The Edition

This week, Boris Johnson breaks cover and speaks to the Spectator about his plans for Brexit and beyond (00:50). The presidential election stateside is hotting up as Democratic candidates fight for the nomination (16:40). And last, we ask – why are people so obsessed with being in a relationship (26:00)? With Katy Balls, James Forsyth, Andrew Gimson, Brian Klaas, Kate Andrews, Elisa Segrave and So...

This week, as presidents Xi and Trump meet at the G20, is the world on the eve of a new Cold War (00:30)? Plus, Boris Johnson’s campaign has had a tough week – but is this anything more than a wobble (15:55)? And last – he’s had three wives, and his current partner is more than 20 years his junior – but why doesn’t anyone ever talk about Jeremy Corbyn’s love life (24:30)? With Gerrard Baker, Yu Ji...

This week - Boris Johnson is poised to take the Tory leadership, and the keys to number 10 - but who is he really, and how will he govern (1:02)? Also, what should happen to the ISIS Beatles (11:11)? And finally, does the Lord's Prayer really need a re-write (22:41)? With Toby Young, Stephen Bush, Paul Wood, Tom Wilson, Melanie McDonagh and Marcus Walker. Presented by Isabel Hardman Produced by Ga...

This week, the government commits to a green target of net zero emissions by 2050 – but how costly will meeting it be (00:25)? And stateside, with the Mueller Report showing the extent of Trump’s meddling, should Democrats try to impeach him (11:30)? And last, are modern fathers taken for granted (22:25)? With Lord Peter Lilley, Sam Richards, John Rick MacArthur, Karin Robinson, Cosmo Landesman, a...

What is the unfinished business that Theresa May leaves for the next prime minister (00:25)? Plus, why everyone is fascist or Nazi these days (10:50)? And last, who was Alma Mahler, the woman who entranced some of the most creative men in 20th century Europe (23:40)? With Alex Morton, Hugh Pym, Julia Hartley-Brewer, Jonathan Lis, and Cate Haste. Presented by Isabel Hardman. Produced by Cindy Yu an...

This week, as the Tory leadership contest kicks off, who has the best shot at getting to the final two (00:40)? And with Carrie Symonds, Boris’s new partner, neatening him up, we also ask - what is the role of the politician’s wife (16:45)? And last, cats. Are they ruthless killers posing an existential threat to wild birds (25:25)? With James Forsyth, Rob Wilson, Nevena Bridgen, Paula Milne, Mary...

This week, as the country goes to the polls for European elections, we ask: has Brexit devoured the far left (00:45)? We also speak to an unlikely Boris supporter – Matthew Parris – on the merits of a Boris leadership for Remainers (14:20). And last, do you own books to read, or to show off (30:00)? With Nick Cohen, Sienna Rodgers, Matthew Parris, James Forsyth, Virginia Blackburn and Stig Abell....

Cometh the hour, cometh the man? Is Boris the man to save the Tories from Nigel Farage? We talk to his former right hand man about his chances (00:40). We also discuss the latest frontier of political correctness – can fantasy fiction be racist (14:10)? And last, why are people today so squeamish about meat (28:00)? With Katy Balls, James Forsyth, Will Walden, Karen Yossman, Sam Leith, James Whetl...

Can you train your brain to stay young beyond its natural age? Recent research suggests so - and we take a look at the science and what this means for society at large (00:40). Plus, we talk about the impact of grouse hunting on our countryside (9:30), and last, what does sobriety teach you (20:45)? With Damian Green MP, Linda Blair, Ben MacDonald, Tim Bonner, Damian Thompson and Tanya Gold. Prese...

On this week's Spectator Podcast, we talk about how Nigel Farage's Brexit Party could pose an existential threat to the Tories (00:35). Also on the podcast, a debate special about whether the UK should legalise all drugs (11:40), and finally, what is lesbian-tourism (34:40)? With Katy Balls, James Forsyth, Matthew Goodwin, Chris Daw QC, Peter Hitchens, and Julie Bindel. Presented by Lara Prenderga...

This week brought a new development in the ongoing scandal over Roger Scruton’s firing from a government commission, after the Spectator obtained the tapes of the interview that got him fired. We talk about what’s on the tapes, and what the affair reveals about the state of public debate (00:37). Plus, we talk about a worrying loophole in our immigration system (17:51), and ask: can men ever be co...

After a tragic fire destroyed parts of the Notre Dame on Holy Week, we talk about what the cathedral means to Catholics (00.25). Plus, a special debate on euthanasia (10.20), and a discussion with the Dean of Westminster Abbey about why we need hymns more than ever (20:25).  With the Very Reverend John Hall, Damian Thompson, Matthew Walther, Sam Leith, Douglas Murray and Ysenda Maxtone-Graham.  Pr...

