02 February 2009
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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
Interview: Alistair Darling
The UK Chancellor has emerged from a year of upheaval with his reputation intact. He tells New Statesman political correspondent James Macintyre that answers to the crisis are practical not political
Features
The great survivor: another 60 years
Liam Donaldson looks to the horizon and considers some of the issues that may arise for health services in the decades to come
A personal history of the NHS
Kenneth Calman looks back over the past 60 years describing the impact that the NHS has had on him
Our only hope is to talk
Israel must speak to the Palestinians: it is the sole strategy by which Israelis themselves will find healing and peace. Plus read our letter from Gaza
Closing Guantanamo
It is the most potent symbol of the abuses of the Bush era: Obama's swift decision to shut down Guantanamo Bay prison has been hailed as a new dawn for justice
Bohemians, farewell
They were a peculiarly British breed: talented, intellectual, often alcoholic (but usually harmless) eccentrics. Where old pubs and shabby bookshops were to be found, there they flourished. But sadly no more
Letter from Gaza
Death and destruction have been visited on Gaza, but the real target is stronger than ever. Hamas has arms and international support. Israel, Obama and the west must learn to deal with it
Essay
Bringing up baby
It's the quality of parenting in Britain, rather than the education system, that's really failing our children - and the government is doing nothing to address it
Regulars
The Politics Column
Leaders of the pact?
The time has come to think the unthinkable, argues Sunder Katwala: a coalition between Labour and the Lib Dems
Ready, Steady . . . Vote No 4060
Set by Joy Hosker Samak Sundaravej was ousted as Thailand's PM after hosting a TV cookery programme, "Tasting and Grumbling", for four episodes following his election. We asked you for attempts by other well-known politicians to break into the genre, including information on their signature dish
Culture
The power behind the screen
The output of Hollywood is intrinsically pro-establishment, and to understand why you have to follow the money
Back to our roots
Lisa Hannigan is one of the innovative artists taking folk music into the 21st century
Performance
Voice of the people
A timely reminder that there has always been another, more gentle, United States Folk America: Hollerers, Stompers and Old Time Ramblers Barbican, London EC2
Film
The revolution that wasn't
Sam Mendes has a very literal take on a novel about middle class aspirations Revolutionary Road (15) dir: Sam Mendes
Television
Macho, macho men
It's too soon for the gleeful realism of this drama about the invasion of Iraq Generation Kill FX Friday Night with Jonathan Ross BBC1
Radio
Monarchs of the glen
Staffed by a team of volunteers, Britain's smallest station is a compelling listen
Books
There will be blood
The immense success of Twilight, both the book and film, proves the vampire genre is still as potent as ever. How did Dracula and his brethren become such important modern myths and staples of popular culture?
Put out more flags
Bad Vibes: Britpop and My Part in its Downfall Luke Haines Heinemann, 425pp, £12.99
Odd man out
The Strangest Man: the Hidden Life of Paul Dirac, Quantum Genius Graham Farmelo Faber & Faber, 495pp, £22.50
São Paulo: the brand
Heliopolis James Scudamore Harvill Secker, 288pp, £12.99
Hard to care about
The Last Bachelor Jay McInerney Bloomsbury, 216pp, £12.99
The book that changed my life
Peter Tatchell chooses Animal Liberation by Peter Singer
