The Spectator

Portrait of the week | 19 June 2010

The Office for Budget Responsibil-ity (OBR) forecast that gross domestic product would grow by 2.6 per cent in 2011, compared with the 3.25 per cent predicted by the previous government. But the deficit and inflation would nonetheless fall faster than predicted. ‘This is our best shot at an impossible task,’ said Sir Alan Budd, the

Club vs country

Every four years, the World Cup presents an opportunity to see what English football would be like with only English players. The difference is more striking with each tournament. Our club game may well have become a global industry — but it is hard to see how the money has helped the national team. Our

Prison works

One of the many ludicrous Liberal Democrat policies which Tories enjoyed rubbishing during the general election was their plan to send far fewer criminals to prison. But, alas, it seems that some bad ideas are infectious. Last week Ken Clarke, the new Justice Secretary, suggested that we can no longer afford to keep so many

The week that was | 18 June 2010

Here are some of the posts made at Spectator.co.uk over the past week. Fraser Nelson ponders Osborne’s dilemma, and argues that Scotland deserves better from its MSPs. James Forsyth was impressed by David Cameron’s dignity when relating Lord Saville’s findings, and believes that the Bloody Sunday soldiers should never be brought to trial. Peter Hoskin

CoffeeHousers’ Wall, 14 June – 20 June

Welcome to the latest CoffeeHousers’ Wall. For those who haven’t come across the Wall before, it’s a post we put up each Monday, on which – providing your writing isn’t libellous, crammed with swearing, or offensive to common decency – you’ll be able to say whatever you like in the comments section. There is no

Just in case you missed them… | 14 June 2010

…here are some of the posts made at Spectator.co.uk over the weekend Fraser Nelson concedes that Alistair Darling has a point. James Forsyth asks what is the point of Andy Burnham, and observes Simon Hughes weighing in to the tuition fees debate. David Blackburn believes there is one enormous caveat in Alistair Darling’s position, and

Letters | 12 June 2010

Christian values Sir: I have no inside track on the organisational perils of the Pope’s visit described by Damian Thompson (‘Spinning the Pope’, 5 June) though, as a career civil servant, I am more inclined to the cock-up than to the conspiracy theory of government and see no reason why Church affairs should be any

Portrait of the week | 12 June 2010

Mr David Cameron, the Prime Minister, said in a speech that ‘in five years’ time the interest we are paying on our debt is predicted to be ‘around £70 billion’; this meant that of ‘every single pound you pay in tax, ten pence would be spent on interest’. Mr David Cameron, the Prime Minister, said

Our debt to Maggie

Some politicians and members of the press have worked themselves into a fury with John McDonnell, the Labour politician who said this week that he wished he could go back in time and ‘assassinate Thatcher’. Harriet Harman has been urged to denounce him for making a ‘threat’ against the former prime minister. Though their indignation

Turkish menace

For years, Turkey has been the West’s great hope. For years, Turkey has been the West’s great hope. It is a Muslim democracy and loyal Nato member, ally in the war on terror and living rejection of the idea of a clash of civilisations. We flattered ourselves that it was keen to join the European

The week that was | 11 June 2010

Here are some of the posts made at Spectator.co.uk over the past week Fraser Nelson says Obama is shaking the foundations of the Special Relationship. James Forsyth considers how the Tory backbenchers must come to define themselves, and watches Cameron repulse Harriet Harman’s misdirected PMQs assault. David Blackburn believes that Barack Obama’s antagonism toward BP

CoffeeHousers’ Wall, 7 June – 13 June

Welcome to the latest CoffeeHousers’ Wall. For those who haven’t come across the Wall before, it’s a post we put up each Monday, on which – providing your writing isn’t libellous, crammed with swearing, or offensive to common decency – you’ll be able to say whatever you like in the comments section. There is no

Just in case you missed them… | 7 June 2010

…here are some of the posts made at Spectator.co.uk Fraser Nelson tells the story of another Rachel, and catches Vince Cable on manoeuvres. James Forsyth sees that David Cameron will not campaign either for or against voting reform, and notes that George Osborne is off to a fine start on the global stage. David Blackburn

Letters | 5 June 2010

Don’t bring it home Sir: Charles Moore is right when he questions the benefit of holding the 2018 World Cup in England (The Spectator’s Notes, 29 May), but he doesn’t go quite far enough. Given the mindless, violent and xenophobic behaviour of many English football ‘fans’ since England won the 1966 World Cup, one can

Portrait of the week | 5 June 2010

Mr David Laws resigned as Chief Secretary to the Treasury after it was revealed that he had used parliamentary allowances to pay £40,000 rent over five years for a room in the house of a man with whom he had long had a sexual relationship. Mr David Laws resigned as Chief Secretary to the Treasury

Bad habits | 5 June 2010

The idea that you can jack up prices — by taxation or other means — and thereby shape society seems to mesmerise politicians. So the new estimates by the Department of Heath that a minimum price for alcohol — of 50p per ‘unit’ — would mean precisely 43,800 fewer crimes a year and 296,900 fewer

Not British

Search any official document published by BP plc, the oil giant now battling not only to cap the Mexican Gulf oil spillage but to save itself from a terminal collapse of investor confidence, and you will not find anywhere the words ‘British Petroleum’. Search any official document published by BP plc, the oil giant now

The week that was | 4 June 2010

Here are some of the posts made at Spectator.co.uk over the past week. Fraser Nelson comments on the Commons’ bizarre new chemistry. James Forsyth notes that more than a thousand schools have applied for academy status, and watched David Cameron impress on his first outcome. David Blackburn analyses a PR disaster for Israel, and sees

Just in case you missed them… | 1 June 2010

…here are some of the posts made at Spectator.co.uk over the bank holiday weekend. Fraser Nelson charts the rise and fall of David Laws. James Forsyth laments a disaster for British public life, and ponders the Labour leadership contest. David Blackburn considers the attendant irony in Lord Prescott, and thinks the Telegraph’s latest expenses campaign

CoffeeHousers’ Wall, 31 May – 6 June

Welcome to the latest CoffeeHousers’ Wall. For those who haven’t come across the Wall before, it’s a post we put up each Monday, on which – providing your writing isn’t libellous, crammed with swearing, or offensive to common decency – you’ll be able to say whatever you like in the comments section. There is no