The Capitalist

Britain isn’t broken — but it is stuck. In this urgent Despatch, Julia Willemyns, co-founder of the Centre for British Progress, makes the case for boldness over drift. Why has growth stalled? Why does everything feel harder, slower, smaller than it should? And why have both Left and Right abandoned the ambition to build? With sharp insight and a rallying cry for change, Willemyns lays out a compe...

What happens when the world’s biggest economy slams the brakes on global trade? In just weeks, Donald Trump’s tariff blitz has shattered decades of US-led liberalisation — and the fallout is only just beginning. As prices creep higher and wallets tighten, will the political backlash bite harder than the economic one? And in the UK, could fiscal fear turn into fiscal flair? CapX editor Marc Sidwell...

Rachel Reeves entered her first Budget with a familiar refrain—blaming the Conservatives for the difficult choices ahead. But now, the focus has shifted to her own decisions, particularly the impact of tax rises on business confidence, jobs, and growth. Can her latest fiscal measures break Britain free from economic stagnation, or have they only deepened the challenge? CapX Editor-in-Chief Robert...

Rachel Reeves envisions Britain as a “defence industrial superpower” — but does the industry exist to match the ambition? Meanwhile, London eyes Brussels for a reset, with hopes that closer ties could unlock growth. And amid high taxes and tight regulation, is Britain’s economic model locked in for good? Marc Sidwell is joined by Julian Jessop and Maxwell Marlow to dissect the latest political cur...

Britain is spending more than ever—but getting less. Public debt is soaring, growth is non-existent, and dissatisfaction with public services has never been higher. The government talks tough on cuts, but the real crisis is deeper: a bloated state that punishes efficiency and rewards failure. The one word no politician dares to take seriously? Productivity. If public sector performance matched the...

A reality check for Britain’s economy? Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ Spring Statement reveals growth forecasts have been slashed in half. Can Labour still deliver on its economic pledges? City AM’s Alys Denby weighs in. Plus: a bold call for reform from Andrew Griffith, Shadow Secretary for Business and Trade, as he sets out his vision following the latest Looking for Growth policy summit. Stay inform...

Kemi Badenoch’s political journey was shaped by first-hand experience of government overreach and the stifling effects of socialism. In this special Despatch, the Conservative leader delivers a powerful speech on the values that brought her into politics—and the lessons she’s drawn from Margaret Thatcher. Her message? Real change demands courage, conviction, and an unwavering commitment to doing w...

As Britain reflects on 50 years since Margaret Thatcher took the helm of the Conservative Party, the outlook for free-market thinking—and a dynamic economy—has rarely seemed so uncertain. In this special edition, CapX Editor-in-Chief Robert Colvile is joined by former Chancellor George Osborne and Professor Sir Niall Ferguson of the Hoover Institution to chart a course for the party’s future. Reco...

As the world shifts and alliances evolve, could a partnership between Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the UK form a Fourth Global Power? While CANZUK wouldn’t rival the US militarily, its collective strength would command the kind of respect that Washington—especially under leaders like Trump—reserves for serious players. With global instability on the rise, the economist Andrew Lilico asks wh...

With US support for Ukraine waning, can Europe step up before the situation spirals? Plus, are Trump’s tariffs making Washington a volatile trading partner? And what lessons could the UK take from Texas on prison reform? CapX's editor Marc Sidwell is joined by Frances Lasok from the Conservative Policy Forum and Conservative Home’s Harry Phibbs to unpack the latest political currents and market mo...

As Trump humiliates Zelensky, has Washington quietly decided to switch sides? In this Despatch, Bruce Anderson dissects a moment of historic uncertainty—one that rivals the upheaval of the post-Pearl Harbor years. With Europe forced to rethink its reliance on US protection and negotiations with Moscow looming, what comes next for Ukraine, NATO, and the global balance of power? Despatch is a fresh...

After last week's stunning scenes in the White House, murmurs of President Zelensky’s downfall are growing louder. Could he be sidelined in favour of a Kremlin-friendly puppet? Meanwhile, Washington hints that Britain could dodge tariffs with the right deal—but can London really bank on special treatment? And as BP shifts back to oil, is this a pragmatic market reset or the moment Big Energy turns...

Britain is at a crossroads. As high costs, stagnation, and failing public services push talented young people abroad, a new wave of problem-solvers is choosing to stay and rebuild. Jack Hutchison from Civic Future dives into the forces driving this "fight or flight" moment—examining why Britain is losing skilled workers, who’s stepping up to fix it, and how a new generation of technologists, entre...

