‘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
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
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
We’ve just uploaded a new set of culture picks from our arts editor, Liz Anderson. You can access them here.
Over at Trading Floor, Michael Millar reports on the chief executive of Gazprom’s prediction that oil prices will keep rising until they hit $250 per barrel.
Over at Trading Floor, Fraser wonders why the Government won’t tighten its belt when the rest of the country is being forced to.
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
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
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
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
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
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
‘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
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
Thatcher’s champion Sir: The Spectator may have been Margaret Thatcher’s first press champion as Fraser Nelson notes (‘Labour’s best hope’, 17 May), but its support was not unwavering. At the end of 1974 it was unduly impressed by the efforts of Heath’s allies to brand her a food-hoarder when she sensibly encouraged pensioners to stock
‘Progress prevails’: thus did the Guardian’s editorial on Wednesday celebrate the defeat of amendments to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill that would have reduced the upper limit of 24 weeks for abortion and ensured that IVF clinics would need at least to consider the need for ‘supportive parenting and a father or male role
A downloadable podcast of last night’s Spectator / Intelligence Squared event – “A conversation with Gore Vidal” – is available here. Lloyd Evans’ web exclusive report on the talk can also be accessed here.
The latest Spectator / Intelligence Squared event – a conversation with the great American novelist, essayist and playwright Gore Vidal – is under way. To listen to live audio of the event click here.
Here are some of the posts made over the weekend… Andrew Neil wonders whether Gordon Brown will shed a tear for his old grammar school. Fraser Nelson reveals the unsettling truth about abortions at 24 weeks, and reports on a by-election poll boost for the Tories. James Forsyth highlights the tensions at No.10, and says
Transports of delight Sir: I would have taken Andrew Neil’s criticism of our transport system (‘Our transport system is a joke’, 10 May) more seriously had it not been so disingenuous. I understand the frustrations faced by rail passengers when events beyond their control conspire to delay or cancel planned journeys, but it is wrong