Boris 3
The Spectator
Thursday
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‘I’ve come to Westminster to get away from all the politicians.’
Spectator letters: In defence of the EU, the Welsh and Mary Wakefield
Breaking the unions Sir: By the time this letter appears we shall know whether the land of my birth has separated from the land of my life. I hope not. But is there not an uncanny parallel between the rise of the Scottish desire to quit England and the English desire to quit Europe? The
Portrait of the week | 18 September 2014
Home People living in Scotland voted in a referendum that asked: ‘Should Scotland be an independent country?’ A great deal of ill feeling had been generated as the referendum campaign went on. David Cameron, the Prime Minister, was told by backbench Conservative MPs that he faced a ‘bloodbath’ for joining the United Kingdom leaders of
Alex Salmond’s success is just a symptom of our age of rage
In his short and infrequent visits to Scotland this year, the Prime Minister should have found time to speak to those supporting the ‘yes’ campaign. He would have seen and heard precisely the same complaints and exasperation that are driving his other great foe, Ukip. For years, politicians have laughed about voters who are ‘mad
Oscar Pistorius has received a Draconian sentence (yes, really)
Draconian sentence Paralympian athlete Oscar Pistorius was cleared of murder but convicted of culpable homicide, the equivalent of manslaughter in English law. — The concept of a lesser charge of killing without intent was first put forward by 6th century Athenian legislator Draco, popularly known for the harshness of his legal code, which applied the death penalty for the smallest
Books and arts – 18 September 2014
Scotland rejects independence – as it happened
No has won the referendum. Scotland won’t become independent, but it will get new devolved powers, David Cameron promised this morning. Follow the developments on the PM’s plans to change the constitution here. 08:13 The final result is in. Highland. Yes: 78,069 No: 87,739. That’s 47.1% to 52.9% on a turnout of 87.0% 07.10 am: What are these ‘further
Spectator writers on the good, the bad and the ugly moments of the IndyRef
James Forsyth Until that YouGov poll putting Yes ahead, the No camp had steered clear of making an emotional appeal. But in the aftermath of that poll, people—finally—began to speak about Britishness and their pride in it. At the Usher Hall in Edinburgh last Friday night, a sizable crowd had gathered to hear George Galloway,
The Spectator at war: A heroic little nation
From ‘A review of the war’, The Spectator, 19 September 1914: It is the duty of all English publicists to make people here understand the splendid heroism with which the Servians have fought. They have contributed very greatly to the overthrow of Austria, and their brave Army and nation deserve all the help and encouragement
Podcast: Campaign errors, Scotland turns its back and Anglican wars over women bishops
Scotland goes to the polls today, but whichever way the vote goes, it’s clear who lost the campaign: ‘No’ was outsmarted at every stage of the referendum battle. But how was this allowed to happen? In this week’s podcast, James Forsyth discusses what went wrong with Hugo Rifkind and Alex Massie. If Scotland does become
From the archives | 18 September 2014
From ‘A review of the war’, The Spectator, 19 September 1914: It is the duty of all English publicists to make people here understand the splendid heroism with which the Servians have fought. They have contributed very greatly to the overthrow of Austria, and their brave Army and nation deserve all the help and encouragement that
Wednesday
The Spectator at war: Advice for Italy
From ‘News of the Week’ in The Spectator, 19 September 1914: As friends of Italy, we feel bound to point out once more that she will make a capital error if she does not take action at once and join the Entente, and join it not in a half-hearted but in a whole-hearted way. To
Tuesday
The Spectator at war: The cant of caution
From The Spectator, 19 September 1914: WHAT a nefarious little person is the captious critic! His watchword is caution, and he goes about damping down the fires of enthusiasm, only happy when be can hear some aspiring little flame fizzling out. At present he is enjoying himself hugely. All good people are registering rash vows
Monday
The Spectator at war: A review of the war
From The Spectator, 19 September 1914: ON September 5th we wrote: “We and the French have got the wolf by one ear and the Russians have got him by the other, and though he may use his teeth with terrible effect, if we have the hardihood and patience to hold on we shall finish him
Sunday
Please stay to build a better Britain: more Spectator readers write to Scots
This week’s Spectator cover piece is written by our readers. Here are some more letters to Scottish voters, explaining why our United Kingdom should stay together. I come from the Isles of Scilly, which is as far away from Scotland as it’s possible to get whilst remaining in the UK. Flung out into the Atlantic
The Spectator at war: A word to America
From The Spectator, 12 September 1914: WE desire to address a word to the American people, a word which must be spoken, though we are fully aware that it will be liable to misunderstanding and misconstruction, and is certain to be distorted by those whose business it is to exercise pressure upon American opinion in
Saturday
The Spectator at war: A naval howler
A reader’s letter from The Spectator, 12 September 1914: [To the Editor of The Spectator] Sir, I am afraid your correspondent “Ex-Scholar” (Spectator, September 5th), in quoting a “howler,” has committed a little one himself. The incident of the sacred chickens to which he alludes did not take place in the “first sea fight between
Friday
The Spectator at war: The King’s message
From The Spectator, 12 September 1914: The King’s message addressed “To the Governments and Peoples of My Self-Governing Dominions,” published to the world on Wednesday, is noble in its sincerity of word and thought. What could be said better or with a truer dignity than the following: ‘Had I stood aside when, in defiance of
