1 January 1999
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From the Editor…
Welcome to the New Statesman website. Whether you are a new reader or an existing one - online or via the magazine - I hope you'll enjoy the great writing, fresh ideas and provocative debate that make the New Statesman Britain's award-winning current affairs weekly
Cover story
An earthquake strikes new Labour
Peter Mandelson was one of the few ministers who instinctively knew Blair's mind. His loss exposes the government's fragility, argues Steve Richards
Features
The politics of debt
Peter Mandelson merely owed money to Geoffrey Robinson, but Tony Blair has heavier obligations. Will he carrying on paying, asks John Lloyd
Saddam outfoxes the west again
Why does the US persist in a policy that makes the Iraqi leader stronger, richer and more popular than ever, asks Charles Glass
How I helped to arm the Iraqis
Eric Jacobs wonders if we shouldn't be more careful about where we sell tanks
Just another marketing opportunity
David Hayes finds few cups of kindness in Edinburgh's Hogmanay
Old wealth is always with us
The British aristocracy, judging by what happened in India, may be far from finished, thinks Giles MacDonagh
Who wrecked the world economy?
Christopher Huhne blames IMF errors for the troubles of 1998 and argues that, if 1999 is to be better, world leaders must get back to Keynesian basics
No Turks, please, we're German
Gerhard Schroder's new citizenship law is provoking a backlash against immigrants
A saint's patience is tried, and found wanting
Nelson Mandela believes that South Africa's whites have betrayed him. John Carlin reports
How to stop little children suffering
There are more orphans in Romania now than in 1989. Lindsey Mackiereports
Regulars
Arts & Culture
Comedie francaise
Sitcom is the latest in a newish wave of French films. Jonathan Romneytastes both vin ordinaire and vintage
Thinking ahead
Modern Times
Melody maker
Classical
A nation of shopfitters
Design
Books
British street and fashion culture is the envy of the world. But the grind of professionalism is killing maverick talent
Vivienne Westwood: An Unfashionable Life
Jane Mulvagh HarperCollins, 399pp, £19.99
The Ossie Clark Diaries
Lady Henrietta Rous (editor) Bloomsbury, 397pp, £20
A talent to offend
Memoir: My Life and Themes
Conor Cruise O'Brien Profile Books, 384pp, £20
Flight from the present
The Prince of Egypt
Charles Solomon Thames & Hudson, 192pp, £25
The Mask of Ra
Paul Doherty Headline, 244pp, £9.99
The Sleeper in the Sands
Tom Holland Little, Brown, 372pp, £9.99
Penis envy
What do Women want?
Erica Jong Bloomsbury, 256pp £16.99
In Search of an Impotent Man
Gaby Hauptman Virago, 320pp, £9.99
Novel of the week
Jack
A M Homes Anchor, £6.99
Books of the century
Stuart Burrows pays tribute to the polemical vigour of Edward Said
Observations
Letters to the Editor
New Statesman readers give their views - see what they said and find out how to contribute yourself by going to our letters pages
