprisals –butthere’s a who are loyal to the monarchy and took over from an elected “strong whiffofit inthe air now”. Much of what follows will government, hadpromised an end to corruption and a swift depend on the mood ofthevolatile king himself. If he’s in a return to civilian rule. Instead, they wrote aconstitution that conciliatory mood, reform may yet be possible. If not, “things entrenched military power, and have made ahabit of “harassing could get worse before getting better”.

The world reacted with “a sense of superiority” when Italy became thefirst European country ITALY to be hit by coronavirus earlier this year, says Elisabeth Braw.The prevailingview was that “the disorganised Italians were mishandlingthe crisis, sure, but the rest of us wouldknow whattodo”. Alesson in Tabloids sneered at the country’s “relaxed” attitudes; the EU failed to respond to its pleas for medical supplies. Half a yearlater, the tables have turned.Italy’sinfection andfatality rates arenowamong how to handle Europe’s lowest, and it hassofar avoided the second wave hitting France and Spain. Unlike almost any other nation, it has even managed to stage dignified tributes to thevirus’s victims: spectacular the virus concerts have been held in Bergamo and Milan. Its success is no fluke: after the initial devastation, Foreign Policy Italy reacted to the virus with“surprising agility”. Testing is now routineatports, airportsand stations, and local outbreaks are quickly quashed. Face masks are mandatory in many open spaces; (Washington) refuseniks are hit with hefty fines. The public have played their part too, quickly grasping the severity of the situation and readily complying with rules. For all thecondescension that greeted Italy’s early struggles, it’s now clear that “the restofthe worldcould learn athing or twofrom its response”.

ZIMBABWE Zimbabwe’s government has decided to compensate white farmers who lost their land under Robert Mugabe, says Tafi Mhaka. It recently announced that $3.5bn would bepaid to farmers who were kicked off theirproperty during the often violent land seizureprogramme; and now it says they’ll Black Africans even be able to apply to get it back. President Mnangagwa hopes the plan will finally let the country drawaline under land disputes that are rooted in Britain’s long colonial rule. But that’s wishful foot the bill for thinking. Not only does Zimbabwe lack themoney to pay forthis“dubious”plan; it shouldn’t have to. Black farmers sufferedhugeinjustices underBritishrule:some 50 million acres of land were made white farmers available to just48,000settlers,while amillion Africansshared 20 million acres of their country’s Al Jazeera least fertile lands, causing untold hardship. Britain oncepledged to paycompensation for settlers’ (Doha) “ill-gotten gains”,but reneged on thispromise underNew Labour –amovecriticised even by Boris Johnson, “a man with unbridled passion for theBritish Empireand colonial relics”. Now–ifthe plangoes ahead –black Africans will footthe bill forBritain’s failure to “pay up”. It’s ascandalous outcome, which“flies in thefaceofglobal efforts to demonstratethatblacklives matter too”.

GREECE One might have imaginedthat the catastrophic recentfire at theMoria refugeecamp in Greece would have concentratedEuropean mindsonits migrant crisis,says Efimerida tonSyntakton. Alas, that hasn’t happened. Last week, the European Commissionsaiditwas abandoning the idea of Brussels fudges imposing mandatory refugee quotas on EU countries. Instead, it proposed that member stateseither agree to accept refugees, or takecharge of returning thosewho have been denied asylum to their the refugee home countries (so-called return sponsorship). As asweetener, countriesaccepting refugees would be paid s10,000 foreveryadult;but they wouldn’t be obligedtooffer shelter to anyone. It’s amajor issue yet again victory forthe likes of Hungary and Poland,which have previously refused to complywith manda- Efimerida ton Syntakton tory quotas, and whosepoliticians rely on “xenophobic rhetoric”torally their base. Whilenations (Athens) like Greece, Spainand Italy will continue to “bear thebrunt” as thousands of refugees land on their shores, help from central and northern European countries will depend on “goodwill”.The pretence of EU“solidarity” in tackling the crisisseems to have beenabandoned, once andfor all.

3October 2020 THE WEEK Send themback to scchool asking questionss

Fuelfor enquiring minds

Visit theweekjunior.co.uk/schooloffer Health &Science NEWS 21 What the scientists are saying… Atiny wind “turbine” on your arm historical artefacts andtesting them to One of the problems with onshore wind see how effective they are,succeeded in farmsisthatthere is ofteninsufficient making theknife, by freezing poo to wind to turntheir blades. But now, -50ºC, then sharpening it; butthey found scientists in China havedeveloped a “mini that when it came into contact withthe turbine”, thatcan harness thewindenergy hide of a dead pig, it simplymelted – of a slightbreeze. The device consists of leaving unpleasantfaecal smears. They plastic stripsinatube that flutter and said the knifestory,which often crops up touch in the wind. Likehairrubbed with in academic books and documentaries, a balloon, theplasticsbecome electrically may have endured becauseitserved to charged when separated –the tribolectric highlightthe ability of indigenous people effect. But in this case, the electricity to create impressive tools out of rudi- doesn’t make hair stand onend; instead, it mentary materials; but, they added, it is is captured andstored. “Youcan collect all important not to letuntested stories enter the breeze in your everydaylife,” says Ya into argument–hencetheir experiment. Yang,ofthe Chinese Academy of Sciences. “Science isavital check on thesesorts “Weonce placed our nanogenerator on a of urbanlegends.”Thisyear’s prize for person’s arm, and a swinging arm’s airflow acoustics went to ateamwho discovered wasenough to generate power.” Thoughit that,like humans, alligators sound couldgenerate power with awind speed of Tiny rivals on the way different when they inhalehelium from 3.6mph, it really needs above 9mph: then aparty balloon. This studyalso hada it could power 100 LED lights. With no of 19.1 months, whereas thosewho had serious purpose:itwas intended to cast rotating blades, it should besafefor use in hormone treatments survived 14.7.For lightonthe creatures’ vocal tract nature reservesand cities. The plan now is patients with faults inother genes, the resonances. The Ig Nobelprizes–which to scale it down – so thatitcould be fitted additional survival time wastwo and aim to reward achievements that “first to electronic gadgets such as phones – and ahalf months. “I’m confident thatour make people laugh, and then make them scaleitup. Ya hopes it could competewith results will transform prostate cancer think” – went ahead virtually this year. traditional turbines, and be used to harness treatment – hopefully very soon,” said wind energy in places wherethey are not study co-authorProf Johann de Bono, Face shieldsare “not effective” practical – such as on top of buildings. of the Institute of Cancer Research. They have been recommended for use by hairdressers, and areworn by teachers in Prostate cancer drug success Aknife made from frozen faeces some schools –but plastic face shieldsare Adrug previously used to treat breast and Ateam of anthropologists who made a not effective at stopping airborne droplets ovarian cancers has been found to prolong knife from theirownfrozenfaeces have from escaping from an infected person’s the lives of some men with prostate cancer, been awarded one of thisyear’s Ig Nobel mouth, according to astudy in Japan. reports The Times. In a final-stage trial, Prizes. The researchers, fromKentState Computer simulations showed that almost Olaparib was found to extend thelives of University inOhio, hadset out to test the 100% of droplets underfive micrometres patients byupto four and a half months plausibility ofanoft-told story about an (released when people talk and breathe) more thanhormone treatments. The Inuitman who – deprived ofhis tools got past thevisor, along with50% of Olaparib trial involved 387 men with when he was resettled by the Canadian the larger droplets(over 50 micrometres) advanced prostate cancer who hadfaults government inthe 1950s –fashioneda that arereleased with coughs andsneezes. in genes that helptorepairfaulty DNA. new oneout ofhis frozen excrementand The World Health Organisation saysthe The men, who had faults in their BRCA1, used it to butcheradog andmake a sled. shields,which do notcompletely cover BRCA2orATM genes survived a median The team,who specialise in recreating the face, should be used with amask.

Human challengetrials Transparency worries

The firstvaccinetrialsinwhichhuman Health charities are accepting millions volunteersare deliberately exposedtoSars- of pounds from drug companies –and Cov-2,the virusthatcauses Covid-19, not declaring it, according to areport in could begin in theUKinJanuary. The BMJ Open. The charities are not obliged Government is said to be abouttogive to declare corporate funding, but last the go-aheadtothe so called challenge year, The Charity Commission urged trial in which participantsare given the them to be more transparent, given the influence they can have over which experimental vaccine, then laterexposed to new drugs are recommended for use the virustotest the vaccine’seffectiveness. by the NHS. The researchers examined Used in early research on smallpox, yellow disclosure reports published by drug feverand malaria, challengetrials have the companies over five years, and advantageofgiving quickresults; but they compared them to annual reports are riskier –and raisemoreethical published by patient charities. They questions–than randomised control trials, in which tens of thousands of people are discovered a£20m shortfall between given the vaccineoraplacebo, then monitoredastheygoabout their daily lives, to what the drugs companies said they’d see if they fall ill. given away, and what the charities said they’d received. Myeloma UK apparently Around 2,000 people have signed up for challengestudies of Covidvaccinations received more than £7m from drug in theUK, butit’s likely fewerthan200 willbeneeded forthisone. Many of the firms during the period, but declared volunteersare saidtobeyoung people, whoare less likelytobebadly affected by only alittle over £700,000 in payments; Covid,who think theywillget it at some point in anycaseand whocould usethe Diabetes UK received over £3m, but money. They’relikely to be paid morethan £4,000 forparticipating. declared no drug company payments. NIVERSITY OF OXFORD/JOHN CAIRNS ©U

3October 2020 THE WEEK 22 NEWS Talking points Covid restrictions: lockdown by another name?

Threeweeks ago, the Prime Ministervowed spreadingunchecked” inthe general popu- that his Government was doing “everything lation; and there is still toomuch we don’t withinits power” to prevent asecond lock- know about the debilitatinglong-term effects down. But does anyone believe that, wondered of Covid. Yes, it could turn out, as some have Ross Clark in The Daily Telegraph. It feels to argued, thatwehavemoreresistance to the me as if the Government is doing everything virusthanpreviously anticipated – but there it can to givethe impressionoftryingto is noclear evidence for this. The likelihood avoidalockdown, while quietly imposing is thatifwe don’tpartiallylockdown now, one by stealth. We’re like thefrogs in the we’ll have to have afulllockdown later. experiment – having the water turned up so Given thedevastatingimpact of lockdown, gradually, we don’t notice we’re about to be to the economy and to wider society, surely boiled. Last week,theGovernment suddenly the former is the better option. imposed a 10pm curfew on pubs and restaurants and urged peopletoworkfrom We know a lot moreabout thisvirus thanwe home.Every week, moreareasareplaced didsix months ago, saidWilliam Hanage in underlocallockdowns;and the penalties for The Guardian: it’s prettyclearthat Covid-19 breakingthe stricter-than-lockdown self- spread rapidlyinthe early spring because it isolatingrules are becoming ever more went undetected in peoplewhowereeither draconian. At this rate, “within a weekor asymptomatic carriers or had only mild cases. two, everythingwill be in effective lockdown, To stop a resurgence, these patients need to except thegrouse moors”. The public supports the rules be traced, testedand isolated. Thishas been obvious for months. Yet inEngland, testing With this latestround of restrictions, theGovernment is testing its is still being targeted at patientswith symptoms, andtracing has ownsupporters, saidLiam Halligan in The Daily Telegraph. The been “widelyineffective”(in the Covid hotspotofBradford,only 10pm curfew,for instance, has come as adevastating blow to 42.5% ofclose contacts were identified). As for isolating, it is small business owners,manyofwhomhave used their savings barely happening, saidAnoosh Chakelian in the New Statesman. to keep going thesepastsix months Studies suggest that though the public (and investedheavilyinCovid-safety “The balance of scientific opinion is generally supports lockdown rules, measures). And forwhat, asked James and complies with them, only about Hall in the same paper. Reports arethat that the Government is not doing 18% are self-isolatingwhen required emptying restaurants andbars at 10pm enough to enforce social distancing” –mostlikely because it’s unaffordable is only leadingtomorecrowding in city or simply impractical. centres andencouragingpeople to gather in houses to carry on drinking. There was no scientificrationale for it.Insiders say it “Gettingtestingand tracing rightisessential,”said The Guardian. wasimposed for “symbolic” purposes:itwas seen as “a low-cost More generally,the Government needs to stop shamingand waytosend amessage that things are different”.Low cost? Try threatening thepublictodistract from its ownfailings. Instead, telling that to the bar ownerswho have seen their revenuedrop it mustdevisesensible, comprehensiblerules; explain them clearly by two-thirds asaresult. andcompellingly; andremoveany obstacles to people following them (stay-at-home payments to help the less well-off isolate are Yetthe “balance of scientific opinion” is that the Westminster astart).And it must also startconsulting Parliament, said The Government is still not doing enoughtoenforce socialdistancing, Independent. Ministershave governed bydecree for long enough. saidThe Observer. In Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon has imposeda This week’s attempt to force the issue, with the Bradyamend- national ban onpeoplemixing indoors. Johnson, by contrast, ment, may have been the work of libertarian Tories, but politicians appears to have been swayed by“libertarians concerned about from all sides agreed with the principle. MPsmustbeableto the economicimpactoffurther restrictions” and“outliers among scrutinise how decisions arebeing made,andonwhatbasis. the scientists”. These people arguethat the UK’s infection rate is The Government can’t beallowed tokeep hiding behind “the rising relatively slowly, and its death rate is still relatively low, and science”.Though they encroach ever further onour civilliberties, maintain thatweshould allow normal life to carry on, while the publicsupportsthe new rules, saidKenan Malik in The shielding the elderly and vulnerable. Butweknow from the first Observer: almost half want them to beeven harsher. It is that, wave thatitis“impossible to shield peoplewhile thevirus is paradoxically,that makes theneed forvigilance so pressing.

