Isobel Thompson
Vanity Fair
United Kingdom
Contact Isobel
Discover and connect with journalists and influencers around the world, save time on email research, monitor the news, and more.
| Recent: |
|
| Past: |
|
Past articles by Isobel:
Liz Truss Exits: How Britain Ended Up With Yet Another Prime Minister’s Resignation
Conservative Liz Truss’s tenure was defined by economic chaos, an invigorated opposition, and a mounting legitimacy crisis. Whoever replaces her—and yes, Boris Johnson might be in the running—will inherit a divided party and struggling country. → Read More
The Liz Truss Era Begins With a Bungled Tax Plan That May Cost UK Conservatives
The prime minister abandoned her plan to cut taxes for high earners, but the economic and political fallout from her vision appears to be opening a door for the Labour Party to make inroads with voters. → Read More
“When the Herd Moves, It Moves”: Boris Johnson’s Bravado Couldn’t Save Him This Time
The British prime minister’s legacy will be inextricably linked to Brexit, along with a slew of scandals that ultimately led to his own downfall. “In politics,” he acknowledged Thursday, “no one is remotely indispensable.” → Read More
With Partygate, Boris Johnson Lands in a Crisis of His Own Making
The British prime minister is fighting for survival after a slew of reports that government officials—himself included—partied it up during COVID lockdown. → Read More
Boris Johnson Used a COVID Diagnosis to His Advantage. Can Trump?
The brash populist who downplayed coronavirus used his stint in the ICU to bridge national divides—and could benefit from it down the line. But while Johnson has years to redeem himself in voters’ eyes, Trump’s time is nearly up. → Read More
Scoxit?: Boris Johnson’s Flailing Charm Offensive May Not Be Enough to Keep Scotland From Splitting
Downing Street’s disjointed pandemic response has only helped push Scottish independence forward, though given current economic turbulence, breaking away is anything but guaranteed. → Read More
“It’s Going to Be Misery on Misery”: Will Britain’s Twin Crises Crush Boris Johnson?
The prime minister may have his mojo back after a bout of coronavirus, reopening pubs and encouraging games of village cricket. But as the country juggles the pandemic and Brexit, its national nightmare is far from over. → Read More
Can a Recovering Boris Johnson Begin to Remake Brexit-Ravaged Britain?
A nation united around a sick prime minister, a speechifying queen, and the plight of essential workers might start to truly heal—but the future is still full of questions. → Read More
Trump’s Screwball State Visit Reveals a Horrifying Truth
No amount of protestors or stiff upper lips can disguise the fact that Britain deserves Donald Trump. → Read More
“It’s Like the Living Dead in Here”: Lawmakers Reject Theresa May’s Brexit, Again
Friday didn’t bring Brexit, but it did bring with it a vintage Brexit twist. May’s loss means she is now not obliged to abdicate her office. For the constant accusations of rigidity, her buoyancy is remarkable. → Read More
“Like Decapitating an Iceberg”: Britain Is Screwed, With or Without Theresa May
Beneath the surface of our present political reality lies a hulking accretion of national and racial anxieties that cannot be resolved by the Brexit process, no matter what happens in Parliament this week. → Read More
Anarchy in the U.K.: Labour Party Splits over Brexit and Anti-Semitism
Jeremy Corbyn, leader of the Labour Party, listens to speakers at the Rally to Remain event on May 14, 2016 in London, England. By Rob Stothard/Getty Images. In the latest expression of Britain’s deepening political crisis, seven members of Parliament quit the Labour Party on Monday in objection to Jeremy Corbyn’s nebulous position on Brexit and his handling of anti-semitism accusations. The… → Read More
Theresa May’s Wine-Soaked Brexit Conspiracy Sets Britain Spinning
May, who reportedly scrapes the mold off her jam to eat what’s underneath, is a rare breed of optimist. But like mycotoxins, May’s strategy is dangerous. → Read More
Theresa May’s Brexit Takes a Hellacious Turn
The prime minister’s European counterpart says there is a “special place in hell” for Brexiteers. → Read More
The British Have Plans to Evacuate the Queen If Brexit Goes Sideways
In case of riots, officials would use an updated Cold War plan to safeguard the royal family. → Read More
Abandon Hope: Europe Warns Britain There Will Be No Mercy
Theresa May is once again on a collision course with grim political reality. → Read More
Britain Begins Stockpiling for the Brexit Apocalypse
Say goodbye to tea and medicine, and hello to emergency rations of freeze-dried chicken. → Read More
Forget Brexit: First, Britain’s Government Must Save Itself
The dilemma might be ironic if the consequences weren’t so grim. → Read More
Theresa May’s Ugly Brexit Deal Goes Down in Flames
The prime minister will face another vote of no confidence after a resounding defeat in Parliament—and still Britain is no closer to finding an offramp as the nation hurtles toward an economic cliff. → Read More
As Brexit Nears, Britain Scrambles to Come Up with “Plan B”
Parliament is addressing the political crisis with mounting urgency. But, government sources fear, “we’re going to get smashed.” → Read More