Top Gear is a show about how lovely it is to driving cars fast, filmed at a point in history when we should all apparently be behaving like the Spandex-clad bell-ringing berks – and I love it
Our democracy has some bizarre traditions that are less than orthodox, and highly entertaining
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From Winston Churchill via Sarah Palin to Boris Johnson and Michael Gove
One of the strengths of the democratic system is its ability to refresh itself – sometimes in surprising ways,
There are times when the state does need to interfere in religious observance, to protect all its citizens and ensure that all are equal in the eyes the law
Inside Westminster: George Osborne's Manchester project is the great hope for integrated health and social care, but the crises are looming. We can''t wait years to see if it works
Using ground forces keeps civilian casualties to a minimum – but there is a feeling that any means are justifiable to defeat a movement of such monstrous cruelty and savagery as Isis
Admitting you believe in a higher power is like confessing that you slept with the postman, yet people continue to get married in church
The queen of the great British high street is in terminal decline – but if you put me in charge, I could sort it out
Rory Kinnear quips and charms his way through the role of Macheath
The International Olympic Committee has confirmed that the athletes come from six different nationalities over five sports
Just like Obama, Trump is inspiring first-time voters to get out on polling day, while existing Republicans will hold their noses when they get to the ballot box
Americanisms with double meanings and other clichés and glitches in The Independent this week
In his final column in a three-part series, The Independent's founding editor explains how he came to make this most critical of political judgements