While promoting her new tell- Noddy Holder has been Pick of the week’s all memoir, Mariah Carey has reminiscing about his hell- been settling afew scores: raising days as the frontman complaining, for instance, that of glam-rockers Slade. Gossip family members treated her Previous interviews, though, like “an ATM in awig”. The suggest it wasn’t all sex, drugs The Israeli PM Benjamin rapper Eminem was reportedly and rock ‘n’ roll. “I always Netanyahu has developed a “stressed” over what the diva carried ascrewdriver, and later reputation among staff at the might say about their short, afulltool kit,” he said in 2014. President’s Guest House in toxic relationship in her new “So if Ihad an hour before the Washington for smuggling in book, entitled The Meaning of gig, I’d fix things. It was quicker aspecial cargo on official trips Mariah Carey.Heneedn’t have than calling down to reception, to the US: bags full of dirty worried: Carey has explained and that way you can have it laundry. Clothes are cleaned that he doesn’t feature in it all nice for the next person.” there for visiting foreign at all, with this crushing They also had atactic for leaders, free of charge. “The dismissal: “If somebody or getting rid of unwanted Netanyahus are the only ones something didn’t pertain to guests in the US. “We’d put who bring actual suitcases of The Washington Post. “After the actual ‘meaning of Mariah on Hancock’s Half Hour,” he dirty laundry for us to clean,” multiple trips, it became clear Carey’, as in the title, then they said. “The Yanks [would] get one disgruntled official told this was intentional.” aren’t in the book.” bored and go home.”

THE WEEK 3October 2020 Talking points NEWS 23 The BBC: facing aright-wing takeover? Wit& Polite society is aghast, said is “emphatically soft-left”. Quentin Letts in The Times. The outrage over these mooted Wisdom “Can it be true? Is the appointments is “unadulterated Government reallygoing to humbug”. It’s ridiculous, agreed “Noteverythingthat is make Charles Moore chairman Stephen Pollard in theDaily faced can be changed, but of the BBC and Paul Dacre Express. Just because Dacre nothing can bechanged chairman ofOfcom?” The and Moore are not part of the untilitisfaced.” horrified response to reports that “comfortableleft-liberal James Baldwin, quoted thesetwo right-leaning, Brexit- bubble”, that doesn’tmake them in The Times supporting former editors–of unhinged extremists. They’re “All humans arestupid, The Daily Telegraphand the bothdistinguished journalists but the smarter ones at Daily Mail respectively – are who are “passionateabout free least have a handle on their beinglinedupto take ontwo of speech and a freemedia”. Their own ignorance.” the most powerful broadcasting appointment wouldhelp break John Cleese, quoted positionsinthe country, has up the“sterile uniformity of in The Times been “glorious” to behold. outlook” in the public sector. “Coffin.Nail. UK.” tweeted the “Dissent speaks to a future age.” actor and Remaincampaigner Dacre: no admirer of the BBC Diversity ofopinion is good, Hugh Grant. The formerspin said MarkDamazer, aformer Ruth Bader Ginsburg, doctor Alastair Campbell, “he of Hutton inquiry controller ofBBC Radio4,in the New quoted inThe Guardian infamy,raged about Dacre ‘poisoning public Statesman, but theseappointments wouldhave “Whenever Idate aguy, I debate’”. Alan Rusbridger,the former editor a more destructive motive. Clever and charming think, is thisthe man Iwant of The Guardian who, like severalother as Moore is, he’s deeply hostile to the BBC and my children to spend their centre-left journalists, is now a masterofan to the licence fee, which hewas once fined for weekends with?” Oxford college,and whowas recently appointed refusing to pay. That would make hima ComedianRitaRudner, a memberofFacebook’s oversight board, “disastrouschoice” as chair ofthe broadcaster. quoted onForbes sighed: “Thisiswhat anoligarchy looks like.” Dacre – who aschair of Ofcom would be in “All craftsmen sharea charge ofupholding broadcasting standardsand knowledge.Theyhaveheld/ Thesenew postsare regulated by the Public ruling on impartiality – hasalsogot it in forthe Reality down fluttering to Appointments Commission and have yet to BBC, which he once accused ofpeddling “akind abench.” be put out to competition, said The Daily of cultural Marxism”. Although mostofthe Vita Sackville West, quoted Telegraph, so it’s still far from clear who will fill time the BBC takes great pains to be impartial, in TheObserver them.But there’snoreason why it shouldn’t be there is doubtlessroom for improvement.But Dacre and Moore. NewLabour put like-minded thelast thing the broadcasting sectorneeds“is “Never despair,but if you people in charge of hundreds of public bodies. to become, atthehandsofMoore andDacre, do, work on in despair.” Even now, the balance in many of these quangos thevictim of an ideological war”. Edmund Burke, quoted on The Browser “It’s so hard to forget pain, The National Trust: a“list of shame” but it’s evenharder to remember sweetness. “The National Trustdoesn’t nationwide re-education We have no scar to show strike you as astage for programme”, forever for happiness.” revolution,” said Benedict remindinguswhat “a AuthorChuck Palahniuk, SpenceinThe Daily shockingcountry, and quoted on GoodReads.com Telegraph. “It might preserve people, we supposedlyare”. the leftovers of old ones, but Perhaps these houses seemed “Theformofacity/ it doesn’tusually take tothe “prettier”when the public changes faster, alas, than field of battleitself.” Yet, like was encouragedtosee them amortal’sheart.” so many of our institutions, “as theirformerowners CharlesBaudelaire, quoted it hasdecided “to dive boldly would have wished”,said in TheGuardian into the furoreoverBritain’s CatherineBennett in The “Truth is stranger than relationship with its own Chartwell: Churchill’s record examined Observer –“as the hallowed fiction, but it is because past” –byidentifying 93 of product of dynastic talent, fictionisobliged to stick its properties,about athird of the total, that it intellect,discernment”.But it’s very interesting topossibilities;truth isn’t.” says were builton, benefited fromorconnected to learn how some owners were enriched, and Mark Twain, quoted in the to thespoils of slavery andcolonialism. Speke their stately piles funded.Penrhyn Castlein MinneapolisStar Tribune Hall, near Liverpool, is on it because its owner, Wales,for instance,was paidfor with£14,683 Richard Watt, trafficked slaves from Africa to in compensation when itsowner’s 764 slaves Statisticsofthe week Jamaica. Chartwell, Winston Churchill’shome were emancipated. Surely that’s worthknowing? 95% of Japanese offices and in Kent, featuresbecause of his roleinthe athird of homes still have Bengalfamine, andhis opposition to Indian It’s notjustthe National Trust re-examining its fax machines –largely independence; so does thehome of Rudyard heritage, said Henry Manceinthe FT.Many because official documents Kipling,because he wasanimperialapologist. privatestately homesare also keen nowadays have to be approved with to acknowledge theirunsavoury pasts.It’s a traditional hanko stamps. This “list of shame” confirms my fearthatthe question of balance. Visitors don’t want to The Times National Trust hasa“death wish”, said Simon be continually“punched in theface” by past Heffer in TheDaily Telegraph.Itseems to have horrors. Fortheir part, ethnic minority visitors In 2007, there were 27 million forgotten that its role is “toconserve our historic wanttohavethe full storyacknowledged, but registered motor vehicles in the UK. There are now 38.3m. houses, artefacts andlandscapes”. Instead,it probablydon’t want to be force-fedendless now seemstobethe “administrator of some details about racial oppression on aniceday out. The Guardian

3October 2020 THE WEEK 24 NEWS Sport

Football: a“surreal” season shapes up to be aclassic With matches being played in emptystadiums, againstBrighton,thoughinthe end they therewas every reasontofeel that the 2020/21 snatched a“thrilling” 3-2 victory thankstoa Premier Leaguewould be alacklustre affair. VARpenaltyinthe100th minute. Butnot abitofit, said RobSmythinThe Guardian:three weeksin, it’s already shaping As the season moves forward, however, the up to be a classic–if“surreal” –season. There biggest talking pointisproving to be not the have been goals in abundance:inthe second performance of any given team,but an arcane week, 44 of them–the highest total in a single change to the handball law, said Peter Walton round of matches since 1994,when the top in The Times.Itused to bethe case that a flight was reduced from22teams to 20. And handballcould only beawarded if a player last weekend saw several more enthralling deliberately touchedthe ball with hisarm. contests.Atthe Etihad, frontrunners Leicester Butthe rules were recentlyaltered, and now thrashed ManchesterCity5-2, thanks to an say that ahandballshould be given even ifa “extraordinary” hat-trick from JamieVardy, playerhandles theball accidentally, ifthat said Jason BurtinThe Daily Telegraph. player“hasmade hisbodybigger by having Twice,the 33-year-oldstriker converted his arms inanunnatural position”. Alas, from the spot, after earning penaltieswith his thisnew definition, whenusedinconjunction “intelligent running”. Inbetween, he scored a Tottenham’s Eric Dier protests with VAR, is resultinginsometruly bizarre “quite sumptuous” goal, meeting alow cross decisions, saidIan Ladyman in theDaily Mail. with his right heel to flickthe ball pastCity’s keeper, Ederson. AgainstCrystal Palace on Saturday, Everton were givenapenalty City may have a horrible injury list–both SergioAgüero and after theball struckthe arm of Joel Ward, even though he was Gabriel Jesus wereabsent – but this was a“careless, error- “actively moving hishand away”. The next day, Newcastle were strewn” performance that will deeply concern Pep Guardiola. awarded a 97th-minute penalty against Tottenham after Andy Carroll headed the ball ontoEric Dier’s arm – eventhough Dier City aren’t theonly top side currentlyleakinggoals, said Paul hadhis backtoCarroll. Doyle in The Observer. Against West Brom,theleague’s supposed “whipping boys”,Chelseawere “truly rubbish at theback”, Therulechange,and the“gross miscarriagesofjustice”itis concedingthree goals in the firsthalf before coming back to draw causing, is threatening to wreck the sport,said Martin Samuel 3-3. This wasthe fourth time in 11 league and Europeangames in thesame paper.Yes,the old rule wasfar fromperfect.Yet in that the sidehave conceded three or moregoals, saidJonathan tryingtoimpose “black andwhite judgments” on a facet of the Northcroft in TheSunday Times. What’s odd isthatthe club has game that should remain grey, the authoritieshave madethe lavished £230m on new players, with mostofit going on “attack- situation farworse. Thankfully,managers are starting to speak minded signings” –astrategy akin toa“bankrupt cominginto out against it, saidAlyson RuddinThe Times.Newcastle’s Steve money” and then splurging it all on “another car”.Another side Brucedescribed therule change as “ridiculous”,eventhough with a“shaky” defence is Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s Manchester his team benefited from it against Tottenham. “We needtoget United, saidJacksonCole onTalkSport.Havinglost their first together asmanagers and coaches and tell thePremier League match 3-1 to Crystal Palace, they were littlebetter last Saturday it has got to stop,”hesaid.“Handballshould be deliberate.” Tennis: Andy Murray’s ignominious exit Andy Murray began his 2020 French Open on equivalentofbed-blocking”–usinghis statusto the same court – andagainst the same opponent obtain wild cards to tournaments that couldhave –aswhen he last played at Roland Garros gone to youngerplayers. However, Wilander’s three years ago, said MikeDickson in theDaily concern is“surely overstated”: Murray remains Mail. The Scot’s 2017 semi-final against Stan aplayerwith “real drawing power” who has Wawrinka wasa“gruelling five-setter” which earned the right to compete on the biggeststages. ended with a defeated Murray limping off the That said,with this limp performance, questions Philippe Chatrier court. Hesubsequently had about the purpose ofthis“latest comeback” are two operationsonhis right hip,and spent much “becoming hardertoavoid”. of 2018 and 2019 out of the game.Thisyear’s rematch, however, was similar in justone way: Murray wasn’t theonlyBritish playertosuffer it producedthe same winner. In every other adisappointing first-round exit,said Tumaini respect, thecontrast was painful. On an “arctic” Carayol in The Guardian.Johanna Konta lost afternoonthat felt like “autumnhad fast- 6-3 6-3 to the 16-year-oldAmerican Coco Gauff, forwarded intowinter”, Wawrinka brushed who“demonstratedararemental fortitudethat Murray aside6-1 6-3 6-2. It wasthe Scot’s joint Murray: worst defeat since 2014 has guided herthrough numerous tightmatches”. heaviest defeatatamajor, hissix-gametally AndBritain’stop-ranked man, DanEvans,fell equallingthe total he achievedagainst RafaelNadal in the same in five sets to KeiNishikori. Evanswas unhappy with the heavy tournament in 2014. balls –changed from Babolat to Wilson this year–and afterwards describedthemas“ballsyou wouldn’tgive adog to chew”. “In truth, there were no great expectationsofMurray here,” said StuartFraser in The Times. Clay, the most “gruelling” tennis Sporting headlines surface, is “hardly conducive to the prospectsofaman with a metal implant inserted into his righthip”. If that weren’t handicap F1 Valtteri Bottas won the Russian GP. His Mercedes teammate enough, the“cold andblustery weather”favouredabig-hitter Lewis Hamilton finished third, after being penalised twice. like Wawrinka. Still, it wasaworryingperformance by Murray, Cricket Essex won the Bob Willis Trophy, after drawing with who landed just 36%ofhis first servesin–oneofhis worst ever Somerset in the final (winning on afirst-innings 36-run lead). Rugby union Exeter beat Toulouse 28-18 to reach the Champions percentages. “I need to havealong, hard think,” the Scot Cup final. They’ll face Racing 92, who beat Saracens 19-15. admittedafterwards.And some agree with that assessment, said Basketball LA Lakers made it to the NBA finals after a117-107 Simon Briggs in The Daily Telegraph. MatsWilander, the seven- victory over theDenver Nuggets. They’ll face Miami Heat. time Grand Slamchampion, even accusedMurray of the“tennis

