Issue 1408

Devoluton’s sunny uplands
Calls for more democracy for the North even extend – however unlikely – to calls for independence. Chris Moss asks if regional settlement is manifest destiny or pie in the sky.

Ruff drafts make the final cut
With their fiercely competitive breakfasts, lax attitude to work Zoom meetings and upside-down sleeping, Olive and Mabel were the hottest online stars of the lockdown. Susan Griffin catches up with Andrew Cotter, who commentates on the Labradors' feats in hushed tones – while also feeding and walking them.

The many mysteries of Victor Grayson
Elected socialist MP for Colne Valley against the odds, Victor Grayson was a charismatic and flamboyant young MP. But his performances in the Commons were erratic – and later he vanished as a cash for honours scandal was emerging. Paul Salveson goes in search of answers.

Quirke of the author’s fate
Fateful encounters, streams of consciousness, sinister politics and a rich period setting – one of Ireland’s finest prose stylists, John Banville, brings artistry to the craft of crime-writing, says Chris Moss.

Plus
News, arts and entertainment, and columnists Saskia Murphy and Roger Ratcliffe in the first of our bumper 48-page editions in the run-up to Christmas.