In her cover piece for the magazine this week, The Spectator’s political editor Katy Balls writes that whilst Keir Starmer’s accession seems certain, his agenda is less so. She tries to piece together what a Labour government would look like and which areas they will chose to prioritise. Katy joins the podcast alongside Paul Mason, the journalist who is seeking a Labour seat at the next election. They debate: does Keir Starmer stack up?  Also on the podcast: Journalist and scriptwriter Gareth Roberts writes in the magazine this week about the fading art of the pantomime dame and pleads with us to take the politics out of drag. He is joined by The Spectator’s business editor – and occasional pantomime dame – Martin Vander Weyer.  And finally:  The Spectator’s arts editor Igor Toronyi-Lalic writes the arts lead for the magazine this week about Iris Barry, the pioneering Spectator film critic who he transformed B

On the podcast: In her cover piece for the magazine, The Spectator's assistant editor Cindy Yu – writing ahead of the COP28 summit this weekend – describes how China has cornered the renewables market. She joins the podcast alongside Akshat Rathi, senior climate reporter for Bloomberg and author of Climate Capitalism: Winning the Global Race to Zero Emissions, to investigate China's green agenda. (01:22) Also this week: Margaret Mitchell writes in The Spectator about the uncertainty she is facing around her graduate visa. This is after last week's statistics from the ONS showed that net migration remains unsustainably high, leaving the government under pressure to curb legal migration. Margaret joins the podcast with Michael Simmons, The Spectator’s data editor. (13:07) And finally: why not eat man’s best friend? This is the question that Sean Thomas grapples with in his piece for the magazi

On the podcast: Anshel Pfeffer writes The Spectator’s cover story this week. He voices concern that support from Israel’s allies might begin to waver if they don’t develop a viable plan after the war finishes. Paul Wood – former BBC foreign correspondent – and Dennis Ross – former Middle East coordinator under President Clinton and advisor to President Obama – join the podcast to debate whether Israel can rely on its allies. (01:18) Also this week: In the Books section of the magazine this week we review Andy Stanton’s new book Billy The Blue Whale. It has a fascinating inception and was co-authored by the machine learning tool ChatGPT. Andy is joined by crime author Ajay Chowdhury, who is also known for using AI as a writing tool, to discuss whether AI is the future of fiction. (23:02) And finally: when is it acceptable to date a widower?  This is the question that Elisa Segrave ponders in her piece in the magazine.

On the podcast: It's been a busy week in Westminster. On Monday, Rishi Sunak's first major reshuffle saw Suella Braverman sacked and David Cameron make a surprise return to politics.  Then two days later, the Supreme Court's Rwanda ruling left the government's pledge to 'stop the boats' in tatters. It was meant to be the week in which Rishi Sunak had hoped to stamp his authority on a fracturing party, but it seems to have only added to the narrative of Tory disrepair. Katy Balls writes about Rishi’s last gamble in the magazine this week, and joins the podcast alongside Kate Andrews, The Spectator’s economics editor. (01:01) Also this week:  Svitlana Morenets writes a candid account of the current state of the war in Ukraine for The Spectator. After visiting the frontline recently, she concludes that Zelensky needs to start being upfront with the population about the harsh realities on the battlefield and abandon his current line of tac

On the podcast: In his cover piece for The Spectator Ian Acheson discusses the potential disruption to Armistice Day proceedings in London this weekend. He says that Metropolitan Police Chief Mark Rowley is right to let the pro-Palestine protests go ahead, if his officers can assertively enforce the law. He joins the podcast alongside Baroness Claire Fox to discuss the problems of policing protest.  Next: are smartphones making us care less about humanity?  This is the question that Mary Wakefield grapples with in her column in The Spectator. She says it’s no wonder that Gen Z lack empathy when they spend most of their lives on social media. She is joined by Gaia Bernstein, author of Unwired: Gaining Control over Addictive Technologies. And finally: Alan Hollinghurst writes this week about Ronald Firba

This week: The Covid Inquiry has reached its more dramatic stage this week with the likes of Domic Cummings, Lee Cain and Martin Reynolds giving evidence. But in his cover piece for the magazine Carl Heneghan, professor of evidence-based medicine at the University of Oxford and director of the Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine, says that the Hallett Inquiry is asking all the wrong questions, and is preoccupied with who said what on WhatsApp. He joins the podcast alongside Tom Whipple, science editor at the Times to go through this week's revelations. (01:43).  Also this week: will Israel succeed in its stated aims? In the magazine this week Hugh Lovatt, senior policy fellow at the European Council of Foreign Relations, argues that Israel has misjudged growing support for Hamas throughout the Middle East and underestimates how hard the group will be to eradicate. He joins the podcast to discuss. (17:49).  And finally: Fabian C

On the podcast: In his cover piece for the mag this week, political scientist, Yascha Mounk has written about why identity politics has polarised our understanding of race. And why the left has come to divide groups into oversimplified categories of ‘the oppressors’ and ‘the oppressed’.  Also this week:  Can we trust photographs to paint a true picture of a story? The Israel-Palestine conflict has been one of the most documented wars to date. But with AI manipulation and staged imagery, is there a way of differentiating between real and fake news? Bryan Appleyard CBE and Eliot Higgins from Bellingcat discuss. And finally: There has been a new rise in Paganism over the past few decades and now students can apply for a degree in Magic and Occult Science – but how scientific really is it? Spectator writer Andrew Watts joins the podcast alongside Oxford PhD student Lois Heslop.

On the podcast: In The Spectator's cover piece Jonathan Spyer writes that as America's role in international security diminishes history is moving Iran’s way, with political Islam now commanding much of the Middle East. He is joined by Ravi Agrawal, editor in chief of Foreign Policy and host of the FP Live podcast, to discuss whether America is still the world's policeman.  Also this week: In the magazine this week, The Spectator’s literary editor Sam Leith speaks to Jacques Testard, publisher at Fitzcarraldo Editions, the indie publishing house which has just won its fourth nobel prize in under ten years. They have kindly allowed us to hear a section of their conversation in which they discuss the joy of translations, how a literary publishing house should exist as a work of art in and of itself and why winning prizes isn’t everything.  And finally: In his arts l

This week: Paul Wood writes for The Spectator about the role that Iran potentially played in the Hamas attack on Israel over the weekend. He says that it is unlikely that the proscribed terrorist group acted alone and joins the podcast alongside Uzi Arad, former national security advisor to Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. (01:22) Also this week:  Labour conference in Liverpool has come to end and, as always with conference season, the best events took place on the fringes. Katy Balls our political editor spoke to London mayor Sadiq Khan and they have kindly allowed us to hear a section of their discussion, where they cover anti-seminitism, ULEZ and the upcoming mayoral election in May. (27:29) And finally: Former Labour MP Sion Simon writes in the magazine this week about his experience losing his sight and his battle with ‘internalised ableism’. He joins the podcast to tell us what he has learned from going blind.

This week: Katy Balls writes in her cover piece that after Tory conference the battle lines have now been drawn between the two main parties. She says we should prepare for a 'presidential campaign' ahead of the 2024 election and joins the podcast alongside The Spectator’s editor Fraser Nelson to discuss the dividing lines between Labour and the Conservatives. (01:17).  Also this week: In her column Lionel Shriver says that she is leaving the UK for the sunnier climes of Portugal. She argues that Britain has lost its way both economically and culturally and is joined by another American expatriate Kate Andrews, The Spectator’s economics editor. (15:37).  And finally: Matt Ridley writes that we are entering a new age of gullibility. He says that our fascination with monsters, aliens and everything in between has overcome our common sense. He joins the podcast with Ian Keable, magician and author of The Century of D

On the podcast this week: Lord Sumption makes the case for leaving the ECHR in The Spectator's cover piece. He says that the UK has strong courts and can pass judgement on human rights by itself and joins the podcast alongside Dr Joelle Grogan – legal academic and head of research at UK in a Changing Europe – to discuss whether the Strasbourg has lost its appeal. (01:22). Also this week:  Rory Sutherland takes a look at the rise of dynamic pricing in the magazine, a new trend where prices can surge at peak times and a phenomenon which has now made its way into pubs. He says that it’s not necessarily the cost that matters, but the way it is framed and is joined by Times business columnist Ryan Bourne to debate. (17:10) And finally: is a Guardian Blind Date the most effective way of finding love?  This is the question that Lloyd Evans wonders in his piece for the magazine, detailing his experience being set up

This week: Christopher Caldwell writes The Spectator's cover piece on Italy’s new wave of migrants. This is in light of the situation in Lampedusa which he argues could upend European politics. Chris joins the podcast alongside Amy Kazmin, Rome correspondent at the Financial Times, to debate Europe’s escalating migrant crisis. (01:23) Also this week: In his column, Matthew Parris writes about Australia’s Voice vote, a yes/no referendum being held on whether to establish a new body which will advise parliament on matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It is a source of real controversy in the country, and Alexander Downer – former Australian minister for foreign affairs and leader of the Liberal Party between 1994 and 1995 – joins Matthew to discuss. (16:07) And finally: why do some Churches rise and others fall?  In the magazine, journalist Dan Hitchens writes a tale of two churches by compa

On the podcast this week: Boris Johnson writes The Spectator’s cover piece, urging the West to supply more military assistance to Ukraine, in order to bring a swift end to the war. Former commander of the joint forces Sir Richard Barrons and The Spectator’s Svitlana Morenets join the podcast to ask why aren't we giving Ukraine what it needs? (01:21) Also on the podcast:  Charlie Taylor, His Majesty’s chief prisons inspector, writes in the magazine about the state of crisis in British prisons. This is in light of Daniel Khalife's escape from Wandsworth prison last week. Charlie is joined by David Shipley, commentator and former inmate at Wandsworth to discuss the state of crisis in British prisons. (16:37) And finally:  In the arts section of the magazine Rod Liddle writes about the new Rolling Stones single, supposedly their best in decades. He joins the podcast alongside Will Hodgkinson, chief rock and pop critic at t

On the podcast:  In her cover piece for the magazine, The Spectator’s economics editor Kate Andrews writes that political short termism has broken Britain. She joins the podcast alongside Giles Wilkes, former number 10 advisor and senior fellow at the Institute for Government, to ask what went wrong? (01:12) Also this week:  In his column Douglas Murray writes about Burning Man, the festival which has left Silicon Valley’s finest stuck in the mud. He is joined by David Willis, who has been covering the festival this year for the BBC, to discuss the schadenfreude of Burning Man. (14:41) And finally:  Travel writer Sean Thomas argues in The Spectator that having a pet is far worse for the planet than flying and warns that all pet owners should watch their ‘carbon pawprint’. He joins the podcast alongside Rachel Spencer, freelance writer and pet blogger. (25:13) Hosted by William Moore and Lara Prendergast. 

This week: In his cover piece for the magazine, The Spectator’s political correspondent James Heale writes that the PM’s visit to New Delhi for the G20 Summit next week could be a defining moment in the special relationship between Britain and India. He is joined by Shanker Singham, former advisor to UK Secretary of State for International Trade, to discuss Rishi's Indian summer. (01:18) Also on the podcast: Owen Matthews The Spectator’s Russia correspondent expresses his concern about the US’s waning support for Ukraine in the magazine this week. He argues that ultimately it is America – and the outcome of next year's presidential election – that could decide Ukraine’s fate. He is joined by Jim Townsend, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence (DASD) for European and NATO Policy, under the Obama administration. (12:08) And finally: when was the last time you cleared out your freezer drawer?  Ysenda Maxtone Graha

On the podcast this week:  In his cover piece for the magazine, The Spectator’s deputy editor Freddy Gray says that he was hardly surprised that Donald Trump chose not to participate in last night’s Republican candidates debate. He argues that Trump no longer needs the TV networks and joins the podcast alongside Douglas Murray, who profiles the no-hoper Republican candidates looking to pip Trump to the nomination in his column. (01:21) Also this week:  Mark Millar, the comic book writer and producer behind Hollywood hits such as Kingsman, Kick Ass and a host of Marvel films, writes The Spectator’s notebook. He discusses everything from London’s fading glory to his new Netflix series The Chosen One, and joins the podcast to tell us how to shock a Satanist. (11:29) And finally: should trans women be allowed to compete in women’s chess?  It seems a fairly obvious question on the surface, with no physical advantag

This week:  The cover of The Spectator magazine looks at whether after years of Covid-based disruption, rising cost and lecturer strikes, university students are getting what they paid for. The Spectator’s data editor Michael Simmons writes a sidebar in which he rails against some of the changes that are happening to university freshers’ week and joins the podcast alongside Emma de Saram, Guild president at the Exeter University Student’s Guild. (01:26)  Also this week: In the magazine we are running an interview by The Spectator's special projects editor Ben Lazarus with professor Jim Skea – the new head of the UN intergovernmental panel on climate change (IPCC) and arguably the most important man in climate science. Ben and Jim kindly allowed us to share a section of their discussion, where they talk about the 1.5 degree target, activist groups and if the messaging on climate has failed. (14:55) And finally: do dogs

This week:  It’s a special episode of the Edition podcast because our very own William Moore writes The Spectator’s cover piece, on how rural pursuits are being threatened by lawfare from countryside groups. Jonathan Roberts, who leads the external affairs team at the Country Land and Business Association, joins us to discuss whether disillusioned rural Tories could look to Labour at the next election.  Also this week:  In his piece in The Spectator, journalist Andrew Kenny writes about the rise of Julius Malema and his Economic Freedom Fighters. He warns that South Africans should beware its new rising political star and joins the podcast alongside Ernst Roets, author of Kill the Boer: Government Complicity in South Africa’s Brutal Farm Murders. And finally:  Could testosterone be the missing piece in HRT treatments for menopause symptoms? This is what The Spectator’s Linden Kemkaran investigates in

In this week’s cover article, The Spectator's political editor Katy Balls takes a look at the bottom-up reform that’s happening in some parts of the country, and asks whether tough policing is making a comeback. Katy joins the podcast together with Kate Green, Greater Manchester's Deputy Mayor of Crime and Policing. (00:50) Next, the war has finally gone to Moscow. Recently, a number of drone strikes have hit targets in the Russian capital. Though Ukraine hasn’t explicitly taken responsibility, in the magazine this week, Owen Matthews writes that it’s all a part of psychological warfare. Owen is the author of Overreach: The Inside Story of Putin and Russia’s War Against Ukraine and he joins the podcast. (18:20) And finally, is it ever right – or easy – to cut off your parents? If you look at TikTok, as our columnist Mary Wakefield has been doing, it seems that declaring your parents ‘toxic’ and excising them from your life is all the craze among

In this week’s cover story, The Spectator’s political editor Katy Balls writes about Labour’s new paymasters – Keir Starmer’s party now receives more money from private donors than it does from trade unions. What do the new donors want, and what does Starmer want from them? Katy joins Will and Lara alongside the writer and Labour supporter Paul Mason. (01:00) Next up, Webb Keane, from the University of Michigan, and Scott Shapiro, from Yale, write in the magazine this week about the dawn of the godbots – you can now chat online to an artificial intelligence that pretends it’s god. Might people soon start outsourcing their ethics to a chatbot? We're joined by Webb and The Spectator’s commissioning editor Mary Wakefield. (14:19) And finally, The Spectator’s Sam McPhail writes in this week’s magazine about how the football’s biggest stars are changing the way fans enjoy the game, and the way teams play it. To explain, Sam joins alongside <

This week:   In his cover piece for the magazine Ross Clark writes about ‘the war on motorists'. He argues that the backlash against London Mayor Sadiq Khan’s expansion of Ulez is just the beginning, as motorists – and Labour MPs – prepare to revolt. He joins the podcast alongside Ben Clatworthy, transport correspondent at the Times, to discuss whether the Ulez expansion is just a money-grab. (01:11).  Also this week: In his piece for The Spectator, journalist Ian Williams compares both Labour and Conservative policy on China. He says that Labour is gearing up to take a much more hawkish stance on China. He is joined by Charles Parton, senior associate fellow at RUSI, who worked as a diplomat in China for over two decades. (12:12) And finally: lights, camera, industrial action.  This is of course the news this week that the Screen Actions Guild are striking in support of the Writers Guild of America over concerns that A

This week: Ahead of the release of the Barbie movie, Louise Perry writes in her cover piece about how social media is fuelling the cosmetic surgery industry. She argues that life in plastic is not, in fact, fantastic. She joins the podcast alongside the Times’s Sarah Ditum, author of the upcoming book: Toxic: Women, Fame and the Noughties, to discuss the normalisation of plastic surgery. (01:11) Also this week: In anticipation of the BBC Proms Philip Hensher writes in The Spectator that classical music has gone from being a supreme cultural statement, to just another curious musical genre. He is joined by Sir Nicholas Kenyon, former controller of BBC Radio 3 and director of the Proms and now opera critic for the Telegraph, to discuss the changing face of the BBC Proms. (16:54) And finally:  The Spectator’s Damian Thompson writes about some of the misguided – as he says – initiatives by both t

This week: In the magazine we look at the recent protests in France. The Spectator's Douglas Murray argues that racism is not the problem but that a significant chunk of the unintegrated immigrant population is. He is joined by Dr Rakib Ehsan, author of Beyond Grievance: What the Left Gets Wrong about Ethnic Minorities, to investigate why Europe riots. (01:16) Also this week: Journalist Ivo Dawnay and The Spectator’s associate editor Toby Young discuss the plight of 'politically exposed persons' in the magazine this week. This is of course in light of the news that Nigel Farage has had his bank account closed, with many speculating he has been 'debanked' simply because of his political views and associations. Ivo and Toby both join the podcast to discuss  the ‘debanking’ crisis. (18:11).  And finally:  Wimbledon might be on, but it is padel that William Skidelsky is more excited about in his piece for the maga

This week: In the magazine we look at the Wagner Group’s failed coup and its implications for Putin’s reign. The Spectator’s Russia correspondent Owen Matthews examines why the Kremlin permits the existence of private armies such as Prigozhin’s Wagner Group, and joins the podcast alongside Jim Townsend, former deputy secretary of defence for European and NATO policy under the Obama administration. (01:15) Also this week: The Spectator’s special projects editor Ben Lazarus writes this week about the claims made in the recent Mirror Group phone hacking trial, and the man orchestrating many of the accusations, Graham Johnson. He is joined by Neil Wallis, commentator and former deputy editor of the News of the World, to investigate the convicted phone-hacker assembling complaints against the tabloids. (13:39) And finally: Harry Mount takes a look at the lewdness and lyricism of ancient Roman graffiti in the magazi

This week: First up: for the cover piece, The Spectator’s economics editor Kate Andrews has written about Britain’s mortgage timebomb, as the UK faces the sharpest interest rate hike since the 80s. In the year leading up to the general election, can the Conservatives come back from this? Kate joins us along with Liam Halligan, economics editor of GB News, Telegraph columnist and author of Home Truths - the UK's chronic housing shortage.  Next: Spectator journalist Toby Young has written about 'furries' – children identifying as animals at school. He joins us now, along with Miriam Cates MP who sits on the education select committee. (17:11) Finally: in the arts leader this week, Robert Jackman has written about wrestling. From WWE to amateur fights, there's a whole world out there – and it is growing in popularity. Robert joins the show along with Anthony Sinfield, a professional wrestler, also known as 'Tony Sin'. (28:32)

This week: For her cover piece, The Spectator’s political editor Katy Balls writes that Boris Johnson could be attempting to spearhead an insurgency against the prime minister. She joins the podcast alongside historian and author Sir Anthony Seldon, to discuss whether – in light of the Privileges Committee's findings – Boris is going to seriously up the ante when it comes to seeking revenge against his former chancellor. (01:02) Also this week: In The Spectator journalist Paul Wood writes about how Saudi Arabia is buying the world, after the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund negotiated a controlling interest in the main US golf tournament, the PGA. This took many people by surprise. He is joined by New York Times journalist Justin Scheck to debate whether MBS's motivation really is international recognition, or perhaps domestic security. (12:41) And finally: In the books section of the magazine Simon Heffer

This week:  Prince Harry has taken the stand to give evidence in the Mirror Group phone hacking trial which The Spectator’s deputy editor Freddy Gray talks about in his cover piece for the magazine. He is joined by Patrick Jephson, former private secretary to Princess Diana, to discuss whether Harry's 'suicide mission' against the press is ill-advised. (01:22) Also this week:  In The Spectator professor Robert Tombs details the trouble with returning the Benin Bronzes back to Nigeria, arguing that their restitution is more complicated than some claim. He is joined by Deadria Farmer-Paellmann, executive director of the Restitution Study Group, who have recently screened a short film in Cannes, detailing why they think the bronzes should stay where they are. (14:07) And finally:  Journalist Emily Rhodes writes this week about the rise of fake libraries and the current online trend for having phoney books on bookshelves.

