Best of the Spectator

In this week’s episode:  As the Liz Truss era begins, we assess the bumpy road that lies ahead of her.  James Forsyth and Rachel Wolf, co-author of the 2019 conservative manifesto, join the Edition podcast (01:04).  Also this week:  From generation rent to generation buy: has Help to Buy been a success or a failure?  Emma Hollender speaks with economist – and ‘Trussketeer’ – Dr Gerard Lyons (12:29...

Sam Leith's guest in this week’s Book Club is Ian McEwan – whose latest novel Lessons draws on his own biography to imagine an 'alternative life' for himself. He tells Sam about what drew him, in his late career, to using autobiography; about why there’s no contradiction in combining realism with metafiction; about the importance of sex; the rise of cancel culture – and why literary fiction by 'co...

After a long summer of hustings, Liz Truss has finally been confirmed today as the next leader of the Conservative party. As she gets the keys to Downing Street, she'll finally be able to carry out her vision of Sino-British relations. But what is that vision? On the latest Chinese Whispers, Cindy Yu speaks to Sam Hogg, editor of the must-read Beijing to Britain newsletter, about what we know abou...

John Connolly, The Spectator 's news editor, is joined by deputy editor Freddy Gray; political editor James Forsyth; business editor Martin Vander Weyer; assistant editor Isabel Hardman; contributors Louise Perry and Simon Kuper; historian Robert Service; journalist Anne-Elisabeth Moutet; Times royal correspondent Valentine Low; deputy editor Freddy Gray; political editor James Forsyth; business e...

This week on Spectator Out Loud: Keiron Pim discusses what young Ukrainians can learn from the works of Joseph Roth (01:00), Miranda Morrison reflects on her decision to quit her job as a teacher (11:26), and Cosmo Landesman asks whether successful writers can be friends with less successful ones (19:39).  Produced and presented by Oscar Edmondson.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more...

Freddy Gray speaks to Julia Yost about her recent New York Times column, 'New York's Hottest Club Is the Catholic Church'.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's episode:  We look ahead to Harry and Meghan’s UK tour next week, how will they be received?  Freddy Gray and Tanya Gold join the Edition podcast to discuss (01:01).  Also this week:  In the Spectator magazine, our Economics Editor Kate Andrews sat down with the three economists, or 'Trussketeers', that are informing the would-be PM’s economic plan.  She joins us along with Julian Je...

This week we spotlight our most popular episode of the last year, Sam's conversation with Francis Fukuyama about his book Liberalism and its Discontents . He tells Sam how a system that has built peace and prosperity since the Enlightenment has come under attack from the neoliberal right and the identitarian left; and how Vladimir Putin may end up being the unwitting founding father of a new Ukrai...

Al and Kitty Tait run the Orange Bakery in Watlington, and are the authors of Breadsong: How Baking Changed Our Lives . On the podcast, the father-and-daughter pair explain how cooking changed their relationship, why baking helped Kitty out of depression, and why Watlingtons make such great customers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Winston speaks with author and human rights activist Yasmine Mohammed. They discuss Salman Rushdie’s Fatwa, The Satanic Verses , Islamic blasphemy laws and how liberals empower radical Islam. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Spectator Out Loud, Svitlana Morenets discusses the changes to the syllabus in Ukraine and the difficult decision parents are having to make over whether to send their children back to school (00:59). Cindy Yu argues that she would be the perfect communist shill (07:45), and John Connolly tells us why cow attacks are no laughing matter (13:26).  Produced and presented by Oscar Edmonds...

Curtis Yarvin is, according to the New York Times , a 'neo-reactionary blogger'. What would Henry VII make of Elizabeth II? What good has American foreign policy done? Why did he support the war in Iraq? And who are the best Victorian writers? Yarvin joins Freddy Gray. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week’s episode: What has Rishi Sunak revealed about the lockdown decisions made behind closed doors? Fraser Nelson, Katy Balls and Kate Andrews join the Edition podcast to discuss (1.14). Also this week: From aid to trade: when will the West start to deal with Africa on its own terms? Spectator columnist, Aidan Hartley is joined by Degan Ali, founder and principal of DA Global (16.24). And...

