A special form of disrespect

Elected police commissioners are a test of whether the Tories are serious or not about their agenda

Sir Hugh Orde, the head of the Association of Chief Police officers, has issued another broadside against Tory plans for locally elected police commissioner. Orde has warned that senior

The Eighth Wonder of the World

Brother, can you spare me £150,000? You see, I'm not normally too fussed about film memorabilia – but this is different. It's the one of the original models of

Does Obama Need Britain in Afghanistan?

Since I outlined a modest case for dithering on Afghanstan last month, it probably behoves me to admit that, politicaly though perhaps not militarily, the time for consequence-free dithering

The peace to end all peace

The first world war was the last major conflict to be brought to an end in the traditional fashion, with a formal treaty of peace. Or, rather, several treaties of

Spectator sport

The X Factor (ITV, Saturday and Sunday) is the most popular show on television at the moment. I felt I should watch it so that you don’t have to.

It’s

Buckets and Spades

Southwest London – leafy, quiet streets of Victorian houses. North Cornwall – the bone-chilling Atlantic wind, massive breakers and tiny beach houses clinging onto the cliffs for dear life. What

Poetry reading, 25 November (more fine words from The Spectator)

On Wednesday 25 November 2009, The Spectator continues its series of successful poetry evenings showcasing some of the biggest and brightest names in contemporary poetry. The reading will take place in The Spectator Boardroom, 22 Old Queen Street, London, SW1H 9HP between 6:30pm and 9pm.

Religion is like a jigsaw: it makes a picture out of puzzling chaos

It hardly struck me, as I set out for a couple of days in Somerset, that they would lead me to Bridport in Dorset, thence to Dame Margaret Drabble, to