Has the British establishment been taken over by men from the Commonwealth? What with a Canadian in charge of the Bank of England, an Aussie strategy advisor for the Tories, a South African advising the Lib Dems, and — let’s not forget — a Zimbabwean coaching our cricket team, it does seem as if alpha males from the former empire are in charge. In this week’s podcast, James Forsyth discusses his cover essay on ‘The New Colonials’, and explains what makes them so successful. He’s joined by Ruth Porter from the Institute of Economic Affairs, a New Zealand citizen who is also married to a Kiwi, as they attempt to get to the bottom of the mystery. Surely, argues James, it makes sense to strengthen our bond with the ‘dominions’, rather than looking to Europe?
Freddy Gray and Mark Mason also discuss the rise of ‘Death Cafés’ in the UK at 11:10 mins – a new phenomenon in which people meet to discuss their own mortality. In a world where even doctors and lawyers don’t want to use the dreaded D-word, Mark says the death café movement is surprisingly refreshing.
Plus, at 18:10 Mary Wakefield and Isabel Hardman debate whether or not men should take their shirts off in public in summer. Isabel thinks male toplessness must be stopped — though she is willing to concede a special exemption for builders. Mary, on the other hand, thinks there’s nothing wrong with men revealing a bit more flesh.
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