Best of the Spectator

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The Book Club: A History of the United States in 15 Speeches Jul 01, 2026

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My guest in this week's Book Club podcast is the former Obama speechwriter Ben Rhodes, talking about his new book All We Say: A History of the United States in 15 Speeches. Ben tells me why a debate between two visions of what makes the US special has been playing out since the nation's conception, what Frederick Douglass has to say to the America of the 21st century, and why Ben Franklin didn't think the constitution was sacred.

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Coffee House Shots: Summer Party Secrets Jul 01, 2026

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As the nation holds its breath to see if England will be progressing in the World Cup, the bottles of Pol Roger are on ice for the post-match after party: the Spectator's summer party, taking place this evening. Opening the doors of the Spectator to listeners of Coffee House Shots, James Heale, Freddy Gray, Noa Hoffman and Tim Shipman talk about their favourite memories, how to survive events like this – and which politicians handle their drink best. Plus, with Starmer on the way out, will Labour politicians be partying – or plotting?

Produced by Patrick Gibbons.

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Quite right!: Burnham thinks devolution can fix Britain – is he right? Jun 30, 2026

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This week: Burnham’s strategy – or lack of one – a ‘number ten of the North’ and why immigration is the real test.

What is so wrong with the South: Andy Burnham thinks devolution is the answer to Broken Britain, but does his diagnosis amount to an actionable plan for government? And does his focus on the North come at the expense of some of Britain’s most deprived areas? Michael knows the machinery of levelling up better than anyone and Madeline was in the room as Burnham made his big pitch – they give their verdict.

Plus: Shabana Mahmood’s immigration muddle. After a row with junior minister Mike Tapp, the Home Office has announced plans for new safe and legal routes for asylum seekers, modelled on the Homes for Ukraine scheme. But is indefinite leave to remain the real test for Labour’s new approach?

Produced by Oscar Edmondson.

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Americano: Why is America’s radical left winning? Jun 29, 2026

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After success in the New York democratic primaries for far-left candidates, President Trump says 'the game is on. Enjoy Watching.' Freddy Gray speaks to Spectator columnist, Roger Kimball, about how Trump plans to deal with the radical left, the lawlessness of New York under Mamdani, and how artificial intelligence is changing politics.

Learn how to earn yield on gold, paid in gold, at Monetary-Metals.com/Americano

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Spectator Out Loud: Richard Madeley, Michael Simmons, Gus Carter & Arabella Byrne Jun 29, 2026

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On this week’s Spectator Out Loud: Richard Madeley wonders if anyone in the media still drinks; Michael Simmons asks if the UK is ready for Andy Burnham’s first Budget; Gus Carter explains the Spectator’s role in the birth of America; and finally, Arabella Byrne provides her notes on coconut water.

Produced and presented by Patrick Gibbons.

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Americano: has America really lost to Iran? Jun 28, 2026

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Vice President JD Vance is returning from the Swiss Alps having concluded the opening phase of the Iran talks with a view to achieving a peace deal. Are critics right to claim that the whole war has been a humiliation for America? Freddy Gray speaks to Stanford Professor Victor Davis Hanson about MAGA foreign policy, the midterms, why oil is so important to the American voter & the right wing realignment in Latin America.

Learn how to earn yield on gold, paid in gold, at Monetary-Metals.com/Americano

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Coffee House Shots: is Britain ungovernable? Jun 27, 2026

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We are on course for yet another prime minister – our seventh in just ten years. With statistics like that, and after watching the now-familiar pattern of leaders arriving with promises of hopeful change only to collapse into inertia and scandal, it is little wonder that many assume Britain has become ungovernable. But is that really true? Or have we simply had a uniquely bad crop of prime ministers, each sent packing because of their own mistakes?

James Heale speaks to Tim Shipman and Luke Tryl.

Produced (for the final time) by Megan McElroy. We all wish her luck at Politico!

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The Edition: Burnham's coronation – but does he have a plan for power? Jun 26, 2026

Show notes

For this week’s Edition, William Moore is joined by the Spectator’s political editor Tim Shipman, the drinks writer Henry Jeffreys and the founder and chair of iNHouse Communications – and former director of communications for Theresa May – Katie Perrior.

This week: another year, another prime ministerial resignation – it’s all becoming a little too common in British politics. The guests give their views on Starmer’s downfall and look ahead to the inevitable Andy Burnham premiership, from his policy agenda to who’s in – and who’s out – when it comes to the Cabinet and all-important role of Chancellor. Facing criticism that he lacks a mandate, not to mention how recently he was elected to Parliament, should he call for a general election? Burnham may be influenced from Gordon Brown’s failure to call one in 2007 but, as Katie warns, snap elections don't always go your way – just ask Theresa May. And do you agree with Tim characterising Burnham as Labour’s first female leader.

Also: from Burnham’s black t-shirt to Theresa May’s kitten heels, does it matter how politicians dress? Henry makes his argument that people should always strive to dress well and why – from charity shops to the app Vinted – it’s never been easier to do so.

Plus: as the country bakes, what’s the best booze to drink to cool off?

Produced by Patrick Gibbons.

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The Book Club: Carlo Rovelli Jun 24, 2026

Show notes

In this week's Book Club podcast, I'm joined by the theoretical physicist and writer Carlo Rovelli to discuss his new book 85 Seconds to Midnight: A Physicist's Argument Against Rearmament, where in imitation of Einstein and Bertrand Russell, he uses his platform as a public intellectual to speak against the logic of nuclear escalation. He tells me what the Nazis got right and the US got wrong in the later years of the Second World War, why physicists have a bad conscience about the bomb – and why the threat to civilisation has never been greater.

Produced by Oscar Edmondson.

Edited by Ed Parker.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Quite right!: Starmer’s fall – and the rise of King Burnham Jun 23, 2026

Show notes

This week: Starmer’s exit, Burnham’s rise – and the court of King Andy.

As Keir Starmer resigns after less than two years in office, Michael and Madeline ask what really brought his premiership to an end. Was Starmer simply overtaken by events, or did his downfall reveal something deeper: a disdain for politics, a mishandling of Southport and the grooming gangs scandal, and a growing gulf between Labour’s governing class and the country?

They also discuss Andy Burnham’s march on Westminster. Is he the charismatic, communitarian figure Labour needs to take on Reform – or a political people-pleaser surrounded by the wrong people?

Plus: what does the Conservatives’ victory in Aberdeen South tell us about net zero, Reform and whether the Tories really are doomed to become Nigel Farage’s roadkill?

Produced by Oscar Edmondson.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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