“Eschatological fears are an ancient human concern. The Romans expected the world to end in 634 B.C. owing to a prophecy involving twelve eagles, while the early Christians anticipated the Final Judgment in their own lifetimes. Pope Sylvester II thought A.D. 1000 would be the last year, a view updated for the modern age by the Millennium bug.”

British politician, businessman and broadcaster

Sir Jacob William Rees-Mogg is a British politician, businessman and broadcaster, born in 1969. A Conservative Party figure, he served as MP for North East Somerset from 2010 to 2024 and became known for his role in Westminster and for his socially conservative profile. He served as Leader of the House of Commons and Lord President of the Council from 2019 to 2022, then held ministerial posts in 2022 as Minister of State for Brexit Opportunities and Government Efficiency and later as Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. He also chaired the eurosceptic European Research Group from 2018 to 2019.