With plummeting approval ratings and street protests stretching into their fifth month, Emmanuelle Macron’s presidency seems to be going from bad to worse. So what happened to France’s golden child of global liberalism (00:25)? Plus, are MPs whining too much (12:40)? And last, is TV binge-watching becoming an epidemic (21:55)? With Jonathan Miller, Sophie Pedder, Melissa Kite, Stewart Jackson, Mar...

This week, Brexit disillusionment reaches a new low. Will our political system ever be the same again after all this is done(00:40)? Plus, we ask whether British rape laws have gone too far in the MeToo age (15:00). And last, should friends ask friends for donations (30:35)?    With James Forsyth, Katy Balls, Chris Daw QC, Tim Shipman, Sarah Green, James Delingpole, and Cosmo Landesman.  Produced...

This week, Theresa May has finally agreed to step down. But will it be enough to get her Brexit deal through (00:25)? We also take a look at the government’s plans to restrict consumption of pornography (15:20), and last, who were the Victorian women who travelled the world (28:10)? With James Forsyth, Katy Balls, Nicky Morgan, Julie Bindel, Robert Jackman, Myles Jackman, and Rosemary Brown. Prese...

It has been yet another crazy week in the Brexit saga, with May and the EU negotiating an extension. And with a possible third meaningful vote in the horizon, what happens now? And who is to blame for the uncertainty - May, or parliament? (00:37) Plus, with the majority of doctors in the NHS now coming from abroad, why are we not training enough doctors in the UK? (15:50) And we also take a look i...

It's been a somewhat bonkers week in Westminster. The government seems to be going into a full Brexit meltdown and it's likely that Brexit will be delayed. So, where do we go from here (00:40)? We also take a look at the Democratic Party's anti-Semitism problem (17:30) and at the end, Lara Prendergast is given a tarot reading (26:05). With Katy Balls, James Forsyth, Peter Foster, Freddy Gray, Kate...

This week, we look at the rise of woke corporations, and how concepts like 'microaggressions', 'allyship', and 'toxic masculinity' are starting to enter the workplace (00:30). We also hear about Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau - he's fallen from grace, and does he have anyone to blame but himself (13:35)? Plus, we hear about Shanghai's marriage market (20:00), and there's even an apology fr...

This week: May and Corbyn were dragged reluctantly to new positions on Brexit. So, have they lost control of their parties? And what does this mean for a timely Brexit, or indeed, Brexit at all (00:40)? Lara also talks to our Literary Editor, Sam Leith, on the joys of videogaming. What’s behind the success of this £4 billion industry (21:15)? With Katy Balls, James Forsyth, Nick Boles MP, Sienna R...

This week, a new centrist party has finally been formed. So what does this mean for British politics (00:25)? Plus, we talk about the merits of artificial intelligence and ask, is it something to fear (21:50)? And last, do hen parties have to be so crass (32:10)? With Katy Balls, James Forsyth, Gavin Shuker MP, Joe Twyman, Chris Duffey, Jamie Bartlett, Sophia Money-Coutts and Dan Harley. Presented...

Despite the shambolic Tory government, Labour is still trailing in the polls. This week we ask: is Corbyn cracking up (00:25)? Plus, is wearing a hijab necessarily oppressive (17:10), and last, have younger members of the Royal family bought in to a narrative of victimhood (22:20)? With Nick Cohen, Stephen Bush, Soutiam Goodarzi, Jan Moir, and Victoria Murphy. Presented by Isabel Hardman. Produced...

This week, we talk to journalist Zoe Strimpel about whether apps have ruined dating (00:30). Plus, what does the case of disappeared horses and how the RSPCA is more powerful than you think (19:50). Finally, the debate over neurodiversity and why it's dividing the autistic community (30:00). With Zoe Strimpel, Dr. Cath Mercer, Laura James, Matt Tunstill, and Melissa Kite. Presented by Lara Prender...

This week, May prepares for her last shot with Brussels, but can she get what she wants (0:30)? We also talk to Stephen Gibbs, a journalist on the ground in Caracas, about the nightmare in Venezuela (14:25). And last, we take a look at another big issue of the day - are induction hobs simply reinventing the wheel (25:30)?  With James Forsyth, Peter Foster, Stephen Gibbs, Joanna Rossiter, Ysenda Ma...

Have vegans and vegetarians won the moral argument in the war on meat (0:55)? Plus, are Anglicans hoping to reconcile with Catholics (11:20)? And last, why is Michael Gove crusading against the wood-burning stove (25:35)? With Jenny McCartney, Dominika Piasecka, Peter Hitchens, Damian Thompson, James Delingpole and Fraser Nelson. Presented by Lara Prendergast. Become a Spectator subscriber today t...

It’s another crazy week in Westminster, and the question on everyone’s minds – what happens next? We talk to Paul Mason, Henry Newman, and Katy Balls (00:45). Plus, should councils turf out the social housing tenants whose circumstances improve (23:40)? With Paul Mason, Henry Newman, Katy Balls, Mark Piggott, and Luke Doonan. Presented by Isabel Hardman. Produced by Cindy Yu and Alastair Thomas. B...