Best of the Spectator

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The two Europes: Macron, Salvini, and the battle for a continent Sep 06, 2018

Show notes

This week antagonism between Emmanuel Macron and Italy’s Matteo Salvini ratcheted up over immigration – are they the leaders of an ideological battle in Europe (00:35)? But pro-immigration or not, both Macron and Salvini smashed through conventional politics in the global surge of populism. As we reach the tenth anniversary of the 2008 crash, we ask, did the financial crisis lead to greater populism (12:40)? And last, why have Americans been boycotting Nike (24:20)?

With Christopher Caldwell, Sophie Pedder, Liam Halligan, Ann Pettifor, Coleman Hughes and Freddy Gray.

Presented by Isabel Hardman.

Produced by Cindy Yu.

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

The people vs Brexit: a very elite uprising Aug 29, 2018

Show notes

The clamours for a second referendum are growing. But are those calling for a ‘people’s vote’ really interested in what voters think? Or is this just a plot to stop Brexit?

In Sweden, voters go to the polls next weekend. The Swedish Democrats, once regarded as a sinister group of far-right cranks, could become the largest party. So what’s changed?

And the Soho of the eighties, a hotbed of debauchery, drinking and death, is now a vanished world. We hear from two of those who drank there regularly in the glory days.

With Rod Liddle, Tom Slater, James McGrory, Fraser Nelson, Fredrik Erikson, Christopher Howse and Michael Heath.

Presented by Lara Prendergast

Produced by Tom Goodenough and Alastair Thomas.

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

When money dies: how bad is Venezuela's hyperinflation? Aug 22, 2018

Show notes

Venezuela is racked with hyperinflation. The crisis is now so bad that the President has instituted a new currency which essentially cuts off several zeros from the old currency. Will Maduro’s mad policies make things worse (00:50)? And back home, prisons have been in the limelight as we hear about the horrendous conditions in Birmingham Winson Green prison. But is Birmingham an anomaly (11:30)? I talk to a former convict who says not. And last, Ross Clark worries that the prevalence of sperm donation these days raise the chances of half-siblings falling in love. Just how prepared is the donation industry (26:40)?

With Steve Hanke, Julia Buxton, Will Heaven, Cody Lachey, Ross Clark, and Laura Spoelstra.

Presented by Katy Balls.

Produced by Cindy Yu and Matt Taylor.

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

The Bluffocracy: who are the chancers who run Britain? Aug 15, 2018

Show notes

We often complain that our politicians are all bluffers who know very little about a lot. But is the very structure of our political institutions at fault? And is the bluffocracy taking over the civil service, too (00:50)? Speaking of bluffers, Theresa May is fudging her way through the Brexit negotiations, but can she survive after March 2019 (18:40)? And last, maybe all this politics has made you long for the good old days of monarchy. With Prince Charles’s art collection on exhibit, we ask, what can be gleaned about our future king from his paintings (27:10)?

With James Ball, Andrew Greenway, Ayesha Hazarika, Katy Balls, Will Tanner, Ned Donovan, and Roya Nikkhah.

Presented by Lara Prendergast.

Produced by Cindy Yu.

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

The New Narcissism: why are modern men so vain and virtuous? Aug 08, 2018

Show notes

Are young men becoming too self-conscious of their body image? We discuss the trend to diet and use food replacement powders in a bid to become superhuman (00:35). We also talk about the Crocodile’s election victory in Zimbabwe – is British foreign policy in Africa too negligent (10:20)? And last, how are pale rosés driving dark rosés into extinction (25:45)?

With Lara Prendergast, Tom Reader, Xan Smiley, Alex Vines, Rupert Wright, and Sophia Money-Coutts.

Presented by Katy Balls.

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

China's new diplomacy: how high are the costs of trading with Beijing? Aug 01, 2018

Show notes

This week, China agreed to consider a trade deal with Britain post-Brexit, but does a closer relationship with China expose Britain to its expansionist ambitions (00:35)? We also hear from two experts on what exactly a no-deal Britain would look like (16:45); and last, why are Britain’s great Catholic schools facing extinction (26:45)?

With Michael Auslin, Kerry Brown, David Collins, Charles Grant, Will Heaven, and Damian Thompson.

Presented by Lara Prendergast.

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

The return of Ukip: is this a backlash to Brexit? Jul 25, 2018

Show notes

It’s safe to say that Brexit negotiations haven’t gone smoothly. The Tories are down in the latest polls, but Ukip is up. Are we witnessing the beginning of Ukip’s return (00:35)? Meanwhile, Australians are stuck between a rock and a hard place as China and America continue to bicker (18:30); and Cosmo Landesman complains about modern parenting (30:20).

With Matthew Goodwin, Joe Twyman, Tom Switzer, Merriden Varrall, Cosmo Landesman, and Henry Jeffreys.

Presented by Katy Balls.

Produced by Cindy Yu.

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

Trump's peace plan: is Assad back in charge? Jul 18, 2018

Show notes

Earlier this week, Trump met Putin. But beneath the outcry against Trump’s press conference, a peace plan for Syria was slipped out. Is America withdrawing its troops and leaving Assad in place (00:35)? We also ask – should we push back the March 2019 deadline for Brexit negotiations (13:00)? And last, why is communism still chic (23:50)?

With Ambassador Robert Ford, Owen Matthews, Matthew Parris, Gisela Stuart, Kate Andrews, and Aaron Bastani.

Presented by Lara Prendergast.

Produced by Cindy Yu.

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

Revolution! Is the Brexit drama just beginning? Jul 11, 2018

Show notes

Is Brexit just going in circles? With the resignations of David Davis and Boris Johnson, the only progress the negotiations seem to be making is – backwards (00:35). We also ask – are pit bulls really murderous dogs from hell (18:55)? And last, what does it mean to be English (29:50)?

With James Forsyth, Paul Goodman, John Springford, Julia Lewis, Mary Wakefield, Harry Mount, and Yasmin Alibhai-Brown.

Presented by Lara Prendergast.

Produced by Cindy Yu.

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

The Spectator's 190th Birthday Jul 04, 2018

Show notes

Happy birthday to the Spectator. This week, we’re celebrating our 190th birthday. Lara takes a look back over the Spectator’s long life with three editors (24:35). But before that, it’s the podcast as usual. This week, we’re asking - do anti-Trump protests achieve anything other than virtue signalling (00:37)? And are driverless cars on a road to nowhere (14:30)?

With Freddy Gray, Shola Mos-Shogbamimu, Christian Wolmar, Tom Tugendhat, Fraser Nelson, Charles Moore, and Dominic Lawson.

Presented by Lara Prendergast.

Produced by Cindy Yu and Connor O’Hara.

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

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