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The Spectator’s cover story this week looks at ‘the fear’ gripping Jewish people amidst rising antisemitism. Reflecting on last week’s attack in Manchester, Douglas Murray says that ‘no-one in the Jewish community was surprised’ – a damning inditement on Britain today. How do we tackle religious intolerance? And is there room for nuance in the debate about Israel and Palestine?

Host Lara Prendergast is joined by the Spectator’s US editor Freddy Gray, associate editor – and host of our religious affairs podcast Holy Smoke – Damian Thompson and commissioning editor Mary Wakefield. As well as the cover, they discuss: how biological innovations are threatening motherhood; the views of the new – and first female – Archbishop of Canterbury Sarah Mullally; and how New York has ended up with (almost certainly) an incoming socialist mayor in Zohran Mamdani.

Plus: the panel mourn the novelist Jilly Cooper, and Damian reveals how he ended up with a driving conviction – despite having never passed his driving test.

Produced by Patrick Gibbons and Oscar Edmondson.

The Spectator is trialling new formats for this podcast, and we would very much welcome feedback via this email address: podcast@spectator.co.uk

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The Spectator’s cover story this week is an interview with Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch ahead of the Tory party conference. Reflecting on the criticism she received for being seen as slow on policy announcements, she says that the position the Conservatives were in was ‘more perilous than people realise’ and compares herself to the CEO of an ailing firm. Can Kemi turn it around for the Tories?

Host William Moore is joined by the Spectator’s political editor Tim Shipman – who interviewed Kemi – alongside commissioning editor Lara Brown, and academic and author Philip Hensher. They discuss whether the ‘cult of Thatcher’ needs to die, Tim says he's more Disraeli and Bismarck to Lara's Pitt and Philip reveals what once got him sacked from the House of Commons.

Plus: while discussing Philip's review of Graham Robb's The Discovery of Britain, the panel ponder which politicians are best at invoking history.

Produced by Patrick Gibbons.

The Spectator is trialling new formats for this podcast and we would very much welcome feedback via this email address: podcast@spectator.co.uk

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First: who has the Home Secretary got in her sights?

Political editor Tim Shipman profiles Shabana Mahmood in the Spectator’s cover article this week. Given Keir Starmer’s dismal approval ratings, politicos are consumed by gossip about who could be his heir-apparent – even more so, following Angela Rayner’s defenestration a few weeks ago. Mahmood may not be the most high-profile of the Starmer movement, but she is now talked about alongside Wes Streeting and Andy Burnham as a potential successor to Starmer.

But – it all depends on what she can achieve at the Home Office. So, who does she have in her sights? Tim joined the podcast

Next: why the philosopher king of Silicon Valley is reinventing the ‘Antichrist’ theory

What do Mohammed, Martin Luther, King George III, Adolf Hitler, Henry Kissinger and Bill Gates have in common? They have all been identified as the Antichrist. And now the theory is back, preoccupying the mind of billionaire Peter Thiel, who believes that ‘a globe-trotting liberal elite… are using their billions to manufacture a new world order’.

So why is Thiel, the co-founder of Paypal and Palantir, so obsessed with the Antichrist? Damian Thompson joins the podcast to discuss.

And finally: the cost-of-giving crisis

Rupert Hawksley, the Spectator’s new opinion editor, examines the crisis facing charity shops. Over 50 stores have shut this year with the big four – the British Heart Foundation, Barnado’s, Oxfam and Cancer Research UK – struggling to maintain healthy sales. This isn’t just a crisis for the charities, he argues, but also for the consumers who rely on the shops.

Rupert joined the podcast alongside another charity shop enthusiast, the Spectator’s editor Michael Gove. What’s the most prized charity shop find?

Plus: Henry Jeffreys discusses the horror of wine lists and Angus Colwell reviews a new BBC Sounds podcast on David Bowie, ahead of the ten year anniversary of his death next year.

Hosted by William Moore and Lara Prendergast.

Produced by Patrick Gibbons.

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First: a warning from history

Politics moving increasingly from the corridors of power into the streets, economic insecurity exacerbating tensions and the centre of politics failing to hold; these are just some of the echoes from Weimar Germany that the Spectator’s editor Michael Gove sees when looking at present-day Britain. But, he says, ‘there are grounds for hope’ – what are they? Michael joined the podcast to discuss.

Next: why did science succumb to the ‘culture wars’?

Biologist and peer Matt Ridley bemoans the ‘cultification of science’, arguing that ‘left-wing ideological nonsense’ ended up permeating through all scientific disciplines. Thinking ‘neutral facts’ were safe, Matt admits he – and colleagues – may have been naïve as one by one different battlefields emerged. Matt joined the podcast to discuss. Has science thrown off the shackles of the ‘culture wars’?

And finally: how many books have you read?

Emily Hill delves into the world of competitive reading this week – the rise of people publicising the books they’ve read, particularly through social media. Emily calls this ‘conspicuous’ and notes it appears to be a trend amongst mainly female influencers.But is this solely performative or – in a world of diminishing attention spans – could the trend be promoting the act of reading? Emily joined the podcast alongside BookTok blogger Lucas Oakeley.

Plus: Mark Mason provides his notes on guided walks. Mark will also be hosting a guided walk for the Spectator, for tickets go to www.spectator.co.uk/events

Hosted by William Moore and Lara Prendergast.

Produced by Patrick Gibbons.

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Michael Gove and Madeline Grant return with another episode of Quite right!, The Spectator’s new podcast promising sanity and common sense in an increasingly unhinged world. This week, they talk about Labour’s deputy drama, discuss whether Britain is sliding into a revolutionary mood a la France and investigate the claim in a new book that Margaret Thatcher was autistic.

To hear the full episode, search Quite right! wherever you get your podcasts, or go to www.spectator.co.uk/quiteright

Quite right! is also on our YouTube channel SpectatorTV.

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First: a look ahead to President Trump’s state visit next week

Transatlantic tensions are growing as the row over Peter Mandelson’s role provides an ominous overture to Donald Trump’s state visit next week. Political editor Tim Shipman has the inside scoop on how No. 10 is preparing. Keir Starmer’s aides are braced for turbulence. ‘The one thing about Trump which is entirely predictable is his unpredictability,’ one ventures. And government figures fear he may go off message on broadcast – he is scheduled to be interviewed by GB News.

It is rare for leaders to receive a second visit, especially those in their second term. But, as Tim says, ‘Britishness is fashionable in Washington’ and no-one likes ‘royal treatment’ more than Trump. So, can Starmer take advantage of the President’s ‘love of the deal’? Tim joins the podcast to discuss.

Next: why are historical figures being labelled neurodiverse?

A new biography of Margaret Thatcher has provoked much discussion by claiming that Britain’s former Prime Minister was autistic. The proof for such a claim rests on the Iron Lady’s (supposed) lack of a sense of humour, a lack of feeling embarrassed and a tendency to see the world in black and white.

But is there a danger in reappraising historical and political figures, particularly when it comes to personal traits? Historians – and frequent Spectator contributors – Robert Tombs and John Keiger joined the podcast to give their verdict.

And finally: is everyone on Ozempic?

One of the Spectator’s writers, under the pseudonym Henrietta Harding, headed out on what she terms ‘Ozempic safari’ – spotting the ‘Mounjaro Mummies’ as they drop off their children at school. ‘We know what to look for’, she says, ‘sunken faces, slightly wasted arms and, of course, envy-inducing weight loss’.

But the school gates aren’t the only place Ozempic seems to have taken hold. Westminster is awash with politicians who have suspiciously slimmer fitting suits – but why? Associate editor Toby Young and deputy political editor James Heale join the podcast to make sense of the trend for trim.

Plus: As President Xi re-emerges, Francis Pike asks who’s really in charge in China?

Hosted by William Moore and Lara Prendergast.

Produced by Patrick Gibbons and Oscar Edmondson.

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Michael Gove and Madeline Grant launch ‘Quite right!’, the new podcast from The Spectator that promises sanity and common sense in a world that too often lacks both.

Coffee House Shots listeners can enjoy an exclusive taste of their debut episode in which they take stock of a political summer dominated by Nigel Farage, a Labour government already facing mutiny, and the curious spectacle of Tory MPs moonlighting as gonzo reporters. From J.D. Vance’s Cotswold sojourn and Tom Skinner’s bish bash bosh patriotism, to Sydney Sweeney’s jeans advert causing a culture war, Michael and Madeleine discuss what really drives our politics: policies, or memes and vibes?

To hear the full episode, search Quite right! wherever you get your podcasts, or find the full episode – in vision – on our YouTube channel SpectatorTV.

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First: Reform is naff – and that’s why people like it

Gareth Roberts warns this week that ‘the Overton window is shifting’ but in a very unexpected way. Nigel Farage is ahead in the polls – not only because his party is ‘bracingly right-wing’, but ‘because Reform is camp’. Farage offers what Britain wants: ‘a cheeky, up-yours, never-mind-the-knockers revolt against our agonisingly earnest political masters’.

‘From Farage on down,’ Roberts argues, ‘there is a glorious kind of naffness’ to Reform: daytime-TV aesthetics, ‘bargain-basement’ celebrities and big-breasted local councillors. ‘The progressive activists thought they could win the culture war simply by saying they had won it’, but ‘the John Bulls and Greasy Joans are stirring again’. Roberts loves how ‘the current excitement over flag-raising’ is the ‘conniptions’ it gives to ‘the FBPE crowd’. Of course, for Farage, planning for government ‘really cannot be a pantomime affair’. But ‘in these grim times’ we ‘need the romping Reform’. Gareth joins the podcast to make his case for Carry On Reform.

Next: the ‘she’ consumed by masculine rage

Lionel Shriver reacts to the latest school shooting in America. The perpetrator was widely reported in the media with the pronouns ‘she/her’ which, Lionel argues, is not just an issue around politeness. This glosses over the fact that the shooter was biologically male, adding to the majority of cases of school shootings that are conducting by men. By pandering to this incoherence of the reality of the situation, it doesn’t help society to uncover the reasons behind the issue.

Lionel joined the podcast alongside the Spectator’s US editor Freddy Gray. Freddy points out how this shooting is just one example of how younger people can be transfixed by the very darkest sides of the internet.

And finally: why people make up languages

Constructed language expert Dr Bettina Beinhoff and author and historian Peter Parker join the podcast to talk about ‘made-up’ languages. Why do humans construct languages outside of their every-day speech? Most people will have heard of Klingon or Elvish, used in books and film, but what about Polari – the subversive language used by groups of LGBT people decades ago – or the Potato language – which writer Melanie Ferbreach says her parents used to hide their conversations from her. Listeners may be impressed to hear Lara's own attempt at 'eggy-peggy'...

Plus: with a special introduction from our political editor, Tim Shipman interviews shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick – is he trying to outflank Farage?

Hosted by William Moore and Lara Prendergast.

Produced by Patrick Gibbons and Natasha Feroze.

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First: an economic reckoning is looming

‘Britain’s numbers… don’t add up’, says economics editor Michael Simmons. We are ‘an ageing population with too few taxpayers’. ‘If the picture looks bad now,’ he warns, ‘the next few years will be disastrous.’ Governments have consistently spent more than they raised; Britain’s debt costs ‘are the worst in the developed world’, with markets fearful about Rachel Reeves’s Budget plans.

A market meltdown, a delayed crash, or prolonged stagnation looms. The third scenario, he warns, would be the bleakest, keeping politicians from confronting Britain’s spendthrift state. We need ‘austerity shock therapy’ – but voters don’t want it. To discuss further, we include an excerpt from a discussion Michael had with our deputy editor Freddy Gray and economist Paul Johnson for Spectator TV.

Next: can the foster system survive?

‘The foster system in this country is collapsing,’ Mary Wakefield warns. There around 80,000 children who need homes, but ‘a catastrophic lack of people prepared to care for them’. Every year the small pool of available foster households shrinks, with younger generations unwilling to become carers and more and more existing carers considering leaving.

Mary joined the podcast to explain how bad the problem is, alongside author and full-time foster carer Rosie Lewis.

And finally: the unsettling rise of DeathTok

Damian Thompson highlights the rise of ‘DeathTok’ – the name given to videos shared on the social media platform Tik Tok by users who are dealing with life-threatening illnesses. Ordinary young people ‘employ adult communications skills to express adolescent feelings’ and share every stage of the ruthlessness of their cancer journey. The videos may upset younger uses who stumble across them, but for many this digital sense of community will prove invaluable.

There is a wider question though – ‘the luxury of fading memories’ says Damian, is something we lose with every advance in media technology. Can this really be a good thing?

Plus: Tom Slater says that Britain is having its own gilet jaunes moment and Philip Womack reacts to the news that the Pope will be getting some flatmates.

Hosted by William Moore and Lara Prendergast.

Produced by Patrick Gibbons and Oscar Edmondson.

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First: Putin has set a trap for Europe and Ukraine

‘Though you wouldn’t know from the smiles in the White House this week… a trap has been set by Vladimir Putin to split the United States from its European allies,’ warns Owen Matthews. The Russian President wants to make a deal with Donald Trump, but he ‘wants to make it on his own terms’. ‘Putin would like nothing more than for Europe to encourage Ukraine to fight on… and lose even more of their land’. But, as Owen writes, those who count themselves among the country’s friends must ask ‘whether it’s time to choose an unjust peace over a just but never-ending war’.

Have European leaders walked into Putin’s trap? Owen joins the podcast alongside Gideon Rachman of the Financial Times.

Next: Lionel Shriver, Toby Young & Igor Toronyi-Lalic on the decline of shame in society

A rise in brazen shoplifting, attempts to police public spaces and moralising over ‘Art’ – these are all topics touched on by columnists Lionel Shriver and Toby Young and Arts editor Igor Toronyi-Lalic in the magazine this week. Are these individual problems in their own right, or could they be symptomatic of wider failings in British society?

Lionel, Toby and Igor joined the podcast to try to make sense of why guilt and shame seem to have disappeared in modern Britain.

And finally: the hell of owning a holiday rental

William Cash writes in the magazine this week about the trials and tribulations of running a holiday let. He complains that the lines between hotels and holiday lets have become blurred, and people of all ages are now becoming guests from hell. He writes: ‘it has become increasingly evident that middle class families have no idea how to behave on holiday… basic guest decorum seems to belong to a different summer holiday age’.

So how did things get so bad? William joined the podcast alongside Spectator columnist Melissa Kite – who runs her own B&B in Ireland.

Plus: ahead of the long weekend, Mark Mason reveals who we can thank for bank holidays.

Hosted by William Moore and Lara Prendergast.

Produced by Patrick Gibbons.

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First: how Merkel killed the European dream

‘Ten years ago,’ Lisa Haseldine says, ‘Angela Merkel told the German press what she was going to do about the swell of Syrian refugees heading to Europe’: ‘Wir schaffen das’ – we can handle it. With these words, ‘she ushered in a new era of uncontrolled mass migration’. ‘In retrospect,’ explains one senior British diplomat, ‘it was pretty much the most disastrous government policy of this century anywhere in Europe.’ The surge of immigrants helped swing Brexit, ‘emboldened’ people-traffickers and ‘destabilised politics’ across Europe.

Ten years on, a third of the EU’s member states within the Schengen area have now imposed border controls. Can freedom of movement survive in its current form? Lisa joined the podcast alongside Oliver Moody, Berlin correspondent for The Times.

Next: the cultural impact of the railways

It’s been 200 years since the world’s first public train travelled from Shildon to Stockton – across County Durham. Richard Bratby argues that this marked the start of a new era for Britain and the world: ‘no invention between the printing press and the internet has had as profound a cultural impact as the railways’.

How can we explain the romantic appeal of the railways? Richard joined the podcast to discuss, alongside Christian Wolmar, author of over twenty books about the railways including The Liberation Line.

And finally: who is the Greatest Of All Time?

What do Lionel Messi, Roger Federer and Tom Brady have in common? Their acolytes would argue that they are the GOAT of their sport – the Greatest Of All Time. Why are fans so obsessed with the GOAT label? Are pundits guilty of recency bias? And does it really matter anyway? Journalist Patrick Kidd joined the podcast to discuss, alongside the Spectator’s Sam McPhail.

Plus: Madeline Grant asks why not show J.D. Vance the real Britain?

Hosted by William Moore and Gus Carter.

Produced by Patrick Gibbons.

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First: Nigel Farage is winning over women

Does – or did – Nigel Farage have a woman problem? ‘Around me there’s always been a perception of a laddish culture,’ he tells political editor Tim Shipman. In last year’s election, 58 per cent of Reform voters were men. But, Shipman argues, ‘that has begun to change’. According to More in Common, Reform has gained 14% among women, while Labour has lost 12%. ‘Women are ‘more likely than men… to worry that the country is broken.’

Many of Reform’s most recent victories have been by women: Andrea Jenkyns in the mayoral elections, Sarah Pochin to Parliament; plus, there most recent high profile defections include a former Tory Welsh Assembly member and a former Labour London councillor. What makes Reform’s success with women all the more remarkable is that it appears organic; ‘we haven’t forced this’ says Farage.

So why are women turning to Reform UK? Tim Shipman and Sarah Pochin MP join the podcast to discuss.

Next: is Italy experiencing a renaissance?

From Italy, Owen Matthews argues that Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has revived her nation. While he says that Italy has been ‘suffering from the same economic malaise’ as the rest of Europe, the macroeconomics covers up the true affordability of the country. Espressos cost €1.20, pizzas are no more than €10, and rents in even the swankiest areas are ‘laughably’ cheap compared to Britain. Plus, Owen sees none of the ‘media catastrophisation’ over issues like immigration, social cohesion and militant Islam that appears to grip the UK. So how has Meloni done it?

To discuss, Owen joined the podcast alongside Antonello Guerrera, UK & Westminster correspondent for the Italian newspaper Repubblica.

And finally: one in three British adults cannot swim

This week, Iram Ramzan provides her ‘notes on’ learning to swim saying, ‘it’s humiliating to admit that at 37’ she can’t. She’s not alone though – one third of British adults cannot swim, and the proportion appears to be rising. Iram highlights the disparities between different communities; 76 percent of South Asian women for example cannot swim 25 metres. Iram joined the podcast to discuss further, alongside fitness professional and entrepreneur Elle Linton who also learnt to swim in her thirties.

Plus: what small error led Rachel Johnson to get a telling off from Noel Gallagher? And Max Jeffery reports from court, where the Spectator and Douglas Murray have won a defamation claim brought against them by Mohammed Hijab.

Hosted by William Moore and Lara Prendergast.

Produced by Patrick Gibbons.

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First: the new era of censorship

A year ago, John Power notes, the UK was consumed by race riots precipitated by online rumours about the perpetrator of the Southport atrocity. This summer, there have been protests, but ‘something is different’. With the introduction of the Online Safety Act, ‘the government is exerting far greater control over what can and can’t be viewed online’. While the act ‘promises to protect minors from harmful material’, he argues that it is ‘the most sweeping attempt by any liberal democracy to bring the online world under the control of the state’.

Implemented and defended by the current Labour government, it is actually the result of legislation passed by the Conservatives in 2023 – which Labour did not support at the time, arguing it didn’t go far enough. So how much of a danger is the Act to free speech in Britain?

John joined the podcast to discuss further alongside former Conservative minister Steve Baker, MP from 2010-24, and who was one of the biggest critics of the bill within the Conservative Party at the time.

Next: should we be worried about protests against migrants?

This week, outside a hotel in Epping, groups amassed to protest against the migrants housed there, with counter-protestors appearing in turn. Tommy Robinson might not have appeared in the end, but the Spectator’s Max Jeffrey did, concluding that the protests were ultimately ‘anticlimactic’.

Nevertheless, the protests have sparked debate about the motivations of those speaking out against the migrants – are there legitimate concerns voiced by locals, or are the protests being manipulated by figures on the political fringes? And what do the protests tell us about community tensions in the UK? Max joined the podcast to discuss alongside the editor of Spiked Tom Slater.

And finally: why are ‘romantasy’ novels so popular?

Lara Brown writes in the magazine this week about the phenomenon of the genre ‘romantasy’, which mixes romance with fantasy. While ‘chick-lit’ is nothing new, Lara argues that this is ‘literature taken to its lowest form’, emblematic of the terminally online young people who consume it. Nevertheless, it is incredibly popular and is credited by publishers as boosting the British fiction industry to over £1 billion. To unpack the genre's popularity, Lara joined the podcast, alongside Sarah Maxwell, the founder of London’s first romance-only bookshop Saucy Books, based in Notting Hill.

Hosted by William Moore and Lara Prendergast.

Produced by Patrick Gibbons and Megan McElroy.

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

First up: how private equity is ruining Britain

Gus Carter writes in the magazine this week about how foreign private equity (PE) is hollowing out Britain – PE now owns everything from a Pret a Manger to a Dorset village, and even the number of children’s homes owned by PE has doubled in the last five years. This ‘gives capitalism a bad name’, he writes. Perhaps the most symbolic example is in the water industry, with water firms now squeezed for money and saddled with debt. British water firms now have a debt-to-equity ratio of 70%, compared to just 4% in 1991. Britain’s desperation for foreign money has, quite literally, left Britain ‘in the shit’.

Gus joined the podcast to discuss further, alongside the journalist Megan Greenwell, author of Bad Company: Private Equity and the Death of the American Dream. (00:46)

Next: why is MAGA so incensed over Jeffrey Epstein?

Six years after he died, the Jeffrey Epstein scandal is still haunting Donald Trump. Trump had vowed to release all files on various cases that attract conspiracy theorists – from JFK to Martin Luther King Jr. What makes the Epstein case different, as Douglas Murray writes in the magazine this week, is that the case was so recent and Epstein’s ties with the elites, many of whom are still in power. Trump appeared to backtrack on releasing files relating to Epstein, prompting ire from the MAGA world, and there is now mounting cross-party pressure to uncover who knew what. Mike Johnson, the House speaker, sent representatives home early for summer, and there is even talk of Ghislaine Maxwell testifying.

Why is the Epstein scandal such a lightning rod for MAGA rage? Douglas Murray joined the Spectator to discuss. The full interview can be found on Spectator TV. (15:49)

And finally: are literary sequels ‘lazy’?

It’s ‘sod’s law’, says the Spectator’s literary editor Sam Leith, that when a friend’s book is due to be reviewed in the pages of the books section that you edit, the review will be bad. Mike Cormack reviews Men In Love by Irvine Welsh this week, calling the decision by Welsh to pen another sequel to Trainspotting ‘lazy’. At the Spectator this made us ponder whether this is true of all literary sequels, and what motivates authors to stick with characters and stories that they know.

Sam joined us to discuss further alongside Lucy Thynne, the Telegraph’s deputy literary editor. (33:59)

Hosted by William Moore and Lara Prendergast.

Produced by Patrick Gibbons and Megan McElroy.

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First up: how the Bank of England wrecked the economy

Britain’s economy is teetering on the brink of a deep fiscal hole, created by billions of pounds of unfunded spending – never-ending health promises, a spiralling welfare bill and a triple lock on the state pension, which will cost three times as much as originally estimated.

Although politicians ‘deserve much of the blame for the economic state we’re in’, it’s Andrew Bailey – Michael Simmons argues in the magazine this week – who ‘has enabled their recklessness’.

He joined the podcast to discuss who really broke Britain with Kate Andrews, Deputy Editor of The Spectator’s world edition and former Economics Editor. (01:15)

Next: has Ukraine lost faith in Zelensky?

Whilst Donald Trump’s surprise ‘newfound support for Ukraine is a welcome lifeline’, Owen Matthews writes in the magazine this week, ‘the question is whether his help will be enough to stop Russia’s relentless attacks before Ukraine is engulfed in a critical military, political and social crisis that threatens to destroy it from within’. Ukraine is running out of men, and is racked by corruption scandals and purges. As a consequence, public faith in Volodymyr Zelensky is declining.