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Patriotism of the left Exchange of the week The hidden cost of Covid To the New Statesman To The Daily Telegraph Ian Leslie’s column on The return to university The mortalityfigures from the patriotism gotmany things Office for National Statistics right, but did notgivethefull To The Times for theweek ending picture. As a boy,atthe 1950 TheGovernment has a morbidinclinationtoenter unwinnable 4 September makefor chilling general election, Iasked my battles, the mostrecent beingtoexpect thousands ofintelli- reading. Therewere830excess dadtwo questions: why the gent, ambitious young people to tolerate lockdownatthe deaths in thehome (compared Conservative cars nevercame beginning of theircollege career, possibly evenlastingto with the ONSfive-year into our council estate, and Christmasand beyond. These individuals are rarely seriously average), but371fewerdeaths whythe Tory cavalcade unwell. Surely the elderly and vulnerablepopulation should in hospital. The number of wasalwaysbedecked in the take the onusfor theirprotection themselves. Most ofusin Covid deaths at home inthe Union Jack. that category want to liveour lives in a forward-looking, same week was seven in total. For 70 years, the Tories have energetic country that iswilling to adapt to the modern world Citizens are avoiding manufactured a monopoly on and able to support theservicesweshallallneed in years to hospitals, either through choice patriotismbecauseofits come. We’ll rely on our younger generation for this expertise. or activediscouragement, and association with the monarchy, Brian Gray, retired GP, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire the Government is simply the ruling eliteand thelegacy ignoring this factor in their of empire. This was dependent To The Times ham-fistedapproach to on the inertia ofthe Left, We live near Canterbury, arelativelysmall citycompared with containing Covid-19. which hasnot vocalised the Manchester, but we have roughly as many studentshere in Has this been deemed desire of ordinarypeople for termtime as locals. I can’t be the only localwho is annoyed the price to pay to “Save expressions of loyalty to, and by the media’s assumptionthatall students live in halls.There the NHS”? pride in, Britain. This has are a great number of rented student houses in the city, where David Plummer, GreatAlne, resultedinthe rise of Welsh students livecheek-by-jowl with local families. Addressing Warwickshire andScottish nationalism, and their contact with locals willbevery difficulttocontrol. an English identity taken over Margaret Gabbe, Bekesbourne, Kent Planning forSanta by thefar-right. The majority To The Guardian of peoplehaveadeep attach- To The Guardian Irarely disagree with your ment to nationhood;youcan What is moststriking about thedifference of opinion between writers, but Gaby Hinsliff’s be a socialist and apatriot. whatthe universities are doinginopeningcampuses for partial comment that“oneofthe KeithMaton, Crickhowell, face-to-faceteaching, and the trade union’s objection to it, is small hardships of lockdown Powys the one-size-fits-all mantrathey both appear to be locked into. was losing theability to plan A more sensible approachistocall back to campus only the further than a week ahead” The fighting spirit... students on courses that require laboratory-based teaching, or (“Fear ofacancelled Christmas To The Guardian those who have specific difficulties in home-learning. If we is about more than just In addition to his campaign on taughtthe remaining students online, the densityoncampuses stockingsorSanta”)was behalf offamilies whose lives willbeabout aquarter of capacity and everyonecould be safe. irksome. were blighted bythalidomide, Prof Mahesan Niranjan, University ofSouthampton This is not a small hardship. andthe many high-profile It challenges howpeoplelive. exposés achieved by his Insight it. He then published it under of colonialism. Meanwhile, the In Camus’s The Plague, the team, Sir Harold Evans (see my name on the leader page museum’sdirector, Laura Van populaceofthe closed town of page 39)was committed to of The Sunday Times. Broekhoven, hasjustified the Oran were “hostile to the past, improving the educational Sonia Jackson, emeritus removal from display of a set impatientofthe present, chances of working-class professor, UCL Institute of shrunkenhuman heads, cheatedofthe future”. children like himself. of Education lest visitorsmakethe “racist” Planning? Forgetit! A key A common complaint error of supposing the South featureofmy existence has of teachers in the1960s was ... of agreat journalist Americanculturesthatcreated been stripped away andthis that mostparents were not To The Times them to be“savage, primitive Government’s incompetence interested in their children’s Ishall forever be grateful to Sir or gruesome”. So, museum at is doing nothing to alleviate schooling.Atthe Advisory Harold Evans because, when once encourages moral disap- this calamity. Centre for Education, we knew editor of TheSunday Times provalofthe colonial British Elizabeth Pearson, Hatt, this wasuntrue. So,instead of in 1975,hecourageously while discouraging it with Cornwall expecting parents to brave the serialised RichardCrossman’s regardtoanindigenous intimidating environment of diaries in the face of strong practiceofpreserving the schoolortownhallwith legalopposition from the enemyheads so as to theirworries, we plannedto government, before theywere possess their power. take educational advice to published in bookform. The Pitt Rivers needstomake people. Forone weekin diaries were thesourceand up itsmind: either it simply October 1965, we set up an inspiration for YesMinister. presentsthe historical experimental “education shop” In fact,Ithink thosetwo phenomena andleaves in theIpswichCo-op, between words appear on pageone. visitors to make moral the cornflakesand theshoe Jonathan Lynn, co-writer, judgements forthemselves, department. When Ilater YesMinister,US or it distributes its own told himabout it, Evans horrorofviolenceequally immediatelyasked me to turn Selective discrimination andwithout racial it into an article. He later told To The Times discrimination. me,very kindly, that my article Dan Hicks, curator at thePitt Nigel Biggar,Regius “If Ileave them with abottle, Ican washopeless andhehad spent RiversMuseum in Oxford, professor of moral and usually get alittletimefor myself” an entire trainjourney from says he is keen to expose pastoraltheology,Oxford

NewcastletoLondon editing visitors to the “realhorror” University ©BENJAMIN SCHWARTZ/NEW YORKER/CARTOON BANK

● Letters have been edited 3October 2020 THE WEEK 28 Marketplace

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THE WEEK 3October 2020 To advertise here please email classifi[email protected] or call HenryHaselock 020 3890 3900 ARTS 29 Review of reviews: Books

Book of the week advertisingand PR managers have seen theirs increase by 111%. “Can we Head Hand Heart reallyargue,” heasks, “that the work of a junior account managerinaCity by David Goodhart PR firmismore useful thanabus Allen Lane 368pp £20 driver or an adultcare worker?” The The Week Bookshop £15.99 root of theproblem,this“valuable book”argues, lies inour obsession with sending people to university, David Goodhart is “one ofthe most said Martin Bentham in the London important intellectuals in thecountry, EveningStandard.Politics, itself if not Europe”, saidMatthew Goodwin “subjecttoagraduate takeover”, has in The Sunday Times. He has long become dominatedbythose who think specialised inpointing out the “flaws that degrees are key to success in life. in our liberal consensus”, andhas Successive governments have driven “consistentlybeen ahead of the curve” up graduate numbers with a“blindness on issues such as immigration and to the consequences” for society. Brexit. Head HandHeart,his “utterly compelling” new book, While Goodhart writeswith “shrewdness and skill”,itis attacks what heclaims is the over-dominance of societybyhighly peculiar that he regards universities as “the chief culprit”, said educated “cognitive elites”. Over thepasthalf century, Goodhart David Willettsinthe Literary Review. Far from sowing social argues, “smart people” (Heads) have beenever more rewarded, division, these institutions arevital “levelling-up” forces.And while manual workers (Hands) and thoseincaring roles (Hearts) ironically, thosethat heiskeenest to criticise –the ex-polytechnics have been stripped of “status, respect and dignity”. As society –are precisely theones most likely to focus onthe “technical and hasbecome orientated around the interests of the “exam-passing vocational skills” thathewants us to value more.Either way, classes”, thosewith other attributeshavebeen undervalued. This theCovid-19 crisis may be helping to bring about thevery“recali- hasbred despair and resentment: all the politicalrebellions of bration” thatGoodhart callsfor,said James Bloodworth in The recent years have been “driven by the Hands and theHearts”. Spectator.Ashe notes in an “optimistic” preface, it revealed that Goodhartbacks histhesis up with “animpressive depth of many of the “truly keyworkers” were those whodidn’tgoto research”, said JulianComan in The Observer. The hourly wages college – delivery drivers, shop workers, carers, nurses. Let’shope of bus andcoach drivers have risen by just 22% since 1975, while our “new-found respect”for such people outlasts the pandemic.

Inside Story: ANovel by Martin Amis Novel of the week Jonathan Cape 560pp £20 V2 The Week Bookshop £15.99 by Robert Harris Hutchinson 320pp £20 “Ignore the subtitle,” said Janice Turner in The The Week Bookshop £15.99 Times:“this is not anovel but acompendium.” Aged 71, Martin Amis has set down everythinghe Robert Harrisfirstexplored the “secretive world has“thought or learnt orseen”, in sentences that of SecondWorld War mathematicians” in his “brimwith warmth, candour,soul”. Much of the 1995 thriller Enigma,said David Marslandin material feels familiar. Once again,werevisithis theLondon EveningStandard.Inhis “relentless” sexuallypromiscuousyouth, when the “chicks new novel,hereturns to thesubject, though were both legion... and 24 carat”. Thereare “baggy here the focusisnot on codesbut on the“death disquisitions” on weighty political matters –the integers” of ballistic missiles. In November 1944, Holocaust, 9/11 –plus numerous writing tips. Alongwith the “unreconstructed, as the Nazis rain theirnew V2 rockets down on big-balled”masculinity, Amis writes withfierce tenderness of threedeparted London, KayCaton-Walsh,ayoung WAAF male figures: his twoliterary heroes–PhilipLarkinand Saul Bellow–andthe officer, becomes involved in theeffortto“track journalist ChristopherHitchens, “his lifelong interlocutor andafter-hours where theV2s are comingfrom”bymeasuring mucker”, whodiedofoesophagealcancer in 2011. Amis hassaid that this will theirparabolas through the sky.Meanwhile, be hislast“significant” book –which perhapsexplainswhy he hasmadeitan we follow herGerman opposite number, a “all-you-can-eat” buffet.Myadvice would be:“digin”. conflicted engineer calledRudiGraf, who is in Isuggest youdon’t, saidKatieLaw in the LondonEvening Standard:this is chargeof“poundingLondon” withthe missiles. another erraticand self-regarding effort from awriter long past hisprime. Bits Harris’s prose is “wonderfully” vivid, are “brilliant” –notablythe portrait of the“Hitch” –but forthe most part it’s andboth Kay andDrGraf are“livelyand an unconvincing“mash-up, full of strange stylistic andchronological lurches”. sympathetic” creations, saidJake Kerridgein One moment, he’s discussing Islamism with Hitchens;the next, he’s recalling a TheDailyTelegraph.But more impressively girlfriend fromthe 1970s, whom he describes as “titsonawand”. The question still, he “makes theV2s cometolife” by finding of whetherthisisactually anovelis“mildly confusing”, said Nicholas Lezard the “poetry”intheir physics. Whilethis may not in TheSpectator. Why does Amis callmost characters by theirrealnames, while be Harris at hisvery best –attimes he uses the givingafew made-up ones? In the end, however, such questionsdon’t much “laziestofclichés” –it’s still aworkthatyou’re matter –because Amis’sprose, as ever, “sweeps youalong like surf”through likely to “gobbleup”. this enjoyable, funny andgenerousbook. “Novel, schmovel. It works.” To order thesetitles or any other book in print, visit theweekbookshop.co.uk or speak to abookseller on 020-31763835 Opening times: Monday to Saturday 9am-5.30pm and Sunday10am-4pm

3October 2020 THE WEEK 30 ARTS Podcast hedonism: ecstasy, disco and bunga bunga

Ecstasy: The Battle of Rave is Island” – andisfilled with glorious “not your usual hands-aloft-blow- disco grooves. Another American yer-whistle-remember-the-good- “uber-producer”, Rick Rubin,is timesnostalgia-fest”, said one ofthe hostsofthe interview- Miranda SawyerinThe Observer. based podcast Broken Record, It’s much more interesting than said Francesca Angelini inThe that. Available on BBC Sounds Sunday Times. He and fellow as a “bingeable”12-parter,this hosts Malcolm Gladwell and Bruce exciting but “even-handed” series Headlam talk to famous musos about late-1980s rave culturehas including Run the Jewels and André an unusual format. The first six 3000. One candid episodefeatures episodes(plus bonus) are a Alicia Keys recalling auditioning for documentary by5Live’s Chris Prince. “Plus she sings asong she Warburton. The next fiveconsist wrote at 14. It’s allvery lovely.” of dramatic monologues byDanny Brocklehurst, in which wehear Anewseries fromWondery from “the raver,thedealer, the made by BenjaminGrayand DJ,the entrepreneur andthe Giulia Alagna, Bunga Bunga, policeman” –asportrayed by Bunga Bunga: how aparty-loving billionaire hypnotised anation tells thestory of how aparty- actorsincludingIan Hart and lovingbillionairewith no political Monica Dolan. At first, Iworried that Warburton was too experience hypnotisedanentire nation, said Fiona Sturges in obviously unfamiliar with the world ofloved-up 1980shedonism. the FT. The riveting sagaofItaly’s roisteringprimeminister, ButIwaswon over by his warmth and byhis excellentinterviews. Silvio Berlusconi, takes in underage “sex scandals,political Andthe dramasare “authentic” and believable. This is an wheeler-dealing,financial skulduggery, organised crime and “intenseevocation ofashort but massively influentialtime in disgruntled wives”, and it positively “revels inlurid detailsof UK youth culture”. But itdid make mefeel old. the infamous ‘bungabunga’partiesatBerlusconi’s private villa” outside Milan. Ienjoyed Bunga Bunga but haveone bigcaveat. If disco was more your thing,check out Speed ofSound from While the narrator,comedian Whitney Cummings,doesan the US record producer Steve Greenberg, saidHannahVerdier impeccable job, I do prefer podcasts narratedbythe producers in The Guardian.The riseand fall of the genre has been well who created them –allowing for aspecial kindofintimacy and documented,but this terrific four-partertakes you well beyond authority that islacking here. Still,this is “political history Studio 54 into “obscure clubs and thesweaty dancefloors of Fire presented as a comedy caper”, anditisgreat fun. Albums of the week: three new releases

Everything Alicia Keys: Jamie Barton: Everything: Alicia Unexpected Re-Animator RCA Shadows AWAL £11 Pentatone £10 £13

