Alex O’Connell

Could a powerful chancellor rewire the Treasury brain? Labour’s vision for growth has yet to break free of the rigid thinking that frustrated Harold Wilson and others

Does the spending review prove that Rachel Reeves has totally rewired her Treasury brain? Nope, says Philip Collins observer.co.uk/news/opinion...

Free speech, fiction and survival: my conversation with S... In his most frank conversation since he was attacked onstage three years ago, Salman Rushdie addresses his recovery, the importance of fiction in an era ...

@ericawgnr.bsky.social interviewed Salman Rushdie at Hay - here’s the fascinating interview in which they talk fiction and recovery @observeruk.bsky.social

Much Ado about a missing Shakespeare folio and the fetish of private ownership | The Observer A set of Shakespeare’s Folios was pulled from auction after a ‘secret’ sale. Collectors can hoard away – we have the Bard’s words and they’re the treasures that count

A set of Folios has gone to a private buyer, rather than being sold at auction. Relax, says Kate Maltby, we’ll always have the words observer.co.uk/culture/book...

David Sedaris: ‘We’ve got to do something about Trump. I know I will, maybe after Fiji’ | The Observer Americans are hurting, so we rage in $1,000 restaurants, glittering parties and foot salons

Thank you David Sedaris for this new essay in which many of us may recognise ourselves @theobserveruk.bsky.social observer.co.uk/news/opinion...

As a musician, I know why closing down the thriving Leadmill is a blow to all of Sheffield | The Observer Independent journalism | News, culture & style | Investigations, analysis, features, ideas, recipes, newsletters & podcasts that make sense of the world

Richard Hawley shares his memories of the @theleadmill.bsky.social and explains why its closure is a tragedy for Sheffield and beyond @theobserveruk.bsky.social observer.co.uk/culture/musi...

Juliette Binoche interview: ‘I am who I am with all my flaws’ Forty years after her Cannes debut, the actress will be president of the festival’s jury – a ‘picky’ approach to her career has paid off

www.telegraph.co.uk/films/2025/0...
I interviewed Juliette Binoche about reuniting with Ralph Fiennes for The Return - she was wonderful and, well, intense

Some news: I’ve joined the Observer as associate editor, looking after Opinion & Ideas and a new People section. Best email for now is alex.oconnell@tortoisemedia.com