To discuss what’s next for Ukraine, Owen joined the podcast. (24:29)

And finally: the joys of mudlarking

In the arts section of the magazine this week, Margaret Mitchell reviews a new exhibition at the Museum of London Docklands on mudlarking – the practice of combing at low tide for washed-up items of historical interest. These can include everything from statues of Roman gods and goddesses to the common vape – and it’s a hobby that is booming in popularity.

To discuss, Margaret joined the podcast alongside Lara Maiklem, mudlarker and Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries. (41:07)

Hosted by William Moore and Gus Carter.

Produced by Oscar Edmondson.

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This week: Peerless – the purge of the hereditary peers

For this week’s cover, Charles Moore declares that the hereditary principle in Parliament is dead. Even though he lacks ‘a New Model Army’ to enforce the chamber’s full abolition, Keir Starmer is removing the hereditary peers. In doing so, he creates more room, reduces the Conservatives’ numerical advantage, and improves ‘the sex and ethnic balance’. But 86 hard-working and dutiful peers ‘lacking worldly ambition or partisan passions’ will be lost.

Also in the magazine, Sophia Falkner, researcher at The Spectator, sets out exactly what we stand to lose by profiling some of the most capable hereditary peers in the House. She warns that Labour’s purge is ripping the heart out of the Lords. Sophia and Charles spoke to Natasha Feroze earlier this week on Spectator TV – you can also hear their discussion on the podcast. (01:10)

Next: Why should the hunt for the next Archbishop of Canterbury be ‘inclusive’?

That’s the question Revd Fergus Butler-Gallie asks in the magazine this week. ‘It will be a miracle,’ writes Butler-Gallie, ‘if we know the name of the new Primate of All England by the autumn.’ Justin Welby announced his resignation as Archbishop of Canterbury last November; it took until May this year even to assemble the committee to discuss his potential successors.

For Butler-Gallie, the process doesn’t have to be swift – it only has to be ‘holy’. To discuss what exactly constitutes a ‘holy process’ – and what this drawn-out process says about the Church – he joined us alongside Esme Partridge, journalist and master’s student in philosophy and religion at Cambridge University. (18:57)

Finally: Does AI belong on the tennis court?

Patrick Kidd writes in the magazine about the creep of AI spoiling sport, following a high-profile incident during this week’s Wimbledon tournament in which the AI system stands accused of ‘human error’. To discuss, Kidd was joined by Dr Tom Webb, founder of the Referee and Sports Official Research Network. (34:16)

Hosted by William Moore and Gus Carter

Produced by Oscar Edmondson and Ed Harvey

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This week: one year of Labour – the verdict

In the magazine this week Tim Shipman declares his verdict on Keir Starmer’s Labour government as we approach the first anniversary of their election victory.

One year on, some of Labour’s most notable policies have been completely changed – from the u-turn over winter fuel allowance to the embarrassing climb-down over welfare this week. Starmer has appeared more confident on the world stage but, for domestic audiences, this is small consolation when the public has perceived little change on the problems that have faced Britain for years. Can Starmer turn it around?

Tim joined the podcast alongside the Spectator’s editor Michael Gove. What would they say Starmer’s greatest mistake, and biggest success, have been over the past year? (1:46)

Next: would Zohran Mamdani ruin New York?

In the magazine this week, the Spectator’s deputy US editor Kate Andrews writes about Zohran Mamdani – the self-declared ‘democratic socialist’ who defied expectations to become the Democratic Party’s presumptive candidate for the New York City mayoral election this November.

From a little-known state assemblyman to the mayoral heir presumptive – how did Mamdani do it? And what effect could his policies have? Kate joined the podcast alongside the Spectator’s US editor Freddy Gray. (24:03)

And finally: ‘admit it – most wedding toasts are awful’

Are wedding toasts as awful as Madeline Grant says they are in the magazine this week?

Maddie writes about the trend for multiple speeches at weddings, beyond the traditional three, blaming creeping Americanisms and the feminist revolution, amongst other things. These, compounded with widespread poor oratory skills, means the playbill looks ‘fuller and fuller’ and guests are denied a moment to ‘at least dull the horror with alcohol’. Should we push back against the trend?

Maddie joined the podcast alongside professional speechwriter Damian Reilly. (35:37)

Hosted by William Moore and Gus Carter.

Produced by Patrick Gibbons.

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This week: war and peace

Despite initial concerns, the ‘Complete and Total CEASEFIRE’ – according to Donald Trump – appears to be holding. Tom Gross writes this week’s cover piece and argues that a weakened Iran offers hope for the whole Middle East. But how? He joined the podcast to discuss further, alongside Gregg Carlstrom, the Economist’s Middle East correspondent based in Dubai. (01:51)

Next: why are so many restaurants offering halal meat?

Angus Colwell writes about the growing popularity of halal meat in British restaurants. This isn’t confined to certain food groups or particular areas – halal is now being offered across restaurants serving all sorts of cuisine, from Chinese to Mexican. But why is it so popular? And is it just a trend, or part of a wider shift for British restaurants? Angus joined the podcast to discuss further, alongside restaurateur James Chiavarini, owner of Il Portico and La Palombe, both in Kensington. (23:46)

And finally: millennials, the brown furniture is on its way

The ‘great wealth transfer’ – the transfer of trillions in wealth from boomers to millennials – is oft-discussed, but Arabella Byrne argues this goes far beyond just money. Brown furniture, from desks to cabinets to mirrors, will be passed on as inheritance by boomers who downsize – and Arabella says this is ‘the abject symbol of generational misalignment’. Arabella joined the podcast to discuss further, alongside The Spectator’s economics editor Michael Simmons. (33:07)

Hosted by Lara Prendergast and William Moore.

Produced by Oscar Edmondson and Patrick Gibbons.

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Starmer’s war zone: the Prime Minister’s perilous position

This week, our new political editor Tim Shipman takes the helm and, in his cover piece, examines how Keir Starmer can no longer find political refuge in foreign affairs. After a period of globe-trotting in which the Prime Minister was dubbed ‘never-here Keir’, Starmer’s handling of international matters had largely been seen as a strength. But as tensions escalate in the Iran–Israel conflict, global events are beginning to create serious challenges. They threaten not only to derail the government’s economic plans but also to deepen divisions within the Labour party, particularly between the leadership and much of the parliamentary party. Tim joined the podcast alongside The Spectator US editor Freddy Gray. (02:08)

Next: is it a mistake to try and topple Iran’s Supreme Leader?

Justin Marozzi asks if we are seeing ‘an ominous mission creep in Israel’s blistering attack on Iran’. Donald Trump has been calling for the ‘UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER’ of Iran, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been directly addressing the Iranian people. The regime may be unpopular, but how realistic is the expectation of regime change? Marozzi joined the podcast alongside Michael Stephens, a Middle East expert at the defence and security thinktank Rusi. (19:07)

And finally: should we embrace feeling shame?

Stuart Jeffries reviews a new book by the French philosopher Frédéric Gros in the books section of the magazine this week. A Philosophy of Shame: A Revolutionary Emotion argues that shame should be embraced, rather than avoided. So, in an era of ‘cancel culture’ and public shaming – not to mention some of the shamelessness exhibited by social media influencers – can ‘shame’ be a good thing? Stuart joined the podcast to discuss. (34:31)

Hosted by William Moore and Lara Prendergast.

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OnlyFans is giving the Treasury what it wants – but should we be concerned?

‘OnlyFans,’ writes Louise Perry, ‘is the most profitable content subscription service in the world.’ Yet ‘the vast majority of its content creators make very little from it’. So why are around 4 per cent of young British women selling their wares on the site? ‘Imitating Bonnie Blue and Lily Phillips – currently locked in a competition to have sex with the most men in a day – isn’t pleasant.’ OnlyFans gives women ‘the sexual attention and money of hundreds and even thousands of men’. The result is ‘a cascade of depravity’ that Perry wouldn’t wish on her worst enemy.

In business terms, however, OnlyFans is a ‘staggering success’, according to economics editor Michael Simmons. ‘Britain’s sex industry brings in far more to the economy than politicians are comfortable admitting’; OnlyFans might just be Britain’s most profitable tech start-up. ‘If we are going to wage a moral war on porn,’ Simmons argues, ‘we should at least be honest about what we’re sacrificing.’ Louise and Michael joined the podcast to discuss further (1:21).

Next: could Xi Jinping’s time be up?

Historian Francis Pike writes about the unusual absence of China’s President Xi. China-watchers have detected some subtle differences from the norm in Chinese media, from fewer official references to Xi to changes in routine politburo meetings. So, could Xi Jinping be forced to step down? And if so, who is on manoeuvres and why?

Francis joined the podcast alongside former diplomat Kerry Brown, professor of China Studies at King’s College London (22:31).

And finally: is the era of the lonely hearts ad coming to an end?

Tony Whitehead provides his notes on lonely hearts columns this week, writing about how, 330 years after they first appeared in print in Britain, they may soon disappear. Francesca Beauman – who literally wrote the book on the subject, Shapely Ankle Preferr’d – and Mark Mason join the podcast to provide their favourite examples, from the serious to the humorous (35:13).

Hosted by William Moore and Lara Prendergast.

Produced by Patrick Gibbons.

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How Reform plans to win

Just a year ago, Nigel Farage ended his self-imposed exile from politics and returned to lead Reform. Since then, Reform have won more MPs than the Green Party, two new mayoralties, a parliamentary by-election, and numerous councils. Now the party leads in every poll and, as our deputy political editor James Heale reveals in our cover article, is already planning for government.

The party’s chair, tech entrepreneur Zia Yusuf, describes the movement as a ‘start-up’; and like a start-up, Reform is scaling up at speed. Among the 676 councillors elected last month, a number are considered more than ready to stand as MPs. James also interviewed Reform’s deputy leader, the MP Richard Tice, who said that the Reform movement cannot be thought of within the traditional left-right political spectrum.

James joined the podcast to discuss further; you can also hear an extract from his interview with Richard. (1:01)

Next: are young people turning to religion?

A recent survey by the UK’s Bible Society has found that over the past six years, Church attendance has risen by 50 per cent. There are signs that this is being driven by younger people – why are Gen Z turning to religion? A new book by Lamorna Ash, Don’t Forget We’re Here Forever: A New Generation’s Search For Religion, seeks to answer this question and is reviewed in the magazine this week by Rupert Shortt.

To unpack this potential Church revival, Rupert – the author of The Eclipse of Christianity and Why It Matters – joined the podcast, alongside Georgia Clarke, director of youth ministry at St Elizabeth of Portugal Roman Catholic Church in London. (21:25)

And finally: is experimental fiction truly novel?

Philip Hensher writes in the magazine this week about the modern trend of ‘experimental literature’. For Philip, not only do these novels have incredibly rigid rules, but they are far from ‘experimental’ as he feels many of their components aren’t truly new.

To discuss further, Philip – who has been writing his own history of the novel – joined the podcast, alongside Simon Okotie. Simon, author of The Future of the Novel, is also a judge for the Goldsmiths Prize, which awards a novel which ‘breaks the mould or extends the possibilities of the novel form’. (33:11)

Plus: extracts from Tanya Gold’s article on selling bathwater (17:54) and Madeline Grant’s on the decline of period dramas (19:35).

Hosted by William Moore and Lara Prendergast.

Produced by Patrick Gibbons.

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End of the rainbow: Pride’s fall

What ‘started half a century ago as an afternoon’s little march for lesbians and gay men’, argues Gareth Roberts, became ‘a jamboree not only of boring homosexuality’ but ‘anything else that its purveyors consider unconventional’. Yet now Reform-led councils are taking down Pride flags, Pride events are being cancelled due to lack of funds, and corporate sponsors are ‘withdrawing their cold tootsies from the rainbow sock’.

Has Pride suffered from conflation with ‘genderism’? Gareth joined the podcast to discuss, alongside diversity consultant Simon Fanshawe, one of the six original co-founders of Stonewall. (0:59)

Next: people are forgetting how to read

Philip Womack ‘can hear the rumblings of disaster, as if the foundations of western culture, eroded for decades, are teetering into collapse’. The reason? We are forgetting how to read. Today’s children ‘hardly read; their tech-blinded parents don’t care; their teachers don’t have the resources’.

American students participating in a study requiring them to parse the first paragraph of Bleak House ‘were unable to elicit a scintilla of sense’ from Charles Dickens’s prose. What or who is to blame? Philip joined the podcast to discuss. (23:29)

And finally: the social minefield of swimming pool season

Arabella Byrne writes in the magazine this week that while she has ‘always loved English swimming pools’, the arrival of the summer season always presents her ‘with an annual etiquette conundrum’. If you’re lucky enough to know one of the 200,000 Brits who have a private swimming pool, she asks: how acceptable is it - really - to ask to use a friend’s pool?

Arabella joined the podcast, alongside the Spectator’s very own Dear Mary, Mary Killen. (32:46)

Hosted by William Moore and Gus Carter.

Produced by Patrick Gibbons.

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The real Brexit betrayal: Starmer vs the workers‘This week Starmer fell… into the embrace of Ursula von der Leyen’ writes Michael Gove in our cover article this week. He writes that this week’s agreement with the EU perpetuates the failure to understand Brexit’s opportunities, and that Labour ‘doesn’t, or at least shouldn’t exist to make the lives of the fortunate more favourable’.

Michael makes the argument that ‘the real Brexit betrayal’ is Labour’s failure to understand how Brexit can protect British jobs and industries and save our manufacturing sector. Historian of the Labour Party Dr Richard Johnson, a politics lecturer at Queen Mary University writes an accompanying piece arguing that Labour ‘needs to learn to love Brexit’.

Richard joined the podcast to discuss further, alongside Conservative peer Dan Hannan. Both Brexiteers, they disagree over the approach the government should take and what tools it should be using. (1:02)

Next: the big appeal of bite-sized historyWhy are so many readers turning to short histories? The historian Alice Loxton writes in the magazine this week about the popularity of books with titles like ‘the shortest history of…’, ‘a brief history of…’ or ‘a little history of’. Some may argue these are designed to satisfy generations of distracted readers, but Alice defends them, saying ‘there is something liberating about how noncommittal they are’.

Should we embrace the ‘short history’? Alice, author of Eighteen: A History of Britain in 18 Young Lives, joined the podcast to discuss further alongside Professor Simon Heffer – himself the author of A Short History of Power. (24:40)

And finally: is being a bridesmaid ‘brutal’?A Northern Irish bride chose to have 95 bridesmaids when she married earlier this month. While it might be understandable to not want to choose between friends, Sophia Money-Coutts writes in the magazine this week that, once chosen, the reality of being a bridesmaid is brutal. Sophia joined the podcast to discuss further, alongside the journalist Francesca Peacock. (36:22)

Hosted by William Moore and Gus Carter.

Produced by Patrick Gibbons.Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.

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The great escape: why the rich are fleeing BritainKeir Starmer worries about who is coming into Britain but, our economics editor Michael Simmons writes in the magazine this week, he should have ‘sleepless nights’ thinking about those leaving. Since 2016, nearly 30,000 millionaires have left – ‘an outflow unmatched in the developed world’.

Tax changes have made Britain a ‘hostile environment’ for the wealthy, yet we are ‘dangerously dependent’ on our highest earners: the top 0.01 per cent pay 6 per cent of all income tax. If the exodus is ‘half as bad’ as those he has spoken to think, Simmons warns, a 2p hike to income tax looms.

Michael joined the podcast to discuss further, alongside private wealth specialist James Quarmby from advisory firm Stephenson Harwood. (1:04)

Next: Michael Gove interviews justice secretary Shabana Mahmood‘There’s a moment of reckoning to come’ Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood tells The Spectator’s editor Michael Gove in a wide-ranging interview in the magazine this week. Gove writes that he has a degree of sympathy for her, given he occupied her post for 15 months several years ago; ‘it’s the most glamorous and least attractive job in the cabinet’ he writes.

The interview touched on grooming gangs, AI and the oath she swore on the Quran. You can hear an extract from the interview on the podcast but, for the full interview, go to Spectator TV (16:08)

And finally: ‘pond terfs’ versus the ‘right on’Zoe Strimpel highlights a schism that has emerged over Hampstead ladies pond in the magazine this week: whether trans women should be allowed to swim in the ladies pond. The division, between older ‘pond terfs’, who are against their inclusion, and younger ‘right on’ women, has only widened following the Supreme Court ruling. Far from solving the issue, the fight has only intensified.

Zoe joined the podcast alongside Julie Bindel to discuss further. (27:48)

Hosted by Lara Prendergast and Gus Carter.

Produced by Oscar Edmondson and Patrick Gibbons.Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.

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Scuzz Nation: Britain’s slow and grubby decline
If you want to understand why voters flocked to Reform last week, Gus Carter says, look no further than Goat Man. In one ward in Runcorn, ‘residents found that no one would listen when a neighbour filled his derelict house with goats and burned the animals’ manure in his garden’. This embodies Scuzz Nation – a ‘grubbier and more unpleasant’ Britain, ‘where decay happens faster than repair, where crime largely goes unpunished, and where the social fabric has been slashed, graffitied and left by the side of the road’.

On the podcast, Gus speaks to Dr Lawrence Newport, founder of Crush Crime, to diagnose the issues facing Britain – and offer some solutions to stop the rot. (01:28)

Next: is it demeaning to study Dickens?
In the magazine this week, Philip Hensher reviews ‘Literature and Learning: A History of English Studies in Britain’ by Stefan Collini. Philip’s main gripe is that the history stops short of charting the threats posed to the study of English literature in the past fifty years. Accessible, ‘relevant’ short stories are increasingly replacing the classics, as the monuments of Victorian literature defeat today’s undergraduates.

So can English literature still teach us how to read deeply in an age of diminishing attention spans? Philip joins the podcast alongside Orlando Reade, author and assistant professor at Northeastern University London, where he teaches English and creative writing. (17:47)

And finally: are you a bad house guest?
In the magazine, Christa D’Souza bemoans terrible house guests. Set against the idyllic backdrop of her home in the Greek Cyclades, she gives an account of the trials and absurdities of hosting – from towel-hoarding Americans to the toddler-like breakfast habits of many grown adults.

She joins the podcast alongside our very own agony aunt, Mary Killen, to discuss further – and hopefully offer some advice on how better to deal with rude house guests. (29:04)

Hosted by Lara Prendergast and Gus Carter.

Produced by Oscar Edmondson.Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.

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This week: the left-wing radicalism of Garden CourtGarden Court Chambers has a ‘reassuringly traditional’ facade befitting the historic Lincoln’s Inn Fields in the heart of London’s legal district. Yet, writes Ross Clark in the cover article this week, ‘the facade is just that. For behind the pedimented Georgian windows there operates the most radically effective cell of left-wing activists in Britain’.

Ross argues that cases taken on by Garden Court lawyers raise questions of impartiality. Is this just another example of ‘law’s expanding empire’ over the domain of elected politicians, as former Supreme Court judge Jonathan Sumption has warned?

The Spectator’s editor, and former Justice Secretary, Michael Gove joined the podcast to discuss. (1:16)

Next: cultural desert‘From its gloopy green-filled chocolate to its soulless towers, Dubai is exerting a cultural influence over our capital’ writes Angus Colwell in the magazine this week. More and more young people might be moving to the city, but its influence is being exported back.

With around 250,000 Brits living in the Middle Eastern Emirate, why is Dubai so popular? Angus worries that we may lose some of the ‘pleasingly chaotic’ aesthetic of London to Dubai’s ‘artificial construction’. Angus joined the podcast alongside the writer Louise Perry. (13:43)

And finally: the enduring obsession with Princess DianaAlmost 30 years on from her death, why has a fascination with Princess Diana endured? Philip Hensher reviews Dianaworld: An Obsession, by Edward White, in the magazine this week which explores the effect that Diana had – and still has – on people around the world. Why did people feel such a connection to the late Princess of Wales?

Philip joined the podcast alongside royal commentator Angela Levin. Philip explains that a ‘passive victimhood’ has crept into society since Diana’s death while, for Angela, the public felt they ‘owned’ the Princess. (22:32)

Presented by William Moore and Lara Prendergast.

Produced by Patrick Gibbons.Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.

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This week: the many crises awaiting the next pope‘Francis was a charismatic pope loved by most of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics’ writes Damian Thompson in the cover article this week. But few of them ‘grasp the scale of the crisis in the Church… The next Vicar of Christ, liberal or conservative’ faces ‘challenges that dwarf those that confronted any incoming pope in living memory’.

Ahead of Pope Francis’s funeral this weekend, Damian joined the podcast alongside the Catholic theologian Fr Alexander Lucie-Smith to unpack all the political intrigue underpinning the upcoming papal conclave. They say that he who enters the conclave as a pope, leaves as a cardinal – do we have any clues to who could emerge as Francis’s successor?(1:01)

Next: the ghastliness of AI ghoulsThe late Lily Parr – a chain-smoking, 6ft, Lancastrian, lesbian pre-war footballer – has been resurrected via an AI avatar. All fun and games at first glance but, as Mary Wakefield writes in the magazine this week, what the AI’s creators have summoned is ‘a ghoul, a flimsy echo of Parr, infused with the spirit of Gen Z’, lacking the original’s character. Aside from the obvious issues, is this ethical, or even legal?

Mary worries that overworked and underpaid teachers could soon deploy AI to summon the spirit of Churchill or Shakespeare. How concerned should we be about AI creep? Mary joined the podcast to discuss. We thought who better to ask about AI than AI itself so ChatGPT’s latest AI model joined Mary to answer a few questions… (19:09)

And finally: long live long lunch!Kenton Allen writes in defence of the traditional business lunch in the magazine this week. And it should be two hours at a minimum. This isn’t a ‘long’ lunch, he says, but a ‘proper’ lunch. What does the decline of the work lunch tell us about society today? Kenton joined the podcast alongside the Spectator’s restaurant critic Tanya Gold. They say there was a serious purpose to a long lunch, something being lost today by the modern workforce. Plus, they share their restaurant tips for the best long lunch. (27:46)

Presented by William Moore and Lara Prendergast.

Produced by Patrick Gibbons and Oscar Edmondson.Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.

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This week: should the assisted dying bill be killed off?Six months after Kim Leadbeater MP launched the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, a group of Labour MPs have pronounced it ‘irredeemably flawed and not fit to become law’. They say the most basic aspects of the bill – having gone through its committee stage – do not hold up to scrutiny. Dan Hitchens agrees, writing in the magazine this week that ‘it’s hard to summarise the committee’s proceedings except with a kind of Homeric catalogue of rejected amendments’ accompanied by a ‘series of disconcerting public statements’.

With a third reading vote approaching, what could it tell us about the country we live in? Dan joins the podcast alongside the Revd Fergus Butler-Gallie, who provides the Spectator’s diary for the week. (1:34)

Next: where are all the rabbits?If you’ve noticed fewer rabbits across the countryside that might be due to a killer pandemic that has appeared on Britain’s shores. Henry Williams raises awareness in the magazine this week about Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease (RHD), which has a mortality rate of between 70 and 100% and has already left rabbits endangered in countries like Spain. The disease can kill suddenly and is particularly prolific within wild rabbits, which are less likely to be vaccinated than household pets. How concerned should we be? Henry joined the podcast to discuss. (20:56)

And finally: are creme eggs delicious – or disgusting?‘How do you eat yours?’ asks the famous Cadbury's advert for creme eggs. James Innes-Smith, writing his notes on creme eggs in the magazine this week, responds ‘stamping on them in disgust’. James might not be a fan but most of the British public are – over 220 million of them are sold in the UK each year. Even more astonishing given they’re only available to buy for a third of the year. Why are they loved so much? James joined the podcast alongside The Guardian’s Lucy Mangan, who makes the case for creme eggs. (27:09)

Presented by William Moore and Lara Prendergast.

Produced by Patrick Gibbons.Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.

