Samuel McIlhagga
Samuel is a features writer and reporter whose work has appeared in the Financial Times, UnHerd, Jacobin and the LA Review of Books. In 2024, he won The Independent’s Rupert Cornwall Prize
The flags dividing Birmingham
A local effort has snowballed into a national campaign — is it patriotism or something more sinister?
Droitwich's Raven Hotel was empty for 15 years. Then it burned down
Historic, beloved — and completely neglected
The revolution starts in Moseley
The Workers Party claims they're about to shake up Birmingham's politics. Birmingham isn't so sure.
Woon Wing Yip built an empire. Is it in decline?
Once locally beloved and a touchstone for the Chinese disapora, Wing Yip is fading on both fronts
Small Heath is drowning in rubbish. So why doesn’t the council’s data say so?
'I paid money for this, I have a contract with the council for this. Make sure you include that in your piece'
The curious case of the missing councillor
Plus: who are the movers and shakers shaping Brum — and Britain — in years to come?
No water, dead horses and a legal battle to save Bewdley's plotlands
A multi-millionaire bought Hill Farm. Then the eviction notices started
Did Birmingham have to go bankrupt?
Bin strikes, equal pay claims and a disputed £500m
Fireworks, fraud accusations and fallouts at the Westside BID
Gerald Manton and Mike Olley were firm friends until they weren’t. What happened?
With Rembrandt, a bid for relevance?
Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery is still struggling to find its footing
At Reform's Birmingham bonanza, set design is the real winner
Last week, Nigel Farage attempted to host the 'biggest political event' in modern British history
Richard Gamble had a vision. Now he's building a 51-metre wall of prayer by a motorway
California, concrete and charismatic Christianity: one man’s 20 year mission to honour God on the outskirts of Birmingham
On Shrove Tuesday in Atherstone: ‘bollocks is all that matters’
While the rest of the country enjoys its pancakes, one small Midlands town goes to war over a ball
The loveliest part of England? How Jonathan Meades chronicled the West Midlands
The Dispatch catches up with the creator of Birmingham: Heart By-pass, Severn Heaven and Worcestershire: Travels with Pevsner.