The core of the British state still believes it can lead by example I n the 1950 s the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament ( CND ) became a fashionable cause among the who’s who of Britain. Public intellectuals from Bertrand Russell to J.B.
Priestley argued forcefully that the country should unilaterally lay down the bomb. “Our bargaining power is slight,” wrote Priestley. “The force of our example might be great.
” A.J.P.
Taylor, the first celebrity historian and fellow initials lover, was another supporter of this unsuccessful cause. It was, he later realised, a futile endeavour: “We thought that Great Britain was still a great power whose example would affect the rest of the world. Ironically, we were the last Imperialists.
” Explore more Discover more Blighty newsletter: Why Keir Starmer is underwhelming The story of one NHS operation And what it says about how to improve the productivity of Britain’s health service The Sue Gray saga casts doubt on Sir Keir Starmer’s managerial chops Faith in the prime minister’s technocratic credentials has been tested Britain has agreed to cede the Chagos Islands to Mauritius The Chagossians seem set to benefit less than China Ukrainians are settling down in Britain. That creates a problem A tricky decision for the new Labour government Gigafactories and dashed dreams: the parable of Blyth What one port town says about the British economy.