Microsoft’s Satya Nadella says it’s time to separate AI’s real impact from the noise: true success isn’t measured in viral demos but in global GDP growth. So, is AI delivering—or are we buying into a bubble? Meanwhile, Donald Trump’s approval ratings are slipping as household costs rise. And as MPs swap rigorous debate for social media grandstanding, is Britain’s parliamentary discourse losing its...

In an age of soundbites and social media grandstanding, has real Parliamentary debate become obsolete? Barrister Harry Gillow cuts through the noise to examine why scrutiny still matters—and what happens when lawmakers fail to do their job. From botched bills to rushed legislation, we expose the cracks in the system and the consequences for Britain’s future. Fast, sharp, and unfiltered—Despatch br...

Has Reform UK's energy plan exposed the party's economic failings? And will Kemi Badenoch capitalize on this misstep? Marc Sidwell is joined by Dr Lawrence Newport and Albie Amankona to break down a week of political turbulence. Plus: Emmanuel Macron warns of the “electroshock” of a Trump return. But will his call for looser fiscal rules get traction? And with £60 billion in council tax hikes on t...

Dominic Cummings has spoken, and—no surprise—he’s not impressed. The Tories are “intellectually dead,” Kemi Badenoch is a “bad joke,” and Nigel Farage is more famous than the entire shadow cabinet combined. But while Badenoch’s allies insist she just needs time, time is precisely what she doesn’t have. The Conservatives are slipping, Reform is rising, and Farage is relishing the fight. With MPs ge...

Sir Keir Starmer just hit the reset button on his struggling government, but will voters buy it? We break down his six-hour crisis meeting, the economic warning signs, and whether Labour can regain control of the narrative. Plus: The Conservatives are staring into the political abyss—can they claw their way back? And with tech giants eyeing greener pastures abroad, how can Britain stay in the game...

Is Britain losing its edge? While US entrepreneurs are launching rockets, breaking the sound barrier, and rewriting the rules of innovation, the UK is stuck in a cycle of red tape and hesitation. Ross Kempsell, member of the House of Lords, delivers sharp, no-nonsense analysis on why Britain must embrace a bold, founder-first mindset—or risk falling further behind.   Despatch is a fresh addition t...

Is Britain’s post-Brexit plan coming undone? As the US torpedoes the OECD’s global tax deal, the UK’s fiscal strategy is left in limbo—was it too quick to play by the rules? Meanwhile, Nigel Farage’s Reform UK is shaking up the political landscape, but with public regret over Brexit at an all-time high, where does that leave the country? And on defence, while Lithuania and Estonia ramp up spending...

The new Government faces a tall order: it must deliver on the same growth promises others have made, but do it better. A tough task, especially with tensions brewing between Rachel Reeves and colleagues pushing their own agendas. Despatch is a fresh addition to The Capitalist, delivering standout writing from the team behind CapX's unmissable daily newsletters. This article was written by independ...

With a healthy majority in Parliament, what’s stopping Britain’s Government from enacting the kind of sweeping policy changes we’re seeing in the United States? Michael Binyon from The Times and the National Review Institute’s Dominic Pino share their insights, plus: will tariffs force Putin’s hand in Ukraine? And how can we restore consumer optimism in Britain? Follow Dominic Pino and CapX on X,...

Extending an existing runway at Heathrow is a solution more economical and environmentally astute than constructing an entirely new third runway. It would result in lower carbon emissions, reduced noise pollution, and its implementation would be phased – a blueprint of pragmatic innovation. So why has the proposal been ensnared in a years-long labyrinth of bureaucratic complexity? Despatch is a fr...

Can Britain strike a deal with President Trump and avoid the looming tariff trap? Why are leaders in the UK and the US falling short of the so-called "Reagan test"? And, could the UK be on the cusp of creating its own billion-pound tech titan? Join Douglas Carswell from the Mississippi Centre for Public Policy and author of The Conservative Futurist, James Pethokoukis, as we delve into crucial que...

As rents climb ever higher, you’d think the Government would aim to make renting easier. Yet the new Renters' Rights Bill threatens to do just the opposite. Instead of delivering on its promises, the legislation risks making the rental market less accessible and less equitable. Despatch is a fresh addition to The Capitalist, delivering standout writing from the team behind CapX’s indispensable dai...