Best of the Spectator

The Edition: soul suckers of private equity, Douglas Murray on Epstein & are literary sequels ‘lazy’?

10 snips
Jul 24, 2025
Douglas Murray, a writer for The Spectator and cultural commentator, discusses the troubling impact of private equity on essential services in Britain, particularly water companies now burdened with debt. He delves into the fallout from the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, highlighting its lingering effects on Trump and MAGA supporters. Additionally, Murray critiques the nature of literary sequels, questioning their creativity and profitability, while also evaluating the recent literary trends that often sacrifice depth for marketability.
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INSIGHT

Private Equity's Harmful Strategy

  • Private equity often buys companies, loads them with debt, underinvests, and pays out large dividends.
  • This leads to worse outcomes for consumers, seen clearly in UK's water industry decline.
ANECDOTE

Megan Greenwell's Private Equity Experience

  • Megan Greenwell experienced private equity ruining her dream job at Deadspin with bad business decisions.
  • She found that private equity incentives often undermine the very companies they take over.
INSIGHT

Short-Term Focus Hurts Companies

  • Private equity firms focus on short-term gains and quick exits often within 5-7 years.
  • This leads to asset stripping and cutting wages, which damages long-term company health.
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