Ich bin ein Berliner

By Alex Singleton | 12 September 2005

Here at the GI we are Manchester liberals, following in the tradition of Richard Cobden and John Bright who secured free trade and campaigned against protectionism in the 19th Century. So the relaunch today of what was once The Manchester Guardian feels like a big day for a member of the family.

The Guardian is the first British newspaper to adopt the Berliner format, which is bigger than tabloid but smaller than broadsheet. The paper's editor, Alan Rusbridger, says: "We believe the format combines the convenience of a tabloid with the sensibility of a broadsheet."

The move follows the adoption of tabloid format by the Times of London and the London Independent.

Proponents of globalization point out that globalization encourages the spread of ideas, understanding and peace. Given that Britian went to war with Germany twice in the 20th Century, isn't it great that a major British newspaper is now printed on German presses in a format called "Berliner"?