This fifth album from English art rock band Alicia Keys‘s seventh album was due for This solo album from the acclaimed Everything Everything “seems to have... release in March, as her “slick pop-R&B” American mezzo-soprano Jamie Barton well, everything”, said David Cheal in the single Underdog became her biggest hit is dedicated to the songs of the composer FT. It’s “clever and literate, but listenable for years, said Nick Levine in NME. The Jake Heggie, who also provides the piano too; fiercely energetic but also sophisti- six-month delay (due to the pandemic) accompaniment, with Matt Haimovitz cated”; and technically accomplished yet probably won’t have boosted the album’s on the cello. And it’s atribute to the also “warm and melodic”. Arch Enemy commercial prospects. But creatively it composer’s output, said Hugh Canning in is an “irresistible, glistening funk tune”. seems to make sense: Alicia “shimmers The Sunday Times, that Barton “sustains In Birdsong has “churchy grandeur”. with warmth and cautious optimism from the interest for over an hour” with amusical And best of all is Violent Sun,acracking start to finish”, and its combination of variety –across the 16 songs presented – tune that blends the personal with the “positivity, empathy and self-knowledge that “stands comparison with, say, Poulenc apocalyptic: “I wanna be there when feels pretty enriching right now”. in the 20th century”. the wild wave comes, and we’re swept Elevated to “American music royalty”, The opening track, Music,about aman away,” sings frontman Jonathan Higgs. Keys has in recent years come to seem on death row hearing music (text by Sister “It makes the end of the world sound like “somewhat bland and unrelatable”, said Helen Prejean), sets the emotional tone, aglorious prospect.” Will Hodgkinson in The Times. But this said Fiona Maddocks in The Observer, as With lyrics full of wry humour and excellent album has the “intimate, Barton’s voice oscillates between “rich, grotesque imagery it isn’t an “easy listen”, evocative New York soul sound” that made pure and raw”. Heggie’s style is “melodic but it more than repays the effort, said the world fall for her in the first place. It has and immediate, now atouch of blues and Roisin O’Connor in The Independent. topical themes such as valuing key workers scat, now exultant and climactic” –and he Re-Animator packs “global anxiety and and defeating racism –but it’s done with is clearly acomposer-pianist who knows paranoia into exquisitely crafted songs” – such heart that the earnestness never exactly how to play his own music (not a delivered by Higgs in his “signature falsetto overwhelms. “United by abreezy, laid-back given). Barton’s singing is “versatile and and stuttering half-raps”, backed by bassist mood and the smooth but city-hardened big-hearted”. She catches “any shred of wit Jeremy Pritchard’s “ominous grooves”. It’s cadences of Keys’s contralto”, it’s “classic or sorrow”, and “responds to the music’s a“superb” album –and the band’s best yet. soul for the modern age”. every need, each syllable crystal-clear”. The Week’s own podcast, The Week Unwrapped,covers the biggest unreported stories of the week (available on Apple and Google)

THE WEEK 3October 2020

Film and TV 31

Films to stream New releases

Relatively fewofthe most Enola Holmes celebratedRussianfilms are Dir: Harry Bradbeer (2hrs 3mins)(12) available to view onlineinthe ★★★ UK – but here are some of the Adapted from Nancy Springer’s novels, this best that can befound: light-hearted Arthur Conan Doyle pastiche is “zippy” familyentertainment, saidRobbie Battleship Potemkin Collin in The Daily Telegraph. Whatmakes it Famed forits climactic of more than passing interest,however, is that it sequence depicting amassacre is the film thatconfirms MillieBobby Brown as by Tsarist troopsonthe astar. The British-born actress hasbeen on one- Odessa steps, Sergei to-watch lists sinceshe was cast, aged 11, in the Eisenstein’s 1925 film was TV sci-fi drama Stranger Things. Now, at 16, bannedaspropaganda in the she has beentasked with carrying an entire UK until 1954. Its fast-paced movie –and with her “pinpoint comictiming editingbroke new cinematic and infectious perk”, shedoesn’tjustpullit Miss Juneteenth: “beautifully observed” ground, and it has long off, she makes it look “elementary”. Rarely topped the must-watch lists off camera, she plays the younger sister of blackTexan culture, said Ellen E. JonesinThe at film schools. Sherlock and Mycroft, who must discoverher Guardian –includingJuneteenth,the holiday ownsleuthing giftswhen her mother Eudoria commemorating the emancipation of slavesin Mirror Andrei Tarkovsky’s (Helena BonhamCarter) disappears. In between thestate in 1865.Nicole Beharie (LittleFires filmsarevery slow, butthe flashbacks to her “offbeat” childhood (ju-jitsu Everywhere)playsTurquoise Jones, asingle way he conjuresasense of lessons fromEudoria, tennis in the library), she mother who wonthe Miss Juneteenth beauty the mysticalinthe ordinary is drawn intoamystery thattakes her on a pageant in 2004, but who was neverable to world has made them a “whistle-stop tour” of Victorian England, from take up thecollegescholarshipawarded as a constant referencefor other “bustling” Londontoafinishingschool run by prize.Now she works two jobs, at thelocal directors. Mirror – released Fiona Shaw in full Jean Brodie mode. barand funeral parlour, scrimpingand in 1975 –ishis mostpersonal saving to fund herdaughter’sown shot at film, agorgeous meditation Sporadically, Enola breaksthe fourth wall, the competition.She dreams of abetter life on childhood memory. to comment onthe actionand even ask the for the 15-year-old Kai (Alexis Chikaeze)–but audience for advice.It’s atechniquefamiliar like most teenagers, Kai hasher ownideas. Brother Aleksey Balabanov’s from Fleabag (on which director Harry gritty, ultra-low-budget crime Bradbeer also worked), butalso a nod to With her“soft, sad eyes”, Beharie delivers “the moviebecame a cult favourite Brown’s parallel career as asocial media most beautiful of performances” in this moving on its releasein1997. The influencer, said Kevin Maher in The Times. portraitof“alife robbedofits dreams”,said storyofabigoted young This is perhaps thefirstever social-media/ Clarisse Loughrey in The Independent.As ex-soldier who becomes a period-movie hybrid, and Brown thefirst real Turquoise puts offpaying an electricity bill St Petersburg hitman, it “crossover star”.She is incrediblywatchable, to buyher daughter adiamanté-studded gown, reflects,inpart, thepoverty, said Tom Shone in The Sunday Times. It’s just we feel both thedelicacy of herhopeand its lawlessness and desperation ashamethat, bogged down by asubplot,the “suffocating”effect on Kai. Butfor all the of the post-perestroika years. film is far too long. It’s likebeing on a “funfair mother-daughter strife, we neverlose sightof ride that doesn’t stop”. AvailableonNetflix. theirdedication to oneanother, andgradually Khrustalyov, My Car! Turquoise learns she mustfind anotherroute Martin Scorsese declared to “inner peace”.Blending “grit andbeauty”, Aleksey German’sphantas- Miss Juneteenth it’s a“beautifully observed” film,saidMark magoric1998 film, about Dir: ChanningGodfreyPeoples Kermode in The Observer, fullof“hauntingly asurgeon drawn intothe (1hr39mins)(15) affectionate” images.And though at theend madness ofStalin’s inner ★★★★ thereare still “struggles to be faced”, its circle, the highlight of the ChanningGodfreyPeopleswasborn inFort message is one of “love, hope andchange”. Cannes Festivalin1998. Worth, and herdebut featureradiates pride for In cinemas andavailable on digital platforms. Other attendees were offendedbyits relentless horrorsand apparent Us:David Nicholls’s divorcedrama hits thesmall screen plotlessness. Although

ARE ON GOOGLE PLAY AND ITUNES filmed in black andwhite, Adapted for the BBC by David Douglas hoping he can patch it is undeniably striking. Nicholls from his own best- things up along the way. selling novel, Us is an “acutely Hollander is superb as amiddle- BROTHER observed” story about amiddle- aged man who has had “the rug of AND Leviathan Starting with class couple separating in polite familiarity” pulled out from under The Return,in2003,Andrey but intense pain, said Ed him, said Rebecca Nicholson in Zvyagintsev hasdirected Cumming in The Independent. The Guardian. Hoping to “stick with five masterly films,many Tom Hollander brings agruff steak” while his family hankers so critical of contemporary vulnerability and “downtrodden after something more adventurous, BATTLESHIP POTEMKIN Russian society as to put him wit” to Douglas, anerdish he is “everydad, just trying to get at loggerheads with thePutin biochemist whose artist wife by”. As Connie and Albie giggled regime. Released in 2014, Connie (Saskia Reeves) wakes at his philistinism, my sympathies Leviathan is amonumental, him up one night to tell him were with Douglas, foolish enough she’s thinking of leaving him. to think he’d married for life, said mesmerising andbitingly The couple have planned agrand “Heart-wrenching” Carol Midgley in The Times. This is satirical accountofbribery tour of Europe with their stroppy “heart-wrenching” drama, though andcorruptiononthe teenage son, Albie (Tom Taylor), and so they often funny too –and asalutary “reminder not country’s Arctic fringe. decide to go anyway, the quietly devastated to take relationships for granted”. ALL FILMS ARE ON AMAZON, AND ALL BUT

3October 2020 THE WEEK 32 ARTS Art

Exhibition of the week Tantra: enlightenment to revolution The British Museum, London WC1 (020-7323 8000, britishmuseum.org). Until 24 January The subjectofthisexhibition is acrobatic woman. Titillatingas bound to raise eyebrows, said it looks, it is in fact a“religious Alastair Sooke in The Daily masterpiece” based onone Telegraph. Tantra,toput it as of Tantric thought’s “key” simplyaspossible, is an esoteric beliefs: that women, previously tradition that originated insixth marginalised in Hinduism, could century India. Famously, Tantric “personify divine beings”–and practice gives particularprominence that female sexuality held “sacred to “sexual rites”, andtocertain power”. Tantra findsenlightenment “taboo-defying ritual practices in “extreme sensory embraces of involving bodily fluids”. Thus, material reality –not just sex, but when Eastern spirituality became death”. Sculptures ofChamunda, fashionable inthe West in the a“fearsome” manifestation ofthe 1960s,Tantra wasembraced by the goddess Parvati, portray “an countercultureasasynonymfor emaciated living corpse” complete adventurous sex. This, to saythe with human skulls for jewellery. least, wasasimplistic interpretation. The most “shocking” items are Morethan a sectbut not quite a cupsand aprons madeofhuman religion, Tantra emerged as a set skull andbonebyTibetan of “radical beliefsand practices” monks. They’re “nauseating, that challenged Hindu orthodoxy: but overcoming disgustispart while other Eastern philosophies of the Tantric road to truth”. understand the world as illusory, Tantra’s adherents believe that Tantraendured through the it is real, “and seek enlightenment centuries into the colonial era, when by engagingwith, ratherthan freedomfightersadopted Tantric transcending, the physical”. Its imagesassymbols ofresistance to impactonHindu and Buddhist the Raj, said NirpalDhaliwal in the culture, society andthought has FT. A sculpturefrom 19th century beenimmense, its influence Bengaldepicts the goddess Kali stretching fromIndia to Japan. The Kali striding over Shiva: asymbol of resistance to the Raj standing triumphantly over the British Museum’s “serious-minded” pale body of her consort Shiva and fascinating show attempts to set the recordstraight, bringing –“adark-skinned Mother India” triumphing over a “prone” together more than 150 dazzlingobjects to trace the story of white man.Anevenblunterimage of Kali sees her sporting Tantra, from its “mysterious” origins to its suppression under the “a necklace of British heads”. Tantra has always been seen as British – who consideredit“demonic” – to its continuing “arcane” inthe West, but even here, it hasproved amotor for resonance today. “revolutionary thought”: its influencecan be felt in everything from psychotherapy (we learn that Carl Jung was fascinated by it) The show does contain someerotica, said JonathanJones in to environmentalismand feminism. Atatime when our sense of The Guardian. Onehighlightisan 11thcentury relief depicting mortality is “heightened”, and new rebellions arebreakingout amoustachioed man “enthusiastically pleasuring” an everywhere, this show feels“eerily timely”. Donot miss it.

News from the art world

Turner’s hidden portraits Plymouth’s£47m box Cherished though he is, J.M.W. Turner is Anew £47m museum and gallery has not known for his portraiture, says David opened up in Plymouth, said BBC News. Sanderson in The Times. It has long been Dubbed The Box, it opened its doors this thought that he had barely tried his hand week on the city’s North Hill with at the form at all, painting just two self- a“myth-busting” exhibition about the portraits and afew other likenesses. Mayflower, which sailed from Plymouth Last week, however, the Tate Gallery 400 years ago; alife-sized model of a announced amomentous discovery –of woolly mammoth; and acontemporary two portraits that had, until now, been art show featuring works by Leonor lost beneath the brushstrokes of one of Antunes, Eva Grubinger and Antony his early landscapes. Conservator Susan Gormley. The Box is southwest England’s Breen noticed the hidden images while biggest cultural centre, and “a fitting examining Mountain Scene with Castle, name for abig clumsy box that had Probably Martigny (c.1802) using infrared Southwest England’s biggest arts centre been plonked down on top of the city’s reflectography and X-radiography tests. Edwardian museum and art gallery”, said The Tate believes that one portrait –depicting a“thin-lipped” Oliver Wainwright in The Guardian. Clad with 2,000 aluminium woman –may well be of the artist’s mother, Mary Turner. The panels of varying shades, it looks like “an out-of-town storage other, a“heavy-browed, youthful male”, is thought to be Turner’s shed blown in here by agale”. It “may not be athing of beauty, fellow painter Thomas Girtin, who died young in 1802. Turner is but this big, practical structure provides awelcome addition to believed to have considered him one of his few equals among the city, creating anew home for alivelyprogramme of their contemporaries. Breen said that though she had discovered exhibitions”, as well as storage for Plymouth’s large museum many instances where artists had reused canvases during her collection. It serves very well as space for the city’s wonderful years at the Tate, “never have Iuncovered works as rare as these treasures –such as the “magnificent flotilla” of painted ship’s two hidden paintings”. figureheads floating overhead in the new lobby. HE TRUSTEES OF THE BRITISH MUSEUM ©T