On this week’s episode: Price caps are back in the news as the government is reportedly considering implementing one on basic food items. What happened to the Rishi Sunak who admired Margaret Thatcher and Nigel Lawson? In her cover article this week, our economics editor Kate Andrews argues that the prime minister and his party have lost their ideological bearings. She joins the podcast, together with Spectator columnist Matthew Parris, who remembers the last time price caps were implemented and writes about it in his column. We also take a look at the experience of being addicted to meth. What is it like, and is it possible to turn your life around after that? The translator Eva Gaida has managed it, and writes powerfully about her experience in this week’s issue. She’s joined by drugs counsellor and Spectator World contributor, Kevin Dahlgren. And finally, have the Irish lost their famous sense of humour? Melanie McDonagh writes that ‘the country of th

This week: In his cover piece, journalist Mark Galeotti asks whether Putin can be outsmarted by Zelensky’s counter-offensive. He is joined by The Spectator’s own Svitlana Morenets to discuss Ukraine's next move. (01:08) Also this week:  Journalist David Goodhart writes a moving tribute to his friend Jeremy Clarke, The Spectator’s much-missed Low Life columnist who sadly passed away earlier this week. David is joined by Cass Pennant and Freddy Gray, The Spectator’s deputy editor, to remember the life and writing of Jeremy Clarke. (12:52)  And finally: The Spectator’s deputy features editor Gus Carter writes this week about the curious business of fertility. He is joined by Nimco Ali co-founder and CEO of The Five Foundation. (27:06) Presented by William Moore and Lara Prendergast.  Produced by Oscar Edmondson.

This week: Spectator editor Fraser Nelson writes in this week’s cover story about how Brexit has led to Britain having more, not less, immigration – Rishi Sunak’s government is masking dysfunction in the welfare system by bringing in people to fill vacant jobs. To make his case, Fraser joins us alongside our economics editor Kate Andrews. (01:04) Also this week: Novelist Elif Shafak writes about the Turkish elections in the diary for this week’s magazine. Ultranationalism and religious fundamentalism were the real winners in last Sunday’s poll. To tell us all about it. Elif joins us alongside Spectator contributor Owen Matthews. (23:18) And finally: Is reality television ruining sport? The Spectator’s online editor Tom Goodenough writes in this week’s magazine about how a new trend of TV shows following sports teams is taking the joy away for fans. To explain, Tom joins us alongside our deputy editor Freddy Gr

This week: Having been found guilty of sexual assault, is Donald Trump still in the running for the White House? In his cover piece Niall Ferguson says he could still defy gravity. He joins the podcast alongside Jacob Heilbrunn, editor of The National Interest. (01:00)  Also this week: Journalist Andrew Watts interviews the Reverend Canon Dr Jason Bray, the Bishop of St Asaph’s ‘deliverance minister’, or the Anglican priest charged with exorcising evil spirits. They both join the podcast. (17:50).  And finally: Author and journalist Sophia Money-Coutts writes about the British women opting for Danish sperm donors to conceive. She joins us on the show, along with Annemette Arndal Lauritzen, CEO of the European Sperm Bank.  (34:07).  Hosted by Lara Prendergast and William Moore.  Produced by Oscar Edmondson and Natasha Feroze.

This week: In his cover piece for the magazine, Daily Mail writer, author of Queen of Our Times and co-presenter of the Tea at the Palace podcast, Robert Hardman looks ahead to the reign of King Charles III. He joins the podcast alongside historian David Starkey, who is interviewed in the arts pages of The Spectator by Lynn Barber (01:10)  Also this week: Sean Thomas writes about generational reparations, that is: whether families with murky pasts should pay compensation for their ancestors’ wrongdoings. He is joined by Professor Christine Kinealy, historian and author This Great Calamity: The Irish Famine 1845-52, to ask whether generational reparations are simply a token gesture (20:58).  And finally: Journalist Yannic Rack writes about the battle to restore Britain's hedgerows in The Spectator. He is joined by Clive Matthew, hedgelayer and founder of the National Hedgelaying Soci

This week: In her cover piece for the magazine, The Spectator’s political editor Katy Balls writes that as Labour prepares for government, Keir Starmer is rooting out the far left sections of his party and replacing them with moderates. She is joined by John McTernan, former political secretary to Tony Blair, to discuss the return of the Blairites (01:06). Also this week: The Spectator’s Russia correspondent Owen Matthews writes about Putin's three most prominent political prisoners. He joins the podcast alongside The Spectator’s assistant online editor Lisa Haseldine to consider the cost of speaking up against the regime (17:50). And finally: Damian Thompson, associate editor at The Spectator, writes this week about the rise of America’s Satanists. He is joined by Chaplain Leopold, who co-runs the Global Order of Satan UK, to debate the rifts in modern Satanism (28:41).  Hosted by Willi

On this week's episode: In her cover piece for The Spectator, journalist Louise Perry questions whether it is moral to separate a newborn child from their surrogate. She is joined by Sarah Jones, head of SurrogacyUK and five time surrogate mother, to debate the ethics of surrogacy (01:07). Also this week: In the books section of the magazine Olivia Potts reviews several recent books all of which seem to warn against the dangers of our food system and what we are eating. She is joined by Henry Dimbleby, author of Ravenous: How to Get Ourselves and Our Planet Into Shape, to ask if anything is safe to eat these days (14:29).  And finally: Reverend Steve Morris speaks to modern day Holy Grail-hunters in The Spectator about their obsession with the search for the cup of Christ. He joins the podcast alongside Rat Scabies, Grail-hunter and drummer of the punk band The Dammed, to shed some light on the enduring ap

On the podcast this week:  In his cover piece for The Spectator, Adrian Wooldridge argues that meritocracy is under attack. He says that the traditional societal pyramid – with the upper class at the top and the lower class at the base – has been inverted by a new culture which prizes virtue over meritocracy. He joins the podcast alongside journalist and author of Chums: How a tiny caste of Oxford Tories took over the UK, Simon Kuper, to debate (01:04).  Also this week:  In the magazine, ad-man Paul Burke suggests how the Tories should respond to Labour’s attack adverts. Released last week, the adverts have caused a stir for attacking the Conservative's recent record on curbing child abuse, and accuses Rishi Sunak directly of negligence on the issue. Paul is joined by Carl Shoben, who leads strategic communications for Survation and was strategy director under Jeremy Corbyn (17:47).  And finally:  In the books

On the podcast this week: In his cover piece for the magazine, journalist Dan Hitchens examines whether Archbishop Justin Welby and Pope Francis can heal the divisions threatening to tear apart the Church of England and the Catholic Church. He is joined by Telegraph columnist Tim Stanley to ask whether these two men – once heralded as great unifiers by their respective Churches – can keep their flocks in order. (01:05)  Also this week:  In his column, The Spectator’s associate editor Douglas Murray questions whether the English countryside can be considered exclusionary, after the news that the green and pleasant land will be studied by ‘hate crime’ experts. He is joined by the explorer and broadcaster Dwayne Fields to ask is the countryside racist? (13:44) And finally:  Journalist Ysenda Maxtone Graham writes for The Spectator about the madness – in her view – of Low Traffic Neighbourhoods. She is joined by J

On the podcast: In his cover piece for the magazine, journalist Jonathan Miller argues that President Macron is pitting himself against the people by refusing to back down from his plans to raise the age of retirement. He is joined by regular Coffee House contributor Gavin Mortimer, to ask whether this could be Macron's last adventure (01:06). Also this week: In the magazine, travel journalist Sean Thomas says that – in comparison to other cities he has visited – American cities are uniquely struggling to bounce back from the impacts of the covid pandemic. He is joined by Karol Markowicz, columnist at the New York Post and contributing editor at Spectator World, to discuss the decline and fall of urban America (16:29). And finally: Mary Wakefield writes in the magazine about her fear of the advances in artificial intelligence and in particular voice cloning technology. This sort of tech is being increasingly used

This week:   In her cover piece for The Spectator, Harriet Sergeant asks what's happened to the 140,000 pupils who have been 'severely absent' from school since the pandemic. She is joined by The Spectator's data editor Michael Simmons to account for the staggering number of children who were failed by the government's Covid response (01:08). Also this week: Owen Matthews, The Spectator's Russia correspondent, looks at the opposition candidate who could usurp President Erdogan in Turkey. He joins the podcast alongside Turkish journalist Ece Temelkuran to discuss whether it really could be the end of Erdogan's two decade long hold over Turkish politics (14:48). And finally: Kara Kennedy, staff writer at Spectator World, writes this week about her upbringing in the Welsh 'murder capital' Pontypridd, and her own near miss with a recently convicted killer. She is joined by Welsh crime writer an

On the podcast: The Spectator's economics editor Kate Andrews looks back on a week of economic turbulence and asks whether we should be worried, for her cover piece in the magazine. She is joined by the economist – and former 'Trussketeer' – Julian Jessop, to discuss whether we are entering a new era of economic uncertainty (01:06). Also this week: In the magazine, The Spectator’s deputy features editor Gus Carter says that the culture of toxic masculinity has gone too far, and that young men are being marginalised in schools and online as they are repeatedly told that they are a danger to women. He is joined by the Times columnist Hugo Rifkind, to explore how today's sexual politics is impacting young men (13:21). And finally: In the books section of the magazine, Philip Hensher reviews Oliver Soden’s new biography of the actor, writer, singer and playwright Noel Coward. Oliver joins the podcast alongside

In the cover piece of this week's magazine, deputy editor Freddy Gray writes about the fight for the American right: it's Don (Trump) vs Ron (DeSantis). Who will win? On the podcast, Freddy is joined by Amber Athey, Washington editor of The Spectator's world edition. (00:37) Political editor Katy Balls writes in this week's magazine that small boats are a big election issue. Rishi Sunak has promised to stop the illegal crossings, but what will it cost him? Katy is on the podcast with Spectator contributor Patrick O'Flynn. (10:49) And finally, would you let a man with an axe into your house for the sake of art? Cosmo Landesman's father did, and he writes about it in the magazine's arts pages this week. Cosmo joins the podcast with Igor Toronyi-Lalic, The Spectator's arts editor, to talks about destructive art. (20:28) Presented by William Moore and Lara Prendergast. Produced by Oscar Edmondson and Max Jeffery.

This week:   Is Putin winning?    In his cover piece for the magazine, historian and author Peter Frankopan says that Russia is reshaping the world in its favour by cultivating an anti-Western alliance of nations. He is joined by Ukrainian journalist – and author of The Spectator's Ukraine In Focus newsletter – Svitlana Morenets, to discuss whether this could tip the balance of the war (01:08).    Also this week:   The Spectator's assistant online foreign editor Max Jeffery writes a letter from Abu Dhabi, after he visited the International Defence Exhibition. He is joined by author and former member of the ANC Andrew Feinstein, to uncover the covert world of the international arms trade and how governments seek to conceal it (17:52). And finally: Ysenda Maxtone Graham searches for the cheapest flat in Greater London in The Spectator this week. She is joined by The Spectator's newsletter edito

This week: In his cover piece for the magazine, Andrew Roberts says that the British Army has been hollowed out by years of underfunding and a lack of foresight when it comes to replacing the munitions we have sent to Ukraine. Historian Antony Beevor and author Simon Jenkins join the podcast to discuss Britain’s depleted military (01:04).  Also this week: do religion and politics mix?  In The Spectator Isabel Hardman asks why it is that only Christian politicians are forced to defend their beliefs. This is of course in light of the news this week that Kate Forbes’s bid for SNP leadership may be derailed by her views on gay marriage. She is joined by former leader of the Liberal Democrats Tim Farron, who also writes for the magazine this week about his experience of – what Isabel calls – the secular inquisition (17:16).  And finally:  Christopher Howse writes about the transformative power of folk costume in his arts lead for <e

This week: What next after Sturgeon? In her cover piece for the magazine, The Spectator's political editor Katy Balls considers what Sturgeon's exit means for the future of Scotland – and the Union. She is joined by Iain Macwhirter, author of Disunited Kingdom, to discuss whether Scottish independence can survive after Sturgeon (01:09). Also this week: Elif Shafak writes a moving diary in The Spectator, reflecting on the terrible earthquakes that hit her homeland Turkey, and neighbouring Syria. She is joined by Turkey correspondent at the Financial Times Adam Samson, to assess President Erdogan's reaction to the disaster (15:03).  And finally:  In the magazine this week journalist Andrew Stuttaford writes about America's fascination with unidentified flying objects, and is joined by Michael Garrett, director of the Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics (26:23). Hosted by William M

This week: the haunting of Rishi Sunak. In her cover piece for The Spectator Katy Balls says that Rishi Sunak cannot escape the ghosts of prime ministers past. She is joined by former Chief Secretary to the Treasury and New Statesman contributor David Gauke to discuss pesky former PMs (01:05).  Also this week: In the magazine Julius Strauss writes about Black Tulip, a volunteer-led humanitarian organisation who recover the war dead from the front line in Ukraine. He is joined by Mark MacKinnnon, senior international correspondent at the Globe and Mail in Canada, to talk about the time they spent with the Black Tulip (16:45).  And finally: The Spectator’s vintage chef Olivia Potts writes this week about the rise of nursery apps which allow parents to spy on their children whilst they are at daycare. She is joined by The Spectator’s executive editor Lara Prendergast (28:34).  Hosted by William

On the podcast this week: How will the war on Ukraine end? This is the question that Russia correspondent Owen Matthews asks in his cover piece for The Spectator. He is joined by Rose Gottemoeller, former deputy secretary general of Nato, to discuss whether the end is in sight (01:02). Also this week: Matthew Parris interviews the theologian and ethicist Nigel Biggar on the legacy of Empire. They have kindly allowed us to hear an extract from their conversation, printed as a dialogue in this week's issue. They discuss Nigel's motivations for writing his controversial new book Colonialism: A Moral Reckoning, and reconsider the economics of colonialism (18:52). And finally:  Neil Clark writes that greyhound racing should not be banned, despite the news that the RSPCA has changed it position to oppose the sport. He is joined by Vanessa Hudson, leader of the Animal Welfare Party, to debate whether dog racing h

Katy Balls, The Spectator’s political editor, writes about the return of Tory sleaze. She’s joined by Jill Rutter, a senior fellow at the Institute for Government, to discuss the problems piling up for Rishi Sunak and the Tories. (00:50) Also this week, security expert Mark Galeotti writes about why Europe has been reluctant to give Ukraine tanks. Journalist Owen Matthews and Ben Hodges, former commanding general of the United States Army (Europe), join the podcast. (18:44) And finally, Gus Carter, The Spectator’s deputy features editor, writes in this week’s magazine about bison being reintroduced into the UK. He joins the podcast with the environmentalist Stanley Johnson. (33:40) Hosted by William Moore. Produced by Oscar Edmondson.

On the podcast this week:  In his cover piece for the magazine Iain Macwhirter writes in the aftermath of the government’s decision to block the Scottish Gender Recognition Reform Bill from gaining Royal Assent. He joins the podcast with Observer columnist Sonia Sodha to discuss the Union’s new battle line (01:03).  Also this week: why are our prisons still in lockdown?  Charlie Taylor, HM’s Chief Inspector of Prisons writes about some of his recent observations visiting institutions around the country. He says that control measures are failing both inmates and the taxpayer. He is joined by journalist David James Smith to examine this post-Covid inertia in UK prisons (16:48).  And finally: In The Spectator this week opera singer and comedian Melinda Hughes says that BBC Radio 3 is failing classical music fans by copying the likes of Classic FM and Scala Radio. She is joined by Sir Nicholas Kenyon, former controller of

This week: Who's afraid of Keir Starmer? In his cover piece for the magazine, The Spectator's Editor Fraser Nelson says that without a Labour demon to point at the Tories stand little chance in the next election. He joins the podcast alongside journalist Paul Mason, to discuss why Keir Starmer is so hard to vilify (01:10).  Also this week: In the magazine, The Spectator's newsletter editor Hannah Tomes exposes the social media campaign targeting young women, such as herself, to freeze and donate their eggs. She joins the podcast alongside Sophia Money-Coutts, host of the Freezing Time podcast, to consider whether it is right to market this as an altruistic undertaking (16:58). And finally: This week saw Prince Harry's bombshell memoir Spare hit the shelves. Novelist and critic Philip Hensher writes a scathing review for the magazine and is joined by Kara Kennedy, staff writer at the Spe

On the podcast this week:  The Spectator’s deputy editor Freddy Gray writes the cover piece looking ahead to the possibility of another 6 years of President Biden. He is joined by Amie Parnes, senior staff writer at The Hill and co-author of Lucky: How Joe Biden barley won the presidency, to discuss whether anyone can stop Biden running in 2024 (01:00).  Also this week:  In the magazine Fr Patrick Burke writes a moving tribute to Pope Benedict XVI. He joins the podcast to discuss Benedict’s intellectual legacy and what the Church gained from his theological work (16:05). We are also very lucky to have a special recording from Melanie McDonagh who dials in from St Peter’s Square to give her reflections on the late Pope’s funeral (29:43).  And finally:  In her article for The Spectator this week Tanith Carey, author of Never Kiss a Man in a Canoe: Words of Wisdom from the Golden Age of Agony Aunts</

Welcome to the special Christmas episode of The Edition!  Up first: What a year in politics it has been. 2022 has seen five education secretaries, four chancellors, three prime ministers and two monarchs. But there is only one political team that can make sense of it all. The Spectator's editor Fraser Nelson, deputy political editor Katy Balls and assistant editor Isabel Hardman discuss what has surely been one of the most dramatic years in British political history (01:13).  Then: Christmas is a time to spare a thought for our neighbours. While in the UK we have our own hardships, families in Ukraine are facing a Christmas under siege. The Spectator's Svitlana Morenets joins the podcast alongside author Andrey Kurkov, dialling in from Lazarivka near Kiev to discuss traditions in Ukraine (16:29). Next: We have a special Christmas treat for our listeners. For our festive triple issue of the magazine, historian Tom Holland interviews t

This week: For his cover piece in The Spectator Freddy Gray asks who will win in the battle between the Waleses and the Sussexes. He is joined by historian Amanda Foreman to discuss the fallout Harry and Meghan's new Netflix documentary (01:00). Also this week: Should the House of Lords be reformed or even abolished? This is the question James Heale considers in the magazine. He is joined by Baroness Fox of Buckley to unpack Gordon Brown's recommendation to do away with the second chamber of Parliament (13:14).  And finally: In the books section of The Spectator Chloë Ashby reviews Con/Artist, the memoir of notorious art forger Tony Tetro. She is joined by Tony and investigative journalist Giampiero Ambrossi, who co-authored to book (31:53).  Hosted by William Moore.  Produced by Oscar Edmondson. 

This week: In his cover piece Douglas Murray writes that museums are turning against their own collections. He is joined by the historian Robert Tombs to discuss whether a culture of self-flagellation is harming British museums (00:56). Also this week: For the magazine The Spectator’s assistant editor Cindy Yu writes that the tune is changing in China. She is joined by Professor Kerry Brown, director of the Lau China Institute at King’s College London to consider what the recent protests could mean for the Chinese Communist Party (13:24). And finally: Nicholas Lezard writes in The Spectator about how to beat London's expanding Ultra Low Emissions Zone. He is joined by journalist Tanya Gold to investigate an elegant loophole in the plans (24:56).  Hosted by William Moore.  Produced by Oscar Edmondson. 

On this week's podcast: Could China be the key to peace in Ukraine? In his cover piece for the magazine this week Owen Matthews reveals the covert but decisive role China is playing in the Ukraine war. He is joined by The Spectator's Cindy Yu, to discuss what Xi's motivations are (00:53).  Also this week:  Harriet Sergeant writes that the Iran is at war with its own children as it cracks down on young protesters. She is joined by Ali Ansari, founding director if the Institute for Iranian Studies, to consider the fragility of the Iranian regime (14:32).  And finally:  Julie Bindel says in the magazine this week that after recent controversy the Society of Authors is no longer fit for purpose. She is joined by historian, author, and former chair of the society Tom Holland, to debate whether it's time to replace the institution (23:56).  Hosted by William Moore.  Produced by Oscar Edmondson. 

This week: How long will the pain last? The Spectator's economics editor Kate Andrews asks this in her cover piece this week, reflecting on Rishi Sunak and Jeremy Hunt's autumn statement. She joins the podcast with Professor David Miles, economy expert at the Office for Budget Responsibility, to discuss the new age of austerity (00:58). Also on the podcast: After Donald Trump announced that he will be running for office in 2024, Freddy Gray writes in the magazine about the never ending Trump campaign. He speaks to Joe Walsh, 2020 Republican presidential candidate, about whether Trump could win the nomination (18:42). And finally: In the arts lead in The Spectator Mathew Lyons celebrates the bleak brilliance of the Peanuts comic strip. He is joined by Christian Adams, political cartoonist at the Evening Standard and long-time fan of the strip (29:02).  Hosted by William Moore. 

