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Thursday June 10 2021

 
 

By Chris Evans,
EDITOR

Dear Reader,

Tensions over Northern Ireland and the Brexit deal are threatening to derail Boris Johnson’s moment on the global stage. President Joe Biden landed in the UK last night amid the news that he ordered his diplomats to formally rebuke the UK for jeopardising the peace process. You can read the details here. The EU is meant to be fighting Ireland’s corner, but is it acting in Dublin’s best interests? Ray Bassett, a former Irish diplomat, makes the case that it’s time for the Republic to ditch the EU, too.

The University of Oxford has long been at the centre of the cultural debates raging in Britain. The ancient institution caused fresh ructions this week when it emerged that Magdalen College graduate students voted to remove a portrait of the Queen over “colonialism”. What is it like to enter a debate with these elite progenitors of the ‘woke’ agenda? Anna Pasternak did just that at the Oxford Union and recounts her experience here.

Euro 2020 is finally upon us, albeit 12 months late. England kick off their campaign against Croatia on Sunday, with Wembley playing host. The return of the European Championship to the national stadium (and Phil Foden’s new hairstyle) has stirred memories of Euro 96 and Paul Gascoigne. In a wonderful piece, Thom Gibbs tells the full story of Gascoigne’s tournament, from dentist’s chair to penalty shoot out despair.

(Don’t forget to download your tournament wallchart and use our predictor to see all the possible permutations, and sign up for regular Euros updates in our daily newsletter.)

How prepared are you for retirement? New research by the Pensions Policy Institute claims that as many as 90 per cent of private sector workers with “defined contribution” pensions will not be able to afford a comfortable retirement, with the pandemic only making things worse. Jessica Beard reports on what’s going wrong. You can also contribute your stories of facing a retirement crisis.

Chris

PS Don’t miss our special June sale – you can get three months of full access to our website and app for just 1, saving 85 per cent. You'll start with a one-month free trial and then pay just 50p per month for the next two months, and you can cancel at any time.

 
 

My Choices

Ireland Brexit

'The case for an Irish Brexit is growing stronger' – Ray Bassett argues that Ireland has been used and abused by Brussels and patience is running out.

Illustration Queen portrait graffiti

'I spoke up for the Queen at Oxford's debate... and was jeered': Anna Pasternak recounts her experience and reflects on the Sussexes' influence.

Paul Gascoigne

Paul Gascoigne’s Euro 96: Joy, despair and a dentist’s chair. Friends and rivals remember the mad brilliance of the months in which Gascoigne ruled Europe. (Free to read)

 
Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber

Andrew Lloyd Webber: ‘You'll have to arrest us to stop us reopening theatres’. Composer pledges to defy Government if lockdown restrictions are not lifted as planned. (Free to read)

Illustration couple and damaged house

Five million over-50s 'sleepwalking' into a retirement crisis. Read how nine in 10 workers will not be able to afford a comfortable retirement.

Tim Stanley with Bertie Jennings

'He's my happiest mistake – but what am I going to do with my lockdown puppy?' asks Tim Stanley, as he explains the reality of getting a dog during lockdown.

 
 

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