Claire Fox
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Articles by Claire Fox
Ann Widdecombe was formidable, generous and wonderful company
Share Topics Brexit Politics UK Want unlimited, ad-free access? Become a spiked supporter. There’s been so many wonderful, heartfelt and heart-breaking tributes paid to Ann Widdecombe, written by close friends and colleagues, that when asked to write this I hesitated. What can I add? I see this as a postscript to those tributes, based on very specific circumstances that led to a rather peculiar but rewarding relationship.
You’re Not Failing. You’re Just Carrying Too Much
Last week I forgot something. I can’t even remember what it was now, which is probably telling in itself. But I remember the feeling. That flash of frustration, directed entirely inward. The quiet internal verdict: I should have remembered that. Thanks for reading Her Happy Career Substack! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. Not: this is too much for one person to hold. Just: I got it wrong. If that sounds familiar, this piece is for you.
Against the social-media ban for under 16s
On Wednesday evening, the House of Lords voted heavily to ban under 16-year-olds from accessing user-to-user social media platforms.
Exemptions needed for heritage in new mansion tax system - Historic Houses
Today’s Budget does little to assuage fears over the future of the nation’s heritage, says Historic Houses, which represents over 1,400 of the finest buildings and gardens across the UK. Many of our member places are already struggling because of last year’s Budget, and today’s announcement only adds to their concerns. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves addresses UK Parliament during 2025 Autumn Budget. Photo courtesy of UK Parliament.
Are patriotism and the nation-state back?
I’m just catching my breath from a wonderful, 20th-anniversary edition of the Battle of Ideas festival. There were so many fantastic debates over the course of last weekend that it might take a year to catch up! We’ll be doing our best to make these discussions available to everyone via our YouTube channel (please subscribe!) and our podcasts as fast as we can. To begin, we reproduce a fantastic speech by Ada Akpala, a writer and commentator who works as head of content at The Equiano Project.
Battle of Ideas festival 2025: let Battle commence!
In just a few hours, thousands of you will be joining us in Church House in Westminster for a weekend of free speech and open debate at the Battle of Ideas festival. Thank you to everyone who has booked their ticket - there are still tickets available to buy on the door. That’s thanks to the fact that we’ve expanded, with sessions on Saturday also taking place at The Abbey Centre, across the road from Church House on Great Smith Street.
We need to banish 'non-crime hate incidents' to the dustbin of history
While I was attending the huge farmers’ protest on Tuesday, I overheard someone say (referring to a sea of t-shirts reading ‘Keir Starmer – the family farmer harmer’): ‘Maybe we’ll get done for a non-crime incident for wearing these.’ It seemed like proof that the row over police turning up at the door of award-winning journalist Allison Pearson, threatening to log a year-old post on X as a non-crime hate incident (NCHI), has cut through with the public. We’re all hate criminals now.
Censorship won't address the riots
The UK feels like it’s falling apart. For over a week, riots seemed to spring up all over the place - some organised, some seemingly spontaneous. Then there was Wednesday night, when supposedly planned riots numbering in the hundreds failed to materialise. Instead, groups of anti-racist protesters filled Walthamstow market, while masked-up groups of counter protesters marched around Bristol and Croydon and other areas looking for the non-existent far right.
On Southport: Why Censorship is the Enemy – The Daily Sceptic
Like the nation, I felt physically sick and repulsed as news emerged of the butchery of children in Southport on Monday – and outraged at the riot the following day. The sheer contrast of the innocence of little girls enjoying a Taylor Swift-themed dance club at the start of a sunny summer holiday with the malevolence of a 17 year-old man brutally robbing three girls of their lives and injuring more was deeply upsetting. For many people, the shock of it gave way to both despondency and pure rage.
On Southport: why censorship is the enemy
Like the nation, I felt physically sick and repulsed as news emerged of the butchery of children in Southport on Monday - and outraged at the riot the following day. The sheer contrast of the innocence of little girls enjoying a Taylor Swift-themed dance club at the start of a sunny summer holiday with the malevolence of a young adult brutally robbing three girls of their lives and injuring more was deeply upsetting. For many people, the shock of it gave way to both despondency and pure rage.