THE WEEK 3October 2020 The List 33

Best books… Hermione Lee The Archers: what The literary biographer and emeritus professor at the University of Oxford happened last week chooses her favourite books of life writing. Her latest, Tom Stoppard: ALife Lynda and Robert have differ- (Faber £30), amajor biography of the playwright, is out this week ing ideas for the garden ahead of the Flower and The KnoxBrothers by Between Them by Richard Serowe:Villageofthe Rain Produce Show. Susan tells Penelope Fitzgerald,1977 Ford,2017 (Bloomsbury Wind by Bessie Head, 1981 Kirsty about overhearing (4th Estate £10.99). This life of £7.99). With tender watchful- (Heinemann £10.20). Self- Gavin mention trouble with the novelist’s father and uncles ness,the novelist turnstonon- exiled from SouthAfrica after the “horses”, and her worry gives an affectionatepicture fiction in theselinked pieces. a traumatic youth,Head of gambling debts; Kirsty’s of a brilliant, eccentric tribe, His father died suddenly when settled in Botswana.Thisis sure Susan is mistaken. Alice including two priests anda Ford was 16; his mother much adocumentary ofthe lives, talks to a counsellor about her pregnancy – she feels out of Bletchley codebreaker. She later. This is abeautifully traditionsandbeliefsofthe control and not ready. Later inheritedfromthem humour, tangible recreation oftheir people of Serowe. A brave and she snaps at Chris, but then rigour and reticence–and she marriage and the relationship profoundly illuminating book. tells him she’ll be fine soon. canbeglimpsed, sidelong, in between parents and son. Having decided to divide this irresistiblememoir. Patrimony:ATrue Story by the garden in two and enter Family Lexicon by Natalia Philip Roth, 1991 (Vintage the show separately, Lynda Bowen’s Court &Seven Ginzburg,1963,trans.Jenny £8.99). Roth’s father Herman, and Robert bicker over their Winters by ElizabethBowen, McPhee(Daunt Books £9.99). a Newark life-insurance man, plans. Philip wants to sell 1942 (Vintage £10.99). Seven Humane, wiseand funny, dominated much of his son’s Blake on – he can’t work as hard since the injury – but Winters evokesaProtestant without self-pity, thisentran- fiction. Here isthe non- Gavin thinks it’s a bad idea. childhood inearly 1900s cing autobiographical novel fictional story of Herman’s Later, Kirsty confides in Philip Dublin, with anovelist’s eye inhabitstheidiosyncratic daily finalbattle with illness and about Gavin and the “horses”. for socialprejudicesand life of Ginzburg’sJewish, anti- death, a devoted, audaciously Shocked that she knows the embarrassments,places and Fascist Turinese family,and comedic, unflinchingworkof truth, Philip nearly reveals all, people. There’s awhole way goes on,steadily andcalmly, memory, whose lesson is: “You but realises just in time and of life in thisjewel of abook. to the horrorsofthe War. must notforget anything.” lies that Gavin does indeed have a gambling problem. Titles in print are available from The Week Bookshop on 020-3176 3835. For out-of-print books visit biblio.co.uk Kirsty brings it up at dinner, to a puzzled Gavin, reassuring him that they’ll work through The Week’s guide to what’s worth watching it. Alice and Gavin bump into each other and end up talking. Programmes Gavin’s keen to get out of Michael Palin: TravelsofaLifetime Ambridge and Alice confides Four-part series in which the former Python about wanting a termination looks back on his travels, startingwith his 1989 – Gavin says his ex Kelly had series Around the World in 80 Days, in which one last year, and urges Alice he tried to recreate Phileas Fogg’s fictional to talk to Chris. After tea with journey.With contributions from admirers Bert, Susan tells Tracy that he’s acting strangely – it’s includingDavid Attenborough and Joanna not just the shoplifting. Alice Lumley. Sun 4 Oct, BBC220:00 (60mins). eventually tells Chris she’s pregnant. She starts to explain 25 Siblings andMeThe intriguingstoryof her misgivings but he’s Oli, a young British man with Asperger’s, who overwhelmed – it’s exactly discovers hehas 25 siblingsfromhis US sperm Chiwetel Ejiofor in 12 Years a Slave what they need. donorfather. Thisoften poignant documentary charts his journey to America to meet hisnew The Two Faces of January (2014) Well- family. Sun 4 Oct, BBC2 21:00 (90mins). received adaptation ofaPatricia Highsmith Book now novelset in 1960s Greece,starringKirsten TheNational Theatre AdultMaterial New drama fromplaywright Dunstand Viggo Mortensenasthe well-heeled reopens forlive performances Lucy Kirkwood about theadultentertainment American tourists whoare notquiteasthey with DeathofEngland: industry. Asuccessfulpornstar triestobalance seem.Wed 7Oct,Film4 19:05 (115mins). Delroy,apowerful new the demands of herprofessional persona with playbyClintDyerand Roy her homelife. Mon5Oct, C4 22:00 (60mins). The Searchers (1956) John Ford’s classic Williams. Theone-man show Western stars John WayneasaCivilWar addresses this eventsofthis The Truth AboutYourSandwich Prepare veteranonaquest to findhis niece, abducted year, as ayoung black man nevertolookatyourlunch the same wayagain, by theComanche. With NatalieWood. Thur confrontshis relationship as Helen Skelton investigatesthe UK’s sandwich 8Oct,BBC420:00 (115mins). withBritain;21October-28 industry. Thur 8Oct, C4 20:00(60mins). November, National Theatre, New to subscription TV LondonSE1 (nationaltheatre. Films TheSocial Dilemma This “remarkably org.uk). Questionsofnational 12 Years ASlave (2013) Steve McQueen’s effective” semi-dramatised documentary sounds identity are also at theheart Oscar-winning historicaldramaisbased on the thealarmonthe waystech firms manipulate of Hay Festival Europa28, 1853 memoir of Solomon Northup, afreeborn data to influence howwebehavebeyond our adigital eventinwhich African-American musician who was abducted screens (New YorkTimes). On Netflix. women journalists, artists, andenslaved.Sat 3Oct, C4 21:00(160mins). scientistsand entrepreneurs TheComeyRule Two-part dramatisationof explore what it means to be John &Yoko:Above Us Only Sky (2018) James Comey’s “tell-some” book, about the European today, in panel Documentary about the making of the 1971 Hillary Clintonemail investigationand the early discussions, readings and album Imagine,shown in theweek in which daysofthe Trump White House. Starring Jeff performances; 6-9 October John Lennonwouldhaveturned 80.Sat 3Oct, Daniels as theformer FBI director andBrendan (hayfestival.com/europa28). C4 23:40(100mins). Gleeson as the president. On SkyAtlantic.

3October 2020 THE WEEK 34 Best properties

Colourful properties

▲ Essex: All Saints Cottage, Ashdon, Saffron Walden. Apretty Grade II cottage in theheart of thevillage, with awealth of period features, including exposed timbers, original oak doors, inglenook fireplaces and slate and wooden flooring. The house sits in alovely landscaped garden in this village four miles from Saffron Walden.Main suite, 2furtherbeds, family bath, kitchen/break- fastroom, hall, 2receps,paved terrace, driveway, fish pond, off-street parking. £585,000; Arkwright &Co, via OnTheMarket (01799-801970).

▲ Essex: Bamber’s Green, Takeley, Bishop’s Stortford. AcharmingGrade II house–datingfrom the 18th century and originally two cottages –backing onto opencountryside. Main bed, 2further beds, family bath, kitchenwithAga, 2receps, ground-floor shower, utility, study, conservatory, recep hall,garage, orchard, paddock, greenhouse, stores. £699,950; Savills (01279-756800).

▲ Devon: Ford House, Dartmouth. An elegant, detached Georgian house, arranged over four floors withflat lawned gardens and off-road parking, all within ashort walk of the town centre. Main suite, 3further suites, 1further bed, 1further shower, kitchen, 2receps, entrance hall, utility, wine cellar, further cellar, store, lovely views, 2parking spaces; additional parking/garage available by separate negotiation. £700,000; Stags (01803-835336).

THE WEEK 3October 2020 on the market 35

▲ London: Alba Place,Westbourne Park Road, Notting Hill, W11.Thismews house has been refurbishedto combine theperiod facade with asleek glass extension. Main suite, guest suite, 2further beds,family bath, open- plan kitchen/double recep,roof terrace. £1.85m; Marsh &Parsons (020-7313 8350).

London: Chalcot Square, Primrose Hill, NW1.A ▲ garden-level apartment within this period conversion on asought-after square, with its own private entrance. Main bed, 1further bed, shower, kitchen, double recep, privategarden, summer house/garden studio, vaults. £999,995 LH; Savills (020-34282900). ▲ Suffolk: ElmsFarm, ▲ Worcs: Little All Saints SouthElmham, Acton Cottage, Halesworth. Atraditional Acton, Ombersley, Suffolk pink Grade II* Droitwich. A listed farmhouse, dating characterful back, in parts, to the 1200s, cottage,dating back with 15thand 16th century to roughly 1750, additions.The house still with landscaped has theoriginal minstrel’s gardens,afield and galleryand many other woodland. Main period features, andisset in suite, 3further large gardens with ponds, a beds, family bath, kitchen garden and viewsof kitchen, breakfast the fields beyond. Main room, recep hall, bed,2further beds,family 2receps,utility, bath, WC,kitchen, 2 conservatory, receps, studyarea, 2brick- parking for several built stableswithtiled roof, cars, double garage/ large driveway with ample workshop, out- parking, garden,2ponds, building, 2.78 acres. 1.5 acres.£475,000;Fine £630,000; Knight &Country (01502- Frank (01905- 533383). 723438).

▲ Devon: Cistern Street, Totnes. A deceptively spacious (1,950ft2)periodtown house in this historic market town, located within walking distance of the station. It hasa wealth of original features such as stone walls, sash windows and fireplaces, two of which were mentioned by Pevsner. Main bed, 1further bed, 2attic beds, family bath, kitchen/breakfast room, sun room with en-suite shower,2receps, ▲ Kent: CampbellRoad, Walmer, Deal. Asurprisingly spacious Victorian study, sunny courtyard terraced cottage setover threefloors, close to theseafrontand promenade, garden, outside store. and Deal’s town centre and station. Main bed, 2further beds, family bath, £449,950;Luscombe kitchen, 2receps, conservatory whichopens onto agenerousrear garden Maye; (01803-869920). (120ft). £380,000; Miles &Barr, via OnTheMarket.com (01304-357948).

3October 2020 THE WEEK 36 Marketplace

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THE WEEK 3October 2020 To advertise here please email classifi[email protected] or call HenryHaselock 020 3890 3900 LEISURE 37 Food & Drink What the experts recommend The revivalofpie andmash if the skinthreatens to “blacken”.) Take “Somethingodd has happened” in the the pan offthe heat, turnthe chicken world of fastfood. After a“generation breast over andcover the panlooselywith of slow decline”,pie and mash shops are foilorgreaseproof paper, then leave for “springingupagain”, says William Cook anotherten minutes. Theresidualheat will in Spectator Life.The trendismost finishcooking the breast, and thesteam noticeable in “leafy” London suburbs – will create alovely jus–which canbeused placessuchasRuislip, Eastcote andSutton to makeaquick sauce. –but it’s visible in theHome Countiestoo: Kent is now dotted with pie andmash Ahome-madealternative to Oatly shops, such as Victoria’s in Whitstable. Oatly hasmade afortune flogging its What’s “refreshing” aboutthe revival is plant-based drink to ecologicallyminded that “there’snothing ersatzabout it”: consumers. Now, though, it is being the new places, with theirtiled walls and threatened with aboycott,because in a floors, feel just thesame as the pieand recentinvestmentround, theUSprivate mash shops of “yesteryear”. So why the equity giantBlackstoneacquired astake suddenenthusiasm for meat pies, liquor- in theSwedishfirm, and Blackstone also soaked mash and stewed eelinplaces The pie and mash shops of “yesteryear” invests in companies that have been where such dishes were nevertraditionally accused of despoiling the Brazilian served? Risingproperty prices couldbea achieve beautifullybrowned,crisp skinbut Amazon(Blackstonestronglydenies this). factor:“old working-class communities” also deliciously tender meat. After much But if oat-milk lovers think they can’t have been pushed from inner London to experimentation, I’ve come to believe that support Oatlyany more,whereshould outlying areas, andare nowgrowing “sous vide”–cooking the breast in a they get their fix?One answer, says Olivia “nostalgicfor thecomfortfoodoftheir sealedvacuum pack in atemperature- Petter in The Independent, mightbeto youth”. But the trend ties in withthe wider controlled water bath before browning the make it at home.It’squite easy –and more renewal of interest in British classics. “Pub skin in apan –gives the “best result”. But eco-friendly. Simply place acup of rolled grub hasbeenonthe up andupfor awhile since most home cooksdon’t have sous oats,fourcups of water and apinchofsalt now.”How nice that pieand mash shops vide kits, I’d recommend the following in ablender and whizz for aminute. Strain should be coming up too. method. First, remove thesmall, semi- the liquidthroughacheesecloth or clean detached “inner fillet” from thebreast – T-shirt, squeezingthe material to extract The “perfect” chicken breast they’re “great forkids’ portions or the last drop.Strain againfor extra I’ve spentmanyyears at TheSportsman sandwiches” –and then, in anon-stick silkiness, andadd adash of vanillaextract (in Seasalter,Kent) trying to “perfect” a pan, cookthe breast skin-side down in a or maplesyrup fora“lightly sweetened” simplechickenbreast, says StephenHarris mix of olive oil andbutter over amedium effect. Storeinasealed container in the in The DailyTelegraph.The challengeisto heat forten minutes. (Turn theheatdown fridge –itwillkeepfor five days.