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This week: Trump’s tariffs – madness or mastermind?‘Shock tactics’ is the headline of our cover article this week, as deputy editor Freddy Gray reflects on a week that has seen the US President upend the global economic order, with back and forth announcements on reciprocal and retaliatory tariffs. At the time of writing, a baseline 10% on imports stands – with higher tariffs remaining for China, Mexico and Canada.

The initial announcement last week had led to the biggest global market decline since the start of the pandemic, and left countries scrambling to react, whether through negotiation or retaliation. China announced a second wave of retaliatory tariffs – to 84% – and Trump, while softening his stance towards other countries, appeared to lean in to a trade war with China by announcing a further hike to 125%. As Freddy writes, for Trump and his supporters ‘China is America’s chief enemy.’ ‘President Trump just took a massive punch at Xi, right in the chops,’ said Steve Bannon. ‘The overlords of easy money, the sociopathic overlords that run Wall Street, the globalist corporatists and the apartheid state of Silicon Valley – all of them combined are the partners of the Chinese Communist party.’

But, as Freddy asks in the magazine, is there method in the madness? Freddy joined the podcast to discuss alongside the financial journalist and Spectator contributor Michael Lynn. (1:35)

Next: should cousin marriages be banned?Cousin marriage has been back in the news since the Conservative MP Richard Holden proposed banning the practice. Much of the debate has focused on the British Pakistani community where marriage between cousins is less taboo than other communities within the UK. But, as Iram Ramzan writes in the magazine this week, marriage between cousins has been legal in the UK stretching back to Henry VIII.

The dictator Saddam Hussein, the musician Jerry Lee Lewis and even the father of evolution Charles Darwin are surprising examples of people who married their first cousins. Iram writes that it was to her horror that her family suggested she marry her second cousin. To what extent is the law the right recourse to deter cousin marriage? And what are the cultural, ethical, as well as genetic, considerations?

Iram joined the podcast alongside Dominic Wilkinson, professor of medical ethics at the University of Oxford. (18:09)

And finally: restaurant thefts are rising – why?The Spectator’s food columnist Olivia Potts explores how restaurants are facing a rising problem of theft. Gordon Ramsay’s latest restaurant suffered a £2,000 loss in one week for example. from theft. And, as many as 17 million Britons say they have stolen from a pub or restaurant. Why do they do it? And why is restaurant theft a particular problem now? Liv joined us to discuss further, alongside an anonymous contributor who agreed to share their own experience of stealing from restaurants. (29:57)

Presented by William Moore and Lara Prendergast.

Produced by Patrick Gibbons and Oscar Edmondson.Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.

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This week: Starmerism’s moral vacuum
‘Governments need a mission, or they descend into reactive incoherence’ writes Michael Gove in this week’s cover piece. A Labour government, he argues, ‘cannot survive’ without a sense of purpose. The ‘failure of this government to make social justice its mission’ has led to a Spring Statement ‘that was at once hurried, incoherent and cruel – a fiscal drive-by shooting’.
Michael writes that Starmer wishes to emulate his hero – the post-war Prime Minister Clement Atlee, who founded the NHS and supported a fledgling NATO alliance. Yet, with policy driven by Treasury mandarins, the Labour project is in danger of drifting, as John Major’s premiership did. Starmerism’s policy vacuum is being filled so rapidly by HMT that we are embarking on an era of ‘cruel Labour’.
Michael joined the podcast to discuss further, alongside John McTernan, former private secretary to Tony Blair. (1:37)

Next: have the Church’s sacred spaces become community clubs?
From yoga classes to drag shows, and even a helter-skelter, the Revd Dr Jamie Franklin, host of the podcast Irreverend and author of The Great Return, writes in the magazine this week about what he argues is the ‘tragic misuse of its sacred spaces’ by the Church of England. This new reality may be symptomatic of a wider issue with the leadership of the Church, currently pondering its future. The journalist Quentin Letts provides his own manifesto for the next Archbishop of Canterbury in this week’s diary.
So do diverse uses of space broaden the Church’s appeal or does it run the risk of diluting its holiness? Quentin, whose new book NUNC! Is out now, joined the podcast alongside Jamie to discuss. (20:52)

And finally: is Clandon Park a visionary restoration or a catastrophic precedent?
Calvin Po addresses the ‘conundrum of conservation’ in the Arts lead for the magazine this week: how much of a building can be restored before it becomes a different building entirely?
Plans have moved forward for the 18th century Palladian mansion Clandon Park, managed by the National Trust, to be preserved in a half-charred form, following its gutting by fire in 2015. The Trust says this ‘approach combines careful conservation, scholarly restoration and sensitive contemporary design’. And The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB), founded by William Morris, has hailed the plans, arguing that a full restoration would amount to a ‘feeble and lifeless forgery’ and the ‘Clandon of the future will offer a markedly different visitor experience to that of the past, but one that will have its own interest’.
Calvin, however, worries that this sets a ‘catastrophic precedent’ for restorations of the future, and The Georgian Group actively opposed the Trust’s proposal, arguing that the building’s merit comes in its original design ‘not in burnt bricks’.
To discuss further we were joined by The Georgian Group’s director Dr Anya Lucas, and the architectural historian – and former Chair of SPAB – Gillian Darley. (35:17)

Presented by William Moore and Lara Prendergast.

Produced by Patrick Gibbons and Oscar Edmondson.Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.

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This week: welcome to the age of the strongman
‘The world’s most exclusive club… is growing,’ writes Paul Wood in this week’s Spectator. Membership is restricted to a very select few: presidents-for-life. Putin of Russia, Xi of China, Kim of North Korea and MBS of Saudi Arabia are being joined by Erdogan of Turkey – who is currently arresting his leading domestic political opponent – and Donald Trump, who ‘openly admires such autocrats and clearly wants to be one himself’. ‘This is the age of the strongman,’ Wood declares, ‘and the world is far more dangerous because of it.’

Despite their bombast, these ‘are often troubled characters’, products of difficult childhoods. But ‘the real danger’ lies in their ‘grandiose plans’ and ‘wish to secure their place in history by redrawing the map’ whether over Ukraine, Taiwan or even Greenland. What drives them, and how worried should we be? Paul joined the podcast alongside the Financial Times journalist, and author of The Age of the Strongman, Gideon Rachman. (1:01)

Next: Tesla owners, beware!Jonathan Miller writes in the magazine this week about the phenomenon of Tesla cars being defaced, damaged, and even set fire to. The brand’s association with its owner Elon Musk has made it an ‘accessible but indefensible’ target for activists. And, despite Musk’s role in the Trump administration, this issue isn’t confined to the US. Jonathan joined the podcast from his hamlet in the south of France to talk about how local Tesla-owners are preparing to fight back. A representative from the activist group Tesla Takedown did initially accept an invitation to join the podcast… (15:50)

And finally: are theatre matinees experiencing a revival?
Playwright Jonathan Maitland highlights the resurgent popularity of theatre matinees in the arts lead of the magazine. Matinees have a long history within theatre and now offer a greater convenience for diverse audiences in a post-pandemic age. Jonathan’s new play, Wilko: Love and Death and Rock n Roll, is a good example of this. At London’s Southwark Playhouse until the 19th April, they’ve put on extra matinee performances to cope with demand (a small number of tickets are still available).

Jonathan joined the podcast alongside Nica Burns, the theatre producer and co-owner of the Nimax Theatres group which runs six West End theatres including the Palace, the Apollo and the Garrick. (22:25)

Presented by William Moore and Lara Prendergast.

Produced by Patrick Gibbons.Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.

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This week: why is economic growth eluding Labour?‘Growing pains’ declares The Spectator’s cover image this week, as our political editor Katy Balls, our new economics editor Michael Simmons, and George Osborne’s former chief of staff Rupert Harrison analyse the fiscal problems facing the Chancellor.

‘Dominic Cummings may have left Whitehall,’ write Katy and Michael, ‘but his spirit lives on.’ ‘We are all Dom now,’ according to one government figure. Keir Starmer’s chief aide Morgan McSweeney has never met Cummings, but the pair share a diagnosis of Britain’s failing economy. Identifying a problem is not, however, the same as solving it. As Rachel Reeves prepares her Spring Statement, ministers are bracing themselves for cuts in day-to-day spending as the public finances deteriorate.

Is austerity back? Michael and Rupert joined the podcast to discuss further. (1:02)

Next: survival of the fittest vs seduction by the hottestBiologist and Conservative peer Matt Ridley writes about the concept of sexual selection in the magazine this week, explaining that evolution might not just be driven by survival of the fittest but also by section by the hottest. This, he says, would explain some of nature’s most colourful oddities, particularly within birds, as outlined in his new book Birds, Sex and Beauty. Charles Darwin proposed this as a later part of his evolutionary theory, but it caused a rift amongst his contemporaries – why is it a controversial concept? And could it be true for other species such as humans?

Matt joined the podcast alongside David Puts, Professor of Anthropology and Psychology at Penn State University. (19:13)

And finally: what makes historic murders so fascinating?Historian and author Hallie Rubenhold’s new book, Story of a Murder: The Wives, the Mistress and Dr Crippen, retells the famous murder case from the perspective of the women involved. Lisa Hilton declares it an ‘intellectual adventure’ in the lead book review in the magazine this week. But why do these cases continue to capture our imaginations, decades and even centuries later? And, whether as victims or as accomplices, what makes women such compelling subjects in historic cases like these?

Hallie joined the podcast alongside the historian and broadcaster Alice Loxton, author of Eighteen: A History of Britain in 18 Young Lives. (30:40)

Presented by William Moore and Lara Prendergast.

Produced by Patrick Gibbons.Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.

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This week: sectarian persecution returnsPaul Wood, Colin Freeman and Father Benedict Kiely write in the magazine this week about the religious persecution that minorities are facing across the world from Syria to the Congo. In Syria, there have been reports of massacres with hundreds of civilians from the Alawite Muslim minority targeted, in part because of their association with the fallen Assad regime. Reports suggest that the groups responsible are linked to the new Syrian president Ahmed al-Sharaa (formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani). For some, the true face of the country’s new masters has been revealed. Whether the guilty men are punished will tell us what kind of country Syria has become since the fall of Assad’s dictatorship.

Speaking to those on the ground, Wood reports of fathers who were shot in front of their families, victims made to howl like dogs as they crawled through piles of corpses, and of state security forces trying to prevent survivors from photographing or talking about what had happened.

But to what extent is al-Sharaa responsible? And could other minorities, like the Syrian Christian minority – one of the oldest in the world, be next? Paul and Fr Benedict joined the podcast to discuss. (1:02)

Next: this century’s ‘unstoppable process of language extinction’There are around 7,000 languages currently spoken across the world, but by the end of the century only 500 are expected to survive. Thus, documenting endangered languages has never been so important and this is the starting point of Lorna Gibb’s new book, Rare Tongues: The Secret Stories of Hidden Languages, reviewed by Harry Ritchie in the books section of the magazine this week. What are some examples of the languages facing extinction? And should we accept this as an inevitable cultural rise and fall, or should we be working to combat this?

Harry joined the podcast alongside Dr Oliver Mayeux, a sociolinguist at Cambridge, who also speaks Louisiana creole – a language spoken by fewer that 10,000 people. With special thanks to the Endangered Language Alliance, for allowing us to use a clip of the Garifuna language, who are working to document and preserve languages facing extinction across the world. (18:06)

And finally: what is ‘Boom Boom’, Gen Z’s favourite aesthetic trend?Out are boring converse and dirty t-shirts beloved by millennial tech bros and in are high-fashion double-breasted suits and loafers, or so says Arabella Byrne who writes about the aesthetic trend defining Gen Z. American trend analyst Sean Monahan – who also coined 2013’s ‘normcore’ – coined the term ‘Boom Boom’ to encapsulate the look and feel of the trend. Think 1980s yuppies updated for 2025 – so why exactly is it popular, and what does it tell us about today’s twentysomethings? Arabella and Sean joined the podcast to discuss. (27:50)

Plus: Matthew Parris, Stephen Fry, Rory Sutherland, Rachel Johnson, Philip Hensher, Sean Thomas and Petronella Wyatt reveal the worst insults they ever received from a teacher. (13:59)

Presented by William Moore and Lara Prendergast.

Produced by Patrick Gibbons.Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.

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This week: the carve-up of Ukraine’s natural resources

From the success of Keir Starmer’s visit to Washington to the squabbling we saw in the Oval Office and the breakdown of security guarantees for Ukraine – we have seen the good, the bad and the ugly of geopolitics in the last week, say Niall Ferguson and Nicholas Kulish in this week’s cover piece. They argue that what Donald Trump is really concerned with when it comes to Ukraine is rare earth minerals – which Ukraine has in abundance under its soil. The conventional wisdom is that the US is desperately short of these crucial minerals and, as Niall and Nicholas point out, the dealmaking president is driven by a nagging sense of inferiority in comparison to rare earth minerals powerhouse China. Niall and Nicholas joined the podcast to talk further. (02:19)

Next: why are women having caesareans being offered sterilisation?
During a routine antenatal appointment, Flora Watkins was blindsided by the opening gambit from her obstetrician: ‘Why don’t we tie your tubes when we’ve got the baby out?’ The doctor wouldn’t drop it, despite Flora’s objections, insisting it was ‘a very simple procedure’. Flora speaks to other women who were traumatised by these unsolicited offers and confused about why they had been targeted. Most felt it was a judgment on the number of children they ‘should’ have. Only one woman had been given a medical reason. Flora joined the podcast to discuss this further, alongside Dr Janet Barter, president of the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare, which advises women on contraception. (18:50)
And finally: when is poetry so bad that it becomes good?

Sam Leith, The Spectator’s literary editor, celebrates William McGonagall in the magazine – the man affectionately considered the worst poet in history. McGonagall was, as Sam says, an ‘anti-genius’ who (in light of the Tay Bridge Disaster) concocted such memorable stanzas as:

Beautiful Railway Bridge of the Silv’ry Tay!
Alas! I am very sorry to say
That ninety lives have been taken away
On the last Sabbath day of 1879,
Which will be remember’d for a very long time.
But Sam argues that there is joy to be found in bad poetry. To discuss good poetry, bad poetry and the very fine line between them, Sam Leith joined the podcast alongside one of the more successful Dundonian poets, Don Paterson. (33:08)

Hosted by William Moore and Lara Prendergast.

Produced by Oscar Edmondson.Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.

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This week: Nigel’s gang – Reform’s plan for power.
Look at any opinion survey or poll, and it’s clear that Reform is hard to dismiss, write Katy Balls and James Heale. Yet surprisingly little is known about the main players behind the scenes who make up Nigel Farage’s new gang. There are ‘the lifers’ – Dan Jukes and ‘Posh George’ Cottrell. Then there are the Tory defectors, trained by Richard Murphy, a valued CCHQ veteran, who is described as a ‘secret weapon’. The most curious new additions are the Gen Zers, who include Tucker Carlson’s nephew, Charles Carlson, and Jack Anderton, known as ‘the Matrix’. Katy and James joined the podcast to lift the lid on Nigel Farage’s inner circle. (02:14)
Next: is technology a help or hindrance when it comes to missing people?
While smartphones are no doubt useful in emergency situations, they create the expectation that you will always be in touch – when sometimes, of course, you can’t be. But what happens when technology fails? Ross Clark tells the hilarious story of how he mistakenly became a ‘missing person’ after his phone died while hiking in Scotland. Ross joins the podcast to unpack the lessons from his day getting the full Lord Lucan treatment, alongside journalist and political correspondent for GB News Katherine Forster. Katherine’s sons, who used smartphones to track a hiking route, went missing last year in Bali when their phones died and they were unable to contact anyone. (17:33)

And finally: how do you make Bond great again?
James Bond seems to have lost his way. Gone is the charm, wit and romp of the original Connery and Moore Bonds, replaced by a grittier, more vengeful Bond with bloated plotlines that are far too referential. Amazon – which took full ‘creative control’ of the franchise this week – faces quite the task in rebooting the world’s most famous spy once again. Journalist Madeline Grant gives her prescription in the magazine on how to save Bond, but we are joined on the podcast by William Boyd, who is part of an elite class of authors to have written their own James Bond novels. (28:29)

Hosted by William Moore and Lara Prendergast.

Produced by Oscar Edmondson and Patrick Gibbons.Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.

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This week: the world needs a realist resetDonald Trump’s presidency is the harbinger of many things, writes The Spectator’s editor Michael Gove, one of which is a return to a more pitiless world landscape. The ideal of a rules-based international order has proved to be a false hope. Britain must accept that if we are to earn the respect of others and the right to determine the future, we need a realist reset. What are the consequences of this new world order? And is the Trump administration reversing the tide of decline, or simply refusing to accept the inevitable?

Michael Gove joined the podcast alongside the geopolitical theorist Robert Kaplan, author of the new book Waste Land: A World in Permanent Crisis. Robert argues that the true understanding of realism has been corrupted, and that democracy ‘can easily become the tyranny of the majority’. (1:06)

Next: when does healthy scepticism over cholesterol become pseudoscience?With ‘sky-high’ cholesterol, the journalist Paul Wood has gone down an internet rabbit-hole to improve his heart health. He declares ‘I was convinced by the cholesterol sceptics’. There was once a time when it felt like the front pages of newspapers had a story raising doubts about statins – a type of medication to control cholesterol – every week. Now, the internet is full of medical misinformation around high cholesterol, an issue that will affect over half of Britons. So, what is the truth behind cholesterol? And when does healthy scepticism tip over into pseudoscience? Paul joined the podcast alongside the cardiologist Dr Christopher Labos, author of Does coffee cause cancer? (25:24)

And finally: with a love of magic, is it any wonder Dickens could conjure up worlds full of surprises?When people hear ‘the magic of Charles Dickens’ they undoubtedly think about the words - and the worlds - he created. Yet, many won’t realise that the great writer had a love of showmanship and stage magic himself. Peter Conrad says that Dickens could have even been an actor. What makes Dickens’s worlds so compelling? And how did his love of stagecraft influence his writing? Peter has authored a new book on the subject, Dickens the Enchanter: Inside the Explosive Imagination of the Great Storyteller, and joins the podcast. (37:10)

Presented by William Moore and Lara Prendergast.

Produced by Patrick Gibbons.Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.

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This week: The Spectator launches SPAFFThe civil service does one thing right, writes The Spectator’s data editor Michael Simmons: spaffing money away. The advent of Elon Musk’s DOGE in the US has inspired The Spectator to launch our own war on wasteful spending – the Spectator Project Against Frivolous Funding, or SPAFF. Examples of waste range from the comic to the tragic. The Department for Work and Pensions, Michael writes, ‘bought one Universal Credit claimant a £1,500 e-bike after he persuaded his MP it would help him find self-employment’. There’s money for a group trying to ‘decolonise’ pole dancing; for a ‘socially engaged’ practitioner to make a film about someone else getting an MBE; and for subscriptions to LinkedIn. Lord Agnew, who used to hold the ‘Pythonesque’ title of ‘minister of state for efficiency and transformation’, backs The Spectator’s new SPAFF campaign and says total reform is the only option. Michael and Theo joined the podcast to discuss. (1:04)

Next: is surrogacy a blessing or a sham?Debates about surrogacy have raged again following the announcement that the actress Lily Collins has had a baby via surrogate. Mary Wakefield says that there is a ‘sadness’ behind surrogacy, and that babies could be affected by being separated from their birth mother. Surrogacy is illegal in many countries, such as Spain and Italy, and Mary worries about potential legal changes that would make it easier to pursue here in the UK. So, is surrogacy a lifeline for many couples looking to conceive, or is it a practice that we should be more concerned about? Mary joined the podcast to discuss alongside Sunshine Hanson. Sunshine is the president and co-founder of the US-based surrogacy agency Surrogacy Is, and has also been a gestational surrogate three times. (16:26)

And finally: is smoking sexy again?Flora Watkins revels at the news that Generation Z are shedding their vapes and taking up ‘real’ smoking, saying that everyone looks ‘hotter with a fag in their mouth’. Disregarding familial disapproval, Flora says that smoking makes her feel cool, young and attractive. Does this mean that smoking is sexy again? And why is smoking proving more popular with younger generations? It appears that the proposed smoking ban, proposed by both the Conservatives and now Labour, is having the opposite effect. Flora joined the podcast - with a cigarette in hand - to discuss, alongside the writer Zak Asgard. (29:35)

Presented by Lara Prendergast and William Moore.

Produced by Patrick Gibbons.Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.

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This week: Morgan McSweeney, the insurgent behind Keir Starmer’s premiershipAs a man with the instincts of an insurgent, Morgan McSweeney, Keir Starmer’s chief of staff, has found Labour’s first six months in office a frustrating time, writes The Spectator’s editor Michael Gove. ‘Many of his insights – those that made Labour electable – appeared to have been overlooked by the very ministers he propelled into power.’ McSweeney is trying to wrench the government away from complacent incumbency: there is a new emphasis on growth, a tougher line on borders, an impatience with establishment excuses for inertia. Will McSweeney win his battle? And what does this mean for figures in Starmer’s government, like Richard Hermer and Ed Miliband? Michael joined the podcast alongside Starmer’s biographer Tom Baldwin. (1:04)

Next: can the AfD be stopped?Lisa Haseldine writes about an earthquake that hit German politics last week; the much feted ‘firewall’ – the agreement by mainstream political parties not to work with the far-right – appeared to fall. Freidrich Merz, tipped to be Chancellor after the upcoming German elections, relied upon the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) for two votes on immigration. Cue protests and denouncements; Merz’s most high-profile predecessor as CDU leader, Angela Merkel, even made a rare, political intervention to denounce the decision. Has the vote helped or hindered Merz? And has the German firewall fallen permanently? Lisa joined the podcast alongside Elisabeth Dampier. Elisabeth has interviewed the controversial AfD MEP Maximilian Krah for the magazine and writes about the man who calls himself ‘the German Donald Trump’. (21:02)

And finally: the curious life of an obituary writerMark Mason provides his notes on obituaries for the magazine this week, stating that ‘there’s nothing as inspiring or instructive or entertaining about reading a few hundred words about someone’s time on his planet’. What’s the process behind putting an obituary together? The Times' longest serving obituary writer Damian Arnold once said, ‘The first thing I do when I wake up in the morning is check to see who's dead.’ Mark and Damian joined the podcast to discuss who makes for the best obituary, if there is joy to be found in celebrating death, and whether they’ve ever published an obituary of someone who isn’t actually dead… (33:48)

Presented by Lara Prendergast and William Moore.

Produced by Patrick Gibbons.Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.

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This week: why don’t we know how many people are in Britain?How many people live in the UK? It’s a straightforward question, yet the answer eludes some of the nation’s brightest statistical minds, writes Sam Bidwell for the cover this week. Whenever official figures are tested against real-world data, the population is almost always undercounted. For example, in England alone, nearly 64 million patients are registered with GP practices – higher than the Office for National Statistics (ONS)'s estimated population of 58 million. Sam argues there are serious consequences for our society at large, including for tax, housing and our utilities. Who is to blame for this data deficiency? And why is Britain so bad at tackling illegal migration? Sam joined the podcast alongside the broadcaster Trevor Phillips. (1:03)

Next: has gender ideology taken over the press regulator?Two months ago, the press regulator Ipso upheld a complaint against The Spectator for the way in which writer Gareth Roberts referred to transgender author Juno Dawson. One person who wasn’t surprised by the ruling was Conrad Roeber, who was lead author of a report for the regulator examining how the press treats trans-related issues. In the magazine this week, he argues: ‘It effectively asked me to mark its homework,’ and he worries that the case demonstrates that a contentious ideology has taken over the regulator. What does this case mean for the intersection of equality, free speech and a free press? Conrad joined us to discuss, alongside The Spectator’s editor Michael Gove. (21:35)

And finally: trad dads vs female breadwinnersArabella Byrne argues in favour of ‘trad dads’, saying that she is quite happy with her traditional family life with her husband as the main breadwinner. Her piece was (in part) a response to an article by Theo Hobson, published in The Spectator several weeks ago, where he shared his conflicting feelings about his wife being the main earner in his family. How much have societal norms really changed? What impact is there on a spouse who isn’t the breadwinner? And for all the talk of gender parity professionally, can it ever truly be achieved in the familial home? Both Arabella and Theo joined us to discuss. (36:00)

Hosted by Lara Prendergast and William Moore.

