The Spectator

Just in case you missed them… | 21 December 2009

…here are some posts made over the weekend on Spectator.co.uk: Fraser Nelson wonders whether Peter Mandelson is planning to run as Mayor of London, and laments the pessimism of the left. James Forsyth says that David Cameron plans to lighten up, and outlines Gordon Brown’s PR dilemma. Peter Hoskin sets out the dangers with a

Letters | 19 December 2009

Selective quoting Sir: In her diary (5 December) Melanie Phillips accused me of bigotry, quoting from a newspaper article about the Iraq inquiry in which I had pointed out that two of the five members of the panel, Sir Martin Gilbert and Sir Lawrence Freedman, are Jewish and that Gilbert at least has a record

A simple solution

There is something deeply unfashionable about British poverty. We worry endlessly about melting glaciers, and wear wristbands to demand an end to hardship in faraway lands. Christmas cards are sold in aid of dogs, birds and children in other countries. But we prefer to avert our eyes from the British poor. They’re looked after by

What would you take to Bethlehem?

The Wise Men offered gold, frankincense and myrrh — but where can you get hold of myrrh these days? The Spectator asked Britain’s great and good what they would give Jesus if He were born today The Wise Men offered gold, frankincense and myrrh — but where can you get hold of myrrh these days?

But if you’re still feeling philanthropic…

If you’re disheartened by the politicisation of big charities, here’s a selection of smaller charities recommended by Spectator staff. If you’re disheartened by the politicisation of big charities, here’s a selection of smaller charities recommended by Spectator staff. For Dementia Living with someone who has dementia is very hard. The person you knew slowly disappears

The week that was | 18 December 2009

Here are some of the posts made over the past week on Spectator.co.uk: Fraser Nelson has a new addition to his family, and invites you to meet Farmer Mandelson. James Forsyth says that the Tories need an attack dog, and questions whether Prince Charles should be getting involved in the Copenhagen debate. Peter Hoskin stresses

In this week’s Spectator | 15 December 2009

The latest issue of The Spectator is released today. If you are a subscriber you can view it here. If you have not subscribed, but would like to view this week’s content, you can subscribe online here, or purchase a single issue here. A selection of articles from the latest issue are available for free

CoffeeHousers’ Wall, 14 December – 20 December

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 December 2009

…here are some of the posts made on Spectator.co.uk over the weekend: Fraser Nelson lambasts the government for playing politics with the public finances, and reports on some mixed poll results for the Tories. James Forsyth spots the signs that a fourth term Labour government would be even more fiscally irresponsible, and Labour fell between

Letters | 12 December 2009

Balls to Gilligan Sir: As Andrew Gilligan well knows, I abhor the anti-semitic and anti-democratic views ascribed to Hizb ut Tahrir and I take any accusations of extremist views being taught in schools very seriously (‘Minister for Hizb ut Tahrir’, 5 December). That is why when allegations about links between Hizb ut Tahrir and the

Portrait of the Week – 12 December 2009

Mr Alistair Darling, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in his pre-Budget statement, made hostile gestures at bonus-earning bankers to distract attention from the borrowings of £178 billion that Britain will have to make this year. Mr Alistair Darling, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in his pre-Budget statement, made hostile gestures at bonus-earning bankers to distract

Brown’s toxic farewell

The Pre-Budget Report was, like the Queen’s Speech that preceded it in November, an almost empty sideshow. The Pre-Budget Report was, like the Queen’s Speech that preceded it in November, an almost empty sideshow. The Chancellor’s threatened assault on bankers’ bonuses and Gordon Brown’s sudden diatribe against high public-sector salaries were feeble attempts to distract

The week that was | 11 December 2009

Here are some posts made on Spectator.co.uk over the past week: Fraser Nelson says we shouldn’t worry about the tax on jobs, and reveals the hidden cuts in the Pre-Budget Report. James Forsyth wonders whether Labour has u-turned on defence spending, and says the Tories should attack the national insurance increase. Peter Hoskin gives his

Apologies | 11 December 2009

We’ve been experiencing a few technical difficulties on Spectator.co.uk this morning, which mean some of you may not have been able to access the site We’re hoping that things will be fully fixed shortly. But, in the meantime, blogging may be a little sporadic.

In this week’s Spectator | 10 December 2009

The latest issue of The Spectator is released today. If you are a subscriber you can view it here. If you have not subscribed, but would like to view this week’s content, you can subscribe online here, or purchase a single issue here. A selection of articles from the latest issue are available for free

Just in case you missed them… | 9 December 2009

It’s been a busy day on Coffee House.  Here’s a selection of our PBR coverage, in case you missed them the first time around: Fraser Nelson dissects Alistair Darling’s growth forecasts, and reveals the spending cuts hidden in the PBR. James Forsyth wonders whether Labour have u-turned on defence spending, and says the Tories should

CoffeeHousers’ Wall 7 December – 13 December

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 December 2009

…here are some of the posts made at Spectator.co.uk Fraser Nelson relates what happened when he tried to debate climate change with an expert, and says that Brown is ready to strike. James Forsyth argues that the Tories musn’t allow Labour to define their tax policy, and finds a quote from the NUT that epitomises

Letters | 5 December 2009

Shooting, moi? Sir: We act for Cherie Blair. We are instructed with regard to an article… The Spectator’s Notes by Charles Moore (28 November). It alleged that our client attended a shooting party at Lord Rothschild’s house in Buckinghamshire with ‘Saif Al-Islam Gaddafi, son of the Libyan dictator, and the man who escorted the Lockerbie

Portrait of the week | 5 December 2009

Mr Gordon Brown, the Prime Minister, announced that Britain would send an extra 500 troops to Afghanistan, bringing its strength there to 10,000. Earlier he had criticised Pakistan for not making ‘more progress in taking out’ the leader of al-Qa’eda: ‘We have got to ask ourselves why, eight years after September 11, nobody has been