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The Spectator
Saturday
Letters | 12 May 2012
Pollygarchy Sir: It was with a rising sense of disbelief that I read Polly Toynbee’s review of Ferdinand Mount’s The New Few (Books, 5 May). There’s an oligarchy in this country all right, but what Ms Toynbee fails to realise is that she is a member. For every overpaid plutocrat, there are any number of
Barometer | 12 May 2012
Before the Golden Dawn A neo-Nazi party called the Golden Dawn won 7 per cent of the vote in the Greek elections. The party denies being inspired by the Nazis, even though its flag bears a resemblance to the Swastika. Its name, however, may be inspired by the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, an
Portrait of the week | 12 May 2012
Home David Cameron, the Prime Minister, declared that he would ‘focus on what matters’ after the Conservatives’ poor showing in the local elections brought accusations that pursuit by the coalition of such aims as gay marriage and reform of the House of Lords was alienating voters. On the eve of the Queen’s Speech he appeared
Fewer laws, more action
This government has run out of good ideas; that was what the Queen’s speech told us this week. When the coalition was formed, it united behind a genuinely bold agenda: school reform, welfare reform, health reform and deficit elimination. Where has the boldness gone? The coalition’s courage has vanished, as has its sense of purpose
Friday
From the archives: the coalition is born
It is two years to the day since David Cameron first entered 10 Downing Street as Prime Minister. To mark the occasion, here’s James Forsyth’s cover story from the time on the deal that put him there: Can this marriage of convenience work?, James Forsyth, 15 May 2010 ‘It is not the prize. It is
The week that was | 11 May 2012
Here is a selection of articles and discussions from this week on Spectator.co.uk… Fraser Nelson looks at what Hollande’s win means for Cameron, questions Nick Clegg’s economic competence and examines Cameron’s gay marriage folly. James Forsyth says the Tories are shaping up for an EU referndum, reports the first blood on Lord’s reform and thinks Andy Coulson
Interview: Jackie Kay’s voice
T.S. Eliot once commented that “humankind cannot bear very much reality.” Reality, Reality, Jackie Kay’s latest collection of short-stories, explores the thin line that separates art and the supposed real world. In these 15 stories, 14 of which are written in an intimate first-person voice, Kay brings the reader on a journey with the lonely
Monday
Just in case you missed them… | 7 May 2012
…here are some of the posts made on Spectator.co.uk over the weekend: Fraser Nelson says that it’s about time politcians started lurching towards the public. James Forsyth summarises how each party performed in the local elections, and explains what Francois Hollande’s victory means. Peter Hoskin reviews Ed Balls’ latest explanation of his fiscal policy, and