Produced by Patrick Gibbons.Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.

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This week: the death of British industryIn the cover piece for the magazine, Matthew Lynn argues that Britain is in danger of entering a ‘zero-industrial society’. The country that gave the world the Industrial Revolution has presided over a steep decline in British manufacturing. He argues there are serious consequences: foreign ownership, poorer societies, a lack of innovation, and even national security concerns. Why has this happened? Who is to blame? And could Labour turn it around? Matthew joined the podcast, alongside the head of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), Paul Nowak. (1:05)

Next: the Pope takes on President TrumpThe Pope has nominated Cardinal Robert McElroy to be the new Archbishop of Washington. Damian Thompson writes that on the face of it, this might sound like a routine appointment, but the reality is that this is retaliation against the Trump administration. for the nomination of an arch-MAGA loyalist, and uncompromising Catholic, as the new ambassador to the Holy See. Subsequently, the Vatican has appointed an outspoken liberal. What does this tell us about the power of both the Papacy and the President? And how much sway does the Catholic hierarchy really have in Trump’s America? Damian joined us to reveal more, alongside our deputy editor Freddy Gray, who has been in D.C. for Trump’s inauguration. (19:02)

And finally: what are sex parties really like?Far from being a sexy affair, sex parties are depressing, with most attendees leaving unfulfilled and rather disappointed, writes James Innes-Smith. He says that he spent more time in the kitchen at a recent party than in the bedroom. So, what makes them appealing in the first place? Are people looking for connection in all the wrong places? James joined the podcast alongside Sophia Money-Coutts, who has written about the subject for Tatler magazine. (30:35)

Hosted by Lara Prendergast and William Moore.

Produced by Patrick Gibbons and Oscar Edmondson.Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.

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This week: President Trump’s plan to Make America Greater
In the cover piece for the magazine, our deputy editor and host of the Americano podcast, Freddy Gray, delves into Trump’s plans. He speaks to insiders, including Steve Bannon, about the President’s ambitions for empire-building. Could he really take over Canada, Greenland and the Panama Canal? And if not, what is he really hoping to achieve? Academic and long-time friend of J.D. Vance, James Orr, also writes in the magazine this week about how the vice president-elect could be an even more effective standard-bearer for the MAGA movement. Freddy and James joined the podcast, just before Freddy heads off to cover Trump’s inauguration. (1:00)

Next: the child-free influencers waging war on motherhood
Kara Kennedy also writes in the magazine about the popularity of social media influencers advocating child-free lives. It’s well documented that more and more young people are choosing not to have children. However, while some might think this is about championing different lifestyles, Kara writes that many of these influencers are, in fact, shaming those who choose to have children. What motivates them? Kara joined the podcast alongside Brittany Brantley, an influencer who started out in the child-free community, before choosing to have a child. (16:58)

And finally: can fact-checking ever be objective?
Following the news that Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta will reduce its fact-checking service, Matt Ridley examines the world of fact-checking and declares the practice ‘corrupted’. Matt argues that fact-checking is riddled with bias – can it ever be objective? Matt joined the podcast alongside The Spectator’s very own fact-checking team, Sam McPhail and Michael Simmons – who get a positive mention in Matt’s piece. They lift the lid on how the magazine approaches fact-checking. (26:58)

Hosted by Lara Prendergast and William Moore.

Produced by Patrick Gibbons and Oscar Edmondson.Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.

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This week: what does justice look like for the victims of the grooming gangs?
In the cover piece for the magazine, Douglas Murray writes about the conspiracy of silence on the grooming gangs and offers his view on what justice should look like for the perpetrators. He also encourages the government to take a step back and consider its own failings. He writes: ‘If any government or political party wants to do something about the scandal, they will need to stop reviewing and start acting. Where to begin? One good starting point would be to work out why Pakistani rapists in Britain seem to have more rights than their victims.’ To unpack his piece in a little more detail, we were joined by journalist Julie Bindel, who has been reporting on the grooming gangs for almost 20 years. (03:20)

Next: ‘Why I’m voting for the AfD’
In the magazine, Elisabeth Dampier explains why she will be voting for Germany’s AfD party – Alternative for Deutschland. Support for the hard-right AfD party grew dramatically in 2024 and is often used as an example of a broader trend of support for right-wing politics in the West. But is the key to their success as simple as an unpopular incumbent government and the salience of immigration? And how do they deal with constant comparisons to National Socialism? To discuss, we were joined by Elisabeth and German historian and journalist Katja Hoyer. (17:09)

And finally: Help! I’m addicted to videos of plane crashes
Damian Thompson writes an excellent guest Life column this week on his latest obsession: binge-watching aeroplane crash videos on YouTube. Now, this does sound a little bit morbid but – as he explains – it’s actually very educational, especially when you are being talked through the intricacies of air accidents by Petter Hörnfeldt, who runs the Mentour Pilot YouTube channel. We thought it would be fun to get Damian in conversation with his new hero, Petter. (29:46)

Hosted by Lara Prendergast and William Moore.

Produced by Oscar Edmondson.Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.

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This week: the fight for the future of the right
From Milei in Argentina to Trump in the US, Meloni in Italy to the rise of the AfD in Germany, the world appears to be turning to the right, say James Kanagasooriam and Patrick Flynn. One country, however, seems to be the exception to this rule: our own. Britain under Keir Starmer appears to be putting on a revival of the old classic Socialism in One Country. However, beyond Westminster, the data show that Britain is not moving to the left in line with its government. While the Conservatives and Reform are locked in a near-constant struggle for supremacy, polling shows that the public are moving to the right. Both parties can pitch for the socially conservative vote, but it is on the economy that Britain’s battle for the right becomes interesting. James and Patrick joined the podcast earlier this week to unpack their cover piece.

Next: Jordan Peterson on faith, family and conservatism
In the magazine this week, our editor Michael Gove interviews Canadian psychologist and commentator Professor Jordan Peterson. His latest book, We Who Wrestle with God, explores the psychological significance of Bible stories. He spoke to Michael about supernatural relationships, the folly of Conservatives and the future of Europe. You can hear an extract from that interview on the podcast, but the full interview is available on The Spectator’s YouTube channel, Spectator TV.

And finally: the dangers of over-diagnosing ADHD
‘Just a decade or so ago I rarely saw anyone in a clinic with “attention deficit hyperactivity disorder”,’ writes Max Pemberton, a consultant psychiatrist, in The Spectator this week. Now, he says, he sees at least one case a day. Have all these people simply been undiagnosed for years? To what extent are we medicalising normal everyday issues, difficulties and problems? To discuss, Max joined the podcast alongside Mary Wakelfield, The Spectator’s commissioning editor, who has had her own run-in with the adult ADHD trap.

Presented by Lara Prendergast and William Moore.

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This week is a special episode of the podcast where we are looking back on some of our favourite pieces from the magazine over the past year and revisiting some of the conversations we had around them.

First up: the Starmer supremacyLet’s start with undoubtedly the biggest news of the year: Starmer’s supermajority and the first Labour government in 14 years. In April, we spoke to Katy Balls and Harriet Harman about just what a supermajority could mean for Keir Starmer. Listening back, it’s an incredibly interesting discussion to revisit. The aim of Katy’s piece was to communicate the internal problems that could arise from such a sweeping victory and, crucially, how Starmer might manage a historic cohort of backbenchers. One MP who knows about adjusting to life in government after a supermajority is Harriet Harman, former leader of the Labour party and a member of Tony Blair’s first cabinet. (01:51)

Reflections from the editor’s chair
The change in No. 10 Downing Street is, of course, not the only notable shake-up in Westminster this year. Fraser Nelson stepped down as editor of The Spectator in September after 15 years of wielding the editor’s pen, with 784 issues to his name. We sat down with him on his final day in the office to reflect on his time at 22 Old Queen Street. (08:31)

Do historians talk down to children?
In June, Mary Wakefield dedicated her column to this very question. She wrote about her experience trying to find engaging and challenging history books for her 8-year-old and compared the dumbed-down, one-dimensional version of history portrayed in modern children’s books with the classic Ladybird books of the 1960s. She joined the podcast to discuss this with Dominic Sandbrook, author of the Adventures in Time children’s book series and host of The Rest is History podcast. (17:18)

Are ultra-processed foods really so bad?
On The Edition podcast, we enjoy a fiery debate, and none was more heated than our discussion on ultra-processed foods. This debate, between columnist Matthew Parris and Christoffer van Tulleken, associate professor at UCL and author of the bestselling book Ultra-Processed People, took place in May. It was sparked by Matthew’s column on the myths surrounding ultra-processed foods—foods engineered to be hyper-palatable and typically containing preservatives, emulsifiers, sweeteners, artificial colours, flavours, and so on. Such additives are widely considered detrimental to our health. Matthew says we shouldn’t be worried, but we’ll let you decide. (29:10)

By whose values should we judge the past?
On the podcast, we showcase articles from across the magazine—from the front half to the life pages, to books and arts. One of the most intriguing books of the year was Joan Smith’s Unfortunately, she was a nymphomaniac: A New History of Rome’s Imperial Women. An eye-catching title that is ‘as thought-provoking as it is provocative’, as Daisy Dunn wrote in October. Many popular historians are singled out for their analysis of women in ancient Rome, including Professor Dame Mary Beard. In the interest of granting a right of reply, we invited Mary onto the podcast to discuss the merit of judging history by today’s standards. (49:40)

And finally: the politics of the breakfast buffet
We thought we would leave you with one of the most prescient discussions we had on the podcast this year: the politics of the hotel breakfast buffet. Is it ethical to pocket a sandwich at a hotel breakfast buffet? Laurie Graham explored that question in the magazine back in September. Specifically, she revealed the very British habit of swiping food from free breakfasts to save for lunch later in the day. Laurie joined us alongside Mark Jenkins, a former hotel manager in Torquay, whom listeners may remember from the Channel 4 documentary The Hotel. (01:04:04)

Hosted by William Moore and Lara Prendergast.

Produced by Oscar Edmondson and Patrick Gibbons. Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.

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Welcome to a special festive episode of The Edition podcast, where we will be taking you through the pages of The Spectator’s Christmas triple issue.

Up first: our review of the year – and what a year it has been. At the start of 2024, the outcome of the US election looked very different, the UK had a different Prime Minister, and The Spectator had a different editor! Luckily, The Spectator’s regular columnists are on hand to declare what they got right – and wrong – throughout the year, and whether they’re optimistic for 2025. Rod Liddle, Matthew Parris, Mary Wakefield and Lionel Shriver take us through everything from Trump to trans (03:24).

Next: ‘Good riddance 2024’ – in his own alternative review of the year, Roger Lewis declares 2024 one to forget. The actor Robert Bathurst voices a special out-loud version of the article, taking us through the year in Roger’s typically acerbic style (28:37).

Then: the unsung heroes at Christmas time. While most of the country will be sitting down to Christmas dinner, hundreds of people will face an atypical day, not least of all those deployed on the Royal Navy's Continuous At Sea Deterrent mission. Journalist Ali Kefford takes us through the relentless schedule of Royal Navy submariners in the Christmas issue, and explores the strangely isolating but oddly communal experience of Christmas at sea, where the traditions of land meet the peculiarities of life under the water. To explain what it’s really like, Ali joins the podcast alongside naval officer Alex Kubara (42:56).

And finally: the prescient politics of Tintin. Few characters have captured the spirit of adventure quite like Tintin, the intrepid boy reporter with a knack for stumbling into international intrigue. From the deserts of Arabia to the jungles of South America – and even to the moon – Tintin has been a global icon of curiosity and courage for nearly a century. In the Christmas magazine former foreign correspondent and ‘Tintinologist’ Michael Farr celebrates the genius of the Belgian reporter and how politics was never far from Hergé’s agenda. To take us through a history of Tintin, and to understand its appeal and influence, we're joined by Michael and another author who took inspiration from the character, Anthony Horowitz (52:18).

Throughout the podcast, you will also hear from The Spectator’s agony aunt Dear Mary, and the special celebrity guests who have sought her advice in this year’s Christmas magazine, including Jacob Rees-Mogg (27:07), James MacMillan (50:51) and Sophie Winkleman (1:09:49).

Hosted by William Moore and Lara Prendergast.

Produced by Oscar Edmondson and Patrick Gibbons.Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.

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This week: are we drowning in a sea of twee?
Gareth Roberts writes the cover article this week, arguing against what he sees as the hideous triviality of our times. ‘The British have lost their aversion to glutinous sentimentality,’ he declares. How did we get here, and who are the worst offenders? Gareth argues that the triumph of twee has left us unable to face serious things with seriousness. Could there be sinister consequences if we don’t take this more seriously? Gareth joined the podcast to make his case, alongside Josh Cohen, psychoanalyst and author of All The Rage (00:49).

Then: was Graham Brady the ‘kingmaker’ or the ‘kingslayer’ of the past Tory era?
The shadow cabinet member and Conservative M.P. Alex Burghart has reviewed Graham Brady’s new book Kingmaker: Secrets, Lies and the Truth about Five Prime Ministers in the books section of the magazine this week. Looking back on his time as chair of the influential 1922 Committee, Graham provides his reflections on what has been an historic, and often turbulent, period in British politics. Having now taken a seat in the Lords, Graham joins the podcast with The Spectator’s political editor, Katy Balls, to reveal what he really thought about that time in office and what his advice to his successor would be (16:07).

And finally: are pigs in blankets the best Christmas food?
It would seem so, according to The Spectator’s data editor Michael Simmons, who provides his notes on the festive treat in the magazine this week. His only gripe, as a proud Scot, is that they should really be called ‘kilted sausages’. He reveals that Brits are expected to eat a whopping 668 million of them over the Christmas season. Why are they so good, and how can you elevate your Christmas meal over the coming season? Michael joins the podcast alongside Martyn Lee, head of product at Yeo Valley and the former executive chef of Waitrose and Tesco. Plus, a guest appearance of pigs in blankets from The Spectator’s local pub, The Two Chairmen – will they pass Michael’s taste test? (26:58).

Hosted by William Moore and Lara Prendergast.

Produced by Patrick Gibbons, Oscar Edmondson, and Cindy Yu.Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.

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This week: SAS SOS

The enemy that most concerns Britain’s elite military unit isn’t the IRA, the Taliban or Isis, but a phalanx of lawyers armed with the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), writes Paul Wood in The Spectator. Many SAS soldiers now believe that if they kill a terrorist during an operation, they’ll spend decades being hounded through the courts. Paul speaks to former SAS soldiers who say that stories of men being ‘dragged back to be screamed at in interview rooms’ are ‘flying around the canteens now’. Soldiers feel like ‘the good guys have become the bad guys – and the bad guys are now the good guys’. This is hurting morale and may eventually hit recruitment. Paul joins the podcast to discuss further, alongside Colonel Richard Williams, a former SAS commanding officer in Iraq and Afghanistan. (01:36)

Then: how much more punishment can Ukrainian city Odesa take?
The Black Sea port of Odesa occupies a unique role in Ukrainian – and Soviet – history. Added significance has been thrust on it by the Russian invasion: both symbolically, as well as practically, given how central it is to grain exports. But while war weariness sets in for Ukrainians – and their allies – the battle for Odesa is ever more crucial; further deadly aerial attacks took place only days ago. In the magazine this week, journalist Peter Pomerantsev reviews a new book looking at the port city by Julian Evans. Undefeatable: Odesa in Love and War is part-history book, part-memoir exploring many of the human stories that make up the city. How has the conflict changed the people of Odesa? And for Ukrainians who grew up consuming Russian-speaking media and culture, did the war challenge their identity? Peter joins the podcast alongside the author of the Spectator’s Ukraine newsletter, Svitlana Morenets. (18:24)

And finally: do we secretly love a good film flop?
‘I’ve fallen out of love with cinemas,’ declares long-standing (or should that be long-suffering?) film critic Chris Tookey in the magazine this week. He argues the experience isn’t as good, and Hollywood is partly to blame. Perhaps films are getting worse? Some people love a good film flop though – the big-budget blockbuster disasters. Fellow film critic Tim Robey is one such person, and he explores his love of Hollywood flops in his new book Box Office Poison, out now. But how has the experience of cinema changed? And what’s the worst film they’ve ever seen? Tim and Chris join the podcast. (32:58)

Hosted by William Moore and Lara Prendergast.

Produced by Oscar Edmondson and Patrick Gibbons.Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.

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This week: Wild Wes.
Ahead of next week’s vote on whether to legalise assisted dying, Health Secretary Wes Streeting is causing trouble for Keir Starmer, writes Katy Balls in the magazine this week. Starmer has been clear that he doesn’t want government ministers to be too outspoken on the issue ahead of a free vote in Parliament. But Streeting’s opposition is well-known. How much of a headache is this for Starmer? And does this speak to wider ambitions that Wes might have?

Katy joins the podcast to discuss, alongside Labour MP Steve Race. Steve explains why he plans to vote in favour of the change in the law next week (00:57).

Then: how concerned should we be about medical misinformation?
President-elect Donald Trump has announced vaccine sceptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as his pick for Secretary of Health and Human Services in the US. In the magazine this week, Matt Ridley explains that it’s not the man himself that’s as interesting, as the reasons how he has ended up in such a position: scientific misinformation has fuelled his rise. So how concerned should we be about medical misinformation? Firstly, Matt joined the podcast to explain his thesis and why reactions to the covid pandemic are to blame (16:24).

Later, Sander van der Linden, professor of social psychology at the University of Cambridge, also joins the podcast to discuss his concerns and how susceptible we are here in Britain to misinformation (23:46).

And finally: did you know that crude graffiti has a storied history?
Harry Mount examines the notorious penis gang that has appeared in Dulwich, daubing penises across trees. Whatever you think of such graffiti, scribbling phalluses, and even erotic art, are actually as old as time – from ancient Rome to India. What’s the line between graffiti and erotic art? And should Westerners be less prudish when confronted with these images? Harry joins the podcast alongside academic, and author of Pha(bu)llus: A Cultural History, Dr Alka Pande (30:50).

Hosted by William Moore and Lara Prendergast.

Produced by Patrick Gibbons.Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.

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This week: welcome to Planet Elon.

We knew that he would likely be a big part of Donald Trump’s second term, so it was unsurprising when this week Elon Musk was named – alongside entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy – as a co-leader of the new US Department of Government Efficiency, which will look at federal government waste. When Musk took over Twitter, he fired swathes of employees whose work was actively harming the company, so he’s in a perfect position to turn his sights on the bloated federal government. It is, writes Douglas Murray, a once-in-a-generation opportunity to strip a whole layer of rot from the body politic. But can he translate his success in the private sector to the public sector? James Ball, political editor of The New European, and Bridget Phetasy, Spectator World contributing editor, joined the podcast to discuss. (02:17)

Then: what’s next for the Church of England?

The nature of Justin Welby’s resignation as Archbishop of Canterbury has no historic precedent in the C of E, writes William Moore, of this parish. One certainty is that the Church leadership will now be under enormous pressure to create a new independent body for safeguarding, but who could be next? The Smyth scandal means that appointing a conservative evangelical would be difficult, but appointing an out-and-out progressive would have its own problems. Whoever eventually succeeds Welby, he or she will inherit a Church more at war with itself than at any time in living memory. Joining the podcast is Rev Julie Conalty, the Bishop of Birkenhead and deputy lead bishop for safeguarding. (20:58)

And finally: can you tell your Claret from your Beaujolais?

In the magazine this week, drinks writer Henry Jeffreys discusses Beaujolais Day, the festivities started in the famous French appellation d’origine contrôlée that celebrate the first wine of the season. He joined us to discuss everything Beaujolais with Johnny Ray, The Spectator’s wine critic. (35:39)

Hosted by William Moore and Lara Prendergast.

Produced by Oscar Edmondson.

Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.

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This week: King of the HillYou can’t ignore what could be the political comeback of the century: Donald Trump’s remarkable win in this week’s US election. The magazine this week carries analysis about why Trump won, and why the Democrats lost, from Freddy Gray, Niall Ferguson and Yascha Mounk, amongst others. To make sense of how Trump became only the second President in history to win non-consecutive terms, we’re joined by the journalist Jacqueline Sweet and Cliff Young, president of polling at Ipsos (00:58).

Next: is Labour blind to rural communities?The changes to inheritance tax for farmers are one of the measures from Labour’s budget that has attracted the most attention. In the magazine this week The Telegraph’s Simon Heffer argues that it needs to be seen as part of a wider attack on rural communities. But is it intentional, or simply a blind spot Labour has to the countryside? Simon joined us alongside Ed Barker from the Agricultural Industries Confederation (16:42).

And finally: what makes World of Warcraft so addictive?The Spectator’s literary editor Sam Leith joins the podcast to talk about the gaming phenomenon that is World of Warcraft. In just two decades, it has now made more money than three times the most successful Hollywood film ever. Why is it so successful and what makes it so addictive? And, as the landscape of gaming has changed over the decades, should parents still really be worried about their children spending time online or has gaming opened new areas for kids to socialise? Sam joined us to discuss and reveals the inspiration behind his avatar’s name… (27:37).

Hosted by William Moore and Lara Prendergast.

Produced by Patrick Gibbons. Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.

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This week: Team Trump – who’s in, and who’s out?To understand Trumpworld you need to appreciate it’s a family affair, writes Freddy Gray in the magazine this week. For instance, it was 18-year-old Barron Trump who persuaded his father to do a series of long ‘bro-casts’ with online male influencers such as Joe Rogan. In 2016, Donald’s son-in-law Jared Kushner was the reigning prince; this year, he has been largely out of the picture. Which family figures are helping Trump run things this time around, and which groups hold the most influence? Freddy joins the podcast alongside economics editor Kate Andrews. What are the most important personnel decisions facing Trump if he wins next week? (0:58).

Next: do astrologers predict elections better than pollsters?When pollster Nate Silver declared that dissecting an individual poll is like ‘doing astrology’, it led Andrew Watts to ponder what sorts of predictions astrologers make about elections. Could there be some merit in consulting them? And are astrologists better predictors than pollsters? Andrew joined the podcast to discuss further alongside The Oxford Astrologer’s Christina Rodenbeck, host of podcast Astrology Talk. What do the planets tell us about next week’s US election? (13:18).

And finally: by whose values should we judge the past?Joan Smith’s new book Unfortunately, she was a nymphomaniac: a new history of Rome’s imperial women is reviewed in the Books section of the magazine this week. An eye-catching title which is ‘as thought provoking as it is provocative’ Daisy Dunn writes. Many popular historians are singled out for criticism for how they analyse women from ancient Rome, including Professor Dame Mary Beard. Is there merit in judging history by today’s standards? Well Mary Beard joined us to provide her thoughts (26:32).

Hosted by William Moore and Lara Prendergast.

Produced by Patrick Gibbons and Oscar Edmondson.Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.

