Best of the Spectator

In this engaging discourse, Henry Jeffreys discusses how Trump's tariffs could change the wine game for British drinkers. Marcus Walker reflects on the lessons modern Britain can glean from Charles I as we commemorate his 400th accession anniversary. Nicolas Farrell shares a compelling story about refusing a prestigious literary award, revealing deep insights about identity and self-worth. Additionally, Rory Sutherland proposes a creative tax system that connects VAT to happiness, advocating for reduced rates on pubs and comfort foods.

Michael Gove, former cabinet minister and current editor of The Spectator, joins Toby Young, a vocal lockdown critic, to discuss the UK's COVID-19 lockdown measures. They debate whether the lockdown was justifiable or a breach of civil liberties, exploring the ethical dilemmas involved. The conversation also dives into Sweden's no-lockdown approach and its outcomes. With humor, they touch on the quirky debate about Scotch eggs as substantial meals, highlighting the absurdities of pandemic regulations.

In this engaging discussion, Jacob Heilbrunn, Editor of the National Interest, delves into whether Vladimir Putin has successfully manipulated Donald Trump. They analyze the shifting dynamics of Trump's second potential presidency and his relationship with authoritarian regimes. The conversation also covers NATO's effectiveness against Russian aggression and the implications for European defense strategies. Heilbrunn underscores the importance of Ukraine's sovereignty and explores the geopolitical ramifications of the ongoing conflict.

This week: why is economic growth eluding Labour?‘Growing pains’ declares The Spectator’s cover image this week, as our political editor Katy Balls, our new economics editor Michael Simmons, and George Osborne’s former chief of staff Rupert Harrison analyse the fiscal problems facing the Chancellor.‘Dominic Cummings may have left Whitehall,’ write Katy and Michael, ‘but his spirit lives on.’ ‘We are all Dom now,’ according to one government figure. Keir Starmer’s chief aide Morgan McSweeney has never met Cummings, but the pair share a diagnosis of Britain’s failing economy. Identifying a problem is not, however, the same as solving it. As Rachel Reeves prepares her Spring Statement, ministers are bracing themselves for cuts in day-to-day spending as the public finances deteriorate.Is austerity back? Michael and Rupert joined the podcast to discuss further. (1:02)Next: survival of the fittest vs seduction by the hottestBiologist and Conservative peer Matt Ridley writes about the concept of sexual selection in the magazine this week, explaining that evolution might not just be driven by survival of the fittest but also by section by the hottest. This, he says, would explain some of nature’s most colourful oddities, particularly within birds, as outlined in his new book Birds, Sex and Beauty. Charles Darwin proposed this as a later part of his evolutionary theory, but it caused a rift amongst his contemporaries – why is it a controversial concept? And could it be true for other species such as humans?Matt joined the podcast alongside David Puts, Professor of Anthropology and Psychology at Penn State University. (19:13)And finally: what makes historic murders so fascinating?Historian and author Hallie Rubenhold’s new book, Story of a Murder: The Wives, the Mistress and Dr Crippen, retells the famous murder case from the perspective of the women involved. Lisa Hilton declares it an ‘intellectual adventure’ in the lead book review in the magazine this week. But why do these cases continue to capture our imaginations, decades and even centuries later? And, whether as victims or as accomplices, what makes women such compelling subjects in historic cases like these?Hallie joined the podcast alongside the historian and broadcaster Alice Loxton, author of Eighteen: A History of Britain in 18 Young Lives. (30:40)Presented by William Moore and Lara Prendergast.Produced by Patrick Gibbons. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this engaging conversation, John Lanchester, a novelist and journalist, sheds light on the often-underappreciated role of government. He discusses the complexities of the Consumer Price Index and why a deeper understanding of economic indicators matters. Lanchester challenges the narrative surrounding bureaucracy and highlights real stories of public servants making a difference. He also critiques Elon Musk’s views on government, arguing for a more nuanced appreciation of public service amidst widespread skepticism.

