The Spectator

Saturday

The Spectator

The Spectator at war: Standing at ease

From our UK edition

From 'Standing at Ease', The Spectator, 15 May 1915: It is a contradiction in terms, but we think it is true to experience, to say that certain people in distress never stand at ease but when they are working hard. They are as a rule people of very strong will. "Attention!" they shout at their own souls, determined that nothing shall come between them and their task. With an effort which takes all their strength, they concentrate upon their work. "Stand at ease," murmurs the still voice which cannot be gainsaid, and suddenly their work is invested with an intense and unnatural interest, Breathless, delighted, and refreshed, they follow its intricacies, so monotonous in days of peace, so all absorbing now. Their minds are working at high pressure.

Friday

The Spectator

Podcast special: can Nigel Farage survive the Ukip wars?

From our UK edition

In this View from 22 special podcast, Fraser Nelson and Sebastian Payne discuss the ongoing Ukip wars with Laura Pitel from The Times. Can Nigel Farage survive as leader? Is there still a conflict between Team Farage and other tribes within the party? And what role has Douglas Carswell played, if any, in the briefing wars?

Thursday

The Spectator

Letters | 14 May 2015

From our UK edition

Scotland’s silent majority Sir: Hugo Rifkind’s article (‘Scotland’s nasty party’, 9 May) is a first for the media. It expresses the dismay, disbelief and incomprehension felt at the rise of the SNP by least one — and I suspect many — of the silent majority in Scotland. When will the media confront Nicola Sturgeon’s claim to speak for Scotland, as opposed to allowing her to deliver an unchallenged party political broadcast? She can only speak for the SNP, who at best can speak for half of Scottish voters. Not in my name. I want no part of her strident, demanding, aggressive brand. The article did omit one issue. Thousands of young Scots work in England and abroad, developing and enhancing their expertise before returning home.

The Spectator

Barometer | 14 May 2015

From our UK edition

Plagued by stigma The World Health Organisation told doctors to stop naming diseases after people, places and animals so as not to stigmatise them. But are diseases even really associated with things that gave them their name? — Spanish flu. First identified in an army hospital in Kansas in March 1918. It gained its name because Spain was a neutral country, and uncensored newspaper reports made it appear uniquely affected. Subsequent theories have had it originating in China or at an army camp in France. — Legionnaires’ disease. First identified after an outbreak at a convention of the American Legion at the Bellevue-Stratford Hotel, Philadelphia, in July 1976. — Ebola.

The Spectator

Portrait of the week | 14 May 2015

From our UK edition

Home David Cameron, the Prime Minister, soon got used to the surprise of the Conservatives being returned in the general election with a majority of 12. He retained George Osborne as Chancellor of the Exchequer and made him First Secretary of State too. Theresa May, Philip Hammond, Michael Fallon and Iain Duncan Smith also stayed put, but Chris Grayling replaced William Hague, who had left the Commons, as Leader of the House, to be replaced as justice secretary by Michael Gove, who was replaced as chief whip by Mark Harper. Amber Rudd became Energy Secretary. John Whittingdale became Culture Secretary in place of Sajid Javid, who became Business Secretary. Boris Johnson was to attend weekly political cabinets.