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This week: Decline and Fall – how our greatest universities are betraying students.
Our greatest universities are betraying students, writes David Butterfield, who has just resigned from teaching Classics at Cambridge after 21 years. What went wrong? First, class lists of exam results became private, under alleged grounds of ‘data protection’, which snuffed out much of the competitive spirit of the university. Now even the fate of examinations hangs in the balance. Grade inflation is rampant, and it is now unheard of for students to be sent down for insufficient academic performance. For students, the risks have never been lower. ‘The pace of change over the past decade has been astonishing, driven on by three forces: an administrative class that wants to minimise complaints, a subset of academics who actively resent the no-nonsense traditions of the university, and a proportion of students who will take the easiest path proffered.’ David joined the podcast alongside the author Philip Womack, who recalls his own run-in with university administrators in the magazine. (01:46)

Next: the return of Trump the stand-up comedian.
There had been a lot of talk that Trump had lost some of his spark, with declining attendance at his rallies and his jokes failing to land. But, as The Spectator’s economics editor Kate Andrews writes this week, he appears to have his mojo back. At the Al Smith dinner, he delivered a series of wicked barbs aimed at his opponent Tim Walz and Kamala Harris, to a rapturous reception in the room. So what has changed? And why is humour so important to Trump? Kate joined the podcast alongside journalist and former speechwriter to Tony Blair, Philip Collins. (18:06)

And finally: could AI lead to a revival of decorative beauty?
In her arts lead for the magazine, Lara Prendergast meets the founders of a company in Stoke-on-Trent using AI technology to mass-produce uncannily authentic Delftware tiles, the iconic blue and white ceramics. ‘Josiah Wedgwood would have loved what we are doing… I suspect William Morris would have hated it,’ says the co-founder of Not Quite Past – the company creating these tiles – and who joins the podcast to discuss further. (37:55)

Hosted by Lara Prendergast and William Moore.

Produced by Oscar Edmondson.Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.

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This week: the Chancellor’s Budget dilemma.

‘As a former championship chess player, Rachel Reeves must know that the first few moves can be some of the most important of the game,’ writes Rupert Harrison – former chief of staff to George Osborne – for the cover of the magazine this week. But, he says, the truth is that she has played herself into a corner ahead of this month's Budget, with her room for manoeuvre dramatically limited by a series of rash decisions. Her biggest problem is that she has repeatedly ruled out increases in income tax, national insurance and VAT. ‘So which taxes will rise, given that the easy options have been ruled out? The answers appear to be evolving rapidly when ministers are confronted with the OBR’s harsh reality.’ Rupert joined the podcast alongside The Spectator’s economics editor Kate Andrews. (01:29)

Next: Charlie Falconer and Charles Moore debate assisted dying. As Kim Leadbeater’s private member’s bill comes before the Commons, the former justice secretary Lord Falconer (who introduced a similar bill to the Lords) and The Spectator’s chairman Lord Moore debate assisted dying. The full conversation can be found on SpectatorTV but we have an extract from their conversation on the podcast. (19:01)

And finally: In his Books & Arts lead, Philip Hensher reviews Peter Parker’s history of homosexuality from 1945 to 1967, revealing many of the era’s bizarre and, at times, amusing speculations. They both join the podcast to discuss the demonising of homosexuals in postwar Britain and the role of the tabloids in stirring up fear and distrust. (33:26)

Hosted by William Moore and Lara Prendergast.

Produced by Oscar Edmondson and Patrick Gibbons.Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.

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Successive governments have struggled with how to deal with China, balancing them as a geopolitical rival yet necessary trade partner. Recent moves from Labour have sent mixed signals, from the free speech act to the return of the Chagos Islands. Further decisions loom on the horizon. As Rachel Reeves seeks some economic wiggle room, can Labour resist the lure of the Chinese market? The Spectator’s Katy Balls, and visiting fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) James Crabtree, join the podcast to discuss further (02:05).

Plus: as the first issue under The Spectator’s new editor Michael Gove, what are his reflections as he succeeds Fraser Nelson? He reads an excerpt from his diary (19:05).

Next: could the government’s plans for dealing with extremism have unintended consequences on young men? With plans to reclassify extreme misogyny as extremism, Toby Young argues this week that Labour’s broadening of this issue exposes the flaws of the Prevent strategy. For all the focus on ‘toxic masculinity’, do we risk alienating and prematurely criminalising teenagers? Toby joins the podcast, alongside The Spectator’s deputy features editor – often host of this podcast – Gus Carter (22:05).

And finally: the rise of the female fight club. Emily Rhodes talks about her experience taking up kickboxing, and the unexpected consequence of channelling her anger. How should women, and society, understand and deal with female anger? Emily joins the podcast, alongside the author of Rage Becomes Her, Soraya Chemaly, to explain (34:28).

Hosted by William Moore and Lara Prendergast.

Produced by Oscar Edmondson and Patrick Gibbons.Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.

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This week: Israel’s revenge and Iran’s humiliation.

As the anniversary of the October 7th attacks by Hamas approaches, the crisis in the Middle East has only widened. Israel has sent troops into southern Lebanon and
there have been attempted missile strikes from the Houthi rebels in Yemen and from Iran. Is there any way the situation can de-escalate? And how could Israel respond to Iran? Former BBC foreign correspondent Paul Wood and defence and security research Dr Limor Simhony join the podcast (1:03).

Next: it’s the end of an era for The Spectator. This issue is Fraser Nelson’s last as he hands over the reins to Michael Gove. Having spent 15 years as editor, with 784 issues to his name, what are his reflections on his time here at 22 Old Queen Street? You can also hear an extract from Toby Young’s column, where he reveals a coincidental dinner that took place last week (13:25).

And finally: should we mourn the demise of the physical invitation? Yes, says Philip Womack in his Notes on in the magazine this week, as he declares ‘bring back the stiffy!’. They’re a ritual, a pleasure, a memento that will be most missed. Philip joined the podcast to ponder their decline, alongside our Dear Mary columnist Mary Killen (29:00).

Hosted by William Moore and Lara Prendergast.

Produced by Patrick Gibbons and Oscar Edmondson.

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This week: who’s on top in the Conservative leadership race?

That’s the question Katy Balls asks in the magazine this week as she looks ahead to the Conservative Party conference. Each Tory hopeful will be pitching for the support of MPs and the party faithful ahead of the next round of voting. Who’s got the most to lose, and could there be some sneaky tactics behind the scenes? Katy joins the podcast to discuss, alongside Conservative peer Ruth Porter, who ran Liz Truss’s leadership campaign in 2022. We also include an excerpt from the hustings that Katy conducted with each of the candidates earlier this week. You can find the full interviews on The Spectator’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@SpectatorTV (02:07)

Next: should trail hunting be banned? Flora Watkins concedes that the hunting community has not helped its case over the years when considering the future of the sport. However, she argues that a minority should not spoil a sport that is ‘thrilling, sociable and bloodless’. In a heated discussion, Flora joins the podcast to make her case with campaigner Dominic Dyer. (17:43)

And finally: what to make of Sally Rooney’s new novel Intermezzo? In the magazine this week Claire Lowdon argues that the novel is an ‘enjoyable old-fashioned love story… but high literature it is not’. Why? Reviewing the book for the Times James Marriott argues Rooney’s characters are ‘sensitive’ but also too ‘precious and prissy’. How warranted is the criticism of Rooney? Claire and James join the pod. (31:50)

Hosted by William Moore and Gus Carter.

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This week: Nigel’s next target. What’s Reform UK’s plan to take on Labour? Reform UK surpassed expectations at the general election to win 5 MPs. This includes James McMurdock, who Katy interviews for the magazine this week, who only decided to stand at the last moment. How much threat could Reform pose and why has Farage done so well? Katy joins the podcast to discuss, alongside Jovan Owusu-Nepaul, who fought Nigel Farage as the Labour candidate for Clacton (1:02).

Next: who determines the morality of euthanasia? Matthew Hall recounts the experience of his aunt opting for the procedure in Canada, saying it ‘horrified’ him but ‘was also chillingly seductive’. Does Canada provide the model for the rest of the world? Or should we all be worried of where this could lead? Matthew joined the podcast, alongside commentator Richard Hanania. Hanania is president of the Centre for the Study of Partisanship and Ideology and has hailed the Canadian model as ‘moral progress’ (19:52).

And finally: why isn’t China a football superpower? Ian Williams joins the podcast to discuss his article exploring the failure of President Xi to realise his ambitions for Chinese football. Despite spending billions of yuan, why hasn’t China been more successful? Cameron Wilson, founding editor of Wild East Football, the world’s leading English-language news source on soccer in China joins too (35:44).

Hosted by William Moore and Lara Prendergast.

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This week:

The US election is back on a knife-edge. Republicans hoped this week’s debate would expose Kamala Harris’s weaknesses. ‘They forgot that, when it comes to one-on-one intellectual sparring matches with candidates who aren’t senile, Donald Trump is very bad indeed,’ writes Freddy Gray. ‘A skilled politician would have been able to unpick Harris’s act, but Trump could not.’ Harris is enigmatic to the point of absurdity, but Trump failed to pin her down and may well have squandered his narrow lead. To discuss further, Freddy joined the podcast alongside Amber Duke, Washington editor at Spectator World. (02:05)

Next: Lara and Will take us through some of their favourite pieces from this week, including Fraser Nelson’s diary on the sale of The Spectator Magazine to Sir Paul Marshall.

Then: how to catch a paedophile. London Overwatch, a paedophile hunting group, pose as children online to snare unsuspecting sexual predators. They then confront the suspect and livestream the arrest to thousands of viewers. The Spectator’s Max Jeffery went along to see them catch a man who believes he has been speaking to a 14-year-old girl. Max was joined on the podcast by Nick, who runs London Overwatch. (18:34)

And finally: is it ethical to pocket a sandwich at a hotel breakfast buffet? Laurie Graham explores the ethics of plundering the hotel buffet in the magazine this week. Specifically, she reveals the very British habit that many Brits swipe food from their free breakfasts to save for lunch later in the day. Laurie joined us alongside Mark Jenkins, a former hotel manager in Torquay who listeners may remember from the Channel 4 documentary ‘The Hotel’ (27:51)

Hosted by William Moore and Lara Prendergast.

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This week: Miliband’s empty energy promises. Ed Miliband has written a public letter confirming that Labour plans to decarbonise the electricity system by 2030. The problem with this, though, is that he doesn’t have the first idea about how to do it. The grid doesn’t have the capacity to transmit the required energy, Ross Clark writes, and Miliband’s claim that wind is ‘nine times cheaper’ than fossil fuels is based upon false assumptions. What is more, disclosed plans about ‘GB Energy’ reveal that Miliband’s pet project isn’t really a company at all – but an investment scheme. This empty vessel will funnel taxpayer money into the hands of private companies rather than produce any energy itself. To discuss, Lara and Will were joined by Shaun Spiers, executive director of the Green Alliance and Stanley Johnson, former MEP, environmental campaigner and author of the new book In the footsteps of Marco Polo deals extensively on China’s energy problems and opportunities. (02:26)

Then: Lara and Will take us through some of their favourite pieces from the magazine, including the lead book review and Catriona Olding’s Still Life column.

Next: meet Nigel Farage’s millionaire Reform chairman. The Reform party has a new poster boy, the 37-year-old party Chairman Zia Yusuf. Self-dubbed a ‘British Muslim patriot’, Yusuf is a former Goldman Sachs partner and tech owner with an expensive taste for cars. He is tasked with transforming Farage’s outfit from a limited company into a proper party. You can read James Heale’s full interview with Yusuf in this week’s magazine, but they have kindly allowed us to hear a section of their discussion on the podcast. They talk about the Nigel Farage effect and Lee Anderson’s comments about Sadiq Khan. (18:34)

And finally: should we feel sorry for restaurant critics? Angus Colwell, The Spectator’s assistant online editor, writes about the plight of the restaurant critic and the stresses of doing what many would consider the best job in the world. To discuss further, Angus joined us alongside the Observer’s restaurant critic Jay Rayner, whose new book Nights Out, At Home celebrates his 25 years as a food critic and is available to buy now. (29:41)

Hosted by Lara Prendergast and William Moore.

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This week: Alt reich. The Spectator’s Lisa Haseldine asks if Germany’s far right is about to go mainstream, ahead of regional elections this weekend. Lisa joined the podcast, alongside the historian Katja Hoyer, to discuss why the AfD are polling so well in parts of Germany, and how comparable this is to other trends across Europe (1:13).

Then: why are traditional hobbies being threatened in Britain? Writer Richard Bratby joins the podcast, alongside Chris Bradbury, the drone support officer at the BMFA, to discuss his article in the magazine this week about the challenge red-tape poses to model steam engine and aeroplane enthusiasts (18:47).

And finally: how has sound design changed the world of theatre? The Spectator's chief dance critic Rupert Christiansen argues in the magazine this week that amplified sound has become the default, to the detriment of traditional theatre, and he joins the podcast to discuss (30:15). The director Yael Farber also joins to explain why she sees sound design as the primary sensory experience within theatre (37:55).

Hosted by William Moore and Lara Prendergast.

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This week: All hail Harris! As the Democratic National Convention approaches its climax, The Spectator’s deputy editor Freddy Gray explores vice president Kamala Harris’s remarkable rise to the top of the democratic ticket in his cover article this week. Freddy joins the podcast from Chicago (1:30).

Next: live from the DNC. Freddy and Natasha Feroze, The Spectator’s deputy broadcast editor, have been out and about at the convention talking to delegates – and detractors – of the Democratic Party. What do these Americans think? And does Kamala Harris have ‘good vibes’? (7:56).

Then: should misogyny really be classified under anti-terrorism laws? In the magazine this week The Spectator’s economics editor Kate Andrews argues that the measure would do little to solve the fundamental problem. And how would ‘extreme misogyny’ be defined anyway? Kate and author Helen Joyce joined us to discuss their concerns (19:04).

And finally: why does chess attract so many cheats? In the magazine this week The Spectator’s chess columnist, and grandmaster, Luke McShane examines the history of high-profile scandals in cheating. Why do some players stoop so low? Professor Ken Regan, an expert and investigator in anti-cheating in chess, and psychologist Professor Sam Sommers, join the podcast (30:34).

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This week: Power play. The Spectator’s Svitlana Morenets writes the cover article in this week’s magazine exploring Zelensky’s plan for his Russian conquests. What’s his aim? And how could Putin respond? Svitlana joins the podcast alongside historian and author Mark Galeotti (02:10).

Next: Will and Gus discuss their favourite pieces from the magazine, including Richard Madeley’s diary and Lara Prendergast’s argument that bankers are hot again.

Then: how concerned should we be about falling fertility rates? In the magazine this week Jesus Fernandez-Villaverde argues that the problem is already far more grave, and far more global, than we realise. Why should we worry about this, and what can be done to stem this? Jesus joined the podcast with filmmaker and demographer Stephen J. Shaw (16:56).

And finally: why is nostalgia such a powerful emotion? The Spectator’s broadcast editor – and host of the Chinese Whispers podcast – Cindy Yu writes in the magazine about the ‘thriving industry’ of nostalgia in China. What’s behind this and, more generally, what drives humans to feel nostalgic? Cindy joined the podcast alongside historian and author Dr Agnes Arnold-Forster who argues that nostalgia doesn’t deserve its negative reputation (28:32).

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This week: The Spectator’s Gus Carter was in Rotherham and Birmingham in the days after the riots. Locals tell Gus that ‘violent disorder isn’t acceptable but people from down south don’t know what it’s like up here’. A retired policeman in Birmingham adds that ‘it’s just yobs looking for an excuse – and yobbos come in all sorts of colours’. You can hear Gus’ report on the podcast. (02:25)

Next: Gus and Lara take us through some of their favourite pieces in the magazine, including Flora Watkins’ notes on ragwort and Isabel Hardman’s review of Swimming Pretty: The Untold Story of Women in Water.

Then: In the magazine this week Edmund West writes about how he learned to embrace his autism and the ways in which technology is making it increasingly easy for people with autism to go about their daily lives. Edmund was diagnosed with autism when he was 26 and now is a freelance journalist and a tutor and carer to kids with autism. He joins the podcast to discuss. (12:07)

And finally: what’s your favourite children’s character? We ran a poll this week asking regular contributors about their favourite children's books characters and you can read responses from Rory Sutherland’s love of Dr Seuss or the affinity Peter Hitchens feels with Badger from The Wind in the Willows. To accompany our poll, Mary Wakefield writes about how the characters we read about as a child embed themselves within us, and inform the way we think as adults. She says that it’s a shame that so few children are reading nowadays. Mary joins the podcast alongside author and regular contributor to The Spectator’s books pages, Philip Hensher to investigate the decline in childhood reading. (18:36)

Hosted by Lara Prendergast and Gus Carter.

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This week: Keir Starmer’s plan to soften BrexitKaty Balls writes this week’s cover piece on Labour’s plans to establish close ties with the EU. Every member of Starmer’s cabinet voted Remain, and the government is trying to ‘reset EU relations through a charm offensive’. Brussels figures are hopeful: ‘There was no real goodwill for the Conservative government.’ There are tests coming: the first deal, Katy writes, could be harmonisation on veterinary standards. But will the UK have to abide by the European Court of Justice? Then there’s the issue of Chinese electric cars: will Starmer accept cheap imports, or follow the EU in raising tariffs on them? For now, EU officials see the new PM as ‘workman-like and not playing to the gallery’. How long will that last? Katy Balls is joined by Anand Menon, director of the think tank UK in a changing Europe. (02:03)

Then: In The Spectator this week Jonathan Miller writes about his experiences at the Hampshire public school Bedales. The school’s alumni roster is impressive: royalty, celebrity, and several Spectator writers. But it has also courted controversy and criticism from some previous students. The novelist and writer Amanda Craig was one such former student, so highly critical of the school she authored a book ‘A Private Place’ detailing her experiences. Jonathan and Amanda join the podcast to discuss the cult of Bedales. (19:22)

And finally: is there really reason to believe aliens exist? In the magazine this week, the astronomer and science writer Dr David Whitehouse says if aliens do exist, why can nobody find any proof of them. Despite the evidence, or lack thereof, why does the belief in aliens endure? And how much can we really read into the disclosures in the US about UAPs - Unidentified Aerial Platforms? David joins the podcast to discuss his article alongside space journalist Jonathan O’Callaghan. (31:24)

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This week: Kamala takes charge. Our cover piece discusses the rise of Kamala Harris, who has only one man standing in her way to the most powerful position in the world. Her's is certainly an unexpected ascent, given Harris’ generally poor public-speaking performances and mixed bag of radical left and right-wing politics. Does she really have what it takes to defeat Trump? Kate Andrews, author of the piece and economics editor at The Spectator, joins the podcast with deputy editor Freddy Gray to discuss. (02:34)

Next: Will and Lara go through some of their favourite pieces from the magazine including Damian Thompson's article on how the upcoming Hollywood film Conclave may be mirroring real-life events at the Vatican.

Then: Olympics on steroids. 2025 will see the debut of the first ever ‘Enhanced Games’, with athletes competing on performance-enhancing drugs. The event will be livestreamed across the world and, while the roster of athletes is being kept under wraps for now, Australian former Olympic swimmer James Magnussen has confirmed he will be competing. Creator of the games Aron D’Souza joins the podcast to discuss his upcoming business endeavour. (26:04)

Finally: why did Sir Arthur Conan Doyle believe in fairies? Robert Gore Langton writes in the magazine this week about a new Edinburgh Fringe play focussing on Conan Doyle’s role in the Cottingley fairy hoax. Was it grief for his late son, or his father's alcoholism that prompted Conan Doyle’s spiritualism? Playwright Fiona Maher and Robert joined the podcast to discuss. (33:49)

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This week: bulletproof Trump.

The failed assassination attempt on Donald Trump means that his supporters, more than ever, view him as America’s Chosen One. Joe Biden’s candidacy has been falling apart since his disastrous performance in the first presidential debate last month. Trump is now ahead in the polls in all the battleground states. The whispers in Washington are that the Democrats are already giving up on stopping a second Trump term – and eyeing up the presidential election of 2028 instead. Freddy Gray, deputy editor at The Spectator, and Amber Duke, Washington editor at Spectator World, join the podcast to discuss. (02:45)

Next: Meeting the mega MAGA fans. The Spectator’s political correspondent James Heale reports from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where the Republican National Convention is under way. ‘Brash, flash and full of flair,’ reports James, as he meets Donald Trump supporters who are, he says, wearing their MAGA politics with pride. Border control is a common complaint, while other Trumpists hope his near-death experience will see him embrace his faith.James has kindly shared with us a couple of the interviews that informed his piece in the magazine. (14:43)

Then: Will and Lara take us through some of their favourite pieces in the magazine this week, including Sir David Hempleman-Adams’ notebook and Gus Carter’s scoop on Reform's ‘Wimpy’ voters.

And finally: how techno-optimism became fashionable. Max Jeffery writes in the magazine this week about the ‘New Solutions’, a trio of new ideologies that rich tech savvy ‘geeks’ – as he calls them – have adopted in order to make the world a better place. These are: techno optimism, effective altruism and effective accelerationism. He joined us on the podcast to discuss, alongside Anders Sandberg, effective altruist and senior research fellow at the University of Oxford. (24:49)

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This week: Keir’s reformation. A week on from Labour’s victory in the UK general election, our cover piece looks ahead to the urgent issues facing Keir Starmer. If he acts fast, he can take advantage of having both a large majority and a unified party. The NHS, prisons, planning… the list goes on. But what challenges could he face and how should he manage his party? The Spectator’s political editor Katy Balls joins the podcast, alongside Lord Falconer, Labour peer and former cabinet minister under Tony Blair (2:53).

Next: have smartphones revolutionised home working for women? Our very own Lara Prendergast writes in the magazine this week about the eclectic ways women are taking advantage of digital technology to make a living at home. What’s driving this trend? The Spectator columnist and ad guru Rory Sutherland joins the podcast (26:08).

And finally: why did the Conservatives struggle so much with their digital messaging? The Spectator’s Mary Wakefield writes in the magazine this week about the emails and messages she was inundated with during the election, saying that at times they had ‘serial killer energy’. Political communicator Sean Topham, co-founder of the creative ad agency Topham Guerin, joins the podcast to try and make sense of the Tories campaign. (37:40).

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This week: the reckoning. Our cover piece brings together the political turmoil facing the West this week: Rishi Sunak, Emmanuel Macron, and Joe Biden all face tough tests with their voters. But what’s driving this instability? The Spectator’s economics editor Kate Andrews argues it is less to do with left and right, and more a problem of incumbency, but how did this situation arise? Kate joined the podcast to discuss her argument, alongside former Cambridge Professor, John Keiger, who writes in the magazine about the consequences that France’s election could have on geopolitics (2:32).

Next: what role does faith play in politics? Senior editor at the religious journal First Things Dan Hitchens explores Keir Starmer’s atheism in the magazine this week, but to what extent does it matter? What impact could it have on his politics? As the UK has an established Church, what implications could there be for our constitution? Dan joined the podcast, along with Father Marcus Walker of Great St Bart’s, to discuss whether politicians can in fact ‘do god’ (17:45).

And finally: how do we interpret sexuality within Shakespeare’s works? Author and professor of creative writing Philip Hensher reviews a new book by Will Tosh in the magazine this week, which examines same-sex attraction within his works. But what can they tell us about the environment at the time, and about the man himself? Philip joined us to discuss alongside Emma Smith, Professor of Shakespeare Studies at Oxford (28:34).

Hosted by William Moore and Lara Prendergast.

Produced by Patrick Gibbons and Oscar Edmondson.

Join The Spectator next week for a special live recording of Coffee House Shots as Fraser Nelson, Katy Balls and Kate Andrews make sense of the UK’s election aftermath. Taking place on Thursday 11th July at 7pm in Westminster, tickets are £35, or £25 for subscribers. Book online at spectator.co.uk/shotslive

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This week: Downfall. Our cover piece examines Nigel Farage’s role in the UK general election. Spectator editor Fraser Nelson argues that Farage has become the left’s greatest weapon, but why? How has becoming leader of Reform UK impacted the campaign and could this lead to a fundamental realignment of British politics? Fraser joined the podcast to talk through his theory, with former UKIP MEP Patrick O’Flynn (02:10).

Next: Spectator writer Svitlana Morenets has returned to Ukraine to report on the war, which is now well into its third year. How are Ukrainians coping and what is daily life like? Svitlana joined the podcast from Kyiv with Ukrainian author Andrey Kurkov (21:53).

