Feature: Culture, environment and genes are all cited as reasons for sporting success. But it is practice that really makes perfect, reports Oliver Poole... more
When the late Sir James Goldsmith founded the Referendum Party, the joke went around that one of his friends, the socialite Carla Powell, thought it was a social event and wondered whether there'd be a finger buffet. ... more
The panel of critics who chose NEDS (non-educated delinquents) as the Evening Standard Film of the Year were making a statement. Clearly the film is not enjoyable in the manner of The King's Speech. The appeal of NEDS is merciless reality.... more
Zaha Hadid lives in a pristine white pod, has sacrificed her personal life to architecture, and will brook no opposition from underlings or the establishment. Harry Mount has an audience with the newly crowned winner of the Stirling Prize... more
It was closer, but Nick Clegg triumphed again - using positive messages to win over voters and repel his rivals' attacks, body language experts said... more
Nick Clegg was the nice guy, Gordon Brown the alpha male, with David Cameron playing the role of polished but anxious performer - that was the verdict of body language experts... more
Master satirist Armando Iannucci's take on British politics earned him an Oscar nomination. But, unlike his creation Malcolm Tucker in The Thick of It, he's unsure, underconfident and suffers from a bad case of imposter syndrome... more
Are you sitting comfortably? Well, don’t take it for granted. Even London’s cosiest middle classes can be reduced to low life at a stroke, according to William Boyd in his latest novel. Here he expands on this and other themes ... more
Former RBS boss Sir Fred Goodwin has enjoyed - and latterly endured - a variety of nicknames and epithets over the years, charting precisely his rise and fall from grace... more
The Mayor of Tower Hamlets defeated Labour to be elected. Livingstone not only backed him but some of Ken's key players are now at the heart of running the council. Stephen Robinson reports
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