Brainstorm | Opinion, Analysis, Reports, Features

Cattle being loaded aboard the SS Slieve More, the fastest cross-channel cargo steamer of its time, to transport livestock from Dublin to Holyhead. Photo: © Hulton-Deutsch Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images

What could Trump learn from 1930s' Ireland-Britain trade war?

The Anglo-Irish trade war saw both sides slap tariffs on key exports in a display of economic dislocation and diplomatic animosity

Trump Tariffs • 20 Mar

Fine day for a scoop: tourists enjoying a picnic at the Killarney Lakes in Co. Kerry in 1897. Photo: National Library of Ireland/Flickr Commons

When British politicians tried to police Irish drunkenness

The 'uncalled for' and 'offensive' Drunkenness (Ireland) Bill sought to make it an offence in 1905 to buy a drink for a drunk person

History • 08 Aug 24

Sinn Féin's Michelle O'Neill meets King Charles III at Hillsborough Castle, Co Down in September 2022

The politics of Sinn Féin at the British royal coronation

Sinn Féin are aiming to show voters that it has the political tact and diplomacy to represent Ireland on the world stage

Politics • 02 May 23

The London Eye illuminated in green for St Patrick's Day. Photo: Vuk Valcic/SOPA Images/ LightRocket via Getty Images

What the UK Census really says about the Irish in Britain

It's important to differentiate between the 'Irish population' as seen in the UK Census and the reality of the broader 'Irish community'

Migration • 09 Dec 22

'Stranger things have happened'. Photo: Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images

'A British reclamation of Ireland down the line? Unthinkable?'

What would be the British government's attitude to Sinn Féin's electoral dominance on the island of Ireland should it materialise?

Politics • 11 May 22

1982 was an eventful year for Taoiseach Charles Haughey and British prime minister Margaret Thatcher. Photo: Getty Images

How the Falklands war caused rifts in Anglo-Irish relations

The Falklands war 40 years ago was a turbulent period for relations between the Irish and British governments

Falklands War • 30 Mar 22

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson faced intense pressure after a video emerged of his aides joking about holding a Christmas party at Downing Street last year. Photo: Adrian Dennis/AFP via Getty Images

Why that Downing Street Christmas party video is so infuriating

A political communicatons' expert on why a leaked video of a press conference rehearsal has prompted so much fury

Politics • 09 Dec 21

Irish workers arrive in London in 1951 to work as conductors on London buses Photo: Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Why do British people know so little about Ireland?

From politics to academia, ignorance in British society about Ireland has profound implications for relations between the two nations

Britain • 05 Nov 21

"The idea that Brexit may mark the birth of a federal tradition on the island of Britain may appear fanciful. But then, Brexit appeared rather fanciful just a few years ago"

What will Britain look like 50 years after Brexit?

Many potential scenarios for the future of Britain lie ahead in the wake of the departure from the EU

Brexit • 24 Nov 20

German chancellor Angela Merkel: "I lived behind the Iron Curtain so I know only too well what it means once borders vanish"

The view from Germany on Brexit

Analysing how Brexit will affect Germany has meant a better understanding of the benefits of the EU and the challenges faced by Ireland

Brexit • 13 Sep 19

Will Brexit Britain stand up for Hong Kong?

The British tendency to prioritise trade with China over a defence of Hong Kong's autonomy may be amplified by Brexit

Hong Kong • 09 Sep 19

Boris Johnson and the Conservatives just want to have fun

'Boris Johnson may be a joke, but he will have the last laugh'

In the Age of Entertainment, it is more important to be amusing and whacky rather than competent or honest to succeed in politics

Boris Johnson • 26 Jun 19

"Without doubt, May has some serious competition from previous premiers who have presided over other calamities"

Is Theresa May the worst British prime minister of modern times?

Here are the departing British prime minister's rivals for that unwanted title

Britain • 24 May 19

The ayes have it: You're going to miss this lad when it's all over

'We're fed up of Brexit, yet we can't get enough of it'

We're addicted to Brexit because it's nothing less than a fundamental struggle for the true meaning of democracy

Brexit • 13 Apr 19

Airey Neave who was killed 40 years ago in an INLA car bomb attack. Photo: Getty Images

The life and death of British spy turned politician Airey Neave

Just who was Airey Neave, the British politician assassinated 40 years ago this week by the INLA?

Airey Neave • 28 Mar 19

The trials and humiliations of Theresa May

How can we explain the British prime minister's ability to carry on despite a constant wave of attacks, onslaughts and setbacks?

Theresa May • 17 Dec 18

"In the post-colonial era, the old imperial arrogance is no longer supported by ruthless pragmatism, but by blundering incompetence."

Chaos, incompetence, decline: Brexit and the British government

Brexit has highlighted an unprecedented level of self-imposed chaos and ineptitude from British cabinet ministers and civil servants

Brexit • 19 Nov 18

A union jack flag hung from a lamp post near the Irish border in Fermanagh. Photo: Charles McQuillan/Getty Images

The Brexit poll which reveals how Britain views Northern Ireland

We should not be surprised if British public opinion considers dumping Northern Ireland at moments of political expediency

Brexit • 27 Jun 18

Corn tax: the Corn Laws imposed restrictions and tarrifs on grain imports to Britain between 1815 and 1846

Brexit lessons from Britain's 19th century push for free trade

When Britain repealed the Corn Laws in 1846, it became the first major economy to adopt unilateral global free trade. With Brexit negotiations underway, how does that experience relate to events of today?

Brexit • 25 Sep 17

Britain