On the podcast: In his cover piece for the magazine, The Spectator's deputy editor Freddy Gray says the only clear winner from the US midterms is paranoia. He is joined by The Spectator's economics editor Kate Andrews to discuss whether the American political system is broken (00:52). Also this week: Isabel Hardman writes that Ed Miliband is the power behind Kier Starmer's Labour. She is joined by former Labour advisor Lord Stewart Wood of Anfield, to consider whether Starmer is wise to lend his ear to the former Leader of the Opposition (12:48). And finally: King Charles III is known for his love of classical music, and Damian Thompson writes in this week's arts lead that he is the most musical monarch since Queen Victoria. He is joined by editor of Gramophone magazine Martin Cullingford, to examine the great royal tradition of musicality (25:32).  Presented by William Moore.  Produced b

On this week's podcast: Can Rishi Sunak steady the ship? Patrick O'Flynn argues in his cover piece for The Spectator that the asylum system is broken. He is joined by Sunder Katwala, director of the think tank British Future, to consider what potential solutions are open to the Prime Minister to solve the small boats crisis (00:52). Also this week: Should we give Elon Musk a break? In the aftermath of his sensational purchase of Twitter, Mary Wakefield writes in defence of the tech billionaire. She is joined by James Ball, global editor of The Bureau of Investigative Journalism, to ask what his plans are for the social media platform (14:27). And finally: Ysenda Maxtone Graham writes in the magazine this week about the joy of hating the Qatar World Cup. She is joined by Spectator columnist Rod Liddle to lament why we may have to get used to tournaments like this one. (24:47).  Hosted by

On this week's podcast: We have a new prime minister, but is Rishi Sunak ready to take on the numerous problems that James Forsyth outlines in his cover piece for The Spectator this week? James is joined by writer and pollster Matt Goodwin to debate whether the Conservatives can turn it around in time for 2024 (00:50).  Also this week: Is the future of feminism conservative? Louise Perry writes for the magazine this week that there has been a rightward shift in feminist thought, spearheaded by mothers coalescing online. She is joined by Victoria Smith, author of Hags: The Demonisation of Middle-Aged Women (15:30). And finally: The Spectator's diary editor James Heale and the Sun's political editor Harry Cole, are the authors of the new book Out of the Blue: The Unexpected Rise and Rapid Fall of Liz Truss. Now immortalised as a Twitter meme, they discuss the agony of rewrites and

On this week's podcast:  After the markets saw off Kwarteng, Trussonomics and now Truss herself, James Forsyth writes in The Spectator that the markets will be driving British politics for the foreseeable future. He is joined by Britain economics editor at the Economist Soumaya Keynes to discuss the institutions now dictating government policy (00:56). Also this week: Looking ahead to the American midterms next month, are we heading for a 'red wave'? Freddy Gray says in his piece for the magazine that the Democrats could be in for a shellacking come November. He is joined by Washington editor at Spectator World, Amber Athey (13:41). And finally: Should the Parthenon Marbles be returned to Athens? In The Spectator this week, Noel Malcolm says this age-old question is far from simple. He is joined by Lord Vaizey, chair of the new advisory board The Parthenon Project, to consider whether we can real

This week: In his cover piece for the magazine Owen Matthews writes about the power struggle at the heart of Russia. He is joined by Jade McGlynn, specialist in Russian Studies at the Monterey Initiative, to discuss whether Putin might be running out of time (01:00). Also on the podcast:  Has America’s pot policy gone to pot?  In The Spectator this week Mike Adams says that US cannabis legislation has been a total failure, a view contested by Katya Kowalski, Head of Operations at drug policy think tank Voltface. They both join The Edition podcast to debate the way forward for cannabis legalisation (16:26). And finally:  Should we pity privileged men?  For our magazine Damian Reilly writes about The Privileged Man, the support group for men that have it all. He is joined by co-founder of the community Esmond Baring to consider why everyone should be encouraged to speak up about their struggles (30:44).  <br

On this week's podcast:  As Liz Truss returns from Conservative Party Conference with her wings clipped, has she failed in her revolutionary aims for the party? James Forsyth discusses this in the cover piece for The Spectator, and is joined by former cabinet minister and New Labour architect Peter Mandelson to discuss (01:08). Also this week:  Is it time that the West got tough with Putin? Mark Galeotti writes in this week's magazine about the likely scenarios should Putin make good on his thermonuclear threats. He is joined by Elisabeth Braw, fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, to consider how the West should respond (13:14). And finally: Anthony Whitehead writes about the 'arrogance' of the Tyre Extinguisher movement in The Spectator this week, a new environmental activist organisation letting down the tyres on SUVs all around the world. He speaks to Tusk, one such 'extinguisher' ab

On this week's podcast: For the cover of the magazine Kate Andrews assesses the politics of panic, and the fallout of last week's so-called fiscal event. She is joined by Robert Colvile, director of the Centre for Policy Studies think tank to discuss where the Conservatives go from here (00:57). Also this week: Does the future belong to Sinn Fein in Northern Ireland? This is the claim that Jenny McCartney makes in this week's Spectator. We speak with journalist Melanie McDonagh and politician Mairia Cahill about what this could mean for Irish reunification (15:58). And finally: Are red kites magnificent or a menace? Paul Sargeanton says in his article for The Spectator that red kites should have never been reintroduced back into the UK. His claim is contested by naturalist and author of The Red Kites Year, Ian Carter (28:19). Hosted by Lara Prendergast and William Moor

In this week’s episode: For the cover of the magazine, Paul Wood asks whether Putin could actually push the nuclear button in order to save himself? He is joined by The Spectator’s assistant online editor Lisa Haseldine, to discuss (01:03). Also this week: Why is there violence on the streets of Leicester? Douglas Murray writes about this in his column this week and we speak to journalist Sunny Hundal and research analyst Dr Rakib Ehsan about what’s caused the disorder (13:44). And finally: Is three – or more – a crowd? Mary Wakefield discusses the poly-problems or polyamory in her column in The Spectator and is joined by comedian Elf Lyons, who has written about her experience of polyamory before (26:46). Hosted by Lara Prendergast and William Moore. Produced by Oscar Edmondson.

On this week’s podcast:  We reflect on the life and the reign of Queen Elizabeth II.  For The Spectator, A.N. Wilson writes that Queen Elizabeth was a constant in a country that has changed so much, and he is joined on the Edition podcast by Graham Viney author of Last Hurrah: The 1947 Tour of Southern Africa and the End of Empire (00:59).  Also this week:  Michael Hall takes us inside the Royal Collection and discusses the Queen’s relationship with art. He is joined by Susan Ryder, who was commissioned to paint her portrait in 1997 (13:28).  And finally:  Scott Methven recalls his time as piper to the sovereign with Anne Denholm, a former personal harpist to the now King Charles III (22:58).  Hosted by Lara Prendergast and William Moore.  Produced by Oscar Edmondson. 

In this week’s episode:  As the Liz Truss era begins, we assess the bumpy road that lies ahead of her.  James Forsyth and Rachel Wolf, co-author of the 2019 conservative manifesto, join the Edition podcast (01:04).  Also this week:  From generation rent to generation buy: has Help to Buy been a success or a failure?  Emma Hollender speaks with economist – and ‘Trussketeer’ – Dr Gerard Lyons (12:29).  And finally: is metal detecting becoming fashionable?  Nigel Richardson discusses this in his piece in The Spectator this week and is joined by Julian Evan-Hart, editor of Treasure Hunting magazine (25:17). Hosted by Lara Prendergast and William Moore.  Produced by Oscar Edmondson. 

In this week's episode:  We look ahead to Harry and Meghan’s UK tour next week, how will they be received?  Freddy Gray and Tanya Gold join the Edition podcast to discuss (01:01).  Also this week:  In the Spectator magazine, our Economics Editor Kate Andrews sat down with the three economists, or 'Trussketeers', that are informing the would-be PM’s economic plan.  She joins us along with Julian Jessop, one such economist that has been advising Liz Truss (13:51).  And finally: can successful writers be friends with less successful ones?  Cosmo Landesman asks this question in the magazine this week and is joined by the author Ian Rankin (27:07).  Hosted by Lara Prendergast and William Moore.  Produced by Oscar Edmondson. 

In this week’s episode: What has Rishi Sunak revealed about the lockdown decisions made behind closed doors? Fraser Nelson, Katy Balls and Kate Andrews join the Edition podcast to discuss (1.14). Also this week: From aid to trade: when will the West start to deal with Africa on its own terms? Spectator columnist, Aidan Hartley is joined by Degan Ali, founder and principal of DA Global (16.24). And finally: are handsy yoga teachers pushing their pupils away? Rachel Johnson makes this case in the magazine this week. She's joined by Sasha Brown-Worsham who is a yoga teacher and author of the book Namaste the Hard Way (32.32). Hosted by Lara Prendergast. Produced by Natasha Feroze.

In this week’s episode: Is Giorgia Meloni the most dangerous woman in Europe? Spectator contributor, Nicholas Farrell is joined by Chiara Albanese, a political correspondent at Bloomberg, to discuss the road ahead for Italy’s next likely leader. (01.10) Also this week: Are we entering a new age of digital censorship? Lord Sumption unpicks the Online Safety Bill in this week’s magazine. He’s joined by Baroness Nicky Morgan, a firm supporter of the bill. (17.53) And finally: why has holiday hand luggage become such a hassle this summer? Spectator contributor and marketing guru, Rory Sutherland joins us to get to the bottom of this. (31.56) Hosted by Lara Prendergast and Gus Carter Produced by Natasha Feroze.

In this week’s episode: Who’s to blame for the water shortages? James Forsyth, The Spectator’s political editor and Ciaran Nelson from Anglian Water join us to discuss the UK’s deteriorating water supply. (0.29) Also this week: Is it time for some old-fashioned Tory state-building? Tim Stanley from the Telegraph shares his vision for a Conservative future. He’s joined by Annabel Denham, director of communications at the Institute of Economic Affairs. (11.19) And finally: What’s behind France’s new sexual politics? Jonathan Miller writes about a new civil war in France between the nudes and prudes. He’s joined by Louise Perry, columnist and author of The Case Against the Sexual Revolution. (23.08) Hosted by Lara Prendergast. Produced by Natasha Feroze.

In this week’s episode: Is China heading for a demographic disaster? Rana Mitter and Cindy Yu discuss China’s declining birth rate and what this could do to their economy. (0.52) Also this week: What would foreign policy look like under a Liz Truss government? The Spectator's deputy political editor, Katy Balls is joined by Rishi Sunak supporter, Dr Liam Fox who is the MP for NorthWest Somerset, Former Defence and Trade Secretary. (13.40) And finally:    As Rishi comes face-to-face with the Tory members, can he win them over? Fiona Unwin, who is the vice president of the West Suffolk Conservative Association writes that to wow the grassroots, all Rishi Sunak has to do is meet them. But not all the members were persuaded.  Fiona is joined by her fellow member and triple-hatted Councillor, Andy Drummond who was elected for Newmarket town, West Suffolk district and Suffolk county council. Andy i

In this week’s episode: Can Rishi catch up? Katy Balls and Kate Andrews discuss Rishi Sunak’s mad dash to catch up with his rival, Liz Truss in the polls (0.55) Also this week: Is it time the UK severed ties with Chinese-made tech? Charles Parton argues this in the magazine this week. He is joined by Dr Alexi Drew, a consultant in emerging technologies and international relations (13.33) And finally:    What’s not to love about country-pop music? Sam Kriss writes about this in the magazine. Joining him for the podcast is Rod Liddle, the associate editor at The Spectator (31.01) Hosted by William Moore. Produced by Natasha Feroze. Subscribe to The Spectator toda

In this week’s episode: Will Donald Trump have a second shot at the US presidency? Freddy Gray and Sarah Baxter discuss. (1.10) Also this week: A look at the history of Scotland’s paradoxical relationship between Scottish identity and the Union. The Spectator’s Scotland editor, Alex Massie talks with Murray Pittock about his book Scotland: The Global History, 1603 to Present.  (21.49) And finally:    What happened to bad taste humour? Screenwriter Gareth Roberts wrote about this in the magazine. He’s joined by comedian and podcast host of NonCensored, Rosie Holt (32.30) Hosted by William Moore Produced by Natasha Feroze Subscribe to The Spectator<

In this week’s episode: The knives are out in the Tory leadership fight, who looks likely to make the final two? Fraser Nelson writes this week’s cover piece about the Tory leadership race. He’s joined by the Telegraph’s Allison Pearson (0.49). Also this week: Mary Wakefield challenges Stonewall's guidelines for parents with trans children. One of these parents is Tammy Plunkett, a former nurse, life coach and author of Beyond Pronouns (21.43). And finally:    James Ball reviews Matthew Ball’s The Metaverse: And How It Will Revolutionise Everything for the magazine this week. He is joined by Sid Venkataramakrishnan from the Financial Times to discuss the

In this week’s episode: After Boris, who's next? On the day the Prime Minister resigns, Katy Balls and James Forsyth discuss the aftermath of Boris Johnson’s premiership. Who might be the next Tory leader? (0.51). Also this week: Who are the wealthy Russian émigrés ready to fight in the war? Sean Thomas talks with Moscow-based journalist, Gabriel Gavin about the Russian émigrés who hate the war, but know they have to win it (19.56). And finally:    Are 20mph speed limits causing more trouble than Brexit? Ysenda Maxtone Graham makes this case in the magazine this week. She's joined by Cllr Johnny Thalassites from the Kensington and Chelsea borough. (22.26) Hosted by Lara Prendergast &amp; William Moore Prod

In this week’s episode: Can Russia turn off Germany’s gas? Wolfgang Münchau and Katja Hoyer discuss Germany’s looming energy crisis (0.51). Also this week: What are relations like between Boris Johnson and Prince Charles?  The Spectator’s diary editor, James Heale talks with Camilla Tominey from the Telegraph talk about the growing tensions between the Prime Minister and future King (19.56). And finally:    Are sex parties becoming a cliché? Emma Sayle, CEO of Killing Kittens and James Innes-Smith, talk about the rise of sex parties and why they’ve become an open secret. (27.48) Hosted by Lara Prendergast &amp; William Moore Produced by Natasha Feroze Subscribe to

In this week’s episode: Are Russian sanctions backfiring? The Spectator’s economics editor, Kate Andrews and Elisabeth Braw from American Enterprise Institute discuss why sanctions against Russia may be playing into Putin’s hands. (0.57) Also this week: Does Carrie Johnson get a hard time from the British public?  Spectator columnist, Matthew Parris talks with the Daily Mail columnist about the role of a Prime Minister’s wife and why they are given such a bad time. (13.56) And finally: What’s so special about our cars? Juliet Nicolson &amp; Tanya Gold, a Spectator contributor chat about their shared love for cars. (24.06) Hosted by Lara Prendergast &amp; William Moore Produc

In this week’s episode: Why is there a lack of faith in western leaders? Spectator deputy editor Freddy Gray, Callum Williams from the Economist &amp; Harvard professor Barbara Kellerman discuss why the world feel so leaderless. (00:44) Also this week: How do you escape the church of scientology? Spectator Columnist Mary Wakefield talks with former scientologist Claire Headley about her life inside the organisation and how hard it was to leave. (15:07) And finally: Should we all give boxing a go? Anil Bhoyrul &amp; James Amos organiser of Boodles Boxing Ball on the strange world of White Collar Boxing. (27:40) Hosted by Lara Prendergast &amp; William Moore Produced by Sam Holmes Subscribe to The Spectator today and get a £20 Amazon gift voucher: www.s

In this week’s episode: Is the Prime Minister a dead man walking? Spectator Political Editor James Forsyth and MP Jesse Norman who expressed no confidence in Monday's vote discuss the future of Boris Johnson and the Conservative Party. (00:45) Also this week: Why is there so much virtue signalling in modern advertising? Spectator Columnist Lionel Shriver and veteran copywriter Paul Burke discuss its origins, its prevalence, and its effectiveness. (20:20) And finally: Is the dinner party dead? Gus Carter writes in The Spectator this week about how he is never invited to any. He’s joined by Mary Killen to give him some tips on planning a sophisticated bash on a budget. (34:45) Hosted by Lara Prendergast &amp; William Moore Produced by Sam Holmes Subscribe to The Spectator today and get a £20 Amazon gift voucher: <a href="http://www.spectator

In this week’s episode: Robert Hardman &amp; Angela Levin, two of the UK’s royal specialists, explore the character of the Queen and the impact she has had on the institution of the monarchy. (00:36) Also this week: For now, it seems that Boris Johnson is hanging on after the publishing of the Sue Gray report, but how stable is his position? Could a vote of no confidence be closer than anyone expects? The Spectator’s political editor James Forsyth joins the podcast to discuss. (13:47) And finally: Is Chinese cinema in decline? Cindy Yu writes on this in this week’s Spectator, and she joins the podcast along with Andrew Heskins, the founder of easternkicks.com, a review website specialising in Asian film, and co-founder of the film festival, Focus Hong Kong. (23:33) Hosted by Lara Prendergast

In this week’s episode: Ian Williams, author of The Fire of the Dragon: China’s New Cold war, and Alessio Patalano, Professor of War and Strategy in East Asia at King’s College London, talk about how the war in Ukraine has changed the thinking in Taiwan. (00:37) Also this week: Was Sue Gray’s report on Downing Street parties a game-changer or a damp squib? The Spectator’s editor, Fraser Nelson, and our political editor, James Forsyth, join the podcast to discuss the fallout from partygate. (15:39) And finally: If rising restaurant prices are causing you grief, you're not alone. Writer Yesenda Maxtone Graham and The Spectator’s Wikiman columnist, Rory Sutherland, join the podcast. (27:55) Hosted by William Moore Produced by Sam Holmes Subscribe to The Spectator today and get a £20 Amazon gift voucher: <a href="http://www.spectator.co.uk/voucher

This week Lara Prendergast and William Moore talk to James Forsyth and the academic, Dr Alexander Clarkson about Zelensky's possible path to peace (00:42). Followed by Owen Matthews, The Spectator's Russia correspondent on Turkey's power over Nato expansion (13:28). Finally, a chat between two bowls fanatics, Michael Simmons, The Spectator's data journalist and Andrew Gibson from the bowls green in Streatham (22:00). Hosted by Lara Prendergast &amp; William Moore Produced by Sam Holmes Subscribe to The Spectator today and get a £20 Amazon gift voucher: www.spectator.co.uk/voucher

This week Lara Prendergast and William Moore talk to Katy Balls and the journalist Paul Mason about the future of Labour (00:40). Followed by historian David Abulafia and the Sunday Times education editor Sian Griffiths on the announcement of Cambridge University's plans to limit the number of their private school students (15:20). Finally, a debate between author Michele Kirsch and Laura Biggs from the Menopause Mandate on the question 'Are we talking about menopause too much?' (31:50). Hosted by Lara Prendergast &amp; William Moore Produced by Sam Holmes Subscribe to The Spectator today and get a £20 Amazon gift voucher:www.spectator.co.uk/voucher

In this week’s episode: Is Boris Johnson planning to tear up Britain’s deal with the EU? James Forsyth says in his Spectator cover story this week that Boris Johnson plans to reignite the Brexit voter base by taking on the EU again over Northern Ireland. He joins the podcast along with Denis Staunton, the London editor of the Irish Times, who writes in this week’s magazine about how Sein Finn has benefited from the DUP’s collapsing support. (00:50) Also this week: Does overturning Roe V. Wade stand up to constitutional scrutiny?  Douglas Murray has written in his column this week about America’s abortion debate, in the wake of the leaked draft of a Supreme Court opinion set to overturn the 1973 decision in Roe V Wade. He joins the podcast along with The Spectator’s economics editor Kate Andrews. (15:09) And finally: Is Eton College going through an ‘awokening’?  In this week’

In this week’s episode: Is Elon Musk heading for a clash with the British Government over free speech? Elon Musk is buying Twitter. But might the Tesla CEO be in for a battle he wasn’t expecting with the UK government? Spectator Editor Fraser Nelson writes about this potential clash in this week’s issue and he joins the podcast to expand on his thesis. (00:49) Also this week: Where is it ever ok to stare at someone?  If you’ve been on the tube recently you might have spotted a rather startling sign. This poster warns passengers about intrusive staring on public transport, so as to protect women from feeling intimidated on their commute. But who, we ask, will speak up for those who love staring at people on public transport? The answer is Cosmo Landesman who defends his love of people watching in this week’s Spectator. He joins the podcast along with Emily Hill who also has written

In this week’s episode: Is Boris going to limp on?  In her cover piece this week, Katy Balls writes that although Boris Johnson believes he can survive the partygate scandal, he has some way to go until he is safe, while in his column, James Forsyth writes about why the Tories have a summer of discontent ahead of them. They both join the podcast to speculate on the Prime Minister’s future. (00:44) Also this week: Why is the Rwandan government taking our asylum seekers?  We have heard the arguments behind the Home Office’s plan to send migrants to Rwanda. But why is Rwanda up for this arrangement? Michela Wrong, the author of Do Not Disturb: The Story of a Political Murder and an African Regime Gone Bad, explores this question in this week’s Spectator and she joins the podcast along with MP Andrew Mitchell. (14:50) And finally: Can AI take on the art world? Sean Thomas writes

