Inside politics

Few British politicians “embody the capitalist spirit” more than Rishi Sunak, says Kate Andrews in The Spectator. He’s a graduate of Stanford business school, a former Goldman Sachs banker, and the richest prime minister in history. As chancellor, he was a “fiscal hawk” perpetually trying to rein in Boris Johnson’s spendthrift instincts. But now he is in No 10, he is residing over a state twice as big as that of the 1970s, and the highest tax burden of Britain’s postwar history. “These are government interventions that Tories would have once mocked” – indeed, even Labour has derided the recent proposal for “voluntary” supermarket price caps. The PM likes to make big speeches criticising the “ever-expanding state” and praising free enterprise. “But governments are judged by what they do, not what they say.” And the more he steals Labour’s economic playbook, the more “leeway” he gives the opposition to go even further once they get back into power.

TV

Succession has become an obsession of the chattering classes, says Ed Cumming in The Daily Telegraph. The Guardian compared it to Shakespeare; The Independent called it “the best television series ever made”. On-screen choices of “costume, wine and swear words” were pored over for evidence of character, as if these figures were “inscrutable world leaders” rather than fictional brats. “Look, I liked it too.” But something about Succession has provoked a “complete loss of perspective”. Outside the media bubble, people barely watch it. In America, the final episode was watched by 2.9 million people. For comparison, 76 million tuned in for the Seinfeld finale, and Friends got 52 million. In the UK, fewer than 600,000 people saw the climax of the show – a quarter of the number that watched Jeremy Paxman’s final outing on University Challenge.

The barn

This spacious three-bedroom barn conversion has stunning views across the Somerset countryside. The property has wooden beams, high ceilings and French doors, but is otherwise empty, offering an exciting renovation project for prospective buyers. Bristol and Bath are both less than an hour’s drive. £400,000.

The pile

Otterburn Castle in Northumberland dates to the reign of William the Conqueror. It retains many of its historic fittings, from stone-mullioned windows and a huge oak-panelled dining room to a carved staircase and an ornate Florentine marble fireplace. There are 18 bedrooms, including two in the castle’s tower, and the 32 acres of gardens include ancient woodlands and a small lake. The nearby town of Bellingham has several pubs and restaurants, and good public transport links across the north. £3m.