How the Conservatives Nearly Lost Their Name in 1912 Monday, 24 March, 2025 On 9 May 1912, large numbers of Conservatives descended on the Queen’s Hall in London, best-known at that time as the home of Sir Henry Wood’s Promenade Concerts (which thirty years later were forced by the Luftwaffe to move to the Royal Albert Hall). The Tories came not to listen to sublime music, but to make historic changes to the Party’s organisation and name. The conference had been convened... Articles
Labour "cruel" to small independent schools 14th March 2025 In the Lords on 13 March, Alistair Lexden once more condemned Labour’s imposition of VAT on independent school fees.He spoke as President of the Independent... Speeches
Anthony Eden's blissful second marriage 10th March 2025 After a colourful early life, Clarissa Eden became the beloved wife of one of our most tragic prime ministers, looking after him devotedly during his long years... Articles
Independent school / Private school amendment - What's in a name? 27th February 2025 On 27 February, during the Lords Committee stage of a Bill which increases the tax burden on many independent schools by making those with charitable status... Speeches
Some great historians and the Conservative Party 24th February 2025 The wide influence ( and the eccentricities) of a long line of historians at Christ Church, Oxford are recalled in a learned and entertaining book which... Articles
How much praise should Airey Neave be given? 22nd February 2025 The Spectator magazine has noted that Kemi Badenoch regards Airey Neave as her hero. Alistair Lexden gave his reaction in a letter published in the magazine on... Articles
Should the House of Lords be scrapped? 19th February 2025 In an article published in The Daily Telegraph on February 13, Nigel Farage took a number of swipes at the House of Lords. Alistair Lexden responded in a letter... Articles
Chamberlain and Churchill in partnership 17th February 2025 On February 13, The Times published a letter from Neville Chamberlain, to be sold shortly at auction, which expresses no rancour about his sudden removal as... Articles
On this day 50 years ago: How Airey Neave brought Margaret Thatcher the Tory leadership 11th February 2025 Airey Neave always spoke softly as born conspirators and spies are apt to do. When I worked for him as his political adviser on Northern Ireland during the last... Articles
A caricature of independent schools 7th February 2025 An utterly misleading article in The New Statesman prompted the following rejoinder. Francis Green and David Kynaston claim that fee increases at independent... Articles
