The Spectator

Spectator Live

Just a reminder about latest feature on the site – Spectator Live.  You can access it via the ‘Live’ tab at the top of the page, or by going to new.spectator.co.uk/live.  It’s a roundup of all the latest blog posts from across Spectator.co.uk, and the best place to keep up-to-date with all the views and analysis from

Spectator Q&As

Over on Trading Floor, we’re running a Q&A with the economic forecaster Graham Turner.  Graham has recently written a book on the credit crunch, so please do put your questions to him on that topic or on other matters economic.  He’ll be responding on 23rd June. And don’t forget the Coffee House Q&A with David

Introducing Spectator Live

We’ve added a new feature to the site – Spectator Live.  You can access it via the ‘Live’ tab at the top of the page, or by going to new.spectator.co.uk/live.  It’s a roundup of all the latest blog posts from across Spectator.co.uk, and the best place to keep up-to-date with all the views and analysis

Just in case you missed them… | 16 June 2008

…here are some of the posts made over the weekend on Spectator.co.uk Coffee House is looking for interns. James Forsyth sets a Coffee House challenge, and says the Tories should accuse Brown of perpetrating a fraud against the public. Fraser Nelson discovers whether David Davis’ actions are unprecedented. Peter Hoskin wonders whether Brown realises that

Letters | 14 June 2008

42 days Sir: Thank goodness for Matthew d’Ancona’s clarity of mind on 42-day detention (‘Jacqui Smith’s vote of confidence’, 7 June). People who want to be provoked will always find an excuse. If they are subtle, they will manufacture a grievance based on an issue about which their sworn enemies disagree — and then exploit

Coffee House is looking for interns

Coffee House is offering internships to students and recent graduates.  Successful applicants will be able to write for Coffee House, work on the website, and experience behind-the-scenes life here at The Spectator.  For more information contact phoskin @ spectator.co.uk

Zero tolerance for Tory sleaze

‘What gets me,’ said David Cameron in a speech to the CBI last November, ‘is the deliberate extravagance committed by the people at the top of the government machine, the administrators and managers and quangocrats who administer public money.’ He went on to name Home Office officials who had blown £800,000 on taxis in a

The week that was | 13 June 2008

Some highlights of the week on Spectator.co.uk: David Davis is taking CoffeeHousers’ questions. Ruth Dudley Edwards responds to the No campaign’s victory in the Irish referendum, Neil O’Brien gives his thoughts on the referendum result. Fraser Nelson outlines the passion of David Davis, and watches Brown struggle through his latest press conference. James Forsyth picks up on

Across the site

Don’t forget to check out the responses – from across Spectator.co.uk – to the events of the past few days. Both Stephen Pollard and Melanie Phillips are sceptical about David Davis’ actions.  Whilst Clive Davis remains in the “‘don’t know’ camp” on 42-day detention. Also, over on Trading Floor, Tim Worstall gives his thoughts on the No campaign’s

Just in case you missed them… | 9 June 2008

Here are some posts made over the weekend on Spectator.co.uk: James Forsyth identifies the most worrying Tory sleaze story so far, and highlights a new poll which shows that the public back the Tories on national secutiry. Peter Hoskin reports on the recent Tory expenses scandals, and points out Jack Straw’s less-than-kind words about Gordon

Letters | 7 June 2008

Poppy appeal Sir: Fraser Nelson’s article accurately outlines the urgent need to implement an alternative counter-narcotics policy in Afghanistan (‘The precarious peace in Helmand’, 28 May). Helmand province now cultivates half of Afghanistan’s opium in a country which accounts for 93 per cent of the global illegal opium market. A significant element of the current

Hail to the not-yet-Chief

The man who four short years ago addressed the Democratic party convention as a little-known state senator from Illinois will do so this August as his party’s nominee for president. It is the most rapid rise in the history of the Republic: not bad for the son of a Kenyan goat herder. Barack Obama’s ascent

The week that was | 6 June 2008

Some highlights of the week on Spectator.co.uk: James Forsyth wonders whether Nick Clegg is about to perform a left turn, and claims that Sir Richard Dannat is right to be concerned about the pay that servicemen receive. Fraser Nelson thinks the economy points to a two term Tory government, and points out the truth behind Brown’s

How to get hold of the Spectator 180th Anniversary issue

We’ve had quite a few people asking how to get hold of the special Spectator 180th Anniversary issue, other than from off newsstands (priced £4.95).  You can do so by either phone or e-mail.  Here’s the info from our subscriptions team: Subscriber?  Call the order hotline now to receive the special subscriber price of only £3. Simply call

Letters | 31 May 2008

Seek the reason why Sir: I greatly enjoyed Peter Jones’s excellent article on Ancient Roman globalisation (‘For real globalisation, look at Ancient Rome’, 24 May). I respectfully disagree with one paragraph, however, in which he describes Greek philosophers as having ‘proceeded from hypotheses, which they never tested’. It is true, of course, that the Greeks

The fumes of failure

‘We have no plans not to implement our budget’: the double negative employed by Phil Woolas, the Environment Minister, on Tuesday’s Newsnight, and the familiar ‘no plans’ formula, told you all you need to know about this government’s collapse of confidence. On the matter of retrospective Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) increases, ministers are desperate to

The week that was | 30 May 2008

Some highlights of the week on Spectator.co.uk: Matthew d’Ancona surveys the new political landscape. James Forsyth asks if New Labour can survive opposition and looks at the Cruddas alternative. Stephen Pollard explains why he is not unduly worried about 62 percent of the shadow cabinet being privately educated. Americano takes a look at McCain’s VP