Best of the Spectator

Latest Episodes:

The Spectator Podcast: what happens after the end of the Merkel project? Nov 01, 2018

Show notes

As Angela Merkel steps down as party leader – what was her legacy and can the EU project survive without her (00:40)? We also discuss whether WhatsApp has made it harder for MPs to plot (12:25); and last, should Brits be allowed to forage wild mushrooms (22:50)?

With Douglas Murray, Sophie Pedder, Katy Balls, Paul Staines, Stewart Jackson, Daniel Butler, and Josh Barrie.

Presented by Lara Prendergast.

Produced by Cindy Yu and Alastair Thomas.

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

Spectator Books: a fresh look at Jeeves and Wooster with Ben Schott Nov 01, 2018

Show notes

In this week's Spectator Books, Sam talks to Ben Schott. The author of Schott's Miscellany, Ben's literary productions have taken an unexpected turn with the publication this week of his first novel. Jeeves and the King of Clubs is a tribute or companion piece to P G Wodehouse's Jeeves and Wooster novels, published with the authorisation of the Wodehouse estate. What the hell was he thinking? Ben comes clean -- and also talks about the joys of nerdiness, the difficulty of living up to Plum, and the Spectator's role in the whole story.

Presented by Sam Leith.

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

Podcast Special: Corbyn vs Brexit - which is the biggest threat to business? Oct 31, 2018

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Was Philip Hammond's Budget a reckless splurge, or a shrewd political budget that draws a new dividing line with Jeremy Corbyn? In this special podcast, Fraser Nelson talks to James Forsyth and Richard Buxton, Head of Merian Global Investors. We discuss why business is actually more afraid of Corbyn than Brexit, and how Hammond's budget is as good as can be expected at this point in time.

Sponsored by Merian Global Investors.

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

Podcast Special: can Brits ever deliver infrastructure on time and on budget? Oct 30, 2018

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Britain is a world leader in many things - but not many people would say that infrastructure is one of them. When abroad, Brits marvel at the state of airports and railways, even swimming pools. When we seek to catch up - with HS2 or a new runway for London - the result is years of wrangling. Is there a British curse? The Spectator's Fraser Nelson talked to transport journalist Christian Wolmar, Chair of the National Infrastructure Commission Sir John Armitt, and UK Head of Aecom David Barwell.

The podcast is sponsored by Aecom.

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

Spectator LIVE: Brexit - deal or no deal? Oct 30, 2018

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Brought to you by Spectator Events, Fraser Nelson presents this special panel discussion with a star-studded cast. Are we heading for a no-deal Brexit? And if so, would it really be all that bad?

With former Brexit secretary David Davis, former Chancellor Ken Clarke, economist Liam Halligan, former MP and Brexiteer Gisela Stuart, and the Spectator's Political Editor James Forsyth.

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

Life 'n' Arts: In a tech-obsessed world, only Generation X can fight back Oct 29, 2018

Show notes

Our guest this week is Matthew Hennessey. He’s an editor at the Wall Street Journal, and also the author of Zero Hour for Gen X: How the Last Adult Generation Can Save America from the Millennials (Encounter Books). It’s a fascinating read: part-political obituary of a generation that, squeezed between two larger cohorts, the Boomers and the Millennials, may have missed its historical cue; part-rallying cry because, as Matthew explains in our midlife crisis of a conversation, it’s not over yet.

‘It’s zero hour. Don’t just stand there. Bust a move.’

Presented by Dominic Green.

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

Isabel Hardman's Sunday Interviews Roundup - 28/10/18 Oct 28, 2018

Show notes

Join Isabel Hardman for the highlights of Sunday's political interviews. Today's podcast features Philip Hammond, John McDonnell, Justine Greening and Jacob Rees-Mogg. Produced by Matthew Taylor.

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

Americano: have the mail bombs cost Republicans the midterms? Oct 26, 2018

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With Curt Mills, Foreign Affairs Reporter at the National Interest.

Presented by Freddy Gray.

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

The Spectator Podcast: American Nightmare Oct 25, 2018

Show notes

Somehow it has already been two years into a Trump presidency, and America is facing midterm elections. Will Democrats win in a landslide (00:45)? We also delve a little deeper at the political faultlines behind the Jamal Khashoggi story – is Turkey taking advantage of his death (15:15)? And last, is the use of wild animals in circuses really the great injustice that campaigners say it is (25:40)?

With Freddy Gray, Leslie Vinjamuri, Hannah Lucinda Smith, Azzam Tamimi, Tim Phillips and Vanessa Toulmin.

Presented by Isabel Hardman.

Produced by Cindy Yu and Alastair Thomas.

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

Spectator Books: how genes can predict your life Oct 24, 2018

Show notes

Sam Leith talks to the behavioural geneticist Robert Plomin about his new book Blueprint: How DNA Makes Us Who We Are, in which he argues that it’s not only height and weight and skin colour that are heritable, but intelligence, TV-watching habits and likelihood of getting divorced. They talk about the risks he takes publishing this book, the political third rail of race and eugenics, and what his discoveries mean for the future of our data and for medical care. You can read Kathryn Paige Harden’s review of Blueprint, meanwhile, in this week’s magazine.

Presented by Sam Leith.

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

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