On Southport: why censorship is the enemy
Like the nation, I felt physically sick and repulsed as news emerged of the butchery of children in Southport on Monday - and outraged at the riot the following day. The sheer contrast of the innocence of little girls enjoying a Taylor Swift-themed dance club at the start of a sunny summer holiday with the malevolence of a young adult brutally robbing three girls of their lives and injuring more was deeply upsetting. For many people, the shock of it gave way to both despondency and pure rage.
Labour has just betrayed a generation of young people
Claire Fox July 26, 2024 at 1:06 PM·4 min read Less than a week before the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023 was to come into force – over a year since it was given royal assent in May last year after passing through two houses of parliament – the Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has announced her “ … in order to consider options, including its repeal”.
It ain't over 'til the fat lady votes
The day is almost upon us. UK voters will go to the polls tomorrow to decide who will form the next government. How many turn up at the ballot box remains to be seen - disillusionment and discontent seem to be the main characteristics of this General Election campaign. For all the talk of a Labour majority, even those who advocate for a Labour vote admit it has more to do with ousting the Tories than a wholehearted enthusiasm for Starmer’s plans.
'a spectacular attack on our liberties'
Academy of Ideas Your one-stop-shop for staying up to date with everything we do at Academy of Ideas to defend free speech, extend the public square and democracy, and beat the culture war. Over 7,000 subscribers No thanks
We cannot fight extremism with censorship
Academy of Ideas Your one-stop-shop for staying up to date with everything we do at Academy of Ideas to defend free speech, extend the public square and democracy, and beat the culture war. Over 7,000 subscribers No thanks
Podcast of Ideas: the fallout from Gaza
In our latest Podcast of Ideas discussion, Ella Whelan is joined by regulars Claire Fox, Alastair Donald and Geoff Kidder, plus guest Mark Birbeck from the campaign group Our Fight. They discuss events in the House of Commons this week as an SNP-led debate on the Israel-Hamas conflict descended into farce, leading for calls for the speaker of the house, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, to resign. They also take a step back to look at the wider picture. What is to be done to counter the rise of anti-Semitism?
Starmer Sutra, disinformation wars and some dates for your diary...
We like to keep you up-to-date with everything going on in the Academy of Ideas world, so here are some media appearances and speeches you might have missed, as well as some dates for your diary. Ella Whelan discusses the social-media wars between the Tories and the Labour Party on TalkTV - watch the full episode here. Claire Fox makes a speech in the House of Lords in a discussion on the Counter-Disinformation Unit, asking who checks the fact-checkers?
Football fans, farmers and failed pledges
Audio playback is not supported on your browser. Please upgrade. Welcome back to the Podcast of Ideas, where the team at the Academy of Ideas discuss the big political and cultural issues of the day. This week, we’re joined by: Claire Fox, director of the Academy of Ideas; Geoff Kidder, director of membership and events; Rob Lyons, science and technology director at the Academy of Ideas; Jacob Reynolds, associate fellow and Ella Whelan, co-convenor of the Battle of Ideas festival.
Inside the Lords - remembering the 136
A lot went on inside the Lords this week. It's four years since Brexit day (almost eight since the vote!) and it’s worth remembering how important it was that democracy did prevail, that we did win a victory in getting the vote realised against all the odds. The tools for sovereignty are now well and truly in UK politicians’ hands.
Rwanda, Rochdale and the Middle East - the Podcast of Ideas returns
Listen to the Podcast of Ideas using the player below or by clicking here. Audio playback is not supported on your browser. Please upgrade. The Rwanda Bill passed comfortably despite promises of a Tory rebellion. But with or without amendments from hardliners, many people on both sides of the immigration debate have long seen Rishi Sunak’s Rwanda scheme as a failure.
