MYSTERIOUS: 4 - What They Never Told You

Talking is the key that unlocks all education

Letters: Dr Mike Davis, Chris Wills and Debbie Cameron respond to Simon Jenkins’ article on the benefits of oracy lessons

The Guardian - UK · Jul 30, 2025

Another way we are failing an entire generation: we must teach young people to speak

The PM promised to prioritise oracy lessons, but has failed to do so. Set against tests and exams, it is seen as a luxury: in fact it is essential, says Guardian columnist Simon Jenkins

The Guardian - UK · Jul 24, 2025

This fiasco didn’t start when Britain leaked Afghans’ names, but when we invaded their country

Even after Tony Blair’s bungled war, UK leaders still yearned to dominate the world stage. We can all see where that has led, says Guardian columnist Simon Jenkins

The Guardian - UK · Jul 18, 2025

Note to Starmer and the other sabre-rattlers. Why spend billions on weapons – soft power would keep us safe

With hawks on one side and doves on the other, we ignore the obvious fact that engagement is the best defence against conflict, says Guardian columnist Simon Jenkins

The Guardian - UK · Jun 26, 2025

How bad is the HS2 fiasco now? So bad it’s time to listen to Nigel Farage

Labour now says the botched high-speed rail project will be further delayed. Why not just scrap it, as the Reform leader suggests? asks Guardian columnist Simon Jenkins

The Guardian - UK · Jun 19, 2025

Labour had the chance to finally kill off HS2. Instead, it’s throwing more money into the pit

Rachel Reeves didn’t utter a word about this disaster in her spending review. Yet there’s a colossal £25bn more earmarked for it, says Guardian columnist Simon Jenkins

The Guardian - UK · Jun 13, 2025

Sadiq Khan is right: Britain must decriminalise cannabis – or remain in the dark ages

Criminalising drugs ruins lives and wastes police resources. Many other countries have realised this – so when will UK politicians, asks Guardian columnist Simon Jenkins

The Guardian - UK · Jun 5, 2025

From the day Britain left the EU, this reset was inevitable. What a pointless waste of time, money and effort

Keir Starmer is not blameless when it comes to Brexit, but he is moving in the right direction. Even the Tories attacking him know that, says Guardian columnist Simon Jenkins

The Guardian - UK · May 23, 2025

Move civil servants out of London: fine. But that won’t curb Whitehall’s grip on Britain

It matters less where civil servants work than who they work for – and that is one of the most centralised governments of any western democracy, says Simon Jenkins

The Guardian - UK · May 15, 2025

Putting up a defence for jury trials in Britain

Letters: Bob Marshall-Andrews, Francis FitzGibbon and another reader respond to an article by Simon Jenkins on ditching trial by jury

The Guardian - UK · May 12, 2025