Why the anti-woke backlash presents an opportunity

Some businesses are capitulating to the anti-woke movement by rolling back their commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. But James Harding argues that companies which choose to embrace it now will be better off in the future.

The price of loyalty to Biden

As Joe Biden edges closer to stepping aside, James Harding has a cautionary tale for worried Democrats from across the Atlantic.

A moment of optimism

The seam of anger and disillusion in UK politics is wide and deep. But Thursday’s vote offers us a reason to hope, too.

Hope, change and the fiscal rules

James Harding wonders whether amid all the hope of a new Labour government it will need to revise its fiscal rules.

Not rejoining, but returning

Now Labour and the Conservatives have published their party manifestos, Tortoise editor James Harding examines which issues they're not tackling.

It's the technology, stupid

James Harding thinks we're asking our politicians the wrong questions ahead of the election.

The politicisation of the courts

In the wake of the verdict against Donald Trump, James Harding considers the the loss of confidence in the judiciary, the suspicion that judges are politicians, that the courts are political and polarising.

The course for change

James Harding reflects on how the UK General Election will change the course of the country.

Should journalism defend democracy or enable it?

James Harding ponders what the job of journalism is in the face of populist liars, sophisticated propaganda and the information war.

Why newsrooms matter

James Harding makes the case for why newsrooms should be places a home for challenging questions, heretics and contrarians.

The joy of journalism

Why being a journalist and asking questions can be such a privilege and a joy

A new age of rearmament

In the past week there have been a couple of dramatic announcements on military spending, but it has actually increased every year since 2014. In his Editor's Voicemail James explains why this gradual military build-up amounts to a step change, and asks what it might mean for the world.

David Cameron inspires a rethink

Although Lord Cameron’s turn as Foreign Secretary hasn’t redeemed his reputation for Brexit, it has made James think again - not just about the former prime minister, but about politics and political coverage.

Why it's wrong to suggest the BBC is antisemitic

The princess and the tortoise

Who decides what's real? James Harding reflects on the challenges that modern newsrooms face when trying to provide accurate information. He also has some news about his family's pet tortoise.

An economy built on fellowship

After this week's budget and Labour's response, James Harding found himself wishing for new ideas for the economy. In this week's Editor's Voicemail he explores the idea of fellowship.

Jacob Rothschild

The financier and philanthropist, who died this week at the age of 87, was an enthusiastic supporter of Tortoise. In this Editor's Voicemail James Harding remembers a man who believed in bringing people together to reach a better understanding.

More of the same is different

It's only February and it already feels like the predictions Tortoise made at the start of the year were frivolous and eccentric. In his first Editor's Voicemail of 2024 James Harding tries to make sense of the scribbles in his notebook and pieces together what he's been hearing.