Are the culture wars a distraction?
The culture wars are a major preoccupation in UK politics today. But should they be? When we face war in Ukraine and Gaza, a cost of living crisis and a crumbling health service - among many other problems - do we really want to be talking about critical race theory, gender ideology and all the rest? This was the focus of a fantastic discussion at Buxton Battle of Ideas festival on Saturday 25 November.
Beyond the parlour games of Westminster, politics must continue
All too often, political discussion in the mainstream media focuses on the concerns of the ‘Westminster bubble’. Mainstream political editors are more like gossip columnists, reporting on the latest shenanigans between politicians rather than getting to grips with the big issues. The Academy of Ideas has always strived to broaden the debate and go beyond this narrow worldview. That’s why we love to take the debate beyond London, both intellectually and physically.
What is 'the blob'?
The Buxton Battle of Ideas festival, this coming Saturday, is a day of debate on politics, economics, philosophy and more at The Devonshire Dome. I believe that the current level and range of political debate is poor - and I know that many of you do, too. Time and again, the major parties tack back towards a narrow set of political options that leave the needs of millions of citizens unrepresented.
After Brexit: has the British media stopped caring about Europe?
In an era of increasing polarisation and continental protectionism, the gradual erosion of the British media's coverage of European news and events is a concerning development. Despite the United Kingdom's departure from the European Union, maintaining an informed perspective on European affairs remains as crucial as ever.
Fighting for the freedom to travel
Yesterday, I spoke in the Lords on the issue of public transport. For many people, public and other forms of subsidised transport are absolutely vital. For example, as I set out in my speech, when pupils with educational special needs in Blackburn lost a specialist bus service to get them to school outside the borough, the local council - which doesn’t have such school places of its own - has done little to help pupils and their parents. This makes getting to school much more difficult for them.
Western civilisation is worth defending
While the work of the Academy of Ideas is generally secular, it would be foolish not to recognise the importance of Easter for many millions of people and the centrality of Christianity to the history of Western civilisation. And the central idea of Easter - that of renewal - is something everyone can appreciate as valuable both for individuals and society. ‘Western civilisation’ has become an idea subject to mockery and disdain in certain circles in recent years.
Gary Lineker: free speech, political debate and impartiality
Mar 13 • 43M The Academy of Ideas team discuss the row that rocked the Beeb. Open in playerListen on ); Audio playback is not supported on your browser. Please upgrade. The Academy of Ideas has been organising public debates to challenge contemporary knee-jerk orthodoxies since 2000.
Podcast of Ideas: the Windsor Framework
Mar 3 • 1HR 2M Rishi Sunak claims he has cleaned up the mess left by the Northern Ireland Protocol. But as the guests on our latest podcast explain, that's a long way from the truth. Open in playerListen on ); Audio playback is not supported on your browser. Please upgrade. The Academy of Ideas has been organising public debates to challenge contemporary knee-jerk orthodoxies since 2000.
Sex is real. So why have politicians given up on reality?
It’s not often that I can say that BBC’s Question Time was an uplifting experience. But last night had me cheering in front of the TV. Our straight-talking colleague Ella Whelan was the star of the show broadcast from Glasgow, puncturing the dangerous idea we hear parroted by elites everywhere that biological sex is a myth. Ella was a typhoon of fresh air in a debate where all too often people are afraid to state simple truths about reality.
The Scottish Parliament: a font of bad laws
The controversy over the Scottish Government’s Gender Recognition Reform Bill – passed by the parliament in Holyrood, but subject to an unprecedented veto by the UK government under section 35 of the Scotland Act 1998 – has mostly focused on the problems the bill raises with safeguarding the rights of women and children. Those issues were brought into stark relief this week by the case of Adam Graham, a double rapist who now wishes to be known as Isla Bryson.