Miatta Fahnbulleh was elected as the Labour MP for Peckham at the 2024 general election. Born in Liberia, her family fled west Africa as the region descended into civil war, eventually settling in north London when she was just 7 years old. Trained as an economist, having studied at Oxford and the LSE, she went on to work in the civil service and at various think-tanks. After serving as the CEO for the New Economics Foundation, she became a senior economic adviser for Labour working with Ed Miliband during his time as leader of the Labour Party. Ed is now her boss again – at the department for energy. On the podcast, Miatta talks to Katy Balls about how the value of public service was instilled early in her life, how politics weighs heavier in west Africa than in the UK, and what it’s like to be considered a rising star in British politics. She also talks about the tough decisions this Labour government has had to make, from international aid to energy. She says that while the politics around energy are tough, the topic is intrinsically linked to Labour’s success – bills must come down before the next general election. Produced by Patrick Gibbons. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week’s Spectator Out Loud: Colin Freeman explains how Islamic State tightened its grip on the Congo (1:23); Harry Ritchie draws attention to the thousands of languages facing extinction this century, as he reviews Rare Tongues: The Secret Stories of Hidden Languages by Lorna Gibb (8:00); Max Jeffery highlights the boxing academy changing young lives (13:20); Michael Gove reflects on lessons learned during his time as education secretary (20:30); and, Catriona Olding introduces the characters from her new Provence-based memoir club (29:27). Produced and presented by Patrick Gibbons. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Slashing the winter fuel allowance, maintaining the two child benefit cap, cutting international aid, cutting the civil service, axing NHS bureaucracy, possibly slashing welfare expenditure... you'd be forgiven for thinking the Conservatives were in power. But no, these are all policies pursued by the current Labour government. So on today's Saturday Shots Cindy Yu asks Michael Gove and James Heale, is Keir Starmer a Tory?While Michael admits to giving Starmer a 'painful' two cheers, he does say there is historic precedent for Labour governments enacting right-leaning measures: from Jim Callaghan's migration policies to the economic ones of Ramsay MacDonald. How has Starmer got away with it? And what does his premiership of pragmatism tell us about the future direction of Labour?Michael sets out a number of tests to judge Starmer's success by: the tests of Fraser Nelson, Robert Jenrick, Ernie Bevin, Denis Healey and Bob Mellish... Produced by Patrick Gibbons and Cindy Yu. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Freddy Gray is joined by Fox News broadcaster Deroy Murdock to discuss Trump's America. They cover what could be the real reason behind Trump's tariffs, how concerned Americans should be about a recession, the Ukraine-Russia peace plan and what the Democrats can do to recover from the election defeat.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week: sectarian persecution returnsPaul Wood, Colin Freeman and Father Benedict Kiely write in the magazine this week about the religious persecution that minorities are facing across the world from Syria to the Congo. In Syria, there have been reports of massacres with hundreds of civilians from the Alawite Muslim minority targeted, in part because of their association with the fallen Assad regime. Reports suggest that the groups responsible are linked to the new Syrian president Ahmed al-Sharaa (formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani). For some, the true face of the country’s new masters has been revealed. Whether the guilty men are punished will tell us what kind of country Syria has become since the fall of Assad’s dictatorship.Speaking to those on the ground, Wood reports of fathers who were shot in front of their families, victims made to howl like dogs as they crawled through piles of corpses, and of state security forces trying to prevent survivors from photographing or talking about what had happened.But to what extent is al-Sharaa responsible? And could other minorities, like the Syrian Christian minority – one of the oldest in the world, be next? Paul and Fr Benedict joined the podcast to discuss. (1:02)Next: this century’s ‘unstoppable process of language extinction’There are around 7,000 languages currently spoken across the world, but by the end of the century only 500 are expected to survive. Thus, documenting endangered languages has never been so important and this is the starting point of Lorna Gibb’s new book, Rare Tongues: The Secret Stories of Hidden Languages, reviewed by Harry Ritchie in the books section of the magazine this week. What are some examples of the languages facing extinction? And should we accept this as an inevitable cultural rise and fall, or should we be working to combat this?Harry joined the podcast alongside Dr Oliver Mayeux, a sociolinguist at Cambridge, who also speaks Louisiana creole – a language spoken by fewer that 10,000 people. With special thanks to the Endangered Language Alliance, for allowing us to use a clip of the Garifuna language, who are working to document and preserve languages facing extinction across the world. (18:06)And finally: what is ‘Boom Boom’, Gen Z’s favourite aesthetic trend?Out are boring converse and dirty t-shirts beloved by millennial tech bros and in are high-fashion double-breasted suits and loafers, or so says Arabella Byrne who writes about the aesthetic trend defining Gen Z. American trend analyst Sean Monahan – who also coined 2013’s ‘normcore’ – coined the term ‘Boom Boom’ to encapsulate the look and feel of the trend. Think 1980s yuppies updated for 2025 – so why exactly is it popular, and what does it tell us about today’s twentysomethings? Arabella and Sean joined the podcast to discuss. (27:50)Plus: Matthew Parris, Stephen Fry, Rory Sutherland, Rachel Johnson, Philip Hensher, Sean Thomas and Petronella Wyatt reveal the worst insults they ever received from a teacher. (13:59)Presented by William Moore and Lara Prendergast.Produced by Patrick Gibbons. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.