In this week’s episode: How are the people of both Russia and Ukraine processing the war? Our Russia correspondent Owen Matthews writes in this week’s Spectator that he has been stunned at how easily some of his Russian friends have accepted the Kremlin’s propaganda. He joins the podcast to explain why he thinks this is, followed by journalist and author of This Is Not Propaganda, Peter Pomerantsev, who has travelled to Kyiv to celebrate the festival of Passover. (00:48) Also this week: Is Rishi Sunak politically incompetent?  Until recently Rishi Sunak was once a favourite to succeed Boris Johnson, but this week his popularity plummeted to new lows. Our Deputy Political Editor Katy Balls writes about the Chancellor’s challenges in this week’s Spectator and she joins the podcast along with Chris Curtis from Opinium Research to talk about Rishi’s nightmare week. (

In this week’s episode: Is Putin guilty of war crimes? For this week’s cover piece, The Spectator’s Editor Fraser Nelson looks at the risks and rewards of labelling Vladimir Putin and Russian soldiers war criminals. He joins the podcast, followed by Michael Bryant, the author of A World History of War Crimes, who writes in the Spectator this week about what the limits put on acts of war in the past can teach us about atrocities committed today. (00:52) Also this week: Is Europe facing a political stand-off between progressives and populists?  This week Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban was elected for a fourth term in office with a large majority. While in France, Emmanuel Macron faces a much harder fight from Marine Le Pen than many expected. Paris-based author, Gavin Mortimer analyses the changing faultline in European politics in this week’s Spectator and joins the podcast along with journal

In this week’s episode: Is Biden’s approach to the war in Ukraine more calculating than it seems? For this week’s cover piece, in this week’s cover piece, Matt Purple examines Biden’s response to the situation in Ukraine. The good, the bad and the gaffs. He joins the podcast along with the founder of Political Human Emma Burnell. (00:52) Also this week: How many of Ukraine’s churches have been destroyed? In this week’s issue, Christopher Howse writes poignantly on the destruction of Ukrainian churches and how Vladimir Putin, a man claiming to be a defender of Christianity is desperate to keep the images of destroyed holy sites out of the news. He joins the podcast along with the head of the Greek Orthodox Church in Great Britain, His Eminence Archbishop Nikitas Loulias. (11:26) And, finally: 40 years on from the Falklands War, why are there still tensions over the island

In this week’s episode: could President Erdogan broker a peace deal between Putin and the West?    For this week’s cover piece, Owen Matthews has written about how Turkey’s President Erdogan became a key powerbroker between Vladimir Putin and the Western alliance. On the podcast, Owen is joined by Ece Temelkuran, a political thinker, author, and writer of the book How to Lose a Country. (1:13) Also this week: a look at Tina, the drug devastating the gay community. Dr Max Pemberton has written about Tina, a dangerous drug often used at chemsex parties. Max joins us now along with Philip Hurd, a chemsex rehabilitation professional and trustee of Controlling Chemsex. (14:02) And finally: Are the Oscars losing their relevance? Toby Young writes for The Spectator this week about The Oscars ceremony. John Ringo once coined the term ‘get woke and go broke’ to de

In this week’s episode: Has Putin’s invasion of Ukraine exposed the West’s weakness - or its strength? For this week, Sergey Radchenko, a Cold War historian writes about the draconian anti-war measures that Putin has imposed in Russia. He joins the podcast along with Dr Jade Glynn, a specialist in Russian memory and foreign policy at the Monterey Initiative in Russian Studies. (01:00) Also this week: has Russia’s invasion of Ukraine highlighted the hubris of the West? While Western countries unite in a chorus of criticism against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Rod Liddle writes that the invasion only highlights the impotence of the West. He is joined by James Forsyth, The Spectator’s political editor. (18:20) And finally, what’s happened to Durham University? Has its reputation plummeted? Nathan Risser writes in The Spectator this week about the decline

In this week’s episode: is the UK dragging its feet when it comes to Ukrainian refugees? For this week’s cover piece, Kate Andrews and Max Jeffery report from Calais, where they have been talking with Ukrainian refugees hoping to make it to Britain. Kate joins the podcast along with former MEP Patrick O’Flynn to discuss the UK’s handling of the refugee crisis. (00:48) Also this week: are commodity traders finding a moral compass? In the wake of colossal sanctions on Russia are commodity traders feeling pressured to look more critically at the people they buy from? In this week’s issue, Javier Blas, Bloomberg’s commodities columnist and the co-author of The World for Sale, reveals what’s going on in the world of commodity trading. He joins the podcast along with Martin Vander Weyer who also writes about how effective these sanctions might be. (19:21) And, finally: is offal making a macho comeback? Gus Carter writes in The Sp

In this week’s episode: What’s the mood on the ground in Ukraine and Russia? For this week’s cover piece, Owen Matthews asks whether the invasion of Ukraine will mean the end of Putin’s regime. And in this week’s Spectator diary, Freddy Gray reports on pride and paranoia on the streets of Lviv. They join the podcast, to talk about Russia’s future and Ukraine’s present. (00:49) Also this week: Is Germany ready to tackle its dependence on Russian gas? In response to Russia’s invasion, Germany has abandoned its Nord Stream 2 pipeline, sent lethal weapons to Ukraine and, most strikingly of all, has committed to the Nato target of spending 2 per cent of GDP on defence - a €100 billion fund. James Forsyth, who writes about Germany’s new reality in this week’s magazine, joins the podcast along with Stefanie Bolzen, a journalist for Welt. (17:18) And finally: Are traditional Bri

In this week’s episode: What does Putin really want for Russia? For this week’s cover story, Niall Ferguson writes about how Putin seems to be trying to recreate the Russia of the Past, while this week's diary by Timothy Garton Ash says the West has misunderstood his intentions, Niall and Timothy join the podcast along with Mary Dejevsky a columnist for the Independent. (00:48) Also this week: Should there be women-only spaces on trains? Jeremy Corbyn suggested it when he was Labour party leader and now Scotland seems to be flirting with the idea. Mary Wakefield says in this week’s Spectator that although she enjoys the idea of lady carriage, it doesn’t make much sense. She joins the podcast along with women's rights activist Kelly Given, one of Young Women’s Movement Scotland, 30 under 30. (15:15) And finally: Should we all get naked? Cosmo L

In this week’s episode: What is the next act in Putin’s theatre of war? For this week’s cover story, James Forsyth writes about Putin’s dangerous dramatics on the Russian-Ukrainian border and where they might lead. James joins the podcast along with Paul Wood, who writes in this week’s magazine that Putin’s bluff may be backfiring. (00:49) Also this week: How important is gallows humour? The BBC’s new comedy-drama, This Is Going To Hurt, based on the best-selling book of the same title by trainee doctor turned comedian Adam Kay depicts some truly gut-wrenching scenes with a touch of gallows humour. This week in The Spectator, Andrew Watts writes a defence of making dark jokes in serious situations as not only a stress relief exercise, but a genuine necessity for getting through the day. He joins the podcast along with Ed Patrick, a comedian and NHS anaesthetist whose new book <a href="https://www.a

In this week’s episode: What’s the mood like in Boris’s bunker? For this week’s cover story, James Forsyth writes about the defensive bunker mentality inside No. 10 and the PM’s strategy of keeping MPs sweet to hold back a no confidence vote. James joins the podcast along with Spectator Editor Fraser Nelson to discuss.  (00:50) Also this week: Have we forgotten how to take a joke? Jimmy Carr has caused an online outcry after an off-colour joke from his new show, His Dark Material was clipped and posted without context on social media. Ministers, such as Nadine Dorries and Sajid Javid, have now criticised a comedian for telling a joke. In the Spectator this week both in print and online, two of our writers came to Carr’s defence. The Spectator’s associate editor Douglas Murray joins the podcast, along with Sam Holmes, who is The Spectator’s Podcast Producer by day, and a stand up comedian by night.

In this week’s episode: Is China stuck in a zero-Covid trap? For this week’s cover story, Cindy Yu looks at Xi Jinping’s attempt to grapple with Covid. She joins the podcast, along with Ben Cowling, Chair Professor of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong. (01:42) Also this week: Whose in The Zac Pack? And what is their influence on No.10? James Heale, The Spectator’s diary editor has written in this week’s magazine about The Zac Pack. A group made up of Carrie Johnson, Lord Goldsmith and some highly influential figures in the Westminster corridors. James is joined by Christian Calgie, a senior reporter at Guido Fawkes to discuss the power this group have in No.10. And their role in Pen Farthing’s animal evacuation out of Afghanistan. (16:40) And finally: A glance back 70 years ago, the Queen as a Princess. This

In this week’s episode: Will Putin invade Ukraine?  For this week’s cover story, Owen Matthews argues that if Putin is going to invade Ukraine, he will do so later rather than sooner. He joins the podcast, along with Julius Strauss who reports on the mood in Odessa for this week’s magazine. (00:42) Also this week: Is Brexit working? This week marks the second anniversary of Brexit. But how successful has it been? Joining the podcast to answer that question is Lord Frost who was Chief Negotiator of Task Force Europe from January 2020 until his resignation in December last year - and the journalist Ed West, who runs the Substack, Wrong Side of History (13:12) And finally: What is the allure of a classified ad?  In the age of Google, classified adverts have become something of a rarity. In this week’s magazine, A

In this week’s episode: Will the Red Wall crush Boris Johnson?  In this week’s Spectator, our political editor James Forsyth and our deputy political editor Katy Balls report on the plot to oust the Prime Minister by Red Wall MPs, and No.10’s battle to save Boris. They join the podcast to give their up to date diagnosis.  (00:43) Also this week: How to save the BBC? This week Nadine Dorries announced that she is planning a licence fee freeze. In the Spectator this week Paul Wood, a veteran journalist of the BBC writes about his love-hate relationship with the broadcaster. He joins the podcast now along with Domonic Minghella, writer, producer and former showrunner of the BBC’s Robin Hood. (14:45)    And finally: Is it moral to do good with bad money?  The Sackler family - whose fortune was built on getting thousands

In this week’s episode: Is Boris Johnson done for?  In this week’s Spectator cover story, our political editor James Forsyth and our deputy political editor Katy Balls write about Boris Johnson’s perilous position in the aftermath of the Partygate scandal. They join the podcast to predict the Prime Minister’s fate. (00:40) Also this week: Is there a dangerous side to self-improvement? The hashtag manifesting has had billions of impressions on social media in the last year. Younger generations love it and Mary Wakefield explores this viral phenomenon in her column this week. She joins the podcast along with Ally Head, the health and sustainability editor for Marie Claire UK who has interviewed a number of manifestation experts. (14:36)    And finally: how attractive are your feet?  Kate Andrews, the Spectator’s econo

In this week’s episode: Is it time to rip up the idea of vaccine passports?  In The Spectator’s cover story this week, our economics editor Kate Andrews writes about her disdain for the idea of vaccine passports after being exposed to their flaws first hand. She joins the podcast along with Professor Julian Savulescu from the University of Oxford. (01:01) Also this week: Is Covid putting a spotlight on understudies? In this week's Spectator, Sarah Crompton champions the understudy as one of the heroes of the pandemic. These are the community of stand-in actors who have kept productions alive during Covid. She is joined on the podcast by Chris Howell, understudy to Michael Ball in Hairspray last year and currently stand-in for Julian Clary at the Palladium, to discuss. (18:06)    And finally: Is being cancelled a badge of hono

Welcome to the special Christmas episode of The Edition!  In this episode, we look at five major topics that dominated the news this year and the pages of The Spectator.  First up a review of the year in politics with our resident Coffee House Shot's team James Forsyth, Katy Balls and Isabel Hardman. We discuss how Boris seemed to make such a strong start to the year through the vaccine rollout, but squandered this goodwill with several own goals. We also touch on some of the big political moments of the year: Partygate, the Owen Paterson affair and of course Matt Hancock. (00:39) Next, we go global and look at three of the major powerhouses that took headlines this year. The EU, who ends the year in a panic over Russia, extreme Covid measures, and upcoming elections. The US started with an insurrection and ended with President Biden's plummeting poll numbers. Finally, China, who if you as

In this week’s episode: Is there any substance to the government’s new drugs agenda? In The Spectator this week Fraser Nelson writes the cover story on the government’s new 10 years drugs plan and finds that while on the surface this seems like a new war on drugs, it might actually have some thoughtful and effective policies buried within it. Fraser is joined on the podcast by Christopher Snowden, the head of lifestyle economics at the Institute of Economic Affairs. (00:52) Also this week: Can Islam save Britain’s churches? Britain has for a long time now has been becoming a more and more secular nation. This has meant that many churches that used to have full pews are at risk of turning into luxury flats or another Tesco Express. But in this week’s Spectator, Tanjil Rashid highlights another destiny for these buildings. Conversion into mosques. In the piece, he argues these buildi

In this week’s episode: Is the current NHS crisis a bug or a feature? In the Spectator’s cover story this week, our economics editor Kate Andrews writes about the state of the NHS and why even though reform is so clearly needed it's nearly politically impossible to try to do so. She joins the podcast with Isabel Hardman who is currently writing a book on the history of the NHS. (00:53) Also this week: How is the nation feeling about the Omicron variant? The news of the Omicron variant has not only worried the public about what may become of their Christmas plans, but the government has also reacted by bringing in new travel restrictions and mask mandates. Two of our columnists Lionel Shriver and Rod Liddle have both given their views on the latest pandemic precautions in week’s magazine and on the podcast they continue those conversations. (16:25)    <di

In this week’s episode: Just who is protesting new Covid rules in Europe?  In The Spectator this week we have three articles that cover the riots and protests all over Europe about new covid policies. Two of them report the scene on the ground in different countries. Lionel Barber and Nick Farrell write respectively about the situations in Holland and Italy and talk on the podcast about why this is happening now and how much more it could escalate. (00:45) Also this week: Is China having its own hand and the #MeToo moment? A spotlight has been shined on China in recent days, due to the troubling series of events surrounding the Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai. Who after making claims of being pressured into a sexual relationship with a CCP official, disappeared for days, as all mentions of her claims were wiped from social media. Cindy Yu writes about this story in this week’s Spectator

In this week’s episode: Are migrants the new munitions?  In our cover story this week, our political editor James Forsyth looks at the growing troubles in Eastern Europe and how this small part of the world stage could end up splintering the scaffolding of global peace. He is joined on the podcast by Mary Dejevsky, a columnist for the Independent. (00:42) Also this week: Will the monarchy survive past Elizabeth II? The royal family is not in a good way, with the Queen missing multiple appearances due to ill health, a prince under investigation, and the continuing cold war between William and Harry, will the monarchy survive past Elizabeth II? That’s the question Freddy Gray asks in this week’s Spectator. He joins the podcast along with Patrick Jephson a former private secretary to Princess Diana, who also covers the royals in this week’s issue. (17:21)   </div

In this week’s episode: Who is advising the PM?  In our cover story this week, our editor Fraser Nelson takes a deep dive into No. 10 politics and finds a court of chaos inside. With a large parliamentary majority, an extremely young team and the departure of Domonic Cummings is there anyone left in the Conservative party who can stand up to the Prime Minister? Fraser talks on the podcast with former Conservative party chairman, Kenneth Baker on the reign of King Boris. (00:45) Also this week: Should the West be prepared to defend Taiwan? Tensions over the island of Taiwan are rising at an alarming rate. In The Spectator this week Alessio Patalano, professor of war and strategy at King’s College, and Elbridge Colby, author of Strategy of Denial, both write about what the West can do to defend Taiwan’s autonomy. On the podcast, Alessio and Elbridge talk further about the future of this disputed

In this week’s episode: Has the Biden Presidency stalled or crashed? In our cover story this week, Freddy Gray assesses the state of the Biden presidency. With steadily lowering approval ratings, a disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal, and this week’s failure of the Democrats to hold on to the Virginia Governorship, how much trouble is the US’s oldest inaugurated president in? Freddy talks to Lara along with Emily Tamkin, the US editor of the New Statesman and co-host of the World Review Podcast.  (00:49) Also this week: Should we welcome or fear the Metaverse? Kit Wilson writes in The Spectator this week about Facebook’s new venture into the Metaverse, a concept that most of us probably hadn’t heard of until last week. To layout the roadmap for what our journey into this new digital reality might look like, Kit joins the podcast along with Tom Renner, a software engineer for NavVis. (12:55)

In this week’s episode: Can Cop26 deliver on its grand promises? In our cover story this week, Fraser Nelson assesses the state of the upcoming Cop26 summit in Glasgow and questions their very effectiveness in dealing with climate change in a world of global players with very different priorities. He is joined on the podcast by reporter Jess Shankleman, who is covering Cop26 for Bloomberg. (00:48) ‘This one’s in Glasgow, but you’d best think of it as the Edinburgh Festival for environmentalism. Lots of fun, lots of debates, lots of protests, lots of street action, but not really any much of concrete substance.’ – Fraser Nelson   Also this week: Is it moral to bribe your child to go to church? Theo Hobson is paying his daughter to go to church and get confirmed. But how holy is this practice? Theo's idea is judged on the podcast by a holy trinity of priests: Steve Morris, Daniel French, and Nicholas Cranfield. (13:28)  ‘I’d be ve

In this week’s episode: Who is Eric Zemmour – can he take on President Macron?  In our cover story this week, Freddy Gray looks at the rise of Eric Zemmour, the TV presenter who looks set to stir up French politics ahead of next year’s election. Freddy is joined on the podcast by Sophie Pedder, Paris bureau chief for The Economist and a biographer of French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss. (00:46)      Also this week: Is the Prevent anti-radicalisation programme failing? Douglas Murray says in this week’s issue that Prevent is failing to tackle Islamic extremism in the UK. He talks about the changes Prevent needs to make along with William Baldet, a Prevent Coordinator. (11:46)      And finally: what’s it like to dine naked? Last week Cosmo Landesman went to a dinner party with a twist. All the guests were naked. Cosmo gives some nude dining tips along with Olivia Potts, our cookery columnist. (26:19)  Hosted by Lara Prendergast<br

In this week’s episode: Why are a growing number of people putting the planet before parenthood? Madeleine Kearns writes about this phenomenon in this week’s issue and thinks that some of these fears might be unfounded. Tom Woodman author of Future is one of these people that Madeleine’s piece talks about. Tom has very real worries about bringing a child into the world. It's not only the least green thing he could do but also that the standard of living for that child could be severely limited due to a climate catastrophe. (00:47) Also this week: Has Boris Johnson brought Conservatism full circle? That’s the argument Tim Stanley makes in this week’s Spectator. He joins Lara on the podcast along with one of the MPs mentioned in the piece, Steve Baker. (12:50) And finally: What is the state of the Booker Prize shortlist? The Booker Prize shortlist has been released and it’s fair to say one of our critics Phili

In this week’s episode: with the energy crisis picking up pace who are set to be the winners and losers in this cold war for gas? Domestically we are seeing queues for petrol, rising gas prices all in the face of the Government’s net-zero agenda. And internationally things are looking just as turbulent, with China buying up as much fuel as possible, America becoming more isolationist when it comes to its energy supply, and Russia feeling more powerful in its place thanks to its Nord Stream 2 pipeline. These are the issues that Seb Kennedy, the founding editor of Energy Flux,  addresses in his cover piece this week for The Spectator. He speaks about his findings on the podcast along with Senior Reporter for Energy and Commodities for Bloomberg and co-author of The World for Sale, Jack Farchy. (00:50) Also this week: can the police reform with Cressida Dick still in charge? Leroy Logan writes in this week’s Spectato

In this week’s episode: is Boris Johnson running on empty or is a weak opposition giving him the momentum he needs? Kate Andrews asks in her cover story this week if Boris Johnson’s government has run out of ideas – as well as petrol. Katy Balls also writes in the magazine that the opposition seems unable to take advantage of the government’s failures. Katy and Kate join William on the podcast to give their takes on the state of both parties. (00:51) Also this week: what is behind China’s latest crackdown on cryptocurrency? Ian Williams writes in this week’s Spectator that the CCP’s latest move to criminalise anyone dealing in cryptocurrency is to clear the decks for China’s new, state-sanctioned digital currency. He along with George Magnus, author of Red Flags, Why Xi’s China is in jeopardy speak on the podcast about Beijing’s crypto future. (14:15) And finally: are the Marvel movies – good? Love them or hate them, these superher

In this week’s episode: can the new Aukus alliance contain China? In his cover piece this week, James Forsyth writes that the new Aukus pact has fixed the contours of the next 30 years of British foreign policy. Britain, he says, is no longer trying to stay neutral in the competition between America and China. On the podcast James is joined by Francis Pike, author of Empires at War: A Short History of Modern Asia Since World War II, who also wrote for the magazine this week, giving the case against Aukus. (00:45) Also this week: what can be done to save the Church of England’s parishes? Back in February, Emma Thompson, a rural parish volunteer, and the Reverend Marcus Walker, Rector of St Bartholomew the Great, London, wrote pieces for the Spectator expressing their concern for the future of the Church of England’s parish system. The Archbishops of Canterbury and York dismissed these concerns as scaremongering from ‘rascally voices’. Seven months on there is a ne

In this week’s episode: is Brexit to blame for the rise in blue-collar wages? With labour shortages driving wages up, many have blamed Britain’s removal from the single market. However, this week in The Spectator, Matthew Lynn argues that shocks and price signals are how the free-market economy reorganises, and that we are experiencing a global trend just like America and Germany. Simon Jenkins, columnist for the Guardian, joins Matthew to discuss. (00:45) Also this week: the British Medical Association has dropped its opposition to assisted dying, but is euthanasia really a dignified and painless process? Dr Joel Zivot asks this question in The Spectator magazine, drawing upon his own experience as an expert witness against the use of lethal injection in America. Dr Jacky Davis, radiologist and chair of the Healthcare Professionals for Assisted Dying, disagrees. Davis, who pushed the motion causing the BMA to change its position, calls claims t

On this week's episode: why is the Prime Minister so desperate to support the assetocracy? In The Spectator’s cover story this week, after Boris Johnson revealed his plan to pay for social care with a National Insurance increase, Fraser Nelson says there has been an inversion of the welfare state. It is right to ask the working poor to pay more taxes to help cover the social care of people who could easily fund it themselves? Kate Andrews, The Spectator’s economics editor, joins Fraser to discuss. (00:47) Plus, why is our knowledge of Soviet atrocities so poor? Attempting to fix this, James Bartholomew has been interviewing and recording the stories of survivors of Soviet oppression and torture. In the magazine this week, he tells a few of these stories, but also asks the question: why is it acceptable, or even trendy, to declare yourself a communist? James discusses his project with Konstantin Kisin, a Russian born comic and host of the Triggernometry podcast

On this week's episode: should animal lives be considered as valuable as human lives? It’s often said that Britain is a country of animal lovers, but have we taken it too far? Pen Farthing’s evacuation has shown how some people value animal lives more than human lives. William Moore writes our cover piece this week, arguing that the public outcry is emblematic of our faith-like approach to animal rights in Britain. He joins the podcast together with the FT's Henry Mance, author of How to Love Animals. (00:50) Plus, will the government’s proposed tax reforms solve the crisis in social care? In this week’s issue, Kate Andrews argues that instead of solving the crisis in care, the plans will only worsen intergenerational inequality. To discuss, Kate joins the podcast with Steve Webb, a pensions expert who was formerly a Lib Dem minister in the Coalition. (13:00) And finally, what are the benefits of having godparents in th

On this week’s episode, we’ll be taking a look at the fortress that Australia has built around itself, and ask – when will its Zero Covid policy end (01:00)? Also on the podcast: is it racist to point out Britain’s changing demographics (14:35)? And is trivia just another way for men to compete (27:00)? With former Australian High Commissioner, Alexander Downer; chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Coronavirus, Layla Moran MP; Spectator columnist Lionel Shriver; York University's Dr Remi Adekoya; Spectator contributor Mark Mason; and QI elf Anna Ptaszynski. Presented by Lara Prendergast. Produced by Cindy Yu and Natasha Feroze.

