Best of the Spectator

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Americano: will anyone miss the Boomers? Dec 08, 2025

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Christopher Caldwell joins Freddy Gray to discuss why the 'Boomer generation' – those born between 1946 and 1964 – became one of the most hated generations in recent history. Chris argues that the Boomers uniquely benefited from the resources of other generations, and were able to enjoy the benefits of leftist politics alongside the political and economic freedoms associated with the right; the apex of their power perhaps being the Clinton/Bush era.

To what extent are the Boomers responsible for the decline of America? And what merits are there in judging society through age? Plus, do the digital-millennial generation – those born at the late 1980s and early 1990s – mark the next era of cultural configuration?

Produced by Patrick Gibbons and James Lewis.

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

Spectator Out Loud: what's the greatest artwork of the century so far? Dec 07, 2025

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For this week's Spectator Out Loud, we include a compilation of submissions by our writers for their greatest artwork of the 21st century so far. Following our arts editor Igor Toronyi-Lalic, you can hear from: Graeme Thomson, Lloyd Evans, Slavoj Zizek, Damian Thompson, Richard Bratby, Liz Anderson, Deborah Ross, Calvin Po, Tanjil Rashid, James Walton, Rupert Christiansen and Christopher Howse.

Produced and presented by Patrick Gibbons.

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Coffee House Shots: who really runs No.10? Dec 06, 2025

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This weekend’s Coffee House Shots digs into the growing debate over whether Keir Starmer should tack left on the economy as voters peel away to the Greens and Lib Dems – and why some in Labour think its migration stance is now more popular with their own voters than ever. Are Labour tacking left?

But beyond policy, a deeper question looms: is Westminster’s obsession with ‘super-advisers’ drowning out the government’s message? Tom Baldwin argues that leaks, briefing wars and the hunt for the next ‘power-behind-the-throne’ are undermining Labour’s ability to tell a coherent story, while Tim Shipman asks why Starmer still struggles to communicate the values that drive him.

James Heale speaks to Tim Shipman and Tom Baldwin, Keir Starmer's biographer.

Produced by Oscar Edmondson.

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

The Edition: Benefits Britain, mental health & what’s the greatest artwork of the 21st Century? Dec 05, 2025

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‘Labour is now the party of welfare, not work’ argues Michael Simmons in the Spectator’s cover article this week. The question ‘why should I bother with work?’ is becoming harder to answer, following last week’s Budget which could come to define this Labour government. A smaller and smaller cohort of people are being asked to shoulder the burden – what do our Spectator contributors think of this?

For this week’s Edition, host Lara Prendergast is joined by opinion editor Rupert Hawksley, arts editor Igor Toronyi-Lalic and columnist Matthew Parris. Rupert points out the perceived lack of fairness across the Budget, Matthew thinks we shouldn’t be surprised that a Labour government delivered a Labour Budget and Igor makes the case that artists thrive as a consequence of an inefficient state.

As well as the cover, they discuss: the compassionate balance needed on mental health; how society seems to be approaching a ‘climbdown’ over climate change; the best party tricks they’ve seen; and finally, their reflections on Tom Stoppard, following his death at the weekend.

Plus: what is the greatest artwork of the 21st century so far – and how should we define it? The columnists discuss our various submissions from Christian Marclay’s The Clock, television show Succession, album Original Pirate Material by The Streets – and even the Just Stop Oil movement.

Produced by Patrick Gibbons.

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

The Book Club: A Brief History of the Aphorism Dec 04, 2025

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My guest in this week’s Book Club podcast is James Geary, talking about the new edition of his classic The World in a Phrase: A Brief History of the Aphorism. He tells me about what separates an aphorism from a proverb, a maxim or a quip; about the long history of the form and his own lifelong infatuation with it; and about whether – given our dwindling attention span and appetite for zingers on social media – we can expect to be living through a new golden age of aphorism.

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

Quite right!: should Rachel Reeves go? Dec 03, 2025

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This week: Rachel Reeves reels as Labour’s Budget unravels – and a far-left Life of Brian sequel plays out in Liverpool.

After a bruising seven days for the Chancellor, Michael and Maddie ask whether Reeves’s position is now beyond repair. Did Keir Starmer’s bizarre nursery press conference steady the ship – or simply confirm that the government is panicking? And is the resignation of the OBR chair a shield for Reeves – or a damning contrast with her refusal to budge?

Then: the inaugural conference of Your Party delivers pure comic gold. As Zarah Sultana’s collective-leadership utopians clash with Corbynite diehards and Islamist independents, Michael explains why the far left’s civil war matters more than Westminster thinks. Could independents erode Labour’s urban base? And with Jeremy Corbyn now looking like the centrist dad of the movement, what does this chaos tell us about the future of the British left?

And finally: Christmas is coming. Maddie and Michael share their rules for 'sound' gift-giving and give their book recommendations.

Produced by Oscar Edmondson.

To submit your urgent questions to Michael and Maddie, go to spectator.co.uk/quiteright

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Americano: why is the US obsessed with British 'decline'? Dec 02, 2025

Show notes

Why are Americans so interested in Britain's decline? While visiting London, Tucker Carlson has said that the country has ‘shrunken’ and its culture ‘destroyed’, particularly because of mass immigration. Freddy Gray is joined by Tim Stanley and Ed West to discuss whether Britain has become ‘ground zero in the decline of western civilisation’ and if the US has always viewed the UK this way.

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Nicotine pouches: solution or smokescreen? Dec 01, 2025

Show notes

There has been a renewed focus on tobacco and nicotine products across Europe. Just as countries seek to speed up the process to a smoke-free future, through measures like generational smoking bans and increased regulations on packaging and advertising, there has been a sharp increase in young people using alternative nicotine products like vapes and pouches.

Philip Morris International (PMI) expects to see two-thirds of its revenue come from smoke-free products by 2030 – including its product, Zyn. Dr Moira Gilchrist, chief communications officer at PMI, and Charlie Weimers MEP, a member of the Swedish Democrats, join The Spectator’s Lara Brown to talk about how nicotine pouches can help the transition away from tobacco to a smoke-free future. While this podcast was sponsored by PMI, The Spectator retained full editorial control, with no subject off-limits. Is PMI’s concern genuine or purely for future-proofing their business? What lessons can the UK take from Sweden, which expects to be declared the first ‘smoke-free’ country? And what does the science say?

This podcast is sponsored by Philip Morris International.

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

Holy Smoke: Trump highlights the persecution of Christians in Nigeria Nov 30, 2025

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Fr Benedict Kiely, founder of nasarean.org, and Freddy Gray join Damian Thompson to discuss the persecution of Christians which has reached new and terrifying levels. Since this podcast was recorded last Friday, we have had the further news that over 300 children and staff were abducted from a Christian school – while around 50 of the children have since managed to escape, the rest remain missing and a local Bishop has criticised the Nigeria government for its failure to act.

Over 185,000 Christians are estimated to have been killed in Nigeria in the past 15 years – so why has it taken the efforts of President Trump to push this horrific topic up the agenda?

Produced by Patrick Gibbons.

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

Coffee House Shots: Budget booze from Disraeli to Reeves Nov 29, 2025

Show notes

Throughout the years, the only person permitted to drink inside the House of Commons is the Chancellor, so what has been the tipple of choice for each resident of Number 11 dating back to Benjamin Disraeli? Following Rachel Reeves Budget this week, Michael Simmons and James Heale drink their way through the ages, discuss the historical context of each Budget, and question whether Rachel Reeves has the toughest job of them all.

This episode was originally recorded for Michael Simmons's new podcast Reality Check. Search Reality Check wherever you subscribe to your podcasts.

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