Fraser Nelson is a Times columnist and a former editor of The Spectator.
17 min listen
Matt Hancock gave evidence at the Covid inquiry today. The former health secretary said that ‘the doctrine was wrong’, care home preparation was ‘terrible’ and improper planning was an ‘absolute tragedy’. But why was it accepted that harsher lockdowns would’ve helped? Max Jeffery speaks to Isabel Oakeshott and Fraser Nelson. Produced by Max Jeffery.
Philip Morris International is one of the world's most interesting and controversial companies. Recently, they announced their vision to exit the business of making cigarettes and enter what they describe as a 'smoke-free world'. But what pace are they moving at? And what are the risks involved? Jacek Olczak the chief executive of Philip Morris International joins The Spectator's editor, Fraser Nelson to discuss what a smoke-free future might look like; the risks and rewards to cigarette alternatives; and why he believes big tobacco can be a force for good.
10 min listen
As mortgage rates surge and a new Opinium poll finds Labour’s lead has jumped to 18 points, Rishi Sunak appeared on Laura Kuenssberg’s BBC show to insist that his plan is the right one. But was his slightly cranky reaction to some of the questions a reflection of how the party is really feeling about its future? Katy Balls speaks to Isabel Hardman and Fraser Nelson. Produced by Natasha Feroze.
13 min listen
Fraser Nelson is joined by Svitlana Morenets and Mark Galeotti as Vladimir Putin faces an armed insurrection from the Wagner mercenary group – what could happen next?
27 min listen
Kate Andrews is joined by Fraser Nelson and Johan Norberg, author of The Capitalist Manifesto: why the global free market will save the world. On the podcast Johan talks about its why lockdown societies never worked; whether he finds the word capitalism useful and his endless optimism for a better future.
11 min listen
Today is the seven years' anniversary of the Brexit referendum, and new polls find that a majority of Brits would prefer a closer relationship with the EU, or rejoining the European Union altogether. Can Labour capitalise on this? Cindy Yu talks to James Heale and Fraser Nelson. Produced by Cindy Yu.
10 min listen
In last night's vote on the Privileges Committee's report into whether Boris Johnson misled parliament, just six MPs backed the former prime minister. What's the reaction in Westminster today? Also on the podcast, after shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves rowed back on Labour's £28bn green projects pledge, why are both parties in such a mess on energy? James Heale speaks to Katy Balls and Fraser Nelson. Produced by Oscar Edmondson.
11 min listen
Katy Balls speaks to Kate Andrews and Fraser Nelson about the developments in the mortgage markets and how Tory MPs are expected to vote on Partygate.
With the return of Tory psychodrama and the leak of CCHQ lockdown party videos, Rishi Sunak needs something to go badly right for him. His best hope will be the Court of Appeal green-lighting his Rwanda deportation plan which he hopes will show major progress towards his pledge to 'stop the boats'. The latest data on Albanian deportations, published on The Spectator data hub, will give him some reason for optimism. Sunak’s rationale is that small boats are a symptom of a people smuggling industry run on an economic basis: people will fork out $15,000 to get to Britain because once you’re here there is little realistic chance of deportation.
11 min listen
The release of The Privileges Committee's report into whether Boris Johnson knowingly misled parliament has caused a war of words in the press. Several MPs have announced that they will vote against the report when it comes to House of Commons on Monday. What's the latest? Also on the podcast, Boris Johnson is expected to be announced as the Mail's 'erudite' new columnist in tomorrow's edition. Does Johnson need a political office in order to cause trouble? James Heale speaks to Katy Balls and Fraser Nelson. Produced by Cindy Yu and Oscar Edmondson.
14 min listen
Nicola Sturgeon has been arrested in connection with the probe into SNP finances.A spokesperson for Nicola Sturgeon confirmed: ‘Nicola Sturgeon has today, Sunday 11th June, by arrangement with Police Scotland, attended an interview where she was to be arrested and questioned in relation to Operation Branchform. Nicola has consistently said she would co-operate with the investigation if asked and continues to do so.’ Katy Balls, Fraser Nelson and Iain Macwhirter discuss. Produced by Oscar Edmondson.