On this week’s podcast: In the latest issue of The Spectator, we cover the Afghanistan issue extensively, looking at everything from why the West was doomed from the start, to how events in Afghanistan have transformed central Asian politics. On the podcast, journalist Paul Wood and our own deputy editor Freddy Gray, both of whom feature in this week’s issue, join Lara to talk Biden, Boris and the new 'progressive' Taliban. (00:37) 'This is not your father's Taliban' - Paul Wood Next up, thousands of women whose menstrual cycles have been affected by the Covid vaccine have now come forward to make their symptoms known, including our  host Lara Prendergast, who writes about her experience in this week's Spectator. We continue that conversation with Jessica Braun, who was the host of the Periodical podcast and Dr Joe Mountfield from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists

In this week’s podcast:  First up, to deny the man-made climate crisis we now find ourselves in would be an act of wilful delusion. But what is the right way for the UK to try and minimise this looming disaster? In our cover story this week Ross Clark looks at the financial viability of  the government’s central proposal: getting to net zero. Lara Prendergast talks to him along with James Kirkup, chair of the Social Market Foundation, who writes in this week’s magazine saying that the cost for net zero is more than worth it. (00:48) ‘Ten years ago, electric cars were a work of science fiction, now the best-selling car in the UK in June was the Tesla.’ - James Kirkup  Meanwhile, as Covid restrictions lift, some of you may be considering an international holiday, thinking that the effort and cost of testing and quarantine would be minimal. Well think again. We talk to Matt Quinton about his trip home from Mal

What is the true threat of ransomware both to our governments and us individually?(00:30) Also on the podcast: What are the Italian ‘Green Pass’ Protests?(15:14) And finally… is it harder to be the good Samaritan in the modern world?(25:28) With former head of the national cyber security centre Ciaran Martian, white-hat hacker Tommy DeVoss, journalist Manfred Manera, former WHO scientist Francesco Zambon, Spectator contributor Cosmo Landesman and The Revd Lucy Winkett. 

Is there a humane solution to Britain’s migrant crisis?(00:52) Also on the podcast: Why is the WHO so down on e-cigarettes?(16:23) and finally... after a year and a half inside how angry will strangers make us?(27:01) With Douglas Murray; award winning film maker and producer for the Trojan Women project Charlotte Eagar; Christopher Snowdon; Clive Bates the director of The Counterfactual and previous head of ASH; Damian Thompson; and Stuart Prebble creator of the hit TV show Grumpy Old Men. Presented by Lara Prendergast Produced by Sam Holmes

How free are we after freedom day?(00:27) Also on the podcast: Why does it take hours to refuel your car in Lebanon?(10:19) and finally… Is British gardening wilting or blooming?(21:21) With The Spectator's economics editor Kate Andrews, Michael Kill, CEO of the Night Time Industries Association, journalists Paul Wood and Tala Ramadan, author James Bartholomew and gardener and writer Ursula Buchan. Presented by Lara Prendergast Produced by Sam Holmes

What are the pros and cons of vaccine passports?(00:33) Also on the podcast: Is it time for restaurant kitchens to ditch their toxic masculinity? (18:00) And finally... Cricket, what does the new tournament, the Hundred mean for the sport?(30:14) With: Fraser Nelson; Melanie Phillips; Olivia Potts; the chef and owner of Darjeeling Express, Asma Khan; Freddie Wilde, an analyst for Cricvis and legendary sports journalist Henry Blofeld.   Presented by Lara Prendergast Produced by Sam Holmes

What level of control does China have at Cambridge University? (00:48) Also on the podcast: Will the Church of England’s new plans for modernisation leave us with an institution we even recognise? (10:26) And finally let's talk about Streaking, indecent exposure or proud British pastime of joy and humour? (27:26) With Ian Williams author of ‘every breath you take, a study of China’s surveillance state’; Harry Goodwin, Editor in Chief of The Cambridge Student; Priest Marcus Walker; Dave Male Director of Evangelism and Discipleship for the CoE; writer and amateur streaker Poppy Royds and professional streaker Mark Roberts. Presented by Lara Prendergast Produced by Sam Holmes

19 July is approaching but what will life after ‘freedom day’ will look like? (01:19) Also on the podcast: what will Angela Merkel's departure mean for the EU? (14:12) And as many people fled the cities to the countryside during the pandemic, can a case still be made for urban life? (27:26) With The Spectator’s sketch writer and theatre critic Lloyd Evens; playwright James Graham; director of Eurointelligence Wolfgang Munchau; Independent columnist Mary Dejevsky; writer Ysenda Graham and Rory Sutherland, The Spectator’s Wiki Man columnist. Presented by William Moore. Produced by Sam Holmes, Natasha Feroze and Max Jeffery.

This week…Why should the first time buyer be so scared of new builds? (00:36) Plus… will the catholic church come to the defence of the word mother? (09:33)  And finally… Why does it take so long to understand Japanese culture, even for the Japanese? (18:50) With John Myers founder of YIMBY, Vickey Spratt housing correspondent of the I newspaper and author of the up coming book Tenants, Spectator Columnist Mary Wakefield, theologian Theo Hobson,  former editor of The Tablet and author of Martyrdom: Why Martyrs Still Matter Catherine Pepinster, Professor Philip Patrick and comedian Ollie Horn (@olliehorntweets). Presented by Lara Prendergast. Produced by Cindy Yu, Natasha Feroze and Sam Russell.

It seems we are in a new President/Prime Minister alliance of big government spending, should we be excited or concerned? (00:44) Also on the podcast: Are the UK tabloids going woke? (15:00)? And in the wake of the pandemic are we ready to have a grown up conversation about death?(31:11) With Spectator Political Editor James Forsyth, Spectator Economics Editor Kate Andrews, former Editor of the Sun Kelvin MacKenzie, former Editor of the Observer Roger Alton, writer A.N. Wilson, science journalist Laura Spinney and Palliative Care Physician Kathryn Mannix and author of a With The End In Mind. Presented by William Moore. Produced by Cindy Yu, Natasha Feroze and Sam Russell.

Experts are saying we are now officially in a third wave but how concerned should we be? (00:56) Also on the podcast: What will the mood be like when Boris meets Biden (14:33)? And are UFOs no longer a laughing matter?(23:00) With Scientist Simon Clarke, mathematician Philip Thomas, spokesperson for Republicans Overseas UK Sarah Elliot, Spectator World editor Freddy Gray, astrophysicist Tim O'Brian &amp; author Lawrence Osborne Presented by Lara Prendergast. Produced by Cindy Yu, Max Jeffery and Sam Russell.

Why is the National Trust in crisis, and can it be fixed? (00:55) Plus, is there going to be a ‘fake meat’ revolution? (14:15) And finally, should wedding readings stick to the classics or is it acceptable to go for something a bit more out there? (24:25) With Spectator columnist and former editor Charles Moore; Simon Jenkins, chair of National Trust between 2008 and 2014; Anthony Browne, a Conservative MP and chair of the Environment APPG; Olivia Potts, The Spectator’s vintage chef and co-host of our Table Talk podcast; writer Laura Freeman; and Revd Canon Dr Alison Joyce, rector of St Bride's church in London. Presented by Lara Prendergast. Produced by Sam Holmes, Cindy Yu and Max Jeffery.

We’re still none the wiser about the origins of coronavirus, but has the lab leak theory just got more credible (00:55) Also on the podcast: are English tourists welcome in Scotland (15:25)? And is being rude the secret to success? With author Matt Ridley, virologist Dr Dennis Carroll, deputy political editor Katy Balls, hotelier Gordon Campbell Gray, journalists Harry Mount and Rebecca Reid. Presented by William Moore. Produced by Cindy Yu, Max Jeffery and Sam Russell.

In this week’s podcast, we talk to James Ball, author of this week’s cover story on the ‘TikTok Intifada’ about the themes he uncovers in his analysis of the impact of social media on the conflict in the Middle East. The conversation with James continues with our next guest, Professor Gabriel Weinmann of Haifa University in Israel, the author of an in-depth report on the rise of incendiary, unregulated material on TikTok. As Arab and Israeli youngsters create and consume violent footage on the app, is it time that it was reined in - or is it a lost cause?  'This is a platform that targets young audiences. I would say we have a very young, gullible and naïve, unsuspecting type of audience' - Dr Gabriel Weinmann   Next up, The Spectator’s deputy editor Freddy Gray meets the Financial Times’s Jemima Kelly, to debate the recent lulls and highs of those mercurial currencies, Dogecoin and Bitcoin. Has the cult of Elon Musk, a new clampdown

In this week’s podcast, we talk to The Spectator's editor Fraser Nelson and associate editor Douglas Murray about the challenges facing a freshly re-elected SNP. What next for Nicola Sturgeon - full steam ahead for IndyRef2? Or have neither Scotland or Number 10 the bottle for an all-out battle for independence? [01:02] ‘When you look at the practicalities, the case for independence really does fall. Nicola Sturgeon is selling it in the abstract: “Do you feel Scottish”?’ - Fraser Nelson Meanwhile in matters of social etiquette, the new post-pandemic era looms, complete with new modes of social interactions and conversational topics. In this week’s magazine, Rachel Johnson lays down the new laws of conversational topics - sex, art and travel is fine; kids, vaccines and masks are most definitely not. She joins us now, along with Lucy Hume, from that venerable arbiter of taste and decorum, Debrett’s, for some ideas for th

In this week’s podcast, we talk to the author of our cover story, eminent author, historian and broadcaster Niall Ferguson, who says that the West and China are in the throes of a new cold war. Joining the debate is Chatham House's Dr Leslie Vinjamuri. (01:05)   Next up, Laura Freeman writes in the magazine this week about the fake facades she has been increasingly noticing whilst out and about in London. She discusses the topic with architectural expert Samuel Hughes, a Senior Fellow at Policy Exchange think tank. (10:20)   Finally, as the Prime Minister considers how he’ll stump up the cash to pay for little Wilfred’s babysitter, Isabel Oakeshott writes in the magazine this week about the struggle many working parents have in affording childcare. Isabel is joined by the Labour MP Stella Creasy as they debate what needs to be done so working parents can ensure their children get the care they need. (15:35) Presented by Lara Pre

In this week’s podcast, ITV's political editor Robert Peston joins our deputy political Katy Balls to talk over this week’s cover story on the maelstrom of mayhem surrounding Boris Johnson. (1:29)  Next up, we talk to Professor Noel Sharkey, from the University of Sheffield, and Colonel Richard Kemp CBE, a veteran British Army officer, about the possibility of malevolent foreign forces wreaking havoc on everything from national infrastructure to web-connected sex toys. (10:22) Finally, in a week when India has seen its healthcare system virtually buckle under the strain of a spiralling Covid infection rate, we ask Dr Rajib Dasgupta, Chairman of the Centre of Social Medicine &amp; Community Health in New Delhi for his take on the current wave of infections, as well as Dr Dipshikha Ghosh, a Calcutta doctor who has been working with critically-ill Covid patients since last March and joins us immediately after another arduous shift at the Apollo Gl

Joe Biden is approaching his first 100 days in office. How has he fared, and has he delivered on his promise to bring about a return to normalcy? (1:15)   Plus, the proposed European Super League wasn’t super after all. The six English teams invited to join the league pulled out earlier this week, and the plans have now been shelved. But will it still happen eventually? (10:30)   And finally, what’s it really like to live in a listed building? (19:30) With the Spectator's US editor Freddy Gray; our economics correspondent Kate Andrews; journalist Damian Reilly; veteran football reporter Julie Welch; Spectator contributor Hamish Scott; and Liz Fuller, a buildings at risk officer for Save Britain’s Heritage.  Presented by Lara Prendergast. Produced by Max Jeffery and Sam Russell.

What’s behind Boris’s plan for a green bonanza? (01:10) Can the West challenge China in the tech arms race? (14:50) Can the British handle grief? (24:05)   With Katy Balls, The Spectator’s deputy political editor; Rachel Wolf, a partner at Public First at co-author of the 2019 Conservative manifesto; author and journalist Ian Williams; politician and author Bruno Maçães; writer Fiona Mountford; and comedian and podcaster Cariad Lloyd.   Presented by Lara Prendergast.   Produced by Arsalan Mohammad.

Will life ever return to normal? (00:50) Is the government pandering to statue protestors? (14:30) And what’s Prince Harry’s new job? (27:55) With Kate Andrews, the Spectator's economics editor; Spectator columnist Matthew Parris; Spectator contributor Alexander Pelling-Bruce; Historic England CEO Duncan Wilson; Dominic Green, deputy editor of the Spectator's US edition; and Sam Leith, literary editor of the Spectator. Presented by Lara Prendergast. Produced by Max Jeffery, Cindy Yu and Arsalan Mohammad.

Can the West take on China? We may need some kind of economic Nato (00:50). Are Mormons misunderstood, by Netflix and everyone else? (14:15) And what does it really mean to be Spiritual But Not Religious? (27:45). With James Forsyth, The Spectator's political editor; Iain Duncan Smith, former leader of the Conservative Party; Damian Thompson, host of the Spectator's Holy Smoke podcast; James Holt, a Mormon theologian; author James Mumford; and Mary Wakefield, The Spectator's Commissioning Editor. Presented by Lara Prendergast. Produced by Cindy Yu, Max Jeffery and Sam Russell.

As the EU threatens a vaccine export ban, is their blind panic a sign of incoming crisis? (1:15) Plus, will a new Instagram account for teenage girls to report sexual assault restart a battle of the sexes? (18:05) And finally, what is it like to be one of the last British babies born under the Raj? (28:30) With Labour peer Andrew Adonis; Spectator contributors Matthew Lynn, Julie Bindel, Melanie McDonagh and Brigid Keenan; and historian Alex von Tunzelmann. Presented by Lara Prendergast. Produced by Cindy Yu, Max Jeffery and Sam Russell.

Is Keir Starmer becoming irrelevant? (00:50) Do the Oscars really celebrate the best that film has to offer? (15:55) Jordon Peterson is back with his new book, Beyond Order, but is it beyond readable? (25:40) With the Spectator's political editor James Forsyth; broadcaster and former Labour adviser Ayesha Hazarika; writer Fiona Mountford; the Spectator's arts editor Igor Toronyi-Lalic; novelist Philip Hensher; and the Spectator's associate editor Douglas Murray.  Presented by Lara Prendergast. Produced by Max Jeffery, Sam Russell and Arsalan Mohammad.

Is it fair to blame Meghan for the Royal Family's problems? (00:55) Why is China censoring a book of Dante's poetry? (12:40) Would you go to moon? (24:50) With The Spectator's US editor Freddy Gray; The Spectator's restaurant critic Tanya Gold; author Ian Thomson; Kerry Brown, professor of Chinese Studies at King's College London; The Spectator's commissioning editor Mary Wakefield; and Spectator columnist Matthew Parris. Presented by Cindy Yu. Produced by Max Jeffery, Natasha Feroze and Matthew Sawyer.

Could a blip in inflation ruin the UK's economic recovery? (00:50) Why is support for the IRA becoming normalised? (12:20) What makes a great diarist? (31:15) With The Spectator's economics correspondent Kate Andrews; economist Julian Jessop; writer Jenny McCartney; politician Mairia Cahill; satirist Craig Brown; and historian, journalist and author Simon Heffer. Presented by Cindy Yu. Produced by Max Jeffery, Alex Valizadeh, Alexa Rendell and Matt Taylor.

Could No. 10 infighting lose the Union? (00:40) When should the government tell us how to behave? (13:20) Can a relationship work without hugging for a year? (31:30)   With The Spectator’s deputy political editor Katy Balls; The Spectator’s Scotland editor Alex Massie; vice chair of Ogilvy and Spectator columnist Rory Sutherland; Deirdre McCloskey, Professor of Economics, History, English and Communications at University of Illinois at Chicago; writer Rob Palk; and journalist Emily Hill.    Presented by Lara Prendergast.    Produced by Max Jeffery and Charlie Price.

How are China and Russia getting ahead in the great game of vaccine diplomacy? (00:50) Has the US press lost its way? (11:30) Why is Anglo-Saxon history making a comeback? (27:20) With The Spectator's broadcast editor Cindy Yu; journalist Owen Matthews; Harper's publisher Rick MacArthur; The Washington Post's media critic Erik Wemple; journalist Dan Hitchens; and Sutton Hoo archaeologist Professor Martin Craver. Presented by Lara Prendergast. Produced by Max Jeffery and Matt Taylor.

On this week's episode, we talk vaccine passports (1:10), Nord Stream 2 (14:55) and the appeal of chess (30:50). With entrepreneur Louis-James Davis, journalist James Ball, analyst Wolfgang Munchau, academic Kadri Liik, chess columnist Luke McShane and chess streamer Fiona Steil-Antoni. Presented by Lara Prendergast. Produced by Cindy Yu, Max Jeffery and Alexa Rendell.

Are parish churches about to be devastated by bureaucracy and mismanagement? (00:55) What's the story behind the UK's vaccination efforts? (07:55) Has an intransigent union stopped firefighters from helping the Covid response? (21:55) With church volunteer Emma Thompson; Rector of Great St Barts Marcus Walker; The Spectator's deputy political editor Katy Balls; senior project manager at the University of Oxford's Jenner Institute Adam Ritchie; journalist Leo McKinsey; and chair of the National Fire Chiefs Council Roy Wilsher. Presented by Lara Prendergast. Produced by Max Jeffery, Sam Russell and Matt Taylor.

Why has the vaccine rollout turned nasty? (00:45) What's the sex abuse scandal rocking France's elite? (16:55) Have artists run out of new ideas? (28:35) With Daily Telegraph columnist Matthew Lynn; science journalist and author of Pale Rider: The Spanish Flu of 1918 Laura Spinney; Spectator contributor Jonathan Miller; journalist Anne-Elisabeth Moutet; Dean Kissick, New York editor of Spike Art Magazine; and Eddy Frankel, visual art editor of Time Out magazine. Presented by Lara Prendergast. Produced by Max Jeffery, Alexa Rendell and Matt Taylor.

