Best of the Spectator

On this episode, Matthew Parris talks about how, on free school meals, he's truly fallen behind the zeitgeist; Lionel Shriver on why she's voting for Biden, warts and all; and Douglas Murray's reflections from America in the days before the election.Tell us your thoughts on our podcasts and be in for a chance to win a bottle of Pol Roger champagne by filling out our podcast survey. Visit spectator.co.uk/podcastsurvey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Anneliese Dodds is the shadow chancellor. On the podcast, she talks to Katy about protesting tuition fees in a university exams hall, life before politics, forcing Rishi Sunak into the Commons on his birthday, and whether the Conservatives are spending too much money. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why does the government think the second wave will be worse than the first? (00:49) Will a Biden presidency restore America's fortunes? (18:45) And finally, does Covid mark the end for the silver screen? (30:10)Spectator editor Fraser Nelson talks to Carl Heneghan, professor of evidence-based medicine at the University of Oxford; editor of The Spectator's US edition Freddy Gray is joined by columnist Lionel Shriver; and reviewer Tanya Gold is in discussion with The Spectator's arts editor Igor Toronyi-Lalic.Presented by Lara Prendergast.Produced by Gus Carter, Max Jeffrey and Sam Russell.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's Book Club podcast, Sam's guest is the writer and broadcaster Natalie Haynes, whose new book Pandora's Jar: Women In The Greek Myths investigates how the myths portrayed women from Pandora to Medea, and how those images have been repurposed in the retellings of subsequent generations. She tells Sam why Theseus isn't quite the hero we imagine him, how Erasmus's mistranslation of a single word crocked Pandora's reputation for good, why Euripides was a feminist avant la lettre, and how the Gorgon got her body.  Tell us your thoughts on our podcasts and be in for a chance to win a bottle of Pol Roger champagne by filling out our podcast survey. Visit spectator.co.uk/podcastsurvey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ian Rankin is a bestselling crime writer, most known for his Inspector Rebus novels. On the podcast, he tells Lara and Livvy about living in a motel during his first year at university; how eating curry for the first time was 'a revelation'; and the snacks that keep him going while he writes. Tell us your thoughts on our podcasts and be in for a chance to win a bottle of Pol Roger champagne by filling out our podcast survey. Visit spectator.co.uk/podcastsurvey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A recent poll showed that a fifth of Chinese-Americans are thinking about voting for Trump come November. But given Trump's hawkish position on China, what is it about him that appeals to these voters? As I find out, it's not all about the politics - much of it comes down to shared values of social conservatism. On the podcast, I speak to political researcher Sunny Shao and journalist Marrian Zhou about intergenerational political values, ethnic identity and the paradox of WeChat.Chinese Whispers is a fortnightly podcast on the latest in Chinese politics, society, and more. Presented by Cindy Yu. Listen to past episodes here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week's episode of Spectator Out Loud, comedian Griff Rhys Jones complains about London's war on motorists (00:45); Toby Young on how he's become an English nationalist (08:55); and Cosmo Landesman on the joys of drinking alone (13:30). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The UK was the first major economy to set a net-zero carbon emission target. But our work is cut out for us: 23 million homes fuelled by natural gas will need upgrading, while nearly 98% of vehicles on UK roads are still powered by petrol or diesel. Reaching net-zero will require big changes, but will also need to sustain our standards of living and quality of life.As we make this transition, and start to recover from the economic damage Covid-19 has inflicted upon the world, we have the opportunity to merge the levelling up agenda with green solutions and advancements. While the government has yet to establish a clear plan to achieve net-zero by 2050 goal, it’s clear that new technology, such as greenhouse gas removal technologies, will need to play a role in leading the charge to carbon neutrality.Join Kate Andrews and a panel of special guests for a discussion on how new forms of energy and technology can bring together levelling-up, net-zero and the Covid recovery. This episode is an edited version of the live panel discussion at The Spectator's Alternative Conference. With Andrew Griffith MP, Dr Jonathan Marshall, Emma Pinchbeck and Will Gardiner.Sponsored by Drax. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

China has come out on top from this pandemic year - what does this mean for the world? (00:50) Was Test and Trace doomed from the start? (12:35) And what's with all these Covid excuses? (22:35)With historian Rana Mitter; security expert Nigel Inkster; analyst Richard Dobbs; virologist Elisabetta Groppelli; editor of the Oldie Harry Mount; and Real Life columnist Melissa Kite.Presented by Cindy Yu.Produced by Cindy Yu, Max Jeffery and Matt Taylor. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's books podcast, Sam is joined by the irrepressible Gyles Brandreth - whose latest book is the fruit of a lifelong love of the theatre. The Oxford Book of Theatrical Anecdotes is a doorstopping compendium of missed cues, bitchy put-downs and drunken mishaps involving everyone from Donald Wolfit to Donald Sinden. Gyles explains how he always wanted to be Danny Kaye but also the Home Secretary, why live theatre is magical in a way cinema never can be, and how he got round the dismaying insistence of his publishers that all these anecdotes needed to verifiably true.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.