Recipe of the week The case for orange wine It’s easy to be snippy about orange Similar to Italian focaccia, this is the perfect bread to accompany soups and wine, says Fiona Beckett in The dishes that have adelicious sauceinneed of mopping up, says Irini Guardian: it’s expensive, popular with Tzortzoglou. It is easy to make, requires few ingredients and goes along way. millennials, and some examples “taste unconscionably like cider”. Olive and rosemary bread But it’s no “flash in the pan” –it Serves 8-10 2tsp dried active yeast apinch of caster sugar has been made in Georgia for at 300ml warm water 500g plain flour 100ml extra virgin olive oil least 2,000 years –and it may be 30g stoned Kalamata olives tips from afew fresh rosemary sprigs better than you think. fleur de sel and extra virgin olive oil, for sprinkling Orange wine is made not from oranges (a • Mix the yeast and sugar then adry tea towel, and common misapprehension) but from white with the warm water. Cover leave in awarm place for grapes: its colour results from the crushed and put in awarm place for 1hour, until it has risen to juice being left in contact with the skins 15 minutes, or until bubbles double its original size. during fermentation. If you’re looking for a show on the surface. • Gently push the olives classic “from the home of orange wine”, you could try the MatrobelaRkatsiteliAmber • Place the flour, olive oil and rosemary tips into the Dry 2018 (£17 tasteofgeorgia.co.uk), which and apinch of salt in the dough, sprinkle with alittle has arich, quince-flavour. bowl of astand mixer and fleur de sel and extra virgin add the yeast liquid. Using olive oil, cover with aslightly Existing fans of natural wine might want to the dough hook, knead for dampened tea towel, and try something more adventurous. Lovamor 5minutes at amedium leave for 30-60 minutes. Vino de la Tierra de Castilla yLeon2019 speed. Or, knead by hand on afloured Preheat the oven to 200°C. Put the (£17.95;BrooksteedBottle &Jug Dept.) is an surface for about 20 minutes, until it is bread into the oven and bake for unfiltered 100% albillo from Spain that “does shiny and elastic. about 30-40 minutes. Remove when actually taste quite orangey”. And “from • Place the dough in aclean bowl it is golden in colour and hollow when Wiltshire, of all places”, there’s Skinny Dip with alittle oil, cover with cling film, you tap it underneath. (£28; Forest Wines). Unfiltered and made from organic solaris grapes, it’s “beguilingly Taken from Under the Olive Tree: Recipes from My Greek Kitchen by Irini fragrant” and really quite “glorious”. Tzortzoglou, published by Headline at £25. To buy from The Week Bookshop for £16.99, call 020-3176 3835 or visit theweekbookshop.co.uk. For our latest offers, visit theweekwines.com AVID LOFTUS ©D

3October 2020 THE WEEK 38 LEISURE Consumer

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SOURCE:THE DAILY TELEGRAPH SOURCE: STUFF SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN

THE WEEK 3October 2020 Obituaries 39

Crusading editor who exposed the thalidomide scandal

One of Britain’smost highly secured a job atthe ManchesterEvening Sir Harold regarded newspaper editors, News.Havingrisen swiftlythrough the Evans Harry Evans took over the ranks, he was then offered the editorship 1928-2020 reins of The Sunday Times of The NorthernEcho in Darlington, where in 1967,and gave it renewedvigour, a bolder one ofhis predecessorswas W.T.Stead –a design and, crucially, “investigativezeal”, said pioneering investigative journalist known The Daily Telegraph. His Insightteam of for hiscrusade against childprostitution in reporters exposed abuses in Northern Ireland, Victorian England. Evans kept a picture of and signsofRobert Maxwell’s criminality. Stead onhis wall, andaswell aslivening up The paper also riskedprosecutionunder the a“distinguished but dull local paper, heput Official SecretsAct by publishing Richard the Echo on themap with aseries of national Crossman’s outrageous diaries. But Evans will campaigns”, said The Times.Hewas particu- mostly be rememberedfor his dogged pursuit larlyproud of securing a posthumous reprieve of justicefor thevictims of the thalidomide for Timothy Evans (no relation), who’d been scandal. HundredsofBritish women wrongly hanged for murder. Asmall, wiry prescribedthe drug to combat nausea during man, with considerable charm, Evans started pregnancy had given birth to babies with beinginvited onto TV shows as a media severedisabilities. Moved by theirstories, and commentator, andin1966, hemoved to The appalled by how little compensation they had Evans: fell out with Murdoch Sunday Times. Hebecame editor ayearlater. received, Evansand histeamhighlighted the children’splight, then pursued the drug’sBritish distributor The Insightteam’s first big coupwas the discovery thatKim Distillers (though the firm was a majoradvertiser) through the Philbyhad not been a low-level diplomat when hedefected to courts for eightyears. Havingoffered the families £3m, it Moscow in1963, butBritain’s head ofanti-Soviet intelligence. eventually paidthem £28m.“HaroldEvansisone of the most The thalidomide campaign led not only to justicefor thedrug’s important people in my life for whathedid forthose affected victims, but to reformstothe law of contempt that hadmade it by thalidomideinthe 1970s,”said Guy Tweedy,one of the possible forDistillers to coverupthe scandal. The Sunday Times surviving victimsofthe drug,in2017. flourished,andin1980, Evans was asked to take over at The Times byits newowner, Rupert Murdoch. The relationship Harold Evanswas born in Eccles, in1928, thesonofFrederick, a quickly went sour, however, and he leftayearlater, claiming he train driver, and Mary, who ran agrocerystore. He describedhis bitterly regretted not having campaigned to prevent Murdoch family as “respectable working class”.Heattended St Mary’s from acquiring the Timesgroup. But there was to beasecondact. Central School, where he edited a school paper. Aregular cinema- In 1984, he and hiswife Tina Brown–whom hehad met when goer,hewas partly inspired to become a journalist by the movies. she joined The Sunday Times as ayoung journalist in 1974, and “I identified with the small-towneditor standing up to the crooks, with whom he had two children –moved to NewYork. There, the tough reporter winning thestory and the girl, and the foreign they established themselves as among the brightest stars in its correspondent outwittingenemyagents.” At 16, he startedwork media firmament. She edited Vanity Fair and TheNewYorker, on theAshton-under-Lyne Reporter. AfterNational Service,he while he became founding editor of Condé NastTraveller, and wenttoDurham University, where he met his firstwife, Enid president of Random House. In 2002,hewas voted byreaders Parker, with whom he hadthree children. From Durham, he of PressGazettethe greatestnewspaper editor of all time. French chanteuse with “a million poems in her voice”

JulietteGréco wasone of trousers, rolleduparound the ankle. With her Juliette Gréco France’s great postwar singers. strikingly distinctivelooks, she became well 1927-2020 With her raven hair, soulful known inthe bohemian cafés andbars of Saint- eyes and deep,expressive Germain.She wasphotographed byRobert voice, she was admired byJean Cocteau,an Doisneau and HenriCartier-Bresson; and mixed inspiration to Jean-Paul Sartre, and asymbolof with the likes ofSartre, Albert Camus and women’s liberation.There wasnorazzmatazz to Simone de Beauvoir.Having takendrama her performances,said The Guardian.Onstage, lessons, shewon afew actingparts, but aftera she wouldstand,inblack,atthe mic, and while started to worry that she’d become famous announce thesongand itscomposer.But while without achievinganything.Itwas Sartre who her manner wassimple, herstancewas that of encouragedher to pursue singingand gave her “a priestess, someone with adeep andterrible herfirstlyrics–material he hadnot used in his knowledge of life andlove, whowas about to play HuisClos.“Gréco hasamillion poems in impart some of hersecrets to the congregation”. her voice,” he wrote. “Itislike awarm light that Gréco: imprisoned by the Gestapo revivesthe embersburning inside of us all.” She She wasborninMontpellierin1927. Her father startedperforming in local bars, andrecorded was absent, and in 1933, hermother took her andher elder sister herfirst album in 1952. Meanwhile, she hadembarkedonan to live in Paris,inaflat in Saint-Germain-des-Prés.After theFall affair with MilesDavis.Theyhad falleninlovewhenhehad of France, they moved back south. Her mother joined the come to Paris toperform, but he warnedher that he couldnever Resistance, andin1943 all three were arrested. Juliettewas marry herbecause in theUS, “you’d be seen as anegro’s whore”. interrogated by the Gestapoand spent monthsinprison, before being released,alone andpenniless. Shemadeher wayback to She actedinmany Frenchfilmsinthe 1950s, including Cocteau’s Paris, whereone of her old teachers took her in.After thecity Orphée.She also worked in Hollywood (and hadalongrelation- was liberated, she wouldvisit theHôtel Lutetia eachday,where ship with the mogul producer Darryl F. Zanuck).The last of survivors of thecamps arrived, untileventually she foundher the great chanteuses, she continued to tour until 2017. Twice motherand sister, who hadbeeninRavensbrück. Unableto divorced,she wasmarriedtoher third husbandfrom1988until afford clothes,Gréco had taken to wearing hand-me-down men’s hisdeath in 2018;her onlydaughter died of cancerin2016.

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William Hill: one-horse race? As far asthe British public is concerned,the high-street bookie WilliamHill (founded in 1934)ishardly the most glamorous ofbusinesses. So it’sasurprise tohearthat Caesars Entertainment, the glitzyownerofCaesarsPalace casinoinLas Vegas, has “laid itscards on the tablewith a£2.9bn bid”, saidGraeme Evansinthe London EveningStandard. William Hill says thatitis “minded” to recommend the offer, but there’s anotherrunner in this race – the US private equity firm Apollo. Why are two big American companies Seven days in the vyingfor a spit-and-sawdust bookie that“has been struggling in its home marketandis Square Mile littleknown in the US”, asked the Financial Times. The answer lies in a 2018 ruling by the US Supreme Court, overturning theban on sportswagering in every stateoutside Growing economic uncertainty in the Nevada. William Hill was quick to pileinto amarket that has “grown rapidly” via a teeth of renewed lockdown measures joint venture with Caesars. Given mounting bettingfever on Wall Street, Caesars now saw Chancellor Rishi Sunak cancel the planned Autumn Budget as he laid out wants to make the arrangement permanent. Could Apollo’s nag yet stealahead? Don’t new plans to replace the furlough countonit, saidNilsPratley in The Guardian.Caesars isthreatening to “rip up” its scheme; the Treasury is still set to existing venture with WilliamHill if the UKbookie loses its independence–presenting publish a Spending Review.The Institute Apollo with such a“dauntinghurdle” that it “may never reach the starting gate”. for Fiscal Studies forecast that govern- ment expenditure is set to rise to the Tesco/Asda: “drastic” changes highest share of national income in The pandemic has proved providential forBritish supermarkets, but there aresome big more than adecadeand warned that the shake-ups ahead. At Tesco, six years underthe leadership ofDave Lewis have now come Government would be forced to choose to a close, said Oliver ShahinThe Sunday Times.Atfirstsight, Lewis’stenuredoesn’t between more austerity and perma- nently higher spending. The Nationwide appear a great success: shares closed last week at 216p – “marginallylower” than when Building Society reported that UK house he joined inSeptember 2014. But that “doesn’t dojustice” to histurnaround following prices rose by 5% in September yoy, as the mess inheritedfromhis “crisis-prone predecessor”. Under “Drastic Dave”, Britain’s the post-lockdown demand continued. biggest supermarket has cleaned up an accounting scandal, closed untenable international After shrinking in Q1, the Chinese businesses and merged with Booker. “Most importantly,ithas narrowed the price gap economy was reported to have resumed with Aldi and Lidland restored its reputation.” Lewis’s successor, KenMurphy, inherits its surge, with growth boosted by the atightship. A biggerupheavallooks in store for Asda,currentlytheUK’s third largest coastal export regions. Beijing’s first player, which isbeingsoldbyitsUSparent Walmart, saidOliver GillinThe Daily major auto show since the virus outbreak Telegraph. After “weeksoffrenzied negotiations”,the supermarket looks set to return to drew big crowds. US stock markets were British ownership. In a“surprise decision”, Walmart hasdecreed that its preferred bidder on course to deliver their worst month is EG Group –the petrol forecourt operator founded by“two billionairebrothers from since March in September, as election Blackburn”, Mohsin and Zuber Issa. Hitherto, the US private equity firmApollo (see worries weighed on investor sentiment. above) was the “presumed favourite”. Notagreat weekfor that Wall Street giant. Palantir,the controversial data company, made its stock market debut in New Uber: too big to fail? York –valued ahead of trading at around $16bn. Boots,the pharmacy chain, was “Well, fancy that,” said NilsPratley inThe Guardian. Uber has had its London ban accused of using the moratorium on overturned on appeal, “just as happened with the last ‘ban’in2017”.Asthen,its taxis evictions during the pandemic as a were allowed to continue operating throughout the process, so no trade was lost. The cover for aggressive lease negotiations. ruling represents a defeat forTransport forLondon, but at least MayorSadiq Khan is Royal Dutch Shell announced plans to “spared thetrickytask” ofexplaining to Londoners “why they shouldtake the bus, hail cut up to 9,000 jobs. The Finnish telco ablackcab,orinstall a different firm’sapp”. The LicensedTaxiDrivers’ Association, Nokia won alucrative equipment deal which represents black-cab drivers, complains that Uber is “toobig to regulate effectively with BT following the banning of the but too big to fail”. This decision “ratherreinforcesthe impression”. Chinese firm Huawei from UK networks.

Boohoo: the unravelling of afast-fashion giant

When allegations of “poor working practices” in some drinking water”. It’s hard to escape the Boohoo’s Leicester supply chain first emerged in conclusion that the company, founded by July, the fast-fashion giant initially denied them, Mahmud Kamani and Carol Kane in 2006 and said The Guardian. But a“damning” indepen- floated in 2014, “turned ablind eyefor years”. dent review, conducted by Alison Levitt QC for Laudably, the board has published Levitt’s 234- the business, last week found that the claims page review in full. But it must yet prove that were “substantially true”. Levitt said that promises to right the wrongs of these “invisible factories making garments for the £4.7bn online workers” aren’t “threadbare”. retailer –whose brands include PrettyLittleThing, Nasty Gal, Karen Millen and Coast –were putting “Boohoo may breathe asighofrelief that workers’ health at risk while paying them as little no criminal laws were breached,” said Alex as £3.50 an hour. Boohoo, it concluded, knew Brummer in the Daily Mail. But this report “rams about these “endemic” problems, but did home” how abuses can multiply when boards “too little too late” to fix them. Profits were are allowed to be dominated by powerful “prioritised”, while red flags were ignored. individuals. As Levitt notes, executive chairman Kamani: “too little too late” Kamani “covertly owns or controls many of the “The Leicester sweatshop affair tugs at countless factories” in question, “through acomplex web uncomfortable threads” for Boohoo, said Alistair Osborne in The of directorships”. Levitt’s “devastating indictment of executive Times. Levitt describes finding factory buildings in a“deplorable” and governance shortfalls” is acrying shame for Boohoo and its condition, with locked fire doors, filthy toilets and “no whole- customers. There are also “big lessons here for City regulators”.