19 min listen
Kate Andrews, Katy Balls and Fraser Nelson react to the news that Boris Johnson has decided to stand down as an MP. Will the former Prime Minister go quietly? Produced by Natasha Feroze.
11 min listen
Boris Johnson has published his resignation honours list, proposing a number of supporters, long time loyalists and even young staffers to be given peerages and honours. But is this an abuse of a system which should, instead, be about rewarding people for their public service? Cindy Yu talks to Fraser Nelson and Katy Balls. Produced by Cindy Yu.
12 min listen
The Green Party's first and only MP, Caroline Lucas, has announced today that she'll be stepping down at the next election. On the episode, Katy Balls talks with Isabel Hardman and Fraser Nelson about Lucas's achievements and what it's like to be the sole MP of your party in a parliamentary system like ours. Produced by Cindy Yu.
John Edmunds was, with Neil Ferguson, one of the main advocates of lockdown but has been remarkably silent about how this theory held up against the results. But he does, still, pop up to attack those who were sceptical of his old advice. Chief amongst them was Rishi Sunak, his target today. The Observer discloses that ‘a leading scientist’ has attacked Sunak for the work he did trying to repair the damage of lockdown on commercial activity with the Eat Out to Help Out scheme. That scientist was, of course, Edmunds, back to his old tricks using his position on Sage (which has still not been disbanded) to attack ministers who disagreed with him.
One of the great parts of my job is that you get to meet the people you’ve always wanted to. When I first became editor, I used this a lot – mainly abusing my expenses account. Then we acquired an events department and with it, the facility to invite others along too. So next month, we’ll be trialling a new format: inviting a guest with a small group of subscribers in The Spectator boardroom for discussion and, after, a drink in our garden. The first guest will be the Swedish writer, Johan Norberg. You may not have heard of him; in which case, I like to think I’m doing you a service with this blog.
Natasha Feroze is joined by James Heale and Fraser Nelson to discuss the Covid inquiry's requested release of Boris Johnson's unredacted Whatsapp messages and diary entries. Meanwhile, Rishi Sunak has spent the day in Kent looking at ways to clamp down unsafe vaping. But he won't go as far as other countries who intend to ban them.
Every successful digital publication has one thing in common: brilliant analytical people working hand-in-glove with editors. We’re looking to hire such a person. We have a strong data team at The Spectator which allowed us to scrutinise Sage in lockdown and allows us, now, to look at how we can better serve our own readers. This is not about chasing clicks – it’s about helping us create an app and a website that reads as easily and intuitively as the magazine. We need to identify and eliminate any point of friction that annoys our subscribers and do what we can to make it easy for them to find the best of what we have to offer. In the digital age, where most people download an app as soon as they subscribe, we’re judged – quite rightly – by how easy our tech is to use.
This was supposed to be the year when Recep Erdogan would finally come to grief. Instead, he has defied the odds and won today’s runoff in the Turkish presidential election with 52 per cent of the votes vs 48 per cent for 74-year-old opposition leader Kemal Kiliçdaroglu. This establishes Erdogan as one of the great political survivors, whose personal popularity has risen over the declining stature of his party. And it all but kills off the hope that reformist Turks had for change. Anyone who has visited Turkey recently will know the mayhem that Erdogan’s rule has introduced. When I was last there, inflation was so bad that shops didn’t have price tags as they changed from morning to afternoon.
18 min listen
This week's net migration figures were lower than expected, but still far higher than the 'tens of thousands' first promised by David Cameron. What's gone so wrong, and what's the downside of using immigration to boost economic growth? Fraser Nelson speaks to Damian Green, the Conservative MP and former immigration minister, and James Kirkup, a Spectator regular who runs the Social Market Foundation.
