Tramps 5
‘My ambition is to be filthy rich, and I’m half way there.’
The Spectator
Thursday
Blair
‘Sex them down a bit.’
Corruption
‘These corruption allegations — how much to make them go away?’
Phone 5
Panic
‘So, we’re all agreed… we’re going to panic.’
Spectator letters: Ken Loach defended, and the music of Pepys
We need religion Sir: Roger Scruton (‘Sacred hunger’, 31 May) describes a reason, dare I say a ‘purpose’, for religion in society. Evolutionary biologists such as the evangelical atheist Richard Dawkins should accept the concept of evolution in the social behaviour of Homo sapiens. Archaeological and anthropological evidence suggest that some form of religion played a
Portrait of the week | 5 June 2014
Home The government scrabbled together material for the Queen’s Speech, which promised measures to allow money to be put into ‘collective defined contribution schemes’ for pensions, as is done in Holland; to prevent pub landlords who are tied to large companies being worse off than independent publicans; to increase penalties for human traffickers; and to
Now it’s Gove vs May – will Tory wars ever stop?
[audioplayer src=”http://traffic.libsyn.com/spectator/TheViewFrom22_5_June_2014_v4.mp3″ title=”Zac Goldsmith, Chris Skidmore and Fraser Nelson discuss the latest Tory wars” startat=40] Listen [/audioplayer]Modern Conservatives seem to be allergic to success. Every time things are going right, the party spasms. Sir John Major’s government nurtured a remarkable economic recovery, yet was beaten after its infighting appalled voters. In opposition, David Cameron acquired
Is it normal for monarchs to abdicate? Yes!
Game of thrones The Spanish king, Juan Carlos, announced that he is to abdicate in favour of his son, Prince Felipe. Is the Queen becoming unusual among Europe’s remaining monarchs in declining to abdicate with age? Belgium: Philippe became king in 2013 following the abdication of his father, Albert II, at the age of 79.
Books and arts – 5 June 2014
As it happened: Newark by-election results
Welcome to our live blog for the results of the Newark by-election. We’ll be providing commentary and analysis throughout the night. This page will automatically reload every minute. 4:00am: James Forsyth concludes our live blog with his take on the by-election results: The Tories have held Newark with a comfortable majority of 7,000 plus. The
Wednesday
The Queen has just reminded Britain why we don’t need her to abdicate
This is a preview of the leading article in the new Spectator, out tomorrow: It would be easy to look at the alluring photographs of Prince Felipe of Spain and his young family stretched over their garden sofa and wonder whether the United Kingdom should join the current fad for abdication among European royals. In stepping
Friday
Video: Newark state of mind
Ukip candidate Roger Helmer reckons that Farage would do a better job in the by-election campaign and defends employing an Italian citizen as his assistant Tory Robert Jenrick denies being a ‘carpetbagger’ and says he wants the UK to remain in Europe Yesterday our contributing editor Harry Cole interviewed the next MP for Newark. If the polls are
Thursday
Career
‘Well, they’re not calling us career politicians now.’
Immigration
‘Have you tried blaming immigration for your problems?’
Library 2
‘Can I have five quid?’
Skyline
‘Those protestors are ruining the skyline.’
Selfie 3
Train 3
‘What? Everyone else works on the train.’