Best of the Spectator

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Angela's Ashes: is this the end of the Merkel project? Jun 27, 2018

Show notes

As anti-migrant sentiment sweeps across Europe, is the continent turning against Angela Merkel for her open-door policy, and is this the end of the Merkel project (1:40)? Meanwhile, Donald Trump announced his new mission – to establish a sixth branch of the US military, the Space Force. Is this such a bad idea (14:20)? And last, while it may be greedy and corrupt, should Fifa be celebrated for making the World Cup truly global (25:40)?

With Fredrik Erixon, Stefan Kornelius, Christopher Buckley, Jacqueline Klimas, Tim Wigmore, and Freddy Gray.

Presented by Lara Prendergast.

Produced by Cindy Yu.

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

The Diversity Trap: how wrong are racial quotas? Jun 20, 2018

Show notes

In recent days, Lionel Shriver has been in trouble. Her criticism of the publishing industry’s diversity drive has led to her marked as a racist and even dropped from a literary judging panel. She argued that ethnic quotas harm rather than help diversity - is she wrong (1:40)? As Robert Mueller’s investigation continues, several dodgy links to Britain have surfaced that could bring down Trump (19:15). And last, in the age of MeToo, is sex becoming sexier (28:50)?

With Lionel Shriver, Coleman Hughes, Ash Sarkar, Paul Wood, Freddy Gray, Cosmo Landesman, and Katie Glass.

Presented by Isabel Hardman.

Produced by Cindy Yu and Conor O'Hara.

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

Next up, Nato: is Trump turning on Europe? Jun 13, 2018

Show notes

In the last few days, world order seems to have been turned on its head as Trump antagonised his western allies at the G7 Summit, and then shook the hand of North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un. We ask, how will Trump treat his allies in the July Nato summit (1:35)? We also talk to Peter Hitchens and Paul Mason about Marxism in the modern day – are there any left in Britain (12:55)? And last, what is it like to be homeless in London (27:40)?

With Judy Dempsey, Doug Bandow, Peter Hitchens, Paul Mason, Solomon Smith, and Dom Williamson.

Presented by Lara Prendergast.

Produced by Cindy Yu.

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

Putin's Losing Game: is Russia crumbling? Jun 06, 2018

Show notes

In this week’s episode, Lara Prendergast talks to two Russia experts on the country’s hidden fragility, and ask, is Putin surviving on luck (1:47)? She’ll also be getting to the bottom of Trump’s tariffs – is there really no rhyme or reason to them (14:36)? And last, with all that’s going on in the world, is kindness what we all need more of (27:35)?

With Owen Matthews, Christopher Granville, Matt Ridley, John Carney, Cosmo Landesman, and Gabriella Van Rij.

Presented by Lara Prendergast.

Produced by Cindy Yu.

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

The people vs the EU: Europe's democracy problem May 30, 2018

Show notes

This week, the new Italian coalition’s proposed government was blocked by the Italian President, giving EU grandees in Brussels a cause for celebration. But is the EU way too controlling of rebellious member states (1:45)? On the home front, would a Eurozone crisis help or hinder Brexit negotiations (15:50)? And last, things aren’t going much better across the Atlantic with Mueller’s investigation. Or are they? We talk to those who know Mueller on his progress (27:30).

With James Forsyth, Nigel Farage, Douglas Murray, Tom Nuttall, Freddy Gray and David Priess.

Presented by Katy Balls.

Produced by Cindy Yu.

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

Health Cheque: Tory plans for an NHS splurge May 23, 2018

Show notes

The Spectator reveals that the government is planning a significant yearly increase in the NHS's budget - but, isn't this the £350m bus pledge (00:40)? We'll also talk about the difficulties of modern adoption with Prue Leith (15:30), and hear from Martin Tyler about whether this year's Russia World Cup looks set to be the most political, ever (26:35).

With Will Tanner, James Forsyth, Fraser Nelson, Prue Leith, Dr Sue Armstrong Brown, Mark Palmer, and Martin Tyler.

Presented by Lara Prendergast.

Produced by Cindy Yu.

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

The Italian Job: what will the populist coalition bring? May 16, 2018

Show notes

In this week’s episode, we talk about Italy’s new coalition – what will the Five Star and Lega partnership mean for Italy and for Europe (0:35)? We also ask whether Conservative Friends of Israel are too friendly to Israel (12:00), and, on a slightly different note, discuss why powerful men loved to be spanked… (26:30)

With Fredrik Erixon, Ferdinando Giugliano, Peter Oborne, Stephen Crabb, George McCoy, and Mistress Kaz.

Presented by Lara Prendergast.

Produced by Cindy Yu.

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

Trump vs Iran: what comes after the end of the deal? May 09, 2018

Show notes

We discuss Donald Trump’s latest foray into foreign policy (1:01) – in taking the US out of the Iran nuclear deal. Is it worthy of a Nobel peace prize, or the act of a maniac?

We also talk about the young Londoners who regularly take cocaine, despite the drug’s violent supply chain (13:20), and ask, are emojis ruining children’s abilities to communicate (22:04)?

With Christopher de Bellaigue, Dr Roham Alvandi, Alastair Thomas, Dr Adam Winstock, Lara Prendergast, and Professor Vyv Evans.

Presented by Isabel Hardman.

Produced by Cindy Yu.

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

Podcast Special: The really dark side of Cambridge Analytica May 04, 2018

Show notes

From 2009 to 2010 Sven Hughes worked for SCL group, the parent company of the controversial — now deceased — Cambridge Analytica. In this Spectator Podcast Special, Sven, now the CEO of a company called Verbalisation, talks to Freddy Gray about his work for Nix.

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

Mayday! How trapped is the Prime Minister? May 02, 2018

Show notes

In this week’s episode, we talk about Theresa May’s impossible situation, and ask, how can she get out of this bind created by her friends and enemies? We also discuss the hostile environment policy, and ask, is Ireland going to repeal its Eighth Amendment?

With James Forsyth, Chris Wilkins, David Goodhart, Ash Sakar, Melanie McDonagh, and Una Mullally.

Presented by Isabel Hardman.

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

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