3October 2020 THE WEEK 42 CITY Talking points

Issue of the week: the Brexit deadline As talks with the EU enter their final stages, there is still no sign of a trade deal. What will happen next? Eightmonths ago,when Britainleft the strengthened the argumentforthe EU European Union, “not much changed to stand on its owntwo feet”. But the for most people”,said Charles Riley on morepressingconcernisthe prospect CNNBusiness. But as talks on a deal to of mayhemattheborders, said Lizzy keep tradeflowingnext yearenter the Burden in The Daily Telegraph. A final stretch, “Brexit is now back with a leakedletter from Govetotrade bodies vengeance” –and“the stakes have never warning of chaosatDover after the been higher”. Hopes for a deal were Brexittransition period endshas hadan “nearly killed off” in early September, incendiary effect. The document, which when Prime Minister Boris Johnson said international hauliers will need a said he intended to break the terms “Kent access permit” toget into the of the divorce agreement, thereby county from 1January, predicted also breakinginternational law. But “7,000-truck-long queues” if hauliers asurge in casesofCovid-19, tougher failedtoprepare for changes to customs lockdown rules, and a looming surge in Chaos at Dover? A leaked letter warned of long queues rules. The industry retaliated by unemployment hasprompted a rethink accusing Gove, who is responsiblefor “about the risks ofBritain crashing out of its largest export no-deal planning,ofattempting to “shift blame”fromnegotiators marketwithout a deal to protect trade”. As Cabinet Office to hauliers,said theExpress &Star (Wolverhampton).The Road MinisterMichael Gove headed off for talksinBrussels this week, Haulage Association claims it is the Government’s own “mixed Downing Streetwasbriefing thata“deal is in sight”,said Jon messages”thathave “createdconfusion”. Stone in TheIndependent. But bymidweek, there was “no concretesign” ofit–nor of a breakthrough on the sticking points “Johnsonmay havefound theultimate act of political revenge” of fishing rights andrules on government aid to companies. by handing responsibility for delivering Brexit to Gove, theman who“stabbed him in theback” during his firsttilt to become As the clock ticks down on the UK’s departure from the single Tory Party leader,said theFT. Butthe prospect of shortages of marketattheend of December, the European Commission is fresh food“in the midst of a pandemic andduring the Christmas fighting a “new battle” to regain control ofits capital markets holiday” wouldbeunlikely toboost hisown Government’s from the City of London,said theFT. Officials say therecent “tatteredreputation for competence”. Atrade deallooks “in “deteriorating stateofrelationswith the UK has only reach”. A lot is ridingonGovedeliveringit.

“Spacs”: what the experts think Autumn books ● Blowingbubbles one. Paul Ryan, the former Aselection of the best new reads, At the height ofthe Speaker of the US House as recommended by FT journalists: SouthSea Bubblein of Representatives, has one 1720, “anyone with an too. AndBill Ackman, the Conscious Leadership: Elevating entrepreneurial bone in Americanhedge-fund boss, Humanity through Business by John hisbody...had his own hasthe largestone of all.” Mackey, Steve McIntosh and Carter Such is their soaring popu- Phipps (Penguin). Afirst-person cash shell company”, account by the founder of Whole said Merryn Somerset larity thatthese fundshave accounted for “43%ofall Foods Market, John Mackey. Not just Webb in theFT. “yet another” book about corporate Charles Mackay, in his the money raised from purpose, this is a“thought-provoking” classic 1841 history of IPOs inthe US this year”, look at how leaders can navigate the ExtraordinaryPopular andtheyare “changingthe contradictions of “conscious capital- Delusions andthe way that private companies ism”, says Andrew Jack. Mackey Madness of Crowds, Branson: hunting for acquisitions go public”. WallStreet is should know –hesold out to Amazon. called them “Bubble- the “hotbed of theboom”, accountingfor 99% of themoney raised. Shoemaker: The Untold Story of the Companies”. The most famous was set British Family Firm that Became a up, as Mackay described it, for “anunder- Global Brand by Joe Foster (Simon takingofgreatadvantage, butnobodyto ● Boom andbust &Schuster). The founder of Reebok know what it is”.Noone made any Spacsare popular with companies looking describes how he created aglobal moneyfromthese shells, excepttheir to list on stockmarketsbecause they take sporting footwear brand after quitting brilliantpromoters –which is whyalarm outmuch of thehassle. That’s why critics, his family’s struggling shoemaking bellsare nowringingabout their latter-day such as Josh Brownofthe New York business in Bolton. An interesting descendants, knownas“Spacs” (special investment groupRitholtz,say they’re account of how an entrepreneur purpose acquisitioncompanies) or “blank troubling. He arguesthattraditional IPOs “overcame the difficulties of operating in postwar Britain” to build cheque companies”.Theseare “listed are abaptism of fire, because theyforce an international network, says Jack. shells that hold no operating businesses, executives to answer questions from but intend to acquire them”. Andthey’ve “hundreds, sometimes thousands of After the Gig: How the Sharing been multiplying like billy-oin2020. otherintelligent, scepticalprofessional Economy Got Hijacked and How to Win investors”. If yousellyourcompany to a It Back by Juliet Schor (University of ● Blankety blank Spac,however, “you only need toconvince California Press). Schor describes how Spacsaren’t new, said James Dean in The one”. He points to the example of Nikola, “gig companies” such as Uber and Times,but they’recertainly the “hot fund” the electric lorry-maker, which went public Airbnb flipped from “sharing” idealism of themoment–prominent figuresfrom in June after beingtaken over by ablank to aggressive capitalism, says Dave Lee. She argues that a“complete reimagin- business, politics andsport have raised cheque fund.Sharesrocketedthencrashed ing of city governance is required if the billions of dollarsbeforegoing on thehunt following allegations of fraud. “The hype sharing economy is ever to work”. for acquisitions. “Sir RichardBranson has drowned outthe diligence,” said Brown.

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Whatare thechancesofanew financial crisis,asks Gillian Tett. The good news is thatwe’re unlikely to seeanexplosionright City profile Is it time to now – “at least not in theheadline-grabbing styleof2008” – becauseoftwo mitigating factors.First, central banks have Silvana Tenreyro Bank of England governor prepare for signalled they will do “whatever it takes” to keep markets func- Andrew Bailey is still playing tioning through the pandemic. Second,banks aren’t the source of down the prospect of taking the next crisis? the current shock and,anyway, arefar better capitalised now in interest rates below zero, to the US and Europe than they were at the time ofthe2008 crash. boost the Covid-stricken Gillian Tett The rub, however, isthat“sometimesfinancialstress emerges in a economy. But “economists moreinsidious manner”. Oneproblem is that “leverage at many are divided” on the issue of Financial Times institutions was sky-high” even before Covid, and it is impossible negative rates, and dissent to calculate the scale of the eventual losses while the pandemic is growing in the ranks, said still rages; meanwhile, “ultra-lowinterest rates” are erodingbank Gurpreet Narwan in The Times. Leading the charge profits. Another issueisthe“lack ofhistoricalprecedent” that for the Negativists is Silvana makes ithard to model future risks: “as farmore financial activity Tenreyro, amember of the flows through the non-bank sector, via capital markets, nasty Bank’s Monetary Policy surprisescan easilyerupt”.Iflenders reacttoariseindefaults – or Committee (MPC), who says even a“fear” of futurestress – a credit crunch could well result. there are “encouraging” signs that sub-zero rates “Even before thepandemic,itwas clearthe education systemwas could work in Britain. failing to deliver many of the technical skills” the country needs, in sectors such as the digital economy, engineering, construction Citing the examples of Japan Our “snooty” and the eurozone, Tenreyro and care, says The Times. Willthe Government’s new “vocational argues that negative rates attitude to training plan” makeadifference? Boris Johnsoniscertainly right have reduced companies’ to target “Britain’swoeful trackrecord in technical education”, borrowing costs without technical skills even if most initiatives won’t beavailable till next year andthus proving unprofitable for offer “scant comfort to those facingimminentunemployment”. banks, as feared, because of Editorial Britain has been successfulindriving up university attendance,but aswings-and-roundabouts –despiteclear evidenceofstrong demand for technicalskills–the effect. What they lost on The Times number taking technical courses has been in“free fall”.Just 10% income from loans, she told of UK adults holdahigher technical qualificationastheir highest Lizzy Burden in The Sunday qualification, compared with 20% inGermany. “No wonder Britain’s productivity haseffectively stalled.” The country’s failure in this regard is a mystery. “Part of the answer might lie in a lack ofconsistency”, as successivegovernments have chopped and changed policies. But the biggest obstacle maybe“cultural”. The PM referred to the “pointless, snootyandfrankly vacuous” attitude towardstechnical education. “That will beharder to fix.”

“Workplace surveillance is nothing new,”says Alex Christian. It has been around ever since bosses first started supervisingworkers on thefactory floor. Butthe shifttoworking from home during Company the pandemic hasledto aboom in “surveillance software”: spies may be programs including ActivTrak, Time Doctor and Hubstaffare all reporting a rise in sales. Many find the development troubling. here to stay Although marketed as “productivity software”, the technology threatens to blur further the boundaries between home andwork. Telegraph, was offset by the “boost to activity” and an Alex Christian Some companies argue that“covert monitoring tools” – allowing managers to view screenshots, login times and key strokes – are “increase in asset prices”. Unlike some MPC members, Wired essential to ensuring that employees working remotely “remain on Tenreyro is sceptical that the track”. Meanwhile,programs such asSneek (an “always-on” video recovery trajectory will be tool) canoffer a “quick, digital tap on a colleague’s shoulder”. V-shaped, viewing it as more But businesspsychologists argue thissortoftechnologyismore likely to be an “interrupted, likely to “create aculture of paranoia” anddestroy trustwithin incomplete V”. Hence the an organisation–not leastbecause someone’s gottomonitor it. need for radical action. Formany managers, it seems, spying is now “part of the day job”. Aprofessor at the London School of Economics, “I loveanHermèstie,” says JamesMax,but I’vegot astack of Tenreyro, 47, is a“British Argentine” educated at the redundant beauties in my wardrobe –ameasureofthe shifting Universidad Nacional de Ties are now “stylestakes” in theCity–and I’mnow planningtoflog them. Tucumán and then Harvard. Backinthe late 1990s,when formal dress wasstill important,an As the Bank’s “only female “H” tie paired with awhite shirtand plainblueorgrey suit was rate-setter”, she is keen to amark of the the“uniform”ininvestment banks. The cracks begantoappear redress the balance, claiming “subservient” when new dotcom andprivate equity houses,for whom tieswere that the “rules of the game optional,“beganpicking off thebestemployees”.Tostem the were set by men and there are many norms that need James Max tide, the banksrelaxed their dress code with “dress-down Fridays, which later spreadtofive days aweek”. In recent months, the to be adjusted to make them more women-friendly”. Financial Times lockdownand Zoom meetings have“cementedthisdescent”. Discrimination in economics, The upshot is that “today, suits andtiesare the preserve of the she adds, is subtle. “We hear subservient –think lawyers, accountants andestate agents”– alot,‘She’s good, but she’s selling their services to rich people.The curiousthing is that if not quite ready,’ but then, you do want anew “H”tie, it will now setyou back £170. ‘He’s arising star.’” “Haslimited demand andreduced supply pushed theprice up?”

3October 2020 THE WEEK ACTIVELYMANAGED. DESIGNED TO PERFORM. Unlocking hidden discounts in digital tech.

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Who’s tipping what

The week’s best shares Directors’ dealings International Biotechnology Marshalls Next Network International Trust The Times InvestorsChronicle The Mail on Sunday Shares in the landscaping Knownfor its “operational 500

This well-managed trust offers products firmhave been savvy”,the retailer is boosting 450 exposure to exciting US bio- volatile.Butthe boom in home warehouse space to focusonits techs and has afast-growing and garden projects is good successful online and finance 400 rare diseases division.Benefits news, andboosted infrastruc- divisions as store salesdecline. from a diverse portfolio, an ture investment should benefit Now selling services to third 350 innovative marketandan ranges of paving, bollards and parties via its “Total Platform” 300 Directors buy ageing population. Buy. 786p. bike stands. Buy. 582.5p. initiative. Buy.£62.54. 181,069 250 Kingfisher National Grid STV Group 200 Investors Chronicle The Times The Times Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Thanks to the lockdown- The utility group haspainted a The Scottish broadcasterhas induced DIY craze, B&Q’s “dire picture” of unacceptable more than 140 shows in Awave ofshare purchases by five directors in thepayments owner is thriving. The group regulation ahead. But ithas a production, and its digital firm looks like an attempt to continues to turnits ailing “very substantial” US business catch-up service is attracting shore up confidence inthe Frenchbusiness around, and and is set to exploit green new customers. Well placed to stock, which shed two-fifths of cost savings have boosted energy opportunities. Yields entice acquisition approaches. its value theweek after profits profitabilityasonlinesales ahealthy5.7%. Ignore the Canaccord Genuity names a crashed.Nosediving consumer rise. Buy.283p. short-term fuss. Buy. 850p. 407p target price.Buy.240p. spending isworrying. SOURCE: INVESTORS CHRONICLE

…and some to hold, avoid or sell Form guide

GammaCommunications InternationalConsolidated SupermarketIncomeReit Shares tipped 12 weeks ago The Daily Telegraph Airlines Group The DailyTelegraph Best tip The suppler of telecoms Investors Chronicle This real estateinvestment The Biotech Growth Trust services to businesses has With net debt now4.2 times trust owns “the right The Daily Telegraph reporteda12% rise in sales underlyingcashprofits,the supermarkets in the right up 6.29% to £13.52 and21% increase in profits. British Airways parent hopes places”,catering foronline Shares arehardlycheap (at 33 to raise £2.5bn viaarights andin-person demand. Its Worst tip timesearnings), butitiscash- issue. Butpassengerdemand portfolio has doubled, tenants Induction Healthcare Group generative, and aconsistent isn’t expected to returnfully are financially solid, andit The Times down 24.75% to 74.5p performer.Hold. £15.65. until 2023. Sell. 102p. yields 5.3%. Hold.109.5p.

