Labour's schools tax raid sums don't add up Monday, 16 June, 2025 The following letter was published in The Daily Telegraph on 16 June in slightly edited form. SIR – At the spending review, Rachel Reeves boasted proudly that she had ended “the tax loophole which exempted private schools from VAT”, a grossly misleading description of the tax exemption that those independent schools which are charities had always enjoyed. She and her party believe they can squeeze... Articles
Nigel Lawson's first job in the Conservative Party 14th April 2023 Nigel Lawson, widely regarded as Britain’s finest post-war Chancellor, died in early April. Alistair Lexden, Conservative Party historian, recalls how he first... Recent News
Queen Camilla's footnote 9th April 2023 The following letter was published in The Times, after one or two editorial excisions, on April 8. Sir, Queen Camilla has contributed an interesting footnote to... Articles
The Prime Minister's Northern Ireland achievement 31st March 2023 Alistair Lexden has, on many occasions, condemned Boris Johnson’s Northern Ireland Protocol of 2019. It created an intolerable trade barrier within the UK and... Speeches
A police misconduct scandal: a little Home Office progress? 22nd March 2023 In the Lords on 20 March, Alistair Lexden returned to an issue which has concerned him greatly for a long time. He said: “I remind the House that for many... Speeches
Harold Macmillan and his wife's lover 17th March 2023 The long-running affair between Dorothy Macmillan and the bisexual Bob Boothby was widely known at the time, and initially caused Macmillan much pain; but it... Articles
Improve Northern Ireland air services to strengthen the union 14th March 2023 That was the theme of comments made by Alistair Lexden in the Lords on 13 March. He said: “ Does not a strong Union require good, efficient and reliable air... Speeches
Alistair Lexden's new book 8th March 2023 In Horace Farquhar: A Bad Man Befriended by Kings, published on 8 March, Alistair Lexden uncovers the misdeeds of a scandalous figure, now largely forgotten... Recent News
Northern Ireland: reversing Johnson's betrayal 28th February 2023 On 27 February, the Lords debated and passed legislation to defer elections in Northern Ireland that are now due since there is no immediate prospect of... Speeches
The passing of a remarkable man in war and peace 24th February 2023 Grateful tribute is due to Harry Shindler OBE, who died in Italy at the age of 101 on 21 February. He remained actively involved in public affairs until the... Recent News
