FROM THE CHAIR

It’s been nearly 50 years since Margaret Thatcher told us: “We used to be famous for two things – as a nation of shopkeepers and as the workshop of the world.” If her fears that we were drifting away from our rich historical legacy of trade and industry were well-founded, what would she make of Britain in 2024?

Our lead interview is with Rushanara Ali, who currently holds the role of shadow minister for investment and small business. Amid Labour’s talk of bankers’ bonuses and roundtables with the likes of Google and Shell, we ask her if the party is at risk of neglecting the smaller enterprises. She should be well placed to answer: the first British Bangladeshi elected to Parliament, she represents Bethnal Green and Bow; a community with smaller businesses at its heart.

Our other interview is with Shevaun Haviland, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce. She talks to Tali Fraser about Brexit, business rates and immigration.

We also have plenty of experts and parliamentarians to contribute their thoughts on our main theme. Anand Menon asks if Britain’s trading relationship with Europe can improve beyond its current status, which can best be described as amicable: sadly, he doesn’t see too much cause for optimism, whichever party is in government. Ed Conway, meanwhile, gives us a fascinating perspective on the surprising importance of… sand. We also ask whether Argentina’s new President Javier Milei can put aside the Falkland Islands dispute to strike a trade deal with the UK, while John Hayes argues that a second Trump presidency would be – contrary to what you may have heard – great for Britain!

Away from trade, Rosena Allin-Khan reviews the new Jodie Comer drama, Baroness Fall sees the benefits of an early election, and Francis Elliott meets the authors of a new governance audit. Our secret tour guide, meanwhile, ventures out of the palace and finds a Second World War secret you might well have missed. All this and more in your House magazine!