Can Joe Biden unite America? (01:05) Why is the UK's vaccine rollout its most important economic policy? (12:10) And how can re-enactments bring history to life? (22:15) With The Spectator's economics correspondent Kate Andrews; US editor Freddy Gray; political editor James Forsyth; Capital Economics chairman Roger Bootle; re-enactor Chris Brown and historical consultant Justin Pollard. Presented by Lara Prendergast. Produced by Max Jeffery, Alexa Rendell, Sam Russell and Matt Taylor.

Joe Biden won the US election, but is Big Tech really in power? (00:45) Churches are allowed to open during lockdown, but should they? (13:20) And can comfort eating and cosy socks replace human connections? (25:50) With historian Niall Ferguson; New York Times editorial board member Greg Bensinger; Father Jonathan Beswick; The Very Reverend Peter Howell-Jones; journalist Laura Freeman and psychology professor Dr Shira Gabriel. Presented by Lara Prendergast. Produced by Max Jeffery, Sam Russell and Matt Taylor.

Coronavirus vaccines are now being distributed across the world, but what are the challenges posed by its delivery? (01:30) Is Boris Johnson the SNP's greatest weapon? (13:55) And is Prince Harry becoming more and more like his mother? (23:35) With financial columnist Matthew Lynn; former director at the McKinsey Global Institute Richard Dobbs; the UK's former director of immunisation David Salisbury; The Spectator's deputy political editor Katy Balls; The Spectator's Scotland editor Alex Massie; journalist Melanie McDonagh; and royal biographer Angela Levin. Presented by Lara Prendergast. Produced by Max Jeffery, Alexa Rendell, Sam Russell and Matt Taylor.

How will the UK's economy recover from Covid-19, and what has the pandemic revealed about the West? (01:20) Was 2020 the year we dealt a mortal blow to future viruses? (15:05) And finally, what makes Mary Gaitskill a brilliant writer, and why does Elif Shafak work to heavy metal music? (29:25) With The Spectator's political editor James Forsyth, deputy political editor Katy Balls, writer and biologist Matt Ridley, behavioural psychologist Dr Stuart Ritchie, The Spectator's literary editor Sam Leith and writer Elif Shafak. Presented by Lara Prendergast.  Produced by Max Jeffery and Sam Russell.

Joe Biden wants his administration to be a departure from the days of Donald Trump, but will a change in foreign policy harm American interests? (01:00) Why is it taking so long to reach a Brexit deal? (17:10) And finally, should cyclists be given priority on London's roads? (29:35) With The Spectator’s deputy US editor Dominic Green, Chatham House's Leslie Vinjamuri, The Spectator's political editor James Forsyth, EurasiaGroup's managing director Mujtaba Rahman, journalist Christian Wolmar and writer, actor, and comedian Griff Rhys Jones. Presented by Lara Prendergast. Produced by Max Jeffery, Matt Taylor and Alexa Rendell.

Despite her government’s underperformance on education, health and Covid-19, Nicola Sturgeon’s popularity continues to climb – why? (01:10) Does spending more on overseas aid mean we care more? (14:05) And finally, are we all followers of the cult of casualness? (26:25) With The Spectator’s Scotland editor Alex Massie, former SNP finance spokesperson Andrew Wilson, development adviser Gilbert Greenall, former international development secretary Andrew Mitchell, journalist Melanie McDonagh and editor of The Oldie, Harry Mount.  Presented by Lara Prendergast. Produced by Max Jeffery, Cindy Yu and Matt Taylor.

The vaccine might be just around the corner, but can the country truly recover? (01:00) How can the Labour party win back the working class? (11:15) And finally, should we celebrate the new statue of Mary Wollstonecraft? (23:10) With The Spectator's political editor James Forsyth, chair of the Health Select Committee Jeremy Hunt, firefighter and writer Paul Embery, Times Radio presenter and former Labour MP Gloria de Piero, The Spectator's radio critic Kate Chisholm, and Spectator contributor and feminist writer Julie Bindel. Presented by Lara Prendergast. Produced by Cindy Yu, Max Jeffery, Matt Taylor and Sam Russell.

After two of Boris Johnson's most influential advisers left Downing Street last week, can the PM reset his relationship with the Tory party and find his way again? (00:58) Lara is joined by the Spectator's deputy political editor, Katy Balls, and former director of communications for David Cameron, Craig Oliver. A coronavirus vaccine seems to be the only way out of continued lockdowns, so should everyone be forced to have the jab? (13:49) The Spectator's literary editor, Sam Leith, joins the podcast with Professor Mona Siddiqui, who sits on the Nuffield Council on Bioethics. And finally, should we start referring to people by their surnames again? (25:30) Historian Guy Walters thinks so, and he's joined by the Spectator's etiquette expert, Mary Killen. Presented by Lara Prendergast.  Produced by Cindy Yu and Matt Taylor.

First, France has been shaken by a series of gruesome terror attack – yet western leaders seem remarkably reluctant to support President Emannuel Macron. (01:04) Lara speaks to The Spectator's associate editor Douglas Murray and writer Ed Husain. Next, this year's US election was truly remarkable – but what was it like to report on it? Lara is joined by the editor of The Spectator's US edition Freddy Gray and Washington editor Amber Athey. (17:31) And finally, the British pub has historically been remarkably adept at circumventing restrictions on drinking – but how has it dealt with lockdown? Lara talks to journalist John Sturgis and Spectator writer Mark Mason. (27:21) Presented by Lara Prendergast. Produced by Gus Carter and Matthew Taylor.

What are the latest developments in the US presidential election?  (01:15) - Lara is joined by the Spectator's economics correspondent Kate Andrews and the Spectator US's editor Freddy Gray, who is currently in Pennsylvania. What is it like to care for a disabled child during a time of lockdown? (09:19) - The journalist Sam Carlisle discusses the lack of support for her daughter Elvi with the Education Select Committee Chairman Robert Halfon.  And finally, should churches keep their doors open throughout the pandemic? (20:42) - Journalist Laura Freeman thinks so, and considers the issue with Reverend Steve Morris from St Cuthbert's Church in North Wembley. Presented by Lara Prendergast. Produced by Matthew Taylor.

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.  

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.

Americans look like they're going to put Joe Biden in the White House - so what would his premiership look like? (00:45) Plus, Boris Johnson's impossible bind on coronavirus (13:55) and how should you sign off an email? (28:35) With editor of the Spectator's American edition Freddy Gray; Biden biographer Evan Osnos; political editor James Forsyth; editor of Conservative Home Paul Goodman; Evening Standard columnist Melanie McDonagh; and etiquette expert William Hanson. Presented by Cindy Yu. Produced by Cindy Yu, Max Jeffery and Sam Russell.

In this second round of restrictions, the lockdown is no longer national. But a regional approach is full of political perils (00:45). Plus, the real reason to be disappointed in Aung San Suu Kyi (12:50) and is Sally Rooney's Normal People just overrated (26:15). With The Spectator's political editor James Forsyth; Middlesbrough mayor Andrew Preston; historian Francis Pike; the Myanmar bureau chief for Reuters Poppy McPherson; journalist Emily Hill; and The Times's deputy books editor James Marriott. Presented by Cindy Yu. Produced by Cindy Yu and Max Jeffery.

Is this week's presidential debate a taste of the chaos to come? (00:55) In defence of 'wokeness' (15:10) and are male-only spaces immoral? (30:25) With Matt Purple, Senior Editor at the American Conservative; Karin Robinson, host of the Primarily: 2020 podcast; Sam Leith, The Spectator's Literary Editor; Andrew Doyle, the writer behind Titania McGrath; and Emily Bendell, the entrepreneur who is bring a lawsuit against the Garrick Club. Presented by Cindy Yu. Produced by Cindy Yu and Max Jeffery.

Another Conservative civil war threatens to bubble over, so will the government start taking its backbenchers seriously? (00:55) Plus, the contentious fight over the next Supreme Court nominee (15:25) and what is it like to be in Madagascar during the pandemic? (29:05) With Political Editor James Forsyth; Chair of the 1922 Committee of Tory backbenchers Sir Graham Brady; Professor Charles Lipson from the University of Chicago; USA Editor Freddy Gray; and writer Jo Deacon. Presented by Cindy Yu. Produced by Cindy Yu and Max Jeffery.

From Covid to Brexit to even the culture wars, Boris's performance seems to have been lacklustre. Where is the effervescent leader he was promised to be? (00:45) Sweden's violent crime is spiking - and are politicians afraid to say why? (16:45) And on the other side of the world, why are the Japanese so much happier to wear masks? (27:55) With Spectator Editor Fraser Nelson; Director of Political Insight Stewart Jackson; journalist Paulina Neuding; the FT's Nordic Bureau Chief Richard Milne; Professor Jordan Sand; and Spectator Assistant Editor Lara Prendergast. Presented by Cindy Yu. Produced by Cindy Yu and Max Jeffery.

Vaccines are normally in the realm of scientists; but not this time as world leaders race to be the first. (00:50) Brexit is heating up, but is the government in a stronger position than it seems? (13:35) And a modern day Caligula - the life and times of the Thai king Rama X. (22:40) With journalist Matthew Lynn; immunologist Beate Kampmann; our political editor James Forsyth; YouGov pollster Marcus Roberts; and Asia historian Francis Pike. Presented by Cindy Yu. Produced by Cindy Yu and Max Jeffery.

Governments around the world have adopted extraordinary powers to deal with coronavirus – but could they end up doing more damage than good? (01:00) Next, is the best way to deal with the threat of Scottish secession to negotiate a hypothetical Scottish exit deal? (16:04) And finally, are Britain's graveyards suffering a spate of indecent behaviour? (31:38) The Spectator's deputy political editor Katy Balls is joined by historian Johan Norberg and the Wall Street Journal's Gerard Baker; The Spectator's political editor James Forsyth and Scotland editor Alex Massie; and journalist Andrew Watts alongside the Revd Fergus Butler-Gallie. Produced by Gus Carter, Max Jeffery and  Sam Russell.

With protests in American cities continuing and the Democrat and Republican conventions drawing to a close - are there signs that Donald Trump could win again? (00:45) Plus, could planning reforms be the next Tory battle? (13:05) And finally, can daily commutes really be enjoyable? (25:45) With editor of the Spectator's US edition Freddy Gray; the Spectator's economics correspondent Kate Andrews; the Spectator's political editor James Forsyth; economist and author Liam Halligan; the Spectator's features editor; and author Sara Yirrell. Presented by Cindy Yu. Produced by Cindy Yu and Max Jeffery.

While the government’s U-turn on A-level and GCSE results has been widely welcomed, universities are still in a dire state – why? (00:55) Plus, has Boris Johnson got the right approach in his war on fat? (15:00) And finally, are illegal raves during the pandemic socially irresponsible, or just young people sticking it to The Man? (25:45)  With academic and author Matthew Goodwin; chair of the Education Select Committee Robert Halfon; Spectator columnist Lionel Shriver; weight loss doctor Andrew Jenkinson; Spectator contributors Leaf Arbuthnot and James Delingpole. Presented by Cindy Yu. Produced by Cindy Yu, Max Jeffery and Alexa Rendell. 

Poll after poll is showing the surge in support for Scottish independence - so what can Boris Johnson do about it? (00:35) Plus, how many more pandemics does nature have in store for us? (13:20) And finally, is it time to bring back the British holiday camp? (28:00). With our Scotland Editor Alex Massie; commentator Angela Haggerty; author of The Pandemic Century Mark Honigsbaum; ecologist Peter Daszak; Reverend Steve Morris; and historian Kathryn Ferry. Presented by Cindy Yu. Produced by Cindy Yu and Sam Russell.

London is the motor to Britain’s economy, so how can it rebuild after the pandemic? (00:55) How can the new Tory leader in Scotland, Douglas Ross, keep the United Kingdom together? (17:50) And why the looming conflict between India and China isn’t in Kashmir, but rather in the Bay of Bengal. (29:33)  With economist Gerard Lyons; historian Simon Jenkins; The Spectator’s Scotland editor Alex Massie; The Spectator’s political editor James Forsyth; historian Francis Pike; and author Jonathan Ward.   Presented by Katy Balls.   Produced by Gus Carter and Max Jeffery.

Joe Biden is leading Donald Trump in the polls, so what is at the root of his appeal? (00:50) The government is anxious about a second wave - can it avoid repeating its mistakes? (11:15) And Rachel Johnson on her generation of high flyers and early retirees (23:30). With editor of the Spectator's US edition, Freddy Gray; our economics correspondent Kate Andrews; deputy political editor Katy Balls; former Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt; journalist Rachel Johnson; and comedian Dominic Frisby. Presented by Cindy Yu. Produced by Cindy Yu, Max Jeffery, and Sam Russell.

As the long-awaited Russia report is released this week, we discuss Russia's plan to unleash chaos (00:45). Plus, does Boris Johnson have a management problem with his new MPs? (14:30) And last, the pains of dating during lockdown (28:30). With Russia journalists Owen Matthews and Mary Dejevsky; the Spectator's deputy political editor Katy Balls; Conservative Home's editor Paul Goodman; Sunday Telegraph columnist Madeline Grant; and author James Innes-Smith. Presented by Cindy Yu. Produced by Cindy Yu and Pete Humphreys.

White working class boys consistently perform worse than other demographics in the UK's education system - why? (00:45) What is it like to be 'cancelled'? (14:20) And is it time to return to the office? (24:50) With the IEA's Christopher Snowdon; former Ucas head Mary Curnock Cook; journalist Kevin Myers; the Spectator's columnist Lionel Shriver; editor of the Oldie, Harry Mount; and Director of UK in a Changing Europe Anand Menon. Presented by Cindy Yu. Produced by Cindy Yu and Max Jeffery.

We've been told for years that the magic money tree doesn't exist - but has the Chancellor just found it? (00:55) Now that Hong Kong has come into closer orbit with Beijing, is Taiwan next? (21:15) And finally, we find out a little about the weird and wonderful world of hotel carpets - see them here! (32:35) With The Spectator's Economics Correspondent Kate Andrews; Miatta Fahnbulleh from the New Economics Foundation; security expert Alessio Patalano; Taiwan expert Shelley Rigger; pilot and carpet connoisseur Bill Young; and journalist Sophie Haigney. Presented by Cindy Yu. Produced by Cindy Yu and Max Jeffery. Subscribe to The Spectator's first podcast newsletter here and get each week's podcast highlights in your inbox every Tuesday.

The Prime Minister is trying to reform the civil service. He's not the first to try - so will he succeed? (00:50) The stakes for success are high, as his opponent is no longer Jeremy Corbyn, but the more impressive Keir Starmer. How have Starmer's first almost 100 days gone? (15:45) And last, how widespread is loneliness? (29:45) With the Spectator's political editor James Forsyth; Jill Rutter from UK In a Changing Europe; our deputy political editor Katy Balls; former C4 Economics Editor Paul Mason; author Leaf Arbuthnot; and Andy Nazer from the Campaign to End Loneliness. Presented by Cindy Yu. Produced Cindy Yu and Beth Stamp.

On the podcast this week, a former police officer gives his take on why black youths loathe the police (01:05); we discuss why Downing Street would prefer Joe Biden to win (17:25); and will anything really change after the pandemic? (30:50). With former Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner Kevin Hurley; campaigner Katrina Ffrench; the Spectator's Political Editor James Forsyth; the Spectator's Economics Correspondent Kate Andrews; and our columnists Matthew Parris and Rory Sutherland. Presented by Cindy Yu. Produced by Cindy Yu and Beth Stamp. Click here to try 12 weeks of the Spectator for £12 and get a free £20 Amazon gift voucher.

Schools have been closed for almost three months - what is the true cost of these closures on pupils (1:00)? Plus, have Brexit negotiations started looking up (13:15)? And last, are the statue-topplers of Rhodes Must Fall going about their mission the wrong way (22:45)? With teacher Lucy Kellaway; the IFS's Paul Johnson; the Spectator's political editor James Forsyth; the FT's public policy editor Peter Foster; journalists Tanjil Rashid and Nadine Batchelor-Hunt. Presented by Cindy Yu. Produced by Cindy Yu and Gus Carter. Click here to try 12 weeks of the Spectator for £12 and get a free £20 Amazon gift voucher.

Are we witnessing the death of the liberal ideal? (01:02) Next, what's behind the government U-turn on primary schools and what effect could it have on the poorest students? (20:14) And finally, Britain's ash trees are facing a pandemic of their own, with so-called ash dieback sweeping the nation. Can Britain's ash trees be saved? (30:12) With Douglas Murray; The Spectator's economics editor Kate Andrews; Coffee House contributor Melanie McDonagh; political editor James Forsyth; associate editor of the Evening Standard Julian Glover; and professor at the Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research at the University of Arizona Valerie Trouet. Presented by Katy Balls. Produced by Gus Carter and Matthew Taylor. Get a subscription to The Spectator as well as a copy of Lionel Shriver's book, all for free here. 

As China looks to push through its national security law, is it time to offer Hong Kongers a way out? (01:00) And with the Black Lives Matter protests continuing to rage in America, can they unseat Donald Trump? (15:30) And last, do animals have culture? (29:10) With Spectator Editor Fraser Nelson; Hong Kong expert Jeffrey Wasserstrom; Spectator USA Editor Freddy Gray; our Economics Correspondent Kate Andrews; writer and journalist Simon Barnes; and ecologist Carl Safina. Presented by Cindy Yu. Produced by Cindy Yu and Gus Carter. Get a subscription to The Spectator as well as a copy of Lionel Shriver's book, all for free here.

It's not just coronavirus, but the government is keen to have a new approach to China. We discuss what this entails and whether or not it's a good idea (00:50). Plus, what will be the lasting impact of the Cummings affair on the government? (17:16) And last, the way to deal with noisy neighbours now that people are working from home (34:00). With our Political Editor James Forsyth; former Cabinet minister Sir Oliver Letwin; our Deputy Political Editor Katy Balls; Conservative Home's Paul Goodman; Spectator columnist Melissa Kite; and our 'Dear Mary' columnist and Gogglebox star Mary Killen. Presented by Cindy Yu. Produced by Cindy Yu and Gus Carter.

Brexit is back on the agenda, but this time, talks are even more difficult than the last phase (00:45). Plus, what do we understand about immunity, and how should that inform the lockdown policy (16:45)? And for a nation that bangs on about fish, do we eat enough of it (28:00)? With the Spectator's Political Editor James Forsyth; former Adviser on Europe to Theresa May Raoul Ruparel; Crick Institute scientist Rupert Beale; former Cabinet Minister Nicky Morgan; Spectator contributor Andrew Watts; and Pesky Fish founder Ben King. Presented by Cindy Yu. Produced by Cindy Yu and Gus Carter. Get a month's free trial of The Spectator and a free wireless charger here.

European countries all seem to be doing something different, so what are the lessons from the continent (00:45)? Plus, how the West's lockdown impacts the developing world in a very real way (13:05). And last, rediscovering the joy of driving on the country's empty roads (24:55). With economist Fredrik Erixon, the Economist's Anne McElvoy, Stanford Professor Jayanta Bhattacharya, Indian economist Ashwini Deshpande, writer Alexander Pelling-Bruce, and transport journalist Christian Wolmar. Presented by Cindy Yu. Produced by Cindy Yu and Gus Carter.

The government is looking at easing the lockdown, but how much remains unknown about the coronavirus (00:40)? In the meantime, Joe Biden is batting off sexual assault allegations (10:15), and we take a look at the upside of lockdown for new parents (21:30). With science writer Matt Ridley, virologist Elisabetta Groppelli, Spectator USA editor Freddy Gray, host of the 'Democratically: 2020' podcast Karin Robinson, the Spectator's Assistant Editor Lara Prendergast, and Editor of the Times Literary Supplement Stig Abell. Presented by Cindy Yu. Produced by Cindy Yu and Gus Carter.

With the Prime Minister back, the government is pivoting towards a South Korean model on coronavirus. So what's taken them so long (00:45)? Plus, how does oil complicate the pandemic in Russia (14:50)? And last, why weddings will be over-subscribed in 2021 (26:55). With James Forsyth, Adrian Wooldridge, Owen Matthews, Isabelle Khurshudyan, Katy Balls and Katrina Otter. Presented by Cindy Yu. Produced by Cindy Yu and Gus Carter.

This week, the Spectator celebrates it's 10,00th edition - we discuss the magazine's history of the last two centuries (26:15). Also on the podcast, we discuss Boris's difficult decision on lockdown (00:40) and the pandemic reaching Africa (12:15). With James Forsyth, Craig Oliver, Aidan Hartley, Ama Fenny, David Butterfield, and Fraser Nelson. Presented by Cindy Yu. Produced by Cindy Yu and Gus Carter.