And finally: has ‘cancel culture’ been cancelled? With the release of TV series Douglas Is Cancelled, its creator Steven Moffat joins the podcast to discuss whether cancel culture really exists and where the inspiration for the show came from (33:15).

Hosted by William Moore and Lara Prendergast.

Produced by Patrick Gibbons, Megan McElroy and Oscar Edmondson.

Join The Spectator for a special Live edition of Coffee House Shots on Thursday 11th July at 7pm in Westminster. Fraser Nelson, Katy Balls and Kate Andrews will be making sense of the election results, a new government, and discussing what comes next. Tickets are £35, or £25 for subscribers. Book online at spectator.co.uk/shotslive

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This week: Lawfare

Our cover piece examines how Keir Starmer’s legal experience will influence his politics. Ross Clark argues that Starmer will govern through the courts, and continue what he describes as the slow movement of power away from elected politicians. As poll after poll predicts an unprecedented Labour majority, what recourse would there be to stop him? Ross joined the podcast to discuss alongside solicitor and commentator Joshua Rozenberg (02:15).

Next: we’ve become accustomed to the police wearing cameras, but what’s behind the rise in bodycams in other industries? In her article this week, Panda La Terriere highlights the surprising businesses that have begun using them, but what are the implications for daily life and how concerned should we be? Panda joined us to discuss with Silkie Carlo, director of civil liberties NGO Big Brother Watch (19:39).

And finally: why do we love to be baffled? Mark Mason argues it is more to do with the thrill of deception than a desire to problem-solve. Mark joined us to try and demystify the world of magic with Gustav Kuhn, associate professor of psychology at the University of Plymouth and author of Experiencing the impossible: the science of magic (28:32).

Hosted by William Moore and Lara Prendergast.

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This week: Macron’s game.

Our cover piece looks at the big news following the European elections at the weekend, President Macron’s decision to call early parliamentary elections in France. Madness or genius, either way the decision comes with huge risk. And can he still outplay Le Pen, asks writer Jonathan Miller. Jonathan joins the podcast to analyse Macron’s decision alongside Professor Alberto Alemanno, who explains how the decision is realigning French politics, and argues it must be seen in its wider European context. (01:58)

Then: Will and Gus take us through some of their favourite pieces from the magazine, including Catriona Olding’s Life column and Sam McPhail’s notes on Madri.

Also on the podcast: who decides how we see the past? Niger Biggar writes in the magazine this week about organisations which are being given a veto over the representation of Britain's history. Nigel takes issue with those from formerly marginalised communities having the final word on our shared history and joins the podcast to explain why there should be more scrutiny on such groups. (18:14)

And finally: do historians talk down to children? In her column for the magazine this week Mary Wakefield writes about her experience trying to find engaging and challenging history books for her 8-year-old. She says that most children’s history books have dumbed down, in comparison to the classic ladybird books of the 60s. She joined the podcast to discuss with the author of the Adventures in Time children’s book series and host of the Rest is History podcast, Dominic Sandbrook. (31:16)

Hosted by William Moore and Gus Carter.

Produced by Oscar Edmondson and Patrick Gibbons.

The Spectator will be hosting a special Live edition of Coffee House Shots in the aftermath of the election. Taking place on Thursday the 11th July - a week after the election - at 7pm here in Westminster, you can join Fraser Nelson, Katy Balls and Kate Andrews as they try to dissect the election results, a new government, and what comes next.
Tickets are £35, or £25 for subscribers. If you’re interested, you can book online at spectator.co.uk/shotslive

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This week: The Farage factor. Our cover piece looks at the biggest news from this week of the general election campaign, Nigel Farage’s decision to stand again for Parliament. Farage appealed to voters in the seaside town of Clacton to send him to Westminster to be a ‘nuisance’. Indeed, how much of a nuisance will he be to Rishi Sunak in this campaign? Will this boost Reform’s ratings across Britain? And could it be eighth time lucky for Nigel? The Spectator's political editor Katy Balls joins the podcast to discuss, alongside former Clacton and UKIP MP, Douglas Carswell (2:32).

Then: Gavin Mortimer reports from France ahead of the European and local elections this weekend, where the country is moving to the right. Marine Le Pen’s National Rally is expected to do well, but, he argues, this has as much to do with the Le Pen brand, as it does Macron’s unpopularity. Joining Gavin to discuss is the French journalist Anne-Elisabeth Moutet (19:25).

And finally: what could the future of tourism look like? Travel writer Sean Thomas explores the growing backlash to tourist overcrowding worldwide, and the recent trend to charge fees to some of the most sought-after locations. Will it solve the issue? Venice-based food and travel correspondent Monica Cesarato joins the podcast to discuss alongside Sean (34:50).

Hosted by William Moore and Lara Prendergast.

Produced by Patrick Gibbons and Oscar Edmondson.

Join The Spectator for a special post-election Coffee House Shots Live on Thursday 11 July. For more information, head to spectator.co.uk/shotslive

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This week: Wannabes - are any of them ready? Our cover piece takes a look at the state of the parties a week into the UK general election campaign. The election announcement took everyone by surprise, including Tory MPs, so what’s been the fallout since? To provide the latest analysis, The Spectator’s political editor Katy Balls joins the podcast (2:00).

Then: Angus Colwell reports on how the election is playing out on social media, and the increasing role of the political ‘spinfluencer’. These accounts have millions of likes, but how influential could they be during the election? Alongside Angus, Harry Boeken, aka @thechampagne_socialist on TikTok, joins us to share their thoughts on who is winning the social media war (15:08).

And finally: are we in the midst of a new space race? Author of Space 2069, the Future of Space Exploration, Dr David Whitehouse writes in the magazine this week about China’s latest lunar mission. What are the geopolitical implications, and should the global west be paying more attention? David joins us to discuss, alongside journalist and author of The Future of Geography, Tim Marshall (25:12).

Hosted by Lara Prendergast and Gus Carter.

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It’s a bumper edition of The Edition this week. After Rishi Suank called a surprise – and perhaps misguided – snap election just a couple of hours after our press deadline, we had to frantically come up with a new digital cover. To take us through a breathless day in Westminster and the fallout of Rishi’s botched announcement, The Spectator’s political editor Katy Balls joins the podcast. (01:35)

Next: Our print magazine leads on the electric car bust. Ross Clark runs through all the issues facing electric cars today – from China flooding the market with discounted EVs to Rishi Sunak dropping the unrealistic target of banning new petrol car sales by 2030. ‘Could the outlook suddenly improve for British EVs?’ asks Ross. ‘It’s hard to see how.’ Already, car-makers from Aston Martin to Fiat are delaying or scaling back their EV plans. Ross joins the podcast alongside Spectator columnist Lionel Shriver, to ask whether the great EV revolution is over. (07:35)

Then: Matthew Parris writes his column this week on the myths around ultra-processed foods. These are foods which are engineered to be hyper-palatable and typically include many preservatives, emulsifiers, sweeteners, artificial colours, flavours etc. Such additives are considered to be detrimental to our health, but Matthew says we shouldn’t be worried. He joined the podcast along with Dr Christoffer Van Tulleken, associate professor at UCL and author of the bestselling book Ultra-Processed People. (19:33)

And finally: why is the government making it harder to get an au pair? This is the question which Philip Womack asks in The Spectator. He says that the government’s new childcare plans are pricing regular dual income families out of the traditional agreement between family and au pair. He is joined by the journalist Lucy Denyer. (39:45)

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This week:

Veep show: who will Trump pick for his running mate? Freddy Gray goes through the contenders – and what they say about America (and its most likely next president). ‘Another thought might be buzzing around Trump’s head: he can pick pretty much whoever he wants because really it’s all about him. He might even choose one of his children: Ivanka or Donald Junior. What could sound better than Trump-Trump 2024?’ Freddy joins the podcast alongside Amber Duke, Washington editor at The Spectator World. (02:10)

Next: Will and Lara take us through some of their favourite pieces from the magazine, including David Shipley’s piece on the issues in the criminal justice system and Patrick Kidd’s article on the C of E’s volunteering crisis.

Then: Everest. This year marks 100 years since George Mallory’s doomed expedition. On the 8th June 1924 George Mallory and his climbing partner Sandy Irvine were seen through binoculars 800 ft from the summit of Mount Everest, but sadly were never seen again. Whether they did reach the top – almost 30 years prior to Edmund Hillary’s confirmed summit – has been the source of debate and myth for a century. Two new books will be released this year revisiting the attempt, and the man behind them. One by former political editor at the Sun, Tom Newton Dunn (great nephew of Mallory) and the other by mountaineer Mick Conefrey – which is reviewed this week in The Spectator. Tom and Mick joined the podcast to discuss. (17:51)

And finally: Next week marks the anniversary of the death of Spectator’s Low Life columnist Jeremy Clarke. And on Tuesday a new collection of his columns is being published: Low Life: The Final Years. The book begins with his cancer diagnosis in 2013 and goes up until his last column, published two weeks before his death last year. Regular readers will know that Jeremy’s genius was to capture the beauty and absurdity of the everyday – he chronicled it all with extraordinary frankness and brilliant wit. And so to remember Jeremy, and his peerless writing, we were joined by his widow, the artist Catriona Olding, who writes a guest Life column in this week’s magazine, and his friend Con Coughlin, defence editor at the Telegraph. (33:35)

Hosted by William Moore and Lara Prendergast.

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If readers would like to buy Low Life: The Final Years, copies are available on the Spectator Shop - go to spectator.co.uk/shop.

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This week:

On Monday, tents sprung up at Oxford and Cambridge as part of a global, pro-Palestinian student protest which began at Columbia University. In his cover piece, Yascha Mounk, a professor at Johns Hopkins University, explains how universities in both the US and the UK have misguidedly harboured and actively encouraged absurdist activism on campuses. Yascha joined the podcast to discuss further. (01:57)

Next: Bugs, biscuits, trench foot: a dispatch from the front line of the protests. The Spectator’s Angus Colwell joined students at tent encampments this week at UCL, Oxford and Cambridge. He found academics joining in with the carnival atmosphere. At Cambridge one don even attended with their baby in tow. ‘Peaceful protest? Rubbish it does nothing,’ a UCL student tells him. ‘Zionist attitudes start young, and we need our institutions to correct that. None of us are free until all of us are free, until Zionism is gone.’ One Jewish UCL student claims they were spat at by protestors ‘who told us to go back to Poland’. As part of his research, Angus sat down with Anwar, a spokesperson for the protestors at University College London and he sent us that conversation, which you can hear on the podcast. (17:34)

Then: Lara and Will take us through some of their favourite pieces from the magazine, including Philip Hensher’s Life column and James Delingpole’s review of Shardlake on Disney +.

And finally: should we take Beryl Cook more seriously? In his arts lead for the magazine this week, Julian Spalding writes about Beryl Cook whose unique art is celebrated by many as an exuberant take on everyday life. However she is often looked down upon within the art establishment. To coincide with a new exhibition of her work at Studio Voltaire we thought we would reappraise her legacy with Julian and Rachel Campbell-Johnston, former chief art critic at the Times. (29:44)

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This week:

Survival plan: is Rishi ready for the rebels? Ever since his election, Rishi Sunak has been preparing for this weekend – where the most likely scenario is that dire local election results are slow-released, leaving him at a moment of maximum vulnerability. He has his defences ready against his regicidal party, says Katy Balls: the Rwanda plan, a welfare reform agenda and a 4p NI cut (with hints of 2p more to come). And while the rebels have a (published) agenda they do not – yet – have a candidate. Katy joins the podcast alongside Stephen Bush, associate editor of the Financial Times. (02:12)

Next: Lara and Gus take us through some of their favourite pieces from the magazine, including Damian Thompson's Life column, and Joel Golby’s notes on ⅓ pints.

Then: Everyone has heard of the ‘Essex Man’ that helped the Conservatives win in 1992, but what about the Hillingdon man? Journalist William Cook identifies a new swing voter in the magazine, the disgruntled Hillingdon man from sleepy Ruislip and the surrounding villages. He says that the reliably Tory voters of Hillingdon could change the habit of a lifetime and vote for Starmer. William joined the podcast to discuss. (15:46)

And finally: Mary Wakefield writes in defence of Victorian parenting in this week's magazine. She says that kids these days could benefit from some 'stiff upper lip' parenting and the resilience she learnt from her time at boarding school. She also warns against encouraging children to focus on their feelings and sending them to therapy. To debate, we were joined by Jean Twenge, author of the Generation Tech substack and the book Generations: The Real Differences between Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, Boomers and Silents—and What They Mean for America’s Future and The Spectator’s literary editor Sam Leith. (23:29)

Hosted by Lara Prendergast and Gus Carter.

Produced by Oscar Edmondson and Patrick Gibbons.

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This week: The Xi files: China’s global spy network.

A Tory parliamentary aide and an academic were arrested this week for allegedly passing ‘prejudicial information’ to China. In his cover piece Nigel Inkster, MI6’s former director of operations and intelligence, explains the nature of this global spy network: hacking, bribery, manhunts for targets and more. To discuss, Ian Williams, author of Fire of the Dragon - China's New Cold War, and historian and Guardian columnist Simon Jenkins joined the podcast.. (02:05)

Next: Lara and Gus take us through some of their favourite pieces in the magazine, including Douglas Murray’s column and Gus’s interview with the philosopher Daniel Dennett.

Then: Tim Shipman writes for The Spectator about ‘hyper history’. This refers to the breathless last ten years in political history, encompassing the breakdown of old electoral coalitions, the formation of new ones and decisive prime ministers who all suffer from the same ‘power failure’ – as he calls it. Tim joined the podcast to discuss further. (17:34)

And finally: How the Jilly Cooper Book Club turned toxic. Flora Watkins joined a Jilly Cooper Book Club whose members got along famously – until lockdown and the ensuing culture wars. Debates over vaccines, lockdown and gender split them up more violently than any of their heroine’s books. Flora is joined by the author and journalist Elisa Segrave to examine the toxicity of women-only book groups. (27:50)

Hosted by Lara Prendergast and Gus Carter.

Produced by Oscar Edmondson and Patrick Gibbons.

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This week: the usual targets

First: Trump is on trial again – and America is bored rather than scandalised. This is his 91st criminal charge and his supporters see this as politicised prosecution. As an American, Kate Andrews has seen how the law can be used as a political weapon – so why, she asks, is Britain importing the same system? In less than 18 months, the police have been sent to investigate Rishi Sunak for his seat-belt, Nicola Sturgeon for campaign funds, and Angela Rayner over her electoral registry: each time, the complainant is political and the process is the punishment. Kate joins the podcast alongside The Spectator’s editor Fraser Nelson to discuss. (01:34)

Then: Confessions of a defecting Starmtrooper. Katy Balls speaks to Jamie Driscoll, the former Labour North of Tyne mayor, who failed Keir Starmer’s selection process to be mayor of the soon-to-be-created North East metro mayoralty. He’s now running as an independent, backed by Andy Burnham, while half of the Labour council groups are refusing to endorse the official Labour candidate. ‘I know people who have left the Labour party who describe it as leaving an abusive relationship,’ he says. You can read the full interview in the magazine, but we have a short extract of their discussion on the podcast. (13:44)

And finally: Our reporter Max Jeffery gatecrashed a party of the Extinction Rebellion youth offshoot Youth Demand!, whose stunts have included targeting MPs’ houses and dousing the Ministry of Defence in red ink. ‘I’m so ketty!’ one of the partygoers told him (referring to the drugs she was on). ‘They wrote ideas on big sheets of paper and left them lying at the back of the bar while they celebrated. “Rishi Sunak pool/pond – dyeing it red – pool party?” someone wrote. “CEOs’ houses”; “water (Thames)”; “Planes/private jets”; “Eton”; “Transgressive stuff”.’ Max joins the podcast alongside Youth Demand! spokesperson Ella Ward. (24:18)

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This week: will Biden support Ukraine’s attacks on Russia?

Owen Matthews writes the cover piece in light of the Zelensky drone offensive. Ukraine’s most successful strategy to date has been its ingenious use of homemade, long-range drones, which it has used to strike military targets as well as oil refineries and petrol storage facilities in Russia. The strikes are working but have alienated the US, who draw a red line when it comes to attacks on Russian soil. Owen joins the podcast alongside Svitlana Morenets, author of The Spectator’s Ukraine in Focus newsletter to debate what comes next. (01:44)

Next: Will and Lara take us through some of their favourite pieces in the magazine, including Rachel Johnson’s thoughts on women’s only clubs and Angus Colwell’s notes on wild garlic and the new foragers.

Then: who is the greater threat to democracy, Biden or Trump? This is the question that Lionel Shriver grapples with in her column, where she expresses total disbelief that the grim state of politics in the US hasn’t thrown up an alternative third party. Lionel joins the podcast to discuss what’s left for American voters. (19:47)

And finally: Astronomer David Whitehouse bids a fond farewell to the Voyager 1 space probe which, due to technical difficulties, may soon stop transmitting back to earth. On the podcast, he looks back on what we’ve learnt about space during the 50 years that Voyager has been travelling through the cosmos with Sasha Hinkley, astrophysicist at the University of Exeter and leading a team of scientists on James Webb Telescope. (33:25)

Hosted by William Moore and Lara Prendergast.

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On the podcast this week: what could achieving a large majority at the next election mean for Labour; how much should parents worry about picky eating; and why are humans fascinated with the apocalypse?

First up: The Starmer supremacy.

If the polls are correct, Labour could be on to a record landslide at the next general election. Any political leader would relish such a win. But can achieving such a large majority present internal problems of its own? Labour MP Harriet Harman joins The Spectator’s political editor Katy Balls to discuss. (1:32)

Then: Lara and Gus discuss some of their favourite pieces from the magazine, from Charles Moore’s column to Christopher Matthew’s piece on A. A. Milne’s time at Punch magazine. (16:21)

Next: how much should parents’ fuss over their children? Spectator contributor Hannah Moore argues in the magazine this week that parents shouldn’t worry about picky eating. Hannah joins the podcast, alongside The Spectator’s commissioning editor, Mary Wakefield to discuss this. Look out for a surprise revelation about our usual host William Moore… (18:27)

And finally: why are we so obsessed with the apocalypse? Dorian Lynskey’s new book ‘Everything Must Go’ is reviewed in this week’s magazine. It explores the stories humans tell about the end of the world. Dorian joins us with archaeologist and author Chris Begley who wrote ‘The Next Apocalypse’ about what humans can learn from past disasters. Is there hope for humanity yet? (28:34)

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This week: how forgiveness was forgotten, why the secular tide might be turning, and looking for romance at the British museum.

Up first: The case of Frank Hester points to something deep going on in our culture, writes Douglas Murray in the magazine this week. ‘We have never had to deal with anything like this before. Any mistake can rear up in front of you again – whether five years later (as with Hester) or decades on.’ American lawyer and author of Cancel Culture: the latest attack on free speech, Alan Dershowitz, joins the podcast to discuss whether forgiveness has been forgotten. (02:11)

Then: Will and Lara take us through some of their favourite pieces from the magazine, including Svitlana Morenets’ article on Ukraine’s fertility crisis and Sophie Winkleman’s notebook.

Next: Justin Brierley writes for The Spectator about the return of religiosity. He argues that after a period of decline, the secular tide is turning with young people returning to Christianity. However he expresses some concern that the flag bearers for this new Christianity – the likes of Joe Rogan and Jordan Peterson – might not be the most sincere. Justin joins the podcast alongside Tom Holland, co-host of The Rest is History podcast and author of Dominion: how the Christian revolution remade the world. (13:39)

And finally: looking for love at the British museum. Harry Mount was dispatched to the British museum this week to investigate its new function as a pick up spot. The museum ran a marketing campaign promoting a new exhibition as an opportunity for single women to find single men.The post read: ‘Girlies, if you’re single and looking for a man, this is your sign to go to the British Museum’s new exhibition, Life in the Roman Army, and walk around looking confused. You’re welcome x.’ It added: ‘Come for the Romans, stay for some romance.’ Harry joins the podcast alongside fellow classicist Daisy Dunn. (23:51)

Stay tuned for a short snippet of Rory Sutherland’s proposed new podcast where he interviews leading thinking about trivial topics! (31:27)

Hosted by Lara Prendergast and William Moore.

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On the podcast: Scotland’s new hate crime law; the man who could be France’s next PM; and why do directors meddle with Shakespeare?

First up: Scotland is smothering free speech.

Scotland is getting a new, modern blasphemy code in the form of the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act, which takes effect from 1 April. The offence of ‘stirring up racial hatred’ will be extended to disability, religion, sexual orientation, age, transgender identity and variations in sex characteristics. The new law gives few assurances for protecting freedom of speech writes Lucy Hunter Blackburn, former senior Scottish civil servant. Lucy joins the podcast, alongside Baroness Claire Fox, unaffiliated peer and founder of the Academy of Ideas think tank. (03:18)

Then: William and Gus discuss some of their favourite pieces from the magazine this week, including Sam McPhail’s history of ‘Total Football’ and Richard Madeley’s diary.

Next: Journalist Gavin Mortimer writes about Jordan Bardella for The Spectator. He is Marine Le Pen’s number two in the National Rally party and the man Gavin says could be France’s next PM. Gavin is joined by Telegraph contributor Anne-Elisabeth Moutet to ask: who is Jordan Bardella? (28:22)

And finally: why do directors feel the need to ‘correct’ Shakespeare? That’s the question that Lloyd Evans asks in the magazine this week. He says that directors should go back to basics when it comes to adapting the bard and leave the gimmicks to one side. Yael Farber – who is currently directing King Lear at the Almeida Theatre and has previously adapted Macbeth and Julius Caesar – joins the podcast to discuss. (41:25)

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On the podcast this week: is Rishi ready for a Red Wall rebellion?

Lee Anderson’s defection to Reform is an indication of the final collapse of the Tories’ 2019 electoral coalition and the new split in the right, writes Katy Balls in her cover story. For the first time in many years the Tories are polling below 25 per cent. Reform is at 15 per cent. The hope in Reform now is that Anderson attracts so much publicity from the right and the left that he will bring the party name recognition and electoral cut-through. Leader of Reform UK Richard Tice joins Katy on the podcast to discuss. (02:23)

Then: Will and Lara take us through some of their favourite pieces from the magazine, including Lloyd Evans’ Life column and Sean Thomas’ description of taking ayahuasca at Pablo Escobar’s cocaine and occasional execution palace.

Next: is the Church of England about to apologise for Christianity?

Our own William Moore writes this week about the C of E’s latest apology, which – if given – he says is tantamount to apologising for Christianity itself. This comes after the Oversight Group suggested the C of E gives £1 billion in reparations to atone for its historic links to the slave trade and instances of ‘deliberate actions to destroy diverse African religious belief systems.’ The Reverend Dr Jamie Franklin, host of the Irreverend podcast, joins Will to discuss. (21:19)

And finally: 'Operation Kenova: Northern Ireland Stakeknife Legacy Investigation’ was precipitated by claims that the British Army had an agent at the heart of the IRA. ‘Stakeknife’ was head of the IRA’s Internal Security Unit and was responsible for questioning, torturing and executing people the IRA suspected of being British agents. He was a British agent, passing on information to his controllers in the British Army. Now the Boutcher report has found that Stakeknife might have instigated more deaths than lives he saved during his time embedded in the terrorist organisation. Alasdair Palmer writes about it for our magazine and argues that infiltrators such as Stakeknife must have licence to do whatever necessary when fighting terrorism. Alasdair joins the podcast alongside Douglas Murray, The Spectator’s associate editor and author of the award-winning Bloody Sunday: Truth, lies and the Saville Inquiry. (34:21)

Hosted by Lara Prendergast and William Moore.

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On the podcast: what would Trump’s second term look like?

