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Essays
From Hartlepool to the hangman: the flag-wavers now running the Tory Party could take Britain back to the gallows
Eventually the new nationalists will need a new populist cause: a referendum on the death penalty is becoming a frightening possibility
![Mykhailo Polenok / Alamy Stock Photo](https://media.prospectmagazine.co.uk/prod/images/square_large_fill/8ad5bfad58dd-moneybenchu.jpg)
Spending
The philosophy underpinning how money works
Whether it’s bullion or Bitcoin, its value always comes down to trust
![© Tim McDonagh](https://media.prospectmagazine.co.uk/prod/images/square_large_fill/d39709c32fc7-uvdlheader1.jpg)
Politics
Ursula von der Leyen: Europe’s second-rate first lady
On paper the President of the European Commission looked perfect for the job, but her talent isn't a match for her connections and the EU is paying the price
![Michael Lewis in his book and bike-lined study. Photo: New York Times / Redux / eyevine](https://media.prospectmagazine.co.uk/prod/images/square_large_fill/5f160c9b5cc5-michael-lewis.jpg)
Government
Michael Lewis on how to spot a crisis coming
Michael Lewis has spent decades chronicling the life of US institutions. He tells Jay Elwes why the US’s shocking failures on Covid-19 could have been avoided
![In his meetings with the EU’s leaders, Barnier (centre) fought to preserve a united front. Photo: © Ye Pingfan/Xinhua/Alamy Live News](https://media.prospectmagazine.co.uk/prod/images/square_large_fill/ce0d3d857f02-barnierfeatured.jpg)
Culture
Michel Barnier’s diaries show how he overachieved on Brexit
A blow-by-blow account by the former chief negotiator contains an important lesson: unbending rigour is not always the asset you might think
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