Whips Office
‘All right! All right! I’ll support the government on human rights!’
The Spectator
Thursday
Hampstead
‘It’s one of those traditional villages where the locals are all from Hampstead.’
Letters | 4 June 2015
Targeting aid Sir: The way that our aid is being spent is a national scandal (Leading article, 30 May). This is because Dfid has outsourced its professional advice and thus no longer has the expertise to manage an aid programme, and because the establishment of the 0.7 per cent means that funds must be spent regardless
Portrait of the week | 4 June 2015
Home David Cameron, the Prime Minister, toured Europe trying to gain support for reforms to favour Britain’s position in the European Union. Angela Merkel, the Chancellor of Germany, said she did not rule out treaty changes in Europe and would be a ‘constructive partner’ of Britain in seeking reforms. Nick Clegg, the former deputy prime
Barometer | 4 June 2015
First test The driving test celebrated its 80th anniversary. The first person to take the test, R.E.L. Beene of Kensington, passed. Here is some of the advice given to candidates on a Pathé newsreel: — ‘Don’t flick your cigarette ash outside. It’s very confusing.’ (The driver behind would have been looking for hand signals.) —
Who’s listening?
[audioplayer src=”http://rss.acast.com/viewfrom22/thehighpriestsofhealth/media.mp3″ title=”Fraser Nelson and Paul Staines discuss the collapse of the Andy Coulson perjury trail” startat=1402] Listen [/audioplayer]Britain and America, as George Bernard Shaw is reputed to have said, are two countries divided by their common language. As of this week they are divided by something else, too: their common interest in the fight
Books & arts – 4 June 2015
The Spectator at war: Financing the fight
From ‘The Financial Emergency’, The Spectator, 5 June 1915: In these columns the late Government have often been criticized for the way in which they permitted the national expenditure to grow in time of peace. Let us admit, however, quite frankly that the nation before the war began was so rich that it could afford
National mood
From ‘Depression and its Causes’, The Spectator, 6 June 1915: The British nation have still great possessions in the way of liberty of action, of liberty not to fight for their country, of liberty to spend their money in the sedative of drink, the sedative which slows down the pace and energy of the human machine
Wednesday
Health podcast special: does technology spell the end of the waiting room?
Technology has the huge potential to transform the healthcare system. In this View from 22 podcast special, The Spectator’s Sebastian Payne discusses how technology is revolutionising healthcare with Professor Simon Wessely, the president of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, Dr James Kingsland, the President of the National Association of Primary Care and Kate Newhouse, the CEO of Doctor Care
The Spectator at war: Voluntary service
From ‘A War Census’, The Spectator, 5 June 1915: It is quite possible that a war census may prove a substitute for compulsion, or, rather, render compulsion unnecessary. When we come to ask the question: “What are you doing for your country ?” the shame of saying “Nothing” will bring home to many men the
Tuesday
The Spectator at war: The front line in London
From ‘The Zeppelin Raid on London’, The Spectator, 5 June 1915: LONDON is to be complimented on having come through its first Zeppelin raid with complete composure and little material damage. We have always assumed that the raids so far have been trial trips, and we have little doubt that the Germans mean to come
Sunday
The Spectator at war: The blood price of victory
From ‘A Besieged Empire‘, The Spectator, 29 May 1915: All that can be seen at the present moment is that the Germans seem to be capable of supplying themselves with all essential requisites in spite of the almost complete blockade maintained by their enemies. There is, however, one consideration which points clearly to their final
Saturday
The Spectator at war: A Cabinet of fighting men
From ‘The National Government‘, The Spectator, 29 May 1915: We have got our backs to the wall. There is no alternative to the present Ministry. If they fail us, there is nothing left. This thought should not lead to dread or anxiety, but to the very opposite. They are Englishmen, and they are not going
Friday
The Spectator at war: Who governs Britain?
From ‘Government by Newspaper’, The Spectator, 29 May 1915: WE went to press last week too early to comment upon the outrageous attack made by the Daily Mail upon Lord Kitchener. In condemning Lord Northcliffe for his action in this matter we find it difficult to show that restraint and moderation of language which the
Thursday
Doctor 2
‘A second opinion? OK, here it is: you’re still going to die.’
Security
‘I’m doing security for them — I need the money.’
Confessional
Whippy
‘And is there a Mrs Whippy?’