Vengeance is a lifelong theme of Donald Trump’s, writes Freddy Gray in this week’s cover story – and this year’s presidential election could provide his most delectable payback of all. Meanwhile, Kate Andrews writes that Nikki Haley’s campaign is over – and with it went the hopes of the Never Trump movement. Where did it all go wrong? They both join the podcast to discuss what to expect from Trump’s second coming. (03:11)

Then: Will and Gus take us through some of their favourite pieces from the magazine, including Michael Hann’s Pop review and Cosmo Landesman’s City Life column. (16:38)

Next: Flora Watkins writes in The Spectator about on private schools. She discusses how she is taking her kids out of private school, partly because of a rise in school fees brought about by inflation and the cost of living and partly in anticipation of Labour imposing VAT on school fees. To debate, Julie Robinson – general secretary of the Independent Schools Council – and Fiona Millar – former education advisor to Tony Blair – join the podcast. (20:36)

And finally: the rise of organised shoplifting.
Shoplifting is on the increase, writes Harriet Sergeant, not because of struggling Britons, but because of organised criminals trafficking children, too young to be charged, from around Europe to steal from British shops. They view the UK as poorly policed but rich; the perfect place for stealing goods to sell on quickly. Harriet joins the podcast alongside Xander Cloudsley, a shoplifting activist from the organisation This Is Rigged. (31:36)

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Welcome to a slightly new format for the Edition podcast! Each week we will be talking about the magazine – as per usual – but trying to give a little more insight into the process behind putting The Spectator to bed each week.

On the podcast this week: plan Bibi

In the early hours of Friday morning, Benjamin Netanyahu leaked his ‘Day after Hamas’ plan for post-war Gaza. But the plan is not a plan, writes Anshel Pfeffer – it is just a set of vague principles that do not stand up to the slightest scrutiny. Its sole purpose is rather to keep the ministers of Netanyahu’s fragile cabinet together to ensure his political survival. Joining the podcast is former National Security advisor to Netanyahu and former head of the Israeli Professor Uzi Arad, to discuss Bibi’s self-interested survival strategy. (03:08)

Also this week: Lara and Will discuss some of their favourite pieces from the magazine. Including Richard Bratby’s arts lead on the composer you should take far more seriously and Ysenda Maxtone Graham’s piece on the ‘sad clappies’.

Then: why Latvia is expelling its Russian speakers. New rules mean that ethnic Russians, many of whom have lived in Latvia for their entire lives, have been told they need to learn Latvian or face deportation. In the magazine, Lukas Degutis, The Spectator’s editorial manager, interviews people affected by the illiberal policy, as well as the politicians defending the change as part of de-Russification of the Baltic states. We spoke to Lukas and Inga Springe, investigative journalist at Re:Baltica who has been across this story on the derussification of the Baltic. (22:16)

And finally: why don’t we have more time, and when we do, why do we waste it? This is the central question of a new book by Gary S. Cross, titled: Free Time: The History of an Elusive Ideal. We thought this was the perfect question to ask our own Wiki Man columnist Rory Sutherland, who had some fascinating things to say about free time and how best to spend it. (34:39)

Hosted by Lara Prendergast and William Moore.

Produced by Oscar Edmondson.

If there are any areas of the magazine that you are particularly interested in or any questions you have for Will and Lara, please email: podcast@spectator.co.uk. We will try and answer as many as we can in next week’s episode.

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According to The Spectator’s calculations, had workforce participation stayed at the same rate as in 2019, the economy would be 1.7 per cent larger now and an end-of-year recession could have been avoided. As things stand, joblessness is coexisting with job vacancies in a way that should be economically impossible, writes Kate Andrews in the cover story. She joins the podcast alongside Paul Nowak, general secretary of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), to debate the problems plaguing Britain’s workforce. (03:11)

Also on the podcast: Lara and Will discuss some of their favourite pieces from the magazine, including Mark Mason’s piece on anti-depressive quality of cricket and Anne Robinson’s fantastic diary. (18:29)

Then: In the arts section of the magazine, Calvin Po writes the lead. He asks whether a Labour government will allow architects to reshape houses as part of their flagship housebuilding plans. Telegraph columnist and author of Home Truths Liam Halligan joins the podcast to discuss Labour’s plans, whether they are realistic and if we can start to build better and more beautifully under a Labour government. (21:32)

And finally: In his column this week Rod Liddle says that smartphones are all too successful and advocates for banning them altogether for children. Interestingly, he argues that we give children smartphones not for their convenience, but for the convenience of parents. He joins the podcast alongside Miranda Wilson, co-founder of Teched Off, a group which campaigns to keep young people safe online. Our editor Fraser Nelson also stops by to give his thoughts. (33:38)

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On the podcast: The Spectator’s assistant foreign editor Max Jeffery writes our cover story this week, asking if Nato is ready to defend itself against a possible Russian invasion. Max joined Nato troops as they carried out drills on the Estonian border. Max joins us on the podcast along with historian Mark Galeotti, author of Putin's Wars. (00:55)

Then: Lionel Shriver talks to us about the sad case of Jennifer Crumbley, the mum who's just been convicted of manslaughter – for her son carrying out a school shooting. Does this set a dangerous moral precedent? (16:05)

And finally: would you stay in a haunted hotel? The travel writer Sean Thomas speaks to us from one in Cambodia, having written for the magazine about the places with grisly pasts that he has stayed in over the course of his career. We're also joined by Judith Blincow, owner of the Mermaid Inn in Rye, one of the most haunted hotels in the country. (26:10)

Hosted by William Moore and Lara Prendergast.

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Welcome to a slightly new format for the Edition podcast! Each week will be talking about the magazine – as per usual – but trying to give a little more insight into the process behind putting The Spectator to bed each week.

On the podcast: The Spectator's political editor Katy Balls writes our cover story this week about 'the plot' to oust Rishi Sunak. When former culture secretary Nadine Dorries made the claim in her book that a secret cabal of advisors were responsible for taking down prime ministers, she was laughed at. But with shadowy backroom fixers assembling to try and take down the prime minister, did she have a point? Katy joins the podcast alongside the Financial Times' Stephen Bush to discuss what makes a successful 'plot'. (03:11)

Also: Lara and Will take us through some of their favourite pieces from this week's issue, featuring an extract from the 'letter from Antarctica', narrated by its author Robbie Mallet, a polar climate scientist at UiT the Arctic University of Norway. (15:33)

Then: The Spectator's commissioning editor Mary Wakefield writes her column this week about XL Bullies. She says that coming face to face with one forced her to change her tune when it comes to the vilified breed and joins the podcast alongside XL Bully owner Sophie Coultard. (19:45)

And finally: who knew women love flowers?

Henry Jeffreys, for one. Ahead of Valentine's Day he writes this week about his surprise at learning that women do, in fact, love flowers. He speaks with Lara – a former florist herself – about the dos and don’ts of flower purchasing. (32:37)

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On the podcast: have the Tories given up on liberty?

Kate Andrews writes the cover story for The Spectator this week. She argues that after the government announced plans to ban disposable vapes and smoking for those born after 2009, the Tories can no longer call themselves the party of freedom. Kate is joined by conservative peer and former health minister Lord Bethell, to discuss whether the smoking ban is a wise precedent for the government to set. (01:22)

Also this week: can the UAE be trusted on press freedom?

At The Spectator that’s a question close to our hearts at the moment as we face possibly being sold off to an Abu Dhabi backed fund. In the magazine this week Anna Somers Cocks, co-founder of the Art newspaper, writes about her own experience dealing with the UAE as an art journalist. And it's not exactly a positive one. She joins the podcast alongside The Spectator's editor Fraser Nelson. (20:03)

And finally: can Gen Z be counted upon to defend Britain?

Investigating in this week's magazine, The Spectator's assistant online editor Angus Colwell argues not. He speaks to people his own age about whether they would take up arms to defend King and country. This is of course in light of general Sir Patrick Sanders’ comment that Britain may need to resort to conscription if world events spiral further out of control. Angus joins the podcast alongside Dr Mike Martin, security expert and former British army officer. (31:16)

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On the podcast: gangsterism or government?

The Covid Inquiry has moved to Scotland and, in his cover story for the magazine, our editor Fraser Nelson looks at the many revelations uncovered by Jamie Dawson KC. Fraser describes how civil servants were enlisted into what he calls an ‘SNP secret state’ and how SNP corruption is threatening devolution. Joining us to discuss is the Coffee House Scots team: Times columnist Iain Macwhirter, The Spectator’s data editor Michael Simmons and The Spectator’s social media editor Lucy Dunn who coordinates our Scotland coverage. (01:26)

Also this week:

With the UK army chief raising the prospect of conscription in the event of war with Russia, spare a thought for Germany whose plans to rebuild its army are already imploding. Lisa Haseldine, The Spectator’s assistant online editor, writes about the dire state of Germany’s army for the magazine and joins the podcast alongside Elisabeth Braw, senior fellow at the Atlantic Council. (14:58)

And finally: is the customer – in fact – always wrong?

The old maxim is that the customer is always right. But Quentin Letts, sketch writer for the Daily Mail, says that the adage has been reversed in recent times. It seems instead that the customer is always wrong, or can never be right. He joins the podcast to discuss the sorry state of modern customer service. (27:48)

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This week:

The Spectator’s cover story looks at how Britain is sobering up, forgoing alcohol in favour of alcohol free alternatives. In his piece, Henry Jeffreys – author of Empire of Booze – attacks the vice of sobriety and argues that the abstinence of young Britons will have a detrimental impact on the drinks industry and British culture. He joins the podcast alongside Camilla Tominey, associate editor of the Telegraph and a teetotaler. (01:27)

Also this week: could Mongolia be the next geopolitical flashpoint?

The Spectator’s Wild Life columnist Aidan Hartley writes in the magazine about Mongolia’s fate, as the country tries to juggle a historic relationship with China and Russia, with desires for a stronger association with the West. Aidan joins us alongside Sergey Radchenko, the Wilson E. Schmidt Distinguished Professor at the John Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, to discuss Mongolia’s dilemma. (17:10)

And finally: why isn’t Lenin as reviled as some of history’s other villains?

To coincide with the centenary of Vladimir Lenin’s death, James Bartholomew writes about the increase in pro-Lenin sympathy amongst young people. He says that despite Lenin’s many crimes, around 15% of young people approve of him. To discuss James's article, Lara speaks to Robert Service, author of Lenin: A Biography. (27:39)

Hosted by William Moore and Lara Prendergast.

Produced by Oscar Edmondson.

Applications to join the Spectator’s broadcast team will close on Sunday. So if you noticed any mistakes in this podcast, any inaccuracies or perhaps even a sloppy editing job in this podcast, then you could be exactly who we need. To apply, follow the link: https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/wanted-a-broadcast-producer-for-the-spectator-2/

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This week: can anyone stop Trump?

The Spectator’s deputy editor Freddy Guy takes a look at Trump's ‘second coming’ in his cover story. He says that despite Trump’s legal troubles, he is almost certain to receive the Republican nomination. Freddy joins the podcast alongside Amber Duke, who also writes in the magazine this week about the brides of trump: the women hoping to receive the nod as his running mate.

Also this week: the old trope is that there is nothing more ex than an ex prime minister, but what about an ex MP?

In the magazine this week, The Spectator’s political correspondent James Heale says that Tory MPs expecting to lose their seats at the next election are jumping on the 'green gravy train' and taking up consultancy positions in the fast-growing climate sector. He joins the podcast alongside Edwina Currie, author, broadcaster, and former Tory MP, to talk about life after politics.

And finally: is self-publishing the future?

Alison Kervin, author and former sports editor at the Mail on Sunday, discusses the rise of self-publishing for The Spectator. In her piece, she praises its financial benefits and argues that it allows writers to overcome some of the problems caused by gatekeepers at the big publishing houses. Alison joins us alongside author and Spectator columnist, Lionel Shriver.

Hosted by William Moore and Lara Prendergast.

Produced by Oscar Edmondson.

The Spectator is hiring! We are looking for a new producer to join our broadcast team working across our suite of podcasts – including this one – as well as our YouTube channel Spectator TV. Follow the link to read the full job listing: https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/wanted-a-broadcast-producer-for-the-spectator-2/

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On the podcast:

In his new year’s address this year Vladimir Putin made no mention of the war in Ukraine – despite missile strikes over the Christmas period – and now Owen Matthews reports in The Spectator this week rumours that Putin could be looking to broker a land-for-peace deal. Unfortunately – Owen says – this deal would mean freezing the conflict along its current lines and the de facto partition of Ukraine. Owen joins the podcast alongside The Spectator’s Svitlana Morenets who gives her own take on Putin’s 'peace' deal in the magazine this week. (01:21)

Next: Former Sky News and GB News broadcaster Colin Brazier writes a farmer’s notebook in The Spectator this week about his new life as a farming student. He brings to light how the culture wars have percolated into the world of agriculture and is joined by farmer and former Tory MP Neil Parish, to discuss. (26:18)

And finally: are video games really a waste of time?

The Spectator’s literary editor Sam Leith explains – in advance of his first video games column for the magazine – that video games are not in fact a waste of time but an artform which should be appreciated as such. He joins the podcast alongside Simon Parkin, writer, contributor to the New Yorker and the host of the My Perfect Console Podcast. (39:10).

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Welcome to this festive episode of the Edition podcast, where we will be taking you through the pages of The Spectator’s special Christmas triple issue.

Up first: What a year in politics it has been. 2023 has seen scandals, sackings, arrests and the return of some familiar faces. It’s easy to forget that at the start of the year Nicola Sturgeon was still leader of the SNP! To make sense of it all is editor of The Spectator, Fraser Nelson, The Spectator’s political editor Katy Balls, and Quentin Letts, sketch writer for the Daily Mail. (01:06)

Next: The story that has dominated the pages of The Spectator in the latter half of this year is of course the conflict in Gaza. Writing in the Christmas magazine, Milbank Family Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution and Bloomberg Opinion columnist Niall Ferguson discusses the history of generational divide when it comes to geopolitical conflicts. This is partly inspired by a piece that Douglas Murray wrote earlier in the year, pointing out the generational divide in the Anglosphere when it comes to support for either Israel or Palestine. They both join the podcast to ask why the kids aren’t all right? (19:29)

Then: In the Christmas magazine this year Charles Moore discusses the divine comedy of PG Wodehouse, and discloses to readers the various literary and biblical references contained within The Code of the Woosters. To unpack the Master’s references further and discuss the genius of Wodehouse, Charles is joined by evolutionary biologist and author, Richard Dawkins. (41:03)

And finally: who would put on a village Christmas play?

This is the question Laurie Graham asks in her piece for The Spectator where she rues her decision to once again take charge of her community's Christmas play. It’s a struggle that our own William Moore knows all too well. He has written and will star in his local village Christmas play this year. Laurie and William join the podcast to discuss how to put on a great Christmas play. (57:30).

Throughout the podcast you will also hear from The Spectator’s agony aunt Dear Mary and the special celebrity guests who have sought her advice in this year's Christmas magazine, including Joanna Lumley (17:43), Nigel Havers (39:36), Sharron Davies (55:56) and Edwina Currie (01:10:59).

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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 British cinema. He joins the podcast to discuss.

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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 magazine this week. He writes in light of the news that South Korea aims to ban eating dogs and recalls his experience sampling dog meat in Cambodia. He is joined by The Spectator’s vintage chef, Olivia Potts. (21:42)

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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 Benny 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. She says that recently bereaved men are much sought after, and joins the podcast alongside Cosmo Landesman, journalist and former dating columnist for the Times. (35:45)

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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 tactical optimism. She is joined by Owen Matthews, The Spectator’s Russia correspondent, to discuss. (15:05)

And finally: what happened to the golden era of television ?

Zoe Strimpel writes in the arts section of the magazine this week that after a boom in quality TV starting in the early 2000s, we are now in the televisual dark ages. She joins the podcast alongside James Delingpole, regular television reviewer for The Spectator. (32:51)

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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 ofUnwired: Gaining Control over Addictive Technologies.

And finally:

Alan Hollinghurst writes this week about Ronald Firbank, the innovative but little known English author who has recently been awarded a blue plaque. In the magazine he sets out the reasons why he is so deserving and is joined alongside The Spectator's literary editor Sam Leith, to discuss further.

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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 Carstairs, who works for The Spectator’s digital team, writes this week about his surprise at finding himself on the Facebook group, 'Are we dating the same guy?' The group aims to highlight ‘red flag men’ in the hope of protecting women. He is joined by Flora Gill, freelance journalist who investigated the group for the Times. (29:25).

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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.

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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 lead, journalist Dan Hitchens reviews Georgian Illuminations, an exhibition at Sir John Soane's Museum on the golden age of public spectacle. He joins the podcast alongside Louise Stewart, co-curator of the exhibition, to uncover how the Georgian's invented nightlife.

Hosted by Lara Prendergast and William Moore.

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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. (43:39)

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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 Deception: The Birth of the Hoax in Eighteenth-Century England to debate whether as a country we are uniquely gullible. (26:53).

Hosted by Lara Prendergast and William Moore.

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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 by the national newspaper. He joins the podcast alongside journalist Cosmo Landesman, whose dating columns I’m sure many listeners will remember. (33:02).

Hosted by Lara Prendergast and William Moore.

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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 comparing the fastest growing – Elim Pentecostal church – and the fastest shrinking church in the UK – United Reformed church. He is joined by Revd Marcus Walker, Rector of the Priory Church of St Bartholomew the Great, London. (31:29)

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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 the Times to debate whether rock and roll really is dead. (25:34)

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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)

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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 Graham celebrates the joys of freezer food for the Spectator’s notes on this week and joins the podcast alongside The Spectator’s vintage chef and co-host of The Spectator’s food and drink podcast, Table Talk, Olivia Potts. (28:24)

Hosted by Lara Prendergast.

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Listen to Lara and Olivia's fortnightly food and drink podcast here: https://www.spectator.co.uk/podcasts/table-talk/

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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 Spectator 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 advantage to be gained in games of chess. However, John MacGhilionn argues that there are hormonal and cognitive factors which give men the advantage in this week’s magazine. This is in light of the decision by the International Chess Federation (FIDE) to ban trans women from competing in women’s events. Chess enthusiasts and regular Spectator contributors Debbie Hayton and Zoe Strimpel join us to set out the arguments for and against FIDE’s controversial decision. (16:08)

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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 want ice cream?

That’s the question that Mary Wakefield wrestles with in her column this week in The Spectator. With supermarkets now stocking everything from dog ice cream to dog caviar, she argues that we have lost our collective minds. Sir Cary Cooper, professor of organisational psychology at the University of Manchester, joins the podcast. (24:00)

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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 the magazine and she joins us alongside Dr Sarah Ball, GP and Menopause Specialist.

Hosted by Lara Prendergast and William Moore.

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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 amongst some teenagers. Is this a sign that the fundamentals of family life have moved on from duty, or unconditional love, to a more transactional approach? Mary joins the podcast, together with Becca Bland, founder and CEO of Stand Alone, a charity which supports people estranged from their families. (28:00)

Presented by Lara Prendergast and William Moore.

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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 Spectator contributor Damian Reilly. (25:09)

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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 AI will take over the role of screenwriters. Gareth Roberts argues in The Spectator that there is such a glut of poor scripts that we may not even notice that if AI replaces screenwriters, and is joined by Anna Smith, film critic and host of the girls on film podcast. (26:39)

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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 the Church of England and the Vatican to engage with popular culture, prompting him to ask: has the Vatican abandoned beauty? He is joined by Fr Lawrence Lew, Prior and Parish Priest at Our Lady of the Rosary and St Dominic. (27:13)

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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 magazine this week, as he charts the rise of the increasingly popular racquet sport. He joins the podcast alongside Tia Norton, British female number one Padel tennis player. (27:45)

Hosted by Lara Prendergast and William Moore.

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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 magazine, and takes us through some of the most rude and amusing examples that have been excavated in Rome and Pompeii. He joins the podcast alongside street artist Sarah Yates, aka Faunagraphic. (27:24)

Hosted by Lara Prendergast and William Moore.

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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)

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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 reviews Tim Burrow’s new book: The Invention of Essex: The Making of an English County. They both join the podcast to consider whether the 'Essex Man' as alive and well. (25:00)

Hosted by Lara Prendergast and William Moore.

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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. She joins the podcast alongside The Spectator’s literary editor Sam Leith, to discuss whether this fad could spell the end for books as we know them. (22:39)

Hosted by Lara Prendergast and William Moore.

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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 the fighting Irish, the drinking Irish, the self-deprecating humorous Irish, has turned into a kind of parody of liberal authoritarianism’. She joins the podcast now, together with Irish comedian and impressionist Oliver Callan.

Presented by William Moore and Lara Prendergast.

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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.

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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 Gray. (34:24)

Hosted by Lara Prendergast and William Moore.

Produced by Max Jeffery.

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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.

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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 Society to learn about the art of hedgelaying (30:29).

Hosted by Lara Prendergast and William Moore.

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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).

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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 appeal of the Holy Grail (26:50).

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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 section of the magazine Philip Hensher reviews Sarah Bakewell’s new book Humanly Possible: Seven Hundred Years of Humanist Thinking, Enquiry and Hope. Philip says that he admires the humanists of the past, and find them consistently kinder, more decent and generous than their contemporaries. Both Philip and Sarah join the podcast (31:34).

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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 Jason Torrance, CEO of UK100 which works closely with local governments and is in favour of the scheme. (32:28)

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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 by fraudsters. James Ball, columnist at the New European, joins the podcast alongside Jay Hacks, an AI practitioner. Would they be fooled by a voice scam? (26:38).

Presented by William Moore and Lara Prendergast.

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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 and psychologist Emma Kavanagh, to examine Wales's murderous reputation (24:36).

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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 regular Spectator contributor Alexander Larman to consider Coward's life and legacy (27:44).

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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)

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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 editor Hannah Tomes, to investigate whether renting may be the better option for generation rent (29:33).

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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 The Spectator. He is joined by Mellany Robinson, project manager at the Museum of British Folklore and co-curator of the new exhibition Making Mischief: Folk Costume in Britain (27:55).

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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).

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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).

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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 has had its day (29:03).

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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)

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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 Radio 3 and the Telegraph’s opera critic, to debate whether the station is dumbing down (27:01).

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Produced by Oscar Edmondson.

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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 Spectator World, to go through the best – or perhaps the worst – details in the book (26:39).

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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, writes in celebration of the high-handed and unflinching advice of Victorian agony aunts. She is joined by The Spectator’s own agony aunt Mary Killen – aka Dear Mary – to consider whether today’s agony aunts are going soft (33:32).

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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 the author Robert Harris about everything from eco-radicals and interpreting history, to why the monarchy is so essential. They have kindly allowed us to hear some their conversation (25:58).

Also this week: In his piece for The Spectator's Christmas issue, travel writer Sean Thomas reflects on a recent cruise around the Antarctic peninsula, a trip which gave him a new answer to the question which perpetually plagues him: what is the best place you have ever been? He is joined by explorer Felicity Aston who in 2012 became the first person to ski solo across Antarctica (40:59).

And finally: Pantomime dames are as synonymous with Christmas as mince pies and a Spectator Christmas issue, but what makes a truly great dame? This is the question that Robert Gore-Langton asks in our festive magazine. He is joined by pantomime legend Christopher Biggins and Martin Vander Weyer, The Spectator’s business editor and amateur pantomime dame (51:52).

Throughout the podcast you will also hear from some of our favourite answers to our Christmas poll: what gives you hope? Including Robert Tombs (15:19), Mary Beard (24:58), Susan Hill (39:15) and Peter Hitchens (50:58).

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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).

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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).

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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).

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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).

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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).

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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).

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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 trying to keep pace with Truss's doomed premiership (28:09).

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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 really justify keeping the Elgin Marbles in the British Museum (21:00).

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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).

Hosted by Lara Prendergast and William Moore.

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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' about the motivations and aims of these activists (25:07).

Hosted by Lara Prendergast and William Moore.

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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 journalistMelanie 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).