This week we revisit Sam's conversation with Sir Salman Rushdie, recorded just before the pandemic. ‘Things that would have seemed utterly improbable now happen on a daily basis’, Sir Salman Rushdie said to Sam when they spoke in an interview for the Spectator's 10,000th edition. They discuss everything from his latest book Quichotte , to his relationship with his father, who we learn made up the...

Yesterday Liz Cheney lost the Republican nomination for Wyoming's House seat to the Trump-backed candidate Harriet Hageman. Freddy Gray is joined by the author and journalist James Pogue to discuss the impact of the result. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does China want with Xinjiang? Its systematic repression of the Uyghur people and other regional minorities has shocked the world, eliciting accusations of genocide from politicians and activists across the West. The Chinese Communist Party claims that its re-education camps are an anti-terrorism measure, but surely if anything is going to radicalise vast swathes of a non-Han population, it’s...

Fraser Nelson, The Spectator ’s editor, speaks to our columnist Lionel Shriver about the attack on Salman Rushdie: ‘Publishing has become completely paranoid about putting out anything that might be insulting to Islam.’ – Lionel Shriver On the rest of the show, our economics editor Kate Andrews explains why the jobs market is so good, but the economy is heading for a recession. Jonathan Sumption,...

On this episode of Spectator Out Loud, Katy Balls discusses the challenges facing prospective PM Liz Truss (00:52). Toby Young shares why he is defending a pro-Putin apologist (06:45) and Mark Palmer reads his notes on hand luggage (11:29).   Produced and presented by Oscar Edmondson.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week’s episode:    Is Giorgia Meloni the most dangerous woman in Europe?   Spectator contributor, Nicholas Farrell and political correspondent at Bloomberg, Chiara Albanese join us to discuss the road ahead for Italy’s next likely leader. (01.10) Also this week: Are we entering a new age of digital censorship?   Lord Sumption unpicks the Online Safety Bill in this week’s magazine. He’s joi...

My guest on this week's Book Club podcast is Rhodri Jeffreys-Jones – whose new book A Question of Standing: The History of the CIA looks at the real-life story behind one of the most mythologised agencies of American power. How does the world's first democratically answerable spy agency actually work? Were all those dirty tricks, extra-legal shenanigans and attempted assassinations – sorry: "healt...

Paul Feig is an actor, comedian and acclaimed filmmaker. He has been behind films such as Bridesmaids, The Heat and the 2016 remake of Ghostbusters as well as episodes of Parks and Recreation and The Office. On the podcast, Paul talks to Lara and Olivia about growing up thinking food was bland and tasteless, the secrets of on set catering and how to make the perfect Martini. Hosted on Acast. See a...

Winston speaks with American indie legend Ariel Pink. The accomplished singer-songwriter had his life turned on its head for the great crime of supporting Trump. Listen to find out what happened and why. They discuss January 6th, life after cancellation and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Freddy Gray questions Biden’s supposed ‘hot streak’ (00:55), Mary Killen warns that a neighbourly feud is worse than a hosepipe ban (07:19) and Jonathan Miller talks about France’s sexual civil war (11:43).  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week’s episode: Who’s to blame for the water shortages? James Forsyth, The Spectator’s political editor and Ciaran Nelson from Anglian Water join us to discuss the UK’s deteriorating water supply. (0.29) Also this week: Is it time for some old-fashioned Tory state-building? Tim Stanley from the Telegraph shares his vision for a Conservative future. He’s joined by Annabel Denham, director o...

In this week's Book Club podcast, I'm joined by Andrea Wulf to talk about the birth of Romanticism at the end of the 18th century. Her new book Magnificent Rebels tells the story of the "Jena set" – a staggering assemblage of the superstars of German literature and philosophy who gathered in a small town and collectively came up with a whole new way of looking at the world. Goethe, Schiller, Ficht...