Informa Learning Technologies William Hill The Times Group The Sunday Times Market view Shares in thetrade events The Times The bookie hasbeen on the “Now is not the time organiser areundervalued. This provider of trainingsoft- receivingend of twobids from for the economics of OperationsinChina are wareisenjoyingaboostfrom potential buyers eager to tap Chicken Licken.” resuming (with Covid safe- the switchtoremoteteaching its 29% market share of the BoE chief economist Andy guarding), butvirus spikes in colleges andapost-Covid fast-growing US market(sports Haldane on the dangers of succumbing to outside Asia have foiled plans shift in work patterns.Still,the bettingwas legalisedtwo years “collective anxiety”. for the autumn.Too risky. valuationisrich giveninsipid ago).Shares have rocketed: Quoted on BBC Business Avoid. 367.5p. growth.Avoid. 129p. take profits. Sell. 312p. Market summary

Key numbers for investors Best and worst performing shares Following the Footsie

29 Sep 2020 Week before Change (%) WEEK’S CHANGE, FTSE 100 STOCKS FTSE 100 5897.50 5829.46 1.17% RISES Price %change FTSE All-share UK 3291.35 3249.29 1.29% GVC Holdings 1014.00 +18.90 Dow Jones 27377.12 27095.57 1.04% B&M Euro. Value Ret. 510.20 +11.08 6,500 NASDAQ 11090.93 10821.19 2.49% Pearson 551.20 +10.82 Nikkei 225 23539.10 23360.30 0.77% Smith (DS) 297.40 +9.70 Hang Seng 23275.53 23716.85 –1.86% Barratt Developments 473.80 +9.52 6,000 Gold 1864.30 1909.35 –2.36% FALLS Brent Crude Oil 41.15 41.73 –1.39% Rolls-Royce Holdings 140.40 –12.63 DIVIDEND YIELD (FTSE 100) 3.75% 3.80% Intl. Consol. Airl. Grp. 91.00 –10.78 UK 10-year gilts yield 0.18 0.20 Fresnillo 1203.00 –5.87 5,500 US 10-year Treasuries 0.64 0.67 Glencore 162.16 –5.78 UK ECONOMIC DATA BT Group 97.86 –5.40 Latest CPI (yoy) 0.2% (Aug) 1.0% (Jul) BEST AND WORST UK STOCKS OVERALL Latest RPI (yoy) 0.5% (Aug) 1.6% (Jul) Alba Minerals Res. 0.50 +61.29 5,000 Halifax house price (yoy) 5.2% (Aug) 3.8% (Jul) Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Kropz 5.50 –35.29 £1 STERLING $1.262 E1.076 ¥133.287 Source: Datastream (not adjusted for dividends). Prices on 29 Sep (pm) 6-month movement in the FTSE 100index

3October 2020 THE WEEK 48 The last word Race in America: the black and white truth

To many observers, it seems that the protests by both black and white Americans since the killing of George Floyd may finally be turning the tide on racism in the US. But former Washington correspondent Mary Dejevsky is not convinced

This time, say many deems it safe to let a white well-meaning Americans, passengerwalk alone from it will be different. Itfeels the kerb to the front door of different, they say. Itlooks the destination, and the different, they say. Wehave addresses where – Iwas seen it with our own eyes horrified when it happened – by which they mostly mean the first time –the driver through the lenses of other feels obliged toaccompany people’s phone cameras. you to the threshold and They saydifferent people waituntil you are letin.And are taking part, notonly it is less the big picture than black peopleare marching, these small experiences, but white people areturning spread over manyvisits and out in solidarity. And almostfiveyears of living protestshavebeen happening there,thatfuel my scepticism not just in blackareas of about change. cities, but alsoinprominent public spaces –such as The imageisstill vivid in Lafayette Square infront my mind’s eye of my first of the White House. encounter with American “cops”. It was at The never-again response Manhattan’sPort Authority, of manywhiteAmericans to The 1992 LA riots: the largest urban uprising in US history where Iwas waitingfor a the agonising, slow-motion night bus, in the late 1970s. killing ofGeorge Floyd inMinneapolis in Mayiscertainly a The boarding area waspatrolled by four policemen – who, of positive development. The whitepoliceman’s knee pressing on course, were armed. It was not the guns that drewmyattention, a black man’sneck,the tortured cryof“Ican’t breathe”, have though, but theway theywalked, their swagger, theway they reanimated the Black Lives Matter movement. FromWashington fingered theirweapons. Theyhad an attitude–one I have noted DC inthe east to the Pacific city of Portland,viasomehitherto many times since,and stillregard as one of those touchstones of quiescent cities in the Midwest, we are seeingapre-election US the US-Europe cultural divide. with its troubled urban areasyet again in flames. This time, there is a hopeful consensus. Awatershed has beenreached. From now US“cops” may be atribeapart.But itisracethat remains–for on, race relations in theUSwill be different. me,atleast–the least attractive aspect ofthe US, and specifically the perpetuallyfraught relations between black and white. For all Perhaps they will. But it isacommendabletrait of many that UK Black Lives Matter campaigners insistthat black Britons Americans that they tend to err on the side ofoptimism. As a suffer many of the same injustices as their Americancounterparts, more scepticalobserverfrom the old world, I am not nearly as andfor all thatthe US has elected a black president for two terms, confident that change is afoot. beingblack inthe US stillcomes This ispartly because oneofmy – so it seems to me –with a many visits to the US coincided “The front line between ‘safe’ and ‘unsafe’ particularburden. The tensions with the 1992 Los Angeles riots. districts has moved afew blocks from whereit can be mystifyingtoan outsider. Described as thelargest urban was 20 years ago. But there is still afront line” uprising in US history,the Twenty yearsafterIhad violencewas sparked by the watched those New York cops acquittal of fivepolicemen implicated in an incident not unlikethe patrolling thebus station, Iwas looking foraplace to live in one thatclaimedthe life of Floyd. They had beaten ablack driver Washington,and Iwanted to avoid thestereotype of the by thenameofRodney King, and theshocking brutality had been European whoautomaticallygravitatestoGeorgetown –the captured on film. It is also partly because, when Iarrivedin favoured area of grand houses to the west of the centre.Nor did I Washington in 1997 as the correspondent for The Independent, want the conformity or car-dependency that attends life in the the city centre still bore somescarsofrioting that eruptedthere, suburbs.Tofind anything else, however, provedeasier said than as in many US cities,following theassassinationofMartin Luther done. One way of searchingfor accommodation–pre-internet – King.That hadbeenin1968, an annus horribilisfor the US, was by leafingthrough illustrated bookletspublished by groups of whose tracesremained 30 years on. estateagents (realtors). Thelistings were arranged according to districtand included property details as well as photos of the Now, it is only fair to say that the improved fortunesof agentresponsible. What Idid not realise initially wasthatthose Washington’s downtownsince the mid-1990s could be citedin pictures toldthe punter as much aboutthe property as any support of American optimism. Thearea hasbeencompletely postcode –and, though now transferred online, they stilldo. regenerated. It is –orwas pre-pandemic –anincreasingly lively, well-served andsafeplace to be. The so-called frontlinebetween Oneofthe places Ishortlistedwas amodernist house in the districts judged “safe”and “unsafe” hasmoved afew blocks east north of the city. Icalledthe realtor. For someone in line for from where it was20years ago.But there is still afront line –that acommission, he sounded distinctly reluctant, andasked several is,the invisibleborderbetween thestreets where acab driver timeswhether Ireally wanted aviewing. When he finallypicked

THE WEEK 3October2020 Thelastword 49 me up, Ireadnothing into thefact he made its wayinto the State wasblack, but the whole way, he Departmentand involved some more thanhinted that Iwasn’t going foreign journalists, was forwhite to like this house, that I was wasting officials to invite theirblack my time (and his). Itwas only aswe colleagues to dinner in their homes to approached the house –inadecent- discuss how to improve things.Iwas looking cul-de-sac in apart ofthe aguest at one such occasion which city that juts into Marylandtothe descended into such furious north–that the reasonfor his argument that the foreignjournalists reluctancebecame clear: the house found themselvestryingtocall a wasinablack area, and whitesin truce andoffer somesortof Washington don’tliveinblack areas. mediation. It allstarted well enough, with warmwords on either side. But The US capital is a moresouthern the wordswere not the problem. The city than often realised, and–like tension sprang from the white side’s many US cities –defactosegregated. patronising tone.Ofcourse, The daysoflegal segregationmay Black Lives Matter protesters in Manhattan socialising acrossethnic lines in the have gone, and there may now be a UK canalso have its pitfalls. Butthe black middleclass. But, from school onwards,there is very little passive aggression thatnight reflected a gulf that seemed almost social mixing. You can visit Washington DC without seeing any unbridgeable. of the black areas. Many tourist maps don’tinclude the eastern parts ofthe city at all. Youcan drive out of thecentre through Paradoxically,the part of the US where Ifound relations between entirely white districts to the conspicuously prosperous area black and white most relaxed,with adegree of respect generally of Bethesda, Maryland – a sort of all-white alternativeto going both ways, was where youmight expect it least: in the Deep Washington,with better schools, better shops, better civic South.One explanation –surprising, but not implausible – is that services. Other bigUScities such asAtlanta have spawned black and white have lived there in closeproximityfor longer similar suburban refuges for whiteflight.Therapid transition andknoweachother and eachother’s waysbetter than theydo from one area to another, fromsafety to danger –often in half elsewhere.Whether this is true or not, Iremainamazed that there a block –could make navigating cities a challenge.But it was hasnever beenanall-out revolt by black Americans against the not until my last year in Washington that I learntwhy the white patronage they labourunderday by day. The protracted signposting wassoinadequate andwhy roads seemed suddenly riotsof1968 are probably theclosest the country has come to a to end. The explanation was race war, and this isnot what twofold. The1968 riots had we areseeing today. brought some road development “You can visit Washington without seeing to a halt, and lack ofmoney any of the black areas. Indeed, many maps Inevitably, thereweretimes meant planswere neverrevived. don’t include the city’s eastern parts at all” when Ifound myself dragged Butthe other reason was that into the all-American agony new roadsystemswere around race. Ionce offered to specifically devised to avoidcertain areas. Black areas. share my taxifromBaltimore airport into Washington with an elderly white couple, thinking I was doing agood deed. But once The same went for public transport. Therewas a reason why the in thecab,they were adamant that the driver should take a huge Metro wasnot extendedtoGeorgetown, though a station had detour to the north to takethem to their Washington suburb.The once been mooted. Therehad beenfierce local oppositiontoa directroute was dangerous (i.e. it went through mainlyblack facility that would makeiteasiernot only forresidents to come districts).Iaskedthedriver touse the direct route –hewas black, andgo, butalsofor others, from other parts ofthe city, toreach he was quite happy with that. Theelderly Washingtonians were their haven. When Iwas in Washington there wasaspate of not. The man said his wife was terrified. We would be held upat knifepoint robberies at Georgetowncashpoints; President gunpoint. The driverwas on no account to stop, even at a red Clinton’s then health secretary, Donna Shalala, made headlines light. (Johannesburg was the last placeIhad heard such an by fending off one such attack. There, you see,people said,how instruction.) His wife then dismissed measan ignorant European much worse itcouldhavebeen ifwehad had the Metro. with no idea ofAmerican reality.

This black-white separationmay help to explain something else Iwould stress that I have given just a fewvignettes from my that is hard to ignore about race in the US. Just as most Britons own experience.Ihave not ventured into the bigger picture: of will identify someone’s socialclass after just afew words,somost education andincome disparities, poor healthcare, thedispro- Americans cantell instantaneously whetheraperson on theend portionateprisonpopulationand theobstacles to black voter of thephoneisblack or white,and oftenthis affects what registration andactualvoting.Some of my observations may be happens next. Icringeatthe memory of how some, even highly out of date, but when Ispent some time in the US this time last educated, otherwise polite andcorrect, whiteAmericans would year, change on therace-relationsfront at least washard to find. talk –inmypresence –toblack people, whether on thephone or in officesand shops. There wassomethingabout the tone Could it happen? CouldGeorgeFloyd’s deathmark the water- andlack of eye contactthatimplied superiority –yet thewhite shed? Well,maybesocial media and mobile phones with cameras speakersseemed unaware of howthey were beingheard. willalterpolice –and otherofficials’–behaviour. That,byitself, wouldbeapositivedevelopment, anditcould happen. But will Theresponse couldbeone of bolshie obstinacy on thepartof attitudes change? InadequatelyqualifiedasIam –awhite, foreign black officials–and rarely endedwell. Similar tensions could observer without roots in theUS–youwillforgive me,perhaps, –and stillcan –beexperiencedwhereblack andwhite pedestrians forstriking anoteofpessimism. Itisnot clear to me thatthe share thesamepavement space. Iwas astonished, arrivingin hopes of today canberealised, not just now, but within even a Washington,tofind pavementssuch acompetitive zone, with zero generation. Theinequities andthe tensions areentrenched in a give andtake. Younger black pedestrians, especially, stubbornly whole cast of mind,and awhole history, andIam notsurethey stuck to their course; giving way amountedtobeing “dissed”. canbesosummarily expunged.

The generallypoorstate of racerelations wassomething that Alonger versionofthis article appearedinThe Independent. Clinton hadsaidhewanted to address.One initiative, which ©Independent Digital News &Media Ltd.

3October2020 THE WEEK 50 Crossword

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Registeredasanewspaperwiththe Royal Mail. Printed by WyndehamBicester. Distributed by Marketforce(UK)Ltd. THE WEEK 3October 2020 Subscriptions: [email protected]. Marketplace 51

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