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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.

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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.

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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.

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In this weeks episode:

We look ahead to Harry and Megan’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.

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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.

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In this week’s episode:

Is Giorgia Meloni the most dangerous woman in Europe?

Spectator contributor, Nicholas Farrell and political correspondent at Bloomberg, Chiara Albanese join us 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.

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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.

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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 is also the vice chair of the West Suffolk Conservative association and remains firmly in favour of Liz Truss. (27.30)

Hosted by Lara Prendergast.

Produced by Natasha Feroze.

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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.

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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

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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 ofBeyond Pronouns (21.43).

And finally:

James Ball reviews Matthew Ball’s The Metaverse: And How It Will Revolutionise Everythingfor the magazine this week. He is joined by Sid Venkataramakrishnan from the Financial Times to discuss the future of the Metaverse (36.21)

Hosted by Lara Prendergast & William Moore

Produced by Natasha Feroze

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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 & William Moore

Produced by Natasha Feroze.

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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 & William Moore

Produced by Natasha Feroze

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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 & Tanya Gold, a Spectator contributorchat about their shared love for cars. (24.06)

Hosted by Lara Prendergast & William Moore

Produced by Natasha Feroze

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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 & 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 & James Amos organiser of Boodles Boxing Ball on the strange world of White Collar Boxing. (27:40)

Hosted by Lara Prendergast & William Moore Produced by Sam Holmes

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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 & William Moore Produced by Sam Holmes

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In this week’s episode: Robert Hardman & 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 Produced by Sam Holmes

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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

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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 & William Moore

Produced by Sam Holmes

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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 & William Moore

Produced by Sam Holmes

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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’s magazine, The Spectator’s diary editor James Heale turns his attention to Eton College, which he says is having an uncharacteristic identity crisis. James joins the podcast to talk about the direction of the school, along with The Spectator’s literary editor, and Old Etonian, Sam Leith. (28:29)

Hosted by William Moore

Produced by Sam Holmes

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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 for us on how silly she thinks this policy is. (09:56) And finally: Is getting a fringe a cry for help? Martha Gill writes in this week’s Spectator on the subject of fringes. Why have they come to signify a difficult or traumatic phase in a woman’s life? She joins the podcast along with celebrity hairdresser Cristiano Basciu who has a defence of the fringe. (17:35) Hosted by Lara Prendergast and William Moore Produced by Sam Holmes Subscribe to The Spectator today and get a £20 Amazon gift voucher:www.spectator.co.uk/voucher

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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 magazine about how some AI programs appear to have become rather good at painting. But what does this mean for the future of art? He joins the podcast along with Lukas Noehrer the organiser of The Alan Turing Institute’s AI & Arts group and Professor Stefano Ermon of Stanford whose research has made much of this technology possible. (28:16)

Hosted by Lara Prendergast and William Moore

Produced by Sam Holmes

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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. (20:20) And finally: Why do so many of Africa’s leaders support Putin? Our wildlife correspondent, Aidan Hartley argues in this week’s Spectator that this is because many previously colonised nations still see the West as their old enemy and that the enemy of their enemy is their friend. Aidan joins us now. (31:40) Hosted by Lara Prendergast and William Moore Produced by Sam Holmes Subscribe to The Spectator today and get a £20 Amazon gift voucher:www.spectator.co.uk/voucher

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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 journalist and author Tibor Fischer. (19:44) And finally: Why are overpriced English kitchens so hot right now? How much would you be willing to spend on your kitchen? The answer for some seems to be a lot. And the fashionable choice at the moment is faux traditional English. Writer and art critic, Laura Freeman explores this phenomenon in this week’s Spectator and she joins the podcast along with Stacey Sheppard, creator of the design blog The Design Sheppard. (32:25) Hosted by Lara Prendergast and William Moore Produced by Sam Holmes Subscribe to The Spectator today and get a £20 Amazon gift voucher:www.spectator.co.uk/voucher

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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 islands? It has been 40 years since the war between the UK and Argentina over the Falklands and in this week’s Spectator Robert Taylor writes about the impact that conflict still has on the territory. He joins the podcast along with native Argentinian and Professor of International Law of The Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Marcelo G. Kohen. (22:43) Hosted by Lara Prendergast and William Moore Produced by Sam Holmes Subscribe to The Spectator today and get a £20 Amazon gift voucher:www.spectator.co.uk/voucher

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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 describe businesses that drive consumers away with their politically worthy causes. Could the same be said for The Oscars? Toby joins The Edition podcast along with Fiona Mountford, a theatre critic and regular contributor for The Spectator. (24:51) Hosted by William Moore. Subscribe to The Spectator today and get a £20 Amazon gift voucher:www.spectator.co.uk/voucher

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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 of Durham University. It was once at the top of the league tables just under Oxford and Cambridge but has this all changed? Nathan who is a writer graduated from Durham in 2017. Joining Nathan is Imogen Usherwood, another writer who recently graduated from Durham University in 2021. (35.40) Hosted by Lara Prendergast and William Moore Subscribe to The Spectator today and get a £20 Amazon gift voucher:www.spectator.co.uk/voucher

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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 Spectator this week about offal. It’s having a comeback, he says, thanks to macho men following internet advice about what to eat. He joins the podcast with Natasha Lawson, T he Spectator’s designer and a keen organ fan, who bought in one of her favourite products for Lara, Gus and William to try. (30:19)

Hosted by Lara Prendergast and William Moore

Produced by Sam Holmes

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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 British brands losing their soul? Harry Wallop, in this week’s Spectator, wonders why some of Britain's oldest and most distinctive brands are trashing their reputation. They are selling out, changing the very thing that made them special in order to appeal to foreign millionaires. He joins the podcast along with a popular culture expert. Nick Ede. (29:40) Hosted by Lara Prendergast and William Moore Produced by Sam Holmes Subscribe to The Spectator today and get a £20 Amazon gift voucher:www.spectator.co.uk/voucher

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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 Landesman believes that once men reach a certain age, they quite enjoy taking their clothes off no matter where. He has written about his theory in this week’s magazine and he joins the podcast along with Andrew Welch from British Naturism. (23:31) Hosted by Lara Prendergast and William Moore Produced by Sam Holmes Subscribe to The Spectator today and get a £20 Amazon gift voucher:www.spectator.co.uk/voucher

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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 Catch Your Breath about working in the NHS during the pandemic is out now. (16:05) And finally: why have we stopped whistling?

Whistling can be seen as a bit annoying at best and rude at worst. But in this week’s Spectator, Steve Morris laments the loss of everyday whistling. He considers it a way of bringing music into one’s life for those who don’t own a piano. He joins the podcast along with whistling world champion David Morris, who has released six albums of his whistling. (25:50) Hosted by Lara Prendergast and William Moore Produced by Sam Holmes Subscribe to The Spectator today and get a £20 Amazon gift voucher:www.spectator.co.uk/voucher

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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. (11:38) And finally: Has Covid permanently changed how people take Communion?

During the Covid pandemic, churches had to rethink the way they gave communion to their congregations. But will we ever go back to the old normal? Ysenda Maxtone Graham mourns the loss of the tradition of the communal cup in this week's Spectator. She joins the podcast along with Revd Dr Andrew Atherstone, a Tutor in Church History at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford, who has written a study entitled, Drink This, All of You’: Individual Cups at Holy Communion.(21:42) Hosted by Lara Prendergast and William Moore Produced by Sam Holmes Subscribe to The Spectator today and get a £20 Amazon gift voucher:www.spectator.co.uk/voucher

Listen to Lara's food podcast Table Talk: https://www.spectator.co.uk/podcasts/table-talk

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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 weekend marks the 70th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s accession to the throne. Graham Viney, author of The Last Hurrah: South Africa and the Royal Tour of 1947, writes this week's magazine about how she was prepared for that moment. He joins the podcast, along with the royal commentator and biographer, Angela Levin, author of ‘Harry: A biography of a Prince’. (28:41) Hosted by Lara Prendergast and William Moore Produced by Natasha Feroze Subscribe to The Spectator today and get a £20 Amazon gift voucher:www.spectator.co.uk/voucher

Listen to Lara's food podcast Table Talk: https://www.spectator.co.uk/podcasts/table-talk

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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, Anthony Whitehead explores the history, influence, and appeal of back-page ads. He joins the podcast along with Lawrence Bernstein who has been running a classified ad in the back pages of The Spectator for years. (26:18) Hosted by Lara Prendergast and William Moore Produced by Sam Holmes Subscribe to The Spectatortoday and get a £20 Amazon gift voucher:

www.spectator.co.uk/voucher Listen to Lara's food podcast Table Talk: https://www.spectator.co.uk/podcasts/table-talk

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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 of Americans addicted to OxyContin, contributing to the country’s devastating opioid crisis - are now returning to philanthropy in the UK. But should their ill-gotten money be accepted for good causes? That’s the question Sam Leith and Matthew Parris have both asked for the Spectator’s website and magazine respectively. They both join the podcast to continue their moral musings. (28:07) Hosted by Lara Prendergast and William Moore Produced by Sam Holmes Subscribe to The Spectatortoday and get a £20 Amazon gift voucher:

www.spectator.co.uk/voucher Listen to Lara's food podcast Table Talk: https://www.spectator.co.uk/podcasts/table-talk

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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 economics editor, made an unusual discovery at the end of last year. Pictures of her in flip flops had made it onto a particular website, Wikifeet – ‘the internet’s largest collaborative celebrity feet website’. Kate wrote about her surprising discovery in this week’s magazine, and she joins the podcast along with Theresa Bedford, a personal finance and investing expert who has written about the best ways to sell pictures of your feet online. (28:59) Hosted by Lara Prendergast and William Moore Produced by Sam Holmes Subscribe to The Spectatortoday and get a £20 Amazon gift voucher:

www.spectator.co.uk/voucher Listen to Lara's food podcast Table Talk: https://www.spectator.co.uk/podcasts/table-talk

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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 honour? The comedian Stewart Lee announced his pedal bin list for the new year. Essentially people he wants to put in the bin. In The Spectator this week Julie Burchill who is on the list writes about her excitement to be featured. Joining the podcast are two others who made the list: journalist Martha Gill and Winston Marshall formally of the band Mumford and Sons, but who this year is joining The Spectator family with his new show, Marshall Matters. (28:59) Hosted by Lara Prendergast and William Moore Produced by Sam Holmes Subscribe to The Spectatortoday and get a £20 Amazon gift voucher:

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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 ask them say they are doing just fine. Lara Prendergast is joined by Jonathan Miller, Douglas Murray, and Cindy Yu to discuss the state of the world. (22:34) Then, a subject we all hoped to be leaving in the rearview mirror. Covid. With so much misinformation out there, the one important thing to have is good data, which is why we built The Spectator’s Covid data hub, and William Moore is joined on the podcast by three people who spend an ungodly amount of time going through those figures. The Spectator editor Fraser Nelson, Michael Simmons (who puts the data hub together and is making his podcast debut), and our economics editor Kate Andrews. (40:52) We chose our penultimate segment by looking back at all the most read articles of the year and chose the subject that appeared the most. The Royal Family won by a landslide, and it has been a big year for them. To break down the year’s big Royal moments and try and figure out why we are so obsessed with this family, Lara Prendergast and William Moore sat down with Freddy Gray and Patrick Jephson. (59:37) And finally, The Edition's producer has given William Moore an early Christmas present. The Church of England is one of his favourite things to talk about, because of how important he thinks it is for our society, but also because of the many issues he has with how it is run. Will gets stuck into it with four amazing priests – Marcus Walker, Daniel French, Nicholas Cranfield, and Steve Morris – who see out the year by telling us their favourite Christmas carols. (01:13:04) Hosted by Lara Prendergast & Will Moore Produced by Sam Holmes Subscribe to The Spectator magazine this Christmas and get the next 12 issues – in print and online – for just £12. Not only that but you’ll also receive a bottle of Taittinger champagne, worth £42, to see you through to the new year. Join the party today at www.spectator.co.uk/celebrate

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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 buildings should continue being a place of faith even if that faith is not Christian. He joins Lara along with Christopher Howse, the author of many a book about religious history and architecture. (13:46) And finally: Are we witnessing the twilight of the necktie? Lockdowns meant we all got used to working from home, which resulted in a much more casual dress code. It feels very strange to wear a suit around your own house. But Jonathan Miller is worried that this may lead to the end of the necktie, a fashion accessory he believes is an important symbol of traditional masculinity. He joins Lara to expand on that idea along with fashion historian Dr. Kimberly Chrisman-Campbell. (25:47) Hosted by Lara Prendergast Produced by Sam Holmes Subscribe to The Spectator today and get a £20 Amazon gift voucher:

www.spectator.co.uk/voucher Listen to Lara's food podcast Table Talk: https://www.spectator.co.uk/podcasts/table-talk

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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) And finally: Now it’s December can we open the Baileys? Now it’s December, Christmas celebrations can begin. Our own Hannah Tomes has written about one of her favourite festive delights. Baileys. She joins the podcast along with another Irish cream connoisseur, Lara Prendergast, and the Spectator’s Deputy Editor Freddy Gray who heard we were drinking Baileys and couldn’t resist. (33:02) Hosted by Lara Prendergast Produced by Sam Holmes Subscribe to The Spectator today and get a £20 Amazon gift voucher:

www.spectator.co.uk/voucher

Listen to Isabel's podcast on the NHS post Covid, Aftershock:

https://www.spectator.co.uk/podcast/The-NHS-edition

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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 and talks on the podcast about the history of China’s mistress culture. (14:17) And finally: What does it take to be a Hamleys elf? Christmas is coming and if there are children in your life begging for this season's hottest toy, you might find yourself at Hamleys, the world’s oldest toys store, and as you enter you may well be greeted by a festive elf. But what’s it like being one of these red and green-clad friends of Father Christmas? Our podcast producer Sam Holmes writes in The Spectator this week about his experience as an elf when he was 19. Sam is joined on the podcast by Mark Campbell, the current Lego man at Hamleys and Sam’s old boss from his elf days. (21:00) Hosted by Lara Prendergast Produced by Sam Holmes Subscribe to The Spectator today and get a £20 Amazon gift voucher:

www.spectator.co.uk/voucher Listen to Lara’s food-based interview show, Table Talk:

https://www.spectator.co.uk/tabletalk

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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)

And finally: Why is the mullet making a comeback? Mullets. A hairstyle made popular in the 70s, but more recently the butt of many a joke is making something of a fashionable comeback. Hannah Moore writes about the return of the mullet in this week’s Spectator. She joins talks on the podcast with Mike Lawson of Beardbrand who has also noticed this retro return. (29:09) Hosted by Lara Prendergast Produced by Sam Holmes Subscribe to The Spectator today and get a £20 Amazon gift voucher:

www.spectator.co.uk/voucher Listen to Lara’s food-based interview show, Table Talk:

https://www.spectator.co.uk/tabletalk

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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 territory. (17:09) And finally: How do you join the world of underground chess?

One of the world’s oldest games is making something of a comeback, with underground chess clubs starting up all over the world. Jamie Njoku-Goodwin, CEO of UK music, writes about this phenomenon in this week’s Spectator. He joins the podcast along with Nick Moar, The Spectator’s social media editor and chess enthusiast to discuss their favourite pastime. Nick and James are also joined by the grandmaster himself, Malcolm Pein who wanted in on the fun. (30:56)

Hosted by Lara Prendergast

Produced by Sam Holmes Subscribe to The Spectator today and get a £20 Amazon gift voucher:

www.spectator.co.uk/voucher Listen to Lara’s food-based interview show, Table Talk:

https://www.spectator.co.uk/tabletalk

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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) And finally: Is the idea of ‘buy now pay later’ financially precarious for young people?

Gus Carter has been exploring the new Swedish-born app that is blowing up with the youth: Klarna. On its face, it seems to just be a modern replacement for a credit card with some gifts thrown in, but could this ‘buy now pay later’ model have some unexpected consequences for its users? Gus talks about his findings along with the author of the blog Young Money Iona Bain. (27:33)

Hosted by Lara Prendergast

Produced by Sam Holmes Subscribe to The Spectator today and get a £20 Amazon gift voucher:

www.spectator.co.uk/voucher Listen to Lara’s food-based interview show, Table Talk:

https://www.spectator.co.uk/tabletalk

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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 very worried if there was a suggestion that they as younger people are being prevailed upon to answer the right questions and say ‘actually Dad I do now believe!’ Simply for the exchange of some filthy lucre.’ – Rev. Nicholas Cranfield

And finally: What are the ups and downs of book clubs?

Author Elisa Segrave was cancelled from a book club event after an email of hers apparently ‘hurt’ some members. This inspired her analysis of the book club concept for this week’s Spectator. Along with Simon Savidge the founder of Savidge Reads, she talks about her and her friends' bumpy relationship with book clubs. (25:10)

‘I was always really excited for what that next choice would be because it was like a mystery until that final moment or final glass of wine.’ – Simon Savidge

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Produced by Sam Holmes

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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)

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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 Philip Hensher is not too impressed with the batch. But how are these books selected? What are the criteria? Can a Booker Prize winner be funny? To answer all those questions, Philip joins Lara along with The Spectator’s Books Editor and former Booker judge, Sam Leith. (20:51)

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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 Spectator that if the Met and police are to reform its subculture of racism and misogyny it can’t be done with Cressida Dick still at the helm. He is joined on the podcast by Sharon Haye, a former officer and policing advocate. (14:06) And finally: what is the future for British butchery? Olivia Potts is learning butchery. And in this week’s Spectator, she writes about her experiences as well as the state of the industry in the UK today. Nigel Jarvis is a fourth-generation butcher who has just retired after an unexpected boom in custom during lockdown. (28:52) Hosted by Lara Prendergast Produced by Sam Holmes

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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 aboutBeijing’s crypto future. (14:15)

And finally: are the Marvel movies – good? Love them or hate them, these superhero blockbusters have dominated the box office for more than a decade and have redefined pop culture. They may not have received particularly positive reviews in the Spectator over the years, but Rosie Millard has jumped to their defence in the magazine’s lead arts feature this week. She guests on the podcast to try and convince William to give Marvel a chance. (26:18)

Hosted by William Moore

Produced by Sam Holmes

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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 new threat to the parish, which Emma writes about in this week’s magazine. She is joined by Marcus on the podcast to explain what you can do to save your local church. . (16:35)

And finally: in a time when travel has never been faster, why has so little been done to reform queues? This is the question Harry Mount asks in the magazine this week. He sits down with me now, with the Spectator’s Wiki Man columnist, Rory Sutherland to pitch some transformative ideas on how to update this very British pastime. (29:10)

Hosted by William Moore

Produced by Sam Holmes

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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 that assisted dying is a painful process 'unscientific shroud-waving', a claim she debates with Dr Zivot this week. (13:43)

And finally, Non-Fungible Tokens are selling at extortionate prices online, and are proudly hanging on the virtual walls of many. But can they really be considered art? Jack Rivlin writes about his own experience of purchasing NFTs in this week's Spectator. He is joined by Nima Sagharachi, director of Middle Eastern, Islamic and South Asian Art at Bonhams. (30:20)

Hosted by William Moore

Produced by Sam Holmes and Oscar Edmondson

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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 whose family lived under a Soviet regime. (16:18)

And finally, why does London have so many American sweet shops? Some of London’s busiest streets are host to them, taking up prime real estate in the capital. Hannah Moore writes about her confusion with this phenomenon in this week’s Spectator. She joins Lara along with food trend expert Shokofeh Hejazi. (26:46)

Hosted by Lara Prendergast

Produced by Sam Holmes

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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 this secular age? Although she never wanted children of her own, Fiona Mountford writes in this week’s Spectator that she knew she always wanted godchildren. Why? Fiona joins the podcast, together with Mary Killen, the Spectator’s Dear Mary columnist. (24:00)

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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.

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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. (12:12)

‘I don't think your piece is anti-vaxx, I don't think you're anti-vaxx, I think expressing some concerns and airing what's happened to you is absolutely legitimate and valid’ - Dr Jo Mountfield

And finally, while many during the pandemic have fled London for greener pastures, our own Martin Vander Weyer has moved back to the city after more than 30 years of Yorkshire living. He writes about his new Covent Garden lifestyle in this week’s issue, and He joins us on the Edition along with William Moore, who has done the opposite, having left London with his young family to become a country gent. (25:39)

'With the upmost respect, I think you're mad!' - William Moore

Presented by Lara Prendergast

Produced by Sam Holmes

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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 Malta and the odyssey he went through to try and get a simple ‘Day 2’ Covid test. We are also joined by Virginia Messina, the acting CEO of the World Travel and Tourism Council. (17:56)

‘What is clear now is that if you’re fully vaccinated you could just take a rapid test, so what we’ve been arguing is that it should be the government paying for them.’ - Virginia Messina And finally, for the majority - if not all - of the 20th century, America was the ‘shining city on a hill’ that many Europeans headed for. But is that still the case? Not according to Sean Thomas, who says that the American Dream might be well and truly over. But on the podcast, we’ve also brought the host of The Spectator’s Americano podcast, Freddy Gray, to give a glimmer of hope that the USA isn’t in terminal decline. (27:39)

Presented by Lara Prendergast

Produced by Sam Holmes

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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 & author Lawrence Osborne

Presented by Lara Prendergast.

Produced by Cindy Yu, Max Jeffery and Sam Russell.

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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.

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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.

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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 by China and the erratic unpredictability of a boom built largely on hype, memes and hot air, finally put the kibosh on cryptocash? 'If we talk about bitcoin, there’s really not a difference between bitcoin and dogecoin apart from that fact that one says it’s a joke and one says it's really serious!' Jemima Kelly And finally - the annual Turner art prize rarely fails to spark a bit of controversy and this year’s nominations have reliably provided. There’s been plenty in the way of debate, but not especially in terms of tangible art. The 2021 shortlist comprises five ‘collectives’, most of whom some of whom have barely touched a paintbrush in their lives, has been announced - and in this week’s magazine, art critic Oliver Basciano argues that the politicisation of the Turner is in danger of sidelining values of aesthetics and free expression. He’s joined by critic and author Hettie Judah, to mull over what, how, and why the radical line-up of nominees have been selected and what this means to the British art world. ‘It’s an atypical year - you talk about people going and making weird and exciting stuff in their bedrooms or studios but we’ve not been able to see much of it this year. So, I mean, are we going to have an exhibition of the most-liked works on Instagram?' - Hettie Judah Presented by Cindy Yu

Produced by Arsalan Mohammad

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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 the upcoming social summer. [12:25]

'I sometimes got emails from people, during lockdown, saying, I’m on my way to my second house, can you confirm this is legal or not, as if I was the ultimate arbiter of the crazy compliance and Covid restrictions!' - Rachel Johnson

Finally, as the government announces its plans to introduce new asset thresholds for households seeking healthcare in old age, Leo McKinstry writes in The Spectator this week of his irritation with middle-class homeowners scandalised at the prospect of selling their homes to finance healthcare in their old age. Should this be a cost collectively borne by the taxpayer or should those with ample assets simply bear the brunt of the cost? Will Heaven, Director of Policy and Communications at the Policy Exchange think tank, joins us to argue the point. [23:00]

'I think if you were to tell most 40-year olds that you’re going to pay one penny extra on income tax over the course of your career but you’re never going to have to worry about high social care costs and parents and grandparents, they’d probably go for it' - Will Heaven.

Presented by Lara Prendergast.

Produced by Arsalan Mohammad and Sam Russell.

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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 Prendergast.

Produced by Arsalan Mohammad.

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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 & 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 Gleneagles hospital. (19:40)

Presented by Lara Prendergast.

Produced by Arsalan Mohammad.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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 CenturyMark Honigsbaum; ecologist Peter Daszak; Reverend Steve Morris; and historian Kathryn Ferry.

Presented by Cindy Yu.

Produced by Cindy Yu and Sam Russell.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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