Reviewing politics
and culture since 1913

Politics
Comment
World
Ideas
Culture
Books
Magazine
Newsletters
Spotlight on Policy
Podcasts

Subscribe

Account

My profile
Sign out

Sign In

My profile

Subscribe

Sign out

Subscribe

Sign In

Home

Politics
- Back to all sections
- UK
- Scotland
- Wales
- Northern Ireland
- Polling
- Media
- Brexit
- Society
Comment
World
- Back to all sections
- US
- Europe
- Africa
- Asia
- Australasia
- Americas
- Middle East
- China
- India
Ideas
- Back to all sections
- The Ideas Interview
Culture
- Back to all sections
- Books
- Film
- TV
- Music
- Radio & Podcasts
- Theatre
- Goldsmiths Prize
- Art & Design
- Q&A
- Food & Drink
- Nature
- Poetry
- Fiction
- Sport
Magazine
Newsletters
Spotlight on Policy
Podcasts

Explore the NS

Newsletters
Archive
Podcasts
Video
Events
Featured writers
Goldsmiths Prize
About us
Partners

Latest Magazine

Subscribe Today

Peter Kemp

Latest articles

Long reads

Please stop fiddling the books

Special Report: The Private Finance Initiative – The mandarin’s view

By Peter Kemp

New Statesman

About us
History
Help Centre
Contact us
Advertising & Partnerships
RSS

Social

Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
LinkedIn

Legal

Privacy policy
T&Cs

Reviewing politics
and culture since 1913

© 2025 Progressive Media Investments