In agreeing this private equity deal and keeping most of its details from their own members, LV= directors have shown a striking combination of high-handedness and cack-handednessIt was founded shortly after Victoria ascended the throne, and over the i…
The Guardian view on sexual abuse and the Catholic church: contrition is not enough | Editorial
An investigation into paedophile priests in France reveals an institution in desperate need of reformThe findings of an inquiry into sexual abuse and paedophilia in the French Catholic church, published last week, are difficult to read and painful to c…
The Guardian view on Amazon’s shops: benefit society, not just consumers | Editorial
Is a low-tax corporate form of work intensification where staff are tracked and assessed to ensure they meet exacting targets good for Britain? What Amazon does today, its competitors seem to do tomorrow. That is why the arrival of Amazon’s futuristic …
The Guardian view on Tory sleaze: buying access, baubles and influence | Editorial
Boris Johnson’s reluctance to come clean about donors that get to meet him may be explained by the contents of the Pandora papersBoris Johnson’s government has displayed a penchant for ignoring standards of openness, attacking key democratic institutio…
The Guardian view on children’s books: take them seriously | Editorial
Good literature is fundamental to young people’s development. We must not devalue itGood children’s literature is a serious business. Not serious as in boring or “improving”, but serious in attention and ambition, serious about beauty and wonder, about…
The Guardian view on Boris Johnson’s speech: no joke when there’s no plan | Editorial
The prime minister’s address went long on gags but short on how to deal with the crises confronting the countryBoris Johnson’s speech to the Conservative party conference was marked by the two traits that have allowed him to dominate recent British pol…
The Guardian view on blue plaques: time to redress the balance | Editorial
There is more to blue plaques than dead white men – and English Heritage knows itCommemorative plaques on the facades of Britain’s buildings are an unlikely source of joy. Especially during the pandemic, when urban inhabitants have been more than usual…
The Guardian view on Insulate Britain: the art of protest | Editorial
Priti Patel’s plans to restrict civil liberties make it all the more important that activists keep the public on their sideA draconian police and crime bill is making its way through parliament, and on Tuesday the home secretary, Priti Patel, told her …
The Guardian view on Italy’s cities: leading a centre-left renaissance? | Editorial
Mayoral elections this week saw a poor turnout, but brought more good news for progressive parties following the German electionThe surprisingly upbeat autumn for Europe’s centre-left continues. Election wins in Germany and Norway have this week been f…
The Guardian view on tax havens: bring them to heel | Editorial
The Pandora papers prove that secrecy jurisdictions and their super-rich clients are still running rings around the rest of usFive years after the Panama papers exposed the vast scale of offshore banking and business services via the activities of the …