On the podcast this week: the geopolitics of coronavirus (00:55), Conservatism after the crisis (19:30), and the new class divide between the have-gardens and the have-not-gardens (35:25). With Niall Ferguson, Gerard Baker, James Forsyth, Jeremy Hunt, Melanie McDonagh and Freddy Gray. Presented by Cindy Yu and Katy Balls.

This is an Easter like no other - so what happens to Christianity when Christians can't go to church (1:00)? We also hear reports from the New York frontline (12:20), and discuss just why humour is so important in dark times (29:40). With Luke Coppen, Tom Holland, Qanta Ahmed, John Rick MacArthur, and Jonathan Waterlow. Presented by Cindy Yu. Produced by Cindy Yu and Gus Carter.

On the podcast this week, we take a look at the exceptional nature of 'coronomics' and what comes after (00:55), how the Swedish are dealing with coronavirus differently (18:50), and lessons in solitude from a polar explorer (31:15). With Kate Andrews, Lionel Barber, Fredrik Erixon, Yascha Mounk and Geoff Wilson. Presented by Cindy Yu. Produced by Cindy Yu and Gus Carter.

How prepared is the NHS for the coming battle with coronavirus (1:20)? Plus, what will Britain look like after the epidemic (12:20)? And last, just how are children so good at make-believe (29:25)? With Dr Max Pemberton, Dr Kieran Mullan, James Forsyth, William Hague, Mary Wakefield and Piers Torday. Presented by Cindy Yu and Katy Balls. Produced by Cindy Yu and Gus Carter.

It's the first few days of a national lockdown, so have humans been hubristic in not expecting something like this to happen (1:10)? Over in France, is President Macron dealing with this any better (11:05)? Last, is there any point in being a historical novelist in the age of Hilary Mantel (19:10)? With James Forsyth, Dr Elisabetta Groppelli, Jonathan Miller, Katy Lee, Antonia Senior and Mark Lawson. Presented by Cindy Yu. Produced by Cindy Yu and Gus Carter.

This week kicked off with an incredible fall in oil prices globally, so what on earth happened (00:50)? We also talk about the Budget, where Rishi Sunak set out in more detail how the government's 'levelling up' agenda will look (10:20). Finally, should we be doing more science research for curiosity's sake (23:05)? With Kate Andrews, Owen Matthews, James Forsyth, Polly Mackenzie, Thomas Fink and Dallas Campbell. Presented by Cindy Yu and Katy Balls. Produced by Cindy Yu and Gus Carter.

As the coronavirus sweeps across the globe, it's causing businesses, consumers, and governments to rethink their globalised lives. Is this a tipping point for hyper-globalisation? Plus, is the government slimming down its Budget plans? And last, is it harder to be eco-friendly if you are a woman? With Kate Andrews, Gideon Rachman, James Forsyth, Sarah Longlands, Laura Freeman and Sian Sutherland. Presented by Cindy Yu and Katy Balls. Produced by Cindy Yu and Gus Carter.

As the UK and the EU both set out what they want to get in the upcoming trade negotiations, are they heading for an almighty Brexit showdown (00:40)? We also have a look at the constitutional reforms proposed by Guinea's president Alpha Condé, and how he has succumbed to 'African Strongman Syndrome' (18:05). Plus, are dog owners treating their pets like babies (30:15)? With James Forsyth, Peter Foster, Colin Freeman, Alex Vines, Melissa Kite and Stuart Simons. Presented by Cindy Yu. Produced by Cindy Yu and Gus Carter.

This week, has Mike Bloomberg blown his presidential hopes with a disastrous TV debate (00:50)? Plus, has the BBC really gone downhill (12:05)? And last, Toby Young reveals all about his first stand up comedy gig (26:30). With Freddy Gray, Bill Barnard, Douglas Murray, Claire Fox, Toby Young, and Andy Shaw. Presented by Cindy Yu.

This week, as Sinn Fein enters coalition talks with Fianna Fail, is Ireland’s election result a sign of a European trend (00:40)? Plus, No 10 is going to war over the deportation of a number of Jamaican detainees – so is citizenship a privilege, or a right (15:40)? And last, what makes South Korea’s pop culture quite so successful (29:15)? With Fraser Nelson, Anne McElvoy, Bella Sankey, Mercy Muroki, Rana Mitter and Andrew Heskins. Presented by Lara Prendergast. Produced by Cindy Yu and Gus Carter.

In the aftermath of the Streatham attack, we take a look at how our prisons became finishing schools for extremists (00:40). Plus, what on earth happened in the Iowa caucus (11:25)? And last, is there anything true in the stories about Calamity Jane (22:50)? With James Forsyth, Haras Rafiq, Freddy Gray, Karin Robinson, and Karen R Jones. Presented by Lara Prendergast and Cindy Yu. Produced by Cindy Yu and Gus Carter.

It’s finally Brexit day. So has the country’s healing process begun (00:55)? Plus, what does the coronavirus tell us about modern China (11:35)? And last, is it time we start talking about death (20:50)? With Rod Liddle, Stefanie Bolzen, Cindy Yu, Alex Colville, Kate Chisholm and Sharon Young. Presented by Lara Prendergast. Produced by Cindy Yu and Gus Carter.

As France enters its 62nd weekend of protests, President Macron’s honeymoon is well and truly over. But has he found a new friend in Boris Johnson (00:45)? Plus, what is the problem with the Labour leadership race (12:35)? And last, what’s killing Britain’s wild salmon (25:20)? With Jonathan Miller, Charles Grant, James Forsyth, Gloria de Piero, Mike Daunt and Dylan Roberts. Presented by Isabel Hardman. Produced by Cindy Yu and Gus Carter.

This week, ‘Megxit’ has divided the nation – but could slimming down the monarchy actually be a good idea (00:50)? Plus, Ireland goes to the polls next month – how could the next Taoiseach impact Brexit talks (16:35)? And last, what if charity work isn’t quite the rewarding experience you expect (27:40)? With Tim Stanley, Katie Nicholl, Liam Halligan, Tony Connelly, Cosmo Landesman and Mary Wakefield. Presented by Isabel Hardman. Produced by Cindy Yu and Gus Carter.

It’s been a week since Qassem Soleimani was assassinated. In this episode, we ask – has Trump’s decision actually united the Middle East (00:30)? Plus, as the Labour leadership contest gets underway – do any of the candidates actually scare the Tories (15:40)? And last, is the piggybank a thing of childhoods past (28:30)? With Sir John Jenkins, Oz Katerji, Katy Balls, James Mills, Laurie Graham, and Iona Bain. Presented by Lara Prendergast. Produced by Cindy Yu and Gus Carter.

How do you and your family spend Christmas? In the Christmas issue of the Spectator, broadcaster and author Gyles Brandreth writes about the generations old traditions in his family of playing games and reciting poetry. In this episode of the Edition at Christmas, the Spectator’s Features Editor and resident board games fanatic Will Moore speaks to Gyles and Mark Mason, author of the Importance of Being Trivial, about their favourite Christmas traditions.

It’s been a protest unlike any other that China has seen. Since June, hundreds of thousands – by some estimates millions – of Hong Kongers have protested against the government. What was sparked by opposition to an extradition bill that would allow Hong Kongers to face trial in the mainland, has now turned into a six month long pro-democracy movement. So how significant are these protests, and have they got any closer to their goal?  With Professor Kerry Brown and Isabella Steger. Presented by Cindy Yu.

At the start of the year, Trump was locked in a fight with the Democrats over the funding for his wall, leading to a weeks long government shutdown. As Trump faces impeachment this week, has much changed in 2019? With Freddy Gray, editor of Spectator USA, and John Rick MacArthur, President of Harpers Magazine. Presented by Cindy Yu.

At the start of the year, Theresa May had just survived a no confidence motion from her own party, but she was barely clinging on. Cross-party MPs, aided by John Bercow, defeated the government in vote after vote. There was a real chance that Brexit might have been reversed. Things are pretty different now. So what were the main events of 2019? With James Forsyth, Katy Balls, and Jacqui Smith. Presented by Isabel Hardman.

This week, politics becomes a little less volatile as Boris Johnson achieves the biggest Tory majority since Margaret Thatcher. So what happened in this election, and what next (00:50)? Plus, China has interned over a million Uyghur Muslims in so-called ‘re-education’ camps – what is going on in Xinjiang (17:55)? And last, what are the rewards of mudlarking (31:25)? With Fraser Nelson, Steve Richards, Harald Maass, Rachel Harris and Lara Maiklem. Presented by Cindy Yu and Katy Balls. Produced by Cindy Yu.

With just a week to go until polling day, we take a look at what Corbyn’s Britain would look like (00:45). Plus, is planting more trees the panacea to climate change (16:15)? And last, how young is too young to have political opinions (28:15)? With Liam Halligan, Michael Jacobs, Jamie Blackett, Will Skeaping, Andrew Watts, Freddy Gray, Gus Gray and Mary Wakefield. Presented by Cindy Yu and Katy Balls. Produced by Cindy Yu, Matt Taylor and Gus Carter.

With two weeks to go until the election, the latest polling shows a majority of 68 for the Conservative party. So can anything still trip Boris Johnson up (00:50)? One of those events could be Trump’s visit next week – so how high are the stakes there (17:10)? And last, what led to the failure of the Israeli kibbutz (28:35)? With James Forsyth, Paul Goodman, Sir Christopher Meyer, Kate Andrews and Johan Norberg. Presented by Cindy Yu and Katy Balls. Produced by Cindy Yu and Matt Taylor.

This week, as the Tories continue to lead in the polls, Lara speaks to Alastair Campbell about what Remainers can do to turn things around (00:45). Plus, Venice is holding an independence referendum – but will that help with the city’s problems (19:10)? And last, is Instagram the future of poetry (28:35)? With James Forsyth, Alastair Campbell, Anna Somers Cocks, Ferdinando Giugliano, Thomas W Hodgkinson and Sam Leith. Presented by Lara Prendergast. Produced by Cindy Yu and Matt Taylor.

The Conservatives like to say that their road to electoral victory is steep and narrow, but has Nigel Farage broadened out that path this week (00:50)? Plus, is it time to grant amnesty to illegal immigrants (13:50)? And last, should baby boomers apologise for crimes against young people (26:55)? With James Forsyth, Marcus Roberts, Fraser Nelson, David Goodhart, Cosmo Landesman, and Charlie Nash. Presented by Lara Prendergast and Katy Balls. Produced by Cindy Yu.

America goes to the polls next year, but can any of the Democratic candidates take Trump out (00:45)? And with our own election coming up, what happens if you can no longer vote for the party you’ve always supported (13:15)? And last, happy 200th birthday to George Eliot – we find out about her unconventional life (28:05). With Freddy Gray, Karine Jean-Pierre, Matthew Parris, Tanya Gold, and Kathy O'Shaughnessy. Presented by Lara Prendergast. Produced by Cindy Yu and Gus Carter.

This week, an election has officially been called – so what do the major parties need to do to win (00:55)? Plus, Trump goes back into Syria – we look at how pressures back home are shaping up his foreign policy (16:15). And last: does this video give you the shivers (28:00)? With Stephen Bush, Will Tanner, Sir Christopher Meyer, Sarah Elliott, Mary Wakefield and Dr Giulia Poerio. Presented by Lara Prendergast and Katy Balls. Produced by Cindy Yu. With special thanks to ASMRtists WhisperRed and SAS-ASMR.

This week, the government looks close to the finishing line – now all Boris needs is an election (00:40). And as months of grenade attacks blight Swedish neighbourhoods, we get to the bottom of why Sweden doesn’t want to talk about its rise in violent crime (17:40). And last, is there really a right way to speak English (27:30)? With James Forsyth, James Mills, Paulina Neuding, Amir Rostami, Mark Mason, and Sam Leith. Presented by Lara Prendergast and Katy Balls. Produced by Cindy Yu and Christy Cooney.

This week, Boris Johnson agrees a Brexit deal – but can he get it through parliament (00:40)? Plus, who are the biggest beneficiaries from the Turkish incursion into Syria (22:25)? We look at how Russia is consolidating its influence in the Middle East. With Paul Mason, James Johnson, Paul Wood, and Tracey German. Presented by Katy Balls and Cindy Yu. Produced by Cindy Yu.

As the clock ticks down to the European Council, can Boris get a last minute deal with the EU (00:35)? Plus, is Extinction Rebellion just the latest iteration of millenarianism (18:25)? And last, what’s the right way to shoot a pheasant (33:35)? With James Forsyth, Peter Foster, Toby Young, Will Skeaping, Patrick Galbraith and Charlie Jacoby. Presented by Lara Prendergast and Katy Balls. Produced by Cindy Yu.

As the debate about violent language in Westminster rumbles on, have MPs accidentally stumbled on to something? In this week’s episode, we take a look at what’s happened to civilised debate with people you disagree with (00:45). Plus, could Boris Johnson request an extension and still win a general election (17:00)? And last, is recycling all it’s made out to be (31:25)? With Douglas Murray, Sam Leith, James Forsyth, Ben Page, Laurie Graham and Julian Kirby. Presented by Lara Prendergast and Katy Balls. Produced by Cindy Yu and Matt Lee.

This week, as Boris Johnson is hauled back into parliament, we ask – is Brexit ever going to happen (00:40)? Plus, what should London do about Riyadh (14:10)? And finally, we take a sneak peek into the angry world of knitting (24:15). With Rod Liddle, Anand Menon, Sir John Jenkins, Madawi Al-Rasheed, Isabel Hardman and Bonnie Greer. Presented by Lara Prendergast. Produced by Cindy Yu and Matt Lee.

As the Supreme Court wraps up its trial into prorogation, we ask – are the courts overreaching (00:25)? We also find out about the prevalence of mental illness in the homeless and the rough sleeping (10:20). And last, Mary Killen tells us why she’s no longer a Remainer (20:45). With Richard Ekins, Jack Simson Caird, Mary Wakefield, Dominic Williamson, Mary Killen, and Rachel Johnson. Presented by Lara Prendergast. Produced by Cindy Yu and Adam Cherry.

A cross-party remain alliance successfully tied Boris Johnson’s hands in parliament last week, but with a general election looming, will this unlikely coalition last (00:30)? We also find out about ‘study drugs’ – what are the little blue pills that American students are turning to (17:35)? And last, is Boris Johnson anything like his classical heroes (31:00)? With Katy Balls, Polly Mackenzie, Madeleine Kearns, Dr Barbara Sahakian, Harry Mount, and Daisy Dunn. Presented by Cindy Yu and Isabel Hardman. Produced by Cindy Yu and Adam Cherry.

This week, Boris Johnson decided to seek a general election. But will his gamble pay off (00:20)? Plus is trophy hunting really as immoral as Carrie Symonds says it is (18:25)? With James Forsyth, Antoinette Sandbach MP, Joe Twyman, Patrick Galbraith, and Dr Mark Jones. Presented by Isabel Hardman. Produced by Cindy Yu and Christy Cooney.

This week, has Boris lost sight of the 'Global Brexit' we were promised (00:35)? We hear from one EU national caught up in Britain's messy departure (13:15). Plus, how worried should we be about fires in the Amazon (19:40)? And finally, what really causes homelessness, and what can be done to solve it (32:15)? With Fraser Nelson, Sunder Katwala, Anna Amato, Toby McGrath, Camilla Costa, Adam Holloway MP, and Lorna Nolan Presented by Lara Prendergast Produced by Matt Lee and Gabriel Radonich

This week, as the royal scandals start stacking up, we ask if the younger Windsors are letting the Queen down (00:30). Plus, what sort of message should the government send to the public about a no deal Brexit (11:05)? And last, we talk Parma ham and sourdough – and the dangers that come with introducing your children to bourgeois diets (30:05). With Jan Moir, Angela Levin, Stewart Jackson, Poppy Trowbridge, Ian Wright, Colin Freeman, and Leah McLaren. Presented by Katy Balls. Produced by Cindy Yu and Timmy Fisher.

As Matteo Salvini seeks to take the reins of Italy all for himself, we ask, what exactly defines the ‘far right’ these days (00:05)? We also take a look at Downing Street’s own power grab as it seeks to centralise control over the rest of Whitehall (15:55). And last, Melissa Kite tells Lara about getting her dogs blessed by a reverend (29:55). With Douglas Murray, Anne McElvoy, Katy Balls, Jonathan Haslam, Melissa Kite, and Revd Lindsay Meader. Presented by Lara Prendergast. Produced by Cindy Yu and Gabriel Radonich.

This week, our writers tell us about their favourite British beaches, from Cornwall to Northern Ireland (24:15). But before then, there’s of course some Brexit chat as we ask whether parliament can stop a no deal Brexit in the autumn (00:25), and – has Desert Island Discs lost the plot (15:05)? With James Forsyth, Catherine Haddon, Katy Balls, Michael Heath, Kate Chisholm, Douglas Murray, Laura Freeman, and Tanya Gold. Presented by Lara Prendergast. Produced by Cindy Yu and Gabriel Radonich.

Boris Johnson’s ‘do-or-die’ Brexit is fewer than 100 days away, but will the UK and EU reach a compromise deal before then (00:25)? Plus, should museums care where their donations come from (14:00)? And last, would you eat a BBQ roasted cricket (26:10)? With James Forsyth, Agata Gostyńska-Jakubowska, Claire Fox, Chris Garrard, Cassandra Coburn and Shami Radia. Presented by Lara Prendergast and Katy Balls. Produced by Cindy Yu and Matt Lee.

Boris Johnson has officially become Prime Minister – so what can we expect from his first 100 days (00:25)? And with the Gulf situation hotting up, what should Britain’s policy towards Iran be (11:25)? And last, we hear from a historian who kayaked the length of the UK and Ireland within a year (25:20). With James Forsyth, Simon Hart MP, Con Coughlin, Lina Khatib, and Dr David Gange. Presented by Isabel Hardman. Produced by Cindy Yu and Matt Lee.

As Labour’s civil war flares up again, Isabel Hardman reveals a plot by Tom Watson to oust Jeremy Corbyn - so just how secure is Corbyn (00:30)? We also talk about Matt Hancock’s second favourite app – Babylon Health, and ask, is it really all it’s set out to be (14:55)? And last, with almost a million Poles living in Britain, why don’t you ever see them on screen? We talk to the Polish Ambassador in London (28:05). With Ayesha Hazarika, Matt Turner, Max Pemberton, Matthew Noble, Ambassador Arkady Rzegocki, Jolanta Rzegocka, and Jakub Krupa. Presented by Isabel Hardman and Cindy Yu. Produced by Cindy Yu and Siva Thaganrajah.

With the British civil service the latest of Trump’s Twitter victims, we take a look at what a Boris Johnson premiership would mean for relations with America (00:30). Plus, we also ask – if we’re to pursue reparations for past injustices, should we also sue the Normans for 1066 (11:00)? And last, why are male Tory MPs so keen on jogging (20:40)? With Freddy Gray,  Prof. Anand Menon, Harry Mount, Iain Dale, Nadine Batchelor-Hunt and Sahil Mahtani.  Presented by Lara Prendergast. 

This week, Boris Johnson breaks cover and speaks to the Spectator about his plans for Brexit and beyond (00:50). The presidential election stateside is hotting up as Democratic candidates fight for the nomination (16:40). And last, we ask – why are people so obsessed with being in a relationship (26:00)? With Katy Balls, James Forsyth, Andrew Gimson, Brian Klaas, Kate Andrews, Elisa Segrave and Sophia Money-Coutts.  Presented by Lara Prendergast.  Produced by Cindy Yu and Siva Thangarajah. 

This week, as presidents Xi and Trump meet at the G20, is the world on the eve of a new Cold War (00:30)? Plus, Boris Johnson’s campaign has had a tough week – but is this anything more than a wobble (15:55)? And last – he’s had three wives, and his current partner is more than 20 years his junior – but why doesn’t anyone ever talk about Jeremy Corbyn’s love life (24:30)? With Gerrard Baker, Yu Jie, James Forsyth, Camilla Tominey, Melissa Kite, and Paul Staines. Presented by Isabel Hardman. Produced by Cindy Yu and Siva Thaganrajah.

This week - Boris Johnson is poised to take the Tory leadership, and the keys to number 10 - but who is he really, and how will he govern (1:02)? Also, what should happen to the ISIS Beatles (11:11)? And finally, does the Lord's Prayer really need a re-write (22:41)? With Toby Young, Stephen Bush, Paul Wood, Tom Wilson, Melanie McDonagh and Marcus Walker. Presented by Isabel Hardman Produced by Gabriel Radonich

This week, the government commits to a green target of net zero emissions by 2050 – but how costly will meeting it be (00:25)? And stateside, with the Mueller Report showing the extent of Trump’s meddling, should Democrats try to impeach him (11:30)? And last, are modern fathers taken for granted (22:25)? With Lord Peter Lilley, Sam Richards, John Rick MacArthur, Karin Robinson, Cosmo Landesman, and Anna Machin. Presented by Isabel Hardman. Produced by Cindy Yu and Siva Thangarajah. 

