For evil to triumph Sir: As screenwriter of the recent film Good, I was interested by the references to it in Kate Williams’s thought-provoking piece (‘We are forgetting great evils’, 22 August). For my part I think the recent spate of films about Nazi Germany has less to do with an ‘obsession with Hitler’ or
Here are some of the posts made at Spectator.co.uk this week. James Forsyth believes that the government’s handling of the al-Megrahi affair was colossally incompetent, and suggests that a live election debate might be a lifeline for Mr Brown. Peter Hoskin argues that Brown’s fightback is marred by negative stories, and sees some evidence that
…here are some of the posts made at Spectator.co.uk over the bank holiday weekend. Peter Hoskin says the Sunday Times’ revelations about a Lockerbie deal for oil leave the government in very hot water, and thinks that the Tories will have to raise taxes. David Blackburn believes Labour must come clean over al-Megrahi’s release, and
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
Senator Edward Kennedy lived in the shadow of Chappaquiddick, but his life deserves just as much celebration as it does censure. Like his brothers, he exemplified his clan’s customary mix of vice and virtue, he was irrepressible and impossible to predict. Though a Rabelaisian figure — a great playboy and drinker — he was disciplined
In contrast to Gordon Brown’s dull and worthy holiday working as a volunteer on community projects in his constituency, there is something rather refreshing about Lord Mandelson’s taste for extravagant vacations on Corfu in the company of wealthy moguls. Moreover, his holidays are a godsend for deskbound journalists in London struggling for a good political
The Afghan toll Sir: Jonathan Foreman’s article (‘Britain’s forgotten casualties’, 22 August) highlights how the focus on the death toll in Afghanistan eclipses a much wider human and economic cost arising from those many seriously injured soldiers who will require help for the rest of their lives. If you include those who are subsequently affected,
Kenny MacAskill’s decision to release Abdelbaset al-Megrahi, the Lockerbie bomber, on compassionate grounds has caused controversy around the world — in America and also in Britain. Kenny MacAskill’s decision to release Abdelbaset al-Megrahi, the Lockerbie bomber, on compassionate grounds has caused controversy around the world — in America and also in Britain. But though he
Here are some of the posts made at Spectator.co.uk this week. Matthew d’Ancona wishes one of the nation’s greatest novelists a happy 60th. Peter Hoskin dissects a disingenuous Ed Balls, and argues that Gordon Brown’s unpopularity runs deeper than concern for the public finances. David Blackburn asks if Cameron would govern differently, and says that foreign
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
…here are some of the posts made over the weekend on Spectator.co.uk: Peter Hoskin looks into the biggest failure of the Tory opposition years, and asks whether the Tories need an “-ism”. David Blackburn laments the “Dear Leader’s Children”, and picks up on the stench of realpolitik. Martin Bright gives his take
Conservative progress Sir: So the notion of ‘progressive’ conservatism is roiling British politics these days (Politics, 15 August). Well, come on over to the colonies, mate, and get educated! We in Canada have had ‘progressive conservative’ political parties, at both the provincial and federal levels of government, for decades — they’re even officially named Progressive
The Spectator on Culture — and our new team blog This week’s issue concludes our guide to 40 poems you should know, hot on the heels of The Spectator’s (controversial) choice of the best 50 films of all time. The response to both lists has been passionate and powerful: it comes as no surprise that
A party striving to make the huge leap from opposition to office must speak with one voice, maintain scrupulous clarity and ensure iron discipline. It must reassure the voters relentlessly, persuading them at every available opportunity that it has changed and that it grasps why it has been defeated in prior general elections. Yet a
There are less than three weeks to go until the Spectator Inaugural Conference, on 15th September 2009 at Church House, Westminster. Click here to book tickets. And, just in case you missed them, here are some of the posts made at Spectator.co.uk this week. Fraser Nelson laments what was a bleak day for Scottish justice,
Over at the Spectator Book Club, we’ve just added Political editor Fraser Nelson’s selections to our list. There’s no politics to be seen, but take a look at what he chose. And as ever, send us your recommendations.
Over at Spectator Book Club, Spectator staff have put together a list of books for summer reading, Take a look and send us your selections.
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
…here are some of the posts made on Spectator.co.uk over the weekend: Fraser Nelson sets out why we need a proper debate about healthcare. James Forsyth reveals some cartoon cowardice, and says that the Tories must cut out the unforced errors. Peter Hoskin wonders whether George Osborne has downgraded the Tories’ health spending commitment, and
Not since Ian Botham has a cricketer so captured the public imagination as Andrew Flintoff has these past few years. Flintoff’s appeal comes from the fact that he brings the game of the village green to the Test match arena. He plays the sport as all those of us who have put on whites would