Everything you need to know about 'That '90s Show' on Netflix
The Idea Melissa Rauch ‘Loved’ About Bringing A Night Court Revival To TV If there’s anything that this era of TV and movies have taught us, it’s that what’s old can be new again. Media consumers have seen a considerable …
How to watch The Last of Us: HBO’s next mega-hit is finally here
There’s a handful of things and people in pop culture right now that are impossible for me to care about.
What we enjoyed reading in 2022 - and what what you should read in 2023
We are big believers that our politics are only as good as our arguments - and reading widely and deeply is really essential to that. My New Year’s resolution is the same as it always is: read more! Share Here are a few recommendations from us as to what helped us make sense of 2022, and get ready for 2023. If you want to purchase them, we suggest you head to Amazon and make the Battle of Ideas charity your Amazon Smile charity. Just click on this link so you can buy from Amazon Smile.
Fighting back: Inside the Lords at Christmas
So, Christmas is almost upon us and I am reflecting on what has been an exhilarating roller coaster of a year. Frustrating, sometimes exciting, many challenges, definitely exhausting – never dull. And a gathering sense that ‘Enough is Enough’ and it’s time to take matters into our own hands. What we can say is that the public are less than happy with the mess the political establishment continues to make of the enormous issues society faces.
The 10 Most Tumblrcore Songs & Albums Of 2022, Ranked
Back then it was Lolita, now it’s coquette. The revival of Tumblr era culture and fashion — otherwise known as “Tumblrcore” or “2014core” — has been on the rise for the past couple of years, but the trend definitely exploded in 2022, especially when it came to new music. Tumblrcore is rooted in nostalgia from the 2014 online era, when a filtered photo of a record player could go viral, peak fashion was American Apparel, Alexa Chung was the blueprint, and it was cool to be sad.
The Unhelpful Cipher that is Enoch Powell
From the latest ONS report to the ‘where are you from?’ scandal in the palace, the issues of race and immigration continue to dominate the headlines. I was confronted with just how one-sided and disingenuous this debate can be first hand, when the Archbishop of Canterbury led a debate in the House of Lords on the issue of asylum. So often, even the mere hint of a concern about immigration is simply dismissed high-handedly by the elite.
US Midterms to UK's technocracy: Can traditional parties capture our imagination?
I wonder if, like me, you are having a hard time decoding the results from the US midterms? I don’t just mean the slow and often bizarre results (like a dead man getting elected). I mean the fact that most pundits are struggling to figure out what they mean. What is clear is that it was obviously not the red wave that Republicans had forecast. As many have it, it was more of a trickle.
8 tips for dropping into the soul space and creating from there.
If you're on any kind of soul / spiritual / becoming-a-better-human-being journey, you will perhaps have some awareness of the journey of descent... ...down from the head, and into the heart. Maybe you've been creating for a long time. And perhaps you've just re-discovered your creative nature. Whatever the case, do you (like me) want to learn how to create more fully from the heart, with less distortion from our conditioning and ego noise?
How To Be A Better Lover, According To Couples Therapists
When you say you'd do anything for your partner, does that include finding ways to better yourself and contribute more wholesomely to your relationship? Because it probably should. "If you truly love someone, then I think it's natural and vital to want to become a better partner," Dr. Gary Brown, a prominent couples therapist in Los Angeles, tells Elite Daily. "The growth of both individuals within a couple should be a goal for each of you.
These 15 Taylor Swift Songs Are The Perfect Soundtrack To Falling In Love
The only thing better than falling in love is listening to love songs while you swoon. And there’s no one better to listen to in these moments than Taylor Swift, an artist who's made a career out of diaristic depictions of every aspect of romance (and more).
5 Reasons Why Libra & Pisces Make The Ultimate Power Couple
You can identify a Libra based on three familiar characteristics: They are social, creative peace-makers. Pisces is another creative sign with an eye for beauty and whimsy. Both are known for their generous, loving, and loyal ways, and as a result, a Libra-Pisces pairing tends to be a match made in astrological heaven. When looking at the two signs on the zodiac wheel, they don’t appear to have too much in common.
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