Joan Smith

Known for her human rights activism and writing on subjects such as atheism and feminism, Joan Smith is a columnist, critic and novelist. An Honorary Associate of the National Secular Society and a regular contributor to BBC radio, she has written five detective novels, two of which have been filmed by the BBC. Her latest novel, What Will Survive, was published in June 2007.

Joan Smith: If Blair was like an animal in bed, was it a hamster?

One of the very few conversations I ever had with Tony Blair was about sex. Years later, when I ran into him again at No 10, he didn't seem pleased to see me; the spark had gone, and I came to the conclusion that the Iraq war had come between us. I was against it, he was for it: for that man and this woman, clearly there was just no way back.

Recently by Joan Smith

Joan Smith: Influential women list is flattering but utterly flawed

Tuesday, 12 October 2010

The number of politicians on the British top 10 is none, nil, or to put it another way, zero

Man the lifeboats! Women and children last!

Sunday, 10 October 2010

Joan Smith: The rage of middle-class Tory voters over child benefits is entirely predictable. The Prime Minister has only himself to blame.

Joan Smith: Who'd want to be beside the seaside?

Thursday, 7 October 2010

Because English weather is so unpredictable, resorts developed features to be enjoyed in the cold and rain - cheap food, copious pubs and so-called amusement arcades

Joan Smith: Don't listen to the carping comments. The best man won

Sunday, 3 October 2010

For the past couple of years, I've been telling anyone who would listen that the next leader of the Labour Party would be Ed Miliband. He's clever, warm and very modern, a fact that's sent much of the media into a state of comic incomprehension since his surprise victory over his elder brother last weekend. Who is this guy? Why isn't he married? Is he really an atheist? Ed hasn't been in frontline politics as long as David Miliband, which accounts for some of the bewilderment. But he's stood up to a bruising first week – everything from an invitation to propose to his partner on live TV to accusations of political fratricide – in a way that speaks volumes about his confidence and sense of purpose.

Joan Smith: Mighty fashion grinds science under its high heel

Sunday, 26 September 2010

Any research combining the words "shoes" and "women" is guaranteed to make headlines. So I wasn't surprised to read last week that "women who hope a pair of killer heels will help them attract a man are wasting their time", a revelation which was illustrated in at least one newspaper by a photograph of Victoria Beckham in a pair of platform boots with spike heels. Now, I'm far from certain that Ms Beckham was trying to attract a man – she works in the fashion industry, so she's hardly likely to step out in trainers – but I can say with confidence that nothing to do with shoes is ever that simple.

Joan Smith: Furious stunts make faith look foolish

Sunday, 12 September 2010

Until last week, the university city of Gainesville, Florida, wasn't much talked about outside its home state. Students of US history may recall the Gainesville Eight, a group of anti-Vietnam war protesters who were acquitted on charges of breaking up the Republican convention in 1972; these days the city (population 125,000) has its first gay mayor, suggesting that it doesn't easily fit stereotypes about the American South.

Joan Smith: Iran's barbarity that must be resisted

Wednesday, 8 September 2010

Accounts of systematic beatings and rape are almost too harrowing to read. But weirdly, Ahmadinejad's regime continues to have apologists

Joan Smith: Hague's problem is sense, not sexuality

Sunday, 5 September 2010

Rumours about the Foreign Secretary's love life have circulated for years, but it is using Ffion to prop up his story that is shocking

Joan Smith: In defence of modern Britain

Thursday, 2 September 2010

I've always thought it a bit rich for Christians to accuse other people of belonging to a 'culture of death', when they go in for all those crucifixions, pietas and bleeding hearts

Joan Smith: Why do WAGs stay with men who play away?

Sunday, 29 August 2010

So Tiger Woods, multi-millionaire golfer and recovering sex addict, is back on the market. His marriage to Elin Nordegren was dissolved by a court in Florida last week at a reputed cost of $100m (�65m), nine months after a late-night encounter between his SUV, a fire hydrant and a tree. I suppose this is good news of a sort – good for Ms Nordegren, at any rate, judging by the dignified interview she gave after the hearing – although it will doubtless stir the ambitions of those sadly deluded women who aspire to affairs with international sportsmen.

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