30 October 2000

From the Editor…

sue-matthias 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

Sue Matthias, Acting Editor, New Statesman

Cover story

Divorce your husband and watch him get rich

A new study reveals what women have suspected all along: from tower block to trading floor, the man does better out of divorce. Carol Sarlerreports

By Carol Sarler

Features

Tony, the straightest guy in town

By Julian Glover

Forget the spinmeister reputation: this Prime Minister is exactly as he seems

Did someone mention the N-word?

By Christian Wolmar

The way the railways are owned encourages accidents, but don't expect much to change, writes Christian Wolmar

French women have it easier

By Celia Brayfield

In France, female politicians can be bright and beautiful. Not here, writesCelia Brayfield

The euro's nervous breakdown

By William Keegan

The euro is at an all-time low. Does this spell doom for the currency, or just teething problems?

Don't blame your fears on the box

By Chris Shaw

Crime figures are down, but our perception is that life is more dangerous than ever before. Are the new "true crime" television shows to blame?

Tell us about your dog litter

By Judy Hirst

Fuel protesters and pensioners accuse Tony Blair of not listening. In fact, this government is engaged in more consultation exercises than ever

Waiting in no-man's land

By Adam Sage

Every week, 400 immigrants arrive in Calais, where they remain in limbo until - legally or illegally - they can cross the Channel. Adam Sagereports

Welcome to the Fat Slob Way of Life

By Theodore Dalrymple

Never mind the length, Theodore Dalrymple is more concerned about the quality of our lives

The first postmodern ironist

By Julian Evans

We live in a passionless age, wrote the philosopher Soren Kierkegaard. That is why he speaks to us today, believes Julian Evans

The secret lives of our Walter Mitties

By Patrick West

Tired of your ordinary life? Why not follow in the footsteps of Grey Owl, Anastasia and Ali G, and invent another persona for yourself? Patrick Weston leading a double life

Regulars

Diary

The napkin-wrapped bottle of wine Boris Yeltsin used to fill his glass contained grape juice

By Ed Victor

New Statesman Leader

Let's ruffle those feathers

Paul Routledge

By Paul Routledge

The west has its reasons for validating Israel's violence; human rights are not an issue

By John Pilger

We are more British than we realise

By Darcus Howe

Tony the Great has his own scheming Potemkin

By Cristina Odone

Media

When it comes to its own, Fleet Street turns coy

By Bill Hagerty

Media - Bill Hagerty

Fear of the tabloid press creates strange drinking partners

By Lauren Booth

Competition - Win a bottle of champagne

Arts & Culture

Simon says

By Scott Lucas

We are desired. We are wealthy. We are civilised. We are Britain. But, asks Scott Lucas, should we trust the folksy authority of a celebrity historian?