From the magazine Jenny McCartney

Radio

It’s moving to think how happy Van Gogh was in Brixton

Plus: the pitfalls, irritations and occasional successes of political rhetoric

Jenny McCartney Jenny McCartney
It’s poignant to think of Van Gogh in his first year in London, drinking in the changing views from Westminster Bridge each day while walking to and from work, young and wholly happy. PHOTO: TOM PARSONS © VAN GOGH HOUSE
EXPLORE THE ISSUE 25 January 2025
issue 25 January 2025
  • Comments

  • Strong Message Here

    BBC Radio 4

  • Between the Ears: Vincent Van Gogh in Brixton

    BBC Radio 3

When a phrase really takes off in the political sphere, you will recognise it by the frequency with which it crops up on the Today programme. Many years ago, I noticed that politicians had begun using the line ‘it’s not rocket science!’ when attacking the alleged inability of their opponents to get even the basics right.

GIF Image

Disagree with half of it, enjoy reading all of it

TRY A MONTH FREE
Our magazine articles are for subscribers only. Try a month of Britain’s best writing, absolutely free.

Read next

Trending

Zachary Marsh

What is really being taught to our children in history lessons?

History is an area of remarkable success in our schools thanks to recent education reforms. However, these impressive strides forward risk being undermined by a new wave of activism in classrooms. This process of ‘decolonisation’ in history is not necessary Following the Black Lives Matter protests of 2020, 83 per cent of schools have made changes to ‘diversify’

More on Armando Iannucci

Also by Jenny McCartney

Latest

Comments

Join the debate, free for a month

Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first month free.

Already a subscriber? Log in