What is the unfinished business that Theresa May leaves for the next prime minister (00:25)? Plus, why everyone is fascist or Nazi these days (10:50)? And last, who was Alma Mahler, the woman who entranced some of the most creative men in 20th century Europe (23:40)? With Alex Morton, Hugh Pym, Julia Hartley-Brewer, Jonathan Lis, and Cate Haste. Presented by Isabel Hardman. Produced by Cindy Yu and Siva Thangarajah.

This week, as the Tory leadership contest kicks off, who has the best shot at getting to the final two (00:40)? And with Carrie Symonds, Boris’s new partner, neatening him up, we also ask - what is the role of the politician’s wife (16:45)? And last, cats. Are they ruthless killers posing an existential threat to wild birds (25:25)? With James Forsyth, Rob Wilson, Nevena Bridgen, Paula Milne, Mary Wakefield, and James Ball. Presented by Isabel Hardman. Produced by Cindy Yu and Siva Thangarajah.

This week, as the country goes to the polls for European elections, we ask: has Brexit devoured the far left (00:45)? We also speak to an unlikely Boris supporter – Matthew Parris – on the merits of a Boris leadership for Remainers (14:20). And last, do you own books to read, or to show off (30:00)? With Nick Cohen, Sienna Rodgers, Matthew Parris, James Forsyth, Virginia Blackburn and Stig Abell. Produced by Cindy Yu and Siva Thangarajah. 

Cometh the hour, cometh the man? Is Boris the man to save the Tories from Nigel Farage? We talk to his former right hand man about his chances (00:40). We also discuss the latest frontier of political correctness – can fantasy fiction be racist (14:10)? And last, why are people today so squeamish about meat (28:00)? With Katy Balls, James Forsyth, Will Walden, Karen Yossman, Sam Leith, James Whetlor, and Olivia Potts. Presented by Lara Prendergast. Produced by Cindy Yu.

Can you train your brain to stay young beyond its natural age? Recent research suggests so - and we take a look at the science and what this means for society at large (00:40). Plus, we talk about the impact of grouse hunting on our countryside (9:30), and last, what does sobriety teach you (20:45)? With Damian Green MP, Linda Blair, Ben MacDonald, Tim Bonner, Damian Thompson and Tanya Gold. Presented by Lara Prendergast. Produced by Cindy Yu and Gabriel Radonich.

On this week's Spectator Podcast, we talk about how Nigel Farage's Brexit Party could pose an existential threat to the Tories (00:35). Also on the podcast, a debate special about whether the UK should legalise all drugs (11:40), and finally, what is lesbian-tourism (34:40)? With Katy Balls, James Forsyth, Matthew Goodwin, Chris Daw QC, Peter Hitchens, and Julie Bindel. Presented by Lara Prendergast.  Produced by Siva Thangarajah.

This week brought a new development in the ongoing scandal over Roger Scruton’s firing from a government commission, after the Spectator obtained the tapes of the interview that got him fired. We talk about what’s on the tapes, and what the affair reveals about the state of public debate (00:37). Plus, we talk about a worrying loophole in our immigration system (17:51), and ask: can men ever be considered feminists? (26:42) With Douglas Murray, Adrian Wooldridge, Geoff Hill, Joanna Bell, Julie Bindel, and Ella Whelan Presented by Lara Prendergast. Produced by Siva Thangarajah and Gabriel Radonich.

After a tragic fire destroyed parts of the Notre Dame on Holy Week, we talk about what the cathedral means to Catholics (00.25). Plus, a special debate on euthanasia (10.20), and a discussion with the Dean of Westminster Abbey about why we need hymns more than ever (20:25).  With the Very Reverend John Hall, Damian Thompson, Matthew Walther, Sam Leith, Douglas Murray and Ysenda Maxtone-Graham.  Presented by Lara Prendergast.  Produced by Siva Thangarajah and Gabriel Radonich.

With plummeting approval ratings and street protests stretching into their fifth month, Emmanuelle Macron’s presidency seems to be going from bad to worse. So what happened to France’s golden child of global liberalism (00:25)? Plus, are MPs whining too much (12:40)? And last, is TV binge-watching becoming an epidemic (21:55)? With Jonathan Miller, Sophie Pedder, Melissa Kite, Stewart Jackson, Mark Palmer and Emma Bullimore. Presented by Isabel Hardman. Produced by Cindy Yu and Gabriel Radonich.

This week, Brexit disillusionment reaches a new low. Will our political system ever be the same again after all this is done(00:40)? Plus, we ask whether British rape laws have gone too far in the MeToo age (15:00). And last, should friends ask friends for donations (30:35)?    With James Forsyth, Katy Balls, Chris Daw QC, Tim Shipman, Sarah Green, James Delingpole, and Cosmo Landesman.  Produced by Cindy Yu and Siva Thangarajah.

This week, Theresa May has finally agreed to step down. But will it be enough to get her Brexit deal through (00:25)? We also take a look at the government’s plans to restrict consumption of pornography (15:20), and last, who were the Victorian women who travelled the world (28:10)? With James Forsyth, Katy Balls, Nicky Morgan, Julie Bindel, Robert Jackman, Myles Jackman, and Rosemary Brown. Presented by Lara Prendergast. Produced by Cindy Yu and Siva Thangarajah.

It has been yet another crazy week in the Brexit saga, with May and the EU negotiating an extension. And with a possible third meaningful vote in the horizon, what happens now? And who is to blame for the uncertainty - May, or parliament? (00:37) Plus, with the majority of doctors in the NHS now coming from abroad, why are we not training enough doctors in the UK? (15:50) And we also take a look inside of the world of The Archers’ superfans. (32:50)  With Katy Balls, James Forsyth, Sam Gyimah, Saffron Cordery, J. Meirion Thomas and Nicola Headlam.  Presented by Lara Prendergast.  Produced by Siva Thangarajah and Cindy Yu.  

It's been a somewhat bonkers week in Westminster. The government seems to be going into a full Brexit meltdown and it's likely that Brexit will be delayed. So, where do we go from here (00:40)? We also take a look at the Democratic Party's anti-Semitism problem (17:30) and at the end, Lara Prendergast is given a tarot reading (26:05). With Katy Balls, James Forsyth, Peter Foster, Freddy Gray, Kate Andrews and Jennifer Cownie. Presented by Lara Prendergast. Produced by Cindy Yu and Alastair Thomas.

This week, we look at the rise of woke corporations, and how concepts like 'microaggressions', 'allyship', and 'toxic masculinity' are starting to enter the workplace (00:30). We also hear about Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau - he's fallen from grace, and does he have anyone to blame but himself (13:35)? Plus, we hear about Shanghai's marriage market (20:00), and there's even an apology from Rod Liddle at the end (28:35). With Toby Young, Berkeley Wilde, Leah McLaren, Leyland Cecco, Cindy Yu, Yuan Ren, Rod Liddle, and James Bartholomew. Presented by Lara Prendergast. Produced by Cindy Yu and Siva Thaganrajah.

This week: May and Corbyn were dragged reluctantly to new positions on Brexit. So, have they lost control of their parties? And what does this mean for a timely Brexit, or indeed, Brexit at all (00:40)? Lara also talks to our Literary Editor, Sam Leith, on the joys of videogaming. What’s behind the success of this £4 billion industry (21:15)? With Katy Balls, James Forsyth, Nick Boles MP, Sienna Rodgers, Sam Leith, and Harry Darwin. Presented by Lara Prendergast. Produced by Cindy Yu and Siva Thaganrajah.

This week, a new centrist party has finally been formed. So what does this mean for British politics (00:25)? Plus, we talk about the merits of artificial intelligence and ask, is it something to fear (21:50)? And last, do hen parties have to be so crass (32:10)? With Katy Balls, James Forsyth, Gavin Shuker MP, Joe Twyman, Chris Duffey, Jamie Bartlett, Sophia Money-Coutts and Dan Harley. Presented by Lara Prendergast. Produced by Cindy Yu and Siva Thaganrajah.

Despite the shambolic Tory government, Labour is still trailing in the polls. This week we ask: is Corbyn cracking up (00:25)? Plus, is wearing a hijab necessarily oppressive (17:10), and last, have younger members of the Royal family bought in to a narrative of victimhood (22:20)? With Nick Cohen, Stephen Bush, Soutiam Goodarzi, Jan Moir, and Victoria Murphy. Presented by Isabel Hardman. Produced by Cindy Yu and Siva Thangarajah.

This week, we talk to journalist Zoe Strimpel about whether apps have ruined dating (00:30). Plus, what does the case of disappeared horses and how the RSPCA is more powerful than you think (19:50). Finally, the debate over neurodiversity and why it's dividing the autistic community (30:00). With Zoe Strimpel, Dr. Cath Mercer, Laura James, Matt Tunstill, and Melissa Kite. Presented by Lara Prendergast. Produced by Siva Thangarajah and Lara Prendergast.

This week, May prepares for her last shot with Brussels, but can she get what she wants (0:30)? We also talk to Stephen Gibbs, a journalist on the ground in Caracas, about the nightmare in Venezuela (14:25). And last, we take a look at another big issue of the day - are induction hobs simply reinventing the wheel (25:30)?  With James Forsyth, Peter Foster, Stephen Gibbs, Joanna Rossiter, Ysenda Maxtone Graham and James Ramsden.  Presented by Isabel Hardman.  Produced by Cindy Yu and Siva Thangarajah.

Have vegans and vegetarians won the moral argument in the war on meat (0:55)? Plus, are Anglicans hoping to reconcile with Catholics (11:20)? And last, why is Michael Gove crusading against the wood-burning stove (25:35)? With Jenny McCartney, Dominika Piasecka, Peter Hitchens, Damian Thompson, James Delingpole and Fraser Nelson. Presented by Lara Prendergast.

It’s another crazy week in Westminster, and the question on everyone’s minds – what happens next? We talk to Paul Mason, Henry Newman, and Katy Balls (00:45). Plus, should councils turf out the social housing tenants whose circumstances improve (23:40)? With Paul Mason, Henry Newman, Katy Balls, Mark Piggott, and Luke Doonan. Presented by Isabel Hardman. Produced by Cindy Yu and Alastair Thomas.

Lorries backing up in Kent, a Mars bar shortage, and no more Rome city breaks – these are just some of the things that we have been warned about when it comes to a no deal Brexit. But what will really happen (00:40)? Plus, is China a greater force to be reckoned with than Russia (22:30)? And last, what is it with Brits and obsessing over aristocratic sex scandals (33:10)? With Lord Peter Lilley, Ian Dunt, Kerry Brown, Tom Tugendhat MP, Cosmo Landesman, and Sophia Money-Coutts. Presented by Lara Prendergast.

As we move into 2019, two big elections could shake up the rest of the year. In May, the European elections could see an unprecedented populist surge. What would that mean for the European Union (00:45)? And back home, a potential general election, and Corbyn’s chances at government have never looked better (11:10). We discuss both of these. And last, is it ever okay to call a woman ‘a girl’ (24:30)? With Fredrik Erixon, Charles Grant, Katy Balls, Conor Pope, Mark Mason and Julie Bindel. Presented by Lara Prendergast. Produced by Cindy Yu and Alastair Thomas.

So, it’s the end of the year, and we can safely say 2018 hasn’t been any less loopy than its recent predecessors. In this year’s final Spectator Podcast, we’ll be taking a look at some of the major political and cultural events of the year, with a star-studded cast of commentators and experts, and casting a look forward at 2019\. We’ll be talking about Labour – it hasn’t had a great year, but is it closer than ever to government? Plus, what have been the divides splitting Europe, and how has Trump settled in to the second year of his tenure? But first, a little bit of Brexit. With James Forsyth, Stephen Bush, Rory Stewart, Katy Balls, Paul Mason, Jess Phillips, Douglas Murray, Anne McElvoy, Freddy Gray, Christopher Meyer, and Kate Andrews. Presented by Lara Prendergast. Produced by Cindy Yu and Alastair Thomas.

With just days to go till the meaningful vote, the government looks set to lose it by a humiliating margin. What next for Theresa May? We ask one of the MPs opposing her deal – former universities minister, Sam Gyimah (00:45). And over on the continent, France buckles down for another weekend of riots from the gilet jaunes – can Macron give them what they want (19:00)? And last, has Britain become a country of show-offs (28:30)? With James Forsyth, Sam Gyimah, Gavin Mortimer, Sophie Pedder, Harry Mount, and Cosmo Landesman. Presented by Lara Prendergast. Produced by Cindy Yu and Alastair Thomas.

This week the Treasury and the Bank of England gave their forecasts for the post-Brexit economy, but is a Jeremy Corbyn government more threatening to economic growth (00:45)? In Italy, growth is a distant memory, as the economy stagnates and youth unemployment is at 35%. The government and the EU are at loggerheads over how to solve it. Is Italy the next Eurosceptic time bomb (19:35)? And last, what is it like to write a biography for somebody who can't stand you (32:40)? With Liam Halligan, Grace Blakeley, Ferdinando Giugliano, Matthew Goodwin, and Richard Bradford. Presented by Lara Prendergast. Produced by Cindy Yu and Alastair Thomas.

This week, Theresa May is putting the final touches on her Brexit deal – but is this a point to celebrate, or has she left behind an irrevocably toxic legacy (00:35)? We also take a look at the Democratic Party’s new darling – Beto O’Rourke (13:05); and last, are British parents too obsessed with their children’s education (25:55)? With James Forsyth, Lord Heseltine, Freddy Gray, Karin Robinson, Leah McLaren and James Delingpole. Presented by Isabel Hardman. Produced by Cindy Yu and Alastair Thomas; with thanks to Jack Hunter.

We’re bringing you this podcast from the midst of the Brexit omni-shambles, and this episode contains a special Brexit edition (15:00). But before that, something just as monumental is happening on the other side of the world. China is developing a social credit system to rate its own citizens and their social behaviour. Just how dangerous is this idea (00:35)? With James O'Malley, Cindy Yu, James Forsyth, Tim Montgomerie, and Sienna Rodgers. Presented by Katy Balls. Produced by Cindy Yu and Alastair Thomas.

As Theresa May prepares to unveil her Brexit deal, we ask: just how bad is it, and what happened to ‘no deal is better than a bad deal’ (00:45)? In the American midterms, the Blue Wave didn’t happen, but Democrats did take control of the House of Representatives – what next for Trump’s presidency (17:10)? And last, as we approach Remembrance Sunday, who are the lives we are remembering, and is it time to move on (28:05)? With James Forsyth, Charles Grant, Kate Andrews, Leslie Vinjamuri, Liz Hunt, and Glyn Prysor. Presented by Lara Prendergast. Produced by Cindy Yu and Alastair Thomas.

As Angela Merkel steps down as party leader – what was her legacy and can the EU project survive without her (00:35)? We also discuss whether WhatsApp has made it harder for MPs to plot (12:20); and last, should Brits be allowed to forage wild mushrooms (22:45)? With Douglas Murray, Sophie Pedder, Katy Balls, Paul Staines, Stewart Jackson, Daniel Butler, and Josh Barrie. Presented by Lara Prendergast. Produced by Cindy Yu and Alastair Thomas.

Somehow it has already been two years into a Trump presidency, and America is facing midterm elections. Will Democrats win in a landslide (00:40)? We also delve a little deeper at the political faultlines behind the Jamal Khashoggi story – is Turkey taking advantage of his death (15:10)? And last, is the use of wild animals in circuses really the great injustice that campaigners say it is (25:35)? With Freddy Gray, Leslie Vinjamuri, Hannah Lucinda Smith, Azzam Tamimi, Tim Phillips and Vanessa Toulmin. Presented by Isabel Hardman. Produced by Cindy Yu and Alastair Thomas.

This week, Brexit negotiations grind to a halt again as Brussels and the UK draw mutually exclusive red lines on the Irish border problem. We talk to James Forsyth and Dan Hannan on what next for Brexit (00:40). We also look a little deeper into the methods and mission of Bellingcat, the investigators that unveiled the true identities of the Salisbury suspects (13:20). And last, we investigate a sex industry that is trying to become more ethical (25:20). With James Forsyth, Dan Hannan, Owen Matthews, Mary Dejevsky, Cosmo Landesman, and Renée Denyer. Presented by Isabel Hardman. Produced by Cindy Yu and Alastair Thomas.

Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi has disappeared at his country's consulate in Istanbul, with reports emerging of his brutal murder. But who was Jamal Khashoggi, why did this happen to him and what should happen next (00:38)? Also on this podcast, the Irish may harbour more anti-EU opinion than commonly thought. Is there the prospect of an 'Irexit' (12:48)? And finally, with three top public schools scrapping the common entrance exam, should we lament the demise of the eccentric admissions test for schoolchildren (22:54)? With Bill Law, Akbar Shahid Ahmed, John Waters, Brendan O'Neill and Harry Mount. Presented by Lara Prendergast. Produced by Alastair Thomas.

The debate over rights for transgender people rumbles on in the wake of proposed reforms to the Gender Recognition Act. Is there a so-called ‘trans orthodoxy’ shutting down debate on this issue (00:30)? Meanwhile, across the channel, French socialist Jean-Luc Mélenchon is aiming to unseat an increasing unpopular Emmanuel Macron. Does Mélenchon have a chance of becoming president (20:10)? With Madeleine Kearns, India Willoughby, Olivier Tonneau, and Jonathan Miller. Presented by Katy Balls. Produced by Cindy Yu and Alastair Thomas.

As we head into Conservative Party Conference, Theresa May has never looked more alone. We talk to Iain Duncan Smith and James Forsyth about a Prime Minister abandoned (1:25). And while chaos reigns in the Conservative Party, Labour is gearing up, led by a pragmatic but radical Shadow Chancellor. Just who is John McDonnell (18:50)? And last, why is Tesco’s new discount retailer so Brexity (38:10)? With Iain Duncan Smith, James Forsyth, Fraser Nelson, Paul Mason, Lewis Goodall, and Olivia Potts. Produced by Cindy Yu and Alastair Thomas.

It seems that everyone, young or old, has a smartphone these days. But why are the brightest in Silicon Valley taking screen time away from their children (00:40)? Also on this podcast, Tory MEPs recently voted in favour of the Viktor Orban government in European Parliament. Are British Tories flirting with the far right (9:25)? If they are, it could be because the Conservative Party has no attractive policies. Should we return to One Nation Toryism (22:50)? With Jenny McCartney, Jamie Bartlett, Frank Furedi, Paul Stocker, Paul Collier, and Chris Skidmore. Presented by Lara Prendergast. Produced by Cindy Yu and Alastair Thomas.

This week, Tory in-fighting comes to the fore, but could the party be even more divided than we thought (00:35)? Meanwhile, across the Pond, Donald Trump continues to cause backlash. Is he to blame for an ideological shift to the left in the country (14:25)? Thankfully, our own Head of State isn’t on Twitter, though that doesn’t stop people speculating about her Majesty’s personal opinions. Is the Queen a Eurosceptic (23:45)? With James Forsyth, Paul Goodman, Rick Wilson, Malin Baker, Robert Hardman, and Hannah Furness. Presented by Isabel Hardman. Produced by Cindy Yu and Alastair Thomas.

This week antagonism between Emmanuel Macron and Italy’s Matteo Salvini ratcheted up over immigration – are they the leaders of an ideological battle in Europe (00:35)? But pro-immigration or not, both Macron and Salvini smashed through conventional politics in the global surge of populism. As we reach the tenth anniversary of the 2008 crash, we ask, did the financial crisis lead to greater populism (12:40)? And last, why have Americans been boycotting Nike (24:20)? With Christopher Caldwell, Sophie Pedder, Liam Halligan, Ann Pettifor, Coleman Hughes and Freddy Gray. Presented by Isabel Hardman. Produced by Cindy Yu.

The clamours for a second referendum are growing. But are those calling for a ‘people’s vote’ really interested in what voters think? Or is this just a plot to stop Brexit? In Sweden, voters go to the polls next weekend. The Swedish Democrats, once regarded as a sinister group of far-right cranks, could become the largest party. So what’s changed? And the Soho of the eighties, a hotbed of debauchery, drinking and death, is now a vanished world. We hear from two of those who drank there regularly in the glory days. With Rod Liddle, Tom Slater, James McGrory, Fraser Nelson, Fredrik Erikson, Christopher Howse and Michael Heath. Presented by Lara Prendergast. Produced by Tom Goodenough and Alastair Thomas.

Venezuela is racked with hyperinflation. The crisis is now so bad that the President has instituted a new currency which essentially cuts off several zeros from the old currency. Will Maduro’s mad policies make things worse (00:50)? And back home, prisons have been in the limelight as we hear about the horrendous conditions in Birmingham Winson Green prison. But is Birmingham an anomaly (11:30)? I talk to a former convict who says not. And last, Ross Clark worries that the prevalence of sperm donation these days raise the chances of half-siblings falling in love. Just how prepared is the donation industry (26:40)? With Steve Hanke, Julia Buxton, Will Heaven, Cody Lachey, Ross Clark, and Laura Spoelstra. Presented by Katy Balls. Produced by Cindy Yu and Matt Taylor.