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this week. Reporting from St Helena, Douglas Murray reflects on the inhabitants he has met and the history

of the British overseas territory. After the cast reports conclusions into transgender care from

the NHS, Lionel Shriver opines on the positioning of the debate.

Following a boyhood dream to visit the country to watch cricket,

Mark Mason reads his letter from India as he travels there with his son.

And Taylor Swift's new album may be titled The Tortured Poets Department,

but there is precious little poetry of Graham Thompson's review is anything to go by.

Up first, Douglas Murray.

In an attempt to escape from the world, I have come with friends to St Helena.

It is quite a good place for the exercise.

Until a few years ago, the only way to get to the island was a five-day boat voyage from Cape Town.

Shortly before COVID, an airport for this British overseas territory was finally completed at UK taxpayer expense. To protect some local insects, the runway was put at a slightly wrong angle,

making it difficult, sometimes impossible, to land.

The weekly flight from Johannesburg, therefore, refueles in Namibia in case landing is impossible,

and the plane has to about turn.

James Town is not the busiest metropolis,

but for the island's population of around 4,000 people, this harbour town is the hub.

...