Join Rod Liddle, Lionel Shriver, Matthew Parris, and Michael Farr as they engage in a lively discussion reflecting on the tumultuous events of 2024. They tackle everything from shifting political landscapes and identity politics to the unique experience of Christmas at sea for Royal Navy submariners. Michael Farr shares his childhood memories of Tintin and its lasting impact on his journalistic journey, while Anthony Horowitz emphasizes the comic’s cultural significance. It's a festive mix of humor, introspection, and sharp commentary!
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question_answer ANECDOTE
NHS Breastfeeding Advice
Mary Wakefield was disturbed by NHS advice suggesting men breastfeed babies.
She saw this as prioritizing trans women's desires over babies' needs.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Rod Liddle's Columnist Experience
Rod Liddle found it easier to write as a columnist with a Labour government.
He also highlighted the unexpected return of Nigel Farage to politics.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Matthew Parris's Sunak Dilemma
Matthew Parris felt conflicted between liking Rishi Sunak and acknowledging his struggles as Prime Minister.
He felt torn between personal support and journalistic honesty.
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Welcome to a special festive episode of The Edition podcast, where we will be taking you through the pages of The Spectator’s Christmas triple issue.
Up first: our review of the year – and what a year it has been. At the start of 2024, the outcome of the US election looked very different, the UK had a different Prime Minister, and The Spectator had a different editor! Luckily, The Spectator’s regular columnists are on hand to declare what they got right – and wrong – throughout the year, and whether they’re optimistic for 2025. Rod Liddle, Matthew Parris, Mary Wakefield and Lionel Shriver take us through everything from Trump to trans (03:24).
Next: ‘Good riddance 2024’ – in his own alternative review of the year, Roger Lewis declares 2024 one to forget. The actor Robert Bathurst voices a special out-loud version of the article, taking us through the year in Roger’s typically acerbic style (28:37).
Then: the unsung heroes at Christmas time. While most of the country will be sitting down to Christmas dinner, hundreds of people will face an atypical day, not least of all those deployed on the Royal Navy's Continuous At Sea Deterrent mission. Journalist Ali Kefford takes us through the relentless schedule of Royal Navy submariners in the Christmas issue, and explores the strangely isolating but oddly communal experience of Christmas at sea, where the traditions of land meet the peculiarities of life under the water. To explain what it’s really like, Ali joins the podcast alongside naval officer Alex Kubara (42:56).
And finally: the prescient politics of Tintin. Few characters have captured the spirit of adventure quite like Tintin, the intrepid boy reporter with a knack for stumbling into international intrigue. From the deserts of Arabia to the jungles of South America – and even to the moon – Tintin has been a global icon of curiosity and courage for nearly a century. In the Christmas magazine former foreign correspondent and ‘Tintinologist’ Michael Farr celebrates the genius of the Belgian reporter and how politics was never far from Hergé’s agenda. To take us through a history of Tintin, and to understand its appeal and influence, we're joined by Michael and another author who took inspiration from the character, Anthony Horowitz (52:18).
Throughout the podcast, you will also hear from The Spectator’s agony aunt Dear Mary, and the special celebrity guests who have sought her advice in this year’s Christmas magazine, including Jacob Rees-Mogg (27:07), James MacMillan (50:51) and Sophie Winkleman (1:09:49).
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