The Edition

On this week's podcast: Could China be the key to peace in Ukraine? In his cover piece for the magazine this week Owen Matthews reveals the covert but decisive role China is playing in the Ukraine war. He is joined by The Spectator's Cindy Yu, to discuss what Xi's motivations are (00:53).  Also this week:  Harriet Sergeant writes that the Iran is at war with its own children as it cracks down on y...

This week: How long will the pain last? The Spectator's economics editor Kate Andrews asks this in her cover piece this week, reflecting on Rishi Sunak and Jeremy Hunt's autumn statement. She joins the podcast with Professor David Miles, economy expert at the Office for Budget Responsibility, to discuss the new age of austerity (00:58). Also on the podcast: After Donald Trump announced that he wil...

On the podcast: In his cover piece for the magazine, The Spectator's deputy editor Freddy Gray says the only clear winner from the US midterms is paranoia. He is joined by The Spectator's economics editor Kate Andrews to discuss whether the American political system is broken (00:52). Also this week: Isabel Hardman writes that Ed Miliband is the power behind Kier Starmer's Labour. She is joined by...

On this week's podcast: Can Rishi Sunak steady the ship? Patrick O'Flynn argues in his cover piece for The Spectator that the asylum system is broken. He is joined by Sunder Katwala, director of the think tank British Future, to consider what potential solutions are open to the Prime Minister to solve the small boats crisis (00:52). Also this week: Should we give Elon Musk a break? In the aftermat...

On this week's podcast: We have a new prime minister, but is Rishi Sunak ready to take on the numerous problems that James Forsyth outlines in his cover piece for The Spectator this week? James is joined by writer and pollster Matt Goodwin to debate whether the Conservatives can turn it around in time for 2024 (00:50).  Also this week: Is the future of feminism conservative? Louise Perry writes fo...

On this week's podcast:  After the markets saw off Kwarteng, Trussonomics and now Truss herself, James Forsyth writes in The Spectator that the markets will be driving British politics for the foreseeable future. He is joined by Britain economics editor at the Economist Soumaya Keynes to discuss the institutions now dictating government policy (00:56). Also this week: Looking ahead to the American...

This week: In his cover piece for the magazine Owen Matthews writes about the power struggle at the heart of Russia. He is joined by Jade McGlynn, specialist in Russian Studies at the Monterey Initiative, to discuss whether Putin might be running out of time (01:00). Also on the podcast:  Has America’s pot policy gone to pot?  In The Spectator this week Mike Adams says that US cannabis legislation...

On this week's podcast:  As Liz Truss returns from Conservative Party Conference with her wings clipped, has she failed in her revolutionary aims for the party? James Forsyth discusses this in the cover piece for The Spectator , and is joined by former cabinet minister and New Labour architect Peter Mandelson to discuss (01:08). Also this week:  Is it time that the West got tough with Putin? Mark...

On this week's podcast: For the cover of the magazine Kate Andrews assesses the politics of panic, and the fallout of last week's so-called fiscal event. She is joined by Robert Colvile, director of the Centre for Policy Studies think tank to discuss where the Conservatives go from here (00:57). Also this week: Does the future belong to Sinn Fein in Northern Ireland? This is the claim that Jenny M...

In this week’s episode: For the cover of the magazine, Paul Wood asks whether Putin could actually push the nuclear button in order to save himself? He is joined by The Spectator’s assistant online editor Lisa Haseldine, to discuss (01:03). Also this week: Why is there violence on the streets of Leicester? Douglas Murray writes about this in his column this week and we speak to journalist Sunny Hu...

On this week’s podcast:  We reflect on the life and the reign of Queen Elizabeth II.  For The Spectator , A.N. Wilson writes that Queen Elizabeth was a constant in a country that has changed so much, and he is joined on the Edition podcast by Graham Viney author of Last Hurrah: The 1947 Tour of Southern Africa and the End of Empire  (00:59).  Also this week:  Michael Hall takes us inside the Royal...

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...

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...

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...

In this week’s episode: Is Giorgia Meloni the most dangerous woman in Europe? Spectator contributor, Nicholas Farrell is joined by Chiara Albanese, a political correspondent at Bloomberg, 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 joined...

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 episode: Is China heading for a demographic disaster? Rana Mitter and Cindy Yu discuss China’s declining birth rate and what this could do to their economy. (0.52) Also this week: What would foreign policy look like under a Liz Truss government? The Spectator's deputy political editor, Katy Balls is joined by Rishi Sunak supporter, Dr Liam Fox who is the MP for NorthWest Somerset, F...

In this week’s episode: Can Rishi catch up? Katy Balls and Kate Andrews discuss Rishi Sunak’s mad dash to catch up with his rival, Liz Truss in the polls (0.55) Also this week: Is it time the UK severed ties with Chinese-made tech? Charles Parton argues this in the magazine this week. He is joined by Dr Alexi Drew, a consultant in emerging technologies and international relations (13.33) And final...

In this week’s episode: Will Donald Trump have a second shot at the US presidency? Freddy Gray and Sarah Baxter discuss. (1.10) Also this week: A look at the history of Scotland’s paradoxical relationship between Scottish identity and the Union. The Spectator’s Scotland editor, Alex Massie talks with Murray Pittock about his book Scotland: The Global History, 1603 to Present.   (21.49) And finally...

In this week’s episode: The knives are out in the Tory leadership fight, who looks likely to make the final two? Fraser Nelson writes this week’s cover piece about the Tory leadership race. He’s joined by the Telegraph’s Allison Pearson (0.49). Also this week: Mary Wakefield challenges Stonewall's guidelines for parents with trans children. One of these parents is Tammy Plunkett, a former nurse, l...

In this week’s episode: After Boris, who's next? On the day the Prime Minister resigns, Katy Balls and James Forsyth discuss the aftermath of Boris Johnson’s premiership. Who might be the next Tory leader? (0.51). Also this week: Who are the wealthy Russian émigrés ready to fight in the war? Sean Thomas talks with Moscow-based journalist, Gabriel Gavin about the Russian émigrés who hate the war, b...

In this week’s episode: Can Russia turn off Germany’s gas? Wolfgang Münchau and Katja Hoyer discuss Germany’s looming energy crisis (0.51). Also this week: What are relations like between Boris Johnson and Prince Charles?  The Spectator’s diary editor, James Heale talks with Camilla Tominey from the Telegraph talk about the growing tensions between the Prime Minister and future King (19.56). And f...

In this week’s episode: Are Russian sanctions backfiring? The Spectator ’s economics editor, Kate Andrews and Elisabeth Braw from American Enterprise Institute discuss why sanctions against Russia may be playing into Putin’s hands. (0.57) Also this week: Does Carrie Johnson get a hard time from the British public?  Spectator columnist, Matthew Parris talks with the Daily Mail columnist about the r...

In this week’s episode: Why is there a lack of faith in western leaders? Spectator deputy editor Freddy Gray, Callum Williams from the Economist & Harvard professor Barbara Kellerman discuss why the world feel so leaderless. (00:44) Also this week: How do you escape the church of scientology? Spectator Columnist Mary Wakefield talks with former scientologist Claire Headley about her life inside th...

In this week’s episode: Is the Prime Minister a dead man walking? Spectator Political Editor James Forsyth and MP Jesse Norman who expressed no confidence in Monday's vote discuss the future of Boris Johnson and the Conservative Party. (00:45) Also this week: Why is there so much virtue signalling in modern advertising? Spectator Columnist Lionel Shriver and veteran copywriter Paul Burke discuss i...